Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor for Driver Behavior Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating a driver's style, particularly in local public transport or inner-city traffic, are cost-intensive due to complex sensor technology and unsuitable for assessing fuel consumption in varying traffic conditions, making it difficult to objectively assess a driver's impact on fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a driver's style by monitoring the position of the accelerator pedal over time, deriving driver-specific characteristics related to fuel consumption and pedal position, and comparing these with predefined threshold values to assess driving behavior and fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sensor technology is used to evaluate driving behavior, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential parameter (accelerator pedal position) from the complex set of parameters measured by traditional sensor systems. By focusing solely on this one critical input that directly influences fuel consumption, the system achieves adequate measurement precision without requiring complex multi-sensor arrangements, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex sensor technology with a simple, low-cost accelerator pedal position sensor. This simple sensor provides sufficient data for evaluating driving behavior in urban public transport, eliminating the need for costly complex sensing systems while maintaining practical evaluation capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional driving behavior parameters are used, then general driving patterns can be monitored, but objective assessment of driver impact on fuel consumption is impossible in varying traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where accelerator pedal position data is continuously collected and used to calculate fuel consumption characteristics. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions by comparing actual pedal usage patterns against expected patterns, enabling objective assessment of driver impact on fuel consumption regardless of external traffic variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from general driving behavior metrics (speed, acceleration) to a specific parameter (accelerator pedal position) that directly correlates with fuel consumption. This parameter change enables the system to objectively assess driver impact on fuel efficiency because pedal position directly controls engine load and fuel injection, making the assessment valid across all traffic conditions
3Measurement precision
If multiple parameters are monitored to evaluate driving style, then comprehensive evaluation is achieved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the single most critical parameter (accelerator pedal position) from the multiple parameters traditionally monitored for driving style evaluation. This extraction approach maintains comprehensive evaluation capability because pedal position directly determines fuel consumption, eliminating the need for multiple sensors while preserving evaluation thoroughness
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerator pedal position sensor serves multiple evaluation functions simultaneously: it monitors driving aggressiveness, calculates fuel consumption characteristics, assesses driving style consistency, and evaluates driver behavior patterns. This multi-functionality of a single sensor reduces the total number of sensors required while maintaining comprehensive evaluation capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the driving behaviour of a vehicle operator with a motor vehicle, in particular in local public transport or in inner-city traffic, preferably for use in vehicle fleets, wherein parameters for describing the driving behaviour are determined, wherein fuel consumption over time is determined as a parameter, wherein the position of the gas pedal over time is determined as another parameter, wherein vehicle operator-specific characteristic values for a drive of the vehicle operator are derived or calculated from the determined parameters, wherein the vehicle operator-specific characteristic values are compared with predefined threshold values, and wherein conclusions about the driving behaviour of the vehicle operator for the drive are drawn from the comparison of the vehicle operator-specific characteristic values with the threshold values. The invention also relates to a corresponding system for evaluating the driving behaviour of a vehicle operator with a motor vehicle.