Organ-Type Pedal Angle Sensing for Accurate Travel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organ-type pedal devices face challenges in accurately detecting the pedal operation amount due to dimensional variations and assembly discrepancies, leading to inaccurate vehicle travel control.
Innovation Solution
The pedal device is designed with a pedal pad and shaft rotating about a common axis, equipped with a sensor unit that directly detects the rotation angle of the pedal pad and shaft, using a non-contact-type sensor to output a highly accurate electric signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional pedal device with separate pedal arm and pedal pad is used, then the structure is simpler, but the detection accuracy of pedal operation amount is reduced due to dimensional variations and assembly discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pedal arm and pedal pad into a single integrated pedal member that rotates about a common axis. This integration eliminates the connecting link between separate components, removing the sources of dimensional variations and assembly discrepancies. The sensor unit directly detects the rotation angle of the integrated pedal member, ensuring accurate measurement of pedal operation amount without errors from component interfaces.
2Measurement precision
If the pedal pad is positioned below the rotation axis, then the structure is more conventional, but the detection accuracy is reduced due to indirect measurement through connecting links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the pedal pad above the rotation axis in the vertical direction, changing the conventional spatial arrangement. This dimensional repositioning allows the sensor unit to directly measure the rotation angle of the pedal member about the rotation axis, eliminating indirect measurement through connecting links. The pedal member rotates about the same axis as the shaft, enabling direct angular detection while maintaining ergonomic pedal operation characteristics.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate pedal arm and pedal pad with connecting link are used, then manufacturing is easier, but assembly discrepancies reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pedal arm and pedal pad into a single molded or formed pedal member, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these components. This integration removes the connecting link and its associated joints, thereby eliminating assembly discrepancies that would otherwise affect measurement accuracy. The integrated design ensures consistent dimensional relationships between the pedal pad, rotation axis, and sensor unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An organ-type pedal device includes a housing, a shaft, a pedal pad, and a sensor unit. The housing is attached to a vehicle body. The shaft is rotatably supported around a center of a shaft receiving portion provided in the housing as a rotation axis. The pedal pad is fixed to the shaft and rotates about a same rotation axis as the shaft. The pedal pad has a structure in which a portion to be stepped on by a driver is arranged above the rotation axis in a vertical direction when being mounted on the vehicle. The sensor unit has a rotating portion provided at the shaft and a signal output portion provided at the housing for outputting a signal corresponding to a phase of the rotating portion, and detects a rotation angle of the pedal pad and the shaft.