Accelerator Pedal Vibration Feedback for Precise Low-Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of accelerator pedal operations in vehicles decreases with a decrease in reaction force, leading to potential fatigue and discomfort for the driver, as existing methods to increase reaction force either result in fatigue or an unnatural feeling.
Innovation Solution
An accelerator pedal apparatus that applies vibration to the pedal using a vibration application unit and control processor, with a vibration waveform including frequencies between 10 Hz and 300 Hz to stimulate Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles, enhancing the driver's perception of pressure without increasing the actual reaction force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reaction force is increased to improve pedal operation accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to driver fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vibration to the accelerator pedal surface to enhance the driver's tactile perception of pedal reaction force. The vibration unit generates mechanical vibrations that stimulate the driver's foot, improving the ability to detect subtle changes in pedal force without actually increasing the reaction force, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the pedal by introducing vibration as an additional parameter. Instead of increasing the reaction force parameter, the system adds a vibration parameter that modifies the driver's perception of the pedal's mechanical state, allowing accurate operation detection with lower actual forces.
2Measurement precision
If reaction force is increased to improve pedal operation accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration unit serves multiple functions: it enhances tactile feedback for improved measurement precision, provides driver feedback about vehicle state, and maintains a simple overall system structure. By making the vibration unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex systems while achieving improved measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If vibration frequency is set to stimulate Pacinian corpuscles (100-300 Hz), then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unnatural feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts vibration parameters based on driving conditions and pedal operation state. The vibration frequency and intensity are not fixed but are modulated in real-time to match natural pedal reaction characteristics, allowing high-frequency stimulation for accuracy while maintaining natural feel through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pedal position sensors and vehicle state data to dynamically adjust vibration characteristics. This feedback mechanism ensures that vibration frequencies stimulate Pacinian corpuscles for improved accuracy only when appropriate, while maintaining natural pedal feel during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and naturalness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the spatial resolution of pedal operation accuracy, reducing driver fatigue and enhancing vehicle drivability and smoothness, while maintaining a low reaction force, even in electric vehicles with minimal engine-derived vibration.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration application unit configured to apply vibration to the pedal
Data Source
AI summary
An accelerator pedal apparatus in which an acceleration operation for a vehicle is to be performed by a pedal configured to be operated by a foot includes a vibration application unit and a vibration application control processor. The vibration application unit is configured to apply vibration to the pedal. The vibration application control processor is configured to cause the vibration application unit to apply the vibration to the pedal with a vibration application waveform including one or both of a frequency component that is higher than or equal to 10 hertz and lower than or equal to 50 hertz and a frequency component that is higher than or equal to 100 hertz and lower than or equal to 300 hertz.