Pedal device

Abstract

A pedal device according to the present invention comprises: a housing (40); a pedal (10) that is attached to the housing and rotates within a prescribed rotation range around a rotational axis (O) through a pushing operation by a driver; and a reaction force generation part (60) that generates a reaction force corresponding to a pushing force of the pushing operation. The pedal has a pressing part (162) that transmits the pushing force of the pushing operation to the reaction force generation part as a result of rotating about the rotational axis together with the pedal. The reaction force generation part has a linear motion part (61) which, as a result of the pushing operation, moves along a direction in which an axial center (Ax) extends. The linear motion part has an abutment surface (616) that abuts the pressing part. The pressing part has a pressing surface (163) that presses the abutment surface, and the pressing part is disposed at a position where when the pedal rotates within the prescribed rotation range, a virtual pressing center (VCe) passes through a virtual axis orthogonal line (VLc).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-075564, filed on April 29, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pedal device. [Background technology]

[0003] A pedal force detection device has been known that includes a rod that moves in the longitudinal direction due to the pedal force applied to the foot pedal, a case that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rod, and a detection unit housed in the case (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The detection unit includes a strain generating body, an actuator, a guide body, an intermediate rod, a strain detection element, and an elastic member. In this pedal force detection device, the foot pedal and the rod are connected by a clevis pin, and when the pedal is depressed and rotated, the rod is pressed by the foot pedal and moves in the longitudinal direction of the rod. As the rod moves in the longitudinal direction, the intermediate rod is pressed by the rod and moves along the longitudinal direction of the rod while contacting the inner circumferential surface of the guide body.

[0004] As a result, the elastic member is compressed by the intermediate rod, and a biasing force resulting from the compression of the elastic member is applied to the actuator. The actuator then contacts the strain element, elastically deforming the strain element. The strain sensing element detects this elastic deformation. Furthermore, a reaction force resulting from the compression of the elastic member acts on the pedal. Hereinafter, the member that generates a reaction force on the pedal will also be referred to as a reaction force generating portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-162980 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, when the foot pedal is depressed and rotates in a predetermined direction from its initial position, the position of the clevis pin connecting the foot pedal to the rod moves upward from the axis of the rod and away from the axis.

[0007] When the rod presses the intermediate rod with the clevis pin positioned above the axis of the rod, the intermediate rod is pressed in a direction inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the rod. As a result, when the intermediate rod is pressed by the rod and moves along the inner circumferential surface of the guide body, the lower surface of the inner circumferential surface of the guide body is pressed against the lower surface of the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate rod, increasing the frictional force generated between the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate rod and the inner circumferential surface of the guide body.

[0008] As a result, a portion of the foot pedal force is used to increase the frictional force. Therefore, the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating unit when the foot pedal is depressed is smaller than when the frictional force does not increase. This causes the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating unit to deviate from the design value. In other words, if the force applied to the foot pedal generates a load on a member moving straight ahead in a direction that deviates from the straight ahead direction, the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating unit will deviate from the design value. This was discovered through detailed studies by the inventors.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a pedal device that can suppress deviation of the reaction force generated by a reaction force generating unit from a design value.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, The pedal device is a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force according to the pressing force of the pressing operation, The pedal has a pressing part (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around a rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating part, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when a pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing part has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as an imaginary pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as an imaginary axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing part is disposed at a position where the imaginary pressing center passes through the imaginary axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within a predetermined rotation range. And, The reaction force generating portion has an elastic member (72) that generates a reaction force by elastically deforming due to a pressing force, and a clamping portion (66) that is arranged at a position facing the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends and clamps the elastic member together with the straight portion when the straight portion moves, thereby elastically deforming the elastic member; The straight portion has a one-side opposing portion (645) that faces the clamping portion in the direction in which the axis extends, The clamping portion has an opposite-side facing portion (663) that faces the one-side facing portion of the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends, When the direction intersecting the direction in which the axis extends is defined as the intersecting direction, the one-side opposing portion and the other-side opposing portion can be opposed to each other in the intersecting direction by the movement of the straight portion, and the distance between them in the intersecting direction becomes smaller as the straight portion moves. . Also, from another perspective, The pedal device is a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force according to the pressing force of the pressing operation, The pedal has a pressing part (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around a rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating part, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when a pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as an imaginary pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as an imaginary axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the imaginary pressing center passes through the imaginary axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within a predetermined rotation range, When the pedal rotates within a range where the pressing surface and the contact surface are in contact with each other, the pedal can rotate to a predetermined angle in one direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line, and can also rotate to a predetermined angle in the other direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line, When a straight line along the direction in which the shaft center extends is taken as a virtual axis (VLAx), the part of the pressing portion that comes into contact with the abutment surface on the pressing surface is positioned on the virtual axis when the pedal rotates to a predetermined angle to one side, and when the pedal rotates to the other side to a predetermined angle. Furthermore, from another perspective, A pedal device comprising: a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force according to the pressing force of the pressing operation, The pedal has a pressing part (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around a rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating part, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when a pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as an imaginary pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as an imaginary axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the imaginary pressing center passes through the imaginary axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within a predetermined rotation range, The reaction force generating section has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate a reaction force by elastically deforming due to a pressing force, The plurality of elastic members are arranged in series, A predetermined elastic member among the plurality of elastic members is disposed between the pedal and the straight-travel portion, The predetermined elastic member forms a predetermined gap between the contact surface and the pressing surface when the pushing operation is released.

[0011] This configuration reduces the amount of change in the direction along the imaginary axis-orthogonal line at the contact point of the pressing surface compared to a configuration in which the imaginary pressure center does not pass through the imaginary axis-orthogonal line when the pedal rotates within a predetermined rotation range. Therefore, when the driver presses the pedal to rotate the linear portion and move it, the direction of movement of the linear portion is less likely to deviate from the direction of the axis. This makes it possible to suppress deviation of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating portion from its design value.

[0012] 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]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a brake-by-wire system in which a pedal device according to a first embodiment is used. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view of a pedal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pedal device according to the first embodiment is positioned at a contact start position. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device showing a state in which the virtual pressure center is positioned at the lowest side of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pedal device according to the first embodiment is positioned in a pedal final position. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the pressing portion, the holder, and the guide member in xy coordinates. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact change amount in a comparative pedal device. [Figure 10] 5 is a diagram showing a change in contact amount in the pedal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 16]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the clearance between the supporting tapered portion and the connecting tapered portion according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a pedal device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the preceding embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. Furthermore, in the embodiments, when only some of the components are described, the components described in the preceding embodiments can be applied to the remaining components. The following embodiments can be partially combined with each other, even if not specifically stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0015] (First embodiment) This embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. A pedal device 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, as a brake pedal in a brake-by-wire system 150 that controls the brakes of a vehicle. First, this brake-by-wire system 150 will be described.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the brake-by-wire system 150 includes wheel cylinders 131 to 134, an ECU 110, a brake circuit 120, and a pedal device 1.

[0017] The wheel cylinders 131 to 134 are disposed on the respective wheels of the vehicle, and brake pads (not shown) are attached to the wheel cylinders 131 to 134, respectively.

[0018] The ECU 110 has a first ECU 111 and a second ECU 112. The first ECU 111 has a microcomputer, a drive circuit, and the like (not shown). The first ECU 111 also controls a first brake circuit 121 of a brake circuit 120 (described later) based on a signal from a pedal device 1 (described later). The second ECU 112 also has a microcomputer, a drive circuit, and the like (not shown). The second ECU 112 also controls a second brake circuit 122 of the brake circuit 120 (described later) based on a signal from the pedal device 1 (described later).

[0019] The brake circuit 120 has a first brake circuit 121 and a second brake circuit 122. The first brake circuit 121 includes a reservoir 124, a motor 123, a gear mechanism 125, and a master cylinder 126. The reservoir 124 stores brake fluid. The motor 123 drives the gear mechanism 125. The gear mechanism 125 reciprocates a master piston 127 of the master cylinder 126 in the axial direction of the master cylinder 126. The second brake circuit 122 includes a solenoid valve and the like (not shown). The second brake circuit 122 controls the hydraulic pressure in each of the wheel cylinders 131 to 134 by opening and closing the solenoid valve in response to a control signal from the second ECU 112.

[0020] Here, for the purpose of explaining the pedal device 1 below, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is referred to as the vehicle front-to-rear direction Da. The top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle is referred to as the vehicle vertical direction Db. The left-to-right direction of the vehicle is referred to as the vehicle horizontal direction Dc. The front in the vehicle front-to-rear direction Da is referred to as the front of the vehicle. The rear in the vehicle front-to-rear direction Da is referred to as the rear of the vehicle. The top in the vehicle vertical direction Db is referred to as the top of the vehicle. The bottom in the vehicle vertical direction Db is referred to as the bottom of the vehicle.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pedal device 1 includes a pedal 10, a stroke sensor 30, a housing 40, and a reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0022] The pedal 10 is operated by a driver of the vehicle pressing it. Specifically, the pedal 10 has a pedal portion 12, a lever portion 14, a lever protrusion 16, and a lever flange 18. The pedal portion 12 is stepped on by the driver. The lever portion 14 is connected to the pedal portion 12. When the driver steps on the pedal portion 12, the lever portion 14 rotates within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis O. The rotation axis O is formed so that the axial direction of the rotation axis O is aligned with the vehicle left-right direction Dc. The lever protrusion 16 is connected to the front side of the lever portion 14 and protrudes toward the front of the vehicle from the boundary with the lever portion 14. Hereinafter, the direction in which the pedal 10 rotates when the driver steps on it will be referred to as the pedal rotation direction Dr.

[0023] The lever flange 18 is connected to the lever protrusion 16 and protrudes from the boundary with the lever protrusion 16 in a direction perpendicular to the protrusion direction of the lever protrusion 16. The lever flange 18 has a support surface 181 that supports a first elastic member 71 (described later) in the reaction force generating mechanism 60. When the rider presses down on the pedal 10, the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the lever 14 in the pedal rotation direction Dr, and the support surface 181 changes its plate surface orientation as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 .

[0024] The lever protrusion 16 is a part that rotates integrally with the pedal 10 around the rotation axis O when the pedal 10 rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr, thereby transmitting the pedaling force when the driver presses the pedal 10 to the reaction force generating mechanism 60. The lever protrusion 16 has a connection part 161 that is connected to the front side of the vehicle of the lever part 14, and a pressing part 162 that presses the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0025] Connection portion 161 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the plate surface of lever portion 14 on the vehicle front side in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface. Connection portion 161 has pressing portion 162 connected to the side opposite to the side connected to lever portion 14. Note that the shape of connection portion 161 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape as long as it allows connection between pressing portion 162 and lever portion 14.

[0026] The pressing portion 162 has a substantially hemispherical shape and is formed so that the side opposite to the side connected to the connecting portion 161 is bulged. The pressing portion 162 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 161 and is made of, for example, resin. The pressing portion 162 has a pressing surface 163 that presses the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0027] The pressing surface 163 is formed in a curved shape that bulges toward the reaction force generating mechanism 60. Specifically, the pressing surface 163 has a hemispherical shape that protrudes opposite to the lever portion 14 side. In this embodiment, the pressing surface 163 is formed in a curved shape that bulges toward the front and bottom of the vehicle when the pedal 10 is in its initial pedal position before the driver steps on the pedal 10. Note that the shape of the pressing portion 162 is not limited to a hemispherical shape, and may be, for example, a semi-cylindrical shape obtained by dividing a cylindrical shape in half along the axial direction, as long as the pressing surface 163 can be formed in a curved shape that bulges toward the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0028] When the pedal 10 is depressed by the driver and the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the lever portion 14 in the pedal rotation direction Dr, the direction in which the pressure surface 163 bulges changes as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. In this embodiment, the pedal 10 is configured to rotate within the range shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 shows the pedal 10 of this embodiment positioned at the pedal initial position, which indicates the state in which the pedal 10 is positioned at the other end when the pedal 10 rotates through a predetermined rotation range. FIG. 6 shows the pedal 10 of this embodiment positioned at the pedal final position when the pedal 10 is depressed to the maximum by the driver, which indicates the state in which the pedal 10 is positioned at one end when the pedal 10 rotates through a predetermined rotation range.

[0029] 3, etc., a virtual circle that follows the surface of the pressure surface 163 is defined as a virtual pressure circle VCi, and the center of the virtual pressure circle VCi is defined as a virtual pressure center VCe. When the pedal 10 is depressed by the rider and the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal portion 12, the locus through which the virtual pressure center VCe passes is defined as a central locus Vt.

[0030] When the pedal 10 is depressed by the driver and the lever protrusion 16 rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr, the imaginary pressure center VCe rotates integrally with the pedal 10 in the pedal rotation direction Dr around the rotation axis O, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. The imaginary pressure center VCe is the center of an imaginary circle with the pressure surface 163 as an arc in a cross section of the pedal device 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the vehicle left-right direction Dc. The pressure surface 163 in this embodiment is formed so that the imaginary pressure circle VCi is a substantially perfect circle.

[0031] In this embodiment, when a virtual orthogonal axis line VLc is defined as a straight line that passes through the rotation axis O and extends in the vehicle up-down direction Db, the pressing portion 162 is disposed so that the virtual pressing center VCe is located rearward of the virtual orthogonal axis line VLc in the pedal initial position. That is, the pressing portion 162 is disposed so that the virtual pressing center VCe is located on the opposite side of the virtual orthogonal axis line VLc to the pedal rotation direction Dr in the pedal initial position. When the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal portion 12 as a result of the driver stepping on the pedal 10, the pressing portion 162 is disposed so that the virtual pressing center VCe is located forward of the virtual orthogonal axis line VLc (i.e., toward the pedal rotation direction Dr).

[0032] The pressing portion 162 of this embodiment is configured so that when the pedal 10 is placed in the pedal initial position, the lever flange 18 is supported by the first elastic member 71 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60, so that the pressing surface 163 does not come into contact with the reaction force generating mechanism 60. When the pedal 10 is pressed by the rider and the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal portion 12 in the pedal rotation direction Dr, the pressing surface 163 is positioned to come into contact with the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, when the pedal 10 rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr and the pressing surface 163 comes into contact with the reaction force generating mechanism 60, the angle formed by the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc and a line passing through the rotation axis O and the imaginary pressing center VCe is defined as angle θ1. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the angle formed by the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc and a line passing through the rotation axis O and the imaginary pressing center VCe when the pedal 10 is positioned at the pedal final position is defined as angle θ2. The pedal 10 of this embodiment is configured so that the angles θ1 and θ2 are the same. That is, the pedal 10 is configured to be rotatable by the same angle to one side and the other side with respect to the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when rotating within the range in which the pressing surface 163 comes into contact with the reaction force generating mechanism 60. Details of the operation of the pedal 10 when rotating will be described later.

[0034] The stroke sensor 30 is disposed on, for example, the rotation axis O of the lever portion 14. The stroke sensor 30 includes a magnet, a yoke, a Hall element, and the like. The stroke sensor 30 detects the rotation angle of the lever portion 14, thereby detecting the rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal 10. The stroke sensor 30 outputs signals corresponding to the detected rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal 10 to the first ECU 111 and the second ECU 112. While the stroke sensor 30 includes a Hall element to detect the rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal 10, the invention is not limited thereto and may include an MR element or the like to detect the rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal 10. MR stands for Magneto-Resistive. The stroke amount is, for example, the amount of movement of the pedal portion 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da.

[0035] The housing 40 is attached to the vehicle's dash panel 200 and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, thereby accommodating a part of the lever portion 14, the stroke sensor 30, and a reaction force generating mechanism 60 (described later). The dash panel 200 is a partition wall that separates the interior of the vehicle from the exterior of the vehicle, such as an engine room, and is sometimes called a bulkhead. In addition to the vehicle engine, the exterior of the vehicle also houses, for example, the vehicle's battery and air conditioning system.

[0036] Specifically, the housing 40 has a housing bottom 42, a housing tubular portion 44, a panel mounting portion 46, and a panel bolt 48.

[0037] The housing bottom 42 extends in the vehicle front-to-rear direction Da. The rotation axis O of the lever portion 14 and the stroke sensor 30 are attached to the housing bottom 42. The housing bottom 42 also supports a portion of the lever portion 14 so that the lever portion 14 can rotate about the rotation axis O, and also supports the stroke sensor 30.

[0038] The housing tubular portion 44 is connected to an end of the housing bottom portion 42 and extends downward from the end of the housing bottom portion 42. The housing tubular portion 44 also houses a part of the lever portion 14, the stroke sensor 30, and a reaction force generating mechanism 60, which will be described later.

[0039] The panel mounting portion 46 is connected to an end of the housing bottom portion 42 that is on the vehicle front side and on the vehicle upper side, and extends in the vehicle upward direction from the boundary with the housing bottom portion 42. The panel mounting portion 46 is also connected to an end of the housing tubular portion 44 that is on the vehicle front side and on the vehicle lower side, and extends in the vehicle downward direction from the boundary with the housing tubular portion 44. Holes are formed in the panel mounting portion 46, and panel bolts 48 are inserted into the holes in the panel mounting portion 46 and holes in the dash panel 200, thereby mounting the housing 40 to the dash panel 200.

[0040] The reaction force generating mechanism 60 is a reaction force generating unit that generates a reaction force against the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal unit 12. Specifically, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has a holder 61, a guide member 63, a first elastic member 71, and a second elastic member 72.

[0041] The holder 61 is made of, for example, resin, and includes a support portion 610 and a guide portion 614. Although the holder 61 is made of resin, it is not limited to this and may be made of, for example, metal or the like.

[0042] The support portion 610 is formed, for example, in the shape of a thin disk having a thickness direction in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da and extending in the vehicle vertical direction Db and the vehicle left-right direction Dc. That is, the plate surface of the support portion 610 is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. The support portion 610 has an abutment surface 616 on the vehicle rear side that is pressed by the pressing surface 163 of the lever protrusion 16. The abutment surface 616 is formed in a flat shape that is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction Da and extends in the vehicle vertical direction Db and the vehicle left-right direction Dc. Note that the shape of the support portion 610 is not limited to a thin disk shape. As long as the shape of the abutment surface 616 can be formed in a flat shape, the support portion 610 does not have to be plate-shaped, and may be formed, for example, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0043] The guide portion 614 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape extending toward the front of the vehicle from the surface of the support portion 610 opposite to the abutment surface 616. A part of the guide member 63 is inserted into the cylindrical guide portion 614. This allows the holder 61 to move along the direction in which the guide member 63 extends. The holder 61 corresponds to the straight-moving portion.

[0044] The guide member 63 is formed, for example, of a rod-shaped metal having an axis Ax extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. That is, the guide member 63 is formed along the direction in which the axis Ax extends. In this embodiment, the direction in which the axis Ax extends coincides with the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. Hereinafter, a virtual line along the axis Ax will also be referred to as a virtual axis VLAx. The virtual axis VLAx passes through the center locus Vt. Furthermore, a portion of the guide member 63 is inserted inside the guide portion 614. This restricts the movement of the guide member 63 and the guide portion 614 in the vehicle vertical direction Db and the vehicle lateral direction Dc. Furthermore, since the guide member 63 and the guide portion 614 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da, the outer surface of the guide member 63 and the inner surface of the guide portion 614 slide along the vehicle longitudinal direction Da.

[0045] Here, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are connected in series, meaning that the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 generate elastic force on the pedal 10 through the same transmission path.

[0046] Specifically, the first elastic member 71 is, for example, a coil spring, and elastically deforms in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. Furthermore, a guide member 63 and a guide portion 614 are arranged inside the first elastic member 71. This restricts movement of the first elastic member 71 in the vehicle vertical direction Db and the vehicle lateral direction Dc. Furthermore, the first elastic member 71 is supported by its front side contacting the inner surface of the front side of the housing tubular portion 44, and its rear side contacting the surface of the support portion 610 opposite to the abutment surface 616.

[0047] Furthermore, when the pedal portion 12 is not stepped on by the driver, the first elastic member 71 is elastically deformed, and is compressed here. Note that, although the first elastic member 71 is elastically deformed when the pedal portion 12 is not stepped on by the driver here, this is not limiting and the first elastic member 71 may not be elastically deformed. In this case, the length of the first elastic member 71 is a free length.

[0048] The second elastic member 72 is, for example, a coil spring, and elastically deforms in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. The second elastic member 72 is disposed between the holder 61 and the pedal 10. The second elastic member 72 is supported by its front side in contact with the abutment surface 616 of the support portion 610, and its rear side in contact with the support surface 181 of the lever flange 18. In other words, one side of the second elastic member 72 in the direction in which the second elastic member 72 deforms is supported by the abutment surface 616, and the other side of the second elastic member 72 in the direction in which the second elastic member 72 deforms is supported by the support surface 181.

[0049] Furthermore, a connection portion 161 is disposed inside the second elastic member 72. The second elastic member 72 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion 161. When the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver, the second elastic member 72 is elastically deformed, and is compressed here. Note that, although the second elastic member 72 is elastically deformed when the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver here, this is not limiting and it may not be elastically deformed. In this case, the length of the second elastic member 72 is a free length.

[0050] Furthermore, when the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver, the second elastic member 72 forms a predetermined gap between the contact surface 616 and the pressing surface 163. In other words, when the pedal 10 is in a state where the driver's depression of the pedal 10 is released, the pressing surface 163 and the second elastic member 72 do not abut against each other.

[0051] As described above, the brake-by-wire system 150 is configured. Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 will be described.

[0052] When the pedal section 12 is not depressed by the driver of the vehicle, the pedal 10 is disposed in the pedal initial position. In this state, the imaginary pressing center VCe is positioned on the vehicle rear side of the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc (i.e., on the opposite side from the pedal rotation direction Dr). When the driver of the vehicle depresses the pedal section 12, the lever section 14 rotates around the rotation axis O together with the pedal section 12. As a result, the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal section 12 around the rotation axis O, and as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing surface 163 comes into contact with the abutment surface 616. The pressing surface 163 and the abutment surface 616 come into contact with each other with the imaginary pressing center VCe positioned on the vehicle rear side of the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc. Hereinafter, the position of the pedal 10 where the pressing surface 163 comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 as a result of the pressing portion 162 rotating integrally with the pedal section 12 is also referred to as the contact start position.

[0053] Furthermore, the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the second elastic member 72 via the lever flange portion 18, causing the second elastic member 72 to be compressed. The lever protrusion 16 of this embodiment is disposed so that the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 when the pedal 10 is positioned at the contact start position is positioned on the imaginary axis VLAx. Note that in FIG. 4 and the following drawings, the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is indicated by a black circle. The portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is also referred to as a abutment portion 1631.

[0054] When the pedal portion 12 further rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr from the contact start position due to the pedal force of the driver, the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616, and the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the holder 61. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , the holder 61 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, so that the inner surface of the guide portion 614 slides along the outer surface of the guide member 63 and the first elastic member 71 is compressed by the support portion 610.

[0055] When the holder 61 is pressed by the pressing surface 163 and moves in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-and-down direction Db changes as the holder 61 and the lever protrusion 16 move. Specifically, the contact portion 1631 moves from the position shown in FIG. 4 to a position below the imaginary axis VLAx. Furthermore, as the holder 61 and the lever protrusion 16 move, the position of the imaginary pressing center VCe changes. Specifically, the imaginary pressing center VCe rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr along the center locus Vt so as to approach the imaginary axis orthogonal line VLc.

[0056] 5, when the imaginary pressing center VCe rotates to a position overlapping the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the contact portion 1631 is positioned at a position farthest from the imaginary axis line VLAx. In other words, when the imaginary pressing center VCe rotates to a position overlapping the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the contact portion 1631 is positioned at the lowest position of the center locus Vt.

[0057] 6, when the pedal portion 12 is rotated by the pedal force of the driver, the holder 61 moves further toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da, and the first elastic member 71 is further compressed by the support portion 610. As the holder 61 and the lever protrusion 16 move, the contact portion 1631 moves toward the upper side of the vehicle so as to approach the imaginary axis VLAx. Furthermore, as the holder 61 and the lever protrusion 16 move, the imaginary pressing center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc along the center locus Vt and rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr so as to move away from the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc.

[0058] When the pedal 10 is positioned at the pedal final position, rotation of the pedal 10 is restricted. The pedal 10 is disposed so that the position of the contact portion 1631 when positioned at the pedal final position is located on the imaginary axis VLAx.

[0059] Furthermore, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are compressed by the pedal force transmitted from the pedal unit 12, and generate a reaction force due to their restoring force. This reaction force allows the pedal device 1 to obtain a reaction force similar to that obtained when the pedal 10 is connected to the master cylinder 126, i.e., when a reaction force is obtained by hydraulic pressure, even if the mechanical connection between the pedal 10 and the master cylinder 126 is eliminated.

[0060] At this time, the stroke sensor 30 detects the rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal section 12 by detecting the rotation angle of the lever section 14. The stroke sensor 30 also outputs the detected rotation angle and stroke amount of the pedal section 12 to the first ECU 111 and the second ECU 112.

[0061] At this time, the first ECU 111 rotates the motor 123, for example, by supplying power to the motor 123. This drives the gear mechanism 125, causing the master piston 127 to move. As a result, the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid supplied from the reservoir 124 to the master cylinder 126 increases. This increased hydraulic pressure is supplied to the second brake circuit 122.

[0062] The second ECU 112 also supplies power to, for example, a solenoid valve (not shown) of the second brake circuit 122. This opens the solenoid valve of the second brake circuit 122. As a result, the brake fluid supplied to the second brake circuit 122 is supplied to each wheel cylinder 131-134. As a result, the brake pads attached to the wheel cylinders 131-134 rub against the corresponding brake discs. This brakes each wheel, causing the vehicle to decelerate. At this time, the second ECU 112 may perform ABS control, VSC control, collision avoidance control, regenerative cooperative control, and the like, based on a signal from the stroke sensor 30 and a signal from another electronic control device (not shown). Note that ABS is an abbreviation for Anti-lock Braking System. Furthermore, VSC is an abbreviation for Vehicle Stability Control.

[0063] When the driver of the vehicle stops pressing down on the pedal portion 12, the restoring forces of the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 move the holder 61 toward the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the inner surface of the guide portion 614 slides along the outer surface of the guide member 63 in the rear of the vehicle. Also, the restoring force of the second elastic member 72 pushes back the lever flange portion 18. Therefore, the position of the pedal 10 returns to the pedal initial position when the driver of the vehicle is not pressing down on the pedal portion 12.

[0064] In this way, in the pedal device 1 of this embodiment, when the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal 10 in the pedal rotation direction Dr due to the pedal force applied by the driver, the imaginary pressing center VCe moves from the side opposite the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc in the pedal rotation direction Dr toward the pedal rotation direction Dr. The pressing portion 162 is configured so that the imaginary pressing center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc. The reason why the pressing portion 162 is configured in this manner will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0065] As described above, when the lever protrusion 16 rotates integrally with the pedal portion 12 around the rotation axis O due to the pedal force of the driver, the pressing surface 163 of the pressing portion 162 presses the abutment surface 616, thereby transmitting the pressing force from the pedal portion 12 to the holder 61. As a result, the holder 61 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. In addition, the inner surface of the guide portion 614 slides along the outer surface of the guide member 63.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the pressing portion 162, the holder 61, and the guide member 63 in xy coordinates. The direction along the x-axis shown in FIG. 7 coincides with the direction in which the imaginary axis VLAx extends. The direction along the y-axis shown in FIG. 7 is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the imaginary axis VLAx extends, and coincides with the direction in which the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc extends. The origin of the xy coordinates indicates the rotation axis O.

[0067] 7, when the imaginary line VL passing through the rotation axis O and the imaginary pressing center VCe is inclined with respect to the direction along the y-axis, the load direction F when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616 while the pressing portion 162 is rotating is inclined downward of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. In other words, the load when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616 includes an x-direction component of the load and a y-direction component of the load.

[0068] Therefore, when the holder 61 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, the surface of the inner surface of the guide portion 614 facing downward in the vehicle is pressed against the surface of the outer surface of the guide member 63 facing downward in the vehicle, increasing the frictional force generated between the inner surface of the guide portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63. The greater the inclination of the load direction F when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616 with respect to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, the greater the increase in the frictional force. Furthermore, the farther the position of the abutment portion 1631 when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616 is from the imaginary axis line VLAx, the greater the inclination of the load direction F when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616 with respect to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0069] However, this increase in frictional force causes the reaction force obtained by compressing the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 due to the pedal force applied to the pedal unit 12 to deviate from the design value. For this reason, it is desirable to suppress the increase in frictional force. Therefore, it is desirable to bring the pressing surface 163 into contact with the contact surface 616 in a state in which the position of the contact portion 1631 when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616 is as close as possible to the imaginary axis line VLAx.

[0070] Therefore, the inventors have studied a method of bringing the position of the abutment portion 1631 closer to the imaginary axis VLAx when the pressing surface 163 and the abutment surface 616 abut, and of suppressing the amount of change in the direction along the imaginary axis-orthogonal line VLc of the abutment portion 1631 when the pressing surface 163 and the abutment surface 616 abut. Hereinafter, the amount of change in the direction along the imaginary axis-orthogonal line VLc of the abutment portion 1631 that changes when the pressing portion 162 rotates integrally with the pedal portion 12 around the rotation axis O in the pedal rotation direction Dr will also be referred to as the abutment change amount Δy.

[0071] Here, the portion of the pressing surface 163, which is curved and bulges out toward the reaction force generating mechanism 60, that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is the portion of the pressing surface 163 that is located furthest forward of the vehicle, although this portion changes depending on the rotation angle of the pedal 10. That is, the abutment portion 1631 is the portion of the pressing surface 163 that has the smallest x coordinate in the xy coordinate system shown in Figure 8, and is the portion that is in contact with a line along the y-axis direction. The amount of change in abutment Δy when the pedal 10 rotates is the amount of change in the y coordinate when the abutment portion 1631 is represented by the xy coordinate system.

[0072] The amount of change in the y coordinate of the contact portion 1631 relative to the amount of change in the x coordinate of the contact portion 1631 increases as the virtual pressure center VCe moves away from the y axis when the pedal 10 rotates. In other words, the amount of change in contact Δy when the pedal 10 rotates increases as the virtual pressure center VCe moves away from the virtual orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates, and decreases as the virtual pressure center VCe moves closer to the virtual orthogonal axis line VLc.

[0073] Therefore, by configuring the pressing portion 162 so that the imaginary pressing center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when rotating integrally with the pedal 10 around the rotation axis O, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the load direction F when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616. In other words, it is possible to reduce the magnitude of the y-direction component included in the load when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616. This in turn makes it possible to suppress an increase in the frictional force generated between the inner surface of the guide portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63. For this reason, the pressing portion 162 of this embodiment is configured so that the imaginary pressing center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates within a predetermined rotation range.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows the contact change amount Δy when the pedal 10 in a comparative pedal device for comparison with the pedal device 1 of this embodiment rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position. The comparative pedal device has a comparative lever protrusion 80 instead of the lever protrusion 16. FIG. 10 also shows the contact change amount Δy when the pedal 10 in the pedal device 1 of this embodiment rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position.

[0075] 9 and 10, in order to make it easier to understand the contact change amount Δy, the holder 61 is depicted by dashed lines when positioned at the contact start position and the pedal final position. Also, components other than the rotation axis O, the lever protrusion 16, and the comparative lever protrusion 80 are omitted.

[0076] 9, the comparative lever protrusion 80 in the comparative pedal device has a larger radius of the pressing surface 163 than the lever protrusion 16 of this embodiment. Accordingly, the radius of the imaginary pressing circle VCi is also larger. Furthermore, when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position, the imaginary pressing center VCe does not pass through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc.

[0077] Therefore, when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-down direction Db continues to move downward toward the vehicle bottom side. Therefore, in the comparative pedal device, the contact change amount Δy tends to be large when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position.

[0078] In contrast, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the imaginary pressure center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position, as shown in Fig. 10. Specifically, as the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-down direction Db gradually changes from its initial position toward the vehicle downward side. Then, when the imaginary pressure center VCe rotates to a position where it overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the contact portion 1631 is positioned at the vehicle's most downward side within the rotation range of the pedal 10. Then, after passing through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-down direction Db gradually changes toward the vehicle upward side.

[0079] The pedal device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the angles θ1 and θ2 are the same. That is, the pressing portion 162 is configured so that it can rotate by the same angle to one side and the other side with respect to the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position. Therefore, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-down direction Db is approximately the same when the pedal 10 is positioned at the contact start position and when it is positioned at the pedal final position.

[0080] In this way, the position of the contact portion 1631 in the vehicle up-down direction Db changes slightly toward the upper side of the vehicle from the position located at the lowermost side of the vehicle. Therefore, the contact change amount Δy when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal end position can be made smaller than when the imaginary pressing center VCe does not pass through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc. Therefore, the contact change amount Δy can be suppressed.

[0081] As described above, in the pedal device 1 of this embodiment, the imaginary pressure center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal end position within a predetermined rotation range. This configuration makes it difficult for the direction of movement of the holder 61 to deviate from the vehicle longitudinal direction Da when the pedal 10 rotates in response to the driver's pressing operation and the holder 61 moves. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the imaginary pressure center VCe does not pass through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates within the predetermined rotation range, the amount of change in the direction along the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc of the portion of the pressing surface 163 where the contact surface 616 abuts can be reduced. In other words, the amount of change Δy can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the imaginary pressure center VCe does not pass through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc. Therefore, it is possible to bring the pressing surface 163 into contact with the abutment surface 616 in a state in which the position of the abutment portion 1631 when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616 is as close as possible to the imaginary axis VLAx. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the frictional force that is generated between the inner surface of the guiding portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63 when the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616. This makes it possible to suppress a deviation of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 60 from its design value.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0083] (1) In the above embodiment, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 includes the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 that generate a reaction force by being elastically deformed by the pedaling force of the driver.

[0084] This makes it easier to set the design value of the reaction force against the pedaling force to any desired magnitude, compared to when the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has only one elastic member.

[0085] (2) In the above embodiment, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are arranged in series.

[0086] This makes it easier to adjust the design value of the reaction force against the pedaling force compared to when the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are arranged in parallel.

[0087] (3) In the above embodiment, the second elastic member 72 is disposed between the pedal 10 and the holder 61, and when the pedal depression operation is released, a predetermined gap is formed between the contact surface 616 and the pressing surface 163.

[0088] According to this, when the pedal 10 moves from the pedal initial position to the contact start position, the second elastic member 72 is compressed and generates a reaction force, but the pedal force on the pedal 10 is not transmitted to the holder 61 via the pressing portion 162. Therefore, the pedal force on the pedal 10 is not easily transmitted to the first elastic member 71.

[0089] When the pedal 10 further rotates from the contact start position, the second elastic member 72 is compressed to generate a reaction force, and the pedal force on the pedal 10 is transmitted to the holder 61 via the pressing portion 162, thereby compressing the first elastic member 71 to generate a reaction force. In this way, the number of elastic members that generate a reaction force can be changed during the rotation of the pedal 10, allowing the magnitude of the reaction force to be adjusted in stages. In particular, when the pedal device 1 is used in a brake-by-wire system 150, generating such a reaction force in stages can easily reproduce the operability unique to braking. Furthermore, in braking, a sensitive reaction force to the pedal force immediately after the pedal starts to be depressed is required. However, the pedal force on the pedal 10 is not easily transmitted to the holder 61 until the pedal 10 moves from the pedal initial position to the contact start position. Therefore, immediately after the pedal starts to be depressed, when a sensitive reaction force is required, it is possible to suppress the generation of resistance due to friction caused by sliding between the inner surface of the guide portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63.

[0090] (4) In the above embodiment, when the pedal 10 rotates within the range where the pressure surface 163 and the contact surface 616 contact each other, the pedal 10 can rotate up to an angle θ1 to the other side based on the imaginary axis orthogonal line VLc, and can rotate up to an angle θ2 to the one side based on the imaginary axis orthogonal line VLc.

[0091] This makes it easier to bring the position of the contact portion 1631 closer to the imaginary axis VLAx when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616, making it easier to stabilize the pressing force when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616.

[0092] Furthermore, compared to a case where this configuration is not used, the contact change amount Δy when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position can be minimized. This further reduces the frictional force that occurs between the inner surface of the guide portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63 when the pressing surface 163 presses the contact surface 616, thereby reducing the amount of wear on the inner surface of the guide portion 614 and the outer surface of the guide member 63.

[0093] (5) In the above embodiment, when the pedal 10 rotates through the angle θ1 around the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the portion of the pressing surface 163 of the pressing portion 162 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is positioned on the imaginary axis line VLAx. Also, when the pedal 10 rotates through the angle θ2 around the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the portion of the pressing surface 163 of the pressing portion 162 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is positioned on the imaginary axis line VLAx.

[0094] This allows the pressing surface 163 to press the contact surface 616 in the direction along the imaginary axis VLAx when the pedal 10 is positioned at the final pedal position. Therefore, when the pedal 10 is positioned at the final pedal position, the pressing surface 163 can stably press the contact surface 616.

[0095] In particular, when the pedal device 1 is used in a brake-by-wire system 150, a stable pressing force on the holder 61 is required when the pedal 10 is positioned at the final pedal position. According to this embodiment, the holder 61 can be pressed stably.

[0096] (6) In the above embodiment, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are configured by coil springs.

[0097] This makes it easier to increase the amount of elastic deformation when the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are compressed and elastically deformed, compared to when the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are made of, for example, rubber, which makes it easier to ensure the amount of rotation of the pedal portion 12 when the pedal portion 12 rotates due to the pedal force of the rider.

[0098] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the location where the lever protrusion 16 is arranged. The rest of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same parts as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0099] The lever protrusion 16 of this embodiment is configured so that the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 face each other when the pedal 10 is positioned at the pedal final position. Specifically, when the pedal 10 is positioned at the pedal final position, the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 are configured so that they are perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da and their plate surfaces are approximately parallel to each other.

[0100] According to this, when the pedal 10 is positioned at the final pedal position, the second elastic member 72 is compressed along the imaginary axis VLAx, thereby making it possible to compress the second elastic member 72 to the maximum extent. Therefore, it is possible to further stabilize the reaction force generated by the second elastic member 72 when the pedal 10 is positioned at the final pedal position.

[0101] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the location where the lever protrusion 16 is arranged. The rest of the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same parts as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0102] 12, the lever protrusion 16 of this embodiment is disposed at a position where the imaginary axis VLAx is tangent to the center locus Vt. The lever protrusion 16 is disposed so that the contact portion 1631 is positioned on the imaginary axis VLAx when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressing center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc. In other words, the lever protrusion 16 is disposed so that the imaginary pressing center VCe is positioned on the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the contact portion 1631 is positioned at the vehicle lowermost position on the center locus Vt.

[0103] Furthermore, when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressure center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 face each other. Specifically, when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressure center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 are perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, and their plate surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

[0104] According to this, when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressing center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the pressing surface 163 can press the contact surface 616 in a direction along the imaginary axis line VLAx. Therefore, when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressing center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the second elastic member 72 is compressed along the imaginary axis line VLAx, thereby compressing the second elastic member 72 to the maximum extent. Therefore, when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressing center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, the pressing surface 163 can press the contact surface 616 more stably.

[0105] In particular, when the pedal device 1 is used in a brake-by-wire system 150, when the driver presses the pedal 10 in a range from the contact start position to the pedal final position, a stable pressing force on the holder 61 is required near the middle of this range. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when a stable pressing force on the holder 61 is required, the second elastic member 72 is compressed to the maximum, so that the pressing surface 163 can press the contact surface 616 more stably.

[0106] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the guide member 63 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is eliminated and the holder 61 is replaced with a first elastic support portion 64. Also, the shape of the housing tubular portion 44 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in part. Other than this, the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the same portions as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0107] The reaction force generating mechanism 60 of this embodiment has a first elastic support portion 64 that supports the first elastic member 71, in addition to a first elastic member 71 and a second elastic member 72. The reaction force generating mechanism 60 applies a reaction force to the pedal 10 in response to the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal 10 by the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 being elastically deformed by the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal 10. Furthermore, when the driver releases the brake operation, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 restores the pedal 10 to its reference position by the elastically deformed first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 returning to their original shapes.

[0108] The first elastic support portion 64 is a member that supports the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72. Specifically, the first elastic support portion 64 supports the vehicle rear side of the first elastic member 71 and supports the vehicle front side of the second elastic member 72. The first elastic support portion 64 has a support small diameter portion 641 and a support large diameter portion 642, and is configured such that the support small diameter portion 641 and the support large diameter portion 642 are stacked in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0109] The small support diameter portion 641 and the large support diameter portion 642 are formed in a disk shape. The small support diameter portion 641 is formed so that its outer diameter is smaller than that of the large support diameter portion 642. The outer diameter of the small support diameter portion 641 is also formed so that it is smaller than the inner diameter of the first elastic member 71, which is a coil spring. The small support diameter portion 641 is disposed in the space inside the first elastic member 71. As a result, the first elastic member 71 is fitted into the small support diameter portion 641, and movement of the first elastic member 71 relative to the small support diameter portion 641 in the vehicle up-down direction Db and the vehicle left-right direction Dc is restricted.

[0110] The large diameter support portion 642 is formed with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first elastic member 71. The surface of the large diameter support portion 642 on the vehicle front side supports the vehicle rear side of the first elastic member 71. The large diameter support portion 642 also has an abutment surface 616 on the vehicle rear side, and this abutment surface 616 supports the vehicle front side of the second elastic member 72. The second elastic member 72 is disposed in a compressed state between the abutment surface 616 of the large diameter support portion 642 and the support surface 181 of the lever flange 18.

[0111] The housing tubular portion 44 of this embodiment has a second elastic support portion 441 that supports the vehicle front side of the first elastic member 71. The second elastic support portion 441 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first elastic member 71, and is formed to protrude from the vehicle front side inner surface of the housing tubular portion 44 toward the vehicle rear. The first elastic member 71 is supported on the inner surface of the housing tubular portion 44 with the vehicle front side fitted into the second elastic support portion 441. This limits movement of the first elastic member 71 in the vehicle up-down direction Db and the vehicle left-right direction Dc relative to the second elastic support portion 441. The first elastic member 71 is disposed in a compressed state between the large diameter support portion 642 and the inner surface of the housing tubular portion 44.

[0112] In the pedal device 1 having such a first elastic support portion 64 and a second elastic support portion 441, when the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver, the pressing portion 162 of the pedal 10 is supported by the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72. When the driver depresses the pedal portion 12, the lever portion 14 rotates together with the pedal portion 12 around the rotation axis O. As a result, the pressing surface 163 comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 with the imaginary pressing center VCe positioned rearward of the imaginary axis-orthogonal line VLc. Furthermore, the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the second elastic member 72 via the lever flange portion 18, so that the second elastic member 72 is compressed.

[0113] When the pedal portion 12 rotates further in the pedal rotation direction Dr from the contact start position due to the pedal force of the driver, the pressing surface 163 presses the abutment surface 616, and the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the first elastic support portion 64. As a result, the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, and the first elastic member 71 is compressed by the first elastic support portion 64. The first elastic support portion 64 in this embodiment corresponds to the straight-travel portion.

[0114] Then, as the first elastic support portion 64 is pressed by the pressing surface 163 and moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 moves toward the vehicle lower side of the imaginary axis VLAx. Also, the imaginary pressing center VCe rotates in the pedal rotation direction Dr along the center locus Vt so as to approach the imaginary axis orthogonal line VLc.

[0115] Then, when the first elastic support portion 64 is pressed against the pressing surface 163 and moves further toward the front of the vehicle and passes the position where the imaginary pressing center VCe overlaps with the imaginary axis orthogonal line VLc, the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 moves toward the upper side of the vehicle relative to the imaginary axis line VLAx.

[0116] As described above, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the imaginary pressing center VCe passes through the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position. As the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position, the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 moves downward relative to the imaginary axis line VLAx, and then moves upward relative to the vehicle after passing the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc.

[0117] According to this, when the pedal 10 rotates and the holder 61 moves in response to the driver's pressing operation, the direction of movement of the holder 61 is less likely to deviate from the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. Furthermore, the contact change amount Δy when the pedal 10 rotates from the contact start position to the pedal final position can be made smaller compared to when the virtual pressing center VCe does not pass through the virtual axis orthogonal line VLc. Therefore, when the pedal 10 rotates and the first elastic support portion 64 moves along the vehicle longitudinal direction Da in response to the driver's pressing operation, the direction of movement of the first elastic support portion 64 is less likely to deviate from the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. This makes it possible to suppress deviation of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 60 from its design value.

[0118] Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment, which are achieved by the same or equivalent configuration as those of the first embodiment.

[0119] In the fourth embodiment, the first elastic member 71 is supported on the inside by fitting the vehicle front side to the second elastic support portion 441 and the vehicle rear side to the small diameter support portion 641, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the first elastic member 71 may be configured to be supported on the outside. In this case, the housing tubular portion 44 may have an annular member that supports the outside of the first elastic member 71 on the vehicle front side. Furthermore, the first elastic support portion 64 may have an annular member that supports the outside of the first elastic member 71 on the vehicle rear side.

[0120] In the fourth embodiment, the second elastic member 72 is supported in a compressed state between the contact surface 616 of the large-diameter support portion 642 and the support surface 181 of the lever flange 18. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second elastic member 72 may be configured to be supported on the inside or outside. In this case, the large-diameter support portion 642 may have a cylindrical member that supports the inside of the second elastic member 72 on the vehicle front side, or may have an annular member that supports the outside. Furthermore, the lever flange 18 may have a cylindrical member that supports the inside of the second elastic member 72 on the vehicle rear side, or may have an annular member that supports the outside.

[0121] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the shape of the first elastic support member 64 differs from that of the fourth embodiment. Other than this, the fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of similar parts to the fourth embodiment may be omitted.

[0122] 14, the first elastic support member 64 of this embodiment has a curved recess 618 recessed toward the front of the vehicle on the contact surface 616. The recess 618 corresponds to the shape of the pressing surface 163 of the pressing portion 162 and is formed so that the pressing portion 162 fits into it. Specifically, the recess 618 has a hemispherical shape recessed on the side opposite to the pressing portion 162, and in a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle left-right direction Dc, the shape that follows the surface of the recess 618 is a substantially arc-shaped. The size of the imaginary circle that forms the arc that follows the surface of the recess 618 is substantially the same as the size of the imaginary pressing circle VCi that follows the surface of the pressing surface 163.

[0123] Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by a configuration similar to or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0124] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the holder 61 and the guide member 63 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are eliminated compared to the first embodiment. However, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 may have the holder 61 and the guide member 63 described in the first embodiment.

[0125] (Sixth embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the shapes of the pressing portion 162 and the first elastic support portion 64 differ from those of the fourth embodiment. Other than this, the sixth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the similarities between the fourth embodiment and the fourth embodiment may be omitted.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 15 , the pressing portion 162 of this embodiment has a pressing surface 163 recessed toward the rear of the vehicle. The pressing surface 163 is formed as a curved surface recessed toward the opposite side from the reaction force generating mechanism 60. That is, the pressing surface 163 is formed as a curved surface recessed toward the rear and upper sides of the vehicle when the pedal 10 is in the pedal initial position before the driver steps on it. Specifically, in a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle left-right direction Dc, the shape of the pressing surface 163 that follows the surface of the pressing surface 163 is an arc shape centered on a virtual pressing center VCe. The pressing surface 163 corresponds to the shape of the first elastic support portion 64 and is formed so that the first elastic support portion 64 fits into it.

[0127] The first elastic support portion 64 of this embodiment has a protrusion 643 on the contact surface 616 that bulges toward the rear of the vehicle. The protrusion 643 corresponds to the shape of the pressing surface 163 of the pressing portion 162, and is formed so that the recessed pressing surface 163 fits into it. Specifically, the protrusion 643 has a substantially hemispherical shape and is formed to bulge toward the side opposite to the side connected to the large-diameter support portion 642. In a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle left-right direction Dc, the shape of the protrusion 643 that follows the surface of the protrusion 643 is an arc. The size of an imaginary circle that forms the arc that follows the surface of the protrusion 643 is substantially the same as the size of an imaginary pressing circle VCi that follows the surface of the pressing surface 163.

[0128] Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by a configuration similar to or equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0129] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the holder 61 and the guide member 63 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are eliminated compared to the first embodiment. However, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 may have the holder 61 and the guide member 63 described in the first embodiment.

[0130] (Seventh embodiment) Next, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16. This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the pressing surface 163 abuts against the reaction force generating mechanism 60 when the pedal 10 is placed in the pedal initial position. In addition, this embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the configuration of the reaction force generating mechanism 60. Other than this, this embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the similarities between the fourth embodiment and the fourth embodiment may be omitted.

[0131] 16 shows a state in which the pedal 10 is disposed in the pedal initial position. As shown in Fig. 16, the pressing portion 162 of this embodiment is configured so that, when the pedal 10 is disposed in the pedal initial position, the pressing surface 163 abuts against the reaction force generating mechanism 60, and the pressing portion 162 is supported by the reaction force generating mechanism 60. In other words, when the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver, no gap is formed between the pressing surface 163 and the reaction force generating mechanism 60.

[0132] In addition to the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 of this embodiment has a connecting portion 66 that connects the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72, and a first elastic support portion 64. The reaction force generating mechanism 60 applies a reaction force to the pedal 10 in response to the pedal force applied by the driver to the pedal 10 by the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 being elastically deformed. Furthermore, when the driver releases the brake operation, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 restores the shapes of the elastically deformed first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 to their original shapes, thereby restoring the pedal 10 to its initial pedal position.

[0133] The connecting portion 66 is a member that supports the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72. Specifically, the connecting portion 66 supports the vehicle rear side of the first elastic member 71 and supports the vehicle front side of the second elastic member 72. The connecting portion 66 is disposed at a position facing the first elastic support portion 64 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, and supports the second elastic member 72 by sandwiching the second elastic member 72 together with the first elastic support portion 64. The connecting portion 66 has a connecting small diameter portion 661 and a connecting large diameter portion 662.

[0134] The connecting small diameter portion 661 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is disposed so that the bottom side faces the front of the vehicle and the opening side faces the rear of the vehicle. The connecting small diameter portion 661 is formed so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first elastic member 71, and is disposed in the space inside the first elastic member 71, which is a coil spring. The size of the connecting small diameter portion 661 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da is smaller than the size of the first elastic member 71 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. The connecting small diameter portion 661 accommodates a portion of the second elastic member 72 therein, and the bottom portion supports the vehicle front side of the second elastic member 72.

[0135] The large-diameter connecting portion 662 is connected to the opening side of the small-diameter connecting portion 661 opposite the bottom side, and is formed in a thin, annular plate shape extending from the end of the small-diameter connecting portion 661 on the vehicle rear side toward the outside of the small-diameter connecting portion 661. That is, the outer diameter of the large-diameter connecting portion 662 is larger than the outer diameter of the small-diameter connecting portion 661. The outer diameter of the large-diameter connecting portion 662 is also slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first elastic member 71. The surface of the large-diameter connecting portion 662 on the vehicle front side supports the vehicle rear side of the first elastic member 71. As a result, the first elastic member 71 is disposed in a compressed state between the large-diameter connecting portion 662 and the inner surface of the tubular housing portion 44.

[0136] Furthermore, the first elastic support portion 64 of the present embodiment supports the second elastic member 72. Specifically, the first elastic support portion 64 supports the vehicle rear side of the second elastic member 72. The support small diameter portion 641 of the present embodiment is formed to have a smaller outer diameter than the support small diameter portion 641 of the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the support small diameter portion 641 is formed so that its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the second elastic member 72, which is a coil spring. The support small diameter portion 641 is disposed in the space inside the second elastic member 72.

[0137] The surface of the large diameter support portion 642 facing the front of the vehicle supports the rear of the second elastic member 72. As a result, the second elastic member 72 is disposed in a compressed state between the small diameter connecting portion 661 and the large diameter support portion 642. The first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 66 and the first elastic support portion 64.

[0138] In the pedal device 1 having such a connecting portion 66 and a first elastic support portion 64, when the pedal portion 12 is not depressed by the driver, the pressing surface 163 of the pedal 10 abuts against the large-diameter support portion 642, and the pressing portion 162 is supported by the reaction force generating mechanism 60, as shown in FIG. 16 . Specifically, when the driver releases the pedal depression operation, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 abut against the pressing surface 163 to support the pressing portion 162. When the driver depresses the pedal portion 12, the lever portion 14 rotates together with the pedal portion 12 around the rotation axis O. As a result, the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the second elastic member 72 via the first elastic support portion 64. Therefore, the second elastic member 72 is compressed. That is, the first elastic support portion 64 and the connecting portion 66 elastically deform the second elastic member 72.

[0139] Furthermore, as the pedal force applied by the driver increases, the amount of elastic deformation of the second elastic member 72 increases. As a result, the large-diameter support portion 642 comes into contact with the large-diameter connecting portion 662. Then, the force from the pedal portion 12 is transmitted to the connecting portion 66 via the first elastic support portion 64. As a result, the connecting portion 66 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, and the first elastic member 71 is compressed. Furthermore, when the pedal portion 12 is rotated by the driver's pedal force, the connecting portion 66 moves further toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, and the first elastic member 71 is further compressed. Then, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72, which are compressed by the pedal force transmitted from the pedal portion 12, generate a reaction force due to a restoring force.

[0140] In this way, when the pressing surface 163 abuts against the large diameter support portion 642 when the pedal 10 is placed in the pedal initial position, the pressing surface 163 of the lever convex portion 16 does not collide with the large diameter support portion 642 when the rider steps on the pedal portion 12. This makes it possible to avoid the generation of a collision noise caused by the pressing surface 163 colliding with the large diameter support portion 642. In other words, by configuring the pressing surface 163 to always abut against the large diameter support portion 642, it is possible to avoid the generation of a collision noise caused by the collision between the pressing surface 163 and the large diameter support portion 642.

[0141] Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment, which are achieved by a configuration similar to or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

[0142] (Eighth embodiment) Next, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. In this embodiment, the shapes of the first elastic support portion 64 and the connecting portion 66 differ from those of the seventh embodiment. Other than this, the eighth embodiment is similar to the seventh embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the seventh embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the same portions as the seventh embodiment may be omitted.

[0143] 17, the first elastic support portion 64 of this embodiment has a support medium diameter portion 644 between a support small diameter portion 641 and a support large diameter portion 642. The first elastic support portion 64 is configured by stacking the support small diameter portion 641, the support medium diameter portion 644, and the support large diameter portion 642 in this order in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. The support medium diameter portion 644 is formed in a disk shape. The first elastic support portion 64 is formed so that the axes of the support small diameter portion 641, the support medium diameter portion 644, and the support large diameter portion 642 are aligned.

[0144] The support medium diameter portion 644 has an outer diameter larger than that of the support small diameter portion 641 and smaller than that of the support large diameter portion 642. The outer diameter of the support medium diameter portion 644 is also larger than the inner diameter of the second elastic member 72, which is a coil spring. The surface of the support medium diameter portion 644 facing the front of the vehicle supports the vehicle rear side of the second elastic member 72. The support medium diameter portion 644 has a support tapered portion 645 on its outer periphery.

[0145] The outer diameter of the support tapered portion 645 gradually increases from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle. That is, the support tapered portion 645 is formed in a tapered shape. The support tapered portion 645 faces the large diameter connecting portion 662 in the vehicle front-rear direction Da.

[0146] The large diameter connecting portion 662 of this embodiment has a tapered connecting tapered portion 663 on the inner side that forms the opening of the connecting portion 66. The inner diameter of the connecting tapered portion 663 gradually increases from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle. The connecting tapered portion 663 faces the support tapered portion 645 of the medium diameter supporting portion 644 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0147] The shape of the connecting tapered portion 663 corresponds to the shape of the support tapered portion 645 of the support medium diameter portion 644. Specifically, the connecting tapered portion 663, whose inner diameter gradually increases from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side, has a change amount that is substantially equal to the change amount of the support tapered portion 645, whose outer diameter gradually increases from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side of the support medium diameter portion 644. The support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 are formed so that a predetermined distance is ensured between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 when the pedal 10 is placed in the pedal initial position. The support tapered portion 645 corresponds to a one-side opposing portion that faces the connecting tapered portion 663 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. The connecting tapered portion 663 also corresponds to a other-side opposing portion that faces the support tapered portion 645 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0148] The reason why the supporting tapered portion 645 is formed in the supporting medium diameter portion 644 and the connecting tapered portion 663 is formed in the connecting large diameter portion 662 will be described below.

[0149] When the pedal portion 12 rotates from the contact start position in the pedal rotation direction Dr due to the pedal force of the driver, the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da. The second elastic member 72 is compressed by the first elastic support portion 64. As the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, the support tapered portion 645 approaches the connecting tapered portion 663. As a result, the distance between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 becomes smaller.

[0150] 18, in the support small diameter portion 641, the support medium diameter portion 644, and the support large diameter portion 642, whose axes coincide with each other, a support radial direction Dx is defined as a direction extending radially from the axis of the support small diameter portion 641, the support medium diameter portion 644, and the support large diameter portion 642. The support radial direction Dx is a direction intersecting the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0151] As the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle and the support tapered portion 645 approaches the connecting tapered portion 663, the distance in the support radial direction Dx between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 decreases. In other words, as the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle, the clearance D in the support radial direction Dx between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 decreases, as shown in FIG.

[0152] Therefore, when the second elastic member 72 is compressed by the first elastic support portion 64 moving toward the front of the vehicle, even if the second elastic member 72 bends in the support radial direction Dx, the support tapered portion 645 abuts against the connecting tapered portion 663. This makes it difficult for the second elastic member 72 to bend in the support radial direction Dx. This makes it easier to compress the second elastic member 72 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, making it easier to obtain a reaction force corresponding to the driver's pedal force.

[0153] (Ninth embodiment) Next, the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. In this embodiment, the positions of the support tapered portion 645 formed in the first elastic support portion 64 and the connecting tapered portion 663 formed in the connecting portion 66 differ from those of the eighth embodiment. In addition, the shapes of the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 differ from those of the eighth embodiment. Other than this, the present embodiment is similar to the eighth embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the eighth embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the similar portions to the eighth embodiment may be omitted.

[0154] 19, the support tapered portion 645 of this embodiment is formed on the outer periphery of the support large diameter portion 642. The outer diameter of the support tapered portion 645 gradually decreases from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side. Note that the first elastic support portion 64 of this embodiment does not have a support medium diameter portion 644, and the vehicle front side surface of the support large diameter portion 642 supports the vehicle rear side of the second elastic member 72.

[0155] The connecting tapered portion 663 of this embodiment is formed on the outer periphery of the connecting large diameter portion 662. The outer diameter of the connecting tapered portion 663 gradually decreases from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle. The connecting tapered portion 663 faces the support tapered portion 645 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0156] According to this, similar to the eighth embodiment, as the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle and the support tapered portion 645 approaches the connecting tapered portion 663, the distance in the support radial direction Dx between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 becomes smaller. In other words, as the first elastic support portion 64 moves toward the front of the vehicle, the clearance D in the support radial direction Dx between the support tapered portion 645 and the connecting tapered portion 663 becomes smaller.

[0157] Therefore, when the second elastic member 72 is compressed by the first elastic support portion 64 moving toward the front of the vehicle, even if the second elastic member 72 bends in the support radial direction Dx, the support tapered portion 645 abuts against the connecting tapered portion 663. This makes it difficult for the second elastic member 72 to bend in the support radial direction Dx. This makes it easier to compress the second elastic member 72 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da, making it easier to obtain a reaction force corresponding to the driver's pedal force.

[0158] (Tenth embodiment) Next, a tenth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20. In this embodiment, the shape of the first elastic support member 64 differs from that of the seventh embodiment, and the second elastic member 72 differs from that of the seventh embodiment. Other than this, the tenth embodiment is the same as the seventh embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the seventh embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the same parts as the seventh embodiment may be omitted.

[0159] 20, the first elastic support part 64 of this embodiment does not have a small diameter support part 641. Also, the configuration of the second elastic member 72 of this embodiment is different. Specifically, the second elastic member 72 of this embodiment is made of a polymer compound having elasticity, such as rubber or elastomer.

[0160] In this way, by forming the second elastic member 72 from an elastic polymer compound such as rubber or elastomer, it is possible to easily damp the first elastic member 71, which is made of a coil spring, when the first elastic member 71 returns to its original state from a compressed state. This provides hysteresis to the reaction force against the pedal 10's depression force, improving the feel of operation and improving the texture by attenuating vibrations and sounds.

[0161] The other configurations are the same as those of the seventh embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment, which are achieved by the same or equivalent configuration as those of the seventh embodiment.

[0162] (Eleventh embodiment) Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21. In this embodiment, the guide member 63 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 is eliminated, and the shape of the holder 61 and the cylindrical housing portion 44 are partially different from those of the first embodiment. In addition, in this embodiment, the first elastic member 71 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other than this, the present embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a description of the similarities between the first embodiment and the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0163] As shown in Fig. 21 , the guide member 63 is eliminated compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the guide portion 614 of the holder 61 is eliminated compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the size of the housing tubular portion 44 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da is formed smaller compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the distance between the inner surface of the housing tubular portion 44 and the support portion 610 of the holder 61 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da is smaller compared to the first embodiment. A first elastic member 71 is arranged in a compressed state between the inner surface of the housing tubular portion 44 and the support portion 610 of the holder 61.

[0164] Also, the configuration of the first elastic member 71 of this embodiment is different. Specifically, the first elastic member 71 of this embodiment is made of a polymer compound having elasticity, such as rubber or elastomer. The first elastic member 71 of this embodiment is formed to have a smaller size in the vehicle front-rear direction Da than that of the first embodiment.

[0165] In this way, by forming the first elastic member 71 from an elastic polymer compound such as rubber or elastomer, it is easier to obtain an elastic force similar to that of a coil spring even if the size of the first elastic member 71 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da is reduced, compared to when the first elastic member 71 is formed from a coil spring. Therefore, compared to when the first elastic member 71 is formed from a coil spring, it is possible to reduce the size of the first elastic member 71 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da and also reduce the size of the housing tubular portion 44 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction Da.

[0166] Furthermore, by making the first elastic member 71 out of an elastic polymer compound such as rubber or elastomer, it is possible to easily damp the second elastic member 72, which is made of a coil spring, when the second elastic member 72 returns to its original state from a compressed state. This provides hysteresis to the reaction force against the pedal 10's depression force, improving the feel of operation and the quality of the pedal by attenuating vibrations and sounds.

[0167] The other configurations are the same as those of the seventh embodiment. The pedal device 1 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment, which are achieved by the same or equivalent configuration as those of the seventh embodiment.

[0168] (Other embodiments) Representative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified in various ways, for example, as follows.

[0169] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the axis Ax of the guide member 63 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction Da, and the holder 61 moves along the vehicle longitudinal direction Da, but this is not limiting. 22 10, the holder 61 may be inclined with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction Da. The holder 61 may be configured to be movable along the direction in which the axis Ax of the guide member 63 extends.

[0170] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the reaction force generating mechanism 60 has a plurality of elastic members, but this is not limiting. For example, the reaction force generating mechanism 60 may be configured to have only one elastic member, or may be configured to have three or more elastic members.

[0171] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 are arranged in series, but this is not limiting. For example, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 may be arranged in parallel.

[0172] In the above-described first to sixth and eleventh embodiments, an example has been described in which the second elastic member 72 is disposed between the pedal 10 and the holder 61, and a predetermined gap is formed between the contact surface 616 and the pressing surface 163 when the pedal 10 is released from its depressed state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the second elastic member 72 is not disposed between the pedal 10 and the holder 61 is also possible. Furthermore, a configuration in which a predetermined gap is not formed between the contact surface 616 and the pressing surface 163, and the contact surface 616 and the pressing surface 163 come into contact with each other when the pedal 10 is released from its depressed state, is also possible.

[0173] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the pedal 10 is configured to be rotatable by the same angle to one side and the other side with respect to the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when rotating within the range in which the pressing surface 163 and the contact surface 616 are in contact, but this is not limiting. For example, the pedal 10 may be configured to be rotatable by different angles to one side and the other side with respect to the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc when rotating within the range in which the pressing surface 163 and the contact surface 616 are in contact.

[0174] In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 is positioned on the imaginary axis VLAx when the pedal 10 rotates through angles θ1 and θ2 around the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc as a reference, but this is not limiting. For example, when the pedal 10 rotates through angles θ1 and θ2 around the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc as a reference, the portion of the pressing surface 163 that comes into contact with the abutment surface 616 does not have to be positioned on the imaginary axis VLAx.

[0175] In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 face each other when the pedal 10 rotates to one side by the angle θ2, but this is not limiting. For example, the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 do not have to face each other when the pedal 10 rotates to one side by the angle θ2.

[0176] In the second embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 face each other when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressure center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support surface 181 and the contact surface 616 do not have to face each other when the pedal 10 rotates to a position where the imaginary pressure center VCe overlaps with the imaginary orthogonal axis line VLc.

[0177] In the above embodiment, the pedal device 1 is used as a brake pedal for braking, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pedal device 1 may be used as an accelerator pedal for accelerator operation.

[0178] In the above-described embodiment, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are coil springs or elastic polymer compounds such as rubber or elastomer, but are not limited to this. For example, the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 may be made of an elastic material other than the coil springs or elastic polymer compounds such as rubber or elastomer.

[0179] In each of the above embodiments, the reaction force is generated by a restoring force generated by compressing the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72, but this is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement of the reaction force generating mechanism 60 may be changed so that the reaction force is generated by a restoring force generated by pulling the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72. Furthermore, while the coil springs of the first elastic member 71 and the second elastic member 72 are equal-spaced coil springs, this is not limited to this, and they may be conical coil springs, unequal-spaced coil springs, etc.

[0180] In each of the above embodiments, the pedal device 1 is a hanging type device, but is not limited to this and may be an organ type device. In the organ type, the portion of the pedal 10 that is further forward of the rotation axis O of the vehicle rotates toward the dash panel 200 as the driver's pedal force applied to the pedal 10 increases.

[0181] In each of the above embodiments, in the brake-by-wire system 150, the master cylinder 126 generates hydraulic pressure in the brake fluid flowing through the brake circuit 120. However, the present invention is not limited to the master cylinder 126 generating hydraulic pressure in the brake fluid flowing through the brake circuit 120. For example, hydraulic pressure may be generated in the brake fluid flowing through the brake circuit 120 by a hydraulic pump.

[0182] In the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless they are specifically stated as essential or are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0183] In the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers unless they are expressly stated as being essential or are clearly limited to a specific number in principle.

[0184] In the above-described embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., the shapes, positional relationships, etc. are not limited to those unless otherwise specified or when they are limited in principle to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc.

[0185] (Features of the present disclosure)

[0186] [First viewpoint] A pedal device comprising: a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force corresponding to the pressing force of the pushing operation, the pedal has a pressing portion (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around the rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating portion, the reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when the pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as a virtual pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis orthogonal line (VLc), the pedal device is arranged at a position where the virtual pressing center passes through the virtual axis orthogonal line when the pedal rotates within the specified rotation range.

[0187] [Second perspective] the reaction force generating portion has a guide member (63) that slides the straight portion when the straight portion moves, guiding the movement in the direction in which the axis extends, The pedal device according to a first aspect, wherein the contact surface is formed in a plane perpendicular to a direction in which the axis extends.

[0188] [Third Perspective] The pedal device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reaction force generating section has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate the reaction force by being elastically deformed by the pressing force.

[0189] [Fourth viewpoint] The pedal device according to a third aspect, wherein the plurality of elastic members are arranged in series.

[0190] [Fifth viewpoint] A predetermined elastic member among the plurality of elastic members is disposed between the pedal and the straight-travel portion, A pedal device according to a fourth aspect, wherein the predetermined elastic member forms a predetermined gap between the contact surface and the pressing surface when the pushing operation is released.

[0191] [Sixth viewpoint] the reaction force generating section has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force, The pedal device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of elastic members support the pressing portion by bringing the contact surface into contact with the pressing surface when the pressing operation is released.

[0192] [Seventh viewpoint] The reaction force generating portion includes an elastic member (72) that generates the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force, and a clamping portion (66) that is disposed at a position facing the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends and clamps the elastic member together with the straight portion when the straight portion moves, thereby elastically deforming the elastic member, The straight portion has a one-side opposing portion (645) that faces the clamping portion in the direction in which the axis extends, The clamping portion has an other-side opposing portion (663) that faces the one-side opposing portion of the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends, The pedal device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the one-side opposing portion and the other-side opposing portion can face each other in the intersecting direction by movement of the straight portion, when the intersecting direction is a direction intersecting the direction in which the axis extends, and the distance between them in the intersecting direction becomes smaller as the straight portion moves.

[0193] [Eighth viewpoint] The pedal device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein when the pedal rotates within a range in which the pressing surface and the contact surface abut, the pedal is rotatable to a predetermined angle in one direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line, and is rotatable to the predetermined angle in the other direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line.

[0194] [Ninth viewpoint] The pedal device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein when a straight line along the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis (VLAx), a portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the abutment surface is positioned on the virtual axis when the pedal rotates to the one side by the predetermined angle and when the pedal rotates to the other side by the predetermined angle.

[0195] [10th viewpoint] The pedal has a support surface (181) that supports one side of the direction in which the predetermined elastic member deforms, the abutment surface supports the other side of the predetermined elastic member in the direction of deformation, A pedal device according to a ninth aspect, wherein the support surface and the contact surface face each other when the pedal rotates to the one side up to the predetermined angle.

[0196] [11th viewpoint] The pedal device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein when a straight line along the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis (VLAx) and a locus through which the virtual pressing center passes when the pedal rotates within the predetermined rotation range is defined as a central locus (Vt), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the virtual axis is a tangent to the central locus.

[0197] [12th viewpoint] The pedal has a support surface (181) that supports one side of the direction in which the predetermined elastic member deforms, the abutment surface supports the other side of the predetermined elastic member in the direction of deformation, The pedal device according to a ninth aspect, wherein the support surface and the contact surface face each other when the imaginary pressing center is positioned at a position overlapping the imaginary axis line.

[0198] [13th viewpoint] The pedal device according to any one of the third to twelfth aspects, wherein the plurality of elastic portions include at least one of rubber and a coil spring.

Claims

1. A pedal device comprising: a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force corresponding to the pressing force of the pressing operation, the pedal has a pressing portion (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around the rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating portion, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when the pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as a virtual pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the virtual pressing center passes through the virtual axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within the predetermined rotation range, The reaction force generating portion has an elastic member (72) that generates the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force, and a clamping portion (66) that is arranged at a position facing the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends and that clamps the elastic member together with the straight portion when the straight portion moves, thereby elastically deforming the elastic member, The straight portion has a one-side opposing portion (645) that faces the clamping portion in the direction in which the axis extends, The clamping portion has a second-side opposing portion (663) that faces the first-side opposing portion of the straight portion in the direction in which the axis extends, When the direction intersecting the direction in which the axis extends is defined as the intersecting direction, the one-side opposing portion and the other-side opposing portion can face each other in the intersecting direction by movement of the straight-moving portion, and the distance between them in the intersecting direction becomes smaller as the straight-moving portion moves.

2. A pedal device comprising: a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force corresponding to the pressing force of the pressing operation, the pedal has a pressing portion (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around the rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating portion, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when the pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as a virtual pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the virtual pressing center passes through the virtual axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within the predetermined rotation range, When the pedal rotates within a range in which the pressing surface and the contact surface contact each other, the pedal can rotate to a predetermined angle in one direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line, and can also rotate to the predetermined angle in the other direction with respect to the imaginary axis orthogonal line, When a straight line along the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis (VLAx), the pressing portion of the pressing surface that comes into contact with the abutment surface is positioned on the virtual axis when the pedal rotates to the one side by the predetermined angle and when the pedal rotates to the other side by the predetermined angle.

3. the reaction force generating portion has a guide member (63) that slides the straight portion when the straight portion moves, guiding the movement in the direction in which the axis extends, The pedal device according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface is formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends.

4. 3. The pedal device according to claim 2, wherein the reaction force generating portion has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force.

5. 5. The pedal device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of elastic members are arranged in series.

6. A predetermined elastic member among the plurality of elastic members is disposed between the pedal and the straight-travel portion, The pedal device according to claim 5 , wherein the predetermined elastic member forms a predetermined gap between the contact surface and the pressing surface when the pushing operation is released.

7. the reaction force generating section has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force, A predetermined elastic member among the plurality of elastic members is disposed between the pedal and the straight-travel portion, The pedal device according to claim 2 , wherein the predetermined elastic member supports the pressing portion by bringing the contact surface into contact with the pressing surface when the pressing operation is released.

8. The pedal has a support surface (181) that supports one side of the direction in which the predetermined elastic member deforms, the abutment surface supports the other side of the predetermined elastic member in the direction of deformation, 8. The pedal device according to claim 6, wherein the support surface and the contact surface face each other when the pedal rotates to the one side up to the predetermined angle.

9. The pedal has a support surface (181) that supports one side of the direction in which the predetermined elastic member deforms, the abutment surface supports the other side of the predetermined elastic member in the direction of deformation, 8. The pedal device according to claim 6, wherein the support surface and the contact surface face each other when the virtual pressure center is positioned at a position where it overlaps with the virtual axis line.

10. 3. The pedal device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the virtual axis is tangent to a central locus (Vt) that is a locus through which the virtual pressing center passes when the pedal rotates within the predetermined rotation range.

11. 8. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes at least one of rubber and a coil spring.

12. A pedal device comprising: a housing (40); a pedal (10) attached to the housing and rotating within a predetermined rotation range around a rotation axis (O) when pressed by a driver; a reaction force generating unit (60) that generates a reaction force corresponding to the pressing force of the pressing operation, the pedal has a pressing portion (162) that rotates integrally with the pedal around the rotation axis to transmit the pressing force of the pressing operation to the reaction force generating portion, The reaction force generating portion has a linear portion (61, 64) that moves along the direction in which the axis (Ax) extends when the pushing operation is performed, The straight portion has an abutment surface (616) that abuts against the pressing portion, The pressing portion has a pressing surface (163) that presses the contact surface, and when the center of an imaginary circle along the surface of the pressing surface is defined as a virtual pressing center (VCe) and a line that passes through the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the direction in which the axis extends is defined as a virtual axis perpendicular line (VLc), the pressing portion is disposed at a position where the virtual pressing center passes through the virtual axis perpendicular line when the pedal rotates within the predetermined rotation range, the reaction force generating section has a plurality of elastic members (71, 72) that generate the reaction force by elastically deforming due to the pressing force, The plurality of elastic members are arranged in series, A predetermined elastic member among the plurality of elastic members is disposed between the pedal and the straight-travel portion, The predetermined elastic member forms a predetermined gap between the contact surface and the pressing surface when the pushing operation is released.

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