IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,291,222
Granted Patent B2
US 12,291,222 · App. 17/708,562 · Granted May 6, 2025

Control system using a combined pedal and feedback for recommending speed

Inventor: Jaime S. Camhi (Los Gatos, CA)
Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
B60W50/082B60K26/021B60T7/042B60W60/001B60K2026/023B60T2220/04B60W2540/10B60W2540/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,291,222
App. No.
17/708,562
Granted
May 6, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to communicating a recommended speed through feedback on a combined pedal for acceleration or braking. In one embodiment, a control system includes a pedal coupled to a first device having a throttle sensor for a vehicle and a first actuator that generates throttle feedback by applying force to the pedal. The control system also includes the pedal being coupled to a second device having a brake activation sensor for the vehicle and a second actuator that generates braking feedback, the first actuator triggers a rotation of the pedal that initiates a braking command through the brake activation sensor according to a recommended speed computed using vehicle data.

Claims (26)

1. A control system comprising:

a pedal coupled to a first device, the first device having a throttle sensor for a vehicle, and a first actuator that generates throttle feedback by applying a force push to the pedal outwards; and

the pedal coupled to a second device having a brake activation sensor for the vehicle and a second actuator that generates braking feedback, the first actuator forces a clockwise rotation and a reverse motion of the pedal that initiates a braking command through the brake activation sensor according to a recommended speed computed using vehicle data, and the pedal is a single control point for the first device and the second device and includes a centralized pivot on the vehicle and a brake actuator forces a counter-clockwise rotation associated with reversing the recommended speed.

2. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising the brake activation sensor having the brake actuator that selectively resists the pedal before receiving foot pressure for the clockwise rotation.

3. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising a foot platform with an end movable by the first actuator before another rotation, wherein the throttle sensor is proximate to the end and the brake activation sensor is located at another end.

4. The control system of claim 3 , further comprising the brake activation sensor having the brake actuator that selectively resists the pedal before receiving foot pressure.

5. The control system of claim 3 , further comprising the second actuator that selectively halts the another rotation and initiates an acceleration command according to a change in the recommended speed from an automated driving system (ADS).

6. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data is any one of map data, sensor data, and automation data from an automated driving system (ADS) and the vehicle is under manual control when receiving the recommended speed.

7. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator includes a solenoid that is electrically controllable to apply the force according to the recommended speed.

8. A control system comprising:

a pedal coupled to a first device, the first device having a throttle sensor for a vehicle, and a first actuator that generates throttle feedback by applying an outward force, the pedal centrally pivoted on a floor for separate control through a first end and a second end and orthogonal to an operator; and

the pedal coupled to a second device having a brake activation sensor for the vehicle and a second actuator that generates acceleration feedback, the first actuator forces a clockwise rotation and a reverse motion associated with a braking command through the brake activation sensor according to a recommended speed from an automated driving system (ADS), and the pedal is a single control point for the first device and the second device and a brake actuator forces a counter-clockwise rotation associated with reversing the recommended speed.

9. The control system of claim 8 , further comprising a foot platform with an input end movable by the first actuator, wherein the throttle sensor is proximate to the input end and the brake activation sensor is located at another end.

10. The control system of claim 9 , further comprising the brake activation sensor having the brake actuator that resists a position change of the pedal before receiving foot pressure for the braking command.

11. The control system of claim 9 , further comprising the second actuator that selectively halts the braking command and initiates an acceleration command according to a change in the recommended speed from the ADS.

12. The control system of claim 9 , wherein the throttle sensor and the brake activation sensor initiate commands from different feet of the operator.

13. The control system of claim 8 , wherein the ADS determines the recommended speed while disengaged and the vehicle being under manual control.

14. The control system of claim 8 , wherein the first actuator includes a solenoid that is electrically controllable to apply the outward force according to the recommended speed.

15. A control system comprising:

a pedal coupled to a throttle sensor for a vehicle and a first actuator that generates throttle feedback by applying outward force to a platform; and

the pedal coupled to a brake activation sensor for the vehicle and the pedal coupled with a second actuator that generates braking feedback to the platform, the first actuator forces a clockwise rotation and a reverse motion that initiates a braking command through the brake activation sensor according to a recommended speed from an automated driving system (ADS), and the pedal is a single control point for the throttle sensor and the brake activation sensor and includes a centralized pivot on the vehicle and a brake actuator forces a counter-clockwise rotation associated with reversing the recommended speed.

16. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the platform has another central pivot point to the pedal.

17. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the platform moves independent of the pedal during the throttle feedback.

18. The control system of claim 15 , further comprising the brake activation sensor having the brake actuator that selectively resists the pedal during the throttle feedback.

19. The control system of claim 15 , further comprising the second actuator having a solenoid that selectively halts the braking command and initiates an acceleration command according to a change in the recommended speed from the ADS.

20. The control system of claim 15 , wherein the first actuator includes a solenoid that is electrically controllable to apply the outward force according to the recommended speed.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 7, 2025
From: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 071044/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2022
From: CAMHI, JAIME S.
To: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 059487/0535 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230311911A1 · Oct 5, 2023
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