METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEMI-AUTONOMOUS VEHICULAR CONVOYS
First Claim
1. A method for convoying a plurality of vehicles, comprising:
- receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles,information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle;
receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, information from a sensor system regarding a gap distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and
controlling, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, engine torque of the first vehicle to maintain the gap distance to a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and system for enabling vehicles to closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle an have significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. By directly commanding the engine torque and braking of the following vehicle while controlling the gap between vehicles using a sensor system, and additionally using a communication link between vehicles that allows information about vehicle actions, such as braking events, to be anticipated by the following vehicle, a Semi-Autonomous Vehicular Convoying System that enables vehicles to follow closely together in a safe, efficient and convenient manner may be achieved.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for convoying a plurality of vehicles, comprising:
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receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, information from a sensor system regarding a gap distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and controlling, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, engine torque of the first vehicle to maintain the gap distance to a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for convoying a plurality of vehicles, comprising:
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receiving, by a computerized controller on a first vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles, information about a second vehicle from among the plurality of vehicles via a communication link between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; receiving, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, information from a sensor system regarding a gap distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and computing, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, the delivered torque for the first vehicle needed to maintain the gap distance to a predetermined value controlling, by the computerized controller on the first vehicle, the torque for the first vehicle to match the computed delivered torque. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for platooning a following vehicle behind a lead vehicle, comprising:
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receiving, by a computerized controller on the following vehicle information about the lead vehicle via a communication link between the following vehicle and the lead vehicle; receiving, by the computerized controller on the following vehicle, information from a sensor system on the following vehicle regarding a gap distance between the following vehicle and the lead vehicle; and controlling, by the computerized controller on the following vehicle, engine torque of the following vehicle to maintain a close following distance behind the lead vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computerized vehicular convoying control system, useful in association with a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, the control system onboard at least one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle and comprising:
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at least one vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of at least one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle while moving; a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a separation distance between at least the rear of the lead vehicle and the front of the at least one follower vehicle; a transceiver for communicating among the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a computerized controller configured to receive the measured acceleration and deceleration and the separation distance and to control engine torque and braking of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle to thereby safely maintain a close following distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification