Adjustable accelerator pedal apparatus

• US 5,913,946 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• 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 T.
• Application Number:
  US08/969,962
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 74/512, 74/560, 74/513, 74/514, 74/474, 74/478, 74/530, 74/500.5, 74/501.5 R, 192/111 A
• US Class Current: 74/513
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20189 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20402 Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20408 Constant tension sustaining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

An adjustable accelerator 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 an adjuster link (32) having a first end pivotally connected to a second point (33) on a rocker (28) a first end pivotally connected to a first ground point (36). An anchor link (44) is pivotally connected to a second ground point (46) at one end and a third point (50) of the rocker (28) at the opposite end. A cable (60) interconnects the pedal lever to the throttle linkage 66, thereby allowing actuation of the throttle (68) upon displacement of the pedal. The interconnection of the adjuster link and a second point (33) on the rocker form a virtual ground point (70) allowing the first end of the pedal lever (18) to be adjusted between first and second pedal positions.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal apparatus for actuating a cable attached to a device within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:

a pedal lever having a first end;

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second point of said rocker 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 and a second end pivotally connected to a third point on said rocker;

a flexible cable housing having a first end attached to a fourth point on said rocker and a second end attached to a dash panel; and

said cable connected to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever and slidably disposed through said cable housing with a second end attached to the device for actuation;

wherein said first end of said adjuster link 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 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 a first position and a second position and thereafter preventing further rotation of said adjuster link.

3. An adjustable pedal apparatus according to claim 2, 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.

4. An adjustable accelerator pedal apparatus for actuating a throttle within a vehicle, said adjustable accelerator pedal apparatus comprising:

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

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second point of said rocker 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 and a second end pivotally connected to a third point on said rocker;

a flexible cable housing having a first end attached to a fourth point on said rocker and a second end attached to a dash panel; and

a cable connected to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever and slidably disposed through said cable housing with a second end attached to said throttle;

wherein said first end of said adjuster link 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.

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

6. An adjustable accelerator pedal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said rocker forms a triangular member having said first, second and fourth points as vertices.

7. An adjustable accelerator pedal apparatus for actuating a throttle within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal apparatus comprising:

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

a rocker having a first point pivotally connected to a second end of said pedal lever;

an adjuster link having a first end pivotally connected to a second point of said rocker 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 and a second end pivotally connected to a third point on said rocker;

a flexible cable housing having a first end attached to a fourth point on said rocker and a second end attached to a dash panel;

rocker forming a triangular member having said first, second and fourth points as vertices; and

a cable connected to said pedal lever between said first end and said second end of said pedal lever and slidably disposed through said cable housing with a second end attached to said throttle such that said cable applies an output displacement and force to said throttle in response to an input displacement and force applied to said first end of said pedal lever.