FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE: “A MECHANISM FOR OPERATING A FOOT PEDAL IN A VEHICLE AND A
SYSTEM THEREOF”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a foot pedal of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a mechanism for operating the foot pedal to assist ingress and egress of a cabin of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, vehicles transport passengers and goods, and based on nature of goods being transported, the vehicles are classified as passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. The commercial vehicles are, in general, bulky and include large-dimensioned carriers for carrying heavy payload, when compared to some of the passenger vehicles. Such large-dimensioned carriers of the commercial vehicles may require large structure and/or support components for operation, where such components may be including but not limited to, chassis, lifting mechanism, hoisting mechanism, and any other components required for operation of the vehicle. Due to large structural and operational components in the vehicle, enclosures such as, operator cabin may be situated at an elevation that may be far from easy reach of the operator.
Conventionally, the commercial vehicles are employed with foot pedals or portable ladders, that may be suitably positioned below the cabin to facilitate ingress and egress for the operator and/or the passenger into and out from the cabin. However, such conventional assemblies used for ingress and egress may be located at a higher position away from the ground level. Further, in conventional assemblies, the foot pedals and handles may be located at different vertical planes relative to one another and to the cabin of the vehicle. Such conventional configurations may render tedious and cumbersome to the operator to ingress and egress the cabin of the vehicle.
With advancements in technology, foot pedals have been structured to lie in the same vertical plane as that of the cabin which enables the operator/passenger to easily locate the foot pedals and climb up or down into and out of the cabin. However, foot pedals in the same vertical plane are located at the higher position away from the ground level. Further, the conventional foot pedals are provisioned in a same horizontal plane without any offset between each of the foot pedals which renders complex footing pattern for the operator/passenger for climbing up or returning down from

the cabin of the vehicle as the operator/passenger may have to retract the foot out of each of the foot pedal before positioning the foot in the subsequent foot pedal.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism and a system as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism and the system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a mechanism for operating a foot pedal between a raised position and a lowered position relative to a cabin of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism includes a support plate and a carrier which is slidably disposed on a first major surface of the support plate. The carrier is configured to displace between a proximal end and a distal end of the support plate, where the foot pedal is pivotably connectable to the carrier and is configured to pivot between a retracted condition and an operating condition, on displacement of the carrier relative to the proximal end of the support plate. Further, a first actuation unit is provided between the carrier and the support plate. The first actuation unit is configured to displace the carrier along the first major surface of the support plate such that, the foot pedal in the operating condition is displaced relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes at least one first sliding rail defined on the first major surface of the support plate, where the carrier is defined with at least one first guide slot to accommodate the at least one first sliding rail such that the at least one first sliding rail is configured to guide the carrier along the support plate between the proximal end and the distal end.
In an embodiment, the first actuation unit includes a rack positioned on the first major surface of the support plate. Further, the first actuation unit includes a pinion mounted on the carrier which

is disposed in meshing engagement with the rack. Additionally, the first actuation unit includes a first rotary actuator coupled to the pinion. The first rotary actuator rotates the pinion in meshing engagement with the rack to displace the carrier between the proximal end and the distal end of the support plate.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a frame that is pivotally connected to the carrier and supports the foot pedal.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a base plate which is fixed proximal to the cabin of the vehicle, which is structured to slidably accommodate the support plate. Further, at least one second sliding rail is defined on the base plate. A second major surface of the support plate is defined with at least one second guide slot to accommodate the at least one second sliding rail such that the at least one second sliding rail is configured to guide the support plate along the base plate between a first position and a second position.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a second actuation unit provisioned between the base plate and the support plate. The second actuation unit is configured to displace the support plate between the first position and the second position relative to the base plate.
In an embodiment, the second actuation unit includes a lead screw positioned on the base plate and a nut fixed to the proximal end of the support plate. Further, the second actuation unit includes a second rotary actuator coupled to the lead screw. The second rotary actuator rotates the lead screw to displace the nut fixed to the proximal end of the support plate and displace the support plate between the first position and the second position relative to the base plate.
In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a stopper that is disposed on the base plate. The stopper is engageable with the frame, to pivot the foot pedal between the operating condition and the retracted condition.
In an embodiment, the foot pedal is pivoted to the retracted condition from the operating condition on engagement of the stopper with the frame, when the carrier is displaced from the distal end to the proximal end of the support plate. Further, the foot pedal is pivoted to the operating condition

from the retracted condition on disengagement of the stopper with the frame, when the carrier is displaced from the proximal end to the distal end of the support plate.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for assisting ingress and egress to a cabin of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least one switch provisioned in the vehicle. The system also includes a mechanism for operating a foot pedal between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the cabin of the vehicle. The mechanism has a support plate and a carrier which is slidably disposed on a first major surface of the support plate. The carrier is configured to displace between a proximal end and a distal end of the support plate, where the foot pedal is pivotably connectable to the carrier and is configured to pivot between a retracted condition and an operating condition, on displacement of the carrier relative to the proximal end of the support plate. Further, a first actuation unit is provided between the carrier and the support plate. The first actuation unit is configured to displace the carrier along the first major surface of the support plate such that, the foot pedal in the operating condition is displaced relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position. Additionally, the system includes at least one handle that is movably supported on a guide rail proximal to the cabin of the vehicle. The at least one handle is configured to displace relative to displacement of the foot pedal. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the at least one switch, the mechanism and the at least one handle, where the control unit is configured to operate the mechanism and the at least one handle based on operational signals received from the at least one switch.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments

are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figs. 1a, 1b, 1c illustrate schematic views of a system for assisting ingress and egress to a cabin of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 1d illustrates a schematic view of a door of the cabin in the vehicle including at least one switch for operating the system illustrated in Figs. 1a, 1b, 1c.
Fig. 2a illustrates schematic view of the mechanism for operating a foot pedal in the system of Fig. 1 where the foot pedal is at a retracted condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2b illustrates schematic view of a mechanism for operating a foot pedal in the system of Fig. 1 where the foot pedal is at an intermediate position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2c illustrates schematic view of the mechanism for operating a foot pedal in the system of Fig. 1 where the foot pedal is at an operating condition proximal to a ground, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2d illustrates an exploded view of the mechanism for operating a foot pedal in the system of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2e illustrates a base plate and a support plate of the mechanism of Fig. 2a.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other mechanisms, systems, assemblies, devices, methods, and processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a mechanism, a system, or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for assisting ingress and egress to a cabin of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least one switch provisioned in the vehicle. The system also includes a mechanism for operating a foot pedal between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the cabin of the vehicle. The mechanism has a support plate and a carrier which is slidably disposed on a first major surface of the support plate. The carrier is configured to displace between a proximal end and a distal end of the support plate, where the foot pedal is pivotably connectable to the carrier and is configured to pivot between a retracted condition and an operating condition, on displacement of the carrier relative to the proximal end of the support plate. Further, a first actuation unit is provided between the carrier and the support plate. The first actuation unit is configured to displace the carrier along the first major surface of the support plate such that, the foot pedal in the operating condition is displaced relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position. Additionally, the system

includes at least one handle that is movably supported on a guide rail proximal to the cabin of the vehicle. The at least one handle is configured to displace relative to displacement of the foot pedal. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the at least one switch, the mechanism and the at least one handle and is configured to operate the mechanism and the at least one handle based on operational signals received from the at least one switch. The system of the present disclosure brings the foot pedal close to the ground level and enables a user to easily climb onto the foot pedal with minimum efforts. Further, as the foot pedal is configured to lift relative to the ground level and towards the cabin of the vehicle, complexity involved in ingress and egress to the cabin is mitigated.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 and 2. It is to be noted that the mechanism and the system may be employed in any vehicle including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, commercial vehicles, and any other vehicle.
Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrate a system (200) for assisting ingress and egress to a cabin of a vehicle. The cabin of the vehicle may include an opening to provide access to seats, vehicle control components and other features to operate at least some functions of the vehicle. Further, the system (200) may be configured to lift a user from a ground level to a position proximal to an opening cabin of the vehicle and may also be configured to lower the user from the opening to the ground level [as seen in Fig. 1a].
The system (200) may include a mechanism (100) for operating a foot pedal (1) between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the cabin of the vehicle. The raised position of the foot pedal (1) corresponds to position of the foot pedal (1) proximal to the cabin of the vehicle [as seen in Fig. 1b). The lowered position of the foot pedal (1) corresponds to position of the foot pedal (1) substantially at the ground level [as seen in Fig. 1a]. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the foot pedal (1) in the lowered position may be in contact with the ground or may be at a distance above the ground in a range of about 0.1 to 1 feet. The foot pedal (1) may be configured to accommodate the user and lift or lower the user or operator or driver relative to the cabin of the

vehicle. The system (200) may include at least one handle (11) movably supported on a guide rail provisioned proximal to the cabin of the vehicle. The at least one handle (11) may be configured to support the user during ingress and egress. Further, the at least one handle (11) may be tandemly displaceable on displacement of the foot pedal (1). In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one handle (11) may be operatively connected to a drive unit, which may be configured to displace the at least one handle (11). The displacement of the at least one handle may be based on the displacement of the foot pedal (1). For example, the at least one handle may relatively displace in an upward direction and a downward direction when the foot pedal (1) is displaced between the raised position and the lowered position respectively, such that the user is comfortably supported during ingress and egress. The drive unit may include a lead screw or a ball screw [not shown in figures] connected to a motor, where the at least one handle (11) may be connected to a nut or may be a nut provisioned on threads defined on the lead screw. Further, the at least one handle (11) may be connected to the drive unit via connecting means including, but not limited to, a belt drive, a chain drive, a rope drive, a gear arrangement, and any other transmission device for displacing such at least one handle (11) relative to the foot pedal (1).
Further, referring to Fig. 1d, the system (200) may include at least one switch (16) provisioned in the vehicle to operate the mechanism (100). The at least one switch (16) may be provisioned at locations including, but not limited to, a door, a key fob, a vehicle body, infotainment arrangement, instrument cluster, switch panel, and any other location within reach of the user of the vehicle. The at least one switch (16) may be configured to transmit operational signals to the foot pedal (1) for operation between the raised position and the lowered position. Additionally, the at least one switch (16), the mechanism (100) and the at least one handle (11) may be communicatively coupled to a control unit [not shown in Figs]. The control unit may be body control module of the vehicle and may be configured to operate the mechanism (100) and the at least one handle (11) based on the operational signals received from the at least one switch (16).
Now referring to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e which are an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating the mechanism (100) for operating the foot pedal (1). In the illustrative embodiment, only one foot pedal (1) is illustrated for ease in understanding of working of the mechanism (100), however, such illustration should not be considered as a limitation, as a more than one of such foot pedals (1) may be included for ingress and egress to the cabin of the vehicle.

The mechanism (100) may include a base plate (7) that may be fixed proximal to the cabin of the vehicle. The base plate (7) may be rigidly fixed to a frame, such as chassis or a body, of the vehicle by suitable joining means including but not limited to mechanical and thermal joining. The base plate (7) may be structured to slidably accommodate a support plate (2). The support plate (2) may be defined with a first major surface (14) and a second major surface (15) having a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE). The second major surface (15) may be in the side of the support plate (2) facing the base plate (7) and the first major surface (14) may be provisioned opposite to the second major surface (15) away from the base plate (7). In an embodiment, the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2) may be defined at a top portion of the support plate (2), which may be adjacent to the cabin of the vehicle. While the distal end (DE) may be defined at a bottom portion of the support plate (2) opposite to the proximal end (PE), structured above the ground.
Further, the mechanism (100) may include a carrier (3) that may be slidably disposed on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the carrier (3) may be a casing or a housing capable of accommodating movable and stationary elements. The carrier (3) may be configured to slidably displace between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2). The carrier (3) may be configured such that one end of a frame (6) may be pivotally connected to the carrier (3) while an other end, opposite to the one end of such frame (6), may be rigidly connected to the foot pedal (1). The frame (6) may be configured to structurally reinforce the foot pedal (1) and provide adequate support for the foot pedal (1) to receive and bear load of the user during ingress and egress from the cabin of the vehicle.
The pivotal connection of the frame (6) with the carrier (3) enables the foot pedal (1) to be pivotably connected to the carrier (3) such that the foot pedal (1) may be operated between a retracted condition [as seen in Fig. 2a] and an operating condition [as seen in Figs. 2b and 2c]. Further as seen in Figs. 2b and 2c, the mechanism (100) may include a stopper (10) that may be disposed on the base plate (7) proximal to the cabin of the vehicle. The stopper (10) may be configured to engage with the frame (6) and pivot the foot pedal (1) between the operating condition and the retracted condition. For example, upon displacement of the carrier (3) from the distal end (DE) to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2), the stopper (10) may engage with the frame (6) and may restrict further displacement of the frame (6) [as seen in Fig. 2b]. Due to the restriction of displacement, the frame (6) may pivot against the biasing force exerted on the

frame (6), thereby pivoting the foot pedal (1) from the operating condition to the retracted condition [as seen in Fig. 2a]. Furthermore, upon displacement of the carrier (3) from the proximal end (PE) to the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2), the stopper (10) may disengage with the frame (6) and may allow displacement of the frame (6). Due to the disengagement, the frame (6) may pivot in the direction of the biasing force applied by the resilient member and thereby pivot the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition to the operating condition.
In an embodiment, the frame (6) may be defined with an engaging portion (12) configured to engage with the stopper (10). The engaging portion (12) may extend from the frame (6) in the direction towards the stopper (10). Further, the tip of the engaging portion (12) may be defined with a curved or a rounded profile such that upon engagement of the curved or a rounded profile with the stopper (10), the frame (6) may be subjected to a pivotal displacement. In an embodiment, the tip of the engaging portion (12) may be provisioned with a roller configured to roll and pivot the frame (6) upon engaging with the stopper (10).
The mechanism (100) may be configured to pivot the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition to the operating condition, on displacement of the carrier (3) relative to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the frame (6) may be connected to the carrier (3) through a resilient member [not shown in figs]. The resilient member may be configured to bias the frame (6) to pivot away from the carrier (3) to the operating condition of the foot pedal (1). The resilient member may be including but not limited to torsional spring, helical spring, polymeric stub, and any other member capable of biasing the frame (6). Further, the carrier (3) may include a restrictor [not shown in figs] that may be configured to limit pivotal movement of the frame (6) in the operating condition, such that the foot pedal (1) may be positioned perpendicular to the carrier (3) for supporting the user. Furthermore, the mechanism (100) may include a first actuation unit (4) [as seen in Figs. 2b and 2c] provided between the carrier (3) and the support plate (2). The first actuation unit (4) may be configured to displace the carrier (3) along the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2) between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2). The displacement of the carrier (3) displaces the foot pedal (1) relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position.

In an embodiment, the first actuation unit (4) may include a rack (17), positioned on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2). The rack (17) may be integrally defined on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2). Further, a pinion (18) may be mounted on the carrier (3) and may be disposed in a meshing engagement with the rack (17). Additionally, the pinion (18) may be coupled to a first rotary actuator (19) that may be configured to transmit rotational motion onto the pinion (18). The first rotary actuator (19) may rotate the pinion (18) that may be in meshing engagement with the rack (17) to displace the carrier (3) between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the first actuation unit (4) may include a lead screw connected to a first rotary actuator (19) disposed on the support plate (2) and a nut provisioned around the lead screw and mounted on the carrier (3), such that the rotational motion of the lead screw displaces the nut thereby displacing the carrier (3).
Further, the support plate (2) may include at least one first sliding rail (5) defined on the first major surface (14), and the carrier (3) may be defined with at least one first guide slot (20a) to accommodate the at least one first sliding rail (5). For example, the support plate (2) may include two first sliding rails (5) defined on the first major surface (14) and the carrier (3) may be correspondingly defined with two first guide slots (20a) to accommodate the two first sliding rails (5). The at least one first sliding rail (5) may be configured to guide the carrier (3) along the support plate (2), between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the at least one first sliding rail (5) may be defined on the carrier (3) and the at least one first guide slot (20a) may be defined on the support plate (2). The at least one first sliding rail (5) and the at least one first guide slot (20a) may define an interlocking profile such that, the carrier (3) may be securely displaced on the support plate (2) without disengagement from the at least one first sliding rail (5) from within the at least one first guide slot (20a). As an example, the interlocking profile may be a dovetail profile.
Figs. 2c and 2e illustrate a second actuation unit (9) of the mechanism (100). The second actuation unit (9) may be provisioned between the base plate (7) and the support plate (2) and may be configured to displace the support plate (2) between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7). In an embodiment, the first position (FP) of the support plate (2) may be proximal to the cabin of the vehicle [as seen in Figs. 2a and 2b] and the second position (SP) may be proximal to the ground and away from the first position (FP) [as seen in Fig. 2c]. In

an embodiment, the second actuation unit (9) may include a lead screw (21), positioned on the base plate (7). Further, a nut (13) may be fixed to the proximal end (PE) on the second major surface (15) of the support plate (2), where the nut (13) may be provisioned around the lead screw (21). Further, a second rotary actuator (22) may be provisioned on the base plate (7) and may be coupled to the lead screw (21), such that the second rotary actuator (22) rotates the lead screw (21) to displace the nut (13) fixed to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2). The nut (13) may displace the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7). In an embodiment, the second actuation unit (9) may include a ball screw provisioned between the base plate (7) and the support plate (2) and may be configured to displace the support plate (2) between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7).
Further, the base plate (7) may be defined with at least one second sliding rail (8) and the second major surface (15) of the support plate (2) may be defined with at least one second guide slot (20b) to accommodate the at least one second sliding rail (8). For example, the base plate (7) may be defined with two second sliding rails (8) and the second major surface (15) on either sides of the lead screw (21) on the support plate (2) may be defined with two second guide slots (20b) to accommodate the two second sliding rails (8). The at least one second sliding rail (8) may be configured to guide the support plate (2) along the base plate (7) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP). In an embodiment, the at least one second sliding rail (8) may be defined on the second major surface (15) of the support plate (2) and the at least one second guide slot (20b) may be defined on the base plate (7). The at least one second sliding rail (8) and the at least one second guide slot (20b) may be defined an interlocking profile such that the support plate (2) may be securely displaced on the base plate (7) without disengagement of the at least one second sliding rail (8) from within the at least one second guide slot (20b). As an example, the interlocking profile may be a dovetail profile.
Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to control the operations in the system (200) for ingress and egress to an cabin of the vehicle. For ingress into the cabin of the vehicle, the user may operate the at least one switch (16). The at least one switch (16) may transmit operational signals to the control unit. The control unit computes the operational signal and determines the operation to be carried out. The control unit may operate the first actuation unit (4), such that the carrier (3)

supporting the foot pedal (1) may be displaced from the proximal end (PE) to the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2), where the stopper (10) may disengage with the frame (6) and may allow displacement of the frame (6) to pivot the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition to the operating condition. Further, the carrier (3) displaces and reaches the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2). Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to operate the second actuation unit (9), such that the support plate (2) may be displaced from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). The foot pedal (1) may be positioned proximal to the ground when the carrier (3) reaches the distal end (DE) and the support plate (2) may be at the second position (SP) [as seen in Fig. 2c and 1a].
The user may step on the foot pedal (1), when the foot pedal (1) is proximal to the ground. After being accommodated on the foot pedal (1), the user may operate the at least one switch (16), such that the control unit may operate the second actuation unit (9) to displace the support plate (2) from the second position (SP) to the first position (FP). Further, the control unit operates the first actuation unit (4) to operate carrier (3) from the distal end (DE) towards the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may be adapted with a sensor such as a position sensor or a load sensor which may determine the user being accommodated on the foot pedal (1). The sensor upon determining accommodation of the user on the foot pedal (1) may transmit operational signals to the control unit. Upon receiving operational signal from the sensor, the control unit may deactivate the first actuation unit (4) when the foot pedal (1) reaches an intermediate position [as seen in Fig. 2b and 1b] where the user may enter into the cabin of the vehicle. The intermediate position may be a predefined position which aids in easy ingress and egress of the user, i.e., the user may easily enter and exit the cabin of the vehicle with minimum effort. Additionally, the sensor may determine the ingress of the user and may transmit operational signals to the control unit. The control unit upon receiving the signals from the sensor, actuates the first actuation unit (4) and displaces the carrier (3) to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2) and thereby may retract the foot pedal (1) from the operating condition to the retracted condition [as seen in Fig. 2a and 1c].
Further, for egress from the cabin of the vehicle, the user may operate the at least one switch (16) and the first actuation unit (4) may be operated by the control unit from the proximal end (PE) of support plate (2) to the intermediate position. In the intermediate position the sensor may determine

the accommodation of the user on the foot pedal (1) and may transmit operational signal to the control unit. Upon receiving the operational signal from the sensor the control unit may be configured to operate the first actuation unit (4) and the second actuation unit (9) to displace the carrier (3) to the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2) and the support plate (2) to the second position (SP) respectively to position the foot pedal (1) proximal to the ground of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, dedicated switches of the at least one switch (16) may be configured to individually lower or raise the foot pedal (1) relative to the cabin of the vehicle. Further, a dedicated switch (16) may be provided to operate the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition to the intermediate position. For example, the user may operate a first switch to operate the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition in the raised position to the operating condition in the lowered condition proximal to the ground of the vehicle. Further, the user may operate a second switch to operate the foot pedal (1) from the lowered condition proximal to the ground to the intermediate position for ingress into the cabin of the vehicle. Furthermore, the user may operate a third switch to operate the foot pedal (1) from the intermediate position to the lower condition proximal to the ground for egress from the cabin of the vehicle. A fourth switch may be operated by the user to selectively operate the foot pedal (1) between the retracted condition and the operation condition when the carrier (3) may be at the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2). In an embodiment, the operation of the mechanism (100) may be automated by the control unit and may be operated based on operation of the door, locking system, ignition of the vehicle, remote controlled and any other means in which the mechanism (100) may be operated without manually operating the at least one switch (16).
In an embodiment, the control unit may be configured to operate the foot pedal (1) to the intermediate position when the door of the vehicle is opened. Further, the control unit may be configured to operate the foot pedal (1) from the intermediate position to the retracted condition when the door of the vehicle is closed.
In an embodiment, the control unit may be a centralized control unit of the vehicle or may be a dedicated control unit to the system (200) associated with the centralized control unit of the vehicle. The control unit may also be associated with other control units including, but not limited to, a body control module (BCM), a central control module (CCM), a general electronic module

(GEM), and the like. In an embodiment, the control unit may include a processing unit, where the processing unit may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. The processing unit may be a specialized processing unit such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. Further, the control unit may be an electronic control unit, disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to the memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, and the like, employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system interface (SCSI), etc.
In an embodiment, the control unit, the at least one switch (16), the first actuation unit (4) and the second actuation unit (9) may be connected to the battery of the vehicle for operation.
In an embodiment, upon pivoting of the foot pedal (1) from the retracted condition to the operating condition, the first actuation unit (4) and the second actuation unit (9) may be operated simultaneously to lower or raise the foot pedal (1).
In an embodiment, the support plate (2) may be rigidly fixed to the chassis or the body of the vehicle suitable joining means including but not limited to mechanical and thermal joining. The support plate (2) may be configured to extend from the cabin of the vehicle towards the ground. The first actuation unit (4) may displace the carrier (3) from the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) such that the foot pedal (1) at the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2) may be proximal to the ground. Additionally, the stopper (10) may be provisioned on the support plate (2) at a predefined position to operate the foot pedal (1) between the operating condition and the retracted condition.
In an embodiment, the at least one first sliding rail (5), the at least one second sliding rail (8), the at least one first guide slot (20a) and the at least one second guide slot (20b) may be defined with a provision to restrict further movement of the carrier (3) or the support plate (2). The provision may secure the carrier (3) between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support

plate (2) and may secure the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP).
In an embodiment, the carrier (3) and the support plate (2) may be connected by chains or belts which may be configured to displace the carrier (3) and the support plate (2) to operate the foot pedal (1).
In an embodiment, elongated members may be rigidly fixed to the chassis or the body of the vehicle by suitable joining means including but not limited to mechanical and thermal joining. The elongated members may be configured to extend from the cabin of the vehicle towards the ground defining a channel. The elongated member may be adapted to accommodate the carrier (3) and the foot pedal (1) and may be configured to operate the carrier (3) between a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE) of the channel defined by the elongated member. The elongated member may be including but not limited to rails, tubes, links and any other member capable of securely accommodating the foot pedal (1). In another embodiment, a lead screw may be fixed to the chassis or the body of the vehicle, where the foot pedal (1) may be fixed to a nut and may be configured to displace relative to the cabin of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the first rotary actuator (19) and the secondary rotary actuator may be an electric motor. Further, the first rotary actuator (19) may be positioned on the outer surface of the carrier (3) or may be position within the carrier (3).
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may be provisioned with dampers to mitigate vibrations generated during operation of the mechanism (100) and the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may be covered by a body panel of the vehicle and the foot pedal (1) in the retracted condition may rest flush with the body of the vehicle. The shape and the size of the foot pedal (1) may be determined based on the load, space availability and aesthetic appeal.
In an embodiment, the system (200) and the mechanism (100) provide a foot pedal (1) which displaces close to the ground level and enables a user to easily climb onto the foot pedal (1) with minimum effort.

In an embodiment, as the foot pedal (1) may be configured to operate relative to the cabin of the vehicle, the user may be lifted and lowered relative to the cabin of the vehicle thereby enabling easy ingress and egress. Further, the mechanism (100) mitigates the effort of the user to locate the foot pedal, climb the foot pedal and other maneuvering techniques involved in ingress and egress of a medium and a heavy commercial vehicle.
In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) includes simple elements which are easy to fabricate and maintain.
It should be imperative that the construction and configuration of the mechanism or the system and any other elements or components described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such structural configuration of the elements or components should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite

articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Mechanism
200 System
1 Foot pedal
2 Support plate
3 Carrier
4 First actuation unit
5 First sliding rail
6 Frame
7 Base plate
8 Second sliding rail
9 Second actuation unit
10 Stopper
11 Handle
12 Engaging portion
13 Nut
14 First major surface
15 Second major surface
16 Switch
17 Rack
18 Pinion
19 First rotary actuator
20a First guide slot
20b Second guide slot
21 Lead screw
22 Second rotary actuator
PE Proximal end
DE Distal end

FP First position
SP Second position

We Claim:
1. A mechanism (100) for operating a foot pedal (1) between a raised position and a lowered
position relative to a cabin of a vehicle, the mechanism (100) comprising:
a support plate (2);
a carrier (3), slidably disposed on a first major surface (14) of the support plate (2), the carrier (3) is configured to displace between a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE) of the support plate (2), wherein the foot pedal (1) is pivotably connectable to the carrier (3) and is configured to pivot between a retracted condition and an operating condition, on displacement of the carrier (3) relative to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2); and
a first actuation unit (4), provided between the carrier (3) and the support plate (2), the first actuation unit (4) is configured to displace the carrier (3) along the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2) such that, the foot pedal (1) in the operating condition is displaced relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position.
2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one first sliding rail (5) defined on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2) and wherein the carrier (3) is defined with at least one first guide slot (20a) to accommodate the at least one first sliding rail (5) such that the at least one first sliding rail (5) is configured to guide the carrier (3) along the support plate (2) between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE).
3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuation unit (4) comprises:
a rack (17) positioned on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2); a pinion (18) mounted on the carrier (3), and is disposed in meshing engagement with the rack (17); and
a first rotary actuator (19) coupled to the pinion (18).
4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first rotary actuator (19) rotates
the pinion (18) in meshing engagement with the rack (17) to displace the carrier (3)
between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2).

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a frame (6), pivotally connected to the carrier (3) and supports the foot pedal (1).
6. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a base plate (7) fixed proximal to the cabin of the vehicle, the base plate (7) is structured to slidably accommodate the support plate (2).
7. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprises at least one second sliding rail (8) defined on the base plate (7) and wherein a second major surface (15) of the support plate (2) is defined with at least one second guide slot (20b) to accommodate the at least one second sliding rail (8) such that the at least one second sliding rail (8) is configured to guide the support plate (2) along the base plate (7) between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP).
8. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprises a second actuation unit (9) provisioned between the base plate (7) and the support plate (2), wherein the second actuation unit (9) is configured to displace the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7).
9. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second actuation unit (9) comprises:
a lead screw (21) positioned on the base plate (7);
a nut (13) fixed to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2); and
a second rotary actuator (22) coupled to the lead screw (21).
10. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second rotary actuator (22) rotates
the lead screw (21) to displace the nut (13) fixed to the proximal end (PE) of the support
plate (2) and displace the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second
position (SP) relative to the base plate (7).

11. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a stopper (10), disposed on the base plate (7), wherein the stopper (10) is engageable with the frame (6), to pivot the foot pedal (1) between the operating condition and the retracted condition.
12. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the foot pedal (1) is pivoted to the retracted condition from the operating condition on engagement of the stopper (10) with the frame (6), when the carrier (3) is displaced from the distal end (DE) to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2).
13. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the foot pedal (1) is pivoted to the operating condition from the retracted condition on disengagement of the stopper (10) with the frame (6), when the carrier (3) is displaced from the proximal end (PE) to the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2).
14. A system (200) for assisting ingress and egress to a cabin of a vehicle, the system (200) comprising:
at least one switch (16) provisioned in the vehicle;
a mechanism (100) for operating a foot pedal (1) between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the cabin of the vehicle, the mechanism (100) comprising:
a support plate (2);
a carrier (3), slidably disposed on a first major surface (14) of the support plate (2), the carrier (3) is configured to displace between a proximal end (PE) and a distal end (DE) of the support plate (2), wherein the foot pedal (1) is pivotably connectable to the carrier (3) and is configured to pivot between a retracted condition and an operating condition, on displacement of the carrier (3) relative to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2); and
a first actuation unit (4), provided between the carrier (3) and the support plate (2), the first actuation unit (4) is configured to displace the carrier (3) along the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2) such that, the foot pedal (1) in the operating condition is displaced relative to the cabin of the vehicle between the raised position and the lowered position;

at least one handle (11) movably supported on a guide rail proximal to the cabin of the vehicle, the at least one handle (11) is configured to displace relative to displacement of the foot pedal (1); and
a control unit communicatively coupled to the at least one switch (16), the mechanism (100) and the at least one handle (11), the control unit is configured to operate the mechanism (100) and the at least one handle (11) based on operational signals received from the at least one switch (16).
15. The system (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first actuation unit (4) comprises a first rotary actuator (19) configured to rotate a pinion (18) disposed in meshing engagement with a rack (17) positioned on the first major surface (14) of the support plate (2), to displace the carrier (3) between the proximal end (PE) and the distal end (DE) of the support plate (2).
16. The system (200) as claimed in claim 14, comprises a frame (6), pivotally connected to the carrier (3) and supports the foot pedal (1).
17. The system (200) as claimed in claim 14, comprises a base plate (7) fixed proximal to the cabin of the vehicle, the base plate (7) is structured to slidably accommodate the support plate (2).
18. The system (200) as claimed in claim 17, comprises a second actuation unit (9) provisioned between the base plate (7) and the support plate (2), wherein the second actuation unit (9) is configured to displace the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7).
19. The system (200) as claimed in claim 18, wherein second actuation unit (9) comprises a second rotary actuator (22) configured to rotate a lead screw (21) positioned on the base plate, to displace a nut (13) fixed to the proximal end (PE) of the support plate (2) and displace the support plate (2) between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) relative to the base plate (7).

20. The system (200) as claimed in claim 14, comprises a stopper (10), disposed on the base plate (7), wherein the stopper (10) is engageable with the frame (6), to pivot the foot pedal (1) between the operating condition and the retracted condition.
21. A vehicle comprising a system (200) as claimed in claim 14.