Foot Operated Patents (Class 74/512)
  • Patent number: 9846448
    Abstract: A pedal-side rotating member is composed of a boss portion rotatably supported by a pedal shaft, a spring holding portion for holding one end of a return spring, a stopper arm being operatively in contact with an inner wall surface of a supporting body, and a mechanically-weaker portion, wherein the boss portion, the spring holding portion, the stopper arm and the mechanically-weaker portion are integrally formed as one unit. The spring holding portion is so configured as to be broken away from the boss portion at the mechanically-weaker portion, if an acting force larger than a predetermined value is applied to the stopper arm when the rotating member is rotated in a direction to an acceleration fully-closed position. A broken piece is held at a position inside of the supporting body, so that rotation of the boss portion is not adversely affected by the broken piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pham Van Viet, Takehiro Saito, Masahiro Makino
  • Patent number: 9840243
    Abstract: Provided is a brake device which improves energy efficiency. The brake device includes a stroke length adjusting unit configured to adjust rod stroke SR (stroke length of a piston in a master cylinder) relative to pedal stroke SP (quantity of operation of brake pedal by the driver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Saito
  • Patent number: 9821777
    Abstract: The vehicle brake pedal device includes a pedal bracket fixed to a partition wall, a brake arm and a coupling arm assembled to the pedal bracket, a clevis and a movable plate assembled to the coupling arm, and a fixed member and a coupling bracket assembled to a vehicle body component. In the event of a front collision of the vehicle, the pedal bracket is moved backward, and the movable plate is brought into abutment against the fixed member to rotate. As a result, a push part of the movable plate is brought into abutment against the clevis, and a breakable part of the clevis is broken so that the clevis and the coupling arm are decoupled from each other. Then, the coupling arm is rotated forward with respect to the pedal bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Uchida, Satoshi Yasue, Shinichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 9760109
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly includes an assembly frame, a pedal arm pivotally carried by the assembly frame, a booster input rod, a booster washer carried by the booster input rod, a rod actuating element carried by the pedal arm and engaging the booster input rod and a biasing device interposed between the booster washer and the rod actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Mark Warren Muddiman
  • Patent number: 9671815
    Abstract: A pedal assembly having a hysteresis creating configuration in communication with a sensor of a pedal assembly. The assembly includes a housing and a pedal arm wherein the pedal arm is pivotally mounted by bushings to the housing. A connector and sensor assembly is provided connected through the pivot point (hub) where the pedal arm connects to the housing of the pedal assembly. A spring connects to a spring carrier wherein the spring is depressed upon depression of the pedal arm of the pedal assembly. As the spring applies a force to the spring carrier, the spring carrier slides down an inclined wall and applies a force to a friction shoe. The friction shoe is in contact with the generally circular hub of the pedal arm thus providing a hysteresis effect as the friction shoe contacts the hub of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun Matthew Fuller, Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9541944
    Abstract: A device for mounting a pedal of a vehicle including a support on which the pedal is mounted by a principal rotary shaft and a shearing mechanism connected to a fixed bodywork element of the vehicle, the shearing mechanism configured to radially shear off the principal shaft in a case of a displacement of the support relative to the bodywork element, to detach the pedal from the support. A secondary shaft is fixed to the pedal and is configured to position the pedal, which has been sheared off, in a new operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Catalin Nicusor Calciu
  • Patent number: 9527383
    Abstract: A pedal effort adjusting apparatus for vehicles may include a fixed part rotatably coupled with a pedal member, a moving part configured to linearly move with respect to the fixed part, an elastic member configured to support the fixed part and the moving part, and a lever protrusion coupled to a hinge shaft of a pedal and configured to rotate together with the pedal and have an end rotatably coupled to the moving part to linearly move the moving part at a time of the rotation of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jong Hee Han
  • Patent number: 9523998
    Abstract: Provided herein is a pedal assembly for a vehicle with an intermediate link releasably connected to an actuation link of a push rod. The push rod is connected to a pedal arm via the actuation link and the intermediate link. The intermediate link has two parallel links that are capable of movement from a first position to a second position during vehicle collision using a release lever. Upon rotation to its second position, the release lever disconnects and forces the parallel links of the intermediate link away from each other, thus disconnecting the push rod and pedal arm. Energy is prevented from being transmitted to the driver's foot, thereby reducing injury to the driver. An actuation mechanism, such as a reaction bracket, is mounted to a vehicle structure adjacent the release lever, and may actuate rotation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: VENTRA GROUP CO.
    Inventor: Dusit Sukonthapanich
  • Patent number: 9506540
    Abstract: There is provided a pedal apparatus in which connection bracket is prevented from falling off from a pedal arm even if there is a welding defect. A pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm provided with an inclined portion, an upper retaining hole, and a lower retaining hole passing therethrough. A connection bracket, having a connecting face, an upper attachment face, a lower attachment face, an upper retaining projection and a lower retaining projection, is coupled with the pedal arm, with the upper retaining projection and the lower retaining projection respectively passing through the upper retaining hole and the lower retaining hole. Each edge of the upper attachment face and the lower attachment face is welded to the inclined portion of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., HIRUTA-KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motomasa Suzuki, Hiroshi Saito, Junji Ishii, Yoshitaka Noda, Kenji Fujioka, Takurou Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9501083
    Abstract: An accelerator and brake pedal device includes a connecting lever, a brake pedal assembly, an accelerator pedal assembly, an accelerator control circuit, and a resisting member. The brake pedal assembly is coupled to the connecting lever. The accelerator pedal assembly is rotatably coupled to the brake pedal assembly. The accelerator control circuit has an accelerator control switch. The resisting member is positioned on the connecting lever away from the brake pedal assembly. The accelerator control switch is resisted to turn off by the resisting member and break the accelerator control circuit. The resisting member is moved by the accelerator pedal assembly toward the accelerator control switch. The accelerator control circuit is rendered inoperative when the resisting member is moved by the accelerator pedal assembly toward the accelerator control switch. The accelerator control circuit is rendered operative when the accelerator pedal assembly is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiao-Gang Zhou, Wei-Min Yang
  • Patent number: 9499138
    Abstract: A connecting pin fitting assistive device that prevents erroneous fitting in which, instead of a proper connecting pin, another connecting pin that is larger in length than the proper connecting pin is erroneously fitted, at the time of connecting a prescribed connecting member to a pedal arm via a connecting pin by passing the connecting pin through a connection hole formed in the pedal arm and retaining the connecting pin with use of a retaining member, the connecting pin fitting assistive device having a contact face disposed in a vicinity of the connection hole of the pedal arm and located at a position apart from a side face of the pedal arm by a protrusion restriction dimension S, and the connecting pin fitting assistive device bringing a distal end of the connecting pin passed through the connection hole into contact with the contact face, so that a protruding dimension by which the connecting pin protrudes from the side face of the pedal arm is restricted to the protrusion restriction dimension S, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiro Takeshima, Yoshinobu Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9454176
    Abstract: A pedal operating apparatus for a vehicle includes a pedal member fixed to a vehicle body panel, having a hinge shaft provided at a back end thereof, and having a height controller above the hinge shaft. A pedal arm has an upper end rotatably installed at the hinge shaft of the pedal member, the upper end being provided with a protrusion protruding forward. A pedal effort controller is configured to include an elastic member rotatably installed at a front portion of the pedal arm. A switching member extends and is bent downwardly from the elastic member. The switching member has the bent portion contacted to the height controller. The pedal effort controller presses the protrusion downwardly through the switching member with an elastic force at an initial position of the pedal arm, and pushes the protrusion upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KYUNG CHANG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jong Hee Han
  • Patent number: 9429976
    Abstract: In a vehicle operation pedal apparatus, an engagement hook is formed in one end portion of a return spring, an engagement hole or cutout into which the engagement hook is hooked is formed in a bracket plate member disposed on an operation pedal, and a surface direction of a portion of the bracket plate member, in which the engagement hole or cutout is formed, is set such that a contact point at which the engagement hook contacts one of a pair of edges that are ridgelines between an inner wall surface of the engagement hole or cutout and one surface and an other surface of the bracket plate member is a relative pivot point of the return spring that pivots relative to the operation pedal in accordance with a pivoting operation of the operation pedal in an entire operation angle range of the operation pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nozomu Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9342092
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that can be operated in a manual driving mode and in an automatic driving mode and has at least one foot actuation device, which in the manual driving mode projects from a plane of a resting surface and can be actuated by a vehicle driver, wherein a switch from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode is detected and thereupon the at least one foot actuation device and/or the resting surface are moved relative to one another in such a way that the at least one foot actuation device and the resting surface form a substantially continuous plane or the resting surface forms a substantially continuous plane and the foot actuation device is covered by the plane of the resting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Elmar Baur, Linn Hackenberg, Lennart Bendewald
  • Patent number: 9298209
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for a vehicle includes a pedal bracket fixed to a dashboard, a cowl bracket fixed to a cowl panel, and a pedal arm hinge-coupled to the pedal bracket and having a reverse-swivel protrusion and a pedal on both sides of the pedal arm. Also, a reverse-swivel lever is hinge-coupled to the pedal bracket, and on an upper side of the reverse-swivel lever has an extension extending upwards and being positioned in front of the cowl bracket, and, on a lower side of the reverse-swivel lever has a reverse-swivel pin positioned below the reverse-swivel protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jeong Seon Min, Yang Rae Cho, Sung Il Lee, Wi Sang Park
  • Patent number: 9298208
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a clutch pedal effort may include a switching lever that is rotatably assembled to a pedal member and selectively engaged with a pedal arm and a reaction providing unit, a first end of which is engaged with the pedal member and a second end of which is engaged with the switching lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Young Seok Song
  • Patent number: 9283934
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a brake-by-wire system or vehicle having a traction battery. The brake pedal assembly has both a pedal feel simulator and an adjustable brake pedal. The pedal feel simulator has a fixed cam surface and a moving cam follower that provides increased resistance that simulates that of an actual brake system as the brake pedal arm is depressed. The brake pedal assembly has a pivotal adjustment subassembly that the cam follower may extend from. The adjustment subassembly may also have a brake pedal arm adjustably connected to and extending therefrom. The adjustment subassembly provides a consistent path of rotation per brake pedal depress allowing for the cam follower to have substantially consistent movement across the fixed cam surface, providing substantially consistent pedal feel feedback, regardless of where the brake pedal has been adjusted to within a vehicle foot-well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Allen Shand
  • Patent number: 9266507
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a vehicle having a brake pedal arm having an initial position and an adjustment subassembly configured to adjust the initial position. The brake pedal assembly is further provided with a preload spring configured to provide a preload force to the brake pedal arm and a preload adjustment cam in cooperation with the brake pedal arm. The adjustment subassembly and the preload spring are configured to change the preload force in response to a change in the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Daniel A. Gabor
  • Patent number: 9260088
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9261895
    Abstract: A vehicle operation pedal apparatus includes an elongate hollow pedal arm provided with a pedal sheet, the vehicle operation pedal apparatus transmits a pedal operating force applied to the hollow pedal arm to an output member connected to the hollow pedal arm. The hollow pedal arm is formed of a pair of a front half and a rear half each having a U-shaped section and combined with each other; the vehicle operation pedal apparatus comprises a plate-shaped connection plate having a connecting portion connected to the output member so as to be pivotable relative to the output member and fixed integrally with the hollow pedal arm; in the front half and the rear half, slit-shaped through-holes are formed, respectively; and the connection plate is passed through the hollow pedal arm in a vehicle front-rear direction through the through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Tsuguma
  • Patent number: 9256242
    Abstract: A driver's injury prevention type pedal may include a pedal arm which is rotatably coupled, at an upper portion to a pedal arm hinge which acts as a center of rotation of a pedal stroke, and a universal reverse rotation member which reversibly rotates the pedal arm about the pedal arm hinge and away from a driver which may include a mounting bracket to which the upper portion of the pedal arm is fitted and coupled, and a reverse rotation lever which presses the upper portion of the pedal arm by counterclockwise direction rotation formed by pushing of the pedal arm. In particular, the driver's injury prevention type pedal may be converted into a brake pedal, a clutch pedal, or an acceleration pedal, thereby allowing pedal manufacturing costs to be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9256243
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing an effort of a clutch pedal for a vehicle may include a pedal member through both sides of which a guide slot that may be extended frontwardly and then rearwardly may be formed integrally to pass the both sides, a pedal arm lever provided at an upper part of a pedal arm so as to be protruded towards the guide slot, a guide bar engaged to the pedal arm lever and passing through the guide slot, wherein the guide bar is movable along the guide slot when the pedal arm pivots, and an elastic member, a first end of which is connected to the pedal member, and a second end of which is connected to the guide bar, such that a turnover force is generated thereto when the pedal arm pivots forwardly and a recovery force is generated thereto when the pedal arm pivots rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Seon Min
  • Patent number: 9239297
    Abstract: A pipe inspecting robot having a body, first and second independently articulating legs, and first and second leg motors for controlling the first and second articulating legs. The robot also has first and second pairs of wheels attached to the first and second legs at an opposite end of the legs from the body. The leg motors are configured so that when the first pair of wheels encounters an obstacle, the second leg motor rotates the second leg upward away from the surface of the pipeline and radially around the body until the second pair of wheels contacts the surface of the pipeline on an opposite side of the obstacle. Then the first leg motor rotates the first leg upward away from the surface of the pipeline and radially around the body until the first pair of wheels contacts the surface of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Fadi Sibai
  • Patent number: 9217239
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid construction machine capable of preventing overcharge, comprising: an engine; a generator-motor; a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic actuator to be operated by the hydraulic pump as a hydraulic pressure source; an actuator regeneration section to make a regenerative action of generating actuator regenerated-electric-power through return fluid from the hydraulic actuator; an electric storage device; a charging-rate detector; and a control section. The control section performs: causing the electric storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator-motor and the actuator regenerated-electric-power; causing the generator-motor to make a motor action through electric power stored in the electric storage device to assist the engine; and a regeneration control including stopping the generator action and restricting the actuator regenerated-electric-power, when a detected charging rate of the electric storage device is not smaller than a preset charging-rate limitation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsunori Hirozawa
  • Patent number: 9213354
    Abstract: An active release system for a pedal assembly which permits the pedal to be operated after releasing. A pivot pin supporting the pedal arm is mounted in a plurality of slots. The pin is held in position in the slots by a release lever assembly. The release lever assembly is held in position by two shear pins. The force of the discharge during a crash breaks the shear pins to rotate a release lever away from the pivot pin. The pedal pivot pin is then free to travel in the slots in the mounting bracket towards the occupant thereby pivoting the pedal arm from the passenger compartment allowing the pedal to be operated after releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KSR IP Holding LLC.
    Inventor: Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9187067
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a driver assistance system which is rendered operative when the motor vehicle travels below a limit speed to automatically brake the motor vehicle to a halt while moving forward or backing up. The deceleration characteristic can be predefined or can be selected from an array of deceleration characteristics in dependency on an operating behavior of an accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Alexander Breu
  • Patent number: 9180843
    Abstract: Various embodiments may provide a convenient mechanism and system for users of vehicles that include handbrakes to operate reverse lockout deactivation mechanisms in connection with the handbrake. For example, saddle-type vehicles such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), snowmobile, motorcycle, or the like may benefit from certain embodiments. For example, the system that combines brake, reverse lockout deactivation, and parking brake mechanisms may benefit from a dual rate, dual direction spring system. An apparatus can include a first lever configured to pivot about a first axis. The apparatus can also include a second lever mounted with the first lever and configured further to pivot about a second axis offset from the first axis. The second lever can be configured to be biased to a first position by a first spring and a second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Lee N. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9146577
    Abstract: A pedal assembly protects a driver, in which a pedal arm 50 is prevented from pivoting to a driver and forced to pivot forward away from the driver in a collision or a rear-end collision, so that it is possible to maximally preclude an injury of the leg of the driver due to the pedal arm 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, DONG HEE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jeong Seon Min, Ean Soo Cho, Yang Rae Cho, Wi Sang Park
  • Patent number: 9108773
    Abstract: The invention discloses a container closure (3) for closing a vessel (2). The container closure (3) has a pouring opening (37) for pouring a liquid out of the vessel (2), a closure body (36) by means of which the pouring opening (37) can be closed, and also a closure lever (33) which interacts with the closure body (36). By being pressed by a finger of the user, the closure lever (33) can be pivoted from a closure position, in which the closure body (36) closes the pouring opening (37), to an opening position, in which the closure body (36) unblocks the pouring opening (37). The container closure (3) also has a rotary element (31) which can be rotated about a vertical axis relative to the closure lever (33) in order to form a stop with the closure lever (33) in a blocking position and thereby to block the closure lever (33) in its opening position and to allow the closure lever (33) to pivot between the closure position and the opening position in a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: PI-DESIGN AG
    Inventor: Jørgen Bodum
  • Patent number: 9110494
    Abstract: A pedal device for vehicles includes: a pedal arm provided in a pedal housing and connected to a pedal pad at a first end thereof, and rotated around a hinge shaft mounted to a second end of the pedal arm; a pressure member, a first end of which is held by the first end of the pedal arm, and a second end of which is placed between the hinge shaft and an inner surface of the pedal housing; and an elastic member provided between a middle portion of the pressure member and the inner surface of the pedal housing, and functioning to impose an elastic reaction force on the pressure member when a driver presses the pedal pad down. The elastic member brings the second end of the pressure member into frictional contact with the inner surface of the pedal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, DONG HEE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Bum Jun Kim, Hee Soo Yang, Jeong Seon Min, Joon Young Park, Yang Rae Cho, Jee Hyuck Choi, Yong Hwan Mo, Jong Rae Lee, Dong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9085445
    Abstract: A winch braking device includes: a brake; a brake pedal; a reaction force-imparting element that imparts a reaction force to the brake pedal; a rotation link that rotates by interlocking with the foot operation at the brake pedal; a brake valve linked to the rotation link, that applies a secondary pressure to the brake in response to the foot operation at the brake pedal; and a tension spring, with one end thereof attached to the vehicle body at a predetermined position and another end thereof attached to the rotation link, that applies a force to the brake pedal along a direction opposite a direction of the foot operation. As the foot operation is performed at the brake pedal, the tension spring extends and a shortest distance between a rotational center of the rotation link and a central axis of the tension spring becomes smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9069371
    Abstract: Provided is a hysteresis generating pedal apparatus. More specifically, the hysteresis generating pedal apparatus includes: a housing fixed to a vehicle; a pedal arm rotatably supported by the housing; and a friction member having an end supported by a spring and an other end in contact with a portion of the pedal arm and generating friction by contacting the housing when rotated by a driver's pedal effort received from the pedal arm. In particular, in a center of rotation of the friction member is different from a center of rotation of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HSL Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Sun Geun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150143943
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing an effort of a clutch pedal for a vehicle may include a pedal member through both sides of which a guide slot that may be extended frontwardly and then rearwardly may be formed integrally to pass the both sides, a pedal arm lever provided at an upper part of a pedal arm so as to be protruded towards the guide slot, a guide bar engaged to the pedal arm lever and passing through the guide slot, wherein the guide bar is movable along the guide slot when the pedal arm pivots, and an elastic member, a first end of which is connected to the pedal member, and a second end of which is connected to the guide bar, such that a turnover force is generated thereto when the pedal arm pivots forwardly and a recovery force is generated thereto when the pedal arm pivots rearwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Seon MIN
  • Patent number: 9038497
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for a vehicle may include a pad, a bracket which may be disposed below the pad, wherein the bracket may be coupled to the pad and a pedal arm at each opposite end of the pad and the pedal arm, respectively, a link section which may be disposed in the bracket, wherein the link section may be coupled to a lower portion of the pad and an intermediate portion of the bracket, respectively, such that the bracket may be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hinge-adjusting section which may be disposed above the link section such that an angle of the pad may be adjusted as the link section moves in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Chun Nyung Heo, Young Eon Jung
  • Publication number: 20150135887
    Abstract: A driver-protecting brake pedal apparatus may include a pedal member fixed to a dash panel, a hinge bracket, a first end of which may be pivotally coupled to the pedal member, the hinge bracket being selectively separated from the pedal member by an external force in order to maintain a pedal ratio, and a pedal arm rotatably coupled with a second end of the hinge bracket via a pedal hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun Sik KIM, Ean Soo CHO, Wi Sang PARK
  • Patent number: 9032836
    Abstract: A device for preventing an inward shifting of a brake pedal during a collision. The device includes a mounting bracket. A pedal housing is combined with the mounting bracket such that the pedal housing is movable in a rearwards direction from the mounting bracket. A pedal arm is hinge-coupled at upper and middle parts thereof with the pedal housing and a push rod, respectively. A unit for preventing the inward shifting of the pedal arm has a separating plate which, as the pedal housing is moved rearwards, presses against a fixing pin to decouple the fixing pin from the pedal arm, enabling the pedal arm to turn outwards about a hinge point at the middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corp., Kyung Chang Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Eun Sik Kim, Yang Rae Cho, Sung Il Byun
  • Patent number: 9027436
    Abstract: An assembly for coupling the rotor of a vehicle pedal assembly to the shaft of a vehicle pedal assembly. The rotor includes a cap which is fitted over a distal end of the shaft. The cap and the distal end of the shaft define a through aperture and an interior recess respectively. A coupling pin extends through the aperture in the cap of the rotor and into the recess in the shaft and includes a knurled outer surface which allows the pin to be interference fitted to the rotor and the shaft for securely coupling the rotor to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Derek L. Crites, Brian G. Babin
  • Patent number: 9016166
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for a vehicle includes: a pedal arm mounted on a vehicle body by a hinge shaft and having one end connected with a pedal and the other end where a rack gear is formed; a link arm having a pinion gear at one end that meshes with the rack gear to pivot on a center shaft of the pinion gear with respect to the pedal arm, and having the other end where a locking pin is formed; and a plate mounted on the vehicle body, the plate having a sliding groove where the locking pin of the link arm is inserted, in which ridges and depressions are formed at regular intervals in the sliding groove so that the locking pin slides step by step while being locked to the ridges and depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Yang Rae Cho, Jee Hyuck Choi, Eun Sik Kim, Ho Jin Choi
  • Publication number: 20150107402
    Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly for use in a vehicle is provided having, a housing having a main pivot point, a pedal arm pivotally connected to the main pivot point of the housing, an actuator connected to the pedal arm, the actuator adapted to adjust the positioning of the pedal arm with respect to the main pivot point and a hysteresis mechanism connected to the pedal arm, the hysteresis mechanism adapted to provide feedback to the user of the pedal when the pedal assembly is depresses wherein resistance is increased as the pedal is depressed further.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Leem
  • Publication number: 20150107401
    Abstract: A pedal module includes a support structure, and a lever rotatably mounted to the support structure for rotation about a rotation axis. The lever includes a lower pedal portion and an upper guide portion. A cam plate is attached to the support structure and defines a cam slot. A guide rod is coupled to the upper guide portion of the lever, and is also coupled to the cam plate to follow the cam slot. A biasing device includes a first end coupled to the support structure, and a second end coupled to the guide rod, and is operable to bias the guide rod toward the rotation axis. Resistance to movement of the lever in a first rotational direction about the rotation axis is dependent upon a spring constant of the biasing device, and a profile of the cam slot perpendicular to the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Logan Christopher Farrell, Eduardo Herrera, Joshua M. Figuered, Mason M. Markee, William J. Bluethmann, Raymond Edward Eggleston, IV, Justin S. Ridley, Chunhao J. Lee, Robert L. Vitale, Raymond Guo, Steven J. Weber, Shaun Michael Azimi
  • Patent number: 9010212
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal operation error resolution device has a stepping force conversion pendant body which depends from a pendant pin of a support pillar which is anchored to a brake arm, supporting a first rising member with a fluctuation fulcrum pin and a second rising member with an acceleration fulcrum pin. The stepping force conversion pendant body movably supports a guide member, one end wherein makes contact with a chassis. A conversion metal fitting houses the pendant pin in the upper part thereof, and has, in the lower protrusion part, a pin and a lock metal fitting. The lock metal fitting and a notch part of the guide member are either engaged or disengaged. When the guide member and the lock metal fitting are engaged, the movement of the brake arm is restricted, and is allowed when these are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Heiji Minami
  • Publication number: 20150101446
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20150101447
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pedal simulator for an active brake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Yoo-Sang KIM
  • Patent number: 9003920
    Abstract: A pedal arm provided with an arm main body has a first end portion, a second end portion, a pedal pad portion, and a shaft portion. The arm main body includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion in a first direction, and a third wall portion and a fourth wall portion in a second direction. One of the first wall portion and the second wall portion includes an abutting portion where the first end portion and the second end portion contacts, and the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion include a first curved portion and a second curved portion. A first depressed wall portion and a second depressed wall portion are formed on the first curved portion and the second curved portion, which are formed in inward convex shapes, respectively, and parts of the first depressed wall portion and the second depressed wall portion contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: F-Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagahori, Tohru Izu, Shuichi Inoue, Takanori Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8984986
    Abstract: A pedal boss, to which an accelerator pedal is fixed, has a projection-receiving space, which circumferentially extends on a circumferential side of a closing-side end wall in an accelerator-opening direction and receives a projection. When the pedal boss is rotated in an accelerator-closing direction, the pedal boss is rotatable to an accelerator-full-closing position of the pedal boss without being stopped by the projection through engagement with the projection regardless of a rotational position of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Inuzuka, Masahiro Makino
  • Patent number: 8985714
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake actuating unit for actuating a motor vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type. The system includes a brake booster which is operable in response to the driver's wish both by a brake pedal and by an electronic control unit. A device is provided to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode. A master brake cylinder connected downstream of the brake booster, a device to detect a deceleration request of the driver, and a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and due to which a resetting force acting on the brake pedal can be simulated in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode independently of an actuation of the brake booster, and which can be enabled in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode when the force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster is decoupled and can be disabled outside the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Holger von Hayn, Jürgen Schonlau, Manfred Rüffer, Wolfgang Ritter, Holger Kranlich, Jose Gonzalez, Thomas Sellinger, Milan Klimes, Torsten Queiβer, Michael Haber
  • Patent number: 8985521
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a control unit (A), which comprises actuation units (F) such as a rudder and brakes for a pilot in an aircraft, which comprises a rotating shaft (2) mobile in rotation around an axis (40); said shaft is driven in rotation when the pilot performs an action on the actuation units (F), in particular the brake pedals, by mechanical transmission between said shaft and said actuation units, and which comprises a device for generating resistive torque (1) designed to be fastened along the rotating axis of the control unit; the device for generating resistive torque comprises a friction disk (3, 4, 5) mounted axially and fastened to the rotating axle (2), a first annular track (6, 7, 8) fastened to a frame element (9) of the control unit; and means of support (10, 11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Jerome Dubost, Jerome Huet
  • Publication number: 20150075317
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brake pedal cover that is adapted to assist a driver in easily distinguishing the brake pedal from the accelerator pedal. The cover of the present invention is substantially unitary in structure. The cover is constructed to snugly fit over an existing brake pedal. In a preferred embodiment, the cover may be composed of rubber, silicone, or other resilient material. The resilient nature of the cover allows the cover to conform to the shape of the brake pedal while tightly hugging the same without requiring additional fasteners. In one embodiment, the cover of the present invention is red in color so as to increase the visibility of the brake pedal. In other embodiments, however, the cover of the present invention may comprise other colors or printed designs thereon. In this way, the present invention is adapted to increase the visibility of the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Alfred Donegan
  • Patent number: 8978512
    Abstract: An operating pedal includes a joining portion at which a first member and a second member whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first member are overlapped with each other, and welded to each other along an end edge of the second member, a step portion being provided in the first member along the end edge of the second member by recessing a protruding portion that outwardly protrudes from the end edge so that the protruding portion is drawn back from the second member; and the first member and the second member being welded to each other at a portion extending from the end edge of the second member to the step portion of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Himetani, Nobuyuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8973462
    Abstract: The pedal assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a mounting bracket and a stationary cross member. The pedal assembly includes a swing bracket, a striker plate, and a pedal arm. The swing bracket is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a pedal pivot axis. The striker plate is pivotally connected to the swing bracket. The pedal arm includes a primary pivotal connection to the swing bracket at a first pivot axis. The pedal arm includes a secondary connection to at least one of the striker plate and the swing bracket, to allow the entire pedal assembly to pivot about the pedal pivot axis upon depression of the pedal pad. During a vehicle collision of sufficient magnitude, the cross member collides against and forcibly rotates the striker plate which disengages the secondary connection to allow the pedal arm to freely pivot about the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings LLC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Olajos, Derreck Robert Heipel