Sudden unintended acceleration prevention system

Abstract

Provided is a sudden unintended acceleration prevention system comprising: an accelerator device which senses the degree of actuation of an accelerator pedal and transmits signals to a control unit; and a control device which receives signals from the accelerator device, thereby controlling an engine and controlling a brake device, wherein the accelerator pedal is divided into an acceleration section (A) and a braking section (B) according to how far the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the control device, in the acceleration section (A), changes the output of the engine by opening a throttle valve of the engine according to the change in the position of the accelerator pedal, the control device, in the braking section (B), changes the braking force by controlling the brake device according to the change in the position of the accelerator pedal, and when the driver takes the driver's foot off the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), the control device does not change the degree of opening of the throttle valve and opens the throttle valve just enough to prevent the engine from turning off even if the accelerator pedal passes through the acceleration section (A) while returning to the original position.

Description

Sudden acceleration prevention system

[0001] The present invention relates to a sudden acceleration prevention system that prevents sudden acceleration even when a driver mistakenly presses the accelerator pedal as a brake pedal.

[0002] Generally, both automatic and manual transmission cars are equipped with brakes and accelerators, which are operated with one foot.

[0003] Therefore, the driver must press the accelerator when starting or accelerating the car, and press the brake when slowing or stopping the car.

[0004] However, in cases where an emergency situation arises while driving, drivers may momentarily mistake the accelerator on the right for the brake on the left, and step on the accelerator instead of the brake, which accelerates the vehicle.

[0005] At this time, the more urgent the situation, the more the driver mistakes the accelerator for the brake and presses on it with more force. In this case, the engine is supplied with air, fuel, and ignition energy according to the operation of the accelerator, causing the vehicle to accelerate with a loud noise.

[0006] As a result, drivers lose more control, ultimately causing major accidents that result in many casualties and losses.

[0007] This problem is especially serious for beginner drivers and occurs so frequently that anyone has experienced it at least once.

[0008] However, despite these problems, there has been no device developed to prevent sudden acceleration due to misoperation of the accelerator, so even experienced drivers, not to mention novice drivers, always have to worry about misoperation of the accelerator, and there has always been a risk of accidents.

[0009] The present invention seeks to provide a sudden acceleration prevention system that prevents sudden acceleration and instead applies braking even when a driver mistakes the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and presses it deeply.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a sudden acceleration prevention system is provided, comprising: an accelerator device that detects an operation degree of an accelerator pedal and transmits a signal to a control unit; and a control device that receives a signal from the accelerator device and controls an engine and a brake device, wherein the system is divided into an acceleration section (A) and a braking section (B) according to a depth at which a driver presses the accelerator pedal, and wherein the control device changes the output of the engine by opening a throttle valve of the engine according to a change in the position of the accelerator pedal in the acceleration section (A), and the control device changes the braking force by controlling the brake device according to a change in the position of the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), and wherein when the driver takes his / her foot off the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), even if the accelerator pedal returns to its original state and passes the acceleration section (A), the control device opens the throttle valve only to a degree that the engine does not turn off.

[0011] In addition, a sudden acceleration prevention system is provided, characterized in that an elastic member is combined with the accelerator pedal, so that the elastic force due to the elastic member rapidly increases just before and during the braking section (B) when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, making it difficult for the driver to step on the accelerator pedal and enter the braking section (B).

[0012] In addition, a sudden acceleration prevention system is provided, characterized in that there is a buffer section (C) between the acceleration section (A) and the braking section (B), and a warning means is activated when the accelerator pedal is pressed to reach the buffer section (C).

[0013] The present invention provides a sudden acceleration prevention system that prevents sudden acceleration and instead applies braking even when a driver mistakes the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and presses it deeply.

[0014] In addition, a sudden acceleration prevention system is provided to prevent the driver from easily moving into the braking section with the accelerator pedal so that the accelerator pedal can be used as a means of acceleration in normal times, and the brake device operates only when the driver panics and strongly presses the accelerator pedal in case of sudden acceleration.

[0015] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a conventional accelerator device.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an accelerator device in a sudden acceleration prevention system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is described in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows, and specific descriptions of known components that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention are omitted.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, a conventional accelerator device is composed of a moving part (1) and a variable resistance part (2). When a driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the moving part (1) moves to the right and left, changing the resistance value and sending a signal to the control device, and the control device controls the opening of the engine's throttle valve in accordance with the signal, thereby controlling engine output.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the sudden acceleration prevention system of the present invention moves the moving part (11) of the accelerator device to the right according to the depth to which the driver presses the accelerator pedal, and transmits a signal generated while moving to the acceleration section (A) and the braking section (B) to the control device. A buffer section (C) may be provided between the acceleration section (A) and the braking section (B). Normally, the driver uses the accelerator pedal as a means for acceleration. Therefore, it is recommended that the driver not press the accelerator pedal until the braking section (B) in normal times.

[0020] As the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the resistance of the accelerator pedal increases. In particular, when the accelerator pedal is depressed deeply and just before reaching the braking section (B), the additional resistance (elasticity due to an elastic member such as a spring) increases rapidly, so that the driver cannot easily depress the accelerator pedal to the braking section (B) with his or her normal force. In other words, in order to reach the braking section (B), the accelerator pedal needs to be mechanically designed so that the driver depresses it with a greater force than the force with which he or she normally depresses the accelerator pedal.

[0021] Most sudden acceleration accidents occur when drivers mistake the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal. This misunderstanding causes the engine to make a loud noise, which makes the driver panic even more and causes them to press the accelerator pedal harder, which can lead to a serious accident.

[0022] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a sudden acceleration prevention system that prevents sudden acceleration accidents by stopping a vehicle by operating the brakes with the accelerator pedal when a driver presses the accelerator pedal with strong force due to panic caused by sudden acceleration.

[0023] The expression “strong force” in this specification means the force that can be applied to the accelerator pedal with all the strength that an ordinary person can exert in an emergency or critical situation.

[0024] The sudden acceleration prevention system of the present invention includes an accelerator device that detects the degree of operation of an accelerator pedal and transmits a signal to a control unit; and a control device that receives a signal from the accelerator device and controls an engine and a brake device.

[0025] Depending on the depth to which the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the system is divided into an acceleration section (A) and a braking section (B). Additionally, a buffer section (C) may exist between the acceleration section (A) and the braking section (B). Depending on the depth to which the accelerator pedal is pressed, the moving unit (11) moves the variable resistance unit (12) to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, to vary the resistance signal.

[0026] The moving part (11) generates different signals as it moves to the acceleration section (A), buffer section (C), and braking section (B) of the variable resistance section (12). The control device receives signals according to the position of the moving part (11), and controls the throttle valve or brake device of the engine to accelerate or brake based on these signals.

[0027] In the acceleration section (A), the control device opens the engine throttle valve according to the change in the position of the accelerator pedal, thereby changing the engine output. This acceleration section (A) operates in the same manner as a normal accelerator device. In Fig. 2, in the acceleration section (A), as the moving part (11) moves to the right, the control device operates the engine throttle valve to increase the amount of fuel supplied to the engine. As a result, the engine output increases.

[0028] Meanwhile, when the driver presses the accelerator pedal with all his might, the accelerator device enters the braking section (B). Once this braking section (B) is entered, the control device activates the brake device.

[0029] Even in the case of a vehicle equipped with the sudden acceleration prevention system of this embodiment, a separate brake device and brake pedal are present. These brake devices and brake pedals operate in the same manner as in a conventional vehicle, and function to stop the vehicle. In this embodiment, a characteristic is that if the driver presses the accelerator pedal with abnormal (strong) force, this is recognized as a brake signal, and the control device applies the brakes.

[0030] It's crucial that the driver not easily enter the braking zone (B) by pressing the accelerator pedal. This should occur when a panicked driver presses the accelerator pedal with force. Otherwise, it's difficult to distinguish between a desired acceleration and an unwanted acceleration.

[0031] To address this issue, a separate, additionally elastic member with strong elasticity is incorporated into the accelerator pedal. Just before and during braking section (B) when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the elastic force (resistance) of this elastic member increases rapidly, making it difficult for the driver to easily depress the accelerator pedal and enter the braking section (B).

[0032] This allows the driver, in a panic, to enter the braking zone (B) despite the elasticity of the elastic member when pressing the accelerator pedal hard. The elasticity of this elastic member can be selected by the automobile manufacturer based on experimental data.

[0033] In the braking section (B), the control device controls the brake device according to changes in the position of the accelerator pedal to change the braking force.

[0034] Meanwhile, the control device is characterized in that when the driver takes his / her foot off the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), the throttle valve is opened only to the extent that the engine does not turn off without changing the degree of opening of the throttle valve even when the accelerator pedal returns to its original state and the acceleration section (A) is passed again.

[0035] If the driver intended to step on the brake pedal but confusedly stepped on the accelerator pedal, resulting in rapid acceleration, the driver panics and steps on the accelerator pedal more forcefully. In this case, the sudden acceleration prevention system of the present embodiment enters the braking section (B) and the control device operates the brakes to stop the car. Afterwards, when the driver regains composure and takes his / her foot off the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), the accelerator pedal returns to its original position (in FIG. 2, the moving part (11) moves from the right to the left) and enters the acceleration section (A). At this time, if there is no separate throttle valve control, the maximum acceleration signal is generated, the engine RPM increases rapidly, and then the engine RPM decreases as the accelerator pedal returns to its original position.

[0036] Therefore, in the sudden acceleration prevention system of the present embodiment, after the accelerator pedal is strongly depressed to enter the braking section (B), even if the accelerator pedal reaches the acceleration section (A) during the recovery process by releasing the accelerator pedal, the throttle valve is opened only enough to prevent the engine from turning off. As a result, the driver who is startled by sudden acceleration is not surprised.

[0037] Additionally, it is recommended that a buffer zone (C) be present between the acceleration zone (A) and the braking zone (B). When the accelerator pedal is depressed to reach the buffer zone (C), a warning device is activated to prevent the driver from pressing the accelerator pedal further than usual. This warning device can be any means that can be perceived by the driver, including visual means such as warning lights and auditory means such as warning sounds.

[0038] The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments, as various substitutions and changes are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention for a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims

1. An accelerator device that detects the degree of operation of the accelerator pedal and transmits a signal to the control unit; Including a control device that receives a signal from the above accelerator device and controls the engine and the brake device, Depending on the depth to which the driver presses the accelerator pedal, it is divided into an acceleration section (A) and a braking section (B). The above control device changes the output of the engine by opening the throttle valve of the engine according to the change in the position of the accelerator pedal in the acceleration section (A). The above control device controls the brake device according to the change in the position of the accelerator pedal in the above braking section (B) to change the braking force. A sudden acceleration prevention system characterized in that, when the driver takes his / her foot off the accelerator pedal in the braking section (B), the control device opens the throttle valve only to the extent that the engine does not turn off without changing the degree of opening of the throttle valve even if the accelerator pedal returns to its original state and passes the acceleration section (A).

2. In paragraph 1, A sudden acceleration prevention system characterized in that an elastic member is combined with the accelerator pedal, so that the elastic force due to the elastic member rapidly increases just before and during the braking section (B) when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, making it difficult for the driver to step on the accelerator pedal and enter the braking section (B).

3. In paragraph 2, There is a buffer section (C) between the acceleration section (A) and the braking section (B). A sudden acceleration prevention system characterized in that when the accelerator pedal is pressed to reach the buffer zone (C), a warning means is activated.

Images