Platooning Control Adjusting Distance for Communication State

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Solution Overview

Problem

In autonomous vehicle platooning, poor communication states between leader and follower vehicles can lead to reduced control accuracy and increased risk of collisions due to delayed signal reception and reduced control precision.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the distance between vehicles and the number of vehicles in a platoon based on the communication state, allowing vehicles with poor communication to travel individually and maintaining safety by adjusting the platooning area and vehicle count to prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vehicles maintain close distance for efficient platooning, then productivity and energy efficiency improve, but safety deteriorates when communication state is poor due to delayed control signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatooning efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of inter-vehicle distance based on real-time communication state. When communication quality is high, vehicles maintain close distance for efficiency. When communication quality degrades, the system automatically increases following distance to ensure safety, making the platooning system adaptable to varying communication conditions rather than using a fixed distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the platoon maintains a fixed number of vehicles, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when communication state varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatooning system complexityVSAvoidcommunication state adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of vehicles in the platoon based on communication state. When communication quality is high, more vehicles can join the platoon. When communication quality deteriorates, vehicles are automatically removed from the platoon to maintain safety, allowing the system to adapt its size and composition to current communication conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If vehicles travel in a tight platoon formation, then energy efficiency improves, but collision risk increases when communication delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatooning energy efficiencyVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic inter-vehicle distance adjustment based on communication state. During good communication conditions, vehicles maintain minimal safe distance for energy efficiency. When communication delays or quality degradation are detected, the system automatically increases following distance to provide adequate reaction time, thus preventing collisions while maintaining energy efficiency when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If the system maintains strict platooning control, then control precision improves, but system reliability deteriorates when communication state is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidplatooning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts control stringency based on communication state. When communication quality is high, strict platooning control with precise following is maintained. When communication quality deteriorates, the system transitions to a more relaxed control mode with larger safety margins and reduced control precision requirements, ensuring reliable operation under varying communication conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3654127B1Method for platooning of vehicles and vehicle using same
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3654127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3654127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3654127B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a platooning method in which a leader vehicle of a group provides a control signal and one or more follower vehicles travel according to the control signal. The method includes: determining a communication state of the group; and adjusting a distance between vehicles included in the group by the leader vehicle, based on the communication state.