Pedal position detection sensor

Abstract

To provide a pedal position detecting sensor capable of prohibiting a fraction of a break portion from being left in a lever.SOLUTION: A pedal position detecting sensor 100 includes a lever 1, a positioning member 7 positioning the lever 1 at a predetermined angle and including a break portion 73 that is to break when the lever 1 positioned at the predetermined angle rotates in a first rotating direction, and a hold portion 61 including a hold hole 61a that penetrates through in an extending direction of the shaft 2 so that the positioning member 7 is held therein. The lever 1 includes an elongate hole 12 that allows the break portion 73 to be inserted therein and extends in a diametrical direction orthogonal to an extending direction of a rotary axis of the lever 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal position detection sensor, and more particularly to a pedal position detection sensor including a lever rotatable in accordance with an operation of a pedal by a driver.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pedal position detection sensor including a lever rotatable in accordance with an operation of a pedal by a driver has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a position detection sensor device including a sensor lever rotatable in accordance with an operation of a brake pedal by a driver. This position detection sensor device includes a shaft and a resistor element. The shaft is attached to the sensor lever. The resistor element is configured to generate an electrical signal by rotation of the shaft accompanying rotation of the sensor lever when the brake pedal is operated. In the position detection sensor device, the rotation angle of the shaft is detected based on the electrical signal emitted from the resistor element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, the position detection sensor device described in Patent Document 1 is shipped with the sensor lever positioned to facilitate assembly of the position detection sensor device onto the brake pedal by workers at a vehicle factory. In this case, for example, the position detection sensor device is thought to include a positioning member and a sensor lever with an insertion hole into which the tip of the positioning member is inserted, in order to position the sensor lever. In such a structure, after a worker at a vehicle factory assembles the position detection sensor device onto the brake pedal, the tip of the positioning member is broken off by the worker pressing the brake pedal and rotating the sensor lever. However, when the tip of the positioning member is broken off, there is variation in how the tip of the positioning member breaks, so fragments of the tip of the positioning member may remain in the insertion hole. In this case, as the sensor lever rotates, the tip of the positioning member remaining in the insertion hole may interfere with other components, potentially reducing the detection accuracy of the position detection sensor device. For this reason, it is desirable to prevent fragments of the tip (broken part) of the positioning member from remaining in the sensor lever (lever).

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a pedal position detection sensor that prevents fragments of the broken part from remaining on the lever. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a pedal position detection sensor according to one of the present invention comprises a lever rotatable in accordance with the driver's pedal operation, a shaft connected to the lever and rotatable together with the lever, a detection unit for detecting the rotation angle of the shaft, a positioning member including a bending portion that positions the lever at a predetermined angle and bends when the lever positioned at the predetermined angle rotates in a first rotation direction, and a holding portion including a holding hole that penetrates in the direction in which the shaft extends and holds the positioning member, the lever includes an elongated hole into which the bending portion is inserted and which extends along a radial direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis of the lever extends, and the bending portion has a surface on the first rotation direction side that abuts the holding portion when bent, on the end side on the lever side in the direction in which the shaft extends It tilts toward the second rotation direction, which is opposite to the first rotation direction, as it moves toward the end side of the lever. It has an inclined surface.

[0008] In one aspect of this invention, the pedal position detection sensor includes, as described above, an elongated hole into which the folding portion is inserted, extending radially perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis of the lever extends. As a result, when an operator presses down on the pedal, the lever rotates in accordance with the rotation of the pedal, and when the folding portion is folded based on the rotation of the lever, a radial gap is formed between the folding portion and the elongated hole because the elongated hole extends radially, making it less likely for fragments of the folding portion to get caught on the lever. Consequently, fragments of the folding portion can be prevented from remaining on the lever.

[0009] In the pedal position detection sensor described above, preferably, the elongated hole is provided with gaps on both sides: radially inward from the bend and radially outward from the bend.

[0010] With this configuration, gaps are formed on both the radially inner and outer sides of the bent portion, making it difficult for the fragments of the bent portion to get caught on either the radially inner or radially outer side of the elongated hole. This prevents the fragments of the bent portion from being left behind by the lever.

[0011] In the pedal position detection sensor with the first surface described above, preferably, the bent portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated hole and has a slit provided to divide the bent portion.

[0012] With this configuration, the bent portion can be broken along the slit, allowing the fragments of the bent portion to be broken into smaller pieces. As a result, the fragments of the bent portion are more easily discharged from the elongated hole, so that no fragments of the bent portion remain behind when the lever is used.

[0013] In the pedal position detection sensor according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the holding portion further includes an inner wall surrounding the holding hole, and the inner wall has an inclined surface on the lever-side end that is on the side of the lever's first rotation direction, which is inclined in the first rotation direction as it approaches the lever.

[0014] With this configuration, when the broken fragment comes into contact with the inclined surface, the broken fragment can be moved along the inclined surface, making it easier to eject the broken fragment from the elongated hole.

[0015] In the pedal position detection sensor with the above-described surface, preferably, the bent portion is , the The first side surface on the side facing the second rotation direction has a first recess that is recessed on the side facing the first rotation direction.

[0016] With this configuration, the folded portion becomes thinner in the area where the first recess is provided, making it easier to break the folded portion from the area where the first recess is provided by the lever that rotates in the first rotational direction. As a result, the folded portion can be broken at the desired position.

[0017] In this case, preferably, the folding portion has a second recess that is recessed toward the second rotation direction at the end of the second side surface of the lever on the side of the first rotation direction that is on the side of the holding portion.

[0018] With such a configuration, stress is likely to concentrate on the portion between the first recess and the second recess in the bent portion that is bent by the lever. Therefore, the bent portion can be split from the first recess to the second recess by the lever that rotates in the first rotation direction. Accordingly, since the second recess is provided on the holding portion side, the bent portion can be split from the root portion, so that the size of the bent portion remaining on the positioning member can be made relatively small. As a result, when the driver operates the pedal, it is possible to prevent interference between the remaining bent portion on the positioning member and the lever.

[0019] In addition, in the pedal position detection sensor in the above aspect, the following configuration is also conceivable.

[0020] (Additional item 1) That is, in the pedal position detection sensor including the above slit, the bent portion is inserted into the long hole by aligning the intermediate position in the radial direction of the long hole and the intermediate position of the slit.

[0021] With such a configuration, the fragments of the bent portion broken along the slit can be separated and discharged to the outer or inner portion in the radial direction of the long hole, so that the fragments of the bent portion can be further prevented from remaining by the lever.

[0022] (Additional item 2) In the pedal position detection sensor including the above slit, the slit extends to the end on the holding portion side of the bent portion.

[0023] With such a configuration, the bent portion is more likely to break along the slit, so that the fragments of the bent portion can be more reliably made finer.

[0024] (Additional item 3) In the pedal position detection sensor according to the above aspect, the portion other than the bent portion of the positioning member is held in a state of being press-fitted into the holding hole.

[0025] With such a configuration, since the positioning member is firmly held by the holding portion, when the lever rotating in the first rotation direction and the folding portion come into contact, the positioning member can be prevented from moving. As a result, the load applied from the lever rotating in the first rotation direction to the folding portion can be prevented from escaping, so that the folding portion can be surely broken.

[0026] (Appended Claim 4) In the pedal position detection sensor including the positioning member including the first concave portion, the first concave portion is disposed on the holding portion side in the first side surface portion.

[0027] With such a configuration, the folding portion can be broken from the root, so that the remaining folding portion on the positioning member can be made relatively small.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a state in which a pedal position detection sensor according to the first and second embodiments is assembled to a brake pedal. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a pedal position detection sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of a pedal position detection sensor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line 101-101 of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line 102-102 of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of a positioning member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a side view of the positioning member according to the first embodiment as viewed from the R1 direction side. [Figure 8] It is a bottom view of the positioning member according to the first embodiment as viewed from the Z2 direction side. [Figure 9] It is a top view of the lever according to the first embodiment as viewed from the Z1 direction side. [Figure 10]This is a bottom view taken from the Z2 direction side, showing the lever with the positioning member inserted into the elongated hole according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view along line 103-103 in Figure 10. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged view of the retaining hole in a cross-section along the line 102-102 in Figure 1. [Figure 13] This is a bottom view of the holding hole of the holding part according to the first embodiment, as seen from the Z2 direction. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view showing the broken portion of the positioning member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the pedal position detection sensor according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The following describes embodiments of the present invention based on the drawings.

[0030] [First Embodiment] Referring to Figures 1 to 14, the configuration of the pedal position detection sensor 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pedal position detection sensor 100 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the brake pedal 200 (an example of the "pedal" in the claims). In a vehicle, the amount of operation of the brake pedal 200 by the driver is obtained based on the rotation angle of the brake pedal 200 detected by the pedal position detection sensor 100. In a vehicle, the rotation angle of the brake pedal 200 is used for switching the vehicle's brake lights on and off, switching the vehicle's stop lamps on and off, and for controlling the vehicle's brakes, etc.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pedal position detection sensor 100 comprises a lever 1, a shaft 2, a detection unit 3, a cover 4, a biasing unit 5, a housing 6, and a positioning member 7.

[0033] The direction in which shaft 2 extends is defined as the Z direction. The side of the Z direction opposite to the lever 1 side is defined as the Z1 direction, and the side of the Z direction toward the lever 1 side is defined as the Z2 direction.

[0034] Lever 1 is configured to rotate in accordance with the driver's operation of the brake pedal 200. Lever 1 is connected to the brake pedal 200. Lever 1 has an insertion hole 11 into which a shaft 2 is inserted. The insertion hole 11 penetrates lever 1 in the Z direction. Lever 1 has an elongated hole 12 into which a positioning member 7 is inserted. The elongated hole 12 penetrates lever 1 in the Z direction. The elongated hole 12 will be described in detail later.

[0035] The shaft 2 is configured to rotate together with the lever 1. The shaft 2 rotates in the R direction about a rotation axis C that extends along a direction parallel to the Z direction. Here, the rotation axis C is also the rotation axis of the lever 1. The shaft 2 is connected to the lever 1. That is, one end of the shaft 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 11 of the lever 1. As a result, the shaft 2 rotates together with the rotation of the brake pedal 200 via the lever 1.

[0036] Here, the direction in which the lever 1, positioned at a predetermined angle in the R direction, rotates is defined as the R1 direction (an example of the "first rotation direction" in the claims), and the direction opposite to the R1 direction in the R direction is defined as the R2 direction (an example of the "second rotation direction" in the claims). Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis C of the shaft 2 extends is defined as the D direction (an example of the "radial direction" in the claims), the outward direction of the D direction is defined as the D1 direction, and the inward direction of the D direction is defined as the D2 direction.

[0037] The detection unit 3 is configured to detect the rotation angle of the shaft 2. Specifically, the detection unit 3 includes a magnetic circuit unit 31 and a magnetic detection unit 32.

[0038] The magnetic circuit section 31 includes a magnet 31a and a holding section 31b. The magnet 31a is a permanent magnet. The holding section 31b holds the magnet 31a. The holding section 31b holds the shaft 2 so as to be rotatable together with the magnet 31a. The holding section 31b is rotatably mounted to the housing section 6. As a result, the magnet 31a rotates together with the shaft 2.

[0039] The magnetic detection unit 32 includes a detection element 32a and a substrate 32b. The detection element 32a is configured to detect changes in magnetism accompanying the rotation of the magnet 31a. The detection unit 3 detects the rotation angle of the shaft 2 based on the detection result of the detection element 32a. The substrate 32b is a thin plate on which the detection element 32a is attached. The substrate 32b is attached to the housing 6.

[0040] The lid 4 closes the opening on the Z1 direction side of the housing 6. The lid 4 is attached to the Z1 direction end of the housing 6.

[0041] The biasing unit 5 biases the shaft 2, which has rotated due to the rotation of the lever 1 from its initial rotation angle, back to its initial rotation angle. The end of the biasing unit 5 on the Z1 direction side is attached to the holding unit 31b. The end of the biasing unit 5 on the Z2 direction side is attached to the housing unit 6.

[0042] The housing portion 6 has a housing space that accommodates the detection portion 3 and the biasing portion 5 inside. The housing portion 6 also includes a holding portion 61. The holding portion 61 has a holding hole 61a in which the positioning member 7 is held. The positioning member 7 is press-fitted into the holding hole 61a. The holding hole 61a penetrates the housing portion 6 in the Z direction. When viewed from the Z1 direction side, the holding hole 61a has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0043] (Positioning member) As shown in Figure 5, the positioning member 7 is configured to restrict the rotation of the lever 1 in the R direction relative to the housing 6, thereby positioning the lever 1 at a predetermined angle. In other words, the positioning member 7 is configured to fix the rotation angle of the lever 1 in the R direction. The predetermined angle is the rotation angle of the lever 1 in the R direction. The predetermined angle is also approximately the same as the initial rotation angle of the shaft 2. The positioning member 7 is, for example, a pin made of resin.

[0044] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the positioning member 7 includes a holding portion 71, an engaging portion 72, and a folding portion 73.

[0045] The held portion 71 is held in a press-fitted state within the holding hole 61a. When viewed from the Z2 direction, the held portion 71 has a substantially rectangular shape, similar to the holding hole 61a. The held portion 71 is the part of the positioning member 7 other than the bent portion 73. The engaging portion 72 is configured to engage with the holding portion 61 when the positioning member 7 is press-fitted into the holding hole 61a from the Z1 direction. Here, the engagement of the engaging portion 72 with the holding portion 61 stops the press-fitting of the positioning member 7 into the holding hole 61a in the Z2 direction, thus fixing the position of the positioning member 7 in the Z direction. The engaging portion 72 is the Z1 direction side of the positioning member 7. The engaging portion 72 has a convex shape that protrudes from the R2 direction side surface of the held portion 71 toward the R2 direction.

[0046] The folding portion 73 is configured to fold based on the rotation of the lever 1, which is positioned at a predetermined angle, in the R1 direction (first rotation direction). The folding portion 73 is the part of the positioning member 7 on the Z2 direction side. When viewed from the D1 direction side, the folding portion 73 has a tapered shape. The folding portion 73 has a first side portion 73a, a second side portion 73b, and a slit 73c.

[0047] The first side portion 73a is the side of the bent portion 73 on the R2 direction side. The first side portion 73a is a curved surface. The first side portion 73a has a first recess 173a.

[0048] The first recess 173a is formed by recessing the first side surface 73a toward the R1 direction. The first recess 173a is a notch recessed to the boundary between the held portion 71 and the bent portion 73 toward the R1 direction. When viewed from the D1 direction, the first recess 173a has an asymmetrical, approximately triangular shape. The middle portion of the first recess 173a in the Z direction is shifted toward the Z1 direction. The first recess 173a is located on the Z1 direction side (holding portion 61 side) of the first side surface 73a of the bent portion 73. In the Z direction, the first recess 173a is located closer to the lever 1 than the holding portion 61, and also closer to the holding portion 61 than the middle portion of the lever 1.

[0049] The second side portion 73b is the side of the bent portion 73 on the R1 direction side. The second side portion 73b is a curved surface. The portion of the second side portion 73b on the Z1 direction side is inclined toward the R2 direction side as it moves toward the Z2 direction side. The second side portion 73b has a second recess 173b.

[0050] The second recess 173b is formed by recessing the second side portion 73b toward the R2 direction. The second recess 173b is a notch recessed to the boundary between the retained portion 71 and the bent portion 73 toward the R2 direction. When viewed from the D1 direction, the second recess 173b has a substantially rectangular shape. The second recess 173b is located at the Z1 direction side (retaining portion 61 side) end of the second side portion 73b. The second recess 173b is located toward the Z1 direction than the first recess 173a. In the R direction, the R2 direction end of the second recess 173b is located in substantially the same position as the R1 direction end of the first recess 173a.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the slit 73c is provided to divide the bent portion 73 in the D direction. The bent portion 73 has a bifurcated shape due to the slit 73c. ​​The slit 73c extends in the Z direction (the direction perpendicular to the elongated hole 12). The slit 73c is provided from the Z2 direction end of the bent portion 73 (the end opposite to the holding portion 61) to the Z1 direction end (the end on the holding portion 61 side).

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the bent portion 73 has a flattened shape that extends longer in the D direction than in the R direction when viewed from the Z2 direction. In other words, the bent portion 73 has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the Z2 direction.

[0053] (Lever's elongated hole) As shown in Figure 9, the lever 1 of the first embodiment includes the elongated hole 12 into which the folding portion 73 is inserted. The elongated hole 12 has a substantially elliptical shape that extends along the D direction when viewed from the Z1 direction side. The elongated hole 12 is located on the D1 direction side portion of the lever 1. The elongated hole 12 is located on the R2 direction side portion of the D1 direction end portion of the lever 1.

[0054] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the elongated hole 12 is in contact with the positioning member 7 in the R direction in order to enable positioning in the R direction by the positioning member 7. That is, in the R direction, the length L1 of the elongated hole 12 and the length L2 of the bent portion 73 of the positioning member 7 are approximately equal.

[0055] Furthermore, a gap is provided in the elongated hole 12 between it and the positioning member 7 in the D direction to facilitate the discharge of fragments of the bent portion 73 that break off as the lever 1 rotates in the R1 direction. That is, in the R direction, the length L3 of the elongated hole 12 is greater than the length L4 of the bent portion 73 of the positioning member 7. Gaps are provided in the elongated hole 12 on both the D2 direction side of the bent portion 73 and the D1 direction side of the bent portion 73. The gap on the D1 direction side of the bent portion 73 is the outer gap 12a. The gap on the D2 direction side of the bent portion 73 is the inner gap 12b. The bent portion 73 is inserted into the elongated hole 12, aligning the intermediate position P1 of the elongated hole 12 in the D direction with the intermediate position P2 of the slit 73c. ​​Therefore, when viewed from the Z2 direction side, the area of ​​the outer gap 12a and the area of ​​the inner gap 12b are approximately equal. Also, in the D direction, the length L4 of the bent portion 73 is smaller than the length L5 of the held portion 71.

[0056] (slanted surface) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the retaining portion 61 includes an inner wall 161 surrounding the retaining hole 61a. The inner wall 161 has an inclined surface 161a and a flat surface 161b. The inclined surface 161a is provided on the R1 direction side of the end of the inner wall 161 on the Z2 direction side (lever 1 side). The inclined surface 161a is inclined in the R1 direction as it approaches the Z2 direction side (lever 1 side). The flat surface 161b extends toward the R2 direction from the R2 direction end of the inclined surface 161a. The flat surface 161b is a surface aligned with the R direction.

[0057] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the opening 61b at the Z2-direction end of the retaining hole 61a has a substantially rectangular shape. In the R direction, the area of ​​the opening 61b at the Z2-direction end of the retaining hole 61a is larger than the area of ​​the opening 61c at the Z1-direction end of the retaining hole 61a. In the R direction, the space in the portion of the retaining hole 61a where the inclined surface 161a and the flat surface 161b are provided is larger than the space in other portions of the retaining hole 61a.

[0058] (Discharge of the broken part) As shown in Figure 14, when lever 1 rotates toward R1, a load is applied to the Z1-direction side of the folding portion 73. As lever 1 rotates further toward R1, an additional load is applied to the Z1-direction side of the folding portion 73, causing the folding portion 73 to split from the first recess 173a toward the second recess 173b. Furthermore, as the folding portion 73 splits, it is divided into a portion toward D1 direction relative to the slit 73c and a portion toward D2 direction relative to the slit 73c.

[0059] Then, the portion of the bent portion 73 on the D1 side of the slit 73c and the portion of the bent portion 73 on the D2 side of the slit 73c are moved and their orientation changes as they are discharged from the elongated hole 12 by the further rotating lever 1. At this time, if the portion of the bent portion 73 on the D1 side of the slit 73c and the portion of the bent portion 73 on the D2 side of the slit 73c come into contact with the inclined surface 161a, they are discharged from the elongated hole 12 while moving along the inclined surface 161a. In this way, the bent portion 73 is discharged from the elongated hole 12.

[0060] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0061] In the first embodiment, as described above, the lever 1 includes an elongated hole 12 into which the folding portion 73 is inserted and which extends along the D direction. As a result, when the operator presses down on the brake pedal 200, the lever 1 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the brake pedal 200, and when the folding portion 73 is folded based on the rotation of the lever 1, a gap is formed in the D direction between the folding portion 73 and the elongated hole 12 because the elongated hole 12 extends along the D direction. Therefore, fragments of the folding portion 73 are less likely to get caught on the lever 1. As a result, fragments of the folding portion 73 can be prevented from remaining on the lever 1.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the elongated hole 12 is provided with an outer gap 12a and an inner gap 12b on both sides: on the inside in the D direction of the bent portion 73 and on the outside in the D direction of the bent portion 73. As a result, since the outer gap 12a and the inner gap 12b are formed on both the inside and outside in the D direction of the bent portion 73, fragments of the bent portion 73 are less likely to remain on either the inside or outside in the D direction of the elongated hole 12, so that fragments of the bent portion 73 are not left behind by the lever 1.

[0063] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the bent portion 73 extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated hole 12 and has a slit 73c provided to divide the bent portion 73. This allows the bent portion 73 to be split along the slit 73c, thus breaking the fragments of the bent portion 73 into smaller pieces. As a result, the fragments of the bent portion 73 are more easily discharged from the elongated hole 12, so that no fragments of the bent portion 73 remain after being removed by the lever 1.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the holding portion 61 includes an inner wall 161 surrounding the holding hole 61a. The inner wall 161 has an inclined surface 161a at the end on the lever 1 side, on the R1 direction side of the lever 1, which slopes in the R1 direction as it approaches the lever 1. As a result, when a fragment of the bent portion 73 comes into contact with the inclined surface 161a, the fragment of the bent portion 73 can be moved along the inclined surface 161a, making it easier to discharge the fragment of the bent portion 73 from the elongated hole 12.

[0065] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the bent portion 73 has a first recess 173a on the first side surface portion 73a on the R2 direction side that is recessed on the R1 direction side. As a result, the bent portion 73 becomes thinner in the portion where the first recess 173a is provided, making it easier to break the bent portion 73 from the portion where the first recess 173a is provided by the lever 1 that rotates in the R1 direction. As a result, the bent portion 73 can be broken at the desired position.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the bent portion 73 has a second recess 173b that is recessed toward the R2 direction at the end of the second side portion 73b on the R1 direction side that is on the holding portion 61 side. As a result, stress tends to concentrate in the portion between the first recess 173a and the second recess 173b of the bent portion 73 that is bent by the lever 1, so that the bent portion 73 can be split from the first recess 173a to the second recess 173b by the lever 1 which rotates in the R1 direction. Therefore, because the second recess 173b is provided on the holding portion 61 side, the bent portion 73 can be split from the base portion, so that the size of the bent portion 73 remaining on the positioning member 7 can be made relatively small. As a result, when the driver operates the pedal, the bent portion 73 remaining on the positioning member 7 and the lever 1 will not interfere with each other.

[0067] [Second Embodiment] Referring to Figure 15, the configuration of the pedal position detection sensor 300 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, in the Z direction, the length of the connection portion 313 between the lever 301 and the brake pedal 200 is greater than the length of the connection portion between the lever 1 and the brake pedal 200 in the first embodiment. Note that in the second embodiment, detailed explanations of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0068] Referring to Figure 15, the configuration of the pedal position detection sensor 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0069] As shown in Figure 15, the pedal position detection sensor 300 comprises a lever 301, a shaft 2 (see Figure 3), a detection unit 3 (see Figure 3), a cover 4, a biasing unit 5 (see Figure 3), a housing 6, and a positioning member 7.

[0070] The direction in which shaft 2 extends is defined as the Z direction. The side of the Z direction opposite to the lever 301 is defined as the Z1 direction, and the side of the Z direction toward the lever 301 is defined as the Z2 direction.

[0071] The lever 301 includes a connecting portion 313. The connecting portion 313 extends in the Z direction. In the Z direction, the length L of the connecting portion 313 is greater than the length of the connecting portion of the lever 1 to the brake pedal 200 in the first embodiment. The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0072] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the pedal position detection sensor 300 and the lever 301 include an elongated hole 12 extending along the D direction into which the bent portion 73 is inserted. This prevents fragments of the bent portion 73 from remaining in the lever 1. Other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0073] [Differentiation] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (exceptions) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0074] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the pedal position detection sensor 100 (300) is shown to be assembled to the brake pedal 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the pedal position detection sensor may be assembled to the accelerator pedal or clutch pedal, etc.

[0075] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the pedal position detection sensor 100 (300) is shown to include a detection unit 3 comprising a magnetic circuit unit 31 and a magnetic detection unit 32, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the detection unit may detect the rotation angle of the shaft using a resistive element.

[0076] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments described above show an example in which one elongated hole 12 is provided in the lever 1 (301), the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, multiple elongated holes may be provided in the lever.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the elongated hole 12 was shown to have a substantially elliptical shape extending along the D direction when viewed from the Z1 direction side, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the elongated hole may have other shapes, such as a substantially rectangular shape extending along the radial direction when viewed from the holding portion side.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, examples were shown in which the elongated hole 12 has gaps on both the D2 direction side (radially inward) and the D1 direction side (radially outward) of the bent portion 73, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the elongated hole may have gaps on either the radially inward side of the bent portion or the radially outward side of the bent portion.

[0079] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments described above show examples in which the bent portion 73 has a slit 73c, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the bent portion does not have to have a slit.

[0080] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments described above show examples in which the holding portion 61 has an inclined surface 161a, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the holding portion does not have to have an inclined surface.

[0081] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments described above show examples in which the folded portion 73 has a first recess 173a, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the folded portion does not have to have a first recess.

[0082] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments described above show examples in which the folded portion 73 has a second recess 173b, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the folded portion does not have to have a second recess.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments described above, the folded portion 73 was shown to have a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the Z2 direction side (the side opposite to the holding portion 61 side), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the folded portion may have other shapes, such as a substantially rectangular shape, when viewed from the side opposite to the holding portion side.

[0084] Although the example shown illustrates a folded portion 73 having one slit 73c, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the folded portion may have multiple slits. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1,301 Lever 2 shafts 3. Detection Unit 7 Positioning member 12 long hole 12a Outer gap (gap) 12b Inner gap (gap) 61 Holding part 61a Retaining hole 73 Folded section 73a 1st side part 73b 2nd side part 73c slit 100, 300 pedal position detection sensors 161 Inner wall 161a Slope 173a First recess 173b Second recess 200 Brake pedal (pedal) C Rotation axis

Claims

1. A lever that can rotate in accordance with the driver's pedal operation, A shaft connected to the lever and rotatable together with the lever, A detection unit for detecting the rotation angle of the shaft, A positioning member that positions the lever at a predetermined angle and includes a bending portion that bends based on the lever being rotated in a first rotational direction after being positioned at the predetermined angle, The shaft extends in the direction of its extension and includes a holding portion which contains a holding hole that holds the positioning member, The lever includes an elongated hole into which the folding portion is inserted, extending along a radial direction perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis of the lever extends, The pedal position detection sensor wherein the bent portion has an inclined surface on the first rotation direction side surface that contacts the holding portion when bent, on the lever end side in the direction in which the shaft extends, which slopes toward a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction as it approaches the lever end side.

2. The pedal position detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the elongated hole is provided with gaps on both sides: radially inward from the bend and radially outward from the bend.

3. The pedal position detection sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bent portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated hole and has a slit provided to divide the bent portion.

4. The retaining portion further includes an inner wall surrounding the retaining hole, The pedal position detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner wall has an inclined surface on the end of the lever side that is on the side of the first rotation direction of the lever, which is inclined in the first rotation direction as it approaches the lever side.

5. The pedal position detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bent portion has a first recess on the first side surface on the second rotation direction side that is recessed toward the first rotation direction side.

6. The pedal position detection sensor according to claim 5, wherein the bent portion has a second recess that is recessed toward the second rotation direction at the end of the second side surface of the lever on the first rotation direction side that is on the holding portion side.

Images