Vehicle Control Device Merging Point Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants feel uneasy when a host vehicle approaches a merging point, especially if another vehicle is approaching from the main road, as they are unsure if the host vehicle can successfully merge.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that includes detection units for the host vehicle's position and speed, a merging detection unit, a position detection unit to set a virtual pre-merging point on the main road based on lane flow, and a display control unit to show the host vehicle's position and the pre-merging point's position on a display device, allowing occupants to predict the merging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If self-driving is performed when the host vehicle approaches a merging point, then the driving operation is automated, but the occupant feels uneasy about whether the host vehicle can successfully join the other vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the occupant by displaying the predicted merging trajectory and timing information. The display control unit shows the host vehicle's position, the virtual merging point's position, and the predicted merging time, allowing the occupant to verify that the automated system is correctly planning and executing the merging maneuver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and predictions before the actual merging occurs. The position detection unit calculates the predicted merging time and trajectory in advance, and the display control unit presents this information to the occupant before the merging maneuver is completed, allowing the occupant to anticipate and understand the upcoming action.
2Reliability
If information about the merging process is provided to the occupant, then the occupant's sense of security is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and display components
Solution Approach 1:
The existing display device used for navigation and route guidance is repurposed to also display merging-related information. The display control unit utilizes the same display device to show both the planned route and the predicted merging trajectory, eliminating the need for separate display hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual merging point is introduced as an intermediary concept to simplify the representation of complex merging dynamics. Instead of displaying multiple parameters about other vehicles and merging geometry separately, the system uses a single virtual point that encapsulates the predicted merging location and timing, making the information more intuitive and easier to display.
3Loss of information
If the display shows detailed merging information, then the occupant can predict the merging process, but the loss of time for processing and displaying information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position detection unit continuously calculates the predicted merging time and trajectory in advance, before the merging maneuver is executed. By performing these calculations proactively rather than reactively, the system minimizes processing delays during the actual merging event and ensures information is ready for immediate display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously updates the predicted merging time and trajectory information as the host vehicle approaches the merging point. Rather than calculating information only when needed, the system maintains continuous computation and updates, ensuring that the most current and accurate information is always available for display without requiring intensive last-minute processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device includes: a first detection unit that detects a traveling state of a host vehicle; a merging detection unit that detects that the host vehicle approaches within a predetermined area of a merging point when the host vehicle travels on the merging road toward the merging point at which a main road joins with the merging road; a second detection unit that detects a speed of a lane flow by another vehicle that travels on the main road toward the merging point; a position detection unit that obtains a position of a pre-merging point as a virtual point on the main road reaching the merging point when the host vehicle reaches the merging point; and a display control unit that controls a display device to display the position of the host vehicle and the pre-merging point.