Variable ratio pedal assembly

• US 7,219,576 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ventra Group Company (Ventra Group)
• Original Assignee: Ventra Group Incorporated (Flex-N-Gate Corporation)
• Inventors: Porco, Dominic D., Sykes, Michael R., Leonard, Jube R.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRAMER, DEVON C
• Application Number:
  US10/995,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20050109572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/18, 745/16, 745/17
• US Class Current: 74/518
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/08 providing variable leverage
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2057 Variable input leverage

Abstract

The present invention provides a variable ratio brake pedal actuating assembly with an early increase of geometric ratio or force ratio and a subsequent decrease. The actuating assembly comprises a mount, an arm, an input portion and an input connector. The input connector is operatively connected to the arm such that the ratio varies as the arm moves. The ratio reaches a maximum peak prior to moving 30% of the fully stroked position. Also provided is an actuating assembly that uses a cam guide structure with a contoured cam surface and a link member. A configuration of the contoured cam surface, a guide slot, and the link member are such that the ratio varies as the arm is moved. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cam guided booster pin linkage assembly that provides a variable pedal ratio.

Claims

1. A brake pedal actuating assembly for installation in a vehicle to operate a brake booster input element on the vehicle, the actuating assembly comprising:

a pedal mount constructed to mount the actuating assembly in the vehicle in an operative position;

a pedal arm with a guide slot, the pedal arm being pivotally connected to the mount for movement in an applying direction from an initial position to a fully stroked position, and in a releasing direction from the fully stroked position to the initial position;

an input portion provided as a pedal pad on a distal end portion of the arm for engagement by a user'"'"'s foot to allow the user to move the arm in the applying direction; and

an input connector constructed to be connected to the brake booster input element on the vehicle when the actuating assembly is installed in the operative position;

the input connector being operatively connected to the arm for movement relative to the arm such that, when the actuating brake pedal assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the brake booster input element of the vehicle, a ratio of A/B varies as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position to the fully stroked position, wherein A is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the arm to the input portion and B is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the arm to the input connector;

the variance of the ratio as the arm is moved in the applying direction being such that (a) the ratio increases as the arm is moved from the initial position and reaches a maximum peak prior to moving 30% of a distance to the fully stroked position, and (b) then decreases as the arm moves to the fully stroked position;

a link member pivotally connected to the pedal arm, the link member having (a) a first guide element spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the link member and received in the guide slot of the pedal arm, and (b) a second guide element spaced apart from the first guide element and the pivotal connection of the link member, the input connector being provided on the link member;

a cam guide structure providing a contoured cam surface, the second guide element on the link member being engaged with the cam surface of the cam guide structure; and

a configuration of the contoured cam surface, a configuration of the guide slot, and a configuration of the link member being such that, when the pedal assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the brake booster input element of the vehicle, the second guide element engages the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector to vary the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction.

2. An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 25% of the distance to the fully stroked position.

3. An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cam guide structure is separate from the mount and is constructed to be mounted in the vehicle separately from the mount.

4. An actuating assembly according to claim 3, wherein the contoured cam surface has an increasing ratio section and a decreasing ratio section, the configuration of the cam surface being such that, when the pedal arm is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the brake booster input element of the vehicle, (a) the second guide element engages the increasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio increases as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak, and (b) then engages the decreasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio decreases as the pedal arm moves to the fully depressed position.

5. An actuating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

6. An actuating assembly according to claim 4, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

7. An actuating assembly for installation in a vehicle to operate an input element on the vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising:

a mount constructed to mount the actuating assembly in the vehicle in an operative position;

an arm pivotally connected to the mount for movement in an applying direction from an initial position to a fully stroked position, and in a releasing direction from the fully stroked position to the initial position, the arm having a guide slot;

an input portion provided on a distal end portion of the arm for engagement by a user to allow the user to move the arm in the applying direction; and

a link member pivotally connected to the arm, the link member having (a) a first guide element spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the link member and received in the guide slot of the arm, and (b) a second guide element spaced apart from the first guide element and the pivotal connection of the link member;

an input connector constructed to be connected to the input element on the vehicle when the actuating assembly is installed in the operative position, the input connector being provided on the link member;

a cam guide structure providing a contoured cam surface, the second guide element on the link member being engaged with the cam surface of the cam guide structure;

a configuration of the contoured cam surface, a configuration of the guide slot, and a configuration of the link member being such that, when the actuating assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, the second guide element engages the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that a ratio of A/B varies as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position to the fully stroked position, wherein A is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the arm to the input portion and B is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the arm to the input connector.

8. An actuating assembly according to claim 7, wherein:

the actuating assembly is a pedal assembly,

the mount is a pedal mount constructed to mount the pedal assembly in the vehicle in the operative position;

the arm is a pedal arm; and

the input portion is a pedal pad for engagement by the user'"'"'s foot.

9. An actuating assembly according to claim 8, wherein the pedal assembly is a brake pedal assembly for operating a brake booster input element on the vehicle, and wherein the input connector is constructed to be connected to the brake booster input element when the pedal assembly is in the operative position.

10. An actuating assembly according to claim 9, wherein the cam guide structure is separate from the mount and is constructed to be mounted in the vehicle separately from the mount.

11. An actuating assembly according to claim 10, wherein the contoured cam surface has an increasing ratio section and a decreasing ratio section, the configuration of the cam surface being such that, when the pedal assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, (a) the second guide element engages the increasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio increases as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak, and (b) then engages the decreasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio decreases as the pedal arm moves to the fully stroked position.

12. An actuating assembly according to claim 11, wherein a variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio increases as the pedal arm is moved from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 30% of a distance to the fully stroked position.

13. An actuating assembly according to claim 12, wherein the variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 25% of the distance to the fully depressed position.

14. An actuating assembly according to claim 7, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

15. An actuating assembly according to claim 11, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

16. A method for converting a pedal assembly to a variable ratio configuration, the method comprising:

providing a pedal assembly comprising;

(i) a pedal mount constructed to mount the pedal assembly in a vehicle in an operative position;

(ii) a pedal arm pivotally connected to the pedal mount for movement in an applying direction from an initial position to a fully depressed position, and in a releasing direction from the fully depressed position to the initial position; and

(iii) a pedal pad provided in a distal end portion of the pedal arm for engagement by a user'"'"'s foot to allow the user to push the pedal arm in the applying direction;

forming a guide slot in the pedal arm;

pivotally connecting a link member to the pedal arm, the link member having a first guide element spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the link member and a second guide element spaced apart from the first guide element and the pivotal connection of the link member;

slidably receiving the first guide element in the guide slot;

providing a cam guide structure having a contoured cam surface,

slidably engaging the second guide element on the link member with the cam surface of the cam guide structure;

mounting the pedal mount in the vehicle to mount the pedal arm assembly in the operative position; and

mounting the cam guide structure in the vehicle;

connecting an input connector provided on the link member to a brake booster input element on the vehicle;

wherein a configuration of the contoured cam surface, a configuration of the guide slot, and a configuration of the link member is such that, when the pedal arm is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, the second guide element engages the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that a pedal ratio of A/B varies as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position to the fully depressed position, wherein A is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the pedal arm to the pedal pad and B is a distance from the pivotal mounting of the pedal arm to the input connector.

17. A brake pedal actuating assembly for installation in a vehicle to operate a brake booster input element on the vehicle, the actuating assembly comprising:

a pedal mount constructed to mount the actuating assembly in the vehicle in an operative position;

a pedal arm with a guide slot, the pedal arm being pivotally connected to the mount for movement in an applying direction from an initial position to a fully stroked position, and in a releasing direction from the fully stroked position to the initial position;

an input portion provided as a pedal pad on a distal end portion of the arm for engagement by a user'"'"'s foot to allow the user to move the arm in the applying direction; and

an input connector constructed to be connected to the brake booster input element on the vehicle when the actuating assembly is installed in the operative position;

the input connector being operatively connected to the arm for movement relative to the arm such that, when the actuating assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, a ratio of F_B/F_A varies as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position to the fully stroked position, wherein F_A is a force applied to the input portion and F_B is a force applied to the vehicle'"'"'s input element by the input connector;

a variance of the ratio as the arm is moved in the applying direction being such that (a) the ratio increases as the arm is moved from the initial position and reaches a maximum peak prior to moving 30% of a distance to the fully stroked position, and (b) then decreases as the arm moves to the fully stroked position;

a link member pivotally connected to the pedal arm, the link member having (a) a first guide element spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the link member and received in the guide slot of the pedal arm, and (b) a second guide element spaced apart from the first guide element and the pivotal connection of the link member, the input connector being provided on the link member;

a cam guide structure providing a contoured cam surface, the second guide element on the link member being engaged with the cam surface of the cam guide structure; and

a configuration of the contoured cam surface, a configuration of the guide slot, and a configuration of the link member being such that, when the pedal assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the brake booster input element of the vehicle, the second guide element engages the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector to vary the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction.

18. An actuating assembly according to claim 17, wherein the variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 25% of the distance to the fully stroked position.

19. An actuating assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cam guide structure is separate from the mount and is constructed to be mounted in the vehicle separately from the mount.

20. An actuating assembly according to claim 19, wherein the contoured cam surface has an increasing ratio section and a decreasing ratio section, the configuration of the cam surface being such that, when the pedal arm is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the brake booster input element of the vehicle, (a) the second guide element engages the increasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio increases as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak, and (b) then engages the decreasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio decreases as the pedal arm moves to the fully depressed position.

21. An actuating assembly according to claim 17, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

22. An actuating assembly according to claim 20, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

23. An actuating assembly for installation in a vehicle to operate an input element on the vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising:

a mount constructed to mount the actuating assembly in the vehicle in an operative position;

an arm pivotally connected to the mount for movement in an applying direction from an initial position to a fully stroked position, and in a releasing direction from the fully stroked position to the initial position, the arm having a guide slot;

an input portion provided on a distal end portion of the arm for engagement by a user to allow the user to move the arm in the applying direction; and

a link member pivotally connected to the arm, the link member having (a) a first guide element spaced apart from the pivotal connection of the link member and received in the guide slot of the arm, and (b) a second guide element spaced apart from the first guide element and the pivotal connection of the link member;

an input connector constructed to be connected to the input element on the vehicle when the actuating assembly is installed in the operative position, the input connector being provided on the link member;

a cam guide structure providing a contoured cam surface, the second guide element on the link member being engaged with the cam surface of the cam guide structure;

a configuration of the contoured cam surface, a configuration of the guide slot, and a configuration of the link member being such that, when the actuating assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, the second guide element engages the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that a ratio of F_B/F_A varies as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position to the fully stroked position, wherein F_A is a force applied to the input portion and F_B is a force applied to the vehicle'"'"'s input element by the input connector.

24. An actuating assembly according to claim 23, wherein:

the actuating assembly is a pedal assembly,

the mount is a pedal mount constructed to mount the pedal assembly in the vehicle in the operative position;

the arm is a pedal arm; and

the input portion is a pedal pad for engagement by the user'"'"'s foot.

25. An actuating assembly according to claim 24, wherein the pedal assembly is a brake pedal assembly for operating a brake booster input element on the vehicle, and wherein the input connector is constructed to be connected to the brake booster input element when the pedal assembly is in the operative position.

26. An actuating assembly according to claim 25, wherein the cam guide structure is separate from the mount and is constructed to be mounted in the vehicle separately from the mount.

27. An actuating assembly according to claim 26, wherein the contoured cam surface has an increasing ratio section and a decreasing ratio section, the configuration of the cam surface being such that, when the pedal assembly is mounted in the operative position and the input connector is connected to the input element of the vehicle, (a) the second guide element engages the increasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio increases as the arm is moved in the applying direction from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak, and (b) then engages the decreasing ratio section of the contoured cam surface so as to pivot the link member and move the input connector so that the ratio decreases as the pedal arm moves to the fully stroked position.

28. An actuating assembly according to claim 27, wherein a variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio increases as the pedal arm is moved from the initial position and reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 30% of a distance to the fully stroked position.

29. An actuating assembly according to claim 28, wherein the variance of the ratio as the pedal arm is moved in the applying direction is such that the ratio reaches the maximum peak prior to moving 25% of the distance to the fully depressed position.

30. An actuating assembly according to claim 23, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.

31. An actuating assembly according to claim 27, wherein the input connector is coaxial with the first guide element.