Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to a footrest assembly, and more particularly, a footrest assembly with a deployable foot peg unit.

BACKGROUND

Two-wheelers are fitted with a footrest that allows a pillion rider to rest his/her foot on the foot pegs. The foot pegs generally have a mount that is attached to a chassis or a body of the two-wheeler. Further, the footrest has a mechanical mechanism and is operated manually by the pillion rider to open the footrest or fold the footrest. The manual operation of the footrest warrants some effort by the pillion rider that may cause discomfort to the pillion rider.

Some of the footrests are electronically operated. The electronically operated footrest may include an electric motor that can both deploy and retract the footrest. The electronically operated footrest is bulky and adds to the overall weight of the two-wheeler. Moreover, the electronically operated footrest tends to have high power consumption. In addition, the electronically operated footrest is susceptible to damage, in case, when the two-wheeler is hit by another vehicle. In some cases, the damage may even render the footrest inoperable.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, which is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a footrest assembly for a vehicle that includes a housing having a pole and a foot peg unit rotatably attached to the pole. The foot peg unit includes a footrest adapted to toggle between a deployed position and a retracted position and a mount extending from the footrest and rotatably attached to the pole. The mount further includes an engagement portion and a cam profile extending from the engagement portion. The footrest assembly also includes a release mechanism operably coupled to the foot peg unit. The release mechanism includes a plunger slidably disposed in the housing and adapted to engage with the engagement portion to retain the footrest in the retracted position. In addition, the release mechanism includes an electric motor disposed in the housing and a crank rotatably coupled to the electric motor. The crank is adapted to slide the plunger to disengage the plunger from the engagement portion to toggle the footrest in the deployed position.

In one embodiment, the crank includes a body having a first end coupled to the electric motor and a second end opposite to the first end. The crank also includes a pin formed on the first end and adapted to rotate to selectively engage with the plunger to slide the plunger away from the engagement portion. In addition, the crank includes a cam formed on a curved surface of the body at a predefined location with respect to the pin of the crank.

The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle having a chassis and a footrest assembly attached to the chassis. The footrest assembly includes a housing having a pole and a foot peg unit rotatably attached to the pole. The foot peg unit includes a footrest adapted to toggle between a deployed position and a retracted position and a mount extending from the footrest and rotatably attached to the pole. The mount further includes an engagement portion and a cam profile extending from the engagement portion. The footrest assembly also includes a release mechanism operably coupled to the foot peg unit. The release mechanism includes a plunger slidably disposed in the housing and adapted to engage with the engagement portion to retain the footrest in the retracted position. In addition, the release mechanism includes an electric motor disposed in the housing and a crank rotatably coupled to the electric motor. The crank is adapted to slide the plunger to disengage the plunger from the engagement portion to toggle the footrest in the deployed position.

According to the present disclosure, the release mechanism enables a quick release of the footrest thereby making the deployment of the footrest quicker. Moreover, the deployment of the footrest is performed using a spring and therefore, the electronic motor can be of a smaller size. Moreover, the pin on the crank selectively engages with the plunger in such a way that the pin gets disengaged when the footrest is deployed. Therefore, any mechanical impact received by the footrest does not get transmitted to the crank and the electric motor thereby preventing damage to the release mechanism.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a chassis of a vehicle with a footrest assembly mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the footrest assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the footrest assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a cut section of the footrest assembly taken along lines 1-1 in Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a foot peg unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the foot peg unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the foot peg unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 9 illustrates a top view of a plunger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 10 illustrates a front view of the plunger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 11 illustrates an isometric view of the plunger, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 12 illustrates a top view of a crank, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figure 13 illustrates a front view of the crank, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and
Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of the crank, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate those elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of the ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a chassis 100 of a vehicle with a footrest assembly 200 mounted thereon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle, in one example, can be an electric two-wheeler and the chassis 100 may be a tubular chassis and may include a clamp to allow mounting of the footrest assembly 200. The chassis 100 may also include another clamp to mount another footrest assembly 200 on an opposite side of the chassis 100. The footrest assembly 200 may be fastened to the clamp to secure the footrest assembly 200 to the chassis 100. The chassis 100 may also include additional clamps or mounts to secure electric wires that power the footrest assembly 200. In addition, the chassis 100 may include a flange 102 that covers a top portion of the footrest assembly 200. The footrest assembly 200 of the present disclosure is designed to deploy electronically after getting actuated by a rider of the vehicle. In one example, the vehicle may include a console or a button that allows the rider to provide input to deploy the footrest assembly 200. Further, the footrest assembly 200 is designed to be retracted manually either by the rider or by a pillion user. Details of the footrest assembly 200 are provided with respect to Figure 2 onwards.

Figures 2 to 5 show different views of the footrest assembly 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the footrest assembly 200 while Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the footrest assembly 200. Further, Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the footrest assembly 200 while Figure 5 illustrates a cut section of the footrest assembly 200 taken along lines 1-1 in Figure 2.

The footrest assembly 200 of the present disclosure is designed in such a way that the footrest assembly 200 can assume a deployed position and a retracted position. Further, the footrest assembly 200 can quickly assume the deployed position upon actuation and without the use of an electric energy source. Moreover, the footrest assembly 200 is designed in such a way that when the footrest assembly 200 is moved to the retracted position, the footrest assembly 200 stores the energy to assume the next deployed position. Further, the footrest assembly 200 includes electronic components to trigger the deployment of the footrest assembly 200. The footrest assembly 200 may include, but is not limited to, a housing 202, a foot peg unit 204, a release mechanism 206, a first spring 208, a second spring 210, and a switch 212. The housing 202, the foot peg unit 204, and the release mechanism 206 may have additional components which will be discussed later.

In one example, the housing 202 may define an outer body of the footrest assembly 200. The housing 202 may include a lower casing 214 and an upper casing 216. The lower casing 214 may be fastened to the upper casing 216 using fasteners 218. Further, the lower casing 214 may include a bracket 220 that allows mounting of the housing 202 on the chassis 100 (shown in Figure 1). The housing 202 may also include a bottom cover 222 positioned under the lower casing 214 and is configured to act as a base for the components housed in the lower casing 214. Further, the lower casing 214 may include a lower flange 224 and a pole 226 mounted on the lower flange 224. The pole 226 may allow the rotatable mounting of the foot peg unit 204 thereon and the lower flange 224 may support the rotational movement of the foot peg unit 204. In one example, the first spring 208 may be mounted around the pole 226.

Similar to the lower casing 214, the upper casing 216 may include an upper flange 228 that may be formed on a top section of the upper casing 216. The upper flange 228, as shown in Figures 3 and 5 may sandwich the pole 226 along with the lower flange 224. In one example, each of the upper flange 228 and the lower flange 224 may have a hole, and the pole 226 may be a hollow cylinder, such that the ends of the hollow cylinders are aligned with the holes of the upper flange 228 and the lower flange 224. The aligned holes are adapted to receive a bolt 230 to secure the foot peg unit 204 to the pole 226. Further, one end of the bolt 230 may receive a nut 232 to ensure that the bolt 230 does not dislodge from the pole 226.

As mentioned before, the pole 226 is adapted to rotatably mount the foot peg unit 204 thereon. Details of the foot peg unit 204 will be explained with respect to Figures 2 to 5 in conjunction with Figures 6, 7, and 8.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate different aspects of the foot peg unit 204, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the foot peg unit 204 whereas Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the foot peg unit 204. Further, Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the foot peg unit 204. The foot peg unit 204 is designed to receive a pillion user’s foot so that the pillion user can rest his/her foot thereon. The foot peg unit 204 may include a mount 234 that may be rotatably attached to the pole 226. In addition, the foot peg unit 204 may include a footrest 236 that is connected to the mount 234 such that the mount 234 extends from the footrest 236.

The footrest 236 and the mount 234 may be formed of a single piece component, either manufactured by casting or by injection moulding. The footrest 236 may assume a retracted position as shown in Figure 3 and a deployed position. The footrest 236 may include an attachment 238 mounted thereon to receive the pillion user’s foot. The attachment 238 may be detachably mounted on the footrest 236 and may be adequately sized so that the pillion user’s foot does not slip while the foot is resting on the footrest 236. The footrest 236 may also include a curved front profile 240 shown in Figure 6 as per the design of the body of the vehicle. The curved front profile 240 may not only enhance the aesthetic of the footrest 236 but also ensures that the footrest 236 is flush with the body in the retracted position.

The footrest 236 may toggle between the retracted position and the deployed position with the help of the mount 234. In one example, the mount 234 may be attached to the pole 226 in such a way that the first spring 208 is connected and sandwiched between the pole 226 and the mount 234. Further, the first spring 208 may exert the force on the mount 234 causing the footrest 236 to rotate from the retracted position to the deployed position. The first spring 208, in one example, can be a torsional spring.

In one example, the mount 234 may also interact with components of the release mechanism 206. The mount 234 may include a cam profile 244 and an engagement portion 242 that extends from the cam profile 244. The engagement portion 242 can be in the form of a steep cut-out portion formed on the mount 234 whereas the cam profile 244 covers most of the curved area of the mount 234. The engagement portion 242, in operation, may be responsible to engage with the release mechanism 206 to maintain the footrest 236 in the retracted position whereas the cam profile 244 may be responsible for engaging the release mechanism 206 to maintain the footrest 236 in the deployed position. A manner in which both the parts of the mount 234 interact with the release mechanism 206 will be explained later.

As mentioned before, the release mechanism 206 is adapted to interact with the foot peg unit 204 to toggle the footrest 236 between the retracted position and the deployed position. Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the release mechanism 206 may include a plunger 246, an electric motor 248, and a crank 250.

The plunger 246 may be slidably disposed in the housing 202. Further, the plunger 246 may be adapted to engage the engagement portion 242 as shown in Figure 2. The plunger 246 may engage the engagement portion 242 to prevent the footrest 236 from rotating. Further, the plunger 246 may be adapted to engage with the cam profile 244 when the footrest is in the deployed position. Details of the plunger 246 are provided with respect to Figures 9 to 11.

Specifically, Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the plunger 246 whereas Figure 10 illustrates a front view of the plunger 246. Further, Figure 11 illustrates an isometric view of the plunger 246, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The plunger 246 may include a plate 252 that may further have a plunger head 254. The plunger head 254 may be adapted to engage with the engagement portion 242 as shown in Figures 5 and 2. The plate 252 may form a base for other components of the plunger 246. The plunger 246 may also include a rear pin 256 that may extend from a rear surface of the plate 252 in a direction opposite to the plunger head 254. The rear pin 256 may be adapted to engage with the second spring 210 as shown in Figure 2. The rear pin 256 may also include a step profile to receive the second spring 210, such that the second spring 210 does not completely cover the rear pin 256. Moreover, the step profile allows for the usage of small-sized second spring 210.

Further, the plunger 246 may include a frame 258 that may extend from the plate 252. Furthermore, the frame 258 has an opening 260 that selectively engages the crank 250. A manner by which the opening 260 selectively engages the crank 250 will be explained later.

In one example, the upper casing 216 and the lower casing 214 may form an enclosed channel through which the plunger 246 may slide towards or away from the engagement portion 242. Further, the plunger 246 may slide in the housing 202 in such a way that the plunger 246 is pulled away by the crank 250 to disengage from the engagement portion 242 and the pulling of the plunger 246 also energizes the second spring 210. Further, the plunger 246 is retained in the pulled-away position by the cam profile 244. On other hand, the plunger 246 is pushed by the second spring 210 to re-engage with the engagement portion 242.

As mentioned before, the plunger 246 is actuated by the electric motor 248 and the crank 250. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the electric motor 248 and the crank 250 are housed in the lower casing 214. The electric motor 248 can be a direct current (DC) servo motor that can be controlled by a microcontroller. Further, the supply of electric current to the electric motor 248 may be cut off by the switch 212. The electric motor 248 may have a shaft that couples with the crank 250. Details of the crank 250 will be provided with respect to Figures 2 and 5 in conjunction with Figures 12 to 14.

Specifically, Figure 12 illustrates a top view of the crank 250 whereas Figure 13 illustrates a front view of the crank 250. Further, Figure 14 illustrates an isometric view of the crank 250, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The crank 250 may have a body having a first end 264 and a second end 266. Further, the first end 264 is coupled to the electric motor 248 and the second end 266 is opposite to the first end 264. The crank 250 may also include a pin 268 formed on the second end 266 and adapted to rotate to selectively engage with the plunger 246 as shown in Figure 2. Further, the pin 268 may engage with the plunger 246 to slide the plunger 246 away from the engagement portion 242. The pin 268 may have a height equal to the height of the opening 260 so that the pin 268 extends into the frame 258. Referring to Figures 12, 13, and 14, the pin 268 may be formed at an eccentric to an axis of rotation A1. The eccentric position enables the pin 268 to selectively engage the plunger 246 to push the plunger 246 away from the engagement portion 242.

The crank 250 may also include a cam 270 that may be formed on a curved surface of the body at a predefined location with respect to the pin 268 of the crank 250. The cam 270 may be in the form of a protrusion and may be adapted to selectively engage with the switch 212 disposed in the housing. Further, the switch 212 is adapted to the cut-off electric current to the electric motor 248 after getting actuated by the cam 270. According to the present disclosure, the cam 270 is positioned at the predefined location with respect to the pin 268, such that the cam 270 engages the switch 212 after the disengagement of the pin 268 from the plunger 246. Such action ensures that the pin 268 does not rotate further to engage with the frame 258 of the plunger 246.

In one example, cutting off the electric current upon actuation of the switch 212 by the cam 270 can be based on different logic. Under one logic, the electric supply may be directly cut to stop the rotation of the electric motor 248. In another logic, the pressing of the switch 212 by the cam 270 triggers a countdown during which the electric motor 248 continues to rotate so that the pin 268 completes one complete circle. Further, completion of the countdown may result in the forfeit of the supply of electric current.

According to the present disclosure, the size of the frame 258 and the eccentricity of the pin 268 is set in such a way that the pin 268 may contact a rear arm 272 of the frame 258 when the pin 268 is rotated as shown in Figure 2.

The operation of the footrest assembly 200 is now explained. Initially, the footrest 236 is in the retracted position. In this state, the position of the pin 268 shown in Figure 2 may be referred to as an initial position. Thereafter, the rider may send a signal to the release mechanism 206 to deploy the footrest 236. Upon receipt of the signal, the electric motor 248 starts to rotate the crank 250 which causes the pin 268 to push against the rear arm 272 of the frame 258. Since the plunger 246 can slide positively, the plunger 246 starts to move. As the plunger 246 moves away, the plunger head 254 disengages from the engagement portion 242. At the same time, the second spring 210 gets compressed and thereby gets energized. As the plunger head 254 completely disengages the engagement portion 242, thereby, allowing the first spring 208 to rotate the footrest 236 so that the footrest 236 swings outwardly and assumes the deployed position. As the footrest 236 rotate, the cam profile 244 comes in contact with the plunger head 254 and keeps the plunger head 254 in the retracted position.

At the same time inside the housing, the crank 250 has completed half-rotation and the pin 268 has now disengaged from the rear arm 272. Further rotation of the crank 250 causes the pin 268 to continue rotating back to its initial position. During this part of the rotation, the frame 258 is completely disengaged from the pin 268. Therefore, any impact that the footrest 236 receives may be received by the plunger 246 but does not get transferred to the crank 250 or the electric motor 248. Therefore, the structure of the plunger 246 prevents damage to the crank 250 or the electric motor 248. Rotation of the crank 250 results in the cam 270 pressing the switch 212 which starts the countdown. In one example, a controller controlling operation may have the information about the rotational speed of the electric motor 248. Further, the controller, based on the rotational speed and time at which the switch 212 was actuated, may determine the duration of the countdown for which the electric motor 248 should rotate the crank 250 so that the pin 268 arrives at the initial position. Once the countdown is complete, the supply to the electric motor 248 is disconnected. At this position, the first spring 208 keeps the footrest 236 in the deployed position and the cam profile 244 keeps the plunger 246 pushed into the housing 202.

On the other hand, when the pillion user rotates the footrest 236 back to the retracted position, the footrest 236 starts to rotate in opposite direction and at the same time, the first spring 208 starts to energise. Simultaneously, the cam profile 244 starts to rotate away from the plunger 246. Eventually, the cam profile 244 disconnects from the plunger 246 and the engagement portion 242 gets aligned with the plunger 246. As both of them get aligned, the second spring 210 pushes the plunger 246 towards the engagement portion 242 to engage therewith. The engagement results in the plunger 246 locking the mount 234 and retaining the footrest 236 in the retained position.

According to the present disclosure, the physical disconnection between the pin 268 and the frame 258 ensures that impact forces from the footrest 236 are not transmitted to the pin 268 thereby ensuring the robustness of the release mechanism 206. Moreover, since the deployment of the footrest 236 is performed by the first spring 208, additional bulky motors are not needed thereby making assembly less convoluted. The use of spring enables quick deployment of the footrest 236.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
, Claims:1. A footrest assembly (200) for a vehicle, comprising:
a housing (202) having a pole (226);
a foot peg unit (204) rotatably attached to the pole (226), the foot peg unit (204) comprising:
a footrest (236) adapted to be toggle between a deployed position and a retracted position; and
a mount (234) extending from the footrest (236) and rotatably attached to the pole (226), the mount (234) comprising an engagement portion (242) and a cam profile (244) extending from the engagement portion (242); and
a release mechanism (206) operably coupled to the foot peg unit (204), the release mechanism (206) comprising:
a plunger (246) slidably disposed in the housing (202) and adapted to engage with the engagement portion (242) to retain the footrest (236) in the retracted position;
an electric motor (248) disposed in the housing (202); and
a crank (250) rotatably coupled to the electric motor (248) and adapted to slide the plunger (246) to disengage the plunger (246) from the engagement portion (242) to toggle the footrest (236) in the deployed position.

2. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first spring (208) coupled to the mount (234) and the pole (226), and adapted to rotate the footrest (236) from the retracted position to the deployed position; and
a second spring (210) coupled to the plunger (246) and adapted to push the plunger (246) to maintain engagement of the plunger (246) with the engagement portion (242).

3. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crank (250) comprising:
a body having a first end (264) coupled to the electric motor (248) and a second end (266) opposite to the first end (264);
a pin (268) formed on the second end (266) and adapted to rotate to selectively engage with the plunger (246) to slide the plunger (246) away from the engagement portion (242); and
a cam (270) formed on a curved surface of the body at a predefined location with respect to the pin (268) of the crank (250).

4. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 3, comprising a switch (212) disposed in the housing (202) and adapted to selectively engage with the cam (270), wherein the switch (212) is adapted to cut-off power supply to the electric motor (248) after getting actuated by the cam (270).

5. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claims 2 and 3, wherein the plunger (246) comprising:
a plate (252) having a plunger (246) head adapted to engage with the engagement portion (242);
a rear pin (256) extending from the plate (252) and adapted to engage with second spring (210); and
a frame (258) extending from the plate (252), the frame (258) having an opening to selectively engage the pin (268).

6. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pin is formed at an eccentric from an axis of rotation of the crank (250) and the cam (270) is positioned at the predefined location with respect to the pin, such that the cam (270) engages with the switch upon disengagement of the pin from the plunger (246).

7. The footrest assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (202) comprising:
a lower casing (214) adapted to accommodate the electric motor (248) and the crank (250), the lower casing (214) having a lower flange, wherein the lower flange supports mounting of the pole (226) thereon; and
an upper casing (216) mounted on the lower casing (214), the upper casing (216) having an upper flange adapted to sandwich the pole (226) with the lower flange.

8. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis (100); and
a footrest assembly (200) attached to the chassis (100), comprising:
a housing (202) having a pole (226);
a foot peg unit (204) rotatably attached to the pole (226), the foot peg unit (204) comprising:
a footrest (236) adapted to be toggle between a deployed position and a retracted position; and
a mount (234) extending from the footrest (236) and rotatably attached to the pole (226), the mount (234) comprising an engagement portion (242) and a cam profile (244) extending from the engagement portion (242); and
a release mechanism (206) operably coupled to the foot peg unit (204), the release mechanism (206) comprising:
a plunger (246) slidably disposed in the housing (202) and adapted to engage with the engagement portion (242) to retain the footrest (236) in the retracted position;
an electric motor (248) disposed in the housing (202); and
a crank (250) rotatably coupled to the electric motor (248) and adapted to slide the plunger (246) to disengage the plunger (246) from the engagement portion (242) to toggle the footrest (236) in the deployed position.

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, comprising:
a first spring (208) coupled to the mount (234) and the pole (226), and adapted to rotate the footrest (236) from the retracted position to the deployed position; and
a second spring (210) coupled to the plunger (246) and adapted to push the plunger (246) to maintain engagement of the plunger (246) with the engagement portion (242).

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the crank (250) comprising:
a body having a first end (264) coupled to the electric motor (248) and a second end (266) opposite to the first end (264);
a pin formed on the first end (264) and adapted to rotate to selectively engage with the plunger (246) to slide the plunger (246) away from the engagement portion (242); and
a cam (270) formed on a curved surface of the body at a predefined location with respect to the pin of the crank (250).

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, comprising a switch (212) disposed in the housing (202) and adapted to selectively engage with the cam (270), wherein the switch (212) is adapted to cut-off power supply to the electric motor (248) after getting actuated by the cam (270).

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plunger (246) comprising:
a plate (252) having a plunger (246) head adapted to engage with the engagement portion (242);
a rear pin (256) extending from the plate (252) and adapted to engage with second spring (210); and
a frame (258) extending from the plate (252), the frame (258) having an opening to selectively engage the pin.