Brake Pedal Stroke Control for Smooth Regenerative Deceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers experience discomfort when operating the brake pedal in vehicles that generate deceleration through both accelerator and brake pedal operations, leading to inconsistent deceleration torque feelings.

Innovation Solution

A braking/driving force control method and device that adjusts brake pedal stroke based on accelerator pedal operation, utilizing regenerative braking and hydraulic actuator control to minimize frictional braking, optimizing deceleration torque generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If deceleration driving force is generated when accelerator pedal operation amount is small, then energy recovery efficiency is improved, but driver comfort deteriorates due to unexpected deceleration before brake pedal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy recovery efficiencyVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary action by controlling the brake pedal to advance toward the accelerator pedal before the accelerator pedal reaches the release position. This preliminary movement of the brake pedal ensures that friction braking is ready to engage smoothly, preventing sudden deceleration and improving driver comfort while maintaining energy recovery efficiency through coordinated regenerative and friction braking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If brake pedal operation is required for deceleration, then driver control precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordination of multiple braking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration control precisionVSAvoidbraking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device merges regenerative braking and friction braking into a unified control system. By integrating the control of the driving force source (regenerative braking) and the brake pedal (friction braking) into a single coordinated system, the patent achieves precise deceleration control while managing system complexity through unified management of multiple braking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the driver's accelerator pedal input and the multiple braking mechanisms. It mediates the transition between acceleration and deceleration by automatically controlling the brake pedal position based on accelerator pedal position, providing precise deceleration control without requiring direct driver intervention in the braking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If friction brake is used for deceleration, then deceleration response speed is improved, but energy loss increases due to non-regenerative braking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration response speedVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements periodic action by alternating between regenerative braking (when accelerator pedal is depressed) and friction braking (when accelerator pedal is released). This periodic switching between braking mechanisms ensures rapid deceleration response when needed while maximizing energy recovery during acceleration phases, thereby reducing overall energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the parameter of braking mechanism selection based on accelerator pedal position. When the accelerator pedal operation amount exceeds a threshold, regenerative braking is used; when it falls below the threshold, friction braking is activated. This dynamic parameter change optimizes the balance between deceleration response speed and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces driver discomfort by smoothing deceleration torque transitions and enhances regenerative energy recovery efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic actuator that controls a brake pedal stroke amount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure control: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

by generating deceleration driving force when the operation amount of the accelerator pedal is smaller than a predetermined operation amount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRegenerative braking: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4349670B1Braking/driving force control method and braking/driving force control device
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4349670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4349670B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4349670B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4F

AI summary

A braking/driving force control method includes detecting an accelerator stroke amount being the stroke amount of an accelerator pedal (S1), calculating a driving force to be generated by a vehicle driving force source when the accelerator stroke amount is larger than a predetermined first stroke amount (S3), calculating a deceleration driving force to be generated by the vehicle driving force source when the accelerator stroke amount is smaller than a second stroke amount set to a value smaller than or equal to the first stroke amount (S4), controlling the vehicle driving force source to generate the calculated driving force and deceleration driving force (S6), and generating a braking force on wheels according to a depressing operation of a brake pedal by a driver and controlling a brake stroke amount being the stroke amount of the brake pedal according to the calculated deceleration driving force (S5).