Pedal apparatus for motor vehicles

Abstract: A pedal apparatus provides quick and secure assembly of a pedal lever and an interconnecting mechanism. The pedal apparatus includes the pedal lever (18) and a fixed end (32) of a cylindrical member (30) is attached to the pedal lever. An interconnecting mechanism (40) is disposed between the device to be actuated by the operator's efforts on the pedal lever and has a first end attached the cylindrical member. A snap lock (50) is provided having a body portion (52) disposed adjacent to a free end of the cylindrical member. The snap lock also includes at least one retaining leg (54) projecting outward from the body portion toward the pedal lever. The retaining leg (54) has a predetermined length and width to allow installation of the first end of the interconnecting mechanism (40) onto the cylindrical member (30) and retention thereafter of the first end of the interconnecting means (40) between a tip (56) of the retaining leg (54) and the pedal lever (18).

Description: The present invention relates generally to control devices for motor vehicles. More particularly the pedal apparatus provides an improved attachment of a pedal lever to a push rod. In the conventional motor vehicle, pedals are provided for controlling the brakes and engine throttle. If the vehicle has a manual transmission, then a clutch pedal may also be provided. These pedal controls are operated by the vehicle operator. In essence, the pedal assembly transfers an operator's input to a particular device to be controlled through an interconnecting mechanism, such as a push rod, cable, etc. Traditional pedal assemblies incorporate a cotter pin or some equivalent for securing the interconnecting mechanism to a pedal lever. During assembly of the vehicle, the pedal lever and interconnecting mechanism are attached to one another under the dash, in a relatively confined area. Once the components are assembled, the cotter pin or equivalent is installed to keep the assembly together. This final assembly step can be very difficult, as the operator must either find the hole for the cotter pin visually or by feeling for it. Either way results in a very inefficient manufacturing process. US patent 1,361,374 addressed a not dissimilar problem in 1919 in that the constructed pedal assembly prevented removal of the flooring of the vehicle. The solution provided was to have a two piece pedal, which allowed the assembly to be deconstructed in situ. This approach, however, does not lend itself to the problem at hand. It would be desirable to overcome the aforenoted difficulties with previous pedal assemblies used in motor vehicles by providing a simple, low cost pedal apparatus allowing for blind, secure assembly of the pedal lever to an interconnecting mechanism. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a pedal apparatus for actuating a device within a vehicle, said pedal apparatus comprising: a pedal lever having a pedal pad disposed on a first end and a second end pivotally connected to a ground point; a cylindrical member having a fixed end attached to said pedal lever between said first and second ends and a free end opposite said fixed end; and an interconnecting means for transferring operating efforts from said pedal lever to the device, said interconnecting means having a first end pivotally disposed on said cylindrical member; and a snap lock having a body portion disposed on said cylindrical member adjacent to said free end and at least one retaining leg projecting outward from said body portion toward said pedal lever, said at least one retaining leg having a predetermined length and width so as to allow installation of said first end of said interconnecting means onto said cylindrical member and retention thereafter of said first end of said interconnecting means between a tip of said at least one retaining leg and said pedal lever. It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost pedal apparatus capable of being assembled in a quick, secure and efficient manner. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pedal assembly for a motor vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 in an exploded perspective view of an pedal assembly for a motor vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a snap lock for use in a pedal assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a pedal assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a pedal assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 6 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a pedal assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the pedal assembly 10 is shown installed in a motor vehicle. The vehicle includes a dash panel 12, which extends downward to a portion of a floor member 14, and a pedal support structure 16, which may be constructed from crossbars integrated with an instrument panel and steering column support structure. A pedal lever 18 includes a pad 20 at its first end 22 and a second end 24 that is pivotally connected to a cross link 26, which depends from the stationary pedal support structure 16 thereby creating a ground point 28 about which the pedal lever rotates within a plane transverse to the axis of the cross link 26. A cylindrical member 30 includes a fixed end 32 attached to a pedal lever at a predetermined distance along the pedal lever between the first and second ends of the pedal lever. The positioning of the cylindrical member 30 determines the mechanical advantage for the pedal apparatus and as such, is a design variable. The cylindrical member 30 also includes a free end 34 opposite from the fixed end 32. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical member 30 is press fit into an aperture 36 such that a transverse axis 38 of the cylindrical member is substantially perpendicular to the pedal lever 18. If additional retention is required, commonly known process such as welding, bonding, and staking may be used, as well as others having the ability to increase the retention of the cylindrical member in the pedal lever aperture. An interconnecting mechanism 40 attaches to the cylindrical member 30 and transfers operator input efforts from the pedal lever to a device 42, which in a preferred embodiment consists of a push rod driving a master cylinder of a brake system. It should be recognised by those skilled in the art that the interconnecting mechanism may comprise other known devices, such as a cable and cable housing link members of a complex linkage. The interconnecting mechanism includes a first end 44 pivotally disposed on the cylindrical member 30. The first end 44 includes an aperture 46 having an internal bore diameter that is sufficiently larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical member 30 to allow relative rotation therebetween. However, to prevent undesirable operating noises and pedal free play, the relationship between these two diameters must be carefully chosen. A snap lock 50 includes a body portion 52 that is pressed onto the free end 34 of the cylindrical member 30. Referring now to Figs 2 through 4, the snap lock also includes at least one retaining leg 54 projecting radially outward from the body portion 52 toward said pedal lever 18, thereby forming a predetermined angle α with the axis 38. The preferred embodiment includes a plurality of retaining legs. The retaining leg 54 extends a predetermined width length and terminates at a tip 56. A shoulder member 58 extends radially inward from the body portion 52 opposite from the retaining leg 54. The body portion 52 of the snap lock has an inner diameter sized relative to the outer diameter of the free end of the cylindrical member to create a predetermined interference fit therebetween. The degree of interference is a design choice dependent on the amount of retention desired, available installation force, and the snap lock material. Referring now to Fig. 5, an alternative or cumulative form of retention is shown. In this embodiment, the free end of the cylindrical member includes a groove 60 circumferentially cut, ground or rolled onto the outer surface of the cylindrical member. A mating barb 62, or preferably a plurality of barbs, protrude radially inwardly from the body portion of the snap lock to engage the groove 60, thereby positive locating the snap lock on the cylindrical member. Referring now to Fig. 6, yet another or further cumulative form of retention is shown. In this embodiment, the free end of the cylindrical member includes a threaded bore 64 axially aligned with the longitudinal axis 38 of the cylindrical member. The shoulder member 58 of the snap lock includes a snap lock aperture 66 coaxial with the threaded bore. A threaded portion 68 of a fastener 70 extends through the snap lock aperture 66 and matingly engages the threaded bore 64. A head portion 72 of the fastener 70 has a larger diameter than the snap lock aperture, thereby positively retaining the snap lock on the cylindrical member. Assembly of the pedal apparatus, specifically the attachment of the interconnecting mechanism to the pedal lever, will now be described. Advantageously, the snap lock of the present invention is pressed onto the free end of the cylindrical member prior to installing the pedal lever into the passenger compartment, assuring a highly repeatable and quality installation. The pedal assembly is then installed in the vehicle and the interconnecting mechanism is installed into the vehicle in the normal course. The interconnecting mechanism and pedal lever can be simply and quickly be attached by manually grasping the first end of the interconnecting mechanism and forcing the aperture therein over the snap lock on the cylindrical member, compressing the retaining legs until the aperture in first end is sufficiently past the snap lock to allow the tips of the retaining legs to snap out. No further action by the operator is required, as the first end will be retained thereafter between the tip of retaining leg and the pedal lever. Yet another advantage of the present invention rests in the fact that the angle, α, of the retaining legs and their resilience is such that if the operator fails to complete the installation properly, the first end will be urged off of the cylindrical member, thereby preventing incomplete assembly of the components.

Claims: A pedal apparatus for actuating a device within a vehicle, said pedal apparatus comprising: a pedal lever (18) having a pedal pad (20) disposed on a first end (22) and a second end (24) pivotally connected to a ground point (28); a cylindrical member (30) having a fixed (32) end attached to said pedal lever (18) between said first and second ends (22,24) and a free end (34) opposite said fixed end (32) ; an interconnecting means (40) for transferring operating efforts from said pedal lever (18) to the device (42), said interconnecting means having a first end (44) pivotally disposed on said cylindrical member (30); and a snap lock (50) having a body portion (52) disposed on said cylindrical member (30) adjacent to said free end (34) and at least one retaining leg (54) projecting outward from said body portion (52) toward said pedal lever (18), said at least one retaining leg (54) having a predetermined length and width so as to allow installation of said first end (44) of said interconnecting means (40) onto said cylindrical member (30) and retention thereafter of said first end (44) of said interconnecting means (40) between a tip (56) of said at least one retaining leg (54) and said pedal lever (18). A pedal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member (30) extends substantially perpendicular to said pedal lever (18). A pedal apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first end (44) of said interconnecting means comprises an aperture (46) having a bore diameter sufficiently larger than a diameter of said cylindrical member (30) to permit relative rotation therebetween. A pedal apparatus as claimed I any preceding claim, wherein said snap lock (50) comprises a plurality of retaining legs (54) projecting outward from said body portion toward said pedal lever (18), said plurality of retaining legs (54) having a predetermined length and width so as to allow installation of said first end (44) of said interconnecting means (40) onto said cylindrical member (30) and retention thereafter of said first end of said interconnecting means between a plurality of tips (56) of said plurality of retaining legs (54) and said pedal lever (18). A pedal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said body portion (52) of said snap lock (50) has an inner diameter sized relative to an outer diameter of said free end (34) of said cylindrical member (30) so as to create an interference fit for positively retaining said snap lock (50) on said cylindrical member (30). A pedal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: a groove (60) circumferentially disposed on an outer surface of said cylindrical member (30) adjacent to said free end; and at least one barb member (62) on said snap lock (50) opposite from said at least one retaining leg (54), said barb member (62) projecting inward from said body portion (52) toward said cylindrical member (30) so as to engage said groove (60) thereby positively retaining said snap lock (50) on said cylindrical member (30). A pedal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: a threaded bore (64) disposed in said free end (34) of said cylindrical member (30), said threaded bore (64) being axially aligned with a longitudinal axis (38) of said cylindrical member (30); and a shoulder member (58) on said snap lock (50) opposite said at least one retaining leg (54), said shoulder member (58) forming a snap lock aperture (66) coaxial with said threaded bore (64); and a fastener (70) with a head portion having a larger diameter than said snap lock aperture (66) and a threaded portion matingly engaged with said threaded bore (64) for positively retaining said snap lock (50) on said cylindrical member (30). A pedal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said snap lock (50) further comprises a shoulder member (58) on said snap lock (50) opposite said at least one retaining leg (54) so as to engage said free end (34) of said cylinder member (30) thereby controlling an installation depth of said snap lock (50) onto said cylindrical member (30). A pedal apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said interconnecting means is a push rod (40) having a first end (44) pivotally disposed on said cylindrical member (30) and a second end attached to the device (42); and said snap lock (50) has a body portion (52) disposed on said cylindrical member (30) adjacent to said free end (34) and a plurality of retaining legs (54) projecting outward from said body portion (52) toward said pedal lever (18), said retaining legs (54) each having a predetermined length and width so as to allow installation of said first end (44) of said push rod (40) onto said cylindrical member (30) and retention thereafter of said first end (44) of said push rod (40) between tips (56) of said retaining legs (54) and said pedal lever (18). A pedal apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said cylindrical member (30) extends substantially perpendicular to said pedal lever (18).

Inventors: BARNES THOMAS, BROWN LEONARD MURRAY, HUANG JIAO J, BARNES, THOMAS, BROWN, LEONARD MURRAY, HUANG, JIAO J.
Applicants: FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G05G1
IPC codes: G05G1