Turn Indicator Cancellation Using Lane Cross-Over Distance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems struggle to automatically cancel turn indicators during lane changes, especially when the steering wheel angle is insufficient, leading to potential safety issues and driving assistance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that determines when a turn indicator is activated and calculates a cross-over distance between the vehicle and a lane line during a lane change, canceling the turn indicator if this distance exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automatic turn indicator cancellation is implemented using steering wheel angle, then turn indicator cancellation can be achieved during turns, but it fails to work during lane changes where steering wheel angle is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturn indicator cancellation capabilityVSAvoidcancellation reliability during lane change

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from steering wheel angle to cross-over distance (lateral distance between vehicle and lane line). This parameter change enables reliable detection during lane changes where steering wheel angle is insufficient, while maintaining cancellation capability during turns through the same parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from measuring angular displacement (steering wheel angle) to measuring lateral displacement (cross-over distance). This dimensional change from rotational measurement to linear lateral measurement enables the system to detect lane changes effectively, where the primary motion is lateral rather than rotational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If steering wheel angle is used as cancellation parameter, then turn indicator can be canceled during turns, but the system cannot reliably detect lane changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic cancellation functionVSAvoidlane change detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the measurement parameter from steering wheel angle to cross-over distance. This parameter change maintains the ease of automatic operation while significantly improving measurement precision for lane change detection, as cross-over distance provides a direct and measurable indicator of lane position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If turn indicator cancellation relies on steering wheel angle return to normal position, then cancellation works for turns, but it is insufficient for lane changes with minimal steering input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic turn indicator cancellationVSAvoidapplicability to different maneuver types

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the turn indicator cancellation system universal by using cross-over distance as the detection parameter. This single parameter effectively detects both turns (where vehicle crosses lane lines) and lane changes (where vehicle transitions between lanes), eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms for different maneuver types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250157337A1Computer system and method for turn indicator cancellation

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A computer system is provided, comprising processing circuitry configured to: determine that a turn indicator of a host vehicle is activated; obtain a cross-over distance between the host vehicle and a cross-over lane line during a lane change from an original lane over the cross-over lane line to a target lane; determine that the cross-over distance is at least as great as a predetermined distance; and cancel the turn indicator.