Sudden unintended acceleration prevention device for vehicle and sudden unintended acceleration control system

Abstract

The present invention provides a sudden unintended acceleration prevention device for a vehicle and a sudden unintended acceleration control system, the device comprising: an accelerator pedal pad (110); a pedal driving device (200) provided below the pedal pad (110) and configured to first make contact with a driver's heel before operation of the pedal pad (110); and a sudden unintended acceleration control system (300) for controlling the pedal pad (110) to be operable only when the heel is in contact with the pedal driving device (200).

Description

Vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and sudden acceleration control system

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and a sudden acceleration control system, and more specifically, to a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and a sudden acceleration control system that can prevent a driver from mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and pressing it by configuring a pedal driving device on the accelerator pedal side so that the operating methods of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal can be configured differently.

[0002] The vehicle's accelerator pedal, operated by the driver's foot, is positioned at the bottom of the driver's seat—that is, in the space where the driver's foot is located—and is configured to be operated while the driver's heel is in contact with the floor frame.

[0003] In particular, because the accelerator pedal is positioned similarly to the brake pedal and its direction of operation and feel are very similar, drivers frequently mistake it for the brake pedal, leading to sudden acceleration accidents. These accidents are recognized as a social problem due to the severe property damage and casualties caused by them.

[0004] Furthermore, the public tends to perceive sudden acceleration accidents caused by a driver's misoperation of the accelerator pedal as sudden acceleration accidents resulting from vehicle defects, and harbors strong distrust toward manufacturers.

[0005] Therefore, a method is required to easily and clearly distinguish between the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal when the driver presses the pedals with their foot.

[0006] In order to solve such problems, the present invention is conceived based on the aforementioned background technology. Its purpose is to provide a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and a sudden acceleration control system that can prevent a driver from mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and pressing it, by configuring a pedal driving device on the accelerator pedal side so that the operating methods of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal can be configured differently, and by making it possible to operate the accelerator pedal only when the driver's heel contacts the pedal driving device and is pressurized above a certain pressure during the operation of the accelerator pedal.

[0007] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and a sudden acceleration control system that can prevent accidents caused by pedal misoperation and prevent accidents and damages caused by misoperation, because the accelerator pedal does not operate even if the driver mistakes the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and presses it.

[0008] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device and a sudden acceleration control system that enable safer driving by preventing sudden acceleration or acceleration of the vehicle caused by the accelerator pedal when the driver presses the accelerator pedal above a set reference speed, above a set reference pressure, or presses both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal together, by recognizing the accelerator pedal as the brake pedal.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving such objectives, the invention comprises: an accelerator pedal pad (110); a pedal driving device (200) configured at the lower part of the pedal pad (110) and configured to make contact with the driver's heel before the operation of the pedal pad (110); and a sudden acceleration control system (300) that controls the operation of the pedal pad (110) only when the heel makes contact with the pedal driving device (200).

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pedal driving device (200) comprises: an operating housing (220) coupled to a floor frame (150); a lifting housing (210) coupled to the upper part of the operating housing (220) and configured to allow lifting and lowering operation depending on whether it contacts the heel; a lifting unit (230) that supports the lifting and lowering operation of the lifting housing (210); and a pressure sensor module (240) that makes contact when the lifting unit (230) lowers and transmits pressure transmitted from the lifting unit (230) to the rapid acceleration control system (300).

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operating housing (220) is further configured with a fixed flange (222) for connecting the pedal driving device (200) to the floor frame (150) and a support panel (224) for supporting the lifting and lowering operation of the lifting and lowering housing (210).

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting housing (210) is characterized by including a lifting flange (212) that is extended and formed on the lower periphery and connected to a lifting unit (230), a guide groove (214) into which the upper inner surface of the operating housing (220) is inserted, and a pressure part (216) that contacts the pressure sensor module (240) and transmits the pressure force transmitted from the driver's heel to the pressure sensor module (240).

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sudden acceleration control system (300) comprises: a communication unit (310) that transmits an accelerator driving signal to an electronic control unit (400) and a user terminal (500); a pressure sensing unit (320) that is connected upon contact with the pressure sensor module (240) and receives and transmits pressure information of the pedal driving device (200); a setting unit (330) that sets minimum pressure information and instantaneous pressure information for the operation of the pedal pad (110); a pedal information storage unit (340) in which the set pressure information is stored and pressure information provided from the pedal driving device (200) is stored; and a control unit (350) that generates a driving signal of the pedal pad (110) according to the pressure information of the pedal driving device (200) transmitted from the pressure sensing unit (320) and transmits it to the communication unit (310).

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum required pressure information is characterized as being minimum pressure information for generating a driving signal in the control unit (350) to enable the driving of the pedal pad (110) and transmitting it to the electronic control unit (400).

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the instantaneous pressure information is characterized as being information regarding the maximum pressure when the driver pressurizes the lifting / lowering housing (210) beyond the required pressure or pressurizes it instantaneously.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (350) is characterized by generating a signal that the pedal pad (110) cannot be driven and transmitting it to the electronic control unit (400) when the pressure information transmitted from the pressure sensing unit (320) is lower than the minimum required pressure and when it is higher than the instantaneous pressure.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pedal driving device is configured on the accelerator pedal side so that the operating methods of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal can be configured differently, and the accelerator pedal can be operated only when the driver's heel contacts the pedal driving device and is pressed above a certain pressure when operating the accelerator pedal, thereby preventing the driver from mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and stepping on it.

[0018] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, even if a driver mistakes the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal and presses it, the accelerator pedal does not operate, so accidents caused by pedal misoperation can be prevented, and there is an effect of preventing accidents and damages caused by misoperation.

[0019] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a driver presses the accelerator pedal above a set reference speed or above a set reference pressure, or presses both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal together, the accelerator pedal is recognized as the brake pedal, thereby preventing sudden acceleration or acceleration of the vehicle caused by the accelerator pedal, which has the effect of enabling safer driving.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram schematically showing a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing a sudden acceleration control system using a vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] As described above, the vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device of the present invention comprises a pedal driving device (200) configured at the lower part of an accelerator pedal pad (110; hereinafter referred to as the pedal pad), configured such that contact with the heel is made first when the driver intends to operate the pedal pad (110), and the pedal pad (110) can be operated only upon contact with the heel; and a sudden acceleration control system (300) connected to the pedal driving device (200) and controlling whether the pedal pad (110) is operated by a signal transmitted from the pedal driving device (200).

[0025] Here, the pedal pad (110) is coupled to the end of the pedal arm (120) and is configured to rotate by a certain angle by the pedal rotation axis (130).

[0026] When the driver applies pressure with the sole of their foot, this pedal pad (110) transmits pressure to the pedal arm (120), and transmits pressure to the shaft drive unit (140) configured in the pedal arm (120) so that the vehicle can be driven.

[0027] In the present invention, the sudden acceleration control system (300) and the shaft drive unit (140) are electrically connected to control whether the shaft drive unit (140) is driven.

[0028] In particular, the present invention prevents the axle drive unit (140) from operating by the axle drive unit (140) by means of the sudden acceleration control system (300) even if the driver operates the pedal pad (110) when the pedal drive device (200) located on the lower side of the pedal pad (110) is not operated first. This allows the driver to control the operation of the axle drive unit (140) even if the driver accidentally steps on the accelerator pedal pad (110) without operating the pedal drive device (200) in a situation where the driver needs to step on the brake pedal, thereby preventing sudden acceleration of the vehicle caused by misoperation of the pedal pad (110).

[0029] Here, the pedal drive device (200) may be configured on the floor frame (150) of the vehicle and located below the pedal pad (110), and configured in a position where the heel can first come into contact when the driver intends to operate the pedal pad (110).

[0030] The pedal drive device (200) is configured to be fixedly coupled to a floor frame (150) and comprises an operating housing (220) that supports the operation of the pedal drive device (200), a lifting / lowering housing (210) coupled to the upper part of the operating housing (220) and configured to perform lifting and lowering operations depending on whether it comes into contact with the driver's heel, a lifting / lowering unit (230) that supports the lifting and lowering operations of the lifting / lowering housing (210), and a pressure sensor module (240) that makes contact during the lowering operation of the lifting / lowering unit (230) and transmits the pressure transmitted from the lifting / lowering unit (230) to a sudden acceleration control system (300).

[0031] The operating housing (220) is configured with an open top, and the lifting / lowering housing (210) is configured to be able to lift and lower through the open top. An operating space is formed on both inner sides so that a lifting / lowering unit (230), which is connected to the lifting / lowering housing (210) and supports the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering housing (210), can be coupled thereto.

[0032] This operating housing (220) is formed at the bottom, and a fixed flange (222) is formed to support the operating housing (220) so that it can be firmly fixedly connected to the bottom frame (150).

[0033] Here, the operating housing (220) may be joined to the floor frame (150) through a joining member such as a conventional fixing bolt, but is not limited thereto and may also be joined through welding, etc.

[0034] Additionally, a support panel (224) is formed in the operating housing (220) to protrude from the inner surface of the operating space and is configured to be in close contact with the lifting / lowering unit (230) and the lifting / lowering flange (212) of the lifting / lowering housing (210) to be described later, thereby supporting stable lifting / lowering operation when the lifting / lowering housing (210) is lifted / lowered.

[0035] Accordingly, when the driver presses the lifting / lowering housing (210) with their heel, it can be configured to perform a straight-line lifting / lowering operation along the support panel (224).

[0036] The lifting housing (210) is configured at a position where the heel contacts when the driver intends to operate the pedal pad (110), and when pressure is applied with a certain pressure while the heel is in contact, downward operation occurs and the pressure sensor module (240) is pressed so that the pressure transmitted from the heel can be transmitted to the sudden acceleration control system (300).

[0037] This lifting housing (210) is extended on the lower perimeter and has a lifting flange (212) connected to the lifting unit (230).

[0038] Additionally, the lifting housing (210) is inserted into the inner surface formed on the open upper part of the operating housing (220) on both upper sides, and a guide groove (214) is formed to support the stable lifting and lowering operation of the lifting housing (210), prevent the lifting housing (210) from being arbitrarily separated from the operating housing (220), and ensure close contact with the inner surface, thereby minimizing the penetration of external foreign matter into the operating space of the operating housing (220).

[0039] Here, the lifting and lowering unit (230) can be composed of a cylinder, an actuator, as well as a spring.

[0040] Additionally, a pressure part (216) is formed on the lower surface of the lifting / lowering housing (210) and is seated on the upper part of the pressure sensor module (240). When the driver presses the lifting / lowering housing (210) with their heel, this pressure is transmitted to a pressure sensor (242) formed in the pressure sensor module (240).

[0041] The pressurizing part (216) may be formed to protrude from the lower central part of the lifting / lowering housing (210), but its shape is not limited.

[0042] The pressure sensor module (240) is coupled to the lower surface of the lifting / lowering housing (210) and is configured to perform lifting / lowering operations together with the lifting / lowering housing (210). During the lowering operation, contact and pressurization are made with the pressure sensing unit (320) of the sudden acceleration control system (300), and information regarding the pressure transmitted through the pressurizing unit (216) can be transmitted to the pressure sensing unit (320).

[0043] This pressure sensor module (240) is in contact with the pressurizing part (216), and a pressure sensor (242) is configured on the upper side to detect the pressure transmitted from the pressurizing part (216) and convert pressure information.

[0044] That is, the pressure sensor module (240) is configured so that when it comes into contact with the pressure sensing unit (320), pressure information detected by the pressure sensor (242) can be transmitted.

[0045]

[0046] The sudden acceleration control system (300) is a component that prevents a sudden acceleration accident of a vehicle caused by misoperation of the pedal pad (110) by generating an operation signal of the pedal pad (110) and transmitting it to the electronic control unit (400) when pressure information is transmitted from the pressure sensor module (240) of the pedal drive device (200), and simultaneously transmitting information regarding whether the pedal pad (110) is operated to the driver's user terminal (500) so that an output is produced, while controlling the pedal pad (110) so that it can operate only after the driver first pressurizes the pedal drive device (200).

[0047] The sudden acceleration control system (300) comprises a communication unit (310) that transmits an accelerator drive signal to an electronic control unit (400) and a user terminal (500); a pressure sensing unit (320) that is connected when in contact with a pressure sensor module (240) of a pedal drive device (200) to receive pressure information of the pedal drive device (200) and transmit it to a control unit (350); a setting unit (330) that sets minimum pressure information for the operation of a pedal pad (110); a pedal information storage unit (340) in which the set pressure information is stored and pressure information provided from the pedal drive device (200) is stored; and a control unit (350) that generates a drive signal of the pedal pad (110) according to the pressure information of the pedal drive device (200) transmitted from the pressure sensing unit (320), transmits it to the communication unit (310), and controls the operation of each component of the sudden acceleration control system (300).

[0048] The communication unit (310) refers to a connection structure capable of exchanging information between the electronic control unit (400) and the user terminal (500) and each node, and includes but is not limited to RF, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network, LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, 5GPP (5th Generation Partnership Project) network, WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), Wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), PAN (Personal Area Network), Bluetooth network, NFC network, satellite broadcasting network, analog broadcasting network, DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) network, etc.

[0049] The pressure sensing unit (320) receives pressure information regarding the pressure applied by the driver's heel to the lifting / lowering housing (210) from the pressure sensor module (240) of the pedal driving device (200) and transmits it to the control unit (350).

[0050] The setting unit (330) sets the minimum required pressure and the instantaneous pressure when the driver presses the lifting / lowering housing (210) of the pedal drive device (200) to operate the pedal pad (110).

[0051] Here, the minimum required pressure is information regarding the pressure intensity of the pressure information recognized by the pressure sensing unit (320), and is minimum pressure information for generating a driving signal to enable the driving of the pedal pad (110) in the control unit (350) and transmitting it to the electronic control unit (400).

[0052] Additionally, instantaneous pressure refers to the maximum pressure applied when the driver applies pressure to the lifting / lowering housing (210) beyond the required pressure or applies pressure instantaneously, and means the pressure applied when the driver applies pressure to the pedal drive device (200) instantaneously with excessive force when the driver operates the accelerator mistaking it for the brake in a specific situation, for example, immediately before an accident or immediately before a collision.

[0053] That is, when the driver pressurizes the lifting / lowering housing (210), if the lifting / lowering housing (210) is pressed with a pressure lower than the minimum required pressure, the pedal pad (110) is not operated, and even if the driver pressurizes with a pressure stronger than the instantaneous pressure, the pedal pad (110) is not operated, thereby preventing misoperation caused by the driver's mistake.

[0054] The pedal information storage unit (340) stores information regarding the minimum required pressure and instantaneous pressure set by the setting unit (330), and also stores pressure information transmitted through the pressure recognition unit (320) and time information on when this pressure information was transmitted.

[0055] The control unit (350) receives pressure information recognized by the pressure recognition unit (320), checks whether this pressure information is within the range of minimum required pressure information and instantaneous pressure information set by the setting unit (330), and only if the pressure information is within the range, generates a driving signal for the pedal pad (110) and transmits it to the electronic control unit (400) through the communication unit (310) so that the shaft driving unit (140) can operate under the control of the electronic control unit (400).

[0056] In addition, the control unit (350) can also transmit a driving signal to a user terminal (500) via the communication unit (310) so that the driver can visually check whether the pedal pad (110) is operable.

[0057] This control unit (350) generates a signal that the pedal pad (110) cannot operate and transmits it to the electronic control unit (400) when the pressure information transmitted from the pressure sensing unit (320) is lower than the minimum required pressure and when it is higher than the instantaneous pressure.

[0058] At this time, the control unit (350) can generate information about the reason for the inability to operate along with a signal indicating that the pedal pad (110) cannot operate and transmit it to the user terminal (500).

[0059] Here, the information regarding the reason for the inability to drive corresponds to the case where the pressure applied to the pedal drive device (200) is lower than the minimum required pressure or higher than the instantaneous pressure, and thus can be composed of message information corresponding to this and solution information to resolve it.

[0060] Accordingly, since the driver can operate the pedal pad (110) only when the pedal drive device (200) is pressurized to an appropriate pressure, sudden acceleration caused by misoperation of the accelerator can be prevented.

[0061] Meanwhile, the user terminal (500) is configured to output information transmitted from the sudden acceleration control system (300) through a speaker, etc., and can store said information.

[0062] The user terminal (400) of the present invention configured in this manner is connected to a network with the sudden acceleration control system (300), and an application or web server may be established as a means for displaying data transmitted from the sudden acceleration control system (300), and may include not only general PCs such as general desktops or laptops, but also mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs.

[0063] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. Accelerator pedal pad; A pedal driving device configured at the lower part of the above pedal pad and configured to make contact with the driver's heel first before the operation of the above pedal pad; and A sudden acceleration control system that controls the operation of the pedal pad only when the heel contacts the pedal driving device; The above pedal drive device is, A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by comprising: an operating housing coupled to a floor frame; a lifting / lowering housing coupled to the upper part of the operating housing and configured to perform lifting / lowering operation depending on whether it contacts the heel; a lifting / lowering unit that supports the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering housing; and a pressure sensor module that makes contact when the lifting / lowering unit lowers and transmits pressure transmitted from the lifting / lowering unit to the sudden acceleration control system.

2. In Paragraph 1, In the above operating housing A fixed flange for connecting the above-mentioned pedal drive device to the floor frame, and, A support panel that supports the lifting and lowering operation of the above lifting and lowering housing A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by being further configured.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above lifting housing A lifting / lowering flange that is extended and formed on the lower perimeter and connected to a lifting / lowering unit, and A guide groove into which the upper inner surface of the above-mentioned operating housing is inserted, and A pressure part that contacts the pressure sensor module and transmits the pressure force transmitted from the driver's heel to the pressure sensor module. A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by including 4. In Paragraph 1, The above sudden acceleration control system A communication unit that transmits an accelerator driving signal to an electronic control unit and a user terminal, and A pressure sensing unit that is connected upon contact with the pressure sensor module and receives and transmits pressure information of the pedal driving device, and A setting unit for setting minimum pressure information and instantaneous pressure information for the operation of the above pedal pad, and A pedal information storage unit in which set pressure information is stored and pressure information provided from the pedal driving device is stored, and A control unit that generates a driving signal for a pedal pad and transmits it to a communication unit according to pressure information of the pedal driving device transmitted from the pressure sensing unit. A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by including 5. In Paragraph 4, The above minimum required pressure information is, The above control unit is minimum pressure information for generating a driving signal to enable the driving of the pedal pad and transmitting it to the electronic control unit, and The above instantaneous pressure information is, A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by having information on the maximum pressure applied when the driver pressurizes the lifting / lowering housing beyond the required pressure or applies pressure instantaneously.

6. In Paragraph 4, The above control unit A vehicle sudden acceleration prevention device characterized by generating a signal that prevents the operation of the pedal pad and transmitting it to the electronic control unit when the pressure information transmitted from the pressure sensing unit is lower than the minimum required pressure and when it is higher than the instantaneous pressure.

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