Vehicle Controller Steering Recommendation for Obstacle Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
When driving or riding a vehicle, especially in off-road conditions, it is difficult for occupants to see obstacles directly ahead, leading to a risk of wheel damage or injury due to incorrect contact with surfaces, as the front of the vehicle obstructs the view and requires precise steering to navigate challenging terrain safely.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that provide a steering recommendation for vehicles by receiving terrain information using sensors, determining characteristics of obstacles, such as height and angle, and generating recommendations to adjust the wheel's direction to safely navigate obstacles, even if they are not visible to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle occupies a position where the front bonnet obstructs the view, then the vehicle structure is compact and simple, but the driver cannot see obstacles directly ahead leading to potential wheel damage or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors (intermediaries) between the wheel and the driver to detect obstacles that the driver cannot see. The sensors act as mediators that capture terrain information and transmit it to the controller, which then provides steering recommendations to the driver, resolving the visibility problem without changing the vehicle's compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical visual inspection system with an electronic sensing and processing system. Instead of relying on the driver's direct visual observation, the system uses sensors to detect obstacles, processes the terrain information, and provides automated steering recommendations, substituting electronic systems for mechanical human observation.
2Reliability
If the driver steers the wheel without precise guidance, then the operation is simple and responsive, but the wheel may contact obstacles at wrong angles causing damage or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor terrain conditions, the controller processes this information to determine optimal steering angles, and recommendations are provided to the driver. This feedback mechanism ensures the wheel contacts obstacles at correct angles while maintaining driver control and awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of obstacles before the wheel contacts them. By identifying obstacles in advance and calculating the optimal steering angle beforehand, the system prepares steering recommendations that prevent damage while guiding the driver's actions.
3Reliability
If sensors are added to detect terrain information, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single controller unit that performs sensor data acquisition, terrain information processing, obstacle detection, and steering recommendation generation. This multi-functional approach improves obstacle detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating functions rather than adding separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a steering recommendation for a vehicle for negotiating an obstacle includes receiving terrain information, the terrain information indicative of a surface of an obstacle, the surface facing an approaching wheel of the vehicle. The method further includes determining, from the terrain information, at least one characteristic of the facing surface of the obstacle and determining, in dependence on the determined at least one characteristic, a steering recommendation for the wheel to negotiate the obstacle. The method further includes providing the steering recommendation for use in negotiating the obstacle. A computer-readable medium, a controller, a system and a vehicle are also provided.