Pedal Value Generator for a Motor Vehicle, Pedal Value Generator Arrangement and Method for Controlling a Motor Vehicle

Abstract

A pedal value generator 14 for a motor vehicle 30, a pedal value generator arrangement 10 and a method for controlling a motor vehicle 30 are described. A first pedal actuating surface 16 and, at a distance thereto, a second pedal actuating surface 18 are arranged on a cross member 20. A sensor arrangement 24 detects a torque M of the cross member 20 with respect to a torque axis X arranged between the first and second pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 and for supplying an electrical actuation signal B1, B2 as a function of torque M. When an actuating force acts upon first pedal actuating surface 16 motor vehicle 30 can be accelerated and when an actuating force acts upon second pedal actuating surface 18 it can be decelerated.

Claims

1. A pedal value generator for a motor vehicle, comprising a cross member with a first pedal actuating surface and a second pedal actuating surface arranged at a distance from the first pedal actuating surface, and a sensor arrangement for detecting a torque of the cross member with respect to a torque axis arranged between the first and second pedal actuating surfaces and for supplying an electrical actuation signal as a function of the torque.

2. The pedal value generator according to claim 1, wherein the cross member is arranged at least substantially rigid.

3. The pedal value generator according to claim 1, wherein the cross member is arranged on a pedal arm, the pedal arm is arranged at least substantially rigid with respect to an actuation by a force acting on the first and second pedal actuating surfaces.

4. The pedal value generator according to claim 3, wherein the pedal arm is pivotable about a pivot axis between an operating position and a rest position, the pivot axis forms an angle with the torque axis.

5. The pedal value generator according to claim 4, wherein a locking member for locking the pedal arm in the operating position is provided.

6. The pedal value generator according to claim 4, wherein a cylinder member is provided for adjusting the pedal arm.

7. The pedal value generator according claim 1, wherein a separating member is arranged between the first and second pedal actuating surfaces, the separating member extending at least substantially perpendicular to at least a portion of at least one of said pedal actuating surfaces.

8. The pedal value generator according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pedal actuating surfaces are arranged at least substantially in parallel to one another, the first pedal actuating surface is arranged offset relative to the second pedal actuating surface in an actuation direction.

9. The pedal value generator according to claim 1, comprising an evaluation unit for evaluating the torque and for supplying an acceleration signal when an actuating force is acting upon the first pedal actuating surface, and for supplying a brake signal when an actuating force is acting upon the second pedal actuating surface.

10. A pedal value generator arrangement, comprising a legroom of a motor vehicle, and a pedal sensor according to claim 1 that is arranged therein.

11. A method for controlling a motor vehicle wherein the detected torque of a pedal value generator according to claim 1 is evaluated and the motor vehicle is accelerated when an actuating force is acting upon the first pedal actuating surface and is decelerated when an actuating force is acting upon the second pedal actuating surface.

Description

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to drawings. In the figures,

[0022] FIGS. 1, 2 show a perspective view of a pedal value generator arrangement in the legroom of a motor vehicle in a perspective view and a side view;

[0023] FIGS. 3, 4 show a pedal value generator of the pedal value generator arrangement from FIGS. 1, 2 in perspective view and top view;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows pedal actuating surfaces of the pedal value generator from FIGS. 3, 4 in another perspective view;

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle with the pedal value generator arrangement from FIG. 1, 2.

[0026] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 show a pedal value generator arrangement 10 in a legroom 12 of a motor vehicle. Pedal value generator arrangement 10 comprises a pedal value generator 14 having a first pedal actuating surface 16 functioning as an accelerator pedal and a second pedal actuating surface 18 functioning as a brake pedal.

[0027] The pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 are arranged at opposite ends of a cross member 20 which is attached to an arm which is protruding into the legroom 12. FIGS. 3, 4 show the pedal value generator 14 in more detail. Cross member 20 is arranged at a right angle at the end of arm 22 and rigidly attached to arm 22. A torque sensor 24 is arranged to detect a torque M acting upon cross member 20 with respect to a torque axis X.

[0028] The pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 are each domed and arranged in parallel to one another. Here, as can be seen in particular also in FIG. 5, they are arranged offset in an actuating direction B that is oriented perpendicular to the respective central region of the curved pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18. In this case, the first pedal actuating surface 16 on the right-hand side is located further back in actuating direction B than the second pedal actuating surface 18 on the left-hand side.

[0029] A partition wall 26 is arranged between the pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18. Partition wall 26 is formed integrally with a part of cross member 22 and extends between pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 in parallel to actuating direction B, i.e., perpendicular to the respective central region of pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18.

[0030] Arm 22 is attached in legroom 12 and can be pivoted about a pivot axis S so that it can be pivoted from the protruding actuation position (solid lines) to a rest position (dashed lines in FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2. The pivoting movement is predetermined by a cylinder member 28. Cylinder member 28 is controlled by a controller (not shown) in order to bring pedal value generator 14 into the rest position or actuation position. In the actuation position, cylinder member 28 causes arm 22 to be locked so that it remains rigid when actuated.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows schematically pedal value generator arrangement 10 within a motor vehicle 30. The drive of motor vehicle 30 is controlled by means of actuating pedal value generator 14 in legroom 12 of motor vehicle 30.

[0032] As already explained, first pedal actuating surface 16 arranged on the right-hand side serves as an accelerator pedal and second pedal actuating surface 18 arranged on the left-hand side serves as a brake pedal. The actuation is carried out by foot as usual, wherein, however, both arm 22 and cross member 20 remain rigid, so that there is no actuation path apart from, optionally, minimum deformation. However, a force applied in actuation direction B on either first or second pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 causes a torque M about axis X. Since simultaneous actuation of both pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 can be ruled out by the offset arrangement and by partition wall 26, the detected value of torque M can be used to identify—on the basis of the direction of the torque, i.e., on the basis of the sign of the determined value M—which of pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 was actuated. The degree of actuation, i.e., the acting force, can be determined from the absolute value of torque M.

[0033] Value M of the torque detected by torque sensor 24 is evaluated by an evaluation unit 32 as shown schematically in FIG. 6. Depending on the sign, either an acceleration signal B1 is generated when first pedal actuating surface 16 is actuated or a brake signal B2 is generated when second pedal actuating surface 18 is actuated and transmitted to a vehicle controller 34. Acceleration signal B1 and brake signal B2 thereby have a value which is proportional to the absolute value of the torque 11 detected. Vehicle controller 34 effects a corresponding control of the drive or brake of vehicle 30 (not shown).

[0034] Pedal value generator arrangement 10 is particularly suitable for electric vehicles and for vehicles which are controlled optionally autonomously or manually; in the latter case, accelerator pedal generator 4 can be pivoted into the rest position as shown in FIG. 2. However, the application is not limited thereto.

[0035] The particularly simple construction shown is made possible by dispensing with parts which are movable during actuation in conventional driving and brake pedals, such as in particular return springs and joints. Nevertheless, pedal value generator arrangement 10 allows a full control of drive and brake of vehicle 30.

[0036] Here, the embodiment shown is intended to be an example and not intended to be limiting. In addition to the version shown, various alternatives are possible. In particular, the pivotability about the pivot axis S can be dispensed with and instead, for example, a rigid arm 22 can be used. If—for example for autonomous driving style—control of vehicle 30 is not desired, evaluation unit 32 can, in this case, ignore torque signal M, so that pedal value generator arrangement 10 can be used as a footrest. While the spatial and mechanical separation of first and second pedal actuating surfaces 16, 18 by partition wall 26 and the offset arrangement (see FIG. 5) is advantageous, one or both of these measures can also be dispensed with.