Adjustable pedal system with low brake ratio change

• US 7,832,305 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dura Global Technologies LLC (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: Dura Global Technologies LLC (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Inventors: Smith, Gordon, Mahendra, Akhil, Sundaresan, Srini
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US11/554,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20070137396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 74512-514, 745/60, 745/18, 180/320, 180/334, 180/335
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• 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 control pedal assembly includes a first axle forming a first pivot axis and a first booster link pivotable about the first pivot axis. A control pedal has a second axle forming a second pivot axis, a pedal arm pivotable about the second pivot axis, and a pedal at a lower end of the pedal arm. A second booster link is pivotably connecting the pedal arm with the first booster link so that pivoting motion of the pedal arm about the second pivot axis pivots the booster link about the first pivot axis. A support member has a first end supporting the second axle on opposite sides of the pedal arm and the support member is pivotable about its second end. A drive assembly is operably connected to the control pedal to move the second axle in a fore-aft direction to adjust the control pedal in a fore-aft direction.

Claims

1. A control pedal assembly comprising, in combination:

a first axle forming a first pivot axis;

a booster link which pivots about the first pivot axis;

a second pivot axle forming a second pivot axis;

a control pedal having a pedal arm which pivots about the second pivot axis upon depression by an operator, and a pedal pad at a lower end of the pedal arm;

a connecting link pivotably connecting an upper end of the pedal arm with the first booster link so that pivoting motion of the pedal arm about the second pivot axis pivots the booster link about the first pivot axis; and

a support member having an upper end which pivots about the first pivot axis and a lower end supporting the second axle from the first axle;

a drive assembly operably connected to the control pedal to move the second axle in a fore-aft direction to adjust the control pedal pad in a fore-aft direction.

2. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pivot axes are parallel and spaced apart.

3. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly moves the second axle along an arc-shaped path defined by the pivoting motion of the support member about the first pivot axis.

4. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the support member supports the second axle from the first axle on opposite sides of the pedal arm.

5. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support member hangs from the first axle to form a cradle directly supporting the second axle.

6. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a fixed position support supporting the first axle at a fixed position.

7. The control pedal assembly according to claim 6, wherein the drive assembly extends through an arcuate slot formed in the support.

8. The control pedal assembly according to claim 7, wherein the slot is defined by an arc-shaped path defined by the pivoting motion of the support member about the first pivot axis.

9. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein depression of the pedal pad pivots the first pedal arm about the second pivot axis.

10. The control pedal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control pedal assembly provides a constant brake ratio throughout the fore-aft adjustment.

11. A control pedal system comprising, in combination:

a brake pedal assembly comprising;

a first axle forming a first pivot axis;

a booster link which pivots about the first pivot axis;

a second pivot axle forming a second pivot axis;

a brake pedal having a pedal arm which pivots about the second pivot axis upon depression by an operator, and a brake pedal pad at a lower end of the pedal arm;

a connecting link pivotably connecting an upper end of the pedal arm with the booster link so that pivoting motion of the pedal arm about the second pivot axis pivots the booster link about the first pivot axis;

a support member having an upper end which pivots about the first pivot axis and a lower end supporting the second axle from the first axle; and

a brake drive assembly operably connected to the brake pedal to move the second axle in a fore-aft direction to adjust the brake pedal pad in a fore-aft direction; and

an accelerator pedal assembly comprising;

an accelerator fixed position support;

a carrier supported by the accelerator fixed position support and which selectively moves relative to the accelerator fixed position support in a fore-aft direction;

a lower pedal arm having an accelerator pedal pad at a lower end thereof;

wherein the lower pedal arm is supported by the carrier and pivots relative to the carrier;

an electronic throttle control module providing electronic signals indicating a pivotable position of the lower pedal arm relative to the carrier; and

an accelerator drive assembly operably connected to carrier to move the carrier in a fore-aft direction to adjust the accelerator pedal pad in a fore-aft direction.

12. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second pivot axes are parallel and spaced apart.

13. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein the drive assembly moves the second axle along an arc-shaped path defined by the pivoting motion of the support member about the first pivot axis.

14. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein the lower end of the support member supports the second axle from the first axle on opposite sides of the pedal arm.

15. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein the support member hangs from the first axle to form a cradle directly supporting the second axle.

16. The control pedal system according to claim 11, further comprising a brake fixed position support supporting the first axle at a fixed position.

17. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein depression of the brake pedal pad pivots the pedal arm about the second pivot axis.

18. The control pedal system according to claim 11, wherein the brake pedal assembly provides a constant brake ratio throughout the fore-aft adjustment.

19. A control pedal system comprising, in combination:

a brake pedal assembly comprising;

a first axle forming a first pivot axis;

a brake fixed position support supporting the first axle at a fixed position;

a booster link which pivots about the first pivot axis;

a second pivot axle forming a second pivot axis;

a brake pedal having a pedal arm which pivots about the second pivot axis upon depression by an operator, and a brake pedal pad at a lower end of the pedal arm;

a connecting link pivotably connecting an upper end of the pedal arm with the booster link so that pivoting motion of the pedal arm about the second pivot axis pivots the booster link about the first pivot axis;

a support member having an upper end which pivots about the first pivot axis and a lower end supporting the second axle from the first axle on opposite sides of the pedal arm; and

a brake drive assembly operably connected to the brake pedal to move the second axle in a fore-aft direction to adjust the brake pedal pad in a fore-aft direction;

an accelerator pedal assembly comprising;

an accelerator fixed position support;

a carrier supported by the accelerator fixed position support and which selectively moves relative to the accelerator fixed position support in a fore-aft direction;

a lower pedal arm having an accelerator pedal pad at a lower end thereof;

wherein the lower pedal arm is supported by the carrier and pivots relative to the carrier;

an electronic throttle control module providing electronic signals indicating a pivotable position of the lower pedal arm relative to the carrier; and

an accelerator drive assembly operably connected to carrier to move the carrier in a fore-aft direction to adjust the accelerator pedal pad in a fore-aft direction;

an electric motor operably connected to the accelerator drive system so that operation of the motor adjusts the accelerator pedal pad in the fore-aft direction;

a flex cable extending from the accelerator drive assembly to the brake drive assembly so that operation of the motor adjusts the brake pedal pad in the fore-aft direction.

20. The control pedal system according to claim 19, wherein ends of the flex cable are secured to the brake fixed position support and the accelerator fixed position support so that the ends of the flex cable do not move during operation and adjustment of the brake pedal assembly and operation and adjustment of the accelerator pedal assembly.