Abstract: A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect a support (12) and first (14) and second (34) pedal levers. The adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) adjust the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) relative to the support (12). In particular, a stepper motor (52) and screw (32) unit moves the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along rods (28, 48). A controller (56) sends pulses of energy to each of the motors (52), measures a time to reach a predetermined resistance condition of each motor (52) during each pulse, and terminates energy to both motors (52) in response to the time being below a predetermined time period in any pulse to either motor (52), thereby synchronizing the movement of both pedal levers (14, 34).

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A stepper motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). The assembly (10) is characterized by a controller (56) sending pulses of energy to each of the motors (52), measuring the time to reach a predetermined resistance condition of each motor during each pulse, and terminating energy to both motors (52) in response to the time being below a predetermined time period in any pulse to either motor, thereby to synchronize the movement of both pedal levers together.

Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a housing (20) presenting two spaced apart inner surfaces (22) and pivotally supports a pedal arm (24). A hysteresis mechanism (30) is mounted on the pedal arm (24) and includes first and second brake elements (32, 34) to provide a resistance force to the pivotal movement of the pedal arm (24) relative to the housing (20). Each of the brake elements (32, 34) includes coacting ramps (46) along the braking axis (B) such that the brake elements (32, 34) move relative to one another along the braking axis (B) in response to the pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The coacting ramps (46) of one brake element (32, 34) is in sliding and wedging engagement with the coacting ramps (46) of the other brake element (32, 34) to move said brake elements (32, 34) relative to one another along said braking axis (B) thereby applying a resistance force equally on opposing sides of the pedal arm (24).

Abstract: A method of adjusting a control signal generated by a sensor (16) is provided. The control signal varies as a pedal lever (14) rotates between an idle position and a wide-open throttle (WOT) position. The method comprises comparing target values (PIdleT,PWotT) for the control signal at the idle position and the WOT position with initial values (PIdleNT, PWotNT) at the idle position and the WOT position to determine if the control signal needs to be adjusted. To adjust the control signal, first (26) and second (28) trim resistors are laser trimmed. An intermediate target value (PIdleInt) is determined prior to laser trimming and the first trim resistor (26) is laser trimmed until the value of the control signal at the idle position is substantially equal to the intermediate target value (PIdleInt).

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A stepper motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). The assembly (10) is characterized by a controller (56) sending pulses of energy to each of the motors (52), measuring the time to reach a predetermined resistance condition of each motor during each pulse, and terminating energy to both motors (52) in response to the time being below a predetermined time period in any pulse to either motor, thereby to synchronize the movement of both pedal levers together.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a pedal assembly (10, 110, 210) for a vehicle and a non-contact position sensor (22). The pedal assembly (10, 110, 210) includes a bracket (12. 112, 212) and a pedal arm (14, 114, 214). A pivot (16) supports the pedal arm (14, 114, 214) for pivotal movement about a pivot axis A. The pivot (16) includes a fixed element (18) and a rotatable element (20). The rotatable element (20) is rotatable relative to the fixed element (18) about the pivot axis A. The position sensor (22) is disposed on the pivot axis A. The position sensor (10, 110, 210) includes a magnetic flux sensor (24) that is supported by one of the elements (18, 20) on the pivot axis A. First (26) and second (28) magnetic poles are supported by the other of the elements (18, 20). The magnetic poles (26, 28) present opposing surfaces (30, 32) of opposite magnetic polarity.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly (10) for controlling step-over between adjacent pedal levers (18,32). A first pedal lever (18) is supported for rotation about an operational axis (A). A first adjustment mechanism (20) includes a first motor (26) to adjust the first pedal lever (18) between a first plurality of adjusted positions. A second pedal lever (32) is supported for rotation about a second operational axis (B). A second adjustment mechanism (40) includes a second motor (48) to adjust the second pedal lever (32) between a second plurality of adjusted positions. Each of the motors (26,48) is a brushless DC motor comprising a motor shaft (54,60), a plurality of sensors (H1,H1′,H2,H2′,H3,H3′) adjacent to the motor shaft (54,60), and a plurality of windings (W) surrounding the motor shaft (54,60). The plurality of sensors (H1,H1′,H2,H2′,H3,H3′)of each motor (26,48) generates a position signal indicating a position of each motor (26,48).

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). A controller (56) is programmed to detect a stall of either of the motors (52). The assembly (10) is characterized by the controller (56) having a coordinator (66) to automatically reposition at least one of the motors (52) to a corrected position in response to a stall by at least one of the motors (52).

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). The assembly (10) is characterized by each of the motors (52) being one that sequentially moves in increments of movement. The normal operation consists of discrete angular motions of uniform magnitude rather than continuous motion. A controller (56) coordinates the operation to maintain the movement of the two pedal levers in synchronization with one another.

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A stepper motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). The assembly (10) is characterized by a controller (56) sending pulses of energy to each of the motors (52), measuring the time to reach a predetermined resistance condition of each motor during each pulse, and terminating energy to both motors (52) in response to the time being below a predetermined time period in any pulse to either motor, thereby to synchronize the movement of both pedal levers together.

Abstract: A pair of first (14) and second (34) pedal levers is pivotally supported for rotation by a support (12). A pair of adjustment mechanisms (21, 41) interconnect the support (12) and the respective pedal levers (14, 34) and include rods (28, 48) for adjusting the operational position of the pedal levers (14, 34) along the rods (28, 48) between a plurality of adjusted positions. A motor (52) and screw (32) unit is attached to the inner end of each rod (28, 48) for moving the respective pedal levers (14, 34) along the respective rods (28, 48). The assembly (10) is characterized by each of the motors (52) being one that sequentially moves in increments of movement. The normal operation consists of discrete angular motions of uniform magnitude rather than continuous motion. A controller (56) coordinates the operation to maintain the movement of the two pedal levers in synchronization with one another.