Pedal device

Abstract

To provide a pedal device capable of preventing one side holder from being separated from an intermediate holder due to the energizing force of a first coil spring when a stopper is broken when a pedal is released.SOLUTION: When the inhibition of the movement of the first side holder 67 to the first side in the unit axial direction Dsa by the pedal is released, the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 abuts against the first side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, even if the stopper is broken when the pedal is released, the one side holder 67 is held with respect to the intermediate holder 74. That is, the first side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 are prevented from being disassembled by the biasing force of the first coil spring 65. Accordingly, for example, when the pedal is released and the stopper is damaged, it is possible to prevent the first side holder 67 from being separated from the intermediate holder 74 and jumping out to the driver side due to the biasing force of the first coil spring 65.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device provided in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventionally known example of this type of pedal device is the pedal simulator described in Patent Document 1. The pedal simulator described in Patent Document 1 includes a brake pedal, an operating rod connected to the brake pedal, a cylinder, a piston installed in the cylinder so as to receive the force of the operating rod, multiple coil springs, and multiple spring seats.

[0003] The multiple coil springs are provided within the cylinder in an elastically compressed and deformed state, elastically supporting the piston and generating a biasing force that counteracts the force of the operating load. Additionally, multiple spring seats are provided within the cylinder and support the multiple coil springs while being interposed between them. When the driver depresses the brake pedal, the piston is pushed by the operating load and moves within the cylinder in the axial direction of the cylinder, which is the direction of piston movement.

[0004] The cylinder also has a stopper wall on the axial side of the cylinder opposite the coil spring side relative to the piston. When the driver is not depressing the brake pedal, the piston is moved toward the operating load side by the biasing force of the multiple coil springs but stops when it hits the stopper wall. In other words, the cylinder stopper wall has a non-depression stopper function that prevents the piston from moving toward the operating load side when the brake pedal is in the non-depression state. This non-depression stopper function keeps the piston, multiple coil springs, and multiple spring seats housed within the cylinder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-84091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the pedal simulator of Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that the stopper wall of the cylinder may be damaged for some reason, causing the loss of the non-depressed state stopper function. If the non-depressed state stopper function is lost in this way, the piston may be released from the cylinder due to the biasing force of the multiple coil springs, and may jump out, for example, toward the driver. The inventors have found the above as a result of detailed investigation.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a pedal device that can prevent the first holder from separating from the second holder due to the biasing force of the elastic portion when the non-depressed state stopper function is impaired. Note that the first holder corresponds to the piston in Patent Document 1, the second holder corresponds to the cylinder in Patent Document 1, and the elastic portion corresponds to the multiple coil springs in Patent Document 1. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The pedal device according to claim 1, A pedal device provided in a vehicle (80), a support (10, 20) attached to the vehicle body (2); a pedal (40) that is swingably provided relative to the support and that is depressed by a driver (81) from a predetermined operating side; a reaction force generating mechanism (60) supported by the support and disposed on the counter-operation side of the pedal opposite to the operation side, the reaction force generating mechanism generating a reaction force against the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal; a connecting rod (76), The reaction force generating mechanism has an elastic part composed of one or more elastic members (65, 66) elastically deformable in one direction (Dsa), a first holder (67) that contacts the elastic part from one side that is the pedal side in the one direction, and a second holder (68) that contacts the elastic part from the other side that is opposite to the one side in the one direction, the reaction force generating mechanism includes a first coil spring (65) and a second coil spring (66) connected in series in a pedal force transmission path and elastically deformable in the one direction; the one or more elastic members are a first coil spring and a second coil spring; The connecting rod is provided between the pedal and the first holder, The first holder is pushed by the pedal via the connecting rod as a pedal force is applied to the pedal, The angle formed by the one direction and the connecting rod changes as the pedal swings.

[0009] Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in setting the characteristics of the reaction force of the reaction force generating mechanism that counteracts the pedal force of the driver, compared to when the reaction force generating mechanism has one coil spring.

[0010] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and the specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle in which a pedal device according to a first embodiment is mounted; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a pedal device of a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pedal device in a cross section perpendicular to a pedal axis of the pedal device in a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a pedal device in a cross section including an axis of a pedal release stopper in a first embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a portion V in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one side holder included in the reaction force generating mechanism of the pedal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a view seen in the direction of an arrow VII in FIG. 5, showing one holder and an intermediate holder included in the reaction force generating mechanism. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow VIII in FIG. 5, and is a side view of an intermediate retaining portion of the intermediate holder. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged view of a portion IX in FIG. 7, showing the intermediate holder alone. FIG. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing one side holder and the intermediate holder in the same cross section as Figure 5, and shows a state in which the release stopper has been damaged for some reason and the other surface of the intermediate anti-pullout portion has abutted against one surface of the one side anti-pullout portion. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the second embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a portion corresponding to portion V in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the fifth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 15] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the sixth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 16] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the seventh embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 17] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the eighth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic view of an elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the ninth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. [Figure 19] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic view of an elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the tenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. [Figure 20] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the one-side holder and the other-side holder included in the reaction force generating mechanism in the eleventh embodiment, as viewed from one side to the other side in the unit axial direction, and corresponds to FIG. 7. [Figure 21] 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the elastic unit taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20 when the pedal is in a non-depressed state in the eleventh embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross section XXII-XXII of FIG. 20 in the eleventh embodiment, illustrating the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing one side holder included in the reaction force generating mechanism of the pedal device in the eleventh embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 6. [Figure 24] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one side holder and the other side holder included in the reaction force generating mechanism in the twelfth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 20. [Figure 25] 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the elastic unit taken along line XXV-XXV of FIG. 24 when the pedal is in a non-depressed state in the twelfth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 23 is a view showing one holder alone in the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing one holder and an intermediate holder included in a reaction force generating mechanism in the thirteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 7. [Figure 28] 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the elastic unit taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 27 when the pedal is in a non-depressed state in the thirteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 29] 29 is a view seen in the direction of the arrow XXIX in FIG. 28, and is a side view of an intermediate retaining portion of the intermediate holder. [Figure 30] FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of the XXX portion of FIG. 27, showing the intermediate holder alone. [Figure 31] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one side holder and another side holder included in a reaction force generating mechanism in the fourteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 20. [Figure 32] 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the elastic unit taken along line XXXII-XXXII of FIG. 31 when the pedal is in a non-depressed state in the fourteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a schematic combination of one holder and the other holder in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing one side holder and an intermediate holder included in a reaction force generating mechanism in the fifteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 7. [Figure 35] 35 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the elastic unit taken along line XXXV-XXXV of FIG. 34 when the pedal is in a non-depressed state in the fifteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the XXXVI-XXXVI cross section of FIG. 34 in the fifteenth embodiment, illustrating the elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed. [Figure 37] FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing process for completing an assembly of one holder, an intermediate holder, and a first coil spring in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic view of an elastic unit when the pedal is not depressed in the sixteenth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0013] (First embodiment) 1, a pedal device 1 of this embodiment is a device mounted on a vehicle 80, and is depressed by the pedal force of a driver 81 who is an occupant of the vehicle 80. The pedal device 1 is provided on the vehicle 80 as a brake pedal device for performing a braking operation to brake the vehicle 80.

[0014] More specifically, a brake-by-wire system 82 is employed in the vehicle 80 of Fig. 1, and the pedal device 1 is a brake pedal device used in the brake-by-wire system 82. The brake-by-wire system 82 is a system in which, based on an electrical signal output from the pedal device 1, hydraulic pressure is generated in a master cylinder under drive control of an electronic control device 83 mounted on the vehicle 80, and brake pads of each wheel are driven via a brake circuit.

[0015] 1 indicate the direction of the vehicle 80 on which the pedal device 1 is mounted. That is, in FIG. 1, a vehicle longitudinal direction Da, which is the front-rear direction of the vehicle 80, and a vehicle vertical direction Db, which is the up-down direction of the vehicle 80 (in other words, the top-bottom direction of the vehicle 80), are indicated by double-ended arrows. In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da is also referred to as the front of the vehicle, the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da is also referred to as the rear of the vehicle, the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction Db is also referred to as the upper side of the vehicle, and the lower side in the vehicle vertical direction Db is also referred to as the lower side of the vehicle.

[0016] 1 to 3, the pedal device 1 includes a housing 10, a base plate 20, a rotating shaft 31, a connecting plate 32, a pedal 40, a reaction force generating mechanism 60, a connecting rod 76, a covering member 77, and a rotation angle sensor 79. The pedal device 1 is an organ-type pedal device.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the organ-type pedal device 1 is configured such that the portion of the pedal 40 of the pedal device 1 that is pressed by the driver 81 is disposed above the vehicle relative to the swing center CL of the pedal 40 (in other words, above the vertical direction when the pedal 40 is installed in the vehicle). In the organ-type pedal device 1, the pedal 40 swings in a direction in which the portion of the pedal 40 above the swing center CL approaches the floor 2 or the dash panel inside the vehicle as the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 increases. The swing center CL of the pedal 40 is the center of rotation of the swinging motion of the pedal 40. In the description of this embodiment, the swing center CL of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal axis CL.

[0018] The housing 10 is attached to a part of the vehicle body, such as the floor 2 or the dash panel, via a base plate 20. In other words, the housing 10 and the base plate 20 are non-rotating members that are fixed to the vehicle body and do not rotate.

[0019] The housing 10 and base plate 20 are fixed together and to the floor 2. For example, the housing 10 is fixed to the base plate 20 by bolts or the like, and the base plate 20 is then fixed to the floor 2 by bolts or the like. In this way, the housing 10 and the base plate 20 are attached to the floor 2. The housing 10 and the base plate 20 function as supports for the pedal 40, the reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc. The floor 2 constitutes the floor of the vehicle compartment. The dash panel is a partition wall that separates the interior of the vehicle 80 from the exterior of the vehicle compartment, such as the engine compartment, and is sometimes called a bulkhead.

[0020] Furthermore, a housing space 10a is formed as an internal space inside the housing 10. This housing space 10a is open to the floor 2 side when the housing 10 is a single component. An open opening 10b of the housing space 10a is closed by a base plate 20 attached to the housing 10. A reaction force generating mechanism 60 and the like are provided in the housing space 10a.

[0021] The base plate 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped member, and is provided on the surface of the housing 10 opposite to the pedal 40. In other words, the base plate 20 is provided on the floor 2 side of the housing 10, and is sandwiched between the housing 10 and the floor 2 when the pedal device 1 is attached to the floor 2 and installed in the vehicle.

[0022] The base plate 20 extends continuously from the front portion of the housing 10 to the rear portion of the vehicle, and is fixed to the floor 2 of the vehicle 80 by bolts or the like as described above. The base plate 20 is made of, for example, metal.

[0023] The rotating shaft 31 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft support portion 13 that constitutes a part of the housing 10. More specifically, a rotating shaft hole 13a is formed inside the rotating shaft support portion 13, the rotating shaft hole 13a being centered on the pedal axis center CL and extending in the axial direction of the pedal axis center CL, and the rotating shaft 31 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 13a.

[0024] A rotation angle sensor 79 is attached to the rotary shaft support portion 13. As this rotation angle sensor 79, for example, a non-contact type sensor using a Hall IC or a magnetic resistance element may be adopted, or a contact type sensor may be adopted.

[0025] A rotation angle sensor 79 provided on the rotary shaft support portion 13 detects the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 31 and outputs an electric signal indicating the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 31 to an electronic control device 83 (see FIG. 1). Note that the pedal 40 and the rotary shaft 31 are fixed to each other and rotate integrally, so the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 31 is the same as the rotation angle of the pedal 40.

[0026] The connecting plate 32 is provided on the pedal back surface 40b, which is the surface of the pedal 40 opposite to the surface that receives the pedaling force from the driver 81. The connecting plate 32 connects the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31, and rotates the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 as a unit. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connecting plate 32 integrally includes a back plate portion 321 fixed to the pedal back surface 40b of the pedal 40, and a side plate portion 322 that is disposed perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the back plate portion 321. The back plate portion 321 of the connecting plate 32 is fixed to the pedal 40, for example, by screws.

[0027] 2 and 3, the side plate portion 322 of the connecting plate 32 is disposed on the side of the housing 10, and one end of the rotating shaft 31 is fixed to the side plate portion 322. In this manner, the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31 are respectively fixed to the connecting plate 32, so that the connecting plate 32, the pedal 40, and the rotating shaft 31 rotate integrally about the pedal axis CL.

[0028] The rotary shaft 31 is connected to the pedal 40 via a connecting plate 32. Therefore, the pedal 40 is positioned away from the rotary shaft support portion 13 of the housing 10 and does not come into contact with the rotary shaft support portion 13 at any rotation angle within the movable range of the pedal 40.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pedal device 1 is a brake pedal device, and therefore the pedal 40 is a brake pedal. The pedal 40 has a plate shape that has a thickness in a plate thickness direction Dt and extends in a stretch direction Ds, and is made of, for example, metal or resin. When the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40 from one side in the plate thickness direction Dt, the pedal 40 swings around the pedal axis CL. Therefore, the one side of the pedal 40 in the plate thickness direction Dt is, in other words, the operating side of the pedal 40, which is the side that is depressed by the driver 81. Moreover, the other side opposite to the one side in the plate thickness direction Dt is, in other words, the counter-operating side opposite to the operating side of the pedal 40.

[0030] More specifically, the housing 10 supports the pedal 40 via the rotary shaft 31 so that the pedal 40 can swing about the pedal axis CL. The pedal 40 is fixed to the rotary shaft 31 via the connecting plate 32, so the pedal 40 and the rotary shaft 31 swing together about the pedal axis CL as the driver 81 depresses the pedal.

[0031] In this embodiment, the axial direction of the pedal shaft center CL, the thickness direction Dt of the pedal 40, and the extension direction Ds of the pedal 40 are intersecting directions, or more precisely, perpendicular directions. In the description of this embodiment, the thickness direction Dt of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal thickness direction Dt, and the extension direction Ds of the pedal 40 is also referred to as the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0032] In a non-depressed state (in other words, a released state) in which the driver 81 is not depressing the pedal 40, the pedal 40 is disposed at an angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. Specifically, the pedal 40 is disposed at an angle such that the upper end of the pedal 40 is located forward and above the vehicle relative to the lower end. That is, in a non-depressed state of the pedal 40, one side in the pedal extension direction Ds is located lower than the other side in the pedal extension direction Ds, and the plate shape of the pedal 40 is extended. Note that in this embodiment, even in a fully depressed state of the pedal 40 described later, one side in the pedal extension direction Ds is located lower than the other side in the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0033] Furthermore, the thickness of the pedal 40 is not constant. The pedal 40 has a thick portion 411 and a thin portion 412 disposed on one side of the thick portion 411 in the pedal extension direction Ds. The thick portion 411 is thicker than the thin portion 412. For example, the thick portion 411 has a structure in which a separate plate-shaped component is laminated and fixed to one side in the plate thickness direction Dt of a plate-shaped portion extending from the thin portion 412 and having the same thickness as the thin portion 412. In this embodiment, the surface of the pedal 40 that is formed on the thick portion 411 and faces one side in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt functions as the tread surface 40a of the pedal 40 that is stepped on by the driver 81 when the driver 81 presses down on the pedal.

[0034] The pedal 40 also has a pedal back surface 40b provided on the other side of the pedal 40 in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. The pedal back surface 40b is an outer surface facing the other side in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt. The pedal back surface 40b is formed over the entire length of the pedal 40 in the pedal extension direction Ds.

[0035] Regarding the positional relationship between the pedal 40 and the rotating shaft 31, the rotating shaft 31 is located on the other side of the pedal back surface 40b in the pedal thickness direction Dt. The housing 10 and the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are also located on the other side of the pedal 40 in the pedal thickness direction Dt.

[0036] 2 and 3, when the driver 81 depresses the pedal 40, the pedal 40 pivots around the pedal axis CL within a limited, predetermined rotation angle range of less than one rotation (in other words, a movable range). More specifically, the rotation angle range of the pedal 40 is the range from the minimum rotation position to the maximum rotation position of the pedal 40. That is, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the rotation angle of the pedal 40 is at the minimum rotation position, and when the pedal 40 is fully depressed by the driver 81, the rotation angle of the pedal 40 is at the maximum rotation position.

[0037] 2 to 4 show the pedal device 1 when the pedal 40 is in a non-depressed state, i.e., when the pedal device 1 is in a released state where no pedal force is being applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 40. Similarly, FIG. 5, which will be described later, shows the reaction force generating mechanism 60 and the connecting rod 76 when the pedal 40 is in a non-depressed state.

[0038] For example, within the above rotation angle range, as the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 from one side in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt increases, the pedal 40 pivots so that the upper end of the pedal 40 is displaced forward and downward of the vehicle. In other words, as the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 increases, the pedal 40 pivots so that it gradually leans from the posture shown in FIG. 3. Conversely, as the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 from one side in the pedal plate thickness direction Dt decreases, the pedal 40 pivots so that the upper end of the pedal 40 is displaced backward and upward of the vehicle due to the action of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. In other words, as the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81 decreases, the pedal 40 pivots so that it approaches an upright posture, albeit a leaned posture.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the minimum rotation position of the pedal 40 is determined by a released stopper 781 serving as a first stopper, and the maximum rotation position of the pedal 40 is determined by a depressed stopper 782 serving as a second stopper.

[0040] The release stopper 781 is a shaft fixed to the side plate portion 322 of the connecting plate 32. The release stopper 781 has, for example, a cylindrical shape and protrudes from the side plate portion 322 toward the housing 10 along the axial direction Dc of the pedal axis CL.

[0041] The release stopper 781 fits into an arc-shaped stopper groove 10c formed in the side surface of the housing 10, and moves within the stopper groove 10c as the pedal 40 pivots. When the pedal 40 is not depressed, the release stopper 781 abuts against a groove end wall surface 10d that forms the end of the stopper groove 10c in the housing 10 in the circumferential direction of the pedal axis CL, thereby holding the pedal 40 in the minimum rotation position. The release stopper 781 is also called an initial stopper.

[0042] In the explanation of this embodiment, a case where the release stopper 781 is damaged for some reason will be described later, but unless otherwise specified, the non-depressed state of the pedal 40 means a state in which the release stopper 781 is not damaged.

[0043] The depression stopper 782 is provided in a portion of the housing 10 that is located forward of the pedal axis CL. Specifically, the depression stopper 782 is provided at the upper end of the wall of the housing 10 that is located forward of the vehicle. When the pedal 40 is fully depressed, the depression stopper 782 comes into contact with or near the upper end of the pedal back surface 40b, and holds the pedal 40 in the maximum rotation position.

[0044] The reaction force generating mechanism 60 generates a reaction force against the pedal force applied to the pedal 40 by the driver 81. The reaction force generating mechanism 60 is accommodated in the housing 10 and is therefore disposed on the opposite side of the pedal 40 from the operation side. The reaction force generating mechanism 60 is supported by the base plate 20 within the housing 10. Specifically, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is supported by the base plate 20 by fixing a leaf spring 61 included in the reaction force generating mechanism 60 to the base plate 20 with a bolt 201.

[0045] 3 and 5, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has a leaf spring 61, a fastening member 62, and an elastic unit 63. The leaf spring 61 has one end 611 as a fixed end of the leaf spring 61 and the other end 612 as a free end of the leaf spring 61. The one end 611 of the leaf spring 61 is screwed to the base plate 20 by a bolt 201. The elastic unit 63 is attached to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the fastening member 62.

[0046] The leaf spring 61 can bend so that the other end 612 moves along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the pedal axis CL relative to the one end 611. Therefore, when the pedal force acts on the other end 612 due to the pedal operation of the driver 81 on the pedal 40, the leaf spring 61 bends so that the other end 612 approaches the base plate 20 as the pedal force of the driver 81 increases.

[0047] The elastic unit 63 is composed of multiple components (e.g., coil springs 65, 66 and holders 67, 68, 74) arranged around a unit axis Cs extending in one direction. In the description of this embodiment, the axial direction Dsa of the unit axis Cs is also referred to as the unit axial direction Dsa, and the radial direction Dsr of the unit axis Cs is also referred to as the unit radial direction Dsr. The unit axial direction Dsa corresponds to one direction in this disclosure.

[0048] The unit axial direction Dsa is a direction intersecting, or strictly speaking perpendicular to, the axial direction Dc (see FIG. 4) of the pedal axis CL. Naturally, the unit radial direction Dsr is a direction perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa. In the description of this embodiment, one side of the unit axial direction Dsa refers to the pedal 40 side of the elastic unit 63 when the elastic unit 63 is used as a reference. The other side of the unit axial direction Dsa refers to the opposite side of the elastic unit 63 from the pedal 40 side (for example, the base plate 20 side) when the elastic unit 63 is used as a reference.

[0049] Furthermore, the unit axial direction Dsa may be inclined relative to the pedal thickness direction Dt depending on the rotation angle of the pedal 40, but one side of the unit axial direction Dsa corresponds to one of the two sides of the pedal thickness direction Dt in terms of the pedal thickness direction Dt. And the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa corresponds to the other of the two sides of the pedal thickness direction Dt in terms of the pedal thickness direction Dt.

[0050] Specifically, the elastic unit 63 has a plurality of elastic members 65, 66 that are elastically deformable in the unit axial direction Dsa, a one-side holder 67, an other-side holder 68, and an intermediate holder 74. In this embodiment, the plurality of elastic members 65, 66 are a plurality of coil springs 65, 66, and more specifically, the plurality of elastic members 65, 66 are a first coil spring 65 and a second coil spring 66.

[0051] In this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and the intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first holder and the second holder of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, the first coil spring 65.

[0052] The multiple holders 67, 68, 74 of the elastic unit 63 are movable relative to one another in the unit axial direction Dsa. The multiple holders 67, 68, 74 are connected in series via multiple coil springs 65, 66 in a transmission path of the pedal force of the driver 81 applied to the pedal 40. The transmission path of the pedal force is a path along which the pedal force is transmitted from the pedal 40 to the base plate 20. Specifically, the components of the transmission path of the pedal force are connected in series in the following order: one-side holder 67, first coil spring 65, intermediate holder 74, second coil spring 66, other-side holder 68, and leaf spring 61.

[0053] Both the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are compression coil springs. For example, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the amount of elastic compression of each of the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 is minimized, but the elastically compressed state is maintained.

[0054] The axial center of the first coil spring 65 is the unit axial center Cs, and therefore the first coil spring 65 is configured with the unit axial direction Dsa as its axial direction and the unit radial direction Dsr as its radial direction. Similarly, the axial center of the second coil spring 66 is also the unit axial center Cs, and therefore the second coil spring 66 is configured with the unit axial direction Dsa as its axial direction and the unit radial direction Dsr as its radial direction.

[0055] The first coil spring 65 has one end 651 provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and the other end 652 provided on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The second coil spring 66 has one end 661 provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and the other end 662 provided on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0056] Additionally, the outer diameter of the first coil spring 65 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second coil spring 66. When the pedal 40 is not depressed, a portion of the first coil spring 65 is disposed so as to overlap the second coil spring 66 on the inner side in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0057] More specifically, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the first coil spring 65 is positioned offset to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa compared to the second coil spring 66. A portion of the first coil spring 65 on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa is positioned to overlap a portion of the second coil spring 66 on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa on the inside in the unit radial direction Dsr, forming a radial gap therebetween.

[0058] Therefore, the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 is disposed so as to overlap the inside of the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Also, one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 is disposed so as to overlap the outside of the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0059] The one-side holder 67 is provided on the side closest to the pedal 40 in the unit axial direction Dsa among the multiple holders 67, 68, 74 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. In other words, the one-side holder 67 is provided on the side closest to the pedal 40 in the transmission path of the pedal force of the driver 81 among the multiple holders 67, 68, 74 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0060] The one-side holder 67 has a portion provided on one side of the first coil spring 65 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and abuts against the first coil spring 65 from one side on the pedal 40 side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0061] The one-side holder 67 is disposed on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa of the connecting rod 76 connected to the pedal 40, and is in contact with the connecting rod 76. Therefore, the one-side holder 67 is pushed toward the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa by the pedal 40 via the connecting rod 76. The one-side holder 67 transmits the pedal force of the driver 81 received from the pedal 40 to the first and second coil springs 65, 66 and the leaf spring 61.

[0062] For example, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the one-side holder 67 is prevented from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, thereby maintaining the first and second coil springs 65, 66 in a state in which they are compressed and deformed in the unit axial direction Dsa. In other words, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the release stopper 781 abuts against the groove end wall surface 10d (see FIG. 4) of the housing 10, so the pedal 40 maintains both the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 as compression coil springs.

[0063] The housing 10 is formed with an opening 10e that opens toward the pedal 40. This allows the connecting rod 76 to come into contact with the one-side holder 67.

[0064] 5 to 7, the one-side holder 67 has a cylindrical outer guide portion 69 extending in the unit axial direction Dsa, a one-side abutment portion 672 provided around the outer guide portion 69, and a one-side retaining portion 673 corresponding to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure. The outer guide portion 69, the one-side abutment portion 672, and the one-side retaining portion 673 are integrally configured. For example, the one-side holder 67 is made of resin. Note that FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along line VV of FIG. 7.

[0065] The outer guide portion 69 is inserted into a spring inner space formed radially inside the first coil spring 65. In other words, the outer guide portion 69 is provided radially inside the first coil spring 65.

[0066] The cylindrical shape of the outer guide part 69 defines an internal space that is closed on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and open on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. That is, the cylindrical shape of the outer guide part 69 is a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0067] The outer guide portion 69 has an inner circumferential surface 691 facing inward of the cylindrical shape of the outer guide portion 69. More specifically, the cylindrical shape of the outer guide portion 69 is cylindrical, and the axis of the cylindrical shape is the unit axis center Cs. Therefore, in a cross section perpendicular to the unit axis direction Dsa, the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 forms a circle centered on the unit axis center Cs.

[0068] The outer guide part 69 also has a tip surface 692 formed at the tip, which is the end on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and a cylindrical bottom surface 693 that forms the end of the internal space of the outer guide part 69 and faces the internal space from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The tip surface 692 and the cylindrical bottom surface 693 of the outer guide part 69 are surfaces that face the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0069] The one-side contact portion 672 is provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa of the first coil spring 65. The one-side contact portion 672 extends around the entire circumference of the outer guide portion 69 and extends outward in the unit radial direction Dsr beyond the outer guide portion 69.

[0070] The one-side contact portion 672 does not contact the second coil spring 66 of the first and second coil springs 65, 66, but contacts one end 651 of the first coil spring 65 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. In detail, the one-side contact portion 672 has multiple ribs 672a provided on the outer side of the outer guide portion 69 in the unit radial direction Dsr, and, for example, the multiple ribs 672a are arranged radially around the unit axis Cs. Then, tip portions of the multiple ribs 672a on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa each contact the one end 651 of the first coil spring 65.

[0071] The first holder 67 has a pressure-receiving surface 67a facing one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. This pressure-receiving surface 67a is, for example, a circular, flat surface without irregularities or holes, and is formed with the unit axial direction Dsa as its normal direction. The pressure-receiving surface 67a of the first holder 67 extends to the periphery of the first contact portion 672.

[0072] 3 and 5, the other-side holder 68 is provided on the other side furthest in the unit axial direction Dsa among the multiple holders 67, 68, 74 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. In other words, the other-side holder 68 is provided on the side farthest from the pedal 40 in the transmission path of the pedaling force of the driver 81 among the multiple holders 67, 68, 74 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0073] The other-side holder 68 has a portion provided on the other side of the second coil spring 66 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and abuts against the second coil spring 66 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The other-side holder 68 is configured to receive the pedal force of the driver 81 transmitted to the second coil spring 66. The other-side holder 68 is disposed on one side of the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and is fixed to the other end 612.

[0074] The other-side holder 68 has a rod-shaped inner guide portion 70 extending in the unit axial direction Dsa, an other-side abutment portion 682 provided around the inner guide portion 70, and a spring guide portion 683. The other-side abutment portion 682 and the spring guide portion 683 are integrally configured to form a single component, a spring seat member 684. The inner guide portion 70 is configured as a separate component from the spring seat member 684. For example, the spring seat member 684 is made of resin, and the inner guide portion 70 is made of metal.

[0075] The inner guide portion 70 is formed as an extending portion that protrudes from the other-side abutment portion 682 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and extends in the unit axial direction Dsa. The inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the outer guide portion 69 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. More specifically, the inner guide portion 70 is fitted into the outer guide portion 69 so as to be movable relative to the outer guide portion 69 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the inner guide portion 70 is inserted radially inside the first coil spring 65 and inserted radially inside the second coil spring 66. In the pedal device 1, the outer guide portion 69 moves back and forth in the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the inner guide portion 70 as the pedal 40 swings.

[0076] The inner guide portion 70 has an outer peripheral surface 701 that faces and contacts the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 in the unit radial direction Dsr. Like the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69, the outer peripheral surface 701 extends in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0077] Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 contacts the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 over the entire circumference of the inner guide portion 70 in the circumferential direction of the inner guide portion 70. Therefore, in a cross section perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa, the outer peripheral surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70, like the inner peripheral surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69, forms a circular shape centered on the unit axial center Cs. The outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 allow the inner peripheral surfaces 691 and 701 to slidably contact each other, thereby restricting relative movement between the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa while restricting relative movement in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0078] The inner guide part 70 has a tip end surface 702 formed at one end in the unit axial direction Dsa, and a base end part 703 provided on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. Since the inner guide part 70 is inserted into the outer guide part 69, the tip end surface 702 of the inner guide part 70 is disposed inside the outer guide part 69.

[0079] The other-side contact portion 682 is provided on the other side of the second coil spring 66 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and extends in a flange-like shape outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the base end portion 703 of the inner guide portion 70. The other-side contact portion 682 does not contact the first coil spring 65 of the first and second coil springs 65, 66, but abuts against the other end portion 662 of the second coil spring 66 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0080] The other contact portion 682 and the base end portion 703 of the inner guide portion 70 are disposed on one side of the other end portion 612 of the leaf spring 61 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and are in contact with the other end portion 612 .

[0081] The fastening member 62 is a bolt for fixing the inner guide portion 70 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61. The fastening member 62 is inserted into a through hole 612a formed in the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The fastening member 62 is inserted into the through hole 612a of the leaf spring 61 and is screwed into a female thread formed in the inner guide portion 70. As a result, the fastening member 62 is provided so as to pass through the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 and fixes the inner guide portion 70 to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61.

[0082] The base end 703 of the inner guide portion 70 is fitted into the inner hole of the spring seat member 684, so that the spring seat member 684 is immovable in the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the inner guide portion 70. Furthermore, the spring seat member 684 is pressed against the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the second coil spring 66. Therefore, when the inner guide portion 70 is screwed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by the fastening member 62, the spring seat member 684 is also fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61.

[0083] In this way, the other-side holder 68 is connected to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61, which is a member provided between the base plate 20 and the other-side holder 68, by screwing the fastening member 62 so as not to move relative to the other end 612. The other-side holder 68 is connected to the base plate 20 via the leaf spring 61.

[0084] 5, an intra-cylinder space 69a is formed inside the outer guide portion 69, facing the tip end surface 702 of the inner guide portion 70. This intra-cylinder space 69a expands or contracts as the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 move relative to each other in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, for example, a communication passage (not shown) that connects the intra-cylinder space 69a to the outside of the intra-cylinder space 69a is formed in the one-side holder 67 or the other-side holder 68. In other words, the intra-cylinder space 69a is not formed as an airtight space.

[0085] The intermediate holder 74 is provided outside the inner guide portion 70 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are connected to each other via the intermediate holder 74. The first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 press against each other via the intermediate holder 74 as the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are respectively compressed and deformed.

[0086] That is, in the pedal force transmission path between the pedal 40 and the base plate 20, the intermediate holder 74 is provided between the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66. In the pedal force transmission path, the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the leaf spring 61 are connected in series in the order of the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the leaf spring 61.

[0087] The intermediate holder 74 has an inter-spring arrangement portion 741, an inner abutment portion 742, an outer abutment portion 743, a hole forming portion 746, and an intermediate retaining portion 747 corresponding to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure. The inter-spring arrangement portion 741, the inner abutment portion 742, the outer abutment portion 743, the hole forming portion 746, and the intermediate retaining portion 747 are integrally configured. The intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment is made of resin.

[0088] The inter-spring arrangement portion 741 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the unit axial direction Dsa and has its axis center on the unit axis center Cs. The inter-spring arrangement portion 741 is arranged between the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0089] The inner abutment portion 742 extends inward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the inter-spring arrangement portion 741 and is provided outward in the unit radial direction Dsr with respect to the inner guide portion 70. For example, the inner abutment portion 742 extends from the other end portion of the inter-spring arrangement portion 741 in the unit axial direction Dsa. The inner abutment portion 742 abuts against the other end portion 652 of the first coil spring 65 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa and faces the other end portion 652 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0090] The hole forming portion 746 is disposed on the inside of the inner abutment portion 742 in the unit radial direction Dsr, and is connected to the inner abutment portion 742. The hole forming portion 746 is disposed on the inside of the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 in the unit radial direction Dsr, and is formed to protrude to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa from the inner abutment portion 742. The portion of the hole forming portion 746 that protrudes from the inner abutment portion 742 is cylindrical.

[0091] Furthermore, an insertion hole 74a having a circular cross section with its axis center coincident with the unit axis Cs is formed inside the hole forming portion 746. This insertion hole 74a is a through-hole that penetrates the hole forming portion 746 in the unit axial direction Dsa. In other words, the insertion hole 74a penetrates the intermediate holder 74 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0092] Furthermore, in both the non-depressed state and the fully depressed state of the pedal 40, the inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 74a of the intermediate holder 74. That is, the hole forming portion 746 in which the insertion hole 74a is formed has an annular insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b that faces inward in the unit radial direction Dsr and faces the insertion hole 74a, and the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b faces the outer circumferential surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70. In other words, the inner guide portion 70 is fitted into the insertion hole 74a so as to be movable relative to the insertion hole 74a in the unit axial direction Dsa while being inserted into the insertion hole 74a.

[0093] Here, while the pedal 40 is being swung by the driver 81, the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are compressed, causing the intermediate holder 74 to abut in the unit axial direction Dsa against one or both of the one-side and other-side holders 67, 68. The size of the insertion hole 74a is determined so that the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b does not restrict the inner guide portion 70 in the unit radial direction Dsr when the intermediate holder 74 abuts in the unit axial direction Dsa against one or both of the one-side and other-side holders 67, 68.

[0094] In other words, when the intermediate holder 74 abuts against one or both of the one-side and other-side holders 67, 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa, the intermediate holder 74 may assume a slightly tilted position with respect to the inner guide portion 70. The size of the insertion hole 74a is determined so that even if the intermediate holder 74 assumes a tilted position with respect to the inner guide portion 70 in this way, the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b and the inner guide portion 70 will not be forced to come into contact with each other. In other words, the diameter of the insertion hole 74a is determined so that a radial gap large enough to prevent the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b and the inner guide portion 70 from coming into contact with each other will be generated between the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b and the inner guide portion 70.

[0095] For example, the fit of the inner guide portion 70 in the insertion hole 74a is looser than the fit of the inner guide portion 70 in the outer guide portion 69. In other words, the difference between the diameter of the insertion hole 74a (in other words, the diameter of the insertion hole inner circumferential surface 74b) and the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70 is greater than the difference between the inner diameter of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70. Note that the outer diameter and inner diameter mentioned above are both diameters, not radii. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the inner guide portion 70 is, in other words, the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70, and the inner diameter of the outer guide portion 69 is, in other words, the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69.

[0096] The outer abutment portion 743 is provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa with respect to the inner abutment portion 742. The outer abutment portion 743 extends outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the inter-spring placement portion 741. For example, the outer abutment portion 743 extends from one end of the inter-spring placement portion 741 on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The outer abutment portion 743 is formed around the entire periphery of the inter-spring placement portion 741, surrounding the end of the inter-spring placement portion 741 on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0097] The outer contact portion 743 contacts one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and faces the one end 661 in the unit axial direction Dsa. In other words, the second coil spring 66 contacts the intermediate holder 74 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and therefore the second coil spring 66 corresponds to the other-side coil spring of the present disclosure.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 have a snap-fit ​​structure that restricts relative movement with each other in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0099] Specifically, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 has a one-side support portion 673a and a one-side forming portion 673c. The one-side support portion 673a is disposed outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the first coil spring 65. The one-side support portion 673a extends from the one-side abutting portion 672 to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and is tubular in shape so as to surround the first coil spring 65 over its entire circumference.

[0100] The one surface forming portion 673c protrudes outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the other end of the one surface support portion 673a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the one surface forming portion 673c is also disposed outward in the unit radial direction Dsr with respect to the first coil spring 65.

[0101] The one-side surface forming portion 673c is formed around the entire circumference of the one-side surface support portion 673a. On one side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c in the unit axial direction Dsa, a one-side surface 673d facing one side in the unit axial direction Dsa is formed. On the opposite side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c from the one-side surface 673d side, an inclined surface 673e is formed that is inclined with respect to the unit axis center Cs so that the outer side in the unit radial direction Dsr is positioned on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0102] 5, 7, and 8, the intermediate holder 74 is provided with a plurality of (specifically, three) intermediate retaining portions 747. These intermediate retaining portions 747 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction Dsc (i.e., the unit circumferential direction Dsc) about the unit axis Cs. Each of the intermediate retaining portions 747 has a second surface supporting portion 747a and a second surface forming portion 747c. That is, the second surface supporting portions 747a are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc, and the second surface forming portions 747c are also arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0103] Since multiple intermediate anti-pullout portions 747 are arranged at intervals in this manner, each of the multiple other-side support portions 747a can elastically deform so as to displace the other-side forming portion 747c either inward or outward in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0104] Each of the multiple other surface support portions 747a is disposed outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the one surface forming portion 673c, and extends to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa from the outer abutment portion 743. The multiple other surface support portions 747a are disposed so as to surround the one surface forming portion 673c.

[0105] Each of the multiple other-surface forming portions 747c protrudes inward in the unit radial direction Dsr from one end of the other-surface support portion 747a on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. Furthermore, a other surface 747d facing the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa is formed on the other side of the other-surface forming portion 747c in the unit axial direction Dsa. The other side of the other-surface forming portion 747c opposite to the other surface 747d is an inclined surface 747e that is inclined with respect to the unit axis center Cs so that the more outward in the unit radial direction Dsr it is positioned on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0106] When the pedal 40 is in a non-depressed state, the other-side support portion 747a is disposed so as to extend from the other side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c in the unit axial direction Dsa to one side. The other-side surface forming portion 747c is located on one side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c in the unit axial direction Dsa and is disposed so as to overlap with one side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the other side 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 is disposed so as to overlap with one side of the one-side surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa and faces that one side 673d.

[0107] Furthermore, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the other surface 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 does not contact the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673, and is spaced apart in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0108] Furthermore, a plurality of holder through-holes 74c penetrating the intermediate holder 74 in the unit axial direction Dsa are formed in the intermediate holder 74. The holder through-holes 74c are provided for each other-side surface forming portion 747c, one for each other-side surface forming portion 747c.

[0109] The holder through-hole 74c is disposed on the other side of the other-surface support portion 747a in the unit axial direction Dsa and on the inside of the other-surface support portion 747a in the unit radial direction Dsr. For example, in this embodiment, the holder through-hole 74c is formed to extend into both the inter-spring placement portion 741 and the outer abutment portion 743. That is, the holder through-hole 74c has an axial hole portion 74d that passes through the outer abutment portion 743 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and an axial extension portion 74e that is formed on the inter-spring placement portion 741 on the outside in the unit radial direction Dsr. The axial extension portion 74e is groove-shaped and extends from the axial hole portion 74d in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0110] 5 and 9, at each of the three locations where the intermediate retaining portion 747 and the holder through hole 74c are provided, the holder through hole 74c is arranged so that the holder through hole 74c overlaps the other side of the other-surface forming portion 747c in the unit axial direction Dsa with respect to the entire other-surface forming portion 747c. In other words, as shown in Fig. 9, the entire other-surface forming portion 747c is contained within the range occupied by the holder through hole 74c when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0111] 3 and 5, the connecting rod 76 is provided between the pedal 40 and the one-side holder 67, and connects the pedal 40 to the one-side holder 67. When the pedal force of the driver 81 is applied to the pedal 40, the one-side holder 67 is pushed by the pedal 40 via the connecting rod 76.

[0112] Specifically, the connecting rod 76 is provided to protrude from the pedal 40 on the counter-operation side of the pedal 40 and extends along the rod axis Crd, which is the axis Crd of the connecting rod 76. For example, the connecting rod 76 is formed to protrude from the pedal back surface 40b intersecting the rod axis Crd. The connecting rod 76 has a rod tip 763 provided on the counter-operation side (i.e., the one-side holder 67 side). This rod tip 763 abuts against the pressed surface 67a of the one-side holder 67.

[0113] The connecting rod 76 is connected to the pedal 40 so that the direction in which it protrudes from the pedal 40 is fixed. In other words, the direction in which the connecting rod 76 protrudes from the pedal 40 is fixed means that the rod axis Crd of the connecting rod 76 is fixed and does not change. In this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 by bolting, and therefore the connecting rod 76 does not rotate around the rod axis Crd. For example, the connecting rod 76 is fixed to the pedal 40 in an attitude inclined with respect to the pedal thickness direction Dt so that the rod tip end 763 is shifted to one side in the pedal extension direction Ds relative to the base end of the connecting rod 76.

[0114] The rod tip 763 of the connecting rod 76 connected to the pedal 40 in this manner slides against the pressed surface 67a of the one-side holder 67 while pressing against the pressed surface 67a as the driver 81 steps on the pedal 40. Note that although the unit axis Cs and the rod axis Crd are shown parallel to each other in FIG. 5, they are not necessarily parallel to each other. When the pedal 40 swings, the connecting rod 76 swings integrally with the pedal 40, and the angle formed between the unit axis Cs and the rod axis Crd changes accordingly.

[0115] For example, in this embodiment, the connecting rod 76 is configured to include two components. That is, the connecting rod 76 has an arm portion 761 connected to the pedal 40, and a pressing portion 762 connected in series to the arm portion 761 on the opposite side of the arm portion 761 from the pedal 40 side. The pressing portion 762 includes a rod tip portion 763.

[0116] For example, the arm portion 761 and the pressing portion 762 are configured as separate components and are connected and fixed to each other by press-fitting or the like. In this embodiment, the material of the pressing portion 762 is different from that of the arm portion 761. For example, the arm portion 761 is made of metal, and the pressing portion 762 is made of resin. An example of the resin material that makes up the pressing portion 762 is PTFE. When the pressing portion 762 is made of PTFE, there is an advantage that the sliding property of the pressing portion 762 with respect to the pressed surface 67a of the one-side holder 67 is improved due to lower friction, compared to when the pressing portion 762 is made of metal, for example. Note that PTFE is an abbreviation for Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene.

[0117] 2 and 3, the covering member 77 is called a dust boot and is formed into a cylindrical, bellows-like shape from elastically deformable rubber or the like. The covering member 77 expands and contracts in the axial direction of the connecting rod 76 in response to the pivoting movement of the pedal 40. For example, the covering member 77 closes the opening 10e of the housing 10 when the connecting rod 76 is inserted therethrough. This prevents foreign matter from entering the housing 10 through the opening 10e.

[0118] 3 to 5, the connecting rod 76 is in contact with the one-side holder 67, and therefore the pedal 40 prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa when the pedal 40 is not depressed. At this time, it is assumed that the release stopper 781 is damaged for some reason, and the pedal 40 is no longer preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0119] In this case, compared to before the prevention by the pedal 40 is released, the one-side holder 67 is moved relative to the intermediate holder 74 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa by the biasing force of the first coil spring 65. As a result, the intermediate retaining portion 747 of this embodiment abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa. By abutting against the one-side retaining portion 673 in this manner, the intermediate retaining portion 747 prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving relative to the intermediate holder 74 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa beyond a predetermined limit.

[0120] Specifically, the intermediate retaining portion 747 abutting against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa means that the other surface 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 abuts against the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673, as shown in Fig. 10. Therefore, the above-mentioned predetermined limit is the relative position of the one-side holder 67 with respect to the intermediate holder 74 when the other surface 747d abuts against the one surface 673d in the unit axial direction Dsa. In short, the predetermined limit is the relative position of the one-side holder 67 with respect to the intermediate holder 74, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0121] As described above, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 have a snap-fit ​​structure. Therefore, when the pedal 40 is released from preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, the intermediate retaining portion 747 can also be said to act as follows: That is, when the prevention by the pedal 40 is released, the snap-fit ​​structure of the intermediate retaining portion 747 prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving relative to the intermediate holder 74 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa beyond a predetermined limit.

[0122] Furthermore, even when the intermediate retaining portion 747 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa, the first coil spring 65 sandwiched between the one-side contact portion 672 and the inner contact portion 742 of the intermediate holder 74 is maintained in a state of being compressed and deformed in the unit axial direction Dsa. That is, the first coil spring 65 does not extend to its free length and is maintained in an elastically compressed state. Therefore, the biasing force (in other words, elastic force) of the first coil spring 65 maintains the other surface 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 in a state of being pressed against the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673.

[0123] 5 and 10 , when the pedal 40 is released from preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, the second coil spring 66 is no longer maintained in an elastically compressed state, and the second coil spring 66 extends to its free length. Even in this case, the inner guide portion 70 does not come out of the insertion hole 74a of the intermediate holder 74, but remains inserted in the insertion hole 74a. In other words, the inner guide portion 70 has a length in the unit axial direction Dsa that is sufficient for the inner guide portion 70 to be inserted into the insertion hole 74a when the outer abutment portion 743 and the other-side abutment portion 682 of the intermediate holder 74 are in contact with the second coil spring 66 having its free length.

[0124] In the pedal device 1 configured as described above, when the driver 81 applies a pedal force to the pedal 40, the pedal 40, the rotating shaft 31, and the connecting plate 32 swing about the pedal axis CL, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. More specifically, the pedal 40, the rotating shaft 31, and the connecting plate 32 swing about the pedal axis CL so that a portion of the pedal 40 above the pedal axis CL moves toward the floor 2 or the dash panel. In other words, the pedal 40 swings to change its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state.

[0125] At this time, a rotation angle sensor 79 provided in the pedal device 1 outputs an electric signal indicating the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 31 to an electronic control device 83 (see FIG. 1). The electronic control device 83 controls and drives a brake circuit included in a brake-by-wire system 82 (see FIG. 1) to generate a fluid pressure (e.g., oil pressure) required for braking the vehicle 80, and uses the fluid pressure to drive brake pads to slow down or stop the vehicle 80.

[0126] Furthermore, in the swinging motion in which the pedal 40 changes its posture from a non-pressed state to a fully pressed state, the more the pedal 40 swings from a non-pressed state to a fully pressed state, the more the first and second coil springs 65, 66 are compressed, and at the same time, the leaf spring 61 is deflected to a greater extent.

[0127] For example, when the pedal 40 is pivoting from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 butt against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, thereby stopping the compressive deformation of the first and second coil springs 65, 66. At this time, the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 may butt against each other with the intermediate holder 74 in between, or may butt against each other directly without the intermediate holder 74 in between.

[0128] When the pedal 40 further swings from the state where the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 abut against each other toward the maximum depression state, the amount of deflection of the leaf spring 61 increases. When the pedal 40 swings and abuts against the depression stopper 782, the pedal 40 reaches the maximum depression state, and the deflection of the leaf spring 61 stops.

[0129] The pedal device 1 of this embodiment described above provides the following advantages.

[0130] 3 to 5, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the release stopper 781 abuts against the groove end wall surface 10d of the housing 10. Therefore, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the pedal 40 prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, thereby maintaining the first and second coil springs 65, 66 in a state in which they are compressed and deformed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0131] Here, it is conceivable that the non-pressed state stopper function, which prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa when the pedal 40 is in a non-pressed state, may be impaired for some reason. For example, one possible cause of the non-pressed state stopper function being impaired is damage to the release stopper 781, which prevents the pedal 40 from swinging toward the operating side when the pedal is in a non-pressed state.

[0132] 5 and 10 , in this embodiment, when the prevention of movement of the one-side holder 67 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa is released, the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa. By abutting against the one-side retaining portion 673 in this manner, the intermediate retaining portion 747 prevents the one-side holder 67 from moving relative to the intermediate holder 74 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa beyond a predetermined limit.

[0133] Therefore, even if the non-depressed state stopper function is impaired, the one-side holder 67 is held by the intermediate holder 74. That is, the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 are prevented from coming apart due to the biasing force of the first coil spring 65. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the one-side holder 67 from coming off the intermediate holder 74 and jumping out towards the driver 81 due to the biasing force of the first coil spring 65 when the non-depressed state stopper function is impaired. This leads to improved safety of the vehicle 80 equipped with the pedal device 1.

[0134] (1) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when the intermediate retaining portion 747 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa, the first coil spring 65 remains compressed and deformed in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, when the intermediate retaining portion 747 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673, the one-side holder 67 is less likely to wobble relative to the intermediate holder 74. As a result, for example, when the intermediate retaining portion 747 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa, the intermediate retaining portion 747 is less likely to come off the one-side retaining portion 673. In other words, the intermediate retaining portion 747 is more likely to maintain the abutting state against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0135] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has a first coil spring 65 and a second coil spring 66 that are elastically deformable in the unit axial direction Dsa. The first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are connected in series in a transmission path of the pedaling force of the driver 81. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in setting the characteristics of the reaction force of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 that opposes the pedaling force of the driver 81 compared to when the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has one coil spring.

[0136] (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has an intermediate holder 74, and the intermediate holder 74 is provided between the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 in the path of transmission of the pedal force of the driver 81. Therefore, while holding the multiple coil springs 65, 66, it is possible to connect the multiple coil springs 65, 66 in series in the path of transmission of the pedal force between the pedal 40 and the base plate 20.

[0137] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 are made of resin. This makes it easy to reduce the weight of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. Furthermore, it is easy to realize a snap-fit ​​structure formed by the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74.

[0138] (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 has a cylindrical outer guide portion 69 extending in the unit axial direction Dsa, and the other-side holder 68 has an inner guide portion 70. The inner guide portion 70 has an outer peripheral surface 701 extending in the unit axial direction Dsa, and the inner guide portion 70 is fitted into the outer guide portion 69 so as to be movable relative to the outer guide portion 69 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0139] Therefore, when the one-side holder 67 receives a load from the pedal 40 side that is inclined relative to the unit axis Cs, the load component of the inclined load in the unit radial direction Dsr can be received by the inner guide portion 70. This makes it possible to prevent the load in the unit radial direction Dsr from acting on the one-side retaining portion 673 and the intermediate retaining portion 747. This leads to prevention of damage to the one-side retaining portion 673 and the intermediate retaining portion 747, and ultimately leads to improved safety.

[0140] (6) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the outer guide portion 69 is provided radially inward of the first coil spring 65. Therefore, compared to a case where the outer guide portion 69 is not disposed radially inward of the first coil spring 65, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the elastic unit 63 due to the provision of the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70.

[0141] (7) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has a leaf spring 61, and one end 611 of the leaf spring 61 is fixed to the base plate 20. The other-side holder 68 is connected to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 so as not to move relative to it. Here, the leaf spring 61 is more advantageous than a coil spring for generating a large reaction force. Therefore, compared to, for example, a case in which the reaction force generating mechanism 60 does not have the leaf spring 61 and only has a coil spring with a large spring constant, it is possible to increase the maximum value of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 60 while suppressing an increase in the size of the pedal device 1.

[0142] (8) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 have a snap-fit ​​structure. Therefore, the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 can be easily assembled while ensuring the function of preventing the one-side holder 67 from separating and falling off from the intermediate holder 74.

[0143] (9) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 74a of the intermediate holder 74. Then, even when the pedal 40 is released from preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and the second coil spring 66 is extended to its free length, the inner guide portion 70 is still inserted into the insertion hole 74a of the intermediate holder 74.

[0144] Therefore, when the pedal 40 is released from preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, the assembly made up of the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 can be locked to the other-side holder 68. Therefore, for example, the assembly made up of the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 can be prevented from jumping out of the housing 10.

[0145] (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a portion of the first coil spring 65 is disposed so as to overlap the second coil spring 66 on the inside in the unit radial direction Dsr. The intermediate holder 74 has an outer abutment portion 743 that abuts against one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The other surface support portion 747a of the intermediate retaining portion 747 extends from the outer abutment portion 743 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0146] Therefore, the intermediate retaining portion 747 can be disposed by utilizing the region in the unit radial direction Dsr occupied by the second coil spring 66 and the outer contact portion 743. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the elastic unit 63 in the unit radial direction Dsr, which is caused by providing the one-side retaining portion 673 and the intermediate retaining portion 747.

[0147] 5, the other-side surface forming portion 747c protrudes inward in the unit radial direction Dsr from one end of the other-side surface supporting portion 747a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the one-side surface forming portion 673c, which is the counterpart of the other-side surface forming portion 747c, is formed to protrude outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the end of the one-side surface supporting portion 673a.

[0148] Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the other surface forming portion 747c protrudes outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the end of the other surface support portion 747a, it is possible to make the one-side holder 67 having the one surface forming portion 673c smaller in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0149] 5 and 9, the intermediate holder 74 has a holder through-hole 74c formed in it. This prevents undercutting of the mold when molding the resin intermediate holder 74, thereby improving the mass productivity of the intermediate holder 74.

[0150] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those in the previous embodiment will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the following embodiments. In the drawings referred to in the second and subsequent embodiments, the components of the pedal device 1 are shown in an appropriately simplified form.

[0151] 11, in this embodiment, the elastic unit 63 has one coil spring 75 instead of the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment. For example, the coil spring 75 has the same configuration as the first coil spring 65 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, the elastic unit 63 of this embodiment does not have an intermediate holder 74.

[0152] In this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and the other-side holder 68 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first and second holders of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, a coil spring 75. Note that FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the elastic unit 63 and its surroundings when the pedal 40 is in a non-depressed state, and the same applies to other views corresponding to FIG. 11 described below.

[0153] The coil spring 75 has one end 751 provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and the other end 752 provided on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0154] The one-side contact portion 672 of the one-side holder 67 abuts against one end 751 of the coil spring 75 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the other-side contact portion 682 of the other-side holder 68 abuts against the other end 752 of the coil spring 75 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. In this way, the coil spring 75 is sandwiched between the one-side contact portion 672 and the other-side contact portion 682 in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0155] Additionally, an outer guide portion 69 and an inner guide portion 70 are inserted radially inside the coil spring 75 .

[0156] In this embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 (see FIG. 5) is not provided, and therefore the intermediate retaining portion 747 included in the intermediate holder 74 is not provided either. Therefore, the other-side holder 68 has a other-side retaining portion 685 that corresponds to the intermediate retaining portion 747. The other-side retaining portion 685 has the same configuration as the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the first embodiment, except that it is included in the other-side holder 68.

[0157] Therefore, in this embodiment, the other-side retaining portion 685 corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure, and the other-side retaining portion 685 and the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 have a snap-fit ​​structure similar to that of the first embodiment. The other-side retaining portion 685 has a other-side support portion 685a similar to the other-side support portion 747a of the first embodiment and a other-side forming portion 685c similar to the other-side forming portion 747c of the first embodiment. The other-side forming portion 685c is formed with a other-side surface 685d similar to the other-side surface 747d of the first embodiment and an inclined surface 685e similar to the inclined surface 747e of the first embodiment. A plurality of other-side retaining portions 685 are provided, for example, similar to the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the first embodiment, and are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0158] However, the other surface support portion 685a constitutes a part of the other side holder 68, and is therefore connected to the other side abutment portion 682 of the other side holder 68. The other surface support portion 685a extends from the other side abutment portion 682 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0159] For example, the other-side holder 68 in this embodiment is made of resin, and the inner guide portion 70, the other-side contact portion 682, and the other-side retaining portion 685 are integrally formed as a single component.

[0160] Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the release stopper 781 (see Figure 4) is damaged for some reason, the pedal 40 will no longer prevent the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0161] In this case, the one-side holder 67 moves relative to the other-side holder 68 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa until the other surface 685d of the other-side retaining portion 685 abuts against the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673. At this time, the inner guide portion 70 of the other-side holder 68 does not come out of the outer guide portion 69 of the one-side holder 67, and remains inserted into the outer guide portion 69. In other words, when the release stopper 781 is not damaged and the pedal 40 is not depressed, the distance in the unit axial direction Dsa between the one surface 673d and the other surface 685d is shorter than the insertion length of the portion of the inner guide portion 70 that is inserted into the outer guide portion 69.

[0162] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0163] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment.

[0164] 12, the elastic unit 63 has an elastic member 85 instead of the coil spring 75 (see FIG. 11). This elastic member 85 corresponds to the coil spring 75 of the second embodiment and replaces the coil spring 75, and therefore constitutes an elastic part that is sandwiched between the first holder and the second holder of the present disclosure and is compressed and deformed.

[0165] For example, similar to the coil spring 75 of the second embodiment, the elastic member 85 of this embodiment is in an elastically compressed state when the pedal 40 is not depressed. The elastic member 85 is made of an elastic material such as elastically deformable rubber or urethane foam.

[0166] Furthermore, the elastic member 85 of this embodiment has a cylindrical shape with its axis coincident with the unit axis Cs, and is therefore configured such that the unit axis direction Dsa is the axial direction of the elastic member 85 and the unit radial direction Dsr is the radial direction of the elastic member 85. The elastic member 85 has one end 851 provided on one side of the unit axial direction Dsa and the other end 852 provided on the other side of the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0167] The one-side contact portion 672 of the one-side holder 67 abuts against one end 851 of the elastic member 85 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. Moreover, the other-side contact portion 682 of the other-side holder 68 abuts against the other end 852 of the elastic member 85 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. In this way, the elastic member 85 is sandwiched between the one-side contact portion 672 and the other-side contact portion 682 in the unit axial direction Dsa, similar to the coil spring 75 of the second embodiment.

[0168] Additionally, an outer guide portion 69 and an inner guide portion 70 are inserted into the elastic member 85 on the radially inner side.

[0169] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the second embodiment.

[0170] Although this embodiment is a modification based on the second embodiment, it is also possible to combine this embodiment with the first embodiment described above.

[0171] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment.

[0172] 13, in the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the other-side retaining portion 685 of the other-side holder 68 have a snap-fit ​​structure that restricts relative movement with respect to each other in the unit axial direction Dsa. The one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685 are disposed outward of the coil spring 75 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0173] However, in this embodiment, the protruding direction of one surface forming portion 673c constituting the snap fit structure is opposite to that of the second embodiment, and the protruding direction of the other surface forming portion 685c is also opposite to that of the second embodiment.

[0174] Specifically, the one-surface forming portion 673c of this embodiment protrudes inward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the other end of the one-surface support portion 673a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Furthermore, the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673 faces one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, as in the second embodiment, but the orientation of the inclined surface 673e is different from that in the second embodiment. That is, the inclined surface 673e is inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs so that the more outward in the unit radial direction Dsr it is positioned on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0175] The other-side support portion 685a of this embodiment is disposed inward in the unit radial direction Dsr relative to the one-side forming portion 673c, unlike the other-side support portion 685a of the second embodiment. At the same time, the other-side forming portion 685c protrudes outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from one end of the other-side support portion 685a in the unit axial direction Dsa. The other-side retaining portion 685 has a other-side surface 685d facing the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, as in the second embodiment, but the orientation of the inclined surface 685e is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, the inclined surface 685e is inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs so that the more outward in the unit radial direction Dsr it is positioned on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0176] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the second embodiment.

[0177] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0178] 14, the elastic unit 63 has an elastic member 85 instead of the coil spring 75 (see FIG. 13). This elastic member 85 corresponds to the coil spring 75 of the fourth embodiment and replaces the coil spring 75. The elastic member 85 of this embodiment is the same as the elastic member 85 of the third embodiment.

[0179] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the fourth embodiment.

[0180] (Sixth embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0181] 15, in this embodiment, the shape of the intermediate holder 74 is different from that of the first embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the diameters of the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 are the same.

[0182] In this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and the intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first holder and the second holder of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, the first coil spring 65.

[0183] Specifically, the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment has a main body portion 748 and an intermediate retaining portion 747. As in the first embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment is made of resin. The main body portion 748 of the intermediate holder 74 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 are integrally configured. Also, as in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 have a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0184] The main body 748 of the intermediate holder 74 is flat, and has an insertion hole 74a formed inside thereof. The inner guide portion 70 is inserted into the insertion hole 74a, as in the first embodiment.

[0185] The main body 748 has a first surface 748a formed on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and a second surface 748b formed on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0186] The first coil spring 65 is provided on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa of the main body 748 of the intermediate holder 74, and the second coil spring 66 is provided on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa of the main body 748. One surface 748a of the main body 748 abuts against the other end 652 of the first coil spring 65 from the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and the other surface 748b abuts against one end 661 of the second coil spring 66 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, the main body 748 of the intermediate holder 74 is sandwiched between the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 and is pressed in the unit axial direction Dsa by the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66.

[0187] The intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment does not have the inter-spring arrangement portion 741, the inner contact portion 742, the outer contact portion 743, and the hole forming portion 746 (see FIG. 5) shown in the first embodiment. The other surface support portion 747a of the intermediate holder 74 extends from the peripheral edge portion of the main body portion 748 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The intermediate holder 74 may have a holder through-hole 74c (see FIG. 5) similar to that of the first embodiment, but this embodiment does not have the holder through-hole 74c.

[0188] Furthermore, the inner guide portion 70 and the other-side contact portion 682 of the other-side holder 68 are not configured as separate parts, but are configured integrally as a single part. The other-side holder 68 of this embodiment may be made of resin or metal.

[0189] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0190] Seventh embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0191] As shown in Fig. 16, the inner guide portion 70 and the other-side contact portion 682 of the other-side holder 68 are not configured as separate components, but are integrated into a single component. The other-side holder 68 of this embodiment may be made of resin or metal. Note that the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment may be formed with a holder through-hole 74c (see Fig. 5) similar to that of the first embodiment, but this embodiment does not have the holder through-hole 74c.

[0192] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0193] (Eighth embodiment) Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0194] 17, in this embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 has an intermediate retaining portion 749 instead of the intermediate retaining portion 747 (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the one-side holder 67 does not have the one-side retaining portion 673 (see FIG. 5), but the other-side holder 68 has the other-side retaining portion 685. Note that the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment does not have a holder through-hole 74c (see FIG. 5).

[0195] In this embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and the other-side holder 68 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first holder and the second holder of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, the second coil spring 66.

[0196] The intermediate retaining portion 749 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the one-side retaining portion 673 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), except that it is included in the intermediate holder 74.

[0197] Therefore, in this embodiment, intermediate retaining portion 749 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure. Furthermore, intermediate retaining portion 749 of this embodiment has one-side support portion 749a similar to one-side support portion 673a of the first embodiment, and one-side forming portion 749c similar to one-side forming portion 673c of the first embodiment. One-side forming portion 749c is formed with one side 749d similar to one side 673d of the first embodiment, and an inclined surface 749e similar to inclined surface 673e of the first embodiment.

[0198] However, since the one-side support portion 749a constitutes a part of the intermediate holder 74, it is connected to the outer abutment portion 743 of the intermediate holder 74. The one-side support portion 749a extends from the peripheral edge portion of the outer abutment portion 743 to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and is disposed outward of the second coil spring 66 in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0199] For example, the intermediate holder 74 in this embodiment is made of resin, and the inter-spring placement portion 741, the inner abutment portion 742, the outer abutment portion 743, the hole forming portion 746, and the intermediate retaining portion 749 are integrally formed as a single component.

[0200] Other-side retaining portion 685 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as intermediate retaining portion 747 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), except that it is included in other-side holder 68. That is, other-side retaining portion 685 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure, and has other-side support portion 685a and other-side forming portion 685c, similar to other-side retaining portion 685 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 11). For example, other-side holder 68 of the present embodiment is made of resin, and inner guide portion 70, other-side abutment portion 682, and other-side retaining portion 685 are integrally configured as a single component.

[0201] In this embodiment, the intermediate retaining portion 749 of the intermediate holder 74 and the other-side retaining portion 685 of the other-side holder 68 have a snap-fit ​​structure similar to that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, one or both of the one-side support portion 749a of the intermediate holder 74 and the other-side support portion 685a of the other-side holder 68 are elastically deformable and can bend in the unit radial direction Dsr. This makes it possible to combine the intermediate holder 74 and the other-side holder 68 to form a snap-fit ​​structure, and to disassemble the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0202] Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the release stopper 781 (see Figure 4) is damaged for some reason, the pedal 40 will no longer prevent the intermediate holder 74 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0203] In this case, the intermediate holder 74 moves relative to the other-side holder 68 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa until the other surface 685d of the other-side retaining portion 685 abuts against one surface 749d of the intermediate retaining portion 749. Then, when the other surface 685d and the one surface 749d abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, the relative positional relationship between the intermediate holder 74 and the other-side holder 68 is fixed.

[0204] That is, the other-side retaining portion 685 of this embodiment abuts against the intermediate retaining portion 749 in the unit axial direction Dsa, thereby preventing the intermediate holder 74 from moving relative to the other-side holder 68 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa beyond a predetermined limit. The predetermined limit is the relative position of the intermediate holder 74 with respect to the other-side holder 68 when the other surface 685d abuts against the one surface 749d in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0205] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0206] (Ninth embodiment) Next, a ninth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the eighth embodiment.

[0207] 18 , in this embodiment, in addition to the configuration shown in the eighth embodiment, the one-side holder 67 has a one-side retaining portion 673 similar to that of the first embodiment. The intermediate holder 74 has an intermediate retaining portion 747 similar to that of the first embodiment, in addition to an intermediate retaining portion 749 similar to that of the eighth embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the intermediate retaining portion 747 similar to that of the first embodiment will be referred to as a first intermediate retaining portion 747, and the intermediate retaining portion 749 similar to that of the eighth embodiment will be referred to as a second intermediate retaining portion 749.

[0208] Therefore, in this embodiment, two snap-fit ​​structures are provided. In detail, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the first intermediate retaining portion 747 of the intermediate holder 74 form a snap-fit ​​structure. In addition, the second intermediate retaining portion 749 of the intermediate holder 74 and the other-side retaining portion 685 of the other-side holder 68 form a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0209] In terms of the relationship between one-side holder 67 and intermediate holder 74, one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first and second holders of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, first coil spring 65. Furthermore, one-side retaining portion 673 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure, and first intermediate retaining portion 747 corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure.

[0210] On the other hand, in the relationship between intermediate holder 74 and other-side holder 68, intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and other-side holder 68 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first holder and the second holder of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, second coil spring 66. Furthermore, second intermediate retaining portion 749 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure, and other-side retaining portion 685 corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure.

[0211] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the eighth embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the eighth embodiment.

[0212] (Tenth embodiment) Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0213] 19, in this embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 does not have an intermediate retaining portion 747 (see FIG. 5). Instead, the other-side holder 68 has an other-side retaining portion 685 that corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure.

[0214] In this embodiment, one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and other-side holder 68 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first and second holders of the present disclosure is composed of first and second coil springs 65, 66, which are multiple elastic members. The intermediate holder 74 is provided as a separate component separate from both the first and second holders of the present disclosure.

[0215] Similar to the other-side retaining portion 685 of the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 17), the other-side retaining portion 685 of the present embodiment has an other-side surface supporting portion 685a and an other-side surface forming portion 685c. However, the other-side surface forming portion 685c of the present embodiment does not have an inclined surface equivalent to the inclined surface 685e of the eighth embodiment (see FIG. 17). In other words, the side of the other-side surface forming portion 685c opposite to the other-side surface 685d side is not an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs, but is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the unit axis Cs.

[0216] For example, the other-side holder 68 in this embodiment is made of resin or metal, and the inner guide portion 70, the other-side contact portion 682, and the other-side retaining portion 685 are integrally formed as a single component.

[0217] In this embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the other-side retaining portion 685 of the other-side holder 68 have a snap-fit ​​structure similar to that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, the other-side retaining portions 685 are arranged in a row similar to the intermediate retaining portions 747 (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment, and are capable of elastic deformation and bending in the unit radial direction Dsr similar to the intermediate retaining portions 747. This makes it possible to combine the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 to establish a snap-fit ​​structure, and to disassemble the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0218] Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if the release stopper 781 (see Figure 4) is damaged for some reason, the pedal 40 will no longer prevent the one-side holder 67 from moving to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0219] In this case, the one-side holder 67 moves relative to the other-side holder 68 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa until the other surface 685d of the other-side retaining portion 685 abuts against one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673. Then, when the other surface 685d and the one surface 673d abut against each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, the relative positional relationship between the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 is fixed.

[0220] That is, the other-side retaining portion 685 of this embodiment abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673 in the unit axial direction Dsa, thereby preventing the one-side holder 67 from moving relative to the other-side holder 68 toward one side in the unit axial direction Dsa beyond a predetermined limit. The predetermined limit is the relative position of the one-side holder 67 with respect to the other-side holder 68 when the other surface 685d abuts against the one surface 673d in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0221] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the other-side retaining portion 685 abuts against the one-side retaining portion 673, the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the intermediate holder 74 are held in a sandwiched state between the one-side abutting portion 672 and the other-side abutting portion 682. The first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66 do not extend to their free lengths, but are maintained in a state compressed and deformed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0222] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the first embodiment.

[0223] (Eleventh embodiment) Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment.

[0224] 20 to 22, in this embodiment, there is only one other-side retaining portion 685, not multiple ones. The other-side retaining portion 685 has an other-side support portion 685a that is disposed outward in the unit radial direction Dsr than the one-side forming portion 673c. The other-side support portion 685a extends from the other-side abutment portion 682 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, and has a generally cylindrical shape so as to surround the one-side forming portion 673c.

[0225] In the present embodiment, the other surface forming portion 685c is formed around the entire circumference of the unit axis Cs. The other surface forming portion 685c of the present embodiment does not have an inclined surface equivalent to the inclined surface 685e (see FIG. 11) of the second embodiment. That is, the side of the other surface forming portion 685c opposite to the other surface 685d side is not an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs, but is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the unit axis Cs.

[0226] Similar to the second embodiment, the one-side support portion 673a of this embodiment extends from the one-side contact portion 672 to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa and has a generally cylindrical shape so as to surround the coil spring 75. However, unlike the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 20 to 23, the one-side support portion 673a of this embodiment has a slit-like notched groove 673b formed in a portion of the unit circumferential direction Dsc. This notched groove 673b also extends to the one-side forming portion 673c.

[0227] As described above, the one-side retaining portion 673 has a notch groove 673b formed therein, so that the one-side support portion 673a can elastically deform so as to displace the one-side forming portion 673c either inward or outward in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0228] In addition, in Figure 22, the leaf spring 61 and the connecting rod 76 are omitted from the illustration, and in the cross-sectional views corresponding to Figure 22 described below, the leaf spring 61 and the connecting rod 76 will also be omitted from the illustration as appropriate, as in Figure 22.

[0229] In this embodiment, a notch groove 673b is formed in the one-side support portion 673a and the one-side forming portion 673c. The provision of this notch groove 673b allows the one-side support portion 673a of the one-side holder 67 of this embodiment to elastically deform and bend in the unit radial direction Dsr. This makes it possible to assemble the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 so as to establish a snap-fit ​​structure made up of the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685, and to disassemble this snap-fit ​​structure.

[0230] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the second embodiment.

[0231] (Twelfth embodiment) Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the eleventh embodiment.

[0232] 24 to 26, the shape of the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 is different from that of the 11th embodiment. Note that the cross section of the elastic unit 63 shown in the XXIIa-XXIIa cross section of Fig. 24 is the same as the cross section shown in Fig. 22.

[0233] In this embodiment, there are provided a plurality (specifically, three) of one-side retaining portions 673. The plurality of one-side retaining portions 673 are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0234] Therefore, each of the one-surface support portions 673a of the one-side retaining portion 673 is capable of elastically deforming and bending in the unit radial direction Dsr, similar to the eleventh embodiment. This makes it possible to combine the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 to form a snap-fit ​​structure made up of the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685, and to disassemble the snap-fit ​​structure.

[0235] Furthermore, since a plurality of one-side retaining portions 673 are provided so that each is elastically deformable, the same number of snap-fit ​​structures as the one-side retaining portions 673, that is, a plurality of snap-fit ​​structures, are provided.

[0236] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the eleventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the eleventh embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the eleventh embodiment.

[0237] (Thirteenth embodiment) Next, a thirteenth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the seventh embodiment.

[0238] 27 to 29, in this embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 has a plurality (specifically, three) of intermediate retaining portions 747, each of which is composed of an other-side surface support portion 747a and an other-side surface forming portion 747c. The plurality of intermediate retaining portions 747 are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. Each of the other-side surface support portions 747a of the plurality of intermediate retaining portions 747 can elastically deform so as to displace the other-side surface forming portion 747c either inward or outward in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0239] Unlike the seventh embodiment, the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment has a plurality of holder through-holes 74c that penetrate the intermediate holder 74 in the unit axial direction Dsa. The holder through-holes 74c are provided for each other-side surface forming portion 747c, one for each other-side surface forming portion 747c.

[0240] The holder through-hole 74c is disposed on the other side of the other-surface support portion 747a in the unit axial direction Dsa and on the inside of the other-surface support portion 747a in the unit radial direction Dsr. For example, in this embodiment, the holder through-hole 74c is formed to extend into both the inter-spring placement portion 741 and the outer abutment portion 743. That is, the holder through-hole 74c has an axial hole portion 74d that passes through the outer abutment portion 743 in the unit axial direction Dsa, and an axial extension portion 74e that is formed on the inter-spring placement portion 741 on the outside in the unit radial direction Dsr. The axial extension portion 74e is groove-shaped and extends from the axial hole portion 74d in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0241] 28 and 30, at each of the three locations where the intermediate retaining portion 747 and the holder through hole 74c are provided, the holder through hole 74c is arranged so that the holder through hole 74c overlaps the other side of the other-surface forming portion 747c in the unit axial direction Dsa with respect to the entire other-surface forming portion 747c. In other words, as shown in Fig. 30, the entire other-surface forming portion 747c is contained within the range occupied by the holder through hole 74c when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0242] Moreover, the one-side surface forming portion 673c does not have an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surface 673e (see FIG. 16) of the seventh embodiment. That is, the side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c opposite to the one side 673d side does not have an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs, but is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the unit axis Cs.

[0243] As described above, according to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the holder through-hole 74c is formed in the intermediate holder 74, so that undercutting of the mold can be prevented when molding the resin intermediate holder 74.

[0244] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the seventh embodiment.

[0245] In this embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first and second holders of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, first coil spring 65. One-side retaining portion 673 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure, and intermediate retaining portion 747 corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure.

[0246] (Fourteenth embodiment) Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the tenth embodiment.

[0247] 31 to 33, in this embodiment, the shape of the one-side retaining portion 673 of the one-side holder 67 and the shape of the other-side retaining portion 685 of the other-side holder 68 are different from those in the tenth embodiment. Note that in Fig. 32, the leaf spring 61 and the connecting rod 76 (see Fig. 19) are not shown.

[0248] Specifically, the one-side support portion 673a included in the one-side retaining portion 673 has a cylindrical base portion 673g and multiple extension portions 673h. The one-side support portion 673a is disposed on the outside in the unit radial direction Dsr with a radial distance C1 between it and the intermediate holder 74. Therefore, the one-side support portion 673a is disposed on the outside in the unit radial direction Dsr with respect to all of the first coil spring 65, the second coil spring 66, and the intermediate holder 74.

[0249] The cylindrical base portion 673g of the one surface support portion 673a is cylindrical with its axis coincident with the unit axis Cs, and extends from the peripheral edge portion of the one side contact portion 672 to the other side in the unit axis direction Dsa.

[0250] The one-surface support portion 673a is provided with, for example, three extension portions 673h, which extend from the edge of the cylindrical base portion 673g on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa so as to protrude further to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The extension portions 673h are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0251] An outer peripheral surface 673i is formed on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical base portion 673g, and the outer peripheral surface 673i extends continuously from the cylindrical base portion 673g to the extension portion 673h in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0252] In this embodiment, the one-side surface forming portions 673c protrude outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the other end of the extension portion 673h of the one-side surface support portion 673a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, in this embodiment, the one-side surface forming portions 673c are provided in the same number as the extension portions 673h. The extension portions 673h can elastically deform so as to displace the one-side surface forming portions 673c either inward or outward in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0253] Moreover, the one surface forming portion 673c of this embodiment has one surface 673d and an inclined surface 673e, similar to the tenth embodiment.

[0254] The other-side retaining portion 685 of this embodiment does not have anything equivalent to the other-side support portion 685a and the other-side forming portion 685c of the tenth embodiment. The other-side retaining portion 685 of this embodiment is cylindrical with its axis coincident with the unit axis Cs and extends from the peripheral edge of the other-side abutting portion 682 to one side in the unit axis direction Dsa. The other-side retaining portion 685 is disposed so as to surround the entire circumference of the one-side support portion 673a. For example, the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, the first coil spring 65, and the second coil spring 66 are housed inside the cylindrical other-side retaining portion 685.

[0255] An inner peripheral surface 685f is formed on the inner peripheral side of the other-side retaining portion 685, and this inner peripheral surface 685f extends in the unit axial direction Dsa. Furthermore, this inner peripheral surface 685f faces and is in slidable contact with an outer peripheral surface 673i of the one-side support portion 673a in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0256] Therefore, the one-side support portion 673a and the other-side retaining portion 685 allow relative movement between the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa while restricting relative movement between them in the unit radial direction Dsr by bringing the outer circumferential surface 673i and the inner circumferential surface 685f into slidable contact. That is, in the present embodiment, the other-side retaining portion 685 plays a role similar to that of the outer guide portion 69 of the tenth embodiment, and the one-side support portion 673a plays a role similar to that of the inner guide portion 70 of the tenth embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 (see FIG. 19 ) are not provided.

[0257] The other-side retaining portion 685 is formed with a plurality of wall holes 685g that penetrate the other-side retaining portion 685 in the unit radial direction Dsr. The wall holes 685g are provided in the same number as the one-side forming portions 673c and are arranged in positions corresponding to the one-side forming portions 673c. Therefore, like the one-side forming portions 673c, the wall holes 685g are also arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0258] The one-side surface forming portion 673c is fitted from the inside in the unit radial direction Dsr into a wall hole 685g of the other-side retaining portion 685. Furthermore, the other-side retaining portion 685 has a second surface 685d formed at one end position of the wall hole 685g in the unit axial direction Dsa, facing the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa and opposing the one surface 673d.

[0259] Due to the configuration of the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685, in this embodiment as well, the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685 have a snap-fit ​​structure, as in the tenth embodiment.

[0260] As described above, according to this embodiment, the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685 form a snap-fit ​​structure, which allows relative movement between the one-side holder 67 and the other-side holder 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa while restricting relative movement in the unit radial direction Dsr. In short, the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685 also function as a guide portion that guides the one-side holder 67 relative to the other-side holder 68 in the unit axial direction Dsa. Therefore, there is no need to provide a portion or part corresponding to the guide portion separately from the one-side retaining portion 673 and the other-side retaining portion 685.

[0261] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the tenth embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the tenth embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the tenth embodiment.

[0262] (Fifteenth embodiment) Next, a fifteenth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the seventh embodiment.

[0263] 34 to 36, the one-side retaining portion 673 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 of this embodiment restrict relative movement with each other in the unit axial direction Dsa, but do not have a snap-fit ​​structure. In this respect, this embodiment differs from the seventh embodiment.

[0264] In this embodiment, one-side holder 67 corresponds to the first holder of the present disclosure, and intermediate holder 74 corresponds to the second holder of the present disclosure. The elastic portion that is sandwiched and compressed and deformed between the first and second holders of the present disclosure is composed of a single elastic member, first coil spring 65. One-side retaining portion 673 corresponds to the first retaining portion of the present disclosure, and intermediate retaining portion 747 corresponds to the second retaining portion of the present disclosure.

[0265] In this embodiment, the one-side support portion 673a of the one-side retaining portion 673 is cylindrical with its axis coincident with the unit axis Cs, and extends from the peripheral edge of the one-side abutting portion 672 to the other side in the unit axis direction Dsa. The one-side support portion 673a surrounds one end 651 of the first coil spring 65.

[0266] The one-side retaining portion 673 does not have a first surface forming portion 673c provided around the entire circumference of the first surface supporting portion 673a, but has a plurality of first surface forming portions 673c provided on a portion of the unit circumferential direction Dsc. For example, the plurality of first surface forming portions 673c are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. In this embodiment, two first surface forming portions 673c are provided, and are arranged at 180-degree intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0267] Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the one-side surface forming portion 673c protrudes outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the other end of the one-side surface support portion 673a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the one-side surface forming portion 673c has one surface 673d facing one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. However, the side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c opposite to the one surface 673d is not an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs, but is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the unit axis Cs.

[0268] The other-side support portion 747a of the intermediate retaining portion 747 is cylindrical with its axis coincident with the unit axis Cs and extends from the peripheral edge of the outer abutment portion 743 to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The other-side support portion 747a is disposed outward in the unit radial direction Dsr of the one-side retaining portion 673, the one-side forming portion 673c. In other words, the one-side forming portion 673c is housed inside the other-side support portion 747a in the unit radial direction Dsr, both when the pedal 40 is in the non-depressed state and when it is fully depressed.

[0269] The other-side surface forming portion 747c of the intermediate retaining portion 747 is not provided around the entire circumference of the other-side surface support portion 747a, but is provided in multiple portions on a portion of the unit circumferential direction Dsc. For example, the multiple other-side surface forming portions 747c are arranged at equal intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. In this embodiment, two other-side surface forming portions 747c are provided, and are arranged at 180-degree intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc.

[0270] Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the other surface forming portion 747c protrudes inward in the unit radial direction Dsr from one end of the other surface support portion 747a in the unit axial direction Dsa. Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the other surface forming portion 747c has a other surface 747d facing the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. However, the side of the other surface forming portion 747c opposite to the other surface 747d is not an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs, but is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the unit axis Cs.

[0271] Similarly to the seventh embodiment, the other-side surface forming portion 747c is disposed on one side of the one-side surface forming portion 673c in the unit axial direction Dsa. The one-side surface forming portion 673c and the other-side surface forming portion 747c are disposed such that the one surface 673d and the other surface 747d overlap each other when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0272] As described above, the multiple other-side surface forming portions 747c are aligned at intervals in the unit circumferential direction Dsc, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 34, grooves are formed between the other-side surface forming portions 747c. That is, the intermediate retaining portion 747 has other-side inter-grooves 747f disposed between the other-side surface forming portions 747c in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. The number of these other-side inter-grooves 747f is the same as the number of the other-side surface forming portions 747c.

[0273] Furthermore, although there is frictional resistance between the one-side holder 67 and the first coil spring 65, the one-side holder 67 is rotatable relative to the intermediate holder 74 about the unit axis Cs. For example, when the one-side holder 67 rotates relative to the intermediate holder 74 about the unit axis Cs from the state in Fig. 34, no obstacle that would prevent the rotation is provided radially inside the other-surface support portion 747a.

[0274] 34, when the one-side holder 67 rotates relative to the intermediate holder 74 by a predetermined angle about the unit axis Cs, the multiple one-side forming portions 673c overlap the multiple other-side inter-grooves 747f, respectively, when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa. In this case, the multiple one-side forming portions 673c are each within the range occupied by the multiple other-side inter-grooves 747f, without protruding from the range, when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa.

[0275] Therefore, it can be said that the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 of this embodiment are each shaped to allow a predetermined relative rotation and a predetermined relative movement, which will be described below.

[0276] The predetermined relative rotation refers to the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 relatively rotating by the predetermined angle in the unit circumferential direction Dsc from a reference state (for example, the state shown in FIG. 34 ) in which the one surface 673 d and the other surface 747 d face each other. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees, and the relative rotation may occur in either direction in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. This state in which the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 relatively rotate by the predetermined angle in the unit circumferential direction Dsc from the reference state is referred to as a predetermined-angle rotated state.

[0277] The above-mentioned specified relative movement means that, in the above-mentioned specified angle rotation state, the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 move relative to each other in the unit axial direction Dsa so that the one-side surface forming portion 673c moves from the other side to one side in the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the other-side surface forming portion 747c.

[0278] Since the shapes of the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 are as described above, in this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 can be connected as shown in Figure 37 to complete an assembly of the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65.

[0279] A method for connecting the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 will now be described. First, as shown in Fig. 37, the one-side holder 67, the intermediate holder 74, and the first coil spring 65 are each prepared individually. Then, with the first coil spring 65 sandwiched between the one-side contact portion 672 and the inner contact portion 742, the one-side holder 67 and the first coil spring 65 are brought closer to the intermediate holder 74 from one side in the unit axial direction Dsa, as indicated by arrows A1 and A2.

[0280] At this time, the rotational position of the one-side holder 67 in the unit circumferential direction Dsc is a position where the entire one-side surface forming portion 673c overlaps with the other-side surface inter-groove 747f when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa. Then, the one-side holder 67 is moved relative to the intermediate holder 74 in the unit axial direction Dsa until the one-side surface forming portion 673c passes through the other-side surface inter-groove 747f and moves from one side to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa relative to the other-side surface forming portion 747c.

[0281] Next, the one side holder 67 is rotated by the predetermined angle relative to the intermediate holder 74 in the unit circumferential direction Dsc. As a result, the one side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 are brought into the reference state shown in Fig. 34. This completes the description of the method for connecting the one side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74.

[0282] In this embodiment, the one-side holder 67 and the intermediate holder 74 can be connected using the connection method described above, rather than a snap-fit ​​structure, so there is no need to construct the one-side retaining portion 673 and the intermediate retaining portion 747 from an elastically deformable material.

[0283] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the seventh embodiment.

[0284] (16th embodiment) Next, a sixteenth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0285] As shown in FIG. 38, the other-side holder 68 of this embodiment is connected to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by snap fitting, rather than by screw fixing.

[0286] Therefore, other-side holder 68 of the present embodiment has snap-fit ​​portion 686 in addition to inner guide portion 70, other-side contact portion 682, and other-side retaining portion 685. Other-side holder 68 is made of, for example, resin, and inner guide portion 70, other-side contact portion 682, other-side retaining portion 685, and snap-fit ​​portion 686 are integrally configured as a single component.

[0287] Specifically, the snap fit portion 686 has a pair of snap fit extension portions 686a and a pair of snap fit claw portions 686b. For example, the pair of snap fit extension portions 686a are disposed symmetrically about the unit axis Cs, and the pair of snap fit claw portions 686b are also disposed symmetrically about the unit axis Cs. One of the pair of snap fit claw portions 686b is connected to one of the pair of snap fit extension portions 686a, and the other of the pair of snap fit claw portions 686b is connected to the other of the pair of snap fit extension portions 686a.

[0288] More specifically, the snap fit extension 686a protrudes from the other-side contact portion 682 or the inner guide portion 70 to the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa and extends in the unit axial direction Dsa. The snap fit extension 686a is inserted into a through-hole 612b formed in the other end portion 612 of the leaf spring 61. The snap fit extension 686a can bend due to elastic deformation.

[0289] The snap fit claw portion 686b protrudes outward in the unit radial direction Dsr from the snap fit extension portion 686a at a position on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa of the other end portion 612 of the leaf spring 61. The snap fit claw portion 686b extends from the snap fit extension portion 686a to a position outward in the unit radial direction Dsr of the through hole 612b.

[0290] The snap-fit ​​claw portion 686b has a claw portion first surface 686c formed on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and a claw portion inclined surface 686d formed on the other side in the unit axial direction Dsa. The claw portion first surface 686c faces one side in the unit axial direction Dsa and faces the other end portion 612 around the through hole 612b of the leaf spring 61 and is in contact with the other end portion 612. The claw portion inclined surface 686d is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the unit axis Cs so that it is positioned on one side in the unit axial direction Dsa as it becomes more outward in the unit radial direction Dsr.

[0291] Except for the points described above, this embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained from the configuration common to the fourth embodiment.

[0292] (Other embodiments) (1) In each of the above-described embodiments, the pedal device 1 is used as a brake pedal device, but this is just one example. For example, the pedal device 1 may be used as an accelerator pedal device operated to adjust the output of the drive source of the vehicle 80. Furthermore, the pedal device 1 may be various devices operated by the driver 81 with his / her foot.

[0293] (2) In the above-described embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support that supports the pedal 40 so that it can swing around the pedal axis CL is specifically a casing that is made up of the housing 10 and the base plate 20 and that houses the reaction force generating mechanism 60, but this is just one example. The support does not need to be formed as a casing, and it does not have to house the reaction force generating mechanism 60, etc.

[0294] (3) In the first embodiment described above, the elastic members 65, 66 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are specifically the first coil spring 65 and the second coil spring 66, as shown in Fig. 5, but this is just one example. For example, the elastic members 65, 66 may be elastic bodies such as rubber or air springs instead of coil springs.

[0295] (4) In the above-described fifteenth embodiment, the one-side holder 67 shown in FIG. 35 is made of, for example, resin, but there is no limitation on the material of which the one-side holder 67 is made, and the one-side holder 67 may also be made of metal.

[0296] If the one-side holder 67 is made of metal in this way, it is possible to increase durability against the surface pressure of the connecting rod 76 pressing the pressed surface 67a of the one-side holder 67, compared to when the one-side holder 67 is made of resin, for example. Furthermore, the one-side holder 67 is less likely to deform, and it is possible to prevent, for example, prying between the outer guide portion 69 and the inner guide portion 70 caused by deformation of the one-side holder 67.

[0297] 35 is also made of resin, for example, but there is no limitation on the material of the intermediate holder 74. For example, the intermediate holder 74 may be made of metal.

[0298] (5) In the first embodiment described above, for example, the spring seat member 684 shown in FIG. 5 is made of resin and the inner guide portion 70 is made of metal, but there is no limitation on the materials used. For example, the spring seat member 684 may be made of metal and the inner guide portion 70 may be made of resin. Alternatively, both the spring seat member 684 and the inner guide portion 70 may be made of resin or metal.

[0299] (6) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the other-side holder 68 is fixed to the other end 612 of the leaf spring 61 by screwing the fastening member 62, but this is just one example. For example, the leaf spring 61 may not be provided, and the other-side holder 68 may be directly fixed to the base plate 20 by screwing the fastening member 62, etc.

[0300] (7) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 5, the inner guide portion 70 is configured as a separate component from the spring seat member 684 including the other-side contact portion 682 and the spring guide portion 683. However, this is just one example. For example, the inner guide portion 70, the other-side contact portion 682, and the spring guide portion 683 may be configured as a single component by insert molding or the like.

[0301] (8) In the first embodiment described above, the pressing portion 762 of the connecting rod 76 shown in FIG. 5 is made of, for example, resin. However, there is no limitation on the material of the pressing portion 762, and the pressing portion 762 may be made of metal.

[0302] If the pressing portion 762 is made of metal in this way, the durability against the surface pressure when the pressing portion 762 of the connecting rod 76 presses the pressed surface 67a of the one-side holder 67 can be increased compared to, for example, when the pressing portion 762 is made of resin.

[0303] (9) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 5, the inner circumferential surface 691 of the outer guide portion 69 and the outer circumferential surface 701 of the inner guide portion 70 form a circle centered on the unit axis Cs in a cross section perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa, but this is just an example. In the cross section perpendicular to the unit axial direction Dsa, the inner circumferential surface 691 and the outer circumferential surface 701 may be elliptical or polygonal.

[0304] (10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the pedal device 1 is an organ-type pedal device as shown in Fig. 2, but this is just one example. For example, the pedal device 1 may be a hanging-type pedal device.

[0305] (11) In the first embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 5, when the pedal 40 is not depressed, the other surface 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 does not contact the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673 and is spaced apart in the unit axial direction Dsa, but this is just an example. For example, when the pedal 40 is not depressed as shown in Fig. 5, the other surface 747d of the intermediate retaining portion 747 may be in contact with the one surface 673d of the one-side retaining portion 673.

[0306] (12) In the first and thirteenth embodiments described above, as shown in Figures 5 and 28, the holder through-hole 74c of the intermediate holder 74 is formed to extend over both the inter-spring arrangement portion 741 and the outer abutment portion 743. However, this is just one example. For example, if the inter-spring arrangement portion 741 does not entirely overlap the other-surface forming portion 747c when viewed in the unit axial direction Dsa, the holder through-hole 74c may not extend over the inter-spring arrangement portion 741 and may be formed only in the outer abutment portion 743.

[0307] (13) In the second embodiment described above, as shown in Fig. 11, the outer guide portion 69 is included in the one-side holder 67 and the inner guide portion 70 is included in the other-side holder 68, but this is just one example. For example, conversely, the outer guide portion 69 may be included in the other-side holder 68 and the inner guide portion 70 may be included in the one-side holder 67.

[0308] (14) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are not unrelated to each other and can be combined as appropriate, except in cases where the combination is clearly impossible.

[0309] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are particularly explicitly stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of the components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are particularly explicitly stated as essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the materials, shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the materials, shapes, positional relationships, etc. unless they are particularly explicitly stated or are clearly limited to a specific material, shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0310] (Features of the present invention) [Claim 1] A pedal device provided in a vehicle (80), a support (10, 20) attached to the vehicle body (2); a pedal (40) provided to be swingable relative to the support body and to be depressed by a driver (81) from a predetermined operating side; a reaction force generating mechanism (60) supported by the support body and disposed on a counter-operation side of the pedal opposite to the operation side, the reaction force generating mechanism generating a reaction force against a pedal force applied to the pedal by the driver; a connecting rod (76), The reaction force generating mechanism includes an elastic part composed of one or more elastic members (65, 66) elastically deformable in one direction (Dsa), a first holder (67) that contacts the elastic part from one side that is the pedal side in the one direction, and a second holder (68) that contacts the elastic part from the other side that is opposite to the one side in the one direction, The reaction force generating mechanism includes a first coil spring (65) and a second coil spring (66) connected in series in a pedal force transmission path and elastically deformable in one direction, the one or more elastic members are the first coil spring and the second coil spring, the connecting rod is provided between the pedal and the first holder, the first holder is pushed by the pedal via the connecting rod as the pedal force is applied to the pedal; A pedal device in which the angle formed by the one direction and the connecting rod changes as the pedal swings. [Claim 2] 2. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the second holder is connected to the support body so as to be movable along an imaginary plane perpendicular to a pedal axis (CL) that serves as a rotation center for a rocking motion of the pedal. [Claim 3] The connecting rod has a rod tip portion (763) provided on the opposite operation side, the first holder has a pressed surface (67a) that faces the one side in the one direction and against which the rod tip portion abuts; the rod tip portion slides against the pressure-receiving surface while pressing the pressure-receiving surface in response to the driver's depression of the pedal, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the rod tip that slides against the pressed surface in response to the pedaling operation is a convex curved surface. [Claim 4] the reaction force generating mechanism has an intermediate holder (74) provided between the first coil spring and the second coil spring in the pedal force transmission path, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate holder is provided as a separate component different from both the first holder and the second holder. [Claim 5] the reaction force generating mechanism has a plurality of holders (67, 68, 74) connected in series via the one or more elastic members in the pedal force transmission path and movable relative to each other in the one direction; the first holder and the second holder are included in the plurality of holders, One of the first holder as a one-side holder provided closest to the one side in the one direction among the plurality of holders and the second holder as an other-side holder provided closest to the other side in the one direction among the plurality of holders has a cylindrical outer guide portion (69, 685) extending in the one direction, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the other of the one-side holder and the other-side holder has an inner guide portion (70, 673a) fitted into the outer guide portion so as to be movable relative to the outer guide portion in the one direction. [Claim 6] 6. The pedal device according to claim 5, wherein the outer guide portion is provided radially inside the first coil spring and the second coil spring. [Claim 7] 6. The pedal device according to claim 5, wherein the inner guide portion is provided radially outward of the first coil spring and the second coil spring. [Claim 8] the reaction force generating mechanism has a plurality of holders (67, 68, 74) connected in series via the one or more elastic members in the pedal force transmission path and movable relative to each other in the one direction; the first holder and the second holder are included in the plurality of holders, The reaction force generating mechanism includes a leaf spring (61) having one end (611) and the other end (612), One end of the leaf spring is fixed to the support body, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the second holder, which is an other-side holder among the plurality of holders and is provided furthest to the other side in the one direction, is connected to the other end of the leaf spring so as not to be able to move relative to it. [Claim 9] 9. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the first holder and the second holder are made of resin or metal. [Claim 10] 10. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the pedal is a brake pedal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0311] 10 Housing (support) 20 Base plate (support) 40 pedals 60 Reaction force generating mechanism 67 One side holder (first holder) 673 One-side retaining portion (first retaining portion) 74 Intermediate holder (second holder) 747 Intermediate retaining part (second retaining part) 80 vehicles 81 Driver

Claims

1. A pedal device provided in a vehicle (80), a support (10, 20) attached to the vehicle body (2); a pedal (40) that is provided so as to be swingable relative to the support body and that is depressed by a driver (81) from a predetermined operating side; a reaction force generating mechanism (60) supported by the support body and disposed on a counter-operation side of the pedal opposite to the operation side, the reaction force generating mechanism generating a reaction force against a pedal force applied to the pedal by the driver; a connecting rod (76); The reaction force generating mechanism has an elastic part made up of one or more elastic members (65, 66) elastically deformable in one direction (Dsa), a first holder (67) that contacts the elastic part from one side that is the pedal side in the one direction, and a second holder (68) that contacts the elastic part from the other side that is opposite to the one side in the one direction, The reaction force generating mechanism has a first coil spring (65) and a second coil spring (66) connected in series in a transmission path of the pedal force and elastically deformable in the one direction, the one or more elastic members are the first coil spring and the second coil spring, the connecting rod is provided between the pedal and the first holder, the first holder is pushed by the pedal via the connecting rod as the pedal force is applied to the pedal; A pedal device in which the angle formed by the one direction and the connecting rod changes as the pedal swings.

2. 2. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the second holder is connected to the support body so as to be movable along an imaginary plane perpendicular to a pedal axis (CL) that serves as a rotation center during the swinging motion of the pedal.

3. The connecting rod has a rod tip portion (763) provided on the anti-operation side, the first holder has a pressed surface (67a) that faces the one side in the one direction and against which the rod tip portion abuts, the rod tip portion slides against the pressure-receiving surface while pressing the pressure-receiving surface in response to the driver's depression of the pedal, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the rod tip that slides against the pressed surface in response to the pedal depression operation is a convex curved surface.

4. The reaction force generating mechanism has an intermediate holder (74) provided between the first coil spring and the second coil spring in the pedal force transmission path, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate holder is provided as a separate component separate from both the first holder and the second holder.

5. the reaction force generating mechanism has a plurality of holders (67, 68, 74) connected in series via the one or more elastic members in the pedal force transmission path and movable relative to each other in the one direction; the first holder and the second holder are included in the plurality of holders, One of the first holder as a one-side holder provided closest to the one side in the one direction among the plurality of holders and the second holder as an other-side holder provided closest to the other side in the one direction among the plurality of holders has a cylindrical outer guide portion (69, 685) extending in the one direction, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the other of the one-side holder and the other-side holder has an inner guide portion (70, 673a) fitted into the outer guide portion so as to be movable relative to the outer guide portion in the one direction.

6. 6. The pedal device according to claim 5, wherein the outer guide portion (69) is provided radially inward of the first coil spring and the second coil spring.

7. The pedal device according to claim 5, wherein the inner guide portion (673a) is provided radially outward of the first coil spring and the second coil spring.

8. the reaction force generating mechanism has a plurality of holders (67, 68, 74) connected in series via the one or more elastic members in the pedal force transmission path and movable relative to each other in the one direction; the first holder and the second holder are included in the plurality of holders, The reaction force generating mechanism includes a leaf spring (61) having one end (611) and the other end (612), One end of the leaf spring is fixed to the support body, 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the second holder, which is an other-side holder among the plurality of holders and is provided furthest to the other side in the one direction, is connected to the other end of the leaf spring so as not to be able to move relative to the leaf spring.

9. The pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first holder and the second holder are made of resin or metal.

10. 3. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the pedal is a brake pedal.

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