Potentiometer

Details Potentiometer Potentiometer

1985-07-18

1987-11-10

Goldberg, Elliott

Electrical resistors

Mechanically variable

Movable contact electrically adjustable over length of...

338171, 338200, H01C 1036

Patent

active

047060620

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a potentiometer, in particular for an electrical gas pedal in motor vehicles.
In so-called electrical gas pedals such potentiometer serve to control a servo-motor which controls the fuel-air mixture being supplied to the internal combustion engine or the vehicle motor, like when actuating the otherwise customary gas pedal. The servo-motor is controlled corresponding to the control voltage picked off from the potentiometer, thus effecting an increase or reduction of the speed in the internal combustion engine.
In many cases, in particular in a motor vehicle with such an electrical gas pedal it is required to actuate electrical switches for triggering certain functions in dependency from the control voltage being fed to the servo-motor, for example, in the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle an idle switch, safety switch, full load switch, kick-down switch, throttle valve switch and other switches, for example, for the gas pump, ignition etc., as well as a plurality of control switches. Hitherto, such switch functions were performed by so-called micro switches which are switched on or off through the potentiometer. The assembly effort required for the microswitches to be installed separately from the potentiometer is considerable. Furthermore considerable tolerances in the association from the time switching point and the control voltage picked off from the potentiometer are generated.


ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

In contrast thereto the potentiometer in accordance with the invention is advantageous in its structure and cost efficient in manufacturing. The switch time points may be associated highly accurately and with very small manufacturing tolerances of the potentiometer position and the picked off control voltages. The potentiometer and the switches are robust, less susceptible to interference and therefore suitable for a rough operation and also have a relatively long life span.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is explained in more detail in conjunction with one exemplified embodiment illustrated in the drawing and in the following description:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a potentiometer plate of a rotating potentiometer with switches,
FIG. 2 a plan view of a potentiometer setting member for use with the potentiometer plate in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a section along line III--III in FIG. 2,
FIG. 4 a way-step-diagram of the rotating potentiometer with switches in accordance with FIGS. 1-3,
FIG. 5 a schematic side view of a potentiometer in accordance with a second exemplified embodiment,
FIG. 6 a plan view of the potentiometer plate of the potentiometer in FIG. 5.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The potentiometer for an electrical gas pedal in a motor vehicle illustrated in its individual parts in FIGS. 1-3 is designed as a rotating potentiometer. It is provided with a circular disc like potentiometer plate 10 as illustrated in plan view in FIG. 1, on which a collector path 11 is provided designed as a resistor path. The semi-circular curve shaped collector path 11 is mounted on one half of the disc of the potentiometer plate 10 and extends over an angle of about 180.degree.. The collector path 11 is provided with connecting contacts 12,13 disposed at both ends thereof and each designed as a bore into which the connecting cable can be plugged in from the rear side of the potentiometer plate 10. A semi-circular shaped sliding path 14 extending parallel, e.i., concentric to the collector path 11, is connected with a connecting contact 16 by means of a connecting lug 15 mounted on potentiometer plate 10.
A potentiometer setting member 17 illustrated in a plan view in FIG. 2 and in a sectional view in FIG. 3 supports an arm 18 on which two contact spring assemblies 19,20 which are electrically connected with each other are mounted. One contact spring assembly 19 or 20 slidingly engages the sliding path 11 or sliding path 14 in the assembled state of the potentiometer. The two contact spring assemblies 19 and 20 form the sl

REFERENCES:
patent: 862842 (1907-08-01), Northrup
patent: 3863039 (1975-01-01), Tygard
patent: 4087776 (1978-05-01), Donato
patent: 4237443 (1980-12-01), Gass
M.T.Z., Motortechnische Zeitschrift, Band 42, No. 12, Schwabisch-Gmund (DE) "Elektronisches Gas Pedal von Bosch", Dec. 1981, p. 528.
"Printed Potentiometer Technology has Wider Design Potential", Eureka, (Nov. 1983) p. 5.

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