VEHICO - controlling tomorrow's vehicles

The pedal actuators have been specifically developed by VEHICO for vehicle testing. They allow the control of the pedals of handshift vehicles as well as vehicles with automatic transmission. The pedal movements can be individually defined and executed with highest precision and absolute repeatability in different test vehicles. This is the base to provide a variety of test drives on a reliable and reproducible data basis, in particular in tests where previously the human factor caused large measurement uncertainties.

The concept of the VEHICO Pedal Actuators appeals through the following features

• easy and fast adaptability
  The CO.ACT pedal actuators consist of two actuating drives for vehicles with automatic transmission and 3 actuating drives for handshift vehicles. Each drive gives the individual control of each vehicle pedal. Depending on the test requirements the number of pedal drives can be assembled individually. The pedal actuators are designed that they are universally adaptable to different vehicles and simultaneously quickly to install. Unlike a conventional driving robot or brake robot the VEHICO pedal robots can be used to actuate any pedal regardless whether it is a gas pedal, brake pedal or clutch pedal.

• driver can always override pedals
  The force transmission to the driving pedal is realised through a wire rope that is attached beneath the pedal in the footer area of the vehicle and the other side on the pedal unit. Even with built-in actuators the driver's space remains unaffected and a driver can operate the vehicle fully manually. This brings a wide range of advantages in the daily operation.

• automatic adaptation to different pedal travels
  The pedal actuator distinguishes a by VEHICO developed and patented automatic referencing to calibrate the vehicle specific pedal travel. This makes the handling and portability between different vehicles particularly simple. An adaptation to different vehicles is executed fully automatically within a few seconds subsequent to the installation. After the referencing the pedal trajectory can very easily be provided by percentage positioning values, completely independent of the vehicle individual pedal travel of the single pedal.
  

Installation

The individual drive units are attached on top of the vehicle's pedals. This assembly approach is characterised by an especially quick and easy assembly of the individual pedal actuators. Because the drive units have already smallest dimensions and minimum weight, the installation on top of the pedal is easily possible. While the unit is clamped on the pedal only a suitable counter bearing for the wire rope must be created beneath the pedal. The operation of the pedal remains still possible even with installed pedal drive unit. The driver simply steps on the drive from above and pushes the pedal down.

Technical Data

Customer individual adjustments of individual parameters are possible within wide ranges.

Range of Application

• Analysis of braking and acceleration characteristics
• Investigation of the drive or braking system
• Application of step, ramp or sinusoidal stimulation of the gas, brake or clutch pedals
• Investigations concerning braking and acceleration characteristics while turning (in connection with the VEHICO steering robot)
  
• etc.