Cruise Control Gradient Fuel Flow Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cruise control systems in vehicles with internal combustion engines increase fuel consumption by adjusting fuel flow based on gradients, leading to inefficient fuel use and potential safety issues due to speed changes on slopes.

Innovation Solution

A cruise control system that detects the vehicle's gradient and accelerator pedal position to supply a constant fuel flow on slopes and adjust fuel supply dynamically, using inclinometers and vehicle electronics to maintain selected speed and reduce fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the cruise control system increases fuel flow on positive gradients to maintain set speed, then the vehicle speed is maintained, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining constant speed by increasing fuel consumption on gradients, the system inverts the approach by maintaining constant fuel flow and allowing speed to vary naturally. This lets gravity assist on downhills and accepts speed reduction on uphills, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption while still providing cruise control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the controlled parameter from speed (conventional cruise control) to fuel flow rate. By controlling fuel flow to be constant rather than adjusting it to maintain speed, the system fundamentally alters the operation mode to achieve better fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the cruise control system reduces fuel flow on negative gradients to use engine braking, then fuel consumption decreases, but vehicle speed control becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidspeed control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than actively controlling speed by reducing fuel on downhills, the system maintains constant fuel flow and allows speed to increase naturally on negative gradients. This passive approach eliminates the need for complex fuel modulation while still achieving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cruise control system actively adjusts fuel flow to maintain constant speed on gradients, then speed stability is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed stabilityVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the conventional cruise control philosophy by prioritizing fuel efficiency over speed stability. Instead of adjusting fuel to maintain speed, it maintains constant fuel flow and accepts speed variations, thereby improving fuel efficiency while providing a form of cruise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the natural effect of gravity on gradients from a disturbance to be compensated into a beneficial force. On downhills, gravity naturally maintains or increases speed without additional fuel; on uphills, the system accepts speed reduction rather than burning extra fuel, thereby converting gravitational effects into fuel savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Use of energy by moving object

If the cruise control system maintains constant fuel flow on positive gradients, then fuel consumption is reduced, but vehicle speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidvehicle speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system accepts speed reduction on positive gradients as a trade-off for maintaining constant fuel flow. Rather than fighting gravity with additional fuel consumption, it allows the vehicle to slow down naturally, achieving fuel savings at the cost of speed maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 reduces fuel consumption and enhances driving comfort by maintaining consistent speed on slopes, preventing sudden approaches to vehicles ahead and optimizing fuel use by leveraging gravity for speed adjustments on downhill gradients.

Implementation Method 1

it is detected electronically whether the motor vehicle is traveling over a positive gradient, a negative gradient or a level surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclinometer measurement:

Implementation Method 2

optimizing fuel use by leveraging gravity for speed adjustments on downhill gradients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10507831B2Cruise control system for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A cruise control system controls fuel supplied to an engine of a motor vehicle based in part on whether the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient, a negative gradient, or a level surface. The system includes a sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, an inclinometer for detecting a gradient of a surface over which the vehicle is traveling; and an electronic processor operative to set a fuel flow rate. The fuel flow rate is set as a function of the accelerator pedal position detected at an activation time of the cruise control system, and that fuel flow rate is maintained at a constant rate if the vehicle is travelling on a positive gradient or a level surface. The vehicle therefore slows down on the positive gradient rather than maintaining a target speed as with a conventional cruise control system.