U-Shaped Backhoe Pedal Guard for Accidental Tool Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy equipment machinery, such as backhoes, poses a safety risk due to openly exposed foot pedals that can be inadvertently engaged, leading to accidents and injuries when tools fall onto them.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped pedal guard with parallel inner and outer plates and a front cross member that encloses the foot pedals, allowing operator access from the rear while preventing accidental engagement, and can be securely attached to the machine using brackets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If foot pedals are openly exposed on the floorboard, then operator access to pedals is easy and quick, but tools can fall onto pedals causing inadvertent engagement and safety accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator access to pedalsVSAvoidtools falling onto pedals

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pedal guard structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the tool (harmful object) and the foot pedal. The guard includes a front cross member plate and side plates that form a protective barrier, allowing the operator to access and operate the pedal while preventing tools from reaching and inadvertently engaging it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a protective guard is added over the foot pedals, then inadvertent engagement is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex and access may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inadvertent pedal engagementVSAvoidpedal guard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal guard is segmented into distinct components: a front cross member plate and side plates (inner and outer plates). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific protective function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the pedal itself complex or adding intricate safety mechanisms to the pedal, the solution inverts the approach by adding a simple protective barrier (guard) around it. The guard's straightforward U-shaped structure provides protection without complicating the pedal's original simple design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a U-shaped pedal guard with cross members is installed, then tool-induced accidental activation is prevented, but the guard must be securely attached requiring additional mounting hardware and welding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against tool-induced activationVSAvoidinstallation of pedal guard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal guard design incorporates multiple attachment methods that can be universally applied to different backhoe models and configurations. The guard can be securely attached using welding, mounting hardware, or a combination thereof, providing flexibility in installation while ensuring reliable protection across various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10955870B2Backhoe pedal guards

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 SCHERN MIKE

AI summary

Disclosed are backhoe pedal guards for covering and protecting the foot pedals of heavy equipment machinery, including backhoes. The backhoe pedal guards are made of steel plate material, or other suitable material. They are configured for installation on or near the floorboard, partially enclosing and protecting the foot pedals, while allowing uninhibited access to the foot pedals by an operator. The backhoe pedal guards act as a safety device to prevent inadvertent engagement of a foot pedal, such as by dropping a tool onto the pedal. In an embodiment, a pair of backhoe pedal guards may be a unitary body connected by a front cross member.