Pedal system
AssigneeVolvo Car Corporation
InventorsMarcel Kapocs, Mickael Larsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pedal system for a vehicle, a vehicle including such a pedal system, a method for manufacturing such a pedal system and a method for operating such a pedal system. The pedal system includes a pedal arm, a support member, a first locking unit and a second locking unit. The pedal arm is arranged at the support member pivotably around the support member. The first locking unit is arranged at the support member and couplable with the pedal arm to move the pedal arm to a first position. The second locking unit is connected to the pedal arm to release the pedal arm to a second position. The first locking unit is different from the second locking unit.
Claims13
A pedal system for a vehicle, the pedal system comprising:
- a pedal arm;
- a support member;
- a first locking unit;
- and
- a second locking unit;
- wherein a rotation axis is arranged at a top portion of the pedal arm;
- wherein the pedal arm is pivotably coupled to the support member at the rotation axis;
- wherein the first locking unit is arranged at an upper portion of the support member relative to the rotation axis and couplable with the top portion of the pedal arm above the rotation axis to move the pedal arm to a first position;
- wherein the second locking unit is connected to the pedal arm below the rotation axis to release the pedal arm to a second position;
- wherein the first locking unit is different from the second locking unit;
- wherein the first locking unit comprises an actuator and a rod element, the pedal arm comprises a rod coupling element, and the actuator is configured to actuate the rod element in order to couple with the rod coupling element of the pedal arm;
- wherein the first locking unit is configured to lock the pedal arm in the first position;
- and
- wherein the rod element of the first locking unit is disconnected from the pedal arm while the pedal arm is in the second position.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a pedal system, comprising:
- a pedal arm;
- a support member;
- a first locking unit;
- and
- a second locking unit;
- wherein a rotation axis is arranged at a top portion of the pedal arm;
- wherein the pedal arm is pivotably coupled to the support member at the rotation axis;
- wherein the first locking unit is arranged at an upper portion of the support member relative to the rotation axis and couplable with the top portion of the pedal arm above the rotation axis to move the pedal arm to a first position;
- wherein the second locking unit is connected to the pedal arm below the rotation axis to release the pedal arm to a second position;
- wherein the first locking unit is different from the second locking unit;
- wherein the first locking unit comprises an actuator and a rod element, the pedal arm comprises a rod coupling element, and the actuator is configured to actuate the rod element in order to couple with the rod coupling element of the pedal arm;
- wherein the first locking unit is configured to lock the pedal arm in the first position;
- and
- wherein the rod element of the first locking unit is disconnected from the pedal arm while the pedal arm is in the second position;
- and
- a driver assistance system having an autonomous driving function.
A method for manufacturing a pedal system for a vehicle, the method comprising:
- arranging a pedal arm at a support member;
- arranging a first locking unit at the support member;
- and
- connecting a second locking unit to the pedal arm;
- wherein a rotation axis is arranged at a top portion of the pedal arm;
- wherein the pedal arm is pivotably coupled to the support member at the rotation axis;
- wherein the first locking unit is arranged at an upper portion of the support member relative to the rotation axis and couplable with the top portion of the pedal arm above the rotation axis to move the pedal arm to a first position;
- wherein the second locking unit is connected to the pedal arm below the rotation axis to release the pedal arm to a second position;
- wherein the first locking unit is different from the second locking unit;
- wherein the first locking unit comprises an actuator and a rod element, the pedal arm comprises a rod coupling element, and the actuator is configured to actuate the rod element in order to couple with the rod coupling element of the pedal arm;
- wherein the first locking unit is configured to lock the pedal arm in the first position;
- and
- wherein the rod element of the first locking unit is disconnected from the pedal arm while the pedal arm is in the second position.
A method for operating a pedal system for a vehicle, wherein the pedal system comprises a pedal arm, a support member, a first locking unit, and a second locking unit, wherein a rotation axis is arranged at a top portion of the pedal arm, wherein the pedal arm is pivotably coupled to the support member at the rotation axis, wherein the first locking unit is arranged at an upper portion of the support member relative to the rotation axis and couplable with the top portion of the pedal arm above the rotation axis to move the pedal arm to a first position, wherein the second locking unit is connected to the pedal arm below the rotation axis to release the pedal arm to a second position, wherein the first locking unit is different from the second locking unit, wherein the first locking unit comprises an actuator and a rod element, the pedal arm comprises a rod coupling element, and the actuator is configured to actuate the rod element in order to couple with the rod coupling element of the pedal arm, wherein the first locking unit is configured to lock the pedal arm in the first position, wherein the rod element of the first locking unit is disconnected from the pedal arm while the pedal arm is in the second position, and wherein the vehicle comprises a driver assistance system having an autonomous driving function, the method comprising:
- sending a signal to the first locking unit when the autonomous driving function is activated;
- actuating the first locking unit to couple the first locking unit with the pedal arm and move the pedal arm to the first position;
- locking the pedal arm in the first position by means of the first locking unit;
- sending a signal to the first locking unit when the autonomous driving function is deactivated;
- and
- moving the pedal arm to the second position by releasing the second locking unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.