A reaction force output device includes a driving part configured to transmit a driving force of a motor to a driving member through a gear mechanism to drive the driving member, thereby outputting a force in a direction opposite to an operating direction of an operation element to the operation element operated by a driver; and a controller configured to determine a control amount applied to the driving part based on an input value supplied from an outside, wherein the controller gradually increases the control amount, maintains the control amount at a constant value and then increases the control amount stepwise when increasing the control amount according to the input value.

A method is provided to control the acceleration of a motor vehicle from a current speed, wherein the motor vehicle includes an accelerator pedal system able to generate on the accelerator pedal an added reaction force when the depression of the accelerator pedal reaches a given depression level. The method includes the steps of: a) measuring the current vehicle speed; b) determining a target speed of the motor vehicle in function at least of the current vehicle speed or determining from the current vehicle speed a maximum acceleration rate; c) determining at least one threshold depression level of the accelerator pedal that corresponds to the stabilization of the vehicle speed at the target speed or that corresponds to maximum acceleration rate; d) generating an added reaction force on the accelerator pedal if the depression of the accelerator pedal reaches or is about to reach the threshold depression level; wherein at least steps a), b), and c) are automatically repeated as vehicle speed increases.

A pedal system for a vehicle that is configured to be driven in an at least part-automated manner. The pedal system includes a driving pedal and a brake pedal. The pedal system is allocated a representation function between a pedal actuation and control parameters for the longitudinal control of the vehicle. The pedal system is configured so as, when the vehicle is being operated, to vary the representation function between the pedal actuation and the control parameters for the longitudinal control of the vehicle in dependence upon a variable that represents the degree of automation of the driving mode of the vehicle and at least a first condition for restricting the representation function of the pedal actuation and/or at least a second condition for eliminating the restriction of the representation unction of the pedal actuation.

Vehicle systems are disclosed. A vehicle system includes one or more sensors, a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a steering wheel actuator, an accelerator pedal actuator, and a controller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and the steering sensitivity adjusting unit. The controller includes at least one processor and at least one memory module storing computer readable and executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to detect an object based on output from the one or more sensors, and send to the steering sensitivity adjusting unit an instruction for adjusting a sensitivity of the steering wheel in response to detecting the object.

A reaction force applying device includes an actuator housing, an actuator, a lever, a connected part, and a connecting part. The actuator housing is attachable to a vehicle. The actuator is provided in the actuator housing. The lever is provided in the actuator housing to be rotatable by receiving a driving force from the actuator, to contact an arm that rotates with a pedal, and to be capable of applying a reaction force to the pedal against a driver's stepping force. The connected part is provided in a pedal housing, and the connecting part is provided in the actuator housing and connected to the connected part.

An electronic pedal apparatus includes a brake pedal module and an accelerator pedal module vertically coupled in a stacked manner to form a single one-pedal, which makes it possible to improve utilization of an internal space by implementing a compact size and prevent an erroneous operation and further improve safety at the time of operating pedals by making an operation direction of a brake pedal different from an operation direction of an accelerator pedal.

Proposed is system and method for determining a driver's fatigue to promote safe driving by determining the driver's fatigue according to a change in a brain wave of a driver during driving of a vehicle.

An electronic throttle control pedal assembly includes a housing having a friction generating surface, a pedal arm, a spring carrier, and at least one spring. The pedal arm includes a hub portion and a friction generating member. The friction generating member has a lobe connected to a cross member and is positioned on a side surface of the hub portion. The cross member extends within the hub portion. The spring carrier has a friction generating portion. As the pedal arm is depressed, a portion of the spring carrier engages the friction generating portion against the cross member positioned within the hub aperture and pivotally engages a portion of the lobe of the friction generating member against the friction generating surface of the housing thereby creating at least two independent friction generating surfaces to create a hysteresis proportional to the depression of the pedal arm.

A force-feedback assembly includes a first shaft with a shaft end. The first shaft is movable between a shaft first position and a shaft second position. The force-feedback assembly also includes a compliant element arranged to exert a return force on the first shaft and bias the first shaft toward the shaft first position. The force-feedback assembly additionally includes a ramp in sliding engagement with the shaft end. The force-feedback assembly further includes an operator input device operatively coupled to the ramp. The operator input device has a device first position and a device second position. Moving the operator input device from the device first position to the device second position slides the ramp relative to the shaft end and moves the first shaft from the shaft first position to the shaft second position.

A method and device for providing a signal for operating at least two vehicles including: receiving vehicle data values which represent at least one further vehicle, the at least one further vehicle cutting in between the at least two vehicles, acquiring a first driving strategy of the at least two vehicles, determining a second driving strategy for the at least two vehicles, as a function of the first driving strategy and as a function of the vehicle data values, and providing a signal for operating the at least two vehicles as a function of the second driving strategy.