Adaptive Cruise Control Interlocking with Lane Keeping Assist

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane keeping assist (LKAS) systems do not interlock effectively, causing a sense of incompatibility and insecurity for drivers when auxiliary steering torque and automatic acceleration are simultaneously generated, leading to potential collision hazards and uncomfortable driving experiences.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive cruise control system that interlocks with LKAS, using a radar to detect preceding vehicles and an electronic control unit to calculate and adjust acceleration and deceleration based on auxiliary steering torque, change in request acceleration, and driver-set goal speed, ensuring an appropriate distance is maintained, thereby reducing driver discomfort and enhancing driving comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ACC system provides automatic acceleration when a preceding vehicle accelerates or disappears, then the productivity and responsiveness of the vehicle are improved, but the driver feels a sense of incompatibility and insecurity when auxiliary steering torque is simultaneously generated, worsening the ease of operation and driver comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle acceleration responsivenessVSAvoiddriver comfort and sense of compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control logic of the ACC system and LKAS by having the ACC system recognize when the vehicle is in a lane change state (detected by LKAS auxiliary steering torque) and adjust its acceleration control accordingly. The ECU integrates signals from both systems to determine when to limit acceleration, creating a unified control approach that resolves the conflict between responsive acceleration and driver comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the acceleration control based on the vehicle's lane change state. When the ECU detects that the vehicle is executing a lane change (through LKAS torque signals), it automatically modifies the ACC acceleration behavior to be more conservative. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between responsiveness and comfort based on real-time driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the ACC system accelerates automatically when a preceding vehicle disappears, then the vehicle speed is improved, but the vehicle accelerates in a state close to a neighboring lane, creating collision hazards and worsening the reliability and safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle speed maintenanceVSAvoidcollision hazard prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by having the ACC system check the lane change state before executing acceleration commands. When the ECU detects that the vehicle is in a lane change state (indicated by active LKAS auxiliary steering torque), it preemptively limits or prevents acceleration to avoid potential collisions with vehicles in the neighboring lane. This preventive measure addresses the safety issue before it can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the LKAS auxiliary steering torque signals to inform ACC control decisions. The ECU continuously monitors the lane keeping system's torque output and uses this feedback to determine when the vehicle is in a lane change state, thereby adjusting acceleration behavior appropriately. This cross-system feedback mechanism ensures safe operation during lane transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the LKAS provides auxiliary steering torque to prevent lane departure, then the lane keeping performance is improved, but the simultaneous generation of auxiliary steering torque and automatic acceleration creates a sense of incompatibility, worsening the ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelane keeping stabilityVSAvoiddriver sense of compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ECU acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the LKAS and ACC systems. It receives torque signals from the LKAS, interprets them as indicators of lane change intent, and uses this information to modulate ACC acceleration behavior. This intermediary coordination ensures that the two systems work harmoniously rather than creating conflicting forces that discomfort the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9522678B2Adaptive cruise control system interlocking with lane keeping assist system and constant speed control method therefor

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 HL KLEMOVE CORP

AI summary

The adaptive cruise control system interlocking with the LKAS includes: a radar configured to detect a preceding vehicle ahead and measure an inter-vehicle distance; and an electronic control unit configured to control acceleration and deceleration of a vehicle according to a request acceleration calculated to maintain an appropriate distance from the preceding vehicle. The electronic control unit calculates a maximum request acceleration that is changed according to an auxiliary steering torque received from the LKAS which prevents lane departure and a change amount in the maximum request acceleration, and controls acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle based on a final request acceleration determined by using the calculated maximum request acceleration, the calculated change amount in the maximum request acceleration, and the calculated request acceleration.