Pedal device

Abstract

To prevent an elastic member 55 and a holder 52 from malfunctioning due to foreign matters.SOLUTION: A pedal device 1 is configured to be displaceable in an axial direction Dc, and includes the holder 52 that holds the elastic member 55 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 54 that holds the holder 52 from the other side in the axial direction Dc, is compressed by elastic deformation by receiving elastic force of the elastic member 55 via the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc, and applies elastic force to the holder 52. The holder 52 has a passage 90 that allows foreign matters to pass in the vertical direction of the holder 52. Therefore, foreign matters are discharged from a hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 to the outside of the holder 52 through the passage 90.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pedal device has been proposed that includes a pedal that rotates when depressed by a driver, and a reaction force generating unit that generates a reaction force against the rotational force applied from the pedal as the pedal rotates (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the reaction force generating unit, a holder, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member are housed in a housing. The holder is configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The first elastic member is supported by the holder and is compressed by elastic deformation by being pushed by the rotational force applied from the pedal, and gives an elastic force to the pedal.

[0004] The second elastic member is supported by the bottom of the housing, and is pushed by the holder as the holder moves downward, and is compressed by elastic deformation to give an elastic force to the holder.

[0005] As described above, the reaction force generating unit applies the elastic forces of the first and second elastic members to the pedal as reaction forces against the rotational force applied from the pedal by the elastic deformation of the first and second elastic members.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The reaction force generating section of the pedal device described in Patent Document 1 applies the elastic forces of the first and second elastic members to the pedal as a reaction force to the rotational force applied from the pedal.

[0008] However, if foreign matter such as water accumulates in the holder, rust, freezing, or other issues may occur, potentially causing the holder to malfunction.

[0009] Furthermore, if foreign matter such as water accumulates inside the housing, rust and freezing may occur on the elastic components, potentially leading to malfunction of the elastic components.

[0010] Furthermore, foreign matter such as wear particles, sand, and dust on the holder and elastic components may cause malfunctions in the holder and elastic components.

[0011] In view of the above points, the present invention aims to provide a pedal device that suppresses malfunctions caused by foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the invention described in claim 1 is a pedal device, Pedals (20, 20A) and A holder (51, 52, 133, 154, 132A, 210, 200, 281) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc) as the pedal is displaced, At least one elastic member that supports the holder from the other side in a predetermined direction and receives a force from the pedal through the holder from one side in a predetermined direction, thereby elastically deforming and imparting an elastic force to the holder. 53、54 , 143, 141, 230) and, The holder has at least one passage (90, 93, 93A, 94, 154, 161, 162, 211a, 200d, 281d) for foreign matter to pass through.

[0013] As a result, the accumulation of foreign matter in the holder can be suppressed, and therefore, a pedal device can be provided that prevents malfunctions in the holder and elastic member caused by foreign matter.

[0014] The invention described in claim 12 is a pedal device, Pedals (20) and A holder configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc). 51 )and, holder by The other side in the predetermined direction Supported by , the force given from the pedal to place At least one elastic member that elastically deforms and applies an elastic force to the holder when subjected to a constant force from one side in a fixed direction. 54 ) and, The holder has a support portion (51c) that supports the elastic member from the other side in a predetermined direction. The support portion has at least one passage (92) for allowing foreign matter to pass through.

[0015] As a result, the accumulation of foreign matter in the holder can be suppressed, and therefore, a pedal device can be provided that prevents malfunctions in the holder and elastic member caused by foreign matter.

[0016] The invention described in claim 17 is a pedal device, Pedals (20) and A holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc), At least one elastic member that supports the holder from the other side in a predetermined direction and receives a force from the pedal through the holder from one side in a predetermined direction, thereby elastically deforming and imparting an elastic force to the holder. 53 ) and, It includes a guide portion (12) that guides the holder so that the holder can be displaced in a predetermined direction, The inside of the case has a passage (300) through which foreign matter can pass. The passage communicates with the inside of the holder and opens to the outside of the holder. and.

[0017] As described above, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of foreign matter in the holder and the elastic member, so that it is possible to provide a pedal device that suppresses the occurrence of malfunction in the holder and the elastic member due to foreign matter.

[0018] In the invention according to claim 18, there is provided a pedal device comprising: a pedal (20, 20A); an elastic member (53, 54, 55, 70, 90, 130, 140 - 146, 180 - 181, 186, 187) that elastically deforms by the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal; and a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (10a, 13, 14) for storing the elastic member. The housing has at least one passage (10b, 11, 153, 13a, 91) for allowing foreign matter to pass from the storage chamber to the outside of the housing.

[0019] As described above, it is possible to provide a pedal device that suppresses the occurrence of malfunction in the holder and the elastic member due to foreign matter.

[0020] In the invention according to claim 20, there is provided a pedal device comprising: a pedal (20A); an elastic member (70A) that elastically deforms by the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force; and a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) in which the elastic member is accommodated. The elastic member is supported by the housing while being accommodated in the storage chamber, and has at least one passage (13a) for allowing foreign matter to pass from inside the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber. At least one passage is formed to discharge foreign matter from the exit (13c) to the outside of the storage chamber, and with the pedal, elastic member, and housing mounted on the vehicle (80), at least one passage is formed to extend downward toward the exit. and.

[0021] As a result, it is possible to provide a pedal device that prevents malfunctions in the elastic member caused by foreign matter.

[0022] Claim 21 The invention described herein is a pedal device, Pedal (20A), An elastic member (330) that applies an elastic force to the pedal by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (14) into which an elastic member can be placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The housing has at least one passage (96) for passing foreign objects from inside the storage compartment to the outside of the storage compartment. At least one passage has an outlet (96a) for discharging foreign matter, and with the pedal, elastic member, and housing mounted on the vehicle (80), at least one passage is formed to be downward as it approaches the outlet. It is.

[0023] As a result, it is possible to provide a pedal device that prevents malfunctions in the elastic member caused by foreign matter.

[0024] Claim 22 The invention described herein is a pedal device, Pedals (20) and An elastic member (70A) that provides an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) into which an elastic member can be placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The elastic member is provided with at least one passage (72) formed to penetrate the elastic member and to allow foreign matter to pass through.

[0025] As a result, it is possible to provide a pedal device that prevents malfunctions in the elastic member caused by foreign matter.

[0026] The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between that component and the specific components described in the embodiments described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a brake-by-wire system to which the pedal device of the first embodiment is applied is mounted on a vehicle, and is used as an aid in explaining the brake-by-wire system. [Figure 2] This figure shows a cross-sectional configuration of the pedal device in the first embodiment and is intended to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reaction force generating section and its surrounding area in the pedal device of the first embodiment, and is a diagram intended to assist in the detailed explanation of the holder and other components in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a view of the bottom of the pedal device holder in the first embodiment, seen from the other side in the axial direction, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the multiple passages provided at the bottom of the holder. [Figure 5] This figure shows a cross-sectional configuration of the pedal device in the second embodiment and is intended to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device. [Figure 6] This figure shows the cross-sectional configuration of the pedal device in the third embodiment and is intended to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device. [Figure 7] This is a view of the bottom of the holder of the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the fourth embodiment, seen from the other side in the axial direction, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the multiple passages provided at the bottom of the holder. [Figure 8] This figure shows the cross-sectional configuration of the pedal device in the fifth embodiment and is intended to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the fifth embodiment, and is a diagram that assists in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passages provided in the holder, etc., in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the sixth embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passages provided in the holder and housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the seventh embodiment, and is a diagram that assists in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passages provided in the housing and holder in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the eighth embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the ninth embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing the pedal device in the tenth embodiment, and is intended to assist in explaining the configuration of the pedal device. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 10th embodiment, and is a diagram that assists in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passages provided in the holder and housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 11th embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the twelfth embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 13th embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passages provided in the holder and housing in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 19] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 14th embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the holder in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 20] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 15th embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the elastic member, holder, housing, and passage provided in the holder in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 16th embodiment, and is a diagram that assists in explaining the elastic member, housing, and passage provided in the elastic member in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 22] This is a cross-sectional view showing the holder unit of the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 17th embodiment, and is a diagram to assist in explaining the multiple passages formed to span the cylindrical and bottom portions of the holder. [Figure 23] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 17th embodiment, and is a diagram that assists in explaining the elastic member, housing, and passage provided in the elastic member in the reaction force generating section. [Figure 24] This diagram shows the two holders of the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 18th embodiment, viewed from one side in the axial direction, and is intended to assist in explaining the multiple passages provided in the holders. [Figure 25] This diagram shows the two holders of the reaction force generating section of the pedal device in the 19th embodiment, viewed from one side in the axial direction, and is intended to assist in explaining the multiple passages provided in the holders. [Figure 26] This is a cross-sectional view to assist in explaining the arrangement of the two holders and four elastic members in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device according to the 20th embodiment. [Figure 27]This is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member, storage chamber, and passage of the 21st embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member and its surroundings in the 5th embodiment shown in Figure 8. [Figure 28] This is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member, storage chamber, and passage of the 22nd embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member and its surroundings in the 5th embodiment shown in Figure 8. [Figure 29] This is a cross-sectional view showing the housing, elastic member, and passage of the 23rd embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member and its surroundings in the 5th embodiment shown in Figure 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings in order to simplify the explanation.

[0029] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the brake pedal device 1 for the vehicle according to this first embodiment. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the brake pedal device 1 for the vehicle according to this first embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 80 and receives brake operations (for example, foot-pressing and releasing operations) performed by the driver of the vehicle 80 to brake the vehicle.

[0031] Vehicle 80 is a vehicle that runs on wheels. Examples of vehicles 80 include passenger cars, commercial vehicles, agricultural and construction machinery, and small mobility vehicles.

[0032] The pedal device 1 outputs an operation amount signal to the brake control circuit 83, corresponding to the amount of brake operation received. The brake control circuit 83 is a system that drives the brake pads of each wheel by controlling a brake actuator (not shown) (for example, an electric pump that adjusts the hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic brake circuit) in response to this operation amount signal. In this way, the pedal device 1 is a device for realizing the brake-by-wire system 82.

[0033] The four arrows in Figure 1 (up, down, left, and right) indicate the orientation of the vehicle 80 on which the pedal device 1 is mounted.

[0034] The vehicle's direction of travel Da and the vehicle's vertical direction Db (in other words, the up and down direction of the vehicle 80) are indicated by four arrows. In this embodiment, the front side in the vehicle's direction of travel Da is also referred to as the front side of the vehicle's direction of travel, and the rear side in the vehicle's direction of travel Da is also referred to as the rear side of the vehicle's direction of travel. The upper side in the vehicle's vertical direction Db is also referred to as the upper side of the vehicle, and the lower side in the vehicle's vertical direction Db is also referred to as the lower side of the vehicle.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the pedal device 1 comprises a housing 10, pedals 20, a rotation angle sensor 30, a rotating shaft 40, a reaction force generating unit 50, and elastic members 60, 70, 330, etc. The pedal device 1 in this embodiment is an organ-type pedal device.

[0036] The organ-type pedal device 1 refers to a configuration in which the part of the pedal 20 that is pressed by the driver 81 is positioned above the vehicle with respect to the rotation center CL of the pedal 20 (i.e., above in the vertical direction when mounted on the vehicle).

[0037] In the organ-type pedal device 1, as the force applied to the pedal 20 by the driver 81 increases, the pedal 20 rotates in a direction that brings the part of the pedal 20 above the rotation center CL of the vehicle closer to the bottom of the vehicle (i.e., downward in the vertical direction when mounted on the vehicle).

[0038] The rotation center CL of the pedal 20 is the center of rotation during the oscillation of the pedal 20. In this embodiment, the rotation center CL of the pedal 20 is also referred to as the pedal axis (i.e., the axis of the rotation axis 40) CL.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a for housing the reaction force generating unit 50 and the like. The housing 10 has an opening 11 that opens the storage chamber 10a to the upper side of the vehicle and is fixed to the floor of the vehicle interior. The housing 10 is provided with a support portion 12 that extends axially from its bottom along the axis Zb, which will be described later. The support portion 12 is a guide portion that guides the holder 51 of the reaction force generating unit 50 so that it can move in the axial direction Dc.

[0040] The support portion 12 is provided with a passage 300 that extends axially along the axis Zb. The lower opening of the passage 300 is open to the outside of the housing 10. The upper opening of the passage 300 communicates with the inside of the shaft support portion 51e. The inside of the shaft support portion 51e is communicated with the hollow portion 51a through the hollow portion 52a.

[0041] The passage 300 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the reference plane Zh among the holders 51. The reference plane Zh is a virtual plane where the distance from the lowest part of the holder 51 and the distance from the highest part of the holder 52 are the same.

[0042] As a result, the passage 300 connects the outside of the housing 10 with the hollow sections 52a and 51a. The shaft support section 51e is provided with a passage 301 that guides foreign matter such as water from the inside of the shaft support section 51e to the underside of the vehicle of the shaft support section 51e by gravity.

[0043] The housing 10 is provided with a passage 10b (i.e., a second passage) that guides foreign matter such as water from the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10 by gravity.

[0044] The pedal 20 rotates around the rotation axis 40 when pressed by the operator. Specifically, the pedal 20 comprises a pedal pad 21 and a pedal arm 22.

[0045] The pedal pad 21 is located on the upper side of the housing 10. The pedal pad 21 is formed in a long plate shape and receives the operation of being pressed down by the operator's foot. The pedal arm 22 supports the pedal pad 21 from the lower side of the vehicle and rotates around the rotation axis 40.

[0046] The pedal arm 22 comprises a rotating shaft base 120, a pedal pad support portion 121, and an arm portion 123. The rotating shaft base 120 is located within the housing 10. The rotating shaft base 120 is fixed to the rotating shaft 40 and is configured to rotate about the rotating shaft 40. The rotating shaft 40 is rotatably supported by the housing 10.

[0047] The pedal pad support portion 121 is supported by the rotating shaft base portion 120 and is configured to support the pedal pad 21 by passing through the opening 11 of the housing 10. The arm portion 123 is located inside the housing 10 and is formed to extend from the rotating shaft base portion 120 toward the front in the direction of vehicle travel and toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0048] The rotation angle sensor 30 detects the rotation angle of the pedal 20 (i.e., the rotation angle of the rotation axis 40).

[0049] The reaction force generating section 50 includes holders 51 and 52, and elastic members 53, 54, and 55.

[0050] The holder 51 is a second holder configured to be movable in the axial direction Dc. The axial direction Dc is a predetermined direction that intersects the vehicle's vertical direction Db and the vehicle's direction of travel Da. Specifically, the axial direction Dc is set to move towards the rear of the vehicle's direction of travel Da as it moves towards the upper side of the vehicle.

[0051] The holder 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion 51a centered on the axis Zb and comprises a cylindrical portion 51b, a bottom portion 51c that closes the hollow portion 51a from the other side in the axial direction Dc, and a flange portion 51d that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 51b centered on the axis Zb. The bottom portion 51c constitutes a support portion that supports the elastic member 54.

[0052] The flange portion 51d is formed in an annular shape with axis Zb as the center. The flange portion 51d is provided with a passage 302 that guides foreign matter such as water from the upper side of the flange portion 51d to the lower side of the flange portion 51d.

[0053] The holder 51 is provided with a cylindrical shaft support portion 51e through which the support portion 12 passes. The shaft support portion 51e is supported by the bottom portion 51c.

[0054] In this embodiment, the holder 51 is provided with a passage 91 in its hollow portion 51a that connects the vehicle-top side of the holder 52 with the vehicle-bottom side of the holder 52.

[0055] The passage 91 is formed to be recessed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 51b, with the axis Zb as the center. The passage 91 is covered from the radially inward side with the axis Zb as the center by the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52.

[0056] Holder 52 is a first holder located within the hollow portion 51a of holder 51. Holder 52 is configured to be movable in the axial direction Dc. Holder 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion 52a centered on the axis Zb and comprises a cylindrical portion 52b and a lid portion 52c that closes the hollow portion 52a from one side in the axial direction Dc.

[0057] The holder 52 is positioned radially inward from the holder 51, with the axis Zb as the center. The cover portion 52c of the holder 52 is provided with a passage 90 (i.e., a first passage) that communicates with the vehicle's vertical direction Db.

[0058] The passage 90 allows foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the lid 52c to pass through to the lower side of the holder 52 by gravity. The passage 90 also allows foreign matter such as sand, dust, and wear particles to pass through the hollow section 52a to the upper side of the holder 52 by vibration or the like. Wear particles are powder generated by the wear of the holder 52, 51, elastic members 53, 54, 55, etc.

[0059] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the bottom 51c of the holder 51 is provided with a plurality of passages 92 (i.e., second passages) that communicate in the vehicle's vertical direction Db. As shown in Figure 4, the plurality of passages 92 are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on the axis Zb. The plurality of passages 92 guide foreign matter such as water from the upper side of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 to the lower side of the bottom 51c of the holder 51.

[0060] In this embodiment, four passages 92 are provided at the bottom 51c of the holder 51. The multiple passages 92 are located on the underside of the vehicle relative to the reference plane Zh of the holder 51. The reference plane Zh is a virtual plane where the distance from the lowest part of the holder 51 and the distance from the highest part of the holder 51 are the same.

[0061] The holders 51 and 52 in this embodiment are made of metal or resin material.

[0062] The elastic member 53 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center. The elastic member 53 is positioned between the bottom of the housing 10 and the flange portion 51d of the holder 51.

[0063] As a result, the elastic member 53 is supported by the bottom of the housing 10 and supports the holder 51. In this embodiment, the elastic member 53 constitutes a second elastic member or a third elastic member.

[0064] The elastic member 54 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center. The elastic member 54 is located inside the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52. The elastic member 54 is located between the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 and the lid portion 52c of the holder 52.

[0065] As a result, the elastic member 54 is supported by the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 and supports the lid portion 52c of the holder 52. In this embodiment, the elastic member 54 constitutes either the first elastic member or the second elastic member.

[0066] The elastic member 55 is, for example, a second elastic member as a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center. The elastic member 55 is positioned between the arm portion 123 of the pedal arm 22 and the cover portion 52c of the holder 52.

[0067] As a result, the elastic member 55 is supported by the holder 52, thereby supporting the pedal 20.

[0068] The elastic members 53, 54, and 55 configured in this way provide an elastic force to the arm portion 123 of the pedal arm 22 as a reaction force to the rotational force.

[0069] The elastic members 53, 54, and 55 in this embodiment are made of, for example, a metal material.

[0070] The elastic member 60 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is supported by the arm portion 123 of the pedal arm 22. The elastic member 60 is formed to be convex toward the lid portion 52c of the holder 52.

[0071] The elastic member 60 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle of the arm portion 123 of the pedal arm 22, and when it comes into contact with the cover portion 52c of the holder 52, it compresses through elastic deformation, thereby applying elastic force to the cover portion 52c of the holder 52.

[0072] The elastic member 70 is positioned radially outward from the reaction force generating section 50A, with respect to the rotation center CL of the pedal 20. The elastic member 70 is press-fitted into the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10. In other words, the elastic member 70 is held in the housing 10 while placed in the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the elastic member 70 compresses by elastic deformation upon contact with the pedal pad 21, thereby applying elastic force to the pedal pad 21.

[0073] The elastic member 330 is fitted into the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10 by press-fitting. In other words, the elastic member 330 is supported by the housing 10 while being placed inside the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10. The elastic member 330 compresses by elastic deformation upon contact with the arm portion 123, thereby applying an elastic force to the arm portion 123.

[0074] The elastic members 60, 70, and 330 in this embodiment are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0075] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0076] First, when the driver 81 applies the brake to the pedal pad 21 of the pedal 20, and the driver 81's force is applied to the pedal pad 21 of the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates around the center of rotation CL. In detail, the pedal arm 22, pedal pad 21, and rotation axis 40 oscillate around the rotation center CL so as to move forward in the direction of vehicle travel. In other words, the pedal 20 oscillates, changing its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state.

[0077] At this time, the rotation angle sensor 30 outputs an electrical signal indicating the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 40 to the brake control circuit 83. The brake control circuit 83 drives and controls the brake circuit included in the brake-by-wire system 82 to generate the hydraulic pressure (e.g., hydraulic pressure) necessary for braking the vehicle 80, and uses that hydraulic pressure to drive the brake pads to decelerate or stop the vehicle 80.

[0078] At this time, as the pedal 20 rotates, the arm portion 123 of the pedal arm 22 and the elastic member 60 rotate around the rotation center CL. As a result, the rotational force of the pedal 20 is applied to the elastic member 55 from one side in the axial direction Dc from the arm portion 123. As a result, the elastic member 55 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the cover portion 52c of the holder 52.

[0079] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 55 is applied to the arm portion 123 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0080] In addition, the elastic force of the elastic member 55 is applied to the cover portion 52c of the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc. As a result, the holder 52 is displaced to the other side in the axial direction Dc. Consequently, the cover portion 52c of the holder 52 presses against the elastic member 54 from one side in the axial direction Dc.

[0081] Therefore, the elastic member 54 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the bottom 51c of the holder 51. As a result, the elastic force of the elastic member 54 is applied to the bottom 51c of the holder 51 and the lid 52c of the holder 52.

[0082] Therefore, the holder 51 is displaced to the other side in the axial direction Dc by the elastic force of the elastic member 54. Consequently, the elastic member 53, while supported by the bottom surface of the housing 10, is pressed from one side in the axial direction Dc by the flange portion 51d of the holder 51.

[0083] As a result, the elastic member 53 is compressed by elastic deformation and applies an elastic force to the holder 51. This elastic deformation of the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 provides a reaction force to the pedal 20 against the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0084] In this case, as the pedal 20 changes its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state. Therefore, the reaction force exerted by the elastic member 70 on the pedal 20 increases as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state.

[0085] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 returns to its original state.

[0086] In this state, with the elastic forces of the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 applied to the pedal 20, the pedal arm 22, pedal pad 21, and rotation axis 40 oscillate around the rotation center CL so as to move toward the rear in the direction of vehicle travel. In other words, the pedal 20 oscillates, changing its posture from the fully depressed state to the undepressed state.

[0087] At this time, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the lid 52c of the holder 52 is guided by gravity to the lower side of the holder 52 through the passages 90 and 91.

[0088] Foreign matter that is guided to the underside of the holder 52 is then guided to the underside of the holder 51 through multiple passages 92. Foreign matter on the upper side of the flange portion 51d is guided to the underside of the flange portion 51d through passage 302. In addition, foreign matter inside the shaft support portion 51e is guided by gravity through passage 301 to the underside of the holder 51.

[0089] In this way, foreign objects guided to the underside of the vehicle by the holder 51 are guided by gravity to the bottom surface of the housing 10. These guided foreign objects are then led to the outside of the storage chamber 10a (i.e., the housing 10) through the passage 10b of the housing 10.

[0090] Furthermore, vibrations occur in the holder 52 due to the pedaling force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 20. Vibrations also occur in the holder 52 as the vehicle moves. As a result of these vibrations, foreign matter such as sand, wear particles, and dust in the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 moves to the outside of the holder 51 through the passage 92 and the upper side of the holder 52 over the vehicle.

[0091] This moved foreign object is guided by gravity to the outside of the housing 10 through the passage 10b of the housing 10.

[0092] Furthermore, any foreign matter inside the shaft support portion 51e is guided by gravity through the passage 300 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0093] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes a pedal 20 that rotates around a rotation axis 40 when pressed down by an operator.

[0094] The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 55 that receives the rotational force of the pedal 20 from one side in the axial direction Dc as the pedal 20 rotates, compresses through elastic deformation, and applies an elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force.

[0095] The pedal device 1 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction Dc and includes a holder 52 that supports the elastic member 55 from the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0096] The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 54 that supports the holder 52 from the other side in the axial direction Dc and receives the elastic force of the elastic member 55 from one side in the axial direction Dc via the holder 52, thereby compressing and applying elastic force to the holder 52 through elastic deformation.

[0097] The cover portion 52c of the holder 52 has a passage 90 that connects the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 and the vehicle-side of the holder 52, allowing foreign objects to pass to the outside of the holder 52 by gravity or vibration.

[0098] Therefore, the passage 90 allows foreign matter to be discharged from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 to the outside of the holder 52. This prevents foreign matter from accumulating in the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52.

[0099] Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions such as rust, freezing, and abnormal noise generation in the holder 52 caused by foreign matter such as water. It is possible to suppress malfunctions in the holder 52 and elastic member 54 caused by foreign matter such as wear particles, sand, and dust on the holder 52 and elastic member 54. If the holder 52 is made of a resin material, it is possible to prevent hydrolysis of the holder 52. For this reason, malfunctions in the holder 52 will not occur due to hydrolysis of the holder 52.

[0100] Furthermore, foreign matter such as wear particles, sand, and dust will not get stuck between the holders 51 and 52, preventing malfunction of the holders 51 and 52. Foreign matter such as wear particles, sand, and dust will not get stuck in the elastic members 53, 54, and 55, preventing them from expanding and contracting.

[0101] As a result, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in the holder 52 and elastic member 54 caused by foreign matter.

[0102] In this embodiment, the following effects (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) can be obtained. (a) The pedal device 1 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction Dc and includes a holder 51 that supports the elastic member 54 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 53 that supports the holder 51 from the other side in the axial direction Dc and is compressed by elastic deformation by receiving the elastic force of the elastic member 54 through the holder 51.

[0103] The bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 has a passage 92 that guides foreign matter from the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the underside of the vehicle due to gravity.

[0104] Therefore, foreign matter can be guided from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 51 to the underside of the vehicle by gravity. This prevents malfunction of the elastic member 53 due to foreign matter in the hollow portion 52a of the holder 51. If the holder 51 is made of a resin material, hydrolysis of the holder 51 can be prevented. Therefore, malfunctions of the holder 51 due to hydrolysis of the holder 51 will not occur. (b) The pedal device 1 comprises a housing 10 which includes a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 55, 54, 53 and holders 51, 52, and a passage 10b for guiding foreign matter from the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, foreign matter can be guided from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by gravity.

[0105] Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by foreign matter in the elastic members 55, 54, 53 and the holders 51, 52. (c) The pedal device 1 includes a support portion 12 that guides the holder 51 so that the holder 51 can be displaced in the axial direction Dc, and has a passage 300 that guides foreign matter from inside the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the outside of the hollow portion 51a.

[0106] Therefore, the passage 300 of the support portion 12 can guide foreign matter from inside the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the outside of the holder 51 by gravity. Consequently, foreign matter can be discharged from inside the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 more effectively. (d) The pedal device 1 is provided with a passage 91 on the inner circumferential surface of the holder 51 that connects the vehicle upper side of the holder 52 and the vehicle lower side of the holder 52. Therefore, foreign matter can be passed by gravity from the vehicle upper side of the holder 52 through the passage 91 to the vehicle lower side of the holder 52. Thus, malfunctions of the elastic member 55, which is positioned on the vehicle upper side of the holder 52, due to foreign matter can be prevented. (e) The axial direction Dc of each of the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 is oblique to the horizontal direction Ds when the pedal device 1 is mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, each of the elastic members 53, 54, and 55 expands and contracts by elastic deformation in the axial direction Dc, which is oblique to the horizontal direction Ds, as a spring. Therefore, compared to the case where the axial direction Dc of each elastic member 53, 54, and 55 is parallel to the horizontal direction Ds, foreign matter can be more easily discharged from the elastic members 53, 54, and 55. Thus, the discharge efficiency of foreign matter can be improved.

[0107] (First embodiment, first modified example) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 91 is provided in the holder 51 to connect the upper side of the holder 52 with the lower side of the holder 52.

[0108] Alternatively, a passage may be provided on the outer surface of the holder 52, and this passage may be used to connect the upper side of the holder 52 to the lower side of the holder 52.

[0109] Specifically, the passage is formed by a recess that extends radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the holder 52, centered on axis Zb. This recess is covered by the inner circumferential surface of the holder 51.

[0110] This allows foreign matter such as water to be guided from the upper side of the holder 52 to the lower side of the holder 52 using the passage in the holder 52. (Second modified example of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which a support portion 12 is provided to guide the holder 51 so that the holder 51 can be displaced in the axial direction Dc.

[0111] However, instead, a guide portion may be provided to guide the holder 52 so that the holder 52 can be displaced in the axial direction Dc. In this case, a passage for discharging foreign matter from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 may be provided in the guide portion.

[0112] (Second Embodiment) The holder 51 of the pedal device 1 in this second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5, in which the bottom surface 51f of the bottom portion 51c is formed in an inclined shape in order to improve the discharge of foreign matter, as in the pedal device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0113] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the reaction force generating section 50 and its surrounding area in the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0114] As shown in Figure 5, the multiple passages 92 of the pedal device 1 in this embodiment are provided on the radially outer side of the bottom 51c of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zb. The multiple passages 92 are arranged in a circumferential direction at the bottom 51c of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zb.

[0115] A bottom surface 51f is formed on one side of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 in the axial direction Dc. The bottom surface 51f of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 is formed in a sloping manner, moving from the radially inward side towards the radially outward side, centered on the axis Zb, and then sloping toward the other side in the axial direction Dc. In other words, the bottom surface 51f of the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 is formed in a sloping shape that approaches the other side in the axial direction Dc as it moves from the radially inward side centered on the axis Zb towards the multiple passages 92.

[0116] According to the embodiment described above, foreign matter on the upper side of the vehicle at the bottom surface 51f can be effectively collected into multiple passages 92. Therefore, the ability to discharge foreign matter at the bottom 51c of the holder 51 can be improved.

[0117] (Third embodiment) In the second embodiment described above, an example was described in which the multiple passages 92 are provided radially outward from the bottom 51c of the holder 51 with respect to the axis Zb.

[0118] However, instead, a third embodiment in which multiple passages 92 are provided radially inward from the bottom 51c of the holder 51 with respect to the axis Zb will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0119] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the reaction force generating section 50 and its surrounding area in the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0120] Multiple passages 92 are provided on the radially inward side of the bottom 51c of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zb. The multiple passages 92 are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on the axis Zb, radially inward from the axis Zb relative to the shaft support portion 51e.

[0121] The bottom surface 51f of the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 is formed as an inclined surface, with the inclination increasing from the radially outer side around the axis Zb towards the radially inner side, and then increasing towards the other side in the axial direction Dc. In other words, the bottom surface 51f of the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 is formed in a sloping shape that approaches the other side in the axial direction Dc as it approaches the multiple passages 92 from the radially outer side centered on the axis Zb.

[0122] According to the embodiment described above, foreign matter on the upper side of the vehicle at the bottom surface 51f can be effectively collected into multiple passages 92. Therefore, the ability to discharge foreign matter at the bottom 51c of the holder 51 can be improved.

[0123] (Fourth Embodiment) The bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 in this fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7, showing an example in which a plurality of ribs 92a are formed radially around the axis Zc in the holder 51 of the first embodiment.

[0124] Figure 7 is a view of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment, as seen from the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0125] Multiple passages 92 are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on axis Zb within the bottom 51c of the holder 51. Multiple ribs 92a are positioned between two adjacent passages 92 within the bottom 51c of the holder 51.

[0126] Multiple ribs 92a are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on axis Zc. Multiple ribs 92a are formed radially around axis Zc. This results in the formation of multiple passages 92 at the bottom 51c of the holder 51.

[0127] According to the embodiment described above, the multiple ribs 92a are arranged between two adjacent passages 92 at the bottom 51c and are formed radially around the axis Zc, thereby forming multiple passages 92.

[0128] Therefore, the bottom portion 51c can adequately support the elastic member 54 while ensuring the discharge of foreign matter through the multiple passages 92.

[0129] (Fifth embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which an organ-type pedal device was used as the pedal device 1. However, in this fifth embodiment, a pendant-type pedal device is used as the pedal device 1, which will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0130] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the brake pedal device 1 of the vehicle according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view showing the reaction force generating section 50 and its surrounding area of ​​the pedal device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0131] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the pedal device 1 comprises a pedal 20A that replaces the pedal 20 in the pedal device 1 of the first embodiment, and a reaction force generating unit 50A that replaces the reaction force generating unit 50. The pedal device 1 comprises an elastic member 70A that replaces the elastic member 70 in the pedal device 1 of the first embodiment.

[0132] In the pedal device 1 of this embodiment and the pedal device 1 of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals indicate the same components, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0133] The pedal device 1 of this embodiment is a pendant-type pedal device. A pendant-type pedal device 1 is a configuration in which the part of the pedal 20A that is pressed by the driver 81 is positioned below the vehicle (i.e., below in the vertical direction when mounted on the vehicle) relative to the rotation center CL of the pedal 20A. In the pendant-type pedal device 1, as the pressing force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 20A increases, the part of the pedal 20A that is below the rotation center CL of the vehicle swings in a direction that brings it closer to the front in the direction of vehicle travel.

[0134] The reaction force generating section 50A of this embodiment and the reaction force generating section 50 of the first embodiment are substantially the same, with only the arrangement of the holders 51 and 52 being different, and both include holders 51 and 52 and elastic members 53, 54, and 55. Holder 51 is positioned radially outward from holder 52 with respect to axis Zb.

[0135] The cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51 is provided with a passage 91A that allows foreign matter to pass from the hollow portion 51a to the underside of the holder 51 on the vehicle side. The passage 91A is formed on the inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zb, so as to be recessed radially outward with respect to the axis Zb. In other words, the passage 91A is formed by the inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zb.

[0136] The passage 91A is covered by the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 from the radially inward direction centered on the axis Zb. The passage 91A is located on the underside of the vehicle relative to the reference plane Zh of the holder 51.

[0137] The reference plane Zh is a virtual plane where the distance from the bottom of the holder 52 is the same as the distance from the top of the holder 52.

[0138] In this embodiment, the passage 91A has an outlet 401 that opens on one side of the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 in the axial direction Dc. The inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51, centered on the axis Zc, is formed in an inclined shape that moves radially outward with respect to the axis Zb as it moves from the other side of the axial direction Dc towards one side of the axial direction Dc.

[0139] In other words, the inner circumferential surface 400 is formed in a sloping shape that inclines radially outward with respect to the axis Zb as it approaches the outlet 401 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. One side of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51 in the axial direction Dc is positioned lower to the vehicle than the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0140] Here, the inner circumferential surface 400 plays the role of guiding foreign matter in the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the outlet 401. As a result, the passage 91A is formed in a sloping shape that inclines radially outward around the axis Zb as it approaches the outlet 401 from the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0141] In this embodiment, the passage 91A may be formed over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 400 with the axis Zb as the center. Alternatively, the passage 91A may be formed in a portion of the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 400 with the axis Zb as the center.

[0142] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 400 may be formed by a draft angle used to form the hollow portion 51a when injection molding the holder 51 with a metal or resin material.

[0143] In the reaction force generating section 50A of this embodiment, the elastic member 55 is positioned between the pedal 20A and the cover portion 52c of the holder 52. The elastic member 54 is positioned between the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 and the cover portion 52c of the holder 52. The elastic member 53 is positioned between the flange portion 51d of the holder 51 and the bottom surface of the housing 10.

[0144] In this embodiment, the elastic member 70A is positioned radially outward from the reaction force generating portion 50A, with respect to the rotation center CL of the pedal 20A. The elastic member 70A is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is fitted into the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 by press-fitting.

[0145] In other words, the elastic member 70A is held in the housing 10 while placed in the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10. The elastic member 70A is provided with a passage 13a that guides foreign matter inside the storage chamber 13 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by gravity. The passage 13a is formed to be recessed inward from the outer surface of the elastic member 70A.

[0146] In this embodiment, the elastic member 330 is positioned on the opposite side from the elastic member 70A and the reaction force generating part 50 in the rotational direction about the rotation center CL. The elastic member 330 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0147] The elastic member 330 is fitted into the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10 by press-fitting. In other words, the elastic member 330 is supported by the housing 10 while it is inside the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10.

[0148] The elastic member 330 is compressed by elastic deformation when a rotational force is applied from the pedal 20A as the pedal 20A rotates, and provides elastic force to the pedal 20A as a reaction force to the rotational force. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 96 that guides foreign objects in the storage chamber 14 to the outside of the storage chamber 14 by gravity.

[0149] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0150] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal pad 21 of pedal 20A, pedal 20A rotates around the center of rotation CL. More specifically, pedal 20A oscillates around the center of rotation CL so as to move forward in the direction of vehicle travel. In other words, pedal 20A performs an oscillating motion that changes its posture from a non-pressed state to a fully pressed state.

[0151] At this time, the rotation angle sensor 30 outputs an electrical signal indicating the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 40 to the brake control circuit 83.

[0152] As a result, the rotational force of the pedal 20A is applied to the elastic member 55 from one side in the axial direction Dc. Therefore, the elastic member 55 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the cover portion 52c of the holder 52. At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 55 is applied to the pedal 20A as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20A.

[0153] In addition, the elastic force of the elastic member 55 is applied to the cover portion 52c of the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc. As a result, the holder 52 is displaced to the other side in the axial direction Dc. Consequently, the cover portion 52c of the holder 52 presses against the elastic member 54 from one side in the axial direction Dc.

[0154] Therefore, the elastic member 54 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the bottom 51c of the holder 51. As a result, the elastic force of the elastic member 54 is applied to the bottom 51c of the holder 51 and the lid 52c of the holder 52.

[0155] Therefore, the holder 51 is displaced to the other side in the axial direction Dc by the elastic force of the elastic member 54. Consequently, the elastic member 53, while supported by the bottom surface of the housing 10, is pressed from one side in the axial direction Dc by the flange portion 51d of the holder 51, and is compressed by elastic deformation, thereby applying elastic force to the holder 51.

[0156] The elastic deformation of these elastic members 53, 54, and 55 provides a reaction force to the pedal 20A against the rotational force of the pedal 20A.

[0157] Furthermore, the elastic member 70A is compressed by elastic deformation as it is pressed against by the rotational force of the pedal 20A. Consequently, the elastic member 70A exerts an elastic force on the pedal 20A as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20A.

[0158] In this case, during the oscillation when the pedal 20A changes its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 53, 54, 55, and 70A undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20A approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20A approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force exerted on the pedal 20A by the elastic members 53, 54, 55, and 70A increases.

[0159] Subsequently, when the pedal 20A is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20A is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 53, 54, 55, and 70A returns to its original state.

[0160] In this state, with the elastic force of the elastic members 53, 54, 55, and 70A applied to the pedal 20A, the pedal 20A oscillates around the rotation center CL so as to move towards the rear in the direction of vehicle travel. In other words, the pedal 20A oscillates, changing its posture from the fully depressed state to the undepressed state.

[0161] In this process, the elastic member 330 is pressed against by the rotational force of the pedal 20A, and is compressed by elastic deformation. As a result, the elastic force of the elastic member 330 is applied to the pedal 20A as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20A.

[0162] At this time, foreign matter such as water present in the hollow portion 52a of holder 52 is guided by gravity through passages 93 and 94 to the underside of the vehicle of holder 52. Foreign matter such as water present in the hollow portion 51a of holder 51 is guided by gravity through passage 91A to the underside of the vehicle of holder 51.

[0163] In this way, foreign objects guided to the underside of the vehicle by holders 52 and 51 are guided by gravity to the bottom surface of housing 10. These guided foreign objects are then led to the outside of storage chamber 10a (i.e., housing 10) through the opening 11 of housing 10.

[0164] Furthermore, foreign matter such as water, dust, sand, and wear particles in the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10 is guided to the outside of the storage chamber 14 through the passage 96 by the aforementioned vibrations and gravity.

[0165] Furthermore, foreign matter such as water, dust, sand, and wear particles in the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 is guided to the outside of the storage chamber 14 through the passage 13a by the aforementioned vibrations and gravity.

[0166] Furthermore, foreign objects inside the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 are passed through the passage 13a to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by the aforementioned vibrations and gravity.

[0167] Furthermore, foreign objects inside the storage chamber 14 of the housing 10 are passed through the passage 96 to the outside of the storage chamber 14 by the aforementioned vibrations and gravity.

[0168] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes a pedal 20A that rotates around a rotation axis 40 when pressed down by an operator.

[0169] The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 55 that, as the pedal 20A rotates, receives the rotational force of the pedal 20A from one side in the axial direction Dc, compresses through elastic deformation, and applies an elastic force to the pedal 20A as a reaction force to the rotational force.

[0170] The pedal device 1 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction Dc and includes a holder 52 that supports the elastic member 55 from the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0171] The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 54 that supports the holder 52 from the other side in the axial direction Dc and receives the elastic force of the elastic member 55 from one side in the axial direction Dc via the holder 52, thereby compressing and applying elastic force to the holder 52 through elastic deformation.

[0172] The holder 52 has at least passages 93 and 94 that guide foreign matter from the upper side of the vehicle to the lower side of the vehicle by the aforementioned vibration or gravity.

[0173] Therefore, passages 93 and 94 can guide foreign matter such as water from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 to the underside of the holder 52 of the vehicle. This prevents malfunctions in the elastic member 54 caused by foreign matter in the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52.

[0174] In this embodiment, the following effects (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) can be obtained. (f) The housing 10 is provided with an opening 11 that guides foreign matter inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by the aforementioned vibration and gravity. Therefore, foreign matter inside the storage chamber 10a can be effectively discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 10a. (g) The holder 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an axis Zb extending in the axial direction Dc and has a cylindrical portion 52b and a bottom portion 52f which is a member that closes the cylindrical portion 52b from one side in the axial direction Dc. (h) The housing 10 is provided with a passage 96 that guides foreign matter from the storage chamber 14 to the outside of the storage chamber 14. This allows foreign matter such as water to be discharged from the storage chamber 14. Therefore, hydrolysis of the elastic member 330 inside the storage chamber 14 can be prevented.

[0175] Here, the reference plane Zh is defined as a virtual plane where the distance from the bottom of the holder 52 and the distance from the top of the holder 52 are the same (i.e., equidistant). Distance refers to the shortest distance from the bottom or top.

[0176] The passages 93 and 94 are located on the underside of the vehicle relative to the reference plane Zh of the holder 52. In this embodiment, the reference plane Zh of the holder 52 and the reference plane Zh of the holder 52 are a common virtual plane.

[0177] Here, passage 93 is located at the bottom 52f of the holder 52. Passage 94 is located at the cylindrical portion 52b. Therefore, foreign matter can be effectively discharged from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 through passages 93 and 94 to the underside of the holder 52 by gravity. (i) The passage 93A is located in the bottom 52f of the holder 52, including the reference plane Zh. Therefore, foreign matter can be effectively discharged from the hollow portion 52a of the holder 52 through the passage 93A to the underside of the holder 52 by gravity. (j) The inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51, which forms the passage 91A, is formed in an inclined shape that slopes radially outward with respect to the axis Zb as it approaches the outlet 401 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface 400 can effectively guide foreign matter in the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the outlet 401. Thus, the discharge performance of foreign matter in the hollow portion 51a of the holder 51 to the outside of the holder 51 can be improved. (Modified version of the fifth embodiment) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a recess that is recessed radially outward with respect to the axis Zb on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51 was defined as a passage 91A.

[0178] However, instead, a recess on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52, which is recessed radially inward with respect to the axis Zb, may be used as the passage 91A. (Sixth Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which a reaction force generating unit 50 using three elastic members 55, 54, and 53 was used.

[0179] However, instead, the sixth embodiment of this invention, which uses a reaction force generating section 60A with elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146, will be described with reference to Figure 10.

[0180] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating unit 60A in this embodiment.

[0181] The reaction force generating section 60A of this embodiment includes a housing 10, a support section 15, holders 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, and elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146.

[0182] The housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on an axis Zb, which has a storage chamber 10a. The axis Zb is set to extend in the vehicle's vertical direction Db.

[0183] The bottom of the housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 (i.e., a second passage) that guides foreign objects in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 by gravity. The housing 10 is also provided with a passage 150 that allows foreign objects in the storage chamber 10a to pass to the outside of the housing 10.

[0184] The holder 130 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the pedal 20. It is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle's vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10. The holder 130 is configured to be movable in the vehicle's vertical direction Db. In this embodiment, the holder 130 transmits the rotational force of the pedal 20 to the holder 131.

[0185] The holder 131 is formed in an annular shape with axis Zb as the center. The holder 131 is located in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 130. The holder 131 is positioned radially inward relative to the holder 134 with axis Zb as the center.

[0186] In this embodiment, the holder 131 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle's vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10.

[0187] The holder 132 is formed in an annular shape with axis Zb as the center. The holder 132 is located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 131. The holder 132 is positioned radially inward relative to the holder 134 with axis Zb as the center.

[0188] In this embodiment, the holder 132 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10. The holder 132 is provided with a passage 154 that guides foreign matter on the vehicle upper side of the holder 132 to the vehicle lower side of the holder 132.

[0189] The holder 133 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion 133a centered on the axis Zb. The holder 133 is located inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 132. The holder 133 is positioned radially inward relative to the holder 134, centered on the axis Zb.

[0190] In this embodiment, the holder 133 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10. The holder 133 is provided with a passage 133b that penetrates from the upper side of the vehicle into the hollow portion 133a.

[0191] The holder 134 is formed in a cylindrical shape with axis Zb as its center. The holder 134 is located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned radially outward from the holder 133 with axis Zb as its center.

[0192] In this embodiment, the holder 134 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10. The bottom portion 134a of the holder 134 is provided with passages 151 and 152 that guide foreign matter in the storage chamber 10a to the underside of the holder 134.

[0193] The elastic member 140 is a first elastic member located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and positioned radially inward relative to the holder 134 with respect to the axis Zb. The elastic member 140 is located between the holders 131 and 133.

[0194] The elastic member 141 is a second elastic member located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10. The elastic member 141 is, for example, a coil spring located radially inward with respect to the holder 134, centered on axis Zb. The elastic member 141 is located between the holders 131 and 132.

[0195] The elastic member 142 is located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned radially inward from the holder 134 with respect to the axis Zb. The elastic member 142 is positioned between the bottom portion 134a of the holder 132 and the holder 134.

[0196] The elastic member 143 is a second elastic member located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and positioned radially inward relative to the holder 134 with respect to the axis Zb. The elastic member 143 is positioned between the bottom portions 134a of the holder 133 and the holder 134.

[0197] The elastic members 140, 142, 143, and 143 of this embodiment are, for example, coil springs formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center.

[0198] The elastic members 144, 145, and 146 are each located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 134. A support portion 15 is positioned between the elastic members 145 and 146 to support the elastic member 145 from the underside of the vehicle. The support portion 15 is provided with a passage 156 that guides foreign objects that have passed through passages 151 and 152 to the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 134. The elastic members 144, 145, and 146 in this embodiment are each composed of, for example, leaf springs.

[0199] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0200] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates, and rotational force is applied to the holder 130. Consequently, the holder 130 is displaced downwards by the vehicle. As a result, the holder 131 is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 130 and displaced downwards by the vehicle.

[0201] Therefore, the elastic member 141 is compressed by elastic deformation when it is pressed against the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 131 while being supported by the holder 132. In addition, the elastic member 140 is compressed by elastic deformation when it is pressed against the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 131 while being supported by the holder 133.

[0202] In this way, the elastic members 140 and 141 are compressed by elastic deformation, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal 20 via the holders 131 and 130 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0203] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 140 is also applied to the holder 133, causing the holder 133 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 143, while supported by the bottom portion 134a of the holder 134, is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 133. Consequently, the elastic member 143 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0204] Furthermore, the elastic force of the elastic member 141 is also applied to the holder 132, causing the holder 132 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 142, while supported by the bottom portion 134a of the holder 134, is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 132. Consequently, the elastic member 142 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0205] In this way, the elastic members 142 and 143 apply elastic force to the bottom 134a of the holder 134 by being compressed by elastic deformation. Consequently, the holder 134 is displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic members 144, 145, and 146 are pressed against the top of the vehicle by the bottom 134a of the holder 134 and are compressed by elastic deformation.

[0206] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60A increases as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state.

[0207] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 returns to its original state.

[0208] In this state, the pedal 20 swings as the elastic forces of the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 are applied to the pedal 20.

[0209] At this time, foreign matter such as water on the vehicle-upper side of the holder 131 within the housing 10 is guided to the outside of the housing 10 by gravity through the passage 150.

[0210] Furthermore, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the holder 132 is guided by gravity to the lower side of the holder 132 through the passage 154. Subsequently, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the holder 133 is guided by gravity through the passage 133b and the hollow section 133a to the lower side of the holder 133.

[0211] In this way, foreign objects guided to the underside of the vehicle of holder 133 are guided by gravity to the bottom 134a of holder 134. Subsequently, these guided foreign objects are guided by gravity to the bottom of housing 10 through passages 151, 152, and 156 in the bottom 134a of holder 134.

[0212] The foreign object is guided by gravity from the bottom of the housing 10 through the passage 153 to the underside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage compartment 10a). In this way, the foreign object is discharged from the storage compartment 10a of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0213] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes a pedal 20 that rotates around a rotation axis 40 when pressed down by an operator. The pedal device 1 includes elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 that compress by elastic deformation due to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates, thereby providing elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force.

[0214] The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 for guiding foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0215] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 140-146 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0216] (Seventh Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a reaction force generating section 60A using seven elastic members 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146 was used.

[0217] However, instead, a seventh embodiment using a reaction force generating section 60B with three elastic members 140, 141, and 147 will be described with reference to Figure 11.

[0218] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating unit 60B of this embodiment.

[0219] The reaction force generating section 60B of this embodiment comprises a housing 10, holders 130, 131, 132A, and elastic members 140, 141, 147.

[0220] The housing 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on axis Zb, which has a storage chamber 10a. A passage 153 is provided at the bottom of the housing 10 to guide foreign objects inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0221] The holder 130 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the pedal 20. The holder 130 is configured to move in the vertical direction Db of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the holder 130 transmits the rotational force of the pedal 20 to the holder 131.

[0222] The holder 131 is formed in an annular shape centered on axis Zb. The holder 131 is located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 130.

[0223] In this embodiment, the holder 131 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle vertical direction Db relative to the housing 10. The holder 131 is provided with a passage 160 that guides foreign matter on the vehicle upper side of the holder 131 to the vehicle lower side of the holder 131.

[0224] The holder 132A is formed in an annular shape centered on the axis Zb. The holder 132A is located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the holder 131. The holder 132A is provided with a retaining portion 132h for holding the elastic member 147.

[0225] The holder 132A is provided with a passage 161 that allows foreign objects on the upper side of the holder 132A to pass to the lower side of the holder 132A. The holding portion 132h of the holder 132 is provided with a passage 162 that guides foreign objects on the upper side of the holding portion 132h to the lower side of the holding portion 132h.

[0226] The elastic member 140 is a first elastic member, acting as a leaf spring, located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10. The elastic member 140 is positioned between the holders 131 and 132A.

[0227] The elastic member 141 is, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 141 is a first elastic member located within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and positioned between the holder 131 and the bottom of the housing 10.

[0228] The elastic member 147 is located in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 and is held by the holding portion 132h of the holder 132. The elastic member 147 is provided with a passage 147A that penetrates in the vehicle's vertical direction Db. The passage 147A communicates with the passage 161 of the holder 132A.

[0229] The passage 147A allows foreign matter such as water that has passed through the passage 161 of the holder 132A to pass through to the underside of the vehicle via the elastic member 147 by gravity. The elastic member 147 is made of rubber or the like. In this embodiment, the passages 160, 161, and 147A are arranged in the vertical direction Db of the vehicle.

[0230] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0231] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates, and rotational force is applied to the holder 130. Consequently, the holder 130 is displaced downwards on the vehicle. The holder 130 presses against the holder 131 from above the vehicle. As a result, the holder 131 is displaced downwards on the vehicle.

[0232] Therefore, the elastic member 140, while supported by the holder 132A, is compressed by elastic deformation when pressed from the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 131. Consequently, the elastic member 140 applies an elastic force to the pedal 20 via the holders 131 and 130 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0233] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 140 is also applied to the holder 132A, causing the holder 132A to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 141, while supported by the bottom of the housing 10, is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 12A. Consequently, the elastic member 141 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0234] Furthermore, as the holder 132A is displaced downwards towards the vehicle, the elastic member 147 is also displaced downwards towards the vehicle along with the holder 132A. Subsequently, when the elastic member 147 comes into contact with the bottom of the housing 10, it is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0235] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 140, 141, and 147 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60A becomes larger.

[0236] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 140, 141, and 147 returns to its original state.

[0237] In this state, the pedal 20 swings as the elastic forces of the elastic members 140, 141, and 147 are applied to the pedal 20.

[0238] At this time, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the holder 131 is guided by gravity through the passage 160 to the lower side of the holder 131.

[0239] In this way, foreign objects guided to the underside of the vehicle by holder 131 are guided by gravity to the bottom of housing 10 through the passage 161 of holder 132A and the passage 147A of elastic member 147. Alternatively, they are guided by gravity to the bottom of housing 10 through the passage 162 of the holding portion 132h of holder 132. These guided foreign objects are then guided by gravity from the passage 153 at the bottom of housing 10 to the underside of the vehicle of housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage compartment 10a).

[0240] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes elastic members 140, 141, and 147 that are compressed by elastic deformation due to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates. The elastic members 140, 141, and 147 apply elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force.

[0241] The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for accommodating elastic members 140, 141, and 147. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0242] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide the pedal device 1 that suppresses the occurrence of malfunction in the elastic members 140 to 146 due to foreign matter such as water.

[0243] In the present embodiment, a passage 160 is provided in the holder 131. Passages 161 and 162 are provided in the holder 132A. Therefore, foreign matter such as water above the vehicle of the holders 131 and 132A can be favorably guided to the bottom of the housing 10.

[0244] (Eighth Embodiment) In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the elastic members 53 and 54 are coaxially arranged has been described.

[0245] However, instead of this, a pedal device 1 including a reaction force generating portion 60C in which three elastic members 140, 141, and 142 are coaxially arranged will be described with reference to FIG. 12 in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0246] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating portion 60C of the present embodiment.

[0247] The reaction force generating portion 60C of the present embodiment includes a housing 10, a holder 130, and elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146.

[0248] The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a and is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axis Zb. A passage 153 for guiding foreign matter in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 to the outside of the storage chamber 10a is provided at the bottom of the housing 10.

[0249] The holder 130 is disposed below the vehicle with respect to the pedal 20. The holder 130 is disposed within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10. The holder 130 is configured to be movable in the vehicle vertical direction Db.

[0250] The holder 130 of the present embodiment transmits the rotational force of the pedal 20 to the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146. The holder 130 includes a shaft portion 130a that extends downward along the axis Zb.

[0251] The elastic members 140, 141, 142 are respectively disposed within the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10. The elastic members 140, 141, 142 are respectively disposed between the holder 130 and the elastic member 144.

[0252] The elastic members 140, 141, 142 are respectively, for example, coil springs formed in a spiral shape centered on the axis Zb. That is, the elastic members 140, 141, 142 are respectively coaxially disposed.

[0253] The elastic member 140 is disposed radially inward with respect to the elastic member 141 about the axis Zb. The elastic member 141 is disposed radially inward with respect to the elastic member 142 about the axis Zb.

[0254] The elastic member 144 is disposed below the vehicle with respect to the elastic members 140, 141, 142. The elastic member 145 is disposed below the vehicle with respect to the elastic member 144. The elastic member 146 is disposed below the vehicle with respect to the elastic member 145. The elastic member 146 is supported by the bottom of the housing 10.

[0255] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0256] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates, and rotational force is applied to the holder 130. Consequently, the holder 130 is displaced downwards by the vehicle. The holder 130 presses the elastic members 140, 141, and 142 against the vehicle from above.

[0257] Therefore, the elastic members 140, 141, and 142, while supported by the elastic member 144, are compressed by elastic deformation when pressed from the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 130. Consequently, the elastic members 140, 141, and 142 exert an elastic force on the pedal 20 via the holder 130 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0258] At this time, the elastic force of elastic members 140, 141, and 142 is also applied to elastic member 144. In addition, the shaft portion 130a of the holder 130 presses elastic member 144 against the vehicle from above. As a result, elastic member 144 is displaced downwards by elastic deformation and presses elastic member 145 against the vehicle from above. Consequently, elastic member 145 is displaced downwards by elastic deformation and presses elastic member 146 against the vehicle from above. As a result, elastic member 146 undergoes elastic deformation.

[0259] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60C becomes larger.

[0260] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146 returns to its original state.

[0261] In this state, the pedal 20 swings as the elastic forces of the elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146 are applied to the pedal 20.

[0262] At this time, foreign matter such as water inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 is guided by gravity from the passage 153 at the bottom of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage chamber 10a).

[0263] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146 that are compressed by elastic deformation due to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates. The elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146 apply elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force. The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, and 146. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by gravity.

[0264] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 by gravity, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 140-146 and holder 130 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0265] (Ninth Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the elastic members 53 and 54 are arranged coaxially.

[0266] However, instead, this ninth embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60D in which elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, and 184 are arranged in series, will be described with reference to Figure 13.

[0267] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating unit 60D in this embodiment.

[0268] The reaction force generating section 60B of this embodiment includes a housing 10, holders 170, 171, 172, 173, and elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185.

[0269] The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a for housing holders 170, 171, 172, 173 and elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185. A passage 153 is provided at the bottom of the housing 10 to guide foreign matter in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0270] The holder 130 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the pedal 20. The holder 130 is arranged in the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10. The holder 130 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db. The holder 130 of the present embodiment transmits the rotational force of the pedal 20 to the elastic member 180.

[0271] The holder 170 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the holder 130. The holder 170 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db while being connected by the holder 130.

[0272] The holder 171 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the holder 170. The holder 171 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db while being connected by the holder 170.

[0273] The holder 172 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the holder 171. The holder 172 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db while being connected by the holder 171.

[0274] The holder 173 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the holder 172. The holder 173 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db while being connected by the holder 172.

[0275] The holder 174 is arranged below the vehicle with respect to the holder 173. The holder 174 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle up - down direction Db while being connected by the holder 173.

[0276] In this manner, holders 170, 171, 172, 173, and 174 are arranged in the vehicle's vertical direction Db and connected in such a way that they can be displaced in the vehicle's vertical direction Db.

[0277] The elastic member 180 is, for example, made of a leaf spring and supported by the holder 170. The elastic member 181 is, for example, made of a leaf spring and supported by the holder 171. The elastic member 181 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the elastic member 180.

[0278] The elastic member 182 is, for example, made of a leaf spring and supported by the holder 172. The elastic member 182 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the elastic member 181.

[0279] The elastic member 183 is, for example, made of a leaf spring and supported by the holder 173. The elastic member 183 is positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the elastic member 182.

[0280] The elastic member 184 is, for example, made of a leaf spring and supported by the holder 174. The elastic member 184 is located on the underside of the vehicle relative to the elastic member 183. The elastic member 185 is, for example, made of a coil spring and located between the holders 130 and 172.

[0281] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0282] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates, and a rotational force is applied to the holder 130. Consequently, the holder 130 is displaced downwards by the vehicle. The holder 130 presses the elastic member 180 against the vehicle from above. As a result, the elastic member 180 is compressed by elastic deformation due to being pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 130. Consequently, the elastic member 180 applies an elastic force to the pedal 20 via the holder 130 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0283] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 180 is also applied to the holder 170, causing the holder 170 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 181 is pressed against the holder 170 from above the vehicle. Consequently, the elastic member 181 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0284] Furthermore, the elastic force of the elastic member 181 is also applied to the holder 171, causing the holder 171 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 182 is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 171. Consequently, the elastic member 182 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0285] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 182 is also applied to the holder 172, causing the holder 172 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 183 is pressed against the vehicle from above by the holder 172. Consequently, the elastic member 183 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0286] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 183 is also applied to the holder 173, causing the holder 173 to be displaced downwards on the vehicle.

[0287] Therefore, the elastic member 184 is supported by the bottom of the housing 10 via the holder 174 and pressed from the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 173. As a result, the elastic member 183 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0288] Furthermore, as holders 130 and 172 are displaced, the elastic member 185 receives a force Db in the vehicle's vertical direction from holders 130 and 172 and is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0289] In this case, during the oscillation in which the pedal 20 changes its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 moves from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating unit 60D increases.

[0290] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185 returns to its original state.

[0291] In this state, the pedal 20 swings as the elastic forces of the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185 are applied to the pedal 20.

[0292] At this time, foreign objects inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 are guided by gravity from the passage 153 at the bottom of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage chamber 10a).

[0293] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185 that are compressed by elastic deformation due to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates. The elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, and 185 apply elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force. The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 and holders 170, 171, 172, 173. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 for guiding foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10.

[0294] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 and the holder 130 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0295] (Tenth embodiment) In the ninth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the reaction force generating section 60D is provided, in which elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, and 184 are arranged in series.

[0296] However, instead, this tenth embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60E using two elastic members 140 and 148, will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15.

[0297] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the detailed configuration of the reaction force generating unit 60E in Figure 14.

[0298] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment comprises a pedal 20, a pedal arm 22, a link member 23, a rotating shaft 40, a reaction force generating part 60E, and an elastic member 22B.

[0299] As shown in Figure 15, the reaction force generating section 60E comprises a housing 10, a holder 130, and elastic members 140 and 148.

[0300] The pedal 20 is supported by a pedal arm 22. The pedal arm 22 is supported by the vehicle body 84 so as to be able to rotate freely about a rotation axis 40. In this way, the pedal 20 is configured to be able to rotate freely about a rotation axis 40.

[0301] The link member 23 is formed in a rod shape. One end of the link member 23 is connected to the pedal arm 22. The other end of the link member 23 is connected to the holder 130 of the reaction force generating section 60E.

[0302] The housing 10 is supported by the vehicle body 84. The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 140, 148 and holder 130. The housing 10 has an opening that opens to the upper side of the vehicle, and this opening is closed by the vehicle body 84. A passage 153 is provided at the bottom of the housing 10 to guide foreign matter inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0303] The elastic member 140 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center. The elastic member 140 is positioned between the vehicle body 84 and the bottom of the housing 10. The elastic member 148 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is configured to be convex on the underside of the vehicle.

[0304] The holder 130 is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction Db of the vehicle. The holder 130 is provided with a passage 130b that guides foreign matter such as water from the upper side of the holder 130 to the lower side of the holder 130 by gravity.

[0305] In this embodiment, one end of the elastic member 22B is connected to the pedal arm 22, and the other end of the elastic member 22B is connected to the vehicle body 84.

[0306] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0307] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the elastic member 22B expands due to elastic deformation, and the pedal arm 22 rotates, applying rotational force to the holder 130 through the link member 23. Consequently, the holder 130 is displaced upwards on the vehicle.

[0308] When the pedal 20 is displaced upwards on the vehicle in this manner, the holder 130 opens the passage 153 in the housing 10.

[0309] The holder 130 presses the elastic member 140 from the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 140, while supported by the vehicle body 84, is compressed by elastic deformation as it is pressed from the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 130. At the same time, the holder 130 presses the elastic member 148 from the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 148 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0310] As the elastic members 140 and 148 are compressed by elastic deformation, they exert an elastic force on the holder 130. Therefore, the elastic members 140 and 148 exert this elastic force on the pedal 20 as a reaction force against the rotational force of the pedal 20, via the holder 130, pedal arm 22, and link member 23.

[0311] In this case, during the oscillation in which the pedal 20 changes its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 140 and 148 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state.

[0312] Therefore, as the pedal 20 moves from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating unit 60E increases.

[0313] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 140, 148, and 22B returns to its original state.

[0314] In this state, the pedal 20 swings while the elastic force of the elastic members 140 and 148 is applied to the pedal 20.

[0315] When the pedal 20 is in the non-depressed position, the holder 130 closes the passage 153 of the housing 10.

[0316] At this time, foreign objects on the vehicle-upper side of the holder 130 within the storage chamber 10a are guided through the passage 130b to the vehicle-down side of the holder 130.

[0317] When the holder 130 opens the passage 153 of the housing 10, foreign objects guided to the underside of the vehicle by the holder 130 are guided to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage compartment 10a) through the passage 153 at the bottom of the housing 10.

[0318] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes elastic members 140 and 148 that apply an elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force by being compressed by elastic deformation in response to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates.

[0319] The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 140 and 148. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 for guiding foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the housing 10.

[0320] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 140 and 148 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0321] In this embodiment, the holder 130 is provided with a passage 130b. Therefore, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of the holder 130 can be effectively guided to the lower side of the holder 130 by gravity.

[0322] (11th embodiment) In the tenth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a reaction force generating section 60E is provided that uses an elastic member 148 made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0323] However, instead, this 11th embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60F using an elastic member 148 made of a torsion spring, will be described with reference to Figure 16.

[0324] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0325] As shown in Figure 16, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment includes a pedal 20, a pedal arm 22, and a reaction force generating unit 60F.

[0326] The reaction force generating section 60F comprises a housing 10, elastic members 140 and 149, a link member 25, and a rotating shaft 40.

[0327] The pedal 20 is supported by a pedal arm 22. The pedal arm 22 is configured to be freely displaceable in the direction of vehicle travel Da.

[0328] As a result, the pedal 20 is configured to be freely displaceable in the vehicle's direction of travel Da. The pedal arm 22 transmits the pedaling force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 20 to the link member 25.

[0329] The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a that houses elastic members 140, 149, a link member 25, and a rotating shaft 40. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by gravity. The housing 10 is provided with an opening 155 that opens towards the front of the vehicle and through which the link member 25 passes.

[0330] The link member 25 is configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis 40. Through its rotation, the link member 25 transmits the pedaling force of the driver 81 transmitted from the pedal arm 22 to the elastic member 140.

[0331] The elastic member 140 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as its center. Axis Zb is a hypothetical line extending in the axial direction Dz, which intersects the vehicle's direction of travel Da and the vehicle's vertical direction Db. The elastic member 140 is positioned between the ceiling portion of the housing 10 and the link member 25.

[0332] The elastic member 149 is a torsion spring that, while supported by the housing 10, applies an elastic force to the link member 25 in one direction of rotation Dk around the rotation axis 40. The elastic member 149 applies its elastic force to the elastic member 140 via the link member 25, thereby holding the elastic member 140 on the upper side of the vehicle relative to the link member 25.

[0333] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0334] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal arm 22 is displaced towards the front of the vehicle, and the driver 81's force is applied to the link member 25 through the pedal arm 22. Consequently, the link member 25 rotates to one side in the rotational direction Dk.

[0335] Accordingly, the link member 25 presses against the elastic member 140 from one side in the axial direction Dz. As a result, the elastic member 140, while supported by the ceiling portion of the housing 10, is compressed by elastic deformation due to being pressed against by the link member 25 from one side in the axial direction Dz.

[0336] As the elastic member 140 is compressed by elastic deformation, it exerts an elastic force on the link member 25. Therefore, the elastic member 140 exerts this elastic force on the pedal 20 as a reaction force against the rotational force of the pedal 20, via the link member 25 and the pedal arm 22.

[0337] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic member 140 undergoes greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60F becomes larger.

[0338] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot 81 and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic member 140 returns to its original state.

[0339] At this time, with the elastic force of the elastic member 140 applied to the link member 25, the link member 25 swings to the other side in the rotational direction Dk. Consequently, the pedal arm 22 is pushed forward by the link member 25. As a result, the pedal 20, together with the pedal arm 22, is displaced forward.

[0340] At this time, foreign objects inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 are guided by gravity from the passage 153 at the bottom of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage chamber 10a).

[0341] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 140 that applies an elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force by compressing through elastic deformation in response to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates.

[0342] The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing an elastic member 140. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by gravity.

[0343] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 140 and 148 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0344] (12th embodiment) In the 11th embodiment described above, an example was described in which a reaction force generating section 60E using a torsion spring is provided.

[0345] However, instead, this twelfth embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60G using two coil springs, will be described with reference to Figure 17.

[0346] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0347] As shown in Figure 17, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment includes a pedal 20, a pedal arm 22, a link member 23, and a reaction force generating unit 60G.

[0348] The reaction force generating section 60G comprises a housing 10, a link member 24, a rotating shaft 41, a holder 175, elastic members 186 and 187, and a guide section 190.

[0349] The pedal 20 is supported by a pedal arm 22. The pedal arm 22 is configured to rotate freely about a rotation axis 40.

[0350] As a result, the pedal 20 is configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis 40. The pedal arm 22 transmits the pedaling force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 20 to the link member 23.

[0351] One end of the link member 23 is rotatably connected to the pedal arm 22. The other end of the link member 23 is rotatably connected to the link member 24 of the reaction force generating section 60F.

[0352] The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a that houses the link member 24, the rotating shaft 41, the elastic members 186 and 187, and the guide portion 190. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a.

[0353] The link member 24 is configured to rotate freely around the rotation axis 41. The rotation axis 41 is supported by the housing 10.

[0354] The holder 175 is supported by the guide portion 190 so as to be displaceable in the vehicle direction of travel Da. The guide portion 190 is supported by the housing 10 and is configured to allow the holder 175 to be displaceable in the vehicle direction of travel Da.

[0355] The elastic members 186 and 187 support the holder 175 while being supported by the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0356] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0357] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal arm 22 rotates in one direction around the rotation axis 40, and the driver 81's force is applied to the link member 24 through the pedal arm 22 and the link member 23. Consequently, the link member 24 rotates in one direction via the rotation axis 41.

[0358] Consequently, the link member 24 presses the holder 175 toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic members 186 and 187, while supported by the inner wall of the housing 10, are compressed by elastic deformation as they are pressed from the rear of the vehicle by the holder 175.

[0359] As the elastic members 186 and 187 are compressed by elastic deformation, they exert an elastic force on the holder 175. Consequently, the elastic force of the elastic members 186 and 187 is transmitted to the pedal 20 through the holder 175, link members 24 and 23, and pedal arm 22.

[0360] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 186 and 187 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60G becomes larger.

[0361] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 186 and 187 returns to its original state.

[0362] At this time, with the elastic force of the elastic members 186 and 187 applied to the holder 175, the holder 175 is displaced toward the rear of the vehicle. Consequently, the link members 24 and 23 rotate together with the pedal arm 22 in the other direction of rotation. As a result, the pedal 20 rotates together with the pedal arm 22 in the other direction of rotation.

[0363] At this time, foreign objects inside the storage chamber 10a of the housing 10 are guided by gravity from the passage 153 at the bottom of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., outside the storage chamber 10a).

[0364] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes elastic members 186 and 187 that apply an elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the rotational force by compressing through elastic deformation in response to the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 as the pedal 20 rotates.

[0365] The pedal device 1 includes a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 186 and 187. The housing 10 is provided with a passage 153 that guides foreign matter from inside the storage chamber 10a to the outside of the storage chamber 10a by gravity.

[0366] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 186 and 187 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0367] (13th embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the reaction force generating unit 50 is equipped with two holders 51 and 52.

[0368] However, instead, the 13th embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60H using three holders, will be described with reference to Figure 18.

[0369] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating section 60H of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0370] As shown in Figure 18, the reaction force generating section 60H of this embodiment includes holders 200, 210, 220, elastic members 230, 231, fastening member 240, and leaf spring 250.

[0371] The holder 200 includes a support portion 201 and a guide portion 202. The support portion 201 is formed in a substantially disc shape centered on the axis Zd. The support portion 201 is positioned on one side of the leaf spring 250 in the axial direction Dd.

[0372] The guide portion 202 is formed to extend from the support portion 201 along the axis Zd to one side in the axial direction Dd. The guide portion 202 has a hollow portion 203 that penetrates in the axial direction Dd.

[0373] The holder 200 in this embodiment is provided with a passage 201a that guides foreign matter from the upper side of the holder 200 to the lower side of the holder 200.

[0374] The fastening member 240 passes through the through hole 251 of the leaf spring 250 and then through the hollow portion 203 of the guide portion 202, and is fastened to the guide portion 202. In this way, the fastening member 240 fixes the leaf spring 250 and the holder 200 by fastening. In this embodiment, the fastening member 240 has a passage 241 that penetrates in the axial direction Dd.

[0375] The leaf spring 250 is supported by the vehicle body and is configured to be displaceable to the other side of the axial direction Dd by elastic deformation. The axial direction Dd is the direction in which the axis Zd extends.

[0376] The holder 210 is formed in a cup shape with a bottom portion 211 and centered on the axis Zd. The bottom portion 211 of the holder 210 is provided with a through hole 212 that penetrates in the axial direction Dd.

[0377] The holder 210 has a through-hole 212 through which the guide portion 202 of the holder 200 passes. The holder 210 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle's vertical direction Db, guided by the guide portion 202.

[0378] On one side of the holder 210 in the axial direction Dd, a flange portion 213 is provided that protrudes radially outward with respect to the axis Zd. In this embodiment, the bottom portion 211 of the holder 210 is provided with a passage 211a that guides foreign matter from the upper side of the holder 210 to the lower side of the holder 210.

[0379] The holder 220 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion 221 centered on the axis Zd. The holder 220 is provided with a cover portion 222 that closes the hollow portion 221 from one side in the axial direction Dd. On one side of the holder 220 in the axial direction Dd, there is a flange portion 223 that protrudes radially outward with respect to the axis Zd.

[0380] In this embodiment, the holder 220 has a guide portion 202 of the holder 200 inserted into a hollow portion 221. The holder 220 is configured to be displaceable in the axial direction Dd, guided by the guide portion 202.

[0381] The elastic member 230 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zd as the center. The elastic member 230 is a first elastic member that supports the flange portion 213 of the holder 210 while being supported by the holder 200.

[0382] The elastic member 231 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zd as the center. The elastic member 231 is a second elastic member that supports the flange portion 223 of the holder 220 while being supported by the bottom portion 211 of the holder 210.

[0383] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0384] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal, the pedal rotates in one direction in the direction of rotation around the axis of rotation, and the driver 81's force is transmitted to the holder 220 through the rod 260.

[0385] At this time, the rod 260 presses the holder 220 against the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the holder 220, supported by the bottom portion 211 of the holder 210, is guided by the guide portion 202 of the holder 200 and displaced towards the underside of the vehicle.

[0386] Consequently, the holder 220 presses the elastic member 231 against the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 231 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0387] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 231 is applied to the pedal through the rod 260 as a reaction force to the pedaling force of the driver 81.

[0388] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 231 is applied to the bottom 211 of the holder 210. As a result, the holder 210 is guided by the guide portion 202 of the holder 200 and displaced downwards on the vehicle.

[0389] Consequently, the holder 210 presses the elastic member 230 against the underside of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 230, supported by the leaf spring 250 via the holder 200, is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0390] As the elastic member 230 is compressed by elastic deformation, it exerts an elastic force on the holder 210 and the holder 200. At this time, the holder 200 is displaced downwards by the elastic force of the elastic member 230.

[0391] Therefore, the leaf spring 250 is pressed against the upper side of the vehicle by the holder 200, causing it to elastically deform and displace to the lower side of the vehicle.

[0392] In this case, during the oscillation when the pedal 20 changes its posture from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 230, 231, 232 and the leaf spring 250 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal from the reaction force generating part 60H increases.

[0393] Subsequently, when the pedal is released from the driver's foot 81 and the driver's application of force to the pedal ceases, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 230, 231, 232 and the leaf spring 250 returns to its original state.

[0394] At this time, foreign matter on the upper side of the holder 210 is guided by gravity through the passage 211a to the lower side of the holder 210. This guided foreign matter is then guided by gravity from the upper side of the holder 200 to the lower side of the holder 200 through the passage 201a.

[0395] Furthermore, foreign matter in the hollow portion 221 of the holder 220 is guided by gravity to the underside of the vehicle of the fastening member 240 through the hollow portion 203 of the guide portion 202 and the passage 241 of the fastening member 240.

[0396] According to the embodiment described above, in the reaction force generating section 60H, the holder 210 is provided with a passage 211a that guides foreign matter on the vehicle's upper side of the holder 210 to the vehicle's lower side of the holder 210 by gravity. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in the elastic member 231 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0397] The holder 200 is provided with a passage 201a that guides foreign matter on the upper side of the holder 200 to the lower side of the holder 200 by gravity. Therefore, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the elastic members 231, 230 and holders 210, 220 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0398] (14th Embodiment) In the 13th embodiment described above, an example was described in which the holders 220 and 210 are guided and displaced by the guide portion 202.

[0399] However, instead, a fourteenth embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60I in which the holder 200 is guided and displaced by the guide section 270 and the holder 210 is guided and displaced by the holder 200, will be described with reference to Figure 19.

[0400] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the reaction force generating section 60I of the pedal device 1 in this embodiment.

[0401] As shown in Figure 19, the reaction force generating section 60I of this embodiment includes holders 200, 210, elastic members 230, 231, 232, and a guide section 270.

[0402] The holder 200 is formed in a cup shape with a bottom portion 200a and centered on the axis Zd. The bottom portion 200a is provided with a cylindrical portion 200b which has a hollow portion 200e and is formed in a cylindrical shape with the axis Zd as the center. In this embodiment, the axis Zb is a virtual line extending in the vehicle's direction of travel Da.

[0403] A guide portion 270 passes through the cylindrical portion 200b. The holder 200 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle direction of travel Da while being guided by the guide portion 270. The guide portion 270 is formed in a cylindrical shape with axis Zb as its center. The guide portion 270 guides the displacement of the holder 200 while being supported by the housing 10.

[0404] The holder 200 is provided with a flange portion 200c that protrudes radially outward from the axis Zd. The holder 200 in this embodiment is provided with a passage 200d that guides foreign matter from the hollow portion 200e to the underside of the holder 200 on the vehicle.

[0405] The holder 210 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion 210e centered on the axis Zb. The holder 210 is provided with a cover portion 210a that closes the hollow portion 210e from the rear side of the vehicle. The holder 210 is provided with a flange portion 210b that protrudes radially outward from the axis Zb. The holder 210 is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle direction Da while the cylindrical portion 200b of the holder 200 is inserted into its hollow portion 210e and guided by the cylindrical portion 200b.

[0406] The inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210, centered on the axis Zb, has a passage 210k that is formed to be recessed radially outward with respect to the axis Zb. The passage 210k has an outlet 210h that opens to the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0407] The inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210 is formed such that, as you move from one side of the holder 210 in the axial direction Dc to the other side of the holder 210 in the axial direction Dc, it curves radially outward with respect to the axis Zb. In other words, the inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210 is formed in an inclined shape that curves radially outward with respect to the axis Zb as you move from one side of the holder 210 in the axial direction Dc towards the outlet 210h.

[0408] In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210 is formed in a sloping shape that extends radially outward from one side in the axial direction Dc as it approaches the outlet 210h, over the entire circumferential direction centered on the axis Zb.

[0409] Furthermore, a portion of the inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210, centered on the axis Zb, may be formed in a sloping shape that approaches radially outward from one side in the axial direction Dc as it approaches the outlet 210h. The inner circumferential surface 210f may also be formed by a draft angle used to form the hollow portion 210e when injection molding the holder 210 with a metal or resin material.

[0410] The elastic member 230 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zd as the center. The elastic member 230 is a first elastic member that supports the flange portion 200c of the holder 200 while being supported by the housing 10.

[0411] The elastic member 231 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zd as the center. The elastic member 231 is a first elastic member that supports the flange portion 210b of the holder 210 while being supported by the bottom portion 200a of the holder 200.

[0412] The elastic member 232 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape. The elastic member 232 supports the rod 260 while being supported by the flange portion 210b of the holder 210.

[0413] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0414] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal, the pedal rotates in one direction around the axis of rotation, and the driver 81's force is transmitted to the elastic member 232 through the rod 260. At this time, the rod 260 presses the elastic member 232 against the rear of the vehicle.

[0415] Consequently, the elastic member 232 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the flange portion 210b of the holder 210. Therefore, the elastic force of the elastic member 232 is applied to the pedal via the rod 260 as a reaction force to the pedaling force of the driver 81.

[0416] At this time, the holder 210 is guided by the cylindrical portion 200b of the holder 200 and displaced toward the front of the vehicle by receiving the elastic force of the elastic member 232.

[0417] Consequently, the elastic member 231 is pressed against the rear of the vehicle by the holder 210. As a result, the elastic member 231 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the bottom portion 200a of the holder 200.

[0418] In this way, the elastic member 231 is compressed by elastic deformation, thereby applying an elastic force to the flange portion 210b of the holder 210.

[0419] At this time, the holder 200 is guided by the guide portion 270 and displaced toward the front of the vehicle by the elastic force of the elastic member 231. As a result, the elastic member 230 is pressed toward the front of the vehicle by the flange portion 200c of the holder 200. Consequently, the elastic member 230 is compressed by elastic deformation.

[0420] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 230, 231, and 232 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal from the reaction force generating section 60I increases.

[0421] Subsequently, when the pedal is released from the driver's foot 81 and the driver's application of force to the pedal ceases, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 230, 231, and 232 returns to its original state.

[0422] At this time, foreign matter inside holder 200 is guided by gravity through passage 200d to the underside of the vehicle of holder 210.

[0423] According to the embodiment described above, in the reaction force generating section 60I, the holder 200 is provided with a passage 200d that guides foreign matter inside the holder 200 to the underside of the vehicle by gravity. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in the holder 200 and the elastic member 231 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0424] Therefore, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the holder 200 and elastic member 231 caused by foreign matter such as water.

[0425] In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 210f of the holder 210 is formed such that it is directed radially outward with respect to the axis Zb as it approaches the exit 210h of the passage 210k from one side of the holder 210 in the axial direction Dc. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface 210f can effectively guide foreign matter in the hollow portion 210e of the holder 210 to the outlet 210h by gravity. Thus, by utilizing the outlet 210h of the holder 210, foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the holder 210 without providing a through hole in the holder 210. This improves the efficiency of foreign matter discharge while ensuring the mechanical strength of the holder 210.

[0426] (15th Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the holder is equipped with a reaction force generating section 50 that is displaced in the axial direction.

[0427] However, instead, the 15th embodiment of the pedal device 1, which includes a reaction force generating section 60J in which the holder is displaced in the circumferential direction, will be described with reference to Figure 20.

[0428] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0429] As shown in Figure 20, the pedal device 1 of this embodiment comprises a pedal 20, a pedal arm 22, and a reaction force generating unit 60J.

[0430] The reaction force generating section 60J comprises a housing 10, elastic members 140, 141, and holders 280, 281.

[0431] The pedal 20 is supported by a pedal arm 22. The pedal arm 22 is configured to be displaceable in the circumferential direction Vt about the rotation axis 40 relative to the housing 10.

[0432] As a result, the pedal 20 is configured to be freely displaceable in the circumferential direction Vt. The pedal arm 22 transmits the pedaling force applied by the driver 81 to the pedal 20 to the holder 280.

[0433] The housing 10 has a storage chamber 10a for housing elastic members 140, 141 and holders 280, 281. The housing 10 is provided with a lower opening 320 that opens to the underside of the vehicle.

[0434] The holder 280 is configured to be displaceable in the circumferential direction Vt around the rotation axis 40. The holder 281 is positioned on the front side of the vehicle relative to the holder 280. The holder 281 is guided by the guide portion 310 and is configured to be displaceable in the vehicle's direction of travel Da.

[0435] The holder 281 comprises a cylindrical portion 281a formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axis Zb, and a flange portion 281b projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion 281a centered on the axis Zb. The guide portion 310 is inserted into the hollow portion 281c of the holder 281.

[0436] The guide portion 310 is supported by the housing 10 and is formed in an axial shape that extends along the axis Zb.

[0437] The elastic member 140 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the axis. Axis Zb is a hypothetical axis extending in the vehicle's direction of travel Da. The elastic member 140 is a first elastic member that supports the holder 280 while being supported by the holder 280.

[0438] The elastic member 141 is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape with axis Zb as the center. The elastic member 141 is a first elastic member that supports the flange portion 281b of the holder 281 while being supported by the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0439] The holders 281 and 280 in this embodiment are made of a metal material or a resin material.

[0440] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0441] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal arm 22 is displaced towards the front of the vehicle, and the driver 81's force is applied to the holder 280 through the pedal arm 22. Consequently, the holder 280 rotates to one side of the rotational direction Vtk around the rotation axis 40.

[0442] Consequently, the holder 280 presses the elastic member 140 against the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the elastic member 140 is compressed by elastic deformation while being supported by the holder 280.

[0443] As the elastic member 140 is compressed by elastic deformation, it exerts an elastic force on the holder 280. Therefore, the elastic member 140 exerts this elastic force on the pedal 20 as a reaction force against the rotational force of the pedal 20, via the holder 280 and pedal arm 22.

[0444] At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 140 is applied to the holder 281. As a result, the holder 281 is guided by the guide portion 310 and displaced toward the front of the vehicle. Consequently, the flange portion 281b of the holder 281 presses the elastic member 141 toward the front of the vehicle. This causes the elastic member 141 to be compressed by elastic deformation.

[0445] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the elastic members 140 and 141 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 60J increases.

[0446] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot 81 and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the elastic members 140 and 141 returns to its original state.

[0447] At this time, with the elastic force of the elastic member 140 applied to the link member 25, the holder 281 is guided by the guide portion 310 and displaced toward the rear of the vehicle. The holder 280 rotates toward the other side of the rotation direction Vtk around the rotation axis 40. The pedal 20 rotates toward the other side of the rotation direction Vtk together with the pedal arm 22.

[0448] At this time, foreign matter in the hollow portion 281c of the holder 281 is guided by gravity from the passage 281d to the underside of the holder 281 of the vehicle. This foreign matter is then discharged by gravity from the lower opening 320 of the housing 10 to the underside of the vehicle.

[0449] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 includes a holder 280 that is displaced to one side in the circumferential direction Vt by the rotational force applied from the pedal 20 via the pedal arm 22 as the pedal 20 rotates.

[0450] The pedal device 1 includes an elastic member 140 that supports the holder 280 and is compressed by elastic deformation due to the displacement of the holder 280, and an elastic member 141 that is supported by the inner wall of the housing 10 and supports the holder 280.

[0451] The holder 280 is configured to be displaceable in the circumferential direction Vt around the rotation axis 40. The holder 281 is guided by the guide portion 310 and displaced in the vehicle travel direction Da by receiving the elastic force of the elastic member 140.

[0452] The holder 281 is provided with a passage 281d that guides foreign matter such as dust and water from inside its hollow portion 281c to the underside of the vehicle by gravity.

[0453] Therefore, since foreign matter can be discharged to the outside of the hollow portion 281c of the holder 281, it is possible to provide a pedal device 1 that prevents malfunctions in the holder 281 caused by foreign matter such as water. (16th Embodiment) In this sixteenth embodiment, a specific example of the passage 13a of the elastic member 70A in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21 is a diagram corresponding to the cross-section XXI-XXI in Figure 8.

[0454] As shown in Figure 21, the elastic member 70A is provided with a protrusion 71 that protrudes toward the housing 10. Two passages 13a are provided on the upper and lower sides of the protrusion 71 of the elastic member 70A. In other words, the two passages 13a are made of elastic members 70A. Each of the two passages 13a is formed to be recessed towards the center Ta side of the elastic member 70A. (17th Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 90 is provided in the bottom 51c of the holder 51. However, instead, this 17th embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 22 and 23 in which a plurality of passages 90 are provided that are formed to span the bottom 51c and the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51.

[0455] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the holder 51 of this embodiment, and Figure 23 is a view of the holder 51 in Figure 22 from the other side in the axial direction Dc.

[0456] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the multiple passages 90 in this embodiment are each formed across the bottom portion 51c and the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51. (18th embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which the holder 51 is provided with one passage 91. However, instead, the 18th embodiment in which the holder 51 is provided with multiple passages 91 will be described with reference to Figure 24.

[0457] Figure 24 shows the holders 51 and 52 of this embodiment viewed from one side in the axial direction Dc, and illustrates a specific example in which the holder 51 is provided with eight passages 91.

[0458] As shown in Figure 24, the multiple passages 91 in this embodiment are arranged in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis Zb. Each of the multiple passages 91 is formed to be recessed radially outward from the holder 51 with respect to the axis Zb. The multiple passages 91 are covered from the radially inward side with respect to the axis Zb by the outer circumferential surface of the holder 52.

[0459] The holder 51 is provided with multiple partitions 51g positioned between two adjacent passages 91 of the multiple passages 91. Each of the multiple partitions 51g is provided to separate two adjacent passages 91 of the multiple passages 91. (19th embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which one passage 91 is provided in the holder 51. However, instead, a 19th embodiment in which multiple passages 91 are provided in the holder 52 will be described with reference to Figure 25.

[0460] Figure 25 shows the holders 51 and 52 of this embodiment viewed from one side in the axial direction Dc, and illustrates a specific example in which the holder 51 is provided with eight passages 91.

[0461] As shown in Figure 25, the multiple passages 91 are arranged in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis Zb. Each of the multiple passages 91 is formed to be recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the holder 52 with respect to the axis Zb. Each of the multiple passages 91 is covered from the radially outer side by the inner circumferential surface of the holder 51 with respect to the axis Zb.

[0462] The holder 52 is provided with multiple partitions 52g positioned between two adjacent passages 91 of the multiple passages 91. Each of the multiple partitions 52g is provided to separate two adjacent passages 91 of the multiple passages 91. (20th embodiment) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, a reaction force generating section 50 in the pedal device 1 in which one elastic member is arranged between holders 51 and 52 was described. However, instead, this 20th embodiment of the pedal device 1 in which two elastic members are arranged in parallel between holders 51 and 52 will be described with reference to Figure 26.

[0463] Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of holders 51 and 52, two elastic members 55, and two elastic members 54 in the reaction force generating section 50B of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment.

[0464] As shown in Figure 26, in the reaction force generating section 50B, the holder 52 is positioned on one side in the axial direction Dc relative to the holder 51. The holder 51 is positioned on one side in the axial direction Dc relative to the bottom of the housing 10.

[0465] Holders 52 and 51 are arranged so that they can be displaced in the axial direction Dc. Holder 51 constitutes a support member that supports the two elastic members 55 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. In this embodiment, holder 52 is positioned on the upper side of the vehicle relative to holder 51.

[0466] In this embodiment, the housing 10 houses the holders 51 and 52, two elastic members 55, and two elastic members 54, similar to the housing 10 of the first embodiment described above.

[0467] In this embodiment, two elastic members 55 are arranged in parallel between the holders 51 and 52. Two elastic members 55 are also arranged in parallel between the holder 51 and the bottom surface of the housing 10.

[0468] Here, of the two elastic members 55, the elastic member 55 on the right in the figure is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape around the axis Zb1. Of the two elastic members 55, the elastic member 55 on the left in the figure is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape around the axis Zb2.

[0469] Each of the two elastic members 55 supports the holder 52 from the other side in the axial direction Dc, while each of the elastic members 54 supports the holder 51 from the other side in the axial direction Dc, while each of the elastic members 54 supports the holder 51 from the other side in the axial direction Dc, while each of the elastic members 54 supports the holder 51 from the other side in the axial direction Dc, while each of the elastic members 54 supports the holder 51 from the bottom of the housing 10.

[0470] Of the two elastic members 54, the elastic member 54 on the right in the figure is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape around axis Zb1. Of the two elastic members 54, the elastic member 54 on the right in the figure is, for example, a coil spring formed in a helical shape around axis Zb2.

[0471] The holder 51 of this embodiment is provided with a passage 92 that allows foreign matter to pass through due to gravity, vibration, etc. The holder 52 is provided with a passage 90 that allows foreign matter to pass through due to gravity, vibration, etc. The bottom of the housing 10 constitutes a support member that supports the two elastic members 54 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. The bottom of the housing 10 is provided with a passage 10b that allows foreign matter to pass through due to gravity, etc.

[0472] Here, with the pedal device 1 mounted on the vehicle 80, the elastic members 54 and 55 are arranged such that their axes Zb1 and Zb2 are perpendicular to or inclined with respect to the horizontal direction Ds.

[0473] Next, the operation of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0474] First, when the driver 81 applies force to the pedal 20, the pedal 20 rotates, and a rotational force Fp is applied to the holder 52. Consequently, the holder 52 is displaced to the other side of the axial direction Dc. Therefore, the holder 52 is pressed from one side of the axial direction Dc by the rotational force Fp from the pedal 20, and displaced to the other side of the axial direction Dc.

[0475] Therefore, the two elastic members 55, while supported by the holder 51, are compressed by elastic deformation when pressed from one side in the axial direction Dc by the holder 52.

[0476] At this time, the two elastic members 55 apply an elastic force to the pedal 20 through the holder 52 as a reaction force to the rotational force Fp from the pedal 20.

[0477] Furthermore, the elastic force of the two elastic members 55 is applied to the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc. As a result, the holder 52 is displaced to the other side in the axial direction Dc by the elastic force of the two elastic members 55.

[0478] In this process, the two elastic members 54, supported by the bottom of the housing 10, are compressed by elastic deformation as they are pressed against the holder 51 from one side in the axial direction Dc. Consequently, the two elastic members 54 each exert an elastic force on the holder 51 as a reaction force to the force being pressed against them by the holder 51.

[0479] In this way, the two elastic members 55 and the two elastic members 54 are compressed by elastic deformation, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal 20 via the holders 51 and 52 as a reaction force to the rotational force of the pedal 20.

[0480] In this case, during the oscillation of the pedal 20 as its posture changes from a non-depressed state to a fully depressed state, the two elastic members 55 and the two elastic members 54 undergo greater elastic deformation as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state. Therefore, as the pedal 20 approaches the fully depressed state from the non-depressed state, the reaction force applied to the pedal 20 from the reaction force generating section 50B becomes larger.

[0481] Subsequently, when the pedal 20 is released from the driver's foot and the driver's force applied to the pedal 20 is stopped, the elastic deformation of the two elastic members 55 and the two elastic members 54 returns to its original state.

[0482] In this state, the pedal 20 swings as the elastic forces of the two elastic members 55 and the two elastic members 54 are applied to the pedal 20.

[0483] At this time, foreign matter such as water on the upper side of holder 52 is guided by gravity through passage 90 to the lower side of holder 52. Foreign matter such as water on the upper side of holder 51 is guided by gravity through passage 92 to the bottom of housing 10.

[0484] Foreign objects guided to the bottom of the housing 10 are guided by gravity through the passage 10b to the underside of the housing 10 of the vehicle.

[0485] According to the embodiment described above, in the reaction force generating section 50B of the pedal device 1, the two elastic members 55 are each supported by the holder 51, and support the holder 52 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. The two elastic members 55 each receive the rotational force Fp applied from the pedal 20 via the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc, and undergo elastic deformation to apply an elastic force to the holder 52.

[0486] Therefore, the reaction force generating unit 50B of this embodiment can provide a larger reaction force to the pedal 20 in response to the rotational force Fp supplied from the pedal 20, compared to the case where a single elastic member 55 is used.

[0487] Furthermore, in the reaction force generating section 50B of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment, the two elastic members 54 are each supported by the bottom of the housing 10 and support the holder 51 from the other side in the axial direction Dc. The two elastic members 54 each receive the rotational force Fp applied from the pedal 20 from one side in the axial direction Dc via the holder 52, the two elastic members 55, and the holder 51, and undergo elastic deformation to apply an elastic force to the holder 51.

[0488] Therefore, the reaction force generating unit 50B of this embodiment can provide a larger reaction force to the pedal 20 in response to the rotational force Fp supplied from the pedal 20, compared to the case where a single elastic member 54 is used.

[0489] Furthermore, the passage 92 allows foreign matter to be discharged from the upper side of holder 51 to the lower side of holder 51. The passage 90 allows foreign matter to be discharged from the upper side of holder 52 to the lower side of holder 52. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions of holders 51, 52 and elastic members 55, 54 due to foreign matter. (First modified example of the 20th embodiment) In the 20th embodiment described above, an example was described in which two elastic members 55 are arranged in parallel in the pedal device 1. However, instead, three or more elastic members 55 may be arranged in parallel.

[0490] Furthermore, in the 20th embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 is not limited to the case where two elastic members 54 are arranged in parallel, but may also have three or more elastic members 54 arranged in parallel. (Second modified example of the 20th embodiment) Similar to the 20th embodiment described above, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, it is not limited to the case where one elastic member 55 is placed between the pedal 20 and the holder 52, but multiple elastic members 55 may be placed in parallel between the pedal 20 and the holder 52.

[0491] Similarly, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, it is not limited to the case where one elastic member 54 is placed between the holders 51 and 52, but multiple elastic members 54 may be placed in parallel between the holders 51 and 52.

[0492] Similarly, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, it is not limited to the case where one elastic member 53 is placed between the holder 51 and the housing 10; multiple elastic members 53 may be placed in parallel between the holder 51 and the housing 10. (21st Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 13a is provided in the elastic member 70A to guide foreign matter inside the storage chamber 13 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by gravity. However, in addition to this, the 21st embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 27 in which the passage 13a is formed so that it moves toward the underside of the vehicle as it approaches the exit 13c.

[0493] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member 70A, storage chamber 13, and passages 13a and 13b of this embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member 70A and its surroundings in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0494] As shown in Figure 27, in this embodiment, passages 13a and 13b are provided to guide foreign matter inside the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by gravity. Passage 13a is formed to be recessed inward from the outer surface of the elastic member 70A. Passage 13a is covered from the underside of the vehicle by the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0495] Passage 13b is a passage for guiding foreign objects that have passed through passage 13a to the outside of the housing 10 (i.e., the storage chamber 13). Passage 13b is provided in the housing 10. Passage 13b is in communication with passage 13a and is formed to guide foreign objects to the outlet 13c. The outlet 13c is open to the outside of the housing 10.

[0496] In this embodiment, passage 13a is formed to move toward the underside of the vehicle as it approaches exit 13c. Passage 13b is also formed to move toward the underside of the vehicle as it approaches exit 13c.

[0497] According to the embodiment described above, passages 13a and 13b are formed so that they move toward the underside of the vehicle as they approach the exit 13c. Therefore, the discharge efficiency of foreign matter inside the storage compartment 13 to the outside of the storage compartment 13 can be improved. (22nd Embodiment) In the 21st embodiment described above, an example was described in which passages 13a and 13b are formed so that they move toward the underside of the vehicle as they approach the exit 13c. Similarly, in this 22nd embodiment, a passage 96 for guiding foreign matter inside the storage chamber 14 to the outside of the storage chamber 14 in the 5th embodiment described above is formed so that it moves toward the underside of the vehicle as it approaches its exit 96a, and this will be described with reference to Figure 28.

[0498] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member 330, storage chamber 14, and passage 96 of this embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member 330 and its surroundings in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0499] As shown in Figure 28, in this embodiment, the housing 10 is provided with a passage 96 for guiding foreign matter in the storage chamber 14 for holding the elastic member 330 to the outside of the storage chamber 14. The passage 96 is provided with an outlet 96a for discharging foreign matter to the outside of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the passage 96 is formed to move towards the underside of the vehicle as it approaches the outlet 96a.

[0500] According to the embodiment described above, each of the passages 96 is formed to move towards the underside of the vehicle as it approaches the exit 96a. Therefore, the discharge efficiency of foreign matter in the storage compartment 14 to the outside of the storage compartment 14 can be improved. (23rd embodiment) In the 21st embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 13a for guiding foreign matter inside the storage chamber 13 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 is provided, which is formed to be recessed inward from the outer surface of the elastic member 70A.

[0501] However, the 23rd embodiment of the pedal device 1, in which a through-hole penetrating the elastic member 70A is used as a passage 72 for foreign matter to pass through, will be described with reference to Figure 29.

[0502] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the elastic member 70A, storage chamber 13, and passage 72 of the pedal device 1 of this embodiment, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the elastic member 70A and its surroundings in the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0503] As shown in Figure 29, in this embodiment, the passage 72 is formed to penetrate the elastic member 70A in the axial direction Dh. The passage 72 is provided to guide foreign matter from the storage chamber 13 that houses the elastic member 70A to the outside of the storage chamber 13.

[0504] The elastic member 70A in this embodiment is made of an elastic material such as rubber, is substantially cylindrical with an axis Zk as its center, and is formed to be convex on one side in the axial direction Dh. The axial direction Dh is the direction in which the axis Zk extends. The elastic member 70A undergoes elastic deformation when a force is applied from the pedal to one side in the axial direction Dh, and applies an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force from the pedal.

[0505] In this embodiment, the inner wall 13d forming the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 is provided with a projection 16 that protrudes from the inner wall 13d toward the axis Zk. The projection 16 is formed over the circumferential direction centered on the axis Zk. The projection 16 serves to reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 13.

[0506] The direction perpendicular to the axial direction Dh is defined as the orthogonal direction De. The cross-sectional area of ​​the storage chamber 13 is the area of ​​the cross-section obtained by cutting the storage chamber 13 with a cross-section that includes the orthogonal direction De. The region 16a of the storage chamber 13 that is sandwiched by the protrusions 16 has a smaller cross-sectional area in the orthogonal direction De compared to the regions 16b and 16c of the storage chamber 13 other than region 16a. Region 16b is located on the other side of the storage chamber 13 in the axial direction Dh relative to the projection 16 (i.e., region 16a). Region 16c is located on one side of the storage chamber 13 in the axial direction Dh relative to the projection 16 (i.e., region 16a). Therefore, the elastic member 70A is pressed in by the projection 16 and stored in the storage chamber 13 in a compressed state due to elastic deformation. In other words, the elastic member 70A is supported by the projection 16 of the housing 10 while stored in the storage chamber 13.

[0507] In this embodiment, the axial direction Dh is inclined in the direction of the vehicle's vertical direction Db. One side of the elastic member 70A in the axial direction Dh is positioned lower to the vehicle than the other side of the elastic member 70A in the axial direction Dh. One side of the passage 72 in the axial direction Dh is positioned lower to the vehicle than the other side of the passage 72 in the axial direction Dh.

[0508] Therefore, foreign objects in the region 16b on the other side of the storage chamber 13 in the axial direction Dh are guided by gravity through the passage 72 to one side of the storage chamber 13 in the axial direction Dh (i.e., outside the storage chamber 13).

[0509] According to the embodiment described above, the pedal device 1 comprises a pedal 20 and an elastic member 70A that provides an elastic force to the pedal 20 as a reaction force to the force by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal 20 in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal 20. The pedal device 1 comprises a housing 10 that forms a storage chamber 13 in which the elastic member 70A is placed. The elastic member 70A is supported by the housing 10 in a state in which it is press-fitted into the storage chamber 13. The elastic member 70A is provided with a passage 72 that is formed to penetrate the elastic member 70A and allows foreign matter to pass through. Therefore, foreign matter is discharged from the area 16b of the storage chamber 13 through the passage 72 by gravity.

[0510] Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from accumulating in area 16b of the storage chamber 13. As a result, the housing 10 and the elastic member 70A will not undergo hydrolysis due to foreign matter such as water. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in the housing 10 and the elastic member 70A caused by foreign matter.

[0511] (Other embodiments) (1) In the first to twenty-third embodiments described above, an example was given in which the brake device was applied to the brake-by-wire system 82.

[0512] However, instead, a braking device may be applied to a braking system in which the brake pedal and brake pads are connected by mechanical means such as cables or hydraulics to transmit the driver's operating force to the brake pads. (2) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, an example was given in which the reaction force generating section 50 is composed of elastic members 55, 54, 53 and holders 51, 52. However, it is not limited to this, and may be done as follows.

[0513] The elastic member 55 and holder 52 may be removed, and the reaction force generating section 50 may be composed of elastic members 54, 53 and holder 51. In this case, the elastic member 54 will receive rotational force from the pedal 20.

[0514] Alternatively, the elastic member 53 and holder 51 may be removed, and the reaction force generating section 50 may be constructed using the elastic members 55, 54 and holder 52. In this case, the elastic member 54 will be supported by the bottom of the housing 10. (3) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, examples in which the elastic members 55, 54, and 53 are coil springs have been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than coil springs may be used as the elastic members 55, 54, and 53. (4) In the sixth and eighth embodiments described above, examples were given in which the elastic members 140, 141, and 142 were coil springs. However, the invention is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than coil springs may be used as the elastic members 140, 141, and 142. (5) In the seventh embodiment described above, an example was given in which the elastic member 140 was a leaf spring, but the elastic member 140 is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than leaf springs may be used. (6) In the ninth embodiment described above, an example was given in which the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, and 184 were leaf springs. However, the example is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than leaf springs may be used as the elastic members 180, 181, 182, 183, and 184. (7) In the 10th and 11th embodiments described above, an example was given in which the elastic member 140 was a leaf spring. However, the elastic member 140 is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than leaf springs may be used. (8) In the twelfth embodiment described above, an example was given in which the elastic members 186 and 187 were leaf springs, but the invention is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than leaf springs may be used as the elastic members 186 and 187. (9) In the 13th embodiment described above, an example was given in which the elastic members 230 and 231 were coil springs, but the example is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than coil springs may be used as the elastic members 186 and 187. (10) In the above 14th embodiment, an example was described in which the elastic members 230, 231, and 232 were coil springs. However, the example is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than coil springs may be used as the elastic members 230, 231, and 232. (11) In the above 15th embodiment, an example was described in which the elastic members 140 and 141 were coil springs, but the example is not limited to this, and various types of springs other than coil springs may be used as the elastic members 140 and 141. (12) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, an example was given in which two holders 51 and 52 were used as the reaction force generating unit 50. However, the number of holders used in the reaction force generating unit 50 may be one or three or more. (13) In the first to fifteenth embodiments described above, an example was given in which the pedal device 1 is applied to a brake pedal device. However, instead, the pedal device 1 may be applied to an accelerator pedal device. Alternatively, the pedal device 1 may be applied to a clutch pedal device. (14) In the first to fifteenth embodiments described above, an example in which the pedal device 1 is applied to a vehicle 80 was described, but instead, the pedal device 1 may be applied to various devices other than the vehicle 80. (15) In the first to twenty-third embodiments described above, an example was given in which the member that is displaced by being pressed down by the driver 81 is the pedal 20. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the member that is operated by the operator's fingers, hands, etc. may be designated as the pedal 2. Alternatively, the member that is operated by being kicked up by the operator may be designated as the pedal 20. (16) In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example was described in which the bottom portion 51c of the holder 51 was used as a support portion for the elastic member 54. However, instead, the lid portion that closes the cylindrical portion 51b of the holder 51 from one side in the axial direction Dc may be used as a support portion for the elastic member 54. (17) In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example was described in which a plurality of passages 92 are provided at the bottom 51c (i.e., the support portion) of the holder 51. Alternatively, the plurality of passages 92 may be provided at the bottom of the holder 52.

[0515] Here, a lid portion that closes the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc may be provided with multiple passages 92. (18) In the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example was given in which a plurality of ribs 92a are provided on the bottom 51c of the holder 51, but instead, a plurality of ribs 92a may be provided on the bottom of the holder 52.

[0516] Here, a lid portion that closes the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc may be provided with multiple ribs 92a. (19) In the third and fourth embodiments described above, an example was given in which the bottom surface 51f of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 was formed in an inclined shape. Alternatively, the bottom surface 51f of the bottom 51c of the holder 51 may be formed in an inclined shape.

[0517] Here, a plurality of passages 92 may be formed in the lid portion that closes the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 from one side in the axial direction Dc, and the surface of the lid portion formed on one side in the axial direction Dc may be formed in an inclined shape. (20) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 96 is provided in the housing 10 to guide foreign matter in the storage chamber 14 to the outside of the storage chamber 14. However, instead, a passage 96 to guide foreign matter in the storage chamber 14 to the outside of the storage chamber 14 may be provided in the housing 10 of the first to fourth embodiments described above. (21) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which the elastic member 70A is provided with a passage 13a that guides foreign matter in the storage chamber 13 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by gravity. However, instead, the elastic member 70A of the first to fourth embodiments may also be provided with a passage 13a that guides foreign matter in the storage chamber 13 to the outside of the storage chamber 13 by gravity. (22) In the fifth embodiment described above, when a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder 52 is defined as the reference plane Zh, the passages 93 and 94 are described in an example in which the passages 93 and 94 are positioned on the underside of the vehicle relative to the reference plane Zh of the holder 52.

[0518] Similarly, in the reaction force generating section 50B of the 20th embodiment described above, a passage may be provided in the holder 52 that is located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh.

[0519] Here, when the holder 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the passage located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh within the holder 52 may be a passage provided in a member that closes the cylindrical portion of the holder 52 from the axial direction Dc. The passage located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh within the holder 52 may be a passage provided in the cylindrical portion of the holder 52.

[0520] Furthermore, a passage may be provided in the holder 51 that is located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh.

[0521] Here, if the holder 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the passage located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh within the holder 51 may be a passage provided in a member that closes the cylindrical portion of the holder 51 from the axial direction Dc. The passage located on the underside of the vehicle with respect to the reference plane Zh within the holder 51 may be a passage provided in the cylindrical portion of the holder 51. (23) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a passage 93A is provided in the holder 52 at a position including the reference plane Zh.

[0522] Similarly, in the reaction force generating section 50B of the 20th embodiment described above, a passage may be provided in the holder 52 at a position that includes the reference plane Zh. Alternatively, a passage may be provided in the holder 51 at a position that includes the reference plane Zh. (24) In the fifth embodiment described above, the holder 52 is described in an example in which the inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 52b is formed such that it is radially outward as it approaches the outlet 401 in the axial direction Dc.

[0523] Similarly, in the reaction force generating section 50B of the 20th embodiment described above, if the holder 52 is provided in a cylindrical shape, the inner circumferential surface 400 of the cylindrical portion 52b of the holder 52 may be formed such that it approaches the outlet 401 in the axial direction Dc and is directed radially outward. (25) In the fifth embodiment described above, an example was described in which a recess was provided on the inner circumferential surface of the holder 51 as a passage 91A for foreign matter to pass through the holders 51 and 52.

[0524] However, instead, without recesses being provided on the inner circumferential surface of holder 51 and the outer circumferential surface of holder 52, the gap formed between the inner circumferential surface of holder 51 and the outer circumferential surface of holder 52 may be used as a passage for foreign matter to pass through holders 51 and 52 by gravity.

[0525] In other words, similar to the fifth embodiment described above, the gap formed between the holders 51 and 52 may be used as a passage for foreign matter to pass through the holders 51 and 52 by gravity, with the axial direction Dc inclined with respect to the vehicle's vertical direction Db.

[0526] Here, the gap is a gap formed to allow one of the inner circumferential surface of holder 51 and the outer circumferential surface of holder 52 to slide against the other.

[0527] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, if no recesses are formed in the inner wall forming the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10 and in the elastic member 70, the gap formed between the housing 10 and the elastic member 70 may be used as a passage for discharging foreign matter from the storage chamber 13.

[0528] In other words, with the elastic member 70 pressed into the storage chamber 13 of the housing 10, the gap formed between the housing 10 and the elastic member 70 may be used as a passage for discharging foreign matter from the storage chamber 13.

[0529] Furthermore, when the outer wall of the holder slides against the inner wall of the housing 10, the gap formed between the outer wall of the holder and the inner wall of the housing 10 may be used as a passage for foreign matter to pass from the holder. (26) In the 20th embodiment described above, an example was described in which two elastic members 55 and two elastic members 54 are arranged in the axial direction Dc in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device.

[0530] However, instead, the reaction force generating section of the pedal device may be provided with only one stage of parallel-arranged elastic members.

[0531] In other words, in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device, the two elastic members 55 may be removed and two elastic members 54 may be adopted. Alternatively, in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device, two elastic members 55 may be adopted and two elastic members 54 may be removed.

[0532] (27) In the 20th embodiment described above, an example was described in which the elastic members arranged in parallel in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device were arranged in two rows in the axial direction Dc. However, instead, the elastic members arranged in parallel in the reaction force generating section of the pedal device may be arranged in three or more rows in the axial direction Dc. (28) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are not unrelated to each other, and can be combined as appropriate, except in cases where the combination is clearly impossible. In addition, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments in each embodiment are not necessarily essential, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in each embodiment, when numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical values, quantities, or ranges of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, the invention is not limited to those specific numbers, except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components, etc. are mentioned in each embodiment, the invention is not limited to those shapes, positional relationships, etc., except in cases where they are explicitly stated to be particularly essential or where they are clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle. (Features of the present invention) [Claim 1] A pedal device, Pedals (20, 20A) and A holder (51, 52, 133, 154, 132A, 210, 200, 281) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc) in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal, The holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction, and at least one elastic member (54, 55, 143, 141, 230) elastically deforms and imparts an elastic force to the holder by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, The holder is a pedal device having at least one passage (90, 93, 93A, 94, 154, 161, 162, 211a, 200d, 281d) for passing foreign matter. [Claim 2] The at least one elastic member (54, 55) is a plurality of elastic members arranged in parallel, supporting the holder from the other side in the predetermined direction and being supported from the other side in the predetermined direction by the support members (51, 10). The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elastic members elastically deforms by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby providing an elastic force to the holder. [Claim 3] When the at least one elastic member is defined as at least one first elastic member (54), the holder provides at least one second elastic member (55, 141, 140, 231) that is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction by the holder and elastically deforms to impart an elastic force to the pedal by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in the predetermined direction (Dc), The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first elastic members elastically deforms and imparts an elastic force to the holder by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder and the at least one of the second elastic members from one side in the predetermined direction. [Claim 4] The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder is defined as the reference plane (Zh), and at least one passage (93, 94) is positioned below the reference plane of the holder. [Claim 5] The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder is defined as the reference surface (Zh), and the at least one passage (93A) is positioned within the holder to include the reference surface. [Claim 6] The pedal device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reference surface is a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder when the pedal, the holder, and the at least one elastic member are mounted on the vehicle (80). [Claim 7] The holder has a cylindrical portion (52b) formed in a cylindrical shape centered on an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, and a member (52f) that closes the cylindrical portion from the predetermined direction. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one passage (93) is arranged in the member. [Claim 8] The holder has a cylindrical portion (52b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one passage (94) is located in the cylindrical portion. [Claim 9] The holder has a cylindrical portion (52b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The at least one passage (91A) is formed by the inner circumferential surface (400) of the cylindrical portion centered on the axis (Zb), Furthermore, the at least one passage (91A) has an outlet (401) that is open in the predetermined direction within the cylindrical portion and discharges the foreign matter. The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one passage is formed to extend radially outward with respect to the axis (Zb) as it approaches the exit in the predetermined direction. [Claim 10] When the holder (52) is designated as the first holder, the second holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in the predetermined direction and supports the second elastic member from the other side in the predetermined direction, The device comprises a third elastic member (53) that supports the second holder from the other side in the predetermined direction and undergoes elastic deformation by receiving the elastic force of the second elastic member through the second holder, The pedal device according to claim 3, wherein, when the at least one passage is defined as at least one first passage (90), the second holder has at least one second passage (92) for passing foreign matter through. [Claim 11] The housing (10) comprises the at least one elastic member and a storage chamber (10a) for housing the holder, The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing has at least one second passage (10b, 153) for passing the foreign object from the storage chamber to the outside of the housing, when the at least one passage is defined as at least one first passage. [Claim 12] A pedal device, Pedals (20) and A holder (54) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc), The holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction, and at least one elastic member (53) elastically deforms by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby providing an elastic force to the holder. The holder has a support portion (51c) that supports the elastic member from the other side in the predetermined direction, The support portion is a pedal device having at least one passage (92) for passing foreign objects. [Claim 13] The pedal device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one passage is a plurality of passages arranged in a circumferential direction with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, and which allow foreign matter to pass through. [Claim 14] The pedal device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the holder is arranged between two adjacent passages among the plurality of passages and comprises a plurality of ribs (92a) that are formed radially around an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, thereby forming each of the plurality of passages. [Claim 15] The pedal device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein one side of the support portion in the predetermined direction is provided with an inclined surface (51f) that is formed to slope toward the other side in the predetermined direction as it approaches the at least one passage (92). [Claim 16] The holder has a cylindrical portion (51b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The support portion is formed to close the cylindrical portion from the predetermined direction, The pedal device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the at least one passage is formed across the cylindrical portion and the support portion. [Claim 17] A pedal device, Pedals (20) and A holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc), The holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction, and at least one elastic member (54) elastically deforms by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby providing an elastic force to the holder. The holder is provided with a guide portion (12) that guides the holder so that it can be displaced in the predetermined direction, The aforementioned guide section is a pedal device having a passage (300) for passing foreign objects. [Claim 18] A pedal device, Pedals (20, 20A) and Elastic members (53, 54, 55, 70, 90, 130, 140~146, 180~181, 186, 187) that exert an elastic force on the pedal by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, The system comprises a housing (10) that forms storage chambers (10a, 13, 14) for housing the elastic members, The pedal device has a housing having at least one passage (10b, 11, 153, 13a) for passing foreign matter from the storage chamber to the outside of the housing. [Claim 19] The pedal device according to claim 18, wherein the elastic member is a spring that expands and contracts by elastic deformation in a predetermined direction (Dc) oblique to the horizontal direction (Ds) when the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing are mounted on the vehicle (80). [Claim 20] A pedal device, Pedal (20A), An elastic member (70A) that elastically deforms in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force, The system comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) into which the elastic member is placed, The pedal device is supported by the housing while the elastic member is placed in the storage chamber, and has at least one passage (13a) for allowing foreign matter to pass from inside the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber. [Claim 21] The aforementioned at least one passage discharges the foreign matter from the exit (13c) to the outside of the storage chamber. The pedal device according to claim 20, wherein, with the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing mounted on the vehicle (80), the at least one passage is formed to extend downward toward the exit. [Claim 22] A pedal device, Pedal (20A), An elastic member (330) that applies an elastic force to the pedal by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, The system comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (14) into which the elastic member is placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The housing is a pedal device having at least one passage (96) for allowing foreign matter to pass from inside the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber. [Claim 23] The at least one passage has an outlet (96a) for discharging the foreign matter, The pedal device according to claim 22, wherein, with the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing mounted on the vehicle (80), the at least one passage is formed to be directed downward as it approaches the exit. [Claim 24] A pedal device, Pedals (20) and An elastic member (70A) that elastically deforms in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force, The system comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) into which the elastic member is placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The elastic member has a portion formed to penetrate the elastic member and to allow foreign matter to pass through. A pedal device provided with at least one passage (72). [Explanation of symbols]

[0533] 1 Pedal device 20 pedals 52 Holder 54 Elastic members 55 Elastic members 90 aisle 93 aisle 133 Holder 140 Elastic members 141 Elastic members

Claims

1. A pedal device, Pedals (20, 20A) and A holder (51, 52, 133, 154, 132A, 210, 200, 281) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc) in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal, The holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction, and at least one elastic member (53, 54, 143, 141, 230) elastically deforms and imparts an elastic force to the holder by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, The holder is a pedal device having at least one passage (90, 93, 93A, 94, 154, 161, 162, 211a, 200d, 281d) for passing foreign matter.

2. The at least one elastic member (53, 54) is a plurality of elastic members arranged in parallel, supporting the holder from the other side in the predetermined direction and being supported from the other side in the predetermined direction by the support members (51, 10). The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elastic members elastically deforms by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby providing an elastic force to the holder.

3. When the at least one elastic member is defined as at least one first elastic member (54), the holder provides at least one second elastic member (55, 141, 140, 231) that is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction by the holder and elastically deforms to impart an elastic force to the pedal by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in the predetermined direction (Dc), The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first elastic member elastically deforms and applies an elastic force to the holder by receiving a force applied from the pedal through the holder and the at least one second elastic member from one side in the predetermined direction.

4. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder is defined as the reference plane (Zh), and the at least one passage (93, 94) is positioned below the reference plane of the holder.

5. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a virtual surface equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder is defined as the reference surface (Zh), and the at least one passage (93A) is positioned within the holder to include the reference surface.

6. The pedal device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reference surface is a virtual surface that is equidistant from the uppermost and lowermost parts of the holder when the pedal, the holder, and the at least one elastic member are mounted on the vehicle (80).

7. The holder has a cylindrical portion (52b) formed in a cylindrical shape centered on an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, and a member (52f) that closes the cylindrical portion from the predetermined direction. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one passage (93) is arranged in the member.

8. The holder has a cylindrical portion (52b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one passage (94) is located in the cylindrical portion.

9. The holder has a cylindrical portion (51b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The at least one passage (91A) is formed by the inner circumferential surface (400) of the cylindrical portion centered on the axis (Zb), Furthermore, the at least one passage (91A) has an outlet (401) that is open in the predetermined direction within the cylindrical portion and discharges the foreign matter. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one passage is formed to extend radially outward with respect to the axis (Zb) as it approaches the exit in the predetermined direction.

10. When the holder (52) is designated as the first holder, the second holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in the predetermined direction and supports the second elastic member from the other side in the predetermined direction, The second holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction, and a third elastic member (53) is elastically deformed by receiving the elastic force of the second elastic member through the second holder, The pedal device according to claim 3, wherein, when the at least one passage is defined as at least one first passage (90), the second holder has at least one second passage (92) for passing foreign matter through.

11. The housing (10) comprises at least one elastic member and a storage chamber (10a) for housing the holder, The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has at least one second passage (10b, 153) that allows the foreign object to pass from the storage chamber to the outside of the housing, when the at least one passage is defined as at least one first passage.

12. A pedal device, Pedal (20) and A holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc), The holder is supported from the other side in the predetermined direction by the holder, and elastically deforms by receiving a force from the pedal from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby providing an elastic force to the holder, comprising at least one elastic member (54), The holder has a support portion (51c) that supports the elastic member from the other side in the predetermined direction, The support portion is a pedal device having at least one passage (92) for passing foreign objects.

13. The pedal device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one passage is a plurality of passages arranged in a circumferential direction with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, and which allow foreign matter to pass through.

14. The at least one passage is a plurality of passages, The pedal device according to claim 12, wherein the holder is arranged between two adjacent passages among the plurality of passages and is formed radially around an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, thereby forming the plurality of passages.

15. The pedal device according to claim 12, wherein one side of the support portion in the predetermined direction is provided with an inclined surface (51f) that is formed to slope toward the other side in the predetermined direction as it approaches the at least one passage (92).

16. The holder has a cylindrical portion (51b) that is formed in a cylindrical shape with respect to an axis (Zb) extending in the predetermined direction, The support portion is formed to close the cylindrical portion from the predetermined direction, The pedal device according to claim 12, wherein the at least one passage is formed across the cylindrical portion and the support portion.

17. A pedal device, Pedal (20) and A holder (51) is configured to be displaceable in a predetermined direction (Dc) by receiving a force from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal from one side in a predetermined direction (Dc), At least one elastic member (53) supports the holder from the other side in the predetermined direction and receives the force applied from the pedal through the holder from one side in the predetermined direction, thereby elastically deforming and applying an elastic force to the holder, The holder is provided with a guide portion (12) that guides the holder so that it can be displaced in the predetermined direction, The pedal device wherein the guide portion has a passage (300) for passing foreign matter, and the passage communicates with the inside of the holder and opens to the outside of the holder.

18. A pedal device, Pedals (20, 20A) and Elastic members (53, 54, 55, 70, 90, 130, 140-146, 180-181, 186, 187) that exert an elastic force on the pedal by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms storage chambers (10a, 13, 14) for housing the elastic member, The pedal device has a housing having at least one passage (10b, 11, 153, 13a) that allows foreign matter to pass from the storage chamber to the outside of the housing.

19. The pedal device according to claim 18, wherein the elastic member is a spring that expands and contracts by elastic deformation in a predetermined direction (Dc) oblique to the horizontal direction (Ds) when the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing are mounted on the vehicle (80).

20. A pedal device, Pedal (20A), An elastic member (70A) that elastically deforms in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) into which the elastic member is placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber and has at least one passage (13a) for allowing foreign matter to pass from inside the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber. The aforementioned at least one passage discharges the foreign matter from the exit (13c) to the outside of the storage chamber. A pedal device in which, with the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing mounted on a vehicle (80), the at least one passage is formed to extend downward toward the exit.

21. A pedal device, Pedal (20A), An elastic member (330) that applies an elastic force to the pedal by elastically deforming in response to the force applied from the pedal in conjunction with the displacement of the pedal, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (14) into which the elastic member is placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The housing has at least one passage (96) for allowing foreign matter to pass from inside the storage chamber to the outside of the storage chamber. The at least one passage has an outlet (96a) for discharging the foreign matter, A pedal device in which, with the pedal, the elastic member, and the housing mounted on a vehicle (80), the at least one passage is formed to curve downward as it approaches the exit.

22. A pedal device, Pedal (20) and An elastic member (70A) that elastically deforms in response to the force applied from the pedal as the pedal is displaced, thereby applying an elastic force to the pedal as a reaction force to the force, The device comprises a housing (10) that forms a storage chamber (13) into which the elastic member is placed, The elastic member is supported by the housing while placed in the storage chamber. The elastic member has a structure formed to penetrate the elastic member and allow foreign matter to pass through. A pedal device having at least one passage (72).

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