US20200326745A1 - Pedal apparatus for driver protection - Google Patents
Pedal apparatus for driver protection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20200326745A1 US20200326745A1 US16/532,963 US201916532963A US2020326745A1 US 20200326745 A1 US20200326745 A1 US 20200326745A1 US 201916532963 A US201916532963 A US 201916532963A US 2020326745 A1 US2020326745 A1 US 2020326745A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pedal
- bracket
- pin
- collision
- switch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 208000018982 Leg injury Diseases 0.000 description 6
- 206010061225 Limb injury Diseases 0.000 description 6
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000003423 ankle Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
- B60R21/09—Control elements or operating handles movable from an operative to an out-of-the way position, e.g. pedals, switch knobs, window cranks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K23/00—Arrangement or mounting of control devices for vehicle transmissions, or parts thereof, not otherwise provided for
- B60K23/02—Arrangement or mounting of control devices for vehicle transmissions, or parts thereof, not otherwise provided for for main transmission clutches
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K26/00—Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles
- B60K26/02—Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles of initiating means or elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
- B60T7/02—Brake-action initiating means for personal initiation
- B60T7/04—Brake-action initiating means for personal initiation foot actuated
- B60T7/06—Disposition of pedal
- B60T7/065—Disposition of pedal with means to prevent injuries in case of collision
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
- G05G1/32—Controlling members actuated by foot with means to prevent injury
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
- G05G1/32—Controlling members actuated by foot with means to prevent injury
- G05G1/327—Controlling members actuated by foot with means to prevent injury means disconnecting the pedal from its hinge or support, e.g. by breaking or bending the support
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R2021/003—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks characterised by occupant or pedestian
- B60R2021/0039—Body parts of the occupant or pedestrian affected by the accident
- B60R2021/0053—Legs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- B60Y2304/00—Optimising design; Manufacturing; Testing
- B60Y2304/05—Reducing production costs, e.g. by redesign
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
- G05G1/44—Controlling members actuated by foot pivoting
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a pedal apparatus for driver protection, and more particularly, to a pedal apparatus for driver protection, which can maximally prevent a driver's leg injury (shin strike, ankle twist, etc.) caused by a pedal apparatus upon occurrence of collision and rear-end collision accidents.
- a driver's leg injury shin strike, ankle twist, etc.
- a dash panel under a driver seat is mounted with an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a clutch pedal that are operated by a driver's foot.
- Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection for preventing the rearward pushback of a pedal arm and preventing the rearward rotation thereof upon occurrence of accident by use of a cowl bracket and a switch bracket coupled to a pedal member, and an object of the present invention is to maximally prevent the driver's leg injury without increasing the number of parts and increasing cost.
- a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection of the present invention for achieving the object may include a switch bracket rotatably coupled to a pedal member by a hinge pin; and a collision removal pin fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably coupled to the pedal member, and the switch bracket rotates a pedal arm forwards by contacting with the pedal arm while rotating around the hinge pin when the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member.
- the pedal arm is coupled to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around a hinge bolt coupling the pedal arm to the pedal member; the hinge pin is coupled to the pedal member at a rearward side position with respect to the hinge bolt; and the collision removal pin is detachably coupled to the pedal member at a lower side position of the hinge pin.
- the pedal apparatus configured for driver protection may further include a cowl bracket fixedly connected to the pedal member; one side of the switch bracket is configured to contact with the cowl bracket in a response that the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member; the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin when one side of the switch bracket contacts with the cowl bracket; and the other side of the switch bracket is configured to contact with the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forwards in a response that the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin.
- a fixing hole to which the hinge pin is coupled and a fixing groove to which the collision removal pin is detachably coupled are formed in the pedal member;
- the fixing hole is formed as a hole of a closed curve for preventing detachment of the hinge pin from pedal member; and
- the fixing groove is formed as an arc groove of an opened structure for detachably coupling the collision removal pin therein.
- First and second protrusions are formed at both end portions of the fixing groove to enclose the collision removal pin between the first and second protrusions for fitting and coupling the collision removal pin therebetween.
- the diameter of the hinge pin is formed to be greater than or equal to a diameter of the collision removal pin for preventing deformation of the hinge pin.
- a cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket is formed to be thicker than a cross-sectional thickness of the pedal member and a cross-sectional thickness of the switch bracket is formed to be thicker than a cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket.
- a portion of the cowl bracket contacting with the switch bracket includes a bending forming portion for securing rigidity of the cowl bracket.
- the switch bracket may include a member coupling portion to which the hinge pin rotatably coupled to the pedal member is fixed; a cowl contact portion configured for contacting with the cowl bracket in a response that the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member as a portion which is bent at and extended to one side of the member coupling portion; a switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin and a switch are fixedly coupled as a portion which is bent at and extended to the other side of the member coupling portion; and a stopper portion for contacting with the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forwards in a response that the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin as a portion which is bent and extended from the switch coupling portion toward the pedal arm.
- a slot hole is formed in a portion of the switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin is coupled; and one end portion of a pedal spring is inserted to be coupled to the collision removal pin.
- the pedal apparatus configured for driver protection can maximally prevent the driver's leg injury caused by the pedal arm as the pedal arm is forcibly rotated forwards to be away from the driver upon occurrence of the collision and rear-end collision accidents, and particularly, a configuration of forcibly rotating the pedal arm forwards is a configuration of using the cowl bracket and the switch bracket, which are previously used, and can implement the driver protection function without largely increasing parts, reducing weight and saving cost as compared with other existing structures.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a side diagram, a bottom perspective diagram, and an exploded perspective diagram of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is an exploded diagram of a pedal member and a switch bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a side diagram of the coupling state of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram of a portion where a cowl bracket is disposed in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 8 is a side diagram for explaining an operating state of the pedal apparatus in an accident.
- a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection includes a pedal member 10 fixed at a dash panel 1 under a driver seat; a pedal arm 30 coupled to the pedal member 10 to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around hinge bolt 21 and a nut 22 ; a cowl bracket 40 fixedly connected to the upper side of the pedal member 10 by welding and connected to a cowl panel; a hinge pin 50 rotatably coupled to the pedal member 10 ; a switch bracket 60 fixedly connected to the hinge pin 50 by welding and rotatably coupled to the pedal member 10 by the hinge pin 50 ; and a collision removal pin 70 fixedly connected to the switch bracket 60 by welding and detachably coupled to the pedal member 10 .
- the front side of the pedal member 10 is coupled with the dash panel 1 , the left and right side surfaces extending from the forward to the rearward are formed in parallel, and the pedal member 10 is formed in an opened structure in the rearward and the vertical direction thereof.
- a bolt hole 11 is formed to penetrate the left and right side surfaces of the pedal member 10 , and the hinge bolt 21 sequentially penetrates the bolt hole 11 and a hinge pipe 31 of the pedal arm 30 and then, is coupled with the nut 22 , such that the pedal arm 30 becomes a structure which is coupled to the pedal member 10 to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around the hinge bolt 21 .
- the hinge pipe 31 is coupled to the upper end portion of the pedal arm 30 and a pad 32 operated by the driver's foot is coupled to the lower end portion thereof.
- a fixing hole 12 to which the hinge pin 50 is coupled and a fixing groove 13 to which the collision removal pin 70 is coupled at the positions of the rearward and the upper side thereof with respect to the bolt hole 11 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the pedal member 10 .
- the fixing hole 12 is formed as a hole of a closed curve so that the hinge pin 50 is prevented from being removed from the pedal member 10 upon collision, and conversely, the fixing groove 13 is formed in an arc groove structure of an opened structure so that the collision removal pin 70 is smoothly removed upon collision.
- a protrusion 14 is formed at both end portions of the fixing groove 13 to enclose the collision removal pin 70 for fitting and coupling the collision removal pin 70 therebetween.
- the protrusion 14 encloses and fixes the collision removal pin 70 inserted into the fixing groove 13 , and when the collision removal pin 70 is removed from the fixing groove 13 upon collision, the collision removal pin 70 is removed while crushing the protrusion 14 .
- the pedal arm 30 is coupled to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around the hinge bolt 21 coupled to the pedal member 10 , for driver protection structure upon collision, the hinge pin 50 is coupled to the pedal member 10 at the rearward side position with respect to the hinge bolt 21 , and the collision removal pin 70 is detachably coupled to the pedal member 10 at the lower side position of the hinge pin 50 .
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably a structure that the hinge pin 50 is prevented from being deformed upon collision for driver protection upon collision, and for the present purpose, is preferably a structure that the hinge pin 50 is formed to have a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of the collision removal pin 70 to have sufficient rigidity and strength.
- an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure that can prevent the rearward pushback and the rearward rotation of the pedal arm 30 upon collision, for driver protection upon collision, and for the present purpose, the cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket 40 is preferably formed to be thicker than that of the pedal member 10 , and, the cross-sectional thickness of the switch bracket 60 is preferably formed to be thicker than that of the cowl bracket 40 .
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has more excellent strength and rigidity as the cross-sectional thickness thereof is formed to be thicker.
- one side of the switch bracket 60 can contact with the cowl bracket 40 when the collision removal pin 70 is detached from the pedal member 10 , the switch bracket 60 can rotate around the hinge pin 50 when one side of the switch bracket 60 contacts with the cowl bracket 40 , and the other side of the switch bracket 60 can contact with the pedal arm 30 to rotate the pedal arm 30 forwards when the switch bracket 60 rotates around the hinge pin 50 , preventing the rearward pushback of the pedal arm 30 and preventing the rearward rotation thereof through the operation of the switch bracket 60 to maximally prevent the driver's leg injury caused by the pedal arm 30 .
- a portion of the cowl bracket 40 that contacts with the switch bracket 60 may be formed as a bending forming portion 41 of a protrusion structure for securing rigidity, maximally preventing deformation when contacting with the switch bracket 60 .
- a connecting portion 15 for connecting the left and right side surfaces of the pedal member 10 is formed at the upper side of the pedal member 10 , and a bottom portion 42 of the cowl bracket 40 is accommodated in the connecting portion 15 to be fixedly coupled by welding.
- the connecting portion 15 of the pedal member 10 is formed to be narrower in the width in the front and rear direction than the bottom portion 42 of the cowl bracket 40 , and only the forward edge portion of the connecting portion 15 is coupled with the bottom portion 42 of the cowl bracket 40 by welding so that the welded portion is configured as the rotation center of the cowl bracket 40 upon collision.
- the switch bracket 60 includes a member coupling portion 61 to which the hinge pin 50 rotatably coupled to the pedal member 10 is coupled, a cowl contact portion 62 for contacting with the cowl bracket 40 when the collision removal pin 70 is detached from the pedal member 10 as a portion which is bent at and extended to one side of the member coupling portion 61 , a switch coupling portion 63 to which the collision removal pin 70 and a switch 80 are fixedly coupled as a portion which is bent at and extended to the other side of the member coupling portion 61 , and a stopper portion 64 for contacting with the pedal arm 30 to rotate the pedal arm 30 forwards when the switch bracket 60 rotates around the hinge pin 50 as a portion which is bent and extended from the switch coupling portion 63 toward the pedal arm 30 .
- the cowl contact portion 62 contacts with the bending forming portion 41 of the cowl bracket 40 when the collision removal pin 70 is detached from the pedal member 10 upon collision.
- the switch 80 generates an operating signal of the pedal arm 30 , and the pedal bracket 33 is fixedly connected to the pedal arm 30 , such that when the driver does not operate the pedal arm 30 , the pedal bracket 33 contacts with the switch 80 and at the present time, the signal is not generated, and when the driver operates the pedal arm 30 , the pedal bracket 33 is released from the switch 80 and at the present time, the operating signal of the pedal is generated.
- An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a configuration that further includes a pedal spring 90 for returning the pedal arm 30 at the time of operating the pedal arm 30 , and both end portions of the pedal spring 90 are fixed to the pedal bracket 33 and the collision removal pin 70 .
- a slot hole 65 straightly extending is formed in the switch coupling portion 63 that forms the switch bracket 60 , and becomes a structure that one end portion of the pedal spring 90 formed in an annular shape is inserted through the slot hole 65 and then coupled to the collision removal pin 70 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates a normal state where no collision and rear-end collision accidents occur, and when the driver depresses the pedal, the pedal arm 30 rotates in the front and rear direction around the hinge bolt 21 .
- FIG. 8 illustrates a state when the collision and rear-end collision accidents have occurred.
- the collision removal pin 70 is removed from the fixing groove 13 of the pedal member 10 , and the cowl contact portion 62 of the switch bracket 60 contacts with the bending forming portion 41 of the cowl bracket 40 and simultaneously, the switch bracket 60 rotates counterclockwise like the illustrated arrow R 2 around the hinge pin 50 , the stopper portion 64 of the switch bracket 60 contacts with the pedal arm 30 (the arrow M 1 ) to suppress the rearward pushback and the rearward rotation of the pedal arm 30 , and the pedal arm 30 forcibly rotates forwards around the hinge bolt 21 by the continuous counterclockwise rotation of the switch bracket 60 (the arrow R 3 ).
- the pedal arm 30 it is possible for the pedal arm 30 to forcibly rotate forwards to be away from the driver upon occurrence of the collision and rear-end collision accidents, maximally preventing the driver's leg injury caused by the pedal arm 30 .
- an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a configuration that a configuration of forcibly rotating forwards the pedal arm 30 upon occurrence of accident may be implemented by the cowl bracket 40 , the switch bracket 60 having a changed shape, and the hinge pin 50 and the collision removal pin 70 coupled to the switch bracket 60 , which are previously used, and can implement the driver protection function without largely increasing the parts.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
- Braking Elements And Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0043488 filed on Apr. 15, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
- The present invention relates to a pedal apparatus for driver protection, and more particularly, to a pedal apparatus for driver protection, which can maximally prevent a driver's leg injury (shin strike, ankle twist, etc.) caused by a pedal apparatus upon occurrence of collision and rear-end collision accidents.
- In a general vehicle, a dash panel under a driver seat is mounted with an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a clutch pedal that are operated by a driver's foot.
- Meanwhile, when collision and rear-end collision accidents occur and an engine compartment is collapsed by a large impact force generated at this time, a problem arises that the driver's leg is injured by a pedal apparatus.
- To prevent this, a technology has been developed that additionally applies a separate structure associated with the pedal apparatus, preventing the rearward pushback (the pushback toward the driver seat) of the pedal and preventing the rearward rotation (the rotation toward the driver seat) of the pedal.
- However, most of the related arts have a disadvantage in that the number of parts is increased, the weight is increased, and the cost is increased as a technology of additionally applying a separate structure other than the parts forming the pedal apparatus.
- The information included in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and may not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
- Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection for preventing the rearward pushback of a pedal arm and preventing the rearward rotation thereof upon occurrence of accident by use of a cowl bracket and a switch bracket coupled to a pedal member, and an object of the present invention is to maximally prevent the driver's leg injury without increasing the number of parts and increasing cost.
- A pedal apparatus configured for driver protection of the present invention for achieving the object may include a switch bracket rotatably coupled to a pedal member by a hinge pin; and a collision removal pin fixedly connected to the switch bracket and detachably coupled to the pedal member, and the switch bracket rotates a pedal arm forwards by contacting with the pedal arm while rotating around the hinge pin when the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member.
- The pedal arm is coupled to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around a hinge bolt coupling the pedal arm to the pedal member; the hinge pin is coupled to the pedal member at a rearward side position with respect to the hinge bolt; and the collision removal pin is detachably coupled to the pedal member at a lower side position of the hinge pin.
- The pedal apparatus configured for driver protection may further include a cowl bracket fixedly connected to the pedal member; one side of the switch bracket is configured to contact with the cowl bracket in a response that the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member; the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin when one side of the switch bracket contacts with the cowl bracket; and the other side of the switch bracket is configured to contact with the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forwards in a response that the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin.
- A fixing hole to which the hinge pin is coupled and a fixing groove to which the collision removal pin is detachably coupled are formed in the pedal member; the fixing hole is formed as a hole of a closed curve for preventing detachment of the hinge pin from pedal member; and the fixing groove is formed as an arc groove of an opened structure for detachably coupling the collision removal pin therein.
- First and second protrusions are formed at both end portions of the fixing groove to enclose the collision removal pin between the first and second protrusions for fitting and coupling the collision removal pin therebetween.
- The diameter of the hinge pin is formed to be greater than or equal to a diameter of the collision removal pin for preventing deformation of the hinge pin.
- To prevent rearward pushback and rearward rotation of the pedal arm upon collision, a cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket is formed to be thicker than a cross-sectional thickness of the pedal member and a cross-sectional thickness of the switch bracket is formed to be thicker than a cross-sectional thickness of the cowl bracket.
- A portion of the cowl bracket contacting with the switch bracket includes a bending forming portion for securing rigidity of the cowl bracket.
- The switch bracket may include a member coupling portion to which the hinge pin rotatably coupled to the pedal member is fixed; a cowl contact portion configured for contacting with the cowl bracket in a response that the collision removal pin is detached from the pedal member as a portion which is bent at and extended to one side of the member coupling portion; a switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin and a switch are fixedly coupled as a portion which is bent at and extended to the other side of the member coupling portion; and a stopper portion for contacting with the pedal arm to rotate the pedal arm forwards in a response that the switch bracket rotates around the hinge pin as a portion which is bent and extended from the switch coupling portion toward the pedal arm.
- A slot hole is formed in a portion of the switch coupling portion to which the collision removal pin is coupled; and one end portion of a pedal spring is inserted to be coupled to the collision removal pin.
- The pedal apparatus configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can maximally prevent the driver's leg injury caused by the pedal arm as the pedal arm is forcibly rotated forwards to be away from the driver upon occurrence of the collision and rear-end collision accidents, and particularly, a configuration of forcibly rotating the pedal arm forwards is a configuration of using the cowl bracket and the switch bracket, which are previously used, and can implement the driver protection function without largely increasing parts, reducing weight and saving cost as compared with other existing structures.
- The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 ,FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 are a side diagram, a bottom perspective diagram, and an exploded perspective diagram ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is an exploded diagram of a pedal member and a switch bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a side diagram of the coupling state ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram of a portion where a cowl bracket is disposed inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is a side diagram for explaining an operating state of the pedal apparatus in an accident. - It may be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the present invention. The specific design features of the present invention as included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particularly intended application and use environment.
- In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent portions of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.
- Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the present invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
- Hereinafter, a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 2 ,FIG. 3 ,FIG. 4 ,FIG. 5 ,FIG. 6 ,FIG. 7 , andFIG. 8 , a pedal apparatus configured for driver protection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes apedal member 10 fixed at adash panel 1 under a driver seat; apedal arm 30 coupled to thepedal member 10 to be rotatable in the front and rear direction aroundhinge bolt 21 and anut 22; acowl bracket 40 fixedly connected to the upper side of thepedal member 10 by welding and connected to a cowl panel; ahinge pin 50 rotatably coupled to thepedal member 10; aswitch bracket 60 fixedly connected to thehinge pin 50 by welding and rotatably coupled to thepedal member 10 by thehinge pin 50; and acollision removal pin 70 fixedly connected to theswitch bracket 60 by welding and detachably coupled to thepedal member 10. - The front side of the
pedal member 10 is coupled with thedash panel 1, the left and right side surfaces extending from the forward to the rearward are formed in parallel, and thepedal member 10 is formed in an opened structure in the rearward and the vertical direction thereof. - A
bolt hole 11 is formed to penetrate the left and right side surfaces of thepedal member 10, and thehinge bolt 21 sequentially penetrates thebolt hole 11 and ahinge pipe 31 of thepedal arm 30 and then, is coupled with thenut 22, such that thepedal arm 30 becomes a structure which is coupled to thepedal member 10 to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around thehinge bolt 21. - The
hinge pipe 31 is coupled to the upper end portion of thepedal arm 30 and apad 32 operated by the driver's foot is coupled to the lower end portion thereof. - A
fixing hole 12 to which thehinge pin 50 is coupled and afixing groove 13 to which thecollision removal pin 70 is coupled at the positions of the rearward and the upper side thereof with respect to thebolt hole 11 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of thepedal member 10. - The
fixing hole 12 is formed as a hole of a closed curve so that thehinge pin 50 is prevented from being removed from thepedal member 10 upon collision, and conversely, thefixing groove 13 is formed in an arc groove structure of an opened structure so that thecollision removal pin 70 is smoothly removed upon collision. - A
protrusion 14 is formed at both end portions of thefixing groove 13 to enclose thecollision removal pin 70 for fitting and coupling thecollision removal pin 70 therebetween. - The
protrusion 14 encloses and fixes thecollision removal pin 70 inserted into thefixing groove 13, and when thecollision removal pin 70 is removed from thefixing groove 13 upon collision, thecollision removal pin 70 is removed while crushing theprotrusion 14. - The
pedal arm 30 is coupled to be rotatable in the front and rear direction around thehinge bolt 21 coupled to thepedal member 10, for driver protection structure upon collision, thehinge pin 50 is coupled to thepedal member 10 at the rearward side position with respect to thehinge bolt 21, and thecollision removal pin 70 is detachably coupled to thepedal member 10 at the lower side position of thehinge pin 50. - An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably a structure that the
hinge pin 50 is prevented from being deformed upon collision for driver protection upon collision, and for the present purpose, is preferably a structure that thehinge pin 50 is formed to have a diameter greater than or equal to a diameter of thecollision removal pin 70 to have sufficient rigidity and strength. - Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a structure that can prevent the rearward pushback and the rearward rotation of the
pedal arm 30 upon collision, for driver protection upon collision, and for the present purpose, the cross-sectional thickness of thecowl bracket 40 is preferably formed to be thicker than that of thepedal member 10, and, the cross-sectional thickness of theswitch bracket 60 is preferably formed to be thicker than that of thecowl bracket 40. - An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has more excellent strength and rigidity as the cross-sectional thickness thereof is formed to be thicker.
- Therefore, as the collision or rear-end collision accident occurs, one side of the
switch bracket 60 can contact with thecowl bracket 40 when thecollision removal pin 70 is detached from thepedal member 10, theswitch bracket 60 can rotate around thehinge pin 50 when one side of theswitch bracket 60 contacts with thecowl bracket 40, and the other side of theswitch bracket 60 can contact with thepedal arm 30 to rotate thepedal arm 30 forwards when theswitch bracket 60 rotates around thehinge pin 50, preventing the rearward pushback of thepedal arm 30 and preventing the rearward rotation thereof through the operation of theswitch bracket 60 to maximally prevent the driver's leg injury caused by thepedal arm 30. - As such, a portion of the
cowl bracket 40 that contacts with theswitch bracket 60 may be formed as abending forming portion 41 of a protrusion structure for securing rigidity, maximally preventing deformation when contacting with theswitch bracket 60. - A connecting
portion 15 for connecting the left and right side surfaces of thepedal member 10 is formed at the upper side of thepedal member 10, and abottom portion 42 of thecowl bracket 40 is accommodated in the connectingportion 15 to be fixedly coupled by welding. - The connecting
portion 15 of thepedal member 10 is formed to be narrower in the width in the front and rear direction than thebottom portion 42 of thecowl bracket 40, and only the forward edge portion of the connectingportion 15 is coupled with thebottom portion 42 of thecowl bracket 40 by welding so that the welded portion is configured as the rotation center of thecowl bracket 40 upon collision. - The
switch bracket 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes amember coupling portion 61 to which thehinge pin 50 rotatably coupled to thepedal member 10 is coupled, acowl contact portion 62 for contacting with thecowl bracket 40 when thecollision removal pin 70 is detached from thepedal member 10 as a portion which is bent at and extended to one side of themember coupling portion 61, aswitch coupling portion 63 to which thecollision removal pin 70 and aswitch 80 are fixedly coupled as a portion which is bent at and extended to the other side of themember coupling portion 61, and astopper portion 64 for contacting with thepedal arm 30 to rotate thepedal arm 30 forwards when theswitch bracket 60 rotates around thehinge pin 50 as a portion which is bent and extended from theswitch coupling portion 63 toward thepedal arm 30. - The
cowl contact portion 62 contacts with thebending forming portion 41 of thecowl bracket 40 when thecollision removal pin 70 is detached from thepedal member 10 upon collision. - The
switch 80 generates an operating signal of thepedal arm 30, and thepedal bracket 33 is fixedly connected to thepedal arm 30, such that when the driver does not operate thepedal arm 30, thepedal bracket 33 contacts with theswitch 80 and at the present time, the signal is not generated, and when the driver operates thepedal arm 30, thepedal bracket 33 is released from theswitch 80 and at the present time, the operating signal of the pedal is generated. - An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a configuration that further includes a
pedal spring 90 for returning thepedal arm 30 at the time of operating thepedal arm 30, and both end portions of thepedal spring 90 are fixed to thepedal bracket 33 and thecollision removal pin 70. - To couple the
pedal spring 90 to thecollision removal pin 70 more easily and to also prevent the removal of thepedal spring 90 coupled to thecollision removal pin 70, aslot hole 65 straightly extending is formed in theswitch coupling portion 63 that forms theswitch bracket 60, and becomes a structure that one end portion of thepedal spring 90 formed in an annular shape is inserted through theslot hole 65 and then coupled to thecollision removal pin 70. - Hereinafter, an operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.
-
FIG. 2 illustrates a normal state where no collision and rear-end collision accidents occur, and when the driver depresses the pedal, thepedal arm 30 rotates in the front and rear direction around thehinge bolt 21. - In the normal state as in
FIG. 2 , a state where thecollision removal pin 70 has been fitted into and fixed to thefixing groove 13 of thepedal member 10 is kept, and therefore, theswitch bracket 60 keeps the restraint state that does not rotate around thehinge pin 50 by thecollision removal pin 70. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a state when the collision and rear-end collision accidents have occurred. - That is, when the
dash panel 1 is pushed rearwards (internal side) by the load F1 generated in the collision and rear-end collision accidents, thepedal member 10 rotates clockwise like the illustrated arrow R1 around a welded coupling point W1 with thecowl bracket 40. - When the
pedal member 10 rotates, at the present time, thecollision removal pin 70 is removed from the fixinggroove 13 of thepedal member 10, and thecowl contact portion 62 of theswitch bracket 60 contacts with thebending forming portion 41 of thecowl bracket 40 and simultaneously, theswitch bracket 60 rotates counterclockwise like the illustrated arrow R2 around thehinge pin 50, thestopper portion 64 of theswitch bracket 60 contacts with the pedal arm 30 (the arrow M1) to suppress the rearward pushback and the rearward rotation of thepedal arm 30, and thepedal arm 30 forcibly rotates forwards around thehinge bolt 21 by the continuous counterclockwise rotation of the switch bracket 60 (the arrow R3). - Therefore, in the pedal apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for the
pedal arm 30 to forcibly rotate forwards to be away from the driver upon occurrence of the collision and rear-end collision accidents, maximally preventing the driver's leg injury caused by thepedal arm 30. - That is, it is possible to prevent the injuries that the driver's shin portion is struck or the driver's ankle is bent and broken backwards by the pedal as the
pedal arm 30 is forcibly rotated forwards upon occurrence of accident, maximally preventing the driver's leg injury caused by thepedal arm 30. - Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a configuration that a configuration of forcibly rotating forwards the
pedal arm 30 upon occurrence of accident may be implemented by thecowl bracket 40, theswitch bracket 60 having a changed shape, and thehinge pin 50 and thecollision removal pin 70 coupled to theswitch bracket 60, which are previously used, and can implement the driver protection function without largely increasing the parts. - For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “internal”, “external”, “inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be further understood that the term “connect” or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connection.
- The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical application, to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Claims (12)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020190043488A KR20200121033A (en) | 2019-04-15 | 2019-04-15 | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver |
KR10-2019-0043488 | 2019-04-15 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US10802529B1 US10802529B1 (en) | 2020-10-13 |
US20200326745A1 true US20200326745A1 (en) | 2020-10-15 |
Family
ID=72749488
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/532,963 Active US10802529B1 (en) | 2019-04-15 | 2019-08-06 | Pedal apparatus for driver protection |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10802529B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20200121033A (en) |
CN (1) | CN111824086A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102452708B1 (en) * | 2020-12-18 | 2022-10-11 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Pedal arm guide to prevent sagging of the pedal arm, pedal assembly for vehicle having the pedal arm guide, and assembling method for the pedal assembly |
US20230108780A1 (en) * | 2021-10-05 | 2023-04-06 | Alexander Jeffrey Mead | Pedal Assembly With Integrated Disable Switch And System Using Same |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3125677B2 (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 2001-01-22 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Vehicle pedal support structure |
JP4234095B2 (en) * | 2004-12-09 | 2009-03-04 | 株式会社エフテック | Automobile operation pedal device |
DE602007003143D1 (en) * | 2006-07-07 | 2009-12-24 | Mazda Motor | Auxiliary structure for controlling a vehicle pedal |
KR101144442B1 (en) * | 2008-12-05 | 2012-05-10 | 경창산업주식회사 | Brake pedal device with function of reducing collision injury |
KR101355610B1 (en) | 2012-04-16 | 2014-01-27 | 기아자동차주식회사 | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver |
JP5937502B2 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2016-06-22 | 豊田鉄工株式会社 | Pedal device for vehicle |
KR101526711B1 (en) * | 2013-11-19 | 2015-06-05 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Brake pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver |
-
2019
- 2019-04-15 KR KR1020190043488A patent/KR20200121033A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2019-08-06 US US16/532,963 patent/US10802529B1/en active Active
- 2019-08-26 CN CN201910789469.0A patent/CN111824086A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20200121033A (en) | 2020-10-23 |
US10802529B1 (en) | 2020-10-13 |
CN111824086A (en) | 2020-10-27 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8196695B2 (en) | Brake pedal device with function of reducing collision injury | |
CN111731392B (en) | Front body structure of vehicle | |
US9146577B2 (en) | Pedal assembly for protecting driver | |
US10802529B1 (en) | Pedal apparatus for driver protection | |
US10190341B2 (en) | Door outside handle | |
US9821777B2 (en) | Vehicle brake pedal device | |
KR20050026129A (en) | Pedal apparatus for vehicle | |
US20130133470A1 (en) | Protective device of automobile driver | |
KR101355610B1 (en) | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver | |
US9256242B2 (en) | Driver's injury prevention type pedal | |
US10747256B1 (en) | Pedal apparatus for protection of driver | |
JP2002173008A (en) | Pedal bracket structure | |
JP2008265464A (en) | Vehicular pedal structure | |
JP4638317B2 (en) | Pedal device for vehicle | |
JP2004013301A (en) | Support structure of pedal for vehicle | |
JP3804424B2 (en) | Automobile pedal support device | |
CN112424723B (en) | Operating pedal device for vehicle | |
KR100587919B1 (en) | A Foot Brake Pedal Assembly for Preventing Accident | |
JPH10236288A (en) | Pedal supporting structure for vehicle | |
JP6439811B2 (en) | Vehicle interior structure | |
KR101558752B1 (en) | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver | |
US20100156081A1 (en) | Impact absorbing device for steering column of vehicle | |
KR101756032B1 (en) | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver | |
JP2001219853A (en) | Steering device | |
KR20210066558A (en) | Pedal apparatus for protection automobile driver |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIM, EUN SIK;REEL/FRAME:049973/0644 Effective date: 20190708 Owner name: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIM, EUN SIK;REEL/FRAME:049973/0644 Effective date: 20190708 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |