Damping mechanism for pedal of vehicle, pedal and system having such damping mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a damping mechanism (1) for a vehicle pedal (2), comprising a hollow body (3) for accommodating a medium, which body (3) can be compressed or stretched from a rest position, and a valve (4), characterized in that the valve (4) is suitable and provided for the medium to flow into and / or out of the body (3), the inflow and / or outflow of the medium being controlled by means of the valve (3), in this way, a) the medium rapidly flows out when the body (3) is compressed from the rest position and slowly flows in when returning to the rest position, or b) the medium rapidly flows in when the body (3) is stretched from the rest position and slowly flows out when returning to the rest position. The invention also relates to a pedal (2) having a damping mechanism (1) according to the invention and to a system (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a damping mechanism for a pedal of a vehicle, the damping mechanism comprising a hollow body for accommodating a medium and a valve, wherein the body can be compressed or stretched from a rest position. Background Art

[0002] In modern vehicles, the coupling between pedals (e.g. brake pedals and / or accelerator pedals) and the vehicle components to be actuated is increasingly being eliminated. A pedal usually comprises at least a housing and an actuating part, which is actuated, preferably stepped on, by the driver of the vehicle. If the actuating part of a pedal (e.g. a brake pedal) is actuated, then measures are known to the skilled person for simulating a familiar haptic feedback when the actuating part is actuated. For example, the known feel of a brake pedal can be produced by the interaction of different springs. The position of the actuating part of the pedal is detected by a sensor and an electronic value is transmitted to a control and / or regulating device. Based on these sensor signals, a servomotor is actuated to actuate, for example, a brake.

[0003] The actuation force during strong braking, for example full braking, can be several hundred Newtons. Accordingly, a strong spring is used to simulate the haptic feedback of a pedal, in particular a brake pedal.

[0004] The spring generates a restoring force by actuation of the actuating part, which returns the actuating part to its initial position when the actuating part is released again.

[0005] A disadvantage here is that, in particular, strong springs, such as are required in brake pedals, generate very strong restoring forces which cause the actuating part to rebound very quickly into the initial position after it has been released. This rebound of the actuating part can lead to noises, in particular when the initial position at the end stop is reached. This noise can be caused, for example, by the actuating part hitting the housing.

[0006] These noises are undesirable. Hydraulic solutions are known to prevent the formation of noises. These hydraulic solutions are complex in design and are therefore prone to failure and expensive. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention addresses this issue.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a damping device for a pedal of a vehicle which prevents the development of noise when an actuating part of the pedal rebounds into an initial position and which is designed to be cost-effective and non-prone to failure.

[0009] This object is achieved by a damping mechanism according to claim 1 and a pedal according to claim 9 and a system according to claim 15 .

[0010] According to the invention, this task is solved by a damping mechanism for a pedal of a vehicle, the damping mechanism comprising a hollow body for accommodating a medium and a valve, wherein the body can be compressed or stretched from an idle position, and the valve is suitable and arranged to allow the medium to flow into and / or out of the body, the inflow and / or outflow of the medium being controlled by the valve so that the medium flows out quickly when the body is compressed from the idle position and flows in slowly when returning to the idle position, or the medium flows in quickly when the body is stretched from the idle position and flows out slowly when returning to the idle position.

[0011] The particular advantage of the proposed damping mechanism is that the return of the body from compression and / or extension can be controlled by means of a valve. Thus, the time period required to return from compression and / or extension to the idle position of the body can be adjusted according to different requirements. If the body of the damping mechanism is compressed from the idle position, it is necessary that the compression is carried out quickly and the compression of the body is hindered as little as possible. Therefore, the outflow of the medium is carried out quickly. The same applies if the body is stretched from the idle position. The stretching should be carried out quickly and be hindered as little as possible. In this case, the inflow of the medium is carried out quickly. If the compression or stretching is canceled, the damping characteristics of the damping mechanism should be particularly prominent. Therefore, the valve is set so that the medium flows in slowly when returning from compression to the idle position or the medium flows out slowly when returning from stretching to the idle position. Preferably, the medium used is air, because the air around the damping mechanism can be used without special measures. However, other types of media can be used when necessary without changing the concept of the invention.

[0012] It can be provided that the damping mechanism comprises a spring, wherein the spring is arranged in the interior of the body, the end of the spring at least indirectly resting against the outer shell of the body in the interior of the body. Advantageously, the damping mechanism comprises a spring in addition to the body, since the spring can assist in bringing the body of the damping mechanism back into the idle position.

[0013] Provision can be made here for the return to the rest position influenced by the valve to differ from the return to the rest position influenced by the spring and / or the body.

[0014] Preferably, the spring is also compressed when the body is compressed and / or is also stretched when the body is stretched. The spring is at least indirectly connected to the body with the ends of the spring resting on the housing of the body in the interior of the body so that the spring undergoes the same deformation when the body is compressed or stretched.

[0015] It is therefore possible for the body and / or the spring to have a compressive stress when the body is compressed and a tensile stress when the body is stretched, wherein the compressive stress counteracts the compression of the body or the tensile stress counteracts the stretching of the body.

[0016] The compressive or tensile stresses that are built up cause the body to return to the rest position when the compression or extension is released. But the proposed valve makes it possible to control the time period over which the return occurs. Without the valve, the return to the rest position is influenced by the spring and the body. A stronger spring or a stronger spring offset necessarily leads to a faster return to the rest position. This is undesirable. With the help of the valve, the return of the body to the rest position is controlled so that the body reaches the rest position gently and without creating a knocking noise.

[0017] In order to achieve compression and / or tension, it can be provided that the body is at least partially composed of an elastomer. A body that is at least partially composed of an elastomer can be elastically deformed so that it regains its original shape again when forces no longer act on it. The body can, for example, be at least partially composed of silicon or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Within the scope of the present application it should be assumed that the body is designed so that the deformation does not exceed the elastic range. The spring can also be deformed within the elastic range so that when forces no longer act, both the body and the spring strive to return to the idle position again. The particularity of the damping mechanism according to the invention is the speed, which is influenced by the valve, at which the body reaches the idle position again.

[0018] It can also be provided that the main body comprises a plurality of parts. This is particularly advantageous for placing the spring in the interior of the main body and at least indirectly abutting the inner side of the housing with the ends of the spring. This can be achieved in a simple working step by means of a multi-piece main body.

[0019] Can provide that the spring has a linear spring characteristic curve or a progressive spring characteristic curve or a decreasing spring characteristic curve. In particular, a steel spring with a corrosion coating can be used here.

[0020] The pedal for a vehicle comprises at least a housing and an operating part and a damping mechanism according to the present invention, wherein the damping mechanism is arranged between the housing and the operating part. The advantage of this pedal is that the operating part can also be operated in the event of a failure of the damping mechanism.

[0021] It can be provided that the operating part is arranged movably relative to the housing, wherein the operating part can be brought from the initial position into the working position by the action of an external force. The external force can be applied by the driver of the vehicle, who steps on the operating part of the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal to actuate the brake or accelerate.

[0022] It can be provided that the movement of the operating part relative to the housing causes a compression or extension of the body. Since the damping mechanism is arranged between the housing and the operating part, the movement of the operating part relative to the housing causes a compression or extension of the body of the damping mechanism. This depends on how the damping mechanism is arranged between the housing and the operating part. It is conceivable that the movement of the operating part compresses the body of the damping mechanism when the available space between the housing and the operating part becomes smaller at the location of the damping mechanism. It is also conceivable that the movement of the operating part relative to the housing causes an extension of the body when the available space between the housing and the operating part becomes larger at the location of the damping mechanism.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that the damping mechanism is designed to bring the operating part from the working position into the initial position. If the external force acting on the operating part is removed (for example because the driver of the vehicle removes his foot from the operating part of the pedal), the damping mechanism is provided to bring the operating part back into its initial position again. The damping mechanism and the operating part are connected in such a way that the action of the valve influencing the return of the body to the idle position is transmitted to the operating part of the pedal and brings the operating part back into its initial position at the same speed as when the body assumes its idle position.

[0024] In this case, it can be provided that the actuating part comes into contact with the end stop when reaching the starting position.

[0025] It can also be provided that the damping mechanism is arranged between the housing and the actuating part in such a way that the actuating part is in its initial position when the damping mechanism reaches the rest position.

[0026] The system comprises a pedal according to the invention and a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The following describes other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same or similar parts and for parts with the same or similar functions.

[0028] The attached pictures are as follows:

[0029] Figure 1 An exploded view of a damping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the damping mechanism in FIG.

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a pedal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a pedal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional side view showing a pedal in an initial position according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 Show according to Figure 5 A partially cut-away side view of a pedal in a working position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a damping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 , a sectional view of the damping mechanism in the assembled state. The damping mechanism comprises a hollow body for accommodating a medium, a spring and a valve. In the embodiment shown, the body is constructed in multiple parts, so that the spring can be introduced particularly easily into the interior of the hollow body. In order to close the multiple part body, the multiple part body comprises a closing ring. The ends of the spring bear indirectly against the outer shell of the body via a support element in the interior of the body, such as in particular in Figure 2 Visible in.

[0036] The hollow body is suitable for accommodating a medium, which can flow into and / or out of the body via the valve. The medium can be air, for example. By means of the selected structure, the hollow body is at least largely sealed relative to its surroundings, so that the medium can flow into and / or out almost only via the valve.

[0037] The body is at least partially made of an elastomer. Thus, the body can be compressed or stretched from its idle position. Since the spring at least indirectly rests against the outer shell of the body in the interior of the body, the compression or stretching is transmitted to the spring. This can be seen particularly clearly in Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be seen in.

[0038] When the body is compressed, the body and the spring have a compressive stress, and when the body is stretched, the body and the spring have a tensile stress, wherein the compressive stress reacts to the compression of the body or the tensile stress reacts to the stretching of the body.

[0039] Figures 3 to 6 Different embodiments of a pedal are shown. The pedal comprises at least a housing, an operating part and a damping mechanism according to the invention. The damping mechanism is arranged between the operating part and the housing. The operating part is arranged movably relative to the housing so that the operating part can be brought from an initial position into an operating position by an external force. The external force is usually applied by the driver of the vehicle, who places his foot on the operating part of the pedal and "steps on" it, for example, to initiate braking.

[0040] Figure 3 and Figure 4Shown is a damping mechanism without an additional spring in the interior of the hollow body. In this case, the compressive or tensile stress of the body when compressed or stretched is sufficient to bring the body back to its idle position again.

[0041] exist Figures 3 to 6 In all the embodiments shown, the damping mechanism is designed to bring the actuating part back from the working position to the initial position. When the actuating part reaches the initial position, it abuts against the end stop. In order to prevent the actuating part from hitting the end stop hard and causing noise in the process, the valve is designed to control the damping mechanism back to its idle position. In this way, the actuating part is also indirectly controlled to return from its working position to the initial position.

[0042] Figure 5 A pedal in an initial position according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown and Figure 6 The same pedal is shown in the working position. Figure 6 It is shown that the movement of the operating part relative to the housing causes the main body to stretch. If the operating part is operated by the driver of the vehicle, for example for braking, it is important that the damping mechanism does not hinder the operation and does not cause the driver to encounter unnecessary resistance. For this purpose, the valve of the damping mechanism is designed so that when the operating part of the pedal is operated, it causes the damping mechanism to stretch and a medium, such as air, can flow into the main body very quickly. The operation of the operating part is therefore not hindered and even in the event of a malfunction of the damping mechanism, the traffic safety of the vehicle is not adversely affected.

[0043] If the process for operating the operating part, such as braking, is completed, the driver removes his foot from the operating part and releases it again. The operating part quickly returns to its initial position. In order to prevent the operating part from hitting the end stop, the valve is designed so that the medium can only escape slowly from the interior of the body. As a result, the speed at which the damping mechanism returns to the idle position and thus the operating part returns to the initial position is slowed down.

[0044] If the damping mechanism is compressed when the operating part is manipulated, the same principle can be used. In this case, the medium flows out quickly when compressed, and only when the operating part returns to its initial position, the medium flows in slowly again.

[0045] Reference numerals list

[0046] 1 Damping mechanism

[0047] 2 pedals

[0048] 3 Main Body

[0049] 4 valves

[0050] 5 Spring

[0051] 6 Shell

[0052] 7 Operation part

[0053] 8 End stop

[0054] 9 System

[0055] 10 Vehicles

Claims

1. A damping mechanism (1) for a pedal (2) of a vehicle, comprising a valve (4) and a hollow body (3) for accommodating a medium, the body (3) being capable of being compressed or stretched from an idle position, characterized in that: The valve (4) is suitable and configured to allow the medium to flow into and / or out of the body (3), and the inflow and / or outflow of the medium is controlled by the valve (3) so that a) the medium flows out quickly when the body (3) is compressed from the idle position and flows in slowly when returning to the idle position, or b) The medium flows in quickly when the body (3) is stretched from the idle position and flows out slowly when returning to the idle position.

2. The damping mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The damping mechanism (1) comprises a spring (5), which is arranged inside the body (3), and the end of the spring (5) at least indirectly rests on the outer shell of the body (3) inside the body (3).

3. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The return to the rest position effected by the valve (4) is different from the return to the rest position effected by the spring (5) and / or the body (3).

4. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The spring (5) is compressed when the body (3) is compressed and / or is stretched when the body (3) is stretched.

5. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the main body (3) is compressed, the main body (3) and / or the spring (5) have compressive stress, and when the main body (3) is stretched, the main body (3) and / or the spring (5) have tensile stress, wherein the compressive stress reacts to the compression of the main body (3) or the tensile stress reacts to the stretching of the main body (3).

6. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The body (3) is at least partially made of elastomer.

7. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The main body (3) comprises a plurality of parts.

8. The damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The spring (5) has a linear spring characteristic curve, a progressive spring characteristic curve or a decreasing spring characteristic curve.

9. A pedal (2) for a vehicle, the pedal comprising at least a housing (6), an operating portion (7) and a damping mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The damping mechanism (1) is arranged between the housing (6) and the operating portion (7).

10. The pedal (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that The operating part (7) is movably arranged relative to the housing (6), and the operating part (7) can be brought from an initial position to a working position by an external force.

11. The pedal (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that The movement of the operating portion (7) relative to the housing (6) causes compression or extension of the main body (3).

12. The pedal (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The damping mechanism (1) is configured to bring the operating part (7) from a working position to an initial position.

13. The pedal (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that The operating part (7) abuts against the end stop (8) when reaching the initial position.

14. The pedal (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The damping mechanism (1) is arranged between a housing (6) and an operating part (7), so that the operating part (7) is located at its initial position when the damping mechanism (1) reaches an idle position.

15. A system (9) comprising a pedal (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 14 and a vehicle (10).

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