Claims: , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a system and a method for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle.

BACKGROUND
[002] During frontal crash of a vehicle, the occupant, especially the driver, is exposed to a high degree of injuries due to the less reaction time available after collision impact against a barrier (obstacle) or another vehicle depending on the vehicle high speed. To minimize the injuries to the driver below the biomechanical limits, movement of components in the front structure of the vehicle has to be restricted. Clutch pedal assembly is a critical assembly in the occupant area that is bound to increase the injuries to the driver, if the driver comes into contact with it during crash. Excess movement of clutch pedal causes lower leg injuries to the driver.
[003] Conventional vehicles have a clutch master cylinder (CMC) isolated from a clutch pedal mounting box and is connected with clutch pedal shank by snapping them with the body in white (BIW) or pedal box base plate ring. This allows higher degrees of freedom for shank movement as the CMC is not constrained within the clutch pedal mounting box. In such systems, the clutch pedal intrusion prediction will vary based on the impact generated at that moment of crash as degrees of freedom is available in clutch pedal shank, CMC connection and thus requiring a larger contact area for generating opposing reaction load. This requires add on features in the Cross-car beam (CCB) to restrict movement of clutch pedal travel or involve collapsible mechanism.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a system for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a system for restricting clutch pedal intrusion for a 45 degree clutch master cylinder (CMC) which is mounted inside a clutch pedal mounting box of a vehicle.
[008] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide clutch pedal anti-rotation brackets for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle, where the clutch pedal anti-rotation brackets are installed in a clutch pedal mounting box and against the direction of crash in a steering electronic control unit (ECU) mounting bracket.
[009] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide clutch pedal anti-rotation brackets in a vehicle, which generates reaction against clutch pedal movement during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a system which restricts a movement of clutch pedal shank bi-directionally to meet crash requirements.
[0011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a clutch pedal mounting box mounted to a vehicular structure, where a clutch master cylinder and clutch pedal anti-rotation brackets are mounted to the clutch pedal mounting box for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 2 depicts a exploded view of the clutch master cylinder, clutch pedal and clutch pedal mounting box, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the clutch master cylinder mounted in the clutch pedal mounting box, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0016] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve system and a method for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal in a vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve a system for restricting clutch pedal intrusion for a 45 degree clutch master cylinder (CMC) which is mounted inside a clutch pedal mounting box of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a clutch pedal mounting box (CB) mounted to a vehicular structure, where a clutch master cylinder (CMC) and clutch pedal anti-rotation brackets (102, 104) are mounted to the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal (C) in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a first anti-rotation bracket (102) and a second anti-rotation bracket (104). The first and second anti-rotation brackets (102, 104) are adapted to restrict the movement of the clutch pedal (C) during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle. The first anti-rotation bracket (102) is mounted to a clutch pedal mounting box (CB) in front of and in vicinity of a top end of the clutch pedal (C). The second anti-rotation bracket (104) is mounted to the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) in front of and in vicinity of center of the clutch pedal (C). The clutch master cylinder (CMC) is mounted in the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) at a predefined angle, where the predefined angle is 45 degree. In another embodiment, clutch master cylinder (CMC) can be mounted clutch pedal mounting box (CB) and the angle of tilt in the push rod can vary from 0° to 45°. Such setup can be cross deployed in pickup or minivan vehicles, where the cabin space is higher and will assist in critical packaging by avoiding heat resources getting exposed to the clutch master cylinder (CMC). The clutch master cylinder (CMC) is mounted in a clutch pedal mounting box (CB) by using bolts (B) and weld nuts (not shown). This positioning of the clutch master cylinder (CMC) restricts the movement of the clutch pedal (C) during collision. The clutch pedal (C) along with 45° clutch master cylinder (CMC) inside the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) against the direction of force keeping the crash limit targets well within the limit target of 100 mm.
[0020] The working of the system (100) is as follows. In the event of collision, the reaction force generated allows the movement of engine to intrude and allow the dash panel area getting impacted, consequently pushing the clutch pedal area connected with clutch master cylinder (CMC) to move towards driver zone. During the event of all these impacts, the clutch pedal shank collide with the second anti-rotation bracket (104) and then collides the first anti-rotation bracket (102) which is positioned at the top of the clutch pedal. These two impacts generate opposing reaction against the crash impact load. This combined effect results in restricting the movement of clutch pedal (C) within the target of 100 mm and ensures that the driver knee zone is not affected.
[0021] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) for restricting a movement of a clutch pedal (C) in a vehicle during collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The method (200) includes mounting a clutch master cylinder (CMC) in a clutch pedal mounting box (CB) at a predefined angle, where the predefined angle is 45 degree. The method (200) includes mounting a first anti-rotation bracket (102) to the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) in front of and in vicinity of a top end of the clutch pedal (C). Further, the method (200) includes mounting a second anti-rotation bracket (104) to the clutch pedal mounting box (CB) in front of and in vicinity of center of the clutch pedal (C).
[0022] The technical advantages of the system (100) are as follows. The system (100) restricts a movement of clutch pedal shank bi-directionally to meet crash requirements.
[0023] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will 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 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.