Pedal with snap-fit pivot bushing

A pedal with snap-fit bushing includes a pedal arm having a tubular sleeve oriented perpendicular and fixed to the pedal arm. A mounting pin is rotatably received within a tubular sleeve annular bore and extends partially beyond tubular sleeve opposed ends. A first pivot bushing is rotatably mounted to a first end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve. A second pivot bushing is rotatably mounted to a second end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve. A pedal housing includes a first wall having a first “L” shaped slot and a second wall having a second “L” shaped slot. The pivot bushings are received in a retention portion of the first and second slots to releasably retain the mounting pin and allow rotation of the pedal arm and the tubular sleeve about a rotational axis of the mounting pin.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to brake and clutch pedal assemblies for automobile vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Known pedal assemblies for automobile vehicle throttle, brake and clutch pedals are assembled from first and second pedal halves, which are fastened to each other using multiple fasteners. The assembly is then rotatably mounted to a pedal housing using a pin that must be extended through a portion of the pedal housing, through the pedal assembly, and then through a second portion of the pedal housing, thereby making the assembly time consuming and difficult to align.

Thus, while current automobile vehicle pedal designs achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved system and method for constructing and installing throttle, brake and clutch pedal assemblies for automobile vehicles.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects, a pedal with snap-fit bushing includes a pedal arm. A mounting pin is rotatably received in the pedal arm. A first pivot bushing is rotatably mounted to a first end of the mounting pin, and a second pivot bushing rotatably mounted to a second end of the mounting pin. A pedal housing includes a first wall having a first slot and a second wall having a second slot. The first pivot bushing is received in the first slot and the second pivot bushing is received in the second slot to releasably retain the mounting pin allowing rotation of the pedal arm about a rotational axis of the mounting pin.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first slot created in the first wall and the second slot created in the second wall of the pedal housing each define a substantially “L” shaped slot having an entrance portion and retention portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first pivot bushing is identical to the second pivot bushing, and each include opposed elastically deflectable first and second arms. The elastically deflectable first and second arms of the first pivot bushing deflect toward each other when the first pivot bushing enters the retention portion of the first slot and the elastically deflectable first and second arms of the second pivot bushing deflect toward each other when the second pivot bushing enters the retention portion of the second slot.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the retention portion of each of the first slot created in the first wall and the second slot created in the second wall include a lower wall and an opposed upper wall, the lower wall including a first elongated opening and the upper wall including a second elongated opening.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, as each of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing approach an end of the retention portion, the first deflection arm elastically springs outwardly to be partially received within the first elongated opening created in the lower wall and the second deflection arm elastically springs outwardly to be partially received within the second elongated opening created in the upper wall.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first deflection arm upon entering the first elongated opening contacts an edge defined by the first elongated opening and the second deflection arm upon entering the second elongated opening contacts an edge defined by the second elongated opening to releasably lock each of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing within the retention portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a maximum spacing between the first arm and the second arm in as as-molded, non-deflected condition is greater than or equal to a gap between the lower wall and the upper wall of the retention portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting pin includes a first shoulder at a first end and a second shoulder at a second end, having the first pivot bushing mounted to the first shoulder and the second pivot bushing mounted to the second shoulder.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a tubular sleeve is fixed to the pedal arm. The mounting pin is rotatably received within an annular bore of the tubular sleeve and extends partially beyond opposed first and second ends of the tubular sleeve. The first pivot bushing extends outward of the first end of tubular sleeve and the second pivot bushing extends outward of the second end of the tubular sleeve.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the tubular sleeve is substantially bisected by the pedal arm and is fixed by welding to the pedal arm.

According to several aspects, a pedal with snap-fit bushing includes a pedal arm having a tubular sleeve oriented perpendicular to the pedal arm and fixed to the pedal arm. A mounting pin is rotatably received within an annular bore of the tubular sleeve and extends partially beyond opposed ends of the tubular sleeve. A first pivot bushing rotatably mounted to a first end of the mounting pin extends outward of the tubular sleeve. A second pivot bushing rotatably mounted to a second end of the mounting pin extends outward of the tubular sleeve. A pedal housing includes a first wall having a first “L” shaped slot and a second wall having a second “L” shaped slot. The first pivot bushing is received in a retention portion of the first slot and the second pivot bushing is received in a retention portion of the second slot to releasably retain the mounting pin allowing rotation of the pedal arm and the tubular sleeve about a rotational axis of the mounting pin.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first pivot bushing includes opposed elastically deflecting first and second arms, and the second pivot bushing includes opposed elastically deflecting first and second arms.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first “L” shaped slot and the second “L” shaped slot each include an entrance portion leading into the retention portion, and the retention portion of each of the first slot created in the first wall and the second slot created in the second wall include a lower wall and an opposed upper wall. The lower wall includes a first elongated opening and the upper wall includes a second elongated opening.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a maximum spacing between the first deflection arm and the second deflection arm in as as-molded, non-deflected condition is greater than or equal to a gap between the lower wall and the upper wall of the retention portion such that as the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing each enter one of the retention portions of either the slot of the first wall or the slot of the second wall, the first deflection arm and the second deflection arm elastically deflect toward each other creating a stored elastic biasing force.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, each of the deflection arms further includes a flat stop face. The deflection arms extend due to the stored elastic biasing force into one of the first or the second elongated openings and the flat stop face seats against an edge of the elongated openings.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting pin when received in the annular bore of the tubular sleeve, the first pivot bushing rotatably mounted to the first end of the mounting pin, and the second pivot bushing rotatably mounted to the second end of the mounting pin together define a pedal assembly. The pedal assembly is installed in the pedal housing in an initial installation direction with the first pivot bushing being slidably received in the entrance portion of the first “L” shaped slot and the second pivot bushing being slidably received in the entrance portion of the second “L” shaped slot.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, in a final installation direction of the pedal assembly different from the initial installation direction, the first pivot bushing is slidably displaced into the retention portion of the first “L” shaped slot and the second pivot bushing is slidably displaced into the retention portion of the second “L” shaped slot with the first deflection arm of each of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing sliding along the lower wall of each retention portion and the second deflection arm of each of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing sliding along each upper wall of the retention portion.

According to several aspects, a pedal with snap-fit bushing includes a pedal assembly having: a pedal arm having a tubular sleeve oriented perpendicular to the pedal arm and fixed to the pedal arm; a mounting pin rotatably received within an annular bore of the tubular sleeve and extending partially beyond opposed ends of the tubular sleeve; a first pivot bushing rotatably mounted to a first end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve, the first pivot bushing having elastically deflecting first and second arms; and a second pivot bushing rotatably mounted to a second end of the mounting pin extending outward of the tubular sleeve, the second pivot bushing having elastically deflecting first and second arms. A pedal housing includes a first wall having a first “L” shaped slot and a second wall having a second “L” shaped slot. The first pivot bushing is received in an entrance portion of the first slot and has the first and second arms of the first pivot bushing releasably retained in a retention portion of the first slot. The second pivot bushing is received in an entrance portion of the second slot and has the first and second arms of the second pivot bushing releasably retained in a retention portion of the second slot thereby preventing rotation of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing while allowing rotation of the pedal arm and the tubular sleeve about a rotational axis of the mounting pin.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, during assembly of the pedal assembly into the pedal housing the first pivot bushing is received in the entrance portion of the first slot in a first direction and is moved into the retention portion in a second direction; and the second pivot bushing is received in the entrance portion of the second slot in the first direction and is moved into the retention portion in the second direction.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, during installation of the pedal assembly into the pedal housing the first deflection arm enters a first elongated opening created in the retention portion of the pedal housing and contacts an edge defined by the first elongated opening, and the second deflection arm enters a second elongated opening created in the retention portion of the pedal housing and contacts an edge defined by the second elongated opening to releasably lock each of the first pivot bushing and the second pivot bushing within the retention portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a pedal with snap-fit bushing10defines an assembly having a pedal arm12of a material such as steel or aluminum having a pedal face14fixed at a first end of the pedal arm12. The pedal arm12is rotatably connected to a pedal housing16. The pedal housing16is made for example of a polymeric material which can be injection molded to a desired geometry. A tubular sleeve18is fixed to and is substantially bisected by the pedal arm12for example by a weld joint20. An engagement rod22is rotatably connected to a pin24fixed to the pedal arm12. The engagement rod22extends through a clearance aperture26created through a mounting flange28of the pedal housing16to actuate a device such as a brake assembly or a clutch assembly (not shown). The mounting flange28can include multiple apertures30which receive fasteners (not shown) used to mount the pedal housing16to structure of a motor vehicle such as a firewall or to a structure supported by the firewall (not shown).

Referring toFIG. 2and again toFIG. 1, the tubular sleeve18is fixed to a substantially flat mounting end32of the pedal arm12. The tubular sleeve18extends through an aperture34created in the mounting end32and is fixed for example by a friction fit in the aperture34, or may also be fixed for example by the welding joint20to the mounting end32as previously described. The tubular sleeve18is hollow and provides an annular bore36throughout a length of the tubular sleeve18. A mounting pin38is rotatably received within the annular bore36and extends partially beyond opposed ends of the tubular sleeve18. A first pivot bushing40described in greater detail in reference toFIG. 7is rotatably mounted onto a first shoulder42created on a first end of the mounting pin38. When installed, the mounting pin38can freely rotate with respect to the first pivot bushing40.

With the mounting pin38received in the annular bore36of the tubular sleeve18, a second pivot bushing44is rotatably mounted onto a second shoulder46of the mounting pin38similar to the first pivot bushing40. According to several aspects, the first shoulder42and the second shoulder46have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the main body of the mounting pin38. The first pivot bushing40is then releasably coupled to a first wall48of the pedal housing16and the second pivot bushing44is releasably coupled to a second wall50of the pedal housing16which is described in greater detail in reference toFIGS. 3 through 5.

Referring toFIG. 3and again toFIGS. 1 and 2, according to further aspects, a mounting pin39is modified from the mounting pin38to provide a universal diameter throughout an entire length of the mounting pin39, thereby eliminating the first shoulder42and the second shoulder46of the mounting pin38. A first pivot bushing41and a second pivot bushing43are modified to slidably receive the diameter of the mounting pin39. In the alternative, the tubular sleeve18can be modified to decrease the diameter of the bore36to accommodate a smaller diameter of the mounting pin39, and the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44can continue to be used. Because the tubular sleeve18has a greater diameter than the mounting pin39, the first pivot bushing41and the second pivot bushing43when installed on the mounting pin39remain spaced apart from each other by contacting opposed end faces45,47of the tubular sleeve18.

Referring toFIG. 4and again toFIGS. 1 and 2, a pedal assembly52includes the pedal arm12, the tubular sleeve18, the mounting pin38, and each of the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44. The pedal assembly52is shown prior to installation into the pedal housing16. Each of the first wall48and the second wall50of the pedal housing16includes a substantially “L” shaped slot, with only a slot54of the second wall50clearly visible in this view. The “L” shaped slots are substantially mirror images of each other, therefore the following discussion of the slot54of the second wall50applies equally to the slot created in the first wall48. The slot54includes a first or entrance portion58and a second or retention portion60which is angularly oriented with respect to the entrance portion58. The entrance portion58is dimensioned to slidably receive the second pivot bushing44. The second pivot bushing44(as well as the first pivot bushing) includes each of an elastically deflecting first deflection arm62and an opposed elastically deflecting second deflection arm64both of which extend freely from each of the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44, which are described in greater detail in reference toFIG. 7.

The pedal assembly52is moved in an initial installation direction66with the second pivot bushing44being slidably received in the entrance portion58of the slot54. When the second pivot bushing44contacts an end of the entrance portion58a direction of installation of the pedal assembly52is changed to a final installation direction68. In the final installation direction68of the pedal assembly52, the second pivot bushing44is displaced into the retention portion60of the slot54with the first deflection arm62sliding along a lower wall70of the retention portion60and the second deflection arm64sliding along an upper wall72of the retention portion60. The lower wall70is oriented substantially parallel to the upper wall72and the retention portion60is narrower than the entrance portion58such that the first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64elastically deflect toward each other during displacement of the second pivot bushing44within the retention portion60.

As the second pivot bushing44nears an end of the retention portion60, the first deflection arm62elastically springs outwardly (downwardly as viewed inFIG. 3) to be partially received within a first elongated opening74created in the lower wall70. At the same time the second deflection arm64elastically springs outwardly (upwardly as viewed inFIG. 3) to be partially received within a second elongated opening76created in the upper wall72. It is noted only the second elongated opening76of the first wall48of the pedal housing16is clearly visible in this view. The springing action of the first deflection arm62upon entering the first elongated opening74creates contact between a portion of the first deflection arm62and an edge77defined by the first elongated opening74. Similarly, the springing action of the second deflection arm64upon entering the second elongated opening76creates contact between a portion of the second deflection arm64and an edge79defined by the second elongated opening76. This contact releasably locks the second pivot bushing44within the retention portion60.

Referring toFIG. 5and again toFIGS. 1 through 4, the second pivot bushing44is shown during initial installation into the entrance portion58of the slot54. As previously noted the pedal assembly52is displaced in the initial installation direction66. The first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64(only the second deflection arm64is clearly visible in this view) do not deflect during installation into the entrance portion58.

Referring toFIG. 6and again toFIGS. 4 through 5, in the installed position of the pedal assembly52the second pivot bushing44contacts an end wall78of the retention portion60preventing further displacement of the pedal assembly52in the final installation direction68. When the first deflection arm62partially enters the first elongated opening74created in the lower wall70, and when the second deflection arm64partially enters the second elongated opening76in the upper wall72, the pedal assembly52is prevented from displacing in a release direction80, opposite to the final installation direction68.

Referring toFIG. 7and again toFIGS. 1 through 6, each of the first wall48and the second wall50of the pedal housing16provide a first wall portion82and a second wall portion84. Each wall portion provides a slot such as a slot86to slidably guide the first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64of each of the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44. Each slot such as the slot86includes a first slot wall88and an opposed second slot wall90. A tapered ramp91can also be provided defining an entrance into the slot86to enhance entry of the deflection arms.

In the event that removal of the pedal assembly52from its installed position within the pedal housing16is desired, access slots are provided for a tool such as a slotted screwdriver to enter and to displace the first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64from their engaged positions. Examples of these slots include a first access slot92and a second access slot94. After release of the deflection arms, a removal path of the pedal assembly52is opposite to the installation sequence described in reference toFIGS. 3 through 5.

It is further noted that side walls of the first wall48and the second wall50of the pedal housing16each include a solid surface96defining end surfaces of the slot54of both the first wall48and the second wall50. The solid surfaces96of the first wall48and the second wall50define positive constraints to limit side-to-side displacement of the mounting pin38and therefore limit side-to-side displacement of the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44.

Referring toFIG. 8, each of the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44are identical bushings made for example from an injection molded polymeric material. Each includes a substantially cylindrical body98having a centrally aligned cylinder100. A bore102slidably receives the mounting pin38described in reference toFIG. 2and thereafter allows rotation of the mounting pin38within the bore102. The first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64are mirror images of each other, with a tab104extending from the first deflection arm62, and a tab106extending from the second deflection arm64.

A maximum spacing110between the first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64in as as-molded, non-deflected condition is greater than or equal to a gap between the lower wall70and the upper wall72of the retention portion60(seeFIG. 3) such that as the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44each enter one of the retention portions60of either the slot54of the first wall48or the slot54of the second wall50, the first and second deflection arms elastically deflect toward each other creating a stored elastic biasing force. Each of the deflection arms also includes a tapered face108which aids the deflection arms to elastically deflect toward the body98when sliding through the retention portion60shown and described in reference toFIG. 3.

Each of the deflection arms further includes a flat stop face112oriented substantially perpendicular to the tabs104,106. After the deflection arms extend due to the stored biasing force into one of the elongated openings74,76the flat stop face112seats against an edge of the elongated openings such as the edge77of the first elongated opening74to releasably capture the pedal assembly52in the installed position shown inFIG. 5. A width113of each of the first deflection arm62and the second deflection arm64is equal, permitting the deflection arms to slidably enter the slot86created in each wall portion described in reference toFIG. 6.

Referring toFIG. 9and again toFIG. 7, a lower surface114of the pedal housing16is shown. The first access slot92created through the lower surface114provides access to the first deflection arm62of the first pivot bushing40and the second access slot94provides access to the first deflection arm62′ of the second pivot bushing44. The first access slot92and the second access slot94can be sized to receive a blade end of a screwdriver or a similar tool.

Referring toFIG. 10and again toFIG. 9, an upper surface116of the pedal housing16is shown. A third access slot118provides access to the second deflection arm64of the first pivot bushing40and a fourth access slot120provides access to the second deflection arm64′ of the second pivot bushing44.

A pedal with snap-fit bushing10of the present disclosure offers several advantages. These include a releasably installed pedal assembly52including a pedal arm12, a tubular sleeve18, a mounting pin38, and each of a first pivot bushing40and a second pivot bushing44. Provision of the pedal arm12. The tubular sleeve18fixed to the pedal arm12provides a bore for rotationally receiving the mounting pin38, with the first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44mounted to opposite ends of the mounting pin38. An “L” shaped slot created in a pedal housing16defines a path to both install and capture the mounting pin38and pivot bushings. The first pivot bushing40and the second pivot bushing44include elastically deflectable arms that are captured in slots of the pedal housing to releasably lock the pedal assembly52in a position allowing rotation of the pedal arm12without release of the pedal assembly52.