Cruise Control Speed Range Adjustment for Fuel Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cruise control systems either prioritize maintaining a constant speed, leading to inefficient fuel consumption, or deactivate when fuel limits are exceeded, causing traffic hazards, especially in hilly terrain.
Innovation Solution
A cruise control system that adjusts vehicle speed within a predefined desired speed range while considering a maximum energy consumption value, allowing for optimal fuel reduction without causing traffic obstructions, by dynamically managing energy supply and incorporating features like automatic brake engagement and clutch control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the cruise control system deactivates when the maximum fuel consumption value is exceeded, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the vehicle may stop or move very slowly on ascents, leading to dangerous traffic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a speed range (minimum speed to maximum speed) instead of a single speed value. When the maximum fuel consumption value is exceeded, the control unit adjusts the current speed toward the minimum speed within the range, rather than deactivating the system. This allows the vehicle to maintain movement and safety while improving fuel efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cruise control system maintains a predefined desired speed, then speed stability is improved, but fuel consumption increases, especially in hilly terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static speed control (fixed desired speed) to a dynamic speed control (speed range with adaptive adjustment). The control unit dynamically adjusts the target speed within the predefined range based on fuel consumption conditions, allowing the vehicle to maintain speed stability when possible while reducing fuel consumption when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the cruise control system adjusts speed to maintain optimal fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the system may not be able to maintain the desired speed range, requiring deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the current speed against the minimum and maximum speed limits within the desired range. When the maximum fuel consumption value is exceeded, the control unit uses feedback to adjust the target speed toward the minimum speed, ensuring the vehicle remains within the operational speed range while improving fuel efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cruise control system and method for consumption-oriented control of the vehicle speed within a predefined desired speed range includes an operating unit for activating the consumption-oriented speed control and a control unit, which controls the vehicle speed within the predefined desired speed range while taking into consideration a predefined maximum energy consumption value when the consumption-oriented speed control is activated. The vehicle speed is controlled in such a way that the predefined maximum energy consumption value is not exceeded only as long as a vehicle speed that lies within the predefined desired speed range is adjustable while taking into consideration the predefined energy consumption value.