Vehicle Pedal Device Load Distribution via Segmented Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional accelerator pedal devices for vehicles face issues with increased size, weight, and wear due to concentrated load on the hinge shaft, which affects durability and the reliability of the accelerator position sensor (APS) output.

Innovation Solution

A pedal device design that reduces load on the hinge shaft by using a pressure member and an elastic member to distribute the load to a friction member, reducing wear and size, and integrating the pedal arm and pressure member for improved frictional force and hysteresis, while minimizing the number of parts and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a long pedal arm is used to form an appropriate pedal effort, then the pedal effort is improved, but the size and weight of the pedal device are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal effortVSAvoidweight of pedal device

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal arm is divided into two separate components: a pedal arm body and a pressure member. The pressure member is positioned between the hinge shaft and the inner surface of the pedal housing, with its second end coming into frictional contact with the pedal housing inner surface. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed to the pressure member rather than concentrated on the hinge shaft, enabling reduced pedal arm length while maintaining appropriate pedal effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If a long pedal arm is used to form an appropriate pedal effort, then the pedal effort is improved, but the size of the pedal device is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal effortVSAvoidsize of pedal device

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If the load is concentrated on the bushing surrounding the rotating shaft, then the pedal effort is generated, but wear of parts increases and durability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal effortVSAvoiddurability of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal arm is divided into two separate components: a pedal arm body and a pressure member. The pressure member is positioned between the hinge shaft and the inner surface of the pedal housing, with its second end coming into frictional contact with the pedal housing inner surface. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed to the pressure member rather than concentrated on the hinge shaft, reducing wear on the bushing and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure member acts as an intermediary element between the pedal arm body and the pedal housing. It introduces a new friction contact point with the pedal housing inner surface, serving as a mediator to distribute the load away from the hinge shaft and bushing, thereby reducing wear and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Force

If the load is concentrated on the bushing surrounding the rotating shaft, then the pedal effort is generated, but wear of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal effortVSAvoidwear of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal arm is divided into two separate components: a pedal arm body and a pressure member. The pressure member is positioned between the hinge shaft and the inner surface of the pedal housing, with its second end coming into frictional contact with the pedal housing inner surface. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed to the pressure member rather than concentrated on the hinge shaft, reducing wear on the bushing and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Ease of operation

If hinged parts are worn due to load concentration, then the pedal mechanism operates, but the APS output value becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal mechanism operationVSAvoidAPS output quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal arm is divided into two separate components: a pedal arm body and a pressure member. The pressure member is positioned between the hinge shaft and the inner surface of the pedal housing, with its second end coming into frictional contact with the pedal housing inner surface. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed to the pressure member rather than concentrated on the hinge shaft, reducing wear on the bushing and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

6Reliability

If multiple separate parts are used in the pedal device, then the functionality is achieved, but the production cost and weight are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of pedal deviceVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal arm body and pressure member are integrated into a single unified structure. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, lowers production costs, and reduces the overall weight of the pedal device, while still maintaining the load-distributing functionality through the integrated pressure member structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively increases frictional force, reduces wear on the hinge shaft and bushing, and enhances the reliability of the APS output, while minimizing the size, weight, and production cost of the pedal device.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (30) provided between a middle portion of the pressure member (20) and an inner surface of the pedal housing (40), and functioning to impose an elastic reaction force on the pressure member (20)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the elastic member (30) brings the second end of the pressure member (20) into frictional contact with the inner surface of the pedal housing (40)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9110494B2Pedal device for vehicles

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A pedal device for vehicles includes: a pedal arm provided in a pedal housing and connected to a pedal pad at a first end thereof, and rotated around a hinge shaft mounted to a second end of the pedal arm; a pressure member, a first end of which is held by the first end of the pedal arm, and a second end of which is placed between the hinge shaft and an inner surface of the pedal housing; and an elastic member provided between a middle portion of the pressure member and the inner surface of the pedal housing, and functioning to impose an elastic reaction force on the pressure member when a driver presses the pedal pad down. The elastic member brings the second end of the pressure member into frictional contact with the inner surface of the pedal housing.