Vehicle Warning Device Multi-Frequency Steering Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle warning devices that use steering wheel vibrations to alert drivers of undesirable steering states often have their warnings lost in road noise, making it difficult for the driver to receive the warning effectively.

Innovation Solution

A warning device for vehicles that generates a warning vibration wave with multiple frequency components, where higher frequency components have larger amplitudes, allowing the warning to be transmitted even in the presence of road noise, and optionally adjusts frequency and amplitude based on vehicle speed and steering torque to optimize vibration perception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single frequency warning vibration is used, then the warning device structure is simple, but the warning vibration is lost in road noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarning transmission reliabilityVSAvoidvibration wave generator complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The warning vibration wave is segmented into multiple frequency components (first frequency component and second frequency component with higher frequency). This segmentation allows the warning signal to be distributed across different frequency ranges, ensuring that at least some components remain audible above road noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the frequency parameter of the warning vibration by introducing multiple frequency components with different amplitudes. The higher frequency component has a larger amplitude to overcome road noise interference. This parameter change enables reliable warning transmission without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If equal amplitudes are used for all frequency components, then the vibration wave generator is simple, but higher frequency components generate insufficient warning vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarning vibration perceptionVSAvoidamplitude control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes by setting different amplitudes for different frequency components. Specifically, the higher frequency component is assigned a larger amplitude to ensure it generates sufficient warning vibration that can be perceived by the driver. This amplitude differentiation is achieved through control signal design rather than complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes mechanical vibration principles by optimizing the vibration characteristics of the steering wheel. By adjusting the frequency and amplitude parameters of the vibration signal, the system ensures that the warning vibration is strong enough to be felt by the driver through the steering wheel, overcoming the limitations of equal amplitude distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If fixed frequency warning vibration is used, then the control system is simple, but the warning effectiveness varies with vehicle speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarning effectivenessVSAvoidfrequency control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the frequency of the warning vibration variable rather than fixed. The frequency varies based on vehicle speed conditions, allowing the warning signal to adapt to different operating environments. This dynamic adjustment ensures consistent warning effectiveness across various speeds without requiring complex additional control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using vehicle speed information to adjust the warning vibration frequency. The control unit receives speed data and automatically adjusts the frequency parameters of the multi-component vibration wave, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal warning effectiveness across different driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures that the warning vibration is consistently transmitted to the driver, reducing variations and improving alertness even on noisy road surfaces by utilizing a combination of frequency and amplitude adjustments tailored to vehicle conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration wave generator that generates a warning vibration wave based on an operating state of a vehicle; and a vibration applying device that applies warning vibration to a steering member based on the warning vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2865577B1Warning device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 JTEKT CORP
  • EP2865577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a warning device for a vehicle, a basic target current value setting unit (41) sets a basic target current value (Io*) based on a steering torque (T) and a vehicle speed (V). When a lane deviation determining unit (42) determines that there is a high possibility that a vehicle will deviate from a lane, a warning vibration wave generator (43) generates a warning vibration wave (Ie) containing a plurality of frequency components. A target current value (is) is computed by adding the warning vibration wave (Ie) to the basic target current value (Io*). A motor current (I) to be applied to an electric motor (18) is controlled so as to approach the target current value (I*).