Method and device for foot position detection on a pedal of a vehicle

Abstract

A method for foot position detection on a vehicle accelerator pedal, in which the pedal (2, 3, 4) is monitored by a sensor (6, 7, 8, 11, 12), characterized in that the area surrounding the pedal (2, 3, 4) is monitored by means of a detection range (E6, E7, E8) of a non-contact sensor (6, 7, 8), wherein, upon detection of the foot position in the detection range (E6, E7, E8), a signal indicating an impending actuation of the pedal (2, 3, 4) is output to a control unit (13), wherein the detection range (E6, E7, E8) of the sensor (6, 7, 8) forms a zone completely surrounding the pedal (2, 3, 4), wherein each pedal (2, 3, 4) is assigned an independent zone, which is defined by the detection range (E6, E7, E8) of a sensor corresponding to the respective pedal (2, 3, 4). 4) associated non-contact sensor (6, 7, 8) is formed, characterized in that the zone is subdivided into several sub-zones.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for detecting the foot position on a pedal of a vehicle, in which the pedal is monitored by a sensor, and to a device for carrying out the method.

[0002] In vehicles, it is common practice for the driver to actively communicate their longitudinal driving dynamics input to the overall vehicle system by engaging the accelerator pedals. This driver input includes accelerating the vehicle, decelerating the vehicle, or changing gear. For controllable mechatronic subsystems of the drivetrain, such as the transmission, clutch, brakes, combustion engine, or electric motor, a certain amount of time must always be allowed before the change in driving dynamics desired by the driver occurs due to computing times, actuator runtimes, or physical limitations. This time delay between active driver input via pedal position and the system's response can irritate the driver or result in a perceived loss of comfort.

[0003] DE 10 2012 005 074 A1 discloses a driver assistance system with a foot sensor for monitoring the driver’s foot.

[0004] DE 10 2009 001 378 A1 discloses a method and a device for the early detection of pedal actuation.

[0005] DE 10 2012 221 977 A1 discloses a clutch actuation system in which a method for controlling the actuator system includes detecting a decreasing actuation of an accelerator pedal to control the drive motor. This decreasing actuation is detected by a sensor that scans the position of the accelerator pedal. The extent to which the angle of the accelerator pedal changes is monitored, which is determined, for example, by a gradient of the accelerator pedal actuation.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for detecting the position of the foot on a pedal of a vehicle, in which the driver's request is detected as quickly as possible, thereby enabling an increase in the comfort of the vehicle's driving behavior.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by monitoring the area surrounding the pedal using a detection zone of a contactless sensor. Upon detection of the foot position within the detection zone, a signal indicating an impending pedal actuation is transmitted to a control unit. This has the advantage that the driver's input can be recognized very early and proactively. Thus, based on this proactive detection, intelligent drive control can be implemented, which contributes to comfort control. Furthermore, safety-relevant driver behavior can also be detected, and intelligent safety measures can be implemented accordingly while simultaneously maintaining comfort behavior.

[0008] According to the invention, the sensor's detection range forms a zone completely surrounding the pedal, with each pedal being assigned a separate zone formed by the detection range of a sensor assigned to that pedal. Thus, all pedals to be operated by the driver can be detected by one sensor each, so that the control unit receives information very quickly about whether the accelerator pedal should be pressed to accelerate the vehicle, the brake pedal to decelerate the vehicle, the clutch pedal to start moving or to change gear, or the clutch and brake pedals in combination to enable the engine start.

[0009] According to the invention, the zones are divided into several subzones. This has the advantage that, depending on the pedal used, it is possible to distinguish whether the foot swings in relatively quickly or slows down after swinging in. These speeds also allow conclusions to be drawn about which pedal should be used.

[0010] In one variant, the zones of the individual pedals are overlapped. This overlapping area allows the number of pedals that can be considered for perspective actuation to be limited, which allows for simplified evaluation by the control unit.

[0011] Advantageously, a pressure buildup on a surface of the pedal is measured, which is evaluated by the control unit. The evaluation of such a pressure buildup provides confirmation that the pedal monitored by the respective contactless sensor is actually being actuated.

[0012] In another embodiment, the immediate vicinity of the pedal surface is monitored with a capacitive sensor. The pressure sensor and the capacitive sensor form the last subzones in the overall zone of the respective pedal. The signals from these individual sensors can be used to track the approach to the accelerator pedal in detail.

[0013] A further development of the invention relates to a device for detecting the foot position on a pedal of a vehicle, in which a sensor for monitoring pedal actuation is arranged in the area of ​​the pedal. In a device that generates a time gain that partially compensates for a time delay in automated systems, a detection area of ​​the contactless sensor completely surrounds the pedal, with the sensor being connected to a control unit for evaluating a sensor signal that indicates an impending actuation of the signal.

[0014] In a particularly cost-effective solution, the contactless sensor is designed as an ultrasonic sensor, infrared sensor, or image capture unit. Advantageously, a pressure-sensitive layer is applied to one surface of the pedal. Using such pressure-sensitive sensors, the foot position can be clearly detected.

[0015] In one embodiment, a proximity sensor is arranged on the surface of the pedal. Such a proximity sensor emits a signal before the foot actually touches the pedal, indicating that contact is imminent.

[0016] The invention permits numerous embodiments. One of these will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures shown in the drawing.

[0017] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the method according to the invention, Fig. 2 pedals in top view, Fig. 3 an embodiment of a pedal surrounded by a detection area of ​​the sensor, Fig. 4 an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the method according to the invention, in which the footwell 1 below the steering wheel in the vehicle is shown in part. The pedals present in a vehicle, such as the accelerator pedal 2, the brake pedal 3, and the clutch pedal 4, are shown. A sensor 6, 7, 8, for example an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a camera, is arranged above each pedal 2, 3, 4 within the vehicle trim 5. A sensor 6, 7, 8 is provided for each pedal 2, 3, 4, which has a detection area E6, E7, E8 that completely surrounds the respective pedal 2, 3, 4 and radiates from top to bottom into the footwell 1. In addition to the clutch pedal 4, a sensor 9 is also provided for a so-called rest zone 10, where the driver's foot is normally located when the clutch is not engaged. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of these pedals 2, 3, 4, whereby the rest zone 10 is also shown once again.

[0019] In addition to the Fig. 1, in which the driver engages with his foot when he intends to operate the corresponding pedal 2, 3, 4, is on each pedal 2, 3, 4, as shown in Fig. 3, a pressure-sensitive layer in the form of a pressure sensor 11 is positioned. At the same time, a proximity sensor 12 is located above the detection zone of the pressure sensor, the detection range E12 of which is represented by the dashed section.

[0020] If the driver now intends to operate one of the pedals 2, 3, or 4, they will first intervene in the detection range E6, E7, or E8 of the sensors 6, 7, or 8, which are designed as ultrasonic or infrared sensors. To ensure that such an operation is actually intended, the control unit 13 evaluates whether the proximity sensor 12, which has a significantly smaller detection range E12 than the ultrasonic or infrared sensors 6, 7, or 8, is emitting a signal. If this is the case, it is assumed that the corresponding pedal 2, 3, or 4 is actually about to be operated, which is ultimately confirmed by the emission of a signal by the pressure sensor 11.

[0021] The respective configuration of sensors 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12 should be adapted to the driving strategy and vehicle type. For example, it is advisable to equip accelerator pedal 2 with a proximity sensor 12, since the driver's foot moves almost exclusively in the area around accelerator pedal 2, except when braking. As a result, the foot is almost always within the detection range E6 of sensor 6. Proximity sensor 12 determines that the accelerator pedal 2 is actually intended to be pressed.

[0022] In contrast, for the clutch pedal 4, it is sufficient to provide only the contactless sensor 8 in the form of an ultrasonic or infrared sensor. The rest zone 10 additionally arranged next to the clutch pedal 4 is the area in which the driver's left foot normally rests when not depressing the clutch pedal 4. If the driver leaves this rest zone 10, it can be assumed that a gear change is imminent by depressing the clutch pedal 4.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 4 shows a schematic structure of a device according to the invention, in which a control unit 13 is shown, which is connected to the sensors 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 (not shown in detail), which are combined in a pedal block 23. The signals from the sensors 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 are forwarded to an evaluation unit 14, to which conventional pedal sensors (not shown in detail), which, for example, measure the angular position of a pedal and derive indications of the pedal actuation from this, are also forwarded. This evaluation unit 14 evaluates these signals and accordingly transmits information to the clutch control unit 15 or the transmission control unit 16 that a clutch operation and thus a gear change is imminent. The clutch control unit 15 is connected to the clutch 18 via an actuator 17, and the transmission control unit 16 is connected to the transmission 20 via a further actuator 19.At the same time, the information derived from monitoring the accelerator pedal 2 is output directly to the vehicle's engine control unit 21, which controls the combustion engine 22, whose torque is transmitted to the vehicle's drive via the clutch 18 and the transmission 20. Positioned near the vehicle tires 24 is a brake electronics unit 25, which also receives advance information based on the described method when an anticipated braking action is inferred by detecting the foot near the brake pedal 3.

[0024] For example, such a method can be used during a coasting phase of the vehicle, in which, after a relatively long phase of coasting with the clutch 18 disengaged and the combustion engine 22 stopped, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 2 to restart the combustion engine 22, and the automated clutch 18 must be gently closed. Here, the approach of the foot to the accelerator pedal 2 or the pressure buildup on the pedal surface of the accelerator pedal 2 is evaluated as the trigger for the engine start.

[0025] Furthermore, safety-relevant situations can be detected by foot position detection, allowing for prompt response. For example, the engine start is only enabled when both of the driver's feet are detected in the footwell 1, preventing accidental or improper starting of the combustion engine 22 when the driver gets in or out. The same applies, in particular, if a child in the driver's seat attempts to initiate a start; this will inevitably be denied.

[0026] The proposed solution can be used in vehicles with intelligent driving strategies, both with combustion engines and hybrid drivetrains, with conventional manual transmissions and partially or fully automated transmissions. These vehicles can be equipped with a traditional manual transmission configuration with three pedals (accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals) or with automatic transmission configurations with two pedals (accelerator and brake pedals). By intelligently detecting the actuation of the pedals and their surroundings, the driver's input can be recognized very early and used for intelligent drive control.

[0027] It is also conceivable that the information about which pedal the driver intends to press next could be acquired by evaluating stimuli from the driver's somatic nervous system. This is particularly advantageous in more highly automated vehicles, as the application of the method could help with adaptive cruise control, which technically eliminates the need for the driver to keep their foot on one of the pedals, as well as with the use of start-off assist, traffic jam assist, or other automated systems that are geared toward self-driving systems. List of reference symbols 1 footwell 2 Accelerator pedal 3 Brake pedal 4 Clutch pedal 5 Vehicle cladding 6 Sensor 7 Sensor 8 Sensor 9 Sensor 10 Rest area 11 Pressure sensor 12 Proximity sensor 13 Control unit 14 Evaluation unit 15 Clutch control unit 16 Transmission control unit 17 Actuator 18 Clutch 19 Actuator 20 gearboxes 21 Engine control unit 22 combustion engine 23 Pedal block 24 vehicle tires 25 Brake electronics

Claims

[1] Method for detecting the foot position on an accelerator pedal of a vehicle, in which the pedal (2, 3, 4) is monitored by a sensor (6, 7, 8, 11, 12), characterized by that an area surrounding the pedal (2, 3, 4) is monitored by means of a detection area (E6, E7, E8) of a contactless sensor (6, 7, 8), wherein upon detection of the foot position in the detection area (E6, E7, E8), a signal about an impending actuation of the pedal (2, 3, 4) is output to a control unit (13), wherein the detection area (E6, E7, E8) of the sensor (6, 7, 8) forms a zone completely surrounding the pedal (2, 3, 4), wherein each pedal (2, 3, 4) is assigned an independent zone which is formed by the detection area (E6, E7, E8) of a contactless sensor (6, 7, 8) assigned to the respective pedal (2, 3, 4), characterized by that the zone is divided into several subzones. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the zones of the individual pedals (2, 3, 4) are overlapped. [3] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a pressure build-up on a surface of the pedal (2, 3, 4) is measured by means of a pressure-sensitive layer (11), which is evaluated by the control unit (13). [4] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the immediate vicinity of the surface of the pedal (2, 3, 4) is monitored with a capacitive sensor (12). [5] Device for detecting the foot position on a pedal of a vehicle, in which a sensor (6, 7, 8, 11, 12) for monitoring the pedal actuation is arranged in the area of ​​the pedal (2, 3, 4), characterized bythat a detection area (E6, E7, E8) of the contactless sensor (6, 7, 8) completely surrounds the pedal (2, 3, 4), wherein the sensor (6, 7, 8, 11, 12) is connected to a control unit (13) for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, for evaluating a sensor signal which indicates an impending actuation of the signal. [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by that the contactless sensor (6, 7, 8) is designed as an ultrasonic sensor or infrared sensor or image recording unit. [7] Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that a pressure-sensitive layer (11) is formed on a surface of the pedal (2, 3, 4). [8] Device according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized by that a proximity sensor (12) is arranged on the surface of the pedal (2, 3, 4).

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