Pedal apparatus for automobile

• US 6,782,774 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kasbushiki Kaishi, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ishii, Takashi, Watanabe, Hiroshi, Mitsuyama, Soshi, Ito, Sadao
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHONG HWA
• Application Number:
  US09/924,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20020020251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/60
• 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 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal apparatus for an automobile comprises a plurality of pedals attached to a bracket fixed to a vehicle body via a plurality of parallel link mechanisms, a connection parallel link mechanism that connects a pair of the plurality of parallel link mechanism, and is provided with a pair of connection portions connecting the both parallel link mechanisms with the bracket, and an adjustment mechanism attached to the bracket, that arbitrarily prescribes the forms of each parallel link mechanism and the connection parallel link mechanism.

Claims

1. A pedal apparatus for an automobile comprising:

a bracket fixed to a vehicle body,

a first connecting portion attached to the bracket,

a first parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the first connecting portion,

a first pedal attached to the bracket via the first parallel link mechanism,

a second connection portion attached to the bracket,

a second parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the second connecting portion,

a second pedal attached to the bracket via the second parallel link mechanism,

a connection parallel link mechanism that connects the first parallel link mechanism and the second parallel link mechanism, the first and second connecting portions connecting both parallel link mechanisms with the bracket, and

an adjustment mechanism attached to the bracket, that prescribes the first parallel link mechanism, the second parallel link mechanism, and the connection parallel link mechanism;

wherein the first parallel link mechanism and the second parallel link mechanism each comprise four connection axial portions and four link elements connecting the four connection axial portions.

2. A pedal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the first parallel link mechanism is provided with a first adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the first adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the bracket at the first connecting portion, and the second end portion of the first adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the first pedal,

the second parallel link mechanism is provided with a second adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the second adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the bracket at the second connecting portion, and the second end portion of the second adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the second pedal, and

the connection parallel link mechanism comprises:

a first arm rotating around the first connecting portion integrally with the first adjustment lever, a second arm rotating around the second connecting portion integrally with the second adjustment lever, and a connection link for connecting the first arm and the second arm.

4. A pedal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

the adjustment mechanism prescribes the form of each parallel link mechanism and the connection parallel link mechanism by rotating the first arm of the connection parallel link mechanism around the first connecting portion.

6. A pedal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

either one of the first pedal or the second pedal is an operation pedal,

further comprising:

operation lever that rotates around the rotational operation center in accordance with operation of the operation pedal, and

prescribing portion that prescribes an allowable rotational range of the operation lever.

7. A pedal apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the prescribing portion is provided with

arc groove provided in the operation lever and centered around the rotational operation center, and

stopper pin fixed to the bracket and inserted into the arc groove, and

the arc groove and the stopper pin prescribe an allowable rotational range of the operation lever rotatably operated by the operation pedal.

9. A pedal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the operation lever is rotatably operated by the second pedal, and

the second connecting portion is the rotational operation center of the operation lever.

10. A pedal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

securing portion provided at the head of the stopper pin so as to restrict movement of the operation lever in the direction of plate thickness.

3. A pedal apparatus for an automobile comprising:

a bracket fixed to a vehicle body;

first and second connecting portions, attached to the bracket;

a first parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the first connecting portion;

a first pedal attached to the bracket via the first parallel link mechanism;

a second parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the second connecting portion;

a second pedal attached to the bracket via the second parallel link mechanism;

a connection parallel link mechanism that connects the first parallel link mechanism and the second parallel link mechanism, and is provided with the first and second connecting portions connecting both parallel link mechanisms with the bracket, and

an adjustment mechanism attached to the bracket, that prescribes the first parallel link mechanism, the second parallel link mechanism, and the connection parallel link mechanism, wherein

the first parallel link mechanism being provided with a first adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the first adjustment lever being rotatably connected to the bracket at the first connecting portion, and the second end portion of the first adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the first pedal,

the second parallel link mechanism being provided with a second adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the second adjustment lever being rotatably connected to the bracket at the second connecting portion, and the second end portion of the second adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the second pedal, and the connection parallel link mechanism comprises;

a first arm rotating around the first connecting portion integrally with the first adjustment lever, a second arm rotating around the second connecting portion integrally with the second adjustment lever, and a connection link for connecting the first arm and the second arm, and wherein

the first parallel link mechanism further comprises a first operation lever that rotates around the first connecting portion as the rotational center by operation of the first pedal and a first link that rotatably connects the first pedal and the first operation lever, respectively,

the second parallel link mechanism further comprises the second operation lever that rotates around the second connecting portion the rotational center by operation of the second pedal and a second link that rotatably connects the second pedal and the second operation lever, respectively.

5. A pedal apparatus for an automobile comprising:

a bracket fixed to a vehicle body;

first and second connecting portions attached to the bracket;

a first parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the first connecting portion;

a first pedal attached to the bracket via the first parallel link mechanism;

a second parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the second connecting portion;

a second pedal attached to the bracket via the second parallel link mechanism;

a connection parallel link mechanism that connects the first parallel link mechanism and the second parallel link mechanism, and is provided with the first and second connecting portions connecting both parallel link mechanisms with the bracket, and

an adjustment mechanism attached to the bracket, that prescribes the first parallel link mechanism, the second parallel link mechanism, and the connection parallel link mechanism,

the first parallel link mechanism being provided with a first adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the first adjustment lever being rotatably connected to the bracket at the first connecting portion, and the second end portion of the first adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the first pedal,

the second parallel link mechanism being provided with a second adjustment lever having a first end portion and a second end portion,

the first end portion of the second adjustment lever being rotatably connected to the bracket at the second connecting portion, and the second end portion of the second adjustment lever is rotatably connected to the second pedal, and

the connection parallel link mechanism comprises;

a first arm rotating around the first connecting portion integrally with the first adjustment lever, a second arm rotating around the second connecting portion integrally with the second adjustment lever, and a connection link for connecting the first arm and the second arm, wherein

the adjustment mechanism prescribes each parallel link mechanism and the connection parallel link mechanism by rotating the first arm of the connection parallel link mechanism around the first connecting portion, and wherein

the adjustment mechanism comprises;

a motor attached to the bracket,

a screw rod attached rotatably and unmovably in the axial direction to the bracket and rotated by driving of the motor,

a nut screwed onto the screw rod, and

a lever arm integrally formed with the first arm of the connection parallel link mechanism, which rotatably supports the nut.

8. A pedal apparatus for an automobile comprising:

a bracket fixed to a vehicle body;

first and second connecting portions attached to the bracket;

a first parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the first connecting portion;

a first pedal attached to the bracket via the first parallel link mechanism;

a second parallel link mechanism rotatably attached to the bracket via the second connecting portion;

a second pedal attached to the bracket via the second parallel link mechanism;

a connection parallel link mechanism that connects the first parallel link mechanism and the second parallel link mechanism, and is provided with the first and second connecting portions connecting both parallel link mechanisms with the bracket; and

an adjustment mechanism attached to the bracket, that prescribes the first parallel link mechanism, the second parallel link mechanism, and the connection parallel link mechanism, wherein

one of the first pedal or the second pedal is an operation pedal, further comprising;

an operation lever that rotates around the rotational operation center in accordance with operation of the operation pedal, and

a prescribing portion that prescribes an allowable rotational range of the operation lever, wherein

the prescribing portion is provided with

an arc groove provided in the operation lever and centered around the rotational operation center, and

a stopper pin fixed to the bracket and inserted into the arc groove, and

the arc groove and the stopper pin prescribe an allowable rotational range of the operation lever rotatably operated by the operation pedal, wherein

the operation lever is rotatably operated by the first pedal, and

the first connecting portion is the rotational operation center of the operation lever.