JP6178765B2 - Pedal operation amount detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pedal operation amount detection device, and more particularly to a technique for improving detection accuracy.

  (a) a transmission member that transmits pedal operation force; (b) a swing arm that is swingably disposed on the transmission member; and (c) interposed between the transmission member and the swing arm. A relay rod that transmits the pedal operation force, and (d) a load that is disposed on the transmission member and includes a pressure receiving portion that is relatively pressed against the relay rod according to the pedal operation force. 2. Description of the Related Art A pedal operation amount detection device having a sensor is known. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is an example, and a load sensor is disposed on an operation pedal as a transmission member, and a detector is axially connected to the relay rod (second engagement member 106) via a spring. The swing arm is brought into contact with the detector.

JP 2001-018768 A

  However, in the pedal operation amount detection device described in Patent Document 1, since the detector is positioned by the insertion hole provided in the case, the detector and the swing arm are not moved when the swing arm is swung. Since the relative movement occurs between them and the detector is pressed against the inner wall surface of the insertion hole, there is a possibility that the detection accuracy may be lost due to friction, twisting, or the like.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the detection accuracy of the pedal operation amount by suppressing friction and twisting when the swing arm swings.

In order to achieve such an object, the first invention comprises: (a) a transmission member that transmits pedal operating force; (b) a swing arm that is swingably disposed on the transmission member; A relay rod interposed between the transmission member and the swing arm to transmit the pedal operating force; and (d) disposed on the transmission member and connected to the relay rod according to the pedal operating force. A pedal operation amount detection device having a pressure sensor that is relatively pressed; and (e) a rotation connecting portion that connects the swing arm and the relay rod so as to be relatively rotatable. The relay rod is swung with respect to the pressure receiving portion as the swinging arm swings, and (f) the pressure receiving portion has a partially spherical convex engagement surface, and One end of the relay rod is a recess that is slidably engaged with the convex engagement surface. Jo tapered surface which (conical surface) is provided on the center line and concentric with the relay rod, the convex engagement that relay rod with respect to the pressure receiving portion by the engagement of the convex engaging surface and the tapered surface of it, such as It is characterized by being swung around the center of the sphere of the mating surface .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pedal operation amount detection device according to the first aspect of the invention, the rotation coupling portion is (a) a convex engagement with a partially spherical shape provided on either the swing arm or the relay rod. A connecting convex portion having a surface, and (b) a concave tapered surface provided on the other of the swing arm and the relay rod and slidably engaged with the convex engaging surface of the connecting convex portion. And a connecting recess formed.

  In such a pedal operation amount detection device, the swing arm and the relay rod are connected to each other so as to be capable of relative rotation via the rotation connecting portion, and the relay rod is swung as the swing arm is swung. On the other hand, a concave tapered surface is provided at one end of the relay rod, and it is slidably engaged with a partially spherical convex engaging surface provided in the pressure receiving portion so as to be swingable. Therefore, friction and twisting are suppressed regardless of the swing of the swing arm, and the pedal operation amount can be detected with high accuracy via the relay rod. In particular, since the pressure receiving portion is provided with a partially spherical convex engagement surface and the relay rod is provided with a tapered surface, the end portion of the relay rod is a hemispherical convex engagement surface as in Patent Document 1. Compared to the case, the center of the sphere of the convex engagement surface, which is the center of swing, can be brought closer to the load sensor, and the displacement of the input position of the load applied to the load sensor from the pressure receiving part when the relay rod swings And the detection accuracy can be further improved.

  In addition, since the tapered surface of the relay rod is engaged with the convex engaging surface of the partial spherical shape provided in the pressure receiving portion, and both are brought into line contact with each other in a ring shape, this is compared with the oscillation caused by the engagement of the spherical surfaces. Thus, it can be smoothly swung by continuous slip, and high detection accuracy can be stably obtained. In other words, in the case of engagement between spherical surfaces, the concave spherical radius is made larger than the convex shape side in consideration of processing errors, etc., so that both spherical surfaces are brought into point contact, while repeatedly rolling and sliding. The detection accuracy is likely to vary.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a connecting convex portion having a partially spherical convex engaging surface and a concave tapered surface are also formed for the rotating connecting portion that connects the swing arm and the relay rod so as to be relatively rotatable. Since both of them are in line contact with each other in a ring shape, they can be smoothly rotated relative to each other, and high detection accuracy can be stably obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining an example of the vehicle operation pedal apparatus for service brakes provided with the pedal operation amount detection apparatus which is one Example of this invention, and is the left view seen from the left side of the vehicle. It is an expanded sectional view of the II-II arrow part in FIG. It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed the pedal operation amount detection apparatus part of the operation pedal apparatus for vehicles of the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which the operation pedal of FIG. 1 was stepped on, and is a left view corresponding to FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the VV arrow part in FIG. It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed the pedal operation amount detection apparatus part of the operation pedal apparatus for vehicles of the state of FIG. It is a figure explaining the other Example of this invention, and is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. It is a figure explaining the comparative example by which the edge part of the relay rod was made hemispherical shape, and is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG.

  The pedal operation amount detection device of the present invention is preferably used as a device for detecting a pedal operation amount of a vehicle operation pedal such as a brake pedal or an accelerator pedal, that is, a pedal operation force or a pedal stroke (depression stroke). The present invention can also be applied to a pedal operation amount detection device for other operation pedals. Such an operation pedal device is configured to mechanically actuate a wheel brake or the like according to an operation of the operation pedal, for example, but electrically operates the wheel brake or the vehicle drive device according to an electrically detected pedal operation amount. It may be an electric (by-wire type) operation pedal device that controls the above.

  The transmission member for transmitting the pedal operating force is disposed so as to be rotatable around a substantially horizontal support axis, for example, and the swing arm is transmitted so as to be swingable about a swing axis parallel to the support axis. It is arranged on the member. The transmission member may be an operation pedal itself that is stepped on. However, when pedal operation force is transmitted via an intermediate lever or a connection link, the intermediate lever or connection link may be used as the transmission member. In addition, the pedal operating force is transmitted from the swing arm or the transmission member, and an output member that applies a reaction force corresponding to the pedal operation force to the swing arm or the transmission member has an effect. Thus, the load sensor can detect the pedal operation force. The output member is, for example, an operating rod of a brake booster or a push rod of a brake master cylinder. In the case of a by-wire type operation pedal device, a reaction force may be applied to the output member by a reaction force mechanism such as a spring. .

  The load sensor is, for example, (a) the pressure receiving portion is integrally attached, and the pressure receiving portion is relatively pressed against the relay rod according to the pedal operating force, thereby responding to the pedal operating force. And (b) a strain sensor such as a strain gauge that is attached to the strain body and electrically detects the strain of the strain body. The strain generating body is made of, for example, a metal that can be bent and deformed, such as a spring plate material. As the strain generating body, for example, a longitudinal plate material is preferably used, and is fixed to the transmission member at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal plate material, and a tip is provided at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal plate material. The convex pressure receiving portion having a partial spherical shape is erected vertically. Then, based on the detection value of the strain sensor, for example, a pedal operation amount such as a pedal operation force or a pedal stroke is obtained from a predetermined conversion formula or map.

  The relay rod and the swing arm can be directly connected via the rotation connecting portion, but it is also possible to transmit the pedal operating force via the spring member. For example, a spring receiving seat is integrally provided at one end of the relay rod (the end on the load sensor side), while the other end of the relay rod is connected to the swing arm via the rotation connecting portion. A coupled spring receiving member is disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction, a compression coil spring is disposed between the spring receiving seat and the spring receiving member, and pedal operation force is transmitted via the compression coil spring. May be. That is, when a pedal operation force is applied between the swing arm and the transmission member during a pedal depression operation, the spring receiving member resists the urging force of the compression coil spring via the rotation connecting portion. It is moved in the direction approaching the spring seat, the swing arm is swung in response to the movement, and the pedal operation force is increased in response to an increase in spring force due to compression of the compression coil spring. . In addition to the compression coil spring, other spring members such as a tension coil spring, a disc spring, and a torsion coil spring may be used.

  The pressure receiving portion of the load sensor has a convex shape with a tip having a partial spherical shape. For example, a cylindrical tip having a hemispherical shape is preferably used. good. The concave taper surface provided on the relay rod is appropriately determined, for example, within a range where the taper angle is about 60 ° to 140 °, and considering the spherical radius of the partial spherical shape of the pressure receiving portion. The tapered surface and the partial spherical surface are not necessarily provided up to the vertex, and the vertex portion can be omitted according to the swing angle or the like.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rotating connecting portion that connects the swing arm and the relay rod so as to be relatively rotatable includes a partially spherical connecting convex portion and a connecting concave portion formed with a concave tapered surface. However, when the first aspect of the invention is implemented, various modes are possible, for example, it is only necessary to connect the pivoting arm so as to be relatively rotatable by a coupling pin parallel to the pivoting center line of the pivoting arm. In carrying out the second invention, the connecting convex portion may be provided on the swing arm side and the connecting concave portion may be provided on the relay rod side, or the connecting concave portion may be provided on the swing arm side and the connecting convex portion on the relay rod side. It may be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified for explanation, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, and the like of the respective parts are not necessarily drawn accurately.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation pedal device 8 for a service brake of a vehicle provided with a pedal operation amount detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a left side view seen from the left side of the vehicle in a vehicle mounted state. It is. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pedal operation amount detection device 10 in the initial state shown in FIG. 4 is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where the operation pedal 16 is depressed, FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a state in FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the pedal operation amount detection apparatus 10 of this, and is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG.

  The operation pedal device 8 includes an operation pedal 16 that is disposed on a pedal support (not shown) so as to be rotatable about a shaft center of a substantially horizontal support shaft 14. The axis of the support shaft 14 corresponds to the support axis. The operation pedal 16 is stepped on by a driver in response to a braking request. A step portion 18 such as a pedal seat is provided at a lower end portion, and a brake is provided at an intermediate portion via a swing arm 20. An operating rod 22 of the booster is connected. The operation pedal 16 is an input member that applies a pedal operation force F to the stepping portion 18 and corresponds to a transmission member that transmits the pedal operation force F to the operating rod 22 side. The operating rod 22 is swung from the operation pedal 16. The pedal operation force F is transmitted through the moving arm 20 and a brake reaction force R corresponding to the pedal operation force F corresponds to an output member that is acted on by the brake booster. In the case of a by-wire type operation pedal device that electrically controls the wheel brake, a reaction force member to which a predetermined reaction force is applied by a reaction force mechanism or the like is connected instead of the operating rod 22.

  The swing arm 20 is disposed on the operation pedal 16 so as to be swingable about the axis of the support pin 32 parallel to the support shaft 14. The swing arm 20 extends upward along the operation pedal 16, and includes a pair of side plate portions 20a and 20b disposed in parallel on both sides of the operation pedal 16, and these side plate portions 20a. 20b, a cylindrical collar 34 is disposed in parallel with the support pin 32. The operation pedal 16 is provided with a circular stopper hole 36 through which the collar 34 is inserted in a state having a predetermined play. The play allows the swing arm 20 to swing, and the collar 34 has a stopper. The swing range is defined by being brought into contact with the inner wall surface of the hole 36. The shaft center of the support pin 32 corresponds to the swing axis of the swing arm 20, and the stopper hole 36 functions as a stopper that restricts swing of the swing arm 20 with respect to the operation pedal 16.

  A bifurcated (U-shaped) clevis 24 is integrally fixed to the end of the operating rod 22 by screw connection or the like, and a cylindrical clevis pin 26 is disposed in parallel with the support pin 32. Has been. When the clevis pin 26 is inserted into the collar 34 so as to be relatively rotatable, the operating rod 22 is connected to the swing arm 20 so as to be relatively rotatable. As shown in FIG. When the stepping operation is performed, a force that swings the swing arm 20 clockwise around the support pin 32 according to the brake reaction force R is applied from the operating rod 22 to the swing arm 20. For example, the collar 34 is integrally fixed to the pair of side plate portions 20 a and 20 b of the swing arm 20. The clevis pin 26 corresponds to a connecting pin.

  The operating rod 22 is connected to a base end side portion of the swing arm 20 extending upward along the operation pedal 16, that is, a portion in the vicinity of the support pin 32. The relay rod 42 is connected to the relay rod 42 via the portion 40 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the relay rod 42 is brought into contact with the pressure receiving portion 46 of the load sensor 44. Therefore, the brake reaction force R is reduced according to the lever ratio of the swing arm 20 and transmitted to the load sensor 44. The pedal operation amount detection device 10 includes the swing arm 20, the relay rod 42, the load sensor 44, and the like.

  The load sensor 44 detects the strain body 52 attached to the operation pedal 16 via the bracket 50 and the strain of the strain body 52, that is, the deformation amount of the strain body 52 that deforms according to the brake reaction force R. And a strain sensor 54 such as a strain gauge. The strain body 52 is a long plate material that can be bent and formed of a spring plate material or the like. The longitudinal direction is a vertical direction, that is, a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation direction of the operation pedal 16, and the operation pedal 16. The both ends (upper and lower ends) of the longitudinal direction are integrally fixed to the bracket 50 with rivets or the like in a posture that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane (vertical to the paper surface of FIG. 1). . The bracket 50 is provided with a pair of vertical wall portions 50t bent at substantially right angles, and the strain body 52 is fixed to the vertical wall portion 50t. A plurality of strain sensors 54 are attached so as to form a bridge circuit, for example, and a detection signal corresponding to the deformation amount of the strain generating body 52 is output. The deformation amount of the strain generating body 52 corresponds to the brake reaction force R, and the brake reaction force R changes according to the pedal operation force F of the operation pedal 16. Therefore, based on this detection signal, for example, a predetermined conversion A pedal operation amount such as a pedal operation force F and a pedal stroke is obtained from an equation and a map.

  The pressure receiving portion 46 is constituted by a columnar member provided with a hemispherical convex engagement surface 60 at the tip, and its axis O is substantially perpendicular to the plate surface of the strain body 52. Thus, the strain generating body 52 is integrally fixed to the central portion in the longitudinal direction by screw fastening or the like. On the other hand, at one end of the relay rod 42 brought into contact with the pressure receiving portion 46, a concave tapered surface 62 that is slidably engaged with the convex engaging surface 60 of the pressure receiving portion 46 is provided. The relay rod 42 can swing with respect to the pressure receiving portion 46 due to the engagement between the convex engagement surface 60 and the tapered surface 62. Strictly speaking, the relay rod 42 can swing about the spherical center of the convex engagement surface 60. It is said that. The spherical center of the convex engagement surface 60 is located on the axis O of the cylindrical pressure receiving portion 46, and the tapered surface 62 is provided concentrically with the center line S of the relay rod 42. The taper angle of the taper surface 62 is appropriately determined in the range of about 60 ° to 140 ° in consideration of the spherical radius of the convex engagement surface 60, and is about 120 ° in this embodiment.

  A step-shaped spring receiving seat 64 is integrally provided at one end of the relay rod 42, that is, an end on the load sensor 44 side where the tapered surface 62 is provided, and a spring receiving member is provided at the other end. 66 is disposed, and a compression coil spring 68 is disposed between the spring receiving seat 64 and the spring receiving member 66. A cylindrical portion 70 is provided concentrically and integrally in the spring receiving member 66, and the relay rod 42 is passed through the cylindrical portion 70, and the spring receiving member 66 extends along the center line S of the relay rod 42. A lock nut 72 is attached as a stopper to the tip of the relay rod 42 to define the moving end of the spring receiving member 66. A state in which the compression coil spring 68 has a predetermined compression load between the spring receiving member 66 and the spring receiving seat 64 in a state where the spring receiving member 66 is held at the moving end (initial position) contacting the lock nut 72. Is arranged in.

  The spring receiving member 66 is swung with respect to the pressure receiving portion 46 integrally with the relay rod 42, and is connected to the swinging arm 20 through the rotating connecting portion 40 so as to be relatively rotatable. . Specifically, the spring receiving member 66 has a partially spherical convex engaging surface 74, while the tip of the swing arm 20 is slidably engaged with the convex engaging surface 74. A connecting concave portion 78 formed with a concave tapered surface 76 is integrally formed, and the relay rod 42 and the swing arm 20 are connected to each other by engagement of the convex engaging surface 74 and the tapered surface 76. It can be swung, strictly speaking, can be swung around the center of the sphere of the convex engagement surface 74. The spherical center of the convex engagement surface 74 is located on the center line S of the relay rod 42. The portion of the spring receiving member 66 where the convex engagement surface 74 is formed corresponds to a connecting convex portion, and the connecting convex portion and the connecting concave portion 78 constitute the rotational connecting portion 40. The coupling recess 78 is provided with an insertion hole 80 through which the cylindrical portion 70 of the spring receiving member 66 is inserted with play. By this play, the engagement between the convex engagement surface 74 and the taper surface 76 is maintained. However, the relay rod 42 and the swing arm 20 can swing. The taper angle of the taper surface 76 is appropriately determined in the range of about 60 ° to 140 ° in consideration of the spherical radius of the convex engagement surface 74, and is about 90 ° in this embodiment.

  For example, in the initial state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 before the operation pedal 16 is depressed, the relay rod 42 is substantially parallel to the operating rod 22 and the center O of the pressure receiving portion 46 and the center of the relay rod 42. The dimensions and the like of each part are determined so that the line S has a substantially matching posture. When the operation pedal 16 is stepped on, the rotation connecting portion 40 is rotated relative to the swing arm 20 and the relay rod 42 is swung relative to the pressure receiving portion 46. 4 and 6, the relay rod 42 is tilted toward the support shaft 14 side. In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 7, the relay rod 42 is held in a posture inclined to the opposite side of the support shaft 14, and the operation pedal 16 is depressed, whereby the state changes to the state of FIG. 3. It can also be made to tilt to the opposite side (support shaft 14 side) as shown in FIG.

  In such a pedal operation amount detection device 10, the operation pedal 16 is rotated clockwise around the support shaft 14 as shown in FIG. 4 according to the pedal operation force F, and a brake corresponding to the pedal operation force F is obtained. When the reaction force R is applied from the operating rod 22 to the swing arm 20 via the clevis pin 26 and the collar 34, the swing arm 20 is compressed according to the brake reaction force R as shown by an arrow A in FIG. The coil spring 68 is rocked with respect to the operation pedal 16 while being elastically deformed (compressed). Further, the relay rod 42 connected to the swing arm 20 via the rotation connecting portion 40 so as to be relatively rotatable is swung with respect to the pressure receiving portion 46 as the swing arm 20 swings. 6 is tilted rightward as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 6, that is, toward the support shaft 14 side. When the brake reaction force R is transmitted from the swing arm 20 to the load sensor 44 through the compression coil spring 68 and the relay rod 42, the pedal operation force F corresponding to the brake reaction force R, the pedal stroke, etc. The amount of pedal operation is detected.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the swing arm 20 and the relay rod 42 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable via the rotation connecting portion 40, and the relay rod 42 is moved to the pressure receiving portion as the swing arm 20 swings. 46 is provided with a concave tapered surface 62 at one end of the relay rod 42, and is slidably engaged with a hemispherical convex engaging surface 60 provided in the pressure receiving portion 46. Since they are made swingable, friction and twisting are suppressed regardless of the swing of the swing arm 20, and the pedal operation amount can be detected with high accuracy via the relay rod 42.

  In particular, since the pressure receiving portion 46 is provided with a hemispherical convex engagement surface 60 and the relay rod 42 is provided with a tapered surface 62, the end of the relay rod 42 is formed with a hemispherical convex engagement as shown in FIG. Compared with the case where the mating surface 90 is engaged with the tapered surface 92 provided in the pressure receiving portion 46, the center of the sphere, which is the swing center, can be brought closer to the load sensor 44. The shift amount of the input position of the load applied from the pressure receiving unit 46 to the load sensor 44 is reduced, and the detection accuracy can be further improved. That is, the dimension T (see FIG. 6) from the spherical center of the convex engagement surface 60, which is the center of swing of the relay rod 42, to the strain generating body 52 is shown as a convex engagement surface on the relay rod 42 side as shown in FIG. Therefore, if the angle of inclination of the relay rod 42 is the same, the twisting moment applied to the strain-generating body 52 is reduced, so that high detection accuracy can be stably obtained. It becomes.

  Further, the tapered surface 62 of the relay rod 42 is engaged with the hemispherical convex engaging surface 60 provided in the pressure receiving portion 46, and both are brought into line contact with each other in a ring shape. Compared to the above, it can be smoothly swung by continuous slip, and high detection accuracy can be stably obtained. In other words, in the case of engagement between spherical surfaces, the concave spherical radius is made larger than the convex shape side in consideration of processing errors, etc., so that both spherical surfaces are brought into point contact, while repeatedly rolling and sliding. The detection accuracy is likely to vary.

  In addition, with respect to the rotation connecting portion 40 that connects the swing arm 20 and the relay rod 42 so as to be relatively rotatable, a partially spherical convex engagement surface 74 is provided on the spring receiving member 66, and the convex engagement surface thereof. 74, the tapered surface 76 of the swing arm 20 is engaged with each other, so that both of them are brought into line contact with each other in a ring shape and smoothly rotated relative to each other, and high detection accuracy is stabilized. can get.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, this is an embodiment to the last, and this invention is implemented in the aspect which added various change and improvement based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Can do.

  8: Operation pedal device 10: Pedal operation amount detection device 16: Operation pedal (transmission member) 20: Swing arm 40: Rotating connection portion 42: Relay rod 44: Load sensor 46: Pressure receiving portion 60: Convex engagement surface 62 : Tapered surface 66: Spring receiving member (connection convex part) 74: Convex engagement surface 76: Tapered surface 78: Connection concave part F: Pedal operating force

Claims (2)

A transmission member for transmitting pedal operating force;
A swing arm disposed swingably on the transmission member;
A relay rod interposed between the transmission member and the swing arm to transmit the pedal operating force;
A load sensor that is disposed on the transmission member and includes a pressure receiving portion that is relatively pressed against the relay rod according to the pedal operation force;
In the pedal operation amount detection device having
A pivot coupling portion that couples the pivot arm and the relay rod so as to be relatively pivotable, and the relay rod is pivoted with respect to the pressure receiving portion as the pivot arm swings; ,
The pressure receiving portion has a partially spherical convex engaging surface, and a concave tapered surface that is slidably engaged with the convex engaging surface at one end of the relay rod is the center of the relay rod. It is provided in line concentrically, by the engagement of the convex engaging surface and the tapered surface that the relay rod is swung allowed around the sphere center of the convex engaging surface against receiving pressure section A pedal operation amount detection device. The rotation connecting part is
A connecting convex portion having a partially spherical convex engaging surface provided on one of the swing arm and the relay rod;
A connecting concave portion provided on the other of the swing arm and the relay rod and having a concave tapered surface that is slidably engaged with the convex engaging surface of the connecting convex portion. The pedal operation amount detection device according to claim 1.

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