Electrical resistors – Resistance value responsive to a condition – Magnetic field or compass
Patent
1981-09-11
1982-12-14
Albritton, C. L.
Electrical resistors
Resistance value responsive to a condition
Magnetic field or compass
H01L 4304
Patent
active
043640222
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to vehicle directional and speed control apparatus and, more particularly, to magnetic control pedal apparatus for controlling the direction and speed of the vehicle.
Background Art
Many control pedal assemblies or apparatus have been designed or developed for controlling the direction and speed of a vehicle. For example, at least one control pedal assembly has pedal portions for controlling the direction of the vehicle, i.e., forward or reverse, and a pedal portion for controlling vehicle speed. A magnet is connected, for example, to the pedal portion for placing the vehicle in forward drive and at least one Hall effect device is connected to the accelerator pedal portion. The directional pedal portion can be moved to a position in which the magnet is in proximity to the Hall effect device so that the latter then generates a control signal to place the vehicle in forward drive. Also, the accelerator pedal portion can be depressed with this directional pedal portion to accelerate the vehicle forwardly.
One problem with the prior control pedal assemblies is that electrical wires are connected from the Hall effect device to a control circuit fixedly connected elsewhere on the vehicle. As the accelerator pedal portion is depressed or released the wires will flex at or near the pivotal point of the pedal portion. This flexing eventually can cause failure of the wires and, consequently, increase maintainance costs for repair or replacement.
Furthermore, the accelerator pedal portion is connected to a mechanical control linkage which moves in response to the depression of the accelerator pedal portion to change the vehicle speed. This mechanical linkage adds to the complexity, weight and cost of the overall directional and speed control apparatus.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a control pedal apparatus is provided having a frame member, magnetic means for generating a control signal in response to an applied magnetic field and being connected to the frame member, and a pedal having a magnet and being movable between a first position at which a magnetic pathway is opened and a second position at which the magnetic pathway is closed, the improvement comprising a pedal support of magnetically permeable material and being constructed to conduct the magnetic field between the magnet and the magnetic means in response to the pedal being at the second position.
Prior control pedal apparatus have wires, connected between the Hall device and an electrical control circuit, which can fail due to flexing, and a complex mechanical linkage that is connected to an accelerator pedal portion to control vehicle speed. With the present invention, the magnetic means is fixed to the frame member and the movable pedal support conducts the applied magnetic field to the magnetic means, whereby control wires are not flexed in operating the pedal apparatus. Also, the pedal support is movable to control vehicle speed without requiring any mechanical control linkage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The single FIGURE is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The single FIGURE shows a control pedal apparatus 10 for controlling the direction and speed of, for example, a vehicle having a frame member 12. A pedal 14 carries a magnet 16 and is pivotally supported on a movable pedal support shown generally at 18. Pedal support 18 has a base 20 to which the pedal 14 is mounted pivotally by a pivot pin 22. A spring 24, for example a torsion spring, biases the pedal 14 into the upper position shown. Pedal 14 is movable between the upper position, which corresponds to a reverse drive position, and a lower position which corresponds to a forward drive position.
Pedal support 18 also includes an inverted L-shaped elongated member or rod 26 having a lower end 28 which is rotatabl
REFERENCES:
patent: 3124693 (1964-03-01), Peras
patent: 3818292 (1974-06-01), Berman
patent: 4267544 (1981-05-01), Wiblin
Melocik Grant C.
Wiblin Wayne T.
Albritton C. L.
Towmotor Corporation
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