ACCELERATING DEVICE

Abstract

Accelerator device comprising the following: a pedal lever (20) configured to operate in response to pedal actuation a drive source (40) configured to generate a driving force by applying an electric current; a power transmission mechanism (41) comprising a first power transmission element (42) with a first stopper (425) onto which the driving force of the drive source is transmitted, a second power transmission element (43) with a second stopper (435) configured to be brought into contact with the first stopper, an elastic coupling element (44) locked at one end to the first power transmission element and at the other end to the second power transmission element, and an actuator lever (46) configured to be brought into contact with the pedal lever and configured to exert a reaction force, which is a force in a direction opposite to the downward pressure direction, on the pedal lever via the first power transmission element, the second power transmission element and the actuator lever through the driving force of the drive source; and a locking mechanism (50) comprising a locking element (51) and a locked section (52) and configured to regulate actuation of the pedal lever by moving the locked section into a locking position by the driving force of the drive source and locking it by the locking element; wherein the first stopper and the second stopper are separated from each other in an initial state when the pedal lever is fully closed and the current to the drive source is switched off, and they come into contact with each other when the first power transmission element is driven against an elastic force of the elastic coupling element by current to the drive source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATIONS

[0001] This application is based on patent application no. 2021-173063, filed on October 22, 2021, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL AREA

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

[0003] A conventional accelerator device containing an actuator is known. For example, the accelerator device disclosed in patent document 1 is configured to exert a reaction force on a pedal lever through a drive source and includes a locking mechanism that regulates the operation of the pedal lever. DOCUMENT ON THE STATUS OF THE TECHNICAL PATENT PUBLICATION

[0004] Patent specification 1: WO 2021 / 182 560 A1 SUMMARY

[0005] In a configuration where gears are connected by a torsion spring, as in the accelerator device of patent document 1, the spring force of the torsion spring is set low to reduce the torque required to actuate the locking mechanism. When a reaction force is applied to the pedal lever, the torsion spring must be bent significantly, making it difficult to exert a large reaction force. Therefore, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an accelerator device that appropriately applies a reaction force to a pedal lever.

[0006] The accelerator device of the present disclosure comprises a pedal lever, a drive source, a power transmission mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The pedal lever operates in response to an actuation process. The drive source generates a driving force by energizing the device.

[0007] The power transmission mechanism includes a first power transmission element, a second power transmission element, an elastic coupling element and an actuator lever and is able to exert a reaction force on the pedal lever using the driving force of the drive source via the first power transmission element, the second power transmission element and the actuator lever, which is a force directed opposite to the downward pressure direction.

[0008] The first power transmission element has a first stopper, and the driving force from the drive source is transmitted to the first power transmission element. The second power transmission element has a second stopper that can come into contact with the first stopper. The elastic coupling element has one end that is locked to the first power transmission element and the other end that is locked to the second power transmission element. The actuator lever can be brought into contact with the pedal lever.

[0009] The locking mechanism includes a locking element and a locked section, wherein the locked section is moved into a locking position by the driving force of the drive source and is locked by the locking element, making it possible to restrict actuation of the pedal lever.

[0010] The first and second stoppers are initially separated from each other when the pedal lever is fully closed and the drive source is switched off. They come into contact when the first power transmission element is driven against the elastic force of the elastic coupling element by the drive source. This allows the reaction force to be applied to the pedal lever in a suitable manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] The foregoing and other functions, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic diagram showing an initial state of an accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 a schematic diagram showing a state in which a pedal lever is depressed without current in the accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 a schematic diagram illustrating the application of a reaction force in the accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 4 a schematic diagram showing a locked state of the accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 5 an explanatory diagram to illustrate an elastic force of an elastic coupling spring and an elastic locking element according to an embodiment; Fig. 6 a schematic diagram illustrating the unlocking in the accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 7 an explanatory diagram illustrating a dead zone of the accelerator device according to one embodiment; Fig. 8 an explanatory diagram illustrating the setting of a dead zone according to one embodiment; and Fig. 9 an explanatory diagram illustrating the setting of a dead zone according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION (Version)

[0012] An accelerator device according to the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. The accelerator device according to one embodiment is in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 shown. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the accelerator device 1 includes a pedal lever 20, a motor 40, a power transmission mechanism 41, a locking mechanism 50 and the like.

[0013] The pedal lever 20 comprises a support 21, an arm 31, and a pedal 35, and all components are actuated together by the driver or the like. The support 21 is designed to be actuated by the driver. The support 21 is rotatably held by a pivot element 23, which is provided on a housing H. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a so-called floor pedal (organ type) in which the support 21 is designed to extend in one direction along a surface of the housing H. In the present embodiment, the sections of the housing, such as a pedal housing and a motor housing, which are not driven by the operation of a motor 40 or by depressing the pedal lever 20, are collectively referred to as the “housing H”.

[0014] The arm 31 connects the support 21 and the pedal 35. One end of the pedal 35 is rotatably mounted by the housing H, and the other end of the pedal 35 is connected to the arm 31. In this arrangement, the support 21, the arm 31, and the pedal 35 are all actuated by the driver pressing the support 21. A pedal opening sensor (not shown) is provided at one end of the pedal 35 to detect when the pedal is opened.

[0015] A pedal preload element 37 is a coil spring and is configured to preload the pedal 35 in an accelerator or gas pedal closing direction. One end of the pedal preload element 37 is fixed to the pedal 35 and the other end of the pedal preload element 37 is fixed to the housing H. Fig. 1 and the like, the positions of the supports 21 with the accelerator or gas pedal fully open and fully closed are indicated by dashed lines.

[0016] Motor 40, for example, is a DC motor. The driving force of motor 40 is transmitted to pedal lever 20 via the power transmission mechanism 41. A series of components that transmit the power from motor 40, which represents a drive source, to pedal lever 20 via the power transmission mechanism 41 is called an actuator.

[0017] The power transmission mechanism 41 comprises a first power transmission element 42, a second power transmission element 43, a coupling spring 44, an actuator lever 46, a lever preload element 47, and the like. The first power transmission element 42 comprises a spring locking section 421, a first stopper 425, and a main body section 427 and is driven by the motor 40.

[0018] The spring locking section 421 and the first stopper 425 are designed to project inwards in a radial direction from the main body section 427. The spring locking section 421 couples one end of the coupling spring 44.

[0019] The second power transmission element 43 comprises a spring-loaded locking section 431, an initial locking section 432, a second stopper 435, and a main body section 437, and is arranged radially inside the first power transmission element 42. The spring-loaded locking section 431, the initial locking section 432, and the second stopper 435 are designed to project outwards in the radial direction of the main body section 437.

[0020] The spring locking section 431 couples the other end of the coupling spring 44. In its initial state, the initial locking section 432 contacts the spring locking section 421 of the first power transmission element 42. In this configuration, a set length of the coupling spring 44 is determined. The set load on the coupling spring 44 is such that it is greater than the sum of the resistance force due to the magnetic resistance of the motor 40 and the frictional force of the first power transmission element 42 when no current is applied. As a result, the first power transmission element 42 and the second power transmission element 43 rotate together when the pedal lever 20 is depressed while the motor 40 is not energized.

[0021] The second stopper 435 is designed to make contact with the first stopper 425 when the first and second power transmission elements 42 and 43 rotate relative to each other from their initial positions. The coupling spring 44, for example, is a coil spring and is located between the spring locking sections 421 and 431.

[0022] The actuator lever 46 has one end connected to the second power transmission element 43 and the other end resting against the support 21. This allows a reaction force, i.e., a force in the closing direction of the accelerator pedal, to be exerted on the pedal lever 20 by driving the motor 40 via the first power transmission element 42, the second power transmission element 43, and the actuator 46.

[0023] The lever preload element 47 is a spiral compression spring and tensions the actuator lever 46 in the direction in which the reaction force is applied. This ensures that the actuator lever 46 is always in contact with the support 21.

[0024] The locking mechanism 50 comprises a locking element 51, a locked section 52, an elastic locking element 55, and the like. The locking element 51 has a tapered surface formed at one end of the locking element 51, arranged such that the tapered surface is in contact with the locked section 52 to be locked. The other end of the locking element 51 is housed in a housing chamber 56 formed in the housing H and is designed to be axially reciprocating. The locked section 52 is designed to project outwards in the radial direction of the first power transmission element 42 and rotates together with the first power transmission element 42. The locked section 52 comes into contact with the locking element 51 at the tapered surface of the locking element 51.

[0025] The elastic locking element 55 is housed in the housing chamber 56 provided in the housing H. One end of the elastic locking element 55 is in contact with the locking element 51, and the other end of the elastic locking element 55 engages with the housing H, whereby the elastic locking element 55 biases the locking element 51 in the direction of the locked section 52. Furthermore, Fig. 1 and other schematic representations of the accelerator device 1, wherein the shapes and arrangements of the individual elements may differ.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows an initial state of the accelerator device 1. In the initial state, the pedal lever 20 is in the fully closed position due to the preload force of the pedal preload element 37. Furthermore, due to the preload force of the coupling spring 44, the spring locking section 421 and the initial locking section 432 come into contact with each other. On the other hand, the first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 are spaced apart from each other. The angle between the stoppers 425 and 435 at this point is defined as an angle θs between the stoppers.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a state in which the motor 40 is not energized and the pedal lever 20 is depressed by the rider. As indicated by arrow A1, the second power transmission element 43 and the first power transmission element 42 rotate together counterclockwise in the drawing when not energized, as shown by arrow G1, with the spring locking section 421 and the initial locking section 432 in contact with each other. Furthermore, the rotation of the first power transmission element 42, as shown by arrow M1, causes the motor 40 to rotate together with the first power transmission element 42. Fig. 2 and the like, the arrows indicating the activation of the individual elements are represented by dashed lines.

[0028] Fig. Figure 3 shows a state in which a reaction force is exerted in an intermediate position where the pedal lever 20 is depressed. As indicated by arrow M2, the initial locking section 432 and the spring locking section 421 are separated and the coupling spring 44 is compressed when the motor 40 rotates in the direction in which the reaction force is exerted, as shown by arrow G2. Since the first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 come into contact with each other, the first power transmission element 42 and the second power transmission element 43 rotate clockwise together in the drawing. As a result, the reaction force is exerted on the pedal lever 20 via the actuator lever 46, as shown by arrow A2.

[0029] Fig. Figure 4 shows the pedal lever 20 in a locked position. Fig. 4. The pedal lever 20 is in the fully closed position. When the pedal lever 20 is locked, when the motor 40 is disengaged from the Fig. The initial state shown in 1 is driven from, as indicated by an arrow M3 in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the power transmission elements 42 and 43 rotate while coupling the coupling spring 44, as indicated by arrow G3. Consequently, the locked section 52 comes into contact with the locking element 51. If the motor 40 is further rotated with the locked section 52 in contact with the locking element 51, the elastic locking element 55 is compressed, and the locked section 52 climbs over the locking element 51. When the locked section 52 climbs over the locking element 51, the locking element 51 locks the locked section 52 due to the elastic force of the elastic locking element 55 and restricts the counterclockwise rotation of the first power transmission element 42 in the drawing. In this configuration, the actuation of the pedal lever 20 is restricted. In the following, the state in which the actuation of the pedal lever 20 is restricted by the locking mechanism 50 is referred to as a "locked state".

[0030] In Fig. 4 The initial position of the locked section 52 is shown by a dashed line. In the present embodiment, a locking angle θr, which is an angle formed by the position of the locked section 52 in the initial position and the position of the locked section 52 in the locked state, is set such that it is smaller than the angle θs between the stoppers (see Fig. 1) in the initial state. Therefore, in the locked state, the first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 are separated from each other.

[0031] The elastic forces of the coupling spring 44 and the elastic locking element 55 are based on Fig. 5 explained. Fig. Figure 5 shows the elastic force of the elastic locking element 55 as F1 (solid line) and the elastic force of the coupling spring 44 as F2 (dashed line). Furthermore, the arrows indicating the force exerted on the locked position are shown shifted for clarity. In the locked state, if a direction of the force exerted on the contact point between the locking element 51 and the locked section 52 is defined as the locking direction, the following relationship should be satisfied: the spring force F1 should be greater than the spring force F2 in the locking direction. This allows the locked state to be maintained even if the power supply to the motor 40 is switched off.

[0032] Unlocking by pressing down pedal lever 20 is based on Fig. 6 explained. As shown by arrow A4, the second stopper 435 and the first stopper 425 come into contact with each other when the pedal lever 20 is released from the locked position (see Fig. 4) is depressed with a pedal force exceeding the locking holding force. As indicated by arrow G4, the second power transmission element 43 and the first power transmission element 42 rotate together while compressing the coupling spring 44, so that the locked section 52 compresses the elastic locking element 55 and climbs over the locking element 51. In this configuration, the locked state of the pedal lever 20 is released. The locked state can also be released by driving the motor 40 in a direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 4. The locking direction indicated by arrow M3 will be lifted.

[0033] The application of the reaction force when the pedal lever 20 is near the fully closed position is based on Fig. 7 explained. As in Fig. As explained in section 4, in the present embodiment the angle θs between the stoppers is larger than the locking adjustment angle θr. Therefore, as explained in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the locked section 52 first comes into contact with the locking element 51 when the motor 40 is driven in the direction of the reaction force in a position where the pedal lever 20 is near the fully closed position, and the first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 do not come into contact with each other. In this state, the reaction force Fsp exerted on the pedal lever 20 becomes an elastic force corresponding to the deflection of the coupling spring 44, and a sufficient reaction force cannot be exerted on the pedal lever 20.

[0034] If an angular range in which the stoppers 425 and 435 do not touch and cannot exert sufficient reaction force is defined as the reaction force dead zone angle, the reaction force dead zone angle θdg in the power transmission elements 42 and 43 is expressed by equation (1), and the reaction force dead zone angle θdp implemented in the pedal opening is expressed by equation (2). In the formula, R1 is a length of the actuator lever 46, R2 is a bearing length, which is a length from the pivot element 23 to the contact position of the actuator lever 46, and A is a reduction ratio between the actuator lever 46 and the power transmission element 43. θdg=θs−θr θdp=θdg×(R2 / R1) / A

[0035] Incidentally, pressing down the pedal lever 20 from a fully closed position creates, as in Fig. Figure 8 shows a dead zone X of the engine output until the machine output increases with respect to the opening of the accelerator pedal. In a state where there is no output from the machine, there is little need for an actuation process, such as generating a wall-like feel by applying the reaction force. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the reaction force dead zone angle θdp is set so that it is smaller than the upper limit angle θde of the dead zone of the machine output.

[0036] Furthermore, as in Fig. Figure 9 shows that in a slow speed range Y (for example, at a vehicle speed of 10 km / h or less), the need to exert a reaction force is low. If the accelerator opening corresponding to an upper limit speed Vsl in the slow-speed range is an upper limit angle θsl in the slow-speed range, the reaction force dead zone angle θdp can be set so that it is smaller than the upper limit angle θsl in the slow-speed range. Furthermore, Figure 9 shows that... Fig. 8 the horizontal axis the opening of the accelerator pedal and the vertical axis the load on the machine, and in Fig. Figure 9 shows the horizontal axis indicating the opening of the accelerator pedal and the vertical axis indicating the vehicle speed.

[0037] As explained above, the accelerator device 1 includes the pedal lever 20, the motor 40, the power transmission mechanism 41, and the locking mechanism 50. The pedal lever 20 is actuated in response to being pressed down. The motor 40 generates a driving force when energized.

[0038] The power transmission mechanism 41 includes the first power transmission element 42, the second power transmission element 43, the coupling spring 44 and the actuator lever 46 and exerts the reaction force, which is a force in the direction opposite to the downward pressure direction, on the pedal lever 20 via the first power transmission element 42, the second power transmission element 43 and the actuator lever 46 using the driving force of the motor 40.

[0039] The first power transmission element 42 has the first stopper 425, to which the driving force of the motor 40 is transmitted. The second power transmission element 43 has the second stopper 435, which can come into contact with the first stopper 425. The coupling spring 44 has one end that is locked with the first power transmission element 42 and the other end that is locked with the second power transmission element 43. The actuator lever 46 can come into contact with the pedal lever 20.

[0040] The locking mechanism 50 comprises the locking element 51 and the locked section 52. The locked section 52 is moved into a locked position by the driving force of the motor 40 and locked by the locking element 51, thus restricting the operation of the pedal lever 20. In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 50 can maintain the locked state in a de-energized state, in which the motor 40 is switched off.

[0041] Here, “the actuation of the pedal lever can be restricted” is not limited to setting the amount of movement to 0 by completely fixing the pedal lever 20, but is a concept that includes setting the amount of movement to a smaller value than that in the unlocked state.

[0042] The first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 are in an initial state, in which the pedal lever 20 is fully closed and the power supply to the motor 40 is switched off. They come into contact with each other when the first power transmission element 42 is driven against the elastic force of the coupling spring 44 by the energizing of the motor 40. As a result, while the stoppers 425 and 435 are in contact with each other, the driving force of the motor 40 can be exerted directly as a reaction force on the pedal lever 20 via the power transmission elements 42 and 43, without using the coupling spring 44.

[0043] The angle θs between the first stopper 425 and the second stopper 435 in the initial state is greater than the locking adjustment angle θr from a position of the locked section 52 in the initial state to a position of the locked section 52 in the locked state. This allows the pedal lever 20 to be locked appropriately.

[0044] The accelerator device 1 includes the lever preloading element 47, which preloads the actuator lever 46 in the closing direction of the pedal lever 20. The actuator lever 46 is thus in a state where it is always in contact with the pedal lever 20, thereby improving the response when a reaction force is applied.

[0045] The initial tension on the coupling spring 44 is greater than the resistance between the motor 40 and the first power transmission element 42 when de-energized. As a result, when the pedal lever 20 is actuated while de-energized, the power transmission elements 42 and 43 can rotate together. Since the pedal lever 20 and the actuator 46 are always in contact, the difference in pedal force can be eliminated when the pedal is actuated while de-energized.

[0046] The locking mechanism 50 includes an elastic locking element 55 that presses on the locking element 51 to maintain the locked state. In the locked state, the load exerted by the coupling spring 44 in the locking direction between the locking element 51 and the locked section 52 is less than the load exerted in the locking direction by the elastic locking element 55. This allows the locked state to be maintained in a position where the power to the motor 40 is switched off.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the motor 40 corresponds to a “drive source”, the coupling spring 44 corresponds to an “elastic coupling element”, the angle θs between the stoppers corresponds to a “distance between the stoppers”, and the locking adjustment angle θr corresponds to a “locking adjustment distance”. (Other embodiments)

[0048] In the foregoing embodiments, the elastic coupling element is a coil spring. In other embodiments, the elastic coupling element may be a torsion spring. In the foregoing embodiments, the locked section is provided on the first power transmission element. In other embodiments, the locked section may be provided on an element other than the first power transmission element that forms the power transmission mechanism. In another embodiment, the locking element is provided on the side of the power transmission element, and the locked section is provided on the housing side. The locking element may be configured to be driven by the drive source to move the locked section into the locked position.

[0049] In other embodiments, a speed reducer can be provided at least between the drive source and the first power transmission element and between the second power transmission element and the actuator lever. The number of delay stages of the speed reducer is not limited to one stage, but can be two or more.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the actuator lever is brought into contact with the pedal lever by the provided lever preload element. In other embodiments, the lever preload element can be omitted, and the actuator lever may not always be in contact with the pedal lever. In the above embodiments, the power transmission mechanism is capable of exerting a force in the reverse direction on the pedal lever. In other embodiments, the power transmission mechanism can be configured to exert a downward force on the pedal lever in addition to the reverse force. Furthermore, the configuration of the power transmission mechanism can differ from the above embodiments.The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] The present disclosure is carried out in accordance with the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and configurations. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and deviations within the equivalent range. Furthermore, various combinations and arrangements, as well as other combinations and arrangements containing one, more than one, or fewer than one element, can be made in the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Accelerator device comprising the following: a pedal lever (20) configured to operate in response to pedal actuation a drive source (40) configured to generate a driving force by applying an electric current; a power transmission mechanism (41) comprising a first power transmission element (42) with a first stopper (425) onto which the driving force of the drive source is transmitted, a second power transmission element (43) with a second stopper (435) configured to be brought into contact with the first stopper, an elastic coupling element (44) locked at one end to the first power transmission element and at the other end to the second power transmission element, and an actuator lever (46) configured to be brought into contact with the pedal lever and configured to exert a reaction force, which is a force in a direction opposite to the downward pressure direction, on the pedal lever via the first power transmission element, the second power transmission element and the actuator lever through the driving force of the drive source; and a locking mechanism (50) comprising a locking element (51) and a locked section (52) and configured to regulate actuation of the pedal lever by moving the locked section into a locking position by the driving force of the drive source and locking it by the locking element; wherein the first stopper and the second stopper are separated from each other in an initial state when the pedal lever is fully closed and the current to the drive source is switched off, and they come into contact with each other when the first power transmission element is driven against an elastic force of the elastic coupling element by current to the drive source. [2] Accelerator device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first stopper and the second stopper in the initial state is greater than a locking adjustment distance from the position of the locked section in the initial state to the position of the locked section in a locked state. [3] Accelerator device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lever preloading element (47) configured to preload the actuator lever in a closing direction of the pedal lever. [4] Accelerator device according to claim 3, wherein a set load of the elastic coupling element in the initial state is greater than a resistance force between the drive source and the first power transmission element in a non-energized state. [5] Accelerator device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking mechanism includes an elastic locking element (55) that presses on the locking element to maintain a locked state, and In the locked state, a load exerted by the elastic coupling element in a locking direction between the locking element and the locked section is smaller than a load exerted by the elastic locking element in the locking direction.

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