ACCELERATING DEVICE

Abstract

Organ-type accelerator device (100) comprising: a pad (200) configured to be pressed by a driver; a housing (300) configured to be mounted on a vehicle body, comprising the following a front wall (310) opposite the support (200) a rear wall (320) opposite the front wall (310), and an open side (330) arranged to form one of the side surfaces of a space between the front wall (310) and the rear wall (320); an internal movable mechanism (400) housed in the casing (300) comprising the following a shaft (410) which is supported by the housing (300) and is configured to rotate, a pedal (420) extending obliquely upwards from an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (410), and a preload element (430) which is arranged below the pedal (420) and configured to preload the pedal (420) into an accelerator pedal idle state; an arm (500) that penetrates an opening (312) provided in the front wall (310) of the housing (300) to connect the support (200) to the pedal (420); and a cover (600, 610, 620) that covers the open side (330), wherein the housing (300) provided on the vehicle body has at least one outlet opening (321, 322) which is positioned below a lowest position of a base of the pedal (420) in a path of movement while the pedal (420) is moved from the accelerator pedal idle state to an accelerator pedal full throttle state.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-237831, filed on December 20, 2018. The entire disclosure of the above-mentioned application is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an accelerator device of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0003] An organ-type accelerator device is disclosed in EP 1 777 095 A2. The accelerator device is mounted on a floor of a vehicle body in a vehicle interior and detects a depression amount of a pedal of the accelerator device depressed by a driver.

[0004] DE 102 22 984 A1 discloses an accelerator pedal device comprising a pedal element movable relative to a base unit and at least one reset unit. At least one motor unit is provided, which is at least partially connected to the pedal element and to the base unit. A clutch device is arranged between the motor unit and the pedal element. The reset unit comprises at least one clutch cable and one motor cable. SUMMARY

[0005] Water can enter a vehicle interior and an accelerator device, for example, when washing a vehicle. The prior art described above does not consider countermeasures against water intrusion. If water enters the accelerator device, it can lead to adverse effects such as deterioration of the accelerator's performance or the generation of abnormal noise. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the adverse effects caused by water intrusion into the accelerator device.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an organ-type accelerator device is provided. The accelerator device includes a support, a housing, an internal movable mechanism, an arm, and a cover. The support is configured to be pressed by a driver. The housing is configured to be attached to a vehicle body and includes: a front wall opposite the support; a rear wall opposite the front wall; and an open side arranged to form one of the side surfaces of a space between the front wall and the rear wall.The internal movable mechanism is housed in the casing and includes: a shaft supported by the casing and configured to rotate; a pedal extending obliquely upward from an outer peripheral surface of the shaft; and a biasing member disposed below the pedal and configured to bias the pedal in a direction in which an accelerator throttle is fully closed. The arm penetrates into an opening provided in the front wall of the casing to connect the support to the pedal. The cover covers the opened side. The casing includes at least one exhaust passage disposed below a lowest position of a base of the pedal in a movement path while the pedal is moved from an idle state to a full throttle state since the accelerator device is provided on the vehicle body.

[0007] In the accelerator device, water entering through the opening in the front wall of the housing can be drained away, preventing it from accumulating above or at the lowest position in the pedal base's path of travel. Therefore, adverse effects such as deterioration of performance due to water resistance during pedal operation or the generation of abnormal noise can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating an accelerator device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the accelerator device without cover. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the accelerator device without a cover. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pedal. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a line VV in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an explanatory view showing a track of the pedal moved from a fully closed state of the accelerator device to a fully opened state of the accelerator device. Fig. Figure 7 is a side view of the accelerator device in the fully closed state. Fig. Figure 8 is a side view of the accelerator device in the fully opened state. Fig. Fig. 9A shows a first construction example of a first outlet passage, seen along an arrow A in Fig. 1. Fig. 9B is a sectional view taken along a line IXB-IXB in Fig. 9A. Fig. 10A shows a second construction example of the first outlet passage, viewed along the arrow A in Fig. 1. Fig. 10B is a sectional view taken along a line XB- XB in Fig. 10A. Fig. 11A shows a third design example of the first outlet passage, seen along the arrow A in Fig. 1. Fig. 11B is a sectional view taken along a line XIB-XIB in Fig. 11A. Fig. 11C is a sectional view along a line XIC-XIC in Fig. 11A. Fig. Fig. 12A shows a fourth construction example of the first outlet passage, viewed along the arrow A in Fig. 1. Fig. 12B is a sectional view taken along a line XIIB-XIIB in Fig. 12A. Fig. 13A is an enlarged perspective view of an area XIIIA in Fig. 5 and shows a design example for a second outlet passage. Fig. Figure 13B is an enlarged view showing an area XIIIB in Fig. 2 and shows the design example of the second outlet passage. Fig. 14A is a first construction example in a sectional view taken along a line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13B. Fig. 14B is a second construction example of the sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13B was recorded. Fig. 15 shows another construction example of the pedal, which differs from the one in Fig. 5 differs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overall structure of the accelerator device:

[0008] As in Fig. 1 to 3, an accelerator device 100 is attachable to a floor plate FP contained in a vehicle body of a vehicle. In Fig. 1, the x-axis direction corresponds to a direction in which the vehicle is moving, the y-axis direction corresponds to a width direction of the vehicle, and the z-axis direction corresponds to a vertical upward direction. In other drawings described below, the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction are the same as in Fig. 1. Unless otherwise stated, the following describes the structure or arrangement of the accelerator device 100 in a situation where it is installed on the vehicle body. For example, "up" or "top" means that the accelerator device 100 is installed in the vehicle body. Other terms and descriptions are the same as described above.

[0009] The accelerator device 100 includes a pad 200, a housing 300, an internal movable mechanism 400, and an arm 500. The pad 200 is configured to be pressed by a driver. The housing 300 can be attached to the vehicle body. The internal movable mechanism 400 is housed in the housing 300. The arm 500 penetrates an opening 312 provided in an outer wall of the housing 300 and connects the pad 200 to the internal movable mechanism 400. The opening 312 may be referred to as a through hole 312. As described above, in the accelerator device 100, the arm 500 connects the pad 200, which is arranged between the driver and the housing 300, to the internal movable mechanism 400 housed inside the housing 300. The accelerator device constructed as described above is called an organ-type accelerator device.

[0010] The support 200 is configured to be pressed by the rider. A side guard 210 is in the shape of a plate and is provided on a side surface of the support 200. A lower end of the support 200 is supported by a pivot part 220 provided at a lower end of the housing 300. The support 200 is configured to rotate about a contact point with the rotating member 220. The side guard 210 closes a gap between the support 200 and the housing 300, so that the rider's foot cannot be caught between the support 200 and the housing 300.

[0011] As in Fig. 2, the housing 300 includes a front wall 310, a rear wall 320, an open side 330, a side wall 340, a top wall 350, and a bottom wall 360 as walls surrounding an internal housing space SP. The front wall 310 faces the support 200. The rear wall 320 is opposite the front wall 310. The open side 330 forms one of the side surfaces of a space between the front wall 310 and the rear wall 320. The side wall 340 faces the open side 330. The top wall 350 is an upper end of the internal housing space SP. The bottom wall 360 faces the top wall 350. Since the open side 330 is not a wall, the front wall 310, the rear wall 320, the side wall 340, the top wall 350, and the bottom wall 360, with the exception of the open side 330, function exactly as housing walls surrounding the inner housing space SP. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the open side 330 is covered and closed by a cover 600. The cover 600 includes a first cover 610 and a second cover 620. In the present embodiment, the first cover 610 and the second cover 620 are constructed separately. However, the first cover 610 and the second cover 620 may also be combined.

[0012] In the housing 300, an opening 312 and a full-throttle stop member 390 are provided in the outer wall opposite the pad 200. The arm 500 passes through the opening 312. The full-throttle stop member 390 is configured to regulate an accelerator device in a fully open position by being brought into contact with the pad 200 when the pad 200 is fully pressed. The fully open position of the accelerator device is a position in which the opening of the accelerator device is 100%. A kick-down switch 120 is arranged on an outer wall of the housing 300 above the full-throttle stop member 390. The kick-down switch 120 is configured to detect a kickdown. Kickdown is a movement to immediately shift to a lower gear when the driver strongly presses the pad 200.A housing chamber 370 is formed on an upper side of the housing 300, in which the kick-down switch 120 is housed. In . Fig. 3, the kick-down switch 120 is removed from the housing chamber 370.

[0013] As in Fig. 2, a shield 324 is disposed on an inner surface of the rear wall 320 in the housing 300 and extends obliquely upward from the rear wall 320 toward the front wall 310. When water enters the housing 300 through the opening 312, the shield 324 is configured to direct the water to flow through a path that bypasses a biasing member 430. That is, when the water falls in a vertical direction, the shield 324 prevents the water from directly reaching the biasing member 430.

[0014] As in Fig. 2, the inner movable mechanism 400 includes a shaft 410, a pedal 420, and the biasing member 430. The shaft 410 is supported by the housing 300 and is configured to rotate. The pedal 420 extends obliquely upward from an outer peripheral surface of the shaft 410. The biasing member 430 is disposed below the pedal 420 and is configured to bias the pedal in a direction in which the accelerator device 100 assumes a fully closed throttle valve state. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the first cover 610 covers a lower portion of the open side 330 in the housing 300, corresponding to one side of the shaft 410. The second cover 620 covers an upper portion of the open side 330 above the first cover 610.

[0015] As in Fig. 1, an accelerator opening sensor 110 is disposed outside the shaft 410 and configured to generate an accelerator signal corresponding to a rotation angle of the shaft 410. In the present embodiment, the accelerator opening sensor 110 includes a detection circuit including a Hall element that detects an orientation of a permanent magnet embedded in the shaft 410. However, other types of sensors for the accelerator device than those explained above can also be used.

[0016] As in Fig. 4, the pedal 420 includes a cylinder 424 and a pedal extension part 426. The shaft 410 is inserted into the cylinder 424. The pedal extension part 426 extends obliquely upward from the cylinder 424. A position where the pedal extension part 426 branches off from the cylinder 424 is referred to as the base of the pedal 420. An engagement hole 428 is provided around one end of the pedal extension part 426 and engages with one end of the arm 500. A fully closed stopper member 422 is provided on an upper surface of the pedal extension part 426 and protrudes from the upper surface of the pedal extension part 426. The fully closed stopper member 422 is configured to regulate a position of the accelerator device in the fully closed state by being brought into contact with an inner surface of the front wall 310 of the housing 300.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a line VV in Fig. 1. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, two biasing elements 430 are provided below the pedal 420. In the present embodiment, the biasing element 430 is a coil spring. However, the biasing element 430 may also have a different structure.

[0018] Components of the accelerator device 100, with the exception of the shaft 410 and a spring of the biasing member 430, may be made of plastic. The overall structure of the accelerator device 100 described above is an example, and some parts may be omitted as desired. For example, the side guard 210 or the shield 324 may be omitted.

[0019] As in Fig. 6, the positions of the arm 500 and the pedal 420 are changed accordingly when the accelerator device 100 transitions from the fully closed state to the fully opened state. For example, in the fully closed state, as shown in Fig. 7, the base of the pedal 420 is at a highest position HP in a movement path TR. On the other hand, in the accelerator device 100, the base of the pedal 420 is in the fully opened state, as shown in Fig. 8, in a lowest position LP in the movement path TR. In other words, a position of the base of the pedal 420 is changed between the highest position HP and the lowest position LP along the movement path TR. If water penetrates into the housing 300 through the opening 312 and accumulates above the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420, this may lead to deterioration of performance due to water resistance when operating the pedal 420 or to the generation of abnormal noise. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described below, at least one outlet passage 321, 322 is arranged below the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420. The outlet passage 321, 322 connects an interior of the housing 300 with an exterior of the housing 300. The biasing member 430 is in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 not shown. B. Design example for a first outlet passage:

[0020] As in Fig. 9A looking along an arrow A in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a first outlet passage 321 is formed by a first combined portion MS1 ​​between the housing 300 and the first cover 610, which are overlapped by a gap. The first outlet passage 321 connects the interior of the housing 300 to the exterior of the housing 300. Water entering from the opening 312 of the housing 300 can be discharged toward the exterior of the housing 300 through the first outlet passage 321. Fig. 9B is a sectional view taken along a line IXB-IXB in Fig. 9A. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, the first outlet passage 321 has a labyrinth structure so that the interior of the housing 300 is not directly visible from the exterior of the housing 300. Specifically, a recess is formed at a lower portion of the first cover 610, and one end portion of the rear wall 320 of the housing 300 is half-fitted into the recess of the first cover 610. Accordingly, the first outlet passage 321 is formed in a curved shape. Through the first outlet passage 321, water WP is discharged from the interior of the housing 300 to the exterior of the housing 300.

[0021] The first outlet passage 321 is arranged below the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420, as in Fig. 8. Accordingly, when water enters the housing 300 through the opening 312 of the housing 300, the first outlet passage 321 can drain the water and prevent the water from accumulating at the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420. Therefore, adverse effects such as deterioration of performance due to water resistance when operating the pedal 420 or the generation of abnormal noise can be reduced.

[0022] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, an inner surface 325 of the rear wall 320 in the housing 300 may have a downward slope. In other words, at least a portion of the elements forming the first outlet passage 321 may have a downward slope that slopes downward toward the first outlet passage 321. Since the first outlet passage 321 is formed by the element with the downward slope, the water can be guided to the first outlet passage 321 by the downward slope and easily discharged to the outside.

[0023] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B show a second design example for the first outlet passage 321. The second design example corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B except for one point which will be described below. (1) At one end of the first cover 610, a projection 612 is provided which projects in the y-axis direction.

[0024] In the second structural example, the first exhaust passage 321 is formed by the first combined portion MS1 ​​between the projection 612 of the first cover 610 and the housing 300. The second structural example provides the same effect as the first structural example described above.

[0025] Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B show a third design example for the first outlet passage 321. The third design example corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B, except for two points described below. (1) The projection 612 of the first cover 610 extends further in the y-axis direction than in the second construction example. (2) The first outlet passage 321 is formed along two lateral sides 612s of the projection 612, in addition also along one end side 612e of the projection 612 of the first cover 610.

[0026] In the third design example, as in Fig. As shown in FIG. 11C, the first outlet passage 321 is formed by a combined portion of the lateral side 612s of the protrusion 612 in the first cover 610 and the housing 300. The third structural example produces the same effect as the first structural example described above. In addition, in the third structural example, an opening area of ​​the first outlet passage 321 is larger than in the first structural example and the second structural example. Therefore, the water can be discharged more reliably.

[0027] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B show a fourth design example for the first outlet passage 321. The fourth design example corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B, except for four points described below. (1) The projection 612 of the first cover 610 extends further in the y-axis direction than in the second design example. (2) A through hole 326 is formed in the rear wall 320 of the housing 300, which is arranged above the projection 612 of the first cover 610. (3) The inner surface 325 of the rear wall 320 of the housing 300 has a downward slope that slopes downward toward the through hole 326. (4) An inner surface 615 of the projection 612 of the first cover 610 has the downward slope which is inclined downward.

[0028] When a structure includes at least one of (3) and (4), at least a part of the elements forming the first outlet passage 321 is inclined downward toward the first outlet passage 321.

[0029] The fourth design example produces the same effect as the third design example described above. In addition, in the fourth design example, the resistance of the first outlet passage 321 is smaller than in the first to third design examples. Therefore, the water can be discharged more reliably.

[0030] As described above, the first outlet passage 321 is formed by the first combined portion MS1 ​​between the housing 300 and the first cover 610, and connects the inside of the housing 300 to the outside of the housing 300. For this reason, when water enters the housing 300 through the opening 312 of the housing 300, the first outlet passage 321 can drain the water and prevent the water from accumulating in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420 that is moved by pressing the pad 200. Therefore, the adverse effect such as deterioration of performance due to water resistance when operating the pedal 420 or the generation of abnormal noise can be reduced. C. Design example of a second outlet passage:

[0031] Fig. 13A shows an area XIIIA in Fig. 5. As in Fig. 13A, a second outlet passage 322 is formed by a second combined portion MS2 in which the casing 300 and the second cover 620 are overlapped with each other by a gap. The second outlet passage 322 connects the inside of the casing 300 to the outside of the casing 300. The water is discharged to the outside through the second outlet passage 322, similar to the first outlet passage 321. In addition, the second outlet passage 322 is formed as a labyrinth, so that the inside of the casing 300 is not directly visible from the outside of the casing 300 through the second outlet passage 322. More specifically, both the second cover 620 and the rear wall 320 of the casing 300 are protruded or recessed, so that the second outlet passage 322 is bent in the second combined portion MS2.A recess of the second cover 620 is opposed to a projection of the rear wall 320 through the gap, or a recessed portion of the rear wall 320 is opposed to a projection of the second cover 620 through the gap.

[0032] Similar to the one in Fig. 8, the second outlet passage 322 is provided below the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420. Accordingly, when water enters the housing 300 through the opening 312 of the housing 300, the second outlet passage 322 can discharge the water, preventing water from accumulating at the lowest position LP in the movement path TR of the base of the pedal 420. Therefore, adverse effects such as deterioration of performance due to water resistance when operating the pedal 420 or the generation of abnormal noise can be reduced.

[0033] Fig. Figure 13B shows an enlarged view of an area XIIIB in Fig. 2. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13B, the second outlet passage 322 includes a conduit 322a and an outlet opening 322b. The conduit 322a directs the water downward. The water is discharged from a bottom of the conduit 322a through the drain opening 322b to the outside of the housing 300. Fig. 13A shows the conduit 322a in the second outlet passage 322. The water WP can be discharged from the interior of the housing 300 to the outside through the second outlet passage 322.

[0034] The second outlet passage 322 may have a different shape than that shown in Fig. 13A or Fig. 13B. For example, the second exhaust passage 322 may have a structure similar to the above-described structure of the first exhaust passage 321. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the two exhaust passages 321, 322 are provided. However, only one of the two exhaust passages 321, 322 may be provided. Furthermore, the exhaust passage may not be formed by the combined part of the housing 300 and the cover 600. For example, the exhaust passage may be formed by a through hole in the housing 300 or in the cover 600. However, if the exhaust passage is formed by the combined portion of the housing 300 and the cover 600, the exhaust passage can be easily formed, and in particular, the labyrinth structure can be easily constructed. D. Other design examples:

[0035] Fig. 13B shows a position of the shield 324, which is formed in the form of a plate. The shield 324 is arranged on the inner surface of the back wall 320 in the housing 300. As shown in Fig. 2, the shield 324 is configured to guide the water to bypass the biasing member 430. That is, when the water enters the housing 300 through the opening 312 and falls in the vertical direction, the shield 324 prevents the water from directly reaching the biasing member 430. Therefore, the shield 324 may extend obliquely upward above a position where the shield 324 intersects with a vertical straight line L312 extending vertically downward from a lower end of the opening 312 of the front wall 310. Additionally, the shield 324 may be disposed above the second outlet passage 322. In this case, the biasing element 430 is protected from the water directly hitting the biasing element 430 when it enters the housing 300 from the opening 312 and falls in the vertical direction.Additionally, the shield 324 directs the water toward the second outlet passage 322. When the biasing member 430 is made of metal, the biasing member 430 is easily deteriorated when water adheres to the biasing member 430. The shield 324 can protect the biasing member 430 from deterioration.

[0036] Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B show sectional views along a line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13B. As in Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B, the shield 324 stands on an inner surface 320u of the rear wall 320 in the housing 300. The inner surface 320u corresponds to a base of the shield 324. The inner surface 320u must not tilt in the direction of the y-axis, which is the width direction of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 14A. However, the inner surface 320u may be inclined in the direction of the y-axis, as shown in Fig. 14B. That is, the base of the shield 324 may have a downward slope that slopes downward toward the second outlet passage 322. In this case, the water entering the housing 300 may be guided by the downward slope toward the second outlet passage 322 and easily drained away.

[0037] Instead of the plate-shaped shield 324, a step may be provided on the rear wall 320. The step may extend obliquely upward to a position where the step intersects with the vertical straight line L312 extending vertically downward from the lower end of the opening 312 of the housing 300. The step described above may produce a similar effect to the shield 324.

[0038] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 15, the pedal 420 may have a groove 423 on an upper surface opposite the front wall 310 of the housing 300. The groove 423 extends in an up-down direction. The groove 423 is formed between two projections 421. The projections 421 may be located at the ends of the upper surface of the pedal 420. With this configuration, the water entering through the opening 312 is guided to flow downward along the groove 423 on the upper surface of the pedal 420 and easily flows to the outlet port. Therefore, the water is less likely to accumulate inside and can be discharged to the outside.

[0039] The present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and various other embodiments may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure, the technical features in the embodiments may be replaced or combined as appropriate. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in the present disclosure, the technical feature may be omitted as appropriate.

Claims

[1] An organ-type accelerator device (100) comprising: a pad (200) configured to be pressed by a driver; a housing (300) configured to be attached to a vehicle body, and comprising a front wall (310) opposite the support (200) a rear wall (320) opposite the front wall (310), and an open side (330) arranged to form one of the side surfaces of a space between the front wall (310) and the rear wall (320); an internal movable mechanism (400) housed in the housing (300) and comprising a shaft (410) carried by the housing (300) and configured to rotate, a pedal (420) extending obliquely upward from an outer peripheral surface of the shaft (410), and a biasing member (430) disposed below the pedal (420) and configured to bias the pedal (420) into an accelerator idle state; an arm (500) which penetrates into an opening (312) provided in the front wall (310) of the housing (300) to connect the support (200) to the pedal (420); and a cover (600, 610, 620) covering the opened side (330), wherein the housing (300) provided on the vehicle body has at least one exhaust passage (321, 322) positioned below a lowest position of a base of the pedal (420) in a movement path while the pedal (420) is moved from the accelerator idle state to an accelerator full throttle state. [2] The accelerator device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet passage (321, 322) is formed by a combined portion of the housing (300) and the cover (600, 610, 620). [3] Accelerator device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cover (600, 610, 620) includes: a first cover (610) covering a lower portion of the open side (330) corresponding to one side of the shaft (410); and a second cover (620) covering an upper portion of the opened side (330) above the first cover (610), and the at least one outlet passage (321, 322) comprises at least one of a first outlet passage (321) formed by a first combined portion of the housing (300) and the first cover (610) and a second outlet passage (322) formed by a second combined portion of the housing (300) and the second cover (620). [4] The accelerator device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one outlet passage (321, 322) comprises both the first outlet passage (321) and the second outlet passage (322). [5] Accelerator device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the housing (300) has a step or shield (324) arranged above the second outlet passage (322) on an inner surface of the rear wall (320), and the step or shield (324) extends obliquely upward above a position at which the step or shield (324) intersects with a virtual straight line extending vertically downward from a lower end of the opening (312) of the front wall (310). [6] The accelerator device (100) of claim 5, wherein a base of the step or shield (324) is inclined downwardly toward the second outlet passage (322). [7] Accelerator device (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second outlet passage (322) comprises: a conduit (322a) configured to direct water to flow from the base of the step or screen (324) along an edge of the open side (330); and a drain opening (322b) through which the water is drained from a lower end of the conduit (322a) to an outside of the housing (300). [8] Accelerator device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one outlet passage (321, 322) has a labyrinth structure such that an interior of the housing (300) is not visible from an outside of the housing (300). [9] The accelerator device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a part of a member forming the at least one outlet passage (321, 322) is inclined downwardly toward the outlet passage (321, 322). [10] The accelerator device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pedal (420) has a groove (423) on an upper surface opposite to the front wall (310) of the housing (300), and the groove (423) extends in an up-down direction.

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