Finger-Attached Thrust Lever for Vehicle Accelerator Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual accelerator control devices for vehicles require structural modifications, are complex to install, and pose safety risks due to interference with airbags and limited hand use, particularly for drivers who need to maintain both hands on the steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
A finger-attachable thrust lever with a Hall-effect angular-position transducer connected to an electrical or electronic system, allowing wireless operation and integration with the steering wheel as a reaction surface without interfering with airbags, enabling safe and practical control without installation modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual control device is installed in the driving area, then the driver can control the accelerator, but structural modifications of the vehicle are required and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control function from the traditional steering wheel area by attaching a control element to the driver's finger, eliminating the need for structural modifications to the vehicle's driving area while maintaining accelerator control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The driver's finger acts as an intermediary between the driver and the accelerator control, allowing operation without modifying the vehicle structure. The control element attached to the finger serves as a mediator that translates finger movement into accelerator actuation
2Ease of operation
If a control device is installed near the steering wheel, then accelerator control is enabled, but airbag operation is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is extracted from the steering wheel area and relocated to the driver's finger, eliminating interference with the airbag system while preserving accelerator control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is moved from the horizontal plane of the steering wheel to the vertical dimension of the driver's finger, allowing control operation in a different spatial dimension that does not conflict with the airbag deployment area
3Ease of operation
If the driver uses one hand to operate the accelerator control, then manual control is achieved, but steering wheel manipulation becomes difficult and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driver's own finger serves as the control interface, allowing the same hand to both grip the steering wheel and operate the accelerator control simultaneously, maintaining two-handed steering capability and driving safety
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 solution provides a simple, safe, and comfortable manual accelerator control that does not require vehicle modifications, allows both hands on the steering wheel, and avoids airbag interference, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A finger-attachable thrust lever with a Hall-effect angular-position transducer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device for manual control of the accelerator of a motor vehicle, in particular for disabled drivers, comprising a mobile actuating member (1) operatively connected to an electrical or electronic system for actuating the accelerator. The mobile member (1) is configured for being removably and stably applied to a finger (T) of a hand (H) of the driver and is connected to a resting base (3) that can be positioned against a reaction surface preferably constituted by the steering wheel (W) of the vehicle.