A pedal assembly actuates a rigid actuator of a functional system in a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises a mounting bracket having spaced apart support members defining a pedal receiving space. A pedal arm has a pedal pad and an actuator connector. A pair of retainer brackets are normally in a retaining position secured against front-rear movement. At least one pivot pin pivotally connects the proximal end of the pedal arm to the retainer brackets. A pyrotechnic actuator has an input for receiving an actuating signal and when triggered enables deformation of the retainer bracket to a releasing position wherein the retainer brackets permit the at least one pivot pin and the proximal end of the pedal arm to move rearwardly with respect to the mounting bracket. The pyrotechnic actuator may also be arranged with respect to a releasable connector to drive it for disconnection from the retainer brackets to permit the retainer brackets, the at least one pivot pin and the proximal end of the pedal arm to move rearwardly.

A pedal assembly actuates a rigid actuator of a functional system in a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises a mounting bracket having spaced apart support members defining a pedal receiving space. A pedal arm has a pedal pad and an actuator connector. A pair of retainer brackets are normally in a retaining position secured against front-rear movement. At least one pivot pin pivotally connects the proximal end of the pedal arm to the retainer brackets. A pyrotechnic actuator has an input for receiving an actuating signal and when triggered enables deformation of the retainer bracket to a releasing position wherein the retainer brackets permit the at least one pivot pin and the proximal end of the pedal arm to move rearwardly with respect to the mounting bracket. The pyrotechnic actuator may also be arranged with respect to a releasable connector to drive it for disconnection from the retainer brackets to permit the retainer brackets, the at least one pivot pin and the proximal end of the pedal arm to move rearwardly.

A method for operating a self-driving motor vehicle includes changing from a self-driving mode into a manual-driving mode, monitoring a footwell of the motor vehicle with a gesture recognition device, and checking whether at least one specified gesture is present.

A vehicle brake system comprises an input device (21) attached to a bulkhead (15) separating a power unit room and a passenger compartment of the vehicle from each other, and including a part extending into the power unit room. A free end of the part of the input device extending into the power unit room is fitted with a protective member (70) defining a slanted surface (70a) opposing the power unit and slanting rearward as one moves in a prescribed lateral direction so that the input device is protected from a frontal impact. In particular, the slanted surface aligns with a corner part (83a) of the power unit (83).

A vehicle brake system comprises an input device (21) attached to a bulkhead (15) separating a power unit room and a passenger compartment of the vehicle from each other, and including a part extending into the power unit room. A free end of the part of the input device extending into the power unit room is fitted with a protective member (70) defining a slanted surface (70a) opposing the power unit and slanting rearward as one moves in a prescribed lateral direction so that the input device is protected from a frontal impact. In particular, the slanted surface aligns with a corner part (83a) of the power unit (83).

A brake pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The brake pedal apparatus includes a fixing bracket fixedly installed in a vehicle, a pedal arm coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a first axis, and a collision rack coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a second axis which is different from the first axis. The collision rack is configured to rotate upon a collision with a collision bracket. The fixing bracket supports the pedal arm to allow the pedal arm to be movable in a predetermined direction. The collision rack blocks the movement of the first axis of the pedal arm, and upon the collision with the collision bracket, the collision rack allows the pedal arm to be disengaged from the fixing bracket, thereby reducing the risk of injuring the driver.

A brake pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The brake pedal apparatus includes a fixing bracket fixedly installed in a vehicle, a pedal arm coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a first axis, and a collision rack coupled to the fixing bracket to be rotatable about a second axis which is different from the first axis. The collision rack is configured to rotate upon a collision with a collision bracket. The fixing bracket supports the pedal arm to allow the pedal arm to be movable in a predetermined direction. The collision rack blocks the movement of the first axis of the pedal arm, and upon the collision with the collision bracket, the collision rack allows the pedal arm to be disengaged from the fixing bracket, thereby reducing the risk of injuring the driver.

A vehicle interior structure includes a pedal-backward-preventive bracket against which a supporting portion of a control panel abuts when the control pedal controlled by a foot of a driver moves backward, the pedal-backward-preventive bracket being fixed to an instrumental panel support member extending in a vehicle width direction, a mount bracket on which a head-up display is mounted, the mount bracket being fixed to the instrumental panel support member, and a load transfer portion that is provided between the pedal-backward-preventive bracket and the mount bracket to transfer a rearward load input to the pedal-backward-preventive bracket to the mount bracket via the supporting portion.

A vehicle braking system includes a wheel cylinder, a master cylinder including a master cylinder piston operable to translate between an unactuated position and an actuated position in a first mode of operation, a brake pedal operable to transition between an extended position corresponding to the unactuated position of the master cylinder and a retracted position corresponding to the actuated position of the master cylinder, and a booster located between the master cylinder and the brake pedal. The master cylinder is operable to selectively transfer a braking force from the brake pedal to the wheel cylinder in the first mode of operation. The booster is operable to hold the brake pedal in the retracted position in a second mode of operation without user input and without associated braking.

A brake pedal device 1 includes a pedal bracket 10, an operating pedal 20, an intermediate lever 25, a coupling link 30, and a cylindrical member 40. A side plate 11 of the pedal bracket 10 includes an opening for preventing rearward movement 16 and a movement allowing part 17. The opening for preventing rearward movement 16 is located in a separating direction D relative to a second shaft hole 15. The movement allowing part 17 is configured to include a holding protrusion 18 and a cutout 19. When a load caused by a vehicle collision acts, a second support shaft 13 for supporting the intermediate lever 25 moves from the second shaft hole 15 toward the opening for preventing rearward movement 16 through the movement allowing part 17, forcibly causing the operating pedal 20 to pivot toward the vehicle front side about a first support shaft 12.