Vehicle Drive Control Device Trajectory Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants in vehicles fail to recognize changes in vehicle travel direction during trajectory control due to ineffective announcements by sound or display, leading to anxiety and uncertainty, especially in situations with varying road curvature or branch roads.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle drive-control device that anticipates changes in travel direction by adjusting the operation position of the steering input means, yaw angle, and lateral position relative to the lane before the change occurs, providing advance notice through controlled steering angle variations and auxiliary steering assist forces to ensure occupants are aware of impending direction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If trajectory control is executed to make the vehicle travel along a target trajectory, then the vehicle can automatically follow the road, but occupants feel anxious and uneasy because they cannot foresee the change in vehicle travel direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by changing the steering wheel position before the actual trajectory change occurs. This advance indication allows occupants to anticipate upcoming direction changes, reducing anxiety while maintaining automated trajectory control functionality.
2Loss of information
If sound announcement is used to notify occupants of travel direction changes, then occupants can be informed, but the announcement is often missed due to hearing issues or interference with audio functions
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel serves as an intermediary indicator between the automated trajectory control system and the occupants. By physically moving the steering wheel to indicate upcoming direction changes, the system provides reliable visual/tactile feedback that does not depend on audio recognition, thus improving notification reliability.
3Loss of information
If display indication is used to show advance notice of travel direction changes, then occupants can be informed, but it is difficult to recognize promptly and other occupants cannot see the notice
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel acts as a physical intermediary that provides immediate and obvious indication of upcoming direction changes. The movement of the steering wheel is directly visible and tactilely apparent to all occupants, enabling prompt recognition without the limitations of display-based notifications.
4Loss of information
If the steering wheel position is changed before trajectory change to indicate direction changes, then occupants can anticipate changes, but the steering input means operation position deviates from the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by temporarily deviating the steering wheel position from the target position to indicate upcoming trajectory changes. This temporary deviation is resolved before the actual trajectory change occurs, ensuring both effective communication to occupants and accurate final positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by preparing the steering wheel position in advance of the actual trajectory change. This preparatory position adjustment serves as a buffer or warning to occupants, allowing them to mentally prepare for the upcoming direction change while the system maintains control accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle drive-control device which executes trajectory control in which steered wheels are controlled so as to make the vehicle travel along a target trajectory. When the possibility exists that the travel direction of the vehicle may be changed by the trajectory control, at least one of an operation position of a steering input means operated by a driver; a yaw angle of the vehicle; and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane is changed before a change in the travel direction is made, thereby giving occupants in the vehicle advance notice of the possibility of a change in vehicle travel direction caused by the trajectory control.