Brake pedal device

Abstract

To provide a brake pedal device which can improve pedalling feeling for a driver and can enhance the safety of vehicle braking.SOLUTION: A cylinder member 20 is arranged between an inner wall of a hole 70 formed in a fixing member 10 and a shaft 30. A prescribed interval G1 that permits the shaft 30 to rotate around an axis with respect to the cylinder member 20 is provided between a radially inner wall of the cylinder member 20 and the shaft 30. On the other hand, the inner wall of the hole part 70 and the cylinder member 20 are fixed to each other. A torque at which the fixation of the inner wall of the hole part 70 and the cylinder member 20 is released when a load is applied at a prescribed position on a brake pedal 40 at which a driver can apply a pedalling force with the cylinder member 20 and the shaft 30 adhering to each other is larger than 0 and is smaller than a torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is broken when a load is applied at the prescribed position with the cylinder member 20 and the shaft 30 adhering to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, brake pedal devices mounted on vehicles have been known. The brake pedal device described in Patent Document 1 includes a bracket fixed to a vehicle body, a collar fixed to the bracket, a cylindrical bushing rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the collar, a cylindrical boss fixed to the outer periphery of the bushing, and a brake pedal fixed to the boss. In this brake pedal device, the bushing, boss, and brake pedal are rotatable about the axis of the collar relative to the bracket and collar. The bushing has a cylindrical portion press-fitted and fixed inside the boss, an annular protrusion provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion, and a flange extending radially outward from the axial end of the cylindrical portion. The annular protrusion of the bushing contacts the outer periphery of the collar, and the flange contacts the bracket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6148642 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The brake pedal device described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that, when a driver depresses the brake pedal and the boss rotates, the annular protrusion of the bushing slides in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the collar, and the flange of the bushing slides in contact with the bracket. Therefore, when the ambient temperature changes, the frictional force between the annular protrusion of the bushing and the outer peripheral surface of the collar changes due to differences in the linear expansion coefficients of the bushing and the collar. Furthermore, when the ambient temperature changes, the frictional force between the flange of the bushing and the bracket changes due to differences in the linear expansion coefficients of the bushing, bracket, and boss. This causes the driver's pedal force feeling when depressing the brake pedal to change depending on the ambient temperature.

[0005] To solve this problem, it is conceivable to provide a gap between the annular protrusion of the bushing and the collar, and between the flange of the bushing and the bracket, so as to prevent the frictional force from increasing even in low-temperature environments. However, such a configuration has the drawback of increasing the gaps at room temperature and in high-temperature environments, which could allow foreign matter to enter the gaps. If foreign matter enters the gaps, the bushing and boss become stuck to the bracket and collar and cannot rotate, which could prevent the driver from operating the brake pedal, hindering braking of the vehicle.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a brake pedal device that can improve the driver's pedal force feeling and increase the safety of vehicle braking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a brake pedal device to be mounted on a vehicle, the brake pedal device comprising a fixed member (10, 11, 12), a shaft (30), a brake pedal (40), and a tubular member (20, 21, 22). The fixed member is fixed directly or indirectly to the vehicle body. The shaft is supported inside a hole (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and is rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member. The brake pedal is fixed to the shaft and operates within a predetermined angular range about the axis of the shaft when depressed by the driver. The tubular member is provided between the inner wall of the hole and the shaft. A predetermined gap (G1) is provided between the radially inner inner wall of the tubular member and the shaft, allowing the shaft to rotate about the axis relative to the tubular member. Meanwhile, the inner wall of the hole formed in the fixed member and the tubular member are fixed. Furthermore, when a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where the driver can apply a pedal force while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, the torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the fixed member, shaft, brake pedal, and one or more of their connection points are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other.

[0008] This provides a predetermined gap between the radially inner wall of the tubular member and the shaft, allowing the driver to maintain a consistent pedal force feeling when depressing the brake pedal regardless of changes in ambient temperature. Furthermore, in this brake pedal device, when a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal while the tubular member and the shaft are stuck together, the torque required to release the fixation between the inner wall of the hole of the fixing member and the tubular member is smaller than the torque required to damage at least a portion of the brake pedal device. Therefore, even if the tubular member and the shaft become stuck together due to a foreign object entering the gap between the tubular member and the shaft, when the driver depresses the brake pedal, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole of the fixing member and the tubular member is released, allowing the brake pedal to rotate, before at least a portion of the brake pedal device is damaged. Therefore, this brake pedal device eliminates changes in pedal force feeling due to changes in ambient temperature and allows the brake pedal to be operated even if the tubular member and the shaft are unintentionally stuck together. Therefore, this brake pedal device can improve the driver's pedal force feeling and increase the safety of vehicle braking by the driver's brake pedal operation.

[0009] In this specification, damage includes destruction, deformation, displacement, etc., and refers to a malfunction of the damaged member or a change in the shape of the damaged member.

[0010] In addition, in this specification, the torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released being greater than 0 means that it is substantially greater than 0, and more specifically, it means that it is greater than the frictional force that occurs between the inner wall of the tubular member and the shaft when the tubular member and the shaft are not fixed together.

[0011] The invention according to claim 7 provides a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a fixed member (10, 11, 12), a shaft (30), a brake pedal (40), and a restricting member (80, 81, 82). The fixed member is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle body. The shaft is supported inside a hole (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and is rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member. The brake pedal surrounds a radially outer region of the shaft and is fixed to the shaft. When depressed by the driver, the brake pedal moves within a predetermined angular range about the axis of the shaft. The restricting member is provided between a surface (411a, 412a) of the brake pedal facing the axis and the fixed member so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft, and restricts the axial movement range of the shaft and the brake pedal. A predetermined gap (G2) is provided between the axial surface of the brake pedal and the restricting member, allowing the shaft and brake pedal to rotate about the axis relative to the restricting member. Meanwhile, the fixed member and the restricting member are fixed. When a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where the driver can apply a pedal force while the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed together, the torque at which the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member is released is greater than 0 and less than the torque at which the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, and one or more of their connections are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed together.

[0012] According to this, a predetermined gap is provided between the axial surface of the brake pedal and the restricting member, allowing the driver to maintain a constant pedal force feeling when depressing the brake pedal regardless of changes in ambient temperature. Furthermore, in this brake pedal device, when a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal while the restricting member and the brake pedal are stuck, the torque required to release the fixation between the fixing member and the restricting member is smaller than the torque required to damage at least a portion of the brake pedal device. Therefore, even if the restricting member and the brake pedal are stuck due to, for example, the intrusion of a foreign object into the gap between the restricting member and the brake pedal, when the driver depresses the brake pedal, the fixation between the fixing member and the restricting member is released and the brake pedal rotates before at least a portion of the brake pedal device is damaged. Therefore, this brake pedal device eliminates changes in pedal force feeling due to changes in ambient temperature and allows the driver to depress the brake pedal even if the restricting member and the brake pedal are unintentionally stuck. Therefore, this brake pedal device improves the driver's pedal force feeling and increases the safety of vehicle braking by the driver's brake pedal operation.

[0013] 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]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a brake-by-wire system including a side view of a brake pedal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a plan view of the brake pedal device as viewed from the arrow II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 3B] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal is depressed to its maximum stroke in the brake pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion V in FIG. 4, with the reaction force generating mechanism omitted. [Figure 6] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the press-fitting margin between the hole of the housing and the cylindrical member and the fixation release torque in the brake pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a graph showing the relationship between pedal stroke and pedal force torque in the brake pedal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal is in an initial position in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal and the elastic member are in contact with each other in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the brake pedal is depressed to its maximum stroke in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between pedal stroke and pedal force torque in a brake pedal device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the press-fitting margin between the hole of the housing and the cylindrical member and the fixation release torque in the brake pedal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the press-fitting margin between the annular groove of the housing and the regulating member and the thrust fixing release torque in a brake pedal device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between pedal stroke and pedal force torque in a brake pedal device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between pedal stroke and pedal force torque in a brake pedal device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the press-fitting margin between the annular groove of the housing and the regulating member and the thrust fixing release torque in a brake pedal device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a tubular member fixed to a hole in a housing in a brake pedal device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cylindrical member included in a brake pedal device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a tubular member fixed to a hole in a housing in a brake pedal device according to a tenth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a cylindrical member included in the brake pedal device according to the tenth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the restricting member fixed to the annular groove of the housing in the brake pedal device according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a restricting member provided in the brake pedal device according to the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the restricting member fixed to the annular groove of the housing in the brake pedal device according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a restricting member provided in the brake pedal device according to the twelfth embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to FIG. 5 in a brake pedal device according to a thirteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, identical or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0016] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment will be described by taking as an example a device used in a brake-by-wire system 2 that is mounted on a vehicle and brakes the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the brake-by-wire system 2 is a system in which a brake mechanism 4 brakes the vehicle under the drive control of an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU 3") mounted on the vehicle. ECU stands for Electronic Control Unit. In particular, the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment is used in a complete brake-by-wire system 2. The complete brake-by-wire system 2 is a system in which components of the brake mechanism 4 (for example, a master cylinder) and the brake pedal are not mechanically connected, and the ECU 3 drives and controls the brake mechanism 4 based on an output signal from a sensor device included in the brake pedal device 1 to brake the vehicle.

[0017] First, the schematic configuration of the brake pedal device 1 and the brake-by-wire system 2 will be described.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the brake pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 as a fixed member, a cylindrical member 20, a shaft 30, a brake pedal 40, a reaction force generating mechanism 50, a sensor device 60, and the like.

[0019] The housing 10 is fixed directly to the vehicle body with bolts or the like (not shown), or indirectly to the vehicle body via a base member or the like (not shown). Specifically, the housing 10 is fixed to a dash panel or floor inside the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 10 has a housing main body 11 and a housing cover 12. The housing main body 11 and the housing cover 12 are fixed to each other by, for example, screws, press fitting, snap fitting, or the like (not shown). A hole 70 is provided inside the housing 10, into which the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are disposed. The hole 70 is provided in each of the housing main body 11 and the housing cover 12. In the following description, the hole 70 provided in the housing main body 11 may be referred to as a first hole 71, and the hole 70 provided in the housing cover 12 may be referred to as a second hole 72.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cylindrical member 20 is a sliding bearing and is provided between the inner wall of the hole 70 and the shaft 30. The cylindrical member 20 is also called a radial bearing that supports a load acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis CL. The cylindrical member 20 may be made of, for example, metal, resin, or ceramic. In the following description, the cylindrical member 20 provided inside the first hole 71 may be called the first cylindrical member 21, and the cylindrical member 20 provided inside the second hole 72 may be called the second cylindrical member 22.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the outer diameter of the cylindrical member 20 in its assembled state is formed slightly larger than the inner diameter D2 of the hole 70. Therefore, the inner wall of the hole 70 and the radially outer outer wall of the cylindrical member 20 are fixed by press-fitting. Meanwhile, the inner diameter D3 of the cylindrical member 20 is formed larger than the outer diameter D4 of the shaft 30. Therefore, a predetermined gap G1 is provided between the radially inner inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30, allowing the shaft 30 to rotate around its own axis relative to the cylindrical member 20. In the following description, the radially outer outer wall of the cylindrical member 20 may be simply referred to as the "outer wall of the cylindrical member 20," and the radially inner inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 may be simply referred to as the "inner wall of the cylindrical member 20."

[0022] The shaft 30 is formed in a rod shape and is rotatably supported by the tubular member 20 inside the housing 10. Specifically, one end of the shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the first tubular member 21, and the other end of the shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the second tubular member 22. Therefore, the shaft 30 is supported inside the hole 70 via the tubular member 20, and can rotate within a predetermined angle range in the circumferential direction of a circle centered on its own axis CL (hereinafter referred to as "around the axis") relative to the housing 10.

[0023] The shaft 30 rotates while contacting a part of the inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 due to the force of the driver applied to the brake pedal 40 or gravity. For ease of explanation, Figures 4 and 5 show a state in which the shaft 30 is in contact with a part of the inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 on the lower side of the paper in each figure, and a gap G1 is left between the shaft 30 and a part of the inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 on the upper side of the paper in each figure.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the brake pedal 40 has a pedal arm 41 and a pedal pad 42. One longitudinal end of the pedal arm 41 (i.e., the portion disposed inside the housing 10) is fixed to the shaft 30, and the pedal pad 42 is provided on the other longitudinal end (i.e., the portion disposed outside the housing 10). As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, the pedal arm 41 is integrally formed with a first side plate portion 411 provided on the first cylindrical member 21 side, a second side plate portion 412 provided on the second cylindrical member 22 side, and a top plate portion 413 connecting the first side plate portion 411 and the second side plate portion 412. The first side plate portion 411 and the second side plate portion 412 are provided with insertion holes 44 and 45, respectively, through which the shaft 30 is inserted. The edges of the insertion holes 44, 45 and the shaft 30 are fixed together by, for example, welding. Therefore, the first side plate portion 411 and the second side plate portion 412 of the pedal arm 41 surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30 and are fixed to the shaft 30.

[0025] The pedal pad 42 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the pedal arm 41 (i.e., the portion located outside the housing 10). A tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 is the portion that is stepped on by the driver's foot. When the driver presses on the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42, the brake pedal 40 rotates in the forward and reverse directions within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft 30. The tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 is an example of a predetermined position on the brake pedal 40 where the driver can apply a pedal force. 3A shows the initial position of the brake pedal 40 within its operating range, where no pedal force is applied by the driver. Meanwhile, FIG. 3B shows a state in which the brake pedal 40 is rotated to its maximum stroke position on the depression side when the driver applies pedal force to the brake pedal 40. The housing 10 or the like is provided with a member 52 (or a protrusion provided on a part of the housing) that restricts the maximum stroke position on the depression side of the brake pedal 40. The maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40 is restricted by contact between the member 52 and a part 48 of the pedal arm 41. The position and shape of the member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position can vary, and it is possible to use, for example, resin, metal, rubber, or a combination thereof as the material. In this specification, the brake pedal device 1 is provided with a member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40, and the position where the member 52 and the brake pedal 40 come into contact is defined as the maximum stroke position.

[0026] The reaction force generating mechanism 50 is composed of, for example, a spring, an actuator, and the like. The reaction force generating mechanism 50 generates a reaction force in response to the driver's depressing force applied to the brake pedal 40. By including the reaction force generating mechanism 50, the brake pedal device 1 can obtain a reaction force similar to that obtained when the brake pedal 40 is connected to a master cylinder (i.e., when a reaction force is obtained hydraulically) even if the mechanical connection between the brake pedal 40 and a conventional master cylinder is eliminated. Note that in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the reaction force generating mechanism 50 is schematically shown as a spring having one end fixed to the housing 10 and the other end providing a reaction force to a reinforcing portion 46 provided on the pedal arm 41. However, the reaction force generating mechanism 50 is not limited to this, and various other configurations can be employed. Note that the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the reinforcing portion 46 are omitted in FIG. 5. This also applies to drawings showing portions corresponding to FIG. 5 in the drawings referred to in each embodiment described below.

[0027] The sensor device 60 detects the position (specifically, the rotation angle) of the detection target relative to the housing 10, the shaft 30 or the brake pedal 40. Various types of sensors can be used as the sensor device 60. For example, non-contact sensors such as inductive sensors, magnetic sensors, and optical sensors, or contact sensors such as load sensors and rotary encoders can be used as the sensor device 60. An electrical signal output from the sensor device 60 is transmitted to the ECU 3.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the ECU 3 is composed of a microcomputer including a processor that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a memory unit such as ROM and RAM that stores programs and data, and peripheral circuits. The memory unit is composed of a non-transient tangible storage medium. The ECU 3 performs various control processing and arithmetic processing based on the programs stored in the memory unit, and controls the operation of each device connected to its output port. Specifically, the ECU 3 detects the accurate pedal operation amount (i.e., the operation amount of the brake pedal 40) based on electrical signals transmitted from the sensor device 60, etc., and controls the operation of the brake mechanism 4. Note that the number of ECUs 3 is not limited to one, and the operation of the brake mechanism 4 may be controlled by multiple ECUs 3.

[0029] Various mechanisms can be employed as the brake mechanism 4. For example, the brake mechanism 4 may be an electric brake in which an electric motor is driven by a command from the ECU 3 to press brake pads against disc brake rotors, thereby braking each wheel. Alternatively, the brake mechanism 4 may be configured to increase the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid by operating a master cylinder or a hydraulic pump, thereby driving wheel cylinders arranged on each wheel and operating the brake pads. The brake mechanism 4 may also perform normal control, ABS control, VSC control, and the like, in response to control signals from the ECU 3. ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, and VSC stands for Vehicle Stability Control.

[0030] Next, the cylindrical member 20 provided in the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tubular member 20 is disposed between the inner wall of a hole 70 formed in the housing 10 and the shaft 30. The outer wall of the tubular member 20 and the inner wall of the hole 70 are fixed by press-fitting. Meanwhile, a predetermined gap G1 is provided between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30. The size of the gap G1 between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 is set so that the gap G1 does not disappear even when the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 expand and contract due to changes in the ambient temperature, allowing the shaft 30 to rotate about its axis inside the tubular member 20. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 provides a constant feeling of depression force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0032] However, the provision of a predetermined gap G1 between the radially inner inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 has the drawback of allowing foreign matter M1 (e.g., sand, dirt, etc.) to enter the gap G1, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 5 . If the foreign matter M1 gets caught and causes the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 to stick together, preventing the shaft 30 from rotating, the driver may be unable to depress the brake pedal 40, which may interfere with braking the vehicle. Note that sticking between the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 is not limited to the above-described foreign matter M1 getting caught. For example, the gap G1 between the inner wall of the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 may be unintentionally small, causing the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 to stick together due to temperature changes (e.g., contraction of the cylindrical member 20 at low temperatures). Alternatively, the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 may stick together due to rusting of the shaft 30.

[0033] In contrast, the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck together, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Hereinafter, this configuration will be referred to as the "first configuration."

[0034] In this specification, damage to at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 means damage to one or more of the housing 10, shaft 30, brake pedal 40, and their connecting points. In this specification, damage includes destruction, deformation, displacement, etc., and means that the function of the damaged member is impaired or the shape of the damaged member is changed.

[0035] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, it is also possible to configure the brake pedal device 1 according to the first embodiment so that when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released. Hereinafter, this configuration will be referred to as a "second configuration." Note that, in the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 according to the first embodiment, the torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to the torque that causes the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position on the depression side.

[0036] In the first embodiment, the torque (hereinafter referred to as the "unfixing torque") at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together is set as follows for the above-mentioned first and second configurations, respectively.

[0037] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the first configuration described above, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and less than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other. In this specification, the release torque being greater than 0 means that the torque is substantially greater than 0, and more specifically, means that the torque is greater than the frictional force generated between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not fixed to each other.

[0038] 6 shows the relationship between the press-fit allowance between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as "press-fit allowance") on the horizontal axis and the release torque on the vertical axis. As shown by the solid line X1 in FIG. 6, the larger the press-fit allowance, the larger the release torque.

[0039] If the release torque is greater than T1, at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 will be damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together. This torque T1 can be determined by experiment or the like. In FIG. 6, the press-fit allowance corresponding to the release torque T1 is δ1. Therefore, when the release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged, the press-fit allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ1. In FIG. 6, the range of the press-fit allowance in this case is indicated by a double-headed arrow A. In this way, the first configuration described above can be realized by setting the range of the press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow A in FIG. 6.

[0040] On the other hand, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the second configuration described above, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions. In the description of the first embodiment, the "pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions" refers to the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where there is no adhesion between the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30.

[0041] 7 shows the relationship between the pedal stroke and the pedal force torque when the driver applies a load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not fixed to each other. The pedal force torque is the torque applied to the pedal pad 42 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, and is specifically the product of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the distance from the axis CL of the shaft 30 to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42.

[0042] As shown by the solid line Y1 in Figure 7, the greater the pedal stroke, the greater the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50, and therefore the greater the pedal force torque. When the pedal stroke is S2, the brake pedal 40 is at its maximum stroke position. In the graph of Figure 7, the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions is T2.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6 again, the press-fit allowance corresponding to the lock-release torque T2 is δ2. Therefore, when the lock-release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions, the press-fit allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ2. In Fig. 6, the range of the press-fit allowance in this case is indicated by the double-headed arrow B. In this way, by setting the range of the press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow B in Fig. 6, the second configuration described above can be realized.

[0044] The brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the following actions and effects. (1) In the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, the inner wall of the hole 70 provided in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20 are fixed to each other. Meanwhile, a predetermined gap G1 is provided between the inner wall of the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30. This allows the driver to feel a constant pedal force when depressing the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Furthermore, when the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment adopts the first configuration described above, the release torque is set to be smaller than the torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together. According to this, even if the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 become unintentionally stuck together due to, for example, the getting-in of a foreign object M1, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the cylindrical member 20 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates, before at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Therefore, this brake pedal device 1 eliminates changes in the pedal force feeling due to changes in ambient temperature, and makes it possible to depress and operate the brake pedal 40 even if the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 become unintentionally stuck together. Therefore, this brake pedal device 1 improves the pedal force feeling for the driver and increases the safety of vehicle braking by the driver's operation of the brake pedal 40.

[0045] (2) When the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment employs the second configuration described above, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal circumstances. According to this, in the case of a brake pedal device 1 that does not include an elastic member, which will be described in a second embodiment later, the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions is generally set to a pedal force that an average driver can apply to the brake pedal 40 with a normal force. Therefore, when the second configuration is adopted in the first embodiment, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 become stuck, if an average driver presses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates. Therefore, in this brake pedal device 1, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 become unintentionally stuck, an average driver can press and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force. The term "average driver" refers to a person who is capable of driving a vehicle, and more specifically, a person who is capable of braking the vehicle by operating the brake pedal 40 with their foot.

[0046] (3) In the brake pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, the inner wall of the hole 70 formed in the housing 10 and the cylindrical member 20 are fixed by press-fitting. According to this, by setting a press-fit allowance between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20, it is possible to realize a function in which the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 are normally fixed to each other and this fixation can be released by applying a predetermined torque. Therefore, the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 can be easily fixed by press-fitting, thereby reducing assembly costs in manufacturing.

[0047] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is partially changed, and the rest is the same as the first embodiment, so only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0048] 8A and 8B, the brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment includes an elastic member 51 disposed in a position capable of contacting the brake pedal 40 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40. The elastic member 51 is disposed over a range from an intermediate position between an initial position where no pedal force is applied by the driver to the brake pedal 40 and the maximum stroke position on the depression side within the operating range of the brake pedal 40, to the maximum stroke position on the depression side. The elastic member 51 is formed of, for example, rubber, and is fixed to the housing 10. The relative positions and shapes of the elastic member 51 and the member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40 are not limited to those shown in the drawings and can be set arbitrarily.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8A , when the brake pedal 40 is in the initial position, a predetermined space is formed between the pedal arm 41 and the elastic member 51. The pedal arm 41 has a pressing portion 47 at a position corresponding to the elastic member 51. The pressing portion 47 may be formed integrally with the first side plate portion 411 and the second side plate portion 412 of the pedal arm 41, or may be formed as a separate member. Furthermore, the reinforcing portion 46 provided on the pedal arm 41 at a position corresponding to the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the pressing portion 47 may be formed integrally. In the following description, the pedal arm 41 will be described as having the pressing portion 47 in a part thereof.

[0050] Next, as shown in Fig. 9, when the driver applies a depression force to the brake pedal 40 and the brake pedal 40 rotates in the depression direction, the pressing portion 47 comes into contact with the elastic member 51 in the latter half of the depression stroke of the brake pedal 40. Note that by depressing the brake pedal 40 to a position where it comes into contact with the elastic member 51, it is possible to sufficiently decelerate the vehicle.

[0051] 10, when the driver further applies a depression force to the brake pedal 40, a force is applied from the pressing portion 47 of the brake pedal 40 to the elastic member 51, causing the elastic member 51 to deform. This alleviates the bumping and collision sensation that occurs when the member 52 restricting the maximum stroke position comes into contact with the pedal arm 41 (or the pressing portion 47) when the elastic member 51 is not used, improving the depression force feeling. In the second embodiment, the brake pedal device 1 also includes a member 52 that restricts the maximum stroke position of the brake pedal 40, and the position where the member 52 and the brake pedal 40 come into contact with each other is defined as the maximum stroke position.

[0052] Here, Figure 11 shows the relationship between pedal stroke and pedal force torque when the driver applies a load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 when the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not fixed together.

[0053] 11, when the pedal stroke is between 0 and S3, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic member 51 do not come into contact with each other. When the pedal stroke is S3, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic member 51 come into contact with each other. When the pedal stroke is S2, the brake pedal 40 is at the maximum stroke position.

[0054] When the pedal stroke is between 0 and S3, the pedal force torque increases in accordance with an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50. In the graph of Fig. 11, when the pedal stroke is S3, i.e., when the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51, the pedal force torque is T3. In the description of the second embodiment, the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the position where it abuts against the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not fixed to each other is referred to as the "pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51 under normal conditions."

[0055] When the pedal stroke is between S3 and S2, the pedal force torque increases rapidly due to an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and an increase in the elastic force acting on the brake pedal 40 from the elastic member 51. In the graph of Fig. 11, when the pedal stroke is S2, i.e., the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions, is T2.

[0056] The brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment can employ a third configuration, which will be described below, in addition to the first and second configurations described in the first embodiment. The third configuration is a configuration in which, in a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the above-described elastic member 51, when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed to each other, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 is released. Note that, in a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the above-described elastic member 51, the torque generated when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to the depression torque at a position where the brake pedal 40 and the elastic member 51 come into contact when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 under normal conditions.

[0057] Specifically, in the second embodiment, when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together, the torque (i.e., the release torque) at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion 70 and the tubular member 20 is released is set as follows in the above-mentioned third configuration.

[0058] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the third configuration, the unlocking torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51 under normal circumstances.

[0059] As shown by the solid line X2 in Fig. 12, the press-in allowance corresponding to the release torque T3 is δ3. Therefore, when the release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 normally contacts the elastic member 51, the press-in allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ3. In Fig. 12, the range of the press-in allowance in this case is indicated by the double-headed arrow C. In this way, by setting the range of the press-in allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow C in Fig. 12, the above-described third configuration can be realized.

[0060] It should be noted that the brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment can also employ the first and second configurations, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0061] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the first configuration, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together. In this case, the above-described first configuration can be realized by setting the range of the press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow A in FIG.

[0062] Furthermore, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the second configuration, the release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions. In this case, the above-described second configuration can be realized by setting the range of the press-fit margin to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow B in FIG.

[0063] The brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment described above has the following configuration and the resulting functions and effects in addition to the functions and effects described in the first embodiment.

[0064] The brake pedal device 1 of the second embodiment includes an elastic member 51 that is provided over a range from a position midway between the initial position and the maximum stroke position to the maximum stroke position within the operating range of the brake pedal 40. When the third configuration described above is adopted in the configuration of this brake pedal device 1, the unlocking torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 normally contacts the elastic member 51. According to this, the brake pedal device 1 may include an elastic member 51 that contacts the brake pedal 40 in the latter half of the pedal stroke to improve the pedal force feeling. In a brake pedal device 1 configured in this manner, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position from the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 is set to be very large. Therefore, a driver with little strength may find it difficult to depress the brake pedal 40 to the maximum stroke position. On the other hand, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the brake pedal 40 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are not fixed to each other is set to a depression force that an average driver can apply to the brake pedal 40 with normal force. Note that depressing the brake pedal 40 to the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 can sufficiently decelerate the vehicle. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the third configuration is adopted, even if the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 become stuck together, if an ordinary driver presses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 of the fixing member and the cylindrical member 20 is released. Therefore, in this brake pedal device 1, even if the cylindrical member 20 and the shaft 30 become stuck together unintentionally, an ordinary driver can press the brake pedal 40 with a normal force to operate it.

[0065] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a part of the configuration of the cylindrical member 20 is changed, and other parts are the same as the first embodiment, so only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0066] 13, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment includes a seal member 13 between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. The seal member 13 corresponds to an example of a foreign object prevention structure that prevents a foreign object M1 from entering the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12.

[0067] Specifically, the seal member 13 is disposed so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft 30. The seal member 13 is formed, for example, of an O-ring and is fitted into a groove 14 formed in the housing cover 12. The seal member 13 is not limited to an O-ring. For example, the seal member 13 may be configured such that a spring (not shown) and a sealing material such as resin are disposed in the groove 14, and the sealing material is tightly attached to the brake pedal 40 by the spring. With this configuration, even if the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 are misaligned in the axial direction, the seal member 13 elastically deforms to tightly attach to the second side plate portion 412, thereby preventing foreign matter M1 from entering the second hole 72.

[0068] Furthermore, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment is provided with a first cylindrical member 21 inside a first hole portion 71 provided in the housing main body 11, but is not provided with a second cylindrical member 22 in a second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12. Therefore, the portion of the shaft 30 on the second hole portion 72 side is rotatably supported by the inner wall of the second hole portion 72.

[0069] The brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment described above is provided with a seal member 13 as a foreign object prevention structure between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. This prevents foreign object M1 from entering the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12. For this reason, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment does not include a second tubular member 22 in the second hole portion 72 of the housing cover 12. As described above, as long as the brake pedal device 1 is structured so that foreign object M1 cannot enter the first hole portion 71 or the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing 10, it is not necessary to include a tubular member 20 in the hole portion 70.

[0070] Although not shown, the brake pedal device 1 has a foreign object prevention structure between the first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing main body 11, and as long as the foreign object M1 is prevented from entering the first hole portion 71, there is no need to provide the first cylindrical member 21 in the first hole portion 71. In this way, the brake pedal device 1 of the third embodiment can have a simple configuration.

[0071] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is partially changed, and the rest is the same as the first embodiment, so only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment does not have the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 14 , the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment does not include the tubular member 20 described in the first embodiment and the like. Instead, it includes a restricting member 80. The restricting member 80 is provided between a first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing main body 11, and between a second side wall portion of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. The restricting member 80 is also called a thrust bearing, which supports a load acting in the direction in which the axis CL extends (i.e., the axial direction). The restricting member 80 may be formed of, for example, metal, resin, or ceramic. In the following description, the restricting member 80 provided on the housing main body 11 may be referred to as a first restricting member 81, and the restricting member 80 provided on the housing cover 12 may be referred to as a second restricting member 82. Both the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 are formed in an annular shape and are provided so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft 30. The first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 restrict the range of movement of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 in the axial direction.

[0073] A first annular groove 91 into which the first restricting member 81 is fitted is provided on the surface of the housing main body 11 facing the first side plate portion 411. The first annular groove 91 is provided so as to surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30. The first restricting member 81 is fixed into the first annular groove 91 by press-fitting.

[0074] A second annular groove 92 into which the second restricting member 82 is fitted is provided on the surface of the housing cover 12 facing the second side plate portion 412. The second annular groove 92 is provided so as to surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30. The second restricting member 82 is fixed by press-fitting into the second annular groove 92. In the following description, the first annular groove 91 and the second annular groove 92 may be collectively referred to as the annular groove 90. 14 shows a configuration in which the restricting member 80 is press-fitted into the annular groove 90 by a surface of the restricting member 80 facing radially inward and a surface of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 facing radially outward, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the restricting member 80 may be press-fitted into the annular groove 90 by a surface of the restricting member 80 facing radially outward and a surface of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 facing radially inward. This also applies to FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, and 30 referred to in each embodiment described later.

[0075] The distance D6 between the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82 is large relative to the outer width D5 in the axial direction of the brake pedal 40 (i.e., the distance between the surface 411a of the first side plate portion 411 facing the housing main body 11 and the surface 412a of the second side plate portion 412 facing the housing cover 12). Therefore, a predetermined gap G2 is provided between the surfaces 411a, 412a of the brake pedal 40 facing the axial direction and the restricting member 80, allowing the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 to rotate about the axis relative to the restricting member 80. Specifically, a predetermined gap G2 is provided between the surface 411a of the first side plate portion 411 facing the housing main body 11 and the first restricting member 81, and between the surface 412a of the second side plate portion 412 facing the housing cover 12 and the second restricting member 82, allowing the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 to rotate about the axis relative to the restricting member 80. Therefore, the brake pedal 40 is movable in the axial direction between the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 14 shows a state in which the first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81 are in contact with each other, and a gap G2 is formed between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the second restricting member 82.

[0076] The distance D6 between the first and second restricting members 81 and 82 is set to remain greater than the outer width D5 of the brake pedal 40 in the axial direction, even when expansion and contraction of the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, etc. occurs due to changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, even when expansion and contraction of the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, etc. occurs due to changes in the ambient temperature, the gap G2 between the first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81, or the gap G2 between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the second restricting member 82, does not disappear. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 provides a constant feeling of depression force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0077] However, the provision of gap G2 between the axially facing surfaces 411a, 412a of the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 creates a tradeoff, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 14 , which raises the risk of foreign matter M2 (e.g., sand, debris, etc.) entering the gap G2. If the foreign matter M2 gets caught between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 and causes them to stick together and not rotate, the driver may be unable to depress the brake pedal 40, which may interfere with braking the vehicle. Note that sticking between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 is not limited to the above-described foreign matter M2 getting caught between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80. For example, the gap G2 between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 may be unintentionally small, causing the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 to stick together due to temperature changes. Alternatively, the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 may stick together due to rust or the like.

[0078] In contrast, the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment is configured so that even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck together, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released before at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Hereinafter, this configuration will be referred to as the "fourth configuration."

[0079] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, when the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are fixed to each other, if an average driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the regulating member 80 can be released. Hereinafter, this configuration will be referred to as a "fifth configuration." Note that, when the brake pedal device 1 has the same configuration as the first embodiment (i.e., a configuration without the elastic member 51), the torque when an average driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to the torque that causes the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position on the depression side.

[0080] Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, when the regulating member 80 and the shaft 30 are fixed together and a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42, the torque (hereinafter referred to as the "thrust fixation release torque") at which the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 in the housing 10 and the regulating member 80 is released is set as follows for the above-mentioned fourth and fifth configurations, respectively.

[0081] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the above-described fourth configuration, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and less than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are stuck together. In this specification, a thrust release torque greater than 0 means that the torque is substantially greater than 0, and more specifically, means that the torque is greater than the frictional force generated between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are not stuck together.

[0082] 15 shows the relationship between the press-fit allowance between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the outer wall of the restricting member 80 (hereinafter referred to as "restricting member press-fit allowance") on the horizontal axis and the thrust lock-release torque on the vertical axis. As shown by the solid line X3 in FIG. 15, the thrust lock-release torque increases as the restricting member press-fit allowance increases.

[0083] If the thrust lock release torque is greater than T4, applying a load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are stuck together will damage at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1. This torque T4 can be determined by experiment or the like. In FIG. 15, the restricting member press-fit allowance corresponding to the thrust lock release torque T4 is δ4. Therefore, when the thrust lock release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged, the restricting member press-fit allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ4. In FIG. 15, the range of the restricting member press-fit allowance in this case is indicated by a double-headed arrow D. In this way, the fourth configuration described above can be realized by setting the range of the restricting member press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow D in FIG. 15.

[0084] On the other hand, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the fifth configuration described above, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the "pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions" refers to the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where there is no adhesion between the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80.

[0085] 16 shows the relationship between the pedal stroke and the pedal force torque when the driver applies a load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not fixed to each other. The pedal force torque is the torque applied to the pedal pad 42 when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, and is specifically the product of the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and the distance from the axis center CL of the shaft 30 to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42.

[0086] As shown by the solid line Y2 in Figure 16, the greater the pedal stroke, the greater the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50, and therefore the greater the pedal force torque. When the pedal stroke is S2, the brake pedal 40 is at its maximum stroke position. In the graph of Figure 16, the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions is T5.

[0087] As shown in Figure 15 again, the restriction member press-fit allowance corresponding to thrust lock release torque T5 is δ5. Therefore, when the thrust lock release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions, the restriction member press-fit allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ5. In Figure 15, the range of the restriction member press-fit allowance in this case is indicated by the double-headed arrow E. In this way, by setting the range of the restriction member press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow E in Figure 15, the above-mentioned fifth configuration can be realized.

[0088] The brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the resulting actions and effects. (1) In the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment, a predetermined gap G2 is provided between the restricting member 80 provided on the housing 10 and the axially facing surfaces 411a, 412a of the brake pedal 40. This allows the driver to feel a constant pedal force when depressing the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Furthermore, when the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment adopts the above-mentioned fourth configuration, the thrust release torque is set to be smaller than the torque at which at least a part of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are fixed together. According to this, even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 become unintentionally stuck together due to, for example, the getting-in of a foreign object M2, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released and the brake pedal 40 rotates before at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged. Therefore, this brake pedal device 1 eliminates changes in the pedal force feeling due to changes in ambient temperature, and makes it possible to depress the brake pedal 40 even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 become unintentionally stuck together. Therefore, this brake pedal device 1 improves the driver's pedal force feeling and increases the safety of vehicle braking by the driver's operation of the brake pedal 40.

[0089] (2) When the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment employs the fifth configuration described above, the thrust fixing release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal circumstances. According to this, in the case of a brake pedal device 1 that does not include the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment, the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions is generally set to a pedal force that an average driver can apply to the brake pedal 40 with a normal force. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when the fifth configuration is adopted, even if the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 become stuck, if an average driver presses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released, and the brake pedal 40 rotates. Therefore, this brake pedal device 1 allows an average driver to press and operate the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, even if the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 become unintentionally stuck.

[0090] (3) In the brake pedal device 1 of the fourth embodiment, the inner wall of the annular groove 90 provided in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are fixed by press-fitting. According to this, by setting a press-fitting allowance between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the outer wall of the restricting member 80, it is possible to realize a function in which the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are normally fixed to each other and this fixation can be released by applying a predetermined torque. Therefore, the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 can be easily fixed by press-fitting, thereby reducing assembly costs in manufacturing.

[0091] (Fifth embodiment) A fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the configuration of the brake pedal device 1 is partially changed, and the rest is the same as the fourth embodiment, so only the parts that differ from the fourth embodiment will be described. The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment is configured to include the elastic member 51 described in the second embodiment.

[0092] FIG. 17 shows the relationship between the pedal stroke and the pedal force torque when the driver applies a load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are not fixed to each other.

[0093] 17, when the pedal stroke is between 0 and S1, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic member 51 do not come into contact with each other. When the pedal stroke is S3, the brake pedal 40 and the elastic member 51 come into contact with each other. When the pedal stroke is S2, the brake pedal 40 is at the maximum stroke position.

[0094] When the pedal stroke is between 0 and S3, the pedal force torque increases in accordance with an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50. In the graph of Fig. 17, when the pedal stroke is S3, i.e., when the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51, the pedal force torque is T6. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the torque at which the brake pedal 40 reaches the position where it abuts against the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are not fixed to each other is referred to as the "pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51 under normal conditions."

[0095] When the pedal stroke is between S3 and S2, the pedal force torque increases rapidly due to an increase in the reaction force generated by the reaction force generating mechanism 50 and an increase in the elastic force acting on the brake pedal 40 from the elastic member 51. In the graph of Fig. 17, when the pedal stroke is S2, i.e., the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions, is T5.

[0096] The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment can employ a sixth configuration, which will be described below, in addition to the fourth and fifth configurations described in the fourth embodiment. The sixth configuration is a configuration in which, in a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the elastic member 51, when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force while the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are fixed to each other, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the regulating member 80 is released. Note that, in a configuration in which the brake pedal device 1 includes the elastic member 51, the torque when a typical driver depresses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force corresponds to the torque at which the brake pedal 40 contacts the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 under normal circumstances.

[0097] Specifically, in the fifth embodiment, when the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are fixed together and a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42, the torque (i.e., thrust release torque) at which the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the regulating member 80 is released is set as follows in the above-mentioned sixth configuration.

[0098] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the sixth configuration described above, the thrust fixing release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 abuts against the elastic member 51 under normal conditions.

[0099] As shown by the solid line X4 in Fig. 18, the restriction member press-fit allowance corresponding to the thrust lock release torque T6 is δ6. Therefore, when the thrust lock release torque is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 normally contacts the elastic member 51, the restriction member press-fit allowance is set to a range greater than 0 and smaller than δ6. In Fig. 18, the range of the restriction member press-fit allowance in this case is indicated by a double-headed arrow F. In this way, by setting the range of the restriction member press-fit allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow F in Fig. 18, the above-mentioned sixth configuration can be realized.

[0100] It should be noted that the brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment can also employ the fourth and fifth configurations, similar to the fourth embodiment described above.

[0101] That is, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the fourth configuration, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which at least a portion of the brake pedal device 1 is damaged when a load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 are stuck together. In this case, the above-described fourth configuration can be realized by setting the range of the press-fit allowance of the regulating member to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow D in FIG.

[0102] Furthermore, when the brake pedal device 1 employs the fifth configuration, the thrust release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the maximum stroke position under normal conditions. In this case, the fifth configuration can be realized by setting the range of the restricting member press-fitting allowance to the range indicated by the double-headed arrow E in FIG.

[0103] The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment described above has the following configuration and the resulting functions and effects in addition to the functions and effects described in the fourth embodiment.

[0104] The brake pedal device 1 of the fifth embodiment includes an elastic member 51 that is provided over a range from a position midway between the initial position and the maximum stroke position to the maximum stroke position within the operating range of the brake pedal 40. When the sixth configuration described above is adopted in the configuration of this brake pedal device 1, the thrust lock release torque is set to be greater than 0 and smaller than the pedal force torque at the position where the brake pedal 40 normally contacts the elastic member 51. According to this, the brake pedal device 1 may include an elastic member 51 that contacts the brake pedal 40 in the latter half of the pedal stroke to improve the pedal force feeling. In a brake pedal device 1 configured in this manner, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the maximum stroke position from the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 is set to be very large. Therefore, a weak driver may have difficulty depressing the brake pedal 40 to the maximum stroke position. On the other hand, the torque required for the brake pedal 40 to reach the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 when a load is applied to the brake pedal 40 while the brake pedal 40 and the restricting member 80 are not fixed to each other is set to a pressure that an average driver can apply to the brake pedal 40 with normal force. Note that depressing the brake pedal 40 to the position where it contacts the elastic member 51 can sufficiently decelerate the vehicle. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, when the sixth configuration is adopted, even if the brake pedal 40 and the regulating member 80 become stuck together, if an ordinary driver presses the brake pedal 40 with a normal force, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the fixing member and the regulating member 80 is released. Therefore, in this brake pedal device 1, even if the regulating member 80 and the shaft 30 become stuck together unintentionally, an ordinary driver can press the brake pedal 40 with a normal force to operate it.

[0105] (Sixth embodiment) The sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment differs from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that the configuration of the restricting member 80 is partially changed, but the rest of the sixth embodiment is the same as the fourth and fifth embodiments, so only the differences from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be described.

[0106] 19, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment includes a seal member 13 between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. The seal member 13 corresponds to an example of a foreign object prevention structure that prevents a foreign object M2 from entering the second hole portion 72 provided in the housing cover 12.

[0107] Specifically, the seal member 13 is provided so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft 30. The seal member 13 is formed, for example, of an O-ring and is fitted into a groove 14 provided in the housing cover 12. Even if the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 are misaligned in the axial direction, the seal member 13 itself elastically deforms to come into close contact with the second side plate portion 412, thereby preventing foreign matter M2 from entering the second hole portion 72.

[0108] In addition, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment has a first regulating member 81 between the housing main body 11 and the first side plate portion 411, and does not have a second regulating member 82 between the housing cover 12 and the second side plate portion 412.

[0109] The brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment described above is provided with the seal member 13 as a foreign object prevention structure between the second side plate portion 412 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing cover 12. This prevents the foreign object M2 from entering between the second side plate portion 412 and the housing cover 12. For this reason, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment does not include the second restricting member 82 between the second side plate portion 412 and the housing cover 12. As described above, the brake pedal device 1 does not need to include the first restricting member 81 or the second restricting member 82 as long as the brake pedal device 1 is structured so that the foreign object M2 does not enter between the housing 10 and the brake pedal 40.

[0110] Although not shown, the brake pedal device 1 may have a foreign object prevention structure between the first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the housing main body 11, and if the foreign object M2 is prevented from entering through this structure, there is no need to provide the first restricting member 81. In this way, the brake pedal device 1 of the sixth embodiment can have a simple configuration.

[0111] Seventh embodiment The seventh embodiment will be described. The seventh embodiment is different from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that the configuration of the restricting member 80 is partially changed, and the rest of the seventh embodiment is the same as the fourth and fifth embodiments, so only the parts that are different from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be described.

[0112] 20, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment includes a first restricting member 81 provided on the surface of the housing main body 11 facing the brake pedal 40, and a third restricting member 83 provided on the surface of the housing main body 11 facing away from the brake pedal 40. The brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment does not include the second restricting member 82 described in the fourth and fifth embodiments.

[0113] The third restricting member 83 is formed in an annular shape and is provided so as to surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30. The third restricting member 83 is able to slide against the rotating body 31 provided on the shaft 30. Therefore, it can also be said that the third restricting member 83 is provided on the surface of the housing main body 11 that faces the rotating body 31.

[0114] The rotating body 31 can be used, for example, as a sensor component constituting part of the sensor device 60. Specifically, when an inductive sensor is used as the sensor device 60, the rotating body 31 may be used as a target. Furthermore, when a magnetic sensor is used as the sensor device 60, the rotating body 31 may be used as a magnetic circuit portion.

[0115] A third annular groove 93 into which the third restricting member 83 is fitted is provided on the surface of the housing body 11 facing the rotating body 31. The third annular groove 93 is provided so as to surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30. The third restricting member 83 is fixed to the inner wall of the third annular groove 93 by press-fitting.

[0116] In the seventh embodiment, the axial movement range of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 is restricted by a first restricting member 81 and a third restricting member 83.

[0117] A distance D7 between the surface of the first restricting member 81 facing the brake pedal 40 and the surface of the third restricting member 83 facing the rotating body 31 is greater than a distance D8 in the axial direction between the brake pedal 40 and the rotating body 31. Therefore, a predetermined gap G2 is provided between the surface of the first restricting member 81 facing the brake pedal 40 and the brake pedal 40, or between the surface of the third restricting member 83 facing the rotating body 31 and the rotating body 31, allowing the brake pedal 40 and the shaft 30 to rotate about the axis relative to the restricting member 80. Therefore, the brake pedal 40 is movable in the axial direction within the range of the predetermined gap G2.

[0118] For ease of explanation, Figure 20 shows a state in which the third restricting member 83 and the rotating body 31 are in contact with each other, and a gap G2 is formed between the first side plate portion 411 of the brake pedal 40 and the first restricting member 81. The gap G2 is set so as not to disappear even when the restricting member 80, the housing 10, the brake pedal 40, etc. expand and contract due to changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 provides a constant feeling of depression force when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, regardless of changes in the ambient temperature.

[0119] However, the tradeoff of providing a gap G2 between the first restricting member 81 and the brake pedal 40, or between the third restricting member 83 and the rotating body 31, is that there is a risk that a foreign object M2 (for example, sand, dirt, etc.) may enter the gap G2, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 20. If the foreign object M2 gets caught between the first restricting member 81 and the brake pedal 40, or between the third restricting member 83 and the rotating body 31, and they become stuck and unable to rotate, the driver may not be able to depress the brake pedal 40, which may hinder braking of the vehicle.

[0120] In contrast, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment, like the fourth to sixth embodiments, is configured so that when the driver depresses the brake pedal 40, the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 is released with a predetermined torque. Specifically, the fixation between the inner wall of the first annular groove 91 of the housing main body 11 and the first restricting member 81, and the fixation between the inner wall of the third annular groove 93 of the housing main body 11 and the third restricting member 83 are released with the predetermined torque described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the seventh embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the fourth to sixth embodiments.

[0121] (Eighth embodiment) The eighth embodiment will be described. The eighth embodiment is different from the fourth and fifth embodiments in that the configuration of the brake pedal 40 is changed, but other aspects are the same as the fourth and fifth embodiments, so only the differences from the fourth and fifth embodiments will be described.

[0122] 21 , in the brake pedal device 1 of the eighth embodiment, the pedal arm 41 of the brake pedal 40 has a first side plate portion 411 and a second side plate portion 412 at least at the portion where it connects to the shaft 30, but does not have a top plate portion 413. Even in this configuration, the axial movement range of the shaft 30 and the brake pedal 40 is restricted by the first restricting member 81 and the second restricting member 82. Therefore, the brake pedal device 1 of the eighth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the fourth and fifth embodiments.

[0123] (Ninth embodiment) The ninth embodiment will be described. The ninth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that the method of fixing the cylindrical member 20 and the housing 10 is changed, but the rest is the same as the first to third embodiments, so only the parts that are different from the first to third embodiments will be described.

[0124] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 , the tubular member 20 included in the brake pedal device 1 of the ninth embodiment is fixed to a hole 70 provided in the housing 10 by a rotation restricting portion 100. The rotation restricting portion 100 restricts rotation of the tubular member 20 relative to the inner wall of the hole 70. Specifically, in the ninth embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 100 is composed of a protrusion 110 protruding from a part of the surface of the tubular member 20 facing the axial direction, and a recess 120 provided in the hole 70 of the housing 10. The protrusion 110 provided on the tubular member 20 is configured to fit into the recess 120 provided in the hole 70 of the housing 10. As a result, rotation of the tubular member 20 relative to the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 is restricted, and the tubular member 20 is fixed to the inner wall of the hole 70.

[0125] In the ninth embodiment, if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are unintentionally stuck together, applying a predetermined load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 breaks the rotation restricting portion 100, thereby releasing the fixation between the tubular member 20 and the inner wall of the hole 70 in the housing 10. Specifically, at least one of the convex portion 110 and the concave portion 120 constituting the rotation restricting portion 100 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 and the tubular member 20. As described above, in this specification, breakage includes destruction, deformation, displacement, etc., and refers to a malfunction of the damaged member or a change in shape of the damaged member.

[0126] The pedal force torque (i.e., release torque) at which the rotation restricting unit 100 breaks when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 with the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 fixed together is set in the same manner as described in the first and second embodiments. That is, the rotation restricting unit 100 is set to break at the same release torque as the release torque set when the first, second, or third configuration is adopted in the description of the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the material, shape, size, etc. of at least one of the convex portion 110 and the concave portion 120 that make up the rotation restricting unit 100 is adjusted.

[0127] The brake pedal device 1 of the ninth embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the resulting actions and effects. (1) The brake pedal device 1 of the ninth embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 100 on at least one of the inner wall of the hole 70 in the housing 10 and the outer wall of the tubular member 20, which restricts rotation of the tubular member 20 relative to the inner wall of the hole 70. The rotation restricting portion 100 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 and the tubular member 20. As described in the first to third embodiments, when the inner wall of the hole 70 provided in the fixing member and the tubular member 20 are fixed by press-fitting, the press-fitting tension force changes in response to changes in the environmental temperature, which may cause the release torque to change. That is, the release torque may become large at low or high temperatures. In contrast, in the ninth embodiment, the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20 are fixed together by the rotation restricting portion 100, and the rotation restricting portion 100 is configured to release the fixation when a predetermined release torque is applied. This allows the release torque to be set relatively small regardless of changes in the ambient temperature. Therefore, even if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are unintentionally stuck together, the driver can damage the rotation restricting portion 100 with a relatively small amount of pedal force, release the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 and the tubular member 20, and operate the brake pedal 40.

[0128] (2) In the ninth embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 100 has a recess 120 provided on the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10, and a protrusion 110 that protrudes from the outer wall of the tubular member 20 and fits into the recess 120. At least one of the recess 120 and the protrusion 110 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole 70 and the tubular member 20. This allows the rotation restricting section 100 to be realized with a simple configuration.

[0129] In the description of the ninth embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 100 is described as being, for example, a recess 120 provided on the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and a protrusion 110 that protrudes from the outer wall of the tubular member 20 facing the axial direction and fits into the recess 120, but the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited to this. For example, the rotation restricting portion 100 may be configured with a recess provided on the outer wall of the tubular member 20 facing the axial direction and a protrusion that protrudes from the inner wall of the hole 70 and fits into the recess.

[0130] Furthermore, the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited to the above-described fitting of the recessed portion 120 and the protruding portion 110, but various configurations can be adopted, such as welding, crimping, fitting, or locking of the housing 10 and the tubular member 20.

[0131] (Tenth embodiment) The tenth embodiment will be described. The tenth embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment in that the configuration of the rotation restriction portion 100 is changed, but the rest is the same as the ninth embodiment, so only the parts that are different from the ninth embodiment will be described.

[0132] 24 and 25 , in the tenth embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 100 is configured by a protrusion 111 protruding from a part of the surface of the cylindrical member 20 facing radially outward, and a recess 121 provided in the hole 70 of the housing 10. The protrusion 111 provided on the cylindrical member 20 is configured to fit into the recess 121 provided in the hole 70 of the housing 10. This restricts the rotation of the cylindrical member 20 relative to the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10, and fixes the cylindrical member 20 to the inner wall of the hole 70.

[0133] In the tenth embodiment, if the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are unintentionally stuck together, applying a predetermined load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 will damage the rotation restricting portion 100, releasing the fixation between the tubular member 20 and the inner wall of the hole 70 in the housing 10. Specifically, at least one of the convex portion 111 and the concave portion 121 that constitute the rotation restricting portion 100 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the tubular member 20 and the shaft 30 are stuck together, releasing the fixation between the tubular member 20 and the inner wall of the hole 70.

[0134] The release torque is set in the same manner as described in the first and second embodiments. That is, the release torque is set so that the rotation restricting unit 100 will be damaged by the same release torque as that set when the first, second, or third configuration is adopted in the description of the first and second embodiments. Specifically, the material, shape, size, etc. of at least one of the convex portion 111 and the concave portion 121 that constitute the rotation restricting unit 100 is adjusted.

[0135] The brake pedal device 1 of the tenth embodiment described above also achieves the same effects as the ninth embodiment.

[0136] In the description of the tenth embodiment, the convex portion 111 protruding from a part of the surface of the cylindrical member 20 facing radially outward and the concave portion 121 provided in the hole 70 of the housing 10 were described as an example of the rotation restricting portion 100, but the rotation restricting portion 100 is not limited to this. For example, the rotation restricting portion 100 may be configured by a concave portion provided in the surface of the cylindrical member 20 facing radially outward and a convex portion protruding from the inner wall of the hole 70 of the housing 10 and fitting into the concave portion.

[0137] (Eleventh embodiment) An eleventh embodiment will be described. The eleventh embodiment is different from the fourth to eighth embodiments in that the method of fixing the restricting member 80 and the housing 10 is changed, but the rest is the same as the fourth to eighth embodiments, so only the parts that are different from the fourth to eighth embodiments will be described.

[0138] As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 , the restricting member 80 included in the brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment is fixed to an annular groove 90 provided in the housing 10 by a second rotation restricting portion 200. The second rotation restricting portion 200 restricts rotation of the restricting member 80 relative to the inner wall of the annular groove 90. Specifically, in the eleventh embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is composed of a second protrusion 210 protruding from a part of the surface of the restricting member 80 facing the axial direction, and a second recess 220 provided in the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. The second protrusion 210 provided on the restricting member 80 is configured to fit into the second recess 220 provided in the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. As a result, rotation of the restricting member 80 about the axis relative to the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 is restricted, and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 are fixed together.

[0139] In the eleventh embodiment, if the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are unintentionally stuck together, applying a predetermined load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 breaks the second rotation restricting portion 200, thereby releasing the fixation between the restricting member 80 and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. Specifically, at least one of the second convex portion 210 and the second concave portion 220 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck together, thereby releasing the fixation between the restricting member 80 and the inner wall of the annular groove 90.

[0140] The pedal force torque (i.e., thrust lock release torque) at which the second rotation restricting portion 200 breaks when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are fixed to each other is set in the same manner as described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. That is, in the description of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is set to be broken by the same thrust lock release torque as that set when the fourth, fifth, or sixth configuration is adopted. Specifically, the material, shape, size, etc. of at least one of the second convex portion 210 and the second concave portion 220 that constitute the second rotation restricting portion 200 is adjusted.

[0141] The brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment described above has the following configuration and provides the resulting actions and effects. (1) The brake pedal device 1 of the eleventh embodiment includes a second rotation restricting portion 200 on at least one of the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the outer wall of the restricting member 80, which restricts rotation of the restricting member 80 relative to the inner wall of the annular groove 90. The second rotation restricting portion 200 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 while the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80. As described in the fourth to eighth embodiments, when the inner wall of the annular groove 90 provided in the housing 10 and the restricting member 80 are fixed by press-fitting, the press-fitting tension force changes in response to changes in the ambient temperature, which may cause the thrust lock-release torque to change. That is, the thrust lock-release torque may become large at low or high temperatures. In contrast, in the eleventh embodiment, the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the regulating member 80 are fixed together by the second rotation regulating part 200, and the second rotation regulating part 200 is configured to release the fixation when a predetermined thrust release torque is applied. This allows the thrust lock release torque to be set relatively small regardless of changes in ambient temperature. Therefore, even if the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are unintentionally stuck together, the driver can damage the second rotation restricting portion 200 with a relatively small depression force, thereby releasing the lock between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80, and operating the brake pedal 40.

[0142] (2) In the eleventh embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 has a second recess 220 provided in the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10, and a second protrusion 210 that protrudes from the outer wall of the restricting member 80 and fits into the second recess 220. At least one of the second recess 220 and the second protrusion 210 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are fixed to each other, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80. This allows the second rotation restricting portion 200 to be realized with a simple configuration.

[0143] In the above description of the eleventh embodiment, the second recess 220 provided on the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and the second protrusion 210 protruding from the outer wall of the restricting member 80 facing the axial direction and fitting into the second recess 220 have been described as an example of the second rotation restricting portion 200, but the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited to this. For example, the second rotation restricting portion 200 may be configured by a second recess provided on the outer wall of the restricting member 80 facing the axial direction and a second protrusion protruding from the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and fitting into the second recess.

[0144] Furthermore, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited to the engagement between the second recess 220 and the protrusion 110 as described above, but can employ various configurations, such as welding, crimping, engagement, or locking between the housing 10 and the restricting member 80.

[0145] (Twelfth embodiment) The twelfth embodiment will be described. The twelfth embodiment is different from the eleventh embodiment in that the configuration of the second rotation restricting portion 200 is changed, but the rest is the same as the eleventh embodiment, so only the parts that are different from the eleventh embodiment will be described.

[0146] 28 and 29 , in the twelfth embodiment, the second rotation restricting portion 200 is configured by a second protrusion 211 protruding from a part of the surface of the restricting member 80 facing radially outward, and a second recess 221 provided in the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. The second protrusion 211 provided on the restricting member 80 is configured to fit into the second recess 221 provided in the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. This restricts rotation of the restricting member 80 relative to the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10, and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 and the restricting member 80 are fixed together.

[0147] In the twelfth embodiment, if the restricting member 80 and the shaft 30 are unintentionally stuck together, applying a predetermined load to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 will damage the second rotation restricting portion 200, releasing the fixation between the restricting member 80 and the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10. Specifically, at least one of the second convex portion 211 and the second concave portion 221 constituting the second rotation restricting portion 200 is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the tread surface 43 of the pedal pad 42 in a state where the restricting member 80 and the brake pedal 40 are stuck together, releasing the fixation between the restricting member 80 and the inner wall of the annular groove 90.

[0148] The thrust lock release torque is set in the same manner as that described in the fourth and fifth embodiments. That is, in the description of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the thrust lock release torque is set so that the second rotation restricting portion 200 will be damaged by the same thrust lock release torque as that set when the fourth, fifth, or sixth configuration is adopted. Specifically, the material, shape, size, etc. of at least one of the second convex portion 211 and the second concave portion 221 that constitute the second rotation restricting portion 200 is adjusted.

[0149] The brake pedal device 1 of the twelfth embodiment described above also achieves the same effects as the eleventh embodiment.

[0150] In the description of the twelfth embodiment, the second convex portion 211 protruding from a portion of the surface of the restricting member 80 facing radially outward and the second concave portion 221 provided in the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 were described as an example of the second rotation restricting portion 200, but the second rotation restricting portion 200 is not limited to this. For example, the second rotation restricting portion 200 may be configured by a second concave portion provided in the surface of the restricting member 80 facing radially outward and a second convex portion protruding from the inner wall of the annular groove 90 of the housing 10 and fitting into the second concave portion.

[0151] (Thirteenth embodiment) The thirteenth embodiment will be described. The thirteenth embodiment is a combination of the first and fourth embodiments.

[0152] 30, the brake pedal device 1 of the twelfth embodiment includes a tubular member 20 provided between the inner wall of the hole 70 in the housing 10 and the shaft 30, and a restricting member 80 provided between the side plate portion of the brake pedal 40 and the housing 10 so as to surround the radially outer region of the shaft 30. The configurations of the tubular member 20 and the restricting member 80 are the same as those described in the first and fourth embodiments, respectively.

[0153] As illustrated in the thirteenth embodiment, the brake pedal device 1 can be configured to include both the tubular member 20 and the restricting member 80. Although the thirteenth embodiment illustrates a combination of the first and fourth embodiments, the combinations of the above-described embodiments and parts thereof are not limited to this. In other words, the above-described embodiments and parts thereof are not unrelated to each other, and can be appropriately combined even if not illustrated, except in cases where the combination is clearly impossible.

[0154] (Other embodiments) (1) In the above embodiments, the brake pedal device 1 has been described as being used in a complete brake-by-wire system 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The brake pedal device 1 may also be used in a brake-by-wire system 2 in which a component of the brake mechanism 4 (for example, a master cylinder) is mechanically connected to the brake pedal 40. In this case, the brake pedal 40 receives a hydraulic reaction force from the master cylinder of the brake mechanism 4, so the reaction force generating mechanism 50 can be omitted.

[0155] (2) In the above embodiments, the brake pedal device 1 is exemplified as a so-called pendant type in which the portion of the brake pedal 40 operated by the driver's foot is disposed below the axis of rotation CL in the direction of gravity when mounted on the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brake pedal device 1 may be a so-called organ type in which the portion of the brake pedal 40 operated by the driver's foot is disposed above the axis of rotation CL in the direction of gravity when mounted on the vehicle.

[0156] (3) In the above embodiments, the fixing member provided in the brake pedal device 1 is described as the housing 10. However, the fixing member is not limited to this, and may be a pressed product such as a bracket.

[0157] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical value, amount, and range of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific number unless specifically stated as essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., unless specifically stated or clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0158] The features of the present invention are as follows. [Claim 1] In a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle, A fixing member (10, 11, 12) fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported inside holes (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) fixed to the shaft and operable within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; a cylindrical member (20, 21, 22) provided between the inner wall of the hole and the shaft, a predetermined gap (G1) is provided between the radially inner wall of the cylindrical member and the shaft, allowing the shaft to rotate around the axis relative to the cylindrical member; an inner wall of the hole formed in the fixing member and the cylindrical member are fixed to each other; A brake pedal device in which, when a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where a driver can apply a pedal force while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, the torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, and one or more of their connection points are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other. [Claim 2] 2. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are not fixed to each other. [Claim 3] The brake pedal further includes an elastic member (51) provided over a range from an intermediate position between an initial position where no pedal force is applied by the driver to the brake pedal and a maximum stroke position on the depression side within the operating range of the brake pedal to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, 3. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where it abuts against the elastic member when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are not fixed to each other. [Claim 4] 4. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member and an inner wall of the hole formed in the fixing member are fixed to each other by press-fitting. [Claim 5] a rotation restricting portion (100) provided on at least one of the inner wall of the hole portion and the outer wall of the cylindrical member, which restricts rotation of the cylindrical member relative to the inner wall of the hole portion; 4. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation restricting portion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member. [Claim 6] the rotation restricting portion has a recess (120) provided on one of the inner wall of the hole portion or the outer wall of the cylindrical member, and a protrusion (110) protruding from the other of the inner wall of the hole portion or the outer wall of the cylindrical member and fitting into the recess, 6. The brake pedal device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the recess and the protrusion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member. [Claim 7] In a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle, A fixing member (10, 11, 12) fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported inside holes (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) that surrounds a radially outer region of the shaft and is fixed to the shaft, and that moves within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; a restricting member (80, 81, 82) that is provided between a surface (411a, 412a) of the brake pedal facing the axial direction and the fixed member so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft, and that restricts a movement range of the shaft and the brake pedal in the axial direction, a predetermined gap (G2) is provided between a surface of the brake pedal facing the axial direction and the regulating member, allowing the shaft and the brake pedal to rotate around the axial center relative to the regulating member; The fixing member and the restricting member are fixed to each other, A brake pedal device in which, when the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other and a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where a driver can apply a pedal force, the torque at which the fixation between the fixed member and the regulating member is released is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, and one or more of their connection points are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position in the state where the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other. [Claim 8] 8. The brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein a torque at which the fixing between the fixed member and the regulating member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and smaller than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are not fixed to each other. [Claim 9] The brake pedal further includes an elastic member (51) provided over a range from an intermediate position between an initial position where no pedal force is applied by the driver to the brake pedal and a maximum stroke position on the depression side within the operating range of the brake pedal to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, 9. A brake pedal device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the torque at which the fixing between the fixed member and the regulating member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than the torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where it abuts against the elastic member when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are not fixed to each other. [Claim 10] 10. The brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein the regulating member is press-fitted into an annular groove (90, 91, 92) formed in the fixing member so as to surround the outer periphery of the shaft, thereby fixing the fixing member and the regulating member. [Claim 11] a second rotation restricting portion (200) provided on at least one of the fixed member and the restricting member, which restricts rotation of the restricting member about the axis relative to the fixed member; 10. A brake pedal device as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second rotation restricting portion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, thereby releasing the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member. [Claim 12] the second rotation restricting portion has a second recess (220) provided in one of the fixed member or the restricting member, and a second protrusion (210) protruding from the other of the fixed member or the restricting member and fitting into the second recess, The brake pedal device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the second recess and the second protrusion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, thereby releasing the fixation between the fixing member and the regulating member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1 brake pedal device, 10 housing (fixed member), 11 housing body, 12 housing cover, 20 tubular member, 21 first tubular member, 22 second tubular member, 30 shaft, 40 brake pedal, 43 tread surface (predetermined position), 70 hole portion, 71 first hole portion, 72 second hole portion, CL axis center, G1 gap, G2 gap.

Claims

1. In a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle, a fixing member (10, 11, 12) fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported inside a hole (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) fixed to the shaft and operable within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; a cylindrical member (20, 21, 22) provided between the inner wall of the hole and the shaft, a predetermined gap (G1) is provided between a radially inner wall of the cylindrical member and the shaft, allowing the shaft to rotate around the axis relative to the cylindrical member; an inner wall of the hole formed in the fixing member and the cylindrical member are fixed to each other; A brake pedal device in which, when a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where a driver can apply a pedal force while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other, the torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, and one or more of their connection points are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other.

2. 2. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are not fixed to each other.

3. The brake pedal further includes an elastic member (51) provided over a range from an intermediate position between an initial position where no pedal force is applied by the driver to the brake pedal and a maximum stroke position on the depression side within the operating range of the brake pedal to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, 2. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a torque at which the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where it abuts against the elastic member when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are not fixed to each other.

4. 4. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is fixed to an inner wall of the hole formed in the fixing member by press-fitting.

5. a rotation restricting portion (100) provided on at least one of the inner wall of the hole portion and the outer wall of the cylindrical member, which restricts rotation of the cylindrical member relative to the inner wall of the hole portion; 4. The brake pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation restricting portion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole portion and the tubular member.

6. the rotation restricting portion has a recess (120) provided on one of the inner wall of the hole portion or the outer wall of the cylindrical member, and a protrusion (110) protruding from the other of the inner wall of the hole portion or the outer wall of the cylindrical member and fitting into the recess, 6. The brake pedal device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the recess and the protrusion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the tubular member and the shaft are fixed together, thereby releasing the fixation between the inner wall of the hole and the tubular member.

7. In a brake pedal device mounted on a vehicle, a fixing member (10, 11, 12) fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle body; a shaft (30) supported inside a hole (70, 71, 72) formed in the fixed member and rotatable about a predetermined axis (CL) relative to the fixed member; a brake pedal (40) that surrounds a radially outer region of the shaft and is fixed to the shaft, and that moves within a predetermined angular range around the axis of the shaft when depressed by a driver; a restricting member (80, 81, 82) that is provided between a surface (411 a, 412 a) of the brake pedal facing the axial direction and the fixed member so as to surround a radially outer region of the shaft, and that restricts a movement range of the shaft and the brake pedal in the axial direction, a predetermined gap (G2) is provided between a surface of the brake pedal facing the axial direction and the restricting member, allowing the shaft and the brake pedal to rotate around the axial center relative to the restricting member; The fixing member and the restricting member are fixed to each other, A brake pedal device in which, when the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed together and a load is applied to a predetermined position on the brake pedal where a driver can apply a pedal force, the torque at which the fixation between the fixed member and the regulating member is released is greater than 0 and smaller than the torque at which the fixed member, the shaft, the brake pedal, and one or more of their connection points are damaged when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed together.

8. 8. The brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein a torque at which the fixing between the fixed member and the regulating member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than a torque at which the brake pedal reaches a maximum stroke position on the depression side when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are not fixed to each other.

9. The brake pedal further includes an elastic member (51) provided over a range from an intermediate position between an initial position where no pedal force is applied by the driver to the brake pedal and a maximum stroke position on the depression side within the operating range of the brake pedal to the maximum stroke position on the depression side, 8. The brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein the torque at which the fixing between the fixed member and the regulating member is released when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other is greater than 0 and less than the torque at which the brake pedal reaches a position where it abuts against the elastic member when a load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are not fixed to each other.

10. 10. A brake pedal device as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the regulating member is press-fitted into an annular groove (90, 91, 92) formed in the fixing member so as to surround the outer periphery of the shaft, thereby fixing the fixing member and the regulating member.

11. The device further includes a second rotation restricting portion (200) provided on at least one of the fixed member and the restricting member, which restricts rotation of the restricting member about the axis relative to the fixed member, 10. A brake pedal device according to claim 7, wherein the second rotation restricting portion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the restricting member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, thereby releasing the fixation between the fixed member and the restricting member.

12. the second rotation restricting portion has a second recess (220) provided in one of the fixed member or the restricting member, and a second protrusion (210) protruding from the other of the fixed member or the restricting member and fitting into the second recess, 12. The brake pedal device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the second recess and the second protrusion is configured to break when a predetermined load is applied to the predetermined position while the regulating member and the brake pedal are fixed to each other, thereby releasing the fixation between the fixing member and the regulating member.

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