Pedal assembly
First Claim
1. A pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a bulkhead positioned generally forward of a seating position for a vehicle operator, and a rigid cross member spaced generally rearward of the bulkhead, the assembly comprising:
- a link supported by the bulkhead for pivoting movement about a link pivot axis, the link including a first link lever arm;
a first pulley mounted on the cross member for rotation about a first pulley axis, wherein the first pulley axis is spaced from the link pivot axis;
an elongate pedal lever arm pivotally supported by one of the bulkhead and the cross member, the pedal lever arm having a free end extending to a position generally rearward of the bulkhead; and
a flexible cable having a first end attached to the first link lever arm, a second end attached to the pedal lever arm at a first distance from the pivot point, and an intermediate portion passing over the first pulley to thereby define a first section of the cable extending between the first link lever arm and the first pulley, and a second section of the cable extending between the first pulley and the pedal lever arm,whereby a rearward displacement of the bulkhead relative to the cross member feeds the cable past the pulley, thereby lengthening the second section of the cable.
20 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A brake pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first link pivotally mounted on a bulkhead bracket, and a first pulley mounted for rotation on a vehicle cross member positioned rearward of the bulkhead. A brake pedal lever arm is pivotally mounted on either the firewall bracket or the cross member, while a cable passing over the pulley couples a lever arm defined on the first link with a cable attachment point on the brake pedal lever arm. In the event of a rearward displacement of the bulkhead during a collision, the flexible cable slackens to allow the pedal lever arm to move forward, away from the legs of the vehicle operator.
40 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a bulkhead positioned generally forward of a seating position for a vehicle operator, and a rigid cross member spaced generally rearward of the bulkhead, the assembly comprising:
-
a link supported by the bulkhead for pivoting movement about a link pivot axis, the link including a first link lever arm; a first pulley mounted on the cross member for rotation about a first pulley axis, wherein the first pulley axis is spaced from the link pivot axis; an elongate pedal lever arm pivotally supported by one of the bulkhead and the cross member, the pedal lever arm having a free end extending to a position generally rearward of the bulkhead; and a flexible cable having a first end attached to the first link lever arm, a second end attached to the pedal lever arm at a first distance from the pivot point, and an intermediate portion passing over the first pulley to thereby define a first section of the cable extending between the first link lever arm and the first pulley, and a second section of the cable extending between the first pulley and the pedal lever arm, whereby a rearward displacement of the bulkhead relative to the cross member feeds the cable past the pulley, thereby lengthening the second section of the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A brake pedal assembly for actuating a master cylinder of an automotive vehicle, wherein the master cylinder includes a plunger, and wherein the vehicle includes a bulkhead positioned generally forward of a seating position for a vehicle operator, and a rigid cross member spaced generally rearward of the bulkhead, the pedal assembly comprising:
-
a link mounted on the bulkhead for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, the link including a first link lever arm and a second lever arm, the second lever arm being coupled to the plunger of the master cylinder; a first pulley mounted on the cross member for rotation about a first pulley axis, wherein the first pulley axis is spaced from the first link pivot axis; a pedal lever arm including an elongate pedal lever arm pivotally supported by one of the bulkhead and the cross member, the pedal lever arm having a free end defining a pedal pad generally rearward of the bulkhead; and a flexible cable having a first end coupled to the first link lever arm, a second end coupled to the pedal lever arm at a first distance from the pivot point, and an intermediate portion passing over the first pulley to thereby define a first section of the cable extending between the first link lever arm and the first pulley, and a second section of the cable extending between the first pulley and the pedal lever arm, whereby a rearward displacement of the bulkhead relative to the cross member feeds the cable past the pulley, thereby lengthening the second cable section to allow the pedal pad to move generally forward, away from the seating position for the vehicle operator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification