Combination switching device for a vehicle's clutch pedal

Abstract

Combination switching device (6) for a clutch pedal (1) of a vehicle, comprising: a housing (10) which is fixedly attached to a pedal link (5); a stationary connecting element (20) which is fixedly coupled to one side of the housing (10) and which has a clutch switching connecting element (21) and an ignition switch switching connecting element (22); a pressure element (30) which is rotatably attached to the housing (10) which is opposite the stationary connecting element (20); a movable connecting element (40) which is fixedly attached to one side of the pressure element (30) which is opposite the stationary connecting element (20), and which has a contact point (41) for electrical connection with the stationary connecting element (20);and a power transmission element (50) which connects the pressure element (30) and the clutch pedal connection element such that the pressure element (30) rotates when the clutch pedal (1) moves, wherein the clutch switching connection element (21) consists of a positive clutch switching connection element (23) and a ground clutch switching connection element (24) which have clutch switching contacts (23a, 24a) at 180° intervals, wherein the clutch switching contacts (23a, 24a) are electrically connected to the contact point (41) of the movable connection element (40).

Description

CROSS REFERENCEThis application claims priority to Korean Patent Application KR 10 1 383 730 B1 filed on Dec. 24, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUNDField of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle, and more particularly to a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle in which a clutch switch and an ignition lock switch are integrated into a single switch.Description of the Prior ArtAs shown in FIG. 1, drivers of manual vehicles generally operate a clutch using a clutch pedal 1 to which a clutch switch 2 and an ignition lock switch 3 are separately attached. The clutch switch 2 serves to control both the initial starting acceleration and the operability during deceleration / acceleration and during driving, and the key lock switch 3 serves to prevent starting of a vehicle when a driver does not step on the clutch pedal.Here, the clutch switch 2 is operated so that when a driver does not step on the pedal, i.e., the pedal is in an unused state, contact points are brought into contact with each other with an ON state being maintained, and when the driver steps on the pedal, thereby rotating the switch by a certain angle, the contact points are separated from each other with an OFF state being entered. That is, in a normal closed state, the clutch switch 2 opens upon an input and output of about 50%.In addition, the key lock switch 3 is operated such that when a driver does not step on the pedal, i.e., the pedal is in an unused state, contact points are separated away from each other while an OFF state is maintained, and when the driver steps on the pedal, thereby rotating the switch at a certain angle, the contact points are brought into contact with each other while an ON state is entered. That is, in a normal open state, the key lock switch 3 closes upon depression of about 85%.As can be seen from FIG. 1, M 1 indicates an unused state when a driver does not step on the pedal 1, M 2 is the operation state at a depression of about 50%, and M 3 is the operation state at a depression of 85%.However, such a conventional clutch structure has disadvantages in that the clutch switch 2 and the key lock switch 3 are separately fixed, thereby causing the structure to be complicated and hence the manufacturing cost to increase, generating an operation sound upon hitting a switch, and including a contact failure due to contamination of the contact points exposed to the outside.Furthermore, from DE 10 2011 052 226 A1, a clutch pedal switch for a motor vehicle is known, which comprises: a switch body on which a first fixed contact point and a second fixed contact point are formed, which have a predetermined distance from one another, a first elastic element, which is arranged in the vicinity of the first fixed contact point in order to exert an elastic force on or in the direction of the first fixed contact point, and on which a first working contact point is formed in order to selectively contact the first fixed contact point, a second elastic element, which is arranged in the vicinity of the second fixed contact point in order to exert an elastic force in the direction of the second fixed contact point, and on which a second working contact point is formed in order to selectively contact the second fixed contact point, a rotating element, which is disposed between the first fixed contact point and the second fixed contact point and which is rotated upon rotation of a pedal to apply a force to the first elastic member and the second elastic member such that the first and second fixed contact points selectively contact the first and second working contact points, and a terminal connected to the first elastic member and the second elastic member to transmit a contact signal of the first and second fixed contact points with the first and second working contact points.The description of the prior art is provided herein only for understanding the background of the invention and therefore should not be construed as being related to the prior art by those skilled in the art.SUMMARYAccordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention is intended to propose a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle which can simultaneously perform the functions of a clutch switch and an ignition lock switch, which contributes to a simplified structure, cost savings, weight reduction, noise reduction by sliding contact, and prevention of contact failures caused by contamination from the outside by covering the contact points.To achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle, including: a housing fixedly attached to a pedal member; a stationary terminal member fixedly coupled to one side of the housing and having a clutch switch terminal member and an ignition lock switch terminal member; a push bolt rotatably attached to the housing while opposing the stationary terminal member; a movable terminal member fixedly attached to a side of the push bolt that is opposing the stationary terminal member and having a contact point for electrically connecting to the stationary terminal member; and a power transmission member connecting the push bolt and the clutch pedal together, such that the push bolt rotates as the clutch pedal rotates.The combination switch device may further include a cover to cover the push bolt so as to prevent foreign matter from entering a space in which the stationary terminal is fixed, the cover including an upper cover fixedly coupled to one side of the housing and a lower cover coupled to the other side of the housing.The power transmission member may include a shift lever having a lever shaft passing through the lower cover and the housing and integrally coupled to the push bolt, and a pedal pin protruding on a clutch pedal side so that a front end thereof is integrally coupled to the shift lever. The combination shifting device may further include a spring having both ends supported by the lower cover and the shift lever so as to elastically support the lower cover.According to the invention, the clutch switching connector consists of a positive clutch switching connector or a bottom clutch switching connector, which has clutch switching contacts at 180° intervals, wherein the clutch switching contacts are electrically connected to the contact point of the movable connector unit.The key cylinder switch connector may be composed of a positive key cylinder switch connector and a negative key cylinder switch connector. The positive key lock switching connector may be disposed between the positive clutch switching connector and the ground clutch switching connector, and the negative key lock switching connector may be disposed in the ground clutch switching connector side. The positive and negative keyswitch connecting members may each have keyswitch contacts at 180° intervals. The key lock switch contacts may be electrically connected to the contact point of the movable terminal member, and the key lock switch contacts may be disposed between the clutch switch contacts.The contact point of the movable terminal member may be composed of a plurality of contact points for enhancing the connection, the contact points being arranged in a row so as to be arranged with the clutch switch contacts and the ignition lock switch contacts.According to the present invention, a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle can simultaneously perform functions of a clutch switch and an ignition lock switch, and contribute to reduction in the number of parts, cost saving, weight reduction, noise reduction by sliding contact, and prevention of contact failure caused by contamination from the outside of the contact points can be made.According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination switch device for a clutch pedal of a vehicle, including: a housing fixedly attached to a pedal member; a stationary terminal member fixedly coupled to one side of the housing and having a clutch switch terminal member and an ignition lock switch terminal member; a push bolt rotatably attached to the housing opposing the stationary terminal member; a movable terminal member fixedly attached to one side of the push bolt opposing the stationary terminal member and having a contact point for electrically connecting to the stationary terminal member; and a power transmission member connecting the push bolt and the clutch pedal together, such that the push bolt rotates as the clutch pedal rotates. The combination switch device further includes a cover to cover the push bolt so as to prevent foreign matter from entering a space in which the stationary terminal is fixed, the cover including an upper cover fixedly coupled to one side of the housing and a lower cover coupled to the other side of the housing. The power transmission member includes a shift lever having a lever shaft passing through the lower cover and the housing and integrally coupled to the push bolt, and a pedal pin protruding on a clutch pedal side so that a front end thereof is integrally coupled to the shift lever. The combination shifting device further includes a spring, both ends of which are supported by the lower cover and the shift lever so as to elastically support the lower cover.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional clutch pedal for a vehicle in which a clutch switch and an ignition lock switch are separately mounted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch pedal for a vehicle in which a combination clutch shifting device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted; FIGS. 3 and 4 are an exploded perspective view and an arranged cross-sectional view of the combination switching device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are views of a stationary terminal member and a movable terminal member in the combination switching device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 7 and 9 are views showing the operation of the combination switching device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the specification to refer to the same or like parts.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the terms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural terms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or any other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as sedans including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, combustion, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other than oil).As shown in FIG. 2, a clutch pedal 1 for a vehicle is configured such that an upper portion thereof is coupled to a pedal member 5 so as to be rotated about a hinge pin 4. The pedal member 5 is fixedly coupled to a vehicle body under an instrument panel.A combination shifting device 6 for a clutch pedal of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a shifting device in which a clutch switch and an ignition lock switch, which are separately provided in the clutch pedal in conventional designs, are integrated into a single switch. The combination switch device includes a housing 10 fixedly mounted on one side of the pedal member 5, a stationary terminal member 20 fixedly coupled to one side of the housing 10 and including a clutch switch terminal member 21 and an ignition lock switch terminal member 22, a pressing member 30 rotatably mounted on the housing 10 opposing the stationary terminal member 20, a movable terminal member 40 fixedly mounted on a side of the pressing piece 30 opposing the stationary terminal member 20 and having a contact point 41 for electrical connection with the stationary terminal member 20, and a power transmission member 50 compressing the pressing piece 30 and the clutch pedal 1 so that the pressing piece 30 rotates as the clutch pedal 1 moves.The combination switching device 6 further includes a cover that covers the pressing piece 30 to prevent foreign matter from entering a space in which the stationary terminal member 20 is fixed. The cover may include an upper cover 60 fixedly coupled to one side of the housing 10 and a lower cover 70 coupled to the outer side of the housing 10.Here, the power transmission member 50 may include a shift lever 53 including a lifting shaft 52 passing through the lower cover 70 and the housing 10 and integrally coupled to the pressing piece 30 by means of, for example, a bolt 51, and a pedal pin 54 protruding from one side of the clutch pedal 1 so that a front end thereof is integrally coupled to the shift lever 53.Further, the combination shifting device 6 may further include a spring 80 having both ends supported by the lower cover 70 and the shift lever 53 so as to elastically support the lower cover 70. The support force of the spring 80 prevents a gap from being created between the housing 10 and the lower cover 70, thereby ensuring the effect for ensuring the smooth operation of the combination switch 6.Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, the shift connector 21 may be composed of a positive clutch shift connector 23 and a ground clutch shift connector 24, each having clutch switching contacts 23 aand 24 aat 180° intervals. The clutch pedal switch contacts 23a and 24a may be electrically connected to the contact point 41 of the movable connector 40.The key lock switching connector 22 is composed of a positive key lock switching connector 25 and a negative key lock switching connector 26. The negative key lock switching connector 26 is disposed in the side of the ground clutch switching connector 24. The positive and negative key switch connectors 25 and 26 have key switch contacts 25a and 26a at 180° intervals, respectively. The ignition lock switching contacts 25 aand 26 amay be electrically connected to the contact point 41 of the movable terminal member 40. The ignition lock switching contacts 25 aand 26 amay be arranged between the clutch switching contacts 23 aand 24 a. That is, the ignition lock switching contact 25 amay be disposed at a first location separated by a certain distance from the clutch switching contact 23 ain the rotational direction of the pressing piece 30 coupled to the housing 10. Subsequently, the clutch switching contact 24 amay be disposed at a second location separated from the first location by a certain distance. The key lock switch contact 26a may be disposed at a location spaced a certain distance from the second location.Further, the contact point 41 of the movable terminal 40 is preferably composed of a plurality of contact points 41 for enhancing connectivity. The contact points may be arranged in a row for arrangement with the clutch contacts 23a and 24a and the key cylinder contacts 25a and 26a.Now, the operation of the combination switching device according to the embodiments of the invention will be described.In FIG. 5, a location P 1 indicates a location in a non-operated state when a driver does not step on the clutch pedal 1, a location P 2 is a location in the operating state at a depression of 50% when the pedal is pressed down, a location P 3 is a location in the operating state at a depression of 85% when the pedal is pressed down, and a location P 4 is a location in the operating state at a full depression when the pedal is pressed down. Thus, in the non-operated state, when a driver does not press the pedal or until about 50% pedal depression, the contact points 41 of the movable terminal 40 are placed in a portion R 1 between P 1 and P 2, thereby coming into contact with the clutch contacts 23 aand 24 a, as shown in FIG. 7. Here, the clutch switching connector 21 is in an ON state and the key lock switching connector 22 is in an OFF state, so that the combination switching device 6 of the invention functions as a clutch switch.In addition, when a driver steps on the pedal 1 and, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact points 41 of the movable terminal 40 are placed in a portion R2 between P2 and P3 (in a portion at 50-85% pedal depression), the contact points 41 of the movable terminal 40 are not in contact with either the clutch contacts 23a and 24a or the key lock contacts 25a and 26a, so that the combination switching device of the invention is in the state in which both the clutch switch terminal 21 and the key lock switch terminal 22 are in an OFF state.In addition, when a driver steps on the pedal 1 even further and, as shown in FIG. 9, the contact points 41 of the movable terminal 40 are placed in a portion R 3 between P 3 and P 4 (in a portion at 85% of full pedal depression), the contact points 41 of the movable terminal 40 are brought into contact with the ignition contacts 25 aand 26 a. Here, the clutch switching connector 21 continuously maintains an OFF state, and the key lock switching connector 22 enters an ON state, so that the combination switching device of the invention functions as a key lock switch.As mentioned above, the combination switch device 6 of the invention makes a single switch in which functions of a clutch switch and a key lock switch are integrated, thereby having advantages such as reducing the number of parts and weight, and saving costs, as compared with a conventional structure in which a clutch switch and a key lock switch are separately constructed.Further, the combination switch 6 of the invention is configured such that the contact points 41 of the movable terminal member 40 come into contact with the terminal members 21 and 22 of the stationary terminal member 20 into sliding movement, thereby having the advantage of reduced operation noise, as compared with a conventional structure in which the contact points come into contact with the contacts in an striking process.Further, the combination switching device 6 of the invention still has the structure in which the stationary terminal member 20 and the movable terminal member 40 are not exposed to the outside but are covered by covers 60 and 70, thereby having the advantage of preventing contamination of contact points due to foreign matter and thus preventing contact failure due to contamination.Moreover, the combination shifting device 6 of the invention has an advantage in that it is generally applicable to relevant products regardless of the kinds of target vehicles and target clutch pedals.Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

A combination switch device (6) for a clutch pedal (1) of a vehicle, comprising: a housing (10) fixedly attached to a pedal member (5); a stationary terminal member (20) fixedly coupled to one side of the housing (10) and having a clutch switch terminal member (21) and a key lock switch terminal member (22); a pressing member (30) rotatably attached to the housing (10) opposing the stationary terminal member (20); a movable terminal member (40) fixedly attached to one side of the pressing member (30) opposing the stationary terminal member (20) and having a contact point (41) for electrically connecting to the stationary terminal member (20); and a power transmission member (50) connecting the pressing member (30) and the clutch pedal connector to each other so that the pressing member (30) rotates as the clutch pedal (1) moves, wherein the clutch switching connector (21) is respectively composed of a positive clutch switching connector (23) and a ground clutch switching connector (24) having clutch switching contacts (23a, 24a) at 180° intervals, the clutch switching contacts (23a, 24a) being electrically connected to the contact point (41) of the movable connector (40).The combination switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the pressing member (30), wherein foreign matter is prevented from entering a space in which the stationary terminal member (20) is fixed, the cover including: an upper cover (60) fixedly coupled to one side of the housing (10); and a lower cover (70) coupled to the other side of the housing (10).The combination shift device according to claim 2, wherein the power transmission member (50) includes: a shift lever (53) having a lever shaft (52) which passes through the lower cover (70) and the housing (10) and which is integrally coupled to the pressing member (30); and a pedal pin (54) which protrudes on a side of the clutch pedal (1) so that a front end thereof is integrally coupled to the shift lever (53).The combination shift device according to claim 3, further comprising a spring (80) having both ends supported by the lower cover (70) and the shift lever (53) so as to elastically support the lower cover (70).The combination switching device according to claim 1, wherein the key lock switching connector (22) is composed of a positive key lock switching connector (25) and a negative key lock switching connector (26).The combination shifting device according to claim 5, wherein the positive key lock switching connector (25) is disposed between the positive clutch switching connector (23) and the ground clutch switching connector (24).The combination switching device according to claim 6, wherein the negative key lock switching terminal member (25) is disposed in the side of the ground clutch switching terminal member (24), the positive and negative key lock switching terminal members (25, 26) each having key lock switching contacts (25a, 26a) at 180° intervals, the key lock switching contacts (25a, 26a) being electrically connected to the contact point (41) of the movable terminal member (40).Combination switching device according to Claim 7, wherein the ignition lock switching contacts (25a, 26a) are arranged between the clutch switching contacts (23a, 24a).The combination switch device according to claim 8, wherein the contact point (41) of the movable terminal member (40) is made up of a plurality of contact points (41) to increase connectivity, the contact points (41) being arranged in a row so as to be arranged with the clutch contacts (23a, 24a) and the key action contacts (25a, 26a).A combination switch device (6) for a clutch pedal (1) of a vehicle, comprising: a housing (10) fixedly attached to a pedal member (5); a stationary terminal member (20) fixedly coupled to one side of the housing (10) and having a clutch switch terminal member (21) and a key lock switch terminal member (22); a pressing member (30) rotatably attached to the housing (10) opposing the stationary terminal member (20); a movable terminal member (40) fixedly attached to one side of the pressing member (30) opposing the stationary terminal member (20) and having a contact point (41) for electrically connecting to the stationary terminal member (20); a power transmission member (50) connecting the pressing member (30) and the clutch pedal connector to each other such that the pressing member (30) rotates when the clutch pedal (1) moves; and a cover to cover the pressing member (30), preventing foreign matter from entering a space in which the stationary connector (20) is fixed, the cover including: an upper cover (60) fixedly coupled to one side of the housing (10); and a lower cover (70) coupled to the other side of the housing (10), the power transmission member (50) including: a shift lever (53) having a lever shaft (52) that passes through the lower cover (70) and the housing (10) and that is integrally coupled to the pressing member (30); and a pedal pin (54) protruding on a side of the clutch pedal (1) so that a front end thereof is integrally coupled to the shift lever (53), wherein the combination shift device further comprises a spring (80) having both ends supported by the lower cover (70) and the shift lever (53) so as to elastically support the lower cover (70).

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