Ford-feedback mechanism

• US 20050016322A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Bouteville, Olivier, Collet, Michel, Teulings, Wim
• Granted Patent: US 7,318,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/021 with means for providing feel, e.g. by changing pedal force characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2057 Variable input leverage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

This thrust return mechanism (4) is intended for a thrust return pedal. It comprises an electric motor (28) for the positioning of a control member (30) by the intermediary of transmission means. The transmission means comprise at least one cable (48, 52) of which one end is fixed to a first pulley (42, 54) and which is then wound around a second pulley (40, 50) and of which the second end is fixed on the first pulley (42, 54). Application to an accelerator pedal of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A thrust return mechanism (4) intended for a thrust return pedal, comprising an electric motor (28) for the positioning of a control member (30) by the intermediary of transmission means, wherein the transmission means comprise at least one cable (48, 52) of which one end is fixed to a first pulley (42, 54) and which is then wound around a second pulley (40, 50) and of which the second end is fixed on the first pulley (42, 54).

2. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable (48, 52) is wound by at least two turns around the second pulley (40, 50).

3. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable (48, 52) is provided with an extra thickness (62) disposed in a corresponding recess (64) formed at the periphery of the second pulley.

4. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each cable end is provided with an end-piece (58) placed in a corresponding recess (60) formed at the periphery of the first pulley (42, 54).

5. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for tensioning the cable (48, 52).

6. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first pulley (42, 54) is a double pulley consisting of two twin pulleys (42a, 42b;

54a, 54b), each cable end is fixed on a separate twin pulley and elastic means (56) act in a torsional manner between the two twin pulleys (42a, 42b;

54a, 54b) in order to tension the cable.

7. A thrust return pedal comprising a control device (2) having a control member (6) that moves between a raised position of rest and a position of maximum depression, return means (20, 22) of the control device returning the control member (6) to its position of rest, and a thrust return mechanism (4) designed to create a hard point during the depression of the control member (6), wherein the thrust return mechanism is a mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

8. The thrust return pedal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thrust return mechanism (4) acts on the control device (2) by the intermediary of connection means (36) that are unidirectional in the same direction as the return means (20, 22) of the control device (2), the unidirectional connection prohibiting any action of the thrust return mechanism (4) on the control device (2) in the direction opposite to the direction of action of the return means (20, 22).

9. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cable (48, 52) is provided with an extra thickness (62) disposed in a corresponding recess (64) formed at the periphery of the second pulley.

10. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in 2, wherein each cable end is provided with an end-piece (58) placed in a corresponding recess (60) formed at the periphery of the first pulley (42, 54).

11. The thrust return mechanism as claimed in 3, wherein each cable end is provided with an end-piece (58) placed in a corresponding recess (60) formed at the periphery of the first pulley (42, 54).