Pedal guide device

Abstract

To facilitate adjustment of pedal operation of an accelerator pedal.SOLUTION: A pedal guide device comprises a protrusion member 10 arranged on a floor surface 2 of a driver's seat so that the member contacts a side surface part of a heel of a driver who operates an accelerator pedal 5, and adjustment members 13-15 and 30-33 which adjust the arrangement position of the protrusion member 10 on the floor surface. The adjustment members 13-15 and 30-33 can adjust the arrangement position of the protrusion member 10 so that at least a portion of the protrusion member 10 is arranged in an angle range of a 0 degree or more and less than 90 degrees in a clockwise fashion, where a reference point Pr1 set on the floor surface 2 with a position of a tip T1 on the driver's seat side of the accelerator pedal 5 as a reference is set as a center and a direction of a rear side in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle is set as the 0 degree.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a pedal guide device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pedal guide system for preventing driver error in operating the brake and accelerator pedals of a vehicle. The pedal guide system of Patent Document 1 comprises a plate-shaped, bellows-shaped, strip-shaped, or curtain-shaped guide portion. The guide portion can be mounted on the vehicle with a predetermined gap of 0.5 cm to 10 cm to the side of at least one of the brake pedal or accelerator pedal, and has a height approximately the same as the height from the bottom of the dashboard to the floor. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3165756 Specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The pedal guide system described in Patent Document 1 is intended to prevent accidental operation of the brake pedal or accelerator pedal, and is not intended to enhance the ability to adjust pedal operation. The present invention aims to facilitate the adjustment of accelerator pedal operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pedal guide device is provided that includes a projection member installed on the floor of the driver's seat so as to contact the side of the heel of the driver operating the accelerator pedal, and an adjustment member for adjusting the installation position of the projection member on the floor. The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the installation position of the projection member so that at least a part of the projection member is positioned within an angular range of 0 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees clockwise, with a reference point set on the floor based on the position of the driver's seat side tip of the accelerator pedal and the rear direction in the vehicle's longitudinal direction being 0 degrees. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to adjust the operation of the accelerator pedal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the interior structure of a vehicle cabin in which the pedal guide device of the embodiment is arranged. [Figure 2] (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams of the installation range of the first projection member. [Figure 3] (a) to (e) are schematic diagrams of the first to fifth examples of the first projection member. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams of the first example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member to the floor surface. [Figure 5] (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams of a second example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member to the floor surface. [Figure 6] (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams of a third example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member to the floor surface. [Figure 7] Figures (a) to (c) are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of fastening holes on the vehicle body side for fixing the first projection member. [Figure 8] (a) is a schematic diagram of an example of a fixing member for fixing the first protruding member to the dash panel, and (b) is a schematic diagram of an example of a fixing member for fixing the first protruding member to the seat rail of the driver's seat. [Figure 9](a) is a diagram showing the inclination angle of the side surface of the first projection member with respect to the bottom surface, and (b) is a schematic diagram of an example of an adjustment mechanism for the inclination angle. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams of the installation range of the second projection member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from actual ones. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention described below are illustrative examples of devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the structure, arrangement, etc., of the components described below. The technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.

[0009] (composition) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the interior structure of a vehicle cabin in which the pedal guide device of the embodiment is arranged. The interior structure of the vehicle cabin includes a dashboard 1 in front of the driver's seat, a floor surface 2 in front of the driver's seat, a dash panel (lower dash panel, toe board) 3 separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment, an accelerator pedal 5 for the driver to start and accelerate the vehicle, and a brake pedal 6 for the driver to decelerate and stop the vehicle. A floor mat 4 is laid on the floor surface 2.

[0010] The interior structure of the vehicle cabin includes a pedal guide device that includes a first projection member 10 installed on the floor surface 2 so as to contact the side of the heel of the driver's foot F operating the accelerator pedal 5, and a second projection member 20 installed on the floor surface 2 so as to contact the side of the heel of the driver's foot F operating the brake pedal 6. The pedal guide device does not necessarily have to include both the first projection member 10 and the second projection member 20, and may include only one of the first projection member 10 or the second projection member 20.

[0011] Figures 2(a) to 2(c) are schematic diagrams of the installation range R1 of the first projection member 10. The position of the first projection member 10 is adjusted so that at least a portion of the first projection member 10 is positioned within the installation range R1. This installation range R1 is set based on a reference point Pr1 defined on the floor surface 2 with respect to the tip position T1 (for example, the center of the accelerator pedal operating surface), which is the position of the tip of the accelerator pedal 5 on the driver's side (the rear short side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction), so that the side of the heel of the driver's foot F operating the accelerator pedal 5 can be brought into contact with the first projection member 10.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), if the accelerator pedal 5 is a suspended pedal, a reference point Pr1 is set below the tip position T1, for example. For example, the foot of the perpendicular line drawn from the tip position T1 to the floor 2 (i.e., the position directly below the tip position T1) may be set as the reference point Pr1, or the reference point Pr1 may be set near the foot of the perpendicular line drawn from the tip position T1 to the floor 2.

[0013] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(c), if the accelerator pedal 5 is an organ-type pedal, the reference point Pr1 is set near the driver's side tip position T1 of the accelerator pedal 5. For example, the reference point Pr1 may be set closer to the driver's side than the tip position T1.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(c), the angular range (directional range) of the installation area R1 centered on the reference point Pr1 is the range between direction DT and direction DL when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2. Direction DL is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, moving backward from the reference point Pr1. Direction DT is the direction 90 degrees clockwise from the reference point Pr1, with direction DL as 0 degrees (i.e., the vehicle width direction, moving to the left from the reference point Pr1).

[0015] In this manner, the first projection member 10 is positioned such that at least a portion of it is located within an angular range of 0 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees clockwise, with the reference point Pr1 as the center and the direction DL extending backward from the reference point Pr1 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction being 0 degrees. Furthermore, the front boundary of the installation range R1 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is the position of the reference point Pr1, and the rear boundary is the position of the front edge of the driver's seat cushion.

[0016] Figures 3(a) to 3(e) are schematic diagrams of the first to fifth examples of the first projection member 10. As shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), the first projection member 10 may be a column-shaped member that extends along the floor surface 2 when installed on the floor surface 2. That is, when the first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2, the side surface 11 parallel to the axial direction of the column shape contacts the floor surface 2 opposite to it. The axial direction may be, for example, the longitudinal direction of the column shape.

[0017] In Figure 3(a), the first projection member 10 has a triangular prism shape, and when installed on the floor surface 2, one side surface 11 of the triangular prism faces the floor surface 2 and contacts the floor surface 2. In Figure 3(b), the first projection member 10 has a rectangular prism shape, and when installed on the floor surface 2, one side surface 11 of the rectangular prism faces the floor surface 2 and contacts the floor surface 2. Note that the first projection member 10 is not limited to a triangular prism shape or a rectangular prism shape, and may have other polygonal prism shapes.

[0018] The first projection member 10 in Figure 3(c) has a semi-cylindrical shape, and when installed on the floor surface 2, the flat side surface 11 of the semi-cylindrical contacts the floor surface 2. The cross-sectional shape of the semi-cylindrical is not limited to a circular shape obtained by cutting a perfect circle at the position of the diameter, but can be any circular shape such as a perfect circle or ellipse cut at any chord position.

[0019] The first projection member 10 in Figure 3(d) has a T-shaped column with a T-shaped cross-section. The T-shaped column-shaped first projection member 10 comprises a first plate portion 10a and a second plate portion 10b connected to one side of the first plate portion 10a. When installed on the floor surface 2, the other side 11 of the first plate portion 10a, opposite to the side to which the second plate portion 10b is connected, faces the floor surface 2 and contacts the floor surface 2. Thus, because the first projection member 10 has a columnar shape that extends along the floor surface 2, the side surface of the heel can be supported in a state where the side surface of the heel is in surface or line contact with the first projection member 10.

[0020] Refer to Figure 3(e). The first projection member 10 may be a columnar member in which, when installed on the floor surface 2, its bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction faces the floor surface 2 and contacts the floor surface 2. For example, the first projection member 10 in Figure 3(e) has a cylindrical shape. The first projection member 10 may be a polygonal prism shape such as a triangular prism or a square prism. In this case, the side of the heel does not need to be in surface or line contact with the first projection member 10, and the side of the heel may be supported in a point contact state.

[0021] Furthermore, the first projection member 10 may be a cone-shaped (cone, triangular pyramidal, square pyramidal, or polygonal pyramidal) member in which the bottom surface perpendicular to the axial direction faces and contacts the floor surface 2 when installed on the floor surface 2. In the following description, the flat surface 11 of the first projection member 10 that faces and contacts the floor surface 2 when installed on the floor surface 2 will be referred to as the "bottom surface 11".

[0022] The first projection member 10 may have a side surface 12 that extends along the axial direction (extension direction) and is inclined with respect to the bottom surface 11, as shown in Figure 3(a), or it may have a side surface 12 that extends along the axial direction (extension direction) and is perpendicular to the bottom surface 11, as shown in Figure 3(b). Furthermore, if the first projection member 10 is polygonal prism-shaped, semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, or conical, the first projection member 10 may be solid or hollow.

[0023] The first projection member 10 has sufficient height, length, and hardness to engage with the side of the driver's heel. Specifically, the first projection member 10 has the height, length, and hardness to hold the driver's heel when the bottom of the driver's heel is in contact with the floor surface 2 and the side of the driver's heel is in contact with the first projection member 10, and force is applied to the upper end of the first projection member 10. The "height" of the first projection member 10 refers to the vertical dimension when the first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2. For example, the height of the first projection member 10 may be, for example, 1 cm to 3 cm.

[0024] Furthermore, the first projection member 10 has a length that allows it to engage with the side of the driver's heel in the direction that is the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle when installed on the floor. For example, the length of the first projection member 10 in the axial direction may be 5 cm to 30 cm. Furthermore, the material of the first projection member 10 can be appropriately selected to have a hardness sufficient to hold the driver's heel. For example, the material of the first projection member 10 may be metal, wood, plastic, or rubber.

[0025] Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are schematic diagrams of a first example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2. For example, the fixing member comprises a fastening hole 13 formed in the bottom surface 11 of the first projection member 10, a fastening hole 30 formed in the floor surface 2, and a fastener 31 that is inserted into the fastening holes 13 and 30 to fix the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2.

[0026] For example, the fastener 31 may be a male screw, or a female screw may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 13. The fastener 31 fastens the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2 by screwing it into the female screw on the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 13 through the fastening hole 30. Therefore, the first projection member 10 is positioned by the location of the fastening hole 30 formed in the floor surface 2.

[0027] For example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), when the column-shaped first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 with the surface parallel to the axial direction of the first projection member 10 as the bottom surface 11, a plurality of fastening holes 13 may be formed on the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 4(a), and the first projection member 10 may be fixed to the floor surface 2 by inserting fasteners 31 into the plurality of fastening holes 30 and the plurality of fastening holes 13 formed on the floor surface 2.

[0028] This prevents the first projection member 10 from rotating around the fastener 31 as the axis of rotation when the first projection member 10 is fixed to the floor surface 2 with a single fastener 31, and also allows the direction of extension of the first projection member 10 on the floor surface 2 to be set. When multiple fastening holes 13 are formed in the first projection member 10, for example, the multiple fastening holes 13 may be arranged along the axial direction of the column shape.

[0029] Furthermore, for example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figure 3(e), when the columnar first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 by bringing the bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction of the columnar first projection member 10 into contact with the floor surface 2, or when the cone-shaped first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 by bringing the bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction of the first projection member 10 into contact with the floor surface 2, a single fastening hole 13 may be formed in the center of the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 4(b), or multiple fastening holes 13 may be formed at different positions to increase the fixing strength. In addition, a removable fastening member other than a screw may be used as the fastener 31.

[0030] Figures 5(a) to 5(c) are schematic diagrams of a second example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2. For example, the fixing member comprises a male screw 14 erected on the bottom surface 11 of the first projection member 10, a fastening hole 30 formed in the floor surface 2, and a nut 32 that screws into the fastening hole 30 with the male screw 14 to fix the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2. Therefore, the first projection member 10 is positioned by the location of the fastening hole 30 formed in the floor surface 2.

[0031] For example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), when the column-shaped first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 with the surface parallel to the axial direction of the first projection member 10 as the bottom surface 11, the first projection member 10 may be fixed to the floor surface 2 by erecting a plurality of male screws 14 on the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 5(a), and screwing nuts 32 onto the plurality of male screws 14 which are inserted into a plurality of fastening holes 30 formed in the floor surface 2.

[0032] This prevents the first projection member 10 from rotating around the male screw 14 as the axis of rotation when the first projection member 10 is fixed to the floor surface 2 with a single male screw 14, and also allows the direction of extension of the first projection member 10 on the floor surface 2 to be set. When multiple male screws 14 are erected on the first projection member 10, for example, multiple male screws 14 may be arranged along the axial direction of the column shape.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figure 3(e), when the columnar first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 by bringing the bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction of the columnar first projection member 10 into contact with the floor surface 2, or when the cone-shaped first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 by bringing the bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction of the first projection member 10 into contact with the floor surface 2, a single male screw 14 may be formed in the center of the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 5(b), or multiple male screws 14 may be formed at different positions to increase the fixing strength.

[0034] Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are schematic diagrams of a third example of a fixing member for fixing the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2. For example, the fixing member comprises either a male or female snap button 15 fixed to the bottom surface 11 of the first projection member 10, and the other male or female snap button 33 fixed to the floor surface 2. The first projection member 10 is then fixed to the floor surface 2 by fitting the snap button 15 and the snap button 33 together. Therefore, the position of the snap button 33 fixed to the floor surface 2 determines the position of the first projection member 10.

[0035] For example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), when the columnar first projection member 10 is installed on the floor surface 2 with the surface parallel to the axial direction of the first projection member 10 as the bottom surface 11, the first projection member 10 may be fixed to the floor surface 2 by fixing a plurality of snap buttons 15 to the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 6(a), and then fitting the snap buttons 15 to a plurality of snap buttons 33 fixed to the floor surface 2.

[0036] This prevents the first projection member 10 from rotating around the positions of the snap buttons 15 and 33 as the center of rotation when the first projection member 10 is fixed to the floor surface 2 by a single combination of snap buttons 15 and 33, and also allows the direction of extension of the first projection member 10 on the floor surface 2 to be set. When fixing multiple snap buttons 15 to the first projection member 10, for example, multiple snap buttons 15 may be arranged along the axial direction of the columnar shape.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, in the case of the first projection member 10 shown in Figure 3(e), when the columnar first projection member 10 is installed on the floor 2 by bringing its bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction into contact with the floor 2, or when the cone-shaped first projection member 10 is installed on the floor 2 by bringing its bottom surface 11 perpendicular to the axial direction into contact with the floor 2, a single snap button 15 may be fixed to the center of the bottom surface 11 as shown in Figure 6(b), or multiple snap buttons 15 may be fixed at different positions to increase the fixing strength.

[0038] In Figures 4(a), 5(a), and 6(a), examples are shown in which two fastening holes 13, a male screw 14, and a snap button 15 are provided on the bottom surface 11 of the first projection member 10. However, three or more fastening holes 13, male screws 14, and snap buttons 15 may also be provided. Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 4(c), 5(c), and 6(c), the fixing member is provided on the floor surface 2, but the fixing member may also be provided on the floor mat 4 laid on the floor surface 2. In this case, the first projection member 10 is fixed to the floor mat 4. Furthermore, the configuration of the second projection member 20 is the same as that of the first projection member 10. Also, the configuration of the fixing member that secures the second projection member 20 to the floor surface 2 is the same as that of the fixing member that secures the first projection member 10 to the floor surface 2.

[0039] Next, the arrangement of the fixing members installed on the vehicle body side to fix the first projection member 10 will be described. In the following description, the arrangement of the fastening holes 30 described with reference to Figures 4(a) to 4(c) or Figures 5(a) to 5(c) will be described, but the same applies to the arrangement of the snap buttons 33 described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(c).

[0040] Figure 7(a) shows an example of the arrangement of fastening holes 30 when a single fastening hole 13 is formed in the center of the bottom surface 11 or when a single male screw 14 is erected, as in the case of the first protruding member 10 in Figure 4(b) and Figure 5(b). For example, as shown in Figure 7(a), multiple fastening holes 301 to 306 may be formed at different positions within the installation range R1. The installation position of the first projection member 10 can be adjusted within the installation range R1 by fastening the first projection member 10 to any of the multiple fastening holes 301 to 306. Therefore, the multiple fastening holes 301 to 306, the fastening hole 13 or male screw 14 of the first projection member 10, the fastener 31 or nut 32 function as adjustment members for adjusting the installation position of the first projection member 10. The same applies when multiple snap buttons 33 are provided on the floor surface instead of the multiple fastening holes 301 to 306.

[0041] For example, multiple fastening holes 301 to 303 may be arranged on a circumference C1 with radius r1 centered on a reference point Pr1. By arranging multiple fastening holes 301 to 303 at different positions on the circumference C1 in this way, the orientation of the foot F when the side of the heel comes into contact with the first protruding member 10 can be adjusted depending on which of the multiple fastening holes 301 to 303 the first protruding member 10 is fastened to. For example, a plurality of fastening holes 301 to 303 may be arranged on the circumference C1, and a plurality of fastening holes 304 to 306 may be arranged on the circumference C2 having a radius r2 (<r1) centered on the reference point Pr1. Thereby, the distance between the first protruding member 10 and the accelerator pedal 5 can be adjusted according to individual differences of the driver (for example, the size of the foot).

[0042] FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement of the fastening holes 30 when a plurality of fastening holes 13 are formed in the bottom surface 11 or a plurality of male screws 14 are erected as in the case of the first protruding member 10 in FIGS. 4(a) and 5(a). In this case, a plurality of combinations of the fastening holes 30 on the floor surface 2 side respectively fastened to the plurality of fastening holes 13 or male screws 14 on the first protruding member 10 side are formed. In the example of FIG. 7(b), one set of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b and one set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b and one set of fastening holes 30 3a and 30 3b and one set of fastening holes 30 4a and 30 4b are formed.

[0043] The relative positional relationship between the fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b to each other, the relative positional relationship between the fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b to each other, the relative positional relationship between the fastening holes 30 3a and 30 3b to each other, the relative positional relationship between the fastening holes 30 4a and 30 4b to each other is set to be equal to the relative positional relationship between the plurality of fastening holes 13 or the relative positional relationship between the plurality of male screws 14. Thus, by forming a plurality of sets of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b , 30 2a and 30 2b , 30 3a and 30 3b , and the fastening holes 30 4a and 30 4b , the installation position of the first protruding member 10 can be adjusted.

[0044] Therefore, fastening hole 30 1a , 30 1b , 30 2a , 30 2b , 30 3a , 30 3b , 30 4a , 30 4b The fastening hole 13 or male screw 14, fastener 31 or nut 32 of the first projection member 10 function as an adjustment member for adjusting the installation position of the first projection member 10. Fastening hole 30 1a , 30 1b , 30 2a , 30 2b , 30 3a , 30 3b , 30 4a , 30 4b The same applies if, instead, multiple snap buttons 33 are provided on the floor surface.

[0045] For example, as shown in Figure 7(b), there are multiple fastening holes 30 1a , 30 1b , 30 2a , 30 2b , 30 3a , 30 3b , 30 4a , 30 4b All of these may be formed within the installation range R1. In this case, for example, the first projection member 10 may be positioned so that it is located within the installation range R1 along its entire length. Furthermore, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2, the first projection member 10 extends along a straight line L1 passing through the reference point Pr1, with a plurality of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b The formation position may be determined. For example, fastening holes 13 may be formed along the axial direction of the first projection member 10, or male screws 14 may be erected along the axial direction of the first projection member 10, and a plurality of fastening holes 30 may be formed on a straight line L1 passing through a reference point Pr1 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2. 1a and 30 1b You may arrange them in an array.

[0046] In this way, the first projection member 10 extends along a straight line L1 that passes through a reference point Pr1 determined based on the tip position T1 of the accelerator pedal 5. As a result, even if the heel of the driver's foot F is displaced along the first projection member 10, the side of the heel can be supported so that the tip of the driver's foot F faces towards the accelerator pedal 5. Therefore, it becomes easier for the driver to place their foot F on the accelerator pedal 5 when attempting to operate it.

[0047] Furthermore, multiple sets of fastening holes may be formed on the same straight line L1. In the example in Figure 7(b), one set of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b and one set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b However, they are formed on the same straight line L1. This allows the distance between the first projection member 10 and the accelerator pedal 5 to be adjusted according to individual differences in the driver (for example, foot size).

[0048] Furthermore, multiple fastening holes belonging to different combinations of fastening holes may be arranged on the circumference centered on the reference point Pr1. In the example in Figure 7(b), the reference point Pr1 and the circumference C1 centered thereon a 30 fastening holes at the top 1a and fastening hole 30 3a A circle C1 is formed with reference point Pr1 as the center. b 30 fastening holes at the top 1b and fastening hole 30 3b A circle C2 is formed with reference point Pr1 as the center. a 30 fastening holes at the top 2a and fastening hole 30 4a A circle C2 is formed with reference point Pr1 as the center. b 30 fastening holes at the top 2b and fastening hole 30 4b It is formed.

[0049] As a result, one set of fastening holes 30 3a and 30 3b The arrangement direction and one set of fastening holes 30 4a and 30 4b The arrangement direction is one set of fastening holes 30 1a and 301b and a set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b is different from the arrangement direction thereof. In the example of FIG. 7(b), a set of fastening holes 30 3a and 30 3b and a set of fastening holes 30 4a and 30 4b are formed along a straight line L2 passing through a reference point Pr1. According to this, the extending direction of the first protrusion member 10 can be adjusted according to which combination of the fastening holes arranged along different straight lines L1 and L2 the first protrusion member 10 is fastened to. As a result, the direction of the foot F when the side surface portion of the heel abuts against the first protrusion member 10 can be adjusted.

[0050] Refer to FIG. 7(c). All or part of the plurality of fastening holes 30 may be formed outside the installation range R1. In this case, for example, the first protrusion member 10 may be positioned such that a part of the first protrusion member 10 is arranged within the installation range R1 and the remaining portion of the first protrusion member 10 is arranged outside the installation range R1. Note that FIG. 7(c) shows an example of forming a set of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b and a set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b in a range in front of the installation range R1, but the fastening holes 30 may be formed in a range behind the installation range R1.

[0051] Similar to the case of FIG. 7(b), when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2, a set of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b and a set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b are determined to be formed such that the first protrusion member 10 extends along a straight line passing through the reference point Pr1. And a set of fastening holes 30 1a and 30 1b are arranged on a straight line different from the straight line on which a set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b are arranged. For example, a fastening hole 13 may be formed along the axial direction of the first projection member 10, or a male screw 14 may be erected along the axial direction of the first projection member 10, and a set of fastening holes 30 may be formed on a straight line L3 passing through a reference point Pr1 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2. 1a and 30 1b Arranged in a line L4 passing through reference point Pr1 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2, one set of fastening holes 30 2a and 30 2b You may arrange them in an array.

[0052] If the fastening holes 30 are formed in a range forward of the installation range R1, for example, the first projection member 10 may be fixed to the dash panel (lower dash panel, toe board) 3 in front of the driver's seat. Figure 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing the case in which the first projection member 10 is fixed to the dashboard panel 3 in front of the driver's seat.

[0053] Alternatively, for example, the first projection member 10 may be fixed to the seat rail of the driver's seat. Figure 8(b) is a schematic diagram showing the case in which the first projection member 10 is fixed to the seat rail for adjusting the driver's seat forward and backward. Reference numerals 40, 41, and 42 indicate the driver's seat 40 (driver's seat surface), the seat frame 41 fixed to the driver's seat, and the seat rail 42 fixed to the floor surface 2, respectively.

[0054] Thus, when fixing the first projection member 10 to the dash panel 3 or seat rail 42, the fastening holes 30 may be provided on a surface that is not parallel to the floor surface 2. For example, in the example shown in Figure 8(a), fastening holes 30 are formed in the dash panel 3, but the dash panel 3 is not parallel to the floor surface 2. The same applies when fastening holes 30 are formed directly in the seat rail 42. Even in such cases, by determining the position of a pair of fastening holes 30 such that a straight line passing through the in-plane coordinates of the reference point Pr1 in a two-dimensional plane parallel to the floor surface 2 passes through the in-plane coordinates of the pair of fastening holes 30, a pair of fastening holes 30 can be arranged on a straight line passing through the reference point Pr1 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface 2.

[0055] If there is no space to form fastening holes 30 in the seat rail 42 itself, the mounting stay 43 may be fixed to the seat rail 42 as shown in Figure 8(b), and the fastening holes 30 may be formed in the mounting stay 43. The same applies if there is no space to form fastening holes 30 in the dash panel 3.

[0056] Figure 9(a) shows the inclination angle θ of the side surface 12 of the first projection member 10 with respect to the bottom surface 11. The inclination angle θ is preferably adjusted in a range of, for example, 15 to 90 degrees, according to individual differences among drivers. For example, the larger the angle between the rearward direction in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and the direction from the reference point Pr1 to the installation position of the first projection member 10, the smaller the inclination angle θ can be adjusted. When the heel is placed close to the brake pedal 6, the side of the heel tilts, so by reducing the inclination angle θ, the side of the heel can be made to come into contact with the side surface 12 more easily.

[0057] For example, multiple first protruding members 10 with different inclination angles θ may be prepared, and one of them may be selected and installed on the floor surface 2 according to the individual differences of the driver. Alternatively, a first projection member 10 having an adjustment mechanism for the inclination angle θ may be installed on the floor surface 2 to adjust the inclination angle θ according to individual differences among drivers. Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram of an example of a tilt angle adjustment mechanism. The first projection member 10 comprises a first member 10c that forms the bottom surface 11, a second member 10d that forms the side surface 12, a hinge mechanism 10e that pivotally fixes the first member 10c and the second member 10d, and an angle adjustment plate 10f that adjusts the angle of the second member 10d relative to the first member 10c.

[0058] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams of the installation range of the second projection member 20. The installation range R2 of the second projection member 20 is set with reference to the tip position T2, which is the position of the tip of the brake pedal 6 on the driver's side, so that the side of the heel of the driver's foot F operating the brake pedal 6 can come into contact with the second projection member 20. Specifically, a reference position Pr2 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is set on the floor surface 2 based on the front end position T2, and the vehicle's longitudinal range RL of the installation range R2 is set based on the reference position Pr2.

[0059] For example, the vehicle's longitudinal range RL may be set as a range within a predetermined distance (e.g., 30 cm) rearward from the reference position Pr2. For example, the reference position Pr2 may be directly below the front position T2, or it may be a position near the position directly below the front position T2. Furthermore, the vehicle width direction range RT of the installation range R2 is set based on the tip position T2 of the brake pedal 6. For example, the vehicle width direction range RT of the installation range R2 may be defined as the vehicle width direction range occupied by the tip of the brake pedal 6.

[0060] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) The pedal guide device of the embodiment includes a first projection member 10 installed on the floor of the driver's seat so as to contact the side of the heel of the driver operating the accelerator pedal, and an adjustment member for adjusting the installation position of the first projection member 10 on the floor. The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the installation position of the first projection member 10 so as to be positioned within an angular range of 0 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees clockwise, with a reference point set on the floor based on the position of the driver's seat side tip of the accelerator pedal and the rear direction in the vehicle's longitudinal direction being 0 degrees.

[0061] As a result, compared to the conventional method where the accelerator pedal is operated using the point of contact as a pivot point while the heel is in contact with the floor surface at only one point, in this embodiment, the back and sides of the heel are supported by the floor surface and the first projection member 10, respectively. Since the heel is supported at two points in this way, pedal operation becomes easier. In particular, even drivers whose ability to adjust pedal operation has decreased due to aging will find it easier to make fine adjustments to the accelerator pedal, making it easier to control speed at low speeds.

[0062] Furthermore, there are individual differences among drivers regarding the position of their feet when operating the pedals and the method of switching between the accelerator and brake pedals. By providing an adjustment member that allows adjustment of the installation position of the first projection member 10, the first projection member 10 can be brought into contact with the side of the heel when operating the pedals for all drivers, making it easier for them to understand where their feet are positioned.

[0063] (2) The adjustment member may include multiple sets of fixing members, each arranged on multiple different straight lines passing through a reference point when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface. The first projection member 10 may be fixed in place on the floor surface by any one set of fixing members from the multiple sets of fixing members, and may extend along the direction of arrangement of the set of fixing members. As a result, even if the driver's heel is displaced along the first projection member 10, the side of the heel can be supported so that the tip of the driver's foot F points towards the accelerator pedal. Therefore, it becomes easier for the driver to place their foot on the accelerator pedal when attempting to operate it.

[0064] (3) The fixing member may be fixed to the floor mat laid on the floor surface, the floor surface, the dashboard panel in front of the driver's seat, or the seat rail of the driver's seat. This improves the degree of freedom in determining the mounting location of the first projection member 10. (4) The adjustment members may be arranged on a circumference with the reference point as the center and include a plurality of fixing members that fix the first projection member 10 to a floor mat laid on the floor surface or to the floor surface. This allows for adjustment of the orientation of the foot F when the side of the heel is in contact with the first projection member 10.

[0065] (5) The fastening member may be a combination of fastening holes and screws, or a snap button. This allows the first projection member 10 to be fixed in a removable manner. (6) The first protruding member 10 may have a height and hardness that allow the side surface of the driver's heel to be locked. Thereby, when the first protruding member 10 touches the floor surface 2 at the bottom of the driver's heel and the side surface of the driver's heel abuts against the first protruding member 10 and a force is applied to the upper end portion of the first protruding member 10, the driver's heel can be held.

[0066] (7) The first protruding member 10 may have a side surface that is perpendicular or inclined to the bottom surface that contacts the floor surface. Thereby, a support surface for supporting the side surface of the heel can be provided.

[0067] (8) The inclination angle of the side surface of the first protruding member 10 with respect to the bottom surface may be from 15 degrees to 90 degrees. For example, the greater the angle between the rearward direction in the vehicle front-rear direction and the direction from the reference point to the installation position of the first protruding member 10, the smaller the inclination angle may be set. Thereby, the inclination angle of the side surface of the first protruding member 10 with respect to the bottom surface can be appropriately adjusted according to the position where the driver places the heel.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 1…Dashboard, 2…Floor surface, 3…Dash panel, 4…Floor mat, 5…Accelerator pedal, 6…Brake pedal, 10…First protruding member, 13…Fastening hole, 14…Male screw, 15…Snap button, 20…Second protruding member, 30, 301~306, 30 1a 、30 1b 、30 2a 、30 2b 、30 3a 、30 3b 、30 4a 、30 4b …Fastening hole, 31…Fastening tool, 32…Nut, 33…Snap button

Claims

1. A protruding member is installed on the floor of the driver's seat so as to make contact with the side of the heel of the driver operating the accelerator pedal, An adjustment member for adjusting the installation position of the protruding member on the floor surface, Equipped with, The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the installation position of the projection member such that at least a portion of the projection member is positioned within an angular range of 0 degrees to less than 90 degrees clockwise, with the reference point set on the floor surface based on the position of the driver's side tip of the accelerator pedal and the rear direction in the vehicle's longitudinal direction being 0 degrees. The adjustment member comprises multiple sets of fixing members, each arranged on multiple different straight lines passing through the reference point when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the floor surface. The projection member is fixed to the floor surface by one of the multiple sets of fixing members, and extends along the direction of arrangement of the set of fixing members. A pedal guide device characterized by the following features.

2. The pedal guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing member fixes the protruding member to a floor mat laid on the floor surface, the floor surface, the dashboard panel in front of the driver's seat, or the seat rail of the driver's seat.

3. A projection member installed on the floor of the driver's seat so as to contact the side of the heel of the driver operating the accelerator pedal, An adjustment member for adjusting the installation position of the protruding member on the floor surface, Equipped with, The adjustment member is capable of adjusting the installation position of the projection member such that at least a portion of the projection member is positioned within an angular range of 0 degrees to less than 90 degrees clockwise, with the reference point set on the floor surface based on the position of the driver's side tip of the accelerator pedal and the rear direction in the vehicle's longitudinal direction being 0 degrees. The pedal guide device is characterized in that the adjustment member is arranged on a circumference centered on the reference point and comprises a plurality of fixing members that fix the protruding member to a floor mat laid on the floor surface or to the floor surface.

4. The pedal guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing member comprises a combination of fastening holes and screws, or a snap button.

5. The pedal guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the projection member has a side surface that is perpendicular or inclined with respect to the bottom surface that contacts the floor surface.

6. The pedal guide device according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclination angle of the side surface with respect to the bottom surface is 15 to 90 degrees.

7. The pedal guide device according to claim 6, characterized in that the projection member has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the inclination angle of the side surface.

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