Autonomous Lane Change Control Using Early Lateral Speed Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lane change technologies do not effectively allow following vehicles to easily recognize lane changes, leading to potential delays in confirming the change by the driver of the preceding vehicle.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle increases lateral speed within its lane and then decreases it before changing lanes, making it easier for the following vehicle to recognize the lane change by prolonging the confirmation time of the lateral movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lateral speed is decreased during lane change to eliminate discomfort to occupants, then comfort is improved, but the following vehicle may take longer to notice the lane change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant comfortVSAvoidlane change recognition by following vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acceleration of lateral speed before the lane change to create a more noticeable movement pattern. By increasing lateral speed within the current lane before changing, the preceding vehicle's movement becomes more detectable to following vehicles, allowing them to recognize the lane change intent earlier while still maintaining comfort through controlled deceleration phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If lateral speed is increased to make lane change more noticeable to following vehicles, then lane change recognition is improved, but occupant comfort may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane change recognition by following vehicleVSAvoidoccupant comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic variation in lateral speed by alternating between acceleration and deceleration phases. The lateral speed is increased within the current lane, then decreased before the lane change, creating a periodic motion pattern that enhances visibility to following vehicles while maintaining acceptable comfort levels through controlled deceleration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If lane change is executed quickly to improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the following vehicle may not have sufficient time to confirm the lane change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane change efficiencyVSAvoidlane change confirmation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts lateral speed during the lane change process rather than maintaining a constant speed. By varying lateral speed according to the phase of lane change (accelerating within current lane, decelerating before change), the system optimizes both the speed of execution and the detectability of the maneuver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3848271B1Travel control method and travel control device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3848271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3848271B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3848271B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

When executing the autonomous lane change control of lane change of the subject vehicle (V0) from the subject vehicle lane (L1) in which the subject vehicle (V0) travels to adjacent lane (L2), the autonomous lane change control is executed so as to accelerate the lateral speed (Vh) of the subject vehicle (V0) in the subject vehicle lane (LI) and thereafter decelerate the lateral speed in the subject vehicle lane (LI). As a result, it takes longer for the driver of the following vehicle (V2) to confirm the lateral movement of the preceding subject vehicle (V0) during the lane change of the subject vehicle (V0) from the start of the lane change than a lane change in which the lateral speed (Vh) is decelerated in the adjacent lane (L2). Therefore, it becomes easier to recognize the lane change.