Vehicle Acceleration Suppression via Obstacle Type Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle acceleration suppression systems cannot accurately distinguish between different types of obstacles, leading to inappropriate activation of acceleration suppression control, which can result in unnecessary interventions for non-threatening obstacles like curb stones or grass.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle acceleration suppression device and method that uses in-vehicle sonar to determine the type of obstacle by analyzing reflection waves, allowing for tailored control strategies based on the obstacle's type, including activation and magnitude of acceleration suppression control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acceleration suppression control is activated for all detected obstacles, then safety is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates due to unnecessary interventions for non-threatening obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the control response based on obstacle type. Instead of uniform suppression for all obstacles, the system adjusts acceleration suppression magnitude according to specific obstacle characteristics (e.g., higher suppression for walls, lower or no suppression for grass), making the control action locally adapted to each obstacle type's threat level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of acceleration suppression magnitude based on obstacle type classification. By identifying different obstacle types through sonar analysis, the controller dynamically adjusts the suppression parameter, applying stronger suppression for high-risk obstacles and weaker or no suppression for low-risk obstacles, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and driver comfort.
2Measurement precision
If obstacle type determination is implemented, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by enabling the sonar system to perform both obstacle detection and obstacle type classification using the same hardware infrastructure. The reflection wave analysis capability is leveraged for dual purposes: detecting obstacle presence and determining obstacle type, thereby improving control precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary classification layer that processes sonar reflection wave data to identify obstacle types before triggering acceleration suppression control. This intermediary step acts as a mediator between raw sensor data and control execution, enabling precise control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular information processing.
3Measurement precision
If sonar reflection wave analysis is used for obstacle type determination, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of obstacles using sonar reflection wave analysis as the vehicle approaches potential hazards. By conducting obstacle type determination in advance during the approach phase, the system prepares control parameters beforehand, reducing the time needed for decision-making when rapid intervention becomes necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The sonar system continuously monitors reflection waves during vehicle operation, maintaining an ongoing analysis of the environment. This continuous useful action allows the system to accumulate data and progressively determine obstacle types without requiring a separate time-intensive analysis phase, thereby balancing measurement precision with time efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables appropriate and efficient avoidance of obstacles by accurately identifying the type of obstacle, reducing unnecessary interventions and minimizing driver discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
capturing the reflection wave of the transmission wave emitted by the in-vehicle sonar
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle acceleration suppression device and a vehicle acceleration suppression method, capable of activating acceleration suppression control appropriately, are provided. A travel controller is configured to determine a type of the obstacle (such as a wall, another vehicle, an edge stone, or a natural thing) based on at least a first-time detection distance La that is the distance between a vehicle MM and an obstacle detected for the first time and a height determination distance that is the distance between the vehicle MM and the obstacle detected when the obstacle is determined to be a tall obstacle. Then, acceleration suppression control is carried out in a control manner depending on the determined type of the obstacle when it is determined that the vehicle has approached the obstacle at an approach degree equal to or higher than a predefined approach degree based on the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.