Vehicle Footrest Impact Deflection Member With Density Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
During off-center impact tests, conventional vehicle footrests fail to effectively deflect the driver's left foot from impact, leading to potential injury and excessive wear on the clutch pedal due to the lack of adequate impact absorption and guidance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle footrest impact deflection member comprising a first non-collapsible portion with a higher density and a second collapsible portion with a lower density, designed to guide the driver's foot inboard during impacts, with the collapsible portion constructed from energy-absorbing materials like foam to absorb and distribute the impact load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional solid footrest plate is used, then structural support is provided, but impact energy is not effectively absorbed during off-center impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a solid footrest plate to a cellular foam structure with varying density. The foam material's cell structure allows it to compress and absorb impact energy while maintaining structural support. The density gradient (different densities in different zones) optimizes both energy absorption and structural integrity under impact loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the cellular foam structure with potentially different materials of varying densities in different zones. This composite approach allows the footrest to simultaneously provide structural support through denser regions and absorb impact energy through less dense regions, resolving the contradiction between strength and energy absorption.
2Loss of energy
If a dense foam material is used throughout the footrest, then structural integrity is maintained, but impact absorption capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones of different foam densities within the footrest structure. Less dense foam regions are positioned to absorb impact energy, while denser foam regions provide structural integrity. This spatial variation in material density allows each local region to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the density parameter of the foam material across different zones of the footrest. By varying the density parameter locally rather than using a uniform density throughout, the footrest achieves both impact absorption in less dense regions and structural integrity in denser regions.
3Loss of energy
If the entire footrest is made collapsible, then impact absorption is maximized, but structural support is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the footrest into different functional zones with different density characteristics. Rather than making the entire footrest collapsible, only specific zones with lower density are designed to compress during impact, while denser zones maintain structural support. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of impact absorption and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the footrest different density properties. The collapsible, lower-density regions are localized to specific areas that benefit from compression during impact, while higher-density regions are positioned where structural support is critical, preventing overall structural compromise.
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 solution effectively deflects the driver's foot away from the impact zone, reducing the risk of injury and clutch pedal wear by guiding the foot towards the accelerator pedal during off-center collisions, while maintaining structural integrity and absorbing impact loads efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The second portion includes a collapsible part having a second overall density that is less dense than the first overall density of the non-collapsible part
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle footrest impact deflection member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be disposed outboard of a vehicle trim panel. The first portion includes a non-collapsible part having a first overall density. The second portion extends inboard from the first portion. The second portion includes a collapsible part having a second overall density that is less dense than the first overall density of the non-collapsible part.