Variable Steering Torque Control for Driver Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems face challenges in accurately recognizing hazardous situations, leading to either inappropriate corrective steering torque applications or sluggish responses, which can irritate the driver or result in loss of control.
Innovation Solution
A driver assistance system that utilizes multiple sensors to differentiate between lower and higher reliability situations, applying a variable steering torque based on reliability to provide a controlled and timely corrective steering input, ensuring driver safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system applies full steering torque immediately upon recognizing a hazardous situation, then the response speed is improved, but the driver may feel sudden strong steering torque that irritates the driver or causes the steering wheel to slip away
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the steering torque based on reliability determination. When a hazardous situation is recognized with high reliability, the full corrective steering torque is applied immediately. When reliability is low or uncertain, the system applies a softened, limited torque that increases gradually, preventing driver irritation while maintaining readiness for full correction when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of steering torque magnitude based on the reliability of hazard recognition. The control unit adjusts the torque parameter dynamically: applying full torque when reliability is high, and applying limited/softened torque when reliability is low, thus optimizing both response speed and driver comfort according to the situation.
2Ease of operation
If the system limits the corrective steering torque to prevent driver irritation, then the driver comfort is improved, but the full steering torque is not available promptly when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between limited torque mode and full torque mode based on reliability assessment. Initially, when hazard recognition reliability is low, the system applies limited torque for comfort. When reliability increases to a high level, the system dynamically transitions to full torque application, ensuring both comfort during uncertainty and rapid full response when confidence is high.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary hazard assessment and begins applying limited corrective torque in advance while monitoring reliability. This preliminary action prepares the system for potential full torque application without waiting for complete certainty, thus maintaining driver comfort while being ready to provide full steering assistance when reliability confirms the hazard.
3Device complexity
If the system uses a single sensor for hazard recognition, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of recognizing hazardous situations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data from multiple independent sensors (camera, radar, lidar, ultrasound) to recognize hazardous situations. By combining sensor inputs, the system achieves higher reliability in hazard detection and reliability determination, overcoming the limitations of single-sensor systems while managing complexity through integrated processing.
4Speed
If the system applies corrective steering torque with low reliability recognition, then the response speed is improved, but incorrect recognitions lead to driving behavior that is unpleasant and unacceptable to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts torque application strategy based on reliability levels. When recognition reliability is low, the system applies softened, limited torque that is less likely to cause driver irritation from incorrect recognitions. When reliability is high, the system applies full corrective torque for rapid response. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the steering torque parameter based on reliability assessment. For low-reliability recognitions, the torque parameter is reduced and softened to minimize unpleasant driver experiences from potential false positives. For high-reliability recognitions, the full torque parameter is applied to ensure rapid and effective corrective action.
Data Source
AI summary
A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle configured to recognize an exceptional situation by querying at least one sensor and if necessary applying a corrective or applied steering torque to a steering wheel. The driver assistance system configured to differentiate between a lower reliability and a higher reliability and upon the recognition to set the steering torque depending on the reliability.