Accelerator Pedal Disable Switch for Hands-On Engine Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automobile racing scenarios, drivers face challenges in turning off the engine without removing their hands from the steering wheel or moving their feet, especially in emergency situations where a running engine poses a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A pedal assembly with an integrated disable switch that allows engine shutdown by raising the foot on the accelerator pedal, featuring a mechanically activated switch lever arm coupled to the main accelerator pedal extension lever, with detent positions to secure the switch in the activated state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional ignition switch is used, then the driver can turn off the engine, but the driver must remove their hands from the steering wheel to operate the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ignition switch function with the existing accelerator pedal assembly. The disable switch is integrated into the pedal structure, allowing the driver to shut off the engine by manipulating the pedal with their foot while keeping hands on the steering wheel. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate hand operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanically activated switch lever arm as an intermediary between the driver's foot pressure on the accelerator and the ignition disable function. This lever arm translates the foot's upward motion into switch activation, serving as a mechanical mediator that enables engine shutdown without hand involvement.
2Ease of operation
If the driver moves their foot to a new location to operate the disable switch, then the engine can be turned off, but the driver loses continuous control and increases response time
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerator pedal assembly serves itself by incorporating the disable switch directly into its structure. The same foot that operates the accelerator for normal driving can also activate the engine shutdown function by simply lifting or pressing the pedal, eliminating the need to move the foot to a separate switch location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the accelerator pedal and disable switch into a single integrated assembly. This combination allows the driver to perform both acceleration and engine shutdown functions from the same foot position, maintaining continuous control and minimizing response time.
3Ease of operation
If the disable switch is easily deactivated, then the switch can be reset quickly, but the engine may restart unintentionally during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates detent positions into the switch mechanism that pre-establish stable states for both enabled and disabled conditions. The detent features create mechanical locking positions that require deliberate action to change states, preventing accidental activation or deactivation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical state parameters of the switch through detent positions. The switch lever arm can occupy distinct positional states (enabled/disabled) with mechanical detents that create energy barriers between states, making unintended transitions difficult while allowing deliberate state changes when needed.
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
Enables drivers to safely turn off the engine without hand or foot movement, reducing risks associated with a running engine during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
The disable switch may comprise a switch lever arm above the driver's foot, which is coupled to the main accelerator pedal extension lever. The disable switch may include a mechanically activated switch which is activated by relative motion of the switch lever arm relative to the main accelerator pedal extension lever.
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal assembly with integrated disable switch for turning off the engine of an automobile or other motorized transport which may be activated by the driver's foot. The disable switch may be triggered by the raising of the foot while in place on the accelerator pedal. The disable switch may include detent positions including a first detent position which allows for engine function, and a second detent position after activation of the disable functionality such that the switch is not easily deactivated once activated. The disable switch may comprise a switch lever arm above the driver's foot, which is coupled to the main accelerator pedal extension lever. The disable switch may include a mechanically activated switch which is activated by relative motion of the switch lever arm relative to the main accelerator pedal extension lever.