Vehicle Pedal Return Spring Rattling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle pedal devices, the pivot shaft and hole interface can lead to rattling over time due to wear, complicating the structure and increasing costs when trying to prevent this issue.
Innovation Solution
A pedal device design featuring a return spring with a tensile force that biases a first link to its standard position, utilizing a second and third link to create a moment that keeps the pivot shaft pressed against the hole surface, preventing rattling without additional structural complexity or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressing device is provided to press the pivot shaft against the hole wall surface to prevent rattling, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is designed to perform dual functions: (1) biasing the link toward the standard position by generating a moment about the first axis, and (2) pressing the pivot shaft against the hole wall surface to prevent rattling. This is achieved by connecting the second end of the return spring to the second link at a position spaced from the second axis, creating a moment component that acts on the pivot shaft. By making the return spring multi-functional, no additional pressing device is needed, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding increased complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the return spring with the function of a pressing device. The return spring's tensile force is transmitted through the second link to press the pivot shaft against the hole wall surface. This combining of functions eliminates the need for a separate pressing mechanism, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device complexity increase.
2Reliability
If a pressing device is provided to press the pivot shaft against the hole wall surface to prevent rattling, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring is designed to perform dual functions: (1) biasing the link toward the standard position by generating a moment about the first axis, and (2) pressing the pivot shaft against the hole wall surface to prevent rattling. This is achieved by connecting the second end of the return spring to the second link at a position spaced from the second axis, creating a moment component that acts on the pivot shaft. By making the return spring multi-functional, no additional pressing device is needed, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding increased complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring serves itself by using its own tensile force to perform both its primary function (biasing the link) and the secondary function (pressing the pivot shaft). The system uses existing components and forces rather than requiring additional dedicated mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the pivot shaft is allowed to rotate freely in the hole, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to wear and clearance increase over time
Solution Approach 1:
The solution dynamically balances freedom of movement with stability. The pivot shaft is allowed to rotate freely for smooth operation, but the return spring continuously applies a pressing force to maintain contact between the pivot shaft and hole wall surface. This dynamic interaction ensures the pivot shaft can pivot smoothly while preventing excessive clearance and rattling that would occur with complete freedom of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring applies a preliminary pressing force to the pivot shaft before wear-induced clearance becomes problematic. By continuously maintaining contact between the pivot shaft and hole wall surface, the system prevents the development of excessive clearance and rattling, countering the natural tendency toward wear and looseness over time.
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 design effectively prevents rattling of the pedal device over long periods by using the return spring's tensile force to maintain the pivot shaft in contact with the hole surface, eliminating the need for additional anti-rattling mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The return spring is a spring that generates a tensile force by being elastically extended as compared with a free state
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal device for a vehicle includes a first link that is pivotally supported at one end and receives a pedaling force of a driver, a return spring that biases the first link toward a standard position, a second link supported so as to be pivotable in a direction opposite to that of the first link, and a third link transmitting force and displacement between the first and second links. The return spring has a first and second ends connected to the first and second links, respectively, A moment in which a tensile force of the return spring pivots the first link toward the standard position is greater than a moment in which the tensile force of the return spring pivots the first link away from the standard position via the first end.