Automatic Speed Control System Brake Release Reactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems deactivate when the vehicle comes to a stop, requiring user interaction to reactivate, which increases workload and irritates the driver, especially in off-road conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automatic speed control system that suspends drive torque and applies retarding torque to stop the vehicle while maintaining the system active, then resumes drive torque and speed control upon brake release, allowing continuous operation without user reactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the speed control system deactivates when the vehicle stops (conventional behavior), then the system avoids unnecessary operation during stops, but the user workload increases and driver irritation occurs due to manual reactivation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The speed control system automatically reactivates itself when the vehicle resumes movement after a stop, without requiring user intervention. The system detects brake release and vehicle motion resumption, then autonomously restores speed control functionality, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user service for reactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains the set-speed memory and control readiness state during vehicle stops, preparing for immediate reactivation. By preserving the control state and detecting brake release conditions in advance, the system is pre-configured to automatically resume operation when the vehicle begins moving again
2Extent of automation
If the speed control system remains active during vehicle stops, then automatic reactivation is achieved, but the system may incorrectly interpret brake commands as override intentions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its interpretation of brake commands based on the operational context. During active speed control, brake commands are interpreted as temporary overrides. During stopped conditions, the same brake commands are interpreted as stop requests that trigger automatic reactivation upon release, allowing the system to adapt its response to the current state
Solution Approach 2:
The brake command response is segmented into different phases: during movement, brake commands trigger deceleration and temporary control suspension; during stops, brake commands trigger controlled stopping while maintaining system active state for automatic reactivation. This segmentation allows context-dependent interpretation of the same input signal
3Productivity
If the system applies retarding torque to stop the vehicle while maintaining active state, then seamless stop-to-movement progression is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the braking control function with the speed control system by integrating retarding torque application into the existing active state maintenance logic. Instead of separate braking and speed control systems, the invention combines them so that brake commands during active speed control trigger coordinated retarding torque application while preserving the control state for automatic reactivation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an automatic speed control system of a vehicle in accordance with a set-speed. The method comprises receiving electrical signal(s) representative of a vehicle occupant-initiated brake command to slow the vehicle to a stop, and in response, suspending automatic speed control in accordance with said set-speed and commanding the application of a retarding torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to bring the vehicle to a stop, while maintaining the speed control system in an active state. The method further comprises receiving electrical signal(s) representative of a vehicle occupant-initiated brake release command, and in response, and while maintaining the speed control system in an active state, automatically commanding the generation of drive torque sufficient to propel the vehicle in an intended direction and automatically controlling the speed of the vehicle in accordance with said set-speed.