Steering Wheel Speed Control for Traffic Jam Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
In traffic jam conditions, drivers experience operator fatigue due to repeated actuation of the accelerator and brake pedals to maintain distance and speed, leading to inefficient vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with a steering wheel assembly and controller that enables an interface to adjust vehicle speed through a powertrain, using proximity sensors to detect nearby vehicles and enter a traffic mode, allowing drivers to input speed adjustments via intuitive controls on the steering wheel, reducing the need for frequent pedal actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drivers repeatedly actuate accelerator and brake pedals to maintain distance and speed in traffic jam conditions, then vehicle control is achieved, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speed control function from the traditional pedal operation and relocates it to the steering wheel interface. The controller separates the functions of steering and speed control, allowing speed adjustment through steering wheel buttons without requiring pedal actuation. This extraction of the speed control function from the pedals directly reduces the repetitive physical actions that cause operator fatigue while maintaining effective vehicle control in traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the driver's input on the steering wheel and the powertrain system. When the driver presses the accelerator button on the steering wheel, the controller processes this input and commands the powertrain to adjust speed, maintaining the desired distance from the lead vehicle. This intermediary function automates the coordination between speed control and distance maintenance, reducing the manual repetitive pedal operations that lead to fatigue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cruise control is used during cruising conditions, then vehicle speed can be adjusted, but it is not suitable for traffic jam conditions with frequent speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on traffic conditions. The controller monitors the distance to the lead vehicle and the current speed to determine whether to enable traffic mode. In traffic jam conditions, the system provides frequent, small speed adjustments suitable for stop-and-go traffic, whereas traditional cruise control is designed for steady-state cruising. This dynamic adaptation makes the control system versatile across different driving scenarios while maintaining ease of operation in each specific condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the speed control system based on detected traffic conditions. When traffic jam conditions are detected (close following distance and low speed), the system enables traffic mode with different speed adjustment characteristics compared to traditional cruise control. The interface provides discrete speed increments suited for congested conditions, and the controller adjusts the powertrain response accordingly, making the system adaptable to various traffic scenarios while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If steering wheel interface is enabled for traffic mode, then speed adjustments are easier, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel interface serves multiple functions: it provides both steering control and speed control capabilities. The same steering wheel structure is used for directional control, while integrated buttons on the steering wheel handle acceleration and deceleration commands. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide easy speed adjustments in traffic mode without adding separate dedicated controls, thereby reducing interface complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the speed control functions with the existing steering wheel structure. Instead of adding a separate control device, the system integrates accelerator and decelerator buttons directly onto the steering wheel. The controller combines steering inputs and speed control inputs from the same interface, creating a unified control system. This merging approach provides easy speed adjustments through the steering wheel while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate control interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include a steering wheel assembly, a powertrain, and a controller. The steering wheel assembly may include an interface. The controller may be programmed to, in response to a vehicle speed being less than a threshold, enable the interface to receive a driver input, and in response to a driver input received while the vehicle speed is less than the threshold, operate a powertrain to increase/decrease the vehicle speed subject to a range of authority.