Footrest device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a footrest device configured to be located in a footwell of a motor vehicle, the footrest device (R) comprising two footrests (R1, R2), providing two support planes for a foot, arranged side by side, having substantially the same longitudinal direction and the same transverse direction, said two support planes being arranged side by side in their transverse direction, and it relates to a footwell (C) comprising said device (R). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig.5

Description

Title of the invention: Footrest device for a motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to a footrest device located opposite a seat of a motor vehicle, in a footwell of a motor vehicle.

[0002] The footwell of a motor vehicle is the lower part of the passenger compartment, in front of a seat, intended to accommodate the feet of the seat occupant.

[0003] The invention relates in particular to a footrest device located on the driver's seat side, close to the foot-operated vehicle control pedals.

[0004] To rest his left foot, which is not or least often used when driving, the driver of a car has only one footrest, located near the vehicle's foot-operated control pedals. If he wishes to change foot position, particularly during a long journey, he has the choice only between the footrest and the vehicle floor.

[0005] The footrest is generally a more or less sloping wedge, providing a support surface that is thus more or less inclined on which the foot can rest, this wedge being located at the transverse end, against a side wall of the footwell, and on the side of the passenger compartment door opening for a right-hand drive vehicle.

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide better postural comfort for the foot of an occupant of a vehicle, in particular for the driver's left foot, and more broadly the driver's left leg.

[0007] The invention aims to meet this need.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes a footrest device configured to be located in a footwell of a motor vehicle, the footrest device comprising two footrests offering two support planes for a foot arranged side by side, having substantially the same longitudinal direction and the same transverse direction, said two support planes being arranged side by side in their transverse direction.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support plane of one of the footrests and the support plane of the other footrest are offset relative to each other longitudinally, in particular they are only offset longitudinally.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the support plane of one of the footrests and the support plane of the other footrest are offset from each other angularly relative to the horizontal. In other words, one of the support planes is steeper than the other. In particular, the two support planes are only angularly offset.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the support plane of one of the rests- feet and the support plane of the other footrest are offset from each other both longitudinally and angularly from the horizontal.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the footrest device essentially comprises a monocoque having a shape of two wedges, one of the two wedges forming one of the footrests and the other wedge forming the other footrest.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, the footrest device essentially comprises two shells, each having a wedge shape, one of the two shells forming one of the footrests and the other shell forming the other footrest. The two wedges are then fixed side by side in the foot cellar.

[0014] The monocoque or both hulls may be covered with a floor mat or the like. The monocoque or both hulls may also be integrated with the floor mat or the like.

[0015] The invention also relates to a footwell for a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device as described above and which is fixed.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said foot cellar comprises only two vehicle control pedals, said pedals being side by side, and said footrest device is located transversely next to one of the pedals. In particular, the two control pedals of the vehicle are the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, and said footrest device is located transversely to the left of the brake pedal.

[0017] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device or a foot cellar as described above. Preferably, said motor vehicle has an automatic gearbox. In particular, said vehicle includes computerized means allowing an assisted driving mode, in particular a driving mode assisted by a cruise control.

[0018] More particularly, the footrest device according to the invention is intended for the left foot of a person to provide comfort, in particular intended for the left foot of the driver.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of several particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational purposes but not as a limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig. IA] is a perspective view, from the front and from above, of a foot cellar of a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device of a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0021] [Fig. IB] is a schematic side view of the footrest device shown in [Fig.lA], a supporting foot being symbolized there.

[0022] [Fig.2A] is a perspective view, from the front and from above, of a footwell of a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device of a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.2B] is a schematic side view of the footrest device shown in [Fig.2A], a supported foot being symbolized therein.

[0024] [Fig.3A] is a perspective view from the front and from above of a footwell of a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device of a motor vehicle according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.3B] is a schematic side view of the footrest device shown in [Fig.3A], a supported foot being symbolized therein.

[0026] [Fig.4A] is a perspective view, from the front and from above, of a footwell of a motor vehicle comprising a footrest device of a motor vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0027] [Fig.4B] is a schematic side view of the footrest device shown in [Fig.4A], a supported foot being symbolized therein.

[0028] [Fig.5] represents a schematic top view of a foot cellar comprising control pedals of a vehicle and a footrest device according to one embodiment of the invention, the different possible foot positions being represented therein.

[0029] The orientations expressed in the description of the figures are given with reference to a conventional orthonormal reference frame XYZ of a motor vehicle in which X represents the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, Y the transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the right, and Z the vertical direction oriented towards the top of the vehicle, the wheels of the latter resting on the ground. The directions also correspond to the longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions respectively of the footrest device according to the invention installed in its usual position in a footwell of the vehicle.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the terms front, rear, upper, lower, thus refer to the directions of the vehicle and to those of the footrest device according to the invention installed in its usual position in a footwell of the vehicle.

[0031] Identical references may be used from one figure to another to designate identical or similar elements.

[0032] Figures 1 to 4 represent different embodiments of a footrest device according to the invention, located in a footwell in front of the driver's seat, referenced respectively C1, C2, C3, C4, comprising in the lower part a floor P covered with a carpet, and equipped with an accelerator pedal A and a brake pedal B.

[0033] In the side view figures, the horizontal is symbolized by a dotted line referenced “H”. This line H is symbolized in the extension of the line of section of the average plane of floor P which is substantially horizontal.

[0034] Each footrest device comprises two footrests constituting a distal footrest of the vehicle control pedals and a proximal footrest of said pedals, more particularly of the brake pedal B according to the examples.

[0035] Each footrest of a footrest device provides an upper support plane for the foot having an upper surface sized to fit that of an adult's shoe.

[0036] In the figures, a footrest and its support plane for the foot bear the same reference sign.

[0037] These upper support planes are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the vehicle. They are substantially parallel to each other in their longitudinal direction (X direction). They have substantially the same longitudinal direction and the same transverse direction.

[0038] According to a first configuration shown in [Fig.lA] and [Fig.lB], the footrest device 1 is such that the support plane of the distal footrest 12 and the support plane of the proximal footrest 11 are offset longitudinally (direction X) relative to each other. The lateral view [Fig.lB] shows the position of a left foot symbolized by a shoe C12, in solid line, resting on the distal support plane 12 represented in solid line, and the position of the same left foot symbolized by a shoe Cl 1, in dotted lines, resting on the proximal support plane 11 represented in dotted lines. According to the example, as shown more particularly in this side view [Fig.lB], the proximal support plane 11 is advanced, that is to say it is offset by a longitudinal distance “dl” towards the front of the vehicle relative to the distal support plane 12. The proximal and distal support planes have substantially the same length according to this example.

[0039] In a variant not illustrated, the longitudinal offset between the two proximal and distal support planes may arise from a difference in lengths, one being longer than the other so that their respective front and / or rear sides will be offset. For example, the longitudinal offset between the two support planes may be made forward, for example both planes have their respective rear side (side facing the seat) at the same level, but one is longer than the other so that their front sides are offset.

[0040] According to a second configuration shown in [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B], the footrest device 2 is such that the support plane of the distal footrest 22 and the support plane of the proximal footrest 21 are angularly offset relative to a horizontal plane, one relative to the other. The side view [Fig.2B] shows the position of a left foot symbolized by a shoe C22, in solid line, resting on the distal support plane 22 represented in line full, and the position of the same left foot symbolized by a shoe C21, in dotted lines, resting on the proximal support plane 21 represented in dotted lines. According to the example, as shown more particularly in this side view [Fig.2B], the distal support plane 22 is steeper than the proximal support plane 21, the angle a22 of the distal support plane 22 with the horizontal H being of a value greater than the angle a21 of the proximal support plane 21 with the horizontal H.

[0041] According to a third and a fourth configuration shown respectively in figures 3 ([Fig.3A] and [Fig.3B]), and in figures 4 ([Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B]), the support plane of the distal footrest and the support plane of the proximal footrest are offset relative to each other, both longitudinally (direction X) and angularly relative to a horizontal plane.

[0042] According to the example represented by the third configuration illustrated in [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3B], the footrest device 3 is such that the support plane of the distal footrest 32 is set back and steeper than the support plane of the proximal footrest 31. The lateral view [Fig.3B] shows the position of a left foot symbolized by a shoe C32, in solid line, resting on the distal support plane 32 represented in solid line, and the position of the same left foot symbolized by a shoe C31, in dotted lines, resting on the proximal support plane 31 represented in dotted lines. According to the example, as shown more particularly in this side view [Fig.3B], the distal support plane 32 is steeper than the proximal support plane 31, the angle a32 of the distal support plane 32 with the horizontal H being of a greater value than the angle a31 of the proximal support plane 31 with the horizontal H. Furthermore, the distal support plane 32 is set back, that is to say that its rear edge 320 is offset relative to the rear edge 310 of the proximal support plane 31 by a longitudinal distance “d3”, in the direction of the seat.

[0043] According to the example represented by the fourth configuration of a footrest 4, illustrated in [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B], the support plane of the distal footrest 42 is set back, that is to say offset in the direction of the seat, relative to the position of the support plane of the proximal footrest 41, and the proximal support plane 41 is steeper than the distal support plane 42. The side view [Fig.4B] shows the position of a left foot symbolized by a shoe C42, in solid line, resting on the distal support plane 42 represented in solid line, and the position of the same left foot symbolized by a shoe C41, in dotted lines, resting on the proximal support plane 41 represented in dotted lines. According to the example, as shown more particularly in this side view [Fig.4B], the proximal support plane 41 is steeper than the distal support plane 42, the angle a41 of the proximal support plane 41 with the horizontal H being of a greater value than the angle a42 of the distal support plane 42 with the horizontal H. In addition, the distal support plane 42 is moved back, so that its rear edge 420 is offset relative to the rear edge 410 of the proximal support plane 41 by a longitudinal distance “d4”, in the direction of the seat.

[0044] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a foot cellar “C”, the floor mat being removed, located opposite the driver's seat of a motor vehicle. Said cellar comprises two control pedals of an automatic vehicle, the rightmost pedal being the accelerator pedal A and the other pedal being the brake pedal B, as well as a footrest device R comprising two footrests RI, R2 in accordance with the invention. [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the right foot D1, D2 of the driver which can move from one pedal to the other when driving. In addition, the figure illustrates the left foot Gl, G2 of the driver which can be positioned either on the support plane of a footrest RI proximal to the brake pedal B, or on the support plane of the footrest R2 located just next to the proximal footrest RI, and which is distal to the pedals.

[0045] The footrest device according to the invention allows its user, in particular the driver, without any adjustment action, to have two possible resting positions for his left foot, according to his comfort. The user has two possible comfortable leg positions, each of which ensures ergonomic foot support and an angle between the foot and the ankle. The user can easily move from one footrest to the other while driving, without danger since there is no adjustment to be made, each footrest being fixed and stable. The two-position footrest device can be used advantageously during a long journey, and / or in particular be used during an assisted driving mode such as that using cruise control.

[0046] The footrest device R according to the invention can be produced in a manner known per se, by molding, and the molded part is arranged between the insulation and the floor mat of the footwell, the distal footrest being located against a side wall of the footwell, and, for a right-hand drive vehicle, on the side of the passenger compartment door opening.

[0047] According to a method of manufacturing the footrest device, the footrest can be produced by molding a plastic material in a monocoque shape comprising the two footrests arranged side by side in the transverse direction (Y direction). The footrests each have a generally parallelepiped wedge shape, it is nevertheless possible for the front part of the wedge to be biased according to the space available for the footrest device in the front part of the footwell, the wall of the footwell being inclined in front of the gear pedals. They are substantially parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle.

[0048] According to another method of manufacturing the footrest device, the two footrests of the device can be produced separately by molding two unitary shells, each footrest having the shape of a generally parallelepiped wedge, then be fixed side by side in the foot cellar.

[0049] The invention preferably applies to automatic vehicles, therefore which have only two control pedals (brake and accelerator). However, it may be suitable for a vehicle which has three pedals if the space available laterally to the most eccentric pedal in the footwell is sufficient to allow such a double footrest device to be introduced.

Claims

Claims

1. Footwell (Cl, C2, C3, C4, C ) of a motor vehicle comprising only two vehicle control pedals (A, B) constituted by the accelerator pedal (A) and the brake pedal (B), said pedals being side by side, and comprising a footrest device (1, 2, 3, 4, R ) which comprises two footrests (11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32, 41, 42, RI, R2) offering two support planes for a foot arranged side by side, having substantially the same longitudinal direction (X) and the same transverse direction (Y), said two support planes being arranged side by side in their transverse direction, and said footrest device being located transversely to the left of the brake pedal.

2. Foot cellar according to claim 1, characterized in that the support plane of one of the footrests (11, 12) and the support plane of the other footrest (11, 12) are offset longitudinally relative to each other.

3. Foot cellar according to claim 1, characterized in that the support plane of one of the footrests (21, 22) and the support plane of the other footrest (21, 22) are offset from each other angularly relative to the horizontal.

4. Foot cellar according to claim 1, characterized in that the support plane of one of the footrests (31, 32; 41, 42) and the support plane of the other footrest (31, 32; 41, 42) are offset from each other both longitudinally and angularly relative to the horizontal.

5. Foot cellar according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said foot rest device essentially comprises a monocoque having a shape of two wedges, one of the two wedges forming one of the foot rests and the other wedge forming the other foot rest.

6. Foot cellar according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said foot rest device essentially comprises two shells, each having a wedge shape, one of the two shells forming one of the foot rests and the other shell forming the other foot rest.

7. Foot cellar according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said footrest device (1, 2, 3, 4, R) is fixed.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a foot cellar (Cl, C2, C3, C4, C) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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