Accelerator Pedal Feedback for Fuel-Efficient Urban Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating and influencing driving behavior in local public transport and inner-city traffic are cost-intensive due to complex sensor technology and unsuitable for determining driving behavior in environments with frequent acceleration and deceleration, such as local public transport journeys.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine and visualize the driving behavior by monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal over time, providing real-time feedback to drivers on their fuel consumption, using a simple detection device and display system, with predefined journey sections to assess and influence driving behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sensor technology is used to determine driving behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameter (accelerator pedal position) from the complex set of parameters used in prior art systems. By focusing solely on this one parameter and its temporal variation, the system achieves sufficient driving behavior determination accuracy without requiring complex sensor technology for multiple parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive accelerator pedal position sensor instead of complex sensor systems. The solution accepts that basic sensor technology suffices when combined with sophisticated evaluation of temporal patterns, replacing expensive complex sensors with affordable simple sensors.
2Measurement precision
If traditional driving behavior parameters are used, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to local public transport traffic situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static assessment of driving behavior into a dynamic evaluation by continuously monitoring the temporal variation of accelerator pedal position. This dynamic approach captures the characteristic stop-and-go patterns of local public transport, making the system adaptable to this specific traffic situation while maintaining accurate driving behavior determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from static driving behavior metrics to the temporal profile of accelerator pedal position. By analyzing how this parameter changes over time during short interval journeys, the system becomes specifically adapted to local public transport characteristics while preserving measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple parameters are monitored to evaluate driving behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and monitors only the single most informative parameter (accelerator pedal position) instead of multiple parameters. This extraction simplifies the system operation while maintaining evaluation accuracy by focusing on the parameter that best captures driving behavior in local public transport contexts.
4Productivity
If real-time feedback is provided to drivers, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that provides real-time information to drivers about their accelerator pedal usage patterns. This feedback loop enables drivers to adjust their behavior immediately, improving fuel consumption efficiency while the system remains relatively simple by building upon the already-installed accelerator pedal position sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for evaluating and/or influencing the driving behaviour of a driver of a motor vehicle, involving a motor vehicle, in particular in local public transport or in inner-city traffic, preferably for use in vehicle fleets. The method is designed to determine at least one parameter that describes the driving mode, the position of the accelerator pedal over time being determined as the parameter and the state of the driving behaviour, based on the determined position of the accelerator pedal, being visually displayed to the vehicle driver by means of a display system in the vehicle. Also disclosed is a corresponding device.