Vehicle Sleep Disruption Using Variable Vibration Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preventing driver sleepiness during long vehicle drives, such as vibrating seats, can become ineffective as drivers adapt to repetitive stimuli, leading to a need for more dynamic and unpredictable methods to maintain alertness.
Innovation Solution
A sleep disrupting apparatus with a processor that generates and transmits non-repeating, randomly timed vibration signals to multiple locations within the vehicle, including the seat, backrest, and steering wheel, to maintain driver alertness by providing variable and unpredictable stimuli.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repetitive vibration is used to prevent driver dozing off, then the driver remains alert initially, but the driver becomes used to the vibration and the efficacy is undermined
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration pattern is made dynamic by varying the duration and interval between vibration cycles. The system transitions from static repetitive vibration to dynamic variable vibration, where each cycle differs in timing and duration, preventing driver adaptation and maintaining effectiveness throughout extended driving periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic vibration cycles with varying periods. Instead of a fixed repetitive pattern, the vibration operates in periodic cycles where each cycle has different duration and interval, creating unpredictability that prevents the driver from anticipating and adapting to the vibration pattern.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vibration pattern is made variable and unpredictable, then driver adaptation is reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically generates variable vibration patterns without requiring manual intervention or complex external control. The system self-regulates by randomly determining vibration durations and intervals, eliminating the need for sophisticated user interfaces or complex configuration mechanisms while maintaining unpredictability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves variable vibration patterns by randomly changing temporal parameters (duration and interval) rather than requiring complex spatial or mechanical adjustments. This parameter-based approach maintains simplicity in the physical system while achieving complexity in the vibration pattern through software-controlled randomization.
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
The apparatus effectively disrupts drowsiness by using non-repetitive and variable vibration patterns, reducing the likelihood of driver adaptation and maintaining alertness during extended driving periods.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator connected to the processor. The vibration generator is disposed in the vehicle in a position proximate to a passenger such that vibrations generated by the vibration generator are transmitted to the passenger
Data Source
AI summary
A sleep disrupting apparatus disposed in a vehicle includes a processor and at least one vibration generator. The vibration generator is connected to the processor and is located in the vehicle in a position proximate to a passenger such that vibrations generated by the vibration generator are transmitted to the passenger. The processor determines a time index, generates at least three vibration signals consistent with the time index, and transmits the three vibration signals to the at least one vibration generator. The three vibration signals are separated from one another by two time intervals. The two time intervals are not equal to one another.