Electricity: motive power systems – Three-or-more-positions motor controller systems – Knee- or foot-operated controllers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-18
2001-11-13
Dang, Khanh (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Three-or-more-positions motor controller systems
Knee- or foot-operated controllers
C074S560000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06316897
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable pedal system and more particularly, to a system for controlling adjustable pedals within an automotive vehicle which prevents the pedals from being adjusted while the vehicle is being operated and/or if the pedals are depressed or encounter an obstruction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Adjustable pedal systems or assemblies are used within vehicles, such as automobiles, and allow one or more pedals within these vehicles to be selectively moveable (e.g., extendable and retractable) to satisfy a driver's needs or desires. These systems typically include an adjustment switch and/or controller that is communicatively connected to a motor which receives signals from the controller and which selectively extends or retracts one or more pedals of the vehicle in response to the received signals, thereby moving the pedals toward or away from the driver of the vehicle. In this manner, these conventional systems allow the various pedals of a vehicle, such as the accelerator (e.g. “gas pedal”), brake, and/or clutch pedals, to be selectively and moveably adjusted to suit the size, comfort and/or desire of a particular driver.
While these prior adjustable pedal systems do provide increased comfort and flexibility for drivers, they suffer from some drawbacks. For example and without limitation, these current systems are unable to detect and/or prevent a driver from adjusting the pedals while the vehicle is being driven. This inability of these prior systems may result in several undesirable conditions. For instance, if the pedals are adjusted toward a driver (e.g., extended) and a pedal contacts the driver's foot or another obstruction, the pedal could be depressed to a degree proportional to the amount the pedal continues to be adjusted (e.g., extended) toward the driver, thereby potentially activating or further activating one of the pedal-operated automobile systems or components. These prior systems may cause similar problems if the pedals are retracted or adjusted away from the driver (e.g., the adjustment can cause deactivation of one of the pedal operated systems or components).
There is therefore a need for a system for controlling adjustable pedals within a vehicle which prevents the pedals from being adjusted while the vehicle is being driven and/or if a pedal is being depressed or encounters an obstruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the invention to provide a system for controlling adjustable pedals within a vehicle which overcomes at least some of the previously delineated drawbacks of the prior systems.
It is a second object of the invention to provide a system for controlling adjustable pedals within a vehicle which detects whether any of the pedals are being depressed while the vehicle is being operated and which prevents the pedals from being adjusted in response to such a detection.
It is a third object of the invention to provide a system for controlling adjustable pedals within a vehicle which is adapted to detect when any of the pedals encounter an obstruction while the vehicle is being operated and which ceases adjusting the pedals in response to such a detection.
It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a system for controlling adjustable pedals within a vehicle which substantially prevents the pedals from being adjusted while the vehicle is being driven.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an adjustable pedal system for use within a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is of the type including an adjustable pedal, an automotive operating element which is selectively activated by a depression of the adjustable pedal, and an electronic component which is selectively activated in response to the activation of the automotive operating element. The system includes a motor which is effective to selectively adjust the pedal; and a controller which is communicatively coupled to the motor and to the electronic component, the controller being effective to monitor the electronic component and to prevent the motor from adjusting the pedal when the component is activated, thereby substantially preventing the pedal from being adjusted while the pedal is depressed.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling a plurality of adjustable pedals within a vehicle of the type including a park gear, a neutral gear and a plurality of automotive operating elements each of which is selectively activated by a unique one of the plurality of adjustable pedals. The method includes the steps of: determining whether the vehicle is in the park or the neutral gear; and adjusting the plurality of adjustable pedals only if the vehicle is in the park gear or the neutral gear, thereby substantially preventing the plurality of adjustable pedals from being adjusted while the vehicle is being driven.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2860720 (1958-11-01), Huff et al.
patent: 3319487 (1967-05-01), Lystad et al.
patent: 5341894 (1994-08-01), Gorder, Jr. et al.
patent: 5460061 (1995-10-01), Redding et al.
patent: 5855143 (1999-01-01), Ewing
patent: 5890399 (1999-04-01), Rixon et al.
patent: 6237565 (2001-05-01), Engelgau
Dang Khanh
Ford Global Tech., Inc.
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