Vehicle Steering Control for Intersection Collision Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision mitigation systems are inadequate in preventing damage to surrounding targets, such as pedestrians, during vehicle collisions, especially in intersection scenarios where the host vehicle may be pushed towards them after a collision.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a controller capable of predicting unavoidable collisions and automatically turning the host vehicle's steered wheels to mitigate damage, varying the wheel direction based on the presence of targets around the vehicle, and executing deceleration, brake, alarm, or travel control to avoid or minimize impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the host vehicle maintains straight-line travel during an unavoidable collision, then the collision impact is minimized, but surrounding targets (pedestrians, other vehicles) may be pushed into the path of the host vehicle after collision
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary steering action before the collision occurs. When a collision is predicted to be unavoidable, the system proactively turns the steered wheels in a predetermined direction (typically away from the collision side) to redirect the host vehicle's trajectory. This preliminary redirection prevents the host vehicle from pushing surrounding targets into its path after collision, thereby reducing harm to pedestrians and other vehicles while maintaining relatively simple control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by predicting the post-collision trajectory and counteracting the harmful effect before it occurs. The controller calculates the potential path the host vehicle would take after being pushed by the colliding vehicle, then applies steering input in the opposite direction to prevent the host vehicle from entering areas where pedestrians or other vehicles might be present. This anticipatory counter-measure reduces damage to surrounding targets without requiring complex real-time response mechanisms
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the host vehicle automatically turns the steered wheel during an unavoidable collision, then damage to surrounding targets is reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses prediction functionality to identify collision scenarios in advance and pre-determines the appropriate steering response. By calculating the potential post-collision trajectory and identifying the presence of surrounding targets (pedestrians, other vehicles) in advance, the system can automatically execute steering commands without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the actual collision event. This approach reduces damage to surrounding targets while keeping the controller architecture relatively simple through pre-computed response strategies
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by autonomously detecting collision risks, determining appropriate steering actions, and executing the commands without requiring external intervention. The controller integrates sensor data, predicts collision scenarios, identifies surrounding targets, and automatically adjusts the steered wheels to redirect the host vehicle away from potential harm zones. This self-contained automation reduces damage to pedestrians and other vehicles while managing controller complexity through integrated, rule-based decision logic
3Reliability
If the host vehicle executes deceleration or brake control to avoid collision, then collision avoidance is improved, but the response time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes preliminary deceleration or brake control when a collision is predicted, reducing the host vehicle's speed before the actual collision occurs. This preliminary speed reduction lessens the impact force of the unavoidable collision and may create additional time for the steering system to redirect the vehicle away from surrounding targets. By combining early deceleration with predetermined steering actions, the system improves collision avoidance reliability while minimizing additional response time requirements through pre-planned control sequences
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a controller configured to, when a collision of a host vehicle with another vehicle traveling in a direction that intersects with a front-rear direction of the host vehicle is predicted (Yes in S20), when the collision with the other vehicle is unavoidable (No in S70) and when the other vehicle comes into collision with the host vehicle in the intersecting direction, automatically turn a steered wheel of the host vehicle before the host vehicle collides with the other vehicle. The controller is configured to vary a direction of the steered wheel that is turned by the controller (S100 or S110) in response to whether there is a target, other than the other vehicle, around the host vehicle (Yes or No in S90).