Brake operating device

• US 5,970,817 A
• Filed: 01/16/1996
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ichiba, Yasuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/585,102
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 74/512, 74/513, 74/514, 74/560, 74/575, 192/111 A, 192/4 A
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/08 providing variable leverage
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/40 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/46 Means, e.g. links, for connecting the pedal to the controlled unit
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 7/04 altering the ratio of motion or force between controlling member and controlled member as a function of the position of the controlling member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2057 Variable input leverage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

In a brake operating device, a lever ratio changing apparatus interconnects a brake pedal assembly that has a brake pedal lever pivotally connected to a support structure at one end with a brake pedal member connected at an opposite end and a brake booster device. The lever ratio changing apparatus includes a connecting member, a guide member and a pivot pin element. The connecting member is movably connected at a first end to the brake pedal lever between the pivotal connection and the brake pedal member and an opposite second end movably connected to the brake booster device. The guide member is fixedly connected to the support structure. The pivot pin element is connected to the connecting member and is slidably movable within the guide member. As the brake pedal assembly moves from a non-braking position to a braking position, a leverage ratio R/r varies wherein R is defined as a first distance measured between the pivotal connection and the brake pedal member and r is a second distance measured between the pivotal connection and the pivot pin element.

Claims

1. A brake operating device which transmits swinging of a brake pedal to a brake booster device wherein one end of the brake pedal is supported to be swingable and an opposite end of the brake pedal includes a pedal depression-pressure portion,

said brake operating device, comprising:

a link mechanism output member including a pair of rods pivotally connected to each other; and

a link guide member disposed separately and independently of the brake pedal which varies a specific position of the link mechanism output member with respect to a locus of swinging of the brake pedal,

wherein an input/output ratio of an amount of swinging of the brake pedal and a transmitted amount transmitted to the brake booster device is varied in accordance with swinging of the brake pedal.

2. A brake operating device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of rods of the link mechanism output member are pivotally connected to each other by a link pin at an intermediate connecting portion of the link mechanism output member, and the specific position of the link mechanism output member is defined as a position of the intermediate connecting portion.

3. A brake operating device according to claim 2, wherein said link guide member includes a guide plate in which is formed a guide hole into which the link pin connecting the pair of rods is fittable so as to be movable.

4. A brake operating device according to claim 3, wherein the guide hole is curved.

5. A brake operating device according to claim 3, wherein the guide hole is formed in a crank-shaped configuration.

6. A brake operating device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of rods of the link mechanism are connected together by a link pin along a connecting portion position at a specific position, and the specific position is a longitudinally intermediate portion of one of the pair of rods.

7. A brake operating device according to claim 6, wherein said link guide member includes a guide pin, which is provided at the longitudinally intermediate portion of the one rod which portion is the specific position, and a guide plate in which is formed a guide hole into which the guide pin is fittable so as to be movable.

8. A brake operating member according to claim 7, wherein the guide hole is curved.

9. A brake operating device which transmits swinging of a brake pedal to a brake booster device wherein one end of the brake pedal is supported to be swingable, the brake operating device, comprising:

an output member including a pair of rods pivotally connected to each other by a link pin at an intermediate connecting portion of the output member; and

a link guide member including a guide plate having guide hole into which the link pin is movable, the link guide member disposed separately and independently of the brake pedal varies a specific position of the output member with respect to a locus of swinging of the brake pedal wherein, the specific position is defined as a position of the intermediate connecting portion,

and an input/output ratio of an amount of swinging of the brake pedal and a transmitted amount transmitted to the brake booster device is varied in accordance with swinging of the brake pedal.