Footrest device for a footwell of a vehicle

Abstract

Foot support device (10) for a footwell (2) of a vehicle (1), with a plurality of support elements (11, 12, 13) arranged one behind the other, wherein the support elements (11, 12, 13) can be transferred from a rest position into an active position upon detection of a predetermined driving situation, wherein the support elements (11, 12, 13) are each arranged parallel to the floor (4) of the footwell (2) in the rest position and each have an angle of inclination (α) relative to the floor (4) in the active position and support at least one foot (6) of an occupant, characterized in that the support elements (11, 12, 13) are rotatably connected to one another, wherein a drive arrangement (20) raises at least one front support element (11) into its active position, and wherein a movement of a raised front support element (11, 12) triggers a movement of a subsequent support element (12, 13) causes.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a footrest device for a footwell of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Footrest devices for vehicle footwells are known in numerous variations. The footrest devices can have multiple support elements, with at least one support element being transferable from a rest position to an active position upon detection of a predetermined driving situation. In the rest position, the at least one support element is arranged parallel to the floor of the footwell. In the active position, the at least one support element has an angle relative to the floor, with the at least one support element supporting at least one foot of an occupant in the active position.

[0003] Currently, vehicles use airbags and seat belts to adequately protect occupants in an upright sitting position in the event of a collision. To meet future requirements for piloted driving functions with comfort positions, innovative restraint systems are being developed and integrated into vehicles. With today's comfort positions, which generally involve reclining the backrest horizontally and / or adjusting the seat fore / aft, the lower legs may swing upwards or the occupant may dive under a seat belt in the event of an impact. Furthermore, particularly when adjusting the seat fore / aft backwards, the feet may be relatively far away from the firewall or the pedals.In the event of a crash, this may prevent the feet from supporting the vehicle's feet, resulting in "classic" occupant kinematics, in which the feet are extended forward. This can lead to the knees being pushed through. Furthermore, pedals can create unforeseen or inhomogeneous impact bodies.

[0004] DE 10 2017 007 579 A1 discloses a vehicle with at least one generic footrest device acting in a footwell. The device comprises a plurality of support elements arranged one behind the other, each of which can be moved from a rest position to an active position when a predetermined driving situation is detected, such as a collision during autonomous driving. In the rest position, the support elements are arranged parallel to the floor of the footwell and, in the active position, are positioned at an angle relative to the floor, supporting at least one foot of an occupant.

[0005] DE 10 2015 213 789 A1 discloses a safety footrest with a step plate, which can be attached to a motor vehicle bulkhead by means of an upper joint device. During normal operation, the step plate has a footrest angle relative to a virtual plane parallel to the roadway plane. Furthermore, the step plate has a lower joint device between a lower portion of the step plate and the vehicle floor and can be attached in such a way that the footrest angle outside of normal operation corresponds to the footrest angle during normal operation.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a foot support device for a footwell of a vehicle which reduces the risk of injury to an occupant.

[0007] This object is achieved by a footrest device for a footwell of a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0008] In order to provide a foot support device for a footwell of a vehicle which reduces the risk of injury to an occupant, a plurality of support elements are arranged one behind the other and are rotatably connected to one another, wherein a drive arrangement raises at least one front support element into its operative position, and wherein a movement of a raised front support element causes a movement of a subsequent support element.

[0009] This means that different occupants with different body sizes, leg lengths, etc. can be protected in different seating and comfort positions by the active foot support device.

[0010] A given driving situation can be understood in the following as a situation in which the occupant has moved their vehicle seat into a comfort position and an impending or acute accident situation or sudden acceleration is detected. In the comfort position, the occupant's feet can be at a distance from a front area of the footwell in which the feet would otherwise be positioned when the vehicle seat is in a normal position. In addition, the vehicle seat can have a different angle of inclination than when the vehicle seat is in an upright, normal position. In addition, at least one sensor unit detects the impending or acute accident situation or sudden acceleration in the given driving situation. The active foot support device is therefore only deployed if an accident situation is detected and supports the occupant kinematics of a comfort position based on that of an upright, normal seating position.The support elements of the active footrest system represent a parallel displacement of the footrest, which is achieved in the normal sitting position by pedals or a bulkhead in the footwell. Furthermore, in the comfort position of the vehicle seat, the active footrest system forms a homogeneous contact point with the pedals, thus preventing unfavorable interaction with the pedals, such as feet striking the pedals at an angle.

[0011] A footrest device for the footwell of a vehicle is defined below as an assembly comprising multiple support elements. At least one support element can be moved from a rest position to an active position upon detection of the specified driving situation. In the rest position, the at least one support element is arranged parallel to the floor of the footwell and, in the active position, has an angle relative to the floor. In the active position, the at least one support element supports at least one foot of the occupant.

[0012] Since the support elements are arranged one behind the other and are rotatably connected to one another, and a movement of a raised front support element causes a movement of a subsequent support element, only the frontmost support element can advantageously be driven in order to transfer the support elements into their active position. This advantageously reduces the weight of the foot support device according to the invention. Furthermore, the foot support device according to the invention can have multiple, narrower support devices without the need for a complicated installation device to transfer the support elements into the active position. Having multiple narrow support elements advantageously increases the probability that, in the given driving situation, a support element with a short distance to the at least one foot or the heel of the foot will be in the active position.As a result, the at least one foot or its heel only travels a short distance in the given driving situation before the heel is supported by the support element. Due to the limited play of the at least one foot, the corresponding support element forms a counterbearing for the feet in a comfortable position of the vehicle seat, so that the feet and knees of the occupant cannot be stretched forward in the event of an impact. In addition, a support element arranged in front of the at least one foot or its heel can advantageously prevent the at least one foot from lifting during the transition to the active position and cannot transfer any additional kinetic energy to the at least one foot. This can advantageously prevent or impede the at least one foot and a corresponding leg of the occupant from moving in the vertical direction of the vehicle.This means that the occupant's lower legs can be prevented from swinging upwards or can at least be made more difficult to do under a seat belt. This can further reduce the occupant's risk of injury.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, adjacent support elements can each be connected to one another via a pivot joint. A rear end region of a front support element can be connected to a front end region of a support element located behind it via the corresponding pivot joint. The pivot joints advantageously enable easy transmission of kinetic energy from the front support element to the subsequent transmission element. Furthermore, an angle between the front support element and the subsequent support element can be specified by the corresponding pivot joint. Thus, the pivot joint also specifies the installation angle of the front support element when the latter is in its active position and the subsequent support element is in its rest position.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, one of the support elements, which in the given driving situation is arranged directly in front of the heel of at least one foot, can form a heel contact point in the active position. In this case, a surface of the support elements facing the occupant can be dimensioned such that the occupant's heels are supported. Between the pedals on the driver's side and the at least one foot, the support element creates a homogeneous contact surface, which can reduce ankle injuries. In addition, such a contact surface can be created in the front footwell on the passenger side or in the rear footwell in front of the rear seats in order to create a heel contact point there as well and prevent the corresponding occupant from diving under the lap belt.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, the drive arrangement can have a drive and at least one actuator, which is connected at least to the frontmost support element and can be driven by the drive. By raising the frontmost support element, the support element can be moved into the active position. The pivot joint between the frontmost support element and the subsequent support element can specify the installation angle between the vehicle floor and the first support element. Furthermore, the movement of the frontmost support element can be transmitted to the subsequent support elements. In this case, the frontmost support element can be moved further in order to move the subsequent support element into its active position.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, a weight of the heel acting on a corresponding support element can counteract a drive force generated by the drive. The weight of the heel and the resulting increased current consumption of the drive, which can be detected by a sensor element, can be used to determine whether the corresponding support element is resting on the occupant's heel and thus advantageously determine the position of the heel or foot on the vehicle floor. The drive can be deactivated after the weight or increased current consumption has been detected. In addition, the support element closest to the heel can advantageously be moved into the active position using simple means. The support elements are raised one after the other by the drive until the support element on which the heel rests is reached.Since the drive is deactivated when an increased current consumption is detected, the support element on which the heel rests can prevent the heel from lifting. The sensor element can advantageously already be present as part of the drive's motor fuse, eliminating the need for additional sensor elements or evaluation and control units to determine the heel position or the support element closest to the heel.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, the at least one actuator can fix the at least one corresponding support element in its operative position. This allows the corresponding support elements, and in particular the support element arranged directly in front of the heel, to be advantageously fixed in their current position.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the footrest device according to the invention, at least one damping element can dampen forces transmitted from the heel to the heel contact point in the given driving situation. The damping element can further reduce the risk of injury to the occupant's foot or leg. Furthermore, any progressive, degressive, or linear damping characteristic can be implemented.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, the support elements can each have at least one damping element. The at least one damping element can form the heel contact point of the corresponding support element. Alternatively, the damping element can be arranged between the heel contact point and a support arrangement of the support element.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the foot support device according to the invention, the at least one damping element can be arranged between the at least one actuator and the corresponding support element.

[0021] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawing, like reference numerals designate components or elements that perform the same or similar functions. Herein: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of an embodiment of a foot support device according to the invention for a footwell of a vehicle in a rest position; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the foot support device from Fig. 1 in a first operating position; and Fig. 3 a schematic side view of the foot support device from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a second operating position.

[0023] As from Fig. 1 to 3, a foot support device 10 for a footwell 2 of a vehicle 1 has a plurality of support elements 11, 12, 13, wherein at least one support element 11, 12, 13 can be transferred from a rest position to an active position upon detection of a predetermined driving situation. In the rest position, the at least one support element 11, 12, 13 is arranged parallel to the floor 4 of the footwell 2 and, in the active position, has an angle α relative to the floor 4. In the active position, the at least one support element 11, 12, 13 supports at least one foot 6 of an occupant.

[0024] Here, the support elements 11, 12, 13 are arranged one behind the other and are connected to one another in a rotationally movable manner, whereby a movement of a raised front support element 11, 12 causes a movement of a subsequent support element 12, 13.

[0025] As from Fig. As can be further seen in Figures 1 to 3, the footrest device 10 according to the invention is arranged on a driver's side in the illustrated embodiment of the vehicle 1. The footrest device 10 according to the invention can additionally or alternatively also be arranged on a passenger side or in a rear footwell in front of a rear seat or in the rear footwell in front of a rear seat.

[0026] As from Fig. 1 to 3, the foot support device 10 according to the invention in the illustrated embodiment has three support elements 11, 12, 13, which are arranged on the driver's side on a floor 4 of the footwell 2 between pedals 8 and a seat (not shown). A first, foremost support element 11 is arranged at the front in the direction of travel. A third, rearmost support element 13 is arranged at the rear in the direction of travel and adjacent to the seat. A second support element 12 is arranged between the first support element 11 and the third support element 13. In an alternative, not shown, embodiment of the foot support device 10 according to the invention, only two support elements 11, 12, 13 or more than three support elements 11, 12, 13 can be arranged in the footwell 2.

[0027] As from Fig. 1 to 3, adjacent support elements 11, 12, 13 are each connected to one another via a pivot joint 14, 15. In this case, a rear end region of a front support element 11, 12 is connected via the pivot joint 14, 15 to a front end region of a subsequent support element 12, 13. A drive arrangement 20 lifts at least the foremost first support element 11. The drive arrangement 20 has a drive 22 and at least one actuator 24, which is connected to the foremost first support element 11 and can be driven by the drive 22. In the illustrated embodiment of the drive arrangement 20, the actuator 24 is designed as a lever 24A. An end region of the lever 24A facing the floor 4 is pivotally mounted and a second end region of the lever 24A facing the first support element 11 is rotatably connected to a front end region of the first support element 11 facing the lever 24A.A ball joint is arranged between the first support element 11 and the lever 24A. By pivoting the lever 24A, the front end region of the first support element 11 is raised. In the process, the installation angle a between the first support element 11 and the ground 4 increases. Since the first support element 11 is rotatably connected to the second support element 12 via the pivot joint 14, the angle b between the first support element 11 and the second support element 12 also increases. The second support element 12 and the third support element 13 are in the rest position until the first support element 11 reaches its . Fig. 2. If the lever 24A is further driven by the drive 22, the lever 24A lifts the rear end region of the first support element 11 from the ground 4. The front end region of the second support element 12 connected to the rear end region of the first support element 11 is also lifted from the ground 4. In the process, the angle b between the first support element 11 and the second support element 12 is reduced. In addition, by lifting the front end region of the second support element 12, the installation angle a between the second support element 12 and the ground 4 as well as the angle c between the second support element 12 and the third support element 13 is increased. The third support element 13 has the rest position until the second support element 12 reaches its Fig. 3. The first support element 11 and the second support element 12 are arranged parallel to one another in the illustrated embodiment. If the lever 24A is driven further, the rear end region of the second support element 12 and the front end region of the third support element 13 lift off the floor 4. This process can be continued until the rearmost support element 13 has its active position. The rear end region of the rearmost support element 13 can be rotatably attached to the floor 4.

[0028] As from Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 3, a weight force of the heel 6.2 acts against the driving force of the drive 22 when the drive 22 attempts to lift the support element 12, 13 on which the heel 6.2 rests. Typically, the feet 6 and thus the heels 6.2 of the occupant are aligned parallel to each other, so that both heels 6.2 rest on the same support element 12, 13. However, the heels 6.2 can also be aligned offset from each other, so that the heels 6.2 rest on different support elements 12, 13.

[0029] In Fig. 2, the heel 6.2 rests on the second support element 12. In Fig. 3, the heel 6.2 rests on the third support element 13. The position of the heel 6.2 depends on the position of the seat on which the corresponding occupant is sitting. In addition, the position of the heel 6.2 depends on the length of the legs and the sitting position of the occupant. Depending on the position of the heel 6.2, the foot support device 10 according to the invention has a Fig. 2, in which the first support element 11 has its operative position and the second and third support elements 12, 13 each have their rest position. In a Fig. In the second operating position shown in Figure 3, the first and second support elements 11, 12 are each in their active position, and the third support element 13 is in its rest position. The number of possible operating positions of the foot support device 10 according to the invention depends on the number of support elements 11, 12, 13.

[0030] As from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a sensor element 26 in the illustrated embodiment records and evaluates a current consumption of the drive 22 in order to detect a weight force and thus the contact of a heel 6.2 against a support element 12, 13. If the two heels 6.2 of the occupant are arranged offset from one another, the sensor element 26 detects the effective weight force on the support element 12 on which the front heel 6.2 of the occupant rests. The drive 22 is deactivated as soon as the effective weight force of a heel 6.2 on a support element 12, 13 is detected. This is also the case when the rearmost support element 13 connected to the floor 4 is in the active position. In this case, the heel 6.2 does not rest on any support element 11, 12, 13. As a result, the support element 11, 12, 13 which is closest to the heel 6.2 always has its effective position and can support the heel 6.2 if necessary.The additional movement force or movement energy which is transferred to the heel 6.2 via the support element 12, 13 on which the heel 6.2 rests is small, since a lifting of the corresponding support element 12, 13 on which the heel 6.2 rests and thus a lifting of the heel 6.2 and the corresponding foot 6 is prevented.

[0031] Instead of the lever 24A, other suitable actuators 24 are conceivable for sequentially lifting the support elements 11, 12, 13. For example, an element with a telescopic extension, a cable pull, or another suitable arrangement could be driven by the drive 22 to lift the support elements 11, 12, 13.

[0032] As from Fig. 2 and Fig.3, the support element 11, 12, which is arranged in front of the heel 6.2 of the foot 6, forms a heel contact point in the active position. In this case, the actuator 24 fixes at least the support elements 11, 12, which are arranged in front of the heel 6.2, in their active position. The actuator 24 can, for example, lock into position using a locking device. As a result, the actuator 24 supports the support elements 11, 12, 13 and, in a situation with acting acceleration forces or acceleration energies, prevents an unintentional transfer of the support elements 11, 12, 13 into the rest position. As a result, the respective support element 11, 12 reliably supports the heel 6.2 in the active position, on which the acceleration forces or acceleration energies act. In the illustrated embodiment of the drive arrangement 20, the drive arrangement 20 comprises an additional actuator 25, which is connected to the middle or second support element 12.This actuator 25 is also pivotally mounted on the base 4 and is passively moved when the corresponding support element 12 is raised. The actuator 25 is fixed or locked when the corresponding support element 12 is in its active position and supports it.

[0033] By using significantly more than three support elements 11, 12, 13, the potential distance between the verses 6.2 and a support element 11, 12, 13 in the active position can be significantly reduced, since the potential distance is determined by the width of the individual support elements 11, 12, 13. Thus, the use of a larger number of narrower support elements 11, 12, 13 increases the effectiveness of the active foot support device 10.

[0034] In an embodiment of the foot support device 10 according to the invention (not shown), at least one damping element can dampen forces transmitted from the heel 6.2 to the heel contact point in the given driving situation. The damping element can have a progressive, degressive, or linear characteristic curve. The support elements 11, 12, 13 can each have at least one damping element. For example, a damping element can form the heel contact point or be arranged in the region of the heel contact point. The damping element can be arranged on a surface facing the heel 6.2 or beneath the surface of the corresponding support element 11, 12, 13. Alternatively or additionally, at least one damping element can be arranged between the actuator 24, which can be driven by the drive 22, and the corresponding support element 11.Additionally or alternatively, at least one damping element can be arranged between the additional actuator 25 and the corresponding support element 12. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 vehicle 2 footwell 4 Floor 6 feet 6.2 Heel 8 Pedal 10 Footrest device 11 first support element 12 second support element 13 third support element 14, 15 Swivel joint 20 Drive arrangement 22 Drive 24 Actuator 24A lever 25 additional actuator 26 Sensor element a Installation angle b Angle between first and second support element c Angle between second and third support element

Claims

[1] Foot support device (10) for a footwell (2) of a vehicle (1), with a plurality of support elements (11, 12, 13) arranged one behind the other, wherein the support elements (11, 12, 13) can be transferred from a rest position to an active position upon detection of a predetermined driving situation, wherein the support elements (11, 12, 13) are each arranged parallel to the floor (4) of the footwell (2) in the rest position and each have an angle of inclination (α) relative to the floor (4) in the active position and support at least one foot (6) of an occupant, characterized by in that the support elements (11, 12, 13) are rotatably connected to one another, wherein a drive arrangement (20) raises at least one front support element (11) into its operative position, and wherein a movement of a raised front support element (11, 12) causes a movement of a subsequent support element (12, 13). [2] Foot support device (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat adjacent support elements (11, 12, 13) are each connected to one another via a rotary joint (14, 15). [3] Foot support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that one of the support elements (11, 12), which in the predetermined driving situation is arranged directly in front of a heel (6.2) of the at least one foot (6), forms a heel contact point in the active position. [4] Foot support device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the drive arrangement (20) has a drive (22) and at least one actuator (24) which is connected at least to the frontmost support element (11) and can be driven by the drive (22). [5] Foot support device (10) according to claim 4, characterized bythat a sensor element (26) detects a weight force of the heel (6.2) acting on a corresponding support element (12, 13), which acts against a drive force generated by the drive (22), by detecting and evaluating the generated drive force and deactivates the drive (22) after detecting the weight force. [6] Foot support device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the at least one actuator (24) fixes the at least one corresponding support element (11, 12) in its operative position. [7] Foot support device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that at least one damping element dampens forces in the given driving situation which are transmitted from the heel (6.2) to the heel contact point. [8] Foot support device (10) according to claim 7, characterized by that the support elements (11, 12, 13) each have at least one damping element. [9] Foot support device (10) according to claim 7, characterized by that the at least one damping element is arranged between the at least one actuator (24) and the corresponding support element (11).

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