Systems and methods for simulating vehicle operation

• US 20080275680A1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Dato, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,783,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0074 Details, e.g. roller construction, vehicle restraining devices

Abstract

Systems for simulating vehicle operation include a computer having a pedal activation program, the pedal activation program comprising instructions for generating signals relating to operation of a vehicle from the computer to a pedal sensor output according to a predetermined driving profile. Methods for simulating vehicle operation include providing a computer having a pedal activation program, utilizing the pedal activation program to initiate output signals to a pedal sensor output relating to a vehicle condition and transmitting the output signals to an engine control unit to implement a driving profile programmable within the pedal activation program.

Claims

1. A system for simulating vehicle operation comprising a computer having a pedal activation program, said pedal activation program comprising instructions for generating signals relating to operation of a vehicle from said computer to a pedal sensor output according to a selected driving profile.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer comprises a microcontroller connected to a PC.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a digital to analog converter for converting said signals to voltage signals prior to transmitting said signals to said pedal sensor output.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a kill switch connected between said digital to analog converter and said pedal sensor output.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said pedal sensor output is an accelerator pedal sensor output.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said pedal sensor output generates control signals to control an engine control unit to perform vehicle operation in accordance with said driving profile.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer is configured to remain resident on said vehicle while said vehicle is in motion over a road.

8. A method for simulating vehicle operation comprising:

providing a computer having a pedal activation program;

utilizing said pedal activation program to initiate output signals to a pedal sensor output relating to a vehicle condition; and

transmitting said output signals to an engine control unit to implement a driving profile programmable within said pedal activation program.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising converting said output signals to voltage signals.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising converting voltage signals within said pedal sensor output to control signals for transmission to said engine control unit.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said operation of utilizing said pedal activation program comprises selecting a driving profile relating to said vehicle condition.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said driving profile comprises predetermined instructions relating to said vehicle condition.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said vehicle condition comprises acceleration.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring said computer to remain resident on said vehicle while said vehicle is in motion over a road.

15. A method for simulating vehicle operation comprising:

providing a computer having a pedal activation program;

selecting a driving profile related to a vehicle operation;

generating output signals in accordance with said selected driving profile;

transmitting said output signals to a pedal sensor output; and

transmitting control signals to an engine control unit to implement said driving profile.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising converting said output signals to voltage signals.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said driving profile comprises predetermined instructions relating to said vehicle condition.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring said computer to remain resident on said vehicle while said vehicle is in motion over a road.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating said control signals within said pedal sensor output.