Vehicle Lane Change Assist Using Laser Range Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers of longer vehicles, such as commercial trucks with trailers, face difficulty in judging the clearance of adjacent lanes for safe lane changes due to unviewable blind spots, and existing detection systems are either expensive or do not provide sufficient information on objects outside the blind spot region.
Innovation Solution
A lane change assist system equipped with a range sensor and a controller that determines the clearance of the adjacent lane by sensing the distance to objects using a laser range finder, providing visual warnings through LEDs to indicate when it is safe to change lanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional camera-based detection systems are used to detect objects in the blind spot region, then object detection capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex camera-based detection systems with a simple ultrasonic sensor system. The ultrasonic sensor emits sound waves and measures the time for echo return to detect objects in the blind spot region, providing a cost-effective and simple alternative to expensive camera systems while maintaining effective object detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive ultrasonic sensors instead of expensive camera systems. These simple sensors provide adequate detection capability for blind spot monitoring at a fraction of the cost of camera-based systems, making the solution economically viable for widespread adoption.
2Measurement precision
If conventional blind spot detection systems focus only on the blind spot region, then detection accuracy in the blind spot is improved, but information about objects outside the blind spot region is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the ultrasonic sensor system to perform multiple functions: it detects objects within the blind spot region for precise blind spot monitoring, and simultaneously detects objects in extended areas beyond the blind spot. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive information about the surrounding environment without sacrificing blind spot detection accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If drivers of longer vehicles rely on side view mirrors to judge lane clearance, then no additional equipment is needed, but the ability to accurately judge distance and detect objects in blind spots is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ultrasonic sensors as an intermediary detection device that bridges the gap between the driver and objects in the blind spot region. The sensors act as mediators by detecting objects and transmitting this information to the driver through visual or audible alerts, enabling accurate distance judgment without requiring the driver to directly view blind spot areas through mirrors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively assists drivers in determining lane clearance, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for safe lane changes by quantifying the distance to detected objects and offering visual warnings, thus enhancing driver safety.
Implementation Method 1
sensing the distance to objects using a laser range finder
Implementation Method 2
sensing range to an object in a side detection zone adjacent to one side of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
providing visual warnings through LEDs to indicate when it is safe to change lanes
Data Source
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AI summary
A lane change assist system (20) and method (80) are provided for assisting the driver of the vehicle in maneuvering a lane change. The system (20) includes a range sensor (24) mounted on a vehicle (10) for sensing range to an object (42) in a side detection zone (34) adjacent to one side of the vehicle (10). The system (20) also includes a controller (40) for determining when the side detection zone (34) is clear for the vehicle (10) to change lanes based on the sensed range signal. The controller (40) determines whether there is sufficient space to initial a lane change maneuver based on the sensed range signal and generates an output signal indicative thereof. An output is provided to warning lights (26, 28) indicative of the determined state for initiating the lane change maneuver.