CN108528580B

CN108528580B - Pedal assembly for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN108528580B
Application number: CN201810181359.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·斯里达尔; D·纳雷什库马尔; M·马诺伊库马尔; K·苏伦迪兰; K·蒂鲁马拉派
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2021-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-06
Also published as: CN108528580A

Abstract

The present subject matter relates generally to scooter-type vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a footrest assembly for a scooter-type vehicle. The vehicle comprises at least one footrest structure (202), the footrest structure (202) comprising an attachment portion (202a) and a receiving portion (202b), said attachment portion (202a) being attached to at least a portion of said at least one gusset (201). The at least one pedal structure (202) is arranged along a pedal axis (ga) inclined at an angle θ with respect to a ground axis (gg') parallel to the ground, the at least one pedal structure (202) comprising a receiving portion (202b), the receiving portion (202b) being capable of receiving an integrated structure (203), the integrated structure (203) being arranged above the pedal axis (ga) and at a position close to the pedal axis (ga).

Description

Pedal assembly for vehicle

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates generally to a two-or three-wheeled ride-on vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a footrest assembly for a two-or three-wheeled scooter-type vehicle.

Background

Generally, a scooter type vehicle capable of carrying at least one passenger is provided with passenger steps extending in the vehicle width direction from both sides of a main body frame thereof. The occupant steps on the foot to provide a comfortable support location for the occupant's foot. In addition to providing comfort for foot support, the occupant foot rest also serves to absorb vibrations. Generally, an occupant footrest includes a footrest holder and an elastic sleeve disposed over the footrest holder. Various casting/molding and manufacturing processes may be used to manufacture the rider step holder, based on the type of material selected for it. Generally, occupants extending from both sides of a main body frame of a vehicle step on the feet provided in the vehicle so that the occupants can comfortably place their feet while riding the vehicle. Typically, the occupant pedals provided are foldable in nature so that they do not bulge outward when not in use.

Disclosure of Invention

Conventionally, most scooter-type vehicles include a frame assembly, an engine assembly, a sensing assembly, and one or more electrical systems. All of these vehicle components are covered by one or more body panels. The vehicle frame assembly, through various mounts, forms the basic structure of a scooter-type vehicle that carries the engine assembly and other subsystems. Further, the vehicle frame assembly is able to withstand all loads from all vehicle components, and further, the vehicle frame assembly is also able to withstand the load of a person seated on the vehicle. A rear seat footrest assembly is mounted to both sides of the vehicle frame assembly and is configured to receive forces applied by a rear seat occupant. Generally, a passenger steps on a foot is used by a rear seat passenger seated on a vehicle (e.g., a scooter type vehicle). The passenger steps on the legs of the rear seat passenger.

Conventional footrest assemblies include one or more tubular structures that carry the loads transmitted by the rear seat passenger's feet. Additionally, one or more bosses and one or more brackets are welded to the one or more tubular structures to receive the rear seat foot peg. This is also known in the art, wherein the footrest assembly includes one or more stops, such as one or more pins welded to one or more tubular structures. Welded joints are structurally unstable and are more prone to wear and tear due to frequent opening and closing operations. For example, the weld pin may break after a period of use. Breakage results in failure of the rear seat footrest assembly, which requires replacement/repair of parts.

In addition, the rear seat footrest assembly includes additional gusset-like structures to withstand loads in abnormal situations, e.g., the additional gusset-like structures make the rear seat footrest assembly heavy and unwieldy. In addition, conventional backseat footrest assemblies include a greater number of components that are welded together. The time taken to assemble the footrest assembly exceeds a reasonable amount of time.

Moreover, the manufacturability of conventional footrest assemblies is cumbersome and manufacturing costs can exceed a reasonable price.

In two-wheeled vehicles, the orientation of the rear seat footrest assembly relative to the ground is a critical factor. It is undesirable for the user to orient the rear seat footrest assembly too close to or too high above ground level. If the rear seat footrest is closer to the ground, the rear seat occupant must extend his/her limbs to be able to reach the rear seat footrest and must maintain this position throughout the journey. This may result in deformation or breakage of the rear seat footrest assembly due to excessive loads applied by the rear seat occupant. Furthermore, this is not an ergonomically preferred posture. Furthermore, if the rear seat footrest assembly is located at a high distance from the ground level, the rear seat occupant may have to bend his/her knees to support the limb on the rear seat footrest assembly, which again is not an ergonomically undesirable posture. Accordingly, a rear seat footrest assembly that is disposed on the main body frame at a predetermined angle that is ergonomically desirable and that provides a good seating posture for a rear seat occupant is desirable.

Accordingly, there is a need for a more simple and cost effective backseat footrest assembly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the footrest assembly includes at least one footrest structure, such as a tubular rod-shaped structure having a circular cross-section attached to a pair of rear tubes of the vehicle frame assembly. In particular, the at least one foot rest structure is attached to the pair of rear tubes by at least one gusset. The at least one gusset is fixedly attached to the pair of rear tubes. The at least one footrest structure includes an attachment portion and a receiving portion. The attachment portion is attached to at least a portion of the at least one gusset.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one footrest structure comprises a receiving portion capable of receiving the integrated structure. The integrated structure includes one or more uneven portions. The one or more uneven portions are one or more stoppers. The one or more stops are preferably trapezoidal in shape and include at least three walls. In particular, the one or more stops comprise a bottom wall. The bottom wall is at least a portion of an upper surface of the unitary structure. Further, the one or more stops further comprise an open wall disposed oppositely upwardly relative to the bottom wall. The one or more stops taper from the bottom wall to the open wall. Furthermore, due to its trapezoidal shape, one or more stops have a different cross section.

The trapezoidal shape of the one or more stops provides a rectangular shape to the bottom wall. The rectangular bottom wall is large enough to provide adequate support for the component resting thereon. For example, in the present invention, the one or more stops are configured to receive a foot peg. Thus, according to the proposed invention, the stop or stops are sufficiently strong and subject to negligible wear and tear.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the integrated structure comprises one or more stops as an integrated part. For example, the integrated structure including the one or more stoppers is manufactured by a process called forging. Thereby eliminating a weld joint between the integrated structure and the one or more stops. Thus, a more stable and reliable operation of the footrest assembly is obtained. Furthermore, the footrest assembly does not suffer from any structural instability that may occur due to the welded joints.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the one or more stops provide limited movement to a foot peg of the footrest assembly. The restricted movement is provided between an open state and a closed state.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the one or more stops are arranged opposite each other at an angle of about 180 degrees to each other.

Further, the rear seat footrest assembly is disposed on both sides of the main body frame along a footrest axis inclined at a predetermined angle θ degrees with respect to a ground axis. The ground axis is parallel to the ground. The predetermined angle θ degrees is approximately in the range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees. This predetermined angle θ provides an ergonomically good posture for the rear seat occupant, which also provides comfortable long-term rear seat seating conditions for the occupant. In particular, the rear seat footrest assembly includes an integrated structure configured to receive a footrest on which the rear seat occupant places his/her feet. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the integrated structure is arranged above a pedaling axis comprising the at least one pedaling structure. This particular position of the integrated structure above the pedal axis is comfortable for the rear seat occupant. In this way, the rear seat passenger does not have to exert any additional load on the integrated structure due to the knees of the passenger bending more. This also prevents breakage or deformation or bending of the rear seat footrest assembly. Thus, a more stable and reliable footrest assembly is obtained.

Drawings

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a scooter-type vehicle employing a footrest assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a vehicle frame assembly that supports the footrest assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of a portion of the vehicle frame assembly supporting the footrest assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly supported on a portion of the vehicle frame assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the footrest assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7a shows a top perspective view of a unified structure according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7b shows a unified structure according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a footrest assembly with a footrest assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

These and other advantages of the inventive subject matter will be described in more detail in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a body frame assembly made up of a plurality of tubes welded together, which generally support the body of the vehicle. The vehicle 100 has steerable front wheels 101 and driven rear wheels 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle 100 is an elongated structure that generally extends from a front end to a rear end of the vehicle 100. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation. The frame assembly includes a head pipe (not shown), a main frame, and may also have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using a suitable engagement mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 104, a seat lower cover 105, a cooling and ventilation assembly 106, a rear cover 113, a front panel bottom 107 and side panels 109. Footrest assemblies 116 for supporting the feet of the user are provided on both sides of the scooter-type vehicle 100. The footrest assembly is disposed adjacent to the side panel 109.

The handlebar assembly 110 and the seat assembly 103 are supported at opposite ends of the frame assembly and define a generally open area therebetween, referred to as the floor 108, which serves as a spanning space. The driver and rear seat seats are placed in front of the fuel tank and behind the floor 108. A front fender 111 is provided above the front wheel 101 to prevent mud from splashing on the vehicle and its occupants. Also, a rear fender (not shown) is placed between the fuel tank and the rear wheel 102, and is located outside in the radial direction of the rear wheel 102. The rear fender prevents rainwater or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel 102.

The suspension is provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to the front fork 112. The rear suspension assembly includes at least one rear suspension, preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, i.e. on the left and right side, is also possible. A headlight 114 in the front of the vehicle and a tail lamp assembly 115 in the rear of the vehicle are also provided for the safety of the user and to comply with traffic regulations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a vehicle frame assembly that supports the footrest assembly. The footrest assembly 200 is supported on a pair of rear tubes 204, the pair of rear tubes 204 extending from at least a portion of the rear end of the main tube 205. The footrest assembly 200 includes at least one footrest structure 202 fixedly attached to at least a portion of a pair of rear tubes 204, such as by a process known as welding. The footrest assembly 200 includes at least one footrest 206. The legs of the rear seat occupant are disposed on the foot rest 206 whenever the rear seat occupant is seated on the vehicle. Loads received from the rear seat occupant are transferred from the foot peg to a portion of the vehicle frame assembly. The rear seat footrest assembly proposed by the present invention is stable enough to receive the load transmitted by the rear seat passenger.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of a portion of the vehicle frame assembly supporting the footrest assembly. A footrest assembly capable of supporting the legs of a rear seat occupant is disposed at a predetermined angle theta to the ground level. The ground axis gg 'is parallel to the ground, and an axis ga passing through the footrest assembly 200 is preferably at a predetermined angle θ relative to the ground axis gg'. The predetermined angle θ is ergonomically comfortable for a rear seat occupant when seated on the vehicle. Further, the footrest assembly, which is disposed at the predetermined angle θ, provides the necessary support and load for the rear seat occupant (particularly for the legs of the rear seat occupant). The predetermined angle theta is approximately in the range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees.

Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly is arranged angularly, the predetermined angle θ also ensuring that the load received from the rear seat passenger is evenly distributed over the footrest assembly, and therefore the footrest assembly according to the proposed invention can withstand the load transmitted by the rear seat passenger in any case and is not subject to malfunctions, avoiding the need for frequent maintenance.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly supported on a portion of the vehicle frame assembly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the footrest assembly 200 is attached to the pair of rear tubes 204 by at least one gusset 201. The at least one gusset 201 is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes 204. The at least one gusset 201 is configured to support at least one pedal structure 202. The at least one footrest structure is configured to support the integrated structure at one receiving end. The integrated structure is capable of receiving a foot peg (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the footrest assembly. According to one embodiment of the invention, the footrest assembly comprises at least one gusset 201, such as a metal structure, preferably essentially rigid. The at least one gusset 201 is configured to receive and support at least one foot rest structure 202. The at least one footrest structure 202 includes an attachment portion 202a and a receiving portion 202 b. The attachment portion 202a is received by the at least one gusset 201, and the receiving portion is capable of receiving the integrated structure 203.

According to one embodiment of the invention, bracket 207 is attached to at least a portion of integration member 203. The bracket 207 can support other vehicle body panels attached to mounting bosses 207a disposed on the bracket 207. According to one embodiment of the invention, bracket 207 is fixedly attached to integrated structure 203.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the bracket 207 is removably attached to the integrated structure 203.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The footrest assembly includes at least one gusset 201 capable of receiving at least one footrest structure 202. At least one foot structure 202 is configured to receive the retaining structure 208 and at one end the integrated structure 203. The holding structure 208 is detachably attached to the integrated structure 203. Further, the retaining structure 208 is configured to receive a lower side cover (not shown) for covering the sides of the floor. The lower shroud is mounted by a slot 208a disposed on a side surface of the retaining structure 208. Further, the retaining structure 208 can also support at least a portion of a floor mounted by the receiving member 208 b.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding structure 208 is fixedly attached to the integrated structure 203.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the holding structure 208 is detachably attached to the integrated structure 203.

FIG. 7a shows a top perspective view of a unified structure according to one embodiment of the invention. The integrated structure 203 includes an upper surface 203 b. The upper surface 203b includes one or more uneven surfaces. The one or more uneven surfaces are one or more convex-like structures. In this embodiment, the one or more bump-like structures are one or more stops 203 a. The one or more stops 203a comprise at least three walls 203aa, 203ab, 203ac comprising a bottom wall 203aa which is part of the upper surface 203b itself. Further, the open-type wall 203ab is disposed upward and oppositely with respect to the bottom wall 203 aa. Further, the gap between the bottom wall 203aa and the open-type wall 203ab is covered by two or more side walls 203 ac. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the one or more stops 203a are tapered, in particular, tapering as viewed from the bottom wall 203aa towards the open wall 203 ab.

According to one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the stops 203a is trapezoidal. Further, the bottom wall 203aa includes a larger surface area than the open-ended wall 203 ab. The larger surface area of the bottom wall 203aa serves to achieve maximum contact surface and substantially prevent breakage and wear and tear.

Further, one or more stops 203a are configured to receive foot peg 206. The one or more stops 203a are arranged at an angle a to each other. The angle alpha is approximately 180 degrees. However, in an alternative embodiment, one or more stops 203a are symmetrically distributed on the upper surface 203 b.

Fig. 7b shows a unified structure according to another embodiment of the invention. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the unified structure 203 includes a mounting portion 203d, the mounting portion 203d being capable of mounting the foot peg to the unified structure 203. Further, the integrated structure 203 includes a first supply device (provision)203ea and a second supply device 203 eb. In addition, the integrated structure includes a bracket portion 209, the bracket portion 209 being capable of receiving other body panels, a floor, and one or more electrical components such as a TCI unit. The standoff portion 209 forms an integrated part of the integrated structure 203. The bracket portion 209 and the integrated structure 203 are manufactured together by a process called forging. The bracket portion 209 is configured with an aperture 209a to receive any components mounted thereon.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a footrest assembly with a footrest assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Foot peg 206 is received by one or more stops 203a of an integral structure (not shown) disposed below a mounting portion 206b of foot peg 206. Further, the free end portion 206c of the foot peg 206 is capable of supporting the feet of a rear seat passenger seated behind the driver on the vehicle.

Foot peg 206 includes at least two elongated slots 206a that enable one or more stops 203a to move therein. At least two elongated slots 206a are disposed proximate a circumferential surface of the mounting portion 206b of the foot peg 206. The at least two elongated slots 206a are curved and configured to receive one or more stops 203a therein. Further, the at least two elongated slots 206a allow the one or more stops 203a to move only from the first end 206aa to the second end 206 ab. Thereby limiting the movement of the foot peg 206 beyond the second end 206 ab. As shown, the position of foot peg 206 at first end 206aa is comfortable enough and ergonomically a preferred location for a rear seat occupant. Further movement of the foot peg beyond the first end 206aa is limited by one or more stops 203 a. One or more stops 203a according to the present invention are rigid, structurally stable and more reliable to substantially withstand the loads transmitted by the rear seat occupant. Thus, the one or more stops 203a do not experience substantial wear and tear. Thus, a more reliable functionality of the footrest assembly is achieved.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, smooth movement of foot peg 206 is provided by providing spherical member 203f and elastic member 203 g. The elastic member 203g is disposed in any one of above and below the spherical member 203 f. Each time the foot pedal 206 is moved from the closed state to the open state, the spherical member 203f slides from the first supply device 203ea to the second supply device 203 eb. The first supply device 203ea and the second supply device 203eb are arranged on the upper surface 203b of the integrated structure 203.

Although the present subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It should be understood that aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.

Claims

1. A footrest assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) comprising:

a pair of rear pipes (204) extending obliquely rearward from at least a part of the main pipe (205);

at least one gusset (201) attached to at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes (204); and

at least one footrest structure (202) comprising an attachment portion (202a) and a receiving portion (202b), the attachment portion (202a) being attached to at least a portion of the at least one gusset (201),

wherein said at least one pedal structure (202) is arranged along a pedal axis (ga) inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to a ground axis (gg') parallel to the ground, said at least one pedal structure (202) comprising a receiving portion (202b) able to receive an integrated structure (203), said integrated structure (203) being arranged above said pedal axis (ga) and at a position close to said pedal axis (ga),

wherein the integrated structure (203) comprises an upper surface (203b), the upper surface (203b) comprising one or more stops (203a),

wherein the one or more stops (203a) are configured to limit movement of the footrest member in the open state and in the closed state.

2. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein the one or more stops (203a) comprise at least three walls including a bottom wall that is at least a portion of the upper surface (203b), an open wall (203ab) disposed upwardly and oppositely relative to the bottom wall (203aa), and two or more side walls (203ac) disposed orthogonal to the bottom wall (203aa) and the open wall (203ab), and wherein the one or more stops (203a) taper from the bottom wall (203aa) toward the open wall (203 ab).

3. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein the one or more stops (203a) are configured to receive the footrest member and the one or more stops (203a) comprise a rectangular cross-section.

4. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein the one or more stops (203a) project vertically outward from the upper surface (203b) of the integrated structure (203).

5. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 2, wherein the one or more stops (203a) and the integrated structure (203) are formed integrally by forging.

6. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein the angle θ is in a range of 5 degrees to 50 degrees.

7. The footrest assembly (200) of claim 1, wherein the integrated structure (203) includes a bracket portion (209) configured to receive at least one of a portion of a body panel, a floor, and an electrical component.

8. Footrest assembly (200) according to claim 2, wherein the one or more stops (203a) comprise two stops arranged symmetrically and at an angle a degrees to each other, the angle a degrees being 180 degrees.