Pedal assembly with non-contact pedal position sensor for generating a control signal

• US 6,330,838 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wabash Technologies Incorporated (Sensata Technologies Holding Plc)
• Original Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
• Inventors: Kalsi, Avtar
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US09/569,003
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/14, 745/60, 123/198.DB, 307/10.1, 200/86.5, 200/61.89, 180/271
• US Class Current: 74/514
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/065 with means to prevent injuries in case of collision for vehicle pedals in general by moving them from an operative to an out-of-the way position B60R21/09
• 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 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2054 Signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal assembly (10) is mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is used to generate a control signal for vehicle system. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm (12) having a lower end (14) connected to a pedal pad (16) and an upper end (18) pivotally supported on a pivot shaft (22) to define a pivot axis (24). A housing (20) supports the pivot shaft (22) such that the pedal arm (12) is mounted for movement relative to the housing (20) about the pivot axis (24). A non-contact sensor assembly with a magnet member (26) spaced apart from a non-contact sensing surface (30) is used to generate the control signal based on pedal movement. The magnet member (26) is pivotally mounted on the shaft (22) for pivotal movement with the pedal arm (12) about the pivot axis (24) and the non-contact sensing surface (30) extends across an interior face (28) of the housing (20) to interact with the magnet member (26). Rotational movement of the magnet member (26) is converted to a linear output control signal via the non-contact sensing surface (30). A resilient member (50) is mounted within a curved pocket (54) of the housing (20). A first end (58) of the resilient member (50) is fixed to the housing (20) and a second end (62) is engageable by a camming portion (60) on the upper end (48) of the pedal arm (12) to create a hysteresis effect when the pedal arm (12) is moved from a rest position to an applied position. A cover (64) is attached to the housing (20) to enclose the sensor assembly within the housing (20) to provide a sealed environment for the magnet member (26) and the non-contact sensing surface (30).

Claims

1. A pedal assembly (10) for use to generate a control signal for vehicle system, said assembly comprising:

a housing (20);

a pedal arm (12) supported for movement relative to said housing (20) and having a first end (14) connected to a pedal pad (16) and a second end (18) pivotally supported on a shaft (22) to define a pivot axis (24); and

a rotor (26b) having a circular body portion (36) with a bore (38) for receiving said shaft (22) and a radially extending arm portion (40) interconnecting said circular body portion (36) and said arcuate body portion (34),

a magnet member including a magnet portion (26a) supported on said arcuate body portion (34) for rotational movement with said shaft (22) in response to pivotal movement of said pedal arm (12) about said pivot axis (24);

said housing (20) presenting a non-contact sensing surface (30c) for interacting with said magnet member (26) to generate an electric control signal that varies in magnitude by the extent of angular rotation of said magnet member (26) relative to said non-contact sensing surface (30),

said non-contact sensing surface (30c) being positioned adjacent to said magnet member (26) to define a gap (32) having a predetermined width, said non-contact sensing surface (30c) remaining fixed relative to said magnet member (26).

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said sensing surface (30c) is mounted within said housing (20) such that said sensing surface (30c) and housing (20) are formed as one piece.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said magnet member (26) moves in an arc about said pivot axis (24) as a force is applied to said pedal pad (16) with said magnet member (26) moving relative to said non-contact sensing surface (30c) to generate said electric control signal.

4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said non-contact sensing surface (30c) measures a varying magnetic field generated by said magnet member (26) as said pedal arm (12) pivots between operational positions and generates a linear output voltage proportional to pedal deflection.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pedal arm (12) includes an upper portion (48) extending above said pivot axis (24) for interacting with a spring (50) to provide a hysteresis effect.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said housing (20) includes a recess portion (52) with a curved side wall (54) for receiving said spring (50), said recess portion (52) having a tangentially extending notch (56) for seating a first end (58) of said spring (50).

7. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said upper portion (48) of said pedal arm includes a cam lobe (60) that applies a force to a second end (62) of said spring (50) as said pedal arm (12) pivots about said axis (24) and wherein said spring (50) is forced into frictional contact with said side wall (54) when said pedal arm (12) is pivoted from a rest position to an applied position to reduce the spring force of said spring (50) on said pedal arm (12).

8. An assembly according to claim 1 including a cover (64) for attachment to said housing (20) to enclose said magnet member (26) and said non-contact sensing surface (30) within said housing (20).

9. A pedal assembly (10) for use to generate a control signal for a vehicle system, said assembly comprising:

a pedal arm (12) having a lower end (14) connected to a pedal pad (16) and an upper end (18) pivotally supported on a pivot shaft (22) to define a pivot axis (24);

a housing (20) for supporting said pivot shaft (22) such that said pedal arm (12) is mounted for movement relative to said housing (20) about said pivot axis (24);

a sensor assembly including a magnet member (26) pivotally mounted on said shaft (22) for pivotal movement with said pedal arm (12) about said pivot axis (24) and a non-contact sensing surface (30c) extending across an interior face (28) of said housing (20) for interacting with said magnet member (26) wherein rotational movement of said magnet member (26) is converted to a linear output control signal via said non-contact sensing surface (30);

at least one resilient member (50) mounted within a curved pocket (54) of said housing (20), said resilient member (50) having a first end (58) fixed to said housing (20) and a second end (62) engageable by a camming portion (60) on said upper end (18) of said pedal arm (12) to create a hysteresis effect when said pedal arm (12) is moved from a rest position to an applied position; and

a cover (64) connected to said housing (20) for enclosing said sensor assembly within said housing to provide a sealed environment for said magnet member (26) and said non-contact sensing surface (30c).

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said magnet member (26) includes a magnet portion (26a) supported on a rotor (26b) having an arcuate body portion (34) defined by a predetermined arc length, a circular body portion (36) having a bore (38) for receiving said shaft (22), and a radially extending arm portion (40) interconnecting said circular body portion (36) and said arcuate body portion (34).

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said non-contact sensing surface (30c) is positioned adjacent to said magnet portion (26a) to define a gap (32) having a predetermined width, said non-contact sensing surface (30c) remaining fixed relative to said magnet portion (26a) such that at least a minimum gap width between said magnet portion (26a) and said sensing surface (30c) is maintained at all pedal operational positions.