Vehicle Acceleration Limiting Based on Front Object Type

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving supporting apparatuses struggle to reduce the possibility of unnecessary acceleration limiting control, especially when rear objects and road gradients are not present.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus sets a distance threshold varying depending on the type of front target object, and performs acceleration limiting control when both the distance condition and erroneous operation condition are met.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional apparatus uses a fixed threshold pattern based on distance and road gradient, then it can reduce mistaken determination when rear objects and road gradients are present, but it cannot reduce mistaken determination when rear objects and road gradients are not present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of erroneous operation detectionVSAvoidapplicability across different driving scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the distance threshold variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the distance threshold based on the detected type of front target object (vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or none), allowing the system to adapt to different driving scenarios and reduce mistaken determination of erroneous acceleration operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of distance threshold based on the type of front target object. Different target object types correspond to different distance threshold values, enabling the system to accurately distinguish between intentional and erroneous acceleration operations under various conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the apparatus performs acceleration limiting control when distance to front target object is short, then it can prevent collisions, but it may perform unnecessary acceleration limiting control when the driver intentionally accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision prevention capabilityVSAvoiddriver operation freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the distance threshold parameter based on the type of front target object detected. When a vehicle is detected, a shorter distance threshold is used, allowing the driver more freedom. When a pedestrian or animal is detected, a longer distance threshold is used, enhancing collision prevention. This dynamic parameter adjustment balances safety and driver freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by setting different distance thresholds for different types of target objects. Each target object type receives a customized distance threshold based on its characteristics and the associated risk level, enabling precise and context-appropriate control decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the apparatus uses a single distance threshold for all target objects, then it simplifies the control logic, but it cannot sufficiently reduce unnecessary acceleration limiting control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidaccuracy of control decision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics into the control logic by making the distance threshold adaptive based on target object type. The control unit automatically selects appropriate threshold values based on detected object characteristics, maintaining relatively simple control logic while significantly improving the accuracy of control decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4197875B1Driving supporting apparatus, driving supporting method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4197875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4197875B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4197875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A driving supporting apparatus comprises an acceleration operation element operated by a driver; and a control unit capable of performing an acceleration limiting control to control the vehicle in such a manner that an acceleration of the vehicle (VA) does not exceed a predetermined limiting acceleration. The control unit sets a distance threshold to a value varying depending on a kind of a front target object that is present in front of the vehicle, and performs the acceleration limiting control when a distance condition and an erroneous operation condition are satisfied. The distance condition is a condition that is to be satisfied when a distance between the vehicle and the front target object is equal to or shorter than the distance threshold (Dth). The erroneous operation condition is a condition that is to be satisfied when the driver is erroneously operating the acceleration operation element.