Virtual Brake Light Signaling for Hitchless Towing Platoons
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual connection configurations of vehicles, such as hitchless towing or platooning, the frequent braking of a following vehicle leads to flickering brake lights, causing confusion among other road users and potentially increasing unsafe conditions due to unfamiliar operations.
Innovation Solution
A brake light control system that prevents default brake light illumination based on frequent or short brake activations, instead illuminating the brake lights in a pattern, color, or frequency specific to the virtual connection mode, using information from sensors and communication with the lead vehicle to coordinate brake light activation and reduce user confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the following vehicle brakes frequently to maintain distance in virtual connection mode, then the vehicle control precision is improved, but the brake light flickering increases causing road user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between the lead and following vehicles. The lead vehicle transmits brake activation signals to the following vehicle, which then activates its brake lights based on received commands rather than independent braking decisions. This intermediary communication layer coordinates brake light activation across the vehicle platoon, eliminating flickering caused by independent frequent braking while maintaining precise distance control.
2Speed
If the following vehicle uses default brake light signals for frequent braking, then the braking response time is reduced, but the road user understanding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic, coordinated brake light activation based on platoon braking commands. Instead of continuous or random brake light flickering from independent braking, the system uses periodic brake light activation synchronized with lead vehicle braking events. This periodic action maintains rapid response capability while creating predictable, meaningful brake light patterns that road users can understand as coordinated platoon behavior rather than erratic individual braking.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to illuminating a brake light of a following vehicle based on information obtained during a virtual connection mode. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor and a memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, when a lead vehicle and a following vehicle are in a virtual connection mode, 1) prevent a brake light of the following vehicle from illuminating based on a default brake light signal and 2) illuminate the brake light of the following vehicle based on information obtained during the virtual connection mode.