Autonomous Vehicle Route Curves for Smooth Steering Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous driving systems create driving routes without considering the mechanical characteristics of the vehicle, leading to abrupt direction changes and uncomfortable travel.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for creating driving routes by setting intermediate points between a start and end point, connecting them while considering the angle of movement and steering angle of the autonomous vehicle, ensuring smooth travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a driving route is created by simply connecting the start point and the end point, then the route creation process is simple and quick, but the autonomous vehicle may rush to change direction or travel uncomfortably due to not considering mechanical characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute creation speedVSAvoiddriving comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the direct path from start to end point into multiple segments by introducing intermediate points. These intermediate points are strategically positioned to account for the autonomous vehicle's mechanical characteristics such as steering angle limits and acceleration constraints, thereby creating a segmented route that ensures smooth and comfortable transitions while maintaining efficient overall travel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the route by considering the autonomous vehicle's mechanical characteristics in real-time. The system calculates optimal intermediate points based on the vehicle's steering angle capabilities, acceleration rates, and other dynamic parameters, allowing the route to adapt to the vehicle's physical constraints and ensure comfortable operation throughout the journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If intermediate points are set and connected considering angle of movement and steering angle, then smooth travel is achieved, but the route creation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving comfortVSAvoidroute creation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the autonomous vehicle's control system automatically calculates and determines the optimal intermediate points based on its own mechanical characteristics. The system uses the vehicle's steering angle limits, acceleration capabilities, and other intrinsic parameters to generate the route without requiring external manual intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity while ensuring driving comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters such as steering angle, acceleration rate, and intermediate point positions to optimize the route for smooth travel. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on the autonomous vehicle's mechanical characteristics, the system achieves comfortable operation while managing complexity through systematic parameter optimization rather than ad-hoc route planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4019899B1Method and apparatus for creating driving route of autonomous vehicle and computer program therefor
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 RIDEFLUX INC
  • EP4019899B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4019899B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4019899B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided are a method and apparatus for creating a driving route of an autonomous vehicle and a computer program therefor. A method of creating a driving route of an autonomous vehicle, the method being performed by a computing device, includes obtaining information about a start point and an end point, setting an intermediate point between the start point and the end point, and creating a driving route by connecting the start point, the set intermediate point, and the end point, wherein the driving route includes a set of a curve connecting the start point and the set intermediate point and a curve connecting the set intermediate point and the end point, is expressed by a polynomial function for an angle of movement of the autonomous vehicle, and satisfies one or more continuity conditions related to a curvature.