Brake Pedal Operation Segmentation for AVH and ISS Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle systems lack the ability for drivers to easily select and activate both the idling stop system and the automatic vehicle hold system or activate one of them independently using the brake pedal, leading to inconvenient operations and potential unintentional deactivation of systems.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system with a controller and operating unit that allows switching between enabled and disabled states for the idling stop and automatic vehicle hold systems, using different threshold values and operation conditions for the brake pedal to enable or disable these systems, allowing drivers to activate both or one system based on specific conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the brake pedal operation threshold is set to activate the automatic vehicle hold system, then the brake is maintained after brake pedal release, but the idling stop system may be unintentionally deactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem activation reliabilityVSAvoidbrake pedal operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brake pedal operation into two distinct functional zones: a first operation condition range that activates the automatic vehicle hold system while keeping the idling stop system enabled, and a second operation condition range that activates the idling stop system. This segmentation prevents unintentional system deactivation by ensuring that normal brake operations for vehicle holding do not trigger idling stop deactivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different operational characteristics to different regions of brake pedal operation. The first operation condition (smaller stroke) provides one set of system behaviors, while the second operation condition (larger stroke) provides different system behaviors. This allows the system to respond differently based on the local region of brake pedal operation, enabling precise control over system activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the brake pedal operation threshold is set to activate the idling stop system, then engine idling is stopped, but the automatic vehicle hold system may be unintentionally deactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem activation reliabilityVSAvoidbrake pedal operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the brake pedal operation into two distinct functional zones: a first operation condition range that activates the automatic vehicle hold system while keeping the idling stop system enabled, and a second operation condition range that activates the idling stop system. This segmentation prevents unintentional system deactivation by ensuring that normal brake operations for vehicle holding do not trigger idling stop deactivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different operational characteristics to different regions of brake pedal operation. The first operation condition (smaller stroke) provides one set of system behaviors, while the second operation condition (larger stroke) provides different system behaviors. This allows the system to respond differently based on the local region of brake pedal operation, enabling precise control over system activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If both systems are enabled with default thresholds, then both functions are available, but driver intention cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoiddriver intention detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the brake pedal by defining two distinct operation conditions with different threshold values. The first operation condition uses a smaller brake pedal stroke threshold, while the second operation condition uses a larger brake pedal stroke threshold. This parameter differentiation allows the system to detect and respond to different driver intentions based on the magnitude of brake pedal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the brake pedal operation into two distinct functional zones: a first operation condition range that activates the automatic vehicle hold system while keeping the idling stop system enabled, and a second operation condition range that activates the idling stop system. This segmentation prevents unintentional system deactivation by ensuring that normal brake operations for vehicle holding do not trigger idling stop deactivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11414078B2Vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 SUBARU CORP

AI summary

A vehicle includes a controller and an operating unit. The controller controls an automatic vehicle hold (AVH) system maintaining the brake of the vehicle even after an operation of the brake pedal is canceled, and an idling stop system (ISS) stopping idling of an internal combustion engine. The operating unit switches the AVH and ISS between an enabled state and a disabled state in response to an occupant's operation. When the vehicle comes to a stop, the controller activates the AVH in a case where the operation of the brake pedal satisfies a first operation condition, and activates the ISS in a case where the operation of the brake pedal satisfies a second operation condition. The controller changes at least one of the first operation condition or the second operation condition when the AVH and the ISS are both switched to the enabled state by the operating unit.