Accelerator Force Feedback Pedal (AFFP) as Assistance System for Distance Control in Traffic

A driver of a vehicle applies an actuation force to an accelerator device such as an accelerator pedal or a twist-grip throttle of the vehicle to deflect the accelerator device to an actual deflection angle ( act), which is detected. A restoring force acts on the accelerator device opposite the actuation force. An electronic controller determines a nominal deflection angle ( nom) to which the accelerator device shall be deflected, based on inputs such as an actual speed of the subject vehicle, a relative speed of the subject vehicle relative to a leading vehicle driving ahead of the subject vehicle, an actual distance of the subject vehicle to the leading vehicle, and a nominal distance at which the subject vehicle shall follow the leading vehicle. The restoring force on the accelerator device is modulated as a function of the difference between the actual deflection angle ( act) and the nominal deflection angle ( nom).