Pedal simulator

Abstract

A pedal simulator may include: a housing portion; a piston portion inserted into the housing portion and movable in connection with a pedal lever portion; a mounting reaction portion mounted on the piston portion; a supporting reaction portion inserted into the housing portion, disposed in the movement path of the mounting reaction portion, and configured to support the mounting reaction portion; and a moving reaction portion disposed between the piston portion and the supporting reaction portion, configured to resiliently support the piston portion and be supported by the supporting reaction portion when moved by the piston portion. Therefore, even with an electronic power steering system, the pedal simulator can provide the driver with a braking feel similar to that produced by a conventional hydraulic power steering system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate to pedal simulators, and more specifically, to pedal simulators capable of applying pedal force without the use of hydraulic pressure. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a braking device refers to a braking system in which the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) senses that the driver has pressed the brake pedal and operates the hydraulic generating unit to provide hydraulic pressure to the master cylinder, so that the braking hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the wheel cylinders of each wheel to generate braking force.

[0003] In this braking system, when the driver depresses the brake pedal during normal braking, a pedal displacement sensor detects the pedal displacement. The ECU operates the hydraulic generation unit to supply actuating fluid stored in the actuating fluid reservoir to the pressurization chamber of the master cylinder, thereby creating pressure in the master cylinder. The pressure in the master cylinder, thus created, generates braking hydraulic fluid by pressing the piston in the master cylinder. This braking hydraulic fluid is then transmitted to the wheel cylinders to generate braking force.

[0004] At this point, when the master cylinder pressure changes during regenerative braking, the force is transmitted to the brake pedal as is, negatively impacting pedal feeling. When pedal feeling deteriorates, a discrepancy arises between the driver's perceived pedal feel during braking and the actual pressure exerted on the brake disc by the brake pads in the wheel cylinders. This can lead to over- or under-braking, resulting in frequent replacements of consumable parts such as brake pads, and potentially causing vehicle accidents during sudden or no braking. Therefore, equipment capable of addressing these issues is needed.

[0005] The related technology disclosed herein is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2014-0030227, published on March 11, 2014, entitled "Pedal Travel Simulator, Actuation Unit of Hydraulic Braking System and Braking System". Summary of the Invention

[0006] Various embodiments relate to a pedal simulator that can achieve pedal force without the use of hydraulics.

[0007] In one embodiment, a pedal simulator may include: a housing portion; a piston portion inserted into the housing portion and movable in connection with a pedal lever portion; a mounting reaction portion mounted on the piston portion; a supporting reaction portion inserted into the housing portion, disposed in the movement path of the mounting reaction portion, and configured to support the mounting reaction portion; and a moving reaction portion disposed between the piston portion and the supporting reaction portion, configured to resiliently support the piston portion and be supported by the supporting reaction portion when moved by the piston portion.

[0008] The piston portion may include: a piston body portion inserted into the housing portion; a piston sensing portion extending from one side of the piston body portion such that the pedal rod portion is inserted into the piston sensing portion; a piston mounting portion extending from the other side of the piston body portion such that the mounting reaction portion is inserted into the piston mounting portion; a piston sealing portion mounted on the circumference of the piston body portion and in close contact with the housing portion; and a piston blocking portion mounted on the housing portion and configured to prevent separation of the piston body portion.

[0009] The mounting reaction portion can be press-fitted into the piston portion and exposed to the outside, and is made of an elastic material.

[0010] The support reaction portion may include: a support base portion embedded in the housing portion; a support rod portion engaged with the support base portion and extending toward the mounting reaction portion; and a support plate portion engaged with one end of the support rod portion and configured to support the mounting reaction portion.

[0011] The support rod portion can be formed in the support base portion by clamping and molding.

[0012] The support reaction portion may also include a support elastic portion, which is passed through the support rod portion, pressed into the support base portion, made of elastic material, and configured to provide a reaction force.

[0013] The movable reaction portion may include: a movable support portion that is moved by pressing the piston portion; and a movable spring portion disposed between the movable support portion and the support reaction portion and configured to support the movable support portion by using spring force.

[0014] The pedal simulator may further include: a magnetic generator disposed in any one or more of the pedal lever portion, the piston portion, and the movement reaction portion, and configured to generate magnetic force; and a position detector mounted in the housing portion and configured to detect the position of the magnetic generator.

[0015] The pedal simulator is characterized in that, when the piston portion moves, the moving reaction portion is pressed to generate a first pedal force. When the piston portion moves, the supporting reaction portion additionally presses the mounting reaction portion to generate a second pedal force. When the piston portion moves, the moving reaction portion additionally presses the supporting reaction portion to generate a third pedal force.

[0016] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the pedal simulator can increase the reactive force by sequentially installing a reactive part, supporting a reactive part, and moving a reactive part when the piston part moves when the driver presses the pedal. Therefore, even when using an electronic booster, the pedal simulator can provide the driver with a braking feel similar to that produced by a conventional hydraulic booster. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a pedal simulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the piston portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the supporting reaction portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically illustrating the moving reaction portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the pedal force at each time interval in a pedal simulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 9 It is an illustrative explanation Figure 8 A diagram of the state during the invalid period;

[0026] Figure 10 It is an illustrative explanation Figure 8 A diagram showing the state of the first time period in the middle;

[0027] Figure 11 It is an illustrative explanation Figure 8 A diagram showing the state of the second time period;

[0028] Figure 12 It is an illustrative explanation Figure 8 A diagram showing the state of the third time period. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The pedal simulator will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings through various exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are not to exact scale and the thickness of lines or the dimensions of components may be exaggerated solely for ease of description and clarity. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is defined in consideration of the functionality of the invention and may vary depending on the user's or operator's habits or intentions. Therefore, the definition of terminology should be based on the overall disclosure described herein.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a pedal simulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. (See reference...) Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pedal simulator 1 includes a housing portion 10, a piston portion 20, a mounting reaction portion 30, a supporting reaction portion 40, and a moving reaction portion 50.

[0031] The housing portion 10 is mounted on the vehicle body. For example, the housing portion 10 may include: a housing body portion 11, which is mounted on the vehicle body; and a housing insertion portion 12, which is formed in the housing body portion 11 and has a space formed in the longitudinal direction of the housing body portion 11, such that the piston portion 20, the mounting reaction portion 30, the supporting reaction portion 40, and the moving reaction portion 50 are embedded in the space. The pedal lever portion 90 can be inserted into one end of the housing insertion portion 12, and the corrugated cover portion 80 covering the housing insertion portion 12 and the pedal lever portion 90 can prevent the introduction of foreign objects.

[0032] The piston portion 20 is inserted into the housing portion 10 and is movable and connected to the pedal lever portion 90. For example, the piston portion 20 may engage with the pedal lever portion 90. When the driver depresses the pedal, the pedal lever portion 90 may move to move the piston portion 20.

[0033] The mounting reaction part 30 is installed in the piston part 20. For example, the mounting reaction part 30 may be made of an elastic material to provide a reactive force when supported by the supporting reaction part 40.

[0034] The supporting reaction portion 40 is inserted into the housing portion 10 and positioned along the movement path of the mounting reaction portion 30 to support it. For example, the supporting reaction portion 40 can be embedded in the housing portion 10 and held in a fixed position. The supporting reaction portion 40 can provide additional reactive force by applying pressure to the moving reaction portion 50.

[0035] The movable reaction part 50 is disposed between the piston part 20 and the supporting reaction part 40, elastically supporting the piston part 20 and being supported by the supporting reaction part 40 when moved by the piston part 20. For example, the movable reaction part 50 can provide a reactive force by means of spring force when pressed by the piston part 20. In addition, the movable reaction part 50 can press the supporting reaction part 40 when moving.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the piston portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the piston portion 20 includes a piston body portion 21, a piston sensing portion 22, a piston mounting portion 23, a piston sealing portion 24, and a piston blocking portion 25.

[0037] The piston body portion 21 is inserted into the housing portion 10. For example, the piston body portion 21 is located at the center of the piston portion 20 and is inserted into the housing insertion portion 12.

[0038] The piston sensing portion 22 extends from one side of the piston body portion 21, such that the pedal rod portion 90 is inserted into the piston sensing portion 22. For example, the piston sensing portion 22 may have a tubular shape into which the pedal rod portion 90 can be inserted. The piston sensing portion 22 may be pin-engaged to the pedal rod portion 90.

[0039] The piston mounting portion 23 extends from the other side of the piston body portion 21, and the mounting reaction portion 30 is inserted into the piston mounting portion 23. For example, the piston mounting portion 23 may have a tubular shape into which the mounting reaction portion 30 can be press-fitted. The mounting reaction portion 30 inserted into the piston mounting portion 23 may have its surface exposed to the outside.

[0040] The piston seal portion 24 is mounted on the circumference of the piston body portion 21 and is in close contact with the housing portion 10. For example, the piston seal portion 24 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber and inserted into a groove formed along the circumference of the piston body portion 21 so as to be in close contact with the interior of the housing insertion portion 12.

[0041] The piston blocking portion 25 is mounted on the housing portion 10 and prevents the piston body portion 21 from separating. For example, the piston blocking portion 25 may be formed in a strip shape to surround the piston sensing portion 22 and fixed to the housing insertion portion 12 to prevent the piston body portion 21 from accidentally separating from the housing portion 10.

[0042] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the mounting reaction portion 30 is press-fitted into the piston portion 20 to be exposed to the outside and is formed of an elastic material. For example, the mounting reaction portion 30 may be press-fitted into the piston mounting portion 23. The mounting reaction portion 30 may not protrude to the outside, but is exposed to the outside when inserted into the piston mounting portion 23. A space may be formed between the mounting reaction portion 30 and the piston mounting portion 23 such that the mounting reaction portion 30 provides a reactive force when expanded in the lateral direction by an external force.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a support reaction portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support reaction portion 40 includes a support base portion 41, a support rod portion 42, and a support plate portion 43.

[0044] The support base portion 41 is embedded in the housing portion 10. For example, the support base portion 41 can be inserted into the housing insertion portion 12 and fixed to its deepest position.

[0045] The support rod portion 42 engages with the support base portion 41 and extends toward the mounting reaction portion 30. For example, one end of the support rod portion 42 may engage with the support base portion 41 and has length in the longitudinal direction of the housing insertion portion 12. The support rod portion 42 can penetrate the movable reaction portion 50. The support rod portion 42 can be formed in the support base portion 41 by insert molding. For example, the support rod portion 42 can be made of a metal material, and the support base portion 41 can be made of resin. The support rod portion 42 and the support base portion 41 can be integrally formed by insert molding.

[0046] The support plate portion 43 is engaged with one end of the support rod portion 42 and supports the mounting reaction portion 30. For example, when the piston mounting portion 23 moves, the support plate portion 43 can be inserted into the piston mounting portion 23, and the support plate portion 43 is engaged with one end of the support rod portion 42 by bolts or rivets to support the mounting reaction portion 30 embedded in the piston mounting portion 23.

[0047] The support-response portion 40 according to an embodiment of this disclosure may further include a support-elastic portion 44. The support-elastic portion 44 is passed through by the support rod portion 42, press-fitted into the support base portion 41, and made of an elastic material to provide responsive force. For example, the support base portion 41 may have a support insertion portion 49 formed facing the mounting reaction portion 30, and the support-elastic portion 44 inserted into the support insertion portion 49 may provide additional responsive force. A space may be formed between the support-elastic portion 44 and the support insertion portion 49 such that the support-elastic portion 44 provides responsive force when expanded in the lateral direction by an external force.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a moving reaction section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference Figure 4 The movable response portion 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a movable support portion 51 and a movable spring portion 52.

[0049] The movable support portion 51 is moved by pressing the piston portion 20. For example, the movable support portion 51 may be passed through by the support rod portion 42 and contact the surface of the piston mounting portion 23. When the pedal rod portion 90 pushes the piston portion 20, the piston portion 20 can be pushed to move the movable support portion 51 toward the support elastic portion 44. When the movable support portion 51 is moved by an external force to reach the support elastic portion 44, the movable support portion 51 can press the support elastic portion 44 to provide a responsive force. The movable support portion 51 may have a protruding end that inserts into the support insertion portion 49 to press the support elastic portion 44.

[0050] A movable spring portion 52 is disposed between the movable support portion 51 and the support reaction portion 40, and supports the movable support portion 51 by using spring force. For example, the movable spring portion 52 can be formed in the shape of a helical spring, supported by the support base portion 41, while surrounding the support elastic portion 44 and supporting the edge of the movable support portion 51. The movable support portion 51 can return to its original position via the movable spring portion 52.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnetic generator according to a third embodiment of this disclosure. (See reference) Figure 1 and 5 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the pedal simulator 1 further includes a magnetic generator 60 and a position detector 70.

[0052] A magnetic force generator 60 is disposed in any one or more of the pedal lever portion 90, the piston portion 20, and the moving reaction portion 50 for generating magnetic force. A position detector 70 is mounted in the housing portion 10 for detecting the position of the magnetic force generator 60.

[0053] One or more magnetic generators 60 may be mounted on the pedal lever portion 90. Figure 5 ), mounted on piston body part 21 ( Figure 6 ), or mounted on the movable support part 51 ( Figure 7 The position detector 70 can be set outside the housing insertion part 12 to measure the position of the magnetic generator 60 in real time and detect the stroke based on the position of the magnetic generator 60.

[0054] With the above configuration, piston portion 20 moves to press movable reaction portion 50, thereby generating a first pedal force. As the first pedal force is generated, piston portion 20 moves further, causing supporting reaction portion 40 to additionally press mounting reaction portion 30, thereby generating a second pedal force. As the second pedal force is generated, piston portion 20 moves further, causing movable reaction portion 50 to additionally press supporting reaction portion 40, thereby generating a third pedal force.

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the pedal force at each time interval in a pedal simulator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 It is shown schematically. Figure 8 A diagram of the state during invalid periods. Figure 10 It is shown schematically. Figure 8 A diagram showing the state of the first time period. Figure 11 It is shown schematically. Figure 8 A diagram showing the state during the second time period. Figure 12 It is shown schematically. Figure 8 A diagram showing the state of the third time period. (Reference) Figures 8 to 12 The operation of the pedal simulator 1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0056] When the driver depresses the pedal, the piston portion 20 is moved by the pedal lever portion 90. The period before the piston portion 20 contacts the moving support portion 51 is an inactive period. During this inactive period, no pedal force is generated (see...). Figure 9 ).

[0057] When the pedal is pressed continuously to the first period, the moving spring portion 52 is compressed to generate the first pedal force, while the moving support portion 51 is moved by the piston portion 20. The first period begins when the moving spring portion 52 is compressed and continues until the support plate portion 43 reaches the mounting reaction portion 30 (see [link]). Figure 10 ).

[0058] When the pedal is pressed continuously, during the second period following the first period, the compression of the moving spring portion 52 continues, while the piston portion 20 moves additionally, and the mounting reaction portion 30 mounted on the piston portion 20 is compressed by the fixed support plate portion 43 to generate a second pedal force. The second period begins at the point when the mounting reaction portion 30 is compressed and continues until the moving support portion 51 reaches the support elastic portion 44 (see [link]). Figure 11 ).

[0059] When the pedal is pressed continuously, in the third period following the second period, the compression of the moving spring portion 52 continues, while the piston portion 20 moves additionally, the compression of the mounting reaction portion 30 continues, and the support elastic portion 44 is compressed by the moving support portion 51 to generate the third pedal force. The third period begins from the point when the support elastic portion 44 is compressed (see [reference]). Figure 12 ).

[0060] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the pedal simulator 1 can sequentially increase the reactive force by installing the reactive part 30, supporting the reactive part 40, and moving the reactive part 50 when the driver presses the pedal and moves the piston part 20. Therefore, even when using an electronic power booster, the pedal simulator 1 can provide the driver with a braking feel similar to that produced by a conventional hydraulic power booster.

[0061] Although exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, additions, and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure as defined in the appended solutions.

Claims

1. A pedal simulator, comprising: Casing portion; The piston portion is inserted into the housing portion and moves in connection with the pedal rod portion; The reaction section is installed on the piston section; A support reaction portion is inserted into the housing portion, disposed on the movement path of the mounting reaction portion, and configured to support the mounting reaction portion; A movable reaction section is disposed between the piston section and the supporting reaction section, configured to elastically support the piston section and be supported by the supporting reaction section when moved by the piston section; A magnetic force generator is disposed in any one or more of the pedal lever portion, the piston portion, and the moving reaction portion, and is configured to generate magnetic force; as well as A position detector is installed in the housing portion and configured to detect the position of the magnetic generator.

2. The pedal simulator according to claim 1, wherein, The piston portion includes: The piston body portion is inserted into the housing portion; A piston sensing portion extends from one side of the piston body portion, such that the pedal rod portion is inserted into the piston sensing portion; A piston mounting portion extends from the other side of the piston body portion, such that the mounting reaction portion is inserted into the piston mounting portion; A piston sealing portion is mounted on the circumference of the piston body portion and in close contact with the housing portion; and A piston blocking portion is mounted on the housing portion and configured to prevent separation of the piston body portion.

3. The pedal simulator according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting reaction section is press-fitted into the piston section and exposed to the outside, and is made of an elastic material.

4. The pedal simulator according to claim 1, wherein, The supporting reaction portion includes: The supporting base portion is embedded in the housing portion; The support rod portion engages with the support base portion and extends toward the mounting reaction portion; and The support plate portion is joined to one end of the support rod portion and configured to support the mounting reaction portion.

5. The pedal simulator according to claim 4, wherein, The support rod portion is formed in the support base portion by clamping and molding.

6. The pedal simulator according to claim 4, wherein, The support reaction portion also includes a support elastic portion, which is passed through the support rod portion, pressed into the support base portion, made of elastic material, and configured to provide a reactive force.

7. The pedal simulator according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile reaction section includes: The movable support portion is moved by pressing the piston portion; and A movable spring portion is disposed between the movable support portion and the support reaction portion, and is configured to support the movable support portion by using spring force.

8. The pedal simulator according to claim 1, wherein, When the piston portion moves, the moving reaction portion is pressed to generate a first pedal force.

9. The pedal simulator according to claim 8, wherein, When the piston portion moves, the support reaction portion additionally presses the mounting reaction portion to generate a second pedal force.

10. The pedal simulator according to claim 9, wherein, When the piston portion moves, the moving reaction portion additionally presses the supporting reaction portion to generate a third pedal force.

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