Passive pedal force emulator having coil springs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024069586-A1
Application number	US-202318240652-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 31, 2023
Priority date	Aug 31, 2022
Publication date	Feb 29, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a pedal assembly that includes a pedal arm configured to move based on a load applied thereon and a housing that includes a first housing member having a first cavity and a pushrod operably connected to the pedal arm and to the first housing member. A first cradle positioned within the first cavity. The first cradle includes a second cavity. A first pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity. A second housing member having a third cavity. A second pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity and the third cavity. When a first predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the pushrod moves which drives the first cradle against the first pair of springs such that at least a compression energy by the first pair of springs generates a first force feedback onto the pedal arm.

First claim

1 . A pedal assembly comprising:
a pedal arm configured to move based on a load applied thereon; a housing including:
a first housing member having:
a first cavity; and
a pushrod operably connected to the pedal arm and to the first housing member;

a first cradle positioned within the first cavity and operably movable in a longitudinal direction, the first cradle including a second cavity;
a first pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity;
a second housing member having a third cavity, a portion of the first housing member and a portion of the first cradle received within the third cavity of the second housing member to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second housing member based on the load;
a second pair of springs having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the second pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity and the third cavity such that the proximal end of the second pair of springs are configured to engage with the first cradle; and
an end cap coupled to the second housing member and having an interior surface, the distal end of the second pair of springs configured to engage with the interior surface,
wherein when a first predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the pushrod moves which drives the first cradle against the first pair of springs such that at least a compression energy by the first pair of springs generates a first force feedback onto the pedal arm.

2 . The pedal assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second cradle positioned within the second cavity, the first pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity between the first cradle and the second cradle; and the second pair of springs positioned to extend within the second cavity and the third cavity and between the second cradle and the interior surface of the end cap.

3 . The pedal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the interior surface of the end cap includes a receiving recess configured to receive and retain the distal end of the second pair of springs.

4 . The pedal assembly of claim 2 , wherein:
when a second predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the pushrod further moves in the longitudinal direction which drives the first cradle towards the interior surface of the end cap in the longitudinal direction and the second cradle towards an inner surface of the first cradle at a proximal end of the first cradle in the longitudinal direction.

5 . The pedal assembly of claim 4 , wherein when the second predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the first pair of springs are compressed and the second pair of springs are at least partially compressed to generate a second force feedback onto the pedal arm.

6 . The pedal assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second predetermined load is greater than the first predetermined load and the second force feedback has a greater force than the first force feedback.

7 . The pedal assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
when a third predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the pushrod further moves which further drives the first cradle in the longitudinal direction such that the first cradle abuts the interior surface of the end cap and such that the second pair of springs are further compressed to generate a third force feedback onto the pedal arm.

8 . The pedal assembly of claim 7 , wherein when the third predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the second cradle is moved to abut the inner surface of the first cradle at the proximal end of the first cradle in the longitudinal direction.

9 . The pedal assembly of claim 8 , wherein the third predetermined load is greater than the second predetermined load and the third force feedback has a greater force than the second force feedback.

10 . The pedal assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first pair of springs are coaxially aligned such that one of the first pair of springs is positioned within an inner diameter of the other one of the first pair of springs; and the second pair of springs are coaxially aligned such that one of the second pair of springs is positioned within an inner diameter of the other one of the second pair of springs.

11 . A pedal assembly comprising:
a pedal arm configured to move based on a load applied thereon; a housing operably coupled to the pedal arm, the housing including:
a first cradle positioned having a cavity and operably movable in a longitudinal direction;
a first pair of springs positioned to extend within the cavity;
a housing member having a second cavity, a portion of the first cradle received within the second cavity of the housing member to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the housing member based on the load;
a second pair of springs having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, the second pair of springs positioned to extend within the cavity and the second cavity such that the proximal end of the second pair of springs are configured to engage with the first cradle; and
an end cap coupled to the housing member and having an interior surface, the distal end of the second pair of springs configured to engage with the interior surface,
wherein when a first predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the first cradle is driven against the first pair of springs such that at least a compression energy by the first pair of springs generates a first force feedback onto the pedal arm.

12 . The pedal assembly of claim 11 , further comprising:
a second cradle positioned within the cavity of the first cradle, the first pair of springs positioned to extend within the cavity between the first cradle and the second cradle; and the second pair of springs positioned to extend within the cavity and the second cavity and between the second cradle and the interior surface of the end cap.

13 . The pedal assembly of claim 12 , wherein the interior surface of the end cap includes a receiving recess configured to receive and retain the distal end of the second pair of springs.

14 . The pedal assembly of claim 12 , wherein:
when a second predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the first cradle further moves in the longitudinal direction towards the interior surface of the end cap and the second cradle towards an inner surface of the first cradle at a proximal end of the first cradle in the longitudinal direction.

15 . The pedal assembly of claim 14 , wherein when the second predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the first pair of springs are compressed and the second pair of springs are at least partially compressed to generate a second force feedback onto the pedal arm.

16 . The pedal assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second predetermined load is greater than the first predetermined load and the second force feedback has a greater force than the first force feedback.

17 . The pedal assembly of claim 16 , wherein:
when a third predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the first cradle further moves in the longitudinal direction such that the first cradle abuts the interior surface of the end cap, the second pair of springs are further compressed to generate a third force feedback onto the pedal arm.

18 . The pedal assembly of claim 17 , wherein when the third predetermined load is applied to the pedal arm, the second cradle is moved to abut the inner surface of the first cradle at the proximal end of the first cradle in the longitudinal direction.

19 . The pedal assembly of claim 18 , wherein the third predetermined load is greater than the second

Assignees

• Ksr Ip Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Leem Daniel
• Jaboukji Amir
• Vyskocil Matthew
• Hill Benjamin Scott
• O'Neill Dan

Classifications

• G05G5/03 Primary

  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 title

• G05G1/44

  pivoting · CPC title

• G05G5/05

  Means for returning or tending to return controlling members to an inoperative or neutral position, e.g. by providing return springs or resilient end-stops (G05G5/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60T7/042

  by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors · CPC title

• G05G2505/00

  Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member · CPC title