Vehicle Pedal Unit With Deflected Stroke for Compact Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive-by-wire systems in vehicles face challenges in achieving a high resolution with a small actuation stroke while maintaining a compact pedal unit design, as they rely on mechanical connections that limit the construction height and require large pedal travel for vehicle deceleration or acceleration.
Innovation Solution
A pedal unit design that deflects a vertical actuating movement into a longitudinal measuring movement using contactless sensor arrangements, such as magnetic, inductive, or capacitive principles, allowing for a compact construction and high resolution through a movable housing cover and deflection devices like wedges or bracket springs, with sensor electronics protected in a fluidically sealed chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contactless sensor arrangements are used to measure small stroke movements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for deflection devices and sensor housing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact measurement with contactless sensor arrangements (magnetic, inductive, or capacitive sensors) that detect the position of a measuring transducer without physical contact. This substitution enables high-resolution measurement of small stroke movements while reducing mechanical wear and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a deflection device that converts the small vertical stroke movement (z-direction) into a larger longitudinal measuring movement (x-direction). This dimensional transformation amplifies the measurement signal, allowing contactless sensors to achieve high measurement resolution for otherwise difficult-to-detect small displacements.
2Length of stationary object
If the pedal unit is designed with a compact construction, then the construction height is reduced, but the measurement resolution deteriorates due to limited stroke space
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection device transforms the limited vertical stroke movement into a longer longitudinal displacement, effectively extending the measurement range in the horizontal direction. This allows the pedal unit to maintain a compact vertical profile while achieving high measurement resolution through the amplified horizontal movement of the measuring transducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluidically sealed chamber as an intermediary environment that protects the sensor electronics from environmental factors while allowing the measuring transducer to move freely. This sealed chamber enables compact construction by containing all sensitive components in a protected, space-efficient configuration.
3Device complexity
If mechanical connections are used in drive-by-wire systems, then device complexity is reduced, but the pedal travel distance increases to achieve vehicle deceleration or acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical connections between the pedal and the actuating elements by implementing a drive-by-wire system with contactless sensor arrangements. The sensor detects the position of the measuring transducer without mechanical contact, and this positional information is transmitted electronically to control the vehicle function, thereby reducing the required pedal travel distance while maintaining system reliability.
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 a reduction in pedal unit height with high resolution and improved operational safety by using contactless measurement technology, combining multiple measuring principles for enhanced performance and protection against environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
Such a contactless path measurement can, e.g., be performed using a magnetic, inductive or even capacitive measuring principle
Implementation Method 2
Such a contactless path measurement can, e.g., be performed using a magnetic, inductive or even capacitive measuring principle
Implementation Method 3
Such a contactless path measurement can, e.g., be performed using a magnetic, inductive or even capacitive measuring principle
Implementation Method 4
at least one deflection device, which is designed to deflect a small stroke movement HB of the movable housing cover caused by the actuating force BF along the vertical direction z of the pedal unit into a measuring movement MB along a longitudinal direction x of the pedal unit
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal unit for controlling a vehicle function is disclosed. The pedal unit includes a tread plate that has a support surface configured to receive an actuating force of a driver's foot. The tread plate is connected to a housing cover that is movable via a small stroke along a vertical direction of the pedal unit. The housing cover is connected to a sensor housing in which at least one sensor arrangement is formed. At least one deflection device is included and designed to deflect a small stroke movement of the movable housing cover extending along a vertical direction of the pedal unit caused by the actuating force into a measuring movement extending along a longitudinal direction of the pedal unit. The at least one sensor arrangement is designed to detect the measuring movement based on the small stroke movement in a contactless manner.