Vehicle Door Locking Control for Remote Autonomous Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

In autonomous travel control systems, the doors cannot be locked at a timely manner when the vehicle is remotely operated, as the autonomous travel control is stopped when the doors are locked, restricting the flexibility of remote operation.

Innovation Solution

The system prohibits the automatic locking/unlocking function during autonomous travel control and sets a locking time based on the distance between the vehicle and the remote operation device, allowing the doors to be locked at a suitable time after the vehicle stops, ensuring the remote operation can continue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the automatic locking function is activated to lock doors when the portable device is separated from the vehicle, then the vehicle security is improved, but the autonomous travel control by remote operation cannot be executed because the doors are locked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidautonomous travel control execution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The locking control device dynamically changes the door locking state based on the operational mode. When autonomous travel control is detected, the system transitions to an unlocked state to enable remote operation. When autonomous travel control is not active, the system transitions to a locked state for security. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction between security and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the door locking parameter (locked/unlocked state) based on the detection result of autonomous travel control execution. The locking control device monitors the operational mode and adjusts the door locking parameter accordingly, allowing the doors to be unlocked during autonomous travel control and locked during normal operation, thus resolving the conflict between security and operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the doors are locked to ensure vehicle security, then the security is improved, but the remote operation flexibility is reduced because autonomous travel control requires unlocked doors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidremote operation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the door locking state based on real-time detection of autonomous travel control execution. When the detection unit identifies that autonomous travel control is being executed, the locking control device changes the door state to unlocked, enabling flexible remote operation. When autonomous travel control is not executing, the doors are locked for security. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between security and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the automatic locking function locks doors based on portable device distance, then the security is improved, but the locking timing is inappropriate during autonomous travel control because the control is stopped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidautonomous travel control execution time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking control device applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the automatic locking function from activating during autonomous travel control. The system detects when autonomous travel control is executing and proactively disables the distance-based locking mechanism, ensuring that doors remain unlocked throughout the control period. This prevents the harmful effect of premature locking that would interrupt the control operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the door locking parameter based on the autonomous travel control execution status. When the control is executing, the locking parameter is set to unlocked regardless of portable device distance. When the control is not executing, the normal distance-based locking parameter applies. This parameter change ensures appropriate locking timing and prevents interruption of autonomous travel control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3896243B1Vehicle travel control method and vehicle travel control device
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 RENAULT SA
  • EP3896243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3896243B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3896243B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for performing autonomous travel control of a subject vehicle (V) to a target stop position on the basis of a remote operation command from a remote operation device (28) located outside the vehicle. The subject vehicle has an autonomous travel control function and an automatic locking/unlocking function for a door of the subject vehicle. The autonomous travel control is executed under a precondition that a locking/unlocking device (27) for the door is unlocked. The method includes prohibiting the automatic locking/unlocking function from locking the locking/unlocking device for the door while the vehicle is executing the autonomous travel control; detecting a distance (L) between the vehicle and the remote operation device when the vehicle stops at the target stop position; setting a temporal interval (t) from when the vehicle stops until the locking/unlocking device for the door is locked using the automatic locking/unlocking function to a temporal interval in accordance with the distance; and locking the locking/unlocking device for the door using the automatic locking/unlocking function when the temporal interval has elapsed.