Force-Sensing Pedal Assembly for Offset-Load Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pedal assemblies for vehicles face challenges in load balancing and accurately measuring small movements of the pedal arm due to uneven pressure application on floor-mounted pedal pads, which affects the precision of load detection and control.
Innovation Solution
The pedal assembly incorporates elongated members with strain gauge sensors positioned within a housing cavity, allowing for precise measurement of deflection and load distribution across the pedal pad, with multiple sensors communicatively coupled to circuit boards for enhanced redundancy and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductive or Hall Effect sensors are used to measure pedal arm pivot, then the sensing mechanism is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately detect small amounts of pedal arm travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inductive or Hall Effect sensors with a strain gauge sensor that directly measures the mechanical strain on the pedal arm. This substitution enables precise measurement of small pedal arm travel by converting mechanical deformation into an electrical signal, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If floor mounted pedal pads are used, then ease of operation is improved, but load balancing deteriorates due to uneven pressure application by users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple strain gauge sensors positioned at different locations on the pedal arm structure. Each sensor measures the load at its specific location, and the signals are combined to provide comprehensive load detection. This local quality approach ensures accurate load measurement regardless of where on the pedal pad the user applies force, maintaining ease of operation while improving load detection precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple strain gauge sensors are implemented, then measurement precision is improved through redundancy and sensitivity, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and circuit boards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple independent strain gauge sensors, each monitoring a specific portion of the pedal arm. This segmentation allows the system to detect load distribution across different areas, improving overall measurement precision and redundancy. The segmented approach enables accurate load detection while keeping each individual sensor simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs from multiple strain gauge sensors and their respective circuit boards to create a unified load measurement system. By merging the signals from multiple sensing elements, the system achieves enhanced measurement precision and redundancy, compensating for the increased device complexity through integrated signal processing.
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 solution enables precise load measurement and balancing, immune to load offset, allowing for accurate detection of force applied to any portion of the pedal pad, even with minimal travel, improving the sensitivity and reliability of load detection in brake-by-wire applications.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one strain gauge sensor is positioned in communication with the at least one elongated member and configured to sense an amount of the deflection of the at least one elongated member
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein are directed to a pedal assembly. The pedal assembly includes a housing, a pedal arm, at least one elongated member, and at least one strain gauge sensor. The pedal arm has a pedal pad on one end. The at least one elongated member is positioned within a cavity and configured to deflect upon a movement by the pedal arm caused from a load applied to the pedal pad. The at least one strain gauge sensor is positioned in communication with the at least one elongated member and configured to sense an amount of the deflection of the at least one elongated member. When the load is applied to the pedal pad, the pedal arm moves and deflects the at least one elongated member, which is sensed by the respective at least one strain gauge sensor indicative of an amount of load applied to the pedal pad.