JP2018106225A - Reaction-force generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a reaction force of a sufficient magnitude while achieving miniaturization and to make operation of an operating member easy with a light force at the time without energization.SOLUTION: The rotation of a rotation shaft 21b is decelerated by a worm reducer 22 and an electromagnetic clutch 30 is provided between the worm reducer 22 and an arm member 11, for adjusting power transmission condition between the worm reducer 22 and the arm member 11, so that a larger speed reduction ratio than a spur reducer can be obtained and sufficient reaction force can be generated while achieving a small size. Further, when an accelerator pedal is operated with a strong force, the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be slid to allow operation of the accelerator pedal. Furthermore, when the reaction force generating device 10 is not energized, the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be released, so that it is possible to easily operate the accelerator pedal with a light force without passing through the worm reducer 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a reaction force generator that applies a reaction force to an operation member operated by an operator.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reaction force pedal device that applies a reaction force against the stepping force to the accelerator pedal according to the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal (operation member) operated by a driver (operator). (Reaction force generator) is described. The reaction force pedal device described in Patent Document 1 is connected to a motor having a motor output shaft, a speed reducer (spar speed reducer) that decelerates rotation of the motor output shaft, and a speed reducer output shaft of the speed reducer to reduce the speed. And an arm for transmitting the output of the machine to an accelerator pedal.

  The reaction force pedal device described in Patent Document 1 outputs a reaction force (rotational torque) that rotates the arm in the reverse direction when the arm is rotated in the forward direction by the depression operation of the accelerator pedal. Here, the rotational torque output from the motor output shaft is further increased in torque via the speed reducer and transmitted to the arm, and is transmitted as a reaction force to the accelerator pedal via the arm.

International Publication No. 2013/099581

  By the way, the needs of the reaction force generator include a high output type that can generate a reaction force that resists a strong depression operation of an accelerator pedal by a driver. With such a high-power reaction force generator, for example, when the accelerator operation is mistaken for the brake operation, the driver's accelerator operation can be released. In particular, when an erroneous operation causes the vehicle to behave unexpectedly, there is a possibility that a strong stepping operation may be performed. Therefore, a high-power reaction force generator is effective.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to use a high output motor or a reducer with a large reduction ratio. In this case, the reaction force generator is not only increased in size, but also the reaction force generator. Problems such as heavy accelerator operation during non-operating (no power) occur.

  Note that the reaction force generator is provided with a torque limiter that allows the accelerator operation when the accelerator is operated with a strong force, so if the effectiveness of the torque limiter is set weakly, The accelerator operation can be lightened. However, in this case, it becomes impossible to generate a sufficient reaction force when the reaction force generator is operated.

  Therefore, it is desired to develop a reaction force generator that can simultaneously satisfy these conflicting needs, that is, “small and high output type” and “lightening operation when no power is supplied”.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a reaction force generator that can generate a sufficiently large reaction force while realizing a reduction in size, and can easily operate an operation member with a light force when no power is applied. There is.

  In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reaction force generating device that applies a reaction force to an operation member operated by an operator, and includes an electric motor having a rotation shaft, a worm reduction mechanism that decelerates rotation of the rotation shaft, An output member that is rotated by a worm reduction mechanism and transmits the rotation of the worm reduction mechanism to the operation member, and is provided between the worm reduction mechanism and the output member, and between the worm reduction mechanism and the output member And an electromagnetic clutch that adjusts the power transmission state.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the electromagnetic clutch includes a cover member having a housing portion that houses one side in the longitudinal direction of the output member, and the housing portion uses the other side in the longitudinal direction of the output member as a reference. A return spring is housed to return the position.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the worm speed reduction mechanism includes a first housing that houses a worm rotated by the rotating shaft and a worm wheel meshed with the worm, and the electromagnetic clutch generates a magnetic force when energized. And a second housing that houses a steel plate attracted by the electromagnet, and the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a controller for controlling each of the electric motor and the electromagnetic clutch is provided, and the controller adjusts drive currents to the electric motor and the electromagnetic clutch to drive the electric motor. Control is performed to make the slipping torque of the electromagnetic clutch larger than the torque.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the controller sets the drive current to the electric motor to zero and sets the drive current to the electromagnetic clutch to a predetermined value when it is determined that an operation of the operation member by the operator is unnecessary. Control to fix by value.

  According to the present invention, an electromagnetic clutch is provided between the worm speed reduction mechanism and the output member for adjusting the power transmission between the worm speed reduction mechanism and the output member. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a reduction ratio larger than that of the spar reducer and generate a sufficient reaction force while being small. Further, when the operation member is operated with a strong force, the operation of the operation member can be permitted by sliding the electromagnetic clutch. Furthermore, since the electromagnetic clutch can be released when the reaction force generator is not energized, the operation member can be easily operated with a light force without using the worm reduction mechanism.

It is the perspective view which looked at the reaction force generator from the arm member side. It is the perspective view which looked at the reaction force generator from the motor side with a deceleration mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a reaction force generator. It is a block diagram which shows the electric system of a reaction force generator. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing explaining the OFF state / ON state of an electromagnetic clutch. It is a characteristic graph which shows the control content of the torque (drive torque / slip-out torque) by an AFP controller.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view of the reaction force generator as viewed from the arm member side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reaction force generator as viewed from the motor side with a speed reduction mechanism, and FIG. 3 is an internal structure of the reaction force generator. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric system of the reaction force generator, FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the OFF / ON state of the electromagnetic clutch, and FIG. 6 is an AFP controller. The characteristic graph which shows the control content of the torque (driving torque / sliding out torque) by (1) is respectively shown.

  A reaction force generator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) that travels using either one or both of an engine and an electric motor as a power source. The reaction force generator 10 is provided in the vicinity of an accelerator pedal (operation member) AP that controls the output of the power source, and a reaction force is applied to the accelerator pedal AP operated by the driver (operator) as necessary. Is supposed to give. The accelerator pedal AP to which a reaction force is applied by the reaction force generator 10 is rotatable within a predetermined angle range around a support shaft (not shown).

  The reaction force generator 10 includes an elongated plate-like arm member (output member) 11, and the arm member 11 supports the side opposite to the support shaft side along the longitudinal direction of the accelerator pedal AP. A return spring 12 is provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of the arm member 11, and the other side in the longitudinal direction (accelerator pedal AP) of the arm member 11 is returned to the reference position shown in FIG. 1 by the urging force of the return spring 12. (Held). The accelerator pedal AP is rotated in an angle range of about 30 ° from the reference position against the urging force of the return spring 12 by the driver's stepping operation.

  When the accelerator pedal AP is depressed by the driver, that is, when an operating force (stepping force) of a predetermined magnitude is applied to the accelerator pedal AP, the accelerator pedal AP pushes against the urging force of the return spring 12 (arrow). a direction). When the accelerator pedal AP is rotated in the pushing direction, the output of the power source is increased according to the rotation angle and rotation speed.

  On the other hand, when the driver releases the stepping on the accelerator pedal AP, that is, releases the load of the operating force on the accelerator pedal AP, the accelerator pedal AP returns to the reverse direction opposite to the pushing direction by the urging force of the return spring 12. It is rotated in the direction of arrow b and returned to the reference position. Then, as the accelerator pedal AP rotates in the return direction, the output of the power source is reduced.

  The reaction force generator 10 operates so as to apply a predetermined reaction force to the accelerator pedal AP operated as described above as necessary. Specifically, the arm member 11 of the reaction force generator 10 is pressed in the direction of the arrow c by the rotation of the accelerator pedal AP in the pressing direction. At this time, for example, when the rotation of the accelerator pedal AP in the pushing direction is excessive, the reaction force generator 10 drives the arm member 11 in the direction of the arrow d and returns it to the accelerator pedal AP in the return direction. Transmit reaction force.

  Then, when the driver senses the reaction force from the reaction force generation device 10, the driver can notice an excessive depression of the accelerator pedal AP, and thus can switch to traveling that emphasizes fuel efficiency. In addition, for example, when the accelerator pedal AP is suddenly depressed due to carelessness of the driver, a larger reaction force can be generated in the reaction force generator 10 to prevent the vehicle from suddenly starting.

  The reaction force generator 10 includes an AFP (Active Force Pedal) controller 40, and an in-vehicle controller CN (see FIG. 4) is connected to the AFP controller 40 by CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. A command signal OSG (see FIG. 4) obtained based on the accelerator opening signal or the like is input to the AFP controller 40 from the in-vehicle controller CN.

  Accordingly, the AFP controller 40 drives the arm member 11 at a predetermined timing based on the input command signal OSG. In order to perform cooperative control with other in-vehicle devices, the AFP controller 40 outputs a feedback signal FBAFP (see FIG. 4) indicating the operation state of the reaction force generation device 10 toward the in-vehicle controller CN.

  Next, the structure of the reaction force generator 10 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the reaction force generator 10 includes a motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism, an electromagnetic clutch 30, an AFP controller 40, and a bracket member 50.

  The motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism constitutes an electric motor in the present invention and functions as a drive source for the reaction force generator 10. Specifically, the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism includes a motor 21 with a brush and a worm speed reduction mechanism 22.

  The brushed motor 21 includes a motor case 21a formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by pressing a thin steel plate. A plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) having a substantially arc-shaped cross section are fixed to the inner wall of the motor case 21a. Inside the plurality of permanent magnets, an armature (not shown) is rotatably accommodated through a predetermined gap.

  A rotation shaft 21b (see FIG. 3) is fixed to the rotation center of the armature. The distal end side of the rotating shaft 21b extends to the inside of the gear case 22a. The armature is rotated in a predetermined rotation speed and rotation direction by supplying a drive current from a commutator to a coil (none of which is shown) via a plurality of brushes. In the present embodiment, a brushless motor that does not include a brush may be employed instead of the brushed motor 21.

  The worm reduction mechanism 22 includes a gear case (first housing) 22a formed in a substantially bathtub shape by injection molding a resin material such as plastic. As shown in FIG. 2, the motor case 21a is fixed to the gear case 22a by three fixing screws S1. That is, the motor 21 with brush and the worm reduction mechanism 22 are integrated (unitized) with each other by the three fixing screws S1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a worm 22b provided at the tip of the rotating shaft 21b is rotatably accommodated inside the gear case 22a. Further, a worm wheel 22c that is formed in a substantially disc shape by a resin material such as plastic and meshes with the worm 22b is rotatably accommodated inside the gear case 22a. As a result, the rotation of the worm 22b (rotating shaft 21b) is decelerated to a predetermined rotation speed, and the torque increased in torque is output from the worm wheel 22c to the external arm member 11. That is, the arm member 11 is rotated by the worm reduction mechanism 22 and transmits the rotation of the worm reduction mechanism 22 to the accelerator pedal AP.

  In addition, the opening part (upper side in FIG. 3) of the gear case 22a is sealed with a gear case cover 22d.

  The worm wheel 22c accommodated in the gear case 22a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 22a1 provided integrally with the gear case 22a. The worm wheel 22c is provided with a large-diameter tooth portion 22c1 meshed with the worm 22b and a small-diameter coupling portion 22c2 coupled to the input side rotation member 33 of the electromagnetic clutch 30 so as to be able to transmit power.

  As described above, by adopting the worm speed reduction mechanism 22 as the speed reduction mechanism of the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism, a large speed reduction ratio can be obtained while being small compared to the speed reduction mechanism (spar speed reducer) using the conventional spur gear. It is like that. Therefore, further miniaturization and higher output of the reaction force generator 10 can be realized.

  A connector connecting portion 22e is attached to the gear case 22a. An end of the first wiring L1 extending from the AFP controller 40 is electrically connected to the connector connecting portion 22e via a connector (not shown). The first wiring L1 is formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires, and between the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism and the AFP controller 40, a drive current MA (see FIG. 4) for driving the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism, or a speed reduction. A feedback signal FBM (see FIG. 4) indicating the driving state of the motor with mechanism 20 is moved back and forth.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic clutch 30 is provided between the worm reduction mechanism 22 and the arm member 11 to adjust the power transmission between the worm reduction mechanism 22 and the arm member 11.

  The electromagnetic clutch 30 includes a clutch case (second housing) 31 formed in a substantially bathtub shape by injection molding a resin material such as plastic. An electromagnet 32 around which a coil 32a (not shown in detail) is wound is accommodated in the clutch case 31. The electromagnet 32 is fixed to the bottom wall portion 31a of the clutch case 31 by a plurality of fixing pins 32b (only two are shown in the drawing).

  In addition, the clutch case 31 accommodates an input-side rotation member 33 that is coupled to the small-diameter coupling portion 22c2 of the worm wheel 22c so as to be integrally rotatable. The input side rotation member 33 includes a cylindrical member 33a whose one end is fixed to the small diameter connecting portion 22c2, and a first disc member 33b fixed to the other end of the cylindrical member 33a. Here, both the cylindrical member 33a and the first disc member 33b are made of steel, and can receive the torque increased in torque transmitted from the worm reduction mechanism 22 without rattling.

  The diameter dimension of the 1st disc member 33b is made larger than the diameter dimension of the cylindrical member 33a. Thereby, the electromagnet 32 is arrange | positioned between the 1st disc member 33b along the axial direction of the electromagnetic clutch 30, and the bottom wall part 31a. Note that one end side of the cylindrical member 33a is exposed to the outside from the center portion of the bottom wall portion 31a, and can be connected to the small-diameter connecting portion 22c2.

  An output side rotation member 34 is further accommodated in the clutch case 31 so as to be rotatable. The output-side rotating member 34 is attached to the other end side of the cylindrical member 33a so that one end side is relatively rotatable, and a columnar member 34a having one end in the longitudinal direction of the arm member 11 fixed to the other end side, and the columnar member 34a A second disk member 34b fixed via a one-way clutch OC is provided near one end. Here, each of the cylindrical member 34a and the second disk member 34b is made of a steel material, so that the high torque torque transmitted from the worm speed reduction mechanism 22 can be output without rattling. In addition, the 2nd disc member 34b comprises the steel plate in this invention.

  Here, the one-way clutch OC includes a clutch inner part OC1 fixed to the columnar member 34a, and a clutch outer peripheral part OC2 fixed to the second disc member 34b. When the accelerator pedal AP (see FIG. 1) is depressed, the clutch inner periphery OC1 and the clutch outer periphery OC2 are rotated together. On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal AP is returned, only the clutch inner periphery OC1 is rotated, and the clutch outer periphery OC2 is not rotated.

  Note that the opening portion (upper side in FIG. 3) of the clutch case 31 is sealed with a clutch case cover 35. Here, the clutch case cover 35 constitutes a cover member in the present invention.

  The clutch case cover 35 is formed in a substantially disc shape from a resin material such as plastic, and a housing portion 35 a for housing a part on one side in the longitudinal direction of the arm member 11 is provided at the center portion thereof. The accommodating portion 35a is formed inside a cylindrical wall 35b protruding in the axial direction of the electromagnetic clutch 30, and a cutout portion 35b1 is provided in a part thereof as shown in FIG. A part of the arm member 11 on one side in the longitudinal direction is accommodated in the accommodating portion 35a via the notch 35b1. Further, the notch 35b1 is notched to a predetermined size, thereby restricting the rotation angle of the arm member 11 to approximately 60 °.

  The return spring 12 is accommodated inside the accommodating portion 35a. The return spring 12 is a torsion spring as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and one end 12 a is fixed to the cylindrical wall 35 b and the other end 12 b is fixed to the arm member 11. As a result, the accelerator pedal AP is pressed toward the reference position (the position shown in FIG. 1) by the urging force of the return spring 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a second wiring L <b> 2 is provided between the electromagnetic clutch 30 and the AFP controller 40 via a connector member 36. The second wiring L2 is formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires, and between the electromagnetic clutch 30 and the AFP controller 40, a drive current CA (see FIG. 4) for driving the electromagnetic clutch 30 and driving of the electromagnetic clutch 30. A feedback signal FBC (see FIG. 4) indicating the state is moved back and forth.

  Specifically, when the drive current CA to the electromagnetic clutch 30 is made zero, the electromagnetic clutch 30 is “off (released)” as shown in FIG. The rotating member 33 (see the dark shaded portion in FIG. 5A) and the output side rotating member 34 forming the electromagnetic clutch 30 (see the light shaded portion in FIG. 5A) can be rotated relative to each other. . That is, the accelerator pedal AP and the arm member 11 can be rotated with a light force and substantially without resistance.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined amount of drive current CA is supplied to the electromagnetic clutch 30, the electromagnetic clutch 30 is turned on (engaged) as shown in FIG. 5B, and the coil 32a is energized. The electromagnet 32 is magnetized. Then, the second disk member 34b of the output side rotating member 34 is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet 32 and moved in the direction of the arrow M. Thereby, the 2nd disc member 34b is strongly pressed against the 1st disc member 33b, and the frictional force between both is increased. Therefore, the second disk member 34b rotates integrally (co-rotates) with respect to the first disk member 33b (see the dark shaded portion in FIG. 5B).

  Here, the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 are assembled in separate assembly processes, and then connected and integrated with each other when the reaction force generator 10 is assembled. Specifically, the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 are firmly fixed to each other by three fixing screws S2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (only one is shown in the figure). These three fixing screws S2 are arranged around the worm wheel 22c, the input side rotating member 33, and the output side rotating member 34 at substantially equal intervals (approximately 120 ° intervals) around them (not shown in detail). ). Thereby, when the reaction force generator 10 is operated, the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 are reliably prevented from being distorted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket member 50 is firmly fixed to the clutch case 31 by two fixing bolts BL so as to sandwich the shaft center of the electromagnetic clutch 30. Here, the bracket member 50 is fixed to the clutch case 31 not by a small fixing screw but by a large fixing bolt BL. This is because the fixing strength of the bracket member 50 to the clutch case 31 is further increased. is there. The bracket member 50 is firmly fixed to a vehicle body frame (not shown) in the vicinity of the accelerator pedal AP.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the AFP controller 40 constitutes a controller according to the present invention, and includes a housing 41 that houses a control board (not shown). The housing 41 is made of a resin material such as plastic and is attached to the bracket member 50. The control board of the AFP controller 40 is connected to the first wiring L1 connected to the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism, the second wiring L2 connected to the electromagnetic clutch 30, and the in-vehicle controller CN (see FIG. 4). The third wiring L3 is drawn out. And the connector member 42 is provided in the edge part of the 3rd wiring L3, and the other end part of the CAN communication line (not shown) by which the one end part was connected to the vehicle-mounted controller CN is connected to the said connector member 42. It is connected via a communication connector (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the AFP controller 40 includes a driver circuit 43 that controls the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30. The driver circuit 43 is provided with a drive current calculation unit 43a and a PWM drive circuit 43b. The driver circuit 43 is supplied with a command signal OSG from the in-vehicle controller CN via the CAN communication line. Here, the command signal OSG used for controlling the reaction force generator 10 is obtained based on an accelerator opening signal or the like.

  And the drive current calculation part 43a calculates the drive current MA and CA which control the motor 20 with a deceleration mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 based on the input command signal OSG. Next, based on the information on the drive currents MA and CA calculated by the drive current calculator 43a, the PWM drive circuit 43b determines optimum duty ratios for generating the drive currents MA and CA, respectively. Thereafter, the drive currents MA and CA generated by the PWM drive circuit 43 b and superimposed with the high frequency are output toward the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30.

  As a result, the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 are driven and controlled, and a reaction force of a predetermined magnitude required at that time is output from the arm member 11. Therefore, the reaction force in the returning direction is transmitted to the accelerator pedal AP. From the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30, current values at that time flowing to the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 are input to the AFP controller 40 as feedback signals FBM and FBC, respectively. Thereby, even if the operating force (stepping force) with respect to the accelerator pedal AP changes, the drive currents MA and CA are adjusted correspondingly, and an optimum reaction force can be generated.

  Specifically, the AFP controller 40 synchronously controls the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 as shown in FIG. That is, when the accelerator pedal AP is depressed (rapid depression) such that the reaction force generator 10 is activated, the AFP controller 40 causes the first disk member 33b and the second disk member of the electromagnetic clutch 30 to move. The drive currents MA and CA are respectively controlled so that the starting torque TqC from which the motor 34b slides is slightly larger than the driving torque TqM of the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism (TqC> TqM).

  As a result, the reaction force of the reaction force generator 10 generated by the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism can be efficiently transmitted to the accelerator pedal AP with the required minimum drive current MA (reduction of power consumption). Further, the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be slid by increasing the accelerator pedal AP so that the pedal force is greater than the driving torque TqM of the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism at that time. Therefore, the driver can operate the accelerator pedal AP with a conscious strong force.

  In the reaction force generator 10 including the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30, unique control as described below can be executed. That is, when the vehicle is driven in an automatic driving mode (such as a mode in which the distance from the preceding vehicle is automatically maintained constant), the in-vehicle controller CN performs throttle opening control. For this reason, the driver does not need to operate the accelerator pedal AP. That is, the AFP controller 40 determines that the driver does not need to operate the accelerator pedal AP when the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode.

  Therefore, the AFP controller 40 supplies a relatively large drive current (CA) to the electromagnetic clutch 30 as shown in FIG. 6 based on the automatic operation mode. As a result, the starting torque of the electromagnetic clutch 30 becomes a relatively large starting torque (TqC), and the accelerator pedal AP can be used as a footrest. Therefore, the driver can step on both feet and can sit on the seat stably in the automatic driving mode. Here, the drive current (CA) to the electromagnetic clutch 30 shown in FIG. 6 constitutes a predetermined value in the present invention.

  However, in the automatic operation mode, the drive current to the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism is set to zero, and the drive torque generated by the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism is set to zero. Thereby, useless power consumption in the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism can be eliminated and only power consumption in the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be achieved. In addition, if it is going to make an accelerator pedal into a footrest by the reaction force generator which is not provided with an electromagnetic clutch like before, the power consumption in a motor will become large. In this case, the motor consumes more power than the electromagnetic clutch 30 alone, and the above-described reaction force generator 10 according to the present embodiment is advantageous also in this respect.

  As described above in detail, according to the reaction force generation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the rotation of the rotating shaft 21b is decelerated by the worm reduction mechanism 22, and the worm reduction mechanism 22 and the arm member 11 are interposed between the worm reduction mechanism 22 and the arm member 11. Since the electromagnetic clutch 30 that adjusts the transmission of power between the speed reduction mechanism 22 and the arm member 11 is provided, a reduction ratio larger than that of the spar speed reducer can be obtained while generating a sufficient reaction force. Can do. Further, when the accelerator pedal AP is operated with a strong force, the operation of the accelerator pedal AP can be permitted by sliding the electromagnetic clutch 30. Furthermore, since the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be released when the reaction force generator 10 is not energized, the accelerator pedal AP can be easily operated with a light force without using the worm reduction mechanism 22.

  Further, according to the reaction force generation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the electromagnetic clutch 30 includes the clutch case cover 35 including the accommodating portion 35a that accommodates one side in the longitudinal direction of the arm member 11, and the accommodating portion 35a. A return spring 12 for returning the other longitudinal side of the arm member 11 to the reference position is housed.

  As a result, the arm member 11 can be assembled in advance to the electromagnetic clutch 30 (a sub-assembled state). Therefore, the reaction force generator 10 can be easily assembled only by integrating the electromagnetic clutch 30 to which the arm member 11 is assembled and the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism assembled in a separate assembly process.

  Furthermore, according to the reaction force generator 10 according to the present embodiment, the worm speed reduction mechanism 22 includes the gear case cover 22d that houses the worm 22b rotated by the rotating shaft 21b and the worm wheel 22c meshed with the worm 22b. The electromagnetic clutch 30 includes an electromagnet 32 that generates a magnetic force when energized and a clutch case cover 35 that houses a second disk member 34b that is attracted to the electromagnet 32. The gear case cover 22d and the clutch case cover 35 are connected to each other. It is connected.

  Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent grease (not shown) applied to the worm 22b and the worm wheel 22c from being scattered on the second disk member 34b. Therefore, the slipping torque TqC of the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be easily managed without variation for each product, and the “current-torque characteristics” shown in FIG. 6 can be stably obtained.

  In addition, according to the reaction force generation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the AFP controller 40 that controls the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch 30 is provided, and the AFP controller 40 includes the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism and the electromagnetic clutch. By adjusting the drive currents MA and MC to 30 respectively, control is performed to make the slipping torque TqC of the electromagnetic clutch 30 larger than the drive torque TqM of the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism.

  As a result, the reaction force of the reaction force generator 10 generated by the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism can be efficiently transmitted to the accelerator pedal AP with the required minimum drive current MA (reduction of power consumption). Further, the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be slid by increasing the accelerator pedal AP so that the pedal force is greater than the driving torque TqM of the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism at that time. Therefore, the driver can operate the accelerator pedal AP with a conscious strong force.

  Furthermore, according to the reaction force generation device 10 according to the present embodiment, the AFP controller 40 determines that the operation of the accelerator pedal AP by the driver is unnecessary (in the automatic operation mode), the motor 20 with a speed reduction mechanism. The drive current MA is set to zero, and the drive current CA to the electromagnetic clutch 30 is fixed at a predetermined value (fixed by the drive current (CA) in FIG. 6).

  Thereby, the accelerator pedal AP can be used as a footrest. At this time, useless power consumption in the motor 20 with the speed reduction mechanism can be eliminated and only power consumption in the electromagnetic clutch 30 can be achieved.

  It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the material, shape, dimensions, number, installation location, and the like of each component in the above embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited to the above embodiment.

10 Reaction force generator 11 Arm member (output member)
12 Return spring 12a One end 12b Other end 20 Motor with reduction mechanism (electric motor)
21 motor with brush 21a motor case 21b rotating shaft 22 worm reduction mechanism 22a gear case (first housing)
22a1 Support shaft 22b Worm 22c Worm wheel 22c1 Large diameter tooth portion 22c2 Small diameter connecting portion 22d Gear case cover 22e Connector connection portion 30 Electromagnetic clutch 31 Clutch case (second housing)
31a Bottom wall part 32 Electromagnet 32a Coil 32b Fixing pin 33 Input side rotation member 33a Cylindrical member 33b First disk member 34 Output side rotation member 34a Column member 34b Second disk member (steel plate)
35 Clutch case cover (cover member)
35a Housing part 35b Cylindrical wall 35b1 Notch part 36 Connector member 40 AFP controller (controller)
41 Housing 42 Connector member 43 Driver circuit 43a Drive current calculation unit 43b PWM drive circuit 50 Bracket member AP Accelerator pedal (operation member)
BL Fixing bolt CN Car-mounted controller FBAFP, FBC, FBM Feedback signal L1 1st wiring L2 2nd wiring L3 3rd wiring MA, CA Drive current OC One-way clutch OC1 Clutch inner peripheral part OC2 Clutch outer peripheral part OSG Command signal S1, S2 Fixed screw TqC Sliding torque TqM Driving torque

Claims (5)

A reaction force generator that applies a reaction force to an operation member operated by an operator,
An electric motor having a rotating shaft;
A worm reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the rotary shaft;
An output member that is rotated by the worm reduction mechanism and transmits the rotation of the worm reduction mechanism to the operation member;
An electromagnetic clutch that is provided between the worm reduction mechanism and the output member, and adjusts the power transmission between the worm reduction mechanism and the output member;
Comprising
Reaction force generator. The reaction force generator according to claim 1,
The electromagnetic clutch has a cover member provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating one side in the longitudinal direction of the output member;
A return spring for returning the other side in the longitudinal direction of the output member to a reference position is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
Reaction force generator. The reaction force generator according to claim 1 or 2,
The worm speed reduction mechanism includes a first housing that houses a worm rotated by the rotation shaft and a worm wheel meshed with the worm,
The electromagnetic clutch includes a second housing that houses an electromagnet that generates a magnetic force when energized and a steel plate attracted by the electromagnet,
The first housing and the second housing are connected to each other;
Reaction force generator. In the reaction force generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A controller for controlling each of the electric motor and the electromagnetic clutch is provided,
The controller is
Adjusting the drive currents to the electric motor and the electromagnetic clutch, respectively, and performing control to make the slipping torque of the electromagnetic clutch larger than the driving torque of the electric motor;
Reaction force generator. The reaction force generator according to claim 4, wherein
The controller is
When it is determined that the operation of the operation member by the operator is unnecessary,
The drive current to the electric motor is set to zero and the drive current to the electromagnetic clutch is fixed at a predetermined value.
Reaction force generator.

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