Autonomous Lane Change Assistance for Short-Gap Route Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lane change systems do not provide clear information to drivers regarding the feasibility of autonomous lane changes, leading to ambiguity about what information should be communicated.
Innovation Solution
A travel assistance system that integrates imaging and ranging devices with high-accuracy map information to determine lane change feasibility and provides appropriate notifications to the driver based on autonomous travel control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the system provides detailed lane change feasibility information to the driver, then the driver's decision-making capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lane change assistance information into distinct categories: autonomous execution capability (whether the system can perform the lane change), driver execution permission (whether the driver is allowed to manually execute), and limit level information (restrictions on lane changes). This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive information without overwhelming the driver, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the type and amount of information presented to the driver based on the determined lane change feasibility and limit levels. When autonomous execution is possible, the system provides specific autonomous lane change information; when it's not possible, it provides alternative guidance information. This dynamic adaptation optimizes information communication while managing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the system integrates multiple detection devices and map information for accurate lane change determination, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple sources including imaging devices, ranging devices, and high-accuracy map information into a unified lane change determination process. By integrating these diverse data sources through a common processing framework, the system achieves high measurement precision for lane change feasibility while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a multi-functional determination unit that handles various tasks: detecting lane changeability, determining autonomous execution capability, assessing driver execution permission, and evaluating limit levels. This universal determination unit processes all lane change-related decisions through a single integrated mechanism, improving measurement precision across multiple functions while reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a travel assistance method and a travel assistance device (19) for a vehicle in which, when performing a first lane change with autonomous lane change control that makes a lane change with autonomous travel control and then performing a second lane change for traveling along a set travel route, a determination is made as to whether or not a distance (D1) from a position at which the first lane change has concluded to a position at which the second lane change can be started is a predetermined distance or less. When a determination is made that the distance (D1) is the predetermined distance or less, a determination is made as to whether or not assistance with the autonomous lane change control is enabled for the second lane change. When a determination is made that the assistance with the autonomous lane change control is enabled, a determination is made as to whether or not a lane change can be made from a subject vehicle lane in which the vehicle travels to an adjacent lane that is adjacent to the subject vehicle lane. When a determination is made that the lane change from the subject vehicle lane to the adjacent lane can be made, the second lane change is made with the autonomous lane change control. When a determination is made that the lane change from the subject vehicle lane to the adjacent lane cannot be made, the driver is notified that the lane change with the autonomous lane change control cannot be made. When a determination is made that the assistance with the autonomous lane change control is not enabled, the driver is notified that the lane change with the autonomous lane change control cannot be made.