Active Accelerator Pedal Free Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active accelerator pedals are space-intensive due to their configuration, limiting their integration in vehicle footwells, and often require complex and costly force sensors for haptic feedback.
Innovation Solution
A compact active accelerator pedal design featuring a free travel path with a worm gear transmission and displacement sensors, allowing for adjustable response characteristics and haptic feedback through a spring element and elastomer damping, enabling simple and cost-effective implementation with pure position control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a helical gear transmission is used to transmit counterforce from an electric motor to the pedal, then the counterforce can be effectively transmitted, but the accelerator pedal occupies a very large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional helical gear mechanical transmission system with a direct electric motor actuation system. The electric motor (13) directly generates the counterforce without requiring intermediate mechanical gear transmissions, thereby significantly reducing the space occupied by the accelerator pedal assembly while maintaining effective force transmission capability.
2Measurement precision
If force sensors are used to provide haptic feedback, then accurate force measurement can be achieved, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical force sensors with an electronic control system that uses displacement sensors (18, 27) to measure pedal position. The control unit (10) calculates the required counterforce based on the measured displacement and vehicle operating conditions, then actuates the electric motor accordingly. This eliminates complex mechanical force sensing while achieving accurate haptic feedback through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where displacement sensors continuously monitor pedal position, the control unit processes this information along with vehicle status data, and the electric motor adjusts the counterforce in real-time. This closed-loop feedback system achieves precise force control without requiring direct force measurement sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a free path is provided between the actuator unit and pedal unit, then different response behaviors can be implemented for different driving modes, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic free path mechanism where the distance between the actuator unit (3) and pedal unit (2) can be dynamically adjusted. The control unit modifies the actuator's engagement point or the pedal's effective leverage ratio based on detected driving conditions (e.g., economical vs. sporty mode), allowing the same physical structure to provide different response characteristics without requiring multiple hardware configurations.
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
The design provides customizable response behaviors for different driving modes, reduces space usage, and employs inexpensive displacement sensors, offering a compact and robust solution for haptic feedback while minimizing unwanted vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element can apply an additional force which, together with the force applied by the actuator unit, adds up to the desired counterforce. The spring element is preferably a compression spring or alternatively a torsion spring. A further advantage of the spring element is that the spring element can absorb vibrations
Implementation Method 2
The gear is a worm gear. The worm gear is particularly preferably designed in one stage with exactly one worm and exactly one driven worm element.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an active accelerator pedal in a vehicle, comprising a pedal unit (2) that includes a pedal (20) arranged so as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis (21), and comprising an actuator unit (3) that includes an electric drive (5). The actuator unit (3) is designed to exert a force counteracting a pedal force applied to the pedal (20), and a free path (50) is provided between the actuator unit (3) and the pedal unit (2); the force counteracting the pedal force can be exerted only once the actuator unit has run through the free path (50).