Connection assembly of an actuating element on a brake pedal for a motor vehicle, in particular for a utility vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DAIMLER TRUCK AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing connection arrangements of actuating elements on brake pedals for motor vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, fail to achieve optimal noise behavior and low-wear performance over a long service life.
A ball joint connection arrangement is implemented, featuring a spherical segment receptacle on the actuating element and a spherical segment bearing element, along with a screw for secure articulation, which minimizes play and wear, thereby reducing noise and ensuring a stable connection between the actuating element and the brake pedal.
The solution effectively reduces excessive noise and wear, ensuring a low-noise, low-wear connection that maintains performance over a long service life, while allowing for easy and cost-effective assembly of the connection arrangement.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024066593_19122024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Connecting arrangement of an actuating element on a brake pedal for a motor vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle
[0002] The invention relates to a connecting arrangement of an actuating element on a brake pedal for a motor vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
[0003] Such a connection arrangement for an actuating element on a brake pedal for a motor vehicle is already known, for example, from DE 102004 059 320 A1. In this connection arrangement, the actuating element, via which a brake of the motor vehicle can be actuated using the brake pedal, is connected to the brake pedal by means of a joint and is thus connected in an articulated manner. Furthermore, DE 199 32 744 C2 discloses a spring element for the detachable connection of a fork head to a bearing journal that can be joined to the fork head in the axial direction of the fork head. A fork joint is known from EP 0 583 580 A2. Furthermore, KR 100873239 B1 discloses an arrangement of an actuating rod on a pedal arm.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to further develop a connecting arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that a particularly advantageous noise behavior can be realized.
[0005] This object is achieved by a connecting arrangement having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.
[0006] In order to further develop a connecting arrangement of the type specified in the preamble of patent claim 1 such that particularly advantageous noise behavior can be achieved, the invention provides that the joint has a receptacle provided on the actuating element, which is designed, for example, as an actuating rod, in particular a push rod, which is designed in the shape of a spherical segment on the inner circumference and is thus also referred to as a ball socket. The receptacle is formed at least partially by wall regions of the actuating element that are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the joint. Furthermore, the receptacle is penetrated in the axial direction of the joint by a first through-opening that is continuous in the axial direction of the joint, so that the first through-opening penetrates the wall regions, in particular completely, in the axial direction of the joint.Thus, the axial direction of the joint coincides with a passage direction of the first through-opening, also referred to as the penetration direction, which is continuous along its passage direction, thus in the axial direction of the joint, and thus penetrates the receptacle and the wall regions along its passage direction. This means that the axial direction of the joint is to be understood as the passage direction of the first through-opening. For example, at least respective parts of the first through-opening penetrating the wall regions are circular, particularly when viewed in a plane running perpendicular to the passage direction and thus perpendicular to the axial direction of the joint, and thus in the shape of a circle, the respective center point of which is arranged on the passage direction, which preferably runs straight, thus running along a straight line.A second through-opening of the actuating element opens into the receptacle, extending in the radial direction of the joint and thus along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the joint, and thus perpendicular to the through-opening direction. The second through-opening of the actuating element is arranged between the wall regions, viewed in the axial direction of the joint. This means that the second through-opening has a second through-direction, also referred to as the second penetration direction, which preferably runs straight and extends perpendicular to the first through-direction. The second through-opening thus opens into the receptacle on the one hand and into or onto an area surrounding the actuating element on the other.
[0007] The joint also has a bearing element which is movably arranged in the receptacle and which is spherical segment-shaped on its outer circumference and is therefore also referred to as a ball bearing element or ball bearing or ball head. The bearing element is inserted into the receptacle via the second through-opening in the radial direction of the joint and has a third through-opening. In a method for producing the connecting arrangement, the bearing element is thus moved in the radial direction of the joint relative to the actuating element in such a way that the bearing element is inserted through the second through-opening in the radial direction of the joint and is thereby inserted into the receptacle. Since the receptacle is spherical segment-shaped on its inner circumference and the bearing element is spherical segment-shaped on its outer circumference, the receptacle and the bearing element form a ball joint, also referred to as a ball bearing.In other words, the joint is designed as a ball joint, also referred to as a ball bearing, which allows for a particularly advantageous connection of the actuating element to the brake part or vice versa. In particular, the receptacle has a first spherical segment shape on its inner circumference because it is spherical segment-shaped on its inner circumference. For example, the bearing element has a second spherical segment shape on its outer circumference because it is spherical segment-shaped on its outer circumference, which is advantageously adapted to the first spherical segment shape. This makes it possible to avoid excessive play between the actuating element and the bearing element arranged in the receptacle, so that a particularly advantageous, low-wear connection between the actuating element and the brake pedal can be realized.As a result, undesirable, excessive noise resulting from actuating the brake pedal can be avoided even over the long service life of the connecting arrangement. Furthermore, according to the invention, a screw element, embodied, for example, as a screw, penetrates the first through-hole and the third through-hole, by means of which the brake pedal is connected to the bearing element. Thus, the brake pedal is articulated via the bearing element, and the actuating element is connected, or vice versa, thereby creating an advantageous, low-wear connection between the brake pedal and the actuating element.
[0008] For example, the second through-hole, also referred to as the opening, is produced by milling, i.e. by milling the actuating element, in particular depending on the data characterizing the joint, so that small tolerances of the ball bearing can be achieved.
[0009] Compared to conventional solutions, temperature control is no longer necessary, and unwanted noise can be avoided even over the long service life of the connecting arrangement. The connecting arrangement according to the invention can be assembled simply and thus quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring a stable and secure connection between the actuating element and brake pedal. Since the wall regions of the actuating element that at least partially form the receptacle are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the joint, the actuating element or at least a region of the actuating element that has the wall regions, the receptacle, the first through-opening, and the second through-opening, also referred to as the head region, is referred to as a fork or fork joint.
[0010] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0011] The drawing shows:
[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a connecting arrangement of an actuating element on a brake pedal for a motor vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle; and
[0013] Fig. 2 shows a partial schematic sectional view of the connecting arrangement along a sectional plane AA shown in Fig. 1; and
[0014] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an actuating element of the connecting arrangement.
[0015] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.
[0016] Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a connecting arrangement 10 of an actuating element 12 on a brake pedal 14 for a motor vehicle, also simply referred to as a vehicle and designed, for example, as a commercial vehicle, in particular as a truck. By actuating the brake pedal 14, the actuating element 12 and, via this, a brake of the motor vehicle, designed, for example, as a service brake, can be actuated in order to decelerate the motor vehicle. In this case, at least a part T of the actuating element 12 is designed as an actuating rod, in particular as a push rod. For example, a driver can actuate the brake pedal 14 and, via the brake pedal 14, the actuating element 12 and, via this, the brake in such a way that the driver depresses an actuating area B of the brake pedal 14 with his or her foot.
[0017] It can be seen particularly well in conjunction with Figs. 2 and 3 that in the connection arrangement 10 the actuating element 12 is connected to the brake pedal 14 by means of a joint 16 and thus in an articulated manner.
[0018] In order to achieve advantageous noise behavior even over a particularly long service life of the connection arrangement 10, and thus to avoid excessive, undesirable noise, the joint 16 is designed as a ball joint, also referred to as a ball bearing. For this purpose, the joint 16 has a receptacle 18 provided on the actuating element 12, which is spherical segment-shaped on the inner circumference and is also referred to as a ball receptacle or ball socket. This receptacle is formed or delimited by a spherical segment-shaped and thus first spherical segment-shaped inner circumference surface 20 of the actuating element 12. The actuating element 12 also has a first through-opening 22, which is continuous in the axial direction of the joint 16. The axial direction of the joint 16 is illustrated by a double arrow 24.The through-opening 22 penetrates the receptacle 18 in the axial direction of the joint 16 as well as wall regions W1 and W2 of the actuating element 12, which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the joint 16 and through which the inner circumferential surface 20 and thus the receptacle 18 are at least partially formed, through the wall regions W1 and W2 of the actuating element 12. Since, as can be seen particularly well in Figs. 2 and 3, the wall regions W1 and W2 of the actuating element 12 are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the joint 16, at least one region B of the actuating element 12, also referred to as the head and comprising the wall regions W1 and W2, the receptacle 18 and the through-opening 22, is designed as a fork or as a fork joint.
[0019] It can be seen particularly clearly from Fig. 1 and 3 that a second through-opening 28 of the actuating element 12 opens into the receptacle 18 in the radial direction of the joint 16, the radial direction of which is illustrated by a double arrow 26 and runs perpendicular to the axial direction of the joint 16. The through-opening 28 is thus continuous in the radial direction of the joint 16, so that in the radial direction of the joint 16, the through-opening 28 opens at one end into the receptacle 18 and at the other end into an area 30 of the connecting arrangement 10. It can be seen particularly clearly from Fig. 2 that the through-opening 28 is arranged between the wall regions W1 and W2 in the axial direction of the joint 16.For example, the through opening 28, also referred to as opening, extends in particular in the radial direction of the joint 16 only to the middle, that is to say to the center of the spherical segment-shaped receptacle 18, so that an advantageous function of the joint 16 designed as a ball joint can be ensured.
[0020] Also provided is a spherical bearing element 32, which is movably arranged in the receptacle 18 and is spherically shaped on the outer circumference. This bearing element is inserted through the through-opening 28 in the radial direction of the joint 16 and is thus inserted into the receptacle 18 via the second through-opening 28 in the radial direction of the joint 16. The bearing element 32 has an outer circumferential surface 34, which is shaped like a spherical segment and thus has a second spherical segment shape, particularly adapted to the first spherical segment shape. As a result, the receptacle 18 forms a ball socket and the bearing element 32 forms a ball head, forming a ball joint.
[0021] The bearing element 32 has a third through-opening 36 which completely penetrates the bearing element 32.
[0022] A screw element, in this case designed as a screw 38, is provided which completely penetrates the through-openings 22 and 36 and by means of which the brake pedal 14 is connected to the bearing element 32. Thus, the brake pedal 14 is connected to the screw 38 and via the screw 38 to the actuating element 12, or vice versa, whereby the actuating element 12 and brake pedal 14 are connected to one another in an articulated manner, in particular in the manner of a ball joint. It can be seen that the screw 38 penetrates the through-openings 22 and 36 and the receptacle 18. In a method for producing the connecting arrangement 10, the bearing element 32, also referred to as a ball bearing, can be inserted into the receptacle 18 with a close tolerance, so that excessive play between the bearing element 32 and the actuating element 12 can be avoided.This allows a low-wear connection of the actuating element 12 to the brake pedal 14 or vice versa to be realized, so that the generation of undesirable noises can be avoided even over a long service life of the connection arrangement 10.
[0023] The brake pedal 14 has a fourth through-opening 40, which is penetrated, in particular completely, by the screw 38. On a side S of the brake pedal 14 facing away from the bearing element 32, a second screw element, designed as a nut 42, is screwed, in particular directly, to the screw 38, in this case such that the nut 42 is screwed onto the screw 38. On the screw 38 and in the axial direction of the screw 38 between the bearing element 32 and the brake pedal 14, in particular between a side S2 of the bearing element 32 facing the screw 38 and the brake pedal 14 in the axial direction and a third side S3 of the brake pedal 14 facing the bearing element 32 in the axial direction of the screw 38 and facing away from the side S in the axial direction of the screw 38, a bearing bush, also simply referred to as a bushing 44, is arranged, which is formed, for example, from a metallic material or from a plastic.By means of the nut 42 and the fact that the nut 42 is screwed to the screw 38, the brake pedal 14 is clamped, for example, against the bushing 44 and via the bushing against the bearing element 32, whereby the actuating element 12 and the brake pedal 14 are connected to one another. In other words, because the screw 38 and the nut 42 are screwed together, the brake pedal 14 is held on the screw 38 and is articulated via this to the bearing element 32 and actuating element 12. On a side facing away from the brake pedal 14 in the axial direction of the screw 38, from side S2 and the side facing away from the screw 38, the screw 38 is supported in the axial direction of the screw 38 via its screw head on the bearing element 32. This creates a firm and stable connection between the actuating element 12 and the brake pedal 14.
[0024] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the actuating element 12. Particularly clearly visible in Fig. 3 is the third through-opening 28, also referred to simply as the opening, as well as the wall areas W1 and W2.
[0025] 10 Connection arrangement
[0026] 12 Actuating element
[0027] 14 Brake pedal
[0028] 16 joint
[0029] 18 recording
[0030] 20 inner circumferential surface
[0031] 22 first passage opening
[0032] 24 double arrow
[0033] 26 Double arrow
[0034] 28 second passage opening
[0035] 30 Surroundings
[0036] 32 bearing element
[0037] 34 outer circumferential surface
[0038] 36 third passage opening
[0039] 38 screw
[0040] 40 fourth passage opening
[0041] 42 mother
[0042] 44 socket
[0043] S side
[0044] S2 page
[0045] S3 page
Claims
Patent claims 1. A connecting arrangement (10) of an actuating element (12) on a brake pedal (14) for a motor vehicle, in which the actuating element (12), via which a brake of the motor vehicle can be actuated by means of the brake pedal (14), is connected by means of a joint (16) and thereby in an articulated manner to the brake pedal (14), characterized in that the joint (16) has: - a receptacle (18) provided on the actuating element (12), which is spherical segment-shaped on the inner circumference and is formed at least partially by wall regions (W1, W2) of the actuating element (12) which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction (24) of the joint (16) and which is penetrated by a first through-opening (22) which is continuous in the axial direction (24) of the joint (16), into which receptacle a second through-opening (28) of the actuating element (12) opens, which second through-opening is continuous in the radial direction (26) of the joint (12); - a bearing element (32) which is movably arranged in the receptacle (18), has a spherical segment shape on the outer circumference and is inserted into the receptacle (18) via the second through-opening (28) in the radial direction (26) of the joint (12), which bearing element has a third through-opening (36); and - a screw element (38) penetrating the first through-opening (22) and the third through-opening (36), by means of which the brake pedal (14) is connected to the bearing element (32).
2. Connecting arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a bushing (44) is arranged on the screw element (38) between the bearing element (32) and the brake pedal (14).
3. Connecting arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screw element (38) is screwed to a further screw element (42), whereby the brake pedal (14) is held on the first screw element (38).