Joystick Car Control for Sports Driving Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current car control systems, especially in sports driving modes, lack intuitive and ergonomic methods for controlling car motion, and existing joystick-based systems are not optimized for dynamic sports car control.

Innovation Solution

A car control system utilizing a joystick with a tiltable lever for acceleration and steering, accompanied by independent pedals for braking and attitude angle control, with a control unit that adjusts motion based on joystick and pedal positions, allowing for intuitive and ergonomic control of car dynamics, including speed and trajectory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a joystick is used to control car motion in sports driving modes, then the ability to control car motion is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to control car motionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joystick is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both steering (lateral movement) and acceleration/deceleration (longitudinal movement). This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate controls, enhancing ease of operation while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts the function of the joystick based on the selected driving mode. In sports driving mode, the joystick enables direct control of longitudinal acceleration and deceleration, while in normal driving mode, traditional pedal controls are used. This dynamic adaptation optimizes ease of operation for specific contexts without permanently increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a joystick controls both steering and acceleration, then the control system becomes more versatile, but the ease of operation decreases due to increased complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol versatilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically switches between different operational modes based on driver selection. In sports driving mode, the joystick provides direct control over acceleration and deceleration alongside steering. In normal driving mode, the system reverts to traditional pedal-based acceleration control. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to be versatile when needed while maintaining ease of operation during standard use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control functions are segmented into different operational modes. The joystick's acceleration control function is activated only in sports driving mode, while traditional pedals handle acceleration in normal mode. This segmentation allows the versatile functionality to be available when required without complicating the ease of operation during常规使用

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3674172B1Car control method and system
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 FERRARI SPA
  • EP3674172B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3674172B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3674172B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control method and system to control a car (1); the following steps are carried out: determining a position of a joystick (7), which is designed to be grabbed by a hand of a driver of the car (1); adjusting a longitudinal motion and a transverse motion of the car (1) as a function of the position of the joystick (7); determining a position of at least one pedal (8, 9), which is designed to be pressed by a foot of the driver of the car (1); and controlling a dynamic behaviour of the car (1), which is different from the longitudinal motion and from the transverse motion, a function of the position of the pedal (8, 9).