Parking Exit Assist Device Steering Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional parking exit assist devices increase the steering burden on drivers and potentially hinder other vehicles in the travel lane due to large steering angles required for exiting parallel parking spaces.

Innovation Solution

A parking exit assist device with a front detection unit, rear detection unit, and target steering angle setting unit that adjusts the steering angle based on detected obstacles and travel direction changes, reducing the steering burden by setting a smaller target steering angle when conditions allow for safe exit without turning back, thereby minimizing the vehicle's angle relative to the travel lane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the target steering angle is increased to enable the vehicle to pull out from the parking space without turning back steering, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the driver will need to significantly turn back steering of the steering wheel in a counterclockwise direction in order for the vehicle to merge into the travel lane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexit efficiency from parking spaceVSAvoidsteering burden on driver

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The target steering angle setting unit dynamically adjusts the target steering angle based on the detected direction of the front obstacle. When the front obstacle is detected within a predetermined angle range, the system sets a first target steering angle that enables exit without turning back steering. When the obstacle is outside this range, it sets a second target steering angle that is smaller, thereby reducing the steering burden on the driver after assist control termination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of target steering angle based on the detection results. By adjusting the target steering angle parameter according to the front obstacle's direction, the system optimizes both exit efficiency and post-exit steering requirements, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the target steering angle is increased to enable the vehicle to pull out from the parking space without turning back steering, then the productivity is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen because the vehicle may hinder other vehicles in the travel lane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexit efficiency from parking spaceVSAvoidobstruction to other vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The target steering angle setting unit dynamically adjusts the target steering angle based on the detected direction of the front obstacle. When the front obstacle is detected within a predetermined angle range, the system sets a first target steering angle that enables exit without turning back steering. When the obstacle is outside this range, it sets a second target steering angle that is smaller, thereby reducing the vehicle's angle relative to the travel lane and minimizing obstruction to other vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The front detection unit provides feedback about the obstacle's direction, which the target steering angle setting unit uses to adjust the target steering angle. This feedback mechanism ensures that the vehicle exits efficiently while minimizing harm to other road users by reducing the angle with respect to the travel lane when obstacles are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the steering angle is increased during assist control, then the reliability is improved by avoiding collision with front obstacles, but the ease of operation deteriorates after assist control termination when the driver releases the steering wheel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidsteering correction required after assist

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of target steering angle based on the detection results. By adjusting the target steering angle parameter according to the front obstacle's direction, the system optimizes both collision avoidance and post-assist steering requirements, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3290303B1Parking exit assist device

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

In the case that a user's own vehicle (10) cannot pull out from a parking space without turning back steering, a parking exit assist device (12) carries out a parking exit assist control by setting the size of a target steering angle (θtar) in an exit-from-parking trajectory setting unit (56) to a first steering angle (θ1). On the other hand, in the case that the user's own vehicle (10) is capable of pulling out from the parking space without turning back steering, the parking exit assist device (12) carries out a parking exit assist control by setting the size of a target steering angle (θtar) to a second steering angle (θ2) which is smaller than the first steering angle (θ1).