Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-11-20
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S560000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318208
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention broadly relates to manually operated controls, and deals more particularly with a low profile electronic throttle control pedal assembly for vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic throttle control pedals are well-known in the art, and are being used with increasing frequency in vehicles due to the trend towards electronically controlled engines. Rather than employing a mechanical linkage to connect the throttle pedal with the vehicle's engine, electronic throttle pedals are electrically linked to the vehicle's ECU (Electronic Control Unit), which in turn controls throttle settings on the engine. These known throttle pedals employ an electronic sensor, typically a potentiometer, which converts mechanical movement of the throttle pedal into an electrical signal representative of the pedal position, and thus of the desired throttle setting. This signal, which may be in the form of a digital, analog or PWM format, is forwarded to the engine's ECU either by a discrete wire, or via a data bus along with other control signals.
Electronic throttle pedals of the type described above are traditionally mounted either on the floor of the vehicle's passenger compartment, or are suspended in a cantilever fashion from the vehicle's firewall. Because the electronic pedal position sensor is mounted directly on the mechanical pedal assembly, packaging issues sometimes arise in those applications where the available envelope of space for the pedal is small or narrow. Consequently, efforts have been made to design and layout the pedal components in a manner which yields a compact assembly of desired dimensions.
Most recently electronically controlled engines have found use in off-road and industrial vehicles such as, for example, fork lift trucks. In these applications, a different set of considerations control electronic pedal design because of the harsher operating environments and different functional requirements that apply to pedal design for these applications. For example, in the case of a fork lift truck, different parts of the pedal assembly, such as the electronic sensor my be exposed to the surrounding environment and are subject to physical impact, and component loading not typically found in on-road vehicle applications. Moreover, bulky pedal assemblies can present an obstacle on the floor of the vehicle that may interfere with the operator's movements, either in controlling the vehicle or mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
The present invention provides an improvement in electronic control throttle pedal designs which is particularly suited for off-road and industrial vehicle applications where a simplified, low profile pedal is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a low profile, electronic throttle pedal assembly for vehicles is provided, comprising a base adapted to be mounted on the floor of the vehicle and a treadle pivotally connected to the base. The pedal assembly includes has an upper, treadle portion adapted to be contacted by the operator, and a lower treadle portion that extends down through the floor into a space therebeneath. An electronic throttle position sensor, along with a drive link mechanism connected to the lower portion of the treadle is mounted on the base, but beneath the floor level. The base includes a flat plate having an opening in one end thereof through which the lower portion of the treadle extends, such that only a base plate and the upper treadle portion are exposed above the vehicle floor. The linkage preferably includes first and second, interconnected links for translating pivotal movement of the treadle into rotation of an input shaft to the position sensor.
According to another aspect of the invention, a low profile electronic throttle pedal assembly for a vehicle comprises a base plate adapted to be mounted on the floor of a vehicle, and a treadle having an upper treadle portion above the plate as well as a lower portion extending downwardly through an opening in the plate to an area beneath the floor. A hinge carried on the plate mounts the treadle for pivotal movement between a closed throttle position and a wide-open throttle position. A pedal position sensor mounted on the bottom of the plate, beneath the floor senses the pivotal position of the treadle and outputs an electrical signal related to the sensed position of the treadle. The lower portion of the treadle extending beneath the vehicle floor includes a lever arm acting on a linkage which converts the pivotal motion of the treadle into rotation of an input shaft to the sensor. The base plate preferably includes a recess therein extending beneath the level of the floor, for receiving and retaining one or more compression springs which bias the treadle towards its closed throttle position.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide electronic throttle control pedal possessing a low profile.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pedal of the type described above which mounts directly on the floor of a vehicle and presents a minimal number of components above the floor level.
Another object of the invention is to provide a pedal as described above in which the electronic pedal position sensor and associated drive mechanisms are concealed beneath the vehicle's floor.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electronic throttle control pedal of the type mentioned above which is particularly rugged and durable, and which employs a minimum number of component parts.
These, and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the course of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3398817 (1968-08-01), Shinga
patent: 5063811 (1991-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5497677 (1996-03-01), Baumann et al.
patent: 5666860 (1997-09-01), Baumann et al.
Honyak James G.
Thongs, Jr. Lawrence C.
Green Mary Ann
Shoemaker and Mattare
Williams Controls Industries, Inc.
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