Vehicle Controller Safe Passing Window Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of large vehicles rely on vision and radio communications to determine safe passing windows, leading to potential traffic backups and unsafe driving conditions due to miscalculations during passing operations.
Innovation Solution
A driver assistance system that determines a safe passing window by analyzing vehicle positioning, dynamic, and external information, including GNSS data and road gradient maps, to estimate power requirements and indicate when available vehicle power meets or exceeds the needed power for a safe passing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators rely on vision and radio communications to determine safe passing windows, then they can assess current driving conditions, but miscalculations occur leading to traffic backups and unsafe driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical human judgment system (vision and radio communication) with an automated electronic system that calculates safe passing windows using vehicle dynamic data, power requirements, and environmental factors. This substitution eliminates human miscalculation while providing precise, real-time passing recommendations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated calculation system as an intermediary between the driver's passing intent and the actual passing action. This intermediary processes multiple data sources (vehicle dynamics, power requirements, environmental conditions) to determine safe passing windows, preventing both premature and delayed passing decisions.
2Reliability
If operators use radio communications with other vehicle operators to determine passing availability, then they can coordinate passing maneuvers, but the process is time-consuming and reduces passing operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual radio communication coordination process with an automated electronic system that instantly calculates safe passing windows based on real-time vehicle and environmental data. This eliminates the time required for radio communications while maintaining reliable passing coordination through objective computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of safe passing windows before the driver actually initiates a passing maneuver. By pre-assessing power requirements, vehicle dynamics, and environmental conditions, the system provides immediate passing recommendations without requiring time-consuming radio communications during the critical decision moment.
3Ease of operation
If operators rely on vision to determine safe passing windows, then they can assess the driving environment, but human error leads to incorrect judgment and unsafe maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human visual assessment system with an electronic calculation system that processes precise vehicle dynamic data, power requirements, and environmental parameters. This substitution maintains the ease of environmental assessment while dramatically improving measurement precision through objective, quantifiable calculations rather than subjective human judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model that copies and analyzes the physical driving environment through sensor data and vehicle telemetry. This virtual representation allows for precise calculation of passing windows by simulating and analyzing multiple passing scenarios based on real-time conditions, eliminating human judgment errors while preserving comprehensive environmental assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controller includes at least one input configured to receive sensor signals from a plurality of sensors configured to determine vehicle dynamic information and at least one input configured to receive sensor signals from a plurality of sensors configured to determine external vehicle information Included in the vehicle controller is a memory and a processor. The memory stores instructions for executing a vehicle positioning system and a driver assistance system using the controller. An output is configured to output a safe to pass condition in response to the controller determining an available vehicle power meets or exceeds an estimated power requirement for a passing operation.