Vehicle Surroundings Model Phantom Object Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driver assistance systems in vehicles fail to maintain a valid environment model when a sensor fails, leading to potentially dangerous and uncomfortable vehicle maneuvers during highly automated driving, as they typically resort to emergency procedures like rapid braking, which can increase accident risk.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to create a second environment model by supplementing the first model with a phantom object, representing unmeasurable areas beyond the sensor's range, allowing driver assistance systems to continue functioning safely and smoothly by incorporating a phantom object with a predetermined distance limit, which can be stationary or moving, and can be adjusted based on pre-stored mappings and occupancy assumptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If emergency procedures (rapid braking and steering to road edge) are implemented when a sensor fails, then vehicle safety is improved, but driving comfort deteriorates and accident risk may increase due to violent maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a first environment model before sensor failure using available sensor measurements, storing this model for later use when the sensor fails, thereby preparing compensatory data structures in advance to avoid violent emergency maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the environment model data from the first time point and uses this copied data to generate the second environment model when sensor failure occurs, allowing the driver assistance system to continue functioning with historical environment information instead of resorting to violent emergency maneuvers
2Measurement precision
If sensor measurements are used to create environment models, then accuracy of environment representation is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when sensors fail
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating and storing the first environment model based on sensor measurements before failure occurs, so that when the sensor fails, this pre-created model can be retrieved and supplemented to maintain system reliability without losing measurement precision benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative data sources (first environment model, phantom objects) in advance of sensor failure, creating a buffer that cushions against the loss of real-time sensor data and maintains continuous reliable operation of the driver assistance system
3Area of stationary object
If the measuring range of sensors is extended to cover more environment, then coverage of environment is improved, but the problem of sensor failure and data validity beyond certain distances worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces phantom objects as intermediary elements that mediate between the limited sensor measurement range and the need for complete environment representation, allowing the system to handle areas beyond sensor range by supplementing the environment model with phantom objects representing unmeasured spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making available a model of the surroundings when a first sensor of a vehicle fails is disclosed, wherein the vehicle comprises the first sensor, on the basis of at least the measurements thereof models of the surroundings for the vehicle are produced successively, wherein the models of the surroundings respectively make available information relating to the occupation of the surroundings by objects; wherein the information is made available only for the occupation up to a predetermined distance limit from the vehicle; wherein the method comprises: making available a first model of the surroundings which was produced on the basis of at least the measurements of the first sensor at a first point in time at which the first sensor was still functionally capable; defining at a second point in time that the first sensor is functionally capable; in response to the definition: making available a second model of the surroundings by supplementing the first model of the surroundings with information relating to the occupation by a phantom object, specifically an object which has not been detected on the basis of sensor measurements, wherein the making available process comprises: determining occupation by the phantom object in the second model of the surroundings taking into account the distance limit of the first model of the surroundings.