Pedal Assembly Shear Tab and Crush Block Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a front-end crash, the momentum of the vehicle forces the driver's leg and heel into the pedal pad with great force, necessitating a pedal assembly that can effectively absorb this forward momentum to reduce the impact felt by the driver.
Innovation Solution
A pedal assembly with a pedal arm, slider bracket, crush block, and absorption block, where the slider breaks shear tabs to allow the pedal arm to rotate, and the crush block slides forward to crush the honeycomb-like absorption block, reducing the force applied to the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pedal assembly uses a rigid fixed connection to ensure structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the crash impact force transmitted to the driver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed rigid connection into a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. The pedal arm can rotate about the hinge axis, the crush block can translate forward, and the absorption block can deform. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt to crash conditions by activating shock absorption mechanisms only when needed, while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption block is pre-positioned between the crush block and the pedal arm to provide cushioning before impact occurs. During normal operation, it remains in place maintaining structural strength. Upon crash impact, it deforms to absorb energy before the force reaches the driver, implementing prior cushioning against the harmful crash force.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pedal assembly allows pedal arm rotation to reduce impact, then the crash absorption is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is segmented into multiple independent components: the pedal arm, hinge mechanism, crush block, and absorption block. Each segment can move or deform independently during crash absorption, allowing the system to dissipate energy through multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining overall structural stability through the interconnected design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical parameters dynamically. During normal operation, the structure maintains rigid parameters for stability. During crash, the absorption block changes its compression parameter and the crush block changes its position parameter, allowing energy absorption while the hinge maintains rotational stability throughout the process.
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 pedal assembly effectively absorbs the forward force during a crash by deforming the energy-absorbing absorption block, allowing the pedal arm to return to an idle position and reducing the impact on the driver, thereby enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
the crush block slides in a forward direction towards the absorption block thereby crushing the absorption block and reducing the force as felt by the driver of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal assembly having crash absorption features. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm having a lower end. A slider bracket is provided connected to the rear surface of the pedal arm. A slider mounted within the slider bracket is connected to a housing of the pedal assembly. The slider bracket includes at least one shear tab breakable by the slider. A crush block is provided mounted within the housing of the pedal assembly. The crush block is further connected to the pedal arm. An absorption block is provided mounted adjacent to and forward of the crush block. In the event of a front end crash, a forward force is applied on the pedal pad. As this happens, the slider moves downwards within the slider bracket thereby breaking the shear tabs and allowing further rotation of the pedal arm.