BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAVING NON-CONTACTING SENSOR

• US 20110041647A1
• Filed: 08/18/2010
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
• Original Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
• Inventors: Soltys, Jarek
• Application Number:
  US12/858,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/38 comprising means to continuously detect pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/44 pivoting
• 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 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal assembly using a non-contacting position sensor utilizing a spring-biased roller on a cam surface to simulate the feel of a conventional brake pedal is provided. The pedal assembly includes an elongated brake support bracket having a cam surface and a pedal arm having a spring-biased roller. A spring-biased roller assembly is mounted to an inward side or beside the pedal arm or on both sides of the pedal arm. The roller assembly includes a fixed leg extending on from an inner side of the pedal arm and a movable leg which is pivotally mounted to the pedal arm. A biasing member extends over the support between the fixed leg and movable leg to generate a biasing force against the roller. When the pedal is depressed, the roller is moved along the cam surface of the support bracket thereby creating the ‘feel’ of a traditional pedal assembly.

Claims

1. A brake pedal assembly having a non-contacting position sensor having a pedal arm pivotally mounted about a first pivot point to a bracket operable to simulate the feel of a conventional brake pedal, the pedal assembly comprising:

a pedal arm mounted to the bracket;

a roller; and

a cam surface mounted to one of either the bracket or the pedal arm, the roller mounted to the other of the bracket or the pedal arm.

2. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein a biasing member is mounted to the pedal aim to bias the roller against the cam surface.

3. The brake pedal assembly of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

4. The brake pedal assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one cylindrical ring is integrated within the spring.

5. The brake pedal assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring includes grooves to assist in positioning the at least one cylindrical ring.

6. The brake pedal assembly of claim 4, wherein the spring includes protrusions to assist in positioning the at least one cylindrical ring.

7. The brake pedal assembly of claim 3, wherein the spring is a natural rubber.

8. The brake pedal assembly of claim 3 wherein a cross section of the spring varies in dimension throughout the length of the spring.

9. The brake pedal assembly of claim 2, wherein the biasing member is a damper.

10. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end mounted to the pedal arm.

11. The brake pedal assembly of claim 10, wherein the roller is mounted to the second end of the pedal arm.

12. The brake pedal assembly of claim 11, wherein a fixed leg is attached to the pedal arm.

14. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein a movable leg is disposed between the pedal arm and the roller.

18. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the cam has a first radius of curvature.

19. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein the pedal assembly includes two arms.

22. The brake pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein the pedal assembly further includes a bolt to maintain position of the pedal arm.

23. The brake pedal assembly of claim 18, wherein the bolt connects to the pedal arm.

13. The brake pedal assembly of claim 13, wherein the second end of the support member is pivotally mounted to the fixed leg.

15. The brake pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the movable leg is pivotally connected to the pedal arm.

16. The brake pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the movable leg is pivotally connected to the roller.

17. The brake pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the movable leg is an elongated member.

20. The brake pedal assembly of claim 20, wherein the pedal arm is pivotally mounted between the two arms.

21. The brake pedal assembly of claim 20, wherein the position sensor is mounted on one of the two arms.

24. The brake pedal assembly of claim 24, wherein the bolt is elongated.