Steering Reaction Force Control Near Entry-Restricted Lane Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems fail to effectively facilitate lane changes while preventing entry into restricted areas, as they do not adequately manage steering reaction forces during lane changes near entry-restricted zones.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that adjusts steering reaction forces based on the presence of entry-restricted areas, reducing the force when changing lanes into unrestricted areas and increasing it when approaching restricted areas to prevent entry, using a combination of sensors and maps to determine the appropriate steering reaction force settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering reaction force is reduced to facilitate lane changes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vehicle may accidentally enter entry-restricted areas
Solution Approach 1:
The steering reaction force is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control device adjusts the magnitude of the steering reaction force based on real-time detection of vehicle position relative to entry-restricted areas. When approaching such areas, the force increases to prevent entry; when safe, it decreases to facilitate lane changes. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the force level to the specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the vehicle's position using detection devices (cameras, sensors) and comparing it with map data identifying entry-restricted areas. Based on this feedback, the control device adjusts the steering reaction force in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that the steering assistance is optimized for both safety and ease of operation depending on the current situation.
2Reliability
If the steering reaction force is increased to prevent entry into restricted areas, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for legitimate lane changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering reaction force is applied with local quality - different magnitudes are applied based on the specific operational context. When the vehicle is approaching an entry-restricted area, a higher reaction force is applied to prevent entry. When the vehicle is in a safe position for lane changing, a lower reaction force is applied to facilitate the operation. This spatial and contextual differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate force levels to appropriate situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of steering reaction force magnitude based on detected conditions. The control device modifies the force parameter dynamically - increasing it when proximity to entry-restricted areas is detected, and decreasing it when lane changes are safe. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain both reliability and ease of operation under different operating conditions.
3Device complexity
If the steering reaction force control is executed without considering entry-restricted areas, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it provides standard steering assistance for normal operations and simultaneously implements safety control by detecting entry-restricted areas and adjusting reaction forces accordingly. The same control unit that manages basic steering also handles the safety-critical function of preventing entry into restricted areas. This multi-functionality adds safety capabilities without requiring a completely separate control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the lane change assistance function with the entry-restricted area prevention function into a single integrated control system. The detection devices, map data processing, and steering force control are combined in one control device that operates autonomously. This integration achieves enhanced safety while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate systems working in parallel.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device includes: a reaction device that applies a steering reaction force to a steering operation performed by a driver on a driver's vehicle; and a control device that executes steering reaction force control for controlling a value of the steering reaction force. The control device applies, to a steering operation, a reaction force having a reference value as a steering reaction force when a lane change of a driver's vehicle is not performed during execution of steering reaction force control. When the lane change of the driver's vehicle is performed, the control device sets the steering reaction force to be applied to the steering operation in a direction of the lane change of the driver's vehicle to a value smaller than the reference value.