Vehicle Platoon Parameter Control for Dynamic Speed and Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle platooning systems face challenges in efficiently managing vehicle spacing and speed to achieve optimal performance and safety, particularly in varying density scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for managing vehicle platooning is implemented through the transmission of driving parameters such as target speed, tolerance of speed, target spacing, tolerance of spacing, ramp speed, and ramp spacing values, using a leading vehicle, base station, or network entity to adjust vehicle behavior dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles in a platoon drive closer together to increase density, then productivity and system efficiency are improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to reduced spacing between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of vehicle spacing and speed parameters based on real-time platoon conditions. The network entity or leading vehicle continuously transmits updated driving parameters (target speed, target spacing, tolerance ranges, ramp values) to member vehicles, allowing the platoon to adapt its density and spacing dynamically rather than maintaining fixed parameters. This enables the system to optimize productivity while maintaining safety margins through continuous parameter adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of vehicle spacing and speed to resolve the contradiction. By transmitting target speed, target spacing, and their corresponding tolerance values as adjustable parameters, the system can modify the physical state of the platoon configuration. The ramp speed and ramp spacing parameters further enable controlled transitions between different spacing states, allowing the platoon to move between high-density (high productivity) and low-density (high safety) configurations as needed.
2Reliability
If vehicles maintain larger spacing for safety, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced system efficiency and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing tolerance ranges around target spacing and target speed values. Instead of requiring vehicles to maintain exactly one fixed spacing value, the system allows spacing to vary within a tolerance band (target spacing ± tolerance). This partial relaxation of the spacing constraint enables vehicles to operate with slightly larger average spacing for safety while still achieving sufficient system efficiency, as the tolerance provides flexibility without completely sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the target spacing and tolerance parameters dynamically based on platoon conditions. When safety concerns arise, the network entity can increase target spacing or tolerance values, allowing vehicles to maintain larger separations. Conversely, when efficiency is prioritized, tighter spacing parameters can be applied. This parameter flexibility allows the system to optimize the trade-off between safety and productivity based on operational context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the platoon adjusts speed and spacing dynamically, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control parameters and communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single network entity (or leading vehicle) to perform multiple roles: it acts as the central control point for parameter transmission, the coordination hub for platoon operations, and the decision-making entity for adjusting driving parameters. This universal controller consolidates the complexity of dynamic adjustment into one entity, allowing member vehicles to maintain simpler control systems while still benefiting from adaptive platoon-wide coordination through received parameter updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The network entity (or leading vehicle) serves as an intermediary between the platoon's safety requirements and productivity goals. Rather than requiring direct complex interactions between all vehicle pairs, the intermediary receives platoon state information and transmits simplified driving parameters (target speed, target spacing, tolerances, ramp values) to member vehicles. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of dynamic adjustment, enabling adaptability while keeping individual vehicle control systems relatively simple.
4Device complexity
If fixed spacing and speed parameters are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to respond to varying density scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the continuous or periodic transmission of driving parameters from the network entity or leading vehicle to member vehicles. Instead of a single static configuration, the system periodically updates target speed, target spacing, and tolerance parameters based on current platoon conditions. This periodic parameter refresh enables the platoon to adapt to varying density scenarios while maintaining relatively simple vehicle-level control systems that merely need to receive and follow updated parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing a vehicle platoon is provided. The method includes transmitting one or more driving parameters to a vehicle in the vehicle platoon (503); wherein the one or more driving parameters comprise: a set of a target speed and a tolerance of speed, a set of a target spacing between the vehicle and another vehicle followed by the vehicle and a tolerance of spacing, a ramp speed value, a ramp spacing value, or combination of the above.