Foldable Vehicle Pedal Modules for Manual and Autonomous Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous driving mode, the exposure of vehicle pedals (accelerator and brake) disrupts driver comfort and poses a safety risk due to the possibility of erroneous manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal apparatus that includes rotatable accelerator and brake pedal modules, which can be hidden when not in use to prevent driver manipulation in autonomous driving mode and popped up for manual driving mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pedal is exposed to be projected toward the driver, then manipulation by the driver is enabled in manual driving mode, but the pedal disturbs driver rest and creates safety risks in autonomous driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable between two states: projected outward for manual driving mode to enable driver manipulation, and retracted into the footrest panel for autonomous driving mode to eliminate driver disturbance and safety risks. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal system is segmented into movable pedal modules that can be independently positioned. The pedal includes a pedal body that can rotate between projected and retracted positions, allowing selective exposure of the acceleration pedal and brake pedal based on driving mode requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pedal is retracted into the footrest panel, then driver comfort and safety are improved in autonomous driving mode, but manipulation by the driver becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system transitions dynamically between retracted and projected states based on driving mode. In autonomous driving mode, the pedal remains retracted to ensure driver comfort and safety. When manual driving mode is activated, the pedal projects outward to enable driver manipulation, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal structure serves multiple functions: it provides driver manipulation capability when projected and ensures driver comfort when retracted. The same physical structure adapts to different functional requirements based on driving mode, making it a multi-functional component that addresses both contradictory requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a foldable pedal mechanism is implemented, then pedal exposure can be controlled, but the number of parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable pedal mechanism uses a simple rotational joint allowing the pedal body to pivot between projected and retracted positions. This dynamic mechanism provides adaptability for different driving modes while maintaining relatively simple construction with minimal additional parts compared to fixed pedal designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal structure utilizes nesting by positioning the pedal body within the footrest panel when retracted. The acceleration pedal and brake pedal are arranged to nest within the available space, minimizing the overall footprint and reducing the number of additional structural components needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle includes an accelerator pedal module and a brake pedal module that are operated in a pressure-manipulated type are popped up to allow manipulation by a driver in a manual driving mode, and hide to prevent manipulation by the driver in a autonomous driving mode, to generate a signal related to a pedal function by manipulation of the accelerator pedal module and the brake pedal module.