Vehicle Control Interface for Automated Driving Command Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of automated-driving systems with existing vehicle platforms faces challenges due to lack of standardization in control commands, leading to compatibility issues and potential unsafe operations when commands exceed vehicle capabilities based on performance or road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control interface that connects the vehicle platform and automated-driving platform, converting generic control commands into specific commands for the vehicle platform, and communicates specifiable ranges of physical quantities to ensure safe and appropriate vehicle control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated-driving control commands are sent directly to the vehicle platform without conversion, then automated-driving functionality can be implemented, but compatibility issues arise when commands exceed vehicle capabilities or road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control command conversion unit as an intermediary component between the automated-driving control unit and the vehicle control unit. This converter translates generic automated-driving commands into vehicle-specific commands that account for the actual vehicle capabilities and road conditions, thereby resolving compatibility issues without requiring direct integration between the automated-driving system and vehicle platform
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion unit modifies control command parameters by comparing the requested physical quantities (acceleration, deceleration, steering angle) against the vehicle's actual capabilities and current road conditions. When discrepancies are detected, the unit adjusts the parameters to fall within acceptable ranges, ensuring safe and compatible vehicle operation
2Reliability
If control commands are converted to match vehicle capabilities, then safe and appropriate vehicle control is achieved, but additional conversion processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing the vehicle's capability parameters (maximum acceleration, deceleration, steering angle ranges) in a storage unit. The control command conversion unit retrieves these pre-stored parameters when converting commands, eliminating the need for real-time capability assessment and reducing conversion processing time while maintaining safety
3Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized control interface is implemented across different vehicle platforms, then compatibility is improved, but the ability to handle vehicle-specific performance characteristics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing vehicle-specific adjustment parameters within the control command conversion unit. While the overall interface remains standardized for cross-manufacturer compatibility, the conversion process incorporates local vehicle characteristics (specific acceleration capabilities, braking performance, steering geometry) to ensure precise and appropriate control for each vehicle type
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control interface includes a control unit configured to: connect between a vehicle platform including a first computer that performs travel control of a vehicle and an automated-driving platform including a second computer that performs automated-driving control of the vehicle and acquire a first control command containing an instruction for the vehicle platform from the second computer; convert the first control command to a second control command for the first computer; and send the second control command to the first computer. The control unit is configured to send, to the second computer, a specifiable range of a physical quantity that is specified by the second computer via the first control command.