US 12,479,437 B2
Systems and methods for vehicle control in response to a passing opportunity
Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, Greenwood, IN (US); and J. Steven Kolhouse, Columbus, IN (US)
Assigned to Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed by Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/062,086.
Prior Publication US 2024/0182034 A1, Jun. 6, 2024
Int. Cl. B60W 30/18 (2012.01); B60W 40/04 (2006.01); B60W 40/06 (2012.01); B60W 50/12 (2012.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01); G08G 1/01 (2006.01); G08G 1/052 (2006.01); G08G 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC B60W 30/18163 (2013.01) [B60W 40/04 (2013.01); B60W 40/06 (2013.01); B60W 50/12 (2013.01); B60W 50/14 (2013.01); G08G 1/0112 (2013.01); G08G 1/052 (2013.01); G08G 1/166 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling a vehicle to pass an obstruction in a travel lane along which the vehicle is travelling, the method comprising:
determining, with an electronic control system, an availability of a passing lane for the vehicle to pass the obstruction;
in response to determining the availability of the passing lane, alerting a driver of the vehicle of a passing opportunity to pass the obstruction using the passing lane;
in response to the passing opportunity and before the driver initiates passing the obstruction, pre-emptively preparing the vehicle for a pass attempt by automatically creating an additional torque reserve that is made available to the driver before the driver initiates the pass attempt of the obstruction by altering, with the electronic control system, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle to increase a passing capability of the vehicle; and
in response to the driver initiating passing the obstruction, altering at least one additional operating parameter of the vehicle with the electronic control system to improve the passing performance of the vehicle during passing the obstruction,
wherein the at least one operating parameter of the vehicle altered with the electronic control system before the driver initiates passing the obstruction to automatically create the additional torque reserve made available to the driver before the driver initiates the pass attempt includes maintaining or increasing a state-of-charge of an energy storage device of the vehicle; and
wherein the at least one additional operating parameter of the vehicle altered with the electronic control system during passing the obstruction includes reducing or preventing an increase of a state-of-charge of an energy storage device of the vehicle.