Mechanical and perceptual analyses of human foot movements in pedal operation

Abstract

Abstract-A human can maneuver mechanical systems by adjusting his/her own body naturally and effectively according to a target task by utilizing the kinematical and dynamic characteristics of operating systems acquired through sensory organs. If such human sensory and motor characteristics changing in the task can be quantitatively described, it would be useful to design and develop a novel human-machine system so that humans can manipulate a machine more instinctively and comfortably. This paper investigates the interaction between human sensory and motor properties at the foot during the operation of an automobile pedal, as an example of human-machine systems, and demonstrates the close relationship between the perceptual properties of force resistance at the foot and the loads for foot joints much depending on the pedal layout. Finally, based on biomechanical and perceptual analyses, a human-inspired design method of pedal dynamic properties is discussed.

Amplitude Analysis of Lower Leg Muscle in Car Pedal Operation in Specific Driving Posture and Duration

“…There were three different actions when operating the accelerator pedal; HP, R and FP. According to the literature and supported with the findings in this study, the GM muscle plays important role when operating the pedal in driving task [14][15]. In this study, the highest muscle response at GM muscle was at FP action.…”

“…Trigno sensor was used to detect muscle signal in this study by using sample rate at 1000 Hz. GM muscle was chosen based on literature studies for lower leg implication in driving [14][15]. Before placing the electrode, the belly of the muscle skin was identified by using certain activity as specified by Surface Electromyography for Non-Invasive Measurement (SENIAM) recommendations.…”

Biomechanical and Psychophysical Evaluation of Operating Loads in Vehicular Driving

“…The relationship between reaction force and perceived force with relation to the control input for the driving interface is provided in Fig. 4(c) [8] [9]. Note that the parameter values of the derived logarithmic curve for the pedal angle were set as a pedal = 59.188, b pedal = −174.68, and for the steering angle were set as a steer = 11.285, b steer = −13.419 by following the procedure presented in II-B.…”

“…Wang et al [7] measured driving posture during pedal operation and explored the relationship between comfort rating of clutch pedal operation and biomechanical parameters such as joint angle, moment, and work. Tanaka et al [8] proved human forceperception characteristics in operating the pedal through a set of perception tests and biomechanical analysis. They reported that the force-perception characteristics is much affected by the contact condition between foot and pedal pad that changes in pedaling operation although dynamic characteristics of the pedal were the same.…”

“…Similarly Takemura et al [9] presents the initial experimental analysis of force-perception characteristics relating to steering operation. Furthermore Tanaka et al [8] proposed the basic methodology of perceptual design of reaction-force for a driving interface. These experimental studies, however, were carried out under the specified posture, and did not discuss an estimation procedure for a certain driving posture.…”