Dual stage accelerator assembly with selectable stroke transition
View Patent ↗A dual stage accelerator pedal spring assembly is provided that allows the transition point between stroke stages to be adjusted in order to control pedal travel within the first stroke stage and provide the driver with a customizable accelerator pedal interface. 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.
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 spring 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 first 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 first 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 first spring compression member compresses both said first spring and said second spring;
an adjustment mechanism coupled to said rear spring support member, wherein upon receipt of a first control signal said 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 second control signal said 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; and
a stage transition controller coupled to said adjustment mechanism, said stage transition controller configured to transmit said first and second control signals to said adjustment mechanism.
2. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a regeneration system coupled to a vehicle battery pack, said regeneration system configured to recharge said vehicle battery pack when activated;
a pedal stroke position sensor, wherein said pedal stroke position sensor monitors travel of said accelerator pedal and detects said initial stage of accelerator pedal travel corresponding to said first pedal stroke stage and detects said final stage of accelerator pedal travel corresponding to said second pedal stroke stage; and
a regeneration system controller coupled to said pedal stroke position sensor and to said regeneration system, said regeneration system controller configured to activate said regeneration system during said first pedal stroke stage and configured to deactivate said regeneration system during said second pedal stroke stage.
3. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 2 , wherein during said second pedal stroke stage said vehicle battery pack is electrically coupled to a vehicle propulsion motor.
4. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 3 , said regeneration system controller further configured to deactivate said regeneration system after completion of said first pedal stroke stage and prior to initiation of said second pedal stroke stage.
5. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first spring is comprised of a compression coil spring.
6. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second spring is comprised of a compression coil spring.
7. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first spring force corresponding to said first spring is less than a second spring force corresponding to said second spring.
8. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first spring is comprised of a first compression coil spring, and wherein said second spring assembly is contained within said first compression coil spring.
9. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 8 , wherein said second spring is comprised of a second compression coil spring.
10. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 9 , wherein said first spring is longer than said second spring, and wherein a first spring force corresponding to said first spring is less than a second spring force corresponding to said second spring.
11. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , said second spring assembly further comprising a spring guide, said spring guide configured to guide said second spring during said second pedal stroke stage.
12. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second spring compression member interposed between said first spring compression member and said second spring.
13. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 12 , wherein during accelerator pedal motion within said first pedal stroke stage said first spring compression member moves and said second spring compression member remains stationary, and wherein during accelerator pedal motion within said second pedal stroke stage said first spring compression member moves and said second spring compression member moves.
14. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein upon receipt of a third control signal said adjustment mechanism is configured to move said second spring assembly to a third 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 third position, and wherein said first pedal stroke stage is shorter when said second spring assembly is in said third position compared to said first position.
15. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled to said stage transition controller, wherein selection of said first control signal or said second control signal is input into said stage transition controller via said user interface.
16. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one positioning member, wherein said at least one positioning member couples said adjustment mechanism to said rear spring support member.
17. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment mechanism is comprised of an electro-mechanical system.
18. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 17 , wherein said an electro-mechanical system is comprised of an electric motor.
19. The dual stage vehicle pedal accelerator assembly of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment mechanism is comprised of a pneumatic positioning system.