Pressure Releasable Vehicle Pedal Assembly
First Claim
1. A releasable pedal system for an automotive vehicle, said system comprising:
- a pedal assembly including a pedal operatively engageable by a vehicle operator;
an actuator assembly for generating an amount of pressurized fluid responsive to the pedal assembly, said actuator assembly comprising a fluid supply reservoir for containing a reserve of non-pressurized fluid; and
a pressure release valve coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid and operable to release pressurized fluid to the fluid supply reservoir so as to reduce the amount of pressurized fluid in response to detecting a vehicle collision.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable brake pedal system 10 for a vehicle includes a pedal assembly 12 operatively engageable by the driver of the vehicle and a hydraulic actuator assembly 20 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for actuating one or more brakes 44A-44D. The pedal system 10 further includes a pressure release valve 30 or 30´ coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pressure release valve 30 or 30´ is operative to reduce the amount of pressure applied to the brakes 44A-44D during a detected vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision event. The pressure release valve 30 is responsive to a deceleration sensor 40 according to one embodiment, and valve 30´ employs a deceleration sensitive inertial mass 76 according to another embodiment. Accordingly, the pedal system 10 reduces forces that may otherwise be transferred to the pedal assembly 12 during a collision.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A releasable pedal system for an automotive vehicle, said system comprising:
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a pedal assembly including a pedal operatively engageable by a vehicle operator; an actuator assembly for generating an amount of pressurized fluid responsive to the pedal assembly, said actuator assembly comprising a fluid supply reservoir for containing a reserve of non-pressurized fluid; and a pressure release valve coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid and operable to release pressurized fluid to the fluid supply reservoir so as to reduce the amount of pressurized fluid in response to detecting a vehicle collision. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling the fluid pressure in a pedal system having a pedal assembly in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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containing a reserve of non-pressurized fluid in a fluid supply reservoir; generating an amount of pressurized fluid in response to actuation of a pedal assembly; detecting vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision; and reducing the amount of pressurized fluid by releasing pressurized fluid to the fluid supply reservoir in response to said detected vehicle deceleration to reduce collision caused intrusion force transferable to the pedal assembly. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A releasable pedal system for an automotive vehicle, said system comprising:
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a pedal assembly including a pedal operatively engageable by a vehicle operator; an actuator assembly for generating an amount of pressurized fluid responsive to the pedal assembly; and a pressure release valve coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid and operable to release pressurized fluid to reduce the amount of pressurized fluid in response to detecting a vehicle collision, wherein the pressure release valve comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, an inertial mass disposed in the housing and movable in response to deceleration to open a fluid path to reduce the amount of pressurized fluid, and a spring disposed in the housing and biasing the inertial mass to a closed valve position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of controlling a fluid pressure in a pedal system having a pedal assembly in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating an amount of pressurized fluid in response to actuation of a pedal assembly; detecting a vehicle deceleration indicative of a collision by providing a spring biased inertial mass that is movable in response to deceleration; and reducing the amount of pressurized fluid by releasing pressurized fluid in response to movement of the inertial mass that opens a fluid path to reduce the amount of pressurized fluid and thus reduce collision caused intrusion force transferable to the pedal assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification