US-12623606-B1 - Linkage mechanism, pedal apparatus, and vehicle

US12623606B1US 12623606 B1US12623606 B1US 12623606B1US-12623606-B1

Abstract

A linkage mechanism, a pedal apparatus, and a vehicle are disclosed. The linkage mechanism comprises a mounting base, a telescopic base located below the mounting base, a first swing arm and a second swing arm pivotally connecting the bases, a flipping arm pivotally connected to the telescopic base, and at least one linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is arranged on at least one side of the telescopic base and is pivotally connected to the flipping arm to drive its rotation. This configuration enables the linkage mechanism to provide both extension and flipping functions. Advantageously, when the pedal apparatus is in a retracted state, the design increases the vehicle's ground clearance, thereby enhancing its passability and off-road performance.

Inventors

Jingyu Zhang
Xiangliang MENG
Xuanmo GUO

Assignees

ZHONGSHAN AOD ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250815
Priority Date: 20250625

Claims (17)

1 . A linkage mechanism for use in a pedal apparatus, comprising: a mounting base, configured to be fixed to a vehicle; a retractable base, wherein, in a first direction, the retractable base is located below the mounting base; a first swing arm, wherein one end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a first pivot point, and another end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a second pivot point; a second swing arm, wherein one end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a third pivot point, and another end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fourth pivot point; wherein, in a second direction, at least one of the first swing arm and the second swing arm is configured to drive the retractable base to extend and retract relative to the mounting base; a flipping arm, wherein the flipping arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fifth pivot point; and at least one linkage assembly, wherein, the at least one linkage assembly is in transmission connection with the second swing arm; and, in a third direction, the linkage assembly is arranged on at least one of two sides of the retractable base, and the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at a sixth pivot point; wherein the linkage assembly is configured to drive the flipping arm to pivot about the fifth pivot point via the sixth pivot point.
2 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein as the at least one of the first swing arm and the second swing arm drives the retractable base to extend or retract relative to the mounting base, the linkage assembly simultaneously drives the flipping arm to pivot about the fifth pivot point away from or towards the mounting base.
3 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the linkage mechanism comprises two of the linkage assemblies, wherein, in the third direction, one of the linkage assemblies is arranged on one side of the retractable base, and the other linkage assembly is arranged on another side of the retractable base.
4 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein in the second direction, the fourth pivot point is located between the second pivot point and the fifth pivot point; in the second direction, the sixth pivot point is located closer to the second pivot point relative to the fifth pivot point; one end of the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the mounting base at the third pivot point, and another end of the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at the sixth pivot point.
5 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly comprises a first link and a second link, one end of the first link is pivotally connected to one end of the second link at a seventh pivot point, another end of the first link is pivotally connected to the mounting base at an eighth pivot point, and another end of the second link is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at the sixth pivot point.
6 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein when the retractable base is in a retracted position and the flipping arm is at a first flipping limit position, a line connecting the eighth pivot point and the seventh pivot point and a line connecting the sixth pivot point and the seventh pivot point form a first angle; wherein the first angle is greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45°.
7 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 6 , wherein the first angle is greater than or equal to 21° and less than 27°.
8 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein when the retractable base is in an extended position and the flipping arm is at a second flipping limit position, a line connecting the eighth pivot point and the seventh pivot point and a line connecting the sixth pivot point and the seventh pivot point form a second angle; wherein the second angle is greater than 90° and less than 180°.
9 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 8 , wherein the second angle is greater than 92° and less than 98°.
10 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the second swing arm is provided with a connecting shaft, and the second swing arm is fixedly connected to a structure between two ends of the first link via the connecting shaft.
11 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein under a drive of the linkage assembly, an angular range in which the flipping arm is configured to pivot about the fifth pivot point is greater than or equal to 45° and less than or equal to 70°.
12 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 11 , wherein the angular range in which the flipping arm is configured to pivot about the fifth pivot point is greater than or equal to 55° and less than or equal to 62°.
13 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein when the linkage mechanism is in a retracted state, an overall height of the linkage mechanism in the first direction is greater than 0 mm and less than 70 mm.
14 . The linkage mechanism according to claim 13 , wherein when the linkage mechanism is in the retracted state, the overall height of the linkage mechanism in the first direction is greater than 63 mm and less than 69 mm.
15 . A pedal apparatus for use in a vehicle, comprising: at least one linkage mechanism, a drive unit, and a pedal body; the drive unit is configured to drive the at least one linkage mechanism; the pedal body is fixed to the at least one linkage mechanism; and under a drive of the drive unit, the pedal body is configured to extend, retract, and flip relative to the vehicle; wherein the linkage mechanism, comprising: a mounting base, configured to be fixed to a vehicle; a retractable base, wherein, in a first direction, the retractable base is located below the mounting base; a first swing arm, wherein one end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a first pivot point, and another end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a second pivot point; a second swing arm, wherein one end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a third pivot point, and another end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fourth pivot point; wherein, in a second direction, at least one of the first swing arm and the second swing arm is configured to drive the retractable base to extend and retract relative to the mounting base; a flipping arm, wherein the flipping arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fifth pivot point; and at least one linkage assembly, wherein, the at least one linkage assembly is in transmission connection with the second swing arm; and, in a third direction, the linkage assembly is arranged on at least one of two sides of the retractable base, and the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at a sixth pivot point; wherein the linkage assembly is configured to drive the flipping arm to pivot about the fifth pivot point via the sixth pivot point.
16 . The pedal apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one linkage mechanism is arranged along a length of the pedal body, and wherein the drive unit is in a driving connection with one of the at least one linkage mechanism.
17 . A vehicle, comprising a pedal apparatus, wherein the pedal apparatus comprises: at least one linkage mechanism, a drive unit, and a pedal body; the drive unit is configured to drive the at least one linkage mechanism; the pedal body is fixed to the at least one linkage mechanism; and under a drive of the drive unit, the pedal body is configured to extend, retract, and flip relative to the vehicle; wherein the linkage mechanism, comprising: a mounting base, configured to be fixed to a vehicle; a retractable base, wherein, in a first direction, the retractable base is located below the mounting base; a first swing arm, wherein one end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a first pivot point, and another end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a second pivot point; a second swing arm, wherein one end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a third pivot point, and another end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fourth pivot point; wherein, in a second direction, at least one of the first swing arm and the second swing arm is configured to drive the retractable base to extend and retract relative to the mounting base; a flipping arm, wherein the flipping arm is pivotally connected to the retractable base at a fifth pivot point; and at least one linkage assembly, wherein, the at least one linkage assembly is in transmission connection with the second swing arm; and, in a third direction, the linkage assembly is arranged on at least one of two sides of the retractable base, and the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at a sixth pivot point; wherein the linkage assembly is configured to drive the flipping arm to pivot about the fifth pivot point via the sixth pivot point.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to the field of automobile accessories, and in particular, to a linkage mechanism, a pedal apparatus, and a vehicle. BACKGROUND For new energy sport utility vehicles (SUVs), the battery pack mounted on the chassis is relatively close to the side beams of the vehicle, which severely restricts the installation space for an electric pedal apparatus. A retractable and flipping type electric pedal apparatus offers broad application prospects for new energy SUVs because it can provide both sufficient extension length and retracted concealment. SUMMARY In a first aspect, a technical solution adopted by the present application is to provide a linkage mechanism for use in a pedal apparatus. The linkage mechanism comprises: a mounting base, for being fixed to a vehicle;a telescopic base, wherein, in a first direction, the telescopic base is located below the mounting base;a first swing arm, wherein one end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a first pivot point, and the other end of the first swing arm is pivotally connected to the telescopic base at a second pivot point;a second swing arm, wherein one end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base at a third pivot point, and the other end of the second swing arm is pivotally connected to the telescopic base at a fourth pivot point; wherein, in a second direction, at least one of the first swing arm and the second swing arm is capable of driving the telescopic base to extend and retract relative to the mounting base;a flipping arm, wherein the flipping arm is pivotally connected to the telescopic base at a fifth pivot point;at least one linkage assembly, wherein, in a third direction, the linkage assembly is arranged on at least one of two sides of the telescopic base, and the linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the flipping arm at a sixth pivot point; wherein the linkage assembly is capable of driving the flipping arm to pivot about the fifth pivot point via the sixth pivot point. In a second aspect, another technical solution adopted by the present application is to provide a pedal apparatus for use in a vehicle. The pedal apparatus comprises at least one linkage mechanism, a drive unit, and a pedal body; the drive unit is used for driving the at least one linkage mechanism;the pedal body is fixed to the at least one linkage mechanism;under the drive of the drive unit, the pedal body is capable of extending, retracting, and flipping relative to the vehicle;wherein the linkage mechanism is the linkage mechanism described in the first aspect. In a third aspect, yet another technical solution adopted by the present application is to provide a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises the pedal apparatus described in the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is apparent that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on these drawings without creative effort. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle with a pedal apparatus in an extended state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle with a pedal apparatus in a retracted state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a pedal apparatus in an extended state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a pedal apparatus in a retracted state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage mechanism in an extended state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 6 is a schematic planar projection view of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5 from one perspective. FIG. 7 is a schematic planar projection view of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5 from another perspective. FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage mechanism in an extended state, according to other embodiments of the present application. FIG. 9 is a schematic planar projection view of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 8 from one perspective. FIG. 10 is a schematic planar projection view of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 8 from another perspective. FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage mechanism in a retracted state, according to some embodiments of the present application. FIG. 12 is a schematic planar projection view of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 11 from one perspective. REFERENCE NUMERALS 100: vehicle110: pedal apparatus111: linkage mechanismH: overall height112: drive unit113: pedal body1111: mounting