Accelerator Pedal Bracket Deformation for Crash Foot Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle collision accidents, the high G-force exerted on the accelerator pedal can cause severe injuries to the driver due to insufficient absorption of the impact force, and the pedal may break into loose pieces, leading to further harm.
Innovation Solution
An accelerator pedal assembly with a deformation element on a protruding surface that lifts the pedal by a predefined height during a crash, featuring recesses, slits, or a resilient element to absorb the initial pulse and minimize damage, along with retention elements that allow lateral movement or twisting to reduce force on the foot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the accelerator pedal is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the pedal can support normal driving forces, but the pedal cannot absorb collision force and may break into loose pieces causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal bracket is divided into multiple sections with through-holes and retention elements, allowing controlled movement segments that can absorb impact forces while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention elements are designed to transition from a rigid holding state during normal operation to a movable state during collision, allowing the bracket to dynamically adapt its stiffness to absorb impact forces
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pedal bracket is made completely rigid to prevent deformation, then the pedal assembly maintains stability, but the high collision force cannot be absorbed and is transmitted directly to the driver's foot
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design allows it to maintain rigid stability during normal driving conditions through fixed retention elements, but transitions to a dynamic state during collision where the retention elements allow controlled movement to absorb impact forces
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is segmented into multiple sections connected by retention elements, enabling different parts to move independently during collision to absorb energy while maintaining overall structural coherence
3Ease of operation
If through-holes are added to the bracket for mounting purposes, then the pedal can be secured to the vehicle, but the bracket becomes weaker and more prone to breaking during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes are integrated as part of a segmented retention element system that divides the bracket into movable sections, transforming potential weakness points into controlled movement zones that absorb collision forces
Solution Approach 2:
The retention elements at the through-holes are designed to be rigid during normal operation for secure mounting, but become movable during collision to allow bracket sections to shift and absorb impact forces
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 deformation element absorbs the high initial collision force, reducing the risk of injury and preventing the pedal from breaking into loose parts, thereby minimizing foot trauma and maintaining pedal integrity during a crash.
Implementation Method 1
The deformation element is arranged in a deformation zone on the protruding surface and configured to be deformed during the crash and to lift the accelerator pedal up by a predefined height
Implementation Method 2
the deformation element may be a resilient element that may be designed to lift the accelerator pedal up by means of the spring force of the resilient element during the crash
Implementation Method 3
The at least one sliding slot may be configured to allow the at least one fixing element sliding from the at least one through hole into the at least one sliding slot during the crash
Implementation Method 4
The at least one retention element may further comprise at least one pivot element, which may be configured to pivot about the at least one through hole by the predefined angle during the crash
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an accelerator pedal bracket assembly (100) for a vehicle (10) for protecting a driver (50) during a crash, an accelerating pedal assembly (200) for a vehicle, a vehicle comprising an accelerator pedal bracket assembly, the use of an accelerator pedal bracket assembly for a vehicle and a method for protecting a driver (50) during a crash for a vehicle by means of an accelerator pedal bracket assembly (100). The accelerator pedal bracket assembly (100) comprises a first bracket portion (110) with a deformation element (111) and a protruding surface (115) that is configured to support an accelerator pedal (210). The deformation element (111) is arranged in a deformation zone (111a) on the protruding surface (115) and configured to be deformed during the crash and lift the accelerator pedal (210) up by a predefined height.