Automated Lane Change Control Under Predicted ODD Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Partially automated lane change systems face challenges in predicting deviations from the operational design domain during automated lane changes, leading to potential impacts on traffic flow due to changes in the driving environment, such as approaching other vehicles, especially when deviations are anticipated before the lane change begins.

Innovation Solution

A driving control apparatus that sets a second, larger predetermined area as a criterion for automated lane change when an operational design domain deviation is predicted, thereby preventing automated lane changes and maintaining in-lane driving under critical conditions and allowing lane changes under non-critical conditions to minimize traffic flow disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated lane change is executed under normal criteria when ODD deviation is predicted, then lane change efficiency is improved, but traffic flow safety deteriorates due to approaching other vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane change efficiencyVSAvoidtraffic flow safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the automated lane change execution criteria based on predicted ODD deviation. When ODD deviation is predicted, the system switches from normal execution criteria to restricted execution criteria, making the criteria adaptable to changing environmental conditions. This resolves the contradiction by allowing efficient lane changes under normal conditions while preventing unsafe lane changes when ODD deviation is anticipated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the execution criteria parameters for automated lane change based on the prediction of ODD deviation. The system modifies the conditions under which lane change is permitted, effectively changing the operational parameters to prioritize safety when environmental conditions are expected to deteriorate. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between efficiency and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If automated lane change is restricted when ODD deviation is predicted, then traffic flow safety is improved, but lane change efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic flow safetyVSAvoidlane change efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the restriction level based on the actual prediction of ODD deviation. Rather than applying fixed restrictions, the system adapts the execution criteria in real-time based on environmental predictions, allowing efficient lane changes when safe and restricting them only when necessary. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by minimizing unnecessary restrictions while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the execution criteria parameters conditionally based on ODD deviation prediction. When deviation is not predicted, normal efficient execution parameters are used. When deviation is predicted, restricted safety-oriented parameters are applied. This conditional parameter change resolves the contradiction by optimizing for the appropriate objective based on environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If in-lane driving is maintained under critical conditions, then collision risk is reduced, but traffic flow efficiency deteriorates due to approach to other vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision riskVSAvoidtraffic flow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by predicting ODD deviation before it occurs and proactively restricting automated lane change execution. This preventive approach avoids the harmful situation of lane changes that would lead to approaching other vehicles and potential collisions, resolving the contradiction by preventing the harmful outcome before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary assessment of environmental conditions and predicts future ODD deviation. Based on this preliminary action, the system adjusts execution criteria in advance, allowing it to maintain in-lane driving only when safe while avoiding situations that would lead to collision risks. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by making informed decisions before critical situations arise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3974293B1Driving control apparatus for vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP3974293B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974293B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974293B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem to be Solved] To reduce impact on traffic flow due to automated lane change in a situation in which ODD deviation is predicted. [Solution] A driving control apparatus for a vehicle, having a function for performing automated in-lane driving by maintaining a set vehicle speed when there is no preceding other vehicle in the vehicle's driving lane, and maintaining a set inter-vehicle distance when there is a preceding other vehicle, a function for performing automated lane change to a neighboring lane when there is no other vehicle in first predetermined areas (ZF and ZR) of the neighboring lane, and a function for performing fallback control of the functions in a case of deviation from a system operational design domain during operation of the function for performing the automated in-lane driving and/or the function for performing the automated lane change, wherein second predetermined areas (ZF' and ZR') larger than the first predetermined areas are set as a criterion of the automated lane change when deviation from the system operational design domain is predicted.