Electric Vehicle Haptic Alert System for Reliable Operator Notification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles, such as wheelchairs and carrier carts, face challenges in effectively notifying operators of low battery or obstacle detection due to reliance on sound or light alerts, which may be overlooked in noisy environments or out of sight, leading to potential deceleration issues when using vibration-based warnings.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle system that includes a monitor unit, alarm unit, and travel information generation unit to output vibration velocity signals, allowing operators to receive alerts through controlled vibrations without influencing the vehicle's travel velocity, ensuring safe operation and notification without deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration-based warning is used to notify operators, then notification reliability is improved, but vehicle travel velocity is adversely affected (deceleration occurs)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the notification function from the travel control function by using independent vibration actuators that provide haptic feedback without affecting the drive actuators. This segmentation allows reliable notification through vibration while maintaining independent control of vehicle velocity, resolving the contradiction between notification reliability and travel speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration actuators as an intermediary mechanism that transfers notification information to the operator through haptic feedback without interfering with the vehicle's motion control system. This intermediary approach enables reliable notification while preserving the intended travel velocity by decoupling the notification action from the propulsion system.
2Device complexity
If sound or light alarms are used, then notification is simple, but notification effectiveness deteriorates in noisy environments or when operator attention is diverted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional acoustic and optical alarm systems with a haptic feedback system using vibration actuators. This substitution provides tactile notification that is independent of ambient noise levels or visual attention, significantly improving notification effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the use of direct contact vibration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration through actuators that generate tactile feedback directly contactable by the operator. This mechanical vibration approach provides reliable notification that bypasses the limitations of sound-based and light-based systems, ensuring the operator perceives alerts regardless of environmental noise or visual distractions.
3Reliability
If braking force is applied to generate vibration for notification, then haptic feedback is provided, but vehicle deceleration occurs against operator intent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the notification function from the braking function by using dedicated vibration actuators separate from the brake system. This allows haptic notification to be generated independently without triggering vehicle deceleration, thereby maintaining ease of operation and preventing unintended changes in vehicle speed or direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration actuators as an intermediary that provides haptic feedback without engaging the braking system. This intermediary mechanism delivers reliable tactile notification while preserving the operator's intended vehicle control, eliminating the contradiction between haptic feedback reliability and operational accuracy.
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
Enables operators to receive critical information using vibrations without affecting the vehicle's intended travel, enhancing safety and operability by providing haptic alerts without altering the vehicle's speed or direction.
Implementation Method 1
an alarm unit configured to output a vibration velocity signal based on monitoring information obtained by the monitor unit
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle which travels by driving actuators includes: a monitor unit which monitors external environment or internal environment of the electric vehicle; an alarm unit which outputs, based on monitoring information obtained by the monitoring unit, a vibration velocity signal indicating velocity which changes in a cycle; a travel information generation unit which calculates a target travel velocity based on a steering direction and a control input provided by an operator of the electric vehicle, and generates travel control information for controlling the actuators based on the target travel velocity; and a control unit which controls the actuators based on the travel control information. The travel information generation unit regenerates the travel control information by adding the vibration velocity signal to the target travel velocity upon receiving the vibration velocity signal.