Accelerator Pedal Link Structure for Smooth Front-Rear Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle pedal structures, particularly those using wires as link members, suffer from time lag and reduced operability due to lower rigidity, and are prone to deterioration when foreign substances interfere, affecting the smooth operation of pedals like the accelerator and brake pedals.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle pedal structure with a pedal that swings about a swing shaft inclined to the width direction, utilizing a mechanical link mechanism comprising pairs of swings and rods with restricted sliding ends, which reduces width-direction displacement and disperses stress, preventing deformation and irregular sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wire is used as a link member to convert pedal swinging into sliding motion, then the pedal can be arranged with high flexibility and the operator can place their foot in a comfortable posture, but the rigidity is low causing time lag and deterioration in operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wire-based flexible link mechanism with a rigid rod-based mechanical link mechanism. The rod is connected to the pedal and the sliding mechanism through pivot joints, forming a rigid mechanical linkage that directly transmits the pedal's swinging motion to the sliding motion without the flexibility and time lag problems of wire-based systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wire is used as the link member, then the arrangement flexibility is high, but foreign substances can enter between the wire and tubular member causing the wire to move unsmoothly and operability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wire and tubular member arrangement with a rigid rod connected through pivot joints. This rigid mechanical linkage eliminates the gap between link members that allows foreign substance entry, ensuring reliable and smooth operation without the vulnerability to contamination inherent in wire-based flexible linkages.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pedal swings about a swing shaft along the width direction, then the pedal moves only in the front-rear direction, but the accelerator pedal is stepped on while being laterally displaced with respect to the foot of the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric offset between the swing shaft position and the pedal center. The swing shaft is positioned offset from the pedal center in the width direction, which allows the pedal to swing about the shaft while the pedal body moves in an arc that includes both front-rear and width-direction components. This asymmetric arrangement enables the pedal to follow the natural arc of the operator's foot movement, reducing lateral displacement and improving comfort.
4Ease of operation
If the swing shaft is inclined with respect to the width direction, then the operability is improved, but the displacement in the width direction occurs requiring conversion to sliding motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rigid rod-based mechanical link mechanism that converts the pedal's swinging motion (including width-direction displacement) into pure sliding motion in the front-rear direction. The rod is connected to the pedal at one end and to a sliding component at the other end, which moves along guide rails. This mechanical substitution transforms the complex arc-shaped trajectory into linear sliding motion, maintaining the benefits of the inclined swing shaft while eliminating unwanted width-direction displacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle pedal structure includes an accelerator pedal swingable about a swing shaft inclined with respect to a width direction in a top view of a traveling vehicle, and a mechanical link to convert swinging of the accelerator pedal into sliding in a front-rear direction. The link includes a first link structure and a second link structure that include first and second swings and first and second rods. Each of a first end and a second end of the second rod is restricted from sliding along an entering-exiting direction. In the link structures, in the top view, a second angle of a second swing shaft with respect to the width direction is smaller than a first angle of a first swing shaft with respect to the width direction.