Vehicle Control Adjusting Inter-vehicle Distance for Temporary Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
In adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems, the comfort and fuel efficiency of a vehicle following a preceding vehicle can be compromised due to unnecessary acceleration and deceleration when approaching temporary stops, such as railroad crossings, as the target inter-vehicle distance is typically set based on relative velocity, leading to discomfort and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controlling apparatus that dynamically adjusts the target inter-vehicle distance by increasing it when approaching a temporary stopping location and gradually returning to the normal setting value as the vehicle reaches the stop, using a combination of imaging units, image processors, and driving assist controllers to manage acceleration and deceleration based on distance and vehicle speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the target inter-vehicle distance is set based on relative velocity in ACC control, then the basic following control function is achieved, but unnecessary acceleration and deceleration occur when approaching temporary stopping locations, reducing ride comfort and fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of temporary stopping locations (railroad crossings, stop signs) using imaging units and map data. When such locations are detected ahead, the system proactively increases the target inter-vehicle distance before the vehicle approaches, allowing smoother deceleration and avoiding unnecessary acceleration-deceleration cycles, thereby improving both ride comfort and fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the target inter-vehicle distance based on the detected distance to temporary stopping locations. When a temporary stopping location is detected ahead, the system increases the target inter-vehicle distance from its normal value, enabling smoother velocity changes and reducing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, thus improving ride comfort and fuel efficiency
2Loss of energy
If the target inter-vehicle distance is increased when approaching temporary stopping locations, then unnecessary acceleration and deceleration is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to additional detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing imaging units and image processing capabilities of the ACC system for dual purposes: both for detecting preceding vehicles and for detecting temporary stopping locations. Map data is also utilized to identify stopping locations, allowing the system to achieve improved fuel efficiency without adding dedicated detection hardware, thus limiting the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a driving assist controller as an intermediary component that coordinates between the image processor, map data, and ACC control unit. This intermediary manages the complex interactions and data flow, enabling the system to handle temporary stopping location detection and dynamic inter-vehicle distance adjustment without excessive overall system complexity
3Ease of operation
If the target inter-vehicle distance is dynamically adjusted based on distance to temporary stopping location, then smoother travel is achieved, but the control algorithm complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the target inter-vehicle distance parameter dynamically based on the detected distance to temporary stopping locations. When a stopping location is detected ahead, the system increases this parameter, which smoothly adjusts the vehicle's acceleration and deceleration behavior. This parameter-based approach provides smooth travel control without requiring complex control algorithms, as the adjustment is achieved through simple parameter modification rather than complex control logic
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controlling apparatus includes a setting unit and an acquiring unit. The setting unit is configured to set a target inter-vehicle distance. The acquiring unit is configured to acquire position information of a temporary stopping location on a traveling route on which an own vehicle travels. The setting unit is configured to, on a condition that the own vehicle travels to follow a preceding vehicle, and that the acquiring unit has acquired the position information of the temporary stopping location, make a setting change to make the target inter-vehicle distance greater than a normal setting value when a distance from the own vehicle to the temporary stopping location reaches a predetermined distance, and make a setting change to bring the target inter-vehicle distance closer to the normal setting value in accordance with the distance until the own vehicle reaches the temporary stopping location.