Description:
Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foot pedal module for a vehicle and a cantilever spring secured thereto.

Background of the invention:
[0002] In an accelerator pedal module, the pedal is hinged with compression springs at one end (with two compression springs). Out of the two springs, one spring is an active spring that is intended to operate for a lifetime of the accelerator pedal module and other spring is expected to be a backup spring to support if the main spring fails. But the problem is that both the springs are located at the same location. Therefore, there is a high chance that both springs can fail at the same time and lead to a safety concern of unintended high acceleration of the vehicle.

[0003] According to a prior art 201717002407 discloses an accelerator pedal module for a motor vehicle. An accelerator pedal module for the motor vehicle is proposed, which accelerator pedal module has a pedal lever, a pedal housing and a restoring spring element. The pedal lever is mounted rotatably via a pedal lever head. The pedal lever head has two inner arcuate guide surfaces which lie opposite one another, are arranged concentrically with the rotational axis, and between which an approximately arcuate projection of the pedal housing engages in a complementary manner. The pedal lever head has a rigid region and an elongate elastic region, wherein one of the inner guide surfaces is formed on the elongate elastic region.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a foot pedal module, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the foot pedal module, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a V shaped cantilever spring, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates a foot pedal module, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The foot pedal module 100 comprises a pedal lever 112, a pedal housing 104, and a restoring spring element 102. The pedal lever 112 comprises a head 108 at one end through which the pedal lever 112 is rotatably mounted on the pedal housing 104 about a rotational axis, characterized in that, at least one V-shaped cantilever spring 110 positioned between the pedal lever 112 and the pedal housing 104. The at least one V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is an auxiliary spring member to the restoring spring element 102. The head 108 comprises an extended portion 106 which comprises a surface to position the at least one restoring spring element 102. In other words, the restoring spring element 102 is positioned between the pedal housing 104 and the surface of the head 108.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one restoring spring element 102 and the at least one V-shaped cantilever spring 110 are positioned on opposite sides of the pedal lever 112. This enables better utilization of the space of existing foot pedal module 100 and enables the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 to function if the at least one restoring spring element 102 fails.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one V shaped cantilever spring 110 comprises two arms 220, namely a first arm 204 and a second arm 214, (shown in Fig. 2) which converges to a central member 206 (shown in Fig. 2). The central member 206 comprises a curved profile.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one rib member 302 (shown in Fig. 3) externally connects each arm 220 of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 to the central member 206 (shown in Fig. 2). The at least one rib member 302 offers structural rigidity and robustness to the V-shaped cantilever spring 110. However, in the Fig. 1, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is provided without the at least one rib member 302. The V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is possible to be used with or without at least one rib member 302.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a support plate 208 (shown in Fig. 2) is provided internal to the central member 206. The support plate 208 is any one of integrally formed with the central member 206 and/or internally welded to the central member 206. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support plate 208 is welded to the central member 206 to enhance a strength of the joint between the support plate 208 and the central member 206.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the foot pedal module 100 is one of an Accelerator Pedal Module (APM), a brake pedal module, and a clutch pedal module of the vehicle.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the foot pedal module, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is shown secured to the head 108 of the pedal lever 112 in the pedal housing 104. In other words, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is positioned around the pivot axis of the head 108. Each arm 220 of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 are positioned within each guide profile 218. One of the guide profile 218 is a part of the lever pedal 112, and other of the guide profile 218 is part of the pedal housing 104 and is disengaged from the part of the pedal housing 104 that is secured to the restoring spring element 102. In another embodiment, the guide profile 218 is part of and engaged with the pedal housing 104 that is secured to the restoring spring element 102.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 comprises bent ends 202. The bent ends 202 enables sturdy mounting of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 to the pedal housing 104 and prevents the V-shaped cantilever spring member 110 from being ejected from the pedal housing 104 during normal operation of the foot pedal module 100.

[0016] According to the present invention, a working example is envisaged. Consider the foot pedal module 100 is the Accelerator Pedal Module (APM). As per the present invention, the position of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is offset from the position of the main restoring spring element 102 to safeguard the APM attached with bearing pedestal/pedal housing 104 to bring back to ideal its restored position if the main restoring spring element 102 fails. In the shown embodiment, one arm 220 of the V shaped cantilever spring 110 is secured to the bearing pedestal/pedal housing 104 itself and another end/arm 220 of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is mechanically coupled to the pedal lever 112. With this assembly, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 functionally operates like when the driver presses the accelerator pedal, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 takes the bending force and while driver releases the pressure, the V shaped cantilever spring 110 retracts back and ensures pedal lever 112 goes back to the rest/ retracted position.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of V-shaped cantilever spring 110 are positioned offset from one another as a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that if one V-shaped cantilever spring 110 fails, others will safe guard the pedal lever 112 to retrieve back the pedal lever 112 to its retracted position to avoid the unintended acceleration conditions.

[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates a V-shaped cantilever spring, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The V-shaped cantilever spring 110 comprises the first arm 204 and a second arm 214, i.e. two arms 220, and the central member 206. The first arm 204 and the second arm 214, i.e. the two arms 220, converge to the central member 206, characterized in that, the central member 206 comprises the curved or an arc shaped profile.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the arms 220 and the central member 206 are a single integrated unit. Alternatively, the central member 206 and the arms 220 are joined by welding to ensure a stronger joint between the first arm 204, the second arm 214, and the central member 206.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a constriction 210 is provided at the interface of the at least two arms 220and the central member 206. In another embodiment, at least one rib member 302 externally connects and supports each of the at least two arms 220 with the central member 206 over the constriction 210. The V-shaped cantilever spring 110 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is without the rib member 302 and is also possible as an embodiment.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support plate 208 is provided internal to the central member 206. The support plate 208 is any one of integrally formed with the central member 206 and internally welded to the central member 206 to enhance a strength of the joint between the support plate 208 and the central member 206.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ends 202 of the two arms 220 are bent, which enables firm mounting to the pedal housing 104. The bend ends 202 enables firm mounting to the pedal housing 104 and the pedal lever 112. The pedal housing 104 is mounted to the floor of the vehicle using bolts through mounting holes 216.

[0023] According to the present invention, a foot pedal module 100 retraction by means of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is provided. The present invention enables use of one or a plurality of V-shaped cantilever springs 110 fixed with the pedal lever 112 along with main restoring spring element 102 at the one end. Since both the types of springs are positioned offset to one another and are not secured to a common base, the probability of both failing at the same time is particularly low. So when the restoring spring element 102 fails, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 functionally operates the foot pedal and restores the foot pedal to its retracted position. In turn, the driver senses the less reaction force and will be aware of the failure of the restoring spring element 102. As per the present invention, the V-shaped cantilever spring 110 attachment to the pedal lever 112 ensures retraction of the pedal lever 112 back to ideal/default/rest condition safely. The driver safely operates the vehicle to nearby repair shop/ service station. The rib-shaped structure or rib member 302 enhances rigidity by reducing the stress concentration at the constriction (bending zone) 210 of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110. The support plate 208 is welded to the central member 206 (or U-shaped structure) by means of a welded joint. This increases the strength at the interface of the two regions, thereby ensuring that the central member 206 does not break away from the main structure during the compression of the V-shaped cantilever spring 110. The V-shaped cantilever spring 110 is positioned away from the restoring spring element 102 and acts as a backup spring to ensure the pedal lever 112 returns back to ideal/default position if the restoring spring element 102 fails.

[0024] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A foot pedal module (100) for a vehicle, said foot pedal module (100) comprises:
a pedal lever (112);
a pedal housing (104), and
a restoring spring element (102), wherein said pedal lever (112) comprises a head (108) at one end through which said pedal lever (112) is rotatably mounted on said pedal housing (104) about a rotational axis,
characterized in that,
at least one V-shaped cantilever spring (110) positioned between said pedal lever (112) and said pedal housing (104), said at least one V shaped cantilever spring (110) is an auxiliary spring member to said restoring spring element (102).

2. The foot pedal module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one restoring spring element (102) and at least one of said V shaped cantilever spring (110) are positioned on opposite sides of said pedal lever (112).

3. The foot pedal module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one V-shaped cantilever spring (110) comprises two arms (220) which converge to a central member (206), wherein said central member (206) comprises a curved profile.

4. The foot pedal module (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one rib member (302) connects each arm (220) to said central member (206).

5. The foot pedal module (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a support plate (208) is provided internal to said central member (206), wherein said support plate (208) is any one of integrally formed with said central member (206), and internally welded to said central member (206) to enhance a strength of said central member (206).

6. A V-shaped cantilever spring member, said V-shaped cantilever spring member (110), comprises:
a first arm (204) and a second arm (214), and
a central member (206), wherein said first arm (204) and said second arm (214) converge to said central member (206), characterized in that, said central member (206) comprises a curved profile.

7. The V-shaped cantilever spring (110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a constriction (210) is provided at an interface of said first arm (204) and said second arm (214) with said central member (206).

8. The V-shaped cantilever spring (110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one rib member (302) externally connects each of said first arm (204) and said second arm (214) with said central member (206).

9. The V-shaped cantilever spring (110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a support plate (208) is provided internal to said central member (206), wherein said support plate (208) is one of integrally formed with said central member (206), and internally welded to said central member (206) to enhance a strength of said central member (206).

10. The V-shaped cantilever spring (110) as claimed in claim 6, wherein ends (202) of said first arm (204) and said second arm (214) are bent, said bent ends (202) enables mounting to said pedal housing (104) and said pedal lever (112).