| 摘要 |
A dual stage accelerator pedal spring assembly is provided that allows the transition point between stroke stages to be set, thereby controlling pedal travel within the first stroke stage, and notifies the driver of a critical operating condition, such as a low battery pack level, via a pedal feedback system. The spring assembly, which uses two springs exhibiting different spring force, allows adjustment of the relative positions of the two springs in order to control the transition point between the first and second pedal stroke stages. The change in pedal resistance used to notify the driver of a change in a monitored vehicle characteristic is achieved by preloading one of the springs in the spring assembly. |
| 主权项 |
1. A dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly, comprising:
an accelerator pedal; and a first spring assembly, wherein an accelerator linkage arm couples said accelerator pedal to said first spring assembly, said first spring assembly comprising:
a first spring;a second spring assembly comprised of a second spring and a rear second spring assembly support member proximate to a second end of said second spring, wherein a position of said second spring assembly relative to said first spring determines a transition point between a first pedal stroke stage and a second pedal stroke stage;a spring compression member coupled to said accelerator linkage arm and proximate to a first end of said first spring, wherein during an initial stage of accelerator pedal travel corresponding to said first pedal stroke stage said spring compression member only compresses said first spring, and wherein during a final stage of accelerator pedal travel corresponding to said second pedal stroke stage said spring compression member compresses both said first spring and said second spring;a rear spring support member proximate to a second end of said first spring, said rear spring support member positionable in at least a first position and a second position, wherein said rear spring support member in said second position increases preload compression of said first spring compared to said first position of said rear spring support member, and wherein said rear spring support member in said second position increases accelerator pedal resistance compared to said first position of said rear spring support member;a first adjustment mechanism coupled to said rear spring support member, wherein upon receipt of a first control signal said first adjustment mechanism is configured to move said rear spring support member to said first position, and wherein upon receipt of a second control signal said first adjustment mechanism is configured to move said rear spring support member to said second position;a preload adjustment controller coupled to said first adjustment mechanism, said preload adjustment controller configured to transmit said first and second control signals to said first adjustment mechanism;a second adjustment mechanism coupled to said rear second spring assembly support member, wherein upon receipt of a third control signal said second adjustment mechanism is configured to move said second spring assembly to a first position relative to said first spring, and wherein upon receipt of a fourth control signal said second adjustment mechanism is configured to move said second spring assembly to a second position relative to said first spring, wherein said first pedal stroke stage is shorter when said second spring assembly is in said second position compared to said first position; anda stage transition controller coupled to said second adjustment mechanism, said stage transition controller configured to transmit said third and fourth control signals to said second adjustment mechanism. |
