Lane Change Support Apparatus Driver Abnormality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lane change support apparatuses face challenges in safely performing lane changes when the relative speed with other vehicles is high, particularly in cases where driver abnormalities are detected, as the limited recognition range of external sensors can lead to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A lane change support apparatus that includes an electronic control unit recognizing driver abnormalities and determining lane change feasibility based on vehicle speed and the presence of vehicles in specific zones, such as the rear guard vehicle approval range, lane change allowance gap, rear alarm gap, and lane change destination rear gap, allowing for controlled and safe lane changes by limiting vehicle speed and providing alarms to ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the host vehicle decelerates to ensure safety when driver abnormality is detected, then safety is improved, but the relative speed with respect to other vehicles increases, making collision avoidance more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting driver abnormality early and proactively managing lane change operations before a collision risk materializes. The ECU continuously monitors driver state and pre-empts potential hazards by controlling lane changes based on predicted vehicle positions and speeds, rather than reacting after the abnormality occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts lane change execution based on real-time conditions. When driver abnormality is detected, the ECU modifies lane change behavior by requiring additional safety checks, extending monitoring periods, and adapting the lane change timing to account for the decelerated state and increased relative speeds, making the system flexible rather than fixed.
2Measurement precision
If external sensors are used to detect surrounding vehicles, then vehicle speed and position can be recognized, but the recognition distance is limited, causing potential collisions with vehicles outside the sensor range
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on direct sensor detection (one dimension - current sensor range) to a multi-dimensional approach that combines sensor data with predictive calculations. The ECU projects vehicle positions forward in time based on current speed and trajectory, creating a virtual detection zone that extends beyond the physical sensor range, thereby detecting potential collision risks in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary safety assessments by calculating predicted positions and potential collision risks before actual collision threats materialize. The ECU evaluates whether lane changes are safe by projecting future vehicle positions and identifying potential conflicts with other vehicles outside the current sensor range, enabling preventive rather than reactive safety measures.
3Ease of operation
If lane change is performed automatically when driver abnormality is detected, then driver assistance is improved, but the risk of collision with vehicles in the destination lane increases due to high relative speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the ECU monitors driver state, evaluates lane change safety conditions, executes lane changes when safe, and reassesses conditions throughout the maneuver. The system uses feedback from sensor data, calculated predicted positions, and real-time vehicle state to dynamically adjust lane change execution and provide appropriate driver notifications or warnings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing restrictive measures that prevent unsafe lane changes. When driver abnormality is detected, the ECU imposes additional safety constraints and performs stringent checks before allowing lane changes, effectively counteracting the potential harmful effect of automated lane changing under abnormal conditions by blocking unsafe maneuvers before they can cause collisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A lane change support apparatus includes an electronic control unit configured to, when it is recognized that there is an abnormality in a driver of a host vehicle, determine whether or not lane change is possible. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the lane change is possible when a vehicle speed of the host vehicle is lower than a predetermined upper limit speed, a following vehicle present closest to the host vehicle has stayed in a rear guard vehicle approval range for a predetermined time or longer, and a vehicle is not present in a lane change allowance gap.