Adaptive Vehicle Travel Control Lateral Position Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle travel control systems fail to accurately determine when to operate the braking apparatus, as they only consider the inter-vehicle distance and not the lateral relationship between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, leading to inappropriate braking operations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle travel control apparatus that uses a vehicle control ECU connected to a forward radar sensor and image sensor to calculate the preceding vehicle's leaving probability based on its lateral position and speed, adjusting the demand deceleration accordingly to ensure appropriate braking in autonomous driving modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only inter-vehicle distance is considered for braking control, then the control logic is simple, but braking operations become inappropriate when the preceding vehicle is changing lanes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidbraking operation appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional longitudinal distance measurement to two-dimensional spatial relationship analysis by incorporating lateral position information. The radar sensor detects both the distance and lateral offset of the preceding vehicle, enabling the system to distinguish between a vehicle directly ahead and one in the adjacent lane, thus preventing inappropriate braking during lane changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the lateral position and distance of the preceding vehicle, calculating a leaving probability based on these parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the braking control to adapt dynamically to the preceding vehicle's behavior, adjusting braking operations based on whether the vehicle is maintaining its lane or potentially changing lanes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If lateral position and speed are considered to calculate leaving probability, then braking appropriateness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking operation appropriatenessVSAvoidsensor and calculation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar sensor performs multiple functions: it measures both the distance and lateral position of the preceding vehicle, and provides data for calculating both the leaving probability and the basic braking control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional sensors while achieving improved braking appropriateness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle control ECU acts as an intermediary that processes the raw radar data and calculates the leaving probability based on lateral position and speed. This intermediary computation layer translates complex sensor data into a simplified probability metric that can be used for intuitive braking control decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively implements deceleration considering the lateral relationship, preventing unnecessary braking and ensuring safe following of the preceding vehicle, even during lane changes or when the preceding vehicle is no longer a target.

Implementation Method 1

a vehicle control ECU (10) connected to a forward radar sensor (16) and an image sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3041722B1Adaptive vehicle travel control apparatus based on lateral position and speed of a preceding vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3041722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3041722B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3041722B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A vehicle travel control apparatus includes a sensor that obtains preceding vehicle speed information representing a vehicle speed of a preceding vehicle, and preceding vehicle information representing at least one of a lateral position and a lateral speed of the preceding vehicle with respect to a traveling direction of a host vehicle; and a controller that, during a following mode in which the host vehicle follows the preceding vehicle, determines a target value related to acceleration/deceleration of the host vehicle based on the preceding vehicle speed information such that the host vehicle follows the preceding vehicle, and controls the acceleration/deceleration of the host vehicle such that the target value is implemented, wherein, during the following mode, the controller corrects the target value related to the acceleration/deceleration of the host vehicle based on the preceding vehicle information.