DE10017794A1 - Safety fixing system, in particular, for motor vehicle pedals comprises a pedal bearing unit which is provided with at least one designed break line - Google Patents

Abstract

The safety fixing system (3), in particular, for motor vehicle pedals (10) comprises a pedal bearing unit (30, 40) which is provided with at least one designed break line (45) which under a specific load on the pedal or on the pedal bearing unit leads to separation of the pedal from its bearing.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to a pedal safety system for fastening the Pedals in motor vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles. Pedalsi Security systems of the type according to the invention have two requirements are enough. For one thing, they must have a suitable linkage to the pedals in the foot Allow area of a motor vehicle. Secondly, they must protect the Driver from injuries in the event of a collision into the foot area secure pedals, especially the brake and clutch pedals len. Especially in the case of deformation in the front area of the motor vehicle, the Motor including brake booster and connected to it via a push rod brake pedal pressed into the driver area, causing heavy leg injuries to the driver can occur.

2. State of the art

To prevent such injuries, are from the field of motor vehicles already built various construction proposals, one in the foot Pedals arranged richly in the driver during a collision of the motor vehicle stuff moved out of the foot area.

The documents US 5,848,662 and US 5,896,781 describe for example a brake pedal with an extension above the axis of rotation of the pedal, which in unscrewed case of the brake pedal on a projection of the motor vehicle frame mens concerns. In the event of a collision between the motor vehicle and the extension of the brake pedal related projection of the vehicle frame in Moved towards the driver's area of the motor vehicle and thereby rotates  the brake pedal around its bearing axis so that the pedal arm extends in the direction of travel the driver area is moved out and injuries are prevented.

Document FR 27 62 694 provides another technical solution Axis of the brake pedal receiving element of the motor vehicle frame is a additional lever mechanism attached, which in the event of a collision the movement Brake pedal blocked in the driver's area. This lever mechanism presses the brake pedal against the pedal rod just below the pedal rotation axis, thus provides a counterforce to the one moving inwards Push rod of the brake system and pushes the brake pedal in the direction of the Front area of the motor vehicle.

More complex lever mechanisms to protect the driver in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle are provided by EP 0 879 745 and EP 0 805 079. The lever mechanisms provide an indirect connection between the brake pedal and push rod of the brake system. In EP 0 879 745 the lever mechanism is nism attached to two parts of the motor vehicle frame, via an axis are rotatably connected. With the action of large mechanical loading loads, for example due to a collision of the motor vehicle, the Frame parts rotated against each other around this axis. Move the frame parts towards each other, forming an acute angle, with the one frame part the Movement of the brake system push rod towards the driver area blocked and the other frame part shifts into the passenger compartment, that the brake pedal is moved towards the front of the motor vehicle.

In EP 0 805 079 the lever mechanism is constructed in such a way that the mechanical load in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle and thus is stretched by the movement of the push rod of the brake system so that all pivot points in the lever mechanism are arranged in a line. By extending the lever mechanism, the axis of rotation of the brake pedal  removed from their guide groove and at the same time the brake pedal in the forward direction the side of the motor vehicle moves.

The various lever systems meet both the functional requirements Brake pedal as well as the safety claims in the event of a collision of the force vehicle. However, the complex construction of the lever mechanism requires considerable process engineering effort in the manufacture of the motor vehicle stuff. The pedals work with various movable and immobile Parts of the vehicle frame together, which takes into account when installing must become. For this reason, it is also necessary that the lever system tem is matched to the respective vehicle type, which additional Kon construction costs caused.

In addition, the known lever mechanisms described above include various flexible connections due to their complex structure Cost-intensive production and regular maintenance and care are required those that can only be carried out by specialist personnel and therefore keep them running increase the cost of using the motor vehicle.

Another technical solution to prevent driver injury by moving the pedals into the driver's area in the event of a collision the release of the pedal's bearing axis, causing the pedal to rotate loses. This prevents the pedals from moving into the driver's area different.

The publication DE 196 06 427 delivers one in at least two parts formed pedal frame mounted brake pedal axle. The frame parts point interacting U- and L-shaped axis receiving openings, which under normal conditions, pick up and secure the pedal axle. Deforms the brake pedal frame due to a collision of the motor vehicle, the U- and L-shaped receiving openings shifted against each other in such a way that  the brake pedal axle is released. By releasing the brake pedal axle the brake pedal can no longer enter the brake system due to the push rod of the brake system Driver area are moved and thereby cause injuries.

In the publication DE 197 33 512 is the inclusion of the brake pedal axis Bearing block designed so that they each have a U-shaped, upward open on both ends of the axle. Through a comprehensive stock part the brake pedal axle is held in the bearing block during normal operation. Over a Lifting device, which is shown as a sheet metal pressed part, with one side short reaches under the pedal axis and with another side on one at one Collision of the motor vehicle noticeably shifting into the passenger compartment Wall area is attached, the during a collision of the motor vehicle Axle of the brake pedal from its U-shaped, upwardly open recesses leveraged. In addition, the connection is made by the sheet metal press part brake pedal separated. In this way it is prevented that the push rod of the Brake system the brake pedal moves into the driver area and injuries generated.

The pedal described in the above-mentioned German patent applications systems are exposed to those that are movable in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle and rigid motor vehicle frame parts interacting elements men. As a result, they meet the desired security requirements, but they do high demands on the materials used.

Depending on the functioning of the component of the pedal system, materials different properties, such as deformability, used. Dar the different machining operations required for production result methods of materials, both the production costs as well increase the financial outlay of such a pedal system.  

The present invention therefore has the technical problem to be solved based on providing a pedal safety system that the driver in the event of A collision of his motor vehicle from injuries caused by an accident Brake pedal moving area protects, simply structurally in its construction is turiert and thereby with little technical effort and inexpensive forth is adjustable and no later maintenance when installed in the motor vehicle requirement.

3. Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a pedal safety system for fastening of pedals, especially in motor vehicles. The invention comprises a pedal, which is rotatably mounted on a pedal bearing axis. The pedal bearing axis is in one Pedal mounting attached, which has at least one separation point, which at a determined mechanical acting on the pedal or on the pedal bearing Stress leads to a separation of pedal and pedal bearing. In this way is prevented that the pedal by other technical components in the Fah rer range is moved and thereby possible injuries to the driver.

The pedal bearing is preferred according to the invention by a bearing block and formed at least one bearing bush for receiving the pedal axis of rotation. The Pedal bearing is made in one piece from plastic, with several fasteners systems for, for example, gas, clutch and brake pedals in one Piece can have. However, it is also possible to use the Pedalsi according to the invention Security system to integrate into the vehicle frame.

The specified separation point can, for example, be designed as a predetermined breaking point be according to their dimensioning at a critical mechanical Load from the pedal rotation axis fails and the pedal from the Pe storage separates.  

The present invention further provides one functionally with the fastener system interacting release lever. In the event of a collision of the force vehicle frame parts are moved relative to each other, the Pedal mounting is attached to a moving motor vehicle frame part and the release lever on an immovable motor vehicle frame part. The instead finding movement is essentially a translation. But it can also Ro tion movements include. The release lever is arranged so that it is in the case a collision of the motor vehicle by the relative movement of the pedal bearing compared to the release lever, the pedal bearing axis by a me generated thereby separates the mechanical load from the pedal position. The separation is invented according to the invention preferably by a predetermined separation point designed as a predetermined breaking point enables. After releasing the pedal rotation axis, the pedal can no longer be in the driver's area are moved and thus cause injuries.

The invention is characterized in that it is of simple construction elements is composed. The bearing block with at least one holder bushing can be made of plastic, for example, by a suitable method be put. Below are the brake pedal, usually consisting of one Metal profile, the pedal bearing axis, usually made of plastic, and the release lever, mostly made of metal, added.

Motor vehicles are now assembled in a modular design, where, for example, the brake pedal with a bearing block is a module. In Ab Depending on the shape of the vehicle frame can release lever and La gerblock interact differently, which is why it is necessary to target to be able to insert the break point at the appropriate position. That way a pedal module that is independent of the type of motor vehicle can be produced and can also accommodate multiple Pe can have dale.

4. Brief description of the drawings

In the following, reference is made to the drawings which are currently before preferred embodiments of the invention briefly explained. It shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the driver's area in a motor vehicle.

Fig. 2A is a schematic, perspective view of the pedal security system of the invention with pedal according to a preferred execution form;

FIG. 2B is a schematic, perspective view of the pedal security system with the pedal and release lever;

Figure 3A is a schematic, perspective view of the pedal safety system in the first phase of the separation process of the Pedallagerach se from the pedal mounting by the release lever.

Fig. 3B is a schematic, perspective view of the pedal security system in the second phase of the separation process of the pedal bearing shaft of the pedal support by means of the release lever;

Fig. 3C is a schematic, perspective view of the pedal safety system in the third phase of the separation process of the pedal bearing axis from the pedal bearing by the release lever.

5. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

In the following, reference is made to the drawings which are currently before preferred embodiments of the present invention described in detail.

The present invention relates to a pedal safety system 3 for fastening the pedals, particularly in motor vehicles. Fig. 1 shows the schematic Be tenansicht a motor vehicle, in the driver area 1, the pedal assembly 10 according to the invention, for example consisting of gas, clutch and brake pedal, is attached by means of a pedal safety system 3 . The pedal safety system 3 is preferably attached to the motor vehicle frame part 5 . With respect to the steering column area Darge Set 7 is the vehicle body so designed that the motor vehicle frame member 5 in the case of a collision of the motor vehicle performs a Real tivbewegung in the direction of the arrow labeled A. The Lenksäu lenbereich 7, however, is essentially stationary and does not change its position in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle. It is therefore essential according to the invention (see below) that, in the event of a collision, a relative movement takes place between the steering column region 7 and the motor vehicle frame part 5 (and thus the pedal safety system 3 ).

Without the present invention, in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, the pedals 10 are pressed over the push rods of, for example, the brake and clutch pedals into the driver area 1 in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, which can lead to serious injuries to the driver in the leg area.

To prevent injuries caused by the pedals 10 moving in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle in the driver's area 1 , the pedal safety system 3 according to the invention is used. The components of the pedal safety system 3 in a preferred embodiment according to the invention and their function are explained with reference to FIG. 2.

The pedal safety system 3 according to the invention consists of a Pe dallagerung 30 , 40 and a pedal 10 . The pedal bearing 30 , 40 is formed in the preferred embodiment according to the invention by a bearing block 30 and two adjacent bushings 40 , but it is also possible to vary the number of bushings 40 .

According to the invention, the bearing bushes 40 each have a predetermined separation point 45 . The predetermined separation point 45 has the function of separating the pedal bearing axis 25 and thereby also the pedal 10 from the pedal bearing 30 , 40 in the event of a critical mechanical load transmitted through the pedal bearing axis 25 to the bearing bush 40 . A possible embodiment of the predetermined separation point 45 according to the invention is a predetermined breaking point. The predetermined breaking point can be introduced at any point in the radial direction of the bearing bush opening, as will be explained below. Furthermore, the bearing bush 40 with the predetermined separation point 45 can be formed in two parts, the two parts being connected via a hinge, the hinge axis of which runs parallel to the pedal rotation axis 20 . At the ge called critical mechanical load, the bearing bush 40 is opened via the spring-controlled hinge relative to the desired separation point 45 and in this way separates the pedal bearing axis 25 and thus the pedal 10 from the pedal bearing 30 , 40th

The two bearing bushes 40 define the pedal rotation axis 20 by connecting the centers of their opposing openings. In addition, the opposing openings of the bearing bushes 40 receive the pedal bearing axis 25 , which runs parallel to the pedal rotation axis 20 , whereby the pedal 10 is rotatably articulated to the pedal bearing 30 , 40 .

The pedal 10 , for example the brake pedal of the motor vehicle, has, according to the invention, preferably a U-shaped end region which is formed by two legs 15 with directly opposite openings, the pedal axis of rotation 25 passing through the two openings. Between the legs 15 of the U-shaped end region of the pedal 10 there is an exposed partial region 25 a of the pedal bearing axis 20 .

In the preferred embodiment, the pedal bearing 30 , 40 is made in one piece from plastic. Reinforced polyamide is preferably used according to the invention. In the same way, the pedals can also be made of reinforced plastic. This gives you a stable pedal mounting system and pedals with a low weight, which can be mass-produced with little processing effort. Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture the pedal bearing consisting of a plurality of bearing blocks 30 and associated bearing bushings 40 . This provides, for example, a module consisting of 3 pedal safety systems 3 , on which the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal and the clutch pedal are pivoted. On this basis, the automobile industry is provided with a pedal module that meets high safety requirements, which will be explained further below, and which can be manufactured and installed regardless of the vehicle type.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, it is also possible to attach the pedal mounting 30 , 40 according to the invention with the predetermined separation point 45 directly to the vehicle frame or to integrate them into the vehicle frame.

A possible embodiment of the present invention comprises a Pedalsi safety system 3 with bearing bushes 40 which have predetermined breaking points 45 on the side facing the driver ( FIG. 2A). During the actuation of the brake pedal 10 , the end of the push rod 60 of the brake system (see FIG. 2B) articulated on the brake pedal 10 represents an additional pivot point 70. The brake pedal 10 thus acts as a lever which rotates about this pivot point, where by with each actuation of the brake pedal 10, the pedal bearing axis 25 and consequently also the bearing bushes 40 are mechanically loaded. The brake pedal 10 acting as a lever loads the pedal bearing axis 25 in the direction of the driver area and the predetermined trench or break point 45 present there.

The predetermined breaking point 45 of the bearing bush 40 is dimensioned such that the bearing bush 40 does not fail during normal braking operations of the motor vehicle. In the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, however, the bearing bush 40 is mechanically loaded by additional forces in addition to the braking force of the driver acting on the brake pedal 10 . Exceeds by the pedal bearing axle 25 45 applied mechanical specific to the introduced into the bearing sleeve 40 predetermined breaking point load a critical value, fails the bearing bush 40 and the pedal support shaft 25 is disconnected from the pedal support 30, 40th This prevents the movement of the pedal 10 into the driver area in this embodiment of the present invention, which leads to injuries to the driver.

Particularly in the case of front collisions, the driver usually performs a full brake application, which generates one of the above-mentioned mechanical load components on the bearing bush 40 . However, should this load component be missing in individual cases, it is possible that the pedal bearing axis 25 is not separated from the pedal bearing 30 , 40 . In order to ensure a separation of pedal 10 and pedal bearing 30 , 40 independently of the actions of the driver and thereby protect the driver from injury, in a further embodiment according to the invention, a release lever 50 is attached to a motor vehicle frame part which is immobile in the event of the collision of the motor vehicle that cooperates functionally with the pedal safety system 3 . In the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, pedal safety system 3 and release lever 50 perform a translational relative movement to one another, as a result of which the pedal is released from its mounting and its movement into the driver's area is prevented.

Fig. 2B shows this further, according to the invention particularly preferred execution form with a release lever 50. According to the invention, this is preferably L-shaped and is arranged in such a way that its one leg is positioned just above the partial region 25 a of the pedal bearing axis 25 and does not touch it. The release lever 50 is attached with its other leg to a motor vehicle frame part which does not move in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, for example to the steering column region 7 , while the pedal safety system 3 is fastened to the motor vehicle frame part 5 which moves relative to the steering column region in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle .

According to the invention, in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, the relative movement of the motor vehicle frame part 5 with respect to the steering column region 7 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 is used in order to release the pedalla gerachse 25 by means of the release lever 50 from the bearing bushes 40 with predetermined breaking point 45 . In the course of this relative movement, the release lever 50 is moved in the direction of the pedal bearing axis 25 . As the relative movement progresses, the release lever 50 presses the pedal bearing axis 25 in the direction of the predetermined breaking point 45 , which is located on the side of the bearing bush 40 facing away from the release lever 50 . The bearing bushes 40 are opened by the pedal bearing axis 25 at the predetermined breaking point 45 until they fail. In this way, the pedal 10 is separated from the pedal mounting 30 , 40 and prevents a possible injury to the driver.

Figs. 3A to 3C show example phase separation of the pedal 10 of the pedal support 30, 40. In Fig. 3A of the release lever 50 befindli chen already in contact with the between the legs 15 of the U-ftSrmigen end portion of the pedal 10 portion is 25 A of the pedal bearing shaft 25. At this stage of the Relativbe movement, the pedal bearing axis 25 is not yet moved in the direction of the predetermined breaking point 45 and the pedal safety system is fully functional.

By a further displacement of the pedal bearing 30 , 40 in the direction of the release lever 50 , the pedal bearing axis 25 is displaced such that it reaches the area of the predetermined breaking point 45 and thereby opens the bearing bushes 40 ( FIG. 3B). Due to the strong opening of the bearing bush 40 due to the pedal bearing axis 25 moving into the predetermined breaking point area, breaking points 47 are formed in the bearing bushes 40 with respect to the predetermined breaking point 45 . While the rela tive movement between pedal bearing 30 , 40 and release lever 50 progresses ver say the break points 47 , so that the part 42 of the bearing bush 40 is separated ( Fig. 3C). In this way, the pedal bearing axis 25 is completely loosened from its storage in the bearing bushes 40 by the release lever 50 , thereby eliminating the pedal axis of rotation 20 .

If, for example, the brake pedal 10 , whose pedal bearing axis 25 has already been completely released from the bearing bushes 40 by the release lever 50 , is pressed into the driver area 1 by the push rod of the brake system (not shown), this does not result in injuries to the driver.

Reference list

1

Driver area

3rd

Pedal safety system

5

Motor vehicle frame part moving relative to the steering column area

7

schematic representation of the steering column area

10th

pedal

15

Pedal leg

20th

Pedal rotation axis

25th

Pedal bearing axis

25th

a Part of the pedal bearing axis

30th

Bearing block

40

Bearing bush

42

Parts of the bearing bush

45

Separation point

47

Breaking point

50

Release lever

60

Brake system pushrod

70

pivot point

Claims (12)

1. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) for fastening pedals in particular in motor vehicles, comprising

• a) a pedal bearing ( 30 , 40 ) which defines a pedal axis of rotation ( 20 );
• b) a pedal ( 10 ) which is rotatable about said pedal axis of rotation ( 20 ) on said pedal mounting ( 30 , 40 ), wherein
• c) said pedal mounting ( 30 , 40 ) has at least one predetermined separation point ( 45 ), which acts on the pedal ( 10 ) or on the pedal mounting ( 30 , 40 ) acting mechanical load to separate the pedal ( 10 ) and Pedal bearing ( 30 , 40 ) leads.

2. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pedal safety system ( 3 ) further comprises a release lever ( 50 ) on a part in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle not moving relative to another motor vehicle frame part ( 5 ) ( 7 ) is fixed and in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, said pedal mounting ( 30 , 40 ) and said pedal ( 10 ) separate. 3. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle on a relative to another motor vehicle frame part ( 7 ) moving Fahrzeugrah menteil ( 5 ) attached pedal bearing from a bearing block ( 30 ) and minde least one bearing bush ( 40 ). 4. pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that said bearing bush ( 40 ) has an opening for receiving the pedal bearing axis ( 25 ) and a predetermined separation point ( 45 ). 5. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that said predetermined separation point ( 45 ) is a predetermined breaking point, which is positioned on the side of the bearing bush ( 40 ) facing away from the lever ( 50 ). 6. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pedal ( 10 ) attached to the pedal mounting ( 30 , 40 ) has a U-shaped end region with two pedal legs ( 15 ), each of which has have opposite openings for receiving a Pe dallagerachse ( 25 ). 7. pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 6, if it refers back to claim 3, characterized in that said pedal bearing axis ( 25 ) runs through the openings in the pedal legs ( 15 ) and is received by the at least one bearing bush ( 40 ) . 8. pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 6 or 7, insofar as they refer back to claim 2, characterized in that said Lö lever ( 50 ) in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle between the pedal legs ( 15 ) on the pedal bearing axis ( 25th ) attacks. 9. pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 3-8, characterized in that the bearing block ( 30 ) with the receptacle ( 40 ) is formed in one piece. 10. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that it can have a plurality of bearing blocks ( 30 ) for a plurality of pedals ( 10 ). 11. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the bearing block ( 30 ) and the receiving bushing ( 40 ) are made of plastic. 12. Pedal safety system ( 3 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the plastic is reinforced polyamide.