ACC Fuel-Saving Control Using Longer Headway and Lower Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) do not effectively minimize fuel consumption when a fuel warning light is activated or when drivers seek fuel efficiency improvements, leading to inefficient vehicle movement, especially in scenarios where traffic congestion and varying distances to fuel stations are involved.
Innovation Solution
A driving assistance apparatus and method that utilize a front sensor and controller to adjust the distance to a front vehicle and reduce maximum acceleration based on a control factor inversely proportional to the distance to empty, with the control factor changing according to the distance to a destination, thereby optimizing fuel efficiency by increasing the distance to the front vehicle and reducing maximum acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the distance to front vehicle is increased and maximum acceleration is reduced during ACC activation, then fuel consumption is minimized, but the productivity (travel time to destination) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the distance to front vehicle and maximum acceleration parameters based on real-time conditions (fuel level, distance to destination, traffic conditions). When fuel level is low and destination is far, the system applies fuel-efficient parameters (larger distance, reduced acceleration). When destination is near, it switches to normal parameters for faster arrival. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by applying different parameter sets for different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes key ACC parameters (distance to front vehicle, maximum acceleration) based on the calculated control factor. The control factor is determined by the ratio of distance to destination versus distance to empty, allowing the system to optimize parameters for fuel efficiency when needed while maintaining normal performance when fuel is充足. This parameter transformation enables the system to resolve the contradiction between fuel consumption and travel time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the distance to front vehicle is increased and maximum acceleration is reduced, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the speed of vehicle movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speed-related parameters (distance to front vehicle, maximum acceleration) based on operational context. During fuel-critical phases (low fuel, long distance to destination), it applies conservative parameters that reduce speed but improve fuel efficiency. During non-critical phases (adequate fuel, short distance), it restores normal parameters for faster movement. This dynamic adjustment resolves the speed-fuel efficiency contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically evaluates the operational conditions (fuel level, distance to destination, traffic) and adjusts parameters accordingly. It switches between fuel-efficient mode (reduced speed, larger distance) and normal mode (higher speed, standard distance) based on the calculated control factor, creating a periodic adjustment pattern that balances speed and fuel efficiency over the journey.
3Loss of energy
If the control factor is increased for fuel efficiency, then the distance to front vehicle is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing ACC controller is extended to perform multiple functions: normal cruise control operation, fuel level monitoring, destination distance calculation, control factor determination, and dynamic parameter adjustment. By making the controller multi-functional, the system achieves fuel efficiency improvements without adding separate dedicated hardware systems, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while still managing fuel consumption effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing sensor data (fuel level from fuel sensor, distance from front sensor, destination information from navigation) to automatically calculate the control factor and adjust ACC parameters without requiring additional input from the driver or external systems. The controller self-manages the optimization process by integrating data from existing vehicle systems, avoiding the need for complex additional hardware while achieving fuel efficiency goals.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assistance apparatus includes: a front sensor mounted to or on a vehicle and having a field of sensing in front of a host vehicle; and a controller configured to process data obtained from the front sensor. The controller is configured to increase a set distance from the host vehicle to a front vehicle and reduce a set maximum limit to an acceleration of the host vehicle based on receiving a control signal for fuel efficiency improvement during the activation of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).