Ratio regulation mechanism for an action lever

• US 7,421,927 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fico Cables SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fico Cables SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Terradas, Jaume Prat, Alonso, David Gras, Uribe-Echebarria, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHONG HWA
• Application Number:
  US10/535,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20060248978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,751 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 74516-518, 745/60
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/08 providing variable leverage
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/102 by means of a tilting lever
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

The invention relates to a ratio regulating mechanism for an manually actuated action lever, like a hand brake lever or a pedal, in particular for the use in a motor vehicle, which comprises a mounting (2), an action lever arm (20) and a rotational shaft (15) for rotably mounting of the action lever arm (20) at the mounting (2), wherein the rotational shaft (15) is relocatably mounted at the action lever arm (20) and relocatably mounted at the mounting (2). Further, the ratio regulating mechanism comprises a first adjustment means (19, 21) for the relocation of the rotational shaft (15) in relation to the action lever arm (20) and a second adjustment means (22, 23) for the relocation of the rotational shaft (15) in relation to the mounting (2).

Claims

1. A ratio regulating mechanism for a manually actuated action lever, comprising:

a mounting comprising a first elongated guide;

an action lever arm comprising a second elongated guide;

a rotational shaft for rotatably mounting the action lever arm to the mounting, wherein the rotational shaft is relocatably mounted within the first elongated guide of the mounting and the second elongated guide of the action lever arm;

a first adjustment means for relocating the rotational shaft relative to the action lever arm, the first adjustment means comprising an arm shaft supported in the action lever arm and first cam plates connected to the arm shaft and the rotational shaft, so that an adjustment rotation of the first cam plates relocates the rotational shaft relative to the action lever arm; and

a second adjustment means for relocating the rotational shaft relative to the mounting, the second adjustment means comprising a support pin connected to the mounting, and second cam plates connected to the support pin and the rotational shaft, so that an adjustment rotation of the second cam plates relocates the rotational shaft relative to the mounting.

2. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment means and the second adjustment means are adjustable, so that a position of the action lever arm with respect to the mounting is maintained during relocation of the rotational shaft.

3. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment means relocates the rotational shaft in a first direction and the second adjustment means relocates the rotational shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction.

4. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment means and the second adjustment means are simultaneously actuated.

5. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first cam plates comprise first cam slots through which the rotational shaft extends, and the second cam plates comprise second cam slots through which the support pin extends.

6. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 5, wherein the rotational shaft is attached to the second cam plates and slideably arranged through the first cam slots, so that the rotational shaft is functionally connected to both the first and the second adjustment means.

7. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first and second cam slots have substantially the same shape and length.

8. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second cam plates are rotated by a same rotation angle during adjustment of the rotational shaft.

9. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one set of cam plates selected from a group of cam plate sets comprising the first cam plates and the second cam plates is driven by an electric motor.

10. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one set of cam plates selected from a group of cam plate sets comprising the first cam plates and the second cam plates is manually driven.

11. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 10, wherein at least one set of cam plates selected from a group of cam plates comprising the first cam plates and the second cam plates is driven by at least one gearing selected from a group of gearings comprising a toothed wheel gearing, a spindle gearing, a cam gearing, a chain drive, a belt drive, a V-belt drive, and a flexible shaft.

12. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the ratio regulating mechanism is part of a hand-brake lever.

13. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 1, wherein the ratio regulating mechanism is part of a pedal for a motor vehicle.

14. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 13, wherein the pedal has dimensions adjustable to a user and wherein the action lever is adjustable to maintain a substantially constant actuation force and actuation path of the pedal across a range of pedal dimensions.

15. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 13, wherein the pedal has dimensions adjustable to a user and wherein the action lever is adjustable to vary an actuation force of the pedal.

16. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 15, wherein the rotational shaft maintains a position independent from a position of the pedal.

17. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 13, wherein a common actuation means is used for geometrical adjustment of the pedal to the user and for actuation of the first and second adjustment means.

18. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 13, wherein at least two actuation means are used for geometrical adjustment of the pedal to the user and for actuation of the first and second adjustment means, wherein the actuation means are controlled by a control electronics.

19. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 13, further comprising at least a second pedal so that the pedal and the second pedal are arranged to form a pedal unit, wherein the first and second adjustment means of the action lever are jointly driven for joint adjustment.

20. The ratio regulating mechanism of claim 19, wherein only a single, common actuation means actuates the first and second adjustment means.