Pedal with integrated position sensor

• US 6,809,512 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Newman, Robert L., Pfaffenberger, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patidar, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aurora, Reena
• Application Number:
  US10/357,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 123/350, 123/399, 324/207.2, 324/207.25, 324/207.24, 324/207.22, 324/207.21, 324/173, 324/174, 745/12, 745/13, 745/14, 745/60
• US Class Current: 324/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/106 Detection of demand or actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/003 for measuring position, not involving coordinate determination coordinate measuring G01B7/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/30 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2205/775 Tapered profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/38 comprising means to continuously detect pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Claims

1. A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle, the pedal adapted to being depressed by a user, comprising:

a) an elongated pedal arm having a first end, a second end and an aperture, the first end adapted to be depressed by the user;

b) a projection extending from the second end;

c) a rod;

d) a housing having a pair of side walls, the walls each having a hole, the rod extending through the aperture and the holes such that the housing rotatably supports the pedal arm;

e) a magnet mounted to the projection, the magnet movable by the pedal arm, the magnet generating a magnetic field; and

f) a hall effect sensor mounted in the housing and located adjacent the magnet, the hall effect sensor adapted to detect the magnetic field such that as the pedal arm moves, the hall effect sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

2. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second end has a friction plate attached for engagement with the wall of the housing to provide a resistive feedback to the user.

3. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pedal arm has a pair of flanges extending from and surrounding the aperture on each side of the pedal arm.

4. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 3, wherein a coil spring is mounted on around each flange.

5. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the hall effect sensor is mounted to a printed circuit board.

6. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 5 wherein the printed circuit board is mounted to a printed circuit board retainer.

7. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 6 wherein the printed circuit board retainer is mounted to a connector plate, the connector plate being attached to the housing.

8. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 7 wherein a connector shroud extends from the connector plate.

9. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 1 wherein a snap ring is affixed to each end of the rod to retain the rod in the housing.

10. The pedal and sensor assembly according to claim 1 wherein a bushing is mounted in the aperture.