Vehicle Exit Intent Control for Unintended Movement Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems fail to ensure the vehicle remains stationary when the driver exits, particularly when the shift range is inadvertently switched to a non-parking position during exit procedures, leading to potential unintentional movement and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus equipped with a shift range detecting unit, exit intent detecting unit, fixing intention detecting unit, and vehicle fixing unit, which automatically fixes the vehicle in a stopped state when the driver's intention to exit and fix the vehicle is detected, even if the shift range is switched to a non-parking position unintentionally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the parking position is automatically switched when the driver exits the vehicle, then the vehicle can be secured in a stationary state, but the system cannot handle cases where the shift range is inadvertently switched to a non-parking position during exit procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stationary state assuranceVSAvoidhandling of unintended shift range changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of exit intent before the driver actually exits the vehicle. By detecting signals such as door opening, seatbelt unfastening, or ignition off, the system proactively monitors shift range changes and prepares to apply brakes before the driver leaves the vehicle, ensuring the vehicle remains stationary even if the shift range is inadvertently changed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors shift range position during the exit process and provides feedback control. When a change in shift range is detected during exit intent period, the system responds by applying the brake device to maintain vehicle stationary state, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to unintended shift range changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the system monitors and responds to shift range changes during exit, then vehicle safety is enhanced, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during driver exitVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines multiple detection functions (exit intent detection, shift range monitoring) and control functions (brake control, shift range control) into an integrated control apparatus. By merging these functions into a single control system that manages multiple devices, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring and response capabilities during driver exit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both normal vehicle operation control and specialized exit safety functions. The same control apparatus that manages regular driving operations also handles exit intent detection, shift range monitoring, and emergency brake application, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automatic parking position switching is implemented, then the vehicle can be secured after driver exit, but unintended shift range changes during exit procedures prevent proper vehicle securing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic parking switchingVSAvoidvehicle securing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting exit intent and monitoring for unintended shift range changes before the driver completely exits the vehicle. When a non-parking shift range is detected during the exit period, the system preemptively applies the brake device to counteract the potential vehicle movement, preventing the harmful effect before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining brake application during the exit period when unintended shift range changes are detected. This prior cushioning through brake force ensures that even if the shift range is inadvertently changed to a non-parking position, the vehicle remains securely stationary until the driver has safely exited and the system can return to normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10266179B2Apparatus for controlling vehicle and control method

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

The intent to exit a vehicle when a driver attempts to exit a vehicle is detected by an exit intent detection unit, and regardless of whether or not the shift range other than the parking range is detected by a shift range detection unit, a securing control unit controls a vehicle securing unit and secures the vehicle when an intent to secure is detected by a securing intent detection unit. Thus, unintended vehicle movement after exiting is suppressed by securing the vehicle in a stopped state during exiting.