Brake pedal configuration

• US 6,253,635 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacifica Group Technologies Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Huber, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberleitner, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KING, BRADLEY T
• Application Number:
  US09/158,433
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 267/44, 267/45, 267/46, 267/158, 267/160, 267/164, 745/12, 745/26
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/042 by electrical means, e.g. using travel or force sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/46 Means, e.g. links, for connecting the pedal to the controlled unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2063 Stops

Abstract

The brake pedal configuration is particularly suited for an automobile having electrically actuated wheel brakes. A spring provides a resistance force with a nonlinear characteristic against brake actuation forces exerted on the brake pedal. The spring is arcuately curved and is fastened at one end to a support. At is second end the spring is connected to the brake pedal in an articulated manner. At its middle region, the spring is located opposite a stop on which the spring comes to bear after a partial deflection.

Claims

1. A brake pedal configuration, comprising:

a brake pedal mounted about a pivot axis to be pivoted between a position of repose and an actuated position;

a spring configuration disposed so as to provide a resistance force opposing a brake actuation force exerted on the brake pedal;

said spring configuration having a nonlinear spring characteristic and including a spring with an upper end fastened at a support and a lower end pivotally mounted at said brake pedal and coaxial about said pivot axis of said brake pedal, and a middle region, said spring is curved in the position of repose of said brake pedal; and

a stop disposed opposite said middle region of said spring such that said spring comes to bear against said stop after a partial deflection thereof.

2. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said spring is circular shaped in the position of repose of said brake pedal.

3. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said spring is a leaf spring.

4. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said stop and said spring define a wedge-shaped annular gap therebetween, said gap widening in a direction from said upper end toward said lower end of said curved spring.

5. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said stop is a bolt having a round cross section.

6. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said nonlinear spring characteristic is a progressive spring characteristic is designed such that while braking for obtaining a low deceleration, highly sensitive metering of said low deceleration is possible, yet, for braking requiring a high deceleration, only a short pedal travel is required.

7. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, wherein said brake pedal is used with electrically actuated wheel brakes.

8. The brake pedal configuration according to claim 1, which further comprises a plurality of sensors sensing actuations of said brake pedal.