Vehicle Turn Control Using Extrapolated Corner Structure Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle control systems fail to detect structures at the near left or right side corners of intersections when vehicles make turns, leading to potential collisions with these structures due to the limited detection range of frontward sensors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus that uses a frontward sensor device to detect structures between the left-front and right-front diagonals of the vehicle, extrapolates their positions, and executes warning or deceleration controls based on these positions during turns to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frontward sensor device is used to detect structures, then collision avoidance with detectable structures is improved, but structures at near left/right side corners of intersections become undetectable when the vehicle approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of structures at intersections before the vehicle reaches the point where they would become undetectable. By detecting structures early when the vehicle is approaching the intersection, the system stores their positions in advance, enabling later extrapolation to predict their locations when they would otherwise be undetectable during turning maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational process (extrapolation based on stored position information) to bridge the gap between detectable and undetectable zones. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to infer the positions of structures that have moved out of the sensor's detection range, effectively extending the detection capability without adding physical sensors.
2Reliability
If the vehicle makes a left turn or right turn with steering more than necessary, then the turning inner part may contact structures, but reducing steering angle may cause the vehicle to miss the intended turn
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the driver about the presence of structures at intersection corners and the risk of contact during turning. This feedback enables the driver to adjust the steering angle appropriately - not too much to avoid structures, and not too little to complete the turn successfully - based on real-time information about the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and prepares turning radius information and structure position information in advance before the vehicle begins its turning maneuver. This preliminary preparation allows the driver to make informed steering decisions from the beginning of the turn, rather than reacting to potential contact risks during the maneuver.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces the likelihood of the vehicle's turning inner parts colliding with structures by anticipating and reacting to undetectable structures using extrapolated positions, thereby enhancing safety during turns.
Implementation Method 1
A conventional apparatus calculates a distance X between a vehicle and a road end object having a length equal to or longer than a predetermined length in a traveling direction of a road, using 'a millimeter wave or a radar' irradiated leftward of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus comprises; a frontward sensor device configured to repeatedly detect a structure located in an area between a left-front diagonal and a right-front diagonal of a vehicle to obtain a position of the structure; and a controller configured to execute a vehicle control. The controller is configured to: store the position of the structure every time the position is obtained by the frontward sensor device; extrapolate a position of a structure currently located around the vehicle, based on the position of the structure that is currently obtained by the frontward sensor device and the stored position of the structure; and execute the vehicle control, based on the extrapolated position of the structure currently located around the vehicle in a period in which the vehicle is assumed to be making a left turn or a right turn.