Removable Vehicle Push Interface With Virtual Mass Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users frequently need to enter and exit their vehicles to move them over short distances during outdoor activities, which is inconvenient and undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A removable external interface attached to the vehicle exterior allows users to apply force to control vehicle movement via a wireless or wired connection, simulating a lighter vehicle mass and adjusting torque to match the target velocity, while detecting obstacles and applying resistive forces to prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user enters the vehicle to move it, then the vehicle can be moved, but the user experiences inconvenience and time loss from repeatedly entering and exiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle movement operationVSAvoidtime spent entering and exiting vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external interface device as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle's movement control system. This interface, when attached to the vehicle exterior, allows the user to control vehicle movement without entering the vehicle. The interface communicates with the vehicle's processor to enable remote movement control, thereby eliminating the need for repeated entry and exit operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of physically entering the vehicle to operate controls with an electronic/wireless control system. The external interface uses electronic communication (wireless or wired connection) to transmit movement commands to the vehicle's processor, substituting the mechanical action of entering and manipulating interior controls with remote electronic signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the vehicle's actual mass is used for movement control, then the vehicle moves accurately, but the user experiences excessive force requirements making operation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce required to move vehicleVSAvoidvehicle movement control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the virtual vehicle mass parameter based on operating conditions such as friction forces and desired velocity. Instead of using the fixed actual vehicle mass, the system calculates and applies a reduced virtual mass that accounts for environmental factors, making the control force requirements more manageable while maintaining accurate and reliable vehicle movement through continuous parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250278084A1Systems and methods for enabling vehicle movement via force applied to an external interface

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A vehicle including a transceiver and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive a signal indicative of a force applied by a user on an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to the vehicle. The processor may be configured to obtain information associated with a desired virtual vehicle mass and information associated with one or more friction forces acting on the vehicle. The desired virtual vehicle mass may be less than an actual vehicle mass. The processor may further determine a target vehicle velocity based on the signal, the desired virtual vehicle mass and the information associated with the friction forces, and control a vehicle movement based on the target vehicle velocity.