Pedal device

Abstract

To improve rigidity of a pedal device when being operated.SOLUTION: A brake pedal device 10 includes: a pedal bracket 18 which is fixed to a floor panel 16 of a vehicle; a brake pedal 12 which is rotationally fitted to the pedal bracket 18; and a master cylinder 14 which is fitted to the pedal bracket 18 and is coupled to the brake pedal 12 to generate a liquid pressure according to the rotation of the brake pedal 12. The floor panel 16 has higher rigidity than a dash panel 20, and pedal rigidity is improved by fixing the pedal bracket 18 to the floor panel 16 with high rigidity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device for operating a vehicle, particularly a pedal device in which a pedal operation is transmitted to a device to be operated via hydraulic pressure.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with a pedal device for a driver to operate a device provided in the vehicle. Typically, the pedal device includes an accelerator pedal for adjusting the output of a prime mover and a brake pedal for reducing the speed of the vehicle. Further, in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, a clutch pedal for interrupting the connection between the prime mover, particularly the engine, and the transmission is provided. Many brakes and clutches generate hydraulic pressure by operating a pedal, and the operation of the pedal is transmitted and controlled by the hydraulic pressure. These pedal devices include a master cylinder that converts the operation of the pedal into hydraulic pressure.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 shows a brake pedal device. The brake pedal (2) is attached to the dashboard (1) via a pedal bracket (5). Also, a brake booster (4) equipped with a master cylinder is attached to the dashboard (1). Note that the reference numerals in the above ( ) are the reference numerals used in Patent Document 1 below and are not related to the reference numerals used in the description of the embodiments of the present application.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The dashboard is a panel that separates the passenger compartment from the engine compartment and is not a major component that bears the load on the vehicle body. Therefore, high rigidity is not required for the dashboard, and in fact, it is made of relatively thin steel plate. When a pedal system is attached to such a dashboard, the dashboard tends to deform under the force of pedal operation, resulting in low pedal rigidity.

[0006] The present invention aims to increase the support rigidity of the pedal device against pedal operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The pedal device according to the present invention includes a pedal bracket fixed to the floor panel of a vehicle, a pedal rotatably mounted on the pedal bracket, and a master cylinder mounted on the pedal bracket and connected to the pedal to generate hydraulic pressure corresponding to the rotation of the pedal.

[0008] By fixing the pedal bracket, to which the pedals and master cylinder are mounted, to a floor panel with higher rigidity than the dashboard panel, the support rigidity of the pedal system can be increased.

[0009] In the pedal device described above, the ends of the range of motion of the connection point between the pedal and the master cylinder are perpendicular to the central axis of the master cylinder and are located on opposite sides of a straight line passing through the rotation center of the pedal, and the pedal pad on which the driver applies force is located in front of the straight line connecting the rotation center of the pedal and the connection point between the pedal and the master cylinder. By reducing the oscillation angle of the master cylinder's push rod and positioning the pedal pad further forward, the driver's foot space can be used more effectively.

[0010] In the pedal device described above, the pedal bracket may have multiple mounting positions for rotatably attaching the pedal, and the master cylinder may have a rod length adjustment section for adjusting the length of the rod connected to the pedal.

[0011] In the pedal device described above, the pedal has a pedal pad onto which the driver applies force, and the pedal pad can be provided with an anti-slip structure on its tread surface, such that the cross-section along the front-rear direction has a gentle slope at the front and a steep slope at the rear, resembling a sawtooth. This makes it difficult for the driver's foot to move forward relative to the pedal pad, and easy to move backward. This allows for smooth operation when pressing the pedal while keeping the foot on the pedal pad.

[0012] In the pedal device described above, the pedal has a pedal pad on which the driver applies force. The pedal device is further fixed to the floor panel. Located in front of the pedal The foot rest cover includes an arc-shaped foot rest portion that follows the trajectory of the driver's toes when operating the pedal, and a flat plate-shaped guide portion that extends upward from the upper end of the foot rest portion so as to be located outside the arc portion that is virtually extended from the arc of the foot rest portion. The driver's toes are on the pedal pad. For foot support covers By making contact, the foot is kept on the pedal pad. ru. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In a pedal system, fixing the pedal bracket, to which the pedal and master cylinder are attached, to a highly rigid floor panel increases the support rigidity of the pedal system, thereby improving pedal operability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the brake pedal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the schematic configuration of the brake pedal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the connection point between the brake pedal and the master cylinder during brake operation. [Figure 4] This is a side view showing the brake pedal mechanism when the brake pedal is fully depressed. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram regarding the adjustment of the tilt angle of the brake pedal pad. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing details of the pedal pad.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, terms representing relative positions and directions such as front, rear, left, right, up, and down represent relative positions and directions related to the vehicle. In each figure, the direction of arrow FR is forward, the direction of arrow UP is upward, and the direction of arrow LH is leftward.

[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing a brake pedal device 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a side view. The brake pedal device 10 includes a brake pedal 12 operated by a driver's foot and a master cylinder 14 that generates hydraulic pressure according to the movement of the brake pedal 12. The brake pedal device 10 is disposed on the upper surface of a floor panel 16 that forms the floor of the vehicle and includes a pedal bracket 18 fixed to the floor panel 16. The brake pedal 12 is rotatably attached to the pedal bracket 18, and the master cylinder 14 is fixedly attached to the pedal bracket 18. At the front edge of the floor panel 16, there is located a dash panel 20 that separates the passenger compartment from a prime mover compartment that houses a prime mover such as an engine.

[0017] The pedal bracket 18 has two plate portions arranged in a substantially L shape. One plate member is arranged parallel to the floor panel 16, and the other plate member is erected at the front edge of this one plate portion. The plate member arranged parallel to the floor panel 16 is arranged horizontally, and this plate member is referred to as a horizontal plate portion 22. The plate member erected at the front edge of the horizontal plate portion 22 may be arranged, for example, vertically, and hereinafter is referred to as a vertical plate portion 24. The horizontal plate portion 22 is fixed to the floor panel 16 by a nut 26 welded to the floor panel 16 and a bolt 28 screwed to this nut 26.

[0018] On the horizontal plate portion 22 of the pedal bracket 18, two support plates 30 arranged opposite to each other in the left - right direction are erected. The brake pedal 12 is rotatably supported by the support plates 30. More specifically, the lower end of the pedal arm 32 of the brake pedal 12 is located between the two support plates 30, and the support shaft 34 spanned between the two support plates 30 penetrates the lower end of the pedal arm 32 sandwiched between the support plates 30. Thereby, the brake pedal 12 is rotatably supported by the support plates 30. The support shaft 34 may be composed of a cylindrical sleeve 36 arranged between the two support plates 30 in detail, and a bolt 40 penetrating through the sleeve 36 and the long holes 38 provided in the two support plates 30. The support shaft 34 is fixed to the support plates 30 by the bolt 40 and a nut 42 threadedly coupled to the bolt 40. A pedal pad 44 on which the driver applies a stepping force is fixed to the upper end of the pedal arm 32.

[0019] The master cylinder 14 is fixed to the surface of the vertical plate portion 24 on the side opposite to the brake pedal 12. More specifically, the flange (not shown) of the cylinder body 46 of the master cylinder 14 is threadedly coupled to a bolt 48 penetrating the vertical plate portion 24, thereby being fixed to the vertical plate portion 24. The master cylinder 14 is horizontally arranged with its central axis along the front - rear direction. Therefore, the sliding direction of the piston sliding in the cylinder body 46 is also along the front - rear direction. An opening 50 is formed in the vertical plate portion 24, and a push rod 52 extends from the cylinder body 46 toward the pedal arm 32 through this opening 50. The push rod 52 has a rod - shaped rod body 53 and a clevis 54 threadedly coupled to the end of the rod body 53. The pedal arm 32 is located between the bifurcated portions of the clevis 54. The master cylinder 14 and the brake pedal 12 are connected by a connecting pin 56 penetrating the clevis 54 and the pedal arm 32.

[0020] A forward-sloping stopper plate 58 is provided on the upper edge of the vertical plate portion 24. The stopper plate 58 is inclined to receive the pedal arm 32 of the depressed brake pedal 12, that is, the surface that contacts the pedal arm 32 is in surface contact with the pedal arm 32. A flexible stop pad 60 made of resin, rubber, or the like may be placed at the position where the pedal arm 32 contacts the stopper plate 58.

[0021] The brake pedal device 10 further includes a foot rest cover 62 that keeps the driver's foot on the pedal pad 44 when operating the brake pedal 12. The foot rest cover 62 has a base plate portion 64 that rests on the floor panel 16 and is fixed to the floor panel 16 by bolts 28 together with the pedal bracket 18. The foot rest cover 62 also has a foot rest portion 66 that extends substantially upward from the front end of the base plate portion 64 and is formed in a substantially arc shape to follow the trajectory of the driver's toes when the driver operates the brake pedal 12. When the driver's foot, which is resting on the pedal pad 44, attempts to move forward along the pedal pad 44, the toes come into contact with the foot rest portion 66, preventing the foot from moving any further. In this way, the foot rest portion 66 helps to keep the driver's foot on the pedal pad 44. The foot rest cover 62 further has a flat guide portion 68 that extends upward from the upper end of the foot rest portion 66. The guide portion 68 extends upward so as to be located radially outward from the arc portion that is virtually extended from the arc shape of the foot rest portion 66. The guide portion 68 guides the foot so that the toes are positioned inside the foot rest portion 66 when the driver places their foot on the pedal pad 44. The foot rest cover 62 may be fixed to another part of the foot space, for example, the under cover of the instrument panel, instead of being fixed to the floor panel 16.

[0022] The pedal bracket 18 may be made of steel plate and may be formed by press molding a single sheet of steel plate. The foot support cover 62 may be made of steel plate or resin.

[0023] The dash panel 20 is a partition separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment and does not require high rigidity. On the other hand, the floor panel 16 requires rigidity to support the weight of the passengers. The brake pedal device 10 is fixed to the highly rigid floor panel 16, which allows for greater pedal rigidity than if it were fixed to the dash panel 20. The master cylinder 14 is located behind the dash panel 20, i.e., inside the passenger compartment. This reduces the amount of rearward movement of the brake pedal device 10 during a frontal collision compared to when the master cylinder 14 is located in the engine compartment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the pedal pad 44 of the brake pedal 12 is positioned forward of the straight line m connecting the pivot point of the brake pedal 12 and the connection point between the brake pedal 12 and the master cylinder 14. To achieve this, the pedal arm 32 is curved so as to be convex towards the rear.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the positional relationship between the pivot point O of the brake pedal 12 and the connection point C between the brake pedal 12 and the master cylinder 14, particularly the push rod 52. Figure 3 also shows the movement of the push rod 52 when the brake pedal 12 is operated, and shows the movement of the endpoint M of the push rod 52 on the cylinder body 46 side, along with the movement of the connection point C. The endpoint M of the push rod 52 is the connection point between the push rod 52 and the piston (not shown) of the master cylinder 14. The central axis s of the master cylinder 14 extends horizontally along the front-rear direction. The endpoint M of the piston and the push rod 52 move along this central axis s. The straight line n shown in the figure is perpendicular to the central axis s of the master cylinder 14 and passes through the pivot point O of the brake pedal.

[0026] Point C1 indicates the position of connection point C when the brake is off, i.e., when the driver is not pressing the brake pedal 12. Point M1 indicates the position of the endpoint M of the push rod 52 at this time. Points C2 and M2 indicate the positions of connection point C and endpoint M when the brake pedal 12 is pressed all the way down. Points C3 and M3 indicate the positions of connection point C and endpoint M on the straight line n. Connection point C moves between points C1 and C2, and points C1 and C2 are the endpoints of the range of movement of connection point C.

[0027] When the connection point C1 when the brake is released and the connection point C2 when the brake pedal 12 is fully depressed are positioned on opposite sides of the straight line n, the oscillation angle of the push rod 52 is suppressed. If both connection points C1 and C2 are on one side of the straight line n, the connection point C moves in the direction along the straight line n as the brake pedal 12 rotates, within the range from point C1 to point C2. On the other hand, if the connection points C1 and C2 are on opposite sides of the straight line n, the connection point C moves in the range from point C1 to point C3 or from point C2 to point C3. In other words, the movement of the connection point C in the direction along the straight line n is smaller when the connection points C1 and C2 are on opposite sides of the straight line n, assuming the stroke of the master cylinder 14 is the same, and therefore the oscillation angle of the push rod 52 is also smaller. It is desirable that the connection points C1 and C2 be positioned on opposite sides of the straight line n. Furthermore, regarding the pedal arm 32, as mentioned above, by adopting a curved shape that is convex to the rear, the relationship between the connection points C1 and C3 described above can be achieved, and the pedal pad 44 can be positioned further forward. In this brake pedal device 10, the master cylinder 14 is positioned behind the dash panel 20, and as a result, the entire device is positioned further back than if the master cylinder were positioned on the engine compartment side of the dash panel 20. By making the pedal arm 32 a curved shape that is convex to the rear, the pedal pad 44 can be brought closer to the dash panel 20, and the space at the driver's feet can be used effectively.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the brake pedal 12 in its fully depressed state. At this time, the pedal arm 32 contacts the retaining plate 58 of the pedal bracket 18, particularly the stop pad 60 (see Figure 1). The force applied to the brake pedal 12 is received by the retaining plate 58. If there is no retaining plate 58, the force applied to the brake pedal 12 acts on the vertical plate portion 24 of the pedal bracket 18 at the position where the master cylinder 14 is fixed, via the master cylinder 14. Therefore, by having the brake pedal 12 supported by the retaining plate 58 when the brake pedal 12 is fully depressed, the point of application of the force can be made further from the rotation center O of the brake pedal 12 compared to when it is supported by the master cylinder 14. Furthermore, the direction in which the force acts on the vertical plate portion 24 is perpendicular to the plane of the vertical plate portion 24 when it acts via the master cylinder 14, whereas when it acts from the retaining plate 58, it is closer to the in-plane direction of the vertical plate portion 24. Therefore, when the brake pedal 12 is supported by the retaining plate 58, the bending moment acting on the vertical plate portion 24 can be reduced. As a result, when the brake pedal 12 is fully depressed, the rigidity required of the pedal bracket 18 can be reduced by supporting the brake pedal 12 with the retaining plate 58.

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment of the tilt of the pedal pad 44. The position of the support shaft 34 that rotatably supports the brake pedal 12 is adjustable along an elongated hole 38 formed in the support plate 30 of the pedal bracket 18. In particular, in this brake pedal device 10, three mounting positions 70A, 70B, and 70C for the support shaft 34 are formed in the elongated hole 38. At mounting positions 70A-C, the elongated hole 38 has an inner diameter that matches the diameter of the portion of the support shaft 34 corresponding to the elongated hole 38. The width of the other portions of the elongated hole 38 is narrower than the diameter of the support shaft 34. Therefore, the support shaft 34 is positioned only at mounting positions 70A-C. The support shaft 34 is mounted and fixed at one of the three mounting positions 70A-C. The number of mounting positions for the support shaft 34 may be two or more. Alternatively, the width of the elongated hole may be kept constant to allow for continuous adjustment of the mounting position of the support shaft 34.

[0030] The push rod 52 has a rod body 53 with a male thread formed at its end, and a clevis 54 with a female thread that is screw-connected to the male thread. The nut connected to the male thread of the rod body 53 and the clevis 54 form a double nut, and the relative position of the rod body 53 and the clevis 54 is fixed by the action of the double nut. The overall length of the push rod 52 can be adjusted by adjusting the fixed position of the clevis 54 relative to the rod body 53. The male thread of the rod body 53 and the female thread and nut of the clevis screw-connected to this male thread form a rod length adjustment section for adjusting the length of the push rod 52.

[0031] By adjusting the mounting position of the support shaft 34 that determines the rotation center O of the brake pedal 12, and by adjusting the length of the push rod 52, the tilt of the pedal pad 44 can be changed without changing its position in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Figure 5 shows the position of the brake pedal 12 when the brake is released. The left diagram shows the pedal pad 44 with a large inclination θ (θ1), and the right diagram shows the pedal pad with a small inclination (θ2 < θ1). The horizontal distance L from the foremost mounting position 70A to the center of the pedal pad 44 is the same in both diagrams. In the left diagram, the support shaft 34 is positioned at the foremost mounting position 70A, and the length of the push rod 52 is shortened. In the right diagram, the support shaft 34 is positioned at the central mounting position 70B, and the length of the push rod 52 is lengthened. This changes the inclination θ without changing the front-to-back position of the pedal pad 44.

[0033] Figure 6 is an enlarged side view of the pedal pad 44. The pedal pad 44 can be constructed, for example, by covering a core plate made of steel (not shown) with a rubber pad cover 72. The pad cover 72 forms the tread surface 74 of the pedal pad 44, that is, the surface that the driver's foot contacts. As shown in the figure, the shape of the tread surface 74 is jagged, and an anti-slip structure is provided to prevent the driver's foot from slipping. More specifically, a number of ridges 76 extending along the left-right direction are arranged along the front-rear direction. The slope of the front slope 76a and the rear slope 76b of the ridges 76 is gentler at the front and steeper at the rear. As a result, the anti-slip structure of the tread surface 74 has a shape like the teeth of a saw when viewed from the side.

[0034] This sawtooth-shaped anti-slip structure makes it difficult for the driver's foot to move forward relative to the pedal pad 44, while it moves more easily backward. The suppression of forward foot movement makes it easier to keep the foot on the pedal pad 44. Also, the ease with which the foot can move backward makes it easier for the pedal pad 44 to move forward relative to the foot during the process of pressing the brake pedal 12. When the driver places their heel on the floor panel 16 and operates the brake pedal 12 with the heel as the pivot point, the pivot point O of the brake pedal 12 is in front of the pivot point of the foot, i.e., the heel. Therefore, when the brake pedal 12 is pressed, the amount of forward movement of the pedal pad 44 is greater than the amount of movement of the foot. The sawtooth-shaped anti-slip structure of the tread surface 74 makes it easier for the foot and the pedal pad 44 to move relative to each other during the process of pressing the brake pedal 12.

[0035] Although the above-described embodiment described a brake pedal, a similar concept can be applied to a clutch pedal. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10 Brake pedal device, 12 Brake pedal, 14 Master cylinder, 16 Floor panel, 18 Pedal bracket, 20 Dash panel, 22 Horizontal plate section, 24 Vertical plate section, 30 Support plate, 32 Pedal arm, 34 Support shaft, 38 Slotted hole, 40 Bolt, 44 Pedal pad, 46 Cylinder body, 52 Push rod, 53 Rod body, 54 Clevis, 56 Connecting pin, 58 Retaining plate, 60 Stop pad, 62 Foot retention cover, 64 Base plate section, 66 Foot retention section, 68 Guide section, 70A-C Mounting position, 72 Pad cover, 74 Tread surface, 76 Ridge.

Claims

1. A pedal bracket fixed to the vehicle's floor panel, A pedal rotatably mounted to the pedal bracket, having a pedal pad on which the driver applies force; A master cylinder is attached to the pedal bracket and connected to the pedal to generate hydraulic pressure corresponding to the rotation of the pedal, A foot rest cover fixed to the floor panel and positioned in front of the pedal, comprising: an arc-shaped foot rest portion that follows the trajectory of the driver's toes when operating the pedal; and a flat plate-shaped guide portion that extends upward from the upper end of the foot rest portion so as to be located outside the arc portion that is virtually extended from the arc of the foot rest portion, thereby maintaining the driver's foot on the pedal pad by contact with the driver's toes on the pedal pad. A pedal device including a pedal mechanism.

2. A pedal device according to claim 1, The two ends of the range of motion of the connection point between the pedal and the master cylinder are located on opposite sides of a line perpendicular to the central axis of the master cylinder and passing through the rotation center of the pedal. The pedal pad is located in front of the straight line connecting the pivot point of the pedal and the connection point between the pedal and the master cylinder. Pedal device.

3. A pedal device according to claim 1, The pedal bracket has a plurality of mounting positions for rotatably attaching the pedal, The master cylinder is equipped with a rod length adjustment unit for adjusting the length of the rod connected to the pedal. Pedal device.

4. A pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the tread surface of the pedal pad is provided with an anti-slip structure having a sawtooth cross-section along the front-rear direction, with a gentle slope at the front and a steep slope at the rear.

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