JP3142494B2 - Vehicle pedal system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle pedal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various configurations have been devised as occupant protection measures when an external force exceeding a predetermined value acts from the front of a vehicle. As an example of this kind of countermeasure, there is a configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-73664.

[0003] Briefly, as shown in FIG.
In the configuration disclosed in this publication, the steering column 402 covering the steering shaft 400 is
04 and a pair of side plate members 406, a tilt bracket 408, and a shaft 41 penetrating between these side plate members 406 and supporting a lower edge of the steering column 402
0 supports the vehicle.

Further, the tilt bracket 408 described above is used.
A knee protector 412 having a substantially circular arc shape and capable of being elastically deformed is provided below. The knee protector 412 is elastically supported on the lower edge side of the steering column 402 via an elastically deformable stay 414.

According to the above structure, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts from the front of the vehicle, the occupant attempts to inertia move toward the front of the vehicle, and accordingly, the legs of the occupant flex in the same direction with the knee as a starting point. Try to inertia move to. For this reason,
If the knee protector 412 is not provided, the occupant's knee may contact the tilt bracket 408. However, if knee protector 412 is arranged below tilt bracket 408 as described above, the occupant's knee only comes into contact with knee protector 412.

The configuration in which the knee protector 412 is disposed is considered to be a significant measure for protecting the occupant when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts from the front of the vehicle. As a countermeasure, it is possible to approach from another point of view, and it is important from the viewpoint of multiple protection that the countermeasure in relation to the occupant's legs is made multifaceted.

As a result of repeated experiments conceived from such a viewpoint, the present inventor has focused on the deformation and displacement behavior of a body panel and the like when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts from the front of the vehicle, and utilizes this. It was concluded that blocking the load input from the vehicle pedal to the occupant's leg would also be an extremely effective measure.

In view of the above findings, the present invention provides a vehicle pedal device that can prevent a load input from a vehicle pedal to a passenger's leg when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts from the front of the vehicle. That is the purpose.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal device according to the present invention, wherein a vehicle-side component member which is displaced substantially rearward when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on a front portion of the vehicle. A fixed pedal bracket, a tread force receiving portion that is swingably supported by the pedal bracket, and is swung about a swing center axis by receiving an occupant's treading force, and a swing center axis with respect to the tread force receiving portion. A pedal for vehicle configured to include a treading force transmitting portion for transmitting the treading force received by the treading force receiving portion, which is disposed so as to be relatively movable around the vehicle, and a pedaling force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion. A biasing means for connecting the two, and applying a restraining force based on the biasing force when the pedaling force receiving portion swings to move the pedaling force transmitting portion integrally with the pedaling force receiving portion, and a vehicle body side component member Can be engaged with the biasing means when displaced substantially to the rear of the vehicle Is disposed at a position, it is characterized by having a release means for releasing the coupled state of the pedaling force receiving portion and the depression force transmitting portion by the urging means, the by engaging.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedal device for a vehicle according to the present invention, wherein a pedal bracket fixed to a vehicle-body-side component member that is displaced substantially rearward when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on a front portion of the vehicle. A pedaling force receiving portion that is swingably supported by the pedal bracket and swings around the swinging central axis in response to an occupant's treading force, and is relatively movable around the swinging central axis with respect to the pedaling force receiving portion. A vehicular pedal configured to include a tread force transmitting portion that is arranged and coupled to a transmitted member to which the tread force received by the tread force receiving portion is transmitted, and is bridged between the tread force receiving portion and the tread force transmitting portion. A first urging means for connecting the two, and applying a restraining force based on the urging force when the treading force receiving portion swings to move the treading force transmitting portion integrally with the treading force receiving portion; By the binding force based on the biasing force of the first biasing means When the force transmitting portion moves following, the engaging means engaged with the treading force transmitting portion at the position after the following movement, and the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion are connected to each other by being spanned between the treading force transmitting portion and the treading force. A second urging means for urging the treading force transmitting portion in a direction in which the treading force transmitting portion is engaged with the engaging means when the receiving portion swings, and a first urging means when the vehicle-body-side constituent member is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle;
The first urging means and the second urging means are arranged at positions where they can be engaged with the urging means and the second urging means, respectively, so that the first urging means and the second urging means release the connection between the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion. And release means for performing the operation.

The operation of the first aspect of the present invention is as follows. When the normal operation of the vehicle pedal is performed, the pedaling force of the occupant is applied to the pedaling force receiving portion of the vehicle pedal. As a result, the treading force receiving portion is swung substantially to the front of the vehicle around the swing center axis. At this time, in the present invention, the pedal force transmitting portion of the vehicle pedal is disposed so as to be relatively movable around the swing center axis with respect to the pedal force receiving portion. The urging means is stretched over, and the restraining force based on the urging force of the urging means is applied to move the treading force transmitting unit integrally with the treading force receiving unit. Therefore, when the treading force receiving portion swings substantially toward the front side of the vehicle, the treading force transmitting portion swings following the swinging movement.
Thus, the treading force applied to the treading force receiving unit is transmitted through the treading force transmitting unit.

On the other hand, when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the vehicle body-side components may be displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the pedal bracket fixed to the vehicle-body-side component also moves substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. Here, in the present invention, since the release means is arranged at a position where it can be engaged with the urging means when the vehicle body side component is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle, the release means is released when the pedal bracket is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle. Means are engaged with the biasing means. Thereby, the connection state between the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion by the urging means is released.
As a result, the pedaling force receiving portion of the vehicle pedal is in a free state with respect to the pedaling force transmitting portion.

The operation of the present invention described in claim 2 is as follows. When the normal operation of the vehicle pedal is performed, the pedaling force of the occupant is applied to the pedaling force receiving portion of the vehicle pedal. As a result, the treading force receiving portion is swung substantially to the front of the vehicle around the swing center axis. At this time, in the present invention, the pedal force transmitting portion of the vehicle pedal is disposed so as to be relatively movable around the swing center axis with respect to the pedal force receiving portion. The first urging means is stretched over, and when the restraining force based on the urging force of the first urging means is applied, the treading force transmitting unit follows the treading force receiving unit and moves integrally. Has become. Therefore, when the treading force receiving portion is swung substantially to the front of the vehicle, the treading force transmitting portion is swung accordingly, and the engaging means is engaged with the treading force transmitting portion at the position after the following movement. . Further, when the treading force receiving portion swings substantially to the front of the vehicle, a biasing force acts in a direction in which the treading force transmitting portion is engaged with the engaging means by the second biasing means. The engagement state with the transmission part is maintained. This allows
The treading force transmitting portion is reliably held at the position after the follow-up movement, and the treading force applied to the treading force receiving portion via this treading force transmitting portion is transmitted to the transmitted member.

On the other hand, when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the vehicle-side components may be displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the pedal bracket fixed to the vehicle-body-side component also moves substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. Here, in the present invention, when the vehicle body-side constituent member is displaced substantially to the rear side of the vehicle, the release means is disposed at a position where it can be engaged with the first urging means and the second urging means. When displaced substantially to the rear of the vehicle, the release means is engaged with the first urging means and the second urging means, respectively. Thereby, the connection state between the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion by the first urging means and the second urging means is released. As a result, the pedaling force receiving portion of the vehicle pedal is in a free state with respect to the pedaling force transmitting portion.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the peripheral structure of a suspended and stepped parking brake pedal 10 as a vehicle pedal. Hereinafter, using this figure,
The overall configuration of the peripheral structure including the parking brake pedal 10 will be described.

A dash panel 16 as a vehicle body-side component is disposed substantially vertically at a position separating the engine room 12 and the vehicle interior space 14. Dash panel 16
Is fixed by spot welding or the like to the front side of a cowl inner panel (not shown) which is arranged with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction and forms a part of the cowl. The lower end of the dash panel 16 is fixed to a floor panel (not shown) by spot welding or the like.

On the indoor side of the dash panel 16 described above, a base portion 18A disposed substantially parallel to the dash panel 16 and a pair of side portions bent from both sides of the base portion 18A substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. 18B, the pedal bracket 18 having a substantially U-shaped horizontal cross section is arranged. A pair of upper and lower legs 20 is attached from the base portion 18A of the pedal bracket 18 toward the dash panel 16 side.
Reference numeral 0 contacts the dash panel 16 and is fixed by fasteners such as bolts and nuts (not shown).

A parking brake pedal 10 serving as a pedaling force receiving portion is swingably supported below and below the pair of side portions 18B of the pedal bracket 18. More specifically, as shown in FIG.
The lower end of the parking brake pedal 10 is integrally provided with a pedal pad 22 to which an occupant's treading force is applied. The upper end of the parking brake pedal 10 has a swing center axis whose axial direction is perpendicular to the plane. Is arranged in a penetrating state. Since the pedal boss 24 is pivotally supported by the pair of side portions 18B, the parking brake pedal 10 is supported so as to be able to swing around the pedal boss 24.

At a position adjacent to the parking brake pedal 10, a sector plate 26 as a pedaling force transmitting portion having a substantially fan shape in a side view is arranged. The parking brake pedal 10 and the sector plate 26 correspond to a vehicle pedal in the present invention. Ratchet teeth 28 are integrally formed in a predetermined range on the outer peripheral portion of the sector plate 26. At a position corresponding to the ratchet teeth 28, a pole lever 30 (see FIG. 1) as an engagement means having a substantially “H” shape in a side view is disposed. The pole lever 30 is pivotally supported by a pin 32 erected from the side portion 18B of the pedal bracket 18, and has a lock claw 30A formed at the tip thereof so as to be able to engage with the ratchet teeth 28. . A torsion coil spring (not shown) is wound around the pin 32, and the pawl lever 30 has its locking claw 30 </ b> A
8 (the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1). A pin-shaped stopper 34 for restricting the rotation of the pole lever 30 is provided upright on the rotation locus of the pole lever 30. Further, the pole lever 30 is connected to a release lever arranged in the vehicle cabin via a cable (not shown), and when the release lever is pulled, the pole lever 30 swings in the release direction (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A). It has become so.

A plurality of holes are formed at predetermined positions of the sector plate 26. More specifically, a circular shaft support hole 36 whose diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pedal boss 24 of the parking brake pedal 10 is formed below the sector plate 26. A circular locking hole 38 having a smaller diameter than the shaft support hole 36 is formed at the upper front end side of the sector plate 26. Further, the locking holes 3 are formed on the upper peripheral side of the sector plate 26.
A pair of fixing holes 40 and 42 each having a smaller diameter than
Are juxtaposed.

The shaft support hole 36 of the sector plate 26 described above.
Inside, the pedal boss 2 of the parking brake pedal 10
4, one end 24A is inserted so as to be relatively rotatable. A clevis 46 having a substantially U-shaped cross section to which one end of a brake wire 44 as a transmitted member inserted into a parking brake cable (not shown) is fixed to the locking hole 38 of the sector plate 26 and a sector plate 26. The clevis pin 48 for connecting. The other end of the brake wire 44 corresponds to a parking brake body (not shown) or a brake drum disposed in a differential gear unit in the case of a center brake system.
In the case of the drum brake system, the brake drums built in the left and right rear wheels correspond to these.

Further, a coil spring 50 is attached to the other end 24B of the pedal boss 24 of the parking brake pedal 10 described above. The coil spring 50 includes a coil portion 50A wound substantially tightly around the other end portion 24B of the pedal boss 24, and a coil portion 50A.
One end 50B extending upward from the inner end of A
And the other end 50C extending upward from the outer end of the coil portion 50A. Among them, one end 50B of the coil spring 50 is disposed between one pair of fixing holes 40 of the sector plate 26, and in this state, a rectangular plate-shaped fixing bracket 52 is applied, and a rivet (not shown) or the like is applied. It is fixed to the sector plate 26 by fasteners.

On the other hand, a coil spring 54 is also attached to one end 24A of the pedal boss 24 of the parking brake pedal 10. The coil spring 54 has basically the same configuration as the above-described coil spring 50, and includes a coil portion 54A wound substantially tightly around one end 24A of the pedal boss 24, and a coil portion 54A.
A one end 54B extending upward from the inner end of A
And the other end portion 54C extending downward from the outer end side of the coil portion 54A. However, the coil portion 54A is wound in a direction opposite to the winding direction of the coil portion 50A of the coil spring 50 described above. The one end 54B is arranged between the other pair of fixing holes 42 of the sector plate 26, and in this state, the fixing bracket 52 is applied and fixed to the sector plate 26.

The above-described coil spring 50 corresponds to the urging means in the present invention described in claim 1 and the first urging means in the present invention described in claim 2, respectively, and the coil spring 54 is described in claim 2. It corresponds to the second urging means in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pipe-shaped instrument panel reinforcement 56, which is a high-strength member, is disposed substantially on the vehicle rear side of the pedal bracket 18 described above, with the longitudinal direction substantially in the vehicle width direction. At a predetermined position (a position on the rear side of the pedal bracket 18) of the instrument panel reinforcement 56, a push bar 58 as a releasing means having a hook shape in a side view is provided. The push bar 58 includes a base 58A whose base end is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 56 by welding or the like and extends substantially downward from the vehicle, a bent portion 58B bent from the base 58A substantially toward the front of the vehicle, A pair of pressing portions 58C and 58D provided at the distal end of the bent portion 58B, branched into two branches, and projecting substantially toward the front of the vehicle. Upper pressing part 58C and lower pressing part 5
8D has predetermined steps above and below. this house,
The pressing portion 58C disposed on the upper side is disposed at a predetermined distance behind the other end 50C of the coil spring 50. Further, the pressing portion 58D disposed on the lower side is disposed at a predetermined distance behind the other end 54C of the coil spring 54.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. The state shown in FIG. 1 is a state when the parking brake pedal 10 is not operated. In this state, the lock claw 30 </ b> A of the pawl lever 30 maintains a non-engagement state with the ratchet teeth 28 of the sector plate 26.

In this state, when the occupant applies a pedaling force to the pedal pad 22 of the parking brake pedal 10, the parking brake pedal 10 swings around the pedal boss 24 substantially toward the front of the vehicle (in the direction of arrow B).

At this time, the other end 24B of the pedal boss 24
Since the winding direction of the coil portion 50A of the coil spring 50 wound around the coil boss matches the rotation direction of the pedal boss 24, a predetermined tightening force (between the coil portion 50A and the other end portion 24B of the pedal boss 24) is applied. That is, a restraining force based on the urging force of the coil portion 50A is generated. Further, since one end 50B of the coil spring 50 is fixed to the sector plate 26 by the fixing bracket 52, when the parking brake pedal 10 swings in the direction of arrow B, the sector force is generated by the restraining force based on the urging force. Plate 26 has arrow C
It swings following the direction. For this reason, the ratchet teeth 28 of the sector plate 26 interfere with the lock claws 30A of the pole lever 30, and the two are brought into an engaged state (ie, a locked state) at the position where the occupant stops stepping.

The winding direction of the coil part 54A of the coil spring 54 wound around one end 24A of the pedal boss 24 is the same as that of the coil part 50A of the coil spring 50 described above.
When the parking brake pedal 10 is swung substantially forward of the vehicle, the coil portion 54
A receives the force in the loosening direction. On the other hand, one end 54 </ b> B of the coil spring 54 is fixed to the sector plate 26 by the fixing bracket 52. For these reasons, the coil spring 54
An urging force acts in a direction in which the ratchet teeth 28 are engaged with the lock claws 30A of the pawl lever 30 (a direction opposite to the direction of arrow C) via one end 54B of the pawl lever 30. Therefore, even if the occupant releases his / her foot from the pedal pad 22 of the parking brake pedal 10, the engagement between the ratchet teeth 28 of the sector plate 26 and the lock pawl 30A of the pawl lever 30 is reliably maintained.

When the sector plate 26 swings substantially rearward following the swing of the parking brake pedal 10 substantially toward the front of the vehicle as described above, the sector plate 2
The brake wire 44 connected to 6 is pulled. Thus, the parking brake is activated. To release the parking brake operating state, the release lever (not shown) may be pulled to forcibly separate the pawl lever 30 from the ratchet teeth 28.

To summarize the above, in the present embodiment, the parking brake pedal 10 and the sector plate 2
6 is connected by a pair of coil springs 50, 54 in which the winding directions of the coil portions 50A, 54A are opposite to each other, so that normal parking brake operation can be maintained well as before.

In addition, the coil springs 50 and 54 in the above-described embodiment function as one-way friction clutch means.

Here, when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the load at that time is input to the dash panel 16 via a master cylinder and a brake booster (not shown). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the dash panel 16 may be displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the pedal bracket 18 is also displaced substantially rearward with the displacement of the dash panel 16 rearward.

On the other hand, since the instrument panel reinforcement 56 disposed on the rear side of the pedal bracket 18 is a high-strength member, it is relatively hardly displaced toward the vehicle rear side. Therefore, the push bar 58 fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 56 is held at the assembly position. Therefore, as described above, when the pedal bracket 18 is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle, the pair of pressing portions 58C and 58D of the push bar 58 engage (abut) with the other ends 50C and 54C of the coil springs 50 and 54, respectively. Then, these are pressed substantially toward the front side of the vehicle. Therefore, the coil portions 50A and 54A of the coil springs 50 and 54 are loosened, and the restraining force between the pedal boss 24 and the sector plate 26 is lost. Therefore, the parking brake pedal 10
And the sector plate 26 is released from the integral connection state. As a result, the parking brake pedal 10 enters a free state. As a result, the parking brake pedal 10 is easily rotated substantially toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the sector plate 26 by its own weight or the application of the occupant's pedaling force (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a load from being input from the pedal pad 22 of the parking brake pedal 10 to the occupant's leg when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle. .

[0036]

As described above, in the vehicle pedal device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front portion of the vehicle, and the vehicle body-side constituent member is displaced substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. At this time, the release means is arranged at a position where it can be engaged with the biasing means,
When the release means is engaged with the urging means, the connection state between the pedaling force receiving part and the pedaling force transmitting part by the urging means is released, so that the pedaling force receiving part of the vehicle pedal is moved to the pedaling force transmitting part. Excellent effect that, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts from the front of the vehicle, load input from the vehicle pedal to the occupant's leg can be prevented. Having.

Further, in the vehicle pedal device according to the present invention, when the external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front portion of the vehicle and the vehicle-body-side constituent member is displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle, the first pedal device is provided. The release means is arranged at a position where it can be engaged with the biasing means and the second biasing means, respectively, and the release means engages with the first biasing means and the second biasing means, thereby providing the first biasing means and the second biasing means. Since the connection between the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion by the second biasing means is released, the treading force receiving portion of the vehicle pedal is free from the treading force transmitting portion, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention. As a result, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts from the front of the vehicle, it has an excellent effect of preventing load input from the vehicle pedal to the occupant's leg. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall configuration of a vehicle pedal device according to an embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 2 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing an operation when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on a front portion of the vehicle from the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part around a pedal boss shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 parking brake pedal (pedal force receiving portion, vehicle pedal) 16 dash panel (vehicle side component member) 18 pedal bracket 24 pedal boss (oscillation center axis) 26 sector plate (pedal force transmitting portion, vehicle pedal) 30 pole lever (engagement) Combining means) 44 Brake wire (transmitted member) 50 Coil spring (biasing means, first biasing means) 54 Coil spring (second biasing means) 58 Push bar (release means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takuya Inaba 2-1-1 Asahimachi, Kariya-shi, Aichi Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-211115 (JP, A) -96241 (JP, U) JP-A 1-161661 (JP, U) JP-A 58-47923 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60T 7/06 G05G 5/24

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A pedal bracket fixed to a vehicle body-side component member that is displaced substantially rearward when an external force greater than or equal to a predetermined value acts on a front portion of the vehicle; A tread force receiving portion that swings around the swing center axis by receiving a tread force, and a tread force received by the tread force receiving portion that is arranged to be relatively movable around the swing center axis with respect to the tread force receiving portion. A vehicle pedal comprising: a pedaling force transmitting portion; and a pedaling force receiving portion and a pedaling force transmitting portion, which are connected to each other by being spanned between the pedaling force receiving portion and the pedaling force transmitting portion. A biasing means for integrally moving the treading force transmitting portion by following the treading force receiving portion by applying a force, and a position capable of engaging with the biasing means when the vehicle-body-side constituent member is displaced substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. It is arranged and engaged with the treading force receiving portion by the urging means. Release means for releasing a connection state with the treading force transmission unit, and a pedal device for a vehicle, comprising: 2. A pedal bracket fixed to a vehicle body-side component member that is displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on a front portion of the vehicle, and is oscillated and supported by the pedal bracket. A tread force receiving portion that swings around the swing center axis by receiving the tread force, and a tread force received by the tread force receiving portion is disposed so as to be relatively movable around the swing center axis with respect to the tread force receiving portion. A vehicle pedal including a tread force transmitting portion coupled to a transmitted member to be transmitted, and a pedal that is hung over the tread force receiving portion and the tread force transmitting portion to connect the two, and to swing the tread force receiving portion. A first urging unit that moves the treading force transmitting unit integrally by following the treading force receiving unit by applying a constraining force based on the urging force when moving, and a constraining force based on the urging force of the first urging unit. When the tread force transmission unit moves following, the position after the following movement The engaging means is engaged with the tread force transmitting portion at the position, and the two are connected by being bridged between the tread force receiving portion and the tread force transmitting portion, and the tread force transmitting portion is connected to the engaging means when the tread force receiving portion swings. A second urging means for urging the treading force transmitting portion in a direction to be engaged with the first urging means and the second urging means when the vehicle-body-side component is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle; And a releasing means for disengaging the connection between the treading force receiving portion and the treading force transmitting portion by the first biasing means and the second biasing means by being engaged with each other. Pedal device.