Vehicle Distance Control via Differential Braking for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle collision avoidance systems often create additional risks for following traffic by sharp braking or sudden steering changes, which can lead to instability and accidents, especially in situations with a small lateral distance to collision objects.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses data from close-range sensors and vehicle communication modules to intervene in the vehicle's braking and steering systems, changing the vehicle's direction in a controlled manner to avoid collisions without affecting surrounding traffic, by decelerating slightly and adjusting the driving curve radius, while maintaining driver control through speed-dependent minimum distance and warning signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated steering processes are carried out to avoid obstacles, then collision avoidance is achieved, but vehicle stability is compromised and additional ESP intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces automated steering processes with intervention in the vehicle braking system. Instead of mechanically steering the vehicle to avoid obstacles, the system uses controlled braking of individual wheels to change the vehicle's direction of travel. This substitution eliminates the stability issues associated with sudden steering movements while achieving the same collision avoidance goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of braking force applied to individual wheels to achieve directional change. By applying different braking forces to left or right wheels, the vehicle's trajectory is modified without mechanical steering intervention. This parameter-based approach allows controlled direction change while maintaining vehicle stability.
2Reliability
If the vehicle braking system is intervened to change direction, then collision avoidance is achieved, but following traffic may be affected by sudden deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies braking force locally to specific wheels (left or right) rather than uniformly to all wheels. This localized intervention changes the vehicle's direction of travel by creating a differential braking effect, allowing the vehicle to steer into a safe trajectory without significant overall deceleration that would affect following traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically selects which wheels to brake based on the obstacle's position and the vehicle's current trajectory. The system continuously adjusts the braking intervention to achieve the minimum necessary direction change, optimizing the balance between collision avoidance and maintaining normal vehicle speed for following traffic.
3Reliability
If automated steering intervention is carried out, then collision avoidance is achieved, but sudden direction changes trigger instability and require additional control interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex automated steering mechanisms with a simpler braking-based direction control system. By using the vehicle's existing braking system to achieve directional change, the patent eliminates the need for complex steering actuators and control algorithms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining collision avoidance capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a distance control device for preventing collisions of a vehicle in a driving situation with little lateral distance to a collision body. Data from short-range sensors and/or data of a vehicle communication module is used, and a warning signal is outputted and/or an intervention in the vehicle braking system and/or the vehicle steering system is carried out if the distance of the vehicle to a collision body is less than a speed-dependent minimum distance or the pre-calculated driving trajectory of one or more vehicles suggests an impending collision. The intervention in the vehicle braking system is carried out such that the driving direction of the vehicle is changed in a controlled manner.