Autonomous Vehicle Occupancy-Based Control Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack efficient control mechanisms to optimize energy efficiency and passenger comfort based on occupancy, as existing systems do not differentiate between passenger-present and passenger-not-present scenarios effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller determines occupancy using a passenger sensor and switches between passenger-present and passenger-not-present operating parameters to manage systems such as power source, wheels, suspension, braking, and cabin temperature, optimizing comfort when occupied and energy efficiency or diagnostic performance when unoccupied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle operates using comfort-oriented parameters when unoccupied, then passenger comfort is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters based on real-time occupancy detection. When a passenger is present, comfort-oriented parameters are applied; when absent, energy-efficient parameters take over. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting system behavior to actual conditions rather than maintaining a fixed operational mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as cabin temperature, entertainment system power state, and climate control settings) based on occupancy status. By modifying these parameters according to whether a passenger is present, the system achieves both comfort when needed and energy efficiency when unnecessary, resolving the trade-off between comfort and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle operates using energy-efficient parameters when unoccupied, then energy efficiency is optimized, but passenger comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy detection system provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts operating parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that energy-efficient modes are only activated when no passenger is present, preventing comfort deterioration while maintaining energy optimization when appropriate.
3Reliability
If the vehicle performs diagnostic tests using aggressive operating conditions, then diagnostic performance is optimized, but passenger comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs diagnostic tests during periods when no passenger is detected to be present. By conducting these tests in advance during unoccupied periods, the system optimizes diagnostic performance without exposing passengers to uncomfortable or aggressive operating conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between diagnostic needs and passenger comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an autonomously operating vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, or if the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger. When the vehicle is currently occupied by a passenger, a vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger present operating parameters. The set of passenger present operating parameters control the vehicle to provide a minimum level of passenger comfort. When the vehicle is not currently occupied by a passenger, the vehicle controller controls at least one vehicle system to operate using a set of passenger not-present operating parameters. The set of passenger not-present operating parameters control the vehicle for one of optimal energy efficiency, or for optimal vehicle diagnostic performance.