FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in general, relates to pedal assemblies for use in automobile vehicles and, more particularly, to a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly for swift release of brake pedal from normal operative condition in an event of frontal collision.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Non-intrusive/collapsible brake pedal assemblies are well known in the art and are provided in automobile vehicles as a measure of safety. In an event of frontal collision, the brake pedal is forced rearward towards the vehicle operator by the movement of the engine and other parts thereby serving as an obstacle preventing exit of vehicle operator from the vehicle after collision. The primary function of the non-intrusive brake assembly is to move it frontward away from the vehicle operator to prevent trapping of the vehicle operator inside the passenger compartment and also to prevent injury that the rearward movement of the brake pedal may cause to the vehicle operator.
[004] The non-intrusive brake pedal assemblies as known in the art essentially comprise of a brake pedal connected with a first pivot through a pivot lever for frontward and rearward swing movement about the first pivot and a bracket adapted to disengage the pivot lever to restrict rearward movement of the brake pedal in the event of frontal collision.

[005] Japanese Patent publication no. JP2012108573A discloses such non-intrusive brake pedal assembly. The assembly comprises of a bracket mounted on the brake pedal to disengage the pivot lever in an event of frontal collision. The bracket is adapted to collide and deform under the load applied by the frontal collision. However, a problem exists of slow disengagement of pivot lever resulting in late release of the brake pedal from its normal operative condition thereby enhancing the risk of trapping or injury to the vehicle operator.
[006] Thus there is a requirement of a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly for swift release of brake pedal to restrict rearward movement of the brake pedal in an event of frontal collision.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[007] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in prior systems.
[008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly that overcomes the problem of the prior art.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly comprising a bracket facilitating swift disengagement of pivot lever in an event of frontal collision.
[010] Yet another object of the present invention is to enhance the robustness of non-intrusive brake pedal assemblies.
[011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly to enhance vehicle operator's safety.

[012] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[013] To attain the above objects, the present invention provides a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly.
[014] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly for use in automobile vehicle comprising a brake pedal pivotally mounted on pedal bracket through a pivot lever for frontward and rearward swing movement about a first pivot; a trigger plate disposed on a steering column; a trigger bracket that extends to vicinity of the pivot lever and in a frontal collision abuts on the pivot lever to disengage the pivot lever causing the brake pedal to pivot around second pivot.
[015] In accordance with said embodiment, the trigger bracket is mounted on the trigger plate and is formed to extend from the trigger plate towards the pivot lever. The cross-section (taken along vehicle transverse plane) of trigger bracket could be of any suitable shape including two faced structure for example substantially L-shaped, three faced structure for example substantially C or U shaped, four faced structure for example box or closed shaped structure and the like.
[016] In accordance with said embodiment, the trigger bracket comprises of a mounting top part, an abutting bottom part and a connecting part. The mounting top part is attached with the trigger plate through techniques known in the art such as bolts, rivets, arc welding, spot welding and the like.

[017] In accordance with said embodiment, the connecting part of the trigger bracket extends perpendicularly downwards from the mounting top part towards the abutting bottom part.
[018] In accordance with said embodiment, the abutting bottom part extends in a vehicle width direction to apply effective load in an event of frontal collision to disengage the pivot lever causing the brake pedal to pivot around second pivot, thereby preventing rearward movement of the brake pedal.
[019] In accordance with said embodiment, the abutting bottom part is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the pivot lever.
[020] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
[021] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[022] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[023] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by

way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[024] Fig. 1 illustrates side view of the non-intrusive brake pedal assembly
5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[025] Fig. 2 illustrates cross-sectional view along vehicle longitudinal plane of the non-intrusive brake pedal assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[026] Fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b) illustrate lateral view and perspective view
10 respectively of trigger bracket of the non-intrusive brake pedal assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[027] Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b) illustrate non-intrusive brake pedal assembly of the prior art before and after frontal collision respectively.
[028] Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (b) illustrate non-intrusive brake pedal assembly of the
15 present invention before and after frontal collision respectively.
[029] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of
illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the
following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the
20 principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[030] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below.
6

It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alterative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
5 [031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that
follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
10 [032] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof
used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to the system, or assembly, or device. In other
15 words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by
"comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system, apparatus or device.
[033] Hereinafter a non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) will be explained in detail.
20 [033] Referring to figure 1, which illustrate side view of a non-intrusive
brake pedal assembly (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) comprises of a brake pedal (10) pivotally mounted on pedal bracket (20) through a spindle (21). On the spindle (21), a pivot lever (30) is press-fitted for
25 frontward and rearward concurrent swing movement along with brake
7

pedal (10). In normal operative conditions, the brake pedal (10) pivots about a first pivot (40) as depicted in figure 1.
[034] The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) further comprises of a
trigger plate (50) disposed on a steering column (not shown in figures) of
5 the automobile vehicle and a trigger bracket (60) that extends to vicinity of
the pivot lever (30) and in a frontal collision abuts on the pivot lever (30) to disengage the pivot lever (30) causing the brake pedal (10) to pivot around second pivot (41).
[035] The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) further comprises of a
10 brake master cylinder (70) that facilitates performing of the breaking
operation. The function of brake master cylinder (70) is well known in the art and is not explained for the purpose of brevity.
[036] Referring to figure 2, which illustrates trigger bracket (60) of the non-
intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) in accordance with an embodiment of
15 the present invention. The trigger bracket (60) is formed to extend from the
trigger plate (50) towards the pivot lever (30) as depicted. The trigger bracket (60) comprises of a mounting top part (61), an abutting bottom part (62) and a connecting part (63).
[037] In accordance with the embodiment, the mounting top part (61) is
20 attached with the trigger plate (50) through known techniques such as bolts,
rivets, arc welding, spot welding, and the like.
[038] In accordance with the embodiment, the connecting part (63) extends
perpendicularly downwards from the mounting top part (61) towards
abutting bottom part (62) as depicted in figure 2. The abutting bottom part
25 (62) extends in a vehicle width direction and lie in the same vehicle
8

longitudinal plane as that of pivot lever (30) to apply effective load in an event of frontal collision to disengage the pivot lever (30).
[039] The abutting bottom part (62) is spaced a predetermined distance
apart from the pivot lever (30) as depicted in figure 2. In case of frontal
5 collision when a load is applied from the front of the automobile vehicle in
direction (F) as depicted in figure 2, the pivot lever (30) is moved in a
rearward direction towards the trigger bracket (60) causing the abutting
bottom part (62) and pivot lever (30) to collide. This results in
disengagement of pivot lever (30) from spindle (21) and hence shifting of
10 pivot point of the brake pedal (10) to second pivot (41) from first pivot (40).
Thereby, with further load in direction (F), clockwise rotation (same as pressing direction of brake pedal in normal condition) of brake pedal (10) occurs and which restricts rearward movement of the brake pedal (10) towards the vehicle operator.
15 [040] Figure 3 (a) and 3 (b) depicts lateral and perspective view of a two
faced trigger bracket (60) with substantially L-shape cross-section (taken along vehicle transverse plane) in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As shown in figs 3 (a) and 3 (b), the two faces of the trigger bracket (60) includes a first face (60a) and a second face (60b).
20 [041] The invention will be further understood with reference to the
following non-limiting experimental example.
[042] Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b) illustrate non-intrusive brake pedal assembly of the
prior art before and after frontal collision respectively. As shown in the
figures, the trigger bracket (60p) is mounted on the brake pedal (10). In an
25 event of frontal collision, a load is applied in direction (F) causing the brake
master cylinder (70) to apply a pushing load that results in trigger bracket
9

(60p) colliding the trigger plate (50). The trigger bracket (60p) deforms and
bends to apply pushing load on the pivot lever (30) to disengage it. This
results in shifting of pivot point of the brake pedal (10) to second pivot (41)
from first pivot (40). Thereby, restricting rearward movement of the brake
5 pedal (10) towards the vehicle operator. However, to disengage the pivot
lever (30), the trigger bracket (60p) has to deform first and then apply
pushing load to the pivot lever (30) to disengage the pivot lever (30) from
the spindle (21). This process takes more time to collapse brake pedal which
leads to more rearward intrusion of brake pedal towards vehicle operator
10 and hence may result in injury to vehicle operator during frontal collision.
[043] Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (b) illustrates non-intrusive brake pedal assembly of the present invention before and after frontal collision. In accordance with the embodiment, the trigger bracket (60) is mounted on the trigger plate (50). In an event of frontal collision, a load is applied in direction (F) causing
15 the brake master cylinder (70) to apply a pushing load that results in pivot
lever (30) hitting the trigger bracket (60) and disengaging. This results in brake pedal (10) to shift its pivot position from first pivot (40) to second pivot (41) thereby moving the brake pedal in frontward direction away from the vehicle operator as depicted in the figures. In the present
20 invention, neither collision between the trigger bracket (60) and trigger
plate (50) nor deformation of trigger bracket (60) is involved to disengage the pivot lever (30) from the spindle (21) as observed in prior art. Thereby, the non-intrusive brake pedal assembly of the present invention provides swift disengagement of the pivot lever (30) followed by lesser rearward
25 intrusion of brake pedal which results in enhanced safety and also increase
the robustness of the existing non-extrusive brake pedal assembly (100) during frontal collision of vehicle. In accordance with an example, the
10

disengagement of pivot lever (30) in the present invention is advanced by around 5 ms-10 ms as compared to that of pivot lever in prior art.
[044] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for
infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various
5 elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context,
all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims
10 [045] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular
terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
15 [046] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms
used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes"
20 should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended
25 claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one
or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation
11

by the indefinite articles, ‘a', or "an" limits any particular claim containing
such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such
recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases
"one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g.,
5 "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or
"one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to
introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an
introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will
recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
10 least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
[047] The above description does not provide specific details of
manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art
15 are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques
are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
20 particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the
present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined
into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements
25 therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
12

[049] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[050] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:

A non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) for use in automobile vehicle
comprising:
- a brake pedal (10) pivotally mounted on pedal bracket (20) through a spindle (21), along with a pivot lever (30) press-fitted to the spindle (21), for frontward and rearward concurrent swing movement along with pivot lever (30) about a first pivot (40);
- a trigger plate (50) disposed on a steering column; and
- a trigger bracket (60) that extends to vicinity of the pivot lever (30)
wherein said trigger bracket (60) is mounted on the trigger plate (50).
2. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger bracket (60) is formed to extend from the trigger plate (50) towards the pivot lever (30).
3. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a frontal collision, the trigger bracket (60) abuts on the pivot lever (30) to disengage the pivot lever (30) causing the brake pedal (10) to pivot around a second pivot (41).
4. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trigger bracket (60) comprises of a mounting top part (61), an abutting bottom part (62) and a connecting part (63).
5. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting top part (61) is attached with the trigger plate (50).
6. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mounting top part (61) is attached with the trigger plate (50) through bolts, rivets, arc welding, spot welding, and the like.

7. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting part (63) extends perpendicularly downwards from the mounting top part (61) towards abutting bottom part (62).
8. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the abutting bottom part (62) extends in a vehicle width direction and lie in the same vehicle longitudinal plane as that of pivot lever (30) to apply effective load in an event of frontal collision to disengage the pivot lever (30).
9. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the abutting bottom part (62) is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the pivot lever (30).
10. The non-intrusive brake pedal assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the cross-section shape of the trigger bracket (60) is selected from
the group comprising of substantially L shaped, C shaped, U shaped, box
/closed shaped structure and the like.