Abstract:
A pedal element ( 2 ) with a connecting device ( 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 ) can be moved between an idle position and a full-throttle position of an internal combustion engine at a pedal angle ranging between 0° and 5° to 30°. A signal-generating device is configured in the form of a rotation angle sensor ( 1 ) having at least one integrated circuit (ASIC) with a Hall device. The ASIC with the Hall device and a storage device with an ASIC are connected to a microprocessor. An output switching unit is connected downstream from the microprocessor. The output switching unit emits an pulse-width-modulated signal with selectable frequencies. Other output signals, such as back-to-back signals and switch signals, can be regenerated with the ASIC with the Hall device and the microprocessor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a floor pedal device for heavy motor vehicles, more particularly trucks, buses, mobile cranes, and the like that includes at least
         a pedal element and   a base plate element that are connected to each other by means of a connector device; and   a signal generator device that is at least partially connected with the connector device and by means of which a signal is generated via movement of the pedal element.       

   The signal generator device makes use of a rotational-angle sensor that includes at least one Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with a Hall-effect that produces an ASIC output voltage with a linear section for a floor pedal device. 
   The pedal element in the floor pedal device may be moved between an idle position and a full-throttle position of an internal combustion engine to create a signal corresponding to the movement of the pedal element. 
   A floor pedal device of the above-mentioned type is known from EP 0 416 039 B2. It includes a pedal element and a floor element that are connected with each other so that they may move. A potentiometer is provided that recognizes the relative movement between the pedal element and the floor element and delivers a pulse width modulated signal corresponding to the position of the pedal element. 
   The disadvantage is that, with the known device, only a single pulse-width-modulated signal is created. Thus, the device may be used only for one application. Since a long resistance path is necessary to produce the potentiometer signal and to create an pulse-width-modulated signal, an intermediate mechanical element is required. 
   A gas pedal device is known from DE 195 03 335 A1 that consists of a pedal element and a base plate that are movably connected with each other. A motion-sensor element with a stationary and a mobile unit is positioned at the gas-pedal pivot axis. For this, the stationary unit within the gas pedal pivot axis is fixed and the moving part is connected to the pedal element. In order to prevent damage to the sensor element by excessive pedal movement, the known gas-pedal device is constructed as a motion-limiting actuation unit. 
   A motion-sensor element designated as a rotational-angle sensor is known from WO 95 14 911 A1. It consists of a stationary and a rotating formation. The stationary formation includes two half-moon-shaped stator elements between which a separating recess is located in which a Hall-effect is positioned. The rotating formation includes a ring-shaped magnetic element held by a securing unit, and it is moveable about the stator elements with an air gap. 
   This rotational-angle sensor has proven itself. However, its design is not limited to use in a floor pedal device for heavy vehicles, particularly for trucks, buses, mobile cranes, etc. 
   Such a rotational-angle sensor is also known from the following publications: WO 98 25 102 A1, DE 197 16 985 A1, DE 199 03 490 A1, and EP 1 024 267 A2. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the object of the invention further to simplify signal generation in a floor pedal device for heavy vehicles, particularly for trucks, buses, mobile cranes, etc. and to make signal generation useable for more than one application. 
   The advantages achieved by the invention particularly consist of the fact that the properties of the sensor may be simply and accurately adapted to the vehicle characteristics. This makes the pedal useful for heavy vehicles. 
   In a first embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect and connected units is used for the creation of a pulse-width-modulated signal. The pulse-width-modulated signal is issued at selectable frequencies. This allows use of such a floor pedal device in heavy vehicles in Europe, the U.S., etc. without requiring special preparations. Not only an IC with a Hall-effect device, but rather up to eight ASIC circuits may be installed, each with its own Hall-effect device. This makes it possible to create, for example, eight independent pulse-width-modulated signals with corresponding selectable frequencies. 
   In a second embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to create an analog signal. It is possible here also to configure the rotational-angle sensor so that it contains eight ASIC circuits with the pertinent Hall-effect devices so that several, e.g., eight, analog signals may be generated. 
   In a third embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to create a switching signal. Here also, the use of several ASIC circuits with the pertinent Hall-effect devices allows the option of producing several, e.g., eight, independent signals. 
   In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to create balanced switching signals. Several signals, e.g., up to eight ASIC circuits with their Hall-effect devices allow the option of creating eight independent balanced switching signals. 
   In this case, the advantages consist particularly of the fact that off-the-shelf rotational-angle sensors are used. This avoids additional cost for special production runs and the like. The rotational-angle sensors are eminently suited to recognize very small pedal angles. 
   In a fifth embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to produce two pulse-width-modulated signals with selectable frequencies via two channels. These independent pulse-width-modulated signals may each be fed to a motor control circuit and independently evaluated. 
   In a, sixth embodiment of the invention, the ASIC circuit with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to create a first analog signal from one channel and a switching signal from a second channel. These two signals are fed to the motor control unit and processed accordingly. 
   In a seventh embodiment of the invention, the two ASIC circuits, each with the Hall-effect device and the connected components are used to produce a second analog signal from the one channel, and to produce balanced signals from the other channel. 
   The pedal element may be moved through an angle of between 0° and 22° in the connector device between the idle and full-throttle position. This pedal angle joint corresponds approximately to the movement travel of a foot on the ankle in order to exert sufficient force to depress the gas pedal. 
   The connector device includes, along with at least one return spring to return the pedal element to the idle position, a separate sensor return spring to restore the rotational-angle sensor to the zero position. Two return springs are used, as safety regulations prescribe. The separate return spring is of special significance. The rough operation of a heavy vehicle allows the possibility that the sensor element may separate from the pedal element, in which case it is no longer possible to return the sensor element to the zero position via the two return springs and the connector device. If the sensor return spring did not exist, the corresponding output signals such as PWM (pulse-width-modulated) signals, analog signals, switching signals, and the like would be produced with the same signal magnitudes as existed for the last pedal position. This could cause poor control of the internal combustion engine, resulting in an accident. Such negative consequences are greatly hindered by separate return springs. 
   The selectable frequencies of each pulse-width-modulated signal may be programmed via each buffer unit. Programmability allows suitable resetting in the field. In this manner, the pedal device may be mass produced very inexpensively, independent of the individual application. 
   Each ASIC circuit is programmable by a microprocessor with a storage unit via flat terminals of the encapsulated rotational-angle sensor. This programmability within the encapsulated rotational-angle sensor has the advantage that the linear section of the ASIC output voltage may be adjusted as to linearity and slope and other data. 
   Even the microprocessor units used with each associated buffer storage unit may be programmed via the flat terminals of the encapsulated rotation angle sensor. This avoids the necessity of opening the housing to reprogram. 
   The circuit buffer units of each ASIC circuit, the storage buffer unit, the first buffer unit and the second buffer unit may all be implemented as an E 2 PROM. An E 2 PROM is fixed-value buffer that may be used as read-write memory. This allows the data stored in the E 2 PROM to be updated or altered. 
   When in the idle position, the pedal element may be disposed at a “floor angle” with respect to the base plate element in the idle position. The floor angle minus the pedal angle may be equal to a final-position angle. The floor angle may be 30°, 35°, or 40°, and the final-position angle may be 8°, 13°, or 18°, so that the prescribed pedal angle of 22° results. This allows for the pedal move easily through the pedal angle above the floor. 
   The advantages from the invention arising consist particularly of the fact that a normal rotational-angle sensor with two ASIC circuits and an associated Hall-effect device are used to produce the output signals. The two channels may be used either for the production of pulse-width-modulated signals with selectable frequencies via two channels, or for the production of an analog signal, or for the production of a switching signal or balanced signals. The two-channel feature allows the signals produced to be mixed depending on application requirements. 
   Like the ASIC circuits with Hall-effect devices, the additional components may be encapsulated within a housing of the rotational-angle sensor. This protects them against the environment. 
   For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a floor pedal with a rotational-angle sensor in exploded, perspective, schematic view. 
       FIG. 2  shows a floor pedal with a rotational-angle sensor as in  FIG. 1  in a schematically illustrated side view. 
       FIG. 3  shows a rotational-angle sensor per  FIGS. 1 and 2  in schematic cutaway view. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a concept circuit diagram of a pulse-width arrangement with a signal-generating branch. 
       FIG. 4   b  shows a circuit diagram with two channels of a pulse-width arrangement per  FIG. 4   a  mounted within a housing of a rotational-angle sensor per  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 5   a  shows a circuit diagram of a signal-generating branch of an analog, signal generator. 
       FIG. 5   b  shows a circuit diagram with one channel of an analog signal generator per  FIG. 5   a  and an additional channel of a push-pull signal generator that are mounted within a housing of a rotational-angle sensor per  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 6   a  shows a concept circuit diagram of a signal-generating branch of a push-pull signal generator. 
       FIG. 6   b  shows a circuit diagram with one channel of an analog signal generator per  FIG. 5   a  or  5   b , and an additional channel of a push-pull signal generator per  FIG. 6   a  that are mounted within the housing of a rotational-angle sensor per  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a signal flow chart of a rotational-angle sensor per  FIGS. 1 through 3  in dependence upon rotational angle. 
       FIG. 8  shows pulse-width-modulated signals emitted from the two channels of a pulse width arrangement according to  FIG. 4   b.    
       FIG. 9   a–d  shows a representation of the individual steps to create a pulse-width-modulated signal in dependence upon on the pedal position. 
       FIG. 10  shows a switching signal produced by the push-pull signal generator per  FIG. 5   b.    
       FIG. 11   a, b  shows balanced opposing signals produced by the push-pull signal generator per  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b.    
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1–11  of the drawings. Identical elements in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show a floor pedal  100 . It includes a base plate element  3  that is secured to the floor of a heavy vehicle, such as a truck or bus for example. 
   The base plate element  3  is connected to a pedal element  2  via a connector device. A rotational-angle sensor  1  is flange-mounted to the connector device. 
   As  FIG. 1  particularly shows, the connector device consists of a left axis element  7  and a right axis element  10 , between which a cylindrical bearing is located. A return-spring element  5  is positioned around the one side, and a return-spring element  12  is positioned on the other. A screw  6  holds the axis elements together, and a screw  14  holds the remaining parts together. 
   The left axis element  7  is screwed with screws to a housing surrounding the axis element by means of a cover plate  4 . The housing is enclosed at the right axis element  10  by means of a sensor mounting plate  13 . 
   The sensor mounting plate  13  includes a recess through which the rotational-angle sensor  1  may be connected with the right axis element  11 . A specially shaped axial sensor adapter  16  is used for this. Screws  17  affix the rotational-angle sensor  1  to the sensor mounting plate  13 . 
   Of note is the fact that the rotational-angle sensor includes a separate sensor return-spring element  15 . The sensor return-spring element  15  ensures that, in case the shaft shears or the rotational-angle sensor  1  is sheared off, the rotational-angle sensor  1  is returned to its zero setting so that operating dangers, engine damage, and the like may be avoided. 
     FIG. 2  shows the angles through which the pedal element  2  may be moved with respect to the base plate element  3 . 
   In a minimal idle position at a 45° implementation, the pedal element  2  creates an idle angle γ of 45° with respect to the base plate element  3 . 
   In the otherwise normal idle position, the floor angle β is 35°. The actual pedal angle α that is preferably used is 22°. This makes it possible for the operator&#39;s foot to operate the pedal element  2  for a long time without exhaustion. 
   It is also possible that, during a necessary maximum full-throttle position at a 30° implementation of the pedal element with respect to the base plate element results in a final-position angle γ of only 8°. The extreme positions—minimal idle position and maximum full-throttle position—increase the possible pedal actuation angle by several degrees. 
     FIG. 3  shows the rotational-angle sensor  1 . 
   A ring magnet  32  rotates about two wedge-shaped disks  30 ,  31  separated from each other at a specific distance. The ring magnet  32  is held within a ring-magnet recess  33 . A shaft  42  is connected with the ring-magnet recess. The shaft moves within a bushing  40  secured by means of a security ring  41  about which an O-ring  43  is positioned that is. 
   Two ASIC circuits  20  and  21 ,  22  and  23 ,  24  and  25  are positioned in the separation recess between the two flow guides  30 ,  31 . Each ASIC includes a Hall-effect device  20 H and  21 H,  22 H and  23 H,  24 H and  25 H that collaborate with additional circuit components and are preferably implemented as integrated circuits. The ASIC with the Hall-effect device is enclosed by the ASIC housing. 
   The flow guides are secured by means of a stator-securing element  35 . The ring magnet  32 , consisting of two ring elements  32 . 1 ,  32 . 2  with corresponding magnetic poles, rotates under the stator-securing element. 
   A circuit board  35  is located under the stator-securing element  35  into which the pin connections of the two ASIC circuits are inserted. Additional components  44  are also located on the circuit board  35 . 
   A housing unit consisting of housing  36  and cover  37  encloses the stator and rotor unit. The bushing  40  is held within the housing  36 . Moreover, the housing  36  surrounds a flat plug  38  that is held by a plug cartridge  39 . 
   The rotor unit rotates about the stator unit by means of a selecting element  42  through a potential angle of 0 to 360°, and creates an ASIC output voltage U AS , which approximates a sine wave. The ASIC output voltage U AS  is not completely linear in all ranges. It is possible, however, by using pin programming and one of the pins of the flat plug  38 , to increase the ASIC voltage correspondingly making it linear. In particular, it is possible to further make the linear section U L  between the two extreme values and to influence the slope of the linear section. In this linear section the rotational-angle sensor  1  possesses its highest degree of accuracy. 
   It is essential to the invention that the very small pedal angle α of from 0° to 22° lie in this linear section U L , as  FIG. 7  shows. Thus the position of the section is freely selectable, and may be displaced to the left or right and both the rising and the falling linear sections of the ASIC output voltage U AS  may be used. This offers the particular advantage that an additional rotational-angle sensor may also be installed on the opposing side in the area of the cover plate  7 . For this, the cover plate must be shaped similar to the sensor mounting plate. 
   As  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show, a first rotational-angle sensor  1  is used to create a pulse-width modulated signal (PMW signal) through two channels. The first channel is formed by means of the ASIC  20  with the Hall-effect device  20 H. For this, the ASIC  20  is connected to a buffer unit  60  with an included microprocessor  50 . An input-switching unit  65  is pre-switched to the ASIC  20  and to the buffer unit  60 . Pin  1  of the input-switching unit  65  is connected with +24V and Pin  2  is connected with ground  63 . 
   The output  6  of the microprocessor unit  50  is fed to a switching unit  58  that is connected with a signal amplifier unit  52 . The signal amplifier unit  52  is connected via a resistor R 6  and an inductor L 1  to a Pin  4 . 
   The outputs  4  and  5  of the microprocessor unit  50  is fed to a signal reduction unit  53 . A capacitor C 5  is positioned between both outputs of the signal reduction unit  53  whose one side is connected to ground  63 , and whose other side is connected to a resistor R 3  and the inductor L 1 . 
   A pulse-width-modulated signal is generated at Pin  4 , as  FIG. 8  shows. A total of four adjustable frequencies F 1  through F 4  may possess the following values: 
   F 1 =215 Hz 
   F 2 =300 Hz 
   F 3 =400 Hz 
   F 4 =500 Hz 
   It is possible by means of the signal reduction unit to determine the signal level at the output  56  of Pin  4  at 24V, or at the converted level of 5V. 
   The second ASIC  21  with Hall-effect device  21 H is similarly configured as channel  1  described above. A buffer unit  61  is used instead of the buffer unit  60 , a microprocessor unit  51  is used instead of the microprocessor unit  50 , a switching unit  59  is used instead of the a switching unit  58 , a signal amplifier unit  54  is used instead of the signal amplifier unit  52 , a signal amplifier unit  55  is used instead of the signal amplifier unit  53 . For this, the common connection possesses the index  64 . A resistor R 5  is used instead of a resistor R 6 , and an inductance of L 3  used instead of an inductance of L 1 . 
   An input-switching unit  66  that is connected to a Pin  5  with +24V and to a Pin  6  with ground  64  is used instead of the input-switching unit  65 . 
   A pulse-width-modulated signal PWM 2  with varying frequencies F 1  through F 4  is produced by Pin  57 . 
   The input-switching units  65  and  66  are of identical design. They consist of ASIC  3  or ASIC  4 , whose inputs are connected to Pin  1  and Pin  2  and Pin  5  and Pin  6 . The output of ASIC  3  or ASIC  4  is fed to the input  4  of the ASIC  20  or ASIC  21 . 
   Pin  2  or Pin  6  is fed to the second and third input  1  or  3  of the ASIC  20  or ASIC  21 . Moreover, Pin  3  or Pin  6  is connected to the buffer unit  60  or  61 . The connection goes to ground  1  or ground  2 , and is also fed to ASIC  3  or ASIC  4 . A capacitor  3  or  4  and other adjacent ASIC circuits are positioned in parallel between the parallel connections to input  4  of the two ASIC circuits and the grounded connection leading to input  5  of the buffer units  60 ,  61 . 
   An overwritable type 24LC010T E 2 PROM is used as a buffer unit. 
   A type 12 C 672-04 ISM microprocessor is used as the microprocessor unit. 
   The individual signal amplification or reduction units are implemented as correspondingly connected transistor amplifier stages. 
   Zener diodes (Z-diodes) of type 4 V 7 or 4 V 1 are used. 
   Circuits of type BCR 35 PN are used for the units  52 ,  54 ,  58 , and  59 , and circuits of type BCR 116 are used for the units  53  and  55 . 
   When the pedal is actuated, the linear pedal angle output voltages U DR  per  FIG. 7  are determined by means of the IC&#39;s  20 ,  21 , and are converted into pulse-width-modulated signals per  FIG. 8 . 
   It is of special importance that the additional circuits of both channels be positioned on the printed-circuit board  35  of the rotational-angle sensor, and that they be enclosed by the housing unit  36 ,  37 . 
   How the pulse-width-modulated signal PMW 1  is regenerated dependent on the position of the pedal element  2  will be described using  FIGS. 9   a  through  9   c.    
   The pedal-angle initial voltage U DR1  per  FIG. 9   a  is produced at a pedal angle α 1  per  FIG. 9   b . This pedal-angle initial voltage U DR1  is passed to the microprocessor unit  50  or  51  that, with the help of its programming, produces and issues a pulse-width-modulated signal PWM 1  α 1  per  FIG. 9   c.    
   A pedal-angle initial voltage U DR2  per  FIG. 9   a  corresponds to the pedal angle α 2  per  FIG. 9   b . The microprocessor unit creates a pulse-width-modulated signal PWM 1  α 2  with help from U DR2  as shown in  FIG. 9   d.    
   It is clear that a specific pulse-width-modulated signal PW  1  corresponds to each pedal angle α. In the same manner, the pulse-width-modulated signals PW 2  through PW 4  are created at the frequencies F 2  through F 4  dependent on the pedal angle α. 
     FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show another circuit option of the two IC&#39;s present within the rotational-angle sensor. 
   Here, the ASIC  22  with Hall-effect device  22 H is connected with the input  4  of a microprocessor unit  70 . 
   The outputs  6  and  7  of the microprocessor unit  70  are fed to the inputs  1  and  5  of an analog/digital converter  72 . The output  3  of the A/D converter  72  is fed via a resistor R 1  and an inductor L 1  to the junction J 2  of an output  72 ; an analog signal AN 1  is present at output  72 ′. 
   The input of a terminal J 1  leads both to the input  1  of the ASIC  22  and via a resistor RF 4  to the input  3  of the microprocessor unit  3 , and to the input  4  of the A/D converter  72 . A type BZU 55-C 5V 1 diode D 1  is positioned between the resistor R 4  and ground. A resistor R 2  is connected in parallel to D 1  that is connected to the terminal line J 1  and to the output line of the ASIC  22 . 
   Further, the inputs  2  and  3  of ASIC  22  are connected to the terminal J 3  input. Both inputs are grounded. 
   The input  2  of the microprocessor unit  70  is fed to a diode  2  that is grounded. The diode output is fed via a resistor R 8  to the resistor R 1 . 
   The input of the second ASIC  23  with its Hall-effect device  23 H is connected with the input-switching unit  76 . The output  4  of the ASIC  23  is connected with the input  4  of a microprocessor unit  71 . The outputs of the microprocessor unit  71  are connected with a push-pull stage  73  that produces a push-pull signal GT at the output  73 ′ of the terminal J 5 . 
   The input-switching unit consists of an ASIC  6  whose outputs  2  and  5  are grounded. Its inputs  1  and  3  are fed to terminal J 4 . A capacitor C 4  is positioned between the terminal J 6  and the input  1  of the ASIC  6 . The ASIC  6  is of type TLE 4296. A circuit ASIC 5G 5 2 is positioned between the output  4  and the connection to ground from terminal J 6  to which a capacitor C 2  is placed in parallel. 
   The output  1  of the ASIC  23  is connected with the connection between the output  4  of the ASIC  23  and the input  4  of the microprocessor unit  71  via a 10 kΩ resistor  3 . 
   The push-pull stage  73  consists of a switching unit  79  that is connected with a signal amplification unit  77 . The switching unit  79  is connected with the output of the microprocessor unit  71 . The push-pull stage also includes a signal reduction unit  73  that is connected with the output  2  of the microprocessor unit  71 . The output of the signal-amplifying unit  77  is connected with the induction L 2  via a resistor R 5 , and the signal-amplification unit  78  is connected with the induction L 2  via a resistor R 7 . A grounded capacitor C 2  is placed in front of this inductor. The resistor R 7  moreover is connected with a resistor R 3 , to which a type PZV55-C5V1 rectifier stage D 3  is assigned. The output  6  of the microprocessor unit  71  is connected between the resistor R 6  and the diode D 3 . The inputs  3  and  5  of the microprocessor unit  71  are grounded between the diode D 3  and the ground point  75 . 
   If the pedal element  3  is moved by pedal angle α, the analog signal AN 1  shown in  FIG. 10  is present at output  72 ′, and the switching signal GT 1  is present at output  73 ′. 
   It is also advantageous here that the components mentioned are mounted on the printed-circuit board  35  of the rotational-angle sensor as extra components  44 , and are enclosed by the housing unit. 
   A third embodiment example per  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  uses the ASIC  24  to generate an analog signal AN 2 . The analog channel here is structured the same as the analog channel per  FIG. 5 . For this, the terminals J 1  and J 3  are re-numbered as I/ 01  and I/ 03 . The resistors R 4 , the diodes D 1 , and the resistors R 2  are positioned in similar fashion between the ASIC  22  or  24  and the microprocessor unit  70  or  80 . 
   An analog/digital converter  82  is provided. It is connected the same as the analog/digital converter  72 . Its output  3  is similarly connected with the resistor R 1 , the capacitor C 1 , the inductor L 1 , the diode D 2 , and, instead of resistor R 8 , a resistor R 5 . 
   The input of the second ASIC  25  with Hall-effect device  25 H is connected with an input-switching unit  83 . Its output is connected with a microprocessor unit  81  whose outputs are so configured with additional components that push-pull signals G 1 , G 2  are produced at outputs  86 ,  87 . 
   The input-switching unit  83  is configured identically as the input-switching unit  76  in  FIG. 5   b.    
   For this, as described above, the terminal I/ 04  is connected with the inputs  1  and  3  of the ASIC  6 . In front of them is a capacitor C 4  that is connected with the inputs  2  and  5  of ASIC  6 . The terminals  2  and  5  are grounded. An ASIC  5 GS 2  component and a capacitor C 5  are positioned between the grounded inputs  2  and  5  and the output  4  of the ASIC  6 . 
   The output  4  of the ASIC  6  leads from the capacitor [ASIC  3 ] to the input  1  of the ASIC  25  and to the input  5  of the microprocessor unit  81 . A resistor R 3  is positioned between the input  1  of the ASIC  25  and its output  5 . 
   The other two inputs  2  and  3  of the ASIC  25  are grounded. A circuit of type 16105 S1 made by MELEXIS is used. 
   The microprocessor unit  81  is connected as follows: 
   The input  5  is connected with corresponding pin I/ 04 . 
   The input  4  is connected with corresponding input  4  of the ASIC  25 . 
   An output stage  85  is positioned at the output  3  that is grounded via ground point GND-A and that is fed to terminal I/ 6 , i.e., the output  87 , via a resistor R 7  and an inductor L 3 . 
   Further, another output stage  84  is connected to ground at output  3 . This output stage  84  is fed to Pin I/ 05 , i.e., the output  86 , via a resistor R 6  and an inductor L 2 . Both output stages  84  and  85  are implemented a diodes D 3 , D 4 . 
   A capacitor C 5  is positioned between the resistor R 7  and the inductor L 3  and connected to ground (ground, zero potential), and a capacitor  2  is positioned between the resistor R 6  and the inductor L 2  connected to grounding point GND-A. 
   If the rotating unit of the rotational-angle sensor in this embodiment example is moved by means of the pedal element  2 , the analog signal AN 2  is produced from output  82 ′, and push-pull signals G 1  and G 2  are produced at the two outputs  86  and  87 , as  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show. 
   If the pedal element  2  assumes a pedal angle α 3 , the width and the positive component of the analog signal ANZ in  FIG. 11   a  creates the length of the HIGH flank and the length of the LOW flank up to the next positive component of the ANZ by means of the controlling microprocessor unit  81  using its programming and D 3  received from signal GE 1 . Diode D 4  ensures that the push-pull signal GEZ is produced, as  FIG. 11   b  shows. 
   In all three embodiment examples, a rotational-angle sensor is used that produces the signals per  FIG. 7  as described above. These signals are transferred to the motor control unit, and are correspondingly evaluated for motor control. It is of particular advantage that the particularly small actuation angle of only 22° be positioned within linear sections of the ASIC output voltage U AL . This ensures that the pulse-width-modulated signals, the analog signals, the switching signals GT, and the push-pull signals GE 1  and GE 2  may be reproduced with a high degree of accuracy. Even rough operation of the gas pedal in heavy vehicles does not result in errors. 
   Another very significant advantage is the fact that programmable units such as ASIC circuits and microprocessor units may be adjusted with the help of PIN programming via the flat plug  38  of the rotational-angle sensor. It is thus possible to adjust and set each sensor to produce the desired signals. 
   There has thus been shown and described a novel floor pedal with a rotation angle sensor which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.