Vehicle Control Device Speed Distribution Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face inefficiencies in safe driving assistance due to the complexity of prioritizing multiple request signals for brake and steering controls, which can lead to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that detects external objects, determines speed distribution areas based on relative speed limits, and adjusts vehicle speed and steering to maintain allowable upper limits, ensuring safe passage by integrating brake and steering assist controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If one request signal is prioritized over others in multiple safe driving assist systems, then the control decision can be made simply, but the safe driving assist system may not function efficiently as a whole due to system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple request signals from different safe driving assist systems into a unified control framework. By integrating brake request signals and steering request signals into a single coordinated control system, it resolves the contradiction by merging previously separate control decisions into a unified efficient system that considers all objects and requests simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system achieves multi-functionality by handling multiple types of request signals (brake, steering) from multiple safe driving assist systems through a single universal control mechanism. This universal controller can process different signal types and coordinate them efficiently, improving overall system efficiency without increasing decision complexity.
2Reliability
If the allowable upper limit of relative speed is made lower as distance from object becomes smaller, then collision avoidance is improved, but the vehicle speed control becomes more restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different allowable upper limits of relative speed for different spatial zones around the vehicle. Instead of a uniform speed limit, the system creates a speed distribution area where the permissible speed varies locally based on distance to objects, with lower limits closer to objects and higher limits farther away, optimizing both safety and control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the allowable upper limit of relative speed based on real-time distance measurements to objects. As the vehicle approaches or recedes from objects, the speed limits are dynamically modified, allowing the vehicle to maintain higher speeds when safe and reduce speeds when necessary, thus balancing collision avoidance with speed control flexibility.
3Reliability
If speed distribution areas are determined for multiple detected objects, then comprehensive safety coverage is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spatial environment into multiple speed distribution areas, each associated with a detected object. By dividing the control space into distinct zones around each object with its own speed limits, the system achieves comprehensive safety coverage while managing complexity through modular spatial segmentation rather than monolithic control.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4A
AI summary
ECU 10 is configured to detect an object external to the vehicle 1, and determine a speed distribution area 40 for defining a distribution of an allowable upper limit of a relative speed of the vehicle 1 with respect to the object in a travelling direction, in a range from a lateral area to rearward and forward areas of the object in the travelling direction. The speed distribution area is determined such that the allowable upper limit is made lower as a lateral distance and a longitudinal distance from the object become smaller. When objects (8A, 8B) are detected, respective ones of the speed distribution areas (40A, 40B) for respective ones of the objects are set, the relative speed for each of objects is calculated, and an avoidance control is executed for restricting the relative speed from exceeding the allowable upper limits.