FR2862933A1 - Clutch pedal control device for motor vehicle, has blades with slots outside case oriented towards power train that is displaced under effect of impact subjected to motor vehicle, so as to decrease pressure in braking pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has blades (15) with points situated proximate to braking pipes (3) of a hydraulic control system. The blades are housed partially inside a case (11) and have slots outside the case oriented towards a power train (18). The train is displaced under the effect of impact subjected to a motor vehicle, so as to decrease the pressure in the pipes.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A PEDAL FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

  The present invention relates to the control devices of a pedal for motor vehicles and more particularly those for the depression of a pedal during a sudden shock suffered by the vehicle.

  During a sudden shock, causing the stopping of the vehicle, the presence of pedals in the lower part of the cabin is a danger to the driver's safety, whose legs may come crashing into the pedals. It is therefore sought by car manufacturers to produce pedals able to collapse following a violent shock, since keeping them in an initial position can be dangerous for the driver, and that this driver no longer has any use of such pedals since the vehicle is immobilized.

  Such a device is disclosed in the unpublished document FR 02 16351 filed by the applicant. In this device, a direct action is generated by a lever so that the position of the axis of the pedal is changed and the brake pedal is retracted. It is also known devices of this type in which one tries to mechanically push the brake pedal to the bottom of the cabin, again by a direct action on the brake pedal.

  These devices have the disadvantage of being expensive and bulky in the crankset area. In addition, the use of such a device is affected by the random nature of the shocks. Indeed, even if a brutal shock suffered by a vehicle now no longer causes a deformation to flow in at least one hydraulic circuit pipe, this device being provided with a means of depression of the pedal in case of. violent shock to the vehicle.

  This device is characterized in that the sagging means is formed of a first element able to move under the effect of the shock, and capable of generating a decrease in pressure in at least one pipe of the hydraulic circuit.

  According to a feature of the present invention, the first element is formed of at least one blade which is partially housed inside a housing, and which has a base located outside the housing, and one which, in a first rest position, is located opposite the at least one pipe of the hydraulic circuit, without contact.

  2862933 2 of a shock many make random in the cockpit actions of elements It is an object of the invention to provide a 'control device of a pedal that does not have the disadvantages raised above and which ; in particular, makes it possible not to weigh down the pedal in normal use and To meet these objectives, the invention proposes a device for controlling a pedal for a motor vehicle in which the mechanical movement of a pedal corresponds to a hydraulic pressure. of liquid that minimizes the passenger compartment that undergoes shaking which According to a feature of the present invention, the base of the first element is adapted to cooperate with the movement of a constituent element of the front block, this displacement then being transmitted to first element. Thus, the base of the first element may have a shape adapted to come into contact with the powertrain of the vehicle, when it is moving after the violent impact. This embodiment has the advantage of using the displacement of the powertrain which is large enough to generate the displacement of the first element.

  According to various embodiments, the base of the first element may have a flat surface capable of coming into contact with the power unit when it is initially substantially in the axis of the housing. The base of the first element may also have an arm which extends radially to this base and which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the powertrain after the shock.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, a liquid retention system, which leaks from the hydraulic circuit pipe, is formed inside the housing. This has the advantage of not generating a dangerous leak for the vehicle or for the environment. The sealing and the impact protection of this retaining means is thus ensured by the housing.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the housing has openings capable of guiding the blades and openings capable of holding the at least one hydraulic circuit pipe. The housing thus advantageously replaces at least two staple zones which allowed in the state of the art to hold the brake pipes, for example, against the deck.

  According to one characteristic of the invention, the pedal is a brake pedal, its mechanical displacement corresponding to a hydraulic pressure of brake fluid directed towards the ABS distributor and / or to the brake devices applied to the wheels via a brake pedal. at least one brake pipe, and the sagging means is formed of a first element able to move under the effect of a shock, and thus capable of generating a decrease in the pressure in at least one brake pipe .

  According to different embodiments, the sheared brake pipe connects the vehicle master cylinder to the ABS distributor or connects the ABS distributor to the brake devices applied to the wheels.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the pedal is a clutch pedal.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a pedal control device according to the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention, before a violent shock.

  Figure 3 is a sectional view of the housing and blades forming part of the device according to the invention, during a violent impact.

  In the following description, a longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientation will be adopted in a nonlimiting manner according to the orientation conventionally used in the automobile and indicated by the trihedron L, V, T of FIG.

  The invention aims to generate, when a sudden shock is detected, a leak in the hydraulic circuit connected to a clutch or brake pedal. For reasons of understanding of the description, the invention will be described with respect to a brake pedal and the associated circuit. It will be understood that the invention applies by analogy to a clutch pedal.

  The aim of the invention is to generate, when a sudden shock is detected, a leak in the braking system 1 formed by the pedal, not shown, the master cylinder 2, the braking hoses 3, the ABS distributor 4 and the control devices. brake 5 applied to the wheels 6, so as to evacuate the brake fluid circulating therein and thus reduce the pressure throughout the system 1. When the pressure in this system 1 decreases, the brake pedal does not undergo any effort contrary to the gravity and therefore sags faster, regardless of whether the driver is exerting a force on the brake pedal or that he does not have his feet on the brake pedal.

  As represented in FIG. 1, a conventional braking system 1 is formed of a brake pedal on which the driver acts, the mechanical displacement of this pedal being translated by means of a master cylinder 2, and possibly a brake amplifier, in a hydraulic pressure directed towards the ABS distributor 4 and / or to the brake devices applied to the wheels 6. This hydraulic pressure is ensured by the transfer of a brake fluid into brake pipes 3 which can Connect the master cylinder 2 to the distributor. ABS 4, the master cylinder 2 to the brake devices 5 applied to the wheels 6, the ABS distributor 4 to the brake devices 5.

  The invention aims to cut at least one brake pipe 3, so as to evacuate the brake fluid circulating therein and thus reduce the pressure throughout the braking system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a housing 11 is fixed on the deck 12 and its sides 13 have at least one opening capable of allowing brake pipes 3 to pass inside this housing 11. The end 14 of the housing 11 opposite the apron 12 has at least one opening, and each of these openings lo allows the insertion into the housing of a first element, for example a blade 15, so that a blade 15 is facing a 3. These blades 15 are formed of a tip 16 which is located near the pipes 3 inside the housing 11, and a base 17 which is located outside the housing 11, oriented to the powertrain 18.

  During a sudden shock, the power unit 18 moves towards the passenger compartment 19 and comes into contact with the bases 17 of the blades 15. These accompany the movement of the power unit 18, shown in FIG. such that the tips 16 come to shear the pipes 3. The bases 17 of the blades 15 have a surface substantially perpendicular to the axis of displacement of the power unit 18 after a violent impact. It will therefore be understood that these bases 17 and / or the housing 11 may have a vertical configuration in the case of an architecture of the front block of the vehicle which leaves the power unit 18 to move horizontally after an impact, or to present a configuration substantially oblique, as shown in Figure 2, since increasingly, the power units are oriented towards the ground in case of shock to prevent their intrusion into the passenger compartment.

  It will be understood that, for reasons of the architecture type of the front block of the vehicle for example, the power unit 18 and the housing 11 may not be substantially in a longitudinal alignment. The bases 17 of the blades 15 can then be linked to the same arm, not shown, which extends substantially perpendicular to the estimated direction of the power unit 18 after the shock. The movement of the power unit 18 can thus be transmitted to the blades 15 via this arm.

  The housing 11 firstly allows the support and guidance of the blades 15, so that a movement of these blades 15 after shock invariably causes the section of at least one of the brake pipes 3. The housing 11 also allows a fixation brake pipes 3, which allows "to save staples which are usually used to maintain these pipes 3 against the deck 12 for example.It also allows essential management of the evacuation of the brake fluid: the liquid, springing under pressure, can be very dangerous if it comes into contact with the exhaust, for example, the housing 11 can then keep the fluid inside and thus achieve the seal, or more simply have a shape adapted to direct the liquid in In the first case, the retention of the brake fluid can be carried out directly by the sealed housing 11 or by a retaining means, for example a receptacle, mounted in the inside the case 11.

  The optimal embodiment is to cut in the event of impact at least one of the brake pipes 3 connecting the master cylinder 2 and the ABS distributor 4 (it is commonly spoken of two pipes 3 primary and secondary, but there is no degree of importance between the two). It will be understood that it is also possible to cut other brake pipes 3, for example between the ABS distributor 4 and the braking devices 5 applied to the wheels 6.

  The blades 15 are arranged opposite the pipes 3 to be sectioned. These blades must be dimensioned to be able to shear the pipes 3 and generate at least one leak for shock with a displacement of the power unit 18 of 5mm and 100 daN. Indeed, the cutting of a pipe 3 is not mandatory, a leak is sufficient to generate a sufficient depression.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and Io illustrated which has been given as an example. Thus, it can also be envisaged that the first element 15 moves under the action of an air filter, a water box or a battery. Those skilled in the art will understand that then these elements must be rigid enough to cause the required displacement of the first element.

Claims (12)

  1. / Pedal control device (1) for a motor vehicle in which the mechanical displacement of a pedal corresponds to a hydraulic fluid pressure which circulates in at least one pipe (3) of hydraulic circuit, this device (1) being equipped with means of depression of the pedal in the event of a violent shock to the vehicle, characterized in that the sagging means is formed of a first element (15) able to move under the effect of the shock , and capable of generating a decrease in pressure in at least one pipe (3) of the hydraulic circuit.   2. / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first element is formed of at least one blade (15) which is partially housed inside a housing (11), and which comprises a base (17). ) located outside the housing (11), and a tip (16) which, in a first rest position, is located opposite the at least one pipe (3) of the hydraulic circuit, without contact.   3. / Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the base 20 (17) of the first element (15) is adapted to cooperate with the displacement of a constituent element of the front block, this displacement being then transmitted to the first element (15).   4. / Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the base 25 (17) of the first element (15) has a shape adapted to come into contact with Io the powertrain (18) of the vehicle, when the it is moving after the violent shock.   5. / Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the base 5 (17) of the first element (15) has a flat surface, adapted to come into contact with the power unit (18), when the latter is initially substantially in the axis of the housing (11).   6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the base (17) of the first element (15) has an arm which extends radially to this base (17) and which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the group. motor-propeller (18) after the shock.   7. A device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a brake fluid holding system which leaks from the pipe (3) of the hydraulic circuit is formed inside the housing (11). ).   8. / Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the housing (11) has openings adapted to guide the blades (15) and openings adapted to maintain the at least one pipe (3) of hydraulic circuit.   9. / Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pedal is a brake pedal (1), its mechanical displacement corresponding to a hydraulic brake fluid pressure directed to the ABS distributor (4) and / or to the brake devices (5) applied to the wheels (6) via at least one brake pipe (3), and in that the collapsing means is formed of a first element (15). ) able to move under the effect of the shock, and capable of generating a decrease in pressure in at least one brake pipe (3).   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the brake pipe (3), which is adapted to be sheared during a violent impact, connects the master cylinder (2) of the vehicle to the ABS distributor (4).   11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the brake pipe (3), which is adapted to be sheared during a violent impact, connects the dispatcher.ABS (4) to the brake devices (5) applied to the wheels (6).   12./ Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pedal is a clutch pedal (1).