Cruise Control Speed Correction for Safe Following Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicles equipped with cruise control face challenges in maintaining a safe inter-vehicle distance and speed due to variations in vehicle calibrations and road conditions, leading to difficulties in estimating and respecting minimum inter-vehicle times, which can result in unsafe situations when following another vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that modulate the setpoint speed of a cruise control system by calculating a speed correction based on the inter-vehicle distance and speed of the preceding vehicle, within a limited interval to ensure a setpoint inter-vehicle time is respected, thereby maintaining a safe distance without sudden acceleration or braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cruise control maintains a high set speed to promote traffic flow, then productivity is improved, but the inter-vehicle distance may become insufficient leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment by continuously modifying the setpoint speed of the cruise control based on real-time inter-vehicle distance measurements. The system transitions from a static fixed speed mode to a dynamic adaptive mode where the speed automatically varies to maintain safe following distances, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high speed for traffic flow and ensuring safety distance
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously measuring the inter-vehicle distance using telemetry sensors, comparing it with a reference distance, and adjusting the setpoint speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the cruise control automatically reduces speed when vehicles approach too closely while maintaining higher speeds when safe distance is preserved, thus balancing productivity and safety
2Reliability
If the system limits speed corrections to a reduced interval, then reliability is improved by preventing sudden acceleration, but the ability to quickly respond to safety threats is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by gradually adjusting the setpoint speed in incremental steps within a limited interval rather than making sudden large changes. This progressive adjustment prevents shock acceleration and improves safety stability, while the continuous nature of the adjustments ensures the system still responds to safety threats, just in a more controlled manner
3Ease of operation
If the cruise control automatically adjusts speed to maintain inter-vehicle time, then ease of operation is improved, but the driver's vigilance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by providing automated speed adjustment assistance rather than complete autonomous control. The cruise control handles the tedious speed modulation task to improve ease of operation, while the driver retains final authority and responsibility for monitoring the situation, thus maintaining necessary vigilance while reducing operational burden
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (D) dedicated to the control of the operation of a cruise control for a first vehicle. The device comprises processing means (MT) for i) calculating a speed correction (CV) to be applied to a setpoint speed (VC) of the cruise control based on at least said setpoint speed (VC), an inter-vehicle setpoint time, an estimation of the inter-vehicle distance (DIV) between the first vehicle and a second vehicle preceding the same and an estimation of the second vehicle speed, and ii) for supplying the cruise control with a corrected setpoint value (VCC) based on the calculated speed correction (CV).