Vehicle Pedal Simulator With Direction-Dependent Friction Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pedal simulators provide a linear reaction force, leading to inadequate pedal feeling and increased driver fatigue due to consistent resistance when pressing and releasing the pedal.
Innovation Solution
A pedal simulator with a friction member that is elastically deformable, providing a non-linear reaction force by expanding when moving forward and compressing when moving backward, and a groove design that increases resistance when the piston moves backward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a dry-bush with low frictional force is arranged in the piston reciprocation area, then noise is reduced and operability is improved, but the reaction force becomes linear and pedal feeling becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The friction member is divided into multiple friction surfaces (first friction surface and second friction surface) that contact different portions of the piston (piston body and piston rod). This segmentation allows different friction characteristics to be applied to different phases of piston movement, creating non-linear reaction force while maintaining low noise operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different friction characteristics are applied to different locations and movement directions. The first friction surface provides a first friction coefficient when the piston moves in a first direction, while the second friction surface provides a second friction coefficient when the piston moves in a second direction. This local differentiation of friction properties enables non-linear reaction force without compromising overall operability.
2Device complexity
If the same resistance is provided when pressing and releasing the pedal, then the structure is simple, but driver fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction member is designed to dynamically change its friction characteristics based on the direction of piston movement. During pedal pressing, one friction coefficient applies, while during pedal release, a different friction coefficient applies. This dynamic adaptation of friction properties provides differentiated resistance for different operational phases, reducing driver fatigue without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a non-linear reaction force is provided to improve pedal feeling, then the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first friction surface and second friction surface are integrated into a single friction member that moves together with the piston. This merging of multiple friction surfaces into one component achieves non-linear reaction force through the coordinated action of different friction surfaces, rather than requiring separate complex mechanisms for each friction interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides friction resistance during both pedal pressing and release, acts as a wear element that protects the piston, and generates non-linear reaction force through its differential friction surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting structural complexity increase.
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
Enhances pedal feeling by offering a natural and stable pedal response, reducing driver fatigue by varying resistance based on pedal operation direction.
Implementation Method 1
a friction member that is arranged inside the housing and is elastically deformable, in contact with the outer surface of the piston to move forward when the piston moves forward and move backward when the piston moves backward
Implementation Method 2
the friction member is arranged to expand when moving forward and to be compressed when moving backward
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal simulator may include a housing; a piston, a front portion of which is arranged inside the housing and connected to a pedal of a vehicle, and configured to be movable forward or backward in response to movement of the pedal; a reaction force member arranged inside the housing and configured to be compressible by the forward movement of the piston and configured to provide a reaction force against the forward movement of the piston; and a friction member movably disposed in the housing, configured to be elastically deformable such that the friction member is compressed when being moved in the backward direction and the friction member is expanded when being moved in the forward direction, and being in contact with the outer surface of the piston to apply friction to the movement of the piston and move in a same direction as the movement of piston.