US5477116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf car having modular accelerator pedal assembly with non-contacting position sensor
Assignee: Textron IPMP LP
•
Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An automobile is provided with a speed control system operably connected to a drive system of the automobile. The speed control system includes an accelerator pedal assembly having an accelerator pedal movably connected to a frame of the assembly, an actuator rod connected to the accelerator pedal, and an induction sensor stationarily connected to the frame. The sensor is adapted to generate an electrical output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor. The accelerator pedal assembly is connected to the chassis of the automobile as a substantially modular unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Journey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K26/00; A; A63; A63B; A63B55/00; A63B55/60; A63B55/61; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An automobile comprising: a chassis; a drive system connected to the chassis; and a speed control system operably connected to the drive system, the speed control system comprising an accelerator pedal assembly having a foot pedal, a movable actuator rod pivotably connected to the foot pedal, and a position sensor, the actuator rod having a section that is longitudinally moved in a receiving area of the position sensor as the actuator rod is moved, wherein the position sensor is a non-contacting position sensor for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automobile comprising: a chassis; a drive system connected to the chassis; and a speed control system operably connected to the drive system, the speed control system comprising an accelerator pedal assembly having a foot pedal, a movable actuator rod pivotably connected to the foot pedal, and a position sensor, the actuator rod having a section that is longitudinally moved in a receiving area of the position sensor as the actuator rod is moved, wherein the position sensor is a non-contacting position sensor for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automobile as in claim 1 wherein the drive system comprises an electric motor connected to a rear axle transmission and a battery pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automobile as in claim 2 wherein the speed control system includes an electrical speed controller operably electrically connected to the position sensor, the battery pack, and the electric motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automobile as in claim 3 wherein the speed control system includes a manual selector switch for selecting forward, neutral, and reverse operations of the electric motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An automobile as in claim 1 wherein the accelerator pedal assembly includes a frame having said foot pedal movably connected thereto, the actuator rod being connected to the foot pedal, and the position sensor being stationarily connected to the frame, wherein the accelerator pedal assembly is a single module that is connected to the chassis as a substantially modular unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An automobile as in claim 1 wherein the position sensor is an induction sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automobile as in claim 6 wherein the induction sensor is a linear voltage displacement transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automobile as in claim 1 wherein the accelerator pedal assembly further comprises a switch for signaling moving of the actuator rod from a home position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a golf car having a chassis, a drive system, a speed controller, and a manually actuated accelerator control, the improvement comprising: the accelerator control having a longitudinally movable induction actuator and a non-contacting induction position sensor for sensing the position of the actuator relative to the position sensor and generating an electrical output signal to the speed controller corresponding thereto, the position sensor having a receiving area that allows a portion of the induction actuator to longitudinally move therein wherein the accelerator control includes an accelerator pedal connected to an accelerator control frame, the actuator being pivotably connected to the accelerator pedal and moved by moving the pedal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a golf car having a chassis, a drive system, a speed controller, and a manually actuated accelerator control, the improvement comprising: the accelerator control having a longitudinally movable induction actuator and a non-contacting induction position sensor for sensing the position of the actuator relative to the position sensor and generating an electrical output signal to the speed controller corresponding thereto, the position sensor having a receiving area that allows a portion of the induction actuator to longitudinally move therein wherein the accelerator control includes an accelerator pedal connected to an accelerator control frame, the actuator being pivotably connected to the accelerator pedal and moved by moving the pedal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A golf car as in claim 9 wherein the accelerator control has a microswitch for signaling movement of the actuator to and from a home position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A golf car as in claim 10 wherein the actuator has an engaging portion that contacts and switches the microswitch when the actuator is moved to and from the home position. pedal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A golf car as in claim 9 wherein the position sensor is stationarily connected to the frame and the frame is connected to the chassis such that the accelerator control is connected to the chassis as a substantially modular unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A speed control assembly for a car comprising: a frame having means for connection to a chassis of the car; an accelerator pedal movably connected to the frame; a movable actuator rod connected to the accelerator pedal; and a non-contracting sensor fixedly connected to the frame, the position sensor being suitably positioned relative to the actuator rod for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor, wherein the position sensor, the actuator rod, the accelerator pedal and the frame are a modular unit that is modularly connectable to the car.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
A speed control assembly for a car comprising: a frame having means for connection to a chassis of the car; an accelerator pedal movably connected to the frame; a movable actuator rod connected to the accelerator pedal; and a non-contracting sensor fixedly connected to the frame, the position sensor being suitably positioned relative to the actuator rod for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor, wherein the position sensor, the actuator rod, the accelerator pedal and the frame are a modular unit that is modularly connectable to the car.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as in claim 13 further comprising a switch connected to the frame for signaling movement of the actuator rod from a home position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly as in claim 13 wherein the position sensor generates an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the position sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as in claim 15 wherein the position sensor is an induction position sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as in claim 13 wherein the actuator rod is longitudinally movable in a receiving area in the position sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a car having a chassis, a drive system, and a manually actuated accelerator control, the improvement comprising: the manually actuated accelerator control comprising a frame, an accelerator pedal movably connected to the frame, and a sensor stationarily connected to the frame for sensing the position of the accelerator pedal relative to the frame, the frame having means for connection to the chassis wherein the frame, the accelerator pedal and the sensor are a single module and, the module is connected to the chassis as a singular modular unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a car having a chassis, a drive system, and a manually actuated accelerator control, the improvement comprising: the manually actuated accelerator control comprising a frame, an accelerator pedal movably connected to the frame, and a sensor stationarily connected to the frame for sensing the position of the accelerator pedal relative to the frame, the frame having means for connection to the chassis wherein the frame, the accelerator pedal and the sensor are a single module and, the module is connected to the chassis as a singular modular unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A car as in claim 18 wherein the sensor is a non-contacting linear voltage displacement transducer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A car as in claim 19 wherein the accelerator control further comprises a microswitch stationarily connected to the frame for signaling movement of the accelerator pedal from a home position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automobile comprising: a chassis; a drive system connected to the chassis; and a speed control system operably connected to the drive system, the speed control system comprising an accelerator pedal assembly having a movable actuator rod, a switch and a position sensor, wherein the position sensor is a non-contacting position sensor for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor and, the switch is positioned for signaling movement of the actuator rod from a home position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
An automobile comprising: a chassis; a drive system connected to the chassis; and a speed control system operably connected to the drive system, the speed control system comprising an accelerator pedal assembly having a movable actuator rod, a switch and a position sensor, wherein the position sensor is a non-contacting position sensor for generating an output signal corresponding to the position of the actuator rod relative to the sensor without the actuator rod contacting the sensor and, the switch is positioned for signaling movement of the actuator rod from a home position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |