GB2316467A

GB2316467A - A pedal assembly e.g.for a clutch or brake

Info

Publication number: GB2316467A
Application number: GB9707591A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuya Tsugawa
Original assignee: Suzuki Motor Corp
Current assignee: Suzuki Motor Corp
Priority date: 1996-08-21
Filing date: 1997-04-15
Publication date: 1998-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-15
Also published as: GB9707591D0; GB2316467B; JP3601740B2; DE19734784A1; JPH1059008A; DE19734784C2

Abstract

A pedal assembly, e.g.for a clutch or brake, comprises a pedal 5 rotatably supported on a pedal bracket 3 by shaft 4, and a pedal stopper 9 provided on the bracket. A pedal stopper stay 7, which is made by bending a flat plate, is attached to a pedal arm by welding. A return stopper face 7a and stroke stopper face 7b formed on the pedal stopper stay engage respective faces 9a, 9b on the pedal stopper. In a further embodiment, the pedal has integral return stopper and stroke stopper faces 11a, 11b.

Description

2316467

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

CLUTCH PEDAL STOPPER STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a clutch pedal stopper structure for engaging/disengaging a clutch plate which transmits the output of an automotive engine having a manual transmission to a transmission.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional clutch pedal stopper structure 21. For this clutch pedal stopper structure 21, when the driver depresses a pedal 23 of a clutch pedal 22 toward the front (in this specification, the front side of vehicle is defined as front, and the rear side thereof as rear) to release a clutch, a stroke stopper stay 25 fixed to a pedal arm 24 comes into is contact with a stroke stopper bracket 27 fixed to a pedal bracket 26 to restrain the forward movement of the pedal arm 24.

When the driver releases the pedal 23, the pedal arm 24 is returned to the rear by the force of a spring (not shown). The backward movement of the pedal arm 24 is restrained when a return stopper stay 28 fixed to the pedal arm 24 comes into contact with a return stopper 1 bracket 29 fixed to the pedal bracket 26.

FIG. 8 shows another conventional clutch pedal stopper structure 31. For this clutch pedal stopper structure 31, when a pedal 33 of a clutch pedal 32 is depressed toward the front to release a clutch, a stroke stopper stay 35 fixed to a pedal arm 34 comes into contact with a dashpanel 37 on the vehicle body side to restrain the forward movement of the pedal arm 34.

When the driver releases the pedal 33, the pedal arm 34 is returned to the rear by the force of a spring (not shown). The backward movement of the pedal arm 34 is restrained when a return stopper stay 38 fixed to the pedal arm 34 comes into contact with a return stopper bracket 39 fixed to a pedal bracket 36.

In the clutch pedal stopper structure shown in FIG.

7, two stopper brackets and two stopper stays are required for the stroke and return of pedal arm, so that the number of parts increases, resulting in an increase in costs such as material cost, mold cost, and welding cost for fixing these elements.

In the clutch pedal stopper structure shown in FIG.

8, a stopper bracket for the stroke of pedal arm can be 2 eliminated. However, the variations in the vehicle body size and a sound insulator such as a silencer affixed to the dashpanel varies or changes the position for controlling the pedal arm stroke. Also, because the stroke stopper stay comes into direct contact with the vehicle body in stroke, a striking sound sometimes occurs. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch pedal stopper structure in which the number of parts are reduced and there are no variations in the control position of pedal arm.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a clutch pedal stopper structure for restraining the movement of a clutch arm of clutch pedal, one end of which is supported by a support shaft provided at a pedal bracket fixed to the vehicle body side of an automobile, in which a pedal stopper is installed to the pedal bracket, a stroke stopper stay face, by which the clutch arm engages with the pedal stopper when the clutch pedal 3 is depressed, is formed substantially in parallel with a stroke stopper bracket face formed on the pedal stopper, and a return stopper stay face, by which the clutch arm engages with the pedal stopper when the clutch pedal is released, is formed substantially in parallel with a return stopper bracket face formed on the pedal stopper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a clutch pedal stopper structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch pedal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pedal stopper shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the clutch pedal; FIG. 5 is a side view showing an unoperated position of pedal arm of the clutch pedal shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a side view showing an operated position of pedal arm of the clutch pedal shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional clutch pedal stopper structure; and 4 FIG. 8 is a side view of another conventional clutch pedal stopper structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A clutch pedal stopper structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A clutch pedal which is operated when a gear is changed is installed close to the driver's feet in a car. The position of clutch pedal before being depressed by the driver and the position after being depressed are controlled. A clutch pedal stopper structure 1 for restraining the forward and backward movement of the clutch pedal will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pedal bracket 3 is fixed to a dashpanel 2 for partitioning an engine room and a room of a car. The pedal bracket 3 is provided with a support shaft 4 in the width direction of the vehicle body. The support shaft 4 is fitted to a round hole 6a formed at the upper end portion of a pedal arm 6 of a clutch pedal 5 shown in FIG. 2, and the pedal arm 6 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 4. Although not shown, a spring is installed to the support shaft 4, and the pedal arm 6 engaging with the spring is urged toward the rear of the vehicle body by the spring force.

Also, a pedal stopper stay 7, which is made by bending a flat plate, is attached to the pedal arm 6 from -5 the top end to the rear side thereof by welding. As shown in FIG. 2, the pedal stopper stay 7 is bent into a bird's bill shape, and the part corresponding to the portion from the lower part of bill to the jaw is bent into a V shape. A return stopper stay face 7a and a stroke stopper stay face 7b are provided adjacently on an open interior angle surfaces forming the V-shaped part.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pedal stopper 9 is installed to the pedal bracket 3. The return stopper stay face 7a and the stroke stopper stay face 7b are arranged so as to stride the pedal stopper 9. As shown in FIG. 3, the pedal stopper 9 is formed into an L shape in cross section, and has a flat return stopper bracket face 9a and stroke stopper bracket face 9b at the end portion thereof. These faces 9a and 9b are provided with cushioning materials 10a and 10b, respectively.

The solid line of the pedal arm 6 shown in FIG. 1 indicates the unoperated state of the clutch pedal 5, 6 showing the return position of the pedal arm 6. In this state, the return stopper stay face 7a of the pedal stopper stay 7 and the return stopper bracket face ga of the pedal stopper 9 are substantially in parallel with each other, and in contact with each other with the cushioning material 10a interposed therebetween. The pedal stopper 9 restrains the backward movement of the pedal arm 6. The imaginary line of the pedal arm 6 shown in FIG. 1 indicates the operated state of the clutch pedal 5, showing the stroke position of the pedal arm 6. In this state, the stroke stopper stay face 7b and the stroke stopper bracket face 9b are substantially in parallel with each other, and in contact with each other with the cushioning material 10b interposed therebetween.

The pedal stopper 9 restrains the forward movement of the pedal arm 6.

Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the forward and backward movement of the pedal arm 6 can be restrained by one pedal stopper stay 7 and one pedal stopper 9. Therefore, the number of parts are reduced, so that the material cost and the fabrication cost including the welding cost can be saved. Also, 7 since the pedal stopper 9 is installed to the pedal bracket 3, the variations in stroke amount of the pedal arm 6 can be decreased. FIG. 4 shows a modification of the pedal arm. 5 As shown in the figure, a pedal arm 11 has no aforesaid pedal stopper stay 7 welded to the pedal arm 6 shown in FIG. 1. The upper part of the pedal arm 11 is integrally formed into a bill shape so that the upper part thereof has the same shape as that of the pedal stopper stay 7. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the faces lla and llb of the pedal arm 11, which are in contact with the pedal stopper 9, are formed so as to be in parallel with the return and stroke stopper bracket faces 9a and 9b, respectively. In this modification, since the pedal stopper stay is eliminated, the number of parts can further be reduced.

The embodiment of the present invention and the modification thereof have been explained above. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and modification described above, and can be modified variously'based on the technical concept of the present invention.

8 The clutch pedal stopper structure of the present invention can be applied to a brake pedal stopper structure.

As described above, according to the present invention, the forward and backward movement of the pedal arm can be restrained by one pedal stopper stay and one pedal stopper. Therefore, the number of parts are reduced, so that the material cost and the fabrication cost including the welding cost can be saved. Also, since the pedal stopper is installed to the pedal bracket, the variations in stroke amount of the pedal arm can be decreased.

9

Claims

1. A clutch pedal stopper structure for restraining the movement of a clutch arm of clutch pedal, one end of which is supported by a support shaft provided at a pedal bracket fixed to the vehicle body side of an automobile, in which a pedal stopper is installed to said pedal bracket, a stroke stopper stay f ace, by which said clutch arm engages with said pedal stopper when said clutch pedal is depressed, is formed substantially in parallel with a stroke stopper bracket face formed an said pedal stopper, and a return stopper stay face, by which said clutch arm engages with said pedal stopper when said clutch pedal is released, is formed substantially in parallel with a return stopper bracket face formed on said pedal stopper.

2. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to claim 1, wherein a flat plate having a portion bent into a V shape is fixed to said pedal arm, said stroke stopper stay face and return stopper stay face are provided adjacently on an interior angle surf aces forming the bent portion so as to stride said pedal stopper.

3. A clutch pedal stopper structure for limiting the movement of a clutch pedal, one end of which is supported by a support shaft provided at a pedal bracket fixed to the interior of a vehicle body of an automobile, said pedal bracket also having a pedal stopper; said clutch pedal having a stroke stopper stay face, by which said clutch pedal engages with said pedal stopper when said clutch pedal is depressed, said stroke stopper stay face being formed substantially in parallel with a stroke stopper face formed on said pedal stopper; said clutch pedal also having a return stopper stay face, by which said clutch pedal engages with said pedal stopper when said clutch pedal is released, formed substantially in parallel with a return stopper face formed on said pedal stopper.

4. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to claim 3 wherein the clutch pedal stroke stopper stay face and the return stopper stay face are formed on a bracket fixed to said clutch pedal.

5. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to claim 4 wherein said stroke stopper stay face and said return stopper stay face are formed on face portions of said bracket which portions lie on either side of an included obtuse angle.

6. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to claim 3 wherein said stroke stopper stay face and said return stopper stay face are formed integrally on said clutch 5 pedal.

7. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to any one preceding claim wherein cushioning material is interposed between mating faces.

8. A clutch pedal stopper structure according to any one preceding claim wherein said pedal stopper is substantially L-shaped in cross section.

9. A clutch pedal stopper structure for restraining the movement of a clutch pedal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and Figures 1 to 3; or Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings.

12 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A pedal structure comprising a bracket f or securing to a vehicle, and a pedal arm supported on the pedal bracket for rotation about an axis, said bracket including a stroke stopper bracket face and a return stopper bracket face which are located generally adjacent each other, extend transversely to said, arm, and are relatively inclined to define a first predetermined angle therebetween, said arm comprising a stroke stopper stay face located so that at the limit of depression of said arm it lies substantially parallel to and engages said stroke stopper bracket face and a return stopper stay face located so that at the limit of the return of said arm it lies substantially parallel to and engages said return stopper bracket face.

2. A pedal structure according to claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a first portion on which the arm is supported for rotatation, and which is secured to a vehicle in use, and a second portion which is secured to the first portion and which comprises said stroke stopper bracket face and said return stopper bracket face.

3. A pedal structure according to claim 2 wherein said second portion has an L- or V-shaped cross section, the external faces of said cross section providing said stroke stopper bracket face and said return stopper bracket face.

4. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein said first angle is substantially 90'.

5. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein said stroke stopper stay face and said return stopper stay face are formed directly on said arm.

6. A pedal structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said arm comprises an arm portion for being supported on said bracket and a stay bracket which is secured to said arm portion and on which said stroke stopper stay face and return stopper stay face are formed.

7. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein said stroke stopper stay face and return stopper stay face are adjacent each other.

8. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein said stroke stopper stay face is inclined relative to said return stopper stay face so as to include a second predetermined angle larger than said first angle.

9. A pedal structure according to claim 8 wherein said second angle is an obtuse angle.

10. A pedal structure according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the adjacent bracket faces lie within said second :W angle.

4

11. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein cushioning material is provided on at least one of the stroke stopper stay face and the stroke stopper bracket face.

12. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein cushioning material is provided on at least one of the return stopper stay face and the return stopper bracket face.

13. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein each of the stroke faces and return faces extends generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said arm. 15

14. A pedal structure according to any preceding claim wherein the pedal arm is mounted on said bracket for rotation at the upper end of the pedal arm.

15. A pedal structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and Figures 1 to 3; or Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings.

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