Electronic Pedal Input Detection With Serial Compression Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems with electronically transmitted driver demands, such as 'by wire' systems, lack a reliable and space-efficient method for detecting driver input, particularly in replacing conventional foot-actuated pedals like brake, accelerator, or clutch pedals.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with serially arranged compression bodies, each comprising an elastic and a rigid element, generates a purely electronic actuating signal through a sensor system, allowing for precise detection of actuation force and providing feedback, while minimizing installation space and mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional foot-actuated pedal is used, then mechanical feedback force is provided to the driver, but the system requires significant installation space and mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical pedal system with an electronic detection system. The actuating surface with compression bodies detects driver input forces, and a sensor system converts this mechanical input into electronic actuating signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and reducing installation space while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from the conventional pedal system. By using compression bodies and a sensor system to detect force and displacement, the design removes unnecessary mechanical components and transmission elements, achieving space-efficient installation while preserving the core function of detecting driver demand
2Reliability
If redundancy is implemented through multiple compression bodies, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection function into multiple independent compression bodies arranged in series. Each compression body with its elastic and rigid elements acts as an independent detection unit, providing redundancy while maintaining modular simplicity. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate individual component failures while preserving overall detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundancy through multiple compression bodies as a preventive measure against component failure. By having backup detection elements in place beforehand, the system ensures continuous reliable operation even if one compression body fails, without requiring complex real-time monitoring or adaptive mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If elastic elements are used for force transmission and damping, then natural feedback is provided to the user, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastic elements to introduce controlled compliance into the system. By selecting appropriate elastic material properties and geometries, the design achieves natural damping and feedback characteristics that mimic conventional pedals, while the series arrangement with rigid elements maintains sufficient transmission precision for accurate force detection
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 reliable and precise detection of driver demand with redundancy, reducing installation space and mechanical complexity, while ensuring sensitive detection of low forces and high forces without excessive travel, and allowing for adaptation to different vehicle requirements.
Implementation Method 1
At least two compression bodies arranged one behind the other in the actuation direction are provided, each of which has one elastic element and one rigid element
Implementation Method 2
The elastic elements also ensure a damping of the displacement movement of the actuating surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device for detecting a driver demand, the device outputting a purely electronic actuating signal, includes an actuating surface, for a foot of a user, the actuating surface being displaceable in an actuation direction in order to generate the actuating signal. At least two compression bodies arranged one behind the other in the actuation direction are provided, each of which has one elastic element and one rigid element, which are arranged one behind the other in the actuation direction in such a way that one rigid element acts on one elastic element when the actuating surface is acted upon by an actuation force. In addition, a sensor system is provided, the signal of which permits an inference to be made regarding the displacement of the actuating surface and is usable for generating the actuating signal.