Steering Stiffening for Autonomous Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Driver assistance systems face issues with drivers overreacting when taking back lateral control after autonomous driving, leading to potential accidents due to steering overcorrection, especially at higher speeds, as they may inadvertently turn the steering wheel upon resuming control.

Innovation Solution

The system temporarily stiffens the steering by reducing steering assistance, applying counter torque, or changing the steering ratio to prevent unintended steering wheel movements, with the stiffening duration and strength adjusted based on vehicle speed and situational factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver takes over lateral guidance after autonomous driving, then the driver regains control of the vehicle, but the driver may inadvertently turn the steering wheel causing steering overrun

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver control takeoverVSAvoidsteering control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies a counter torque to the steering wheel before the driver can inadvertently turn it, preventing the steering overrun from occurring in the first place. This preliminary opposing action neutralizes the harmful effect of the driver's unintended steering movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The steering assistance parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the autonomous driving status. When transitioning from autonomous to manual control, the steering assistance is reduced or temporarily disabled, changing the steering characteristics to prevent inadvertent turns while maintaining normal assistive steering during autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If steering assistance is maintained during handover, then steering is easier for the driver, but unintended steering movements cause lane deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering effortVSAvoidlane deviation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steering assistance system dynamically adapts its characteristics based on the driving mode and handover status. During autonomous driving, full steering assistance is provided for ease of operation. During handover and immediately after, the assistance is temporarily reduced or modified to prevent harmful lane deviations, creating a time-dependent dynamic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the autonomous driving status and handover events, using this feedback to automatically adjust steering assistance parameters. When the system detects that autonomous driving has ended and the driver is taking over, it triggers the steering assistance reduction to prevent lane deviation, then restores normal assistance once the handover is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3242829B1Method for providing assistance to a driver of a vehicle and driving assistance system
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3242829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3242829B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3242829B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing assistance to a driver of a vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle (10) comprises a driving assistance system which permits at least temporary autonomous driving, and after the ending of the autonomous driving requests the driver to assume control of the lateral guidance of the vehicle (10) by means of at least one signal. In addition, there is provision that the steering of the vehicle (10) is made harder for a predefined time after the requesting of the assumption of control of the lateral guidance. Further aspects of the invention relate to a computer program and to a device which are configured to carry out the method.