Steering Assistance Curve Positioning Safety Margin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering assistance systems in vehicles do not adequately ensure safety and driver trust, particularly in semi-automated or fully automated vehicles, as they fail to optimize vehicle positioning in curves to maximize safety margins and comfort, and lack effective fail-safes in case of system malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identifies upcoming curves, determines a safety distance based on longitudinal and lateral distances to the outer lane boundary, and controls vehicle positioning to maintain a safe distance from the outer lane boundary, ensuring sufficient time for secondary systems to react and preventing collisions or road departures, while also considering vehicle velocity, curve curvature, road conditions, and obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle is positioned at the center of the lane to maximize distance to lane boundaries, then the distance to lane boundaries is maximized, but the safety margin is reduced when meeting traffic is present in adjacent lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle's lateral position within the lane based on real-time detection of traffic conditions in adjacent lanes. When meeting traffic is detected, the vehicle is automatically positioned closer to the outer lane boundary; when no meeting traffic is present, the vehicle can be positioned more centrally. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the positioning strategy to current safety requirements while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the lateral position parameter of the vehicle based on detected traffic conditions. By monitoring the presence of meeting traffic and adjusting the target lateral position accordingly, the system optimizes both safety margins and operational characteristics. This parameter adjustment allows the vehicle to maintain appropriate safety distances while preserving lane keeping functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle follows the center of the lane through a curve, then the path is simple to follow, but the radius of curvature is reduced increasing centrifugal forces and reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions before the vehicle enters a curve by detecting upcoming curves in advance. It positions the vehicle closer to the outer lane boundary before curve entry, then guides the vehicle through the curve along an optimized path that maximizes radius of curvature, and finally repositions near the outer boundary upon curve exit. This preliminary and anticipatory control resolves the contradiction by preparing the optimal trajectory beforehand, reducing centrifugal forces while maintaining smooth, comfortable path following.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the curvature of the vehicle's path through curves by maximizing the radius of curvature. Instead of following a simple center-lane path, the system generates a curved trajectory that better matches the natural arc of the curve, thereby reducing centrifugal forces acting on the vehicle and occupants. This curvature optimization maintains ease of path following while significantly reducing the harmful centrifugal effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vehicle is positioned closer to the inner lane boundary in a curve to maximize radius of curvature, then centrifugal forces are reduced, but the risk of road departure increases if the system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a multi-stage positioning strategy that cushions against potential system failures. By positioning the vehicle closer to the outer lane boundary before curve entry and maintaining appropriate distances during curve traversal, the system creates safety buffers. This preliminary cushioning ensures that even if the system fails during curve navigation, the vehicle maintains adequate safety margins and reduces the risk of road departure while still achieving sufficient curvature reduction of centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle's lateral position throughout the curve traversal process, rather than maintaining a fixed position. It transitions from outer boundary proximity before the curve, to optimized positioning during the curve, to outer boundary proximity after the curve. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance centrifugal force reduction with safety margin maintenance at different stages of curve navigation, resolving the contradiction between comfort and safety.
4Reliability
If a steering assistance system intervenes to maintain safety margins, then safety is improved, but the driver's trust and comfort in the system may be reduced due to unexpected interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies safety interventions selectively and locally based on specific detected conditions, such as the presence of meeting traffic or upcoming curves. Rather than continuously intervening to maintain fixed safety margins, the system activates assistance only when and where safety risks are identified. This localized intervention approach maintains safety margins when needed while minimizing unnecessary interventions that could erode driver trust and comfort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates a method for steering assistance in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, the method comprising identifying an upcoming curve, detecting an inner and an outer lane boundary of the upcoming curve, determining a safety distance between the vehicle and the outer lane boundary and controlling a position of the vehicle in the curve with respect to the inner and outer lane boundary such that the vehicle is at a distance from the outer lane boundary which is equal to or larger than the safety distance. The invention also relates to a steering assistance system capable of performing the above described method for steering assistance.