Haptic device in a vehicle and method thereof

• US 7,946,271 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Gregorio, Pedro
• Primary Examiner(s): Moulis; Thomas N
• Application Number:
  US12/182,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20080283024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 123/361, 123/396, 123/399, 701/110, 701/111, 701/115, 701/117, 701/1, 701/48, 701/60, 701/65, 701/70, 701/96, 701/301
• US Class Current: 123/396
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2026/023 with electrical means to generate counter force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/16 Tactile feedback to the driver, e.g. vibration or force feedback to the driver on the steering wheel or the accelerator pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor

Abstract

A system and method for providing a haptic device in a vehicle. The system comprises a foot operated pedal of a vehicle. A sensor is coupled to the pedal and is configured to sense a position of the pedal during use. The sensor is configured to output a sensor signal associated with the position of the pedal. A processor is coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive the sensor signal. The processor outputs a control signal upon the pedal moving past a threshold position. An actuator is coupled to the processor, wherein the actuator is configured to output a haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal from the processor.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a sensor signal at a processor from a sensor coupled to a foot operated throttle pedal of a vehicle, the sensor signal associated with a position of the foot operated pedal;

receiving an input signal at the processor from a peripheral device separate from the sensor, the input signal carrying information independent of speed at which the vehicle is traveling;

outputting a first haptic feedback force to the foot operated pedal via an actuator, the first haptic feedback force associated with the sensor signal; and

outputting a second haptic feedback force to the foot operated pedal via the actuator, the second haptic feedback force associated with the input signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the foot operated pedal is a throttle pedal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first haptic feedback force or the second haptic feedback force is an active haptic feedback force.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first haptic feedback force or the second haptic feedback force is a resistive haptic feedback force.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first haptic feedback force or the second haptic feedback force is a vibration, a detent, a jolt, a damping force, a texture, or a pulse.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a thermal actuator or an electroactive actuator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a position sensor, a strain gauge or a force sensor.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a foot operated throttle pedal of a vehicle;

a sensor coupled to the pedal and configured to sense a position of the pedal during use, the sensor configured to output a sensor signal associated with the position of the pedal;

a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the sensor signal, wherein the processor outputs a control signal upon the pedal moving past a threshold position; and

an actuator coupled to the processor, the actuator configured to output a haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal from the processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuator further comprises a resistive actuator configured to output a resistive haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuator further comprises an active actuator configured to output an active haptic feedback force to the pedal upon receiving the control signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the foot operated pedal is a throttle pedal.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a peripheral device configured to provide an input signal to the processor, wherein the processor instructs the actuator to output the haptic feedback force upon the processor receiving the input signal from the peripheral device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the input signal is independent of speed information of the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the haptic feedback force is a vibration, a detent, a jolt, a damping force, a texture, or a pulse.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuator is an electromagnetic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a thermal actuator or an electroactive actuator.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a position sensor, a strain gauge or a force sensor.