Variable ratio mechanism for adjustable pedals to maintain a constant ratio
First Claim
1. An adjustable pedal assembly for operating a push rod that activates a functional system of a vehicle, the adjustable pedal assembly configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
- a pedal arm comprising an elongated lever structure with a first end and a second end;
a pedal plate provided on the second end of the elongated lever structure of the pedal arm for depression by a foot of a driver;
a vehicle mounting bracket;
a pivot member configured for pivoting relative to the vehicle mounting bracket about a first fixed pivot axis;
an activation link, a first end of the activation link being connected to the pivot member for pivoting therewith about the first fixed pivot axis and the second end of the activation link being connected to the elongated lever structure of the pedal;
a link member having a first portion pivotally connected at a second fixed pivot axis to the activation link and a second portion connected to a booster receiver for connection to the push rod that activates the functional system of the vehicle;
the first end of the elongated lever structure configured for pivoting with an adjustable slide pin about a third variable pivot axis; and
the activation link and the link member each having a slot therein, the slots each having a correspondingly curved shape axially aligned with each other for receipt of the adjustable pin therethrough such that the adjustable slide pin is configured for movement along and within said slots simultaneously, the third variable pivot axis of the adjustable slide pin configured for adjustment between a first pivot position and a second pivot position in the curved and axially aligned slots,wherein movement of the adjustable slide pin between the first pivot position and the second pivot position varies a linear adjustment trajectory of the pedal arm relative to the pivot member in the first position and the second position of the adjustable pedal assembly, while a ratio between a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the pedal plate and a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the booster receiver remains substantially constant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided herein is an adjustable pedal assembly for a vehicle for operating a push rod of a brake system, for example. The assembly includes an activation link connected via a pivot member to an elongated lever structure of the pedal arm, a link member for connection to the push rod to activate the brake system that is operatively connected to the activation link, and an adjustable slide pin for moving a pivot axis of the elongated lever structure between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. The pedal arm and pedal plate are thus moved between a first position and a second position, while maintaining a substantially constant ratio between each of the positions.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An adjustable pedal assembly for operating a push rod that activates a functional system of a vehicle, the adjustable pedal assembly configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
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a pedal arm comprising an elongated lever structure with a first end and a second end; a pedal plate provided on the second end of the elongated lever structure of the pedal arm for depression by a foot of a driver; a vehicle mounting bracket; a pivot member configured for pivoting relative to the vehicle mounting bracket about a first fixed pivot axis; an activation link, a first end of the activation link being connected to the pivot member for pivoting therewith about the first fixed pivot axis and the second end of the activation link being connected to the elongated lever structure of the pedal; a link member having a first portion pivotally connected at a second fixed pivot axis to the activation link and a second portion connected to a booster receiver for connection to the push rod that activates the functional system of the vehicle; the first end of the elongated lever structure configured for pivoting with an adjustable slide pin about a third variable pivot axis; and the activation link and the link member each having a slot therein, the slots each having a correspondingly curved shape axially aligned with each other for receipt of the adjustable pin therethrough such that the adjustable slide pin is configured for movement along and within said slots simultaneously, the third variable pivot axis of the adjustable slide pin configured for adjustment between a first pivot position and a second pivot position in the curved and axially aligned slots, wherein movement of the adjustable slide pin between the first pivot position and the second pivot position varies a linear adjustment trajectory of the pedal arm relative to the pivot member in the first position and the second position of the adjustable pedal assembly, while a ratio between a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the pedal plate and a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the booster receiver remains substantially constant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle comprising an adjustable pedal assembly, the adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
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a pedal arm comprising an elongated lever structure with a first end and a second end; a pedal plate provided on the second end of the elongated lever structure of the pedal arm for depression by a foot of a driver; a vehicle mounting bracket; a pivot member configured for pivoting relative to the vehicle mounting bracket about a first fixed pivot axis; an activation link, a first end of the activation link being connected to the pivot member for pivoting therewith about the first fixed pivot axis and the second end of the activation link being connected to the elongated lever structure of the pedal; a link member having a first portion pivotally connected at a second fixed pivot axis to the activation link and a second portion connected to a booster receiver for connection to the push rod that activates the functional system of the vehicle; the first end of the elongated lever structure configured for pivoting with an adjustable slide pin about a third variable pivot axis; and the activation link and the link member each having a slot therein, the slots each having a correspondingly curved shape axially aligned with each other and having the adjustable pin positioned therethrough such that the adjustable slide pin is configured for movement along and within said slots simultaneously, the third variable pivot axis of the adjustable slide pin configured for adjustment between a first pivot position and a second pivot position in the curved and axially aligned slots, wherein movement of the adjustable slide pin between the first pivot position and the second pivot position varies a linear adjustment trajectory of the pedal arm relative to the pivot member in the first position and the second position of the adjustable pedal assembly, while a ratio between a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the pedal plate and a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the booster receiver remains substantially constant. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method comprising:
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adjusting an adjustable pedal assembly that activates a functional system of a vehicle between a first position and a second position, and operating a push rod of the adjustable pedal assembly in its position to active the functional system of a vehicle, wherein the adjustable pedal assembly comprises; a pedal arm comprising an elongated lever structure with a first end and a second end; a pedal plate provided on the second end of the elongated lever structure of the pedal arm for depression by a foot of a driver; a vehicle mounting bracket; a pivot member configured for pivoting relative to the vehicle mounting bracket about a first fixed pivot axis; an activation link, a first end of the activation link being connected to the pivot member for pivoting therewith about the first fixed pivot axis and the second end of the activation link being connected to the elongated lever structure of the pedal; a link member having a first portion pivotally connected at a second fixed pivot axis to the activation link and a second portion connected to a booster receiver for connection to the push rod that activates the functional system of the vehicle; the first end of the elongated lever structure configured for pivoting with an adjustable slide pin about a third variable pivot axis; and the activation link and the link member each having a slot therein, the slots each having a correspondingly curved shape axially aligned with each other, and having the adjustable pin positioned therethrough such that the adjustable slide pin is configured for movement along and within said slots simultaneously, the third variable pivot axis of the adjustable slide pin configured for adjustment between a first pivot position and a second pivot position in the curved and axially aligned slots, wherein movement of the adjustable slide pin between the first pivot position and the second pivot position varies a linear adjustment trajectory of the pedal arm relative to the pivot member in the first position and the second position of the adjustable pedal assembly, while a ratio between a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the pedal plate and a distance between the first fixed pivot axis and the booster receiver remains substantially constant. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification