Kart Pedal Assembly with Return Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing karts lack efficient and user-friendly mechanisms for adjusting the pedal assembly to accommodate drivers of different sizes, requiring external assistance and resulting in time-consuming adjustments and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A kart design featuring a pedal assembly that slides along a beam integral with the chassis, with return means that automatically recall the pedals to a reduced distance from the seat, allowing easy adjustment by the driver and incorporating damping and locking mechanisms for safety and ergonomic comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal assembly is mounted on a sliding assembly with discrete positions, then the pedal position can be adjusted to accommodate different driver sizes, but the adjustment process becomes tedious and requires intervention of a third party
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is equipped with a release lever that allows the driver to independently unlock and reposition the pedals without assistance from track operators. The driver can manually operate the release mechanism to move the pedals forward or backward along the beam and secure them at the desired position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position along the beam. The sliding mechanism with release lever enables the pedals to move freely between multiple positions, allowing adaptation to different driver leg lengths and preferences.
2Device complexity
If the pedal assembly is made fixed at a compromise position, then the structure is simple, but it is ill-suited to most users with different leg sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is designed with sliding capability along the beam, transforming it from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. This allows the same simple mechanical design to serve multiple driver sizes by enabling position changes without complicating the overall assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a small user succeeds a larger user, the user must exert traction on the pedals to bring it closer to the seat, but this is difficult or impossible without outside help
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever mechanism allows any driver regardless of size to easily unlock the pedals and reposition them without needing to exert significant traction force or receive assistance. The mechanical release system eliminates the need for manual pulling or pushing of the heavy pedal assembly.
4Device complexity
If the pedal assembly slides along the beam with friction, then the structure is simple, but significant tensile force is required to move the pedals
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever mechanism bypasses the friction problem by providing a mechanical means to overcome the friction between the sliding surfaces. When the release lever is activated, it disengages the locking feature, allowing the pedals to move freely along the beam without requiring significant applied force.
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
Significantly reduces the time and effort required for pedal adjustments, enhances driver safety by preventing sudden impacts, and allows drivers to easily adapt the kart to their size without external help, improving overall comfort and reducing operational costs for rental karts.
Implementation Method 1
return means associated with said pedal assembly, capable of recalling said pedal assembly into a position of reduced distance from said seat
Implementation Method 2
return means are associated with damping means capable of slowing down said pedal assembly at the end of its travel when it returns to said reduced distance position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a kart comprising a chassis, a seat and a pedal assembly including a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal, said pedal assembly being slidably mounted on a beam solidly connected to the chassis, such that the distance between the pedal assembly and the seat can be adjusted. According to the invention, such a kart comprises return means associated with the pedal assembly, which can return the pedal assembly to a position at a reduced distance from the seat.