Vehicle Mode Transition Control via Pedal and Switch Coordination

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle systems lack a safe and efficient method for transitioning from autonomous driving mode to manual or semi-autonomous driving mode, risking unintentional disabling of autonomous systems and unclear responsibility for the vehicle operator.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system with a control arrangement that requires simultaneous activation of a switch at the steering wheel and a separate switch within the vehicle compartment, along with depression of a pedal, for a threshold time, to ensure the vehicle operator is aware and positioned to take control, thereby preventing unintentional transitions and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If autonomous driving mode is enabled to relieve the vehicle operator from driving tasks, then the vehicle operator can focus on secondary tasks, but the risk of unintentional disabling of autonomous systems increases and clarity of operator awareness during mode transition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle operator can focus on secondary tasksVSAvoidrisk of unintentional disabling of autonomous systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires the vehicle operator to perform preliminary actions (depressing the pedal and activating the switch) before the mode transition can occur. This preliminary action ensures the operator is physically positioned and mentally prepared for manual control, preventing unintentional disabling while maintaining the ability to focus on secondary tasks during autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the vehicle operator during the transition process through the control arrangement, which monitors and responds to the operator's actions. The feedback mechanism confirms the operator's intent and maintains system reliability by ensuring proper sequence of actions are completed before mode change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If simple switch activation is used for mode transition, then the transition process is quick and efficient, but the vehicle operator's awareness and positioning for safe takeover cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle operator awareness and positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires the vehicle operator to perform preliminary actions (depressing the pedal and activating the switch) before the mode transition can occur. This preliminary action ensures the operator is physically positioned and mentally prepared for manual control, preventing unintentional disabling while maintaining the ability to focus on secondary tasks during autonomous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transition process is segmented into distinct sequential steps: first depressing the pedal, then activating the switch, with each step monitored by the control arrangement. This segmentation ensures proper operator positioning and awareness while maintaining transition efficiency through clear procedural structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple conditions are required for mode transition (pedal depression and switch activation), then unintentional transitions are prevented, but the transition process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintentional transitionsVSAvoidtransition process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transition process is segmented into distinct sequential steps: first depressing the pedal, then activating the switch, with each step monitored by the control arrangement. This segmentation ensures proper operator positioning and awareness while maintaining transition efficiency through clear procedural structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control arrangement acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple transition conditions. It monitors pedal depression and switch activation, coordinates the sequence of actions, and executes the mode transition only when all conditions are met, thereby preventing unintentional transitions while managing process complexity centrally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3091411B1Vehicle system, vehicle comprising a vehicle system and method for allowing transition from an autonomous driving mode

Publication Date: 2020.02.19 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

A vehicle system (1), a vehicle (50), and a method (100) are provided. The vehicle system (1) is arranged for allowing transition from an autonomous driving mode (AD) to a second driving mode in a road vehicle (50) having autonomous driving capabilities and comprising a vehicle compartment (3), a steering wheel (5) and at least one pedal (7). The vehicle system (1) comprises a control arrangement (9), a first switch (15) arranged at a first position (16) at the steering wheel (5), a second switch (17) arranged at a second position (18) within the vehicle compartment (3) and a first determination arrangement (20) for determining if the at least one pedal (7) is depressed. The control arrangement (9) is configured to allow the transition when at least one pedal (7) of the vehicle is depressed when the first switch (15) and the second switch (17) are simultaneously activated.