Accelerator pedal device

Abstract

To provide an accelerator pedal device which can eliminate a reaction force dead zone during an accelerator operation and improve driver's comfort when a footrest is used.SOLUTION: An accelerator pedal device having an accelerator operation function and a footrest function includes a pedal pad 10, a drive part 30, a power transmission part 31, a locked part 40, a lock pin 42, a lock pin moving mechanism 50, and a control device 110. The control device 110 controls driving of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to a non-contact position where the lock pin 42 does not contact with the locked part 40 during the accelerator operation function being performed. Further, the control device 110 controls driving of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to a contact position where the lock pin 42 contacts with the locked part 40 during the footrest function being performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an accelerator pedal device having an accelerator operation function and a footrest function. [Background technology]

[0002] The accelerator pedal device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pedal pad, a first power transmission unit, a second power transmission unit, a drive unit, a locked unit, and a lock pin. The pedal pad is depressed by the driver, and is in a fully closed position when the driver's pedal force is not applied, and moves to a fully open position when the driver's pedal force increases. The first power transmission unit and the second power transmission unit are provided coaxially. The first power transmission unit is driven by the drive unit, and the second power transmission unit is driven together with the pedal pad. The lock pin is capable of engaging the locked unit provided on the first power transmission unit.

[0003] In this accelerator pedal device, when the driver operates the pedal pad to execute the accelerator operation function, a first stopper provided in the first power transmission unit and a second stopper provided in the second power transmission unit come into contact with each other as the pedal pad moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position. This makes it possible to transmit the torque output by the drive unit from the first power transmission unit to the pedal pad via the second power unit. Therefore, by adjusting the torque, a reaction force can be applied to the pedal pad against the depressing force applied by the driver.

[0004] In addition, when the accelerator pedal device is executing the footrest function, when the pedal pad is in the fully closed position, the drive unit drives the first power transmission unit, and the locked portion can be moved to a position where it is locked by the lock pin. At that time, the first stopper moves to a position adjacent to the second stopper. When the driver places his / her foot on the pedal pad in this state, the weight of the foot causes the pedal pad to move slightly in the opening direction, causing the first stopper and the second stopper to come into contact with each other, and the operation of the first power transmission unit and the second power transmission unit is restricted. This allows the pedal pad to be used as a footrest without energizing the drive unit.

[0005] In addition, with this accelerator pedal device, when the footrest function is being activated or in an emergency, if the driver presses hard on the pedal pad, the locked state between the locked portion and the lock pin is released, allowing the driver to operate the accelerator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-62895 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the accelerator pedal device described in Patent Document 1, when the accelerator operation function is executed, there is a reaction force dead zone in which the torque output by the drive unit cannot be transmitted to the pedal pad from the time the pedal pad is first depressed until the first stopper and the second stopper come into contact.

[0008] In addition, in this accelerator pedal device, when the footrest function is activated, the position where the pedal pad can be used as a footrest is limited to near the fully closed position. In general, the fully closed position of the pedal pad is a position where the driver places his / her foot on the pedal pad with the toes pointing upward relative to the heel of the foot, which may reduce the comfort of using the footrest.

[0009] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an accelerator pedal device that can eliminate the reaction force dead zone during accelerator operation and improve the comfort of the driver when using a footrest. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an accelerator pedal device having an accelerator operation function and a footrest function includes: a pedal pad (10) that is in a fully closed position when no pedal force is applied by the driver during execution of an accelerator operation function, and that moves to a fully open position as the driver's pedal force increases; A drive unit (30) that is driven by energization; a power transmission unit (31) that can be driven by power transmitted from the drive unit and a pedal force transmitted by a driver from a pedal pad, and that can transmit the power transmitted from the drive unit to the pedal pad; a locked portion (40) that moves together with the power transmission portion; a lock pin (42) that is capable of contacting the locked portion when the pedal pad is at any footrest position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, and that restricts movement of the locked portion and drive of the power transmission portion when the lock pin contacts the locked portion; a lock pin moving mechanism (50) capable of moving the lock pin between an abutment position where the lock pin abuts against the locked portion and a non-abutment position where the lock pin does not abut against the locked portion; The vehicle is equipped with a control device (110) that controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to a non-contact position when the accelerator operation function is performed, and to move the lock pin to a contact position when the footrest function is performed.

[0011] According to this, when the accelerator operation function is executed, if the lock pin is in the non-abutment position, the power of the drive unit can be transmitted from the power transmission unit to the pedal pad in the entire range of the pedal pad from the fully closed position to the fully open position. Therefore, when the accelerator operation function is executed, there is no reaction force dead zone in which the power of the drive unit cannot be transmitted to the pedal pad. In addition, when the footrest function is performed, if the lock pin is in the abutment position, the lock pin and the locked pin come into contact when the driver depresses the pedal pad to any footrest position. Therefore, the movement of the pedal pad in the opening direction is restricted via the locked part and the power transmission part. Therefore, the pedal pad can be turned into a footrest at any angle, improving comfort when using the footrest. The footrest position is the position where, when the pedal pad is depressed, the force is transmitted from the pedal pad via the power transmission unit to the locked pin, causing the lock pin and the locked pin to come into contact and restricting movement of the pedal pad in the opening direction.

[0012] Note that the reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a pedal pad is in a fully closed position when an accelerator operation function is being executed in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a control block diagram of an accelerator pedal device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a lock pin and a lock pin moving mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a pedal pad is in a fully open position when an accelerator operation function is being executed in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a footless state in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state when a footrest function is being executed in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a footrest is automatically released in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10]1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the footrest is released from depression in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a time chart showing the operation of each component included in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 3 is a time chart showing the operation of each component included in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 5 is a flowchart for explaining a control process in a footless mode in the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an accelerator pedal device according to a second embodiment in a footless state. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a lock pin moving mechanism included in an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an accelerator pedal device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an accelerator pedal device according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 23] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the pedal pad is in a fully closed position when an accelerator operation function is being executed in an accelerator pedal device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 24]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state when a footrest function is being executed in an accelerator pedal device according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] 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 the description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The accelerator pedal device of the first embodiment has an accelerator operation function and a footrest function. Specifically, the accelerator pedal device can provide an appropriate reaction force to the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal pad 10 when the driver performs the accelerator operation function to instruct the vehicle to accelerate. In addition, when the accelerator pedal device performs the footrest function during automatic driving of the vehicle, the pedal pad 10 can be fixed at any footrest position to serve as a footrest.

[0016] In the first embodiment, an organ-type accelerator pedal device will be described as an example. The organ-type accelerator pedal device refers to a device in which a portion of the pedal pad 10 to which a driver applies a pedal force is disposed above the axis of rotation of the pedal pad 10 (i.e., the first fulcrum member 15) in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0017] <Configuration of accelerator pedal device> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the accelerator pedal device includes a pedal lever 1, a housing 2, a power transmission mechanism 3, a lock mechanism 4, a lock pin position sensor 5, a pedal opening sensor 6, a motor control device 7, and a lock pin moving mechanism control device 8.

[0018] The housing 2 is attached to the vehicle body and serves as a support for the pedal lever 1, the power transmission mechanism 3, the lock mechanism 4, and the like.

[0019] The pedal lever 1 includes a pedal pad 10, a connecting portion 11, a synchronously movable portion 12, and a pedal biasing member 13. The pedal pad 10 is a portion that is stepped on by the driver's foot, and is rotatably supported by a first fulcrum member 15 provided on the housing 2 on the floor 14 side of the vehicle. One end 16 of the connecting portion 11 is rotatably connected to the pedal pad 10, and the other end 17 is rotatably connected to the synchronously movable portion 12. The synchronously movable portion 12 is provided on the floor 14 side of the pedal pad 10, and is rotatably supported by a second fulcrum member 18 provided on the housing 2 on the floor 14 side. The pedal biasing member 13 is provided on the floor 14 side of the synchronously movable portion 12, and biases the synchronously movable portion 12 toward the pedal pad 10. As a result, when the driver applies a stepping force to the pedal pad 10, the pedal pad 10, the connecting portion 11, and the synchronously movable portion 12 are driven together.

[0020] When the accelerator operation function is executed, the position of the pedal pad 10 when the driver is not applying a pedal force is called the fully closed position, and the position to which the pedal pad 10 is moved to the maximum by the driver's application of a pedal force is called the fully open position. The fully closed position of the pedal pad 10 is determined by a fully closed stopper (not shown), and the fully open position of the pedal pad 10 is determined by a fully open stopper (not shown). The pedal biasing member 13 biases the pedal pad 10 in the direction of the fully closed position (hereinafter referred to as the "closing direction").

[0021] The power transmission mechanism 3 has a drive unit 30 and a power transmission unit 31. The drive unit 30 is composed of a motor, a reducer (not shown), etc. The drive unit 30 is driven by energization and applies torque to the power transmission unit 31.

[0022] The power transmission unit 31 is formed in a disk shape, and is driven to rotate about the axis CL by the torque applied from the drive unit 30. An actuator lever 34 is connected to the power transmission unit 31. One end 35 of the actuator lever 34 is fixed to the power transmission unit 31, and the other end 36 of the actuator lever 34 abuts against the rear surface of the pedal pad 10 (i.e., the surface of the pedal pad 10 on the floor 14 side). Therefore, the power transmission unit 31 can transmit the torque applied from the drive unit 30 to the pedal pad 10 via the actuator lever 34. On the other hand, when the pedal pad 10 moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position (hereinafter referred to as the "open direction") due to an increase in the pedal force of the driver, the pedal force is transmitted to the power transmission unit 31 via the actuator lever 34. Therefore, the power transmission unit 31 is also driven to rotate by the pedal force of the driver transmitted from the pedal pad 10 via the actuator lever 34.

[0023] The actuator lever biasing member 37 biases the actuator lever 34 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the actuator lever 34 moves in association with the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction. As a result, an end 36 of the actuator lever 34 on the pedal pad 10 side comes into contact with the rear surface of the pedal pad 10.

[0024] The locking mechanism 4 includes a locked portion 40, a housing portion 41, a lock pin 42, a lock elastic member 43, and a lock pin moving mechanism 50. The locked portion 40 is fixed to the power transmission portion 31 and moves with the rotation of the power transmission portion 31. Specifically, the locked portion 40 is fixed to the outer wall of the power transmission portion 31 on the radially outer side. Here, a virtual line connecting the axis CL of rotation of the power transmission portion 31 and the center of the locked portion 40 is referred to as a first virtual line VL1. The surface of the locked portion 40 facing the rotation direction of the power transmission portion 31 is an inclined surface 44 that is inclined so as to approach the first virtual line VL1 side in a direction from the radial inner side to the radial outer side of the power transmission portion 31.

[0025] The accommodation portion 41 is provided at an end of a shaft 51 of the lock pin moving mechanism 50. The accommodation portion 41 accommodates the lock pin 42 and the lock elastic member 43 inside. A part of the lock pin 42 protrudes from an opening provided in the accommodation portion 41 toward the power transmission portion 31. Here, a virtual line passing through the center of the lock pin 42 and extending in the moving direction of the lock pin 42 is referred to as a second virtual line VL2. The surface of the lock pin 42 facing the rotation direction of the power transmission portion 31 is an inclined surface 45 that is inclined so as to approach the second virtual line VL2 in the direction from the lock elastic member 43 side toward the power transmission portion 31 side.

[0026] The locking elastic member 43 biases the locking pin 42 toward the power transmission unit 31. Therefore, the locking elastic member 43 restricts the locking pin 42 from being displaced in a direction into the accommodation unit 41 with a predetermined elastic force. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, when the locking pin 42 and the locked unit 40 come into contact with each other, the locking pin 42 can restrict the rotation of the locked unit 40 and the power transmission unit 31 in the opening direction with a predetermined release pedal force. The opening direction of the locked unit 40 and the power transmission unit 31 is the direction in which the power transmission unit 31 rotates in association with the rotation of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction. The predetermined release pedal force will be described later.

[0027] The lock pin moving mechanism 50 is provided in the housing 2. The lock pin moving mechanism 50 can move the accommodation portion 41, the lock elastic member 43, and the lock pin 42 as a unit closer to the power transmission portion 31, and move them as a unit farther away from the power transmission portion 31. As shown in Fig. 8, when the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the lock pin 42 and the like closer to the power transmission portion 31, the lock pin 42 can abut against the locked portion 40 when the pedal pad 10 is in any footrest position. This position of the lock pin 42 is called the "abutment position" or "lock position." The footrest position is a position where the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40 come into contact with each other when the pedal pad 10 is depressed, restricting the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction, and is set to any position between the fully closed position and the fully open position of the pedal pad 10. In the first embodiment, the footrest position is set to a position where the pedal pad 10 is depressed a predetermined angle toward the fully open position from the fully closed position.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 1, when the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the lock pin 42 away from the power transmission unit 31, the lock pin 42 does not abut against the locked portion 40 when the pedal pad 10 moves from the fully closed position to the fully open position. This position of the lock pin 42 is called the "non-abutment position" or the "release position." In this way, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 can move the lock pin 42 between the abutment position (i.e., the locked position) and the non-abutment position (i.e., the released position).

[0029] The lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured to be able to hold the lock pin 42 at the abutment position and the non-abutment position without applying current. An example of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is shown in Figs.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 includes a shaft 51, a case 52, a solenoid coil 53, a permanent magnet 54, and the like. The case 52 is made of a magnetic material, and houses a part of the shaft 51, the solenoid coil 53, the permanent magnet 54, and the like inside the case 52. The shaft 51 is made of a magnetic material, and is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating relative to the case 52 in a direction in which the axis of the shaft 51 extends (hereinafter, referred to as the "axial direction of the shaft 51"). The housing portion 41, the lock pin 42, and the lock elastic member 43 are provided in a portion of the shaft 51 that protrudes outward from the case 52. In the following description, the side on which the housing portion 41, etc. are arranged in the axial direction of the shaft 51 is referred to as one side, and the opposite side is referred to as the other side.

[0031] The solenoid coil 53 and the permanent magnet 54 are formed in a cylindrical shape, and are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the shaft 51 inside the case 52. The permanent magnet 54 has magnetic poles on one and the other sides in the axial direction of the shaft 51. A non-magnetic body 55 is provided between the solenoid coil 53 and the permanent magnet 54. A non-magnetic body 56 is also provided on the opposite side of the permanent magnet 54 to the solenoid coil 53.

[0032] A protrusion 57 is provided on a portion of the shaft 51 that is located inside the case 52. The protrusion 57 is made of a magnetic material. Inside the case 52, attraction portions 58 and 59 for magnetically attracting the protrusion 57 of the shaft 51 are provided on one side and the other side of the shaft 51 in the axial direction of the shaft 51 relative to the protrusion 57. In the following description, the attraction portion provided on one side (i.e., the lock pin 42 side) is referred to as a first attraction portion 58, and the attraction portion provided on the other side (i.e., the opposite side to the lock pin 42) is referred to as a second attraction portion 59.

[0033] 3 shows an example of a state where no current is applied to the solenoid coil 53. In this state, the protrusion 57 is magnetically attracted to the second attraction portion 59 by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 54 (hereinafter referred to as the "magnetic field of the permanent magnet 54"), and the shaft 51 moves to the other side.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a state where the solenoid coil 53 is energized so that a current flows in a predetermined direction. At this time, the magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil 53 and the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 54 cancel out the magnetic attraction force on the second attraction part 59 side, and the magnetic attraction force on the first attraction part 58 side is strengthened. Therefore, as shown by the arrow A, the protrusion 57 is magnetically attracted to the first attraction part 58, and the shaft 51 moves to one side. Even if the energization of the solenoid coil 53 is stopped after the shaft 51 moves to one side, the protrusion 57 remains magnetically attracted to the first attraction part 58 due to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 54. Therefore, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 can hold the lock pin 42 at the abutment position without energization. The holding force with which the lock pin moving mechanism 50 holds the lock pin 42 at the abutment position without energization is set to be larger than the release pedal force of the lock pin 42 described later.

[0035] 5 shows a state in which the solenoid coil 53 is energized so that a current flows in the opposite direction to that in FIG. 4. At this time, the magnetic field generated by the solenoid coil 53 and the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 54 cancel out the magnetic attraction force on the first attraction portion 58 side, and the magnetic attraction force on the second attraction portion 59 side is strengthened. Therefore, as shown by the arrow B, the protrusion 57 is magnetically attracted to the second attraction portion 59, and the shaft 51 moves to the other side. Even if the energization of the solenoid coil 53 is stopped after the shaft 51 moves to the other side, the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 54 keeps the protrusion 57 magnetically attracted to the second attraction portion 59. Therefore, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 can hold the lock pin 42 in the non-contact position without energization.

[0036] 2, the lock pin position sensor 5 detects the position of the lock pin 42. The pedal opening sensor 6 detects the opening of the pedal pad 10. The input unit 9 is a mechanism that allows the driver to input a command to turn the footrest into a footrest and a command to release the footrest. The input unit 9 may be, for example, a switch that can be operated by the driver, a touch panel, or a microphone for voice input.

[0037] The control system 100 includes a vehicle control device 101, a motor control device 7, and a lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 that are mounted on a vehicle. The control devices 7, 8, and 101 that constitute the control system 100, the lock pin position sensor 5, the pedal opening sensor 6, and the input unit 9 are connected via an in-vehicle LAN using CAN communication or the like, or a wire harness, for example. Therefore, the detection signal of the lock pin position sensor 5, the detection signal of the pedal opening sensor 6, and the signal of the input unit 9 are transmitted to the vehicle control device 101, the motor control device 7, and the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 that constitute the control system 100, respectively.

[0038] The vehicle control device 101, the motor control device 7, and the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 are all electronic control devices having a microcomputer including a processor and memories such as ROM and RAM, and their peripheral circuits. The memory is a non-transient substantial storage medium. The electronic control device executes control of each part by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. Specifically, the vehicle control device 101 controls the running state of the vehicle, etc. The motor control device 7 controls the drive of the drive unit 30 by controlling the supply of electricity to the motor constituting the drive unit 30. The lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 by controlling the supply of electricity to the solenoid coil 53 of the lock pin moving mechanism 50. The motor control device 7 and the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 may be integrated as a control device 110 of the accelerator pedal device. In the following description, the motor control device 7 and the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 are collectively referred to as the "control device 110".

[0039] <Accelerator pedal device operations> Next, the accelerator operation function and the footrest function executed by the accelerator pedal device of the first embodiment and the switching operation between these functions will be described.

[0040] <When the accelerator operation function is executed> 1 shows a state in which the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position when the accelerator operation function is executed. The pedal pad 10 is held in the fully closed position by the biasing force of the pedal biasing member 13. The actuator lever 34 is in contact with the rear surface of the pedal pad 10 by the biasing force of the actuator lever biasing member 37. At this time, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to the non-contact position.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a state where the driver depresses the pedal pad 10 to the fully open position when the accelerator operation function is executed. In FIG. 6, the fully closed position of the pedal pad 10 is indicated by a broken line 10a, and the position of the locked part 40 when the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position is indicated by a broken line 40a. When the pedal pad 10 is depressed, the power transmission part 31 rotates accordingly. As the power transmission part 31 rotates, the locked part 40 moves in the rotation direction of the power transmission part 31. Since the lock pin 42 has moved to the non-contact position, the lock pin 42 and the locked part 40 do not contact each other. The drive part 30 can apply a reaction force against the driver's depressing force to the pedal pad 10 via the power transmission mechanism 3 and the actuator lever 34.

[0042] The control device 110 can detect the position of the lock pin 42 based on a detection signal from the lock pin position sensor 5. The lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 constantly monitors the position of the lock pin 42 while the accelerator operation function is being executed. When the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 detects that the lock pin 42 is in the abutment position due to a malfunction of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 or the like, it drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to the non-abutment position. This prevents interference between the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40, and prevents the driver's pedal operation from becoming worse.

[0043] <When used as a footrest> FIG. 7 shows a state in which the accelerator operation function is switched to the footrest function. The footrest function is started when the driver inputs a command to switch to the footrest function to the input unit 9. At this time, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 when the pedal pad 10 is closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position, and moves the lock pin 42 from the non-contact position to the contact position as shown by the arrow M1. The lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 may drive the drive unit 30 when the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position. After moving the lock pin 42 to the contact position, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 stops the supply of electricity to the lock pin moving mechanism 50.

[0044] <When the footrest function is running> 8 shows the state when the footrest function is being executed. The lock pin 42 is held at the abutment position by the lock pin moving mechanism 50. When the driver places his / her foot on the pedal pad 10 and the pedal pad 10 moves in the opening direction due to the driver's weight, the power transmission unit 31 rotates with the movement of the pedal pad 10, and the locked part 40 moves in the rotation direction of the power transmission unit 31. When the pedal pad 10 is stepped on to any footrest position, the locked part 40 comes into abutment with the lock pin 42, and the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction is restricted. This allows the pedal pad 10 to be used as a footrest at any angle.

[0045] <Footrest release_Automatic release> FIG. 9 shows a state in which the footrest function is "automatically released" by a footrest function release command from the driver, among the footrest releases that switch from the footrest function to the accelerator operation function. When the driver issues a footrest function release command to the input unit 9, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 confirms that the pedal pad 10 has been returned to the fully closed state, and then controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 from the abutting position to the non-abutting position as shown by the arrow M2. This releases the restriction on the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction, i.e., the footrest function, and allows the driver to step on the pedal pad 10. After moving the lock pin 42 to the non-abutting position, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 stops the supply of electricity to the lock pin moving mechanism 50.

[0046] <Footrest release_When stepping off> FIG. 10 shows a state where the driver strongly depresses the pedal pad 10 to execute "depression release" to switch from the footrest function to the accelerator operation function during footrest release. When the driver increases the depressing force applied to the pedal pad 10 while the footrest function is being executed, the depressing force is transmitted from the pedal pad 10 to the lock pin 42 via the actuator lever 34, the power transmission unit 31, and the locked part 40. When the driver's depressing force transmitted from the locked part 40 to the lock pin 42 becomes greater than a predetermined release depressing force set in advance, the lock pin 42 pressed against the locked part 40 is displaced so as to enter the inside of the accommodation part 41 against the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43. As a result, the locked part 40 moves over the lock pin 42, so that the driver can depress the pedal pad 10 toward the fully opened position side from the footrest position. In FIG. 10, the footrest position of the pedal pad 10 is indicated by a broken line 10b.

[0047] Even if the footrest function is being executed, in an emergency, the driver can depress the pedal pad 10 strongly to release the footrest function and operate the accelerator. The predetermined release force required when the driver depresses and releases the footrest is set by the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43 and the angle of the inclined surface 45 of the lock pin 42. As described above, the holding force of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to hold the lock pin 42 in the abutment position without current is set to be greater than the release force. If the release force is set by the holding force of the lock pin moving mechanism 50, it is difficult to set the release force precisely due to the temperature characteristics of the permanent magnet 54. On the other hand, by setting the holding force of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to be greater than the release force, the release force can be set precisely by the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43.

[0048] The control device 110 can detect, based on the detection signal of the pedal opening sensor 6, that the pedal pad 10 is depressed from the footrest position toward the fully open position while the footrest function is being executed, and the footrest function is released. At this time, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 from the abutment position to the non-abutment position. This prevents the locked portion 40 from interfering with the lock pin 42, causing the actuator lever 34 and the pedal pad 10 to separate from each other, resulting in a reaction force dead zone, even if the driver subsequently depresses the pedal pad 10 after switching from the footrest function to the accelerator operation function.

[0049] <Operation of each part of the accelerator pedal device> Next, the operation of each part of the accelerator pedal device of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the operation of each part of the accelerator pedal device when the accelerator operation function is executed, when the pedal is used as a footrest, when the footrest function is executed, and when the footrest is automatically released.

[0050] From time T1 to time T2 in Fig. 11, the accelerator operation function is executed, and no reaction force is applied from the drive unit 30 to the pedal pad 10. At this time, the command to turn the pedal into a footrest (i.e., a footrest signal) from the input unit 9 to the control unit 110 is turned off. The motor control unit 7 turns off the power to the drive unit 30 (i.e., the motor). Power to the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is turned off, and the lock pin 42 is held in the non-contact position. The pedal depression force applied by the driver to the pedal pad 10 corresponds to the biasing force of the pedal biasing member 13.

[0051] The period from time T2 to time T3 shows a state in which the accelerator operation function is executed and a reaction force is applied from the drive unit 30 to the pedal pad 10. At this time, the command from the input unit 9 to the control unit 110 to turn the pedal into a footrest is also turned off. The motor control unit 7 turns on the power supply to the drive unit 30. Power supply to the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is turned off and the lock pin 42 is held in the non-contact position. The pedal depression force corresponds to the sum of the biasing force of the pedal biasing member 13 and the torque output by the drive unit 30. By controlling the power supply to the drive unit 30, it is also possible to vary the strength of the reaction force or to apply the reaction force intermittently.

[0052] The period from time T3 to time T4 indicates a state in which the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position. This state occurs, for example, when the driver is operating the brake pedal, when the vehicle is stopped, or when the driver has taken his or her foot off the pedal pad 10 and the vehicle is performing automatic driving. In this state, the next footless state can be performed.

[0053] The period from time T4 to time T5 shows a state in which the footrest is being converted. When a command to convert the pedal pad 10 into a footrest (i.e., footrest signal ON) is input from the input unit 9 to the control device 110 at time T4, the control device 110 confirms that the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position, and then converts the pedal pad 10 into a footrest. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 from the non-contact position to the contact position. When conversion into a footrest is completed at time T5, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 turns off the power supply to the lock pin moving mechanism 50.

[0054] The period from time T5 to time T7 shows a state in which the footrest function is being executed. After the footrest function is completed at time T5, when the driver places his / her foot on the pedal pad 10 and depresses the pedal pad 10 to a desired footrest position, the locked portion 40 and the lock pin 42 come into contact with each other at time T6, and the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction is restricted. This executes the footrest function.

[0055] The period from time T7 to time T8 shows a state in which the footrest is automatically released. When a footrest release command (i.e., footrest signal OFF) is input from the input unit 9 to the control device 110 at time T7, the control device 110 confirms that the pedal pad 10 has been returned to the fully closed position, and then executes automatic release of the footrest. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 from the abutment position to the non-abutment position. When the automatic release of the footrest is completed at time T8, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 turns off the power supply to the lock pin moving mechanism 50. Note that from time T8 onwards, the accelerator operation function is executed.

[0056] Next, FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the operation of each part of the accelerator pedal device when the accelerator operation function is executed, when the pedal is used as a footrest, when the footrest function is executed, and when the footrest depression is released.

[0057] The operation of each part of the accelerator pedal device from time T11 to time T16 in FIG. 12 is the same as that from time T1 to time T6 in FIG.

[0058] When the driver increases the pedal force applied to the pedal pad 10 from time T17 to time T18, the force is transmitted to the lock pin 42 via the locked portion 40. When the pedal force becomes equal to or greater than the release force at time T18, the lock pin 42 is pressed by the locked portion 40 and displaced so as to enter the inside of the accommodation portion 41 against the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43. This causes the locked portion 40 to move over the lock pin 42. Therefore, the pedal pad 10 is pressed in the opening direction further than the footrest position, and the pedal opening degree in the opening direction is greater than when the footrest is in place.

[0059] At time T18, the control device 110 determines that the footrest function has been released based on the detection signal from the pedal opening sensor 6, and turns off the footrest function command itself. From time T19 to time T20, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 from the abutment position to the non-abutment position. When the footrest has been released from the abutment position at time T20, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 turns off the power to the lock pin moving mechanism 50. After time T20, the accelerator operation function is executed.

[0060] Next, the control process executed by the control device 110 when the device is used as a footrest will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following explanation and flowcharts, steps are simply represented as "S".

[0061] When a command to turn the seat into a footrest by the driver is transmitted from the input unit 9 in S100, the control device 110 advances the process to S101.

[0062] In S101, the control device 110 determines whether the accelerator opening is fully closed or not, i.e., whether the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position or not, based on the detection signal of the pedal opening sensor 6. If the pedal pad 10 is not in the fully closed position, the control device 110 shifts the process to S102 and notifies the driver to return the pedal pad 10 to the fully closed position. The notification can be given by, for example, a sound, a lamp, or a display.

[0063] On the other hand, when the control device 110 detects in S101 that the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position, the process proceeds to S103, where the control device 110 executes the above-mentioned footrest conversion.

[0064] In the above S101, the control device 110 determines whether or not the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position, but the process executed by the control device 110 is not limited to this. For example, the control device 110 may determine whether or not the pedal pad 10 is located closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position.

[0065] The accelerator pedal device of the first embodiment described above provides the following advantages. (1) In the first embodiment, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 provided in the accelerator pedal device drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to a non-abutment position when the accelerator operation function is performed and to move the lock pin 42 to an abutment position when the footrest function is performed. According to this, when the accelerator operation function is being performed, if the lock pin 42 is placed in the non-abutment position by the lock pin moving mechanism 50, the power of the drive unit 30 can be transmitted from the power transmission unit 31 to the pedal pad 10 in the entire range of the pedal pad 10 from the fully closed position to the fully open position. Therefore, no reaction force dead zone occurs in which the power of the drive unit 30 cannot be transmitted to the pedal pad 10 when the accelerator is operated. Furthermore, when the footrest function is performed, if the lock pin 42 is set to the abutment position by the lock pin moving mechanism 50, when the driver steps on the pedal pad 10 to any footrest position, the lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40. Therefore, the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction is restricted via the locked portion 40 and the power transmission unit 31. Therefore, the pedal pad 10 can be turned into a footrest at any angle, improving the comfort when using the footrest.

[0066] (2) In the first embodiment, the footrest position is set to a position where the pedal pad 10 is depressed toward the fully open position rather than the fully closed position. According to this, if the footrest position is set to the fully closed position, and the mounting position of the lock pin 42 is misaligned, there is a risk that the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40 will interfere with each other when the lock pin 42 is moved from the non-contact position to the contact position. This will cause a binding force to be generated between the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40, and further, there is a concern that unintended stress will be applied to each portion of the accelerator pedal device. In response to this, by setting the footrest position at a position where the pedal pad 10 is depressed toward the fully open position rather than the fully closed position, even if the mounting position of the lock pin 42 is misaligned, it is possible to prevent unintended stress from being generated due to interference between the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40. Therefore, the precision requirement for the mounting position of the lock pin 42 is relaxed, and manufacturing is easy. In addition, by setting the footrest position at a position where the pedal pad 10 is depressed toward the fully open position rather than the fully closed position, the driver's comfort when using the footrest can be improved. It should be noted that the present disclosure does not exclude setting the footrest position to the fully closed position, as will be described in a second embodiment below.

[0067] (3) In the first embodiment, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured to move the lock pin 42 to the abutment position when the footrest function is executed, and then to hold the lock pin 42 at the abutment position without applying current. This eliminates the need to energize the lock pin moving mechanism 50 when the footrest function is being performed, thereby saving power. Note that in this embodiment, energization of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is limited to when the footrest is activated and when the footrest is released, thereby further saving power.

[0068] (4) In the first embodiment, the lock elastic member 43 restricts the displacement of the lock pin 42 with a predetermined elastic force. The holding force with which the lock pin moving mechanism 50 holds the lock pin 42 at the abutment position without applying current is set to be greater than a predetermined release depression force. According to this, it would be difficult to set the release pedal force precisely if the release pedal force were set by the holding force of the lock pin moving mechanism 50. In contrast, by setting the holding force of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to be greater than the release pedal force, the release pedal force can be set precisely by the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43. In addition, in the accelerator pedal device described in the above Patent Document 1, when the footless pedal is used, the drive unit must drive the power transmission mechanism so that the locked part overcomes the lock pin. Therefore, the release force, i.e., the elastic force of the lock elastic member must be set smaller than the maximum output torque of the drive unit. In other words, the maximum output torque of the drive unit must be greater than the release force of the lock pin. In contrast, in this embodiment, the release force of the lock pin 42 can be set without being limited by the maximum output torque of the drive unit 30. For example, the release force of the lock pin 42 may be set greater than the maximum output torque of the drive unit 30.

[0069] (5) In the first embodiment, when converting the pedal pad into a footrest, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 when the pedal pad 10 is located closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position, and moves the lock pin 42 from the non-contact position to the contact position. According to this, if the lock pin 42 is moved to the abutment position when the pedal pad 10 is located closer to the fully open position than the footrest position, the locked portion 40 and the lock pin 42 may abut in the pedal return direction (i.e., the closing direction), which may prevent the pedal pad 10 from being used as a footrest. In contrast, by moving the lock pin 42 to the abutment position when the pedal pad 10 is located closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position, the pedal pad 10 can be used as a footrest reliably.

[0070] (6) In the first embodiment, when the control device 110 detects that the footrest function has been released based on the detection signal of the pedal opening sensor 6 while the footrest function is being executed, the control device 110 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to the non-abutment position. According to this, when the driver releases the footrest function by stepping on it, the control device 110 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to the non-contact position. Therefore, when the function is switched from the footrest function to the accelerator operation function and the driver operates the accelerator, it is possible to prevent the locked part 40 and the lock pin 42 from contacting each other.

[0071] (7) In the first embodiment, when the control device 110 detects that the lock pin 42 is in the abutment position based on the signal of the lock pin position sensor 5 while the accelerator operation function is being executed, the control device 110 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 to move the lock pin 42 to the non-abutment position. According to this, if the lock pin 42 moves to the abutment position due to malfunction of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 while the accelerator operation function is being executed, the locked portion 40 may interfere with the lock pin 42 when the driver operates the pedal, which may limit the amount of operation of the pedal pad 10. In response to this, the control device 110 can prevent the deterioration of the driver's pedal operation by constantly monitoring the position of the lock pin 42 based on the detection signal of the lock pin position sensor 5 while the accelerator operation function is being executed.

[0072] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the footrest position is changed from the first embodiment, and therefore only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0073] FIG. 14 shows a state when the footrest function is executed in the accelerator pedal device of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the footrest position is set to the fully closed position of the pedal pad 10. Therefore, the locked portion 40 is provided at a position on the outer wall of the power transmission portion 31 where the locked portion 40 abuts against the lock pin 42 when the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position, when the pedal pad 10 is turned into a footrest, the lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40 when the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the lock pin 42 from the non-abutment position to the abutment position. This allows the pedal pad 10 to be turned into a footrest without the driver stepping on the pedal pad 10.

[0074] Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described below. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the lock pin moving mechanism 50, and is otherwise similar to the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 15, in the third embodiment, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured to include a worm gear. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 includes a worm gear case 61, a worm 62, a worm gear 63, and a shaft 64. The worm gear case 61 is provided in the housing 2, and accommodates the worm 62, the worm gear 63, and a part of the shaft 64. The worm 62 and the worm gear 63 are engaged with each other. The shaft 64 is fixed to the worm 62. The accommodation portion 41, the lock pin 42, and the lock elastic member 43 are provided on a portion of the shaft 64 that protrudes outward from the worm gear case 61.

[0076] The lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 rotates the worm gear 63 by energizing a motor (not shown). When the worm gear 63 rotates in the forward and reverse directions, the worm 62 moves in one direction or the other in the axial direction of the shaft 64. On the other hand, when the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 stops energizing the motor (not shown), the rotation of the worm gear 63 stops, and the movement of the worm 62 and the shaft 64 stops. Therefore, like the first embodiment, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 of the third embodiment is configured to be able to move the lock pin 42 between the abutment position and the non-abutment position, and to hold the lock pin 42 at the abutment position and the non-abutment position without energizing it.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 16 to 20, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 of the third embodiment functions as a variable release force mechanism that can change the release force by adjusting the position of the lock pin 42 and changing the axial length of the lock elastic member 43.

[0078] 16 shows a state in which the lock pin moving mechanism 50 holds the lock pin 42 in the non-abutment position. That is, the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40 are located apart from each other. A wall portion 67 is provided between the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40.

[0079] Further, a first contact portion 65 and a second contact portion 66 are provided at an end of a shaft 64 of the lock pin moving mechanism 50. The first contact portion 65 and the second contact portion 66 are provided at a predetermined distance apart, and the bottom portion 411 of the accommodation portion 41 on the opposite side to the locked portion 40 is fitted therebetween. The first contact portion 65 is disposed inside the accommodation portion 41 (specifically, on the lock pin 42 side of the bottom portion 411), and the second contact portion 66 is disposed outside the accommodation portion 41 (specifically, on the worm gear case 61 side of the bottom portion 411). In the state shown in FIG. 16, the inner wall of the bottom portion 411 of the accommodation portion 41 and the first contact portion 65 are in contact with each other due to the biasing force of the lock elastic member 43.

[0080] 17 to 20 all show a state in which the lock pin moving mechanism 50 has moved the shaft 64 toward the locked portion 40 from the state shown in Fig. 16 and is holding the lock pin 42 in the abutting position. The lock pin 42 is inserted through a hole provided in the wall portion 67 and is in a position where it can abut against the locked portion 40. Also, Figs. 17 to 20 show how the lock pin moving mechanism 50 functions as a release force variable mechanism, and changes the position of the lock pin 42 and the axial length of the lock elastic member 43 to adjust the release force of the lock pin 42.

[0081] 17 shows a state in which the release force of the lock pin 42 is set to be weak. Specifically, the lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40 over an area less than half of the entire inclined surface 45. Therefore, the driver can release the footrest with only a small deformation of the lock elastic member 43.

[0082] Fig. 18 shows a state in which the release force for the lock pin 42 is set to a medium level. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 has moved the shaft 64 toward the locked portion 40 side further than the state shown in Fig. 17. As a result, the lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40 over more than half of the entire area of ​​the inclined surface 45. Therefore, the driver can release the footrest with the normal deformation amount of the lock elastic member 43.

[0083] FIG. 19 shows a state where the release force of the lock pin 42 is set to be strong. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the shaft 64 toward the locked portion 40 side from the state shown in FIG. 18. The lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40 in an area less than half of the entire inclined surface 45. Furthermore, the storage portion 41 abuts against the wall portion 67, and the first abutment portion 65 moves away from the inner wall of the bottom portion 411 of the storage portion 41 toward the wall portion 67 side, shortening the axial length of the lock elastic member 43. This increases the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43. Therefore, the driver can deform the lock elastic member 43 with a strong force to release the footrest from the footrest.

[0084] FIG. 20 shows a state where the release force of the lock pin 42 is set to the strongest. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the shaft 64 toward the locked portion 40 side from the state shown in FIG. 19 until the second abutment portion 66 abuts against the outer wall of the bottom portion 411 of the storage portion 41. The lock pin 42 abuts against the locked portion 40 in an area less than half of the entire inclined surface 45. Furthermore, the storage portion 41 abuts against the wall portion 67, the second abutment portion 66 abuts against the outer wall of the bottom portion 411 of the storage portion 41, and the first abutment portion 65 moves toward the wall portion 67 side far away from the inner wall of the bottom portion 411 of the storage portion 41, and the axial length of the lock elastic member 43 is deformed to be shorter. This makes the elastic force of the lock elastic member 43 stronger. Therefore, the driver can deform the lock elastic member 43 with a stronger force to release the footrest from the footrest.

[0085] The lock pin moving mechanism 50 provided in the accelerator pedal device of the third embodiment described above functions as a variable release force mechanism that can change the release force by adjusting the position of the lock pin 42 and changing the axial length of the lock elastic member 43. This allows the accelerator pedal device to change the release force depending on the driver's physique, preferences, etc.

[0086] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the configuration of the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is changed, and therefore only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0087] 21, in the fourth embodiment, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured to be able to move the lock pin 42 in the direction in which the locked portion 40 moves together with the power transmission unit 31. Therefore, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 can change the contact position at which the lock pin 42 and the locked portion 40 contact each other. Specifically, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured such that the accommodating portion 41 of the lock pin 42 moves on a rail 68 provided along the outer periphery of the power transmission unit 31. As the moving means, a worm gear 69, a rack and pinion, or the like can be used.

[0088] In the fourth embodiment described above, the lock pin moving mechanism 50 moves the lock pin 42 to change the contact position, so that the footrest position can be changed in accordance with the physique, preferences, and so on of the driver.

[0089] Fifth embodiment The fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the locked portion 40 is changed, and other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 22, in the fifth embodiment, the locked parts 40 are provided at a plurality of positions on the power transmission part 31. In the fifth embodiment, when the driver inputs a command to convert the pedal pad 10 into a footrest to the input part 9, the motor control device 7 drives the drive part 30 and adjusts the pedal pad 10 to an arbitrary angle. Alternatively, the driver may adjust the pedal pad 10 to an arbitrary angle by himself. The arbitrary angle is an angle at which the lock pin 42 can be inserted between any of the locked parts 40. Thereafter, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 and moves the lock pin 42 from the non-contact position to the contact position. As a result, any of the locked parts 40 among the multiple locked parts 40 comes into contact with the lock pin 42, and the footrest is converted.

[0091] In the fifth embodiment described above, the power transmission part 31 is provided with the locked parts 40 at a plurality of positions, so that the footrest position can be changed according to the physique, preference, and the like of the driver.

[0092] Sixth embodiment The sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the power transmission unit 31 is changed, and other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

[0093] 23, the accelerator pedal device of the sixth embodiment also includes a pedal lever 1, a housing 2, a power transmission mechanism 3, and a lock mechanism 4. The power transmission mechanism 3 has a drive unit 30 and a power transmission unit 31. In the sixth embodiment, the power transmission unit 31 is formed in a straight line.

[0094] 23 shows a state when the accelerator operation function is being executed. The lock pin moving mechanism 50 holds the lock pin 42 in the non-contact position. This allows the drive unit 30 to apply a reaction force to the pedal pad 10 against the driver's pedal force.

[0095] When the pedal pad 10 is turned into a footrest, the lock pin moving mechanism control device 8 drives the lock pin moving mechanism 50 when the pedal pad 10 is in the fully closed position, and moves the lock pin 42 from the non-contact position to the contact position.

[0096] Fig. 24 shows the state when the footrest function is being executed. When the driver places his / her foot on the pedal pad 10 and presses the pedal pad 10 to any footrest position, the locked portion 40 and the lock pin 42 come into contact with each other, restricting the movement of the pedal pad 10 in the opening direction. This allows the pedal pad 10 to be used as a footrest at any angle.

[0097] The accelerator pedal device of the sixth embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, compared to the sixth embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 3 can be made smaller in size in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0098] (Other embodiments) (1) In the above embodiments, the accelerator pedal device has been described as being of an organ type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be of a pendant type, for example. A pendant type accelerator pedal device refers to a device in which the portion of the pedal pad 10 to which the driver applies a pedal force is disposed below the axis of rotation of the pedal pad 10 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0099] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the power transmission unit 31 and the actuator lever 34 are fixed to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power transmission unit 31 and the actuator lever 34 may be connected by a gear. In this case, the rotation direction of the power transmission unit 31 in response to the depression and release of the pedal pad 10 may be opposite to that described in each of the above embodiments depending on the number of gears.

[0100] (3) In each of the above embodiments, the locked portion 40 is described as a convex portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer wall of the power transmission portion 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the locked portion 40 may be a concave portion that is recessed radially inward from the outer wall of the power transmission portion 31.

[0101] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the power transmission unit 31 and the pedal pad 10 are configured to transmit power via the actuator lever 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power transmission unit 31 and the pedal pad 10 may be configured to transmit power directly.

[0102] (5) In the above first embodiment, an example has been described in which the lock pin moving mechanism 50 is configured with the case 52, the shaft 51, the solenoid coil 53, the permanent magnet 54, etc., but this is not limited to the example. For example, the number of permanent magnets 54 is not limited to one, and two permanent magnets may be provided on one side and the other side of the shaft 51 in the axial direction with respect to the solenoid coil 53. Furthermore, the permanent magnet 54 may be provided on the shaft 51 instead of on the case 52 side.

[0103] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the claims. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments and parts thereof are not unrelated to each other, and can be appropriately combined except when the combination is clearly impossible. In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly considered to be essential in principle. In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers, except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0104] The control device 110 and the methodology described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control device 110 and the methodology described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control device 110 and the methodology described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer.

[0105] (In view of the present disclosure) The present disclosure described above can be understood from the following viewpoints, for example. [First viewpoint] In an accelerator pedal device having an accelerator operation function and a footrest function, a pedal pad (10) that is in a fully closed position when no pedal force is applied by the driver during execution of the accelerator operation function, and that moves to a fully open position as the driver's pedal force increases; A drive unit (30) that is driven by energization; a power transmission unit (31) that can be driven by the power transmitted from the drive unit and the pedal force of the driver transmitted from the pedal pad, and that can transmit the power transmitted from the drive unit to the pedal pad; a locked portion (40) that moves together with the power transmission portion; a lock pin (42) that is capable of contacting the locked portion when the pedal pad is at any footrest position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, and that restricts movement of the locked portion and driving of the power transmission portion when the lock pin contacts the locked portion; a lock pin moving mechanism (50) capable of moving the lock pin between an abutment position where the lock pin abuts against the locked portion and a non-abutment position where the lock pin does not abut against the locked portion; and a control device (110) that controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-contact position when the accelerator operation function is performed, and to move the lock pin to the contact position when the footrest function is performed. [Second viewpoint] The accelerator pedal device according to a first aspect, wherein the footrest position is set to a position where the pedal pad is depressed toward the fully open position rather than the fully closed position. [Third Perspective] The accelerator pedal device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism is configured to move the lock pin to the abutment position when the footrest function is executed, and then hold the lock pin in the abutment position without applying current. [Fourth viewpoint] The locking mechanism further includes a locking elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the locking pin with a predetermined elastic force. while the footrest function is being executed, when the pedal force transmitted by the driver from the pedal pad through the power transmission portion and the locked portion to the lock pin becomes greater than a predetermined release force, the lock pin is displaced against the elastic force of the lock elastic member, and the pedal pad can be depressed from the footrest position toward the fully open position, An accelerator pedal device according to a third aspect, wherein a holding force with which the lock pin moving mechanism holds the lock pin in the abutment position without applying current is set to be greater than the predetermined release depression force. [Fifth viewpoint] An accelerator pedal device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein, when performing footrest conversion to switch from the accelerator operation function to the footrest function, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism when the pedal pad is located closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position, and moves the lock pin from the non-abutment position to the abutment position. [Sixth viewpoint] a lock elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the lock pin with a predetermined elastic force; A pedal opening sensor (6) capable of detecting the opening of the pedal pad, An accelerator pedal device as described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein when the control device detects, based on the detection signal of the pedal opening sensor, that the pedal pad is depressed toward the fully open position from the footrest position while the footrest function is being executed, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-abutment position. [Seventh viewpoint] The lock pin position sensor (5) detects the position of the lock pin, The accelerator pedal device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein when the control device detects that the lock pin is in the abutment position based on a signal from the lock pin position sensor while the accelerator operation function is being executed, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-abutment position. [Eighth viewpoint] The locking mechanism further includes a locking elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the locking pin with a predetermined elastic force. while the footrest function is being executed, when the pedal force transmitted by the driver from the pedal pad through the power transmission portion and the locked portion to the lock pin becomes greater than a predetermined release force, the lock pin is displaced against the elastic force of the lock elastic member, and the pedal pad can be depressed from the footrest position toward the fully open position, An accelerator pedal device as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism functions as a release force variable mechanism capable of changing the specified release force by adjusting the position of the lock pin and changing the axial length of the lock elastic member. [Ninth viewpoint] An accelerator pedal device as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism is capable of changing the abutment position by moving the lock pin in a direction in which the locked portion moves together with the power transmission portion. [10th viewpoint] The locked portions are provided at a plurality of locations on the power transmission portion, An accelerator pedal device as described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein, when converting the accelerator operation function into the footrest function, the control device drives the drive unit to adjust the pedal pad to an arbitrary angle, and then drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin from the non-abutment position to the abutment position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 7 Motor control device (control device) 8 Lock pin movement mechanism control device (control device) 10 Pedal Pad 30 Drive unit 31 Power transmission section 40 Locked part 42 Lock pin 50 Lock pin movement mechanism 110 Control device

Claims

1. In an accelerator pedal device having an accelerator operation function and a footrest function, a pedal pad (10) that is in a fully closed position when no pedal force is applied by the driver during execution of the accelerator operation function, and that moves to a fully open position as the driver's pedal force increases; A drive unit (30) that is driven by energization; a power transmission unit (31) that can be driven by the power transmitted from the drive unit and the pedal force of the driver transmitted from the pedal pad, and that can transmit the power transmitted from the drive unit to the pedal pad; A locked part (40) that moves together with the power transmission part; a lock pin (42) that is capable of contacting the locked portion when the pedal pad is at any footrest position between the fully closed position and the fully open position, and that restricts movement of the locked portion and driving of the power transmission portion when the lock pin contacts the locked portion; a lock pin moving mechanism (50) that can move the lock pin between an abutment position where the lock pin abuts against the locked portion and a non-abutment position where the lock pin does not abut against the locked portion; and a control device (110) that controls the drive of the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-contact position when the accelerator operation function is performed, and to move the lock pin to the contact position when the footrest function is performed.

2. 2. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the footrest position is set at a position where the pedal pad is depressed toward the fully open position from the fully closed position.

3. 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism is configured to move the lock pin to the abutment position when the footrest function is performed, and then to hold the lock pin at the abutment position without applying current thereto.

4. The locking mechanism further includes a locking elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the locking pin with a predetermined elastic force. while the footrest function is being executed, when the pedal force transmitted by the driver from the pedal pad through the power transmission portion and the locked portion to the lock pin becomes greater than a predetermined release force, the lock pin is displaced against the elastic force of the lock elastic member, and the pedal pad can be depressed from the footrest position toward the fully open position, 4. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 3, wherein a holding force with which the lock pin moving mechanism holds the lock pin in the abutment position without current being applied is set to be greater than the predetermined release depression force.

5. 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein when executing footrest conversion to switch from the accelerator operation function to the footrest function, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism when the pedal pad is located closer to the fully closed position than the footrest position, to move the lock pin from the non-abutment position to the abutment position.

6. a locking elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the locking pin with a predetermined elastic force; A pedal opening sensor (6) capable of detecting an opening of the pedal pad, 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein when the control device detects, based on a detection signal from the pedal opening sensor, that the pedal pad is depressed toward the fully open position from the footrest position while the footrest function is being executed, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-abutment position.

7. A lock pin position sensor (5) is further provided to detect the position of the lock pin, 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein when the control device detects that the lock pin is in the abutment position based on a signal from the lock pin position sensor while the accelerator operation function is being executed, the control device drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin to the non-abutment position.

8. The locking mechanism further includes a locking elastic member (43) that restricts the displacement of the locking pin with a predetermined elastic force. while the footrest function is being executed, when the pedal force transmitted by the driver from the pedal pad through the power transmission portion and the locked portion to the lock pin becomes greater than a predetermined release force, the lock pin is displaced against the elastic force of the lock elastic member, and the pedal pad can be depressed from the footrest position toward the fully open position, 3. An accelerator pedal device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism functions as a release force variable mechanism capable of changing the specified release force by adjusting the position of the lock pin and changing the axial length of the lock elastic member.

9. 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the lock pin moving mechanism is capable of changing the contact position by moving the lock pin in a direction in which the locked portion moves together with the power transmission portion.

10. The locked portions are provided at a plurality of locations on the power transmission portion, 3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein when converting the accelerator pedal into a footrest function by switching from the accelerator operation function to the footrest function, the control device drives the drive unit to adjust the pedal pad to an arbitrary angle, and then drives the lock pin moving mechanism to move the lock pin from the non-contact position to the contact position.

Images