Automatic transmission

and fuzzy logic

Conventional binary logic handles decision-making based on parameters that can only have one of two states true or false, symbolised by 1 and 0. Fuzzy logic uses notions such as partially true and partially false, completely true and completely false. This makes it less strict in its decision-making and capable of adaptation as situations evolve. Fuzzy logic was drawn up on the basis of exact mathematics combined with human experience and is capable of taking account of a multitude of factors of uncertainty. As a result, it is particularly well-suited to the management of real-world situations.
Hubert Vincent

Safety Environment Life on board Mobility Competitiveness

BASIC FACTS
The use of fuzzy logic in automatic transmission supervisor units makes the transmission behave in a way that is more suited to real driving conditions and makes it capable of adapting to an individuals driving style. After just a few kilometres, the unit is capable of determining if the driver has a sporty or a more fluid style, and it can adapt the way it reacts to this information. In order to achieve this, the supervisor constantly monitors the actions and reactions of the driver using sensors that analyse how the accelerator and brake pedals are used. In addition, it carries out a systematic analysis of the consequence of the decisions it takes. As a result of these analyses and readings, it adapts the shift patterns of the gearbox to the temperament of the driver and to the driving conditions. The automatic transmission is no longer a fixed entity, but is constantly evolving.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The basis of fuzzy logic was established by Dr. Lotfi A. Zadeh in 1965. Its original use was to be able to program a computer to control a machine in a way similar to a human being. Fuzzy logic can be considered as a form of generalisation of binary logic, but it adds the decisive feature of making it possible to calculate a parameter simply by stating to what extent it is to be found in one or another value zone. The true and false symbolised by 1 and 0 are replaced by more shaded values such as completely false, a bit true, half-true, almost completely true and completely true. To illustrate the way this works, take the case of an automatic transmission and simplify the way it works by supposing that for third gear, the range of engine speed must be between 3000 and 4000rpm. Using absolute standards, binary logic will change gear as soon as one or other of these thresholds is attained. But fuzzy logic will be less strict in its decisionmaking. For example, at 3800 rpm, it will already considered the engine speed to be somewhat high. It will then consider whether it is worth changing gear, among other reasons, to maintain good engine efficiency. But before taking a decision, the unit will analyse the reactions of the driver during similar situations that are in its memory. For example, during a previous attempt at anticipating a gear change, did the driver accelerate to maintain the speed of the car? If this is so, the computer will defer its decision until the engine speed reaches about 4000 rpm, attaining a value which the fuzzy logic considers as really high and will then force the gear change. The same type of behaviour is found at low revs. Fuzzy logic can anticipate a change down to give the car better pickup. Of course the form of weighting that fuzzy logic introduces complements the more conventional parameters such as taking account of engine torque and load, acceleration or deceleration of the car, etc., but above all, fuzzy logic makes it possible to customise the temperament of the transmission while still allowing the engine to work under the most optimal conditions as soon as this becomes possible. It therefore delivers better efficiency while still retaining a good level of driving pleasure.
RENAULT COMMUNICATION

December 2008