Curve-Visibility Speed Control to Prevent Driver Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems fail to consider visibility through curves, leading to discomfort and increased fuel/energy consumption when drivers manually override the system due to perceived high speeds, often resulting in kinetic energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjust vehicle speed based on visibility through curves, using onboard sensors, map data, and vehicle-to-everything communication to determine an adjusted reference speed, ensuring the speed control aligns with driver comfort and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the speed control system maintains the reference speed without considering curve visibility, then fuel efficiency is improved, but driver comfort and safety perception deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system proactively reduces vehicle speed before the vehicle enters a curve with limited visibility, rather than waiting for the driver to react. This preliminary speed adjustment prevents the driver from feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, thereby maintaining speed control system engagement and avoiding energy-wasting emergency braking while preserving fuel efficiency through planned, efficient deceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors curve visibility conditions and provides feedback to dynamically adjust the reference speed. By incorporating visibility information from sensors and map data into the speed control algorithm, the system adapts its speed recommendations to match actual driving conditions, maintaining both fuel efficiency and driver comfort through context-aware control.
2Ease of operation
If the driver manually overrides the speed control system due to discomfort, then driver comfort is improved, but fuel consumption increases and kinetic energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary speed reduction before the vehicle enters curves with limited visibility, preventing driver discomfort from arising in the first place. This proactive approach eliminates the need for manual override and avoids the kinetic energy waste associated with emergency braking, as the speed adjustment is made smoothly and anticipatorily.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of high speed in low-visibility curves (which causes driver discomfort and manual override) into a benefit by proactively reducing speed. This transforms a situation that would normally result in energy waste into one where energy is efficiently managed through planned deceleration, maintaining both comfort and energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the speed control system reduces speed in curves with poor visibility, then driver comfort is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the reference speed based on real-time visibility conditions and curve characteristics rather than applying a fixed speed reduction. By continuously adapting the speed profile to match actual driving conditions, the system minimizes unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining driver comfort, reducing speed only when and where visibility conditions warrant it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the reference speed parameter dynamically based on visibility assessments of upcoming curves. By modifying this key control parameter in response to environmental conditions, the system achieves the dual goal of maintaining driver comfort through appropriate speed adjustments while minimizing fuel consumption by avoiding unnecessary deceleration in well-visible curves.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a control system for controlling a vehicle speed (v) of a vehicle is presented. The method comprises: controlling the vehicle speed (v) towards an adjusted reference speed (vref_adj) based on: a reference speed (vref) provided by a speed control system of the vehicle; and a visibility through at least one curve of a road ahead of the vehicle. Hereby, the risk for the driver deactivating the speed control system is reduced.