Stopped-State Vehicle Gap Control Using Traffic Spacing Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inter-vehicular distance control systems fail to set an appropriate distance for a host vehicle when it is in a stopped state, leading to significant discrepancies from the optimal distance.
Innovation Solution
An inter-vehicular distance control apparatus that obtains and utilizes stopped-state inter-vehicular distances between vehicles to set a target distance for the host vehicle, adjusting based on vehicle type and traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional apparatus sets the target inter-vehicular distance for a stopped host vehicle based on another vehicle inter-vehicular distance obtained when the first another vehicle is running/moving, then the system can maintain inter-vehicular distance control functionality, but the set target distance greatly differs from the appropriate distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for distance calculation based on the state of surrounding vehicles. When stopped vehicles are detected, the system switches from using moving vehicle distances to using stopped vehicle distances, thereby adapting the calculation parameter to match the current operational context and achieve accurate target distance setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the actual stopped-state spacing behavior of surrounding vehicles as a reference to automatically determine the appropriate target distance. This self-service approach allows the system to learn and adapt to real-world stopping patterns without requiring manual calibration, improving both reliability and accuracy.
2Device complexity
If the conventional apparatus uses another vehicle inter-vehicular distance from moving vehicles to set target distance for stopped host vehicle, then the control system remains simple, but the host vehicle inter-vehicular distance greatly differs from appropriate distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the reference selection based on the detected state of surrounding vehicles. The control logic automatically transitions between using moving vehicle references and stopped vehicle references, making the system adaptive to different traffic conditions while maintaining operational simplicity for the driver.
3Measurement precision
If the system obtains another vehicle inter-vehicular distance under stopped state, then the target inter-vehicular distance for stopped host vehicle becomes appropriate, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the same information obtaining device to serve multiple functions: detecting vehicle presence, determining vehicle state (moving or stopped), and measuring inter-vehicular distances. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve accurate distance setting without adding separate dedicated systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A driving assistance ECU controls a host vehicle in such a manner that an inter-vehicular distance between the host vehicle and its preceding vehicle is maintained at a target inter-vehicular distance. The ECU obtains, as an another vehicle inter-vehicular distance under a stopped state, an inter-vehicular distance (1) between a first another vehicle that is in a stopped state around the host vehicle and a second another vehicle that is in a stopped state immediately in front of the first another vehicle and/or (2) between the first another vehicle and the host vehicle that is in a stopped state immediately in front of the first another vehicle. The ECU uses a preferable inter-vehicular distance under a stopped state that is set in accordance with the obtained another vehicle inter-vehicular distance under a stopped state, as the target inter-vehicular distance of when the host vehicle is in a stopped state.