JP2008221909A - Acceleration pedal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acceleration pedal device capable of judging an abnormal state of a vehicle and adjusting reaction force in accordance with the state. <P>SOLUTION: This acceleration pedal device furnished with a reaction force device (actuator) 5 to give operating reaction force to acceleration operation of a driver has a vehicle state information acquisition means to acquire information concerning a vehicle state in travelling and a vehicle state judging means 9 to judge whether the vehicle state is abnormal or not in accordance with vehicle state information acquired from the vehicle state information acquisition means, and the reaction force device 5 is devised to increase the operating reaction force when the vehicle state judging means judges that the vehicle state is abnormal. The vehicle state includes pneumatic pressure of a wheel, engine cooling water temperature and fuel residual quantity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal device provided in a vehicle, and particularly to an accelerator pedal device that can change a reaction force against an accelerator operation in accordance with a vehicle state.

Conventionally, when an abnormality occurs in one device of a running vehicle, there is a device that detects the abnormality of the device and alerts the driver through vision or hearing. For example, there is one that monitors the air pressure of a tire with an air pressure sensor and issues a warning to an in-vehicle monitor when the tire air pressure decreases or is likely to decrease (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-327554 A

  However, the conventional methods of alerting through visual and auditory caution may cause oversight or oversight depending on the driver's consciousness and surrounding environmental conditions, and make the driver properly recognize important information on vehicle status. There is a possibility of not being able to. And when a driver | operator continues driving | operating without noticing the important information of a vehicle state, abnormality may appear in a vehicle behavior and it may lead to an accident. Therefore, there is a problem of how to call attention in order to make the driver recognize information appropriately.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has information acquisition means for acquiring information for determining whether or not the vehicle state is normal. If the vehicle state is abnormal, the accelerator is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an accelerator pedal device that can alert a driving vehicle by adjusting a pedal depressing reaction force.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, claim 1 of the present invention is directed to an accelerator pedal device including a reaction force device (actuator 5) that applies an operation reaction force to a driver's accelerator operation. Vehicle status information acquisition means for acquiring information regarding, and vehicle status determination means 9 for determining whether the vehicle status is abnormal based on the vehicle status information obtained from the vehicle status information acquisition means, The reaction force device 5 is configured to increase the operation reaction force when the vehicle state determination unit determines that the vehicle state is abnormal.

  The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the vehicle state information acquisition means is an air pressure detection device (wheel air pressure detection device 6) provided in the vehicle for detecting the air pressure of the wheel. In addition, the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on the air pressure of the wheel.

  The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the vehicle state information acquisition means is a temperature detection device (cooling water temperature detection) provided in the vehicle for detecting the temperature of the engine cooling water. Device 7), and the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on the coolant temperature of the engine.

  The invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 1, wherein the vehicle state information acquisition means is a remaining amount detection device (fuel remaining amount detection device) provided in the vehicle for detecting the remaining amount of fuel. 8), and the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on the fuel remaining amount.

  According to the invention of claim 1, since the accelerator pedal device has the vehicle state information acquisition means and the vehicle state determination means, the vehicle state can be grasped from the vehicle state information while constantly monitoring the vehicle state information during traveling. . When it is determined that the vehicle state is abnormal, the pedal reaction force is increased to alert the driver. Since the driver controls the speed of the vehicle by adjusting the depression of the accelerator pedal, the driver's consciousness is concentrated on the toes regardless of whether or not he / she is aware, and becomes sensitive to stimuli received from the toes. ing. In particular, since the driver can sensitively recognize the reaction force against the depression of the accelerator pedal, alerting by increasing the accelerator pedal reaction force using tactile sensation is more effective when driving the vehicle than by visual or auditory alerting. To do. In addition, visual or auditory alerts may cause inadvertent oversight or missed hearing, but the driver always touches the accelerator pedal with his / her foot while driving and thus is less likely to miss the alert.

  If the driver does not notice an increase in the reaction force of the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal is moved in a direction that reduces depression, so the vehicle speed is reduced. Because the driver is driving while estimating the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal sensuously from the magnitude of the reaction force received from the accelerator pedal, and further estimating the vehicle speed obtained by the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal This is because, when the reaction force increases, the driver usually tends to ease the depression of the accelerator pedal if not intended. As a result, since the vehicle speed is reduced, it is possible to prevent a vehicle abnormality from being promoted and to reduce the induction of an accident.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the vehicle state information acquisition means is an air pressure detection device, and acquires the current wheel air pressure to determine whether or not the wheel air pressure is normal. The determination of whether or not it is normal is performed by, for example, comparing the measured pressure value with a predetermined pressure value to determine whether or not the measured pressure value is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure value. When the pressure value of the wheel is abnormal, that is, when the wheel pressure value is decreasing, there is a risk of causing an accident because traveling stability, operability, and the like decrease during vehicle travel. Therefore, it is effective in preventing accidents by reducing the accelerator pedal depression amount and reducing the vehicle speed when such a situation occurs. Further, if the vehicle runs at a high speed while the wheel pressure is reduced, the wheel is significantly damaged. Therefore, the action of reducing the vehicle speed also has an effect of protecting the wheel.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the vehicle state information acquisition means is an engine coolant temperature detection device, acquires the current engine coolant temperature, and whether or not the engine coolant temperature is normal by the vehicle state determination means. That is, it is determined whether the engine temperature is normal. The determination as to whether the temperature is normal is performed by, for example, comparing the measured temperature value with a predetermined temperature value to determine whether the measured temperature value is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature value. When the engine coolant temperature is abnormal, that is, when the engine temperature is low, it is preferable to avoid depressing the accelerator pedal for reasons such as a heavy load on the engine and poor fuel consumption. It is effective to increase the reaction force of the pedal.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the vehicle state information acquisition means is a fuel remaining amount detection device, and based on the fuel remaining amount, whether or not the vehicle state is normal (no possibility of becoming abnormal) by the vehicle state determination means. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of running out of fuel. The determination of whether or not it is normal is, for example, comparing the measured remaining amount value with a predetermined remaining amount value to determine whether or not the measured remaining amount value is greater than or equal to a predetermined remaining amount value. To do. When the remaining amount of fuel is abnormal, that is, when the remaining amount is low, increasing the reaction force of the accelerator pedal to alleviate the amount of depression is effective for improving fuel efficiency and extending the travel distance.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an accelerator pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the accelerator pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control flow of the accelerator pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the depression amount and the depression reaction force of the accelerator pedal device according to the present invention.

  First, the mechanical configuration of the accelerator pedal device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the accelerator pedal 3 is supported by a pedal support 2 provided in the vehicle body 1 so as to be tiltable in response to depression. In addition, an actuator 5 serving as a reaction force device is provided so as to connect the vehicle body 1 and the accelerator pedal 3 so as to limit the movement of the accelerator pedal 3 in the depression direction.

  The accelerator pedal 3 is provided with a tread plate 4 at one end, and an accelerator wire (not shown) that is mechanically connected to a throttle valve at the other end to adjust the throttle opening. The relationship between the accelerator pedal and the throttle valve is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a sensor that electrically detects the position of the accelerator pedal 3 instead of the accelerator wire is provided, and the amount of depression is converted into an electrical signal so that the throttle valve A drive-by-wire system may be used.

  The actuator 5 is, for example, a linear motor, receives a signal from an accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 to be described later, and moves the drive unit 5b in and out of the motor body 5a fixed to the vehicle body 1 side by linear motor driving. Apply force in the direction opposite to the stepping direction.

  Next, a device configuration for performing reaction force control of the accelerator pedal 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the accelerator pedal device is a vehicle to which vehicle state information acquired by the wheel air pressure detection device 6, the coolant temperature detection device 7, and the remaining fuel amount detection device 8 as vehicle state information acquisition means is input. The state determination circuit 9 includes an accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 to which a signal from the vehicle state determination circuit 9 is input, and an actuator 5 that is driven and controlled by the accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10.

  The wheel air pressure detection device 6 may be a known vehicle air pressure detection device (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-1112017 by the present applicant), and inputs the measured wheel air pressure value to the vehicle state determination circuit 9. The cooling water temperature detection device 7 may be a known temperature detection device such as a temperature detection device having a sensor section made of a thermistor, for example, and inputs the measured engine coolant temperature value to the vehicle state determination circuit 9. The fuel remaining amount detecting device 8 may be a known fuel remaining amount detecting device, and inputs the measured fuel remaining amount value to the vehicle state determining circuit 9. In this embodiment, for example, gasoline is used as the fuel.

  The vehicle state determination circuit 9 determines whether or not the measured value of the wheel air pressure is equal to or less than a predetermined air pressure (P). The value (P) of the predetermined air pressure is a value obtained experimentally as a value that does not adversely affect the state of the air pressure of the wheel when the vehicle is running, for example, if the wheel air pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined air pressure (P). Is used.

  The vehicle state determination circuit 9 determines whether or not the measured engine coolant temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (T). The predetermined temperature value (T) is experimentally determined as a value at which the engine temperature does not adversely affect the running of the vehicle, for example, if the engine cooling water temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined cooling water temperature (T). Use the default value.

  Further, the vehicle state determination circuit 9 determines whether or not the measured value of the remaining fuel amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined remaining amount value (V). The value of the predetermined remaining amount value (V) may be an arbitrary value, and is determined according to the travel distance to be secured from when it is determined that the remaining amount is small and abnormal.

  The accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 drives the actuator 5 so as to change the depression reaction force according to the depression amount of the accelerator pedal, and further adds the depression reaction force based on the determination result by the vehicle state determination circuit 9. The actuator 5 is driven and controlled. Conventionally, the accelerator pedal device is set so that the depression reaction force increases in a proportional relationship with the depression amount of the accelerator pedal. As shown in FIG. 4, the accelerator pedal device of the present invention maintains a proportional relationship between the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and the depression reaction force, and further increases the depression reaction force when the vehicle state is abnormal. Controlled. In this embodiment, the stepping reaction force can be additionally increased to three stages. When the reaction force of the accelerator pedal increases, the driver unconsciously operates so that the reaction force received from the toes is constant, so that the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal is returned to a position where a comparable reaction force can be obtained. As a result, the vehicle speed corresponding to the return of the depression amount is reduced.

  Next, a control flow for performing reaction force control of the accelerator pedal 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the control is performed for each predetermined time difference. Step ST1 is performed by the vehicle state determination circuit 9, and the wheel air pressure, the cooling water temperature detecting device 7, and the remaining fuel amount detecting device 8 obtain the wheel air pressure, the engine cooling water temperature, and the remaining fuel amount information. Then, it moves to step ST2.

  The processing in step ST2 is performed by the vehicle state determination circuit 9, and the wheel air pressure acquired in step ST1 is compared with a predetermined air pressure (P) to determine whether the wheel air pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined air pressure (P). Judging. If the wheel air pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined air pressure (P), the process proceeds to step ST4. If the wheel air pressure is less than the predetermined air pressure (P), the process proceeds to step ST3.

  The processing of step ST3 is performed by the accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10. The accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 controls the actuator 5 to increase the stepping reaction force applied to the accelerator pedal 3 by one step. Here, the additional step increase in the stepping reaction force represents an increase due to the addition of a predetermined amount, and corresponds to an increase in the value of the stepping reaction force intercept that is proportional to the stepping amount. Except for the present embodiment, the number of steps may be arbitrarily increased, for example, the additional increase of the stepping reaction force may be one step, and the increase amount of the stepping reaction force in one step may be an arbitrary value. Then, it progresses to step ST4.

  The process of step ST4 is performed by the vehicle state determination circuit 9, and the engine coolant temperature obtained in step ST1 is compared with a predetermined temperature (T), and whether the engine coolant temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (T). Judge whether or not. When the engine coolant temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (T), the process proceeds to step ST6, and when the engine coolant temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (T), the process proceeds to step ST5.

  The processing of step ST5 is performed by the accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10. The accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 controls the actuator 5 to increase the stepping reaction force applied to the accelerator pedal 3 by one step. If the stepping reaction force is increased by one step in step ST3, the increase in this step results in a two-step increase from the normal state. Then, it progresses to step ST6.

  The process of step ST6 is performed by the vehicle state determination circuit 9, and the remaining fuel amount acquired in step ST1 is compared with a predetermined amount (V) to determine whether or not the remaining fuel amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (V). Judging. If the remaining fuel amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (V), the process proceeds to the end, and the process is terminated. If the remaining fuel amount is less than the predetermined amount (V), the process proceeds to step ST7.

  The processing of step ST7 is performed by the accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10. The accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit 10 controls the actuator 5 to increase the stepping reaction force applied to the accelerator pedal 3 by one step. If the stepping reaction force has already been increased in step ST3 or step ST5, the increase in this step results in an increase of 2 or 3 steps from the normal state. Then, the process proceeds to the end and the process is terminated.

  The accelerator pedal device of the present embodiment configured as described above determines the air pressure of the wheels, the temperature of the engine cooling water, and the remaining amount of fuel, and increases the depressing reaction force of the accelerator pedal according to the vehicle state, It is possible to reduce the vehicle speed by pushing the accelerator pedal back unconsciously by the driver.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the example comprised so that reaction force might be added whenever the bad condition in a vehicle state overlaps, and a three-step reaction force might be increased at the maximum, it is not limited to this. In addition, although the reaction force increase amount of the same magnitude is set for each adverse condition, the reaction force may be set to be arbitrarily set so that the reaction force is greatly increased for those having a large influence. In addition, various combinations and changes are possible.

1 is a side view of an accelerator pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an accelerator pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a control flow of the accelerator pedal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the depression amount and depression reaction force of the accelerator pedal apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle body 3 Accelerator pedal 5 Actuator 6 Wheel air pressure detection device 7 Cooling water temperature detection device 8 Fuel remaining amount detection device 9 Vehicle state determination circuit 10 Accelerator pedal reaction force control circuit

Claims (4)

In an accelerator pedal device including a reaction force device that applies an operation reaction force to the driver's accelerator operation,
Vehicle state information acquisition means for acquiring information on the vehicle state during traveling;
Vehicle state determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle state is abnormal based on vehicle state information obtained from the vehicle state information acquisition means;
The said reaction force apparatus increases the said reaction force when the said vehicle state judgment means judges that the said vehicle state is abnormal, The accelerator pedal apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The vehicle state information acquisition means is an air pressure detection device provided in the vehicle for detecting the air pressure of the wheels,
The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on an air pressure of the wheel. The vehicle state information acquisition means is a temperature detection device provided in the vehicle for detecting the temperature of engine coolant.
The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on a coolant temperature of the engine. The vehicle state information acquisition means is a remaining amount detection device provided in the vehicle for detecting the remaining amount of fuel,
The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the determination condition of the vehicle state determination means is based on the remaining fuel amount.

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