Accelerator device

Abstract

An accelerator device. An accelerator device (100) is provided with a pedal pad (200), a housing (300, 600) capable of being mounted to a vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism (400) housed in the inside of the housing, an arm (500) linking the pedal pad and the internal movable mechanism in a state where an opening portion (312) provided through an outer wall surface (310) of the housing is penetrated. A protruding portion (314, 624) is provided which surrounds the entire circumference of the opening portion and protrudes in the direction of the pedal pad.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the original application filed on October 18, 2019, with application number 201980084072.X and invention title "Accelerator Device".

[0002] Cross-reference of related applications

[0003] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-237836, filed on December 20, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] This application relates to an accelerator device for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0005] DE102009032664A discloses an accelerator device of the organ construction type. The accelerator device is fixed to the floor of the vehicle body and detects the amount of accelerator pedal input by the driver. The organ construction type accelerator device has a pedal pad for the driver to step on, and a pedal housed in a housing, and the pedal pad and the pedal are connected by an arm passing through an opening in the housing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the aforementioned prior art, there is a problem that foreign objects can easily get stuck in the opening. Furthermore, since a groove is formed on the side of the arm, there is a problem that foreign objects can easily become trapped between the groove and the opening. Therefore, it is desirable to solve at least some of these problems.

[0007] According to a first aspect of this application, an accelerator device of the organ construction type is provided. The accelerator device includes a pedal pad for a driver to step on, a housing for mounting to a vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism housed within the housing, and an arm that connects the pedal pad to the internal movable mechanism in the form of an opening extending through the outer wall of the housing, and a protrusion surrounding the entire circumference of the opening and protruding toward the pedal pad.

[0008] According to the accelerator device of the first embodiment, since a protrusion is provided on the entire circumference of the opening, it is possible to achieve a structure in which foreign objects are difficult to enter the interior of the housing through the gap between the opening and the arm.

[0009] The second embodiment of the accelerator device of this application, of the organ-type structure, includes a pedal pad for a driver to step on, a housing for mounting to a vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism housed within the housing, and an arm that connects the pedal pad to the internal movable mechanism with an opening extending through the outer wall of the housing. When the housing is viewed from the pedal pad side, the outer wall has an upper peripheral surface that forms the periphery of the opening and is opposite to the pedal pad. The accelerator device is configured such that the angle between the upper peripheral surface and the side of the arm is 90 degrees or more.

[0010] According to the accelerator device of the second method, since the foreign object approaching the opening is bounced off the upper peripheral surface of the opening and the side of the arm, it is possible to achieve a structure in which the foreign object is difficult to enter the interior of the shell through the gap between the opening and the arm.

[0011] The third-party organ-type accelerator device of this application includes a pedal pad for the driver to step on, a housing that can be mounted to the vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism housed in the housing, and an arm that connects the pedal pad to the internal movable mechanism in the state of having an opening provided through the outer wall of the housing. The inner wall of the opening opposite the side of the arm is configured such that the gap between the inner wall and the side of the arm widens toward the interior of the housing.

[0012] According to the third-party accelerator device, even if a foreign object is stuck in the opening, by performing the accelerator operation, the foreign object can be moved to the inside of the shell and discharged from the opening into the shell, thus achieving a structure in which foreign objects are difficult to remain in the opening.

[0013] The fourth aspect of this application, an accelerator device of the organ construction type, includes a pedal pad for the driver to step on, a housing that can be mounted to the vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism housed in the housing, and an arm that connects the pedal pad to the internal movable mechanism in a state of having an opening through the outer wall of the housing, the arm having a side without a recess in a position facing the inner wall of the opening.

[0014] According to the fourth type of accelerator device, since there is no recess on the side of the arm, even if a foreign object is stuck in the opening, the foreign object can be moved to the inside of the shell and discharged from the opening into the shell by performing the accelerator operation. Therefore, a structure in which foreign objects are difficult to remain in the opening can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a side view of the accelerator device according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2This is a side view of the accelerator unit with the cover removed.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the accelerator device with the cover removed.

[0018] Figure 4 It's a 3D diagram of the pedals.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a side view showing the accelerator in its fully closed state.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the fully open state.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Section 7-7

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Section 8-8

[0023] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Section 9-9

[0024] Figure 10A This is a diagram showing a first structural example related to the upper side of the protrusion surrounding the opening.

[0025] Figure 10B This is a diagram showing a second structural example related to the upper side of the protrusion surrounding the opening.

[0026] Figure 11A This is a diagram illustrating a first structural example of an arm with an internal cavity.

[0027] Figure 11B This is a cross-sectional view showing a first example of an arm with an internal cavity.

[0028] Figure 12A This is a diagram illustrating a second structural example of an arm with an internal cavity.

[0029] Figure 12B This is a cross-sectional view of a third structural example of an arm with an internal cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0030] A. Overall structure of the accelerator device:

[0031] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the accelerator device 100 is configured to be mounted on a base plate FP that forms part of the vehicle body. Figure 1 In the diagram, the x-axis represents the vehicle's direction of travel, the y-axis represents the vehicle's width, and the z-axis represents the vertical direction. The x, y, and z axes in other diagrams described later also represent the same direction. Figure 1 The same direction. Unless otherwise specified, the following description of the structure and configuration of the accelerator device 100 refers to the structure and configuration of the accelerator device 100 when it is installed on the vehicle body. For example, phrases such as "above" or "upper side" mean that the accelerator device 100 is installed above or above the vehicle body when it is installed on the vehicle body. Other words and descriptions are the same.

[0032] The accelerator device 100 includes a pedal pad 200 configured for the driver to step on, a housing 300 for mounting to the vehicle body, an internal movable mechanism 400 housed within the housing 300, and an arm 500 that connects the pedal pad 200 and the internal movable mechanism 400 through an opening 312 provided in the outer wall of the housing 300. The opening 312 is also referred to as a "through hole 312". Thus, the accelerator device 100 having a structure in which the pedal pad 200 provided on the driver's side of the housing 300 is connected by the arm 500 and the internal movable mechanism 400 housed in the housing 300 is referred to as an "accordion-type" accelerator device.

[0033] The pedal pad 200 is configured for the driver to step on, and has a plate-shaped side protection portion 210 on its side. The lower end of the pedal pad 200 is supported by a fulcrum member 220 located at the lower end of the housing 300, and the pedal pad 200 can rotate about the contact point with the fulcrum member 220. The side protection portion 210 is a component that protects the gap between the pedal pad 200 and the housing 300 to prevent the driver's foot from being trapped between the pedal pad 200 and the housing 300.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 300 has a front wall 310 opposite to the pedal pad 200, a back wall 320 opposite to the front wall 310, an open side wall 330 forming one of the sides between the front wall 310 and the back wall 320, a side wall 340 opposite to the open side wall 330, an upper wall 350 defining the upper end of the internal receiving space SP, and a lower wall 360 opposite to the upper wall 350, which serve as receiving walls surrounding the internal receiving space SP. The open side wall 330 is not a wall surface; therefore, strictly speaking, the walls 310, 320, and 340-360 other than the open side wall 330 function as receiving walls surrounding the internal receiving space SP. Figure 1 As shown, the open side 330 is covered and closed by a cover 600 composed of a first cover 610 and a second cover 620. In this embodiment, the first cover 610 and the second cover 620 are constructed independently, but they can also be constructed as a single unit. Since the cover 600 forms the wall of the internal receiving space SP of the housing 300, it can be considered as part of the housing 300. In this specification, the term "housing" in a broad sense refers to the housing 300, which is equivalent to the main body of the housing, and the cover 600.

[0035] On the outer wall surface of the housing 300 opposite to the pedal pad 200, there is an opening 312 through which the arm 500 passes, and a fully open stop 390. The fully open stop 390 is a component that contacts the pedal pad 200 when the pedal pad 200 is fully depressed, thereby limiting the accelerator to the fully open position. The fully open position of the accelerator is set to a position where the accelerator opening is 100%. The position and structure of the fully open stop 390 will be further described later.

[0036] A kickdown switch 120 is provided on the outer wall of the housing 300, located above the fully open stop 390. The kickdown switch 120 is used to detect when the driver forcefully depresses the pedal pad 200, causing a sudden downshift, i.e., a "forced downshift". A housing chamber 370 for accommodating the kickdown switch 120 is formed at the uppermost part of the housing 300. Figure 3 The image shows the state of the forced downshift switch 120 being removed from the containment chamber 370.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, on the inner surface of the back wall 320 of the housing 300, there is a plate-shaped partition 324 extending obliquely upward from the back wall 320 toward the front wall 310. The partition 324 has the function of guiding water to a path that avoids the installation position of the force-applying member 430, so that water immersed from the opening 312 of the housing 300 does not directly reach the force-applying member 430 when falling vertically.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the internal movable mechanism 400 includes a shaft 410 rotatably supported on the housing 300, a pedal 420 extending obliquely upward from the outer periphery of the shaft 410, and a force-applying member 430 housed below the pedal 420, applying force to the pedal 420 in the direction of the accelerator being fully closed. In this embodiment, the force-applying member 430 is a compression spring, but other types of force-applying members such as tension springs or torsion springs can also be used to apply force to the pedal 420 in the direction of the accelerator being fully closed. Furthermore, when using a tension spring as the force-applying member, the force-applying member is positioned above the pedal 420; when using a torsion spring, the force-applying member is positioned around the central axis of the pedal 420. Figure 1 As shown, the first cover 610 covers the lower portion of the open side 330 of the housing 300, which corresponds to the side portion of the shaft 410. The second cover 620 covers the upper portion of the open side 330, which is located higher than the first cover 610.

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, an accelerator opening sensor 110 is provided on the outer side of the shaft 410 to generate an accelerator opening signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the shaft 410. In this embodiment, the accelerator opening sensor 110 includes a detection circuit that includes a Hall element for detecting the orientation of a permanent magnet embedded in the shaft 410. However, various other types of accelerator opening sensors can also be used.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the pedal 420 has a cylindrical portion 424 into which the shaft 410 is inserted, and a pedal extension 426 extending obliquely upward from the cylindrical portion 424. The branch point of the pedal extension 426 from the cylindrical portion 424 is also referred to as the "root of the pedal 420". Near the front end of the pedal extension 426, there is an engagement hole 428 that engages with the front end of the arm 500. A fully closed stop 422 is provided on the upper surface of the pedal extension 426, protruding from the upper surface of the pedal extension 426. The fully closed stop 422 is a component that restricts the fully closed position of the accelerator by contacting the inner surface of the front wall 310 of the housing 300.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, in the fully closed state of the accelerator, the fully closed stop 422 of the pedal 420 abuts against the inner surface of the front wall 310 of the housing 300. Figure 6 As shown, when the accelerator is fully open, the fully open stop 390 provided on the outer surface of the front wall 310 of the housing 300 abuts against the pedal pad 200.

[0042] Except for the shaft 410 and the spring of the force-applying component 430, the components of the accelerator device 100 can be made of resin. Furthermore, the overall configuration of the accelerator device 100 described above is an example, and some parts can be omitted arbitrarily. For example, the side protection part 210 and the partition part 324 can also be omitted.

[0043] B. Examples of various structures around the opening:

[0044] like Figures 7-9 As shown, the opening 312 of the housing 300 is provided with protrusions 314 and 624 that surround the entire circumference of the opening 312 and protrude toward the pedal pad 200. Figure 7 As shown, protrusions 314 of the housing 300 are formed along three of the four sides surrounding the opening 312, and a protrusion 624 of the second cover 620 is formed along the other side. As described above, since the cover 600, including the second cover 620, constitutes a "housing" in a broad sense, the entire circumference of the opening 312 is surrounded by the protrusions 314 and 624 of the broad housing. Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 314 protrudes from the outer surface of the front wall 310 by a height H314. (As shown...) Figure 9As shown, the protrusion 624 protrudes from the outer surface of the front wall 310 by a height H624. These heights H314 and H624 are preferably set to the same value. In this way, if the protrusions 314 and 624 are provided around the opening 312, it is possible to achieve a structure that makes it difficult for foreign objects to enter the interior of the housing through the gap between the opening 312 and the arm 500.

[0045] Figure 7 This is equivalent to viewing the protrusions 314 and 624 from one side of the pedal pad 200. At this time, the protrusion 314 of the housing 300 has an upper surface 314us that forms the upper side of the protrusion 314. Figure 7 In the example, the upper side 314us is configured as an inclined portion tilted to the left. However, the upper side 314us can also be configured as an inclined portion tilted to the right, or it can be configured as a surface that does not tilt to the left or right.

[0046] exist Figure 10A In other construction examples shown, the upper side 314us of the protrusion 314 has both an inclined portion tilted to the left and an inclined portion tilted to the right. Figure 10B In another example of the construction shown, the upper surface 314us of the protrusion 314 has a convex curved surface at the top. This curved upper surface 314us construction can also be considered as... Figure 10A Similarly, it has both a tilted portion that tilts to the left and a tilted portion that tilts to the right.

[0047] according to Figure 7 , Figure 10A as well as Figure 10B As can be understood from the example, the upper side 314us of the protrusion 314 is preferably configured to have an inclined portion that slopes to the right or left. In this way, since foreign objects can be guided downward along the inclined portion of the upper side 314us of the opening 312, a structure that makes it difficult for foreign objects to enter the gap between the opening 312 and the arm 500 can be achieved.

[0048] like Figure 8 As shown, when viewing the housing 300 from the side of the pedal pad 200, the outer wall surface of the housing 300 has an upper portion forming the periphery of the opening 312 and an upper peripheral surface 314up opposite to the pedal pad 200. Figure 8 In the example, the upper peripheral surface 314up corresponds to the surface of the protrusion 314 around the opening 312. However, the protrusion 314 can also be omitted, and the upper peripheral surface of the opening 312 can be formed by the outer surface of the front wall 310.

[0049] Preferably, the upper peripheral surface 314up is configured such that the angle θ0 formed by the upper peripheral surface 314up and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 is 90 degrees or more. This way, foreign objects approaching the opening 312 collide with the upper peripheral surface 314up of the opening 312 and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 and bounce off, thus making it difficult for foreign objects to enter the interior of the housing 300 through the gap between the opening 312 and the arm 500. Furthermore, this angle θ0 is preferably configured to be 90 degrees or more throughout the full range of motion from the fully closed state to the fully open state of the accelerator. More preferably, the angle θ0 is set to an angle exceeding 90 degrees, and most preferably, it is set to a range of 100 degrees to 140 degrees.

[0050] exist Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312 opposite to the side surface 520 of the arm 500 is also shown. Preferably, the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312 is configured such that the gap between it and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 widens towards the interior of the housing 300. Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown in the example, the angle θ1 to θ4 formed by the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312 and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 exceeds 0 degrees, and the gap between the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312 and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 widens towards the interior of the housing 300. With this configuration, even if a foreign object is trapped in the opening 312, by performing an accelerator operation, the foreign object can be moved towards the interior of the housing 300 and discharged from the opening 312 into the interior of the housing 300. As a result, a configuration that makes it difficult for foreign objects to remain in the opening 312 can be achieved.

[0051] In addition, preferably, in the full range of motion from the fully closed state of the accelerator to the fully open state of the accelerator, the gap between the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312 and the side surface 520 of the arm 500 is configured to widen toward the interior of the housing 300.

[0052] Moreover, such as Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown, preferably, the arm 500 is configured to have a side 520 without a recess at a position opposite to the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312. If a structure without a recess is adopted in the side 520 of the arm 500, foreign objects will not remain in the side 520 of the arm 500. By performing accelerator operation, even when the arm 500 moves inside the housing 300, a structure that makes it difficult for foreign objects to enter the interior of the housing 300 can be achieved.

[0053] like Figure 11A as well as Figure 11BAs shown, the arm 500 can also be configured to have an internal cavity 530. In this case, the cavity 530 is preferably formed only inside the arm 500 and does not reach the side 520 of the arm 500 opposite to the inner wall surface 312i of the opening 312. This improves the formability of the arm 500 and enables a structure that makes it difficult for foreign objects to enter the interior of the housing 300.

[0054] like Figure 12A as well as Figure 12B As shown, the cavity 530 of the arm 500 can also be divided into multiple parts inside the arm 500. In this way, the strength of the arm 500 can be improved, the formability of the arm 500 can be improved, and a structure that makes it difficult for foreign objects to enter the interior of the housing 300 can be achieved.

[0055] Furthermore, the various construction examples described above can be used independently and arbitrarily, and they can also be combined arbitrarily.

[0056] This application is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. The technical features in the above embodiments can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve part or all of the problems of this application, or to achieve part or all of the effects of this application. Furthermore, technical features that are not required to be described in this specification can be appropriately deleted.

Claims

1. An accelerator device, which is an accelerator device of the organ construction type, characterized in that, have: Pedal mats for the driver to step on; The housing can be installed on the vehicle body; An internal movable mechanism is housed within the housing; as well as With the arm extending through the opening on the outer wall of the housing, the pedal pad is connected to the internal movable mechanism. The device has a protrusion that surrounds the entire circumference of the opening and protrudes towards the pedal pad. When viewed from one side of the pedal pad, the protrusion has an upper side surface forming the upper side of the protrusion, and the upper side surface has an inclined plane portion that slopes to the right or left. When the housing is viewed from the side of the pedal pad, the outer wall surface has an upper portion forming the periphery of the opening and an upper peripheral surface opposite the pedal pad. The accelerator device is configured such that, within its full range of motion from the fully closed state to the fully open state, the angle between the upper peripheral surface and the side surface of the arm exceeds 90 degrees.

2. The accelerator device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall surface of the housing also has a lower peripheral surface that forms the periphery of the opening and is opposite to the pedal pad. During the full range of motion from the fully closed state of the accelerator to the fully open state of the accelerator, the angle between the lower peripheral surface and the side of the arm exceeds 90 degrees.

3. The accelerator device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The outer wall surface of the housing also has a right peripheral surface and a left peripheral surface that respectively form the right side portion and the left side portion of the periphery of the opening and are opposite to the pedal pad. In the fully movable range from the fully closed state of the accelerator to the fully open state of the accelerator, the angles formed by the right peripheral surface and the left peripheral surface with the side of the arm are respectively greater than 90 degrees.

Images