DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC RELEASE OF ACCELERATOR DURING THE BRAKING ACTION

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic release of the accelerator during the braking action, wherein a manual accelerator device is provided, means (16) interacting with said manual acceleration device and lever means (1) to control the acceleration and the braking, said acceleration and braking actions occurring according two substantially perpendicular directions, said device comprising integral coupling means (10) of said interaction means (16) with said manual acceleration device, releasable coupling means (11, 12), integral with said integral coupling means (10) and releasably connectable with said lever means (1), elastic means (8) hindering the releasing between said releasable means (11, 12) and said control lever means (1), and return elastic means (13) to return the acceleration device in a neutral position.

Description: DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC RELEASE OF ACCELERATOR DURING THE BRAKING ACTION The present invention relates to a device for automatic release of the accelerator during the braking action. More specifically, the invention relates to a device of the above kind, particularly employable in the automotive field, that allows to avoid any risk deriving from the prosecution of the acceleration action during the braking. The problem of automatically releasing the accelerator during the braking phase is very important in many technical fields, but it is particularly important in the apparatuses to allow the driving to disabled persons. At present, acceleration and braking devices for disabled persons are known, comprised of a pivoted lever under the steering member of the motor vehicle, or on the floor of the same, and provided with a handle of the motorcycle kind. However, said devices does not allow the automatic annulment of the acceleration in case of braking. In fact, in case the acceleration handle is not manually, completely or partially, reset, as it can occur in case of emergency manoeuvring, an unavoidable and dangerous interference occurs between the two actions, and consequently the braking action is made inefficacy by the acceleration still active. Main object of the present invention is that of solving the above mentioned drawbacks, suggesting a technical solution allowing to make the acceleration and braking action independent. Another object of the present invention is that of obviating to the possible interference during the vehicle guide between the acceleration and braking actions. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a device for the automatic release of the accelerator during the braking action, wherein a manual accelerator device is provided, means interacting with said manual acceleration device and lever means to control the acceleration and the braking, said acceleration and braking actions occurring according two substantially perpendicular directions, said device comprising integral coupling means of said interaction means with said manual acceleration device, releasable coupling means, integral with said integral coupling means and releasably connectable with said lever means, elastic means hindering the releasing between said releasable means and said control lever means, and return elastic means to return the acceleration device in a neutral position. According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, said means for integral coupling with said interaction means can be comprised of a pin passing through a hole realised in a body of said acceleration device, and integral with said interaction means, said pin having on the other end a plate releasably coupled with said lever means. Preferably, according to the invention, said control lever means provide on the back part a two arm fork, at the ends of said arms being provided means with said hindering elastic means. Furthermore, according to the invention, a relief can be provided on said plate, coupling with a blind hole realised on said control lever means, to release or not the coupling during the braking action. Still according to the invention, an adjustable stop can be provided, allowing the releasing of said control lever means and releasable coupling means. Always according to the invention, said return elastic means can be comprised of the same return elastic means provided by the acceleration device, or of spring means provided on said releasable coupling means. Preferably, according to the invention, a cruise control device can be provided. Particularly, said cruise control device can provide a plate, provided behind the accelerator device, and provided with means for fixing the acceleration position and means for interaction with manual acceleration and braking means. The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention; figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of figure 1 ; and figure 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention. Making reference to figures 1 and 2 of the enclosed drawings, the device according to the invention is mounted on an acceleration and braking assembly to allow the driving to disabled persons, in this case particularly, even if not exclusively, to tetraplegic persons. In figures 1 and 2, it is shown a lever 1 , upon which the driver acts both to accelerate and brake, respectively according to the directions indicated by arrows A and B. Said lever 1 ends with a fork 2, provided, on the free ends of its arms 3, with through holes 4, wherein the pin 5 is coupled. On the body of the fork 2, laterally outwardly with respect to the device, observing the same in the figure, it is further provided a blind hole 6, the function of which will be described in greater detail in the following. On the pin 5 a sleeve 7, as well as hindering spring 8 are provided. Perpendicularly with respect to the fork 2, between the two arms 3, a further centrally holed sleeve 9 is placed, through which the pin 10 passes, said pin 10 being externally provided with a plate 11 , said plate having a relief 12 coupling with said blind hole 6. Coaxially to the sleeve 9 a hindering spring 13 is placed, hindering the motion of the lever 1 according to the arrow A. Pin 10 passes through a hole 14 of the body 15 to couple with a pulley 16 of the acceleration device mounted on the vehicle to allow the driving to disabled persons, and which is not part of the invention, and for this reason it is not described in greater detail. Making particularly reference to figure 1, in the following the operation of the device according to the invention will be explained. During acceleration, the driver acts on the lever 1 , according to the direction of arrow A. Relief 12 is engaged within the blind hole 6, so that said action involves the rotation of all the lever 1 - fork 2 - pin 10 assembly, along with plate 11 - pulley 16, with respect to the body 15, thus acting on the cable 17 of the acceleration device (not shown). In case of braking, driver acts on the lever 1 according to arrow B, so that the releasing of the relief 12 from the blind hole 6 is obtained. Now, the action of the spring 13 instantaneously brings back the pin 10 - plate 11 - pulley 16 assembly in the original position, thus eliminating any action on the acceleration device of the motor vehicle and preventing any possibility of occurring accidents like those described in the introductive portion of the description. On the inner part of the fork 2 a stop (not shown in the figure) is shown, determining the lever 1 and fork 2 run, necessary to determine the release of the acceleration action before prosecuting the braking action. Once the braking action is finished, spring 8 will couple again relief 12 and blind hole, now ready to start again the use of the device. Obviously, as already mentioned, the device according to the invention can be realised with modifications which are included in the normal knowledge of one skilled in the art. For example, pin 10 and plate 11 could be provided on the other side of the body 15, beyond the pulley 16 connecting with the acceleration device. Furthermore, the same pulley 16 could be replaced by different means for interaction with the acceleration device. Coming now to make reference to figure 3, a second embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown. The solution shown in figure 3 is substantially equal to the preceding one, so that corresponding parts will be indicated by the same references. Substantially, the main difference is the fact that it is realised for a lefthander person, and that it provides a cruise control device, that could also be provided in the previous embodiment. Device shown in figure 3 provides a lever 1 , upon which the driver acts both to accelerate and brake. Said lever 1 ends with an element 2, provided with a U shaped portion provided, on the free ends of its arms 3, with through holes 4, wherein the pin 5 is coupled. On the body of the element 2 a peg 6' is provided, the function of which will be described in greater detail in the following. Pin 5 passes within an element 22, shown in the enlarged particular of the figure, providing two perpendicular sleeves, respectively 7 and 9, and a spring 8. Pin 10 passes through the sleeve 9. Externally to said pin 10 a plate 11 is provided, said plate having a notch 12' coupling with said peg 6'. Coaxially to the sleeve 9 a hindering spring 13 is placed, hindering the motion of the lever 1 during acceleration. Pin 10 passes through a hole 14 realised in the body 15 to couple with a plate 16' of the acceleration device mounted on the vehicle to allow the driving to disabled persons, and which is not part of the invention, and for this reason it is not described in greater detail. On said body 15 it is further mounted the "cruise control" device, comprised of a plate 17, provided on one side with a pin 18 ending with a spiral spring 19, and that enters within a hole (not shown) realised in the body 15, and on the other side ending with a peg 20, that will couple with one of a plurality of circumferential holes (not shown), realised on said element 16'. Laterally, a knob 21 is provided, coupled with said pin 18 and slidable along a slot (not shown), realised in said body 15. If the driver wishes to use the cruise control device, he will act on the knob 21, returning the plate 17 and thus inserting the peg 20 in the suitable hole of said plurality of circumferential holes. In any moment, in case of further action on the lever 1 , either to brake or to accelerate, the cruise control device will be released. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for automatic release of the accelerator during the braking action, wherein a manual accelerator device is provided, means interacting with said manual acceleration device and lever means to control the acceleration and the braking, said acceleration and braking actions occurring according two substantially perpendicular directions, said device being characterised in that it comprises integral coupling means of said interaction means with said manual acceleration device, releasable coupling means, integral with said integral coupling means and releasably connectable with said lever means, elastic means hindering the releasing between said releasable means and said control lever means, and return elastic means to return the acceleration device in a neutral position. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said means for integral coupling with said interaction means are comprised of a pin passing through a hole realised in a body of said acceleration device, and integral with said interaction means, said pin having on the other end a plate releasably coupled with said lever means. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said control lever means provide on the back part a two arm fork, at the ends of said arms being provided means with said hindering elastic means. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a relief is provided on said plate, coupling with a blind hole realised on said control lever means, to release or not the coupling during the braking action. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an adjustable stop is provided, allowing the releasing of said control lever means and releasable coupling means. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said return elastic means are comprised of the same return elastic means provided by the acceleration device, or of spring means provided on said releasable coupling means. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cruise control device is provided. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that said cruise control device provides a plate, provided behind the accelerator device, and provided with means for fixing the acceleration position and means for interaction with manual acceleration and braking means. 9. Device according to each one of the preceding claims, substantially as illustrated and described.

Inventors: SPINNATO DARIO, SPINNATO, DARIO
Applicants: GUIDSIMPLEX S N C DI GIANCARLO, SISTEMA GUIDA 2000 S R L, SPINNATO DARIO, GUIDSIMPLEX S.N.C. DI GIANCARLO VENTURINI E C., SISTEMA GUIDA 2000 S.R.L., SPINNATO, DARIO
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60K41
IPC codes: B60W30, G05G9