Abstract:
A pedal assembly (10) includes a booster link (38), a support having a slot (22) formed therein, a guide (34) moveable along the slot, and a single lead screw (58) and nut (64) connected to the guide to move the guide along the slot. A brake pedal (12) includes a brake lower pedal arm (24) pivotally connected to the guide, a first pedal (26) at a lower end of the brake lower pedal arm which is adjustable upon movement of the guide, and a brake link (46) pivotably connecting the brake lower pedal arm with the booster link. An accelerator pedal (14) includes an accelerator upper pedal arm (14) pivotably connected to the guide, an accelerator link (76) pivotably connecting the accelerator upper pedal arm (70) to the support, an accelerator lower pedal arm pivotably connected to the accelerator upper pedal arm, and a second pedal at a lower end of the second lower pedal arm which is adjustable upon movement of the guide.
Abstract:
An integrated operator cable-connector and base housing for an automotive shifter mechanism includes a generally cylindrical opening in the base housing, an isolator installed onto one end of a steel sleeve compressed against one or more shoulders in the opening and held therein with a cap snap fitted to a protrusion on the base housing. A swivel tube has a head portion captured between facing partially spherical seats formed on an end of the isolator and an interior portion of the base housing respectively, and a rod laterally supported and slidable therein. The operator cable has its case crimped into a protruding end of the sleeve and its core wire passed through a plastic tubular insert in the sleeve, an opening in the end of the isolator, and the inside of the swivel tube to a rod to which it is attached to the rod slidable in the swivel tube.
Abstract:
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted a vehicle structure via inboard track and outboard track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The seat bottom is supported on the second tracks for movement with the second tracks. A locking mechanism is installed on each track assembly. The locking mechanisms include a spring that is mounted between the first and second tracks. The spring is biased into engagement with the first and second tracks to frictionally retain the second track in a locked position. A handle is manually actuated to move the locking mechanisms on each track assembly from the locked position to an unlocked position. The handle applies a force to the spring causing the spring to contract, allowing relative movement between the first and second tracks.
Abstract:
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported to a seat bottom and is attached to the vehicle by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has an inboard track assembly (18) and an outboard track assembly (20) that are both mounted to a vehicle structure with the track assemblies being spaced apart from one another. Each track assembly (18, 20) includes a first track (30) and a second track (32) supported for movement relative to the first track. The first and second tracks are preferably mounted in a vertical configuration. The seat bottom is supported on the second track (32) for horizontal movement with the second track (32) as seat position is adjusted. A single drive mechanism (24) is supported on one of the inboard (18) or outboard (20) track assemblies. The drive mechanism (24) includes a single drive member that is mounted between the inboard and outboard track assemblies. A truss structure (34) extends between the inboard (18) and outboard (20) track assemblies to provide structural support for the seat assembly as seat position is adjusted.
Abstract:
A control pedal (10) assembly for a motor vehicle includes a support structure, a pedal arm (14) pivotally mounted to the support structure and carrying a pedal (26), and a sensor (20) for detecting rotation of the pedal arm and sending an electrical signal to a control device indicating the rotation of the pedal arm. The pedal assembly also includes a hysteresis device (25) adapted to generate a desired feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The hysteresis device is secured to the support structure and includes a plunger (18) engaging the pedal arm and is movable within a chamber (28) between an extended position and a depressed position upon rotation of the pedal arm. A pair of coaxial compression springs (32,34) resiliently bias the plunger to the extended position. The chamber forms a first friction surface and the plunger has a plurality of prongs (50) forming a second friction surface engagable with the first friction surface to resist pivotal movement of the pedal arm. Friction between the first and second friction surfaces, that is resistance to movement of the plunger, increases as the plunger moves from the extended position toward the depressed position. Variable friction is obtained because the prongs form angled surfaces engaging the spring for wedging the prongs in a radially outward direction to engage the first and second friction surfaces together with increasing force as the springs are compressed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a push-pull shifter transmission control cable assembly for transmitting force or motion comprising: a conduit; a flexible core element extending through the conduit; and a terminal connector (301), the terminal connector (301) including an elongate body (305) having an abutment end (320), a free end (315), and a lo n-gitudinal bore (310) disposed therethrough, the elongate body (305) having a slot (321) and a mounting fixture connector having first and second arms each having a projection (335,340), the mounting fixture connector each being unitary with the elongate body (305), wherein the mounting fixture connector does not rotate separately from the elongate body (305).
Abstract:
A motion transmitting cable assembly includes a cable having a conduit and a core longitudinally movable within the conduit, a core attachment secured to an end of the core, and a conduit abutment fitting having a main body secured to an end of the conduit and a guide tube extending from the main body and slidably receiving the core attachment therein. The conduit abutment fitting is formed of plastic and the guide tube is unitary with the main body so that the conduit abutment fitting is a molded plastic one-piece component. The guide tube is bendable so that the core attachment can pivot relative to the main body to account for rotational motion of the control member. The guide tube is preferably bendable at least 7 degrees in all directions with a bending force of no more than 4.5 N.
Abstract:
A shifter mechanism includes a housing, a yoke assembly having a shifter lever (18) and pivotably secured to the housing (12) along a shift path, and a gate cover (20) secured to the housing and forming a slot. The shifter lever extends through the slot to define the shift path. The gate cover is a unitary component formed separate from the housing. The gate cover provides a gate profile and a secondary detent profile. By changing the gate cover alone, a shifter mechanism with different shifter lever travel or a different type of shifter mechanism can be obtained.