Haptic Accelerator Pedal with Integrated Electromechanical Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accelerator pedal devices with haptic signaling are costly and require significant installation space, often necessitating multiple assemblies and indirect force generation, which complicates their implementation and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
An accelerator pedal device featuring an electromechanical actuator, designed as a lifting magnet with a stationary coil and movable ferromagnetic core, mounted directly on the pedal lever, generating rapid reciprocating movements for haptic signaling, eliminating the need for additional signal elements and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromechanical actuator with multiple assemblies (signal element and actuator spaced apart) is used for haptic signaling, then haptic feedback can be generated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal element and actuator into a single integrated assembly mounted on the pedal lever. The actuator is positioned such that its force generation element directly contacts the pedal lever, eliminating the need for separate signal elements and their mounting structures. This merging reduces the number of assemblies from two (signal element + actuator) to one (integrated actuator assembly), directly resolving the technical contradiction between haptic signaling capability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If an electromechanical actuator is mounted below the pedal plate to generate haptic feedback, then haptic signaling can be provided, but the installation space requirements increase due to limited space below the pedal plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting location of the actuator from the vertical dimension (below the pedal plate) to the lateral dimension (on the pedal lever). By mounting the actuator on the side of the pedal lever rather than beneath the pedal plate, the solution utilizes available space in a different spatial dimension, avoiding the limited volume constraint below the pedal plate while still achieving effective haptic feedback generation through direct force application to the lever.
3Reliability
If a force feedback function with adjustable restoring force is implemented on the accelerator pedal, then haptic information can be transmitted to the driver, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple electromechanical actuator design with basic components (coil, magnetic core, yoke) rather than complex force feedback systems with adjustable restoring forces. The actuator generates haptic feedback through direct electromagnetic force application, eliminating the need for expensive adjustable spring mechanisms, motors, and control systems found in traditional force feedback pedals. This approach provides adequate haptic information transmission at a significantly lower manufacturing cost.
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 provides cost-effective, noiseless haptic signaling with improved perceptibility, utilizing the actuator's direct force generation to produce perceivable vibrations or knocking sensations on the pedal plate, enhancing driver feedback without the need for additional components or extensive space.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical actuator for haptic signaling, which is held on the pedal lever and whose force generation causes the pedal lever to move back and forth about the axis of rotation. The actuator is designed as a lifting magnet, having at least one stationary coil and a ferromagnetic core that is movable along a coil axis of the at least one stationary coil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
The invention relates to an accelerator pedal device with haptic feedback for a motor vehicle. The accelerator pedal device (1) comprises a pedal unit (2) with a pedal lever (3) that can be actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle. The pedal lever has a pedal plate (4) at a first end and is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (A) at a second end opposite the first end. The accelerator pedal device (1) further comprises an electromechanical actuator (10) for haptic feedback, which is held on the pedal lever (3) and whose force causes the pedal lever (3) to move back and forth about the pivot axis (A). The actuator (10) is preferably designed as a solenoid, comprising at least one stationary coil (11a, 11b) and a ferromagnetic core (12) movable along a coil axis (19) of the at least one stationary coil (11a, 11b).