Force Feedback Accelerator Pedal for Hybrid Drive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid vehicles lack precise control over the transition from electric to internal-combustion engine operation, leading to unreliable torque delivery and inefficient operation in situations like stop-and-go traffic or low acceleration demands, where drivers cannot reliably avoid internal-combustion engine use.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with two drive units, an internal-combustion engine, and an electrical machine, equipped with a force feedback accelerator pedal that allows targeted switching between drive units based on driver intention, processed by a control unit to manage torque generation, enabling precise control over the transition from electric to internal-combustion engine operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a visual signal indication (colored luminous bar) is used to inform the driver of the charge condition, then the driver receives information about the energy accumulator status, but the information is relatively inexact and the driver cannot reliably know when to expect torque loss or when transition to internal-combustion operation will occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements force feedback through the accelerator pedal, where the restoring force changes based on the charge condition of the energy accumulator. When the accumulator is fully charged, a first restoring force is applied; when partially depleted, a second, higher restoring force is applied. This provides the driver with direct tactile feedback about the charge status, enabling precise understanding of when torque loss or engine transition will occur, eliminating the information imprecision of visual indicators.
2Ease of operation
If the driver cannot reliably control the transition between drive units, then the system operates automatically based on charge condition, but the driver cannot avoid unnecessary internal-combustion engine operation in situations like stop-and-go traffic or underground garage maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal's restoring force characteristic is made dynamic and adjustable based on the charge condition. The system adapts the force feedback profile according to whether the energy accumulator is fully charged or partially depleted, allowing the driver to receive appropriate tactile cues for the current operating state. This dynamic adaptation enables the driver to make informed decisions about when to engage the internal-combustion engine, providing control while optimizing energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If the restoring force of the accelerator pedal is constant, then the device is simple to manufacture and operate, but the driver cannot distinguish between different charge conditions and cannot make informed decisions about drive unit selection
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal mechanism incorporates different restoring force characteristics in different operational states. The force feedback is not uniform but varies locally based on the charge condition of the energy accumulator. This creates distinct tactile zones or stages in the pedal's restoring force profile, allowing the driver to locally distinguish between different charge states through tactile sensation, thereby improving decision-making reliability without requiring complex electronic displays or controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes two drive units for generating driving torque, the driving units being operable jointly as well as individually for generating driving torque. A device is provided for defining a driver's intention, and a control unit is provided for processing the driver's intention and for generating a control signal for controlling the drive units. The device for defining the driver's intention is constructed such that a force stage with an increased restoring force exists within the adjusting range of the device. The control unit is constructed such that, starting out from a driving operation in which only one driving device for generating a positive driving torque is active, when the force stage is exceeded, a change-over from one to the other drive unit, or a connection of the other drive unit, takes place.