Accelerator pedal actuator system for automatic driving system
First Claim
1. An automatic driver system for a vehicle with an engine associated with an accelerator pedal, and including an accelerator pedal actuator system having:
- a force generating electronic actuation means mounted outside the vehicle, said electronic actuation means including a motor coupled to a tachometer for measuring rotational speed, a servo amplifier coupled to said motor and said tachometer for receiving an input signal from said tachometer and applying an output driving signal to said motor thereby controlling the speed of said motor, a lead screw assembly, driven by rotational movement of said motor, for transforming rotational movement to linear movement, and a linear displacement transducer, coupled to said lead screw assembly, for measuring linear position of said lead screw assembly.a force transmitting mechanical actuation means mounted in the vehicle for transmitting a force to contact and move the accelerator pedal, said mechanical actuation means including a mounting means whereby the height and angle of an actuating force transmitted to the accelerator pedal can be adjusted;
a flexible cable coupling the electronic and mechanical actuation means for transmitting the forces from the electronic actuation means to the mechanical actuation means translating said forces to linear movement of the accelerator pedal, and said flexible cable being coupled to said mounting means of the mechanical actuation means and extending outside the vehicle to the lead screw assembly of electronic actuation means; and
a contact sensor means for sensing contact between said mechanical actuation means and the accelerator pedal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic driver system includes an accelerator pedal actuator system with a contact sensor for sensing contact between the actuator system and the accelerator pedal. A mechanical actuation system is mounted in the vehicle to contact and move the accelerator pedal. An electronic actuator is mounted outside the vehicle for causing movement of the accelerator pedal and includes a motor coupled to a tachometer for measuring rotational speed, a lead screw assembly for transforming rotational movement to linear movement and a linear displacement transducer for measuring linear position of the lead screw assembly. The system permits a new reference point to be established each time the accelerator pedal actuator system is installed in a vehicle.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. An automatic driver system for a vehicle with an engine associated with an accelerator pedal, and including an accelerator pedal actuator system having:
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a force generating electronic actuation means mounted outside the vehicle, said electronic actuation means including a motor coupled to a tachometer for measuring rotational speed, a servo amplifier coupled to said motor and said tachometer for receiving an input signal from said tachometer and applying an output driving signal to said motor thereby controlling the speed of said motor, a lead screw assembly, driven by rotational movement of said motor, for transforming rotational movement to linear movement, and a linear displacement transducer, coupled to said lead screw assembly, for measuring linear position of said lead screw assembly. a force transmitting mechanical actuation means mounted in the vehicle for transmitting a force to contact and move the accelerator pedal, said mechanical actuation means including a mounting means whereby the height and angle of an actuating force transmitted to the accelerator pedal can be adjusted; a flexible cable coupling the electronic and mechanical actuation means for transmitting the forces from the electronic actuation means to the mechanical actuation means translating said forces to linear movement of the accelerator pedal, and said flexible cable being coupled to said mounting means of the mechanical actuation means and extending outside the vehicle to the lead screw assembly of electronic actuation means; and a contact sensor means for sensing contact between said mechanical actuation means and the accelerator pedal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification