Vehicle Pedal Control System with Stabilizing Footrest
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current pedal system in forestry machinery causes unnecessary movement due to the change in vehicle attitude as it traverses uneven terrain, leading to operator fatigue and reduced precision in controlling the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a footrest and peg that allow the operator to stabilize their feet and control the vehicle's movement more precisely, with the footrest providing a stationary surface and the peg enabling controlled forward and reverse motion without translating weight into pedal movement, allowing for ergonomic operation and reduced fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional foot pedals are used to control vehicle movement, then the operator can control the propulsion devices, but the vehicle's pitch on uneven terrain causes the operator's feet to shift and inadvertently send movement commands
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest serves as an intermediary stable platform between the operator's foot and the pedal control system. By providing a fixed reference point that does not move with vehicle pitch, the footrest mediates the interaction between the operator and the pedals, allowing precise control without inadvertent movement commands caused by terrain-induced vehicle motion.
2Measurement precision
If the operator uses hands to control the saw head, then precision is maintained, but the feet cannot be used for vehicle movement control
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent control interfaces: hand controls for the saw head and foot controls for vehicle movement. The footrest enables the foot control portion to function independently and precisely, allowing the operator to maintain hand control for harvesting while using feet for vehicle propulsion control without interference between the two control functions.
3Device complexity
If the pedal system is kept simple, then the structure remains uncomplicated, but it cannot prevent unnecessary vehicle movement on rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest acts as a simple intermediary component that adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving reliability. This single added element provides a stable reference point for foot placement, preventing inadvertent pedal activation during vehicle pitch on uneven terrain without requiring complex systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a plurality of ground engaging propulsion devices and two foot actuated controls. The plurality of ground engaging propulsion devices include a first and a second ground engaging propulsion device. The first ground engaging propulsion device is associated with one side of the vehicle and the second ground engaging propulsion device is associated with an opposite side of the vehicle. The two foot actuated controls include a first and a second foot actuated control. The first foot actuated control is controlingly connected to the first ground engaging propulsion device. The second foot actuated control is controlingly connected to the second ground engaging propulsion device. The first foot actuated control includes a pedal, a footrest and a peg. The pedal is pivotally connected to the vehicle. The footrest extends from a side of the foot actuated control. The peg extends from the side of the pedal.