JPH11350985A - Accelerator pedal unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the hysteresis means by enabling to use the return spring of the accelerator pedal as an element of the hysteresis means in the accelerator pedal unit provided with, between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal, a hysteresis means that increases the frictional resistance in rotational movement of the pedal corresponding to increase in pedal operation angle for the accelerator pedal. SOLUTION: Between a bracket 2 and an accelerator pedal 3, a cam mechanism 37 is provided, which displaces the pedal 3 to a side corresponding to increase in the pedal operation angle for the accelerator pedal 3. Furthermore, a coil portion 42 of the return spring that energizes the accelerator pedal 3 in the direction of idling position is mounted between a support bracket 2 and the accelerator pedal 3 so as to energize the accelerator pedal 3 to the other side by the compressive load of the coil portion 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal device mainly used for an automobile, and more particularly to an accelerator pedal device which is pivotally mounted on a support bracket between an idle position and a depressed limit position. A return spring consisting of a torsion coil spring that supports and biases the accelerator pedal in the direction of the idle position is connected to the accelerator pedal, and between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal, the depression angle of the accelerator pedal is increased. Hysteresis means for increasing the rotational frictional resistance of the pedal is provided so that the relationship between the operation load at the time of depressing rotation of the accelerator pedal and the operation load at the time of return rotation is given a hysteresis of making the latter lighter than the former. What did you do?

According to the above-mentioned hysteresis, when the accelerator pedal is held at a desired depression position, even if there is a slight change in the operation load for holding the accelerator pedal, the rotation position of the accelerator pedal does not change. The fatigue of the pilot can be reduced.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Such an accelerator pedal device is disclosed in
It is already known as disclosed in JP-B-168337.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional accelerator pedal device, the configuration of the hysteresis means is complicated, the number of parts is large, and it is difficult to reduce the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made so that the return spring of the accelerator pedal can be used as one element of the hysteresis means, thereby simplifying the configuration of the hysteresis means and reducing the number of parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide the accelerator pedal device capable of reducing the cost and achieving the cost reduction.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a support bracket for supporting an accelerator pedal via a pivot so that the accelerator pedal can rotate between an idle position and a depressed limit position. A return spring consisting of a torsion coil spring for urging the accelerator pedal toward the idle position is connected to the accelerator pedal, and the accelerator pedal is connected between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal according to an increase in the depression angle of the accelerator pedal. In an accelerator pedal device provided with hysteresis means for increasing rotational frictional resistance of the pedal, a cam mechanism for displacing the pedal to one side in accordance with an increase in the depression angle of the accelerator pedal; The hysteresis means is formed between an accelerator pedal and a coil portion of the return spring interposed to urge the pedal to the other side. The first, characterized in that the.

According to the first feature, the return spring performs an original return function of returning the accelerator pedal to the idle position, and also cooperates with the cam mechanism to operate the load when the accelerator pedal is depressed and rotated. And a function of giving a hysteresis to the relationship between the rotation and the operation load at the time of the return rotation, so that both of the above functions can be satisfied without the need for a spring dedicated to the hysteresis means.

Further, in addition to the above features, the present invention comprises the same torsion coil spring as the return spring between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal, and biases the pedal toward the idle position. A second feature is that a second return spring is interposed.

According to the second feature, even if one of the two return springs is broken, the accelerator pedal can be reliably returned to the idle position with the load of the other normal return spring. . Moreover, both return springs
Since the same torsion coil spring is used, the increase in cost is small even if the number of parts is increased.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the accelerator pedal device, and FIG.
4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cam mechanism, FIG. 9 is a front view of the support bracket, FIG. 10 is a front view of the support bracket, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 is a side view of the accelerator pedal, FIG. 13 is a rear view of the accelerator pedal, and FIG. 14 is 14-14 in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13, FIG.
6 is a partial longitudinal side view of the pivot, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stroke of the accelerator pedal and its operation load.

First, in FIGS. 1 to 5, an accelerator pedal device 1 for a vehicle includes a support bracket 2, an accelerator pedal 3 rotating between an idle position a and a depressing limit position b, and a rotation of the accelerator pedal 3 to the bracket 2. A pair of first and second return springs 5 ₁ , 5 for urging the pivot 4 and the accelerator pedal 3 movably connected to the idle position a.
₂ , an accelerator sensor 6 for detecting the rotation angle of the accelerator pedal 3 and outputting a detection signal to the actuator 7
Is a constituent element. The actuator 7 is a step motor for opening and closing a throttle valve of an automobile engine in the illustrated example.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the support bracket 2 includes a base portion 10 and a pair of support walls 11a and 11b rising from both left and right ends of the base portion 10. The base portion 10 has a pair of mounting holes 12 and 1 on a diagonal line for fixing the base portion 10 to the vehicle body B.
The base portion 10 is fixed to the vehicle body B by bolts 16, 16 inserted into the mounting holes 12, 12. The left and right support walls 11a, 11b are provided with shaft holes 13, 13 arranged on the same axis, respectively. The left support wall 11a has a large-diameter recess 14 coaxial with the shaft hole 13 and an arc-shaped long portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the left support wall 11a and penetrating the support wall 11a. A hole 15 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the accelerator pedal 3 includes an arm 20, a step portion 21 formed at one end of the arm 20, and a boss portion 22 formed at the other end of the arm 20. Prepare. The boss portion 22 has a spring accommodating recess 23 at the center in the left-right direction that opens on the lower surface thereof, and a support boss 24 that protrudes outward is formed on the left side wall of the recess 23. Shaft hole 2 coaxial with 25
5 is provided on the right side wall of the concave portion 23. The boss 22
An arc-shaped connecting boss 26 located radially outward of the support boss 24 is integrally provided on the outer surface of the
A stopper arm 27 projecting in a direction opposite to the step portion 21 is integrally formed at the tip of the second member 2.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 5, the boss 22 of the accelerator pedal 3 is inserted between the left and right support walls 11a and 11b of the support bracket 2, and the shaft 30 of the pivot 4 is connected to the shafts of the support walls 11a and 11b. Holes 13, 13 and boss 22
Are rotatably fitted into the shaft holes 25, 25. Thus, the accelerator pedal 3 is rotatably connected to the support bracket 2.

A gap is provided between the boss portion 22 and the two support walls 11a and 11b to allow the boss portion 22 to move in a certain axial direction, and is provided between the boss portion 22 and the right support wall 11b. When the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed, the boss 22
There is provided a cam mechanism 37 for displacing to the left.

The cam mechanism 37 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of engaging projections 38, 38; 39, 39 are provided on the right support wall 11b and the boss 22 so as to protrude from each other and are arranged in the circumferential direction of the shaft holes 13, 25. The corresponding engagement projections 38, 39 have slopes 38a, 39a that slidably contact each other, and when the accelerator pedal 3 rotates in the depressing direction A, the engagement projections 38, 39 The slopes 38a, 39a of the 39 generate a thrust f while sliding each other, and displace the boss 22 to the left.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. 16, the pivot 4 is formed integrally with the shaft 30 at one end thereof, and is rotated by the large-diameter recess 14 of the support wall 11a on the left side of the support bracket 2. The shaft portion 30 is provided with a plurality of lubricating grease holding grooves 32 extending in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 30. An arc-shaped first connection protrusion 33 is integrally formed on one side surface of the flange portion 31. The first connection protrusion 33 passes through the elongated hole 15 of the support bracket 2, and is connected to the connection boss 26 of the accelerator pedal 3. Is engaged. At this time, a certain play 40 is provided between the connection boss 26 and the first connection protrusion 33 in the rotation direction of the pivot 4. A second connecting projection 34 is integrally formed on the other side surface of the flange portion 31.

The long hole 15 of the support bracket 2 has a size that does not hinder the rotation of the first connecting projection 33 of the pivot 4.

The first and return springs 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ are formed of the same torsion coil spring, and include a coil portion 42 and a pair of arm portions 43 and 44 extending from both ends of the wire. The spring 5 ₁ first return, together with its coil portion 42 surrounds the shaft portion 30 of the pivot 4, arranged to be compressed between the left support wall 11a and the left side on the accelerator pedal 3 of the support bracket 2 are, also so as to twist the coil portion 42, engaged with, the other arm 44 to the first locking groove 28 ₁ of the accelerator pedal 3 one arm 43 is engaged with the base portion 10 The accelerator pedal 3 is urged toward the idle position a by the torsional load. Also, the compression load of the coil part 42 is
Is biased toward the right support wall 11b, and
The slopes 38a, 39a of 8, 39 are always kept in contact. And Thus, the first return coil portion 42 of the spring 5 _1, the cam mechanism 37 in cooperation with a hysteresis which increases the rotational friction resistance of the pedal 3 in accordance with an increase in the depression angle of the accelerator pedal 3 Means H is constituted.

[0021] The spring 5 ₂ second return, together with its coil portion 42 surrounds the shaft portion 30 of the pivot 4 is arranged to fit in the spring accommodating recess 23 of the accelerator pedal 3, twisting the coil portion 42 In this manner, one arm 43 is locked to the base 10 and the other arm 44 is locked to the _second locking groove 282 of the accelerator pedal 3 so that the torsional load is reduced by the accelerator pedal. 3 is urged toward the idle position a.

An annular concave portion 45 surrounding the shaft portion 30 is formed on the inner end surface of the flange portion 31 of the pivot 4, and a coil portion 47 of a pivot pressing spring 46 formed of a torsion coil spring is housed therein. One of the arms 48 is locked in a locking groove 50 provided in the peripheral wall of the annular concave portion 45 by twisting the coil portion 47, and the other arm 49 is fixed to the left support wall. It is locked by a stopper projection 51 formed on 11a. The stopper projection 51 is disposed in a notch 52 provided on the peripheral wall of the annular recess 45,
When one inner end surface of the notch 52 abuts against the stopper projection 51, the rotation limit of the pivot 4 in the accelerator pedal depression direction A is defined (see FIG. 6B).

The pivot 4 is urged in the direction in which the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed by the set load applied to the pivot pressing spring 46, that is, the torsional load of the coil portion 42, and the set load is , The first and second
Set the return spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ of less than the one of the set load. Therefore, the pivot pressing spring 46 functions so that the pivot 4 always follows the rotation of the accelerator pedal 3 until the pivot 4 reaches the rotation limit in the accelerator pedal depressing direction A.

The accelerator sensor 6 is composed of, for example, a potentiometer, and includes a housing 55 and a rotor 56 rotatably housed therein.
5 is fixed to the support wall 11a with bolts 57 so as to cover the large-diameter concave portion 14 of the left support wall 11a. With this housing 55, the pivot 4 allows the accelerator pedal 3
In a fixed position that supports

A connecting hole 58 is provided in the end face of the rotor 56, and the second connecting protrusion 34 of the pivot 4 is fitted into the connecting hole 58 without play at least in the rotation direction of the pivot 4, and the rotor 56 is pivoted. 4 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Therefore, similarly to the pivot 4, the rotation limit of the rotor 56 in the accelerator pedal depressing direction A is also defined by the one inner end surface of the notch 52 of the pivot 4 abutting on the stopper projection 51.

As shown in FIG. 1, the idle position a of the accelerator pedal 3 is defined by the contact of the stopper arm 27 with a stopper pad 60 provided on the upper portion of the base portion 10, and the depression limit position thereof. b is defined by the rear surface of the arm 20 contacting the pedal stopper 61 provided on the vehicle body. Before the accelerator pedal 3 reaches the depression limit position b, the rotor 56 of the accelerator sensor 6 reaches the rotation limit.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0028] In a state where the accelerator pedal 3 is held in the first and second return springs _51, 52 idle position a by the _second torsional load, the pedal 3, the first return coil portion 42 of the spring 5 ₁ 7, the cam mechanism 37 is in a non-operating state as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the pivot 4 is rotatably supported by the support bracket 2 and the first connecting projection 33 is engaged with the connecting boss 26 of the accelerator pedal 3 with play 40. Each return spring 5 ₁ , 5 is moved in the direction in which the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed by the torsional load of the pressing spring 46.
Since the accelerator pedal 3 is urged in the direction A of depressing the accelerator pedal with a load smaller than the set load of ₂ , the first connection projection 33 is not moved without moving the accelerator pedal 3 from the idle position a.
Is brought into contact with the inner end surface of the connection boss 26 in the direction A of depressing the accelerator pedal (see FIGS. 5 and 6A). Moreover, since the second connecting projection 34 of the pivot 4 is connected to the rotor 56 of the accelerator sensor 6 without play, the depression start position of the actuator pedal 3 (that is, the idle position a) and the operation start position of the actuator sensor 6 (that is, the operation start position) Non-operating position).

[0030] Thus, now, when the depression of the accelerator pedal 3 against the first and second return spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ of torsional load, from the depression beginning, the rotor 56 of the accelerator sensor 6 is an accelerator The stepping motor 7 follows the rotation of the pedal 3 without delay, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the rotation angle to the step motor 7, so that the step motor 7 responds to the depression angle of the accelerator pedal 3. The throttle opening can be given to the throttle valve of the engine without delay (see FIG. 6B).

When the accelerator pedal 3 approaches the depression limit position b, first, one inner end surface of the notch 52 of the pivot 4 comes into contact with the stopper projection 51 of the support bracket 2 and reaches the rotation limit. Since the above rotation is prevented, the accelerator pedal 3 is slightly rotated while causing the first connection protrusion 33 and the connection boss 26 to move relative to each other within the range of the play 40 therebetween, and the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed to the depressed limit position. b (see FIG. 6C). Therefore, the accelerator sensor 6 reaches the rotation limit just before the accelerator pedal 3 reaches the depression limit position b.
In synchronization with the rotation of the accelerator pedal 3 over the entire rotation range, a detection signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the accelerator pedal 3 can be accurately output to the step motor 7.

As described above, the accelerator sensor 6 starts operating from the start of depression of the accelerator pedal 3, and the accelerator pedal 3 reaches the limit position b after the accelerator sensor 6 reaches the rotation limit. And the effective use of the entire operating range of the accelerator sensor becomes possible, and a dedicated tuning means for tuning the accelerator sensor 6 to the rotation of the accelerator pedal 3 becomes unnecessary.

When the depression of the accelerator pedal 3 is started, in the cam mechanism 37, the engagement projection 39 of the accelerator pedal 3 rotates with respect to the engagement projection 38 of the support bracket 2, so that both engagements are performed. The slopes 38a of the projections 38, 39,
38b relative slip occurs, both the slope 38a as shown in accompanying Figure 7 therewith, the thrust f generated between 38b is displaced the accelerator pedal 3 to the left, the accelerator pedal 3 is the spring 5 ₁ first return The coil part 42 will be compressed. As a result, both inclined surfaces 38a, frictional force between 38b, depending on the increase of the depression angle of the accelerator pedal 3, i.e. the first, will be increased according to the load increase of the second return spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ , The frictional force becomes a turning resistance of the accelerator pedal 3. Therefore, when the accelerator pedal 3 is turned in the depressing direction A, the first and second return springs 5 ₁ , 5
_{In addition to} the load _2, the pedal 3 cannot be turned unless a depressing operation load exceeding the frictional force between the slopes 38a and 38b is applied to the pedal 3, so that the depressing operation load is relatively heavy. whereas the ones, to return the accelerator pedal 3 to the idle position a side, both slopes 38a, the frictional force between the 38b first, second return spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ by the return movement the pedal 3 to resist, first, spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ second return is assumed load relatively light on the operator through the pedal 3. That is,
The hysteresis of making the latter lighter than the former is given to the relationship between the operation load when the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed and turned and the operation load when the accelerator pedal 3 is turned back by the frictional force between the two slopes 38a and 38b. This relationship is shown in FIG. In the diagram of FIG. 17, the load of the pivot pressing spring 46 is not considered.

According to such a relationship, when the accelerator pedal 3 is held at a desired depressed position in order to perform cruising travel of the vehicle, a certain width S is formed in the operation load for holding the accelerator pedal 3. In the width S, even if there is a change in the operation load, the rotation position of the accelerator pedal 3 does not change, so that the operator can hold the pedal 3 at a desired depressed position with a desired operation load, and Can contribute to the reduction of fatigue.

The first return spring 5 _1, outside the functions return to return to the idle position a of the accelerator pedal 3, as described above, in cooperation with the cam mechanism 37, the operation at the time of depressing the rotation of the accelerator pedal 3 Since the function of giving a hysteresis to the relationship between the load and the operation load at the time of the return rotation is also achieved, both the above functions can be satisfied without the need for a spring dedicated to the hysteresis means H. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to simplification of the configuration, reduction in the number of parts, and reduction in cost.

Further, a pair of first and second return springs 5 ₁ ,
5 ₂ to bias the accelerator pedal 3 to the idle position a side, and a spring 5 ₁ returns the set load of the pivot compression spring 46 for urging in the direction of depression of the accelerator pedal 3, 5
Since ₂ is set smaller than that, the unlikely event that one of them return spring 5 _1, 5 ₂ is broken, not only the accelerator pedal 3 with the other load normal return spring, the pivot 4 In addition, the accelerator sensor 6 can be reliably returned to the idle position a. Moreover, both the return spring 5 _1, 5 _2, since the same torsion coil spring, spring 5 ₁ back pair, 5 also by ₂ installation, cost increase requires only slight.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, instead of the step motor 7, the accelerator pedal 3 may be connected to a throttle valve of the engine via a wire, and the depression angle of the accelerator pedal 3 may be mechanically transmitted to the throttle valve.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an accelerator pedal is supported on a support bracket via a pivot such that the accelerator pedal can rotate between an idle position and a depressed limit position. A return spring consisting of a torsion coil spring for urging the accelerator pedal toward the idle position is connected to the accelerator pedal, and the pedal is connected between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal in accordance with an increase in the depression angle of the accelerator pedal. An accelerator pedal device provided with hysteresis means for increasing the rotational frictional resistance of the pedal, a cam mechanism for displacing the pedal to one side in accordance with an increase in the depression angle of the accelerator pedal, the support bracket and the accelerator pedal. The hysteresis means is constituted by the coil portion of the return spring interposed between the pedals to urge the pedal to the other side. Coil portion of the return spring of the accelerator pedal becomes an element of hysteresis means, therefore hysteresis means only the spring is unnecessary, simplification of the structure,
The number of parts and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second feature of the present invention, the same torsion coil spring as the return spring is provided between the support bracket and the accelerator pedal, and the pedal is biased toward the idle position. Therefore, even if one of the two return springs is broken, the accelerator pedal can be reliably returned to the idle position with the load of the other normal return spring. In addition, since both return springs are formed of the same torsion coil spring, the increase in cost can be suppressed even if the second return spring is added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an accelerator pedal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the accelerator pedal device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a cam mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a support bracket.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the accelerator pedal.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the accelerator pedal.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a partial longitudinal side view of the pivot.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between a stroke of an accelerator pedal and an operation load thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Accelerator pedal device 2 ... Support bracket 3 ... Accelerator pedal 4 ... Pivot 5 ₁ ... Return spring (first return spring) 5 ₂ ... ··· Second return spring (second return spring) 37 ··· Cam mechanism 42 ··· Coil part a ··· Idling position of accelerator pedal b ···· Limiting position of accelerator pedal depression H ... Hysteresis

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pivot (4) on a support bracket (2).
The accelerator pedal (3) is supported so as to be rotatable between an idle position (a) and a depressed limit position (b) via an accelerator pedal (3). A return spring (5 ₁ ) consisting of a torsion coil spring biased in the direction is connected to the support bracket (2).
And between the accelerator pedal (3) and the accelerator pedal (3)
An accelerator pedal device provided with hysteresis means (H) for increasing the rotational frictional resistance of the pedal (3) in accordance with an increase in the stepping angle of the pedal (3).
Between the support bracket (2) and the accelerator pedal (3), between the cam mechanism (37) for displacing the pedal (3) to one side in accordance with an increase in the stepping angle of the pedal (3). 2. The accelerator pedal device according to claim ₁ , wherein said hysteresis means (H) is constituted by a coil part (42) of said return spring (51) interposed to urge the other side. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said support bracket (2) and said accelerator pedal (3)
The return consist same torsion coil spring and spring (5 _1), in that the pedal (3) to the idle position the second return spring which biases the direction (a) (5 ₂₎ interposed The accelerator pedal device.