Convoy Vehicle Longitudinal Guidance via Interval Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle convoy systems fail to optimize fuel consumption due to unequal vehicle masses and different engines, leading to inefficient operating states for commercial vehicles, even when driving in close proximity, which affects aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for longitudinal guidance of commercial vehicles in a convoy that determines and communicates parameters for interval operation, allowing vehicles to adjust their drive phases to achieve a uniform and efficient operating state, maintaining a consistent driving speed and distance with minimal fluctuation, using vehicle-to-vehicle communication for robust control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vehicles in a convoy maintain close proximity to reduce air resistance and improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but the ability to maintain individual vehicle-specific efficient operating states deteriorates due to unequal vehicle masses and different engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interval operations where each vehicle independently adjusts its drive and coast phases based on real-time parameters. The control system continuously adapts the interval operation characteristics (duration, intensity) to maintain individual vehicle-specific efficient operating states while responding to changing convoy conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between group fuel efficiency and individual vehicle adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (drive phase duration, coast phase duration, acceleration rates) for each vehicle based on its specific characteristics (mass, engine properties). By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system enables each vehicle to operate in its efficient range while maintaining close convoy formation, thus achieving both reduced air resistance and vehicle-specific efficiency
2Stability of the object's composition
If vehicles communicate and coordinate their interval operations to maintain uniform speed and distance, then longitudinal guidance and convoy stability are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the convoy control into independent vehicle units, each executing its own interval operation based on locally determined parameters. This segmentation allows each vehicle to maintain autonomy while coordinating through simple communication protocols, reducing overall system complexity compared to centralized control while maintaining convoy stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where vehicles exchange information about their interval operation status and adjust accordingly. This feedback enables automatic correction of distance and speed variations, maintaining convoy stability through relatively simple communication and control logic rather than complex pre-planned coordination
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for longitudinal guidance of a commercial vehicle within a convoy of vehicles traveling in succession is described. One procedural aspect of the technique comprises the step of determining parameters for a future intermittent operation of the commercial vehicle's longitudinal guidance in communication with a vehicle driving ahead and/or behind in the convoy, also operating in intermittent mode; and the step of longitudinally guiding the commercial vehicle in intermittent mode based on the determined parameters of the commercial vehicle.