Method for protecting a vehicle on a road

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for protecting a first vehicle (2) on a road (1). The method comprises receiving a request (10) from a second vehicle (3) to protect the first vehicle when the first vehicle is to run along the road at a reduced speed or is to be completely stopped on the road, selecting the second vehicle (3) as an autonomous vehicle not carrying any passengers in response to the received request, requesting the second vehicle (3) to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle (2) from another vehicle, and controlling the second vehicle (3) to be positioned behind the first vehicle (2) at a barrier position at a distance (6) from the first vehicle (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and control system for protecting vehicles on roads. Background Technology

[0002] When a vehicle must be driven at low speed or needs to stop on a road such as a highway for some reason, there is a real risk that the vehicle will be struck by another vehicle traveling on the road.

[0003] For example, autonomous vehicles carrying passengers may experience malfunctions while driving on the road, thus requiring the execution of what is known as the Minimum Risk Maneuver (MRM).

[0004] For example, an MRM may occur if the vehicle requests the driver to take over the steering wheel but receives no response, a sensor is blocked, a communication error occurs, power is lost, or any mechanical failure occurs.

[0005] MRM usually results in the vehicle being driven to the side of the road and coming to a stop, or in the worst case, having to stop within the lane, which can be extremely dangerous. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for protecting vehicles on roads, thereby improving the safety of occupants of vehicles that need to stop on roads.

[0007] This objective is achieved by a method for protecting a first vehicle on a road, wherein the method includes: receiving a request for a second vehicle to protect the first vehicle when the first vehicle is about to travel along the road at a reduced speed or come to a complete stop on the road; in response to the received request, selecting a second vehicle, which is an autonomous vehicle and is not carrying any occupants, and requesting the second vehicle to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle from a collision with another vehicle; and controlling the second vehicle to be positioned behind the first vehicle at a barrier location at a distance from the first vehicle.

[0008] This invention is based on the understanding that this method can significantly reduce the risk of a first vehicle being struck by another vehicle, thereby improving safety. This method can protect any occupants of the first vehicle, any cargo of the first vehicle, and the first vehicle itself. Because the second vehicle is positioned behind the first vehicle at a barrier location, protection can be established before any critical situation occurs, for example, if the first vehicle malfunctions during operation and will travel at a reduced speed along the road or comes to a complete stop on the road due to the malfunction, and this protection can be maintained for any duration. This means that passive collision protection can be achieved effectively and proactively to prevent critical situations from occurring.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the method includes controlling a second vehicle in a barrier position to perform actions to prevent or mitigate a collision between the second vehicle and another vehicle. This further enhances the safety of road users. For example, the second vehicle can provide road users with images of road signs, such as signs indicating a mandatory direction of travel or lane. The second vehicle can also provide warning signals consisting of light and / or sound to alert other road users.

[0010] In some situations, a collision between a second vehicle and another vehicle may not be unavoidable.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the method includes: identifying that another vehicle will collide with the second vehicle while it is in a barrier position, and controlling the second vehicle to accelerate or release its brakes immediately before the collision. By accelerating the second vehicle in the direction of travel or at least releasing its brakes, the impact of a collision between the second vehicle and another vehicle impacting it from behind is mitigated.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the method includes: sending a request for a second vehicle from a first vehicle, and preferably, generating the request for the second vehicle by detecting a fault in the first vehicle during operation and monitoring that the first vehicle will travel at a reduced speed along the road or come to a complete stop on the road due to the fault. This allows for rapid identification of the first vehicle and the protection needs for the first vehicle. Preferably, the request for the second vehicle is generated in the event of a serious fault in the first vehicle, particularly in the event of a fault in the first vehicle that prevents it from safely continuing its driving task.

[0013] While any type of vehicle can be protected by positioning a second vehicle at the barrier location relative to the vehicle to be protected, the first vehicle is suitably an autonomous vehicle.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the method includes: controlling a second vehicle to position itself at a barrier location while the first vehicle performs a minimum risk maneuver (MRM). This allows the autonomous vehicle to be protected in the event of a malfunction that causes it to stop on the road.

[0015] The second vehicle is typically positioned at the barrier while the first vehicle is stationary, but it can also be positioned while the second vehicle is traveling at the same speed as the first vehicle. This can be done when the first vehicle is to be stopped but has not yet stopped, or when the first vehicle is capable of continuing to be driven but for some reason must be driven along the road at a very low speed.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the method includes selecting a second vehicle from a vehicle queue, wherein the position and number of occupants of each vehicle in the queue are known through a vehicle queue management system. Such a vehicle queue may be, for example, a queue of taxis (autonomous taxis), comprising a number of autonomous vehicles operating in the same area for passenger transport. Thus, a first vehicle can be protected by a second vehicle, which is a vehicle in the queue with occupants and required to perform MRM (Mean Responsibility Management), and the second vehicle is a vehicle in the queue without occupants and controlled to a barrier position relative to the first vehicle.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the method includes scanning the environment surrounding the first vehicle to locate a vehicle to be selected as the second vehicle. Thus, the second vehicle adjacent to the first vehicle can be identified and requested to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle from a collision with another vehicle.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a control system for protecting a first vehicle on a road, wherein the control system is configured to receive a request for a second vehicle to protect the first vehicle when the first vehicle is about to travel along the road at a reduced speed or come to a complete stop on the road, and in response to the received request, the control system is configured to select a second vehicle, which is an autonomous vehicle and is not carrying any occupants, request the second vehicle to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle from a collision with another vehicle, and control the second vehicle to be positioned behind the first vehicle at a barrier location spaced a distance from the first vehicle.

[0019] The advantages of this control system are similar to those of the different implementations of the method already discussed above.

[0020] Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention, cited as examples, will be described in more detail below.

[0022] In the attached diagram:

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the road, the first vehicle, the second vehicle, and the control system, and

[0024] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 The diagram shows the AA line, which is an image of a road sign. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of road 1, first vehicle 2 and second vehicle 3 on road 1, and control system 4 for protecting first vehicle 2 on road 1, as viewed from above.

[0026] exist Figure 1 In the example embodiment shown, the first vehicle 2 is an autonomous vehicle that has performed a minimum risk maneuver (MRM) and stopped on road 1. The second vehicle 3 is positioned behind the first vehicle 2 at the barrier location, acting as a barrier vehicle. The normal direction of travel on road 1 is indicated by arrow 5. The distance 6 between the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 can be adapted to the type of road 1, speed limits on road 1, or other relevant traffic conditions. The distance 6 can be, for example, in the range of 10-100 meters, preferably 20-80 meters. By way of example only, on a road with a speed limit of 110 km / h, the distance could be 60-70 meters.

[0027] As along Figure 1 As shown in Figure 2, which is a cutoff of line AA, the second vehicle 3 can provide road users with an image 7 of a road sign. The road sign appropriately indicates the mandatory direction of travel or lane; that is, vehicles traveling in the first lane 8 are guided (by arrows) to the second lane 9, where the second vehicle 3 is positioned at the barrier location within the first lane 8. The road sign can be as follows: Figure 1 The road sign is positioned at the rear of the second vehicle 3. The road sign can be a conventional road sign, or the image 7 of the road sign can be generated using, for example, laser projection on a fog screen or via an OLED panel that can also be used as lighting. This road sign can be supplemented by warning signals 20 consisting of light and / or sound provided by the second vehicle 3 to enhance the attention of road users.

[0028] The second vehicle 3 can be configured to detect when another vehicle will collide with it while it is in the barrier position. In the event that such a collision is unavoidable, the second vehicle 3 can be controlled to immediately release its brakes before the collision to mitigate the impact between it and other vehicles. The second vehicle 3 can also accelerate immediately in its direction of travel 5 before the collision to further mitigate the impact between it and other vehicles.

[0029] Control system 4 is configured to, in the first vehicle 2, as Figure 1 When the vehicle is traveling at a reduced speed along road 1 or comes to a complete stop on road 1, a request 10 is received regarding the protection of the first vehicle 2 by the second vehicle 3.

[0030] The phrase "stop on the road" is intended to include situations where the first vehicle must stop in any lane from the rightmost lane (very unsafe) to the rightmost lane (moderately unsafe), as well as on the shoulder (least unsafe) or the side of the road, but does not include situations where the first vehicle must stop in rest areas, gas stations, etc.

[0031] In addition to vehicle malfunction and MRM execution, the first vehicle may stop due to a traffic accident or traffic congestion. For example, the first vehicle may be involved in a traffic accident in which it is stranded in the middle of the road after a collision or single-vehicle accident and therefore requires protection by a barrier vehicle.

[0032] In response to the received request 10, the control system 4 is configured to select a second vehicle 3, which is an autonomous vehicle and is not carrying any occupants, request the second vehicle 3 to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle 2 from a collision with another vehicle, and control the second vehicle 3 to position itself behind the first vehicle 2 at a barrier location spaced 6 from the first vehicle 2. Where possible, the selected second vehicle 3 is appropriately an autonomous vehicle located in an area relatively close to the first vehicle 2, so that the time required to position the second vehicle 3 at the barrier location is as short as possible.

[0033] In this article, it is important to emphasize that "second vehicle" should be interpreted as "at least one second vehicle," because in some situations, two or more second vehicles may be selected and requested to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle from a collision with another vehicle. For example, the location of the first vehicle may necessitate the use of several second vehicles to protect the first vehicle and / or to guide other vehicles in a safe manner.

[0034] The control system 4 appropriately includes a central control unit 11, which is configured to receive a request 10 regarding the protection of the first vehicle 2 by the second vehicle 3, select the second vehicle 3, and request the second vehicle 3 to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle 2 from a collision with another vehicle.

[0035] The central control unit 11 may be part of a server for a wireless network (e.g., the Internet) used for cloud computing (i.e., cloud services), or it may be part of a telematics solution that includes cloud services. The central control unit 11 may have information related to vehicles in traffic, such as vehicle location, number of occupants, etc., for selecting a suitable second vehicle 3 upon request. For example, vehicles in a vehicle queue may be used. The vehicle queue may be managed by a vehicle queue management system 12, which tracks the location of each vehicle and whether it has occupants. Relevant information is transmitted from the vehicle queue management system 12 to the central control unit 11.

[0036] When the central control unit 11 receives a request 10 for the second vehicle 3, the central control unit 11 selects the second vehicle 3 and requests the second vehicle 3 to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle 2 from a collision with another vehicle. The control system 4 may include a control unit 13 disposed in the second vehicle 3. The central control unit 11 sends a request 14 to the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3.

[0037] Request 14 appropriately includes the identification and location of the first vehicle 2, and an instruction that the second vehicle 3 must act as a barrier for the first vehicle 2. The control unit 13 of the second vehicle can be configured to subsequently control the second vehicle 3 to position itself at the barrier location based on request 14 received from the central control unit 11. The autonomous driving capabilities of the second vehicle 3 are utilized when the second vehicle 3 is driven to the first vehicle 2 and when the second vehicle 3 is positioned at the barrier location behind the first vehicle 2.

[0038] Optionally, the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3 can send a confirmation to the central control unit 11 that the second vehicle 3 has been successfully positioned at the barrier location. Subsequently, the second vehicle 3 is held at the barrier location until the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3 receives a message from the central control unit 11 that the second vehicle 3 no longer needs to act as a barrier and can leave freely.

[0039] A request 10 regarding protection of the first vehicle 2 by the second vehicle 3 can be sent from the first vehicle 2. The first vehicle 2 may include a control unit 15 configured to send the request 10 regarding protection of the first vehicle 2 by the second vehicle 3. The request 10 is appropriately sent from the control unit 15 of the first vehicle 2 to the central control unit 11 of the control system 4, and may also include the location and / or identification of the first vehicle 2.

[0040] When a fault is detected that prevents the first vehicle 2 from continuing to drive safely as planned, request 10 is appropriately sent from the control unit 15 of the first vehicle 2. Optionally, an error message indicating a fault in the first vehicle 2 may also be sent to obtain assistance for repair and / or towing of the first vehicle 2.

[0041] Alternatively, the first vehicle 2 can be configured to scan its surroundings to locate a vehicle to be selected as the second vehicle 3. In this case, when the second vehicle 3 to be selected can be located by the first vehicle 2, a request to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle 2 from a collision with another vehicle can be sent directly from the first vehicle 2 to the second vehicle 3, or information about the selected second vehicle 3 (along with the location and / or identification of the first vehicle 2) can be sent from the first vehicle 2 to the central control unit 11, after which the central control unit 11 communicates with the second vehicle 3 as described above.

[0042] The central control unit 11, the control unit 15 of the first vehicle 2, and the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3 may each include one or more microprocessors and / or one or more storage devices or any other components for executing computer programs to perform the methods described herein. The central control unit 11 and the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3 are preferably provided with computer programs including program code means for performing the steps of any example embodiments of the methods described herein.

[0043] Telematics systems and other devices known to those skilled in the art can be used for communication between the central control unit 11 and the control unit 13 of the second vehicle 3, as well as for communication between the control unit 15 of the first vehicle 2 and the central control unit 11.

[0044] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the above description and drawings; rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a first vehicle (2) on a road (1), the method comprising: When the first vehicle is about to travel along the road at a reduced speed or come to a complete stop on the road, a request (10) is received regarding the second vehicle (3) protecting the first vehicle. In response to the received request, a second vehicle (3) that is not carrying any occupants and is an autonomous vehicle is selected, and the second vehicle (3) is requested to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle (2) from a collision with another vehicle; and Control the second vehicle (3) to be positioned behind the first vehicle (2) at a barrier location at a distance (6) from the first vehicle (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The request (10) regarding the second vehicle (3) is sent from the first vehicle (2).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The request (10) regarding the second vehicle (3) is generated by detecting a fault in the first vehicle (2) during its operation and monitoring that the first vehicle will run at a reduced speed along the road (1) or come to a complete stop on the road due to the fault.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Select a second vehicle from the vehicle queue (3), the position and number of occupants of each vehicle in the vehicle queue are known through the vehicle queue management system (12).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Scan the surrounding environment of the first vehicle (2) to find the vehicle to be selected as the second vehicle (3).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first vehicle (2) is an autonomous vehicle.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the first vehicle (2) performs a Minimal Risk Maneuver (MRM), the second vehicle (3) is positioned at the barrier location.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, While making the second vehicle travel at the same speed as the first vehicle (2), control the second vehicle (3) to be positioned at the barrier location.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, When the first vehicle (2) is stationary, the second vehicle (3) is positioned at the barrier location.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The second vehicle (3) is controlled when it is in the position of the barrier to perform actions to prevent or mitigate a collision between the second vehicle and another vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Control the second vehicle (3) to provide road sign images (7) to road users.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, Control the second vehicle (3) to provide a warning signal (20) to road users by light and / or sound.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, Identify that another vehicle will collide with the second vehicle (3) when it is in the position of the barrier, and control the second vehicle (3) to accelerate immediately before the collision occurs.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The system identifies that another vehicle will collide with the second vehicle (3) when it is in the position of the barrier, and controls the second vehicle (3) to release its brakes immediately before the collision occurs.

15. A control system (4) for protecting a first vehicle (2) on a road (1), the control system being configured to receive a request (10) for a second vehicle (3) to protect the first vehicle (2) when the first vehicle is about to travel along the road at a reduced speed or come to a complete stop on the road, and the control system (4) being configured to, in response to the received request (10), select a second vehicle (3) that is not carrying any occupants and is an autonomous vehicle, request the second vehicle (3) to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle (2) from being struck by another vehicle, and control the second vehicle (3) to be positioned behind the first vehicle (2) at a barrier position at a distance (6) from the first vehicle (2).

16. The control system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The control system (4) includes a central control unit (11) configured to receive the request (10) regarding the second vehicle (3) protecting the first vehicle (2), select the second vehicle (3), and request the second vehicle (3) to act as a barrier to protect the first vehicle (2) from being struck by another vehicle.

17. The control system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The control system (4) includes a control unit (13) disposed in the second vehicle (3), the control unit (13) of the second vehicle (3) being configured to control the second vehicle to be positioned at the barrier location.

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