Vehicle Path Switching Based on HD Map Likeness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles exhibit irregular behavior when switching from a current traveling path to a path based on a high-definition map, particularly when the current path deviates from the mapped path in the same lane, leading to potential wandering or instability.

Innovation Solution

A travel assistance method and device that utilize a processing circuit, vehicle sensors, and high-definition map information to determine the likeness between the current traveling path and the mapped path, allowing for smooth switching only when both paths have sufficient likeness, thereby preventing irregular behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the vehicle switches to a traveling path based on a high-definition map, then the navigation accuracy is improved, but irregular behavior such as wandering occurs when the current path deviates from the mapped path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidtraveling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path switching by continuously monitoring the likeness between current and mapped paths. The system adaptively determines switching timing based on real-time comparison results, allowing the vehicle to transition from manual to automated driving control only when path similarity thresholds are met, thereby preventing irregular behavior while maintaining navigation accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of path switching decision from static (always switch or never switch) to dynamic (switch when likeness threshold is met). By introducing a likeness determination mechanism that compares current path parameters with mapped path parameters, the system optimizes the switching condition to prevent wandering while ensuring accurate navigation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the vehicle follows the current traveling path without switching, then the traveling stability is maintained, but the navigation accuracy deteriorates when the current path deviates from the optimal route

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraveling stabilityVSAvoidnavigation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the likeness determination unit continuously compares the current traveling path with the mapped path. This feedback loop provides real-time information about path deviation, enabling the travel control device to make informed switching decisions that balance stability maintenance with navigation accuracy improvement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the vehicle switches to automated driving control, then the navigation precision is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the path switching decision into distinct functional units: a likeness determination unit that compares paths and a travel control device that executes switching. This segmentation allows the complex control system to be organized into manageable modules, where each unit performs a specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high navigation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3660455B1Travel assistance method and travel assistance device
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3660455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660455B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3660455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A travel assistance method capable of preventing irregular behavior of a vehicle when switching from a traveling path on which the vehicle is currently traveling to a traveling path based on a high-definition map, generates a first traveling path based on the surroundings of the vehicle (S1), generates a second traveling path based on high-definition map information around the circumference of the vehicle (S2), determines whether the first traveling path and the second traveling path have likeness (S5 to S7), and switches the traveling path that the vehicle is caused to follow by executing traveling assistance control when the first traveling path and the second traveling path have likeness (S8, S9).