Autonomous Lateral Control Without Lane Markings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lane-keeping aid systems are limited to high-speed environments and require detectable lane markings, making them ineffective at low speeds and in areas without clear markings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enable autonomous lateral control of a vehicle, independent of lane markings, by using sensors and a checking system to assess the driver's longitudinal control, allowing the vehicle to adapt to surroundings and perform tasks like lane changes and parking without driver intervention, while ensuring the driver's mental presence through appropriate longitudinal control checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lane-keeping aid systems use optical scanning to detect lane markings, then lane keeping capability is improved on motorways, but the system cannot operate at low speeds or when lane markings are not detectable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane keeping capabilityVSAvoidoperational conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple detection functions (lane marking detection and obstacle detection) into a single driving assistance system that can operate across diverse conditions. The obstacle detection module compensates for the limitations of lane marking detection, enabling the system to function both on motorways with clear markings and in urban environments without markings or at low speeds.

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

2Extent of automation

If lateral spacing regulation is activated, then automatic lane maintenance is improved, but the system requires minimum speed and detectable lane markings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic lane maintenanceVSAvoidspeed range and environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the vehicle's existing sensor infrastructure (ultrasonic sensors, radar) to perform obstacle detection and lateral control functions, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors. This allows the automated lane maintenance capability to extend to low-speed urban driving without requiring additional hardware that would be dedicated solely to this function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If high automation levels are implemented in lateral control, then driver workload is reduced, but driver safety monitoring becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral control automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the lateral control automation function with the driver monitoring function into a single integrated system. The same obstacle detection sensors that enable automated lane maintenance also provide the data needed to monitor driver behavior and determine when driver intervention is required, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2746137B1Method and system for assisting a driver
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2746137B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2746137B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2746137B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for assisting a driver of a vehicle comprising the steps of: - a lateral control system (5) of the vehicle (22) performing a lateral control of the vehicle (22) in an autonomous mode (110), - determining information about a surroundings of the vehicle (120), - checking whether a longitudinal control of the vehicle (22) performed by the driver is appropriate considering the determined information about the surroundings (130), and - if appropriate, continuing the autonomous mode of the lateral control. The disclosure also relates to a driving assist system (1) of a vehicle (22), the system comprising - a detection means (3) for determining information about the surroundings of the vehicle (22), - a lateral control system (5) for an autonomous lateral control of the vehicle (22), - a longitudinal control means (7) for performing longitudinal control of the vehicle (22), and - a checking system (9) for checking whether a longitudinal control of the vehicle (22) performed by a driver of the vehicle (22) is appropriate considering the determined information about the surroundings.