Single Pedal Speed Control for Motor Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle speed control systems, including cruise control and pedal-based systems, are cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when driving off-road, as they require manual adjustment of multiple pedals and are not suited for continuously changing road conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control device adjusts the motor vehicle's speed based on the operating position of a single pedal, allowing for continuous speed control by regulating engine output or braking, independent of road conditions, with customizable pedal characteristics for different driving modes and situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a driver manually adjusts multiple pedals to control speed on changing terrain, then speed control is possible, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control operationVSAvoidtime for speed adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pedal operations into a single pedal device. The control unit integrates the functions of what would traditionally require multiple pedals (accelerator, brake, and terrain compensation) into one unified pedal system, allowing the driver to control vehicle speed on changing terrain through a single pedal input rather than manually coordinating multiple pedals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit automatically compensates for terrain changes without requiring additional driver input. The system monitors vehicle speed and terrain conditions, then autonomously adjusts engine output and braking forces to maintain the target speed, making the speed control system self-regulating rather than requiring continuous manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If traditional cruise control systems are used, then speed maintenance is possible, but additional pedals must be used to increase set speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed maintenance automationVSAvoidpedal device requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single pedal device serves multiple functions: it sets the target speed, maintains speed on varying terrain, and allows for speed increases and decreases all through one pedal input. The pedal is designed with multiple operating positions (first extreme position, second extreme position, and intermediate positions) that universally cover all speed control needs without requiring separate pedals for different functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual pedal adjustment is required for each speed change, then precise speed control is possible, but the process becomes complex and slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed setting precisionVSAvoidspeed adjustment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal characteristic is made dynamically adjustable through the control unit. The system can adapt the relationship between pedal operating position and target speed based on driving conditions, allowing both precise speed setting and rapid adjustment. The control unit processes pedal position signals continuously and dynamically updates the target speed without fixed mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the actual vehicle speed and compares it with the target speed derived from pedal position. This feedback loop allows the system to make real-time adjustments to maintain precise speed control while responding quickly to driver input changes, achieving both precision and speed in the control process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3665053B1Method for setting a driving speed of a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle having a control unit
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3665053B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3665053B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for setting a driving speed (11) of a motor vehicle (10) on a travel path(12). A control unit (10') of the motor vehicle (10) sets the driving speed (11) depending on an operating position (14) limited by two extreme positions (15, 16) of a pedal device (13) of the motor vehicle (10), which can be operated by a driver. The control device (10') detects the operating position (14) of the pedal device (13), and depending on the detected operating position (14), determines in at least one specified driving modus (30) a target driving speed (22) corresponding to the respective operating position (14). The control unit (10') sets the driving speed (11) corresponding to the respective target driving speed (22) by means of a control as long as the respective operating position (14) is detected The setting thereby takes place independently of a current condition (17,18) of the travel path (12). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (10).