JP2012113534A - Brake pedal retreat preventing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a brake pedal retreat preventing device easily suppressing manufacturing costs while hardly causing deterioration in operability of a brake pedal.SOLUTION: A brake pedal retreat preventing device comprises: a second vehicle constituent component 4 retreating and being displaced so as to approach a first vehicle constituent component 3 at a vehicle rear side; a master cylinder 2b fixed to the second vehicle constituent component 4; and a brake pedal 1 provided with a pedal arm 5, which is rotatably supported by the first vehicle constituent component 3, and a pedal step portion 6. A coupling 8, which relatively swingably couples an operation rod 7 of the master cylinder 2b therewith around a swinging axis core Y extending along a vehicle width direction with respect to an arm portion between a rotation axis core X of the pedal arm 5 and the pedal step portion 6, is fixed to the operation rod 7. A contact component 10, which is contactable with a portion 9 of the pedal arm 5 positioned between the rotation axis core X and the pedal step portion 6 from the vehicle rear side when the brake pedal 1 exceeds a normal rotation range and rotates toward the vehicle rear side, is fixed to the coupling 8.

Description

  According to the present invention, when an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied to the front portion of the vehicle, the second vehicle constituent member that moves backward to approach the first vehicle constituent member on the vehicle rear side, and the second vehicle constituent member A brake having a master cylinder fixed to the pedal, a pedal arm whose upper end is rotatably supported around a rotation axis along the vehicle width direction, and a pedal stepping portion provided at the lower end of the pedal arm And an operation rod of the master cylinder relative to the arm portion between the pivot axis of the pedal arm and the pedal stepping portion around a pivot axis along the vehicle width direction. The connection tool connected freely is related with the brake pedal retreat prevention device fixed to the operation rod.

In the conventional brake pedal retreat prevention device, the pedal arm is rotatably supported by the second vehicle constituent member to which the master cylinder is fixed.
And, for example, when a front part of the vehicle collides, an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front part of the vehicle, and the second vehicle constituent member is displaced backward so as to approach the first vehicle constituent member on the vehicle rear side. In this case, a pressing member that presses the brake pedal toward the front side of the vehicle and restricts the backward movement so that the brake pedal that has been displaced backward toward the vehicle rear side together with the second vehicle constituent member becomes difficult to approach the lower limb of the vehicle driver. It is provided on the first vehicle component (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 11-43073 A

For this reason, it is necessary to manufacture the pressing member separately and provide it on the first vehicle constituent member on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the second vehicle constituent member, which increases the manufacturing cost and presses the space on the rear side of the brake pedal. Since the members are present, the operability of the brake pedal may be impaired.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a brake pedal retraction preventing device that can easily reduce the manufacturing cost and that does not impair the operability of the brake pedal.

  The first characteristic configuration of the brake pedal retreat prevention device according to the present invention is a second reversal displacement so as to approach the first vehicle component on the rear side of the vehicle when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front of the vehicle. A vehicle component, a master cylinder fixed to the second vehicle component, and a pedal arm supported by the first vehicle component so that the upper end of the master cylinder can rotate around a rotation axis along the vehicle width direction. And a brake pedal having a pedal step provided at the lower end of the pedal arm, and an operation rod of the master cylinder is an arm between the pivot axis of the pedal arm and the pedal step A coupler that is pivotably coupled to a portion around a pivot axis along the vehicle width direction is fixed to the operation rod, and the brake pedal rotates beyond the normal rotation range toward the rear of the vehicle. Movement And when, abutment can contact member from the vehicle rear side portion of the pedal arm which is located between the pivot axis and the pedal stepping portion is in a point that is fixed to the connector.

In the brake pedal retreat prevention device of this configuration, the upper end portion of the pedal arm is supported by the first vehicle component member so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the vehicle width direction.
For this reason, for example, when the front part of the vehicle collides, an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front part of the vehicle, and the master cylinder 2b together with the second vehicle constituent member 4 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle as illustrated in FIG. When the first vehicle constituent member 3 is moved backward so as to approach the connecting member 8 fixed to the operation rod 7 of the master cylinder 2b, the brake pedal 1 supported by the first vehicle constituent member 3 is The pedal arm 5 is pressed so as to turn toward the rear side of the vehicle.
The connecting tool 8 connects the operating rod 7 to the arm portion between the pivot axis X of the pedal arm 5 and the pedal stepping portion 6 so as to be relatively swingable around the swing axis Y along the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the connecting tool 8 presses the pedal arm 5 while swinging relative to the pedal arm 5 without changing the fixed posture with respect to the operation rod 7.

In addition, the brake pedal retraction prevention device of this configuration is a part of the pedal arm (between the swing axis and the pedal stepping portion) when the brake pedal rotates beyond the normal rotation range to the vehicle rear side ( A contact member that can be contacted from the rear side of the vehicle is fixed to the connector.
For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the contact member 10 fixed to the connector 8 does not contact the tread portion side arm portion 9 from the vehicle rear side in the normal rotation range of the brake pedal 1. The normal operation of the brake pedal 1 is not hindered.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the backward displacement of the second vehicle component 4 increases and the connecting tool 8 rotates the pedal arm 5 beyond the normal rotation range to the vehicle rear side, The fixed contact member 10 is brought into contact with the stepping portion side arm portion 9 from the rear side of the vehicle and its backward movement is restricted.
When the contact member 10 comes into contact with the step portion side arm portion 9, a bending moment M is generated to bend the step portion side arm portion 9 around the swing axis Y, and this bending moment M is the pedal arm. 5 increases as the vehicle 5 is greatly rotated to the rear side of the vehicle beyond the normal rotation range, and as the impact energy at the time of collision increases (the rotation speed of the brake pedal 1 toward the rear side of the vehicle increases). Since the arm 5 is easily deformed, the pedal arm 5 is plastically deformed to effectively restrict the backward movement of the brake pedal 1, and the brake pedal 1 can be effectively prevented from approaching the lower leg of the driver.

  Therefore, with the brake pedal retreat prevention device of this configuration, it is easy to suppress the assembly cost of fixing the contact member to the connecting member provided in the past, and the brake pedal in the space on the vehicle rear side of the brake pedal. Without the presence of a pressing member, it is possible to effectively regulate the backward movement of the brake pedal, making it difficult for the brake pedal to effectively approach the lower limbs of the driver. There is also little risk of damage to sex.

It is a side view which shows a brake operation part when a brake pedal is rotated in a normal rotation range. It is a side view which shows a brake operation part when a brake pedal rotates beyond a normal rotation range to the vehicle rear side. It is a perspective view which shows the contact member fixed to the coupling tool. It is a perspective view which shows a brake pedal and a contact member.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a brake operation unit provided in front of a driver's seat (not shown) in an automobile (an example of a vehicle) equipped with a brake pedal reverse prevention device according to the present invention.
The brake operation unit is provided with a brake pedal 1, a treading force transmission means 2, a pipe-shaped fixed frame (a reinforcing member for an instrument panel) 3, and a dash panel 4.

The fixed frame 3 is fixed to a vehicle body frame (not shown), and a pedal bracket 3a that supports the brake pedal 1 so as to be rotatable is fixed to the fixed frame 3.
The pedaling force transmission means 2 includes a brake booster 2a and a master cylinder 2b, and is fixed to the vehicle front side of the dash panel 4.

The brake pedal 1 is disposed at a position on the vehicle rear side of the pedal force transmission means 2 with the dash panel 4 interposed therebetween, and includes a pedal arm 5 and a pedal step portion 6 provided at a lower end portion of the pedal arm 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pedal arm 5 has a hollow shape in which the outer peripheral edges of a pair of metal half arm members 5a and 5b divided in the left and right direction along the rotation axis X are joined to each other. Is formed.
In other words, the half-arm members 5a and 5b are formed in a U-shape in which the cross-sectional shape along the vehicle front-rear direction has hook-shaped edge portions at both ends, and the pedal arm 5 The edge portions of the arm members 5a and 5b are joined to each other to form a hollow shape.

The pedal arm 5 is supported by the fixed frame 3 via the pedal bracket 3a so that the upper end portion thereof can be rotated around the rotation axis X along the vehicle width direction.
The brake pedal 1 is urged by a return spring (not shown) so as to return to an initial position where the pedal force transmitting means 2 is not operated.

In the present embodiment, when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front part of the vehicle, for example, when the front part of the vehicle collides with another object in front of the vehicle or at the time of an offset collision that collides with another object on the front side of the vehicle Further, the dash panel 4 is displaced backward so as to approach the fixed frame 3 on the vehicle rear side.
Therefore, the brake pedal retreat prevention device according to the present invention has the fixed frame 3 as the first vehicle component and the dash panel 4 as the second vehicle component.

  A push rod 7 which is an operation rod of the master cylinder 2 b is disposed so as to protrude toward the vehicle rear side of the dash panel 4, and is provided at an arm portion between the pivot axis X of the pedal arm 5 and the pedal stepping portion 6. On the other hand, it is connected with a metal connector (clevis) 8.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 8 is formed in a U-shape in a plan view provided with a pair of connecting plates 8 a and 8 b that sandwich the pedal arm 5 from the direction along the rotation axis X. A pin 8c inserted through the plates 8a and 8b and a through hole formed in the pedal arm 5 sandwiched between the plates 8a and 8b is prevented from being detached by a split pin 8d, whereby the push rod 7 is secured to the pedal arm 5 in the vehicle width direction. Is pivotably coupled around a pivot axis Y (axis of the pin 8c) Y.

  Accordingly, as the pedal arm 5 is rotated toward the front side of the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal 1, the connecting rod 8 swings relative to the pedal arm 5 while the push rod 7 and the brake booster 2 a and When the master cylinder 2b is pushed forward of the vehicle and the depression of the brake pedal 1 is released, the connecting tool 8 swings relative to the pedal arm 5 and the brake pedal 1 returns to the initial position on the vehicle rear side. Moving.

  The connector 8 is rotated when the brake pedal 1 is rotated to the rear side of the vehicle beyond the range in which the brake pedal 1 is rotated in the normal operation state (hereinafter referred to as the normal rotation range), that is, beyond the initial position. A metal contact member that can contact a pedal arm portion (hereinafter referred to as a step portion side arm portion) 9 located between the swing axis Y and the pedal step portion 6 from the rear side of the vehicle when moved. 10 is fixed integrally.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact member 10 is formed in a U shape surrounding the step portion side arm portion 9 from the rear side of the vehicle, and extends from one connecting plate 8 a to the side of the step portion side arm portion 9. It is being fixed to the lower end part of the arm member 11 extended downward along the side surface (lateral side surface of one half arm member 5a). In this state, the connector 8, the arm member 11, and the contact member 10 are configured as an integral part.
As shown in FIG. 1, the contact member 10 is fixed in a posture that does not contact the vehicle rear side of the step portion side arm portion 9 in the normal rotation range.

  FIG. 2 shows that when an external force of a predetermined value or more is applied to the front of the vehicle, the brake cylinder 1 is pressed against the connector 8 as a result of the master cylinder 2b being moved backward together with the dash panel 4 so as to approach the fixed frame 3. Then, the state is shown in which the contact member 10 is rotated to the vehicle rear side beyond the normal rotation range, and the contact member 10 is in contact with the vehicle rear side of the step portion side arm portion 9.

  In this state, the turning movement of the step portion side arm portion 9 is restricted by the contact with the contact member 10, and the step portion is pushed as the brake pedal 1 is turned to the vehicle rear side by being pushed by the contact member 10. The difference between the position where the side arm portion 9 should originally move and the position where the side arm portion 9 can actually move increases.

  For this reason, a bending moment M is generated which tends to bend the step portion side arm portion 9 around the swing axis Y, and this bending moment M exceeds the normal turning range of the pedal arm 5 and is located on the vehicle rear side. The pedal arm 5 becomes more easily plastically deformed as the impact energy at the time of collision increases.

The vehicle front side portion at a position between the position of the swing axis Y of the stepping portion side arm portion 9 and the position where the contact member 10 contacts, close to the swing axis Y side. The fragile portion 12 is provided.
The fragile portion 12 is provided by forming a cutout portion extending along the vehicle width direction across the left and right half arm members 5a and 5b so that the pedal arm 5 is not damaged by a normal stepping operation.
The inside of the stepped portion side arm portion 9 is opened toward the vehicle front side at a notch (fragile portion) 12.

  The fragile portion 12 may be provided by forming a single or a plurality of through holes in each of the left and right half arm members 5a and 5b, for example, instead of the notch portion. Instead of cutting out the front surfaces of the arm members 5a and 5b, the front surfaces of the left and right half-arm members 5a and 5b may be provided with recesses recessed rearward.

  Accordingly, the pedal arm 5 can be plastically deformed starting from the notch 12 as the pedal arm 5 largely rotates to the vehicle rear side beyond the normal rotation range.

  Due to the plastic deformation starting from the notch 12 of the pedal arm 5, the shape rigidity of the pedal arm 5 is greatly reduced, so that even if it collides with the lower limb of the driver, the collision energy can be easily absorbed.

[Other Embodiments]
1. The brake pedal retreat prevention device according to the present invention may have a brake pedal including a plate-like (vertical flat plate-like) pedal arm instead of a hollow shape.
In this case, a weak portion (a notch portion, an opening portion, or a narrow portion) that does not deform by a normal brake operation may be formed on the plate-like pedal arm.
2. The brake pedal retreat prevention device according to the present invention may be configured such that the contact member 10 and the arm member 11 are separately provided with respect to the connector 8, for example, the contact integrated with the connector 8. The member 10 and the arm member 11 may be configured as separate parts and connected with bolts, or the connecting member 10 configured as a separate part with the integrated connector 8 and the arm member 11 connected with bolts. Alternatively, both the contact member 10 and the arm member 11 may be configured as separate parts and connected to the connector 8 by bolts.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Brake pedal 2b Master cylinder 3 1st vehicle structural member 4 2nd vehicle structural member 5 Pedal arm 6 Pedal stepping part 7 Operation rod 8 Connecting tool 9 Pedal arm part 10 Contacting member X Turning axis Y Swing axis

Claims (1)

A second vehicle component that moves backward so as to approach the first vehicle component on the rear side of the vehicle when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front of the vehicle;
A master cylinder fixed to the second vehicle component;
A brake pedal having a pedal arm supported by the first vehicle component member so that the upper end portion can turn around a turning axis along the vehicle width direction and a pedal stepping portion provided at the lower end portion of the pedal arm And
A connection for connecting the operation rod of the master cylinder to the arm portion between the pivot axis of the pedal arm and the pedal stepping part so as to be relatively swingable around a swing axis along the vehicle width direction. A tool is fixed to the operating rod,
When the brake pedal is rotated to the rear side of the vehicle beyond the normal rotation range, a contact that can be contacted from the rear side of the vehicle with the portion of the pedal arm located between the pivot shaft and the pedal stepping portion. A brake pedal retreat prevention device in which the member is fixed to the connector.

Images