FR3087715A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRACKING AN OPTIMAL SPEED SETPOINT USING A HAPTIC ACCELERATION PEDAL - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an assistance device for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle by means of a haptic acceleration pedal, said vehicle being equipped with a pedal. haptic acceleration (6), of an actuator (3), able to send at least one haptic signal to said pedal (6), said signal being correlated to a depression EO, of an electronic device (2), able to determine a speed setpoint minimizing the energy consumption of the vehicle, called “optimum vehicle speed setpoint” VO, and capable of generating a setpoint for activating its own control procedure on the actuator (3), said control procedure determining the haptic signal, to indicate to the driver that the optimum speed VO has been reached, from a member (6) for adjusting the speed of the motor vehicle which can be actuated directly by the driver.

Description

Description Title of the invention: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING AN OPTIMAL SPEED SETPOINT BY MEANS OF A HAPTICAL ACCELERATION PEDAL

The present invention relates to a method and a device for helping the driver of a vehicle to follow a speed setpoint minimizing its energy consumption.

[0002] Until now, the public authorities have encouraged the development of new devices to enforce the highway code and in particular to control the speed of vehicles.

In fact, current vehicles generally offer dynamic capacities (acceleration, maximum speed, etc.) making it possible to go well beyond the authorized limits.

The typing adopted (that is to say the calibrated relationship between the depression of the accelerator pedal and the response of the engine) also tends to promote this dynamism by favoring a clear response to an action on the accelerator pedal. , with a more moderate response making it possible to precisely dose the power.

The combination of this available power and the difficulty of dosing it very finely makes speed control difficult, especially at low speed (in town in particular).

[0003] Thus, devices are known which make it possible to generate a hard point in the stroke of the accelerator pedal, this hard point being modifiable so as to intervene when the pedal is depressed corresponding to the speed limit chosen by the driver.

[0004] Thus, depending on the speed limit chosen, a computer determines the corresponding depression of the accelerator pedal.

When in a driving situation this depression is reached by the driver, a hard point is simulated so that it can be felt by the driver.

In known systems, the hard point can however be exceeded if the driver wishes to exceed the speed limit and thus deactivate the system.

[0005] However, these speed limitation devices only respond to safety problems and do not take effect. not take into account questions relating to energy control and the optimization of vehicle consumption.

[0006] It has been envisaged to inform the driver about his consumption by displaying visual information on the dashboard.

[0007] However, it turns out that this information requires too much attention to be followed correctly and that it increases the risk of accident.

[0008] It then appeared promising to use a haptic accelerator pedal in order to alleviate the driver's visual load.

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[0009] This is why the present invention proposes to apply the systems using a haptic (or tactile) way to inform the driver, to the methods and to the devices allowing the vehicle to follow a speed instruction which minimizes consumption. vehicle energy.

[0010] For this purpose, it proposes an assistance method for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle by means of a haptiquc acceleration pedal, said vehicle being equipped:

- a haptiquc acceleration pedal,

- of an actuator, capable of sending at least one haptiquc signal to said pedal, said signal being correlated with a depression,

- of an electronic device, capable of determining a speed setpoint minimizing the energy consumption of the vehicle, called "optimum vehicle speed setpoint", and capable of generating a setpoint for activating its own control procedure on the actuator, said control procedure determining the haptic signal, to indicate to the driver that the optimum speed has been reached,

The process comprising:

A step of determining according to a so-called "dynamic" programming principle of the optimum vehicle speed setpoint, by the electronic device,

- a step of sending the haptiquc signal to the pedal by the actuator

[0017] said signal being constituted by at least one restoring force and / or one vibration.

[0018] Optional, complementary or substitute characteristics of the invention are set out below.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the optimum speed VO is associated with a first haptic signal and a second haptic signal, respectively correlated with a first depression and a second depression of the pedal, said depressions defining an interval within which the optimum speed is reached.

According to a first variant of this specific mode, the haptic signal correlated with the first depression is a restoring force, while the haptic signal correlated with the second depression is a vibration.

According to a second variant of this specific mode, the haptic signals correlated respectively to the first depression and to the second depression are return forces.

According to a third variant of this specific mode, the haptic signals correlated respectively to the first depression and to the second depression are vibrations.

Preferably, the return force (s) emitted by the actuator is (are) between 2N and 20N depending on the feelings of the conductors.

Also preferably, the vibration (s) emitted by the actuator has (have) an amplitude and a frequency of between 2N and 20N and 2 and 3 20 Hz respectively depending on the feeling of conductors.

The invention also relates to an assistance device for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle by means of a haptiquc acceleration pedal, said device being provided to implement the method defined according to the invention, and comprising:

- a haptiquc accelerator pedal,

- an actuator, capable of exerting a return force on said pedal,

[0028] an electronic device, capable of determining a speed setpoint to minimize the energy consumption of the vehicle, called "optimum vehicle speed", and capable of generating a setpoint for activating its own control procedure on the actuator , said control procedure determining a haptiquc signal, which the actuator must induce on the pedal to indicate to the driver that the optimum speed has been reached.

[0029] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and from the following appended drawings:

[0030] [FIG. 1] is a schematic view of a device according to the invention.

[0031] [FIG. 2], [FIG. 3], [FIG. 4], [FIG. 5], [FIG. 6] are diagrams corresponding each time to an embodiment of the invention.

For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the references in the figures correspond to the same elements.

The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, it is possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described, isolated from the other characteristics described (even if this selection is isolated within (a sentence comprising these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. .

As shown in [FIG. 1], the assistance device for following an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle uses a haptic acceleration pedal.

By "haptic" is meant the fact that the driver is requested by the "tactile" character of the accelerator pedal.

More particularly, the accelerator pedal acts as a force feedback interface used to restore a feeling of resistance when the pedal is depressed. 4

The device comprises a haptic acceleration pedal 6, an actuator 3, able to exert a return force on said pedal 6, and an electronic device 2, able to determine a speed setpoint to minimize the energy consumption of the vehicle .

This speed is called "optimum vehicle speed" VO, and corresponds to a speed for which consumption is minimum taking into account the driving conditions.

The electronic device 2 is able to generate an activation instruction of its own control procedure on the actuator 3, and said control procedure determines a haptiquc signal, that the actuator 3 must induce on the pedal 6 for indicate to the driver that the optimum speed VO has been reached.

The method associated with this firstly comprises a step of determining according to a so-called "dynamic" programming principle of the optimum speed setpoint VO of the vehicle, by the electronic device 2.

The term "dynamic programming" is understood to mean any algorithm making it possible to optimize the consumption of the vehicle, by breaking down all the consumption parameters into sub-assemblies and by optimizing each of them.

There then follows a step of sending the haptic signal to the pedal 6 by the actuator 3.

This signal can be in different forms and consists of at least one restoring force NO + dN, NI + dN1 and / or an AO, Al vibration.

[0043] [FIG. 2] represents a function of the haptic accelerator pedal proposing a hard point generated by a return force in order to guide the driver to remain at the optimum speed.

The position of this hard point can vary depending on the speed to follow, and the driver must therefore follow the movements of the hard point.

[0044] Alternatively, [FIG. 3] shows a function of the haptic accelerator pedal providing vibration to guide the driver to stay at the optimum speed.

The position of the vibration may vary depending on the speed to be followed, and the driver will therefore have to follow the movements of this vibration.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the optimum speed VO is associated with a first haptic signal and a second haptic signal, respectively correlated with a first depression EO and with a second depression E1 of the pedal 6, said depressions EO, El, defining an interval within which the optimum speed VO is reached.

According to a first variant of this specific mode shown in [FIG. 4], the haptic signal correlated with the first depression EO is a restoring force NO + dN, while the haptic signal correlated with the second depression E1 is a vibration AI.

The haptic accelerator pedal offers a hard point to guide the driver to maintain optimal speed, and includes a vibration function to indicate to the driver to ease off if the set speed is significantly exceeded.

According to a second variant of this specific mode shown in [FIG. 5], the haptic signals correlated respectively to the first depression EO and to the second depression E1 are restoring forces, respectively NO + dN and Nl + dN '.

The haptic accelerator pedal therefore offers several hard points.

In this case, two hard points guide the conductor to stay between the two terminals.

The position of these hard points can also vary depending on the speed to follow, the driver must therefore follow the movements of the hard points.

According to a third variant of this specific mode shown in [FIG. 6], the haptiqucs signals correlated respectively to the first depression EO and to the second depression E1 are vibrations.

In this case, the haptiquc accelerator pedal can advantageously offer oscillations at different frequencies and amplitudes as a function of the difference with the optimum speed.

For example at the optimum speed there is no oscillation, slightly above or below there is a weak oscillation with a lower frequency.

The greater the difference, the more the oscillations admit of a large amplitude and a low frequency in order to be unpleasant and to encourage the driver to stay in the optimum speed zone.

This allows dynamic real-time adjustment of amplitude and frequency

Preferably, the return forces emitted by the actuator 3 are between 2N and 20N depending on the feelings of the conductors.

Also preferably, the vibrations emitted by the actuator 3 have an amplitude and a frequency respectively between 2N and 20N and 2 and 20 Hz depending on the feeling of the conductors.

In summary, the invention makes it possible to release the visual and mental load on the driver so that he can concentrate on the road and thus avoid any risk of accident.

To help it maintain the optimum speed, the driver only has to follow the intuitive instructions of the haptic accelerator pedal.

In summary, the invention helps the customer to reduce his energy consumption, and can be combined with other applications such as those which offer on a route defined by a GPS, an optimal speed, in order to achieve this. route by saving fuel on thermal or hybrid powertrains or increasing its range on electric powertrains.

Note, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention

Claims (9)

CLAIMS 1. Assistance method for following an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle by means of a haptic accelerator pedal, said vehicle being equipped with a haptic accelerator pedal (6) - an actuator (3), capable of sending at least one haptic signal to said pedal (6), said signal being correlated to a depression EO, - of an electronic device (2), capable of determining a speed setpoint minimizing the energy consumption of the vehicle, called “optimum vehicle speed setpoint” VO, and capable of generating a setpoint for activating its own control procedure on the actuator (3), said control procedure determining the haptic signal, to indicate to the driver that the optimum speed VO is reached, characterized in that it comprises - a step of determining according to a so-called "dynamic" programming principle of the optimum speed set point VO of the vehicle, by the electronic device (2) - a sending step haptiq signal ue to the pedal (6) by the actuator (3) said signal being constituted by at least one restoring force NO + dN, N l + dN1 and / or a vibration AO, Al. 2. Proc: assistance edé for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the optimum speed VO is associated with a first haptic signal and with a second haptic signal, correlated respectively to a first depression E0 and to a second depression E1 of the pedal (6), said depression EO, El, defining an interval within which the optimum speed VO is reached. 3. Assistance method for following an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the haptic signal correlated to the first depression E0 is an IO restoring force NO + dN, while the haptic signal correlated with the second depression E1 is a vibration A1. Assistance method for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to Claim 2, characterized in that the haptic signals respectively correlated with the first depression EO and at the second depression El are restoring forces, respectively NO + cIN and N1 + dN '. Assistance method for following an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the haptic signals correlated respectively to the first depression EO and to the second depression E1 are vibrations. 6. Method of assistance for following an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the restoring force (s) emitted by the The actuator (3) is (are) between 2N and 20N depending on the feeling of the conductors. 7. Assistance method for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibration (s) emitted by the actuator (3) has (have) an amplitude and a frequency respectively between 2N and 20N and 2 and 20 Hz depending on the feeling of the conductors. 8. Assistance method for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic device (2), capable of determining the speed setpoint to minimize the vehicle's energy consumption uses the principle of dynamic programming. Assistance device for monitoring an optimum speed setpoint of a motor vehicle by means of a haptic accelerator pedal 11, characterized in that it comprises - a haptic acceleration pedal (6) - a actuator (3), able to exert a return force on said pedal (6), - an electronic device (2), able to determine a speed setpoint to minimize the energy consumption of the vehicle, called “optimum vehicle speed” (VO), and able to generate an activation instruction of its own control procedure on the actuator (3), said control procedure determining a haptic signal, that the actuator (3) must induce on the pedal (6). ) to indicate to the driver that the optimum speed VO has been reached, said device being provided to implement the method defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.