Adjustable Pedal and Seat Linkage for Realistic Driving Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive and simulator systems are limited in their ability to adjust seat and pedal positions and orientations to accommodate different user body types and vehicle configurations, often requiring a trade-off between realism and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a moveable pedal plate with pivotable and articulable junctions, a seat fixture with pivotable and variable coupling regions, and a steering wheel adjustment mechanism, allowing for user-selectable adjustments of pedal distance, orientation, seat position, and steering wheel angle to simulate various vehicle configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional variable seat position systems are used to accommodate different user body types, then seat position adjustment is possible, but the range of positions and orientations is limited and realism is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system is designed with multiple degrees of freedom including vertical movement, horizontal movement, and rotational articulation. The pedal plate can pivot about a longitudinal axis and the connecting member allows angular adjustment, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different vehicle configurations while maintaining realistic pedal positions and orientations for each simulation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal adjustment system is divided into multiple independent adjustment components: the pedal plate for vertical and horizontal positioning, the connecting member for angular adjustment, and the articulation mechanism for orientation control. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted independently to achieve the specific pedal configuration required for different vehicle types while maintaining simulation accuracy.
2Reliability
If a conventional apparatus is configured for a particular vehicle type, then realistic pedal position is achieved, but the system cannot accommodate more than one type of simulated vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system is designed as a universal adjustment mechanism that can accommodate multiple vehicle configurations. The combination of vertical adjustment, horizontal adjustment, and rotational articulation allows the same pedal assembly to be positioned accurately for different vehicle types including Formula 1 race cars, NASCAR vehicles, and other racing configurations, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific fixed installations.
3Reliability
If pedal position is fixed for high performance vehicles, then realistic driving experience is achieved, but user customization for different body types is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed pedal positions to dynamically adjustable positions. Users can modify the pedal plate vertical position, horizontal position, and articulation angle to customize the pedal configuration for their body type while maintaining the realistic pedal positions and orientations required for authentic driving experience in different vehicle simulations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting a control pedal distance and orientation relative to a user of a driving-related assembly, the system comprising a moveable pedal plate having a pedal assembly attachment region and at least one distal attachment point located near a distal end region thereof, and at least one proximal pivotable attachment point, each of the distal attachment point and proximal pivotable attachment point having respective distal coupling means and proximal pivotable coupling means. The system further comprises a connecting member having a pivotable coupling means located near respective first and second ends, wherein the pivotable coupling means located near the first end is matable with the proximal pivotable coupling means, and the second end is matable with a connecting member anchor. The system further comprises at least one substantially upright fixation member having a plurality of predetermined coupling points.