US 11,718,296 B2
Using shared traffic information to support adaptive cruise control (ACC) between platooning vehicles
Rohan N. Nachnolkar, Elyria, OH (US); Phillip J. Kasper, Elyria, OH (US); Nicholas A. Broyles, Elyria, OH (US); and Amrut A. Patki, Elyria, OH (US)
Assigned to Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Avon, OH (US)
Filed by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, Elyria, OH (US)
Filed on Dec. 9, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/707,421.
Prior Publication US 2021/0171034 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. B60W 30/165 (2020.01); B60W 30/18 (2012.01); G08G 1/00 (2006.01); G08G 1/0967 (2006.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01)
CPC B60W 30/165 (2013.01) [B60W 30/18163 (2013.01); G05D 1/0289 (2013.01); G05D 1/0295 (2013.01); G08G 1/096791 (2013.01); G08G 1/22 (2013.01); B60W 2554/80 (2020.02); B60W 2556/65 (2020.02); G05D 2201/0213 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system supporting platoon control using traffic information shared between vehicles of a platoon including an associated platooning vehicle and a set of at least one other associated platooning vehicle, the system comprising:
a platoon control unit configured to be disposed in the associated platooning vehicle, the platoon control unit being in operative communication with an electronic control unit (ECU) of the associated platooning vehicle, the platoon control unit comprising:
a processor;
a non-transient memory device operatively coupled with the processor; and
logic stored in the non-transient memory and executable by the processor to support the platoon control in the associated platooning vehicle;
a sensor unit operatively coupled with the platoon control unit, the sensor unit being operable to:
sense a presence of one or more extra-platoon traffic vehicles relative to the associated platooning vehicle; and
selectively generate extra-platoon traffic vehicle data representative of traffic information relating to a level of the one or more extra-platoon traffic vehicles being sensed by the sensor unit; and
a communication transmitter operatively coupled with the platoon control unit,
wherein the platoon control unit is operable to deliver to the ECU of the associated platooning vehicle a traffic condition signal representative of the level of the one or more extra-platoon traffic vehicles to adjust one or more operating conditions and/or parameters of the platoon control in the associated platooning vehicle,
wherein the communication transmitter is operable to:
receive, from the platoon control unit, the extra-platoon traffic vehicle data representative of the traffic information;
convert the extra-platoon traffic vehicle data into an extra-platoon traffic vehicle signal; and
transmit the extra-platoon traffic vehicle signal from the associated platooning vehicle to the set of at least one other associated platooning vehicle for use by the set of at least one other associated platooning vehicle to adjust one or more operating conditions and/or parameters of the platoon control in the at least one other associated platooning vehicle.