Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-16
2002-09-17
Bonck, Rodney H (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S513000, C074S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450061
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable pedal system for an automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Adjustable pedal systems are known in the art. These adjustable pedal systems allow the driver to adjust the position of the brake and accelerator pedals (and clutch pedal in automobiles with manual transmissions) fore and aft for greater comfort and for greater distance from a steering wheel mounted air bag.
These adjustable pedal systems often comprise a jack screw actuator for each adjustable pedal and in some instances the rotary screws, also known as threaded members, of several jack screw actuators are rotated by a common power source, such as an electric motor. See for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,871 granted to Steve D. Ivan Oct. 3, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,061 granted to Harry L. Redding et al Oct. 24, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,302 granted to Christopher J. Rixon et al Mar. 3, 1998.
The Redding '061 patent and the Rixon '302 patent both disclose arrangements that have two flexible, torsionally rigid cables that transfer drive from a single power source, an electric motor, to two jack screws, each of which adjusts a different pedal. A drawback of these adjustable pedals system is that one pedal can be adjusted white the other pedal remains stationary if one of the power transfer cables breaks. This results in pedal misalignment which in turn may result in an awkward and uncomfortable operation for the vehicle driver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The adjustable pedal system of this invention uses a single electric motor that drives a plurality of jack screw actuators with flexible, but torsionally rigid, cables. Each pedal is driven by one of the jack screw actuators that is driven by one of the cables. An aligned fore—aft location of the various pedals, such as the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal (i.e. pedal step-over) must be maintained within certain desirable limits. The adjustable pedal system of the invention maintains the fore—aft alignment of the various pedals by controlling the electric motor with a switch that is mechanically connected to the adjustable pedals; the switch being operated when the adjustable pedals are out of alignment to de-energize the electric motor. This feature prevents pedal misalignment during the adjustment process even if one of the drive cables breaks so that one of the pedals is not moved by its associated jack screw actuator during the adjustment process.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3643525 (1972-02-01), Gibas
patent: 4870871 (1989-10-01), Van
patent: 5351573 (1994-10-01), Cicotte
patent: 5460061 (1995-10-01), Reading et al.
patent: 5632183 (1997-05-01), Rixon et al.
patent: 5722301 (1998-03-01), Schaaphok
patent: 5823064 (1998-10-01), Cicotte
patent: 5890399 (1999-04-01), Rixon et al.
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patent: 6189409 (2001-02-01), Neag et al.
patent: 6324939 (2001-12-01), Cicotte
patent: 199 47 500 (2001-05-01), None
patent: 1 120 700 (2001-08-01), None
Chapman David Joseph
Gmurowski Waldemar Wawrzyniec
Bonck Rodney H
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Le David D.
Marra Kathryn A.
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