One-Pedal Drive Control for Slippery Road Deceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

One-pedal drive systems in electric vehicles may cause safety issues by providing unexpected strong deceleration on low-friction roads due to accidental pedal release or varying road conditions, necessitating intervention from safety systems like ESC and TCS.

Innovation Solution

A method and control unit for a vehicle actuator that dynamically adjusts its mode based on slippery road conditions detected by sensors and machine learning, allowing proactive control of deceleration levels to prevent instability, including deactivation or reduced braking power when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If one-pedal drive applies strong deceleration to improve stopping performance, then braking efficiency is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates on low-friction roads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking powerVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the deceleration level of the one-pedal drive actuator based on real-time road friction detection. When low friction is detected, the system reduces the deceleration level to prevent instability, while maintaining high deceleration capability on high-friction roads. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between braking power and vehicle stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the actuator based on road conditions. By detecting road friction coefficients and adjusting the deceleration level parameter accordingly, the system optimizes both braking performance and stability. The actuator operates at different deceleration levels (e.g., high, medium, low) depending on the detected road friction conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If one-pedal drive provides strong deceleration to reduce stopping distance, then stopping performance is improved, but safety deteriorates due to unexpected deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping speedVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of road friction conditions before the driver releases the accelerator pedal. By detecting slippery road conditions in advance, the system can proactively adjust the deceleration level to a safer, lower value before the one-pedal drive function is activated, preventing unexpected strong deceleration and maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors road friction conditions and provides feedback to adjust the actuator's deceleration level. This closed-loop control ensures that the deceleration applied is appropriate for current road conditions, preventing safety issues while maintaining effective stopping performance when conditions allow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If actuator operates in standard mode to maintain normal braking function, then operational capability is preserved, but adaptability to slippery conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking functionVSAvoidroad condition adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different operating modes (standard mode, low mode, special mode) based on detected road friction conditions. This dynamic mode adjustment allows the actuator to adapt to varying road conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control, resolving the contradiction between operational capability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If system deactivates actuator to prevent instability on slippery roads, then vehicle stability is improved, but braking performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoiddeceleration capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely deactivating the actuator, the system changes the operating parameter (deceleration level) to a lower, safer value when slippery conditions are detected. This allows the actuator to remain operational with reduced braking power, maintaining both vehicle stability and adequate deceleration capability for safety-critical situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4707098A1Proactive slippery road detection for safer one-pedal drive

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

Method for controlling an actuator of a vehicle configured to operate in a standard mode, a low mode, and a special mode, or be deactivated, receive an actuator request, and control acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle based on the actuator request, wherein the deceleration is controlled by setting the actuator in one of the standard, low and special mode, or by deactivating the actuator, the method comprising obtaining first data indicative of a slippery condition of at least one of an upcoming road segment to be travelled by the vehicle or a current road segment being travelled by the vehicle; and based on the first data, switching the actuator from a previous setting to a current setting, wherein the previous and the current settings are different and comprise setting the actuator in one of the standard, low and special mode or deactivating the actuator.