DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to field of automobiles. More specifically the present disclosure relates to an electronic accelerator pedal module provided in automobiles.

BACKGROUND
Accelerator module controls the motion of vehicles by transforming physical movement of an accelerator pedal into an electrical signal. When the accelerator pedal of a vehicle is pressed by a driver of the vehicle, the accelerator module is activated. Upon activation it provides an electric signal to an Engine Control Unit, which is proportional to the extent of the accelerator pedal that was pressed. In other words, the accelerator module provides an electric signal to the Engine Control Unit, the electric signal being dependent upon the position of the accelerator pedal, thereby controlling the amount of mixture of air and fuel that is burnt and consequently providing thrust to the vehicle.

Some of the known accelerator modules employ induction and variable resistance mechanisms. Induction mechanism is a contactless type mechanism. In induction mechanism, two types of coil are used, excitation coils and receiver coils. These two types of coils are typically integrated on a simple printed circuit board (PCB). In operation, alternating current passes through the excitation coils and it creates an electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field influences the receiver coils. There are some drawbacks which limit the use of this mechanism. The entire design is large and cannot be further shrinked. Moreover, this mechanism is susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

Variable resistance mechanism includes a wiper element configured to engage with a resistance element. An electric signal is generated which corresponds to the change in position of the wiper element. While variable resistance accelerator modules have proven to operate in a satisfactory manner, such accelerator modules exhibit the drawback of requiring contact between the wiping element and the resistance elements. Consequently, the elements are subject to physical wear and tear over time.

Therefore, a need exists in the art for an electronic accelerator module that is less expensive, compact, and with more accuracy.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic accelerator pedal module which has a compact structure, is less expensive, and provides more accuracy to address a few of the problems stated in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention relates to an electronic accelerator pedal module provided in an automotive vehicle and comprising of a bracket, a cover configured to fit into the bracket, an accelerator pedal assembled between the cover and the bracket, said accelerator pedal comprises of integrally located driver gear teeth, a pinion located between the bracket and the cover, with one end of the pinion guided into the bracket and the other end of the pinion guided in the cover, said pinion having driven gear teeth and the said driver gear teeth and driven gear teeth assemble in engage mating position, a magnet fitted into a recess provided in a cover side of the pinion, said magnet upon rotation is configured to provide a variable magnetic field, said rotation of magnet caused by movement of the accelerator pedal, a magnetic flux direction measuring device placed above the said magnet configured to provide a potential difference depending upon the said magnetic field.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein the Magnetic flux direction measuring device is provided on a printed circuit board (PCB).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein a terminal is insert molded in the cover, and wherein one end of the terminal are in the connector side and the other end of terminal is provided at the PCB.

According to one more aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein an air gap of at least 2mm is maintained between the magnetic flux direction measuring device and the magnet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein a torsion spring is provided to eliminate any backlash of mating gear and to provide pre-tension to pinion.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein a small cover is provided to cover the PCB assembly, said small cover ultrasonically welded to the cover.

According to one more aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein the electronic accelerator pedal module is mounted on the fire wall of an automotive vehicle with the help of at least three holes.

According to one more aspect of the present invention, the electronic accelerator pedal module is described, wherein the accelerator pedal is equipped to rotate by a maximum of 15O about the pivot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals have been used to refer to identical or similar functionally similar elements. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention wherein:

Figure 1, illustrates a perspective view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art.

Figure 2a, illustrates a side view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b, illustrates a front view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a and 3b, illustrates a section view across a section C-C of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4, illustrates another section view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5, illustrates an exploded view of the Electronic Accelerator Pedal Module in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 6, illustrates a top view of the Electronic Accelerator Pedal Module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention electronic accelerator pedal module. It should be understood that the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms; specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It will be appreciated as the description proceeds that the invention may be used in other types of vehicles and may be realized in different embodiments.

Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention reside in the construction of the electronic accelerator pedal module, accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain various aspect of the present invention with reference to figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of one of the prior existing electronic accelerator pedal module (EAPM). This particular electronic accelerator pedal module works with a sensor which is placed outside a cover assembly and therefore needs more space for assembling the module in a car.

Figure 2a, illustrates a side view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2b, illustrates a front view of the electronic accelerator pedal module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The EAPM is mounted on to a vehicle in order to control driving state of the vehicle. The figures illustrate that EAPM can be secured to a vehicle using fasteners such as bolts or screws (not shown) that pass through three apertures 1, 2, 3. The EAPM can be mounted on a vehicle’s fire wall. Accelerator pedal 5 of the EAPM is assembled between a cover 6 and a bracket 4. It should be understood that other forms of drive interface are possible and may be employed to connect the accelerator pedal to the accelerator module. In order to accelerate the vehicle, the driver has to press the accelerator pedal 5. As the accelerator pedal 5 is pressed, it creates rotational movement and thus the accelerator pedal 5 rotates around a pivot 8. The accelerator pedal 5 rotates in predetermined rotational limits with respect to the cover 6 and bracket 4. This rotation, also called as full throttle rotation, can be stopped by using stopper. There are two stoppers used in the EAPM, one stopper 10 is mounted on the accelerator pedal 5 and another stopper 9 is mounted on the bracket 4. In a particular embodiment full throttle opening requires 15o pedal rotation about the pivot 8. However, depending upon the operational needs, this angle can be either increased or decreased. The EAPM, according to the present embodiment, adopts drive-by-wire system, and the accelerator pedal 5 is not mechanically connected with a throttle system of the vehicle. Instead, the EAPM transmits a signal indicating rotational angle of the accelerator pedal 5 to an engine control unit (ECU) of the vehicle (not shown). The ECU controls the throttle system in accordance with the rotational angle and thereby provides necessary acceleration to the vehicle. The ECU and EAPM are connected by wiring harness. This ECU performs overall control operation.

Figure 3b shows a sectional view of EAPM. This sectional view across C-C (shown in Fig. 3(a)) shows the accelerator pedal 5 and pinion 12. The accelerator pedal 5 has driver gear teeth 17. The pinion 12 has driven gear teeth 16. Pinion 12 always engages gear teeth 18 on to the pedal gear teeth 17 and the gear teeth 17 of the pedal 5 rotates in opposite direction of pedal movement. Thus, the pinion 12 can be operated. One end of pinion 12 is guided in the bracket 4 and another end is guided in the cover 6. The pinion end connected to the cover 6 has a provision to fit a certain size of magnet 13. The provision is in the form of recess. Epoxy is poured over the magnet 13 to protect the magnet 13 not to pop out from pinion 12 and also from outside contamination, including water and dirt. All electronic components along with PCB assembly 14 are fitted at one end of cover 6. The PCB assembly 14 is sealed by small cover 15. The small cover 15 is ultrasonically welded to the cover 6. There is a torsion spring which provides pre-tension to the pinion 12 to eliminate backlash of mating gear profile. Alternate configurations of similar elements for providing same result are also contemplated.

Figure 4 shows arrangement of magnet 13 in pinion 12 in the electronic accelerator pedal module. In the magnet 13 magnetic flux flows radially from North Pole (N) to South Pole (S). In operation when pinion 12 rotates, the magnet 13 also rotates along axial direction of the pinion 12. As the magnet rotates magnetic flux also rotates and this is now called as rotating flux. Thus, a change in magnetic field direction inside the EAPM takes place. A magnetic flux direction measuring device is placed exactly above the magnet 13. There should be an air gap of minimum 2mm between magnetic flux direction measuring device and magnet 13.

Further, there are two ends of the accelerator pedal 5. One end of the accelerator pedal 5 comprises of friction surface or rubbing surface 19. Friction takes place between friction pad 21 and pedal 5 on friction surface 19. The friction pad 21 is positioned and held by a lever 20. The lever 20 has two arms, a first arm of the lever holds the friction pad 21 and the second arm holds a spring mechanism, which may comprise a small spring 22 and a large spring 23.

The spring mechanism is sandwiched between an arm of the lever 20 and a spring holding hole 24 formed on the accelerator pedal 5. The lever 20 is allowed to rotate through a pivot 25. With the spring force, the lever 20 always has tendency to rotate in clockwise direction.

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the EAPM, in accordance with the present disclosure. It represents the various structural components of the EAPM. The PCB assembly 14 as shown in the figure may comprise a magnetic flux direction measuring device like non-contact type sensor etc. In operation, the accelerator pedal 5 gets pressed by driver of the vehicle. In the EAPM, the magnet 13 is attached to the pinion 12. The magnet 13 rotates along with the rotation of the pinion 12 caused by the rotation of the accelerator pedal 5. This magnet 13 while rotating produces magnetic field. This magnetic field produced by magnet 13 is not constant as the rotation of the accelerator pedal 5 is not constant. Thus, there is a change in magnetic field in the PCB assembly 14. The magnetic flux direction measuring device located in the PCB assembly 14 detects change in magnetic field, and thereby generates a potential difference. The potential difference thus generated is provided to the ECU.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the EAPM, showing the connections and terminals. Brass terminal 26 are molded in plastic cover 6. One end of the terminal 26 is in connector side and another end of terminal at PCB side to get electrically connected.

,CLAIMS:
1. An electronic accelerator pedal module, comprising:
a bracket and a cover, said cover configured to fit into the bracket;
an accelerator pedal assembled between the said bracket and the cover, said accelerator pedal comprising integrally located driver gear teeth;
a pinion located between the bracket and the cover, with one end of the pinion guided into the bracket and the other end guided into the cover, said pinion having driven gear teeth, said driver gear teeth and driven gear teeth are assembled in engage-mating position such that upon movement of the accelerator pedal, the driver gear teeth and the driven gear teeth move so as to operate the pinion;
a magnet provided into a recess located on a cover side of the pinion;
a magnetic flux direction measuring device placed at a predetermined distance above the said magnet within the cover;
wherein said magnet is configured to rotate upon the movement of the pinion and thereby generate a variable magnetic field, and based upon said variable magnetic field, the magnetic flux direction measuring device is configured to generate a potential difference.

2. The electronic accelerator pedal module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux direction measuring device is comprised within a PCB assembly.

3. The electronic accelerator pedal module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the potential difference generated is provided to an electronic control unit, and wherein based upon the potential difference the electronic control unit is configured to accelerate the vehicle.

4. The electronic accelerator pedal module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pinion comprises of a torsion spring, said torsion spring configured to eliminate any backlash caused in the mating gear teeth.

5. The electronic accelerator pedal module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet is covered with epoxy in order to protect it from water and dust contamination.

6. The electronic accelerator pedal module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PCB assembly is sealed in a small cover, said small cover ultrasonically welded to the cover.