Longitudinal Guidance Target Switching for Aborted Lane Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for selecting target objects during lane changes in vehicles can lead to unnecessary delays in adjusting to the original lane after an aborted lane change, potentially violating safety and comfort distances.

Innovation Solution

A method for selecting a target object for a longitudinal guidance system that adjusts driving parameters based on the probability of returning to the original lane after an aborted lane change, using information from longitudinal and lateral guidance systems, environmental sensors, and driver input to determine the likelihood of lane return.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the system maintains focus on the original lane target object after an aborted lane change, then the vehicle can quickly return to following the original lane, but this may cause unnecessary long focus on the original lane target object leading to violations of comfort or safety distances

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveResponse speed of target object selection after aborted lane changeVSAvoidSafety and comfort distance maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the target object selection adaptive and changeable based on the vehicle's actual lane change status. The system dynamically switches between the original lane target object and the target lane target object depending on whether the lane change is completed, aborted, or in progress, rather than statically maintaining focus on one target object. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing quick return to the original lane when needed while preventing unnecessary long focus that would violate safety distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the lane change execution status to determine target object selection. The evaluation unit continuously monitors whether the lane change is completed or aborted and uses this feedback information to switch between target objects accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the system responds appropriately to actual driving conditions, resolving the contradiction between quick response and safety distance maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system switches to the target lane object during lane change, then the vehicle can adapt to the new lane, but this causes unnecessary delays when the lane change is aborted and the vehicle needs to return to the original lane

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptation to target lane during lane changeVSAvoidTime delay in returning to original lane target object
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts target object selection based on the lane change execution status. When the lane change is in progress, the system switches to the target lane object for adaptability. When the lane change is aborted, the system quickly switches back to the original lane target object, minimizing time delay. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares both target objects (original lane and target lane) in advance and can switch between them based on lane change status. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid switching without delay when the lane change is aborted, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system continuously monitors and evaluates lane change status and target objects, then accurate target selection can be made, but this increases the complexity of the guidance system

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccuracy of target object selectionVSAvoidComplexity of evaluation and monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit serves multiple functions: monitoring lane change status, evaluating target objects, determining probability of lane change completion, and controlling target object selection. By making the evaluation unit multi-functional, the system achieves accurate target selection without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as one component performs multiple critical tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of lane change monitoring, target object evaluation, and target selection control into an integrated evaluation unit. This combining of functions achieves accurate target selection while minimizing the increase in system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4461613B1Method for selecting a target object for a longitudinal guidance system of a motor vehicle, electronic vehicle guidance system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with an electronic vehicle guidance system
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP4461613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461613B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4461613B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for selecting a target object (26, 32) for a motor vehicle (10), wherein a driving parameter of the motor vehicle (10) is adjusted depending on the target object (26, 32). The motor vehicle (10) is operated along a dedicated lane (24), wherein the driving parameter is adjusted depending on a target object (26) which is traveling ahead of the motor vehicle (10) along the dedicated lane (24). Furthermore, a lane-change maneuver is initiated, which includes a change of the motor vehicle (10) from the dedicated lane (24) to a target lane (30) and a change of the target object (26) to another target object (32) which is traveling ahead of the motor vehicle (10) along the target lane (30).If the lane change operation is aborted, a probability is determined that the motor vehicle (10) will return to its own lane (24), and depending on this, either the second target object (32) is retained, the first target object (26) is selected again, or no target object (26, 32) is selected for the further course of travel.