Electrical control apparatus with unidirectional tactile indicator
First Claim
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1. A control apparatus for producing an electrical signal representative of the position of a movable control member to which it is coupled, said apparatus comprising:
- a. a rotary member rotatable about an axis from a first angular position to a second angular position;
b. coupling means for coupling the rotary member to the control member to effect rotation of the rotary member with movement of the control member, such that the angular position of the rotary member represents the position of the control member;
c. biasing means for urging the rotary member toward the first angular position against a force to be transmitted by the coupling means from the control member;
d. first engagement means attached to the rotary member for movement with said member along a predetermined path; and
e. second engagement means disposed for obstructing said path by contacting the first engagement means at a predetermined angular position of the rotary member corresponding to a threshold position of the control member,one of said first and second engagement means comprising resilient engagement means which substantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in a first direction to the predetermined angular position and which allows the other engagement means to traverse beyond said resilient engagement means such that said resilient engagement means produces substantially no opposition to movement by the other engagement means, but which insubstantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in an opposite second direction to the predetermined angular position.
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Abstract
A control apparatus produces an electrical signal representative of the position of a manually-operable control member, such as an accelerator pedal. The apparatus includes a rotary member which simulates the position of the control member and which engages a resilient obstruction when it is rotated to a threshold position. This obstruction offers substantial resistance when the rotary member engages it in a first direction, but not when the rotary member engages the obstruction in an opposite second direction.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A control apparatus for producing an electrical signal representative of the position of a movable control member to which it is coupled, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a rotary member rotatable about an axis from a first angular position to a second angular position; b. coupling means for coupling the rotary member to the control member to effect rotation of the rotary member with movement of the control member, such that the angular position of the rotary member represents the position of the control member; c. biasing means for urging the rotary member toward the first angular position against a force to be transmitted by the coupling means from the control member; d. first engagement means attached to the rotary member for movement with said member along a predetermined path; and e. second engagement means disposed for obstructing said path by contacting the first engagement means at a predetermined angular position of the rotary member corresponding to a threshold position of the control member, one of said first and second engagement means comprising resilient engagement means which substantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in a first direction to the predetermined angular position and which allows the other engagement means to traverse beyond said resilient engagement means such that said resilient engagement means produces substantially no opposition to movement by the other engagement means, but which insubstantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in an opposite second direction to the predetermined angular position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control apparatus for producing an electrical signal representative of the position of a movable control member to which it is coupled, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a rotary member rotatable about an axis from a first angular position to a second angular position; b. coupling means for coupling the rotary member to the control member to effect rotation of the rotary member with movement of the control member, such that the angular position of the rotary member represents the position of the control member; c. biasing means for urging the rotary member toward the first angular position against a force to be transmitted by the coupling means from the control member; d. first engagement means attached to the rotary member for movement with said member along a predetermined path; and e. second engagement means disposed for obstructing said path by contacting the first engagement means at a predetermined angular position of the rotary member corresponding to a threshold position of the control member, one of said first and second engagement means comprising resilient engagement means which substantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in a first direction to the predetermined angular position, but which insubstantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in an opposite second direction to the predetermined angular position, wherein said one of said first and second engagement means comprises; a contact member which is movable relative to the predetermined path when it is contacted by the other engagement means; first spring means for resiliently urging the contact member against said other engagement means with a substantial force when the rotary member is rotated in the first direction; and second spring means for resiliently urging the contact member against said other engagement means with an insubstantial force when the rotary member is rotated in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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11. A control apparatus for producing an electrical signal representative of the position of a movable control member to which it is coupled, said apparatus comprising:
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a. a rotary member rotatable about an axis from a first angular position to a second angular position; b. coupling means for coupling the rotary member to the control member to effect rotation of the rotary member with movement of the control member, such that the angular position of the rotary member represents the position of the control member; c. biasing means for urging the rotary member toward the first angular position against a force to be transmitted by the coupling means from the control member; d. first engagement means attached to the rotary member for movement with said member along a predetermined path; and e. second engagement means disposed for obstructing said path by contacting the first engagement means at a predetermined angular position of the rotary member corresponding to a threshold position of the control member, one of said first and second engagement means comprising resilient engagement means which substantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in a first direction to the predetermined angular position, but which insubstantially opposes passage of the other engagement means when the rotary member is rotated in an opposite second direction to the predetermined angular position, wherein said one of said first and second engagement means comprises; a contact member which is movable relative to the predetermined path when it is contacted by the other engagement means; a first member, rotatable about a first axis against a substantial first moment, for resiliently urging the contact member against said other engagement means with a substantial force when the rotary member is rotated in the first direction; and a second member, rotatable about a second axis against an insubstantial second moment, for resiliently urging the contact member against said other engagement means with an insubstantial force when the rotary member is rotated in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification