Accelerator/Brake Control Using Acoustic Sensing
First Claim
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1. A pressure sensor comprising:
- a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity formed therein by an area of greater mass per unit surface area of the substrate than the mass per unit surface area of a portion of the substrate adjacent to and surrounding the acoustic wave cavity;
a transducer mounted on or adjacent to a first surface of the acoustic wave cavity for generating an acoustic wave in the acoustic wave cavity; and
an acoustic wave absorbing member mounted adjacent to a surface of the acoustic wave cavity opposite the first surface of the cavity and having a surface for contacting the acoustic wave cavity in response to the application of pressure on the acoustic wave absorbing member, the acoustic wave absorbing member being shaped such that the greater the pressure applied to the damper, the greater the area of the surface of the damper contacting the acoustic wave cavity contacted by the member, the transducer providing a signal representing the response of the acoustic wave in the cavity to variations in pressure applied to the acoustic wave member.
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Abstract
A pressure sensitive acoustic wave sensor and actuator include an acoustic wave cavity foπned in a substrate, a transducer generating an acoustic wave substantially trapped in the acoustic wave cavity and an acoustic wave absorbing member that absorbs more acoustic wave energy in the acoustic wave cavity in response to increased pressure on the member. The speed and/or braking of an electric vehicle is controlled through operator input of a foot pedal, using the pressure sensitive acoustic wave sensor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor comprising:
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a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity formed therein by an area of greater mass per unit surface area of the substrate than the mass per unit surface area of a portion of the substrate adjacent to and surrounding the acoustic wave cavity; a transducer mounted on or adjacent to a first surface of the acoustic wave cavity for generating an acoustic wave in the acoustic wave cavity; and an acoustic wave absorbing member mounted adjacent to a surface of the acoustic wave cavity opposite the first surface of the cavity and having a surface for contacting the acoustic wave cavity in response to the application of pressure on the acoustic wave absorbing member, the acoustic wave absorbing member being shaped such that the greater the pressure applied to the damper, the greater the area of the surface of the damper contacting the acoustic wave cavity contacted by the member, the transducer providing a signal representing the response of the acoustic wave in the cavity to variations in pressure applied to the acoustic wave member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A pressure responsive foot pedal control comprising:
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a substrate having an acoustic wave cavity formed therein by an area of greater mass per unit surface area of the substrate than the mass per unit surface area of a portion of the substrate adjacent to and surrounding the acoustic wave cavity; a transducer mounted on or adjacent to a first surface of the acoustic wave cavity for generating an acoustic wave in the acoustic wave cavity; a damper mounted adjacent a surface of the acoustic wave cavity opposite the first surface of the cavity and having a surface for contacting the acoustic wave cavity in response to the application of pressure on the damper, the acoustic wave damper being shaped such that the greater the pressure applied to the damper, the greater the area of the surface of the acoustic wave cavity contacted by the damper, the transducer providing a signal representing the response of the acoustic wave in the cavity to variations in pressure applied to the damper; and a foot pedal having a user input surface and a second surface opposite the user input surface on which the damper is mounted, pressure on the foot pedal applying pressure to the damper such that the signal provided by the transducer varies in response to pressure applied to the foot pedal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An electric vehicle drive control comprising:
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a foot pedal assembly; an acoustic wave sensor operatively connected to said foot pedal assembly for altered performance by operator movement of said foot pedal assembly; and a controller receiving signals from said acoustic sensor for initiating drive control signals in response to user input changes at said foot pedal assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20)
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17. A method of controlling movement of an electric vehicle comprising:
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providing an acoustic wave sensor in said vehicle; sensing a user input with the acoustic wave sensor to provide an acoustic wave sensor signal that varies with variations in said user input; and changing a movement characteristic of the vehicle in response to variations in the acoustic wave sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification