Cruise Control Exit Detection via Sensor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed regulation systems in vehicles, particularly in long-distance traffic, often lead to unnecessary acceleration followed by sudden braking at exits, causing fuel wastage, brake wear, and an uncomfortable driving experience due to reliance on incomplete map data and satellite positioning systems that may fail in tunnels.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses sensor systems, including cameras and radars, to directly detect exits in the predicted route, limiting the cruise control speed to a safety value below the default speed, thereby suppressing unnecessary acceleration and maintaining a constant speed through exit areas, and lifting the speed limit when exiting a highway or entering another road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If adaptive cruise control resumes target speed after obstacle disappears, then speed control responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary acceleration and braking occur at exits causing fuel waste and brake wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of exit ramps using sensors (cameras, radars) before the vehicle actually reaches the exit. When an exit is detected in the predicted driving path, the cruise control system proactively limits speed to below the set speed in advance, preventing the obstacle disappearance scenario from triggering unnecessary acceleration. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by maintaining responsiveness to real obstacles while avoiding premature speed changes at exits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the driving environment using sensor systems that detect road geometry, lane markings, and exit ramp characteristics. This feedback loop allows the control unit to distinguish between actual obstacles and exit ramp approaches, dynamically adjusting speed limits accordingly. The feedback mechanism ensures that speed control remains responsive to genuine traffic conditions while preventing energy-wasting acceleration-braking cycles at exits.
2Speed
If adaptive cruise control resumes target speed after obstacle disappears, then speed control responsiveness is improved, but brake wear increases due to subsequent braking at exits
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of exit ramps using sensors (cameras, radars) before the vehicle actually reaches the exit. When an exit is detected in the predicted driving path, the cruise control system proactively limits speed to below the set speed in advance, preventing the obstacle disappearance scenario from triggering unnecessary acceleration. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by maintaining responsiveness to real obstacles while avoiding premature speed changes at exits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the driving environment using sensor systems that detect road geometry, lane markings, and exit ramp characteristics. This feedback loop allows the control unit to distinguish between actual obstacles and exit ramp approaches, dynamically adjusting speed limits accordingly. The feedback mechanism ensures that speed control remains responsive to genuine traffic conditions while preventing energy-wasting acceleration-braking cycles at exits.
3Device complexity
If GPS and map data are used to detect exits, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to incomplete map data and satellite positioning failures in tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces sensor-based detection (cameras, radars) as an intermediary between the vehicle and exit ramp identification. Instead of relying directly on GPS/map data, the sensor system captures real-time visual and electromagnetic data of the road environment, detecting exit ramps through geometric features, lane markings, and road signage. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by providing reliable, real-time exit detection that works independently of satellite positioning and is not affected by map data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/GPS-based exit detection method with sensor-based electromagnetic and optical detection. Cameras capture visual information about road geometry and lane markings, while radars detect spatial relationships and road features. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing reliable exit detection that functions in all environments including tunnels where GPS fails, without significantly increasing overall system complexity since these sensors are already part of modern vehicles.
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
This approach ensures reliable detection of exits, preventing unnecessary acceleration and braking, reducing fuel consumption and brake wear, while providing a smooth driving experience by directly controlling the speed through sensory detection rather than relying on map data or satellite positioning.
Implementation Method 1
sensors based on electromagnetic radiation for environmental detection
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for regulating the speed of a vehicle (1), comprising a cruise control unit (2) for controlling the speed and a sensor system (4) oriented in the direction of travel in order to detect the surroundings by spatially resolving electromagnetic radiation. The method has the steps of defining a specified speed, setting a safety speed which is reduced relative to the specified speed by means of the cruise control unit (2), and detecting a lane change of the vehicle (1), wherein an exit (9) in a predicted travel path (10) of the vehicle (1) is then detected by means of the sensor system (4), and the speed which can be set by the cruise control unit (2) is restricted to a value below the specified speed. The invention further relates to a corresponding control unit (3) and a corresponding vehicle (1).