Foot Operated Patents (Class 74/512)
  • Publication number: 20140208633
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism for an animal cage having a door that can be closed by linking to hanging bait comprises a frame for mounting to that cage. The frame includes a first support pivotally mounted at its base end, a second support fixedly mounted substantially perpendicular to the frame; and a door actuation bar pivotally mounted to the frame at one end. That actuation bar connects to a latch on the cage door and pulls on that latch to close the door when an animal inside the cage engages bait hanging from a strike arm pivotally mounted at one end to the second frame support. A link arm pivotally mounted at one end to the first frame support connects at its opposite end to an intermediate point along the strike arm with varying levels of tension. A kit for converting animal cages from floor pedal actuation to this hanging bait improvement is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Dean Pletcher, Caleb Moore
  • Patent number: 8789441
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating pedal feel. The system includes a brake pedal having a support, a brake pedal arm pivotably attached at a pivot connection to the support, and a torsion spring mounted at the brake pedal arm pivot connection. In addition, a compression spring, spaced apart from the pivot connection, is connected to the support and to the brake pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Dan Gabor, Mark Muddiman
  • Publication number: 20140182411
    Abstract: In a pedal device that can recede a pedal arm from a passenger side such as a driver reliably and can recede a retainer as a control member for realizing a receding posture of the pedal arm from a vehicle body side reliably at the time of a frontal collision or the like of a vehicle, a first guide hole provided in a pedal bracket attached to the vehicle body includes a leading end hole portion, a terminal end hole portion, and a connecting hole portion that connects the leading end hole portion and the terminal end hole portion, and a second guide hole provided in a retainer engaged and attached to the pedal bracket by engaging portions includes a first hole portion and a second hole portion connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: F-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Kazuo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8763477
    Abstract: In an operation amount detecting apparatus, a brake pedal is coupled with an operation rod by a coupling shaft, respective end portions of an elastic member are supported at support positions of a brake pedal by support shafts, the brake pedal is away in a direction orthogonal to an axis line direction of an operation rod with respect to the coupling shaft, an intermediate portion of the elastic member is relatively displaceably coupled by the coupling shaft and a coupling hole, and the elastic member is disposed with output strain sensors which detect an elastic deformation amount of the elastic member and output the elastic deformation amount as a brake operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Publication number: 20140174245
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Jerome Dubost, Jerome Huet
  • Publication number: 20140157942
    Abstract: A sensor, in particular a stroke sensor, for a brake pedal device is provided that prevents distortion of the pedal arm from affecting the reliability of the output rotational values. In particular, the sensor is mount on one side of a frame coaxially with a hinged shaft via bracket. A sensor lever is then connected to a rotational shaft of the sensor on one end thereof, and a pin arm is connected to the hinged shaft on one end of the pin arm. Additionally, one side of a sensor pin is connected to another end of the sensor lever and another side of the sensor pin is connected to another end of the pin arm. As a result, distortion to the pedal arm does not affect the values propagated by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Joon Young Park, Chang Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8746095
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a compact motion conversion transmission apparatus which can set the transmission characteristic for motion or force as desired over a wide range. The apparatus includes input, intermediate, and output members which are fitted to one another while being aligned with an axis and move in relation to one another while being aligned with the axis. Further, the apparatus includes first transmission means which converts a first motion of the input member to a second motion and transmits the second motion to the intermediate member, the first motion being one of a rectilinear motion along the axis and a rotary motion about the axis, and the second motion being the other of the rectilinear motion along the axis and the rotary motion about the axis; and second transmission means which converts the second motion of the intermediate member to the first motion and transmits the first motion to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Publication number: 20140150599
    Abstract: A pedal operation amount detection apparatus comprises: a transmitting member that transmits a pedal operating force; a pivot lever provided on the transmitting member so as to be pivotable relative to the transmitting member; and a deformable body that is interposed between the transmitting member and the pivot lever, and that deforms based on the pedal operating force, the pedal operation amount detection apparatus electrically detecting a pedal operation amount based on a deformation of the deformable body, the deformable body is fixed to the transmitting member, a sensor rod is fixedly fitted to the deformable body so as to extend upright relative to the deformable body, an elastic member is provided across the sensor rod and the pivot lever so as to be connected to each other, so that the pedal operating force or a reaction force corresponding to the pedal operating force is transmitted from the pivot lever to the sensor rod via the elastic member, and the sensor rod is passed, with a play, through the p
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Noboru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8726760
    Abstract: An adjustable pendant and organ type accelerator pedal device can vary the position of a pedal assembly including a pedal pad forwards and backwards according to driver's will to thereby allow a driver to operate pedal pad in a convenient state, such that convenience is remarkably improved and merchantability is significantly improved by greatly decreasing a sense of fatigue due to operating pedal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Hojong Oh
  • Patent number: 8726759
    Abstract: A pedal arrangement (1) with a standing pedal (2) features a friction element (9) which can be pressed against a housing wall (8) of the housing (6) accommodating the associated parts; the friction element is formed by an actuating lever (10) with two lever arms (12 and 13) arranged on both sides of its pivot bearing (11). The actuating lever (10) cooperates simultaneously with one or a plurality of restoring springs or compression springs (7) which cause a backward adjustment of the actuating lever (10) after cessation or reduction of the force on the pedal (2) and via a transmission element (19) of the pedal (2). The actuating lever (10) or one of the lever arms thereof thus itself forms the friction element (9) which reduces the number of required parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Erik Mannle
  • Publication number: 20140123801
    Abstract: A bearing member for a pedal arm, which is a tubular bearing member which is disposed so as to connect a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole formed respectively in a pair of plate members constituting right and left side walls of the pedal arm and through which a connecting shaft is passed so as to be rotatable relative to the bearing member, the bearing member includes: a large-diameter tubular portion configured to have an external diameter larger than a diameter of the first mounting hole and to be located between the pair of plate members; a first connecting portion configured to have an external diameter smaller than the diameter of the first mounting hole, to be formed so as to project from one end face of the large-diameter tubular portion coaxially with the large-diameter tubular portion, to be passed through the first mounting hole, and to be fixedly fitted to the first mounting hole by being compressed in an axial direction to be swaged so that a peripheral portion of the first mounting h
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kawahara, Masanobu Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20140116191
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicants: DONG HEE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jeong Seon Min, Ean Soo Cho, Yang Rae Cho, Wi Sang Park
  • Publication number: 20140116192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pedal assembly (1) comprising a base (2) provided with at least one fastening member (3) designed to allow said base to be fastened the floor of a vehicle (4), as well as at least one pedal (6) having an arm (7) that is articulated on said base (2) around a tilting axis (XX?) supported by said base, the base including, between the fastening member (3) and the tilting axis (XX?), a hollow barrel segment (11) created along a main axis (ZZ?) oriented substantially from said fastening member toward said tilting axis (XX?), and the wall (12) of which forms, in transverse cross-section relative to the main axis (ZZ?), a closed contour around said main axis (ZZ?), and in that the arm (7) of the pedal is subdivided into two branches (14, 15) forming a yoke (16) that is articulated around the tilting axis (XX?) outside the wall (12) of said barrel segment (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: MGI COUTIER
    Inventors: Pavan HEMMEGE VENKATAPPA, Eric FERRETTE, Jacques GUEVEL BADOU
  • Patent number: 8707820
    Abstract: A load-sensor-equipped vehicle operating pedal device includes a load sensor (30) having a case member (34) formed with a pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b) converged in a convex shape at a predetermined apex angle ?. The pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b) are held in surface contact with a pair of rest surfaces (28a, 28b), formed in a sensor-mounting hole (28) in a fixed and positioned state. Thus, even if a direction of an input load (reactive force), applied to a clevis pin (26) varies with an operating pedal 16 being progressively depressed, the pair of rest surfaces (28a, 28b) always bear the input load via the pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b). This suppresses the case member (34) from flexure deforming due to stress concentration. As a result, positional displacement of a sensor is prevented regardless of a variation in the direction of the input load, improving detecting precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8708865
    Abstract: A pedal apparatus for an electric motorcar or for a motor vehicle having a throttle mechanism, includes: a brake pedal having a brake auxiliary pad to which a brake arm is connected; and an accelerator pad configured to be rotated in the lateral direction within a predetermined angle range for an accelerating operation. The accelerator pad is formed of a reinforced plastic and is formed with a convex-shaped projection at a midsection thereof, a distal end of the accelerator arm extending from a throttle position sensor mounted on a vehicle body and rotating a predetermined angle range is disposed so as to be in abutment with the accelerator pad, and the rotation angle detected by the rotation of the accelerator arm is transmitted to an accelerator or a throttle mechanism that controls a driving motor via the throttle position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Masuyuki Naruse
  • Patent number: 8707819
    Abstract: A park brake includes a brake lever that is movable about a pivot. A release mechanism is associated with the brake lever. The release mechanism is actuable for allowing selective movement of the brake lever. A cable is connected to the release mechanism. The cable is isolated from movement of the brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Dura Operating LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hanna, Brooke Elsener, Jeremy Gill
  • Patent number: 8701522
    Abstract: A pendant type adjustment pedal apparatus includes an adjustment accelerator pedal that adjust a pedal clearance by the rotation of a motor, and an adjustment brake pedal that receives the rotation of motor through a rotary drive cable. Accordingly, convenience in adjusting a pedal clearance is provided, and particularly, adjustment accelerator pedal achieves a vibration mode in addition to a foot effort mode, which is an eco mode, by an electric mode generating device, such as a solenoid or a linear motor. Therefore, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency and to provide a danger recognition function using an accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Jongsang Noh, Jonggeun Cha, Hojong Oh, Donghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8706373
    Abstract: An aftermarket amplifier of acceleration signal (FIG. 2, box A), which is mounted between the potentiometer of the acceleration pedal (FIG. 2, box B) and the electronic control unit (FIG. 2, box C) and is programmed to control and to modify the signals from the accelerator pedal. The amplifier improves the acceleration of a car and overcomes the problems occurring during overreacting. The amplifier measures the signals from the acceleration pedal, calculates the change of the angle of the potentiometer of acceleration speed (angular speed) and multiplies the signals from the acceleration pedal by a value which is determined by the angular speed of the potentiometer of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the amplifier includes a function of a cruise control, which can be controlled with a single control switch (FIG. 2, box F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Stamatios Boulekos, Dimitrios Panagopoulos
  • Publication number: 20140077025
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of adjusting an aircraft pedal assembly includes providing a pedal linkage coupled between a pedal and an attachment assembly situated proximate to an aircraft instrument panel. A brake cylinder is provided coupled between the pedal and the attachment assembly. The pedal linkage is rotated in response to an adjustment input. The pedal linkage is maintained approximately parallel to the brake cylinder during rotation of the pedal linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140076095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake pedal (1) for a vehicle comprising a lever (6) provided with a hollow reinforcement segment (12) which comprises a longitudinal groove (13) with a <<pi>> cross-section on the one hand which opens onto the lower portion of the lever (6), said groove (13) being delimited by an upper wall (14) and two side walls (16), and at least two successive oblique reinforcement ribs (20, 120) oriented from the upper wall (14) towards the lower aperture (15) on the other hand, which each connect the left side wall (16) to the right side wall by subdividing the groove into several opening cavities (21, 121), such that in each cross-section (S1, S2, Si, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: MGI COUTIER
    Inventors: Pavan HEMMEGE VENKATAPPA, Jacques GUEVEL BADOU
  • Patent number: 8670901
    Abstract: A brake and steer-by-braking pedal arrangement for tractors includes a right pedal and a left pedal operating synchronously or diachronically; and at least one hydraulic or pneumatic circuit connected to one master cylinder activated by at least one of the pedals. The pedal arrangement also has potentiometers connected electronically to an electronic central control unit and the potentiometers determine the distance between the pedals The electronic central control unit determines, on the basis of data received from the potentiometers, whether or not to activate the steer-by-braking function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Maurizio Vescovini, Riccardo Morselli
  • Publication number: 20140060238
    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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jeong Seon MIN, Eun Sik KIM, Yang Rae CHO, Sung Il BYUN
  • Publication number: 20140060239
    Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a base on which at least one pedal is pivotably articulated, the pedal controlling an actuator, of the brake rod type, said pedal assembly including securing means designed to allow retraction of the pedal in the event of impact, and which are arranged so as to be able to cause, when activated dependent on a tilting lever, a freeing of the tilting axis of the pedal, through axial retraction of retractable bushes, and a captive transfer of said tilting axis relative to the base along at least one release component substantially transverse to the initial axial orientation of the tilting axis, so as to allow the release of the pedal while maintaining a functional tilting link between said pedal and the base, as well as a functional control link between the pedal and the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: MGI COUTIER
    Inventors: Pavan HEMMEGE VENKATAPPA, Eric FERRETTE, Jacques GUEVEL BADOU
  • Patent number: 8661933
    Abstract: A brake pedal crash safety device for a vehicle in which a brake pedal arm is rotatably mounted to a first vehicle body component and has a first locking element, shaped as a circle-sector and having its geometrical center at a center of movement of the brake pedal arm. A second locking element is mounted to a second vehicle body component. The second locking element is mounted a predetermined distance from the first locking element. The predetermined distance is constant and has a predetermined amount of allowable movement therebetween for a brake pedal arm position. A crash force applied to a front of the vehicle displaces the first vehicle body component toward the second vehicle body component and the predetermined amount of allowable movement between the first and second locking elements will be closed, irrespective of a current pedal position, thereby preventing further rotation of the brake pedal arm through interlocking first and second locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: John-Erik Andersson, Björn Roger Löfving
  • Patent number: 8657052
    Abstract: A floor panel is formed with an opening for mounting a pedal device. The opening permits a remote control valve to penetrate through the floor panel. The opening has an insertion region configured to allow the joint, the hydraulic hose and a lower portion of a valve body to be inserted thereinto from above the floor panel, and an arrangement region located in side-by-side relation to the insertion region in a second direction and configured to allow the valve body to be arranged therein while being fixed to the floor panel. In top plan view, a length of the opening in the second direction is less than a length of the opening in the first direction, and a length of the arrangement region in the first direction is less than a length of the insertion region in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Sakatani
  • Patent number: 8650984
    Abstract: The electronic clutch pedal assembly includes a housing bracket for mounting the pedal assembly to the vehicle, a pedal arm, and a biasing device. The pedal arm includes an upper end and a pedal pad at a lower end. The upper end of the pedal arm is pivotally supported within the housing bracket for movement along a pedal path between an undepressed position and a depressed position. The biasing device includes a first end cap pivotally attached to the housing bracket and a second end cap pivotally attached to the pedal arm. The biasing device includes a compressible member disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap. The compressible member biases the pedal arm towards the undepressed position. Upon depression of the pedal arm towards the depressed position, the compressible member compresses as the biasing device rotates to provide a variable pedal resistance over the pedal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventor: Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8650986
    Abstract: It is provided a vehicle operation pedal in which a pedal sheet is integrally fixed to a sheet fixed portion of a pedal arm in such a posture that a depressed face of the pedal sheet, which is depressed by a driver, faces a driver's seat, comprising a fitting hole through which the sheet fixed portion of the pedal arm extends formed in the pedal sheet; and the sheet fixed portion being fitted into the fitting hole from a rear face that is on the side opposite to the depressed face, and a peripheral portion around the fitting hole being integrally fixed to the sheet fixed portion by welding performed from the depressed face side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8635930
    Abstract: An electronically controlled floor mounted pedal assembly with a position sensor includes a base. A control arm is pivotally mounted to the base member at a control arm pivot axis, and a pedal arm is pivotally mounted to the base member at a pedal arm pivot axis. The control arm free end is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the pedal arm. A friction generating member mounted on the control arm free end contacts a pedal arm friction member positioned on the inner surface of the pedal arm to generate frictional hysteresis force. A spring positioned between the base member and the control arm free end initially biases the control arm against the pedal arm. A position sensor supported on the base member about the control arm pivot axis senses angular rotation of the control arm about the control arm pivot axis as the pedal arm rotates about the pedal arm pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventors: Larry Willemsen, Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8627743
    Abstract: A distal end portion of a pedal rod is press-fitted into a press-fitting hole, which is formed in a rotatable member. An intermediate portion of the pedal rod extends from and is bent relative to the distal end portion. The intermediate portion is received in a guide groove, which is formed in the rotatable member. An elongated portion of the pedal rod extends from the intermediate portion in a direction opposite from the distal end portion. A pad is provided to an end part of the elongated portion, which is opposite from the intermediate portion, and is adapted to receive a pedal force from a driver of a vehicle. The rotatable member includes a receiving hole that is adapted to receive a jig therethrough to enable the jig to contact the intermediate portion at time of press-fitting the distal end portion into the press-fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hotta, Tetsuo Hariu
  • Patent number: 8613341
    Abstract: A protective device of an automobile driver can prevent driver's legs from being injured by a brake pedal as the brake pedal forcibly rotates forward when a collision accident occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Eun Sik Kim, Yang Rae Cho, Wi Sang Park
  • Patent number: 8607660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Clement Sagan, Dale Scott Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor, Daniel Anthony Villar, Mark Muddiman, Prashanth Kaparthi
  • Patent number: 8596163
    Abstract: A pedal stroke sensor is placed at a point of a pedal bracket, which is located away from a pedal, and where the pivot of the pedal stroke sensor is not aligned with the pivot of the pedal; the pedal and the pedal stroke sensor, which are thus separated away from each other, are connected together by a link mechanism; and a pedal deflection is transmitted through the link mechanism to the pedal stroke sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Yoshida, Hideki Endo
  • Patent number: 8596162
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the easiness of steadily maintaining the magnitude of treading on a foot-operated operating element while mitigating a feeling of treading on a wall at the time of start of treading on the operating element. A pedal-operated operation device includes a pedal arm, a support housing, a spring for urging the pedal arm in a direction of return, a first shim and a second shim. A frictional engagement portion of the second shim is higher in maximum static friction force than a frictional engagement portion of the first shim. The second shim has a region in which the elastic modulus of the second elastic deformation portion is lower than that of the first shim, in terms of elastic deformation at the time when the pedal arm moves relative to the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Nozu, Norihiro Nishiumi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 8590416
    Abstract: A lower extremity vehicle navigation control system for driving a vehicle with one or more lower extremities is disclosed. The system may include a steering engagement surface, a brake engagement surface, and an acceleration control engagement surface positioned between a driver's seat and a vehicle floor forming a driver's compartment such that a driver may use his lower extremity to steer the vehicle, to brake and to accelerate. Each of the engagement surfaces may be in relative proximity to each other such that a driver may easily move his lower extremity between contact with each of the engagement surfaces. The system may also include gear shifting arm and a foot activated ignition system, both of which may be operable by one or more lower extremities of a driver of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: United Arab Emirates University
    Inventors: Hazem Elshorbagy, Husam Haboush, Reem Almarzouqi, Yousef Haik
  • Publication number: 20130305873
    Abstract: A pedal value sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a pedal movable between an idle position and an end position, a bearing for the pedal, and a spring configured to apply a restoring force to the pedal towards the idle position. In an intermediate position between the idle position and the end position, the spring is configured to apply a restoring force to the pedal toward the idle position that is greater than before and/or after the intermediate position, wherein the greater restoring force of the spring is brought about by a contact of a first section of the spring with a second section of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Vaclav Cizek, Dusan Falar
  • Publication number: 20130283961
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly comprising a pedal housing that receives the drum of a pedal arm. An elongate tubular hollow shaft which, in one embodiment, may be made of metal extends through a through-hole defined in the drum and into the side walls of the pedal housing. The pedal shaft may be secured in the pedal housing with lips on the respective side walls that are heat staked against the ends of the pedal shaft. Alternatively, the pedal shaft can include flared distal ends that abut against the exterior surface of the respective side walls, or slots can be formed in the interior surface of the respective side walls of the pedal housing for receiving the respective distal ends of the pedal shaft. The through-hole of the drum and the shaft may include regions of varying diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Murray Kaijala
  • Patent number: 8567283
    Abstract: A vehicle operating pedal device includes an operating pedal having a hollow structure; a reaction force member; a pivotal connecting portion; and a reinforcement member having a form of a flat plate and disposed between paired side walls. Paired through-holes are formed in the paired side walls which have forms of flat plates and are located on both sides in a vehicle width direction, parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the support shaft axis, at positions on a straight line that is substantially parallel to the support shaft axis, in the pivotal connecting portion. A pin insertion hole is formed in the reinforcement member at a position corresponding to the paired through-holes, a connecting pin is inserted through the pin insertion hole, and the reinforcement member is integrally fixed to the paired side walls at a portion on an outer peripheral side of the pin insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Himetani, Mitsunobu Hoketsu
  • Publication number: 20130269472
    Abstract: A clevis pin (connecting pin) (26) is inserted into a clearance hole (72), and is displaceable relative to an operating pedal (16). A pivotal moving link (68) is disposed between the clevis pin (26) and a sensor pin (64) of a load sensor (30). A reaction force applied from the clevis pin (26) to the load sensor (30) always acts in a substantially constant direction (substantially leftward in FIG. 1A) even if the operating pedal (16) and an operating rod (22) are pivoted relatively around the axis of the clevis pin (26) in accordance with the depressing operation of the operating pedal (16). Thus, the detecting accuracy of the load sensor (30) is heightened, and variation in detecting accuracy is prevented, rendering the high reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Amano
  • Publication number: 20130269471
    Abstract: A clevis pin (connecting pin) (26) is inserted into a clearance hole (72), and is displaceable relative to an operating pedal (16). A pivotal moving link (68) is disposed between the clevis pin (26) and a sensor pin (64) of a load sensor (30). A reaction force applied from the clevis pin (26) to the load sensor (30) always acts in a substantially constant direction (substantially leftward in FIG. 1A) even if the operating pedal (16) and an operating rod (22) are pivoted relatively around the axis of the clevis pin (26) in accordance with the depressing operation of the operating pedal (16). Thus, the detecting accuracy of the load sensor (30) is heightened, and variation in detecting accuracy is prevented, rendering the high reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Amano
  • Publication number: 20130263688
    Abstract: A clevis pin (connecting pin) (26) is inserted into a clearance hole (72), and is displaceable relative to an operating pedal (16). A pivotal moving link (68) is disposed between the clevis pin (26) and a sensor pin (64) of a load sensor (30). A reaction force applied from the clevis pin (26) to the load sensor (30) always acts in a substantially constant direction (substantially leftward in FIG. 1A) even if the operating pedal (16) and an operating rod (22) are pivoted relatively around the axis of the clevis pin (26) in accordance with the depressing operation of the operating pedal (16). Thus, the detecting accuracy of the load sensor (30) is heightened, and variation in detecting accuracy is prevented, rendering the high reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Amano
  • Patent number: 8549957
    Abstract: A rotation angle detecting apparatus to detect a rotation angle of a rotating member, including a housing, the rotating member being disposed so as to be rotatable relative to the housing; a fixing member to fix a magnet to the rotating member; and a sensor, fixed to the housing, to detect a rotation angle of the magnet, the rotating member including an abutting part with which the magnet abuts in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotating member, and a supporting part that faces the abutting part with the magnet interposed therebetween to support the fixing member located between the magnet and the supporting part, and the fixing member presses the magnet against the abutting part by coming into contact with the supporting part and the magnet without allowing a section contacting the supporting part and a section contacting the magnet to overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ogura
  • Patent number: 8550412
    Abstract: A switch bracket includes a bracket body that includes a lower surface and a kickplate. The switch bracket also includes a switch mount located on the lower surface of the bracket body, where at least a portion of the kickplate extends outward from the lower surface further than the stop lamp switch that is retained at the switch mount. In another embodiment, a brake pedal assembly includes a switch bracket coupled to a pedal mount, the switch bracket having a lower surface and a kickplate. The brake pedal assembly also includes a stop lamp switch coupled to the lower surface of the switch bracket, and a brake pedal rotationally engaged with the pedal mount and coupled to the stop lamp switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Richard Slade, Crystal Jasmine Mink, Herb Meingast
  • Patent number: 8539858
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal rotates a pedal rotor when depressed. Rotors located on both sides of the pedal rotor are relatively rotatable to the pedal rotor. Second helical teeth of the rotors project toward the pedal rotor and engage with first helical teeth of the pedal rotor to bias the rotors when the pedal rotor rotates in the accelerator opening direction. The pedal rotor is rotatable to an accelerator full-close position without interfering with the first helical teeth when the pedal rotor rotates in an accelerator closing direction. A first biasing unit biases the rotors in the accelerator closing direction. A second biasing unit biases the accelerator pedal or the pedal rotor in the accelerator closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Saito, Haruhiko Suzuki, Masahiro Makino, Yoshinori Inuzuka, Tetsuo Hariu
  • Publication number: 20130239737
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of manufacturing and installing an electronic throttle control pedal to a bracket within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of making a customized pedal mounting bracket for a vehicle wherein the customized pedal mounting bracket has universal connecting features. The method further includes mounting the customized pedal mounting bracket to a vehicle and attaching the universal pedal housing to the customized pedal mounting bracket by means of the universal connecting features. An apparatus of the present invention including a universal pedal housing having a rear surface wherein the rear surface includes at least one locating protrusion. The pedal housing further including a plurality of compression tabs. The apparatus including a pedal mounting bracket having a front surface wherein the rear surface of the pedal housing connects to the front surface of the pedal mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventor: Shaun Matthew Fuller
  • Publication number: 20130239738
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventors: Michael D. Olajos, Derreck Robert Heipel
  • Patent number: 8534157
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control pedal assembly includes a housing having a cavity formed therein which is mounted to the vehicle. A hub is rotatably attached to the housing within the cavity. The hub includes at least a portion having a circumferential outer wall having an engagement portion. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm having a pedal pad positioned at one end, and an opposite end operatively attached to the hub such that depression of the pedal pad rotates the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventor: Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8534158
    Abstract: A floor pivot pedal assembly for use in a vehicle having a floor. The pedal assembly may include a body mounting bracket, a pedal mounting bracket and a floor pivot foot pedal having a lower end pivotally connected to a hinge located on an upper surface of the lower mounting portion. The body mounting bracket has slots for receiving securement flanges for securing the body mounting bracket to the pedal mounting bracket. A fastener also secures the body mounting bracket to the pedal mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Alan H. Canavan
  • Patent number: 8522640
    Abstract: A cantilever control system including: a cantilever control arm having a bifurcated section for its attachment to a stationary structure so as to provide resistance to off-center loading, a springy portion of the cantilever control arm disposed at the bifurcated section whereby spring redundancy is provided, and a rigid section of the cantilever control arm which includes a user interface portion (i.e., a foot pad or hand grip); a diversity of sensors in terms of types and locations; a coarse flexure control in the form of a contoured snubber which tunes the flexing stiffness and cantilever control arm flexure feel; and a plurality of fine flexure controls including at least one of: a flexure hysteresis control, an over-travel stop control, and a pre-load flexure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Warwick W. Bryce
  • Patent number: 8522642
    Abstract: A mounting assembly which, in one embodiment, is for a pedal assembly including a plate with at least a first mounting bracket including an interior wall which, in one embodiment, defines an aperture and a pair of slots. A sleeve is fitted in the opening and, in one embodiment, is generally U-shaped and includes both an arcuate base and a pair of arms. The base is fitted in the aperture and at least the distal end of the pair of arms is fitted in the pair of slots respectively. The interior wall is configured so that, in one embodiment, a generally circular aperture is defined in the bracket when the sleeve is fitted therein; and, in another embodiment, a generally oval-shaped aperture is defined in the bracket when the sleeve is fitted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Murray Kaijala
  • Publication number: 20130220061
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KSR TECHNOLOGIES CO.
    Inventor: Dan O'Neill