Pedal device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal device comprising: a housing (2); a bearing element (3); a pedal (4) which is displaceably guided on the bearing element (3) in an axial direction (x); a first spring means (5) which is connected to the bearing element (3) and to the pedal (4) and counter to the spring force of which the pedal can be moved in the axial direction (x) relative to the bearing element (3); a first position-detection device (6) which can detect a current axial position of the pedal (4) and can provide at least one first position signal (S1) that characterises said position; a second spring means (13) which is connected to the housing (2) and to the bearing element (3) and counter to the spring force of which the bearing element (3) can be moved in the axial direction (x) relative to the housing (2); and a second position-detection device (14) which can detect a current axial position of the bearing element (3) and can provide at least one second position signal (S2) that characterises said position.

Description

[0001] BOGE Elastmetall GmbH 1

[0002] Description

[0003] Pedal device

[0004] The invention relates to a pedal device comprising a housing, a bearing element, a pedal guided displaceably in an axial direction on the bearing element, a first spring means connected to the bearing element and to the pedal, against the spring force of which the pedal is movable in the axial direction relative to the bearing element, and a first position detection device by means of which a current axial position of the pedal, in particular relative to the housing, can be detected and at least one first position signal characterizing this position can be provided.

[0005] DE 198 36 691 A1 discloses a pedal device for electrically actuated motor vehicle brakes, comprising a pedal body that is translationally movable in the actuation direction and is subject to the force of a spring acting as a return means that counteracts the actuation direction and preferably has a linear characteristic. The pedal body has a contact means that converts at least one linearly increasing actuation travel increment into progressively increasing spring travel increments and imprints them on the adjacent spring. A cam with a defined, non-linear cam contour is provided as the contact means. At the foot-side end, the pedal body comprises a thickened cap, to which a shaft is connected, the end of which is acted upon by a return spring.

[0006] The disadvantage of this solution is that a jamming of the pedal or a defect in the pedal suspension, such as a broken spring, cannot be automatically detected.

[0007] Based on this, the invention is based in particular on the object of creating a pedal device by means of which an automatic detection of a defect in the suspension and / or a jamming of the pedal is possible.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention with a pedal device according to claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are given in the subclaims and in the following description.

[0009] A pedal device comprising a housing, a bearing element, a pedal guided displaceably in an axial direction on the bearing element, a first spring means connected to the bearing element and to the pedal, against the spring force of which the pedal can be moved in the axial direction relative to the bearing element, and a first position detection device, by means of which a current axial position of the pedal, in particular relative to the housing, can be detected and at least one first position signal characterizing this position can be provided, is further developed according to the invention in particular by a second spring means connected to the housing and to the bearing element, against the spring force of which the bearing element can be moved in the axial direction relative to the housing, and a second position detection device, by means of which a current axial position of the bearing element, in particular relative to the housing,detectable and at least one second position signal characterizing this position can be provided.,

[0010] If there is a defect in the pedal's suspension or if it is jammed, the position detection devices can detect the axial positions of the pedal and the bearing element, which do not occur simultaneously when the pedal assembly is intact. Thus, by evaluating the position signals, a defect in the suspension and / or jammed pedal can be detected.

[0011] A preferably axial position of the pedal that occurs when the pedal device is not actuated is referred to in particular as the pedal rest position. A preferably axial position of the bearing element that occurs when the pedal device is not actuated is referred to in particular as the bearing element rest position.

[0012] The two spring means are preferably connected in series, in particular with the bearing element interposed. The pedal is preferably connected to the housing via the or a series connection of the two spring means, in particular resiliently. Advantageously, the pedal is movable in the axial direction relative to the housing against the spring force of the or a series connection of the two spring means, in particular starting from the or a pedal rest position. In particular, the bearing element is movable in the axial direction relative to the housing against the spring force of the second spring means, starting from the or a bearing element rest position. The pedal is movable, for example, against the spring force of the first spring means, starting from a relative rest position in the axial direction relative to the bearing element. The first spring means is preferably elastically deformable in the axial direction, in particular by axial actuation of the pedal.Preferably, the second spring means is elastically deformable in the axial direction, in particular by an axial actuation of the pedal and / or the bearing element.

[0013] The current axial position of the pedal relative to the housing can preferably be detected by means of the first position detection device. The first position signal characterizes, in particular, this position of the pedal and / or a current axial stroke of the pedal with respect to the or a pedal rest position. The first position signal is advantageously an electrical signal. The current axial position of the bearing element relative to the housing can preferably be detected by means of the second position detection device. The second position signal characterizes, in particular, this position of the bearing element and / or a current axial stroke of the bearing element with respect to the or a bearing element rest position. The second position signal is advantageously an electrical signal. The pedal device is preferably assigned a longitudinal axis running in the axial direction.In particular, the longitudinal axis runs centrally through the pedal and / or centrally through the bearing element and / or centrally through each spring means and / or centrally through the housing. Preferably, an axial actuating force lying on the longitudinal axis and acting on the pedal does not result in any torque acting on the pedal and / or on the bearing element, in particular with respect to the housing. Advantageously, the pedal is displaceable relative to the bearing element in the axial direction. One or any direction running transversely to the axial direction and / or transversely to the longitudinal axis is referred to in particular as a radial direction. Preferably, a direction running around the longitudinal axis is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the pedal has an actuating section, preferably arranged outside the bearing element, in particular at the end, and a preferably rod-shaped guide section extending away from the bearing element, in particular in the axial direction. An axial guide hole is preferably provided in the bearing element, into which and / or through which the guide section extends. The pedal is preferably guided on the bearing element so as to be displaceable in the axial direction, in particular thereby. The guide section advantageously runs in the axial direction, preferably straight. In particular, the longitudinal axis runs centrally through the guide section and / or centrally through the guide hole. The actuating section is made, for example, of plastic and / or metal. In particular, the actuating section forms a rigid body. The guide section is made, for example, of plastic and / or metal.In particular, the guide section forms a rigid body. For example, the guide section is cylindrical, in particular at least in some areas, and / or the guide section has, for example, a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. Advantageously, the actuating section is rigidly connected to the guide section. In particular, the actuating section is arranged outside the housing.

[0015] The actuating section preferably has, in particular at least in some areas, larger dimensions transversely to the axial direction than the guide section and / or the guide hole and / or the bearing element. The actuating section is preferably plate-shaped, in particular at least in some areas. For example, the actuating section is or comprises a pedal plate. Advantageously, the actuating section and / or the pedal plate is provided on a preferably free end of the pedal, in particular facing away from the housing and / or the bearing element. In particular, a pedal cap, which is preferably made of an elastomer, is seated on the actuating section and / or the pedal plate. The pedal cap advantageously covers a side or end face of the actuating section and / or the pedal plate facing away from the housing and / or the bearing element and / or the guide section. The pedal is made, for example, of plastic and / or metal.In particular, the pedal forms a rigid body.

[0016] The guide hole is preferably a through-hole. In particular, the guide section extends through the guide hole or the through-hole. The guide section preferably protrudes from the guide hole with an end region on a side of the bearing element facing away from the actuating section. Advantageously, the end region of the guide section comprises or forms a securing means by means of which the pedal and / or the guide section is and / or can be supported axially on the bearing element. Preferably, the securing means has, in particular at least in regions, larger dimensions transversely to the axial direction than the guide hole. For example, the securing means forms or comprises at least one stop, preferably protruding transversely to the axial direction. For example, the securing means determines or influences the or a relative rest position of the pedal with respect to the bearing element and / or the or a pedal rest position.The bearing element is made of, for example, plastic and / or metal. In particular, the bearing element forms a rigid body. The bearing element preferably extends or runs in the axial direction, preferably in a straight line. For example, the bearing element is cylindrical or hollow-cylindrical, in particular at least in some regions, and / or the bearing element has, for example, a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. The first spring means is preferably arranged between the pedal and the bearing element. In particular, the first spring means is arranged, preferably in the axial direction, between the actuating section and the bearing element. Preferably, the first spring means is axially supported on both the bearing element and the pedal. In particular, the first spring means is axially supported on both the bearing element and the actuating section. Advantageously, the pedal and / or the guide section extends through the first spring means.Preferably, the first spring means is or comprises one or at least one compression spring. For example, the first spring means is or comprises one or at least one helical spring. Preferably, the pedal and / or the actuating portion are resiliently supported on the bearing element by means of the first spring means, in particular in the axial direction.

[0017] According to a further development, at least one of the spring means is prestressed in the axial direction. Preferably, the first spring means is prestressed in the axial direction. Thus, it is possible, for example, by actuating the pedal to move the bearing element together with the pedal, in particular over an axial distance, which is only moved relative to the bearing element, for example, when the prestress is exceeded. Alternatively, for example, the second spring means is prestressed in the axial direction. The second spring means is preferably arranged in the housing. The bearing element is preferably guided by the second spring means so as to be movable in the axial direction, in particular on or in the housing.

[0018] For example, the mobility of the bearing element, in particular by the second spring means, is limited to only one dimension, preferably relative to the housing. This dimension is determined in particular by the axial direction. For example, the mobility of the pedal, in particular by the bearing element and / or by the second spring means, is limited to only one dimension, preferably relative to the housing and / or to the bearing element. This dimension is determined in particular by the axial direction.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the second spring means comprises one or more flat springs, in particular flat, oriented transversely to the axial direction, penetrated by the bearing element and resiliently supporting the latter, in particular in the axial direction, on the housing. The number of flat springs is preferably two or at least two. In particular, each flat spring is flat. The flat springs are preferably constructed identically. Advantageously, each flat spring lies or runs, in particular in the non-tensioned state, in a flat spring plane, which preferably runs transversely to the axial direction. By means of the flat springs, for example, small sprung axial movement paths of the bearing element relative to the housing can be realized. For example, the, in particular maximum and / or free, spring travel of the second spring means and / or the flat springs is 3 mm, 5 mm or 3 mm to 5 mm. Each flat spring is preferably made of metal, in particular of spring steel. Alternatively, each flat spring is made, for example, ofMade of plastic. Each flat spring preferably has a central through-hole through which, in particular, the bearing element extends.

[0020] Advantageously, each flat spring is penetrated by the bearing element, which extends through its central through-hole. For example, each flat spring forms a spring washer. Preferably, the bearing element is resiliently supported on the housing by means of the second spring means and / or the flat springs, particularly in the axial direction.

[0021] The flat springs are preferably connected in parallel. The bearing element is preferably connected to the housing via the or a parallel connection of the flat springs, in particular resiliently. Advantageously, the bearing element is movable in the axial direction relative to the housing against the spring force of the or a parallel connection of the flat springs, in particular starting from the or a rest position of the bearing element.

[0022] The flat springs are preferably arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and at a distance from one another. This makes it possible, in particular, to axially guide the bearing element using the second spring means. Each flat spring preferably has a plurality of, in particular three or at least three, spring webs that are preferably spaced apart and / or separate from one another in the circumferential direction, in particular at least in regions, and which are arranged in particular around the bearing element, preferably evenly distributed. Advantageously, the spring webs of each flat spring extend or run, in particular transversely to the axial direction, between the bearing element and the housing and / or from the bearing element to the housing. The spring webs are also referred to, for example, as spring leaves. In particular, the spring webs of each flat spring extend or run in its or the respective flat spring plane.Preferably, the bearing element is resiliently supported on the housing by means of or with the interposition of the spring bars, preferably at a distance, in particular radial, from the bearing element, in particular in the axial direction. As a result, the bearing element, for example, is resiliently supported on the housing, in particular by means of the second spring means and / or by means of the flat springs, preferably in the axial direction.

[0023] Each spring bar preferably has an outer and / or free spring bar end, in particular facing away from the bearing element and / or facing the housing, which is in particular a radially outer spring bar end. For example, each flat spring is fastened to or in the housing by its outer and / or free spring bar ends. Each spring bar preferably has an inner spring bar end, in particular facing the bearing element and / or facing away from the housing, which is in particular a radially inner spring bar end. For example, each flat spring is fastened to the bearing element by its inner spring bar ends.

[0024] Each flat spring preferably has an outer frame, in particular one that is firmly connected to its spring bars and / or to its outer and / or free spring bar ends. The spring bars of each flat spring preferably extend from their outer frame towards the bearing element. The outer frame of each flat spring is in particular annular or a ring and is also referred to, for example, as an outer ring. Each flat spring is preferably fastened to the housing, in particular at its outer circumference and / or with its outer frame. Advantageously, each flat spring engages, in particular at its outer circumference and / or with its outer frame, in one or at least one groove provided on the inner circumference of the housing, which groove is preferably an annular groove. Each flat spring and / or the outer frame of each flat spring preferably has a round and / or circular outer circumferential contour.

[0025] Each flat spring preferably has an inner frame, in particular one which is firmly connected to its spring bars and / or to its inner spring bar ends. The inner frame of each flat spring delimits in particular its central through-hole. Advantageously, the inner frame surrounds or encircles the bearing element. In particular, the bearing element extends through the inner frame. For example, the inner frame of each flat spring is penetrated by the bearing element. Preferably, the spring bars of each flat spring extend from their inner frame towards the housing and / or towards the respective outer frame. Advantageously, the spring bars are arranged around the inner frame, preferably evenly distributed. The inner frame of each flat spring is in particular annular or a ring and is also referred to, for example, as an inner ring. Advantageously, each flat spring sits firmly with its inner frame on the bearing element, in particular penetrating the bearing element.Preferably, each flat spring is attached to the bearing element, in particular at its inner circumference and / or with its inner frame. Advantageously, each flat spring engages, in particular at its inner circumference and / or with its inner frame, in one or at least one groove provided on the outer circumference of the bearing element, which groove is preferably an annular groove. Each flat spring and / or the inner frame of each flat spring preferably has a round and / or circular inner circumference contour.

[0026] The outer frame of each flat spring preferably surrounds or encircles its inner frame, advantageously at a distance, particularly radially. The spring bars of each flat spring preferably extend from its inner frame to its outer frame.

[0027] Preferably, each spring bar or each spring bar of each flat spring is or runs, in particular within its flat spring plane, for example once or multiple times, angled and / or bent and / or curved. Preferably, each spring bar or each spring bar of each flat spring is or runs, in particular within its flat spring plane, bent back and forth and / or S-shaped. With spring bars shaped in this way, in particular a linear behavior and / or a linear characteristic curve can be achieved. Alternatively, for example, each spring bar or each spring bar of each flat spring runs straight, in particular within its flat spring plane, preferably transversely to the axial direction. With such straight spring bars, for example, a progressive behavior and / or a progressive characteristic curve can be achieved.

[0028] The housing is preferably cylindrical, in particular at least in some regions. For example, the housing is cup-shaped. The housing is made, for example, of plastic and / or metal. For example, the housing comprises a preferably cylindrical metal sleeve in which, for example, the flat springs are seated and / or to which, for example, the flat springs are fastened. The metal sleeve ensures, in particular, that the flat springs are permanently and firmly seated. The metal sleeve preferably surrounds the flat springs. The metal sleeve is made, for example, of steel or aluminum. Preferably, each flat spring is fastened to the metal sleeve at its outer circumference and / or with its outer frame. In particular, each flat spring engages at its outer circumference and / or with its outer frame in one or at least one groove provided on the inner circumference of the metal sleeve, which groove is preferably an annular groove.The groove or grooves provided on the inner circumference of the metal sleeve are, in particular, the groove or grooves provided on the inner circumference of the housing. Advantageously, the housing comprises, in particular in addition to the metal sleeve, at least one plastic housing portion, wherein the plastic housing portion is preferably firmly connected to the metal sleeve. Preferably, the plastic housing portion comprises several housing parts that are firmly connected to one another, for example, by fastening means. In particular, the housing forms a rigid body.

[0029] The position detection devices, which are also referred to as position sensors, for example, preferably comprise sensors such as Hall sensors and / or inductive sensors. The sensors are preferably provided on the housing and / or are fixed relative thereto. For example, the first position detection device comprises at least one magnet attached to the pedal and / or the guide section and at least one Hall sensor attached to the housing. Furthermore, the second position detection device comprises, for example, at least one magnet attached to the bearing element and at least one Hall sensor attached to the housing.

[0030] According to a further development, an evaluation device is provided, preferably connected to the position detection devices, by means of which in particular the position signals can be evaluated.

[0031] Preferably, the position signals can be evaluated by the evaluation device by comparing, in particular, current values ​​of the position signals with predetermined position signal values ​​or by comparing them. The predetermined position signal values ​​can, for example, be calculated and / or determined experimentally. Preferably, the predetermined position signal values ​​correspond to values ​​of position signals provided by the position detection devices when the pedal device is intact, i.e., in particular, when the suspension is intact and the pedal is not jammed.

[0032] The evaluation device comprises, for example, an analog computer or a digital computer. Preferably, the evaluation device can provide at least one result signal characterizing the result(s) of the evaluation and / or the result(s) of the comparison. Advantageously, the result signal is an electrical signal.

[0033] Preferably, the first and / or second position detection device is or are connected, for example with the interposition of the evaluation device, in particular at least indirectly, to a control device by means of which at least one, preferably actuatable and / or controllable, vehicle component can be controlled as a function of the first and / or second position signal. However, the control device can also be integrated into the evaluation device or replace it. The vehicle component is or comprises, for example, a vehicle brake. The pedal is in particular a brake pedal. The pedal device is preferably provided for a vehicle, which is in particular a motor vehicle. The invention offers the following advantages in particular:

[0034] - Detection of a change in spring stiffness in one of the spring elements, in particular in the event of a spring break.

[0035] - Detection of jamming of one of the moving parts: pedal and bearing element.

[0036] - Reduction of the probability of a single fault leading to the jamming of both moving parts (pedal and bearing element) at the same time.

[0037] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

[0038] Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a pedal device according to an embodiment,

[0039] Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the flat springs shown in Fig. 1,

[0040] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an evaluation device and

[0041] Fig. 4 a schematic view of several measurement curves.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a pedal device 1 according to an embodiment, which comprises a housing 2, a bearing element 3, a pedal 4 guided on the bearing element 3 such that it can be displaced in an axial direction x, a first spring means 5 connected to the bearing element 3 and to the pedal 4, against the spring force of which the pedal 4 can be moved in the axial direction x relative to the bearing element 3, and a first position detection device 6, by means of which a current axial position of the pedal 4 relative to the housing 2 can be detected and at least one first position signal S1 characterizing this position can be provided. The first spring means 5 is in particular axially prestressed and is formed, for example, by a helical spring.

[0043] The pedal 4 has an actuating section 7, in particular a plate-shaped one, arranged outside the bearing element 3, and a guide section 8, in particular a rod-shaped one, extending away from the actuating section in the axial direction x and extending through an axial guide hole 9 provided in the bearing element 3. On a side of the bearing element 3 facing away from the actuating section 7, the guide section 8 protrudes from the guide hole 9 with an end region 10 having a stop 11 projecting transversely to the axial direction x, by means of which the guide section 8 can be axially supported on the bearing element 3. The stop 11 thus forms a securing means. Furthermore, the pedal device 1 is assigned a longitudinal axis 12 extending in the axial direction x, in particular running centrally through the guide section 8. A direction running transversely to the longitudinal axis 12 is referred to in particular as a radial direction.Furthermore, a direction running around the longitudinal axis 12 is referred to in particular as the circumferential direction u.

[0044] The pedal device 1 further comprises a second spring means 13 connected to the housing 2 and to the bearing element 3, against the spring force of which the bearing element 3 is movable in the axial direction x relative to the housing 2, and a second position detection device 14, by means of which a current axial position of the bearing element 3 relative to the housing 2 can be detected and at least one second position signal S2 characterizing this position can be provided.

[0045] The second spring means 13 comprises a plurality of, in particular two, flat flat springs 15 and 16, which are oriented transversely to the axial direction x, penetrated by the bearing element 3 and resiliently supported on the housing 2 in the axial direction, and which are arranged one behind the other and spaced apart from one another in the axial direction x. The flat springs 15 and 16 are preferably identical in construction and each extend in a flat spring plane, wherein the flat spring plane of the flat spring 15 is designated E1 and the flat spring plane of the flat spring 16 is designated E2. Each flat spring plane extends, in particular, transversely to the axial direction x.

[0046] A first of the flat springs 15 is shown in a plan view in Fig. 2 and comprises an inner ring 17, an outer ring 18 surrounding the inner ring 17, and several, in particular three, spring bars 19 arranged around the inner ring 17, which extend from the inner ring 17 to the outer ring 18 and are firmly connected to both the inner ring 17 and the outer ring 18. The spring bars 19 are evenly distributed around the inner ring 17 and are each particularly S-shaped. The flat spring 16 is constructed accordingly.

[0047] Each flat spring is firmly seated on the bearing element 3 with its inner ring 17, and preferably engages with its inner ring 17 into an annular groove 20 provided on the outer circumference of the bearing element 3. Furthermore, each flat spring is fastened to the housing 2 with its outer ring 18, and preferably engages with its outer ring 18 into an annular groove 21 provided on the inner circumference of the housing 2.

[0048] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an evaluation device 22 connected to the position detection devices 6 and 14, by means of which the position signals S1 and S2 can be evaluated, for example, by comparing the values ​​of the position signals S1 and S2 with predetermined position signal values. In particular, a result signal Sr characterizing the result of the comparison is provided by the evaluation device 22.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows measurement curves that were determined with intact and defective suspension. For this purpose, the pedal 4 is subjected to a force F acting in the axial direction x, while the position detection devices 6 and 14 measure the stroke Ax that the pedal 4 and the bearing element 3 travel due to the application of the force. For example, during the measurement, the force is increased in several steps or continuously up to a maximum value, in particular starting from zero. Preferably, when the force is zero, the pedal is in a pedal rest position and the bearing element is in a bearing element rest position. In particular, the first spring means 5 is axially preloaded.

[0050] The curve a of the bearing element and the curve b of the pedal can be seen when the pedal device 1 is intact. These curves a and b coincide below the force Fv, which is due to the preload of the first spring means 5. If, however, one of the flat springs 15 or 16 is broken, the curve c results for the bearing element and the curve d for the pedal.

[0051] Positions or travels are measured by means of the position detection devices 6 and 14 so that a spring break can be detected, for example, via a changed travel characteristic. For this purpose, the series connection of the spring means 5 and 13 in relation to the housing 2 is utilized. When force is applied, the bearing element 3 and the pedal 4 have an expected stroke Ax according to curves a and b. The diagram illustrates the case with a preloaded first spring means 5, so that until the preload force Fv is reached, both position detection devices 6 and 14 output the same position signals. As soon as the preload force Fv of the first spring means 5 is exceeded, the position detection devices 6 and 14 output different position signals. This separation of the position signals forms a characteristic point which, with intact spring means, always occurs at the same stroke Ax.If, however, one of the flat springs 15, 16 exhibits a break, the characteristic point of signal separation is shifted toward a larger stroke Ax, which is evident in curves c and d. When evaluating the position signals, the shift of the characteristic point can now be compared with the position of the characteristic point during calibration, which is preferably performed beforehand with the spring elements intact. The characteristic point during calibration is thus specifically predetermined.

[0052] List of reference symbols

[0053] 1 pedal device

[0054] 2 housings

[0055] 3 bearing element

[0056] 4 Pedal

[0057] 5 first spring means

[0058] 6 first position detection device

[0059] 7 Operating section

[0060] 8 Guide section

[0061] 9 Guide hole

[0062] 10 End area

[0063] 11 Stop / securing device

[0064] 12 Longitudinal axis

[0065] 13 second spring means

[0066] 14 second position detection device

[0067] 15 flat springs

[0068] 16 flat springs

[0069] 17 inner ring

[0070] 18 Outer ring

[0071] 19 spring bar

[0072] 20 ring groove

[0073] 21 Ring groove 22 Evaluation device

[0074] E1 flat spring plane

[0075] E2 flat spring plane

[0076] 51 first position signal

[0077] 52 second position signal

[0078] Sr result signal u circumferential direction x axial direction

Claims

Claims 1. Pedal device with a housing (2), a bearing element (3), a pedal (4) guided displaceably on the bearing element (3) in an axial direction (x), a first spring means (5) connected to the bearing element (3) and to the pedal (4), against the spring force of which the pedal can be moved in the axial direction (x) relative to the bearing element (3), and a first position detection device (6) by means of which a current axial position of the pedal (4) can be detected and at least one first position signal (S1) characterizing this position can be provided, characterized by a second spring means (13) connected to the housing (2) and to the bearing element (3), against the spring force of which the bearing element (3) can be moved in the axial direction (x) relative to the housing (2), and a second position detection device (14),by means of which a current axial position of the bearing element (3) can be detected and at least one second position signal (S2) characterizing this position can be provided., 2. Pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pedal (4) has an actuating section (7) arranged outside the bearing element (3) and a guide section (8) extending away from it in the axial direction (x) and extending into an axial guide hole (9) provided in the bearing element (3).

3. Pedal device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide hole (9) is a through hole through which the guide section (8) extends, which protrudes from the guide hole (9) on a side of the bearing element (3) facing away from the actuating section (7) with an end region (10) which has a securing means (11) by means of which the guide section (8) can be supported axially on the bearing element (3).

4. Pedal device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first spring means (5) is arranged between the actuating section (7) and the bearing element (3) and is axially supported both on the pedal (4) and on the bearing element (3).

5. Pedal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring means (5) is prestressed in the axial direction (x).

6. Pedal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second spring means (13) comprises one or more flat springs (15, 16) aligned transversely to the axial direction (x), penetrated by the bearing element (3) and resiliently supporting the latter on the housing (2) in the axial direction (x).

7. Pedal device according to claim 6, characterized in that the flat springs (15, 16) are arranged one behind the other and at a distance from one another in the axial direction (x).

8. Pedal device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each flat spring has an inner ring (17), an outer ring (18) surrounding it and a plurality of spring webs (19) arranged around the inner ring (17) and extending from the inner ring (17) to the outer ring (18).

9. Pedal device according to claim 8, characterized in that each flat spring is firmly seated on the bearing element (3) with its inner ring (17) and is fastened to the housing (2) with its outer ring (18).

10. Pedal device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that each spring bar (19) is S-shaped.

11. Pedal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an evaluation device (22) connected to the position detection devices (6, 14), by means of which the position signals can be evaluated and at least one result signal (Sr) characterizing the result of the evaluation can be provided.

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