Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-28
2001-01-30
Luong, Vinh T. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S513000, C180S274000, C180S275000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178846
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a device for detaching a pedal mounting which can be pivoted around a spindle (pedal spindle) from the structure of a motor vehicle, with the pedal lever being mounted on the vehicle structure via the pedal spindle and a supporting element being connected to a vehicle component in such a manner that the pedal lever can be pivoted around the pedal spindle with a specified actuating force.
In order to prevent injury to the passengers as a result of sliding of the pedal unit into the interior of the vehicle in the case of an accident, particularly a rear-end collision, a known method is to detach the mounting of one or more of the pedals so that the risk of injuries is reduced.
The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above in which it is possible to detach at least one of the pedals from the vehicle structure without requiring a complex design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention achieves this object in that the supporting element can be moved from its supporting position by excessive forces acting on the vehicle from outside.
Specifically, this makes it possible to move the pedal lever with a small degree of force around its bearing in the area of the pedal spindle. The force required for moving the supporting element from its supporting position may be produced from various sources. For example, for this purpose, the movement and/or deformation of a component of the vehicle (a vehicle component such as the front wall) which separates the interior of the vehicle from the engine compartment caused by the excessive external force acting on the vehicle can be utilized and transferred to the supporting element. Moreover, a mechanically or pyrotechnically-acting energy-storing device which is triggered by the excessive external force acting on the vehicle can provide the required kinetic energy to move the supporting element from its supporting position.
Preferably, the movement of the supporting element from its supporting position takes place against a force which holds the supporting element in its supporting position.
In a practical example of the invention, the pedal spindle may be supported by a pedal spindle bearing, which in turn is supported by a supporting element on a vehicle component which can be moved with respect to the vehicle structure when acted upon by an excessive external force, with the supporting element being moveable when the component moves from its supporting position as a pedal spindle bearing in order to release the mounting of the pedal spindle.
In this case, the moveable arrangement of a vehicle component, i.e., a component supported by springs, is utilized so that the movement of this component with respect to the vehicle structure on excessive acceleration or braking is utilized in order to release the pedal, specifically the pedal spindle bearing, from its mounting on the vehicle structure. Preferably, the invention is used to release the mounting of the brake pedal. In this case, one can utilize the fact that the power brake cylinder is attached via springs, specifically cup springs, to the vehicle structure, e.g., the front wall, in the engine compartment. The vehicle component, e.g., the power brake unit, can execute a wobbling/tilting motion when acted upon by external forces. This movement takes place against the force of the springs, specifically the cup springs, by means of which the unit is supported on the vehicle structure.
This movement of the vehicle component is transferred to the supporting element, which is preferably rigidly attached to the vehicle component. The supporting element, specifically in the form of a rod, then moves from its supporting position, thus releasing the mounting of the pedal.
Preferably, the release of the mounting of the pedal takes place along a specified guide segment. Along this guide segment, a frictional force can act on the pedal, specifically the pedal spindle bearing, which can be guided along the guide segment. This reduces the danger of injury if the driver pushes the released pedal in a panic. For this purpose, a stroke groove may be provided for the pedal spindle bearing along which the pedal spindle bearing is guided in a damped manner or while acted upon by a frictional force. At the end of the guide segment or the guide groove, the pedal spindle bearing is completely released.
It is also possible for the pedal spindle bearing to be immediately or suddenly released from its supporting position after the movement of the supporting element.
Release of the pedal, specifically the pedal spindle bearing, may take place by means of a force which supports said release. This force may be produced by an energy-storing device such as a spring. Specifically, a spring which pretensions the pedal spindle bearing against the supporting element is particularly well-suited for this purpose.
Preferably, the guided movement of the pedal spindle bearing or the pedal spindle into the release position should be a pivoting movement around a pivoting axis. In this case, the pedal spindle and the pedal spindle bearing are pivoted around this pivoting axis. At the end of the pivoting movement, complete release of the pedal spindle and the pedal spindle bearing takes place in that the pivoting axis moves out of its bearing on the vehicle structure.
In order to prevent unintentional or improper release of the supporting element from its supporting position, a sensor-activated locking device may be provided which is triggered by the acceleration sensor only if excessive vehicle acceleration or braking occurs.
In another practical example of the invention, the supporting element is a functional component which is already located on the vehicle. For example, this may be an actuating rod with which the operation of the pedal is transferred between the pedal lever and the vehicle component. For example, this may be a connecting rod by means of which the pedal motion is transferred from the brake pedal to the power brake unit.
In order to release the mounting, the supporting element may be completely moved away from its supporting position. However, it is also possible, by deforming the supporting element, to move it away from its supporting position or its supporting function. If the supporting element is in the form of an actuating rod, a deformation component which can be moved perpendicular to the axial direction acts upon it to deform it. The deforming force acting in this case can be produced by means of an energy-storing device triggered by a vehicle-sensitive sensor, specifically, a pyrotechnic energy-storing device, or by deformation or movement of a vehicle component on application of excessive external force to the vehicle, e.g., in the case of an accident.
Moreover, a rod-shaped supporting element, which specifically serves as a connecting rod to transfer the pedal pressure to the power brake unit, may be designed in such a manner that in normal operation, the forces exerted by operating the pedal can be transferred without difficulty, and in the event of excessive external forces acting on the vehicle, specifically in the case of an accident, it is ensured that the mounting of the pedal on the vehicle will be released. For this purpose, the supporting element may have a tube-shaped cross section, at least in its deformable rod area. For this purpose, the supporting element may essentially be formed over its entire length in a tube shape. The tube shape may be easily manufactured in that shaping forces, specifically forces acting from outside in a radial direction toward the inside, act on a tube-shaped blank to form the special shape of the supporting element, which specifically acts as a connecting rod between a brake pedal and a power brake unit. Specifically, these shaping forces may be produced by rotary kneading of the tube-shaped blank, which is the starting material for the hollow connecting rod.
In shaping the supporting element, articulated bearings may be formed on both ends of the supporting element for articulated supp
Krauss Walter
Schroter Rainer
Specht Martin
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Luong Vinh T.
Volkswagen AG
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