Vehicle Convenience Control During Autonomous Driving Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems lack efficient control mechanisms for convenience devices during autonomous driving transitions, failing to consider external environments and user inputs effectively, which can lead to unsafe or inconvenient operations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system equipped with a processor that determines operation modes for convenience devices based on external environment information and user inputs, comparing and adjusting modes to ensure optimal operation, whether transitioning to or from autonomous driving.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle system automatically controls convenience devices based on external environment information during autonomous driving transitions, then the adaptability to external conditions is improved, but the user control authority deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to external conditionsVSAvoiduser control authority
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the operation mode of convenience devices based on the autonomous driving state. When autonomous driving is active, the system automatically controls devices like lamps and wipers based on external environment sensors. When autonomous driving is inactive, the system switches to manual control mode, allowing user authority to take precedence. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting control authority to the current driving context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter (operation mode) of convenience devices based on the autonomous driving state. The processor determines whether to operate devices in automatic mode (when autonomous driving is active) or manual mode (when inactive), thereby changing the control parameter to balance adaptability and user authority appropriately for each situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle system prioritizes user input for convenience device operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability in unsafe external conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control authorityVSAvoidsafety in external conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors external environment information through sensors and provides feedback to the control processor. When unsafe conditions are detected (e.g., darkness requiring lamps, rain requiring wipers), the system overrides manual user settings and automatically adjusts device operation to ensure safety. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing user control normally but intervening when safety is compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action to prevent unsafe conditions by automatically controlling convenience devices based on external environment assessment. Before user input can create unsafe situations, the system pre-establishes safe operation modes based on environmental conditions, thereby preventing potential safety issues while still allowing user control in safe conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle system switches control modes during autonomous driving transitions, then the adaptability to driving state changes is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to driving state changesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system merges the autonomous driving state management with convenience device control into a single integrated system. The processor that manages autonomous driving transitions also determines the operation modes of convenience devices, combining multiple control functions into one system rather than using separate independent control systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same processor and control architecture handle both autonomous driving state transitions and convenience device operation mode determination. This universal approach allows one system to perform multiple functions (driving control and device control) without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, reducing complexity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3838699B1Vehicle and method for controlling body thereof
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3838699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3838699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle and a method for controlling a body thereof are provided. The vehicle may include a processor, and non-transitory memory storing instructions executed by the processor. The processor may be configured to determine a first operation mode of a convenience device based on external environment information obtained by a sensor device when converting to an autonomous driving state; determine a second operation mode of the convenience device based on an input of a convenience device manipulator; compare the first operation mode with the second operation mode; and control the convenience device in the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on a comparison result.