Lorry Cab Pedal Support with Forward Protective Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pedal support designs for lorry cabs expose brake and clutch control elements to damage during collisions, leading to potential loss of braking capacity and control, especially in frontal impacts, posing safety hazards in accidents.
Innovation Solution
The pedal support incorporates protective walls that project forward to deflect incoming objects and ribbing for added stiffness, specifically designed to shield the control elements from damage during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the brake and clutch control elements are mounted on the front side of the pedal support for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to exposure to collision damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control elements are nested within a protective housing structure that forms an integrated assembly. The pedal support is positioned within the cab interior while the housing extends forward to shield the mounted control elements, creating a nested configuration where the protective structure encompasses the vulnerable components.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective housing structure acts as an intermediary element between the control elements and external collision forces. This housing absorbs and deflects impact forces before they reach the vulnerable brake and clutch control elements, mediating the interaction between external threats and internal components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a removable sheet-metal cover is used in the front part of the lorry, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength deteriorates as it does not offer sufficient protection during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure employs a composite construction combining a rigid outer housing with integrated protective features. The housing incorporates stiffening elements and is designed to withstand impact forces, creating a composite structure that provides both structural integrity and collision protection beyond what a simple sheet-metal cover could achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing is designed with built-in cushioning and energy-absorbing features that prepare the structure to withstand collision forces before impact occurs. The housing geometry and material selection are optimized to absorb and distribute impact energy, providing beforehand cushioning against collision damage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Pedal support for the cab of a lorry, with mounting positions for a brake pedal (14) and at least part of the brake and/or clutch control elements (16), in particular for a service brake valve and the connections of its pneumatic pipes, characterised in that protective walls (18 and 20) are provided that project in the direction of travel on the front side in the direction of travel.