Reverse Vehicle Guidance with Curvature-Adaptive Preview Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reversing heavy-duty vehicles, especially those with articulation joints, is challenging, particularly in narrow areas, as existing reverse assistance systems do not adequately account for path curvature, leading to instability and inaccuracies in following desired paths.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dynamically adjusting the preview distance based on the curvature of the desired traveling path, with the preview distance increasing for smaller curvatures and decreasing for tighter curvatures, allowing for adaptive guidance by adjusting the preview point to improve path tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed preview distance is used for reversing guidance, then the system is simple to implement, but the path following accuracy deteriorates in curved paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance system complexityVSAvoidpath following accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The preview distance is changed from a fixed value to a dynamically adjustable parameter that varies based on the curvature of the desired path. The control system continuously adapts the preview distance to match the local path geometry, improving following accuracy without requiring complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies the preview distance parameter according to the curvature characteristics of the desired path. By calculating the curvature from path geometry and adjusting the preview distance accordingly, the system optimizes guidance accuracy for different path shapes while maintaining reasonable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If a long preview distance is used, then the vehicle stability improves, but the ability to follow tight curvatures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidpath following accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The preview distance is dynamically adjusted based on real-time curvature measurements. For straight or gently curved paths, a longer preview distance maintains stability, while for tight curves, the system automatically reduces the preview distance to improve following accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the preview distance parameter as a function of path curvature. This parameter adaptation allows the guidance system to optimize between stability and accuracy by selecting appropriate preview distances for different path segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a short preview distance is used, then the path following accuracy improves for tight curves, but the vehicle stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath following accuracyVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a uniformly short preview distance, the system dynamically selects the appropriate preview distance based on curvature. This allows short preview distances to be used only when necessary for tight curves, while longer distances are used elsewhere to maintain stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The preview distance parameter is adjusted according to curvature thresholds. The system transitions between different preview distance regimes based on the severity of the curve, optimizing both accuracy and stability across varying path conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If the preview distance is adaptively adjusted based on curvature, then the path following accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath following accuracyVSAvoidguidance system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts the preview distance parameter based on curvature calculations from the desired path geometry. This parameter adaptation improves accuracy while relying on standard computational methods already present in modern vehicle control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the desired path geometry to continuously adjust the preview distance. By monitoring path curvature and adapting the preview distance accordingly, the system improves following accuracy through a closed-loop approach using existing sensor and computation capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4140858B1A method for guiding a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4140858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4140858B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4140858B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for guiding a vehicle (1) during reversing along a desired travelling path (TP), wherein the guiding is based on a lateral offset (y) between a preview point (P) located at a preview distance (Pd) behind the vehicle (1) and the desired travelling path (TP), the method comprising: - determining (S1) a curvature of the desired travelling path (TP) behind the vehicle (1); - adaptively adjusting (S2) the preview distance (Pd) in dependence on the determined curvature, thereby adaptively adjusting the preview point (P); and - guiding (S3) the vehicle (1) along the desired travelling path (TP) by use of the lateral offset (y) between the adjusted preview point (P) and the desired travelling path (TP). The present invention further relates to a control unit (100), to a vehicle (1), to a computer program and to a computer readable medium.