Vehicle Pedal Rocker Layout for Decreasing End-Stroke Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle pedals require a high external actuating force to reach maximum deflection, leading to uncomfortable handling and increased effort for the driver.
Innovation Solution
The pedal arm, rocker, and return spring are designed and positioned to provide a continuously increasing force in the first section of the actuating path and a steadily decreasing force in the second section, reducing the overall effort needed to reach maximum deflection, with a smooth transition between the two force profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the pedal arm, rocker, and return spring are designed with a specific geometric arrangement, then the external actuating force is reduced in the second section of the actuating path, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating path is divided into two distinct sections: a first section where the external actuating force continuously increases, and a second section where the force continuously decreases. This segmentation allows the pedal mechanism to optimize force requirements at different stages of pedal depression, reducing the overall maximum force needed while maintaining adequate force in the initial section for driver control.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal mechanism employs a dynamic force profile rather than a static one. The geometric arrangement of the pedal arm, rocker, and return spring creates a continuously varying force characteristic throughout the actuating path, with the force transitioning smoothly from increasing to decreasing behavior at the boundary between the two sections. This dynamic approach allows force reduction in the critical second section while maintaining system controllability.
2Ease of operation
If the external actuating force is continuously decreasing in the second section of the actuating path, then the handling comfort is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the actuating path are assigned different force characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first section provides increasing force for initial pedal engagement and control, while the second section provides decreasing force for comfortable pedal depression. This local optimization of force qualities allows the mechanism to address specific operational needs in different regions of the actuating path while managing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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
This design reduces the external actuating force required in the second section of the actuating path, enhancing the comfort and ease of handling the pedal, allowing the force to decrease substantially in the last third of the path, making the pedal operation more comfortable for the driver.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring (12) for forcing said pedal arm (4) into a direction of said idle position of said pedal arm (4)
Implementation Method 2
said second rocker arm (8.3) is being pressed with a friction section (8.3.1) against a friction surface (4.1.1) of said pedal arm (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal for a vehicle is provided, which includes a support, a pedal arm mounted to the support, and a rocker mounted to the support. The rocker comprises a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm. The pedal also includes a return spring. The pedal is built in such a manner that when the second rocker arm is pressed with a friction section against a friction surface of the pedal arm, when the pedal arm is forced into a direction of the maximum deflection position of the pedal arm. In order to provide a pedal for a vehicle of alternative design, the pedal arm, the rocker and the return spring are built and positioned to each other in such a manner that an external actuating force is continuously and steadily increasing in a first section of an actuating path and is continuously and steadily decreasing in a second section of the actuating path until a predefined deflection position is reached.