Actuation device for a motor vehicle

• US 6,898,995 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Feigel, Hans-Jörg, Schonlau, Jürgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCANULTY, TIMOTHY P
• Application Number:
  US10/018,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/60
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/065 with means to prevent injuries in case of collision for vehicle pedals in general by moving them from an operative to an out-of-the way position B60R21/09
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/36 Mounting units comprising an assembly of two or more pedals, e.g. for facilitating mounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuation device for a motor vehicle, including a pedal stand that can be mounted on the vehicle and has articulated to it a base member that is swivelling about a first axis and fixable by means of an adjustment device, comprising a housing for a hydraulic or electromechanic generator that points into a vehicle interior in opposition to a direction of actuation, and a pedal lever which is pivoted at the base member and includes two legs, wherein foot pressure is applicable to the first leg, and the second leg acts on the generator. The device permits a simple adjustment of the actuation device to adapt to the comfort requirements of different drivers with different body lengths (leg lengths) and further has an optimized collision performance. Finally, it is favorable that hydraulic generators may also be arranged in the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An actuation device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a pedal stand mounted to said vehicle, said pedal stand including a base member pivotally attached to a first axis by an adjustable means for fixation,

a housing for a generator,

a pedal lever, pivotally attached to said base member,

wherein said pedal lever and said generator are operatively coupled to one another and jointly swivel in relation to said pedal stand, and

wherein said pedal lever further includes first and second legs, wherein a pressure is asserted on said first leg causing said second leg to act on said generator.

2. An actuation device as in claim 1, wherein said pedal lever includes a means for torque transmission, said means for torque transmission deviates a force towards said interior of said vehicle, and said means for torque transmission operatively engages said pedal lever in a swiveling movement.

3. An actuation device as in claim 1, wherein said pedal lever includes a means for torque transmission, said means for torque transmission operatively engages said pedal lever in a swiveling movement such that said pedal lever initiates a brake actuation independent of a driver in the case of a vehicle deformation.

4. An actuation device as in claim 1, wherein said first leg of said pedal lever includes a foot actuation part, said second leg of said pedal lever includes a point of articulation at which an actuating member for the generator is secured, said second leg of said pedal lever further includes a baffle head, said baffle head contacts a component of said vehicle in a force-transmitting contact in the event of a vehicle deformation earlier than said first leg contacts said component of said vehicle.

5. An actuation device as in claim 1, wherein said first and second legs are diametrically opposed.

6. An actuation device as in claim 1 wherein said adjustable means for fixation includes a threaded spindle-and-nut arrangement, said threaded spindle-and-nut arrangement permits a determinable swiveling movement of said base member in relation to said pedal stand such that the position of said pedal lever in relation to said generator is maintained.

7. An actuation device as in claim 1, wherein said adjustable means for fixation includes an electric motor, said electric motor is connected to a control unit by means of a bus link, said control unit includes a memory module unit for storing adjustment positions.

8. An actuation device as in claim 7, wherein said control unit and said memory module are a part of a control unit for an electronically controlled vehicle brake system.