Vehicle Control System Automatic Terrain Mode Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems require drivers to manually select driving modes based on terrain conditions, which can be cumbersome and may lead to incorrect mode selection, especially when driving on varying surfaces or when towing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses an imaging device to determine the driving surface type and automatically selects the appropriate subsystem configuration mode, integrating with location determining means to verify the surface type and adjust settings such as illumination and ride height, and switching between on-road and off-road modes as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the driver manually selects driving modes based on terrain conditions, then the driver has control over vehicle configuration, but the driver workload increases and incorrect mode selection may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle to automatically detect terrain conditions through imaging devices and autonomously select appropriate driving modes without driver intervention. The control system processes images of the driving surface, determines terrain type, and configures subsystems accordingly, allowing the vehicle to serve itself in mode selection tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of driver mode selection with an automated optical detection and control system. Imaging devices capture visual information about the terrain, which is then processed by control logic to automatically configure vehicle subsystems, substituting human decision-making with machine-based image analysis and automated control.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle automatically detects terrain using imaging devices, then driver workload is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single automated terrain response system. The same imaging and control infrastructure that provides terrain detection also enables automatic mode selection, subsystem configuration, and real-time adaptation, allowing one system to perform multiple related functions rather than requiring separate systems for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively detects terrain conditions ahead of time using imaging devices and automatically configures appropriate driving modes before the vehicle encounters challenging terrain. This preliminary detection and automatic preparation eliminates the need for manual intervention when terrain conditions change, reducing driver workload during critical moments.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple sensors and imaging devices to determine terrain type, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple imaging devices and sensors to capture terrain information from different perspectives and modalities, using more detection capability than strictly necessary to ensure accurate terrain classification. This excessive sensing approach compensates for individual sensor limitations and improves overall measurement precision through data fusion and cross-validation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle control system (110) and method operable to control at least one vehicle subsystem (120, 130, 140, 150, 160) to operate in a selected one of a plurality of subsystem configuration modes. The control system is operable in a plurality of driving modes in each of which it is arranged to select the subsystem configuration mode of the at least one vehicle subsystem in a manner suitable for a respective type of driving surface. The control system uses the output of an imaging device (115) capturing the driving surface on which the vehicle is driving or will likely be driving.