Adaptive Cruise Control Overtaking Acceleration Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for assisting drivers during overtaking maneuvers often fail to simulate human driving style, leading to suboptimal acceleration and comfort, and may compromise safety by disrupting distance control during lane changes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that dynamically adjust speed and distance control by introducing a second, increased acceleration when the driver's intention to overtake is detected, allowing for quicker and safer overtaking while maintaining a safe distance, by regulating the target distance and acceleration based on the driver's actions and vehicle conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver activates the turn signal to indicate overtaking intention, then the distance control is interrupted for a predefined period, but the automatic distance control that ensures safe distance maintenance becomes inoperative during this period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovertaking maneuver initiationVSAvoiddistance control safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the acceleration parameter based on the driver's overtaking intention (detected via turn signal activation). When overtaking is intended, the system provides increased acceleration capability while maintaining distance control, rather than simply interrupting it. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both responsive to driver intent and maintaining safety functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the acceleration parameter from a standard low value to a higher value when overtaking intention is detected. This parameter change allows the vehicle to accelerate more quickly for overtaking while the distance control system remains active and monitors safety, thus maintaining both maneuverability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a low acceleration is used for distance and speed control, then driving comfort and fuel economy are improved, but optimal execution of the overtaking maneuver is not achieved and it differs from human driving style

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving comfort and fuel economyVSAvoidovertaking maneuver efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration parameter is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically selects between low acceleration (for comfort and economy during normal driving) and high acceleration (for overtaking maneuvers). This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize for different driving situations, achieving both comfort during cruising and efficiency during overtaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects the driver's overtaking intention in advance (via turn signal activation) and prepares the acceleration parameter accordingly. By anticipating the overtaking maneuver before it begins, the system can smoothly transition to higher acceleration, making the overtaking execution more efficient while maintaining comfort during the transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the target distance is reduced to a minimum permissible distance before overtaking, then the overtaking maneuver can be initiated, but the system may abort the maneuver and apply braking if collision risk is detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovertaking maneuver speedVSAvoidcollision avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system reduces the target distance parameter in advance when overtaking intention is detected, preparing the vehicle for quicker overtaking. Simultaneously, the distance control system continues to monitor collision risk and can abort the maneuver if necessary. This preliminary adjustment of parameters enables faster overtaking while maintaining safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The target distance parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the driving situation. During normal following, a larger safety distance is maintained. When overtaking is intended, the target distance is reduced to enable faster maneuver execution. The system continuously adapts the target distance parameter to balance overtaking efficiency with collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2353957B2Method and device for assisting a driver during an overtaking process
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP2353957B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2353957B2 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2353957B2 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The method involves controlling distance of a motor car to a preceding vehicle at target distance by providing acceleration. The distance of the car to the preceding vehicle is controlled at another target distance according to detection of an overhauling intent of the driver at a start time, where the overhauling intent of the driver is detected if velocity of the motor car is greater than predeterminable threshold value of about 50 or 65 kilometer per hour. Another acceleration is provided according to the detection of the overhauling intent of the driver. An independent claim is also included for a device for supporting a rider of a motor car.