Adaptive Brake-Steering Control on Snow, Gravel, and Wet Roads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle braking and directional control systems are unable to adjust their performance based on varying surface conditions such as rain, snow, or gravel, leading to suboptimal braking and steering responses, especially on contaminated or non-compliant surfaces, as they are optimized for dry pavements and operate independently without integrating surface-specific inputs.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive braking and directional control system (ABADCS) that utilizes a plurality of sensors and artificial intelligence to determine optimal braking and steering actions based on real-time data from sensors, including velocity, traction, and surface conditions, and provides tactile, audible, and visual warnings to improve driver situational awareness and vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current ABS/ASBS systems maintain slip ratios at 10-20% for dry pavement optimization, then braking performance is improved on dry surfaces, but braking effectiveness deteriorates on contaminated surfaces such as snow or gravel
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the target slip ratio based on detected surface conditions. Instead of maintaining a fixed 10-20% slip ratio optimized for dry pavement, the controller modifies the target slip ratio in real-time according to the actual surface type (snow, gravel, wet pavement, etc.), allowing optimal braking performance across varying conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the critical parameter of target slip ratio based on surface condition detection. By identifying the surface type through sensor inputs and adjusting the corresponding target slip ratio parameter, the system adapts its braking control strategy to match the specific friction characteristics of each surface condition
2Device complexity
If ABS/ASBS systems operate independently without surface condition recognition, then system complexity is reduced, but braking and steering coordination deteriorates on contaminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the braking control (ABS/ASBS) and directional control (steering) systems into a coordinated adaptive control framework. Both systems share the same surface condition detection data and work together under unified control logic, ensuring that braking and steering actions are harmonized according to actual surface conditions rather than operating independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data about vehicle response and surface conditions continuously inform the controller's adjustments to both braking and steering commands. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the coordinated control actions remain effective and adaptive to changing conditions
3Ease of operation
If the same control methodology is used regardless of surface type, then ease of operation is improved, but vehicle response deteriorates on non-dry surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting surface conditions and modifying control parameters without requiring driver intervention. The controller autonomously adapts the target slip ratio and coordination strategy based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for the operator to manually adjust settings for different surface conditions while maintaining optimal vehicle response
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling and optimizing braking and directional control of a vehicle operated on a contaminated, compliant, or non-compliant surface. The method includes steps of: collecting data from a plurality of sensors, the data being indicative of a condition of the contaminated, compliant, or non-compliant surface; sending the data to a neural controller having an algorithm configured to process the data. The algorithm includes: determining optimum braking and directional control instructions for the vehicle, generating warnings and alerts based on the calculated optimum braking and directional control instructions, and sending the optimum braking and directional control instructions to a braking and steering system of the vehicle and the warnings and alerts to an alert and warning system of the vehicle. The method further includes adjusting the steering and directional control of the braking and steering system in accordance with the optimum braking and directional control instructions provided by the neural controller.