Pedal assembly

• US 20050252334A1
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
• Inventors: Podkopayev, Vadym
• Granted Patent: US 7,503,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/44 pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2101 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2107 Follower

Abstract

A pedal assembly including a bracket, a pedal lever pivotally mounted to the bracket, a spring mounted to the bracket, and a cam pivotally mounted to the bracket. The cam engages one end of the spring so as to load the spring while the came pivots. The cam has a pre-determined profile and the pedal lever engages the cam profile to pivot the cam and load the spring during the stroke of the pedal lever, thus enabling the assembly to provide a pre-determined force versus stroke profile.

Claims

1. A pedal assembly, comprising:

a bracket;

a pedal lever pivotally mounted to the bracket;

a spring mounted to the bracket; and

a cam pivotally mounted to the bracket, the cam engaging one end of the spring so as to load the spring as the cam pivots;

wherein the cam has a pre-determined cam profile and the pedal lever engages the cam profile to pivot the cam and load the spring during the stroke of the pedal lever.

2. A pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pedal lever includes a roller for engaging and following said cam profile.

3. A pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pedal lever pivots about a first axis and the cam pivots about a second axis that is oriented transverse to the first axis.

4. A pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cam twists the spring.