Accelerator pedal structure with protection mechanism

Abstract

The invention discloses an accelerator pedal structure and belongs to the technical field of automobile engineering, the accelerator pedal structure comprises a pedal seat, a pedal arm and a limiting piece, the pedal arm comprises a connecting section and a treading section, the connecting section is rotatably mounted on the pedal seat, a notch is formed in the connecting section, an opening of the notch is closed through a reinforcing rib capable of being cut off, and a cut-off boss is arranged on the pedal seat; the cut-off boss is located on the closed path of the cut-off reinforcing rib and the relative rotation path of the pedal base, the limiting piece is located at the preset lower limit position of the downward rotation path of the treading section, and the preset lower limit position enables the cut-off reinforcing rib to make contact with the cut-off boss or a gap is formed between the cut-off reinforcing rib and the cut-off boss. Through mutual cooperation of the notch with the reinforcing rib capable of being cut off, the cut-off boss and the limiting piece, the pedal arm can continue to move downwards only when collision happens to the pedal arm so that the pedal arm can be bent at the notch, the legs of a driver can be protected, the reinforcing rib capable of being cut off cannot be cut off before collision, the structural strength of the pedal arm is guaranteed, and the service life of the pedal arm is prolonged. And bending caused by overexertion of a driver is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automobile engineering, and in particular to an accelerator pedal structure with a protection mechanism. Background Art

[0002] With the media and automakers promoting and popularizing passive safety, consumers are paying more and more attention to passive safety, and relevant collision test procedures are becoming increasingly stringent. Among them, the rearward displacement of the accelerator pedal after a collision is one of the main monitoring items. Exceeding the standard will result in point deductions, which also means increased damage to the driver. Generally, the cantilever accelerator pedal has a limit structure on the pedal seat, which is relatively high. The position of the pedal mounting point and the rotation axis are also high. In the event of a collision, under the influence of the rearward displacement of the front panel, the pedal point position will act like a lever, amplifying the displacement and easily causing damage to the driver's legs. Therefore, it is particularly urgent to provide an accelerator pedal structure with a protection mechanism that can reduce damage to the driver's legs when the front panel moves backward. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems and provide an accelerator pedal structure with a protection mechanism. By providing a notch with a cuttable reinforcing rib on the pedal arm, a cutting boss on the pedal seat, and a limit piece at the lower limit position of the pedal arm, the lever amplification effect can be utilized so that the pedal arm can continue to move downward only when a collision occurs, so as to bend at the notch, thereby reducing the large displacement caused by the lever amplification effect and realizing protection of the driver's legs. Before the collision, the pedal arm cannot continue to move downward under the action of the limit piece, and the cuttable reinforcing rib will not be cut, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the pedal arm and preventing it from bending due to excessive force by the driver and losing its protection function.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention discloses an accelerator pedal structure, including a pedal seat, a pedal arm and a limit member, the pedal arm including a connecting section and a treading section, the connecting section is rotatably mounted on the pedal seat, the connecting section is provided with a notch for forming a structural weak area, the opening of the notch faces the pedal seat, the opening of the notch is closed by a cut-off reinforcement rib, the pedal seat is used to be installed at a position where the front panel is located above the front longitudinal beam, the pedal seat is provided with a cutting boss for cutting off the cut-off reinforcement rib, the cutting boss is located on the relative rotation path between the cut-off reinforcement rib and the pedal seat, the limit member is located at a preset lower limit position of the downward rotation path of the treading section, and the preset lower limit position makes the cut-off reinforcement rib and the cutting boss contact or have a gap.

[0005] Preferably, an upper mounting hole and a lower mounting hole are provided on the pedal seat, and the rotation mounting point of the connecting section and the pedal seat is located between the upper mounting hole and the lower mounting hole, the upper mounting hole is located at the end of the pedal seat away from the treading section, and the lower mounting hole is located at the end of the pedal seat close to the treading section, and the upper mounting hole and the lower mounting hole are used for bolt connection to the front panel.

[0006] Preferably, at least two limit columns are provided on the back side surface of the tread of the treading section, and the limit columns can synchronously contact the limit member during the rotation of the treading section, one of the limit columns is located at one end of the treading section close to the connecting section, and the other limit column is located at one end of the treading section away from the connecting section.

[0007] Preferably, the limiting member includes a limiting bolt corresponding to the limiting column, the limiting bolt is installed on the vehicle body sheet metal, and the nut of the limiting bolt is located on the downward rotation path of the limiting column.

[0008] Preferably, the distance from the structural weak area to the hinge point of the pedal seat is L1, the distance from the connection point of the treading section and the connecting section to the hinge point of the pedal seat is L2, and L2:L1≥3:1.

[0009] Preferably, the notch is a triangular notch.

[0010] Preferably, the triangular notch is an acute-angled triangular notch.

[0011] Preferably, the longitudinal section of the cutting boss is triangular.

[0012] Preferably, the cross section of the cutting boss is a symmetrically arranged step-shaped protrusion, and the cross section of the cuttable reinforcing rib is a symmetrically arranged step-shaped groove, and the step-shaped groove matches the step-shaped protrusion.

[0013] Preferably, both the connecting section and the treading section are provided with hollow holes, and the gap is located between two adjacent hollow holes.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0015] In the present invention, after a collision, a general cantilever accelerator pedal will have its displacement of the pedal point amplified under the influence of the lever magnification effect, causing great damage to the driver's legs. However, the present accelerator pedal structure can utilize the lever magnification effect by providing a notch with a cuttable reinforcement rib on the pedal arm, a cut-off boss on the pedal seat, and a limit piece at the lower limit position of the pedal arm. Therefore, only when a collision occurs will a gap be generated between the pedal arm and the limit piece so that the pedal arm can continue to move downward, so that the cuttable reinforcement rib is cut off by the cut-off boss, and the pedal arm is bent at the notch, thereby reducing the large displacement caused by the lever magnification effect and achieving the purpose of protecting the driver's legs. Before the collision, the pedal arm cannot continue to move downward under the action of the limit piece, so that the cuttable reinforcement rib will not be cut off, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the pedal arm and preventing it from bending due to excessive force exerted by the driver and losing its protective function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the analysis of these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an accelerator pedal structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the accelerator pedal structure and the vehicle frame from a top-down perspective in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The cross-sectional structural diagram is shown at BB in the middle;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial enlarged structural diagram of the accelerator pedal structure;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the accelerator pedal structure in a normal acceleration state (the pedal section is in the second position) according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure at AA in the middle;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the longitudinal section structure at AA in the middle;

[0024] Figure 8Schematic diagram of the structure of the accelerator pedal structure in an accelerating state (the pedal section is in the second position) when the dash panel is deformed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure at AA in the middle;

[0026] Figure 10 for Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the partial enlarged structure of the cutting boss and the cuttable reinforcement rib.

[0027] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1. Pedal seat; 2. Pedal arm; 3. Limit bolt; 4. Front longitudinal beam; 5. Front panel; 6. Body sheet metal; 101. Cut-off boss; 102. Upper mounting hole; 103. Lower mounting hole; 201. Connecting section; 202. Pedal section; 203. Notch; 204. Cuttable reinforcement rib; 205. Limit column; 206. Hollow hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments analyzed and obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an accelerator pedal structure with a protection mechanism to solve the problems existing in the prior art. In a general cantilever accelerator pedal, after a collision, the displacement of the pedal point is amplified under the influence of the lever magnification effect, causing great damage to the driver's legs. However, the present accelerator pedal structure can utilize the lever magnification effect by providing a notch with a cuttable reinforcement rib on the pedal arm, a cut-off boss on the pedal seat, and a limiter at the lower limit position of the pedal arm. Therefore, a gap is generated between the pedal arm and the limiter so that the pedal arm can continue to move downward only when a collision occurs, allowing the pedal arm to continue to move downward, and then the cuttable reinforcement rib is cut off by the cut-off boss, and the pedal arm is bent at the notch 203, thereby reducing the large displacement caused by the lever magnification effect and achieving the purpose of protecting the driver's legs. Before a collision, the pedal arm cannot continue to move downward under the action of the limiter, and then the cuttable reinforcement rib will not be cut, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the pedal arm and preventing it from bending due to excessive force exerted by the driver, thereby losing its protective function.

[0030] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 10As shown, this embodiment provides an accelerator pedal structure, including a pedal seat 1, a pedal arm 2, and a limiter (reference may be made to the limiter bolt 3, but this does not mean that only the limiter bolt 3 can be used). The pedal arm 2 includes a connecting section 201 and a pedaling section 202. The connecting section 201 is rotatably mounted on the pedal seat 1. A notch 203 is provided on the connecting section 201. The notch 203 forms a structurally weak area on the connecting section 201, so that the connecting section 201 bends at the notch 203 when the front panel 5 moves backward after being hit. The opening of the notch 203 faces the pedal seat 1. The opening of the notch 203 is closed by a cut-off reinforcement rib 204. The pedal seat 1 is used to be mounted on the front panel 5 at a position above the front longitudinal beam 4. A cutting boss 101 is provided on the pedal seat 1, and the cutting boss 101 is used to cut the cut-off reinforcement rib 204. The cutting boss 101 is located on the relative rotation path between the cut-off reinforcement rib closure 204 and the pedal seat 1. The limiting member is located at the preset lower limit position of the downward rotation path of the treading section 202. The preset lower limit position makes the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 and the cutting boss 101 contact or have a gap, ensuring that the cutting boss 101 will not cut through the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 when the treading section 202 is at the preset lower limit position. As an example, the preset lower limit position makes the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 and the cutting boss 101 have a gap (refer to Figure 5 、 Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown), compared with contact, it is safer and can avoid the shaking problem and the risk of cutting off the boss 101 and the reinforcing rib 204 caused by the contact method.

[0032] Working principle:

[0033] Before a collision, during normal driving, there are two situations: First, the driver steps on the accelerator lightly to move forward, that is, the pedal arm 2 is not stepped on to the bottom. At this time, the pedal section 202 of the pedal arm 2 has not been stepped on to the preset lower limit position (the pedal section 202 is not in contact with the limiter). Under the action of the cut-off reinforcement rib 204, the structural strength of the pedal arm 2 can be improved, and the pedal arm 2 will not be bent at the notch 203 due to excessive human pedaling. Second, the driver steps on the accelerator hard to move forward, that is, the pedal arm 2 is stepped on to the bottom. At this time, when the pedal section 202 is stepped on to the preset lower limit position (the pedal section 202 is in contact with the limiter), the cutting boss 101 is only in contact with the cut-off reinforcement rib 204 or there is a gap. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the cutting boss 101 will not cut through the cuttable reinforcement rib 204, so as to ensure that in non-collision situations, the cuttable reinforcement rib 204 can effectively provide the pedal arm 2 with a function of reinforcing the structural strength, and the pedal arm 2 will not bend at the notch 203 due to excessive force applied by the driver, thereby ensuring that it can play a protective role in a real collision.

[0034] During a collision, the front longitudinal beam 4 will exert a backward force on the front panel 5, causing the front panel 5 to intrude into the interior of the vehicle with the longitudinal beam root as the center. This will cause the pedal seat 1 to move backward. When the pedal seat 1 moves a large amount, there are two situations: First, the pedal arm 2 has not yet been stepped on to the bottom during the collision, that is, the pedal section 202 has not been stepped on to the preset lower limit position (the pedal section 202 has not contacted the limiter). During the collision, due to the inertia of the legs, the pedal section 202 will be stepped on to the preset lower limit position. At this time, the severable reinforcement rib 204 will be cut through by the cutting boss 101 before the pedal section 202 contacts the limiter (refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown in the figure, the structural integrity of the pedal arm 2 is destroyed, the rigidity is reduced, the force that can be transferred to the driver becomes smaller, and it is easy to bend when encountering resistance. Then, before the pedal section 202 contacts the limiter, the connecting section 201 will first contact the pedal seat 1. Under the combined action of the backward force given to the connecting section 201 by the pedal seat 1 and the forward force given to the pedal section 202 by the legs, the pedal arm 2 (connecting section 201) bends at the notch 203, reducing the damage to the driver's legs. Second, at the time of collision, the pedal section 202 has been stepped to the preset lower limit position (the pedal section 202 contacts the limiter). During the collision, the backward movement of the pedal seat 1 will cause the cutting boss 101 to cut off the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 (refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown in the figure), the structural integrity of the pedal arm 2 is destroyed. Subsequently, the pedal seat 1 moves backward, pushing the connecting section 201 backward, while the driver's legs push the pedal section 202 forward. Under the action of two opposite forces, the pedal arm 2 (connecting section 201) bends at the notch 203, reducing the damage to the driver's legs.

[0035] In one embodiment, the pedal seat 1 is provided with an upper mounting hole 102 and a lower mounting hole 103. The rotational mounting point of the connecting section 201 and the pedal seat 1 is located between the upper mounting hole 102 and the lower mounting hole 103. The upper mounting hole 102 is located at the end of the pedal seat 1 away from the treading section 202, and the lower mounting hole 103 is located at the end of the pedal seat 1 close to the treading section 202. Preferably, the lower mounting hole 103 is provided on both sides of the cutting boss 101. The pedal seat 1 can be bolted to the front panel 5 through the upper mounting hole 102 and the lower mounting hole 103. After the pedal seat 1 is mounted on the front panel 5, the upper mounting hole 102 will be located above the lower mounting hole 103. In this way, when a collision occurs, the front panel 5 at the root of the front longitudinal beam 4 will be displaced backward. Since the upper mounting hole 102 is far from the displacement center and the displacement is small, and the lower mounting hole 103 is close to the displacement center and the displacement is large, the pedal section 202, which is further down, will undergo a larger displacement under the action of the lever, and the displacement is far greater than the displacement of the front panel 5. In this way, when a collision occurs, after the pedal section 202 contacts the pedal seat 1, a sufficient gap can be generated between the limit column 205 of the pedal section 202 and the limit bolt 3. This gap allows the pedal arm 2 to continue to move forward until the connecting section 201 bends at the notch 203.

[0036] In one embodiment, the distance from the structurally weak area to the hinge point of the pedal base 1 (i.e., the rotational mounting point of the pedal arm 2) is L1, and the distance from the connection point of the treading section 202 and the connecting section 201 to the hinge point of the pedal base 1 (i.e., the rotational mounting point of the pedal arm 2) is L2, with L2:L1 ≥ 3:1. This leverage amplifies the displacement of the treading section 202. If the displacement of the hinge point of the pedal base 1 is X, the displacement of the treading section 202 is approximately 3X or greater. This allows sufficient clearance between the limiting post 205 of the treading section 202 and the limiting bolt 3 after the treading section 202 contacts the pedal base 1 during a collision, allowing the pedal arm 2 to continue moving forward until the connecting section 201 bends at the gap.

[0037] In one embodiment, at least two limiting posts 205 are provided on the back side of the tread of the treading section 202. The limiting posts 205 are capable of synchronously contacting a limiting member during the rotation of the treading section 202. One limiting post 205 is located at the end of the treading section 202 closest to the connecting section 201, and the other limiting post 205 is located at the end of the treading section 202 farther from the connecting section 201. Due to the inherent structural characteristics of the treading section 202, it is not possible for all positions of the treading section 202 to synchronously contact the limiting member. However, the addition of the limiting posts 205, acting as intermediate components, ensures the stability of the contact between the treading section 202 and the limiting member.

[0038] In one embodiment, the limiting member includes limiting bolts 3, the number and position of which correspond to the limiting posts 205. The limiting bolts 3 are mounted on the vehicle body sheet metal 6, with their nuts located in the downward threading path of the limiting posts 205. The contact between the nuts of the limiting bolts 3 and the limiting posts 205 allows the treading section 202 to be positioned. In addition to limiting the position of the treading section 202, the limiting bolts 3 also secure the carpet.

[0039] In one embodiment, the notch 203 is a triangular notch. The tip of the triangular notch (the sharp corner of the triangle) extends toward the side of the connecting section 201 away from the pedal seat 1, and the opening of the triangular notch (the base of the triangle) faces the pedal seat 1. This allows the connecting section 201 to bend inward along the tip of the triangular notch, that is, toward the pedal seat 1.

[0040] In one embodiment, the notch 203 is an acute-angled triangular notch, which makes it easier for the connecting section 201 to bend inward along the notch 203 than an obtuse angle or a right angle.

[0041] In one embodiment, the longitudinal section of the cutting boss 101 is triangular. Figure 6 As shown, the tip of the triangle faces the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 , which is beneficial for the cutting boss 101 to cut the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 .

[0042] In one embodiment, the cross section of the cutting boss 101 is a symmetrically arranged stepped protrusion, such as Figure 1 、 Figure 7 as well as Figure 10 The cross section of the cut-off reinforcing rib 204 is a symmetrically arranged stepped groove, which matches the stepped protrusion, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 、 Figure 7 as well as Figure 10 As shown. The contact surface between the cutting boss 101 and the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 is divided into several step surfaces which are not in the same plane. Each step surface of the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 can be cut through one by one. Figure 10 As shown, the cuttable reinforcement rib 204 is more easily penetrated by the cutting boss 101 than when the reinforcement rib 204 is in the same plane.

[0043] In one embodiment, both the connecting section 201 and the pedaling section 202 are provided with hollow holes 206 to reduce the overall weight of the pedal arm 2. The notch 203 is located between two adjacent hollow holes 206.

[0044] In one embodiment, the cuttable reinforcement rib 204 is made of the same material as the pedal arm 2 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the material of the cuttable reinforcing rib 204 is integrally injection molded with the pedal arm 2 .

[0046] In one embodiment, the cutting boss 101 and the pedal base 1 are made of the same material.

[0047] In one embodiment, the cutting boss 101 and the pedal seat 1 are integrally injection molded.

[0048] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present invention. At the same time, those skilled in the art will find that the specific implementation methods and application scopes may vary based on the concept of the present invention. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. An accelerator pedal structure, characterized in that: The pedal arm includes a connecting section and a treading section, the connecting section is rotatably mounted on the pedal seat, the connecting section is provided with a notch for forming a structural weak area, the opening of the notch faces the pedal seat, the opening of the notch is closed by a cut-off reinforcement rib, the pedal seat is used to be installed at a position where the front panel is located above the front longitudinal beam, the pedal seat is provided with a cutting boss for cutting off the cut-off reinforcement rib, the cutting boss is located on the relative rotation path between the cut-off reinforcement rib and the pedal seat, the limiting member is located at a preset lower limit position of the downward rotation path of the treading section, and the preset lower limit position makes the cut-off reinforcement rib and the cutting boss contact or have a gap.

2. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: An upper mounting hole and a lower mounting hole are provided on the pedal seat, and the rotation mounting point of the connecting section and the pedal seat is located between the upper mounting hole and the lower mounting hole. The upper mounting hole is located at the end of the pedal seat away from the treading section, and the lower mounting hole is located at the end of the pedal seat close to the treading section. The upper mounting hole and the lower mounting hole are used for bolt connection to the front panel.

3. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two limiting posts are provided on the back side surface of the tread of the treading section, and the limiting posts can synchronously contact the limiting member during the rotation of the treading section. One of the limiting posts is located at one end of the treading section close to the connecting section, and the other limiting post is located at one end of the treading section away from the connecting section.

4. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting member includes a limiting bolt corresponding to the limiting column, the limiting bolt is installed on the vehicle body sheet metal, and the nut of the limiting bolt is located on the downward rotation path of the limiting column.

5. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance from the structural weak area to the hinge point of the pedal seat is L1, and the distance from the connection point of the treading section and the connection section to the hinge point of the pedal seat is L2, and L2:L1≥3:

1.

6. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The notch is a triangular notch.

7. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The triangular notch is an acute-angled triangular notch.

8. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The longitudinal section of the cutting boss is triangular.

9. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cross section of the cutting boss is a symmetrically arranged step-shaped protrusion, and the cross section of the cuttable reinforcing rib is a symmetrically arranged step-shaped groove, and the step-shaped groove matches the step-shaped protrusion.

10. The accelerator pedal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting section and the treading section are both provided with hollow holes, and the gap is located between two adjacent hollow holes.

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