Vehicle Engine Controller Pedal Timing Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle engine control systems fail to accurately respond to a driver's intention to accelerate while ensuring safety when both the accelerator and brake pedals are pressed, leading to potential engine output suppression and difficulty in starting the vehicle on slopes.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle engine controller that uses accelerator and brake sensors to determine the operation status of both pedals, implementing accelerator position limit control to suppress engine output based on vehicle speed when the brake pedal is pressed during accelerator pedal operation, and allowing acceleration when the brake pedal is released, with controls initiated at specific timing delays and speed-dependent rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine output is suppressed when both accelerator and brake pedals are pressed, then the safety is improved, but the driver's acceleration intention cannot be responded to

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddriver's acceleration intention response

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the accelerator position limit based on the timing sequence of pedal operations. When the brake pedal is pressed during accelerator operation, the system temporarily limits accelerator position to ensure safety. However, when the accelerator pedal is pressed after brake release, the system removes the limit to respond to acceleration intentions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between safety and operational responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the operation timing sequence in advance to prevent inappropriate engine output suppression. By checking whether the brake pedal was pressed during accelerator operation and using timing information from sensors, the system preliminarily identifies the driver's intention before executing engine control, avoiding unnecessary suppression while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the accelerator position limit control is applied when brake pedal is pressed, then the engine output is suppressed to ensure safety, but the vehicle cannot start on slopes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidvehicle starting capability on slopes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the accelerator position limit based on the timing sequence of pedal operations. When the brake pedal is pressed during accelerator operation, the system temporarily limits accelerator position to ensure safety. However, when the accelerator pedal is pressed after brake release, the system removes the limit to respond to acceleration intentions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between safety and operational responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the accelerator position limit parameter based on the operation timing sequence. When brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously or in sequence, the limit is applied. When accelerator pedal is pressed after brake release, the limit is removed. This parameter adjustment allows the vehicle to start on slopes while maintaining safety during simultaneous pedal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the engine output is suppressed based on brake pedal operation timing, then the safety is improved, but the drivability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddrivability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from accelerator and brake sensors to determine the operation timing sequence and adjust engine control accordingly. By continuously monitoring sensor outputs and comparing timing information, the system provides feedback-based control that maintains safety while preserving drivability through appropriate accelerator position management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8798886B2Vehicle engine controller

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 DENSO CORP

AI summary

If it is determined that a brake pedal is pressed while an accelerator pedal is pressed, accelerator position limit control for bringing an accelerator position for engine control to a limit value corresponding to vehicle speed is performed, thereby securing safety at the time when both of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are pressed. If it is determined that the accelerator pedal is pressed after the brake pedal is pressed, the accelerator position limit control is prohibited, thereby responding to driver's intention to accelerate. If it is determined that the pressing of the brake pedal is cancelled during execution of the accelerator position limit control, accelerator position recovery control for returning the accelerator position for the engine control to an actual accelerator position is performed, thereby recovering normal running corresponding to the driver's intention to accelerate.