Vehicle Road Entry Sensing for Congested Lane Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rear detecting sensors in vehicles struggle to detect external obstacles on entrance lanes when transitioning from narrow roads to wide roads, leading to potential collisions, especially in scenarios where the entrance lane is congested.

Innovation Solution

A road entry system that utilizes a sensing unit connected to camera sensors, radar sensors, or infrastructure via wireless communication to gather position and movement information of external obstacles, calculates a vehicle collision index, and adjusts vehicle speed and route based on congestion levels, allowing for safe lane changes and detours.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional rear detecting sensor is used to detect external obstacles, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the detection capability is insufficient in entrance lane scenarios, leading to potential collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing units (rear detecting sensor, camera sensor, radar sensor) into an integrated sensing system. This merging of sensors allows the system to detect external obstacles on entrance lanes effectively, resolving the contradiction between simple sensor design and reliable collision prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting obstacles on side/rear lanes, detecting obstacles on entrance lanes, and providing traffic information about entrance lane congestion. This multi-functionality enables reliable collision prevention while managing system complexity through unified sensor architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle enters an entrance lane without adequate detection capability, then the vehicle can move freely, but external vehicles on the entrance lane cannot be detected, resulting in collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane entry freedomVSAvoidcollision detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of external obstacles and entrance lane congestion conditions before the vehicle enters the entrance lane. The sensing units detect obstacles and the determining unit assesses congestion status in advance, allowing the vehicle to enter the lane safely or select an alternative route, thus maintaining both operational freedom and collision detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors entrance lane conditions through sensing units and provides feedback to the determining unit, which updates the vehicle collision index and congestion determination. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable collision detection while enabling flexible lane entry decisions based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple sensing units and complex calculation methods, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determining unit automatically calculates the vehicle collision index by integrating data from multiple sensing units and applies congestion determination algorithms without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the complex computational tasks, improving obstacle detection accuracy while keeping the operational interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of collision probability from a simple binary detection to a continuous vehicle collision index calculated from multiple sensor inputs. This parameter transformation enables more accurate obstacle detection and congestion assessment while managing system complexity through standardized calculation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the vehicle limits speed or selects alternative routes in congested conditions, then collision risk is reduced, but travel time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe entryVSAvoidtravel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts vehicle speed and route selection based on real-time entrance lane congestion conditions. When congestion is detected, the control unit limits speed or selects alternative routes to ensure safe entry. When conditions improve, normal speed and route are restored, maintaining both safety and travel efficiency through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors entrance lane congestion conditions and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts vehicle speed and route selection accordingly. This feedback-based dynamic control ensures safe entry in congested conditions while minimizing impact on travel efficiency by restoring normal operation when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively prevents collisions by accurately assessing lane congestion and adjusting vehicle control to ensure safe entry and navigation through congested areas, enhancing safety in autonomous and driver-assisted driving scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The sensing unit may be further configured to sense the position information or the movement information of the external obstacle by being connected to a camera sensor mounted on the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Implementation Method 2

The sensing unit may be further configured to sense the position information or the movement information of the external obstacle by being connected to a radar sensor mounted on the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3982346B1Road entry system and method for vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP3982346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3982346B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3982346B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A road entry system of a vehicle includes: a sensing unit configured to sense position information or movement information of an external obstacle located on a side or a rear of the vehicle, in response to the vehicle entering an entrance lane; a determining unit configured to determine whether the entrance lane is congested, based on the position information or the movement information of the external obstacle, as sensed by the sensing unit; and a control unit configured to control driving of the vehicle based on a result of the determining of whether the entrance lane is congested.