Vehicle Steering Control Mode Switching for Driver Input Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous vehicle steering systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between driver inputs and external influences, leading to incorrect demotion of control modes and increased reliance on manual control, which affects autonomous steering development mode efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs computing devices to detect driver inputs, communication losses, and internal faults, transitioning the steering control mode from high-authority autonomous to low-authority autonomous or manual control as necessary, minimizing incorrect demotions and reducing manual control reliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering system uses sensors to detect driver input during autonomous steering development mode, then the system can identify when manual intervention is needed, but false indications from external inputs (e.g., potholes, bumps) cause incorrect demotion of control mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer that receives sensor inputs and evaluates them against multiple criteria before determining control mode transitions. This intermediary processing layer filters out false indications from external inputs like potholes or bumps by analyzing the pattern, magnitude, and context of sensor signals, preventing incorrect demotion of autonomous control mode while still reliably detecting genuine driver inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data from the steering system is continuously monitored and fed back to the control mode determination logic. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from patterns of external disturbances and improve its ability to distinguish between actual driver inputs and environmental influences, enhancing both reliability and measurement precision over time.
2Reliability
If the system transitions to manual control mode upon detecting driver input or communication loss, then control safety is maintained, but autonomous steering development mode efficiency decreases due to frequent mode demotions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control mode transitions based on the severity and persistence of detected conditions. Rather than immediately demoting to manual control upon any single sensor indication, the system dynamically adjusts the threshold for mode transition, considering factors such as the duration of communication loss, the magnitude of steering input, and environmental context. This dynamic approach maintains control safety while reducing unnecessary mode transitions that would harm development efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as communication timeout thresholds, steering torque sensitivity levels, and transition confirmation delays based on operating conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can maintain high safety standards while being more tolerant of normal operational variations, thereby reducing false mode transitions and improving autonomous development efficiency.
3Reliability
If the system requires full vehicle stop and operator reconfiguration to resume autonomous steering control mode, then control mode transitions are ensured, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification of control conditions before allowing mode transitions. When communication is restored or conditions improve, the system proactively checks whether autonomous control can be safely resumed without requiring a full stop. This preliminary action includes verifying sensor functionality, communication status, and environmental safety, enabling faster resumption of autonomous mode while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows skipping of certain transition requirements under specific conditions. If the system determines that autonomous control can be safely resumed based on pre-verified conditions, it can skip the full stop and reconfiguration sequence, transitioning directly back to autonomous mode. This rushing through of unnecessary steps significantly reduces time loss while maintaining control assurance through prior verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a steering system of a vehicle during an autonomous steering development mode may include performing, by one or more computing devices, high-authority autonomous steering control of a steering system of the vehicle. The method may further include receiving, by the one or more computing devices, an input from at least one sensor of the steering system indicative of manual operation of the steering system by an operator of the vehicle. Additionally, the method may include transitioning, by the one or more computing devices, from the high-authority autonomous steering control to a low-authority autonomous steering control of the steering system for a predetermined time period in response to receiving the input from the at least one sensor.