Vehicle Pedal Device Collision Stability Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle brake pedal devices are prone to moving rearward toward the driver during collisions due to uneven deformation of the dash panel and instrument panel, leading to potential brake pedal misalignment and instability, especially when lateral forces are involved in the collision.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle pedal device with a pedal bracket fixed to the dash panel and a lever bracket, where the pedal bracket and lever bracket are secured with a predetermined holding force, allowing for downward movement of the pedal bracket relative to the lever bracket during collisions, ensuring the brake pedal is securely suppressed from moving toward the driver, regardless of the collision force direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the pedal bracket is fixed to the dash panel with strong mounting, then the brake pedal stability is improved, but the pedal bracket cannot move downward to suppress rearward movement during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake pedal stabilityVSAvoidpedal bracket movement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means is designed with a holding force that can be overcome during collision, allowing the pedal bracket to move downward from its fixed position. This dynamic design enables the system to transition from a stable fixed state to a protective moved state when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding force of the fixing means is specifically designed to be sufficient for normal operation but breakable under collision forces. This parameter change allows the system to maintain stability during normal use while enabling protective movement during collision, addressing both requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pedal bracket is allowed to move downward during collision, then the brake pedal is suppressed from moving toward the driver, but the mounting strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrake pedal rearward movementVSAvoidmounting strength of pedal bracket

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means is pre-designed with a specific holding force that can be overcome during collision. This preliminary design ensures that when collision occurs, the pedal bracket can move downward to suppress the brake pedal from moving toward the driver, while maintaining sufficient mounting strength during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a controlled weakness in the fixing means that allows for predetermined movement during collision. This beforehand design cushions the impact by allowing the pedal bracket to move downward, preventing more severe damage to the brake pedal and driver

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the dash panel and instrument panel are fixed independently, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the uneven deformation causes brake pedal misalignment during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent panel fixationVSAvoidbrake pedal alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal bracket serves as an intermediary component that connects to both the dash panel and the brake pedal. Its ability to move downward relative to the dash panel compensates for uneven deformation between independently fixed panels, maintaining brake pedal alignment during collision while allowing independent manufacturing of panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9981638B2Vehicle pedal device

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The vehicle pedal device includes a pedal bracket fixed to a dash panel, a pedal, a lever bracket fixed to the dash panel, fixing means fixing the pedal bracket and the lever bracket with a predetermined holding force for fixed state, a rotating lever, a reinforcement for instrument panel, a lever rotator which is fixed to the reinforcement for instrument panel, and bracket deforming means fixed to the reinforcement for instrument panel. The bracket deforming means contacts with the pedal bracket to deform the pedal bracket downward when the pedal bracket moves rearward together with the dash panel. The rotating lever comprises a press portion which can press the fixing means or the pedal bracket downward with a force exceeding the holding force for fixed state when the rotating lever is rotated by the lever rotator.