Overtaking Warning System Junction Distance Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

In road traffic, drivers often make spontaneous decisions that can lead to dangerous situations, particularly when overtaking near junctions, due to subjective estimates of distance and overtaking maneuvers, which can result in unsafe entry into intersections or failure to notice critical exits.

Innovation Solution

A method and warning device that determines if a vehicle intends to overtake, calculates the required overtaking distance, and compares it with the available distance to a junction, issuing a warning if the available distance is insufficient, thereby preventing dangerous situations through objective calculation rather than driver perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the driver relies on subjective perception to estimate distance and overtaking requirements, then the driver maintains decision-making autonomy, but the accuracy of distance estimation deteriorates leading to dangerous situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and communication devices that act as a mediator between the driver and the road environment. This intermediary objectively measures distances to junctions and calculates overtaking requirements, replacing subjective driver perception with precise technical measurement, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/cognitive system of human distance estimation with an electronic measurement and calculation system. Sensors detect physical distances, processors compute overtaking requirements, and communication devices transmit warnings, substituting the driver's subjective perception mechanism with an objective technical system that provides precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the system provides comprehensive warnings before overtaking, then road safety improves, but the driver's spontaneous decision-making freedom deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad safetyVSAvoiddriver decision freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing warnings to the driver before the overtaking maneuver is executed. The system calculates distances and issues warnings in advance, allowing the driver to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with overtaking. This preserves driver freedom while enhancing safety through提前 information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the vehicle's position, distance to junctions, and overtaking conditions, then providing real-time warnings to the driver. This feedback loop enables the driver to adjust behavior based on objective system information while maintaining ultimate decision-making control, thus improving safety without completely removing driver autonomy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the driver initiates overtaking without system intervention, then the overtaking maneuver can be performed quickly, but the risk of unsafe junction entry increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovertaking maneuver speedVSAvoidjunction entry risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing warnings that counteract potential dangerous decisions before they are executed. The system calculates the safe distance for overtaking and junction entry in advance and issues warnings if the driver's intended maneuver would be unsafe, thereby preventing harmful actions before they occur while allowing safe quick overtaking to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2654027B1Method for emitting a warning before an overtaking procedure
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 PREH CAR CONNECT GMBH
  • EP2654027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2654027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves determining whether a driver of a vehicle (204) is intended to execute an overtaking procedure. A route distance (207) between the vehicle and junctions (202) into which the vehicle is brought when the driver is intended to execute the overtaking procedure is determined. Another route distance (208) required for the overtaking procedure and safe retraction of the vehicle in the junction is determined. The route distances compared with each other. A warning is output to the driver when the former route distance is lesser than the latter route distance.