ACC Fallback Vehicle Stopping Under Detector Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC), the system fails when the detector (such as a millimeter-wave radar or camera) necessary for ACC execution malfunctions, leading to a higher risk of accidents, especially when the vehicle is about to stop.
Innovation Solution
A driving assistance apparatus and method that includes an ACC section for executing adaptive cruise control based on inter-vehicle distance and relative speed, an abnormality detection section to detect failures in the detector, and a vehicle-stopping control section that initiates vehicle stopping when a detector abnormality is detected and the inter-vehicle distance meets a predetermined condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the ACC system is equipped with a detector (millimeter-wave radar or camera) to execute adaptive cruise control, then the automation and convenience of driving control is improved, but the reliability of the system deteriorates when the detector fails during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting abnormalities in the detector before they lead to complete system failure. The abnormality detection section continuously monitors detector status and proactively initiates alternative control modes (cruise control or vehicle stopping control) when abnormalities are detected, preventing the transition to a completely unreliable state
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative control strategies (cruise control or vehicle stopping control) in advance that can be activated when the detector fails. This cushioning mechanism ensures that the loss of detector functionality does not directly translate to system failure, but rather to a pre-planned transition to a safer operational mode
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ACC ends and enters driver operation mode when detector abnormality occurs, then the system adapts to the abnormal condition, but the response time of the driver is insufficient leading to collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transitioning from automated ACC to manual driver control when detector abnormalities occur, the system inverts the approach by maintaining automated control through alternative strategies (cruise control or vehicle stopping control). This inversion eliminates the dangerous transition period where the driver must manually take over, as the system continues to provide automated assistance in a modified capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control mode that bridges the gap between full ACC functionality and complete manual control. When detector abnormalities occur, the abnormality detection section activates an intermediate state where the system transitions to cruise control or vehicle stopping control, serving as a mediator that maintains automated assistance while adapting to the degraded sensor state
3Measurement precision
If the vehicle is about to be stopped when detector fails, then the ACC provides precise speed and distance control, but the risk of collision increases due to inability to detect leading vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential control functions (speed control and distance maintenance) from the detector-dependent ACC and separates them into an independent cruise control mode. When detector abnormalities occur during stopping operations, the system extracts and activates this detector-independent control capability, allowing speed and distance management to continue without relying on the faulty detector
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by transitioning from detector-based ACC parameters (reliant on real-time sensor data) to predefined cruise control parameters (based on stored speed and distance settings). When detector abnormalities occur during stopping, the system switches to using predetermined parameter sets that were established before the detector failure, maintaining control precision without the faulty sensor input
Data Source
AI summary
This drive assistance device comprises an ACC unit, an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormality from a detector used to perform ACC, and a vehicle stop control unit for performing control to stop an ego vehicle when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit and an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle satisfies a certain condition.