Pseudo Shift Lever Vibration Alerts for Approaching Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for notifying drivers of approaching objects in battery electric vehicles using seat vibration are ineffective due to difficulty in distinguishing road vibrations from danger notifications, potentially leading to delayed response.
Innovation Solution
A battery electric vehicle system that includes a pseudo shifting operation member and/or interior member for vibration-based notifications, controlled by a perception sensor to detect objects and associate pseudo shifting member operations with electric motor torque, providing clear and distinct notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seat is vibrated to notify the driver of a dangerous situation, then the driver can be notified of the danger, but the driver may be unable to distinguish whether it is the vibration applied to notify him or her of a danger or the vibration generated by an uneven road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system is segmented into multiple independent vibration actuators positioned at different locations (steering wheel, seat, dashboard). Each actuator can be activated independently to provide spatially differentiated notifications, allowing the driver to distinguish between different notification types based on location and pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Different vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, duration, location) are applied to different notification scenarios. For example, the steering wheel may vibrate at a specific frequency for danger notifications while the seat vibrates differently for road surface feedback, creating locally differentiated notification qualities that enhance distinguishability.
2Reliability
If vibration notification is applied to a member in the cabin, then the driver can be notified of an approaching object, but the driver may not easily notice the notification depending on the member to be vibrated
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system uses multiple segmented vibration actuators distributed throughout the cabin (steering wheel, seat, dashboard, door panels). This segmentation allows selection of the most effective notification location based on driver position, vehicle state, and notification urgency, ensuring the driver always receives detectable notifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration actuators serve as intermediaries between the danger detection system and the driver. By positioning these intermediaries at multiple strategic locations where the driver naturally contacts or perceives them (hands on steering wheel, body on seat), the system ensures reliable notification transmission regardless of driver posture or attention level.
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
Enhances driver awareness of approaching objects by using sensitive hand/foot-touched pseudo shifting operation members or large-area interior components for vibration, ensuring timely response and reducing collision risks.
Implementation Method 1
give notification to the driver by vibrating any member provided in a cabin of the battery electric vehicle. The notification that is given to the driver during execution of the control mode includes notifying the driver by vibrating the pseudo shifting operation member
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery electric vehicle (100) includes: a pseudo shifting operation member (24, 25, 26) imitating an operation member that is used to perform a shifting operation of a manual transmission internal combustion engine vehicle; a control device (101) configured to control the battery electric vehicle (100); and a perception sensor (17) configured to detect an object approaching the battery electric vehicle (100). The control device (101) is configured to: execute, according to selection by a driver, a control mode in which an operation of the pseudo shifting operation member (24, 25, 26) is associated with torque of the electric motor (4F, 4R); and in a case where the object approaching the battery electric vehicle (100) is detected, give notification to the driver by vibrating any member provided in a cabin of the battery electric vehicle (100). The notification that is given to the driver during execution of the control mode includes notifying the driver by vibrating the pseudo shifting operation member (24, 25, 26).