Regenerative Braking Control via Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers struggle to determine whether to use inertial driving for braking, as they cannot accurately assess whether a preceding vehicle has stopped, leading to potential unnecessary energy consumption and reduced fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an imaging device, accelerometer, and radar sensor to determine the distance to a preceding vehicle and assess its braking status, allowing a vehicle controller to decide on active deceleration through regenerative braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If drivers use inertial driving for braking, then fuel efficiency is improved, but drivers cannot accurately determine whether to use coasting when a preceding vehicle stops
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the driver about coasting availability based on sensor data. The controller determines whether coasting is possible by monitoring the preceding vehicle's brake light status and distance, then provides appropriate feedback to enable the driver to make informed braking decisions that improve fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (controller with sensors and notification devices) that mediates between the driver and the braking situation. This intermediary processes information about the preceding vehicle's status and provides processed information to the driver, enabling better decision-making about inertial driving opportunities.
2Measurement precision
If a system with multiple sensors is added to determine coasting conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing sensors serve multiple functions. The radar sensor not only detects distance to the preceding vehicle but also works in conjunction with brake light detection to determine coasting conditions. The controller integrates multiple detection functions (distance measurement, brake light status, acceleration sensing) into a single decision-making system, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances fuel efficiency by enabling informed coasting decisions, reducing unnecessary energy consumption, and preventing accidents by accurately determining deceleration based on vehicle distance and braking status.
Implementation Method 1
a radar sensor configured to sense a distance between the front vehicle and the subject vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an accelerometer configured to sense acceleration of the front vehicle or a subject vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for variably controlling regenerative braking are provided. The system includes an imaging device that is configured to generate image information by photographing a front vehicle and a road situation and an accelerometer that is configured to sense acceleration of the front vehicle or a subject vehicle. A radar sensor is configured to sense a distance between the front vehicle and the subject vehicle. A vehicle controller is configured to recognize the acceleration of the front vehicle or the subject vehicle, the distance between the front vehicle and the subject vehicle, and whether a brake light of the front vehicle is turned on, to determine whether to actively decelerate the subject vehicle, and execute active deceleration.