Vehicle Speed Control Module for Grade Change Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack the ability to automatically maintain a constant speed during changes in road grade without user input, leading to speed fluctuations that cause inconvenience and potential traffic issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors to detect accelerator pedal depression and vehicle speed, along with a vehicle speed control module that adjusts the load on the vehicle's power source to maintain speed during changes in road grade, enabling automatic speed regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cruise control is activated to maintain constant speed during road grade changes, then vehicle speed stability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring user input and activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects road grade changes using sensors and adjusts the power source load without requiring driver input or cruise control activation. The vehicle speed control module continuously monitors speed and pedal position, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from speed sensors and accelerator pedal position sensors to continuously monitor vehicle operation. When a road grade change is detected through speed fluctuations, the control module adjusts the power source load accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains speed stability automatically.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cruise control is used to maintain constant speed, then speed fluctuations are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing vehicle components (accelerator pedal sensor, speed sensor, power source control) that serve multiple functions. The accelerator pedal sensor not only detects driver intent but also serves as a trigger for automatic speed maintenance, eliminating the need for separate cruise control hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the speed maintenance function with the existing accelerator pedal detection system. The vehicle speed control module integrates road grade detection, speed monitoring, and power source control into a single unified system that operates alongside existing vehicle controls rather than as a separate subsystem.
3Ease of operation
If automatic speed maintenance is implemented without user input, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to potential false activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the accelerator pedal to be depressed by a specific amount for a threshold time period before activating automatic speed maintenance. This preliminary condition ensures the driver intends to maintain speed, preventing false activation while still providing automatic control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its activation criteria based on real-time sensor inputs. It continuously monitors the relationship between accelerator pedal position, vehicle speed, and road grade changes, activating automatic control only when conditions indicate a genuine need for speed maintenance rather than constant activation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dynamically maintaining a vehicle speed during a change in road grade comprises a first sensor configured to detect a depression amount of an accelerator pedal and a second sensor configured to monitor the vehicle speed. The system further comprises a vehicle speed control module configured to: receive an indication that the accelerator pedal is depressed; receive an indication of the vehicle speed; determine that the pedal has been depressed within a threshold amount for a threshold time period; determine that the vehicle speed has been maintained within a threshold for the threshold time period; determine whether the change in the road grade is less than a threshold grade; and, based on a determination that the change in the road grade is less than the threshold, automatically adjust a load on a power source of the vehicle to maintain the vehicle speed during the change in road grade.