Systems and Methods for Semi-Autonomous Vehicular Convoys
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computerized vehicular convoying control system, useful in association with a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, the control system comprising:
- a computerized controller configured to monitor and control acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, thereby maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle;
a user interface configured to provide vehicular data to a driver;
a transceiver configured to facilitate communications between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle;
a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and
a vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for vehicles to safely closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle has significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. On the opposite end of the spectrum, fully autonomous solutions require inordinate amounts of technology, and a level of robustness that is currently not cost effective.
92 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A computerized vehicular convoying control system, useful in association with a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, the control system comprising:
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a computerized controller configured to monitor and control acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, thereby maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a user interface configured to provide vehicular data to a driver; a transceiver configured to facilitate communications between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and a vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computerized vehicular convoying control system, useful in association with a lead vehicle, at least one follower vehicle and a central server, the control system comprising:
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a computerized controller configured to monitor and control acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, thereby maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a user interface configured to provide vehicular data to a driver; a inter-vehicular transceiver configured to communicate between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a long-range vehicular transceiver configured to communicate between a central server and one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle, and further configured to detect a relative speed between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; a braking actuation sensor configured to measure brake actuation; a supplemental braking actuator configured to vary braking of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; an acceleration actuation sensor configured measuring acceleration actuation; a supplemental acceleration actuator configured to vary acceleration of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and a forward-facing camera configured to substantially capture a substantially frontal image of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computerized vehicular convoying control system, useful in association with a lead vehicle, the control system comprising:
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a braking actuation sensor configured to detect braking of a lead vehicle; a transceiver configured to facilitate communications between the lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle having a corresponding computerized vehicular convoying control system capable of maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and a user interface configured to provide a linking request from the at least on follower vehicle to a driver of the lead vehicle.
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24. A convoy-capable vehicle equipped with a computerized vehicular convoying control system, the convoy-capable vehicle comprising:
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a chassis and a body; an engine coupled to a drive train; a braking system; an engine controller unit (ECU) coupled to the engine, the drive train and the braking system; a computerized convoying controller coupled to the ECU and configured to monitor and control acceleration and deceleration of the convoy-capable vehicle; a user interface configured to provide vehicular data from the convoying controller to a driver; a transceiver configured to facilitate communications between the convoy-capable vehicle and at least one other convoy-capable vehicle; a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a distance between the convoy-capable vehicle and the at least one other convoy-capable vehicle; and a vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of one of the convoy-capable vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An aerodynamic convoying accessory useful in association with a convoy-capable vehicle equipped with a computerized vehicular convoying control system, the convoying accessory comprising:
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an aerodynamic component configured to reduce drag for a convoy-capable vehicle travelling in a convoy with another convoy-capable vehicle; and a fastener configured to couple the convoying accessory to the convoy-capable vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. An aerodynamic convoying accessory useful in association with a convoy-capable trailer for a convoy-capable cab equipped with a computerized vehicular convoying control system, the convoying accessory comprising:
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an aerodynamic component configured to reduce drag for a convoy-capable trailer coupled to a convoy-capable cab travelling in a convoy with another convoy-capable vehicle; and a fastener configured to couple the convoying accessory to the convoy-capable trailer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. In a computerized vehicular convoying control system, a vehicular convoying method for controlling a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, the convoying method comprising:
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in a computerized controller, monitoring and controlling acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, thereby dynamically and semi-autonomously maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; providing vehicular data to a driver; communicating between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and detecting a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. In a computerized vehicular convoying control system, a vehicular convoying method for controlling a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, the convoying method comprising:
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in a computerized controller, monitoring and controlling acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle, thereby dynamically and semi-autonomously maintaining a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; providing vehicular data to a driver; communicating between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; communicating between a central server and one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; detecting a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle, and detecting a relative speed between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; measuring brake actuation; providing supplemental braking to one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; measuring acceleration actuation; providing supplemental acceleration of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and capturing a substantially frontal image of one of the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification