Accelerator pedal device

Abstract

Accelerator pedal device (M) comprising: a pedal arm (30) having an accelerator pedal; a plastic housing (10) supporting the pedal arm (30) to be pivotable about a predetermined axial line (S) between a rest position (Hp) and a maximum pedaling position (Fp); and a return spring (40) which exerts a biasing force to return the pedal arm (30) to the rest position (Hp), wherein the housing (10) has a hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) through which a bolt (B) for fastening the housing (10) to a vehicle body passes, and a fully opened stopper (11n) which sets the maximum pedaling position (Fp) in a vicinity of the hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k), wherein the hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) has a through hole (11i 1 , 12i 1 , 11 years old 1 , 12 years old 1 , 11k 1 , 12k 1) extending parallel to the axial line (S), and the fully opened stopper (11n) is formed at a position that coincides with the through hole (11i 1 , 12i 1 , 11 years old 1 , 12 years old 1 , 11k 1 , 12k 1 ) in a direction that absorbs a pedal force load (F) of the pedal arm (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an accelerator pedal device suitable for a vehicle, etc., and more particularly relates to an accelerator pedal device including a housing formed of a plastic material. Description of the state of the art

[0002] As a conventional accelerator pedal device, an accelerator pedal device is known that includes a plastic housing, an accelerator pedal supported on the housing so as to be pivotable, and a spring that returns the accelerator pedal to a fully closed position, which is a rest position (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2).

[0003] In the accelerator pedal device, the housing includes a bottom plate facing the vehicle body side, an upper plate facing the bottom plate, and side plates on two sides. Furthermore, the bottom plate is provided with two mounting holes through which bolts for fixing the housing to the vehicle body pass, and a full-open stopper is provided at a position offset from the two mounting holes to stop the accelerator pedal in a fully open position.

[0004] However, in such an accelerator pedal device, since the fully open stopper is offset from the bolt mounting holes, when the accelerator pedal is depressed with excessive pedaling force to contact the fully open stopper, a bending moment is generated in the housing, with the area of ​​the bolt-fixed mounting holes serving as the fulcrum and the fully open stopper serving as the load point. Due to the bending moment, there is a risk of deformation or breakage of the housing near the fully open stopper or other sensitive parts. [State of the art document][Patent document] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2012 - 82 725 A Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2013 - 244 842 A

[0005] DE 10 2013 200 936 A1 discloses an acceleration device for a vehicle, wherein a first outer wall of a hub portion has a first projection that projects toward a first inner wall of a bearing part. A second outer wall of the hub portion has a second projection that projects toward a second inner wall of the bearing part. The first inner wall of the bearing part has at least one projection that projects toward the first outer wall. The second inner wall of the bearing part has at least one projection that projects toward the second outer wall.

[0006] DE 10 2011 052 503 A1 discloses an adjustable hanging and standing accelerator pedal device which can move the position of a pedal device including a pedal plate forward and backward according to the driver's wishes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to provide an accelerator pedal device capable of preventing deformation or breakage of the housing even when an excessive stepping force is applied, while simplifying the structure and shape and reducing the cost and size. [Means of solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is provided in the appended claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The following description of embodiments serves to facilitate understanding of the invention. An accelerator pedal device according to the invention includes: a pedal arm having an accelerator pedal; a plastic housing that pivotally supports the pedal arm about a predetermined axial line between a rest position and a maximum pedaling position; and a return spring that applies a compressive force that returns the pedal arm to a rest position. The housing includes a hub portion through which a bolt for attaching the housing to a vehicle body passes, and a fully open stopper that establishes the maximum pedaling position near the hub portion.

[0009] In the accelerator pedal device, the boss portion has a through hole extending parallel to the axial line, and the fully open stopper is formed at a position overlapping with the through hole in a direction that receives a stepping force load of the pedal arm.

[0010] In the accelerator pedal device, it may also be configured that the boss portion includes, at a periphery of the through hole, a plurality of thinned concave portions and a reinforcing rib disposed between the thinned concave portions to transmit the stepping force applied to the fully opened stopper to the bolt passing through the boss portion.

[0011] The accelerator pedal device may also be configured such that the fully opened stopper is formed within a range of a width dimension of the hub portion.

[0012] The accelerator pedal device may also be configured such that the hub portion is provided with a cylindrical metal collar through which the bolt passes.

[0013] In the accelerator pedal device, it may also be configured that the pedal arm includes a cylindrical portion supported on the housing, an upper side arm extending upward in a vertical direction from the cylindrical portion, and a lower side arm extending downward in the vertical direction from the cylindrical portion, and the lower side arm has a contact portion forming a predetermined width in an axial line direction and contacting the fully open stopper on a rear surface facing the fully open stopper.

[0014] In the accelerator pedal device, it may also be configured that the boss portion includes a lower side boss portion arranged below the axial line in a vertical direction and a plurality of upper side boss portions arranged above the axial line in the vertical direction, and the fully open stopper is provided near the lower side boss portion.

[0015] In the accelerator pedal device, it may also be configured that the housing includes a housing body defining an accommodating space accommodating a cylindrical portion and an upper side arm of the pedal arm, and a housing cover combined with the housing body to block the accommodating space, wherein the boss portion includes a body boss portion provided in the housing body and a cover boss portion provided in the housing cover, and the fully open stopper is provided near the body boss portion.

[0016] The accelerator pedal device may also be provided with the housing being attached to the vehicle body via a bracket.

[0017] In the accelerator pedal device, it may also be provided that the bracket has a housing fixing wall to which the housing is fixed and a side vehicle body fixing wall for fixing to the vehicle body.

[0018] In the accelerator pedal device, the projection may also be configured to protrude parallel to the axial line from an outer wall surface of the housing and contact the mounting wall of the housing. [Inventive Effects]

[0019] According to the accelerator pedal device having the above configuration, an accelerator pedal device capable of preventing the housing from being deformed or broken even when an excessive stepping force is applied, while simplifying the structure and shape and reducing the cost and size, can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an accelerator pedal device is fixed with respect to a lower instrument panel of a vehicle body via a bracket according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the accelerator pedal device and the Fig. 1 shown bracket are separated. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown accelerator pedal device. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the operation of a pedal arm and the interior of the Fig. 3 shows the accelerator pedal device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the inside of a case body forming part of a case used in the Fig. 3 shown accelerator pedal device. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the outside of the Fig. 5 shows the housing. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of a housing cover forming part of a housing shown in Fig. 3 shown accelerator pedal device. Fig. 8 is a rear view showing a pedal arm used in the Fig. 3 shown accelerator pedal device when viewed from the rear. Fig. 9 is a rear view illustrating that the bracket is partially cut off and removed from the rear of the vehicle body in the bracket and the Fig. 1 shown accelerator pedal device is considered. Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of a boss portion in the accelerator pedal device according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an accelerator pedal device M according to an embodiment is attached to a lower dashboard panel 1 of the vehicle body via a bracket 2.

[0022] The bracket 2 is made of a metal material and includes a housing fixing wall 2a to which a housing 10 of the accelerator pedal device M is fixed, and a side vehicle body fixing wall 2b fixed to the lower instrument panel 1 of the vehicle body.

[0023] The housing fixing wall 2a is formed to face the wall surface in the width direction of the vehicle body and is provided with three circular holes 2a 1 provided through which bolts B are passed for fastening the housing 10, as well as with three seat sections 2a2 which are flat and on the circumference of the circular holes 2a 1 are trained.

[0024] The side vehicle body fixing wall 2b is formed along the lower dashboard panel 1 and provided with three holes 2b 1 provided through which bolts (not shown) attached to the vehicle body are passed, and three seat sections 2b 2 which are flat and on the circumference of the holes 2b 1 are trained.

[0025] As in the Fig. 1 to 8, the accelerator pedal device M includes a housing 10, cylindrical collars 20, a pedal arm 30, a return spring 40 that returns the pedal arm 30 to a rest position, a hysteresis generating mechanism 50 that generates hysteresis in a stepping force, a torque motor 60 and a lever 70 as a reaction force increasing mechanism that supplies a reaction force to the pedal arm 30, a position sensor 80 that detects a rotational angular position of the pedal arm 30, and a circuit substrate 90.

[0026] The housing 10 is formed of a plastic material and is configured by a housing body 11 and a housing cover 12 connected to the housing body 11.

[0027] In addition, the outer side of the housing body 11 is connected to a first auxiliary cover 13 and the outer side of the housing cover 12 is connected to the second auxiliary cover 14.

[0028] The housing body 11, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, includes a side wall 11a, a front wall 11b, a rear wall 11c and a top wall 11d defining a receiving space A.

[0029] In addition, the housing body 11 includes a support portion 11e, a bearing portion 11f, inner wall surfaces 11g and 11h, a lower side boss portion 11i and upper side boss portions 11j and 11k as a body boss portion, a motor fixing portion 11m, a fully opened stopper 11n, a spring receiving portion 11p, a spring receiving portion 11q, and four connecting claws 11r.

[0030] As in Fig. 4, a part of a lower region of the front wall 11b is cut out so that the pedal arm 30 is movable between a rest position Hp and a maximum pedaling position Fp.

[0031] The outer side surface of the rear wall 11c is opposed to the vehicle body side fixing wall 2b of the bracket 2, and a part of the inner side surface of the rear wall 11c functions as shown in Fig. 4 shown as rest stopper 11c 1 which determines the rest position of the pedal arm 30.

[0032] The support portion 11e is formed in a columnar shape with an axial line S as the center, so that it is provided with a concave portion 31a formed in a cylindrical portion 31 of the pedal arm 30 to support the pedal arm 30 to be pivotable about the axial line S.

[0033] The bearing portion 11f supports a rotary shaft 61a of the lever 70 via a bearing so as to be rotatable about an axial line S2.

[0034] The inner wall surface 11g supports a slider 51 included in the hysteresis generating mechanism 50 so that it is slidable.

[0035] The inner surface 11h supports the slider 52 integrated with the hysteresis generating mechanism 50 to be slidable.

[0036] The lower hub portion 11i has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness below the axial line S in the vertical direction and has a through hole 11i 1 which extends in the direction of an axial line L1 parallel to the axial line S.

[0037] The through hole 11i 1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L1 as its center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0038] The upper boss portion 11j is formed substantially cylindrically above the axial line S in the vertical direction and has a through hole 11j1 extending in the direction of an axial line L2 parallel to the axial line S.

[0039] The through hole 11j 1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L2 as its center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0040] The upper lateral hub portion 11k is substantially cylindrical in the vertical direction above the axial line S and has a through hole 11k1 extending in the direction of an axial line L3 parallel to the axial line S.

[0041] The through hole 11k1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L3 as the center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0042] Here, the lower boss portion 11i and the upper boss portions 11j and 11k are provided at the positions of the respective vertices of the housing body 11, forming a substantially inverted triangle.

[0043] The fully opened stopper 11n receives a contact portion 33a of the pedal arm 33 to determine the maximum pedaling position F of the pedal arm 30, and forms a flat surface parallel to the axial line L1 near the lower lateral boss portion 11i, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Here the fully opened stopper 11n is shown, as in Fig. 4, formed at a position that coincides with the through hole 11i 1 in a direction Vd which absorbs a pedal force load F of the pedal arm 30.

[0044] As in Fig. 9, the fully opened stopper 11n is not offset in the direction of the axial line L1 from the lower hub portion 11i and is formed to have slightly less than a width dimension W1 within the range of the width dimension W1 of the lower hub portion 11i in the direction S.

[0045] Accordingly, the kicking force F applied to the fully opened stopper 11n can be prevented from being directly absorbed by the bolt B and the cylindrical collar 20 provided with the lower hub portion 11i via the lower hub portion 11i.

[0046] That is, since the pedaling force load F is not applied at a position offset from the lower hub portion 11i, there is no load that generates a bending moment with the lower hub portion 11i as a fulcrum on the housing body 11, and the housing body 11 can be prevented from being deformed or broken.

[0047] However, if a central area that receives the tread load F is located at a position that coincides with the through hole 11i 1 overlaps, the fully opened stopper 11n can also be arranged so that it is in relation to the through hole 11i 1is sufficiently offset in the upper-lower direction.

[0048] The housing cover 12 is combined with the housing body 11 to close the receiving space A of the housing body 11. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 7, the housing cover 12 includes a side wall 12a, a connector 12b, a sensor embedded portion 12c, a support portion 12e, a lower side boss portion 12i and an upper side boss portion 12j as a cover boss portion, a substrate fixing portion 12m, and four connecting pieces 12r.

[0049] The connector 12b receives terminals protruding from the circuit substrate 90 and is connected to an external connector.

[0050] A stator 83 and a Hall element 84, which constitute part of the position sensor 80, are embedded in the sensor embedding portion 12c. Furthermore, the embedded sensor portion 12c is formed in a columnar shape with the axial line S as the center, so that it is arranged in a non-contact manner on the inside of the cylindrical portion 31 of the pedal arm 30.

[0051] As in Fig. 8, the support portion 12e forms a cylindrical shape with the axial line S as the center, so that it is provided with a matching convex portion 31b formed in the cylindrical portion 31 of the pedal arm 30 to support the pedal arm 30 to be pivotable about the axial line S.

[0052] The lower hub section 12i is glued to the lower hub section 11i and is substantially cylindrical in the vertical direction below the axial line S and has a through hole 12i 1 which extends in the direction of the axial line L1 parallel to the axial line S.

[0053] In addition, the lower side boss portion 12i is formed to protrude parallel to the axial line L1 from the outer wall surface of the housing cover 12 to support the seat portion 2a. 2 to touch the holder 2.

[0054] The through hole 12i 1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L1 as its center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0055] The upper hub portion 12j is connected to the upper hub portion 11j and is formed substantially cylindrically above the axial line S in the vertical direction and has a through hole 12j 1 which extends in the direction of the axial line L2 parallel to the axial line S.

[0056] In addition, the upper side boss portion 12j is formed to protrude parallel to the axial line L2 from the outer wall surface of the housing cover 12 to support the seat portion 2a. 2 to touch the holder 2.

[0057] The through hole 12j 1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L2 as its center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0058] The upper hub portion 12k is connected to the upper hub portion 11k and is formed substantially cylindrically above the axial line S in the vertical direction and has a through hole 12k 1 which extends in the direction of the axial line L3 parallel to the axial line S.

[0059] In addition, the upper side boss portion 12k is formed to protrude parallel to the axial line L3 from the outer wall surface of the housing cover 12 to support the seat portion 2a. 2 to touch the holder 2.

[0060] The through hole 12k 1 forms a cylindrical hole with the axial line L3 as its center, which is equipped with the cylindrical collar 20 through which the bolt B passes.

[0061] In the housing cover 12, the three cylindrical collars 20, equipped with the housing body 11, are provided with the respective three through holes 12i 1 , 12 years old 1and 12k 1 and bonded to the housing body 11, and the connecting pieces 12r are engaged with the connecting claws 11r. Accordingly, a housing 10 is obtained in which the housing cover 12 is integrally connected to the housing body 11.

[0062] The first auxiliary cover 13 is fixed to a yoke 63 forming part of the torque motor 60 to cover the torque motor 60 fixed to the outer side surface of the housing body 11.

[0063] The second auxiliary cover 14 is fixed to the case cover 12 to cover the circuit substrate 90 attached to the outer side surface of the case cover 12.

[0064] The cylindrical collars 20 are formed of a metal material and are provided at three locations with the through holes 11i 1 , 12i 1 , 11 years old 1 , 12 years old 1 , 11k 1 and 12k 1the hub portions (11i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k and 12k) of the housing body 11 and the housing cover 12.

[0065] Since the cylindrical collars 20 are provided with the housing body 11 and the housing cover 12, the mechanical strength of the housing 10 can be enhanced even though the housing 10 is constructed in two parts. Accordingly, the housing 10 can be firmly connected to the bracket 2 at the three locations by means of the bolts B and the nuts N in the areas of the boss portions (11i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, and 12k).

[0066] In addition, the boss portions (12i, 12j and 12k) are formed at the three locations to protrude from the outer wall surface of the case cover 12 to contact the case fixing wall 2a of the bracket 2, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 9 shown.

[0067] In this way, the housing cover 12 can be prevented from interfering with the bracket 2, and the housing 10 can be firmly fastened to the bracket 2 via the hub portions at the three locations by means of the bolts B and the nuts N.

[0068] The pedal arm 30 is made of a plastic material and contains, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 8, the cylindrical portion 31 with the axial line S as the center, an upper side arm 32 extending vertically upward from the cylindrical portion 31, and a lower side arm 33 extending vertically downward from the cylindrical portion 31.

[0069] The cylindrical portion 31 includes a concave portion 31a provided with the support portion 11e of the case body 11 and a convex portion 31b provided with the support portion 12e of the case cover 12.

[0070] In addition, a pair of arcuate permanent magnets 82 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 together with the inner peripheral surfaces of annular armatures 81, which form part of the position sensor 80.

[0071] The upper side arm 32 includes a spring receiving portion 32a that receives an end part of the return spring 40, a contact portion 32b that contacts the slider 51 of the hysteresis generating mechanism 50, a contact portion 32c that contacts the rest stopper 11c1 in the rest position Hp, and an engaging portion 32d that engages with the lever 70.

[0072] The lower side arm 33 includes the contact portion 33a, which contacts the fully opened stopper 11n at the maximum pedaling position Fp, and an accelerator pedal 33b.

[0073] As in Fig. 8, the contact portion 33a forms a predetermined width W2 in the direction of the axial lines S and L1 and forms a trapezoidal shape extending parallel to the axial lines S and L1 on the rear surface facing the fully opened stopper 11n.

[0074] That is, the width dimension W2 of the contact portion 33a is slightly smaller than the width dimension W1 of the lower boss portion 11i and corresponds to the width dimension of the fully opened stopper 11n.

[0075] Moreover, the pedal arm 30 is supported with respect to the housing 10 so as to be pivotable about the axial line S by fitting the support portion 11e to the fitting concave portion 31a and fitting the fitting convex portion 31b to the support portion 12e.

[0076] As in Fig. 4, the return spring 40 is a helical compression spring formed of spring steel, etc., wherein one end part of the return spring 40 contacts the spring receiving portion 11p of the case body 11, the other end part of the return spring 40 contacts the spring receiving portion 32a of the pedal arm 30 to be fixed in a state of being compressed with a predetermined compression clearance.

[0077] The return spring 40 exerts a preload force which returns the pedal arm 20 to the rest position Hp.

[0078] As in Fig. 4, the hysteresis generating mechanism 50 includes the slider 51, the slider 52 and a bias spring 53.

[0079] The slider 51 is formed of, for example, a plastic material such as a highly lubricious material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal, and has a contact surface 51a that slidably contacts the inner wall surface 11g of the housing 10, an inclined surface 51b that contacts an inclined surface 52b of the slider 52, and an engaging surface 51c that detachably engages with an engaging portion 32b of the upper side arm portion 32.

[0080] The slider 52 is formed of a plastic material, e.g., a high-slidability material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal, and has a contact surface 52a that slidably contacts the inner wall surface 11h of the housing 10, the inclined surface 52b that contacts the inclined surface 51b of the slider 51, and a receiving surface 52c that receives an end portion of the biasing spring 53.

[0081] The bias spring 53 is, for example, a helical compression spring formed of spring steel, etc., and is provided in a state where one end part contacts the receiving surface 52c of the slider 52 and the other end part contacts the spring receiving portion 11q of the housing 10 to be compressed.

[0082] In addition, the biasing spring 53 urges the inclined surface 52b of the slider 52 toward the inclined surface 51b of the slider 51 to exert a wedge action that urges the sliders 51 and 52 toward the inner wall surfaces 11g and 11q and exerts a biasing force that returns the pedal arm 30 to the rest position via the sliders 51 and 52.

[0083] In the hysteresis generating mechanism 50, at the time the accelerator pedal 33b is stepped on, a frictional force is generated in a direction opposite to the stepping movement between the spools 51 and 52 and the housing 10, which frictional force increases with increasing compression of the bias spring 53.

[0084] At the time the accelerator pedal 33b is returned, the friction force generated between the spools 51 and 52 and the housing 10 is generated in a direction opposite to the fall of the stepping operation, and decreases as the compression amount of the bias spring 52 decreases. Since the stepping force of the return operation is smaller than the stepping force of the stepping operation, hysteresis is generated in the stepping force.

[0085] Nevertheless, during the return process, the pedal arm 30 is returned to the rest position by the biasing force of the return spring 40 at the moment the slider 51 is stuck and stopped.

[0086] The torque motor 60 is arranged in the housing body 11 and includes a rotor 61 having a pair of permanent magnets, a coil 62 for excitation and a yoke 63 for forming a magnetic path.

[0087] The rotor 61 has a rotating shaft 61a with an axial line S2 as its center. The rotating shaft 61a is rotatably supported about the axial line S2 via a bearing in the bearing portion 11f of the housing 11.

[0088] The coil 62 is wound around a coil former attached to a portion of the yoke 63. By applying current, a magnetic field line is generated along the magnetic path of the yoke 63.

[0089] The yoke 63 is configured to oppose the rotor 61 in a gap and is fixed to the motor mounting portion 11m of the housing body 11. The first auxiliary cover 13 is fixed to the yoke 63 to cover the torque motor 60 from the outside in the direction of the axial line S2.

[0090] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the lever 70 is fixed to the rotating shaft 61a of the rotor 61 and rotates together with the rotor 61 about the axial line S2. A roller 71 located at the tip engages with the engaging portion 32d of the pedal arm 30.

[0091] Furthermore, when the torque motor 60 does not apply a driving force, the lever 70 serves to follow the pivoting movement of the pedal arm 30 through a cogging torque. When the torque motor 60 applies a driving force, the lever 70 serves to resist the pedaling force to push the pedal arm 30 back to the rest position Hp or to suppress pedaling.

[0092] The position sensor 80 is a contactless magnetic sensor. As in Fig. 4, the position sensor 80 includes the annular armatures 81 made of a magnetic material and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31 of the pedal arm 30, the pair of permanent magnets 82 arcuately fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the armatures 81, and two stators 83 and two Hall elements 84 made of a magnetic material and embedded in the sensor embedding portion 12c of the case cover 12.

[0093] In the position sensor 80, the armatures 81 and the permanent magnets 82 rotate relative to the stators 83 and the Hall elements 84 by the rotation of the pedal arm 30, and the Hall elements 84 detect the changes in the magnetic flux density to output voltage signals, thereby detecting the angular position of the pedal arm 30.

[0094] The circuit substrate 90 includes a control circuit that includes various electronic components, a circuit that processes the signals output from the Hall elements 84, terminals that are electrically connected to the Hall elements 84, and other electronic components.

[0095] As in Fig. 3, the circuit substrate 90 is fixed to the substrate fixing portion 12m of the case cover 12, and the second auxiliary cover 14 is fixed to the case cover 12 to cover the circuit substrate 90 from the outside thereof.

[0096] The operation of the accelerator pedal device M is described below.

[0097] When the driver does not step on the accelerator pedal 33b, the contact portion 32c of the upper side arm 32 initially contacts the rest stopper 11c due to the biasing force of the return spring 40. 1 of the housing 10 to stop the pedal arm 30 in the rest position Hp.

[0098] When the driver steps on the accelerator pedal 33b from this state, the pedal arm 30 rotates against the biasing force of the return spring 40 on the one hand, and to the maximum stepping position Fp (fully open position) on the other hand, increasing the resistance load generated by the hysteresis generating mechanism 50, and the contact portion 33a of the lower side arm 33 contacts the fully open stopper 11n of the housing 10 and stops.

[0099] When the rider relaxes the pedaling force while applying a smaller load than that at the time of pedaling to the rider, the pedal arm 30 is moved toward the rest position Hp by the urging force of the return spring 40, and the contact portion 32c of the upper side arm 32 contacts the rest stopper 11c 1 of the housing 10 and stops. During the resetting process, the lever 70 contacts the engaging portion 32d of the upper side arm 32 and follows it.

[0100] Also in the state where the driver steps on the accelerator pedal 33b, in the case where it is determined that it is necessary to suppress the stepping operation, the reaction force increasing mechanism (60, 70) is activated and controlled to resist the driver's stepping force and push the pedal arm 30 back to the rest position Hp or suppress the stepping.

[0101] When the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 33b with an excessive pedaling force, the pedaling force load F is transmitted to the fully opened stopper 11n via the contact portion 33a.

[0102] Here, the kicking force F exerted on the fully opened stopper 11n can be prevented from being directly absorbed by the bolt B and the cylindrical collar 20, which are equipped with the lower hub portion 11i via the lower hub portion 11i.

[0103] That is, since the pedaling force load F is not applied at a position offset from the lower hub portion 11i, there is no load that generates a bending moment with the lower hub portion 11i as a fulcrum in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axial line L1 with respect to the housing body 11, and the housing body 11 can be prevented from deforming or breaking.

[0104] At the same time, due to the fitting relationship between the support portions 11e and 12e and the cylindrical portion 31 on the side above the lower boss portion 11i, a bending moment is generated in the vertical direction, which deforms the housing 10 toward the driver's side. Here, the two upper side boss portions 11j, 12j, 11k, and 12k are arranged above the axial line S in the vertical direction, and the housing 10 is firmly connected to the bracket 2 by the bolts B and the nuts N in the two upper side boss portions 11j, 12j, 11k, and 12k. Therefore, the housing 10 can withstand such a bending moment and can be prevented from deforming or breaking. Therefore, the pedal arm 30 can function sufficiently.

[0105] Since the fully opened stopper 11n is formed within the range of the width dimension W1 of the lower hub portion 11i, the pedaling force load F applied to the fully opened stopper 11n is not applied to a position offset from the lower hub portion 11i in the direction of the axial line L1.

[0106] Therefore, there is no load that generates a bending moment with the lower boss portion 11i as a fulcrum in a plane including the axial line L1 with respect to the housing body 11, and the housing body 11 can be prevented from being deformed or broken.

[0107] Since the cylindrical collars 20 are provided with the housing body 11 and the housing cover 12, the mechanical strength of the housing 10 forming a two-piece structure is increased and the fixing rigidity of the housing 10 with respect to the bracket 2 can be increased.

[0108] Fig.10 shows another embodiment of the lower lateral boss portion 11i in the housing body 11. The remaining structure is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0109] A case body 111 according to the embodiment includes the side wall 11a, the front wall 11b, the rear wall 11c and the top wall 11d, which define the receiving space A.

[0110] In addition, the housing body 111 includes the support portion 11e, the bearing portion 11f, the inner wall surfaces 11g and 11h, a lower side boss portion 111i and the upper side boss portion 11j as the housing boss portion, the motor fixing portion 11m, the fully opened stopper 11n, the spring receiving portion 11p, the spring receiving portion 11q, and the four connecting claws 11r.

[0111] The lower side boss portion 111i is formed to have an outer profile in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape below the axial line S in the vertical direction, and includes the through hole 11i 1 , which extends in the direction of the axial line L1 parallel to the axial line S, several thinned concave sections 111i 2 on the circumference of the through hole 11i 1 and a reinforcing rib 111i 3 , which lie between the thinned concave sections 111i 2 is arranged.

[0112] The reinforcement rib 111i 3 serves to transmit the tread force F exerted on the fully opened stopper 11n to the cylindrical collar 20 and the bolt B passing through the lower hub portion 111i.

[0113] Accordingly, by providing the thinned concave portions 111i 2the weight of the housing 111 can be reduced, and by providing the reinforcing rib 111i 3 the tread force F exerted on the fully opened stopper 11n can be prevented from being directly absorbed by the cylindrical collar 20 and the bolt B equipped with the lower hub portion 111i.

[0114] That is, since the pedaling force load F is not applied at a position offset from the lower hub portion 111i, there is no load that generates a bending moment with the lower hub portion 111i as a fulcrum in a vertical plane perpendicular to the axial line L1 with respect to the housing body 111, and the housing body 111 can be prevented from being deformed or broken.

[0115] Since the fully opened stopper 11n is formed within the range of the width dimension W1 of the lower hub portion 111i, the pedaling force load F applied to the fully opened stopper 11n is not applied to a position offset from the lower hub portion 111i in the direction of the axial line L1.

[0116] Therefore, there is no load generating a bending moment with the lower lateral boss portion 111i as a fulcrum within a plane including the axial line L1 with respect to the housing body 111, and the housing body 111 can be prevented from deformation or breakage.

[0117] Since the cylindrical collars 20 are provided with the housing body 111 and the housing cover 12, the mechanical strength of the housing 10 forming a two-piece structure is increased and the fixing rigidity of the housing 10 with respect to the bracket 2 can be increased.

[0118] In the embodiment, since the accelerator pedal device M is fixed to the lower instrument panel 1 of the vehicle body via the bracket 2, the accelerator pedal device M can be mounted on various vehicles by attaching different brackets 2 corresponding to the vehicle types without changing the boss portions of the housing 10.

[0119] Although the above embodiments show a configuration including a reaction force increasing mechanism (60, 70), the invention is not limited thereto. The invention can also be adopted for a configuration in which the reaction force increasing mechanism is omitted.

[0120] While the case where the accelerator pedal device M is fixed to the vehicle body via the bracket 2 is shown in the above embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention can also be adopted for a configuration in which the housing 10 of the accelerator pedal device M is directly fixed to the vehicle body.

[0121] While a configuration with the pedal arm 30 in which a pedal arm integrally includes the accelerator pedal 33b is shown in the above embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention can also be adopted for a configuration in which the accelerator pedal and the pedal arm are formed separately, and the pedal arm is operatively associated with the accelerator pedal supported on a floor surface of a vehicle, etc., so as to be pivotable.

[0122] While the case 10 is shown by the case body 11, 111, and the case cover 12 in the above embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. The invention can also be adopted in an integrally formed case. Industrial applicability

[0123] Accordingly, the accelerator pedal device according to the invention is capable of preventing the housing from deforming or breaking, while simplifying the structure and shape, and reducing the cost and size. Therefore, the accelerator pedal device is suitable not only for motor vehicles but also for other vehicles. [List of reference symbols] S Axial line; Hp rest position; Fp Maximum pedal position; F load due to pedal force; Vd Direction in which the pedal force absorbs the load; 1 Lower dashboard panel (vehicle body); 2 bracket; 2a Housing mounting wall; 2b Lateral vehicle body fastening wall; B bolt; 10 housings; 11 Housing body; A recording room; 11i Lower hub section (vehicle body hub section); 11i1 through hole; 11j, 11k Upper hub section (housing hub section); 11j1, 11k1 through hole; 11n Fully open stopper; 12 Housing cover; 12i Lower hub section (cover hub section); W1 Width dimension of the hub section; 12i1 through hole; 12j, 12k Upper hub section (cover section); 12j1, 12k1 through hole; 20 Cylindrical collar; 30 pedal arm 31 Cylindrical cross-section; 32 Upper side arm 33 Lower side arm W2 Specified width; 33a Section Contact; 33b Accelerator pedal 111 Housing body (housing) 111i Lower side hub section (vehicle body hub part); 111i2 Thinned concave section; 111i3 reinforcing rib

Claims

[1] Accelerator pedal device (M) comprising: a pedal arm (30) having an accelerator pedal; a plastic housing (10) supporting the pedal arm (30) to be pivotable about a predetermined axial line (S) between a rest position (Hp) and a maximum pedaling position (Fp); and a return spring (40) which exerts a preload force to return the pedal arm (30) to the rest position (Hp), wherein the housing (10) has a hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) through which a bolt (B) for fastening the housing (10) to a vehicle body passes, and a fully opened stopper (11n) which sets the maximum pedaling position (Fp) in a vicinity of the hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k), wherein the hub portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) has a through hole (11i 1 , 12i 1 , 11 years old 1 , 12 years old 1 , 11k 1 , 12k 1) extending parallel to the axial line (S), and the fully opened stopper (11n) is formed at a position that coincides with the through hole (11i 1 , 12i 1 , 11 years old 1 , 12 years old 1 , 11k 1 , 12k 1 ) in a direction that absorbs a pedal force load (F) of the pedal arm (30). [2] Accelerator pedal device (M) according to claim 1, wherein the boss portion (11li) is formed on a periphery of the through hole (11i 1 ) a multitude of thinned concave sections (111i 2 ) and a reinforcing rib (111i 3 ) which is located between the thinned concave sections (111i 2 ) is arranged to transmit the pedal force load (F) exerted on the fully opened stopper (11n) to the bolt (B) passing through the hub portion (111i). [3] The accelerator pedal device (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the fully opened stopper (11n) is formed within a range of a width dimension (W1) of the boss portion (11i). [4] Accelerator pedal device (M) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the boss portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) is provided with a cylindrical metal collar (20) for the bolt (B) to pass through. [5] The accelerator pedal device (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pedal arm (30) includes a cylindrical portion (31) supported on the housing (10), an upper side arm (32) extending upward in a vertical direction from the cylindrical portion (31), and a lower side arm (33) extending downward in the vertical direction from the cylindrical portion (31), and the lower side arm (33) has a contact portion (33a) forming a predetermined width (W2) in a direction of the axial line (S) and contacting the fully opened stopper (11n) on a back surface facing the fully opened stopper (11n). [6] The accelerator pedal device (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the boss portion (11i, 11li, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) includes a lower lateral boss portion (11i, 111i, 12i) disposed below the axial line (S) in a vertical direction and a plurality of upper lateral boss portions (11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) disposed above the axial line (S) in the vertical direction, and the fully opened stopper (11n) is provided in a vicinity of the lower lateral boss portion (11i, 111i, 12i). [7] Accelerator pedal device (M) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing (10) comprises a housing body (11) defining a receiving space (A) which receives a cylindrical portion (31) and an upper side arm (32) of the pedal arm (30), and a housing cover (12) combined with the housing body (11) to block the receiving space (A), the hub portion (11i, 11li, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) comprises a body hub portion (11i, 111i, 11j, 11k) provided in the housing body (11) and a cover hub portion (12i, 12j, 12k) provided in the housing cover (12), and the fully opened stopper (11n) is provided in a vicinity of the body hub portion (1li, 111i, 11j, 11k). [8] Accelerator pedal device (M) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (10) is fixed with respect to the vehicle body via a bracket (2). [9] The accelerator pedal device (M) according to claim 8, wherein the bracket (2) comprises a housing fixing wall (2a) to which the housing (10) is fixed, and a side vehicle body fixing wall (2b) for being fixed to the vehicle body. [10] The accelerator pedal device (M) according to claim 9, wherein the boss portion (11i, 111i, 12i, 11j, 12j, 11k, 12k) is formed to protrude parallel to the axial line (S) from an outer wall surface of the housing (10) to contact the housing fixing wall (2a).

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