Pedal device

Abstract

To enhance convenience, in a pedal device capable of providing other functions.SOLUTION: A lever 12 can rotate around a first rotational axis A1 as the center. A movable body 13 is supported by the lever 12 and can rotate around a second rotational axis A2 as the center. A first pedal surface 131 can have a foot of a user when the movable body 13 is at a first rotational position. A second pedal surface 132 can have the foot of the user when the movable body 13 is at a second rotational position. When the movable body 13 is at the first rotational position, the rotational amount of the lever 12 corresponds to a controlled variable of a controlled device. When the movable body 13 is at the second rotational position, the rotational amount of the lever 12 does not correspond to the controlled variable of the controlled device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pedal device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pedal device mounted on a vehicle as an example of a moving body. The device enables the pedal surface to be used as a footrest by restricting the displacement of a lever that supports a panel having a pedal surface on which a user's foot is placed under predetermined conditions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is required to enhance the convenience of a pedal device capable of providing additional functions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One example of an aspect provided by the present disclosure is a pedal device, a lever rotatable about a first pivot axis, a movable body supported by the lever and rotatable about a second pivot axis, a first pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in a first rotational position, a second pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in a second rotational position, and when the movable body is in the first rotational position, the amount of rotation of the lever corresponds to a controlled amount in a controlled device. When the movable body is in the second rotation position, the amount of rotation of the lever does not correspond to the controlled amount in the device to be controlled.

[0006] According to the above configuration, a new marketability of providing a plurality of different functions by an operation of rotating a movable body about a second rotation axis can be provided to the pedal device. As in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, there is no need to equip a mechanism that generates a relatively large force to restrict the rotation of the lever against the foot force of the occupant when providing another function, so an increase in the size of the entire pedal device can be suppressed. Therefore, the convenience of the pedal device capable of providing another function can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] With reference to the accompanying drawings, examples of embodiments will be described in detail below. In each of the drawings used in the description, the scale is appropriately changed in order to make each element to be illustrated recognizable in size.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates the appearance of a pedal device 10 according to an embodiment example. The pedal device 10 according to this example is mounted on a vehicle as an accelerator pedal device and is configured to be operated by the foot of an occupant of the vehicle. The vehicle is an example of a moving body. The occupant is an example of a user.

[0010] The pedal device 10 includes a bracket 11. The pedal device 10 is configured to be fixed to a predetermined location in the vehicle via the bracket 11.

[0011] The pedal device 10 includes a lever 12. The upper end portion of the lever 12 is supported by the bracket 11 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis A1 extending along the left - right direction of the vehicle. A pedal support portion 121 is formed at the lower end portion of the lever 12.

[0012] The pedal device 10 includes a movable body 13. The movable body 13 is supported by the pedal support portion 121 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis A2 extending along the left - right direction of the vehicle. Specifically, the movable body 13 is configured to be rotatable between a first rotation position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a second rotation position illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0013] More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable body 13 includes a first stopper 13a. When the first stopper 13a abuts against the pedal support portion 121 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the rotation of the movable body 13 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 is restricted, and the first rotation position is defined.

[0014] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable body 13 includes a second stopper 13b. When the second stopper 13b abuts against the pedal support portion 121 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rotation of the movable body 13 in the counter - clockwise direction in FIG. 3 is restricted, and the second rotation position is defined.

[0015] The movable body 13 has a first pedal surface 131. The first pedal surface 131 faces the occupant when the movable body 13 is in the first rotation position. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first pedal surface 131 is configured such that the occupant can place their foot thereon.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pedal device 10 includes a sensor 14. The sensor 14 is configured to detect the amount of rotation of the lever 12 about the first rotation axis A1. The sensor 14 has a well-known configuration capable of mechanically, optically, or magnetically detecting the amount of rotation.

[0017] When an occupant places their foot on the first pedal surface 131 and presses down, the lever 12 rotates forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle about the first rotation axis A1. The sensor 14 includes a connector 141 capable of outputting a signal corresponding to the detected amount of rotation of the lever 12. The signal is transmitted to a control device that controls the output of the vehicle's drive source. The control device increases or decreases the output of the drive source according to the amount of rotation of the lever 12. The drive source may be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. The drive source is an example of a controlled device. The output of the drive source is an example of a controlled quantity.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pedal device 10 includes a first vibration source 151. The first vibration source 151 is disposed inside the movable body 13. The first vibration source 151 is a device capable of generating vibration and can be realized by a voice coil motor, an eccentric motor, a solenoid, a linear vibration motor, a piezo vibration actuator, or the like. The vibration generated by the first vibration source 151 vibrates the first pedal surface 131. Thereby, the vibration can be transmitted to the occupant through the foot placed on the first pedal surface 131.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pedal device 10 includes a controller 16. The controller 16 is disposed inside the bracket 11. The controller 16 is configured to output a control signal for causing the first vibration source 151 to generate vibration when the amount of rotation of the lever 12 detected by the sensor 14 is a predetermined value. The control signal is input to the first vibration source 151 through a signal line (not shown). The controller 16 can be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, an ASIC, or an FPGA.

[0020] As an example, the controller 16 determines the amount of rotation of the lever 12 for restricting excessive depression of the accelerator pedal. The amount of rotation may be constant or may be changed according to the driving state of the vehicle. When the sensor 14 detects the amount of rotation of the lever 12 corresponding to excessive depression of the accelerator pedal, the controller 16 outputs a control signal to cause the first vibration source 151 to generate vibration. By transmitting the vibration to the foot through the first pedal surface 131, it is possible to prompt the occupant to pay attention to excessive depression of the accelerator pedal. The vibration may be a vibration with a relatively large amplitude that is intermittently generated within a short period of time. The vibration is an example of the first vibration.

[0021] The movable body 13 has a second pedal surface 132. The second pedal surface 132 faces the occupant when the movable body 13 is in the second rotation position. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second pedal surface 132 is configured such that the occupant can place their foot thereon.

[0022] The pedal device 10 includes a second vibration source 152. The second vibration source 152 is disposed inside the movable body 13. The second vibration source 152 is a device capable of generating vibration and can be realized by a voice coil motor, an eccentric motor, a solenoid, a linear vibration motor, a piezo vibration actuator, or the like. The vibration generated by the second vibration source 152 vibrates the second pedal surface 132. Thereby, the vibration can be transmitted to the occupant through the foot placed on the second pedal surface 132.

[0023] Inside the movable body 13, a switch (not shown) capable of outputting a signal indicating that the movable body 13 is at least in the second rotation position is installed. The signal is input to the controller 16 through a signal line (not shown).

[0024] As an example, a signal indicating that the vehicle is in the automatic driving operation can be input to the controller 16 through the connector 141. When the controller 16 determines based on the input signal that the vehicle is in the automatic driving and the movable body 13 is in the second rotation position, it can be configured to output a control signal for generating vibration to the second vibration source 152. The control signal is input to the second vibration source 152 through a signal line (not shown).

[0025] The vibration generated by the second vibration source 152 is configured to notify the occupant that the vehicle is in the automatic driving operation. In other words, when the vibration is transmitted to the foot through the second pedal surface 132, the occupant is notified that the vehicle is in the automatic driving operation. The vibration can be a vibration with a relatively small amplitude that is continuously generated while the automatic driving operation is valid. The vibration is an example of a second vibration different from the first vibration.

[0026] At this time, the controller 16 is configured to ignore the detection result of the rotation amount of the lever 12 by the sensor 14. That is, even when the occupant steps on the second pedal surface 132 when the movable body 13 is in the second rotation position, the operation as an accelerator pedal device is not performed. In other words, when the movable body 13 is in the second rotation position, the rotation amount of the lever 12 does not correspond to the output of the drive source of the vehicle, and the second pedal surface 132 functions as a footrest.

[0027] The vibration provided through the second pedal surface 132 is not limited to the vibration for notifying the occupant that the vehicle is in the automatic driving operation. As another example, vibration synchronized with the reproduction sound of video and audio content reproduced by a video and audio device mounted on the vehicle may be provided.

[0028] According to the configuration according to this embodiment example, the pedal device 10 can be provided with a new marketability that enables a plurality of different functions to be provided by an operation of rotating the movable body 13 about the second rotation axis A2. Since it is not necessary to equip with a mechanism that generates a relatively large force in order to restrict the rotation of the lever 12 against the stepping force of the occupant when providing a separate function as in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, an increase in the size of the entire pedal device can be suppressed. Therefore, the convenience of the pedal device capable of providing a separate function can be enhanced.

[0029] In this embodiment, the vibration provided through the first pedal surface 131 is generated by the first vibration source 151, and the vibration provided through the second pedal surface 132 different from the vibration is generated by the second vibration source 152. According to such a configuration, an appropriate vibration source can be selected according to the characteristics of different vibrations. In other words, the degree of freedom regarding the characteristics of the vibrations provided through each of the first pedal surface 131 and the second pedal surface 132 can be increased.

[0030] However, a configuration in which a single vibration source capable of generating different vibrations such as the first vibration and the second vibration exemplified above is provided inside the movable body 13 can also be adopted. In this case, an increase in component cost and an increase in the size of the movable body 13 can be suppressed.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pedal device 10 may include a biasing member 17. The biasing member 17 may be configured to generate a biasing force that promotes the displacement of the movable body 13 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. Examples of the biasing member 17 include a torsion spring, a rubber pad, and the like. As an example, the strength of the biasing force is determined such that when the stepping force is released by the occupant removing the foot placed on the second pedal surface 132, the movable body 13 automatically returns to the first rotation position illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0032] According to such a configuration, it is possible to quickly perform the return to a state where the function as a normal accelerator pedal device in which the rotation amount of the lever 12 is associated with the output of the vehicle drive source can be exhibited.

[0033] Each configuration referred to so far is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified or combined with other configuration examples within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0034] The pedal device 10 does not necessarily need to generate a plurality of types of vibrations. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the configuration of the pedal device 10 according to another example. The same reference numerals are assigned to substantially the same elements as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the movable body 13 is in the first rotation position. That is, the amount of rotation of the lever 12 is associated with the output of the drive source of the vehicle. A vibration source (not shown) is installed inside the movable body 13. When the amount of rotation of the lever 12 reaches a predetermined value, the vibration source can generate vibrations that shake the first pedal surface 131.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the movable body 13 is in the second rotation position. At this time, a part of the movable body 13 is in contact with the floor surface F of the passenger compartment, restricting the forward rotation of the lever 12 by stepping on it. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the lever 12 is not associated with the output of the drive source of the vehicle. In this state, the vibration source can be configured not to generate vibrations. The second pedal surface 132 can function as a footrest.

[0037] If it is not necessary to shake the first pedal surface 131 when the movable body 13 is in the first rotation position, the vibration source may be omitted.

[0038] The number of pedal surfaces provided in the movable body 13 may be three or more. The amount of rotation of the movable body 13 about the second rotation axis A2 for each pedal surface to face the occupant can be appropriately determined.

[0039] The pedal device 10 according to the above-described embodiment example has a so-called suspended configuration in which the first pivot axis A1 is located above the first pedal surface 131. The second pivot axis A2 is located below the first pivot axis A1. When the movable body 13 is displaced from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second pedal surface 132 assumes a posture facing the occupant by the rear end thereof being displaced rearward above the second pivot axis A2.

[0040] However, like a pedal device having a so-called floor-mounted configuration, the first pivot axis A1 can be arranged below the first pedal surface 131. In this case, the second pivot axis A2 is located above the first pivot axis A1. When the movable body 13 is displaced from the first rotation position to the second rotation position, the second pedal surface 132 assumes a posture facing the occupant by the rear end thereof being displaced forward above the second pivot axis A2.

[0041] The configuration described with reference to the above-described embodiment example is not limited to the accelerator pedal device of a vehicle, and can also be applied to a brake pedal device. Further, it can also be applied to a pedal device mounted on a moving body other than a vehicle. Examples of other moving bodies include railways, airplanes, flying objects, ships, and the like. In that case, the controlled quantity associated with the amount of rotation of the lever 12 can be appropriately determined according to the specifications of the moving body.

[0042] The pedal device 10 does not necessarily have to be mounted on a moving body. The configuration described with reference to the above-described embodiment example can also be applied to a pedal device used for controlling the operations of a machine tool installed in a factory or the like, a game machine installed in an amusement facility, and the like. In that case, the controlled quantity associated with the amount of rotation of the lever 12 can be appropriately determined according to the specifications of the controlled device.

[0043] The configurations listed below also constitute a part of the present disclosure. Item 1: A lever rotatable about a first pivot axis, A movable body supported by the lever and rotatable about a second pivot axis, A first pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in the first rotational position, A second pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in the second rotational position, and is provided with, When the movable body is in the first rotational position, the amount of rotation of the lever corresponds to the amount of controlled variable in the controlled device, When the movable body is in the second rotational position, the amount of rotation of the lever does not correspond to the amount of controlled variable in the controlled device, Pedal device. Item 2: Comprising at least one vibration source, The vibration source is capable of generating a first vibration that shakes the first pedal surface, The pedal device according to Item 1. Item 3: A sensor for detecting the amount of rotation, A controller that causes the vibration source to generate the first vibration when the amount of rotation detected by the sensor is a predetermined value, and is provided with, The pedal device according to Item 2. Item 4: The at least one vibration source is capable of generating a second vibration that shakes the second pedal surface, The first vibration and the second vibration are different, The pedal device according to Item 2 or 3. Item 5: The at least one vibration source includes a first vibration source capable of generating the first vibration and a second vibration source capable of generating the second vibration, The pedal device according to Item 4. Item 6: It is provided with a biasing member that urges the displacement of the movable body from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, The pedal device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. Item 7: The rotation of the lever is restricted by the movable body in the second rotation position. The pedal device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. Item 8: The controlled device is a drive source of a moving body. The pedal device according to any one of Items 1 to 7.

Explanation of Signs

[0044] 10: Pedal device, 12: Lever, 13: Movable body, 131: First pedal surface, 132: Second pedal surface, 14: Sensor, 151: First vibration source, 152: Second vibration source, 16: Controller, 17: Biasing member, A1: First rotation axis, A2: Second rotation axis

Claims

1. A lever rotatable about a first pivot axis, a movable body supported by the lever and rotatable about a second pivot axis, a first pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in a first rotational position, a second pedal surface on which a user's foot can be placed when the movable body is in a second rotational position, and when the movable body is in the first rotational position, the amount of rotation of the lever corresponds to a controlled amount in a controlled device, when the movable body is in the second rotational position, the amount of rotation of the lever does not correspond to the controlled amount in the controlled device, a pedal device.

2. Comprising at least one vibration source, the vibration source being capable of generating a first vibration that vibrates the first pedal surface, the pedal device according to claim 1.

3. a sensor for detecting the amount of rotation, a controller for causing the vibration source to generate the first vibration when the amount of rotation detected by the sensor is a predetermined value, and the pedal device according to claim 2.

4. the at least one vibration source is capable of generating a second vibration that vibrates the second pedal surface, the first vibration and the second vibration being different, the pedal device according to claim 2.

5. the at least one vibration source includes a first vibration source capable of generating the first vibration and a second vibration source capable of generating the second vibration, the pedal device according to claim 4.

6. Comprising a biasing member that urges displacement of the movable body from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, the pedal device according to claim 1.

7. the rotation of the lever is restricted by the movable body in the second rotational position, the pedal device according to claim 1.

8. the controlled device is a drive source of a moving body, the pedal device according to claim 1.

Images