Eco-Vehicle Coasting Control for Regenerative Braking Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eco-friendly vehicles face inefficiencies in regenerative braking due to drivers' inability to accurately recognize deceleration events ahead, leading to unnecessary energy loss through friction brakes and potential obstruction of surrounding traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
An eco-friendly vehicle system that determines effective deceleration events ahead, sets a closest candidate event, and uses coasting torque control to guide the release of the accelerator pedal, minimizing energy loss and optimizing traffic flow by actively responding to deceleration events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the driver releases the accelerator pedal at a point where the event target point cannot be recognized with the naked eye to satisfy the target vehicle speed, then energy recovery through coasting torque is improved, but the driver experiences anxiety and friction brakes intervene degrading efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of deceleration events using forward-looking cameras and sensors before the driver can visually recognize them. The coasting control system calculates optimal accelerator pedal release points in advance and provides guidance signals to the driver, enabling energy recovery without driver anxiety by acting before the visual recognition threshold is reached
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the detected deceleration event information, vehicle speed, and position are continuously monitored. The system provides real-time guidance signals to the driver about when to release the accelerator pedal, and adjusts the coasting torque based on actual vehicle response, creating a closed-loop control that balances energy recovery with driver comfort
2Speed
If the vehicle decelerates for a predetermined distance at a lower vehicle speed than the average vehicle speed to correspond to a low target vehicle speed, then the target vehicle speed is satisfied, but the traffic flow of surrounding vehicles is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The coasting control system dynamically adjusts the deceleration profile based on real-time conditions. When a low target speed is detected ahead, the system calculates an optimized coasting curve that achieves the target speed while minimizing disruption to traffic flow. The control parameters such as coasting torque magnitude and duration are dynamically modified based on the vehicle's current speed, position, and the detected event characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters including coasting torque magnitude, accelerator pedal release timing, and deceleration rate to optimize the balance between achieving target speed and maintaining traffic flow. By adjusting these parameters based on detected event distance and severity, the system can satisfy speed requirements while reducing unnecessary deceleration that would impede surrounding vehicles
3Loss of information
If the driver slowly releases the accelerator pedal compared with the appropriate time point, then the driver can recognize the deceleration event, but a significant amount of energy is exhausted through friction brake
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary guidance signal that mediates between the driver's visual recognition needs and the optimal energy recovery timing. The guidance signal, generated based on detected deceleration events and calculated optimal release points, communicates the precise timing to the driver, allowing energy recovery to begin at the optimal moment while the driver maintains situational awareness through the provided guidance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances fuel efficiency and reduces driver anxiety by accurately guiding the release of the accelerator pedal, ensuring efficient energy recovery and smooth traffic flow by actively managing coasting torque based on deceleration events.
Implementation Method 1
Energy is recovered through the motor by outputting decelerating force, required for braking according to brake pedal manipulation of a driver or coasting based on vehicle inertia, by the motor
Implementation Method 2
Energy acquired through the regenerative braking is stored in a battery and is later used for acceleration through the motor to save fuel required to drive an engine
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling coasting of an eco-friendly vehicle includes: determining at least one effective event among deceleration events configured with a target speed in a forward driving path; setting a closest effective event based on a current position among the at least one effective event as a first candidate event; determining whether at least one second candidate event corresponding to an event needed to be followed is present among remaining effective events except for the first candidate event of the at least one effective event; and, when the at least one second candidate event is present, determining a target event among the first candidate event and the second candidate event in consideration of a control start point.