Pedal power

German researchers have developed a sensor that instantly translates the movement of a car’s accelerator pedal into an electrical signal, allowing quicker, more accurate response.

Developed by engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) the 3D sensor, which is embedded in a silicon chip, is placed directly behind the pedal and measures the magnetic field in all three spatial directions.

Existing technology is more complicated. When an accelerator pedal is depressed, a disc moves. Several magnetic-field sensors close to the disc register the speed and convert it into an electrical signal which controls the engine and brake. This process takes time and the entire system is costly.

The new sensor allows instant conversion, making it quicker and more accurate.

Dr Hans-Peter Hohe, lead engineer at IIS said: ‘What is really new is that it is a more direct measurement of the angle. You don’t need a lot of mechanics to transfer the angle transition into a linear movement and then into a rotational movement again, and then to measure that movement with a sensor. All of these parts are no longer needed which will make the whole system more accurate, cheaper and lighter.’