Control device for preventing sudden unintended acceleration including bypass circuit

Abstract

A control device for preventing sudden unintended acceleration including a bypass circuit is disclosed. The control device for preventing sudden unintended acceleration according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an operation switch which causes power outputted from a battery to be applied to the operation of the control device for preventing sudden unintended acceleration and a driving motor of an ETC; a first operation unit which cuts off power applied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device is operated; and a second operation unit which causes the power of the battery to be applied to the ETC; and a voltage regulator installed on the wiring of the operation switch and the second operation unit (B) to regulate the voltage.

Description

Sudden acceleration prevention control device including bypass circuit

[0001] The present invention relates to a sudden acceleration prevention control device, and more particularly, to a sudden acceleration prevention control device including a bypass circuit that allows a driver to operate an electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs.

[0002] Typically, when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the throttle valve opens to supply air to the engine, combusting the mixture and supplying air to the engine, which moves the piston. The amount of fuel supplied increases by the amount of air supplied, increasing the engine's RPM and allowing the engine to move forward.

[0003] Recently, as electronic control methods by electronic control units (ECUs) have begun to be widely adopted in automobiles, sudden acceleration phenomena have often occurred in vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. These electronic control units are widely applied from engine control such as fuel injection, ignition timing, and supply and mixing of air and fuel required for the mixture, to brake systems and transmissions.

[0004] Here, the electronic control unit (ECU) being developed recently is being developed for the purpose of obtaining the desired engine output by injecting fuel at an appropriate air-fuel ratio based on the amount of incoming air, and also achieving fuel economy and exhaust gas reduction. However, in order to achieve this purpose, a large number of electromagnetic components are built inside the vehicle, and the wiring for individual control of them has become very complex.

[0005] Meanwhile, the exact cause of sudden acceleration that occurs when an electronically controlled engine and electronically controlled automatic transmission with such a complex structure are installed has not been identified, but one example is a malfunction (often caused by the introduction of electromagnetic waves or secondary voltage noise during ignition) during the signal transmission process between the electronic control unit (ECU) and the automatic transmission control unit (TCU), which causes the RPM of the car engine to rise rapidly and the car to accelerate suddenly regardless of the driver's intention, even when the accelerator pedal is not pressed at the beginning of the engine start or in the driving or reverse position.

[0006] In addition, another reason for sudden acceleration is that the starter motor equipped in the vehicle performs an operation to start the engine by forcibly rotating it initially, and at this time, as the starter motor uses a large amount of power from the battery, the load on the battery is suddenly applied, so other electrical devices connected to the battery, specifically, the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle and other electrical devices, become in a low voltage state, resulting in a sudden acceleration phenomenon due to an electrical malfunction.

[0007] Also, another reason for sudden acceleration was found in the way cruise control is implemented in modern vehicles. This is a problem that occurs in the throttle valve controlled by the accelerator pedal or the electrical system. The same problem can also occur in the way electrical and physical signals are transmitted. This problem can be said to be a problem with the electrical wiring. Automobile wiring is very complex and has many sensors and devices, so there are many problems that can cause malfunctions due to poor connector connection, current leakage, and moisture leakage.

[0008] In addition, another reason for the sudden acceleration is that with the increase in electronic control devices in automobiles and the emergence of 'connected cars' (smart cars) and self-driving cars that connect vehicles to wireless mobile communication networks, automobile cybersecurity has emerged as an urgent issue.

[0009] Although it has not yet surfaced in Korea, cases of illegal hacking into vehicles equipped with connected car technology using smartphones are increasing in countries such as the US, and in Korea, the number of vehicle control wireless communication service subscription lines supporting connected car services exceeded 3 million as of the end of July 2019, and as such, in the era of connected cars and autonomous vehicles, problems such as sudden acceleration due to hacking may occur.

[0010] Meanwhile, many attempts have been made to prevent sudden acceleration of vehicles caused by such problems, and examples of such attempts include technologies such as Korean Publication Utility Model No. 20-1993-0025005, 'Sudden Acceleration Prevention Device for Starting a Car', and Korean Publication Utility Model No. 20-2009-0004181, 'Sudden Acceleration Prevention Device for Car'. However, a solution that can fundamentally solve the sudden acceleration problem caused by errors in the electronic system or problems with the throttle valve itself has not yet been developed and put into practical use, and this has resulted in enormous damage to life and property. Therefore, there has been an urgent need for technology development for a sudden acceleration prevention device that is both reliable and highly compatible, and for a vehicle that prevents sudden acceleration using the device.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sudden acceleration prevention control device that prevents problems such as engine stalling due to ETC operation being stopped by cutting off power from the ECU to the ETC by operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device, thereby maintaining the minimum output of the engine and allowing the driver to operate an electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving this purpose, a sudden acceleration prevention control device may be configured to include an operating switch that allows power output from a battery to be applied to the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device and the drive motor of an ETC; a first operating unit that blocks power applied from an ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device is operated; a second operating unit that allows power from the battery to be applied to the ETC; and a voltage regulating device that is installed on the wiring of the operating switch and the second operating unit and adjusts the voltage.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first operating unit, the second operating unit, and the voltage regulator may be formed as an integrated unit into a single substrate.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first operating unit, the operating switch, the voltage regulator, and the second operating unit arranged on the wiring between the ECU and the ETC can form one bypass circuit.

[0016] In this case, when the power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off as the sudden acceleration prevention control device operates, power regulated by the voltage regulator placed on the bypass circuit is supplied to the ETC.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the operating switch may include an electronic switch that uses power applied by the driver's brake operation as operating power; and a manual switch that is operated by the driver's direct operation.

[0018] In this case, the electronic switch and the manual switch can be provided as an integrated unit and installed inside the vehicle.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first operating unit may be configured to include a first relay that blocks positive power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates; and a second relay that operates together with the first relay to block negative power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates.

[0020] In addition, the second operating unit may be configured to include a third relay that applies negative power of the battery to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates; and a fourth relay that applies positive power of the battery to the ETC by operating together with the third relay when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates.

[0021] As described above, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, by having an operation switch, a first operation unit, a second operation unit, and a voltage regulator of a specific structure, the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device prevents problems such as engine stalling from occurring due to the ETC operation being stopped by cutting off power from the ECU to the ETC, thereby maintaining the minimum output of the engine, and providing a sudden acceleration prevention control device that allows the driver to operate an electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs.

[0022] In addition, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, when sudden acceleration occurs due to reasons such as unintended sudden acceleration by the driver or malfunction of the ECU and sudden braking is required, the driver can operate the sudden acceleration prevention control device by operating an electronic switch or a manual switch, thereby facilitating rapid braking during sudden acceleration and sudden acceleration.

[0023] In addition, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, when the sudden acceleration prevention control device is operated, the power to the ETC is cut off, which stops the operation of the ETC, thereby blocking the inflow of air, which may cause the engine to stall, which may cause inconvenience in controlling the vehicle. In order to deal with the above situation, when the direct power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off, the power adjusted to an appropriate voltage necessary for the minimum operation of the ETC is bypassed and connected to the ETC through a voltage regulator, thereby allowing the engine of the vehicle to have a minimum driving capability, thereby having the effect of being advantageous in controlling the vehicle.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing the state in which the sudden acceleration prevention control device illustrated in Fig. 1 is operating.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the state in which the sudden acceleration prevention control device illustrated in Fig. 3 is operating.

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in terms of meanings and concepts consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0030] Throughout this specification, when it is said that an element is "on" another element, this includes not only cases where the element is in contact with the other element, but also cases where another element exists between the two elements. Throughout this specification, when it is said that a part "includes" a component, this does not mean that the other component is excluded, but rather that the other component may be included, unless otherwise stated.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a state in which the sudden acceleration prevention control device shown in FIG. 1 is operating.

[0032] Referring to these drawings, the sudden acceleration prevention control device (100) according to the present embodiment is provided with an operation switch (140) of a specific structure, a first operation unit (A), a second operation unit (B), and a voltage regulator (130), thereby preventing problems such as engine shutdown due to ETC operation being stopped by cutting off power from the ECU due to the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device, thereby maintaining the minimum output of the engine, and providing a sudden acceleration prevention control device that allows the driver to operate an electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs.

[0033] Hereinafter, each component of the sudden acceleration prevention control device (100) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] The operating switch (140) according to this embodiment is structured to allow power output from the battery to be applied to the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device and the driving motor of the ETC.

[0035] The first operating unit (A) according to this embodiment is structured to cut off power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates.

[0036] The second operating unit (B) according to this embodiment is a structure that supplies power from the battery to the ETC.

[0037] The voltage regulator (130) according to this embodiment is installed on the wiring of the operating switch (140) and the second operating part (B) and has a structure that regulates the voltage.

[0038] Specifically, the first operating unit (A), the operating switch (140), the voltage regulator (130), and the second operating unit (B) arranged on the wiring between the ECU and the ETC form one bypass circuit.

[0039] At this time, when the power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off as the sudden acceleration prevention control device operates, power regulated by the voltage regulator (130) placed on the bypass circuit can be supplied to the ETC.

[0040] In some cases, the first operating unit (A), the second operating unit (B) and the voltage regulator (130) may be formed as an integrated board.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a state in which the sudden acceleration prevention control device shown in FIG. 3 is operating.

[0042] Referring to these drawings, the operating switch (140) according to the present embodiment may be configured to include an electronic switch and a manual switch of a specific structure.

[0043] Specifically, the electronic switch of the operating switch (140) is configured to use the power supplied by the driver's brake operation as the operating power. In addition, the manual switch is configured to be operated by the driver's direct operation.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first operating unit (A) may be configured to include a first relay (111) and a second relay (112) of a specific structure.

[0045] Specifically, the first relay (111) of the first operating unit (A) is structured to block the positive power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates. In addition, the second relay (112) of the first operating unit (A) is structured to block the negative power supplied from the ECU to the ETC by operating together with the first relay (111) when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates.

[0046] In addition, the second operating unit (B) according to the present embodiment may be configured to include a third relay (121) and a fourth relay (122) of a specific structure.

[0047] Specifically, the third relay (121) of the second operating unit (B) is structured to apply the negative power of the battery to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates. In addition, the fourth relay (122) of the second operating unit (B) is structured to apply the positive power of the battery to the ETC by operating together with the third relay (121) when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a sudden acceleration prevention control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, the sudden acceleration prevention control device according to the present embodiment may further include a brake line (A) and a brake override system (B).

[0050] The brake line (A) includes an engine (10) structurally equipped with an exhaust manifold (11) and an intake manifold (12), a vacuum hose (13) in which a check valve (14) is integrally formed is formed in the intake manifold (12) of the engine (10), a brake booster (15) is provided on one side of the vacuum hose (13), and a vacuum switch (16) is integrally formed in the brake booster (15).

[0051] The brake override system (B) is a configuration including an ECU and an ETS to which signals from an accelerator pedal switch (21) of an accelerator pedal (20) and a brake switch (31) of a brake pedal (30) are sequentially transmitted.

[0052] In order to block the signal from the ECU to the ETS when the brake pedal (30) is operated due to a sudden acceleration failure and simultaneously transmit the idle signal (41) to the ETS, one or more relays (51, 52) are provided between the ECU and the ETS, and the relays (51, 52) are connected to each other.

[0053] The above relay (51) is signal-connected to the vacuum switch (61) of the brake booster (15), the relay (52), the idle signal unit (41), and the ETS.

[0054] The above relay (52) is signal-connected to the relay (51), ECU, brake pedal switch (31), and ETS.

[0055] When the vacuum switch (16) signal of the above brake booster (15) and the brake pedal switch (31) signal of the brake pedal (30) are input simultaneously,

[0056] The relay (52) blocks the signal from the ECU to the ETS, and at the same time, the idle signal unit (41) is connected to the ETS through the relay (51).

[0057] The relay (51, 52) and the idle signal unit (41) are configured as one set and are integrated by a low-voltage selection signal unit (40).

[0058] Accordingly, when a sudden acceleration failure such as sudden acceleration occurs, the driver instinctively presses the brake pedal, but at the same time, in this embodiment, the acceleration signal is controlled to control the braking and speed of the vehicle simultaneously.

[0059] That is, in the past, when a sudden acceleration situation occurred, when the driver pressed the brake pedal, no actual braking occurred and the car would generate high power and repeatedly move forward and backward with a loud noise. However, with this embodiment, when a sudden acceleration situation occurred, even if the driver instinctively pressed only the brake pedal, the acceleration signal was simultaneously controlled, so the high power of the vehicle was cut off and the car quickly and efficiently transitioned to a stable state.

[0060] Normally, when the accelerator pedal (20) is pressed, the vacuum in the brake line should be released, but when the accelerator pedal (20) is not pressed, that is, when the brake pedal is pressed, a vacuum of a certain level or higher should be maintained in the brake booster (15).

[0061] However, in cases where the vacuum state is not maintained above a certain level due to a defect in the vehicle, such as sudden acceleration, the vacuum switch (16) detects this, and when the signal of the detected vacuum switch (16) and the signal of the brake pedal switch (31) are simultaneously input to the relay (52), the sudden acceleration signal from the ECU to the ETC is blocked, and at the same time, the relay (51) connects so that the signal from the idle signal unit (41) can be transmitted to the ETS, thereby controlling engine output and braking simultaneously.

[0062] As described above, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, by providing an operation switch (140), a first operation part (A), a second operation part (B) and a voltage regulator (130) of a specific structure, the power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off by the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device, thereby preventing problems such as the engine stalling from occurring due to the ETC operation being stopped, thereby maintaining the minimum output of the engine, and providing a sudden acceleration prevention control device that allows the driver to operate the electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs.

[0063] In addition, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, when sudden acceleration occurs due to reasons such as unintended sudden acceleration by the driver or malfunction of the ECU and sudden braking is required, the driver can operate the sudden acceleration prevention control device by operating an electronic switch or a manual switch, thereby facilitating rapid braking during sudden acceleration and sudden acceleration.

[0064] In addition, according to the sudden acceleration prevention control device of the present invention, when the sudden acceleration prevention control device is operated, the power to the ETC is cut off, which stops the operation of the ETC, thereby blocking the inflow of air, which may cause the engine to stall, which may cause inconvenience in controlling the vehicle. In order to deal with the above situation, when the direct power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off, the power adjusted to an appropriate voltage necessary for the minimum operation of the ETC is bypassed and connected to the ETC through a voltage regulator, thereby allowing the engine of the vehicle to have a minimum driving capability, thereby having the effect of being advantageous in controlling the vehicle.

[0065] The detailed description of the present invention above has described only specific embodiments thereof. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the detailed description, but rather encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0066] That is, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and descriptions described above, and anyone with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims, and such modifications are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0067] The mode for carrying out the invention has been described together with the best mode for carrying out the invention above.

[0068] The present invention relates to a sudden acceleration prevention control device including a bypass circuit, which prevents problems such as engine stalling due to ETC operation being stopped by cutting off power from an ECU to an ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention control device is operated, thereby maintaining a minimum engine output, and allows a driver to operate an electronic switch or switch when sudden acceleration occurs, so that the device has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. An operating switch (140) that allows power output from the battery to be applied to the operation of the sudden acceleration prevention control device and the driving motor of the ETC; A first operating unit (A) that cuts off the power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the acceleration prevention device operates; A second operating unit (B) that supplies power to the battery to the ETC; and A voltage regulator (130) installed on the wiring of the operating switch (140) and the second operating unit (B) to adjust the voltage; A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized by including a .

2. In paragraph 1, A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized in that the first operating unit (A), the second operating unit (B) and the voltage regulator (130) are formed as an integrated unit into a single substrate.

3. In paragraph 1, The first operating unit (A), the operating switch (140), the voltage regulator (130) and the second operating unit (B) arranged on the wiring between the ECU and the ETC form one bypass circuit. A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized in that when power from the ECU to the ETC is cut off as the sudden acceleration prevention control device operates, power regulated by a voltage regulator (130) disposed on a bypass circuit is supplied to the ETC.

4. In paragraph 3, The above operating switch (140) is An electronic switch that operates on power supplied by the driver's brake operation; and Manual switch operated by direct operation of the driver; Including, A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized in that the electronic switch and the manual switch are provided as an integrated unit and are installed inside a vehicle.

5. In paragraph 3, The above first operating part (A) is A first relay (111) that blocks the positive power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device operates; and A second relay (112) that operates together with the first relay (111) to block the negative power supplied from the ECU to the ETC when the acceleration prevention device is activated; A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized by including a .

6. In paragraph 5, The above second operating part (B) is A third relay (121) that applies the negative power of the battery to the ETC when the sudden acceleration prevention device is activated; and A fourth relay (122) that operates together with the third relay (121) to apply positive power from the battery to the ETC when the acceleration prevention device is activated; A sudden acceleration prevention control device characterized by including a .

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