Automatic driving heavy truck marker light control method

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic driving heavy truck marker light control method, and the main design concept of the application is that after the heavy truck enters an automatic driving mode, a trigger signal of an automatic driving system marker light is listened to, and once the trigger signal is triggered, the environment light intensity is continuously sensed, the state of a position light is detected, and the current traction load of the vehicle is detected; the detection means involved in the method itself has a mature sensing device; the detection results of the mature technology are used to adjust the brightness level and the lighting mode of the automatic driving system marker light, so that the automatic driving system marker light can be turned on and turned off on the automatic driving heavy truck, and especially, the warning degree and effect for surrounding traffic participants are determined by combining multi-dimensional sensing factors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of autonomous driving heavy truck technology, and in particular to a method for controlling the warning lights of autonomous driving heavy trucks. Background Technology

[0002] Autonomous driving is a key research and development focus for major automakers and OEMs. The characteristics of heavy-duty trucks dictate that it is essential to issue warning messages to surrounding road users when entering autonomous driving mode. Especially in real-world environments, heavy-duty trucks are used day and night and typically carry heavy loads, so safety should be given more attention. However, most heavy-duty trucks on the market are traditional heavy-duty trucks and have not been equipped with effective and reliable warning schemes for autonomous driving deployment, which cannot meet the safety requirements of autonomous heavy-duty trucks when driving in autonomous driving mode. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a method for controlling the warning lights of autonomous heavy-duty trucks, so as to solve the specific problem of autonomous heavy-duty trucks issuing warnings to other traffic participants.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0005] This invention provides a method for controlling the warning lights of autonomous heavy-duty trucks, including:

[0006] After entering autonomous driving mode, listen for the trigger signal of the autonomous driving system's indicator light;

[0007] When a signal to turn on the indicator light is received, the indicator light of the autonomous driving system is turned on at a preset initial brightness, and the system continuously senses the ambient light intensity, detects the status of the position lights, and monitors the current traction load of the vehicle.

[0008] Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the automatic driving system according to the ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load.

[0009] In at least one possible implementation, adjusting the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's marker lights based on ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load includes:

[0010] Based on the ambient light intensity and the on / off status of the position lights, determine whether the current external environment of the vehicle is daytime or nighttime;

[0011] Based on the assessment of the external environment, adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights in the autonomous driving system.

[0012] In at least one possible implementation, determining whether the current external environment is daytime or nighttime based on ambient light intensity and the on / off state of position lights includes:

[0013] If the ambient light intensity is detected to be higher than the preset upper limit threshold and the position lights are in the off state, then the external environment of the vehicle is determined to be daytime.

[0014] If the ambient light intensity is detected to be below a preset low threshold or the position lights are on, then the external environment is determined to be nighttime.

[0015] In at least one possible implementation, adjusting the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's marker lights based on ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load includes:

[0016] The current transportation status of the vehicle is determined based on the on / off status of the position lights and the traction load.

[0017] Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the preset safety level corresponding to the transportation status.

[0018] In at least one possible implementation, adjusting the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's marker lights based on ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load includes:

[0019] By combining the perceived ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the vehicle's current traction load with predetermined weight values, the risk level of the current autonomous driving condition is determined.

[0020] Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the risk level.

[0021] In at least one possible implementation, adjusting the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's sign lights further includes:

[0022] The brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's sign lights are adjusted based on ambient light intensity, position light status, traction load, current vehicle speed, and / or distance from surrounding road users.

[0023] In at least one of the possible implementations, the lighting method includes at least one of the following: gradual change, flashing, and color change.

[0024] Compared with existing technologies, the main design concept of this invention is that after the heavy truck enters the autonomous driving mode, it listens to the trigger signal of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights. Once triggered and illuminated, it continuously senses the ambient light intensity, detects the status of the position lights, and assesses the vehicle's current traction load. The detection methods involved already have mature sensing devices. By utilizing the detection results of these mature technologies, the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights are adjusted. Thus, this invention not only enables the illumination and extinguishing of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights on autonomous heavy trucks, but also, in particular, combines multi-dimensional perception factors to determine the level and effect of warnings to surrounding traffic participants. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the autonomous driving heavy truck sign light control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0028] This invention proposes an embodiment of a method for controlling the warning lights of autonomous heavy-duty trucks, specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0029] Step S1: After entering the autonomous driving mode, listen for the trigger signal of the autonomous driving system indicator light (ADS indicator light);

[0030] Step S2: When a signal to turn on the marker lights is received, the marker lights of the autonomous driving system are turned on at the preset initial brightness, and the ambient light intensity, position lights (including but not limited to the position lights) status and the current traction load of the vehicle are continuously sensed.

[0031] Step S3: Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's marker lights according to the ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load. The lighting mode includes at least one of the following: gradual change (including breathing mode), flashing, and color change.

[0032] Based on the above core idea, specifically, the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's sign lights can be determined by using various combinations of three conditions: ambient light intensity, position light status, and traction load.

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] Based on the ambient light intensity and the on / off status of the position lights, determine whether the current external environment of the vehicle is daytime or nighttime;

[0035] Based on the assessment of the external environment, adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights in the autonomous driving system.

[0036] Understandably, the goal of adjusting the brightness level and lighting mode is to be sufficient to alert traffic participants around the heavy truck. For example, after determining that it is night (the concepts of day and night here are preset relative definitions, not absolute standards, as will be explained later), the illumination intensity of the indicator light can be increased by the duty cycle, and combined with flashing, color changing and other effects at a predetermined frequency, so that traffic participants around the truck will notice in time that the heavy truck has been taken over by the automatic driving system. Therefore, this invention does not limit or elaborate on the specific lighting mode.

[0037] Specifically, determining whether the current external environment is daytime or nighttime based on ambient light intensity and the on / off state of position lights includes:

[0038] If the ambient light intensity is detected to be higher than the preset upper limit threshold and the position lights are in the off state, then the external environment of the vehicle is determined to be daytime.

[0039] If the ambient light intensity is detected to be below a preset low threshold or the position lights are on, then the external environment is determined to be nighttime.

[0040] This preferred embodiment believes that relying solely on the ambient light level fed back by the light sensor may not match the actual application scenario. Multiple complex environmental factors such as sunlight, rainy days, tunnels, reflections, and area lighting for loading and unloading goods may all affect the reliability of vehicle-mounted light perception. Therefore, it is proposed that the on / off status of the heavy truck's position lights should also be considered to determine whether it is daytime or nighttime as required by this invention.

[0041] In other words, as mentioned above, the concept of "night" in this invention does not represent actual darkness, and "day" does not represent actual daytime. That is, the day and night in this invention are unrelated to sunset, nor to different individual subjective feelings and cognitions, but are predetermined triggering times based on whether or not the brightness and display mode of the indicator light need to be adjusted.

[0042] Example 2:

[0043] The current transportation status of the vehicle is determined based on the on / off status of the position lights and the traction load.

[0044] Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the preset safety level corresponding to the transportation status.

[0045] For example, when the marker lights associated with the towing vehicle are on and the vehicle's load weight is detected to exceed the preset towing load threshold, the current autonomous driving heavy truck is considered to be in a high-load towing and transportation condition, belonging to a predetermined higher safety level (this safety level can be preset according to the load condition). In this case, the warning level should also be raised accordingly. At this time, the illumination intensity of the indicator lights can be increased, and the predetermined flashing, color changing and other effects can be used to warn traffic participants around the heavy truck to pay attention to safety.

[0046] Example three:

[0047] By combining the perceived ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the vehicle's current traction load with predetermined weight values, the risk level of the current autonomous driving condition is determined.

[0048] Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the risk level.

[0049] This embodiment comprehensively considers the three influencing factors mentioned in the core concept and assigns predetermined weights. The overall risk level of the heavy truck entering autonomous driving mode is determined by the weighted sum of these three factors. The risk here mainly refers to the surrounding traffic participants. For example, if the detection results are: ambient light intensity exceeds the limit, position lights are on, and traction load exceeds the limit, a weight score of 1+1+1 can be assigned. Alternatively, if the ambient light intensity exceeds the limit, position lights are off, and traction load exceeds the limit, a weight score of 1+0+1 can be assigned. These scores are then mapped to the corresponding risk level and the specific control strategies for the indicator lights corresponding to different risk levels. Of course, it is understood that in specific implementation, the settings are not limited to just 1 or 0. They can be refined according to actual needs. For example, different light intensities can correspond to multiple sub-scores, and different traction weights can correspond to multiple sub-scores, etc.

[0050] Finally, it can be added that, in combination with the actual application scenarios of heavy trucks, in addition to the three main influencing factors mentioned above, other conditions can be introduced in some preferred embodiments. For example, based on the ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, the traction load, and combined with the current vehicle speed and / or the distance to surrounding traffic participants (which can be provided by the autonomous driving system, such as the distance between vehicles in front and behind, the spatial relationship between people, objects, and vehicles, etc., relative distances to surrounding traffic participants related to this heavy truck), the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's marker lights can be adjusted.

[0051] In summary, the main design concept of this invention is that after the heavy truck enters the autonomous driving mode, it listens to the trigger signal of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights. Once triggered and illuminated, it continuously senses the ambient light intensity, detects the status of the position lights, and assesses the vehicle's current traction load. The detection methods involved already have mature sensing devices. By utilizing the detection results of these mature technologies, the brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights are adjusted. Thus, this invention not only enables the illumination and extinguishing of the autonomous driving system's indicator lights on autonomous heavy trucks, but also, by combining multi-dimensional perception factors, determines the level and effect of warnings to surrounding traffic participants.

[0052] In this embodiment of the invention, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0053] The above description of the structure, features, and effects of the present invention is based on the embodiments shown in the figures. However, the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the technical features involved in the above embodiments and their preferred methods can be reasonably combined and matched by those skilled in the art to form a variety of equivalent solutions without departing from or changing the design concept and technical effects of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or modifications to equivalent embodiments, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the warning lights on an autonomous heavy-duty truck, characterized in that, include: After entering autonomous driving mode, listen for the trigger signal of the autonomous driving system's indicator light; When a signal to turn on the indicator light is received, the indicator light of the autonomous driving system is turned on at a preset initial brightness, and the system continuously senses the ambient light intensity, detects the status of the position lights, and the current traction load of the vehicle. Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the automatic driving system according to the ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the traction load.

2. The method for controlling the warning lights of an autonomous heavy-duty truck according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment of the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the automatic driving system based on ambient light intensity, position light status, and traction load includes: Based on the ambient light intensity and the on / off status of the position lights, determine whether the current external environment of the vehicle is daytime or nighttime; Based on the assessment of the external environment, adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights in the autonomous driving system.

3. The method for controlling the warning lights of an autonomous heavy-duty truck according to claim 2, characterized in that, The determination of whether the current external environment is daytime or nighttime based on ambient light intensity and the on / off state of position lights includes: If the ambient light intensity is detected to be higher than the preset upper limit threshold and the position lights are in the off state, then the external environment of the vehicle is determined to be daytime. If the ambient light intensity is detected to be below a preset low threshold or the position lights are on, then the external environment is determined to be nighttime.

4. The method for controlling the warning lights of an autonomous heavy-duty truck according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment of the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the automatic driving system based on ambient light intensity, position light status, and traction load includes: The current transportation status of the vehicle is determined based on the on / off status of the position lights and the traction load. Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the preset safety level corresponding to the transportation status.

5. The method for controlling the warning lights of an autonomous heavy-duty truck according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment of the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the automatic driving system based on ambient light intensity, position light status, and traction load includes: By combining the perceived ambient light intensity, the status of the position lights, and the vehicle's current traction load with predetermined weight values, the risk level of the current autonomous driving condition is determined. Adjust the brightness level and lighting mode of the indicator lights of the autonomous driving system according to the risk level.

6. The method for controlling the warning lights of an autonomous heavy-duty truck according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment of the brightness level and lighting mode of the marker lights in the autonomous driving system also includes: The brightness level and lighting mode of the autonomous driving system's sign lights are adjusted based on ambient light intensity, position light status, traction load, current vehicle speed, and / or distance from surrounding road users.

7. The method for controlling the warning lights of an automated heavy-duty truck according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The lighting method includes at least one of the following: gradual change, flashing, and color change.

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