Foldable Vehicle Pedal Assembly for Manual-Autonomous Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous driving vehicles, exposed pedals can interfere with driver comfort and pose safety risks due to potential accidental manipulation, necessitating a solution that allows pedal exposure in manual driving mode while hiding them in autonomous mode.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal apparatus with a pedal arm that rotates to expose the pedal assembly in manual driving mode and hides it behind a center fascia panel in autonomous mode, using a motor and support lever for operation, incorporating pressure sensors and a printed circuit board for signal generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pedals are exposed in autonomous driving mode, then driver can manipulate them, but driver comfort deteriorates and safety risk increases due to potential accidental manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is designed to dynamically change its position between exposed and hidden states based on driving mode. A motor rotates the pedal arm to move the pedal assembly between a first position (exposed for manual mode) and a second position (hidden for autonomous mode), allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and eliminate the contradiction between manipulability and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pedals are hidden in manual driving mode, then driver comfort improves, but pedal manipulability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly dynamically transitions between hidden and exposed positions based on detected driving mode. When manual driving mode is detected, the motor rotates the pedal arm to bring the pedal assembly to the first position where it is exposed and manipulable, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving comfort in appropriate contexts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pedal assembly is made foldable with rotation mechanism, then adaptability improves for different driving modes, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to serve both manual and autonomous driving modes. The pedal arm and motor assembly enable the same pedal structure to perform both exposed (manual mode) and hidden (autonomous mode) functions, achieving adaptability without requiring separate pedal systems 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
Enhances driver comfort in autonomous mode by preventing accidental pedal manipulation and improving safety by ensuring pedals are only accessible in manual driving mode, while also reducing parts and minimizing vehicle space, thus promoting a cost-effective and high-tech design.
Implementation Method 1
a support lever provided on the center fascia panel to protrude toward the footrest panel and be rotatable via a lever spring
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle, turns into a pop-up state in which a pedal pad protrudes to the interior of the vehicle to be exposed toward a driver in the manual driving mode in which the driver is actively engaged in driving and a hide state in which the pedal pad is pushed behind a center fascia panel so that exposure toward the driver is blocked in the autonomous driving mode in which the driver is not actively engaged in driving, wherein a pressure-operated or liner motion signal generating portion generates a signal relating to a pedal function during manipulation of the pedal pad.