Vehicle Merge Control Switching Based on Driver Preference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems fail to appropriately determine when to continue or stop lane change control based on individual driver preferences, leading to discomfort and compromised convenience.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller that detects relative position and speed with another vehicle, executes merging or lane change control, and adjusts control based on driver operations to switch between stop and continuation modes, using a processor and memory to store and apply control settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If lane change control is continued based on fixed conditions, then automation consistency is maintained, but driver comfort deteriorates when conditions don't match driver preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between stop control and continuation control based on driver operations. The processor detects driver inputs (accelerator depression, brake operation, steering wheel rotation) and adaptively changes the control mode, transforming a static automated system into a dynamic one that responds to driver preferences in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where driver operations during lane change execution are detected and fed back to the processor. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from driver responses (continuation operations indicating comfort, stop operations indicating discomfort) and adjust future control behavior accordingly, improving driver comfort while maintaining automation.
2Ease of operation
If lane change control is stopped early to accommodate driver preferences, then driver comfort is improved, but automation reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent control decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables itself to adapt to driver preferences through self-learning from driver operations. By monitoring whether drivers perform continuation operations (steering toward adjacent lane) or stop operations (steering away or braking), the system automatically adjusts its control strategy without external programming, maintaining reliability through consistent adaptation to individual driver behaviors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of driver preferences during the lane change execution phase. By monitoring driver operations early in the process and switching control modes proactively based on detected preferences, the system prevents future discomfort situations rather than reacting after problems occur, thereby maintaining both comfort and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system adapts control based on driver operations, then driver preference matching is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicle sensors and control components for multiple functions. The same sensors that detect driver operations for safety monitoring are repurposed to detect driver preferences for lane change control adaptation. The steering wheel angle sensor, accelerator position sensor, and brake switch serve dual purposes, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts control by changing operational parameters (control mode selection between stop and continuation) rather than adding complex hardware. The processor modifies control behavior through software-based parameter adjustments based on detected driver operations, achieving adaptability through configurable control strategies rather than complex mechanical or electronic additions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle controller includes a processor configured to execute stop control to stop a host vehicle in a first lane on which the vehicle is traveling or continuation control to continue entry of the host vehicle into a second lane merged with the first lane and to transfer driving control to a driver, upon interruption of merging control during execution of the merging control, interrupt the merging control and execute set control out of the stop control and the continuation control, when an interruption condition is satisfied during execution of the merging control, change the set control to the continuation control, depending on continuation operation performed by the driver during execution of the stop control, and change the set control to the stop control, depending on stop operation performed by the driver during execution of the continuation control.