Vehicle Driver Model with Sailing State for Speed Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control methods during test runs result in suboptimal fuel consumption and pollutant emissions due to the reliance on alternating pedal operations to maintain vehicle speed.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a driver model to select and activate various vehicle statuses, including a 'sailing' status where the vehicle glides without drive or braking power, to optimize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions by adjusting speed through a target speed curve and employing a state machine for dynamic control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the driver model uses alternating accelerator and brake pedal operations to control vehicle speed, then the vehicle speed can be adjusted to follow the target speed curve, but fuel consumption increases and pollutant emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speed controlVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The driver model dynamically switches between multiple vehicle statuses (acceleration, deceleration, sailing, holding) based on real-time comparison between actual and target speed, rather than using fixed alternating pedal operations. This dynamic status selection enables the system to identify and activate sailing status when appropriate, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining speed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a sailing status where neither accelerator nor brake pedals are actuated, representing a fundamental parameter change from active pedal operation to passive gliding. This parameter change allows the vehicle to maintain speed without energy input, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the driver model uses alternating accelerator and brake pedal operations to control vehicle speed, then the vehicle speed can be adjusted to follow the target speed curve, but pollutant emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speed controlVSAvoidpollutant emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver model dynamically switches between multiple vehicle statuses (acceleration, deceleration, sailing, holding) based on real-time comparison between actual and target speed, rather than using fixed alternating pedal operations. This dynamic status selection enables the system to identify and activate sailing status when appropriate, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining speed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a sailing status where neither accelerator nor brake pedals are actuated, representing a fundamental parameter change from active pedal operation to passive gliding. This parameter change allows the vehicle to maintain speed without energy input, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the driver model activates sailing status frequently between vehicle status changes, then fuel efficiency improves and emissions reduce, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct vehicle statuses (acceleration, deceleration, sailing, holding), each with predefined selection conditions. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by providing clear decision boundaries and transition rules between statuses, making the system more manageable despite the multiple statuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driver model dynamically switches between multiple vehicle statuses (acceleration, deceleration, sailing, holding) based on real-time comparison between actual and target speed, rather than using fixed alternating pedal operations. This dynamic status selection enables the system to identify and activate sailing status when appropriate, optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining speed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3983777B1Method and control device for controlling a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.07.31 AVL LIST GMBH

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for operating a driver model for controlling a vehicle. According to the invention, a vehicle status of the vehicle is selected and activated by the driver model from a number of vehicle statuses (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) by comparing a current status of the vehicle with at least one selection condition specified for a particular vehicle status, the number of vehicle statuses (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) comprising at least a first vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) and a second vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309). Furthermore, the driver model, on activation of a particular vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309), enables at least one control command assigned to the vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) for modifying a setting of the vehicle, wherein a plurality of changes are made by the driver model between a currently activated vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) and at least one further vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) and, for at least one change of the plurality of changes, a coasting status (303), in which the vehicle is coasting, is activated by the driver model before any activation of the further vehicle status (301, 303, 305, 307, 309).