Terrain Assist Apparatus Sand Extraction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face challenges when attempting to free vehicles stuck in sand due to insufficient traction, leading to immobilization and potential damage, as they often apply excessive input to the accelerator, causing wheels to sink further and requiring external assistance.
Innovation Solution
A terrain assist apparatus and method that utilizes an electronic control unit (ECU) to control vehicle speed and wheel parameters, activating a specific driving mode like Trail Control to allow wheels to slip at a controlled rate, with visual and audible notifications guiding the driver to properly configure the setting to free the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the driver applies excessive input to the accelerator to free the vehicle from sand, then the vehicle may be moved forward, but the wheels sink further into the sand and traction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts accelerator pedal sensitivity and wheel torque based on detected driving conditions. When sand immersion is detected, the ECU modifies the relationship between pedal input and actual throttle opening, preventing excessive torque application that would cause wheel spin and further sinking. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal traction while enabling vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors wheel speed, vehicle position, and accelerator pedal input to detect sand immersion conditions. Based on this feedback, the ECU adjusts the throttle response and provides visual/audible notifications to the driver, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents the harmful effect of excessive accelerator input on traction.
2Force
If the driver attempts to move the vehicle by applying excessive accelerator input, then the vehicle may overcome the sand resistance, but the wheels slip at high angular velocity and sink further
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial torque limitation when sand conditions are detected. Rather than completely restricting accelerator input, the ECU modulates the throttle opening to provide just enough propulsion force to overcome sand resistance without causing excessive wheel slip. This partial action approach prevents the harmful effect while maintaining necessary vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the accelerator pedal system based on detected conditions. When sand immersion is detected, the ECU modifies the throttle response curve and limits maximum wheel angular velocity, transforming the harmful high-speed slip condition into a controlled low-speed extraction mode that prevents further sinking.
3Ease of operation
If the driver does not know how to properly control the vehicle in sand, then external assistance is required, but the driver can free the vehicle independently with proper control information
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the driver to independently extract the vehicle from sand by providing real-time guidance notifications and automatic control adjustments. Rather than requiring external assistance or prior knowledge, the driver receives step-by-step instructions via visual and audible notifications while the ECU automatically adjusts vehicle parameters, allowing self-service extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU acts as an intermediary between the driver and the vehicle's propulsion system. It translates the driver's intent into appropriate throttle commands while providing guidance notifications, mediating the interaction to ensure proper technique is used even when the driver lacks specific sand-driving knowledge. This intermediary function bridges the information gap without requiring external assistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Terrain assist apparatus and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle controller configured to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, a condition of a vehicle associated with driving on sand. The vehicle controller is also to generate, via an output device, information instructing a vehicle occupant to configure a driving mode of the vehicle that is associated with controlling vehicle speed. The vehicle controller is also to control a parameter of the vehicle based on a setting of the driving mode to resolve the condition.