Adjustable clutch pedal system

• US 5,901,614 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ewing, Kip Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/978,592
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 74/512-514, 74/560, 74/516, 74/542, 74/518, 74/523, 74/528, 74/535, 74/538, 192/111 A
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20726 Pedal controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus allows the adjustment of a first end of a pedal lever (18) to accommodate operators having varying anatomical characteristics. The apparatus includes a master cylinder (32) mounted on the pedal lever and an adjuster link (28) having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the pedal lever and a first end pivotally connected to a first ground point (44). An anchor link (50) is pivotally connected to a second ground point at one end and a second point of a rocker (60) at the opposite end. A push rod (68) interconnects the rocker to the master cylinder, thereby allowing actuation of the cylinder upon displacement of the pedal and master cylinder assembly. The interconnection of the adjuster link, the pedal lever and a second point (62) on the rocker form a virtual ground point (72) allowing the first end of the pedal lever (18) to be adjusted between first and second pedal positions.

Claims

1. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus for actuating a clutch within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:

a pedal lever having a first end;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever and a second end pivotally connected to a first ground point;

an anchor link having a first end pivotally connected to a second ground point;

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said anchor link and a second point pivotally connected to said first end of said adjuster link and said second end of said pedal lever;

a master cylinder fastened to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever; and

a push rod having a first end pivotally attached to a third point on said rocker and a second end connected to said master cylinder;

wherein said first end of said adjuster link and said second end of said pedal lever and said second point of said rocker form a virtual ground point, such that adjustment of said adjuster link relative to said first ground point between a first position and a second position adjusts said first end of said pedal lever between corresponding first and second pedal positions.

2. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible hydraulic line interconnecting said master cylinder to a slave cylinder operatively associated with the clutch.

3. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adjuster means connected to said adjuster link for rotating said adjuster link relative to said first ground point between said first position and said second position and thereafter preventing further rotation of said adjuster link.

4. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adjuster means comprises a sector gear attached to said adjuster link adjacent to said first end of said adjuster link and a worm gear for meshingly engaging said sector gear.

5. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus for actuating a clutch within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:

a pedal lever having a pad disposed on a first end;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever and a second end pivotally connected to a first ground point;

adjuster means for rotating said adjuster link relative to said first ground point between a first position and a second position;

an anchor link having a first end pivotally connected to a second ground point;

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said anchor link and a second point coterminous with and pivotally connected to said first end of said adjuster link and said second end of said pedal lever;

a master cylinder fastened to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever; and

a push rod having a first end pivotally attached to a third point on said rocker and a second end connected to said master cylinder such that said push rod applies an output displacement and force to said master cylinder in response to an input displacement and force applied to said first end of said pedal lever;

wherein said first end of said adjuster link and said second end of said pedal lever and said second point of said rocker form a virtual ground point, such that adjustment of said adjuster link relative to said first ground point between said first position and said second position adjusts said first end of said pedal lever between corresponding first and second pedal positions.

6. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said adjuster means comprises a sector gear attached to said adjuster link adjacent to said first end of said adjuster link and a worm gear for meshingly engaging said sector gear.

7. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a flexible hydraulic line interconnecting said master cylinder to a slave cylinder operatively associated with the clutch.

8. An adjustable clutch pedal apparatus for actuating a clutch within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:

a pedal lever having a pad disposed on a first end;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever and a second end pivotally connected to a first ground point;

adjuster means for rotating said adjuster link relative to said first ground point between a first position and a second position;

an anchor link having a first end pivotally connected to a second ground point;

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said anchor link and a second point coterminous with and pivotally connected to said first end of said adjuster link and said second end of said pedal lever;

a master cylinder fastened to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever;

a slave cylinder operatively associated with the clutch;

a hydraulic conduit interconnecting said master cylinder and said slave cylinder for fluid communication therebetween, said conduit having a flexible portion thereof to allow articulation of said master cylinder with said pedal lever; and

a push rod having a first end pivotally attached to a third point on said rocker and a second end connected to said master cylinder such that said push rod applies an output displacement and force to said master cylinder in response to an input displacement and force applied to said first end of said pedal lever.