Traction Motor Tactile Feedback Using Vehicle and Audio Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems struggle to provide efficient and effective tactile feedback during both stationary and dynamic moments without increasing complexity, packaging space, or resource demands, especially when lacking an active suspension system or robust audio sources.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing battery electric vehicle (BEV) traction motors to generate lower-frequency tactile energy in response to various signals, including audio, tactile feedback, and drive signals, without altering torque delivery, by integrating a vehicle control system that generates motor input commands for traction motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mass-based shakers are used to provide lower-frequency tactile energy, then tactile feedback quality is improved, but packaging space and resource demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traction motor is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of driving the vehicle and a secondary function of generating tactile feedback. The motor controller receives tactile feedback commands and generates motor input commands that cause the traction motor to produce vibrations and tactile sensations, allowing the same component to serve dual purposes without requiring additional dedicated tactile feedback hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing traction motor and control infrastructure to provide tactile feedback services. Rather than requiring external dedicated actuators or shakers, the system leverages the motor's own capability to generate vibrations when commanded appropriately, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate tactile feedback generation components
2Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary tactile feedback systems are added to the vehicle, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing motor controller is enhanced to handle multiple types of commands including tactile feedback commands in addition to its traditional drive control functions. This allows the same control unit to manage both vehicle propulsion and tactile feedback generation, eliminating the need for separate control hardware and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tactile feedback control functionality is merged with the existing motor control system. The motor controller integrates processing of tactile feedback commands with drive commands, and the traction motor integrates both drive and tactile feedback generation functions, consolidating what could have been separate systems into a unified control architecture
3Illumination intensity
If active suspension system is used to produce low frequency vibration, then tactile feedback is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traction motor is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of driving the vehicle and a secondary function of generating tactile feedback. The motor controller receives tactile feedback commands and generates motor input commands that cause the traction motor to produce vibrations and tactile sensations, allowing the same component to serve dual purposes without requiring additional dedicated tactile feedback hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing traction motor and control infrastructure to provide tactile feedback services. Rather than requiring external dedicated actuators or shakers, the system leverages the motor's own capability to generate vibrations when commanded appropriately, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate tactile feedback generation components
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 user experience by providing synchronized tactile feedback across the vehicle, improving entertainment value during stationary and dynamic conditions, while maintaining torque and without increasing vehicle complexity or space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Utilizing existing battery electric vehicle (BEV) traction motors to generate lower-frequency tactile energy
Implementation Method 2
integrating a vehicle control system that generates motor input commands for traction motors
Implementation Method 3
without altering torque delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for generation of lower-frequency tactile energy (e.g., vibration) of a vehicle system based on different signals. In one example, a method may include: acquiring an audio signal from an audio source and, responsive to acquiring the audio signal, generating a first motor input command for a first traction motor driving a wheel of a vehicle system; acquiring a vehicle tactile feedback signal from the vehicle system and, responsive to acquiring the vehicle tactile feedback signal, generating a second motor input command for the first traction motor; and acquiring a drive signal from a controller of a vehicle and, responsive to acquiring the drive signal, generating a third motor input command for the first traction motor.