Inter-vehicle Control Apparatus Managing Cut-in Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inter-vehicle control systems often result in uncomfortable and disproportionate deceleration when a new preceding vehicle cuts in or when the operating mode changes, leading to a discrepancy between actual and target inter-vehicle distances, causing unnecessary sudden deceleration.
Innovation Solution
An inter-vehicle control apparatus that includes control, detecting, and determining means to adjust the target jerk limit value based on the risk of collision, gradually increasing the deceleration gradient as the risk decreases, and allowing the inter-vehicle distance to converge to the target value at a speed determined by the driver's perceived risk, thereby minimizing sudden deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the target inter-vehicle physical quantity is changed to suppress deceleration when a new preceding vehicle cuts in, then driving comfort is improved, but the inter-vehicle distance cannot be reduced quickly enough to avoid collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target inter-vehicle physical quantity time-variable rather than fixed. The target value dynamically adjusts based on the elapsed time since the cut-in event, allowing the system to transition from a comfortable initial state to a more aggressive final state. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both comfort during the transition and sufficient convergence speed ultimately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of target inter-vehicle physical quantity over time according to a specific function. By modifying this parameter dynamically based on elapsed time, the system achieves both driving comfort (through suppressed initial deceleration) and collision avoidance (through progressive increase of target value), thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If the target inter-vehicle physical quantity is changed to become closer to the actual value, then collision risk is reduced, but unnecessary sudden deceleration occurs causing driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning the adjustment of target inter-vehicle physical quantity based on predicted collision risk. When a cut-in is detected, the system proactively manages the target value evolution to prevent both collision and uncomfortable deceleration. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance to balance safety and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring the actual inter-vehicle physical quantity and comparing it with the time-varying target value. The control amount is adjusted based on this comparison, ensuring that the vehicle responds appropriately to maintain safety while avoiding excessive deceleration that would cause discomfort.
3Reliability
If the deceleration gradient is increased to quickly reduce inter-vehicle distance, then collision risk is reduced, but driving experience deteriorates due to harsh deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target inter-vehicle physical quantity time-variable rather than fixed. The target value dynamically adjusts based on the elapsed time since the cut-in event, allowing the system to transition from a comfortable initial state to a more aggressive final state. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both comfort during the transition and sufficient convergence speed ultimately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of target inter-vehicle physical quantity over time according to a specific function. By modifying this parameter dynamically based on elapsed time, the system achieves both driving comfort (through suppressed initial deceleration) and collision avoidance (through progressive increase of target value), thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
In an inter-vehicle control apparatus, a controller performs acceleration control of an own vehicle, based on an actual inter-vehicle physical quantity and a target inter-vehicle physical quantity. A limiter sets a limit value for a target jerk during the acceleration control. A detector detects an occurrence of at least one of: an event in which the inter-vehicle distance becomes discontinuously shorter; and an event in which a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the target inter-vehicle physical quantity becomes discontinuously longer. A determiner determines a risk of collision with the preceding vehicle, based on an operation state of the preceding vehicle in relation to the own vehicle. When at least one of the events is detected, the limiter sets the limit value to a value based on the risk of collision such that change in deceleration of the own vehicle is kept lower as the risk of collision decreases.