Adaptive Lane Keeping Torque Control for Driver Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lane departure warning systems either fail to provide sufficient comfort and assistance, leading to driver inactivity or result in uncomfortable zigzag driving due to inconsistent feedback torque, and are unable to react with absolute certainty to all boundary conditions.

Innovation Solution

A lane departure warning system with two operating modes: a supporting mode providing low feedback torque for driver-assisted steering and a leading mode with higher restoring torque for active guidance, automatically switching between modes based on the driver's intent and vehicle position relative to the lane trajectory, ensuring the driver remains engaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the safety distance from lane edges is increased, then driver comfort is improved, but the driver may become completely inactive and hand over responsibility to the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver comfortVSAvoiddriver inactivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the feedback torque adjustable and variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the level of automation based on detected driver intent, switching between a first level (higher torque) when driver takeover is detected and a second level (lower torque) during normal operation. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high comfort during normal use while preventing complete driver inactivity through adaptive intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of feedback torque magnitude based on detected driver intent. When the driver shows intent to take over steering, the system transitions from providing lower feedback torque to providing higher feedback torque, thereby maintaining driver engagement while preserving comfort during normal operation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between comfort and driver activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the feedback torque amount is increased to guide the vehicle back into lane, then lane keeping effectiveness is improved, but the driver may feel uncomfortable or lose control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane keeping effectivenessVSAvoiddriver control comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts feedback torque based on real-time detection of driver intent. During normal operation, lower feedback torque maintains lane keeping effectiveness while preserving driver comfort and control. When driver takeover intent is detected, the system switches to higher feedback torque to ensure safe lane correction, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from driver steering inputs to detect intent and adjust torque levels accordingly. By continuously monitoring driver behavior and providing appropriate feedback torque levels, the system ensures lane keeping effectiveness while maintaining driver comfort and control, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the system provides continuous high-level assistance, then lane keeping precision is improved, but the driver becomes passive and may not respond to unexpected situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane keeping precisionVSAvoiddriver passivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of assistance based on detected driver intent rather than providing continuous high-level assistance. During normal operation, moderate assistance maintains lane keeping precision. When driver takeover intent is detected, the system reduces assistance levels, thereby maintaining precision while preventing driver passivity and ensuring readiness for unexpected situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Extent of automation

If the system switches between different torque levels, then driver engagement is maintained, but the switching may cause uncomfortable transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver engagementVSAvoidsteering comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of driver intent before switching torque levels. By detecting intent in advance and preparing for the transition, the system can switch between torque levels smoothly without causing uncomfortable jerks or abrupt changes, thereby maintaining driver engagement while preserving steering comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2388171B1Assistance system for keeping in lane for transverse guidance support in a motor vehicle that is not on rails
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

The system produces reguiding moments within a limit in two different specifications. Driving situations without intervention of a driver by the system are represented in an operating mode of the system. Reduced reguiding moments are provided in another mode such that reduced hand moment of the driver is required to maintain a vehicle i.e. car, in a driving lane. The hand moment applied by the driver is less than existing hand moment when the system does not provide reguiding moments in a driving situation. USE : Tracking assisting system for transverse guidance of a non track-bonded motor car in a road. ADVANTAGE : The system enables transverse guiding of the non track-bonded motor car in a continuous manner, thus increasing comfort level and safety of a driver during driving the car, and reducing passive characteristics of the driver.