V2X Geo-Fence Control for Off-Road Vehicle Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Off-road vehicle (ORV) driving lacks effective traffic control features in unpaved areas, making it difficult for drivers to manage traffic and avoid collisions due to terrain challenges and lack of traditional traffic control measures.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses vehicle-to-x (V2X) communication to track vehicles within a geo-fenced boundary, determine the likelihood of encounters with other vehicles or boundaries at high speeds, and impose automatic control measures such as controlled braking or speed limiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional traffic control features (optical guides, mirrors, signs) are deployed in off-road areas, then drivers can keep a sense of where others are located, but these features are less useful due to mud on windshields, flying dirt, uneven terrain, and difficulty in deployment on changing trails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of traffic controlVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical traffic control features (optical guides, mirrors, signs) with an electronic communication system. Vehicles equipped with transceivers communicate their locations and status electronically, eliminating the need for physical deployment of traditional traffic control devices in off-road environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual representation of the physical environment by transmitting and receiving electronic signals about vehicle locations, speeds, and statuses. This digital copy allows drivers to understand the positions of other vehicles without physical visual aids, overcoming the limitations of traditional optical guides and signs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If automatic control is imposed on vehicles to prevent incidents, then safety is improved, but driver autonomy and control are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddriver control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors vehicle locations, speeds, and environmental conditions through transceivers and provides feedback to drivers about potential hazards. This real-time information allows drivers to make informed decisions while maintaining autonomy, rather than imposing blanket automatic control restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides advance warning to drivers about potential hazards such as other vehicles ahead or approaching boundaries before collisions occur. This preliminary information allows drivers to take corrective action voluntarily, preserving their control while preventing incidents through informed decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12205471B2Vehicle-to-x communication and handling for vehicle coordination and management

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system receives confirmation that a vehicle has accepted automatic control imposition for a drive within a geo-fenced boundary. The system tracks travel of a plurality of vehicles, including the vehicle, within the geo-fenced boundary. The system may determine that the vehicle has a threshold likelihood of encountering at least one of another vehicle or a boundary of the geo-fence at a threshold speed or above and responsive to the determination, impose automatic control on the vehicle, including at least one of controlled braking or speed limiting.