Adaptive Cruise Control Switching for Safe Overtaking Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adaptive cruise control systems fail to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front when the driver exceeds the set speed by pressing the accelerator pedal, leading to potential collisions, especially during overtaking maneuvers.

Innovation Solution

A method that switches between adaptive cruise control and an accelerator pedal-controlled distance controller, dynamically adjusting the power setpoint based on current speed and distance to maintain a safe distance, and activates the braking system if necessary, ensuring the vehicle maintains a target distance even when the driver accelerates beyond the adaptive cruise control's set speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the driver presses the accelerator pedal to exceed the adaptive cruise control set speed, then the vehicle speed increases, but the distance to the vehicle in front decreases below the safe target distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoiddistance maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between two operational modes: adaptive cruise control mode for normal operation and accelerator pedal-controlled distance controller mode when the driver presses the accelerator. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to driver intentions while maintaining safety, resolving the contradiction between speed increase and distance maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the accelerator pedal position and the distance to the vehicle in front. When the distance falls below the target distance during accelerator pressurization, the system provides feedback by limiting further acceleration and activating braking if necessary. This closed-loop feedback ensures the distance constraint is maintained even when the driver attempts to exceed the set speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the adaptive cruise control limits engine power to maintain target distance, then collision risk decreases, but the driver's acceleration capability is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidacceleration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system adapts its control characteristics based on driver input. When the accelerator is pressed, the system transitions to a mode that allows greater acceleration capability while still enforcing minimum distance constraints. This dynamic adjustment reconciles the driver's acceleration desire with collision prevention by allowing controlled acceleration within safety boundaries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power setpoint calculation parameters based on accelerator pedal position. Instead of using a fixed target distance, the system adjusts the effective target distance and power limitations dynamically. When the accelerator is pressed, the system permits temporary deviations from the standard adaptive cruise control parameters while maintaining ultimate safety through enforced distance constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system switches to accelerator pedal-controlled distance controller, then the driver can accelerate beyond set speed, but the adaptive cruise control distance regulation is temporarily suspended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed regulation flexibilityVSAvoiddistance control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the distance control strategy based on driver input. When the accelerator is pressed, it switches to a distance controller that uses accelerator position as the primary control input rather than maintaining fixed adaptive cruise control parameters. This dynamic switching provides versatility in speed regulation while maintaining distance safety through continuous monitoring and enforced constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3810472B1Method for operating a vehicle, and control device
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3810472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3810472B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle (100), characterized in that if the adaptive cruise control system (104) is activated, it is switched to an accelerator pedal-controlled distance controller (106) in response to an acceleration request indicated by the overriding of an accelerator pedal (128) of the vehicle (100).