Accelerator Pedal Reaction Force Control with Variable Increase Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accelerator pedal reaction force control devices fail to provide a customizable and appropriate perception of reaction force to drivers, which can lead to discomfort and difficulty in operating the pedal, especially when transitioning between different driving modes or situations.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a depression amount detector, a reaction force imparting unit, and a control unit that allows for variable reaction force increase speed or amount, enabling drivers to select a suitable reaction force perception based on their intentions and preferences, with options for stepwise or exponential decrease to prevent prolonged discomfort and difficulty in depressing the pedal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the reaction force is increased by a reaction force control unit when the depression amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the reaction force perception is enhanced, but the driver may experience discomfort or difficulty in operating the pedal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reaction force characteristics adjustable and variable. The reaction force control unit can dynamically change the reaction force based on depression amount, allowing the system to adapt between providing strong reaction force perception and maintaining ease of operation. The ability to switch between different reaction force characteristics (first and second characteristics) enables dynamic adjustment to resolve the contradiction between enhanced perception and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the reaction force magnitude and characteristics based on the depression amount threshold. When the depression amount exceeds the threshold, the reaction force control unit changes the reaction force parameters to provide enhanced perception. The system can also change between different reaction force characteristics, adjusting parameters like force magnitude and rate of change to balance perception enhancement with operational comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed reaction force characteristic is used, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to different driving styles and situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a reaction force control unit that can perform multiple functions: providing reaction force enhancement, maintaining ease of operation, and adapting to different driving styles. The single control unit handles various reaction force characteristics and can switch between them based on driving conditions, making the system versatile without requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to enable the control system to adapt to different driving styles and situations. The reaction force control unit can dynamically switch between first and second reaction force characteristics based on the depression amount and driving conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to cater to different driving preferences (e.g., eco-driving vs. sporty driving) while maintaining a relatively simple overall control architecture.
3Force
If the reaction force increases rapidly to the target value, then the reaction force perception is strong, but it imparts a sense of discomfort to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by providing reaction force enhancement only when the depression amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, rather than throughout the entire depression range. This partial application of reaction force allows strong perception where needed (at higher depression amounts) while avoiding discomfort at lower depression amounts where rapid increase would be harmful. The system applies the reaction force selectively rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to adjust the reaction force characteristics based on the depression amount. The reaction force control unit changes the force parameters dynamically, providing enhanced perception when the depression amount exceeds the threshold while controlling the rate and manner of increase to avoid driver discomfort. The system can switch between different force parameters (first and second characteristics) to balance perception and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
An acceleration pedal reaction force control device imparts to a driver a sensation (feeling) of an appropriate reaction force in accordance for example with an intention of/operation performed by the driver. The acceleration pedal reaction force control device is configured such that when a stepping amount on the acceleration pedal has become equal to or exceeded a threshold stepping amount, whether a reaction force increase rate at which a base reaction force increases to a target reaction force with the threshold stepping amount should be made variable or a reaction force increase amount (enhancing reaction force) for causing the base reaction force to increase to the target reaction force with the threshold stepping amount should be made variable can be set. Thereby, a sensation (feeling) of an appropriate reaction force can be imparted to a driver in accordance for example with an intention of/an operation performed by the driver.