Vehicle Rear Collision Avoidance via Dynamic Torque and Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle assistance systems do not effectively prevent or mitigate rear-end collisions by timely lane changes based on collision risk assessment, lacking a dynamic and adaptive control mechanism for steering and warning systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a camera with a rear field of view to identify potential collision threats, processing image data to determine an expected collision time and applying torque to the steering system for lane changes, with adjustable reference times based on collision severity and object type, and optional warning messages to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system issues a lane change warning message to the driver, then the driver is alerted to potential collision risk, but the driver may not respond in time for very short collision times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by issuing a lane change warning message to the driver when the expected collision time is between first and second reference times. This advance warning gives the driver sufficient time to respond and initiate lane change before the collision risk becomes critical, resolving the contradiction between early alerting and adequate response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of intervention based on the expected collision time. For longer collision times, it uses gentle warning messages; for shorter times, it applies stronger steering torque. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both driver awareness and response time across different urgency levels.
2Speed
If the system applies steering torque to perform lane change automatically, then the lane change is executed quickly and effectively, but the driver loses control and awareness of the maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using steering torque assistance rather than full automatic control. The torque is applied to guide and assist the lane change maneuver when collision risk is detected, providing sufficient speed and effectiveness while allowing the driver to maintain control and awareness of the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering torque acts as an intermediary between the collision risk detection and the final lane change execution. It provides a intermediate level of intervention that bridges the gap between passive warning and full automatic control, enabling quick response while preserving driver agency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses multiple reference times for different intervention levels, then the response is optimized for various collision scenarios, but the control logic becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the collision risk response into distinct time-based levels using multiple reference times. The first reference time triggers warning messages, while the second reference time triggers steering torque application. This segmentation allows the system to provide differentiated responses for different urgency levels, improving adaptability while keeping the control logic structured and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein an apparatus for assisting driving of a vehicle includes a camera installed in the vehicle, having a rear field of view of the vehicle, and obtaining image data; and a controller configured to process the image data; wherein the controller is configured to identify a rear object that interferes with a driving of the vehicle based on processing the image data, control at least one of a display device and an audio device of the vehicle to output a message for inducing a lane change of the vehicle based on an expected collision time remaining until a collision between the vehicle and the rear object being less than or equal to a first reference time, and control a steering device of the vehicle to apply a first torque for performing the lane change of the vehicle based on the expected collision time being less than or equal to a second reference time that is smaller than the first reference time.