Vehicular operation pedal device

Abstract

This pedal device (10) comprises: a pedal arm (20); a rotary shaft (50) that rotatably supports the pedal arm (20); and a transmission member (60) that transmits a depression force acting on the pedal arm (20) to another apparatus. The pedal arm (20) has: a side plate (21) having a through hole (22) through which the rotary shaft (50) passes; and a front plate (24) and a rear plate (29) that each protrude from the side plate (21) to one side in the axial direction of the rotary shaft (50) and are located on opposite sides of the rotary shaft (50). The front plate (24) has: a first front extension part (25) that extends from the side plate (21) to one side in the axial direction; and a second front extension part (27) bending from the first front extension part (25) and extending to the opposite side of the rotary shaft (50), and constituting a protruding end of the front plate (24). The second front extension part (27) has a fixing hole (28) to which the transmission member (60) is fixed.

Description

Vehicle operation pedal device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle operation pedal device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle operation pedal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a pedal device) including a pedal arm that is depressed by a driver of a vehicle. The pedal arm is formed in a trough shape by a front plate facing the driver's leg and a pair of side plates extending forward of the vehicle from the front plate.

[0003] The pedal arm has a single pedal support shaft that extends in the vehicle width direction and penetrates both of the pair of side plates. The pedal arm is configured to be rotatable about the pedal support shaft when depressed by the driver.

[0004] The pedal device includes a link mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the pedal arm into the telescopic movement of a telescopic device such as a master cylinder. The link mechanism is connected to the pedal arm via a pin that penetrates both of the pair of side plates.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024 - 89360

[0006] The pedal arm described in Patent Document 1 ensures the required rigidity by being formed in a trough shape. However, in this pedal arm, it is necessary to coaxially form two through holes through which the pedal support shaft penetrates and two through holes through which the pin of the link mechanism penetrates with respect to the pair of side plates. In this case, there is a risk that the manufacturing process of the pedal device becomes complicated.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle operating pedal device. The vehicle operating pedal device comprises a long pedal arm that is pressed by the driver of the vehicle, a rotating shaft that rotatably supports one end of the pedal arm in the longitudinal direction, and a transmission member that transmits the pressing force acting on the pedal arm to another device. The pedal arm has a side plate having a through hole through which the rotating shaft passes, and a front plate and a rear plate that protrude from the side plate to one side in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and are located on opposite sides of the rotating shaft, and is trough-shaped with an opening facing the side plate formed by the protruding end of the front plate and the protruding end of the rear plate. The rear plate is the part that receives the pressing force from the driver. The front plate has a first forward extension portion that extends from the side plate to one side in the axial direction, and a second forward extension portion that bends from the first forward extension portion and extends on the opposite side from the rotating shaft and constitutes the protruding end of the front plate. The second extending portion has a fixing portion to which the transmission member is fixed.

[0008] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle operating pedal device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view showing the vehicle operating pedal device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the vehicle operating pedal device of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the vehicle operating pedal device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle operating pedal device of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a side view showing a modified vehicle operating pedal device.

[0009] An embodiment of a vehicle operating pedal device will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. (Configuration of the vehicle operating pedal device) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle operating pedal device (hereinafter referred to as the pedal device 10) comprises a pedal arm 20, a rotating shaft 50, and a transmission member 60. The pedal device 10 is a device for operating the brake device.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the pedal arm 20 is rotatably connected to a base portion (not shown) located on the floor F of the vehicle via a rotating shaft 50 extending in the vehicle width direction. The rotating shaft 50 is connected to the base portion in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The pedal arm 20 rotates around the rotating shaft 50 when pressed by the driver. The transmission member 60 transmits the pressing force acting on the pedal arm 20 to other equipment (not shown). Other equipment includes, for example, a master cylinder that provides hydraulic pressure to operate the vehicle's brake system, or a reaction force device that applies a reaction force to the pedal arm 20 when it is pressed.

[0011] The pedal arm 20 is a so-called organ-type pedal arm that rotates around a pivot shaft 50 provided at the lower end of the pedal arm 20 when pressed by the driver.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the pedal arm 20 is formed in a trough shape, for example, by press-forming a single metal plate. The pedal arm 20 has a side plate 21, a front plate 24, and a rear plate 29. The pedal arm 20 is trough-shaped, with an opening 20a facing the side plate 21 formed by the protruding ends of the front plate 24 and the rear plate 29. The thickness of the side plate 21, the front plate 24, and the rear plate 29 are the same.

[0013] The thickness direction of the side plate 21 is perpendicular to the width direction of the vehicle. The side plate 21 is a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. The rotating shaft 50 passes through the lower part of the side plate 21. Hereafter, the width direction that is perpendicular to both the thickness direction and the length direction of the side plate 21 will be simply referred to as the width direction. Also, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 50, which is the direction that coincides with the thickness direction of the side plate 21, will be simply referred to as the axial direction.

[0014] The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 protrude from both ends of the side plate 21 in the width direction to one side in the axial direction. The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 are provided along the entire length of the side plate 21. The rear plate 29 is the part of the pedal arm 20 that is located behind the front plate 24 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is the part that receives the pedaling force from the driver. The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 face each other in the width direction. The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis 50. The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 do not come into contact with the boss 40 and the rotation axis 50, which will be described later. In other words, the front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 are not connected to each other in parts other than the side plate 21.

[0015] The amount of the front plate 24 protruding from the side plate 21 in the axial direction is smaller than the amount of the rear plate 29 protruding from the side plate 21 in the axial direction. The opening 20a formed by the protruding ends of the front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 is oriented to one side in the axial direction. The rotation axis 50 extends from the side plate 21 to a position beyond the opening 20a.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the pedal device 10 includes a pad 70 attached to the end of the pedal arm 20 opposite to the rotation axis 50. The pad 70 has a tread surface 71 that is pressed down by the driver. The pad 70 is made of, for example, a resin material.

[0017] When the driver presses down on the pad 70, the pedal arm 20 rotates forward around the rotation axis 50. When the driver releases the pressure on the pad 70, the biasing member (not shown) causes the pedal arm 20 to rotate backward around the rotation axis 50. As a result, the pedal arm 20 returns to its initial position, which was the position it was in before the driver pressed down on it.

[0018] (Configuration of side plate 21 and boss 40) As shown in Figure 1, the pedal arm 20 has a cylindrical boss 40 that penetrates the side plate 21. The boss 40 is inserted into a circular cross-section through hole 22 formed in the side plate 21 and welded to the side plate 21 around the through hole 22. The weld bead B is formed around the entire circumference of the boss 40 at the boundary between the outer surface of the side plate 21 opposite to one side in the axial direction and the outer surface of the boss 40.

[0019] The length of the portion of the boss 40 that protrudes from the side plate 21 in the axial direction to one side is longer than the length of the portion of the boss 40 that protrudes from the side plate 21 in the axial direction to the other side. The boss 40 extends cantileveredly from the side plate 21 to one side in the axial direction.

[0020] The rotating shaft 50 is inserted into the boss 40. Therefore, it can be said that the rotating shaft 50 passes through the through hole 22 in the side plate 21. Since the boss 40 is fixed to the side plate 21, when the pedal arm 20 rotates around the rotating shaft 50, the inner surface of the boss 40 and the outer surface of the rotating shaft 50 slide against each other.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the side plate 21 has a pair of first mounting holes 23. The pair of first mounting holes 23 are formed at the upper end of the side plate 21, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the side plate 21. Each first mounting hole 23 has a circular cross-section.

[0022] The side plate 21 has a recessed area 21a on one side in the axial direction. The recessed area 21a is formed in the portion of the side plate 21 that is closer to the through hole 22 than the pair of first mounting holes 23, and is covered by the lower part of the pad 70. The recessed area 21a is formed above the center of the side plate 21 in the longitudinal direction. The recessed area 21a is formed over the entire width of the side plate 21. The bottom surface of the recessed area 21a is parallel to the outer surface of the portion of the side plate 21 excluding the recessed area 21a. The recessed area 21a is an example of a "recess in the side plate".

[0023] (Configuration of the front plate 24) As shown in Figure 1, the front plate 24 has a first forward extension portion 25 and a second forward extension portion 27.

[0024] The first forward extension portion 25 extends from the side plate 21 to one side in the axial direction. More specifically, the first forward extension portion 25 extends at an inclination with respect to the rotation axis 50 such that it moves away from the rotation axis 50 in the width direction as it moves toward one side in the axial direction from the side plate 21.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, a notch 26 is formed at one axial corner of the upper end of the first forward extension portion 25. The notch 26 is provided to prevent the pedal arm 20 from coming into contact with components arranged around the pedal device 10 inside the vehicle cabin when the pedal arm 20 rotates.

[0026] The first forward extension portion 25 has a recess 25a that is recessed in the width direction so as to approach the rear plate 29. The recess 25a is formed in the portion of the first forward extension portion 25 adjacent to the portion facing the boss 40 in the width direction. The recess 25a is formed over the entire first forward extension portion 25 in the axial direction. The bottom surface of the recess 25a is parallel to the outer surface of the portion of the first forward extension portion 25 facing the boss 40 in the width direction. The recess 25a is an example of a "second recess".

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the second front extension 27 bends from the end of the first front extension 25 on one side in the axial direction and extends in the width direction away from the rotation axis 50. The second front extension 27 constitutes the protruding end of the front plate 24. The second front extension 27 extends along the entire length of the first front extension 25, excluding the notch 26. The second front extension 27 extends parallel to the side plate 21.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the second extension portion 27 has a recessed area 27a on one side in the axial direction. The recessed area 27a is formed in the portion of the second extension portion 27 adjacent to the recessed area 25a of the first extension portion 25. The recessed area 27a is formed over the entire second extension portion 27 in the width direction. The inner surface of the recessed area 27a is continuous with the inner surface of the recessed area 25a. The bottom surface of the recessed area 27a is parallel to the outer surface of the portion of the second extension portion 27 excluding the recessed area 27a. The bottom of the recessed area 27a faces the center of the rear plate 29 in the width direction in the axial direction. The recessed area 27a is an example of the "first recess".

[0029] The second forward extension 27 has a fixing hole 28 for fixing the transmission member 60 to the pedal arm 20 so that it can rotate relative to it. The fixing hole 28 penetrates the bottom surface of the recess 27a of the second forward extension 27 in the axial direction. The fixing hole 28 has a circular cross-section. The fixing hole 28 is an example of a "fixing part".

[0030] As described above, the second extension portion 27 is provided at a different position from the side plate 21 in the axial direction. For this reason, the boss 40 and the transmission member 60 are fixed to the side plate 21 and the second extension portion 27, respectively, which are at different positions in the axial direction.

[0031] (Configuration of the transmission member 60) As shown in Figure 1, the transmission member 60 comprises, for example, a pair of link plates 61, a bush 62, and a crimping pin 63. The pair of link plates 61 are located on opposite sides of the recess 27a of the second forward extension 27 in the axial direction. The bush 62 is fitted into the fixing hole 28. The crimping pin penetrates the pair of link plates 61 while inserted into the bush 62. The transmission member 60 is fixed to the second forward extension 27 by crimping the tip of the crimping pin. The transmission member 60 and the pedal arm 20 rotate relative to each other as the crimping pin and the bush 62 slide against each other.

[0032] (Configuration of the rear plate 29) The rear plate 29 has a first rear extension portion 30 and a second rear extension portion 32. The first rear extension portion 30 extends from the side plate 21 to one side in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis 50. That is, the first rear extension portion 30 is perpendicular to the side plate 21. In the axial direction, the first rear extension portion 30 extends to a position between the axial end of the boss 40 (right end in Figure 1) and the protruding end of the front plate 24 (lower end in Figure 1).

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the rear plate 29 has a second mounting hole 31. The second mounting hole 31 is located in the portion of the first rear extension 30 that is lower than the pair of first mounting holes 23. The second mounting hole 31 has a circular cross-section.

[0034] The second rear extension 32 bends from one end of the first rear extension 30 in the axial direction and extends so that it approaches the rotation axis 50 in the width direction as it moves toward the other end in the axial direction. The second rear extension 32 constitutes the protruding end of the rear plate 29. The second rear extension 32 extends along the entire length of the first rear extension 30.

[0035] (Configuration of pad 70) As shown in Figure 3, the pad 70 covers the outer surface and upper end surface of the side plate 21. The pad 70 covers the pair of first mounting holes 23 and recess 21a of the side plate 21.

[0036] The pad 70 covers the outer surface and upper end surface of the first forward extension portion 25. The pad 70 covers a portion of the notch 26. As shown in Figure 4, the pad 70 covers the outer surface and upper end surface of the rear plate 29. The pad 70 covers the second mounting hole 31 of the rear plate 29.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the pad 70 covers the protruding end surface and inner surface of the portion of the first protruding part 25 in which the notch 26 is formed. The pad 70 also covers the protruding end surface and inner surface of the second protruding part 32.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the pad 70 has a pair of first engaging protrusions 72 that engage with the inner surfaces of a pair of first mounting holes 23. The pair of first engaging protrusions 72 are formed on the portion of the pad 70 that covers the outer surface of the side plate 21. The pad 70 also has a second engaging protrusion 73 that engages with the inner surface of the second mounting hole 31. The second engaging protrusion 73 is formed on the portion of the pad 70 that covers the outer surface of the front plate 24. The pad 70 is attached to the pedal arm 20 by the engagement of the first engaging protrusions 72 and the second engaging protrusions 73 with the first mounting hole 23 and the second mounting hole 31, respectively.

[0039] <Operation of this embodiment> According to the above embodiment, the front plate 24 and the rear plate 29, which extend from the side plate 21 through which the rotating shaft 50 passes, are located on opposite sides of the rotating shaft 50. Therefore, the rigidity of the pedal arm 20 can be increased compared to the case in which the pedal arm 20 does not have a front plate 24 and a rear plate 29.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, in the pedal arm 20 with increased rigidity, a through hole 22 through which the rotating shaft 50 passes is provided in the side plate 21. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the through hole 22 in other parts of the pedal arm 20. Also, a fixing hole 28 for fixing the transmission member 60 is provided in the second forward extension portion 27. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the fixing hole 28 in other parts of the pedal arm 20. Consequently, the complexity of the manufacturing process of the pedal arm 20 can be suppressed.

[0041] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The pedal device 10 comprises a pedal arm 20, a rotating shaft 50, and a transmission member 60. The pedal arm 20 has a side plate 21 having a through hole 22 through which the rotating shaft 50 passes, a front plate 24, and a rear plate 29. The front plate 24 has a first forward extension portion 25 extending from the side plate 21 to one side in the axial direction, and a second forward extension portion 27 that bends from the first forward extension portion 25 and extends to the opposite side from the rotating shaft 50, and constitutes the tip of the front plate 24. The second forward extension portion 27 has a fixing hole 28 to which the transmission member 60 is fixed.

[0042] The above configuration makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the pedal arm 20 while suppressing the complexity of the manufacturing process of the pedal device 10. (2) The rear plate 29 has a first rear extension portion 30 and a second rear extension portion 32 that bends from the first rear extension portion 30 and extends so as it moves toward one side in the axial direction it approaches the rotation axis 50.

[0043] According to the above configuration, the second rear extension portion 32 extends from the first rear extension portion 30 by bending. Therefore, the rigidity of the rear plate 29 can be increased compared to the case where the rear plate 29 does not have the second rear extension portion 32.

[0044] (3) The second extended portion 27 has a recess 27a recessed on one side in the axial direction. The fixing hole 28 is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 27a of the second extended portion 27. According to the above configuration, compared with the case where the second extended portion 27 does not have the recess 27a, the rigidity of the second extended portion 27, and thus the rigidity of the front plate 24, can be increased. As a result, it becomes easier to fix the transmission member 60 at the normal fixing position with respect to the pedal arm 20. Therefore, the stepping force acting on the pedal arm 20 via the transmission member 60 can be suitably transmitted to other devices.

[0045] (4) The first extended portion 25 has a recess 25a recessed so as to approach the rear plate 29. The inner surface of the recess 27a is continuous with the inner surface of the recess 25a. According to the above configuration, compared with the case where the first extended portion 25 does not have the recess 25a, the rigidity of the first extended portion 25, and thus the rigidity of the front plate 24, can be increased.

[0046] Also, according to the above configuration, the inner surface of the recess 27a is continuous with the inner surface of the recess 25a. Therefore, when forming the front plate 24 by bending, by bending the second extended portion 27 starting from the inner surface of the recess 25a after forming the recesses 25a and 27a, the processing accuracy of the recess 27a can be increased. As a result, it becomes easier to fix the transmission member 60 at the normal fixing position with respect to the pedal arm 20.

[0047] (5) The side plate 21 has a recess 21a recessed on one side in the axial direction. According to the above configuration, compared with the case where the side plate 21 does not have the recess 21a, the rigidity of the side plate 21 can be increased.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the recess 21a is formed at a position above the central portion in the length direction of the side plate 21. In this case, in particular, the rigidity of the upper portion of the pedal arm 20, which is a portion away from the rotation axis 50 in the pedal arm 20 and where the stepping force is likely to act, can be increased.

[0049] (6) The second forward extension portion 27 extends parallel to the side plate 21. With the above configuration, a fixing hole 28 is formed in the second forward extension portion 27 which extends parallel to the side plate 21. Therefore, when forming the pedal arm 20 by press-forming a metal plate, the first mounting hole 23, the through hole 22, and the fixing hole 28 can be drilled simultaneously after bending the side plate 21 and the second forward extension portion 27 so that they are parallel to each other. Thus, the complexity of the manufacturing process for the pedal arm 20 can be suppressed.

[0050] <Examples of Modifications> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0051] - In the second extending portion 27, instead of the fixing hole 28, various structures can be adopted as fixing parts to fix the transmission member 60 so that it can rotate relative to it. Examples of such fixing parts include a rotating shaft or a ball stud that protrudes from the second extending portion 27.

[0052] - The second forward extension portion 27 does not have to extend parallel to the side plate 21; that is, it may be inclined with respect to the width direction. - The side plate 21 does not have to have a recess 21a.

[0053] - The recess 25a does not have to be formed over the entire length of the first extending portion 25 in the axial direction. Also, the recess 27a does not have to be formed over the entire length of the second extending portion 27 in the width direction. In these cases, the inner surface of the recess 27a does not have to be continuous with the inner surface of the recess 25a.

[0054] - The first forward extension 25 does not have to have a recess 25a. - The second forward extension 27 does not have to have a recess 27a. - The first rearward extension 30 may extend at an inclination with respect to the rotation axis 50.

[0055] The second rear extension 32 may bend from the first rear extension 30 and extend away from the rotation axis 50. However, considering the operability of the pedal device 10 by the driver, it is preferable that the second rear extension 32 extends closer to the rotation axis 50.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, a portion of the second extension 32 may extend from the first extension 30 to a position where it bends and contacts the boss 40, and may also be welded to the boss 40. In this modified example, the weld bead B is formed at the boundary between the outer surface on one side in the axial direction of the second extension 32 and the outer circumferential surface of the boss 40.

[0057] - The first forward extension 25 may extend parallel to the rotation axis 50. - The rear plate 29 does not have to have a second rear extension 32. - The front plate 24 and the rear plate 29 do not have to be provided along the entire length of the side plate 21, as long as they are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis 50.

[0058] - The boss 40 may be fixed to the pedal arm 20 in a manner other than welding. - The pedal device 10 does not have to have a boss 40. In this case, the pedal arm 20 may be rotatably supported on a rotating shaft 50 inserted into a through hole 22, or the rotating shaft 50, which is connected to the pedal arm 20 in a manner that prevents relative rotation, may be rotatably supported with respect to the base portion.

[0059] The pedal arm 20 does not have to be formed by press-forming a metal plate. The pedal arm 20 may be formed by welding the side plate 21, front plate 24, and rear plate 29 together. Furthermore, the pedal arm 20 may be formed from a material other than metal, such as a resin material.

[0060] The pedal arm 20 may be a pendant-type pedal arm that rotates around a pivot shaft 50 provided at the upper end of the pedal arm 20 when pressed by the driver.

[0061] The pedal device 10 can also be applied to accelerator pedal devices equipped with an accelerator pedal, and clutch pedal devices equipped with a clutch pedal.

Claims

1. A vehicle operating pedal device comprising: an elongated pedal arm operated by the driver of a vehicle; a rotating shaft that rotatably supports one end of the pedal arm in the longitudinal direction; and a transmission member that transmits the pedaling force acting on the pedal arm to another device, wherein the pedal arm has a side plate having a through hole through which the rotating shaft passes, and a front plate and a rear plate that protrude from the side plate to one side in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and are located on opposite sides of the rotating shaft, and is trough-shaped with an opening facing the side plate formed by the protruding end of the front plate and the protruding end of the rear plate, the rear plate is the part that receives the pedaling force from the driver, the front plate has a first forward extension extending from the side plate to one side in the axial direction, and a second forward extension bending from the first forward extension and extending on the opposite side from the rotating shaft and forming the protruding end of the front plate, the second forward extension has a fixing part to which the transmission member is fixed. Vehicle control pedal device.

2. The vehicle operating pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the rear plate has a first rear extension portion extending to one side in the axial direction, and a second rear extension portion that bends from the first rear extension portion and extends so as it moves toward or away from the axis of rotation toward one side in the axial direction, and which constitutes the tip of the rear plate.

3. The vehicle operating pedal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second extending portion has a recessed area on one side in the axial direction, and the fixing portion is provided on the bottom surface of the recess.

4. When the recess is designated as the first recess, the first forward extension has a second recess that is recessed so as to approach the rear plate, and the inner surface of the first recess is continuous with the inner surface of the second recess, as described in claim 3.

5. The vehicle operating pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side plate has a recessed area on one side in the axial direction.

6. The vehicle operating pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second forward extension extends parallel to the side plate, and the fixing portion includes a fixing hole for fixing the transmission member.

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