JP2002283871A - Accelerator pedal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accelerator pedal, capable of lessening the number of an electrical sensor or switch, suppressing the device costs and producing an appropriate hysteresis load. SOLUTION: The accelerator pedal device has an accelerator pedal 1a, a pedal shaft 2, which is rotatably supported in a housing 4 and rotated by the operation of the accelerator pedal 1a, an accelerator pedal arm 1, which is oscillated by the rotation of the pedal shaft, an accelerator opening sensor for detecting the rotational angle of the pedal shaft so as at least to control kick down, and a mechanical kick down load producing mechanism 9 exerting a reaction force to the accelerator pedal arm 1 by pressing for the accelerator pedal arm 1 in the housing 4, when the accelerator pedal arm 1 is oscillated to the prescribed angle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal device, and more particularly, to an electronic accelerator pedal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-180573 discloses a kick down switch (electronic kick down sensor) provided on an accelerator pedal arm in addition to an accelerator opening sensor (throttle sensor) for performing kick down control. A fixed accelerator pedal device has been proposed. The kick-down switch is configured to output an ON signal to the automatic transmission control unit by contacting a contact plate fixed to the housing when the accelerator pedal is fully opened.

[0003]

However, the accelerator pedal device proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-180573 has an electronic kick-down switch in addition to an electronic accelerator opening sensor. Therefore, there is a problem that the price of the device increases and the electronic circuit configuration for controlling these sensors and switches becomes complicated.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an accelerator pedal device that can reduce the number of electrical sensors or switches, suppress the cost of the device, and generate an appropriate hysteresis load. .

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an accelerator pedal, a pedal shaft rotatably supported by a housing, and rotated by operating the accelerator pedal.
The accelerator pedal arm which is swung by the rotation of the pedal shaft, an accelerator opening sensor which detects a rotation angle of the pedal shaft to perform at least kickdown control, and the accelerator pedal arm is provided on the housing. An accelerator pedal device, comprising: a mechanical kick-down load generating mechanism that, when swung by an angle, is pressed by the accelerator pedal arm to exert a reaction force on the accelerator pedal arm. I will provide a.

In the accelerator pedal device according to the present invention, the accelerator opening sensor can detect the rotation angle of the pedal shaft, that is, the accelerator opening. Therefore, the accelerator pedal device can detect that the kick-down operation has been performed based on the detection signal of the accelerator opening sensor without separately providing a kick-down switch. That is, the accelerator pedal device according to the present invention uses the detection signal of the electronic accelerator opening sensor,
Since kickdown control can be performed, it is not necessary to separately provide an electronic kickdown switch as in the related art. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an accelerator pedal device in which the number of electric sensors or switches is small and the price is suppressed. Further, by providing a mechanical kick-down load generating mechanism in the housing, it is possible to give a sense of moderation to the pedal operator during kick-down.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
In the housing, a stopper is provided in the vicinity of the kick-down generating mechanism, the stopper being in contact with the accelerator pedal arm to suppress the swing of the accelerator pedal arm. As a result, the relative position accuracy between the kick-down generating mechanism and the stopper can be increased, and the relationship between the angle at which the kick-down load occurs and the angle at which the stopper operates in the accelerator pedal arm is strictly set. It becomes possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The kickdown generating mechanism and the stopper are arranged on the accelerator pedal side with respect to the pedal shaft.
Further, preferably, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kick-down generating mechanism and the stopper are arranged near the pedal shaft (collectively arranged in a housing near the center of the pedal shaft). According to such an embodiment, it is not necessary to strictly control the floor shape and the positional accuracy of the body, thereby improving the productivity of the accelerator pedal device.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The liner and the slidable portion are formed in an arc shape, and the arc of the slidable portion is formed larger than the arc of the liner on a sliding surface between the liner and the slidable portion. According to this embodiment, even when the hysteresis lever is greatly deformed by the elastic means, the phenomenon that the hysteresis lever is wrapped around the accelerator pedal arm or the pedal shaft or sandwiched between them is prevented. As a result, a hysteresis load is generated stably. In addition, according to this embodiment, the position where the sliding portion of the hysteresis lever slides on the liner is stabilized. This further contributes to stabilization of the hysteresis load.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing has an opening hole (having an opening having a normal in the front and back direction in FIG. 1) into which a portion near the pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm is inserted. A window (having a normal in the front and back direction in FIG. 1) that is opened on a plane that is basically orthogonal to the hole and that is formed to communicate with the open hole and into which the elastic means is inserted. According to this embodiment, the housing (pedal housing) can be integrally molded (excellent in productivity), and the elastic member can be inserted into the housing (pedal housing) during the assembly process (assembly). Also excellent in nature). Further, according to this embodiment, it is possible to preferably prevent foreign matter from entering the housing. The window can be closed by assembling the accelerator pedal sensor housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The accelerator pedal arm and the hysteresis lever are not offset and are basically arranged on the same line. As a result, stress such as twisting is prevented from being applied to the pivot portion or the pedal shaft of the accelerator pedal arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The hysteresis lever is formed at low cost by using a press material such as steel. On the other hand, preferably, the liner is formed using a resin. According to such an embodiment, the sliding portion is made of a metal material and the slidable portion is made of a resin, which is advantageous in terms of the durability of the device. Particularly preferably, the entire accelerator pedal arm is made of resin. In this case, a portion on the accelerator pedal arm that can slide with the hysteresis lever serves as a liner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
An accelerator pedal arm is pivotally supported on the housing via an accelerator pedal shaft. Preferably, the accelerator pedal arm and the accelerator pedal shaft are configured to rotate integrally by spline fitting with each other. According to this embodiment, the accelerator pedal shaft can be manufactured by press molding, or can be manufactured using inexpensive materials such as resin and metal.

According to the accelerator pedal device of the present invention, it is possible to tune only the hysteresis of the pedal depression force characteristic by changing the fulcrum of the hysteresis lever.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an accelerator pedal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a pedal shaft 2 is rotatably supported on a housing 4.
A pivot portion (boss portion) of the accelerator pedal arm 1 is spline-fitted to an outer peripheral portion of the pedal shaft 2. Thereby, the accelerator pedal arm 1 is pivotally supported with respect to the housing, and is swung by the accelerator operation. An accelerator pedal 1a is formed at one end of the pedal shaft 2. A liner 3 is provided (formed) on the accelerator pedal arm 1 and near the pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm 1 (near the pedal shaft 2). The accelerator pedal arm 1 has an arm 1 extending above its pivot point.
c. A hole 1b is formed in the center of the arm 1c in the width direction.

An accelerator opening sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the pedal shaft 2 is mounted on the housing 4 to perform kickdown control. Various known sensors can be used as the accelerator opening sensor. A vehicle equipped with an accelerator pedal device according to one embodiment of the present invention uses a detection signal (a rotation angle of the pedal shaft 2 or a detection signal of a swing angle of the accelerator pedal arm 1) output from the accelerator opening signal. Based on the rotation angle of the pedal shaft 2 and the like, it is possible to perform gear ratio control suitable for kickdown, fuel injection timing control, and the like.

The housing 4 is inserted through the hole 1b of the accelerator pedal arm 1 and
And a hysteresis lever 5 arranged to intersect at one end thereof. The hysteresis lever 5 has flexibility and includes a slidable portion 5 a that slides on the liner 3.

In the accelerator pedal arm 1, the hysteresis lever 5 is connected to the housing 4 with respect to the pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm 1 opposite to the point of application of the accelerator operation force and the hysteresis lever 5 with respect to the sliding portion 5 a.
A spring 8 is interposed between the portion and the opposite side of the portion to be engaged. The spring 8 expands and contracts in response to the swing of the accelerator pedal arm 1, thereby generating a reaction force opposing the accelerator operation force and a hysteresis load due to sliding between the liner 3 and the sliding portion 5a. Further, the liner 3 and the sliding portion 5a are formed in an arc shape, and the arc of the sliding portion 5a is formed larger than the arc of the liner 3 on the sliding surface between the liner 3 and the sliding portion 5a. .

Further, below the pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm 1, that is, on the portion of the housing 4 on the same side as the accelerator pedal 1a, a mechanical kick-down load generating mechanism 9 and a stopper 16 are juxtaposed and juxtaposed. ing. The stopper 16 comes into contact with a stopper portion 17 formed on the accelerator pedal arm 1, and can restrain the accelerator pedal arm 1 from swinging in a predetermined direction. With this configuration, when the stopper 16 comes into contact with the stopper 17, the accelerator opening sensor (not shown) does not receive the influence of the delicate deformation of the accelerator pedal arm due to the operation load of the accelerator pedal, and always outputs an accurate output. Is compensated. Also, even in an emergency such as when an excessive load acts on the accelerator pedal 1a and the accelerator pedal arm 1 is broken,
The accelerator pedal arm 1 is broken at the stopper portion 17, and the accelerator opening sensor disposed on the upper portion of the accelerator pedal arm 1 is free of the influence of the break, thereby maintaining safety.

The housing 4 has an opening 4a into which a portion near the pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm 1 is inserted, and an opening 4A which is open on a plane basically perpendicular to the opening 4a.
Window 4b formed to communicate with
And

Next, the kick down generating mechanism 9 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the kick-down load generating mechanism 9 of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the accelerator pedal arm 1 is swung by a predetermined angle, the kick-down load generating mechanism 9 includes a plunger 10 which is biased in contact with the accelerator pedal arm 1. A leaf spring 11 locked by the housing 4 and through which the plunger 10 is inserted; a kick-down load spring 12 interposed between the plunger 10 and the leaf spring 11; It is configured to include a roller 14 sandwiched between the first and second parts. The kick-down load mechanism 9 can give a predetermined sense of moderation to the accelerator operator when a kick-down load is applied to the accelerator pedal shaft.

Next, the basic operation of the accelerator pedal device described above will be described. FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the accelerator pedal 1a is depressed by the accelerator operator and the accelerator pedal arm 1 swings in a predetermined direction, the spring 8 is compressed and the pedal reaction force is reduced. Hysteresis load occurs. This allows the accelerator operator to feel a moderate moderation when accelerating, and when maintaining the accelerator pedal 1a at a fixed position, an operation force smaller than the operation force required to depress the accelerator pedal 1a. The accelerator pedal can be maintained at a constant position with force.

Further, according to the accelerator pedal device, the hysteresis lever 5 is connected to the accelerator pedal arm 1.
Are inserted through holes 1b provided at the center in the width direction of the accelerator pedal arm 1, and these are arranged so as to intersect with each other.
The accelerator pedal arm shaft 2 pivotally supported by the housing 4 supports the load equally at both ends thereof, so that an excessive load is prevented from being applied to the accelerator pedal arm shaft 2.

In addition, according to the accelerator pedal device, since the elastic member 8 that generates the pedal reaction force and the elastic member that generates the hysteresis load are the same member (spring 8), the operation of the spring 8 is assumed. Even when trouble occurs, since both the pedal reaction force and the hysteresis load acting in opposite directions are eliminated or reduced, it is possible that a great feeling of discomfort occurs when the accelerator pedal 1a returns. Is prevented.

Next, the operation of the above-described accelerator pedal device at the time of kick down will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when accelerator pedal 1a is depressed by an accelerator operator and accelerator pedal arm 1 swings by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction, accelerator pedal arm 1 comes into contact with plunger 10 and The plunger 10 is pressed. Thereby, the plunger 10
Attempts to protrude from the notch of the leaf spring 11 while compressing the kick-down load spring 12. At this time, the tip of the plunger 10 is engaged with the notch of the leaf spring 11 through the roller 14 with a strong force. For this reason, a large reaction force, that is, a kickdown load is applied to the accelerator pedal arm 1. Further, when the plunger 10 is pressed, the roller 1
4 and leaf spring 11 via plunger 10
The engagement with the notch is released, and the tip of the plunger 10 is
The leaf spring 11 protrudes from the notch. Thereby, the reaction force against the plunger 10 is reduced,
Thereafter, the plunger 10 can be pushed in with a relatively small stepping force.

Further, when the accelerator pedal 1a is depressed by the accelerator operator and the accelerator pedal arm 1 swings by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction, the stopper portion 17 formed on the accelerator pedal arm 1 is moved to the housing 4 It contacts the stopper 16 formed above. As a result, further swinging of the accelerator pedal arm 1 in the above direction is suppressed.

[0032]

According to the present invention, there is provided an accelerator pedal device capable of reducing the number of electric sensors or switches, suppressing the cost of the device, and generating an appropriate hysteresis load. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an accelerator pedal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a kick-down load generating mechanism of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Accelerator pedal arm 1a Accelerator pedal 1b Hole 1c Arm part 2 Pedal shaft 3 Liner 4 Housing 4a Opening hole 4b Window 5 Hysteresis lever 5a Sliding part 6 Spring seat 7 Spring seat 8 Spring (elastic means) 9 Kick-down load generating mechanism DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Plunger 11 Leaf spring 12 Spring for kickdown load 14 Roller 16 Stopper 17 Stopper part

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Kimura 2-1-1 Asahicho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sumio Ito 52 52 Kitaide Tokushige, Nishiharu, Nishiharu, Nishi-Kasugai-gun, Aichi Prefecture 2, Ohashi 3D037 EA03 EB02 EB05 EB16 3G065 CA21 CA23 GA46 JA04 JA09 JA11 JA13

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An accelerator pedal, a pedal shaft rotatably supported by a housing, and rotated by operating the accelerator pedal, and an accelerator pedal arm that is swung by rotation of the pedal shaft. An accelerator opening sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the pedal shaft, for performing kick-down control; and the housing is pressed by the accelerator pedal arm when the accelerator pedal arm is swung by a predetermined angle. A mechanical kick-down load generating mechanism that exerts a reaction force on the accelerator pedal arm;
An accelerator pedal device comprising: 2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is provided in the vicinity of the kick-down generating mechanism to stop the swing of the accelerator pedal arm by contacting the accelerator pedal arm. Accelerator pedal device. 3. The accelerator pedal arm according to claim 1, wherein a stopper that abuts on the kick-down generating mechanism and the accelerator pedal arm to restrain swing of the accelerator pedal arm is disposed on the accelerator pedal side with respect to the pedal shaft. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The kick-down load generating mechanism, when the accelerator pedal arm is swung by a predetermined angle,
A plunger which is urged against the accelerator pedal arm; a leaf spring which is locked to the housing and through which the plunger is inserted; and a kick-down load spring interposed between the plunger and the leaf spring. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a roller held between a tip of the plunger and a tip of the leaf spring. 5. A liner provided on said accelerator pedal arm and near a pivot point of said accelerator pedal arm, said liner having flexibility and being engaged with said housing so as to intersect with said accelerator pedal arm. A hysteresis lever having a slidable portion that slides on the liner; a side of the accelerator pedal arm opposite to a force point at which an accelerator operation force is applied to a pivot point of the accelerator pedal arm; and a hysteresis lever. The hysteresis lever is interposed between the slidable portion and the opposite side of the portion to be engaged with the housing, and expands and contracts according to the swing of the accelerator pedal arm, thereby reducing the accelerator operation force. An elastic member that generates a hysteresis load due to opposing reaction force and sliding of the liner and the slidable portion; An accelerator pedal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein.