Preceding Vehicle Steering Display for Obstructed Platoon Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

In platooning vehicles, the preceding vehicle can obstruct the visual field of the driver of the following vehicle, making it difficult for the driver to perform safe steering control, especially when the inter-vehicle distance is short and the leading vehicle's height interferes with the following vehicle's view, necessitating steering control without a clear front view of the road.

Innovation Solution

A steering information displaying apparatus that receives and displays steering information from the preceding vehicle to the driver of the following vehicle, including target relative lateral speed, present relative lateral speed, lane information, and steering angle, using a processor to calculate and visualize this information on a display, helping the driver recognize and respond to potential dangerous situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If platooning is performed with short inter-vehicle distance, then productivity is improved, but the preceding vehicle obstructs the visual field of the following vehicle driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatooning efficiencyVSAvoidvisual field obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors (cameras, LIDAR, radar) on the leading vehicle that detect road conditions, and a communication system that transmits this information to the following vehicle's display. This intermediary information channel allows the following vehicle driver to see around the leading vehicle's obstruction without increasing inter-vehicle distance, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating visual field obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the leading vehicle's height is increased, then cargo capacity is improved, but the visual field obstruction of the following vehicle driver is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo capacityVSAvoidvisual field obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary communication system where the leading vehicle's sensors detect road conditions and transmit this information to the following vehicle's display. This allows the following vehicle driver to see road conditions despite the leading vehicle's height, enabling the leading vehicle to maintain maximum cargo capacity without compromising the following vehicle driver's visual field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of the road conditions detected by the leading vehicle's sensors and displays it in the following vehicle's cabin. This virtual copy of the external environment allows the following vehicle driver to see around the leading vehicle's obstruction, enabling the leading vehicle to maintain maximum height for cargo capacity while the driver sees through the digital copy of the road ahead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Duration of action of stationary object

If steering control is performed without clear front view, then platooning continuity is maintained, but steering control accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatooning continuityVSAvoidsteering control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by providing real-time information about road conditions, lane markings, and surrounding environment to the following vehicle driver through the display system. This feedback loop allows the driver to make accurate steering decisions without direct visual contact with the road, maintaining both platooning continuity and steering control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information system that bridges the gap between the obscured road conditions and the following vehicle driver. The sensors on the leading vehicle and the display in the following vehicle create an intermediary channel that provides accurate steering information without requiring direct visual contact, thus maintaining both platooning continuity and steering accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3825209B1Apparatus for displaying steering information of preceding vehicle and method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 KIA CORPORATION
  • EP3825209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825209B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An apparatus for displaying steering information of a preceding vehicle may include: a processor of a host vehicle, where the processor receives steering information of the preceding vehicle among a plurality of platooning vehicles including the host vehicle; and a display controlled by the processor to display the steering information of the preceding vehicle.