Vehicle Collision Time Estimation Using a Vicinity Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating collision-relevant temporal parameters in vehicles are complex and unreliable, often requiring direct sensor measurements and iterative calculations, which can lead to incorrect collision risk assessments due to sensor errors and transmission delays.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device that use two-dimensional or three-dimensional considerations based on a vicinity model to determine temporal parameters, such as time-to-collision, time-to-brake, and time-to-steer, by deriving parameters from a vicinity model rather than direct sensor data, simplifying calculations and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct sensor measurements and iterative calculations are used to calculate collision-relevant temporal parameters, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and calculation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential geometric and kinematic parameters from complex sensor data streams, focusing only on the critical elements needed for collision assessment (positions, velocities, dimensions of ego vehicle and surrounding objects). This extraction approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing calculation complexity by eliminating unnecessary data processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified geometric models (bounding boxes, occupancy grids) that copy the essential spatial characteristics of real objects without requiring complete and continuous sensor data. These simplified representations enable reliable collision parameter calculation while reducing computational burden, as they can be processed using straightforward geometric algorithms rather than complex iterative calculations.
2Measurement precision
If direct sensor measurements are used, then measurement precision may be improved, but reliability decreases due to sensor errors and transmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating safety margins and uncertainty buffers into the collision parameter calculations. When calculating temporal parameters like time-to-collision, the system adds cushioning factors that account for potential sensor errors and transmission delays, ensuring that collision warnings are issued with sufficient advance notice even when measurement precision is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary geometric models and calculation layers between raw sensor measurements and final collision assessments. These intermediaries (such as occupancy grids and simplified vehicle models) filter out sensor noise and errors while preserving essential collision-relevant information, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If complex iterative calculations are used, then measurement precision may be improved, but loss of time increases due to computational overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collision assessment calculation into distinct, independent stages: object detection, parameter extraction, geometric model creation, and temporal parameter calculation. Each segment uses optimized algorithms appropriate to its specific task, avoiding unnecessary iterative calculations in each stage while maintaining overall measurement precision through the coordinated execution of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex iterative mechanical calculation systems with direct geometric and algebraic computation methods. By using closed-form solutions for collision parameter calculations (such as direct time-to-collision formulas based on relative positions and velocities) rather than iterative numerical methods, the system achieves comparable measurement precision with significantly reduced calculation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device and a method for determining a time variable which is a time variable for describing a possible collision of an ego-vehicle with at least one further object. The method includes determining a movement variable which is based on a movement of at least one of the ego-vehicle and the object; determining a current and/or possible location area for at least one of the ego-vehicle and the object; determining the time variable based on the movement variable and the location area, the location area is determined based on a surroundings model of the ego-vehicle.