EP3015944B1

EP3015944B1 - Pedal for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP3015944B1
Application number: EP14382420.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Iñaki Aguirre Pichel
Original assignee: Batz SCL
Current assignee: Batz SCL
Priority date: 2014-10-28
Filing date: 2014-10-28
Publication date: 2020-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-28
Also published as: EP3015944A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to pedals for motor vehicles.

PRIOR ART

Pedals for motor vehicles are known to comprise a lever rotating about a shaft, an actuator element, such as an actuation rod, for example, that transmits an actuation force applied on the lever to an actuator (preferably a brake booster or clutch cylinder), and coupling means between the lever of the pedal and the actuator element, comprising a shaft going through an opening of the lever, said shaft being coupled to the actuator element, and the shaft allowing pivotally coupling the actuator element and the lever. The coupling means also comprise elastic means coupled to the shaft, assuring permanent and elastic transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element.
US5551317 A discloses a pedal for motor vehicles, particularly for a brake system, comprising a lever, said lever comprising an axis of rotation and an opening going through the lever; an actuator element transmitting an actuation force applied on the lever to an actuator (a brake booster), the actuator element comprising engagement means which allow coupling the actuator element to the lever; and coupling means between the lever and the engagement means of the actuator element, the coupling means comprising a shaft arranged such that it goes through the opening of the lever, said shaft being coupled to the engagement means of the actuator element, and the shaft allowing pivotally coupling the actuator element and the lever, and elastic pressure means assuring permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element. The elastic pressure means are arranged on the outside of the opening of the lever, said elastic pressure means needing fixing means on the outside of the lever which allow fixing the elastic pressure means to said lever.
EP1440857A1 discloses a pedal for motor vehicles comprising a lever, an actuator element and coupling means for coupling the lever and the actuator element, the actuator element transmitting an actuation force applied on the lever to an actuator. The lever comprises an axis of rotation and an opening going through the lever, the actuator element comprising engagement means, and the coupling means comprising a shaft arranged such that it goes through the opening of the lever, said shaft being coupled to the engagement means of the actuator element, the shaft allowing pivotally coupling the actuator element and the lever, elastic means being arranged inside the opening of the lever. The elastic means comprise an antifriction and antivibration elastic plate which is held in position by tabs inserted in holes made in the branches of a spring clip fixed on the lever.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a pedal for motor vehicles as defined in the claims.
The pedal of the invention, preferably a brake pedal or a clutch pedal, comprises a lever, an actuator element and coupling means for coupling the lever and the actuator element. The actuator element transmits an actuation force applied on the lever to an actuator (preferably a brake booster or a clutch cylinder). Said lever comprises an axis of rotation and an opening going through the lever, the actuator element comprises engagement means, and the coupling means comprise a shaft arranged such that it goes through the opening of the lever, said shaft being coupled to the engagement means of the actuator element, the shaft allowing pivotally coupling the actuator element and the lever, and elastic pressure means assuring permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element. The elastic pressure means are arranged inside the opening of the lever.
The coupling means comprise a transmission element fixed in the opening of the lever, the transmission element comprising the elastic pressure means. The transmission element comprises a main body, the elastic pressure means comprising at least one flexible element projecting from the main body of the transmission element and being compressed when the pedal is mounted, the flexible element being a flexible flange. The transmission element of the coupling means comprises positioning means fixed to the opening of the lever, the positioning means allowing orienting the elastic pressure means to apply pressure in a certain direction.
In pedals of the prior art comprising elastic means coupled to the shaft of the coupling means, the elastic contact obtained between the lever and the actuator element allows eliminating vibrations and noises produced in the pedal and generated when the vehicle is travelling on the road or in the vehicle engine. In the pedal described in US5551317 A , in addition to eliminating vibrations due to the elastic pressure means assuring permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element of the pedal, the dead travel effect is eliminated. The dead travel effect occurs when, upon a user applying a force F on the lever of the pedal, the transmission of said force F to the actuator element is not immediate, but rather a certain time elapses, and a gap is formed, until said force is transmitted to the actuator element. When the pedal comprises elastic means assuring permanent and elastic transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element, the dead travel effect occurs. However, with the elastic pressure means assuring permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element, the dead travel effect is eliminated. This is because when the user applies actuation force on the pedal, this force is continuously transmitted to the actuator element because the transmission between all parts is permanent and rigid, not elastic. However, the elastic pressure means in the pedal described in US5551317 A are arranged on the outside of the lever of the pedal, so they occupy more room than what the pedal does, and require more elements in order to be fixed to the pedal.
In the pedal of the invention, in addition to the existence of permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force between the lever and the actuator element, the elastic pressure means are arranged inside the opening of the lever. Therefore the advantages of eliminating vibrations, noises and the dead travel effect are combined with the advantage of achieving a pedal that is better integrated and takes up less room, as well as fewer elements which allow fixing said elastic pressure means to the lever of the pedal, because the elastic pressure means are arranged integrated in the lever of the pedal.
These and other advantages and features of the invention will become evident in view of the drawings and the detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pedal of the invention, with the coupling means and the actuator element dismounted.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the pedal of Figure 1, with the coupling means and the actuator element mounted.
Figure 3a shows a first perspective view of the transmission element of the pedal of Figure 1.
Figure 3b shows a second perspective view of the transmission element of Figure 3a.
Figure 3c shows a side view of the transmission element of Figure 3a.
Figure 4 shows a detailed side view of the pedal of Figure 1, with the transmission element mounted.
Figure 5 shows a detailed section view according to line V-V of the pedal of Figure 2.
Figure 6 shows a detailed section view according to line VI-VI of the pedal of Figure 2.
Figure 7 shows a detailed section view according to line VII-VII of the pedal of Figure 2.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pedal of the invention, with the coupling means and the actuator element dismounted.
Figure 9 shows a detailed side view of the pedal of Figure 8, with the coupling means and the actuator element mounted.
Figure 10a shows a first perspective view of the transmission element of the pedal of Figure 8.
Figure 10b shows a second perspective view of the transmission element of Figure 10a.
Figure 10c shows a section view according to line Xc-Xc of the transmission element of Figure 10a.
Figure 11 shows a detailed section view according to line XI-XI of the pedal of Figure 9.
Figure 12 shows a detailed section view according to line XII-XII of the pedal of Figure 9.
Figure 13a shows a detailed view of the inlet hole of the opening of the lever of the pedal of Figure 8.
Figure 13b shows a detailed view of the inlet hole of Figure 13a, with the transmission element mounted.
Figure 13c shows a detailed view of the outlet hole of the opening of the lever of the pedal of Figure 8.
Figure 13d shows a detailed view of the outlet hole of Figure 13c, with the transmission element mounted.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pedal 100 for motor vehicles of the invention, being a brake pedal in this embodiment, with coupling means 30 and an actuator element 20 dismounted from the pedal 100. Figure 2 shows a side view of the pedal 100 of Figure 1, with the coupling means 30 and the actuator element 20 mounted on the pedal 100.
Said pedal 100 comprises a tubular-shaped lever 10, said lever 10 comprising an axis of rotation 11 at one end, about which the pedal 100 rotates, and a plate 16 at the other end on which the user applies a braking force F. The pedal 100 also comprises an opening 12 going through the lever 10, the actuator element 20, which is an actuator rod in this embodiment, allowing transmission of the force F to an actuator (not shown in the drawings), and the coupling means 30 allowing pivotally coupling the lever 10 and the actuator element 20.
The actuator element 20 comprises engagement means 21 and a rod 23. The engagement means 21 comprise a fork 22 fixed to the rod 23, the fork 22 comprising two arms 24, 25 comprising respective holes 26, 27 going through the arms 24, 25.
The coupling means 30 comprise a shaft 31 arranged such that it goes through the opening 12 of the lever 10, and said shaft 31 being coupled to the engagement means 21 of the actuator element 20, said shaft 31 being fixed to the fork 22 by going through the holes 26, 27. In the outer portion of the fork 22, the shaft 31 comprises a head fitting with said fork 22, and the fixing is formed at the other end by means of a locking element, such as for example a locking washer or nut (not shown in the drawings). The actuator element 20 is mounted on the pedal 100 by fitting the fork 22 to the lever 10, the arms 24, 25 of the fork 22 going around the lever 10, aligning the holes 26, 27 of the fork 22 with the ends of the opening 12 of said lever 10, and then introducing the shaft 31 of the coupling means 30 in the opening 12 going through the holes 26, 27. The pivotal coupling between the lever 10 and the actuator element 20 is thus obtained.
The coupling means 30 comprise a transmission element 40 tightly fixed inside the opening 12 of the lever 10. The transmission element 40 is a bushing comprising an opening 41 going through it longitudinally, such that when the actuator element 20 is mounted on the pedal 100, the shaft 31 of the coupling means 30 is arranged inside the opening 41 of the transmission element 40.
Figure 3a shows a perspective view of the transmission element 40 of the pedal 100 of Figure 1, Figure 3b shows another perspective view of the transmission element 40 of Figure 3a, and Figure 3c shows a side view of the transmission element 40 of Figure 3a. The transmission element 40 has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and is preferably made of plastic with a low coefficient of friction, such as a mix of POM, aramide, and Teflon, for example. The transmission element 40 comprises a side wall 42 in which elastic means 32 are arranged. Said elastic means 32 are arranged such that they press on shaft 31 when the actuator element 20 is mounted on the pedal 100 and the shaft 31 is arranged inside the opening 41 of the transmission element 40. The pressure of the elastic means 32 keeps the shaft 31 in contact with an inner face 43 of the side wall 42 of the transmission element 40, on the side opposite where the elastic means 32 press on shaft 31. The elastic means 32 therefore maintain permanent and rigid contact between the lever 10 and the actuator element 20 of the pedal 100, because the transmission element 40 is fixed to the lever 10 in a tight manner, and the shaft 31 of the coupling means 30 is fixed to the fork 22 of the actuator element 20. So contact between the transmission element 40 and the shaft 31 allows transmitting the actuation force F applied on the plate 16 of the lever 10 to the actuator element 20.
In the context of the invention, rigid transmission between two elements must be understood as transmission between non-elastic elements, such that there is a continuous transmission of pressure force between the first element and the second element, either directly or through one or more intermediate elements.
The side wall 42 of the transmission element 40 comprises a gap 44 along the entire length thereof, the gap 44 forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the transmission element 40 in this embodiment of the pedal 100. This gap 44 allows simple mounting of the transmission element 40 in the opening 12 of the lever 10 by applying a force either manually or by means of a tool on the side wall 42, causing a reduction of the diameter of the transmission element 40, and therefore easier introduction in the opening 12. Said gap 44 also allows absorbing possible expansions or shrinkages of the transmission element 40 due to thermal changes or moisture absorption.
In this embodiment, the elastic means 32 comprise two flexible flanges 34 formed in the side wall 42, each flexible flange 34 being arranged on an edge 45 of the side wall 42 in the gap 44, at approximately half its length. Each flexible flange 34 comprises an end 35 projecting towards the inside of the opening 41 of the transmission element 40, in the radial direction, these ends 35 being what press the shaft 31 inside the transmission element 40, keeping said shaft 31 in contact with the inner face 43 of the side wall 42.
The transmission element 40 comprises positioning means 50 fixed to the opening 12 of the lever 10, these positioning means 50 allowing defining a direction D of the pressure applied by the elastic means 32 on the shaft 31, as shown in Figure 4 which shows a detailed side view of the pedal 100 of Figure 1, with the transmission element 40 mounted on the lever 10 of said pedal 100.
The positioning means 50 of the transmission element 40 comprise stop means 51, which are an outer elevation in the side wall 42. Said stop means 51 run along the perimeter of the transmission element 40 at a distance d₁ from one end 46 of said transmission element 40. A protuberance 52 projects on the outside of the transmission element 40 and partially runs longitudinally along the side wall 42, starting from the stop means 51, being elevated in an inclined ramp, and ending in a wall 53 perpendicular to the side wall 42, at a distance d₂ from the other end 47 of the transmission element 40. A guiding protuberance 54 projects on the outside of the transmission element 40 and partially runs longitudinally along the side wall 42, starting from the stop means 51, being elevated in an inclined ramp, and ending in a wall 55 perpendicular to the side wall 42, without reaching said side wall 42, at a distance d₂ from the other end 47 of the transmission element 40. In said wall 55, the guiding protuberance 54 is prolonged into a guide 56 to the other end 47 of the transmission element 40. The elastic means 32, specifically the shaft separating the flexible flanges 34, are arranged perimetrically in the transmission element 40 at an angle α with respect to the guide 56, said angle α defining the direction D of the pressure applied by the elastic means 32 in the area of contact of the shaft 31 with the inner face 43 of the side wall 42 of the transmission element 40, in the direction of the force F transmitted by the lever 10 to the actuator element 20.
Figure 5 shows a detailed section view according to line V-V of the pedal 100 of Figure 2, Figure 6 shows a detailed section view according to line VI-VI of the pedal 100 of Figure 2, and Figure 7 shows a detailed section view according to line VII-VII of the pedal 100 of Figure 2.
In order for the transmission element 40 to be fixed to the lever 10, said lever 10 comprises a groove 13 in the opening 12. The guide 56 of the positioning means 50 is introduced in the groove 13 when the transmission element 40 is introduced in the opening 12 of the lever 10, the guide 56 performing anti-rotation functions and assuring the position of contact of the elastic means 32 with the shaft 31. An edge 14 of the profile of the lever 10 forming the opening 12 is coupled with the stop means 51 of the positioning means 50, and another edge 15 of the profile of the lever 10 is coupled with the wall 53 and with the wall 55 of the protuberance 52 and of the guiding protuberance 54, respectively, of the positioning means 50, the ends 46, 47 of the transmission element 40 being arranged projecting from the outer walls of the lever 10 so that if the fork 22 hits the lever 10, it will come into contact with a plastic material and prevent noises generated by metallic materials.
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pedal 100 for motor vehicles of the invention, being a clutch pedal in this embodiment, with coupling means 30 and an actuator element 20 dismounted from the pedal 100. Figure 9 shows a side view of the pedal 100 of Figure 8, with the coupling means 30 and the actuator element 20 mounted on the pedal 100.
Said pedal 100 comprises a substantially U-shaped lever 10, said lever 10 comprising an axis of rotation 11 at one end about which the pedal 100 rotates, and a plate 16 at the other end on which the user applies force F. The pedal 100 also comprises an opening 12 going through the lever 10, the actuator element 20, which is an actuator rod in this embodiment, allowing transmission of the force F to an actuator (not shown in the drawings), and the coupling means 30 allowing pivotally coupling the lever 10 and the actuator element 20.
The actuator element 20 comprises engagement means 21 and a rod 23. The engagement means 21 comprise a hollow circular bearing 28 fixed to the rod 23 of said actuator element 20.
The coupling means 30 comprise a transmission element 60 fixed in a tight manner inside the opening 12 of the lever 10, the transmission element 60 being a pin in this embodiment.
Figure 10a shows a perspective view of the transmission element 60 of the pedal 100 of Figure 8, Figure 10b shows another perspective view of the transmission element 60 of Figure 10a, and Figure 10c shows a section view according to line Xc-Xc of the transmission element 60 of Figure 10a. The transmission element 60 is a substantially cylindrical and hollow body, comprising a central body 61, a head 62 extending continuously from the central body 61 in one direction and being arranged outside the opening 12 of the lever 10, and an end 63 extending continuously from the central body 61, in the direction opposite the head 62, and being arranged outside the opening 12 of the lever 10.
The central body 61 of the transmission element 60 comprises a central portion which is a shaft 31, a side portion 61a extending continuously from the shaft 31 in one direction and being attached to the head 62, and a side portion 61b extending continuously from the shaft 31 in the direction opposite the side portion 61a and being attached to the end 63. In this embodiment, the side portions 61a, 61b of the central body 61 are partially coated by strips or fluting projecting from the central body 61, four in number in this embodiment, and forming a coating 64. The transmission element 60 is preferably made of plastic with a low coefficient of friction, such as a mix of POM, aramide, and Teflon, for example. The fluting forming the coating 64 is made in the same plastic injection process in which the transmission element 60 is made.
Figure 11 shows a detailed section view according to line XI-XI of the pedal 100 of Figure 9, and Figure 12 shows a detailed section view according to line XII-XII of the pedal 100 of Figure 9. The opening 12 of the lever 10 is substantially cylindrical and comprises two side segments 12a, 12b offering an outlet for the side walls of the outside of the lever 10. The opening 12 also comprises a central segment 12c, having a larger diameter than the side segments 12a, 12b, and where the shaft 31 of the central body 61 of the transmission element 60 is arranged. This central segment 12c comprises an orthogonal opening 12d that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the opening 12, allowing introduction of the actuator element 20 when it is mounted on the pedal 100. When the transmission element 60 is mounted in the opening 12, the side portions 61a, 61b of the transmission element 60 are arranged in the side segments 12a, 12b of the opening 12, respectively. The coating 64 of the side portions 61a, 61b therefore interferes with the diameter of the side segments 12a, 12b, this interference allowing making the transmission element 60 and lever 10 integral with one another.
The shaft 31 of the transmission element 60 comprises elastic means 32, said elastic means 32 being arranged in a wall 65 of the shaft 31, projecting partially towards the outside of said shaft 31. When the actuator element 20 is mounted on the pedal 100, the circular bearing 28 of the engagement means 21 of said actuator element 20 is arranged inside the orthogonal opening 12d of the opening 12, and the transmission element 60 is then introduced in the opening 12, going through the hole of the circular bearing 28. In this assembly situation, said circular bearing 28 surrounds the shaft 31, the inner wall of the circular bearing 28 being arranged on the elastic means 32. Said elastic means 32 press the circular bearing 28 in one direction and keep the inner wall of the circular bearing 28 in contact with the wall 65 of the shaft 31 on the side opposite where the elastic means 32 press against circular bearing 28. The elastic means 32 therefore maintain permanent and rigid contact between the lever 10 and the actuator element 20 of the pedal 100 because the transmission element 60 is fixed in a tight manner to the lever 10, and the circular bearing 28 of the actuator element 20 is in backlash-free contact with the shaft 31 of the transmission element 60. So contact between the shaft 31 and the circular bearing 28 allows transmitting the actuation force F applied on the plate 16 of the lever 10 to the actuator element 20.
In this embodiment, the elastic means 32 comprise a flexible flange 34 cut and formed in the wall 65 of the shaft 31, said flexible flange 34 comprising an end 35 projecting towards the outside of said wall 65. This end 35 is what pushes against the inner wall of the circular bearing 28, keeping said circular bearing 28 in contact with the shaft 31 of the transmission element 60.
The transmission element 60 comprises positioning means 50 fixed to the opening 12 of the lever 10, these positioning means 50 allowing defining a direction D of the pressure applied by the elastic means 32 on the circular bearing 28 of the actuator element 20, as shown in Figure 10a. In this embodiment, the positioning means 50 of the transmission element 60 comprise two projections 71 extending radially from the end 63 and locking means 72 arranged in the head 62.
Figure 13a shows a detailed view of the inlet hole 18 of the opening 12 of the lever 10 of the pedal 100 of Figure 8, Figure 13b shows a detailed view of the inlet hole 18 of Figure 13a, with the transmission element 60 mounted, Figure 13c shows a detailed view of the outlet hole 19 of the opening 12 of the lever 10 of the pedal 100 of Figure 8, and Figure 13d shows a detailed view of the outlet hole 19 of Figure 13c, with the transmission element 60 mounted. The opening 12 of the lever 10 comprises an inlet hole 18 and an outlet hole 19. When the transmission element 60 is mounted in the opening 12, the inlet hole 18 allows passage of the projections 71 of the end 63 and of the central body 61 of said transmission element 60. On the other hand, the outlet hole 19 in this embodiment comprises a recess 71a, having such a shape that it only allows passage of the two projections 71 of the end 63 in a certain position of the transmission element 60. So upon introducing the transmission element 60 in the opening 12 and passing the two projections 71 through the recess 71a, the head 62 abuts against the wall of the lever 10 in the inlet hole 18 and the locking means 72 allow locking rotation of the transmission element 60. The elastic means 32 of the transmission element 60 are arranged in said locking position perimetrically at an angle α with respect to the locking position of the locking means 72. Said angle α defines the direction D of the pressure applied by the elastic means 32 in the area of contact of the wall 65 of the shaft 31 with the circular bearing 28, in the direction of the force F transmitted by the lever 10 to the actuator element 20.
For the transmission element 60 to be locked with respect to the lever 10 in a certain position, the wall of the lever 10 which is next to the inlet hole 18 of the opening 12 comprises two stops 72a, 72b having different thicknesses and shapes. The locking means 72 comprise two flexible fins 72c, 72d extending radially from the head 62, with two openings 73, 74 having different widths separating them. So upon introducing the transmission element 60 in the opening 12 and passing the two projections 71 through the recess 71a, the transmission element 60 stops and rotates 45° until the openings 73, 74 of the fins 72c, 72d fit with the stops 72a, 72b, respectively, preventing rotation of the transmission element 60 in the opposite direction. The connection between the transmission element 60 and the lever 10 is a bayonet-type, such that in order to release said transmission element 60 from its positioning, the user would have to apply pressure to release the fins 72c, 72d from the stops 72a, 72b and then rotate same in the opposite direction to release the two projections 71 from the recess 71a.

Claims

Pedal for motor vehicles comprising a lever (10), an actuator element (20) and coupling means (30) for coupling the lever (10) and the actuator element (20), the actuator element (20) transmitting an actuation force (F) applied on the lever (10) to an actuator, said lever (10) comprising an axis of rotation (11) and an opening (12) going through the lever (10), the actuator element (20) comprising engagement means (21), and the coupling means (30) comprising a shaft (31) arranged such that it goes through the opening (12) of the lever (10), said shaft (31) being coupled to the engagement means (21) of the actuator element (20), the shaft (31) allowing pivotally coupling the actuator element (20) and the lever (10), and elastic pressure means (32) arranged inside the opening (12) of the lever (10), the coupling means (30) comprising a transmission element (40; 60) fixed in the opening (12) of the lever (10), the transmission element (40; 60) comprising the elastic pressure means (32), characterized in that the elastic pressure means (32) assure permanent and rigid transmission of the actuation force (F) between the lever (10) and the actuator element (20), the transmission element (40; 60) comprising a main body, the elastic pressure means (32) comprising at least one flexible element (34) projecting from the main body of the transmission element (40; 60) and being compressed when the pedal (100) is mounted, the flexible element (34) being a flexible flange, the transmission element (40; 60) of the coupling means (30) comprising positioning means (50) fixed to the opening (12) of the lever (10), the positioning means (50) allowing orienting the elastic pressure means (32) to apply pressure in a certain direction (D).
Pedal according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means (50) are fixed to the opening (12) by form-fit.
Pedal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission element (40; 60) is formed by a single part.
Pedal according to claim 3, wherein the main body of the transmission element (40) is a bushing fixed in the opening (12) of the lever (10), comprising an opening (41) going through it longitudinally, which allows arranging the shaft (31) therein, the at least one flexible element (34) of the transmission element (40) projecting towards the inside of said opening (41), such that said at least one flexible element (34) presses the shaft (31) against an inner face (43) of said opening (41), thus maintaining permanent and rigid contact between the lever (10) and the actuator element (20) through the transmission element (40).
Pedal according to claim 4, wherein the positioning means (50) of the transmission element (40) comprise a guide (56) projecting from the bushing and being housed in a groove (13) of the opening (12) of the lever.
Pedal according to claim 5, wherein the positioning means (50) comprise stop means (51), which are an outer elevation in a side wall (42) of the transmission element (40), running along the entire perimeter at a distance d₁ from one end (46) of said transmission element (40); a protuberance (52) partially running longitudinally along the side wall (42), starting from the stop means (51), being elevated in an inclined ramp, and ending in a wall (53) perpendicular to the side wall (42), at a distance d₂ from the other end (47) of the transmission element (40); and a guiding protuberance (54) partially running longitudinally along the side wall (42), starting from the stop means (51), being elevated in an inclined ramp, and ending in a wall (55), perpendicular to the side wall (42), without reaching said side wall (42), at distance d₂ from the other end (47) of the transmission element (40), the guiding protuberance (54) being prolonged into the guide (56) to the other end (47) of the transmission element (40), the elastic pressure means (32) being arranged in the transmission element (40) perimetrically at an angle α with respect to the guide (56), said angle α defining the direction (D) of the pressure applied by the elastic pressure means (32) in the area of contact of the shaft (31) with the inner face (43) of the transmission element (40), an edge (14) of the profile of the lever (10) forming the opening (12) being coupled with the stop means (51) of the positioning means (50), and another edge (15) of the profile of the lever (10) being coupled with the wall (53) and the wall (55) of the protuberance (52) and of the guiding protuberance (54), respectively, of the positioning means (50), the ends (46, 47) of the transmission element (40) being arranged projecting from the lever (10).
Pedal according to claim 6, wherein the side wall (42) of the transmission element (40) comprises along the entire length thereof a gap (44), the gap (44) preferably forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the transmission element (40), the flexible element (34) of the elastic pressure means (32) being arranged on an edge (45) of the side wall (42) in the gap (44), and one end (35) of the flexible element (34) being inside the opening (41) of the transmission element (40).
Pedal according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the engagement means (21) of the actuator element (20) comprise a fork (22) fixed to a rod (23) of said actuator element (20), the fork (22) comprising two arms (24, 25) comprising respective holes (26, 27) going through the arms (24, 25), the arms (24, 25) of the fork (22) externally going around the lever (10) in the opening (12), the shaft (31) being fixed to the arms (24, 25) of the fork (22) in the holes (26, 27), the shaft (31) of the coupling means (30) being fixed to the engagement means (21) by going through the holes (26, 27).
Pedal according to claim 3, wherein the engagement means (21) comprise a circular bearing (28) that the shaft (31) goes through, the circular bearing (28) being housed in the opening (12) of the lever (10), said shaft (31) being integrated in the main body of the transmission element (60), the transmission element (60) forming a pin fixed in the opening (12) of the lever (10), wherein the at least one flexible element (34) of the elastic pressure means (32) projects towards the outside of the main body of the transmission element (60), such that said at least one flexible element (34) is compressed against the inner face of the circular bearing (28), pressing the shaft (31) against said circular bearing (28), thus maintaining permanent and rigid contact between the lever (10) and the actuator element (20) through the transmission element (60).
Pedal according to claim 9, wherein the transmission element (60), which is preferably a substantially cylindrical and hollow pin, comprises a central body (61) corresponding to the main body, a head (62) extending continuously from the central body (61), being arranged at least partially outside the opening (12) of the lever (10), and an end (63) extending continuously from the central body (61), opposite the head (62), being arranged at least partially outside the opening (12) of the lever (10), and the positioning means (50) of the transmission element (60) comprise at least one projection (71) extending radially from the end (63), and locking means (72) arranged in the head (62), the opening (12) of the lever (10) comprising an inlet hole (18) and an outlet hole (19), the inlet hole (18) allowing passage of the projection (71) of the end (63) and of the central body (61) of the transmission element (60), and the outlet hole (19) comprising at least one recess (71a) only allowing passage of the projection (71) in one position, such that upon introducing the transmission element (60) in the opening (12), and passing the projection (71) through the recess (71a), the head (62) abuts against the wall of the lever (10) in the inlet hole (18), and the locking means (72) cooperate with the lever (10) in a locking position, locking rotation of the transmission element (60), the elastic pressure means (32) being arranged in the transmission element (60) perimetrically at an angle α with respect to the locking position of the locking means (72), said angle α defining the direction (D) of the pressure applied by the elastic pressure means (32).
Pedal according to claim 10, wherein the central body (61) of the transmission element (60) comprises a central portion which is the shaft (31) of the coupling means (30), a side portion (61a) extending continuously from the shaft (31) and attached to the head (62), and a side portion (61b) extending continuously from the shaft (31) and attached to the end (63), the side portions (61a, 61b) of the central body (61) being completely or partially coated by a coating (64), the opening (12) comprising two side segments (12a, 12b) offering an outlet to the outside of the lever (10), and a central segment (12c), having a larger diameter than the side segments (12a, 12b) and where the shaft (31) is arranged, with an orthogonal opening (12d) that is orthogonal to the axis of the opening (12), allowing introduction of the circular bearing (28), the side portions (61a, 61b) of the transmission element (60) being arranged in the side segments (12a, 12b) of the opening (12), the coating (64) of the transmission element (60) interfering with the diameter of the side segments (12a, 12b), the circular bearing (28) being fixed to a rod (23) of the actuator element (20), and arranged inside the orthogonal opening (12d) of the opening (12) surrounding the shaft (31) on the elastic means (32) when the transmission element (60) is coupled to the opening (12), the at least one flexible element (34) of the elastic means (32) being arranged in a wall (65) of said shaft (31), said flexible element (34) comprising an end (35) projecting from said wall (65) towards the outside of the shaft (31).
Pedal according to claim 11, wherein the wall of the lever (10) which is next to the inlet hole (18) of the opening (12) comprises two stops (72a, 72b) having different thicknesses, and the locking means (72) comprise two flexible fins (72c, 72d) extending radially from the head (62), with two openings (73, 74) having different widths separating them, such that upon introducing the transmission element (60) in the opening (12) and passing the projection (71) through the recess (71a), the transmission element (60) rotates until the openings (73, 74) of the fins (72c, 72d) fit with the stops (72a, 72b), respectively, preventing rotation of the transmission element (60).