Foldable Brake Pedal Apparatus for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, exposed pedals during autonomous driving modes can hinder driver comfort and pose safety risks due to the possibility of unintended operation, necessitating a solution that allows pedal operation in manual mode while preventing operation in autonomous mode.
Innovation Solution
A foldable brake pedal apparatus with a pedal pad that pivots via a hinge pin, using an actuator and high load spring module to switch between exposed and hidden states, and a pedal sensor to detect operation angles, ensuring safety by preventing incorrect operation during autonomous driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pedal pad is exposed to allow driver operation in manual mode, then the driver can operate the vehicle, but the driver cannot rest comfortably and may accidentally operate the pedal in autonomous mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal pad is designed to be dynamically adjustable between two states: exposed for manual driving mode and hidden for autonomous driving mode. The actuator system enables the pedal pad to pivot between these positions based on the driving mode, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to prevent accidental operation while maintaining operability when needed
2Ease of operation
If the pedal pad is exposed to allow driver operation, then the driver can control the vehicle, but the driver's rest comfort is hindered in autonomous mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal pad transitions from a static exposed position to a dynamic system that can pivot between exposed and hidden positions. In autonomous mode, the pedal pad pivots to a hidden position within the pedal housing, eliminating visual and physical interference with the driver's rest while maintaining the capability to expose the pedal when manual operation is required
3Reliability
If the pedal pad is hidden to prevent accidental operation, then safety is improved, but the driver cannot operate the vehicle in manual mode
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a bidirectional pivoting mechanism that allows the pedal pad to switch between hidden and exposed states. The actuator receives control signals to pivot the pedal pad to the exposed position when manual driving mode is detected, ensuring that reliability and operability are both maintained through dynamic state changes rather than a fixed configuration
4Device complexity
If a traditional pedal structure is used, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot prevent accidental operation in autonomous mode
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding complex locking mechanisms or multiple components, the invention uses a pivoting motion that allows the existing pedal pad structure to dynamically change its exposure state. This approach maintains structural simplicity while achieving the reliability goal of preventing accidental operation through the ability to hide the pedal pad in autonomous mode
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
Enables comfortable driver rest during autonomous driving by hiding the pedal and preventing unintended operation, while allowing manual mode operation, and reduces costs by using a low-capacity motor with the high load spring module configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a high load spring module pivotably coupled to the pedal housing, having one end portion and the other end portion connected to the pedal pad and the actuator, and configured to transmit the power of the actuator to the pedal pad
Implementation Method 2
a high load spring module pivotably coupled to the pedal housing, having one end portion and the other end portion connected to the pedal pad and the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable brake pedal apparatus of an autonomous vehicle, may include a pedal housing to be mounted in a space below a driver's seat; a pedal pad pivotably coupled to the pedal housing via a hinge pin, in a response to movement of s driver's foot, and configured to be selectively switchable to a hidden state in which the pedal pad is inserted into the pedal housing or a popped-up state in which the pedal pad protrudes from the pedal housing; an actuator fixed in the pedal housing, coupled to the pedal pad and configured to generate power to pivot the pedal pad to allow the pedal pad to be in the hidden state or in the popped-up state; and a high load spring module pivotably coupled to the pedal housing, having one end portion thereof and the other end portion connected to the pedal pad and the actuator, and configured to transmit the power of the actuator to the pedal pad.