Acceleration and Brake Pedal Sensors

2024-26 Selected

Pedal sensor: https://www.amazon.com/HiSport-Throttle-Accelerator-Position-Sensor/dp/B0BJ723YHH/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nbpEjRioT67_eMBuRj9nTzntLuvc_As6sXLvebiW4krdev8ncx3G6_72mSM2b8fdZi_u4g-fKHDa9OFMOYz_7T5CbejKwie5V3i0561NPV6lfdjzm_iOPAz6LNhmXH1lbCqFMsdm8um6T6dIDfJo9EumVUK-gu9JxE5JUjv4sJxyPixPLvK5_196VaublytjG1saUEeWBh-SWCCYem3MjgcCEpotI_qChVudxNUs5QY.mrTF2NFTuHNx1K7G97EKhe90PDYjDF5-kqkwGHI9G34&dib_tag=se&keywords=accel+pedal+sensor&qid=1730574255&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Factor

Spec

Factor

Spec

Mechanical Rating

Made of high quality ABS plastic and metal. Great durability, wear resistance, and strong connectivity. Each product is strictly inspected before leaving the factory to provide high-quality auto replacement parts. - Amazon

Accuracy

IDK

Type

TPS sensor, Flange Mount

Output

Analog (ADC)

Size

small

Brakeline: https://kulite.com/products/product-advisor/product-catalog/miniature-4-20ma-output-pressure-transmitter-etl-200-375m/

Factor

Spec

Factor

Spec

Mechanical Rating

1000 PSI

3/8-24 connection

Accuracy

 

Type

4-20mA Current Loop Transmitter

Output

4-20mA

image-20241101-174206.png

Size

small

Preliminary Notes (Author: @Madeleine Lee )

Purpose of sensors

In the 2024-2026 car, Controls will need to detect the position of the accel pedal for movement, as well as the position of the brake pedal for fault conditions and telemetry. While the position of the acceleration pedal is necessary, the position of the brake is technically optional- all Controls needs is to enable the brake lights. However, for the purpose of analysis and additional features, we want to measure the position of the brake pedal and the pressure in the brake fluid line to

  • Send measurements to Data Aq for analysis

  • Detect and display a fault when there are discrepancies between the brake pedal position and brake fluid line

  • [ Possibly adjust the brake light brightness ]

and these sensors will be under Controls since we require it for the car state and therefore would like to receive this data as fast as possible (in short, we need it more/sooner than Data Aq).

What did we do in Daybreak?

In the 2022-2024 cycle, we used a linear potentiometer for the accelerator pedal, and a button for the brake pedal (since entering brake state is a binary decision).

Linear potentiometer

  • 50mm Stroke (measuring length)

  • Cost: $144

  • SKU: SLPC 50 A 2K 1M (621400)

  • Compact linear displacement transducer with rod end bearings

  • 2KΩ resistor value

  • 18mm diameter (housing)

  • IP65 Rating

  • Connector: plug type w/mating connector included / Cable: 1 m length (3 wire)

  • Intended for industrial applications

Notes:

IP (Ingress Protection) Environmental Rating: Standard for the resistance of the part to environmental conditions like dust and moisture.

How to read the rating:

IP[Protection from solid objects][Protection from liquids]

Protection from solid objects: 0 (none) - 6 (no ingress)

Protection from liquids: 0 (none) - 9 (high-pressure hot water from different angles)

Why did we choose this sensor?

“linear was a relatively arbitrary choice made by me bc it was the first one I found with a good mechanical rating” - Sid

Sensor Research

Key Parameters

  • Mechanical Rating

  • Accuracy

  • Type (angular potentiometers, brake line pressure sensor)

  • Output (ideally supports digital protocol we use)

  • Cost (to some extent)

  • Size

 

Name

Description

Type

Cost

Accuracy

Rating

Output

Size

Link

Name

Description

Type

Cost

Accuracy

Rating

Output

Size

Link

SLP Linear Potentiometer

Used on Daybreak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HoneywellMLH

 

 

$288

 

 

 

 

 

PST-360 Hall-Effect Through-Shaft Rotary Position Sensor

 

Rotary

 

Probably do not full 360 degrees, get as small as possible

$60

+- 1 degree

IP67, IP69K

SPI (best), CAN, PWM

14mm and 17mm versions

 

 

https://www.piher.net/products/rotary-position-sensors/through_shaft/pst-360/

References

https://www.reddit.com/r/FSAE/comments/ab3gs3/brake_pressure_sensors/

 

https://www.fsae.com/forums/showthread.php?751-Brake-line-pressure-sensor&s=24ff250b660f943588ee776b1167bec7

 

https://www.fsae.com/forums/showthread.php?12194-EV-Car-brake-pressure-sensor

  • Linear potentiometer may be cheaper?

  • Can call to see if company will give a discount

  • Radio volume potentiometers have been used with suspension measurements- cheaper but less precise

  • Ebay

 

https://fsaeparts.com/collections/for-the-car

 

https://www.hpacademy.com/forum/general-tuning-discussion/show/brake-pressure-sensors/

  • 2000psi honeywell

 

https://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?53094-Brake-Pressure-Sensor-Installation

  • On installation

  • “Banjo” bolts

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/FSAE/comments/5vvg3v/accelerator_pedal_position_sensor_apps/

  • Rotation angle using hall sensors

  • linear displacement

 

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/173609/measuring-angle-position-of-a-pedal

 

https://www.fsae.com/forums/showthread.php?877-Pedal-and-sensor-assembly

 

Aiden’s Notes

  • Rotary Potentiometers

    • Easier to integrate (slides directly onto the pedal)

    • Make sure to get one with a measuring angle of similar size to the pedal rotation

    • Will require a bit more work on our end to convert “degrees” into a useful number for us to use

    • Waiting for Ergo to make decisions to proceed

  • Break Line Pressure Sensor