Sensor for adjustable vehicle systems
First Claim
1. A sensor for an adjustable system of a vehicle, the sensor comprising:
- a mechanical interface coupled to a portion of the adjustable system, the mechanical interface capable of moving in relation to linear movement of a portion of the adjustable system; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface, the device capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the linear movement of the portion of the adjustable system via the movement of the mechanical interface;
wherein the mechanical interface comprises a mechanism that converts the linear movement to a rotational movement that changes the electrical signal; and
wherein the mechanism includes a shaft having a helical bearing surface and a carriage having a bearing surface that mates with the helical bearing surface of the shaft.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a sensor for an adjustable system of a vehicle. The sensor is utilized to facilitate monitoring of adjustment positions with respect to a reference in the system. The sensor comprises a mechanical interface that allows for the input of movement and an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface that is capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the movement of the mechanical interface. The electrical signal, which is proportional to the movement input to the mechanical interface, is utilized by a control unit for control purposes, such as to control the positioning of vehicle control pedals, control the positioning of an adjustable seat of a vehicle, or to control the temperature adjustment in a vehicle HVAC system.
-
Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A sensor for an adjustable system of a vehicle, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface coupled to a portion of the adjustable system, the mechanical interface capable of moving in relation to linear movement of a portion of the adjustable system; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface, the device capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the linear movement of the portion of the adjustable system via the movement of the mechanical interface;
wherein the mechanical interface comprises a mechanism that converts the linear movement to a rotational movement that changes the electrical signal; and
wherein the mechanism includes a shaft having a helical bearing surface and a carriage having a bearing surface that mates with the helical bearing surface of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A sensor for an adjustable pedal of a vehicle, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface in communication with the pedal such that positional adjustment of the pedal imparts linear motion to the mechanical interface, the mechanical interface including a mechanism that provides rotational motion from the imparted linear motion; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface that is capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the rotational movement provided by the mechanism of the mechanical interface. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A sensor for an adjustable pedal of a vehicle pedal assembly, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface including;
a shaft having a bearing surface; and
a carriage having a bearing surface that mates with the bearing surface of the shaft, the carriage coupled to a portion of the pedal assembly to allow linear movement in response to position adjustment of the pedal;
wherein the linear movement of the carriage causes rotational movement of the shaft; and
an electrical device coupled to the shaft of the mechanical interface that is capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the rotational movement of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. An adjustable pedal system for a vehicle having at least two vehicle control pedals, the system including a motorized adjustment mechanism coupled to each pedal that effectuates movement of the pedal to an adjusted position and a control module in communication with a sensor via an electrical circuit, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface in communication with the pedal such that linear adjustment of the pedal imparts motion to the mechanical interface, the mechanical interface including a mechanism that provides rotational motion from the imparted motion; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface that is capable of changing an electrical signal associated with the electrical circuit in relation to the rotational movement provided by the mechanism of the mechanical interface, wherein the control module of the system controls the adjustment mechanism based on the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. A sensor for use with an adjustable system of a vehicle, a portion of the adjustable system being capable of moving along a linear axis, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface in communication with the portion of the system such that positional adjustment of the portion imparts linear motion to the mechanical interface, the mechanical interface including a mechanism that provides rotational motion from the imparted linear motion; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface and being capable of changing an electrical signal in relation to the rotational movement provided by the mechanism of the mechanical interface wherein the mechanism includes a shaft having a helical bearing surface and a carriage having a bearing surface that mates with the helical bearing surface of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A sensor for use with an adjustable system of a vehicle, a portion of the adjustable system being capable of moving along a linear axis, the sensor comprising:
-
a mechanical interface coupled with the portion of the system, the mechanical interface capable of translating linear movement to rotational movement; and
an electrical device coupled to the mechanical interface and operably responsive to rotational movement provided by the mechanical interface wherein the electrical device modifies an electrical signal in relation to the movement of the portion of the adjustable system; and
wherein the mechanical interface includes a shaft having a helical bearing surface and a carriage having a bearing surface that mates with the helical bearing surface of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
-
Specification