Pedal apparatus for vehicles and a vehicle equipped with the same

• US 6,542,793 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kojima, Takao, Minowa, Toshimichi, Yoshikawa, Tokuji, Satou, Kazuhiko, Kuragaki, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/960,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20020161487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/70, 701/78, 701/93, 701/79, 303/116.1, 303/113.1, 303/113.5, 303/113.2, 303/113.4, 303/122.09, 605/54, 605/471, 180/170, 180/176, 180/177, 180/274, 180/275, 745/12, 745/13
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator

Abstract

There is provided a pedal apparatus for vehicles, which comprises a pedal reaction-force addition means 4 for adding a reaction force to a pedal 1 of a vehicle, a pedal force detection means 2 for detecting a force added to the pedal 1, a pedal reaction-force control means 3 for adjusting the output of the pedal reaction-force addition means 4. During the running of the vehicle, the pedal reaction-force control means 3 performs the adjustment of a reaction force of the pedal on the basis of the driving environment of the vehicle and the driver'"'"'s intention and judgement in pedal operation in the driving environment, whereby it is ensured that when the driver has no intention of operating the pedal, the driver can sufficiently place his or her foot on the pedal and that when he driver has any intention of operating the pedal, the driver can realize a smooth pedal operation.

Claims

1. A pedal apparatus for vehicles, comprising:

a pedal reaction-force addition means for adding a reaction force to a pedal of a vehicle for inhibiting operation of the pedal and maintaining the pedal in an initial position;

a pedal force detection means for detecting a force added to the pedal; and

a pedal reaction-force control means for adjusting the reaction force added by said pedal reaction-force addition means, said pedal reaction-force control means adjusting the reaction force by said pedal reaction-force addition means responding to the pedal force detected by said pedal force detection means to maintain the pedal in the initial position.

2. A pedal apparatus for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where a prescribed time elapses with a ratio of the force added by said pedal reaction-force addition means to the pedal force detected by said pedal force detection means being kept out of a prescribed range, said pedal reaction-force control means changes the force added by said pedal reaction-force addition means.

3. A pedal apparatus for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the output of said pedal force detection means increases and the amount of increase in the output becomes not less than a prescribed threshold value, the output of said pedal reaction-force addition means is changed.

4. A pedal apparatus for vehicles, comprising:

a pedal reaction-force addition means for adding a reaction force to a pedal of a vehicle;

a pedal force detection means for detecting a force added to the pedal; and

a status information means for giving a driver notice of the status of the force added to the pedal.

5. A pedal apparatus for vehicles according to claim 4, wherein said status information means is a pedal-status information device for giving a notice of an output ratio of said pedal reaction-force addition means to said pedal force detection means.

6. A pedal apparatus for vehicles according to claim 4, wherein, in a case where an output of said pedal force detection means exceeds a prescribed threshold value, said status information means gives a notice of the fact that the output of said pedal force detection means exceeded a prescribed threshold value.

7. A vehicle comprising a pedal apparatus for vehicles, said pedal apparatus for vehicles comprising:

a pedal reaction-force addition means for adding a reaction force to a pedal of a vehicle when the pedal is in an initial position;

a pedal force detection means for detecting a force added to the pedal; and

a pedal reaction-force control means for adjusting the reaction force added by said pedal reaction-force addition means, wherein said pedal reaction-force control means adjusts the reaction force added by said pedal reaction-force addition means responsive to the pedal force detected by said pedal force detection means to maintain the pedal in the initial position.

8. A vehicle comprising a pedal apparatus for vehicles, said pedal apparatus for vehicles comprising:

a pedal reaction-force addition means for adding a reaction force to a pedal of a vehicle;

a pedal force detection means for detecting a force added to the pedal; and

a status information means for giving a driver notice of the status of the force added to the pedal.