Adjustable pedal assembly
View Patent ↗An adjustable pedal assembly includes a mounting arrangement ( 1 ) for attachment to a vehicle structure ( 37 ), an accelerator pedal ( 6 ), a brake pedal ( 7 ), and a clutch pedal ( 8 ). The pedals ( 6, 7, 8 ) are pivotally supported with respect to the mounting arrangement ( 1 ) and define a first pivot axis ( 9 ). An adjustment element ( 5 ) is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting structure ( 1 ) and defines a second pivot axis ( 4 ). The adjustment element ( 5 ) selectively moves the pedals ( 6, 7, 8 ) between a plurality of operable positions. The adjustable pedal assembly is characterized by the pedals ( 6, 7, 8 ) being pivotally supported with respect to the adjustment element ( 5 ) wherein the second pivot axis ( 4 ) is generally parallel to the first pivot axis ( 9 ). A driving mechanism with an electric motor ( 11 ) and gear assembly ( 12 ) is used to rotate the adjustment element ( 5 ) about the second pivot axis ( 4 ). The pedals ( 6, 7, 8 ) are pivotally mounted within the adjustment element ( 5 ) to pivot about the first pivot axis ( 9 ), thus the first pivot axis ( 9 ) moves with respect to the second pivot axis ( 4 ) when the adjustment element ( 5 ) is rotated.
1. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
a mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) for attachment to a vehicle structure ( 37 );
at least one pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) having first and second ends and supported for pivotally moving about a first pivot axis ( 9 ) between rest and applied positions;
an adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally supported on said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) about a second pivot axis ( 4 ) with said second pivot axis ( 4 ) remaining fixed relative to said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) as said adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally moves between various adjusted positions;
said first pivot axis ( 9 ) supporting said first end of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) on said adjustment element ( 5 ) spaced from said second pivot axis ( 4 ) for pivotal movement relative to said adjustment element ( 5 ) with said first pivot axis ( 9 ) being generally parallel to said second pivot axis ( 4 ),
a drive mechanism operably connected to said adjustment element ( 5 ) for selectively rotating said adjustment element ( 5 ), said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ), and said first pivot axis ( 9 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ) between said various adjusted positions for selectively moving said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between a plurality of operable positions without pivotally moving said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) about said first pivot axis ( 9 ) relative to said adjustment element ( 5 ); and
an electric signal generator responsive to pivotal movement of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) for electrically controlling a vehicle system in response to pivotal movement of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) about said first pivot axis ( 9 ) in a range between said rest and applied positions independently of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) moving between any one of said operable positions defined by said adjusted positions of said adjustment element ( 5 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ).
2. An assembly as set forth with claim 1 including a second pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) pivotally supported by said adjustment element ( 5 ) whereby said adjustment element ( 5 ) simultaneously adjusts the operational positions of both of said pedals.
3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electric signal generator is connected to said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) and directly responsive to pivotal movement of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ).
4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electric signal generator is further defined as a potentiometer ( 36 ) that emits an electric signal varying with the pivotal position of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between said rest and applied positions about said first pivot axis ( 9 ).
5. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) includes an accelerator pedal ( 6 ) extending downwardly from said adjustment element ( 5 ) and terminating at an accelerator pedal pad ( 30 ).
6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) adjusts an angular position of said accelerator pedal pad ( 30 ) when selectively rotated by said drive mechanism.
7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism includes a gear assembly with a rotor element ( 12 ) that is driven by an electric motor ( 11 ).
8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pivot axis ( 4 ) is located vertically above said first pivot axis ( 9 ).
9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) maintains said first pivot axis ( 9 ) at a lower vertical position than said second pivot axis ( 4 ) at all adjusted positions.
10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein an angle formed between a connection line ( 35 ) extending between said first ( 9 ) and second ( 4 ) pivot axes and a vertical line ( 34 ) extending perpendicular to said second pivot axis ( 4 ) is in the range of 30° to 40°.
11. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
a mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) for attachment to a vehicle structure ( 37 );
a pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) pivotally supported about a first pivot axis ( 9 ) for rotation between rest and applied positions about said first pivot axis ( 9 );
an adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally supported on said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) about a second pivot axis ( 4 ) with said second pivot axis ( 4 ) remaining fixed relative to said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) as said adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally moves between various adjusted positions;
said first pivot axis ( 9 ) supporting said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) on said adjustment element ( 5 ) for pivotal rotation relative to said adjustment element ( 5 ) with said first pivot axis ( 9 ) being generally parallel to said second pivot axis ( 4 ),
a drive mechanism operably connected to said adjustment element ( 5 ) for selectively rotating said adjustment element ( 5 ), said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ), and said first pivot axis ( 9 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ) between said various adjusted positions for selectively moving said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between a plurality of operable positions without pivotally rotating said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) about said first pivot axis ( 9 ) relative to said adjustment element ( 5 ); and
an electric output control operatively connected to said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) and directly responsive to pivotal rotation of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) about said first pivot axis ( 9 ) between said rest and applied positions for electrically controlling a vehicle system response to pivotal rotation of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) independently of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) moving between any one of said operable positions defined by said adjusted positions of said adjustment element ( 5 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ).
12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) has first and second ends with said first end being mounted to said adjustment ( 5 ) and said second end supporting a pedal pad ( 30 , 31 , or 32 ).
13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) adjusts an angular position of said pedal pad ( 30 , 31 , or 32 ) when selectively rotated by said drive mechanism.
14. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electric output control is further defined as a potentiometer ( 36 ) that emits an electric signal varying with the pivotal position of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between said rest and applied positions about said first pivot axis ( 9 ).
15. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second pivot axis ( 4 ) is located vertically above said first pivot axis ( 9 ).
16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) maintains said first pivot axis ( 9 ) at a lower vertical position than said second pivot axis ( 4 ) at all adjusted positions.
17. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising:
a mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) for attachment to a vehicle structure ( 37 );
a pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) pivotally supported about a first pivot axis ( 9 ) with respect to said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) for rotation between rest and applied positions about said first pivot axis ( 9 );
an adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally supported about a second pivot axis ( 4 ) with respect to said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) with said second pivot axis ( 4 ) remaining fixed relative to said mounting arrangement ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) as said adjustment element ( 5 ) pivotally moves between various adjusted positions about said second pivot axis ( 4 );
said first pivot axis ( 9 ) supporting said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) on said adjustment element ( 5 ) with said adjustment element ( 5 ) selectively moving said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between a plurality of operable positions during said pivotal movement between said various adjusted positions about said second pivot axis ( 4 ) without pivotally rotating said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) about said first pivot axis ( 9 ), said first pivot axis ( 9 ) being generally parallel to said second pivot axis ( 4 ); and
an electrical generator mounted adjacent said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) and responsive to rotation of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) for emitting an electric signal that varies with said rotational position of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between said rest and applied positions around said first pivot axis ( 9 ) independently of movement of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) between said plurality of operable positions defined by said adjusted positions of said adjustment element ( 5 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ).
18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ) has first and second ends with said first end being mounted to said adjustment element ( 5 ) and said second end supporting a pedal pad ( 30 , 31 , or 32 ).
19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) adjusts an angular position of said pedal pad ( 30 , 31 , or 32 ) during said movement between said various adjusted positions.
20. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said electrical generator is further defined as a potentiometer ( 36 ) for emitting the electric signal that varies with said rotational position of said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ).
21. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 further including a drive mechanism operably connected to said adjustment element ( 5 ) for selectively rotating said adjustment element ( 5 ), said pedal ( 6 , 7 , or 8 ), and said first pivot axis ( 9 ) about said second pivot axis ( 4 ) between said various adjusted positions.
22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said drive mechanism includes a gear assembly with a rotor element ( 12 ) that is driven by an electric motor ( 11 ).
23. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said second pivot axis ( 4 ) is located vertically above said first pivot axis ( 9 ).
24. An assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said adjustment element ( 5 ) maintains said first pivot axis ( 9 ) at a lower vertical position than said second pivot axis ( 4 ) at all adjusted positions.
25. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein an angle formed between a connection line ( 35 ) extending between said first ( 9 ) and second ( 4 ) pivot axes and a vertical line ( 34 ) extending perpendicular to said second pivot axis ( 4 ) is in the range of 30° to 40°.