Vehicle Acceleration Pedal Misoperation Prevention via Electromagnetic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Novice drivers often mistakenly press the vehicle acceleration pedal instead of the brake pedal due to their proximity and the need to repeatedly move their foot between the two pedals during driving, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a pedal arm, an induction coil, a processor, and an electromagnet, where the pedal arm is made of magnetic material and connected to the acceleration pedal, with the processor controlling the electromagnet to attract the pedal arm and prevent misoperation by generating an electromagnetic force when a predefined current threshold is exceeded, and optionally including an alarm to alert the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the acceleration pedal and brake pedal are placed close together for ease of operation, then the driver can quickly switch between them, but novice drivers may mistakenly press the acceleration pedal instead of the brake pedal
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting abnormal acceleration pedal pressing patterns (such as rapid or violent presses) before they can cause harmful effects. When such patterns are detected, the system preemptively activates the electromagnet to lock the pedal or triggers an alarm to prevent the misoperation from completing, thus counteracting the potential harm before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet acts as an intermediary between the driver's foot and the acceleration pedal. When misoperation is detected, the electromagnet engages to physically lock the pedal arm, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents the pedal from being pressed further. This intermediary mechanism breaks the direct connection between the driver's erroneous action and the vehicle's acceleration response.
2Reliability
If the electromagnet continuously attracts the pedal arm to prevent misoperation, then misoperation is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the electromagnet operates periodically or on-demand based on detected pressing patterns. The processor monitors the acceleration pedal's usage and only activates the electromagnet when abnormal patterns (such as rapid successive presses or violent pressing) are detected. This periodic action maintains reliability by being ready to engage when needed while dramatically reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of pressing patterns before activating the electromagnet. The processor continuously monitors pedal usage and identifies suspicious patterns in advance, allowing the electromagnet to be activated only when truly necessary. This preliminary action ensures that the energy-consuming locking mechanism is engaged only when misoperation is actually detected, not continuously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents misoperation of the vehicle acceleration pedal by physically inhibiting rapid or violent presses and providing auditory warnings to ensure the intended operation of the brake pedal, thereby enhancing vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet 14, wherein the processor 13 controls the electromagnet 14 to attract the pedal arm 11
Implementation Method 2
the motion of the pedal arm 11 rotates within the induction coil 12 and cuts electromagnetic induction lines of an electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil 12, to generate an induced current
Data Source
AI summary
A device preventing misoperation of a vehicle acceleration pedal includes an induction coil, a pedal arm, an electromagnet, and a processor. One end of the pedal arm fastens to the vehicle acceleration pedal, and the other end of the pedal arm inserts into the induction coil. The processor is electrically connected to the induction coil and the electromagnet and the pedal arm is magnetically attracted when the electromagnet is powered on by the processor, preventing the acceleration pedal being used as a brake pedal.