COLLISION AVOIDANCE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD

Smart overview of the Invention

The collision avoidance support device and method are designed to determine the necessity of automatic braking in scenarios where a collision with another vehicle at an intersection is possible. The system evaluates whether the own vehicle's road is a non-priority road and adjusts its decision-making criteria accordingly. By relaxing the criteria for automatic braking on non-priority roads, the device aims to prevent delays in executing necessary braking actions, thereby reducing the risk of collisions.

Technical Field and Background

This technology pertains to collision avoidance systems that utilize automatic braking to prevent potential collisions, particularly at intersections. Traditional systems delay automatic braking until it is clear that a collision cannot be avoided by other means. However, this can result in unnecessary stops or delayed reactions, especially on non-priority roads. The current system addresses these limitations by allowing earlier intervention when the own vehicle is on a non-priority road.

System Components and Functionality

The system comprises a surrounding information acquisition device and an electronic control unit (ECU). The acquisition device gathers data about the environment, while the ECU assesses the risk of collision based on this information. If a potential collision is detected, the ECU determines whether automatic braking should be initiated, with relaxed conditions for non-priority roads to enable quicker responses.

Methodology of Collision Avoidance

The method involves several steps: assessing collision risk based on surrounding data, deciding on the execution of automatic braking, and implementing braking if necessary. For non-priority roads, the system eases the criteria for initiating braking, thus allowing for earlier intervention compared to priority roads. This approach helps in preventing both unnecessary stops and delayed braking actions.

Program Implementation

A program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium directs the ECU to perform these tasks. It includes determining collision likelihood, assessing the need for automatic braking, and executing it when required. On non-priority roads, the program relaxes certain conditions to allow for earlier permission of automatic braking, ensuring timely responses to potential collisions.