Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[SEE SECTION 10, RULE 13]

A HAND AND FOOT OPERATED ACCELERATOR LINKAGE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY, MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, P.O. – ANJUR, CHENGALPATTU – 603004, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In most vehicles such as agricultural tractors, commercial vehicles, and the like, an accelerator linkage system is operated by a hand as well as a foot of an operator during one or more operations as per requirement. In conventional design of the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system, pivot points of hand accelerator rod and lever lie in the same axis for transmission of motion. However, due to this arrangement of the pivot points, the space for the foot of the operator gets minimized which is not desirable. Due to insufficient space for the foot of the operator, the performance gets impacted during the operation. Further, to provide sufficient space to the foot of the operator, an entire steering column needs to be offset which is challenging task and costly. Therefore, an improved design of the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system is required to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks of the conventional design without compromising the intended operation compared to conventional design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system for a vehicle is provided. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system includes a hand accelerator rod pivoted parallel to a steering column of the vehicle. The hand accelerator rod includes a first axis passing through a pivot point of the hand accelerator rod and having a first axis passing through a pivot point of the hand accelerator rod. The hand accelerator rod includes a projecting portion projecting from one end of the hand accelerator rod and extending perpendicular to the first axis. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system also includes a lever having a vertical member and a horizontal member both rotationally coupled at a rotation point. The vertical member of the lever is pivoted perpendicular to a steering mounting bracket of the vehicle in such a manner that a second axis passing through a pivot point of the lever. The lever includes a pin coupled to one end of the lever and kinematically connected to the projecting portion of the hand accelerator rod. The second axis is off-set from the first axis by a predetermined distance thereby providing a space for a foot of an operator. The off-set between the first axis and the second axis is achieved by reducing a length of the horizontal member of the lever.
According to the present invention, the predetermined distance between the first axis and the second axis ranges between 30 millimeters to 35 millimeters.
According to the present invention, the reduction in the length of the horizontal member of the lever ranges between 25 millimeters to 30 millimeters.
According to the present invention, the pin has a hollow tubular cross-section.
According to the present invention, the pin has a solid cross-section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a conventional hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system for a vehicle;
FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the conventional hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system of the FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be fully described along the best mode of operation with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Wherever possible, corresponding, or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
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,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated elements, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component or region from another component, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional design of a hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) for a vehicle. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) is used to adjust a fuel intake into an engine as per power requirement. An operator may adjust the fuel intake by a hand-operated hand accelerator rod (102) of the hand and a foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) or by a foot-operated lever (106) of the hand and the foot operated accelerator linkage system (100).
The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) includes a hand accelerator rod (102) pivoted parallel to a steering column (not shown) of the vehicle and having a first axis (A1) passing through a pivot point of the hand accelerator rod (102). The hand accelerator rod (102) has a circular cross-section. The hand accelerator rod (102) defines two ends at two extreme portions. The hand accelerator rod (102) includes a projecting portion (104) projecting from one end of the hand accelerator rod (102) and extending perpendicular to the first axis (A1).
The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) also includes a lever (106) pivoted perpendicular to a steering mounting bracket (not shown) of the vehicle. A pivot point of the lever (106) passing through the first axis (A1). Specifically, both the pivot points of the hand accelerator rod (102) and the lever (106) pass through the first axis (A1). The lever (106) defines an L-shaped structure. The lever (106) defines two ends at extreme positions. The lever (106) includes a pin (108) coupled to one end of the lever (106) and kinematically connected to the projecting portion (104) of the hand accelerator rod (102). The kinematic connection between the pin (108) of the lever (106) and the projecting portion (104) of the hand accelerator rod (102) transfers the motions of the hand accelerator rod (102) to the lever (106). The other end of the lever (106) is connected to other linkages of the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (100) to transfer the motion from the hand accelerator rod (102).
FIG. 3 shows an improved design of a hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) for a vehicle. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) includes a hand accelerator rod (202) pivoted parallel to a steering column (not shown) of the vehicle and having a first axis (A1) passing through a pivot point of the hand accelerator rod (202). The hand accelerator rod (202) has a circular cross-section. The hand accelerator rod (202) defines two ends at two extreme portions. The hand accelerator rod (202) includes a projecting portion (204) projecting from one end of the hand accelerator rod (202) and extending perpendicular to the first axis (A1).
The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) also includes a lever (206) having a vertical member (210) and a horizontal member (212) both rotationally coupled at a rotation point (F1). The lever (206) is pivoted perpendicular to a steering mounting bracket (not shown) of the vehicle in such a manner that a second axis (A2) passing through a pivot point (P1) of the lever (206). The lever (206) defines an L-shaped structure. The lever (206) defines two ends at extreme positions. The lever (206) includes a pin (208) coupled to one end of the lever (206) and kinematically connected to the projecting portion (204) of the hand accelerator rod (202). In one embodiment, the pin (208) has a hollow tubular cross-section. The hollow tubular cross-section of the pin (208) shifts center of gravity of the pin (208), such that the pin (208) is prevented from falling due to self-weight. In another embodiment, the pin (208) has a solid cross-section. The kinematic connection between the pin (208) of the lever (206) and the projecting portion (204) of the hand accelerator rod (202) transfers the motions of the hand accelerator rod (202) to the lever (206). The other end of the lever (206) is connected to other linkages of the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) to transfer the motion from the hand accelerator rod (202).
Further, the second axis (A2) is off-set from the first axis (A1) to provide space for the foot of the operator. The second axis (A2) is spaced apart from the first axis (A1) through a predetermined distance in such a manner that the second axis (A2) does not coincide with the first axis (A1). In an embodiment, the distance between the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A1) ranges between 30 millimeters to 35 millimeters. Further, this distance between the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A2) is achieved by reducing the length of the horizontal member (212) of the lever (206). In an embodiment, the reduction of the length of the horizontal member (212) of the lever (206) ranges between 25 millimeters to 30 millimeters.
The present invention provides the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system for a vehicle with enhanced ergonomics and better performance. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system provides sufficient space to the foot of the operator without compromising intended operation compared to conventional design. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system also provides sufficient space for brake linkage operation. The percentage improvement in the space for the foot of the operator can be achieved up to 30%. Further, the design of the hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system is simple and cost effective with minimum modification to the existing design. Moreover, the hollow tubular design of the pin of the lever avoids self-falling of the pin due to gravity and saves the material cost as well.
In view of the present disclosure which describes the present invention, all changes, modifications and variations within the meaning and range of equivalency are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiment of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

100 Hand and Foot Operated Accelerator Linkage System
102 Hand Accelerator Rod
104 Projecting Portion
106 Lever
108 Pin
110 Vertical Portion
112 Horizontal Portion
200 Hand and Foot Operated Accelerator Linkage System
202 Hand Accelerator Rod
204 Projecting Portion
206 Lever
208 Pin
210 Vertical Portion
212 Horizontal Portion
A1 First Axis
A2 Second Axis
P1 Pivot
F1 Rotation Point
, Claims:
1. A hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) for a vehicle comprising:
a hand accelerator rod (202) pivoted parallel to a steering column of the vehicle and having a first axis (A1) passing through a pivot point of the hand accelerator rod (202), the hand accelerator rod (202) includes a projecting portion (204) projecting from one end of the hand accelerator rod (202) and extending perpendicular to the first axis (A1);
a lever (206) having a vertical member (210) rotationally coupled to a horizontal member (212) at a rotation point (F1), the vertical member (210) of the lever (206) is pivoted to a steering mounting bracket of the vehicle in a manner that a second axis (A2) passing through a pivot (P1) of the lever (206), said second axis off-sets from the first axis (A1) by a predetermined distance; and
a pin (208) disposed between the first axis (A1) and second axis (A2) for kinematically connecting the projecting portion (204) of the hand accelerator rod (202) to the vertical member (210) of the lever (206) thereby reducing a length of the horizontal member (212) of the lever (206) for providing a space for a foot of an operator.

2. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance between the first axis (A1) and the second axis (A2) ranges between 30 millimeters to 35 millimeters.

3. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the reduction in the length of the horizontal member (212) of the lever (206) ranges between 25 millimeters to 30 millimeters.

4. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pin (208) has a hollow tubular cross-section.

5. The hand and foot operated accelerator linkage system (200) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pin (208) has a solid cross-section.