Accelerator Pedal Module With Adjustable Reaction Force Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accelerator pedal modules with actuators are bulky and lack the ability to adjust reaction forces, making them inefficient for autonomous driving scenarios where components need to be stored.
Innovation Solution
An accelerator device comprising an inner housing, pedal lever, urging member, and actuator, where the inner housing is supported by a support member, allowing the pedal lever to be rotatably adjusted and the inner housing to be driven by the actuator for adjusting reaction forces and storing components during autonomous driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional accelerator pedal module with actuator is used, then the actuator can return the pedal to initial position, but the device becomes bulky and cannot adjust reaction forces for autonomous driving
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: returning the pedal to initial position, adjusting reaction forces, and enabling compact storage during autonomous driving. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing overall device volume while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner housing is made movable relative to the outer housing through the actuator, allowing dynamic adjustment of the pedal's reaction force characteristics. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between different operating modes (manual driving vs. autonomous driving) without requiring a fixed bulky structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the accelerator device is designed for manual driving with fixed components, then the structure is simple, but components cannot be stored during autonomous driving
Solution Approach 1:
The inner housing is designed to be movable relative to the outer housing, enabling it to transition between operational positions and a stored position. This dynamic configuration allows components to be compacted during autonomous driving without requiring completely separate storage mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner housing containing the pedal lever can be positioned within or alongside the outer housing, creating a nested or compact configuration when storage is required. This nesting approach allows efficient space utilization during autonomous driving while maintaining full functionality during manual operation.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator drives the inner housing for adjusting reaction force, then reaction force is adjustable, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed to achieve reaction force adjustment as an integrated function of its primary role in returning the pedal to initial position. By combining these functions in a single actuator system, the patent avoids adding separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables adjustable reaction forces and compact storage of components, improving comfort and space utilization in vehicles during autonomous driving by using a single motor for both functions.
Implementation Method 1
One end of the urging member abuts on the inner housing and the other end abuts on the pedal lever to urge the pedal lever in a closing direction
Data Source
AI summary
An accelerator device includes an inner housing, a pedal lever, an urging member, and an actuator. The inner housing is supported to the outer housing by a support member. The pedal lever is rotatably supported to the inner housing in response to a stepping operation. The urging member urges the pedal lever in a closing direction. The actuator can drive the inner housing in an opening and closing directions of the pedal lever.