JP2009096245A - Vehicular operating pedal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular operating pedal that has an alarm function having a simple and lightweight engagement structure between a pedal plate and an actuator. <P>SOLUTION: A pedal 1 comprises a pedal arm 3 rotatably supported to a vehicle body, and a pedal plate 2 mounted at the chip part of the pedal arm 3 so as to be operated by an operator. An oscillatory actuator 4 generates oscillation in order to transmit the oscillation to the operator via the pedal plate 2. The oscillatory actuator is built into the part at the bent end part 3b of the chip part 3a in the pedal arm 3. An opening of the bent end part 3b is sealed in a waterproof and dust-proof manner by a rubber seal 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation pedal for a vehicle having an alarm function of transmitting some information to a driver by vibrating an operation pedal of the vehicle such as an accelerator pedal.

In Patent Document 1, a pedal plate of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle is attached on the back surface of the pedal plate (opposite the tread surface) by an arm member and a pin rotatably supported by a vehicle body so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range. Further, there is described a technique in which an electric motor is further provided on the back surface, and the pedal plate is oscillatingly rotated about the pin by the electric motor.
JP 2007-204012 (see FIG. 1)

However, since the operation pedal is operated by the driver's foot, the pad covering the tread surface is likely to be worn or dirty. Further, since the operation pedal is depressed with a strong force, the pads and the body of the pedal plate (metal plate) are likely to be deformed or damaged.
In the prior art described in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when replacing a pad, an actuator that vibrates the pedal plate such as the electric motor on the back surface of the pedal plate is removed, or a set including a pedal plate and an arm member is used. There are many complicated operations such as removal. Furthermore, when the main body (metal plate) of the pedal plate is deformed or damaged, it may be necessary to replace it with a set including the pedal plate and the arm member.

Further, since the electric motor having a large mass is provided in the pedal plate portion, the moment of inertia of the operation pedal increases, and a light operation feeling of the operation pedal cannot be obtained.
Furthermore, in order to be able to use the actuator that vibrates the pedal plate such as the electric motor in a normal vehicle usage environment, it is necessary to perform waterproofing from the pedal plate to the entire connecting portion of the arm member. There was a problem that the cost of processing was high.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle operation pedal having a warning function, in which the engagement structure between the pedal plate and the actuator is simple and lightweight.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention described in claim 1 includes an arm member rotatably supported by a vehicle body, a pedal plate operated by a driver attached to a distal end portion of the arm member, An actuator for generating a vibration for transmitting vibrations to a driver via a pedal plate, and an arm member having a hollow (a part or all of the hollow) and an actuator inside the arm member It is characterized by arranging.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the actuator for generating vibration is arranged inside the hollow of the arm member, the actuator and the pedal plate as in the prior art described in Patent Document 1 are directly mechanically connected. It is not a configuration that involves engagement. Therefore, the pedal plate and the arm member can be connected with a simple configuration, and the pedal plate can be easily detached from the arm member.
In addition, since the actuator is a small actuator that fits inside the arm member, an increase in the moment of inertia of the operation pedal is small, and a light operation feeling of the operation pedal can be ensured.

  In the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1, the opening at the tip of the arm member is further closed by the seal member, thereby preventing water from entering from the tip of the arm member. It is characterized by that.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waterproof treatment of the electrical wiring portion including the actuator, which is disposed in the portion where the water easily enters the pedal plate, can be easily performed with the seal member, and the waterproof treatment does not cost. It is.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 2, the invention described in claim 3 further includes a control means for operating the actuator, and a moisture sensor disposed inside the arm member, and the control means includes: When the moisture sensor detects the ingress of water, the actuator is not operated.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, in the unlikely event that water enters the inside of the arm member, the control means does not operate the actuator, so that it is possible to prevent troubles of short circuit and electric leakage.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation pedal for vehicles which has a warning function with a simple and lightweight engagement structure of a pedal plate and an actuator can be provided.

  A vehicle steering pedal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a pedal plate and a pedal arm in a steering pedal for a vehicle according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a partial perspective view of the back side of the pedal plate. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view of the pedal arm for explaining the arrangement structure of the vibration actuator, and FIG. 2B is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the arrangement portion of the vibration actuator.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a pedal (operating pedal) 1 includes a pedal plate 2 and a pedal arm (arm member) 3 that is a metal hollow tube. It is attached to a pivotable pedal support mechanism (not shown) provided on the vehicle body side. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the pedal plate 2 is composed of a metal plate 11, and the tread surface 2a to be stepped on is covered with, for example, a synthetic rubber pad 12, and its edge is the back surface. It extends to the peripheral edge on the 2b side.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the tip 3a of the pedal arm 3 to which the pedal plate 2 is attached has a bent end 3b that is bent in the lateral direction of the vehicle compartment so that the pedal plate 2 does not rotate. Yes. At the front end side of the back surface 2b of the pedal plate 2, a fixing bracket 13 having a convex center and bent away from the back surface 2b is fixed to the metal plate 11 by, for example, point welding 13b and 13b. The bent end portion 3b is inserted into the bent portion 13a and fixed with a set screw 16 so that the bent end portion 3b does not come off. Then, on the base side of the back surface 2b of the pedal plate 2, a metal fitting 14 bent in such a way that the center is convex so as to be separated from the back surface 2b is held by a fixing screw 15, 15 so as to hold the pedal arm 3 in the bent portion 14a. Fix to the plate 11. The pedal arm 3 is fixed by a set screw 16 so as not to be displaced in the axial direction.

The set screws 16, 16 only bite into the outer peripheral surface of the pipe wall of the pedal arm 3, and do not penetrate the pipe wall.
Since the bent end portion 3b is bent in the lateral direction of the passenger compartment, the pedal plate 2 is firmly prevented from turning around the tube axis of the pedal arm 3 at the bent portion 14a of the fixing bracket 14. ing.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the vibration actuator 4 stored in the case 5 is passed through the front end of the cable 6 before the cable connector 7 is attached from the front end opening of the bent end 3b. Then, the vibration actuator 4 is installed on the distal end side of the pedal arm 3 by pushing the rubber seal (seal member) 8 in this order. Then, the cable connector 7 is connected to the tip of the cable 6.
Note that passing the cable 6 through the bent hollow tube of such a length means that the leading member, for example, a thin copper wire made of annealed copper or a hooked tool, for example, a small clip, etc. A ring portion that can be attached is passed from the opening on the connection portion 3c side to the opening on the bent end portion 3b side, and the hook that grasps the tip of the cable 6 is hung on the ring portion, and the connection portion 3c side This can be easily done by pulling the base side of the leading member protruding from the opening.

  Here, the vibration actuator 4 includes a motor 4a, which is a small DC motor, and an eccentric 4c fixed to the rotating shaft 4b. When the motor 4a rotates, vibration is generated by the rotation of the eccentric 4c. Is generated. A cable 6 for supplying electric power to the motor 4a extends to the base side inside the pedal arm 3 and is connected to a cable connector 7 that comes out of the opening of the connecting portion 3c and is connected to the wiring on the vehicle body side.

  Incidentally, the energization of the vibration actuator 4 via the cable connector 7 is, for example, when the vehicle operating pedal in the present embodiment is the accelerator pedal 1A, the accelerator pedal alarm unit (control means) of the engine ECU 20 described later. ) 20a (see FIG. 3).

The motor 4a is stored in, for example, a substantially cylindrical case 5 whose outer diameter made of hard plastic is substantially the inner diameter of the pedal arm 3, and the motor 4a is divided in half in the vertical direction. Is stored and then closed and inserted into the pedal arm 3.
The rubber seal 8 closes the opening at the tip of the bent end 3b for the purpose of dustproof and moistureproof.
In the present embodiment, the rubber seal 8 and the case 5 are coupled by a fitting structure so that the vibration actuator 4 does not move together with the case 5 due to vibration inside the pedal arm 3.

Even if the vibration actuator 4 moves together with the case 5 in the pedal arm 3 due to vibration, further movement is prevented at the bent portion of the bent end portion 3b with respect to the root side direction, and with respect to the tip side direction. Further, the rubber seal 8 prevents further movement.
Incidentally, the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the pedal arm 3 is, for example, 4 mm, and the combined length of the vibration actuator 4 and the rubber seal 8 is, for example, 13 mm, which is significantly higher than that of the electric motor described in Patent Document 1. It is a small and lightweight configuration.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an operation when the vehicle operation pedal in the present embodiment is an accelerator pedal will be described.
FIG. 3 is a mechanism block diagram of an accelerator pedal having an alarm function, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the alarm function. In this accelerator pedal 1A, when the vehicle speed is a predetermined value, for example, 100 km / hr or more, and the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 1A, the vibration actuator 4 is operated to vibrate the pedal plate 2. It alerts the driver to overspeed.

The accelerator pedal 1A is, for example, a part of the functions of an injector 25a of an actuator (indicated as FI actuator in FIG. 3) 25, a circuit opening relay 25b, and an engine ECU 20 that performs ignition timing control of an engine outside the accelerator pedal 1A. And an accelerator pedal alarm unit 20a and an accelerator pedal 1A.
The engine ECU 20 receives signals from various sensor groups 23 in order to control the engine. For example, a throttle position sensor 23a for detecting the opening of a throttle valve controlled by the accelerator pedal 1A, a vehicle speed sensor 23b for detecting the vehicle speed from the wheel speed, a battery voltage sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, O ₂ Receives signals from sensors, ignition switches, etc.

This accelerator pedal 1A has the same configuration as the pedal 1 described above, but besides the vibration actuator 4, a short circuit detection sensor (moisture sensor) that outputs an energization signal by short-circuiting between electrodes when water enters the sensor. 27, a temperature sensor 28, and a depression sensor 29 for detecting whether or not the pedal plate 2 is depressed are incorporated in the pedal arm 3.
Here, the moisture sensor which detects the invasion of other water based on a principle different from the short-circuit detection sensor 27 may be used. Further, as the depression detection sensor 29, a piezo element, a cantilever-type pressure sensor, or the like that detects whether or not the pedal arm 3 is bent by applying a depression force is conceivable.
Instead of incorporating the depression detection sensor 29 in the pedal arm 3, it may be attached to a pivotable pedal support mechanism (not shown) provided on the vehicle body side.

Then, the engine ECU 20 is activated when the ignition key reaches the engine start position, and performs the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 at a constant cycle in the accelerator pedal alarm unit 20a.
The parameters (vehicle speed, presence / absence of a short circuit due to water intrusion, temperature, presence / absence of depression of the pedal, etc.) of the vehicle speed sensor 23b, the short circuit detection sensor 27, the temperature sensor 28, and the depression sensor 29 are read (step S01).

  In step S02, it is checked whether or not the short circuit detection sensor 27 has detected submersion. If submergence is detected, that is, if a short circuit is output and an energization signal is output (Yes), the process proceeds to step S06, and if not (No), the process proceeds to step S03. In step S03, it is checked whether the temperature of the accelerator pedal 1A is higher than a predetermined value (whether it is an abnormal temperature). If it is higher than the predetermined value (Yes), the process proceeds to step S06, and if not (No), the process proceeds to step S04.

In step S04, it is checked whether or not the accelerator pedal 1A is being depressed. If it is being depressed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S05. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S05.
In step S05, it is checked whether the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a set speed, for example, 100 km / hr or higher. If the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the set speed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S07, and if not (No), the process proceeds to step S06.

In step S06, when the vibration actuator 4 is operated, the vibration actuator 4 is turned off, and when it is off, the vibration actuator 4 is turned off as it is (vibration actuator off). Thereafter, the process returns to step S01, and a series of control is repeated.
In particular, when the process proceeds directly from step S02 to step S06, it is a case where water has entered the hollow interior from the tip of the pedal arm 3, and when the vibration actuator 4 is operated, the vibration actuator 4 breaks down, Since battery current leaks, it can be prevented.
Such a situation can occur, for example, when there is heavy rain and the vehicle has to travel even when water enters the floor of the passenger compartment.

Further, when the process proceeds from step S03 to step S06, the inside of the pedal arm 3 is at a high temperature, and when the vibration actuator 4 is operated, the vibration actuator 4 is seized and breaks down, which can be prevented.
When the process proceeds from step S04 to step S06, it is determined that the driver has stopped pressing the accelerator pedal 1A.
Therefore, even if the vibration actuator 4 starts to operate, if the driver stops the stepping operation and the stepping detection sensor 29 does not detect the stepping, the vibration actuator 4 is turned off.

In step S07, if the vibration actuator 4 is not operating, it is turned on, and if it is already on, it is turned on as it is (vibration actuator on). Thereafter, the process returns to step S01, and a series of control is repeated.
When the process proceeds from step S05 to step S07, for example, when the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 100 km / hr or higher and the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 1A, the accelerator pedal alarm unit 20a operates the vibration actuator 4. Thus, the pedal plate 2 of the accelerator pedal 1A can be vibrated to alert the driver to overspeed.

According to the present embodiment, the engagement structure of the pedal plate 2 and the vibration actuator 4 is housed in the vibration actuator 4 in the metal pipe constituting the pedal arm 3, and the metal pipe outer peripheral portion of the pedal arm 3 is fixed to the fixtures 13 and 14. Since it is simply fixed to the metal plate 11 when the pad 12 is replaced or the pedal plate 2 is replaced, the fixing screw 15 and the set screw 16 can be simply removed at a low cost. Yes.
Also, when waterproofing is performed in order to prevent the vibration actuator 4 from being damaged due to water immersion from the tip of the pedal 1, it is only necessary to close the opening of the tip 3a with the rubber seal 8, which can also prevent dust from entering. .

  Furthermore, since the vibration actuator 4 is small and light enough to be stored in the pedal arm 3, the moment of inertia of the pedal 1 is small, and a light operation feeling of the pedal can be obtained during operation.

The method of attaching the pedal arm 3 to the pedal plate 2 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1B in the present embodiment, and the distal end portion 3a without the bent end portion 3b is straight. It can be anything. In that case, for example, the fixing brackets 13 and 14 may be welded to the distal end portion 3 a and the fixing brackets 13 and 14 may be fixed to the metal plate 11 with screws.
Further, the hollow portion of the pedal arm 3 does not have to extend over the entire length of the pedal arm 3, and the cable 6 may be pulled out from the middle of the pedal arm 3.
Incidentally, the pedal arm 3 is not limited to being made of metal, and may be a hollow tube such as carbon fiber reinforced resin, or may be a carbon fiber reinforced resin instead of the metal plate 11.

  Furthermore, the vibration actuator 4 is not limited to the one that rotates the eccentric 4c by the motor 4a, and may be one that vibrates a weight by a voice coil motor.

Further, the vehicle operation pedal according to the present embodiment is not limited to the accelerator pedal, but can be applied to a brake pedal having an alarm function.
For example, in a brake ECU that performs ABS (Anti Skid Brake System) control, etc., when the driver continues to depress the brake pedal strongly while performing ABS operation as a brake pedal warning function, vibration is applied to the pedal plate. It can also be applied to alarming.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a pedal plate and a pedal arm in an operation pedal for a vehicle, and (b) is a partial perspective view on the back side of the pedal plate. (A) is the fragmentary sectional view of the pedal arm explaining the arrangement structure of a vibration actuator, (b) is the elements on larger scale of the arrangement part of a vibration actuator. It is a mechanism block diagram of an accelerator pedal having an alarm function. It is a flowchart which controls the action | operation of an alarm function.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pedal (operating pedal)
1A Accelerator pedal (operating pedal)
2 Pedal plate 2a Tread surface 2b Back surface 3 Pedal arm (arm member)
3a Tip 3b Bend 3c Connection 4 Vibration actuator (actuator)
4a Motor 4b Rotating shaft 4c Eccentric element 5 Case 8 Rubber seal (seal member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Metal plate 12 Pad 13, 14 Fixing metal fitting 13a, 14a Bending part 20 Engine ECU
20a Accelerator pedal warning unit 27 Short circuit detection sensor (moisture sensor)
28 Temperature sensor 29 Depression detection sensor

Claims (3)

An arm member rotatably supported by the vehicle body;
A pedal plate operated by a driver attached to the tip of the arm member;
An actuator for generating vibration for transmitting vibration to the driver via the pedal plate;
In an operation pedal for a vehicle comprising:
The arm member is hollow,
An operating pedal for a vehicle, wherein the actuator is disposed inside the arm member.   2. The vehicle operation pedal according to claim 1, wherein an opening at a distal end portion of the arm member is closed with a seal member to prevent water from entering from the distal end of the arm member. Control means for operating the actuator;
A moisture sensor disposed inside the arm member;
3. The operation pedal for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the control unit does not operate the actuator when the moisture sensor detects intrusion of water. 4.

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