Single-Pedal Speed Control With Seamless Acceleration-Braking Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle speed adjustment systems face challenges in smoothly transitioning between acceleration and braking modes, requiring complex operation of separate pedals and lacking seamless integration of braking systems for optimal safety and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A speed adjustment system utilizing a single driver-operated actuation device, such as a speed adjustment pedal, which is read by a sensor and evaluated by a speed control device to determine engine or braking requests based on a reference value, allowing for direct output of motor or braking requests, and seamlessly integrating various braking systems for efficient deceleration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate accelerator and brake pedals are used for speed control, then the vehicle can respond to driver demands for acceleration and braking, but the operation becomes complex and transitions between acceleration and braking modes are not smooth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse to driver demandVSAvoidpedal operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the accelerator pedal and brake pedal into a single integrated pedal unit. The pedal has a first region for acceleration control and a second region for braking control, allowing the driver to smoothly transition between acceleration and braking modes by simply moving the pedal between regions without switching between separate controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pedal unit serves multiple functions: it can generate accelerator pedal signals when the foot is positioned in the first region, generate brake pedal signals when positioned in the second region, and provide haptic feedback through force generation elements to indicate the transition zone between acceleration and braking modes

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

2Productivity

If multiple braking systems are integrated for optimal deceleration, then braking efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking efficiencyVSAvoidbraking system integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically manages the integration of multiple braking systems (wheel brakes and continuous brakes) based on the driver's pedal input. When a brake pedal signal is generated, the control system autonomously determines the appropriate braking force distribution between the wheel brakes and continuous brakes, eliminating the need for the driver to manually coordinate multiple braking systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a single actuation device is used for both acceleration and braking, then ease of operation is improved, but the precision of detecting driver intent becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed adjustment operationVSAvoiddriver intent detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal is divided into distinct functional regions: a first region for acceleration, a second region for braking, and a transition zone between them. The force generation element provides localized haptic feedback specifically in the transition zone to clearly indicate to the driver when they are crossing from acceleration to braking mode, enhancing the precision of driver intent detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a force generation element that provides haptic feedback to the driver's foot. When the pedal approaches the transition zone between acceleration and braking regions, the force generation element generates a detectable force to alert the driver of the upcoming mode change, ensuring precise detection and communication of driver intent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3972868B1Speed control system for a vehicle, and method
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP3972868B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3972868B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3972868B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a velocity adjustment system (2) for adjusting a driving velocity (v) of a vehicle (1), wherein the velocity adjustment system (2) has: a driver actuation device (3) for actuation by the driver, an actuation sensor (4) for detecting an actuation of the driver actuation device (3) and outputting a sensor signal (S1), a velocity control device (5) for receiving the sensor signal (S1) and evaluating the driver actuation, wherein the driver actuation device (3) can be actuated by the driver by an actuation parameter (α), and the velocity control device (5) is designed to compare the actuation parameter (α) to a reference value (α0) and to output an engine request signal (S2) to an engine control device (6) or a brake request signal (S4) to at least one brake control device (10) according to the comparison.