Title of Invention

DIFFERENTIAL ACTING ACCELERATOR ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES

Abstract The invention is an additional feature to existing type of accelerator pedal and associated linkage for controlling amount of fuel or fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber of internal combustion engines. This invention proposes a novel method of obtaining a smoother take up or pick up and a smoother deceleration in the initial part of accelerator pedal actuation. Inertia loads and jerk loads on the components of engine and transmission is lesser during the initial part of accelerator pedal actuation. Also passenger comfort is increased during this phase of operation. Especially, this invention is useful for city conditions where accelerator position need to be changed frequently.
Full Text




Differential Acting Accelerometer Mechanism for automobiles
Field of application
This invention relates to a new feature or design which can be used in automobiles having foot accelerator pedal for obtaining various advantages like smoother acceleration, lesser inertia loads on engine components, lesser jerks experienced by passengers etc. This device can be used in all types of internal combustion engines of automobiles where supply of fuel or fuel-air mixture is controlled by foot pedal.
Background
Accelerator Pedal in vehicles is used to vary the amount of fuel or fuel air supply to engines (see Fig.l). The foot pedal movement is transferred to the fuel injection control module through a linkage. Usually oscillatory / semi-rotary motion of foot pedal is converted to a linear motion of a plunger in the fuel/ fuel air mix control module. Thus an amount of rotation (G) of pedal is converted into linear actuation (x) i.e amount of opening of controlling Pin. 0 is measured from Zero opening position of accelerator pedal.
In the existing accelerator mechanisms, a single continuous plot is possible (see Fig.2). The rate change of 6 (the quickness of pedaling) will result in similar rate of change of x (position of control pin). Further, each position of control pin(x) is associated with a rate of fuel supply, depending on rpm of crank shaft.
Quicker pedaling i.e higher rate of change 6 of will cause following.
(A) When the Vehicle is in neutral gear and while taking accelerator pedal to a certain
position before clutch is released (after putting 1st gear)
1. Higher inertial loads on all components connected to engine.
2. More jerk loads on components.
3. More fuel consumption during pedaling for a given final position 0 of
accelerator pedal.
(B) When vehicle is running and suddenly the accelerator Pedal is released quickly
1. A jerk is experienced by vehicle and persons riding in the vehicle,
2. Higher inertial loads on all components connected to engine.
3. More jerk loads on components.
(C) When actuating the pedal quickly for accelerating the vehicle while vehicle is
running at a speed
1. A jerk is experienced by persons riding in the vehicle.
2. A jerk is experienced by components.
3. More fuel consumption by vehicle during quick pedaling.
4. More initial slippage in clutch.


Since in most vehicles the initial movement of accelerator pedal, i.e when 0 = 0 to a small value say 20% of the 0maX, more inertia loads are experienced. In other words when vehicle is at small speeds (say less than 20Kmph) acceleration experienced is more depending on rate of change of 9. If this phase (say 0- 20Kmph), is passed at lower rate of change of 0 (smoother pedaling), following benefits will be achieved.
1. Smoother acceleration and smooth deceleration.
2. Lesser inertia loads and jerks on components.
3. More comfort to passengers.
In the present system the only way of achieving above is to pedal at a slower rate for which a very much controlled effort is required by foot.
A design is proposed below which will enable smoother acceleration or deceleration in the initial part of accelerator pedal movement, even if the accelerator is actuated quickly i.e at a higher rate of change of 0.
Prior Art
There are many features added at accelerator pedal viz. protection for accidental pressing of accelerator pedal when braking is to be done etc. However, no literature or patent is available regarding differential speed. No work in this area could be located by the author through patent search. So no references can be sited.
New Design
This is having a different rate of output for a constant rate of input. The quick pedaling in initial part is converted into a slower rate of output motion which is connected to plunger / pin movement (which controls amount of fuel or fuel-air mixture supply) via a linkage similar to that being used at present .The general arrangement is shown in fig 3. The comparative characteristic is shown in fig 2.
Brief description of drawings
Fig 1 describes a typical accelerator pedal and a portion of associated linkage to vary fuel or fuel-air mixture to combustion chamber of internal combustion engines of automobiles.
Fig 2 is graphical depiction of amount of foot pedal actuation versus position of control pin or member which determine amount of fuel supply to engine at a given speed.
Fig 3 is a two view depiction of proposed new design for effecting smother operation of vehicle during initial portion of accelerometer pedal actuation.

f

Fig 4 is a schematic representation of alternative positioning the proposed device and typical linkage inside a vehicle.
Explanation of working (Refer Fig 3)
For initial pedaling or actuation of foot pedal (1) up to some angle 6 i.e, say from 0 to 0 \ the roller (4) attached to link (2) is in contact with (1). The motion is transferred to link (3) via pinions (6) & (6a), gear (7) and pinion (7a). Link (3) moves down with a slower rate compared to link (2) because of gear ratio.
A moment will come when pedal touches roller (5) attached to link (3). Then link (3) and hence link (13) will be directly pushed at the speed of actuation. The link (2) will move down at a faster rate and will move away from pedal. Similarly, when pedal (1) is released initially link (3) comes up at the speed of release of pedal (1) and link (2) comes up at a faster rate. At some instant link (2) will touch pedal (1) and will move up along with pedal (1). The link (3) will slow down or comes up at a slower rate causing a slower or smoother closure of fuel supply via link (13).
Similarly, three or more steps can be achieved by using three or more gears.
Constructional Features (Refer Fig 3)
The detailed constructional features are explained below.
The accelerator foot pedal (1) initially rests on roller (4) attached to the end of actuating link (2). The actuating link (2) is having a rack gear face which mates with a pinion (6). The pinion (6) drives a gear (7) through a compound gear train as shown fig 3. The motion is transmitted from link (2) to link (3) via pinion (6), pinion (6a), gear (7) and pinion (7a). The gear (7) and pinion (7a) are mounted on a common shaft (8) as shown fig 3. The pinion (6) and pinion (6a) are mounted on shaft (9). A roller (5) is fixed at the end of link (3). The shafts (8) and (9) are mounted on a body (10). The body (10) is provided with openings as shown in fig 3 so that the link (3) and link (2) can pass through it. Enough recess is provided at the top of body (10) such that roller (4) can enter into body (10) when pedal (1) approaches to its maximum opening position.
The link (2) is guided by pinion (6), a supporting pinion (lla) and a roller support (lib) as shown in fig 3. The link (3) is guided by pinion (7a), supporting roller (lie) and supporting roller (lid) as shown in fig 3. These supports (lla), (lib), (lie) and (lid) are fitted to body (10) by suitable brackets.
The links (2) and (3) are engaged with pinions (6) and (7a) in such a way that both links have motion in the same direction. The link (2) travels at a faster rate compared to link (3).
The arrangement for setting the initial gap between the roller (5) and pedal (1) is provided by arrangement (15). The shaft (8) can be shifted away from its position along slot or grove provided on body (10). This will disengage the rack surface provided on link (3) from pinion (7a). Then the length of link (3) can be varied by an arrangement as shown in fig 3; wherein the fixing screw is loosened and position of the rod attached to roller (14) is varied as per requirement and then the fixing screw is tightened. The shaft is



then brought to initial position and fixed. The roller (14) attached to link (3) through (15) pushes link (12) which is pivoted at one end. Thus link (13) is actuated. The spring force is transmitted to accelerator pedal via link (13) as shown in fig 3.
From link (13) to throttle control of fuel, usual mechanism is adopted. The spring force on (13) keeps the roller (4) or (5), whichever is in contact with (1), pressed against foot pedal (1). Similarly a multiple step reduction is obtained by employing more stages of gearing.
Other variations of this mechanism
1. The gear ratios can be selected in such a way so as to obtain desired initial speed
reduction.
2. The assembly can be oriented in any position as per the requirement e.g link (3) can be
put away from hinge of accelerator pedal.
3. Initial gap between Roller (5) and Pedal (1) can be varied.
4. Partial gear can be used in place of gear (7) to have a lesser overall size.
5. More steps of speed change can be obtained by incorporating more stages of gearing.
In addition to advantages mentioned in background the force experienced by foot is lower till accelerator pedal (1) touches roller (5). In other words the force experienced by foot will increase as soon as Roller (5) touches pedal (1) and roller (4) departs from (1). Hence this situation can be used by driver to keep opening or pressing (1) till the moment the roller (5) touches (1) so that there after clutch can be engaged for putting the vehicle in 1st gear.
Summary of the invention
The invention is about a new device which ,when used in between accelerator foot pedal and associated linkage for controlling fuel or fuel-air mixture admitted to combustion chamber of IC engines, would provide a slower rate of movement of the controlling pin or element even if the pedal is actuated quickly (i.e at a higher rate) during initial part of foot pedal actuation.
In essence, this device gives a slower output motion than the input motion (rate of actuation of accelerator foot pedal) during the initial part of actuation of foot pedal. A gearing effect is utilized to slow down the effect of quick pedaling or quick operation during initial part of pedal actuation. After certain amount of actuation (for example after 20% of maximum opening), the gearing effect is mechanically cut off and rate of pedal actuation is directly and equally transmitted to fuel control link.
This device will reduce effects of quick pedaling i.e more jerks, higher loads on engine and transmission components during quick pedaling, loss of passenger comfort due to jerks etc. ,which otherwise are associated with present kind of direct linkage to accelerator foot pedal of automobiles.







Claims of the invention
I claim following as my invention.
1. A device for producing differential speed of operation of accelerator mechanism, the said device comprising of
- a roller attached to a first actuating link( having rack or gear teeth on a portion of it) in
contact with an accelerator foot pedal,
- the said first actuating link being connected to a first pinion on a first shaft on to which
a second pinion is mounted which in turn is engaged with a gear wheel of larger size,
- the said gear wheel being mounted on a second shaft onto which a third pinion is
mounted which in turn mates with a rack surface provided on a second actuating link,
- the said second actuating link is having a roller at top end and is preset at a lower
position than the roller on said first actuating link,
- said first and second shafts being mounted on a body having suitable recesses in order
to give passage to said first and second actuating links and also roller on said first
actuating link,
- said first and second actuating links being guided and confined or constrained by a set
of guide rollers and geared wheel (idle pinion),
- the said guide rollers and geared wheel (idle pinion) being supported on the said body,
- the said second shaft being mounted on slots or groves cut on said body for disengaging
said second pinion from said gear wheel so as to facilitate adjustments of length of said
second actuating link,

- said adjustment of length is done by means of a set screw on a hollow tube attached to
upper portion of said actuating second actuating link, inside which the lower part of said
second actuating link is placed at a suitable position as required by initial position of
roller on said second actuating link,
- the said lower portion of the said second link is attached with a roller which pushes a
crank or lever fixed at one end causing a movement of accelerator link controlling fuel
supply to internal combustion engine,
- the spring force acting on the said accelerator link controlling fuel pushes one of the
rollers onto the said foot pedal.


2: The arrangement where in more than one step change of speed is achieved by employing further gearing and more actuating links.
3. Alternative method of accommodating the device where in the device is placed above
foot level and the motion of accelerator pedal is transmitted to the said device by means
of a connecting link as shown in fig 4.
4. The above described features are as shown in accompanying drawings (fig 3 and fig 4).


Documents:

3071-632-CHE-2007 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED 17-09-2010.pdf

3071-632-CHE-2007 AMENDED CLAIMS 17-09-2010.pdf

3071-632-CHE-2007 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 17-09-2010.pdf

632-CHE-2007 FORM-13 05-01-2010.pdf

632-che-2007-abstract.pdf

632-che-2007-claims.pdf

632-che-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

632-che-2007-description(complete).pdf

632-che-2007-drawings.pdf

632-che-2007-form 1.pdf

632-che-2007-form 9.pdf


Patent Number 244797
Indian Patent Application Number 632/CHE/2007
PG Journal Number 52/2010
Publication Date 24-Dec-2010
Grant Date 20-Dec-2010
Date of Filing 28-Mar-2007
Name of Patentee CH. RABI KUMAR
Applicant Address 43, type-3, CPRI Colony, New Bel Road, Bangalore - 560 012.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 CH. RABI KUMAR 43, type-3, CPRI Colony, New Bel Road, Bangalore - 560 012.
PCT International Classification Number G01P15/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA