Merge Deceleration Control Using Sensor and V2X Obstacle Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle travel control systems face challenges in smoothly merging onto main roads due to difficulties in recognizing obstacles on the main road in time, often resulting in sudden braking, which can be uncomfortable for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle travel control device equipped with autonomous sensors and communication systems that recognize travel environment information, allowing for preliminary deceleration control before merging onto a main road to avoid obstacles and prevent sudden braking, using a combination of first and second travel environment recognizers and deceleration controllers to adjust vehicle speed and maintain comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the vehicle relies solely on autonomous sensors to detect obstacles on the main road, then the device complexity is reduced, but the obstacle recognition time is insufficient leading to sudden braking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication infrastructure (RSU, base stations) as an intermediary to transmit obstacle information from the main road to the branch road vehicle. This mediator enables early obstacle detection beyond the range of autonomous sensors, resolving the contradiction between simple device architecture and sufficient recognition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection by receiving information from communication infrastructure before the vehicle reaches the merging point. This advance detection allows the vehicle to prepare for deceleration smoothly, avoiding sudden braking while maintaining relatively simple onboard equipment.
2Loss of time
If the vehicle uses communication systems to acquire second travel environment information, then the obstacle recognition time is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the travel environment recognition into two independent segments: first travel environment information from autonomous sensors and second travel environment information from communication systems. This segmentation allows the system to leverage early warning from communication infrastructure while maintaining the capability for independent sensor-based verification, managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial redundancy by using both autonomous sensors and communication systems for obstacle detection. This excessive action ensures reliable early obstacle recognition even if one system fails, accepting increased device complexity as a trade-off for robust safety-critical performance.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle performs main deceleration control based on first travel environment information, then the braking comfort is improved, but the obstacle recognition reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by cross-verifying obstacle information from communication systems with real-time detection from autonomous sensors. The second travel environment information serves as early warning feedback, while the first travel environment information provides real-time verification feedback, ensuring both comfortable braking and reliable obstacle recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by using communication-based obstacle information to prepare for smooth deceleration before the vehicle reaches the merging point. This preliminary cushioning ensures comfortable braking while the dual-system verification provides the reliability needed for safe operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A travel control device includes a first recognizer recognizing first travel environment information based on information acquired by an autonomous sensor, a second recognizer recognizing second travel environment information acquired by external communication, a main deceleration controller performing main deceleration control against an obstacle when it is determined, based on the first information, that the vehicle is traveling on a branch road merging with a main road and an obstacle may interfere with the vehicle at a merging point with the main road at a predicted time, and a preliminary deceleration controller performing preliminary deceleration control against the obstacle before the main deceleration control when it is determined, based on the second information, that the vehicle is traveling on the branch road, and the obstacle is to exist at the merging point at the predicted time and the obstacle is not recognized yet based on the first information.