IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,346,144
Granted Patent B2
US 12,346,144 · App. 18/387,609 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Integrated brake and accelerator pedal assembly

Inventors: Blaine C. Benson (Ann Arbor, MI); Luke W. Garnaut (Ann Arbor, MI); Bradley M. Legris (Brighton, MI)
Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
G05G1/305B60K26/02B60T7/042G05G1/38G05G1/445
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,346,144
App. No.
18/387,609
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pedal assembly that has a rotation axis is provided. The pedal assembly includes a pedal pad, which includes a first portion positioned on one side of the rotation axis and a second portion positioned on the other side of the rotation axis such that a load applied to the first portion generates a brake command and a load applied to the second portion generates an acceleration command. A neutral position of the pedal pad is configured to be adjusted between an off mode, where the neutral position of the pedal pad is parallel with a floor surface, a first operating mode where the neutral position of the pedal pad is at a first angle with respect to the floor surface, and a second position where the neutral position of the pedal pad is at a second angle with respect to the floor.

Claims (17)

1. A pedal assembly comprising:

a pedal arm;

a pedal pad rotatably coupled on the pedal arm about a rotation axis, the pedal pad having a first portion positioned on one side of the rotation axis and a second portion positioned on the other side of the rotation axis such that a load applied to the first portion generates a brake command and a load applied to the second portion generates an acceleration command,

wherein a neutral position of the pedal pad is configured to be adjusted between an off mode, a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in the off mode, the neutral position of the pedal pad is parallel with a floor surface, in the first operating mode, the neutral position of the pedal pad is at a first angle with respect to the floor surface, and in the second operating mode, the neutral position of the pedal pad is at a second angle with respect to the floor surface, the second angle is a greater angle than the first angle, when the pedal pad is in the first operating mode, the first angle provides a first braking feedback to a driver and when the pedal pad is in the second operating mode, the second angle provides a second braking feedback to the driver, the second braking feedback is a greater haptic of brake feel to the driver than the first braking feedback.

2. The pedal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pedal pad is configured to rotate relative to the rotation axis dependent on the load applied to either the first portion or the second portion.

3. The pedal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the pedal pad is configured to rotate in a horizontal direction relative to the pedal arm about the rotation axis.

4. The pedal assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the pedal pad includes a surface to receive the load applied by a driver.

5. The pedal assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor assembly configured to detect an amount of the load applied to the first portion or to the second portion based on an amount of rotation of the first portion or the second portion relative to the rotation axis.

6. The pedal assembly of claim 5 , wherein the brake command and the acceleration command are independent signals that cannot be activated simultaneously.

7. The pedal assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

an attachment member extending from an interior surface of the pedal pad and configured to movably couple the pedal pad to the pedal arm.

8. The pedal assembly of claim 7 , wherein the attachment member comprises:

a connector extending in a vertical direction from the interior surface of the pedal pad; and

an aperture positioned within the connector.

9. The pedal assembly of claim 8 , wherein the aperture extends in a lateral direction to be transverse to a direction that the connector extends from the interior surface of the pedal pad.

10. The pedal assembly of claim 8 , wherein the attachment member is integrally formed with the interior surface of the pedal pad.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2025
From: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 072551/0085 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: BENSON, BLAINE C.; GARNAUT, LUKE W.; LEGRIS, BRADLEY M.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 066292/0968 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250147537A1 · May 8, 2025
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