Noise and vibration reducing flex-cable assembly
First Claim
1. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising, in combination:
- a flexible drive cable assembly comprising;
an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core;
an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a preformed unitary connector at one end; and
wherein the first end of the core has a first connection and the second end of the core has a second connection and the casing extends along the longitudinal length of the core from the first connection of the core to the second connection of the core;
an end fitting having an aperture for passage of the core therethrough;
wherein the unitary connector of the casing cooperates with the end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting;
an electric motor operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween;
at least one drive screw operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween; and
wherein the flexible drive cable assembly connects the electric motor and the drive screw such that operation of the electric motor rotates the drive screw.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible drive cable assembly for powered adjustable pedals includes an elongate flexible casing having a unitary connector which cooperates with an end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting. In one embodiment, the unitary connector and the end fitting form a snap-fit connection having both an interlock and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In another embodiment, the casing is heat staked to the end fitting such that casing material flows into grooves to form protrusions which interlock with the end fitting and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In another embodiment, the unitary connector includes an elongate portion press fit into an aperture of the end fitting and a flange engaging the end fitting adjacent the aperture.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising, in combination:
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a flexible drive cable assembly comprising;
an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core;
an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a preformed unitary connector at one end; and
wherein the first end of the core has a first connection and the second end of the core has a second connection and the casing extends along the longitudinal length of the core from the first connection of the core to the second connection of the core;
an end fitting having an aperture for passage of the core therethrough;
wherein the unitary connector of the casing cooperates with the end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting;
an electric motor operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween;
at least one drive screw operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween; and
wherein the flexible drive cable assembly connects the electric motor and the drive screw such that operation of the electric motor rotates the drive screw. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising, in combination:
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a flexible drive cable assembly comprising;
an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core; and
an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a preformed, unitary connector with at least one deflectable protrusion;
an end fitting having an aperture for passage of the core therethrough;
wherein the connector of the casing and the end fitting form a snap-fit connection to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting and the deflectable protrusion of the connector engages the end fitting with an interference fit such that the deflectable protrusion is in an unrelaxed state to reduce vibration between the casing and the end fitting;
an electric motor operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween;
at least one drive screw operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween; and
wherein the flexible drive cable assembly connects the electric motor and the drive screw such that operation of the electric motor rotates the drive screw. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising, in combination:
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a flexible drive cable assembly comprising;
an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core; and
an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having generally coaxial inner and outer surfaces;
an end fitting having an elongated portion with an outer surface and an aperture for passage of the core therethrough, the outer surface of the elongated portion having at least one groove formed therein;
wherein the casing has a preformed enlarged cylindrically-shaped end portion forming an end surface of the casing and having an inner diameter closely receiving the elongated portion of the end fitting;
wherein the casing has at least one protrusion extending from the inner surface of the casing and into the groove of the elongated portion to interlock the casing with the end fitting and to hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting;
an electric motor operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween;
at least one drive screw operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween; and
wherein the flexible drive cable assembly connects the electric motor and the drive screw such that operation of the electric motor rotates the drive screw. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising, in combination:
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a flexible drive cable assembly comprising;
an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core;
an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a connector; and
wherein the connector comprises a preformed, unitary enlarged end portion having a generally cylindrically shaped outer surface and a flange extending generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the elongated portion;
an end fitting having an aperture for passage of the core therethrough;
wherein the outer surface of the connector extends through the aperture of the end fitting and the flange of the connector engages the end fitting adjacent the aperture of the end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and to hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting;
an electric motor operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween;
at least one drive screw operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween; and
wherein the flexible drive cable assembly connects the electric motor and the drive screw such that operation of the electric motor rotates the drive screw. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification