Touchless Gesture Control for Vehicle Acceleration and Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems require multiple interfaces and sensors for acceleration and braking, which can be cumbersome and inaccessible to drivers with disabilities, and add complexity to vehicle design.
Innovation Solution
A touch-free vehicle control system using gesture interface devices with touchless sensors that detect appendage movements, allowing for control of vehicle functions without physical contact, and optionally utilizing spring-loaded pedals for gesture interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional accelerator and brake pedals with sensors are used, then vehicle control functions are provided, but the number of interfaces and components increases, adding complexity to vehicle design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vehicle control functions (accelerator, brake, and other physical interactions) into a single gesture-based interface. The gesture recognition system integrates detection of hand position, finger configuration, and movement patterns to control multiple vehicle functions, eliminating the need for separate pedals and their associated sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture interface device serves as a universal control mechanism that can perform multiple vehicle control functions. By recognizing different gestures (hand position, finger configuration, movement patterns), a single interface replaces multiple specialized controls including accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and other physical interaction points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pedals with sensors are used, then acceleration and braking control are provided, but drivers with disabilities or positioning issues cannot operate them properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pedal system with an optical/electromagnetic gesture recognition system. Instead of requiring physical contact with pedals, the system uses cameras or sensors to detect hand gestures in three-dimensional space, converting mechanical foot-based control into a non-contact visual recognition system that accommodates various physical abilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface moves from a two-dimensional pedal surface to a three-dimensional gesture space. The system detects hand position, finger configuration, and movement patterns in multiple dimensions, allowing drivers to control vehicles through spatial gestures rather than foot pressure on fixed pedals, thereby accommodating diverse physical capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and interfaces are installed for different vehicle functions, then comprehensive control is achieved, but physical wear on sensors and components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical sensors with non-contact gesture detection technology. Instead of physical sensors on pedals that experience wear from repeated use, the system uses optical cameras or electromagnetic sensors that detect hand gestures without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and improving long-term reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch vehicle control system having a gesture interface device with one or more touchless sensors that detect a position of a driver's appendage within a range of movement detected by the sensors. The touchless sensors send a signal to the controller that is indicative of the position of the driver's appendage within the range of movement which is then interpreted to be a vehicle command signal for a vehicle's mechanical system. Command signals include, but are not limited to acceleration, braking, parking brake, turn signals, etc.