Vehicle Wheel Torque Adjustment for Occupant Alertness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Occupants of vehicles may become tired or distracted, failing to notice audible and visual alerts, necessitating an effective method to regain their attention without mechanical devices.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system that uses a computer to detect occupant alertness levels and applies periodic torque components to the wheels, synchronizing and adjusting the magnitude and frequency based on alertness, static friction, and vehicle speed to generate a haptic output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical devices such as vibrators or motors are added to create haptic output, then the effectiveness of getting occupant attention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant attention effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces dedicated mechanical haptic devices (vibrators, motors) with the vehicle's existing wheel torque system. The torque control system, normally used for vehicle propulsion and stability, is repurposed to generate haptic feedback by applying periodic torque variations to the wheels, thereby eliminating the need for separate mechanical haptic generation devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the wheel torque system multi-functional by using it both for its primary function (vehicle propulsion and stability control) and for generating haptic feedback. The torque control system serves dual purposes: maintaining vehicle dynamics and providing occupant alertness feedback through haptic signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If audible and visual outputs are used to alert occupants, then the information delivery is improved, but the effectiveness of getting occupant attention deteriorates when occupants are tired or distracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidoccupant attention effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mechanical vibration in the form of periodic torque variations applied to the wheels. This creates a physical haptic sensation that the occupant feels through the vehicle chassis and seating, providing a tactile alert that is more likely to be noticed than audible or visual signals when the occupant is tired or distracted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the wheel torque system as an intermediary between the alertness detection system and the occupant. Instead of directly presenting information through traditional channels (audio/visual), the system uses haptic feedback as an intermediate sensory channel that bypasses the occupant's cognitive filtering and directly engages their tactile perception

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10766415B2Vehicle wheel torque adjustment

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A computer in a vehicle includes a processor programmed to apply, on the vehicle, upon detecting an occupant alertness level below a first threshold, a first periodic component to a first torque applied to one or more first-end wheels and a second periodic component to a second torque applied to one or more second-end wheels.