Haptic Accelerator Pedal Control via Pedal Speed Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Haptic accelerator pedals in vehicles often generate annoying or unnecessary feedback due to actuator dynamics, which can lead to late or undesired haptic signals during rapid pedal depression, especially when the driver seeks maximum acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A control method that determines the current pedal change speed and compares it to a dynamically adjusted pedal change speed limit value, ensuring the actuator only generates haptic signals if the change is within a safe and relevant range, thereby minimizing unwanted actuator activations and ensuring timely perception by the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is activated to generate haptic signals during rapid pedal depression, then the driver receives feedback information, but the actuator activation becomes too late and generates annoying or unnecessary feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The control method performs preliminary assessment of the pedal change speed before activating the actuator. By evaluating whether the current pedal change speed is below the threshold, the system determines in advance whether actuator activation will be timely and useful, preventing late or annoying feedback during rapid pedal depression
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts actuator activation based on real-time pedal change speed conditions. The activation condition combines both the threshold comparison of pedal change speed and the fulfillment of haptic signal requirements, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to varying driving situations and pedal operation speeds
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is activated based on fixed activation conditions, then haptic feedback is provided for fuel-efficient driving, but unnecessary activations occur during rapid pedal depression for maximum acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The activation conditions are made dynamic by incorporating real-time pedal change speed evaluation. The system continuously monitors pedal operation speed and adjusts activation decisions accordingly, enabling the haptic feedback system to adapt to different driving contexts such as fuel-efficient cruising versus rapid acceleration for overtaking
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pedal position sensors to continuously determine current pedal change speed and compare it against thresholds. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to make informed activation decisions that distinguish between deliberate fuel-efficient driving and urgent acceleration scenarios
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a control unit (3) for controlling a haptic accelerator pedal (11) in a motor vehicle (1) are proposed. A pedal lever (5), which can be moved in an activation direction (7) between a position of rest and a position of maximum activation, can be excited by an actuator (13), by applying an opposing force, to generate a haptically perceptible signal. According to the invention, a pedal lever position sensor (21) is to be used to monitor a rate of change of the pedal, at which rate the pedal lever changes its position. It is to be possible to activate the actuator (13) only if the rate of change of the pedal is lower than a limiting value, while in the case of a relatively high rate of change of the pedal activation of the actuator (13) is to be suppressed despite the presence of an activation condition. As a result it is possible, for example, to prevent a haptically perceptible signal, which is intended to signal to the driver that there is a risk of greatly increased fuel consumption in the event of the pedal lever (5) being depressed further, from being suppressed if the pedal lever (5) is depressed very quickly by the driver and therefore either prompt generation of the signal cannot be achieved for technical reasons, or it has to be assumed that the driver does not desire such a signal in the instantaneous driving situation.