Foldable Pedal Apparatus for Vehicle with Retractable Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous driving vehicles, exposed pedals can interfere with driver comfort and safety, as they may be unintentionally operated, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal apparatus with a pressure-operated pedal assembly that protrudes for manual driving mode operation and retracts for autonomous driving mode to prevent accidental operation, utilizing a rotary motor and stopper protrusion to control the pedal housing's rotation and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pedals are exposed in the space below the driver's seat, then the driver can operate them in manual driving mode, but the pedals interfere with driver comfort and may cause faulty operation in autonomous driving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal apparatus transitions between exposed and retracted states dynamically based on driving mode. The pedal housing rotates to expose the pedal pad for manual driving mode, and rotates to retract the pedal pad for autonomous driving mode, making the system adaptable to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal apparatus is divided into separable components: the pedal housing that can rotate independently, the pedal pad that protrudes or retracts, and the footrest panel. This segmentation allows the pedal pad to be positioned independently - exposed when needed for operation, retracted when needed for comfort and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pedals are retracted to improve driver comfort in autonomous mode, then accidental operation is prevented, but the driver cannot operate pedals when switching to manual mode
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal housing rotates dynamically between two positions: retracted position for autonomous mode (preventing faulty operation) and exposed position for manual mode (enabling operation). This dynamic repositioning ensures the system adapts to the required driving mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives driving mode signals and automatically positions the pedal housing accordingly. This mediator eliminates the need for manual intervention by the driver to adjust pedal position, ensuring the correct state is maintained for the current driving mode.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a foldable pedal structure is added to enable pop-up and hide functions, then pedal visibility and accessibility are improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal housing integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the structural housing and the rotating mechanism, and also provides the mounting surface for the pedal pad. The stopper protrusion is integrated into the pedal housing rather than being a separate component, reducing the overall number of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal housing serves multiple purposes: it houses the pedal pad, provides the rotating mechanism for position change, and includes the stopper protrusion for positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure.
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 and safety by ensuring pedals are accessible only when needed and hidden when not, reducing the risk of accidental operation and minimizing vehicle space while maintaining a compact, high-tech design.
Implementation Method 1
A rotary motor fixed to the footrest panel and coupled to the pedal housing to rotate the pedal housing during operation
Implementation Method 2
a pressure-operated pedal assembly provided in the pedal housing and operated by pressure to generate a signal relating to a pedal function during the operation by the driver
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle in which a pedal pad 210 protrudes to be exposed to the interior of a vehicle and pop up toward a driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver is actively involved in driving, in which the pedal pad 210 is inserted into a footrest panel 10 such that exposure toward the driver is blocked in a hide state in an autonomous driving mode, and which may generate a signal relating to a pedal function by operating the pedal pad 210 by pressure through the pressure-operated pedal assembly 200 in a pop-up state.