Vehicle Control Set-Point Module Using Route Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle cruise control systems consume excessive computation power when determining set-point values, especially in hilly terrain, due to complex calculations required for maintaining desired speeds and optimizing fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and module that determine set-point values by categorizing route segments based on characteristics like gradient and length, using threshold values to reduce computational load, and applying rule-based calculations to regulate vehicle speed, thereby minimizing fuel consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If real-time optimisations of vehicle speed are performed using map data and GPS topology information, then fuel efficiency is improved, but computation power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidcomputation power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The itinerary is divided into discrete route segments with specific characteristics (gradient, length, curvature). Each segment is processed independently to determine speed set-point values, reducing the computational complexity of analyzing the entire route at once while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of speed set-point values based on segment characteristics. By adjusting speed parameters according to gradient, length, and curvature of each segment, the system optimizes fuel consumption without requiring complex real-time optimizations across the entire itinerary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high precision horizon vectors are used for calculating road gradients, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computation load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad gradient calculation precisionVSAvoidcomputation power requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sufficient but not excessive precision for horizon vectors. By applying a reasonable threshold for gradient calculations rather than maximum precision, the system achieves adequate measurement accuracy for fuel-efficient speed control without the computational burden of ultra-high precision calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2440440B1Method and module for determining of reference values for a vehicle control system

Publication Date: 2019.02.20 SCANIA CV AB

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for determining set-point values for a vehicle's control systems. The method comprises the steps of: determining a horizon by means of position data and map data of an itinerary made up of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment; calculating threshold values for said at least one characteristic of segments according to one or more vehicle-specific values, which threshold values serve as boundaries for assigning segments to various categories; comparing said at least one characteristic of each segment with the calculated threshold values and placing each segment within the horizon in a category according to the results of the comparisons; calculating set-point values for the vehicle's control systems across the horizon according to rules pertaining to the categories in which segments within the horizon are placed; regulating the vehicle according to the set-point values. The invention comprises also a module adapted to determining set-point values for a control system in the vehicle.