Throttle Pedal Assembly Hysteresis for Driver Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic throttle control (ETC) pedal assemblies lack provision of position sensor output and mechanical resistance with hysteresis to the driver's foot, which are essential for precise control and feedback in vehicle acceleration.
Innovation Solution
The ETC pedal assembly incorporates a housing with a friction generating surface, a pedal arm with a hub portion and a friction generating member, and a spring carrier, where springs create hysteresis by engaging the friction generating member against the housing surface as the pedal arm is depressed, providing independent friction surfaces for proportional resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ETC pedal assemblies use simple mechanical linkage, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical resistance with hysteresis and position sensor output capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is divided into separate functional components: a pedal arm assembly with friction generating member, a spring carrier with springs, and a housing with friction generating surface. Each component serves a specific function, allowing the system to provide both mechanical resistance with hysteresis and position sensor output while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are combined into a single integrated pedal assembly structure. The friction generating member with lobes, spring carrier, and housing friction surface work together to simultaneously provide mechanical resistance with hysteresis feedback and enable position sensor output, eliminating the need for separate mechanical linkage systems
2Measurement precision
If mechanical linkage is used for throttle control, then the device complexity is lower, but the position sensor output measurement capability is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal arm assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical linkage for throttle control, generates mechanical resistance with hysteresis through friction surfaces, and enables position sensor output measurement. The friction generating member with lobes and spring carrier structure allows the same component to fulfill both mechanical control and measurement functions
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 enhances driver feedback through mechanical hysteresis and enables precise position sensor output, improving the overall control and efficiency of the electronic throttle control system.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one spring and the spring carrier leverages a load applied by the at least one spring to pivotally engage at least a portion of the lobe of the friction generating member against the friction generating surface of the housing thereby creating a hysteresis proportional to the depression of the pedal arm
Implementation Method 2
creating a hysteresis proportional to the depression of the pedal arm
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic throttle control pedal assembly includes a housing having a friction generating surface, a pedal arm, a spring carrier, and at least one spring. The pedal arm includes a hub portion and a friction generating member. The friction generating member has a lobe connected to a cross member and is positioned on a side surface of the hub portion. The cross member extends within the hub portion. The spring carrier has a friction generating portion. As the pedal arm is depressed, a portion of the spring carrier engages the friction generating portion against the cross member positioned within the hub aperture and pivotally engages a portion of the lobe of the friction generating member against the friction generating surface of the housing thereby creating at least two independent friction generating surfaces to create a hysteresis proportional to the depression of the pedal arm.