Collision Prevention Control for Rail Vehicle Misidentification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision prevention systems may unnecessarily perform assistance controls when encountering objects at different heights, such as trains or monorails, leading to annoyance and unnecessary deceleration due to the inability to accurately distinguish these from preceding vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A collision prevention device equipped with a radar system that detects three-dimensional objects and an electronic control unit to determine if the object is a group of moving bodies forming a row, and checks for the presence of a rail track intersection, suppressing unnecessary assistance controls when no track is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a radar device capable of detecting height is mounted on the own vehicle, then measurement precision for distinguishing objects at different heights is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple antenna elements at different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a determination device as an intermediary component that analyzes radar detection results to identify whether detected objects are rail vehicles. This mediator processes the radar data to extract height information indirectly through pattern recognition, avoiding the need for complex multi-height antenna arrangements while achieving the same height discrimination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of using multiple antenna elements at different heights with an information-processing approach. The determination device uses algorithms to analyze radar return signals and determine object height characteristics, substituting physical complexity with computational intelligence
2Reliability
If collision prevention assistance control is executed for all detected objects, then reliability of collision prevention is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to unnecessary deceleration and occupant annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional collision prevention logic by first determining whether the detected object is a rail vehicle before deciding whether to execute collision prevention assistance control. Instead of assuming all detected objects require collision prevention, the system presumes rail vehicles do not require intervention unless a track intersection is detected, thereby reducing unnecessary controls while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the determination device continuously monitors radar detection results and provides information about object type to the control unit. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of collision prevention control based on real-time object identification, ensuring control is executed only when necessary
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
Accurately determines potential collisions with objects like trains or monorails, reducing unnecessary assistance controls and minimizing occupant annoyance while avoiding the need for expensive multi-height radar systems.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device that detects a three-dimensional object approaching in front of an own vehicle from a front side of the own vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A collision prevention device comprising a radar device that detects a three-dimensional object approaching in front of an own vehicle from the front side of the own vehicle, and an electronic control unit that executes a collision prevention assistance control that reduces a risk of the own vehicle from colliding with the three-dimensional object when it is determined that the own vehicle is likely to collide with the three-dimensional object, and the electronic control unit suppresses execution of the collision prevention assistance control when it is determined that the three-dimensional object is a group of moving bodies forming a row in a number equal to or greater than a reference value and that there is no track for a rail vehicle that intersects a road on which the own vehicle is traveling in front of the own vehicle.