Adaptive Cruise Control Steering Wheel Target Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current adaptive cruise control systems are limited in their ability to assist vehicle operators in various traffic scenarios, particularly failing to provide automatic or semi-automatic drive functions in situations requiring lane changes or complex traffic interactions.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive cruise control system that includes a vehicle throttle controller, braking system controller, object detection sensors, and a control unit, along with a steering system that allows manual steering input to select new targets for speed control based on steering wheel actuations, enabling the system to adjust speed in relation to detected objects and facilitate lane changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the ACC system automatically selects preceding vehicles based on sensor detection, then the automation level is improved, but the system cannot handle complex traffic scenarios requiring lane changes or manual target selection
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is given a dual function: its primary function for directional control and an additional function for target selection in ACC mode. When the ACC system is active, specific steering wheel actuations (e.g., turning left or right beyond a threshold angle) are interpreted as commands to select new preceding vehicles in adjacent lanes, enabling the system to handle both automatic following and manual-like target selection scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows manual steering input to select new targets, then the adaptability to various traffic scenarios is improved, but the system complexity increases due to integration of steering angle sensing and threshold comparison logic
Solution Approach 1:
The existing steering angle sensor, already present in vehicles for steering control, is repurposed to provide target selection functionality for the ACC system. The control unit utilizes the existing sensor data without requiring additional dedicated sensors, and the steering wheel actuation automatically triggers target selection without needing separate manual input devices or complex interfaces
3Measurement precision
If the ACC system monitors only the current lane for preceding vehicles, then the measurement precision for speed control is improved, but the system cannot detect objects in adjacent lanes for lane change scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system expands its detection scope from a single-dimensional (current lane only) to multi-dimensional by incorporating adjacent lanes into the monitoring area. The object detection sensors scan a broader field including lateral regions, and when combined with steering wheel actuation, enable the system to select and follow vehicles in adjacent lanes, adding spatial dimensionality to the target selection capability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A vehicle (H) and an adaptive cruise control system, ACC, (1) is provided. The ACC (1) comprises a steering wheel system (17) with a steering wheel (19) arranged to allow the provision of manual steering input to the steering system (17) of the vehicle (H) and a steering angle sensor (18), wherein the steering system (17) is configured to identify a specific momentary manual steering wheel actuation by comparing data from the steering angle sensor (18) with predetermined thresholds, and to select a next one of the moving or stationary objects (A', B') in the surroundings in front of said vehicle (H) to control the speed of said vehicle (H) in relation to, based on the direction of the specific momentary manual steering wheel actuation indicated by the steering angle sensor (18).