WO2023073438A1

WO2023073438A1 - A footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal assisted rto registered electric vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023073438A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/055125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sachin Anant Jadhav
Original assignee: Sachin Anant Jadhav
Priority date: 2021-10-28
Filing date: 2022-06-01
Publication date: 2023-05-04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to pedal assisted electric vehicles. The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for a footrest-and-pedal assembly (100) for a pedal-assisted RTO registered electric vehicle (1000). The assembly comprises a pedal unit defined by a pair of pedal arms. Each arm is configured to be mounted on either side of the frame (9) of the vehicle. Each arm has a pedal (12, 13) attached to an operative free end thereof to facilitate pedalling of the vehicle. A pair of footrests (1, 2) is foldably mounted on either side of the main frame at a predetermined space-apart distance from the crank angle centre (C) of the pedal unit. The footrests are configured to be folded inwards in an operative configuration of the pedals and further configured to be unfolded in an inoperative configuration of the pedals to facilitate locking of the pedals beneath the footrests.

Description

A FOOTREST -AND-PED AL ASSEMBLY FOR A PEDAL ASSISTED RTO REGISTERED ELECTRIC VEHICLE

FIELD

The present invention relates to pedal assisted electric vehicles.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Hybrid electric vehicles that utilize pedal power, by convention, are provided with only a pedal assembly which is rotated to allow a user to pedal the vehicle. When the user is pedaling the vehicle, the movement of the legs of the user is in staggered but relaxed manner. However, when the vehicle is powered by the battery, the pedal assembly is in rest. In such a scenario, the user has to rest his feet on the pedal assembly in an awkward manner. If this position of the legs is resumed for a long period of time, it would cause numbness, strain and postural pain to the user.

There is therefore felt a need for an arrangement that ameliorates the pedal assembly of the conventional hybrid electric vehicle to alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle that doesn’t require the user to rest his legs in cycling position when the vehicle is powered by a battery.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for a footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal-assisted RTO registered electric vehicle. The assembly comprises a pedal unit defined by a pair of pedal arms. Each arm is configured to be mounted on either side of the frame of the vehicle. Each arm has a pedal attached to an operative free end thereof to facilitate pedalling of the vehicle. The assembly further comprises a pair of footrests that is foldably mounted on either side of the main frame at a predetermined spaced-apart distance from the crank angle centre (C) of the pedal unit. The footrests are configured to be folded inwards in an operative configuration of the pedals and are further configured to be unfolded in an inoperative configuration of the pedals to facilitate locking of the pedals beneath the footrests.

In another embodiment, the footrests include a footrest rod configured to be pivotably attached to the frame.

In an embodiment, the footrest rod is attached to the frame using a bracket.

In an embodiment, the bracket has a C-type configuration defined by a wall and a pair of arms extending from the free ends of the wall. Each arm has an aperture configured thereon for allowing a pivot pin to pass therethrough to attach the bracket to the footrest rod.

In an embodiment, the footrest rod includes a striker plate extending from an operative free end of the footrest rod. The striker plate is configured to allow unfolding of the footrestrod by the strike of the heel of a user.

In an embodiment, the footrest assembly includes a footrest guard configured to protect the pair of footrests against mud-splash.

In an embodiment, the footrests are configured to swivel about their centre by an angle of 15° to 20°.

In an embodiment, the ratio of the distance from a handlebar centre (H) to a seat centre (S) to the distance from the seat centre (S) to a footrest centre (F) ranges from 0.8 to 0.9.

In an embodiment, the angle defined between the handlebar centre (H), the seat centre (S) and the footrest centre (F) ranges from 75° to 85°. In an embodiment, in the operative configuration of the pedal unit, the ratio of the distance from the handlebar centre (H) to the seat centre (S) to the distance from the seat centre (S) to the crank angle centre (C) ranges from 1 to 1.4.

In an embodiment, in the inoperative configuration of the pedal unit, the ratio of the distance from the handlebar centre (H) to the seat centre (S) to the distance from the seat centre (S) to the top position of the pedal (Pl) ranges from 1.5 to 1.7.

In an embodiment, the angle defined between the handlebar centre (H), the seat centre (S) and the crank angle centre (C) ranges from 85° to 95°.

In an embodiment, the angle defined between the handlebar centre H, the seat centre S, and the pedal Pl ranges from 80° to 90°.

In an embodiment, the length of a pedal arm ranges between 140mm and 200mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the vehicle with the footrest in an inoperative and folded configuration;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the left side of the vehicle with the footrest in an operative and unfolded configuration;

Figure 2A illustrates an isometric view of the right side of the vehicle with the footrest in an operative and unfolded configuration;

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric close-up view of the footrest of Figure 1 , in an inoperative and folded configuration;

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric close-up view of the footrest of Figure 2, in an operative and unfolded configuration;

Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the footrest of Figure 4, in an operative and unfolded configuration; Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the vehicle marking a first triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre and the footrest centre; and

Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the vehicle marking a second triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre, the top centre of the pedal, and a third triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre, and the crank angle centre of the pedal assembly.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1000 pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle

100 footrest-and-pedal assembly

1 , 2 footrests

3 footrest rubber

4, 5 footrest rod

6 compression washer

7 footrest striker plate

8 pivot bracket

9 vehicle frame

10 T-section rod

11 footrest guard

12, 13 pedals

14 pivot pin

15 split pin

16, 17 panel on the frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, “includes” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

An embodiment of a footrest-and-pedal assembly 100, of the present disclosure, for a pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle 1000 will now be described with respect to Figure 1 through Figure 7.

The footrest-and-pedal assembly 100 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the assembly 100’) includes a pedal unit and a pair of footrests 1, 2 attached to the body of the vehicle 1000, as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

In an embodiment, the pedal unit includes a pair of pedal arms. Each pedal arm is mounted on either side of the frame 9 of the vehicle 1000. Each pedal arm has a pedal 12, 13 attached to an operative free end of thereof. The pedal unit allows a user to ride the vehicle 1000 by pedalling it.

Each of the footrest 1, 2 is foldably mounted on either sides of the main frame 9 at a predetermined spaced-apart distance from the crank angle centre (C) of the pedal unit of the vehicle 1000.

In one embodiment, the footrests 1, 2 are mounted on the vehicle 1000 such that in an unfolded configuration the pedals 12, 13 rest beneath the footrests 1, 2, as is seen in Figure 2. This configuration of the footrests 1, 2 prevents the jarring of the pedals 12, 13 with the footrests 1, 2. Thus, in an electric driving mode, the operator can easily ride the vehicle 1000 without straining his legs by resting his feet on the footrests 1, 2. Conversely, while the vehicle 1000 is to be pedalled, the footrest 1, 2 can be folded thereby giving unrestrained access to the user for pedalling.

As shown in Figure 3 through Figure 5, each footrest 1, 2 includes a footrest rod 4, 5 which is pivotably attached to the main frame 9 using the pivot bracket 8. The pivot bracket 8 facilitates unfolding and folding of the footrest rod 4, 5. In an embodiment the pivot bracket 8 has a C-type configuration defined by a wall and pair of arms extending from free ends of the wall. Each arm has an aperture configured thereon allowing a pivot pin 14 to pass therethrough to attach the bracket 8 to the footrest rod 4, 5.

In another embodiment, the footrest 1, 2 further includes a compression washer 6, a pivot pin 14 and a split pin 15 that when put together ensure that the footrest rod 4, 5 is securely attached to the pivot bracket 8.

In an embodiment, a footrest rubber 3 is fitted on the footrest rod 9 to give grip to the user’s feet while riding.

In one embodiment, a footrest striker plate 7 is attached to an operative free end of the footrest rod 4, 5. The striker plate 7 is configured to allow the user to open the footrest 1, 2 in its unfolded configuration by striking his/her heel against the striker plate 7. In another embodiment, the striker plate 7 helps in arresting the slippage of the rubber 3 from the operative free end of the footrest rod 4, 5.

In another embodiment, the footrest 1, 2 further includes a footrest guard 11 that is bolted to the T-section rod 10 in such a way that the both the footrests 1, 2 are protected against mudsplash thereon.

In one embodiment, the T-section rod 10 is mounted on the frame of the vehicle such that footrests 1, 2 can be swivelled about their centre by an angle of 15° to 20° to achieve relatively better ergonomic foot position for the user’s comfort.

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the vehicle marking a first triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre and the footrest centre. Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the vehicle marking a second triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre and the crank angle centre of the pedal assembly, and third triangle comprising the handle bar centre, the seat centre, and the crank angle centre of the pedal assembly. In an embodiment, (with respect to Figure 6) the ratio of the distance from the handle bar centre H to the seat centre S to the distance from the seat centre S to the foot rest centre F ranges from 0.8 to 0.9. It is required that this ratio is maintained lesser than 1, so that the footrests 1 , 2 are ergonomically comfortable for riding purposes.

In another embodiment, (with respect to Figure 6) the angle defined between the handle bar centre H, the seat centre S and the foot rest centre F ranges from 75° to 85°.

In one embodiment, in the operative configuration of the pedal assembly (with respect to Figure 7), the ratio of the distance from the handle bar centre H to the seat centre S to the distance from the seat centre S to the crank angle centre C ranges from 1 to 1.4.

In another embodiment, (with respect to Figure 7) the angle defined between the handle bar centre H, the seat centre S and the crank angle centre C ranges from 85° to 95°.

In an embodiment, in the inoperative configuration of the pedal assembly, the ratio of the distance from the handle bar centre H to the seat centre S to the distance from the seat centre S to the top position of the pedal Pl ranges from 1.5 to 1.7.

In another embodiment, the angle defined between the handle bar centre H, the seat centre S, and the pedal Pl ranges from 80° to 90°.

In one embodiment, the length of a pedal arm ranges between 140mm and 200mm. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a footrest-and-pedal assembly for a pedal assisted RTO registered electric vehicle, which:

• doesn’t require a user to rest his legs in cycling position when the vehicle is powered by a battery. The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A footrest-and-pedal assembly (100) for a pedal-assisted RTO registered electric vehicle (1000), said assembly (100) comprising: a. a pedal unit defined by a pair of pedal arms, each arm configured to be mounted on either side of the frame (9) of the vehicle, each arm having a pedal (12, 13) attached to an operative free end thereof to facilitate pedalling of the vehicle (1000); and b. a pair of footrests (1, 2), each footrest (1, 2) foldably mounted on either side of the main frame (9) at a predetermined space-apart distance from the crank angle centre (C) of said pedal unit, said footrests (1, 2) configured to be folded inwards in an operative configuration of said pedals (12, 13), and further configured to be unfolded in an inoperative configuration of said pedals (12, 13) to facilitate locking of said pedals (12, 13) beneath said footrests (1, 2).

2. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said footrests (1, 2) includes a footrest rod (4, 5) configured to be pivotably attached to the frame (9).

3. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said footrest rod (4, 5) is attached to the frame (9) using a bracket (8).

4. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bracket (8) has a C-type configuration defined by a wall and pair of arms extending from free ends of said wall, each arm having an aperture configured thereon for allowing a pivot pin (14) to pass therethrough to attach said bracket (8) to said footrest rod (4, 5).

5. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said footrest rod (4, 5) includes a striker plate (7) extending from an operative free end of said footrest rod (4, 5), said striker plate (7) configured to allow unfolding of said rod (4, 5) by the strike of the heel of a user.

6. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footrest assembly (100) includes a footrest guard (11) configured to protect said pair of footrests (1, 2) against mud-splash.

7. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said footrests (1, 2) are configured to swivel about their centre by an angle of 15° to 20°.

8. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the distance from a handlebar centre (H) to a seat centre (S) to the distance from said seat centre (S) to a footrest centre (F) ranges from 0.8 to 0.9.

9. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle defined between the handlebar centre (H), the seat centre (S) and the footrest centre (F) ranges from 75° to 85°.

10. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the operative configuration of said pedal unit, the ratio of the distance from the handlebar centre (H) to the seat centre (S) to the distance from the seat centre (S) to the crank angle centre (C) ranges from 1 to 1.4.

11. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the inoperative configuration of said pedal unit, the ratio of the distance from the handlebar centre (H) to the seat centre (S) to the distance from the seat centre (S) to the top position of said pedal (Pl) ranges from 1.5 to 1.7.

12. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle defined between the handlebar centre (H), the seat centre (S) and the crank angle centre (C) ranges from 85° to 95°.

13. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle defined between said handlebar centre H, said seat centre S, and said pedal Pl ranges from 80° to 90°.

14. The footrest and pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of a pedal arm ranges between 140mm and 200mm.