Driver Assistance Visualization for Heavy-Vehicle Off-Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) face challenges in preventing off-tracking in heavy-duty vehicles, which can lead to collisions, especially in narrow traffic situations, as they fail to accurately predict and communicate the vehicle's maximum width and trajectory to the driver.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that processes map data and real-time image data to determine the vehicle's maximum width and trajectory, providing visual information to the driver through indicators or a head-up display, incorporating actual vehicle dimensions, steering angle, and yaw rate to guide the driver and prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ADAS systems provide suggested trajectory guidance, then lateral positioning accuracy is improved, but off-tracking occurs in narrow situations causing collision risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral positioning accuracyVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by calculating and displaying the maximum width trajectory in advance before the vehicle actually enters the narrow section. This allows the driver to see the predicted path and adjust positioning proactively, preventing off-tracking collisions rather than reacting after they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds another dimension to trajectory visualization by showing not just the centerline path but also the maximum width envelope that accounts for vehicle lateral extension. This dimensional addition provides comprehensive spatial awareness that prevents collisions in narrow situations.

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

2Loss of information

If the system displays maximum width information, then driver awareness of vehicle behavior is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver awarenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves multi-functionality by using the existing trajectory calculation infrastructure to serve dual purposes: both guiding the vehicle along the optimal path and determining the maximum width envelope for collision prevention. This universal approach avoids adding separate complex subsystems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The maximum width trajectory acts as an intermediary visualization that bridges the gap between complex vehicle dynamics calculations and simple driver understanding. It translates complex off-tracking behavior into an intuitive visual envelope that drivers can easily comprehend and respond to.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4375107A1System and method for providing driver assistance
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4375107A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375107A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4375107A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A computer system (200) is provided. The computer system (200) comprises a processor device (202) configured to receive (S20) map data (MD) representing characteristics of a road (R) ahead of a vehicle (1), the vehicle having an actual vehicle width (CW) and an actual vehicle length (CL); determine (S40) a maximum width (MW) of the vehicle (1) based on at least the actual vehicle width (CW) and the map data (MD); and provide (S50) visual information (VI) representing the maximum width (MW) to a driver of the vehicle (1).