Vehicle Collision Avoidance Using Open-Space Trajectory Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle driver assistance systems fail to effectively avoid collisions when vehicles are traveling too fast, as emergency braking may not be sufficient to prevent accidents.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle driver assistance system that includes sensors and cameras to detect objects and open spaces, calculates a time to collision, and activates image display on a selected clear space to indicate a new trajectory if the collision time is less than a threshold, optionally using lighting to illuminate objects and spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If emergency braking system is activated to avoid collision, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but at high speeds the braking distance becomes too long and collision cannot be avoided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidvehicle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of open spaces ahead of the vehicle using sensors and cameras before collision becomes imminent. When a potential collision is detected, the system has already identified alternative trajectories and can immediately guide the driver to steer into the detected open space, eliminating the need to wait for braking to take effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying solely on longitudinal braking to avoid collision, the system introduces a lateral dimension by detecting open spaces to the sides and guiding the driver to steer into these areas. This transforms the collision avoidance strategy from one-dimensional (braking) to two-dimensional (lateral evasion), enabling avoidance even when braking distance is insufficient.

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

2Reliability

If the system guides the driver to a new trajectory by displaying images of open space, then collision avoidance is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple sensors, cameras, and processing units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control unit performs multiple functions: it processes data from both sensors and cameras, detects open spaces, calculates collision risk, selects appropriate trajectories, and controls the display system. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single coordinating unit, managing complexity through functional integration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary display mechanism (images projected on the windshield or dashboard) to communicate the detected open space and recommended trajectory to the driver. This visual intermediary translates complex sensor data and computational results into intuitive graphical guidance, simplifying the interaction between the complex system and the driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the system detects open spaces and calculates time to collision, then response accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to collision calculation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously detects open spaces and pre-calculates potential trajectories before collision becomes imminent. By maintaining readiness with pre-processed spatial information and pre-computed escape routes, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming calculations at the critical moment, achieving both accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4217250B1System for assisting with driving a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4217250B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4217250B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4217250B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for assisting with driving a vehicle, comprising: - at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object in an environment outside the vehicle, - at least one camera configured to acquire images of the environment outside the vehicle and to detect the presence of said object in the environment outside the vehicle, characterised in that: - said at least one sensor is furthermore configured to detect at least one free space in the environment outside said vehicle, - said at least one camera is furthermore configured to, on the basis of said acquired images, detect at least one free space, and in that: - said system for assisting with driving further comprises an electronic control unit configured to select a free space found by said at least one sensor and/or said at least one camera, - said electronic control unit is furthermore configured to activate the display of images in the selected free space so as to indicate a new path to be followed by said vehicle.