Vehicle Speed Control Direct Setting via Segmented Control Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle speed control devices require prolonged operation of a control lever to set a desired speed, especially when there's a significant difference between the actual and setpoint speeds, leading to decreased comfort and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating speed direct setting control elements that allow drivers to set a predefined setpoint speed with a single operation, independent of the vehicle's instantaneous speed, using buttons or elements assigned to specific road categories, which can be dynamically adjusted based on GPS, traffic signs, or driver input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver uses the control lever to set the setpoint speed incrementally, then the device can achieve speed adjustment, but the driver must operate the control lever for a relatively long time and perform multiple operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the speed setting function into two distinct modes: incremental adjustment via control lever and direct setting via speed direct setting control element. This segmentation allows the system to offer both traditional incremental control and modern direct preset control, resolving the contradiction by providing a faster alternative method for common speed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining common setpoint speed values (e.g., 50 km/h, 60 km/h, 70 km/h, 90 km/h) that correspond to different road categories. These preset values are prepared in advance and can be directly selected by the driver with a single operation, eliminating the need for incremental adjustment and significantly reducing the time and operations required for speed setting.
2Measurement precision
If the driver uses the control lever to set a limiting speed different from instantaneous actual speed, then speed control is achieved, but the driver must ensure correct setting which becomes difficult with larger speed differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing appropriate setpoint speed values in the control unit based on detected road categories. When the driver activates a speed direct setting control element, the system automatically retrieves and sets the pre-determined speed value, ensuring precise speed setting without requiring the driver to manually calculate or estimate the correct speed, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary (the control unit with pre-stored speed values) between the driver's input and the final speed setting. This intermediary automatically determines the appropriate setpoint speed based on the detected road category and the driver's selection, eliminating the need for the driver to directly calculate or precisely adjust the speed, thus improving both precision and ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the device requires separate activation before setting speed, then the control sequence is structured, but the driver must perform additional operations beyond speed setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the device activation function and the speed setting function into a single operation through the speed direct setting control element. When the driver activates this control element, the system simultaneously performs both activation and speed setting in one step, eliminating the need for separate activation and setting operations. This merging reduces the total number of operations required while maintaining structured control, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the speed control of a vehicle, containing an operator control unit, via which the driver specifies a setpoint speed to be maintained by the vehicle, and a control unit, which positions final controlling elements of the vehicle according to the driver's specification. The device provides that the operator control unit contains at least one speed direct setting control element, which is used for setting a specific setpoint speed value, and the specific setpoint speed value of the vehicle is specifiable and directly settable by a one-time operation of the speed direct setting control element, independently of the instantaneous actual speed of the vehicle.