Automated Lane Change Velocity Vector Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for automated lane changes in vehicles face challenges such as failure to account for dynamic environmental changes, ignoring lateral speed, and requiring excessive processing time, leading to unsafe and inefficient lane change procedures.

Innovation Solution

The Dynamic Window Approach (DWA) algorithm is adapted to restrict the velocity vector search space based on kinematic and dynamic constraints, collision avoidance, and safety considerations, allowing for optimized velocity vector selection to guide vehicles through lane changes while considering mass, acceleration, and environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the velocity vector search space is restricted based on kinematic and dynamic constraints, then safety and feasibility of lane change are improved, but the complexity of the algorithm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The velocity vector search space is segmented into multiple discrete velocity vectors rather than treating it as a continuous space. This segmentation allows the algorithm to evaluate specific candidate velocities systematically while maintaining computational feasibility. The search space is divided into radial segments at different angles, with each segment containing discrete velocity magnitudes, making the overall complex problem manageable through structured decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The algorithm dynamically adjusts the velocity vector search space based on real-time kinematic and dynamic constraints of the vehicle. The search space is not static but adapts to the current state of the vehicle (mass, acceleration capabilities) and environmental conditions (obstacles, traffic). This dynamic adaptation ensures safety while maintaining efficiency by focusing computation on feasible velocity options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the DWA algorithm considers multiple constraints (mass, acceleration, collision avoidance, radius of curvature), then the lane change safety is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane change safetyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The algorithm performs preliminary restriction of the velocity vector search space before optimization. By pre-filtering out inadmissible velocity vectors based on kinematic constraints, collision avoidance requirements, and safety considerations, the algorithm reduces the number of candidates that need detailed evaluation. This preliminary action significantly cuts down processing time while maintaining comprehensive safety checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The algorithm changes parameters such as the number of velocity vectors to evaluate, the angular resolution of the search space, and the constraint thresholds based on the specific lane change scenario. By adaptively adjusting these parameters, the algorithm balances processing time with safety requirements - using coarser resolution when time is critical and finer resolution when safety margins allow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the search space includes all possible velocity vectors, then the optimization accuracy is improved, but the computational load increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization accuracyVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The algorithm evaluates a partial set of velocity vectors that are most relevant to the lane change task rather than all possible vectors. By focusing on a subset of candidate velocities that satisfy basic constraints and are most likely to achieve the lane change goal, the algorithm maintains sufficient optimization accuracy while dramatically reducing computational load. This selective evaluation approach avoids exhaustive search.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The algorithm transforms the continuous two-dimensional velocity space into a discrete grid structure with radial symmetry. By organizing velocity vectors in terms of angle and magnitude rather than Cartesian coordinates, and by imposing radial symmetry constraints, the algorithm reduces the effective dimensionality of the search space. This dimensional transformation allows systematic evaluation with reduced computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11186282B2Automated lane change system and methods
Publication Date: 2021.11.30 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • US11186282B2 patent drawing
  • US11186282B2 patent drawing
  • US11186282B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Driver assistance systems and autonomous driving systems have been attractive to researchers in the automotive industry to reduce the number of accidents and to increase driving efficiency. One of the most challenging tasks to safely and effectively automate is changing between traffic lanes. The systems and methods of the present application include applications of the Dynamic Windows Approach algorithm to guide a vehicle through an automated lane change procedure with improved safety and efficiency.