Testing New Solutions for Eco-Driving: Haptic Gas Pedals in Electric Vehicles

Reducing energy consumption has become a matter of increasing concern for electric vehicle owners. EcoDriver is a project funded by the European Commission, searching for new eco-driving solutions for reducing energy consumption in private and public transport. EcoDriver’s main purpose is to teach efficient driving strategies and facilitate drivers’ decision-making processes through several feedback modalities, in order to help increase driving efficiency and therefore reduce energy consumption. In the present study, the Full ecoDriver System combined with a haptic feedback gas pedal was tested in real driving conditions to give answers to some questions about its effectiveness, efficiency, workload and acceptability in an electric vehicle. The sample profile was composed by thirty young but experienced drivers. They had to drive around an open road track which allowed several possible scenarios such as curves, intersection or roundabout, speed limit changes and preceding vehicles. Average speed was registered on each lap, likewise other subjective measurements. The main results suggest that the efficiency benefits achieved while driving depend on the event type and the feedback modality provided. For instance haptic feedback seems to be especially indicated for roundabouts. In addition, the visual feedback provided by the FeDS nomadic device helps to save energy and learn eco-driving strategies. These outcomes indicate how several feedback modalities could facilitate the decision making process, changing driving behaviour, reducing energy consumption and increasing safety. These questions would help advance further research on eco-driving Intelligent Transport Systems and driving behaviour issues.

Muscular activity patterns in 1-legged vs. 2-legged pedaling

Background:One-legged pedaling is of interest to elite cyclists and clinicians.However,muscular usage in 1-legged vs.2-legged pedaling is not fully understood.Thus,the study was aimed to examine changes in leg muscle activation patterns between 2-legged and 1-legged pedaling.Methods:Fifteen healthy young recreational cyclists performed both 1-legged and 2-legged pedaling trials at about 30 Watt per leg.Surface electromyography electrodes were placed on 10 major muscles of the left leg.Linear envelope electromyography data were integrated to quantify muscle activities for each crank cycle quadrant to evaluate muscle activation changes.Results:Overall,the prescribed constant power requirements led to reduced downstroke crank torque and extension-related muscle activities(vastus lateralis,vastus medialis,and soleus)in 1-legged pedaling.Flexion-related muscle activities(biceps femoris long head,semitendinosus,lateral gastrocnemius,medial gastrocnemius,tensor fasciae latae,and tibialis anterior)in the upstroke phase increased to compensate for the absence of contralateral leg crank torque.During the upstroke,simultaneous increases were seen in the hamstrings and uni-articular knee extensors,and in the ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors.At the top of the crank cycle,greater hip flexor activity stabilized the pelvis.Conclusion:The observed changes in muscle activities are due to a variety of changes in mechanical aspects of the pedaling motion when pedaling with only 1 leg,including altered crank torque patterns without the contralateral leg,reduced pelvis stability,and increased knee and ankle stiffness during the upstroke.

Endovascular treatment of diabetic foot ischemic ulcer–Technical review

This article is a technical review of the common techniques used in the treatment of lower-limb occlusive arterial disease associated with diabetes.The techniques described here reflect the author’s own practice and are methods that the author finds helpful in avoiding complications and in making the technical aspects of the procedures easier.

Study on the method of optimal location on explosion events at near-source site

IntroductionEarthquake location is one of the inverse problems in seismology. The accurate earthquake source location is the basis of studies of earthquake images, the relation analysis between seismicity and tectonics, and the important parameters of earthquakes. It is also the basic data used to study the space distribution of aftershocks after a strong earthquake. The earthquake location accuracy mainly depends on reliability of the velocity models for the earth￠s crust, the reasonable design of the seismograph network, the accuracy of arrival time, and the location method used (ZHAO, 1983; ZHU, ZHAO, 1997; LI, et al, 1999). The reliability of the velocity model directly influences loca-tion results. The reasonable seismograph network design can improve the location accuracy; otherwise it will in-troduce ill-conditioned equations and large location error. If arrival time is not accurate, for example, if the seismic phase is wrongly identified or the time service is inaccurate, large arrival time error will be produced, and the location results and real hypocenters will be discordant. Different location algorithms adopted will produce differ-ent location errors. The residual criterion chosen has influence on location results. Besides, whether the event is correctly associated also influences the location quality. In practice, it can often be seen that large location devia-tion introduced by wrong event association.

Development and Control of a Magnetorheological Damper‑Based Brake Pedal Simulator for Vehicle Brake‑by‑Wire Systems

Recent developments have demonstrated that the brake pedal simulator(BPS)is becoming an indispensable apparatus for the break-by-wire systems in future electric vehicles.Its main function is to provide the driver with a comfortable pedal feel to improve braking safety and comfort.This paper presents the development and control of an adjustable BPS,using a disk-type magnetorheological(MR)damper as the passive braking reaction generator to simulate the traditional pedal feel.A detailed description of the mechanical design of the MR damper-based BSP(MRDBBPS)is presented in this paper.Several basic performance experiments on the MRDBBPS prototype are conducted.A returnto-zero(RTZ)algorithm is proposed to avoid hysteresis and improve the repeatability of the pedal force.In addition,an RTZ algorithm-based real-time current-tracking controller(RTZRC)is designed in consideration of the response lag of the coil circuit.Finally,an experimental system is established by integrating the MRDBBPS prototype into a selfdeveloped automotive MR braking test bench(AMRBTB),and several control and braking experiments are performed.This research proposes a RTZRC control algorithm which can significantly increase the tracking accuracy of the brake pedal characteristic curve,particularly at a high pedal velocity.Additionally,the designed MRDBBPS prototype can achieve an effective and favorable control of the AMRBTB with a good repeatability.

基于驾驶质量性能的Acc Pedal Map设计

以某商用车公司开发的某款自动挡的SUV车型为例,通过对该车型的Acc Pedal Map进行优化,总结出了一套基于驾驶质量性能的Acc Pedal Map开发设计方法。最终针对设计的Acc Pedal Map进行仿真分析和实车试验验证,发现仿真结果及实验验证结果高度吻合。说明此方法设计的Acc Pedal Map可以很好地满足整车驾驶质量的要求,对于驾驶质量性能开发有着重要的参考意义。

车辆加速系统性能评价优化

以某商用车公司开发的某款车型为例,为提升某车型的驾驶质量,以系统增益为优化目标,调整整车的Acceleration Pedal Map、Gear Shift Program等相关标定策略,最终通过驾驶质量客观试验及主观评价对车辆的驾驶质量性能进行验收,试验结果及评价结果均达到了预定目标。

Inequalities for pedal simplices

In this paper,we present inequalities for volumes of subsimplices of a simplex and its pedal simplex and generalize them to m ＋ 1 simplices and their pedal simplices.

Immersible ergocycle prescription as a function of relative exercise intensity

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between various expressions of relative exercise intensity percentage of maximal oxygen uptake(%VO_(2max)), percentage of maximal heart rate(%HR_(max)), %VO_2 reserve(%VO_2R), and %HR reserve(%HRR)) in order to obtain the more appropriate method for exercise intensity prescription when using an immersible ergocycle(IE) and to propose a prediction equation to estimate oxygen consumption(VO_2) based on IE pedaling rate(rpm) for an individualized exercise training prescription.Methods: Thirty-three healthy participants performed incremental exercise tests on IE and dryland ergocycle(DE) at equal external power output(Pext). Exercise on IE began at 40 rpm and was increased by 10 rpm until exhaustion. Exercise on DE began with an initial load of 25 W and increased by 25 W/min until exhaustion. VO_2 was measured with a portable gas analyzer(COSMED K4b^2) during both incremental tests. On IE and DE, %VO_2R, %HRmax, and %HRR at equal Pext did not differ(p > 0.05).Results: The %HRR vs. %VO_2R regression for both IE and DE did not differ from the identity line %VO_2R IE = 0.99 × HRR IE(%) + 0.01(r^2= 0.91, SEE = 11%); %VO_2R DE = 0.94 × HRR DE(%) + 0.01(r^2= 0.94, SEE = 8%). Similar mean values for %HRmax, %VO_2R, and %HRR at equal Pext were observed on IE and DE. Predicted VO_2 obtained according to rpm on IE is represented by: VO_2(L/min) = 0.000542 × rpm2-0.026 × rpm + 0.739(r = 0.91, SEE = 0.319 L/min).Conclusion: The %HRR–%VO_2R relationship appears to be the most accurate for exercise training prescription on IE. This study offers new tools to better prescribe, control, and individualize exercise intensity on IE.

Some Inequalities for Simplices and Their Applications

Using theory of distance geometry and analytic method, the problem on relations about the volumes of some simplices is studied, and some new inequalities for the volumes of simplices are established. As special cases, an inequality for the volume of the pedal simplex of a simplex and other inequalities for simplices are gotten.

Ayurvedic management for diabetic nephropathy: a case study

Nephropathy is the significant complication of diabetes mellitus that affects about 40%of diabetics and a major cause of death and disability among diabetics.It is observed that even the patients having well-controlled diabetes suffer from diabetic nephropathy.It needs intense management,such as dialysis and badly affects the quality of life.A male patient of 45 years visited the outpatient department complaining of bilateral pedal edema,frequent micturition,nausea especially during morning hours,reduced apetite,generalized weakness and itching all over body from past 4 years.He was known case of diabetes mellitus since 4 years.Routine investigations of kidney function tests and urine microscopic findings were also found disturbed.Patient was taking oral hypoglycemic drug(metformin 500 mg twice a day).He was diagnosed as a case of diabetic nephropathy on the basis of clinical signs&symptoms and with lab findings.According to ayurveda,the symptoms resembles with Prameha janya upadrava(post-diabetic complications).Patient was given ayurvedic medication for a period of 30 days and investigations were done after 30 days.There was marked relief in the symptoms along with considerable improvement in renal investigations like blood urea,serum creatinine&uric acid profile.This management may bring some new hope to the patients of diabetic nephropathy,which usually terminates to chronic renal failure and ultimately to death.

"Keep Pedaling, Karen!"

Once I found a pink moth on our front porch. I was per-haps eight years old, and it happened as I stepped out throughmy front door into the glass-enclosed vestibule, nearly like agreenhouse, where we left our boots in the winter. A mothwas desperately trying to find its way off the porch. Several times I had found a bee or a moth trapped on

Pedal Magnetic Massage Apparatus

The tricks of many senior people who always keep themselves in good health is to massage their feet. There are many important acupuncture points on the soles of the feet, and the most important is located in the pit of the sole and is called Yong Quan Point, on the longevity point. Massaging this point frequently is good for improving the vitality of the body and replenishing

Cyclical Elliptical Pedal Surfaces

Intensive use of geometrical modelling started with the development of computer graphics and CAD/CAM technologies, comprising a wide area of mathematical disciplines. Geometrical modelling is a synthesis of the geometry and computer graphics, which enable us to develop complex mathematical models that would be rather difficult to display without using a computer. The author recognizes two basic methods of research of geometrical models, synthetic and analytic. The synthetic method makes use of geometrical constructions and in the analytic method geometrical objects are characterized by numerical data. The author uses these methods in this contribution. The aim of this research is to show central cyclides （Dupin＇s cyclides） as a special kind of the cyclical elliptical pedal surfaces. Firstly, applying the method of synthetic geometry, a new class of such surfaces in the 3-dimensional Euclidean space （model of the projective space） is defined. The geometrical construction of these surfaces is dependent on the given ellipse and the position of the pole P. It is the point at which the pencil of perpendicular planes passes to the plane of the ellipse, wherein the generating circles of the surface are lying. The parametric equations of the cyclical elliptical surface are derived applying the method of analytic geometry. The author classifies the surfaces according to the number of generating circles with a zero radius. The evolute of the ellipse divides the plane of the ellipse into two areas, Ω1 and Ω2. The shape of the surface depends on the position of the pole P in the areas of Ω1 and Ω2. The surface can have 4, 3 or 2 circles with a zero radius. The author then describes the relationship between these surfaces and the Dupin＇s cyclides, obtained in the case when the pole P is the point on the major axis of the ellipse. Finally, the transformation of these surfaces is shown by changing of the orthonormal base in the parameterization of the generating circles of the surface. The author visualizes the resulting surfaces obtained by the parametric approach in the MAPLE program environment.

某轻型客车驾驶质量仿真与优化

以某商用车技术中心开发的某款轻型客车为例子,通过运用AVL Cruise软件平台对整车驾驶质量峰值进行仿真分析。将仿真结果与设计目标进行对比分析发现其中存在的不足,然后通过优化汽车Accelerator Pedal Map,最终使整车的驾驶质量达到设计要求。

Pedal Power 骑乐无穷

摄影师Fred Murray表示:拍摄自行车越野运动必须一次成功,因为警察随时会来。你是怎样成为一个自行车越野运动摄影师的?我的在校成绩并不是十分优秀,那时的我经常参加自行车越野运动。10年前在美国我开始拍摄我的朋友。我去那里只是为了放松一下自己并在那里骑3个月自行车。在我出发前我拿到一台相机。我一直很喜欢自行车越野运动的照片,于是我花了大量的时间研究相机的操作功能,并开始疯狂地钻研起来。我在Portland为一名名叫Jeff

Pedaling for a Cause A Chinese adventurer cycles through Africa to raise money to power a village in Benin

Yuan Jianglei has an amazing story to tell. The 27 year old is one of a handful of people who can say they have cycled through Africa - solo.Yuan began his epic adventure in the West African country of Benin, ending 10,544 km and 333 days later in his hometown of Ningbo, east China＇s Zhejiang Province.

美国数字资源保存国家工程项目实践及特点

美国数字资源长期保存国家工程项目MTSA、MSPP、PeDALS、GeoMAPP在大范围的实践中积累了丰富的经验。这些项目集中在特定的内容和领域,建立了跨职能的团队以促进合作,采用多样性的数据管理方法和模式保存数字资源,重视宣传,具体实施时采用模块化和可分解的方法先试点、再分阶段实施等策略对我们有重要的参考价值。

Design and Development of a Wheel-less Snake Robot with Active Stiffness Control for Adaptive Pedal Wave Locomotion

This paper presents the design and manufacture process of a wheel-less,modular snake robot with series elastic actuators to reliably measure motor torque signal and investigate the effectiveness of active stiffness control for achieving adaptive snake-like locomotion.A polyurethane based elastic element to be attached between the motor and the links at each joint was designed and manufactured using water jet cutter,which makes the final design easier to develop and more cost-effective,compared to existing snake robots with torque measurement capabilities.The reliability of such torque measurement mechanism was examined using simulated dynamical model of pedal wave motion,which proves the efficacy of the design.A distributed control system was also designed,which with the help of an admittance controller,enables active control of the joint stiffness to achieve adaptive snake robot pedal wave locomotion to climb over obstacles,which unlike existing methods does not require prior information about the location of the obstacle.The effectiveness of the proposed controller in comparison to open-loop control strategy was verified by the number of experiments.The results show the capability of the robot to successfully climb over obstacles with the height of more than 55%of the diameter of the snake robot modules.

Selection of Suitable Maximum-heart-rate Formulas for Use with Karvonen Formula to Calculate Exercise Intensity

The Karvonen formula, which is widely used to estimate exercise intensity, contains maximum heart rate, H Rmax, as a variable. This study employed pedaling experiments to assess which of the proposed formulas for calculating H Rmaxwas the most suitable for use with the Karvonen formula. First, two kinds of experiments involving an ergometer were performed: an all-in-one-day experiment that tested eight pedaling loads in one day, and a one-load-per-day experiment that tested one load per day for eight days.A comparison of the data on 7 subjects showed that the all-in-one-day type of experiment was better for assessing H Rmaxformulas,at least for the load levels tested in our experiments. A statistical analysis of the experimental data on 47 subjects showed two of the H Rmaxformulas to be suitable for use in the Karvonen formula to estimate exercise intensity for males in their 20 s. In addition, the physical characteristics of a person having the greatest impact on exercise intensity were determined.