Steering Torque Compensation Using Camera-Based Direction Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lane keeping assist systems struggle to accurately determine whether a vehicle is moving forward or backward, leading to potential safety hazards due to incorrect application of steering assistance, especially when the vehicle is driven rearward, as they rely on steering wheel direction and gear position, which are not always reliable.

Innovation Solution

A steering torque compensating apparatus and method using a camera unit to recognize a reference object on the road, measure the distance difference between the vehicle and the object, and calculate a distance change rate to determine the vehicle's direction, thereby providing appropriate steering assistance based on whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the existing lane keeping assist system uses steering wheel direction and gear position to determine vehicle movement direction, then the system can provide steering assistance, but the determination accuracy deteriorates when the vehicle is driven rearwards or in neutral gear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetermination accuracy of vehicle movement directionVSAvoidcomplexity of determination method

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical determination method (steering wheel direction and gear position) with an optical measurement method (camera-based distance measurement). The camera unit measures the distance between the vehicle and a reference object, and the control unit calculates the distance change rate to determine movement direction, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reference object as an intermediary element for distance measurement. The reference object (such as a lane marker or roadside object) serves as a mediator between the camera and the vehicle, enabling indirect measurement of vehicle movement through distance changes rather than direct mechanical sensing of movement direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the lane keeping assist system automatically applies steering assistance assuming forward motion, then the system operates simply, but safety deteriorates when the vehicle is driven rearwards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of system operationVSAvoidsafety hazard from incorrect steering assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously measures the distance to the reference object, the control unit calculates the distance change rate, and this information feeds back to determine the correct steering assistance direction. This closed-loop feedback ensures the system adapts to actual vehicle movement direction rather than assuming forward motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of vehicle movement direction using camera-based distance measurement before applying steering assistance. By determining the movement direction in advance through optical measurement rather than assumption, the system prepares the correct steering assistance direction beforehand, preventing harmful incorrect assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system uses camera-based distance measurement to determine vehicle direction, then determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of vehicle movement direction measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of camera-based measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera unit serve multiple functions: it not only captures images for lane recognition but also measures distance to the reference object for movement direction determination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors and justifies the camera-based approach by consolidating functions into an existing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9637170B2Steering torque compensating apparatus and steering torque compensating method

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 HL KLEMOVE CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a technology of compensating for steering torque. More particularly, the present invention provides a steering torque compensating apparatus including: a reference object recognition unit that recognizes a fixed reference object arranged in correspondence to a lane of a road by using a camera of a vehicle; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance difference between the vehicle and the fixed reference object; and an operation determination unit that calculates a distance change rate that is a change rate of the distance difference per time and determines whether the vehicle is driven forwards or rearwards, by using the distance change rate, and a steering torque compensating method.