Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus (100) for preventing driver seat (105) displacement during clutch pedal depression in a running vehicle (102), said vehicle (102) comprising a seat adjustment mechanism configured to displace the driver seat (105), said apparatus (100) comprising an actuator (120) configured to prevent the operation of said seat adjustment mechanism, thereby preventing the displacement of said driver seat (105), when a clutch pedal (104) of said vehicle (102) is pressed and when a gear lever (145) of said vehicle (102) is not in a neutral position.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (120) is a linear solenoid actuator (120).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a spring loaded plunger (125) of said solenoid actuator (120) is configured to be received in a hole (115) configured on a sliding member (110) of said seat adjustment mechanism.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said apparatus (100) comprises:
a power supply unit (130) configured to supply power to said linear solenoid actuator (120);
a first switch (135) electrically connected between said power supply unit (130) and said solenoid actuator (120), and arranged proximal to the clutch pedal (104), said first switch (135) configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when said clutch pedal (104) is pressed; and
a second switch (140) electrically connected between said power supply unit (130) and said solenoid actuator (120), and arranged proximal to the gear lever (145) of said vehicle (102), said second switch (140) configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when the gear lever (145) of said vehicle (145) is not in a neutral position;
wherein said solenoid actuator (120) is configured to be actuated when said first switch (135) and said second switch (140) are in the closed position.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said apparatus (100) includes a control unit (150) configured to control the supply of power to said solenoid actuator (120) from said power supply unit (130).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said power supply unit (130) is a battery of said vehicle (102).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first switch (135) and said second switch (140) are arranged in series.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator (120) is configured to prevent the displacement of said driver seat (105) in an operative forward or backward direction.
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus (100) includes a notification unit (155) configured to notify a user about the status of said actuator (120).
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said notification unit (155) includes an LED lamp, a buzzer, and/or a display.
11. A vehicle (102) having the apparatus (100) as claimed in any of the claims 1-10.
12. The vehicle (102) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said vehicle (102) is a tractor.
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of apparatuses for preventing driver seat displacement in running vehicles during clutch pedal depression.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
A vehicle seat adjustment mechanism is provided in a vehicle to alter position of a seat in the vehicle. The seat adjustment mechanism allows adjusting the distance between a seat and a dashboard of the vehicle. The mechanism facilitates displacement of the seat in a forward or backward direction. However, while adjusting the driver seat position using the seat adjustment mechanism, the driver may unintentionally press a clutch pedal in the vehicle. There are chances of accident if the gear lever is not in a neutral condition and the clutch pedal gets released unintentionally by the driver during adjusting the seat position.
Therefore, there is felt a need of an apparatus that prevents driver seat displacement during a clutch pedal depression and the gear lever is not in a neutral condition in a vehicle.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that prevents driver seat displacement during a clutch pedal depression and the gear lever is not in a neutral condition in a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that can be easily retrofitted in a vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for preventing driver seat displacement during clutch pedal depression in a running vehicle. The vehicle comprises a seat adjustment mechanism configured to displace the driver seat. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to prevent the operation of the seat adjustment mechanism when actuated, thereby preventing the displacement of the driver seat, when a clutch pedal of the vehicle is pressed and when a gear lever of the vehicle is not in a neutral position.
In an embodiment, the actuator is linear solenoid actuator
In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power supply unit, a first switch, and a second switch. The power supply unit configured to supply power to the linear solenoid actuator. The first switch is electrically connected between the power supply unit and the solenoid actuator, and is arranged proximal to the clutch pedal. The first switch is configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when the clutch pedal is pressed. The second switch is electrically connected between the power supply unit and the solenoid actuator, and is arranged proximal to a gear lever of the vehicle. The second switch is configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when the gear lever of the vehicle is not in a neutral position. The solenoid actuator is configured to be actuated when the first switch and the second switch are in the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An apparatus for preventing driver seat displacement during clutch pedal depression in a running vehicle, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle depicting the apparatus of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Apparatus
102 – Vehicle
104 – Clutch pedal
105 – Driver seat
110 – Sliding member
115 – Holes
120 – Actuator
125 – Plunger
130 – Power supply unit
135 – First switch
140 – Second switch
145 – Gear lever
150 – Control unit
155 – Notification unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", “including”, and “having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
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, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer 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.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for preventing driver seat displacement during clutch pedal depression in a running vehicle.
The apparatus, of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 4.
Referring to Figure 1 to Figure 4, an apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus 100 is configured to prevent the displacement of a driver seat 105 during clutch depression in a running vehicle 102.
In an embodiment, the vehicle 102 is a tractor as shown in Figure 4. However, the tractor shown in Figure 4 is only for the explanation purposes, and it does not limit the scope and ambit of the present disclosure to a tractor. It is to be noted that the apparatus 100 can be fitted in any vehicle.
The vehicle 102 comprises a seat adjustment mechanism configured to displace the driver seat 105. In an embodiment, the seat adjustment mechanism comprises a sliding member 110 fitted below the driver seat 105. The sliding member 110 has a plurality of holes 115 configured thereon.
The apparatus 100 comprises an actuator 120 configured to prevent the operation of the seat adjustment mechanism when actuated. This prevents the displacement of the driver seat 105. The actuator 120 is configured to be actuated when a clutch pedal 104 of the vehicle 102 is pressed and a gear lever 145 of the vehicle 102 is not in a neutral position.
In an embodiment, the actuator 120 is a linear solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator 120 comprises a spring loaded plunger 125. In an embodiment, the plunger 125 is displaced away from the coils of the solenoid actuator 120 when the actuator 120 is actuated, and is retracted towards the coils using the spring force when the actuator 120 is de-actuated.
The spring loaded plunger 125 of the actuator 120 is configured to be received in a hole 115 configured on the sliding member 110 of the seat adjustment mechanism. When the actuator 120 is actuated, the plunger 125 is extended such that it is received in one of the holes 115 on the sliding member 110. This prevents operation of the seat adjustment mechanism. In an embodiment, the actuator 120 is configured to prevent the displacement of the driver seat 105 in an operative forward or backward direction.
The actuator 120 is configured to be actuated when the clutch pedal 104 of the vehicle 102 is pressed and the gear lever 145 of the vehicle 102 is not in a neutral position.
In an embodiment, the free end of the plunger 125 has a shape of a needle tip.
The apparatus 100 further comprises a power supply unit 130, a first switch 135, and a second switch 140. The power supply unit 130 is configured to supply power to the actuator 120. In an embodiment, the power supply unit 130 is a battery of the vehicle 102.
The first switch 135 is electrically connected between the power supply unit 130 and the solenoid actuator 120. The first switch 135 is arranged proximal to the clutch pedal 104 (not specifically shown in Figures). The first switch 135 is configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when the clutch pedal 104 is pressed. In an embodiment, the first switch 135 is mounted on the clutch pedal 104. In another embodiment, the first switch 135 is mounted behind the clutch pedal 104 on the vehicle frame.
The second switch 140 is electrically connected between the power supply unit 130 and the solenoid actuator 120. In an embodiment, the second switch 140 is arranged proximal to the gear lever 145 of the vehicle 102. In another embodiment, the second switch 140 is arranged proximal to a gear shifting link between the gear lever and a gearbox of the vehicle 102. The second switch 140 is configured to be in a closed position to facilitate the supply of power therethrough when the gear lever 145 of the vehicle 102 is not in a neutral position.
The first switch 135 and the second switch 140 are arranged in a circuit of the power supply unit 130 and the actuator 120 such that the solenoid actuator 120 is actuated when both the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 are in the closed position. Some of the possible arrangements of the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 in the circuit are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
The first switch 135 and the second switch 140 are normally open switches.
In an embodiment, the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 are arranged in series such that closing of both the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 facilitates power supply between the actuator 120 and the power supply unit 130.
Referring to Figure 3, the apparatus 100 further comprises a control unit 150. The control unit 150 is connected between the actuator 120 and the power supply unit 130, and is configured to control the supply of power to the solenoid actuator 120 from the power supply unit 130. More specifically, the control unit 150 controls the amount of current and voltage supplied to the actuator 120.
The apparatus 100 further comprises a notification unit 155 configured to notify a user (a driver in most of the cases) about the status of the actuator 120.
In an embodiment, the notification unit 155 is connected between the power supply unit 130 and the actuator 120. Thus, when the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 are closed, the circuit is completed, and the notification unit 155 receives power from the power supply unit.
In an embodiment, the notification unit 155 includes an LED lamp and/or a buzzer. In the embodiment, the notification unit 155 includes a display connected to the control unit of the apparatus. The control unit is configured to detect the status of the actuator 120, and display a notification on the display.
In another embodiment, the notification unit 155 is an LED lamp.
In an operative configuration, when the clutch pedal 104 of the vehicle 102 is pressed and the gear lever 145 of the vehicle 102 is not in neutral position, both the first switch 135 and the second switch 140 gets closed. This allows power supply between the actuator 120 and the power supply unit 130. The actuator 120 gets actuated, and the plunger 125 is pushed into one of the holes 115 on the sliding member 110. Thus, the driver is now unable to operate the seat adjustment mechanism, and displacement of the driver seat is prevented.
The apparatus, of the present disclosure, prevents driver seat displacement when a vehicle is in running condition and a clutch pedal of a vehicle is pressed. Further, the apparatus has a simple configuration, and can be easily retrofitted in any vehicle.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an apparatus that:
• during a clutch pedal depression and the gear lever is not in a neutral condition in a vehicle; and
• can be easily retrofitted in a vehicle.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.