VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD

Smart overview of the Invention

The vehicle control system described is designed for vehicles capable of autonomous driving. It operates by performing driving support control to manage steering, acceleration, and deceleration to enhance travel safety and stabilize vehicle behavior. The system is structured to handle situations where an autonomous driving start request is received during the operation of driving support control, ensuring that autonomous driving only commences under specific conditions to avoid discomfort for vehicle occupants.

System Components

This system comprises several key components: recognition sensors, vehicle state sensors, position sensors, traveling devices, and a control device. Recognition sensors like LIDAR, cameras, and radars detect the surrounding environment. Vehicle state sensors monitor the vehicle's internal status, such as speed and steering angle. Position sensors, typically GPS, track the vehicle's location and orientation. The traveling device includes mechanisms for steering, propulsion, and braking.

Control Device Functionality

The control device is central to the system, featuring processors and memory units that execute various control processes. It gathers and stores driving environment information such as surrounding situations, vehicle states, and navigation data. This information helps the system make informed decisions about vehicle control to maintain safety and comfort.

Operational Logic

When the system detects that operational conditions are met, it initiates driving support control to manage vehicle dynamics. If an autonomous driving request is made during this time, the system either prohibits or permits the transition based on predefined permission conditions. This approach ensures that the transition to autonomous driving does not abruptly negate the effects of ongoing support controls, thereby maintaining a smooth experience for occupants.

Benefits and Objectives

The primary objective of this vehicle control system is to minimize occupant discomfort by ensuring smooth transitions between manual and autonomous driving modes. By controlling when autonomous driving can start, it ensures that safety measures remain effective without sudden changes in vehicle behavior. This strategy enhances user comfort while maintaining high safety standards during operation.