Foldable Pedal Sequencing for Safer Start and Stop Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, the simultaneous pop-up and hide operations of foldable accelerator and brake pedals during starting and stopping increase the risk of driver mal-operation and discomfort during gear shifting, particularly in autonomous driving mode.
Innovation Solution
An operation control method that sequentially controls the pop-up and hide operations of foldable pedals, where the foldable brake pedal is popped up before the accelerator pedal during starting and the accelerator pedal is hidden before the brake pedal during stopping, with predetermined time differences, to reduce mal-operation risks and enhance safety and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foldable accelerator pedal and the foldable brake pedal are simultaneously popped up during starting-on, then the driver can quickly access both pedals, but the probability of pedal mal-operation increases and vehicle safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake pedal is popped up before the accelerator pedal during starting-on. This preliminary action ensures the brake pedal is ready first, preventing accidental acceleration while maintaining quick access to both pedals. The controller sequentially activates the brake pedal support then the accelerator pedal support based on detection of starting conditions.
2Device complexity
If the foldable accelerator pedal and the foldable brake pedal are simultaneously hidden during starting-off, then the structure is simplified, but the driver feels uncomfortable during N stage gear shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal is hidden before the brake pedal during starting-off. This preliminary action ensures the accelerator pedal is retracted first, providing comfort during gear shifting operations, while the brake pedal remains accessible if needed. The controller sequentially deactivates the accelerator pedal support then the brake pedal support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pedals remain exposed in autonomous driving mode, then the driver can manually intervene if needed, but the pedals interfere with driver rest and create safety risks from malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal apparatus transitions between two states: exposed for manual driving mode and hidden for autonomous driving mode. The controller detects the driving mode and dynamically adjusts the pedal positions accordingly. In autonomous mode, pedals are hidden to eliminate interference with driver rest while maintaining the ability to pop up if manual intervention is required.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation control method of a foldable pedal apparatus, is capable of controlling an operation of the foldable pedal apparatus such that, when a starting-off state is changed to a starting-on state, a foldable brake pedal is popped up first, and then a foldable accelerator pedal is popped up with a time difference, and when the starting-on state is changed to the starting-off state, the foldable accelerator pedal is hidden first, and then the foldable brake pedal is hidden with a time difference.