JP7197389B2 - accelerator pedal device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal device applied to a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to an accelerator pedal device having a reaction force adding mechanism for adding a reaction force to the depression force of an accelerator pedal.

An accelerator pedal device applied to an automobile or the like includes accelerator opening detection means for detecting the accelerator opening, pedaling force changing means for changing the pedaling force of the accelerator pedal, and a predetermined threshold value depending on the operating conditions of the engine or vehicle. An accelerator pedal depression force control device having threshold value setting means is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this device, when the accelerator opening reaches a threshold value, the accelerator pedal depression force is set to increase stepwise by a predetermined amount.
Further, when the accelerator opening is decreased, the pedal force that increases stepwise at accelerator openings smaller than the threshold value is released to prevent the accelerator pedal from fluttering due to a sudden increase in the pedal force.

However, in this device, since the reaction force is applied stepwise with the threshold as a boundary, the driver may unconsciously react to the sudden change and return the accelerator pedal too much. is set as the threshold for the eco-driving driving mode, for example, if the reaction force is too strong, it is difficult to maintain the accelerator opening in the driving mode.
In addition, the rapid increase in the reaction force may cause the driver to feel the weight of the pedals, and if this state continues, the driver may feel fatigue in his legs.

Japanese Patent No. 4553057

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to easily recognize a preset target opening according to the operating state and to easily maintain the target opening. To provide an accelerator pedal device excellent in operability that can be operated without causing a sense of discomfort or fatigue to a driver.

An accelerator pedal device according to the present invention comprises a housing, an accelerator pedal swingably supported with respect to the housing, a return spring exerting a biasing force in a direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal, and a stepping force when the accelerator pedal is stepped on and returned. and a main hysteresis generating mechanism that generates hysteresis at a predetermined target opening when the accelerator pedal is stepped on. A reaction force applying mechanism that applies a reaction force in the direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal so as to be relatively larger than the rate of change of the pedaling force in the region , and the main hysteresis generating mechanism generates a first hysteresis when the accelerator pedal is engaged. and a second hysteresis generation mechanism that operates in conjunction with the operation of the first hysteresis generation mechanism. and the first hysteresis generating mechanism that operates after the operation of the second hysteresis generating mechanism is restricted by the restricting member.

In the above accelerator pedal device, the reaction force application mechanism may apply a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening of the accelerator pedal increases in an opening region larger than the target opening. .

In the above accelerator pedal device, the reaction force application mechanism may employ a configuration including an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the restricting member.

In the above accelerator pedal device, the main hysteresis generating mechanism may employ a configuration including a slider that slides on the housing and an urging spring that pushes the slider back and exerts an urging force against the housing.

According to the accelerator pedal device configured as described above, the target opening set in advance according to the driving state can be easily recognized, the target opening can be easily maintained, and the driver does not feel discomfort or fatigue. An accelerator pedal device with excellent operability can be obtained.

1 is an external side view showing a first embodiment of an accelerator pedal device of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a pedaling force characteristic diagram showing a pedaling force forming hysteresis generated by a main hysteresis generating mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 1 and a pedaling force when a reaction force applying mechanism (reaction spring) applies the reaction force; FIG. 5 is a side view showing the internal structure of a second embodiment of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a pedaling force characteristic diagram showing a pedaling force forming hysteresis generated by a main hysteresis generating mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 4 and a pedaling force when a reaction force applying mechanism (sub-hysteresis generating mechanism) applies the reaction force; FIG. 11 is an external side view showing a third embodiment of the accelerator pedal device of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a side view showing the internal structure of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 6; It is a side view which shows the internal structure which concerns on 4th Embodiment of the accelerator pedal apparatus of this invention. It is an external appearance side view which shows 5th Embodiment of the accelerator-pedal apparatus of this invention. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the internal structure of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a pedaling force characteristic diagram showing a pedaling force forming hysteresis generated by a main hysteresis generating mechanism included in the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 10 and a pedaling force when a reaction force applying mechanism applies the reaction force; 2 is a pedaling force characteristic diagram in FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial side view showing a modification of the accelerator pedal device shown in FIG. 10;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2, the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment includes a housing 10 fixed to a vehicle body such as an automobile as a vehicle, an accelerator pedal 20, a return spring 30, a main hysteresis generating mechanism 40, a counter A reaction force spring 50 and a position sensor 60 are provided as a force applying mechanism.

The housing 10 is made of a resin material and has a two-piece structure, and includes a support shaft 11 , housing portions 12 , 13 , 14 and an embedded portion 15 .
The support shaft 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on the axis S, and supports the accelerator pedal 20 so as to swing about the axis S when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed and released.
The accommodation portion 12 accommodates the return spring 30 within the housing 10 .
The accommodating portion 13 accommodates the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 inside the housing 10 .
The accommodation portion 14 accommodates a reaction force spring 50 as a reaction force applying mechanism in the housing 10 .
The embedded portion 15 embeds a portion of the position sensor 60 around the axis S. As shown in FIG.

The accelerator pedal 20 is entirely made of a resin material, and includes a cylindrical portion 21, a lower arm portion 22, an upper arm portion 23, and a pedal portion 24, as shown in FIGS.
The cylindrical portion 21 is fitted to the support shaft 11 of the housing 10 and is rotatably supported.
The lower arm portion 22 is integrally formed extending downward from the cylindrical portion 21 .
The upper arm portion 23 is integrally formed extending upward from the cylindrical portion 21, and includes a first engaging portion 23a, a second engaging portion 23b, and a spring receiving portion 23c.

The first engaging portion 23a releasably engages with a first slider 41 included in the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 .
The second engaging portion 23b engages with the spring receiving member 51 of the reaction spring 50 when the accelerator pedal 20 is stepped on from the rest position and reaches the predetermined target opening θt, and the accelerator pedal 20 reaches the target opening θt. , the reaction force spring 50 is compressed via the spring receiving member 51 when further stepped on.
The spring receiving portion 23c receives the end of the return spring 30. As shown in FIG.
The pedal portion 24 is formed integrally with the lower region of the lower arm portion 22 .
Here, the target opening degree θt is an optimal opening degree θ of the accelerator pedal 20 preset according to the driving state of the vehicle. The target opening θt may include a plurality of target openings θt so as to set the optimum opening θ of the accelerator pedal 20 according to various driving modes.

As shown in FIG. 2, the return spring 30 is a compression type coil spring made of spring steel or the like. is arranged in a compressed state by engaging with the spring receiving portion 23c of the upper arm portion 23 of the accelerator pedal 20. As shown in FIG.
The return spring 30 exerts an urging force to return the accelerator pedal 20 to the rest position.

The main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 includes a first slider 41, a second slider 42, and an urging spring 43, as shown in FIG.
The first slider 41 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. 42b, and an engaging surface 41c with which the first engaging portion 23a of the upper arm portion 23 can be detachably engaged.
The second slider 42 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. and a receiving surface 42c for receiving one end of the urging spring 43 .
The urging spring 43 is a compression type coil spring made of, for example, spring steel, and has one end engaged with the receiving surface 42c of the second slider 42 and the other end engaged with the inner wall 13c of the housing 10. placed in a compressed state.

The urging spring 43 presses the inclined surface 42b of the second slider 42 against the inclined surface 41b of the first slider 41, and pushes the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 against the lower inner wall surface 13a and the upper inner wall surface 13b. It exerts a wedging action to push it toward and exerts a biasing force to return the accelerator pedal 20 to the rest position via the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 .

Here, the pedaling force characteristics forming the hysteresis generated by the return spring 30 and the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 will be described.
When the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed from the rest position toward the maximum depression position against the biasing force of the return spring 30 and the biasing spring 43 , the upper arm portion 23 resists the biasing force of the biasing spring 43 . The first slider 41 is pressed leftward in FIG.
During this stepping operation, the biasing force exerted by the biasing spring 43 exerts a wedging effect on the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 , thereby generating a frictional force (sliding resistance) on the housing 10 . The frictional force during the stepping operation acts in a direction opposite to the stepping operation and increases as the compression amount of the urging spring 43 increases.
Therefore, due to the resultant force of the frictional force during the stepping operation and the biasing force of the biasing spring 43 that increases according to the stepping operation, the pedaling force at the time of stepping on is the upper pedaling force line DNL on the pedaling force line NL forming the hysteresis in FIG. , and increases linearly as the amount of depression (opening of the accelerator pedal) increases.

On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal 20 is returned toward the rest position by the biasing force of the return spring 30 and the biasing spring 43, the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 are moved by the biasing force of the biasing spring 43. It moves rightward in FIG. 2 following the upper arm portion 23 .
During this return operation, the biasing force of the biasing spring 43 exerts a wedging effect on the first slider 41 and the second slider 42 to generate a frictional force (sliding resistance) on the housing 10 . The frictional force during the return operation acts in the opposite direction to that during the depression operation, and decreases as the compression amount of the urging spring 43 decreases.
Therefore, due to the resultant force of the frictional force acting in the opposite direction during the returning operation and the biasing force of the biasing spring 40 that decreases in response to the returning operation, the pedaling force during the returning operation is the following on the pedaling force line NL forming the hysteresis in FIG. It is shown as a lower depression force line RNL, and decreases linearly as the depression amount (opening degree of the accelerator pedal) decreases.

Here, since the pedaling force during the return motion is smaller than the pedaling force during the pedaling operation, as indicated by the pedaling force lines DNL and RNL in FIG. Hysteresis occurs.
When the first slider 41 sticks and stops during the return operation, the upper arm portion 23 is separated from the first slider 41 by the biasing force of the return spring 30, and the accelerator pedal 20 is moved to the rest position. back to

As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction spring 50 is a compression-type coil spring made of spring steel or the like. are arranged in a compressed state by engaging with the regulating portion 14b via the spring receiving member 51. As shown in FIG.
Then, when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed from the rest position to the target opening θt, the second engaging portion 23b of the accelerator pedal 20 is engaged with the spring bearing member 51, and the accelerator pedal 20 exceeds the target opening θt. When stepped on, the reaction force spring 50 is gradually compressed via the spring receiving member 51 to exert a reaction force.
Therefore, when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed beyond the target opening θt, the reaction force spring 50 gradually increases as the opening θ of the accelerator pedal 20 increases, as indicated by the depression force lines DAL and RAL in FIG. Adds a reaction force that increases to

That is, the reaction force spring 50 is such that the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the depression force in an opening region larger than the target opening θt is greater than the target opening θt, with a predetermined target opening θt at which the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed. A reaction force is added in the direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal 20 so as to be relatively larger than the change rate ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force in the small opening region.

The position sensor 60 is a non-contact magnetic sensor that detects the operation and opening of the accelerator pedal 20, is arranged in a region around the axis S, and It consists of an embedded annular armature made of a magnetic material, a pair of permanent magnets fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the armature, two stators embedded in the embedded portion 15 of the housing 10, and two Hall elements.

The position sensor 60 detects a change in magnetic flux density caused by the rotation of the accelerator pedal 20 with a hall element and outputs it as a voltage signal. That is, the position sensor 60 can detect the opening position of the accelerator pedal 20, and can detect whether the accelerator pedal 20 is being depressed or returned.

Next, operation of the accelerator pedal device according to the first embodiment will be described.
First, in the resting state, the accelerator pedal 20 is stopped at the resting position by the urging forces of the return spring 30 and the urging spring 43, and the second engaging portion 23b of the accelerator pedal 20 engages the spring receiving member 61 of the reaction spring 60. is in a state of detachment from

When the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed from the rest position, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line DNL in FIG. 3 up to the target opening θt.
When the accelerator pedal 20 is further depressed beyond the target opening θt, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line DAL in FIG.
On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal 20 is released, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line RAL in FIG. A pedaling force along the pedaling force line RNL in 3 is received.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed, the pedaling force N is along the pedaling force line DNL from an opening region smaller than the target opening θt to the target opening θt. In an opening degree region larger than θt, the pedal force line DAL is added with a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 20 increases.

In short, the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (pedal force line DAL) in an opening region greater than the target opening θt is equal to the pedaling force (pedal force The reaction force spring 50 applies a reaction force so as to be relatively larger than the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the line DNL).

By changing the pedaling force in this way, when the driver depresses the pedal to the target opening θt, the driver feels that the pedaling force N gradually increases with the target opening θt as an inflection point . The return operation of the accelerator pedal due to the operation does not cause discomfort or fatigue.
Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the target opening θt corresponding to the bending point , and can easily maintain the accelerator pedal 20 at the target opening θt.

Incidentally, even if the reaction force spring 50 as the reaction force applying mechanism malfunctions, the second engaging portion 23b can be detached from the spring receiving member 51, and the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 malfunctions. Since the first engaging portion 23a can be separated from the first slider 41 even at this time, the biasing force of the return spring 30 allows the accelerator pedal 20 to reliably return to the rest position.

FIG. 4 shows an accelerator pedal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to morphology. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 includes a first slider 71, a second slider 72, and a biasing spring 73, as shown in FIG.
The first slider 71 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. It has an inclined surface 71b that contacts with 72b, and an engaging surface 71c with which the second engaging portion 23b of the upper arm portion 23 can be detachably engaged.
The second slider 72 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. and a receiving surface 72c for receiving one end of the urging spring 73 .
The biasing spring 73 is a compression coil spring made of spring steel or the like, and has one end engaged with the receiving surface 72c of the second slider 72 and the other end engaged with the inner wall 14a of the housing 10. and exerts an urging force to press the first slider 71 against the restricting portion 14 b of the housing 10 via the second slider 72 .

The urging spring 73 presses the inclined surface 72b of the second slider 72 against the inclined surface 71b of the first slider 71, and pushes the first slider 71 and the second slider 72 against the lower inner wall surface 14c and the upper inner wall surface 14d. A biasing force that pushes back the accelerator pedal 20 via the first slider 71 and the second slider 72 from an opening area larger than the target opening θt to the target opening θt. effect.

In the second embodiment, when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed from the rest position to the target opening degree θt, the second engaging portion 23b of the accelerator pedal 20 is engaged with the first slider 71, and the accelerator pedal 20 reaches the target opening degree. When the pedal is further depressed beyond θt, the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 operates to exert a reaction force that creates hysteresis.
Therefore, when the accelerator pedal 20 is stepped on beyond the target opening θt, the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 increases as the opening θ of the accelerator pedal 20 increases, as indicated by the depression force lines DAL and RAL in FIG. Adds a reaction force that gradually increases.

That is, the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 changes the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the depression force in an opening region greater than the target opening θt to the target opening θt, with a predetermined target opening θt at which the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed. The hysteresis of the pedaling force is changed to add a reaction force in the direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal 20 so that the rate of change of the pedaling force .DELTA.N/.DELTA..theta.

Next, the operation of the accelerator pedal device will be described.
First, in the resting state, the accelerator pedal 20 is stopped at the resting position by the biasing forces of the return spring 30 and the biasing spring 43, and the second engaging portion 23b of the accelerator pedal 20 moves to the first slider of the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70. It is in a state of separation from 71.

When the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed from the rest position, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line DNL in FIG. 5 up to the target opening θt.
When the accelerator pedal 20 is further depressed beyond the target opening θt, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line DAL in FIG.
On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal 20 is released, the driver receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line RAL in FIG. 5 receives a pedaling force along the pedaling force line RNL.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the accelerator pedal 20 is depressed, the pedaling force N is along the pedaling force line DNL from the opening region smaller than the target opening θt to the target opening θt. In an opening degree region larger than θt, the pedal force line DAL is added with a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 20 increases.

In short, the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (pedal force line DAL) in an opening region greater than the target opening θt is equal to the pedaling force (pedal force The sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 applies a reaction force so as to be relatively larger than the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the line DNL).

By changing the pedaling force in this way, when the driver depresses the pedal to the target opening θt, the driver feels that the pedaling force N gradually increases with the target opening θt as an inflection point . The return operation of the accelerator pedal due to the operation does not cause discomfort or fatigue.
Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the target opening θt corresponding to the bending point , and can easily maintain the accelerator pedal 20 at the target opening θt.

Even if the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 as the reaction force applying mechanism malfunctions, the second engaging portion 23b can be disengaged from the first slider 71, and the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 can temporarily operate. Since the first engaging portion 23a can be disengaged from the first slider 41 even if it becomes defective, the biasing force of the return spring 30 allows the accelerator pedal 20 to reliably return to the rest position.

6 and 7 show an accelerator pedal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the shapes of the housing and the accelerator pedal are partially changed, and the location of the reaction force spring 50 as the reaction force application mechanism is changed. Except for the change, it is the same as the above-described first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The accelerator pedal device according to the third embodiment includes a housing 110, an accelerator pedal 120, a return spring 30, a main hysteresis generating mechanism 40, a reaction force spring 50 as a reaction force applying mechanism, and a position sensor 60.

The housing 110 is formed of a resin material and has a two-piece structure, and includes a support shaft 11, housing portions 12, 13, and 14, and an embedded portion 15. The housing portion 14 is arranged below the support shaft 11. .

The accelerator pedal 120 is entirely made of resin material and includes a cylindrical portion 21 , a lower arm portion 122 , an upper arm portion 123 and a pedal portion 24 .
The lower arm portion 122 is integrally formed extending downward from the cylindrical portion 21, and has a second engaging portion 122a in the middle.
The second engaging portion 122a engages with the spring receiving member 51 of the reaction spring 50 when the accelerator pedal 120 is stepped on from the rest position and reaches the predetermined target opening θt, and the accelerator pedal 120 reaches the target opening θt. , the reaction force spring 50 is compressed via the spring receiving member 51 when further stepped on.
The upper arm portion 123 is integrally formed extending upward from the cylindrical portion 21 and has a first engaging portion 23a and a spring receiving portion 23c.

The operation of the accelerator pedal device according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the accelerator pedal 120 is depressed, the pedaling force N is along the pedaling force line DNL from the opening region smaller than the target opening θt to the target opening θt. In the opening degree region larger than θt, the pedal force line DAL is added with a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 120 increases.

In short, also in the third embodiment, the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (the pedaling force line DAL) in the opening region larger than the target opening θt is smaller than the target opening θt. The reaction force spring 50 applies the reaction force so as to be relatively larger than the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (the pedaling force line DNL) in the opening area.

By changing the pedaling force in this way, when the driver depresses the pedal to the target opening θt, the driver feels that the pedaling force N gradually increases with the target opening θt as an inflection point . The return operation of the accelerator pedal due to the operation does not cause discomfort or fatigue.
Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the target opening θt corresponding to the bending point , and can easily maintain the accelerator pedal 120 at the target opening θt.
Further, in the third embodiment, the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 acts on the upper arm portion 123 and the reaction force spring 50 acts on the lower arm portion 122. etc. can be reduced.

FIG. 8 shows an accelerator pedal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Similar to morphology. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as in the third embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the accelerator pedal device according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the accelerator pedal 120 is depressed, the depression force N is along the depression force line DNL from the opening region smaller than the target opening θt to the target opening θt. In the opening degree region larger than θt, the pedal force line DAL is added with a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 120 increases.

In other words, in the fourth embodiment as well, the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (the pedaling force line DAL) in the opening region greater than the target opening θt is smaller than the target opening θt. The hysteresis generating mechanism 70 applies the reaction force so as to be relatively larger than the change rate ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (the pedaling force line DNL) in the opening area.

By changing the pedaling force in this way, when the driver depresses the pedal to the target opening θt, the driver feels that the pedaling force N gradually increases with the target opening θt as an inflection point . The return operation of the accelerator pedal due to the operation does not cause discomfort or fatigue.
Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the target opening θt corresponding to the bending point , and can easily maintain the accelerator pedal 120 at the target opening θt.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, the main hysteresis generating mechanism 40 acts on the upper arm portion 123 and the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 acts on the lower arm portion 122. A load such as a load can be reduced.

9 and 10 show an accelerator pedal device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which the shapes of the housing and the accelerator pedal are partially changed, and the main hysteresis generating mechanism is a first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 and a second hysteresis generating mechanism. The second embodiment is the same as the above-described embodiment except that a two-hysteresis generation mechanism 150 is employed, and a restricting member 130 and a first hysteresis generation mechanism 140 are employed as a reaction force application mechanism. Therefore, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The accelerator pedal device according to the fifth embodiment includes a housing 210, an accelerator pedal 220, a return spring 30, a position sensor 60, a regulating member 130, a first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 and a second hysteresis generating mechanism 150.

The housing 210 is made of a resin material and has a two-piece structure, and includes a support shaft 11 , a housing portion 12 , an embedded portion 15 and a housing portion 213 .

The accelerator pedal 220 is entirely made of a resin material and includes a cylindrical portion 21 , a lower arm portion 22 , an upper arm portion 223 and a pedal portion 24 .
The upper arm portion 223 is integrally formed extending upward from the cylindrical portion 21 and has an engaging portion 223a and a spring receiving portion 23c.
The engaging portion 223a releasably engages with the first slider 141 included in the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 .

The regulating member 130 is arranged to protrude into the housing portion 213 of the housing 210, and when the accelerator pedal 220 is depressed to reach a predetermined target opening θt, the second slider of the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150 is pushed. 152 to restrict the operation of the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150, that is, to restrict the movement of the first slider 151 and the second slider 152 in the stepping direction.

The first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 includes a first slider 141, a second slider 142, and a biasing spring 143, as shown in FIG.
The first slider 141 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. 142b, and an engaging surface 141c with which the engaging portion 223a of the upper arm portion 223 can be detachably engaged.
The second slider 142 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. and a receiving surface 142c for receiving one end of the urging spring 143 .
The biasing spring 143 is a compression type coil spring made of, for example, spring steel. It is arranged in a compressed state in engagement with the slider 151 .

Then, the biasing spring 143 presses the inclined surface 142b of the second slider 142 against the inclined surface 141b of the first slider 141, and pushes the first slider 141 and the second slider 142 against the lower inner wall surface 213a and the upper inner wall surface 213b. 151b of the first slider 151 is pressed against the inclined surface 152b of the second slider 152, so that the first slider 151 and the second slider 152 move toward the lower inner wall surface 213a and the upper inner wall surface 213a. It exerts a wedge action to press it toward the inner wall surface 213b, and exerts a biasing force to push back the accelerator pedal 220 to the rest position via the first slider 141 and the second slider 142. As shown in FIG.

The second hysteresis generating mechanism 150 includes a first slider 151, a second slider 152, and an urging spring 153, as shown in FIG.
The first slider 151 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. It has an inclined surface 151b in contact with 152b and a receiving surface 151c with which the other end of the urging spring 143 is engaged.
The second slider 152 is made of a resin material, for example, a highly slidable material such as oil-impregnated polyacetal. and a receiving surface 152c for receiving one end of the urging spring 153 .
The urging spring 153 is a compression type coil spring made of, for example, spring steel. placed in a compressed state.

Then, the biasing spring 153 presses the inclined surface 152b of the second slider 152 against the inclined surface 151b of the first slider 151, and pushes the first slider 151 and the second slider 152 against the lower inner wall surface 213a and the upper inner wall surface 213b. It exerts a wedging action that pushes it toward and also exerts a biasing force that pushes the accelerator pedal 220 back to the rest position via the first sliders 141,151 and the second sliders 142,152.

Here, if the spring constant of the biasing spring 143 is k1 and the spring constant of the biasing spring 153 is k2, the combined spring constant of the biasing springs 143 and 153 arranged in series is (k1·K2)/(k1+k2). ), and the relationship k1>(k1·K2)/(k1+k2) is established.
Therefore, the spring constant of the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 can be made larger when only the biasing spring 143 exerts a biasing force than when both the biasing spring 143 and the biasing spring 153 exert a biasing force. can be done.

Here, the hysteresis generated by the return spring 30 and the main hysteresis generating mechanism (the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 and the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150) will be described.
When the accelerator pedal 220 is stepped from the rest position toward the maximum depression position against the biasing forces of the return spring 30 and the biasing springs 143 and 153, the upper arm portion 223 is pushed by the biasing forces of the biasing springs 143 and 153. The first slider 141 is pushed leftward in FIG.

During this stepping operation, the biasing force exerted by the biasing springs 143 and 153 exerts a wedging effect on the first slider 141 and the second slider 142 to generate a frictional force (sliding resistance) with respect to the housing 210. , the biasing force exerted by the biasing spring 153 causes the first slider 151 and the second slider 152 to exert a wedging action on each other, and a frictional force (sliding resistance) is generated on the housing 210 .

That is, in the opening area smaller than the target opening θt, the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150 operates in conjunction with the operation of the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140, and the frictional force during the stepping operation opposes the stepping operation. 11, the pedal force increases along the upper pedal force line DNL in FIG.
Then, when the accelerator pedal 220 is depressed to the target opening degree θt, the second slider 152 comes into contact with the restricting member 130 and the operation of the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150 is restricted.

When the accelerator pedal 220 is further depressed beyond the target opening θt, only the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 operates, and the biasing force of the biasing spring 143 causes the first slider 141 and the second slider 142 to wedge each other. , and a frictional force (sliding resistance) is generated on the housing 210 .
That is, in the opening region larger than the target opening θt, the frictional force at the time of the stepping operation acts in a direction opposite to the stepping operation and increases as the compression amount of the urging spring 143 increases. It increases along the middle upper pedaling force line DAL.

On the other hand, when the accelerator pedal 220 is returned to the rest position, the direction is opposite to that during the depression operation, and the frictional force during the return operation is in the opposite direction to the depression operation in the opening region larger than the target opening θt. and decreases as the compression amount of the urging spring 143 decreases, and the pedaling force decreases along the lower pedaling force line RAL in FIG. In addition, in the opening area smaller than the target opening θt, the frictional force during the return operation acts in the opposite direction to the depression operation and decreases as the compression amount of the biasing springs 143 and 153 decreases. 11 decreases along the lower pedaling force line RNL.

That is, when the accelerator pedal 220 is stepped on, the pedaling force N is along the pedaling force line DNL from the opening area smaller than the target opening θt to the target opening θt, and the opening area larger than the target opening θt. , the pedal force line DAL is added with a reaction force that gradually increases as the degree of opening of the accelerator pedal 220 increases.
If the restricting member 130 is not provided and the operation of the second hysteresis generating mechanism 150 is not restricted, the pedaling force line NL indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 11 is obtained.

In other words, in the fifth embodiment as well, the rate of change ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (pedal force line DAL) in the opening region greater than the target opening θt is smaller than the target opening θt. The restricting member 130 and the first hysteresis generating mechanism 140 apply the reaction force so as to be relatively larger than the change rate ΔN/Δθ of the pedaling force (the pedaling force line DNL) in the opening area.

By changing the pedaling force in this way, when the driver depresses the pedal to the target opening θt, the driver feels that the pedaling force N gradually increases with the target opening θt as an inflection point . The return operation of the accelerator pedal due to the operation does not cause discomfort or fatigue.
Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the target opening θt corresponding to the bending point , and can easily maintain the accelerator pedal 220 at the target opening θt.

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the accelerator pedal device according to the fifth embodiment, which is the same as the fifth embodiment except that an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the restricting member is employed. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as in the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
The accelerator pedal device according to the fifth embodiment includes a housing 210, an accelerator pedal 220, a return spring 30, a position sensor 60, a first hysteresis generating mechanism 140, a second hysteresis generating mechanism 160, a restricting member 170, and an adjusting mechanism 180. there is

The second hysteresis generating mechanism 160 has a first slider 151 , a second slider 152 and an urging spring 161 .
The biasing spring 161 is composed of two compression-type coil springs 161 a and 161 b and exerts substantially the same action as the biasing spring 153 .

The regulating member 170 has a female thread 171 into which the lead screw 182 of the adjusting mechanism 180 is screwed.
The regulating member 170 is held in the accommodating portion 213 of the housing 210 so as not to be rotatable about the axis of the lead screw 182 , and is movable in the axial direction of the lead screw 182 without contacting the biasing spring 161 . placed.

The adjustment mechanism 180 includes a motor 181 fixed to the outer wall of the housing 210 and a lead screw 182 directly connected to the output shaft of the motor 181 .
Motor 181 is, for example, a stepping motor.
The lead screw 182 is screwed into the internal thread 171 of the restricting member 170 .
Accordingly, the position of the regulating member 170 is appropriately adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the lead screw 182 by properly rotating the motor 181 .

According to the modified example described above, by adjusting the position of the restricting member 170 , the target opening degree θt can be appropriately and selectively set within the operating range of the accelerator pedal 220 .
Therefore, when a plurality of target opening degrees are set in advance as the target opening degree θt according to the driving state of the vehicle, the position of the inflection point at which the pedaling force is changed can be varied according to the driving state. can.

In the above embodiment, the main hysteresis generating mechanism is composed of the first sliders 41, (141, 151), the second sliders 42, (142, 152), and the urging springs 43, (143, 153). Although the hysteresis generating mechanism 40, (140, 150) is shown, it is not so limited.
For example, if the hysteresis is generated in the pedaling force, a structure including one slider that can be engaged with the engaging portion forming the inclined surface of the accelerator pedal and a biasing spring that biases the slider against the wall surface of the housing, etc. You may employ the mechanism which makes a structure.

In the above embodiment, the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism 70 constituted by the first slider 71, the second slider 72, and the urging spring 73 is shown as the sub-hysteresis generating mechanism as the reaction force applying mechanism, but is limited to this. not to be
For example, if it generates a reaction force, it includes a slider that can be engaged with an engaging portion that forms an inclined surface of an accelerator pedal and a biasing spring that biases the slider against the wall surface of the housing. Constituent mechanisms may be employed.

In the above embodiment, the accelerator pedals 20, 120, 220 swingably supported by the support shafts 11 of the housings 10, 110, 210 are shown as accelerator pedals, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the accelerator pedal is swingably supported on the floor of the vehicle, or the pedal arm is swingably supported by the support shaft of the housing and is swingably supported on the floor of the vehicle. An accelerator pedal having a link mechanism for interlocking the pedal portion may be employed.

As described above, the accelerator pedal device of the present invention can easily recognize the preset target opening according to the driving state, can easily maintain the target opening, and can easily maintain the target opening when a reaction force is applied. Since excellent operability that does not cause discomfort to the driver can be obtained, it can be applied not only to automobiles, but also to work vehicles and other vehicles.

θ Accelerator pedal opening θt Target opening N Pedal force ΔN/Δθ Pedal force change rate 10, 110, 210 Housing 20, 120, 220 Accelerator pedal 30 Return spring 40 Main hysteresis generating mechanism 41 First slider 42 Second slider 43 With Force spring 50 Reaction spring (reaction force application mechanism)
70 sub-hysteresis generation mechanism (reaction force application mechanism)
71 first slider 72 second slider 73 urging spring 130 regulating member (reaction force applying mechanism)
140 first hysteresis generating mechanism (main hysteresis generating mechanism, reaction force applying mechanism)
141 first slider 142 second slider 143 urging springs 150, 160 second hysteresis generating mechanism (main hysteresis generating mechanism)
151 First slider 152 Second sliders 153, 163 Biasing spring 170 Regulating member 180 Adjusting mechanism

Claims (4)

a housing;
an accelerator pedal swingably supported with respect to the housing;
a return spring exerting a biasing force in a direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal;
a main hysteresis generating mechanism that generates hysteresis in the pedaling force in stepping operation and returning operation of the accelerator pedal;
A rate of change of the pedaling force in an opening region smaller than the target opening, with a predetermined target opening at which the accelerator pedal is stepped on as a boundary, in an opening region larger than the target opening a reaction force applying mechanism that applies a reaction force in the direction of pushing back the accelerator pedal so as to be relatively larger than
The main hysteresis generating mechanism includes a first hysteresis generating mechanism engaged by the accelerator pedal, and a second hysteresis generating mechanism operating in conjunction with the operation of the first hysteresis generating mechanism,
The reaction force applying mechanism includes a regulating member provided in the housing for regulating the operation of the second hysteresis generating mechanism when the accelerator pedal is depressed beyond the target opening; 2 including the first hysteresis generation mechanism that operates after the operation of the hysteresis generation mechanism is regulated,
An accelerator pedal device characterized by: The reaction force applying mechanism applies a reaction force that gradually increases as the opening of the accelerator pedal increases in an opening region larger than the target opening.
The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction force application mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the regulating member,
3. The accelerator pedal device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that: The main hysteresis generating mechanism includes a slider that slides on the housing, and an urging spring that pushes the slider back and exerts an urging force against the housing,
4. The accelerator pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that:

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