Abstract
KEYWORDS – Variable Stiffness Control, Speed Range Magnification, Foot Resting Action, Servomotor-Motor Controller, Auto calibration
ABSTRACT
Traffic conditions demand high precision driving. While driving in heavy or slow moving traffic conditions, there exists an interrupted motion of vehicle during which speed is controlled continuously and involves frequent use of accelerator pedal. While operating at low speeds, the pedal is pressed by a small amount, enforcing the foot to remain in that position to control and maintain that speed. Continuous pedal operation leads to muscular pain and fatigue causing lack of control over the vehicle. Research in Vehicle Dynamics has led to development of Cruise Control, Power braking assisted by use of hydraulics and enhancement of conventional pedal by various spring guided mechanisms. These technologies apart from being accurate and effective, they have their own limitations which cause muscle fatigue. To solve this problem, a novel concept of Foot-resting Mechanism is designed and proposed for accelerator pedal to reduce muscle fatigue and enhance leg-body comfort. It also provides flexibility to adjust pedal operating conditions suitable to driver’s convenience. This is totally a novel concept achieved by incorporating subsystems which functions accordingly to facilitate various features like Foot-Resting (FR), Variable Stiffness Control (VSC) and Speed-range Magnification (SRM). Variations in elongation are auto calibrated by servomotor through sensor outputs. The performance verification of design is simulated on Solid Edge ST7 and results obtained are further validated with the design.