Automated footrest positioning in a two-wheeler

Abstract

A footrest positioning apparatus (100) for a two wheeled vehicle is described. The apparatus comprises a control unit to determine a change in mode of driving of the two-wheeled vehicle, a curved rail (114) affixed to a frame (102) connected to a chassis of the vehicle and an actuator to be actuated to change a position of a footrest (110) of the vehicle. The curved rail comprises a guide slot (116) along a length of the curved rail. The actuator is mounted on the frame and connected to a slotted block (106) which moves in response to an actuation of actuator configured to be actuated by the control unit based on the determination of change in mode of driving. Footrest is connected to curved rail via a connecting slot (108) formed in slotted block such that footrest is slidable along the guide slot with respect to a movement of slotted block.

Description

AUTOMATED FOOTREST POSITIONING IN A TWO-WHEELERTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to two wheeled vehicles and, particularly but not exclusively, to techniques of adjusting footrest of a two wheeled vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0002] Two wheeled vehicles, as a mode of transportation, offer a sense of freedom and exhilaration that is often unmatched by other vehicles. A major part of this experience is the rider's interaction with the vehicle, which includes the positioning of the rider's feet on footrests. Footrests, also known as foot pegs, are an integral part of a two-wheeler’s design, providing a place for the rider to rest their feet while riding.

[0003] Footrests come in various designs and configurations, depending on the type of the two-wheeler and the intended use. For instance, racing motorcycles often have footrests positioned higher and further back to allow for aggressive cornering, while touring motorcycles have footrests positioned lower and further forward for comfort during long rides. The position of the footrests can greatly influence the rider's comfort, control, and overall riding experience.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a footrest positioning apparatus for a two wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0006] Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a top view, a side view and a front view, respectively, of the footrest positioning apparatus, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0007] The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and / or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and / or implementations provided in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Conventionally, the position of the footrests on a two-wheeler is either fixed or requires manual adjustment. This typically involves loosening and tightening of bolts and may require the use of tools. This process can be time-consuming and inconvenient, particularly for riders who frequently switch between different riding styles or conditions.

[0009] While automated systems have been implemented for various aspects of two-wheeler's configuration, such as suspension or height of seat of the two-wheeler, the application of such systems for footrest adjustment is not widespread. The development and implementation of an automated footrest adjustment system presents its own set of challenges, including the complexity of the mechanism, cost of the components, and durability and reliability of the system under the harsh conditions of riding a two-wheeler. Existing automated systems for footrest positioning require several components, such as multiple actuators to allow positioning of the footrest in different directions resulting in complex and costly systems. Also, conventional systems do not offer positioning of footrest at multiple positions with respect to the vehicle.

[0010] To this end, the present subject matter provides techniques for positioning a footrest in a two wheeled vehicle automatically to overcome the above-described problems.

[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a footrest positioning apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle is described. Theapparatus comprises a control unit to determine a change in mode of driving of the two-wheeled vehicle. The apparatus also comprises a curved rail affixed to a frame connected to a chassis of the vehicle. The curved rail comprises a guide slot along a length of the curved rail. The apparatus further comprises an actuator that is to be actuated to change a position of a footrest of the vehicle. The actuator is mounted on the frame and connected to a slotted block. The slotted block moves in response to an actuation of the actuator. The actuator is configured to be actuated by the control unit based on the determination of the change in mode of driving. The footrest is connected to the curved rail via a connecting slot formed in the slotted block such that the footrest is slide able along the guide slot of the curved rail with respect to a movement of the slotted block.

[0012] The footrest positioning apparatus allows for motion of the footrest in two dependent axes with the help of a single linear actuator effectively to position the footrest at multiple footrest positions when the vehicle is in motion. The single linear actuator pushes or pulls the footrest along the guide slot of the curved rail. The use of a single linear actuator as the source of motion reduces implementation costs and also helps the rider to explore more footrest positions and to switch to a position depending on the preference of the rider providing a relatively inexpensive automatically adjustable footrest.

[0013] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for thesake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a footrest positioning apparatus for a two wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0015] In an implementation of the present subject matter, the footrest positioning apparatus 100 for the two wheeled vehicle is disclosed. As described earlier, footrests in a two wheeled vehicle provide a place for the rider of the vehicle to rest his feet while riding. The rider of the vehicle may require to change the positioning of his feet while riding in order to have greater control over the vehicle or a comfortable ride. While riding, the rider may also require switching to another mode of driving which may in turn require change in positioning of rider’s feet. The footrest positioning apparatus 100 allows a rider to change the position of a footrest of the two wheeled vehicle while riding. Since, a two wheeled vehicle comprises one footrest on either side of the vehicle, one footrest positioning apparatus may be provided on either side of the vehicle to change the position of respective footrest. Each apparatus is similar in construction and operation. Figure 1 depicts one footrest positioning apparatus.

[0016] The footrest positioning apparatus 100 comprises a control unit (not shown in Figure 1 ). The control unit may be implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and / or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the control unit is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory, for example, in order to receive an input from a rider of the two wheeled vehicle and accordingly change position of the footrest on either side. In an example, the input may be provided to the control unit through a push button corresponding to each mode of driving. The mode of driving may comprise at least two modes including a first mode and a second mode.The first mode may be a city-drive mode and the second mode may be a sports mode. A position of the footrest with respect to a chassis of the vehicle may be predefined for each mode of driving. For a comfortable posture or ride in a sports mode, footrests are generally positioned higher and further back to allow for aggressive cornering, while in a city drive mode, footrests are generally positioned lower and further forward for comfort during long rides.

[0017] In an example, the control unit may determine a change in mode of driving of the two-wheeled vehicle based on the input received from the rider of the vehicle. The footrest positioning apparatus may comprise a frame 102 attached to a chassis of the vehicle. The footrest positioning apparatus 100 may further comprise an actuator to be actuated to change a position of the footrest of the vehicle. The actuator may be mounted inside an actuator holder 104 which may be affixed to the frame 102 of the apparatus 100.

[0018] In an example, the actuator holder 104 may be cubicle container holding the actuator in position. The actuator holder 104 has a hole at the bottom, allowing a spoke of the actuator to travel therethrough, while locking the actuator in position. The actuator may be linear actuator which converts an energy supplied to the actuator into a linear motion in a controlled manner. The energy may be supplied through an electrical, mechanical or hydraulic source and may be controlled through the control device. In an example, the actuator is rotary like a stepper motor. To convert the rotary motion of a stepper motor into linear motion, a mechanism, such as a lead screw or threaded rod may be used. The lead screw is a threaded rod that engages with a nut. As the stepper motor rotates, the rotation is translated into linear motion as the nut moves along the threaded rod. The direction of the linear motion can be changed by switching the polarity of the voltage. Based on the determination of the change in mode of driving, the control unit may actuate the actuator to change a position of the footrest of the vehicle. Based on the determinationof the change in mode of driving, the control unit may be configured to actuate the actuators of both the footrest positioning apparatuses placed on either side of the vehicle to change the position of the respective footrest.

[0019] In an example, the footrest positioning apparatus 100 may also comprise a slotted block 106. The slotted block 106 may comprise a connecting slot 108 to allow the footrest 1 10 to be mounted thereon. The actuator is connected to the slotted block 106 via an actuator spoke 1 12. An end of the actuator spoke 1 12, after passing through the hole at the bottom of the actuator holder 104, is connected to the slotted block 106 via a pin. Accordingly, when the actuator is actuated by the control unit, the actuator spoke moves and the slotted block 106 also moves along with the actuator spoke 1 12.

[0020] In an example implementation, the footrest positioning apparatus 100 may comprise a curved rail 1 14 affixed to the frame 102. The curved rail 1 14 may be affixed to the frame 102 using the bolts. The curved rail 1 14 may comprise a guide slot 1 16 along a length of the curved rail. The footrest 1 10 of the vehicle may be connected to the curved rail 1 14 via a connecting slot 108 formed in the slotted block 106 such that the footrest 1 10 is slidable along the guide slot 116 of the curved rail 1 14 with respect to a movement of the slotted block 106. In an example, the slotted block 106 may be aligned with the chassis of the vehicle through the curved rail 1 14 at a position and the footrest 1 10 may be mounted to the slotted block 106 at said position such that the footrest 1 10 passes through the slotted block 106 and the curved rail 1 14. The guide slot 1 16 of the curved rail 1 14 defines a path that the footrest 110 will follow to change its position prevents the footrest 1 10 from deviating from the intended path. The path comprises both a linear path and a curved path. Thus, the footrest 1 10 performs both translational and curvilinear motion along the guide slot 1 16. The footrest 1 10 performs translational motion for a short distance along the linear path before traveling along the curved path. Therefore, while theactuator is able to handle both motions independently, the footrest 1 10 is unable to move in a single linear axis independently.

[0021] The footrest positioning apparatus 100 may also comprise a hall sensor to determine a current position of the footrest 110. In an example, the hall sensor may be attached to the chassis of the vehicle at a point along the curved rail 1 14. In another example, the hall sensor may also be connected to the curved rail 1 14. The control unit may also receive an input comprising the current position of the footrest 1 10. Based on the determination of the change in mode of driving and the current position of the footrest 1 10 as received from the hall sensor, the control unit may determine a final position of the footrest 110 with respect to the chassis of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to determine the energy to be supplied to the actuator to allow the footrest 110 to travel through the curved rail 114 to reach to the final position. In response to the change in mode of driving, the control unit may actuate the actuator with the required energy. The actuator spoke may accordingly move the slotted block 106 which in turn cause the footrest 1 10 to perform both performs both translational and curvilinear motion along the guide slot 1 16 of the curved rail 1 14.

[0022] Introducing a curved motion of the footrest 1 10 offers significant advantages over linear motion, providing riders with a superior riding position, increased adaptability for riders of different height, and improved control over the vehicle. An optimal riding position for enhanced comfort during the ride is provided through the apparatus, as curved motion of the footrest allows riders to position their feet more naturally, promoting a more relaxed and comfortable riding posture. The curvature of the footrest mimics the arch of the foot, reducing strain on the ankles and knees during long rides. This optimal riding position helps minimize fatigue and discomfort, enhancing rider endurance.

[0023] Further, riders of different heights can be accommodated as with a curved motion of the footrest 1 10, the adjustability range is expanded,enabling the riders to customize the footrest position that complements their body proportions. Moreover, a curved motion of the footrest 1 10 allows riders to make smoother weight shifts during turns and manoeuvres. The natural positioning of the feet on the curved footrest enhances the rider's balance and control over the vehicle. As a result, riders can confidently navigate corners and varying road conditions, leading to improved safety and reduced risks of accidents.

[0024] Figure 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a top view, a side view and a front view, respectively, of the footrest positioning apparatus 100, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0025] Although implementations of a footrest positioning apparatus 100 for a two wheeled vehicle are described, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the apparatus described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the footrest positioning apparatus 100.

Claims

I / We Claim:1 . A footrest positioning apparatus'! 00 for a two-wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprises: a control unit to determine a change in mode of driving of the two-wheeled vehicle; a curved rail 114 affixed to a frame 102 connected to a chassis of the vehicle, the curved rail 114 comprising a guide slot 116 along a length of the curved rail 114; and an actuator to be actuated to change a position of a footrest 110 of the vehicle, the actuator being mounted on the frame 102 and connected to a slotted block 106, wherein the slotted block 106 moves in response to an actuation of the actuator, the actuator configured to be actuated by the control unit based on the determination of the change in mode of driving, wherein the footrest 110 is connected to the curved rail 114 via a connecting slot 108 formed in the slotted block 106 such that the footrest 110 is slidable along the guide slot 116 of the curved rail 114 with respect to a movement of the slotted block 106.

2. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mode of driving comprises at least two modes including a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being a city-drive mode and the second mode being a sports mode.

3. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator.

4. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the actuator is connected to the slotted block 106 via a connecting pin.

5. The apparatus 100 as claimed in in claim 1 , wherein slotted block 106 is aligned with the chassis of the vehicle through the curved rail 1 14 at a position and the footrest 1 10 is mounted to the slotted block 106 at said position such that the footrest 1 10 passes through the slotted block 106 and the curved rail 1 14.

6. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus 100 comprises a hall sensor coupled to the control unit and the hall sensor is to provide an input comprising a current position of the footrest 1 10 to the control unit.

7. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit is to: determine a final position of the footrest 100 based on the input received from the hall sensor and the determination of change in mode of driving; and to actuate the actuator to enable the footrest 110 to move to the final position.

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