Adjustable Throttle Pedal Assembly with Electromagnetic Brake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Throttle pedal assemblies with non-uniform response forces pose challenges in providing customizable feedback to drivers, particularly in automatic and hybrid vehicles, where increased force is needed for specific functions like kick-down and fuel efficiency, but existing solutions are either complex or lack adjustability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable throttle pedal assembly incorporating an electromagnetic brake that provides customizable 'pedal-weight' settings through adjustable retarding force, allowing for various haptic feedback and force/travel relationships, which can act as a virtual footrest, kick-down switch, or ICE force-indent, and is calibrated to suit individual driver preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electromagnetic brake is added to provide customizable pedal-weight settings, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic brake is designed to perform multiple functions: providing customizable pedal-weight settings for different driver preferences, creating haptic feedback signals to alert drivers, acting as a virtual footrest in cruise control mode, and providing kick-down response force. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while improving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic brake's retarding force is made dynamically adjustable through electronic control, allowing the pedal weight and haptic feedback characteristics to be changed in real-time based on driving conditions and driver preferences, rather than requiring fixed mechanical adjustments
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electromagnetic brake provides increased retarding force for multiple functions, then the versatility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single electromagnetic brake component is designed to replace multiple separate mechanisms that would otherwise be needed for pedal-weight adjustment, haptic feedback, virtual footrest, and kick-down functions, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing parts inventory requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of pedal-weight control, haptic feedback generation, and position sensing into a single integrated electromagnetic brake assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried
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 electromagnetic brake system offers versatile and instantaneous force adjustments, enhancing driver feedback while reducing parts count and ensuring safety by maintaining the pedal's biasing force, thus providing a more intuitive and customizable driving experience.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic brake, operable to adjust the force required to depress the throttle pedal
Implementation Method 2
biased away from the depressed position, towards a rest position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An adjustable throttle pedal assembly comprises a depressible throttle pedal, biased away from the depressed position, towards a rest position, and an electromagnetic brake, operable to adjust the force required to depress the throttle pedal. The electromagnetic brake can provide an increased force so as to act as a "virtual footrest", a "virtual kick-down switch", or an "ICE force-indent", providing an increased force at the point which the vehicle will need to start the internal combustion engine (ICE). Moreover, the electromagnetic brake is adjustable to provide different customisable "pedal-weight" settings, to suit a driver's preferred force feedback. For example, discrete pedal weight settings, may be selectable, with a greater retarding force provided by the electromagnetic brake to provide a firmer weight, or the pedal weight can be customisable and calibrated to a given driver.