Vehicle Speed Limit Control for Path Entry Risk Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speed limit control apparatuses tend to set upper limit speeds too low when a vehicle is surrounded by inhibiting objects, potentially increasing travel time and the risk of vehicle contact with moving objects, as they prioritize safety over efficiency in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A speed limit control apparatus that uses sensors to detect objects on both sides of the vehicle's path and a controller to divide the path into high and low possibility areas based on the presence of inhibiting objects, setting a higher upper limit speed for low possibility areas to reduce the risk of contact and shorten travel time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional apparatus sets the upper limit speed low when the distance between the vehicle and object is short, then the safety is improved by suppressing inadvertent approach, but the travel time to the target space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating speed limit settings based on the local environment along the target path. Specifically, when inhibiting objects are detected in both left and right areas, the apparatus identifies this as a low-possibility area for moving object entry and sets a higher upper limit speed. Conversely, in areas without such protection, a lower speed limit is maintained. This localized adaptation of speed limits resolves the contradiction by allowing faster travel in safer zones while maintaining caution in riskier zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the target path into different regions based on the presence of inhibiting objects. The path is divided into high-possibility areas (without inhibiting objects on both sides) and low-possibility areas (with inhibiting objects providing protection). This segmentation allows the system to apply different speed limit strategies to different segments, optimizing both safety and travel time by matching speed limits to the specific risk profile of each path segment.
2Loss of time
If the conventional apparatus sets the upper limit speed high when the distance between the vehicle and object is long, then the travel time is shortened, but the possibility of contact with moving objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the upper limit speed adaptive rather than fixed. The speed limit dynamically changes based on real-time detection of inhibiting objects in the left and right areas. When inhibiting objects are present, providing environmental protection, the system dynamically increases the upper limit speed. When they are absent, the system dynamically lowers the speed limit. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing high speeds only when environmental conditions provide inherent safety.
3Device complexity
If the conventional apparatus uses distance-based speed limiting, then the simplicity of control is maintained, but the inability to consider environmental protection structures reduces optimization potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the apparatus detect and recognize inhibiting objects in advance along the target path before the vehicle reaches critical areas. The sensor unit continuously scans the environment, and when inhibiting objects are detected in both left and right areas, the control unit proactively adjusts the upper limit speed accordingly. This advance detection and preparation allows the system to optimize travel efficiency without adding significant control complexity, as the speed adjustment is triggered automatically by pre-detected environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A speed limit control apparatus comprises a sensor configured to detect an object, and a controller configured to execute a vehicle limit control for limiting a speed of a vehicle an upper limit speed or less until the vehicle reaches a target space. The controller divides a target path into a high possibility area where an entry possibility that a moving object enters the target path is high and a low possibility area where the entry possibility is low, based on whether or not the area of the target path is surrounded by inhibiting objects that inhibits the moving object from entering the target path. When the vehicle travels in the low possibility area, the controller sets the upper limit speed higher than the upper limit speed that is set when the vehicle travels in the high possibility area.