Haptic Accelerator Pedal Feedback for Efficient Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver assistance systems for vehicle acceleration using an accelerator pedal often provide feedback that distracts the driver and can negatively affect driving behavior due to strong kinks in the pedal characteristic curve, making it difficult to recognize efficient acceleration without diverting attention from the road.
Innovation Solution
A control device determines optimized acceleration based on current driving and vehicle parameters, limiting the accelerator pedal angle to a desired threshold, allowing the driver to achieve efficient acceleration with minimal distraction by maintaining a constant pedal angle during initial acceleration and gradually reducing it to reach and maintain the target speed, with an override option for increased power in critical situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If optical and/or acoustic recommendations are provided to the driver, then driving instructions are given, but driver attention is distracted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical and acoustic feedback systems with a mechanical feedback system. The actuating element provides haptic feedback through force application to the accelerator pedal, allowing driving instructions to be communicated through tactile sensation rather than visual or auditory signals, thus eliminating distraction from the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves as an intermediary between the control device and the driver. It translates electronic control signals into mechanical force feedback on the accelerator pedal, providing a natural and intuitive interface that does not require the driver to divert attention to separate displays or sounds.
2Loss of information
If a strong kink in the accelerator pedal characteristic curve is created to achieve noticeable drive power change, then drive power feedback is provided, but driving behavior is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic accelerator pedal characteristic where the actuating element adaptively adjusts the resistance force based on the current pedal position and driving conditions. This creates a smooth, continuously variable feedback mechanism rather than a fixed kink, allowing natural driving behavior while providing clear drive power feedback through haptic resistance changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous haptic feedback through the actuating element that responds to accelerator pedal position. This feedback loop allows the driver to perceive drive power changes naturally through tactile sensation, eliminating the need for abrupt kinks in the pedal characteristic curve.
3Productivity
If the accelerator pedal angle is limited to a desired threshold, then efficient acceleration is achieved, but driver control is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic threshold system where the desired accelerator pedal angle threshold is not fixed but adapts based on driving conditions, vehicle state, and efficiency requirements. The actuating element adjusts the resistance force dynamically, providing guidance for efficient acceleration while allowing driver override when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of restricting driver control through mechanical or electronic limits, the system inverts the approach by using haptic feedback to guide the driver naturally toward efficient acceleration patterns. The actuating element provides increasing resistance as the pedal approaches the threshold, encouraging the driver to release the pedal at the optimal point without imposing hard constraints.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A control device determines an optimized, efficient acceleration for the achievement of desired target speed based on current driving parameters and/or vehicle parameters. The control device changes pedal position of current target pedal for achieving optimized, efficient acceleration during acceleration process. A position element controlled by control device and assigned to the pedals (5) as active pedals, limits the pedal angle selectable by the rider by a pedal operation to target pedal as reference value threshold for efficient acceleration.