Vehicle Control Profile Selection for Fuel Savings and Drivability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cruise control systems struggle to balance fuel efficiency with driver comfort and drivability, as fluctuating velocity profiles may be perceived as counter-intuitive or disturbing.
Innovation Solution
A method and control arrangement that determine a reference control profile for vehicles by evaluating multiple profiles based on topographic information, using a tradeoff criterion to select between resource consumption and drivability, incorporating both rule-based and optimization-based methods to optimize energy savings while maintaining acceptable vehicle behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mathematical optimization is used to compute velocity profile, then fuel savings are increased, but drivability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the velocity profile by allowing fluctuations around the set velocity based on predicted topography. The cruise controller transitions from static velocity holding to dynamic velocity adjustment, enabling fuel-saving behaviors while maintaining acceptable drivability through controlled fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the velocity parameter from a fixed set velocity to a fluctuating velocity profile. By allowing the velocity to vary within acceptable ranges based on predicted road conditions, the system achieves fuel savings while maintaining drivability. The tradeoff criterion balances energy consumption against drivability metrics.
2Ease of operation
If velocity is held constant at set velocity, then drivability is maintained, but fuel savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computation of the velocity profile based on predicted topography before executing the cruise control. By pre-calculating the optimal velocity fluctuations considering upcoming hills and valleys, the system can anticipate fuel-saving opportunities while maintaining smooth transitions that preserve drivability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the tradeoff criterion that continuously evaluates both energy consumption and drivability metrics. This feedback mechanism allows the cruise controller to adjust the velocity profile in real-time, balancing fuel savings with acceptable drivability based on actual vehicle behavior and road conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If velocity fluctuations are increased for fuel savings, then energy consumption is reduced, but driver comfort is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing velocity fluctuations only in specific situations where fuel savings are significant and drivability impact is minimal. The tradeoff criterion evaluates each segment of the route to determine appropriate fluctuation amplitude, enabling fuel-saving behaviors in favorable conditions while maintaining comfort in sensitive situations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A method for determining a reference control profile for a vehicle, the method comprising determining (A1) a plurality of control profiles for the vehicle (1) based on topographic information for one and the same future route segment and selecting (A2) one of the plurality of control profiles as a reference control profile, the selection (A2) being based on a tradeoff criterion considering resource consumption and drivability of the plurality of control profiles. The disclosure also relates to a control arrangement (2) for determining a reference control profile for a vehicle (1) and a vehicle comprising the control arrangement (2).