GM Patents Predictive Road Curvature Transmission Control Feature
GM has recently filed an application for a patent on a method for controlling the transmission of a car by using a prognostic road curvature feature, coming with a front-facing camera. The patent document includes 3 main sections – clarifications related to the construction and technical implementation of the air transmission control unit, specific details on the control system and abstract vehicle equipped with mentioned system, and a set of visual pictures that demonstrate a model of the engineering when applied to an automobile.
With the idea to improve transmission’s
operating characteristics in mind, this patent filing document gives a detailed
description of a technical solution that is supposed to specify a speed ratio
for the transmission on the basis of the forecasted lateral G-force.
According to the official documents, it will be
extremely helpful to have relevant data on road conditions in advance to refine
operating qualities of the transmission unit. This innovation may further
promote the capacity to determine the predicted lateral G-force, which implies specifying
a particular time required for the car to reach the road bend from a current
position as a function of current vehicle speed. The use of such expressions
seeds the idea that the proposed technology can find application in
self-driving cars.
To put it simply, by predetermining any changes in weight balancing for an approaching turn, the transmission controls can be significantly improved. Smart software used in this technology will be able to explore peculiarities of driving behavior of a person behind the wheel, and optimize the controls to meet the driver’s needs in a specific situation. So, as the car reaches a hairpin turn, the controller can perform timely downshifts, leaving the car ideally balanced and ready to speed-up out of the corner. It should be noted that not all drivers want to go round corners, but the same algorithm can be applied to ensure smooth operation.
The technology can be adjusted for either optimal performance or efficiency, as it is aimed to perform downshifts, prevent upshifts, engine braking, coasting, and provide axle torque upon corner exit. The system will be based on a mixture of sensors and modules to make all of the required measurements, and the controller will perform gear shifting operations in the most efficient manner.
The key objective for physical embodiment of such concept would be to enhance efficiency of transmission operation. As has already been mentioned, the introduction of such technology can be beneficial in several ways, including lap times, comfort, and self-driving vehicles. From the documents submitted to the patent authority, a new controlling unit would be integrated in a car with an IC-engine, and that it could operate with any type of transmission. Taking into account a great potential of this innovative idea, the future product may find application in different types of vehicles.
It should be noted that the patent was originally filed more than a year ago. Thus, we can assume that GM plans to use this promising technology on its new models in the near future. Moreover, all current GM models come with a front-facing camera, which are responsible for a variety of active safety functions. Because this new technology can be applied in almost any GM product, it is hard to guess where GM may prefer to implement it first, but it is certain that fuel efficiency will be a key point.
Another important point to bear in mind is that, as emissions regulations and fuel economy standards become more and more stringent, GM – like other major car manufacturers – has to make significant investments in new technologies to produce vehicles that are cleaner and more efficient. Thus, a feature described in the GM patent certainly can become a true asset.
