A feedback system is provided for use with an electric vehicle's accelerator pedal, where the pedal is adjustable between a fully depressed position and a fully released position, and where a neutral pedal position is located between the fully depressed and fully released positions. When the pedal is located at the neutral position, the vehicle power train does not apply any torque; when the pedal is located between the neutral position and the fully depressed position, the vehicle power train applies a driving torque; and when the pedal is located between the neutral position and the fully released position, the vehicle power train applies a braking torque. The feedback system automatically sets the fully released position for the accelerator pedal based on the available regenerative braking torque.

A reaction force control system configured to alleviate traffic congestion without providing discomfort to a driver. The reaction force control system comprises a reaction force generating mechanism generating a reaction force against a pedal force, and a controller that controls the reaction force generating mechanism. The controller is configured to: obtain a current reaction force and calculate a target reaction force when the vehicle travels within a speed management zone; reduce the reaction force when the current reaction force is greater than the target reaction force; and increase the reaction force when the current reaction force is less than the target reaction force.

An accelerator pedal for a vehicle, which has a hysteresis generation structure may be provided. The accelerator pedal for a vehicle includes: a housing; a cylindrical hinge which is connected to the housing; a main pedal arm which is coupled to one side of the hinge and rotates in a first direction in close contact with a first action point of the one side of the hinge when a predetermined force is applied; an auxiliary pedal arm which is coupled to the other side of the hinge and rotates in a second direction in close contact with a second action point of the other side of the hinge by an elastic force when the force applied to the main pedal arm is removed; and a spring which is coupled to a bottom of one end of the auxiliary pedal arm and applies the elastic force to the auxiliary pedal arm.

A method and a system for verifying installation of a pedal assembly in a vehicle is provided. The method includes coupling a testing device against the pedal assembly being tested, verifying a position of the testing device relative to the pedal assembly; and positioning a first portion of the testing device against a first side of a pin installed in the pedal assembly. The method also includes verifying the installation of the pin, positioning a second portion of the testing device against a second side of the pin, and verifying the proper installation of the pin.

A vehicle control device includes a depression amount detection unit, a depression speed detection unit, a reaction force setting unit, and a reaction force generation unit. The reaction force setting unit sets a value of a reaction force in a manner of separating characteristics into advancement characteristics and return characteristics. The reaction force setting unit sets a value of a reaction force with respect to a depression amount in such a way that, in main advancement characteristics except for both ranges corresponding to start of depressing and end of depressing among advancement characteristics, a degree of increase of a value of a reaction force relatively decreases, as a depression amount increases until a predetermined ratio with respect to a maximum depression amount of an accelerator pedal reaches, and a degree of increase of a value of a reaction force relatively increases, as a depression amount increases after the predetermined ratio reaches; and sets a value of the reaction force in such a way that a value of the reaction force decreases, as a depression amount decreases.

The accelerator pedal device includes a first reaction force applying unit that applies a normal reaction force to the accelerator pedal in a direction opposite to the step-on direction during manual driving, and a second reaction force applying unit that applies an additional reaction force to the accelerator pedal in the direction opposite to the step-on direction during automatic driving. Upon starting of automatic driving, the accelerator pedal is swung and moved by the additional reaction force of the second reaction force applying unit in the direction opposite to the step-on direction beyond a reference position (P0), at which the accelerator pedal is not being stepped on, so as to reach a first or second swing position and kept at the position to serve as a footrest which cannot be further pressed downward unless a tread force equal to or greater than the additional reaction force is applied thereon.

An electronic pedal assembly may include a pedal platform and at least one force sensor configured to sense a force applied to the pedal platform. One or more control devices may be communicatively coupled to the force sensor(s) and configured to determine a throttle output for controlling the throttle condition of the vehicle based at least in part on the force applied to the pedal platform and based at least in part on an operating condition associated with operating the vehicle. In some embodiments, the force sensor(s) may be configured to measure a force distribution on the pedal platform. The control device(s) may monitor the force distribution and adjust an operation of the vehicle based on the force distribution. The operation of the vehicle can include controlling the throttle condition of the vehicle or an operation that is different from controlling the throttle condition of the vehicle.

A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.

A pedal emulator (20, 100) is provided. The pedal emulator includes an emulator piston (28, 102) coupled to a damper (46, D1) that is contained within a housing (22, 104). The damper is surrounded by first (34, S1) and second (38, S2) springs that are carried by a lower spring seat (114), the lower spring seat being upwardly biased by a third spring (S3), for example a wave spring. The first and second springs and the third spring cooperate to provide a counter-force that is tailored to the desired feel of the pedal. First and second sensors measure travel (72,74) and force in response to downward compression of the emulator piston, and the damper provides hysteresis upon return travel of the emulator piston. A method comprising: providing a brake pedal emulator (100) including an emulator piston (102), the emulator piston (102) being operatively coupled to a brake pedal, wherein the brake pedal emulator (100) is adapted to provide a first force response during a first portion of travel of the emulator piston (102) and a second force response during a second portion of travel of the emulator piston (102); detecting a sequence of actuations of the brake pedal using the brake pedal emulator (100) for conversion into a selected driver input command; and providing vibratory feedback to the brake pedal using a haptic actuator, the vibratory feedback being in response to the selection of a driver input command.

A vehicle includes a vehicle pedal, a vehicle engine and an electronic control unit. The vehicle engine generates a torque output of the vehicle in accordance with an operation of the vehicle pedal. The electronic control unit controls the vehicle pedal between a normal state, an increased resistance state and a decreased resistance state. The vehicle pedal is less sensitive to driver pressure in the increased resistance state. The vehicle pedal is more sensitive to driver pressure in the decreased resistance state.