JP2018108803A - Pedal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pedal device capable of calling an attention of an operator without affecting a pedal operation while simplifying the structure.SOLUTION: The pedal device includes: a pedal arm 20 having an operation pedal; a support base 10 that supports the pedal arm in a freely rockable manner around a predetermined rocking axis S; and a vibrating unit U generating vibrations, the vibrating unit U being attached to the pedal arm 20 in the vicinity of the rocking axis S. Accordingly, the need for a long interconnecting wire is eliminated, discomfort does not occur when operating the operation pedal and, an attention by means of vibrations can be called, and desired operability can be ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedal device that is operated by a pedaling force of an operator, and more particularly, to a pedal device that is applied to a vehicle or the like and has a function of generating vibration for transmitting vibration to a driver and prompting attention.

  As an accelerator pedal device mounted on an automobile or the like, an arm member that is rotatably supported by the vehicle body, a pedal plate that is attached to the tip of the arm member and is operated by a driver's pedal force, and is attached to the arm member on the back side of the pedal plate There are known electric motors, a contact portion provided on the back side of the pedal plate so that the rotor of the electric motor abuts intermittently, a lead wire wired along the arm member, etc. (Patent) Reference 1).

  However, in this apparatus, since a heavy object is attached to the back side of the pedal plate, there is a possibility that the operator may feel uncomfortable. Moreover, since the lead wire is wired in a state of being exposed along the arm member, there is a possibility that the lead wire interferes with another member and is disconnected. Furthermore, when the pedal plate and the arm member are different depending on the vehicle type, it is necessary to set the mounting structure and contact portion of the electric motor for each vehicle type.

  Other accelerator pedal devices include an arm member that is rotatably supported by the vehicle body, a pedal plate that is attached to the tip of the arm member and is operated by the driver's pedaling force, and for transmitting vibrations to the driver via the pedal plate. There is known an actuator including an actuator that generates the above vibration, an arm member made hollow, and an actuator and a lead wire disposed inside the arm member (see Patent Document 2).

  However, in this apparatus, the arm member needs to be hollow, and a heavy object is attached to the back side of the pedal plate. Furthermore, when the shape of the pedal plate and the arm member differs depending on the vehicle type, it is necessary to attach the actuator corresponding to each arm member.

JP2007-204012A JP 2009-96245 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pedal device that can solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art while simplifying the structure and the like.

  The pedal device of the present invention includes a pedal arm having an operation pedal, a support base that supports the pedal arm so as to be swingable about a predetermined swing axis, and a vibration generating unit that generates vibration, In the vicinity of the swing axis, the pedal arm is attached.

  The said structure WHEREIN: You may employ | adopt the structure containing the electric motor which has an eccentric mass body in a rotating shaft.

  In the above configuration, the vibration generating unit may include a case that houses the electric motor and is fixed to the pedal arm and a connector that protrudes from the case to electrically connect the electric motor.

  In the above configuration, the case includes a case body that defines an opening that opens downward or obliquely downward in the vertical direction and that houses the electric motor, and a case cover that is coupled to the case body so as to close the opening. A configuration may be adopted.

  In the above configuration, the pedal arm may include a receiving recess formed to receive and fix the electric motor and a connector protruding from the vicinity of the receiving recess to electrically connect the electric motor. Good.

  In the above configuration, the accommodation recess is formed so as to define an opening that opens on the back side opposite to the front side where the operation pedal is provided, and the pedal arm is connected so as to close the opening of the accommodation recess. A configuration including a cover may be adopted.

  In the above configuration, a configuration may be employed in which the connector is disposed so as to extend toward the swing axis in the swing range of the pedal arm.

  The said structure WHEREIN: You may employ | adopt the structure fixed to the case or the accommodation recessed part through the elastic member.

  The said structure WHEREIN: You may employ | adopt the structure where the rotating shaft of the electric motor is orientated so that it may extend in directions other than parallel to a rocking | fluctuation axis.

  In the above configuration, the pedal arm includes a resin portion formed of a resin material and a metal sleeve fitted in the through hole of the resin portion, and the vibration generating unit is pedaled by a bolt passed through the sleeve. You may employ | adopt the structure fastened by the resin-made part of an arm.

  In the above configuration, the case includes a fitting cylinder portion that fits a part of the sleeve and abuts on one side portion of the pedal arm, and a nut fitting portion that non-rotatably positions and fits the nut into which the bolt is screwed. A configuration including the above may be adopted.

  In the above-described configuration, the sleeve is set to a dimension shorter than the length dimension from the seat surface of the nut in the nut fitting portion to the seat surface of the bolt in the pedal arm, while one end portion of the sleeve can contact the nut. A configuration may be adopted.

  In the above configuration, the pedal arm includes a metal part formed of a metal material and a through-hole formed in the metal part, and the vibration generating unit is configured of a metal part of the pedal arm by a bolt passed through the through-hole. You may employ | adopt the structure fastened by.

  In the above configuration, the pedal arm includes a supported portion centered on the swing axis, an upper arm extending upward from the supported portion, and a lower arm extending downward from the supported portion, A configuration may be adopted in which the unit is attached to the lower arm in the vicinity of the supported portion.

  According to the pedal device having the above-described configuration, a pedal device that can solve the problems of the prior art and achieve simplification of the structure and the like and can alert the operator without affecting the pedal operation can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is 1st Embodiment of the pedal apparatus which concerns on this invention, and is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the state which removed the vibration generating unit from right diagonally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a pedal device according to the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view in which a state where a vibration generating unit is removed is viewed from the left side. FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the inside of the housing and the entire pedal arm in the pedal device shown in FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the vibration generating unit contained in the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the vibration generating unit shown in FIG. 4 is attached to the pedal arm in the vicinity of the swing axis. It is a side view which shows the relationship between the rotating shaft of the electric motor contained in the vibration generating unit shown in FIG. 4, and the rocking | fluctuation axis line of a pedal arm. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 1, it is a left view when the pedal arm which attached the vibration generating unit is located in a rest position. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the pedal device shown in FIG. 1 when a pedal arm to which a vibration generating unit is attached is located at a maximum depression position. 2 is a graph showing vibration characteristics of an operation pedal by a vibration generating unit in the pedal device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view showing a second embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention, as viewed from the right side obliquely in a state where a vibration generating unit is removed. FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view showing a second embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the left side in a state where a vibration generating unit is removed. It is a right view which shows the inside of the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 10, it is a left view when the pedal arm which attached the vibration generating unit is located in a rest position. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 10, it is a right view when the pedal arm which attached the vibration generating unit is located in a rest position. FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention, as viewed from the right side obliquely in a state where a vibration generating unit is removed. The third embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention is shown, and is an exploded perspective view in which the state where the vibration generating unit is removed is viewed obliquely from the left side. The third embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention is shown and is an exploded perspective view in which the state where the vibration generating unit is removed is viewed obliquely from the back side. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 15, it is the right view which shows the whole pedal arm which attached the inside of the housing, and the vibration generating unit. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 15, it is a left view when the pedal arm which attached the vibration generating unit is located in a rest position. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 15, it is a right view when the pedal arm which attached the vibration generating unit is located in a rest position. FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention, in which a state where a vibration generating unit is removed is viewed obliquely from the back side. In the pedal apparatus shown in FIG. 21, the inside of a housing and the right side view which shows the whole pedal arm which attached the vibration excitation unit are shown. FIG. 22 is a left side view of the pedal device shown in FIG. 21 when the pedal arm to which the vibration generating unit is attached is located at a rest position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The pedal device according to the first embodiment is an accelerator pedal device mounted on an automobile or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the housing 10, the pedal arm 20, and the case 30 as a support base fixed to the vehicle body. And the vibration unit U including the electric motor 40, the sleeve 50, the bolt 61 and the nut 62, the slider 70, the urging spring 80, the return spring 90, and a position sensor for detecting the rotational angle position of the pedal arm 20.

  The position sensor includes an armature and a yoke embedded in the pedal arm 20, a stator and a hall element embedded in the housing 10.

  The housing 10 is made of a resin material, and includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 that are connected to each other to define the swing axis S.

The first housing 11 accommodates the slider 70, the urging spring 80, and the return spring 90 in the state where the pedal arm 20 is incorporated so as to be swingable about the swing axis S.
The second housing 12 includes a connector 12a that electrically connects a hall element of a built-in position sensor.

  The second housing 12 excludes the lower region of the pedal arm 20 in cooperation with the first housing 11 in a state where the pedal arm 20, the slider 70, the biasing spring 80, and the return spring 90 are mounted on the first housing 11. In addition, the first housing 11 is connected to the first housing 11 by a snap-fit connection so as to cover the whole, and is fastened with screws.

The pedal arm 20 is entirely formed of a resin material and functions as a resin part. The pedal arm 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 as a supported portion, an upper arm 22 extending upward from the cylindrical portion 21, and a cylindrical portion 21. A lower arm 23 extending downward and an accelerator pedal 24 as an operation pedal are provided.
The accelerator pedal 24 is integrally formed with the pedal arm 20.
Here, the upper side and the lower side indicate the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction when the accelerator pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

The cylindrical portion 21 is supported by the support portion of the housing 10 so as to be swingable about the swing axis S.
The upper arm 22 includes a contact portion 22 a that contacts the inner wall of the housing 10 at the rest position, a contact portion 22 b that removably contacts the slider 70, and a spring receiving portion 22 c that receives the end of the return spring 90.

The lower arm 23 has, in the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 21, a contact portion 23 a that contacts the housing 10 at the maximum depression position, and a cylindrical through hole 23 b centering on an axis L parallel to the swing axis S.
The through hole 23b is formed so as to extend in the direction of the axis L in a region exposed to the outside when the pedal arm 20 is incorporated in the housing 10.

Further, the lower arm 23 has, at both ends of the through-hole 23b, one side portion 23c against which the case 30 of the vibration generating unit U abuts and the other side portion 23d against which the head of the bolt 61 abuts.
The one side portion 23c is formed in a concave shape so that the inner wall surface 23c1 having two parallel surfaces with which the fitting cylinder portion 31c of the case 30 is non-rotatably fitted and the front end surface 31c1 of the fitting cylinder portion 31c are abutted. It has an annular contact surface 23c2 in contact therewith.
The other side portion 23d protrudes in an annular shape in the direction of the axis L around the through hole 23b, and forms a seat surface on which the head of the bolt 61 abuts.

The vibration generating unit U includes a case 30 and an electric motor 40.
The case 30 is made of a resin material, and includes a case main body 31 and a case cover 32 that is detachably connected to the case main body 31.

  The case body 31 includes a concave portion 31a, a nut fitting portion 31b, a fitting cylinder portion 31c, a connector 31d, a snap fit convex portion 31e, an incorporated terminal 31f, and openings 31g and 31h.

The concave portion 31a is formed so as to accommodate the electric motor 40, and is formed so as to define an opening portion 31g that opens downward in the vertical direction or obliquely downward when attached to the pedal arm 20.
The nut fitting part 31b defines an opening part 31h adjacent to the opening part 31g, and is formed so as to position and fit the nut 62 so as not to rotate.
Moreover, the nut fitting part 31b forms the seat surface with which the nut 62 contact | abuts in the axis line L direction.

The fitting cylinder part 31c is formed in a cylindrical shape having two parallel surfaces, and a part of the sleeve 50 is fitted inside the fitting cylinder part 31c, and the fitting cylinder part 31c is fitted to the concave one side part 23c of the pedal arm 20. It is formed to touch.
That is, the vibration generating unit U is positioned at a predetermined angular position around the axis L with respect to the pedal arm 20 by fitting the outer peripheral wall of the fitting cylinder portion 31c to the inner wall surface 23c1 of the one side portion 23c. .
Further, the tip end surface 31c1 of the fitting cylinder portion 31c is brought into contact with the annular contact surface 23c2 of the one side portion 23c, so that the vibration generating unit U is positioned at a predetermined position in the axis L direction with respect to the pedal arm 20. It is done.

The connector 31d accommodates a terminal 31f for electrical connection, and is always on the axis S in the swing range (rest position to maximum depressed position) of the pedal arm 20 in a state where the vibration generating unit U is fixed to the pedal arm 20. It arrange | positions so that it may extend toward.
According to this, when the pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like, the wiring on the vehicle body side is connected to the connector 31d. Here, since the connector 31d is always directed toward the axis S when the pedal arm 20 moves between the rest position and the maximum depression position, the displacement amount of the wiring on the vehicle body side can be reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference or wear with other parts accompanying the movement of the wiring, disconnection, or the like.

The case cover 32 includes a snap-fit concave portion 32 a and a rectangular annular fitting portion 32 b that fits into the concave portion 31 a of the case main body 31.
The case cover 32 is connected to the case main body 31 so as to close the openings 31g and 31h of the case main body 31 by snap-fit coupling in a state where the electric motor 40 and the nut 62 are accommodated in the case main body 31. .

The electric motor 40 includes a motor main body 41 to which an elastic member 41 a is attached, a rotating shaft 42 having an axis M, and an eccentric mass body 43 fixed to the rotating shaft 42.
The elastic member 41 a is formed in a cylindrical shape from an elastic material such as silicone rubber having a predetermined thickness, and is mounted so as to surround the outer periphery of the motor body 41.

The electric motor 40 is fixed in the case 30 while compressing the elastic member 41a from all directions by the motor body 41 being fitted into the recess 31a of the case body 31 and being closed while being pressed by the case cover 32. .
When the electric motor 40 is activated, the eccentric mass body 43 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42 to generate vibration. The generated vibration is transmitted to the pedal arm 20 and the accelerator pedal 24 through the case 30.

Thus, since the electric motor 40 is held in the case 30 via the elastic member 41a, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of a gap between the electric motor 40 and the case 30 due to a change over time. .
Therefore, vibration generated by the electric motor 40 can be efficiently transmitted from the case 30 to the pedal arm 20 without disappearing as sound energy such as rattling.

Here, in a state where the vibration generating unit U is attached to the pedal arm 20, the rotation shaft 42 (axis M) of the electric motor 40 is oriented so as to extend in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis S. .
That is, the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is arranged in a direction twisted with the swing axis S of the pedal arm 20 so that the vibration direction of the eccentric mass body 43 does not coincide with the swing direction of the pedal arm 20. become.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on the operation of the pedal arm 20, and it is possible to ensure the desired operability while alerting the user with a vibration generated in a direction that does not coincide with the swinging direction.

The sleeve 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a metal material, and a bolt 61 is passed through the inside thereof. Similarly, the bolt 61 and the nut 62 are made of metal.
Here, the sleeve 50 is fitted so as to be inserted through the through hole 23 b of the pedal arm 20 and the fitting cylinder portion 31 c of the case 30, and is incorporated so that the one end portion 51 can come into contact with the nut 62.

As described above, the pedal arm 20 is formed of a resin material, and the metal sleeve 50 is fitted into the through hole 23b extending in parallel with the swing axis S, and the vibration unit U is passed through the sleeve 50. Fastened by 61.
Accordingly, the weight and formability of the pedal arm 20 can be improved, and the vibration generating unit U can be firmly fixed to the pedal arm 20, so that the vibration generated by the electric motor 40 can be reliably transmitted to the pedal arm 20. Can be transmitted.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve 50 has a predetermined amount than the length W from the seat surface of the nut 62 in the nut fitting portion 31 b to the seat surface (the other side portion 23 d) of the bolt 61 in the pedal arm 20. The dimension is set to a short dimension H (H <W).
According to this, the rigidity in the connection region is enhanced by bringing the one end portion 51 of the sleeve 50 into contact with the nut 62 fitted to the nut fitting portion 31 b of the case 30. Further, by tightening the pedal arm 20 while compressing it in the direction of the axis L until the head of the bolt 61 comes into contact with the other end 52 of the sleeve 50, the rigidity in the coupling region is further enhanced.
Therefore, the vibration generated by the vibration generating unit U can be efficiently transmitted to the pedal arm 20 without being attenuated in the connection region.

  In the above configuration, a part of the sleeve 50 is fitted to the fitting cylinder part 31 c of the case 30, the fitting cylinder part 31 c is brought into contact with the one side part 23 c of the pedal arm 20, and the pedal arm 20 is contacted. Since the bolt 61 is inserted into the sleeve 50 from the other side portion 23d and screwed into the nut 62 fitted into the nut fitting portion 31b, the assembling work can be easily performed and the case 30 and the pedal arm 20 can be connected. The connection rigidity can be increased.

Further, in the above configuration, the case 30 defines the openings 31g and 31h that open downward or obliquely downward in the vertical direction to close the case main body 31 and the openings 31g and 31h that house the electric motor 40. Since the case cover 32 connected to the main body 31 is included, when the pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like, the electric motor 40 is covered by the case cover 32 while being inserted into the case main body 31 from the lower side in the vertical direction. It will be.
Therefore, even if the operator or the like overflows with a liquid such as drinking water, the liquid can be prevented from entering the case 30 and the intended function can be ensured.

The slider 70 is made of a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal, and is slidably disposed on the inner wall of the housing 10.
The biasing spring 80 is a compression type coil spring, and is arranged in a compressed state between the inner wall of the housing 10 and the slider 70.
The slider 70, the contact portion 22 b of the pedal arm 20, and the biasing spring 80 constitute a hysteresis generating mechanism that generates hysteresis in the pedaling force.

The return spring 90 is a compression type coil spring and is disposed in a compressed state between the inner wall of the housing 10 and the spring receiving portion 22 c of the pedal arm 20.
The return spring 90 directly applies a biasing force to the pedal arm 20 so as to return the pedal arm 20 to the rest position.

According to the pedal device having the above-described configuration, the vibration generating unit U is exposed from the housing 10 in the region of the lower arm 23 continuous to the lower side of the cylindrical portion 21 with the swing axis S as the center, and in the housing 10. It is attached to the pedal arm 20 in the region of the adjacent lower arm 23.
That is, since the vibration generating unit U is attached to the pedal arm 20 in the vicinity of the swing axis S, a long wiring as in the related art becomes unnecessary.
Further, there is no operational discomfort that is a concern when the electric motor is provided behind the accelerator pedal as in the prior art. Accordingly, desired operability can be ensured while providing a function of alerting by vibration.

  Further, the vibration generating unit U accommodates the electric motor 40 having the eccentric mass body 43 provided on the rotating shaft 42, the case 30 fixed to the pedal arm 20, and the electric motor 40. Since the connector 31d that protrudes from the case 30 is included as much as possible, the pedal device incorporating the vibration generating unit U can be easily provided by fixing the case 30 housing the electric motor 40 to the pedal arm 20.

  In particular, the vibration generating unit U can be modularized and applied to various pedal devices. For example, when the specification of the pedal arm 20 is different for each vehicle type, by changing only the pedal arm 20, parts such as the housing 10 and the vibration generating unit U can be shared, and cost reduction can be achieved.

  Furthermore, since the vibration generating unit U is attached to the lower arm 23 in the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 21 of the pedal arm 20, the moment of inertia of the pedal arm 20 around the swing axis S can be kept small. Thereby, the alerting function by desired vibration can be ensured while ensuring the operability of the pedal arm 20.

Next, the operation of the accelerator pedal device will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, when the driver is at a rest position where the accelerator pedal 24 is not depressed, the pedal arm 20 is stopped at the rest position as shown in FIG. 7 by the biasing force of the return spring 90 and the bias spring 80.
At this time, the connector 31d of the vibration generating unit U extends so as to face the direction of the swing axis S.

When the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 24 from this state, the pedal arm 20 rotates clockwise against the urging force of the return spring 90 and the urging spring 80, and as shown in FIG. Rotate to stop.
At this time, the connector 31d of the vibration generating unit U extends so as to face the direction of the swing axis S.

  That is, since the connector 31d is arranged to extend toward the swing axis S in the swing range (rest position to maximum depressed position) of the pedal arm 20, wiring on the vehicle body side is connected to the connector 31d. Even if the pedal arm 20 swings in the state where it is in this state, the amount of displacement of the wiring can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference or wear with other parts accompanying the movement of the wiring, disconnection, or the like.

Further, when it is determined by the vehicle-side control means that the operation mode is to alert the driver, the electric motor 40 of the vibration generating unit U is rotated by a predetermined control signal to generate vibration. The generated vibration is transmitted from the case 30 to the pedal arm 20 and the accelerator pedal 24.
By transmitting this vibration, the driver is alerted to perform an operation of returning the accelerator pedal 24.

  According to the accelerator pedal device having the above-described configuration, since the vibration generating unit U is attached to the pedal arm 20 in the vicinity of the swing axis S, an operation which is a concern when provided on the back side of the accelerator pedal as in the related art. The above feeling of incongruity does not occur, and desired operability can be ensured while providing a function of alerting by vibration.

The rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 included in the vibration generating unit U is oriented in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis S. Here, the axis M is positioned at a right angle with respect to the swing axis S at a twisted position.
According to this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 9, the vibration increases in the left-right direction of the accelerator pedal device (in the swing axis S direction), while the vibration decreases in the swing direction of the pedal arm 20.

That is, the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is oriented in the direction twisted with the swing axis S of the pedal arm 20, so that the vibration direction by the eccentric mass body 43 does not coincide with the swing direction of the pedal arm 20. Become. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation of the pedal arm 20 from being adversely affected.
As a result, desired operability is ensured, and the driver is alerted by vibrations that occur in a direction that does not coincide with the swing direction.

10 to 14 show a second embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
Further, the operation of the accelerator pedal device is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The pedal device according to the second embodiment is an accelerator pedal device mounted on an automobile or the like, and includes a vibration generating unit U including a housing 100 as a support base fixed to a vehicle body, a pedal arm 120, a case 30, and an electric motor 40. , Bolts 161 and nuts 62, sliders 171 and 172, biasing springs 181 and 182, a return spring 190, and a position sensor for detecting the rotational angle position of the pedal arm 120.

  The housing 100 is made of a resin material, and includes a first housing 111 and a second housing 112 that are connected to each other to define the swing axis S.

The first housing 111 accommodates the sliders 171, 172, the urging springs 181, 182, and the return spring 190 in the state where the pedal arm 120 is incorporated so as to be swingable about the swing axis S. It has become.
The second housing 112 includes a connector 112a that electrically connects a hall element of a built-in position sensor.

  The second housing 112 cooperates with the first housing 111 in a state where the pedal arm 120, the sliders 171 and 172, the biasing springs 181 and 182, and the return spring 190 are mounted on the first housing 111. It is connected to the first housing 111 by a snap fit connection so as to cover the whole except for the lower region, and is fastened with screws.

The pedal arm 120 is entirely formed of a metal material and functions entirely as a metal part. The pedal arm 120 is a thin plate-like disk portion 121 as a supported portion, and a thin plate-like shape extending upward from the disk portion 121. An upper arm 122, a thin plate portion 123 as a lower arm extending downward from the disc portion 121, and a rod portion 124 are provided.
The pedal arm 120 is attached with an accelerator pedal 125 as an operation pedal formed of a resin and a rubber material at an attachment portion 124 a of the rod portion 124.
Here, the upper side and the lower side indicate the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction when the accelerator pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

The disc portion 121 is engaged with a bearing hole that is a support portion of the housing 100 and is engaged with the shaft portion 121a that is supported so as to be swingable around the swing axis S and the one end portion 191 of the return spring 190. Part 121b.
The upper arm 122 has an abutment pin 122 a that abuts against a stopper 111 a provided on the inner wall of the housing 100 at the rest position and abuts against an abutment portion 171 b of the slider 171.

The thin plate portion 123 is formed continuously with the disc portion 121, and has a contact portion 123a that contacts the stopper 111b of the housing 100 at the maximum depression position, and a through-hole centering on an axis L parallel to the swing axis S. 123b.
The through-hole 123 b is formed in a circular hole centered on the axis L, and is exposed to the outside in a state where the pedal arm 120 is incorporated in the housing 100 and is positioned in the vicinity of the housing 100.
The rod portion 124 is coupled to the thin plate portion 123 by welding or the like, and has a mounting portion 124a to which the accelerator pedal 125 is attached in the lower end region thereof.

The vibration generating unit U is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and includes a case 30 and an electric motor 40. A nut 62 is incorporated in the case 30.
The vibration generating unit U is brought into contact with the right side surface of the thin plate portion 123 that forms part of the lower arm of the pedal arm 120 at the front end surface 31c1 of the case 30, and passes through the through hole 123b from the left side surface of the thin plate portion 123. When the bolt 161 is screwed into the nut 62 in the case 30, the bolt 161 is firmly fixed to the pedal arm 120.

Here, in a state where the vibration generating unit U is attached to the pedal arm 120, the connector 31d of the vibration generating unit U is oriented in a direction away from the swing axis S as shown in FIGS. Yes.
This attachment state is an example, and the present invention does not exclude an arrangement in which the connector 31d is oriented in a direction away from the swing axis S.

The connector 31d can be oriented in a preferred direction by appropriately changing the mounting angle of the vibration generating unit U in a layout that does not cause interference or the like.
For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the vibration generating unit U is fixed to the pedal arm 120 so that the connector 31d always extends toward the swing axis S in the swing range of the pedal arm 120. preferable.

The slider 171 is made of a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal, and has an inclined surface 171 a that contacts the inclined surface 172 b of the slider 172 and an abutting portion 171 b that abuts on the abutting pin 122 a of the pedal arm 120.
The slider 172 is formed of a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal, and has an inclined surface 172 a that contacts the inclined surface 171 a of the slider 171.
The sliders 171 and 172 are slidably disposed on the inner wall of the housing 100 with the inclined surfaces 171a and 172a in contact with each other.
The biasing spring 181 is a compression type coil spring, and is arranged in a compressed state between the inner wall of the housing 100 and the slider 171.
The biasing spring 182 is a compression type coil spring, and is arranged in a compressed state between the inner wall of the housing 100 and the slider 172.
The sliders 171 and 172 and the urging springs 181 and 182 constitute a hysteresis generating mechanism that generates hysteresis in the pedaling force.

The return spring 190 is a torsion coil spring, and around the swing axis S, one end portion 191 is hooked on the hook portion 121b of the pedal arm 120 and the other end portion is hooked on a part of the housing 100. Is arranged in.
The return spring 190 directly applies a biasing force to the pedal arm 120 so as to return the pedal arm 20 to the rest position.

According to the accelerator pedal device of the second embodiment, the vibration generating unit U is a region of the thin plate portion 123 of the lower arm that continues to the lower side of the disc portion 121 with the swing axis S as the center, and the housing 100. And is attached to the pedal arm 120 in the region of the thin plate portion 123 of the lower arm that is exposed from the housing 100 and close to the housing 100.
That is, since the vibration generating unit U is attached to the pedal arm 120 in the vicinity of the swing axis S, a long wiring as in the related art becomes unnecessary.
Further, there is no operational discomfort that is a concern when the electric motor is provided behind the accelerator pedal as in the prior art. Accordingly, desired operability can be ensured while providing a function of alerting by vibration.

Further, the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 included in the vibration generating unit U is positioned in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis S. That is, the axis M of the rotating shaft 42 is positioned at a right angle with respect to the swing axis S and in a twisted position.
As described above, the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is oriented in the direction twisted with the swing axis S of the pedal arm 120, so that the vibration direction of the eccentric mass body 43 does not coincide with the swing direction of the pedal arm 120. Arrangement.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the operation of the pedal arm 120 from being adversely affected. As a result, desired operability is ensured, and the driver is alerted by vibrations that occur in a direction that does not coincide with the swing direction.

  In particular, since the vibration generating unit U is directly fixed to the metal thin plate portion 123a as the lower arm, the vibration generating unit U can be pedaled without using the sleeve 50 as shown in the first embodiment. The arm 120 can be firmly fixed.

In the second embodiment, the case where a part of the lower arm of the pedal arm 120 is formed by the metal rod portion 124 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rod portion 124 is replaced. Thus, the lower arm may be integrally formed of a thin metal material.
Moreover, although the case where all the pedal arms 120 were formed with the metal material was shown, it is not limited to this.
For example, in the pedal arm, a supported part centering on the swing axis S, an upper arm, and a part of the lower arm continuous to the supported part are formed of a resin material as a resin part, and a part of the lower arm A metal rod member fitted to and coupled as a metal part, or a metal plate member as a metal part fastened with a screw to a part of the lower arm Thus, a pedal arm formed of a resin material and a metal material may be employed.

15 to 20 show a third embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
Further, the operation of the accelerator pedal device is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The pedal device according to the third embodiment is an accelerator pedal device mounted on an automobile or the like, and includes a housing 10 as a support base fixed to a vehicle body, a pedal arm 220, an electric motor 40 as a vibration generating unit, a slider 70, A bias sensor 80, a return spring 90, and a position sensor that detects the rotational angle position of the pedal arm 220 are provided.

The pedal arm 220 is entirely formed of a resin material, and includes a cylindrical part 221 as a supported part, an upper arm 222 extending upward from the cylindrical part 221, a lower arm 223 extending downward from the cylindrical part 221, and a lower part. A cover 224 detachably connected to the side arm 223 and an accelerator pedal 225 as an operation pedal are provided.
The accelerator pedal 225 is integrally formed with the pedal arm 220.
Here, the upper side and the lower side indicate the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction when the accelerator pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

The cylindrical portion 221 is supported by the support portion of the housing 10 so as to be swingable about the swing axis S.
The upper arm 222 has a contact portion 222 a that contacts the inner wall of the housing 10 in the rest position, a contact portion 222 b that removably contacts the slider 70, and a spring receiving portion 222 c that receives the end of the return spring 90.

  In the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 221, the lower arm 223 includes a contact portion 223a that contacts the housing 10 at the maximum depression position, an accommodation recess 223b, an opening 223c defined by the accommodation recess 223b, a snap fit projection 223d, A connector 223e for electrically connecting the electric motor 40 is provided.

The housing recess 223b is formed to house and fix the electric motor 40.
The opening 223c is formed so as to open on the back side opposite to the front side where the accelerator pedal 225 is provided.
The connector 223e is connected to the wiring on the vehicle body side, and is formed so as to protrude to the front side in the vicinity of the housing recess 223b.

The cover 224 has a rectangular annular fitting portion 224b that fits into the snap fit recess 224a and the housing recess 223b.
And the cover 224 is connected so that the opening part 223c may be obstruct | occluded by a snap fit coupling | bonding in the state in which the electric motor 40 was accommodated in the accommodation recessed part 223b.

Here, the electric motor 40 is fitted into the housing recess 223b of the pedal arm 220 and is closed while being pressed by the cover 224, thereby fixing the elastic member 41a in the housing recess 223b while compressing the elastic member 41a from four directions.
When the electric motor 40 is activated, the eccentric mass body 43 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42 to generate vibration. The generated vibration is transmitted to the pedal arm 220 and the accelerator pedal 225 via the case 30.

Thus, since the electric motor 40 is held in the housing recess 223b via the elastic member 41a, it is possible to prevent or suppress a gap from being generated between the electric motor 40 and the housing recess 223b due to a change over time. Can do.
Therefore, the vibration generated by the electric motor 40 can be efficiently transmitted to the pedal arm 220 without disappearing as sound energy such as rattling.

Here, in a state where the electric motor 40 is attached to the pedal arm 220, the rotating shaft 42 (axis M) is oriented so as to extend in parallel with the swing axis S.
This arrangement is an example, and the present invention does not exclude an arrangement in which the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is oriented in parallel with the swing axis S.
The electric motor 40 can be oriented in a preferred direction by appropriately changing the shape of the housing recess 223b provided in the pedal arm 220.
For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the electric motor 40 is preferably fixed to the pedal arm 120 such that the rotating shaft 42 extends in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis S. .

The connector 223e is disposed so as to protrude to the front side of the pedal arm 220. This arrangement is an example, and the present invention does not exclude an arrangement in which the connector 223e is oriented in a direction away from the swing axis S.
The connector 223e can be oriented in a preferred direction in consideration of the arrangement and shape of the housing recess 223b in a layout that does not cause interference or the like.
For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the connector arm 223 is preferably formed on the pedal arm 220 so that the connector 223e always extends toward the swing axis S in the swing range of the pedal arm 220.

According to the accelerator pedal device of the third embodiment, the electric motor 40 as the vibration generating unit is in the region of the lower arm 223 that continues to the lower side of the cylindrical portion 221 centering on the swing axis S and the housing 10. Is attached to the pedal arm 220 in the region of the lower arm 223 that is exposed from the housing 10 and close to the housing 10.
That is, since the vibration generating unit is attached to the pedal arm 220 in the vicinity of the swing axis S, a long wiring as in the related art becomes unnecessary.
Further, there is no operational discomfort that is a concern when the electric motor is provided behind the accelerator pedal as in the prior art. Accordingly, desired operability can be ensured while providing a function of alerting by vibration.
In the above embodiment, the electric motor 40 as the vibration generating unit is built in the pedal arm 220 in the region of the lower arm 23 and in the vicinity of the swing axis S. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, the electric motor 40 may be incorporated at a position that is out of the area of the lower arm 223 and out of the area where the accelerator pedal 225 is arranged.

In particular, the outer contour of the pedal arm 220 can be simplified by disposing the electric motor 40 as a vibration generating unit in the housing recess 223b of the pedal arm 220.
Therefore, in the relationship between the accelerator pedal device and the mounting position of the vehicle body, there is no need to consider interference between the vibration generating unit and the vehicle body side components, and the layout of the arrangement becomes easy.
Further, the case main body 31, the sleeve 50, the bolt 61, and the nut 62 as shown in the first embodiment are unnecessary. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced correspondingly, and cost reduction can be achieved.

21 to 23 show a fourth embodiment of the pedal device according to the present invention. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
Further, the operation of the accelerator pedal device is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The pedal device according to the fourth embodiment is an accelerator pedal device mounted on an automobile or the like, and includes a housing 10 as a support base fixed to the vehicle body, a pedal arm 320, a vibration generating unit U2, a slider 70, and a biasing spring 80. A position sensor for detecting the rotational angle position of the return spring 90 and the pedal arm 320 is provided.

The vibration generating unit U2 includes a case 130 and an electric motor 40.
Similar to the first embodiment, the electric motor 40 includes a motor main body 41 to which an elastic member 41 a is attached, a rotating shaft 42, and an eccentric mass body 43 fixed to the rotating shaft 42.
The case 130 is made of a resin material, and includes a case main body 131 having a connector 131a and a case cover 132 removably connected to the case main body 131, defining a housing recess for housing the electric motor 40. .

Here, the electric motor 40 is fitted in the housing recess of the case main body 131 and is closed while being pressed by the case cover 132, thereby fixing the elastic member 41 a in the case 130 while compressing the elastic member 41 a from four directions.
In addition, the case 130 has an outer shape that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an outer dimension that is fitted and fixed to the housing recess 324 of the pedal arm 320 with a predetermined tightening allowance.

  The connector 131a is positioned so as to be positioned on the back side of the pedal arm 320 and to extend in a direction parallel to the swing axis S in a state where the vibration generating unit U2 is attached to the pedal arm 320.

The pedal arm 320 is entirely formed of a resin material, and includes a cylindrical portion 321 as a supported portion, an upper arm 322 extending upward from the cylindrical portion 321, a lower arm 323 extending downward from the cylindrical portion 321, and operation An accelerator pedal 325 as a pedal is provided.
The accelerator pedal 325 is integrally formed with the pedal arm 320.
Here, the upper side and the lower side indicate the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction when the accelerator pedal device is mounted on a vehicle or the like.

The cylindrical portion 321 is supported by the support portion of the housing 10 so as to be swingable about the swing axis S.
The upper arm 322 includes a contact portion 322a that contacts the inner wall of the housing 10 at the rest position, a contact portion 322b that removably contacts the slider 70, and a spring receiving portion 322c that receives the end of the return spring 90.

  The lower arm 323 has, in the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 321, an abutting portion 323 a that abuts against the housing 10 at the maximum depression position, and an accommodation recess 323 b that fits and fixes the vibration generating unit U 2.

The accommodation recess 323b is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess while opening on the back side opposite to the front side where the accelerator pedal 325 is provided.
Here, the accommodation recess 323b is formed in such a size that the case 130 of the vibration generating unit U2 is fitted with a predetermined tightening allowance.
And the vibration unit U2 is firmly fixed to the pedal arm 320 only by fitting the case 130 of the vibration unit U2 into the housing recess 323b.

  In this way, the eccentric mass body 43 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42 by starting the electric motor 40 in a state where the vibration generating unit U2 is fitted and fixed to the housing recess 323b of the pedal arm 320. This generates vibration. The generated vibration is transmitted to the pedal arm 320 and the accelerator pedal 325 through the case 130.

Here, since the electric motor 40 is held in the case 130 via the elastic member 41a, it is possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of a gap between the electric motor 40 and the case 130 due to a change over time.
Therefore, the vibration generated by the electric motor 40 can be efficiently transmitted from the case 130 to the pedal arm 320 without disappearing as sound energy such as rattling.

Here, in a state where the electric motor 40 is attached to the pedal arm 320, the rotation shaft 42 (axis M) is oriented so as to extend in parallel with the swing axis S.
This arrangement is an example, and the present invention does not exclude an arrangement in which the rotating shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is oriented in parallel with the swing axis S.
The rotation shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 can be oriented in a preferred direction by appropriately changing the shape of the housing recess 323b provided in the pedal arm 320.
For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the vibration generating unit U2 is fitted to the pedal arm 320 so that the rotation shaft 42 of the electric motor 40 is oriented so as to extend in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis S. It is preferable to fix together.

Further, the connector 131a is disposed so as to extend in parallel with the swing axis S on the back side of the pedal arm 320. This arrangement configuration is an example, and the present invention does not exclude an arrangement in which the connector 131a is oriented in a direction away from the swing axis S.
The connector 131a can be oriented in a preferred direction in consideration of the arrangement and shape of the housing recess 323b in a layout that does not cause interference or the like.
For example, as in the first embodiment described above, the vibration generating unit U2 or the case 130 is formed so that the connector 131a always extends toward the swing axis S in the swing range of the pedal arm 320. Is preferred.

According to the accelerator pedal device of the fourth embodiment, the vibration generating unit U2 is exposed from the housing 10 in the region of the lower arm 323 that continues to the lower side of the cylindrical portion 321 with the swing axis S as the center. In the region of the lower arm 323 close to the housing 10, it is attached to the pedal arm 320.
That is, since the vibration generating unit U2 is attached to the pedal arm 320 in the vicinity of the swing axis S, a long wiring as in the related art becomes unnecessary.
Further, there is no operational discomfort that is a concern when the electric motor is provided behind the accelerator pedal as in the prior art. Accordingly, desired operability can be ensured while providing a function of alerting by vibration.

In particular, the outer contour of the pedal arm 320 can be simplified by disposing the vibration generating unit U2 in the housing recess 323b of the pedal arm 320.
Therefore, in the relationship between the accelerator pedal device and the mounting position of the vehicle body, it is not necessary to consider interference between the vibration generating unit U2 and the vehicle body side parts, and the layout of the unit becomes easy.
Further, since the sleeve 50, the bolt 61, and the nut 62 as shown in the first embodiment are unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced by that amount.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the vibration generating unit is attached to the pedal arm in the vicinity of the swing axis S in the region from the swing axis to the lower end of the pedal arm is shown. It is not limited to this.
For example, the vibration generating unit is attached to the pedal arm at a position deviating from the region where the operation pedal is disposed in the region from the swing axis of the pedal arm to the lower end, that is, in the region between the swing axis and the operation pedal. The configuration described above may be adopted.

  In the said embodiment, although the case where the electric motor 40 provided with the eccentric mass body 43 was included as a vibration generating unit was shown, it is not limited to this. For example, as long as vibration is generated, a solenoid type actuator that reciprocates in a predetermined direction, or a vibration generating unit including other vibration sources may be employed.

In the said embodiment, although the accelerator pedal apparatus mounted in a motor vehicle was shown as a pedal apparatus, it is not limited to this. For example, the vibration generating unit according to the present invention may be applied to a brake pedal device including a bracket fixed to a vehicle body as a support base and a brake pedal as an operation pedal.
Further, the present invention is not limited to a pedal device mounted on an automobile, and may be any other vehicle or a machine having an operation pedal other than a vehicle, as long as it has an operation pedal that is operated by an operator with a pedaling force. May be applied.

  As described above, the pedal device of the present invention can call attention to the operator without affecting the pedal operation while solving the problems of the prior art and achieving a simplified structure and the like. It can be applied to automobiles and the like, and is also useful in other vehicles and other fields.

S Oscillating axis 10 Housing (support base)
20 Pedal arm 21 Cylindrical part (supported part)
22 Upper arm 23 Lower arm (resin part)
23b Through-hole L Axis 23c One side part 23d The other side part (seat surface)
24 Accelerator pedal (operating pedal)
30 Case 31 Case body 31b Nut fitting part 31c Fitting cylinder part (seat surface)
31d Connector 32 Case cover 40 Electric motor 41 Motor main body 41a Elastic member 42 Rotating shaft M Axis 43 Eccentric mass body 50 Sleeve 61 Bolt 62 Nut 100 Housing (support base)
120 pedal arm 121 disk part (supported part)
122 Upper arm 123 Thin plate part (metal part, lower arm)
123b Through-hole 124 Rod part (lower arm)
125 Accelerator pedal (operating pedal)
161 Bolt 220 Pedal arm 221 Cylindrical part (supported part)
222 Upper arm 223 Lower arm 223b Housing recess 223c Opening 223e Connector 224 Cover 225 Accelerator pedal (operation pedal)
320 Pedal arm 321 Cylindrical part (supported part)
322 Upper arm 323 Lower arm 323b Housing recess 325 Accelerator pedal (operation pedal)
U2 vibration unit 130 case 131a connector

Claims (14)

A pedal arm having an operating pedal;
A support base that supports the pedal arm so as to be swingable about a predetermined swing axis;
A vibration generating unit that generates vibration,
The vibration generating unit is attached to the pedal arm in the vicinity of the swing axis.
A pedal device characterized by that. The vibration generating unit includes an electric motor having an eccentric mass body on a rotating shaft.
The pedal device according to claim 1. The vibration generating unit includes a case that accommodates the electric motor and is fixed to the pedal arm, and a connector that protrudes from the case to electrically connect the electric motor.
The pedal device according to claim 2. The case defines an opening that opens downward in the vertical direction or obliquely downward and accommodates the electric motor, and a case cover coupled to the case body so as to close the opening. Including,
The pedal device according to claim 3. The pedal arm includes a housing recess formed to receive and fix the electric motor, and a connector protruding from the vicinity of the housing recess to electrically connect the electric motor.
The pedal device according to claim 2. The accommodation recess is formed so as to define an opening that opens on the back side opposite to the front side where the operation pedal is provided,
The pedal arm includes a cover that is coupled so as to close the opening of the receiving recess.
The pedal device according to claim 5. The connector is arranged to extend toward the swing axis in the swing range of the pedal arm.
The pedal device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The electric motor is fixed to the case or the housing recess through an elastic member.
The pedal device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The rotating shaft of the electric motor is oriented to extend in a direction other than parallel to the swing axis.
The pedal device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The pedal arm includes a resin part formed of a resin material, and a metal sleeve fitted in a through hole of the resin part,
The vibration generating unit is fastened to the resin portion of the pedal arm by a bolt passed through the sleeve.
The pedal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pedal device is provided. The case includes a fitting cylinder portion that fits a part of the sleeve and abuts one side portion of the pedal arm, and a nut fitting portion that non-rotatably positions and fits a nut into which the bolt is screwed. Including,
The pedal device according to claim 10. One end of the sleeve can be in contact with the nut, and the sleeve is set to be shorter than the length from the seat surface of the nut in the nut fitting portion to the seat surface of the bolt in the pedal arm. Yes,
The pedal device according to claim 11. The pedal arm includes a metal part formed of a metal material, and a through hole formed in the metal part,
The vibration generating unit is fastened to a metal portion of the pedal arm by a bolt passed through the through hole.
The pedal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pedal device is provided. The pedal arm includes a supported portion centered on the swing axis, an upper arm extending upward from the supported portion, and a lower arm extending downward from the supported portion,
The vibration generating unit is attached to the lower arm in the vicinity of the supported portion.
The pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein

Images