Steering Intent Detection Using Vehicle Stabilization and Hand State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional autonomous driving systems may unintentionally deactivate or restrict starting when the steering force of the driver collides with the system's force at initial activation, leading to potential dangerous situations due to accidental steering wheel manipulation during autonomous driving.

Innovation Solution

A driver steering intent determining apparatus that uses a processor to assess the stabilization state of the vehicle and the driver's hand state, shifting decision states based on autonomous driving control modes, steering torque size, and torque duration to prevent unintended deactivation, incorporating sensors like cameras, Lidar, and torque sensors to accurately determine the driver's intent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the autonomous driving system is activated, then the driver can benefit from automated steering control, but the system may unintentionally deactivate or restrict starting when the driver's steering force collides with the system's force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous driving controlVSAvoidsystem deactivation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system waits for a predetermined time after activation before allowing autonomous driving control, during which any steering input from the driver is ignored. This preliminary waiting period prevents accidental deactivation while still allowing the system to activate successfully

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes its response to driver input based on the timing state - during the predetermined waiting period, driver input is completely ignored, but after this period expires, the system normally responds to driver steering inputs. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between allowing automation and preventing accidental deactivation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the system responds immediately to driver steering input, then the driver's intent can be quickly detected, but false detection may occur due to accidental steering wheel manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering intent detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse deactivation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a preliminary waiting period after activation during which driver steering input is not processed. This preliminary action filters out accidental inputs that occur during system startup, preventing false deactivation while preserving the ability to detect genuine driver intent after the waiting period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The predetermined time period acts as a cushioning buffer that absorbs accidental steering inputs during system activation. By ignoring inputs during this buffered period, the system prevents harmful false deactivation without compromising the ability to detect genuine driver intent afterward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11370458B2Apparatus for determining the steering intent of a driver, system having the same, and method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for deciding a steering intent of a driver is provided. The apparatus includes a processor configured to determine whether a driver intends to steer a vehicle based on sensing results of a stabilization state of a vehicle and whether a hand of the driver is positioned on a steering wheel of the vehicle, and a memory configured to store a preset reference value to determine the steering intent of the driver.