X-Shaped Pedal Separator for Oblique Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pedal anti-pushing structures fail to ensure driver safety in oblique collisions, as they are not designed to effectively resist diagonal pushes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and weight, and difficulty in meeting severe collision regulations.
Innovation Solution
An impact separation type pedal design featuring a pair of X-shaped brackets with a hinge and cover bracket, secured by a fixing pin, which allows for deformation and separation during collisions, reducing the risk of the pedal being pushed towards the driver, and incorporating a ball-end hinge for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pedal stopper type pedal is used to prevent backward pushing, then safety in offset collision is improved, but the stopper lacks sufficient rigidity to resist oblique collision pushes
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal structure is divided into multiple components: a pedal arm, a pedal separator with left and right brackets forming an X-shape, and a cover bracket. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions - the X-shaped brackets provide structural rigidity for oblique collision resistance, while the pedal separator enables controlled separation during impact to prevent driver injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic response mechanism where the pedal separator can rotate and separate under collision force. The ball-end hinge connection allows the pedal arm to rotate relative to the pedal separator, and the welding connections are designed to separate controllably during impact, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic system that adapts to collision conditions.
2Reliability
If a backward rotation type pedal with backward rotation lever is used, then safety in offset collision is improved, but the lever cannot be rotated during oblique collision
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-end hinge connection between the pedal arm and pedal separator creates a dynamic joint that allows rotation in multiple directions. Unlike a fixed backward rotation lever, this spherical hinge enables the pedal arm to rotate freely when collision force is applied, providing adaptability to oblique collision scenarios while maintaining safety functionality.
3Strength
If a pedal stopper with substantial strength is used to resist oblique collision, then collision resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system is segmented into the pedal arm, pedal separator with X-shaped brackets, and cover bracket. This segmentation allows the use of optimized structural forms - the X-shaped brackets provide high strength-to-weight ratio, and the distributed welding connections (cover bracket welding, left bracket welding, right bracket welding) spread the load across multiple points, reducing the need for excessive material in any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining multiple bracket components welded together to form the pedal separator. The X-shaped configuration of left and right brackets creates a composite structure that achieves high rigidity and collision resistance through geometric arrangement rather than increasing material quantity, thereby controlling weight.
4Strength
If a pedal stopper with substantial strength is used to resist oblique collision, then collision resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal separator is segmented into left bracket, right bracket, and cover bracket components that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through welding. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes, easier quality control, and potential for modular production, reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to producing a single monolithic strong component.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses dynamic separation mechanism with controlled welding connections rather than requiring a single overly-strong component. The ball-end hinge and welding connections are designed to fail or separate at predetermined points during collision, allowing the use of lighter, cheaper materials that don't need to withstand extreme forces permanently, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
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 effectively separates during various collision conditions, reducing manufacturing costs, improving collision performance, enhancing strength and rigidity, and meeting oblique collision regulations, while preventing driver injury by converting collision energy into rotational energy.
Implementation Method 1
preventing driver injury by converting collision energy into rotational energy
Implementation Method 2
The fixing pin performs the fixing by perpendicularly connecting the cover bracket and a cross point of the left and right brackets. The fixing is spot welding.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a pedal 1 that includes a left bracket and right bracket that are combined such that a portion coupled to a hinge of a pedal arm and another portion fixed to a vehicle body are fitted to each other in an X-shape. A cover bracket is welded to the left and right brackets and over the X-shaped portion. A fixing pin welded to the left and right brackets and at a cross-point of the X-shape. The pedal arm is separated due to deformation in an impact direction in an oblique collision as well as a front, offset, or small overlap collision of a vehicle. Thus, the pedal makes it possible to prevent a driver from being injured by the pedal.