Vehicle Terminal Steering Angle Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges when switching direction, as they often require increasing their turning radius upon starting to travel again after stopping, which slows down their speed, and may need to move backward to secure space for turning, especially in tight spaces or with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle terminal that includes a steering controller and processor to adjust the steered wheel angle in advance based on surrounding environment information, such as road width and obstacles, while the vehicle is stopped, using sensors and V2V communication to optimize the turning trajectory and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the autonomous vehicle adjusts the steered wheel angle when departing after stopping, then the vehicle can change direction, but the turning radius increases which slows down the traveling speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary steering angle adjustment while the vehicle is still stopped at the direction switching point. The processor determines the optimal steered wheel angle based on road information (roadway width, lane width, number of lanes) and instructs the steering controller to adjust the wheel steering in advance before the vehicle starts moving, enabling faster direction switching without increasing turning radius during motion
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the steered wheel angle based on real-time road conditions and vehicle state. The processor calculates the optimal steering angle considering roadway width, lane width, and number of lanes, then continuously monitors and adjusts the steering angle during the direction switching process to optimize both turning radius and speed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle needs to move backward to secure space for turning, then the vehicle can switch direction in narrow lanes, but this increases the time and complexity of the maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates whether the vehicle can switch direction at one time based on wheel trajectory information and roadway width before the maneuver begins. By determining the optimal steered wheel angle in advance based on road geometry and vehicle turning characteristics, the system enables direct turning in narrow spaces without requiring backward movement, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the maneuver
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the vehicle to skip the intermediate backward movement step by directly executing the turning maneuver in one continuous motion. By optimizing the steered wheel angle in advance and maintaining appropriate vehicle speed during the turn, the vehicle can complete the direction switching in a single forward motion, eliminating the need to reverse and re-position
3Reliability
If the vehicle increases turning radius to avoid obstacles, then the vehicle can switch direction safely, but the traveling speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the steered wheel angle in real-time based on obstacle detection and road conditions. Sensors mounted on the vehicle collect surrounding environment information including distance to obstacles, and the processor calculates the optimal steering angle that maintains safe clearance while minimizing turning radius to preserve traveling speed throughout the direction switching maneuver
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle terminal and a method for controlling steering thereby are provided. The vehicle terminal includes a steering controller that adjusts a wheel steering, and a processor that determines a steered wheel angle when a vehicle is stopped at a direction switching point, based on road information based on a current position of the vehicle. The processor instructs the steering controller to adjust the wheel steering in advance based on the determined steered wheel angle.