Clutch operation reaction force generator

Abstract

To provide a clutch operation reaction force generator with a compact size, capable of pseudo-generating an operation reaction force corresponding to an amount of operation of a clutch pedal by a driver while reducing an installation space.SOLUTION: A clutch operation reaction force generator 5 includes: a cam plate 13 having a cam surface 13A and movably provided on a support member 10; a cam follower 16 movably provided on the support member 10 and having a roller 16B in contact with the cam surface 13A; and a coil spring 17 provided between the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13 and generating a biasing force in a moving direction of the cam plate 13 so that the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13 move away from each other, where a contact position between the roller 16B and the cam surface 13A is changed as the cam plate 13 moves, and the cam follower 16 moves in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clutch reaction force generator. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles that use an actuator to engage and disengage a clutch, such as a clutch-by-wire type manual transmission (MT), are known.

[0003] When an actuator is used to engage and disengage the clutch, the driver is unable to feel a reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation when he or she operates the clutch pedal, so it is necessary to generate a reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an operating pedal device in which a pedal reaction force (operation reaction force) corresponding to an operation amount of a clutch pedal is artificially generated by a spring member (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] The operating pedal device described in Patent Document 1 has an operating pedal that is arranged on a bracket so as to be rotatable around a single rotation axis, is depressed from an original position to activate a specified operating part, and is rotated back to the original position in accordance with the reaction force of the operating part, and a return spring (spring member) that is arranged across a member integrated with the bracket and the operating pedal, rotates the operating pedal back to the original position, and holds it in the original position.

[0006] The operating pedal also has a bias releasing means for preventing the biasing force of the return spring from acting on the operating pedal when the operating pedal is rotated in the depression direction beyond a predetermined intermediate position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-161069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In such a conventional operating pedal device, since it is necessary to provide the bias releasing means as described above, there is a risk that the installation space for the operating pedal device will increase.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a clutch operation reaction force generating device that is small, requires less installation space, and can generate a simulated operation reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation by the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is a clutch operation reaction force generating device that simulates an operation reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation by a driver, and is characterized in that it comprises a support member, a cam plate having a cam surface and movably mounted on the support member, a cam follower movably mounted on the support member and having a contact portion that contacts the cam surface, and a biasing member that is provided between the cam follower and the cam plate and generates a biasing force in a direction in which the cam follower and the cam plate move away from each other in the movement direction of the cam plate, and that as the cam plate moves, the contact position between the contact portion and the cam surface changes, and the cam follower moves in the movement direction of the cam plate. Effect of the Invention

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate a pseudo reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation by the driver while being compact and requiring less installation space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch operation reaction force generator according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the device attached to a dash panel. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch reaction force generator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a left side view of a clutch reaction force generator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a clutch reaction force generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention taken at the center position in the vehicle width direction of a cam plate. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the clutch pedal stroke and the reaction force when the clutch pedal is depressed and released in the clutch reaction force generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A clutch operation reaction force generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a clutch operation reaction force generating device that simulates an operation reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal operation by a driver, and comprises a support member, a cam plate having a cam surface and movably mounted on the support member, a cam follower movably mounted on the support member and having a contact portion that contacts the cam surface, and a biasing member that is provided between the cam follower and the cam plate and generates a biasing force in a direction in which the cam follower and the cam plate move away from each other in the movement direction of the cam plate, and as the cam plate moves, the contact position between the contact portion and the cam surface changes, and the cam follower moves in the movement direction of the cam plate.

[0014] As a result, the clutch operation reaction force generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is small in size and requires less installation space, while being able to generate a quasi-reaction force that corresponds to the amount of clutch pedal operation by the driver. EXAMPLES

[0015] A clutch operation reaction force generator according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 5 are diagrams showing a clutch operation reaction force generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In Figures 1 to 4, the up, down, front, rear, left and right directions are based on the clutch operation reaction force generator installed on a vehicle, and the front and rear directions of the vehicle are defined as the front-to-rear direction, the left and right directions of the vehicle (vehicle width direction) are defined as the left and right direction, and the up and down directions of the vehicle (vehicle height direction) are defined as the up and down direction.

[0017] First, the configuration will be described. In Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 is provided with a dash panel 2. An engine room 2A in which an engine, a transmission, and the like (not shown) are installed is provided in front of the dash panel 2, and a passenger compartment 2B in which passengers including a driver ride is provided behind the dash panel 2.

[0018] A pedal bracket 3 is provided on the dash panel 2, and a clutch pedal 4 is provided on the pedal bracket 3 so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction.

[0019] The transmission of this embodiment is configured as a manual transmission (MT), and the transmission uses an actuator to connect and disconnect a clutch device (not shown).

[0020] The actuator drives the clutch device in accordance with the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 4 operated by the driver. For this reason, the clutch pedal 4 and the clutch device are not mechanically connected.

[0021] The vehicle 1 has a clutch reaction force generating device 5. The clutch reaction force generating device 5 generates a pseudo reaction force (operation load) corresponding to the amount of operation of the clutch pedal 4 when the driver operates the clutch pedal 4.

[0022] 2 and 3, the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 has a support member 10. The support member 10 is fixed to the dash panel 2. Specifically, a through hole (not shown) is formed in the dash panel 2, and the front side of the support member 10 is installed in the engine compartment 2A through the through hole, and the rear side of the support member 10 is installed in the passenger compartment 2B through the through hole.

[0023] The support member 10 has a front bottom wall 10A extending in the fore-and-aft direction, a front left side wall 10B extending upward from the left end of the front bottom wall 10A, a front right side wall 10C extending upward from the right end of the front bottom wall 10A, a rear left side wall 10D extending rearward from the rear end of the front left side wall 10B, and a rear right side wall 10E extending rearward from the rear end of the front right side wall 10C.

[0024] The front left side wall 10B and the front right side wall 10C face each other in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) and are formed in a symmetrical shape. The rear left side wall 10D and the rear right side wall 10E face each other in the left-right direction and are formed in a symmetrical shape.

[0025] Although not shown, the rear right side wall 10E is located on the rear side (right side) of the rear left side wall 10D in FIG.

[0026] 2, the support member 10 has a panel fixing portion 10F. The panel fixing portion 10F is attached to the connecting portion between the rear ends of the front left side wall 10B and the front right side wall 10C and the front ends of the rear left side wall 10D and the rear right side wall 10E.

[0027] That is, the support member 10 has a front left wall 10B and a front right wall 10C provided on the front side of the panel fixing portion 10F, and a rear left wall 10D and a rear right wall 10E provided on the rear side of the panel fixing portion 10F.

[0028] The panel fixing portion 10F is provided with a through hole 10h, and a coil spring 17, which will be described later, is inserted through the through hole 10h.

[0029] 1, a rear surface 10r of the panel fixing portion 10F abuts against a front surface 2f of the dash panel 2 and is fastened to the dash panel 2 by a plurality of bolts 6 (one bolt is shown in FIG. 2). In this way, the support member 10 is fixed to the dash panel 2.

[0030] 2 and 3, the support member 10 has a ceiling wall 10G. The ceiling wall 10G connects the upper end of the front left side wall 10B and the upper end of the front right side wall 10C, and is inclined vertically with respect to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 described later.

[0031] Specifically, the ceiling wall 10G is inclined downward and forward with respect to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 from the upper end to the lower end in the inclination direction.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, a cam plate 13 is provided on the support member 10, and the cam plate 13 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the support member 10.

[0033] A fitting groove 13a is formed in the cam plate 13, and the front end of the rod 14 is fitted into the fitting groove 13a. As shown in Fig. 1, the pedal bracket 3 is provided with a rod support portion 3A, and the rear end of the rod 14 is connected to the rod support portion 3A.

[0034] As a result, when the clutch pedal 4 is swung in the front-rear direction relative to the pedal bracket 3, the cam plate 13 moves in the front-rear direction via the rod 14.

[0035] Specifically, when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed, the cam plate 13 is pushed by the rod 14 and moves forward, and when the clutch pedal 4 is released from the depressed state and returns to its original position, the cam plate 13 is pulled by the rod 14 and moves rearward.

[0036] A long hole 13b extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the cam plate 13, and a pin 15 is inserted into the long hole 13b. The left and right ends of the pin 15 are connected to the rear left wall 10D and the rear right wall 10E, respectively.

[0037] The vertical width of the elongated hole 13b is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the pin 15. As a result, when the cam plate 13 moves in the front-rear direction, the cam plate 13 does not swing up and down, but moves smoothly and stably in the front-rear direction relative to the support member 10.

[0038] The support member 10 is provided with a cam follower 16, which is movable along the ceiling wall 10G.

[0039] The cam follower 16 has a cam follower body 16A, a roller shaft 16a fixed to the cam follower body 16A, and a roller 16B rotatably supported by the roller shaft 16a. The roller 16B in this embodiment constitutes a rotating body.

[0040] A cam surface 13A is formed on the upper surface of the cam plate 13, and a roller 16B is in contact with the cam surface 13A.

[0041] The cam surface 13A is formed along the moving direction A of the cam plate 13. Here, the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 is the front-rear direction. Moreover, the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 is the same direction as the direction of the axis 14a of the rod 14.

[0042] The cam surface 13A has a convex cam surface 13c that gradually protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 from a front end 13f in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 on the cam follower 16 side toward a rear end 13r in the moving direction A.

[0043] Cam surface 13A has a concave cam surface 13d that gradually recesses in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement A of cam plate 13 from apex 13t of convex cam surface 13c toward rear end 13r of cam plate 13, and a convex cam surface 13e that gradually protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement A of cam plate 13 from deepest part 13p of concave cam surface 13d toward rear end 13r of cam plate 13.

[0044] In this embodiment, a front end 13f of the cam plate 13 constitutes one end of the cam plate in the moving direction, and a rear end 13r of the cam plate 13 constitutes the other end of the cam plate in the moving direction.

[0045] When the clutch pedal 4 is in the initial position (fully engaged clutch position) with the clutch pedal 4 not depressed, the roller 16B is located lower than the apex 13t of the convex cam surface 13c and higher than the deepest part 13p of the concave cam surface 13d. The deepest part 13p is the deepest part of the concave cam surface 13d.

[0046] When the clutch pedal 4 is operated and the cam plate 13 moves in the front-rear direction, the contact position between the roller 16B and the cam surface 13A changes.

[0047] A coil spring 17 is provided between the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13. The front end of the coil spring 17 abuts against the cam follower body 16A, and the rear end of the coil spring 17 abuts against a spring receiving portion 13B provided at the rear end of the cam plate 13.

[0048] The coil spring 17 of this embodiment is configured as a double coil spring consisting of an outer coil spring 17A and an inner coil spring 17B provided inside the outer coil spring 17A.

[0049] The coil spring 17 generates a biasing force in a direction in which the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13 move away from each other in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 .

[0050] When the clutch pedal 4 is depressed or released, the clutch operation reaction force generating device 5 generates a simulated operation reaction force of the clutch pedal 4 by moving the cam plate 13 in the forward / backward direction and changing the amount of compression of the coil spring 17 depending on the contact position of the roller 16B with the cam surface 13A, thereby applying the simulated operation reaction force to the clutch pedal 4.

[0051] Resin friction members 18 and 19 are provided on the support member 10. The friction member 18 is disposed between the front bottom wall 10A of the support member 10 and the cam plate 13.

[0052] A fitting protrusion 18a is formed on the surface of the friction member 18 facing the front bottom wall 10A. A fitting groove 10a is formed in the front bottom wall 10A, and the fitting groove 10a is fitted into the fitting protrusion 18a.

[0053] As a result, the friction member 18 is immovable in the front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the front bottom wall 10A extends. The friction member 18 comes into frictional contact with the cam plate 13 when the cam plate 13 moves in the front-rear direction. The friction member 18 in this embodiment constitutes a first friction member.

[0054] The friction member 19 is disposed between the ceiling wall 10G of the support member 10 and the cam follower body 16A.

[0055] Friction member 19 is inclined with respect to the moving direction of cam plate 13. Specifically, friction member 19 is inclined with respect to moving direction A of cam plate 13 so that upper end 19b faces cam plate 13 in moving direction A of cam plate 13 and lower end 19c faces the opposite side to cam plate 13 in moving direction A of cam plate 13.

[0056] A fitting protrusion 19a is formed on the surface of the friction member 19 facing the ceiling wall 10G. A fitting groove 10b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ceiling wall 10G, and the fitting groove 10b is fitted into the fitting protrusion 19a.

[0057] As a result, the friction member 19 is unable to move in the inclined direction of the ceiling wall 10G. The friction member 19 comes into frictional contact with the cam follower 16 when the cam follower 16 moves in the inclined direction. The friction member 19 in this embodiment constitutes a second friction member.

[0058] A cover member 20 is provided on the front side of the support member 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the cover member 20 is installed on the engine compartment 2A side of the dash panel 2, and covers the support member 10 from the outside.

[0059] The vehicle is provided with a sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of operation of the clutch pedal 4. The sensor detects the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 4 or the amount of movement of the cam plate 13 and transmits a detection signal to a controller (not shown).

[0060] The controller controls the actuator based on the detection information of the sensor to connect and disconnect the clutch device.

[0061] Next, the operation will be described. The clutch device is engaged when the driver is not depressing the clutch pedal 4. In this state, the roller 16B of the cam follower 16 is positioned on the cam surface 13A on the front end portion 13f side of the cam plate 13.

[0062] When the driver depresses the clutch pedal 4 in this state to disengage the clutch device, the cam plate 13 moves forward through the rod 14 while making frictional contact with the friction member 18, compressing the coil spring 17.

[0063] When cam plate 13 moves forward, roller 16B rotates while contacting convex cam surface 13c of cam surface 13A, and cam follower 16 moves diagonally upward toward the rear. At this time, cam follower body 16A moves toward rod 14 in movement direction A of cam plate 13 while frictionally contacting friction member 19.

[0064] When cam plate 13 moves further forward and roller 16B is positioned at apex 13t of convex cam surface 13c, cam follower 16 comes closest to rod 14 in movement direction A of cam plate 13. In other words, the distance between lower end 19c of friction member 19 of support member 10 and cam follower 16 becomes the largest in movement direction A of cam plate 13.

[0065] As a result, when the roller 16B contacts the apex 13t of the convex cam surface 13c from the cam surface 13A on the front end portion 13f side of the cam plate 13, the compression amount of the coil spring 17 is adjusted in the direction increasing by the amount that the cam follower 16 moves toward the rod 14.

[0066] When the roller 16B moves along the convex cam surface 13c, as shown in W1 of Figure 5, the reaction force of the coil spring 17, which gradually increases according to the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 4, is applied to the clutch pedal 4 as a pseudo operation reaction force.

[0067] As the cam plate 13 moves further forward and the roller 16B moves from the apex 13t of the convex cam surface 13c to the deepest part 13p of the concave cam surface 13d while contacting the concave cam surface 13d, the roller 16B moves downward along the concave cam surface 13d.

[0068] When the roller 16B moves along the concave cam surface 13d, the cam follower 16 moves diagonally downward and forward along the friction member 19 while moving away from the rod 14 in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13, so that the compression amount of the coil spring 17 is adjusted in a decreasing direction.

[0069] At this time, as indicated by W2 in FIG. 5, a reaction force of the coil spring 17 is applied to the clutch pedal 4, the reaction force of which gradually decreases in accordance with the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 4.

[0070] As the cam plate 13 moves further forward, the roller 16B moves upward from the deepest part 13p of the concave cam surface 13d while contacting the convex cam surface 13e, and the cam follower 16 moves diagonally upward and rearward along the friction member 19 while moving closer to the rod 14 in the movement direction A of the cam plate 13, so that the compression amount of the coil spring 17 is adjusted in the increasing direction.

[0071] At this time, as indicated by W3 in FIG. 5, a reaction force of the coil spring 17 that gradually increases in accordance with the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 4 is applied to the clutch pedal 4.

[0072] When the clutch pedal 4 is depressed to a state where the clutch device can be disengaged and the gear shift operation of the transmission is completed, the driver releases the clutch pedal 4, and the force with which the driver depresses the clutch pedal 4 becomes smaller than when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed.

[0073] At this time, the cam plate 13 is biased by the coil spring 17, and the cam plate 13 moves rearward via the rod 14.

[0074] When cam plate 13 is biased by coil spring 17, roller 16B contacts along concave cam surface 13d to convex cam surface 13c, and cam follower 16 moves in movement direction A of cam plate 13 depending on the contact position of roller 16B with concave cam surface 13d and convex cam surface 13c.

[0075] As a result, the compression amount of the coil spring 17 is adjusted, and a reaction force according to the compression amount of the coil spring 17 is applied to the clutch pedal 4 as a pseudo operation reaction force.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, a smaller operation reaction force is applied to the clutch pedal 4 on the return side of the clutch pedal 4 compared to the operation reaction force applied to the clutch pedal 4 on the depressing side.

[0077] Specifically, when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed, frictional forces are generated in the direction in which the clutch pedal 4 is depressed between the friction member 18 and the cam plate 13, and between the friction member 19 and the cam follower 16, and the frictional forces increase as the amount of compression of the coil spring 17 increases.

[0078] On the other hand, when the clutch pedal 4 is released and released, frictional forces are generated between the friction member 18 and the cam plate 13 and between the friction member 19 and the cam follower 16 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the clutch pedal 4 is depressed, and the frictional forces decrease as the compression amount of the coil spring 17 decreases.

[0079] The depressing force on the clutch pedal 4 by the driver is smaller on the return side than on the depressing side, so that a hysteresis load is generated in the operation reaction force of the clutch pedal 4, as shown in FIG.

[0080] As a result, a large operation reaction force can be obtained by the clutch reaction force generator 5 on the depressing side of the clutch pedal 4, and a smaller operation reaction force can be obtained by the clutch reaction force generator 5 on the releasing side of the clutch pedal 4 than on the depressing side.

[0081] Thus, the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment includes a support member 10, a cam plate 13 having a cam surface 13A and movably mounted on the support member 10, and a cam follower 16 movably mounted on the support member 10 and having a roller 16B that contacts the cam surface 13A.

[0082] In addition, the clutch operation reaction force generating device 5 is provided between the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13 and is equipped with a coil spring 17 that generates a biasing force in a direction in which the cam follower 16 and the cam plate 13 move away from each other in the direction of movement of the cam plate 13. As the cam plate 13 moves, the contact position between the roller 16B and the cam surface 13A changes, and the cam follower 16 moves in the direction A of movement of the cam plate 13.

[0083] As a result, when the clutch pedal 4 is operated, the amount of compression of the coil spring 17 is changed according to the amount of movement of the cam plate 13 and the amount of movement of the cam follower 16, and an operation reaction force according to the amount of compression of the coil spring 17 can be applied to the clutch pedal 4.

[0084] Furthermore, by changing the shape of cam surface 13A of cam plate 13, the amount of movement of cam follower 16 relative to movement direction A of cam plate 13 can be adjusted, the reaction force of coil spring 17 can be set, and a desired pseudo operation reaction force can be generated.

[0085] As a result of the above, it is possible to generate a pseudo reaction force corresponding to the amount of clutch pedal 4 operation by the driver, and to provide the driver with a natural feeling of clutch pedal 4 operation.

[0086] Furthermore, by providing cam surface 13A on cam plate 13 and cam follower 16 having roller 16B in contact with cam surface 13A, it is possible to eliminate the need for a bias releasing means as in the past. Therefore, clutch operation reaction force generator 5 can be made smaller in size, and the installation space for clutch operation reaction force generator 5 can be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, by configuring the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 using the support member 10, cam plate 13, cam follower 16 and coil spring 17, the configuration of the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 can be simplified, and by connecting the clutch pedal 4 to the cam plate 13 via the rod 14, a pseudo operation reaction force can be applied from the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 to the clutch pedal 4.

[0088] This eliminates the need to form a clutch pedal to fit the clutch operation reaction force generating device 5 or to change the shape of the dash panel to fit the clutch operation reaction force generating device 5, thereby preventing an increase in the manufacturing costs of the vehicle.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the cam surface 13A has a convex cam surface 13c that gradually protrudes from the front end 13f of the cam plate 13 on the cam follower 16 side toward the rear end 13r, in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13.

[0090] Cam surface 13A also has concave cam surface 13d which gradually recesses in a direction perpendicular to moving direction A of cam plate 13 from apex 13t of convex cam surface 13c toward rear end 13r of cam plate 13.

[0091] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, by bringing the roller 16B into contact with the convex cam surface 13c after depression of the clutch pedal 4 is started, a gradually increasing operation reaction force can be generated.

[0092] Furthermore, by bringing the roller 16B into contact with the concave cam surface 13d instead of the convex cam surface 13c, the operational reaction force of the clutch pedal 4 can be gradually reduced.

[0093] Therefore, when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed, a gradually increasing operating load is simulated in the first half (W1 in FIG. 5) when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed about halfway relative to the total depression amount (total clutch stroke), and then a gradually improving operating load is simulated in the second half (W2-W3 in FIG. 5) of the subsequent depression.

[0094] As a result, the driver can feel a strong operating feeling in the first half of depressing the clutch pedal 4 and a lighter operating feeling in the second half of depressing the clutch pedal 4, and can experience an operating reaction force that corresponds to the amount of operation of the clutch pedal 4.

[0095] In addition, when the clutch pedal 4 is released, a simulated operating load that is weaker in the first half of the clutch pedal 4 release can be generated than in the second half of the clutch pedal 4 depression, allowing the driver to experience the same operating feeling as when the clutch pedal 4 is released.

[0096] Further, according to the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the friction member 18 and the friction member 19 are provided on the support member 10 .

[0097] The friction member 18 is disposed between the support member 10 and the cam plate 13, and is in frictional contact with the cam plate 13 when the cam plate 13 moves.

[0098] The friction member 19 is disposed between the support member 10 and the cam follower 16, and is in frictional contact with the cam follower 16 when the cam follower 16 moves.

[0099] As a result, frictional contact between the cam plate 13 and the friction member 18 and frictional contact between the cam follower 16 and the friction member 19 can generate hysteresis in the operation reaction force of the clutch pedal 4 when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed and released.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the friction member 19 is inclined with respect to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 so that the upper end 19b faces toward the cam plate 13 in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13 and the lower end 19c faces the opposite side to the cam plate 13 in the moving direction A of the cam plate 13.

[0101] With this configuration, when roller 16B of cam follower 16 moves along convex cam surface 13c and concave cam surface 13d, cam follower 16 moves in movement direction A of cam plate 13 while moving upward along ceiling wall 10G.

[0102] At this time, coil spring 17 is tilted obliquely relative to moving direction A of cam plate 13 by cam follower 16 moving upward, but by increasing the inclination of friction member 19 relative to moving direction A of cam plate 13, it is possible to prevent the inclination of coil spring 17 from becoming large when cam plate 13 moves. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the durability of coil spring 17 while making the operation of clutch pedal 4 smoother.

[0103] In addition, by tilting the friction member 19 with respect to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13, it is possible to prevent the support member 10 from becoming large in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 from becoming large.

[0104] Furthermore, by tilting the friction member 19 with respect to the moving direction A of the cam plate 13, the surface pressure on the contact surface between the cam follower 16 and the friction member 19 can be increased, and the hysteresis load when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed and released can be increased.

[0105] Here, in order to provide hysteresis when the clutch pedal 4 is depressed and released, it is necessary to increase the surface pressure on the contact surface between the friction member 18 and the cam plate 13 and the contact surface between the friction member 19 and the cam follower 16, and to move the cam plate 13 and the cam follower 16 while maintaining frictional contact with the friction members 18, 19, respectively.

[0106] However, if metal is used for the friction members 18, 19, the surface of the metal is rough, so if the surface pressure of the contact surface between the friction member 18 and the cam plate 13 and the contact surface between the friction member 19 and the cam follower 16 are increased, the friction members will wear out and the load characteristics when the cam plate 13 and the cam follower 16 move will change.

[0107] According to the clutch reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the friction members 18 and 19 are made of resin.

[0108] Resin has a smooth surface, excellent abrasion resistance, and a stable friction coefficient, so that wear of the contact surface of friction member 18 with cam plate 13 and wear of the contact surface of friction member 19 with cam follower 16 can be suppressed more effectively than with metal.

[0109] Therefore, the reaction force when the clutch pedal 4 is operated can be kept constant, and the reaction force according to the amount of operation of the clutch pedal 4 can be felt for a long period of time.

[0110] According to the clutch operation reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the cam follower 16 has the roller 16B that is in rotatable contact with the cam surface 13A.

[0111] This makes it possible to suppress wear on cam surface 13A of cam plate 13, improve the durability of cam plate 13, and maintain a constant reaction force when operating clutch pedal 4. As a result, the reaction force according to the amount of operation of clutch pedal 4 can be felt for a long period of time.

[0112] In the clutch reaction force generator 5 of this embodiment, the clutch pedal 4 is connected to the cam plate 13 via the rod 14 , but the cam plate 13 may be connected to the clutch pedal 4 .

[0113] Although an embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 4...clutch pedal, 5...clutch operation reaction force generating device, 10...support member, 13...cam plate, 13A...cam surface, 13c...convex cam surface, 13d...concave cam surface, 13f...front end (one end in the moving direction of the cam plate), 13r...rear end (the other end in the moving direction of the cam plate), 16...cam follower, 16B...roller (rotating body), 17...coil spring (biasing member), 18...friction member (first friction member), 19...friction member (second friction member), 19b...upper end (upper end of the second friction member)

Claims

1. A clutch operation reaction force generating device that generates a pseudo operation reaction force corresponding to an amount of clutch pedal operation by a driver, A support member; a cam plate having a cam surface and movably provided on the support member; a cam follower movably provided on the support member and having a contact portion that contacts the cam surface; a biasing member provided between the cam follower and the cam plate and configured to generate a biasing force in a direction in which the cam follower and the cam plate move away from each other in a moving direction of the cam plate, a contact position between the contact portion and the cam surface is changed by movement of the cam plate, and the cam follower moves in the moving direction of the cam plate.

2. The cam surface is a convex cam surface that gradually protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the cam plate from one end of the cam follower side in the moving direction of the cam plate to the other end of the moving direction; 2. The clutch operation reaction force generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: a concave cam surface which is gradually recessed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cam plate from the apex of the convex cam surface toward the other end of the direction of movement of the cam plate.

3. The support member is provided with a first friction member and a second friction member, the first friction member is disposed between the support member and the cam plate, the second friction member is disposed between the support member and the cam follower, the first friction member is in frictional contact with the cam plate when the cam plate moves, 3. The clutch reaction force generator according to claim 1, wherein the second friction member is in frictional contact with the cam follower when the cam follower moves.

4. 4. The clutch reaction force generating device according to claim 3, wherein the second friction member is inclined with respect to the direction of movement of the cam plate so that an upper end portion of the second friction member faces the cam plate in the direction of movement of the cam plate.

5. 5. The clutch reaction force generator according to claim 3, wherein the first friction member and the second friction member are made of resin.

6. 6. The clutch reaction force generator according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is formed of a rotor that rotatably contacts the cam surface.

Images