Steering Assist Control at Route Branches in Driver Support Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with driving support functions, when the travel route branches into two or more sections, the steering operation assisted by the ECU may differ from the driver's intention, increasing the driver's burden, both physically and mentally.
Innovation Solution
An on-vehicle computation apparatus that includes a first detection unit to identify travelable routes, a second detection unit for driver input operations, a steering assist unit to help the vehicle stay on the detected route, a specification unit to choose one route when multiple are detected, and a control unit to suppress steering assist until the intended route is specified, allowing the driver to input steering operations more easily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the steering assist unit assists the steering operation to maintain traveling on a predetermined lane, then the self-vehicle can travel along the detected route automatically, but when multiple travelable routes branch, the assisted steering operation may differ from the driver's intention, increasing the driver's burden
Solution Approach 1:
The steering assist unit dynamically adjusts its level of intervention based on the driving situation. When multiple travelable routes are detected, the system suppresses steering assist to allow driver input, and resumes assist when a single route is detected or the driver completes their steering input. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting automation level to contextual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the number of detected travelable routes and the driver's steering input to adjust assist levels. The control unit receives feedback from the detection unit about route conditions and from the steering operation detection, then adjusts the steering assist accordingly. This feedback loop ensures the system responds appropriately to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between automation and driver intent.
2Ease of operation
If the steering assist unit continuously assists the steering operation, then the driving operation burden is reduced on straight paths, but at route branching points the assist may conflict with the driver's intended direction, increasing mental and physical burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively suppresses steering assist when multiple travelable routes are detected before the driver needs to make a steering decision. By detecting the branching condition in advance and preemptively reducing assist, the system prevents potential conflicts between automated steering and driver intent, ensuring reliability when driver input is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering assist level is dynamically adjusted based on route detection results. The system transitions between high-assist modes (when reliability is not compromised) and low-assist modes (when driver input may be needed at branching points). This dynamic adjustment maintains reliability by matching assist levels to the certainty of the driving situation.
3Ease of operation
If the ECU suppresses steering assist when multiple routes are detected, then the driver can easily input steering operations according to their intention, but the system requires continuous monitoring and specification of the intended route
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the driver to self-specify their intended route through natural steering input without requiring complex interface interactions. The driver simply steers toward their desired destination, and the specification unit infers their intent from the steering operation. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation while avoiding complex manual route selection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual route selection interfaces with intuitive steering-based input. Instead of requiring the driver to interact with buttons, screens, or voice commands to specify their intended route, the system interprets the driver's natural steering movements as route selection. This substitution maintains ease of operation while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An on-vehicle computation apparatus, comprising a first detection unit configured to detect a travelable route on which a self-vehicle is travelable, a second detection unit configured to detect a driving operation input to the self-vehicle, the driving operation including a steering operation, a steering assist unit configured to assist the steering operation so that the self-vehicle travels along the travelable route detected by the first detection unit, a specification unit configured to specify one of two or more travelable routes based on the driving operation, when the two or more travelable routes are detected by the first detection unit, and a control unit configured to control the steering assist unit and to, when the two or more travelable routes are detected by the first detection unit, suppress the assist by the steering assist unit until one of the two or more travelable routes is specified by the specification unit.