Accelerator Pedal Reaction Force Control for Headway Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headway distance maintenance systems fail to effectively alert drivers of changing headway distances, either by gradual changes in accelerator pedal reaction force that are unnoticed or sudden increases that may not adequately prompt attention.
Innovation Solution
A headway distance maintenance supporting system that includes an obstacle detector, a controller, and an operation reaction force generator, which computes and applies both auxiliary and principal operation reaction forces to the accelerator pedal, with the auxiliary force generated before the principal force to maintain headway distance and alert the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reaction force on the accelerator pedal is increased gradually as the headway distance decreases, then the headway distance maintenance function is provided, but the driver may not notice the change in reaction force
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies pulsed reaction forces to the accelerator pedal at regular intervals when the headway distance becomes short. This periodic action creates noticeable peaks in the reaction force that alert the driver to the reduced headway distance, while the average reaction force remains relatively low to avoid excessive resistance during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides preliminary warning by applying small pulsed reaction forces before the headway distance becomes critically short. This preliminary action alerts the driver in advance, allowing them to take corrective action before the situation becomes dangerous, thus maintaining both safety and driver awareness.
2Loss of information
If the reaction force is increased in pulsed fashion to alert the driver, then the driver's attention is aroused, but the headway distance maintenance support may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two functions into one integrated system: (1) the alert function that provides pulsed reaction forces to capture driver attention, and (2) the maintenance function that provides continuous reaction force to maintain appropriate headway distance. This combination ensures both driver awareness and effective headway maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the reaction force characteristics based on the headway distance. When the distance is short, it provides pulsed forces for alerting; when the distance becomes appropriate, it maintains a steady reaction force for continuous support. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both alerting effectiveness and maintenance support.
3Reliability
If the reaction force is continuously applied to maintain headway distance, then the maintenance function is effective, but the driver may feel uneasy during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic pulsed reaction forces instead of continuous force, the system reduces the average resistance felt by the driver during normal operation. The pulsed nature creates brief alerting moments without maintaining constant pressure, thereby improving driver comfort while preserving the maintenance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameters of the reaction force application - using intermittent pulses rather than continuous force. This parameter change allows the system to provide effective maintenance support during critical situations while minimizing interference with normal driving operations and driver comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A headway distance maintenance supporting system may include an obstacle detector, a controller configured for determining an operation reaction force to be generated in a driving operation equipment, and an operation reaction force generator for generating the operation reaction force in the driving operation equipment. The controller is configured for controlling the operation reaction force based on the status of a detected obstacle. The operation reaction force comprises a principal operation reaction force and an auxiliary operation reaction force, the auxiliary operation reaction force being no greater than the principal operation reaction force. The controller is configured for generating the auxiliary operation reaction force before a generation of the principal operation reaction force in the driving operation equipment.