JP2008281547A - Load-sensor-equipped operating pedal device for vehicle, and the load-sensor-equipped operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve detecting precision of a load sensor in an operating device which has in a rotating link section, the load sensor for electrically detecting an operating force, based on a relative displacement between a shaft-like member and a case member, and can detect the operating force transmitted via a linking pin. <P>SOLUTION: The case member 34 of the load sensor 30 has a pair of mounting wall portions 62a, 62b formed so as to be converged in a convex shape at a predetermined apex angle α, and the wall portions 62a, 62b are made to surface-contact a pair of rest surfaces 28a, 28b formed in a sensor-mounting hole 28 in a fixed and positioned state. Thus, even if the direction of an input load (reactive force), applied to a clevis pin 26 varies by stepping down on an operating pedal 16, the pair of rest surfaces 28a, 28b always bear the input load via the pair of wall portions 62a, 62b. This suppresses the case member 34 from flexure deforming due to stress concentration. As a result, positional displacement of the sensor is prevented, regardless of the variation in the direction of the input load, improving the detection accuracy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device such as a vehicle operation pedal device, and more particularly to an improvement of an operation device with a load sensor provided with a load sensor for electrically detecting an operation force.

(a) an operation member to be moved, (b) a reaction force member to which an operation force of the operation member is transmitted and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force is applied, and (c) the operation member A pair of members interposed between the reaction force members and connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable around a connection pin; and at least one rotation connection portion for transmitting the operation force via the connection pin; (D) An operation device with a load sensor having a load sensor for electrically detecting the operation force is known. The vehicle brake pedal device described in Patent Document 1 is an example thereof, and a push rod (reaction member) protruding from the master cylinder can be relatively moved in the axial direction with respect to a connecting pin protruding from a side portion of the operation pedal. The displacement amount of the push rod that is displaced with respect to the connection pin against the urging force of the spring is detected by a sensor.
US Pat. No. 5,563,355

  However, in the device described in the cited document 1, it is necessary to provide a long hole in the push rod and connect it so as to be capable of relative movement in the axial direction, and therefore, a normal push rod cannot be used as it is. In addition, since the push rod rotates relative to the connecting pin as the operation pedal is depressed, the spring that biases the push rod and the sensor that detects the amount of displacement can also rotate relative to the connecting pin. It is necessary to dispose and the structure becomes complicated, and these push rods, springs, and sensors are disposed on the side of the operation pedal. It is necessary to have a strong structure, and the apparatus is large and expensive as a whole.

  On the other hand, although not yet publicly known, as shown in FIG. 21, a technique of arranging a load sensor in a compact manner at the connecting position of the clevis pin is considered. FIGS. 21A and 21B are views showing an operation pedal device 200 for a service brake for a vehicle. FIG. 21A is a front view, and FIG. 21B is an enlarged view of a section XXIA-XXIA in FIG. The pedal support 12 is provided with a plate-like operation pedal 16 that is rotatable about the axis of a substantially horizontal support shaft 14. The operation pedal 16 is depressed by a driver in response to a braking request. A step portion (pad) 18 is provided at a lower end portion, and a brake is provided at a middle portion via a rotation connecting portion 20. An operating rod 22 of the booster is connected. The rotary connecting portion 20 includes a U-shaped clevis 24 integrally fixed to the end portion of the operating rod 22 by screw connection or the like, and a clevis pin 26 disposed on the operation pedal 16 in parallel with the support shaft 14. The operating rod 22 and the operation pedal 16 are coupled to each other so as to be relatively rotatable about the axis of the clevis pin 26. The clevis pin 26 corresponds to a connecting pin, and both end portions protrude to the side of the operation pedal 16, and are held on the U-shaped clevis 24 so as not to be pulled out by a snap ring or a retaining pin. An output corresponding to the operating force of the operating pedal 16 is transmitted to the operating rod 22 through the rotation connecting portion 20 and a reaction force corresponding to the output is applied by the brake booster. The operating rod 22 corresponds to a reaction force member. In the case of a by-wire type operation pedal device that electrically controls a wheel brake, a reaction force member to which a predetermined reaction force is applied by a reaction force mechanism or the like is an operating rod. Connected instead of 22.

  The operation pedal 16 is provided with a sensor mounting hole 202 having a diameter larger than that of the clevis pin 26 at a position where it is connected to the clevis pin 26, and a load sensor 204 is provided in an annular space between the sensor mounting hole 202 and the clevis pin 26. Is arranged. The load sensor 204 includes a cylindrical strain generating body 206, and detects a load applied in the radial direction of the strain generating body 206. The load sensor 204 is an annular case disposed on the outer peripheral side of the strain generating body 206. A member 208 and a shaft-like member 210 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the strain body 206 are provided. The case member 208 includes an inner peripheral cylindrical connecting portion 208a in which one end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 21 (b)) of the strain body 206 is integrally fixed by press-fitting or welding, and the connecting portion. A cylindrical outer peripheral wall 208b provided on the outer peripheral side of the connecting portion 208a so as to surround the 208a, and a plate-like connecting flange 208c that integrally connects the connecting portion 208a and the outer peripheral wall 208b at one end. And a positioning flange 208d provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral wall 208b to the outer peripheral side continuously to the connecting flange 208c, and has a double cylindrical structure as a whole. The outer peripheral wall 208b is fitted into the sensor mounting hole 202 and the positioning flange 208d is held in contact with one side surface of the operation pedal 16 so as not to be detached by a leaf spring (not shown). The Further, the shaft-like member 210 integrally holds the other end portion in the axial direction of the strain body 206 (the lower end portion in FIG. 21B) by press-fitting, welding, or the like, and is provided at the shaft center portion. The clevis pin 26 can be inserted through the insertion hole 210h. The clevis pin 26, the insertion hole 210h, and the clevis 24 are all rotatable relative to each other, and are relatively rotated with less friction as the operation pedal 16 is depressed. However, as necessary, the friction is reduced. It is also possible to interpose a bearing or a bearing.

  Thus, the case member 208 and the shaft-like member 210 are connected to each other via the strain body 206, and when the load applied from the outside in the radial direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the shaft center is substantially zero, each member 206, 208 and 210 are held substantially concentric with the axis of the clevis pin 26. On the other hand, when a radial load is applied between the case member 208 and the shaft-like member 210 by the reaction force of the operating rod 22 as the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the strain generating body 206 is sheared and deformed. The case member 208 on the pedal 16 side is displaced in a direction approaching the operating rod 22 relative to the shaft-shaped member 210 (left direction in FIG. 21). An annular space is provided between the case member 208 and the shaft-shaped member 210 so as to allow the relative displacement in the radial direction between them and the shear deformation of the strain generating body 206. It is made of a metal material such as ferritic stainless steel that can be elastically deformed by receiving a load from the direction, and is sheared and deformed according to the operation force when the operation pedal 16 is depressed. In order to detect the shear strain of the strain generating body 206, a strain detecting element such as a strain resistance element is attached to the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the strain generating body 206, and the vehicle is controlled via the wire harness 56. The stepping operation force can be detected based on an electrical signal output from the strain sensing element.

  In such a vehicle operation pedal device 200, the rotation connecting portion 20 that transmits the operation force applied to the operation pedal 16 to the operating rod 22 is connected to the operating rod 22 via the clevis pin 26 so as to be relatively rotatable. The operation pedal 16 is provided with a sensor mounting hole 202, and a cylindrical load sensor 204 is disposed in an annular space between the sensor mounting hole 202 and the clevis pin 26, so that a rotational moment such as torsion is suppressed. Thus, the entire operation pedal device 200 can be configured simply and compactly. Further, since the peripheral members such as the operating rod 22 and the clevis 24 can be the same as those of the conventional pedal device, they can be constructed at low cost.

  However, in such a vehicle operation pedal device 200, the case member 208 of the load sensor 204 has a cylindrical shape, and is transmitted from the clevis pin 26 to the case member 208 via the shaft-like member 210 and the strain body 206. Because of the input load (reaction force in this case) F, the case member 208 is substantially pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the sensor mounting hole 202 at one place on the outer peripheral wall 208b, and receives the input load F there. As shown in FIG. 22 with emphasis on deformation, the case member 208 may bend and deform due to stress concentration. Then, due to the bending deformation of the case member 208, unnecessary deformation such as bending or twisting occurs in the strain generating body 206, or the deformation amount of the strain generating body 206 decreases, and the operation force There was a possibility that the detection accuracy of was impaired. FIG. 22 (a) shows an unloaded state, and FIG. 22 (b) shows a state where a load F is applied. In both cases, the upper part is a front view and the lower part is a longitudinal sectional view.

  Further, when the operation pedal 16 is rotated around the support shaft 14 as the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the operating rod 22 and the operation pedal 16 are also relatively rotated around the axis of the clevis pin 26. As the direction of the input load F changes, the case member 208 may swing and displace due to a gap between the case member 208 and the sensor mounting hole 202. In this respect, the operation force is detected. The accuracy may be impaired. Further, when the direction of the input load F changes in a state where the case member 208 is bent and deformed, as shown in FIG. 23 with emphasis on the deformation, the deformation mode of the strain generating body 206 is complicated and the amount of deformation tends to vary. The detection accuracy may further deteriorate or become unstable. FIG. 23A shows a state in which the outer peripheral wall 208b of the case member 208 and the strain body 206 are both deformed and deformed, and FIG. 23B shows a case where the direction of the input load F is changed while being deformed. The portions other than the action site of the input load F are also deformed, and even if the input load F is the same, the average strain amount of the strain sensing elements 212 and 214 is smaller than that in (a). In the actual operation pedal device 200, the input load F increases in accordance with the depression stroke of the operation pedal 16, and therefore the input load F, that is, the operation force at the time of the increase may not be detected correctly. .

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is that the operating force is based on the fact that the shaft member and the case member are relatively displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft member. In the operating device that can detect the operating force transmitted through the connecting pin by providing a load sensor that electrically detects the load to the rotation connecting portion, the detection accuracy of the load sensor is improved.

  In order to achieve such an object, the first invention provides: (a) an operation pedal which is disposed on a pedal support fixed to a vehicle so as to be rotatable around a support axis, and is operated by a driver; b) a reaction force member to which an operation force of the operation pedal is transmitted and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force is applied; and (c) interposed between the operation pedal and the reaction force member; A pair of members connected to each other around the connecting pin so as to be relatively rotatable, and at least one rotating connecting portion for transmitting the operating force via the connecting pin; and (d) the operating force is electrically detected. (E) the load sensor includes: (e-1) a shaft-shaped member; and (e-2) a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member. Of the shaft-shaped member so as to be relatively displaceable and to surround the shaft-shaped member. An annular case member disposed on the circumferential side, (e-3) a strain body disposed across the shaft member and the case member, and (e-4) the strain member A strain sensing element fixed to the body, and (e-5) the reaction member causes the shaft member and the case member to be relatively displaced in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center of the shaft member to deform the strain generating body. (F) The case member is one of a pair of members that are connected via the connecting pin at the rotating connecting portion. (G) the case member has a plurality of mounting portions, and the sensor member is disposed on the sensor disposing member, and the shaft member is connected to the other member via the connecting pin. The case member is positioned in a certain posture by engaging the mounting portions with the plurality of load receiving portions provided. (H) The direction of the input load F transmitted from the shaft-shaped member to the case member through the strain body is determined by the stepping operation of the operation pedal. The input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of attachment portions even if the rotation is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the first aspect of the invention, (a) the plurality of attachment portions have a convex shape with a predetermined apex angle α on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member. A pair of flat mounting surfaces provided so as to form a plurality of load receiving portions, the pair of flat receiving surfaces provided so as to form a concave shape in the sensor arrangement member corresponding to the mounting surfaces. (B) The case member is positioned in a fixed posture so that the pair of mounting surfaces are brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces, respectively, and the pair of mounting surfaces are It arrange | positions so that it may be pressed by a pair of receiving surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the second aspect, the direction of the input load F is relatively changed by a relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying a stepping operation of the operation pedal. However, the orientation of the receiving surfaces and the apex angle α are determined so that the pair of mounting surfaces are always pressed against the pair of receiving surfaces based on the input load F, respectively. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle operating pedal device with a load sensor according to the third aspect, wherein the direction of the receiving surface and the apex angle α are determined by the rotational connection of the input load F when the operation pedal is depressed. Even if it changes relatively by relative rotation of the parts, it is determined that a component force in the direction toward the apex side of the convex shape is always generated by the reaction force received by the pair of mounting surfaces from the receiving surface. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, the apex angle α is determined by relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion associated with the operation of the operation pedal. When the change angle in the direction of the changing input load F is β, it is smaller than (180 ° −β).

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, the pair of mounting surfaces includes a convex apex formed by the pair of mounting surfaces, and a none. It is provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral plane S including the shaft center of the shaft-like member in a loaded state.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein (a) the case member is (a-1) an inner peripheral side connecting portion to which the strain body is integrally connected; (A-2) a cylindrical outer peripheral wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the connecting portion so as to surround the connecting portion; and (a-3) a plate that integrally connects the outer peripheral wall and the connecting portion. (B-2) the outer peripheral wall, (b-1) a pair of flat mounting wall portions whose outer side surfaces constitute the pair of mounting surfaces, and (b-2) (B-3) a pair of parallel wall portions provided in parallel to the neutral surface S and symmetrically with respect to the neutral surface S. A gap is provided between the sensor mounting member except for the mounting wall portion.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, (a) the strain body has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member. (B) A plurality of the strain sensing elements are provided over a predetermined angular range on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the strain generating body so as to be symmetrical with respect to the neutral surface S. Features.

  A ninth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the eighth aspect of the invention, wherein the strain sensing element passes through the neutral plane S and the axis of the strain body and is relative to the neutral plane S. A total of four parts are provided at four locations divided by a right-angled plane so as to have a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the neutral plane S.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the second aspect to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein (a) the sensor disposing member is rotated around the connecting pin relative to the reaction force member. A plate-like member that is movably connected, and a sensor mounting hole having the pair of receiving surfaces is provided therethrough, and (b) the load sensor is configured such that the pair of mounting surfaces are the pair of receiving surfaces. The case member is disposed in the sensor mounting hole so as to be in surface contact with the sensor, and (c) the connecting pin is inserted through the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member and protrudes to both sides of the sensor mounting hole. (D) Both ends of the connecting pin are held by U-shaped clevises integrally fixed to the reaction force member.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the second aspect to the tenth aspect of the invention, wherein the strain body has a cylindrical shape, and one end portion and the other end portion of the cylindrical shape are provided. Each of the case member and the shaft-like member is integrally fixed, and the case member and the shaft-like member are displaced relative to each other based on the reaction force. Is detected by the strain sensing element.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any of the second to seventh aspects of the invention, wherein the strain generating members are spaced apart from each other around the axis of the shaft-like member and parallel to the axis. A flat plate-like member that is integrally fixed to the shaft member and the case member at both ends, and the case member and the shaft member are relative to each other based on the reaction force. By being displaced, shear strain generated in the plate-like member is detected by the strain sensing element.

  A thirteenth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein (a) the plurality of attachment portions extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-like member. Among the mounting flanges provided integrally with each other, there are two fixed portions that are determined by a predetermined opening angle γ around the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member, and the load receiving portion is the fixed portion. (B) The opening angle γ is changed according to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion in accordance with the stepping operation of the operation pedal. The two fixed portions are set so that the change angle β of the direction of the load F is larger and the direction of the input load F is always between the two fixed portions. .

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the fixing means is a screw member.

  A fifteenth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect of the invention, wherein the two fixed portions are located at intermediate positions within the range of the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. It is characterized in that it is set at a symmetric position across a plane of symmetry G defined including the axis of the shaft-like member.

  A sixteenth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the thirteenth aspect to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, wherein the case member includes an inner peripheral side connecting portion to which the strain body is integrally connected; A cylindrical outer peripheral wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the connecting portion so as to surround the connecting portion, and a plate-like connecting flange that integrally connects the outer peripheral wall and the connecting portion; The mounting flange is provided so as to extend outward from the one end portion of the outer peripheral wall at a substantially right angle.

  A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the strain body has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member, (b) A plurality of the strain sensing elements are provided over a predetermined angle range on the outer peripheral surface or the inner peripheral surface of the strain generating body so as to be symmetric with respect to the symmetry plane G.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the strain sensing element passes through the symmetry plane G and the axis of the strain body and is perpendicular to the symmetry plane G. A total of four parts are provided at four locations divided by the plane so as to have a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the symmetry plane G.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, in the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, (a) the sensor disposing member is connected to the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around the connecting pin. (B) The load sensor is inserted so that the outer peripheral wall of the case member has play around the entire circumference in the sensor mounting hole. And (c) the connecting pin is inserted through the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member and is disposed on both sides of the sensor mounting hole. (D) Both ends of the connecting pin are held by U-shaped clevises fixed integrally to the reaction force member.

  A twentieth aspect of the invention is the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of the thirteenth aspect to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the strain body has a cylindrical shape, and one end portion and the other end portion of the cylindrical shape are formed. Each of the case member and the shaft-like member is integrally fixed, and the case member and the shaft-like member are relatively displaced based on the reaction force, so that the shear strain generated in the strain generating body is It is detected by a strain sensing element.

  A twenty-first aspect of the invention is the vehicle operating pedal device with a load sensor according to any of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects of the invention, and the nineteenth aspect of the invention, wherein the strain generating members are separated from each other around the axis of the shaft-like member. A plurality of flat plate members arranged in parallel to the shaft center and integrally fixed to the shaft member and the case member at both ends, respectively, and the case member and the shaft member based on the reaction force By being relatively displaced, the shear strain generated in the plate member is detected by the strain sensing element.

  The twenty-second invention includes (a) an operation member to be moved and operated, (b) a reaction force member to which an operation force of the operation member is transmitted and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force is applied, and (c ) Interposed between the operation member and the reaction force member, and couples a pair of members so as to be relatively rotatable around a connection pin, and transmits the operation force via the connection pin. In an operating device with a load sensor having a rotation connecting part, and (d) a load sensor that electrically detects the operating force, (e) the load sensor includes: (e-1) a shaft-shaped member; e-2) an annular case member disposed on the outer peripheral side of the shaft-shaped member so as to be capable of relative displacement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member and to surround the shaft-shaped member; ) A strain body disposed across the shaft member and the case member, and (e-4) fixed to the strain body (E-5) The strain member is deformed by the displacement of the strain member due to relative displacement of the shaft member and the case member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft member by the reaction force. (F) The case member is arranged on one of the sensor arrangement members of a pair of members connected via the connection pin in the rotation connection portion. And (g) the case member has a plurality of mounting portions and a plurality of loads provided on the sensor arrangement member. When the mounting portion is engaged with the receiving portion, the case member is positioned in a fixed posture and is arranged on the sensor arrangement member. (H) From the shaft-shaped member to the above-mentioned The direction of the input load F transmitted to the case member through the strain body is such that the operation The input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of mounting portions even if the relative change of the rotation connecting portion due to the stepping operation of the working member changes relatively. Features.

  In the vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention, the load sensor for electrically detecting the operation force based on the relative displacement between the case member and the shaft-like member is a rotational connection of a predetermined sensor arrangement member. Since the operation force transmitted through the connecting pin of the rotating connecting portion is detected, for example, a sensor mounting hole is provided in the sensor installing member and the load sensor is provided. Thus, the entire apparatus can be configured simply and compactly. Further, since the same peripheral members as the conventional pedal device can be used as the peripheral members such as rods and clevises, it can be constructed at low cost.

  In addition, the case member is positioned in a fixed posture and arranged on the sensor arrangement member by engaging the plurality of mounting portions of the case member with the plurality of load receiving portions provided on the sensor arrangement member, respectively. In addition, even if the direction of the input load F transmitted from the shaft-shaped member to the case member through the strain body is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the operation of the operation pedal, Since the input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of mounting portions, the bending deformation of the case member due to stress concentration is suppressed. As a result, unnecessary deformation of the strain generating body due to the bending deformation of the case member or a decrease in the deformation amount (distortion amount) is prevented, and the detection accuracy of the operation force is improved, and the high strength at which the bending deformation hardly occurs. Compared to the case of using a material or a large case member, it can be configured to be light and inexpensive.

  Further, even if the direction of the input load F changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the operation of the operation pedal, the input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of mounting portions. Therefore, the position and posture of the load sensor are kept constant, and there is no possibility that the detection accuracy of the operating force is impaired due to swinging displacement like a cylindrical case member. Further, since the bending deformation of the case member is suppressed, even if the direction of the input load F changes, the deformation form does not become complicated simply by changing the deformation position of the strain generating body, and variation in the deformation amount. Is suppressed, and the amount of strain of the strain generating body when the input load F is constant becomes substantially constant regardless of the change in direction of the input load F, and the input load F gradually increases. Accuracy is stable and high reliability can be obtained.

  Moreover, since the case member of the load sensor only needs to engage the plurality of attachment portions with the plurality of load receiving portions, respectively, the assembly property of the load sensor is improved. Since high dimensional accuracy is not necessarily required in parts other than the mounting portion and the load receiving portion, the required accuracy of the component shape and the like are relaxed, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

  A load sensor according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a case member having a pair of flat mounting surfaces provided so as to form a convex shape with a predetermined apex angle α in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member. The mounting surfaces are brought into surface contact with a pair of flat receiving surfaces provided on the arrangement member, so that they are positioned in a fixed posture and transmitted from the shaft-shaped member to the case member via the strain body. Even if the direction of the input load F is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the depression of the operation pedal, the input load F is always received by the pair of receiving surfaces via the pair of mounting surfaces. Therefore, bending deformation of the case member due to stress concentration is suppressed. As a result, unnecessary deformation of the strain generating body due to the bending deformation of the case member or a decrease in the deformation amount (distortion amount) is prevented, and the detection accuracy of the operation force is improved, and the high strength at which the bending deformation hardly occurs. Compared to the case of using a material or a large case member, it can be configured to be light and inexpensive.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the direction of the input load F changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the operation of depressing the operation pedal, the input load F is always applied by the pair of receiving surfaces via the pair of mounting surfaces. The conditions for being received are specifically defined based on the orientation of the receiving surface and the apex angle α.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the orientation of the receiving surface and Since the apex angle α is determined, the relative movement of the two is prevented regardless of the frictional force between the mounting surface and the receiving surface, and the input load F is always reliably transmitted to the pair of receiving surfaces via the pair of mounting surfaces. It is received by the surface, and the displacement and posture change of the load sensor are more reliably prevented and the detection accuracy is improved.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the apex angle α is smaller than (180 ° −β) with respect to the change angle β in the direction of the input load F, so both of them are independent of the frictional force between the mounting surface and the receiving surface. Relative movement is prevented, and the input load F can always be reliably received by the pair of receiving surfaces via the pair of mounting surfaces, and the displacement and posture change of the load sensor are more reliably prevented and detected. Accuracy is improved.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, since the pair of mounting surfaces are provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral surface S, the direction of the input load F changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the operation of the operation pedal. However, it is easy to design the orientation of the receiving surface so that the input load F is always received by the pair of receiving surfaces via the pair of mounting surfaces. For example, if the orientation of the receiving surface is set so that the direction of the input load F and the neutral surface S substantially coincide with each other at the midpoint of the depression stroke of the operation pedal, the input is performed approximately symmetrically about the neutral surface S. The direction of the load F can be changed. If the apex angle α is appropriate, the input load F can be suitably received through the pair of mounting surfaces regardless of the change in the direction of the input load F. Also in the fourteenth invention, by setting the symmetry plane G appropriately, the same effect as in the sixth invention can be obtained.

  7th invention is a double cylinder structure in which a case member is provided with a connection part, an outer peripheral wall, and a connection flange, and the outer peripheral wall is provided with a pair of attachment wall parts whose outer surfaces constitute a pair of attachment surfaces. The pair of mounting wall portions are relatively easy to be bent and deformed by the input load F, but a pair of parallel wall portions are provided continuously to the mounting wall portions. Therefore, the rigidity of the outer peripheral wall is increased, and the deformation of the mounting wall portion is preferably prevented. In addition, since there is a gap between the outer peripheral wall and the sensor mounting member except for the mounting wall portion, the outer surface of the mounting wall portion, that is, the mounting surface is reliably brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces of the sensor mounting member. As described above, the case member can be easily arranged on the sensor arrangement member, and the input load F can be received only by the mounting wall portion, so that high detection accuracy can be reliably obtained.

  The eighth aspect of the present invention is a case where the strain body has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member, and the strain body has a symmetrical shape with respect to the neutral plane S. Since a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces or inner peripheral surfaces are provided over a predetermined angular range, the operation force can be detected well by a bridge circuit or the like. In particular, when a plurality of strain sensing elements are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the neutral plane S, the stroke of the operation pedal is reduced based on the change in the signal (distortion amount) of the strain sensing elements on both sides. It can also be detected. The ninth invention is an embodiment in the case where a plurality of strain sensing elements are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the neutral surface S in this way. In the seventeenth and eighteenth inventions, effects similar to those of the eighth and ninth inventions can be obtained by appropriately setting the symmetry plane G.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, the member connected to the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around the connection pin is used as the sensor arrangement member and the load sensor is arranged, so that the force is transmitted from the connection pin to the reaction force member. The final operating force (output) is detected, and for example, the braking force when the hydraulic brake or the like is mechanically operated via the reaction member can be detected with high accuracy. In addition, the case member is disposed in the sensor mounting hole provided in the sensor mounting member, and both ends of the connecting pin that protrudes to both sides of the sensor mounting hole through the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member are held by the clevis. Therefore, a rotational moment such as torsion does not act on the load sensor, and the operating force can be detected with higher accuracy. In the nineteenth invention, substantially the same effect as in the tenth invention can be obtained.

  In the twelfth invention, since a plurality of flat plate-like members arranged apart from each other around the axis of the shaft-like member are used as the strain-generating body, by appropriately setting the number and position thereof, The input load F is applied to the plate member in a concentrated manner, and the shear strain becomes larger than that of the cylindrical strain generating body, and the sensitivity and detection accuracy are improved. In the twenty-first invention, substantially the same effects as in the twelfth invention are obtained.

  In the load sensor according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, two fixed portions defined by an opening angle γ are separated from the mounting flange provided integrally with the case member, and the two fixed portions of the sensor mounting member are provided. In the case of being integrally fixed via the fixing means, the opening angle γ is larger than the change angle β in the direction of the input load F that changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the operation of the operation pedal. In addition, since the two fixed portions are set so that the direction of the input load F is always between the two fixed portions, the input load F is always set at the two fixed portions and the fixed portion. It is received by the sensor arrangement member via the portion, and the bending deformation of the case member due to stress concentration is suppressed. As a result, unnecessary deformation of the strain generating body due to the bending deformation of the case member or a decrease in the deformation amount (distortion amount) is prevented, and the detection accuracy of the operation force is improved, and the high strength at which the bending deformation hardly occurs. Compared to the case of using a material or a large case member, it can be configured to be light and inexpensive.

  In addition, when the pair of mounting surfaces and the receiving surface are brought into surface contact as in the second aspect of the invention, there is a possibility that the case member may be biased or the posture of the case member may be changed due to dimensional variation or mounting error. However, in the thirteenth invention, since the two fixed portions are integrally fixed to the fixed portion by fixing means such as a screw member, the case member is a sensor. It is always arranged in a fixed posture with respect to the arrangement member, the detection accuracy is stable, and high reliability is obtained.

  In the fourteenth aspect, a screw member is used as the fixing means, and the fixed portion is integrally fastened to the fixed portion by the screw member, so that the apparatus is configured at a lower cost.

  The twenty-second invention is not limited to the vehicle operation pedal device, but can be applied to various operation devices such as an operation pedal device other than the vehicle operation device and a manual operation device. Is the same as the first invention, and substantially the same effect as the first invention can be obtained. The first invention can be regarded as one embodiment of the twenty-second invention, and the operation pedal corresponds to an operation member.

  The present invention is preferably applied to a brake pedal device for a service brake, but it can also be applied to an operation pedal device for an accelerator or a parking brake. The present invention can be applied to various operating devices such as manually operated operating devices. The reaction member is, for example, an operating rod of a brake booster or a push rod of a brake master cylinder, and is configured to mechanically operate a wheel brake or the like, but electrically according to an operation force detected by a load sensor. It can also be applied to electric (by-wire) operation brake devices that control wheel brakes, drive devices, etc., in which case a stroke simulator, reaction force mechanism, etc. are connected to the reaction force member to achieve a predetermined reaction force. Should be added.

  It is also possible to directly connect the operating pedal and the reaction force member via a single connecting pin. In this case, the connecting portion is a rotating connecting portion, and the operating pedal is used as a sensor arrangement member. Is desirable. In addition, an intermediate lever is rotatably disposed on the pedal support, the intermediate lever and the operation pedal are connected by a connecting link, and the intermediate lever and the reaction member are connected by a connecting pin so as to be relatively rotatable. In this case, the connecting portion between the intermediate lever and the reaction force member, the connecting portion between the connecting link and the intermediate lever, and the connecting portion between the connecting link and the operation pedal are all equivalent to the rotating connecting portion. An operating force can be detected by disposing a load sensor at such a rotating connecting portion. A reaction force corresponding to the operating force also acts on the connecting portion that supports the operation pedal so as to be rotatable about the support axis. Therefore, a load sensor is provided on the rotating connecting portion to detect the operating force. Is also possible.

  The load sensor electrically detects the strain of the strain generating body that is elastically deformed by a strain sensing element, and the strain may be converted into a load, that is, an operation force by a predetermined map or arithmetic expression. As the strain detection element, a strain resistance element such as a thin film type or thick film type semiconductor strain gauge or a normal strain gauge is preferably used, but a piezoelectric element, a piezoelectric conversion element, or the like can also be used.

  The load sensor is disposed, for example, in a sensor mounting hole provided through the plate-shaped sensor disposing member, but the load sensor may be disposed on one side of the sensor disposing member. . Further, the shaft-like member is provided with a connecting pin so as to pass through the shaft center, for example, but the shaft-like member and the connecting pin can be integrally formed, or the shaft-like member and the connecting pin are separated from each other. Various aspects are possible, such as being arranged and mechanically connected via an interlocking mechanism such as a connecting link.

  The load sensor of the second invention is arranged so that the pair of mounting surfaces of the case member are brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces, and the input load F is received by the receiving surfaces via the mounting surfaces. The mounting surface is pressed against the receiving surface by the input load F, and a strong fixing means is not necessarily required. For example, the mounting surface is pressed against the receiving surface by a spring member such as a leaf spring. It may be configured so that it can be fixed, and can be fixed integrally by a fixing means such as a bolt, if necessary.

  For example, as in the eighth invention and the seventeenth invention, a cylindrical body is appropriate for the strain generating body. However, for example, the length of the deformable body that is deformed based on the relative displacement between the shaft member and the case member is at least an arc shape. A circular shape etc. may be sufficient and it may be arrange | positioned so that an arc-shaped part may be extended-deformed or bent-deformed by applying a tensile load or a compressive load to both ends of an arc-shaped arc. In addition, a donut shape corresponding to the annular space between the shaft-shaped member and the case member is formed, and a tensile deformation, a compression deformation, or a bending deformation is caused based on a relative displacement between the shaft-shaped member and the case member. A strained body can also be used. Further, as in the twelfth invention and the twenty-first invention, various aspects are possible, such as a plurality of flat plate-like members arranged apart from each other around the axis.

  In the fifth invention, the apex angle α is set to a value smaller than (180 ° −β) by using the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. However, as the apex angle α decreases, Of the reaction forces acting, the component force in the direction toward the apex increases, and bending deformation is likely to occur due to stress concentration. Therefore, the apex angle α is preferably 60 ° or more, and more preferably 80 ° or more.

  In the sixth invention, the pair of mounting surfaces are provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral surface S. However, it is of course possible that the mounting surfaces are slightly deviated within a range in which the intended operation and effect can be obtained. In this case, it is possible to make it asymmetrical as well. When a pair of mounting surfaces are provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral surface S, for example, the sensor arrangement is such that the direction of the input load F and the neutral surface S substantially coincide with each other at the midpoint of the depression stroke of the operation pedal. Although the orientation of the receiving surface of the installation member is set, if the direction of the input load F and the neutral surface S substantially coincide with each other in the vicinity of the end of the stepping stroke where the input load F is maximized, the maximum input is obtained. The orientation of the receiving surface is appropriately set such that the load F can be distributed substantially evenly on the pair of mounting surfaces.

  The outer peripheral wall of the seventh invention has a pair of parallel wall portions and a pair of mounting wall portions parallel to each other, but the other end of the parallel wall portion, that is, the end opposite to the mounting wall portion, has an arc shape, a curved shape, etc. These are connected by a back wall portion having an appropriate shape. By making the back wall part into a flat plate shape perpendicular to the parallel wall part, it is possible to form a substantially pentagonal base base shape as a whole. In carrying out other inventions, it is not always necessary to provide the parallel wall portion, and various aspects are possible such as an arc shape other than the pair of mounting wall portions. Further, it is not necessary to have the connecting portion, the outer peripheral wall, and the connecting flange, and various modes are possible, such as a part of the outer peripheral wall extending to the inner peripheral side to form the connecting portion. is there.

In the eighth invention, a plurality of strain sensing elements are provided over a predetermined angle range so that the strain sensing elements are symmetrical with respect to the neutral plane S. For example, the strain sensing elements are separated from each other on both sides of the neutral plane S. A plurality of strain sensing elements are provided, but it is also possible to provide a strain sensing element over a predetermined angular range so that the intersection with the neutral surface S is the center position, and intersects the neutral surface S. A pair of strain sensing elements may be provided at two locations. In that case, it is desirable to provide the strain sensing element in a relatively large angle range including the entire range of the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. Note that the plurality of strain sensing elements provided apart from each other in the direction of the neutral surface S do not need to be provided in the same angular range, and may be symmetrical with respect to the neutral surface S. Further, when implementing other inventions, it is not always necessary to have a symmetrical shape with respect to the neutral plane S, and the arrangement of the strain sensing elements is appropriately determined. Also in the seventeenth invention, by setting the symmetry plane G so as to be in the same positional relationship as the neutral plane S with respect to the input load F, the arrangement position of the strain sensing element with respect to the symmetry plane G is set in the same manner as described above. can do.

  In the ninth and eighteenth inventions, a total of four strain detections are separated from each other in four sections on both sides of the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G and symmetrically with respect to the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G. Although the element is provided, when other inventions are implemented, for example, the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G is located substantially at the same position as the position where the pair of mounting surfaces are provided around the axis of the strain generating body. Only by providing a pair of strain sensing elements symmetrically, it is possible to detect the operating force and the depression stroke of the operating pedal.

  In the eleventh invention and the twentieth invention, the strain body has a cylindrical shape, and one end and the other end of the cylindrical shape are integrally fixed to the case member and the shaft-like member, respectively. It is designed to be sheared with the displacement, but a part around the center line of the cylindrical strain body is fixed to the case member and inserted inside the cylindrical body of the strain body. The shaft member is arranged so that the case member and the shaft member are relatively displaced based on the reaction force, so that the tensile strain generated in the strain generating body is detected by the strain sensing element. good.

  In carrying out the twelfth and twenty-first inventions, the plurality of plate-like members are arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G, for example. More specifically, for example, the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G is divided into four locations that are divided by the axis of the shaft-like member and a plane perpendicular to the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G. A total of four plate-like members are provided so as to have a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the neutral plane S or the symmetry plane G, respectively, but may be arranged in other manners. Although it is possible to provide a strain sensing element on all of these plate-like members, it is also possible to provide only a strain sensing element on a part thereof.

  In the thirteenth invention, for example, in the second invention, the case member is attached to the sensor by fixing means such as bolts at two fixed portions so that a predetermined gap is formed between the pair of mounting surfaces and the receiving surface. It may be configured to be fixed integrally to the installation member. Alternatively, the load sensor 204 shown in FIG. 21 is used as it is, and the sensor mounting hole 202 is enlarged to provide play around the entire circumference, and a part of the positioning flange 208d is protruded so that two predetermined positions are fixedly installed. The sensor mounting member (operating pedal 16) may be fixed integrally with the sensor mounting hole. If a predetermined gap is formed between the sensor mounting hole and the case member, the sensor mounting hole and the case member Such a shape may be used.

  In the two fixed portions of the thirteenth invention, the case member is pressed against the sensor arrangement member by the input load F around the shaft center of the shaft-like member, for example, like the mounting surface and the receiving surface of the second invention. However, it is also possible to set two fixed portions on the opposite side, that is, on the upstream side in the direction of the input load F.

  In the fourteenth invention, a screw member is used as the fixing means, but various other fixing means such as spot welding or the like can be used.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an operation pedal device 10 for a vehicle service brake according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a state in which the operation pedal 16 is depressed to an intermediate point of a depression stroke, (b) Is a state in which the stepping operation is performed to the end of the stepping stroke. In the vehicle operation pedal device 10, the present invention is applied to the operation pedal device 200 of FIG. 21, and the operation pedal 16 is provided with a sensor mounting hole 28, and the load sensor 30 is provided in the sensor mounting hole 28. Is arranged. The load sensor 30 is provided with a wire harness 56 in the same manner as the load sensor 204, and a connector 58 is provided at the tip of the wire harness 56, and a vehicle control circuit is connected via the connector 58. To be connected to the part. The operation pedal device 10 corresponds to an operation device, and the operation pedal 16 corresponds to a sensor arrangement member.

  2 and 3 are diagrams specifically showing the load sensor 30 and the sensor mounting hole 28 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view corresponding to FIG. 1, that is, as viewed from the lower side in FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the neutral plane S in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIA-IIIA in FIG. The load sensor 30 includes a cylindrical strain generating body 32 and detects a load applied in the radial direction of the strain generating body 32. The load sensor 30 has an annular shape disposed on the outer peripheral side of the strain generating body 32. A case member 34 and a shaft-like member 36 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the strain body 32 are provided. The case member 34 includes an inner peripheral cylindrical connecting portion 60 in which one end portion (the upper end portion in FIG. 3A) of the strain body 32 is integrally fixed by press fitting, welding, or the like, and the connecting portion. An outer peripheral wall 62 provided on the outer peripheral side of the connecting portion 60 so as to surround the connecting portion 60, a plate-like connecting flange 64 that integrally connects the connecting portion 60 and the outer peripheral wall 62 at one end, and a connecting flange And a positioning flange 66 provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral wall 62 continuously to the outer peripheral wall 62, thereby forming a double cylinder structure as a whole. Then, the outer peripheral wall 62 is fitted in the sensor mounting hole 28 and the positioning flange 66 is brought into contact with one side surface of the operation pedal 16 by a fixing means such as a leaf spring (not shown). Is partially pressed against the inner wall surface of the sensor mounting hole 28 so that the sensor mounting hole 28 is held in a non-detachable state while being positioned in a certain posture.

  The shaft-shaped member 36 integrally holds the other end portion in the axial direction of the strain body 32 (the lower end portion in FIG. 3A) by press-fitting, welding, or the like, and is provided at the shaft center portion. The clevis pin 26 can be inserted through the insertion hole 38. The clevis pin 26, the insertion hole 38, and the clevis 24 are all rotatable relative to each other, and are relatively rotated with less friction as the operation pedal 16 is depressed. It is also possible to interpose a bearing or a bearing.

  Thus, the case member 34 and the shaft-like member 36 are connected to each other via the strain body 32, and when the input load F applied from the outside in the radial direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the center line O is substantially zero, 2 and 3, the shaft center Q of the shaft-shaped member 36 and the clevis pin 26 is held in a state substantially coincident with the center line O of the load sensor 30, and the strain body 32 is also centered on the center line O over the entire length. The cylindrical shape is maintained. The center line O of the load sensor 30 is the center line of the case member 34 disposed integrally with the operation pedal 16, specifically, the center line of the cylindrical connecting portion 60. On the other hand, when a radial load F is applied between the case member 34 and the shaft-like member 36 by the reaction force of the operating rod 22 as the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the case member 34 on the operation pedal 16 side is pivoted. As shown in FIG. 4, the strain body 32 is shear-deformed by being displaced in a direction (left direction in FIG. 3) approaching the operating rod 22 relative to the member 36. An annular space is provided between the case member 34 and the shaft-like member 36 so as to allow the relative displacement in the radial direction between them and the shear deformation of the strain body 32, and the strain body 32 has a diameter of It is made of a metal material such as ferritic stainless steel that can be elastically deformed by receiving a load from the direction, and is sheared and deformed according to the operation force when the operation pedal 16 is depressed. 4 (a) and 4 (b) correspond to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), respectively, and FIG. 4 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVA-IVA in FIG. 4 (a). The deformation amount of the strain generating body 32 is extremely small and hardly affects the stepping stroke of the operation pedal 16, but the deformation amount is enlarged in the drawing for easy understanding. The other drawings are the same.

  In order to detect the shear strain of the strain generating body 32, as shown in FIG. 5, four strain resistance elements 40a to 40d are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body 32 as strain detecting elements. As the strain resistance elements 40a to 40d, for example, a thin film type or thick film type semiconductor strain gauge, a normal strain gauge, or the like is preferably used. FIG. 5 (a) is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 (a), in which the strain generating body 32 is shear-deformed, (b) is a plan view seen from above (a), and (c). () Is a development view of the outer peripheral surface of the strain body 32. The four strain resistance elements 40a to 40d are arranged in two symmetrical positions across the center line O (Q) in the direction in which the strain generating body 32 generates a shear strain due to an external load. One part is provided at a distance from each other in the part to be subjected to tensile deformation and compression deformation.

  6 are formed by connecting the strain resistance elements 40a to 40d by the conductive circuit pattern 50 (see FIG. 5C), and the power supply electrode of the conductive circuit pattern 50 is formed. By connecting a power source E between the terminal 42 and the GND (ground) electrode 44, an electrical signal corresponding to the strain is output between the pair of output electrodes 46 and 48. A wire harness 56 (see FIG. 1) connected to these electrodes is connected from the load sensor 30 in order to connect the power supply E to the power supply electrode 42 and take out electrical signals output from the output electrodes 46 and 48. It extends and is connected to a control circuit section of the vehicle via a connector 58. An insulating film 52 (see FIG. 5C) such as glass paste is provided in advance on the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body 32, and the conductive circuit pattern 50 is formed on the conductive film such as silver. In addition, the strain resistance elements 40a to 40d are integrally provided by firing or the like so that a part of the conductive circuit pattern 50 is in contact with the conductive circuit pattern 50. It is also possible to provide a control circuit unit inside the load sensor 30. In this embodiment, a full bridge circuit is used. However, for example, when a strain generating body in which only a portion that receives a load based on the operation force of the operation pedal 16 has an arc shape is used, a half bridge circuit is used. You can also.

  On the other hand, when the operation pedal 16 is rotated around the support shaft 14 as the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the operating rod 22 and the operation pedal 16 are also relatively rotated around the axis of the clevis pin 26. The direction of the input load F applied from the clevis pin 26 to the load sensor 30 changes, and the deformation position of the strain generating body 32 also changes accordingly. The size and arrangement position of the strain resistance elements 40a to 40d are set so that substantially constant detection performance can be obtained regardless of the change in the direction of the input load F. It has a length dimension that covers a predetermined angle range larger than the change angle β in the direction of the input load F (see FIG. 2), and is provided so as to be symmetrical with respect to the neutral plane S. The neutral plane S is a plane including the center line O of the load sensor 30 and is determined so that the input load F substantially coincides with the neutral plane S at the midpoint of the stepping stroke. From an initial state that acts on one of the left and right sides of the neutral plane S around O, the state changes to a state that acts in the opposite direction via a state that matches the neutral plane S.

  Here, the outer peripheral wall 62 of the case member 34 is provided so as to form a convex shape with a predetermined apex angle α in a plane perpendicular to the axis Q of the shaft-like member 36, that is, in FIGS. And a pair of flat mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. The outer side surfaces of the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b function as mounting surfaces, and the sensor mounting hole 28 has a concave shape corresponding to the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b at the same angle as the apex angle α. A pair of flat receiving surfaces 28a, 28b are provided. The case member 34 is pressed downward in FIG. 2 by the fixing means such as the leaf spring so that the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b, respectively. It is disposed in the sensor mounting hole 28 and is positioned in a fixed posture. 2 is a view seen from the opposite front side as compared with FIG. 3 (b), and the positions of the mounting wall portions 62a, 62b and the like with respect to the neutral surface S are opposite to each other. The mounting wall portions 62a and 62b correspond to mounting portions, and the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b correspond to load receiving portions.

  The direction of the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b and the apex angle α are such that the pair of mounting walls 62a and 62b can be used even if the direction of the input load F changes within the range of the change angle β as the operating pedal 16 is depressed. It is determined to be always pressed against the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b based on the input load F. Specifically, the reaction force received by the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b from the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b is determined. It is determined that a component force is always generated in the direction toward the apex T of the convex shape. The neutral surface S is a plane including the apex T and the axis Q of the shaft-like member 36 in the unloaded state, that is, the center line O, and the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are formed on the neutral surface S. The apex angle α is set at an angle smaller than (180 ° −β) with respect to the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. Thereby, even if the direction of the input load F changes within the range of the change angle β, the input load F is always received by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b via the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. . Note that, when the apex angle α decreases, the component force toward the apex T increases and bending deformation is likely to occur, so the angle is set at, for example, 80 ° or more.

  The outer peripheral wall 62 also includes a pair of parallel wall portions 62c and 62d provided in parallel to the neutral surface S and symmetrically with respect to the neutral surface S in succession to the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. A flat plate-shaped rear wall portion connected at right angles to the other end of the parallel wall portions 62c and 62d, that is, the end portion opposite to the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b, and integrally connecting the mounting wall portions 62c and 62d. 62e, and has a substantially pentagonal base base shape as a whole. Thereby, high rigidity is obtained and the deformation | transformation by the input load F is prevented, maintaining the outer peripheral wall 62 thinly and lightweight. The sensor mounting hole 28 has the receiving surfaces 28 a and 28 b in surface contact with the mounting wall portions 62 a and 62 b of the outer peripheral wall 62, but the other portions have a predetermined gap with the outer peripheral wall 62. The mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are surely brought into surface contact with the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b, and the input load F is received only by the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b.

  In such a vehicle operation pedal device 10, the load sensor 30 that electrically detects the operation force based on the relative displacement between the case member 34 and the shaft-like member 36 causes the operation pedal 16 and the operating rod 22 to move relative to each other. A sensor formed on the operation pedal 16 is disposed in the rotation connecting portion 20 that is rotatably connected to detect an operation force transmitted through the clevis pin 26 of the rotation connection portion 20. Since the load sensor 30 is disposed in the mounting hole 28, the entire operation pedal device 10 can be configured in a simple and compact manner, and does not affect the mounting conditions of the conventional pedal device. Further, the peripheral members such as the operating rod 22, the clevis 24, and the clevis pin 26 can be the same as the conventional pedal device, and therefore can be configured at low cost.

  On the other hand, the case member 34 of the load sensor 30 includes a pair of flat mounting wall portions 62 a and 62 b provided so as to form a convex shape with a predetermined apex angle α, and a pair of the mounting members 28 provided in the sensor mounting hole 28. The flat receiving surfaces 28a and 28b are brought into surface contact with the outer surfaces of the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b, respectively, so that they are positioned in a fixed posture. Even if the direction of the input load F transmitted from the shaft-shaped member 36 to the case member 34 through the strain body 32 changes with the operation of the operation pedal 16, the input load F is always attached to a pair of attachments. It is received by a pair of receiving surfaces 28a, 28b through the wall portions 62a, 62b. Thereby, the bending deformation of the case member 34 due to the stress concentration is suppressed, and unnecessary deformation of the strain generating body 32 due to the bending deformation of the case member 34 or a decrease in the deformation amount (distortion amount) is prevented. As compared with the case of using a high-strength material that is unlikely to bend and deforming, or employing a large case member, the detection accuracy can be reduced.

  Further, even if the direction of the input load F changes as the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the input load F is always received by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b via the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. Therefore, the position and posture of the load sensor 30 are kept constant, and there is no possibility that the detection accuracy of the operating force is impaired due to swinging displacement like a cylindrical case member. Furthermore, since the bending deformation of the case member 34 is suppressed, even if the direction of the input load F changes, the deformation form does not become complicated simply by changing the deformation position of the strain generating body 32, and the deformation amount. When the input load F is constant with the variation in the average load being suppressed, the average strain amount of each of the strain resistance elements 40a to 40d becomes substantially constant, and the detection accuracy can be improved even during actual pedal operation when the input load F gradually increases. High reliability can be obtained stably.

  In addition, regardless of the change in the direction of the input load F accompanying the operation of the operation pedal 16, the direction in which the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are always directed toward the convex vertex T due to the reaction force received from the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b. Since the orientation of the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b and the apex angle α are determined so as to generate a component force, the frictional force between the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b and the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b Thus, the input load F is always reliably received by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b via the pair of mounting walls 62a and 62b, so that the load sensor 30 is not displaced or changed in posture. It is prevented more reliably and detection accuracy is improved.

  Further, since the apex angle α is smaller than (180 ° −β) with respect to the change angle β in the direction of the input load F, the frictional force between the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b and the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b is Regardless of their relative movement, the input load F is always reliably received by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b via the pair of mounting walls 62a and 62b. Misalignment and posture change are more reliably prevented and detection accuracy is improved.

  Further, the case member 34 of the load sensor 30 only needs to be disposed so that the pair of mounting surfaces, that is, the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b engage with the pair of receiving surfaces 28a and 28b of the sensor mounting hole 28, respectively. Assembling property of the load sensor 30 is improved, and as regards the assembling with respect to the operation pedal 16, high dimensional accuracy is not necessarily required in parts other than the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b and the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b. The required accuracy is relaxed and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

  In addition, since the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral plane S, even if the direction of the input load F changes as the operating pedal 16 is depressed, the input load It becomes easy to design the orientation of the receiving surfaces 28a, 28b so that F is always received by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a, 28b via the pair of mounting wall portions 62a, 62b. In the present embodiment, since the orientation of the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b is set so that the direction of the input load F and the neutral surface S substantially coincide with each other at the midpoint of the depression stroke of the operation pedal 16, the neutrality thereof is set. The direction of the input load F can be changed approximately symmetrically about the surface S. If the apex angle α is appropriate, the pair of mounting walls 62a and 62b are always attached regardless of the change in the direction of the input load F. Thus, the input load F is suitably received.

  The case member 34 has a double cylinder structure including a connecting portion 60, an outer peripheral wall 62, and a connecting flange 64, and a pair of mounting wall portions 62 a and 62 b are provided on the outer peripheral wall 62. In addition, the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b can be relatively bent and deformed by the input load F, but in the present embodiment, the pair of parallel wall portions are continuous with the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. Since 62c and 62d are provided, the rigidity of the outer peripheral wall 62 is increased, and the deformation of the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b is preferably prevented.

  In addition, since there is a gap between the outer peripheral wall 62 and the sensor mounting holes 28 except for the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b, the outer surfaces of the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b, that is, the mounting surfaces are surely paired with the sensor mounting holes 28. The case member 34 can be easily disposed in the sensor mounting hole 28 so as to be brought into surface contact with the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b, and the input load F can be received only by the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b. Thus, high detection accuracy can be reliably obtained.

  Further, in this embodiment, the strain body 32 has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member 36, and the four strain resistance elements 40a to 40d are symmetrical with respect to the neutral plane S, respectively. Since it is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body 32 over a predetermined angle range across the neutral surface S so as to have a shape, the operating force can be detected well by the bridge circuit.

  Further, the operation pedal 16 connected to the operating rod 22 so as to be relatively rotatable about the axis of the clevis pin 26 is used as a sensor disposing member, and the load sensor 30 is disposed on the operating pedal 16. The final operating force (output) transmitted from the operating rod 22 to the operating rod 22 is detected by the load sensor 30, and the braking force generated according to the output of the operating rod 22 can be detected with high accuracy.

  In addition, a case member 34 is disposed in the sensor mounting hole 28 provided in the operation pedal 16, and both end portions of the clevis pin 26 are inserted through the shaft center Q of the shaft-shaped member 36 and protrude to both sides of the sensor mounting hole 28. Is held by the clevis 24, a rotational moment such as torsion does not act on the load sensor 30, and the operating force can be detected with higher accuracy.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the load sensor 30 at the intermediate point of the stepping stroke, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 22. The input load F is applied to the pair of receiving surfaces 28a, 28b via the pair of mounting wall portions 62a, 62b. Therefore, the stress concentration as shown in FIG. 22 is prevented, the bending deformation of the case member 34 due to the stress concentration is suppressed, and the input load F, that is, the operation force can be detected with high detection accuracy. . FIG. 7A shows a no-load state, and FIG. 7B shows a state where a predetermined input load F is applied.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of transmission of force when an input load F is applied. FIG. 8 (a) shows the same stepping stroke as that in FIG. The component 62a, 62b generates a component force in the direction toward the convex vertex T due to the reaction force received from the receiving surfaces 28a, 28b, and the load sensor 30 is reliably positioned by the pair of receiving surfaces 28a, 28b. Misalignment and posture change are prevented. When the operation pedal 16 is further depressed from that state, the state shown in FIG. 8 (b) is obtained, and the direction of the input load F changes, but the mounting wall portion is caused by the reaction force received from the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b. Since a component force in the direction toward the convex vertex T side is still generated in 62a and 62b, the displacement and posture change of the load sensor 30 are prevented. Further, since the bending deformation of the case member 34 is suppressed, even if the direction of the input load F changes, the deformation position of the strain generating body 32 changes, and the shared load of the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b changes. By doing this, the deformation form does not become complicated, and high detection accuracy can be obtained stably. 8 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the back side as compared with the front view of the upper stage of FIG. 7, and the positions of the mounting wall portions 62a and 62b are opposite to each other.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, parts that are substantially the same as those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, in which (a) shows a state where the stepping stroke is at an intermediate point, and (b) shows a state where the stepping operation is performed until the end of the stepping stroke. The vehicle operation pedal device 80 includes an intermediate lever 82, and an operation force is transmitted from the operation pedal 16 to the operating rod 22 via the intermediate lever 82. The intermediate lever 82 is rotatably disposed on the pedal support 12 by a support pin 84 parallel to the support shaft 14 and is connected to the operation pedal 16 via a connection link 86. It is mechanically rotated around the support pin 84 in conjunction with the stepping operation. The connecting link 86 is connected to the operation pedal 16 and the intermediate lever 82 through a pair of connecting pins 88 and 90 parallel to the support shaft 14 at both ends thereof, respectively, so as to be relatively rotatable.

  In addition, the operating rod 22 is connected to the distal end portion of the intermediate lever 82 via a rotation connecting portion 92. The rotation connecting portion 92 is configured in the same manner as the rotation connecting portion 20, and the load sensor 30 is disposed in a sensor mounting hole provided in the intermediate lever 82. Therefore, this embodiment can provide the same effects as those of the previous embodiment.

  The connecting link 86 is connected to the operation pedal 16 via the connecting pin 88 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the connecting link 86 is connected to the intermediate lever 82 via the connecting pin 90 so as to be relatively rotatable. The operating force can be detected by disposing the load sensor 30 on the rotating connecting portion or the rotating connecting portion in which the intermediate lever 82 is rotatably attached to the pedal support 12 via the support pin 84.

  The load sensor 100 in FIG. 10 has the same basic structure as the above-described embodiment, which includes the strain generating body 32, the case member 34, and the shaft-like member 36, but the arrangement of the four strain resistance elements 102a to 102d is different. In addition, the neutral plane S is symmetrical with respect to the neutral plane S at four locations that are divided by a plane that passes through the axis of the strain body 32, that is, the center line O and is perpendicular to the neutral plane S. It is provided so that it may become a positional relationship. Specifically, a portion that intersects two straight lines that pass through the sensor center line O (axis Q) and intersect the neutral plane S at approximately 45 ° is the center position of each of the strain resistance elements 102a to 102d. In order to be, it is provided in a predetermined angle range at approximately 90 ° intervals. In this case, when the direction of the input load F coincides with the neutral plane S, the strain resistance elements 102b and 102d and 102c and 102a provided symmetrically spaced apart from each other across the neutral plane S are provided. Respectively have substantially the same deformation and the same amount of distortion. When the direction of the input load F changes, the strain resistance elements 102b and 102d and 102c and 102a are deformed differently, and the amount of strain also changes. The strain amount of the strain resistance elements 102b and 102d will be described in detail. When the direction is changed by applying an input load F having a certain magnitude, the sensor input coincides with the neutral plane S as shown in FIG. Angle (corresponding to the direction of the input load F) = 0 with the opposite characteristics across 0 °, and the total amount of distortion is maintained substantially constant regardless of changes in the sensor input angle. The same applies to the strain resistance elements 102a and 102c.

  Therefore, by detecting the total strain amount of the strain resistance elements 102b and 102d or 102a and 102c located on both sides of the neutral plane S, the operation force can be detected with high accuracy regardless of the change of the sensor input angle. Can do. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a bridge circuit that detects an operating force (corresponding to the input load F) using these strain resistance elements 102a to 102d, and (a) corresponds to (c) in FIG. , (B) corresponds to FIG. “Rc” in the circuit of FIG. 12B is a fixed resistance, and is provided in a portion other than the strain generating body 32, for example, a control circuit portion of a vehicle connected via a wire harness 56 and a connector 58. . Further, as the direction of the input load F changes, the strain amount (resistance value) of each of the strain resistance elements 102a to 102d changes continuously, so that the sensor input is based on the change of the strain amount (resistance value). The angle, that is, the depression stroke of the operation pedal 16 can also be detected.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are views showing still another example of the load sensor 30, and are cross-sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 13 (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the neutral plane S. FIG. , (B) are XIIIA-XIIIA sectional view and XIVA-XIVA sectional view in (a). The load sensor 110 includes a cylindrical strain body 112 and detects a load applied in the radial direction of the strain body 112, and a case member 114 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the strain body 112. It is installed. The case member 114 has the same home base-shaped outer peripheral surface as the outer peripheral wall 62 of the case member 34, and the pair of mounting surfaces 114a and 114b are in surface contact with the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b, respectively. The sensor mounting hole 28 is assembled in a fixed posture, and a portion around the center line of the strain generating body 112 (the left side wall portion in FIGS. 13 and 14) is integrally held by welding or the like. A shaft-like member 116 is inserted into the cylindrical shape of the strain body 112, and both end portions thereof are held by the clevis 24 so as to be relatively rotatable. The shaft-like member 116 in this case also serves as a clevis pin, that is, a connecting pin of the rotary connecting portion 20.

  When the input load F is substantially zero, such a load sensor 110 holds the case member 114 in a state substantially concentric with the shaft center Q of the shaft member 116 as shown in FIG. 112 is held in an eccentric state with respect to the shaft center Q such that the inner peripheral surface of the side wall portion on the opposite side to the side fixed to the case member 114, that is, the right side wall portion in FIG. Is done. This is defined by the operating rod 22 being pressed to the right in FIG. 1A by the action of a return spring or the like (not shown), and the operation pedal 16 abutting against a stopper (not shown) and positioned at the initial position. In this state, the strain body 112 has a substantially circular cylindrical shape. On the other hand, when a radial load is applied between the case member 114 and the shaft-like member 116 by the reaction force of the operating rod 22 as the operating pedal 16 is depressed, the shaft-like member 116 is applied to the case member 114. 13 and FIG. 14 is relatively displaced in the right direction, and the strain body 112 is tensilely deformed into an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. The case member 114 has a ring-shaped inner space whose size is determined so as to allow relative displacement with the shaft-shaped member 116 and tensile deformation of the strain body 112, and the strain body 112 has a radial direction. Is made of a metal material such as ferritic stainless steel that can be elastically deformed by receiving a load from the load, and is tensile-deformed according to the operation force of the operation pedal 16 when the operation pedal 16 is depressed.

  In order to detect the tensile strain of the strain generating body 112, strain detection is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body 112 and on the side wall portions positioned vertically in FIG. A strain resistance element is fixed as the element, and the operation force can be detected thereby. An insulating film such as glass paste is provided in advance on the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body 112 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and a conductive circuit pattern is formed thereon with a conductive material such as silver. The strain resistance element is integrally provided by firing or the like so that a part of the circuit pattern is in contact with the circuit pattern.

  Also in this embodiment, the case member 114 having the same home base shape outer peripheral surface as the outer peripheral wall 62 of the case member 34 is used, and the pair of mounting surfaces 114a and 114b are in surface contact with the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b, respectively. The sensor mounting hole 28 is assembled in a fixed posture in a state in which it is allowed to move, so that deflection of the case member 114 due to stress concentration, displacement due to a change in the direction of the input load F, posture change, etc. are suppressed, and high detection accuracy The same operational effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the load sensor 120 of FIG. 15, the connecting portion 124 of the case member 122 has an octagonal cylindrical shape, and the shaft-like member 126 is also in plan view (the same as the front view of FIG. 15A). An octagon that substantially overlaps 124, and a portion corresponding to four sides of one of the eight sides of the octagon, that is, a neutral plane S and an axis Q and neutral. Four flat plate-like members 128a to 128d are integrally fixed across the connecting portion 124 and the shaft-like member 126 at four places divided by a plane perpendicular to the surface S. It is installed. The plate-like members 128a to 128d function as strain generating bodies, and are made of a metal material such as ferritic stainless steel that can be elastically deformed by receiving a shear load in the plate thickness direction. Specifically, it is arranged in a posture inclined at about 45 ° with respect to the neutral surface S so as to have a positional relationship parallel to the axis Q and symmetrical with respect to the neutral surface S. The strain resistance elements 102a to 102d are attached to the outer surfaces of the plate-like members 128a to 128d, respectively, and the operation force (corresponding to the input load F) or the operation pedal is the same as the load sensor 100. Sixteen stepping strokes can be detected. 15A is a front view corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 10, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view showing a part of the shaft-like member 126 and the plate-like members 128a to 128d, and this plate-like member 128a. ˜128d are integrally fixed to the connecting portion 124 of the case member 122, respectively.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effect as the load sensor 100 of FIG. 10 can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, four flat plate-like members 128a to 128d that are spaced apart from each other around the axis Q of the shaft-like member 126 are used as the strain generating body. Since the input load F is applied to the members 128a to 128d in a concentrated manner, the amount of shear strain is larger than that of the cylindrical strain body 32 as shown in FIG. 16, and sensitivity and detection accuracy are improved. . In FIG. 16 (c), the strain amount graph shown by the alternate long and short dash line relates to the strain body 32 of the load sensor 100 as shown in (a). The strain amount graphs (two places) shown by the solid line are: This relates to the pair of plate-like members 128b and 128d on the lower side of the load sensor 120 of this embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, one strain resistance element 102a to 102d is attached to each of the four plate-like members 128a to 128d. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the strain detection element 130 such as a strain resistance element is moved up and down. It is also possible to attach two pieces apart from each other, detect strains at two locations of the compression deformed portion and the tensile deformed portion, and take out a strain signal by a bridge circuit as in FIG.

  The load sensor 140 of FIG. 18 has a case member provided with a mounting flange 142 that extends to the outer peripheral side over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral wall 62 instead of the positioning flange 66, as compared with the load sensor 30 of FIG. In the case of having 150, insertion holes 146 are provided at two predetermined positions of the mounting flange 142. The case member 150 has two fixing bolts 144 inserted through the insertion holes 146 in a state where the outer peripheral wall 62 is inserted into the sensor mounting hole 28 and has a predetermined play all around. By being screwed into the screw hole 148 of the operation pedal 16, the operation pedal 16 is integrally fixed to the operation pedal 16 via the fixing bolt 144. The portion of the mounting flange 142 where the insertion hole 146 is provided is a fixed portion, which corresponds to the mounting portion. The portion of the operation pedal 16 where the screw hole 148 is provided is a fixed portion, which is used as a load receiving portion. The fixing bolt 144 is a screw member and corresponds to a fixing means. FIG. 18A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the sensor mounting portion of the operation pedal 16, and FIG. 18B is an enlarged view of the XVIIIA-XVIIIA cross section in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the two fixed portions fixed to the operation pedal 16 by the fixing bolt 144, that is, the portions provided with the insertion holes 146 are in the same direction as the input load F, that is, ( a) and (b) on the downstream side which is the lower side and symmetrical with respect to the neutral plane S and separated by a predetermined opening angle γ around the axis Q of the shaft-shaped member 36, that is, around the sensor center line O. It is the position. The opening angle γ is larger than the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. Even if the direction of the input load F changes as the operating pedal 16 is depressed, the direction of the input load F is always the opening angle γ. It is set to fall within the range. 19A is a plan view seen from above in FIG. 18B, and FIG. 19B is a bottom view (corresponding to the front view of FIG. 2) seen from the opposite lower side. The neutral plane S is a plane parallel to the axis O that substantially coincides with the direction of the input load F at the midpoint of the depression stroke of the operation pedal 16 and corresponds to the symmetry plane G.

  Also in such a load sensor 140, two fixed portions (portions where the insertion holes 146 are provided) defined by an opening angle γ apart from the mounting flange 142 provided integrally with the case member 150 are also provided. However, it is integrally fixed to the two fixed portions (portions provided with the screw holes 148) of the operation pedal 16 via the fixing bolts 144, while the opening angle γ is used to depress the operation pedal 16. The change angle β of the direction of the input load F that changes due to the relative rotation of the accompanying rotation connecting portion 20 is larger, and the direction of the input load F is always between the two fixed portions (insertion holes 146). Since the positions of the two fixed portions (insertion holes 146) are set so as to enter, the input load F always has the two fixed portions (insertion holes 146) and the fixed portions (screw holes 148). Via the control pedal 16 Received is as becomes, flexural deformation of the case member 150 caused by stress concentration can be suppressed. Thereby, unnecessary deformation of the strain generating body 32 due to the bending deformation of the case member 150 or a decrease in the deformation amount (distortion amount) is prevented, the detection accuracy of the operating force is improved, and the bending deformation is not easily generated. Compared to the case of using a high-strength material or a large case member, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment, such as being lightweight and inexpensive.

  Further, when the pair of mounting wall portions 62a and 62b and the receiving surfaces 28a and 28b are brought into surface contact like the load sensor 30 of FIG. 3, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20B, the case member 34 may change its posture, and in this case, the detection accuracy of the operating force may be impaired. In the embodiment, since the two fixed portions (insertion holes 146) are integrally fixed to the fixed portion (screw hole 148) by the pair of fixing bolts 144, the case member 150 is always attached to the operation pedal 16. Arranged in a fixed posture, the detection accuracy is stable, and high reliability is obtained.

  Further, in this embodiment, a fixing bolt 144 is used as a fixing means, and the fixed portion (insertion hole 146 forming portion) is integrally fastened to the fixed portion (screw hole 148 forming portion) by the fixing bolt 144. Therefore, the apparatus is configured at a lower cost compared to the case where it is fixed by welding or the like.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, these are one Embodiment to the last, This invention is implemented in the aspect which added the various change and improvement based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. be able to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a vehicle operating pedal device for a service brake to which the present invention is applied, in which (a) shows a state where the stepping stroke is at an intermediate point, and (b) shows a state where the stepping operation is performed to the end. It is a front view which expands and shows the load sensor of the Example of FIG. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the rotation connecting portion in the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A is a vertical cross-sectional view cut along a neutral plane S, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an input load F is applied from the state of FIG. 3 and the strain generating body is shear-deformed, (a) is a longitudinal sectional view cut by a neutral plane S, and (b) is a diagram in (a). It is IVA-IVA sectional drawing. (a) is an enlarged sectional view of the strain generating body in FIG. 4 (a), (b) is a plan view seen from above (a), (c) is a development view of the strain generating body, It is a figure explaining the strain resistance element provided in the surface. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a bridge circuit formed by connecting the strain resistance elements shown in FIG. 5C with a conductive circuit pattern. FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the load sensor in the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a force transmission state in the load sensor of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the stepping stroke is at an intermediate point, and FIG. It is a figure explaining the case where this invention is applied to the operation pedal apparatus for vehicles which has an intermediate lever, and is a front view corresponding to FIG. It is a figure explaining another example of a load sensor, and is a front view corresponding to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change characteristic of a strain amount of a pair of strain sensing elements arranged symmetrically on both sides of a neutral plane S in the load sensor of FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an electric circuit of the load sensor in FIG. 10, (a) is a diagram illustrating a strain resistance element provided on the outer peripheral surface of the strain generating body, and is a development view corresponding to (c) in FIG. 5; FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. It is a figure explaining another example of a load sensor, It is a figure corresponded in FIG. 3, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view cut | disconnected by the neutral surface S, (b) is XIIIA-XIIIA sectional drawing in (a) It is. FIG. 14 is a view showing a state where the input load F is applied from the state of FIG. 13 and the strain body is tensilely deformed into an elliptical shape, in which (a) is a longitudinal sectional view cut along the neutral plane S, and (b) is ( It is XIVA-XIVA sectional drawing in a). It is a figure explaining another example of a load sensor, (a) is a front view corresponding to FIG. 2, (b) is a perspective view which shows a shaft-shaped member and a plate-shaped member. It is a figure explaining the improvement effect of the detection sensitivity of the Example of FIG. 15 compared with the load sensor 100 of FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 15B in a case where a pair of strain sensing elements are attached to one plate-like member in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of a load sensor, in which (a) is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a sensor mounting portion, and (b) is an enlarged view of a section XVIIIA-XVIIIA in (a). FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams showing the load sensor of FIG. 18, wherein FIG. 18A is a plan view seen from above in FIG. 18B, and FIG. 18B is a bottom view seen from the opposite lower side. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the possibility that the detection performance of the load sensor in FIG. 3 varies. FIG. 3A shows a case where the mounting posture of the case member is deviated, and FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the background art of this invention, (a) is a front view of the operation pedal apparatus for vehicles with a load sensor, (b) is an enlarged view of the XXIA-XXIA cross section in (a). FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the load sensor in FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a force transmission state in the load sensor of FIG. 21, where (a) shows a state where the stepping stroke is at an intermediate point, and (b) shows a state where the stepping operation is further performed.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 80: Vehicle operation pedal apparatus (operation apparatus) 16: Operation pedal (sensor arrangement | positioning member) 20, 92: Turning connection part 22: Operating rod (reaction force member) 26: Clevis pin (connection pin) 28: Sensor Mounting hole 28a, 28b: receiving surface (load receiving portion) 30, 100, 110, 120, 140: load sensor 32, 112: strain body 34, 114, 122, 150: case member 36, 116, 126: shaft shape Member 40a-40d, 102a-102d: Strain resistance element (strain detection element) 60, 124: Connection part 62: Outer peripheral wall 62a, 62b: Attachment wall part (attachment surface, attachment part) 62c, 62d: Parallel wall part 82: Intermediate levers (sensor arrangement members) 114a, 114b: mounting surfaces (mounting portions) 128a to 128d: plate-like members 130: Strain detecting element 142: Mounting flange 144: Fixing bolt (screw member, fixing means) 146: Insertion hole (fixed portion, mounting portion) 148: Screw hole (fixed portion, load receiving portion) ) F: Input load O: Center line of the sensor Q: Center axis of the shaft-shaped member S: Neutral plane G: Symmetric plane T: Vertex α: Apex angle β: Change angle of input load γ: Opening angle

Claims (22)

An operation pedal disposed on a pedal support fixed to the vehicle so as to be rotatable around a support axis, and operated by a driver;
A reaction force member to which an operation force of the operation pedal is transmitted and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force is applied;
A pair of members are interposed between the operation pedal and the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around a connection pin, and the operation force is transmitted through the connection pin. A dynamic coupling part;
A load sensor for electrically detecting the operating force;
In a vehicle operating pedal device with a load sensor having
The load sensor includes a shaft-shaped member and an annular case member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the shaft-shaped member so as to be relatively displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member and to surround the shaft-shaped member. A strain body disposed across the shaft member and the case member, and a strain sensing element fixed to the strain body, and the reaction force causes the shaft member and the strain member to be When the case member is relatively displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-like member and the strain body is deformed, the deformation of the strain body is detected by the strain sensing element.
The case member is arranged on one of the sensor arrangement members of the pair of members connected via the connection pin in the rotation connection portion, and the shaft-like member is connected to the other member via the connection pin. While connected to the member,
The case member has a plurality of attachment portions, and the case members are positioned in a fixed posture by engaging the attachment portions with a plurality of load receiving portions provided on the sensor arrangement member. It is arranged on the sensor arrangement member,
Even if the direction of the input load F transmitted from the shaft-shaped member to the case member via the strain body is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the stepping operation of the operation pedal. The vehicle-operated pedal device with a load sensor, wherein the input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of mounting portions. The plurality of mounting portions are a pair of flat mounting surfaces provided so as to form a convex shape with a predetermined apex angle α in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member, and the plurality of load receiving portions are A pair of flat receiving surfaces provided to form a concave shape on the sensor arrangement member corresponding to the mounting surface;
The case member is positioned in a fixed posture so that the pair of mounting surfaces are brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces, respectively, and the pair of mounting surfaces are pressed against the pair of receiving surfaces by the input load F. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the operation pedal device is equipped with a load sensor. Even if the direction of the input load F relatively changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion that accompanies the depressing operation of the operation pedal, the pair of mounting surfaces is always based on the input load F. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to claim 2, wherein the orientation of the receiving surface and the apex angle α are determined so as to be pressed against the receiving surface. The direction of the receiving surface and the apex angle α are the same even if the direction of the input load F is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the stepping operation of the operation pedal. The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 3, wherein a component force in a direction toward the apex side of the convex shape is always generated by a reaction force received from the receiving surface. . The apex angle α is smaller than (180 ° −β), where β is a change angle in the direction of the input load F that changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion when the operation pedal is depressed. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The pair of mounting surfaces are provided symmetrically with respect to a neutral surface S including the convex apex formed by the pair of mounting surfaces and the axis of the shaft member in an unloaded state. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The case member includes an inner peripheral connection portion to which the strain body is integrally connected, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the connection portion so as to surround the connection portion, and the outer periphery While comprising a plate-like connecting flange that integrally connects the wall and the connecting portion,
The outer peripheral wall has a pair of flat mounting wall portions whose outer surfaces constitute the pair of mounting surfaces, and is continuous with the pair of mounting wall portions and parallel to the neutral surface S and the neutral surface S. And a pair of parallel wall portions provided symmetrically with respect to each other, and a gap is provided between the sensor disposing member except for the mounting wall portion. An operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor. The strain body has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member,
A plurality of the strain sensing elements are provided over a predetermined angular range on the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the strain generating body so as to be symmetrical with respect to the neutral surface S. Item 8. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to Item 6 or 7. The strain sensing element is divided into the neutral plane S and the neutral plane S at four locations that are divided by the plane passing through the axis of the strain generating body and perpendicular to the neutral plane S. The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 8, wherein a total of four are provided so as to have a symmetrical positional relationship. The sensor arrangement member is a plate-like member connected to the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around the connection pin, and a sensor mounting hole having the pair of receiving surfaces is provided therethrough. And
In the load sensor, the case member is disposed in the sensor mounting hole so that the pair of mounting surfaces are brought into surface contact with the pair of receiving surfaces.
The connecting pin is disposed so as to protrude through both sides of the sensor mounting hole through the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member,
The load sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein both ends of the connecting pin are held by a U-shaped clevis integrally fixed to the reaction force member. Operated pedal device for vehicles with. The strain body has a cylindrical shape, and one end and the other end of the cylindrical shape are integrally fixed to the case member and the shaft-shaped member, respectively, and the case is based on the reaction force. The shear strain generated in the strain generating body is detected by the strain sensing element when the member and the shaft-shaped member are relatively displaced. The strain detection element according to any one of claims 2 to 10, An operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor. A plurality of the strain generating bodies are arranged in parallel with the shaft center and spaced apart from each other around the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member, and are flat and integrally fixed to the shaft-shaped member and the case member at both ends. A shearing strain generated in the plate-like member is detected by the strain sensing element when the case member and the shaft-like member are relatively displaced based on the reaction force. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 7. The plurality of mounting portions are predetermined around the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member among mounting flanges integrally provided on the case member so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member. The load receiving portion is a fixed portion to which the fixed portion is fixed integrally by a predetermined fixing means.
The opening angle γ is larger than the change angle β of the direction of the input load F that changes due to the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion when the operation pedal is depressed, and the direction of the input load F is always 2. 2. The vehicle operating pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 1, wherein the two fixed portions are set so as to enter between the fixed portions. The operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to claim 13, wherein the fixing means is a screw member. The two fixed portions are set at symmetrical positions with a symmetry plane G defined including the shaft center of the shaft-like member at an intermediate position within the range of the change angle β in the direction of the input load F. The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 13 or 14. The case member includes an inner peripheral connection portion to which the strain body is integrally connected, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall provided on the outer peripheral side of the connection portion so as to surround the connection portion, and the outer periphery A plate-like connecting flange for integrally connecting the wall and the connecting portion, and the mounting flange is provided so as to extend outward from the one end portion of the outer peripheral wall at a substantially right angle. The vehicle operating pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of claims 13 to 15. The strain body has a cylindrical shape and is provided concentrically with the shaft-shaped member,
The strain detection element is provided in a plurality of positions over a predetermined angle range on an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface of the strain generating body so as to be symmetrical with respect to the symmetry plane G. 15. An operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor according to 15. The strain sensing element is symmetrical with respect to the symmetry plane G at four locations that are divided by the symmetry plane G and a plane that passes through the axis of the strain generating body and is perpendicular to the symmetry plane G. The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 17, wherein a total of four are provided so as to satisfy the following positional relationship. The sensor arrangement member is a plate-like member connected to the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around the connection pin, and a sensor mounting hole is provided therethrough.
The load sensor is disposed in such a manner that the outer peripheral wall of the case member is inserted into the sensor mounting hole so as to have play over the entire periphery, and the mounting flange is in contact with the side surface of the sensor mounting member. Has been
The connecting pin is disposed so as to protrude through both sides of the sensor mounting hole through the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member,
The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to claim 16, wherein both ends of the connecting pin are held by U-shaped clevises integrally fixed to the reaction force member. The strain body has a cylindrical shape, and one end and the other end of the cylindrical shape are integrally fixed to the case member and the shaft-shaped member, respectively, and the case is based on the reaction force. The shear strain generated in the strain generating body is detected by the strain sensing element when the member and the shaft-shaped member are relatively displaced. The strain detection element according to any one of claims 13 to 19, An operation pedal device for a vehicle with a load sensor. A plurality of the strain generating bodies are arranged in parallel with the shaft center and spaced apart from each other around the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member, and are flat and integrally fixed to the shaft-shaped member and the case member at both ends. A shearing strain generated in the plate-like member is detected by the strain sensing element when the case member and the shaft-like member are relatively displaced based on the reaction force. The vehicle operation pedal device with a load sensor according to any one of claims 13 to 16 and 19. An operation member to be moved,
A reaction force member to which an operation force of the operation member is transmitted and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force is applied;
A pair of members are interposed between the operation member and the reaction force member so as to be relatively rotatable around a connection pin, and the operation force is transmitted through the connection pin. A dynamic coupling part;
A load sensor for electrically detecting the operating force;
In an operating device with a load sensor having
The load sensor includes a shaft-shaped member and an annular case member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the shaft-shaped member so as to be relatively displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the shaft center of the shaft-shaped member and so as to surround the shaft-shaped member. A strain-generating body disposed across the shaft-shaped member and the case member, and a strain sensing element fixed to the strain-generating body. When the strain member is deformed by the relative displacement of the case member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft-shaped member, the strain sensing element detects the deformation of the strain body.
The case member is disposed on one of the sensor-arranged members of the pair of members that are coupled via the coupling pin in the rotation coupling portion, and the shaft-shaped member is disposed on the other side via the coupling pin. While connected to the member,
The case member has a plurality of attachment portions, and the case members are positioned in a fixed posture by engaging the attachment portions with a plurality of load receiving portions provided on the sensor arrangement member. It is arranged on the sensor arrangement member,
Even if the direction of the input load F transmitted from the shaft-shaped member to the case member via the strain body is relatively changed by the relative rotation of the rotation connecting portion accompanying the stepping operation of the operation member. The operation device with a load sensor, wherein the input load F is always received by the plurality of load receiving portions via the plurality of mounting portions.

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