Steering-Mounted Brake and Accelerator Control Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The maximum stroke of operation members on a steering member, such as brake and accelerator levers, is typically smaller than that of pedal operations, leading to more sensitive and difficult adjustments, and varies based on driver characteristics like grip strength and dexterity, affecting operability.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle operation system with a steering member incorporating brake and accelerator operation members, a detection device, and a computer that calculates control characteristics based on detected operation amounts, adjusting settings to suit individual driver characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operation member is provided on the steering member, then the driver can accelerate and decelerate the vehicle without pedal operation, but the maximum stroke of the operation member becomes smaller than that of a pedal, making adjustment more sensitive and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperability of operation memberVSAvoidmaximum stroke of operation member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control characteristic is dynamically adjusted based on detected operation amounts. The system calculates control characteristics representing the relationship between operation amount and target deceleration/acceleration, adapting to different driver strengths and dexterities to compensate for the limited stroke length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter (control characteristic) based on operation conditions. By calculating different control characteristics depending on the operation amount detected, the system optimizes the relationship between the limited stroke and the desired vehicle response, making the operation member easier to control despite its shorter travel distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operation member is provided on the steering member, then space is saved, but the control characteristic greatly affects operation feeling and manual operation varies depending on driver's characters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different driver characteristicsVSAvoidoperation feeling consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device detects the operation amount of the operation member, and this feedback is used by the computer to calculate appropriate control characteristics. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to different driver characteristics and provide consistent operation feeling across various users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily calculates and sets control characteristics based on detected operation amounts before actual vehicle operation. By pre-establishing the relationship between operation amount and target deceleration/acceleration, the system prepares optimal control parameters in advance to accommodate different driver strengths and dexterities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4574590A1Vehicle operation system
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4574590A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4574590A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4574590A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A vehicle operation system (1), including: a steering member (2) to be gripped by a hand of a driver of a vehicle for a steering operation; an operation member (3, 8) for at least one of a brake operation and an accelerator operation, the operation member being provided on the steering member so as to be operable by the driver's hand; a detection device (4, 81) configured to detect an operation amount of the operation member; and a computer (5) configured to receive a detection result of the detection device; wherein the computer is configured to calculate a control characteristic that represents a relationship between the operation amount of the operation member and target deceleration or target acceleration, which is a control target value, based on the detection result of the detection device acquired in a situation in which a predetermined condition including a condition that a stop state of the vehicle is maintained is satisfied.