Steering Assistance Control Device for Intentional Lane Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular steering assistance control devices increase driver burden when attempting to intentionally offset from the center of a traffic lane, as they often generate steering torque counter to the driver's intention, and releasing control reduces assistance, degrading convenience.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular steering assistance control device that detects and accommodates the driver's intentional offset by adjusting the goal position of steering assistance to either side, using algorithms and sensors to calculate and apply appropriate steering torque, reducing driver fatigue and maintaining assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the steering assistance control device generates steering torque to return to the middle of the traffic lane, then the vehicle maintains lane centering, but the driver burden increases when the driver intentionally offsets from the center

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelane centering accuracyVSAvoiddriver steering burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The goal lateral position is dynamically adjusted based on detected driver steering intentions. When the driver intentionally steers to offset from the lane center, the system updates the target position to follow the driver's intended path, allowing the vehicle to adapt its lane centering goal in real-time rather than rigidly maintaining the geometric center

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors driver steering inputs (steering angle, steering angle velocity, steering torque) and uses this feedback to determine when the driver intends to offset from the lane center. This feedback loop allows the control device to distinguish between corrective steering and intentional positioning, adjusting the goal position accordingly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the steering assistance control is released to prevent driver burden, then the driver has freedom of maneuver, but the assistance control cannot be received, degrading convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver steering freedomVSAvoidsteering assistance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the control parameter (goal lateral position) based on driver intention detection. Instead of releasing control entirely, it adjusts the target position parameter to accommodate intentional offsetting, maintaining assistance control while adapting to driver preferences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the steering assistance control device detects driver intervention using threshold values, then the system can identify driver input, but it cannot distinguish between intentional offsetting and corrective steering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver intervention detectionVSAvoiddriver intention understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of steering parameters (angle, velocity, torque) to predict driver intention before the actual positioning is complete. By evaluating the pattern and magnitude of steering inputs in advance, the system can anticipate whether the driver intends to offset from the lane center or is merely correcting position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3330161B1Vehicular steering assistance control device
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYST LTD
  • EP3330161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3330161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3330161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to obtain assistance for traveling in an appropriate position, through steering assistance control, when a driver intends to travel in a position offset either to the left or to the right from the center of a traffic lane. Provided is a vehicular steering assistance control device for controlling a host vehicle so that the vehicle travels in a predetermined position of a traffic lane, wherein the amount of steering control is adjusted according to the driver's intentions.