Vehicle Control System Mode Switching for Sensor Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle control systems face challenges in maintaining high comfort and availability, particularly in situations where sensor data quality deteriorates due to environmental factors or changes in driving tasks, leading to unreliable operation of driver assistance and automatic driving systems.

Innovation Solution

A device that seamlessly transitions between driver assistance systems and automatic driving systems based on the quality of sensor data, driving task, and environment, allowing the vehicle to switch between different modes of operation, such as from unsupervised to monitored traffic pilot or from automatic to assisted driving, ensuring continuous safe operation by utilizing a common sensor platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the system operates in automatic driving mode with high automation, then driving comfort is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when sensor data quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving comfortVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on sensor data quality. When sensor quality is high, the system operates in automatic driving mode with high automation. When sensor quality deteriorates, the system transitions to driver assistance mode or manual mode, thereby adapting the automation level to current conditions and maintaining reliability while preserving comfort when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different driving modes (automatic driving, driver assistance, manual) based on sensor data quality thresholds. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliability by reducing automation when sensors perform poorly, while enjoying high comfort when sensors perform well.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the system switches off automatic driving when sensor quality deteriorates, then system reliability is improved, but driving comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddriving comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a binary on/off switching, the system implements a dynamic three-mode operation (automatic driving, driver assistance, manual). This allows the system to maintain reliability by transitioning to less automated modes when sensor quality deteriorates, while preserving some level of automated support through the driver assistance mode, thereby mitigating the loss of comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the system uses a single sensor platform for both driver assistance and automatic driving, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates when sensor data quality is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsensor data quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operational requirements based on sensor data quality. When sensor quality is sufficient, the system operates in automatic driving mode requiring high measurement precision. When sensor quality deteriorates, the system transitions to modes with reduced precision requirements, thereby maintaining acceptable performance with a single sensor platform without requiring multiple specialized sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the system maintains high automation level, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when environmental conditions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its automation level to environmental conditions and sensor performance. In optimal conditions, it operates at high automation for maximum productivity. When environmental conditions change or sensor quality deteriorates, it transitions to less automated modes, thereby maintaining adaptability while preserving high productivity when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2238008B1Method and device for controlling and/or regulating a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2238008B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for controlling and/or regulating a motor vehicle, comprising at least one driver assistance system (FA 1-3) for supporting the driver and at least one system (AS 1-3) for automatic driving, wherein the systems (FA 1-3, AS 1-3) access the data of at least one common sensor (3-5), wherein depending on the driving task and/or the surroundings and/or the quality of the sensor data (3-5) automatically from one system (FA 1-3, AS 1-3) is switched to the other system or the driver is informed about the possibility of the switch.