JPH1143073A - Vehicle pedal displacement control structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the displacement of a pedal tread by relatively pressing forward and turning down a pedal by a displacement control means when an external force acts on the front part to cause a relative displacement between a first body side constituting member having a pedal bracket fixed thereto and a second body side constituting member in the rear. SOLUTION: A pedal bracket 26 for supporting a brake pedal 10 is provided in the rear of a dash panel 16 as a first body side constituting member. An instrument panel reinforce 74 as a second body side constituting member which is a high strength member is provided in the rear thereof, and the instrument panel reinforce 74 has a pressing member 76 as a displacement control means. When an external force of a prescribed value or more acts on the vehicle front part, the dash panel 16 and the pedal bracket 26 are displaced backward to cause a relative displacement between the bracket and the instrument panel reinforce 74. The pressing member 76 is bent down by cracking a notch part 78, and it also presses downward the pedal, support part 56 to suppress the bending of the knee of an occupant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a pedal displacement control structure for a vehicle.

[0002]

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

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

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

According to the above structure, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the occupant attempts to inertia move toward the front of the vehicle, and accordingly, the legs of the occupant are bent in the same direction with the knee as a starting point. Try to inertia move to. Therefore, if the knee protector 412 is not provided, the occupant's knee may contact the tilt bracket 408. However, as described above, the tilt bracket 40
If knee protector 412 is arranged below 8, knees of the occupant will only contact knee protector 412.

The configuration of disposing the knee protector 412 is considered to be a significant measure as a countermeasure when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, but as a countermeasure in relation to the occupant's legs. It is also possible to approach from a different viewpoint, and it is important from the viewpoint of multiple protection that the countermeasures in relation to the occupant's legs be multifaceted.

As a result of repeated experiments conceived from such a viewpoint, the inventor of the present invention focused on the deformation and displacement behavior of the body panel and the like when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front portion of the vehicle, and focused on the brake pedal and the like. It has been concluded that controlling the displacement of the vehicle pedal is also a very effective measure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above findings, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle pedal displacement control structure which can control displacement of a tread surface of a vehicle pedal when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on a front portion of the vehicle. is there.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body pedal displacement control structure, wherein a first vehicle body-side component member which is displaced substantially rearward when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front portion of the vehicle. A suspension-type vehicle pedal having a tread surface which is swingably supported by the pedal bracket and to which a tread force of an occupant is applied at a lower end portion, and the first vehicle body-side component member A second vehicle-body-side component member, which is disposed substantially on the vehicle rear side and has a relatively high rigidity in the vehicle front-rear direction relative to the first vehicle-body-side component member, extends substantially toward the vehicle front side; 1st vehicle body side component member and 2nd
A relative displacement is generated between the vehicle-side components of the vehicle, and the vehicle comes into contact with the vehicle pedal to relatively press the vehicle pedal substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts. And a displacement control means that is directed substantially downward of the vehicle.

According to the vehicle pedal displacement control structure having the above-described structure, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the first force is applied to the first position.
Is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle. For this reason, the pedal bracket whose front end side is fixed to the first vehicle body-side constituent member is also displaced substantially to the vehicle rear side. On the other hand, the second vehicle body-side component disposed substantially rearward of the vehicle relative to the first vehicle body-side component has a rigidity in the vehicle front-rear direction that is relatively higher than that of the first vehicle body-side component. Since it is high, it is hardly displaced substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, the first
Relative displacement occurs between the vehicle body side component member and the second vehicle body side component member, and the relative displacement causes the displacement control means provided on the second vehicle body side component member to come into contact with the vehicle pedal. Relatively toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, according to the present invention, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the tread surface of the vehicle pedal is rotationally displaced substantially toward the front of the vehicle around the pivot center of the pedal bracket.

Further, according to the present invention, when a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts on the displacement control means, the displacement control means, which was previously directed substantially toward the front of the vehicle, is directed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. Let me do. That is, when the displacement control means is viewed from the second vehicle body side component, the extending direction is generally from the substantially vehicle front side to the substantially vehicle lower side. For this reason, the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side constituent member via the displacement control means toward the substantially rearward side of the vehicle is reduced.

In addition, according to the present invention, the displacement control means, which has been extended substantially toward the front side of the vehicle when the pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts on the displacement control means, is applied via the vehicle pedal. So that it is directed almost downward to the vehicle,
The arm length of the moment for rotating the displacement control means substantially downward of the vehicle (that is, the vertical direction of the vehicle from the connection of the displacement control means with the second vehicle body-side component to the contact part with the vehicle pedal). Becomes longer as the contact position of the displacement control means with the vehicle pedal relatively shifts substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, if the magnitude of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the displacement control means is the same,
The displacement control means can be quickly directed substantially below the vehicle by the rapidly increasing rotational moment. Therefore, the component of the pressing force input to the second vehicle body side component toward the substantially rear side of the vehicle can be reduced at an extremely early stage.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the first aspect, wherein the displacement control means extends from the second vehicle body side component to a substantially forward side of the vehicle. A pressing member that is extended and deforms substantially downwardly of the vehicle by a pressing force equal to or more than a predetermined value from the vehicle pedal, and further includes a pressing member near the contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member. It is characterized in that regulating means for regulating the relative downward displacement of the pressing member with respect to the vehicle pedal is provided.

According to the vehicle pedal displacement control structure having the above-described structure, the displacement control means provided on the second vehicle body-side component is a pressing member extending substantially toward the front of the vehicle. When the displacement occurs, the pressing member presses the vehicle pedal substantially toward the front of the vehicle. When a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the above-described vehicle pedal acts on the pressing member, the pressing member is deformed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. It is directed downward. For this reason, the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side constituent member via the pressing member toward the substantially rear side of the vehicle is reduced.

Further, a restricting means is provided in the vicinity of a contact portion between the pressing member and the vehicle pedal, and the restricting means restricts a relative downward displacement of the pressing member with respect to the vehicle pedal (ie, a downward displacement). The contact position of the pressing member with the vehicle pedal is not substantially shifted downward of the vehicle). For this reason, when the pressing member is further deformed substantially below the vehicle in a state of being restricted by the restricting means, a pressing load substantially downward of the vehicle is generated on the vehicle pedal via the restricting means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the front end side is fixed to the first vehicle body side component member which is displaced substantially rearward when an external force of a predetermined value or more acts on the front part of the vehicle. A pedal bracket, a suspended vehicle pedal having a tread surface which is swingably supported by the pedal bracket and to which a tread force of an occupant is applied at a lower end portion, and a vehicle substantially more than the first vehicle body-side component member The second vehicle body-side component member, which is disposed on the rear side and has a higher rigidity in a substantially vehicle longitudinal direction than the first vehicle body-side component member, is provided.
A relative displacement occurs between the vehicle body side component member and the second vehicle body side component to abut on the vehicle pedal to relatively press the vehicle pedal toward substantially the front side of the vehicle, and to release the vehicle pedal from the vehicle pedal. When a pressing force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied, the pressing direction of the vehicle pedal is changed from substantially the vehicle front side to the vehicle lower side, and the vehicle pedal is rotationally displaced in a direction away from the vehicle interior. And control means.

According to the vehicle pedal displacement control structure having the above-described structure, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the first force is applied to the vehicle.
Is displaced substantially rearward of the vehicle. For this reason, the pedal bracket whose front end side is fixed to the first vehicle body-side constituent member is also displaced substantially to the vehicle rear side. On the other hand, the second vehicle body-side component disposed substantially rearward of the vehicle relative to the first vehicle body-side component has a rigidity in the vehicle front-rear direction that is relatively higher than that of the first vehicle body-side component. Since it is high, it is hardly displaced substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, the first
Relative displacement occurs between the vehicle body side component member and the second vehicle body side component member.

Here, in the present invention, the relative displacement between the first vehicle body component and the second vehicle body component causes the displacement control means provided on the second vehicle body component to be provided on the vehicle. The vehicle pedal is relatively pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle by the displacement control means. Furthermore, in the present invention, the pressing force on the vehicle pedal by the displacement control means is changed from substantially the front side of the vehicle to the substantially lower side of the vehicle by applying a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal. As a result, the vehicle pedal is rotationally displaced in a direction away from the vehicle interior. Here, the rotational displacement of the vehicle pedal in a direction away from the vehicle interior means, for example, the rotational displacement of the vehicle pedal alone, and the direction in which the displacement control means presses the vehicle pedal substantially downward of the vehicle. Due to the conversion to the side, the rotation shift of the pedal bracket to substantially the lower side of the vehicle and the plastic deformation of the pedal bracket substantially to the lower side of the vehicle or substantially the front side of the vehicle occur,
Alternatively, it includes the rotational displacement of the vehicle pedal due to the rotational displacement and plastic deformation of the pedal bracket.

Further, in the present invention, when a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts on the displacement control means, the direction of pressing the vehicle pedal by the displacement control means is substantially from the front side of the vehicle to the substantially lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, the direction of the pressing force acting on the displacement control means from the vehicle pedal is also converted from substantially the rear side of the vehicle to substantially the upper side of the vehicle. For this reason, the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side constituent member via the displacement control means toward the substantially rearward side of the vehicle is reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, the displacement control means extends from the second vehicle body side component to a substantially forward side of the vehicle. A pressing member that is extended and deforms substantially downwardly of the vehicle by a pressing force greater than or equal to a predetermined value from the vehicle pedal; and a pressing member that is provided near a contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member. Regulating means for regulating the relative downward displacement of the member with respect to the vehicle pedal.

According to the vehicle pedal displacement control structure having the above-described structure, the displacement control means provided on the second vehicle body-side component is a pressing member extending substantially forward of the vehicle. When the displacement occurs, the pressing member presses the vehicle pedal substantially toward the front of the vehicle. When a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the above-described vehicle pedal acts on the pressing member, the pressing member is deformed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. It is directed downward. For this reason, the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side constituent member via the pressing member toward the substantially rear side of the vehicle is reduced.

Further, a restricting means is provided in the vicinity of the contact portion between the pressing member and the vehicle pedal. The restricting means restricts the relative downward displacement of the pressing member with respect to the vehicle pedal (that is, the downward displacement). The contact position of the pressing member with the vehicle pedal is not substantially shifted downward of the vehicle). For this reason, when the pressing member is further deformed substantially below the vehicle in a state of being restricted by the restricting means, a pressing load substantially downward of the vehicle is generated on the vehicle pedal via the restricting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the second vehicle body side component member is substantially vertically mounted on the vehicle. It is connected to a predetermined portion of the vehicle body floor via a connecting member having high rigidity in the direction.

According to the vehicle pedal displacement control structure having the above-described structure, the second vehicle body-side component is connected to the predetermined portion of the vehicle body floor via the connection member having high rigidity in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Not only can the displacement of the vehicle-body-side component member 2 substantially toward the rear of the vehicle be suppressed or prevented, but also the displacement substantially toward the upper side of the vehicle can be suppressed or prevented. That is, when the displacement control means changes the extending direction from substantially the front side of the vehicle to substantially the lower side of the vehicle (in the case of the invention described in claim 1), the pressing direction of the vehicle pedal is substantially the lower side of the vehicle from the front side of the vehicle. (In the case of the invention described in claim 2), as described above, the second vehicle-side component reduces the pressing force component substantially toward the rear of the vehicle, but the pressing force substantially increases toward the upper side of the vehicle. The pressure component will increase. For this reason,
Although the second vehicle body-side component tends to be displaced substantially toward the upper side of the vehicle, in the present invention, the second vehicle body-side component and the vehicle body floor are connected by the connection means having high rigidity substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The vehicle-body-side component member 2 is hardly displaced substantially toward the upper side of the vehicle or is not displaced at all.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically shows a peripheral structure of a suspension type brake pedal 10 as a "vehicle pedal". Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the peripheral structure including the brake pedal 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

A dash panel 16 as a "first vehicle body side component" is disposed substantially vertically at a position separating the engine room 12 and the vehicle interior space 14. The upper end of the dash panel 16 is fixed by spot welding or the like to the front side of the cowl inner panel 18 which is arranged with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction and forms a part of the cowl. The lower end of the dash panel 16 is fixed to a floor panel 17 as a “vehicle floor” by spot welding or the like.

On the front side of the dash panel 16 described above, there is provided a brake booster 20 functioning as a pedaling force increasing means for increasing the pedaling force applied to the brake pedal 10 by the occupant. Further, on the opposite side of the dash panel 16 of the brake booster 20, a master cylinder 22 for converting hydraulic pressure for converting the pressure increased by the brake booster 20 to hydraulic pressure is provided. And a reservoir tank (not shown) for storing and replenishing the brake fluid in accordance with the hydraulic pressure system of the braking device.

On the other hand, on the rear side of the dash panel 16,
A pedal bracket 26 for swingably supporting the brake pedal 10 is provided. The pedal bracket 26 is
A base plate portion 28 constituting a mounting seat surface to the dash panel 16, and a pair of side plate portions 30 extending from the base plate portion 28 substantially parallel to the vehicle rear side.
And a top plate portion 32 that connects the upper edges of the side plate portions 30, and is formed in a generally U-shape whose lower part is opened as a whole.

An opening 34 is formed at a predetermined position on the front end side of each side plate portion 30, so that the rigidity of each side plate portion 30 in the vehicle front-rear direction is substantially equal to that of the other portion of the pedal bracket 26. It is set lower than that. On the other hand, a flat reinforcing plate 35 is provided on the top plate portion 32, whereby the rigidity of the top plate portion 32 is reduced by the pedal bracket 2.
6 is set higher than the other parts, especially each side plate part 30.

Next, a description will be given of a coupling structure of the pedal bracket 26 to the vehicle body. At the four front corners of the base plate portion 28 disposed on the front end side of the pedal bracket 26, cylindrical collars 40 through which stud bolts 38 protruding from the brake booster 20 are inserted are fixed. The base plate portion 28 is fixed to the dash panel 16 by screwing a nut 42 to a stud bolt 38 inserted therein, with the collars 40 abutting the dash panel 16.
Thereby, the front end side of the pedal bracket 26 is connected to the dash panel 16. The dash panel 1
It is also possible to weld a nut in advance to the front surface of 6, and screw in the mounting bolt from the base plate 28 side to fix it. A dash insulator (not shown) used as a sound insulating material is interposed between the dash panel 16 and the base plate portion 28.

On the other hand, the rear end of the pedal bracket 26, that is, the rear end of the top plate portion 32 is connected to the rear end of the cowl inner panel 18 with a bolt 46 and a weld nut 48.
And has been fixed by. Here, specifically, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a keyhole-shaped slit 49 (recognized as a releasing means in a broad sense) is formed at the rear end of the top plate portion 32 and opens rearward (upward in FIG. 2). I have. This slit 49 has a bolt 4
6, a hole 49A slightly larger than the shaft diameter of the bolt 46, through which the shaft of the bolt 46 can pass, and a groove 49B narrower than the diameter of the hole 49A and opened at the rear end side peripheral edge of the top plate 32. The bolt 46 penetrating through the hole 49A is screwed into the weld nut 48 so that the pedal bracket 26 and the cowl inner panel 1 are formed.
8 are connected. The reason why the slit 49 is formed into a keyhole shape in this state is that even if a depression operation of the brake pedal 10 described later (that is, a normal braking operation) is performed in this state.
This is to prevent the rear end of the pedal bracket 26 from coming off the bolt 46. However, when the pedal bracket 26 is pulled downward by a force greater than a predetermined value, the bolt 46
The periphery of the groove 49B is plastically deformed by the head. As a result, the rear end of the pedal bracket 26 is detached from the bolt 46, and the rear end of the pedal bracket 26 is detached from the cowl inner panel 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, a suspended brake pedal 10 is disposed between the pair of side plates 30 of the pedal bracket 26 described above. The brake pedal 10 includes a pedal support 56 formed by appropriately bending a narrow plate material, and a pedal support 56.
And a pedal pad 58 as a "tread surface" provided at the lower end of the vehicle and to which the occupant's treading force is applied.
A return spring (not shown) is locked to the pedal support portion 56 of the brake pedal 10, and the brake spring 10 is constantly urged by the return spring in a direction to return to the initial position.

A rotary shaft 60 is provided at the upper end of the pedal support 56 of the brake pedal 10, and the rotary shaft 60 is supported by the pair of side plate portions 30 of the pedal bracket 26. . It should be noted that a brief description of an example of the configuration of the rotary shaft 60 will be given below.
A substantially cylindrical pedal boss is inserted into a through hole formed at the upper end of the pedal boss, and substantially cylindrical bushes are fitted into both ends of the pedal boss, and a cylindrical collar is inserted into both bushes. After that, the mounting bolt 62 is inserted from the outside of the one side plate portion 30, and the nut 64 is inserted from the outside of the other side plate portion 30 via the washer.
Are screwed together to form the rotating shaft portion 60.

Further, a push rod (operating rod) 66 projecting from the brake booster 20 and penetrating through the dash panel 16 (in a broad sense, is grasped as a pedaling force transmitting means) at an intermediate portion of the pedal support portion 56 of the brake pedal 10. ) Are connected. Specifically, a substantially U-shaped clevis 68 in a plan view is attached to the distal end of the push rod 66. Inside the clevis 68, a pedal support portion 56 is disposed in an inserted state. A clevis pin 70 penetrates both sides of the clevis 68 and the pedal support portion 56, and a split pin or the like is engaged with a penetrating end thereof. The push rod 66 and the pedal support 56 are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable.

Here, on the substantially vehicle rear side of the above-mentioned brake pedal 10, an instrument panel reinforcement 74 as a "second vehicle body-side component" which is a pipe-shaped high-strength member.
Is arranged. The instrument panel reinforcement 74 is a member that has been conventionally provided, and is disposed with the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction. An upper end portion of a center brace 86 as a “connecting member” disposed substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle as a longitudinal direction is fixed to a substantially center of the instrument panel reinforcement 74 in a longitudinal direction by welding or the like. The center brace 86 has a floor panel 17 at the lower end.
Are fixed by a pair of bolts 90 to a floor tunnel 88 formed substantially at the center in the vehicle width direction. That is, the instrument panel reinforcement 74 is supported by the floor tunnel 88 (floor panel 17) through the center brace 86 at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the instrument panel reinforcement 74 not only has a high material strength but also has the center brace 86 to further increase the rigidity substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

The instrument panel reinforcement 74 is provided with a pressing member 76. FIG. 3 shows the pressing member 7.
6 is shown in perspective. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, the pressing member 76 is arranged with the longitudinal direction substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction, and its rear end is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 by welding or the like. Further, the pressing member 76 is tapered so that the width dimension is reduced toward the distal end side,
Moreover, the rear end (ie, instrument panel reinforcement 7)
4), the front end side is inclined at a predetermined angle toward substantially the lower side of the vehicle. Further, the pressing member 76 is formed in a U-shaped cross section that is opened upward by a pair of side walls 77 facing each other and a bottom wall 78 that connects the lower ends of the side walls 77. Both side wall portions 7 of this pressing member 76
At the upper edge side near the rear end of 7, a cutout 79 (which is grasped as a stress concentration portion in a broad sense) is formed, which is opened substantially on the upper side of the vehicle (that is, on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 78). I have.

That is, since the pressing member 76 has a substantially U-shaped cross section opened substantially toward the upper side of the vehicle,
The pressing member 76 has relatively high rigidity against external forces such as compression, tension and bending in the longitudinal direction or the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 78. However, in the portion where the notch portion 79 is formed, the cross-sectional area of the pressing member 76 cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is sharply reduced as compared with other portions, so that the external force of a predetermined value or more is applied. When buckling acts in the direction of buckling, stress corresponding to the external force is concentrated on the bottom of the cutout portion 79 and the bottom wall portion 78 corresponding to this portion, and the pressing member 76 is bent from this portion substantially downward. Has become.

Further, a pressing portion 80 is formed at the tip of the pressing member 76. The pressing portion 80 is a vertical wall connecting the front end portions of both side wall portions 77, and has a central portion in the width direction bent rearward, and has a substantially V shape in plan view. The pressing member 76 is provided such that the pressing portion 80 is located slightly behind the pedal support portion 56 of the brake pedal 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a block-shaped projecting portion as a "restricting means" is provided on the rear end side of the pedal support portion 56 of the brake pedal 10 corresponding to the pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76. 82 is formed to protrude substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. The protruding portion 82 is a pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76.
, So that the pressing portion 80 abuts on the pedal supporting portion 56 above the projecting portion 82 even when the pressing member 76 and the brake pedal 10 are relatively displaced in a direction approaching each other. Incidentally, in the context of the present invention described in claim 4, the projecting portion 82 as this "regulating means"
Is included in the "displacement control means", but is not included in the "displacement control means" in relation to the present invention described in claim 2 (in other words, the relation to the present invention described in claim 3). In other words, the "displacement control means" is configured to include the pressing member 76 and the protruding portion 82, but in the context of the present invention described in claim 1, the "displacement control means" is configured by the pressing member 76. ).

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. First, the pedal pad 58 of the brake pedal 10
The operation and effect relating to the displacement control of will be described.

When the brake is not operated, the brake pedal 10 is held at the initial position by the urging force of the return spring. When the occupant applies a pedaling force to the pedal pad 58 of the brake pedal 10 from this state, the brake pedal 10 swings substantially around the rotation shaft 60 toward the front of the vehicle, and the push rod 66 is pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle. Is done. As a result, the occupant's pedaling force applied to the pedal pad 58 is transmitted to the brake booster 20 via the push rod 66 and is increased, and then transmitted to the master cylinder 22 to be converted into hydraulic pressure.

On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 1, when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the load at that time may be input to the dash panel 16 via the master cylinder 28 and the brake booster 26. is there. In this case, the dash panel 16 is displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle, and accordingly, the pedal bracket 26 fixed to the dash panel 26 is also displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. On the other hand, since the instrument panel reinforce 74 is configured as a high-strength member, the instrument panel reinforce 74 and the pressing member 76 attached thereto hardly displace substantially rearward of the vehicle. Therefore, a relative displacement occurs between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74.

When a relative displacement occurs between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforce 74, the pressing member 76 is extended from the instrument panel reinforce 74 substantially in front of the vehicle in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle.
The pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76 abuts (interferes) with the pedal supporting portion 56 of the brake pedal 10 (more specifically, a portion of the pedal supporting portion 56 slightly above the projecting portion 82), and The support portion 56 is pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle.

At this time, a pressing force is applied to the pressing member 76 from the pedal support portion 56 substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. In addition,
The pressing force acts as a moment to rotate the pressing member 76 substantially rearward around the rear end. When the pressing force exceeds a predetermined value, the notch 79 formed on the rear end side of the side wall 77 of the pressing member 76.
, And a crack is generated at the bottom of the notch 79. As a result, the pressing member 76 is bent (appears to bend) while being relatively displaced relative to the pedal support portion 56 substantially below the vehicle with the crack generation site as a starting point. Note that the bending operation of the pressing member 76 is regulated by the pressing portion 80 abutting on the projection 82 of the pedal support portion 56 and locked.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, as the relative displacement between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74 increases, the bending amount (displacement amount) of the pressing member 76 substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle increases. Go. At the same time,
The force by which the pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76 presses the pedal support portion 56 substantially downward of the vehicle via the protruding portion 82 also increases. That is, in this process, the pressing direction of the pressing member 76 on the brake pedal 10 is changed from substantially the front side of the vehicle to substantially the lower side of the vehicle. As a result, a downward force is applied to the rear end portion of the pedal bracket 26 that supports the pedal support portion 56, substantially downward of the vehicle. Accordingly, the groove portion 49B of the slit 49 of the top plate portion 32 is plastically deformed in a direction in which the groove portion 49B is expanded, whereby the rear end portion of the pedal bracket 26 is detached from the bolt 46 of the cowl inner panel 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, after the rear end of the pedal bracket 26 is detached from the cowl inner panel 18,
When the relative displacement between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74 further increases, the amount of bending of the pressing member 76 substantially below the vehicle further increases, and the pedal support portion 56
, The pressing force substantially downward of the vehicle also increases.
For this reason, the pedal bracket 26 has an opening 34 for reducing the rigidity of the side plate portion 30 substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and reinforcement for increasing the rigidity of the top plate portion 32 substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Due to the formation of the plate 35, the plate 35 is rotationally displaced while buckling about the upper front end thereof (as viewed in the direction of the arrow P in FIG. 5) substantially downward of the vehicle. Thus, the pedal pad 58 of the brake pedal 10 supported by the pedal bracket 26
Also, similarly to the pedal bracket 26, it can be rotationally displaced substantially toward the front side of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to suppress the knee bending of the leg due to the inertial movement of the occupant when the external force equal to or more than the predetermined value acts on the front part of the vehicle.

When the relative displacement between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74 is not limited to the above, and further increases, as shown in FIG. The bottom wall 78 of the pressing member 76 has a bottom. However, since the bottom wall 78 is formed as a slide surface that is inclined substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle, the rear end of the side plate 30 is located at the bottom wall 78. Along the road substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, the amount of rotational displacement of the pedal bracket 26 substantially toward the vehicle lower side is increased. Therefore, the pedal pad 58 of the brake pedal 10 can be further rotationally displaced substantially to the front of the vehicle.

When the relative displacement between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74 increases as compared with the state shown in FIG. 6, the pressing member 76 is pressed by the top plate 32 of the pedal bracket 26 as shown in FIG. The pressing portion 80 is detached from the protruding portion 82, and the pressing member 76 itself is bent at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, at this time, no force is exerted to press the brake pedal 10 substantially toward the front of the vehicle. However, in this case, according to the present embodiment, the pressing member 76 having a U-shaped cross section is Since the rear end of the portion 30 is covered, the function as a knee protector shown as a conventional example is exhibited. Therefore, the performance of protecting the knees of the occupant's legs can be further enhanced.

Next, the function and effect of reducing the load input to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially toward the rear of the vehicle will be described.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, with the increase in the relative displacement between the dash panel 16 and the instrument panel reinforcement 74, the extending direction of the pressing member 76 is changed from substantially the front side of the vehicle to the substantially lower side of the vehicle. Can be changed. In other words, the pressing direction from the pressing member 76 to the brake pedal 10 is changed from substantially the vehicle front side to the vehicle lower side. When this is viewed from the instrument panel reinforcement 74 side, the acting direction of the load input from the brake pedal 10 to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 via the pressing member 76 is changed from substantially the rear side of the vehicle to the substantially upper side of the vehicle. . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the component of the pressing force input to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle.

Since the notch 79 of the pressing member 76 is cracked and energy is absorbed during plastic deformation, this also contributes to the effect of reducing the load input to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially toward the rear of the vehicle. It can be said that.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the pressing member 76 extending substantially toward the front of the vehicle is bent so as to be directed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. Is also obtained. That is, after the pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76 is abutted and locked by the protruding portion 82, the pressing member 76
While maintaining that state, the extension direction is changed from substantially the front side of the vehicle to substantially the lower side of the vehicle. This is called pressing member 7
6 from the viewpoint of the bending moment acting on the pressing member 76, the arm length of the bending moment for rotating the pressing member 76 substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle (that is, from the connection portion of the pressing member 76 with the instrument panel reinforcement 74 at that time) The distance in the vertical direction of the vehicle up to the contact portion with the brake pedal 10 is increased. Therefore, from the brake pedal 10 to the pressing member 7
As long as the magnitude of the pressing force input to 6 is the same, the pressing member 76 can be quickly directed substantially downward of the vehicle by the suddenly increasing bending moment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the component of the pressing force input to instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially toward the rear of the vehicle can be reduced at an extremely early stage.

In addition, as described above, when the pressing direction of the pressing member 76 to the brake pedal 10 is changed from substantially the front side of the vehicle to the substantially lower side of the vehicle, the instrument panel reinforcement is pressed from the brake pedal 10 via the pressing member 76. Since the input direction of the load input to the vehicle 74 is changed from substantially the rear side of the vehicle to substantially the upper side of the vehicle, the instrument panel reinforcement 74 may be displaced substantially upward of the vehicle depending on the magnitude of the input load substantially upward of the vehicle. And However, according to the present embodiment, the instrument panel reinforcement 74 is connected to the floor tunnel 88 (the floor panel 17) via the center brace 86.
Therefore, even if a load is applied to the instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially on the upper side of the vehicle, the instrument panel reinforcement 74 is hardly displaced substantially on the upper side of the vehicle, or is not displaced at all. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, not only displacement of instrument panel reinforcement 74 substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle can be suppressed or prevented, but also displacement substantially toward the upper side of the vehicle can be suppressed or prevented.

In summary, according to the present embodiment, when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the pedal pad 58 of the brake pedal 10 can be rotationally displaced substantially toward the front of the vehicle. Instrument Panel Reinforce 74
Displacement to the substantially vehicle rear side and the substantially vehicle upper side to the side can be suppressed or prevented.

In the present embodiment, when the pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76 receives a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the brake pedal 10, the pressing member 76 is bent at the rear end side. Although the cutout 79 is provided, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration may be applied as long as it is grasped as a stress concentration portion, a fragile portion, or a bent portion and performs the same function as the cutout 79.

For example, a hole, a groove, a step or the like may be provided on the rear end side of the pressing member 76 in order to change the cross-sectional area of the cross section in the width direction abruptly. As another configuration, the pressing member 76 is divided into a rear end portion and the other portion, and the two are hinge-coupled, and the other members are connected to each other by a shear pin or welding at another portion to receive the pressing force. Thus, the shear pin may be broken.

Further, in the present embodiment, the projecting portion 82 as the "restricting means" is formed so as to project integrally from the pedal support portion 56 of the brake pedal 10 substantially to the vehicle rear side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, the protrusion 82 may be configured separately from the brake pedal 10 and fixed to the pedal support 56. Further, instead of the configuration in which such a protruding special regulating means is provided, the pedal support portion 56
The shape itself of the predetermined portion may be a shape in which the pressing portion 80 of the pressing member 76 abuts and the downward displacement thereof can be restricted.

Further, in relation to the first aspect of the present invention, the projection 82 corresponding to the "regulating means" may be omitted. In this case, the brake pedal 10 is
Is pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle, but not substantially pressed downward. That is, the pressing member 7
6 is only bent so as to change the extending direction from the substantially vehicle front side to the substantially vehicle lower side, the displacement effect of the pedal pad 56 to the substantially vehicle front side is inferior to that of the present embodiment. In the instrument panel reinforcement 74
The effect of reducing the pressure component acting substantially on the vehicle rearward side can be obtained. Further, the contact position of the pressing member 80 against the pedal support portion 56 of the pressing member 76 is relatively shifted substantially to the lower side of the vehicle because the restriction by the restriction means is not performed. Therefore, the pressing member 7 has a relationship with the bending moment and the arm length.
6 can be bent almost at the very early stage toward the lower side of the vehicle. Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a suspended main brake pedal,
The application object of the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to a suspended clutch pedal or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, an opening 34 is formed in the side plate portion 30 of the pedal bracket 26 to reduce the rigidity substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the top plate portion 32 has a rigidity substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A reinforcing plate 35 is provided to enhance the pedal bracket 26
After being disengaged from the cowl inner panel 18, the pedal bracket 26 rotates and shifts while buckling around the upper portion of the front end substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle. However,
In relation to the present invention described in claim 3, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the pedal bracket 26 rotates and shifts, and the pedal bracket 26 does not rotate and shifts substantially toward the front side of the vehicle or substantially downward. It may be configured to undergo plastic deformation and shift.

[0060]

As described above, in the vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, relative displacement occurs between the first vehicle body side component and the second vehicle body side component. The vehicle has a displacement control means that abuts against the vehicle pedal and relatively presses the vehicle pedal toward substantially the front side of the vehicle. There is an excellent effect that the displacement of the tread can be controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, the displacement control means, which was previously directed substantially toward the front of the vehicle, is acted upon substantially by the pressing force from the vehicle pedal acting on the displacement control means. Side, so that the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side component via the displacement control means toward the substantially rear side of the vehicle can be reduced at an early stage. In addition, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the displacement of the second vehicle body side component substantially toward the vehicle rear side or to ensure the effect of preventing the displacement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the first aspect, wherein the displacement control means extends substantially from the second vehicle body side component toward the vehicle front side. A pressing member that is deformed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle by a pressing force equal to or more than a predetermined value from the vehicle pedal, and further includes a pressing member for the vehicle near the contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member. Since the regulating means for regulating the relative downward displacement with respect to the pedal is provided, it is possible to generate a pressing load substantially downward on the vehicle pedal via the regulating means. It has an excellent effect that the effect of displacement to the front side can be enhanced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the present invention, wherein a relative displacement occurs between a first vehicle body-side component and a second vehicle body-side component to abut a vehicle pedal. The vehicle pedal is relatively pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and a pressing force of a predetermined value or more is applied from the vehicle pedal, so that the pressing direction of the vehicle pedal is substantially below the vehicle from the front side. And a displacement control means for rotating and displacing the vehicle pedal in a direction to move the vehicle pedal away from the vehicle compartment, so that an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the front of the vehicle in the same manner as in the first aspect of the invention. This has an excellent effect that the displacement of the tread surface of the vehicle pedal can be controlled when acting on the portion.

Further, according to the present invention, when a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts on the displacement control means, the direction in which the displacement control means presses the vehicle pedal is substantially from the front side of the vehicle to the vehicle. Since the pressure is converted downward, the component of the pressing force input from the vehicle pedal to the second vehicle body-side component via the displacement control means can be reduced substantially toward the rear side of the vehicle. 2 has an excellent effect that it is possible to ensure the effect of suppressing or preventing the displacement of the vehicle-body-side component member substantially toward the rear of the vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to the third aspect, wherein the displacement control means extends from the second vehicle body side component to substantially the front side of the vehicle. A pressing member that is deformed substantially toward the lower side of the vehicle by a pressing force equal to or more than a predetermined value from the vehicle pedal, and further includes a pressing member for the vehicle near the contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member. Since the regulating means for regulating the relative downward displacement with respect to the pedal is provided, it is possible to generate a pressing load substantially downward on the vehicle pedal via the regulating means. It has an excellent effect that the effect of displacement to the front side can be enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, further comprising a connecting member having high rigidity substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Since the second vehicle body-side component member is connected to a predetermined portion of the vehicle body floor, not only can the second vehicle body-side component member be restrained from being displaced substantially toward the rear of the vehicle,
This has an excellent effect that the displacement almost upward of the vehicle can be suppressed or prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle pedal to which a vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a peripheral structure thereof.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of a rear end portion of a top plate portion of the pedal bracket.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a displacement control unit.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the displacement control means is bent by a relative pressing reaction force.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the displacement control means is further bent from the state of FIG. 4 and the brake pedal is displaced forward;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which the displacement control means is further bent from the state of FIG. 5 and the brake pedal is displaced forward;

7 is a side view showing a state where the displacement control means is further bent from the state of FIG. 6 and the rear end portion of the pedal bracket is in contact with the displacement control means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 brake pedal (vehicle pedal) 16 dash panel (first vehicle body component) 17 floor panel (vehicle floor) 26 pedal bracket 58 pedal pad (tread surface) 74 instrument panel reinforcement (second vehicle body component) 76 pressing Member (displacement control means) 82 Projection (restriction means) 86 Center brace (connection member)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pedal bracket fixed to a first vehicle body side component member which is displaced substantially rearward when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on a front portion of the vehicle, and is swingably supported by the pedal bracket. A suspension-type vehicle pedal having a tread surface to which an occupant's treading force is applied to a lower end portion; A second vehicle body-side component, which is relatively higher than the first vehicle body-side component, extends substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and relatively extends between the first vehicle body-side component and the second vehicle body-side component. The displacement causes the vehicle pedal to abut on the vehicle pedal and relatively press the vehicle pedal substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and the pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts substantially toward the vehicle lower side. Displacement control means to be directed Vehicle pedal displacement control structure, characterized in that it comprises a. 2. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement control means extends from the second vehicle body-side component substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and is substantially downwardly directed by a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal. A deformable pressing member, further comprising a restricting means for restricting a relative downward displacement of the pressing member with respect to the vehicle pedal near a contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member. The pedal displacement control structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein 3. A pedal bracket having a front end fixed to a first vehicle body-side component member which is displaced substantially rearward when an external force equal to or more than a predetermined value acts on a front portion of the vehicle, and is swingable by the pedal bracket. A suspension-type vehicle pedal provided with a tread surface to which a passenger's treading force is applied at a lower end portion; a suspension-type vehicle pedal disposed substantially rearward of the first vehicle-side component member and substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction The rigidity is provided on the second vehicle body side component member which is relatively higher in rigidity than the first vehicle body side component member, and a relative displacement occurs between the first vehicle body side component member and the second vehicle body side component member. The vehicle pedal is abutted against the vehicle pedal and is relatively pressed substantially toward the front of the vehicle, and a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal acts to substantially depress the pressing direction of the vehicle pedal. Substantially from the front of the vehicle Vehicle pedal displacement control structure and having a displacement control means for rotationally displacing toward the pedal for the vehicle in a direction away from the vehicle interior is converted into rectangular side. 4. The vehicle control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement control means extends from the second vehicle body-side component toward substantially the front of the vehicle, and is substantially downwardly directed by a pressing force of a predetermined value or more from the vehicle pedal. A pressing member that is deformed, and a restricting unit that is provided near a contact portion of the vehicle pedal with the pressing member and that restricts relative downward displacement of the pressing member with respect to the vehicle pedal. The pedal displacement control structure for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The vehicle body floor component according to claim 1, wherein the second vehicle body side component is connected to a predetermined portion of the vehicle body floor via a connection member having high rigidity substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle. 5. The vehicle pedal displacement control structure according to any one of 4.