Utility Vehicle Speed Control Using Wind and Route Topography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speed control systems for commercial vehicles fail to optimize fuel consumption and travel time due to reliance on predictable environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal driving speeds and increased energy consumption, especially when wind factors are not considered.
Innovation Solution
A device that includes a speed sensor, wind speed sensor, and control unit to adjust driving speed based on detected wind speed and topography, using an increasing function of wind speed to optimize travel time and energy consumption, with the control unit regulating acceleration and deceleration to maintain a target speed relative to the route.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional speed control systems control driving speed only according to predictable environmental conditions (topography), then the control system is simple and reliable, but the fuel consumption cannot be optimized and travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from the wind speed sensor about actual wind conditions and adjusts the driving speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to unpredictable environmental factors (wind) in real-time, optimizing fuel consumption by reducing speed during headwinds and maintaining or increasing speed during tailwinds, while keeping the control logic relatively simple through predefined response rules
Solution Approach 2:
A wind speed sensor is introduced as an intermediary component between the environment and the control system. This sensor captures wind speed data that would otherwise be unavailable to the controller, enabling optimized speed control decisions without requiring complex environmental modeling or prediction algorithms
2Use of energy by moving object
If driving speed is reduced uphill in drive mode to optimize fuel consumption, then fuel consumption improves, but travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts driving speed based on real-time wind conditions rather than following a fixed speed profile. During tailwinds, the system can increase speed to compensate for time lost during headwind sections, creating a dynamic speed management strategy that balances fuel consumption optimization with travel time considerations throughout the entire route
3Loss of time
If driving speed is increased during tailwind to make up for lost time, then travel time is reduced, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters (driving speed) based on wind conditions. During tailwinds, it temporarily increases speed parameter to recover time, while during headwinds it reduces speed to minimize fuel consumption. The net effect over the complete route optimizes overall fuel consumption while limiting travel time increase, as the time-gaining sections occur when aerodynamic resistance is already reduced by favorable wind conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution optimizes fuel consumption and travel time by accounting for wind conditions, reducing energy use and maintaining efficient engine operation, while also considering the topography and gradient angle of the route.
Implementation Method 1
a wind speed sensor or a data interface which is designed to detect a wind speed at or in front of the commercial vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a speed sensor which is designed to detect the driving speed of the commercial vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a locating unit which is designed to locate the commercial vehicle on a route being used by the commercial vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to technology for controlling a driving speed of a utility vehicle. According to one embodiment, a device includes: a speed sensor that detects the driving speed of the utility vehicle; a wind speed sensor or a data interface that detects a wind speed on or in front of the utility vehicle; a locating unit that locates the utility vehicle on a route travelled by the utility vehicle; and a control unit that controls the driving speed of the utility vehicle according to the detected driving speed, the detected wind speed and a topography ahead of the utility vehicle on the route according to the location. With the topography ahead of the utility vehicle, the controlled driving speed is an increasing function of the detected wind speed in the direction of the driving speed.