Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Utility Patent
1998-08-25
2001-01-02
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S560000
Utility Patent
active
06167778
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a gas pedal for a motor vehicle, having a pedal arm which is retained by a retaining part, is prestressed in a basic position and can be deflected by a foot force, and having a movable supporting part which strikes against a stop when the pedal arm has been pressed down virtually to the full extent and which is intended for a kick-down stop.
Such gas pedals are often used in today's motor vehicles with automatic transmissions and are known in practice. The kick-down stop allows the driver to feel increased resistance when the pedal arm has been pressed down virtually to the full extent. If the pedal arm moves beyond this kick-down stop, the automatic transmission usually shifts down one gear. For this purpose, the pedal arm usually has a rearwardly projecting nose. The supporting part, which is designed as a spring element fastened in the retaining part, strikes against the nose when the pedal arm has been pressed down virtually to the full extent. The resistance force provided by the kick-down stop is set by the shaping of the nose.
The disadvantage with the known gas pedal is that the resistance force of the kick-down stop can change in an undesired manner. For example, the pedal arm has a small amount of lateral play, with the result that the spring element comes into contact with the nose at different points and a different resistance is thus produced with each full deflection of the pedal arm. Since, in addition, the spring element slides over the nose, the arrangement is subjected to wear, which likewise results in a change in the resistance force of the kick-down stop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a gas pedal of the type mentioned in the introduction such that, when the pedal arm has been pressed down virtually to the full extent, said pedal counters an actuating force with a uniform resistance force, even in the case of large tolerances and after a relatively long operating period.
According to the invention, the supporting part is disposed (fastened on or in) the pedal arm and is arranged with its direction of movement oriented perpendicularly onto the stop.
This configuration avoids sliding of the supporting part over the stop. This means that there is virtually no wear on the supporting part or on the stop, with the result that the supporting part counters the pedal arm which has been pressed down virtually to the full extent with a particularly constant resistance over the entire operating period. Since, by virtue of the invention, the supporting part, on the kick-down stop, is loaded perpendicularly to its direction of movement, this means that the opposing resistance is particularly uniform when the pedal arm is pressed down to the full extent in each case. Furthermore, the gas pedal according to the invention is not susceptible to the effects of contamination and wetness.
According to one advantageous feature of the invention, the supporting part is of particularly simplified formation comprising a push rod which is prestressed by the spring element.
The push rod could be prestressed, for example, by a leaf spring in the direction of the stop. Alternatively, the push rod could be arranged on a group of disk springs. However, according to another advantageous feature of the invention, the supporting part can be fitted in a particularly simple manner if the spring element is a helical spring. A defined progression of the resistance over the actuating path can be produced, for example, by the winding form of the helical spring.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the configuration of the supporting part is particularly cost-effective if the supporting part is configured as a block produced from an elastomeric material. This allows a desired progression of the resistance force over the actuating path to be set, for example by the shaping of the block.
Further reduction in the wear on the gas pedal according to the invention is provided where, in its region which is directed toward the stop, the supporting part has a reinforcement cap.
The gas pedal according to the invention is of particularly small dimensions when the pedal arm has a recess for receiving the supporting part.
The stop for the supporting part could be provided, for example, for arrangement on a base panel of the motor vehicle. However, this would mean that the position of the kick-down stop would be dependent on the installation position of the gas pedal according to the invention. The gas pedal according to the invention, however, can be preassembled to form a unit in a particularly cost-effective manner with the step arranged on a base plate of the retaining part.
Electronic signals for activating a control arrangement of the automatic transmission can be produced in a straightforward manner, according to another advantageous feature of the invention, in that the supporting part is constructed for directly actuating an electric switch.
Further reduction in the dimensions of the gas pedal according to the invention is provided with the switch being arranged in the recess of the pedal arm, the recess receiving the supporting part.
According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the kick-down stop can be adjusted to a desired position when it is possible to adjust the position, preferably in a stepless manner, of the supporting part in relation to the gas pedal in the direction of the stop. As a result, it is also possible to compensate for production-related deviations in dimensions.
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Patents Abstracts of Japan, M-1137, Jul. 18, 1991, vol 15, No. 283 JP 3-99944 A Apr. 25, 1991.
Farber Martin A.
Green Mary Ann
Mannesmann VDO AG
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