Pedal device for driver protection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pedal device for driver protection, which may include: a switch bracket, which is rotatably connected to the pedal component via a hinge pin; and a collision removal pin, which is fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably connected to the pedal component, wherein the switch bracket contacts the pedal arm by rotating around the hinge pin when the collision removal pin is separated from the pedal component, so that the pedal arm rotates forward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device for driver protection, and more particularly, to a pedal device for driver protection that can prevent to the greatest extent possible injuries to the driver's legs (shin impact, ankle sprain, etc.) caused by the pedal device in collision and rear-end collision accidents. Background Art

[0002] In a general vehicle, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a clutch pedal, which are operated by the driver's feet, are installed on a dashboard below a driver's seat.

[0003] Meanwhile, when a collision or rear-end collision accident occurs and the engine compartment collapses due to a large impact force generated at this time, a problem occurs that the driver's legs are injured by the pedal device.

[0004] To prevent this, a technology has been developed that additionally applies a separate structure associated with the pedal device to prevent the pedal from being pushed back (pushed back toward the driver's seat) and to prevent the pedal from being rotated backward (rotated toward the driver's seat).

[0005] However, most of the related arts have disadvantages in that the number of parts is increased, the weight is increased, and the cost is increased due to the additional application of a technology of a separate structure other than the parts forming the pedal device.

[0006] The information contained in this Background of the Invention section is only intended to enhance understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to a pedal device configured for driver protection to prevent the pedal arm from being pushed back and rotating backward in the event of an accident by using a cowl bracket and a switch bracket connected to the pedal member. One object of the present invention is to prevent the driver's leg injuries to the greatest extent possible without increasing the number of components and increasing costs.

[0008] To achieve this purpose, the pedal device configured for driver protection of the present invention may include: a switch bracket, which is rotatably connected to the pedal component via a hinge pin; and a collision removal pin, which is fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably connected to the pedal component, and the switch bracket contacts the pedal arm while rotating around the hinge pin when the collision removal pin is separated from the pedal component, causing the pedal arm to rotate forward.

[0009] The pedal arm is connected to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around a hinge bolt connecting the pedal arm to the pedal member; the hinge pin is connected to the pedal member at a rear position relative to the hinge bolt; and the collision removal pin is detachably connected to the pedal member at a lower position of the hinge pin.

[0010] The pedal device configured for driver protection may further include a cowl bracket fixedly connected to the pedal member; one side of the switch bracket is configured to contact the cowl bracket in response to separation of the collision removal pin from the pedal member; the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin when one side of the switch bracket contacts the cowl bracket; the other side of the switch bracket is configured to contact the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forward in response to the rotation of the switch bracket around the hinge pin.

[0011] A fixing hole and a fixing groove are formed in the pedal member, the hinge pin is coupled to the fixing hole, and the collision removal pin is detachably coupled to the fixing groove. The fixing hole is formed as a hole of a closed curve to prevent the hinge pin from being separated from the pedal member; the fixing groove is formed as an arc-shaped groove of an open structure to detachably couple the collision removal pin therein.

[0012] The first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed at both ends of the fixing groove so as to surround the collision removal pin between the first protrusion and the second protrusion to fit and couple the collision removal pin therebetween.

[0013] The hinge pin is formed to have a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the collision removal pin to prevent the hinge pin from being deformed.

[0014] In order to prevent the pedal arm from being pushed back and rotated backward during a collision, the cowl bracket is formed thicker than the pedal member and the switch bracket is formed thicker than the cowl bracket.

[0015] A portion of the cowl brace that contacts the switch bracket includes a curved forming portion for ensuring rigidity of the cowl brace.

[0016] The switch bracket may include: a member connecting portion, to which a hinge pin rotatably connected to a pedal member is fixed; a cowl contact portion, which is configured to contact the cowl bracket in response to the separation of the collision removal pin from the pedal member, as a portion bent at one side of the member connecting portion and extending to one side of the member connecting portion; a switch connecting portion, to which a collision removal pin and a switch are fixedly connected, as a portion bent at the other side of the member connecting portion and extending to the other side of the member connecting portion; and a stop portion, which is used to contact the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forward in response to the rotation of the switch bracket around the hinge pin, as a portion bent and extended from the switch connecting portion toward the pedal arm.

[0017] A slot hole is formed in a portion of the switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin is coupled; one end portion of the pedal spring is inserted to be coupled to the collision removal pin.

[0018] The pedal device configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can prevent the driver's leg injuries caused by the pedal arm to the greatest extent because the pedal arm is forced to rotate forward to move away from the driver in the event of a collision and a rear-end collision. In particular, the configuration of forcing the pedal arm to rotate forward is a configuration using a previously used front panel bracket and a switch bracket, and compared with other existing structures, the driver protection function can be achieved without significantly increasing components, reducing weight and saving costs.

[0019] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or will be described in detail in, the accompanying drawings and subsequent embodiments incorporated herein, which together serve to explain the specific principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pedal device configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Side view, bottom perspective view and exploded perspective view.

[0022] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a pedal member and a switch bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Side view of the connection state.

[0024] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion where the front cowl support is arranged.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a side view for explaining the operating state of the pedal device in an accident.

[0026] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present simplified representations of various features to illustrate the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features (including, for example, specific dimensions, directions, locations, and shapes) included in the present invention will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0027] In the figures, like reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will be referred to in detail various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are presented in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to these exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternative forms, modified forms, equivalent forms and other embodiments that can be included in the spirit of the present invention and within the scope limited by the appended claims.

[0029] Hereinafter, a pedal device configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, a pedal device configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a pedal member 10, a pedal arm 30, a front panel bracket 40, a hinge pin 50, a switch bracket 60 and a collision removal pin 70, wherein the pedal member 10 is fixed at the instrument panel 1 under the driver's seat; the pedal arm 30 is connected to the pedal member 10 so as to be rotatable in the front and rear directions around the hinge bolt 21 and the nut 22; the front panel bracket 40 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the pedal member 10 and to the front panel by welding; the hinge pin 50 is rotatably connected to the pedal member 10; the switch bracket 60 is fixedly connected to the hinge pin 50 by welding, and is rotatably connected to the pedal member 10 through the hinge pin 50; the collision removal pin 70 is fixedly connected to the switch bracket 60 by welding and is detachably connected to the pedal member 10.

[0031] The pedal member 10 has its front side coupled to the instrument panel 1 , left and right side surfaces extending from the front to the rear are formed in parallel, and is formed in an open structure at its rear and in a vertical direction.

[0032] The bolt hole 11 is formed to pass through the left and right surfaces of the pedal component 10, and the hinge bolt 21 sequentially passes through the bolt hole 11 and the hinge tube 31 of the pedal arm 30 and is then connected to the nut 22, so that the pedal arm 30 becomes a structure connected to the pedal component 10 so as to be rotatable in the front and rear directions around the hinge bolt 21.

[0033] A hinge pipe 31 is coupled to an upper end portion of the pedal arm 30 , and a pad 32 operated by a driver's foot is coupled to a lower end portion thereof.

[0034] The fixing hole 12 to which the hinge pin 50 is coupled and the fixing groove 13 to which the collision removal pin 70 is coupled are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the pedal member 10 at positions rearward and upper with respect to the bolt hole 11 .

[0035] The fixing hole 12 is formed as a closed curve hole to prevent the hinge pin 50 from being removed from the pedal member 10 in a collision, whereas the fixing groove 13 is formed as an arc groove structure of an open structure so that the collision removal pin 70 is smoothly removed in a collision.

[0036] The protrusions 14 are formed at both ends of the fixing groove 13 to surround the collision removal pin 70 so as to fit and couple the collision removal pin 70 therebetween.

[0037] The protrusion 14 surrounds and fixes the collision removal pin 70 inserted into the fixing groove 13 , and when the collision removal pin 70 is removed from the fixing groove 13 upon collision, the collision removal pin 70 presses the protrusion 14 while being removed.

[0038] The pedal arm 30 is connected to be rotatable in the front-to-rear direction around the hinge bolt 21 connected to the pedal member 10. For the structure to protect the driver in the event of a collision, the hinge pin 50 is connected to the pedal member 10 at a rear position relative to the hinge bolt 21, and the collision removal pin 70 is detachably connected to the pedal member 10 at a lower position of the hinge pin 50.

[0039] The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably a structure that prevents the hinge pin 50 from being deformed during a collision to protect the driver during a collision, and for this purpose, a preferred structure is that the hinge pin 50 is formed to have a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of the collision removal pin 70 to have sufficient rigidity and strength.

[0040] In addition, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure that can prevent the pedal arm 30 from being pushed back and rotated backward during a collision to protect the driver during a collision, and to this end, the cross-sectional thickness of the front bracket 40 is preferably formed to be thicker than the cross-sectional thickness of the pedal member 10, and the cross-sectional thickness of the switch bracket 60 is preferably formed to be thicker than the cross-sectional thickness of the front bracket 40.

[0041] The exemplary embodiment of the present invention has more excellent strength and rigidity because its cross-sectional thickness is formed thicker.

[0042] Therefore, when a collision or rear-end collision accident occurs, when the collision removal pin 70 is separated from the pedal member 10, one side of the switch bracket 60 can contact the front bracket 40, and when one side of the switch bracket 60 contacts the front bracket 40, the switch bracket 60 can rotate around the hinge pin 50; and when the switch bracket 60 rotates around the hinge pin 50, the other side of the switch bracket 60 can contact the pedal arm 30 to rotate the pedal arm 30 forward. The operation of the switch bracket 60 prevents the pedal arm 30 from being pushed back and prevents it from rotating backward, so as to minimize the risk of leg injuries to the driver caused by the pedal arm 30.

[0043] In this way, the portion of the cowl bracket 40 that contacts the switch bracket 60 can be formed as the bent forming portion 41 of the protrusion structure for ensuring rigidity, and deformation is prevented to the greatest extent when contacting the switch bracket 60 .

[0044] A connection portion 15 for connecting left and right side surfaces of the pedal member 10 is formed at an upper side of the pedal member 10 , and a bottom portion 42 of the cowl brace 40 is received in the connection portion 15 to be fixedly coupled by welding.

[0045] The connecting portion 15 of the pedal member 10 is formed to be narrower in width in the front-to-back direction than the bottom 42 of the front bracket 40, and only the front edge portion of the connecting portion 15 is connected to the bottom 42 of the front bracket 40 by welding, so that the welding portion is configured as the rotation center of the front bracket 40 during a collision.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switch bracket 60 includes: a component connecting part 61, a front cover contact part 62, a switch connecting part 63 and a stop part 64, and the hinge pin 50 rotatably connected to the pedal component 10 is connected to the component connecting part 61; the front cover contact part 62 is used to contact the front cover bracket 40 when the collision removal pin 70 is separated from the pedal component 10, as a part bent at one side of the component connecting part 61 and extending to one side of the component connecting part 61; the collision removal pin 70 and the switch 80 are fixedly connected to the switch connecting part 63, and the switch connecting part 63 is a part bent at the other side of the component connecting part 61 and extending to the other side of the component connecting part 61; the stop part 64 is used to contact the pedal arm 30 when the switch bracket 60 rotates around the hinge pin 50 to rotate the pedal arm 30 forward, as a part bent and extended from the switch connecting part 63 toward the pedal arm 30.

[0047] When the collision removal pin 70 is separated from the pedal member 10 at the time of collision, the cowl contact portion 62 comes into contact with the bent forming portion 41 of the cowl bracket 40 .

[0048] The switch 80 generates an operation signal of the pedal arm 30, and the pedal bracket 33 is fixedly connected to the pedal arm 30, so that when the driver does not operate the pedal arm 30, the pedal bracket 33 contacts the switch 80 and does not generate a signal at this time, and when the driver operates the pedal arm 30, the pedal bracket 33 is released from the switch 80 and generates an operation signal of the pedal at this time.

[0049] The configuration of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a pedal spring 90 for returning the pedal arm 30 when the pedal arm 30 is operated, and both ends of the pedal spring 90 are fixed to the pedal bracket 33 and the collision removal pin 70 .

[0050] In order to more easily connect the pedal spring 90 to the collision removal pin 70 and also to prevent the pedal spring 90 connected to the collision removal pin 70 from being removed, a slot 65 extending in a straight line is formed in the switch connecting portion 63 forming the switch bracket 60, and it becomes a structure in which one end of the pedal spring 90 formed in an annular shape is inserted through the slot 65 and then connected to the collision removal pin 70.

[0051] Hereinafter, the operation of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0052] Figure 2 A normal state in which no collision or rear-end collision accident occurs is shown, and when the driver steps on the pedal, the pedal arm 30 rotates in the front-rear direction about the hinge bolt 21 .

[0053] In such Figure 2 In the normal state shown, the collision removal pin 70 is fitted and fixed to the fixing groove 13 of the pedal member 10 , and thus the switch bracket 60 is held in a restrained state not to rotate about the hinge pin 50 by the collision removal pin 70 .

[0054] Figure 8 Shows the status when a collision and rear-end collision occur.

[0055] In other words, when the instrument panel 1 is pushed rearward (inward) by the load F1 generated in a collision or rear-end collision accident, the pedal member 10 rotates clockwise about the welded connection point W1 with the cowl bracket 40 as shown by arrow R1.

[0056] When the pedal member 10 rotates, at this time, the collision removal pin 70 is removed from the fixing groove 13 of the pedal member 10, and the front contact portion 62 of the switch bracket 60 contacts the bent forming portion 41 of the front bracket 40, and at the same time, the switch bracket 60 rotates counterclockwise around the hinge pin 50 (as shown by the arrow R2), and the stop portion 64 of the switch bracket 60 contacts the pedal arm 30 (arrow M1) to inhibit the pedal arm 30 from being pushed back and rotated backward, and the pedal arm 30 is forced to rotate around the hinge bolt 21 (arrow R3) through the continuous counterclockwise rotation of the switch bracket 60.

[0057] Therefore, in the pedal device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pedal arm 30 can be forcibly rotated forward to be away from the driver when a collision and a rear-end collision accident occur, and the driver's leg injury caused by the pedal arm 30 is prevented to the greatest extent.

[0058] In other words, when the pedal arm 30 is forced to rotate forward in an accident, the driver's shins can be prevented from being hit and injured, or the driver's ankles can be prevented from being bent and broken backward by the pedal, thereby minimizing the prevention of driver's leg injuries caused by the pedal arm 30.

[0059] In addition, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is such a configuration that a configuration in which the pedal arm 30 is forcibly rotated forward in the event of an accident can be achieved by the cowl bracket 40, the switch bracket 60 has a changed shape, and the hinge pin 50 and the collision removal pin 70 connected to the switch bracket 60 are previously used, and the driver protection function can be achieved without significantly increasing the number of components.

[0060] For convenience of explanation and precise definition of the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "upward", "downward", "front", "back", "rear", "inner", "outer", "inner", "external", "inner", "external", "inner side", "outer side", "forward", "rearward" are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as shown in the drawings. It will be further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0061] The foregoing description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive, nor is it intended to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many changes and variations are possible in accordance with the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that other technical personnel in the art can realize and utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and its different selected forms and modified forms. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pedal device for driver protection, the pedal device comprising: Pedal member; a switch bracket rotatably coupled to the pedal member via a hinge pin; as well as a collision removal pin fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably coupled to the pedal member, wherein the switch bracket is configured to rotate the pedal arm rotatably coupled to the pedal member forward by contacting the pedal arm while rotating about the hinge pin in response to the separation of the collision removal pin from the pedal member, The pedal member includes a fixing groove to which the collision removal pin is detachably coupled, The fixing groove is formed as an arc-shaped groove to detachably couple the collision removal pin in the fixing groove.

2. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 1, in, The pedal arm is rotatable about a hinge bolt coupling the pedal arm to the pedal member; The hinge pin is coupled to the pedal member at a rearward position relative to the hinge bolt; The collision removal pin is detachably coupled to the pedal member at a lower side position of the hinge pin.

3. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 1, further comprising a cowl bracket fixedly connected to the pedal member, in, The switch bracket has one side configured to contact the cowl bracket in response to the collision removal pin being separated from the pedal member; The switch bracket is configured to rotate about the hinge pin in response to contact of the first side of the switch bracket with the cowl bracket; The second side of the switch bracket is configured to contact the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forward in response to rotation of the switch bracket about the hinge pin.

4. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 1, in, The pedal member includes a fixing hole, and the hinge pin is coupled to the fixing hole; The fixing hole is formed as a closed-curve hole to prevent the hinge pin from being separated from the pedal member.

5. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 1, in, A first protrusion and a second protrusion are formed at the first end and the second end of the fixing groove, respectively, so as to surround the collision removal pin between the first protrusion and the second protrusion to fit and couple the collision removal pin therebetween.

6. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 1, in, The hinge pin is formed to have a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the collision removal pin to prevent the hinge pin from being deformed.

7. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 3, in, In order to prevent the pedal arm from being pushed back and rotated backward during a collision, the cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket is formed thicker than that of the pedal member, and the cross-sectional thickness of the switch bracket is formed thicker than that of the cowl bracket.

8. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 3, in, A portion of the cowl brace that contacts the switch bracket includes a curved forming portion for ensuring rigidity of the cowl brace.

9. A pedal device for driver protection, the pedal device comprising: Pedal member; a switch bracket rotatably coupled to the pedal member via a hinge pin; a collision removal pin fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably coupled to the pedal member; as well as a cowl bracket fixedly connected to the pedal member, wherein the switch bracket is configured to rotate the pedal arm rotatably coupled to the pedal member forward by contacting the pedal arm while rotating about the hinge pin in response to the separation of the collision removal pin from the pedal member, The switch bracket comprises: a member coupling portion to which the hinge pin rotatably coupled to the pedal member is fixed; a cowl contact portion configured to contact the cowl bracket in response to separation of the collision removal pin from the pedal member, wherein the cowl contact portion is a portion bent at a first side of the member coupling portion and extending to the first side of the member coupling portion; a switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin and the switch are fixedly coupled, wherein the switch coupling portion is a portion bent at the second side of the member coupling portion and extended to the second side of the member coupling portion; and A stopper portion is used to contact the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forward in response to the rotation of the switch bracket about the hinge pin, wherein the stopper portion is a portion bent and extended from the switch coupling portion toward the pedal arm.

10. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 9, in, A first end of a pedal spring is coupled to the bump removal pin, and a second end of the pedal spring is coupled to the pedal arm.

11. The pedal device for driver protection according to claim 10, in, A slot hole is formed in a portion of the switch coupling portion, and the first end portion of the pedal spring is configured to be coupled to the collision removal pin by using the slot hole.

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