CN117280296A

CN117280296A - Adjustable pedal assembly

Info

Publication number: CN117280296A
Application number: CN202280033477.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 皮特·贝克斯; 迈克尔·普罗尔
Original assignee: Zf Off Highway Solutions Minnesota
Current assignee: Zf Off Highway Solutions Minnesota
Priority date: 2021-07-28
Filing date: 2022-07-27
Publication date: 2023-12-22
Also published as: WO2023007389A1; JP2024528826A; EP4377762A1

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly, particularly for a vehicle, is provided. The pedal assembly includes a base defining a pivot axis. The pedal assembly further includes a pedal coupled to the base. The pedal includes a bracket and a housing coupled to the bracket. The bracket is coupled to the base and is pivotable relative to the pivot axis. The housing is preferably movable relative to the carrier between a first position and a second position. The pedal further includes a linkage adapted to fix the housing in either the first position or the second position relative to the bracket.

Description

Adjustable pedal assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a pedal assembly including a bracket and a housing for valve assemblies and other applications and a system including the pedal assembly.

Background

In motor vehicles, it is important for the comfort of the operator and for the safe operation of the vehicle to be able to adjust the position of the operator's foot relative to the control pedal of the vehicle. Current pedal-on brake pedal designs are based on pedals having a stationary surface with a pedal angle predetermined by the manufacturer. This fixed surface pedal design in combination with the adjustable seat may result in a non-ergonomic position for the equipment operator.

Currently known adjustable pedals rely on a slip-enabling track system for the suspended pedals found in most automotive applications. These types of adjustable pedal assemblies use an electronic pedal or cable system to pedal function. Such sliding track systems are not suitable for hydraulic valve assemblies and floor-mounted tread plates found in most heavy off-road equipment. Another current solution requires the use of tools to remove the snap ring on a pin that moves from one hole to another to adjust the pedal angle.

Furthermore, such known pedals are designed to be installed in a predetermined vehicle to meet the packaging requirements of that particular vehicle. Thus, a separate and distinct pedal assembly is designed for each vehicle, which cannot be installed in any other vehicle.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved pedal assembly and system including the same. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and the detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the foregoing technical field and background.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, a pedal assembly for a vehicle is provided. The pedal assembly includes a base defining a pivot axis. The pedal assembly further includes a pedal coupled to the base. The pedal includes a bracket and a housing coupled to the bracket. The bracket is coupled to the base and is pivotable relative to the pivot axis. The housing is movable relative to the bracket between a first position and a second position. The pedal further includes a linkage adapted to fix the housing in either the first position or the second position relative to the bracket.

In another embodiment, a system for controlling a work unit of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a fluid source configured to provide a fluid force. The system further includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the fluid source. The system further includes a working unit in fluid communication with the valve assembly and adapted to be activated or deactivated in response to a fluid force. The system further includes a pedal assembly operatively coupled to the valve assembly and adapted to actuate the valve assembly.

In these and other embodiments, the pedal assembly uses two pedal portions (e.g., a bracket and a housing) that share a common pivot point and are locked together with respect to rotation by two pins in a recess of the bracket. The device operator can adjust the housing without tools. As one example, an operator may disengage the pawl from the bracket by reaching around the housing with one hand and then adjusting the housing relative to the bracket. As another example, the operator may disengage the pins from the recesses in the bracket by reaching around the housing with one hand and then adjusting the housing relative to the bracket to depress the two spring-loaded push pins. Pedal assemblies may be used with hydraulic valve assemblies, pneumatic valve assemblies, brake-by-wire systems, and floor-mounted pedal pedals found in most heavy off-road equipment.

This arrangement may provide a number of key functions because none of the pawl or pin is completely removed from the pedal assembly, thereby avoiding loss of the pawl or pin. The use of nested pedal portions (e.g., brackets and housings) allows the housing to actuate the valve assembly without changing the calibration of the pedal assembly, while the angle of the housing can be changed as desired. Since the bracket and the housing share the same pivot point, if a link (e.g., pawl or pin) fails, the housing will directly drive the bracket, allowing full brake application.

Drawings

Other advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a pedal assembly for a vehicle including a bracket and a housing;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of a pedal assembly; and

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly of FIG. 7.

Detailed Description

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about" in describing the broadest scope of the invention. Practice within the specified numerical limits is generally preferred. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary: percent, "parts" and ratio values are by weight; the description of a suitable or preferred group or class of materials for a given purpose in connection with the present invention means that mixtures of any two or more members of the group or class are equally suitable or preferred; the description of components in chemical terms means components when added to any combination specified in the specification and does not necessarily preclude chemical interactions among the components of the mixture after mixing; the first definition of an acronym or other abbreviation applies to all subsequent uses herein of the same abbreviation and applies mutatis mutandis to normal grammatical variations of the initially defined abbreviation; also, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, measurement of an attribute is determined by the same technique as previously or later referenced for the same attribute.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to include the plural.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of a pedal assembly 10 for a vehicle. In various embodiments, pedal assembly 10 is further defined as a step-on pedal assembly. The pedal assembly 10 includes a base 12. The base 12 defines a pivot axis a. The pedal assembly 10 further includes a pedal 14 coupled to the base 12. The pedal 14 includes a bracket 16 and a housing 18 coupled to the bracket 16. The bracket 16 is coupled to the base 12 and is pivotable relative to the pivot axis a. In some embodiments, both the bracket 16 and the housing 18 are pivotable relative to the pivot axis a such that the pedal 14 is pivotable relative to the pivot axis a. In other embodiments, the bracket 16 may be pivotable relative to the pivot axis a, and the housing 18 may be pivotable relative to another pivot axis (not shown). The pedal 14 is movable relative to the bracket 16 between a first position and a second position. The pedal 14 further includes a linkage 20 adapted to secure the housing 18 in either the first or second position relative to the bracket 16. In various embodiments, movement of the pedal 14 between the first and second positions provides for adjustability of the angle of the pedal 14, thereby improving the ergonomic positioning of the pedal relative to the physical attributes of the user or the position of the seat that the user is using.

Fig. 2 and 3 illustrate cross-sectional perspective views of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly 10 of fig. 1. The bracket 16 may have a first bracket end 22 and a second bracket end 24 spaced from the first bracket end 22. The bracket 16 may have a bracket length extending between a first bracket end 22 and a second bracket end 24. The bracket 16 may have a first bracket side 26 and a second bracket side 28 spaced apart from the first bracket side 26 (see fig. 4). The bracket 16 may have a bracket width extending between a first bracket side 26 and a second bracket side 28.

The bracket 16 may include a bracket base portion 30 that extends between the first and second bracket ends 22, 24 and between the first and second bracket sides 26, 28. The carriage 16 may further include a first carriage plate portion 32 and a second carriage plate portion 34 (see fig. 1) opposite the first carriage plate portion 32 relative to the base portion 30. The first and second plate portions 32, 34 may extend laterally from the bracket base portion 30 along the first and second bracket sides 26, 28, respectively.

In some embodiments, the bracket 16 further includes at least one support pin 41 extending between the first bracket plate portion 32 and the second bracket plate portion 34 for increasing the rigidity of the bracket 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 16 may include three support pins 41 (see also fig. 4 and 5).

With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, the housing 18 may have a first housing end 42 and a second housing end 44 spaced apart from the first housing end 42. The housing 18 may have a housing length extending between a first housing end 42 and a second housing end 44. The housing 18 may have a first housing side 46 and a second housing side 48 spaced apart from the first housing side 46. The housing 18 may have a housing width extending between a first housing side 46 and a second housing side 48.

The housing 18 may include a housing base portion 50 extending between the first and second housing ends 42, 44 and between the first and second housing sides 46, 48. The housing 18 may further include a first housing plate portion 52 and a second housing plate portion 54 opposite the first housing plate portion 52 relative to the housing base portion 50. The first and second housing plate portions 52, 54 may extend laterally from the housing base portion 50 along the housing side portions, respectively.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate additional perspective views of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly 10 of fig. 1. In various embodiments, the housing width is greater than the bracket width such that the bracket 16 may be received by the housing 18 between the first housing side 46 and the second housing side 48 of the housing 18. Referring back to fig. 1 and 2, the pedal assembly 10 can further include a pivot pin 86 that extends through the housing 18, the bracket 16, and the base 12 along the pivot axis a. In certain embodiments, the base 12 includes a pair of mounting arms 88, 90 extending from the base 12 and adapted to receive the pivot pin 86 for pivotally coupling the pedal 14 to the base 12.

As shown in fig. 2, the bracket 16 may define a first plane 110 and the housing 18 may define a second plane 112. When the housing 18 is in the first position, the first plane 110 and the second plane 112 define a first angle therebetween. When the housing 18 is in the second position, the first plane 110 and the second plane 112 define a second angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the first angle is different from the second angle.

Fig. 6 shows another perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly 10 of fig. 1. The housing 18 may further include a tread surface 62 disposed on the base portion 50 opposite the first and second housing plate portions 52, 54. The tread surface 62 is adapted to be engaged by a user of the pedal assembly 10.

Referring specifically to fig. 2, in various embodiments, the bracket 16 may further include a plurality of teeth 94 extending laterally from the bracket base portion 30 along the first bracket end 22. The plurality of teeth 94 may face away from the second bracket end 24. Two teeth 94 adjacent to each other may define a slot 96. In some embodiments, the carrier 16 includes five teeth 94 and four slots 96. However, it should be understood that the carrier 16 may include any number of teeth 94 and may define any number of slots 96.

Referring particularly to fig. 1, 2 and 4, and referring back to the connecting rod 20 described above, the connecting rod 20 may cooperate with a plurality of teeth 94 for securing the housing 18 in either the first or second positions relative to the bracket 16. In some embodiments, the linkage 20 includes a pawl 98 adapted to cooperate with the plurality of teeth 94 to secure the housing 18 relative to the bracket 16. The pawl 98 may further include a pawl pivot pin 100, wherein the pawl 98 is coupled to the first and second housing plate portions 52, 54 near the first housing end 42 by the pawl pivot pin 100. The pawl 98 may further include a contact portion 102 adapted to be received by one of the slots 96 between two adjacent teeth 94 to secure the housing 18 in a desired position, such as a first position or a second position, relative to the bracket 16.

Pawl 98 may be adapted to pivot between an engaged position when contact 102 is received by slot 96 and a disengaged position when contact 102 is spaced apart from plurality of teeth 94. Pawl 98 may further include a pawl spring 104 disposed about pawl pivot pin 100 for biasing pawl 98 toward the engaged position. The pawl 98 may further include a lever 106 spaced from the contact 102 that is adapted to be engaged by a user to move the pawl 98 from the engaged position to the disengaged position to move the carriage 16 between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, when a user applies pressure to the lever 106 toward the housing base portion 50, the lever 106 is adapted to move toward the housing base portion 50 to move the pawls 98 toward the disengaged position.

Referring specifically to fig. 2, the pedal 14 may further include a spacer 108 disposed between the bracket 16 and the housing 18 for providing rigidity to the housing 18 relative to the bracket 16. The spacer 108 may be adjacent the second housing end 44. In some embodiments, the space 108 includes a biasing member, such as a spring.

With particular continued reference to fig. 3 and 5, in various embodiments, the bracket 16 defines a bracket slot 36. A bracket slot 36 may be defined along at least one of the first bracket plate portion 32 and the second bracket plate portion 34. In some embodiments, the bracket slot 36 includes a first bracket slot 38 defined along the first bracket plate portion 32 and a second bracket slot (not shown) defined along the second bracket plate portion 34. The first bracket slot 38 and the second bracket slot 38 may be substantially aligned with each other. In certain embodiments, the phrase "substantially aligned" as used herein with respect to the first bracket slot 38 and the second bracket slot 38 means that an imaginary line parallel to the bracket base portion 30 extends through the first bracket slot 38 and the second bracket slot, not shown. The bracket slot 36 may have a length that extends substantially parallel to the length of the bracket. The bracket slot 36 may have a width perpendicular to the length of the bracket slot 36.

In various embodiments, the housing 18 defines a housing slot 56. A housing slot 56 may be defined along at least one of the first housing plate portion 52 and the second housing plate portion 54. In some embodiments, the housing slots 56 include a first housing slot 58 defined along the first plate portion 52 and a second housing slot (not shown) defined along the second plate portion 54. The first housing slot 58 and a second housing slot, not shown, may be substantially aligned with each other. In certain embodiments, the phrase "substantially aligned" as used herein with respect to the first housing slot 58 and the second housing slot, not shown, means that an imaginary line parallel to the base 12 extends through the first and second housing slots 58.

In some embodiments, when the bracket 16 is disposed between the first and second housing sides 46, 48, the housing slot 56 and the bracket slot 36 exhibit different pitches such that only a portion of the bracket slot 36 is substantially aligned with the housing slot 56. In certain embodiments, the phrase "substantially aligned" as used herein with respect to the housing slot 56 and the bracket slot 36 means that an imaginary line parallel to the base 12 extends through the housing slot 56 and the bracket slot 36.

In certain embodiments, the bracket slot 36 defines a plurality of recesses (e.g., a first recess 64 and a second recess 66). The first recess 64 is substantially aligned with the housing slot 56 when the housing 18 is in the first position, and the second recess 66 is substantially aligned with the housing slot 56 when the housing 18 is in the second position. In certain embodiments, the phrase "substantially aligned" as used herein with respect to the first recess 64, the second recess 66, and the housing slot 56 means that an imaginary line parallel to the base 12 extends through one of the first recess 64 and the second recess 66 and through the housing slot 56 and the bracket slot 36. In various embodiments, the bracket slot 36 defines six recesses. However, it should be appreciated that the bracket slot 36 may define any number of recesses in addition to the first and second recesses 64, 66.

In various embodiments, the second recess 66 of the bracket slot 36 is at least partially blocked relative to the housing slot 56 when the pedal 14 is in the first position, and the first recess 64 of the bracket slot 36 is at least partially blocked relative to the housing slot 56 when the pedal 14 is in the second position.

With continued reference to fig. 3 and 5, referring back to the connecting rod 20 described above, the connecting rod 20 may cooperate with the bracket slot 36 and the housing slot 56 for securing the housing 18 in either the first or second position relative to the bracket 16. In various embodiments, the linkage 20 comprises a telescoping spring plunger, a spring pin, a screw jack, an electromechanical actuator. However, it should be understood that any form of linkage that is capable of securing the housing 18 relative to the bracket 16 may be utilized.

In some embodiments, the linkage 20 includes a housing 68 defining a bore 70 extending between a first housing end 72 and a second housing end 74. The housing 68 may be disposed between the first and second carriage plate portions 32, 34. The linkage 20 may further include a plug 76 or 78 disposed at least partially within the bore 70 and extending through the first recess 64 or the second recess 66. In some embodiments, the linkage 20 further includes a first plug 76 disposed at least partially within the bore 70 at the first housing end 72 and extending through the first recess 64 of the first housing side 46. Also, in these and other embodiments, the linkage 20 further includes a second plug 78 disposed at least partially within the bore 70 at the second housing end 74 and extending through the first recess 64 of the bracket slot 36 to the second housing side 48. In certain embodiments, the first plug 76 and the second plug 78 are adapted to be received by the recess, but do not move along the bracket slot 36 due to the dimensional characteristics of the first plug 76 and the second plug 78. For example, the first plug 76 and the second plug 78 have diameters suitable for being received by the recess but are greater than the width of the bracket slot 36 such that the first plug 76 and the second plug 78 cannot engage the bracket slot 36.

In certain embodiments, the linkage 20 further includes a first pin 80 coupled to the first plug 76 and extending through the first housing slot 56. Likewise, the linkage 20 further includes a second pin 82 coupled to the second plug 78 and extending through the second housing slot 56. In certain embodiments, the first pin 80 and the second pin 82 are adapted to be received by the bracket slot 36 and the housing slot 56. In some exemplary embodiments, the first pin 80 and the second pin 82 have diameters suitable for being received by the bracket slot 36 and the housing slot 56 such that the first pin 80 and the second pin 82 are movable along the bracket slot 36 and the housing slot 56.

The linkage 20 may further include a spring 84 disposed within the bore 70 between the first and second plugs 76, 78 to bias the first and second plugs 76, 78 against the first and second housing sides 46, 48, respectively, when the first and second plugs 76, 78 are received by the recesses for securing the housing 18 in a desired position (such as a first position or a second position) relative to the bracket 16. If adjustment of pedal 14 is desired (e.g., when housing 18 is in the first position), a user may apply pressure to pins 80, 82 against the bias of spring 84 to disengage first plug 76 and second plug 78 from the recess (e.g., first recess 64) so that linkage 20 may move along bracket slot 36 and housing slot 56 to the desired recess (e.g., second recess 66). Then, when the first and second plugs 76, 78 are aligned with the desired recess (e.g., the second recess 66), the user may release the first and second plugs 76, 78 such that the first and second plugs 76, 78 engage the desired recess (e.g., the second recess 66) to secure the housing 18 in the desired position (e.g., the second position).

Referring back to the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, as well as other embodiments not shown, the base 12 is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The base 12 may be coupled to the vehicle in any manner known in the art. In these and other embodiments, the vehicle includes a valve assembly 92 in fluid communication with the wheel brakes of the vehicle. The carrier 16 may be adapted to be operatively coupled to the valve assembly 92. However, it should be appreciated that the vehicle may include brake-by-wire wheel brakes, with the carrier 16 being adapted to be operatively coupled (e.g., by a sensor) to the brake-by-wire wheel brakes.

Also provided herein is a system for controlling a work unit (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a brake-by-wire system, or wheel brakes) of a vehicle. The system may include a fluid source (e.g., a hydraulic pressure unit, a hydraulic pump, a pneumatic pressure unit, or a pneumatic pump) configured to provide a fluid force. The system may further include a valve assembly 92 in fluid communication with a fluid source. The system may further include a working unit in fluid communication with the valve assembly 92 and adapted to be activated or deactivated in response to a fluid force. The system may further include a pedal assembly 10 operatively coupled to the valve assembly 92 and adapted to actuate the valve assembly 92.

Further, FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of a pedal assembly 210 for a vehicle. In various embodiments, the pedal assembly 210 is further defined as a suspended pedal assembly. The pedal assembly 210 includes a base 212. The base 212 defines a pivot axis B. The pedal assembly 210 further includes a pedal 214 coupled to the base 212. The pedal 214 includes a bracket 216 and a housing 218 coupled to the bracket 216. The pedal 216 is coupled to the base 212 and is pivotable relative to the pivot axis B. In some embodiments, both the bracket 216 and the housing 218 are pivotable relative to the pivot axis B such that the pedal 214 is pivotable relative to the pivot axis B. In some embodiments, the bracket 216 is pivotable relative to a pivot axis a, and the housing 218 is pivotable relative to another pivot axis (not shown). The pedal 214 is movable relative to the bracket 216 between a first position and a second position. The pedal 214 further includes a linkage 220 adapted to secure the housing 218 in either the first position or the second position relative to the bracket 216. As described above, in various embodiments, movement of the pedal 214 between the first and second positions provides for adjustability of the angle of the pedal 214, thereby improving the ergonomic positioning of the pedal 214 with respect to the physical attributes of the user or the position of the seat being used by the user.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the pedal assembly 210 of FIG. 7. The bracket 216 may have a first bracket end 222 and a second bracket end 224 spaced apart from the first bracket end 222. The bracket 216 may have a bracket length extending between a first bracket end 222 and a second bracket end 224. The bracket 216 may have a first bracket side (not shown) and a second bracket side 228 spaced apart from the first bracket side. The bracket 216 may have a bracket width extending between the first and second bracket sides 228.

With continued reference to fig. 7 and 8, the housing 218 may have a first housing end 242 and a second housing end 244 spaced apart from the first housing end 242. The housing 218 may have a housing length extending between a first housing end 242 and a second housing end 244. The housing 218 may have a first housing side 246 and a second housing side 248 spaced apart from the first housing side 246. The housing 218 may have a housing width extending between a first housing side 246 and a second housing side 248.

The housing 218 may include a housing base portion 250 that extends between the first and second housing ends 242, 244 and between the first and second housing sides 246, 248. The housing 218 may further include a first housing plate portion 252 and a second housing plate portion 254 opposite the first housing plate portion 252 relative to the housing base portion 250. The first and second housing plate portions 252, 254 may each extend laterally from the housing base portion 250 along the housing side portions.

In various embodiments, the housing width is greater than the bracket width such that the bracket 216 may be received by the housing 218 between the first housing side 246 and the second housing side 248 of the housing 218. The pedal assembly 210 may further include a pivot pin 286 that extends through the housing 218, the bracket 216, and the base 212 along the pivot axis B. In certain embodiments, the base 212 includes a pair of mounting arms 288, 290 extending from the base 212 and adapted to receive the pivot pin 286 for pivotally coupling the pedal 214 to the base 212.

The bracket 216 may define a first plane 310 and the housing 218 may define a second plane 312. When the housing 218 is in the first position, the first plane 310 and the second plane 312 define a first angle therebetween. When the housing 218 is in the second position, the first plane 310 and the second plane 312 define a second angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the first angle is different from the second angle.

The housing 218 may further include a tread surface 262 disposed on the base 250 opposite the first housing plate portion 252 and the second housing plate portion 254. Tread surface 262 is adapted to be engaged by a user of pedal assembly 210.

In various embodiments, the bracket 216 may further include a plurality of teeth 294 extending laterally from the bracket base portion 230 along the first bracket end 222. The plurality of teeth 294 may face away from the second bracket end 224. Two teeth 294 adjacent to each other may define a groove 296. In some embodiments, the carrier 216 includes six teeth 294 and five grooves 296. However, it should be appreciated that the carrier 216 may include any number of teeth 294 and may define any number of slots 296.

Referring back to the link 220 described above, the link 220 may cooperate with the plurality of teeth 294 for securing the housing 218 in either the first or second positions relative to the bracket 216. In some embodiments, link 220 includes a pawl 298 adapted to cooperate with the plurality of teeth 294 to secure housing 218 relative to bracket 216. Pawl 298 may further include a pawl pivot pin 300, wherein pawl 298 is coupled to first and second housing plate portions 252, 254 between first and second housing ends 242, 244 by pawl pivot pin 300. Pawl 298 may further include a contact portion 302 adapted to be received by one of the grooves 296 between two adjacent teeth 294 to secure housing 218 in a desired position, such as a first position or a second position, relative to bracket 216.

Pawl 298 may be adapted to pivot between an engaged position when contact portion 302 is received by slot 296 and a disengaged position when contact portion 302 is spaced apart from plurality of teeth 294. Pawl 298 may further include a pawl spring 304 disposed between pawl 298 and housing base portion 250 for biasing pawl 298 toward the engaged position. Pawl 298 may further include a lever 306 spaced from contact 302 that is adapted to be engaged by a user to move pawl 298 from the engaged position to the disengaged position to move carrier 216 between the first position and the second position. In some embodiments, when a user applies pressure to lever 306 toward housing base portion 250, lever 306 is adapted to move toward housing base portion 250 to move pawl 298 toward the disengaged position.

In various embodiments, the base 212 is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The base 212 may be coupled to the vehicle in any manner known in the art. In these and other embodiments, the vehicle includes a valve assembly 292 in fluid communication with the wheel brakes of the vehicle. The carrier 216 may be adapted to be operatively coupled to a valve assembly 292. However, it should be appreciated that the vehicle may include brake-by-wire wheel brakes, wherein the carrier 216 is adapted to be operatively coupled (e.g., by a sensor) to the brake-by-wire wheel brakes.

Also provided herein is a system for controlling a work unit (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a brake-by-wire system, or wheel brakes) of a vehicle. The system may include a fluid source (e.g., a hydraulic pressure unit, a hydraulic pump, a pneumatic pressure unit, or a pneumatic pump) configured to provide a fluid force. The system may further include a valve assembly 292 in fluid communication with a fluid source. The system may further include a working unit in fluid communication with the valve assembly 292 and adapted to be activated or deactivated in response to a fluid force. The system may further include a pedal assembly 210 operatively coupled to the valve assembly 292 and adapted to actuate the valve assembly 292.

Although the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Furthermore, any ranges and subranges upon which the various embodiments of the invention are independently and collectively described fall within the scope of the appended claims, and are understood to be descriptive and intended to include all ranges of integer and/or fractional values therein, even if such values are not explicitly written herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the recited ranges and subranges fully describe and implement various embodiments of the present invention, and that such ranges and subranges can be further construed as related one half, one third, one fourth, one fifth, and so forth. As just one example, a range of "from 0.1 to 0.9" may be further interpreted as the lower third (i.e., from 0.1 to 0.3), the middle third (i.e., from 0.4 to 0.6), and the upper third (i.e., from 0.7 to 0.9), which are individually and collectively within the scope of the appended claims, and which may be individually and/or collectively relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, for language defining or modifying a range, such as "at least," "greater than," "less than," "below," etc., it is to be understood that such language includes sub-ranges and/or upper or lower limits. As another example, a range of "at least 10" inherently includes sub-ranges from at least 10 to 35, sub-ranges from at least 10 to 25, sub-ranges from 25 to 35, etc., and each sub-range may be relied upon individually and/or collectively and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, individual numbers within the scope of the disclosure may be relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. For example, a range of "from 1 to 9" includes various individual integers such as 3 and individual numbers including decimal points (or fractions) such as 4.1, which may be relied upon and provide adequate support for specific embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of all combinations of independent claims and dependent claims (single and multiple dependent claims) is explicitly contemplated herein.

Industrial application

While the present invention is not limited to a particular end application, use, or industry, vehicles typically rely on pedal assemblies to actuate valve assemblies to provide fluid to a work unit (such as a wheel brake). The pedal assembly provides adjustability of pedal angle to improve ergonomics.

Claims

1. A pedal assembly for a vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising:

a base defining a pivot axis; and

a pedal coupled to the base, the pedal comprising:

a bracket and a housing coupled to the bracket, the bracket coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the pivot axis, and the housing movable relative to the bracket between a first position and a second position; and

a link adapted to fix the housing in the first or second position relative to the bracket.

2. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket includes a plurality of teeth and wherein two of the plurality of teeth adjacent one another define a slot therebetween.

3. The pedal assembly of claim 2 wherein the linkage includes a pawl adapted to cooperate with the plurality of teeth for securing the housing in the first position or the second position relative to the bracket.

4. The pedal assembly of claim 3 wherein the pawl includes a pawl pivot pin through which the pawl is coupled to the housing.

5. The pedal assembly of claim 4 wherein the pawl is adapted to pivot between an engaged position when the pawl is received by the slot and a disengaged position when the pawl is spaced apart from the plurality of teeth.

6. The pedal assembly of claim 5 wherein the pawl further includes a pawl spring disposed about the pawl pivot pin for biasing the pawl toward the engaged position.

7. The pedal assembly of claim 5 wherein the pawl further comprises a pawl spring disposed between the pawl and the housing for biasing the pawl toward the engaged position.

8. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the linkage comprises a retractable spring plunger, a spring pin, a screw jack, or an electromechanical actuator.

9. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein both the bracket and the housing are pivotable relative to the pivot axis.

10. The pedal assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin extending through the housing, the bracket, and the base along the pivot axis.

11. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket defines a first plane and the pedal defines a second plane,

the first and second planes defining a first angle therebetween when the housing is in the first position,

the first and second planes define a second angle therebetween when the pedal is in the second position, an

The first angle is different from the second angle.

12. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the base is adapted to be coupled to the vehicle.

13. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a valve assembly and wherein the bracket is adapted to be operatively coupled to the valve assembly.

14. A system for controlling a work unit of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a fluid source configured to provide a fluid force;

a valve assembly in fluid communication with the fluid source;

a working unit in fluid communication with the valve assembly and adapted to be activated or deactivated in response to the fluid force;

a pedal assembly operatively coupled to the valve assembly and adapted to actuate the valve assembly, the pedal assembly comprising:

a base defining a pivot axis,

a bracket coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the pivot axis,

a pedal coupled to the bracket and movable relative to the bracket between a first position and a second position, and

a link adapted to fix the pedal in the first or second position relative to the bracket.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of teeth, and wherein two of the plurality of teeth adjacent to each other define a slot therebetween.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the linkage comprises a pawl adapted to cooperate with the plurality of teeth for securing the housing in the first position or the second position relative to the bracket.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the pawl comprises a pawl pivot pin by which the pawl is coupled to the housing.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the pawl is adapted to pivot between an engaged position when the pawl is received by the slot and a disengaged position when the pawl is spaced apart from the plurality of teeth.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the pawl further comprises a pawl spring disposed about the pawl pivot pin for biasing the pawl toward the engaged position.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the pawl further comprises a pawl spring disposed between the pawl and the housing for biasing the pawl toward the engaged position.