Vehicle Speed Controller Low-Speed Operation Brake Trigger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control systems, such as cruise control, are ineffective in congested traffic conditions and off-road environments due to minimum speed requirements and susceptibility to wheel slip events, which can lead to unnecessary system disabling and reduced vehicle progress.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle speed control system that includes a controller capable of generating powertrain signals to maintain a target speed, even at low speeds, by integrating brake and accelerator input signals, and adjusting torque development based on terrain conditions, allowing the vehicle to operate efficiently in various driving scenarios without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a minimum speed requirement is imposed on cruise control systems to reduce the likelihood of low speed collision, then safety is improved, but the system becomes ineffective in congested traffic conditions and low speed driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum speed threshold based on driving conditions. When brake pedal input is detected, the system temporarily allows operation below the normal minimum speed threshold, enabling effectiveness in congested traffic while maintaining safety in normal conditions through adaptive parameter adjustment
2Reliability
If cruise control systems are disabled when wheel slip events are detected to prevent unnecessary intervention, then system reliability is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for off-road conditions where wheel slip is common
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its sensitivity to wheel slip events based on terrain conditions. In off-road modes, the system tolerates higher levels of wheel slip without disabling, while maintaining strict monitoring in normal conditions. This allows the system to maintain stability when needed while adapting to off-road environments where wheel slip is expected
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (thresholds for wheel slip detection, tolerance levels) based on detected terrain conditions and driver intent from brake input, allowing the same hardware to operate reliably across diverse conditions from highway to off-road
3Reliability
If the controller requires brake pedal input to activate low-speed operation, then false activations are prevented and system reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the driver's own brake pedal input as the activation trigger, converting an existing driving action into a dual-purpose control signal. The brake input serves both its primary function of slowing the vehicle and as the trigger for low-speed progress mode, eliminating the need for separate activation controls
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising: a first controller operable to assume an off state or one of one or more on states, in a first on state the first controller being configured to generate a first controller powertrain signal in order to cause a powertrain to develop drive torque and cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value, the system being configured to cause the first controller to assume the first on state in dependence at least in part on receipt of a first input signal indicative that the controller is required to assume the first on state and a second signal indicative that a driver is maintaining a driver-operated brake control device in a brake-applied condition, being a condition in which a braking system of a vehicle is caused to apply a brake to one or more wheels.