Clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system

Abstract

A clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system, the clutch pedal device comprising: a clutch pedal (30) coupled to a pedal element (10) to be rotatable on a pivot pin (21), a main spring (40) and a sub-spring (50) which accumulate a spring force by compression when the clutch pedal (30) is depressed and rotated forward, a pedal projection (34) projecting from an upper end of the clutch pedal (30), a friction plate (60) having a back side (61), wherein the friction plate (60) is arranged in contact with the secondary spring (50) and the pedal projection (34) is arranged in contact with the back side (61) of the friction plate (60) to generate a frictional force when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated, and a main spring rod (70) which is coupled to the pedal projection (34) through element holding parts (11) formed on the pedal element (10) and the main spring (50) and moves rectilinearly when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated, wherein both ends of the main spring (40) are respectively supported by a spring seat (71) coupled to one end of the main spring rod (70) and the element holding parts (11), wherein the compression spring force of the main spring (40), the compression spring force of the secondary spring (50) and the friction force generated when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated forward cause a pedal force of the clutch pedal (30), wherein, when an operating force is released from the forwardly rotated clutch pedal (30) and the clutch pedal (30) is rotated backward and is returned by a restoring force of the main spring (40) and the sub-spring (50), a value obtained by subtracting the friction force of the friction plate (60) from the restoring force of the main spring (40) and the restoring force of the sub-spring (50) is a restoring force of the clutch pedal (30), and the friction force of the friction plate (60) acts as a resistance value when the clutch pedal (30) is turned backwards, thereby generating a hysteresis.

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a clutch pedal device for an electric or electronic clutch system, and more particularly to a clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system, the device being configured to generate a pedal force (reaction force) at the same level as that of a hydraulic clutch system when a clutch pedal is depressed, to reduce the returning speed while reducing a returning force when the clutch pedal is returned, and to rotate the clutch pedal forward in a collision accident. Description of the technology used

[0002] Ordinary vehicles (e.g., automobiles) equipped with a manual transmission have a device called a clutch, and the clutch is arranged between a flywheel and an input shaft of a transmission and connects / disconnects, as required, power transmitted from an engine (e.g., internal combustion engine) to the transmission.

[0003] To shift gears, a driver first disengages a clutch in the vehicle by depressing a clutch pedal, shifts into a desired gear by operating a shift lever, and then re-engages the clutch by releasing the clutch pedal, thereby completing the shift.

[0004] According to a hydraulic clutch system having a clutch master cylinder and a clutch release cylinder between a clutch pedal and a clutch, when a driver depresses the clutch pedal, the sum of the force of a spring on the clutch pedal and the hydraulic pressure generated by the clutch master cylinder and the clutch release cylinder becomes a pedal force (reaction force).

[0005] However, an electronic clutch system does not use a mechanical configuration that uses hydraulic pressure. Accordingly, there is an advantage in being able to reduce weight and manufacturing costs compared to the hydraulic clutch system. Further, when a driver depresses the clutch pedal to shift gears, a pedal sensor on the clutch pedal detects the depression amount (rotation angle) of the clutch pedal and transmits the detected value as an electrical signal to a control device (a clutch control device, which is an electronic control device for operating the clutch). Further, the control device receives various signals indicative of engine speed, etc., including the signal from the pedal sensor, and automatically calculates the optimal clutch operating time suitable for the driving or stopping situation.vehicle condition and controls the operation of an actuator (a device operated to engage or disengage the clutch, such as a DC motor) so that the clutch is engaged or disengaged by the operation of the actuator.

[0006] Accordingly, compared to a hydraulic clutch system, an electronic clutch system does not use a clutch master cylinder and clutch release cylinder to generate hydraulic pressure, so only the force of the spring on the clutch pedal acts as the resulting pedal force (reaction force) when a driver depresses the clutch pedal. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that a driver experiences a disengaged feeling (e.g., a feeling of insufficient resistance when depressing the clutch pedal) when the clutch pedal of the electronic clutch system is depressed, because the operation is light (smooth) compared to the hydraulic type.

[0007] The description provided above as related art of the present invention is only intended to aid in understanding the background of the present invention and should not be considered as forming part of the prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

[0008] For example, from CN 104 661 850 A1 a clutch pedal device is known, comprising a clutch pedal coupled to a pedal member to be rotatable on a pivot pin, and a main spring and a sub-spring which accumulate a spring force by compression when the clutch pedal is depressed and rotated forward.

[0009] Further pedal devices are known, for example, from DE 10 2014 101 442 A1, DE 199 09 476 A1, WO 2018 / 179 741 A1, US 2005 / 0 172 753 A1 or JP 2013 - 014 250 A. Brief explanation of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system in which a clutch is operated in response to an electrical signal generated by an operation of a clutch pedal, the clutch pedal device being capable of avoiding the feeling of release by generating a pedal force (reaction force) at the same level as a hydraulic clutch system when the clutch pedal is operated, inducing hysteresis by reducing the returning speed while reducing a returning force when the clutch pedal is returned, and maximally protecting a driver from injury in a collision accident due to the clutch pedal forcibly turning the clutch pedal forward. In this description, directional terms such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", etc., for example, may be used.be related to corresponding directions of the vehicle or positions in the vehicle.

[0011] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system having the features according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the clutch pedal device are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] That is, a clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system according to the present invention comprises: a clutch pedal coupled to a pedal member so as to be capable of being rotatable about a pivot pin; a main spring and a sub-spring which accumulate a spring force by being compressed when the clutch pedal is depressed and rotated forward (e.g., relative to the vehicle); a pedal projection projecting from an upper end of the clutch pedal (e.g.,forward), a friction plate having a back surface, the friction plate being arranged in contact with the sub-spring and the pedal projection being arranged in contact with the back surface of the friction plate to generate a frictional force when the clutch pedal is rotated, a main spring rod coupled to the pedal projection through member holding portions formed on the pedal member and the main spring and moving rectilinearly when the clutch pedal is rotated, both ends of the main spring being supported by a spring seat coupled to one end of the main spring rod and the element holding portions, respectively, the compression spring force of the main spring, the compression spring force of the sub-spring, and the frictional force generated when the clutch pedal is rotated forward causing a pedal force (reaction force) of the clutch pedal.When an operating force is released from the clutch pedal rotated forward and the clutch pedal is rotated backward and returns by a restoring force of the main spring and the sub-spring, a value obtainable by subtracting a friction force of the friction plate from the restoring force of the main spring and the restoring force of the sub-spring is a restoring force of the clutch pedal, and the friction force of the friction plate acts as a resistance value when the clutch pedal is rotated backward, thereby generating hysteresis.

[0013] The clutch pedal device may, for example, further comprise: a permanent magnet coupled to the main spring rod; and a pedal switch coupled to the pedal member and having a printed circuit board (e.g., a printed circuit board or PCB) facing the permanent magnet, wherein the position of the permanent magnet is changed by the main spring rod moving linearly when the clutch pedal is rotated, and the printed circuit board outputs a signal to a clutch control device by detecting a change in magnetic flux due to a change in the position of the permanent magnet.

[0014] The element holding parts may, for example, be formed of two holding parts which are vertically spaced from each other on one side (e.g., inside) of the pedal element, the permanent magnet may, for example, be coupled to the main spring bar to be positioned between the two element holding parts, and a cover may, for example, be fixed by the two element holding parts and the permanent magnet may, for example, be covered by the cover.

[0015] The clutch pedal device may further include, for example, a reversing support member disposed at an upper portion of the pedal member facing a front side of the pedal boss, and having left and right sides coupled to be rotatable on or around pivot pins with respect to the pedal member (e.g., the reversing support member has a U-shape, with two parallel legs of the U-shape rotatably coupled to the pedal member and the central leg of the U-shape facing the front side of the pedal boss), and a sub-spring bar coupled to the friction plate through the reversing support member and the sub-spring, both ends of the sub-spring being arranged to be supported by the reversing support member and the friction plate, respectively, and the pedal boss being arranged in contact with a back side of the friction plate.

[0016] The clutch pedal device includes, for example, an upper support member fixed to an upper end of the pedal member, and a firewall or engine wall support member (hereinafter referred to as firewall support member) coupled to the upper support member to be capable of being separated by a load upon collision, wherein one end of the sub-spring bar protrudes above the pedal member and is positioned in front of the firewall support member (e.g., between the firewall and the firewall support member).

[0017] The back of the friction plate, which is in contact with the pedal projection, can, for example, be an arcuately curved surface which projects rearward in order to be able to provide a click or detent feeling (e.g. a noticeable resistance or a sound for the driver; hereinafter referred to as detent feeling) when the clutch pedal is depressed.

[0018] For example, a pedal stopper, which limits a full stroke when the clutch pedal is rotated forward, is coupled to the lower end of the pedal element.

[0019] For example, a lower end of the friction plate may be a projection that projects rearward, and when the clutch pedal is rotated rearward to return, the pedal projection may, for example, be locked to the projection so as not to move (e.g., further), so that a (e.g., further) return of the clutch pedal is restricted.

[0020] For example, the spring seat may be positioned to be downward from the element holding parts, an element stopper coupled to one side of the pedal element may be positioned below the spring seat, wherein, when the pedal element is deformed in a collision accident and the element stopper pushes the spring seat upward, the main spring rod is moved upward, and the clutch pedal connected to the main spring rod by the pedal boss is forcibly rotated forward on the pivot pin as the main spring rod is moved upward.

[0021] In a collision accident, for example, the pedal member is deformed and, for example, the dash support member is separated from the upper support member, whereby the dash support member presses the sub-spring bar by coming into contact with an end of the sub-spring bar protruding above the pedal member, the reversing support member including the sub-spring bar and the friction plate is rotated with respect to the pedal member at the pivot pins by pressing by the dash support member, and when the friction plate is rotated, the clutch pedal, which is in contact with the friction plate through the pedal projection, is forcibly rotated forward at the pivot pin.

[0022] According to the present invention, when a driver depresses the clutch pedal in the clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system that does not use a hydraulic mechanism, the sum of the compression spring force of the main spring and the compression spring force of the sub-spring is the pedal force (reaction force) of the clutch pedal. Accordingly, compared with a hydraulic clutch system, a pedal force (reaction force) of the same level is generated, so that the disengaged feeling can be avoided, thus greatly improving marketability.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when an operating force is removed by lifting the foot from the clutch pedal which is rotated forward, and the clutch pedal is rotated backward and returned by the restoring force of the main spring and the sub-spring, the value obtained by subtracting the friction force of the friction plate from the restoring force of the main spring and the restoring force of the sub-spring acts as the restoring force of the clutch pedal. Specifically, the friction force generated due to the contact between the pedal protrusion of the clutch pedal and the friction plate acts as a resistance value and reduces the restoring force and the returning speed of the clutch pedal. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent the driver's ankles from breaking and it is possible to induce hysteresis.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the pedal member is deformed by a large load generated during a collision, the clutch pedal, which is connected to the main spring rod and the friction plate through the pedal boss, is forcibly rotated forward. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to maximally prevent injuries to the driver's feet / legs (shin impact, ankle fracture, etc.) caused by the clutch pedal. Short description of the drawings

[0025] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view and an assembly view of a clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system according to the present invention, the Fig. 3 a view with one of the Fig. 2 removed upper holding part and front wall holding part, the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 views of a right side or left side of the Fig. 2 are, the Fig. 6 a view with one of the Fig. 3 removed pedal element, the Fig. 7 a left perspective view of the Fig. 6 is, the Fig. 8 is a view showing the full stroke of a clutch pedal, the Fig. 9 is a view showing the states before and after the clutch pedal is operated, the Fig. 10 a front view of the Fig. 9 is and the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are views showing a return state of the clutch pedal in a collision accident. Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

[0026] A clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system (e.g., of a vehicle, e.g., a motor vehicle) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] A clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system according to the present invention, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 12, comprises a pedal member 10 fixed to an instrument panel 1 disposed in front of a driver's seat, and a clutch pedal 30 coupled to the pedal member 10 by a pivot pin 21 and a nut 22 so as to be capable of being rotated forward and backward.

[0028] The front side of the pedal element 10 is coupled to the dashboard or the engine compartment partition or the bulkhead 1, the left and right sides extend from the front to the rear and are parallel to each other, and the pedal element 10 is facing the front or the clutch pedal 30 and is open at the top and bottom.

[0029] The hinge pin 21 passes sequentially through the left and right sides of the pedal member 10 and a hinge tube 31 of the clutch pedal 30 and is fixed by the nut 22, thereby providing a structure in which the clutch pedal 30 is coupled to be capable of being rotatable forward and backward with respect to the pedal member 10 at the hinge pin 21.

[0030] The joint tube 31 is coupled to the upper end of the clutch pedal 30, a block or support 32 which a driver operates with a foot is coupled to the lower end of the clutch pedal 30, and joint bushings 33 are coupled to both the left and right ends of the joint tube 31 to prevent frictional influence with the pedal member.

[0031] A pedal projection 34 projects from the upper end of the clutch pedal 30.

[0032] The clutch pedal device according to the present invention has a configuration for generating a pedal force (reaction force) when a driver depresses the clutch pedal 30 (when the clutch pedal is rotated forward at the pivot pin), and has a configuration that implements hysteresis when the clutch pedal 30 is returned (rotated backward).

[0033] For this purpose, the clutch pedal device of the present invention includes a main spring 40 and a sub-spring 50 which accumulate spring force by compression when the clutch pedal 30 is operated to rotate forward, and a friction plate 60 which is arranged in contact with the clutch pedal 30 and the sub-spring 50 to generate a friction force when the clutch pedal 30 is rotated.

[0034] The main spring 40 and the secondary spring 50 can be stiff coil springs or torsion springs.

[0035] The pedal boss 34, which projects forward, is formed at the upper end of the clutch pedal 30, and the upper end of a main spring rod 70 is fixed to the pedal boss 34.

[0036] The main spring rod 70 is formed in an L-shape, with one end of the upper portion extending in a left-right direction (e.g., protruding to the left) coupled to the pedal boss 34, and the lower portion extending in an up-down direction being disposed through an element holding part 11 formed on the pedal element 10 so as to be able to move up and down. Further, the main spring 40 is fitted to the lower portion extending in the up-down direction, and a spring seat 71 is integrally coupled to one end of the lower portion extending in the up-down direction.

[0037] The element holding part 11 protrudes inward of the pedal element 10 from one side of the pedal element 10. Furthermore, the element holding part 11 is formed of two (e.g., separate) holding parts that are vertically spaced from each other, and the main spring 40 is positioned below the lower element holding part 11 of the two holding parts. Accordingly, the main spring 40 is installed such that its upper end is supported by the lower surface of the lower element holding part of the two element holding parts 11, and its lower end is supported by the upper surface of the spring seat 71.

[0038] When a driver depresses the clutch pedal 30 and the clutch pedal 30 is rotated forward on the pivot pin 21, the main spring rod 70 is guided by the element holding part 11 to move straight upward by the rotation of the pedal boss 34. During this process, the main spring 40 accumulates a spring force by compression, and the compression spring force of the main spring 40 is a pedal force (reaction force) when the clutch pedal 30 is depressed.

[0039] When the driver releases the clutch pedal 30 which is rotated forward (takes the foot off the clutch pedal), the clutch pedal 30 is rotated rearward and returns to the initial position (e.g., a position where the clutch is closed) by the return force of the main spring 40.

[0040] A reversing holding part 80 is coupled to the upper portion (e.g., of the pedal member 10) e.g., front, facing the pedal projection 34 of the pedal member 10, and a sub-spring bar 90 is arranged through the reversing holding part 80 (e.g., passing through) to be able to move forward and backward.

[0041] The reversing support member 80 extends left and right within the pedal member 10 and is designed to rotate with respect to the pedal member 10 when a collision occurs. For this purpose, the left and right sides of the reversing support member 80 may be coupled to the left and right sides of the pedal member 10 by pivot pins 81, but may be coupled to be rotatable in numerous ways, including (e.g., elastic) welding.

[0042] The sub-spring rod 90 has a lower end and an upper end extending in a front-to-back direction, and a central portion connecting the upper end and lower end and extending in the up-down direction. Further, the lower end is disposed through the reversing support member 80 (e.g., passing through) to be able to move forward and backward, and the central portion and upper end protrude upward from the pedal member 10.

[0043] The rear end of the lower end of the sub-spring rod 90, which passes through the reversing support member 80, passes through the sub-spring 50 and is then fixed to the front side of the friction plate 60. Accordingly, both the front and rear ends of the sub-spring 50 are supported by the reversing support member 80 and the friction plate 60, and the pedal boss 34 of the clutch pedal 30 is in contact with the back side 61 of the friction plate 60.

[0044] The back surface 61 of the friction plate 60, which is in contact with the pedal projection 34, is characterized in that it is an arcuate curved surface projecting rearward so as to be able to provide a click and an operating feeling when the clutch pedal 30 is operated.

[0045] When a driver depresses the clutch pedal 30, the clutch pedal 30 is rotated forward at the pivot pin 21, and the end of the pedal protrusion 34 rotates into contact with the back surface 61 of the friction plate 60. During this operation, the pedal protrusion 34 slides over the back surface 61 of the friction plate 60, which is an arcuate curved surface, thereby transmitting a click and engagement feeling to the driver. Specifically, the friction plate 60 moves straight forward with respect to the reversing support member 80 together with the sub-spring rod 90, and the sub-spring 50 accumulates spring force by compression. Accordingly, the compression spring force of the sub-spring 50 becomes a pedal force (reaction force, engagement force) when the clutch pedal 30 is depressed.

[0046] When the driver releases the clutch pedal 30 rotated forward (takes his foot off the clutch pedal), the clutch pedal 30 is rotated backward and returns to the original position by the restoring force of the main spring 40 and the sub-spring 50.

[0047] An embodiment according to the present invention is arranged so that when the driver depresses the clutch pedal 30 (when the clutch pedal is rotated forward), the sum of the compression spring force of the main spring and the compression spring force of the sub-spring becomes the pedal force (reaction force) of the clutch pedal 30.

[0048] Further, when an operating force is removed by removing the foot from the clutch pedal 30 rotated forward, the clutch pedal 30 is rotated rearward by the restoring force of the main spring 40 and the sub-spring 50 and returns, and the value obtained by subtracting the friction force of the friction plate 60 from the restoring force of the main spring 40 and the restoring force of the sub-spring 50 acts as the restoring force of the clutch pedal 30. Accordingly, the present invention is characterized in that the friction force generated due to the contact between the pedal projection 34 and the friction plate 60 when the clutch pedal 30 returns acts as a resistance value, thereby generating hysteresis.

[0049] A conventional clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system is configured to generate a pedal force (reaction force) using the force of only a spring in the clutch pedal device when a driver depresses a clutch pedal, so that, compared with a hydraulic clutch system, a hydraulic force is not included in the pedal force (reaction force), thereby causing discomfort due to a feeling of disengagement.

[0050] However, the clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch according to the present invention is configured so that the compression spring force of the main spring 40, the compression spring force of the sub-spring 50, and the friction force generated when the clutch pedal 30 is depressed are the pedal force (reaction force) of the clutch pedal 30. Accordingly, compared with a hydraulic clutch system, a pedal force (reaction force) of the same level is generated, so that the disengaged feeling can be avoided, and therefore there is an advantage of greatly improving marketability.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pedal stopper 100, which limits the full stroke when the clutch pedal is rotated forward, is coupled to the lower portion of the pedal member 10, and the lower end of the friction plate 60 is a projection 62 that projects rearward. Accordingly, when the clutch pedal is rotated rearward to return, the pedal projection 34 is locked to the projection 62 so as not to move, thus restricting (further) rearward return of the clutch pedal.

[0052] That is, the pedal stopper 100 acts as a forward stopper that restricts the forward rotation of the clutch pedal 30, and the projection 62 of the friction plate 60 acts as a backward stopper that restricts backward rotation by coming into contact with the pedal projection 34 when the clutch pedal 30 is rotated rearward.

[0053] Further, an embodiment of the present invention includes a permanent magnet 110 coupled to the main spring bar 70 and a pedal switch 130 coupled to the pedal member 10 and having a circuit board 120 facing the permanent magnet 110.

[0054] The permanent magnet 110 is fixed to the lower portion extending in the up-down direction from the main spring rod 70, so that when the main spring rod 70 is moved up and down by the rotation of the clutch pedal 30, the permanent magnet 110 is also moved up and down, thereby changing its position.

[0055] The permanent magnet 110 is positioned between the two holding parts 11 of the pedal element 10, so that the pedal switch 130 is also fixed to the pedal element 10 to be positioned between the two holding parts 11, and the circuit board 120 of the pedal switch 130 is positioned to face the permanent magnet 110.

[0056] The circuit board 120 is configured to be electrically connected to a power source, such as a battery, by a wire.

[0057] When the clutch pedal 30 is operated to be rotated by a driver, the permanent magnet 110 is moved up and down together with the main spring rod 70. In this operation, the circuit board 120 outputs a signal to a clutch control device 140 by detecting a change in magnetic flux due to a change in the position of the permanent magnet 110. The clutch control device 140 controls the operation of a clutch actuator 150 in response to the signal output from the circuit board 120, and a clutch 160 is disengaged and engaged by the operation of the clutch actuator 150, thereby executing electronic clutch control.

[0058] The clutch 160 of a vehicle is the same as that of an ordinary configuration including a flywheel connected to a crankshaft, a clutch plate, a pressure plate, a clutch spring, a release lever, a release bearing, and a release fork, etc., so a description thereof is not provided.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the permanent magnet 110, which is one of the sensor units of the clutch pedal 30, is connected to the main spring rod 70, which is one of the components that generates the operating force when a driver operates the clutch pedal 30. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that no separate installation structure is required, so that the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced.

[0060] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the permanent magnet 110 and the circuit board 120 can perform the function of an integrated sensor which includes all the functions of a clutch switch, an ignition lock switch and a stroke sensor for, for example, an electric park brake (EPB) in the related art, so that there is an advantage in that the manufacturing cost is significantly reduced.

[0061] Further, according to the present invention, a cover 170 is fixed by the two element holding parts 11 and the permanent magnet 110 is covered with the cover 170, so that it is possible to prevent damage to the permanent magnet 110 due to foreign substances by using the cover 170.

[0062] An embodiment according to the present invention additionally has a configuration that can maximally prevent injury to a driver's legs or feet due to the clutch pedal when a collision accident occurs.

[0063] For this purpose, an element stopper 180 is coupled to the side on which the element holding parts 11 of the pedal element 10 are formed, and is positioned below the lower element holding part of the two element holding parts 11.

[0064] An upper support member 190 is fixed to the upper end of the pedal member 10 by welding, and a bulkhead support member 200 is coupled to the upper support member 190 to be separated by a load upon collision.

[0065] A slot which is open to the rear is formed on the bulkhead support member 200, and a bolt and a nut are fastened together through the slot so that the bulkhead support member 200 can be separated from the upper support member 190 by a load in a collision.

[0066] Alternatively, the upper support member 190 and the bulkhead support member 200 may be joined by welding to be separated from each other upon collision.

[0067] The upper end of the secondary spring rod 90, which projects above or over the pedal element 10, is positioned in front of the bulkhead holding part 200.

[0068] Accordingly, when a large load F1 is inputted at an angle from a front lower portion of the dashboard or bulkhead to a rear upper portion due to an offset collision, that is, a small overlap collision or an oblique offset collision, as described in the Fig. As shown in FIG. 11, the pedal member 10 is deformed. Accordingly, the member stopper 180 is moved upward and presses against the spring seat 71. Further, the main spring rod 70 is moved upward (arrow M1), and the clutch pedal 30, which is connected to the main spring rod 70 through the pedal boss 34, is forcibly rotated forward at or around the pivot pin 21 by the upward movement of the main spring rod 70 (arrow R1). Therefore, the clutch pedal 30 can be forcibly released when an accident occurs, and accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to maximally prevent injury to the driver's feet / legs due to the clutch pedal 30.

[0069] As another example of how it is in the Fig.As shown in FIG. 12, when the pedal member 10 is deformed and moved rearward by a large load F2 generated during a collision (e.g., a head-on collision), the dash support member 200 is separated from the upper support member 190 (arrow M2). Further, the dash support member 200 contacts the upper end of the secondary connecting rod 90 projecting from the pedal member 10, thereby urging the secondary spring rod 90.

[0070] When the sub-spring rod 90 is pressed by the dash panel support member 200, the reversing support member 80 including the sub-spring rod 90 is rotated counterclockwise (arrow R2) at the pivot pin 81 with respect to the pedal member 10, and the friction plate 60 coupled to the sub-spring rod 90 is also rotated counterclockwise. Furthermore, the clutch pedal 30, which is in contact with the friction plate 60 through the pedal boss 34, is forcibly rotated forward (arrow R3) at the pivot pin 21 when the friction plate 60 is forcibly rotated. Therefore, the clutch pedal 30 can be forcibly released when an accident occurs, and accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to maximally prevent injury to the driver's feet / legs due to the clutch pedal 30.

[0071] As described above, an embodiment according to the present invention is configured such that, when a driver depresses the clutch pedal 30 in the clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system that does not use a hydraulic mechanism, the sum of the compression spring force of the main spring and the compression spring force of the sub-spring 50 becomes the pedal force (reaction force) of the clutch pedal 30. Accordingly, a pedal force (reaction force) is generated at the same level as compared with a hydraulic clutch system, so that a disengaged feeling can be avoided, and therefore, there is an advantage in that marketability is greatly improved.

[0072] Further, according to the present invention, when an operating force is removed from the clutch pedal rotated forward by releasing the foot, and the clutch pedal is rotated backward and returned by the restoring force of the main spring 40 and the sub-spring 50, the value obtainable by subtracting the friction force of the friction plate 60 from the sum of the restoring force of the main spring 40 and the restoring force of the sub-spring 50 acts as the restoring force of the clutch pedal 30. Specifically, the friction force generated due to contact between the pedal projection 34 of the clutch pedal 30 and the friction plate 60 acts as a resistance value and reduces the restoring force and the returning speed of the clutch pedal 30. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent the driver's ankles from being broken and it is also possible to induce hysteresis.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the pedal member 10 is deformed by the large load generated in a collision, the clutch pedal 30, which is connected to the main spring bar 70 and the friction plate 60 through the pedal boss 34, is forcibly rotated forward. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that it is possible to maximally prevent injuries to the driver's feet / legs (shin strikes, ankle fractures, etc.) due to the clutch pedal 30.

Claims

[1] A clutch pedal device for an electronic clutch system, the clutch pedal device comprising: a clutch pedal (30) coupled to a pedal element (10) to be rotatable on a pivot pin (21), a main spring (40) and a sub-spring (50) which accumulate a spring force by compression when the clutch pedal (30) is depressed and rotated forward, a pedal projection (34) projecting from an upper end of the clutch pedal (30), a friction plate (60) having a back side (61), wherein the friction plate (60) is arranged in contact with the secondary spring (50) and the pedal projection (34) is arranged in contact with the back side (61) of the friction plate (60) to generate a frictional force when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated, and a main spring rod (70) which is coupled to the pedal projection (34) through element holding parts (11) formed on the pedal element (10) and the main spring (50) and moves rectilinearly when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated, wherein both ends of the main spring (40) are respectively supported by a spring seat (71) coupled to one end of the main spring rod (70) and the element holding parts (11), wherein the compression spring force of the main spring (40), the compression spring force of the secondary spring (50) and the friction force generated when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated forward cause a pedal force of the clutch pedal (30), wherein, when an operating force is released from the forwardly rotated clutch pedal (30) and the clutch pedal (30) is rotated backward and is returned by a restoring force of the main spring (40) and the sub-spring (50), a value obtained by subtracting the friction force of the friction plate (60) from the restoring force of the main spring (40) and the restoring force of the sub-spring (50) is a restoring force of the clutch pedal (30), and the friction force of the friction plate (60) acts as a resistance value when the clutch pedal (30) is turned backwards, thereby generating a hysteresis. [2] The clutch pedal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a permanent magnet (110) coupled to the main spring bar (70), and a pedal switch (130) coupled to the pedal element (10) and having a printed circuit board (120) facing the permanent magnet (110), wherein the position of the permanent magnet (110) is variable by the main spring rod (70) which moves linearly when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated, and the circuit board (120) outputs a signal to a clutch control device (140) by detecting a change in a magnetic flux due to a change in the position of the permanent magnet (110). [3] The clutch pedal device according to claim 2, wherein the element holding parts (11) are formed of two holding parts which are vertically spaced from each other on one side of the pedal element (10), the permanent magnet (110) is coupled to the main spring bar (70) to be positioned between the two element holding parts (11), and a cover (170) is fixed by the two element holding parts (11) and the permanent magnet (110) is covered by the cover (170). [4] The clutch pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a reversing holding part (80) which is arranged on an upper portion of the pedal element (10) facing the front of the pedal projection (34), and which has left and right sides which are coupled to be able to be rotatable on hinge pins (81) with respect to the pedal element (10), and a secondary spring rod (90) coupled to the friction plate (60) through the reversing holding part (80) and the secondary spring (50), wherein both ends of the sub-spring (50) are arranged to be supported by the reversing holding member (80) and the friction plate (60) respectively. [5] The clutch pedal device according to claim 4, further comprising: an upper holding part (190) which is fixed to an upper end of the pedal element (10), and a bulkhead support member (200) coupled to the upper support member (190) to be capable of being separated by a collision load, wherein one end of the secondary spring bar (90) projects beyond the pedal element (10) and is then positioned in front of the end wall holding part (200). [6] The clutch pedal device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the back surface (61) of the friction plate (60) is an arcuate curved surface projecting rearward to be capable of providing a detent feeling when the clutch pedal (30) is operated. [7] The clutch pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pedal stopper (100) that stops a full stroke when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated forward is coupled to a lower end of the pedal member (10). [8] The clutch pedal device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein a lower end of the friction plate (60) is a projection (62) projecting rearward, and when the clutch pedal (30) is rotated rearward to return, the pedal projection (34) is locked to the projection (62) so as not to move, so that rearward return of the clutch pedal (30) is restricted. [9] The clutch pedal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring seat (71) is positioned to be spaced downwardly from the element holding parts (11), an element stopper (180) coupled to one side of the pedal element (10) is positioned below the spring seat (71), when the pedal element (10) is deformed and the element stopper (180) pushes the spring seat (71) upwards in a collision accident, the main spring rod (70) is moved upwards, and the clutch pedal (30), which is connected to the main spring rod (70) by the pedal projection (34), is forcibly rotated forward at the pivot pin (21) when the main spring rod (70) is moved upward. [10] The clutch pedal device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein in a collision accident, the pedal member (10) is deformed and the end wall holding part (200) is separated from the upper holding part (190), whereby the end wall holding part (200) presses the sub-spring bar (90) by coming into contact with an end of the sub-spring bar (90) which projects beyond the pedal member (10), the reversing holding part (80), which has the secondary spring bar (90) and the friction plate (60), is rotated with respect to the pedal element (10) on the hinge pins (81) by a pressure of the end wall holding part (200), and, when the friction plate (60) is rotated, the clutch pedal (30), which is in contact with the friction plate (60) through the pedal projection (34), is forcibly rotated forward on the pivot pin (21).

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