Gaming Pedal Force Feedback With Active Vibration Damping

The patent replaces passive mechanical spring components with an active electric actuator system. The electric actuator is controlled by a processor that receives input data representing desired counterforce profiles, enabling dynamic adjustment of pedal resistance. This substitution transforms the system from a fixed mechanical spring setup to a controllable electromechanical system, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and customization capability.

The patent introduces dynamic control of the counterforce profile through the electric actuator system. Instead of a static spring mechanism, the system can modify the counterforce characteristics in real-time based on input data. The processor dynamically adjusts the actuator's output to match desired pedal feel profiles, enabling adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

The patent employs a multi-functional electric actuator system that combines counterforce generation, position control, and vibration mitigation in a single integrated装置. The electric actuator serves multiple purposes: providing the primary counterforce, enabling profile customization through processor control, and reducing unwanted vibrations. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity compared to separate hydraulic systems or multiple dedicated actuators.

The system incorporates self-regulating features where the processor automatically adjusts the electric actuator's output based on sensed pedal position and desired profile data. The load cell provides feedback that enables the system to self-correct and maintain accurate counterforce profiles without requiring complex external control mechanisms. This self-service capability reduces the need for additional control components, thereby managing system complexity.

The patent uses parameter changes in the electric actuator's control characteristics to compensate for the compact design. By adjusting the counterforce profile parameters, response characteristics, and haptic feedback parameters through software control, the system can replicate the dynamic behavior of full-size automotive pedals despite the reduced physical dimensions. This allows accurate pedal dynamics to be achieved through parameter optimization rather than physical scaling.

The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages and spring systems with an electric actuator that directly generates the required counterforce. This substitution eliminates the need for scaled-down mechanical components that would be required in a compact design, allowing the system to achieve accurate pedal dynamics through electronic control rather than mechanical proportioning. The electric actuator can precisely replicate force-displacement curves of full-size pedals within a compact form factor.

The patent incorporates a load cell that provides real-time feedback on the forces applied to the pedal. This feedback is processed by the processor, which adjusts the electric actuator's output to maintain stable operation. The feedback mechanism enables the system to detect and counteract vibrations by making real-time adjustments to the counterforce, thereby eliminating the harmful vibrations that would otherwise result from the springless design while preserving counterforce profile customization capability.

The patent converts the potential harm of vibrations into a benefit by using the vibration detection capability to enhance control accuracy. The electric actuator's motor control system can detect vibrations through current sensing and use this information to apply damping forces, transforming the vibration susceptibility into an opportunity for active vibration control. This approach maintains the customizable counterforce profiles while actively mitigating unwanted vibrations through the control algorithm.