Device with a longitudinally displaceable connection of a stationary pedal assembly to a vehicle and vehicle with such a

Abstract

Device (20) with a longitudinally displaceable connection of a stationary pedal assembly (10) to a vehicle body (50) to absorb forces acting from a triggering event, wherein the stationary pedal assembly (10) has a housing (14) with at least two fixing elements (26) and wherein: - the housing (14) has a recess (22) in the area of ​​each of the at least two fixing elements (26), through which the respective fixing element (26) is to be guided in order to connect the fixing elements (26) to the vehicle body (50), and the recesses (22) each have a longitudinal extension in the direction of travel of the vehicle, which allows a displacement of the pedal assembly (10) in the direction of travel relative to the vehicle body (50), - the housing (14) has guides (24) in each of the area of ​​the at least two fixing elements (26) that correspond to each other at least in their direction and which extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle and are designed,to influence a relative movement of the housing (14) in relation to the fixing elements (26) and thus to the body (59) of the vehicle in its direction, and at least one of the fixing elements (26) has a widening (28) above the recess (22) of the housing (14) in order to prevent the housing (14) from lifting off.

Description

The invention relates to a device with a longitudinally displaceable connection of a standing pedal mechanism formed with a housing to the body of a vehicle, in which the pedal mechanism is connected to the body by means of at least two fixing elements, wherein however, a defined displacement of the pedal mechanism in the direction of travel is possible as a result of recesses in the housing and guides for the at least two fixing elements. The invention also relates to a vehicle having such a device.Vehicles have pedals for their operation, which can be provided in a suspended or upright arrangement. Due to their arrangement, different challenges arise in the event of an accident. In the event of an accident, the vehicle is generally braked abruptly, while the vehicle occupants initially move further in the direction of travel at an undiminished speed. In this case, a foot or the feet and optionally also the leg or the legs of the driver strike the pedals.In a suspended pedal arrangement, intrusion and forward displacement of the driver's foot results in moments about the Y axis of the ankle joint and / or in a moment about the X axis due to the foot slipping off the pedal. The moments about the Y axis can be counteracted by a specific flexibility of the pedal lever, but this is in contrast to the required functional requirements. The forces in the Z direction (lower leg) can be reduced by a so-called crash pad in the region of the heel in the vehicle floor. It is difficult to avoid slipping off the pedal.If the pedal mechanism is formed with a housing in a standing arrangement, the pedal plate can form a plane with the housing. As a result, high torques in the ankle joint can be avoided. However, the pedal unit forms a rigid block in this case, as a result of which high forces in the direction of the Z axis can result.In order to absorb these forces, it is known from the prior art, for example, to apply a layer formed with an elastomer to the pedal. However, their force-absorbing capacity is limited, and furthermore such structures alter the ergonomy of the pedal apron.DE 10 2013 010 284 A1 shows as an alternative solution approach a standing pedal mechanism on a longitudinal guide with a predetermined breaking point on otherwise automatically releasable fastening devices. They break when a limit force is exceeded in the event of an accident. However, no limitation of the relative movement of the pedals relative to the vehicle body can take place here.It is therefore the object of the invention to propose a solution to how at least one stationary pedal mechanism can be designed in such a way that, in the event of an accident, it can absorb at least some of the forces acting on it and thus reduce the risk of injury to the driver.The object of the invention is achieved with a device according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 10.In a device according to the invention with a longitudinally displaceable connection of a stationary pedal mechanism to a body of a vehicle in order to absorb forces acting from a triggering event, the stationary pedal mechanism has a housing and at least two fixing elements andthe housing has a recess in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements, through which recess the respective fixing element is to be guided in order to connect the fixing elements to the body of the vehicle, and the recesses each have a longitudinal extent in the direction of travel of the vehicle, which permits a displacement of the pedals in the direction of travel relative to the body thereof,the housing has guides, which correspond to one another at least in their direction, in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements and extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle and are designed to influence a relative movement of the housing in relation to the fixing elements and thus of the body in its direction, andat least one of the fixing elements has a widening above the recess of the housing in order to prevent the housing from lifting off.In the sense of the invention, the pedal mechanism is to be understood to mean the entirety of the pedals of a vehicle, a housing, the arrangement of the pedals in the housing and their connection to the devices for braking, accelerator and, if present, for coupling. According to the invention, the pedal mechanism is to be connected to the body of the vehicle in a flexible manner, so that it can be displaced forwards in the direction of travel as a result of a force effect, for example as a result of an accident. Such a force effect is also referred to below as triggering event.For this purpose, the device according to the invention has at least two fixing elements. By means of the at least two fixing elements, the pedal mechanism formed with a housing is connected to the vehicle body. In order that the pedal mechanism can be displaced in the direction of travel after a triggering event, the housing has recesses in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements, through which recesses the fixing elements are guided for the assembly and can thus be connected to the vehicle body. These recesses each extend in a longitudinal direction which corresponds to the direction of travel. This allows the housing and thus the pedals to be displaced forwards and thus away from the driver of the vehicle.Furthermore, the housing has guides which correspond to one another at least in their direction in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements and which extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle and are provided for influencing a relative movement of the housing with respect to the at least two fixing elements and thus with respect to the body of the vehicle in their direction. Thus, in order to ensure that the housing and thus the pedals only move in the direction of travel, the housing is to be displaced forwards along the at least two fixing elements. In order to ensure this direction of movement, guides are provided which are formed or arranged on or in the housing and which each surround one of the at least two fixing elements to such an extent that a lateral movement of the housing or of the pedal mechanism is prevented. These guides can be formed from a base of the housing or can be placed thereon and in particular enclose the recesses for the fixing elements flush.In order to prevent the housing or the pedal mechanism from lifting upwards, at least one of the fixing elements has an expansion above the recess in the housing. This widening is configured such that the fixing element protrudes laterally beyond the recess at least in regions. Such a widening can be designed, for example, in the form of a mushroom head. Ideally, all fixing elements have such an expansion. Since at least one of the fixing elements is now wider in regions than the recess as a result of the widening, the housing cannot lift off upwards or be lifted off.If the widening is provided above the guide for the corresponding fixing element, it is advantageous to choose the widening such that it protrudes laterally beyond the guide at least in regions.The proposed configuration of the connection which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction makes it possible to displace the pedals longitudinally, and lateral or vertical movements are prevented. During regular operation of the pedals, the pedals remain in place and will not be displaced. If high forces act on one or more pedals or the housing in the region around the pedals, the pedals are displaced forwards away from the driver, as a result of which the forces acting can be at least partially dissipated. By configuring the mutually facing surfaces of the housing underside and body with regard to material and surface configuration or structuring, sufficient frictional resistance can be provided in order to prevent unintentional displacement of the pedals. A more advantageous embodiment in this respect will be explained in the following.According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least two fixing elements are arranged symmetrically with respect to the housing. This is intended to prevent the housing from twisting and tilting during the displacement. In the case of an odd number of fixing elements, it is accordingly recommended to arrange one fixing element approximately centrally between the other fixing elements.In a second embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the fixing elements is designed as a bolt which is to be connected to the body of the vehicle by welding or screwing. Bolts are usually cylindrical connecting means. They can be designed as threaded bolts which can be screwed into a corresponding receptacle in the vehicle body. Alternatively, such a bolt can be welded to the vehicle body in order to effect its arrangement fixed to the vehicle body.An embodiment of the device according to the invention is also present if the device has, associated with the at least one fixing element formed with a widening, a locking means which is guided at least in regions below and / or around the widening, so that the pedal mechanism is held in the vehicle transverse axis and / or vehicle vertical axis. Such a locking means is intended to partially or completely surround the at least one fixing element in the region of the widening, in order to be guided around it, specifically in such a way that an engagement is produced at least in regions between the locking means and the fixing element, which has the result that the housing and thus the pedal mechanism is locked, that is to say held, with respect to the vehicle body in the vertical axis and the transverse axis. For this purpose, the locking means is firmly connected to the housing, fixed to it or a part of the housing. The displaceability in the direction of travel must be and is to be maintained in the process.An advantage of such a locking means is that the widening of the fixing element can be made smaller, which is to be preferred with regard to complexity and costs in production.For example, a locking means can be a hook-like construction made of plastic, which at least partially engages around the at least one fixing element in the region of the widening and thus prevents a movement transversely to the direction of travel and vertically to the direction of travel. Here too, it applies that a plurality or all of the fixing elements can be held in each case by a locking means in order to ensure uniform displacement of the pedals in the event of an accident.In particular, the locking means can be designed as a wire loop, wherein the loop forms a diameter in its deflection region which is greater than the fixing element. The wire loop is to be understood as an arch-shaped wire which is guided around the associated fixing element so that it runs along the length of the latter during its expansion. The deflection region is the region at which the orientation of the wire reverses so that it extends in the direction of its starting point. If the wire loop now has a diameter in this deflection region which is greater than the fixing element, in particular if the latter likewise has a circular cross section, then during the assembly of the device the wire loop can be guided around the region of the deflection region via the fixing element including its widening and can be removed again at a later point in time. In the remaining region of the wire loop, the distance between the legs of the loop should be less than the dimension of the fixing element with its widening. Moreover, the wire loop of this embodiment must have a sufficient longitudinal extension in the direction of travel in order to ensure the displaceability of the pedal mechanism. This results in a flexible system which can be easily assembled and also released if necessary.A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that at least one of the fixing elements has a force compensation means which is designed to allow a relative movement of the housing with respect to the fixing elements only when a minimum force effect is exceeded. In order to prevent the pedal mechanism from being displaced forwards in the direction of travel already when there is a (too) low force effect, a force compensation means should be provided on at least one of the fixing elements. This force compensation means at least partially absorbs the acting forces before the displacement of the pedals takes place. In order to then allow the displacement to take place uniformly, fixing elements with force compensation means should preferably be arranged symmetrically in the device.When the displacement of the pedals is actually to take place, the specific design of the force compensation means can be adjusted in a targeted manner with regard to its type, shape, size, material selection and surface design. For example, a force compensation means can be designed as a rough surface coating of the fixing element and can be in contact with the guide in the housing. Then, the force acting on the pedal rack to displace it must be sufficiently large to overcome the resulting friction. The force compensation means can also be an additional element arranged on or on the fixing element, which provides a frictional resistance.It is particularly preferred if a force compensation means is designed as an elastomer ring which surrounds the fixing element at least in regions and the diameter of which is greater than the guide for the associated fixing element. The locking means in the form of an elastomer ring surrounds the fixing element at least in regions. Thus, the fixing element can be a bolt, for example, and the bolt can be inserted into the elastomer ring, so that it surrounds the bolt at least partially with respect to its longitudinal extent.The diameter of the elastomer ring should be larger than the guide for the associated fixing element. This means that the diameter of the elastomer ring is larger than the inside width of the guide of the fixing element, so that the fixing element with the elastomer ring cannot be moved into the guide and / or along the guide without application of deformation forces to the elastomer ring. The necessary deformation forces are generated in the event of the accident or the triggering event if a sufficiently large force acts on the pedal mechanism that is large enough to displace the pedal mechanism by moving it relative to the at least two fixing elements in the direction of travel and in the process pressing the guide via the fixing element with the elastomer ring, which in the process deforms. A large part of the forces acting from the impact on the pedal apron can thus be compensated. Until the elastomer ring is compressed to the maximum, this force profile increases, after which the housing or the pedal mechanism can be pushed with a constant force.In order to ensure that this force profile can be ensured, the fixing element with the elastomer ring can be positioned somewhat outside the guide in the initial position before the triggering event, so that the elastomer ring is not yet subjected to any deformation.However, it can also be provided that the geometric configuration of the guide of a fixing element formed with a force compensation means influences the force profile during the displacement of the pedal mechanism. For example, the guide can be somewhat wider in the region of the starting position of the fixing element with a force compensation means, so that the fixing element with the force compensation means does not experience any contact pressure, any deformation or the like. In the course of the longitudinal extension in the direction of travel, the guide can become narrower, so that by displacing the housing over the fixing elements, the latter pass into the narrower region of the guide, where they develop their effect. The constriction of the guide can be effected in sections to different extents; the guide can also have sections with a constant width in some regions. By defining the width of the guide, by which its clear measure is meant for the passage of the fixing element, it is possible to influence how much force can be absorbed by the force compensation means and thus with which effort and which force profile the displacement of the pedals can take place.If the longitudinal displacement of the pedals is to be limited, this can be effected according to yet another embodiment of the invention by the length of at least one of the recesses of the housing, by the length of at least one of the guides for the at least two fixing elements and / or by the length of the at least one locking means. Each of these mentioned elements must, as is provided in the respective concrete embodiment of the invention, permit the movement of the pedals in the longitudinal direction and, for this purpose, must themselves have a longitudinal extent. By presetting the length of such a longitudinal extension, the displacement of the pedal mechanism can thus be adjusted in a targeted manner. Accordingly, the length of at least one of the recesses in the housing or the length of at least one of the guides for the at least two fixing elements or the length of the at least one locking means or by a combination of two or three of these elements can limit the displacement path in the direction of travel. If the end of one of the recesses, one of the guides and / or the at least one locking means then strikes the fixing element fixed to the vehicle body as a result of the displacement of the housing, the displacement is ended.According to the invention, a vehicle is also claimed, the pedals of which according to the above disclosure are connected to the vehicle body such that they can be displaced in the longitudinal direction.The displaceable connection according to the invention of the stationary pedals of the vehicle allows the high forces which act on the pedals by the impact of the feet or the lower legs of the driver to be absorbed in the event of an accident or another triggering event and are redirected into the displacement of the same. This allows the possible injuries to the driver to be significantly reduced.The proposed embodiments make possible a flexible assembly and disassembly as well as a specific adjustment of the displaceability of the pedal mechanism.The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be combined with one another with advantage unless stated otherwise in the individual case.The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a pedal mechanism with the device according to the invention and a perspective detailed view, and FIG. 2 shows various sections through an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention and the force profile to be realized there.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a standing pedal assembly 10 with a housing 14 and two pedals 12. At one of the corners of the pedal assembly 10 facing the driver, the housing 14 is shown transparently in order to show the part of the device 20 there, which is also shown as detail in FIG. 1. However, it is not shown here by reference sign that a further part of the device 20 is also provided at least on the right corner of the pedal mechanism 10 facing the driver and the latter thus has at least two fixing elements 26.FIG. 2 shows a horizontal section of a partial region of the device 30 in the installed state (FIG. 2 a) and another one after the forward displacement of the pedal mechanism 10 as a result of an accident (FIG. 2 b). FIG. 2 cshows a lateral view of FIG. 2 a.It can be seen in detail in FIG. 1 and even more precisely from the representations in FIG. 2 that a fixing element 26 is provided in each case at least at the two corners of the pedals 10, which fixing element can be connected to the vehicle body 50 through a recess 22 in the housing 14. The recess 22 is surrounded flush by the guide 24, which specifies the direction of movement of the housing 14 relative to the fixing elements 26. By way of example, it should be assumed that the configuration of the device 20 is the same in both partial regions of the pedal mechanism 10. In addition, further fixing elements 26 and the associated recesses 22, guides 24 et cetera can be provided in other regions of the pedal assembly 10.The fixing element 26 is designed as a bolt with a mushroom head and is welded to the body 50. The mushroom head corresponds to the widening 28, by means of which lifting of the pedal 10 from the body 50 can be prevented. For this purpose, a wire loop is guided as a locking means 30 underneath the mushroom head 28, which wire loop has a deflection region 32 and is fastened to the housing 14 at the points 34. It is thus secured in position. The wire loop 30 prevents movement of the pedal assembly 10 laterally or vertically. As a result of the enlargement of the inside width of the wire loop 30 in the deflection region 32, during assembly the wire loop 30 in the deflection region 32 can be pushed over the bolt 26 with the mushroom head 28 and then displaced in the longitudinal direction into the installed state (FIG. 2 a ).A force compensation means 36 in the form of an elastomer ring is arranged on the bolt 26. This influences the force profile in the case of use. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 aand 2 b, this is somewhat larger in its outer diameter than the inside width of the guide 24. overlaps 38 occur in this case, as shown in FIG. 2 b. In the initial position (FIG. 2 a), it can be seen that the elastomer ring 36 surrounds the bolt 26 without deformation or compression. If a sufficiently large force now acts on the housing 14 or the pedals 12 of the pedals 10, the housing 14 is displaced in the direction of travel FR, illustrated by an arrow. In this case, the guide 24 is pushed towards the elastomer ring 26, which is thereby compressed and compressed. The forces acting are compensated for in an increasing force profile, as FIG. 2 d shows.If the elastomer ring 36 is sufficiently compressed, the displacement of the pedal mechanism 10 in the direction of travel FR takes place with a constant force profile (likewise FIG. 2 d ). The end position after the displacement is evident from FIG. 2 b.However, the guide 24 could also be formed further narrowed in the end region of the displacement, in order to compensate for an increasing force profile here.The extent of the longitudinal displacement is, unless obstacles obstruct it, the result of the length of the recess 22 and of the guide 24, which both have a common longitudinal extent.In an alternative, not shown, the bolt 26 can be designed as a threaded bolt. Then, the elastomer ring 36 should have a metal sleeve to absorb the biasing forces.List of reference characters10 Pedals 12 Pedals 14 Housing 20 Device for the flexible connection of the pedals 22 Recess in the housing 24 Guide 26 Fixing element 28 Widening of the fixing element 30 Locking means 32 Deflection region of the locking means 34 Fixing of the locking means 36 Force compensation means 38 Overlapping of the elastomer ring 50 Body FR Direction of travel

Claims

Device (20) having a longitudinally displaceable connection of a stationary pedal mechanism (10) to a body (50) of a vehicle in order to absorb forces acting from a triggering event, wherein the stationary pedal mechanism (10) has a housing (14), having at least two fixing elements (26), and wherein - the housing (14) has a recess (22) in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements (26), through which recess the respective fixing element (26) is to be guided in order to connect the fixing elements (26) to the body (50) of the vehicle, and the recesses (22) have in each case a longitudinal extent in the direction of travel of the vehicle, which recess permits a displacement of the pedal mechanism (10) in the direction of travel relative to the body (50) of the vehicle, the housing (14) has guides (24), which correspond to one another at least in their direction, in each case in the region of the at least two fixing elements (26) and extend in the direction of travel of the vehicle and are designed to influence a relative movement of the housing (14) in relation to the fixing elements (26) and thus to the body (59) of the vehicle in its direction, and at least one of the fixing elements (26) has an expansion (28) above the recess (22) of the housing (14) in order to prevent the housing (14) from lifting off.Device (20) according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least two fixing elements (26) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the housing (14).Device (20) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the fixing elements (26) is designed as a bolt which is to be connected to the body (50) of the vehicle by welding or screwing.Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has, associated with the at least one fixing element (26) formed with a widening (28), a locking means (30) which is guided at least in regions under and / or around the widening (28), with the result that the pedal mechanism (10) is held in the transverse axis of the vehicle and / or vertical axis of the vehicle.Device (20) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the arresting means (30) is designed as a wire loop, wherein the loop forms a diameter in its deflection region (32) which is greater than the fixing element (26).Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the fixing elements (26) has a force compensation means (36) which is designed to permit a relative movement of the housing (14) with respect to the fixing elements (26) only when a minimum force effect is exceeded.Device (20) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the force compensation means (36) is designed as an elastomer ring which surrounds the fixing element (26) at least in regions and the diameter of which is greater than the guide (24) for the associated fixing element (26).Device (20) according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the geometric configuration of the guide (24) of a fixing element (26) which is formed with a force compensation means (36) influences the force profile during the displacement of the pedal mechanism (10).Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal displacement of the pedal mechanism (10) is limited by the length of at least one of the recesses (22) of the housing (14), by the length of at least one of the guides (24) for the at least two fixing elements (26) and / or by the length of the at least one locking means.Vehicle having a device (20) with a longitudinally displaceable connection of its standing foot pedal (10) to its body (50) according to one of the preceding claims.

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