FR3136867A1 - Pedal for motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedal (1) for a motor vehicle, preferably of the type of a paddle pedal (1), the pedal (1) comprising a plate (11) which extends longitudinally relative to an axis of extension own (L) and an anti-slip pad (12) located at an upper terminal end (112) of the plate (11), relative to the own extension axis (L), the anti-slip pad (12) providing a support surface (124) for the end of a shoe in order to better hold the user's foot on the pedal (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Pedal for motor vehicle

The technical context of the present invention is that of the passive safety of the occupants of a motor vehicle, and more particularly the protection of the driver in the event of a frontal impact at high speed. More particularly, the invention relates to a pedal for a motor vehicle.

In the state of the art, we know the use of pedals by the driver in order to control the speed of movement of the motor vehicle. In particular, such pedals can be used to:

– control engine power in order to control acceleration of the motor vehicle; and or

– check braking of the motor vehicle; and or

– control a clutch mechanism of the motor vehicle.

Such pedals comprise a support, a plate which extends longitudinally relative to a specific extension axis, and a system for articulating the plate relative to the support. Thus, the plate is articulated relative to a pedal support, according to a pivot and/or piston movement.

A known problem with pedals – of all types – lies in the stability of the driver's foot on the plate, particularly in the event of an impact. Indeed, in such circumstances, the driver's balance is greatly disturbed, and this results in possible uncontrolled movement of the foot at the pedal.

However, due to the narrowness of the pedal plate, unwanted movements at the ankle or knee can lead to unwanted injuries to the foot, resulting from the rotation of the foot relative to the pedal. , such as for example a sprain or rupture of the ankle ligaments.

Additionally, the narrowness of the pedal plate can sometimes lead to the foot slipping, slipping off the pedal, and hitting the bottom of the foot cellar in which the pedal is integrated. This slipping of the foot off the pedal can also lead to unwanted injuries to the driver's lower limbs.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new pedal for a motor vehicle in order to respond at least largely to the preceding problems and also to lead to other advantages.

Another aim of the invention is to reduce the risk of the foot slipping off the pedal.

Another aim of the invention is to limit the risk of injury to the lower limb during a road accident.

According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a pedal for a motor vehicle, the pedal comprising (i) a support, (ii) a plate which extends longitudinally relative to an axis own extension, (iii) a system for articulating the plate relative to the support. According to the invention, the pedal further comprises an anti-slip pad located at an upper terminal end of the plate, relative to the own extension axis.

In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis and the vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood in a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle towards a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis. Additionally, the longitudinal axis extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the axis transverse and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or inferior and superior refer to this vertical axis.

Complementarily, we also define a specific extension axis in the frame of reference of the pedal, the specific extension axis being defined by the main direction of elongation of the pedal, defined in particular by the direction of elongation of the plate serving support for the driver's foot. In the context of the integration of the pedal into the motor vehicle, the specific extension axis of the pedal is merged or substantially merged with the longitudinal axis.

In the context of the invention, the upper terminal end of the pedal plate is that intended to be located at the level of the toes of the driver's foot, as opposed to a lower end intended to be located on the side of the pedal. a heel of said driver's foot.

In the context of the invention, the anti-slip pad takes the form of an extension of the plate, at the level of its upper terminal end, thus allowing better stability of the driver's foot. The anti-slip pad is located in the direct extension of the plate, so as to allow the foot to rest over its entire length on the plate and the anti-slip pad of the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention.

Thus, the pedal according to the invention thus makes it possible to limit the risks of twisting and sliding of the driver's foot off the pedal, thus reducing the risk of injury, particularly in the event of an accident.

The pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

- the pedal according to the first aspect of the invention is of the type of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, or a clutch pedal. Optionally, the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention is a single pedal making it possible to control both the acceleration and braking of the motor vehicle;

- the pedal according to the first aspect of the invention is of the type of a suspended pedal or a paddle pedal. The articulation of a paddle pedal is of the type of a pivot movement;

- the anti-slip pad is wider than the plate so as to allow support with a toe. In the context of the invention, the width of the anti-slip pad is considered relative to an axis perpendicular to the proper extension axis of the plate, and in particular relative to the transverse axis, as defined previously. This configuration makes it possible to improve the comfort of use and the stability of the foot on the pedal in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

- the anti-slip pad has a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge extends projecting from a bearing surface of the anti-slip pad. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to better retain the foot and prevent it from slipping off the pedal in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

- a thickness of the peripheral rim is between 3 mm and 5 mm;

- according to a first alternative embodiment, the anti-slip pad is attached to the pedal plate conforming to the first aspect of the invention. In this first alternative embodiment, the anti-slip pad is fixed to the plate through a permanent or detachable fixing. In this first fixing variant, the anti-slip pad is preferably attached and fixed to a lower face of the plate;

- according to a second alternative embodiment, the anti-slip pad is made from a material with the pedal plate conforming to the first aspect of the invention. we understand by material that the plate and the anti-slip pad are obtained during the same manufacturing process and together form a monolithic part, so that they cannot be detached from one another without damaging or break the anti-slip pad or the pedal plate according to the first aspect of the invention;

- the anti-slip pad is made of a plastic material in order to allow both sufficient rigidity not to break and relative flexibility, that is to say an ability to allow bending under the effect of the driver's foot resting on the pedal and during normal and regular use of said pedal. For this purpose, a thickness of the pad between 5 mm and 7 mm;

- as a non-limiting example, the anti-slip pad is preferably made of polypropylene;

- the anti-slip pad is made of an anti-slip coating. By way of non-limiting example, such a coating has for example a surface roughness which makes it possible to reduce the slipping of the foot resting against the anti-slip pad;

- the anti-slip pad has anti-slip ribs to limit slipping. Preferably, the anti-slip ribs are located on the top of said anti-slip pad, and preferably on its supporting face;

- the anti-slip ribs extend relatively to the transverse axis, and in particular perpendicular to the own extension axis of the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

- the anti-slip pad has stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs make it possible to increase the rigidity of the anti-slip pad, in particular with regard to a bending force around a transverse axis of said anti-slip pad. The stiffening ribs are preferably located on the underside of the anti-slip pad, preferably on a face opposite the support face of the anti-slip pad;

- the stiffening ribs extend relative to the transverse axis, and in particular perpendicular to the own extension axis of the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

- the pedal according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a support heel located at a lower end of the plate opposite the upper terminal end, relative to the own extension axis, the heel of support extending projecting from the plate. The support heel thus makes it possible to maintain the heel of the driver's foot in support and on the plate of the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention. taken in combination with the anti-slip pad, the support heel greatly reduces the risk of the foot slipping off the pedal and/or the risk of uncontrolled twisting of the foot. In other words, the support heel and the anti-slip pad together make it possible to better maintain the foot on the pedal in all circumstances, thus reducing the risk of injury;

- according to a first alternative embodiment, the support heel is attached to the plate of the pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention. In this first alternative embodiment, the support heel is fixed on the plate through a permanent or detachable fixing;

- according to a second alternative embodiment, the support heel is made from material with the pedal plate conforming to the first aspect of the invention. We understand by material that the plate and the support heel are obtained during the same manufacturing process and together form a monolithic part, so that they cannot be detached from each other without damaging or break the support heel or the plate of the pedal according to the first aspect of the invention;

- the support heel is made of a plastic material, chosen for its rigidity and lightness. As a non-limiting example, the support heel is preferably made of polypropylene.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising a structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

The motor vehicle is more particularly a vehicle with automatic transmission, that is to say that a gearbox of said motor vehicle is automatically controlled to modify gears depending on the speed of the motor vehicle and/or engine speed.

In the context of the invention, the motor vehicle is of the type of an electrified motor vehicle, that is to say of the type of an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. Generally speaking, the traction chain of such an electrified motor vehicle is rotated by the electric machine, electrically powered by the electric traction battery, in order to generate a motor torque used to set the motor vehicle in motion. . Complementarily or alternatively, the electrical machine is configured to recover mechanical energy from the traction chain and convert it into electrical energy thereby producing a braking torque on said traction chain.

Preferably, the motor vehicle has only one pedal to control the acceleration, deceleration or braking of the motor vehicle.

Various embodiments of the invention are planned, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics exposed here.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear further through the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which :

illustrates an isometric view of a first embodiment of a pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates a side view of the pedal shown on the ;

illustrates a side view of the pedal shown on the ;

illustrates a profile view of a second embodiment of the pedal according to the first aspect of the invention;

illustrates an isometric view of a third embodiment of a pedal conforming to the first aspect of the invention.

Of course, the characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. It will be possible in particular to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from to the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing opposes this combination on a technical level.

On the FIGURES, elements common to several FIGURES retain the same reference.

In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis and the vertical axis are defined relative to the motor vehicle on which the structure conforming to the first aspect of the invention is intended to be mounted. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the motor vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said motor vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood in a direction which extends from a passenger side of the motor vehicle towards a driver's side of said motor vehicle, or vice versa. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis. Additionally, the longitudinal axis extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or rear to front of the motor vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from the wheels of the motor vehicle and towards the roof of said motor vehicle, or vice versa, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the axis transverse and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or inferior and superior refer to this vertical axis.

Complementarily, we also define a specific extension axis L in the reference frame of the pedal 1, the specific extension axis L being defined by the main direction of elongation of the pedal 1, defined in particular by the direction of elongation of the plate 11 serving as support for the driver's foot. In the context of the integration of the pedal 1 in the motor vehicle, the own extension axis L of the pedal 1 is merged or substantially merged with the longitudinal axis.

With reference to the FIGURES, the invention relates to a pedal 1 for a motor vehicle, the pedal 1 comprising:

- a support 10 making it possible to fix the pedal 1 on a structural element of a motor vehicle, such as for example an apron or a floor of a foot cellar of the motor vehicle;

- a plate 11 which extends longitudinally with respect to a specific extension axis L, the plate 11 allowing a user UT to place his foot there to act on the pedal 1, by modulating his support on said plate 11 to control the speed of the motor vehicle;

- a system for articulating the plate 11 relative to the support 10, the articulation system making it possible to pivot the pedal 1 around an axis of rotation O in order to rotate the plate 11 according to the desire of the UT user to accelerate or brake. In particular, in the exemplary embodiments illustrated here, the plate 11 is connected to the support 10 via a rod 101 which makes it possible to support the movement of the plate 11 induced by the articulation system;

- an anti-slip pad 12 located at an upper terminal end 112 of the plate 11, relative to the own extension axis L, the anti-slip pad 12 making it possible to retain the user's foot UT in proposing in particular a support surface 124 for the end part of the user's foot UT, that is to say that located at the level of the toes.

In particular the illustrates a first example of pedal 1 according to the invention, and the illustrates the optimal positioning of the user's foot UT, which now rests both on the plate 11 and on the anti-slip pad 12.

In the FIGURES illustrated, the pedal 1 is of the type of a paddle pedal 1, but the invention is obviously compatible with any type of pedal 1 and for any number of pedals arranged in the foot cellar d 'a motor vehicle, electrified or thermal.

As visible in FIGURES 1 and 5, the anti-slip pad 12 is wider than the plate 11 so as to allow the tip of the user UT's toe to support it. In particular, in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation O of the paddle plate 11, the anti-slip pad 12 protrudes on either side of the plate 11 of the pedal 1.

Generally speaking, the shape of the anti-slip pad 12 is similar to the shape of a front end of a shoe.

The anti-slip pad 12 has a support face 124 which is located in the extension of the plate 11, relative to the own extension axis L. In addition, an upper face 111 of the plate 11 of the pedal 1 is parallel or substantially parallel to a support face 124 of the anti-slip pad 12. Preferably, the support face 124 of the anti-slip pad 12 is located in the direct extension of a lower face 114 of the plate 11.

In the example illustrated on the , the anti-slip pad 12 has a peripheral rim. The peripheral rim extends projecting from the support surface 124 of the anti-slip pad 12 in order to retain the foot of the user UT on the pedal 1 and to prevent the user from slipping off the pedal 1 during a false movement, possibly resulting from an accident.

The anti-slip pad 12 is attached to the plate 11 of the pedal 1, or the anti-slip pad 12 comes from the material with said plate 11.

The anti-slip pad 12 advantageously comprises a holding part 121 located near the plate 11 and forming a covering of the lower face of the plate 11 in order to allow the anti-slip pad 12 to be secured to the plate 11. In d In other words, the anti-slip pad 12 is linked to the plate 11, at the level of its lower face 114, via the holding part 121 of the anti-slip pad 12.

Complementarily, the anti-slip pad 12 further comprises a bending part 122 which extends in the extension of the holding part 121 and in a direction opposite to the plate 11, relative to the own elongation axis. The flexion part 122 and the holding part 121 each include a support face 124 for the foot of the user UT.

In fact, the anti-slip pad 12 has a lesser thickness at the level of the bending part 122, and a greater thickness taken at the level of the holding part 121. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to give the anti-slip pad 12 properties mechanical elements sought here: rigidity near the plate 11 and relative flexion at the level of the part of the anti-slip pad 12 distal to the plate 11, in order to improve the comfort of use of the pedal 1 in accordance with the invention.

The thickness is here considered in a direction perpendicular to the bearing surface 124 of the anti-slip pad 12.

As visible on the , the pedal 1 can also include a support heel 13 located at a lower end 113 of the plate 11 opposite the upper terminal end 112, relative to the own extension axis L.

The support heel 13 extends projecting relative to the plate 11 in order to maintain the heel of the driver's foot in support and on the plate 11 of the pedal 1, as visible on the .

The support heel 13 is attached to the plate 11 of the pedal 1, or the support heel 13 comes from the material with said plate 11.

In summary, the invention relates to a pedal 1 for a motor vehicle, preferably of the type of a paddle pedal 1, the pedal 1 comprising a plate 11 which extends longitudinally relative to a specific extension axis L and a pad anti-slip pad 12 located at an upper terminal end 112 of the plate 11, relative to the own extension axis L, the anti-slip pad 12 providing a support surface 124 for the end of a shoe in order to better hold the UT user's foot on pedal 1.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, shapes, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (10)

Pedal (1) for a motor vehicle, the pedal (1) comprising:
- a support (10);
- a plate (11) which extends longitudinally relative to a specific extension axis (L);
- a system for articulating the plate (11) relative to the support (10);
characterized in that the pedal (1) further comprises an anti-slip pad (12) located at an upper terminal end (112) of the plate (11), relative to the own extension axis (L ). Pedal (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the anti-slip pad (12) is wider than the plate (11) so as to allow support from a toe. Pedal (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the anti-slip pad (12) has a peripheral rim. Pedal (1) according to the preceding claim, in which a thickness of the peripheral rim is between 3 mm and 5 mm. Pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a thickness of the anti-slip pad (12) is between 5 mm and 7 mm. Pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the anti-slip pad (12) is formed of an anti-slip coating. Pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the anti-slip pad (12) comprises anti-slip ribs making it possible to limit slipping. Pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the anti-slip pad (12) comprises stiffening ribs. Pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pedal (1) comprises a support heel (13) located at a lower end (113) of the plate (11) opposite the upper terminal end (112), relative to the own extension axis (L), the support heel (13) extending projecting relative to the plate (11). Motor vehicle comprising a foot block and at least one pedal (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.