JP5906202B2 - Pedal arm for vehicle and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle pedal arm that can be used for a vehicle brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal, and the like, and a method of manufacturing the same .

  Conventionally, as a pedal arm for a vehicle as described above, a pedal arm obtained by punching a steel plate and press forming is generally used. However, since the pedal arm is required to have high rigidity, a thick steel plate having a thickness of 6 mm or more is used for the steel plate, which increases the weight. Thus, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose that the pedal arm is formed of a hollow metal tube.

  In Patent Document 1, the pedal arm made of a metal tube having a circular cross section is bent and fixed to the pedal seat by welding. If the bent portion is thick, the pedal movable area on the vehicle floor side is not sufficient. If it becomes narrower and the clearance is insufficient, a problem of interfering with the floor carpet occurs. If the bending of the pedal arm is made small in order to secure the clearance on the vehicle floor surface side, the clearance with the operator toe to be secured in front of the pedal seat becomes narrow, resulting in a problem that the operability is deteriorated.

  If a small diameter metal tube is used in order to avoid these problems, the strength of the pedal arm will inevitably be insufficient. In the examples according to FIGS. 11 to 14 of Patent Document 1, it is described that the diameter of the base end side is increased, and in Patent Document 2, it is described that a conical tube having a large diameter is formed on the base end side. However, in any case, the tendency to reduce the thickness by increasing the diameter is unavoidable, and it does not necessarily contribute to securing the strength, and also causes an increase in the manufacturing process and the number of processing steps, and the disadvantage in terms of manufacturing cost cannot be denied.

JP 2009-169980 A JP 2001-287629 A

The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the prior art, and an object thereof is a vehicle pedal arm capable of achieving weight reduction while ensuring practical support rigidity and operability, and a method of manufacturing the same. Is to provide.

To solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention includes a proximal portion made of a metal having a uniform hollow flat sectional shape in the longitudinal direction (11), made of the same metal as the base end side portion the vehicle pedal arm with a distal portion, a continuous from the leading end side of the proximal portion at said proximal portion so that the major axis direction of the flat cross section is a pedal arm operating direction is rotatably supported, and in those with bends for the long axis direction of the flat cross section and radius of curvature direction on the distal end side portion adjacent to the tread (13), the bent portion, the cross-sectional shape It is continuously connected to the distal end side of the base end side portion via the transition portion (12a), and is continuous with one side of the flat cross section and is recessed in the short axis direction of the flat cross section and the side perpendicular to the curvature radius direction . An inner wall (31) having a U-shaped cross section and the flat surface Continuous with the other side of the cross-section and a cross section transverse U-shaped outer wall (32) is convex to the side, the inner side wall inner and outer double cross transverse U was indented inward of the outer wall It is in the pedal arm for vehicles characterized by forming in the shape of a letter.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a pedal arm for a vehicle, which uses a metal tube having a flat cross-sectional shape uniform in the longitudinal direction as a starting material, and bending the tip side portion of the metal tube. A step of forming a bent portion having a major axis direction of the cross section as a radius of curvature direction, and a pivot shaft support so that the major axis direction of the flat cross section becomes a pedal arm operation direction at the proximal end portion of the metal tube And a step of pressing the bent portion from the side of the short cross section of the flat cross section and the side perpendicular to the radius of curvature, and one side of the flat cross section is recessed and the other side is inward. And a method of manufacturing a pedal arm for a vehicle including a step of forming a U-shaped cross section having a horizontal U-shaped cross section.

According to the above configuration, the present invention has the following effects.
(A) Since a metal tube having a uniform cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction without passing through a special manufacturing process is used as a material, material costs are not required, and material procurement and quality control are easy.
(B) Since the bent portion is press-molded into a lateral U-shaped double cross section that is recessed on one side of the peripheral wall of the metal tube and transferred inwardly on the other side, while ensuring the necessary strength, The apparent cross-sectional area can be greatly reduced with respect to the original metal tube. Thereby, a wide range of movement of the pedal and the range of movement of the operator's toe on the vehicle floor surface side can be secured, and good operability can be obtained while avoiding interference with the floor carpet and interference with the operator's toe.
(C) No need for removal processing such as cutting at the bent part or other parts, avoiding the accompanying strength reduction, and no need for welding to make a hollow cross-section. Therefore, the manufacturing process is not complicated.
(D) While achieving weight reduction by using a hollow metal tube having a uniform cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction, since the cross-sectional area of the metal tube is not limited by the bent portion, it is easy to ensure the strength on the base end side. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a reinforcing means separately.

(E) a metal tube having a flattened cross-sectional shape of the pedal arm operation direction and longitudinal direction, the bending section, since it is press-formed from the side perpendicular to the radius of curvature direction, to the vehicle body Strength can be secured without pressing the base end side portion where the rotation support portion and the output portion are provided, and the bending portion can be easily pressed, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost.

(A) is a right side view showing a pedal arm according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is an AA enlarged sectional view, (c) is an BB enlarged sectional view, and (d) is a C- It is C expanded sectional drawing. It is the schematic which shows the manufacturing process of the pedal arm which concerns on this invention embodiment. (A)-(c) is an expanded sectional view which shows the modification of the pedal arm (curved part) which concerns on this invention embodiment. It is a left view which shows the brake pedal apparatus provided with the pedal arm which concerns on this invention embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle pedal arm 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention used as a brake pedal for an automobile, and FIG. 4 shows a brake pedal device 100 provided with the pedal arm 1. In each figure, the pedal arm 1 has a pedal plate 2 serving as a tread at the tip located on the lower side in the figure, and can turn on the vehicle body side bracket 7 on the base end side portion 11 located on the upper side in the figure. A boss 3 serving as a rotation support portion to be supported and a boss 4 constituting an output portion connected to the brake device side are provided apart from each other.

  In the illustrated example, one end of the first link 5 is connected to the boss 4, and an operating rod (not shown) of a brake booster is connected to the center of the first link 5. The other end of the first link 5 is connected to the tip of the second link 6, and the base end of the second link 6 is connected to the rotation support portion (boss 3). Contrary to the illustrated example, the boss 4 (output unit) may be disposed at the uppermost end, and the boss 3 (rotation support unit) may be disposed near the middle.

The pedal arm 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by pressing a general-purpose metal tube (flat elliptical tube) having a flattened elliptical cross-sectional shape that is uniform in the longitudinal direction. In the intermediate part 12 continuing through the bent part 11b, the cross-sectional shape of the original metal tube (10) as shown in FIG. 1 (b) remains. In contrast, a curved portion 13 is continued further to the distal end side of the intermediate portion 12 via a transition portion 12a (FIG. 1 (c)) having a cross-sectional shape, and the curved portion 13 is illustrated in FIG. 1 (d). as shown in, press molding on one side 31 (right side in the drawing) is recessed to the other side 32 (the left side in the drawing) inside the populated the inner and outer double cross transverse U-shaped metal tube (10) Has been.

Next, the manufacturing process of the pedal arm 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 2A, a flat elliptic tube 10 having a predetermined length having a distal end 10a and a proximal end 10a is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the bent portion 11 b and the bent portion 130 are bent using a pipe bender or a press die to form the proximal end portion 11 and the intermediate portion 12. At this time, the whole still has a flat elliptical cross-sectional shape that is uniform in the longitudinal direction. At this stage, as shown in FIG. 2C, the attachment holes 11a and 11c of the bosses 3 and 4 are formed by press drilling.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), with respect to the bent portion 130 having a flat elliptical cross-sectional shape, a convex shape with the side perpendicular to the radius of curvature (the flat direction of the flat elliptical tube 10) set as the pressing direction. and subjected to press working with a concave, with its cross-section to form a horizontal U-shaped bent portion 13 of one side 31 has been transferred to the inside of the other side 32 is recessed, the bending portion 13 which is the intermediate portion 12 and the reduced width The transition part 12a in which the cross-sectional shape transitions from the flat elliptical cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion 12 to the horizontal U-shaped cross-section of the bending portion 13 is formed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the distal end portion 13 a of the bent portion 13 is cut obliquely in accordance with the inclination of the pedal plate 2, and the cut distal end 13 c is fixed to the back surface of the pedal plate 2 by welding. Thereby, the front-end | tip 13c which was open | released with the cross-section horizontal U-shape is closed, and the rigidity of the bending part 13 is ensured.

In the pedal arm 1 formed as described above, the main portion from the base end side portion 11 to the intermediate portion 12 where the rotation support portion (3) and the output portion (4) are provided has an operation direction of the pedal arm 1 being changed. Since it has a flat cross-sectional shape in the major axis direction , the hollow flat elliptic tube 10 can easily secure the required strength while achieving weight reduction.

Moreover, since the bending part 13 which continues to the front end side of the intermediate part 12 via the transition part 12a is shape | molded by cross-sectional horizontal U shape by the press from a side, ensuring the intensity | strength required for this part. Also, the apparent cross-sectional area, particularly the dimension in the pedal arm operation direction, which is the vertical direction in FIG. 1 (d), is reduced to about ½, and is not accompanied by removal processing of the material (flat elliptic tube 10). In addition, a large cross-sectional change is achieved with respect to the proximal end portion 11.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 4 , the pedal movable area in the vicinity of the dash panel 8 and the clearance of the operator toe 9 with respect to the movable area 9a can be easily secured, and interference with the floor carpet 8a can be prevented. Interference with the operator toe 9 is avoided and good operability is maintained. In addition, since the cross-sectional area (dimension in the pedal arm operation direction) of the tip 13c is reduced, an excess space is secured around the tip 13c on the back side of the pedal plate 2, and a rubber pedal pad ( There is also an advantage that an engagement allowance for attaching (not shown) can be easily secured.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the flat elliptical tube 10 is used as the material of the pedal arm 1 has been shown. However, a flat metal tube other than the elliptical tube suitable for the cross-sectional shape of the proximal end portion 11 such as a flat rectangular tube may be used. .

Figure 3 (a) ~ (c) shows a practical modification of the pedal arm 1 according to the present invention embodiment (bend 13). In the foregoing embodiment, in a cross section transverse U-shaped bend 13, but the inner and outer side walls 31 and 32 have been press working so leave substantially no internal space, in the modifications 41 to 43, Both are formed so that an arc-shaped cross section remains at the edge 33 of the horizontal U-shaped cross section.

In the formation of the bent portion 13 (41 to 43) in which one side 31 of the peripheral wall of the metal tube is recessed and transferred inward of the other side 32, the edge of the arc-shaped cross section is compared with the case where the edge portion is completely compressed. By leaving the portion 33, there is an advantage that stable processing can be performed with less burden on the material. Further, in the modified example 41 (13) shown in FIG. 3 (a), the curvature of the inner and outer side walls 31 and 32 except for the edge 33 to the same extent, the inner wall portion 31 is folded completely inwardly of the outer wall 32 Instead, the press working is stopped at the contacted position so that the internal space 30 remains.

On the other hand, in the modified example 42 (13) shown in FIG. 3 (b), by press molding using a circular arc cross sectional shape of the mold, while also forming the edge 33, and out the side wall 31 in the middle portion, No internal space remains in 32. Further, modification 43 shown in FIG. 3 (c) (13) is the closest to modification to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (d), and out each in the middle part while forming edge 33 in this example No internal space remains on the side walls 31 and 32.

In the above embodiment has been described as comprehensively "sectional horizontal U-shaped" cross-sectional shape of the bent portion 13, as is apparent from the above modified example 41 to 43, "C-shaped cross section" or Considering the draft angle, it can also be expressed as “round cross-section horizontal V shape at the tip”. These are representational problems, and are essentially the same in the feature that one side wall of the metal tube is recessed and transferred inwardly on the other side, and both side walls that are doubled inside and outside are reduced in width.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are further possible based on the technical idea of this invention.

For example, in the above embodiments, a case where the bent portion 11b is formed between the proximal portion 11 and the intermediate portion 12, the bent portion may be omitted.
Furthermore, although the case where the pedal arm which concerns on this invention is implemented in the brake pedal of a vehicle was shown in the said embodiment, implementing as other pedal arms, such as an accelerator pedal and a clutch pedal, is also within the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

1 Pedal arm 2 Pedal plate (tread)
3 Boss (rotating support)
4 Boss (output part)
10 Oval tube 11 Proximal portion 11a, 11c Mounting hole 11b Bent part 12 Intermediate part 12a Transition part 13 Bend

Claims (2)

Includes a proximal portion made of a metal having a uniform hollow flat sectional shape in the longitudinal direction, and a distal portion continuing to the distal end side of the proximal portion made of the same metal as the base end side portion, the and a pedal arm for vehicles, said flat long-axis direction of the cross section is rotatably supported by said base end portion so that the pedal arm operating direction, and the tip end portion adjacent to the tread In the one having a bent portion with the major axis direction of the flat cross section as the radius of curvature direction,
The bent portion is continuously connected to the distal end side of the proximal end portion through a transition portion having a cross-sectional shape, and is connected to one side of the flat cross section and is perpendicular to the short axis direction of the flat cross section and the radius of curvature direction. It includes a cross section transverse U-shaped inner wall which is recessed laterally, and a cross-section transverse U-shaped outer wall which is convex on the side continuous to the other side of the flat cross section, the inner wall of the outer wall A pedal arm for a vehicle, wherein the pedal arm is formed into a U-shaped cross section with an inner and outer double section that is inserted inward. A method for manufacturing a pedal arm for a vehicle using a metal tube having a flat cross-sectional shape uniform in the longitudinal direction as a starting material,
Bending the tip side portion of the metal tube, and forming a bent portion having a major axis direction of the flat cross section as a curvature radius direction; and
A step of machining a rotation shaft support hole in the proximal end portion of the metal tube so that a long axis direction of the flat cross section is a pedal arm operation direction;
The curved section is pressed from the side perpendicular to the minor axis direction of the flat cross section and the radius of curvature, and one side of the flat cross section is recessed and transferred to the inside of the other side. Forming into a U-shaped cross section;
A method for manufacturing a pedal arm for a vehicle.

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