Vehicle Control Continuity Across Operation Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle control systems fail to provide a comfortable operation feeling when multiple operation devices are used cooperatively, as they do not adequately match the reactive perception quantities across different devices, leading to increased driving load and discomfort for the occupant.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control apparatus that includes operation devices, reaction applying devices, and driving devices, with a control device that adjusts the reactive perception quantities to match those experienced when transitioning between different operation devices, ensuring continuity and linearity between operation and response quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional vehicle control systems control each operation device independently based on individual operating characteristics, then each device can be controlled according to its specific mechanical characteristics, but the reactive perception quantities across different operation devices are not matched, leading to discontinuity and increased driving load

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is designed to universally manage multiple operation devices (accelerator pedal, brake pedal, steering wheel) by establishing a unified reactive perception quantity relationship. Instead of controlling each device independently, the control device coordinates all devices through a common framework that ensures continuity of reactive perception quantities across device transitions, enabling the system to handle diverse operation devices with a single control strategy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the reactive perception quantity parameters based on the current operation device and transition state. When an occupant transitions between operation devices, the control device modifies the reactive perception quantity parameters to ensure continuity, thereby maintaining consistent operation feeling across different devices without requiring complex mechanical coupling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If operation devices are mechanically coupled to provide consistent operation feeling, then the mechanical characteristics can be optimized for each device, but by-wire systems mechanically separate operation devices from driving devices, making it difficult to maintain consistent reactive perception quantities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical coupling reliabilityVSAvoidoperation feeling continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device acts as an intermediary between operation devices and driving devices in the by-wire system. Since mechanical coupling is eliminated, the control device mediates the interaction by calculating and adjusting reactive perception quantities for each device based on a unified relationship, thereby compensating for the lack of mechanical connection and ensuring continuous operation feeling across device transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical coupling with electronic control and software-based coordination. Instead of relying on physical mechanical connections to transmit operation forces, the by-wire system uses electronic signals and control algorithms to maintain the reactive perception quantity relationships, substituting mechanical reliability with electronic control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If reactive perception quantities are not matched across operation devices, then each device can operate independently, but the occupant experiences discomfort and increased driving load when transitioning between devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice independenceVSAvoiddriving comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reactive perception quantity relationship is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The control device continuously monitors the current operation device and adjusts the reactive perception quantities in real-time based on the specific device being operated and any transitions occurring. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the operation feeling remains comfortable and continuous across different devices without sacrificing their independence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10471957B2Vehicle control apparatus capable of giving continuity to reactive perception quantities of cooperative operation perceived by occupant

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A vehicle control apparatus includes: a plurality of operation devices, a plurality of reaction applying devices, a plurality of driving devices, and control device. The control device is capable of controlling the plurality of reaction applying devices and the plurality of driving devices. When the occupant operates preceding operation devices and subsequently operates subsequent operation devices different from the preceding operation devices, the control device causes a reactive perception quantity that is perceived by the occupant when the occupant starts operating the subsequent operation devices to substantially match a reactive perception quantity that is perceived by the occupant when the occupant finishes operating the preceding operation devices.