Modular Driver Assistance System Malfunction Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems for motor vehicles often fail to provide continuous assistance during driving maneuvers if a malfunction occurs, leading to complete cessation of support, which can leave the driver without guidance during critical operations like parking.
Innovation Solution
The system detects surroundings, computes a suitable trajectory for the driving maneuver, and automatically steers the vehicle while informing the driver of any malfunctions, allowing the driver to continue the maneuver safely by taking over control and providing necessary information for steering and longitudinal guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check is made to ensure all control units are error-free before automatic steering intervention, then system reliability is improved, but the assistance system completely stops providing support when a malfunction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driver assistance system into independent functional modules (steering actuator control unit, parking assistance control unit, display control unit). When a malfunction is detected in one module, only that specific module is deactivated while other modules continue to operate, allowing partial assistance to remain available rather than complete system shutdown
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication and control mechanism between control units that enables graceful degradation. When a malfunction occurs, the system uses intermediary signals to notify the driver and selectively deactivate only the affected functions while maintaining other assistance functions, rather than forcing complete system abort
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic steering intervention is completely aborted when a malfunction is detected, then system safety is improved, but the driver loses all assistance during the driving maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares compensatory measures in advance by designing a modular architecture where backup assistance modes are pre-configured. When a malfunction occurs, the system activates pre-planned fallback procedures that maintain essential assistance functions, cushioning the impact of the malfunction rather than allowing complete assistance loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by deactivating only the specific malfunctioning component or control unit while maintaining full operation of other healthy system modules. This localized response preserves system safety by isolating the fault while preserving continuous support through remaining functional modules
3Ease of operation
If only the malfunctioning portion of the driver assistance system is deactivated, then continuous assistance is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces complexity through segmentation by organizing the system into independent, well-defined modular units with clear interfaces. Each module can be independently controlled and deactivated, simplifying the management of continuous assistance compared to a monolithic system that would require complete shutdown or complex interdependencies
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle during a driving maneuver, the surroundings of the motor vehicle are initially detected, at least one suitable trajectory for carrying out the driving maneuver is computed based on the detected surroundings, and the motor vehicle is automatically steered in order to carry out the driving maneuver. If there is a malfunction, the driver is informed, the automatic steering operation is terminated, and the driver receives information on the basis of which the driver may continue the driving maneuver.