Pedal sensor and method

• US 20060169093A1
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ASA
• Original Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA
• Inventors: Vondras, Jan, Rick, Sean, Peniston, Chuck
• Granted Patent: US 8,240,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/514
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/021 with means for providing feel, e.g. by changing pedal force characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/00 Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents F02D43/00 takes precedence ; control of engine starters F02N11/08, electrical control of engine ignition timing F02P5/145
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/38 comprising means to continuously detect pedal position
• 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: G05G 5/04 Stops for limiting movement of members, e.g. adjustable stop G05G5/03, G05G5/05, G05G5/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2054 Signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20918 Foot rests

Abstract

An electronic pedal assembly including a treadle, a pedal arm connected to the treadle, and a rotor assembly about which the pedal arm rotates. The assembly also includes one or more Hall sensors positioned within a cavity in the rotor assembly and one or more magnets that fixedly attached to the rotor assembly. The Hall sensors detect the position of the treadle by monitoring the positions of the magnets. Also, a method of monitoring an electronic pedal assembly using one or more magnets and one or more Hall sensors.

Claims

1. A dynamic system, comprising:

a moveable component;

a rotor connected to the movable component and configured to rotate when the moveable component moves between a first position and a second position;

a first emitter fixedly connected to the rotor; and

a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotor and configured to detect a position of the first emitter.

2. The dynamic system of claim 1, wherein the moveable component comprises a pedal.

3. The dynamic system of claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises a magnet and wherein the first sensor comprises a Hall sensor.

4. The dynamic system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is positioned within an interior portion of the rotor.

5. The dynamic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a flux concentrator positioned adjacent to the rotor and substantially surrounding a portion of the rotor adjacent to the first emitter.

6. The dynamic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a shield positioned proximate to the first sensor and configured to prevent an exterior magnetic flux from interfering with operation of the first sensor.

7. The dynamic system of claim 6, wherein the shield comprises a washer.

8. The dynamic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second sensor positioned opposite the first sensor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor each include a integrated circuit configured to detect the position of the first emitter.

9. The dynamic system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second emitter fixedly connected to the rotor and positioned substantially opposite of the rotor from the first emitter.

10. The dynamic system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is programmable.

11. The dynamic system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is enclosed within a casing that is substantially water-tight.

12. A method of monitoring a dynamic system, the method comprising:

moving a component between a first position and a second position;

rotating a rotor connected to the component and a first emitter fixedly connected to the rotor as the component moves between the first position and the second position; and

monitoring a position of the first emitter with a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the moving step comprises moving a pedal.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the monitoring step comprises using a magnet as the first emitter and a Hall sensor as the first sensor.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

programming the first sensor to output a particular type of signal.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

shielding the first emitter from external magnetic fluxes.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

monitoring the position of the first emitter with a second sensor positioned adjacent to the rotor; and

processing a first signal from the first sensor along with a second signal from the second sensor to determine the position of the first emitter.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

calibrating the first sensor by taking a reading at the first position and at the second position.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

restricting the first sensor to emitting an output signal having a value between a first threshold value and a second threshold value.

20. A dynamic system, comprising:

means for moving a component between a first position and a second position;

means for rotating a rotor connected to the component and a first emitter fixedly connected to the rotor as the component moves between the first position and the second position; and

means for monitoring a position of the first emitter with a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotor.