Adjustable Vehicle Pedal Unit With Electronic Brake Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pedal devices in vehicles have limited adjustable ranges for the position and posture of accelerator and brake pedals due to mechanical connections, such as those to the master cylinder, restricting customization for different driver sizes and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A pedal device with a support member connecting the accelerator and brake pedals, allowing them to swing, and an adjusting device that electronically adjusts the position and posture of the pedal unit, eliminating mechanical restrictions and enabling wider adjustment ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical connections (e.g., to master cylinder) are used to connect brake pedal, then structural stability is improved, but adjustable range of pedal position and posture is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadjustable range of pedal position and posture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal system is divided into independent pedal units (accelerator pedal and brake pedal) that can be individually adjusted. Each pedal is connected to the support member separately, allowing independent position and posture adjustment without being constrained by mechanical connections to the master cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical connection system (pedal directly connected to master cylinder) with an electronic sensor-based system. The operation amount sensors detect pedal positions and transmit electrical signals, eliminating the need for direct mechanical linkages and enabling greater adjustment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are provided for position and posture, then adjustable range is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable rangeVSAvoidnumber of adjustment mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the position and posture adjustment functions into a single integrated adjusting device. The support member serves as a common structure that simultaneously enables adjustment of both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal positions and postures, reducing the number of separate adjustment mechanisms needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is designed as a universal component that provides multiple functions: supporting both pedals, enabling position adjustment, enabling posture adjustment, and serving as a mounting structure for sensors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12145441B2Pedal device

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A pedal device comprises a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a support member and an adjusting device. The brake pedal is operated to be depressed by a leg of a passenger, and an operation amount of a depressing operation of the brake pedal is transmitted as an electrical signal. The accelerator pedal is operated to be depressed by a leg of the passenger, and an operation amount of a depressing operation of the accelerator pedal is transmitted as an electrical signal. The support member is connected with the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal, respectively, to support the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal in a rotatable manner. The adjusting device adjusts a position or a posture of the pedal unit including the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal, and the support member.