Collision Avoidance Apparatus Dynamic Time Threshold Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional collision avoidance systems do not adequately consider the timing of a driver's collision avoidance operation when encountering continuous obstacles, leading to unnatural sensations for the driver due to premature activation of assist controls.

Innovation Solution

A collision avoidance apparatus that includes an obstacle detection section, a collision avoidance section, and a time threshold adjustment section, which adjusts the start timing of collision avoidance assist control based on the inclination of continuous obstacles and vehicle width, ensuring the system initiates control only when the driver is ready to avoid the obstacle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the collision avoidance assist control is started early to ensure safety, then the collision avoidance effectiveness is improved, but the driver feels an unnatural sensation due to premature intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoiddriver acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the time threshold for starting collision avoidance assist control based on the intersection line inclination of continuous obstacles. When the inclination is small (gentle slope), the time threshold is extended, delaying the start timing to match the driver's later operation. When the inclination is large (steep slope), the time threshold is shortened, allowing earlier intervention. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the control start timing to different obstacle conditions and driver response patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of time threshold based on the intersection line inclination angle. By calculating the inclination angle of the continuous obstacle and adjusting the time threshold accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between early intervention (for safety) and delayed intervention (for driver comfort), resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the collision avoidance assist control starts prior to the driver's operation timing, then the collision avoidance effectiveness is improved, but the driver experiences psychological burden due to unnatural sensation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoiddriver psychological burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the time threshold based on the intersection line inclination to match the driver's operation timing. By extending the time threshold for gentle slopes and shortening it for steep slopes, the system ensures intervention occurs at appropriate moments, reducing psychological burden while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the intersection line inclination measurement to adjust the control timing. By continuously monitoring the obstacle geometry and adjusting the time threshold accordingly, the system aligns its intervention with the driver's natural response pattern, reducing psychological burden while maintaining safety effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the time threshold is fixed to ensure consistent control timing, then the system reliability is improved, but the system cannot adapt to different continuous obstacle conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem consistencyVSAvoidadaptation to different obstacle conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a fixed time threshold to a dynamic time threshold that adjusts based on the intersection line inclination of continuous obstacles. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different obstacle conditions (different inclinations) while maintaining reliability through a systematic adjustment rule based on geometric parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the time threshold parameter based on the intersection line inclination angle of the continuous obstacle. By establishing a relationship between the inclination angle and the time threshold, the system achieves adaptability to different obstacle conditions while maintaining consistent and reliable control through a well-defined adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10300912B2Collision avoidance apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A collision avoidance apparatus includes an obstacle detection section for detecting an obstacle, a collision avoidance section which performs collision avoidance assist control, and an avoidance processing start section for causing the collision avoidance section to start the collision avoidance assist control. In the case where the obstacle is a continuous obstacle, the timing of starting the collision avoidance assist control is delayed as compared with the case where the obstacle is not a continuous obstacle. Further, the greater the degree of gentleness of the inclination of the continuous obstacle, the greater the amount by which the timing of starting the collision avoidance assist control is delayed.