Dual-Foot Pedal Pivoting Control Surface for Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle pedals pose a hazard due to the space around them, which can lead to objects becoming wedged or interfering with proper operation, potentially causing loss of control or unsafe functioning.
Innovation Solution
A dual-foot pedal system with a control surface that pivots about a fulcrum, allowing one foot to control acceleration and the other braking, equipped with sensors to detect direction changes and map movement ranges onto acceleration or braking degrees, preventing simultaneous acceleration and braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-pedal arrangements are used, then the space behind the pedal is larger, but objects may become wedged or entangled with the pedal mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The control surface is divided into two distinct sides (first side and second side) that pivot in opposite directions about a fulcrum. Each side independently controls either acceleration or braking, eliminating the risk of objects jamming the entire pedal mechanism while maintaining simple individual pedal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal system transitions from static positional control to dynamic directional pivoting. The control surface can pivot dynamically between two directions (first direction for acceleration, second direction for braking), allowing the system to adapt its response based on the direction of pedal input rather than relying on fixed positional zones.
2Ease of operation
If a dual-foot pedal system is implemented, then acceleration and braking control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator and brake controls are merged into a single control surface that pivots about a fulcrum. Instead of requiring two separate pedals, the system combines both functions into one component where the first side controls acceleration and the second side controls braking, simplifying the overall control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface serves multiple functions through its dual-sided pivoting capability. A single component performs both acceleration control (when pivoted in the first direction) and braking control (when pivoted in the second direction), making the pedal system universal rather than requiring separate specialized pedals for each function.
3Productivity
If the control surface pivots through a large range of movement, then the dynamic range of acceleration and braking is improved, but the space required behind the pedal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control surface utilizes angular/directional movement rather than linear displacement to achieve its full range of motion. By pivoting about a fulcrum, the pedal achieves large dynamic ranges in acceleration and braking control through rotational movement that occurs within a compact footprint, eliminating the need for extensive space behind the pedal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from linear pedal travel distance to angular pivot direction and extent. The sensor detects the degree of pivoting and maps it onto the appropriate acceleration or braking output, allowing the system to achieve full dynamic range control without requiring proportionally large physical movement space.
4Measurement precision
If sensors and controllers are added to detect pivot direction and map movement ranges, then control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor provides continuous feedback on the pivot direction and extent of the control surface to a controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine whether the pedal is being pivoted in the first direction (acceleration) or second direction (braking) and to map the measured pivot range onto the appropriate output, enabling precise control through closed-loop feedback.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pedal (2) for use with both feet wherein depression with one foot causes acceleration and depression by the other foot causes braking. The pedal pivots about a medial line of a user. A system to detect a change in the pivot direction of the pedal is also included, the system automatically switching between acceleration and braking in response to a detected change.