Driver Braking Performance Evaluation System Using Force and Motion Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective, metric-based tools for evaluating driver emergency braking skills, which is crucial for road safety, and existing systems either focus on fuel efficiency or reward smooth driving rather than emergency braking performance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a driver measuring unit with force sensors attached to the brake pedal, a vehicle measuring unit for acceleration, velocity, and position data, and a processor unit for generating and displaying brake test result metrics, including reaction time, using short-range wireless communication and a user interface for testing and evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors and motion measuring means are installed to measure driver braking performance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor unit serves multiple functions: it receives force measurement data from the driver measuring unit, receives vehicle measurement data from the vehicle measuring unit, processes this data to generate brake test result metrics, and displays results. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver measuring unit and vehicle measuring unit both communicate with a single processor unit that integrates all data processing, metric generation, and display functions. This merging of data processing and result generation into one component simplifies the system architecture compared to having separate processing units for each measuring device.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measuring units with wireless communication are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects and processes data without requiring manual intervention for data transfer. The driver measuring unit and vehicle measuring unit autonomously communicate their measurements to the processor unit via wireless communication, and the processor unit automatically generates and displays the brake test result metrics. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual data collection and processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor unit provides immediate feedback by displaying brake test result metrics directly to the user after receiving data from the measuring units. This real-time feedback loop allows users to see results instantly without manual intervention, simplifying the operation despite the complexity of multiple measuring units.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive brake test result metrics are generated, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor unit continuously receives force measurement data and vehicle measurement data during the braking event and processes this data in real-time to generate brake test result metrics. This continuous processing ensures that all performance data is captured without interruption while minimizing the time between data collection and result generation, maintaining information completeness while reducing time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides quantifiable testing and evaluation of driver braking performance, assisting in driver training and licensing compliance by generating accurate metrics for emergency braking skills, enabling comparison against industry standards and logging results for pass/fail determinations.
Implementation Method 1
a driver measuring unit including a force measuring means and a communications means, the driver measuring unit being adapted for attachment to a road vehicle brake applicator interface and being operative to generate force measurement data representative of force applied by the driver to the brake pedal
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle measuring unit, in use carried by the vehicle, having a motion measuring means adapted to determine vehicle measurements comprising one or more of the vehicle acceleration, velocity and position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to testing and evaluation of motorised wheeled vehicles and in particular, the evaluation of drivers of motorised wheeled vehicles including a system for evaluation of driver braking performance, comprising: a driver measuring unit including a force measuring means and a communication means, the driver measuring unit being adapted for attachment to a road vehicle brake applicator interface and being operative to generate force measurement data representative of force applied by the driver to the brake applicator during an evaluation period and transmit the force measurement data using the communications means; a vehicle measuring unit, in use carried by the vehicle, having a motion measuring means adapted to determine vehicle measurements comprising one or more of the vehicle acceleration, velocity and position, and a communication means, the vehicle measuring means being operative to generate vehicle measurement data during an evaluation period and transmit the vehicle measurement data using the communications means; and a processor unit having a display screen, and communications means, wherein the processor unit is operative to receive via the communications means the force measurement data generated by the driver measuring unit and the vehicle measurement data generated by the vehicle measuring unit, and generate brake test result metrics therefrom for display on the display screen.