Vehicle Controller Timing for Lane Detection Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle controllers face difficulties in accurately detecting travel lanes, especially when lane-dividing lines are blurred, leading to incorrect lane detection and subsequent failure in executing predetermined vehicle control actions like lane changes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller that compares sensor signals with map data to detect the travel lane, determines if the detected lane position differs from the actual position, and adjusts the start timing of actions to ensure completion before reaching a predetermined location, even if the detection is incorrect, by estimating required times and distances based on correct and incorrect lane positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle controller relies on sensor-based lane detection, then the system can operate autonomously, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when lane-dividing lines are blurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces map data as an intermediary element to resolve the contradiction between autonomous operation and detection accuracy. The controller compares sensor-detected lane positions with pre-stored map data to determine whether detection errors have occurred. This intermediary reference system enables the vehicle to maintain autonomous control even when sensor detection accuracy deteriorates due to blurred lane markings.
2Device complexity
If the vehicle controller uses detected lane position for action timing, then the control system is simple, but the action completion reliability deteriorates when detection errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the occurrence of detection errors and adjusting action timing in advance, before the vehicle reaches the target location. The controller compares detected lane positions with map data, identifies detection errors proactively, and modifies the timing of lane change actions accordingly. This ensures that actions are completed with sufficient margin even when detection errors occur, maintaining reliability without significantly increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If the vehicle controller adjusts action timing based on error detection, then the action completion reliability improves, but the control processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by performing only the essential error detection comparison between sensor data and map data, rather than comprehensive analysis. The controller focuses specifically on determining whether lane position detection errors have occurred and adjusts timing accordingly. This selective approach improves action completion reliability while minimizing additional processing time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controller determines whether the position of a detected travel lane relative to an edge of a road being traveled by a vehicle may differ from an actual position; estimates a first required time for an action, which is required before the vehicle reaches a predetermined location, for the case that the position of the detected lane relative to the edge of the road is correct; estimates a second required time for the action for the case that the position of the detected lane differs from the actual position by a predetermined number of lanes; and sets start timing of the action, based on the second required time, so that the action will finish before the vehicle reaches the predetermined location, when the position of the detected lane may differ from the actual position and the second required time is longer than the first required time.