Protective Cover for Vehicle Foot Stop Height and Braking Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing braking system designs, where the transverse idler bar is unprotected and prone to interference from front passenger feet, lead to potential braking disturbances, and attempts to address this with protective covers either compromise the foot stop zone's height or comfort and soundproofing.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover with a recessed design that increases the foot stop height without altering the footrest inclination or significantly reducing soundproofing thickness, by incorporating a second part of the foot stop that extends upwards from the cover's lower part, ensuring compliance with safety recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cover is added to cover the transverse return bar and braking control means, then the reliability of the braking system is improved by preventing foot interference, but the height of the foot stop zone is reduced which compromises safety recommendations
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into two distinct parts: a first part that covers the braking control means and a second part that covers the transverse return bar. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the first part can be designed to maintain foot stop zone height while the second part provides protection without interfering with safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is integrated into the existing foot stop zone structure, with the cover's parts nested within or adjacent to the foot stop components. The first part of the cover is positioned within the foot stop zone area, while the second part extends outward to protect the return bar, creating a nested arrangement that provides protection without compromising the vertical height requirement of the foot stop zone.
2Length of moving object
If the thickness of the soundproofing coating is reduced to lower the foot cellar level, then the foot stop zone height can be maintained, but the soundproofing performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the height adjustment function from the soundproofing function. The protective cover provides the necessary height adjustment through its structural design, while the soundproofing coating maintains its full thickness to preserve acoustic performance. This segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied independently without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the conflicting requirements of foot stop zone height and soundproofing thickness. Instead of reducing soundproofing material, the cover provides the necessary height adjustment, allowing the soundproofing coating to retain its full thickness and effectiveness.
3Length of moving object
If the inclination of the footrest is reduced to maintain foot stop zone height, then safety recommendations can be met, but the comfort of the front passenger is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The foot stop zone is segmented into functional components: the inclined footrest surface for comfort and the vertical foot stop barrier for safety. The protective cover's first part reinforces the vertical barrier height while the footrest maintains its optimal inclination angle, allowing each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the foot stop zone have different geometric qualities optimized for their specific functions. The footrest area maintains a gentle inclination for passenger comfort, while the foot stop barrier provides a vertical or near-vertical surface at the required height to prevent foot movement during impact. The protective cover preserves this local quality differentiation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A device (D) is dedicated to the protection of a transverse return bar (BR) and braking control means (MCF) coupled together and belonging to a vehicle braking system, the braking control means (MCF) being positioned above a step (MS) in the passenger compartment of the vehicle which extends an inclined riser (CM) towards the front, defining a first portion (BP1) of a foot stop. This device (D) comprises a cover (CP1, CP2) covering at least part of the braking control means (MCF) and the return bar (BR) and rigidly connected to the braking control means (MCF), and comprising a lower portion (PIC1, PIC2) provided with a reinforcement (RF) comprising a bottom portion (PIC2) forming a second portion (BP2) of the foot stop which upwardly extends the first portion (BP1).