Device and method for the electromotive regulation of an actuating device

• US 6,725,960 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Schonlau, Jürgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/089,659
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/277, 180/279, 180/315, 180/334, 280/775, 701/49, 745/12, 745/60, 318/551
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/36 Mounting units comprising an assembly of two or more pedals, e.g. for facilitating mounting
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A device for the electromotive regulation of an actuating device of an automotive vehicle including an electromotive adjusting device for at least one actuating member and a control unit that is electrically connected thereto, which, in turn, is connected to electric switching device, and that at least one actuation detection means that is connected electrically to the control unit is provided to monitor an actuation of the actuating member so that in the case of a safety-critical condition an electric signal which locks the electromotive regulation can be sent from the control unit, or the energization of the electromotive adjusting device can be interrupted. The present invention prevents an electromotive regulation to take place at an inappropriate time, that means during safety-critical conditions, e.g., during a brake application or when the vehicle is moving.

Claims

1. Device for the electromotive actuation of a foot actuating device for operating a vehicle, comprising:

an electromotive adjusting device coupled to at least one foot actuating member for operating a vehicle,

a control unit electrically connected to said electromotive adjusting device for sending an electrical activation signal to said electromotive adjusting device,

electric switching means connected to said control unit,

at least one actuation detection means connected electrically to the control unit for monitoring the actuation of the actuating member, wherein in the event of a safety-critical condition, said control unit does not send an electrical activation signal to said electromotive adjusting device.

2. Device of claim 1, further including wheel speed sensors which are at least indirectly connected to the electric control unit wherein the control unit does not send an electrical activation signal to said electromotive adjusting device when the vehicle is moving.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric control unit is connected to a controller by way of a data bus.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one actuation detection means is a brake light switch, a cruise control switch, or an accelerator pedal sensor.

5. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an accelerator pedal lever is provided as an actuating member, and associated with the accelerator pedal lever is a travel sensor which is electrically connected to the control unit, wherein said travel sensor senses a relative displacement between the accelerator pedal lever and a brake pedal lever in such a manner that the adjustment action is interrupted in the case of an isolated adjustment of the brake pedal lever.