Vehicle Turn Signal Device Adaptive Deactivation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle turn signal devices deactivate the turn signal prematurely, leading to confusion for following drivers when changing lanes on roads of varying widths, as they rely on fixed cancellation return angles that do not account for differences in road width and steering wheel rotation patterns.
Innovation Solution
A turn signal device that includes a control unit monitoring the temporal changes in the steering wheel's rotation direction, deactivating the turn signal when the vehicle first turns in the activation direction, then in the opposite direction, and finally back in the activation direction, ensuring accurate lane change detection regardless of road width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed cancellation return angle is used to deactivate the turn signal, then the turn signal can be automatically deactivated without manual intervention, but the deactivation timing becomes inaccurate on roads of varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed cancellation return angle to a dynamic detection method that monitors temporal changes in steering wheel rotation direction. The control unit now adapts the deactivation criterion based on the actual steering operations detected, rather than using a predetermined angle value. This allows the system to maintain automatic deactivation while improving timing accuracy across different road conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the steering wheel rotation direction through the rotation angle sensor and using this feedback to determine deactivation timing. The control unit detects the sequence of rotation directions (activation direction → opposite direction → activation direction) and uses this real-time feedback information to trigger deactivation, replacing the open-loop fixed angle approach with a closed-loop adaptive system.
2Device complexity
If the turn signal deactivates based on a predetermined rotation angle, then the system remains simple to implement, but it causes confusion for following drivers when deactivating prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the rotation angle sensor to monitor the temporal sequence of steering wheel rotation directions. By detecting whether the steering wheel rotates in the activation direction, then the opposite direction, and finally back in the activation direction, the system reliably determines when a lane change is complete. This feedback mechanism maintains reasonable system simplicity while significantly improving deactivation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical concept of a fixed rotation angle threshold with an electronic control system that processes temporal sequences of rotation direction data. The control unit uses software logic to detect the pattern of steering operations, substituting a rigid mechanical threshold approach with a flexible electronic detection method that improves reliability without excessively increasing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the turn signal remains activated until a fixed rotation angle is reached, then manual deactivation is unnecessary, but the signal may remain on too long after lane change completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses real-time feedback from the rotation angle sensor to detect when the steering wheel completes its rotation sequence indicating lane change completion. The control unit monitors the temporal pattern of rotation directions and triggers deactivation at the appropriate moment, preventing both premature and delayed deactivation. This maintains hands-free operation while optimizing the signal duration to match actual lane change completion timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the deactivation timing adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines when to deactivate based on the actual steering operations detected during each lane change maneuver. This allows the turn signal duration to vary appropriately with different driving conditions and lane change speeds, reducing unnecessary signal duration while maintaining automatic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A turn signal device for a vehicle for activating a turn signal in accordance with operation of an operation lever. The turn signal device includes a turning state detection unit, which detects a turning state of the vehicle. The turning state detection unit monitors a temporal change in the turning state of the vehicle after the turn signal is activated. The turning state detection unit deactivates the turning signal when detecting that the vehicle first turns in an activation direction of the turn signal, then turns in a direction opposite to the activation direction, and afterward turns again in the activation direction.