Vehicle Control System Towing State Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems lack the capability to implement automatic driving based on the towing state of a subject vehicle, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions when towing an object.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a detecting unit to identify the towing state, a recognizing unit to assess surrounding situations, and a control unit that adjusts automatic control of acceleration and steering to minimize automatic driving when towing is detected, by prohibiting certain maneuvers like lane changes and reducing maximum velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic control is performed without detecting towing state, then automation level is improved, but safety deteriorates due to hazardous maneuvers when towing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automatic control based on the detected towing state. When towing is detected, the control unit prohibits certain maneuvers (lane changes, merging, branching) and reduces maximum velocity, making the automation level adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high automation when safe and reducing automation when hazards are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the towing state through detection units and adjusting control parameters accordingly. The control unit receives feedback about the towing condition and modifies automatic control behavior in real-time, prohibiting hazardous maneuvers when towing is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures safety while maintaining automation benefits.
2Reliability
If automatic control is restricted when towing is detected, then safety is improved, but automation level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively restricting specific maneuvers (lane changes, merging, branching) rather than completely disabling automatic control. The control unit maintains automatic control for safe operations while prohibiting only the hazardous maneuvers when towing is detected. This partial restriction approach improves safety without entirely sacrificing automation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes control parameters dynamically based on towing state. When towing is detected, the control unit modifies parameters such as maximum velocity limits and prohibited maneuver types, while maintaining other automatic control functions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to improve safety for specific operations while preserving automation for safe operations.
3Device complexity
If standard automatic control is used without towing detection, then control simplicity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust for towing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it performs standard automatic control operations and simultaneously detects and adapts to towing states. The same control unit that manages acceleration and steering also receives towing state information and adjusts its behavior accordingly. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain relatively simple structure while gaining adaptability to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the towing state before executing automatic control maneuvers. The detection unit identifies towing conditions in advance, allowing the control unit to pre-adjust control parameters and prohibit certain maneuvers before hazardous actions occur. This preliminary action enables adaptability without requiring complex real-time reaction mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device includes a detecting unit that detects a towing state of a subject vehicle, a recognizing unit that recognizes surrounding situations of the subject vehicle, a control unit that performs automatic control in which at least one of acceleration-and-deceleration and steering of the subject vehicle is automatically controlled on the basis of the surrounding situations of the subject vehicle recognized by the recognizing unit, and a changing unit that changes, if the detecting unit has detected that the subject vehicle is in a state of towing an object, details of control performed by the control unit in such a manner that it is less likely to perform the automatic control than in the case where the detecting unit has not detected that the subject vehicle is in a state of towing an object.