Steering Wheel Paddle Deceleration Control for Faster Driver Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) features can increase reaction time during unexpected events, leading to reduced driving safety and user experience due to driver reliance on automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a steering wheel with a ring-shaped paddle and pressure sensor, allowing drivers to apply pressure for immediate deceleration, similar to a braking pedal, with the control component determining deceleration levels based on sensed pressure and sending corresponding commands to the vehicle's speed control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) function is used to ease driver burden, then driver relaxation and ease of operation are improved, but reaction time increases and driving safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel is segmented into functional zones with the paddle serving as a dedicated emergency control element separate from normal steering operations. This segmentation allows the paddle to be specifically optimized for emergency deceleration while the rest of the steering wheel maintains its primary function, resolving the contradiction by providing both automated cruise control for normal operation and manual emergency control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle acts as an intermediary control element between the driver and the vehicle's deceleration system. It provides a direct mechanical interface that bypasses the automated ACC system, allowing the driver to immediately override automated control and directly command deceleration through pressure-sensitive actuation, thus resolving the safety concern while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If driver relies on automated ACC system, then ease of operation is improved, but response time to sudden braking situations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is pre-positioned on the steering wheel within easy reach of the driver's hand, allowing for immediate action without requiring the driver to move their hand from the steering wheel. The pressure sensor is pre-configured to detect even light pressure, enabling rapid response. This preliminary positioning and configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both relaxation during normal driving and instant response when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional foot-operated brake pedal mechanical system is replaced with a hand-operated paddle mechanism integrated into the steering wheel. This substitution allows the driver to use their hand (already positioned on the steering wheel) to directly control deceleration, eliminating the time delay associated with moving the foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal, thus resolving the reaction time issue while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of time
If paddle is positioned close to steering wheel for easy access, then response time is improved, but paddle activation force may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is designed with non-uniform pressure distribution characteristics, where the contact area with the driver's finger is optimized to require minimal activation force. The pressure sensor is positioned to detect pressure at the most sensitive location on the paddle, allowing easy activation. This local optimization resolves the contradiction by enabling both quick access and low activation force through targeted design at the critical interaction point between driver and paddle.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure threshold for paddle activation is calibrated to be very low, detecting even slight pressure applied by the driver's finger. The system transforms the activation parameter from requiring significant force to detecting minimal pressure changes, enabling easy activation despite the paddle's proximity to the steering wheel. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by decoupling activation ease from physical distance.
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 driving safety and user experience by providing a direct and intuitive means for drivers to control vehicle deceleration, reducing reliance on automated systems and improving response times during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor, which is installed between the paddle and a contact point of the paddle to the steering wheel and is coupled to a control component, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted on the pressure sensor by the paddle
Data Source
AI summary
A system, vehicle, method and non-transitory computer readable storage medium for improving driving safety are provided. The system includes: a steering wheel; a paddle attached to the steering wheel; a pressure sensor, which is installed between the paddle and a contact point of the paddle to the steering wheel and is coupled to a control component, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure exerted on the pressure sensor by the paddle and send the sensed pressure to the control component; and the control component, which is configured to, in responsive to receiving the sensed pressure, determine a level of deceleration corresponding to the sensed pressure and send a deceleration command which instructs to decelerate, based on the determined level of deceleration, a vehicle on which the system for improving the driving safety is installed.