Foot Pedal Position Detection with Pressure Interlock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot pedals in machines, particularly in construction and agricultural vehicles, can be inadvertently actuated by dirt residues from footwear, leading to safety issues as they may continue to operate without intentional input, posing life-threatening risks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnet and Hall probe or potentiometer as a position transmitter, combined with pressure-sensitive sensors, ensures that the foot pedal can only be actuated when a foot is detected, with the position transmitter only sending signals if a threshold value is reached, and arranging pressure-sensitive sensors between a carrier and pedal layer for protection against wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot pedal is used to control machine operation, then the machine can be operated conveniently, but dirt residues from footwear can cause accidental actuation leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independent detection systems: a position transmitter (Hall probe detecting magnet position) and a pressure-sensitive sensor (detecting foot presence). Both systems must confirm valid input conditions simultaneously - the position indicates pedal deflection while the pressure sensor verifies actual foot contact. This merging of detection methods prevents dirt residues from causing false actuation while maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive sensor acts as an intermediary verification layer between the foot pedal and machine control. It mediates by providing an additional confirmation signal that must be present alongside position changes, ensuring that only genuine foot actuation (with pressure) triggers machine operation, thereby blocking false signals from dirt residues.
2Measurement precision
If pressure-sensitive sensors are exposed on the foot pedal surface, then foot presence can be detected, but the sensors are susceptible to wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive sensor is nested within the foot pedal structure, positioned between the pedal surface and the mounting device. This nested arrangement protects the sensor from direct exposure to external elements like dirt and physical damage, while still allowing it to detect foot pressure effectively through the pedal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pedal incorporates a pedal surface layer that acts as a protective film over the pressure-sensitive sensor. This thin film structure allows pressure transmission from the foot to the sensor while providing mechanical protection and environmental sealing, maintaining sensor durability without compromising detection precision.
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
This design prevents accidental operation due to dirt residues, enhancing safety by ensuring the foot pedal can only be actuated when a foot is present, thus preventing unintended machine operation.
Implementation Method 1
The position transmitter contains a magnet on the foot pedal (10) and a Hall probe (28), with the magnet acting on the Hall probe (28) when the foot pedal (10) is actuated to detect the position of the foot pedal (10)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure-sensitive sensor (38) for detecting a foot on the foot pedal (10), wherein the pressure-sensitive sensor (38) is formed by a pressure-sensitive resistance element (38)
Implementation Method 3
the pressure-sensitive sensor (38) is formed by a pressure-sensitive resistance element (38) or by a piezoelectric element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a foot pedal (10) for operating a machine. The foot pedal (10) is pivotably mounted in a mounting device (12) about a pivot axis (22). A return mechanism (35) returns the foot pedal (10) to its initial position after actuation. A position sensor (29) detects the position of the foot pedal (10) and controls the machine accordingly.