Remotely Actuated Vehicle Foot Rest with Biasing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-driven vehicle foot rests are either fixed, posing a tripping hazard when not in use, or require manual deployment, which is inconvenient and may cause injury during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A remotely actuable foot rest system that includes a pivotable foot rest member attached to the vehicle frame via a biasing member, with a remotely located actuator that can deploy or retract the foot rest using a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical retention mechanism, controlled by sensors and vehicle controllers to determine passenger presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed passenger foot rests are used, then the passenger has continuous foot support availability, but the foot rest presents a tripping hazard or causes injury when the vehicle is operated alone
Solution Approach 1:
The foot rest is designed to be pivotable between a deployed position (providing support) and a retracted position (eliminating hazard). The system dynamically adjusts the foot rest position based on operational needs, transitioning from a static fixed structure to a movable conditional structure that adapts to different usage scenarios
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pivotable foot rests are used, then the tripping hazard is reduced, but manual deployment requires hand or toe manipulation that may cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect passenger presence and controller signals to autonomously deploy or retract the foot rest without requiring manual manipulation. The actuator system performs the deployment action automatically based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for hand or toe manipulation that could cause injury
3Ease of operation
If remote actuation is implemented, then deployment safety and convenience are improved, but the device complexity increases with actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated actuator mechanism controlled by electronic sensors and controllers. This substitution of manual operation with automated control systems achieves remote actuation capability, allowing deployment without direct physical contact while managing the complexity through integrated control architecture
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
Enables safe and convenient deployment and retraction of foot rests, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing user experience by allowing the operator to control foot rest position remotely, improving safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member such as a spring or torsion rod may be used to bias the foot rest toward the stored position
Data Source
AI summary
An actuatable foot rest system includes a foot rest member pivotably displaceable between a first position to a second position. The actuatable foot rest system may also include a biasing member that biases the foot rest member about the at least one pivotable connection, at least from the first position to the second position. The actuatable foot rest system may further include a remotely actuated retention mechanism that includes an actuator disposed remote from the foot rest member and which maintains the foot rest member in the first position and, when remotely actuated using the actuator, releases the foot rest member from the first position.