Brake pedal module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12030474-B2
Application number	US-202217868350-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2022
Priority date	Jul 27, 2021
Publication date	Jul 9, 2024
Grant date	Jul 9, 2024

Abstract

A brake pedal module for a brake-by-wire brake system of a vehicle is disclosed. The brake pedal module includes a pivotably mounted brake pedal and a damping unit. The damping unit is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal to generate a resistance when the brake pedal is actuated. The brake pedal module comprises a sensor unit for detecting a braking intention of a driver. The sensor unit comprises at least one sensor for detecting an actuating travel, which is arranged on a pivot bearing of the brake pedal, and at least one further sensor for detecting an actuating force, which is arranged on a rear side of the brake pedal when considered in a plan view of an actuating surface of the brake pedal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A brake pedal module for a brake-by-wire brake system of a vehicle, comprising a pivotably mounted brake pedal and a damping unit, wherein the damping unit is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal in order to generate a resistance when the brake pedal is actuated, wherein the brake pedal module comprises a sensor unit for detecting a braking intention of a driver, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one sensor for detecting an actuating travel arranged on a pivot bearing of the brake pedal, and at least one further sensor for detecting an actuating force arranged on a rear side of the brake pedal of an actuating surface of the brake pedal, wherein the brake pedal comprises a strut, the strut including a first end comprising the actuating surface that can be actuated by the driver, wherein the strut is mounted pivotably at an second end opposite the first end, wherein the sensor for detecting the actuating force is arranged between the first end and the second end, wherein the strut forms a depression arranged to accommodate the sensor for detecting actuating force for detecting the actuating force, wherein the sensor is secured in the depression by a holding element, wherein the holding element includes a bearing shell configured to accommodate a portion of an actuating tappet.

2. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor for detecting the actuating travel is an angle sensor.

3. The brake pedal module according to claim 2 , wherein a pivot pin is integrally formed on the brake pedal, and the angle sensor is fitted onto the pivot pin.

4. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the damping unit is coupled to the brake pedal by the actuating tappet, wherein the actuating tappet is mounted in an articulated manner on the brake pedal, and wherein the sensor for detecting the actuating force is arranged at an articulation point of the actuating tappet on the brake pedal.

5. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the actuating tappet is mounted in an articulated manner on the holding element, wherein the bearing shell is configured to accommodate a spherical head portion of the actuating tappet.

6. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the brake pedal has two sections which are movable relative to one another and are coupled to one another.

7. The brake pedal module according to claim 6 , wherein the two sections of the brake pedal can be pivoted relative to one another by a maximum of 5°.

8. The brake pedal module according to claim 6 , wherein the two sections overlap in the longitudinal direction, and wherein a microswitch is arranged in the region of the overlap between the two sections.

9. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the brake pedal has two sections, which are movable relative to one another and are coupled to one another, wherein the two sections overlap in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the sensor for detecting an actuating force is arranged in the region of the overlap between the two sections.

10. The brake pedal module according to claim 9 , wherein the two sections of the brake pedal can be pivoted relative to one another by a maximum of 5°.

11. The brake pedal module according to claim 1 , wherein the brake pedal has two sections, which are movable relative to one another and are coupled to one another, wherein the two sections overlap in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the sensor for detecting an actuating force is arranged in the region of the overlap between the two sections.

12. A brake pedal module for a brake-by-wire brake system of a vehicle, comprising:
a pivotably mounted brake pedal; and
a damping unit, wherein the damping unit is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal in order to generate a resistance when the brake pedal is actuated, wherein the brake pedal module comprises a sensor unit for detecting a braking intention of a driver, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one sensor for detecting an actuating travel arranged on a pivot bearing of the brake pedal, and at least one further sensor for detecting an actuating force arranged on a rear side of the brake pedal of an actuating surface of the brake pedal,
wherein the brake pedal comprises a strut, the strut including a first end comprising the actuating surface that can be actuated by the driver, wherein the strut is mounted pivotably at a second end opposite the first end,
wherein the strut forms a depression arranged to accommodate the sensor for detecting the actuating force, wherein the sensor for detecting the actuating force is disposed within the depression via a holding element, wherein the holding element includes a bearing portion configured to accommodate a portion of an actuating tappet.

13. The brake pedal module according to claim 12 , wherein the damping unit is mechanically coupled to the brake pedal via the actuating tappet, the actuating tappet extending outwardly from a head portion, the actuating tappet extending outwardly opposite of an actuating surface of the brake pedal, wherein the head portion received within the bearing portion of the holding element, wherein the actuating surface comprises a surface in which the driver exerts pressure for braking.

Assignees

• Zf Active Safety Gmbh

Inventors

• Beuerle Christoph
• Janson Marcus

Classifications

• G05G5/03

  Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) · CPC title

• B60T2220/04

  Pedal travel sensor, stroke sensor; Sensing brake request · CPC title

• G05G1/44

  pivoting · CPC title

• G05G1/38

  comprising means to continuously detect pedal position · CPC title

• B60T7/06

  Disposition of pedal · CPC title