Vehicle Overtake Control Using Encounter-Time Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles are unable to perform overtake maneuvers efficiently, leading to safety issues, traffic backups, and inefficiencies due to operator-dependent decisions.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that determines overtake velocity, time, and lane traffic direction to execute maneuvers by adjusting engine or transmission parameters or providing commands to the operator, considering vehicle and front vehicle parameters, lane traffic, and rear vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If overtake maneuvers are performed by operator judgement, then flexibility in decision-making is improved, but safety deteriorates due to human error and inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator judgement flexibilityVSAvoidovertake maneuver safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller system autonomously performs the overtake maneuver without operator intervention. The system self-evaluates safety parameters (oncoming vehicle distance, rear vehicle presence, speed limits) and automatically executes the maneuver by adjusting engine/transmission parameters, eliminating human judgment errors while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the human operator's mechanical judgment process with an electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to evaluate safety parameters and execute overtake maneuvers, substituting human cognitive functions with automated electronic decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If overtake maneuvers are executed at higher velocities to reduce travel time, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetravel time efficiencyVSAvoidovertake maneuver safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts engine and transmission parameters in real-time during the overtake maneuver. The system optimizes acceleration profiles and velocity transitions to complete the maneuver efficiently while maintaining safe speed limits, adapting power delivery to balance productivity requirements with safety constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors safety parameters (distance to oncoming vehicles, rear vehicle presence, speed limit compliance) during the overtake maneuver and provides feedback to the controller. This real-time feedback allows the system to adjust velocity and acceleration to maintain both productivity and safety, aborting the maneuver if safety thresholds are violated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If overtake maneuvers are performed without considering rear vehicles, then ease of operation is improved, but traffic backup worsens due to lane blocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuver execution simplicityVSAvoidtraffic backup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary evaluation of rear vehicle presence and traffic conditions before initiating the overtake maneuver. By assessing the number of vehicles in the overtake lane ahead and behind in advance, the system predicts potential traffic backup and adjusts maneuver timing or aborts the maneuver to prevent harmful traffic congestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensor feedback to continuously monitor rear vehicle positions and traffic conditions during the overtake maneuver. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to detect potential traffic backup conditions and adjust the maneuver execution or terminate it to prevent harmful effects on traffic flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260014990A1Systems and methods for controlling overtake maneuver in vehicles

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 CUMMINS INC

AI summary

A system for controlling an overtake maneuver of a control vehicle includes a controller. The controller is structured to: receive at least one overtake parameter associated with a control vehicle for overtaking a front vehicle in a vehicle lane; receive an indication of one or more operating parameters associated with an oncoming vehicle in an overtake lane that is adjacent to the vehicle lane, wherein a direction of traffic of the overtake lane is opposite of the vehicle lane; determine, according to the at least one overtake parameter and the one or more operating parameters, an encounter time between the control vehicle and the oncoming vehicle; and execute, according to the encounter time, an overtake maneuver by adjusting a parameter of the control vehicle or providing a command to an operator of the control vehicle to execute the overtake maneuver.