Accelerator Pedal Gearbox Decouples Actuation From Sensor Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing accelerator pedals are prone to damage due to high forces applied during panic driving situations, particularly when the force application point is distant from the axis of rotation, leading to excessive torque that can damage safety-relevant components.
Innovation Solution
The accelerator pedal design incorporates a gear mechanism between the actuating element and the rotational position sensor, allowing for a non-direct transmission of movement and incorporating a stop to absorb forces, thereby reducing the risk of damage by converting and limiting the rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the force application point is positioned far from the axis of rotation to increase leverage, then the actuating force is amplified, but the torque on the accelerator pedal increases excessively causing damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission mechanism comprising a first lever and a second lever is introduced as an intermediary between the actuating element and the rotary position sensor. The first lever is rotationally fixed to the actuating element, while the second lever is rotatable about the sensor's axis of rotation. These levers transmit and convert the rotary motion while reducing the forces that could damage safety-relevant parts of the accelerator pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism changes the motion parameters by converting a rotation of the actuating element about its axis into a rotary motion of the rotor about the sensor's axis. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain actuating force while reducing the torque transmitted to the sensor and other components.
2Device complexity
If a direct transmission is used between the actuating element and the rotor, then the device complexity is minimized, but the accelerator pedal becomes vulnerable to damage under high operating forces
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism with first and second levers serves as an intermediary that protects the rotary position sensor and other components from excessive forces while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure. The levers are engaged such that rotational movement is translated without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism is designed to reduce forces before they can reach and damage safety-relevant parts of the accelerator pedal. By converting the rotary motion through the lever mechanism, the system preemptively reduces the force magnitude that would otherwise directly impact the sensor and other vulnerable components.
3Power
If the actuating element is designed with a long lever arm for better force multiplication, then the actuating force is increased, but the torque on the pedal components becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism changes the force parameters by converting the rotary motion from the actuating element into a different rotary motion for the rotor. This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve force multiplication while reducing the torque transmitted to the sensor, effectively decoupling the force multiplication benefit from the excessive torque problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second levers act as intermediaries that redistribute the forces. The first lever, fixed to the actuating element, transfers motion to the second lever, which is connected to the sensor's axis. This intermediary transmission allows force multiplication while reducing the peak torque on individual components.
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
This design effectively reduces the forces that could cause damage to the pedal components, ensuring the safety and longevity of the accelerator pedal by distributing and limiting the torque, allowing for interchangeable actuating elements and axes for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a gearbox is provided between the actuating element and the rotor, which converts a rotation of the actuating element into a rotary movement of the rotor
Implementation Method 2
This conversion can involve changing some or all of the motion parameters of the actuating element's rotary motion into the motion parameters of the rotor's rotary motion
Implementation Method 3
The stop can be arranged such that a force introduced into the second lever by the first lever upon reaching the maximum rotational position of the rotary position sensor can be absorbed by the stop without exerting a torque on the second lever
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
AI summary
The invention relates to an accelerator pedal with a rotary position sensor (11) and a pivotable actuating element (3) which is coupled to a rotor of the rotary position sensor (11) in order to be able to rotate the rotor of the rotary position sensor (11) relative to a stator of the rotary position sensor (11), wherein the actuating element (3) of the accelerator pedal is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, hereinafter referred to as the actuating axis of rotation, the rotor of the rotary position sensor (3) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, hereinafter referred to as the sensor axis of rotation, the actuating axis of rotation and the sensor axis of rotation are different from each other and a transmission is provided between the actuating element (3) and the rotor which converts a rotation of the actuating element (3) into a rotary movement of the rotor.