Accelerator Pedal Locking for Automatic Driving Footrest Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
In urban areas, the frequent need to operate the accelerator pedal during cruise control increases driver burden due to the pedal being used as a footrest, leading to increased footrest state releases and operational burden.
Innovation Solution
An accelerator pedal system with a lock mechanism, actuator, and controller that determines and controls the locking state of the pedal lever based on vehicle position, restricting operation during automatic driving on specific positions like limited highways to reduce operational load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pedal lever is locked during automatic driving mode, then driver burden is reduced and comfort is improved, but the pedal lever cannot be operated when needed in urban areas with frequent traffic changes
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic state where it can switch between locked and unlocked based on accelerator pedal position. The pedal lever is locked during automatic driving mode but can be unlocked by applying force beyond a threshold, allowing adaptive response to driver needs while maintaining default locked state for comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the lock mechanism based on accelerator pedal position. When the pedal position exceeds a predetermined threshold during automatic driving mode, the lock mechanism switches from locked to unlocked state, allowing the pedal to be operated when necessary while maintaining locked state under normal conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the pedal lever is locked to function as a footrest, then comfort is improved, but the frequency of lock and unlock operations increases in urban areas, increasing driver burden
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary locking during automatic driving mode to prevent the need for frequent lock/unlock operations. By maintaining a locked state as the default during automatic driving, the system anticipates and prevents the need for pedal operation in typical cruise control scenarios, reducing the frequency of state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is pre-configured to lock during automatic driving mode, establishing the footrest function before it would be needed. This preliminary locking action eliminates the need for repeated locking operations when the vehicle enters automatic driving mode, as the locked state is established in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal lever is unlocked for frequent operation in urban areas, then adaptability is improved, but driver burden increases due to frequent releases of footrest state
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism provides dynamic adaptability by allowing unlocking when the accelerator pedal position exceeds a threshold, enabling operation when needed in urban areas while maintaining locked state during normal cruise control, thus adapting to varying driving conditions without increasing overall operation frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
An accelerator pedal system includes a pedal lever, a lock mechanism, an actuator, and an ECU. The pedal lever operates in accordance with a step-on operation. The lock mechanism is capable of restricting the operation of the pedal lever. The lock mechanism can switch a locked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is restricted by the lock mechanism and an unlocked state in which the operation of the pedal lever is free from restriction by the lock mechanism. The ECU includes a locking operation determination unit, an actuator control unit, and an information acquisition unit. The locking operation determination unit determines switching of a locking operation by the lock mechanism. The actuator control unit controls a driving operation of an actuator. The locking operation determination unit locks the pedal lever when the vehicle is traveling on a specific position in an automatic driving mode.