Adaptive Vehicle Speed Control for Off-Road Terrain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems are ineffective in low-speed conditions and off-road terrains due to minimum speed requirements and susceptibility to wheel slip events, which limits their ability to maintain progress and composure in varying terrain conditions.
Innovation Solution
A speed control system that applies positive and negative torque to vehicle wheels based on a target speed value, taking into account terrain response modes and drag conditions, allowing for adaptive control of speed change rates to maintain progress and composure across different terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a minimum speed requirement is imposed on cruise control systems to reduce low-speed collision risk, then safety is improved, but the system becomes ineffective in low-speed conditions and off-road terrains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed threshold adjustment where the minimum speed threshold is not fixed but adapts based on detected terrain conditions. The system uses terrain sensors to identify off-road conditions and automatically adjusts the minimum speed threshold accordingly, allowing the cruise control to operate effectively in both on-road and off-road environments while maintaining safety where applicable
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of minimum speed threshold based on terrain response mode. When off-road terrain is detected, the system modifies the speed threshold parameter to accommodate low-speed operation, enabling the cruise control to function in previously restricted conditions while still providing safety protections on suitable terrains
2Reliability
If cruise control systems are designed for steady traffic conditions on highways, then speed maintenance is improved, but the systems become ineffective in congested traffic and varying terrain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal speed control system that functions across multiple driving conditions by integrating terrain response detection with adaptive cruise control. The system automatically adjusts its behavior based on whether it detects highway, congested traffic, or off-road conditions, providing effective speed maintenance across diverse environments rather than being limited to a single operating mode
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cruise control parameters based on real-time terrain and traffic condition detection. When varying terrain or congested traffic is detected, the system modifies its speed maintenance strategy accordingly, transitioning between different control modes to maintain effectiveness across changing conditions
3Reliability
If cruise control systems cancel operation when wheel slip events are detected, then traction control effectiveness is improved, but the systems are not well suited for off-road conditions where wheel slip is common
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of cruise control based on terrain response mode. When off-road terrain is detected, the system modifies the wheel slip detection threshold and cruise control cancellation parameters, allowing the cruise control to remain active during wheel slip events that are normal in off-road conditions while still responding appropriately to genuine traction loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its response to wheel slip events based on the detected terrain conditions. On off-road terrain, the system tolerates wheel slip as a normal phenomenon and maintains cruise control operation, whereas on paved surfaces it continues to cancel operation when wheel slip is detected, providing context-appropriate behavior
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a speed control system for a vehicle, comprising: means for automatically causing application of positive and negative torque to one or more wheels of a vehicle to cause a vehicle to travel in accordance with a target speed value v_target; means for controlling a rate of change of speed of a vehicle by application of positive and negative torque to one or more wheels; and means for receiving information relating to one or more of a Terrain Response Mode in which the vehicle is configured or an amount of drag imposed on a vehicle, the means for controlling the rate of change of speed comprises being configured to control the rate of change of speed in dependence at least in part on said one or more of a Terrain Response Mode in which the vehicle is configured and amount of drag imposed on a vehicle.