Brake Pedal Spacer Layout for Offset Support Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle securing arrangements require structurally stable and material-intensive brake device and pedal bracket support structures due to their longitudinal offset, necessitating thick sheets to absorb actuation forces reliably.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle securing arrangement with a spacer that bridges the longitudinal offset between the brake device and pedal bracket support structures, acting as a rigid tension anchor during normal driving and a deformation element during crashes, reducing load on the support structures and allowing for thinner materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the brake device support structure and pedal bracket support structure are spaced apart by a longitudinal offset, then the braking device can be arranged on the front side of the bulkhead and the pedal bracket on the rear side, but the support structures must be structurally stable and material-intensive with large sheet thickness to absorb actuation forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element between the brake device support structure and the pedal bracket support structure. This spacer bridges the longitudinal offset and provides a force transmission path, allowing the support structures to be made from thinner sheets while maintaining structural integrity and absorbing actuation forces effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brake device support structure and pedal bracket support structure are spaced apart by a longitudinal offset, then the braking device can be arranged on the front side of the bulkhead and the pedal bracket on the rear side, but the support structures must be structurally stable and material-intensive with large sheet thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer acts as a mediator that maintains the longitudinal offset arrangement while providing sufficient structural stability. It transmits forces between the brake device and pedal bracket, eliminating the need for overly thick support structures to maintain strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the structural stability issue by introducing a third dimension - the spacer extends in the longitudinal direction to bridge the offset between support structures. This dimensional approach allows force transmission without requiring increased thickness in the plane of the support structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid spacer is used to bridge the longitudinal offset, then the load on support structures is reduced allowing thinner materials, but the spacer may block or displace towards the vehicle interior during frontal crash
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to change behavior under different loading conditions. During normal operation, it acts as a rigid tension anchor providing stable force transmission. During frontal crash, it yields under compressive load through controlled deformation, preventing blocking and reducing crash damage to the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer's mechanical properties are designed to change based on the applied load. Under tensile load during braking, it maintains rigidity for precise force transmission. Under compressive load during crash, it transitions to a deformable state, absorbing energy and preventing harmful displacement towards the vehicle interior.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer provides a structurally simple and efficient connection by absorbing crash energy while maintaining reliable force transmission during normal operation and minimizing interior displacement during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
it can act as a deformation element that can be deformed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a frontal crash and that dissipates crash energy while deforming
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle securing arrangement, with a brake pedal which is articulated on a pedal bracket and which is connected to a braking device in a force-transmitting manner via an actuating rod. The braking device is arranged on a front side, relative to the vehicle, of a braking device support structure and the pedal bracket is arranged on a rear side, relative to the vehicle, of a pedal bracket support structure which is spaced from the braking device support structure by a longitudinal offset. The securing arrangement has at least one spacer which bridges the longitudinal offset between the brake device support structure and the pedal bracket support structure. The spacer is connected to a front joint, relative to the vehicle on the braking device, and to a rear joint, relative to the vehicle on the pedal bracket.