Pedal device

Abstract

A pedal device includes a support body (10, 20), a pedal (40) that is able to swing with respect to the support body and is subjected to a pedal operation from a prescribed operation side by a driver (81), and a reaction force generating mechanism (60). The reaction force generating mechanism is supported by the support body, is disposed on the opposite side of the pedal with respect to the operation side, and generates a reaction force with respect to a pedal force applied to the pedal by the driver. The reaction force generating mechanism has one or more elastic members (65, 66, 71) that are able to elastically deform in one direction (Dsa), a first bracket (67), and a second bracket (68). The first bracket abuts the one or more elastic members from one side of the one direction that is the pedal side. The second bracket abuts the one or more elastic members from the other side of the one direction and is subjected to the pedal force. One of the first bracket and the second bracket has an outer guide portion (69) that has a cylindrical shape, and the other of the first bracket and the second bracket has an inner guide portion (70) that is fitted into the outer guide portion in a manner that allows relative movement with respect to the outer guide portion.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing of related applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-082792, filed on May 14, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a pedal device installed in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] As such a pedal device, a pedal simulator as described in Patent Document 1 is known in the past. The pedal simulator described in Patent Document 1 includes a brake pedal, a working rod connected to the brake pedal, a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder in a manner subject to the force of the working rod, and multiple coil springs. These multiple coil springs, disposed within the cylinder, elastically support the piston and resist the force of the working rod.

[0005] Additionally, as the driver depresses the brake pedal, the piston is pushed by the lever and moves axially within the cylinder, which is the direction of piston movement. As the piston moves within the cylinder, it slides relative to the cylinder's inner wall and is guided by that wall.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-084091 Summary of the Invention

[0009] In the pedal simulator of Patent Document 1, when the driver depresses the brake pedal, the working rod connected to the brake pedal pushes the piston at an angle relative to it, causing the piston to move. Therefore, the inner wall of the cylinder needs to be guided in a way that prevents the piston from tilting relative to the cylinder.

[0010] However, in the pedal simulator of Patent Document 1, the inner wall of the cylinder, which functions as a guide portion to guide the piston, is larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring installed inside the cylinder. Therefore, when the guide length occupied by the outer peripheral surface of the piston that slides in contact with the guide portion in the piston's moving direction is set as L, and the diameter of the guide portion is set as D, it is difficult to increase the value of L / D while suppressing the enlargement of the cylinder's shape.

[0011] As a result, in the pedal simulator of Patent Document 1, the piston tends to tilt relative to the cylinder. If the piston tends to tilt in this way, the reaction force relative to the force applied to the brake pedal tends to deviate from the preset design value. In short, in the pedal simulator of Patent Document 1, the following situation may occur: the reaction force according to the design value cannot be obtained relative to the driver's operation of pressing the brake pedal. The inventors discovered this situation through detailed research.

[0012] In view of the above, the object of this disclosure is to provide a pedal device in which the component corresponding to one of the piston and the cylinder is less likely to be tilted relative to the component corresponding to the other of the piston and the cylinder.

[0013] In order to achieve the above objectives, according to one viewpoint of this disclosure,

[0014] The pedal system is a pedal system installed in a vehicle, and it has the following features:

[0015] Support body, installed on the vehicle body;

[0016] The pedals are designed to swing relative to a support, and are operated by the driver from a designated operating side; and

[0017] The reaction force generating mechanism, supported by a support body, is positioned on the opposite side of the pedal (i.e., the opposite operation side) to the operating side, generating a reaction force relative to the pedal force applied by the driver.

[0018] The reaction force generating mechanism comprises: one or more elastic members capable of elastic deformation in one direction; a first bracket abutting against the one or more elastic members from one side of the aforementioned one direction (as the pedal side) and being pushed by the pedal; and a second bracket abutting against the one or more elastic members from the other side of the aforementioned one direction (opposite to one side) and receiving the pedaling force transmitted to the one or more elastic members.

[0019] One of the first and second supports has an outer guide portion that is inserted into an inner space formed inside the one or more elastic members, and is in the shape of a cylinder extending in one direction.

[0020] The other of the first and second supports has an inner guide that extends in one of the aforementioned directions and is embedded in the outer guide in such a way that it can move relative to the outer guide in the aforementioned direction.

[0021] In this way, by setting the guiding length in one direction to be L, and the maximum width of the inner guide portion in the direction perpendicular to the aforementioned direction to be D, it is easy to increase the value of L / D. Therefore, the outer guide portion and the inner guide portion guide each other with sufficient length in the aforementioned direction, making it difficult for the first support to be tilted relative to the second support.

[0022] As a result, it is possible to obtain advantages such as easily generating the desired reaction force in response to the driver's pedal operation. Furthermore, the first bracket corresponds to one of the piston and cylinder described in Patent Document 1, and the second bracket corresponds to the other of the piston and cylinder.

[0023] Furthermore, the parenthesized reference symbols attached to each structural element indicate an example of the correspondence between that structural element and the specific structural elements described in the embodiments described later. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a pedal device in the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the pedal device of the first embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device perpendicular to the pedal axis in the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 In the first embodiment, Figure 3 The enlarged view of part IV is a partial magnification.

[0028] Figure 5 The diagram shown in the second embodiment is of the elastic element when the pedal is in a non-pedaled state. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cross-section obtained by cutting the elastic element with a plane containing the axis of the element.

[0029] Figure 6 It means Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of section VI-VI.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a schematic representation of... Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the same section is a diagram showing the maximum compression state of the helical spring when it is pushed and contracted to the maximum extent in the elastic element.

[0031] Figure 8 In the third embodiment, a cross-sectional view schematically representing an elastic element is shown, which is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0032] Figure 9 This is indicated in the third embodiment. Figure 8 The cross-sectional view of section IX-IX is... Figure 6 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the maximum compression state of the elastic element in the fourth embodiment, and is related to... Figure 7 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0034] Figure 11 The fifth embodiment shows a cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element as a single unit, which is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0035] Figure 12 The cross-sectional view of the elastic element schematically represented by a single unit in the sixth embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0036] Figure 13 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 7th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0037] Figure 14 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in embodiment 8 is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0038] Figure 15 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 9th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0039] Figure 16 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 10th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0040] Figure 17 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 11th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0041] Figure 18 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 12th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0042] Figure 19 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 13th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0043] Figure 20The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 14th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0044] Figure 21A In the 15th embodiment and Figure 5 Figure 1, which represents the behavior of the structural elements contained in the elastic unit, is a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastic unit and the area surrounding the elastic unit in the non-pedaled state of the pedal.

[0045] Figure 21B In the 15th embodiment and Figure 5 Figure 2, which represents the behavior of the structural elements contained in the elastic element, is a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastic element when the spring seat abuts against the first support along the element axis midway through the spring compression process.

[0046] Figure 21C In the 15th embodiment and Figure 5 Figure 3, which represents the behavior of the structural elements contained in the elastic unit, is a schematic cross-sectional view of the elastic unit in the state where the first and second helical springs are compressed to the maximum extent during spring compression.

[0047] Figure 22 The graph in the 15th embodiment shows the relationship between the pedal force and the pedal travel, representing the pedal force characteristics.

[0048] Figure 23A This is Figure 1, which illustrates the behavior of the structural elements included in the elastic unit in the 16th embodiment, and is consistent with the 15th embodiment. Figure 21A The corresponding schematic cross-sectional view.

[0049] Figure 23B This is Figure 2, which illustrates the behavior of the structural elements included in the elastic unit in Embodiment 16, and is consistent with Figure 15. Figure 21B The corresponding schematic cross-sectional view.

[0050] Figure 23C This is Figure 3, which illustrates the behavior of the structural elements included in the elastic unit in Embodiment 16, and is consistent with Figure 15. Figure 21C The corresponding schematic cross-sectional view.

[0051] Figure 24 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in the 17th embodiment is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0052] Figure 25 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in embodiment 18 is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0053] Figure 26 The cross-sectional view schematically representing the elastic element in embodiment 19 is consistent with... Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0054] Figure 27 The diagram schematically illustrates the general structure of the pedal device in the 20th embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the elastic element.

[0055] Figure 28 This is schematically shown in the 20th embodiment. Figure 27 Cross-sectional view of sections XXVIII-XXVIII.

[0056] Figure 29 This is a diagram schematically showing the general structure of the pedal device in the 21st embodiment, and is related to... Figure 27 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0057] Figure 30 It is schematically shown in the 21st embodiment. Figure 29 The cross-sectional view of section XXX-XXX is related to... Figure 28 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0058] Figure 31 It is schematically shown in the 21st embodiment. Figure 30 Cross-sectional view of section XXXI-XXXI.

[0059] Figure 32 This is a schematic diagram showing the general structure of the pedal device in embodiment 22, and is related to... Figure 27 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0060] Figure 33 In the 23rd embodiment, it will be with Figure 29 The figure shown is a partial extract of part XXXIII.

[0061] Figure 34 It is schematically shown in the 23rd embodiment. Figure 33 Cross-sectional view of section XXXIV-XXXIV.

[0062] Figure 35 It is schematically shown in the 23rd embodiment. Figure 33 Cross-sectional view of section XXXV-XXXV. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the same symbols are added to the figures for parts that are the same or equivalent to each other.

[0064] (First Embodiment)

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the pedal device 1 in this embodiment is a device mounted on the vehicle 80, and is operated by the pedal force of the driver 81, who is an occupant of the vehicle 80. This pedal device 1 is provided on the vehicle 80 as a brake pedal device for braking the vehicle 80.

[0066] In detail, Figure 1 The vehicle 80 employs a brake-by-wire system 82, and the pedal device 1 is a brake pedal device used in the brake-by-wire system 82. The brake-by-wire system 82 refers to a system that drives the brake pads of each wheel via a brake circuit based on the electrical signal output from the pedal device 1 and the hydraulic pressure generated in the master cylinder by the drive control of the electronic control device 83 mounted on the vehicle 80.

[0067] also, Figure 1 The double-headed arrows indicate the directions of the vehicle 80 equipped with the pedal device 1. That is, in Figure 1 In the diagram, double-headed arrows represent the vehicle's front-to-back direction Da, which is the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 80, and the vehicle's vertical direction Db, which is the vertical direction of the vehicle 80 (in other words, the top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle 80). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the area in front of the vehicle in the front-to-back direction Da is also referred to as the vehicle's front, the area behind the vehicle in the front-to-back direction Da is also referred to as the vehicle's rear, the area above the vehicle in the vertical direction Db is also referred to as the vehicle's top, and the area below the vehicle in the vertical direction Db is also referred to as the vehicle's bottom.

[0068] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the pedal device 1 includes a housing 10, a base plate 20, a rotating shaft 31, a connecting plate 32, a pedal 40, a reaction force generating mechanism 60, a connecting rod 76, a covering member 77, and a rotation angle sensor 79. The pedal device 1 is an organ-type pedal device.

[0069] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the accordion-style pedal device 1 refers to a structure in which the portion of the pedal 40 that is pressed by the driver 81 is positioned above the vehicle (in other words, above in the top-to-bottom direction when mounted on the vehicle) relative to the swing center CL of the pedal 40. Furthermore, in the accordion-style pedal device 1, as the force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 increases, the pedal 40 swings in a direction that brings the portion of the pedal 40 above the vehicle above the swing center CL closer to the floor 2 or the front panel of the passenger compartment. The swing center CL of the pedal 40 refers to the center of rotation during the swinging motion of the pedal 40. In this embodiment, the swing center CL of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal axis CL.

[0070] The outer shell 10 is mounted to the floor 2 or front bulkhead, which is part of the vehicle body, via the base plate 20. That is, the outer shell 10 and the base plate 20 are non-rotating components that are fixed to the vehicle body and do not rotate.

[0071] The outer casing 10 and the base plate 20 are integrally fixed and fixed to the floor 2. For example, the outer casing 10 is fixed to the base plate 20 by bolts or the like, and the base plate 20 is fixed to the floor 2 by bolts or the like. In this way, the outer casing 10 and the base plate 20 are mounted on the floor 2. Moreover, the outer casing 10 and the base plate 20 function as supports for the support pedal 40 and the reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc. In addition, the floor 2 constitutes the floor of the vehicle compartment. Furthermore, the front bulkhead is a partition that separates the exterior of the vehicle compartment, such as the engine compartment, from the interior of the vehicle compartment, and is sometimes referred to as a partition.

[0072] Furthermore, an outer shell space 10a, serving as an internal space, is formed on the inner side of the outer shell 10. This outer shell space 10a opens towards the floor 2 within the component unit of the outer shell 10. By mounting a base plate 20 to the outer shell 10, the open opening 10b of the outer shell space 10a is blocked by the base plate 20. A reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc., is provided in the outer shell space 10a.

[0073] The base plate 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped component, provided on the side of the housing 10 opposite to the side of the pedal 40. That is, the base plate 20 is provided on the floor 2 side relative to the housing 10, and is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the floor 2 in the vehicle-mounted state where the pedal device 1 is installed on the floor 2.

[0074] The floor plate 20 extends continuously from the front side of the vehicle housing 10 to the rear side of the vehicle housing 10, and is fixed to the floor 2 of the vehicle 80 by bolts or the like, as described above. The floor plate 20 is made of, for example, metal.

[0075] The rotating shaft 31 is rotatably supported on the rotating shaft support portion 13, which forms part of the housing 10. Specifically, a rotating shaft hole 13a is formed on the inner side of the rotating shaft support portion 13, extending axially along the pedal shaft center CL with the pedal shaft center CL as the center, and the rotating shaft 31 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 13a.

[0076] Additionally, a rotation angle sensor 79 is installed on the rotating shaft support 13 (see reference). Figure 1 As the rotation angle sensor 79, it can be either a non-contact sensor using a Hall IC or a magnetoresistive element, or a contact sensor.

[0077] The rotation angle sensor 79, installed on the rotation shaft support 13, detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 31 and outputs an electrical signal representing the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 31 to the electronic control device 83 (see reference). Figure 1 Furthermore, the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 are fixed to each other and rotate as a whole, so the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 31 is the same as the rotation angle of the pedal 40.

[0078] A connecting plate 32 is disposed on the side of the pedal 40 opposite to the side subjected to the pedal force from the driver 81, i.e., the pedal back 40b. The connecting plate 32 connects the pedal 40 to the rotating shaft 31, allowing the pedal 40 to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 31. The connecting plate 32 integrally has a back plate portion 321 fixed to the pedal back 40b in the pedal 40 and a side plate portion 322 disposed perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the back plate portion 321. The back plate portion 321 of the connecting plate 32 is fixed to the pedal 40, for example, by means of threaded fastening.

[0079] The side plate portion 322 of the connecting plate 32 is disposed on the side of the housing 10, and one end of the rotating shaft 31 is fixed to the side plate portion 322. Thus, the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 are fixed to the connecting plate 32 respectively, so the connecting plate 32, the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 rotate as a whole around the pedal axis CL.

[0080] Furthermore, the rotating shaft 31 is connected to the pedal 40 via the connecting plate 32. Therefore, the pedal 40 does not contact the rotating shaft support 13 of the housing 10 at any rotation angle within the movable range of the pedal 40, and is disposed separately from the rotating shaft support 13.

[0081] The pedal 40 is a plate-shaped device having a thickness in the thickness direction Dt and extending in the extension direction Ds, and is made of, for example, metal or resin. As the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40 from one side in the thickness direction Dt, the pedal 40 swings around its pedal axis CL. Therefore, the side of the pedal 40 in the thickness direction Dt is, in other words, the side where the driver 81 depresses the pedal, i.e., the operating side of the pedal 40. Furthermore, the other side of this thickness direction Dt, opposite to one side, is, the operating opposite side of the pedal 40.

[0082] In detail, the housing 10 supports the pedal 40 via the rotating shaft 31 in a manner that allows it to swing around the pedal axis CL. Moreover, the pedal 40 is fixed to the rotating shaft 31 via the connecting plate 32, so the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 are integrated and swing around the pedal axis CL as the driver 81 presses the pedal.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the axial direction of the pedal shaft CL, the thickness direction Dt of the pedal 40, and the extension direction Ds are intersecting directions, or more precisely, perpendicular directions. Additionally, in the description of this embodiment, the thickness direction Dt of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal thickness direction Dt, and the extension direction Ds of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0084] In the non-pressed state (in other words, the released state) when the pedal 40 is not being pressed by the driver 81, it is inclined relative to the vehicle's longitudinal direction Da. Specifically, the pedal 40 is inclined such that its upper end is located in front of and above the vehicle relative to its lower end. That is, in the non-pressed state of the pedal 40, one side of the pedal extension direction Ds is located below the vehicle compared to the other side of the pedal extension direction Ds, and the pedal 40 extends in a plate shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even in the maximum pressing state of the pedal 40 described later, one side of the pedal extension direction Ds is still located below the vehicle compared to the other side of the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0085] Furthermore, the thickness of the pedal 40 is not constant; the pedal 40 has a thick-walled portion 411 and a thin-walled portion 412 disposed on one side of the pedal extension direction Ds relative to the thick-walled portion 411. The thick-walled portion 411 is thicker than the thin-walled portion 412. For example, in the thick-walled portion 411, other plate-shaped components are stacked and fixed on one side of the plate thickness direction Dt relative to a plate-shaped portion extending from the thin-walled portion 412 and having the same thickness as the thin-walled portion 412. In this embodiment, the surface of the pedal 40 formed on the thick-walled portion 411 facing the plate thickness direction Dt functions as the tread surface 40a of the pedal 40 that is stepped on by the driver 81 during pedal operation.

[0086] Additionally, the pedal 40 has a pedal back surface 40b located on the opposite side of the pedal plate in the thickness direction Dt. This pedal back surface 40b is the outer side facing the opposite side in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. The pedal back surface 40b is formed along the entire length of the pedal 40 in the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0087] Regarding the positional relationship between the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31, the rotating shaft 31 is positioned on the opposite side of the pedal back surface 40b in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. Furthermore, the housing 10 and the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are positioned on the opposite side of the pedal 40 in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt.

[0088] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the pedal 40 swings around its axis CL within a limited, predetermined range of rotation angles (in other words, the movable range) of less than one revolution as the driver 81 depresses it. Specifically, the aforementioned range of rotation angles in the swinging motion of the pedal 40 extends from its minimum rotation position to its maximum rotation position. That is, the minimum rotation position is the pedal 40 when it is not depressed, and the maximum rotation position is the pedal 40 when it is depressed to its maximum extent by the driver 81.

[0089] also, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pedal device 1 is shown in the unpressed state, i.e., the released state where no pedal force is applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81. Similarly, the following description... Figure 4 The reaction force generating mechanism 60 and connecting rod 76 are shown when the pedal 40 is not in the pedaled state.

[0090] For example, within the aforementioned rotation angle range, the pedal 40 swings forward and downward toward the vehicle from the upper end of the pedal 40 as the force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 40 from the side in the pedal thickness direction Dt increases. In summary, the pedal 40 swings forward and downward toward the vehicle from the upper end of the pedal 40 as the force applied by the driver 81 increases. Figure 3 The pedal 40 swings in a gradually tilting manner as the force applied to it by the driver 81 from the side of the pedal thickness direction Dt decreases, and the upper end of the pedal 40 swings backward and upward toward the vehicle via the action of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. In summary, the pedal 40 swings in a manner that, although still in a tilted posture, is close to an upright posture as the force applied by the driver 81 decreases.

[0091] In this embodiment, the minimum rotational position of the pedal 40 is defined by the release stop 781, which serves as the first stop, and the maximum rotational position of the pedal 40 is defined by the pedal stop 782, which serves as the second stop.

[0092] When released, the stop member 781 is a shaft fixed to the side plate portion 322 of the connecting plate 32, protruding from the side plate portion 322 along the axial direction of the pedal axis CL toward the housing 10. Furthermore, when released, the stop member 781 enters a stop groove 10c formed on the side of the housing 10 and extending in an arc shape, moving within the stop groove 10c as the pedal 40 swings. Moreover, when the pedal 40 is not pressed, the stop member 781 abuts against the housing 10 at the end of the stop groove 10c along the circumferential direction of the pedal axis CL, thereby holding the pedal 40 in a position of minimum rotation.

[0093] When the pedal is depressed, the stop member 782 is located in the housing 10 at a position further forward of the vehicle than the pedal axis CL. Specifically, the stop member 782 is located at the upper end of the wall in the housing 10 located at the front of the vehicle. When the pedal 40 is in its maximum depressed state, the stop member 782 contacts the upper end or near the back of the pedal 40b, holding the pedal 40 in its maximum rotational position.

[0094] The reaction force generating mechanism 60 generates a reaction force relative to the pedal force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 40. This reaction force generating mechanism 60 is housed within the housing 10 and is therefore positioned on the opposite side of operation relative to the pedal 40. Furthermore, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is supported within the housing 10 by a base plate 20. Specifically, the leaf spring 61 included in the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is fixed to the base plate 20 by bolts 201, thereby supporting the reaction force generating mechanism 60 on the base plate 20.

[0095] The reaction force generating mechanism 60 includes a leaf spring 61, a fastening member 62, and an elastic unit 63. The leaf spring 61 has one end 611 as the fixed end of the leaf spring 61 and another end 612 as the free end of the leaf spring 61. The one end 611 of the leaf spring 61 is threadedly fixed to the base plate 20 by a bolt 201. In addition, the elastic unit 63 is installed at the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the fastening member 62.

[0096] The leaf spring 61 is capable of flexing such that its other end 612 moves relative to one end 611 along a virtual plane perpendicular to the pedal axis CL. Thus, when the driver 81 applies a pedal force to the other end 612 by pressing the pedal 40, the leaf spring 61 flexes such that the other end 612 approaches the base plate 20 as the pedal force increases.

[0097] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the elastic unit 63 is composed of a plurality of structural members (e.g., helical springs 65, 66, supports 67, 68, and spring seat 74) arranged around a unit axis Cs extending in one direction. Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, the axial direction Dsa of the unit axis Cs is also referred to as the unit axial direction Dsa, and the radial direction Dsr of the unit axis Cs is also referred to as the unit radial direction Dsr. The unit axial direction Dsa corresponds to one direction of this disclosure.

[0098] The unit axial direction Dsa is the direction that intersects the axial direction of the pedal axis CL, strictly speaking, it is perpendicular. Furthermore, the unit radial direction Dsr is, of course, perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa. In this embodiment, the term "one side of the unit axial direction Dsa," based on the elastic unit 63, refers to the pedal 40 side relative to the elastic unit 63. The term "the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa," based on the elastic unit 63, refers to the side opposite to the pedal 40 side (e.g., the base plate 20 side) relative to the elastic unit 63.

[0099] Furthermore, depending on the rotation angle of the pedal 40, the unit axis Dsa may be inclined relative to the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. However, one side of the unit axis Dsa, with respect to the pedal plate thickness direction Dt, is one of the two sides of the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. Moreover, the other side of the unit axis Dsa, with respect to the pedal plate thickness direction Dt, is the other side of the two sides of the pedal plate thickness direction Dt.

[0100] Specifically, the elastic unit 63 has one or more elastic members 65 and 66, a first support 67, a second support 68, and a spring seat 74 capable of elastic deformation in the unit axial direction Dsa. In this embodiment, the one or more elastic members 65 and 66 are one or more helical springs 65 and 66, more specifically, the one or more elastic members 65 and 66 are a first helical spring 65 and a second helical spring 66.

[0101] Both the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are compression coil springs. For example, when the pedal 40 is not in the pedaling state, the elastic compression of the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 is at its minimum, but they remain in an elastically compressed state.

[0102] The axis of the first helical spring 65 is the unit axis Cs. Therefore, the first helical spring 65 is constructed with the unit axial direction Dsa as its axial direction and the unit radial direction Dsr as its radial direction. Similarly, the axis of the second helical spring 66 is also the unit axis Cs. Therefore, the second helical spring 66 is constructed with the unit axial direction Dsa as its axial direction and the unit radial direction Dsr as its radial direction.

[0103] The first helical spring 65 has one end 651 located on one side of the unit axis Dsa and another end 652 located on the other side of the unit axis Dsa. The second helical spring 66 has one end 661 located on one side of the unit axis Dsa and another end 662 located on the other side of the unit axis Dsa.

[0104] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the first coil spring 65 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second coil spring 66. Moreover, in the non-pedaled state of the pedal 40, a portion of the first coil spring 65 is arranged to overlap with the second coil spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0105] In detail, when the pedal 40 is not in the pedaled state, the first coil spring 65 is offset to one side of the unit axial direction Dsa compared to the second coil spring 66. Moreover, a portion of the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa in the first coil spring 65 is arranged to overlap with a portion of the unit axial direction Dsa in the second coil spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr, forming a radial gap between them.

[0106] Therefore, the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 is arranged to overlap with the second helical spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr, corresponding to the first spring seat side end of this disclosure. In addition, one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 is arranged to overlap with the first helical spring 65 on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr, corresponding to the second spring seat side end of this disclosure.

[0107] The first bracket 67 has a portion disposed on one side of the unit axis Dsa relative to the first coil spring 65. Furthermore, the first bracket 67 is disposed on the other side of the unit axis Dsa relative to the connecting rod 76 connected to the pedal 40, and contacts the connecting rod 76. Therefore, the first bracket 67 is pushed to the other side of the unit axis Dsa by the pedal 40 via the connecting rod 76. Moreover, the first bracket 67 transmits the pedal force from the driver 81 received from the pedal 40 to the first and second coil springs 65 and 66, and the leaf spring 61.

[0108] Furthermore, an opening 10d is formed on the housing 10, opening toward the pedal 40 side. Thus, the connecting rod 76 can contact the first bracket 67.

[0109] The first bracket 67 has an outer guide portion 69 in the shape of a cylinder extending along the unit axis Dsa, a first abutment portion 672 disposed around the outer guide portion 69, and a first spring guide portion 673. The outer guide portion 69, the first abutment portion 672, and the first spring guide portion 673 are integrally formed. For example, the first bracket 67 is made of resin.

[0110] The outer guide portion 69 is inserted into the inner space 63a formed inside the first helical spring 65. This inner space 63a is formed inside all the helical springs 65 and 66 of the elastic unit 63 and is also referred to as the spring inner space 63a.

[0111] Furthermore, the cylindrical shape of the outer guide portion 69 has an internal space formed on its inner side. This internal space is blocked on one side of the unit axis Dsa and open on the other side of the unit axis Dsa. That is, the cylindrical shape of the outer guide portion 69 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with a bottom on one side of the unit axis Dsa.

[0112] The outer guide portion 69 has an inner circumferential surface 691 facing the inner side of the cylindrical shape. Specifically, the cylindrical shape of the outer guide portion 69 is a circular shape, the axis of which is the unit axis Cs. Therefore, in a cross-section perpendicular to the unit axis Dsa, the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 is circular with the unit axis Cs as its center.

[0113] Additionally, the outer guide portion 69 has a front end face 692 formed on the other side of the unit axis Dsa, and a bottom surface 693 forming the internal space of the outer guide portion 69 and facing the internal space from one side of the unit axis Dsa. The front end face 692 and the bottom surface 693 of the outer guide portion 69 are surfaces facing the other side of the unit axis Dsa.

[0114] The first abutment portion 672 is disposed on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the first helical spring 65, and extends in a flange shape from the end of the outer guide portion 69 on the side of the unit axial direction Dsa toward the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr. The first abutment portion 672 does not contact the second helical spring 66 of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66, but abuts against one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 from the side of the unit axial direction Dsa. In this embodiment, one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 corresponds to the first spring end of this disclosure that is connected to the first bracket 67.

[0115] Additionally, the first support 67 has a pressing surface 67a facing the unit axis Dsa. This pressing surface 67a is, for example, a circular planar surface without protrusions or holes, formed with the unit axis Dsa as the normal direction.

[0116] The second bracket 68 has a portion located on the opposite side of the unit axis Dsa relative to the second coil spring 66. Furthermore, the second bracket 68 is configured to receive the pedal force transmitted to the second coil spring 66 by the rider 81. The other end 612 of the second bracket 68, relative to the leaf spring 61, is located on one side of the unit axis Dsa and is fixed to this other end 612.

[0117] The second bracket 68 has an inner guide portion 70 in the shape of a rod extending along the unit axis Dsa, a second abutment portion 682 disposed around the inner guide portion 70, and a second spring guide portion 683. The second abutment portion 682 and the second spring guide portion 683 are integrally formed, constituting a flange-like member 684 as a single component. The inner guide portion 70 is configured as a separate component from the flange-like member 684. That is, in the second bracket 68, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are configured as independent components. For example, the flange-like member 684 is made of resin, and the inner guide portion 70 is made of metal.

[0118] The inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the outer guide portion 69 from the other side of the unit axis Dsa. Specifically, the inner guide portion 70 is embedded in the outer guide portion 69 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the outer guide portion 69 in the unit axis Dsa. In the pedal device 1, as the pedal 40 swings, the outer guide portion 69 reciprocates relative to the inner guide portion 70 in the unit axis Dsa.

[0119] The inner guide portion 70 has an outer peripheral surface 701 that faces and contacts the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 contacts the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 throughout the entire circumference of the inner guide portion 70. Therefore, in a section perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa, the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 and the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 are similarly circular, centered on the unit axis Cs. Moreover, by allowing the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer peripheral surface 701 to slide in contact, the relative movement of the first support 67 and the second support 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa is permitted while restricting their relative movement in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0120] Furthermore, the inner guide portion 70 has a front end face 702 formed on one side of the unit axis Dsa, i.e., the front end, and a base end face 703 provided on the other side of the unit axis Dsa. Since the inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the outer guide portion 69, the front end face 702 of the inner guide portion 70 is disposed inside the outer guide portion 69.

[0121] The second abutment portion 682 is disposed on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the second helical spring 66, extending in a flange shape from the base end portion 703 of the inner guide portion 70 towards the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr. The second abutment portion 682 does not contact the first helical spring 65 of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66, but abuts against the other end portion 662 of the second helical spring 66 from the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa. In this embodiment, the other end portion 662 of the second helical spring 66 corresponds to the second spring end of this disclosure that is connected to the second bracket 68.

[0122] In addition, the base end portion 703 of the second abutment portion 682 and the inner guide portion 70 is disposed on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the other end portion 612 of the leaf spring 61, and contacts the other end portion 612.

[0123] The fastening member 62 is a bolt used to fix the inner guide portion 70 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, corresponding to the fixing portion of this disclosure. The fastening member 62 is inserted from the other side of the unit axis Dsa into the through hole 612a formed in the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, and is threadedly engaged with the internal thread formed in the inner guide portion 70. Thus, the fastening member 62 is provided in such a way that it passes through the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, fixing the inner guide portion 70 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61.

[0124] Furthermore, the base end portion 703 of the inner guide portion 70 is embedded in a hole inside the flange-shaped member 684, thus preventing the flange-shaped member 684 from moving relative to the inner guide portion 70 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The flange-shaped member 684 is also pressed against the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the second helical spring 66. Therefore, by using the fastening member 62 to thread the inner guide portion 70 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, the flange-shaped member 684 is also fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61.

[0125] Thus, the second bracket 68 is fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, which is a component disposed between the base plate 20 and the second bracket 68, by the threaded fastening member 62. Moreover, the second bracket 68 is connected to the base plate 20 via the leaf spring 61.

[0126] like Figure 4 As shown, an inner cylindrical space 69a is formed inside the outer guide portion 69, facing the front end face 702 of the inner guide portion 70. Inside the inner guide portion 70 in the second bracket 68, a communication hole 68a is formed to connect the inner cylindrical space 69a with the outside of the inner cylindrical space 69a. The communication hole 68a is formed in such a way that it extends along the unit axis Dsa.

[0127] In detail, a through hole 62a for fixing part 62, which serves as a fastening member 62 and extends along the unit axis Dsa, is formed inside the fastening member 62. Furthermore, one end of the connecting hole 68a is connected to the inner space 69a, and the other end of the connecting hole 68a is connected to the through hole 62a. Thus, the inner space 69a is connected to the outside of the inner space 69a via the connecting hole 68a and the through hole 62a. The connecting hole 68a and the through hole 62a function as vents allowing air to enter and exit the inner space 69a.

[0128] The first spring guide portion 673 of the first bracket 67 is disposed on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 651 of the first helical spring 65, and protrudes outward from the unit radial direction Dsr compared to the outer guide portion 69. The first spring guide portion 673 has a first opposing surface 673a facing the one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The first opposing surface 673a is formed in an annular shape centered on the unit axis Cs, facing outward from the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0129] Furthermore, the first facing surface 673a is the portion of the first bracket 67 that is closest to the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, which is the portion facing the first helical spring 65. For example, the first facing surface 673a may abut against one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, or it may be configured with a small radial gap between it and that end 651.

[0130] According to this structure, when a certain load is applied to the first coil spring 65 such that one end 651 of the first coil spring 65 is misaligned relative to the pedal axis CL in the unit radial direction Dsr, the first coil spring 65 initially abuts against the first opposing surface 673a in the first bracket 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the first opposing surface 673a restricts the misalignment of one end 651 of the first coil spring 65 relative to the first bracket 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0131] The second spring guide portion 683 of the second bracket 68 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66, protruding from the periphery of the second abutment portion 682 toward the unit axial direction Dsa. The second spring guide portion 683 has a second opposing surface 683a facing the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. This second opposing surface 683a is formed in an annular shape centered on the unit axis Cs, facing the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0132] Furthermore, the second opposing surface 683a is the portion of the second bracket 68 that is closest to the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr, where it faces the second helical spring 66. For example, the second opposing surface 683a may abut against the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr, or it may be configured with a small radial gap between it and the other end 662.

[0133] According to this structure, when a certain load is applied to the second coil spring 66 such that the other end 662 of the second coil spring 66 is misaligned relative to the pedal axis CL in the unit radial direction Dsr, the second coil spring 66 initially abuts against the second opposing surface 683a in the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the second opposing surface 683a restricts the misalignment of the other end 662 of the second coil spring 66 relative to the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0134] The spring seat 74 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the inner guide portion 70. The first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 are connected to each other via the spring seat 74. Moreover, the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 are pushed against each other via the spring seat 74 as they are compressed and deformed respectively. That is, in the path of force transmission between the pedal 40 and the base plate 20, the first helical spring 65, the second helical spring 66, and the leaf spring 61 are connected in series in the order of the first helical spring 65, the second helical spring 66, and the leaf spring 61. The spring seat 74 in this embodiment is made of resin.

[0135] The spring seat 74 integrally includes an extension 741, an inner spring seat portion 742, an outer spring seat portion 743, and a hole forming portion 746. The extension 741 is cylindrical in shape, extending along the unit axis Dsa and centered on the unit axis Cs, and is disposed between the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0136] The inner portion 742 of the spring seat extends from the extension 741 toward the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr, and is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the inner guide portion 70. For example, the inner portion 742 of the spring seat extends from the end of the extension 741 on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa. The inner portion 742 of the spring seat contacts the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 from the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa, and faces the other end 652 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0137] Furthermore, an insertion hole 74a is formed on the inner side portion 742 of the spring seat, which extends through the inner side portion 742 along the unit axial direction Dsa and has a circular cross-section centered on the unit axis Cs. An inner guide portion 70 is inserted through this insertion hole 74a. That is, the inner side portion 742 of the spring seat has an annular inner peripheral surface 74b facing the insertion hole 74a on the inner side facing the unit radial direction Dsr, and this inner peripheral surface 74b faces the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70.

[0138] In detail, the cylindrical hole forming portion 746 is formed such that it protrudes from the radially inner periphery of the inner side of the spring seat portion 742 toward the unit axial direction Dsa. Furthermore, the through hole 74a has a circular cross-section and is formed inside the hole forming portion 746 and the inner side of the spring seat portion 742, penetrating the spring seat 74 along the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface 74b of the through hole is provided inside the hole forming portion 746 and the inner side of the spring seat portion 742. Moreover, the inner guide portion 70 is fitted into the through hole 74a in such a way that it can move relative to the through hole 74a along the unit axial direction Dsa when inserted into the through hole 74a.

[0139] Here, during the swinging of the pedal 40 by the driver 81's pedal operation, as the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are compressed, the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa. The size of the through hole 74a is determined in such a way that the inner circumferential surface 74b of the through hole does not constrain the inner guide portion 70 in the unit radial direction Dsr when the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0140] In other words, even if the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 along the unit axial direction Dsa, the spring seat 74 may be tilted relative to the inner guide portion 70. Furthermore, the size of the through hole 74a is determined such that even if the spring seat 74 is tilted relative to the inner guide portion 70, the inner circumferential surface 74b of the through hole and the inner guide portion 70 will not rub against each other. In summary, the diameter of the through hole 74a is determined such that a radial clearance sufficient to prevent rubbing between the inner circumferential surface 74b of the through hole and the inner guide portion 70 is created.

[0141] For example, the engagement of the inner guide portion 70 with the through hole 74a is looser than the engagement of the inner guide portion 70 with the outer guide portion 69. That is, the difference between the diameter of the through hole 74a (in other words, the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 74b of the through hole) and the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70 is greater than the difference between the inner diameter of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70. Furthermore, the aforementioned outer and inner diameters are not radii but diameters. Additionally, the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70 is, in other words, the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70, and the inner diameter of the outer guide portion 69 is, in other words, the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69.

[0142] The outer side portion 743 of the spring seat is disposed on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the inner side portion 742 of the spring seat. The outer side portion 743 of the spring seat extends outward from the extension portion 741 toward the unit radial direction Dsr and is formed in a flange shape. For example, the outer side portion 743 of the spring seat extends from the end of the extension portion 741 on the unit axial direction Dsa. The outer side portion 743 of the spring seat contacts one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 from the unit axial direction Dsa and faces that end 661 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0143] The inner portion 742 of the spring seat has an inner guide portion 744 formed protruding towards one side of the unit axial direction Dsa. This inner guide portion 744 is located inside the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65. Within the inner guide portion 744, a first spring seat facing surface 744a is formed, which faces the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. This first spring seat facing surface 744a is formed in an annular shape centered on the unit axis Cs, facing outwards towards the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0144] Furthermore, the first spring seat facing surface 744a is the portion of the spring seat 74 that is closest to the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, among the portions facing the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. For example, the first spring seat facing surface 744a may abut against the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, or it may be configured with a small radial gap between it and the other end 652.

[0145] According to this structure, when a certain load is applied to the first coil spring 65 such that the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 is misaligned relative to the pedal axis CL in the unit radial direction Dsr, the first coil spring 65 initially abuts against the first spring seat facing surface 744a in the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the first spring seat facing surface 744a restricts the misalignment of the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0146] The extension 741 has a spring seat outer guide 745 disposed on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa in the extension 741. The spring seat outer guide 745 is disposed on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 661 of the second helical spring 66.

[0147] On the outer guide portion 745 of the spring seat, a second spring seat facing surface 745a is formed, which faces one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. This second spring seat facing surface 745a is formed in an annular shape centered on the unit axis Cs, facing outwards in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the second spring seat facing surface 745a is formed on the outer side of the extension 741 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0148] Furthermore, the second spring seat facing surface 745a is the portion of the spring seat 74 that is closest to the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr, among the portions facing the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. For example, the second spring seat facing surface 745a may abut against one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr, or it may be configured with a small radial gap between it and that end 661.

[0149] According to this structure, when a certain load is applied to the second coil spring 66 such that one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 is misaligned relative to the pedal axis CL in the unit radial direction Dsr, the second coil spring 66 initially abuts against the opposing surface 745a of the second spring seat in the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the opposing surface 745a of the second spring seat restricts the misalignment of one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0150] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the connecting rod 76 corresponds to the rod of this disclosure. The connecting rod 76 is disposed between the pedal 40 and the first bracket 67, connecting the pedal 40 and the first bracket 67. Moreover, the first bracket 67 is pushed by the pedal 40 via the connecting rod 76 when the pedal force of the driver 81 is applied to the pedal 40.

[0151] In detail, the connecting rod 76 is provided to project from the pedal 40 toward the opposite side of operation of the pedal 40, and extends along the axis Crd of the connecting rod 76, i.e., the rod axis Crd. For example, the connecting rod 76 is formed to project from the back side 40b of the pedal, which intersects with the rod axis Crd. The connecting rod 76 has a rod front end 763 provided on the opposite side of operation (i.e., the side of the first bracket 67). This rod front end 763 abuts against the pushed surface 67a of the first bracket 67.

[0152] Furthermore, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 in a direction that protrudes from the pedal 40. In other words, the connecting rod 76 is fixed in the direction that protrudes from the pedal 40, meaning that the axis Crd of the connecting rod 76 is fixed and will not change. In this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 by bolts, so the connecting rod 76 will not rotate around the axis Crd. For example, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 in an inclined position relative to the pedal thickness direction Dt, such that the front end 763 of the rod is offset relative to the base end of the connecting rod 76 towards the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0153] Thus, the front end 763 of the connecting rod 76 connected to the pedal 40 slides relative to the pressed surface 67a of the first bracket 67 while being pressed against it by the driver 81 pressing the pedal 40. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the diagram, the unit axis Cs is shown to be parallel to the rod axis Crd, but this is not limited to parallel alignment. If the pedal 40 swings, the connecting rod 76 swings along with the pedal 40, thus changing the angle between the unit axis Cs and the rod axis Crd.

[0154] For example, in this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 is configured to include two parts. That is, the connecting rod 76 has an arm 761 connected to the pedal 40 and a pressing part 762 connected in series with the arm 761 on the side opposite to the pedal 40 side relative to the arm 761. The pressing part 762 includes a rod front end 763.

[0155] For example, the arm portion 761 and the pressing portion 762 are configured as independent components, but are connected and fixed to each other by pressing or the like. In this embodiment, the material of the pressing portion 762 is different from that of the arm portion 761; for example, the arm portion 761 is made of metal, and the pressing portion 762 is made of resin. PTFE can be used as an example of the resin material constituting the pressing portion 762. When the pressing portion 762 is made of PTFE, compared to when the pressing portion 762 is made of metal, for example, the sliding property of the pressing portion 762 relative to the pressed surface 67a of the first support 67 is improved due to lower friction. Furthermore, PTFE is an abbreviation for Polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0156] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the cover member 77, referred to as a dust boot, is formed into a cylindrical and corrugated shape from rubber or the like, which is easily deformable by elasticity. Furthermore, the cover member 77 extends and retracts axially along the connecting rod 76 as the pedal 40 swings. For example, when the cover member 77 is inserted through the connecting rod 76, it blocks the opening 10d of the housing 10. This prevents foreign objects from entering the housing 10 through the opening 10d.

[0157] In the pedal device 1 configured as described above, when the driver 81 applies pressure to the pedal 40, as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the pedal 40, the rotating shaft 31, and the connecting plate 32 swing around the pedal axis CL. More specifically, the pedal 40, the rotating shaft 31, and the connecting plate 32 swing around the pedal axis CL such that the portion of the pedal 40 that is above the pedal axis CL moves towards the floor 2 or the front bulkhead side. In other words, the pedal 40 performs a swinging motion that changes its posture from a non-pedaled state to a fully depressed state.

[0158] At this time, the rotation angle sensor 79 installed on the pedal device 1 outputs an electrical signal representing the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 31 to the electronic control device 83 (see reference). Figure 1 Electronic control device 83 controls the brake-by-wire system 82 (see reference). Figure 1 The braking circuit contained therein is driven and controlled to generate the hydraulic pressure (e.g., oil pressure) required for braking the vehicle 80, and the hydraulic pressure is used to drive the brake pads to decelerate or stop the vehicle 80.

[0159] In addition, during the swinging motion of the pedal 40 from the non-pedaled state to the maximum pedaled state, as the pedal 40 swings from the non-pedaled state to the maximum pedaled state, the first and second coil springs 65 and 66 are compressed significantly, while the leaf spring 61 is bent significantly.

[0160] For example, during the swing of pedal 40 from the non-pedaled state to the maximum pedaled state, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other along the unit axis Dsa, thereby stopping the compression deformation of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66. At this time, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 can abut against each other either through the spring seat 74 or directly without going through the spring seat 74.

[0161] As the pedal 40 swings further from the state where the first support 67 and the second support 68 are in contact to the maximum pressing state, the deflection of the leaf spring 61 increases. When the pedal 40 swings and contacts the pressing stop 782, the pedal 40 reaches the maximum pressing state, and the deflection of the leaf spring 61 stops.

[0162] The pedal device 1 of this embodiment described above has the following effects.

[0163] According to this embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, one of the first brackets 67 and the second bracket 68 (specifically, the first bracket 67) has an outer guide portion 69 that is cylindrical in shape and extends along the unit axis Dsa. This outer guide portion 69 is inserted into an inner space 63a formed inside one or more elastic members 65, 66. Moreover, the other bracket of the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 (specifically, the second bracket 68) has an inner guide portion 70 that extends along the unit axis Dsa and is embedded in the outer guide portion 69 in a manner that allows it to move relative to the outer guide portion 69 along the unit axis Dsa.

[0164] Therefore, it is easy to reduce the diameters of the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70, which slide against each other. That is, when the guide length occupied by the area where the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 are in contact along the unit axis Dsa is set to L, and the maximum width occupied by the inner guide portion 70 in the direction perpendicular to the unit axis Dsa is set to D, it is easy to increase the value of L / D. In this embodiment, the maximum width D of the inner guide portion 70 is the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70.

[0165] Furthermore, since it is easy to increase the L / D value mentioned above, the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 guide each other with sufficient length in the unit axis Dsa, so the first bracket 67 is unlikely to be tilted relative to the second bracket 68. Also, the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 can be compressed by pushing them parallel to the unit axis Dsa. As a result, for example, it is possible to obtain the advantage of easily generating the desired reaction force for the driver 81's pedal operation 40.

[0166] (1) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 are arranged such that the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 are in sliding contact. Thus, the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 allow relative movement of the first support 67 and the second support 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa while restricting relative movement of the first support 67 and the second support 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0167] Therefore, as the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40, the aforementioned guide length L increases, making it easier to push the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 parallel to the unit axis Dsa. As a result, for example, it is possible to obtain the advantage of easily generating the desired reaction force for the driver 81's depressing operation of the pedal 40.

[0168] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in a cross section perpendicular to the unit axis Dsa, the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 are circular. Therefore, compared to the case where the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface 691 and the outer peripheral surface 701 is, for example, rectangular, the relative movement of the first support 67 and the second support 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr can be easily restricted.

[0169] (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, in the second bracket 68, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are configured as independent components. As a result, compared to the case where, for example, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are a single component, the second bracket 68 is easier to manufacture.

[0170] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a communication hole 68a is formed on the second bracket 68 to communicate with the outside of the cylindrical space 69a. This communication hole 68a functions as a vent to allow air to enter and exit the cylindrical space 69a, thus preventing the generation of resistance caused by the compression of air within the cylindrical space 69a. Therefore, for example, it is easy to generate the desired reaction force for the driver 81's pedal operation 40.

[0171] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connecting hole 68a is formed on the second bracket 68. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the connecting hole 68a on the first bracket 67, and thus it is not necessary to form a hole on the pressed surface 67a of the first bracket 67. Therefore, the restriction on the area in the pressed surface 67a where the connecting rod 76 makes sliding contact can be reduced. As a result, for example, the contact area between the front end 763 of the connecting rod 76 and the pressed surface 67a can be increased.

[0172] (6) The pedal device 1 in this embodiment is an organ-type brake pedal device, therefore, it is necessary to maximize the maximum value of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 60 in response to the pedal force of the driver 81. In this embodiment, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 includes a leaf spring 61 in addition to coil springs 65 and 66, and the second bracket 68 is connected to the base plate 20 via this leaf spring 61. Therefore, the use of the leaf spring 61 facilitates obtaining a larger reaction force, and thus, compared to, for example, the case where the reaction force generating mechanism 60 does not have a leaf spring 61 but only a coil spring with a large spring constant, it is easier to achieve miniaturization of the pedal device 1.

[0173] Furthermore, in the force transmission path between the pedal 40 and the base plate 20, the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the leaf spring 61 are connected in series in the order of the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the leaf spring 61. As a result, the driver 81 can obtain a good pedal feel when pressing the pedal 40.

[0174] (7) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a fixing through hole 62a is formed on the fastening member 62, through which the fastening member 62 passes along the unit axis Dsa. This fixing through hole 62a is connected to the communication hole 68a, and the inner space 69a is connected to the outside of the inner space 69a via the communication hole 68a and the fixing through hole 62a. Thus, the second bracket 68 can be fixed to the leaf spring 61 on the unit axis Cs, and an air passage for air to enter and exit the inner space 69a can be ensured through the communication hole 68a and the fixing through hole 62a.

[0175] (8) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first support 67 has a first opposing surface 673a that faces one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Moreover, this first opposing surface 673a restricts the misalignment of one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 relative to the first support 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the reaction force of the first helical spring 65 from the predetermined design value due to misalignment of one end 651 of the first helical spring 65 relative to the first support 67. As a result, the desired reaction force characteristics of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 can be obtained.

[0176] (9) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second bracket 68 has a second opposing surface 683a that faces the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Moreover, this second opposing surface 683a restricts the misalignment of the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66 relative to the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the reaction force of the second helical spring 66 from the predetermined design value due to the misalignment of the other end 662 of the second helical spring 66 relative to the second bracket 68. As a result, the desired reaction force characteristics of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 can be obtained.

[0177] (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 are connected to each other via the spring seat 74. Moreover, the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 are pushed against each other via the spring seat 74 as they are compressed and deformed respectively. Therefore, it is possible to connect the multiple helical springs 65 and 66 in series along the force transmission path between the pedal 40 and the base plate 20 while maintaining the multiple helical springs 65 and 66.

[0178] (11) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first helical spring 65 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second helical spring 66. Moreover, in the non-pedaled state of the pedal 40, a portion of the first helical spring 65 is arranged to overlap with the second helical spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, the space occupied by the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 as a whole can be reduced.

[0179] (12) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the extension 741 of the spring seat 74 is cylindrical in shape, extending along the unit axial direction Dsa, and is disposed between the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The inner side 742 of the spring seat 74 extends from the extension 741 toward the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr, and faces and contacts the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the outer side 743 of the spring seat 74 extends from the extension 741 toward the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr, and faces and contacts one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0180] Therefore, these coil springs 65 and 66 can be connected in series along the force transmission path with a portion of the first coil spring 65 overlapping the second coil spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr. Moreover, these coil springs 65 and 66 can be held in place by the spring seat 74.

[0181] Furthermore, the minimum usable length at which the first and second helical springs 65 and 66 are maximally compressed can be easily determined using the spring seat 74. Therefore, it is easy to obtain pedal force characteristics with multiple inflection points that cause the spring constant of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 to change. Moreover, the inflection points of this pedal force characteristic are, for example, described later. Figure 22 The inflection points B1 and B2 are displayed in the middle.

[0182] (13) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the spring seat 74 has a first spring seat facing surface 744a that faces the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, and a second spring seat facing surface 745a that faces one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The first spring seat facing surface 744a restricts the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 from being misaligned relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Moreover, the second spring seat facing surface 745a restricts the one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 from being misaligned relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0183] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the reaction forces of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66 from the predetermined design value due to the misalignment between the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 and the end 661 of the second helical spring 66. As a result, the desired reaction force characteristics of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 can be obtained.

[0184] (14) In addition, according to this embodiment, an insertion hole 74a is formed on the spring seat 74 through which the inner guide portion 70 is inserted. Therefore, the spring seat 74 can be held in a manner that prevents it from falling off the first and second brackets 67 and 68.

[0185] (15) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 are compressed, the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa. The size of the through hole 74a is determined in such a way that the inner peripheral surface 74b of the through hole does not constrain the inner guide portion 70 in the unit radial direction Dsr when the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0186] Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inner circumferential surface 74b of the insertion hole of the spring seat 74 and the inner guide portion 70 rubbing against each other due to the tilt of the spring seat 74 when one or both of the first and second brackets 67 and 68 collide in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0187] (16) In addition, according to this embodiment, the spring seat 74 is made of resin. Therefore, it can help to reduce the weight of the pedal device 1.

[0188] (17) In addition, according to this embodiment, for example, the first bracket 67 is made of resin. Therefore, compared with the case where the first bracket 67 is made of metal, the surface pressure when the connecting rod 76 pushes the pressed surface 67a of the first bracket 67 can be reduced, and good static stability can be obtained.

[0189] (18) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first bracket 67 has a pressing surface 67a facing the unit axial direction Dsa. The connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 in a direction protruding from the pedal 40. Moreover, the front end 763 of the connecting rod 76 slides relative to the pressing surface 67a of the first bracket 67 while pressing against it as the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40.

[0190] Therefore, even when the connecting rod 76 is in a state of pushing the pressed surface 67a at an angle relative to the pressed surface 67a, the force that pushes the portion of the first bracket 67 with the pressed surface 67a formed in the unit radial direction Dsr is, for example, the frictional force between the connecting rod 76 and the pressed surface 67a. That is, almost no force is generated that pushes the portion of the first bracket 67 with the pressed surface 67a formed in the unit radial direction Dsr. As a result, the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 can be prevented from rubbing against each other, and thus the desired reaction force characteristics of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 can be obtained.

[0191] (19) In addition, according to this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 has an arm 761 connected to the pedal 40 and a pressing part 762 made of a different material from the arm 761 and connected to the arm 761 on the side opposite to the pedal 40 side relative to the arm 761. Therefore, appropriate materials corresponding to their intended use can be used for the arm 761 and the pressing part 762 respectively.

[0192] (20) In addition, according to this embodiment, the arm 761 is made of metal, for example. Therefore, even if the pedal 40 is stepped on by the driver 81 with a large force, the arm 761 is unlikely to undergo elastic deformation, thus stabilizing the reaction force obtained by resisting the stepping force.

[0193] (21) In addition, according to this embodiment, the pressing part 762 is made of resin, for example. Therefore, compared with the case where the pressing part 762 is made of metal, the surface pressure when the pressing part 762 of the connecting rod 76 presses the pressing surface 67a of the first bracket 67 can be reduced, and good sliding performance can be obtained.

[0194] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the support body for the support pedal 40 and the reaction force generating mechanism 60 includes a housing 10, and the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is housed within the housing 10. Therefore, the housing 10 can be used to prevent foreign objects from entering the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0195] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the spring seat 74 has a cylindrical hole-forming portion 746 formed in a manner that protrudes in the unit axial direction Dsa. Inside this hole-forming portion 746, an insertion hole 74a is formed, through which the spring seat 74 passes along the unit axial direction Dsa and is inserted by the inner guide portion 70 for engagement. Moreover, for example, the engagement of the inner guide portion 70 into the insertion hole 74a is looser than the engagement of the inner guide portion 70 into the outer guide portion 69.

[0196] This prevents the spring seat 74 and the inner guide portion 70 from rubbing against each other due to the tilt of the spring seat 74. At the same time, by making the hole forming portion 746 extend in a cylindrical shape, excessive tilting of the spring seat 74 relative to the inner guide portion 70 can be suppressed.

[0197] (Second Implementation)

[0198] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous embodiment will be omitted or simplified in the description. This will also be the case in the description of the embodiments described later. In addition, the various structures of the pedal device 1 are shown in a appropriately simplified manner in the figures referred to thereafter in the second embodiment.

[0199] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the elastic unit 63 has a helical spring 71 instead of the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 of the first embodiment (see reference). Figure 4 The helical spring 71 corresponds to one or more elastic members of this disclosure. For example, the helical spring 71 has the same structure as the first helical spring 65 of the first embodiment.

[0200] The helical spring 71 has one end 711 disposed on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa and another end 712 disposed on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa. In addition, the elastic unit 63 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it does not have a spring seat 74.

[0201] The first abutment portion 672 of the first bracket 67 abuts against one end 711 of the coil spring 71 from one side of the unit axial direction Dsa. Meanwhile, the second abutment portion 682 of the second bracket 68 abuts against the other end 712 of the coil spring 71 from the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa. Thus, the coil spring 71 is sandwiched between the first abutment portion 672 and the second abutment portion 682 along the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0202] Figure 5 This indicates the non-pedaled state of pedal 40, that is, the state in which the compression of the coil spring 71 installed in pedal device 1 is at its minimum. Figure 7 This indicates the state in which the helical spring 71 is compressed to its maximum extent within the elastic unit 63 (i.e., the maximum compression state of the elastic unit 63). As shown... Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, the relative movement of the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 in the direction of pushing and contracting the helical spring 71 is stopped by the front end face 692 of the outer guide 69 abutting the second abutting part 682 of the second bracket 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0203] Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, this embodiment does not include the first spring guide 673 and the second spring guide 683 (see reference). Figure 4Furthermore, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are not configured as independent components, but are configured as a single component integrally.

[0204] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, the relative movement of the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 in the direction of pushing and contracting the coil spring 71 is stopped by causing the outer guide portion 69 to abut against the second bracket 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the maximum deflection of the coil spring 71 can be determined with a small deviation, and thus, for example, the desired reaction force can be easily generated for the driver 81's pedal operation 40.

[0205] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the first embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0206] (Third Implementation)

[0207] Next, the third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the second embodiment described above.

[0208] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the first bracket 67 has an inner guide portion 70 instead of an outer guide portion 69, and the second bracket 68 has an outer guide portion 69 instead of an inner guide portion 70. That is, the first bracket 67 integrally has a first abutment portion 672 and an inner guide portion 70. Moreover, the second bracket 68 integrally has a second abutment portion 682 and an outer guide portion 69.

[0209] Therefore, in this embodiment, the inner guide portion 70 is formed such that it protrudes from the first abutment portion 672 toward the other side of the unit axis Dsa. Moreover, the outer guide portion 69 is formed such that it protrudes from the second abutment portion 682 toward the side of the unit axis Dsa.

[0210] In addition, Figure 8 In the figure, the helical spring 71 is simplified and illustrated in a rectangular shape. Similarly, the helical spring 71 is also appropriately simplified and illustrated in the figures referred to thereafter in the fourth embodiment.

[0211] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, one of the supports (specifically, the second support 68) of the first support 67 and the second support 68 has an outer guide portion 69. This outer guide portion 69 is inserted into an inner space 63a formed inside a helical spring 71, which is provided as one or more elastic members. Moreover, the other support (specifically, the first support 67) of the first support 67 and the second support 68 has an inner guide portion 70.

[0212] Therefore, similar to the first and second embodiments, it is easy to increase the ratio of the guide length L to the maximum width D of the inner guide portion 70, i.e., the value of L / D, so that the first bracket 67 is less likely to be tilted relative to the second bracket 68. As a result, for example, it is possible to obtain the advantage of easily generating the desired reaction force for the driver 81's pedal 40.

[0213] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0214] (Fourth implementation)

[0215] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the second embodiment described above.

[0216] like Figure 10 As shown, in this embodiment, the length of the outer guide portion 69 or the inner guide portion 70 on the unit axis Dsa is different from that in the second embodiment.

[0217] Therefore, under the maximum compression state of the elastic unit 63, the front end face 702 of the inner guide portion 70 and the bottom surface 693 of the outer guide portion 69 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa. On the other hand, the front end face 692 of the outer guide portion 69 remains separated from the second abutting portion 682 of the second bracket 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0218] (1) That is, in this embodiment, the relative movement of the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 in the direction of pushing and contracting the helical spring 71 is stopped by causing the front end face 702 of the inner guide 70 to abut against the bottom surface 693 of the cylinder of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0219] Therefore, in this embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the maximum deflection of the helical spring 71 can be determined with a small deviation, thus making it easy to generate the desired reaction force for the driver 81's pressing operation of the pedal 40.

[0220] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0221] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment, it can also be combined with the aforementioned third embodiment.

[0222] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0223] Next, the fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the second embodiment described above.

[0224] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, in the second bracket 68, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are configured as independent components.

[0225] (1) Due to the structure of the second bracket 68, similar to the first embodiment, the second bracket 68 is easier to manufacture than, for example, when the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are a single component. Furthermore, the fixing method for fixing the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 to each other can be the same as in the first embodiment, or it can be a different fixing method than in the first embodiment.

[0226] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0227] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment, it can also be combined with the aforementioned fourth embodiment.

[0228] (Sixth Embodiment)

[0229] Next, the sixth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the third embodiment described above.

[0230] like Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, in the second bracket 68, the outer guide portion 69 and the second abutment portion 682 are configured as independent components.

[0231] (1) Due to this structure of the second bracket 68, the second bracket 68 is easy to manufacture, similar to the fifth embodiment described above. Furthermore, the fixing method for fixing the outer guide portion 69 and the second abutment portion 682 to each other can be the same as that used in the first embodiment for fixing the inner guide portion 70 and the flange-like member 684 (see...). Figure 4 Similarly, the method of mutual fixation can also be a different fixing method than the method of the first embodiment.

[0232] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the third embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the third embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the third embodiment.

[0233] (Seventh Embodiment)

[0234] Next, the seventh embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the second embodiment described above.

[0235] like Figure 13 As shown, a connecting hole 68a is formed on the second bracket 68 in this embodiment. The connecting hole 68a has one end connected to the inner space 69a and the other end open to the outside of the inner space 69a. The connecting hole 68a in this embodiment has the same structure as the connecting hole 68a in the first embodiment. For example, the connecting hole 68a in this embodiment can be connected via the through hole 62a of the fixing part (see...). Figure 4 It can be opened to the outside of the inner space 69a, or it can be opened directly to the outside of the inner space 69a.

[0236] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a communication hole 68a is formed on the second support 68 to communicate between the inner space 69a and the outside of the inner space 69a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as that achieved by the communication hole 68a in the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0237] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0238] (Eighth Embodiment)

[0239] Next, the eighth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the seventh embodiment described above.

[0240] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, no connecting hole 68a is formed on the second bracket 68 (see reference). Figure 13 Instead, a connecting hole 67b is formed on the first support 67 to connect the inner space 69a with the outside of the inner space 69a.

[0241] (1) Therefore, the communication hole 67b of the first bracket 67 in this embodiment, like the communication hole 68a of the second bracket 68 in the seventh embodiment, functions as a vent that allows air to enter and exit the inner space 69a, thus preventing the generation of resistance caused by the compression of air in the inner space 69a. Therefore, similar to the seventh embodiment, it is easy to generate the desired reaction force for the driver 81's pedal operation 40.

[0242] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 7th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 7th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 7th embodiment.

[0243] (9th embodiment)

[0244] Next, the ninth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the third embodiment described above.

[0245] like Figure 15 As shown, a connecting hole 67b is formed on the first support 67 in this embodiment. The connecting hole 67b has one end open to the outside of the inner space 69a and the other end connected to the inner space 69a. That is, a connecting hole 67b is formed on the first support 67 to communicate between the inner space 69a and the outside of the inner space 69a. For example, the connecting hole 67b is formed in such a way that it passes through the inner guide portion 70 and extends along the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0246] (1) Therefore, the communication hole 67b of the first bracket 67 in this embodiment functions as a vent that allows air to enter and exit the cylinder space 69a, just like the communication hole 67b in the eighth embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as that achieved by the communication hole 67b in the eighth embodiment can also be obtained.

[0247] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the third embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the third embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the third embodiment.

[0248] (10th Embodiment)

[0249] Next, the tenth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the ninth embodiment described above.

[0250] like Figure 16 As shown, in this embodiment, no connecting hole 67b is formed on the first bracket 67 (see reference). Figure 15 Instead, a connecting hole 68a is formed on the second support 68 to connect the inner space 69a with the outside of the inner space 69a.

[0251] (1) Therefore, the communication hole 68a of the second bracket 68 in this embodiment functions as a vent that allows air to enter and exit the internal space 69a, just like the communication hole 68a in the seventh embodiment. Thus, in this embodiment, the same effect as that achieved by the communication hole 68a in the seventh embodiment can also be obtained.

[0252] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 9th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 9th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 9th embodiment.

[0253] (11th Embodiment)

[0254] Next, the 11th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the aforementioned 2nd embodiment.

[0255] like Figure 17 As shown, in addition to the outer guide portion 69 and the first abutment portion 672, the first bracket 67 of this embodiment also has a first spring guide portion 673. The outer guide portion 69, the first abutment portion 672, and the first spring guide portion 673 are integrally formed. The first spring guide portion 673 of this embodiment has the same structure as the first spring guide portion 673 of the first embodiment.

[0256] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first spring guide portion 673 is disposed on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 711 of the helical spring 71, and protrudes outward from the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr compared to the outer guide portion 69. Moreover, the first spring guide portion 673 in this embodiment has the same first facing surface 673a as in the first embodiment.

[0257] That is, in this embodiment, the first opposing surface 673a is disposed, for example, on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 711 of the helical spring 71, and faces one end 711 of the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the first opposing surface 673a is the portion of the first bracket 67 that is closest to the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr among the portions facing the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Thus, the first opposing surface 673a in this embodiment restricts the one end 711 of the helical spring 71 from being misaligned relative to the first bracket 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr. In addition, in this embodiment, one end 711 of the helical spring 71 corresponds to the first spring end of this disclosure that is connected to the first bracket 67.

[0258] In addition, the second bracket 68 of this embodiment, besides having an inner guide portion 70 and a second abutment portion 682, also has a second spring guide portion 683. The inner guide portion 70, the second abutment portion 682, and the second spring guide portion 683 are integrated into one structure. The second spring guide portion 683 of this embodiment has the same structure as the second spring guide portion 683 of the first embodiment.

[0259] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second spring guide portion 683 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 712 of the helical spring 71, and protrudes from the periphery of the second abutment portion 682 toward the side of the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the second spring guide portion 683 in this embodiment has the same second facing surface 683a as in the first embodiment.

[0260] That is, in this embodiment, the second opposing surface 683a is disposed, for example, on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 712 of the helical spring 71, and faces the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the second opposing surface 683a is the portion of the second bracket 68 that is closest to the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr among the portions facing the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Thus, the second opposing surface 683a in this embodiment restricts the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 from being misaligned relative to the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr. In addition, in this embodiment, the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 corresponds to the second spring end of this disclosure that is connected to the second bracket 68.

[0261] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first opposing surface 673a restricts one end 711 of the helical spring 71 to be misaligned relative to the first bracket 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as that achieved by the first opposing surface 673a in the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0262] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the second opposing surface 683a restricts the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 to be misaligned relative to the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as that achieved by the second opposing surface 683a in the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0263] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0264] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment, it can also be combined with any of the aforementioned third to tenth embodiments.

[0265] (12th implementation)

[0266] Next, the 12th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 11th embodiment described above.

[0267] like Figure 18 As shown, the first bracket 67 of this embodiment has a first spring guide portion 675 instead of the first spring guide portion 673 of the 11th embodiment. The outer guide portion 69, the first abutment portion 672 and the first spring guide portion 675 are integrated into one structure.

[0268] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first spring guide portion 675 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 711 of the helical spring 71, and protrudes from the periphery of the first abutment portion 672 toward the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the first spring guide portion 675 in this embodiment has a first opposing surface 675a.

[0269] In this embodiment, the first opposing surface 675a ​​is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 711 of the helical spring 71, and faces one end 711 of the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Moreover, the first opposing surface 675a ​​is the part of the first bracket 67 that is closest to the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr among the parts that face the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Thus, the first opposing surface 675a ​​of this embodiment also restricts the one end 711 of the helical spring 71 from being misaligned relative to the first bracket 67 in the unit radial direction Dsr, just like the first opposing surface 673a of the eleventh embodiment.

[0270] Furthermore, the second bracket 68 in this embodiment has a second spring guide portion 685 instead of the second spring guide portion 683 in the 11th embodiment. The inner guide portion 70, the second abutment portion 682, and the second spring guide portion 685 are integrated into one structure.

[0271] Specifically, in this embodiment, the second spring guide portion 685 is disposed on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 712 of the helical spring 71, and protrudes from the second abutment portion 682 toward the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the second spring guide portion 685 in this embodiment has a second opposing surface 685a.

[0272] In this embodiment, the second opposing surface 685a is disposed inside the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 712 of the helical spring 71, and faces the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the second opposing surface 685a is the portion of the second bracket 68 that faces the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr, and is the portion closest to the helical spring 71 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Therefore, the second opposing surface 685a of this embodiment, like the second opposing surface 683a of the eleventh embodiment, restricts the other end 712 of the helical spring 71 from being misaligned relative to the second bracket 68 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0273] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 11th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 11th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 11th embodiment.

[0274] (13th implementation)

[0275] Next, the 13th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0276] like Figure 19 As shown, in this embodiment, the shape of the spring seat 74 differs from that in the first embodiment. Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the diameter of the first helical spring 65 and the diameter of the second helical spring 66 are the same size.

[0277] Specifically, the spring seat 74 of this embodiment is flat and has a side 74c formed on one side of the unit axis Dsa and another side 74d formed on the other side of the unit axis Dsa.

[0278] The first helical spring 65 is disposed on one side of the unit axis Dsa relative to the spring seat 74. The other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 contacts one side 74c of the spring seat 74 from the side of the unit axis Dsa, and pushes the one side 74c of the spring seat 74.

[0279] The second helical spring 66 is disposed on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the spring seat 74. One end 661 of the second helical spring 66 contacts the other side 74d of the spring seat 74 from the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa, and pushes the other side 74d of the spring seat 74.

[0280] In this embodiment, the spring seat 74, similar to that in the first embodiment, has a through hole 74a that extends through the spring seat 74 along the unit axial direction Dsa. However, an outer guide portion 69 is inserted into the through hole 74a. Moreover, the outer guide portion 69 is fitted into the through hole 74a in a manner that allows it to move relative to the through hole 74a along the unit axial direction Dsa when inserted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the spring seat 74 is positioned on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the outer guide portion 69.

[0281] Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, the spring seat 74 in this embodiment does not have an extension 741, an inner spring seat portion 742, an outer spring seat portion 743, or a hole forming portion 746. Additionally, the first spring guide portion 673 and the second spring guide portion 683 are not provided (see reference). Figure 4Furthermore, the inner guide portion 70 and the second abutment portion 682 are not configured as independent components, but are configured as a single component integrally.

[0282] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the first embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0283] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment, it can also be combined with any of the aforementioned second to twelfth embodiments.

[0284] (14th embodiment)

[0285] Next, the 14th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 13th embodiment described above.

[0286] like Figure 20 As shown, the spring seat 74 of this embodiment has a first spring seat guide portion 747 and a second spring seat guide portion 748. The first spring seat guide portion 747 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65, and protrudes from one side 74c of the spring seat 74 toward the side of the unit axial direction Dsa at the peripheral portion of the spring seat 74. Moreover, the first spring seat guide portion 747 has a first spring seat facing surface 747a extending in an annular shape toward the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0287] In this embodiment, the first spring seat facing surface 747a is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65, and faces the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the first spring seat facing surface 747a is the portion of the spring seat 74 that is closest to the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr among the portions facing the first helical spring 65. Therefore, the first spring seat facing surface 747a of this embodiment, like the first spring seat facing surface 744a of the first embodiment, also restricts the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 from being misaligned relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0288] Furthermore, the second spring seat guide portion 748 is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 661 of the second helical spring 66, and protrudes from the other side 74d of the spring seat 74 toward the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa at the peripheral portion of the spring seat 74. Moreover, the second spring seat guide portion 748 has a second spring seat facing surface 748a extending in an annular shape toward the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0289] In this embodiment, the second spring seat facing surface 748a is disposed on the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr relative to one end 661 of the second helical spring 66, and faces the end 661 of the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the second spring seat facing surface 748a is the portion of the spring seat 74 that is closest to the second helical spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr among the portions facing the second helical spring 66. Therefore, the second spring seat facing surface 748a of this embodiment, like the second spring seat facing surface 745a of the first embodiment, also restricts the misalignment of one end 661 of the second helical spring 66 relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0290] Except as described above, this embodiment is the same as the 13th embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 13th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 13th embodiment. Additionally, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 13th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 1st embodiment.

[0291] (15th implementation)

[0292] Next, the 15th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0293] Figure 21A , Figure 21B , Figure 21C These represent the various states of the elastic unit 63 in this embodiment that change as the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40. For example... Figures 21A to 21C As shown, with the driver 81 pressing the pedal, the pedal 40 causes the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 to move relative to each other in the direction of pushing and retracting the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66, thereby actuating the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68.

[0294] Specifically, during the relative movement of the first support 67 and the second support 68 in the direction of pushing and contracting the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66 (i.e., the spring compression process), the state of the elastic unit 63 is as follows: Figure 21A , Figure 21B , Figure 21C The order changes. That is, during the spring compression process, after the spring seat 74 and the first bracket 67 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0295] In detail, during the spring compression process, within the elastic element 63, from such... Figure 21AAs shown, when the spring seat 74 is not in contact with the first and second supports 67 and 68, the first and second supports 67 and 68 move towards... Figure 21B The relative displacement occurs in the state shown. At this time, the compression deformation of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66 develops respectively, and the deflection of the leaf spring 61 increases. Then, as the relative displacement of the first and second supports 67 and 68 develops, the spring seat 74... Figure 21B As shown in section A1, it abuts against the outer guide portion 69 of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa. This stops the compression deformation of the first helical spring 65.

[0296] Then, during the spring compression process, the state of the elastic element 63 changes from... Figure 21B From this state, while the spring seat 74 and the outer guide portion 69 remain in contact, it further moves towards... Figure 21C The state changes. At this time, the compression deformation of the first helical spring 65 remains stopped, the compression deformation of the second helical spring 66 develops, and the deflection of the leaf spring 61 increases. When the elastic unit 63 reaches Figure 21C In the state of contact between the spring seat 74 and the outer guide portion 69, the first bracket 67, as Figure 21C As shown in section A2, it abuts against the inner guide portion 70 of the second bracket 68 along the unit axial direction Dsa. Consequently, the compression deformation of the second helical spring 66 also stops. Furthermore, when the elastic unit 63 becomes... Figure 21C After the pedal 40 is further pressed after the state, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the compression deformation of the first and second helical springs 65 and 66 remains stopped, and the deflection of the leaf spring 61 increases.

[0297] During the aforementioned spring compression process, the elastic element 63... Figure 21A The state reached Figure 21C The period up to the state, such as Figure 22 As shown by lines L1 and L2, as the force applied to pedal 40 increases, the rotation angle, i.e., the travel, of pedal 40 also increases.

[0298] In Figure 22 In the pedal force characteristic formed by lines L1 and L2, the inflection point B1 represents Figure 21B The state, inflection point B2 represents Figure 21C The state. Moreover, as shown by lines L1 and L2, it becomes [a state related to] the elastic unit 63. Figure 21B Compared to the previous state, in becoming Figure 21B After reaching this state, the rate of increase in pedal force relative to travel increases with the inflection point B1 as the boundary.

[0299] (1) As described above, according to this embodiment, such as Figures 21A to 21CAs shown, during the spring compression process described above, after the spring seat 74 and the first bracket 67 abut against each other along the unit axial direction Dsa, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other along the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, it is possible to obtain... Figure 22 As shown, the pedal force characteristic is such that as the travel of pedal 40 increases from the non-pedaled state, the rate of increase in pedal force relative to travel also increases. In this embodiment, the rate of increase in pedal force relative to travel is... Figure 22 The value increases in stages, with the inflection point B1 as the boundary.

[0300] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the first embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0301] (Sixteenth Embodiment)

[0302] Next, the 16th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 15th embodiment described above.

[0303] Figure 23A , Figure 23B , Figure 23C These represent the various states of the elastic unit 63 in this embodiment that change as the driver 81 presses the pedal 40.

[0304] In this embodiment, during the spring compression process in which the first support 67 and the second support 68 move relative to each other in the direction of pushing and contracting the first helical spring 65 and the second helical spring 66, the state of the elastic unit 63 is as follows: Figure 23A , Figure 23B , Figure 23C The order changes. That is, in this embodiment, similar to the 15th embodiment, during the spring compression process, after the spring seat 74 and the first bracket 67 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0305] Specifically, during the spring compression process described above, when the elastic element 63 moves from... Figure 23A The state becomes Figure 23B In this state, spring seat 74 is as follows Figure 23B As shown in section A3, it abuts against the outer guide 69 of the first support 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Further, when the elastic unit 63... Figure 23B The state becomes Figure 23C In this state, the spring seat 74 remains in contact with the outer guide portion 69, such as Figure 23CAs shown in section A4, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, with the second abutting portion 682 of the second bracket 68. That is, the first bracket 67 and the second bracket 68 abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa via the spring seat 74.

[0306] Furthermore, the pedaling characteristics of this embodiment are similar to Figure 22 The pedaling characteristics of the 15th embodiment shown are the same. In the pedaling characteristics of this embodiment, the inflection point B1 represents... Figure 23B The state, inflection point B2 represents Figure 23C The state.

[0307] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 15th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the aforementioned 15th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 15th embodiment.

[0308] (17th embodiment)

[0309] Next, the 17th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 13th embodiment described above.

[0310] like Figure 24 As shown, in this embodiment, the shape of the spring seat 74 is different from that in the 13th embodiment.

[0311] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the first helical spring 65 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second helical spring 66. Moreover, in the non-pedaled state of the pedal 40, a portion of the first helical spring 65 is arranged to overlap with the second helical spring 66 on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0312] In detail, when the pedal 40 is not in the pedaled state, the first coil spring 65 is offset to the opposite side of the unit axis Dsa compared to the second coil spring 66. Moreover, a portion of the first coil spring 65 on one side of the unit axis Dsa is arranged to overlap with a portion of the second coil spring 66 on the other side of the unit axis Dsa on the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr, forming a radial gap between them.

[0313] The spring seat 74 of this embodiment, like the spring seat 74 of the first embodiment, has an extension 741, an inner spring seat portion 742, and an outer spring seat portion 743. However, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the inner spring seat portion 742 extends from the end of the extension 741 on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa toward the inner side of the unit radial direction Dsr. Furthermore, the outer spring seat portion 743 extends from the end of the extension 741 on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa toward the outer side of the unit radial direction Dsr. In summary, the outer spring seat portion 743 is located on the opposite side of the inner spring seat portion 742 relative to the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0314] In this embodiment, the first helical spring 65 is sandwiched between the inner side 742 of the spring seat and the second abutment portion 682 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and is compressed by the inner side 742 of the spring seat and the second abutment portion 682 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Furthermore, the second helical spring 66 is sandwiched between the first abutment portion 672 and the outer side 743 of the spring seat in the unit axial direction Dsa, and is compressed by the first abutment portion 672 and the outer side 743 of the spring seat in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0315] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an outer guide portion 69 is inserted into the insertion hole 74a of the spring seat 74. Moreover, the size of the inner diameter of the insertion hole 74a relative to the outer diameter of the outer guide portion 69 in this embodiment is determined in the same way as the size of the inner diameter of the insertion hole 74a relative to the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70 in the first embodiment. That is, the size of the insertion hole 74a is determined such that when the spring seat 74 abuts against one or both of the first and second supports 67 and 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa due to the compression of the coil springs 65 and 66, the inner circumferential surface 74b of the insertion hole will not constrain the outer guide portion 69 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0316] Except as described above, this embodiment is the same as the 13th embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 13th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 13th embodiment. Additionally, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 13th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 1st embodiment.

[0317] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the 13th embodiment, it can also be combined with the aforementioned 15th or 16th embodiment.

[0318] (Embodiment 18)

[0319] Next, the 18th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the aforementioned 15th embodiment.

[0320] like Figure 25 As shown, in this embodiment, the extension 741 of the spring seat 74 has an inner guide portion 749 and an outer guide portion 745. The inner guide portion 749 is provided on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa in the extension 741, and the outer guide portion 745 is provided on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa in the extension 741.

[0321] In this embodiment, the inner guide portion 749 of the spring seat has a first spring seat facing surface 749a that faces the other end 652 of the first helical spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. This first spring seat facing surface 749a is formed in an annular shape centered on the unit axis Cs, facing inwards towards the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the first spring seat facing surface 749a is formed on the inner side of the extension 741 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0322] Furthermore, the first spring seat facing surface 749a is the portion of the spring seat 74 that is closest to the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, among the portions facing the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr. For example, the first spring seat facing surface 749a may abut against the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, or it may be configured with a small radial gap between it and the other end 652.

[0323] According to this structure, when a certain load is applied to the first coil spring 65 such that the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 is misaligned relative to the pedal axis CL in the unit radial direction Dsr, the first coil spring 65 initially abuts against the first spring seat facing surface 749a in the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr. That is, the first spring seat facing surface 749a restricts the misalignment of the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 relative to the spring seat 74 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0324] The outer guide portion 745 of the spring seat in this embodiment has the same structure as the outer guide portion 745 of the spring seat in the first embodiment described above.

[0325] Except as described above, this embodiment is the same as the 15th embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 15th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 15th embodiment. Additionally, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 1st embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 1st embodiment.

[0326] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the 15th embodiment, it can also be combined with the aforementioned 16th or 17th embodiment.

[0327] (19th embodiment)

[0328] Next, the 19th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the aforementioned 18th embodiment.

[0329] like Figure 26 As shown, in this embodiment, the extension 741 of the spring seat 74 has an outer guide portion 745, but does not have an inner guide portion 749 (see reference). Figure 25 Instead, the inner side 742 of the spring seat 74 has an inner guide 744 formed in a manner that protrudes toward one side of the unit axis Dsa. The inner guide 744 of this embodiment has the same structure as the inner guide 744 of the first embodiment described above.

[0330] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 18th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the aforementioned 18th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 18th embodiment.

[0331] (Embodiment 20)

[0332] Next, the 20th embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the aforementioned 2nd embodiment.

[0333] like Figure 27 As shown, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the connecting rod 76 is provided on the opposite side of the pedal 40, protruding from the back surface 40b of the pedal, and is fixed to the pedal 40, for example, by bolts. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 is configured as a single component. Additionally, in... Figure 27 and with that Figure 27 In the diagrams described later, illustrations of leaf spring 61 and the like are appropriately omitted.

[0334] like Figure 27 , Figure 28 As shown, the connecting rod 76 of this embodiment has a rod front end 763 disposed on the side of the first bracket 67, and the rod front end 763 has an abutment surface 763a that abuts against the pushed surface 67a of the first bracket 67. Moreover, the abutment surface 763a is spherical.

[0335] (1) Since the contact surface 763a of the front end 763 of the rod is spherical, as the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40, the connecting rod 76 slides in point contact with the first bracket 67 while pushing the first bracket 67. Therefore, even if the connecting rod 76 rotates around the rod axis Crd, the contact state between the connecting rod 76 and the first bracket 67 does not change. Therefore, there is no limitation on the rotational position of the connecting rod 76 around the rod axis Crd, and the connecting rod 76 can be easily assembled onto the pedal 40.

[0336] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the second embodiment described above can be obtained in the same way as in the second embodiment.

[0337] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment, it can also be combined with any of the first, third to 19th embodiments described above.

[0338] (21st embodiment)

[0339] Next, the 21st embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the aforementioned 20th embodiment.

[0340] like Figure 29 As shown, the cross-section perpendicular to the pedal axis CL, i.e., the pedal axis cross-section (e.g., Figure 29 In the cross-section of the rod, the abutment surface 763a of the rod tip 763 in this embodiment has an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape that bulges towards the opposite side of operation. Furthermore, as... Figure 29 , Figure 30 As shown, the contact surface 763a is shaped such that the arc-shaped cross-sectional shape extends along the axial direction Dpa of the pedal axis CL.

[0341] (1) Since the contact surface 763a of the front end 763 of the rod is formed as described above, as the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40, the connecting rod 76 slides in line with the first bracket 67 while pushing the first bracket 67. Therefore, the contact area generated when the connecting rod 76 pushes the first bracket 67 can be increased, and the surface pressure on the first bracket 67 from the connecting rod 76 can be reduced.

[0342] In addition, such as Figures 29-31 As shown, the connecting rod 76 of this embodiment has a non-circular portion 764 located on the side of the pedal 40 closer to the front end 763 of the rod. This non-circular portion 764 has a cross-section perpendicular to the rod axis Crd, i.e., the rod cross-section (e.g., ...). Figure 31 The cross-section of the rod has an external shape that differs from a circle. Specifically, the non-circular portion 764 of the rod is rectangular in shape in the cross-section of the rod.

[0343] Furthermore, the pedal 40 has a non-circular portion 413 disposed on the pedal back surface 40b, which is formed in a manner protruding from the pedal back surface 40b. Moreover, the connecting rod 76 is connected to and fixed to the non-circular portion 413 in the pedal back surface 40b. Figure 31 As shown, the non-circular portion 413 of the pedal has an external shape that differs from a circle in the cross-section of the rod. Specifically, the non-circular portion 413 of the pedal is rectangular in shape in the cross-section of the rod.

[0344] (2) Because the non-circular part 764 of the rod and the non-circular part 413 of the pedal are arranged in this way, during the manufacturing process of assembling the connecting rod 76 to the pedal 40, the rotational position of the connecting rod 76 about the rod axis Crd can be positioned with high precision relative to the pedal 40. For example, after the side of the non-circular part 764 of the rod and the side of the non-circular part 413 of the pedal abut against the positioning fixture, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40, thereby enabling the rotational position of the connecting rod 76 to be positioned with high precision to fix the connecting rod 76 to the pedal 40. By fixing the connecting rod 76 to the pedal 40 in this way, the connecting rod 76 can make line contact with the first bracket 67 with less deviation.

[0345] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 20th embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 20th embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 20th embodiment.

[0346] (22nd Embodiment)

[0347] Next, the 22nd embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 21st embodiment described above.

[0348] like Figure 32 As shown, a connecting hole 68a is formed on the second support 68 in this embodiment. The connecting hole 68a has one end connected to the inner space 69a and the other end open to the outside of the inner space 69a. The connecting hole 68a in this embodiment has the same structure as the connecting hole 68a in the first embodiment.

[0349] Furthermore, the fastening member 62 in this embodiment has the same structure as the fastening member 62 in the first embodiment. This fastening member 62, like in the first embodiment, fixes the second bracket 68 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61. Moreover, the inner space 69a communicates with the outside of the inner space 69a via the connecting hole 68a and the through hole 62a formed in the fixing portion of the fastening member 62.

[0350] Except as described above, this embodiment is the same as the 21st embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 21st embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 21st embodiment. Additionally, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 1st embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 1st embodiment.

[0351] (23rd implementation)

[0352] Next, the 23rd embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the main focus will be on the differences from the 21st embodiment described above.

[0353] like Figure 33 As shown, the connecting rod 76 of this embodiment, like that of the first embodiment, has an arm 761 connected to the pedal 40 and a pressing portion 762 connected in series with the arm 761 on the side opposite to the pedal 40 side relative to the arm 761. The pressing portion 762 includes a rod front end 763. For example, in this embodiment, the arm 761 and the pressing portion 762 extend along the rod axis Crd. Moreover, the arm 761 and the pressing portion 762 of this embodiment have essentially the same structure as those in the first embodiment.

[0354] However, as Figures 33-35 As shown, the arm portion 761 of this embodiment has a non-circular arm portion 761a, which has a non-circular arm portion 761a in the cross-section of the rod (e.g., Figure 34 The cross-section of the arm has an external shape that differs from that of a circle. Specifically, the non-circular portion 761a of the arm has a rectangular shape in the cross-section of the rod.

[0355] Furthermore, the pushing portion 762 of this embodiment has a non-circular pushing portion 762a located at the front end 763 of the rod near the pedal 40. This non-circular pushing portion 762a has a cross-sectional area of ​​the rod (e.g., Figure 35 The cross-section of the rod has an external shape that differs from that of a circle. Specifically, the non-circular part 762a is rectangular in shape in the cross-section of the rod.

[0356] (1) Because the non-circular arm portion 761a and the non-circular pressing portion 762a are provided in this way, during the manufacturing process of fixing the pressing portion 762 to the arm portion 761, the rotational position of the pressing portion 762 around the rod axis Crd can be positioned with high precision relative to the arm portion 761. For example, after the side of the non-circular arm portion 761a and the side of the non-circular pressing portion 762a are respectively abutted against the positioning fixture, the pressing portion 762 is fixed to the arm portion 761, thereby enabling the rotational position of the pressing portion 762 to be positioned with high precision to fix the pressing portion 762 to the arm portion 761. By fixing the pressing portion 762 to the arm portion 761 in this way, the connecting rod 76 and the first bracket 67 can make line contact with a small deviation.

[0357] Apart from the above description, this embodiment is the same as the 21st embodiment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the effects achieved based on the structure common to the 21st embodiment can be obtained in the same way as in the 21st embodiment.

[0358] Furthermore, although this embodiment is a variation of the 21st embodiment, it can also be combined with the aforementioned 22nd embodiment.

[0359] (Other implementation methods)

[0360] (1) In the above embodiments, the pedal device 1 is used as a brake pedal device, but this is only one example. For example, the pedal device 1 can also be used as an accelerator pedal device operated for adjusting the output of the drive source of the vehicle 80. Furthermore, the pedal device 1 can also be configured as various devices operated by the driver 81 with his foot.

[0361] (2) In the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the support body that supports the pedal 40 in a manner that allows it to swing about the pedal axis CL is specifically a housing consisting of an outer shell 10 and a base plate 20, which houses the reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc. However, this is just one example. The support body does not need to be formed as a housing, and it may not house the reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc.

[0362] (3) In the first embodiment described above, as Figure 4 As shown, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has one or more elastic members 65, 66, specifically a first coil spring 65 and a second coil spring 66, but this is just one example. For example, one or more coil springs could be equivalent to the one or more elastic members 65, 66. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the one or more elastic members 65, 66 are not coil springs but elastic bodies such as rubber or air springs.

[0363] (4) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 4 The first support 67 shown is made of resin, for example, but the material of the first support 67 is not limited, and the first support 67 may also be made of metal.

[0364] If the first bracket 67 is made of metal, its durability against surface pressure from the connecting rod 76 pressing against the pressed surface 67a of the first bracket 67 can be improved compared to, for example, if the first bracket 67 is made of resin. Furthermore, the first bracket 67 is less prone to deformation, thus suppressing friction between the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 caused by, for example, deformation of the first bracket 67.

[0365] (5) In the first embodiment described above, for example, Figure 4 The flange-shaped member 684 shown is made of resin, and the inner guide portion 70 is made of metal, but their constituent materials are not limited. For example, the flange-shaped member 684 may be made of metal, and the inner guide portion 70 may be made of resin. Alternatively, both the flange-shaped member 684 and the inner guide portion 70 may be made of resin or metal.

[0366] (6) In the first embodiment described above, as Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the second bracket 68 is fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the threaded fastening member 62, but this is just one example. For example, the leaf spring 61 may not be provided, and the second bracket 68 may be directly fixed to the base plate 20 by the threaded fastening member 62, etc.

[0367] (7) In the first embodiment described above, as Figure 4 As shown, the inner guide portion 70 is configured as a separate component from the flange-shaped member 684, which includes the second abutment portion 682 and the second spring guide portion 683, but this is just one example. For example, the inner guide portion 70, the second abutment portion 682, and the second spring guide portion 683 can also be configured as a single component by means of insert molding or the like.

[0368] (8) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 4 The spring seat 74 shown is made of resin, but it can also be made of metal.

[0369] (9) In the first embodiment described above, as Figure 3 As shown, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 by bolts, so the connecting rod 76 does not rotate about the rod axis Crd, but this is one example. For example, if the rod axis Crd is fixed, the connecting rod 76 can also rotate about the rod axis Crd. In this case, since the rod axis Crd is fixed, it can also be said that the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 in a way that it protrudes from the pedal 40.

[0370] (10) In the first embodiment described above, Figure 4 The push part 762 of the connecting rod 76 shown is made of resin, for example, but the material of the push part 762 is not limited, and the push part 762 may also be made of metal.

[0371] If the pressing part 762 is made of metal, the durability of the surface pressure when the pressing part 762 of the connecting rod 76 presses the pressing surface 67a of the first bracket 67 can be improved compared to the case where the pressing part 762 is made of resin.

[0372] (11) In the first embodiment described above, as Figure 4 As shown, in a cross-section perpendicular to the unit axis Dsa, the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer circumferential surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 are circular in shape centered on the unit axis Cs, but this is just one example. In a cross-section perpendicular to the unit axis Dsa, the inner circumferential surface 691 and the outer circumferential surface 701 can be either elliptical or polygonal.

[0373] (12) In the above embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the second bracket 68 is fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the threaded fastening member 62, but this is just one example. The second bracket 68 may also be fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by means of, for example, pressing, snap-fit ​​assembly or riveting, rather than by threads.

[0374] (13) In the 15th embodiment described above, Figure 22 The inflection point B1 of the pedal force characteristics, such as Figure 21B As shown, spring seat 74 abuts against first support 67 in the unit axis Dsa, not second support 68, but this is just one example. For instance, the spring constants of helical springs 65 and 66 can be adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Figure 22 At the inflection point B1 of the pedal force characteristic, the spring seat 74 abuts against the second support 68 in the unit axis Dsa, not the first support 67. In this case, during the aforementioned spring compression process, after the spring seat 74 abuts against the second support 68 in the unit axis Dsa, the first support 67 and the second support 68 abut against each other in the unit axis Dsa.

[0375] Furthermore, the same situation exists in the 16th embodiment described above. That is, in the 16th embodiment described above, in... Figure 22 The inflection point B1 of the pedal force characteristics, such as Figure 23B As shown, the spring seat 74 abuts against the outer guide portion 69 of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa, not the second abutment portion 682 of the second bracket 68, but this is just one example. For example, the spring constants of the helical springs 65 and 66 can be adjusted to make the spring seat 74 abut against the outer guide portion 69 of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Figure 22 At the inflection point B1 of the pedal force characteristic, the spring seat 74 abuts against the second abutment portion 682 of the second bracket 68 rather than the outer guide portion 69 of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa. In this case, during the aforementioned spring compression process, after the spring seat 74 abuts against the second abutment portion 682 of the second bracket 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa, it abuts against the outer guide portion 69 of the first bracket 67 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0376] (14) In the 21st embodiment described above, as Figure 31As shown, the non-circular portion 764 of the rod has a rectangular shape in the cross-section of the rod, but this is just one example. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the non-circular portion 764 of the rod is not limited to a rectangular shape, but can also be a non-circular shape such as an ellipse. The same applies to the non-circular portion 413 of the pedal, the non-circular portion 761a of the arm in the 23rd embodiment, and the non-circular portion 762a of the pusher.

[0377] (15) In the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, pedal device 1 is an organ-type pedal device, but this is just one example. For example, pedal device 1 could also be a suspended pedal device.

[0378] (16) Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modifications. In addition, the above embodiments are not unrelated to each other and can be appropriately combined except in cases where they are obviously incompatible.

[0379] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential, except where they are specifically stated as necessary or where they are clearly considered necessary in principle. Also, in the above embodiments, when the number, value, quantity, range, etc., of the structural elements of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to that specific number, except where they are specifically stated as necessary or where they are clearly limited to that specific number in principle. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, when the material, shape, positional relationship, etc., of the structural elements are mentioned, they are not limited to that material, shape, positional relationship, etc., except where they are specifically stated or where they are limited to that specific material, shape, positional relationship in principle.

Claims

1. A pedal device, installed in a vehicle, characterized in that, have: Support body, installed on the vehicle body; The pedal is configured to swing relative to the support body and is operated by the driver from a designated operating side. as well as A reaction force generating mechanism, supported on the support body and positioned opposite the operating side (i.e., the opposite operation side) to the pedal, generates a reaction force relative to the pedal force applied by the driver. The reaction force generating mechanism has: one or more elastic members capable of elastic deformation in one direction; and a first bracket that abuts against the one or more elastic members from the side of the pedal in the one direction and is pushed by the pedal. And a second support, which abuts against one or more elastic members from the opposite side of the one direction, and is subjected to the stepping force transmitted to the one or more elastic members. One of the first and second supports has an outer guide portion that is inserted into an inner space formed inside the one or more elastic members, and is cylindrical in shape extending in the one direction. The other of the first and second brackets has an inner guide portion that extends along the one direction and is embedded in the outer guide portion in a manner that allows relative movement with respect to the outer guide portion in the one direction. The inner guide portion has a front end face disposed inside the outer guide portion and formed at the front end of the inner guide portion. An internal space is formed on the inner side of the outer guide portion, facing the front end face. A communication hole is formed on the first or second bracket to connect the inner space of the cylinder with the outside of the inner space. The outer guide portion is integrally provided with a bottom surface of the cylinder facing the front end in one direction.

2. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer guide portion has an inner circumferential surface with a cylindrical inner side facing the outer guide portion. The inner guide portion has an outer peripheral surface that faces and contacts the inner peripheral surface. The outer guide portion and the inner guide portion, by making the inner peripheral surface slidably contact the outer peripheral surface, thereby allowing relative movement of the first bracket and the second bracket in one direction while restricting relative movement of the first bracket and the second bracket in a direction perpendicular to the one direction.

3. The pedal device according to claim 2, characterized in that, In a cross-section perpendicular to the stated direction, the inner and outer circumferential surfaces are circular.

4. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relative movement of one support and the other support in the direction of pushing and contracting the one or more elastic members is stopped by the inner guide portion abutting against the support of one support in that direction.

5. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relative movement of one support and the other support in the direction of pushing and contracting the one or more elastic members is stopped by causing the outer guide portion to abut against the other support in that direction.

6. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second bracket has: a guide portion, corresponding to the outer guide portion or the inner guide portion; and an abutment portion disposed around the guide portion, abutting against the one or more elastic members from the other side of the one direction. The guide portion and the abutment portion are configured as independent components.

7. The pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting hole is formed in the second bracket.

8. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The reaction force generating mechanism includes a leaf spring, which has one end fixed to the support body and the other end fixed to the second bracket. The second bracket is connected to the support body via the leaf spring.

9. The pedal device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The reaction force generating mechanism includes: a leaf spring having one end fixed to the support body and the other end fixed to the second bracket; and a fixing part provided through the other end of the leaf spring, fixing the other end to the second bracket. The second bracket is connected to the support body via the leaf spring. A through hole for fixing is formed in the fixing part, which is connected to the communicating hole. The internal space of the cylinder is connected to the outside of the cylinder through the connecting hole and the through hole of the fixing part.

10. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The one or more elastic members are one or more helical springs formed with a radial direction perpendicular to the one direction.

11. The pedal device according to claim 10, characterized in that, One or more helical springs includes a helical spring having a first spring end that is connected to the first bracket. The first bracket has a first opposing surface that faces the end of the first spring in the radial direction. The first opposing surface restricts the radial misalignment of the end of the first spring relative to the first bracket.

12. The pedal device according to claim 10, characterized in that, One of the more than one helical springs includes a helical spring having a second spring end that is connected to the second bracket. The second bracket has a second opposing surface that faces the end of the second spring in the radial direction. The second opposing surface restricts the radial misalignment of the end of the second spring relative to the second bracket.

13. The pedal device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The reaction force generating mechanism has a spring seat disposed radially outward relative to the outer guide portion or the inner guide portion. The one or more helical springs include a first helical spring and a second helical spring connected to each other via the spring seat. The first helical spring and the second helical spring push against each other via the spring seat as they are compressed and deformed respectively.

14. The pedal device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first helical spring has a first spring seat side end that is connected to the spring seat. The second helical spring has a second spring seat side end that connects to the spring seat. The spring seat has: a first spring seat facing surface, which faces the side end of the first spring seat in the radial direction; and a second spring seat facing surface, which faces the side end of the second spring seat in the radial direction. The opposing surface of the first spring seat restricts the radial misalignment of the side end of the first spring seat relative to the spring seat. The opposing surface of the second spring seat restricts the radial misalignment of the side end of the second spring seat relative to the spring seat.

15. The pedal device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the first helical spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the second helical spring. A portion of the first helical spring is configured to overlap with the second helical spring on its radially inner side.

16. The pedal device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first helical spring has a first spring seat side end configured to overlap with the second helical spring on its radially inner side. The second helical spring has a second spring seat side end configured to overlap with the first helical spring on the outer side in the radial direction. The spring seat has: an extension disposed radially between the first helical spring and the second helical spring, in the shape of a cylindrical portion extending in one direction; an inner portion extending radially inward from the extension, facing and contacting the side end of the first spring seat in one direction; and an outer portion extending radially outward from the extension, facing and contacting the side end of the second spring seat in one direction.

17. The pedal device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The spring seat has: a first spring seat facing surface, which faces the side end of the first spring seat in the radial direction; and a second spring seat facing surface, which faces the side end of the second spring seat in the radial direction. The first spring seat facing surface is formed radially on the inner side of the extension or on the inner side of the spring seat, restricting the radial misalignment of the side end of the first spring seat relative to the spring seat. The opposing surface of the second spring seat is formed on the outer side of the extension in the radial direction, thereby limiting the radial misalignment of the side end of the second spring seat relative to the spring seat.

18. The pedal device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The spring seat has a through hole that extends in one direction and is inserted into the outer guide or the inner guide.

19. The pedal device according to claim 16, characterized in that, An insertion hole is formed on the inner side of the spring seat, extending in one direction and being inserted into either the outer guide portion or the inner guide portion. The inner side of the spring seat has an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole facing the radial direction and the insertion hole. The size of the insertion hole is determined such that, when the spring seat abuts against the first or second bracket in one direction as the first and second helical springs are compressed, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole does not constrain the outer or inner guide portion in the radial direction.

20. The pedal device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The spring seat is made of resin.

21. The pedal device according to claim 13, characterized in that, During the relative movement of the first bracket and the second bracket in the direction of pushing and retracting the first helical spring and the second helical spring, after the spring seat abuts against one of the first bracket and the second bracket in one direction, the first bracket and the second bracket abut against each other in one direction.

22. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first support is made of resin or metal.

23. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The pedal device includes a rod disposed between the pedal and the first bracket and connecting the pedal and the first bracket. The first support is pushed by the pedal via the rod as the pedaling force is applied to the pedal.

24. The pedal device according to claim 23, characterized in that, The lever has a front end located on the opposite side of the operation, the lever is arranged to project from the pedal toward the opposite side of the operation, and the lever is connected to the pedal in a manner fixed in the direction of its projection. The first bracket has a push-on surface that abuts against the front end of the rod and faces the one direction. The front end of the lever slides relative to the pressed surface while being pressed by the driver's pedal operation.

25. The pedal device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The front end of the rod has an abutting surface that abuts against the surface being pushed. The contact surface is spherical.

26. The pedal device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The pedal oscillates around its axis as the driver depresses it. The front end of the rod has an abutting surface that abuts against the surface being pushed. In a cross-section perpendicular to the pedal axis, the contact surface has an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape that bulges towards the opposite side of the operation. The contact surface has a shape in which the arc-shaped cross-sectional shape extends axially along the axis of the pedal shaft.

27. The pedal device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The rod has: an arm connected to the pedal; and a pushing part made of a different material from the arm, including the front end of the rod and connected to the arm.

28. The pedal device according to claim 27, characterized in that, The arm is made of metal.

29. The pedal device according to claim 27, characterized in that, The pressing part is made of resin or metal.

30. The pedal device according to claim 27, characterized in that, The arm extends along the axis of the rod and has a non-circular portion. This non-circular portion has an external shape that differs from a circle in a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the rod. The pushing part has a non-circular pushing part, which has an external shape that is different from a circle in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the rod.

31. The pedal device according to claim 27, characterized in that, The rod extends along its axis and has a non-circular portion that has an external shape different from a circle in a cross-section perpendicular to the rod's axis. The pedal has a pedal back disposed on the opposite side of the operation and facing the opposite side of the operation. A non-circular portion of the pedal is provided on the back of the pedal. This non-circular portion has an external shape that is different from a circle in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the rod, and protrudes from the back of the pedal.

32. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second bracket is fixed to the component or the support body located between the support body and the second bracket by threaded fastening.

33. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The pedal device is an organ-style pedal device.

34. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The support body includes a housing. The reaction force generating mechanism is housed within the outer casing.

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