Pedal Apparatus Hall Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pedal apparatuses for vehicles, particularly those using electronic throttle systems, face challenges in accurately sensing the position of the accelerator pedal due to mechanical limitations and external disturbances, which can affect the accuracy of vehicle speed control.

Innovation Solution

A pedal apparatus that incorporates a Hall sensor positioned on the rotation axis, utilizing a magnetic field to sense the position of the pedal pad in a contactless manner, with a connector fastener and terminals installed in a direction perpendicular to the sensing board, and a pressurizing member with an elastic member to enhance accuracy and reduce component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a Hall sensor is used to sense pedal position contactlessly using a magnetic field, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepedal position sensing accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Hall sensor, connector fastener, and terminal into a single integrated sensing board assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the contactless magnetic field sensing capability, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing board serves multiple functions: it houses the Hall sensor for position detection, provides electrical connection through integrated terminals, and acts as a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining sensing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If terminals are installed in a direction perpendicular to the sensing board, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connector fastener components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal installation processVSAvoidconnector fastener structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector fastener is merged with the cover body to form an integral structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate fastener components while providing the necessary perpendicular terminal installation capability, thus improving ease of manufacture without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the sensing board width is increased at the end part, then reliability is improved by preventing excessive insertion, but device complexity increases due to asymmetric board design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing board installation stabilityVSAvoidsensing board geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing board is designed with an asymmetric width profile, where the end part is wider than the main body. This asymmetric geometry provides mechanical stops that prevent excessive insertion in the vertical direction while maintaining a simple single-piece board structure, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The solution improves the accuracy of pedal position sensing, reduces the number of components and manufacturing costs, and provides a robust structure against oscillations, ensuring precise vehicle speed control without the need for a separate shaft structure or air gap, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the pedal apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a Hall sensor positioned on the rotation axis... utilizing a magnetic field to sense the position of the pedal pad in a contactless manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3376333B1Pedal apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP KOREA
  • EP3376333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pedal apparatus (1) including a pedal housing (11) including an inner space (111), a pedal pad (12) configured to rotate relative to the pedal housing (11), a pedal arm (15) connected directly or indirectly to the pedal pad (12) to rotate based on an angle of rotation of the pedal pad (12), the pedal arm (15) including a hollow (152), a magnet (M) installed in the pedal arm (15), and a sensing board (17) including a Hall sensor (171) configured to sense a magnetic force generated by the magnet (M), at least a portion of the sensing board (17) being inserted into the hollow (152).