Commercial Vehicle Speed Limit Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed limiting systems in commercial vehicles require manual adjustment by drivers to adapt to changing traffic situations, which can be inconvenient and may result in non-compliance with speed limits or inefficient fuel use.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a traffic situation detection system to automatically adjust the speed limit set by the driver based on anticipated traffic conditions, such as route sections or inclines, using a closed-loop or open-loop control device to ensure the vehicle operates within optimal speed limits, and revert to the original speed limit after the condition changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the driver manually adjusts the speed limit to adapt to changing traffic situations, then the vehicle can comply with speed limits and optimize fuel consumption, but the driver's workload increases and response time may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically detects future traffic situations and adjusts speed limits without driver intervention. The system monitors traffic data, predicts upcoming conditions (such as speed bumps, intersections, or restricted zones), and autonomously modifies the speed limit settings to ensure compliance while optimizing fuel consumption, thereby eliminating the need for manual driver adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary adjustments to the speed limit before the vehicle reaches the traffic situation. By detecting future traffic conditions in advance and proactively adjusting the speed limit, the system ensures the vehicle is already at the optimal speed when encountering the situation, avoiding last-minute braking or acceleration and improving fuel efficiency.
2Productivity
If the driver manually adjusts the speed limit in advance, then the vehicle can be at optimal speed for future traffic situations, but the timing estimation is difficult and may result in non-compliance or inefficient fuel use
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously receives feedback from traffic situation detection systems, GPS data, and vehicle sensor information. This feedback loop enables the system to accurately determine the vehicle's current position, speed, and trajectory, and to predict future traffic conditions with high precision. Based on this real-time feedback, the system calculates the optimal timing for speed limit adjustments to ensure both compliance and fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and calculation of future traffic situations using stored map data and real-time position information. By identifying upcoming speed restrictions, intersections, or road features in advance, the control device can proactively adjust the speed limit at the precisely calculated optimal moment, eliminating the difficulty of manual timing estimation and maximizing fuel efficiency.
3Reliability
If the control device automatically adjusts the speed limit based on future traffic situations, then compliance with speed limits is ensured and fuel consumption is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it detects future traffic situations using GPS and map data, calculates optimal speed adjustments, controls the throttle to maintain compliance, and monitors fuel consumption. By combining these previously separate functions into one multi-functional control unit, the system achieves high reliability in speed limit compliance and fuel efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
4Productivity
If the speed limit is automatically increased or decreased before future traffic situations, then the vehicle maintains optimal speed, but the driver may lose control over speed management
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors driver input through the accelerator pedal position sensor and other driver control signals. When the driver actively manipulates the controls, the system receives immediate feedback and temporarily suspends automatic speed limit adjustments, allowing the driver to regain full control. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic optimization only operates when the driver is not actively controlling the vehicle, maintaining both productivity and driver authority.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assisting the driver of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a control and/or regulating device (3) by means of which the vehicle speed (28) is limited such that it does not exceed at least a defined speed limit (7, 9) set by the driver of the vehicle (1). According to the invention, a traffic situation recognition device (11) is provided by means of which a future traffic situation of the vehicle (1) is recognized and/or recorded.Upon detecting at least one defined future traffic situation by the traffic situation detection device (11), the control and/or regulating device (3) automatically increases or decreases at a defined time (t1, t3, t6) before the defined future traffic situation, depending on the driver-set speed limit (7, 9). At the latest after the defined future traffic situation, the control and/or regulating device (3) then automatically returns the increased or decreased speed limit (7, 9) to the driver-set speed limit (7, 9).