Vehicle Accelerator Pedal Reaction Force Correction for Driver Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the reaction force of an accelerator pedal fail to accurately transmit changes in vehicle running circumstances to the driver, especially when the changes are subtle, leading to potential unawareness of shifting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a running circumstance detection apparatus, a reaction force generation apparatus, and a correction apparatus that adjusts the reaction force based on detected circumstances, ensuring the reaction force target value is differentiated and corrected to ensure the driver is alerted to changes in vehicle speed, intervehicular distance, and lockup clutch engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the reaction force control is differentiated for each running circumstance, then the reaction force control adapts to different conditions, but the change in reaction force becomes small and less likely to be transmitted to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction force correction apparatus performs preliminary action by anticipating the change in reaction force target value before it actually occurs. When a change in running circumstance is detected, the system proactively increases the reaction force above the target value in advance, ensuring that the driver perceives the change even if the actual target value change is small. This preliminary adjustment prevents the loss of information about running circumstance changes.
2Reliability
If the reaction force to be imparted to the accelerator pedal is changed by the change of running circumstances, then the control responds to conditions, but the change is small and the driver may not recognize it
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction force correction apparatus implements feedback by continuously monitoring the relationship between running circumstances and the reaction force currently being generated. When it detects that a change in running circumstance will result in a small change in the reaction force target value, the system automatically compensates by increasing the reaction force above the target value. This feedback mechanism ensures that the driver always receives sufficient information about running circumstance changes through the accelerator pedal.
3Measurement precision
If the difference between reaction force target value and currently generated reaction force is small, then the control is precise, but the driver cannot recognize the change in running circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction force correction apparatus applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the reaction force magnitude based on the predicted change in running circumstances. When the system anticipates a small change in the reaction force target value, it modifies the reaction force parameter to be greater than the target value, creating a perceptible difference for the driver. This parameter adjustment maintains control precision while enhancing driver awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A reaction force imparting system of a vehicle accelerator pedal includes a running circumstance detection apparatus that detects two or more running circumstances; a reaction force generation apparatus; and a reaction force correction apparatus. Depending on the running circumstance, the reaction force generation apparatus generates reaction force for an accelerator pedal in a returning direction thereof based on a predetermined reaction force target value, wherein the reaction force target value is differentiated according to each of the running circumstances. The reaction force correction apparatus makes correction to reduce the reaction force currently generated by the reaction force generation apparatus in a case where it is predicted that the reaction force target value is increased by a change of the running circumstance, and a difference between the reaction force target value corresponding to the running circumstance after the change and the currently generated reaction force is less than a predetermined difference.