Signal Patents (Class 74/514)
  • Patent number: 11181565
    Abstract: A method for measuring a coil property, modeled as a parallel-circuit including a capacitance with a series-circuit including a DC-voltage and frequency-dependent resistance, and an inductance and current-voltage converter series connected, by: applying an AC-voltage, having a first-frequency and a DC-voltage component, to the coil and a voltage at the current-voltage converter is captured at a second-frequency, and the impedance and phase-angle at the first-frequency are derived from n-measured values; and applying an AC-voltage, having a third-frequency differing from the first and having a DC-voltage component, to the coil and voltage at the current-voltage converter is captured at the second or fourth-frequencies, in which the impedance and phase-angle at the third-frequency are derived from m-measured values for the DC-voltage resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Eissner
  • Patent number: 9676375
    Abstract: A stroke sensor is arranged to be offset downward relative to a pedal rotational axis, and link arms which interlock the stroke sensor with a pedal are provided. The link arm includes an engaged portion (groove), with which an engaging portion provided on the side of the pedal is slidably engaged. Herein, the engaged portion (groove) is configured such that the engaging portion is slid vertically along the engaged portion (groove) by a specified length that is long enough to allow falling-off of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Matsuoka, Kota Okamura
  • Publication number: 20150143944
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal unit (1) for a motor vehicle includes an accelerator pedal (11) for controlling a propelling force of a motor of the motor vehicle, and a return spring. A position change of the accelerator pedal (11) from its starting position caused by an actuating force against a restoring force exerted by the return spring results in an increase of the propelling force of the motor, and the restoring force of the return spring returns the accelerator pedal (11) toward its starting position when the actuating force subsides. A friction device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) generates a friction force that acts in addition to the restoring force. Alternatively, an electromechanical main actuator (18) produces an additional restoring force (FZusatz) that can be variably controlled using a control unit (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Zell, Carmelo Leone, Mihaly Szasz, Norbert Silberleitner, Johannes Heydenreich, Nobuaki Okumoto
  • Publication number: 20150143945
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm which includes an accelerator pedal; a housing which supports the pedal arm between a rest position and a maximum depression position as being rotatable around a predetermined swing axis line; a first return spring which exerts urging force to the pedal arm to return toward the rest position; and a reaction force adding mechanism which adds reaction force opposed to tread force of the accelerator pedal. The reaction force adding mechanism includes a movable member movably arranged against the housing while receiving reaction force of the first return spring, a reaction force spring arranged between the movable member and the pedal arm to be capable of generating reaction force against the tread force, and a lock member capable of locking the movable member not to be movable at desired timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Tetsuo MURAJI, Yoshitomo Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20150128755
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal with a contacting position sensor. The pedal includes a housing with an interior housing wall that divides the housing into first and second interior housing chambers. The drum of the pedal arm is located in the first interior housing chamber and the sensor rotor is located in the second interior housing chamber. First and second housing side covers cover the first and second interior housing chambers respectively. The drum is mounted on and supported by the interior housing wall and the first housing cover for rotation of the drum in the first interior housing chamber relative to the pedal housing. A retainer with a pin and a clip extend through respective through-holes in the rotor and into respective slots in the drum and the clip engages against an interior shoulder in the drum for locking the rotor on the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Murray Kaijala
  • Publication number: 20150075318
    Abstract: An industrial symmetric pedal control system is provided which allows for ergonomically favorable operation by paired reciprocal control pedals which mirror an operator's right and left limbs. The reciprocal mirror control pedals allow operation of the same predetermined function within designated machinery by either the left or right foot of an operator, thus reducing fatigue while maintaining proper position at a particular workstation. Also included in the system is an ergonomically designed floor mat to provide the operator with more comfort and less fatigue while operating machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Johnson, Paul R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8978512
    Abstract: An operating pedal includes a joining portion at which a first member and a second member whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first member are overlapped with each other, and welded to each other along an end edge of the second member, a step portion being provided in the first member along the end edge of the second member by recessing a protruding portion that outwardly protrudes from the end edge so that the protruding portion is drawn back from the second member; and the first member and the second member being welded to each other at a portion extending from the end edge of the second member to the step portion of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Himetani, Nobuyuki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8960048
    Abstract: A mechanism for the adjustment of an accelerator pedal, comprising a support part (2) which is fixed to the vehicle, a control part (3) which can move in relation to the support part (2), a pedal (4) which pivots in relation to a rotary shaft (5) which is connected to the control part (3), and actuation means (6) for moving the control part (3) in relation to the support part (2). Each side of the control part (3) is equipped with at least two pins (7,8) which are housed in respective guide grooves (9,10) in the support part (2), such that the actuation means (6) can move said control part (2) along a curvilinear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Batz S. Coop
    Inventors: Bruno Souza, Fernando Burguera
  • Patent number: 8836493
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing haptic feedback to an operator of a vehicle is described including a pedal, torque motor, actuator and controller. The pedal is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The torque motor applies rotational force to the pedal. The actuator is rotatably positioned between the torque motor and pedal. The controller provides haptic feedback to the operator by sending a haptic signal via the torque motor, actuator and pedal in which rotational force is applied to the pedal to rotate the pedal toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Williams Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Thiel, Craig McConnell
  • Patent number: 8726760
    Abstract: An adjustable pendant and organ type accelerator pedal device can vary the position of a pedal assembly including a pedal pad forwards and backwards according to driver's will to thereby allow a driver to operate pedal pad in a convenient state, such that convenience is remarkably improved and merchantability is significantly improved by greatly decreasing a sense of fatigue due to operating pedal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Hojong Oh
  • Patent number: 8726759
    Abstract: A pedal arrangement (1) with a standing pedal (2) features a friction element (9) which can be pressed against a housing wall (8) of the housing (6) accommodating the associated parts; the friction element is formed by an actuating lever (10) with two lever arms (12 and 13) arranged on both sides of its pivot bearing (11). The actuating lever (10) cooperates simultaneously with one or a plurality of restoring springs or compression springs (7) which cause a backward adjustment of the actuating lever (10) after cessation or reduction of the force on the pedal (2) and via a transmission element (19) of the pedal (2). The actuating lever (10) or one of the lever arms thereof thus itself forms the friction element (9) which reduces the number of required parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Erik Mannle
  • Patent number: 8701522
    Abstract: A pendant type adjustment pedal apparatus includes an adjustment accelerator pedal that adjust a pedal clearance by the rotation of a motor, and an adjustment brake pedal that receives the rotation of motor through a rotary drive cable. Accordingly, convenience in adjusting a pedal clearance is provided, and particularly, adjustment accelerator pedal achieves a vibration mode in addition to a foot effort mode, which is an eco mode, by an electric mode generating device, such as a solenoid or a linear motor. Therefore, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency and to provide a danger recognition function using an accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Jongsang Noh, Jonggeun Cha, Hojong Oh, Donghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8706373
    Abstract: An aftermarket amplifier of acceleration signal (FIG. 2, box A), which is mounted between the potentiometer of the acceleration pedal (FIG. 2, box B) and the electronic control unit (FIG. 2, box C) and is programmed to control and to modify the signals from the accelerator pedal. The amplifier improves the acceleration of a car and overcomes the problems occurring during overreacting. The amplifier measures the signals from the acceleration pedal, calculates the change of the angle of the potentiometer of acceleration speed (angular speed) and multiplies the signals from the acceleration pedal by a value which is determined by the angular speed of the potentiometer of the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the amplifier includes a function of a cruise control, which can be controlled with a single control switch (FIG. 2, box F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Stamatios Boulekos, Dimitrios Panagopoulos
  • Publication number: 20140090512
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal comprising a housing for a pedal arm with a drum, a rotor coupled to the drum and including a contactor that slides against a strip of resistive material in the housing, and an assembly for setting and locking the index position of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor extends through a window that is defined in the housing and limits the movement of the rotor during the index setting operation. In one embodiment, a plastic pin that is either separate from or unitary with the rotor is fitted into a slot defined in the drum. In another embodiment, a potting material is deposited and cured in the slot in the drum for locking the pin in the slot. In another embodiment, the pin is unitary with the drum of the pedal arm and is press-fitted into a slot in the rotor. In a further embodiment, the drum and rotor include respective plates and the pin is a clip that locks the plates together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murray Kaijala, Daniel Wertman, John R Gietzen
  • Patent number: 8650986
    Abstract: It is provided a vehicle operation pedal in which a pedal sheet is integrally fixed to a sheet fixed portion of a pedal arm in such a posture that a depressed face of the pedal sheet, which is depressed by a driver, faces a driver's seat, comprising a fitting hole through which the sheet fixed portion of the pedal arm extends formed in the pedal sheet; and the sheet fixed portion being fitted into the fitting hole from a rear face that is on the side opposite to the depressed face, and a peripheral portion around the fitting hole being integrally fixed to the sheet fixed portion by welding performed from the depressed face side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8635930
    Abstract: An electronically controlled floor mounted pedal assembly with a position sensor includes a base. A control arm is pivotally mounted to the base member at a control arm pivot axis, and a pedal arm is pivotally mounted to the base member at a pedal arm pivot axis. The control arm free end is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the pedal arm. A friction generating member mounted on the control arm free end contacts a pedal arm friction member positioned on the inner surface of the pedal arm to generate frictional hysteresis force. A spring positioned between the base member and the control arm free end initially biases the control arm against the pedal arm. A position sensor supported on the base member about the control arm pivot axis senses angular rotation of the control arm about the control arm pivot axis as the pedal arm rotates about the pedal arm pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventors: Larry Willemsen, Dan O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8627743
    Abstract: A distal end portion of a pedal rod is press-fitted into a press-fitting hole, which is formed in a rotatable member. An intermediate portion of the pedal rod extends from and is bent relative to the distal end portion. The intermediate portion is received in a guide groove, which is formed in the rotatable member. An elongated portion of the pedal rod extends from the intermediate portion in a direction opposite from the distal end portion. A pad is provided to an end part of the elongated portion, which is opposite from the intermediate portion, and is adapted to receive a pedal force from a driver of a vehicle. The rotatable member includes a receiving hole that is adapted to receive a jig therethrough to enable the jig to contact the intermediate portion at time of press-fitting the distal end portion into the press-fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hotta, Tetsuo Hariu
  • Patent number: 8567283
    Abstract: A vehicle operating pedal device includes an operating pedal having a hollow structure; a reaction force member; a pivotal connecting portion; and a reinforcement member having a form of a flat plate and disposed between paired side walls. Paired through-holes are formed in the paired side walls which have forms of flat plates and are located on both sides in a vehicle width direction, parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the support shaft axis, at positions on a straight line that is substantially parallel to the support shaft axis, in the pivotal connecting portion. A pin insertion hole is formed in the reinforcement member at a position corresponding to the paired through-holes, a connecting pin is inserted through the pin insertion hole, and the reinforcement member is integrally fixed to the paired side walls at a portion on an outer peripheral side of the pin insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiro Himetani, Mitsunobu Hoketsu
  • Patent number: 8549957
    Abstract: A rotation angle detecting apparatus to detect a rotation angle of a rotating member, including a housing, the rotating member being disposed so as to be rotatable relative to the housing; a fixing member to fix a magnet to the rotating member; and a sensor, fixed to the housing, to detect a rotation angle of the magnet, the rotating member including an abutting part with which the magnet abuts in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotating member, and a supporting part that faces the abutting part with the magnet interposed therebetween to support the fixing member located between the magnet and the supporting part, and the fixing member presses the magnet against the abutting part by coming into contact with the supporting part and the magnet without allowing a section contacting the supporting part and a section contacting the magnet to overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ogura
  • Patent number: 8539858
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal rotates a pedal rotor when depressed. Rotors located on both sides of the pedal rotor are relatively rotatable to the pedal rotor. Second helical teeth of the rotors project toward the pedal rotor and engage with first helical teeth of the pedal rotor to bias the rotors when the pedal rotor rotates in the accelerator opening direction. The pedal rotor is rotatable to an accelerator full-close position without interfering with the first helical teeth when the pedal rotor rotates in an accelerator closing direction. A first biasing unit biases the rotors in the accelerator closing direction. A second biasing unit biases the accelerator pedal or the pedal rotor in the accelerator closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Saito, Haruhiko Suzuki, Masahiro Makino, Yoshinori Inuzuka, Tetsuo Hariu
  • Patent number: 8534157
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control pedal assembly includes a housing having a cavity formed therein which is mounted to the vehicle. A hub is rotatably attached to the housing within the cavity. The hub includes at least a portion having a circumferential outer wall having an engagement portion. The pedal assembly includes a pedal arm having a pedal pad positioned at one end, and an opposite end operatively attached to the hub such that depression of the pedal pad rotates the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventor: Dan O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20130233118
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating pedal feel. The system includes a brake pedal having a support, a brake pedal arm pivotably attached at a pivot connection to the support, and a torsion spring mounted at the brake pedal arm pivot connection. In addition, a compression spring, spaced apart from the pivot connection, is connected to the support and to the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Dan Gabor, Mark Muddiman
  • Patent number: 8522640
    Abstract: A cantilever control system including: a cantilever control arm having a bifurcated section for its attachment to a stationary structure so as to provide resistance to off-center loading, a springy portion of the cantilever control arm disposed at the bifurcated section whereby spring redundancy is provided, and a rigid section of the cantilever control arm which includes a user interface portion (i.e., a foot pad or hand grip); a diversity of sensors in terms of types and locations; a coarse flexure control in the form of a contoured snubber which tunes the flexing stiffness and cantilever control arm flexure feel; and a plurality of fine flexure controls including at least one of: a flexure hysteresis control, an over-travel stop control, and a pre-load flexure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Warwick W. Bryce
  • Patent number: 8459613
    Abstract: A strap-drive system that provides smooth, reliable potentiometer adjustment, particularly in devices used in conjunction with musical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel McRae
  • Patent number: 8438945
    Abstract: An electronic organ type accelerator pedal apparatus, may include a pedal housing having a pedal arm receiving space therein and a carrier fitting hole, a pedal pivotally hinged to a hinged portion of the pedal housing, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to an inner surface of the pedal housing, wherein one end portion of the pedal arm is elastically biased by an elastic member and the other end portion of which is pivotally coupled to the pedal through the carrier fitting hole to transfer an activating force of the pedal to the other end portion of the pedal arm, and a damping stopper fixed to the inner surface of the pedal housing in the pedal arm receiving space and selectively engaged with the other end portion of the pedal arm to limit a rotation of the pedal arm when the pedal arm is rotated by the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsik Kim, Yangrae Cho, Byungju Kim, Donghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8266982
    Abstract: A hysteresis assembly for a pedal includes an elastic member support, two adjacent hysteresis blocks, and an elastic member connecting the elastic member support to the more distant hysteresis block. The hysteresis blocks interface at a slope. The assembly is attached at one end to a mounting bracket for the pedal via a shaft, and at the other end to the pedal arm. As the pedal is displaced, the hysteresis blocks slide relative to each other and frictionally engage the mounting bracket. The frictional force is proportional to the return force generated by the elastic member. The spring rate of the elastic member, the angle of the slope between the hysteresis blocks, and the point of attachment are determined, through analysis, to provide desired hysteresis forces (i.e., idle force, frictional force, and return force) to the pedal, thus providing the feel of a mechanical pedal in an electronic pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, William Doucet
  • Patent number: 8240230
    Abstract: An electronic pedal assembly including a treadle, a pedal arm connected to the treadle, and a rotor assembly about which the pedal arm rotates. The assembly also includes one or more Hall sensors positioned within a cavity in the rotor assembly and one or more magnets that fixedly attached to the rotor assembly. The Hall sensors detect the position of the treadle by monitoring the positions of the magnets. Also, a method of monitoring an electronic pedal assembly using one or more magnets and one or more Hall sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Holding ASA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuck Peniston, Sean Rick, Jan Vondras
  • Publication number: 20120198959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a travel simulator arrangement, in particular for motor vehicle braking systems, having a travel simulator which has a means, in particular a resilient or elastic one, to represent an actuating travel as a function of an actuating force, characterised in that the travel simulator (8) has assigned to it an adaptive means which produces a variable opposing force to the travel simulator force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: IPGATE AG
    Inventors: Heinz Leiber, Christian Koglsperger, Carsten Hecker, Rainer Winzer
  • Patent number: 8205523
    Abstract: A pedal assembly is for a vehicle including a motor and a braking mechanism. An actuator pedal is coupled with the vehicle so as to be displaceable between initial and maximum displaced positions and operatively connected with the motor. A brake pedal is coupled with the vehicle so as to be displaceable between initial and park positions and operatively coupled with the braking mechanism to actuate the mechanism in the park position. A brake retainer mechanism includes a coupler connected with the brake pedal and a retainer coupled with the vehicle so as to be angularly displaceable about an axis. The retainer is releasably engageable with the coupler and the actuator pedal to prevent angular displacement of the retainer in a first direction about the retainer axis. As such, the brake pedal is retained at the park position when the coupler and the actuator pedal are engaged with the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Club Car, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Stewart, Craig D. Wieberdink
  • Patent number: 8161842
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hysteresis of an electronic accelerator pedal for a vehicle is provided, which includes a pedal arm that is pivotably connected to a housing; a friction block that is provided to be in contact with an inner wall of the housing; a friction block hole that is formed through the friction block to fit the fitting protrusion and has an elliptical shape in the longitudinal direction of the pedal arm such that the friction block fitted on the fitting protrusion slides on the bottom of the friction block mounting groove; a spring seat that is provided to be seated on the friction block; and an inner spring and an outer spring each of which one end is supported against the upper inner surface of the housing and the other is supported by the spring seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd., DH Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Donghwan Kim, Yonghwan Mo, Byungju Kim, Jongrae Lee
  • Publication number: 20110290066
    Abstract: An operating pedal device for a vehicle, includes: an operating pedal disposed at a pedal support fixed to a vehicle so as to be pivotable about an axis of a support shaft, and depressed by a driver; a reaction force member connected to the operating pedal through at least one connecting portion connecting paired members in a manner such that the paired members are relatively pivotable about a connecting pin, an output in accordance with an operating force of the operating pedal being transmitted to the reaction force member, and a reaction force corresponding to the output being applied to the reaction force member; a strain detecting element disposed in an elastic portion deformed by the reaction force, the strain detecting element electrically detecting the operating force by being deformed together with the elastic portion; in one of the paired members connected by one of the at least one connecting portion, an opening provided near the connecting pin to permit the connecting pin to be relatively displace
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Noboru Fujiwara, Takumi Uno
  • Patent number: 8028787
    Abstract: To provide a work machine in which traveling devices and an implement device can be operated by common operating levers, wherein switching operation is easy and a changeover is easily confirmed. Inside a cab of the work machine, there are provided travel pedals, with which the traveling devices can be operated, and operating levers, with which the traveling devices and the implement device can be operated. A changeover switch is provided on a console positioned in the vicinity of one side of an operating sheet. The changeover switch switches over between a traveling mode, in which traveling operation is possible by the operating levers, and a work mode, in which implement operation is possible by the operating levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Christopher Michael Burton, Nobumi Toyoura, Shigeru Kojima, Masayuki Takano
  • Publication number: 20110226086
    Abstract: An actuation system for a clutch-by-wire system includes, but is not limited to a clutch pedal, at least one position sensor sensing the actual position of the clutch pedal and providing a position signal, and at least one spring providing a load, against which the clutch pedal is movable. The spring characteristic of the at least one spring is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Eckhard Kirchner
  • Patent number: 8005588
    Abstract: To control both acceleration and deceleration of vehicles having an electric drive with regenerative braking, there is disclosed a control actuator which is biased to a neutral position, and which is controllably moveable between opposed positive and negative control positions relative to the neutral position to produce a control signal ranging from a value corresponding to zero when in the neutral position to a positive or negative value dependent on the amount of movement from the neutral position. The actuator may comprise a rocking foot pedal which is rotationally biased to the neutral position and which is pivotable against the bias both clockwise and anticlockwise from the neutral position to a desired positive or negative power control position. In one system, the signal produced by the actuator is treated as a power control signal and is conditioned and used to control vehicle power (i.e. energy flow from the vehicle battery to the vehicle's electric drive).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Gordon Ewbank Dower
  • Patent number: 8001870
    Abstract: An accelerator capable of detecting a turning angle of an accelerator pedal with high accuracy includes a bearing part, an urging part, an accelerator pedal, a stopper, and a turning angle sensor. The accelerator pedal has a turning shaft supported by the bearing part and is turned forward when a depressing force is applied thereto and is turned reversely when the urging force of the urging part is applied thereto. The stopper abuts against the accelerator pedal to limit the reverse turn of the accelerator pedal and substantially simultaneously guides the accelerator pedal in a direction equivalent to that which the urging force is applied. The turning angle sensor detects the turning angle of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Saito, Kimio Uchida, Haruhiko Suzuki, Masahiro Makino, Shigeru Hasegawa, Hiroshi Takeyama
  • Publication number: 20110132134
    Abstract: A pendant type adjustment pedal apparatus includes an adjustment accelerator pedal that adjust a pedal clearance by the rotation of a motor, and an adjustment brake pedal that receives the rotation of motor through a rotary drive cable. Accordingly, convenience in adjusting a pedal clearance is provided, and particularly, adjustment accelerator pedal achieves a vibration mode in addition to a foot effort mode, which is an eco mode, by an electric mode generating device, such as a solenoid or a linear motor. Therefore, it is possible to improve fuel efficiency and to provide a danger recognition function using an accelerator pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, DONGHEE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eunsik KIM, Yangrae CHO, Jongsang NOH, Jonggeun CHA, Hojong OH, Donghwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20110030487
    Abstract: A strap-drive system that provides smooth, reliable potentiometer adjustment, particularly in devices used in conjunction with musical instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel McRae
  • Publication number: 20110005874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a braking system (16) for a vehicle (10), particularly a commercial vehicle, having an operating brake device for providing an operating brake function for braking the vehicle, and a parking brake device (92) for providing a parking brake function independently of the operating brake system. In order to improve the functionality of the braking system in case of a fault, the vehicle can be braked automatically by means of the other braking device if one of the two braking devices partially or completely fails. The invention further relates to a brake pedal device for such a braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Beier, Uwe Bensch, Christoph Brockmann, Gerhard Bruns, Henning Förster, Olaf Jantz, Hartmut Rosendahl, Wolfgang Strache, Jens Willms
  • Patent number: 7854291
    Abstract: In a work machine equipped with a switchover means enabling selective operation of traveling devices and a work device by means of common operating levers, switchover can easily be performed and also easily recognized. In a work machine having traveling devices and a work device, operating levers that are capable of operating the traveling devices and the work device are respectively disposed at the sides of an operating seat. A foot switch connected to a controller is disposed in the proximity of and operable with a foot of an operator seated at the operating seat. While the foot switch is being operated with the foot, the traveling devices are operated by the operating levers through the controller. While the foot switch is not being operated, the work device is operated by means of the operating levers through the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Nobumi Toyoura, Shigeru Kojima, Masayuki Takano
  • Publication number: 20100294074
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm having an accelerator pedal, a housing rotatably supporting the pedal arm between a rest position and a maximum depression position, a first return spring exerting urging force to return the pedal arm toward the rest position, a reaction force adding mechanism adding reaction force opposed to tread force of the accelerator pedal; and the reaction force adding mechanism includes a movable member arranged movably against the housing while receiving reaction force of the first return spring, a reaction force spring arranged between the movable member and the pedal arm as being capable of generating reaction force against the tread force, and a lock mechanism being capable of locking the movable member not to be movable at desired timing, so that fuel consumption can be improved by exerting resistance force to driver's depressing operation to suppress excessive depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muraji, Yoshitomo Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20100251848
    Abstract: A brake booster for a motor vehicle brake system of the “brake-by-wire” type, which can be activated, on the one hand, by a brake pedal and, on the other hand, as a function of a driver's request, as well as independently of the driver's will by an electronic control unit, wherein the coupling of the brake pedal to an input element of the brake booster is embodied by a piston rod head provided with longitudinal guide openings, in such a way that a limited relative movement of the brake pedal is possible with respect to the input element, as a result of which, in particular in the “brake-by-wire” operating mode, decoupling of the force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the input element is ensured. The piston rod head is embodied as a U-shaped bent part which engages around the brake pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Holger Von Hayn, Wolfgang Kroll, Volker Ickler, Thomas Sellinger
  • Patent number: 7781941
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical footswitch that includes a base, a pedal, an encoder assembly, a wireless interface, and an internal power generator. The pedal mounts upon the base and pivots. The encoder assembly couples to the pedal. As the pedal pivots, the encoder assembly translates the mechanical signal of the pedal into a control signal based on the pedals position and/or orientation. The wireless interface couples the encoder assembly to receive the control signal. The wireless interface also couples the surgical footswitch to a surgical console operable to control and direct surgical equipment. The wireless interface passes the control signal from the encoder to the surgical console, which then directs the surgical equipment based on the control signal. This wireless interface eliminates the tangle of wires or tethers, which may be a hazard in the surgical theater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Horvath, Mark Buczek, T. Scott Rowe
  • Publication number: 20100175497
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the easiness of steadily maintaining the magnitude of treading on a foot-operated operating element, such as an accelerator pedal, while mitigating a feeling of treading on a wall at the time of start of treading on the operating element and an odd feeling at the time of easing off the operating element. A pedal-operated operation device includes a pedal arm, a support housing, a spring for urging the pedal arm in a direction of return, and a first shim and a second shim for generating a first resistance force and a second resistance force, respectively, against the relative pivotal movement of the pedal arm. A frictional engagement portion of the second shim is higher in maximum static friction force than a frictional engagement portion of the first shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Nozu, Norihiro Nishiumi, Hiroyuki Hanamura, Toshio Tanahashi
  • Publication number: 20100139445
    Abstract: An electronic organ type accelerator pedal apparatus, may include a pedal housing having a pedal arm receiving space therein and a carrier fitting hole, a pedal pivotally hinged to a hinged portion of the pedal housing, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to an inner surface of the pedal housing, wherein one end portion of the pedal arm is elastically biased by an elastic member and the other end portion of which is pivotally coupled to the pedal through the carrier fitting hole to transfer an activating force of the pedal to the other end portion of the pedal arm, and a damping stopper fixed to the inner surface of the pedal housing in the pedal arm receiving space and selectively engaged with the other end portion of the pedal arm to limit a rotation of the pedal arm when the pedal arm is rotated by the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION, DONGHEE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eunsik KIM, Yangrae CHO, Byungju KIM, Donghwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20100132501
    Abstract: A swing control apparatus for a boom comprising at least one rod attached to an arm, at least one sector gear attached to the arm and a translation gear interconnected with the at least one sector gear wherein, the movement of the rod causes movement of the arm and sector gear, resulting in movement of the translation gear which is translated into an electrical signal to thereby move the boom of the dragline excavator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ERIC & KARYN OWEN PTY LTD
    Inventor: Eric John Owen
  • Patent number: 7703801
    Abstract: A vehicle safety device includes a seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a seat position adjusting mechanism that allows the seat to move along an axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. An air-bag is mounted within the passenger compartment in front of the forward-most position. In the forward-most position a distance between a passenger seated in the seat and the air-bag is equal to a minimum safe clearance. A method of maintaining a minimum safe clearance between an air-bag mounted in a vehicle and a vehicle passenger includes preventing motion of a seat toward the air-bag beyond a forward-most position, and providing a position adjusting mechanism for at least one vehicle control pedal to allow a passenger to adjust a distance between the seat and the at least one pedal seat positioning system may be used to position a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Levine
  • Publication number: 20100087975
    Abstract: To control both acceleration and deceleration of vehicles having an electric drive with regenerative braking, there is disclosed a control actuator which is biased to a neutral position, and which is controllably moveable between opposed positive and negative control positions relative to the neutral position to produce a control signal ranging from a value corresponding to zero when in the neutral position to a positive or negative value dependent on the amount of movement from the neutral position. The actuator may comprise a rocking foot pedal which is rotationally biased to the neutral position and which is pivotable against the bias both clockwise and anticlockwise from the neutral position to a desired positive or negative power control position. In one system, the signal produced by the actuator is treated as a power control signal and is conditioned and used to control vehicle power (i.e. energy flow from the vehicle battery the vehicle's electric drive).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: GORDON E. DOWER
    Inventor: Gordon Ewbank Dower
  • Publication number: 20100037726
    Abstract: A foot pedal module (1) including an enclosure (3), a rotor (11), a foot pedal (15), two springs (17, 19) and a circuit board (33). The enclosure (3) has a trunnion (5), an outer ring (29) and a cover (39) for accommodating and protecting the rotor (11). The rotor (11) is linked with a bushing (7), a tappet, a lever (13), two haptic springs (17, 19), two damping elements (21, 23) and a driving element (27). The circuit board (33) carries an inductor array (25) which are designed as flat coils and located opposite the damping elements (21, 23). The foot pedal (15) is linked to the lever (13) and bushing (7) by a ball joint (35) and a socket (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Werner BECK
  • Publication number: 20090272221
    Abstract: A wireless controller (14) comprises a housing including a first portion (20a) and a second portion (20b) moveably attached to the first portion (20a). The first portion (20a) supports the controller (14) relative to an external surface and is adjustable between an elevated position and a collapsed position, wherein a first end of the first portion (20a) is elevated relative to a second end of the first portion (20a) when the first portion is in the elevated position. A sensing element (22) senses a position of the second portion (20b) relative to the first portion (20a) and provides a corresponding position signal. A transmitter (24) is coupled with the sensing element (22) and wirelessly transmits the position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Freedom Special Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Long, Hermann Brian Falter, Hans Noack
  • Publication number: 20090178647
    Abstract: A fuel feeding mechanism of a vehicle with an acceleration pedal position sensor includes an electronic control unit, and a throttle; the throttle is equipped with a feedback signal device, and the feedback signal device is connected to the electronic control unit; the throttle includes a pivotal shaft; a throttle position sensor is connected to the pivotal shaft of the throttle; a signal source is connected to the throttle position sensor as well as the feedback signal device of the throttle; furthermore, an accelerator pedal position sensor is connected to the electronic control unit to interfere in and change a signal of the throttle together with the throttle position sensor, thus helping to advance the time of the vehicle shifting gears and reduce fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Chun-Chih Wang