Adjustable Pedal Mechanism Maintaining Constant Brake Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle pedal assemblies lack the ability to adjust their position while maintaining a constant geometric ratio, making it difficult for drivers of varying sizes to easily access and operate pedals such as the brake pedal without altering the pedal's operational trajectory and ratio.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pedal assembly that includes an activation link, a link member, and an adjustable slide pin, allowing the pedal arm to move between positions while maintaining a constant ratio between the pivot axis and the pedal plate and the booster receiver, achieved through a pivot member and link configuration with slots for the slide pin to adjust its position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pedal arm and pad are adjusted between positions to accommodate different driver sizes, then the accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but the geometric ratio between the levers is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the pedal arm can be positioned at multiple locations along an arcuate trajectory. The ratio maintenance mechanism dynamically adjusts the linkage geometry to preserve the brake ratio regardless of the pedal's position, allowing the system to adapt while maintaining functional consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the linkage mechanism based on the pedal position. As the pedal arm moves between positions, the linkage mechanism automatically adjusts other parameters (linkage lengths, angles) to compensate and maintain the constant brake ratio, ensuring operational consistency across different driver sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal assembly is made adjustable for different driver sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly integrates multiple functions into a single mechanism: the adjustment mechanism serves both to reposition the pedal for different drivers and to maintain the correct brake ratio. The ratio maintenance mechanism works automatically across all positions, eliminating the need for separate adjustment procedures or multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal arm is divided into multiple positionable segments or adjustment points along its length. The linkage mechanism is segmented into adjustable components that can be configured at different positions while maintaining the overall geometric relationship, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through modular, manageable parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is an adjustable pedal assembly for a vehicle for operating a push rod of a brake system, for example. The assembly includes an activation link connected via a pivot member to an elongated lever structure of the pedal arm, a link member for connection to the push rod to activate the brake system that is operatively connected to the activation link, and an adjustable slide pin for moving a pivot axis of the elongated lever structure between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. The pedal arm and pedal plate are thus moved between a first position and a second position, while maintaining a substantially constant ratio between each of the positions.