Vehicle Speed Control Using Adaptive Throttle-Brake Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-driving car control methods face challenges in achieving smooth speed control due to frequent switching between throttle and brake, leading to vehicle vibrations and high control difficulty, and require complex electronic configurations and higher implementation costs, limiting their applicability and transportability.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control method and apparatus that determines a control mode based on the relationship between target and actual driving speeds, using both throttle and braking amounts to control the vehicle, thereby avoiding vibrations and improving smoothness, and eliminates the need for expensive electronic stability programs (ESP) systems by using separate algorithms for throttle and braking control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional throttle and brake switching control is used, then speed control can be achieved, but vehicle vibrations occur and control smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol smoothnessVSAvoidvehicle vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control system adaptive and continuous rather than static and discrete. The fuzzy logic controller dynamically adjusts throttle and brake control amounts based on real-time speed deviations and their rates of change, enabling smooth transitions without abrupt switching that causes vibrations. The control amounts are continuously optimized based on current vehicle state, eliminating the harmful vibrations while maintaining control smoothness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If ESP system is used for stability control, then vehicle stability can be improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidelectronic configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential stability control function from the complex ESP system and implements it through a simplified fuzzy logic controller. By taking out only the necessary speed stabilization logic and implementing it through software-based fuzzy control algorithms, the system achieves vehicle stability without requiring the complex electronic hardware and sensor configurations of a full ESP system, thereby reducing device complexity and implementation cost while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the stability control functionality of ESP systems but implements it through a different, simpler approach using fuzzy logic algorithms rather than complex electronic hardware. The fuzzy control rules replicate the decision-making logic of ESP systems for maintaining vehicle stability, achieving the same reliability effect through software-based control that is easier to implement and modify.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Speed

If frequent throttle and brake switching is used for speed control, then speed adjustment can be achieved, but control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the actual vehicle speed and comparing it with the target speed to determine speed deviation and its rate of change. This feedback information is fed into the fuzzy logic controller, which adjusts the throttle and brake control amounts in real-time based on the current error state. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic speed adjustment without requiring frequent manual switching, reducing control difficulty while maintaining accurate speed control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3614224B1Vehicle control method and device, and vehicle and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3614224B1 patent drawingFigure 1-1
  • EP3614224B1 patent drawingFigure 1-2
  • EP3614224B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This application discloses a vehicle control method. The method is executed by a vehicle terminal or a vehicle, and includes: obtaining a target driving speed and an actual driving speed of the vehicle; determining, based on a comparison between the target driving speed and the actual driving speed, a control mode among candidate control modes, the candidate control modes including: a braking control mode, an acceleration control mode, and a stopping control mode; determining, based on a throttle amount and braking amount determining manner corresponding to the determined control mode, a throttle amount and a braking amount required for implementing the target driving speed; and applying the determined throttle amount and braking amount to the vehicle based on a throttle amount and braking amount application manner corresponding to the determined control mode. This application further discloses a vehicle control apparatus, a vehicle, and a storage medium.