Vehicle Brake Pedal Detection Using Dual Switch Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle start systems fail to prevent false engine starts when the brake pedal depression is continuously detected without actual pedal depression, leading to potential safety and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle start control apparatus utilizing a first switch and a second switch, along with a control unit, to determine the actual state of the brake pedal depression by monitoring changes in switch states and preventing engine start if the pedal is not properly depressed, ensuring accurate detection through multiple determinations and warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single switch is used to detect brake pedal depression, then the system is simple, but false detection occurs when the switch remains continuously ON without actual pedal depression
Solution Approach 1:
The single switch detection system is segmented into two separate switches: a first switch that detects brake pedal depression state and a second switch that serves as a reference. This segmentation allows the system to compare states between switches and identify false detections, thereby improving reliability while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both switches and determines the actual brake pedal state by comparing the two signals. This intermediary processing layer enables false detection prevention through state comparison without requiring complex hardware modifications
2Ease of operation
If the system allows engine start when brake pedal is detected as depressed, then engine starting functionality is maintained, but false engine starts occur due to incorrect detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both switch states and comparing them to determine the true brake pedal condition. The control unit uses this feedback loop to make accurate decisions about whether to permit engine starting, preventing false starts while maintaining normal starting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Before allowing engine start, the system performs preliminary verification by comparing the states of both switches. This preliminary anti-action prevents false engine starts by detecting inconsistent switch states that indicate false detection, while still allowing legitimate engine starts to proceed
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus include a first switch (22) that is turned ON in response to the depression of a pedal (12), and is turned OFF in response to the depression being released; a second switch (24) that assumes a first state being one of ON and OFF in response to the depression of the pedal (12), and assumes a second state being the other of ON and OFF in response to the depression being released; and a control unit (20) that performs a first determination to determine whether the first switch (22) is ON and the second switch (24) is in the first state; starts the engine, if a positive determination is made in the first determination and if the engine start switch (14) is operated; and after determining whether the pedal (12) is depressed twice by determining whether the first switch (22) or the second switch (24) changes from ON to OFF, and then to ON, or from OFF to ON, and then to OFF after a negative determination is made in the first determination, starts the engine, if it is determined that one of the first switch (22, 122) and the second switch (24, 124) used for the determination of whether the pedal (12) is depressed twice indicates the depression of the pedal (12) and if the engine start switch (14) is operated.