Vehicle pedal configurations and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023043164-A1
Application number	US-202217863125-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 12, 2022
Priority date	Aug 5, 2021
Publication date	Feb 9, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and device configurations are provided for reducing misstep, such as miscommunication between a vehicle and a driver that results in applying the incorrect pedal. Vehicle pedal configurations having a positioning element are described. Embodiments include pedal configurations having a pedal pad and at least one positioning element to adjust the pedal pad in response to pedal misstep. Pedal adjustment can include rotation of a pedal pad, rotation of portions of a pedal pad, and multibody pedal pad configurations. According to embodiment, a pedal pad includes vibrational elements to control vibration of the pedal. Embodiments are also directed to a pedal configuration including a flip plate. Systems are provided including a controller to control a pedal configuration and positioning elements. The controller may control the pedal based on a driving mode, such as an assistive driving state wherein operator is instructed to apply a pedal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle pedal configuration comprising:
a pedal pad having a surface; at least one actuator movably coupled to the pedal pad; a controller configured to control the at least one actuator; wherein the controller is configured to monitor vehicle conditions and determine based on the monitored vehicle conditions that engagement with the surface of the pedal pad is prohibited and in response, is configured to control the at least one actuator to adjust the surface of the pedal pad with movement in any manner to prevent the driver foot from engaging with the surface of the pedal pad.

2 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the pedal pad is configured to rotate.

3 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the pedal pad includes rotation in one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction relative to a pedal arm.

4 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein the pedal pad includes a flip plate, wherein the flip plate rotates relative to a pivot axis.

5 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein the pedal pad is at least one of a vehicle accelerator pedal and a vehicle brake pedal.

6 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the pedal pad includes a plurality of projections.

7 . The vehicle pedal configuration of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to extend the plurality of projections to prevent engagement with the pedal pad.

8 . A vehicle system comprising:
a pedal configuration including
a pedal pad having a surface, and
at least one actuator movably coupled to the pedal pad; and
a first sensor configured to detect an environment surrounding the vehicle; a second sensor configured to sense a foot of a driver on the pedal pad; a controller configured to control the at least one actuator, wherein the controller is configured to monitor vehicle conditions based on the environment surrounding the vehicle sensed by the first sensor and determine based on the monitored vehicle conditions, when the driver foot position is in contact with the pedal pad sensed by the second sensor contrary to the vehicle conditions sensed by the first sensor and in response is configured to control the at least one actuator to adjust the surface of the pedal pad with movement in any manner to prevent the driver foot from engaging with the surface of the pedal pad.

9 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the pedal pad is configured to rotate.

10 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the movement of the pedal pad includes rotation in a vertical direction relative to a pedal arm.

11 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the movement of the pedal pad includes rotation in a horizontal direction relative to a pedal arm.

12 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the pedal pad includes a flip plate, wherein the flip plate rotates relative to a pivot axis.

13 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the pedal pad is at least one of a vehicle accelerator pedal and a vehicle brake pedal.

14 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the surface of the pedal pad includes a plurality of projections.

15 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to extend the plurality of projections to prevent engagement with the pedal pad.

16 . The vehicle system of claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to notify a driver that the driver foot is on an incorrect pedal pad.

17 . A vehicle system comprising:
a pedal configuration including
a pedal pad having a surface, and
at least one actuator movably coupled to the pedal pad; and
a sensor configured to detect an environment surrounding the vehicle; a controller configured to control the at least one actuator, wherein the controller is configured to monitor vehicle conditions based on the environment surrounding the vehicle sensed by the sensor and determine based on the monitored vehicle conditions, controls the at least one actuator to deter activation of the pedal pad.

18 . The vehicle system of claim 17 , wherein the pedal pad is at least one of a vehicle accelerator pedal and a vehicle brake pedal.

19 . The vehicle system of claim 17 , wherein the activation of the at least one actuator to deter activation of the pedal pad is to reduce a speed.

20 . The vehicle system of claim 17 , wherein the pedal pad includes a flip plate, wherein the flip plate rotates relative to a pivot axis.

Assignees

• Toyota Res Inst Inc

Inventors

• Yasuda Hiroshi
• Kuehner Manuel L

Classifications

• G05G2505/00

  Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member · CPC title

• B60K2026/026

  Adjusting of accelerator pedal positions · CPC title

• B60T7/06

  Disposition of pedal · CPC title

• B60K26/02

  of initiating means or elements · CPC title

• G05G5/005 Primary

  for preventing unintentional use of a control mechanism (G05G5/28 takes precedence) · CPC title