Accelerator pedal device

Abstract

A pedal lever (20) has a pad (21), a pedal (31), and a rod (25). The pedal (31) is rotatably supported on a case (15) by a support shaft (32), and provided inside the case (15). The rod (25) connects the pad (21) and the pedal (31). One end of a spring (35) is in contact with the case (15), and the other end is in contact with the pedal (31) between the support shaft (32) and a connection part (311) with the rod. The spring (35) biases the pedal lever (20) in the direction opposite to the driver's pressing direction. A spring guide (40) is provided upright inside the case (15) on a side of the spring (35). The angle formed by a bottom part (405) of the spring guide (40) and a guide surface (41-43) of the spring guide (40) that faces the spring (35) is defined as a guide angle. The guide surface is formed such that the guide angle on the bottom part side is greater than the guide angle on the upper end part side.

Description

Accelerator Pedal Device Cross - reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application is based on Patent Application No. 2025 - 018204 filed on February 6, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to an accelerator pedal device.

[0003] Conventionally, an accelerator device having a pad depressed by a driver is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a spring is interposed between the pedal and the case.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022 - 81118

[0005] For example, when a guide member for positioning the spring is provided, if the spring is set in an arc shape, there is a risk of interference with the guide member due to lateral deflection. The object of this disclosure is to provide an accelerator pedal device capable of appropriately assembling the spring.

[0006] The accelerator pedal device of this disclosure includes a pedal lever, a spring, and a spring guide. The pedal lever has a pad provided so as to be depressed by a driver, a pedal provided inside the case and rotatably supported by a support shaft in the case, and a rod connecting the pad and the pedal. One end of the spring abuts on the case, and the other end abuts on the pedal between the connection part with the rod and the support shaft, and biases the pedal lever in the direction opposite to the driver's depressing direction.

[0007] The spring guide is erected inside the case on the side of the spring. When the angle formed by the bottom of the spring guide and the guide surface, which is the surface facing the spring side of the spring guide, is defined as the guide angle, the guide surface is formed such that the guide angle at the upper end side is larger than that at the bottom side. Thereby, the spring can be appropriately assembled.

[0008] The above-mentioned objectives and other objectives, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings are as follows: Figure 1 is a side view showing an accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view showing a pedal guide according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly of a spring according to the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the assembly of a spring according to the first embodiment; Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the height of the positioning part according to the first embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the spring seat winding according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 is a side view showing a pedal guide according to the second embodiment; Figure 8 is a side view showing a pedal guide according to the third embodiment; Figure 9 is a side view showing a pedal guide according to a reference example; and Figure 10 is a side view showing a pedal guide according to a reference example.

[0009] The accelerator pedal device according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, substantially identical components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment is shown in Figures 1 to 6. As shown in Figure 1, the accelerator pedal device 10 comprises a case 15, a pedal lever 20, a spring 35, and a spring guide 40. The case 15 is attachable to the floor panel of a vehicle (not shown) and houses an internal movable mechanism such as a pedal 31 inside. Figure 1 shows the case 15 with a cover (not shown) located on the front side of the paper removed.

[0011] The pedal lever 20 includes a pad 21, a rod 25, and a pedal 31. The pad 21 is provided so that it can be pressed by a driver. The pad 21 is rotatably supported in the case 15 by a pivot member 23 provided in the case 15. In this embodiment, the pad 21 is a so-called floor-standing type (organ type), extending in a direction along the top surface 151 of the case 15. A protective wall 24 is provided on the side of the pad 21 to prevent the driver's foot from being caught.

[0012] One end of the rod 25 is fixed to the middle of the pad 21. The other end of the rod 25 has a locking portion 251 that connects to the pedal 31. The rod 25 is inserted through an insertion hole 152 formed in the top surface 151 of the case 15. The insertion hole 152 is formed so as not to interfere with the rod 25 throughout the entire range of pedal operation.

[0013] The pedal 31 is housed in the internal space of the case 15. One end of the pedal 31 is rotatably supported in the case 15 by a pivot shaft 32. The tip 311 of the pedal 31 is locked to a locking portion 251 of the rod 25. Thus, the pad 21 and the pedal 31 are connected by the rod 25, and the pad 21, rod 25, and pedal 31 are driven together by the operation of the pad 21. Figure 1 shows the fully closed state in which the pad 21 is not pressed down. In the fully closed state, the contact portion 255 formed at the tip of the rod 25 is in contact with a fully closed stopper 153 provided in the case 15.

[0014] An intermediate portion 313 of the pedal 31, located between the pivot shaft 32 and the tip portion 311, has a receiving recess 315 that opens to the side opposite the pad 21. A locking projection 316 is formed inside the receiving recess 315.

[0015] The spring 35 is a compression coil spring, with one end in contact with the pedal 31 and the other end in contact with the case 15, biasing the pedal lever 20 in the closing direction. One end of the spring 35 is fitted radially outward of the locking projection 316. The spring 35 is set in an arc shape between the pedal 31 and the case 15. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the second turn 352 of the spring 35 on the case 15 side is offset from the seat turn 351 in terms of its center position towards the spring guide 40. In Figure 2, the second turn when fully closed is shown by a solid line, and the second turn when fully open is shown by a dashed line, and the amount of deflection of the second turn 352 when fully open is denoted as Dy.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spring guide 40 is erected on the case 15 to the side of the spring 35. The spring guide 40 is positioned so as not to interfere with other components located inside the case 15. In this embodiment, a fixing portion 157 to which the cover is fixed protrudes from the spring guide 40 on the side opposite to the spring 35, and the back surface 45 of the spring guide 40, which is the side opposite to the spring 35, is formed with a curved shape on the bottom side 405 to avoid the fixing portion 157, which is another component.

[0017] Furthermore, the spring guide 40 is positioned so that it does not interfere with the pedal 31 even when the pedal lever 20 is fully extended, with a height Hg lower than the lower limit Lf of the pedal 31's operation when fully extended. In other words, the spring guide 40 is positioned in a constrained space so as not to overlap with the area shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0018] Here, the assembly of the spring 35 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the spring 35 is assembled from the side (the front side of the page in Figure 1) using a compression jig 91, a holding jig 92, and a guide jig 93. In detail, as shown on the left side of Figure 4, the spring 35 is compressed using the compression jig 91 and set in a predetermined position inside the case 15. Then, as shown on the right side of Figure 4, the spring 35 is released by pulling out the compression jig 91 while holding down the side of the spring 35 with the holding jig 92, so that one end sits on the pedal 31 and the other end sits on the case 15. In Figure 4, the operation of the compression jig 91 and the spring 35 during assembly is indicated by arrows.

[0019] When the spring 35 is released, the pedal 31 side of the spring 35 is guided by the guide jig 93. The case 15 side of the spring 35 slides down the guide surface 41 of the spring guide 40 and sits in a predetermined position.

[0020] Herein, the shape of the guide surface 41 will be described. Hereafter, the angle between the bottom 405 of the spring guide 40 and the guide surface 41 will be referred to as the guide angle θt, and angles corresponding to the position of the guide surface 41 will be distinguished by appropriate subscripts.

[0021] When assembling the spring 35, it is seated by sliding it along the guide surface 41. For this reason, the guide angle θt of the spring guide 40 is set to be larger than the threshold θth. The threshold θth is set according to the angle at which the spring 35 can slide down without stopping due to friction.

[0022] In the reference example shown in Figure 9, the guide surface 48 is formed as a single plane with a relatively large guide angle θt. In this embodiment, the spring 35 is set in an arc shape that bends so that the side opposite the support shaft 32 is convex. Therefore, when the spring 35 is compressed by pressing down on the pad 21, it bends outward. For example, if the spring force is relatively small and the amount of deflection Dy is large, the second and subsequent turns of the spring 35 will be displaced in the opposite direction to the support shaft 32 (to the right on the page), which may interfere with the guide surface 48 and cause abnormal noise. Also, as in the reference example shown in Figure 10, if the height of the positioning part 485, which will be described later, is large, there is a risk that the spring 35 and the guide surface 48 may interfere with each other.

[0023] Returning to Figure 9, as shown by the dashed line, it is conceivable to reduce the guide angle θt to prevent interference between the spring 35 and the guide surface 48 during compression. However, in this embodiment, the spring 35 is set at an intermediate position on the pedal 31 inside the case 15, and due to constraints on the arrangement of other components, there is little space to install the spring guide 40. Therefore, if the guide angle θt is reduced while ensuring the height at release, there is a risk of interference with other components of the case 15 or with the pedal 31 when the pedal lever is fully extended.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the guide surface 41 of this embodiment is formed such that the guide angle θt increases from the bottom 405 side to the upper end 406 side. More specifically, the guide surface 41 of this embodiment consists of a first guide surface 411 formed on the upper end 406 side and a second guide surface 412 formed on the bottom 405 side of the first guide surface 411, and the guide angle θt1 of the first guide surface 411 is greater than the guide angle θt2 of the second guide surface 412. That is, θt1 > θt2.

[0025] By forming the guide surface 41 with multiple facets rather than a single plane, it is possible to achieve both a guiding function during the assembly of the spring 35 and avoid interference with other components after assembly, within the limited space in which the spring guide 40 can be installed.

[0026] Furthermore, a positioning portion 415 is formed on the bottom 405 side of the guide surface 41. The positioning portion 415 is formed approximately perpendicular to the bottom 405. Here, the height Hp of the positioning portion 415 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The spring cross-section in Figure 5 corresponds to the V-V line cross-section in Figure 6.

[0027] The end face 355 of the seat coil 351 of the spring 35 that contacts the case 15 is polished. If the wire diameter of the spring 35 is φ = d, the maximum amount of end face polishing is αd (0 < α < 1). The height Hp of the positioning portion 415 is formed to be less than or equal to the height of the center position of the end 353 of the seat coil (see equation (1)). Since the height position of the spring 35 does not change in the seat coil portion, by forming the height Hp of the positioning portion 415 to satisfy equation (1), interference between the displaced second and subsequent coils and the spring guide 40 can be avoided.

[0028] Hp<(1-α)d+(1 / 2)d=(1.5-α)d...(1)

[0029] As described above, the accelerator pedal device 10 of this embodiment comprises a pedal lever 20, a spring 35, and a spring guide 40. The pedal lever 20 has a pad 21, a pedal 31, and a rod 25. The pad 21 is provided so that it can be pressed by the driver. The pedal 31 is rotatably supported in the case 15 by a pivot shaft 32 and is provided inside the case 15. The rod 25 connects the pad 21 and the pedal 31.

[0030] The spring 35 has one end in contact with the case 15, and the other end in contact with the pedal 31 between the tip 311, which is the connection point with the rod 25, and the support shaft 32, thereby biasing the pedal lever 20 in the direction opposite to the driver's pressing direction. The spring guide 40 is erected inside the case 15 to the side of the spring 35.

[0031] The guide angle θt is defined as the angle between the bottom of the spring guide 40 and the guide surface 41, which is the surface of the spring guide 40 facing the spring 35. The guide surface 41 is formed such that the guide angle θt is larger on the upper end 406 side than on the bottom 405 side.

[0032] By providing the spring guide 40, the spring 35 can be seated in a predetermined position when it is assembled. Furthermore, by relatively increasing the guide angle θt on the upper end 406 side, space can be secured between the spring 35 and the spring guide 40, preventing interference between the spring 35 and the spring guide 40 even when the spring 35 deflects during compression. In addition, the size of the spring guide 40 can be made smaller than when the guide angle θt is constant, thus avoiding interference with other members in a constrained space.

[0033] The guide surface 41 is composed of multiple planes with different guide angles θt. In this embodiment, the guide surface 41 is composed of two guide surfaces 411 and 412. By composing the guide surface 41 with multiple planes, the molding die (not shown) for forming the spring guide 40 can be simplified, and mold maintenance is easier.

[0034] The height Hg of the spring guide 40 is set to be smaller than the lower limit Lf of the pedal 31's operation. This prevents interference between the pedal 31 and the spring guide 40 even when the pedal lever 20 is pressed down.

[0035] A positioning portion 415 adjacent to the seat coil 351 of the spring 35 is provided on the bottom 405 side of the guide surface 41. If the wire diameter of the spring 35 is d and the end face polishing amount is αd (where 0 < α < 1), the height Hp of the positioning portion 415 is less than (1.5 - α)d. This prevents interference between the second coil of the spring 35 and the positioning portion 415 when the spring 35 is compressed.

[0036] (Second and Third Embodiments) The second embodiment is shown in Figure 7, and the third embodiment in Figure 8. The second and third embodiments differ in the guide surface of the spring guide 40, so this point will be explained in detail. The guide surface 42 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 7 consists of a first guide surface 421, a second guide surface 422, and a third guide surface 423, starting from the upper end 406 side. The guide angles θt11 of the first guide surface 421, θt12 of the second guide surface 422, and θt13 of the third guide surface 423 are θt11 > θt12 > θt13. Thus, even if the guide surface 42 is composed of three planes, the same effects as in the above embodiments can be achieved. Note that the guide surface may be composed of four or more planes.

[0037] In the third embodiment shown in Figure 8, the guide surface 43 is formed as a curved surface in which the guide angle θt gradually changes from the bottom 405 to the upper end 406. If the guide angle on the upper end 406 side is θa and the guide angle on the bottom 405 side is θb, then θa > θb. In this embodiment, the guide surface 43 is formed as a curved surface in which the guide angle θt gradually changes. By forming the guide surface 43 as a gradually changing R shape, the size of the spring guide 40 in the width direction can be reduced. Furthermore, the same effects as in the above embodiment are achieved.

[0038] (Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the spring guide 40 is formed to avoid the fixing portion 157 so as not to interfere with other members. In other embodiments, the spring guide only needs to avoid interfering with other members and can be formed into any shape depending on the arrangement of other members in the case.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the pedal-side end of the spring is locked to a locking projection formed in a housing recess formed in the pedal. In other embodiments, the pedal-side end of the spring only needs to be formed in such a way that a biasing force can be applied between the support shaft and the locking portion, and the locking configuration is not limited. Furthermore, the configuration and arrangement of components of the accelerator pedal device may differ from those of the above embodiment.

[0040] (Disclosure of Technical Ideas) This specification discloses several technical ideas as described in the following paragraphs. Some paragraphs may be written in a multiple dependent form, where subsequent paragraphs optionally refer to preceding paragraphs. Furthermore, some paragraphs may be written in a multiple dependent form, where they refer to other multiple dependent forms. These paragraphs written in multiple dependent forms define several technical ideas.

[0041] (Technical Concept 1) An accelerator pedal device comprising: a pad (21) that can be pressed by the driver, a pedal (31) that is rotatably supported in a case (15) by a pivot shaft (32) and provided inside the case, and a pedal lever (20) having a rod (25) connecting the pad and the pedal; a spring (35) whose one end abuts against the case and whose other end abuts against the pedal between the connection part (311) with the rod and the pivot shaft, and biases the pedal lever in the direction opposite to the driver's pressing direction; and a spring guide (40) erected inside the case to the side of the spring, wherein the guide angle is defined as the angle between the bottom portion (405) of the spring guide and the guide surfaces (41-43) which are the surfaces of the spring guide facing the spring, and the guide surfaces are formed such that the guide angle is larger on the upper end (406) side than on the bottom side. (Technical Idea 2) The accelerator pedal device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the guide surface is composed of a plurality of planes with different guide angles. (Technical Idea 3) The accelerator pedal device according to Technical Idea 1, wherein the guide surface is formed in a curved shape so that the guide angle changes gradually. (Technical Idea 4) The accelerator pedal device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 3, wherein the height of the spring guide is formed to be smaller than the operating lower limit of the pedal. (Technical Idea 5) The accelerator pedal device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 4, wherein a positioning portion (415) adjacent to the spring seat coil (351) is provided on the bottom side of the guide surface, and if the wire diameter of the spring is d and the end face polishing amount is αd (where 0 < α < 1), the height of the positioning portion is smaller than (1.5 - α)d.

[0042] The present disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit.

[0043] This disclosure is described in accordance with embodiments. However, this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and structures. This disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. Furthermore, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer elements, fall within the scope and idea of ​​this disclosure.

Claims

1. An accelerator pedal device comprising: a pad (21) that can be pressed by the driver; a pedal (31) that is rotatably supported in a case (15) by a pivot shaft (32) and provided inside the case; and a pedal lever (20) having a rod (25) connecting the pad and the pedal; a spring (35) whose one end abuts against the case and whose other end abuts against the pedal between a connection portion (311) with the rod and the pivot shaft, biasing the pedal lever in the direction opposite to the driver's pressing direction; and a spring guide (40) erected inside the case to the side of the spring, wherein the guide angle is defined as the angle between the bottom portion (405) of the spring guide and the guide surfaces (41-43) that face the spring side of the spring guide, and the guide surfaces are formed such that the guide angle is larger on the upper end (406) side than on the bottom side.

2. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is composed of a plurality of planes with different guide angles.

3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is formed in a curved shape so that the guide angle changes gradually.

4. The accelerator pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the spring guide is formed to be less than the lower limit of operation of the pedal.

5. The guide surface is provided with a positioning portion (415) adjacent to the spring's seat coil (351), and the height of the positioning portion is less than (1.5 - α)d, where d is the wire diameter of the spring and αd is the end face polishing amount (where 0 < α < 1). This is the accelerator pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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