Foldable Vehicle Pedal with Dynamic Positioning for Misoperation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous driving situations, exposed pedals can lead to misoperation by drivers, potentially causing accidents, and there is a need for a mechanism to hide the pedals from drivers to prevent accidental operation while allowing exposure for manual driving modes.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal apparatus with a slider, rotatable pedal pad, and return spring that automatically hides the pedal pad in autonomous driving situations and exposes it in manual driving modes, using a rotary motor and PCB to control the mechanism and prevent misoperation signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pedals are kept exposed in the interior space under the driver seat, then the driver can operate the pedals in manual driving mode, but the pedals may cause misoperation or interfere with driver rest in autonomous driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is designed to dynamically change its position between exposed and retracted states based on driving mode. The pedal pad can rotate 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 misoperation risk during autonomous mode
2Reliability
If pedals are retracted into the PE room space to prevent misoperation, then driver safety is improved, but the driver cannot operate the pedals when needed in manual driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic positioning mechanism that allows the pedal pad to rotate between a retracted second position (providing safety during autonomous driving) and an exposed first position (providing accessibility during manual driving). This dynamic adjustment ensures both safety and operational accessibility are maintained at different times based on driving mode
Solution Approach 2:
A motor assembly acts as an intermediary device to automatically position the pedal pad between the exposed and retracted positions. The motor assembly receives control signals based on driving mode and executes the positioning action, mediating between the safety requirement and operational requirement without direct human intervention
3Volume of stationary object
If a foldable pedal mechanism is implemented to hide/expose pedals, then misoperation is prevented and space is maximized, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is segmented into distinct components: the pedal pad, the support structure, and the motor assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the foldable mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal pad is designed to rotate and nest within or adjacent to the PE room space when retracted. The compact folding mechanism allows the pedal assembly to occupy minimal space when not in use, maximizing interior space while maintaining a relatively simple structural design
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 safe and comfortable rest during autonomous driving by preventing pedal misoperation, maximizes interior and PE room space, and reduces manufacturing costs and weight through a slim and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring configured to provide elasticity to the pedal pad such that the pedal pad protrudes into an interior in which a driver is positioned
Implementation Method 2
a slider configured to be move straightly with respect to a footrest panel by power of an actuator
Implementation Method 3
using a rotary motor and PCB to control the mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle that is configured such that a pedal pad protrudes toward a driver to be exposed (pop-up state) such that the pedal pad can be operated by the driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver manually drives, and the pedal pad is hidden not to be exposed to the driver (hidden state) such that the pedal pad cannot be operated by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.