Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-10-16
Luong, Vinh T. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S560000, C074S513000, C074S567000, C074S569000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301993
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to pedals for vehicles and, more particularly, to a cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a vehicle body of a vehicle with a floorpan and a toepan extending upwardly at an angle from the floorpan. It is also known to provide the vehicle with movable pedals operatively connected to the toepan. In most vehicles, a fuel pedal is mounted on a right side of the toepan and a brake pedal mounted on a left side of the toepan. Also, the vehicle includes a seat spaced longitudinally from the pedals in which a driver of the vehicle sits. In some vehicles, the seat is adjustable longitudinally relative to the pedals and toepan. In other vehicles, the pedals are adjustable longitudinally relative to a fixed seat of the vehicle.
It is also known that driver occupants of vehicles may have different statures ranging from short to tall.
It is desirable to provide variable positioning of the pedals for different size driver occupants while maintaining a predetermined distance from a steering wheel. It is also desirable to provide an actuator for the adjustment of foot operated pedals in a vehicle. It is further desirable to provide an adjustable pedal relative to a fixed position of a seat in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide an adjustable pedal assembly for a vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an actuator for the adjustment of foot operated pedals for a vehicle.
It is yet another object to provide an adjustable pedal actuator assembly for a vehicle.
To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is a cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly for a vehicle including a housing for connection to vehicle structure and a linear actuator operatively connected to the housing. The cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly also includes a pedal operatively connected to the linear actuator for adjusting a position of the pedal relative to the housing. The pedal has a cam surface to cooperate with the housing as a force is applied to the pedal such that the housing and the pedal effectively act as one solid member to transfer force to an actuating member in a manner of a conventional pedal.
One advantage of the present invention is that a cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly is provided for a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly provides adjustable pedals relative to a fixed position of a seat of a vehicle. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly allows for a variety of distances between a driver occupant and a steering wheel in a vehicle. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly can generate any trajectory without the use of multiple linkages and can be made to move rearward and downward for the entire stroke. A further advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly requires no change to any existing location of push-rod, cable or pivots and can be interchangeable with a conventional pedal assembly. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly maintains a constant relative offset between pedals during entire adjustment travel. Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly has forces transferred through structural components and not the actuating mechanism during frontal impacts of the vehicle. Yet still a further advantage of the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly is that it fits into smaller packaging space as a result of its vertical configuration. Another advantage of the present invention is that the cam-guided adjustable pedal actuator assembly has lower cost due to decreased complexity and materials, higher quality, and better durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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International Search Report for PCT/US00/14454.
Gmurowski Waldemar Wawrzyniec
Orr Brian Norman
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Luong Vinh T.
Marra Kathryn A.
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