Pedal emulator assembly and method

• US 20040040408A1
• Filed: 01/08/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shaw, Schuyler S., Flanagan, Paul F.
• Application Number:
  US10/338,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20040040408A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/36 Mounting units comprising an assembly of two or more pedals, e.g. for facilitating mounting
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/42 non-pivoting, e.g. sliding
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/28 for preventing unauthorised access to the controlling member or its movement to a command position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal emulator assembly and method for a motor vehicle. The assembly includes at least one pedal for generating a dynamic reaction force against an applied pedal force. The pedal is deformed as a result of the applied pedal force. The assembly further includes at least one sensor operably attached to the pedal for estimating the applied pedal force based on the pedal deformation. The method includes deforming at least one pedal with an applied pedal force. A dynamic reaction force is generated against the applied pedal force with the pedal. The applied pedal force is estimated based on the pedal deformation.

Claims

1. A pedal emulator assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

at least one pedal for generating a dynamic reaction force against an applied pedal force, wherein the pedal is deformed as a result of the applied pedal force; and

at least one sensor operably attached to the pedal for estimating the applied pedal force based on the pedal deformation.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one pedal is selected from a group consisting of a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal, and a parking brake pedal.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pedal is manufactured from a resilient material.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the resilient material comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting of a plastic, rubber, acrylic, silicone, vinyl, urethane, metal, metal alloy, and combinations thereof.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the dynamic reaction force comprises a linear reaction force to pedal travel characteristic.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the dynamic reaction force comprises a non-linear reaction force to pedal travel characteristic.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pedal comprises a plurality of members spaced apart from each other, the members sequentially engaging one to another with increasing applied pedal force to provide the dynamic reaction force.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a fiber optic transducer.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a strain gauge-type transducer.

10. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a position adjustment feature operably attached to the pedal for adjusting a pedal emulator assembly position with respect to a vehicle floor.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the position adjustment feature comprises means for preventing unauthorized operation of the motor vehicle.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one filler material operably attached to the pedal for tuning the dynamic reaction force.

13. A method of operating a pedal emulator assembly for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

deforming at least one pedal with an applied pedal force;

generating a dynamic reaction force against the applied pedal force with the pedal; and

estimating the applied pedal force based on the pedal deformation.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein deforming the at least one pedal comprises applying a pedal force selected from a group consisting of a brake pedal force, an accelerator pedal force, a clutch pedal force, and a parking brake pedal force.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein generating the dynamic reaction force comprises generating a linear reaction force to pedal travel characteristic.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein generating the dynamic reaction force comprises generating a non-linear reaction force to pedal travel characteristic.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein generating the dynamic reaction force comprises sequentially engaging a plurality of members spaced apart from each other during applied pedal force increases.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein estimating the applied pedal force comprises optically detecting the pedal deformation.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein estimating the applied pedal force comprises detecting strain in the pedal deformation.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising adjusting pedal emulator assembly position with respect to a vehicle floor.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein adjusting pedal emulator assembly position comprises preventing unauthorized operation of the motor vehicle.

22. The method of claim 13 further comprising sending a signal based on the estimated applied pedal force to a vehicle control system.

23. A pedal emulator assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising:

means for deforming a pedal with an applied pedal force;

means for generating a dynamic reaction force against the applied pedal force; and

means for estimating the applied pedal force.