Brake Pedal assembly with pot box

[Joey92]

Hey,
As given in the FSAE rules , we have to apply a torque encoder or an acc pedal sensor and also a brake over travel switch .
Also, we have to have a brake pedal sensor. We thought of applying a Curtis pot box that would act as as the brake light switch and also the brake pedal sensor. But, we are unable to mount the pot box assembly with the brake pedal. Any ideas please ?

[Owen Thomas]

You say you "have to have" a brake pedal sensor, but why? It sounds like an in line pressure sensor may be more suited to your needs.

[Joey92]

Yeah,but a pot box serves dual purpose of acting as a circuit for brake light and also brake pedal position sensor. So, finalising its assembly is posing to be a difficult problem.
Any ideas how to mount the potbox.

[Dash]

I'm confused at what your trying to do?

Are you using the sensor as your brake over travel switch? Why not put a $3 toggle switch and weld a small tab to the brake pedal?

I agree with using an in line pressure sensor for the light too. Super easy.

[Adambomb]

Originally posted by Dash:
I'm confused at what your trying to do?

Are you using the sensor as your brake over travel switch? Why not put a $3 toggle switch and weld a small tab to the brake pedal?

I agree with using an in line pressure sensor for the light too. Super easy.

+1. The cheapo toggle switch would be the most reliable and easiest to set up for brake over-travel. That pays huge dividends when trying to get through tech...when it comes to stuff like that, simplest is just about always best. I could imagine tech inspectors being less thrilled with an over-travel system that requires signal processing from a pedal position sensor.

As for brake position itself, that isn't nearly as useful from a DAQ standpoint as line pressure.

[Joey92]

So, If I want to use an inline brake pressure sensor , where is the optimum mounting position for it ?

[Racer-X]

Think about how your brakes work. There isn't an "optimal" place to mount it.

[Owen Thomas]

Probably in the brake lines, hence 'inline'. They're tiny and will fit anywhere.

If you're using it for DAQ, you will want two (one in each circuit); if it's just for the brake light put it as close to the rear as possible. As with most things on these cars, there is no defined "optimum". You have to apply your knowledge and make a decision.

[Joey92]

Ok, I get it now.
Also one more question, Can we use Curtis pot boxes as torque encoders by directly connecting them to the accelerator pedal.We'll use 2 of them so as to do the implausibility check.