Vehicle Slack Distribution Using Wireless Braking Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a line of vehicles following a deceleration, vehicles may collide due to insufficient slack distance between them, despite efforts to decelerate, as reaction times and visibility of braking cues vary among vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A slack distribution system using sensors, processors, and wireless communication to determine and adjust slack distances between vehicles, allowing for the transmission of slack request messages to modify braking forces and distribute slack effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicles maintain standard following distance, then normal driving flow is maintained, but collision risk increases during sudden deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of slack distance before collision occurs by monitoring deceleration rates and vehicle positions in real-time. When insufficient slack is detected, the system proactively transmits warning signals to downstream vehicles before the collision hazard materializes, enabling preventive action rather than reactive response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where upstream vehicles transmit deceleration information downstream, and downstream vehicles feedback their slack status upstream. This bidirectional communication enables continuous adjustment of following distances and coordinated braking actions across multiple vehicles, transforming the static following distance into a dynamic, adaptive parameter.
2Length of stationary object
If vehicles increase deceleration force to stop faster, then stopping distance is reduced, but risk of collision with rear vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system acts as an intermediary between upstream and downstream vehicles, transmitting deceleration intent and slack status information. This intermediary enables coordinated braking where upstream vehicles can decelerate aggressively while downstream vehicles receive advance warning and prepare corresponding deceleration actions, eliminating the need for conservative following distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the braking control of multiple vehicles into a coordinated action by sharing deceleration data across the vehicle platoon. Instead of independent braking decisions that create collision risks, the merged control approach synchronizes deceleration forces across vehicles, maintaining safe spacing while achieving rapid stopping.
3Productivity
If vehicles reduce following distance to improve traffic flow, then productivity increases, but measurement of adequate slack becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical distance measurement methods (such as physical markers or visual estimation) with electronic sensing and communication technologies. Sensors continuously measure vehicle positions and distances with high precision, while wireless communication transmits this data instantaneously, enabling accurate slack calculation even at reduced following distances where traditional methods would fail.
Data Source
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AI summary
Herein is disclosed a slack distribution system comprising one or more sensors, configured to deliver sensor data to one or more processors in a first vehicle; a wireless communication circuit, configured to wirelessly transmit to a second vehicle; one or more processors, configured to determine from at least the sensor data, during first vehicle deceleration, a slack distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and when the slack distance is less than a predetermined threshold, to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit to the second vehicle a slack request message, wherein the slack request message is a request to change the slack distance.