DE102014224377B4 - Limit sensor integrated in the pedal area or between the pedal pad and the pedal flange - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuating device (1), in particular for a clutch (2) of a motor vehicle (3), with a pedal lever (5) of an actuating pedal (6) mounted pivotably about a pedal axis (4), the pedal lever (5) for generating a hydraulic actuating pressure with a master cylinder (7) is operatively connected, the master cylinder (7) being operatively connected to a slave cylinder (23) for actuating the clutch (2); wherein a sensor (8) is provided for detecting the actuation of the actuating pedal (6), characterized in that the sensor (8) detects an imminent actuation of the actuating pedal (6) even before the movement (12) of the pedal lever (5) and wherein the actuation pedal (6) has one end (13) via which the actuation pedal (6) can be actuated, the sensor (8) being arranged at the end (13) so that the sensor (8) is in front of the actuation pedal (6 ) is actuatable and at the end (13) an at least partially deformable pedal pad (14) is arranged, in which the sensor (8) is received, wherein the pedal pad (14) has to be deformed to operate the sensor (8) and wherein the Pedal covering (14) has at least one spring element (15) by means of which the deformation can be canceled and the actuation of the sensor (8) can be terminated.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device, in particular for a clutch, in particular of a motor vehicle.

The actuation device comprises a pedal lever of an actuation pedal, which is mounted pivotably about a pedal axis, the pedal lever being operatively connected to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic actuation pressure. A sensor is also provided for detecting the actuation of the operating pedal. An auxiliary actuation device supports at least the actuation of a master piston in the master cylinder or at least the actuation of a slave piston in the slave cylinder, the auxiliary actuation device being actuated by signals from the sensor.

In these systems, the actuation force of the actuation pedal depends on the clutch characteristic, with different actuation forces acting over the actuation path. In addition, the clutch characteristic and thus also the characteristic of the actuation force on the actuation pedal z. B. change due to wear of the clutch.

An actuator according to the preamble of claim 1 is from WO 2004/022 995 A1 known. The use of an auxiliary actuation device enables the actuation force of the actuation pedal to be variably adjusted via the pedal travel. In the WO 2004/022 995 A1 the sensor is arranged in the pedal axis and detects a pivoting of the pedal lever around the pedal axis. The sensor is therefore only triggered when the operating pedal is moved. In this way, an auxiliary actuation device can only be activated when the master piston is already being moved in the master cylinder and / or the clutch is being actuated.

Another actuating device is only known internally. The auxiliary actuation device is arranged between the master cylinder and slave cylinder. The auxiliary actuation device comprises an intermediate cylinder with at least one intermediate piston. The intermediate cylinder is arranged between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder in such a way that it is operatively connected to both. In this case, when the master piston is actuated, a hydraulic fluid is fed from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder via the intermediate cylinder, so that the slave piston is actuated. The slave piston can also be operated independently of the master cylinder via an actuator in the intermediate cylinder. The clutch can accordingly be actuated automatically, i. H. In the case of a manual transmission, the functionality of an automatic transmission can be mapped via the auxiliary actuation device. For example, if the rotational speed is too low, the auxiliary actuation device can automatically open the clutch in order to avoid stalling an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle.

In such a system e.g. B. the venting function of the actuating device (from the slave cylinder via a pressure line into the intermediate cylinder, further into the master cylinder and from the master cylinder into a hydraulic fluid reservoir) or the complete function of the actuating device and thus the disengagement of the clutch are hindered (clutches are internal known, which can only be vented as long as the master piston is not actuated).

Further prior art is from DE 10 2011 100 592 , the DE 82 25 779 U1 as well as the U.S. 3 911 394 A known.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of at least partially overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art and of specifying an actuating device in which an actuating force of the actuating pedal can be set variably via the pedal travel and in particular the problem of venting the actuating device can be solved. The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention relates to an actuating device, in particular for a clutch of a motor vehicle, with a pedal lever of an actuating pedal pivoted about a pedal axis, the pedal lever being operatively connected to a master cylinder to generate a hydraulic actuation pressure, the master cylinder being operatively connected to a slave cylinder for actuating the clutch , wherein a sensor is provided for detecting the actuation of the actuating pedal, the sensor detecting an imminent actuation of the actuating pedal even before the movement of the pedal lever. The sensor is preferably integrated into the clutch pedal.

In particular, an auxiliary actuation device is provided which at least supports the actuation of the master piston in the master cylinder and / or at least the operation of a slave piston in the slave cylinder, the auxiliary actuation device being actuated by signals from the sensor. In particular, the sensor actuates the auxiliary actuation device even before the pedal lever is moved.

The clutch is operated by means of a hydraulic slave cylinder, which has a hydraulic slave cylinder Pressure line is connected to at least one master cylinder, actuated. A master piston is via an operating pedal that z. B. is in communication with the master cylinder via a piston rod of the master piston, acted upon.

The actuation pedal has one end via which the actuation pedal can be actuated, the sensor being arranged at the end so that the sensor can be actuated in front of the actuation pedal.

In particular, the end comprises a flange, wherein a person operates the operating pedal with his foot via the flange.

At the end there is an at least partially deformable pedal pad in which the sensor is received, the pedal pad having to be deformed in order to actuate the sensor.

According to the invention, the pedal covering has at least one spring element, by means of which the deformation can be canceled and the actuation of the sensor can be terminated.

According to another preferred embodiment, the pedal lining itself forms at least one spring element. The pedal pad can, for. B. be an elastic component that has such a restoring torque that the deformation is automatically canceled.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one spring element is arranged within the pedal lining. In particular, a spring element, for. B. a compression spring (spiral, plate spring, etc.) is arranged within the pedal pad, which is compressed when the pedal pad is deformed. The deformation of the pedal lining is reversed by the compression spring after the actuation pedal has been actuated.

In particular, the sensor is a touch sensor that reacts to a touch. In particular, the sensor reacts and sends signals to the auxiliary actuation device when the sensor is touched by a person, in particular with the foot, when the actuation pedal is actuated and a pressure force is applied between the foot and the end of the pedal lever.

The auxiliary actuation device preferably comprises an electric motor which at least supports the actuation of the master piston in the master cylinder by means of a mechanical connection. In this regard, reference is made to the introduction WO 2004/022995 A1 referenced, in which such a mechanical connection is described. the WO 2004/022995 A1 is fully referred to in this regard.

In particular, the auxiliary actuation device comprises an actuator which at least supports the actuation of the slave piston in the slave cylinder.

In addition to the actuator, the auxiliary actuation device preferably comprises an intermediate cylinder with at least one intermediate piston, which is arranged between the master cylinder and slave cylinder, the master cylinder and slave cylinder being operatively connected via the intermediate cylinder.

Such an auxiliary actuation device is only known internally. The intermediate cylinder has a sniffer bore through which the intermediate cylinder (and in particular also the slave cylinder) can be vented. In particular, the sniffer bore is connected to a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid via the master cylinder. The sniffer bore is arranged in such a way that when the master piston is not actuated, the sniffer bore is open so that the intermediate cylinder (and above it the slave cylinder) can be vented. When the operating pedal is operated in the usual way, the sniffer hole is initially closed by the actuator. As soon as the master piston is moved, the hydraulic fluid can then only enter the intermediate cylinder via the predetermined connection (and not via the sniffer bore). The slave cylinder is then actuated exclusively with a predeterminable amount of hydraulic fluid. If the master piston is now actuated too quickly, hydraulic fluid can reach the area of the intermediate cylinder via the sniffer bore, which is connected to the slave cylinder via a pressure line. If the intermediate piston is then deflected, an (indeterminate) volume of hydraulic fluid has already entered this area, so that the position of the slave piston is indeterminate. In this way, at least the coupling process then carried out is impaired.

The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically sensible manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and details from the figures, with further design variants of the invention being shown.

• 1: ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer Kupplung und einer als bekannt angenommenen Betätigungseinrichtung;
• 2: eine nur intern bekannte Betätigungshilfseinrichtung mit einem Zwischenzylinder;
• 3: ein Betätigungspedal mit einem Sensor gemäß einem ersten Beispiel;
• 4: ein Betätigungspedal mit einem Sensor gemäß einem zweiten Beispiel;
• 5: ein Betätigungspedal mit einem Sensor gemäß einem dritten Beispiel;

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show particularly preferred exemplary embodiments to which, however, the invention is not restricted. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the size relationships shown are only schematic. The same reference symbols denote the same items. Show it:

• 1 : a motor vehicle with a clutch and an actuating device assumed to be known;
• 2 : an only internally known auxiliary actuation device with an intermediate cylinder;
• 3 : an operating pedal with a sensor according to a first example;
• 4th : an operation pedal with a sensor according to a second example;
• 5 : an operation pedal with a sensor according to a third example;

1 shows a motor vehicle 3 with a clutch 2 and an actuator 1 according to the WO 2004/022 995 A1 . The actuator 1 includes a pivotable about a pedal axis 4th mounted pedal lever 5 an operating pedal 6th , the pedal lever 5 for generating a hydraulic actuation pressure with a master cylinder 7th via a piston rod 25th of the master cylinder 7th is effectively connected. One sensor 8th is provided to detect the actuation of the operating pedal 6th . The sensor 8th is on the pedal axis 4th arranged. The coupling 2 is made by means of a hydraulic slave cylinder 23 via a hydraulic pressure line 22nd with the master cylinder 7th is connected, actuated. The slave cylinder 23 is for this via a piston rod 25th of the slave cylinder 23 with a release spring 26th connected. About the release spring 26th becomes a release bearing 27 the clutch 2 operated and the clutch 2 disengaged in a known manner.

The master piston 10 is via a return spring 21 in the master cylinder 7th moved back. The ventilation of the hydraulic components (master cylinder 7th , Pressure line 22nd , Slave cylinder 23 ) takes place via the master cylinder 7th into a reservoir 20th for a hydraulic fluid.

There is also an auxiliary actuation device 9 provided by signals from the sensor 4th is operated when the sensor 4th a movement 12th of the operating pedal 6th notices. The auxiliary actuation device 9 includes here an electric motor 16 that is about the connection of a gear 18th with a toothing 19th the actuation of the master piston 10 in the master cylinder 7th supports.

It is now proposed in particular that the in WO 2004/022 995 A1 on the pedal axis 4th arranged, one rotation of the pedal lever 5 detecting sensor 8th through a sensor 8th is replaced, the one at the end 13th of the pedal lever 5 is arranged and on the other hand reacts to touch (see 3 until 5 ).

2 shows an actuation auxiliary device which is only known internally 9 with an intermediate cylinder 29 . The intermediate cylinder 29 has two intermediate cylinder pistons 30th , 31 and a sniffer hole 34 on over which the intermediate cylinder 29 (and thus also the slave cylinder 23 ) can be vented. The sniffer hole 34 is about the master cylinder 7th with a reservoir 20th connected for the hydraulic fluid. The sniffer hole 34 is arranged in such a way that when the master piston is not actuated 10 the sniffer hole 34 is open so that the intermediate cylinder 29 (and above the slave cylinder 23 ) can be vented. With normal operation of the operating pedal 6th the sniffer hole is here first 34 through the first intermediate piston 30th closed by the actuator 28 (e.g. an electric motor 16 ) over the stop 36 on the wave 37 is operated. As soon as the master piston 10 is moved, the hydraulic fluid can then only via the connection 35 in the intermediate cylinder 29 enter (and not via the sniffer hole 34 ). The slave cylinder 23 is then actuated exclusively with a predeterminable amount of hydraulic fluid. Becomes the master piston 10 now operated too quickly (the actuator 28 can the sniffer hole 34 not close), hydraulic fluid can flow through the sniffer hole 34 in the area of the intermediate cylinder 29 get through a pressure line 22nd with the slave cylinder 23 connected is. Becomes the first intermediate piston 31 then deflected, an (indefinite) volume of hydraulic fluid has already entered this area, so that the position of the slave piston 24 is indefinite. In this way, at least the coupling process then carried out is impaired.

3 shows an operating pedal 6th with a sensor 8th according to a first embodiment. The in 1 on the pedal axis 4th arranged sensor 8th is at one end here 13th of the pedal lever 5 arranged. In contrast to the prior art cited above, the sensor can 8th a movement here 12th Do not sense the pedal lever directly. The sensor 8th is arranged so that he is in front of the operating pedal 6th is actuatable. A person operates the operating pedal 6th with his foot over the end 13th namely on the side on which the sensor 8th is arranged. The sensor 8th is a touch sensor that touches when the operating pedal is pressed by a person, in particular with the foot and between the foot and the end 13th of the pedal lever 5 a compressive force is applied and then signals to the auxiliary actuation device 9 sends.

Here is the end 13th an at least partially deformable pedal pad 14th arranged in which the sensor 8th is added, wherein to actuate the sensor 8th the pedal pad 14th must be deformed.

Inside the pedal pad 14th are two spring elements here 15th (or an annular spring element 15th ) arranged through which the deformation can be canceled and the actuation of the sensor 8th is terminable. The spring elements 15th are compression springs (spiral, plate spring, etc.) and within the pedal pad 14th arranged. The compression springs are released when the pedal lining is deformed 14th pressed together. The deformation of the pedal lining 14th becomes after the operation of the operating pedal is finished 6th reversed by the compression spring.

4th shows an operating pedal 6th with a sensor 8th according to a second embodiment, wherein between the pedal lining 14th and the end 13th of the pedal lever 5 the sensor 8th is arranged. The pedal pad 14th is towards the end 13th by spring elements 15th spaced apart. When the operating pedal is pressed 6th becomes the pedal pad 14th against the spring force of the spring elements 15th towards the end 13th moves and the sensor 8th actuated.

5 shows an operating pedal 6th with a sensor 8th according to a third embodiment variant. This is where the pedal pad forms 14th even one (ring-shaped) or several spring element (s) 15th out. The pedal pad 14th is z. B. an elastic component that has such a restoring torque that the deformation is automatically canceled.

In any case, the one in the 3 until 5 The variant shown is the sensor 8th operated before the pedal lever 5 a movement 12th executes and around the pedal axis 4th is pivoted.

List of reference symbols

1

Actuator

2

coupling

3

Motor vehicle

4th

Pedal axis

5

Pedal lever

6th

Operating pedal

7th

Master cylinder

8th

sensor

9

Auxiliary actuation device

10

Master piston

11th

signal

12th

Move

13th

end

14th

Pedal pad

15th

Spring element

16

Electric motor

17th

connection

18th

gear

19th

Gearing

20th

reservoir

21

Return spring

22nd

Pressure line

23

Slave cylinder

24

Slave piston

25th

Piston rod

26th

Release spring

27

Release bearing

28

Actuator

29

Intermediate cylinder

30th

first intermediate piston

31

second intermediate piston

32

first spring

33

second spring

34

Sniffer hole

35

connection

36

attack

37

wave

Claims (9)

Actuating device (1), in particular for a clutch (2) of a motor vehicle (3), with a pedal lever (5) of an actuating pedal (6) mounted pivotably about a pedal axis (4), the pedal lever (5) for generating a hydraulic actuating pressure with a master cylinder (7) is operatively connected, the master cylinder (7) being operatively connected to a slave cylinder (23) for actuating the clutch (2); wherein a sensor (8) is provided for detecting the actuation of the actuation pedal (6), characterized in that the sensor (8) detects an imminent actuation of the actuation pedal (6) even before the movement (12) of the pedal lever (5) and wherein the actuation pedal (6) has one end (13) via which the actuation pedal (6) can be actuated, the sensor (8) being arranged at the end (13) so that the sensor (8) is in front of the actuation pedal (6 ) is actuatable and at the end (13) an at least partially deformable pedal pad (14) is arranged, in which the sensor (8) is received, wherein the pedal pad (14) has to be deformed to operate the sensor (8) and wherein the Pedal covering (14) has at least one spring element (15), by which the deformation can be canceled and the actuation of the sensor (8) can be terminated. Actuating device (1) according to Claim 1 , an auxiliary actuation device (9) being provided which at least supports the actuation of a slave piston (24) in the slave cylinder (23), the auxiliary actuation device (9) being actuated by signals (11) from the sensor (8). Actuating device (1) according to Claim 2 , wherein the sensor (8) actuates the auxiliary actuation device (9) even before the movement (12) of the pedal lever (5). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pedal lining (14) itself forms at least one spring element (15). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, at least one spring element (15) being arranged within the pedal lining (14). Actuating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (8) reacts to a touch. Actuating device (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 6th wherein the auxiliary actuation device (9) is an electric motor (16) which at least supports the actuation of the master piston (10) in the master cylinder (7) by means of a mechanical connection (17). Actuating device (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 7th wherein the auxiliary actuation device (9) comprises an actuator (16) which at least supports the actuation of the slave piston (24) in the slave cylinder (23). Actuating device (1) according to Claim 8 , wherein the auxiliary actuation device (9) comprises, in addition to the actuator (16), an intermediate cylinder (29) with at least one intermediate piston (30) which is arranged between the master cylinder (7) and slave cylinder (23), the master cylinder (7) and slave cylinder (23) ) are operatively connected via the intermediate cylinder (29).

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