Cruise Control Using Topography and Trailing Vehicle Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eco-driving methods in vehicles can negatively impact traffic flow and cause frustration among fellow road users due to varying driving styles and speed adjustments, leading to increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cruise control system that adjusts vehicle speed based on upcoming road topography and the driving modes of trailing vehicles, allowing temporary deviations from target speed ranges to optimize fuel efficiency without disrupting traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a vehicle operates in eco-driving mode with gradual acceleration and deceleration to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but traffic flow is disrupted and fellow road users are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the propulsion modes of trailing vehicles through vehicle-to-vehicle communication and adjusts the host vehicle's speed profile accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that eco-driving maneuvers are only executed when trailing vehicles are also in compatible modes, preventing disruption to traffic flow while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The cruise control system dynamically adjusts the target speed profile based on real-time conditions including upcoming topography data and the propulsion modes of trailing vehicles. The system transitions between different driving strategies (eco-mode vs. traffic-flow-preserving mode) depending on the operational context, making the vehicle's behavior adaptive rather than fixed
2Use of energy by moving object
If a vehicle temporarily deviates below target speed range to utilize upcoming topography for fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption is reduced, but speed maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses upcoming topography data to plan fuel-efficient speed profiles in advance. By evaluating road gradients and elevation changes ahead of time, the vehicle can strategically reduce speed before downhill sections to gain momentum, then maintain or reduce acceleration needs during the descent, optimizing fuel consumption while managing speed transitions proactively
Solution Approach 2:
The system temporarily changes the target speed parameter below the normal range when eco-driving conditions are met, allowing the vehicle to exploit gravitational potential energy from upcoming topography. After utilizing the topography, the system restores the target speed to the normal range, dynamically adjusting speed parameters based on real-time conditions
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A computer system (100) comprising processing circuitry (110) is presented. The processing circuitry (110) is configured to evaluate, based on topography data (27) of an upcoming road segment (21, 22), use of upcoming topography to achieve a target speed range (232) of a vehicle (10) operating in a topography fuel efficiency mode. The processing circuitry (110) is further configured to determine all trailing vehicles within a predetermined range are operating in a fuel efficiency mode corresponding to the topography fuel efficiency mode and responsive to determining that all trailing vehicles (30) within the predetermined range are operating in a propulsion mode (33) corresponding to the topography fuel efficiency mode, permit a current speed (242) of the vehicle (10) to temporarily deviate below the target speed range (232) of the vehicle (10) and to use the upcoming topography to achieve the target speed (232).