Foldable Pedal Device for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicles, exposed pedals can be inadvertently manipulated by drivers in autonomous driving mode, potentially causing accidents, and there is a need for a device that allows pedal access in manual driving mode while preventing exposure in autonomous mode.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal device with a pedal pad that can be rotated between a hidden state in the engine compartment and a popped-up state in the passenger compartment, using an actuator and spring mechanism to control the position, and a non-contact pedal sensor to prevent erroneous operation signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pedal pad is exposed in the passenger compartment space, then the driver can manipulate the pedal in manual driving mode, but the driver may inadvertently manipulate the pedal in autonomous driving mode causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal pad is designed to dynamically change its position between exposed and retracted states based on driving mode. The rotating pedal pad can pivot between a first position (exposed for manual driving) and a second position (retracted for autonomous driving), allowing the system to adapt its configuration to different operational requirements and eliminate the need for separate fixed pedals for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect the driving mode and control the actuator that moves the pedal pad. The sensor mediates between the autonomous vehicle system and the pedal mechanism, automatically adjusting pedal visibility based on whether the vehicle is in manual or autonomous mode, thereby preventing erroneous manipulation without compromising accessibility when needed
2Reliability
If the pedal pad is retracted into the engine compartment space, then the driver cannot inadvertently manipulate the pedal in autonomous mode, but the driver cannot access the pedal in manual driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal pad transitions from a static retracted position to a dynamic system that can rotate between retracted and exposed positions. The rotating mechanism allows the pedal pad to be dynamically positioned based on driving mode requirements, solving the contradiction between safety during autonomous driving and accessibility during manual driving
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback through sensors that detect the driving mode and automatically control the actuator to position the pedal pad appropriately. When autonomous mode is detected, the pedal pad is retracted; when manual mode is detected, the pedal pad is exposed, ensuring the correct configuration without driver intervention
3Device complexity
If a fixed pedal structure is used, then the structure is simple, but the pedal cannot adapt to different driving modes (manual and autonomous)
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal structure is transformed from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic system with a rotating pedal pad and actuator mechanism. This dynamic structure enables the pedal to adapt between manual and autonomous driving modes while maintaining relatively simple implementation through a single rotating component rather than multiple fixed pedals
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating pedal pad serves multiple functions: it acts as an accelerator pedal when exposed in manual mode, and it can be retracted to serve as a brake pedal or simply hidden in autonomous mode. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to adapt to different driving modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated pedals for each 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 rest and safety in autonomous driving mode by preventing accidental pedal manipulation, allowing driver access in manual driving mode while ensuring the pedal remains hidden in autonomous mode.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to generate power to rotate the pedal pad so that the pedal pad enters the hidden state or the popped-up state
Implementation Method 2
A hinge shaft may be formed at the lower end of the pedal pad, and may be rotatably coupled to the pedal case
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable pedal device for an autonomous vehicle is provided. In a manual driving mode, in which the driver directly operates the vehicle, a pedal pad rotates backwards and pops up in a passenger compartment space to allow the driver to manipulate the pedal pad. In an autonomous driving mode, in which the driver does not directly operate the vehicle, the pedal pad rotates forwards and is hidden in an engine compartment space to be prevented from being exposed to the passenger compartment space and from being manipulated by the driver.