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:
- at least one vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of a lead vehicle and 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 including communicating measured acceleration and deceleration and separation distance;
computerized controller configured to receive the measured acceleration and deceleration and separation distance and and to control acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle to thereby maintain a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and
a user interface configured to provide vehicular data to a driver and.
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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.
62 Citations
41 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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at least one vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of a lead vehicle and 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 including communicating measured acceleration and deceleration and separation distance; computerized controller configured to receive the measured acceleration and deceleration and separation distance and and to control acceleration and deceleration of one of a lead vehicle and at least one follower vehicle to thereby maintain a safe vehicular spacing between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and a user interface configured to provide vehicular data to a driver and. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 40, 41)
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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 separation distance, acceleration and deceleration of the convoy-capable vehicle with respect to at least one other convoy-capable vehicle; a user interface to provide vehicular data from the convoying controller to a driver; a transceiver configured to communications between the convoy-capable vehicle and at least one other convoy-capable vehicle; a vehicular separation sensor configured to detect a separation distance between the convoy-capable vehicle and the at least one other convoy-capable vehicle and to provide such distance data to the computerized convoying controller; and a vehicular motion sensor configured to measure acceleration and deceleration of one of the convoy-capable vehicle and to provide such acceleration and deceleration measurements to the computerized convoying controller to enable a close following distance to be safely maintained between the two convoy-capable vehicles while moving. - 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 from the computerized controller to a driver; communicating monitoring and control signals between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle; and detecting and controlling a distance between the lead vehicle and the at least one follower vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification