A Pedalboard with Safety System for Tractors

DESCRIPTION

The invention has for an object a multiple pedalboard associated to a differentiate braking system, and preferably for tractors or the like, which exhibits a safety or locking system adapted to prevent the unwanted activation of only a part or section of such a braking system, and allows to obtain the automatic signaling of a release or non-locking position or configuration of such safety system.

The braking system of a tractor commonly allows to activate differentially the brakes acting respectively on two opposite sides of the tractor, in order to promote the change of direction of the tractor itself.

The selective activation of only one part of the braking system, for example in the course of distances covered from one tractor working area to another, may result in undesired consequences to the detriment of the safety associated with use of the tractor itself. Furthermore, the risk associated with the possibility of braking the tractor in an accidentally unbalanced manner, increases when the tractor is running along public roads used for the circulation of motor vehicles and/or cycles and/or pedestrians.

The object of the present invention is to develop a multiple pedalboard which may be associated with a braking system, preferably for tractors, which prevents accidental activation of the differential type of the braking system.

Prevention of such accidental activation is entrusted to a safety or locking system based on which the need is felt that the user is put in the condition of monitoring, with a certain degree of security, such release or locking condition or configuration taken on progressively by the safety system. A further object of the present invention is to develop a multiple pedalboard that may be associated with a braking system, preferably for tractors, which prevents the braking system from being accidentally activated in a differential manner and which generates a direct warning signal to the driver of the tractor in the case that the safety system is not in the locking configuration thereof.

These aims are attained by a pedalboard comprising at least two pedals suitable for being connected to the braking system of a tractor and configured for activating said braking system in a differential manner via the relative movement between said at least two pedals, characterized in that it comprises coupling means which may take on at least an operating condition, wherein said coupling means is configured to prevent said relative movement, and at least a non-operating condition, wherein the coupling means is configured to enable said relative movement, and locking means associated to said coupling means and suitable for taking on at least one release configuration, wherein said locking means allows switching of said coupling means from said operating condition to said non-operating condition, and at least one locking configuration, wherein said locking means prevents switching of the coupling means from said operating condition to said non-operating condition,

wherein said pedalboard comprises detection means configured for generating at least a detection signal indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one locking configuration or in said at least one release configuration,

and a control unit configured for receiving said at least one detection signal and for generating at least one acoustic and/or visual warning signal when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration.

A possible embodiment of the present invention may provide at least one of the following technical aspects.

Preferably the control unit is configured for intefacing with an engine of said tractor, and for generating at least a control signal when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration, said control signal being suitable at least for limiting and/or reducing the forward speed of said tractor and/or for stopping said engine.

The detection means preferably comprises a sensor and a cavity configured for being detected by said sensor.

Said sensor is preferably integral with the movement of at least one of said pedals and said cavity is integral with the movement of said coupling means.

However the sensor and cavity positions may be reversed to each other, which means that the sensor may be fastened to the coupling means, and the cavity located on at least one of the pedals.

Such cavitiy could also be replaced by any other abutment means intended for the sensor, and may itself contain such abutment means. The coupling means previously mentioned preferably comprises a pin, the coupling means is configured such that, in the operating condition of said coupling means, said pin accomplishes at least one constraint axis between said at least two pedals.

Said constraint axis is preferably arranged transversely with respect to said relative movement.

Preferably said coupling means is configured in such a way that said pin, in said operating condition of said coupling means, is subject to a rotation about said constraint axis.

Preferably said locking means is configured for being subject to said rotation along with said pin and for switching from said locking configuration to said release configuration and vice versa via said rotation. In this manner, when the pin defines the constraint axis, the latter becomes subject to at least one movement. Such movement comprises the rotation about the constraint axis in addition to dragging the locking means. Following this movement, the detection means sends a detection signal indicative of the configuration taken on by the locking means as a result of the fact that the locking means is integral with said movement of the pin. To this end, the detection means is configured for detecting switching of said locking means from said release configuration to said locking configuration, and/or from said locking configuration to said release configuration, on the basis of the anglular position of said pin about said constraint axis.

Said cavity is preferably blind.

Said cavity preferably exhibits an opening which is situated on the outer surface of said pin and is radially facing towards a development axis of said pin.

Preferably said cavity is a " spot slot ".

Preferably said locking means comprises an abutment portion capable of remaining in contact with at least one of said pedals in order to prevent to said coupling means from switching from said operating condition to said non-operating condition.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a kit for modifying the pedalboard comprising said at least two pedals, said coupling means and said locking means.

Such kit comprises said detecting means configured for generating said at least one detection signal indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one locking configuration or in said at least one release configuration.

This kit comprises the control unit configured for receiving said at least one detection signal and for generating at least one acoustic and/or visual warning signal, when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration.

Preferably, the control unit of such a kit is configured for interfacing with an engine of said tractor, and for generating said at least one control signal when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration. Such control signal may be suitable at least to limit and/or to decrease the forward speed of said tractor and/or of said engine thereof and/or to stop said engine.

According to a further aspect, the present invention concerns a process intended for modifying a pedalboard comprising said at least two pedals. Such process comprises the step of setting said pin, which can assume at least an operating condition wherein the pin is configured to prevent said relative movement, and at least a non-operating condition wherein the pin is configured to enable said relative movement.

This process comprises the step of providing such locking means. This process comprises the step of providing the sensor integral to the movement of at least one of the pedals, and the step of forming a cavity integral with the movement of said pin, said cavity being configured for being detected by said sensor, and said sensor and cavity being configured for detecting the positioning of said locking means in said at least one locking configuration or in said at least one release configuration.

It should be appreciated that the sensor and cavity positions may still be mutually reversed.

Such process comprises the step of predisposing the control unit and connecting it to said sensor and/or said cavity so that the control unit is capable of receiving said at least one detection signal from said sensor and to generate at least one acoustic and/or visual warning signal detected by said sensor, when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration.

Such a process may comprise the further step of connecting said control unit with an engine of said tractor, so that the control unit is capable to generate said at least one control signal when said at least one detection signal is indicative of the positioning of said locking means in said at least one release configuration, said control signal being adapted at least to limit and/or reduce the forward speed of said tractor and/or engine and/or to stop said engine.

The features of the present invention will better emerge from the following detailed description illustrated by way of non-limiting example in respect to the most general concepts claimed herein.

The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a pedalboard according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of such preferred embodiment is in the active and locked condition, and in which one block diagram illustrating operation of such preferred embodiment is also shown;

- figure 2 is a perspective view suitable to show in detail that part in an operating and locked condition thereof;

- figure 3 is a perspective view suitable to show in detail that part in an operating and unlocked condition thereof;

- figure 4 is a perspective view of such a preferred embodiment, in which this part is in non-operating condition;

- figure 5 is a partial side section of the preferred embodiment that is suitable for illustrating in detail that part in an operating and locked condition thereof;

- figure 6 is a partial side section of the preferred embodiment adapted to show in detail that part in an operating and unlocked condition thereof. Figure 1 depicts a pedalboard 1 comprising at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b. The pedals 1 a and 1 b are adapted to be connected to the braking system of a tractor. The pedals 1 a and 1 b are configured for activating said braking system in differential mode via the relative movement between said at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b.

The pedals 1 a and 1 b are in fact configured for being associated with at least two respective sections of the tractor braking system.

For example, these sections can be those used to brake one or more wheels on the right side of the tractor, and respectively one or more wheels on the left side of the tractor, with respect to a longitudinal direction integral with the tractor itself. This longitudinal direction is for example the one along which the tractor is moving when, in normal use, the tractor is proceeding along a rectilinear trajectory.

In particular in the embodiment shown, each of the two pedals 1 a and 1 b may be subject to a rotation about an orthogonal axis to the plane of Figures 5 and 6, in which the pedal 1 a is viewed from the side. The rotation of each of the pedals 1 a and 1 b may be different from that of the other one, so that such relative movement is obtained. This relative movement in turn causes a mutually different braking intensity of said at least two sections of the braking system.

The pedals 1 a and 1 b each comprise a lever and an end portion whereon the user exerts a pressure in order to activate at least partly the braking system, as is clearly depicted in the figures.

The pedalboard 1 comprises coupling means 2.

Such coupling means 2 can assume at least an operating condition in which the coupling means 2 is configured to prevent said relative movement as shown in Figures 1 , 2, 3, 5 and 6. In this operating condition, the coupling means 2 prevents the sections of the braking system, connected respectively to said at least two pedals 1a and 1 b, from giving rise to systems with different braking forces.

Such coupling means 2 may take on at least a non-operating condition, depicted in Figure 4, in which the coupling means 2 is configured for enabling said relative movement.

The pedalboard 1 comprises locking means 5 associated to said coupling means 2.

The locking means 5 is capable of taking on at least one release configuration wherein the locking means 5 allows to said coupling means 2 to switch from said operating condition to said non-operating condition. This release configuration of the locking means 5 is depicted in figures 3 and 6.

The locking means 5 is suitable to assume a locking configuration wherein the locking means 5 prevents the coupling means 2 from switching from said operating condition to said non-operating condition. Figures 1 , 2 and 5 depict the locking means 5 in the locking configuration thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the locking means 5 can then assume its locking or release configuration when the coupling means 2 assumes the operating configuration thereof.

The pedalboard 1 comprises detection means 3 configured to generate at least one detection signal Y. The detection signal Y can be indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one locking configuration and/or of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one release configuration. Thus, such detection signal Y may send the information that such locking means 5 is in this locking configuration thereof or the information that such locking means 5 is in the release configuration thereof.

The pedalboard 1 comprises a control unit illustrated by block C of Figure 1 , and configured to receive said at least one detection signal Y.

The control unit C is configured to generate at least one acoustic and/or visual warning signal indicated by the arrow X, when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one release configuration.

In the preferred embodiment referred to in the attached figures, the pedalboard 1 advantageously comprises acoustic and/or visual alarm means.

Said at least one acoustic and/or visual signal X is generated by the control unit C for example via such alarm means. The alarm means is preferably embedded within the same physical module that contains the control unit C.

Interface means, for example comprising a display panel, may be further provided which is suitable to inform the user on the configuration that the locking means 5 is about to take on, and/or on the condition of the coupling means 2, regardless of any warning signals. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the control unit C is configured to interface with an engine M of a tractor, and to generate at least one control signal Z when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said release configuration. The control signal Z may be suitable at least to limit and/or decrease the forward speed of said tractor and/or engine M, and/or to stop said engine M.

For example, the control unit C may be connected with the control unit of the engine M.

In the figures, the detection signals Y and the control signals Z are depicted by means of connection arrows between the component that emits the signal and the component that receives it.

For the sake of simplicity, the warning signal X is represented with an arrow outgoing from the control unit C.

The detection means 3 advantageously comprises a sensor 3a.

The detection means 3 advantageously comprises a cavity 3b configured for being detected by said sensor 3a.

In other words, the sensor 3a has the function of detecting the passage and/or the presence of the cavity 3b at the sensor 3a itself, such that one may determine whether, at a given moment, a correct alignment is present between sensor and cavity and, thus, a correct mutual positioning between the pedal 1 a and the coupling means 2, i.e. a correct positioning of the coupling means 2.

In the embodiment shown, the sensor 3a is integral with the pedal 1 a, whereas the cavity 3b is integral with the coupling means 2. Hence, the sensor 3a follows the movement of the pedal 1 a while the cavity 3b follows the movement of the coupling means 2. In another possible embodiment the cavity 3b may be integral with the pedal 1 a, and the sensor 3a may be integral with the coupling means 2.

In the embodiment shown the coupling means 2 comprises a pin 2a. The coupling means 2 is configured so that, in said operating condition of said coupling means 2, said pin 2a defines or forms at least one constraint axis V between said at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b.

The constraint axis V shown in Figures 2 and 4 is transverse to said relative movement, so that the coupling means 2 that defines the latter, opposes a great resistance to a possible system of forces potentially capable of causing a relative movement between the pedal 1 a and the pedal 1 b. Note that in Figure 4 the constraint axis V is shown, although the pin 2a, in the non-operating condition of the same figure 4, is not physically defining such constraint axis V.

The coupling means 2 is advantageously configured such that the pin 2a, when the coupling means 2 is in the operating condition thereof, can be subject to a rotation about said constraint axis V. This rotation of the pin 2a, in the embodiment shown, can take place for example according to the arrow R of figure 5, and then about an axis orthogonal to the plane of figures 5 and 6.

The locking means 5 is configured to be subject to said rotation of the pin 2a along with the pin 2a itself.

The locking means 5 is configured to move from the locking configuration to the release configuration thereof, and vice versa, via said rotation. In other words, the rotation of the locking means 5 about the constraint axis V, which may be caused by the user, determines the rotation of the pin 2a about the constraint axis V, as well as the passage of the locking means 5 from the locking configuration to the release configuration, or conversely, from the release configuration to the locking configuration.

The direction of the arrow R of Figure 5 indicates the movement of the locking means 5 when the latter switches from the locking configuration to the release configuration thereof.

As can be seen particularly by comparing Figures 5 and 6, the detection means 3 is configured to detect switching of said locking means 5 from said locking configuration to said release configuration, and/or switching of said locking means 5 from said release configuration to said locking configuration.

The detection means 3 is configured to detect such a transition on the basis of the angular position of said pin 2a about said constraint axis V. In fact, when the locking means 5 is in the locking configuration of Figure 5, the sensor 3a detects that the cavity 3b is facing towards the sensor 3a, and/or that the cavity 3b is aligned with the sensor 3a. In this case the sensor 3a, which is preferably associated to a transducer, provides to send at least one detection signal Y to the control unit, which detection signal Y is indicative of the fact that the locking means 5 is in the locking configuration thereof.

The sensor 3a is preferably of the optical or magnetic type or of the Hall- effect type, or still, another type of sensor suitable for identifying a correct or incorrect angular positioning of a pin having a cavity facing the sensor 3a itself.

Possibly via the transducer, the sensor 3a sends the detection signal Y preferably by way of a connector 4.

When instead the locking means 5 is in the release configuration of Figure 6, the sensor 3a detects that the cavity 3b is not facing towards the sensor 3a, and/or that the cavity 3b is not aligned with the sensor 3a. In this case the sensor 3a, which is preferably associated to a transducer, sends at least one detection signal Y to the control unit, which detection signal Y is indicative of the fact that the locking means 5 is in the release configuration thereof.

In the embodiment shown the cavity 3b is blind, in order to facilitate assembly of any abutment means suitable for interacting with the sensor 3a, so that the same sensor 3a can detect the cavity 3b.

Such abutment means could also not be present. In this case the abutment means for the sensor 3a includes the cavity 3b itself, and the sensor 3a is able to detect the presence of the space defined by the cavity 3b itself.

The cavity 3b could be replaced by any other abutment means for the sensor 3a.

Advantageously this cavity 3b has an opening which is located on the outer surface of said pin 2a.

The same opening defined by the cavity 3b is facing radially towards an axis of development of the pin 2a. In other words, the cavity 3b extends radially with respect to said axis of development of the pin 2a. The cavity 3b is further advantageously formed within the pin 2a. When the coupling means 2 is in the operating condition thereof, such axis of development of the pin 2a coincides with the constraint axis V.

In the embodiment shown, the locking means 5 advantageously comprises a stop portion 5a adapted to remain in contact or in proximity with at least one of said pedals 1 a and 1 b, when said locking means 5 is in the locking configuration. In this way, when the locking means 5 is in the locking configuration thereof, the stop portion 5a prevents said coupling means 2 from switching from said operating condition to said non-operating condition.

The locking means 5 advantageously comprises an arm that defines a recess and is preferably U-shaped. For the sake of clarity, this arm is not indicated in the figures, but is clearly visible.

In particular, the stop portion 5a is part of that arm.

Advantageously, the coupling means 2 comprises one or more openings 2b via which the pin 2a may remain interposed between said at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b. When the coupling means 2 switches from the non- operating condition of Figure 4, to the operating condition illustrated in the other figures, the pin 2a is inserted into said openings 2b.

The opening 2b located on the pedal 1 a is visible only in figures 5 and 6. Right after that the pin 2a was inserted into at least two openings 2b located on the respective pedals 1 a and 1 b, the locking means 5 comes to be located in the release configuration thereof illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. In order that the locking means 5 is brought into the locking configuration thereof, the locking means 5 must be rotated by the user according to an arrow opposite to that of figure 5, so that the locking means 5 switches from the situation depicted in figure 6 to that of figure 5. At this point the stop portion 5a is capable of opposing to an axial force that tends to extract the pin 2a from at least one of the openings 2b, thereby hindering the switching of said coupling means 2 from the operating condition of figure 1 or 2, to the non-operating condition of figure 4.

However it should be appreciated that figure 4 depicts a non-operating condition of the coupling means 2 such that the pin 2a can be extracted from both openings 2b afforded respectively in the two pedals 1 a and 1 b, although only the opening 2b is visible, which is formed on the pedal 1 b. A further non-operating condition of the coupling means 2 could be such that the pin 2a is removed through an opening 2b only, for example the one located on the pedal 1 b, or the one on the pedal 1 a.

In order to maintain the locking means 5 in the locking configuration thereof, the pedalboard 1 , preferably further comprises constraint means between the locking means 5 and at least one of the pedals 1 a and 1 b. Such constraint means preferably comprises a constraint portion 5a' of the locking means 5, which constraint portion 5a' is configured to remain locked by friction to a surface of at least one of the pedals 1a and 1 b.

In the embodiment shown, the constraint portion 5a' is integrated within the stop portion 5a.

In the situations referred to by Figures 1 , 2, and 5, the constraint portion

5a' is locked by friction on a surface of the pedal 1a.

In the embodiment shown, the pin 2a can be further inserted into a bushing 6 capable of stabilizing the positioning of the pin 2a in the openings 2b of the pedals 1 a and 1 b. The bushing 6 exhibits an opening

6a, through which the sensor 3a can detect the presence of the cavity 3b.

Furthermore, the sensor 3a is preferably of an elongated shape. Such sensor 3a is preferably inserted into a hole 7b formed in a support 7a, in turn attached to one of the pedals 1 a and 1 b. The same sensor 3a, in the embodiment depicted, is held in position by the action of fixing means 7c. According to a further aspect, the present invention concerns a kit for modifying a pedalboard comprising at least the two pedals 1 a and 1 b, the coupling means 2 and the locking means 5.

Such a kit comprises detection means 3 configured for generating at least one detection signal Y indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one locking configuration or in said at least one release configuration.

This kit includes the control unit C that is configured to receive said detection signal Y and to generate at least one acoustic and/or visual warning signal X when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one release configuration.

Preferably, the control unit C of the kit is configured to interface with an engine M of said tractor, and to generate at least one control signal Z when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning of said locking means 5 in said release configuration. The control signal Z may be suitable at least to limit and/or decrease the forward speed of said tractor and/or of said engine M and/or to stop said engine M. According to a further aspect, the present invention concerns a process for modifying a pedalboard comprising at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b. Such process comprises the step of providing a pin 2a which can assume at least an operating condition in which it is configured to prevent said relative movement between said at least two pedals 1 a and 1 b, and at least a non-operatomg condition in which it is configured to allow said relative movement .

Such process comprises the step of providing the locking means 5 and secure them to the pin 2a.

Such process comprises the step of providing the sensor 3a integral with at least one of the pedals 1 a and 1 b, and the step of forming a cavity 3a integral with the movement of said pin 2a, said cavity 3b being configured for being detected by said sensor 3a, and said sensor 3a and cavity 3b being configured to detect the positioning of said locking means 5 in said at least one locking configuration or in said at least one release configuration.

It is to be appreciated that the positions of the sensor 3a and cavity 3b may still be mutually reversed.

Such process comprises the step of providing the control unit C and connect it to said sensor 3a and/or cavity 3b, so that the control unit C is capable of receiving said at least one detection signal Y from said sensor 3a, and of generating at least an acoustic and/or visual warning signal X when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning in said at least one release configuration of said locking means 5.

Such a process may comprise the further step of connecting said control unit C with an engine M of said tractor, so that the control unit C is adapted to generate said at least one control signal Z when said at least one detection signal Y is indicative of the positioning of the locking means 5 in said release configuration, said control signal Z being suitable at least to limit and / or reduce the forward speed of said tractor and/or said engine M and/or to stop said engine M.

The invention attains the intended purposes, and allows to obtain a multiple pedalboard provided with a safety or locking system that is able to suitably oppose to a relative movement of the pedals in situations where an unbalanced braking of the tractor may result in serious drawbacks. Moreover the pedalboard is associated with a monitoring system that can be embedded within the pedalboard itself in a compact and reliable manner, and which allows to constantly monitor the mutual constraint condition of the pedals, and thus to detect the presence of a possible failure resulting from the risk of a an unwanted relative movement of the pedals.