Actuating device, motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for specifying a braking and / or acceleration request, comprising a first housing part (2) and a second housing part (3), wherein the first housing part (2) is mounted displaceably on the second housing part (3) in the longitudinal extent of the second housing part (3), and wherein the first housing part (2) has an actuating surface (6) on an upper side (4) facing away from the second housing part (3), or wherein a cover (5) with an actuating surface (6) is arranged on an upper side (4) facing away from the second housing part (3).It is provided that the housing parts (2, 3) are each cylindrical in shape at least in sections with a closed casing wall (11, 12), that a first sliding element (13) and a second sliding element (14) are arranged between the housing parts (2, 3), that the first sliding element (13) and the second sliding element (14) each bear axially against at least one of the housing parts (2, 3), and that at least one spring element (15), in particular a helical spring, is arranged between the sliding elements (13, 14) as a return spring, prestressed axially, in particular coaxially to the housing parts (2, 3), in order to urge the housing parts (2, 3) into an unactuated rest position.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle, in particular for presetting a braking and / or acceleration request, having a first housing part and having a second housing part, wherein the first housing part is mounted displaceably on the second housing part in the longitudinal extent of the second housing part, and wherein the first housing part has an actuating surface on an upper side facing away from the second housing part, or wherein a cover having an actuating surface is arranged on an upper side facing away from the second housing part. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having an actuating device of this type.Prior ArtIt is known from the prior art to detect an actuation of an actuating device for a motor vehicle that can be actuated by a driver by a sensor assigned to the actuating device. If the driver actuates the actuating device, a braking or acceleration request of the driver is recognized in particular as a function thereof. For example, brake systems with electromechanical brake boosters are known, which together with a vehicle assistance system, in particular an electronic stability program (ESP), form a redundant "brake-by-wire" system, in which no mechanical connection from the actuating device to the brake system is present. A braking request is forwarded, for example, as a function of an actuation of the actuating device to an electromechanical actuator which is designed to execute a pressure build-up in the brake system.Actuation devices for drive units, in particular with internal combustion engines and / or electric machines, of motor vehicles are likewise known, which are part of a "drive-by-wire" system without a mechanical connection to the drive unit. An acceleration request is detected, for example, as a function of an actuation of the actuating device and forwarded to the drive unit. Due to the lack of mechanical coupling of the actuating devices to the brake system and / or drive unit, it is possible to design such actuating devices free of travel or with an at least only slight stroke of a few millimeters. For detecting the actuation, the use of various measurement methods is known.For example, the applicant's laid-open specification DE 10 2022 212 470 A1 discloses an actuating device of the generic type which has a first and a second housing part, wherein the first housing part is mounted on the second housing part such that it can be displaced in the height extent of the second housing part, wherein the first housing part has an actuating surface on an upper side facing away from the second housing part or wherein a cover with the actuating surface is arranged on the upper side, wherein a sensor arrangement for detecting an actuation of the actuating device, in particular an actuating force exerted on the actuating surface, is arranged in the second housing part, and wherein a separating wall is formed or arranged in the second housing part, said separating wall forming a chamber with the second housing part in order to enclose at least one component of the sensor arrangement in a medium-tight manner.From the applicant's laid-open specification DE 10 2022 212 450 A1, a suitable sensor arrangement is known, which has a force transmission element, which can be or is assigned to the actuating surface of the actuating device in particular, for transmitting an actuating force exerted on the actuating device, in particular on the actuating surface, and a measuring head arranged in a printed circuit board, wherein the measuring head has a measuring membrane, and wherein the measuring membrane has a force sensor element on one end and is assigned to the force transmission element on the other end.Disclosure of the InventionThe actuating device according to the invention having the features of claim 1 is distinguished in that the housing parts are each formed at least in sections cylindrically with a closed jacket wall, in that a first sliding element and a second sliding element are arranged between the housing parts, in that the first sliding element and the second sliding element each bear axially against at least one of the housing parts, and in that at least one spring element, in particular a helical spring, is arranged between the sliding elements as a restoring spring, biased axially, in particular coaxially with respect to the housing parts, in order to urge the housing parts into an unactuated rest position. The sliding elements thus assume an advantageous dual function. On the one hand, they ensure that the housing parts are displaceable with little friction with respect to one another, and on the other hand, they securely fix the spring element in its position. In this respect, in contrast to the previously mentioned actuation device of the applicant, the actuation device according to the invention has in particular the two sliding elements with the spring element arranged therebetween. The structural form of the housing parts likewise differs, which in the prior art have a rather rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, while according to the invention a cylindrical configuration, in particular with a circular cross section, is provided at least in sections. In particular, at least one of the housing parts has different inner diameters and / or outer diameters in each case in another region assigned to the sliding elements, so that overall a particularly advantageous stepped guide is realized by the sliding elements.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that one of the sliding elements, in particular the first sliding element, is displaceable along the longitudinal extent of the second housing part together with the first housing part relative to the second housing part, and / or that one of the sliding elements, in particular the second sliding element, is arranged in a fixed manner on the second housing part and the first housing part is displaceable along the longitudinal extent of the second housing part relative to the sliding element. Each sliding element is thus preferably arranged in a fixed position with respect to exactly one of the housing parts, or moves with exactly one of the housing parts. Such a configuration and arrangement of the sliding elements advantageously ensures that the housing parts are displaceable with little friction with respect to one another. If, for example, the first sliding element is displaceable together with the first housing part relative to the second housing part, the sliding element correspondingly carries the first housing part as a housing outer shell, which can move relative to the second housing part as a housing inner shell. In particular, the sliding elements have different inner diameters and / or outer diameters. Preferably, at least one of the sliding elements is formed cylindrically or cup-shaped, so that it is securely fixed in its position relative to one of the housing parts.It is particularly preferably provided that at least one of the sliding elements, in particular the first and the second sliding element, each bears with a first surface against an inner side of the first housing part, and / or with a second surface, in particular facing away from the first surface, against an outer side of the second housing part. This results in the advantage that the sliding element is arranged two-dimensionally between the two housing parts and the sliding effect is maximized, or it is ensured that the housing parts do not rub directly against one another, but rather the respective sliding element is always arranged therebetween. A corresponding sliding effect is thereby created in particular between the first surface and the inner side of the first housing part or between the second surface and the outer side of the second housing part.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the first housing part has a first inner diameter in a first region assigned to the first sliding element and has a second inner diameter in a second region assigned to the second sliding element, which second inner diameter is greater than the first inner diameter. The different inner diameters result in a particularly advantageous stepped guidance of the housing parts against one another.It is particularly preferably provided that the second housing part has a first outer diameter in a first region assigned to the first sliding element and has a second outer diameter in a second region assigned to the second sliding element, which is greater than the first outer diameter. The different outer diameters result in a particularly advantageous stepped guidance of the housing parts against one another. In particular, the sliding elements and / or housing parts have an at least substantially constant material thickness, such that a ratio of the different outer diameters corresponds at least substantially to a ratio of the above-mentioned different inner diameters.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the sliding elements are each at least substantially cylindrical and have an outer diameter corresponding to the respective inner diameter of the first housing part and / or an inner diameter corresponding to the respective outer diameter of the second housing part. This advantageously ensures that the respective sliding element and the respective housing part are securely held against one another or slide off against one another with little friction.It is particularly preferably provided that the spring element is designed as a helical spring and has an inner diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter. This results in the advantage that the spring element is designed to fit geometrically with respect to the housing part and is arranged so as to surround or surround the latter in regions. The spring element is then pushed onto the housing part to this extent and held in a positive-locking manner in the radial extension of the housing part. In the axial extension, the spring element is then held accordingly by the sliding elements.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that one of the sliding elements, in particular the first sliding element, has a circumferential radial projection, and that the spring element abuts at least in regions with a first end on a surface of the projection facing the other of the sliding elements, in particular the second sliding element, and / or that one of the sliding elements, in particular the second sliding element, has an end face with an opening with a diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter for the first region of the second housing part, and the spring element abuts at least in regions on a surface of the end face facing the other of the sliding elements, in particular the first sliding element, with a second end, in particular facing away from the first end. The abutment of the spring element on the projection and / or the end face advantageously ensures that the spring element is securely fixed between the sliding elements. The spring element is then advantageously fixed in a form-fitting manner in the radial extension and axial extension of the housing part, in particular in conjunction with the aforementioned sliding onto the second housing part.It is particularly preferably provided that at least one first pin, which is arranged in particular in an opening of the first housing part and protrudes in the direction of the second housing part, is arranged on the first housing part, in particular on a circumferential radial protrusion, as a rotation prevention means, which pin can be inserted or is inserted into an opening of the second housing part which corresponds to its outer contour and is arranged in particular in a circumferential radial protrusion. Such a rotation prevention results in the advantage that the housing parts are securely fixed and aligned with respect to one another, or that the only degree of freedom of movement is the displacement in the axial extension of the housing parts.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the first pin is arranged in an opening of the second housing part, and that an axial stop, in particular a press sleeve surrounding the pin circumferentially, is arranged on the first pin at its end region facing away from the first housing part for limiting a stroke of the housing parts with respect to one another and / or for setting a prestress of the spring element. This creates a geometrically particularly advantageously simple possibility for stroke limitation and prestress adjustment by arranging the axial stop to fit appropriately.It is particularly preferably provided that at the second housing part, in particular at a circumferential radial projection, at least one second pin, which is arranged in particular in an opening of the second housing part and protrudes in the direction of the first housing part, is arranged for adjusting a stroke of the housing parts with respect to one another. The corresponding pin has the advantage that the stroke can be adjusted particularly easily as a function of the length and / or insertion depth of the pin.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that at least one of the pins is formed integrally with the corresponding housing part or is connected to the corresponding housing part in a positive-locking, non-positive-locking and / or firmly bonded manner, in particular glued, welded, and / or pressed into and / or screwed into a corresponding opening. This advantageously ensures that the respective pin is formed or connected to the housing part in a particularly secure and simple manner.It is particularly preferably provided that a circumferential, in particular bellows-like, sealing element is arranged between the first and the second housing part for sealing against a region outside the housing parts, in particular in regions on a circumferential radial or axial projection of the respective housing part. The corresponding sealing element has the advantage that the corresponding region between the housing parts is protected from environmental influences.According to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that a sensor module for detecting an actuation of the actuating device, in particular an actuating force exerted on the actuating surface and / or an actuating path of the actuating surface, is arranged in the second housing part. Such a sensor module provides a particularly advantageously simple possibility for detecting the actuation. In particular, the sensor module is inserted into the second housing part as a pre-assembly group.The motor vehicle having the features of claim 15 is characterized by at least one actuating device according to the invention. This results in the already mentioned advantages. For example, a motor vehicle is provided which has two such actuating devices, on the one hand for presetting a braking request, i.e. as a brake pedal, and on the other hand for presetting an acceleration request, i.e. as an accelerator pedal. Alternatively, a motor vehicle is provided which has an actuating device of this type for presetting a braking and acceleration request, that is to say as a combined accelerator pedal. This also results in the advantages already mentioned.Further preferred features and combinations of features are evident from the description above and from the claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. This is shown by FIG. 1 shows an advantageous actuating device, FIG. 2 shows the actuating device in a sectional view, FIG. 3A shows a first detail view of the actuating device, FIG. 3B shows a second detail view of the actuating device, FIG. 4 shows a sensor module for the actuating device in a sectional view, FIG. 5A shows a first detail view of the sensor module, FIG. 5B shows a second detail view of the sensor module, and FIG. 6 shows the actuating device with the sensor module in a further sectional view.FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an advantageous actuating device 1, in the present case for a motor vehicle which is otherwise not illustrated in more detail. The actuating device 1 is designed to specify a braking request and / or an acceleration request. For this purpose, the actuating device 1 can be operated by the foot of a driver of the motor vehicle, i.e. is designed as a brake pedal, accelerator pedal and / or accelerator pedal. In the present case, this is an actuating device with a low stroke, in which usually only small displacement paths in the range of a few millimeters can be reached.For this purpose, the actuating device 1 has a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3. The first housing part 2 is mounted on the second housing part 3 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal extension of the second housing part 3. In the present case, a cover 5 with an actuating surface 6, which can be actuated by the driver, is arranged on an upper side 4 of the first housing part 2 facing away from the second housing part 3.The cover 5 can be formed in one piece or, as illustrated in the present case, in multiple pieces, wherein the individual parts are connected to one another in a positive-locking manner, for example. According to an exemplary embodiment, which is not shown, the cover 5 with the actuating surface 6 is alternatively arranged directly on the upper side 4.The second housing part 3 has a plurality of flanges 7, which are formed in particular integrally with the second housing part 3 or are connected thereto and each have an opening 8 for a fastening means 9, which is formed in the present case, merely by way of example, as a screw. The second housing part 3 can be fastened by the fastening means 9 in a foot space of an interior of the motor vehicle, so that the second housing part 3 is arranged in a fixed position in relation to the motor vehicle.Between the first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 there is also arranged a circumferential, in the present case bellows-like, elastically deformable sealing element 10 for sealing against a region outside the housing parts 2, 3. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, the sealing element 10 bears over its entire surface against the first housing part 2 and completely covers the latter.FIG. 2 shows the actuating device 1 in a sectional view. In this case, the components already described and their arrangement on one another can be seen more precisely in FIG. 2. The first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 are each formed at least in sections in a cylindrical manner with a closed jacket wall. Thus, the first housing part 2 has a first thin-walled jacket wall 11 and the second housing part 3 has a second thin-walled jacket wall 12, which each have an at least substantially constant wall thickness, in particular at least approximately the same wall thickness.The first jacket wall 11 merges in the present case into the surface 4, so that the first housing part 2 has a closed end face in this respect, while the second housing part 3 is open at the end face. The two housing parts 2, 3 each have a constant cross section only in regions or in sections. For example, the housing parts 2, 3 are designed as plastic parts or metal parts. The housing parts 2, 3 are designed in particular as deep-drawn sheets, turned, drawn or extruded aluminum profiles, or as injection-molded plastic parts.Between the first housing part 2 and the second housing part 3, in the present case between the first jacket wall 11 and the second jacket wall 12, a first sliding element 13 and a second sliding element 14 are arranged. The first sliding element 13 and the second sliding element 14 each bear axially against at least one of the housing parts 2, 3. The sliding elements 13, 14 are designed in particular as plastic sliding bearings with a low coefficient of friction, or as metal-sintered bushes.Between the sliding elements 13, 14, at least one spring element 15, which is designed in the present case as a helical spring, is arranged so as to be prestressed axially, in the present case coaxially with respect to the housing parts 2, 3, in order to urge the housing parts 2, 3 into an unactuated rest position. In the present case, the spring element 15 is designed as a single helical spring.According to alternative exemplary embodiments, not shown, the use of a plurality of spring elements connected one behind the other, or the use of one or more disk springs or similar spring elements is also possible. The use of one or more, preferably cylindrical, elastomers or any combination of different spring elements, in particular helical spring, disk spring and / or elastomer, is also conceivable.In this case, one of the sliding elements 13, 14, in the present case the first sliding element 13, is in each case displaceable along the longitudinal extent of the second housing part 3 together with the first housing part 2 relative to the second housing part 3. One of the sliding elements 13, 14, in the present case the second sliding element 14, is arranged in a fixed manner on the second housing part 3. The first housing part 2 is correspondingly displaceable along the longitudinal extension of the second housing part 3 relative to the second sliding element 14.The sliding elements 13, 14 thus assume an advantageous dual function. On the one hand, they ensure that the housing parts 2, 3 are displaceable with little friction relative to one another, and on the other hand, they securely fix the spring element 15 in its position.The first housing part 2 has an outer side 16, on which the surface 4 is also located, and an inner side 17 facing away from the outer side 16. Similarly, the second housing part 3 has an outer side 18 facing towards the inner side 17 and an inner side 19 facing away from the outer side 18.The first sliding element 13 has a first, outer surface 20 and an inner surface 21 facing away from the first surface 20. Similarly, the second sliding element 14 has a first, outer surface 22 and an inner surface 23 facing away from the first surface 22.The first sliding element 13 abuts with the first surface 20 against the inner side 17 of the first housing part 2 and with the second surface 21 against the outer side 18 of the second housing part 3. The second sliding element 14 in turn abuts the inner side 17 with the first surface 22 and the outer side 18 with the second surface 23.The first housing part 2 in the present case has along its longitudinal extension, besides cylindrical sections, also a conical section. This means that it has in the present case along its longitudinal extent at least one region in which its cross-sectional area or its diameter is not constant, but rather changes continuously.In this case, it has a first constant inner diameter in a first region 24 assigned to the first sliding element 13 and a second constant inner diameter which is greater than the first inner diameter in a second region 25 assigned to the second sliding element 14.For example, the second inner diameter is at least, in particular exactly, twice as large as the first inner diameter. The two regions 24, 25 are thus each cylindrical.This applies analogously to the corresponding outer diameters, the first housing part 2 thus has a first constant outer diameter in the first region 24 and a second constant outer diameter in the second region 25, which is greater than the first outer diameter.The first region 24, as seen in the longitudinal extension, is arranged at a first end, in the region of the surface 4, and the second region 25 is arranged at the second end of the first housing part 2 remote from the first end. The cone shape is formed and in that the first region 24 and the second region 25 are connected by a third region 26, in which the first inner diameter and outer diameter continuously expand to form the second inner diameter and outer diameter. The three regions 24, 25, 26 are in this respect part of the jacket wall 11 or form these at least in regions.According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, the third region 26 has a constant inner diameter and / or outer diameter, in particular the same inner diameter and / or outer diameter as one of the two other regions 24, 25, so that the first housing part 2 is then not formed overall in a conical manner, but consists of at least two or three cylindrical sections.It would then correspond to the second housing part 3 from its basic geometric shape. this specifically has in the present case a plurality of such cylindrically shaped sections which are arranged in a row, connected to one another or formed integrally with one another.Thus, the second housing part 3 has a first constant inner diameter and a first constant outer diameter in a first region 27 assigned to the first sliding element 13, and a second constant inner diameter and a second constant outer diameter in a second region 28 assigned to the second sliding element 14, wherein the second inner diameter and outer diameter are each larger than the first inner diameter and outer diameter. Here too, the regions 27, 28 are analogously part of the jacket wall 12 or form these at least in regions.The sliding elements 13, 14 are designed to correspond geometrically in so far that they are each at least substantially cylindrical or each have at least one corresponding cylindrical section. At least in this section, they have an outer diameter corresponding to the respective inner diameter of the first housing part 2 and / or an inner diameter corresponding to the respective outer diameter of the second housing part 3.For example, the first sliding element 13 is arranged, in particular pressed, in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or firmly bonded manner in the first region 24, and / or the second sliding element 14 is arranged, in particular pressed, in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or firmly bonded manner on the second region 28, in order that it does not slide relative to the second housing part 3.The spring element 15 is arranged in the present case so as to surround the first region 27, is thereby fixed radially and accordingly has an inner diameter which corresponds to the first outer diameter of the second housing part 3, that is to say is at least as large as or greater than the first outer diameter.In order to secure the spring element 15 axially between the sliding elements 13, 14 as well, the first sliding element 13 has a circumferential radial projection 29 at an end assigned to the spring element 15. The projection 29 is adjoined by at least one, in particular likewise encircling, axial projection 30. The spring element 15 abuts a surface 31 of the radial projection 29 facing the second sliding element 14 with a first end 32 at least in regions and is thus axially fixed. It is additionally radially fixed by the projection 29 between the projection 29 and the outer side 18 of the second housing part 3.In order to axially fix the spring element 15 on the other end as well, the second sliding element 14 has an end face 33 with an opening 34 with a diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter for the first region 27 of the second housing part 3. The second sliding element 14 is pushed onto the second housing part 3 until an inner surface 35 of the end face 33 and an outer surface 36 of the outer side 18 aligned in the radial extension of the second housing part 3 contact each other.The spring element now abuts at least in regions on a surface 37 of the end face 33 facing the first sliding element 13 and facing away from the inner surface 35 with a second end 38 facing away from the first end 32 and is thus axially fixed. The second sliding element 14 additionally has axial projections 39 projecting from the surface 37, by means of which the second end 38 is additionally radially fixed between the respective projection 39 and the outer side 18 of the second housing part, analogously to the projection 30 of the first sliding element 13.At least one first pin 40 is furthermore arranged on the first housing part 2 as a rotation prevention means. This is illustrated in a first detailed view of FIG. 3A, which shows a further sectional view in a sectional plane arranged approximately at right angles to the sectional plane of FIG. 2.The first housing part 2 has a circumferential radial projection 41 adjoining the second region 25. The first pin 40 is arranged on the projection 41 and protrudes toward the second housing part 3. In particular, the first pin 40 is arranged in an opening of the protrusion 41. The second housing part 3 has a circumferential radial projection 42 adjoining the second region 28. In the protrusion 42, a first opening 43 corresponding to an outer contour of the pin 40 is provided, and the pin 40 is inserted into the first opening.On the first pin 40, on its end region 44 facing away from the first housing part 2, an axial stop 45, in the present case in the form of a press sleeve surrounding the pin circumferentially, is arranged for limiting a stroke of the housing parts 2, 3 with respect to one another. The axial stop 45 is mounted when the first pin 40 is inserted through the opening 43 and thus advantageously also ensures that the housing parts 2, 3 are held together in a captive manner. The first pin 40 also defines a prestress of the spring element 15, or the prestress is set as a function of its length.With regard to the sealing element 10, it can still be clearly seen in FIG. 3A in particular that it bears against the respective outer sides of the housing parts 2, 3 in order to seal off the region in which the first pin 40 is located and thus the interior of the housing parts 2, 3 overall. Specifically, the sealing element 10 abuts the second region 25 and the projection 41 of the first housing part 2, as well as a further axial circumferential projection 46 of the second housing part 3 adjoining the radial projection 42. The radially extending flanges 7 already described then adjoin the projection 46. The sealing element 10 thus abuts in regions against a circumferential radial or axial projection 41, 46 of the respective housing part 2, 3.Finally, at least one second pin 47 is arranged on the second housing part 3 for adjusting a stroke of the housing parts 2, 3 relative to one another. In the present case, at least two second pins 47 are provided. This is illustrated in a second detailed view of FIG. 3B, which illustrates a detail of FIG. 2 in enlarged form in the lower left-hand region.It can be seen that the second pin 47 is arranged in a second opening 48 of the circumferential radial projection 42 already described. It protrudes in the direction of the first housing part 2, specifically in the direction of the protrusion 41. for example, the pin 47 is pressed into the opening 48; in the present case, it also has a corrugation along the longitudinal extension.Depending on how far the pin 47 is inserted into the opening 48 or protrudes in the direction of the projection 41, the maximum stroke results from when the pin 47 abuts on the end side on a surface 49 of the projection 41 facing it.Each of the pins 40, 47 is connected, in particular bonded, welded, and / or pressed and / or screwed into the corresponding opening 43, 48 in a positive-locking, force-fitting and / or firmly bonded manner to the corresponding housing part 2, 3. Alternatively, at least one of the pins 40, 47 is formed integrally with the corresponding housing part 2, 3.In particular, at least one of the pins 40, 47 is coated and / or the opening 43, 48 assigned to it is provided with a noise-absorbing element. Alternatively or additionally, an elastic buffer element, for example a plastic disk, is provided in particular on the axial stop as a noise-absorbing measure.The components of the actuating device 1 described so far are purely mechanical or a type of mechanical module of the actuating device 1, but it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the interior of the second housing part 3 forms a cavity. In order to fill this cavity, a sensor module 50 is provided, which is illustrated in FIG. 4 as an exemplary embodiment in detail in a sectional view.The sensor module 50 can be arranged with an exact fit in the second housing part 3 and is designed to detect an actuation of the actuating device 1, in particular an actuating force exerted on the actuating surface 6 and / or an actuating travel of the actuating surface 6.The sensor module 50 has a plate-shaped sensor element 51, which is produced in particular from metal or plastic. The sensor element 51 can be or is assigned to an actuating element of the actuating device 1. The actuating element is in particular the actuating surface 6 or the first housing part 2 connected thereto.The sensor module 50 further comprises a sensor housing 52. The sensor housing 52 has a first cylindrical housing part 53 and a second cylindrical housing part 54 adjoining it, i.e. connected thereto and formed in one piece therewith in the present case. The housing parts 53, 54 in the present case have identical, at least largely constant wall thicknesses. The inner diameter and outer diameter of the first housing part 53 are smaller than the inner diameter and outer diameter of the second housing part 54.Furthermore, the sensor module 50 in the present case has in each case at least one force sensor element 55 assigned to the sensor element 51 for detecting a force exerted on the sensor element 51, in particular by means of the actuating element, and at least one travel sensor element 56 assigned to the sensor element 51 for detecting a displacement travel of the sensor element 51. The force sensor element 55 has, in particular, strain gauges and is designed, in particular, as described in the prior art of the applicant mentioned at the beginning.In order for the sensor module 50 to function as presented, it is sufficient if either the force sensor element 55 or the displacement sensor element 56 are present, wherein, if both are present, advantageous redundancy arises due to the different measurement principles. In particular, at least two force sensor elements 55 and / or displacement sensor elements 56 are provided in each case in order to further improve the reliability of the measurement and the redundancy.In this case, such redundancy in particular satisfies corresponding standards and / or laws in order to satisfy quality / safety requirements. For example, two different measurement principles are prescribed for brake pedals and these are each redundant in order to be able to ASIL-D. In the case of gas pedals, two redundant sensors with the same measuring principle are sufficient.In the event of a failure / strong drift of a sensor, it must be ensured that the "true" signal of the driver's request is still detected on the basis of the remaining sensors. In the event of a sensor failing, for example, a warning message is provided to the driver. An entire circuit can be omitted, then two sensors would be affected at the brake pedal and one sensor at the accelerator pedal. In this case, the respective redundant sensors take over the detection of the driver's request, preferably in conjunction with a warning to the driver.The sensor element 51 is mounted in the first housing part 53 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. For this purpose, the first housing part 53 in the present case has on its inner side 57 at least one groove 58 and / or one web 59 running along its longitudinal extent, in particular at least two grooves 58 and / or webs 59 which are arranged distributed over the circumference of the inner side 57 and are, for example, diametrically opposite one another, and in and / or on which the sensor element 51 is guided.For this purpose, the sensor element 51 is assigned to the respective groove 58 or the web 59 with one longitudinal side each, in particular inserted into the respective groove 58 or placed on the respective web 59. For this purpose, sensor element 51 preferably has a groove on the longitudinal side with an inner contour corresponding to the respective outer contour of web 59. The sensor element 51 is guided in particular, at least approximately, without play or with play, in or on the groove 58 or the web 59.The sensor module 50 further comprises at least one first spring element 60, which is embodied in the present case as a helical spring. According to alternative exemplary embodiments, not shown, the use of a plurality of spring elements connected one behind the other, or the use of one or more disk springs or similar spring elements is also possible. The use of one or more, preferably cylindrical, elastomers or any combination of different spring elements, in particular helical spring, disk spring and / or elastomer, is also conceivable.The sensor element 51 is operatively connected to the force sensor element 55 by means of the first spring element 60. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, in which no force sensor element 55 is present, the sensor element 51 can be supported on the sensor housing 52 by means of the first spring element 60. In the present case, the sensor element 51 protrudes at least in an unactuated rest position of the spring element 60 from the first housing part 53, i.e. in the assembled state in the direction of the actuating element of the actuating device 1.The first spring element 60 is pushed with a first end 61 at least in regions onto a projection 62 of the sensor element 51 and with a second end 63 facing away from the first end 61 at least in regions onto a projection 64 of a further sensor element 65 operatively connected to the force sensor element 55.On the sensor element 51, an encoder element 66, in the present case a magnetic element, assigned to the displacement sensor element 56, which in the present case has a Hall sensor, is arranged. For example, a magnetic element designed as a permanent magnet is provided, which is arranged on a longitudinal side of the sensor element 51, in particular is connected thereto in a form-fitting, force-fitting and / or firmly bonded manner. The displacement sensor element 56 is then based on a magnetic measuring principle. Alternatively, other measurement principles, in particular optical ones, are provided for the displacement sensor element 56.The travel sensor element 56 and the force sensor element 55 are arranged in the present case on a common printed circuit board 67 arranged in the sensor housing 52. According to a further exemplary embodiment, not shown, the travel sensor element 56 and the force sensor element 55 are each arranged on a printed circuit board arranged in the sensor housing 52.The common printed circuit board 67 has a first section 68 with the force sensor element 55 and a second section 69 with the travel sensor element 56. The second section 69 is angled relative to the first section 67, in the present case at least approximately at right angles.In their original shape, the two sections 68, 69 of the printed circuit board 67 lie in a common plane, and the second section 69 is angled accordingly only before the mounting in the sensor housing 52. In FIG. 4, both states (plane and angled) and the mobility are indicated by a dashed double arrowAccording to an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, a first printed circuit board with the force sensor element 55 is provided, which is arranged, in particular at least approximately at right angles, at an angle to a second printed circuit board with the displacement sensor element 56 and is electrically connected to the second printed circuit board.In this case, the first section 68 of the printed circuit board 67 (or, alternatively, the corresponding first printed circuit board) is arranged within the second housing part 54 and the second section 69 of the printed circuit board 67 (or, alternatively, the corresponding second printed circuit board) is arranged within the first housing part 53. The second section 69 then extends parallel to the longitudinal extension of the sensor element 51, and the first section 68 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the sensor element 51.FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the circuit board 67 in its original state, i.e. without the sections being angled relative to one another. In this case, the two sections 68, 69 are electrically connected to one another by an electrical flexible connection 70, which in the present case has a plurality of wires, with the result that in particular the force sensor element 55 arranged thereon and the travel sensor element 56 can be connected or are connected to an external voltage supply and / or a communication bus.Furthermore, further spring elements are arranged on the circuit board 67, in each case on the side of the circuit board 67 facing away from the sensor element 51 and the displacement sensor element 56 and the force sensor element 55.On the one hand, at least one second spring element 71 for supporting the printed circuit board 67 on the sensor housing 52, in the present case in the second section 69 (or, alternatively, on the corresponding second printed circuit board), is arranged. The second spring element 71 ensures that the displacement sensor element 56 is at a defined distance from the encoder element 66. In the assembled state, it is supported on the inner side 57 in the first housing part 53.On the other hand, a plurality of third spring elements 72 (of which only one is provided with reference numerals for reasons of clarity) are arranged for electrically contacting the printed circuit board with a connector plug 73, in the present case in the first section 68 (or, alternatively, on the corresponding first printed circuit board). This is illustrated in a second detailed view in FIG. 5B, so that the connector plug 73 having a plurality of connection pins 74 is illustrated there. Each of the connection pins 74 is in contact with one of the third spring elements 73.The connector plug 73 is again inserted into a housing cover 75, which can also be seen in FIG. 4, with which the sensor housing 52 is closed as soon as the printed circuit board 67 is inserted into the sensor housing 52.Within sensor housing 52, a housing wall 76 consisting of several sections is also provided. The housing wall 76 is formed integrally with the sensor housing 52. A first section 77 of the housing wall 76 runs at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the sensor element 51 or parallel to the longitudinal extent of the housing cover 75 and, in the mounted state, of the first section 68 of the printed circuit board 67.The first section 77 is adjoined by a second section 78 oriented at right angles thereto, which correspondingly runs at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the sensor element 51 or, in the mounted state, parallel to the second section 69 of the printed circuit board 67. A third section 79, again oriented at right angles to the second section 78, runs parallel to the first section 77 at a corresponding distance from it, thus the housing wall 76, together with an outer wall of the sensor housing 52, forms a receiving pocket for the second section 69 of the printed circuit board 67.The first section 77 extends exactly between the two housing parts 53, 54 or at the height and parallel to an end face 80 of the second housing part 54, which has an opening 81 from which the first housing part 53 protrudes. The first section 77 fills the opening 81 again in regions in this respect. The second section 78 and the third section 79 are arranged correspondingly within the first housing part 53.The housing wall 76 has an opening 82 for the further sensor element 63 only in the first section 77, and is otherwise designed without openings (if a plurality of force sensor elements 55 with corresponding sensor elements 63 are provided, then its own opening is preferably also provided for each of these). In this respect, the printed circuit board 67 is completely separated from the sensor element 51, preferably in a medium-tight manner.Finally, FIG. 6 shows the fully assembled actuating device 1 together with the sensor module 50. For reasons of clarity, only the most important components are provided with reference numerals. The sensor module 50 is now inserted into the second housing part 3 and closed with the housing cover 75.The sensor element 51 bears against the inner side of the first housing part 2 connected to the actuating surface 6 by the prestress of the spring element 60, with the result that each actuation of the actuating surface 6 is transmitted by means of the sensor element 51 to the travel sensor element 56 and the spring element 60 and then to the force sensor element 55 and the travel sensor element 56.

Claims

Actuating device (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for presetting a braking and / or acceleration request, - with a first housing part (2) and with a second housing part (3), - wherein the first housing part (2) is mounted on the second housing part (3) such that it can be displaced in the longitudinal extension of the second housing part (3), and - wherein the first housing part (2) has an actuating surface (6) on an upper side (4) facing away from the second housing part (3), or wherein a cover (5) with an actuating surface (6) is arranged on an upper side (4) facing away from the second housing part (3), characterized - in that the housing parts (2, 3) are each formed at least in sections in a cylindrical manner with a closed casing wall (11, 12), - in that a first sliding element (13) and a second sliding element (14) are arranged between the housing parts (2, 3), the first sliding element (13) and the second sliding element (14) each axially abut at least one of the housing parts (2, 3), and at least one spring element (15), in particular a helical spring, is arranged between the sliding elements (13, 14) as a restoring spring, biased axially, in particular coaxially to the housing parts (2, 3), in order to urge the housing parts (2, 3) into an unactuated rest position.Actuating device according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the first sliding element (13), can be displaced along the longitudinal extent of the second housing part (3) together with the first housing part (2) relative to the second housing part (3), and / or in that one of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the second sliding element (14), is arranged in a fixed manner on the second housing part (3) and the first housing part (2) can be displaced along the longitudinal extent of the second housing part (3) relative to the sliding element (13, 14).Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the first and the second sliding element (13, 14) each, bears with a first surface (20, 22) against an inner side (17) of the first housing part (2), and / or bears with a second surface (21, 23), in particular facing away from the first surface, against an outer side (18) of the second housing part (3).Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing part (2) has a first inner diameter in a first region (24) assigned to the first sliding element (13) and has a second inner diameter which is greater than the first inner diameter in a second region (25) assigned to the second sliding element (14).Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second housing part (3) has a first outer diameter in a first region (27) assigned to the first sliding element (13) and has a second outer diameter in a second region (28) assigned to the second sliding element (14), which second outer diameter is greater than the first outer diameter.Actuating device according to one of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the sliding elements (13, 14) are each at least substantially cylindrical and have an outer diameter corresponding to the respective inner diameter of the first housing part (2) and / or an inner diameter corresponding to the respective outer diameter of the second housing part (3).Actuating device according to one of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the spring element (15) is designed as a helical spring, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter.Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the first sliding element (13), has a circumferential radial projection (29), and in that the spring element (15) bears at least in regions against a surface (31) of the projection (29) facing the other of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the second sliding element (14), by way of a first end (32), and / or in that one of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the second sliding element (14), has an end face (33) with an opening (34) having a diameter corresponding to the first outer diameter for the first region (27) of the second housing part (3), and the spring element (15) bears at a surface (37) of the end face (33) facing the other of the sliding elements (13, 14), in particular the first sliding element (13), by way of a second surface (37), in particular facing away from the first end (32), The end (38) is in contact at least in certain areas.Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first pin (40), which protrudes in the direction of the second housing part (3) and is insertable or inserted into an opening (43) of the second housing part (3) which corresponds to its outer contour and is arranged in particular in a circumferential radial projection (42), is arranged on the first housing part (2), in particular on a circumferential radial projection (41), as a rotation prevention means.Actuating device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the first pin (40) is arranged in an opening (43) of the second housing part (3), and in that an axial stop (45), in particular a press sleeve circumferentially surrounding the pin (40), is arranged on the first pin (40) on its end region (44) facing away from the first housing part (2), for limiting a stroke of the housing parts (2, 3) with respect to one another and / or for setting a prestress of the spring element (15).Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second pin (47), which projects in the direction of the first housing part (2) and is arranged in particular in an opening (48) of the second housing part (3), is arranged on the second housing part (3), in particular on a circumferential radial projection (42), for setting a stroke of the housing parts (2, 3) with respect to one another.Actuating device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the pins (40, 47) is formed integrally with the corresponding housing part (2, 3) or is connected to the corresponding housing part (2, 3) in a positive-locking, non-positive-locking and / or firmly bonded manner, in particular adhesively bonded, welded, and / or pressed into and / or screwed into a corresponding opening (43, 48).Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circumferential, in particular bellows-like, sealing element (10) for sealing against a region outside the housing parts (2, 3) is arranged between the first and the second housing part (2, 3), in particular in regions on a circumferential radial or axial projection (41, 46) of the respective housing part (2, 3) in each case.Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor module (50) for detecting an actuation of the actuating device (1), in particular an actuating force exerted on the actuating surface (6) and / or an actuating path of the actuating surface (6), is arranged in the second housing part (3).Motor vehicle, characterized in thatit comprises at least one actuating device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14.

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