Road Geometry Detection via Radar Edge Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cruise control systems, such as ACC, struggle to accurately adjust speed based on road geometry, particularly curving geometry, leading to inefficient operation and unnecessary warnings due to insufficient detection of road geometry.
Innovation Solution
A road information detecting device that calculates representative points from reflected waves, determines corresponding straight lines representing road edges, and uses these to detect curving geometry by identifying the starting point of a curve, allowing for accurate recognition and transmission of road geometry information to vehicle control systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If map information from car navigation system is used for road geometry recognition, then the system is simple to implement, but the detection precision is insufficient due to coarse GPS accuracy and outdated map data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based map information system with a radar-based electromagnetic detection system. The radar device transmits radio waves to detect reflecting objects along the road, enabling real-time road geometry detection with high precision without relying on coarse GPS or outdated maps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own radar device to detect road geometry independently, rather than relying on external map information systems. The radar detects reflecting objects (roadside objects) and calculates their positions to determine road curvature, enabling the vehicle to self-determine its traveling path.
2Measurement precision
If radar device is used to detect reflecting objects for road geometry, then the detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to processing multiple detection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from radar detection results - specifically, identifying reflecting objects as roadside objects and calculating their positions. It discards unnecessary complex processing by focusing only on the spatial distribution of reflecting objects to determine road geometry, simplifying the overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If ACC system maintains preset speed without adaptation to road curvature, then the cruise control operation is simple, but the operational efficiency deteriorates due to inappropriate speed on curved roads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cruise control system dynamic by enabling it to automatically adjust the preset speed based on detected road curvature. The system calculates curvature from roadside object positions and modifies the speed setting accordingly, allowing the ACC to adapt to changing road conditions while maintaining simple operation for the driver.
4Reliability
If warning is issued for all stationary targets at curve entrances, then the safety is improved, but unnecessary warnings increase causing driver annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between curved and straight road sections. The warning system is activated only when road curvature is detected, making the warning function selective rather than universal. This ensures warnings are issued only when actually needed for safety, eliminating unnecessary warnings on straight roads.
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
Enables high-accuracy detection of curving road geometry, improving vehicle cruise control by adjusting speed according to road curvature and reducing unnecessary warnings, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a radar device (20) that transmits a wave and receives a reflected wave
Implementation Method 2
receives a reflected wave reflected by a target
Data Source
AI summary
A representative point corresponding to geometry of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is calculated based on positional information on a stationary target detected by a radar, and based on positional information of the calculated representative points, left and right side corresponding straight lines that correspond to left and right side edges of the road are calculated. With one of the corresponding straight lines that has a most distal end more proximal to the vehicle than that of the other being set as a reference corresponding straight line, information on curving geometry of the road is detected based on positional information on a representative point within a process targeted area that is sandwiched between the left and the right side corresponding straight lines and extends in the traveling direction of the vehicle and is also distal to the most distal end of the reference corresponding straight line.