CN107921933B

CN107921933B - Device for simulating forces on an actuating element of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN107921933B
Application number: CN201680043102.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·巴斯勒
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Current assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2020-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-19
Also published as: CN107921933A; EP3337698A2; DE102015215961A1; DE112016003799A5; WO2017032371A2; WO2017032371A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, preferably a pedal force simulator, comprising a housing (2) in which a piston (3) is mounted in an axially movable manner, wherein the piston (3) is connected to the actuating element (6) via a piston rod (4), and the piston (3) is fitted in a spring element (9) which is arranged, in particular, axially in the housing (2) or sometimes outside the housing. In a device in which the inner contour of a fork-shaped spring element (9) has a modified cross section and two rolling bodies (7, 8) which are supported during movement for rolling on the inner contour of the fork-shaped spring element (9) are fixed to the piston (3), additional lubrication can be dispensed with.

Description

Device for simulating forces on an actuating element of a vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, preferably a pedal force simulator, comprising a housing in which a piston is mounted in an axially movable manner, wherein the piston is connected to the actuating element via a piston rod and engages in a spring element arranged in the housing or, at times, temporarily outside the housing. In motor vehicles, the clutch, brake and the like are actuated by foot with the aid of pedal-actuated devices, for example with the foot. Operating systems are known in which no direct mechanical connection is provided between the pedal and the device, but a sensor is arranged on the pedal or on the simulator, which sensor detects the actuation of the pedal and accordingly causes the actuator to assume the actuation of the device. In the actuation of the Clutch, such a device is referred to as a Clutch-By-Wire (Clutch-By-Wire), for example. In this case, it is disadvantageous for the operator that the restoring force acting on the pedal is no longer originally caused by the device, since the restoring force expected by the operator is therefore no longer present and the user feels unaccustomed to the actuation. For this reason, pedal force simulators are known which act on the pedal and cause a more realistic or customary return force.

Background

From DE 102011016239 a1, a pedal force simulator for a vehicle brake system having an electronic signal transmission function is known, in which a braking torque control is carried out as a function of the pedal force of the vehicle driver, in particular by means of an electrohydraulic or electromechanical system, wherein the pedal force simulator generates a braking sensation that is customary for the vehicle driver. The pedal force simulator comprises a pneumatically operated piston-cylinder unit, the piston of which delimits a compression chamber with an actuatable valve and which is acted upon with a force by means of at least one first spring element against the compression direction and is operatively connected to the vehicle brake pedal via a piston rod in such a way that the piston rod undergoes an angular change relative to the piston-cylinder unit during actuation of the vehicle brake pedal. This angular movability puts high demands on the design of the pedal force simulator.

DE 102015204702.4, which is not yet published, discloses a device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, which device has a housing in which a piston, which is mounted so as to be displaceable in an axial direction, moves. Here, a piston rod moves the piston, which is connected to the actuating element. The piston can be actuated against the restoring force of a restoring spring, which is supported on the housing and on the piston. The piston comprises a connecting rod component which has an outer contour changing on the longitudinal extension thereof, and is fitted into a (particularly fork-shaped) spring element when operated by an operating element, and a rolling body is mounted on each arm of the spring element, and the rolling bodies abut against opposite regions of the outer contour of the connecting rod component. Here, the link members have cross sections of different sizes. The rolling bodies on the spring elements must roll by means of the different friction values of the two adjoining components. Here it happens that: the rolling bodies do not roll over the entire stroke but rather slide in segments. This is undesirable and results in uncontrolled wear. For this reason, additional lubrication of the rolling bodies is required to ensure that the rolling bodies function properly.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the following tasks: a device for force simulation on an operating element of a vehicle is provided, in which device a reduction in friction without additional lubrication is ensured.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by: the inner contour of the spring element has a changing cross section, and two rolling bodies which are supported during movement and which roll on the inner contour of the fork-shaped spring element are fastened to the piston. This has the following advantages: since the rolling bodies roll freely only on the spring element, a reduction in friction is achieved without additional lubrication. At the same time, the installation space is maintained in this solution, so that a reduction in friction is achieved with the installation space remaining unchanged. The mutual support of the two rolling bodies results in a minimal force acting on the bearing structure. Instead, the task according to the invention is solved by: the piston comprises a connecting rod component, the outer contour of which has a changing cross section, and two rolling bodies which are supported during movement and are used for rolling on the outer contour of the connecting rod component are arranged on, in particular fixed on, the spring element.

Advantageously, the inner contour of the spring element has a smallest cross section approximately in the middle. This change in the cross section generates a counterforce which must be overcome by a stronger actuation of the actuating element. Therefore, the following feeling is provided to the driver: he tactilely operates a device in the form of a clutch or brake.

In one embodiment, the cross section of the fork-shaped spring element decreases continuously from the end facing the piston to the middle and increases continuously from the middle to the side opposite the piston. This simulates a characteristic curve of the device, which provides the driver with a corresponding sensation when actuating the driving pedal.

In one embodiment, the spring element is fixedly positioned in the housing. Thereby ensuring that: the spring element does not move from its predefined position during the movement of the piston and thus ensures a reliable simulation of the device characteristic curve. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the piston to be fastened to the housing and for the spring element to be connected to the actuating element, wherein the spring element is pressed against the piston when actuated by the travel pedal. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage: the spring element protrudes through an opening in the housing during operation.

In one variant, the rolling bodies are designed to move in opposite directions. Thereby preventing the rolling bodies from being stuck by themselves.

In one embodiment, the piston has two arms in the axial direction toward the spring element, wherein each rolling element is arranged on a shaft which is supported on both sides on one arm of the piston, wherein the rolling elements are arranged between the two arms of the piston. Due to this configuration, the rolling bodies can move without hindrance. There is only frictional contact with the fork-shaped spring element.

A particularly cost-effective design is achieved if the shaft and the rolling element or the rolling elements are formed in one piece.

In order to further achieve friction minimization, the rolling bodies are designed as roller sleeve (Nadelh ü ls), rollers or other types of bearings.

In a further embodiment, the arms of the piston carrying the rolling bodies extend approximately parallel to one another in the axial direction. The movement behavior of the rolling bodies is thereby facilitated and jamming of the rolling bodies is reliably prevented by the arms of the piston moving away from each other or towards each other.

Drawings

The invention allows for a variety of embodiments. One of the embodiments is explained in detail on the basis of the figures shown in the drawings.

Shown here are:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a device according to the invention in an unmanipulated function,

figure 2 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention in a manipulated function,

figure 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention,

figure 4 a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in an unmanipulated function,

figure 5 a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in a manipulated function,

figure 6 further embodiments of the device according to the invention in an unmanipulated function,

figure 7 further embodiment of the device according to the invention in a manipulated function,

fig. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention, which is installed in a release system in a motor vehicle in which a clutch is actuated by means of an actuator. The control of the actuator is performed by means of a clutch pedal which enables the vehicle driver to obtain a true copy of the clutch characteristic when maneuvering.

The device 1 according to the invention is located in a housing 2, which can be, for example, an active cylinder of a clutch operating system. A piston 3 is mounted axially movably in the housing 2, said piston being connected indirectly or directly via a piston rod 4 to a travel pedal 6, which is actuated by the vehicle driver. A return spring 5 is supported inside the housing 2 between the piston 3 and the housing 2, against which return spring the piston 3 can be actuated by means of a travel pedal.

The piston 3 is in an initial position, which is not actuated in fig. 1, in which two

rolling bodies

7, 8, which are arranged one above the other on the piston 3 and are supported against each other, engage in a fork-shaped spring element 9. The fork-shaped spring element 9 is fixedly connected with its closed narrow side facing the housing 2 to the housing 2 and has an inner contour with a changing cross section on its axial extension. The cross section of the spring element 9 decreases approximately from the end side toward the piston 3 to the middle and then widens again in the direction away from the narrow side of the piston 3.

The rolling

bodies

7, 8 roll on the inner contour during the movement from left to right into the spring element 9. When the cross section of the spring element 9 becomes smaller, this results in a counter force which presses the piston 3 to the left again, so that the running pedal 6 provides feedback to the driver: he must use additional force in order to move the running pedal 6 and thus the piston 3 further. If the minimum cross section is passed, the piston 3 is pulled to the right into the spring element 9. This enables the clutch characteristic curve in the master cylinder or in the pedal force simulator to be set.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation according to fig. 1, in which the piston 3 is located at an inner stop of the inner contour of the spring element 9, i.e. in the actuated state, which corresponds to the lower piston position.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a device 1 according to the invention, in which the piston 3 has two

rigid arms

10, 11 extending parallel to one another. The rolling

bodies

7, 8 are each mounted between two

arms

10, 11, wherein the two rolling

bodies

7, 8 are arranged one above the other. Each rolling

body

7, 8 is located on a

shaft

12, 13, the ends of which are fitted into

rigid arms

10, 11 of the piston 3, respectively. Advantageously, the rolling

bodies

7, 8 and the

shafts

10, 11 are constructed as a one-piece component.

Fig. 4 and 5 show further exemplary embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention, in which the rolling bodies are embodied as

roller sleeves

14, 15. The use of the

roller sleeves

14, 15 results in a further reduction of friction when handling the device 1.

Fig. 6, 7 and 8 show the invention in a further embodiment.

In fig. 6, 7 and 8, the arm 9.1 itself is designed as a spring element 9, in particular as a leaf spring, wherein an additional spring element can be dispensed with. The rolling bodies are designed as roller sleeves or other bearing types with rollers, sleeves or balls 14. During actuation, the link elements 3.1 move into the spring elements 9, wherein the spring elements 9 are pressed apart from one another due to the increased cross section of the link elements 3.1. In this case, a counter force occurs due to the variable cross section of the connecting rod element 3.1, said counter force being pressed in the axial direction against the direction of movement. If the maximum cross section of the connecting rod link 3.1 is crossed, the reaction force acts in the steering direction. As can be seen from fig. 8, the needle roller sleeves 14 are each inserted into an axial recess 16 of the arm 9.1 of the spring element 9 and are held there by two small bolts 12. In this variant, lubrication can be omitted because of the reduced friction achieved. The length of the spring element 9, both rigid and elastic, remains constant.

The outer contour of the link member 3.1 has a maximum cross section approximately in the middle. The cross section of the spring element 9 remains substantially constant and is preferably fixedly positioned in the housing. The arms 9.1 of the spring element 9, which carry the rolling bodies 14, preferably extend approximately parallel to one another in the axial direction.

The proposed solution leads to a reduction in friction without lubrication of the rolling

elements

7, 8. Thereby simplifying the structure of the device 1 according to the invention. In addition to being designed as an actuating cylinder, the proposed device 1 can also be used as a separate pedal force simulator, which is preferably used in various types of clutch-by-wire applications or vehicle simulators in which an actuating element in the form of a travel pedal 6 is no longer directly connected to the device to be actuated.

List of reference numerals

1 apparatus

2 casing

3 piston

3.1 connecting rod Member

4 piston rod

5 Return spring

6 accelerator pedal

7 rolling element

8 rolling element

9 spring element

9.1 arm

10 arm of piston

11 arm of piston

12 shaft/bolt

13 axle

14 roller sleeve/roller

15 roller sleeve/rolling body

16 axial grooves

Claims

1. Device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, comprising a housing (2) in which a piston (3) is mounted in an axially movable manner, wherein the piston (3) is connected to the actuating element (6) via a piston rod (4) and the piston (3) engages in a spring element (9) arranged in the housing (2) or sometimes outside the housing, characterized in that the inner contour of the spring element (9) has a modified cross section and two rolling bodies (7, 8) which are supported during movement for rolling on the inner contour of the spring element (9) are fixed on the piston (3), the inner contour of the spring element (9) having a smallest cross section approximately in the middle.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the fork-shaped spring element (9) decreases continuously from the end side towards the piston (3) to the middle and increases continuously from the middle to the side facing away from the piston (3).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (9) is fixedly positioned in the housing (2).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling bodies (7, 8) are configured in a counter-moving manner.

5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the piston (3) has two arms (10, 11) in the axial direction toward the spring element (9), wherein each rolling body (7, 8) is arranged on a shaft (12, 13) which is supported on both sides on a respective arm (10, 11) of the piston (3), wherein the rolling bodies (7, 8) are guided between the two arms (10, 11) of the piston (3).

6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the shafts (12, 13) and the rolling bodies (7, 8) are constructed in one piece.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, characterized in that the rolling bodies are configured as rollers.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, wherein the rolling bodies are configured as roller sheath.

9. The device according to any of claims 1 to 4, 6, characterized in that the rolling bodies are configured as bearings (14, 15).

10. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the arms (10, 11) of the piston (3) carrying the rolling bodies (7, 8) extend approximately parallel to each other in the axial direction.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a pedal force simulator.

12. A device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, comprising a housing (2) in which a piston (3) is mounted axially movably, wherein the piston (3) is connected to the actuating element (6) by means of a piston rod (4) and the piston (3) is fitted into a spring element (9) arranged in the housing (2) or sometimes outside the housing, characterized in that the piston (3) comprises a connecting rod component (3.1) whose outer contour has a changing cross section and on which spring element (9) two rolling bodies (14) which are supported during movement for rolling on the outer contour of the connecting rod component (3.1) are arranged, the outer contour of the connecting rod component (3.1) having a maximum cross section approximately in the middle.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is a pedal force simulator.