Adaptive Cruise Control for Preceding Vehicle Lateral Maneuvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adaptive cruise control systems in motor vehicles experience untimely accelerations or decelerations when the preceding vehicle turns or changes lanes, due to temporary loss of detection, compromising vehicle comfort.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that manage adaptive cruise control by determining lateral stability and decision speed coefficients using piecewise affine functions to adjust speed regulation based on the lateral stability of the preceding vehicle, minimizing untimely accelerations and decelerations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If adaptive cruise control continuously adjusts speed based on detection device data, then speed regulation responsiveness is improved, but false untimely accelerations or decelerations occur when preceding vehicle performs lateral maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed regulation responsivenessVSAvoidaccuracy of speed adjustment timing
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the preceding vehicle's lateral stability state before executing speed adjustments. By evaluating lateral speed differences and stability coefficients in advance, the system predicts potential lateral maneuvers and prepares appropriate responses, preventing false accelerations or decelerations while maintaining responsive speed regulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediate stability assessment mechanism between the detection device and the cruise control actuation. This intermediary layer analyzes lateral stability parameters and filters out false triggers caused by lateral maneuvers, ensuring that speed adjustments are only made when truly necessary and timed appropriately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If adaptive cruise control maintains strict speed based on detection data, then speed control precision is improved, but vehicle comfort deteriorates due to untimely accelerations or decelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control precisionVSAvoidvehicle comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts speed control parameters based on the preceding vehicle's lateral stability state. When lateral instability is detected, the system modifies its speed control behavior to accommodate potential maneuvers, maintaining precision while avoiding uncomfortable false adjustments. This dynamic adaptation balances measurement precision with ride comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If detection device tracks preceding vehicle continuously, then detection accuracy is improved, but false loss of track occurs during lateral maneuvers causing untimely speed changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcontinuity of vehicle tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a cushioning mechanism by continuously monitoring lateral stability parameters and preparing for potential track loss during lateral maneuvers. By detecting early signs of lateral movement and adjusting tracking parameters in advance, the system maintains continuous reliable tracking even when the preceding vehicle performs turns or lane changes, preventing false detection interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4419402B1Method and system for managing the operation of an adaptive cruise control of a first motor vehicle according to the lateral stability of a second, preceding motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4419402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4419402B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for managing, by means of a computer system on board a first motor vehicle, the operation of an adaptive cruise control of the first vehicle in relation to a second motor vehicle travelling in front of the first vehicle, to a system (100) implementing such a method and to a motor vehicle comprising such a system.