Dynamic Traction Control Threshold for Off-Road Speed Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle speed control systems are ineffective in low-speed conditions and off-road terrain due to premature termination when wheel slip events occur, leading to excessive degradation of terrain and reduced traction.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that integrates a speed control system with a traction control system, where the traction control system's intervention threshold is set based on the target speed, allowing continuous operation and reducing wheel slip at lower slip values, enhancing traction and reducing terrain degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the traction control system uses a fixed intervention threshold, then the system is simple to implement, but the system cannot effectively reduce wheel slip at low speeds and causes excessive terrain degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of TCS implementationVSAvoidterrain degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The TCS intervention threshold is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that varies with vehicle speed. The threshold is set to a lower proportion of vehicle speed at low speeds compared to high speeds, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and reduce terrain degradation while maintaining effectiveness across the full speed range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The intervention threshold parameter is modified based on the vehicle speed parameter. By making the threshold a function of speed rather than a constant, the system achieves better performance in varying conditions without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the cruise control system operates at low speeds, then the system provides continuous speed control, but the system terminates prematurely due to wheel slip events in off-road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-speed operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes a speed-proportional threshold relationship before wheel slip occurs. This preliminary configuration allows the TCS to intervene appropriately at low speeds without triggering premature cruise control termination, as the threshold is already adapted to the expected speed conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The speed-proportional threshold mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables effective TCS operation at both low and high speeds, prevents premature cruise control termination, and reduces terrain degradation. This single mechanism addresses multiple system requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the TCS intervention threshold is set low to reduce wheel slip, then terrain degradation is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to speed-dependent threshold adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain degradationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding complex control logic, the solution modifies the threshold parameter itself to be speed-dependent. This parameter change approach achieves the desired functionality with minimal increase in system complexity, as it primarily involves updating the threshold calculation based on existing speed sensor data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3096993B1Vehicle speed control system and method
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
  • EP3096993B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096993B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3096993B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system comprising a speed control system and a traction control (TC) system, the TC system being operable to cause a reduction in speed of one or more wheels when a speed of the one or more wheels exceeds a TC system intervention threshold value, the speed control system being operable in an active state in which the speed control system causes the vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, wherein when the speed control system is in the active state, the TC system intervention threshold value is set to a value selected in dependence at least in part on the target speed value.