Cruise Control Intermittent Mode Switching Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cruise control systems are prone to unintentional mode switching due to variations in driver accelerator operations, leading to inappropriate control and potential fuel consumption inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A cruise control apparatus that alternately repeats the transmission and non-transmission of rotary power based on a predetermined vehicle speed range, using a controlling device to determine whether to continue an intermittent operation mode based on the integrated change in accelerator opening degree, and sets an accelerator following period to allow the driver's operation to follow vehicle torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the control mode is switched using a momentary value of the accelerator opening degree, then the responsiveness to driver input is improved, but the reliability of control mode switching deteriorates due to unintentional switching caused by variations in driver operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to driver inputVSAvoidcontrol mode switching stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of the driver's intent by integrating accelerator opening degree changes over a predetermined period before executing control mode switching. This preliminary action filters out momentary variations and ensures switching occurs only when the driver's intent is confirmed, resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the control strategy based on the integrated change amount of the accelerator opening degree. By evaluating the cumulative change over time rather than relying on static threshold values, the system adapts to varying driver operations while maintaining reliable control mode switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the intermittent operation mode is activated to improve fuel consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the adaptability to varying driver intentions deteriorates due to unintentional mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumption efficiencyVSAvoidadaptation to driver intention
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the accelerator opening degree changes and integrates them over a predetermined period to determine driver intent. This feedback mechanism ensures that the intermittent operation mode is activated only when the driver's intent is confirmed, improving both energy efficiency and adaptability by preventing unintentional mode switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before activating the intermittent operation mode, the system performs preliminary determination by integrating accelerator opening degree changes over a predetermined period. This ensures the mode is activated only when the driver's intent is confirmed, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2927047B1Travel control device
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2927047B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2927047B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cruise control apparatus (100) is provided with: a controlling device (11) configured to start a determination period, which is a period for determining whether or not to continue the intermittent operation mode, on condition that a change amount of the accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined change amount, during implementation of the intermittent operation mode, and configured to set an accelerator following period, which is a period for allowing the driver's accelerator operation to follow torque of the vehicle (1), after an end of the determination period, if it is determined that the intermittent operation mode is to be continued according to a change width of the accelerator opening degree obtained in the determination period.