阅读说明：本技术 车辆踏板装置 (Vehicle pedal device ) 是由 A·阿隆索·阿隆索 E·安左拉·阿塔贝 I·托托里卡·丘鲁卡 于 2021-03-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种车辆踏板装置,所述车辆踏板装置包括支撑件(2)、旋转轴(3)、能够相对于旋转轴(3)枢转的踏板(4)、保持构件(5)和致动装置。踏板(4)包括保持容纳部(40)和开口(41),使得在正常操作条件下,旋转轴(3)被布置在所述开口(41)中,并且保持构件(5)以被支靠在旋转轴(3)上的方式至少部分地容纳在所述保持容纳部(40)中,从而将所述旋转轴(3)保持在所述开口(41)中。在正面碰撞的情况下,致动装置移动保持构件(5),使得踏板(4)不再保持抵靠旋转轴(3)。(The invention relates to a vehicle pedal device comprising a support (2), a rotation shaft (3), a pedal (4) pivotable relative to the rotation shaft (3), a retaining member (5) and an actuating device. The pedal (4) comprises a holding receptacle (40) and an opening (41) such that, under normal operating conditions, the rotary shaft (3) is arranged in said opening (41) and the holding member (5) is at least partially received in said holding receptacle (40) in such a way as to bear against the rotary shaft (3) so as to hold said rotary shaft (3) in said opening (41). In the event of a frontal collision, the actuating device moves the retaining member (5) such that the pedal (4) no longer remains against the rotary shaft (3).)

1. A vehicle pedal device, comprising:

-a support (2, 2') configured for being fixed to a vehicle;

-a rotating shaft (3, 3 ') coupled to said support (2, 2');

-a pedal (4, 4 ') comprising a first end (4a, 4a ') and a second end (4b, 4b '), said first end (4a, 4a ') comprising a pedal (45, 45 ');

-a retaining member (5, 5 ') which, under normal operating conditions, retains the pedal (4, 4 ') in the support (2, 2 ') so that it can pivot on the rotation axis (3, 3 ') with respect to the support (2, 2 '); and

-actuating means which, in the event of a frontal collision, move said retaining member (5, 5 ') so as to at least partially release said pedal (4, 4 ') from said support (2, 2 '),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-under normal operating conditions, the retaining member (5, 5 ') holds the pedal (4, 4') against the rotation shaft (3, 3 ') such that the pedal (4, 4') is no longer held against the rotation shaft (3, 3 ') when the actuating means moves the retaining member (5, 5'); and is

-said pedal (4, 4 ') comprises, at said second end (4b, 4b '), a holding accommodation (40, 40 ') and an opening (41, 41 '), so that, under normal operating conditions, said rotating shaft (3, 3 ') is arranged in said opening (41, 41 '), and said holding member (5, 5 ') is at least partially accommodated in said holding accommodation (40, 40 ') in such a way as to be rested against said rotating shaft (3, 3 '), thereby holding said rotating shaft (3, 3 ') in said opening (41, 41 ').

2. Pedal device according to claim 1, wherein said opening (41, 41 ') of said pedal (4, 4 ') has a closed end (410, 410 ') which, in normal operating conditions, is resting on said rotation shaft (3, 3 '), said rotation shaft (3, 3 ') being held between said closed end (410, 410 ') and said holding member (5, 5 ').

3. Pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said retaining member (5, 5 ') comprises at least one arm (50, 50 ') arranged to fit in said retaining housing (40, 40 ') of said pedal (4, 4 ') and to bear against said rotation shaft (3, 3 ') under normal operating conditions.

4. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said arm (50, 50 ') of said retaining member (5, 5') comprises an interference surface (53, 53 ') arranged to be rested on said rotation shaft (3, 3') under normal operating conditions.

5. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said actuating device comprises a pyrotechnic actuator (6, 6') configured to be activated in the event of a frontal collision.

6. Pedal device according to claim 5, wherein, under normal operating conditions, said pyrotechnic actuator (6, 6 ') is arranged in a housing (51, 51 ') of said retaining member (5, 5 '), said retaining member (5, 5 ') comprising a pushing surface (52, 52 ') arranged facing an actuating surface (60, 60 ') of said pyrotechnic actuator (6, 6 '), such that said actuating surface (60, 60 ') cooperates with said pushing surface (52, 52 ') by moving said retaining member (5, 5 ') when said pyrotechnic actuator (6, 6 ') is activated.

7. Pedal device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said pyrotechnic actuator (6, 6 ') is arranged facing said rotation shaft (3, 3 ') such that it springs away from said rotation shaft (3, 3 ') when activated.

8. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said rotation shaft (3) comprises a substantially flat recessed surface (30) and said holding member (5) comprises a substantially flat support surface (54), said support surface (54) of said holding member (5) being supported on said recessed surface (30) of said rotation shaft (3) under normal operating conditions.

9. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said opening (41) of said pedal (4) comprises a stop (42) at the end opposite to said closed end (410), so that when said retaining member (5) moves after a frontal collision, said pedal (4) is coupled to said support (2), so that the usability of said pedal device (1) is partially maintained after a frontal collision.

10. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said opening (41 ') of said pedal (4') comprises an open end (411 ') opposite to said closed end (410') so that said pedal (4 ') is separated from said rotation axis (3') after a frontal collision.

11. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said pedal comprises a retaining plate (44) fixed to said pedal body (43), said retaining plate (44) comprising at least a portion of said retaining housing (40), said retaining plate (44) being preferably welded to said pedal body (43).

12. Pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an additional component (7 ') integral with said rotation shaft (3 ') and comprising a housing (71 ') arranged to face, under normal operating conditions, said retaining housing (40 ') of said pedal (4 '), said retaining member (5 ') being at least partially housed in a cavity formed by said retaining housing (40 ') of said pedal (4 ') and said housing (71 ') of said additional component (7 '), and guiding the movement of said retaining member (5 ') when said actuation means are activated after a frontal collision.

13. A motor vehicle comprising at least one pedal device (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pedal apparatus for a vehicle.

Background

Pedals for motor vehicles are known which comprise a safety mechanism which is activated only in the event of a frontal collision. The purpose of these safety mechanisms is to prevent the lower limbs of the driver of the vehicle from being injured in the event of a frontal collision, for which purpose the pedals are prevented from suddenly moving towards the driver. In a frontal collision, the wall to which the pedal is connected deforms, pushing the support structure of the pedal and the pedal itself against the driver. In response to this, the safety mechanism is activated to prevent the pedal from hitting the lower limbs of the driver.

EP2594440a1 describes a pedal comprising a support configured to be fixed to a vehicle, a pedal comprising a rotational axis, a retaining member which, under normal operating conditions, retains the rotational axis such that the pedal is pivotable relative to the support about the rotational axis, and an actuating device which moves the retaining member such that the pedal is released in the event of a frontal collision. The support includes a holding receptacle and an opening such that, under normal operating conditions, the rotating shaft is disposed in the opening and the holding member is partially received in the holding receptacle.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle pedal device as defined hereinafter.

The pedal apparatus of the present invention includes a support configured to be fixed to a vehicle, a rotation shaft coupled to the support, and a pedal including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion including a step.

The pedal device further comprises a retaining member which, under normal operating conditions, retains the pedal in the support so that the pedal can pivot on said axis of rotation relative to the support, and an actuating device which, in the event of a frontal collision, moves the retaining member so as to at least partially release the pedal from the support.

Under normal operating conditions, the retaining member holds the pedal against the rotation axis such that when the actuating means moves the retaining member, the pedal is no longer held against the rotation axis.

The pedal comprises a holding reception and an opening at the second end, such that under normal operating conditions the rotation shaft is arranged in said opening and the holding member is at least partially received in said holding reception in such a way as to bear against the rotation shaft, thereby holding said rotation shaft in said opening.

The fact that the pedal comprises a holding reception for the holding member and an opening for the rotation axis provides a more flexible solution for designing the pedal device than when said holding reception and said opening are arranged in a support of the pedal device, which support has to meet certain criteria with respect to materials and other restrictions in the vehicle, since it is a component that has to be fixed to the structure of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the pedal device of the present invention has a simple construction, includes a smaller number of components, and the mechanism for at least partially releasing the pedal in the event of a frontal collision is simpler, compared to other pedal assemblies having a safety mechanism for a frontal collision known in the art. In the event of a frontal collision, after activation of the actuating device, the retaining member is moved guided by the retaining receptacle of the pedal without the need to use a rotating retaining element as is common in pedal assemblies of the prior art.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pedal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pedal device is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the extreme position that the pedal can adopt under normal operating conditions and after a frontal collision.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the pedal arrangement of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a partial perspective view of the pedal device of fig. 1, wherein the pedal device is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 5 shows a partial cross-section of the pedal device of fig. 1, wherein the pedal device is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 6 shows a partial longitudinal section of the pedal arrangement of fig. 1, wherein the pedal arrangement is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a pedal of the pedal device of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the holding member of the pedal apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the actuating device of the pedal device of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the retaining member and the actuating device of the pedal device of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a rotation shaft of the pedal apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a pedal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pedal device is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 13 shows a partial perspective view of the pedal apparatus of fig. 12, wherein the pedal apparatus is in a normal operating condition.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a pedal of the pedal device of fig. 12.

Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the holding member of the pedal apparatus of fig. 12.

Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the retaining member, the rotation shaft and the actuating means of the pedal device of fig. 12.

Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of additional components and a rotation shaft of the pedal apparatus of fig. 12.

Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of the actuating device of the pedal device of fig. 12.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 11 show a pedal apparatus 1 for a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 to 18 show a pedal device 1' for a motor vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the pedal device 1, 1' of the present invention is configured to be coupled to a service brake or clutch cylinder by means of a lever (not shown in the figures).

The pedal device 1, 1 ' of the present invention comprises an actuating device which, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle comprising the pedal device 1, 1 ', at least partially releases the pedal 4, 4 ' preventing it from suddenly moving towards the lower limbs of the driver. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the pedal arrangement 1, 1 'will be considered to be under normal operating conditions as long as the actuation means does not at least partially release the pedal 4, 4'. When the pedal device 1, 1 'is in normal operating conditions, the pedal device may be fully operated, wherein the pedal 4, 4' may be pivoted between the standby position P1 and the final position P3. Preferably, after activation of the actuation means, the pedal device 1 is partially operable, with the pedal 4 being able to pivot between a safety position P2 (located further from the lower limbs of the driver than the standby position P1) and a final position P3. Alternatively, after activation of the actuation means, the pedal device 1 ' is inoperable, wherein the pedal 4 ' is released from the rest of the pedal device 1 '.

The pedal device 1, 1 'of the present invention includes a support 2, 2' configured to be fixed to a vehicle and a rotation shaft 3, 3 'coupled to the support 2, 2'.

The pedal arrangement 1, 1 'further comprises a pedal 4, 4' comprising a first end 4a, 4a 'and a second end 4b, 4 b', the first end 4a, 4a 'comprising a pedal 45, 45'.

Furthermore, the pedal device 1, 1 'comprises a retaining member 5, 5' which, under normal operating conditions, retains the pedal 4, 4 'in the support 2, 2' such that the pedal can pivot on said rotation axis 3, 3 'relative to the support 2, 2'. That is, under normal operating conditions, the retaining members 5, 5 'hold the pedals 4, 4' against the rotary shafts 3, 3 ', which rotary shafts 3, 3' are in turn coupled to the supports 2, 2 ', such that the retaining members 5, 5' indirectly hold the pedals 4, 4 'in the supports 2, 2'.

The pedal device 1, 1 ' further comprises an actuating device which, in the event of a frontal collision, moves the retaining member 5, 5 ' so as to at least partially release the pedal 4, 4 ' from the support. That is, when the actuating means moves the holding member 5, 5 ', the pedal 4, 4 ' is no longer held against the rotation shaft 3, 3 '.

The step 4, 4 'comprises at the second end 4b, 4 b' a holding receptacle 40, 40 'and an opening 41, 41'. In normal operating conditions, the rotary shaft 3, 3 ' is arranged in the opening 41, 41 ', and the holding member 5, 5 ' is at least partially accommodated in the holding accommodation 40, 40 ' in such a way as to be supported against the rotary shaft 3, 3 ', thereby holding said rotary shaft 3, 3 ' in said opening 41, 41 '. The openings 41, 41 'of the pedals 4, 4' and the holding receivers 40, 40 'are thus in communication and cooperate to hold the rotary shafts 3, 3' under normal operating conditions, as shown for example in fig. 7 and 13. Thus, when the retaining member 5, 5 ' is arranged to be received in the retaining reception 40, 40 ' of the pedal 4, 4 ', at least a portion of said retaining member 5, 5 ' is arranged to face at least a portion of said opening 41, 41 '.

In fact, the pedal 4, 4 ' comprising the retaining reception 40, 40 ' for the retaining member 5, 5 ' and the opening 41, 41 ' for the rotation shaft 3, 3 ' provides a more flexible solution for designing the pedal device 1, 1 ' than when said retaining reception 40, 40 ' and said opening 41, 41 ' are arranged in the support 2, 2 ' of the pedal device 1, 1 ', since the support 2, 2 ' is a component that has to be fixed to the structure of the vehicle, it has to meet certain criteria regarding materials and other constraints in the vehicle.

Furthermore, the pedal device 1, 1' of the present invention has a simple construction, comprises a smaller number of components, and the mechanism for at least partially releasing the pedal in the event of a frontal collision is simpler, compared to other pedal assemblies with safety mechanisms for frontal collisions known in the prior art. In the event of a frontal collision, after activation of the actuating device, the retaining members 5, 5 ' are moved guided by the retaining receptacles 40, 40 ' of the pedals 4, 4 ', without the need to use rotating retaining elements as is common in pedal assemblies of the prior art.

As mentioned above, in normal operating conditions of the pedal device 1, 1 ', the retaining member 5, 5 ' is at least partially accommodated in the retaining accommodation 40, 40 ' of the pedal 4, 4 ' such that the pedal 4, 4 ' is pivotable relative to the support 2, 2 ' about the rotation axis 3, 3 ', as can be seen for example in fig. 1 and 12. That is, under normal operating conditions, the retaining members 5, 5 'fix the pedal bodies 4, 4' to the rotating shafts 3, 3 ', so that the rotating shafts 3, 3', the pedals 4, 4 ', and the retaining members 5, 5' are integrally pivoted.

Preferably, the opening 41, 41 'of the step 4, 4' has a closed end 410, 410 'which, under normal operating conditions, is supported against the rotation shaft 3, 3'. The end opposite the closed end 410 may be open or closed, i.e. the opening 41, 41' may have a closed or an open contour.

Furthermore, preferably, the retaining member 5, 5 ' comprises at least one arm 50, 50 ' arranged to fit in the retaining reception 40, 40 ' of the pedal 4, 4 ' and to be rested on the rotation shaft 3, 3 ' under normal operating conditions. Preferably, said at least one arm 50, 50 'of the retaining member 5, 5' comprises an interference surface 53, 53 'arranged to be rested on the rotation axis 3, 3' in normal operating conditions. Thus, the interference surfaces 53, 53 ' of the retaining members 5, 5 ' contribute to obtaining an interference or press fit between the rotation axis 3, 3 ' and the hole forming the interference surfaces 53, 53 ' of the retaining members 5, 5 ' and the closed end 410, 410 ' of the opening 41 of the pedal 4, 4 '. Relative movement between the rotation shaft 3, 3 ', the pedal 4, 4' and the holding member 5, 5 'is thereby prevented in the normal operating condition of the pedal device 1, 1', said parts of the pedal device 1, 1 'being integrally pivoted in the normal operating condition of the pedal device 1, 1'.

Preferably, the actuating means comprise pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6'. Preferably, the pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6 ' are arranged facing the rotation shaft 3, 3 ' such that when the pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6 ' are activated in the event of a frontal collision, said pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6 ' spring away from the rotation shaft 3, 3 ' such that the pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6 ' act on the holding member 5, 5 '. More preferably, the pyrotechnic actuators 6, 6 ' are arranged facing the substantially flat recess surfaces 30, 30 ' of the rotation shafts 3, 3 '.

In other possible embodiments, not shown in the figures, the actuation means may be of another type known to the person skilled in the art, for example an actuation element fixed to the deformable structure of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision, said actuation element being arranged so that it acts on the retaining member in the event of a frontal collision, thereby at least partially releasing the pedal.

Preferably, as occurs in the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 11, the retaining member 5 comprises a substantially flat support surface 54 and the rotary shaft 3 comprises a substantially flat recessed surface 30, wherein the support surface 54 of the retaining member 5 is supported on the recessed surface 30 of the rotary shaft 3 under normal operating conditions, such cooperation between said surfaces 30 and 54 contributing to the axial retention of the rotary shaft 3 with respect to the retaining member 5 and to the overall movement of the rotary shaft 3, the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5 under normal operating conditions of the pedal device 1.

Preferably, the support 2, 2 ' comprises a pair of housings 20, 20 ' configured for receiving respective ends of the rotation shafts 3, 3 '. Each end of the rotating shaft 3, 3 ' is fixed to the corresponding housing 20, 20 ' by means of a respective bush 31, 31 '. The support 2, 2' is configured for fixing to a structure of a vehicle. Thus, under normal operating conditions, the support 2, 2 ' remains stationary with respect to the structure of the vehicle and the rotation shaft 3, 3 ' remains rotated with respect to the support 2, 2 '.

Fig. 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of a pedal apparatus 1 for a vehicle of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, the pedal 4 shown in detail in fig. 7 includes a pedal body 43 and a holding plate 44 fixed to the second end 4b of the pedal body 43, the holding plate 44 including a part of the holding container 40. Preferably, the holding plate 44 is welded to the pedal body 43.

In this first embodiment, the step body 43 has a U-shaped cross section, having a front wall 430 and two side walls 431 parallel to each other, each of said side walls 431 extending from a respective longitudinal side of said front wall 430. Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the retaining plate 44 comprises a rear wall 440 and two side walls 441 parallel to each other, each side wall 441 extending from a respective longitudinal side of said rear wall 440. The inner surface of the rear wall 440 of the retainer plate 44 is arranged to face the inner surface of the front wall 430 of the pedal body 43, while the side wall 441 of the retainer plate 44 partially surrounds the side wall 431 of the pedal body 43. Thus, the holding plate 44 provides rigidity to the pedal body 43.

In this first embodiment, each of the side wall 431 of the pedal body 43 and the side wall 441 of the holding plate 44 includes openings that are arranged to face each other, all of which form the opening 41 of the pedal 4, and the rotation shaft 3 is arranged to pass through the opening 41 of the pedal 4.

In this first embodiment, the opening 41 of the pedal 4 has a closed end 410 arranged to be supported against the rotation shaft 3 under normal operating conditions and a stop 42 at the end opposite to the closed end 410. Thus, in this first embodiment, the opening 41 of the pedal 4 is an opening 41 with a closed contour, so that in the event of a frontal collision, once the retaining member 5 has moved, the pedal 4 is no longer held against the rotary shaft 3, i.e. the closed end 410 of the opening 41 is no longer supported against the rotary shaft 3, but the pedal 4 remains movably coupled to the rotary shaft 3 by means of the opening 41. The pedal apparatus 1 thus partially maintains the usability. Thus, for example, when the pedal apparatus 1 is used as a brake pedal, the user maintains a limited braking capability after a frontal collision occurs, and the pedal 4 is no longer held against the rotary shaft 3. Fig. 2 shows the functional travel of the pedal 4 after a frontal collision, wherein the pedal is pivotable relative to the support 2 between a safety position, identified as P2 in fig. 2, and a final position, identified as P3 in fig. 2.

Furthermore, as shown in detail in fig. 7, in this first embodiment, the pedal 4 comprises two retaining receptacles 40, each retaining receptacle 40 being configured for receiving a respective arm 50 of the retaining member 5 when the pedal device 1 is in normal operating conditions. In this first embodiment, each of the holding receivers 40 includes first and second side surfaces extending perpendicularly from one of the side walls 441 of the corresponding holding plate 44, a center wall parallel to and connecting the side walls 411, and a portion of the side wall 431 of the pedal body 43 facing the center wall.

In this first embodiment, as shown in detail in fig. 8, the retaining member 5 comprises two side arms 50 and a central portion 57 extending between the upper surface 58 and the support surface 54, the central portion 57 being arranged between said arms 50. The arms 50 are configured such that, under normal operating conditions, each arm 50 is arranged to fit in a respective holding receptacle 40 of the pedal 4 in such a way as to be supported against the rotation shaft 3.

In this first embodiment, each arm 50 of the retaining member 5 comprises an interference surface 53 arranged to bear against the rotating shaft 3 in normal operating conditions. These interference surfaces 53 of the retaining member 5 contribute to obtaining an interference fit or press-fit between the rotary shaft 3 and the hole forming the interference surface 53 of the retaining member 5 and the closed end 410 of the opening 41 of the pedal 4, thereby preventing relative movement between the rotary shaft 3, the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5 under normal operating conditions of the pedal apparatus 1, said components of the pedal apparatus 1 being pivoted integrally under normal operating conditions of the pedal apparatus 1.

In this first embodiment, the central portion 57 of the retaining member 5 comprises an upper section 570 extending between the upper surface 58 and the pushing surface 52, a lower section 571 extending between the support surface 54 and the base surface 59, and a hollow section 572 arranged between the upper section 570 and the lower section 571.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the central portion 57 of the retaining member 5 comprises a housing 51 extending between the upper surface 58 and the support surface 54 through said central portion 57. The receptacle 51 includes a first portion disposed in an upper section 570 of the central portion 57 and a second portion disposed in a lower section 571 of the central portion 57. The housing portion 51 is configured to house an actuating device of the pedal device 1. A first portion of the receptacle 51 has a cylindrical shape with a cross-section of a first diameter, while a second portion of the receptacle 51 has a cylindrical shape with a cross-section of a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter.

In this first embodiment, the actuating means comprise a pyrotechnic actuator 6, shown in detail in fig. 9, which is arranged to be housed in the housing 51 of the retaining member 5 under normal operating conditions.

In this first embodiment, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending between a base 62 and a head 65. Furthermore, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 comprises a peripheral ring 63 projecting radially in the vicinity of the head 65. The diameter of the peripheral ring 63 is smaller than the diameter of the first portion of the receptacle 51, such that the pyrotechnic actuator 6 can be introduced into the receptacle 51 through the upper surface 58 of the holding member 5, but said diameter of the peripheral ring 63 is larger than the diameter of the second portion of the receptacle 51, such that the peripheral ring 63 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 abuts against the base surface 59 of the lower section 571 once the pyrotechnic actuator 6 has been introduced from the upper surface 58, wherein the peripheral ring 63 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is arranged in the hollow section 572 of the central portion 57 of the holding member 5 and supported on the base surface 59. In other possible embodiments, the pyrotechnic actuator may be a bushing having other shapes. In this case, the receiving portion of the retaining member will be modified to fit the shape of the bushing.

In this first embodiment, the actuating device further comprises a fixing ring 61 coupled to the pyrotechnic actuator 6 and retaining said pyrotechnic actuator 6 within the housing 51 of the retaining member 5, since said fixing ring 61 abuts against the pushing surface 52 of the retaining member 5. A securing ring 61 is arranged on the actuating surface 60 of the peripheral ring 63 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6, said securing ring 61 being fitted between the actuating surface 60 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 and the pushing surface 52 of the retaining member, so that when the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is activated in the event of a frontal collision, the actuating surface 60 acts on the pushing surface 52 through the securing ring 61 by moving the retaining member 5. Thus, in addition to retaining the pyrotechnic actuator 6 inside the housing 51 of the retaining member 5, the fixed ring 61 also improves the distribution of the force when the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is activated after a frontal collision, since the transmission of the force extends across the entire surface of the fixed ring 61, which is in contact with the pushing surface 52 of the retaining member 5.

In this first embodiment, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is arranged facing the rotary shaft 3 such that, when the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is activated in the event of a frontal collision, said pyrotechnic actuator 6 springs away from the rotary shaft 3, wherein an actuating surface 60 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 acts on the pushing surface 52 of the holding member 5, thereby moving the holding member. That is, the base 62 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is arranged facing the rotation shaft 3, as shown in detail in fig. 5 and 6. The pyrotechnic actuator 6 comprises a piston 66 which is triggered in the event of activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6, which piston protrudes with respect to the base 62 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6. In this case, the piston 66 springs away from the shaft 3 upon activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6. When the piston 66 bumps against the rotary shaft 3, the trigger energy is transmitted to the holding member 5 through the fixing ring 61, so that the arm 50 of the holding member 5 is disengaged from the holding accommodating portion 40 of the pedal 4. The operation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is well known to those skilled in the art.

In this first embodiment, as shown in detail in fig. 11, the rotary shaft 3 includes a substantially flat recessed surface 30. As shown in detail in fig. 5, the support surface 54 of the retaining member 5 is arranged to be supported in said recessed surface 30 of the rotary shaft 3 under normal operating conditions, such cooperation between said surfaces 30 and 54 facilitating axial retention of the rotary shaft 3 relative to the retaining member 5 and facilitating integral movement of the rotary shaft 3, the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5 under normal operating conditions of the pedal device 1. Furthermore, the base 62 of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 is also arranged facing said recessed surface 30 of the rotary shaft 3. The fact that this concave surface 30 is substantially flat facilitates, in the event of the activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6, the ejection of said pyrotechnic actuator 6 on the rotation shaft 3 covering a larger surface area than in the case of a complete cylindrical shape of the rotation shaft 3, thus facilitating a better force transmission in the event of a frontal collision.

In this first embodiment, the pedal device 1 comprises a coupling part 8 passing transversely through the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5 through the respective holes 46 and 55. Thus, in addition to the interference fit between the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5, the pedal 4 and the retaining member 5 are coupled by means of said coupling means 8, which provides a double coupling safety. The coupling part 8 is configured such that in the event of a frontal collision, the force exerted by the pyrotechnic actuator 6 on the retaining member 5 breaks said coupling part 8, wherein the retaining member 5 can be disengaged without difficulty from the retaining receptacle 40 of the pedal 4.

Fig. 12 to 18 show a second embodiment of the pedal apparatus 1' of the present invention.

In this second embodiment, the pedal body 43 ', shown in detail in fig. 14, has a U-shaped cross section, with a front wall 430 ' and two side walls 431 ' parallel to each other, each of said side walls 431 ' extending from a respective longitudinal side of said front wall 430 '.

In this second embodiment, each side wall 431 'of the pedal body 43' comprises openings which are arranged to face each other, wherein the openings form an opening 41 'of the pedal 4', through which opening 41 'of the pedal 4' the rotation shaft 3 'is arranged to pass in the normal operating condition of the pedal device 1'.

In this second embodiment, the opening 41 'of the pedal 4' has a closed end 410 'arranged to be supported against the rotation shaft 3' under normal operating conditions and an open end 411 'at the end opposite to the closed end 410'. Thus, in this second embodiment, the opening 41 ' of the step 4 ' is an opening 41 ' with an opening profile such that in the event of a frontal collision, once the retaining member 5 ' has moved, the step 4 ' is no longer held against the rotation shaft 3 ' and, due to the weight of the step 4 ', said step 4 ' is separated from the rotation shaft 3 ' by the open end 411 ' of the opening 41 '.

As shown in detail in fig. 14, in this second embodiment, each lateral wall 431 'of the pedal body 43' comprises a respective retaining housing 40 'configured for housing a respective arm 50' of the retaining member 5 'when the pedal device 1' is in normal operating conditions. In this second embodiment, each holding receptacle 40 ' includes first and second side surfaces extending perpendicularly from the corresponding side wall 431 ' and a central wall parallel to and connecting the side walls 431 '.

In this second embodiment, the retaining member 5 ', as shown in detail in fig. 15, comprises two side arms 50 ' and a central portion 57 ' extending between the upper surface 58 ' and the lower surface 54 ', the central portion 57 ' being arranged between said two side arms 50 '. The arms 50 ' are configured such that, under normal operating conditions, each arm 50 ' is arranged to fit in a respective retaining receptacle 40 ' of the pedal 4 ' in such a way as to be supported against the rotation shaft 3 '.

In this second embodiment, each arm 50 'of the retaining member 5' comprises an interference surface 53 'arranged to bear against the rotation shaft 3' in normal operating conditions. These interference surfaces 53 'of the retaining member 5' contribute to obtaining an interference fit or press fit between the rotation shaft 3 'and the hole forming the interference surface 53' of the retaining member 5 'and the closed end 410' of the opening 41 'of the pedal 4', preventing relative movements between the rotation shaft 3 ', the pedal 4' and the retaining member 5 'under normal operating conditions of the pedal apparatus 1', in which said parts of the pedal apparatus 1 'are integrally pivoted under normal operating conditions of the pedal apparatus 1'.

Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the central portion 57 ' of the retaining member 5 ' comprises a housing 51 ' extending between the upper surface 58 ' and the lower surface 54 ', said central portion 57 ' passing through said housing 51 '. The accommodation portion 51 'is configured to accommodate an actuation device of the pedal device 1'. The retaining member 5 'comprises a plurality of clips 56' extending perpendicularly from the lower surface 54 'of the central portion 57' and arranged close to the housing 51 ', said clips 56' being configured for retaining the actuating means.

In this second embodiment, the actuating means comprise a pyrotechnic actuator 6 ', which is arranged to be housed in a housing 51 ' of the retaining member 5 ' under normal operating conditions, as shown in detail in fig. 18.

In this second embodiment, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' is a bushing extending between the base 62 ' and the head 65 '. Furthermore, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 'comprises a peripheral ring 63' projecting radially in proximity to the head 65 ', said peripheral ring 63' comprising an actuation surface 60 'extending radially from the body of the bushing and a clamping surface 64' extending radially from the body of the bushing. The pyrotechnic actuator 6 'is coupled to the holding member 5' such that the clip 56 'of the holding member 5' holds the pyrotechnic actuator 6 'by the clamping surface 64' and the actuating surface 60 'abuts against the pushing surface of the holding member 5'. If the pyrotechnic actuator 6 'is activated in the event of a frontal collision, the actuating surface 60' of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 'acts on the pushing surface of the retaining member 5' to move the retaining member.

In this second embodiment, the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' is arranged facing the rotation shaft 3 ', as shown in detail in fig. 16, such that when the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' is activated in the event of a frontal collision, said pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' springs away from the rotation shaft 3 ', wherein the actuating surface 60 ' of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' acts on the pushing surface of the holding member 5 ', thereby moving said holding member 5 '. I.e. the base 62 ' of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' is arranged facing the rotation shaft 3 '. The pyrotechnic actuator 6 'comprises a piston which is triggered in case of activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6' so as to protrude with respect to the base 62 'of the pyrotechnic actuator 6'. In this case, the piston springs away from the shaft 3 'in the case of activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6'. When the piston bumps against the rotation shaft 3 ', the triggering energy is transferred to the retaining member 5 ' through the actuating surface 60 ' such that the arm 50 ' of the retaining member 5 ' disengages from the retaining reception 40 ' of the pedal 4 '. The operation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6' is well known to those skilled in the art.

In this second embodiment, the rotation shaft 3 'comprises a substantially flat recessed surface 30'. The base 62 ' of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' is arranged facing said recess surface 30 '. The fact that this recessed surface 30 ' is substantially flat facilitates the spring-open of said pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' on the rotation shaft 3 ' in the event of activation of the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' to cover a larger surface area than in the case of a completely cylindrical rotation shaft 3 ', thereby facilitating a better force transmission in the event of a frontal collision.

In this second embodiment, the pedal device 1 ' comprises an additional part 7 ' integral with the rotation axis 3 '. The additional component 7 ' comprises a central body and two housings 71 ', these housings 71 ' being arranged on the lateral surface of said central body. In the normal operating condition of the pedal device 1 ', the receptacle 71 ' of the additional component 7 ' is arranged facing the holding receptacle 40 ' of the pedal 4 ', wherein the holding member 5 ' is partially received in the cavity formed by the holding receptacle 40 ' of the pedal 4 ' and the receptacle 71 ' of the additional component 7 ' and guides the movement of the holding member 5 ' when the actuating device is activated after a frontal collision.

In this second embodiment, the axis of rotation 3 'passes transversely through the additional part 7'. Preferably, the additional part 7 'is overmoulded onto said rotating shaft 3'.

In this second embodiment, the additional part 7 'also comprises a central hole 70 through which the pyrotechnic actuator 6' passes.

In this second embodiment, the pedal device 1 'comprises a coupling part 8' passing transversely through the additional part 7 'and the retaining member 5' through the respective holes 72 'and 55'. Thus, in addition to the interference fit between the pedal 4 ' and the retaining member 5 ', the additional component 7 ' and the retaining member 5 ' are coupled by means of said coupling part 8 ', which provides a double coupling safety. The coupling part 8 ' is configured such that in the event of a frontal collision, the force exerted by the pyrotechnic actuator 6 ' on the retaining member 5 ' breaks said coupling part 8 ', wherein the retaining member 5 ' can be disengaged from the retaining receptacle 40 ' of the pedal 4 ' without difficulty.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one pedal device 1, 1', such as the pedal device described previously.