Brake pedal assembly

Abstract

In a brake pedal assembly (1), a tubular element (20) is positioned between an inner wall of a hole section (70) in a fixed element (10) and a shaft (30). A predetermined gap (G1) is provided between an inner wall of the tubular element on its radially inner side and the shaft, allowing the shaft to rotate about an axis with respect to the tubular element. The inner wall of the hole section (70) and the tubular element (20) are fixed to one another.When, in a clamping state in which the tubular element (20) and the shaft (30) are fixed to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined location of a brake pedal (40) at which a driver can apply a pedal actuation force, a torque which releases a fixity between the inner wall of the hole section (70) and the tubular element (20) is greater than 0 and less than a damage torque which damages at least part of the brake pedal assembly (1).

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-075567 filed on April 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical area

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle. General state of the art

[0003] Vehicle-mounted brake pedal devices are conventionally known. The brake pedal device described in Patent Document 1 includes a bracket fixed to a vehicle body, a collar fixed to the bracket, a tubular bushing rotatably provided on an outer periphery of the collar, a tubular hub fixed to an outer periphery of the bushing, and a brake pedal attached to the hub. In such a brake pedal device, the bushing, the hub, and the brake pedal are rotatably provided on an axis of the collar with respect to the bracket and the collar. The bushing has a tubular part press-fitted and fixed into the interior of the hub, an annular projection provided on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular part, and a flange extending radially outward from an axial end of the tubular part.The annular projection of the bushing is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the collar, and the flange is in contact with the bracket. State of the art documentPatent document

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP Patent No. 6148642 Summary of the invention

[0005] In the brake pedal device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when a driver depresses the brake pedal and the hub rotates, the annular projection of the bushing slides while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the collar, and the flange of the bushing slides while contacting the bracket. Therefore, when an ambient temperature changes, a frictional force between (i) the annular projection of the bushing and (ii) the outer peripheral surface of the collar changes due to a difference in linear expansion coefficients between the bushing and the collar. Furthermore, when the ambient temperature changes, the frictional force between the flange of the bushing and the bracket changes due to a difference in linear expansion coefficients of the bushing, the bracket, and the hub. Consequently, a feeling of a pedal operating force exerted when the driver depresses or releases the brake pedal changes.operated, depending on the ambient temperature.

[0006] To solve such problems, it may be considered, for example, to provide a gap at a position between the annular projection of the bushing and the collar, and another gap at a position between the flange of the bushing and the bracket so that the frictional force is not increased even in low-temperature environments. However, with such a configuration, the gaps become larger at room temperature and in a high-temperature environment, posing a risk of foreign matter entering the gap. If the bushing and the boss become stuck to the bracket and the collar with foreign matter entering the gap between them, there may be a risk that the driver will not be able to depress the brake pedal properly, which may cause a problem when decelerating the vehicle.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a brake pedal device capable of improving the driver's feeling of the pedal operating force and capable of increasing the safety level of vehicle braking.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle includes a fixed member, a shaft, a brake pedal, and a tubular member. The fixed member is directly or indirectly fixed to a vehicle body. The shaft is supported by an inner side of a hole portion provided in the fixed member and is provided to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the fixed member. The brake pedal is fixed to the shaft and is operated within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver. The tubular member is provided at a position between an inner wall of the hole portion and the shaft.A predetermined gap is provided between the inner wall of the tubular member on a radially inner side and the shaft to allow the shaft to rotate about the axis with respect to the tubular member. The tubular member and the inner wall of the hole portion provided in the fixed member are fixed to each other.When, in a clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force, a torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member in the clamping state is larger than 0 and smaller than a damage torque of the load applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state, which damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween.

[0009] According to the above, since the predetermined gap is provided at a position between the inner wall of the tubular member on the radially inner side of the tubular member and the shaft, the feeling of the pedal operating force exerted when the driver depresses the brake pedal is stably maintained regardless of changes in ambient temperature. Furthermore, in such a brake pedal device, when a load is applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are clamped to each other, a loosening torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion in the fixed member and the tubular member is smaller than a damaging torque that damages at least a part of the brake pedal device.Therefore, even if the tubular member and the shaft are jammed due to foreign matter entering the gap between the tubular member and the shaft when the driver depresses the brake pedal, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion in the fixed member and the tubular member is released before at least part of the brake pedal device is damaged, allowing the brake pedal to rotate. Thus, such a brake pedal device eliminates changes in the feeling of the pedal operation force due to changes in ambient temperature and allows the brake pedal to be depressed and operated even if the tubular member and the shaft are inadvertently jammed together.Consequently, the brake pedal device of the present disclosure is capable of improving the driver's feeling of the pedal operation force and increasing the safety level of vehicle braking according to a brake pedal operation by the driver.

[0010] In the specification of the present disclosure, the term “damage” includes destruction, deformation, displacement, and the like, and refers to a malfunction of the damaged member or a change in the shape of the damaged member.

[0011] Furthermore, in the specification of the present disclosure, that a torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member is greater than 0 means that such a torque is substantially greater than 0, and specifically means that the torque is greater than a frictional force that occurs between the inner wall of the tubular member and the shaft when the tubular member and the shaft are in a state where they are not fixed to each other.

[0012] According to another aspect, a brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle comprises a fixed member, a shaft, a brake pedal, and a restricting member. The fixed member is directly or indirectly fixed to a vehicle body. The shaft is supported by an inner side of a hole portion provided in the fixed member and is provided to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the fixed member. The brake pedal is fixed to the shaft to surround a radially outer region of the shaft and is configured to move within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver.The restricting member is provided to surround a radially outer region of the shaft at a position between a surface of the brake pedal facing in an axial direction and the fixed member, and to restrict a range of movement of the shaft and the brake pedal in the axial direction. A predetermined gap is provided at a position between the axially facing surface of the brake pedal and the restricting member to cause the shaft and the brake pedal to rotate about the axis with respect to the restricting member. The fixed member and the restricting member are fixed to each other.Moreover, in a clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, a torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force is greater than 0 and smaller than a damage torque that damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween when the load is applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state.

[0013] According to the above, since a predetermined gap is provided at a position between the surface of the brake pedal facing the axis of the shaft and the restricting member, the driver's feeling regarding the pedal operating force when the driver operates the brake pedal can be kept constant regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Furthermore, in such a brake pedal device, when a load is applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other, a torque that releases the fixation between the clamped member and the restricting member is smaller than the damage torque that damages at least a part of the brake pedal device.Therefore, even if the restricting member and the brake pedal become jammed due to foreign matter entering the gap between the restricting member and the brake pedal, the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member is released before at least a part of the brake pedal device is damaged when the driver depresses the brake pedal, thereby enabling rotation of the brake pedal. Thus, the brake pedal device described above eliminates changes in the feeling of the pedal operation force due to changes in ambient temperature and enables pedal operation of the brake pedal even if the restricting member and the brake pedal are inadvertently jammed together.As a result, the brake pedal device of the present disclosure is capable of improving the driver's feeling of the pedal operation force and increasing the safety level of vehicle braking according to a brake pedal operation by the driver.

[0014] The reference numerals in parentheses added to the elements of the claims and the like indicate an example of correspondence between the elements and the like and specific components and the like in the embodiment(s) described below. Short description of the figures Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a brake-by-wire system including a side view of a brake pedal device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the brake pedal device along an arrow II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is a sectional view taken along a line III-III in Fig. 2; Fig. 3B is a sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal is depressed to its maximum stroke in the brake pedal device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a sectional view along a line IV - IV in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3A; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a section V in Fig. 4, wherein a reaction force generating mechanism is omitted; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between (i) a press-fitting margin between a hole portion of a housing and a tubular member, and (ii) a fixing release torque (release torque) in a brake pedal device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a pedal stroke and a pedal operating force moment in the brake pedal device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 8A is a sectional view showing a brake pedal in an initial position of a brake pedal device according to a second embodiment; Fig. 8B is a view along an arrow A in Fig. 8A; Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which a brake pedal and an elastic member are in contact with each other in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment; Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal is depressed to its maximum stroke in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment; Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between a pedal stroke and a pedal operating force moment in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between (i) a press-fitting margin between a hole portion of a housing and a tubular member, and (ii) a fixing release torque (release torque) in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment; Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding Fig. 5 shows a brake pedal device according to a third embodiment; Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding Fig. 5 shows a brake pedal device according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between (i) a press-fitting margin between an annular groove of a housing and a restricting member, and (ii) a thrust release torque in the brake pedal device according to the fourth embodiment; Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between a pedal stroke and a pedal operating force moment in the brake pedal device according to the fourth embodiment; Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between a pedal stroke and a pedal operating force torque in the brake pedal device according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a relationship between (i) a press-fitting margin between an annular groove of a housing and a restricting member, and (ii) a thrust release torque in the brake pedal device according to the fifth embodiment; Fig. 19 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding to Fig. 5 shows a brake pedal device according to a sixth embodiment; Fig. 20 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding to Fig. 5 shows a brake pedal device according to a seventh embodiment; Fig. 21 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding Fig. 5 shows a brake pedal device according to an eighth embodiment; Fig. 22 is a sectional view showing a tubular member fixed to a hole portion in a housing of a brake pedal device according to a ninth embodiment; Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a tubular member included in the brake pedal device according to the ninth embodiment; Fig. 24 is a sectional view showing a tubular member fixed to a hole portion in a housing of a brake pedal device according to a tenth embodiment; Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a tubular member provided in the brake pedal device according to the tenth embodiment; Fig. 26 is a sectional view showing a restricting member fixed to an annular groove of a housing in a brake pedal device according to an eleventh embodiment; Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a restricting member provided in the brake pedal device according to the eleventh embodiment; Fig. 28 is a sectional view showing a restricting member fixed to an annular groove of a housing in a brake pedal device according to a twelfth embodiment; Fig. Fig. 29 is a perspective view showing a restricting member provided in the brake pedal device according to the twelfth embodiment; and Fig. 30 is a sectional view showing a section corresponding Fig. 5 in the brake pedal device according to a thirteenth embodiment. Description of embodiments

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations for the same reference numerals are omitted. (First embodiment)

[0016] The first embodiment will be described with reference to the figures. A brake pedal device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described, considering as an example a device mounted on a vehicle and used in a brake-by-wire system 2 for decelerating or braking the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the brake-by-wire system 2 is a system in which a brake mechanism 4 decelerates the vehicle under drive control of an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU 3") mounted on the vehicle. ECU is an abbreviation for electronic control unit. Specifically, the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment is employed in a complete brake-by-wire system 2. A complete brake-by-wire system 2 means that components of the brake mechanism 4 and the brake pedal are not mechanically connected, and the ECU 3 performs drive control of the brake mechanism 4 based on an output signal from a sensor device included in the brake pedal device 1 to decelerate the vehicle. The component of the brake mechanism 4 is, for example, a master cylinder.

[0017] First, a schematic configuration of the brake pedal device 1 and the brake-by-wire system 2 is explained.

[0018] As in the Fig. 1 to 4, the brake pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 as a fixed member, a tubular member 20, a shaft 30, a brake pedal 40, a reaction force generating mechanism 50, a sensor device 60, and the like.

[0019] The housing 10 is attached to a vehicle body directly using screws (not shown) or the like, or indirectly attached to the vehicle body via a base member (not shown) or the like. Specifically, the housing 10 is attached to a dashboard support panel or a bulkhead or floor in a vehicle compartment. As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 10 includes a housing body 11 and a housing cover 12. The housing body 11 and the housing cover 12 are fastened to each other, for example, by screws, a press fit, a snap fit, or the like (not shown). A hole portion 70 is provided inside the housing 10, in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are provided. The hole portions 70 are provided in the housing body 11 and the housing cover 12, respectively. In the following description, the hole portion 70 provided in the housing body 11 may be referred to as a first hole portion 71, and the hole portion 70 provided in the housing cover 12 may be referred to as a second hole portion 72.

[0020] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the tubular member 20 is a sliding bearing, and is provided at a position between an inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the shaft 30. The tubular member 20 may also be referred to as a radial bearing, which supports a load acting in a direction perpendicular to an axis CL. The tubular member 20 may be made of, for example, metal, resin, ceramic, or the like. In the following description, the tubular member 20 provided within the first hole portion 71 is sometimes referred to as a first tubular member 21, and the tubular member 20 provided within the second hole portion 72 is sometimes referred to as a second tubular member 22.

[0021] In the first embodiment, an outer diameter of the tubular member 20 as a component is slightly larger than an inner diameter D2 of the hole portion 70. Therefore, the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and an outer wall of the tubular member 20 on a radially outer side thereof are fixed to each other by a press fit. On the other hand, an inner diameter D3 of the tubular member 20 is larger than an outer diameter D4 of the shaft 30. Therefore, a predetermined gap G1 is provided at a position between an inner wall of the tubular member 20 on a radially inner side thereof and the shaft 30 so that the shaft 30 can rotate about its own axis with respect to the tubular member 20.In the following description, an outer wall of the tubular member 20 on a radially outer side thereof may be simply referred to as an "outer wall of the tubular member 20", and an inner wall of the tubular member 20 on a radially inner side thereof may be simply referred to as an "inner wall of the tubular member 20".

[0022] The shaft 30 is formed in a rod shape and rotatably supported by the tubular member 20 inside the housing 10. Specifically, one end of the shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the first tubular member 21, and the other end of the shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the second tubular member 22. Therefore, the shaft 30 is supported within the hole portion 70 via the tubular member 20, and the shaft 30 is rotatable in a circumferential direction of a circle centered on its own axis CL (hereinafter referred to as "around the axis") with respect to the housing 10 within a predetermined angular range.

[0023] Due to a pedal force applied by the driver to the brake pedal 40 or due to gravity, the shaft 30 rotates while in contact with a part of the inner wall of the tubular element 20. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the shaft 30 is shown, for convenience, in a state where (i) the shaft 30 in the figure is in contact with a lower part of the inner wall of the tubular member 20, and (ii) an upper part of the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are separated by a gap G1 provided therebetween.

[0024] As in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the brake pedal 40 includes a pedal arm 41 and a pedal plate 42. The pedal arm 41 is fixed at one end in a longitudinal direction to the shaft 30 (i.e., at a part located inside the housing 10), and is provided with a pedal plate 42 at the other end in the longitudinal direction (i.e., at a part located outside the housing 10). As shown in the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the pedal arm 41 is a one-piece component configured to include, in one body, a first side plate 411, a second side plate 412, and a top plate 413. The first side plate 411 is a portion provided on the first tubular member 21 side. The second side plate 412 is a portion provided on the second tubular member 22 side. The top plate 413 is a portion connecting the first side plate 411 and the second side plate 412. The first side plate 411 and the second side plate 412 are provided with insertion hole portions 44 and 45, respectively, through which the shaft 30 passes. Edges of the insertion hole portions 44 and 45 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other, for example, by welding.Therefore, the first side plate 411 and the second side plate 412 of the pedal arm 41 surround a radially outer portion of the shaft 30 and are fixed to the shaft 30.

[0025] The pedal plate 42 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the pedal arm 41, that is, at a portion located outside the housing 10. A tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 is a part depressed by the driver's foot. When the driver depresses the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42, the brake pedal 40 rotates in the forward and backward directions around the axis of the shaft 30 within the predetermined angular range. The tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 corresponds to an example of a predetermined location on the brake pedal 40 to which the driver can apply a pedaling force.

[0026] Fig. 3A shows an initial position in an operating range of the brake pedal 40 in which no pedal operating force of the driver is exerted on the brake pedal 40. On the other hand, Fig. 3B shows a state in which the driver's pedal operating force is applied to the brake pedal 40, which rotates the brake pedal 40 toward a maximum stroke position on a depression side. A restricting member 52 for restricting the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40 on the depression side is provided in the housing 10 or the like. The maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40 is restricted by the contact between the restricting member 52 and a portion 48 of the pedal arm 41. The structure in which the maximum stroke position on the depression side of the brake pedal 40 is restricted is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 3B or the like. The positions and configurations of the limiting member 52 and the protrusions that limit the maximum stroke position may vary, and the material used to form the limiting member 52 may be, for example, resin, metal, rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0027] In the specification of the present disclosure, the brake pedal device 1 includes the restricting member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40, and a position at which the restricting member 52 and the brake pedal 40 come into contact is defined as the maximum stroke position.

[0028] The reaction force generating mechanism 50 includes, for example, a spring, an actuator, and the like. The reaction force generating mechanism 50 is a mechanism that generates a reaction force against the driver's pedaling force applied to the brake pedal 40. Even if a mechanical connection between the brake pedal 40 and the conventional master cylinder is eliminated, by including the reaction force generating mechanism 50, the brake pedal device 1 can obtain a reaction force similar to that obtainable by connection to the master cylinder, that is, similar to that obtainable by a hydraulic reaction force providing system. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the reaction force generating mechanism 50 is schematically illustrated as a spring exerting a reaction force on a reinforcing portion 46, one end of which is fixed to the housing 10 and the other end is provided on the pedal arm 41. However, the reaction force generating mechanism 50 is not limited to the above, and various configurations can be employed. The reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the reinforcing portion 46 are shown in Fig. 5 is not shown. The same applies to illustrations which represent sections Fig. 5 in the figures to which reference will be made in the embodiments described later.

[0029] The sensor device 60 detects a position (specifically, a rotation angle) of a detection object with respect to the housing 10, wherein the shaft 30 or the brake pedal 40 is considered as the detection object. The sensor device 60 can be of various types. For example, (i) a non-contact sensor such as an inductive sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or the like, or (ii) a contact-type sensor such as a load sensor, a rotary encoder, or the like, can be used as the sensor device 60. The electrical signal output from the sensor device 60 is transmitted to the ECU 3.

[0030] As in Fig. 1, the ECU 3 includes a processor that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a microcomputer that includes a memory, such as a ROM and a RAM, that stores programs, data, and the like, and peripheral circuits. The memory includes non-transitory, tangible storage media. The ECU 3 performs various control processes and calculation processes based on programs stored in the memory, and controls an operation of each device connected to an output terminal. Specifically, the ECU 3 detects an accurate pedal operation amount, that is, an operation amount of the brake pedal 40, based on an electrical signal transmitted from the sensor device 60 or the like, and controls the driving of the brake mechanism 4. The number of ECUs 3 is not limited to one, and the driving or driving can be carried out by several ECUs.the control of the braking mechanism 4 can be controlled by a plurality of ECUs 3.

[0031] Various mechanisms can be used as the braking mechanism 4. For example, the braking mechanism 4 may be an electric brake that brakes each wheel by (a) driving an electric motor in response to an instruction from the ECU 3 and (b) pressing a brake pad against a disc brake rotor. Alternatively, the braking mechanism 4 may be configured, for example, to increase hydraulic pressure of a brake fluid by actuating a master cylinder or a hydraulic pump, drive a wheel cylinder arranged at each wheel, and actuate the brake pad. Furthermore, the braking mechanism 4 is also capable of performing normal control, ABS control, VSC control, and the like in response to control signals from the ECU 3. ABS stands for Anti-Lock Brake System, and VSC stands for Vehicle Stability Control.

[0032] Next, the tubular member 20 included in the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0033] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the tubular member 20 is provided at a position between the inner wall of a hole portion 70 provided in the housing 10 and the shaft 30. The outer wall of the tubular member 20 and the inner wall of the hole portion 70 are fixed to each other by press fitting. On the other hand, a predetermined gap G1 is provided at a position between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30. The size of the gap G1 between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 is selected so that the gap G1 does not disappear even when the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 expand and contract due to changes in ambient temperature, and the shaft 30 is rotatable about its axis inside the tubular member 20.Therefore, in such a brake pedal device 1, the feeling of the pedal operating force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40 does not change and remains constant regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0034] However, by providing the predetermined gap G1 between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 on a radially inner side thereof and the shaft 30, as shown by a dashed line arrow in Fig. 5, there is a risk of foreign matter M1 entering the gap G1. The foreign matter M1 is, for example, sand, dirt, or the like. If the foreign matter M1, which is trapped in the gap G1 and causes jamming of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30, prevents the shaft 30 from rotating, the driver cannot depress the brake pedal 40, which may cause problems when braking the vehicle. The situation in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are jammed or stuck is not limited to the situation described above in which the foreign matter M1 is caught in the gap. It is also possible, for example, that the gap G1 between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 is unintentionally made small, resulting in the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 sticking to each other due to temperature changes.With regard to the temperature change described above, for example, contraction of the tubular element 20 at low temperatures is possible. Alternatively, it is also possible that the tubular element 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck to each other due to rust or the like of the shaft 30.

[0035] In contrast, in the first embodiment, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between (a) the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and (b) the tubular member 20 is released before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Hereinafter, the above-described configuration is referred to as a "first configuration."

[0036] In the specification of the present disclosure, damage to at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 means that one or more of the housing 10, the shaft 30, the brake pedal 40, and the connection points between them are damaged. Furthermore, in the specification of the present disclosure, damage includes destruction, deformation, displacement, or the like, and refers to a problem in the function of a damaged element or a change in the shape of a damaged element.

[0037] In the first embodiment, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force in a clamped state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are clamped or fixed to each other. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be referred to as a "second configuration." In the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, a torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to a torque that causes the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position on the depression side.

[0038] In the following explanation, the torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 when a load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are tightly fitted to each other is referred to as a "release torque." In the first embodiment, the release torque is set as follows in the above-described first configuration and the second configuration, respectively.

[0039] That is, when the first configuration described above is adopted, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other. In the specification of the present disclosure, the release torque being greater than 0 means that it is substantially greater than 0, and specifically means that the release torque is greater than a friction force generated between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 in a state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not clamped.Hereinafter, a state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not stuck is referred to as a “non-clamping state between the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30”.

[0040] Here shows Fig. 6 shows a relationship between a press-fit margin and the loosening torque, where the press-fit margin between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20 (hereinafter referred to simply as "press-fit margin") is used as the horizontal axis, and the loosening torque is used as the vertical axis. As the solid line X1 in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the loosening torque increases with the larger the interference fit range.

[0041] If the release torque is greater than a value T1, at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 will be damaged if a load causing such a torque is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck. The torque T1 can be determined by experiments or the like. Fig. 6, the interference fit range corresponds to a dimension δ1 according to the release torque T1. Therefore, when the release torque is set in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque that would damage at least a part of the brake pedal device 1, the interference fit range is set in a range greater than 0 and less than δ1. Fig. 6, the range of the interference fit margin in such a case is indicated by a double-headed arrow A. In this way, by adjusting the range, the interference fit margin can be adjusted to the value indicated by the double-headed arrow A in Fig. The above-mentioned first configuration can be realized in the area shown in Figure 6.

[0042] On the other hand, when the brake pedal device 1 adopts the second configuration described above, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than a torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In the description of the first embodiment, a "torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time" refers to a torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where no clamping or the like is generated between the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30.

[0043] Here shows Fig. 7 shows a relationship between the pedal stroke and the torque of a pedal operating force when the driver applies a load to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a non-clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not clamped. The torque of the pedal operating force corresponds to a torque exerted on the pedal plate 42 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40. Specifically, the torque corresponds to a product of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and a distance from the axis CL of the shaft 30 to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42.

[0044] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7 with a solid line Y1, the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 becomes larger as the pedal stroke becomes larger, and thus the torque of the pedal operating force becomes larger. When the pedal stroke is S2, the brake pedal 40 is at its maximum stroke position. In the diagram of Fig. 7, the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time takes a value T2.

[0045] As again in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the interference fit margin corresponds to a dimension δ2 according to the loosening torque T2. Therefore, when the loosening torque is set in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque of the pedal operating force in the maximum stroke position at a normal time, the interference fit margin is set in a range greater than 0 and less than δ2. Fig. 6, the range of the interference fit margin in this case is indicated by double-headed arrows B. In this way, by setting the range of the interference fit margin to a range indicated by the double-headed arrow B in Fig. 6, the above-mentioned second configuration can be realized.

[0046] The brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the following functions and effects. (1) In the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, the inner wall of the hole portion 70 formed in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other. On the other hand, the predetermined gap G1 is provided at a position between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30. In this way, it is possible to maintain a constant feeling of the pedal operating force when the driver depresses or operates the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, by adopting the above-mentioned first configuration, the release torque is set to be smaller than the torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck.According to the above, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other, for example, because the foreign matter M1 is caught between them, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the clamping state between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates. In such a situation, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure eliminates changes in the feeling of the pedal operating force otherwise caused by changes in the ambient temperature, and makes it possible to depress and operate the brake pedal 40 even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other.Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure is capable of improving the driver's feeling of the pedal operation force and is also capable of increasing the safety level of vehicle braking by the driver's operation of the brake pedal 40. (2) When the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment adopts the second configuration described above, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In the case of a brake pedal device 1 that does not have an elastic member, as described in the second embodiment described later, the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time is generally set to be a torque of a pedal operating force that can be applied to the brake pedal 40 by a typical driver with a normal force. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when adopting the second configuration, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time.In this way, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck together, when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation (i.e., the clamping state) between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released, and thereby the brake pedal 40 rotates. Therefore, with such a brake pedal device 1, a typical user can depress and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck together. For example, a typical driver refers to a person who can drive a vehicle, and more specifically, to a person who can decelerate the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal 40 with their foot. (3) In the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, the inner wall of the hole portion 70 provided in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other by press fitting. According to the above, by adjusting the press-fitting margin between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20, it is possible to realize a function in which (a) the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 are in a fixed state at a normal time, and (b) such fixation can be released by applying a predetermined torque. Therefore, the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 can be easily fixed to each other by press fitting, thereby reducing assembly costs during manufacturing. (Second embodiment)

[0047] The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that part of the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is changed, while the rest is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0048] As in the Fig. 8A and Fig. As shown in FIG. 8B, a brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment includes an elastic member 51 provided at a position where it can come into contact with a brake pedal 40 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40. The elastic member 51 is configured to operate in an entire operating range of the brake pedal 40 from a position midway between (i) the initial position where the driver's pedaling force is not applied to the brake pedal 40 and (ii) the maximum stroke position on the depression side to the maximum stroke position on the depression side. The elastic member 51 is made of, for example, rubber and is fixed to a housing 10.An arrangement relationship, shape, and the like between (i) a restricting member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40 and (ii) the elastic member 51 are not limited to those shown in the figures and can be arbitrarily set.

[0049] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 8A, when the brake pedal 40 is in the home position, a predetermined space is provided at a position between a pedal arm 41 and the elastic member 51. The pedal arm 41 has a pressing portion 47 at a position corresponding to the elastic member 51. The pressing portion 47 may be formed integrally with a first side plate 411 and a second side plate 412 of the pedal arm 41 or as a separate member. Further, a reinforcing portion 46 provided on the pedal arm 41 at a position corresponding to the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the pressing portion 47 may be formed integrally. In the following description, the pedal arm 41 will be described as having the pressing portion 47 as a part thereof.

[0050] Next, when the driver applies a pedal operating force to the brake pedal 40 and the brake pedal 40 rotates toward the depression side, the pressing portion 47 and the elastic member 51 come into contact with each other in the second half of a depression stroke of the brake pedal 40, as shown in Fig. 9. By depressing the brake pedal 40 to a position where it contacts the elastic element 51, it is possible to decelerate the vehicle sufficiently.

[0051] When the driver subsequently applies another pedal operating force to the brake pedal 40, a force from the pressing portion 47 of the brake pedal 40 acts on the elastic member 51, and the elastic member 51 is deformed as shown in Fig. 10. In this way, when the elastic member 51 is not used, the feeling of impact and collision that occurs when the limiting member 52, which limits the maximum stroke position, comes into contact with the pressing portion 47 of the pedal arm 41, is alleviated, and the feeling of the pedal operation force is improved. Also in the second embodiment, the brake pedal device 1 includes the limiting member 52, which limits the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40, and the position at which the limiting member 52 and the brake pedal 40 come into contact is defined as the maximum stroke position.

[0052] Here shows Fig. 11 shows a relationship between the pedal stroke and the torque of the pedal operating force when the rider applies a load to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a non-clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not stuck.

[0053] At the solid line Z1 in Fig. 11, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic element 51 are not in contact with each other, while the pedal stroke is in a range from 0 to S3. When the pedal stroke is equal to S3, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic element 51 come into contact with each other. When the pedal stroke is equal to S2, the brake pedal 40 is in its maximum stroke position.

[0054] When the pedal stroke is equal to 0 to S3, the torque of the pedal operating force increases as the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 increases. In the diagram of Fig. 11, the torque of the pedal operating force at the pedal stroke of S3, that is, when the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51, is T3. In the description of the second embodiment, the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a non-clamping state of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 is expressed as follows. That is, such a torque is referred to as "a torque of the pedal operating force at a position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time."

[0055] When the pedal stroke is between S3 and S2, the torque of the pedal operating force increases rapidly due to an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and an increase in the elastic force acting on the brake pedal 40 from the elastic member 51. In the diagram of Fig. 11, the torque of the pedal operating force is T2 when the pedal stroke is S2, that is, when the brake pedal 40 is depressed to the maximum stroke position at a normal time.

[0056] Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment may adopt a third configuration described below, in addition to the first and second configurations described in the first embodiment. The third configuration is a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the aforementioned elastic member 51 and further includes the following configuration. That is, the third configuration corresponds to a configuration including the elastic member 51 and in which the fixation between the inner wall of the portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force in a clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck.In the configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 is provided with the elastic member 51, the torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to a torque at which the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread 43 at a normal time.

[0057] Specifically, in the second embodiment, the torque (ie, the release torque) at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released when a load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are tightly fitted is set as follows in the above-mentioned third configuration.

[0058] That is, when adopting the third configuration described above, the brake pedal device 1 sets the release torque to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time.

[0059] As with a solid line X2 in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the interference fit margin corresponding to the release torque T3 is equal to δ3. Therefore, when the release torque is set in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time, the interference fit margin is in a range greater than 0 and less than δ3. Fig. 12, the range of the interference fit margin in such a case is indicated by a double-headed arrow C. In this way, by setting the range of the interference fit margin to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow C in Fig. The third configuration described above can be realized in the area shown in Figure 12.

[0060] In the brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment, it is also possible to adopt the first configuration and the second configuration similarly to the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0061] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 adopts the first configuration, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than a torque that would damage at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck. In this case, the above-mentioned first configuration can be realized by setting the range of the press-fitting margin to a range indicated by the double-headed arrow A in Fig. 12 is shown.

[0062] Further, when adopting the second configuration, the brake pedal device 1 sets the release torque to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In such a case, the above-mentioned second configuration can be realized by setting the range of the interference fit margin to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow B in Fig. 12 shown area is set.

[0063] The brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment described above has the following configuration and its effects in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.

[0064] The brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment includes the elastic member 51 provided over the entire operating range of the brake pedal 40, from a position midway between the initial position and the maximum stroke position to the maximum stroke position. With such a configuration of the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure, when adopting the above-described third configuration, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time. According to the above, the brake pedal device 1 may include the elastic member 51 that comes into contact with the brake pedal 40 in the second half of the pedal stroke to improve the feeling of the pedal operating force.In the brake pedal device 1 with such a configuration, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position from the position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51 is set extremely high. Therefore, if the driver is a weak driver, it may be difficult to depress the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position. On the other hand, the torque required to reach the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the brake pedal 40 in a non-clamping state in which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are in a non-locking state is set to a pedaling force of a typical driver that can be applied to the brake pedal 40 with their normal force.Note that the vehicle can be sufficiently decelerated when the brake pedal 40 is depressed to a position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51. Therefore, by adopting the third configuration in the second embodiment, even in a case where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck together, a configuration is established in which the fixation between the inner wall of the fixed member portion 70 and the tubular member 20 can be released if a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force. Therefore, with such a brake pedal device 1, a typical driver can depress and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck together. (Third embodiment)

[0065] The third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment and the like in that part of the configuration of the tubular member 20 is changed from the first embodiment and the like, while other aspects are identical to the first embodiment and the like. Therefore, only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be explained.

[0066] As in Fig. 13, a brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment includes a sealing member 13 at a position between a second side plate 412 of a brake pedal 40 and a housing cover 12. The sealing member 13 corresponds to an example of a foreign matter prevention structure that prevents foreign matter M1 from entering a second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12.

[0067] Specifically, the sealing member 13 is provided so as to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft 30. Furthermore, the sealing member 13 is formed, for example, from an O-ring or the like and fitted into a groove 14 provided in the housing cover 12. The sealing member 13 is not limited to an O-ring, but may also be configured such that, for example, a spring (not shown) and a sealing member made of resin or the like are disposed in the groove 14, and the sealing member is brought into close contact with the brake pedal 40 by the spring.With such a configuration, even in a case where the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 are displaced in the axial direction, the seal member 13 itself elastically deforms to be in close contact with the second side plate 412 and close the second hole portion, whereby foreign matter M1 can be prevented from entering the second hole portion 72.

[0068] Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment includes a first tubular member 21 within a first hole portion 71 provided in a housing body 11, and does not include a second tubular member 22 in a second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12. Therefore, a portion of the shaft 30 on the second hole portion 72 side is rotatably supported by the inner wall of the second hole portion 72.

[0069] The brake pedal device 1 of the above-described third embodiment includes the sealing member 13 as a foreign matter prevention structure at a position between the second side plate 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. In this way, the foreign matter M1 is prevented from entering the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment does not include the second tubular member 22 in the second hole portion 72 of the housing cover 12. In this way, in the brake pedal device 1, it is not necessary to insert the tubular member 20 into the first hole portion 71 or the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing 10 if the brake pedal device 1 has a structure that prevents the entry of foreign matter M1.

[0070] Although not shown, it is not necessary to provide the first tubular member 21 in the first hole portion 71 if the brake pedal device 1 includes a foreign matter prevention structure at a position between the first side plate 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing body 11 to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter M1 into the first hole portion 71. In this way, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment can have a simplified configuration. (Fourth embodiment)

[0071] The fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that part of the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is changed, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. The brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment does not include the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment.

[0072] As in Fig. 14, the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment does not include the tubular member 20 and the like described in the first embodiment, but instead includes a restricting member 80. The restricting member 80 is provided at a position between a first side wall 411 of the brake pedal 40 and a housing body 11, and also at a position between a second side wall 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. The restricting member 80 is also called a thrust bearing, which supports a load acting in a direction in which an axis CL extends (i.e., the axial direction). The restricting member 80 can be made of, for example, metal, resin, ceramic, or the like.In the following description, the restricting member 80 provided on the housing body 11 may be referred to as a first restricting member 81, and the restricting member 80 provided on the housing cover 12 may be referred to as a second restricting member 82. Both the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 are formed in an annular shape and provided to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft 30. Further, the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 restrict a movement range of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 in the axial direction.

[0073] A first annular groove 91, into which the first restriction member 81 is fitted, is provided on a surface of the housing body 11 facing the first side plate 411. The first annular groove 91 is provided so as to surround the radially outer portion of the shaft 30. The first restriction member 81 is fixed in the first annular groove 91 by a press fit.

[0074] On a surface of the housing cover 12 facing the second side plate 412, a second annular groove 92 is provided, into which the second restriction member 82 is fitted. The second annular groove 92 is provided so as to surround the radially outer portion of the shaft 30. The second restriction member 82 is fixed in the second annular groove 92 by a press fit. In the following description, the first annular groove 91 and the second annular groove 92 are collectively referred to as an annular groove 90. Fig. 14, with respect to the press fit between the restricting member 80 and the annular groove 90, a configuration state is shown in which the radially inwardly facing surface of the restricting member 80 and the radially outwardly facing surface of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 are press-fitted. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the radially outwardly facing surface of the restricting member 80 and the radially inwardly facing surface of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 are press-fitted to each other. Such a configuration also applies to the Fig. 19, Fig. 20, Fig. 21, Fig. 26, Fig. 28 and Fig. 30, which will be referred to in the respective embodiments described later.

[0075] A distance D6 between the first restriction member 81 and the second restriction member 82 is greater than an outer width D5 of the brake pedal 40 in the axial direction. The outer width D5 of the brake pedal 40 in the axial direction corresponds to a distance between a surface 411a of the first side plate 411 facing the housing body 11 and a surface 412a of the second side plate 412 facing the housing cover 12. As a result, a predetermined gap G2 is provided at a position between (a) the axially facing surfaces 411a, 412a of the brake pedal 40 and (b) the restriction member 80, whereby the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 can rotate about the axis with respect to the restriction member 80. In particular, in Fig. 14, the predetermined gap G2 is provided at a position between (a) the surface 412a of the second side plate 412 facing the housing cover 12 and (b) the second restricting member 82 for rotation of the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 about the axis with respect to the restricting member 80. Alternatively, the predetermined gap G2 may be provided at a position between (a) the surface 411a of the first side plate 411 facing the housing body 11 and (b) the first restricting member 81, whereby the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 can rotate about the axis with respect to the restricting member 80. The brake pedal 40 is movable in the axial direction between the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82. In Fig. 14, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the situation is shown in which the first side plate 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81 are in contact and the gap G2 is created between the second side plate 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the second restricting member 82.

[0076] The distance D6 between the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 is set so that even if the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, or the like expand and contract due to changes in ambient temperature, the distance D6 maintains a state where the distance D6 is larger than the outer width D5 along the axial direction. Therefore, the gap G2 between the first side plate 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81 will not disappear even if the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, and the like expand and contract due to changes in ambient temperature.Alternatively, the gap G2 between the second side plate 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the second restricting member 82 does not disappear even when the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, and the like expand and contract due to a change in the ambient temperature. Therefore, in such a brake pedal device 1, the feeling of the pedal operation force does not change when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40 and remains constant regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0077] However, by providing the gap G2 between the axially facing surfaces 411a, 412a of the brake pedal 40 and the restriction member 80, as shown by a dashed line arrow in Fig. 14, there is a risk of a foreign matter M2 entering the gap G2. The foreign matter M2 is, for example, sand, dirt, or the like. If the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck and cannot rotate due to the trapped or jammed foreign matter M2, there is a risk that the driver will no longer be able to depress and operate the brake pedal 40, which may cause a problem in braking or deceleration of the vehicle. The jamming state between the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 is not limited to the entanglement of the aforementioned foreign matter M2, but may also correspond to a situation in which the gap G2 between the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 is unintentionally made small, resulting in the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 being stuck to each other due to temperature changes.Alternatively, the brake pedal 40 may become rusty, causing the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 to stick to each other.

[0078] In contrast, the fourth embodiment provides a configuration in which, even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 can be released before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be referred to as the "fourth configuration."

[0079] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, a configuration may be provided in which, when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 can be released. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be referred to as the "fifth configuration." In the case where the brake pedal device 1 does not include the elastic member 51 as in the first embodiment, the torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to a torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the maximum stroke position on the depressing side.

[0080] Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are stuck together is set as follows for the fourth and fifth configurations. In the following explanation, the torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are stuck together is referred to as a "thrust release torque."

[0081] When adopting the fourth configuration described above, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque that will cause damage to at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are clamped together. In the specification of the present disclosure, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0, meaning that it is substantially greater than 0, and specifically, that it is greater than the friction force generated between the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 in a non-clamping state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not clamped together.

[0082] Here shows Fig. 15 shows a relationship between the restriction element interference fit margin and the shear release torque, where the horizontal axis represents the restriction element interference fit margin and the vertical axis represents the shear release torque. The restriction element interference fit margin corresponds to an interference fit margin between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the restriction element 80. As shown by a solid line X3 in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the shear release torque also increases with increasing constraint element interference fit margin.

[0083] If the thrust release torque is greater than T4, at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 will be damaged if a load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other. The torque T4 can be determined by experiments or the like. Fig. 15, the restricting element interference fit margin according to the shear release torque T4 is equal to δ4. Therefore, when the shear release torque is set to be in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged, the restricting element interference fit margin is set to be in a range greater than 0 and less than δ4. Fig. 15, the range of the press-fitting span of the restriction member in such a case is indicated by a double-headed arrow D. In this way, the fourth configuration described above can be realized by setting the range of the press-fitting span of the restriction member in a range indicated by the double-headed arrow D in Fig. 15 is specified.

[0084] On the other hand, when the fifth configuration described above is adopted, the brake pedal device 1 sets the thrust release torque to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the "torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time" means a torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a non-clamping state in which the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not clamped to each other.

[0085] Here shows Fig. 16 shows a relationship between the pedal stroke and the pedal operating force torque when the driver applies a load to the treadle surface 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a non-clamping state in which the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not clamped together. In this case, the pedal operating force torque is a torque applied to the pedal plate 42 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40. Specifically, the pedal operating force torque corresponds to a product of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and a distance from the axis CL of the shaft 30 to the treadle surface 43 of the pedal plate 42.

[0086] As shown by a solid line Y2 in Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 becomes larger as the pedal stroke increases, and therefore the torque of the pedal operating force increases. When the pedal stroke is equal to S2, the brake pedal 40 is at its maximum stroke position. In the diagram of Fig. 16, the torque of the pedal operating force in the maximum stroke position at a normal time is T5.

[0087] As again in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the restricting element interference fit margin according to the shear release torque T5 is equal to δ5. Therefore, when the shear release torque is set in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time, the restricting element interference fit margin is set in a range greater than 0 and less than δ5. Fig. 15, the range of the interference fit margin for the restriction member in such a case is indicated by a double-headed arrow E. In this way, by setting the range of the interference fit margin of the restriction member to a range indicated by the double-headed arrow E in Fig. 15, the above-mentioned fifth configuration can be realized.

[0088] The brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment described above has the following configuration and effects derived therefrom. (1) In the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the predetermined gap G2 is provided at a position between the restricting member 80 provided in the housing 10 and the axially facing surfaces 411a and 412a of the brake pedal 40. In this way, it is possible to maintain a constant feeling of the pedal operating force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, adopting the fourth configuration described above, the thrust release torque is set to be smaller than a torque that damages at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other.According to the above, even in a case where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are inadvertently stuck to each other, for example, due to a foreign matter M2 or the like, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between (i) the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and (ii) the restricting member is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates. At such a time, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure eliminates changes in the feeling of the pedal operating force due to changes in the ambient temperature and makes it possible to depress and operate the brake pedal 40 even when the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are inadvertently stuck to each other.Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure is capable of improving the driver's feeling of the pedal operation force and is also capable of increasing the safety level of vehicle braking by the driver's operation of the brake pedal 40. (2) When the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment employs the fifth configuration described above, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal operating force torque at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In the case of the brake pedal device 1 that does not have the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment described above, the pedal operating force torque at the maximum stroke position at a normal time is generally set to be a pedal operating force torque that a typical driver can apply to the brake pedal 40 with a normal force.Therefore, in the fourth embodiment using the fifth configuration, even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck, the fixation between the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, and thereby the brake pedal 40 rotates. Therefore, in the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure, a typical driver can depress and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force even if the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are inadvertently stuck to each other. (3) In the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the inner wall of the annular groove 90 provided in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other by press fitting. According to the above, by adjusting the press-fitting margin between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the restricting member 80, it is possible to release the fixation by applying a predetermined torque while the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are in a fixed state during a normal time. That is, the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 can be easily fixed by press fitting, thereby reducing the assembly cost of manufacturing. (Fifth embodiment)

[0089] The fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that part of the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is changed, and the rest is the same as the fourth embodiment, so only the differences from the fourth embodiment will be explained. The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment includes the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment.

[0090] Fig. 17 shows a relationship between the pedal stroke and the torque of the pedal operating force when the driver applies a load to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 while the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are in a non-clamping state.

[0091] On a solid line Z2 in Fig. 17, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic element 51 are not in contact during the pedal stroke from 0 to S3. When the pedal stroke is equal to S3, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic element 51 come into contact. When the pedal stroke is equal to S2, the brake pedal 40 is in its maximum stroke position.

[0092] When the pedal stroke is from 0 to S3, the torque of the pedal operating force increases as the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 increases. In a graph of Fig. 17, the torque of the pedal operating force at the pedal stroke of S3, that is, when the brake pedal 40 contacts the elastic member 51, is T6. Furthermore, in the description of the fifth embodiment, the torque at which the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a non-clamping state in which the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not stuck is referred to as follows. That is, such a torque is referred to as "a torque of the pedal operating force at a position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time."

[0093] When the pedal stroke is between S3 and S2, the torque of the pedal operating force increases rapidly due to an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and an increase in the elastic force acting on the brake pedal 40 from the elastic member 51. In the diagram of Fig. 17, the torque of the pedal operating force is T5 when the pedal stroke is S2, that is, when the brake pedal 40 is depressed to the maximum stroke position at a normal time.

[0094] Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment may adopt a sixth configuration described below in addition to the fourth and fifth configurations described in the fourth embodiment. The sixth configuration corresponds to a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the aforementioned elastic member 51 and further has the following configuration. That is, the sixth configuration corresponds to a configuration with the elastic member 51, wherein, when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 can be released.In the configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the elastic member 51, the torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to a torque at which the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread 43 at a normal time.

[0095] Specifically, in the fifth embodiment, the torque for releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 when a load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other is set to a torque (ie, the thrust release torque) as follows in the above-mentioned sixth configuration.

[0096] That is, when the sixth configuration described above is adopted, the brake pedal device 1 sets the thrust release torque to be larger than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time.

[0097] As shown by a solid line X4 in Fig. As shown in Figure 18, the restricting member interference fit margin according to the shear release torque T6 is equal to δ6. When the shear release torque is set to be in a range greater than 0 and less than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time, the restricting member interference fit margin is set to be in a range greater than 0 and less than δ6. Fig. 18, the range of the interference fit margin for the restriction element in such a case is indicated by a double-headed arrow F. By setting the range of the interference fit margin of the restriction element to be in the range indicated by the double-headed arrow F in Fig. 18, the sixth configuration mentioned above can be realized in this way.

[0098] In the brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment, it is also possible to adopt the fourth configuration or the fifth configuration, similarly to the above-mentioned fourth embodiment.

[0099] That is, in a case where the fourth configuration is used, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than a torque that damages at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 when a load is applied to the step surface 43 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restriction member 80 are stuck to each other. In such a case, the above-mentioned fourth configuration can be realized by setting the range of the interference fit margin of the restriction member to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow D in Fig. 18 is specified.

[0100] Furthermore, when adopting the fifth configuration, the brake pedal device 1 sets the thrust release torque to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the maximum stroke position at a normal time. In such a case, the above-described fifth configuration can be realized by setting the range of the interference fit margin of the restriction member to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow E in Fig. 18 shown range is set.

[0101] The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment described above has the following configuration and the effects derivable therefrom in addition to the effects described in the fourth embodiment.

[0102] The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment includes the elastic member 51 provided for a range in the entire operating range of the brake pedal 40 (i) from a position midway between the initial position and the maximum stroke position (ii) to the maximum stroke position. With such a configuration of the brake pedal device 1 of the present disclosure, when adopting the aforementioned sixth configuration, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque of the pedal operating force at the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 at a normal time. According to the above, the brake pedal device 1 may include the elastic member 51 that comes into contact with the brake pedal 40 in the second half of the pedal stroke to improve the feeling of the pedal operating force.In the brake pedal device 1 with such a configuration, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position from the position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51 is set to be extremely high. Therefore, if the driver is a weak driver, it may be difficult to depress the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position. On the other hand, the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the position where the brake pedal 40 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the brake pedal 40 in a non-clamping state in which the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not stuck is set to a torque of the pedal operation force that can be applied to the brake pedal 40 by a typical driver with a normal force.Note that it is possible to sufficiently decelerate the vehicle when the brake pedal 40 is depressed to a position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, when the sixth configuration is adopted, even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck to each other, the configuration is such that when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released. Therefore, with such a brake pedal device 1, a typical driver can depress and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force even if the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other. (Sixth Embodiment)

[0103] The sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The sixth embodiment differs from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that part of the configuration of the restriction member 80 is changed, and is otherwise the same as the fourth and fifth embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be explained.

[0104] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 19, a brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment includes a sealing member 13 provided at a position between a second side plate 412 of a brake pedal 40 and a housing cover 12. The sealing member 13 corresponds to an example of a foreign matter prevention structure that prevents foreign matter M2 from entering a second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12.

[0105] Specifically, the sealing member 13 is provided so as to surround a radially outer portion of a shaft 30. Furthermore, the sealing member 13 is formed, for example, from an O-ring or the like and fitted into a groove 14 provided in the housing cover 12. Even when the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 are displaced in the axial direction, the sealing member 13 is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with the second side plate 412, thereby preventing the foreign matter M2 from entering the second hole portion 72.

[0106] Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment includes a first restricting member 81 at a position between the housing body 11 and a first side plate 411, and does not include the second restricting member 82 at a position between the housing cover 12 and the second side plate 412.

[0107] The brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment described above includes the sealing member 13 at a position between the second side plate 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12 as a foreign matter prevention structure. In this way, the foreign matter M2 is prevented from entering a gap between the second side plate 412 and the housing cover 12. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment does not include the second restriction member 82 provided at a position between the second side plate 412 and the housing cover 12. In this way, if the brake pedal device 1 is structured to prevent the foreign matter M2 from entering a gap between the housing 10 and the brake pedal 40, there is no need to include the first restriction member 81 or the second restriction member 82.

[0108] Although not shown in the figure, the brake pedal device 1 need not have the first restriction member 81 if it (a) has a foreign matter prevention structure between the first side plate 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing main body 11, and (b) such a structure prevents the penetration of foreign matter M2 therethrough. Thus, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment can have a simplified configuration. (Seventh Embodiment)

[0109] The seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The seventh embodiment differs from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that part of the configuration of the restriction member 80 is changed, and the rest is the same as the fourth and fifth embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be explained.

[0110] As in Fig. 20, a brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment includes a first restriction member 81 provided on the surface of a housing body 11 facing a brake pedal 40, as shown in Fig. 20. Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment includes a third restricting member 83 provided on a surface of the housing body 11 facing away from the brake pedal 40. The brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment does not include a second restricting member 82 described in the fourth and fifth embodiments.

[0111] The third restriction member 83 is formed in an annular shape and provided to surround a radially outer portion of a shaft 30. The third restriction member 83 may have sliding contact with a rotating body 31 provided on the shaft 30. Therefore, it can also be said that the third restriction member 83 is provided on a surface of the housing body 11 facing the rotating body 31.

[0112] The rotating body 31 can be used, for example, as a sensor component forming part of a sensor device 60. In particular, when an inductive sensor is used as the sensor device 60, the rotating body 31 can be used as a target. Furthermore, the rotating body 31 can be used as a magnetic circuit section when a magnetic sensor is used as the sensor device 60.

[0113] On a surface of the housing body 11 facing the rotating body 31, a third annular groove 93 is provided, into which the third restriction member 83 is fitted. The third annular groove 93 is provided so as to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft 30. The third restriction member 83 is fixed to an inner wall of the third annular groove 93 by a press fit.

[0114] In the seventh embodiment, an axial movement range of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 is restricted by the first restricting member 81 and the third restricting member 83.

[0115] A distance D7 between a surface of the first restricting member 81 facing the brake pedal 40 and a surface of the third restricting member 83 facing the rotating body 31 is greater than a distance D8 between the brake pedal 40 and the rotating body 31 in the axial direction. Therefore, a predetermined gap G2 is provided at a position between the brake pedal 40 and the surface of the first restricting member 81 facing the brake pedal 40, allowing rotation of the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 about the axis with respect to the restricting member 80. Alternatively, the predetermined gap G2 is provided at a position between the surface of the third restricting member 83 facing the rotating body 31 and the rotating body 31, allowing the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 to rotate about the axis with respect to the restricting member 80.Therefore, the brake pedal 40 is movable in the axial direction in the range of the predetermined gap G2.

[0116] To simplify the explanation, Fig. 20 shows a state in which the third restricting member 83 and the rotating body 31 are in contact, and the gap G2 is created at a position between the first side plate 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81. The gap G2 is set so that it does not disappear even when the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, or the like expand and contract due to changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, in such a brake pedal device 1, the feeling of the pedal operation force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40 does not change and remains constant regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0117] However, by providing the gap G2 at a position between the first restriction member 81 and the brake pedal 40 or between the third restriction member 83 and the rotating body 31, as shown by the dashed line arrow in Fig. 20, a compromise exists in that there is a risk of the foreign matter M2 entering the gap G2. The foreign matter(s) M2 are, for example, sand, dirt, or the like. If the first restricting member 81 and the brake pedal 40 or the third restricting member 83 and the rotating body 31 are stuck and do not rotate because the foreign matter M2 is caught between them, the driver cannot depress and operate the brake pedal 40, which may cause a problem in vehicle braking.

[0118] On the other hand, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment, like the fourth to sixth embodiments, is configured such that when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, a predetermined torque is applied to release the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restriction member 80. Specifically, the fixation between the inner wall of the first annular groove 91 in the housing body 11 and the first restriction member 81, and the fixation between the inner wall of the third annular groove 93 in the housing body 11 and the third restriction member 83 are configured to be released by the predetermined torque described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the fourth to sixth embodiments. (Eighth Embodiment)

[0119] The eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The eighth embodiment differs from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that the configuration of a brake pedal 40 is changed, while other aspects are the same as those of the fourth and fifth embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be explained.

[0120] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 21, in a brake pedal device 1 of the eighth embodiment, a pedal arm 41 of a brake pedal 40 has a first side plate 411 and a second side plate 412 at least at a portion connected to a shaft 30, and no top plate 413. Even in such a configuration, the axially movable range of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 is restricted by the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the eighth embodiment can also have the same effects as the fourth and fifth embodiments. (Ninth Embodiment)

[0121] The ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The ninth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that a method for fixing the tubular member 20 and the housing 10 is changed, and other aspects are the same as those of the first to third embodiments. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first to third embodiments will be explained.

[0122] As in the Fig. 22 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 23, a tubular member 20 included in a brake pedal device 1 of the ninth embodiment is fixed to a hole portion 70 provided in a housing 10 by a rotation restricting portion 100. The rotation restricting portion 100 restricts rotation of the tubular member 20 with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion 70. Specifically, the rotation restricting portion 100 in the ninth embodiment includes a convex portion 110 protruding from a part of an axially facing surface of the tubular member 20 and a concave portion 120 provided in the hole portion 70 of the housing 10. The convex portion 110 provided on the tubular member 20 is configured to fit into the concave portion 120 provided in the hole portion 70 of the housing 10.Thereby, the rotation of the tubular member 20 with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 is restricted, and the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other.

[0123] In the ninth embodiment, there is a configuration in which, in a case where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42, the rotation restricting portion 100 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released. Specifically, there is a configuration in which, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck to each other, the convex portion 110 and / or the concave portion 120 constituting the rotation restricting portion 100 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released.As mentioned above, damage in the specification of the present disclosure includes destruction, deformation, displacement, or the like, and refers to a problem in the function of a damaged element or a change in the shape of the damaged element.

[0124] A torque of the pedaling force that causes damage to the rotation restricting portion 100 when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck to each other (i.e., a loosening torque) is set to the same torque as explained in the first and second embodiments. That is, there is a configuration in which the loosening torque is set to the same as the loosening torque set when adopting the first, second, or third configurations as described above in the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the material, shape, size, and the like of the convex portion 110 and / or the concave portion 120 constituting the rotation restricting portion 100 are adjusted.

[0125] The brake pedal device 1 of the above-described ninth embodiment has the following configuration and the effects derivable therefrom. (1) The brake pedal device 1 of the ninth embodiment includes the rotation restricting portion 100 on the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and / or the outer wall of the tubular member 20 to restrict rotation of the tubular member 20 with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion 70. The rotation restricting portion 100 is configured to break the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 by damaging it when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck to each other.Incidentally, as explained in the first to third embodiments, when the inner wall of the hole portion 70 provided in the fixed member and the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other by press fitting, the loosening torque may change because the change in ambient temperature causes a change in the press-fitting clamping force. That is, the loosening torque may become higher at low or high temperatures. On the other hand, in the ninth embodiment, the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other by the rotation restricting portion 100, and there is a configuration in which the rotation restricting portion 100 releases such fixation when a predetermined loosening torque is applied. According to the above, it becomes possible to set the loosening torque to be relatively small regardless of changes in ambient temperature.Therefore, in such a brake pedal device 1, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other, the driver can damage the rotation restricting portion 100 with a relatively small pedal operation force, release the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20, and perform pedal operation of the brake pedal 40. (2) In the ninth embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 100 includes the concave portion 120 provided on the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10, and the convex portion 110 protruding from the outer wall of the tubular member 20 and fitting into the concave portion 120. This configuration is such that when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck to each other, the concave portion 120 and / or the convex portion 110 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released. According to the above, it is possible to realize the rotation restricting portion 100 with a simplified configuration.

[0126] Although in the ninth embodiment, the concave portion 120 provided on the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and the convex portion 110 projecting from the outer wall of the tubular member 20 facing the axis direction and fitting into the concave portion 120 are explained as an example of the rotation restricting portion 100, the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited thereto. The rotation restricting portion 100 may be configured, for example, by a concave portion provided on the outer wall of the tubular member 20 and a convex portion projecting from the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and fitting into the concave portion.

[0127] Furthermore, the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned fitting between the concave portion 120 and the convex portion 110, but may also be configured in various ways, such as welding, caulking, fitting, and locking between the housing 10 and the tubular member 20. (Tenth Embodiment)

[0128] The tenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The tenth embodiment differs from the ninth embodiment in that the configuration of a rotation restricting portion 100 is changed, but the rest is similar to the ninth embodiment, so only the parts that differ from the ninth embodiment will be described.

[0129] As in the Fig. 24 and Fig. 25, the rotation restricting portion 100 in the tenth embodiment includes a convex portion 111 protruding from a part of a radially outwardly facing surface of the tubular member 20, and a concave portion 121 provided in a hole portion 70 of the housing 10. The convex portion 111 provided on the tubular member 20 is configured to fit into the concave portion 121 provided at the hole portion 70 of the housing 10. Thereby, rotation of the tubular member 20 with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 is restricted, and the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other.

[0130] Also in the tenth embodiment, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal plate 42, the rotation restricting portion 100 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 is released. Specifically, there is a configuration in which, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other, the convex portion 111 and / or the concave portion 121 constituting the rotation restricting portion 100 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released.

[0131] The release torque is set in the same manner as described in the first and second embodiments. That is, there is a configuration in which the release torque is set to the same as the set release torque when adopting the first, second, or third configurations described above in the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the material, shape, size, and the like of the convex portion 111 and / or the concave portion 121 constituting the rotation restricting portion 100 are adjusted.

[0132] The brake pedal device 1 of the tenth embodiment described above also has the same effects as the ninth embodiment.

[0133] In the above description of the tenth embodiment, although the convex portion 111 protruding from a part of the radially outward surface of the tubular member 20 and the concave portion 111 provided in the hole portion 70 of the housing 10 are explained as examples of the rotation restricting portion 100, the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited to this. For example, the rotation restricting portion 100 may include a concave portion provided on a surface of the tubular member 20 facing outward in the radial direction and a convex portion protruding from the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in the housing 10 and fitting into the concave portion. (Eleventh embodiment)

[0134] The eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The eleventh embodiment differs from the fourth to eighth embodiments in that a method for fixing the restriction member 80 and the housing 10 is changed, and other aspects are the same as those of the fourth to eighth embodiments, so only the parts different from the fourth to eighth embodiments will be explained.

[0135] As in the Fig. 26 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 27, a restricting member 80 included in a brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment is fixed to an annular groove 90 provided in a housing 10 by a second rotation restricting portion 200. The second rotation restricting portion 200 restricts the rotation of the restricting member 80 with respect to the inner wall of the annular groove 90. Specifically, in the eleventh embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is provided in a second convex portion 210 protruding from a part of a surface of the restricting member 80 facing the axis direction of a shaft 30, and a second concave portion 220 provided in the annular groove 90 in the housing 10. The second convex portion 210 provided on the restricting member 80 is configured to fit into the second concave portion 220 provided in the annular groove 90 in the housing 10.In this way, the rotation of the restricting member 80 about the axis with respect to the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 is restricted, and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other.

[0136] In the eleventh embodiment, in a case where the restricting member 80 and a brake pedal 40 are inadvertently stuck to each other, there is a configuration in which, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the brake pedal 40, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is damaged, and the fixation between the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released. Specifically, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck to each other, at least one of the second convex portion 210 and the second concave portion 220 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released.

[0137] The pedal operating force torque (i.e., the thrust release torque) that causes damage to the second rotation restricting portion 200 when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck to each other is set similarly to that in the fourth and fifth embodiments as described above. That is, the thrust release torque is set to the same as that in the description of the fourth and fifth embodiments when the fourth configuration, the fifth configuration, and the sixth configuration are adopted to damage the second rotation restricting portion 200.Specifically, the material, shape, size, and the like of the second convex portion 210 and / or the second concave portion 220 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 are adjusted.

[0138] The brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment described above has the following configuration and the effects derivable therefrom. (1) The brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment includes the second rotation restricting portion 200, which is provided on the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and / or on the outer wall of the restricting member 80, and restricts the rotation of the restricting member 80 with respect to the inner wall of the annular groove 90. The second rotation restricting portion 200 is configured to break the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 by being damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck to each other.Incidentally, as explained in the fourth to eighth embodiments, when the inner wall of the annular groove 90 provided in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other by press fitting, the press-fitting clamping force changes depending on the change in ambient temperature, possibly causing a change in the thrust release torque. That is, the thrust release torque may become higher at low temperatures or at high temperatures. In contrast, in the eleventh embodiment, there is a configuration in which the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other by the second rotation restricting portion 200, and such fixation is released by the second rotation restricting portion 200 when a predetermined thrust release torque is applied.In this way, it is possible to set the thrust release torque to a relatively small value regardless of changes in ambient temperature. Therefore, with such a brake pedal device 1, even if the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other, the driver can damage the second rotation restricting portion 200 with a relatively small pedal operating force, and the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released, and the brake pedal 40 can be depressed and operated. (2) In the eleventh embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 includes the second concave portion 220 provided on the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10, and the second convex portion 210 protruding from the outer wall of the restricting member 80 and fitted into the second concave portion 220. The second concave portion 220 and / or the second convex portion 210 are damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the tread 43 of the pedal plate 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck to each other, and the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released. In this way, it is possible to realize the second rotation restricting portion 200 with a simplified configuration.

[0139] In the eleventh embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is exemplified by the second concave portion 220 provided on the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the second convex portion 210 protruding from the outer wall of the restricting member 80 facing the axis direction of the shaft 30. However, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited to the above. For example, the second rotation restricting portion 200 may be configured by the second concave portion provided on the outer wall of the restricting member 80 facing the axis direction and the second convex portion protruding from the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and fitting into the second concave portion.

[0140] Furthermore, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited to the above-described fitting between the second concave portion 220 and the second convex portion 210, but may be configured in various ways, for example, by welding, caulking, fitting and locking between the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 or the like. (Twelfth Embodiment)

[0141] The twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The twelfth embodiment differs from the eleventh embodiment in the configuration of the second rotation restricting portion 200, and is otherwise the same as the eleventh embodiment, so only the parts that differ from the eleventh embodiment will be explained.

[0142] As in the Fig. 28 and Fig. 29, in the twelfth embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 includes a second convex portion 211 protruding from a part of a surface of a restricting member 80 facing radially outward, and a second concave portion 221 provided in an annular groove 90 of a housing 10. The second convex portion 211 provided on the restricting member 80 is configured to fit into a second concave portion 221 provided at the annular groove 90 in the housing 10. In this way, the rotation of the restricting member 80 is restricted with respect to the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10, and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 are fixed to each other.

[0143] Also in the twelfth embodiment, in a case where the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are inadvertently stuck to each other when a predetermined load is applied to a tread surface 43 of a pedal plate 42, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released. Specifically, when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck to each other, at least one of the second convex portion 211 and the second concave portion 221 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 is damaged, and the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 is released.

[0144] The thrust release torque is set in the same manner as described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. That is, the thrust release torque is set to the same as in the description of the fourth and fifth embodiments when the fourth configuration, the fifth configuration, and the sixth configuration are adopted to prevent damage to the second rotation restricting portion 200. Specifically, the material, shape, size, and the like of the second convex portion 211 and / or the second concave portion 221 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 are adjusted.

[0145] A brake pedal device 1 of the above-described twelfth embodiment also achieves the same effects as those of the eleventh embodiment.

[0146] In the twelfth embodiment, although the second convex portion 211 protruding from a part of the surface of the restricting member 80 facing outward in the radial direction and a second convex portion 211 provided in the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 are explained as an example of the second rotation restricting portion 200, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited thereto. For example, the second rotation restricting portion 200 may be configured to include a second concave portion provided on a surface of the restricting member 80 facing outward in the radial direction and a second convex portion protruding from the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and fitting into the second concave portion. (Thirteenth Embodiment)

[0147] The thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The thirteenth embodiment corresponds to a combination of the first and fourth embodiments.

[0148] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 30, a brake pedal device 1 of the twelfth embodiment includes a tubular member 20 and a restricting member 80. The tubular member 20 is provided at a position between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 in a housing 10 and the shaft 30. The restricting member 80 is provided at a position between a side plate of a brake pedal 40 and the housing 10 to surround a region outside the shaft 30 in the radial direction. The configurations of the tubular member 20 and the restricting member 80 are the same as those described in the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment, respectively.

[0149] As shown in the thirteenth embodiment, the brake pedal device 1 may be configured to include both the tubular member 20 and the restricting member 80. In the thirteenth embodiment, a combination of the first and fourth embodiments is exemplified, but the above-described embodiments and partial combinations thereof are not limited to such an example. That is, the above-described embodiments and partial combinations thereof are not independent of each other and can be appropriately combined even if not shown in the figures, unless a combination is clearly impossible. (Other embodiments) (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the brake pedal device 1 was described as being used in a complete brake-by-wire system 2, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above. The brake pedal device 1 can be used in the brake-by-wire system 2 in which a component of a brake mechanism 4 (e.g., a master cylinder) and a brake pedal 40 are mechanically connected. In this case, since the brake pedal 40 receives a hydraulic reaction force from the master cylinder of the brake mechanism 4, the reaction force generation mechanism 50 can be omitted. (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, as the brake pedal device 1, a so-called hanging type device was exemplified, in which a part of the brake pedal 40 operated by a driver's foot is arranged below the rotation axis CL in the direction of gravity when mounted on a vehicle. However, the brake pedal device 1 is not limited to the above. For example, the brake pedal device 1 may be a so-called standing type device in which a part of the brake pedal 40 operated by a driver's foot is arranged above the rotation axis CL in the direction of gravity when mounted on a vehicle. (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the fixed member included in the brake pedal device 1 is described as the housing 10. However, the fixed member is not limited to the above and may be a molded product such as a bracket.

[0150] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are not necessarily essential unless the above description expressly indicates that the elements or features are essential, or unless the elements or features are obviously essential in principle.Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, when referring to numerical values ​​such as a number, a numerical value, a quantity, a range, and the like of the constituent elements of the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific number except in the case where the numerical values ​​are expressly particularly indispensable, in the case where the numerical values ​​are obviously fundamentally limited to a certain number, and the like. A shape, a positional relationship, or the like of a structural element referred to in the above-described embodiments is not limited to the described shape, the described positional relationship, or the like unless it is expressly described or it is obviously necessary to be fundamentally limited.

[0151] Features of the present disclosure are set forth below. [Aspect 1]

[0152] A brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle, the brake pedal device comprising: a fixed element (10, 11, 12) to be attached directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported by an interior of a hole portion (70, 71, 72) provided in the fixed member and provided around a predetermined axis (CL) with respect to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) which is fixed to the shaft and is actuated in a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a user; and a tubular member (20, 21, 22) provided at a position between an inner wall of the hole portion and the shaft, wherein a predetermined gap (G1) is provided between the inner wall of the tubular member on a radially inner side and the shaft to allow the shaft to rotate about the axis with respect to the tubular member, the tubular member and the inner wall of the hole portion provided in the fixed member are fixed to each other, and when, in a clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force, a torque which releases a fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member in the clamping state is greater than 0 and smaller than a damage torque of the load applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state, which damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween. [Aspect 2]

[0153] The brake pedal device according to aspect 1, wherein the torque that releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on a depression side when the load is applied to the predetermined position in a non-clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are not clamped to each other. [Aspect 3]

[0154] The brake pedal device according to aspect 1 or 2, further comprising: an elastic member (51) provided in an operating range of the brake pedal from a position midway between an initial position in which the driver's pedal operating force is not applied to the brake pedal and the maximum stroke position on the depression side to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, wherein the torque which releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position in which the brake pedal comes into contact with the elastic member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the non-clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are not clamped to each other. [Aspect 4]

[0155] The brake pedal device according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the inner wall of the hole portion provided in the fixed member and the tubular member are fixed to each other by press fitting. [Aspect 5]

[0156] The brake pedal device according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising: a rotation restricting portion (100) provided on the inner wall of the hole portion and / or an outer wall of the tubular member for restricting rotation of the tubular member with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion, wherein the rotation restricting portion is configured to be damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined location in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are tightly fitted to each other, and to release the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member. [Aspect 6]

[0157] The brake pedal device according to aspect 5, wherein the rotation restriction section includes: a concave portion (120) provided either on the inner wall of the hole portion or on the outer wall of the tubular member; and a convex portion (110) which protrudes from one of the inner wall of the hole portion and the outer wall of the tubular member and fits into the concave portion, and the concave portion and / or the convex portion is configured such that it is damaged when the predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are tightly fitted to each other, and releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member. [Aspect 7]

[0158] A brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a fixed element (10, 11, 12) to be attached directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported by an interior of a hole portion (70, 71, 72) provided in the fixed member and provided so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) with respect to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) fixed to the shaft to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft and configured to move within a predetermined angular range about the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; and a restricting member (80, 81, 82) provided to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft at a position between an axially facing surface (411a, 412a) of the brake pedal and the fixed member and to restrict a movable range of the shaft and the brake pedal in the axial direction, wherein a predetermined gap (G2) is provided at a position between the axially facing surface of the brake pedal and the restricting member to cause the shaft and the brake pedal to rotate about the axis with respect to the restricting member, the fixed element and the constraint element are fixed to each other, and a torque that releases a fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when, in a clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force is greater than 0 and smaller than a damage torque that damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween when the load is applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state. [Aspect 8]

[0159] The brake pedal device according to aspect 7, wherein the torque that releases the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on a depression side when the load is applied to the predetermined position in a non-clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are not clamped to each other. [Aspect 9]

[0160] The brake pedal device according to aspect 7 or 8, further comprising: an elastic member (51) provided in an operating range of the brake pedal from a position midway between an initial position in which the driver's pedal operating force is not applied to the brake pedal and the maximum stroke position on the depression side to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, wherein the torque that releases the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where the brake pedal comes into contact with the elastic member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the non-clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are not clamped to each other. [Aspect 10]

[0161] The brake pedal device according to any one of aspects 7 to 9, wherein the fixed member and the restricting member are fixed to each other by press-fitting the restricting member into an annular groove (90, 91, 92) provided in the fixed member to surround an outer periphery of the shaft. [Aspect 11]

[0162] The brake pedal device according to any one of aspects 7 to 9, further comprising: a second rotation restricting portion (200) provided on the fixed member and / or the restricting member for restricting rotation of the restricting member about the axis with respect to the fixed member, wherein the second rotation restricting portion is configured to be damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in a state where the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, and to release the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member. [Aspect 12]

[0163] The brake pedal device according to aspect 11, wherein the second rotation restriction section includes a second concave portion (220) provided on either the fixed member or the restricting member, and a second convex portion (210) protruding from another of the fixed member and the restricting member and fitting into the second concave portion, and the second concave portion and / or the second convex portion is configured to be damaged when the predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in a state where the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, and to release the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2022-075567

[0001] JP 6148642

[0004]

Claims

[1] Brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle, the brake pedal device comprising: a fixed element (10, 11, 12) to be attached directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported by an interior of a hole portion (70, 71, 72) provided in the fixed member and provided so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) with respect to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) which is fixed to the shaft and is actuated in a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a user; and a tubular member (20, 21, 22) provided at a position between an inner wall of the hole portion and the shaft, wherein a predetermined gap (G1) is provided between the inner wall of the tubular member on a radially inner side and the shaft to allow the shaft to rotate about the axis with respect to the tubular member, the tubular member and the inner wall of the hole portion provided in the fixed member are fixed to each other, and when, in a clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force, a torque which releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member in the clamping state is greater than 0 and smaller than a damage torque of the load applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state, which damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween. [2] The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the torque which releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on a depression side when the load is applied to the predetermined position in a non-clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are not clamped to each other. [3] Brake pedal device according to claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member (51) provided in an operating range of the brake pedal from a position midway between an initial position in which the driver's pedal operating force is not applied to the brake pedal and the maximum stroke position on the depression side to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, wherein the torque which releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position in which the brake pedal comes into contact with the elastic member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the non-clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are not clamped to each other. [4] A brake pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner wall of the hole portion provided in the fixed member and the tubular member are fixed to each other by a press fit. [5] Brake pedal device according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a rotation restricting portion (100) provided on the inner wall of the hole portion and / or an outer wall of the tubular member to restrict rotation of the tubular member with respect to the inner wall of the hole portion, wherein the rotation restricting portion is configured to be damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined location in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are tightly fitted to each other, and to release the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member. [6] Brake pedal device according to claim 5, wherein the rotation restriction section includes: a concave portion (120) provided either on the inner wall of the hole portion or on the outer wall of the tubular member; and a convex portion (110) which protrudes from one of the inner wall of the hole portion and the outer wall of the tubular member and fits into the concave portion, and the concave portion and / or the convex portion is configured such that it is damaged when the predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the tubular member and the shaft are tightly fitted to each other, and releases the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member. [7] A brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle, the brake pedal device comprising: a fixed element (10, 11, 12) to be attached directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported by an interior of a hole portion (70, 71, 72) provided in the fixed member and provided so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) with respect to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) fixed to the shaft to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft and configured to move within a predetermined angular range about the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; and a restricting member (80, 81, 82) provided to surround a radially outer portion of the shaft at a position between an axially facing surface (411a, 412a) of the brake pedal and the fixed member and to restrict a movable range of the shaft and the brake pedal in the axial direction, wherein a predetermined gap (G2) is provided at a position between the axially facing surface of the brake pedal and the restricting member to cause the shaft and the brake pedal to rotate about the axis with respect to the restricting member, the fixed element and the constraint element are fixed to each other, and a torque that releases a fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member when, in a clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other, a load is applied to a predetermined position of the brake pedal at which the driver can apply a pedal operating force is greater than 0 and smaller than a damage torque that damages at least one of the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, or at least one of connection points therebetween when the load is applied to the predetermined position of the brake pedal in the clamping state. [8] The brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein the torque that releases the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on a depression side when the load is applied to the predetermined position in a non-clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are not clamped to each other. [9] Brake pedal device according to claim 7, further comprising: an elastic member (51) provided in an operating range of the brake pedal from a position midway between an initial position in which the driver's pedal operating force is not applied to the brake pedal and the maximum stroke position on the depression side to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, wherein the torque that releases the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are clamped to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where the brake pedal comes into contact with the elastic member when the load is applied to the predetermined position in the non-clamping state in which the restricting member and the brake pedal are not clamped to each other. [10] A brake pedal device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the fixed member and the restricting member are fixed to each other by press-fitting the restricting member into an annular groove (90, 91, 92) provided in the fixed member to surround an outer periphery of the shaft. [11] Brake pedal device according to one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising: a second rotation restricting portion (200) provided on the fixed member and / or the restricting member for restricting rotation of the restricting member about the axis with respect to the fixed member, wherein the second rotation restricting portion is configured to be damaged when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in a state where the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, and to release the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member. [12] Brake pedal device according to claim 11, wherein the second rotation restriction section includes a second concave portion (220) provided on either the fixed member or the restricting member, and a second convex portion (210) protruding from another of the fixed member and the restricting member and fitting into the second concave portion, and the second concave portion and / or the second convex portion is configured to be damaged when the predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position in a state where the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, and to release the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member.

Images