Electronic adjustable pedal assembly

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly is adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and is operative to control a vehicle system, such as a braking system or engine throttle control system, for example. The assembly includes a carrier, a support structure mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, and a drive assembly for providing the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. A pedal is operatively connected to the carrier for movement relative to the carrier that is independent of the fore and aft movement of the carrier along the support structure. The assembly is characterized by a generator having an input associated with the pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle system. The generator is operative in response to the movement of the pedal relative to the carrier and generates an electric control signal from the output that varies in magnitude in proportion to the input by the extent of movement of the pedal relative to the carrier. The control signal is proportioned to and indicative of the position of the pedal relative to the carrier.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to control pedal apparatuses and more particularly to adjustment means for selectively adjusting the position of one or more of the control pedals of a motor vehicle.

[0003] In a conventional automotive vehicle pedals are provided for controlling brakes and engine throttle. If the vehicle has a manual transmission a clutch pedal is also provided. These pedals are foot operated by the driver. In order for the driver to maintain the most advantageous position for working these control pedals the vehicle front seat is usually slidably mounted on a seat track with means for securing the seat along the track in a plurality of adjustment positions.

[0004] The adjustment provided by moving the seat along the seat track does not accommodate all vehicle operators due to differences in anatomical dimensions. Further, there is growing concern that the use of seat tracks, and especially long seat tracks, constitutes a safety hazard in that the seat may pull loose from the track during an accident with resultant injuries to the driver and/or passengers. Further, the use of seat tracks to adjust the seat position has the effect of positioning shorter operators extremely close to the steering wheel where they are susceptible in an accident to injury from the steering wheel or from an exploding air bag. It is therefore desirable to either eliminate the seat track entirely or shorten the seat track to an extent that it will be strong enough to retain the seat during an impact. Shortening or eliminating the seat track requires that means be provided to selectively move the various control pedals to accommodate various size drivers.

[0005] Various proposals were made over a period of many years to provide selective adjustment of the pedal positions to accommodate various size drivers but none of these proposals met with any significant commercial acceptance since the proposed mechanisms were unduly complex and expensive and/or were extremely difficult to operate and/or accomplished the required pedal adjustment only at the expense of altering other critical dimensional relationships as between the driver and the various pedals. Recently a control pedal mechanism has been developed which is simple and inexpensive and easy to operate and that accomplishes the required pedal adjustment without altering further critical dimensional relationships as between the driver and the various pedals. This control pedal mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,875,385; 4,989,474 and 5,078,024 all assigned to the assignee of the present application. The present invention represents further improvements in adjustable control pedal design and specifically relates to an adjustable control pedal apparatus which is compatible with, and incorporates, a drive-by-wire arrangement in which the link between the pedal and the associated controlled device of the motor vehicle comprises an electronic signal rather than a mechanical linkage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention is directed to the provision of a simple, inexpensive and effective apparatus for adjusting the control pedals of a motor vehicle.

[0007] More specifically, this invention is directed to the provision of an adjustable control pedal apparatus that is especially suitable for use in conjunction with a drive-by-wire throttle or brake control.

[0008] The invention apparatus is adapted to be mounted on the body structure of the motor vehicle and includes a carrier, guide means mounting the carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the body structure, and drive means operative to move the carrier along the guide means. According to the invention, the pedal assembly further includes a pedal structure mounted on the carrier for movement relative to the carrier and means operative in response to movement of the pedal structure on the carrier to generate an electrical signal proportioned to the extent of movement of the pedal structure on the carrier. This arrangement provides a simple and effective means of generating an electronic control signal on an adjustable pedal assembly and ensures that the ergonomics of the control pedal will not vary irrespective of the position of adjustment of the pedal structure.

[0009] According to a further feature of the invention, the pedal structure is pivotally mounted on the carrier and the electric signal is generated in response to pivotal movement of the pedal structure on the carrier. This specific arrangement retains the customary pivotal movement of the control pedal and also maintains the constant ergometric operation of the control pedal assembly.

[0010] According to a further feature of the invention, the generator means includes a potentiometer mounted on the carrier whose setting is varied in response to pivotal movement of the pedal structure on the carrier. This specific arrangement provides a simple and effective means of generating the required electronic signal to provide drive-by-wire operation.

[0011] According to a further feature of the invention, the pedal structure includes a pedal arm and a pedal mounted on a lower end of the pedal arm, and the pedal assembly further includes resistance means including a leaf spring fixedly mounted at one end thereof on the carrier and having a free end biased against an upper region of the pedal arm so as to operate to resist the pivotal movement of the pedal structure. This specific arrangement provides a simple and effective means of providing the desired feel or feedback to the operator upon movement of the pedal.

[0012] According to a further feature of the invention, the resistance means further includes a first resistance plate mounted on the upper region of the pedal arm and a second resistance plate mounted on the free end of the leaf spring and biased against the first resistance plate. This arrangement allows the resistance offered to the pivoting pedal to be varied either by varying the spring characteristics of the spring or by varying the resistance characteristics of the resistance plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic adjustable pedal assembly according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the pedal assembly;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a detail view taken within the closed line 3 of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is an end view of the pedal assembly;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electronic adjustable pedal assembly for a braking system according to the subject invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view of one embodiment of an end travel limit for the pedal shown in FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of an alternate embodiment of an end travel limit for the pedal shown in FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the drive-by-wire system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The invention control pedal assembly, broadly considered, is intended to allow efficient fore and aft movement of the pedal assembly to accommodate operators of varying anatomical dimension and is operative to generate an electronic or drive-by-wire signal in response to pivotal movement of the pedal assembly while retaining the same ergometric operation of the pedal irrespective of the position of adjustment of the pedal.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the pedal assembly includes a support structure 10, a 20 carrier assembly 12, a drive assembly 14, a pedal assembly 16, a resistance assembly 18, and a generator means 20. It should be understood that the pedal assembly can be either an accelerator pedal 16a or a brake pedal 16b. For description purposes, the pedal assembly shown in FIGS. 1□6 is referred to as an accelerator pedal while the pedal assembly shown in FIGS. 7□9 is referred to as a brake pedal.

[0025] Support structure 10 may be formed as two or more parts which are suitable joined together or may, as shown, be formed as a single integral unitary member in a casting or forging operation. Structure 10 includes a bracket portion 10a, a transmission housing portion 10b, and a guide rod portion 10c.

[0026] Bracket portion 10a is adapted to be suitably secured to the dash panel 22 of the associated motor vehicle utilizing suitable fastener means in known manner.

[0027] Transmission housing portion 10b extends rearwardly from bracket portion 10a and has a generally cubicle configuration defining a hollow 10c opening at the front face 10d of bracket 10a and further defining a central bore 10e in a rear wall 10f of the housing portion.

[0028] Guide rod portion 10c extends rigidly rearwardly from the rear wall 10f of the transmission housing portion, is hollow so as to provide a tubular configuration defining a central circular bore 10g concentric with bore 10e, is open at its rear end 10h, and includes an upper axial slot 10i extending from a location proximate the transmission housing wall 10f to a location proximate guide rod rear end 10h.

[0029] Carrier assembly 12 includes a housing 24, a nut 26, and a key 28. The carrier 12 and support structure 10 for the brake pedal 16b should be capable of withstanding higher loads than the carrier 12 and support structure 10 for the accelerator pedal 16a. For example, the carrier 12 and support structure 10 for the accelerator pedal 16a should be able to withstand working loads of 125 pounds (lbs) while the carrier 12 and support structure 10 for the brake pedal 16b should be able to withstand loading in excess of 500 lbs. Thus, the components for the brake pedal assembly 16b should be hardened or otherwise strengthened to operate under higher loading.

[0030] Housing 24 may be formed as a casting, forging or stamping, and is designed to move slidably along the guide rod portion 10c of support structure 10. Housing 24 includes a rear wall 24a, side walls 24b and 24c, a bottom wall 24d, a top wall 24e, and a front wall including an upper portion 24f, a lower portion 24g, and an angled intermediate connector portion 24h. A circular opening 24i is provided in rear wall 24a proximate top wall 24e and a circular opening 24j is provided in front wall upper portion 24f proximate top wall 24e in axial alignment with opening 24i. Housing 24 is mounted on the guide rod portion 10c of support structure 10 with guide rod portion 10c passing through apertures 24i and 24j and bushings 30 positioned in apertures 24i and 24j in sliding engagement with the outer periphery of guide rod portion 10c so as to mount the housing for sliding movement along the guide rod. Angled front wall 24h is complementary to the angled lower surface 10j of the transmission housing portion 10b of support structure 10 so that the housing 24 may move into nesting relation with respect to the support structure with the housing in its extreme forward position as seen in FIG. 1.

[0031] Nut 26 is circular, is mounted for sliding movement in circular bore 10g of support structure 10, and defines a central threaded bore 26a.

[0032] Key 28 is seated at its lower end 28a in a notch 26b in the upper periphery of nut 26 and passes upwardly through slot 10i and through an opening 24k in top housing wall 24e for securement at its upper end 28b, by fasteners 32, to a flange 241 upstanding from housing top wall 24e. Key 28 thus lockingly interconnects nut 26 and housing 24 so that movement of nut 26 in bore 10g is imparted to housing 24 so as to move housing 24 axially along guide rod portion 10c.

[0033] Drive assembly 14 includes a motor 34, a cable 36, a bracket 38, a worm 40, a worm gear 42, and a screw shaft 44.

[0034] Motor 34 comprises a suitable electric motor, with position memory if required, and is suitably secured to dash panel 22 proximate the bracket portion 10a of the support structure.

[0035] Cable 36 comprises a well-known bowden cable and is drivingly secured at one end 36a to the output shaft of motor 34. Bracket 38 is secured to an outer face of transmission housing 10b and mounts the other end 36b of cable 36.

[0036] Worm 40 is suitably journalled in transmission housing 10b in overlying relation to cavity 10c and is drivingly connected to cable end 36b.

[0037] Worm gear 42 is journalled in cavity 10c in meshing engagement with worm 40 and includes a front trunnion 42a journalled in a bearing 45 positioned in the open front end of cavity 10c and a rear trunnion 42b journalled in a counterbore 10k in transmission rear wall 10f.

[0038] Screw shaft 44 extends rearwardly from worm gear 42 centrally within support structure bore 10g and passes threadably through the threaded central bore 26a of nut 26.

[0039] It will be seen that actuation of motor 34 has the effect of rotating screw shaft 44 to thereby move nut 26 and housing 24 fore and aft along guide rod 10c with the extent of forward and rearward movement defined and limited by engagement of key 28 with the front and rear ends of slot 10i.

[0040] Pedal assembly 16 includes a pedal arm 46 and a pedal 48 secured to the lower end 46a of the pedal arm. Pedal arm 46 passes upwardly through a slot 24 in the lower housing wall 24d for pivotal mounting at its upper end 46b to housing side walls 24b and 24c via a pivot shaft 50.

[0041] Preferably, the resistance assembly 18 includes a pedal arm friction cam plate 52, a leaf spring 54, and a spring friction cam plate 56. Resistance assembly 18 is intended to provide feedback or “feel” to the operator to replace the feedback normally provided by the mechanical linkage interconnecting the pedal and the controlled device such as the fuel throttle or brake system. With a mechanical linkage, the pedal pressure required when advancing the accelerator or brake pedal is greater than that required to maintain a fixed position. This difference is often referred to as due to the hysteresis effect. This effect is important in maintaining the accelerator pedal in position while driving at a relatively constant speed and it must also be considered in achieving a desired deceleration time. The pressure which must be applied in accelerating is easily borne but if the back pressure of an accelerator spring produced the same effect during the time it was required to retain or maintain speed it would soon become uncomfortable for the operator to maintain a relatively constant speed. The hysteresis effect provides relief. It lessens the load required to maintain a setting of the accelerator yet there is still force to cause reverse pedal action when the foot applied pressure is removed. Resistance assembly 18 provides the “feel” of a mechanical linkage including the desired hysteresis effect to relieve operator fatigue.

[0042] In order for the brake pedal to feel like a conventional pedal, it must posses a hydraulic feel or hysteresis effect. The hysteresis required in a brake pedal would generally be greater than that for an accelerator pedal. For a brake pedal application, any hysteresis mechanisms known in the art that cause reduced differential effort on the return stroke of the brake pedal can be used to produce the desired reaction for generating hydraulic feel. For example, the hysteresis mechanisms described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,260 and 5,819,593, assigned to the same assignee as this application and incorporated by reference, can both be used to generate a hysteresis effect. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,260, the hysteresis is provided by a spring wrapped in a plastic bushing. The spring friction on the bushing as the pedal pivots, provides the hysteresis. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,593, includes two (2) dissimilar plastic components held in contact by variable spring pressure. The sliding action of the one material over the other material produces the frictional force required for the application.

[0043] It should be understood, however, that components in these hysteresis mechanisms could have different configurations depending upon whether the pedal was a brake pedal or an accelerator pedal. For example, the spring or other resilient member may be larger or have a stronger spring force depending upon the desired level of hysteresis for the particular application.

[0044] Pedal arm friction cam plate 52 may be formed, for example, of a Delrin7 material and is secured to an upper cam edge 46c of the pedal arm via a dovetail connection 52a.

[0045] Spring 54 comprises a laminated leaf spring and includes a curl 54a at its upper end wrapped around a pin 24m projecting inwardly from housing side wall 24b. a nub 24n projects inwardly from housing side wall 24b below pin 24m and coacts with pin 24m to trap the end tip 54b of curl 54a to fixedly secure the upper end of the spring to housing side wall 24b.

[0046] Spring friction cam plate 56 may be formed, for example, of a glass filled nylon material and includes a working portion 56a suitably secured to the lower end 54b of leaf spring 54 and a tail portion 56b passing upwardly between the leaves 54a, 54b of leaf spring 54. The parts are configured such that with the pedal 48 in its upper or rest position, as seen in FIG. 1, friction plate working portion 56a is urged against friction plate 52 by spring 54 so as to resist pivotal movement of the pedal assembly to an operative position with the resistance being constituted both by the increasing resistance force of the spring 54 and by the frictional resistance force between plates 52 and 56a generated by the wiping or camming action of plate 52 against plate 56a as the pedal arm pivots about the axis of pivot shaft 50. Upon release of pressure on the pedal, the frictional resistance force between plates 52 and 56a become subtractive rather than additive with respect to the force of spring 54, thereby creating the desired hysteresis effect. The materials of cam plates 52 and may be selectively varied to selectively vary the friction levels and hence the damping or hysteresis effect provided by the rubbing plates.

[0047] As discussed above, while the resistance assembly 18 preferably includes a pedal arm friction cam plate 52, a leaf spring 54, and a spring friction cam plate 56, it should be understood that other resistance providing mechanisms known in the art, could also be used. For example, coil springs or other resilient members can interact with a friction surface to generate the hysteresis effect.

[0048] Generator means 20 comprises a potentiometer 60 positioned within the hollow of housing 24 and suitably secured to housing side wall 24c. Potentiometer 60 includes a central shaft, constituted by the pivot shaft 50, a housing 60a concentric with shaft 50, a plurality of resistance elements 60b mounted circumferentially around the inner periphery of housing 60a in side-by-side relation, a wiper arm 60c mounted on shaft 50 and operative to electrically slidably engage the resistance elements 60b in response to pivotal movement of shaft 50, and an outlet 60d projecting rearwardly through opening 24p in housing rear wall 24a and electrically connected to wiper 60c and resistance elements 60b in a manner such that the electrical signal appearing at the outlet 60d varies in proportion to the extent of pivotal movement of the pivot shaft 50. It will be seen that pivotal movement of pedal 48 has the effect of rotating pivot shaft 50 and thereby varying the electrical signal appearing at the potentiometer outlet 60d so that the signal appearing at outlet 60d is at all times proportioned to and indicative of the pivotal position of the pedal. It will be understood that electric power is suitably supplied to potentiometer 60 and an electrical conduit 62 is suitably connected to potentiometer outlet 60d and extends to the vehicle function or accessory, such as the vehicle throttle, that is being electrically controlled by the pedal assembly.

[0049] It should be understood that while the above potentiometer configuration is preferred, any potentiometer known in the art can be used with either the accelerator pedal or brake pedal to generate an electric signal that is proportioned to and indicative of the pivotal position of the respective pedal.

[0050] As discussed above, it is important for the electronic adjustable brake pedal 16b, shown in FIG. 7, to feel like a conventional pedal with mechanical linkages. At the end of a brake pedal stroke during a braking application, the conventional brake pedal does not hit a hard stop. Further movement is restricted as the brakes are operating. At this point in the brake application, a slight sponginess is felt at the brake pedal. This is caused by the hydraulic fluid running in rubber hoses expanding the hoses slightly. In order to create a similar effect with the electronic adjustable brake pedal, a stop 76 comprised of urethane rubber, shown in FIG. 8, can be mounted within the housing of the carrier 12. As the brake pedal 16b nears the end of the brake stroke, the pedal arm contacts the rubber stop 76, which deforms to provide the spongy feeling.

[0051] In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the brake pedal arm can contact a high strength valve spring assembly 78 at the end of the pedal stroke. The valve spring assembly 78 includes a valve body 80 supported by the carrier housing, a plunger 82, and a spring 84 that biases the plunger 82 to an extended position. When the brake pedal 16b nears the end of the stroke, the pedal arm contacts the plunger 82 and compresses the spring 84 to provide the spongy feel. When the pedal arm is released, the spring 84 returns the plunger 82 to the extended position.

[0052] In operation, the position of the pedal 48 relative to the operator is selectively adjusted by selectively energizing motor 34 to selectively move nut 26 forwardly and rearwardly within guide rod bore 10g and thereby, via key 28, move the pedal assembly selectively forwardly and rearwardly along guide rod 10c with the limits of forward and rearward movement determined by engagement of the key with the respective forward and rearward ends of the slot 10i. The adjustment operation is performed the same way for either the brake 16b or accelerator pedal 16a. In any position of adjustment of the pedal, actuation of the pedal or release of the pedal results, in the manner previously described, in the generation of an output signal at the outlet 60d proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement. Since the pivotal movement of the pedal arm is precisely the same in any position of adjustment of the pedal structure, the ergometrics of the assembly do not vary irrespective of the position of adjustment of the pedal assembly and irrespective of the anatomical stature of the operator.

[0053] In the preferred embodiment, the accelerator 16a and brake 16b pedal assemblies will be simultaneously adjusted to the desired position for the operator. When the accelerator pedal 16a is actuated, an output signal is generated that is proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the accelerator pedal 16a. When the brake pedal 16b is actuated, an output signal is generated that is proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the brake pedal 16b. The electric control signals generated by the accelerator 16a and brake 16b pedals replace mechanical control linkages with □electronic□ links to achieve drive-by-wire performance.

[0054] The electric signals generated by the accelerator 16a and brake 16b pedals can be directly processed and sent to the respective control system or the signals can be processed by a central processor unit 70, such as a computer or other similar device, shown in FIG. 10. When the signals are sent to a computer 70, the signals are processed and sent to electronically control a fuel throttle system 72 or brake system 74.

[0055] As the pedal is moved downwardly, a “feel” is imparted to the pedal, simulating the feel of a mechanical linkage between the pedal and the controlled vehicle system, by the combined effect of flexing of the leaf spring 54 and frictional sliding or wiping engagement between the friction plates 52 and 56a. Further, as the pedal is released or allowed to return, the frictional force becomes subtractive rather than additive with respect to the spring force, thereby creating the desired hysteresis effect. The amount of feel imparted to the pedal can thus be precisely adjusted by adjusting the spring rate or other parameters of leaf spring 54, and/or by adjusting the materials or other parameters of friction plates 52 and 56, and/or by adjusting the rise of cam edge 46c, thereby rendering it relatively easy to fine tune the system to achieve any desired feel and any desired hysteresis effect.

[0056] The invention will be seen to provide an electronic adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle in which the assembly may be readily adjusted to accommodate operators of varying anatomical dimensions and in which the ergometrics of the system remain constant irrespective of the position of adjustment of the pedal structure.

[0057] Whereas a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, although the invention pedal assembly has been indicated for use in controlling the throttle of the associated vehicle, the invention pedal assembly may be used to electrically control a wide variety of vehicle functions or accessories. Further, although the resistance assembly 18 has been illustrated as providing the damping for an adjustable pedal assembly, it will be apparent that this resistance assembly can also be utilized to provide damping for a non-adjustable pedal assembly.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and operative to control a vehicle system, said assembly comprising: a carrier; a support structure mounting said carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure; a drive assembly for providing said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said support structure; a pedal operatively connected to said carrier for movement relative to said carrier and independent of said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said support structure; said assembly characterized by generator means having an input associated with said pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle system, said generator means operative in response to said movement of said pedal relative to said carrier to generate an electric control signal from said output which varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by the extent of movement of said pedal relative to said carrier whereby the control signal is proportioned to and indicative of the position of the pedal relative to the carrier.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle control system is a braking system and said output is operably associated with a brake actuating member, said generating means producing said electric control signal to move said actuating member between a rest position and an applied position.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pedal is mounted on said carrier for pivotal movement relative to said carrier; and the generator means operates in response to said pivotal movement of said pedal to generate said electric control signal proportional to the extent of said pivotal movement of said pedal relative to said carrier.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said generator means includes a potentiometer mounted on said carrier and said output of said potentiometer varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by said pivotal movement of said pedal relative to said carrier.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said carrier includes a housing having a smooth bore and a threaded bore; the support structure includes a guide rod adapted to be mounted to the vehicle body structure and slidably received in said smooth bore and through said housing; and said drive assembly includes a screw shaft threadably received in said threaded bore for providing said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said guide rod.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said potentiometer is mounted in said housing with said pedal pivotally connected to said input of said potentiometer and supported by said carrier housing and said output is adapted to be connected to said brake actuating member.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said drive assembly includes a motor for driving said screw shaft and providing said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said guide rod independent of said electric control signal generated by said potentiometer.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said carrier includes a pivot shaft supported in a housing, said pivot shaft for pivotally mounting said pedal to said carrier.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said generator means is positioned in said housing for movement with said pedal as said drive assembly moves said carrier along said support structure.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said carrier includes a resilient stop supported in said housing, said pedal engaging said resilient stop to define a maximum applied position.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said resilient stop is comprised of a urethane slug presenting an engagement face for interacting with said pedal during braking.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said resilient stop is comprised of a plunger mounted for movement relative to said housing and a spring biased to hold said plunger at an extended position from said housing, such that when said pedal is moved to said maximum applied position said pedal engages said plunger and loads said spring to move said plunger to a retracted position.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a resilient member actuated by said pedal to react against a friction surface to provide a hysteresis effect.

14. An adjustable pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and operative to control a vehicle braking system, said assembly comprising: a carrier; a support structure mounting said carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure; a drive assembly for providing said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said support structure; a pedal operatively connected to said carrier for movement relative to said carrier and independent of said fore and aft movement of said carrier along said support structure; said assembly characterized by generator means having an input associated with said pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the vehicle braking system, said generator means operative in response to said movement of said pedal relative to said carrier to generate an electric control signal from said output which varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by the extent of movement of said pedal relative to said carrier whereby the control signal is proportioned to and indicative of the position of the pedal relative to the carrier.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said carrier includes a housing and said pedal is pivotally supported on a pivot shaft mounted in said housing.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 including a resilient stop supported in said housing wherein said pedal engages said resilient stop at a maximum applied position.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 including a resilient member actuated by said pedal to react against a friction surface in said housing to provide a hysteresis effect.

18. An adjustable pedal apparatus comprising: an adjustable accelerator pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and operative to control an engine throttle, an adjustable brake pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on the body structure of the vehicle and operative to control a vehicle braking system; said adjustable accelerator pedal assembly including an accelerator carrier, an accelerator support structure mounting said accelerator carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, an accelerator drive assembly for providing said fore and aft movement of said accelerator carrier along said accelerator support structure, an accelerator pedal operatively connected to said accelerator carrier for movement relative to said accelerator carrier and independent of said fore and aft movement of said accelerator carrier along said support structure, and first generator means having an input associated with said accelerator pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the engine throttle, said first generator means operative in response to said movement of said accelerator pedal relative to said accelerator carrier to generate a first electric control signal from said output which varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by the extent of movement of said accelerator pedal relative to said accelerator carrier whereby the first control signal is proportioned to and indicative of the position of the accelerator pedal relative to the accelerator carrier; and said adjustable brake pedal assembly including a brake carrier, a brake support structure mounting said brake carrier for fore and aft movement relative to the vehicle body structure, a brake drive assembly for providing said fore and aft movement of said brake carrier along said brake support structure, a brake pedal operatively connected to said brake carrier for movement relative to said brake carrier and independent of said fore and aft movement of said brake carrier along said support structure, and second generator means having an input associated with said brake pedal and an output adapted to be associated with the braking system, said second generator means operative in response to said movement of said brake pedal relative to said brake carrier to generate a second electric control signal from said output which varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by the extent of movement of said brake pedal relative to said brake carrier whereby the second control signal is proportioned to and indicative of the position of the brake pedal relative to the brake carrier.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 including a processor for receiving said first and second control signals, processing said signals, and sending said signals to the engine throttle and braking system.

20. An adjustable pedal apparatus comprising: an adjustable accelerator pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on a body structure of a motor vehicle and operative to control an engine throttle, said adjustable accelerator pedal assembly having an accelerator pedal arm pivotally mounted to an accelerator carrier movable between various fore and aft positions, an adjustable brake pedal assembly adapted to be mounted on the body structure of the vehicle and operative to control a vehicle braking system, said adjustable brake pedal assembly having a brake pedal arm pivotally mounted to a brake carrier movable between various fore and aft positions; a first generator operably connected to said accelerator pedal assembly and operative in response to pivotal movement of said accelerator pedal arm to generate a first control signal that varies in magnitude in proportion to the extent of movement of said accelerator pedal arm relative to said accelerator carrier, said first control signal for controlling said engine throttle; and a second generator operably connected to said brake pedal assembly and operative in response to pivotal movement of said brake pedal arm to generate a second control signal that varies in magnitude in proportion to the extent of movement of said brake pedal arm relative to said brake carrier, said second control signal for controlling said braking system.

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said generator means includes a potentiometer mounted on said carrier and said output of said potentiometer varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by said pivotal movement of said pedal relative to said carrier.

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a housing and said potentiometer is mounted in said housing with said pedal pivotally connected to said input of said potentiometer and supported by said housing.

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier includes a bore and said support structure includes a guide rod slideably received within said bore, said drive assembly for providing fore and aft movement of said carrier along said guide rod to adjust pedal position.

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said carrier includes a bore and said support structure includes a guide rod slideably received within said bore, said drive assembly for providing fore and aft movement of said carrier along said guide rod to adjust pedal position.

25. An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said generator means includes a potentiometer mounted on said carrier and said output of said potentiometer varies in magnitude in proportion to said input by said pivotal movement of said pedal relative to said carrier.