Adaptive Deceleration for Branch Lane Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic driving assistance systems cause unpleasant feelings or discomfort during lane changes from a main lane to a branch lane due to inconsistent deceleration patterns, especially when the entrance length of the branch lane is short, affecting both the vehicle's occupants and following drivers.
Innovation Solution
An automatic driving assistance apparatus that acquires the driving state and traveling environment of the vehicle, determines the deceleration start position and lane change start position based on the entrance length of the branch lane, and controls the vehicle's state to smoothly transition to the branch lane, using a combination of sensors and navigation systems to adjust deceleration and steering accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed deceleration pattern is used for lane changes, then the control logic is simple, but the lane change becomes uncomfortable for occupants and following drivers when the branch lane entrance length is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the deceleration pattern adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the deceleration profile based on the calculated distance to the branch lane entrance, selecting between different deceleration patterns (first pattern for longer distances, second pattern for shorter distances). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple control logic structure while achieving comfortable lane changes across varying entrance lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deceleration parameters (deceleration rate, timing, magnitude) based on the distance to the branch lane entrance. When the distance is short, the system adjusts the deceleration pattern to be more gradual and extended over time, whereas for longer distances, a different deceleration profile is applied. This parameter adaptation allows the same control system to handle diverse scenarios comfortably without increasing structural complexity.
2Device complexity
If the deceleration start position is not optimized, then the calculation is simpler, but the lane change becomes abrupt and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the optimal deceleration start position in advance based on the distance to the branch lane entrance. The control unit determines beforehand whether to use the first deceleration pattern (starting earlier) or the second deceleration pattern (starting later), and initiates the appropriate deceleration sequence. This preliminary calculation ensures smooth lane changes without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the maneuver.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single deceleration pattern is used for all lane changes, then the system is easier to implement, but it causes discomfort to following drivers when the branch lane entrance is close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different deceleration patterns for different local conditions (distance to branch lane entrance). The control unit selects the first deceleration pattern when the distance is sufficient, allowing earlier and more gradual deceleration. When the distance is short, it switches to the second deceleration pattern that adjusts the timing and magnitude accordingly. This localized adaptation eliminates discomfort to following drivers in close-entrance scenarios while maintaining simple system implementation through a unified control structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic driving assistance apparatus includes a driving state acquirer, an own vehicle location acquirer, a traveling environment information acquirer, a branch lane determining unit, a lane change calculator, and a traveling state controller. The driving state acquirer acquires a driving state of an own vehicle. The own vehicle location acquirer acquires a location of the own vehicle. The traveling environment acquirer acquires a traveling environment in which the own vehicle is traveling. The branch lane determining unit examines whether a target travel path toward which the own vehicle travels is set to a branch lane direction. The lane change calculator obtains a deceleration start position and a lane change start position of the own vehicle. The traveling state controller controls a traveling state of the own vehicle based on the deceleration start position and the lane change start position.