Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • G05G1/36—Mounting units comprising an assembly of two or more pedals, e.g. for facilitating mounting

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an arrangement for changing the direction of travel of a vehicle in two opposite directions, including a first accelerator pedal for driving in a first direction and a second accelerator pedal for driving in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.
• Foot-operated pedals for changing the direction of travel of a vehicle in a forward or backward direction have been on the market for many years, inter alia, in hydrostatic transmissions.
• One variant of such a foot-operated pedal has a hard braking characteristic, thereby making it possible to accelerate and brake with the same pedal.
• a type of pedals has been used where the pedals are interconnected so that the non-active pedal is pushed up in the same proportion as the active pedal is depressed. Such a movement upwards of the non-active pedal, however, becomes straining on the foot since the ankle of the foot is bent into an angle.
• the object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which eliminates the above-mentioned problems and which thus is designed in such a way that it creates satisfactory foot ergonomics for the operator.
• the arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that it includes a blocking member arranged for blocking both accelerator pedals in their neutral positions when a pressure is applied on them simultaneously, and that the blocking member is arranged for blocking the first accelerator pedal in its neutral position when a pressure is applied on the second accelerator pedal in order to drive the vehicle in the second direction, and for blocking the second accelerator pedal in its neutral position when a pressure is applied on the first accelerator pedal in order to drive the vehicle in the first direction.
• Figure 1 shows a pedal arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention, viewed from the front.
• Figure 2 shows the arrangement according to Figure 1, viewed from one side.
• Figure 3 shows a pedal arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention, viewed from above.
• Figure 4 shows the arrangement according to Figure 3, viewed from one side.
• Figure 5 shows a blocking mechanism of the pedal arrangement according to Figure 3 in a neutral position.
• Figure 6 shows the blocking mechanism according to Figure 5 in a first blocking position for blocking the right-hand accelerator pedal.
• Figure 7 shows the blocking mechanism according to Figure 5 in a second blocking position for blocking the left-hand accelerator pedal.
• Figures 1 and 2 show schematically a first embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention for changing the direction of travel of a vehicle, e.g. a truck or another machine for handling goods or material, in order to drive the vehicle in a forward and a backward direction, respectively, as desired.
• the arrangement thus being mounted on the floor 1 in the operator's cab of the vehicle, includes a first accelerator pedal 2 for driving the vehicle in a first direction, e.g. forwards, and a second accelerator pedal 3 for driving the vehicle in a second direction, i.e. backwards according to the example.
• the first accelerator pedal 2 is rigidly joined to a pivoting axle 4, which is pivotally journalled in two bearing elements 5, 6 directed upwards and welded to the cab floor 1.
• the second accelerator pedal 3 is rigidly joined to a pivoting axle 7 which is coaxial to the pivoting axle 4 of the first accelerator pedal 2 and being pivotally journalled in two bearing elements 8, 9 directed upwards and welded to the cab floor 1.
• the two accelerator pedals 2, 3 are pretensioned by means of suitable spring devices (not shown) in order to assume neutral positions, and to be depressed by means of a foot in order to open the throttle while being influenced by this spring force.
• the accelerator pedals 2, 3 are arranged at a suitable distance from each other, so that a space 10 is formed therebetween.
• each accelerator pedal 2, 3 is provided with a counter element 11, 12, which is arranged in said space 10 between the accelerator pedals 2, 3 and which, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, is rigidly, permanently joined to the pivoting axle 4; 7 of the accelerator pedal 2, 3 at the end portion extending into said space 10, said pivoting axle 4; 7 being elongated and extends beyond the inner bearing element 6; 9 in order to support the counter element 11; 12.
• the accelerator pedal 2; 3, the counter element 11; 12 and their common pivoting axle 4; 7 together constitute a pivotal unit which can pivot around the centre axis of the pivoting axle 4; 7.
• the counter element is constituted of a flat, form-stable disc, which is located in a vertical plane to which the pivoting axle 4; 7 makes a right angle.
• the counter disc 11; 12 has a downward-facing supporting surface 13; 14 which is located at a sufficient distance from the cab floor 1 so that the counter disc 11; 12 does not obstruct the depression of the accelerator pedal 2; 3, i.e. the supporting surface 13; 14 of the counter disc 11; 12 will get clear of the cab floor 1 also when the accelerator pedal 2; 3 is fully depressed.
• the counter disc 11; 12 has a flat supporting surface 15; 16 which faces away from the associated accelerator pedal 2; 3 which extends upwards from the downward-facing supporting surface 13; 14 and is located in a vertical plane to which the pivoting axle 4; 7 makes a right angle.
• the counter disc 11; 12 and its connection to the pivoting axle 4; 7 are sufficiently rigid, so that the counter disc 11; 12 resists lateral forces acting against its vertical supporting surface 15; 16.
• each counter disc 11; 12 is rigidly, permanently joined to a horizontal connecting piece 27; 28, which in its turn is rigidly, permanently joined to the underside of the associated accelerator pedal 2; 3, approximately at the centre of the accelerator pedal 2; 3, i.e. at a distance from the pivoting axle 4; 7.
• this embodiment is similar to the one shown in Figures 1 and 2. Accordingly, the accelerator pedal 2; 3, the counter disc 11; 12 and the pivoting axle 4; 7 together constitute a pivotal unit which can pivot around the centre axis of the pivoting axle 4; 7.
• the arrangement according to the invention further includes a blocking member 17 arranged for interacting with the counter discs 11, 12 of the accelerator pedals 2, 3 in order to prevent depression of the first accelerator pedal 2 or, alternatively, the second accelerator pedal 3, when the second accelerator pedal 3, alternatively the first accelerator pedal 2, is to be depressed for driving backward and forward, respectively, but also in order to prevent depression of the accelerator pedals 2, 3 when a pressure is applied simultaneously onto both accelerator pedals 2, 3 and the vehicle, consequently, remains in its position.
• the blocking member 17 forms an intermediate connection between the two counter discs 11, 12, and its blocking function is controlled by an application of pressure onto either the first accelerator pedal 2 or the second accelerator pedal 3 or onto both accelerator pedals 2, 3 simultaneously.
• the blocking member 17 is arranged for interacting with the counter discs 11, 12 in order to block both accelerator pedals 2, 3 in their neutral positions when a pressure is applied onto them simultaneously, see Figure 5, and for blocking the first accelerator pedal 2 in its neutral position when a pressure is applied onto the second accelerator pedal 3 in order to drive the vehicle backward, see Figure 7, and for blocking the second accelerator pedal 3 in its neutral position when a pressure is applied onto the first accelerator pedal 2 in order to drive the vehicle forward, see Figure 6.
• the blocking member 17 is constituted of a pendulum-like blocking mechanism which is arranged for being moved into a first blocking position while being influenced by the second accelerator pedal 3 in order to block the first accelerator pedal 2 in its neutral position, see Figure 6, and into a second blocking position while being influenced by the first accelerator pedal 2 in order to block the second accelerator pedal 3 in its neutral position, see Figure 7.
• the blocking mechanism 17 is pivotally journalled to an attachment element 18 which is welded to the cab floor 1 in the centre of the space 10 between the accelerator pedals 2, 3.
• the blocking mechanism 17 is designed as a symmetric, inverted T, the upwardly-directed portion or stem 19 of which being provided with a bearing member 20, suitably a ball bearing, for the pivoting bearing of the blocking mechanism 17 to the blocking element 18.
• the T-shaped blocking mechanism 17 is provided with two pulleys 21, 22 which are rotatably journalled by means of bearing members, preferably ball bearings, on the end portions of the shanks 23, 24 facing away from each other.
• Each pulley 21; 22 is designed and arranged for interacting with the adjacent counter disc 11; 12 as is shown in the Figures.
• the bearing axis 25; 26 of each pulley is located at predetermined distances from the vertical supporting surface 15; 16 and the downward-facing supporting surface 13; 14 of the counter disc, when viewed along the extended plane of the supporting surfaces, so that a movement of the counter disc 11; 12 in a direction downwards causes the blocking mechanism 17 to perform a pendulous motion around its bearing axis.
• the above-mentioned predetermined distance is smaller than the radius of the pulley 21; 22.
• these distances are equal, i.e. half the radius of the pulley 21; 22.
• each of the two pulleys 21, 22 is in contact with its associated counter 'disc 11; 12, and in case a pressure is applied on both pulleys 21, 22 by means of the counter discs 11, 12 by the operator trying to depress both accelerator pedals 2, 3 simultaneously, the counter discs 11, 12 will counteract each other from pivoting the blocking mechanism 17 in any direction.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Auxiliary Drives, Propulsion Controls, And Safety Devices (AREA)
• Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
• Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
• Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=20291172

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (3)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2003
  • 2003-04-30 SE SE0301264A patent/SE525093C2/sv unknown
• 2004
  • 2004-04-22 EP EP04728996A patent/EP1618445B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-22 AT AT04728996T patent/ATE380365T1/de active
  • 2004-04-22 DE DE602004010503T patent/DE602004010503T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-22 WO PCT/SE2004/000613 patent/WO2004097544A1/en active IP Right Grant

Patent Citations (3)

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