Reconfigurable by-wire foot pedals

• US 7,213,673 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Shabana, Mohsen D., Chernoff, Adrian B., Borroni-Bird, Christopher E., Vitale, Robert Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US10/626,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 180/315, 180/334, 180/335, 745/12, 745/13, 745/14, 745/60, 745/62, 745/947
• US Class Current: 180/334
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20189 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2054 Signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2172 Adjustable or folding

Abstract

A vehicle chassis having substantially all of the mechanical, electrical and structural componentry necessary for a fully functional vehicle, including at least energy conversion system, a steering system and a braking system. The chassis is configured for releasable engagement with a variety of different types or styles of vehicle bodies. Various prior art mechanical control linkages between a driver and controlled systems are replaced with non-mechanical control signal transmission components. Fuel cell technology is also implemented. A system for adjustable, reconfigurable foot pedals is also shown for generating driver input to the by-wire braking systems and energy conversion systems and for providing control and comfort for the driver and/or a passenger.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly in combination with a vehicle having a driver'"'"'s seat having selectable multiple driving positions and a vehicle floorboard, said pedal assembly including:

a track arrangement in said vehicle floorboard extending longitudinally and transversely with respect to said vehicle, and

one or more foot pedals movably mounted in said track arrangement for positioning said pedal or pedals with respect to said vehicle longitudinally and transversely along said track in accordance with the driving position selected;

wherein said track arrangement includes a longitudinal track portion and a transverse track portion, and said one or more foot pedals includes a base movable forwardly and backwardly in the longitudinal track portion, and a post connected to the base and movable upwardly and downwardly with respect to the base, and a beam pivotally supported with respect to said base or said post; and

wherein said beam is elongated transversely and splitable longitudinally.

2. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least three wheels on the vehicle, and an energy conversion system operable for motivating at least one of said wheels to move the vehicle, and wherein at least one of the one or more foot pedals is actuable by-wire to selectively operate said energy conversion system.

3. A foot pedal for use with a seat of a vehicle and comprising:

a base moveable forwardly and backwardly;

a post connected to the base and moveable upwardly and downwardly with respect to the base;

a beam pivotally supported with respect to the base and/or the post;

a first actuator connected to the base for moving the base;

a second actuator connected to the post and/or beam for pivoting the beam; and

a third actuator connected to the beam for expanding the surface area of the beam.

4. The foot pedal of claim 3 wherein the base is further movable from side to side.

5. The foot pedal of claim 4 wherein the base is moveable on a track in the vehicle.

6. The foot pedal of claim 3 wherein the pivoting of the beam is part of an energy conversion system or braking system for the vehicle.

7. A by-wire foot pedal system for a vehicle having a plurality of different driving locations, wherein at least one foot pedal is removably mounted in a vehicle floorboard for reconfiguration of the driving location, wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of driver interface points defining the different driving locations and at which the foot pedal is connectable.