Accelerator Pedal Actuator for Smooth Automated Driving Takeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a risk of undesirable changes in vehicle speed and jerking during the transition from automated to non-automated longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle, as the driver must take over control without knowing the exact pedal position, leading to potential deceleration, acceleration, or jerking.

Innovation Solution

A method where an accelerator pedal is adjusted by a pedal actuator to match the position it would be in if driven manually, ensuring a smooth transition by setting the pedal to the 'transfer pedal position' based on vehicle speed, gear, gradient, and road conditions, preventing unwanted deceleration or acceleration and providing a haptic signal for driver awareness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driver takes over control during automated driving without pedal position adjustment, then the driver can quickly assume control, but the vehicle speed changes undesirably and jerking occurs due to unknown pedal position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver takeover processVSAvoidvehicle speed stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerator pedal is adjusted by the pedal actuator to a transfer pedal position that corresponds to the vehicle's current motion state (speed, gear, gradient, road conditions) before the driver takes over control. This preliminary adjustment ensures that when the driver releases the pedal, the vehicle maintains its current speed without undesirable acceleration or deceleration, eliminating jerking and ensuring a smooth transition from automated to manual driving.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If the accelerator pedal remains in automated driving position, then the automated driving system can maintain control, but the driver experiences unexpected acceleration or deceleration when taking over manually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated longitudinal controlVSAvoidundesirable speed changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pedal actuator serves as an intermediary device that automatically adjusts the accelerator pedal position during the transition from automated to manual driving. The actuator receives control signals from the driver assistance system and mechanically positions the pedal at the appropriate transfer position, mediating between the automated control system and the driver's manual operation to prevent harmful speed changes and jerking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3057841B1Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle for carrying out the method
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3057841B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3057841B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (1), wherein in a first method step, the motor vehicle (1) is operated automatically by means of a driver assistance system (6), and wherein in a subsequent second method step, the motor vehicle (1) is operated by a driver (2) in a non-automated manner. For a fluid transition from the automated to the non-automated operation of the motor vehicle, according to the invention, during the transition from the first method step to the second method step, an accelerator pedal (10) of the motor vehicle (1) is adjusted by means of a pedal actuator (12) such that at the beginning of the second method step, the accelerator pedal (10) assumes a transition pedal position corresponding to the vehicle movement of the motor vehicle at the end of the first method step. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle for carrying out the said method.