Pedal assembly for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal assembly (1) for a vehicle, comprising at least one pedal unit (10) for triggering a vehicle function, which pedal unit comprises a modularly constructed pedal head (20), and at least one mechanically sprung base unit (30), the pedal head is connected with a housing cover (7) which can move along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) with a small stroke and is used for receiving the actuating force of the foot of a driver. The base unit is arranged between the at least one pedal unit (10) and the body of the vehicle and fixes the at least one pedal unit (10) to the body of the vehicle, and provides an additional stroke (H) along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) when the pedal unit (10) is actuated, and thereby changes the tactile feedback at the driver's foot.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a pedal assembly for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Drive-by-wire systems with pedal assemblies are known from the prior art, which also transmit the driver's commands only electrically or electronically. Such drive-by-wire systems include, for example, a pedal assembly with a so-called electronic accelerator pedal or accelerator pedal for drive control or acceleration functions and a brake pedal for a brake-by-wire system to perform a braking function. Another known drive-by-wire system is a steer-by-wire system for steering control. Drive-by-wire means driving or controlling a vehicle without a mechanical force transmission from an operating element of the vehicle, such as an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal or a steering wheel, to corresponding adjustment elements of the vehicle, such as a throttle, brakes and / or steering of the vehicle. This means that in such drive-by-wire systems, the corresponding pedal unit is decoupled from the force flow and the aforementioned functions are controlled instead by electrical wires and servomotors or electromechanical actuators. Usually, the sensor device of the drive-by-wire system detects the driver's predefined conditions by means of a force-based sensor unit in order to determine the required braking or acceleration intensity of the vehicle and to set this braking or acceleration intensity accordingly via the drive train and the brake system. The elimination of the mechanical connection enables novel pedal concepts, since a long pedal travel is no longer required to decelerate or accelerate the vehicle.

[0003] Patent document DE 103 12 547 A1 discloses a device for accelerating or decelerating a motor vehicle, which device comprises two operating elements. The first operating element is used to accelerate the motor vehicle and the second operating element is used to decelerate the motor vehicle. These operating elements are operated by applying hand force or foot force. Here, the two operating elements work largely without stroke and the speed of the motor vehicle is kept constant by the first operating element or the second operating element according to the last applied hand force or foot force after the hand force or foot force is cancelled until further operation of the first operating element or the second operating element is performed.

[0004] Patent document DE 102 39 913 A1 discloses an operating mechanism for influencing a braking, clutching or driving device of a motor vehicle. The operating mechanism operated by the driver is mechanically decoupled from the actuator of the device. Here, the operating mechanism is a receiver that only detects the operating force of the driver and generates a control signal, the generation of which is independent of the operating travel and has no operating travel.

[0005] Patent document DE 10 2023 204 205 A1 subsequently disclosed by the applicant discloses a pedal assembly having two pedal units, a pedal unit for triggering a vehicle function, and a method for assembling such a pedal unit and a method for removing a pedal head from such a pedal unit. The pedal unit includes a pedal head of modular construction, which includes a pad carrier and a replaceable pedal pad for bearing the operating force of the driver's foot, and is connected to a housing cover, which can be moved with a small stroke in the height direction of the pedal unit. The pedal pad is detachably connected to the pad carrier. Here, a fixing assembly detachably connects the pad carrier to the movable housing cover in a form-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner. The pedal assembly includes a first pedal unit configured as a brake pedal and a second pedal unit configured as an accelerator pedal. Summary of the invention

[0006] The pedal assembly for a vehicle having the features of independent claim 1 has the advantage that the pedal stroke perceptible to the driver of a pedal unit with a small stroke (preferably in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm) can be extended by a certain additional stroke, preferably in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm, by means of a base unit. In order to fix the pedal unit, a retaining element dedicated to the vehicle manufacturer is usually used, which is arranged between the pedal unit with a small stroke and the vehicle body. In an embodiment of the pedal assembly with a small stroke, the base unit assumes the function of fixing the pedal unit to the vehicle body. Then, two base units can be used for a first pedal unit with a small stroke configured as an accelerator pedal and a second pedal unit with a small stroke configured as a brake pedal, respectively, so that the two pedal units with a small stroke can be fixed to the vehicle body independently of each other. Alternatively, a common base unit can be provided for the first pedal unit configured as an accelerator pedal and the second pedal unit configured as a brake pedal, and they can be fixed together to the vehicle body.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a pedal assembly for a vehicle, wherein the pedal assembly has at least one pedal unit for triggering a vehicle function and at least one base unit that can be mechanically spring-loaded, wherein the at least one pedal unit includes a modularly constructed pedal head, which is connected to a housing cover that can be moved with a small stroke along the height direction of the pedal unit and is used to withstand the operating force of the driver's foot, and the at least one base unit is arranged between the at least one pedal unit and the body of the vehicle and fixes the at least one pedal unit to the body of the vehicle, and provides an additional stroke along the height direction of the pedal unit when the pedal unit is operated, thereby changing the tactile feedback at the driver's foot.

[0008] The modularly constructed pedal head can include a pad carrier and a replaceable pedal pad, which can be removably connected to the pad carrier in a form-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner. The pad carrier can be removably connected to the movable housing cover in a form-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner. Preferably, the pedal pad can have a supporting structure to better hold the driver's foot. Due to frequent use, the pedal pad is subject to wear. Sometimes, due to wear reasons or visual reasons (design), the vehicle owner wishes to replace the pedal pad with another permitted variant. Since the replacement of the pedal pad requires force, for example, because the rubber lip must be expanded in order to remove the pedal pad from the pad carrier or fix it to the pad carrier, it is advantageous to remove the pedal head from the movable housing cover in advance. For example, by enabling the pad carrier to be connected to the movable housing cover without the aid of tools via a latching connection and / or a plug-in connection, it is possible to quickly assemble the pad carrier at the movable housing cover or quickly remove the pad carrier. At least one simple auxiliary tool can be used to carry out disassembly, so as to release the latch connection and / or the plug connection. This means that at least one simple auxiliary tool can preferably be used to release the form-fitting connection and / or the force-transmitting connection.

[0009] Pedal units with a removable housing cover have great future prospects, and the pedal units have a small stroke, which preferably lies in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm in the height direction of the pedal unit. If the housing cover is arranged on a bending beam, the small stroke can even be reduced to values ​​less than 1 mm and values ​​in the micrometer range. However, vehicle manufacturers who are cautious and still uncertain about the acceptance of such pedal units with a small stroke sometimes want the above-mentioned additional stroke in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm, which conflicts with the concept of pedal units with a small stroke in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. In order to resolve this conflict, the desire for a longer pedal stroke when operating the corresponding pedal unit with a small stroke can be realized by a mechanically elastic base element, which is arranged between the at least one pedal unit and the body of the vehicle. The base unit is a purely mechanical system for increasing the lowering stroke or pedal stroke when operating the corresponding pedal unit with a small stroke, which increases the driver's tactile perception compared to a simple pedal unit with a small stroke. The at least one pedal unit with a small stroke is preferably detachably fixed to the at least one base unit. If, for example, a vehicle manufacturer wants an additional stroke in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm at a defined force, the smaller stroke of the at least one pedal unit itself no longer needs to be changed. This makes it possible to standardize the at least one pedal unit with a smaller stroke to a high degree, with the pedal stroke only changing in the mechanical base unit. If, for example, a vehicle manufacturer wants to switch to a pedal unit with a smaller stroke when changing a vehicle model, it is only necessary to replace the corresponding mechanically springable base unit with a rigid base unit. The pedal unit with the smaller stroke can remain unchanged. Furthermore, software coordination of the vehicle functions to be triggered is generally not required.

[0010] Advantageous developments of the pedal assembly for a vehicle specified in independent claim 1 are achieved by means of the measures and developments listed in the dependent claims.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one base unit comprises a base body with at least one piston guide and at least one piston loaded by at least one return spring, which piston can be axially moved between a starting position and a stop position in the height direction of the pedal unit over an additional stroke, guided by the at least one piston guide. This allows the at least one base unit for providing an additional stroke to be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the length of the additional stroke can be adjusted via a stroke limiter acting on the at least one piston. To limit the additional stroke, i.e. to define the starting position, bolts, screws, nuts and / or press-fit components can be used, for example, which define the desired starting position and the maximum length of the additional stroke. The maximum length of the additional stroke can also be limited by a positively locking contact of the piston with the base body, for example when the piston strikes a stop.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the at least one piston can be detachably connected to the at least one pedal unit, so that an actuation force acting on the pedal head of the at least one pedal unit causes the at least one piston to be displaced over an additional stroke in the height direction of the pedal unit, overcoming the force of the at least one return spring. After the actuation, the at least one return spring can move the piston back to its starting position.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the desired force-travel curve of the piston can be preset by the length of the additional stroke and the properties of the at least one return spring. The additional stroke and the spring force of the at least one return spring can be adjusted, for example, by changing parts or inserting stroke-determining elements, so that the desired force-travel curve of the piston can be achieved for the vehicle manufacturer. In addition, the additional stroke of the base unit can also be locked if, for example, due to a physical disability, a pedal unit with a smaller stroke can be operated more easily than a lowering stroke or an additional stroke of the pedal stroke of up to 50 mm, for example, when fully braking or fully accelerating. If the driver is accustomed to a pedal unit with a smaller stroke and also wants to achieve this in a pedal assembly with a mechanically springable base unit, the desire to lock the additional stroke of the base unit may also occur.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the properties of the at least one return spring are predefined so that in the event of a crash the provided force-travel curve of the piston acts as a buffer, which reduces the force peaks and protects the driver's feet. Depending on the manner in which the pedal unit with a small travel is fastened to the vehicle body, mechanical displacements of the vehicle interior may occur in the event of an accident, which may also affect the pedal assembly. For example, if the driver then fully depresses the pedal unit, which is designed as a brake pedal, deformations of the vehicle body may have a direct effect on the driver. In this case, a spring-loaded base unit is also very helpful. The base unit can then be designed so that a short pedal travel is retained when the driver depresses it with his standard actuating force. In this case, the pedal unit with a small travel can be used in the same way as in applications with a rigid base unit. The mechanically springable base unit can be provided with a higher spring preload force, which can reduce the force peaks in the event of a crash due to its additional deformability and thus protect the driver. For example, a number of significantly preloaded return springs can be installed, which, for example, require a force of approximately 2500 Newtons for overpressure. During normal braking and during emergency braking without a collision, such forces rarely occur. The threshold force at which the piston starts to move can be defined arbitrarily by the vehicle manufacturer. In addition, the function of the buffering effect can be designed to be reversible. This means that the piston and therefore the pedal unit rebounds back to its starting position. If the structural space permits, the function of using the additional stroke of the return spring of the base unit in the case of a normal spring for a longer pedal stroke that can be perceived can also be combined with the function of the base unit to play a buffering role in the event of a collision. This springing acts like a series connection, wherein for normal operation the softer return spring of the base unit is first acted upon, and starting from a defined pedal stroke, the hard return spring of the base unit is acted upon to achieve the buffering effect function.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the at least one return spring can be partially accommodated in a spring receptacle formed on the piston and supported on a support surface arranged on the base body of the base unit. The support surface can also serve as a stop for the piston.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, a rotation stop is provided, which prevents the at least one piston from twisting in the piston guide. For this purpose, at least one guide structure can be arranged on the at least one piston, which is received in a form-fitting manner in at least one receiving contour correspondingly arranged on the at least one piston guide and can prevent a rotational movement of the piston about the height direction of the pedal unit.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, at least one piston guide for axially guiding the at least one piston can be constructed on the inner side of the base body. This means that the at least one piston is at least partially accommodated by the at least one piston guide and is axially guided with its outer wall at the inner wall of the at least one piston guide constructed on the base body. Alternatively, at least one piston guide for axially guiding the at least one piston can be constructed on the outer side of the base body. This means that the at least one piston at least partially surrounds the at least one piston guide and is axially guided with its inner wall at the outer wall of the at least one piston guide constructed on the base body.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, at least one fixing lug can be arranged on the base of the base unit. The at least one fixing lug can have a through hole, through which a fixing element, such as a bolt, can be guided to fix the base unit to the vehicle body.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the base unit can be fastened to a partition wall between the engine compartment and the vehicle interior or to the vehicle floor. By fastening the pedal assembly to the vehicle floor instead of to a partition wall as is conventionally done for the arrangement of a pedal assembly, the newly gained structural space can be used for other components. In addition, the driver's feet are better protected in the event of a crash.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment of the pedal assembly, the movable housing cover can be connected to the sensor housing in an axially movable manner. For this purpose, the movable housing cover can have a circumferential flange, which covers the wall of the sensor housing or can be surrounded by the wall of the sensor housing. This enables the movable housing cover to perform axial relative movement relative to the sensor housing. In addition, at least one sensor assembly can be arranged in the sensor housing, which detects and evaluates the stroke movement of the movable housing cover. Here, at least one external electrical interface can be arranged at the sensor housing, via which at least one sensor assembly can be contacted and / or powered. The at least one sensor assembly can be electrically connected to the vehicle control via the at least one external electrical interface. The at least one sensor assembly can include a movable measured value provider and a sensor electronics component. The at least one sensor assembly can, for example, detect smaller stroke movements of the movable housing cover without contact. The sensor electronics component can currently be understood as a circuit or structural unit having at least one sensor element, which can detect and process or evaluate magnetic signals and / or inductive signals and / or capacitive signals of the measured value provider without contact. For contactless detection of small stroke movements, Hall sensors based on the magnetic principle can preferably be used. In addition or alternatively, a force sensor can also be used to detect the stroke movement, which is connected to the movable housing cover via a return spring. Here, the variable spring force can be converted into a voltage change in a sensor element configured as a strain gauge, which can then be amplified and evaluated. Of course, other suitable measuring methods known in the prior art, such as optical measuring methods, inductive measuring methods, and capacitive measuring methods can also be used to detect and evaluate small stroke movements of the movable housing cover. The at least one component can be, for example, a so-called ASIC component or a microcontroller, which can contain a variety of functions for detecting and evaluating sensor signals. However, the at least one component can also be configured as an integrated circuit or a discrete structural unit. In order to evaluate and / or further process the detected signal, a software module, for example, present on the microcontroller can also be used. It is also advantageous to have a computer program product with a program code, which is stored on a machine-readable carrier such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory, and is used to perform the evaluation when the program is executed. In addition, the evaluation of the sensor signal can also be carried out completely or at least partially in a vehicle controller electrically connected to the at least one sensor component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description.In the drawings, the same reference numerals represent components or elements that perform the same or similar functions.

[0023] Figure 1A schematic perspective partial cross-sectional view is shown of an embodiment of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective top view of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment is a schematic perspective view of a pedal unit of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated diagram is a schematic perspective, partially sectional view of an embodiment of a base unit of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic sectional view of a first guide variant of a piston in a base unit of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 6 A schematic sectional view of a second guide variant of a piston in a base unit of a pedal assembly for a vehicle according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the illustrated embodiment of a pedal assembly 1 for a vehicle according to the present invention includes at least one pedal unit 10 for triggering a vehicle function and at least one base unit 30 that can be mechanically spring-loaded, the at least one pedal unit including a modularly constructed pedal head 20, the pedal head being connected to a housing cover 7 that can be moved with a small stroke along a height direction z of the pedal unit 10 and being used to withstand the operating force of the driver's foot, the at least one base unit being arranged between the at least one pedal unit 10 and the body of the vehicle and fixing the at least one pedal unit 10 to the body of the vehicle, and providing an additional stroke H along the height direction z of the pedal unit 10 when operating the pedal unit 10, thereby changing the tactile feedback at the driver's foot.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the pedal assembly 1 comprises only one pedal unit 10, which is detachably connected to a mechanically springable base unit 30. The pedal unit 10 is designed as a brake pedal 10A, with which a brake function can be activated as a vehicle function.

[0031] In an alternative, not shown, embodiment, the pedal assembly 1 includes only one pedal unit 10, which is detachably connected to a mechanically springable base unit 30 and is configured as an accelerator pedal, with which an acceleration function as a vehicle function can be triggered. In another alternative, not shown, embodiment, the pedal assembly 1 includes two pedal units 10, which are detachably connected to a mechanically springable base unit 30, respectively. Here, the first pedal unit 10 is configured as an accelerator pedal and the second pedal unit 10 is configured as a brake pedal 10A. Alternatively, a common mechanically springable base unit 30 can be provided for the first pedal unit 10 configured as an accelerator pedal and the second pedal unit 10 configured as a brake pedal 10A.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3 As further shown, the pedal head 20 includes a pad carrier 22 and a replaceable pedal pad 24. The pedal pad 24 is detachably connected to the pad carrier 22 in a form-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner. Here, the pedal pad 24 of the pedal head 20 in the illustrated embodiment has a curved deep-drawn shell 24.1 made of stainless steel, which is combined with a curved rubber component 24.2, so that a strip-shaped support structure 24.3 protruding from the deep-drawn shell 24.1 is produced at the upper side of the deep-drawn shell 24.1. The support structure 24.3 can prevent the driver's foot from slipping or at least make it more difficult to slip. The pad carrier 22 is detachably connected to the movable housing cover 12 in a form-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad carrier 22 is plugged into the movable housing cover 12 and fixed to the movable housing cover 12 by a fixing element or a locking element that is not shown and described in detail.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 3As further shown, the movable housing cover 12 is connected to the sensor housing 16 in an axially movable manner, in which at least one sensor assembly 17 is arranged. For this purpose, the movable housing cover 12 in the illustrated embodiment is configured in the shape of a cap, with a cylindrical spring receptacle, not shown in detail, on which the gasket carrier 22 is inserted. The movable housing cover 12 has a circular shape, which has a circumferential flange 12.1, which covers the wall of the sensor housing 16. Alternatively, the circumferential flange 12.1 of the housing cover 12 can be surrounded by the wall of the sensor housing 16. This enables the movable housing cover 12 to perform an axial relative movement relative to the sensor housing 16. The cylindrical spring receptacle is closed at one end by a cover, not shown in detail, and has a receiving opening for a return spring, not shown in detail, at the other end. Here, the cover of the spring receptacle faces the pedal head 20 with the gasket carrier 22, and the receiving opening faces the sensor housing 16, so that the return spring, not shown in detail, is arranged between the cover of the spring receptacle and the bottom of the sensor housing 16, not shown in detail. The gasket carrier 22 has a recess, not described in detail, which at least partially accommodates the cover of the cylindrical spring receptacle or the cylindrical spring receptacle. Figures 1 to 3 As further shown, the bellows-shaped circumferential seal 14 covers the movable housing cover 12 and the sensor housing 16 in a fluid-tight manner in the overlapping area. Figure 3 A portion of the seal 14 is removed.

[0034] When the pedal unit 10 is actuated by exerting an actuating force on the pedal head 20, the movable housing cover 12 is moved by a small stroke in the direction of the sensor housing 16 against the force of the restoring force. The at least one sensor assembly 17 detects and evaluates this small stroke movement of the movable housing cover 12. In this case, the small axial stroke of the movable housing cover 12 can preferably be preset in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. When the housing cover 12 is arranged on a bending beam, the small stroke can even be reduced to values ​​less than 1 mm and in the micrometer range.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As further shown, the base unit 30 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a base body 31 having a piston guide 32 and a piston 35 loaded by a plurality of return springs 36, which is Figure 1 and Figure 2 Between the starting position shown and the stop position (not shown), the pedal unit 10 can be axially displaced over an additional stroke H along the height direction z of the pedal unit 10 by means of at least one piston guide 32. Figure 1 and Figure 4As further shown, the return springs 36 are each partially accommodated in a spring receptacle 35 . 1 formed on the piston 35 and supported on a support surface 32 . 1 arranged on the base body 31 of the base unit 30 , which simultaneously forms a stop for the piston 35 .

[0036] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As further shown, a rotation stop 37 is provided, which prevents the piston 35 from twisting in the piston guide 32. For this purpose, at least one guide structure 37.1 is arranged on the piston 35, which is received in a form-fitting manner in at least one receiving contour 37.2 correspondingly arranged on the piston guide 32 and prevents a rotational movement of the piston 35 about the pedal unit 10, more precisely about the height direction z of the base unit 30. In the embodiment shown, the piston 35 has two guide structures 37.1, which are designed opposite each other as guide arms 37.1A extending from the piston 35. The corresponding receiving contour 37.2 is introduced into the base body 31 as a recess 37.2A in the region of the piston guide 32. As a result, a rotational movement or rotation of the piston 35, which is axially guided in the piston guide 32, is prevented.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As further shown, the piston 35 is detachably connected to the at least one pedal unit 10, so that an actuation force acting on the pedal head 20 of the pedal unit 10 moves the at least one piston 35 over the additional stroke H along the height direction z of the pedal unit 10, more precisely the base unit 30, against the force of the return spring 36 via the movable housing cover 12 and the sensor housing 16. Here, after the actuation, the return spring 36 moves the piston 35 back to its starting position.

[0038] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4As further shown, the length of the additional stroke H can be adjusted by a stroke limiter 38 acting on the piston 35. Here, the axial additional stroke H of the base unit 30 can preferably be preset in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the stroke limiter 38 comprises a bolt 38.1 and a nut 38.2, into which the bolt 38.1 is screwed. The bolt 38.1 is guided through a first guide hole 38.3 introduced in the piston 35 and a second guide hole 38.4 introduced in the base body 31 of the base unit 30. Here, the first guide hole 38.3 is introduced into a guide structure 37.1 of the rotation stop 37, which is configured as a guide arm 37.1A extending from the piston 35. The second guide hole 38.3 is introduced into the base body 31 in the region of a receiving contour 37.2 configured as a recess 37.2A. The nut 38.2 into which the bolt 38.1 is screwed is arranged at the edge of the second guide hole 38.4 introduced in the base body 31 facing away from the piston 35. The length of the additional stroke H can be adjusted by the screwing movement of the bolt 38.1. Here, the starting position of the piston 35 can be preset by the stroke limiter 38.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment of the pedal assembly 1 , the desired force-travel curve of the piston 35 can be preset by the length of the additional travel H and the properties of the return spring 36 , in order to preset a desired haptic feedback in the form of an extended pedal travel to the driver's foot.

[0040] In an embodiment of the pedal assembly 1, which is not shown, the properties of the at least one return spring 36 are preset so that the set force-travel curve of the piston 35 in the event of a crash has a damping effect, which reduces force peaks and protects the driver's foot. In another alternative embodiment of the pedal assembly 1, which is not shown, the function of the additional travel H in the case of normal springing of the base unit 30 for a perceptibly longer pedal travel is combined with the function of the springing of the base unit 30 for a damping effect in the event of a crash. The springing of the base unit 30 acts like a series connection, wherein the softer return spring of the base unit 30 is first acted upon for normal operation. Then, starting from a defined pedal travel, the hard return spring of the base unit 30 is acted upon to achieve the damping effect function in the event of a crash.

[0041] In order to fix the base unit 30 on the vehicle body, a plurality of fixing tabs 33 with through holes, not described in detail, are arranged on the base body 31 of the base unit 30. In the illustrated embodiment, bolts, not described in detail, are respectively guided through these through holes, by means of which the base unit 30 is screwed to the vehicle body. In this way, the base unit 30 can be fixed, for example, on a partition wall between the engine compartment and the vehicle interior or on the vehicle floor. In order to additionally support the base unit 30 on the vehicle body, a plurality of supporting feet 34 are arranged on the base body 31 of the base unit 30.

[0042] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, there are two possible variants for axially guiding the piston 35 axially through the piston guide 32 .

[0043] exist Figure 5 In the first guide variant of the piston 35 shown, the piston 35 is at least partially received by at least one piston guide 32 formed on the base body 31 and is axially guided with its outer wall on the inner wall of the piston guide 32 formed on the base body 31. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of the mechanically movable base unit 30 shown, the guidance of the piston 35 corresponds to Figure 5 The first boot scheme variant is shown. Figure 6 In the second guide variant of the piston 35 shown, the piston 35 at least partially overlaps a piston guide 32 formed on the base body 31 and is axially guided with its inner wall on an outer wall of the piston guide 32 formed on the base body 31 .

Claims

1. A pedal assembly (1) for a vehicle, the pedal assembly comprising at least one pedal unit (10) for triggering a vehicle function and at least one mechanically springable base unit (30), the at least one pedal unit comprising a modularly constructed pedal head (20), the pedal head being connected to a housing cover (7) that can be moved with a small stroke along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) and being used to withstand the operating force of a driver's foot, the at least one base unit being arranged between the at least one pedal unit (10) and the body of the vehicle and fixing the at least one pedal unit (10) to the body of the vehicle, and providing an additional stroke (H) along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) when operating the pedal unit (10), thereby changing the tactile feedback at the driver's foot.

2. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one base unit (30) comprises a base body (31) having at least one piston guide (32) and at least one piston (35) loaded by at least one return spring (36), wherein the piston can be guided by the at least one piston guide (32) to move axially along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) on the additional stroke (H) between a starting position and a stop position.

3. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the additional stroke (H) can be adjusted by a stroke limiter (38) acting on the at least one piston (35).

4. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The at least one piston (35) is detachably connected to the at least one pedal unit (10), so that an operating force acting on the pedal head (20) of the at least one pedal unit (10) causes the at least one piston (35) to overcome the force of the at least one return spring (36) and move along the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10) over the additional stroke (H), wherein after the operation, the at least one return spring (36) moves the piston (35) back to its starting position.

5. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 3 and 4, characterized in that A desired force-travel curve of the piston (35) can be predetermined by the length of the additional travel (H) and the properties of the at least one return spring (36).

6. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The properties of the at least one return spring (36) are preset so that the provided force-travel curve of the piston (35) produces a damping effect in the event of a crash, which dampens force peaks and protects the driver's feet.

7. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The at least one return spring (36) is partially accommodated in a spring receptacle (35.1) formed on the piston (35) and is supported on a support surface (32.1) arranged on a base body (31) of the base unit (30).

8. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: A rotation lock (37) is provided which prevents the at least one piston (35) from rotating in the piston guide (32).

9. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: At least one piston guide (32) for axially guiding the at least one piston (35) is formed on the inner side or the outer side of the base body (31).

10. The pedal assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that At least one guide structure (37.1) is arranged at the at least one piston (35), and the at least one guide structure (37.1) is received in at least one receiving contour (37.2) correspondingly arranged at the at least one piston guide portion (32) in a form-fitting manner, and prevents the piston (35) from rotating around the height direction (z) of the pedal unit (10).

11. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that: At least one fixing lug (33) is arranged on a base body (31) of the base unit (30).

12. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The base unit (30) is fixed to a partition wall (7) between an engine compartment and a vehicle interior space or to a vehicle floor.

13. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The movable housing cover (12) is connected to a sensor housing (16) in an axially displaceable manner, in which at least one sensor component (17) is arranged, which is designed to detect and evaluate a stroke movement of the movable housing cover (12).

14. The pedal assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The at least one pedal unit (10) is configured as an accelerator pedal for triggering an acceleration function or as a brake pedal (10A) for triggering a braking function.

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