Organ Type Accelerator Pedal Articulated Hinge Effort Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The organ type accelerator pedal apparatus requires varying efforts to depress the upper and lower portions of the pad, leading to increased driver fatigue due to the difference in effort required, especially when pressing the lower portion.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an articulated hinge with a curved, elastically bendable middle portion that is covered by the pedal housing and pad, providing a smooth pivot motion and reducing the effort needed to depress the pedal by distributing the force more evenly and preventing excessive deformation or lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pad is connected to the pedal housing via a fixed hinge at the lower portion, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the effort required to depress the pedal varies greatly between upper and lower portions of the pad, increasing driver fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed hinge is replaced with an articulated hinge that can dynamically change its pivot point position along the pad. This allows the hinge to adapt its location based on the pad's angular position, providing optimal mechanical advantage throughout the depression range and reducing effort variation between upper and lower pad portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure transitions from a fixed geometric configuration to a variable configuration where the effective pivot point moves along the pad. This parameter change in hinge position compensates for the varying moment arms, equalizing the effort required across different depression points on the pad.
2Reliability
If the hinge is exposed to the outside, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but foreign substances and driver's shoes can be caught in the gap between the lower mount and lower end of the pad, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated hinge is nested within the pedal housing structure, with the housing forming a cover that encloses the hinge mechanism. This nested configuration protects the hinge from foreign substances and shoe entanglement while maintaining the articulation functionality through controlled movement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal housing acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the external environment (foreign substances, shoes) and the articulated hinge mechanism. The housing design allows necessary pad movement while blocking harmful external elements from reaching the hinge.
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 minimizes the effort difference between pressing the upper and lower pad portions, reducing driver fatigue and ensuring a stable, convenient operation while preventing foreign substances and shoes from getting caught, thus enhancing the durability and sensitivity of the pedal.
Implementation Method 1
an articulated hinge fixedly coupled, at both ends thereof, between the pedal housing and the pad such that the articulated hinge is covered by the pedal housing and the pad
Data Source
AI summary
An organ type accelerator pedal apparatus may include a pedal housing having a lower mount fixed to a panel of a vehicle body located below a driver seat and an upper mount to which a pedal arm pivotally mounted, a pad pivotally mounted with respect to the pedal housing such that the pad is connected to the pedal arm via a carrier, and an articulated hinge fixedly coupled, at both ends thereof, between the pedal housing and the pad such that the articulated hinge is covered by the pedal housing and the pad so that the articulated hinge is not exposed to the outside.