Brake pedal emulator with integrated sensor components

A pedal assembly that activates a functional system of a vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising:

• a pedal arm with a first end and a second end and configured for movement between a first arm position and a second arm position;
• a pedal plate provided on the second end of the pedal arm for depression by a foot of a driver;
• a vehicle mounting bracket;
• a pair of pivotal shafts extending laterally from the first end of the pedal arm for pivotally mounting the pedal arm to the vehicle mounting bracket, such that movement of the pedal arm between the first arm position and the second arm position causes pivotal movement of the pair of pivotal shafts about a pivot axis;
• a sensing system comprising a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly for sensing a displacement of the pedal arm;
• the first sensor assembly being provided on a first side of the pedal assembly;
• the second sensor assembly being provided on a second side of the pedal assembly;
• the first sensor assembly comprising a first element spaced apart from a second element in an axial direction of the pivot axis, the second element being movable with the pivotal movement of the pair of pivotal shafts as a result of the movement of the pedal arm from the first arm position such that the second element is displaced relative to the first element, wherein the first sensor assembly is configured to sense the displacement of the pedal arm based on the displacement of the second element relative to the first element;
• the first sensor assembly including a first sensor mount with the first element fixedly mounted thereto, the second element being pivotally connected to the first sensor mount to maintain an essentially constant spacing between the first and second elements in the axial direction;
• the second sensor assembly comprising a third element spaced apart from a fourth element in the axial direction of the pivot axis, the fourth element being movable with the pivotal movement of the pair of pivotal shafts as a result of the movement of the pedal arm from the first arm position such that the fourth element is displaced relative to the third element, wherein the second sensor assembly is configured to sense the displacement of the pedal arm based on the displacement of the fourth element relative to the third element;
• the second sensor assembly including a second sensor mount with the third element fixedly mounted thereto, the fourth element being pivotally connected to the second sensor mount to maintain an essentially constant spacing between the third and fourth elements in the axial direction;
• and
• wherein each of the second element and the fourth element is connected to its respective pivotal shaft in an axially movable and pivotally fixed manner such that (a) each of the second and fourth elements pivots in concert with its respective pivotal shaft and (b) relative axial movement is permitted between each of the second and fourth elements and its respective pivot shaft.