Vehicle Controller Pedal Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in reducing engine output without increasing emissions or deteriorating drivability when both the accelerator and brake pedals are operated simultaneously, as current methods can lead to rich or lean exhaust gas conditions and cancellation of other control systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle controller system that includes an accelerator-operation detector, a brake-operation detector, and output controllers to perform first and second output-reducing controls, where the first control reduces the accelerator signal to idling state and the second control de-energizes the throttle actuator if the engine output is not sufficiently reduced, ensuring engine output reduction without adverse effects on emissions or drivability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fuel injection is not intermittently performed to reduce engine output, then engine output is reduced, but exhaust gas becomes rich or lean so that emission is increased and catalyst is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from intermittent fuel injection to continuous fuel injection with reduced quantity. By maintaining continuous injection while reducing the amount of fuel injected per cycle, the system achieves engine output reduction without creating rich or lean exhaust conditions that would harm emissions or catalyst performance.
2Power
If ignition is not intermittently performed to reduce engine output, then engine output is reduced, but exhaust gas becomes rich or lean so that emission is increased and catalyst is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from intermittent ignition to continuous ignition with adjusted fuel quantity. By maintaining continuous ignition while reducing fuel injection quantity, the system achieves engine output reduction while maintaining proper air-fuel ratio for clean emissions and catalyst protection.
3Power
If throttle valve is compulsorily closed to reduce engine output, then engine output is reduced, but other controls such as traction control, electronic stability control, and cruise control are canceled, whereby drivability may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control mechanism from mechanical throttle valve closure to electronic control of fuel injection quantity. By reducing fuel injection quantity through electronic control while maintaining throttle valve position, the system achieves engine output reduction without canceling other control systems, thereby preserving drivability.
4Power
If accelerator signal input is compulsorily changed to reduce engine output, then engine output is reduced, but engine output can not be sufficiently decreased due to other inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the engine output control function from the accelerator signal pathway and places it directly in the fuel injection control pathway. By controlling fuel injection quantity directly in response to brake pedal detection, the system ensures reliable engine output reduction without being overridden by other accelerator signal inputs.
Data Source
AI summary
When a computer determines that an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are simultaneously stepped based on the signals from the accelerator position sensor and a brake switch, the first switch is turned off so that the accelerator sensor signal which will be transmitted into the computer is compulsorily made zero. A throttle-position command value which will be transmitted from the computer into a throttle actuator is reduced to a value corresponding to the idling state. If an engine output is not reduced, the computer turns off a second switch so that a throttle actuator is de-energized. A throttle valve is compulsorily brought into a position corresponding to an idling state by a biasing force of a throttle return spring.