Patent US5937707A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5937707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle pedal assembly including a hysteresis feedback device
Assignee: Technology Holding Co II
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Filing: 1998-04-08
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Granted: 1999-08-17
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Expires: 2018-04-08
Abstract
Abstract An electronic adjustable control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle including a carrier, a guide rod adapted to be secured to the dash panel of the vehicle and mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement along the guide rod, a power drive operative to move the carrier along the guide rod, and a pedal structure including a pedal arm pivotally mounted on the carrier and a potentiometer mounted on the carrier and operative to generate an output electrical signal proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The pedal assembly further includes a feedback apparatus for generating a feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The feedback apparatus includes a spring to exert a spring force against the pedal arm that varies in response to the pivotal movement of the pedal arm, a first friction surface on the pedal arm, and a second friction surface on the spring for wiping coaction with the first friction surface in response to the pivotal movement of the pedal arm to provide a hysteresis effect for the pedal assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Rixon
- 👤 Christopher Bortolon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:07
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/30; G05G1/40; G05G1/405; B; B60; B60K; B60K26/00; B60K26/02; B60K26/021; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/58; B60T13/585; B60T13/586; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B60T7/04; B60T7/042; B60T7/06; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60T8/321; B60T8/3255; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20534; Y10T74/2054; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A control pedal assembly adapted for use on a motor vehicle including a pedal arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a support structure mounted on the motor vehicle and a feedback apparatus for generating a feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm, characterized in that the feedback apparatus comprises: a spring mounted on the support structure and arranged to exert a spring force against the pedal arm that varies in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm; a first friction surface defined by a first friction plate secured to the pedal arm; and a second friction surface defined by a second friction plate secured to the spring and arranged for wiping coaction with the first friction surface in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A control pedal assembly adapted for use on a motor vehicle including a pedal arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to a support structure mounted on the motor vehicle and a feedback apparatus for generating a feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm, characterized in that the feedback apparatus comprises: a spring mounted on the support structure and arranged to exert a spring force against the pedal arm that varies in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm; a first friction surface defined by a first friction plate secured to the pedal arm; and a second friction surface defined by a second friction plate secured to the spring and arranged for wiping coaction with the first friction surface in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 1 wherein: the friction surfaces undergo relative wiping movement in a first direction, and generate a friction force augmenting the spring force, in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm in a pedal applying direction and undergo relative wiping movement in a second opposite direction, and generate a friction force opposing the spring force, in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm in a pedal releasing direction, whereby to provide a hysteresis effect for the pedal assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 2 wherein: the spring comprises a leaf spring fixedly secured at one end thereof to the support structure and defining a free end; and the second friction surface is defined on the free end of the leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 3 wherein: the first friction surface is defined on an upper end of the pedal arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 4 wherein said one end of said leaf spring comprises an upper end of the leaf spring and the free end of the leaf spring comprises a lower end of the leaf spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first and second friction plates are of dissimilar materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 3 wherein: the first friction surface is defined by the first friction plate secured to an upper edge of the pedal arm; and the second friction surface is defined by the second friction plate secured to the free end of the leaf spring for wiping engagement with the first friction plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 7 wherein the leaf spring comprises a laminated leaf spring and the second friction plate includes a working portion wipingly engaging the first friction plate and a tab portion positioned between laminations of the spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A control pedal assembly adapted for use on a motor vehicle including: a support structure adapted to be mounted on a body structure of the motor vehicle; a pedal structure including a pedal arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the support structure on a pivot axis; a cam surface defined on the pedal arm that is eccentric with respect to the pivot axis of the pedal arm; a leaf spring fixedly secured at an end thereof to said support structure and having a free end biased against said cam surface so that pivotal movement of the pedal arm generates a wiping action between the cam surface and the free end of the spring and varies the extent of flexing of the spring about its fixed end; and the cam surface is defined by a first friction plate secured to the pedal arm; and a second friction plate is secured to the free end of the spring for wiping engagement with the first friction plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A control pedal assembly adapted for use on a motor vehicle including: a support structure adapted to be mounted on a body structure of the motor vehicle; a pedal structure including a pedal arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the support structure on a pivot axis; a cam surface defined on the pedal arm that is eccentric with respect to the pivot axis of the pedal arm; a leaf spring fixedly secured at an end thereof to said support structure and having a free end biased against said cam surface so that pivotal movement of the pedal arm generates a wiping action between the cam surface and the free end of the spring and varies the extent of flexing of the spring about its fixed end; and the cam surface is defined by a first friction plate secured to the pedal arm; and a second friction plate is secured to the free end of the spring for wiping engagement with the first friction plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first and second friction plates are of dissimilar materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pedal assembly according to claim 9 wherein: the leaf spring comprises a laminated leaf spring and the second friction plate includes a working portion wipingly engaging the first friction plate and a tail portion positioned between laminations of the spring.
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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) | 2002-08-16 | 2003-02-15 | 2003-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-16 | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-16 | 2011-02-15 | 2011-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |