Pedal device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal device comprising a housing (2), a pedal (3), a spring means (4) connected to the housing (2) and to the pedal (3), the pedal (3) being displaceable in an axial direction (x) relative to the housing (2) against the spring force of the spring means, and a position detection device (5), the pedal (3) has a position detection device (4), by means of which a current axial position of the pedal (3) can be detected and at least one position signal (S) characterizing the position can be provided, and wherein the spring means (4) has one or more leaf springs (9, 10), which are oriented transversely to the axial direction (x), are penetrated by the pedal (3) and elastically support the pedal on the housing (2) in the axial direction (x).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device, which has a housing, a pedal, and a spring device connected to the housing and the pedal. The pedal can move in an axial direction relative to the housing against the spring force of the spring device. The pedal device also has a position detection device, through which the current axial position of the pedal, especially the current axial position relative to the housing, can be detected, and at least one position signal representing the position can be provided. Background Art

[0002] DE 198 36 691 A1 discloses a pedal device for an electrically operable motor vehicle brake, which has a pedal body that can be moved in translation in the actuation direction, which is acted upon by the force of a spring as a restoring element, which acts against the actuation direction and preferably has a linear characteristic curve. The pedal body has a contact element that converts at least one linearly increasing actuation travel increment into a progressive spring travel increment and applies it to the abutting spring, wherein a cam with a defined nonlinear cam profile is provided as a contact element. The pedal body comprises a thickened cover plate at its foot-side end, to which a shaft is connected, which shaft is loaded at its end by a restoring spring.

[0003] The disadvantage of this solution is the long actuation path, which is not functionally necessary in brake-by-wire systems but is often used to simulate the actuation behavior of hydraulic brake systems. In addition, relatively high friction is generated.

[0004] Based on this, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a low-friction pedal device with a short operating path. Summary of the invention

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a pedal arrangement according to claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0006] A pedal device, which comprises a housing, a pedal, and a spring device connected to the housing and the pedal, wherein the pedal can move in an axial direction relative to the housing against the spring force of the spring device. The pedal device also comprises a position detection device, by which a current axial position of the pedal, in particular a current axial position relative to the housing, can be detected, and at least one position signal characterizing the position can be provided. According to the present invention, the pedal device is particularly improved as follows, namely, the spring device comprises one or more, in particular flat, leaf springs, which are oriented transversely to the axial direction, are passed through the pedal, and elastically support the pedal on the housing in the axial direction.

[0007] The housing enables a relatively short pedal stroke by means of the spring means according to the invention, so that the pedal device can be designed relatively short overall. The pedal stroke is in particular only a few millimeters. For example, the spring stroke of the spring means, in particular the maximum and / or free spring stroke and / or the pedal stroke is 3 mm, 5 mm or 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0008] The position of the pedal, preferably the axial position, which occurs when the pedal device is not actuated is particularly referred to as the pedal rest position. The pedal can be moved in the axial direction relative to the housing, in particular against the spring force of the spring means, from the or a pedal rest position. The spring means can advantageously be elastically deformed in the axial direction, in particular by axial actuation of the pedal.

[0009] The current axial position of the pedal relative to the housing can preferably be detected by a position detection device. The position signal particularly characterizes the position of the pedal and / or the current axial lift height of the pedal relative to the or a pedal rest position. Preferably, the position signal is an electrical signal.

[0010] Preferably, the pedal device is respectively provided with a longitudinal axis extending in the axial direction. The longitudinal axis extends in particular centrally through the pedal and / or centrally through the spring device and / or centrally through the housing. Preferably, an axial operating force located on the longitudinal axis and acting on the pedal does not lead to any torque acting on the pedal, in particular relative to the housing. One or any direction extending transversely to the axial direction and / or transversely to the longitudinal axis is particularly referred to as a radial direction. Preferably, a direction extending around the longitudinal axis is referred to as a circumferential direction.

[0011] According to one design, the pedal has an operating section, in particular an end-side operating section, and a guide section, preferably a rod-shaped guide section, the operating section is preferably arranged outside the housing, and the guide section preferably extends away from the operating section in an axial direction. Each leaf spring is preferably passed through by the guide section. Each leaf spring is particularly passed through by the pedal in such a way that the leaf spring is passed through by the guide section of the pedal. The guide section preferably extends in an axial direction, preferably straight. The longitudinal axis extends through the guide section in particular in the middle. The operating section is, for example, made of plastic and / or metal. The operating section is particularly formed as a rigid body. The guide section is, for example, made of plastic and / or metal. The guide section is particularly formed as a rigid body. The guide section is, for example, designed as a cylindrical shape, in particular at least regionally designed as a cylindrical shape, and / or the guide section has, for example, a cylindrical outer circumference. The operating section is advantageously rigidly connected to the guide section.

[0012] The operating section preferably has, in particular at least regionally, a larger dimension transverse to the axial direction than the guide section. Preferably, the operating section is, in particular at least regionally, plate-shaped. The operating section is, for example, a pedal or comprises a pedal. The operating section and / or the pedal are advantageously arranged at an end of the pedal, preferably at a free end, which end in particular faces away from the housing. A pedal cover, preferably consisting of an elastomer, is in particular located on the operating section and / or the pedal plate. The pedal cover advantageously covers a side or end side of the operating section and / or the pedal plate facing away from the housing and / or the guide section. The pedal is, for example, composed of plastic and / or metal. The pedal in particular forms a rigid body.

[0013] The housing preferably has an axial end region on the pedal side and / or the operating section side, in which a pedal through-hole is particularly provided, through which the pedal and / or the guide section extends, preferably into the housing. The housing has a housing top, particularly at its axial end region on the pedal side and / or the operating section side, which defines the pedal through-hole. Preferably, the pedal cover grips the operating section and / or the pedal plate from below via a buffering region, which is particularly arranged in the axial direction between the operating section or the pedal plate and the axial end region on the pedal side or the operating section side or the housing top. The buffering region advantageously extends around the guide section, and / or the buffering region, for example, has a plurality of buffering region sections arranged around the guide section. In particular, when the pedal is asymmetrically actuated, a torque may act on the pedal, and when the torque acts on the pedal, the buffering region is particularly used as an end stop and / or for supporting the pedal, so that tilting of the pedal can be avoided by the buffer zone. Alternatively, the damping element serving as an end stop can also be arranged, for example, at the axial end of the guide section facing away from the actuating section and / or at the housing bottom axially opposite this end.

[0014] The pedal cover preferably has a flange section which projects in the direction of the housing and surrounds and / or surrounds the axial end region of the housing on the or one pedal side and / or the operating section side. For example, the flange section also serves to support the pedal when torques and / or lateral forces act on the pedal.

[0015] The spring means are preferably arranged in the housing. The pedal and / or the guide section are preferably movable in the axial direction by the spring means, in particular guided at or in the housing. For example, the movability of the pedal and / or the guide section, in particular the movability achieved by the spring means, is preferably limited to only one dimension relative to the housing. This dimension is in particular given or defined by the axial direction and / or the longitudinal axis.

[0016] The number of leaf springs is preferably two or at least two. In particular, each leaf spring is flat. The leaf springs are preferably constructed identically. In particular, each leaf spring, in the untensioned state, is advantageously located in a leaf spring plane or extends in a leaf spring plane, which is preferably oriented or extends transversely to the axial direction. Each leaf spring is preferably made of metal, in particular spring steel. Alternatively, each leaf spring is made of plastic, for example. Each leaf spring preferably has a central through hole, through which the pedal and / or its guide section in particular extends.

[0017] Each leaf spring is passed through by the pedal in particular, in that the pedal and / or the guide section extend through a central through hole of the leaf spring. For example, each leaf spring forms a spring washer.

[0018] Each leaf spring preferably has at least one outer leaf spring region, in particular facing away from the pedal and / or the guide section and / or facing the housing, the outer leaf spring region being in particular a radially outer leaf spring region. Each leaf spring is preferably fixed to the housing or in the housing on the outer peripheral side and / or with its outer leaf spring region. Each leaf spring preferably has at least one inner leaf spring region, in particular facing the pedal and / or the guide section and / or facing away from the housing, the inner leaf spring region being in particular a radially inner leaf spring region. Each leaf spring is preferably fixed to the pedal and / or the guide section on the inner peripheral side and / or with its inner leaf spring region. For example, the inner leaf spring region of each leaf spring is penetrated by the pedal and / or the guide section.

[0019] The leaf springs are preferably connected in parallel. Preferably, the pedal and / or the guide section are connected to the housing, in particular elastically, via the parallel connection of the leaf springs. Advantageously, the pedal and / or the guide section can be moved relative to the housing in an axial direction, in particular starting from a pedal rest position, against the spring force of the parallel connection of the leaf springs.

[0020] The leaf springs are preferably arranged one after the other and spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. Therefore, the axial guidance of the pedal and / or the guide section can be achieved in particular by the spring means.

[0021] Preferably, each leaf spring has a plurality of, in particular three or at least three, spaced and / or separated spring strips along the circumferential direction, in particular at least regionally along the circumferential direction, and these spring strips are preferably evenly distributed, in particular arranged around the pedal and / or guide section. The spring strips of each leaf spring advantageously extend or extend between the pedal or guide section and the housing, in particular transversely to the axial direction, and / or extend from the pedal or guide section to the housing. The spring strips are also referred to as spring leaves, for example. The spring strips of each leaf spring extend or extend in particular in its leaf spring plane or in the corresponding leaf spring plane. Preferably, the pedal and / or guide section are elastically supported at the housing in particular in the axial direction by means of or through the intervening spring strips, preferably at a distance, in particular a radial distance, from the pedal and / or guide section. Thereby, for example, the pedal is elastically supported at the housing in particular in the axial direction by means of the leaf spring, in particular.

[0022] Each spring strip preferably has an outer spring strip end and / or a free spring strip end, in particular facing away from the pedal and / or the guide section and / or facing the housing, which is in particular a radially outer spring strip end. The outer leaf spring region of each leaf spring comprises in particular its outer spring strip end and / or the free spring strip end. For example, each leaf spring is fixed to the housing or in the housing with its outer spring strip end and / or the free spring strip end. Each spring strip advantageously has an inner spring strip end, in particular facing away from the pedal and / or the guide section and / or facing away from the housing, which is in particular a radially inner spring strip end. The inner leaf spring region of each leaf spring comprises in particular its inner spring strip end. For example, each leaf spring is fixed to the pedal and / or the guide section with its inner spring strip end.

[0023] Preferably, a plurality of, for example three or at least three, mounting holes are provided in each leaf spring, which are continuous in the axial direction. Preferably, one of the mounting holes is provided in each outer spring strip end and / or free spring strip end of each leaf spring. Advantageously, a plurality of, for example three or at least three mounting elements are provided, which in particular pass through the mounting holes or engage in the mounting holes. The number of mounting elements preferably corresponds to the number of mounting holes of each leaf spring. Preferably, the spring means is fixed to the housing by means of the mounting elements. The spring means is fixed to the housing wall of the housing in particular by means of the mounting elements. Each mounting element is in particular designed as a pin and / or a bolt and / or a screw.

[0024] Preferably, one or more spacing elements are arranged between two adjacent leaf springs, by means of which the leaf springs are kept at an axial distance from each other. Preferably, one or more, in particular additional, spacing elements are arranged between the spring device and the housing or the housing wall of the housing, by means of which the spring device is kept at an axial distance from the housing and / or the housing wall. Each spacing element is in particular designed as a sleeve and is preferably pushed onto one of the mounting elements. Each spacing element designed as a sleeve is in particular referred to as a spacing sleeve. Preferably, the spacing sleeve, in particular each spacing sleeve, respectively has a larger diameter than the or corresponding mounting hole and / or a larger dimension transverse to the axial direction. The housing wall is, for example, a housing top or a housing bottom or a housing bottom.

[0025] Preferably, each leaf spring has an outer frame, which is particularly fixedly connected to the spring strips of the leaf spring and / or the outer spring strip ends and / or the free spring strip ends of the leaf spring. For example, the outer leaf spring area of ​​each leaf spring includes the outer frame of the leaf spring or forms the outer frame of the leaf spring, or vice versa. The spring strips of each leaf spring preferably extend from its outer frame in the direction of the pedal and / or the guide section. The outer frame of each leaf spring is particularly annular or a ring and / or is also called an outer ring, for example. Preferably, each leaf spring is fixed to the housing, especially at its periphery and / or through its outer frame. Advantageously, each leaf spring is engaged in one or at least one groove arranged at the inner periphery of the housing, especially at its periphery and / or on the periphery side and / or through its outer leaf spring area and / or through its outer spring strip ends and / or free spring strip ends and / or through its outer frame, which groove is preferably an annular groove. Each leaf spring and / or the outer frame of each leaf spring and / or the outer leaf spring region of each leaf spring preferably has a round and / or circular outer circumferential contour.

[0026] Each leaf spring preferably has an inner frame, which is particularly fixedly connected to the spring strips of the leaf spring and / or the inner spring strip ends of the leaf spring. For example, the inner leaf spring area of ​​each leaf spring includes the inner frame of the leaf spring or forms the inner frame of the leaf spring, or vice versa. The inner frame of each leaf spring particularly defines its central through hole. The inner frame advantageously surrounds or surrounds the pedal and / or the guide section. The pedal and / or the guide section particularly extend through the inner frame. For example, the inner frame of each leaf spring is passed through by the pedal and / or the guide section. Preferably, the spring strips of each leaf spring extend from its inner frame in the direction of the housing and / or in the direction of the corresponding outer frame. The spring strips are advantageously preferably evenly distributed around the inner frame. The inner frame of each leaf spring is particularly annular or a ring and / or is also referred to as an inner ring, for example. Each leaf spring is advantageously fixedly arranged with its inner frame at or on the pedal and / or the guide section, which particularly passes through the inner frame. Preferably, each leaf spring is fixed to the pedal and / or the guide section, in particular at its inner circumference and / or via its inner frame. Advantageously, each leaf spring engages in one or at least one groove provided at the outer circumference of the pedal and / or the guide section, in particular at its inner circumference and / or on the inner circumference side and / or via its inner leaf spring region and / or via its inner spring strip ends and / or via its inner frame, in particular at its inner circumference and / or via its inner leaf spring region and / or via its inner frame, which groove is preferably an annular groove. Each leaf spring and / or the inner frame of each leaf spring and / or the inner leaf spring region of each leaf spring preferably has a round and / or circular inner circumferential contour.

[0027] Each leaf spring and / or the inner frame of each leaf spring and / or the inner leaf spring region of each leaf spring is advantageously provided with one or more preferably window-like, in particular axial openings. Such openings can, for example, influence the stiffness of the leaf spring. Preferably, for each leaf spring, the outer spring strip end and / or the free spring strip end of each spring strip faces away from the inner frame of the leaf spring and / or its inner leaf spring region.

[0028] The outer frame of each leaf spring preferably surrounds or encloses its inner frame at a distance, in particular a radial distance. Preferably, the spring strips of each leaf spring extend from the inner frame of the leaf spring and / or the inner leaf spring region of the leaf spring and / or from the pedal and / or from the guide section to the outer frame of the leaf spring and / or to the housing. For example, the spring strips of each leaf spring extend from the inner frame of the leaf spring and / or the inner leaf spring region of the leaf spring and / or from the pedal and / or from the guide section in the direction of the housing.

[0029] Preferably, each spring strip or each spring strip of each leaf spring is bent and / or arched and / or curved, for example, once or multiple times, in particular in the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring, or extends in a bent and / or arched and / or curved manner, for example, once or multiple times. Preferably, each spring strip or each spring strip of each leaf spring is bent back and forth and / or S-shaped, in particular in the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring, or extends in a bent back and forth and / or S-shaped manner. With such shaped spring strips, linear behavior and / or linear characteristic curves can be achieved in particular. Alternatively, for example, each spring strip or each spring strip of each leaf spring extends straight, in particular in the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring, preferably transversely to the axial direction. With such straight spring strips, for example, progressive behavior and / or progressive characteristic curves can be achieved.

[0030] The housing is preferably designed in a cylindrical manner, in particular at least regionally. The housing is, for example, pot-shaped. The housing is, for example, made of plastic and / or metal. The housing comprises, for example, a preferably cylindrical sleeve, which is in particular a metal sleeve. Each leaf spring is preferably located at or in the sleeve of the housing. Each leaf spring is advantageously fixed to or in the sleeve of the housing, in particular on the outer peripheral side and / or by one or at least one leaf spring area or its outer leaf spring area and / or by its outer spring strip end and / or free spring strip end. The sleeve of the housing ensures in particular a permanent and firm fit of the leaf spring. Preferably, the pedal and / or the guide section are, in particular, arranged at least regionally in the sleeve of the housing and / or extend into the sleeve of the housing. Preferably, the sleeve of the housing surrounds the pedal and / or a section of the pedal and / or the leaf spring. The above-mentioned section is in particular a guide section. The sleeve of the housing is, for example, made of steel or aluminum.

[0031] Preferably, each leaf spring is fixed to the sleeve of the housing at its outer circumference and / or through its outer frame. Each leaf spring is particularly advantageously engaged in one or at least one groove arranged at the inner circumference of the sleeve of the housing at its outer circumference and / or through one or at least one leaf spring area or its outer leaf spring area and / or through its outer spring strip end and / or free spring strip end and / or through its outer frame, which groove is preferably an annular groove. One or more grooves arranged at the inner circumference of the sleeve of the housing are particularly one or more grooves arranged at the inner circumference of the housing. Advantageously, the housing particularly includes at least one preferably additional housing area in addition to the sleeve or its sleeve, which additional housing area is particularly composed of plastic, wherein the housing area is preferably fixedly connected to the sleeve of the housing. The housing area and / or the housing preferably includes a plurality of housing parts, which are fixedly connected to each other, for example, by fixing means. The housing particularly forms a rigid body.

[0032] The position detection device, which is also referred to as a position sensor, preferably comprises at least one sensor, for example at least one Hall sensor and / or at least one inductive sensor. Preferably, the at least one sensor is arranged on the housing and / or is fixed relative to the housing. For example, the position detection device comprises at least one magnet fixed to the pedal and / or the guide section and at least one Hall sensor fixed to the housing.

[0033] According to one refinement, a control device is provided, preferably connected to the position detection device, by means of which at least one preferably operable and / or controllable vehicle component can be controlled as a function of the position signal. The vehicle component is, for example, a vehicle actuator or comprises a vehicle brake. The pedal is, in particular, a brake pedal. The control device comprises, for example, an analog computer or a digital computer. The pedal device is preferably provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will be described below according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view showing a pedal device according to a first embodiment,

[0036] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 or Figure 3 A top view of one of the leaf springs shown,

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view showing a pedal device according to a second embodiment,

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a third embodiment is shown.

[0039] Figure 5 Show Figure 4 A top view of one of the leaf springs is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic sectional view of a pedal device 1 according to a first embodiment is shown, which includes a housing 2, a pedal 3, a spring device 4 connected to the housing 2 and the pedal 3, and a position detection device 5. The pedal 3 can move relative to the housing 2 along an axial direction x against the spring force of the spring device. The position detection device can detect the current axial position of the pedal 3 relative to the housing 2 and can provide at least one position signal S representing the position.

[0041] The pedal 3 has an actuating section 6, which is arranged outside the housing 2 and is in particular in the form of a plate, and a guide section 7, which is in particular in the form of a rod, which extends away from the actuating section in the axial direction x. In addition, the pedal device 1 is correspondingly provided with a longitudinal axis 8 extending in the axial direction x, which extends in particular centrally through the guide section 7. The direction extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the radial direction. In addition, the direction extending around the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the circumferential direction u.

[0042] The spring means 4 comprises a plurality of, in particular two, flat leaf springs 9 and 10, which are oriented transversely to the axial direction x, are penetrated by the pedal 3 and elastically support the pedal in the axial direction on the housing 2, and are arranged one behind the other and at a distance from one another in the axial direction x. The leaf springs 9 and 10 are preferably designed identically and extend in each case in a leaf spring plane, wherein the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 9 is designated as E1 and the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 10 is designated as E2. Each leaf spring plane extends in particular transversely to the axial direction x.

[0043] The first leaf spring in the leaf spring 9 is Figure 2 1 and has an inner ring 11, an outer ring 12 surrounding the inner ring, and a plurality of, in particular three, spring strips 13 arranged around the inner ring 11, extending from the inner ring 11 to the outer ring 12 and fixedly connected to the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12. The spring strips 13 are arranged uniformly distributed around the inner ring 11 and are each designed in an S-shape in particular. The leaf spring 10 is preferably designed accordingly.

[0044] Each leaf spring is fixedly mounted on the guide section 7 by its inner ring 11 and preferably meshes with its inner ring 11 in an annular groove 14 provided on the outer circumference of the guide section 7. Furthermore, each leaf spring is fixed on the housing 2 by its outer ring 12 and preferably meshes with its outer ring 12 in an annular groove 15 provided on the inner circumference of the housing 2.

[0045] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a pedal device 1 according to a second embodiment is shown, wherein the same or similar features as those in the first embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. The pedal device 1 according to the second embodiment comprises a housing 2, a pedal 3, a spring device 4 connected to the housing 2 and the pedal 3, the pedal 3 being movable relative to the housing 2 in an axial direction x against the spring force of the spring device, and a position detection device 5, by means of which the current axial position of the pedal 3 relative to the housing 2 can be detected and at least one position signal S characterizing the position can be provided.

[0046] The pedal 3 has an actuating section 6, which is arranged on the outside of the housing 2 and is in particular a plate-shaped end face, and a guide section 7, which is in particular a rod-shaped and extends away from the actuating section in the axial direction x. In addition, a longitudinal axis 8 extending in the axial direction x is correspondingly assigned to the pedal device 1 and extends in particular centrally through the guide section 7. The direction extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the radial direction. In addition, the direction extending around the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the circumferential direction u.

[0047] The housing 2 comprises a first housing part 16 made of plastic, a second housing part 17 made of plastic and a metal sleeve 18 located in the first housing part 16. The two housing parts 16 and 17 are fixedly connected to each other by fixing means 19, such as screws, so that the metal sleeve 18 is fixed between them.

[0048] The spring means 4 comprises a plurality of, in particular two, flat leaf springs 9 and 10, which are oriented transversely to the axial direction x, are passed through by the pedal 3 and elastically support the pedal in the axial direction on the housing 2, and are arranged one behind the other and at a distance from one another in the axial direction x. The leaf springs 9 and 10 are located in a metal sleeve 18 of the housing 2. The leaf springs 9 and 10 are preferably designed identically and extend in each leaf spring plane, wherein the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 9 is designated as E1 and the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 10 is designated as E2. Each leaf spring plane extends in particular transversely to the axial direction x.

[0049] The leaf spring according to the second embodiment is designed according to the leaf spring according to the first embodiment, so that reference is made in particular to Figure 2 To describe the leaf spring.

[0050] Leaf spring 9 Figure 2 1 and has an inner ring 11, an outer ring 12 surrounding the inner ring, and a plurality of, in particular three, spring strips 13 arranged around the inner ring 11, extending from the inner ring 11 to the outer ring 12 and fixedly connected to the inner ring 11 and the outer ring 12. The spring strips 13 are arranged uniformly distributed around the inner ring 11 and are each designed in an S-shape in particular. The leaf spring 10 is preferably designed accordingly.

[0051] Each leaf spring is fixedly mounted on the guide section 7 by its inner ring 11 and preferably meshes with its inner ring 11 in an annular groove 14 provided on the outer circumference of the guide section 7. Furthermore, each leaf spring is fixed on the metal sleeve 18 of the housing 2 by its outer ring 12 and preferably meshes with its outer ring 12 in an annular groove 15 provided on the inner circumference of the metal sleeve 18.

[0052] The pedal cover 20 is located on the operating section 6, which covers the side of the operating section 6 facing away from the housing 2 and is preferably made of an elastomer. Preferably, the pedal cover 20 grips the operating section 6 from below with a buffer area 21, which is arranged in the axial direction x between the operating section 6 and a housing top 22, which is arranged at an axial end area 23 on the pedal side of the housing 2 and defines a pedal through-hole 24 through which the guide section 7 extends. The pedal cover 20 also advantageously has a flange section 25, which protrudes in the direction of the housing 2 and surrounds the axial end area 23 on the pedal side of the housing 2.

[0053] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a pedal device 1 according to a third embodiment is shown, wherein features identical or similar to those of the previous embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the previous embodiments. The pedal device 1 according to the third embodiment comprises a housing 2, a pedal 3, a spring device 4 connected to the housing 2 and the pedal 3, the pedal 3 being movable relative to the housing 2 in an axial direction x against the spring force of the spring device, and a position detection device 5, by means of which the current axial position of the pedal 3 relative to the housing 2 can be detected and at least one position signal S characterizing the position can be provided.

[0054] The pedal 3 has an actuating section 6, which is arranged on the outside of the housing 2 and is in particular a plate-shaped end face, and a guide section 7, which is in particular a rod-shaped and extends away from the actuating section in the axial direction x. In addition, a longitudinal axis 8 is correspondingly assigned to the pedal device 1, which extends in the axial direction x and in particular extends centrally through the guide section 7. The direction extending transversely to the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the radial direction. In addition, the direction extending around the longitudinal axis 8 is in particular referred to as the circumferential direction u.

[0055] The spring means 4 comprises a plurality of, in particular two, flat leaf springs 9 and 10, which are oriented transversely to the axial direction x, are penetrated by the pedal 3 and elastically support the pedal in the axial direction on the housing 2, and are arranged one behind the other and at a distance from one another in the axial direction x. The leaf springs 9 and 10 are preferably designed identically and extend in each case in a leaf spring plane, wherein the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 9 is designated as E1 and the leaf spring plane of the leaf spring 10 is designated as E2. Each leaf spring plane extends in particular transversely to the axial direction x.

[0056] Leaf spring 9 Figure 51 and has an inner ring 11 and a plurality of, in particular three, spring strips 13 arranged around the inner ring 11, which are fixedly connected to the inner ring 11 and extend from the inner ring in the direction of the housing 2. The spring strips 13 are arranged uniformly distributed around the inner ring 11 and are in particular each designed in an S-shaped manner. In addition, each spring strip 13 has a free spring strip end 26 facing away from the inner ring 11, in which a mounting hole 27 is provided, in particular, which is continuous in the axial direction. In addition, the inner ring 11 is preferably provided with a plurality of axial openings 34. The leaf spring 10 is preferably designed accordingly.

[0057] Each leaf spring is fixedly mounted on the guide section 7 by its inner ring 11 and preferably engages with its inner ring 11 in an annular groove 14 provided on the outer circumference of the guide section 7. In addition, a plurality of pin-shaped mounting elements 28 are provided, which extend through the mounting holes 27 and by means of which the spring device 4 is fixed to the housing 2. A spacing sleeve 29 is preferably pushed onto each mounting element 28, which is arranged between the two leaf springs 9 and 10 and keeps them at a distance from each other. An additional spacing sleeve 30 is advantageously pushed onto each mounting element 28, which is arranged between the housing bottom 31 and the lower leaf spring 10, thereby keeping the lower leaf spring 10 and thus the spring device 4 at a distance from the housing bottom 31.

[0058] Preferably, a damping element 32, preferably made of an elastomer, is arranged on the housing bottom 31, which is axially opposite to the axial end 33 of the guide section 7 facing away from the actuating section 6 and is used in particular as an axial end stop of the pedal 3. Alternatively, the damping element 32 can also be arranged at the axial end 33 of the guide section 7, for example.

[0059] Reference numerals list

[0060] 1 pedal device

[0061] 2 Shell

[0062] 3 pedals

[0063] 4 Spring devices

[0064] 5. Position detection device

[0065] 6 Operation Section

[0066] 7Guide section

[0067] 8 Vertical axis

[0068] 9 Leaf Spring

[0069] 10 Leaf spring

[0070] 11Inner Ring

[0071] 12 Outer Ring

[0072] 13 Spring slats

[0073] 14 Annular groove

[0074] 15 annular groove

[0075] 16 first housing part

[0076] 17 Second housing part

[0077] 18 Metal sleeve

[0078] 19Fixed Devices

[0079] 20 pedal cover

[0080] 21 Buffer area

[0081] 22 Shell top

[0082] 23 Axial end region of the housing 24 Pedal through hole

[0083] 25 flange section

[0084] 26 Spring strip end

[0085] 27 mounting holes

[0086] 28 Mounting components

[0087] 29 Spacer Sleeve

[0088] 30 Spacer Sleeve

[0089] 31 Shell bottom

[0090] 32 Buffer

[0091] 33 Axial end

[0092] E1 Leaf spring plane E2 Leaf spring plane S Position signal u circumferential direction x axial direction

Claims

1. A pedal device, comprising a housing (2), a pedal (3), and a spring device (4) connected to the housing (2) and the pedal (3), wherein the pedal (3) can move relative to the housing (2) along an axial direction (x) against the spring force of the spring device, and the pedal device also comprises a position detection device (5), by means of which the current axial position of the pedal (3) can be detected and at least one position signal (S) characterizing the position can be provided, characterized in that: The spring means (4) comprises one or more leaf springs (9, 10) which are oriented transversely to the axial direction (x), are penetrated by the pedal (3) and elastically support the pedal on the housing (2) along the axial direction (x).

2. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pedal (3) has an operating section (6) arranged outside the housing (2) and a guide section (6) extending away from the operating section in an axial direction (x) and through which each leaf spring (9, 10) passes.

3. The pedal device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A pedal cover (20) is located on the operating section (6), covers the side of the operating section (6) facing away from the housing (2) and grips the operating section from below via a buffer area (21), which is arranged along an axial direction (x) between the operating section (6) and an axial end area (23) on the pedal side of the housing (2).

4. A pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pedal (3) is connected to the housing (2) via a parallel connection structure of the leaf springs (9, 10).

5. A pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The leaf springs (9, 10) are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction (x) and at a distance from one another.

6. A pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that Each leaf spring (9, 10) has a plurality of spring strips (13) arranged around the pedal (3), by means of which the pedal (3) is elastically supported on the housing (2) in an axial direction (x).

7. The pedal device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each leaf spring (9, 10) has an inner ring (11) which is fixedly connected to a spring strip (13) of the leaf spring and through which the pedal (3) passes, and the leaf spring is fixed to the pedal (3) via the inner ring.

8. The pedal device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each leaf spring (9, 10) has an outer ring (12) which is fixedly connected to a spring strip (13) of the leaf spring and surrounds an inner ring (11) of the leaf spring and via which the leaf spring is fixed to the housing (2).

9. The pedal device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: Each leaf spring (9, 10) is fixed to the housing (2) via the outer end of the spring strip (13) of the leaf spring.

10. The pedal device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that Each spring strip (13) extends in an S-shape.

11. A pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The housing (2) comprises a metal sleeve (18) surrounding the section (7) of the pedal (3), to which each leaf spring (9, 10) is fixed by at least one outer leaf spring region.

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