Accelerator Pedal Effort Control via Steering Angle Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accelerator pedal effort control systems that aim to reduce fuel consumption often compromise vehicle drivability by abruptly increasing pedal effort, leading to an unpleasant driving experience and potential misunderstanding of inferior acceleration performance.
Innovation Solution
The accelerator pedal effort control apparatus adjusts pedal effort increments based on steering angle and running resistance, providing a smaller increment when steering angle or running resistance is high, to maintain drivability and reduce fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pedal effort is abruptly increased to reduce fuel consumption, then fuel consumption rate is improved, but accelerator pedal operational feeling and vehicle drivability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal effort control system dynamically adjusts the pedal effort increment based on the steering angle. When the steering angle exceeds a threshold (indicating high running resistance), the system reduces or eliminates the pedal effort increment that would normally be applied when accelerator opening angle increases. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain fuel efficiency during normal driving while preserving smooth accelerator response during high-resistance conditions such as turns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pedal effort parameter based on steering angle conditions. Normally, pedal effort increment is applied when accelerator opening angle increases, but this parameter is modified when steering angle exceeds a predetermined threshold. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by conditionally applying fuel-saving measures only when they do not compromise driving quality.
2Loss of energy
If pedal effort increment is applied during acceleration, then fuel consumption is reduced, but acceleration performance and driver satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the application of pedal effort increment based on real-time steering angle detection. During acceleration operations, especially when turning (high steering angle), the system suppresses the pedal effort increment that would normally be applied. This dynamic control ensures that acceleration performance remains responsive to driver input while still providing fuel savings during steady-state or low-resistance conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal effort increment parameter is conditionally modified based on steering angle. When steering angle is within acceptable ranges, the parameter allows normal fuel-saving control. When steering angle exceeds the threshold during acceleration, the parameter is adjusted to prevent degradation of acceleration performance, thereby resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and acceleration capability.
3Loss of energy
If pedal effort is increased at boundary driving region, then fuel consumption rate is improved, but vehicle drivability and operational feeling worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the pedal effort control parameters based on steering angle conditions. At boundary driving regions where engine operating mode transitions occur, the system checks the steering angle and conditionally applies or suppresses pedal effort increment. This parameter adaptation ensures that fuel consumption improvements are achieved without compromising vehicle drivability and operational feeling, even during boundary region transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an accelerator pedal effort control apparatus which increases a pedal effort of an accelerator pedal 2 when an accelerator opening angle is larger than a predetermined accelerator opening angle threshold value, in a case where a steering angle of a steering wheel when a vehicle driver starts to increase an opening angle of accelerator pedal 2 is small, a pedal effort increment is a reference pedal effort increment (ΔF) and, in a case where the steering angle is large, is a relatively small pedal effort increment (ΔF - β). Thus, when the vehicle turns right or left from a stopped state, pedal effort increment (ΔF - β) is set to relatively be small so that a smooth acceleration becomes possible.