Pedal device for a motor vehicle operable by electric motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal device (2) for a motor vehicle that can be operated by an electric motor, the pedal device having at least one throttle pedal (4) for adjusting the acceleration of the motor vehicle by the driver, the throttle pedal being movable along a throttle pedal path (6) and being arranged in an acceleration range (8), a deceleration range (10) and a neutral range (12) of the throttle pedal path (6), the pedal device having at least one feedback unit (14), the feedback unit having at least one feedback mechanism (16), by means of which at least a transition from the acceleration range (8) to the neutral range (12) or from the deceleration range (10) to the neutral range (12) can be fed back to the driver, and the pedal device having at least one adjustment unit (18), by means of which at least one path length of the acceleration range (8), the deceleration range (10) and / or the neutral range (12) can be adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pedal device for a motor vehicle that can be operated by an electric motor. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicles that can operate via an electric motor may include electric or hybrid vehicles, which have an electric motor for propulsion. The motor can operate as an electric motor as well as as a generator. The adjustable drive torque on the motor in a motor vehicle can be adjusted via a driving pedal, similar to that in a vehicle that can operate with an internal combustion engine. The torque is increased or decreased depending on how far the driver depresses the driving pedal.

[0003] In known electric or hybrid vehicles, the electric motor functions as a generator, feeding current derived from kinetic energy back to the vehicle's battery once the driver shifts the accelerator pedal to a position that decelerates the vehicle. This process is also known as regenerative braking. Simultaneously, a braking torque is generated, which effectively slows the vehicle.

[0004] To decelerate the vehicle, the driving pedal is positioned in the deceleration zone. In known motor-driven vehicles, a neutral zone is provided between the acceleration and deceleration zones, in which the motor-driven vehicle idles.

[0005] A pedal device is known from DE 10 2011 088 312 A1, in which feedback in the form of vibration can be given to the driver when the driver exceeds the neutral region. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention aims to improve the pedal device described at the beginning, so that the pedal device can be easily adapted to different users and their needs.

[0007] The task is accomplished by a pedal device for an electric motor-operated motor vehicle, the pedal device having at least one driving pedal for adjusting the acceleration of the motor vehicle by the driver, the driving pedal being movable along a driving pedal path and being positioned in an acceleration zone of the driving pedal path for accelerating the motor vehicle during motor operation, a deceleration zone of the driving pedal path for decelerating the motor vehicle during generator operation, and a neutral zone of the driving pedal path positioned between the acceleration zone and the deceleration zone, the pedal device having at least one feedback unit having at least one feedback mechanism by which the transition from the acceleration zone to the neutral zone or from the deceleration zone to the neutral zone can be fed back to the driver, and the pedal device having at least one adjustment unit by which the path length of at least one of the acceleration zone, deceleration zone, and / or neutral zone in the driving pedal path can be adjusted.

[0008] The adjustment unit allows for the adjustment of the path length in the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones of the driving pedal path. This allows, for example, the adjustment of the percentage of the driving pedal path length relative to the total path length in the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones. For instance, the neutral zone in the driving pedal path length can be set to 30% to 50%. Correspondingly, the deceleration zone comprises the initial 0% to 30% of the driving pedal path length, and the acceleration zone comprises the range from 50% to 100% of the driving pedal path length.

[0009] In principle, it is conceivable that the adjustment unit can operate automatically. In one embodiment of the pedal device, the adjustment element includes at least one operating element by which the path length of the acceleration zone, deceleration zone, and / or neutral zone can be manually adjusted.

[0010] In this configuration, the user of the motor vehicle can easily adjust the pedal mechanism according to their individual needs. Furthermore, it proves advantageous that the path lengths of the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones can be adjusted pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically, and / or electronically by the operating elements.

[0011] If the path lengths of the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones can be adjusted pneumatically or hydraulically by the operating elements, then pneumatic and / or hydraulic components that are normally installed in the motor vehicle can be used.

[0012] If the path lengths of the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones can be mechanically adjusted, the operating element can be positioned directly on the driving pedal, for example, when transitioning from the driving pedal to the vehicle. If the path lengths of the acceleration, deceleration, and / or neutral zones can be electronically adjusted, the operating element can be positioned at a distance from the driving pedal.

[0013] In one embodiment of the pedal device, it has proven advantageous to include at least one control unit in which the path lengths of acceleration, deceleration and / or neutral regions can be stored or stored. The control unit can associate the position of the driving pedal with the acceleration, deceleration and / or neutral regions, and the association between the position of the driving pedal and the acceleration, deceleration and / or neutral regions can be electronically adjusted in the control unit via an operating element.

[0014] The position of the driving pedal can be detected, for example, by at least one sensor element.

[0015] In order to indicate the transition from the acceleration or deceleration zone to the neutral zone to the driver in a simple and low-cost manner, it has proven advantageous that at least one feedback mechanism of the feedback unit includes at least one optically, acoustically, tactilely, and / or haptologically perceptible feedback mechanism, such as a screen, display, speaker, and / or vibration element.

[0016] If the feedback mechanism of the feedback unit includes an optically perceptible feedback mechanism, the feedback mechanism may include, for example, a screen, panel, or light source. If the feedback mechanism includes an acoustically perceptible feedback mechanism, it may employ, for example, a speaker or signal transmitter installed in a motor vehicle. If the feedback mechanism includes a tactile and / or touch-sensitive feedback mechanism, the feedback mechanism may include, for example, a vibrating element.

[0017] In one extended embodiment mentioned last, it has proven advantageous that the tactile and / or tactile feedback mechanism includes a vibrating element disposed indirectly or directly on the driving pedal and / or on a manually operable steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel or a lever.

[0018] By allowing the vibration element to be placed in the driving pedal and / or in a manually operated steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel or lever, the transition from the acceleration or deceleration zone to the neutral zone is shown to the driver in a simple way.

[0019] In another embodiment of the pedal device, it is specified that at least one operating element of the adjustment unit and at least one feedback mechanism of the adjustment unit include a common component.

[0020] For example, it is conceivable that the pedal mechanism includes a control unit that communicates with a feedback mechanism via an operating element configured as a screen, panel, and / or display, and regarding this, can provide path lengths stored in the control unit for acceleration zones, deceleration zones, and / or neutral zones, or can adjust their association with the position of the driving pedal. In such a case, the operating element may include a touchscreen.

[0021] Furthermore, the embodiment of the driving pedal specifies that, in this embodiment, the feedback given to the driver during the transition from the acceleration zone or from the deceleration zone to the neutral zone includes continuous or time-defined feedback that can be optically, acoustically, tactilely, and / or tactilely perceived, especially optical or acoustic indications or vibrations.

[0022] In such a case, the feedback from the transition from the acceleration or deceleration region to the neutral region can be persistent or time-limited.

[0023] In one extended embodiment mentioned last, it has proven advantageous that the duration of the time-defined optical, acoustic, tactile, and / or haptic feedback can be adjusted by means of a switching mechanism of the operating element and / or adjustment unit.

[0024] Therefore, the duration can be preset by the user of the vehicle via the operating element. Alternatively or supplementarily, a switching mechanism can be provided, by which the duration can be adjusted.

[0025] Finally, it proved advantageous that the feedback given to the driver during the transition from the acceleration zone or from the deceleration zone to the neutral zone could be accessed and / or disconnected by the driver using the switching mechanism of the operating element and / or adjustment unit.

[0026] In such cases, the feedback given to the driver during the transition from the acceleration zone or from the deceleration zone to the neutral zone can be disconnected if it proves inappropriate for the driver.

[0027] In the neutral zone, motor vehicles can operate while idling.

[0028] By configuring a control unit, for example, the information can be stored therein. The further the pedal is from the neutral zone in the acceleration zone, the stronger the vehicle accelerates. Conversely, the further the pedal is from the neutral zone in the deceleration zone, the stronger the vehicle decelerates. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention can be seen from the description of preferred embodiments of the pedal device illustrated in the accompanying drawings and subsequent figures.

[0030] In the attached diagram:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic side view showing an embodiment of the pedal device;

[0032] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the change in braking torque or acceleration torque during pedal operation. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a pedal device 2, generally indicated by reference numeral 2, is shown for a motor vehicle (not explicitly shown in the accompanying drawings) that can be operated by an electric motor. The pedal device 2 includes a driver's pedal 4 for adjusting the acceleration of the motor vehicle by the driver. The driver's pedal 4 is movable along a driver's pedal path 6 and can be positioned in an acceleration region 8, a deceleration region 10, and a neutral region 12 between the acceleration and deceleration regions 8 and 10, in which the motor vehicle can accelerate during motor operation and in which the motor vehicle can decelerate during generator operation.

[0034] Furthermore, the pedal device 2 includes a feedback unit 14 having at least one feedback mechanism 16, through which at least one transition from the acceleration region 8 to the neutral region 12 or from the deceleration region 10 to the neutral region 12 can be fed back to the driver. Additionally, the pedal device 2 includes an adjustment unit 18, through which at least one path length of the acceleration region 8, the deceleration region 10, and / or the neutral region 12 in the driving pedal path 6 can be adjusted.

[0035] exist Figure 1 In the embodiments visible in the text, the adjustment element 18 includes an operating element 20, through which the path lengths of the acceleration region 8, deceleration region 10, and / or neutral region 12 can be manually adjusted. Figure 1 In the embodiments that are visible, the operating element 20 is composed of an optical feedback mechanism 16, in particular a touch screen.

[0036] In addition, according to Figure 1 The pedal device 2 of the embodiment includes a control unit 22, in which the path lengths of the acceleration zone 8, the deceleration zone 10 and / or the neutral zone 12 can be stored and adjusted by the operating element 20, and the position of the driving pedal 4 can be associated with the acceleration zone 8, the deceleration zone 10 and / or the neutral zone 12 by the operating element and can be adjusted.

[0037] In addition to the optical feedback mechanism 16, the feedback unit 14 also includes a tactile or tactilely perceptible feedback mechanism 16 configured as a vibration element 24. Figure 1 In the embodiments that are visible in the text, the vibration element 24 and the travel pedal 4 include a common component.

[0038] Furthermore, the adjustment unit 18, in conjunction with the control unit 22 via the operating element 20, includes the possibility of adjusting the duration of vibration of the vibration element 24. Additionally, the vibration element 24 can be fully connected and / or disconnected via the operating element 20 of the adjustment unit 18.

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the torque applied to the motor of a motor vehicle. Figure 2 It can be seen that the braking torque increases with the increase of the distance between the acceleration region 8 and the deceleration region 10. Conversely, the acceleration torque in the acceleration region 8 increases with the increase of the distance from the neutral region 12.

[0040] The inventive features disclosed in the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawings may be important not only individually but also in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

[0041] List of reference numerals

[0042] 2. Pedal Mechanism

[0043] 4. Driving pedals

[0044] 6. Driving pedal path

[0045] 8 Acceleration Zone

[0046] 10 Deceleration Zone

[0047] 12 Neutral Regions

[0048] 14 Feedback Unit

[0049] 16 Feedback Organizations

[0050] 18 Adjustment Units

[0051] 20 Operating elements

[0052] 22 Control Unit

[0053] 24 Vibrating elements

Claims

1. A pedal device (2) for a motor vehicle that can be operated with an electric motor, the pedal device having at least one traction pedal (4) for adjusting the acceleration of the motor vehicle by the driver, the traction pedal being movable along a traction pedal path (6) and being arranged in an acceleration range (8) of the traction pedal path (6), in a deceleration range (10) of the traction pedal path (6), and in a neutral range (12) of the traction pedal path between the acceleration range (8) and the deceleration range (10), wherein the motor vehicle can be accelerated in motor operation and in the deceleration range the motor vehicle can be decelerated in generator operation, and the pedal device having at least one feedback unit (14) having at least one feedback mechanism (16) by which the acceleration can be adjusted from at least the acceleration range (8) to the neutral range (12) or from the deceleration range (10). The transition from the deceleration region (10) to the neutral region (12) is fed back to the driver, and the pedal device has at least one adjustment unit (18), by which at least one path length of the acceleration region (8), the deceleration region (10) and / or the neutral region (12) in the travel pedal path (6) can be adjusted, the adjustment unit (18) comprising at least one operating element (20), by which the path length of the acceleration region (8), the deceleration region (10) and / or the neutral region (12) can be manually adjusted, and the at least one operating element (20) and the at least one feedback mechanism (16) comprise a common component, the duration of the feedback limited in time can be adjusted by means of the operating element (20), and the feedback can be switched on and / or off by the driver by means of the operating element (20).

2. The pedal device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The path length of the acceleration region (8), the deceleration region (10) and / or the neutral region (12) can be adjusted pneumatically, hydraulically, mechanically and / or electronically via an operating element (20).

3. The pedal device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one control unit (22) is provided, in which the path lengths of an acceleration region (8), a deceleration region (10) and / or a neutral region (12) are stored or can be stored, by means of which the position of a accelerator pedal (4) can be associated with the acceleration region (8), the deceleration region (10) and / or the neutral region (12), and the association of the position of the accelerator pedal (4) with the acceleration region (8), the deceleration region (10) and / or the neutral region (12) can be electronically adjusted in the control unit by means of an operating element (20).

4. The pedal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one feedback mechanism (16) of the feedback unit (14) comprises at least one feedback mechanism (16) that can be perceived optically, acoustically and / or tactilely.

5. The pedal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that At least one feedback mechanism (16) of the feedback unit (14) comprises a screen, a display, a speaker and / or a vibration element (24).

6. The pedal device (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that The haptically perceptible feedback device (16) comprises a vibration element (24) which is arranged indirectly or directly on the gas pedal (4) and / or on the manually actuatable steering device.

7. The pedal device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that The steering mechanism is a steering wheel or a joystick.

8. The pedal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Feedback to the driver on the transition from the acceleration region (8) or from the deceleration region (10) to the neutral region (12) includes continuous or time-limited feedback that can be perceived visually, acoustically and / or haptically.

9. The pedal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Feedback to the driver of the transition from the acceleration region (8) or from the deceleration region (10) to the neutral region (12) includes optical or acoustic indications or vibrations.

10. The pedal device (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that The duration of the time-limited visually, acoustically and / or haptically perceptible feedback can be adjusted by means of an operating element (20) and / or a switching mechanism of the control unit (18).

11. The pedal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Feedback to the driver on the transition from the acceleration range (8) or from the deceleration range (10) to the neutral range (12) can be switched on and / or off by the driver using a switching mechanism of the control unit (18).

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