Vehicle Platoon Sorting Through In-Motion Lane Reassignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In traffic systems with vehicle platoons, efficient connection and disconnection of vehicles between platoons are needed to avoid delays and longer driving times without causing disturbances.

Innovation Solution

A method and control arrangement that repositions vehicle platoons relative to each other, allowing following vehicles to change lanes seamlessly during overtaking, enabling vehicles with the same destination to join the same platoon while maintaining high velocity and minimizing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vehicles change lanes to join different platoons, then vehicles can reach their planned destinations, but this causes disturbances leading to delays and longer driving times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability of vehicles to change platoon membershipVSAvoiddriving time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having vehicles perform lane changes in advance during overtaking maneuvers before the actual platoon joining is needed. This allows vehicles to be positioned correctly to join platoons without causing delays at the destination point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts platoon composition by allowing vehicles to join and leave platoons during motion. The method enables dynamic lane changes and platoon reconfigurations that adapt to changing traffic conditions and vehicle destinations without disrupting overall flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If vehicles perform lane changes to join platoons, then vehicles can reach their destinations, but this requires additional braking consuming energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability of vehicles to change platoon membershipVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs lane changes as preliminary actions during overtaking maneuvers before platoon joining is required. By completing lane changes during the natural overtaking process rather than as a separate maneuver, the system avoids additional braking and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method maintains continuous useful action by integrating lane changes into the ongoing overtaking maneuver. This allows vehicles to maintain their velocity and momentum throughout the process, eliminating the need for additional braking that would consume energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If vehicles join and leave platoons frequently, then vehicles can reach their destinations efficiently, but this causes disturbances leading to delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of vehicle destination reachVSAvoiddriving time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs lane changes as preliminary actions during overtaking maneuvers before platoon joining is required. This advance positioning allows vehicles to join platoons smoothly without causing delays at the destination point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the central control unit to coordinate lane changes and platoon joining operations. This centralized coordination ensures that vehicles join platoons at optimal moments, minimizing disruptions and maintaining efficient traffic flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3786915B1A method for sorting vehicles of vehicle platoons
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RES & DEV CO LTD
  • EP3786915B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3786915B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3786915B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for sorting vehicles of vehicle platoons. The method comprises the steps of providing a first vehicle platoon 1a driving along a first route 20 and a second vehicle platoon 1b driving along a second route 21, where the first vehicle platoon 1a comprises a lead vehicle 2a and a plurality of following vehicles 3 and the second vehicle platoon comprising a lead vehicle 2b and a plurality of following vehicles 3. The method further comprises the steps of selecting a road segment 22 in common to the first route 20 and the second route 21, and controlling at least one following vehicle 3a of the first vehicle platoon 1a to leave the first vehicle platoon and join the second vehicle platoon 1b, and/or controlling at least one following vehicle 3b of the second vehicle platoon 1b to leave the second vehicle platoon and join the first vehicle platoon 1a, while driving the first vehicle platoon 1a and the second vehicle platoon 1b along said road segment 22.