Method for optimizing inter-vehicle distance and equitably sharing fuel benefits in a vehicle platoon

US10017179B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey M. Alden · Ann Arbor, US
• Andrew R. Camden · Royal Oak, US
• Matthew Allen Dzurka · Beverly Hills, US
• Soheil Samii · Royal Oak, US
• Chen Zhou · Troy, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 6, 2016
• Grant date: Jul 10, 2018
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C5/008
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for optimizing inter-vehicle order and distance includes communicating vehicle characteristics representative of a first and at least one second vehicle as the first vehicle approaches the at least one second vehicle. Based on the vehicle characteristics, a position in a driving order of the first vehicle with respect to the at least one second vehicle is selected and executed. A real-time fuel economy is recorded as the vehicle in the trailing position moves from a maximum following distance to a minimum following distance from the vehicle in the lead position. Based on at least the recorded real-time fuel economy, an optimal inter-vehicle distance between the vehicles in the lead and trailing positions is selected and executed.