Vehicle Speed Control System for Turning on Low Friction Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems are ineffective in congested traffic conditions and off-road environments due to minimum speed requirements and inability to adapt to turning conditions, leading to loss of vehicle composure and reduced driver workload.
Innovation Solution
A speed control system that adjusts the target speed based on both user-defined and turning maximum speed values, considering driving conditions such as surface friction and softness, to maintain vehicle composure by reducing skid and adapting speed accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cruise control systems maintain a fixed target speed equal to set-speed, then the system is simple to operate, but the system becomes ineffective in turning conditions and off-road environments where speed adaptation is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment by introducing a turning maximum speed value that modifies the target speed based on detected turning conditions. The system transitions from a static fixed target speed to a dynamic target speed that adapts to turning radius, vehicle speed, and surface friction coefficients, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and adaptability to turning conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the speed parameter dynamically by calculating a turning maximum speed value using the formula: turning maximum speed value = k1 × √(k2 / turning radius) × vehicle speed, where k1 and k2 are constants. This parameter modification allows the cruise control to adapt to different turning conditions while maintaining automated operation.
2Productivity
If cruise control systems operate at higher speeds to maintain progress, then productivity is improved, but vehicle composure is lost during turns on low friction surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting turning conditions in advance and proactively reducing the target speed to a turning maximum speed value before the vehicle enters the turn. This preemptive speed reduction prevents loss of vehicle composure on low friction surfaces while allowing the vehicle to maintain progress through coordinated turning and speed management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from steering angle sensors, vehicle speed sensors, and surface friction detection to continuously monitor turning conditions and adjust the target speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures vehicle composure is maintained by automatically reducing speed when turning conditions indicate low friction surfaces, while still allowing progress through efficient turning execution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the system reduces speed during turns to maintain vehicle composure, then vehicle stability is improved, but the time to complete the turn and maintain progress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by reducing the target speed only to the extent necessary to maintain vehicle composure during turns, rather than significantly reducing speed. The turning maximum speed value is calculated to allow sufficient speed for maintaining progress while being low enough to prevent skidding, optimizing the balance between stability and turn completion time.
4Reliability
If cruise control systems are disabled in low speed conditions below minimum speed threshold, then safety is improved by preventing low speed collisions, but the system becomes ineffective in congested traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed threshold adjustment by making the minimum speed threshold a variable parameter rather than a fixed value. The threshold is adjusted based on detected surface friction coefficients and turning conditions, allowing the cruise control system to remain active and effective in congested traffic conditions on high friction surfaces while maintaining safety by disabling the system when conditions indicate potential collision risks.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a speed control system for a vehicle, comprising: means for automatically causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, means for receiving information relating to turning of the vehicle, means for receiving information relating to a driving condition of the vehicle, and means for adjusting automatically the value of the target speed value in dependence on said information.