Acceleration pedal apparatus

• US 20050000269A1
• Filed: 07/29/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Makino, Masahiro, Kato, Yasunari
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/1.750
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/106 Detection of demand or actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/16 End position calibration, i.e. calculation or measurement of actuator end positions, e.g. for throttle or its driving actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/20 Kickdown
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory
• 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: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/04 Stops for limiting movement of members, e.g. adjustable stop G05G5/03, G05G5/05, G05G5/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20189 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

An accelerator pedal is positioned at a kickdown position. Then, an output value of a measurement device of an accelerator pedal position sensor is measured. Thereafter, the measured output value of the measurement device is stored in a correction output value storage of the accelerator pedal position sensor along with a corresponding correction value, which is used to correct the measured output value of the measurement device. A couple of fully opened position stop members is provided and is engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is rotated to a fully opened position. Furthermore, a couple of fully closed position stop members is provided and is engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is rotated to a fully closed position.

Claims

1-9. -9. (Canceled).

10. An accelerator pedal apparatus comprising:

a support member;

an accelerator pedal rotatably supported by the support member;

an accelerator pedal position sensor for measuring an operational position of the accelerator pedal; and

a resilient engaging member, which is opposed to the accelerator pedal and is secured to the support member, wherein;

the resilient engaging member is engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is pressed to a prespecified point;

the resilient engaging member is deformed to allow further movement of the accelerator pedal and exerts resistive force against the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is further pressed beyond the prespecified point; and

the resistive force of the resilient engaging member exerted against the accelerator pedal is released when an amount of deformation of the resilient engaging member reaches a predetermined amount.

11. An accelerator pedal apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

the support member includes a projection, wherein the projection extends toward the accelerator pedal and has a stepped portion at a distal end of the projection;

the resilient engaging member includes a free end, which is spaced away from the stepped portion of the projection of the support member when the accelerator pedal is not pressed;

the free end of the resilient engaging member is engaged with the stepped portion of the projection of the support member when the accelerator pedal is pressed to the prespecified point; and

the free end of the resilient engaging member is disengaged from the stepped portion of the projection of the support member when the amount of deformation of the resilient engaging member reaches the predetermined amount.

12. An accelerator pedal apparatus comprising:

a rotatable shaft;

an accelerator pedal, which is rotatable about the rotational shaft; and

two or more fully opened position stop members, which are engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is rotated to a fully opened position by pedal pressing force applied to the accelerator pedal, so that further rotation of the accelerator pedal is restrained by the fully opened position stop members, wherein at least one of the fully opened position stop members is arranged on a first side of the rotational shaft, and at least another one of the fully opened position stop members is arranged on a second side of the rotational shaft, which is opposite to the first side.

13. An accelerator pedal apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising two or more fully closed position stop members, which are engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is rotated to a fully closed position by removing the pedal pressing force from the accelerator pedal, so that further rotation of the accelerator pedal is restrained by the fully closed position stop members, wherein at least one of the fully closed position stop members is arranged on the first side of the rotational shaft, and at least another one of the fully closed position stop members is arranged on the second side of the rotational shaft.

14. An accelerator pedal apparatus comprising:

a rotatable shaft;

an accelerator pedal, which is rotatable about the rotational shaft; and

two or more fully closed position stop members, which are engaged with the accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is rotated to a fully closed position by removing pedal pressing force from the accelerator pedal, so that further rotation of the accelerator pedal is restrained by the fully closed position stop members, wherein at least one of the fully closed position stop members is arranged on a first side of the rotational shaft, and at least another one of the fully closed position stop members is arranged on a second side of the rotational shaft, which is opposite to the first side.