Adaptive Cruise Control Lane Condition Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Adaptive cruise control systems face challenges in effectively detecting and responding to slow-moving lead vehicles, particularly in determining the type of vehicle and lane conditions to facilitate safe passing maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a vehicle equipped with a communication module for V2V communication, a camera for image capture, and a controller that identifies the type of lead vehicle and determines its speed, sending alerts and instructions to change lanes if the lead vehicle is a passenger vehicle traveling slower than the set speed, while also assessing lane conditions to ensure safe passing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adaptive cruise control autonomously decelerates upon detecting a slower vehicle, then collision avoidance is improved, but the system cannot distinguish between vehicles requiring slower speed (e.g., emergency vehicles) and those that do not (e.g., passenger vehicles)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces V2V communication as an intermediary mechanism that enables the lead vehicle to transmit its type information to the following vehicle. This mediator allows the ACC system to reliably identify whether the lead vehicle is an emergency vehicle, passenger vehicle, or other type, thereby resolving the contradiction between collision avoidance and vehicle type recognition without requiring complex sensor-based identification systems
2Loss of information
If the ACC system sends alerts to lead vehicles via V2V communication, then communication effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous monitoring and communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the ACC system monitor lead vehicle speed and type at specific intervals rather than continuously. The system checks whether the lead vehicle is traveling slower than the speed limit and only initiates V2V communication when specific conditions are met (slow-moving passenger vehicle detected). This periodic monitoring approach maintains communication effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by utilizing existing V2V communication infrastructure and data already transmitted by vehicles (speed, type information). Rather than requiring additional dedicated communication channels or constant active transmission, the ACC system leverages the self-service capability of vehicles to broadcast their status information, minimizing additional energy requirements while maintaining effective communication
3Productivity
If the system autonomously determines lane conditions and suggests lane changes, then passing capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sensing and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the ACC system to perform multiple functions using existing components. The same sensors and processors used for basic speed control and lead vehicle detection are also utilized for lane condition assessment and lane change recommendation. This multi-functional approach enables the system to provide passing capability without requiring entirely separate dedicated systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection of lane conditions vehicles in adaptive cruise control systems. An example vehicle includes a communication module for V2V communication, a camera for capturing images, and a controller. The controller is to identify a vehicle type of a lead vehicle based upon the images and determine a lead vehicle speed. The controller also is to send, via the communication module, an alert to the lead vehicle responsive to determining the lead vehicle is a passenger vehicle and the lead vehicle speed is less than a speed setting for activated adaptive cruise control.