Patent Description:
Presently, there have been technological solutions to avoid accidental risks or injuries, in situations when a gas (accelerator) pedal and a brake pedal are operated simultaneously by the driver of a vehicle. Such situations can happen unintentionally, in a panic road situation or may be in an accidental operation of any one of the brake or gas pedal by a foot mat in the vehicle. These situations may lead to accidental risks, and thus, need to be avoided.

In any of such unintentional situations, conventionally a control device is installed in the vehicle, which regulates a throttle valve and closes it down in order to reduce drive output power of the vehicle. Such control devices continuously monitor the operation of gas pedal and the brake pedal and, are able to detect the simultaneous depression of both the pedals. Further, they take into consideration the operation of the gas pedal, evaluate the degree of operation on the gas pedal, and regulate functioning of the throttle valve depending on the degree of operation on the gas pedal. Thereby, the control device may either close the throttle valve completely, or may close it partially; in turn controlling the drive output power of the vehicle.

A prior art document <CIT> discloses a vehicle safety control device, in which an accelerator operation amount is detected by an accelerator position sensor, and an electronic throttle is controlled by air amount control means, in response to the accelerator operation amount. When it is detected that an accelerator and a brake are simultaneously operated, the air amount control means is accordingly instructed such that the engine output is limited by an engine output limitation determination means. When the accelerator operation amount is less than a predetermined value, the engine output limit instruction is prohibited for a predetermined time from the detection of the brake operation.

Another prior art document <CIT> discloses an electronic control unit that performs a reduction control for reducing vehicle drive force when the accelerator and the brake are operated simultaneously. The electronic control unit also varies the amount of decrease in the vehicle drive force during the reduction control and conditions under which the reduction control is implemented depending on the order of the accelerator operation and brake operation resulting in the above-noted simultaneous operation. For example, the amount of decrease in the vehicle drive force is less when the brake is operated first in comparison with when the accelerator is operated first. Thus, it is possible to operate the vehicle drive force in accordance with the intention of the driver.

As disclosed in the above examples of prior art documents, the present technologies disclose the control units which control the operation of the throttle valve, or varies the vehicle drive force, depending on the situations when accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are operated simultaneously, and on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal. However, the present technologies work completely depending on the degree of accelerator pedal operation, and fail to recognize the degree of brake pedal operation. This may lead to inefficiency in functioning of the control unit, since the control unit may lack in determining a more precise amount of closure of throttle valve. The control units of the present technologies do not consider the consequent effects, on the vehicle drive, of the amount of force with which the brake pedal is depressed along with the accelerator pedal. Since, the degree with which the throttle valve would be closed only depends on the degree with which accelerator pedal is depressed, in the unintentional situations described herein, the control units may lack in determining an appropriate value for throttle valve to close for reducing vehicle drive output.

A further prior art document <CIT> discloses a throttle override method for a recreational vehicle including: determining an opening of a throttle valve of an engine of the vehicle; detecting an application of a brake of the vehicle during the opening of the throttle valve; and reducing the opening of the throttle valve in response to an application of the brake exceeding a threshold level.

Hence, there arises a need to provide an improved mechanism of control unit for a vehicle which controls the drive force of the vehicle more effectively, by controlling the throttle valve based on the degree of operations of gas (accelerator) pedal and brake pedal in combination.

Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism of the control unit in a vehicle which provides an effective control on the output drive power of the vehicle by controlling the throttle valve based on the degree of operations of gas (accelerator) pedal and brake pedal in combination.

It is further an objective of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism, where the control unit evaluates the degree of operations of both the gas pedal and brake pedal.

It is further an objective of the present invention to prevent damage to the engine, the brakes and the tires of the vehicle.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide the control unit which is able to control and program the power output of the engine.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an electronic control unit for a vehicle according to claim <NUM>. A second aspect of the present invention provides a method to control output power of an engine of a vehicle according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides an improved vehicle electronic control unit for safety of vehicles and passengers, in situations where a gas (may also referred to as accelerator) pedal and a brake pedal are operated simultaneously. The improved electronic control unit continuously monitors functions and positions of the gas pedal, the brake pedal and a throttle valve by employing one or more electronic sensors with each mechanical component of the vehicle. The electronic control unit, further, evaluates value or degree of operations of the gas pedal and the brake pedal. While evaluating the degree of operations of both the pedals, the electronic control unit may analyze one or more operating conditions of the pedals, such as including and not limiting to the position of the pedals, depression forces with which the pedals are depressed, time stamp and duration of depressing the pedals, order of depressing the pedals, which means if the gas pedal is depressed first than the brake pedal, and the like. Further, the electronic control unit also monitors and reads the operation of the throttle valve.

Detecting a situation of simultaneous operation of the gas pedal and the brake pedal, the electronic control unit assesses the operating conditions of the gas pedal and the brake pedal in combination, evaluates a combined factor of safety based on the operating conditions of both the pedals, and hence, controls the throttle valve according to the factor of safety.

The factor of safety may be a limiting operating condition, which regulates the functioning of the throttle valve according to the combined operating conditions of the gas pedal and the brake pedal. For example, depending on the value of depression forces and the positions of both the gas and the brake pedal, in view of current position of the throttle valve, the electronic control unit may direct the throttle valve to operate in that limiting operating condition. The limiting operating condition may define one or more limiting conditions for the throttle valve to function, which may include and not limit to closing completely or partially; or closing for a determined time period based on that particular situation, closing at a certain angled position for a certain time period, or closing and opening intermittently, and the like.

Therefore, the improved electronic control unit of the present invention analyses the operations of both the gas pedal and the brake pedal, along with analyzing the operation of the throttle valve to evaluate a combined factor of safety defining a limiting operation condition for controlling the throttle valve, where the factor of safety depends on the combined operations of the gas pedal and the brake pedal. Thereby, the output drive power of the vehicle is effectively controlled by the electronic control unit, in the situations of the simultaneous operation of the gas pedal and the brake pedal.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary operating environment of the electronic control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The environment <NUM> shows the electronic control unit <NUM> working in coordination with mechanical components of a vehicle, such as a gas pedal <NUM>, a brake pedal <NUM> and a throttle valve <NUM> for monitoring and evaluations functions of them. The electronic control unit <NUM> comprises a gas pedal sensor <NUM> for detecting operation of the gas pedal <NUM>, and a brake pedal sensor <NUM> for detecting operation of the brake pedal <NUM>. While monitoring and detecting operations of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM> respectively, the gas pedal sensor <NUM> and the brake pedal sensor <NUM> may detect one or more operating conditions of both the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>), such as including and not limiting to positions of the pedals, depression forces with which the pedals are depressed, time stamp and duration of depressing the pedals, order of depressing the pedals, which means if the gas pedal is depressed first than the brake pedal, and the like.

In an embodiment, the gas pedal sensor <NUM> is a contactless sensor to avoid any mechanical damage to the sensor. In another embodiment, the brake pedal sensor <NUM> is a contactless sensor to avoid any mechanical damage to the sensor. The brake pedal <NUM> is still mechanically secured by a direct connection with disc brakes at rear axle of the vehicle.

Further, the control unit <NUM> comprises an actuator <NUM> that detects and ensures a correct defined position of the throttle valve <NUM>. By using feedback of the actuator <NUM>, the correct position of the throttle valve <NUM> can be checked. In an embodiment, the actuator is a 5V servo motor. Furthermore, it may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the throttle valve <NUM> in an internal-combustion engine may be incorporated in or just outside the carburetor, or in a fuel-injected engine the throttle valve is placed on entrance of the intake manifold, or housed in the throttle body.

The control unit <NUM> also comprises a processor <NUM> which receives information or feedback containing values or measurements analyzed by the gas pedal sensor <NUM> and the brake pedal sensor <NUM>. Hence, the processor <NUM> is able to detect a situation when the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM> are depressed simultaneously. The processor <NUM>, further, applies processing techniques over the measurements received from the gas pedal sensor <NUM> and the brake pedal sensor <NUM>, for combining the measurements of operations of both the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>). The processor <NUM> produces a `combined current operating value' which accounts to operating conditions of both the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> further comprises a controlling module <NUM> or may also referred to as controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> acts as a safety module for the vehicle, in situations when the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM> are operated simultaneously. The controller <NUM> is in communication with the actuator <NUM> and the processor <NUM> to receive feedbacks from them, which contain current correct position and operation of the throttle valve <NUM>, and the combined current operating value of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, respectively. Receiving feedbacks from the actuator <NUM> and the processor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> provides a `combined factor of safety' defining a 'limiting operating condition' for the throttle valve <NUM>. Therefore, the controller <NUM> controls or regulates the operation of the throttle valve <NUM>, based on the limiting operating condition, whenever a situation of simultaneous operations of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM> is detected by the processor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the throttle valve <NUM> in one or more different ways, defined in the limiting operating condition, depending on the combined current operating conditions of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, and further, in view of the current position and operation of the throttle valve <NUM>. The limiting operating condition may define one or more limiting conditions for the throttle valve <NUM> to function, which may include and not limit to closing the valve <NUM> completely or partially; closing for a determined time period based on the current operations of the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>); closing at a certain angled position for a certain time period; or closing and opening intermittently for short time durations, and the like.

Further in an embodiment, the controller <NUM> receives feedback, from the processor <NUM>, containing the combined measurements of the operations of the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>) in an analog way. The controller <NUM> then filters and calibrates the measurements, before providing the limiting operating condition for the throttle valve <NUM>. The brake pedal <NUM> always has priority over the gas pedal <NUM>. When the brake pedal <NUM> is activated, the RPM of a petrol engine is lowered. This way, it is not possible to accelerate while the brake is still active.

The controller <NUM> is powered by an alternator (not shown in the <FIG>), which is further connected to a drive shaft of the vehicle. The controller <NUM> may have other more functions to operate, such as including and not limited to controlling brake lights, headlights and tail lights of the vehicle, because the controller <NUM> knows the exact positions of both the gas <NUM> and brake pedal <NUM>, the brake lights can be controlled this way; calculating the rotations per minute of the vehicle's engine, where a petrol engine is provided with a pick-up coil which registers the ignition pulses of the petrol engine, based on these pulses, the RPM of the engine is determined; calculating the speed of the vehicle, where the speed can be determined by checking voltage of the alternator, powering the controller <NUM>. This way the RPM of the alternator can be determined, and at the same time the speed of the vehicle. The controller <NUM> may further be able to interrupt ignition of the vehicle's engine and thus shut down the engine putting an emergency stop. The controller <NUM> may also be able to charge a battery of the vehicle, where the voltage of the alternator is converted to a suitable voltage to charge the battery. The maximal voltage provided to the battery is <NUM>. 4V, at a maximal current of <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may also have a Bluetooth functionality, which may allow the controller <NUM> to execute one or more functions from short range Bluetooth distance. The functions may include and not limited to lowering the RPM of the engine to a stationary RPM, independent of the gas pedal <NUM>; shutting down the engine; limiting the RPM; limiting the speed; sending out information like speed, rpm, position of gas and brake pedal, battery voltage, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates a flow chart showing a method of operating the electronic control unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method <NUM> shows, at a step <NUM>, detecting and evaluating operating conditions of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, by the gas pedal sensor <NUM> and the brake pedal sensor <NUM>, respectively. The operating conditions evaluated of the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>) may include and not limited to positions of the pedals, depression forces with which the pedals are depressed, time stamp and duration of depressing the pedals, order of depressing the pedals, which means if the gas pedal is depressed first than the brake pedal, and the like. Further, at a step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> receives feedback, from the gas pedal sensor <NUM> and the brake pedal sensor <NUM>, containing the values or measurements related to the operating conditions of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>. At a step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> combines the measurements of operating conditions of both the pedals (<NUM> and <NUM>) to produce a `combined current operating value' which accounts to operating conditions of both the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>.

Furthermore, at step <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> detects and ensures a correct defined position of the throttle valve <NUM>. Thereafter, at step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> receive feedbacks from the actuator <NUM> and the processor <NUM> which contain current correct position and operation of the throttle valve <NUM>, and the combined current operating value of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, respectively. At a next step <NUM>, the controller <NUM> evaluates a `combined factor of safety' defining a `limiting operating condition' for controlling the throttle valve <NUM>, whenever a situation of simultaneous operations of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM> is detected by the processor <NUM>, where the limiting operating condition for the throttle valve <NUM> is based on the combined current operating conditions of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, and further, in view of the current position and operation of the throttle valve <NUM>.

Therefore, the controller <NUM> controls the operation of the throttle valve <NUM> by taking into account operations of the gas pedal <NUM> and the brake pedal <NUM>, both, and further in view of the position of the throttle valve <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary vehicle which employs the electronic control unit for controlling the throttle valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle <NUM> shows the gas pedal <NUM>, the brake pedal <NUM>, electronic control unit <NUM>, and the actuator <NUM>. The vehicle also shows the alternator <NUM>, which powers the control unit <NUM>. When rear wheels of the vehicle <NUM> are in motion, the alternator <NUM> is driven. The alternator <NUM> provides the power to charge a battery <NUM>. In an embodiment, the batter <NUM> is a 12V / 8AH battery needed to power the control unit <NUM>.

Further in an embodiment, the vehicle <NUM> may also be equipped with an external CAN communication module which may be communicating with the controller <NUM>. The communication signal is provided with extension modules like a display module in a steering wheel. Other external users can make use of the CAN communication module to control and read the controller <NUM> from outside the vehicle. (for example, limiting the engine, shutting down the engine or limiting the speed).

Advantageously, the present invention provides an improved electronic control unit for a vehicle that effectively and more precisely controls a throttle valve, whenever an unintentional or accidental simultaneous operation of the gas pedal and the brake pedal is detected. The control unit takes into consideration the operating conditions, including the positions, the depression forces, etc., of both the gas pedal and the brake pedal in determining a limiting operating condition for the throttle valve to function accordingly. Therefore, the drive force of the vehicle can be controlled and reduced, in such unpredictable and dangerous situations.

Further, the control unit is able to control the throttle valve in more than one ways. For example, the control unit may command the throttle valve to completely close, blocking the air intake, and hence, reducing the drive force of the vehicle. Also, the control unit may command the throttle valve to partially close, at a certain angled position. The control unit may also determine a time duration for which the throttle valve should be closed, after which the throttle valve may be opened gradually, to allow normal functioning of the throttle valve and the gas pedal. In another example, the control unit may close/open the throttle valve intermittently to avoid sudden jerks, or sudden emergency braking. Therefore, it may be apparent to a person skilled in the art, that when the control unit evaluates the operations of both the gas pedals and the brake pedals, the throttle valve may be controlled in more than one limiting operating condition.

Claim 1:
An electronic control unit for a vehicle comprising an engine, a gas pedal (<NUM>), a brake pedal (<NUM>) and a throttle valve (<NUM>), the electronic control unit comprising:
at least one gas pedal sensor (<NUM>) for measuring one or more operating conditions of the gas pedal (<NUM>);
at least one brake pedal sensor (<NUM>) for measuring one or more operating conditions of the brake pedal (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>), for combining measurements related to the one or more operating conditions of the gas pedal (<NUM>) and the brake pedal (<NUM>);
an actuator (<NUM>) for measuring a current position of the throttle valve (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>)to control the throttle valve (<NUM>), based on the combined measurements related to the one or more operating conditions of the gas pedal (<NUM>) and the brake pedal (<NUM>) obtained from the processor (<NUM>) and the current position of the throttle valve obtained from the actuator (<NUM>), when a simultaneous operation of the gas pedal (<NUM>) and the brake pedal (<NUM>) is detected.