Vehicle ECO Mode Override for High-Acceleration Traffic Maneuvers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles equipped with ECO mode face insufficient power during critical driving situations, compromising safety and performance.

Innovation Solution

A computer system automatically adapts the vehicle's driving mode from ECO mode to a higher power mode when sensors detect a high acceleration traffic situation requiring more power, using navigation data to proactively adjust settings like acceleration limits, speed limits, and gear shifting strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If ECO mode is activated to minimize fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but vehicle power and acceleration capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidvehicle power
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between ECO mode and normal power mode based on real-time detection of traffic situations. When high acceleration situations are detected (such as need to overtake or respond to emergency), the system automatically transitions from ECO mode to normal power mode, and switches back after the situation is resolved. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing high power only when necessary while maintaining fuel efficiency during normal driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If driver manually disables ECO mode to gain more power, then vehicle power is improved, but driver distraction and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle powerVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when high power is needed and switching modes without driver intervention. The control system monitors traffic situations, determines when ECO mode is insufficient, and automatically transitions to normal power mode. This eliminates the need for driver action while maintaining safety, as the system serves its own power management needs based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting traffic situations (such as presence of other vehicles, acceleration requests, and road conditions) to automatically control mode switching. When feedback indicates a high acceleration situation, the system responds by switching to normal power mode. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures power is available when needed without requiring driver attention or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If driving mode is automatically adapted based on traffic situations, then maneuvering safety is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuvering safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a detection unit that identifies high acceleration situations, a decision unit that determines when mode switching is needed, and an execution unit that performs the mode transition. This segmentation manages complexity by dividing the overall function into manageable, independent components, each handling a specific aspect of the automatic adaptation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4628382A1A system and method for controlling ECO mode override in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4628382A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628382A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4628382A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer system (100) comprising processing circuitry (102) configured to: detect, using sensors (103) of a host vehicle (104), a high acceleration traffic situation (106) involving a secondary vehicle (110), estimate a required power (112) to handle the high acceleration traffic situation (106) clear of the secondary vehicle (110) within a timeframe, determine the required power (112) exceeds a current power (116) available in an activated ECO mode (120) of the vehicle, adapt a driving mode (124) of the vehicle from the ECO mode (120) to a higher power mode (126) providing higher propulsion power than in the ECO mode.