Vehicle Collision Avoidance via Sequential Driver and External Warnings

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Solution Overview

Problem

When a vehicle is operated by a drowsy driver, there is a risk of collision with other vehicles, as existing systems fail to effectively warn the driver at the appropriate time to prevent such collisions.

Innovation Solution

A collision avoidance system comprising a driver state detection unit, an outward warning device, and an inward warning device, where the control unit first performs an outward warning operation for nearby vehicles and then an inward warning operation for the drowsy driver, utilizing sensors like brainwave sensors, imaging units, and distance measurement units to determine the driver's state and proximity to other vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a warning is made only to the driver after detecting drowsiness, then the driver can be alerted, but the warning may be too late to prevent collision with nearby vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidance effectivenessVSAvoidresponse time for collision prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by making a warning to nearby vehicles before making a warning to the driver. This sequence allows the nearby vehicles to be alerted in advance, creating a buffer of time for collision prevention even if the drowsy driver cannot respond quickly enough. The control unit determines to make a warning to nearby vehicles based on the detected drowsy state and proximity detection, ensuring timely intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system monitors driver state continuously, then drowsiness can be detected early, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver state detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. The detection unit not only detects driver drowsiness but also integrates with proximity detection systems to determine when to issue warnings. The warning making unit functions both as an communication device with nearby vehicles and as an alert system for the driver. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If warnings are made to both nearby vehicles and the driver simultaneously, then both parties are alerted, but the likelihood of causing panic or confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision prevention effectivenessVSAvoiddriver panic or confusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a sequential warning strategy where nearby vehicles are warned first, followed by a warning to the driver after a predetermined time interval. This preliminary action toward nearby vehicles allows them to prepare for potential collision avoidance maneuvers without immediately alarming the driver, thereby reducing panic and confusion while maintaining effective collision prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If the system issues warnings only when distance is within a predetermined range, then false alarms are reduced, but the warning timing may be delayed until it's too late

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarning issuance timingVSAvoidfalse alarms
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the warning trigger conditions based on real-time proximity detection. Rather than using a fixed distance threshold, the control unit continuously monitors the distance between the host vehicle and nearby vehicles, and determines warning issuance based on the detected drowsy state combined with dynamic proximity assessment. This dynamic approach optimizes warning timing to prevent both false alarms and delayed warnings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system increases the likelihood of avoiding collisions by warning other vehicles first and then the drowsy driver, allowing for timely intervention to prevent accidents.

Implementation Method 1

The driver state detection unit includes a brainwave sensor configured to detect brainwaves of the driver and detect the drowsing state of the driver on the basis of the brainwaves of the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrainwave detection:

Implementation Method 2

The driver state detection unit includes an imaging unit configured to detect an image of the driver and detect the drowsing state of the driver on the basis of the image of the driver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage detection:

Implementation Method 3

a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance between the host vehicle and the other vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistance measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3239958B1Collision avoidance system and collision avoidance method
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO LTD
  • EP3239958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239958B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3239958B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A driver state detection unit detects a state of the driver of a host vehicle. For example, a drowsing state of the driver is detected. An outward warning device performs an outward warning operation pertaining to a warning directed at another vehicle traveling in the vicinity of the host vehicle. Then, an inward warning device performs an inward warning operation pertaining to a warning directed at the driver of the host vehicle.