WO2003044614A1

WO2003044614A1 - Arrangement at a driver's compartment in a motor vehicle, and a pedal arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2003044614A1
Application number: PCT/SE2002/002109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per-Gunnar Björck; Monica Walterdotter
Original assignee: Saab Autombile Ab
Priority date: 2001-11-20
Filing date: 2002-11-20
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: AU2002353701A1; SE0103857D0

Abstract

In an arrangement at a driver's compartment in a motor vehicle, with steering wheel (3), chair (4), and pedals forming part of a pedal arrangement (5), at least the positions of the chair and of the pedals are adjustable in the vehicle. The seat part (7) of the chair is in this case arranged to be automatically to be automatically adjusted to an increasingly higher position, along the vertically fixed backrest (6) of the chair, the farther forward the chair is moved, and the pedals are arranged to be simultaneously moved, together with a floor element (15), rearward and upward in the vehicle the farther forward the chair is moved. In this way, drivers of different heights can obtain a comfortable driving position relative to the steering wheel and pedals, with the head at essentially the same level (10) in the vehicle. The invention also relates to a pedal arrangement (5) suitable for such a compartment arrangement.

Description

Arrangement at a driver's compartment in a motor vehicle, and a pedal arrangement

Technical field

The invention relates on the one hand to an arrangement at a driver's compartment in a motor vehicle, in accordance with the preamble of patent claim 1 , and on the other hand to a pedal arrangement in accordance with the preamble of patent claim 9.

Background art

In a driver's compartment in a vehicle, it is customary for the driver's seat to be movable in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction and also to be adjustable to different sitting positions by changing the inclination of the seat and of the backrest so as to be able to obtain a good sitting and driving position for drivers of different heights. To permit an even better driving position, it is also customary for the steering wheel to be adjustable to different positions in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction in the vehicle.

For a short driver to have a good forward view and be able to reach the pedals, it is necessary to set the chair high up and far forward. However, this means that the height above the floor and the pedals increases, for which reason it often becomes necessary to lower the front edge of the seat part in order to obtain good pedal contact. The result is that the driver can more easily slide forward out of the chair, something which is particularly disadvantageous in a collision situation, as the risk of injury is considerably increased by this. Another problem with conventionally arranged driver's compartments is that the height of the neckrest needs to be adjusted relative to the chair's backrest for drivers of different heights. To solve the aforementioned problems concerning the driver's view and also to increase driver safety, it has been proposed to design the driver's compartment in such a way that the driver's head is always at a predetermined height position and at a predetermined longitudinal position in the vehicle. The backrest of the chair is in this case fixed in the vehicle, while the seat part of the chair is movable in the vertical direction relative to the backrest. In addition, the steering wheel and pedals are adjustable both in the vertical direction and in the longitudinal direction in the vehicle. In this way, the driver's chair can be well integrated in the vehicle, but a disadvantage is that the space behind the driver's chair cannot be increased when the driver is short. Moreover, a considerable range of adjustment for the steering wheel and pedals is required.

Object of the invention

It is an object of the invention to make available an improved driver's compartment which provides good control, comfort and safety for drivers of different heights. Another object is to reduce the need for adjustability of the steering wheel. A further object is to provide a space of variable size behind the driver's compartment. Yet another object is to use simple components at the driver's compartment.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is achieved by means of an arrangement with the features specified in patent claim 1 , and by means of a pedal arrangement with the features specified in patent claim 9.

By designing the driver's chair with a backrest which is fixed in the vertical direction of the vehicle but is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and along which the seat part of the chair is automatically adjusted to an ever higher position the farther forward the chair is moved, and vice versa, and by arranging the pedals to be simultaneously moved, together with a floor element, rearward and upward in the vehicle the farther forward the chair is moved, and vice versa, drivers of different heights can sit with their heads at essentially the same level and have a comfortable driving position relative to the steering wheel and pedals. This makes it possible to have a fixed steering wheel position, optionally with slight axial adjustability. By this means it is ensured that different drivers have the same field of view over and through the steering wheel, with the result that the control panels can be seen by all drivers. From the safety point of view, an important advantage obtained is that an airbag arranged in the steering wheel can always be directed optimally toward the driver and does not risk being pushed too high into the latter's face or too low against his or her stomach.

Another advantage is that the various functions and controls do not have to be adjusted relative to the driver, and instead the latter is positioned correctly relative to these functions and controls.

By means of the selected positioning of the driver, the number of necessary adjustment possibilities for the chair can be reduced, which permits a simpler design of the chair.

Movement of the pedals is achieved by pivoting the pedals about a pivot axle which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is arranged in front of and above the pedals.

The fact that the pedals are moved in parallel means that the same type of foot movement is needed for maneuvering of the pedals by drivers of different heights, by which means a good pedal function is ensured.

By designing the pedals as "standing" pedals, i.e. with the maneuvering axle of the pedals situated lower than the actual pedal surface, it is possible to design the pedal suspension in such a way that, in a collision situation, the pedals can fall forward and thus do not risk injuring the driver's feet. Yet another advantage from the point of view of safety is that the pedal suspension can easily be placed in a safe position slightly behind the front cowl wall in the vehicle.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description and the patent claims.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an illustrative embodiment shown in the attached drawing.

Description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of an arrangement at a driver's compartment,

Fig. 2 shows a simplified perspective view of a pedal arrangement, from the side,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a pedal arrangement, from the front,

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view, obliquely from behind, of a pedal arrangement with the pedals in a low forward position,

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view, corresponding to Fig. 4, with the pedals in a high rearward position, and

Fig. 6 shows a side view similar to that in Fig. 1. Description of an illustrative embodiment

In a motor vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1 , a driver's compartment 2 is provided with a steering wheel 3, a chair 4, and a pedal arrangement 5. The chair 4 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has a backrest 6, which is fixed in the vertical direction, and a seat part 7 which can be moved in the vertical direction along the backrest 6 in conjunction with the chair 4 being moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The movements of the seat part 7 and of the chair 4 are coupled to one another in such a way that the seat part 7 is automatically set to an increasingly higher position the farther forward the chair 4 is moved, and vice versa. This mutual movement of backrest 6 and seat part 7 thus results in the hips of a driver 8 automatically assuming an increasingly higher position the farther forward the chair is moved, and an increasingly lower position the farther back the chair is moved. This movement of the driver's hips as a function of a movement of the chair 4 can be represented by a line 9 shown in Fig. 1.

Said movement is such that both a tall driver and a short driver will have a line of sight at essentially the same level 10 in the vehicle and will thereby have a good view from the vehicle. A result of this is that a neckrest 11 mounted on the backrest 6 will at all times be situated at essentially the correct position for drivers of different heights and does not therefore have to be adjusted vertically relative to the backrest 6 for drivers of different heights.

The pedal arrangement 5 is used in a conventional manner for controlling engine speed, braking and gear transmission and in this example is provided with an accelerator pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal, and a foot rest. To permit adjustment to drivers of different heights, the pedal arrangement 5 is continuously adjustable between a lower, forward position shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 , intended for tall drivers, and an upper, rearward position shown by broken lines, intended for short drivers. As can be seen, upon adjustment from a position for a tall driver to a position for a short driver, the driver's heel point 12 is gradually moved upward and rearward in the vehicle. The pedal arrangement.5 is secured in the bodywork of the vehicle via holders 13 (of which only one is shown in Fig. 1), expediently in a crossbeam coupled to the vehicle's A-pillars, and, for increased collision protection, is located at a distance behind the front cowl wall 14 of the bodywork. The pedal arrangement 5 includes a floor element 15 which is intended to support the driver's feet and which, upon adjustment of the pedal arrangement, is movable to different positions in the vehicle and bears, via an end portion, against a support element 16 arranged in the vehicle behind the pedal arrangement 5.

The design of the pedal arrangement 5 is shown in detail in Figures 2-5. A frame 17 is mounted pivotably in two holders 13 which are arranged at a distance laterally from each other and are secured in the vehicle, such that said frame 17 can be pivoted about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An elongate, lower part 18 of this frame 17 is mounted rotatably and supports a pivotably mounted accelerator pedal 19, brake pedal 20 and clutch pedal 21 , which in the inactivated state are arranged to assume a predetermined position relative to the lower part 18, which thus constitutes a maneuvering axle about which the pedals can be pivoted upon maneuvering. A foot rest 22 intended for the driver's left foot is also mounted on the lower part 18, in a rotationally fixed manner. On one side of the pedal arrangement 5, where the foot rest 22 is situated, there is a parallelogram mechanism 23 which permits parallel movement of the pedals 19 and 21 and foot rest 22 when the frame 17 is pivoted in the holders 13. This parallelogram mechanism 23 includes, in addition to a side part 24 of the frame 17 and a holder 13, also a bar 25 which is parallel to the side part 24 and is pivotably mounted on the one hand in the holder 13 and on the other hand in a part of the foot rest 22.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, the accelerator pedal 19 is mounted on the lower part 18 via a holder 26 which is expediently designed in such a way that, on the one hand, it allows the accelerator pedal in the unloaded state to be moved to a certain position together with the lower part 18 when the frame 17 is pivoted, and, on the other hand, it allows the accelerator pedal to be pivoted relative to the lower part 18, or maneuvering axle, in order to provide acceleration, and in the latter case the actual position of the accelerator pedal can be transmitted electrically to the engine, for example via a suitable potentiometer (not detailed here). The brake pedal 20 is connected, via a sleeve 27 mounted rotatably on the lower part 18 and via a link mechanism 28, to a sleeve 30 mounted rotatably on the upper part 29 of the frame 17. This sleeve 30 is in turn intended to be coupled, via a maneuvering member 31 , to the brake system (not shown here) of the vehicle in order to transmit movements of the brake pedal 20. The rest position of the brake pedal 20 is thus dependent on the position which the maneuvering member 31 assumes, through its coupling to the brake system, when the brake system is in the rest position. When the frame 17 is pivoted in the holders 13, the brake pedal 20 is also moved in parallel with the aid of the link mechanism 28. The upper part 29 of the frame 17 here additionally forms a pivot axle about which the frame 17 and the pedals can be pivoted in the vehicle. The clutch pedal 21 is connected, via a sleeve 32 mounted pivotably on the sleeve 27, to the engine clutch, in this case via a main cylinder 33 mounted on the rear of the foot rest 22. Transmission mechanisms other than those shown here can of course be used.

The floor element 15 is divided into a front part 34 and a rear part 35, which parts are pivotably connected via a hinge 36 which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The front part 34 is expediently connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the lower part 18 of the frame 17 and can thus be moved in parallel together with the pedals and the foot rest. The rear part 35 lies with its rear end movable against the top face of the support element 16 which slopes upward in the direction toward the rear of the vehicle, and it can be lifted up rearward, for example for cleaning purposes. From the setting of the pedals 5, farthest down and farthest forward in the vehicle, intended for a tall driver and indicated by solid lines in Figures 1 and 2, the pedal arrangement 5 can, as has been stated, be adjusted to other positions intended for shorter drivers, one of these positions being indicated by broken lines. To obtain such an adjustment in conjunction with movement of the chair 4, an adjustment device 37 (see Fig. 1) is expediently located on the pedal arrangement 5, which adjustment device 37 can pivot the frame 17 and is preferably coupled to a setting mechanism for the chair 4 in order to synchronize the adjustment of the pedal arrangement 5 with the change of setting of the chair 4. In addition to given standard settings for chair and pedals, there may also be a possibility of making smaller individual adjustments of pedal setting and chair setting.

By choosing a suitable inclination of the support element 16, it is possible to determine how the inclination of the rear part 35 of the floor element 15 will be affected during adjustment of the pedal arrangement 5. For example, when an inclination is chosen which is less than that shown in the drawing, the rear end of the rear part 35 will be raised less than is shown in the drawing upon movement from the position shown by solid lines to the position shown by broken lines. Correspondingly, an increased inclination of the support element 16 will result in an increased raising of the rear end of the rear part 35.

Fig. 4 shows a setting of the pedal arrangement 5 corresponding to the setting of the pedal arrangement 5 shown by solid lines in Figures 1 and 2, while Fig. 5 shows a setting of the pedal arrangement 5 corresponding to the setting of the pedal arrangement 5 shown by broken lines in Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen, the frame 17 and the floor element 15 assume different positions here. As has been stated, the pedals 19, 20 and 21 are of the "standing" type, with the maneuvering axle of the pedals being located lower than the pedals' maneuvering surfaces for the feet. In order to avoid these pedals being forced upward against the driver's feet and thus injuring the driver in the event of a collision, it is preferable to arrange for the parallelogram mechanism 23 to be rendered inoperative in the event of a collision, so that the pedals can fall forward in the vehicle (shown by broken lines in the starting position shown in Figures 1 and 2). This can be achieved, for example, by the upper end of the bar 25 being disengaged from the holder 13 with the aid of a suitable mechanism, or in some other suitable way. A protective function is also provided by the frame 17 which, as a result of its design, can protect the driver's feet in the event of a collision.

The pedal arrangement 5 is also designed such that the driver's lower leg is always at a safe distance from a striking surface of an upper panel in the vehicle, in order to minimize the risk of the driver's legs being injured by impact. When the floor element 15 is in a raised position, this provides extra protection against injuries from underneath when the underside of the vehicle is struck. A corresponding protective function can be achieved when the floor element 15 is in its lower position if, for example, a foot airbag is arranged under the floor element and, in the event of a collision, lifts the floor element 15 a short distance, for example a few centimeters. It is also possible instead to choose to lift the floor element 15 in another way in order to raise the driver's heel point in a collision, for example with the aid of at least one detonator acting on the floor element.

Another way of changing the position of the driver's heel point during adjustment of the chair 4 and of the pedal arrangement 5 is to choose another location of the hinge 36 between the front part 34 and the rear part 35 of the floor element 15. By suitable adaptation of the mutual movement between the driver's hips and heel point when adjusting the position of chair and pedals for different drivers, the need for adjustment of the steering wheel 3 can be considerably reduced or possibly entirely eliminated. Normally, the position of the steering wheel can be kept unchanged, although a slight adjustment in the axial direction may possibly be required, and possibly also a slight adjustment in tilt. All these adjustments can, however, be much smaller than is required in conventionally designed driver's compartments with pedals mounted in a fixed position. The chosen parallel movement of the pedals can be changed by choosing another position of the pivot axle of the pedal arrangement in the vehicle and also by choosing another radius of the pivot movement which is executed during adjustment. The adjustment is expediently carried out on the basis of actual requirements.

Fig. 6 shows, in a simplified manner, how the sitting position of a driver 8 can be varied for drivers of different heights and when the steering wheel 3 is substantially fixed in the vehicle 1. The chair 4 is in this case set for a driver 8 of medium height, shown by solid lines. The backrest 6 is in this case in such a position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that the driver comfortably reaches the steering wheel, and the seat part 7 is at such a level relative to the backrest 6 that the driver's eyes are at the level 10 indicated. The driver's hips are located at the point 9' of the line 9 which represents possible movement of the driver's hips. The driver's heel point 12 is at the same time at position 12'.

A tall driver, shown by dot-and-dash lines, needs to sit farther back and will have his hips located at the point 9" on the line 9, the backrest 6 thus having been moved backward and the seat part 7 having been lowered relative to the position shown by solid lines. The heel point 12 will in this case essentially remain at position 12'. A short driver, shown by broken lines, needs to sit farther forward and higher up and will have his hips located at the point 9'" on the line 9, the. backrest 6 thus having been moved forward and the seat part 7 having been raised relative to the position shown by solid lines. The heel point 12 has at the same time moved along a heel point line 12a to a position 12'".

As has already been mentioned, the movements of the chair 4 and of the pedal arrangement 5 are coupled to one another in a predetermined manner so that drivers of different heights have their eyes at substantially the same height in the vehicle and thereby have a good view both of the surrounding area and of the instruments.

The embodiments described above can of course be varied in different ways within the scope of the invention, in accordance with drivers' needs and wishes.

Claims

Patent claims

1. An arrangement at a driver's compartment in a motor vehicle, with steering wheel (3), chair (4), and pedals (19-21) forming part of a pedal arrangement (5), at least the positions of. the chair and of the pedals being adjustable in the vehicle, characterized in that the seat part (7) of the chair is arranged to be automatically adjusted to an increasingly higher position, along the vertically fixed backrest (6) of the chair (4), the farther forward the chair is moved, and vice versa, and in that the pedals (19-21) are arranged to be simultaneously moved, together with a floor element (15), rearward and upward in the vehicle the farther forward the chair is moved, and vice versa, by which means drivers of different heights can sit in a comfortable driving position relative to the steering wheel and pedals, with the head at essentially the same level (10) in the vehicle.

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are movable about a pivot axle (29) which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is arranged in front of and above the pedals.

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are movable in parallel about the pivot axle (29).

4. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the pedals (19-21), for maneuvering them in an adjusted position, are mounted pivotably on a maneuvering axle (18) which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is parallel to and pivotable about the pivot axle (29), which is arranged farther forward and higher up in the vehicle.

5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axle (29) and the maneuvering axle (18) form part of a parallelogram mechanism (23).

6. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 -5, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are of the standing type, with the maneuvering axle (18) of the pedals situated lower than the pedals' maneuvering surface intended for the feet.

7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are arranged to fall forward in the event of a collision so as not to injure the driver's feet.

8. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the pedal arrangement (5) is assigned a maneuvering device (37) which is provided for adjusting the position of the pedals and which is controlled as a function of the movement of the chair (4) in the vehicle.

9. The arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 -8, characterized in that the steering wheel (3) is essentially fixed.

10. A pedal arrangement for motor vehicles, in particular for an arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1-9, where pedals (19-21) are adjustable to different positions in the vehicle, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) can be adjusted to different positions by pivoting about a pivot axle (29) which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which is located in front of and above the pedals, and in that a floor element (15) provided for supporting the driver's feet is adjustable together with the pedals.

11. The pedal arrangement as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are movable in parallel about the pivot axle (29).

12. The pedal arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the pedals (19-21), for maneuvering them in an adjusted position, are mounted pivotably on a maneuvering axle (18) which extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is parallel to and pivotable about the pivot axle (29), which is arranged farther forward and higher up in the vehicle.

13. The pedal arrangement as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the pivot axle (29) and the maneuvering axle (18) form part of a parallelogram mechanism (23).

14. The pedal arrangement as claimed in any of claims 10-13, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are of the standing type, with the maneuvering axle (18) of the pedals situated lower than the pedals' maneuvering surface intended for the feet.

15. The pedal arrangement as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the pedals (19-21) are arranged to fall forward in the event of a collision so as not to injure the driver's feet.

16. The pedal arrangement as claimed in any of claims 10-15, characterized in that the floor element (15) is formed by two parts (34,

35) connected to one another in an articulated manner, where a front part (34) is movable in parallel about the pivot axle (29) together with the pedals, and a rear part (35) is movable, via its rear end, along support element (16) which slopes upward and rearward in the vehicle.