Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-04
2001-09-18
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289761
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an improved control pedal for a motor vehicle and, more particularly, to a control pedal for a motor vehicle which is selectively adjustable to desired positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Control pedals are typically provided in a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, which are foot operated by the driver. Separate control pedals are provided for operating brakes and an engine throttle. When the motor vehicle has a manual transmission, a third control pedal is provided for operating a transmission clutch. A front seat of the motor vehicle is typically mounted on tracks so that the seat is forwardly and rearwardly adjustable along the tracks to a plurality of positions so that the driver can adjust the front seat to the most advantageous position for working the control pedals.
This adjustment method of moving the front seat along the tracks generally fills the need to accommodate drivers of various size, but it raises several concerns. First, this adjustment method still may not accommodate all drivers due to very wide differences in anatomical dimensions of drivers. Second, the position of the seat may be uncomfortable for some drivers. Therefore, it is desirable to have an additional or alternate adjustment method to accommodate drivers of various size.
Many proposals have been made to selectively adjust the position of the control pedals relative to the steering wheel and the front seat in order to accommodate drivers of various size. It would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that these adjustable control pedals can actuate both conventional cable controls and electronic throttle controls (ETC), because the ETC is a function separate from adjustability and the ETC module would typically be positioned remote from the mechanism for adjustment of the control pedals. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,183, 5,697,260, 5,722,302, 5,819,593, 5,937,707, and 5,964,125, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, each disclose an example of an adjustable control pedal assembly. This control pedal assembly includes a hollow guide tube, a rotatable screw shaft coaxially extending within the guide tube, a nut in threaded engagement with the screw shaft and slidable within the guide tube, and a control pedal rigidly connected to the nut. The control pedal is moved forward and rearward when an electric motor rotates the screw shaft to translate the nut along the screw shaft within the guide tube. While this control pedal assembly may adequately adjust the position of the control pedal to accommodate drivers of various size, this control pedal assembly is relatively complex and expensive to produce. The relatively high cost is particularly due to the quantity of high-precision machined parts such as, for example, the guide tube and due to the quantity of welded joints. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an adjustable control pedal assembly which selectively adjusts the position of the pedal to accommodate drivers of various size, is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce, and is highly reliable to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a control pedal includes, in combination, a link having a slot formed therein, a screw supported by the link, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw about a central axis, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move axially along the screw upon rotation of the screw. A pedal arm is operatively connected to the nut. The pedal arm has a pedal and a pin extending into the inclined slot which moves along the slot as the nut travels along the screw. The pedal arm rotates relative to the link as the pin moves along the slot and the pedal moves along a generally linear path as the pin moves along the slot.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the control pedal includes, in combination, a link having a slot formed therein, a screw supported by the link, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw about a central axis, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move axially along the screw upon rotation of the screw. A pedal arm comprises upper and lower pedal arms operatively connected for extension and retraction of the lower pedal arm relative to the upper pedal arm. The upper pedal arm is pivotally connected relative to the link. The lower pedal arm has a pedal at a lower end and a pin extending into the slot. The pin is operatively connected to the nut so that the pin moves along the slot as the nut travels along the screw. The pedal arm rotates relative to the link and the lower pedal arm translates relative to the upper pedal arm as the pin moves along the slot and the pedal moves along a generally linear path as the pin moves along the slot.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a control pedal includes, in combination, a link having first and second slots formed therein, a screw supported by the link, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw about a central axis, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move axially along the screw upon rotation of the screw. A pedal arm is operatively connected to the nut. The pedal arm has a pedal and first and second pins extending into the first and second slots respectively so that the first and second pins move along the first and second slots respectively as the nut travels along the screw. The pedal arm rotates relative to the link as the first and second pins move along the first and second slots respectively and the pedal moves along a generally linear path as the first and second pins move along the first and second slots respectively.
From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of control pedal assemblies. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a high quality, feature-rich, low cost assembly. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.
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Reynolds Dean William
Wortmann Martin Joseph
Dura Global Technologies Inc.
Green Mary Ann
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
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