# US 2011/0030500 A1 · Operational pedal support structure of automotive vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2011/0030500 A1 - Document ID: US20110030500A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/839,009 - Filed: 2010-07-19 - Published: 2011-02-10 - Earliest claimed: 2009-08-07 - Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation - Inventors: Masayuki TOKUMO; Yoh YAMAZAKI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20110030500A1 ## CPC - G05G 1/327: means disconnecting the pedal from its hinge or support, e.g. by breaking or bending the support - B60R 21/09: Control elements or operating handles movable from an operative to an out-of-the way position, e.g. {pedals,} switch knobs, window cranks {(specially adapted for brake pedals, e.g. by venting of master cylinder or destruction of force transmitting rod, B60T7/065)} - B60T 7/065: {with means to prevent injuries in case of collision (for vehicle pedals in general by moving them from an operative to an out-of-the way position B60R21/09)} - Y10T 74/20528: Foot operated - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a fixed pedal support member on the side of a dash panel, a swing pedal support member, a pedal body supported at the swing pedal support member via a first pivotal axis, a downward-move restricting means to allow a downward move of the first pivotal axis only in case the rotational lever rotates, and a pressing portion provided at the rotational lever so as to press down the swing pedal support member. The pressing portion is positioned in front of the second pivotal axis. Accordingly, the operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle equipped with a means for compulsively moving down the pedal at the vehicle frontal collision, which can be made compact and simple with a high reliability, can be provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle, which is arranged in back of a dash panel constituting a front portion of a vehicle compartment, comprising: a fixed pedal support member provided on the side of the dash panel; a swing pedal support member supported relative to the dash panel so as to swing in a vertical direction around a front portion thereof and extending obliquely upward and rearward; a first pivotal axis provided at a rear portion of the swing pedal support member and extending in a vehicle width direction; a pedal body supported at the swing pedal support member via the first pivotal axis so as to swing around the first pivotal axis; a vehicle-body side member provided in back of and away from the fixed pedal support member and fixed to a vehicle body; a rotational lever provided in front of and away from the vehicle-body side member, the rotational lever being supported at the fixed pedal support member via a second pivotal axis extending in the vehicle width direction so as to swing in a vehicle longitudinal direction around the second pivotal axis, the rotational lever contacting the vehicle-body side member and rotating around the second pivotal axis so as to press down the swing pedal support member downward in case the fixed pedal support member moves rearward; a downward-move restricting means to allow a downward move of the first pivotal axis only in case the rotational lever rotates; and a pressing portion provided at the rotational lever so as to press down the swing pedal support member, the pressing portion being positioned in front of the second pivotal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said swing pedal support member has a receiving portion which is slant or curves in the vehicle width direction so as to contact said pressing portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 2, wherein said downward-move restricting means comprises a holding portion which is provided at said rotational lever so as to hold said swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever does not rotate so that the swing pedal support member cannot swing downward, and to release said holding of the swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever rotates so that said downward move of the first pivotal axis can be allowed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 3, wherein said second pivotal axis is positioned above said first pivotal axis and at the same location as the first pivotal axis in the vehicle longitudinal direction or in front of the first pivotal axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 4, wherein said downward-move restricting means restricts the downward move of the first pivotal axis in case a downward load acting on the swing pedal support member is less than a specified magnitude, and allows the downward move of the first pivotal axis in case the downward load is the specified magnitude or greater. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 5, wherein said downward-move restricting means comprises an opening which opens from a first-pivotal-axis support portion to support said first pivotal axis in a different direction from a direction of an operational load which is applied to the first pivotal axis in case said pedal body is operated, and a restricting portion which is formed between said opening and the first-pivotal-axis support portion and deforms so as to allow the first pivotal axis to pass therethrough in case the downward load is the specified magnitude or greater. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 6, wherein said opening comprises a slit portion which extends from the first-pivotal-axis support portion more downward than the direction of the operational load which is applied to the first pivotal axis in case the pedal body is operated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 7, wherein said pressing portion of the rotational lever contacts a specified portion of said swing pedal support member which is positioned in front of said first pivotal axis in case the rotational lever rotates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said downward-move restricting portion holds said swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever does not rotate so that the swing pedal support member cannot swing downward, and releases said holding of the swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever rotates so that said downward move of the first pivotal axis can be allowed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said downward-move restricting means restricts the downward move of the first pivotal axis in case a downward load acting on the swing pedal support member is less than a specified magnitude, and allows the downward move of the first pivotal axis in case the downward load acting is the specified magnitude or greater. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 10, wherein said downward-move restricting means comprises an opening which opens from a first-pivotal-axis support portion to support said first pivotal axis in a different direction from a direction of an operational load which is applied to the first pivotal axis in case said pedal body is operated, and a restricting portion which is formed between said opening and the first-pivotal-axis support portion and deforms so as to allow the first pivotal axis to pass therethrough in case the downward load is the specified magnitude or greater. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 11, wherein said opening comprises a slit portion which extends from the first-pivotal-axis support portion more downward than the direction of the operational load which is applied to the first pivotal axis in case the pedal body is operated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said pressing portion of the rotational lever contacts a specified portion of said swing pedal support member which is positioned in front of said first pivotal axis in case the rotational lever rotates. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein said downward-move restricting means comprises a holding portion which is provided at said rotational lever so as to hold said swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever does not rotate so that the swing pedal support member cannot swing downward, and to release said holding of the swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever rotates so that said downward move of the first pivotal axis can be allowed, the holding portion deforming in case a downward load acting on the swing pedal support member is the specified magnitude or greater so as to release said holding of the swing pedal support member. ### Claim 15 An operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle, which is arranged in back of a dash panel constituting a front portion of a vehicle compartment, comprising: a fixed pedal support member provided on the side of the dash panel; a swing pedal support member supported relative to the dash panel so as to swing in a vertical direction around a front portion thereof and extending obliquely upward and rearward; a pedal body supported via a first pivotal axis which is provided at a rear portion of the swing pedal support member and extends in a vehicle width direction so as to swing around the first pivotal axis; a vehicle-body side member provided on the side of an instrument panel member in back of and away from the fixed pedal support member and fixed to a vehicle body; a rotational lever provided in front of and away from the vehicle-body side member, the rotational lever being supported at the fixed pedal support member via a second pivotal axis extending in the vehicle width direction so as to swing in a vehicle longitudinal direction around the second pivotal axis, the rotational lever contacting the vehicle-body side member and rotating around the second pivotal axis so as to press down the swing pedal support member downward in case the fixed pedal support member moves rearward, the second pivotal axis being positioned above said first pivotal axis and at the same location as the first pivotal axis in the vehicle longitudinal direction or in front of the first pivotal axis; and a holding portion which is provided at said rotational lever so as to hold said swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever does not rotate, and to release said holding of the swing pedal support member in case the rotational lever rotates.