Adaptive Accelerator Pedal Kick Down Control via Driver Tendency Learning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accelerator pedals do not effectively adjust pedal effort based on a driver's tendencies, leading to uncomfortable operation, especially during kick down, as they only consider external conditions and not the driver's habits or preferences.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a storage device to store driver tendencies data and a controller to determine and adjust the kick down force by varying the pedal effort through an actuator, such as a motor or gear, based on the driver's preference to ignore or recognize the kick down, thereby improving the ergonomic experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal effort is adjusted by varying the spring length in conventional accelerator pedals, then the pedal effort can be actively varied based on external conditions, but the driver's tendencies and habits are not considered leading to uncomfortable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores accelerator pedal operation information over time and uses this historical data to determine driver tendencies. The controller analyzes patterns in how the driver operates the accelerator and adjusts pedal effort accordingly, creating a feedback loop that continuously adapts to the driver's preferences and habits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary learning of driver tendencies by storing and analyzing accelerator operation data before making adjustments. This preliminary action allows the system to understand driver preferences in advance and proactively adjust pedal effort to match the driver's expected behavior patterns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the kick down force is increased to make kick down more noticeable, then drivers who prefer to recognize kick down can feel it, but drivers who prefer to ignore kick down experience discomfort and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different pedal effort characteristics to different drivers based on their individual tendencies. By analyzing each driver's operation patterns, the system customizes the kick down force magnitude and timing to match that specific driver's preference, allowing one driver to experience strong kick down feedback while another experiences a smoother, less noticeable transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the kick down force parameter based on determined driver tendencies. The controller adjusts the magnitude and timing of the kick down force application according to the stored operation information and analyzed driver preferences, transforming a fixed parameter into a variable one that adapts to individual driver characteristics.
3Device complexity
If the accelerator pedal system considers only external conditions for control, then the control logic is simple, but it cannot adapt to individual driver preferences and habits
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-learning by automatically storing and analyzing its own operation data without requiring external programming or manual configuration. The accelerator pedal system serves itself by using its operational history to understand driver tendencies and automatically adjust its control characteristics, eliminating the need for complex pre-programming of driver preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from a static, fixed control logic to a dynamic adaptive system. The controller continuously updates its understanding of driver tendencies based on stored operation information and adjusts control parameters in real-time, making the system flexible and responsive to changing driver preferences rather than rigid and fixed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for controlling kick down of an accelerator pedal that includes a storage device that stores information of an tendency of the driver to operate an APS while a vehicle drives, and a control device for determining an tendency of the driver to operate the accelerator pedal based on the information of the APS operation that is input from the storage device and determining a control value to transmit a control signal to an operation device.