SE538210C2

SE538210C2 - Mechanical link system for pedal device

Info

Publication number: SE538210C2
Application number: SE1450869A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Stefan Alf; Mattias Ulenius
Original assignee: Cj Automotive Ab
Priority date: 2014-07-07
Filing date: 2014-07-07
Publication date: 2016-04-05
Also published as: EP3166814A4; SE1450869A1; CN106660451B; WO2016007075A1; CN106660451A; US20170168519A1; EP3166814B1; EP3166814A1

Description

538 210 a bracket device, a pedal arm pivotally arranged in relation to the bracket device at a first portion of the pedal arm, wherein the pedal arm is pivotable between at least a first position, a second position and a third position upon increasing or reducing a load on the pedal arm, wherein the pedal arm is unloaded in the first position and wherein an increasing load is required to pivot the pedal arm to the third position from the first position via the second position, a first link arm, a second link arm, a first spring device, a second spring device, wherein the pedal arm is mechanically interconnected to the first link arm, wherein a first portion of the first link arm is pivotally arranged to a first portion of the first spring device, and wherein a second portion of the first spring device is arranged to the bracket device, wherein a first portion of the second link arm is pivotally arranged to the bracket device, wherein a second portion of the second link arm is pivotally arranged to a second portion of the first link arm, wherein a third portion of the second link arm is connected to a first portion of the second spring device, wherein a second portion of the second spring device is arranged to the bracket device, wherein the pivoting of the pedal arm from the first position towards the second position causes the first spring device to be compressed at a higher rate than the second spring device, wherein the pivoting of the pedal arm from the second position to the third position causes the second spring device to be compressed at a higher rate than the first spring device.

[0007] According to another embodiment, the pedal arm is mechanically interconnected to the first link arm via a guide element that is slidingly connected to the first link arm.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the pedal arm is pivotally arranged to the guide element, at a third portion of the pedal arm, wherein a slide portion of the third link arm is slidingly arranged on the first link arm.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the slide portion comprises at least a hysteresis element adapted to slide against a surface portion of the first link arm.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the hysteresis element comprises a friction pad. 538 210

[0011] According to one embodiment, the distance from the first position (2a) to the third position of the pedal arm is between 30% to 20% of the overall length of the pedal arm 2, i.e. the distance between the end portions 2a and 2b.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the length |2 of the second link arm is in the range of 75% s l2 S 125% of the length I1 of the first link arm.

[0013] According to one embodiment, wherein a relative angle, between the pedal arm and the first link arm when the pedal arm is in a first position, is preferably between 40°and 75°, wherein the relative angle is more preferably between 45° and 55°

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first spring device has a lower spring force than the second spring device.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the first spring device has a first spring rate k1 in the range of4 N/mmsk1S40 N/mm, more preferably in the range of 7 N/mmsk1s15 N/mm, most preferably 10 N/mm.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the second spring device has a second spring rate k2 in the range of 5 N/mm sk2S25 N/mm, more preferably in the range of 8 N/mmsk2s16 N/mm

[0017] According to one embodiment, the pedal device is a brake pedal device, an accelerator pedal device or a clutch pedal device.

Brief description of drawinqs

[0018] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mechanical link system for a pedal device according to the invention.

[0020] Figs. 2a-2c show a mechanical links system for a pedal device according to Fig. 1, in three separate positions. 538 210

[0021] Figs. 2a'-2c' show side views of the invention according to Figs. 2a-2c respectively.

[0022] Figs. 3a-3d show positions in a pedal force curve corresponding to the positions of Figs. 2a-2c.

Description of embodiments

[0023] ln the following, a detailed description of the invention will be given. ln the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. lt will be appreciated that these figures are for illustration only and are not in any way restricting the scope of the inven?on.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 according to the invention. Pedal arm 2 is pivotally arranged in relation to a bracket 5 at a portion 2a of the pedal arm 2 by the aid of a pivot shaft 2a'. By being pivotally arranged in relation to the bracket 5, the pedal arm 2 may be arranged directly to the bracket 5 or via other parts. According to one embodiment, the portion 2a is essentially at an end point of the pedal arm 2.

According to one embodiment, a pedal portion is arranged at the opposite end portion 2b of the pedal arm 2. The bracket 5 may be rigidly arranged to another second bracket 4 (not shown) or the vehicle body. A first link arm 6 of the mechanical link system 1 is provided, wherein the first link arm 6 is adapted to pivot in relation to the bracket 5. According to one embodiment, the portion 6a is essentially at an end point of the first link arm 6, as seen in Figs 2a-2a'. A slide element 11 is arranged at a third portion 2c of the pedal arm 2, via a relatively short pin portion extending essentially perpendicular from the pedal arm 2. .

According to one embodiment, the slide element 11 is pivotally arranged at a third portion 2c by the aid of a pivot axis 2c'. According to one embodiment, the third portion 2c/pivot axis 2c' is arranged at a distance from the en portion 2a which is between 30% to 20% of the overall length of the pedal arm 2, i.e. the distance between the end portions 2a and 2b. According to one embodiment, the pivot axis 2c' is arranged at a distance from the end portion 2a which is 25% the overall 538 210 length of the pedal arm 2. A second portion 11b of the guide element 11 is arranged on the first link arm 6, wherein the pedal arm 2 is mechanically interconnected to the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the mechanical interconnection between the pedal arm 2 and the first link arms is manifested by that the guide element 11 is slidingly arranged on the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the guide element 11 comprises a slide portion 11b which comprises at least a hysteresis element 11d adapted to slide against a surface portion of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, a center point of the second portion 11b of link arm 11, corresponding to position of the pivot axis 2c', is arranged at a distance from portion 6a corresponding to between 40% to 60% of the overall length of link arm 6, i.e. the distance between 6a and 6b of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, a center point of the the second portion 11b of link arm 11, corresponding to position of the pivot axis 2c', is arranged at a distance from portion 6a corresponding to between 45% and 55% of the overall length of link arm 6, i.e. the distance between 6a and 6b of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the relative angle, i.e. the “attack angle” between the pedal arm 2 and the first link arm 6 when the pedal arm 2 is in a first position, is between 40°and 75°. According to one embodiment, the relative angle is between 45° and 55°. According to one embodiment the relative angle is 47°.

According to one embodiment, the hysteresis element 11d comprises a plastic pad or friction pad. According to one embodiment, the surface portion of the first link arm 6 adapted to receive the hysteresis portion 11d is a curved surface portion 6d.

According to one embodiment, the surface portion of the first link arm 6 adapted to receive the hysteresis portion 11d is a straight surface portion 6d. According to one embodiment, the slide portion 11b comprises a plurality of wall portions that at least partly encompasses the first link arm 6 and whose inner portions are adapted to slide against a respective surface portion of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the first link arm 6 has a length l1 in the range of 65mm sl1s85mm.

According to one embodiment, l1 is 81 mm.

[0025] A second link arm 7 is pivotally arranged to the bracket device 5 at a first portion 7a of the second link arm 7. According to one embodiment, the second link arm 7 is pivotally arranged to the bracket device 5 by the aid of a pivot shaft 7a'. 538 210 According to one embodiment, the first portion 7a is arranged at an end portion of the second link arm 7. A second portion 7b is pivotally arranged to the first link arm 6, at the second portion 6b of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the first and second link arms 6, 7 are pivotally connected by the aid of a pivot shaft 6b'. According to one embodiment, the second link arm 7 has a length l2, i.e. the distance from 7a to 7b, in the range of 75%-125% of I1 . According to one embodiment, l2 is 69mm.

[0026] The bracket 5 may be arranged to a second bracket 4 or the vehicle body (none shown), by the aid of bolts, or a screws and nut connection.

[0027] A first spring device 8 is arranged to the first link arm 6 at a first portion 8a of the first spring device 8. According to one embodiment, the first portion 8a is pivotally arranged to the first link arm 6 via a pivot shaft, preferably the pivot shaft 6a'. A second portion 8b of the first spring device 8 is arranged to the bracket 5.

According to one embodiment, the second portion 8b is connected to the bracket 5 in a loose articulated manner. According to one embodiment, the first spring device 8 is pivotally arranged to the bracket 5, via a pivot shaft 8b'. According to one embodiment, the first spring rate k1 of the first spring device 8 is in the range of 4 N/mmsk1S40 N/mm, more preferably in the range of 7 N/mmsk1s15 N/mm.

According to one embodiment, the first spring rate is 10 N/mm. According to one embodiment, the first spring rate is lower than the spring rate of the second spring device 9. According to one embodiment, the first spring device 8 may comprise a plurality of springs. According to one embodiment, the plurality of springs may be arranged coaxially in relation to each other. According to one embodiment, the plurality of springs may have different spring rates.

[0028] A second spring device 9 is arranged to the second link arm 7 at a first portion 9a of the second spring device 9. According to one embodiment, the first portion 9a of the second spring device is arranged to a third portion 7c of the second link arm 7. According to one embodiment, the first portion 9a of the second spring device is arranged to the second link arm 7 in a loose articulated manner.

According to one embodiment, the second spring device 9 is pivotally arranged to the second link arm 7, via a pivot shaft 7c'. A second portion 9b of the second 538 210 spring device 9 is arranged to the bracket 5. According to one embodiment, the second portion 9b is connected to the bracket 5 in a loose articulated manner.

According to one embodiment, the first spring device 9 is pivotally arranged to the bracket 5, via a pivot shaft 9b'. According to one embodiment, the second spring rate k2 of the second spring device 9 is in the range of 5 N/mmsk2s25 N/mm, more preferably in the range of 8 N/mmsk2s16 N/mm. According to one embodiment, the spring rate of the second spring 9 is lower than the spring rate of the first spring device 8. According to one embodiment, the second spring device 9 may comprise a plurality of springs. According to one embodiment, the plurality of springs may be arranged coaxiaiiy in relation to each other. According to one embodiment, the plurality of springs may have different spring rates.

[0029] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2a' shows a side view of the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 in a first position of the pedal arm 2. According to one embodiment the first position corresponds to an equilibrium state of the mechanical link system 1. According to one embodiment, the first position corresponds to a state of the mechanical link system 1, wherein the pedal arm 2 is in its most expanded, i.e. least compressed or activated, state. According to one embodiment, both the first and second spring devices 8, 9 are pre-tensioned against a respective anvil, (not shown) wherein the second spring device 9 is more pre-tensioned that the first spring device 8. Hence, according to one embodiment, the spring force of the second spring device 9 is larger than the spring force of the first spring device 8. Further, the guide element 11 is in a first position along the first link arm 6, and the first spring device 8 and the second spring device 9 are both in their most extended positions available in the mechanical link system 1.

[0030] Fig. 2b and Fig. 2b' shows a side view of the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 in a second position of the pedal arm 2 whereby the pedal arm 2 has pivoted around the pivot shaft 2a' from the position of Figs. 2a, 2a'.

Since the pivot points 2a' and 6a' are not in the identical spatial position, the third arm 11 have slid slightly along the first link arm 6, i.e. the hysteresis portion 11d has slid along the surface 6c of the first link arm 6. At the same time a force is transmitted from the pedal arm 2 via the guide element 11 to the first link arm 6 538 210 causing the first pivot arm 6 to pivot around the pivot shaft 6b'. The relatively higher pre-tension force of the second spring device 9 will primarily compress the first spring device 8 during this movement, i.e. compress the first spring device 8 at a higher rate than the second spring device 9. This will occur until a point where the spring force of the first spring device 8 corresponds to the spring force of the second spring device 9. This second position shows a side view of the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 whereby the first spring device 8 has been fully compressed. Slightly before this position, the spring force of the first spring device 8 overcame the spring force of the second spring device 9 due to its compressed state and increasing spring force. Therefore, to a larger extent and at a higher rate than previously during the described movement, the second spring device 9 started to be compressed. This continued until the full compression of the spring device 8. The hysteresis portion 11d has slid further along the surface 6c of the first link arm 6. According to one embodiment, the second position occurs at the position of the pedal arm 2, wherein a further incremental pivoting of the pedal arm 2, will cause the first spring device 8 to be compressed at a essentially similar compression rate as the compression rate of the second spring device 9. Any further pivoting of the pedal arm 2 thereafter will result in a higher compression rate of the second spring device 9 than the first spring device 8.

[0031] Fig. 2 and Fig. 2c' shows a view of the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 in a third position of the pedal arm 2 whereby the pedal arm 2 has pivoted further around the pivot shaft 2a' from the position of Fig. 2b/Fig 2b', whereby the second spring device 9 has been almost fully compressed. As noted the first spring device 8 has remained fully compressed from the second to the third position of the pedal arm 2. The hysteresis portion 11d has slid further along the surface 6c of the first link arm 6. Thus, with reference to Fig 2a-2c, and Figs. 2a'-2c' respectively, the pivoting of the pedal arm 2 from the first position to but not including the second position, i.e towards the second position, causes the first spring device 8 to be compressed at a higher rate than the second spring device 9, wherein the pivoting of the pedal arm 2 from the second position to the third position causes the second spring device 9 to be compressed at a higher rate than the first spring device 8. 538 210

[0032] Figs. 3a-3d shows the pedal force acting on the driver in relation to the amount of compression/pivoting of the pedal arm 2, i.e. in relation to the positions described in Figs. 2a-2c, and Figs. 2a'-2c' with corresponding markings a-c referring to said positions respectively in Fig. 3a.

[0033] Fig. 3a shows a pedal force curve, wherein the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 may be used in a brake pedal device. ln Fig. 3a, force in Newton is shown in the y-axis and travel in mm is shown in the x-axis.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the brake pedal device 10 may be used in an electrical brake system, often referred to as brake-by-wire, wherein position sensors tracks the position of the pedal arm 2 to generate a corresponding brake force on the wheels, to simulate the feel of a traditional mechanical brake system. ln brake-by-wire systems, the driver may experience discomfort since the common relationship between pedal force and brake force allowing a driver to drive in a balanced and safe manner without such simulation is not present. Further, in the brake-by -wire system fail-safe brake capabilities need to be provided, wherein a mechanical braking function sets in if the electrical brake would fail for any reason.

A challenge is to combine the existence of a mechanical link system 1 simulating the feel and pedal force and the mechanical braking function, so that the mechanical brake function may be used without requiring an unrealistically high compression force. ln essence, during normal driving, the driver compresses the pedal arm 2 so that its position is anywhere between the first and third positions. ln a panic situation, i.e. during hard breaking, the pedal force may be in the position X between the second and third position. The line in Fig. 3a between point b and point c further shows the pedal force if the mechanical brake function is initiated.

The flattened curve established by the use of the mechanical link system 1 prevents the total force sensed by the driver from becoming too high, i.e. as the required force to activate the mechanical brake function has to be added to the force provided by the mechanical link system 1. Therefore, the combination of further compression of the pedal without essentially adding the required pedal force needs to be resolved. The flattened curve, shown in the curve and corresponding to between the second and third position enables this. 538 210

[0035] Fig. 3b shows a pedal force curve wherein the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 may suitably be used in a clutch pedal device, i.e. wherein the variables of the mechanical link system 1 described above has been selected to achieve this pedal force curve.

[0036] Fig. 3c shows a pedal force curve wherein the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 may suitably be used in a clutch pedal device, i.e. wherein the variables of the mechanical link system 1described above has been selected to achieve this pedal force curve.

[0037] Fig. 3d shows a pedal force curve wherein the mechanical link system 1 for a pedal device 10 may suitably be used in an accelerator pedal device, i.e. wherein the variables of the mechanical link system 1 described above has been selected to achieve this pedal force curve.

[0038] A preferred embodiment of a mechanical link system for a pedal device according to the invention has been described. However, the person skilled in the art realizes that this can be varied within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive idea.

[0039] All the described alternative embodiments above or parts of an embodiment can be freely combined without departing from the inventive idea as long as the combination is not contradictory.

Claims

538 2 PATENTKRAV

1. Ett mekaniskt lanksystem (1) for en pedalanordning (10), innefattande: en konsolanordning (5), en pedalarm (2) vridbart anordnad i relation till konsolanordningen (5) vid en forsta del (2a) av pedalarmen (2), varvid pedalarmen är vridbar mellan atminstone en fOrsta position, en andra position och en tredje position genom att aka eller minska en belastning pa pedalarmen (2), varvid pedalarmen är obelastad i den forsta positionen och varvid en okande belastning kravs for att vrida pedalarmen (2) till den tredje positionen fran den forsta positionen via den andra positionen, en forsta lankarm (6), en andra lankarm (7), en forsta fjaderanordning (8), en andra fjaderanordning (9), varvid pedalarmen (2) är mekaniskt sammankopplad till den fOrsta lankarmen (6), varvid en forsta del (6a) av den forsta lankarmen (6) är vridbart anordnad till en forsta del (8a) av den forsta fjaderanordningen (8), och varvid en andra del (8b) av den forsta fjaderanordningen (8) är anordnad till konsolanordningen (5), varvid en forsta del (7a) av den andra lankarmen (7) är vridbart anordnad till konsolanordningen (5), varvid en andra del (7b) av den andra lankarmen (7) är vridbart anordnad till en andra del (6b) av den forsta lankarmen (6), varvid en tredje del (7c) av den andra lankarmen (7) är kopplad till en forsta del (9a) av den andra fjaderanordningen (9), varvid en andra del (9b) av den andra fjaderanordningen (9) är anordnad till konsolanordningen (5), varvid vridningen av pedalarmen (2) fran den forsta positionen mot den andra positionen gor att den forsta fjaderanordningen (8) sammanpressas i en hogre fart an den andra fjaderanordningen (9), varvid vridningen av pedalarmen (2) fran den andra positionen till den tredje positionen gOr att den andra fjaderanordningen (9) sammanpressas i en hogre fart an den forsta fjaderanordningen (8), varvid pedalarmen (2) är mekaniskt sammankopplad med den forsta lankarmen (6) via ett guideelement (11) som är glid2bart kopplat till den forsta lankarmen (6).

2. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt krav 1, varvid pedalarmen (2) är vridbart anordnad till guideelementet (11) vid en tredje del (2c) av pedalarmen (2), varvid 538 2 en gliddel (11b) av den tredje lankarmen (11) är glidbart anordnad pa den forsta lankarmen (6).

3. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid avstandet fran pedalarmens (2) forsta del (2a) till dess tredje del (2c) är mellan 30% och 20 % av pedalarmens (2) totala langd, dvs. avstandet mellan pedalarmens anddelar (2a och 2b).

4. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid den andra lankarmens (7) langd 12 är inom omradet 75c1/012125% av den thrsta lankarmens (6) langd 11.

5. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av thregaende krav, varvid en relativ vinkel, mellan pedalarmen (2) och den thrsta lankarmen (6) nar pedalarmen (2) är i en forsta position, foretradesvis är mellan 40°och 75°, varvid den relativa vinkeln mer foretradesvis är mellan 45'och 0 .

6. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid den thrsta fjaderanordningen (8) har en lagre fjaderkraft an den andra fjaderanordningen (9).

7. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid den forsta fjaderanordningen (8) har en thrsta fjaderkonstant k1 inom omradet 4 N/mnik140 N/mm, mer foretradesvis inom omradet 7 N/mrnk11 5 N/mm, mest thretradesvis 10 N/mm.

8. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid den andra fjaderanordningen (9) har en andra fjaderkonstant k2 inom omradet 5 N/mm N/mm, mer foretradesvis inom omradet 8 N/mnik216 N/mm.

9. Mekaniskt lanksystem (1) enligt nagot av foregaende krav, varvid pedalanordningen (2) är en bromspedalanordning en gaspedalanordning eller en kopplingspedalanordning. 538 2 1/6