Cruise Speed Controller for Pre-Hill Terrain Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed management systems fail to efficiently adjust speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes, leading to inefficiencies and optimization issues during cruise control operations.
Innovation Solution
A cruise speed controller that estimates changes in vehicle speed based on upcoming terrain and adjusts the reference control speed by using a vehicle speed management system to classify road sections and determine appropriate speed modes, such as pre-uphill speedup or pre-downhill slowdown, through a combination of sensors and control modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle maintains a constant reference control speed during cruise control operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the efficiency and optimization are worsened when approaching terrain changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting upcoming terrain changes (hills) in advance and automatically adjusting the reference control speed before the vehicle reaches the terrain change. The controller modifies the reference speed proactively based on predicted speed changes from terrain analysis, allowing the vehicle to maintain optimal efficiency without requiring manual driver intervention or reactive speed adjustments after the terrain change is encountered.
2Productivity
If the vehicle automatically adjusts speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes, then the efficiency is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring terrain data, calculating predicted speed changes, and automatically adjusting the reference control speed based on this feedback loop. The controller receives terrain information, processes it through speed change calculations, and modifies the reference speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that improves efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reference control speed is adjusted dynamically based on terrain prediction, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision is worsened due to the complexity of predicting speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary terrain analysis and speed change calculation before the vehicle encounters the terrain change. By detecting upcoming hills and pre-calculating the necessary speed adjustments, the system adapts the reference control speed in advance, maintaining adaptability to various terrain conditions while using predictive algorithms to manage the complexity of speed change measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus includes management of cruise speed in anticipation of upcoming terrain changes. A cruise speed controller can be structured to predict a change in speed of vehicle in light of an upcoming terrain feature, and lead a change in reference speed to which the cruise speed controller is regulating vehicle speed to accommodate the upcoming terrain feature. In one embodiment a physics based model of the vehicle is used to predict a speed change. If predicted speed change exceeds a threshold, the cruise speed controller will initiate a change in speed to either speed up for an upcoming uphill terrain feature, or slow down for an upcoming downhill feature. In one form the distance in advance of the terrain feature as well as the velocity change profile (acceleration or deceleration) are determined by computation of a regression formula.