Driving Assistance Control for Steering Avoidance Space Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems face difficulties in performing appropriate operations due to sudden changes in the surrounding environment, particularly when automated steering control is challenging without sufficient lateral avoidance space for target objects.

Innovation Solution

A driving assistance device that includes a processor to execute braking and steering control processes based on detection outputs, with preliminary operations to notify the driver and adjust control strategies according to the type of target object, such as four-wheeled or two-wheeled vehicles, to ensure appropriate responses to varying environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated steering control is implemented, then the ability to cope with sudden environmental changes is improved, but the control margin is reduced when there is no lateral avoidance space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to cope with sudden environmental changesVSAvoidcontrol margin in environments without lateral avoidance space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary operations by notifying the driver in advance when an object is detected at a second threshold distance, and issues stronger warnings at a third threshold distance when avoidance space is insufficient. This preliminary action allows the driver to prepare for potential steering limitations before they occur, maintaining system reliability while adapting to environmental constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts control strategies based on real-time detection of object type and surrounding environment. When lateral avoidance space is detected to be insufficient, the system transitions from relying on automated steering to emphasizing driver notification and manual intervention, thereby adapting its behavior to maintain control margin in different environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single threshold for braking control is used, then the control logic is simplified, but the system cannot provide timely notifications for different risk levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidnotification timing for different risk levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The braking control threshold is segmented into multiple levels: a first threshold for initiating braking control, a second threshold for preliminary driver notification, and a third threshold for stronger warnings when avoidance space is limited. This segmentation allows the system to provide timely, differentiated notifications for various risk levels while maintaining clear and manageable control logic through hierarchical threshold comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If automated steering avoidance is always prioritized, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but the system may not account for vulnerable road users like two-wheeled vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidance capabilityVSAvoidrisk to vulnerable road users

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different control qualities based on the detected object type. When a two-wheeled vehicle is detected, the system modifies its behavior by prioritizing braking control over steering avoidance and issuing earlier, more frequent preliminary operations to notify the driver. This local quality adjustment ensures that vulnerable road users receive enhanced protection while maintaining effective collision avoidance for other object types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12403897B2Driving assistance device, driving assistance method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

At least one processor executes one or both of a braking control process of stopping a vehicle, and a steering-based avoidance control process of avoiding a collision with the object, execute a first preliminary operation control process of performing a first preliminary operation of notifying a driver that the object is present; and execute a second preliminary operation control process of performing a second preliminary operation of notifying the driver that the object is present when the indicator value is less than a third threshold and there is no travel path along which the vehicle is able to travel after the vehicle avoids the collision with the object in the steering. Control content is changed in accordance with a type of the object in at least some of the steering-based avoidance control process, the first preliminary operation control process, and the second preliminary operation control process.