Method for damping axial shocks onto a driver's lower extremity

• US 7,938,219 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Irzinger, Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILHELM, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US11/643,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/274, 280/735, 921/40, 92/84, 701/45
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/09 Control elements or operating handles movable from an operative to an out-of-the way position, e.g. pedals, switch knobs, window cranks specially adapted for brake pedals, e.g. by venting of master cylinder or destruction of force transmitting rod, B60T7/065
• 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

Abstract

A method of damping axial shocks which affect a driver'"'"'s lower extremity situated on an accelerator, when the vehicle impacts on an obstacle is provided. In this case, by way of a device for generating an adjustable restoring force applied to the accelerator, in response to an accident-detection signal of a control device, a defined restoring force is generated and applied to the accelerator.

Claims

1. A method of damping shocks affecting a vehicle driver'"'"'s lower extremity that is situated on an accelerator during a vehicle impact, comprising:

detecting the vehicle impact via an accident-detection signal; and

actuating an accelerator positioning device operatively connected to the accelerator to generate and apply a defined restoring force upon the accelerator during the vehicle impact in response to the accident-detection signal so as to counteract air force applied by the vehicle drive'"'"'s lower extremity upon the accelerator during the vehicle impact and retain the accelerator substantially in its pre-impact position against transmitted impact energy.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the accident-detection signal is an airbag-triggering signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the accident-detection signal is a seat belt tightener-triggering signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defined restoring force is a maximal restoring force.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the defined restoring force is a maximal restoring force.