Vehicle Avoidance Trajectory Refinement With Clothoid Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle trajectory control systems for automatic avoidance systems impose strict constraints on clothoid trajectories, leading to instability and uncomfortable maneuvers due to neglecting non-zero initial conditions, which can cause pilot-induced oscillations and destabilization.

Innovation Solution

A method for refining clothoid trajectories by optimizing steering wheel angle and vehicle heading using a quadratic optimization problem with controllability constraints, ensuring smooth and stable avoidance maneuvers by considering initial conditions and driver expectations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strict constraints are imposed on clothoid trajectories (final steering wheel angle equals 0, integral of steering wheel angle profile equals 0), then trajectory planning robustness is improved, but system stability and driver comfort deteriorate due to neglecting non-zero initial conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrajectory planning robustnessVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the trajectory parameters by introducing a refined clothoid trajectory that incorporates non-zero initial conditions for steering wheel angle and vehicle heading. Instead of forcing final steering wheel angle to zero, the optimization allows flexible final states while satisfying controllability constraints, thereby maintaining system stability and driver comfort without sacrificing planning robustness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic optimization approach where the trajectory is continuously refined based on current system state (initial steering wheel angle, vehicle heading, speed). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle non-zero initial conditions properly, preventing instability and pilot-induced oscillations while maintaining robust avoidance performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the controller forces the heading to zero to avoid deviation from the clothoid reference trajectory, then trajectory tracking accuracy is improved, but driver comfort and understanding deteriorate due to steering wheel turning against the natural direction of avoidance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrajectory tracking accuracyVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by not forcing the heading to zero, but rather allowing the trajectory to naturally accommodate the initial heading condition. The optimization problem is reformulated to seek a trajectory that respects the natural avoidance direction while achieving collision avoidance, thereby aligning system behavior with driver expectations and maintaining comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If saturation constraints are applied when the driver acts against the maneuver, then system control limits are respected, but system stability deteriorates due to pilot-induced oscillations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol constraint complianceVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the driver's steering input and the generated trajectory. When the driver acts against the avoidance maneuver, the system detects this conflict and adjusts the trajectory refinement to accommodate driver input within controllability limits, preventing saturation-induced oscillations while maintaining overall system stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4264390B1Method for controlling a motor vehicle for target avoidance with clothoid trajectory refinement
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4264390B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4264390B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4264390B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for controlling a motor vehicle to avoid a target, the motor vehicle being equipped with at least two perception sensors, the control method comprising the following steps: - a step of determining data of the at least two sensors, - a step of fusing the data of the at least two sensors so as to determine at least the angle of the steering wheel, the speed of the vehicle and the heading of the vehicle, - a step of planning an avoidance path to avoid the target, taking the form of a Euler spiral, - a step of refining the avoidance path used to avoid the target depending on the angle of the steering wheel, on the speed of the vehicle and on the heading of the vehicle and based on the solution of an optimisation problem, - a step of controlling the vehicle so as to follow the refined path, the step of refining the path comprising a first series of sub-steps for honing the avoidance path depending on the length of the path, on the direction of rotation of the steering wheel and on the final heading and a second series of sub-steps for refining the honed trajectory depending on the initial heading and on the direction of rotation of the steering wheel.