Patent ID: 7962269
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: B60W

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting the actuation of a driver-controlled element for a vehicle actuable to assume different degrees of displacement and displaceable to a stop of said driver-controlled element, the method comprising the steps of: realizing different driver-controlled functions of said driver-controlled element in dependence upon the degree of displacement or position of said driver-controlled element wherein: a first one of said driver-controlled functions comprises inputting a driver command torque in dependence upon a degree of actuation of said driver controlled element; and, a second one of said driver-controlled functions comprises a kickdown function for an automatic transmission or an escape switch function for the case that the vehicle has a speed-limit function and said second driver-controlled function is activated when the driver-controlled element is actuated completely or up to the vicinity of said stop; actuating said driver-controlled element against a spring force with two degrees of displacement being characterized by two 20 different spring constants, respectively; determining a signal value (U) which characterizes the spring constant at the actual degree of actuation of said driver-controlled element; detecting at least one of said driver-controlled functions of the driver-controlled element in dependence upon said determined signal value (U) which characterizes the spring constant; utilizing a slope-determination unit to plot said signal value (U) as a function of time and to obtain a slope dU/dt of said signal value (U) thereof; and, applying said slope dU/dt of said signal value (U) to a comparator and, if said slope dU/dt of said signal value (U) is greater than a threshold value, then said comparator detects said second driver-controlled function, otherwise, said comparator detects said first driver-controlled function.