Three axis adjustable automotive foot controls

• US 6,431,304 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Smythe, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Application Number:
  US09/773,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20020100632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 180/334, 745/12, 745/13, 701/1, 701/49, 434/62, 434/71
• US Class Current: 180/334
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/00 Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator

Abstract

A control pedal assembly for a vehicle. Two or more control pedals are engaged to a pedal mounting system base component through a number of components that are slideably engaged to one another. The construction and arrangement of the components that are slideably engaged to one another and the engagement of those components to the control pedals and the pedal mounting system base component is such that the position of at least two control pedals is adjustable relative to one another. One or more positioning actuators are engaged to the components that are slideably engaged to one another. The positioning actuators, when activated, slide the slideably engaged components relative to one another and thus change the position of one or more control pedals. One or more position control apparatus are connected to the positioning actuators so that an operator of the vehicle can activate the positioning actuators to adjust the position of the control pedals. Pedal driven components such as pedal position sensors and hydraulic master cylinders are flexibly linked to the systems of the vehicle so that the control pedals remain functional regardless of the position to which the operator has adjusted them.

Claims

1. A control pedal assembly comprising:

(a) a pedal mounting system base component;

(b) a first series of slider components and reactor components mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(c) a first position adjustable control pedal mounted to said first series of slider components and reactor components;

(d) wherein said first series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a first slider component, a first reactor component, a second slider component, and a second reactor component;

(e) wherein said first slider component and said first reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said first slider component and said first reactor component is only allowed along a first adjustment curve;

(f) wherein said first reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said second slider component;

(g) wherein said second slider component and said second reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said second slider component and said second reactor component is only allowed along a second adjustment curve;

(h) wherein said first position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said first slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said first slider component and said first position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said first position adjustable control pedal;

(i) wherein said second reactor component is engaged to said pedal mounting system base component;

(j) wherein said first slider component, said first reactor component, said second slider component, and said second reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said first adjustment curve extends in different directions than said second adjustment curve so that an initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least two directions;

(k) a second series of slider components and reactor components which is mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(l) a second position adjustable control pedal mounted to said second series of slider components and reactor components;

(m) wherein said second series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a third slider component and a third reactor component;

(n) wherein said third slider component and said third reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said third slider component and said third reactor component is only allowed along a third adjustment curve;

(o) wherein said second position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said third slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said third slider component and said second position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said second position adjustable control pedal;

(p) wherein said third reactor component is engaged directly or indirectly to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(q) wherein said first slider component is moveable along said first adjustment curve completely independently of said third slider component which is moveable along said third adjustment curve completely independently of said first slider component such that said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal is adjustable relative to and independent of an initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal in at least one direction.

2. The control pedal assembly of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said second series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a fourth slider component, and a fourth reactor component;

(b) said third reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said fourth slider component;

(c) said fourth slider component and said fourth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said fourth slider component and said fourth reactor component is only allowed along a fourth adjustment curve;

(d) said fourth reactor component is engaged to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(e) said third slider component, said third reactor component, said fourth slider component, and said fourth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said third adjustment curve extends in different directions than said fourth adjustment curve so that said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least two directions.

3. The control pedal assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of positioning actuators each of which is engaged to a respective slider component and a respective reactor component of a pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(b) wherein each of said positioning actuators is comprised of a motivating device and connecting linkages;

(c) wherein when said motivating device of each positioning actuator is activated, said motivating device applies a sliding force to said respective slider component in a direction substantially parallel to a respective adjustment curve of said pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(d) wherein when said motivating device of each positioning actuator is activated, said positioning actuator applies a reaction force to said respective reactor component, of said pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, in a direction substantially opposite to said sliding force;

(e) one or more position control apparatus to one of which each of said positioning actuators is linked; and

(f) wherein each of said one or more position control apparatus are constructed and linked to said positioning actuators in a manner such that a user of said control pedal assembly can operate said one or more position control apparatus to selectively activate various ones of said positioning actuators, slideably translate various slideably engaged slider components and reactor components, and alter a position of one or more of said position adjustable control pedals.

4. The control pedal assembly of claim 3, wherein:

(a) one or more slide members are engaged to said slider component.

(b) said reactor component, of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, defines for each slide member that is engaged to said slider component a complimentary slide recess within which each slide member that is engaged to said slider component is disposed;

(c) a respective one of the adjustment curves is defined parallel to one or more slide recess central axes of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged.

5. The control pedal assembly of claim 4, wherein:

(a) said first series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a fifth slider component and a fifth reactor component;

(b) said second reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said fifth slider component;

(c) said fifth slider component and said fifth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said fifth slider component and said fifth reactor component is only allowed along a fifth adjustment curve;

(d) said fifth reactor component is fixedly engaged to said pedal mounting system base component, or is one and a same component as said pedal mounting system base component;

(e) said first slider component, said first reactor component, said second slider component, said second reactor component, said fifth slider component, and said fifth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said fifth adjustment curve extends in different directions than either of said first adjustment curve and said second adjustment curve so that said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions;

(f) said second series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a sixth slider component and a sixth reactor component;

(g) said fourth reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said sixth slider component;

(h) said sixth slider component and said sixth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said sixth slider component and said sixth reactor component is only allowed along a sixth adjustment curve;

(i) said sixth reactor component is fixedly engaged to said pedal mounting system base component, and

(j) said third slider component, said third reactor component, said fourth slider component, said fourth reactor component, said sixth slider component, and said sixth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said sixth adjustment curve extends in different directions than either of said third adjustment curve or said fourth adjustment curve so that said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions.

6. The control pedal assembly of claim 5, wherein:

(a) said motivating device of each respective positioning actuator is comprised of a rotary electric servomotor;

(b) said connecting linkages of each respective positioning actuator are comprised of a threaded shaft and a driven nut;

(c) said rotary electric servomotor is operably connecting a slider component and a reactor component of a respective pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(d) said threaded shaft is engaged to an output shaft of said rotary electric servomotor;

(e) said threaded shaft is threadingly engaged to a threaded bore of said driven nut;

(f) said rotary electric servomotor is linked to one or more of said position control apparatus which are constructed in a manner such that an operator can utilize said position control apparatus to activate said rotary electric servomotor and selectively cause clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of said output shaft of said rotary electric servomotor; and

(g) when said rotary electric servomotor is activated and said output shaft of said respective rotary electric servomotor rotates said threaded shaft is driven rotationally, said respective driven nut is driven along said respective threaded shaft, said sliding force and said reaction force are applied to said slider component and said reactor component respectively, and said slideably engaged slider component and reactor component translate relative to one another along a respective adjustment curve.

7. The control pedal assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

(a) a first pedal driven component engaged to said first position adjustable control pedal and said first slider component; and

(b) a second pedal driven component engaged to said second position adjustable control pedal and said third slider component.

8. The control pedal assembly of claim 7, wherein:

(a) each of said first slider component, said second slider component, said third slider component, said fourth slider component, said fifth slider component, and said sixth slider component are engaged to other slider components of said control pedal assembly only through intermediate engagement to reactor components of said control pedal assembly; and

(b) said initial position of said first position adjustable pedal is adjustable relative to and independent of said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal in at least three directions.

9. The control pedal assembly of claim 8, wherein:

(a) said first pedal driven component is a pedal position sensor which is designed to be linked to the electronic engine controller of the vehicle and relay signals to the electronic engine controller related to a position of said first position adjustable control pedal relative to said first slider component;

(b) wherein said first pedal driven component is designed to be flexibly linked to the electronic engine controller of the vehicle such that when said control pedal assembly is mounted to the vehicle said first position adjustable control pedal and said pedal position sensor remain functional regardless of where an operator adjusts said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal;

(c) said second pedal driven component is either a hydraulic master cylinder or a fluid control valve that is designed to be linked to the braking system of the vehicle; and

(d) wherein said second pedal driven component is designed to be flexibly linked to the braking system of the vehicle such that when said control pedal assembly is mounted to the vehicle said second position adjustable control pedal and said second pedal driven component remain functional regardless of where an operator adjusts said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal.

10. The control pedal assembly of claim 9, wherein:

(a) each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged is comprised of only one slide member that is fixedly engaged to said slider component;

(b) each reactor component, of said each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, defines an only slide recess of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component;

(c) said slide recess central axes of each slide recess is a straight line and thus a respective adjustment curve of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged is a straight line;

(d) said slider components and said reactor components of said first series of slider components and reactor components are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said slide recess central axes of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component of said first series of slider components and reactor components are disposed substantially perpendicular to slide recess central axes of all other slideably engaged slider components and reactor components of said first series of slider components and reactor components;

(e) said slider components and said reactor components of said second series of slider components and reactor components are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said slide recess central axes of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component of said second series of slider components and reactor components are disposed substantially perpendicular to slide recess central axes of all other slideably engaged slider components and reactor components of said second series of slider components and reactor components;

(f) each rotary electric servomotor of each positioning actuator of said control pedal assembly is fixedly engaged to an end portion of a reactor component with said output shaft of each rotary electric servo motor disposed substantially parallel to slide recess central axes of slide recesses defined by said reactor component to which each rotary electric servomotor is fixedly engaged; and

(g) each driven nut is fixedly engaged to a slider component with a bore axis of each threaded bore of each driven nut disposed substantially parallel to slide member central axes of slide members that are engaged to said slider component to which said each driven nut is fixedly engaged to.

11. The control pedal assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

(a) a third series of slider components and reactor components mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(b) a third position adjustable control pedal mounted to said third series of slider components and reactor components;

(c) wherein said third series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a seventh slider component, a seventh reactor component, an eighth slider component, an eighth reactor component, a ninth slider component, and a ninth reactor component;

(d) wherein said seventh slider component and said seventh reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said seventh slider component and said seventh reactor component is only allowed along a seventh adjustment curve;

(e) wherein said seventh reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said eighth slider component;

(f) wherein said eighth slider component and said eighth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said eighth slider component and said eighth reactor component is only allowed along an eighth adjustment curve;

(g) wherein said eighth reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said ninth slider component;

(h) wherein said ninth slider component and said ninth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said ninth slider component and said ninth reactor component is only allowed along a ninth adjustment curve;

(i) wherein said third position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said seventh slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said seventh slider component and said third position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said third position adjustable control pedal;

(j) wherein said ninth reactor component is fixedly engaged to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(k) wherein said seventh slider component, said seventh reactor component, said eighth slider component, said eighth reactor component, said ninth slider component, and said ninth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said seventh adjustment curve, said eighth adjustment curve, and said ninth adjustment curve each extend in different directions relative to one another so that an initial position of said third position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions.

12. The control pedal assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

(a) a model base component to which said pedal mounting system base component is mounted;

(b) a seat which is mounted to said model base component; and

(c) wherein said seat is disposed on a same side of said pedal mounting system base component as are said first position adjustable control pedal and said second position adjustable control pedal.

13. The control pedal assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

(a) a model base component to which said pedal mounting system base component is mounted;

(b) a seat which is mounted to said model base component; and

(c) wherein said seat is disposed on a same side of said pedal mounting system base component as are said first position adjustable control pedal and said second position adjustable control pedal.

14. The control pedal assembly of claim 3, wherein:

(a) said one or more position control apparatus are comprised of a position control computer that is controllably linked to one or more of said one or more positioning actuators;

(b) said position control computer operates according to an algorithm encoded in a computer program which is embodied in a computer readable medium;

(c) said computer program causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) determining position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals;

ii) displaying said position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals so that a user of said position control computer may be aware of said position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals;

iii) upon a user acting upon computer control devices of said position control computer in a certain manner, activating one or more of said motivating devices of said positioning actuators to slideably drive a respective one or more of said slider components relative to a respective said one or more reactor components that they are slideably engaged to until said user stops acting upon said computer control devices in said certain manner; and

iv) receiving input from said user related to position coordinates that said user would like each position adjustable control pedal to be located at and subsequently activating various of said motivating devices of said control pedal assembly until position coordinates of each position adjustable control pedal are equal to said position coordinates input by said user.

15. The control pedal assembly of claim 14, wherein:

(a) said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to further perform the steps of;

i) receiving from a user of said position control computer one or more control pedal position profiles and an equal number of associated control pedal position profile names;

ii) storing each of said control pedal position profiles and each associated control pedal position profile name received from said user of said position control computer in computer memory in a linked manner; and

iii) upon a user of said position control computer selecting a control pedal position profile name and commanding said position control computer to drive said position adjustable control pedals to position coordinates of an associated control pedal position profile, activating various of said motivating devices until each position adjustable control pedal is located in a position such that its position coordinates are equal to those of said control pedal position profile that is associated with said control pedal position profile name selected by said user.

16. The control pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein:

(a) upon initiation of a survey mode of operation of said computer program by a user and before termination of said survey mode of operation of said computer program by said user, said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) prompting said user for profile information of a current survey participant;

ii) upon entry of profile information of said current survey participant, and subsequently being commanded by said user to store said profile information, storing said profile information of said current survey participant in computer memory;

iii) prompting a user to select one of a plurality of said control pedal position profile names;

iv) after said user selects a control pedal position profile name, activating various of said motivating devices until said position adjustable control pedals have position coordinates equal to a control pedal position profile associated with said control pedal position profile name that was selected by said user;

v) prompting said user for comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant related to said control pedal position profile associated with said control pedal position profile name that said user has selected;

vi) upon entry of said comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant and subsequently being commanded by said user to store said comments and/or scoring, storing in memory said comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant related to said control pedal position profile associated with the control pedal position profile name that was selected by said user of the position control computer;

vii) repeating steps iii through vi until each of a select set of control pedal position profiles that are stored in computer memory have been studied by said current survey participant or until said user of said position control computer commands said position control computer to advance to a next survey participant; and

viii) repeating steps i through vii until said user of said position control computer chooses to terminate operation of said survey mode of operation of said computer program.

17. The control pedal assembly of claim 16, wherein:

(a) said control pedal assembly is further comprised of one or more adjustment limiting systems;

(b) said one or more adjustment limiting systems are each comprised of one or more limit switches engaged to one or more of said reactor components and/or one or more of said slider components of said control pedal assembly;

(c) said limit switches are electrically linked either directly or indirectly to one or more of said positioning actuators and/or one or more of said position control apparatus;

(d) each of said one or more adjustment limiting systems are constructed and engaged to said control pedal assembly in a manner such that when each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component are positioned relative to one another within a respective intended range of relative positions, activation of a respective positioning actuator that is engaged to each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component is enabled in either direction;

(e) each of said one or more adjustment limiting systems are constructed and engaged to said control pedal assembly in a manner such that when a respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component are slideably driven by a respective positioning actuator to a relative position that is at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions a respective adjustment limiting system disables activation of said respective positioning actuator in said direction that said respective positioning actuator slideably drove said respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component to a relative position at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions, thus, said adjustment limiting system disables said respective positioning actuator from slideably driving said respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component from a relative position at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions to a relative position outside said respective intended range of relative positions;

(f) each rotary electric servomotor of said one or more motivating devices is a rotary electric stepper motor;

(g) each rotary electric stepper motor is constructed and electrically linked to said position control computer in a manner such that each rotary electric stepper motor transmits signals related to a number of revolutions and fractions thereof that said rotary electric stepper motor is driven through, to said position control computer;

(h) each of said threaded shafts of said positioning actuators has a constant thread pitch;

(i) said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) upon initiation of operation of said computer program, positioning each position adjustable control pedal in a home position for which position coordinates are known, by activating each motivating device of said positioning actuators in a predetermined direction until each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component reach a relative position at an outer bound of said intended range of relative positions for each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component and said one or more adjustment limiting systems of said control pedal assembly disables activation of each of said motivating devices in said predetermined direction;

ii) subsequently calculating, based upon said electrical signals, that said rotary electric stepper motor transmits to said position control computer, related to a number of revolutions and fractions thereof that said rotary electric stepper motor is driven through, the total number of revolutions and fractions thereof that each rotary electric stepper motor has been driven in each direction since said position adjustable control pedals were located at said home position;

iii) calculating, based upon a total number of revolutions of each rotary electric stepper motor in each direction and said constant thread pitch of each respective threaded shaft, a total displacement of each position adjustable control pedal in each direction from said home position; and

iv) calculating, based upon a total displacement of each position adjustable control pedal in each direction and position coordinates of said home position, current position coordinates of each position adjustable control pedal.

18. A vehicle, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a suspension, for supporting said vehicle, engaged to said frame;

(c) a drivetrain, for motivating said vehicle, engaged to said frame and said suspension;

(d) an operator cabin, from which an operator operates said vehicle, engaged to said frame;

(e) wherein said operator cabin is comprised of a dash panel disposed at a forward side of said operator cabin;

(f) a control pedal assembly;

(g) wherein said control pedal assembly is comprised of a pedal mounting system base component which is either directly or indirectly engaged to said dash panel or is a same component as said dash panel;

(h) wherein said control pedal assembly is further comprised of a first series of slider components and reactor components mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(i) wherein said control pedal assembly is further comprised of a first position adjustable control pedal mounted to said first series of slider components and reactor components;

(j) wherein said first series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a first slider component, a first reactor component, a second slider component, and a second reactor component;

(k) wherein said first slider component and said first reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said first slider component and said first reactor component is only allowed along a first adjustment curve;

(l) wherein said first reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said second slider component;

(m) wherein said second slider component and said second reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said second slider component and said second reactor component is only allowed along a second adjustment curve;

(n) wherein said first position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said first slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said first slider component and said first position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said first position adjustable control pedal;

(o) wherein said second reactor component is engaged to said pedal mounting system base component;

(p) wherein said first slider component, said first reactor component, said second slider component, and said second reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said first adjustment curve extends in different directions than said second adjustment curve so that an initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least two directions;

(q) wherein said control pedal assembly is further comprised of a second series of slider components and reactor components which is mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(r) wherein said control pedal assembly is further comprised of a second position adjustable control pedal mounted to said second series of slider components and reactor components;

(s) wherein said second series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a third slider component and a third reactor component;

(t) wherein said third slider component and said third reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said third slider component and said third reactor component is only allowed along a third adjustment curve;

(u) wherein said second position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said third slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said third slider component and said second position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said second position adjustable control pedal;

(v) wherein said third reactor component is engaged directly or indirectly to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(w) wherein said first slider component is moveable along said first adjustment curve completely independently of said third slider component which is moveable along said third adjustment curve completely independently of said first slider component such that said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal is adjustable relative to and independent of an initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal in at least one direction.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein:

(a) said second series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a fourth slider component, and a fourth reactor component;

(b) said third reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said fourth slider component;

(c) said fourth slider component and said fourth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said fourth slider component and said fourth reactor component is only allowed along a fourth adjustment curve;

(d) said fourth reactor component is engaged to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(e) said third slider component, said third reactor component, said fourth slider component, and said fourth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said third adjustment curve extends in different directions than said fourth adjustment curve so that said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least two directions.

20. The Vehicle of claim 19, wherein:

(a) said control pedal assembly is further comprised of a plurality of positioning actuators each of which is engaged to a respective slider component and a respective reactor component of a pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(b) each of said positioning actuators is comprised of a motivating device and connecting linkages;

(c) when said motivating device of each positioning actuator is activated said positioning actuator applies a sliding force to said respective slider component in a direction substantially parallel to a respective adjustment curve of said pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(d) when said motivating device of each positioning actuator is activated, said positioning actuator applies a reaction force to said respective reactor component, of said pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, in a direction substantially opposite to said sliding force;

(e) said control pedal assembly is further comprised of one or more position control apparatus to one of which each of said positioning actuators is linked; and

(f) each of said one or more position control apparatus are constructed and linked to said positioning actuators in a manner such that a user of said control pedal assembly can operate said one or more position control apparatus to activate said positioning actuators and alter a position of one or more of said position adjustable control pedals.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein:

(a) one or more slide members are engaged to said slider component;

(b) said reactor component, of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, defines for each slide member that is engaged to said slider component a complimentary slide recess within which each slide member that is engaged to said slider component is disposed;

(c) a respective one of the adjustment curves is defined parallel to one or more slide recess central axes of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged.

22. The Vehicle of claim 21, wherein:

(a) said first series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a fifth slider component and a fifth reactor component;

(b) said second reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said fifth slider component;

(c) said fifth slider component and said fifth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said fifth slider component and said fifth reactor component is only allowed along a fifth adjustment curve;

(d) said fifth reactor component is fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said pedal mounting system base component;

(e) said first slider component, said first reactor component, said second slider component, said second reactor component, said fifth slider component, and said fifth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said fifth adjustment curve extends in different directions than either of said first adjustment curve and said second adjustment curve so that said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions;

(f) said second series of slider components and reactor components is further comprised of a sixth slider component and a sixth reactor component;

(g) said fourth reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said sixth slider component;

(h) said sixth slider component and said sixth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said sixth slider component and said sixth, reactor component is only allowed along a sixth adjustment curve;

(i) said sixth reactor component is fixedly engaged to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(j) said third slider component, said third reactor component, said fourth slider component, said fourth reactor component, said sixth slider component, and said sixth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said sixth adjustment curve extends in different directions than either of said third adjustment curve and said fourth adjustment curve so that an initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein:

(d) said motivating device of each respective positioning actuator is comprised of a rotary electric servomotor;

(e) said connecting linkages of each respective positioning actuator are comprised of a threaded shaft and a driven nut;

(f) said rotary electric servomotor is operably connecting a slider component and a reactor component of a respective pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged;

(d) said threaded shaft is engaged to an output shaft of said rotary electric servomotor;

(e) said threaded shaft is threadingly engaged to a threaded bore of said driven nut;

(f) said rotary electric servomotor is linked to one or more of said position control apparatus which are constructed in a manner such that an operator can utilize said position control apparatus to activate said rotary electric servomotor and selectively cause clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of said output shaft of said rotary electric servomotor; and

(g) when said rotary electric servomotor is activated and said output shaft of said respective rotary electric servomotor rotates said threaded shaft is driven rotationally, said respective driven nut is driven along said respective threaded shaft, said sliding force and said reaction force are applied to said slider component and said reactor component respectively, and said slideably engaged slider component and reactor component translate relative to one another along a respective adjustment curve.

24. The Vehicle of claim 23, further comprising:

(a) a first pedal driven component engaged to said first position adjustable control pedal and said first slider component; and

(b) a second pedal driven component engaged to said second position adjustable control pedal and said third slider component.

25. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein:

(a) each of said first slider component, said second slider component, said third slider component, said fourth slider component, said fifth slider component and said sixth slider component are engaged to other slider components of said control pedal assembly only through intermediate engagement to reactor components of said control pedal assembly; and

(b) said initial position of said first position adjustable pedal is adjustable relative to and independent of said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal in at least three directions.

26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein:

(a) said first pedal driven component is a pedal position sensor which is linked to an electronic engine controller of said vehicle and relays signals to said electronic engine controller related to a position of said first position adjustable pedal relative to said first slider component;

(b) wherein said first pedal driven component is flexibly linked to said electronic engine controller of said vehicle such that said first position adjustable control pedal and said pedal position sensor remain functional regardless of where an operator adjusts said initial position of said first position adjustable control pedal;

(c) said second pedal driven component is either a hydraulic master cylinder or a fluid control valve that is linked to a braking system of said vehicle; and

(d) wherein said second pedal driven component is flexibly linked to said braking system of said vehicle such that said second position adjustable control pedal and said second pedal driven component remain functional regardless of where an operator adjusts said initial position of said second position adjustable control pedal.

27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein:

(a) said each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged is comprised of only .one slide member engaged to said slider component;

(b) each reactor component, of said each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged, defines an only slide recess of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component;

(c) said slide recess central axes of each slide recess is a straight line and thus a respective adjustment curve of each pair of a slider component and a reactor component that are slideably engaged is a straight line;

(d) said slider components and said reactor components of said first series of slider components and reactor components are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said slide recess central axes of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component of said first series of slider components and reactor components are disposed substantially perpendicular the slide recess central axes of all other slideably engaged slider components and reactor components of said first series of slider components and reactor components;

(e) said slider components and said reactor components of said second series of slider components and reactor components are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said slide recess central axes of each slideably engaged slider component and reactor component of said second series of slider components and reactor components are disposed substantially perpendicular to the slide recess central axes of all other slideably engaged slider components and reactor components of said second series of slider components and reactor components;

(f) each rotary electric servomotor of, each positioning actuator of said control pedal assembly is fixedly engaged to an end portion of a reactor component with said output shaft of each rotary electric servo motor disposed substantially parallel to slide recess central axes of slide recesses defined by said reactor component to which each rotary electric servomotor is fixedly engaged; and

(g) each driven nut is fixedly engaged to a slider component with a bore axis of each threaded bore of each driven nut disposed substantially parallel to slide member central axes of slide members that are engaged to said slider component to which said each driven nut is fixedly engaged to.

28. The vehicle of claim 27, further comprising:

(a) a third series of slider components and reactor components mounted to said pedal mounting system base component;

(b) a third position adjustable control pedal mounted to said third series of slider components and reactor components;

(c) wherein said third series of slider components and reactor components is comprised of a seventh slider component, a seventh reactor component, an eighth slider component, an eighth reactor component, a ninth slider component, and a ninth reactor component;

(d) wherein said seventh slider component and said seventh reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said seventh slider component and said seventh reactor component is only allowed along a seventh adjustment curve;

(e) wherein said seventh reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is one and a same component as said eighth slider component;

(f) wherein said eighth slider component and said eighth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said eighth slider component and said eighth reactor component is only allowed along an eighth adjustment curve;

(g) wherein said eighth reactor component is either fixedly engaged to or is a same component as said ninth slider component;

(h) wherein said ninth slider component and said ninth reactor component are constructed and slideably engaged to one another in a manner such that relative translation between said ninth slider component and said ninth reactor component is only allowed along a ninth adjustment curve;

(i) wherein said third position adjustable control pedal is engaged to said seventh slider component in a manner preventing any substantial relative motion between said seventh slider component and said third position adjustable control pedal other than operational motions of said third position adjustable control pedal;

(j) wherein said ninth reactor component is fixedly engaged to said pedal mounting system base component; and

(k) wherein said seventh slider component, said seventh reactor component, said eighth slider component, said eighth reactor component, said ninth slider component, and said ninth reactor component are constructed and engaged to one another in an orientation such that said seventh adjustment curve, said eighth adjustment curve, and said ninth adjustment curve each extend in different directions relative to one another so that an initial position of said third position adjustable control pedal relative to said pedal mounting system base component is adjustable in at least three directions.

29. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein:

(a) said one or more position control apparatus are comprised of a position control computer that is controllably linked to one or more of said one or more positioning actuators;

(b) said position control computer operates according to an algorithm encoded in a computer program which is embodied in a computer readable medium;

(c) said computer program causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) determining position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals;

ii) displaying said position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals so that a user of said position control computer may be aware of said position coordinates of each of said position adjustable control pedals;

iii) upon a user acting upon computer control devices of said position control computer in a certain manner, activating one or more of. said motivating devices of said positioning actuators to slideably drive a respective one or more of said slider components relative to said reactor components that they are slideably engaged to until said user stops acting upon said computer control devices in said certain manner; and

iv) receiving input from said user related to position coordinates that said user would like each position adjustable control pedal to be located at and subsequently, upon being commanded to do so by said user, activating various of said motivating devices of said control pedal assembly until position coordinates of each position adjustable control pedal are equal to said position coordinates input by said user.

30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein:

(a) said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to further perform the steps of;

i) receiving from a user of said position control computer one or more control pedal position profiles and an equal number of associated control pedal position profile names;

ii) storing each of said control pedal position profiles and each associated control pedal position profile name received from said user of said position control computer in computer memory in a linked manner; and

iii) upon a user of said position control computer selecting a control pedal position profile name and commanding said position control computer to drive said position adjustable control pedals to position coordinates of an associated control pedal position profile, activating various of said motivating devices of positioning actuators until each position adjustable control pedal is located in a position such that its position coordinates are equal to those of said control pedal position profile associated with said control pedal position profile name selected by said user.

31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein:

(a) upon initiation of a survey mode of operation of said computer program by a user and before termination of said survey mode of operation of said computer program by said user, said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) prompting the user for profile information of a current survey participant;

ii) upon entry of profile information of said current survey participant, and subsequently being commanded by said user to store said profile information, storing said profile information of said current survey participant in computer memory;

iii) prompting a user to select one of a plurality of said control pedal position profile names;

iv) after said user selects a control pedal position profile name, activating variously motivating devices until position coordinates of said position adjustable control pedals are equal to position coordinates of a control pedal position profile associate with said control pedal position profile name that was selected by said user;

v) prompting said user for comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant related to said control pedal position profile associated with said control pedal position profile name that said user has selected;

vi) upon entry of said comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant and subsequently being commanded by said user to store said comments and/or scoring, storing in computer memory said comments and/or scoring from said current survey participant;

vii) repeating steps iii through vi until each one of a select set of control pedal position profiles that are stored in computer memory have been studied by said current survey participant or until said user of said position control computer commands said position control computer to advance to a next survey participant; and

viii) repeating steps i through vii until said user of said position control computer chooses to terminate operation of said survey mode of said computer program.

32. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein:

(a) said control pedal assembly is further comprised of one or more adjustment limiting systems;

(b) said one or more adjustment limiting systems are each comprised of one or more limit switches engaged to one or more of said reactor components and/or one or more of said slider components of said control pedal assembly;

(c) said limit switches are electrically linked either directly or indirectly to one or more of said positioning actuators and/or one or more of said position control apparatus;

(d) each of said one or more adjustment limiting systems are constructed and engaged to said control pedal assembly in a manner such that when each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component are positioned relative to one another within a respective intended range of relative positions, activation of each respective positioning actuator that is engaged to each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component is enabled in either direction;

(e) each of said one or more adjustment limiting systems are constructed and engaged to said control pedal assembly in a manner such that when a respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component are slideably driven by a respective positioning actuator to a relative position that is at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions a respective adjustment limiting system disables activation of said respective positioning actuator in said direction that said positioning actuator slideably drove said respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component to a relative position at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions, thus, said adjustment limiting system disables said respective positioning actuator from slideably driving said respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component from a relative position at an outer bound of said respective intended range of relative positions to a relative position outside said respective intended range of relative positions;

(f) each of said one or more rotary electric servomotor is a rotary electric stepper motor;

(g) each rotary electric stepper motor is constructed and electrically linked to said position control computer in a manner such that each rotary electric stepper motor transmits signals to said position control computer related to a number of revolutions and fractions thereof that said rotary electric stepper motor is driven through;

(h) each of said threaded shafts of said positioning actuators has a constant thread pitch;

(i) said computer program product embodied in computer readable medium causes said position control computer to perform the steps of;

i) upon initiation of operation of said computer program, positioning each position adjustable control pedal in a home position, for which position coordinates are known, by activating each motivating device of said positioning actuators in a predetermined direction until each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component reach a relative position at an outer bound of said intended range of relative positions for each respective slideably engaged slider component and reactor component and said one or more adjustment limiting systems of said control pedal assembly disable activation of each of said motivating devices in said predetermined direction;

ii) subsequently calculating, based upon said electrical signals said rotary electric stepper motor transmits to said position control computer related to a number of revolutions and fractions thereof that said rotary electric stepper motor is driven through, the total number of revolutions and fractions thereof that each rotary electric stepper motor has been driven in each direction since said position adjustable control pedals were located at said home position;

iii) calculating, based upon a total number of revolutions of each rotary electric stepper motor in each direction and said constant thread pitch of each respective threaded shaft, a total displacement of each position adjustable control pedal in each direction from said home position; and

iv) calculating, based upon a total displacement of each position adjustable control pedal in each direction and position coordinates of said home position, current position coordinates of each position adjustable control pedal.