DE102017103211A1 - Pedal force simulation device with a flat spring element and actuating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal force simulation device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a housing (2) and a guide piston (4) accommodated in the housing (2) and displaceable along a longitudinal axis (3) of the housing (2), the guide piston (4 ) has a conical segment (5) extending along the longitudinal axis (3) and in which a contact element (8a, 8b) is positioned on this conical segment (5) of two sides facing away from each other in a radial direction of the longitudinal axis (3). 6a, 6b) is pressed, wherein the spring elements (8a, 8b) are formed so that they have a flat extension in an unloaded state. In addition, the invention relates to an actuating system for a motor vehicle clutch with this pedal force simulation device (1).

Description

The invention relates to a pedal force simulation device (ie a device / arrangement for pedal force simulation / a pedal force simulator) for a motor vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a bus or other commercial vehicle, with a housing and a housed in the housing and along a longitudinal axis of the housing slidable guide piston, wherein the guide piston has a along the longitudinal axis (conical / conical) extending (ie widening and / or tapering in a radial direction of the longitudinal axis) cone segment and wherein at this cone segment (/ a conical surface of the cone segment) of two in a Radial direction of the longitudinal axis facing away from each side a biased via a spring element contact element is pressed or pressed. In addition, the invention relates to an actuating system for a motor vehicle clutch with this pedal force simulation device.

There are already known various types of actuation systems, including such actuation systems in which a sensor is provided in a pedal coupled to the pedaling force simulation device, which detects the operation of the pedal and correspondingly controls the actuation / disengagement or engagement of the clutch.

From the not yet published DE 10 2015 216 146.3 , with filing date 24.08.2015, a device for force simulation on an actuating element of a vehicle, in particular a pedal force simulator, disclosed. This device has a housing and an axially displaceable piston in the housing, wherein the piston is connected via a piston rod with the actuating element. In addition, a spring element is present, which is at least partially, in particular completely, disposed within the housing. The piston has a varying cross-section and when actuated by the actuating element, it engages in the spring element, wherein on the spring element rolling bodies are arranged, which are in operative connection with the piston and wherein the spring element consists of at least a first and a second spring part, which are interconnected.

As a disadvantage, however, it has been found in the known prior art that the individual components are relatively expensive to produce. This relates in particular to the spring elements that have hitherto been made complex and thus relatively expensive to manufacture.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to overcome the known from the prior art disadvantages and in particular to provide a pedal force simulation device available, the production cost is further reduced. Also, their mountability should be further improved.

This is inventively achieved in that the spring elements are formed so that they have a flat extension in an unloaded state, i. extending in an unloaded state along an imaginary extension plane straight / straight.

As a result, the spring elements are significantly easier formed and produced in a cost effective manner as a mass component. In particular, numerous process steps for forming the shape of the spring elements are saved over the prior art.

Further advantageous embodiments are claimed with the subclaims and explained in more detail below.

If the spring elements are each supported on three bearing points, the spring elements are permanently pressed against the cone segment. By means of this three-point bearing, a corresponding force characteristic of the pedal force simulation device is converted particularly reliably over the service life.

In this regard, it is particularly advantageous if the spring elements are each supported / pivotally supported at a first housing-fixed bearing point (i.e., at a first bearing point supported firmly on the housing) and a second housing-fixed bearing point (i.e., at a second bearing point firmly supported on the housing).

In addition, the spring elements are preferably each supported on a third bearing point, said third bearing point is in turn formed by a conical surface of the cone segment.

Thus, the first bearing point, the second bearing point, and the third bearing point are sequentially spaced in an axial direction (i.e., along the longitudinal axis). The first bearing point is thus arranged at a side facing away from the third bearing point of the second bearing point.

It is also advantageous if the bearing points of each spring element in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis spaced from each other, wherein a first axial distance between the first bearing point and the second bearing point on each spring element is less than the axial distance between the second bearing point and the third bearing point (at the same Spring element) is. This results in a particularly skilled lever arm for pressing the contact elements on the cone segment.

If the guide piston has several, for example two slide bearing sections, which are each arranged to a different axial side of the cone segment and abut against an inner circumferential side of the housing, the guide piston is securely guided.

In this context, it is also expedient if, in an operating state of the pedal force simulation device, the spring elements in each case permanently press the contact element assigned to them against a conical surface of the cone segment, i. that the contact element rests against the respective conical surface in any displaced position of the guide piston which is converted during operation.

The respective contact element is preferably designed as a role, namely as a needle roller / needle-like role. The roll forms a kind of needle roller bearing.

Is the cone segment in an axial direction and a first radial direction, seen in an extension plane of the cone segment fixed in / on the guide piston and in a second radial direction, seen transversely to the extension plane, limited (preferably by providing stops) displaced is ensures a secure guidance of the guide piston.

The spring elements are in turn suitably received pivotably in an insertion sleeve inserted in the interior of the housing. As a result, the spring elements form a spring unit, which is constructed in several parts and can be easily mounted in the housing.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an actuating system for a motor vehicle clutch with the pedal force simulation device according to the invention according to at least one of the embodiments described above.

In other words, it is thus proposed according to the invention in a pedal force simulation device / a pedal force simulator with a multi-part spring unit, the spring elements just form. The spring elements are connected via three support points (bearing points) via a holder (insertion sleeve) with the housing of the pedal force simulator. The two outer support points shorten the lever arm of the respective spring elements and thus lead to an increase in the spring stiffness. In addition, a two-part piston guide with a distance between the bearing surfaces (plain bearing sections) on the housing to an improved leadership by restricting the tilting movement of the piston (guide piston) in an off-center force application. In addition, the scenery can be arranged within the two-piece piston.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures.

• 1 eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Pedalkraftsimulationsvorrichtung nach einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel sowie
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung der in Längsrichtung geschnittenen Pedalkraftsimulationsvorrichtung nach 1, sodass insbesondere die Anordnung zweier Federelemente sowie deren Wechselwirkung mit einem Konussegment erkennbar sind.

Show it:

• 1 a longitudinal sectional view of a pedal force simulation device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment and also
• 2 a perspective view of the longitudinally cut pedal force simulation device according to 1 , so that in particular the arrangement of two spring elements and their interaction with a cone segment can be seen.

The figures are merely schematic in nature and are for the sole purpose of understanding the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is a preferred embodiment of a pedal force simulation device according to the invention 1 illustrated. The pedal force simulation device 1 serves in principle to provide an operator with a corresponding counterforce (pedal force) in response to the displacement / pivoting of a here not shown for clarity sake operating pedal, namely a clutch pedal. The pedal force simulation device 1 is used in this embodiment in a sake of clarity not shown actuating system of a clutch of a drive train of a motor vehicle. The pedal force simulation device 1 thus serves as a device that simulates the operator depending on the position of the operating pedal a corresponding counterforce. The actual signal for actuating / engaging or disengaging the corresponding clutch of the motor vehicle is electronically transmitted to the respective input or release of the clutch. The actuation system is therefore designed as a clutch-by-wire system.

The pedal force simulation device 1 basically has a housing 2 inside, inside which is a guide piston 4 slidably guided. The housing 2 has a sleeve-like outer wall 16 on, which is cylindrical along an imaginary longitudinal axis 3 of the housing 2 extends. Through this outer wall 16 forms the housing 2 thus an interior, within which the guide piston 4 along the longitudinal axis 3 slidably received. In particular, the guide piston 4 at two, as explained in more detail below, plain bearing sections 13 and 14 on an inner peripheral side 12 of the housing 2 / the outer wall 16 sliding / sliding guided.

With the guide piston 4 is a backdrop-like cone segment 5 / Wedge segment firmly connected. The cone segment 5 is, as well as in 2 good to recognize, designed as a plate-shaped segment and has two each other in a radial direction of the longitudinal axis 3 opposite conical surfaces 7a and 7b on. The cone segment 5 extends in particular along an axial direction of the longitudinal axis 3 and in an imaginary radial plane along a first radial direction. Consequently, the cone segment 5 with an imaginary plane of extension in which it extends, transversely, namely perpendicular to a second radial plane extending in a second radial direction aligned.

Viewed in the axial direction, the cone segment tapers 5 in a first section and then thickens in a second section. The cone surfaces 7a and 7b run, seen in the axial direction, complementary to each other, so that the two conical surfaces 7a and 7b with respect to the plane of extent of the cone segment 5 are formed mirror image. The cone segment 5 is firmly in the guide piston 4 added. The cone segment 5 is in recesses within the guide piston 4 inserted / recorded. The cone segment 5 is doing so on the guide piston 4 attached that cone segment 5 in the axial direction and in the first radial direction (in the first radial plane, which corresponds to the plane of extension) is fixed / secured in position. In the transverse to the plane of extension of the cone segment 5 extending second radial direction (in the second radial plane) is the cone segment 5 however, between two stops of the guide piston 4 In the area of the recesses limited moveable added.

At each cone surface 7a and 7b is a contact element associated with it 6a respectively. 6b pressed. A first contact element 6a is at a first conical surface 7a and a second contact element 6b is at one, the first conical surface 7a opposite, second conical surface 7b pressed. The contact elements 6a . 6b are each designed as a role, namely as a needle roller. The contact elements 6a and 6b are in turn on each a spring element 8a respectively. 8b rotating stored / recorded. The contact elements 6a and 6b are each part of one of the spring elements 8a or 8b so that the spring element 8a . 8b is formed in several parts.

The spring elements 8a and 8b are components of one in the housing 2 attached spring unit 17 , The spring elements 8a and 8b are inventively formed such that they extend in their unloaded state in a plane, ie straight.

The spring unit 17 is executed in several parts. In addition to two individual spring elements 8a and 8b, the spring unit 17 also a plug-in sleeve 15 on. The insertion sleeve 15 serves as a holder / receptacle for the spring elements 8a and 8b in the case 2 , The insertion sleeve 15 is preferred on the inner peripheral side 12 of the housing 2 pressed or screwed. In principle, other types of attachment for the insertion sleeve are in this context 15 in the case 2 implemented. The insertion sleeve 15 is always fixed, namely in the axial and in the radial direction fixed in the housing 2 integrated. The spring elements 8a and 8b are each at a first bearing point 9 , the one at the respective contact element 6a and 6b remote end region of the spring elements 8a . 8b is arranged on the insertion sleeve 15 and thus indirectly fixed to the housing / supported. The first bearing point 9 thus forms a pivot point at which the spring elements 8a . 8b are firmly clamped.

From the first storage point 9 from the spring elements extend 8a and 8b essentially in the axial direction towards the cone segment 5 / to the contact elements 6a and 6b , but are in their extension easy to the longitudinal axis 3 employed at an angle. Next to the first storage point 9 are the spring elements 8a and 8b also in each case at a second bearing point 10 fixed to the housing / on the insertion sleeve 15 supported. In the area of the second bearing point 10 are the spring elements 8a and 8b each, to form a fulcrum, on support elements 18 in the form of support pins. A third camp point 11 that on one of the first bearing point 9 opposite axial side of the second bearing point 10 is formed, is the respective spring element 8a and 8b over the contact element 6a and 6b on the cone segment 5 / the cone surfaces 7a . 7b stored / supported / pressed. This results in a three-point bearing / three-point support of the respective spring element 8a and 8b , The individual bearing points 9 . 10 and 11 are spaced apart in the axial direction, in particular the distance (first distance) between the first bearing point 9 and the second bearing point 10 smaller than the further distance (second distance) between the second bearing point 10 and the third bearing point 11 is.

Coming back to the slide bearing sections 13 . 14 can be clearly seen in conjunction with FIG. That these each to one axial side of the cone segment 5 are arranged. A first Sliding section / plain bearing section 13 is in the axial direction to a first side of the cone segment 5 arranged while a second sliding portion / slide bearing portion 14 to a first sliding bearing section 13 facing away, the second side of the cone segment 5 is arranged in the axial direction. Both plain bearing sections 13 and 14 are essentially designed as annular sections and are located on the inner peripheral side 12 sliding on.

The second sliding bearing section 14 also goes into a pin area 19 above. This pin area 19 takes a piston rod 20 deferred. The piston rod 20 is connected in the usual way with the operating pedal of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is typically a compression spring 21 in the form of a helical compression spring present outside the housing 2 is arranged. The compression spring 21 is supported at a first end to a housing-fixed area and with a second end non-displaceable with the piston rod 20 coupled. Thus, the compression spring is used 21 for preloading the piston rod 20 (as well as indirectly the guide piston 4 ) in an extended position relative to the housing 2 , The compression spring 21 is completely in the radial direction from radially outside by a schematically illustrated pollution control 22 surround.

Because the contact elements 6a and 6b over the spring elements 8a and 8b permanently with a certain preload force on the cone surfaces 7a and 7b are pressed, resulting from the contour of the conical surfaces / the cone segment, the biasing force of the spring elements 8a and 8b and the biasing force of the compression spring 21 the corresponding force curve for simulating the corresponding pedal force.

In other words, the inventive embodiment of a pedal force simulation device lifts 1 from the prior art in particular, however, from that by a flat spring element 8a . 8b the component geometry is simplified in terms of manufacturability. The storage concept has been adjusted accordingly and now provides a three-point storage 9 . 10 . 11 dar. Two of the bearing points 9,10 lie in the fastener (insert sleeve 15 ), the third bearing point 11 is the point of contact between the scenery (cone segment 5 ) and on the multi-part spring element 8a . 8b located needle rollers 6a . 6b , In order to ensure the seat of the spring elements 8a, 8b they are to be clamped permanently. The scenery 5 is in the two-part piston (guide piston 4 ) about their contact points on the piston 4 fixed axially and radially, with a certain radial movement is possible, but limited by stops. The guide of the piston 4 in the case 2 via two spaced-apart contact surfaces (plain bearing sections 13 . 14 ) right and left of the scenery 5 located) to susceptibility to tipping due to an off-center force on the piston 4 to reduce. The force characteristic becomes when the pedal force simulator is actuated 1 through the interaction of the compression spring 21 , the shape of the scenery 5 and the spring stiffness determined. By a shift of the support points 11 on the spring elements 8a . 8b becomes the effective lever arm of the spring element 8a . 8b directly influenced, which thus brings an increase or reduction of the spring stiffness. A change in the gate shape increases or decreases, upon actuation of the pedaling force simulator 1 , the deflection of the spring elements 8a . 8b and thus changes the force curve of the entire system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Pedal force simulation device

2

casing

3

longitudinal axis

4

guide piston

5

cone segment

6a

first contact element

6b

second contact element

7a

first cone surface

7b

second cone surface

8a

first spring element

8b

second spring element

9

first bearing point

10

second bearing point

11

third bearing point

12

Inner circumferential side

13

first sliding bearing section

14

second slide bearing section

15

insertion sleeve

16

outer wall

17

spring unit

18

supporting

19

Zapf area

20

piston rod

21

compression spring

22

dirt protection

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102015216146 [0003]

Claims (10)

Pedal force simulation device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) and a guide piston (4) accommodated in the housing (2) and displaceable along a longitudinal axis (3) of the housing (2), the guide piston (4) extending along a conical segment (5) which extends along the longitudinal axis (3) and in which a contact element (6a, 6b) positioned on each side of the conical segment (5) faces away from each other in a radial direction of the longitudinal axis (3) can be pressed, characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) are formed so that they have a flat extension in an unloaded state. Pedal force simulation device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) in each case at three bearing points (9, 10, 11) are supported. Pedal force simulation device (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) are each supported on a first housing-fixed bearing point (9) and a second housing-fixed bearing point (10). Pedal force simulation device (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) are each supported on a third bearing point (11) on a conical surface (7a, 7b) of the cone segment (5). Pedal force simulation device (1) according to Claim 3 and 4 characterized in that the bearing points (9, 10, 11) of each spring element (8a, 8b) are spaced apart in an axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (3), with a first axial distance between the first bearing point (9). and the second bearing point (10) on each spring element (8a, 8b) is less than a second axial distance between the second bearing point (10) and the third bearing point (11). Pedal force simulation device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the guide piston (4) has a plurality of sliding bearing sections (13, 14) which are each arranged to a different axial side of the cone segment (5) and on an inner peripheral side (12) of the housing (2) abut. Pedal force simulation device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) in an operating state of the pedal force simulation device (1) respectively their associated contact element (6a, 6b) to a conical surface (7a, 7b) of the cone segment (5) press. Pedal force simulation device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the cone segment (5) is fixed in an axial direction and a first radial direction, in an extension plane of the cone segment (5), in the guide piston (4) and in a second radial direction, transverse to the plane of extent is relocatable. Pedal force simulation device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the spring elements (8a, 8b) are pivotally received in a plug-in sleeve (15) inserted in the interior of the housing (2). Actuation system for a motor vehicle clutch with a pedal force simulation device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 ,

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