Adjustable pedal assembly with electronic throttle control

Details Adjustable pedal assembly with electronic throttle control Adjustable pedal assembly with electronic throttle control

2000-08-22

2001-05-29

Kwon, John (Department: 3747)

Internal-combustion engines

Engine speed regulator

Open loop condition responsive

C074S560000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237565

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICALLY FIELD
The subject invention relates to vehicle control pedal assembly having an adjustment mechanism for moving a pedal arm in fore and aft directions and an electronic throttle control for controlling an engine throttle. Specifically, the pedal assembly includes a pivot about which the adjustment mechanism rotates when the pedal arm is actuated and which provides input to the electronic throttle control for providing a signal that corresponds to pedal arm position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pedal assemblies are used in vehicles to control the movement of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle driver applies a force to an accelerator pedal to move the pedal from a rest position to an applied position. In the applied position, the accelerator pedal typically actuates an engine throttle, which controls the acceleration and speed of the vehicle. Often these pedal assemblies include an adjustment apparatus that allows the position of a pedal arm and/or a pedal pad to be moved with respect to the driver. This allows the pedal assembly to accommodate drivers of various heights. Thus, the adjustment apparatus allows the pedal assembly to be moved closer to the driver when the driver is short and allows the pedal assembly to be moved further away from the driver when the driver is tall. Examples, of adjustable pedal assemblies are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,460,061 and 5,632,183 all assigned to the assignee of the subject invention.
Additionally, adjustable pedal assemblies can include an electronic throttle control assembly for a drive-by-wire system. The electronic throttle control assembly is used to generate an electrical signal that corresponds to the position of the accelerator pedal. The electronic throttle control assembly replaces traditional mechanical linkages between the pedal arm and the engine throttle. One such adjustment apparatus used with an electronic throttle control is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,593 assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
When a vehicle control pedal assembly includes both an adjustment apparatus and an electronic throttle control, the pedal assembly can be complex with a great number of parts. These control pedal assemblies can be expensive, time consuming to assemble, and require a significant amount of packaging space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
A vehicle control pedal apparatus includes a support adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure and an adjustable pedal assembly with a pedal arm that is moveable in fore and aft directions with respect to the support. A pivot pivotally supports the adjustable pedal assembly with respect to the support and defines a pivot axis. The control pedal apparatus further includes an electronic throttle control attached to the support for controlling an engine throttle. The apparatus is characterized by the electronic throttle control being responsive to the pivot for providing a signal corresponding to pedal arm position as the pedal arm pivots about the pivot axis between rest and applied positions. Accordingly, the subject invention provides a simplified vehicle control pedal assembly that is less expensive, and which uses fewer parts and is easier to package within the vehicle.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4470570 (1984-09-01), Sakurai et al.
patent: 5056742 (1991-10-01), Sakurai

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