Inter-Vehicle Distance Correction via Relative Speed Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart cruise control systems face inaccuracies in measuring inter-vehicle distance due to factors like sensor installation location, vehicle type, and illegal modifications, leading to potential collisions as the system may apply brakes too close to the preceding vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that calculate a more accurate inter-vehicle distance by setting physical limits and correcting errors using an information obtainment unit, estimation unit, physical limit determining unit, and correction unit, which determine and adjust for errors based on predetermined ranges of inter-vehicle distance change, relative speed change, and vehicle identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar is installed around lower end of license plate or fog lamp to measure inter-vehicle distance, then the SCC system can detect preceding vehicle, but detection accuracy deteriorates when ground clearance is high or rear shape is non-standard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation unit that computes inter-vehicle distance based on relative speed integration, serving as a mediator between radar detection and SCC control. This alternative calculation path compensates for radar measurement errors caused by high ground clearance or non-standard vehicle shapes, maintaining both detection reliability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing radar-measured distance with calculation-unit-derived distance, and using this comparison to correct measurement errors. The feedback mechanism adjusts the inter-vehicle distance value based on detected discrepancies, ensuring accurate distance measurement even when radar directly detects problematic features like wheels or exhaust pipes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radar detection angle is increased to ±4 degrees to expand detection coverage, then more preceding vehicles can be detected, but lower end of road or upper structure is erroneously detected
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation unit acts as an intermediary that provides an alternative distance measurement method independent of radar angle limitations. By integrating relative speed over time, it calculates distance without being affected by wide detection angles that cause erroneous detection of road structures, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving the benefits of expanded detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radar-based distance measurement system with a calculation-based system that uses relative speed integration. This substitution eliminates the problem of erroneous detection caused by wide radar detection angles, as the calculation method does not rely on angular detection boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If radar detection angle is decreased to reduce erroneous detection, then detection accuracy improves, but error recognition occurs based on radar installation location
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation unit serves as an intermediary that provides a complementary distance measurement approach. It uses relative speed integration to calculate distance independently of radar installation location, thereby maintaining measurement reliability while allowing the use of narrow detection angles for improved accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism compares radar measurement with calculation-based distance and corrects errors arising from installation location. This feedback loop ensures that even when narrow detection angles are used to improve accuracy, the system maintains reliability by compensating for location-dependent errors through continuous comparison and correction.
4Device complexity
If SCC system uses raw radar distance measurement, then system complexity is reduced, but collision risk increases due to inaccurate distance measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation unit is introduced as a relatively simple intermediary component that computes distance through relative speed integration. This adds minimal system complexity while significantly improving safety reliability by providing an alternative distance measurement that corrects radar errors, thereby preventing collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback correction mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to improve safety without major system complexity increases. By continuously comparing and correcting distance measurements, the system ensures accurate inter-vehicle distance information for safe braking decisions, maintaining low complexity while enhancing safety reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for calculating an inter-vehicle distance that calculates a more accurate inter-vehicle distance by setting a physical limit value, by recognizing an inter-vehicle distance error occurring due to reasons such as an installation location of a sensor, a type of a vehicle, illegal remodeling of the vehicle, and the like, and thereby correcting an inter-vehicle distance.