Emergency Braking System Dynamic Safe Tracking Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) lack a comprehensive method for calculating the optimal timing and duration of warning and braking phases to effectively prevent collisions, particularly in scenarios where the driver is distracted or fails to respond to impending hazards.

Innovation Solution

An emergency braking system that calculates the safe tracking distance by synchronizing the speeds of the ego vehicle and the vehicle in front using six different equations, triggering the braking sequence when the distance between them falls below this threshold, and implementing a three-stage braking process involving audible warnings, haptic warnings, and full braking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the braking sequence is initiated based on fixed distance thresholds, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to varying vehicle speeds and distances to the lead vehicle, reducing braking effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to varying speeds and distancesVSAvoidComplexity of calculation method
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the safe tracking distance a dynamic value that changes based on vehicle speed and distance to the lead vehicle. Instead of using fixed thresholds, the system continuously calculates the safe tracking distance using the formula that incorporates current speed (v) and distance to lead vehicle (d), allowing the braking initiation threshold to adapt dynamically to current driving conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of safe tracking distance from a fixed value to a variable that depends on speed and distance parameters. By using the formula d_safe = v²/(2a) + d - v*t, the system transforms static distance thresholds into dynamic parameters that automatically adjust based on real-time vehicle state, improving adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the system waits for driver response before braking, then energy consumption is reduced, but collision prevention effectiveness decreases when driver response is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCollision prevention effectivenessVSAvoidDriver response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by calculating and preparing the safe tracking distance in advance based on current vehicle state, so that when the actual distance falls below this pre-calculated threshold, braking can be initiated immediately without waiting for driver response. The system proactively determines the safe distance using the formula before a collision risk actually materializes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring the actual distance to the lead vehicle and comparing it against the dynamically calculated safe tracking distance. This closed-loop feedback mechanism triggers automatic braking when the threshold is breached, eliminating reliance on driver response time and ensuring collision prevention based on objective safety margins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the braking distance is calculated using a single equation, then the calculation is simple and fast, but it cannot account for different driving scenarios and speed conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoverage of different driving scenariosVSAvoidNumber of calculation equations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by creating a single comprehensive calculation formula that handles multiple driving scenarios. The formula d_safe = v²/(2a) + d - v*t integrates both speed-dependent stopping distance (v²/2a) and distance-to-lead-vehicle considerations (d - v*t), making one equation that serves multiple functions across different driving conditions rather than requiring separate equations for different scenarios

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

Data Source

PatentEP3686071B1An emergency braking method
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 FORD OTOMOTIV SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3686071B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686071B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686071B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An automatic emergency braking system (1) that continuously evaluates collision risk, and an a method (100) that calculates the point in time to trigger the emergency braking system that is made of three warning, and braking phases in case collision with a lead vehicle is detected to be imminent.