Patent Publication Number: US-9896033-B2

Title: Vehicle and semi-automatic foot-pedal device thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation application of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/574,368, filed on Dec. 17, 2014, which claims benefit of Chinese Application No. 201410505661.X, filed on Sep. 26, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles, and more particularly, to a semi-automatic foot-pedal device and a vehicle equipped with the semi-automatic foot-pedal device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     For some automobiles that have a high chassis, electric pedals are typically mounted on the frames thereof to make it convenient to get on and off the automobiles. When people are to get on or off such an automobile, the electric pedal will extend out automatically to make it easier and safer to get on and off with the help of the pedal. The conventional pedals are generally electric pedals, each of which comprises a pedal body, a pedal bracket, a passive arm, an active arm and a motor. The passive arm and the active arm are hinged to the pedal body and the pedal bracket respectively, an output shaft of the motor is connected with the active arm, and the active arm is driven by the motor to enable the pedal body to extend out or retract. When the motor fails due to such factors as the rain, the pedal may become incapable of extending out or retracting and this will affect the normal use of the pedal. 
     To solve the aforesaid problem, a stationary pedal has been proposed in the prior art, which comprises a panel and a pedal bracket connected with the panel. However, the stationary pedal is spread at any time regardless of whether it is used and the height of the panel relative to the ground cannot be adjusted, which makes it inconvenient to use the pedal. Specifically, if the pedal bracket is too long, it may often happen that the pedals of the automobiles that have a low chassis collide with the uneven ground; and if the pedal bracket is too short, then the height of the panel relative to the ground is too high and it is inconvenient for those who are short to use the panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a semi-automatic foot-pedal device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of transforming the semi-automatic foot-pedal device from a spread state into a closed state according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective structural view of an upper bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective structural view of a left bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective structural view of a right bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective structural view of an elastic unit of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the elastic unit shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective structural view of a lower bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective structural view of a connecting base of a vehicle of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating force analysis of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinbelow, the technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with reference to the attached drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described herein are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure but do not represent all embodiments of the disclosure. All other embodiments that can be devised by those of ordinary skill in the art on the basis of the embodiments described herein and without making inventive efforts shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  together,  FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a semi-automatic foot-pedal device of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of transforming the semi-automatic foot-pedal device from a spread state into a closed state according to the present disclosure. A semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100  of the present disclosure mainly comprises a panel  1  and a pedal-connecting component  2  connected with the panel  1 . 
     The pedal-connecting component  2  mainly comprises an upper bracket  21 , a left bracket  22 , a lower bracket  23 , a right bracket  24  and an elastic unit  25 . The left bracket  22  is hinged to the upper bracket  21 , one end of the lower bracket  23  is hinged to the left bracket  22  and the other end is connected with the panel  1 . One end of the right bracket  24  is hinged to the upper bracket  21 , and the other end is hinged to the lower bracket  23 . One end of the elastic unit  25  is hinged to the upper bracket  21 , and the other end is hinged to the right bracket  24 . All the aforesaid hinging can be achieved through use of hinge shafts  26 . Each of the hinge shafts  26  may be a bolt that is used with a nut, or a connecting rod that has threads at two ends and used with nuts, or some other hinging means for fixation that are commonly used by those skilled in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pedal-connecting component  2  has a closed state and a spread state. When the pedal-connecting component  2  is in the closed state, the panel  1  moves away from the upper bracket  21  to transform the pedal-connecting component  2  into an elastically spread state under a force on the panel  1  in a downward direction; and when the pedal-connecting component  2  is in the spread state, the panel  1  moves towards the upper bracket  21  to transform the pedal-connecting component  2  into an elastically closed state under a force on the panel  1  in an obliquely-upward direction. 
     The hinge shafts  26  specifically comprises: a first hinge shaft  261 , being adapted to hinge the left bracket  22  to the upper bracket  21 ; a second hinge shaft  262 , being adapted to hinge the lower bracket  23  to the left bracket  22 ; a third hinge shaft  263 , being adapted to hinge the right bracket  24  to the upper bracket  21 ; a fourth hinge shaft  264 , being adapted to hinge the right bracket  24  to the lower bracket  23 ; a fifth hinge shaft  265 , being adapted to hinge the elastic unit  25  to the upper bracket  21 ; and a sixth hinge shaft  266 , being adapted to hinge the elastic unit  25  to the right bracket  24 . It should be appreciated that, the size of each of the hinge shafts  26  is selected according to the length of the hinge site and is not limited to the hinge shafts  26  of the same size. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the lower bracket  23  and the right bracket  24  may be arc-shaped so that the elastic unit  25  that is disposed to be hinged to the right bracket  24  can better abut against the lower bracket  23  to prolong the service life of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 ,  FIG. 3  is a perspective structural view of an upper bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  is a perspective structural view of a left bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 5  is a perspective structural view of a right bracket of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper bracket  21  comprises a position-limiting plate  211 , and a second plate block  213 , a first plate block  212  and a third plate block  214  that are sequentially connected. Specifically, the first plate block  212  is provided with a plurality of convex columns  216  formed with a mounting screw hole  215  thereon. Through engagement of a screw with the mounting screw hole  215 , the upper bracket  21  can be stably fixed onto other devices (such as a frame of an automobile). The second plate block  213  and the third plate block  214  are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other at two sides of the first plate block  212  respectively. The position-limiting plate  211  is disposed at an end portion of the first plate block  212 , and is adapted to limit the position of the left bracket  22  when the pedal-connecting component  2  is in a closed state. In order to make it more convenient to fix the upper bracket  21  onto other devices, the upper bracket  21  may further comprise a fourth plate block  217  that is formed with the screw hole or a through hole. Specifically, the fourth plate block  217  and the position-limiting plate  211  are disposed at two ends of the first plate block  212  respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the left bracket  22  comprises a reinforcing plate  221 , a first position-limiting base  222 , and a first left arm  233 , a left connecting plate  224  and a second left arm  225  that are sequentially connected. Specifically, the first left arm  223  and the second left arm  225  are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other at two sides of the left connecting plate  224  respectively, and the left connecting plate  224  may be integrally formed with the first left arm  223  and the second left arm  225 , and may also be connected with the first left arm  223  and the second left arm  225  separately. The reinforcing plate  221  is disposed between the first left arm  223  and the second left arm  225 , and the first position-limiting base  222  is disposed on the reinforcing plate  221 . In order to further reinforce the strength of the left bracket  22 , a plurality of reinforcing ribs may be disposed on the left connecting plate  224 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pedal-connecting component  2  further comprises a first elastic block  27 . The first elastic block  27  is disposed inside the first position-limiting base  222 , and one end portion of the first elastic block  27  protrudes out of the first position-limiting base  222  and is adapted to, when the pedal-connecting component  2  is in a closed, elastically abut against the position-limiting plate  211  for position-limiting purpose. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the right bracket  24  comprises a bent piece  240 , a second position-limiting base  241 , and a first right arm  242 , a right connecting plate  243  and a second right arm  244  that are sequentially connected. Specifically, the first right arm  242  and the second right arm  244  are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other at two sides of the right connecting plate  243  respectively. The right connecting plate  243  may be integrally formed with the first right arm  242  and the second right arm  244 , and may also be connected with the first right arm  242  and the second right arm  244  separately. The bent piece  240  is connected between the first right arm  242  and the second right arm  244 , and the second position-limiting base  241  is disposed at the top of the bent piece  240 . 
     Specifically, the bent piece  240  comprises an n-shaped piece, and a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion that are disposed at two ends of the n-shaped piece respectively, and the first connecting portion is connected with the first right arm  242 ; the second connecting portion is connected with the second right arm  244 , and two sidewalls of the n-shaped piece are each formed with a hinge hole so that the lower end of the elastic unit  25  can be hinged to the right bracket  24  via the hinge shaft  266 . The second position-limiting base  241  is disposed at the n-shaped top of the n-shaped piece, and in order to reinforce the strength of the right bracket  24 , a plurality of reinforcing ribs  245  may be disposed on the right connecting plate  243 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  together,  FIG. 6  is a perspective structural view of an elastic unit of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the elastic unit shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the elastic unit  25  mainly comprises a first hinge joint  251 , a second hinge joint  252  and a spring  253 . The first hinge joint  251  is disposed between the second plate block  213  and the third plate block  214  via the fifth hinge shaft  265 , the second hinge joint  252  is hinged to the bent piece  240  via the fifth hinge shaft  266 , and the spring  253  is disposed between the first hinge joint  251  and the second hinge joint  252 . 
     The first hinge joint  251  may be connected with the second hinge joint  252  directly via the spring  253 . In a preferred embodiment, the elastic unit  25  may further comprise a guiding tube  254 , a guiding rod  255 , a position-limiting collar  256  and a connecting sleeve  257 . One end of the guiding rod  255  is fixedly connected with the first hinge joint  251 , and the other end is inserted into the guiding tube  254  through the connecting sleeve  257 . The guiding tube  254  is fixed to the second hinge joint  252  through the position-limiting collar  256 . The spring  253  is fitted over the guiding rod  255 , with one end of the spring  253  being fixed to the first hinge joint  251  and the other end being fitted over the guiding rod  255  so that the spring  253  can be guided to be compressed or spread, and this can prevent deformation of the spring  253  under a lateral pressure which would otherwise affect the elasticity of the spring  253 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a perspective structural view of the lower bracket  23  of the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the lower bracket  23  comprises a first arcuate plate  231 , a second arcuate plate  232 , a third arcuate plate  233 , a first support base  234 , a second support base  235 , a connecting plate  236  and a position-limiting portion  238 . The second arcuate plate  232  and the third arcuate plate  233  are disposed in parallel with and spaced apart from each other at two sides of the first arcuate plate  231  respectively. The first support base  234  and the second support base  235  are both formed with an arc-shaped notch to engage with the second hinge shaft  262  and the fourth hinge shaft  264  respectively. The first support base  234  and the position-limiting portion  238  are disposed at one end of the first arcuate plate  231 , and the connecting plate  236  is disposed at the other end of the first arcuate plate  231  to connect with the panel  1 . The connecting plate  236  may be formed with a plurality of connecting slots  237  for snap-fit to the panel  1 . Furthermore, the panel  1  is formed with a plurality of bosses each having a through hole to engage with the connecting slots  237 , and when the through holes of the connecting slots  237  engage with the through holes of the bosses, the panel  1  can be locked onto the connecting plate  236  by connecting pieces. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pedal-connecting component  2  of the present disclosure further comprises a second elastic block  28  disposed inside the second position-limiting base  241 . One end portion of the second elastic portion  28  protrudes out of the second position-limiting base  241  and is adapted to elastically abut against the position-limiting portion  238  of the first arcuate plate  231  when the pedal-connecting component  2  is spread. 
     The first elastic block  27  and the second elastic block  28  of the present disclosure may be made of rubber, silicone or the like material. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective structural view of a connecting base of a vehicle of the present disclosure. The present disclosure further provides a vehicle, which comprises a connecting base  29  and the aforesaid semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100 , and the semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100  is fixed to a certain position of the vehicle through the connecting base  29 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the connecting base  29  comprises an upper connecting plate  291 , a lower connecting plate  292 , and a plurality of mounting screw holes  293  formed on the upper connecting plate  291  or the lower connecting plate  292 . The second plate block  213  is connected with the lower connecting plate  292  via a bolt. The upper connecting plate  291  may be fixed to a certain position of the vehicle via a screw  30  or be further fixed to the vehicle through a fixation plate. Of course, in order to make it convenient to fix the connecting piece  29  to the vehicle, two side edges of the lower connecting plate  292  may be further provided with a side plate  294  that has a mounting screw hole respectively. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating force analysis in a process of transforming the semi-automatic foot-pedal device shown in  FIG. 2  from a spread state into a closed state. As shown in  FIG. 10 , points A, B, C, D, E, and G therein represent the first hinge shaft  261 , the second hinge shaft  262 , the third hinge shaft  263 , the fourth hinge shaft  264 , the fifth hinge shaft  265  and the sixth hinge shaft  265  respectively, points CAE represent the upper bracket  21 , points AB or AB′ represent the left bracket  22 , points CGD or CG′D′ represent the right bracket  24 , points BD or B′D′ represent the lower bracket  23 , and points EG or EG′ represent the elastic unit  25 . 
     Points ABDGEC represent the spread state of the pedal-connecting component  2 . Specifically, a downward force exerted on the panel  1  enables the second elastic block  28  to abut against the position-limiting portion  238  to form friction therebetween for position limiting purpose. At this point, the spring  253  is in a compressed state, the elastic force is F, two component forces generated by the elastic force F are F 1  and F 2 , and the force provided by the component force F 1  keeps the pedal-connecting component  2  in a spread state. 
     Points ABD′G′EC′ represent the closed state of the pedal-connecting component  2 . Specifically, an obliquely-upward force exerted on the panel  1  enables the first elastic block  27  to abut against the position-limiting plate  211  for purpose of position limiting. At this point, the spring  253  is in a compressed state, the elastic force is F′, two component forces generated by the elastic force F′ are F 1 ′ and F 2 ′, and the force provided by the component force F 1 ′ keeps the pedal-connecting component  2  in a closed state. 
     It should be appreciated that, as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the three points CEG are on one line, the pedal-connecting component  2  is in an intermediate switching state. Specifically, the user pedals the bottom of the panel  1  in an inclined direction with his or her foot, and when the pedal-connecting component  2  passes the intermediate switching position and the component force F 1 ′ is larger than the weight of the pedal-connecting component  2 , the pedal-connecting component  2  can be automatically retracted to the closed state under the action of the elastic force. The user pedals the panel  1  on the surface thereof, and when the pedal-connecting component  2  passes the intermediate switching position and the component force F 1  is larger than the weight of the pedal-connecting component  2 , the pedal-connecting component  2  can be automatically spread under the action of the elastic force. Furthermore, because the spring  253  is compressed relative to the normal state when it is mounted, the spring  253  is in a compressed state no matter whether the pedal-connecting component  2  is in a spread state or in a closed state. Specifically, the spring  253  has a length of L 1  in the normal state before being mounted, has a length of L 2  when the pedal-connecting component  2  is in a closed state, has a length of L 3  when the pedal-connecting component  2  is in a spread state, and has a length of L 4  when the three points CEG are on a same line, where L 1 &gt;L 3 &gt;L 2 &gt;L 4 . 
     The vehicle and the semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100  thereof of the present disclosure connect the upper bracket  21  with the right bracket  24  by using the elastic unit  25  therebetween so that the semi-automatic foot-pedal device  100  thereof can be elastically spread or closed under an external force. Furthermore, the present disclosure has a simple structure and does not need a conventional motor system, so it saves the electric power and is safer to use. 
     What described above are only the embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structures or equivalent process flow modifications that are made according to the specification and the attached drawings of the present disclosure, or any direct or indirect applications of the present disclosure in other related technical fields shall all be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure.