JP7354066B2 - Operation amount sensor mounting structure in vehicle operation pedal device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a manipulated variable sensor in a vehicle operating pedal device. In particular, the present invention relates to a structure for mounting an operation amount sensor such as a stroke sensor in a vehicle brake pedal device.

Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with various vehicle operation pedal devices. For example, there is a brake pedal device for a vehicle. A general-purpose vehicle operating pedal device includes a pedal bracket that is attached to the body of a vehicle, and an operating pedal that is pivotally supported and rotatably attached to the pedal bracket. The brake equipment is actuated by rotating the operation pedal by pressing the foot down or the like.

By the way, these operating pedal devices for vehicles are equipped with an operating amount sensor that detects the operating amount of the operating pedal. As the operation amount sensor, there is a stroke sensor that detects the rotational stroke of an operation pedal (see Patent Document 1 below). The stroke sensor controls various devices of the vehicle based on the rotational stroke of the operating pedal. Note that as the operation amount sensor, there is also a load sensor that detects the operation load of the operation pedal.

The stroke sensor is usually installed near a position where the operating pedal is rotatably supported by the pedal bracket. Therefore, if the driver inadvertently kicks up the operating pedal, the driver's foot may come into contact with the stroke sensor, or other relatively large external force may be applied. It may damage the stroke sensor and affect its durability.

In order to protect the stroke sensor in the above-mentioned state, there is a measure to protect the stroke sensor by disposing a guard member at a lower position of the stroke sensor (see Patent Document 2 below). This protects the stroke sensor from external forces applied from below.

JP 2018-139059 Publication Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-99794

Although the protection of the stroke sensor by the guard member described above can protect against abnormal external forces from below, there is a problem in that it cannot protect against abnormal external forces from the sides.

By the way, in the conventional general stroke sensor mounting structure, when the stroke sensor is mounted on the pedal bracket, it is mounted from the same direction as the direction in which the operating pedal is pivoted to the pedal bracket. For this reason, in order to mount the stroke sensor, a space for mounting operation is required in the mounting direction, so there is a problem that a guard member cannot be disposed on the side of the stroke sensor.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned points, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to change the direction in which the operation amount sensor is attached to the pedal bracket and the direction in which the operation pedal is attached to the pedal bracket. By arranging the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft support direction, it is possible to arrange a guard member for protecting the operation amount sensor to the side of the operation amount sensor.

In order to solve the above problems, the operation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operation pedal device according to the present invention takes the following measures.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle operation pedal device includes a pedal bracket attached to a vehicle body of a vehicle, and an operation pedal pivotally supported by the pedal bracket and rotatably attached, the operation pedal being rotatably attached. A manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in which a manipulation amount sensor that detects information regarding the manipulation amount is attached to a sensor mounting bracket that is integrally arranged on the pedal bracket, wherein the manipulation amount sensor is attached to the sensor mounting bracket. A stud bolt is disposed in the same direction as the pivot direction of the operation pedal, and a stud bolt mounting portion of the operation amount sensor has an opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt. A notch mounting groove into which the operation pedal can be inserted is formed, and a guard member for protecting the operation amount sensor from abnormal external force operation is disposed on the pedal arm of the operation pedal, and the guard member protects the operation amount sensor from abnormal external force operation. The member is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operation pedal device, which is configured to cover the manipulation amount sensor on the axial front side and lower circumferential surface of a stud bolt to which the manipulation amount sensor is attached.

A second invention of the present invention is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operating pedal device of the first invention, wherein the guard member is disposed on the lower circumferential surface of the manipulation amount sensor. This is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operating pedal device, in which a main body portion and a flange portion disposed on the axial front side of the manipulation amount sensor are formed in an L shape.

A third invention of the present invention is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operation pedal device according to the above-mentioned first invention or second invention, wherein a notch is formed in a stud bolt mounting portion of the manipulation amount sensor. Two cutout mounting grooves are formed, and the opening positions of the two cutout mounting grooves are opposite to each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt, and This is a structure for mounting a manipulated variable sensor in a vehicle operating pedal device, in which the groove bottom of a notch mounting groove is opened so as to be pressed by a stud bolt when a nut is tightened.

A fourth invention of the present invention is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operating pedal device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the notch mounting groove is formed from the groove bottom to the groove opening. This is a structure for mounting a manipulated variable sensor in a vehicle operating pedal device, which is formed in a tapered shape in which the groove width gradually increases toward .

A fifth invention of the present invention is a manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operating pedal device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the vehicle operating pedal device is mounted on a vehicle brake pedal. This is a structure for mounting a manipulation amount sensor in a vehicle operation pedal device, which is a device.

According to the above-described means of the present invention, the direction in which the operation amount sensor is attached to the pedal bracket is perpendicular to the direction in which the operation pedal is pivoted to the pedal bracket, thereby providing a guard that protects the operation amount sensor. It is possible to arrange the operation amount sensor on the side of the member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire configuration of the brake pedal device viewed from the rear right side. FIG. 2 is a side view of the brake pedal device shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the right side. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the brake pedal device shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from behind. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of section IV in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a stroke sensor attachment site where a stroke sensor is attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connection relationship between a brake pedal and a stroke sensor. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a supplementary diagram for explaining the mounting state of the stroke sensor in FIG. 6. FIG. It is a top view showing the basic form of the notch attachment groove formed in a stroke sensor. 10 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the notch mounting groove shown in FIG. 9. FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of the shape of a notch attachment groove.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. The vehicle operation pedal device of this embodiment is a vehicle brake pedal device 10, and the operation amount sensor is a stroke sensor 30 that detects the rotational stroke of the pedal arm 12. Note that directions such as up and down, front and back, and left and right in the explanation of each figure are displayed when viewed in the direction of travel of a vehicle such as an automobile. Further, in each figure, L indicates the front-rear direction, H indicates the height direction, and W indicates the left-right direction (width direction of the vehicle). However, any indications specifically indicated shall be subject to such indications. In addition, when components exist on the left and right, and when referring to the left and right components individually, the suffix of the symbol indicating the component is an L for the component on the left, and an L for the component on the right. Indicated with R.

<Overall configuration of brake pedal device 10>
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a brake pedal device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the same. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the same. The brake pedal device 10 is normally disposed below the front of a driver's seat of a vehicle such as an automobile. The brake pedal device 10 includes a pedal arm 12. This pedal arm 12 corresponds to the operating pedal of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedal arm 12 includes a long pedal arm body 14 disposed vertically, a pedal tread surface 16 attached to the lower end of the pedal arm body 14, and a pedal tread surface 16 attached to the upper end. A boss portion 18 (see FIG. 7) is provided to rotatably attach the pedal arm body 14 to be attached.

In front of the driver's seat of a vehicle such as an automobile, an instrument panel (not shown) and a dash panel 22 (see FIG. 2) are arranged as vehicle body components, and the pedals shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are mounted on these panels. A bracket 20 is provided. The pedal bracket 20 includes a right side pedal bracket 20R and a left side pedal bracket 20L sandwiching the boss portion 18 of the pedal arm body 14. The boss portion 18 (see FIG. 7) at the upper end of the pedal arm main body 14 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 26 (see FIG. 7) suspended between both the pedal brackets 20R, 20L. Thereby, the pedal arm 12 consisting of the pedal arm main body 14 is rotatably supported by the pedal bracket 20, and the brake is actuated by stepping on the pedal tread surface 16 at the lower end with the foot.

Therefore, the pedal tread surface 16 is integrally attached to the lower end of the elongated pedal arm main body 14, and is located at a position where the driver can press and operate the pedal arm body 14 with his/her foot. The pedal tread surface 16 has a shape that allows easy operation, and in this embodiment, the pedal tread surface 16 has a horizontally long rectangular shape.

<Stroke sensor 30 and sensor mounting bracket 28>
The brake pedal device 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a stroke sensor 30 that detects the rotational state of the pedal arm 12. The stroke sensor 30 is provided in the hybrid vehicle and controls brake hydraulic equipment (brake booster, etc.) according to the operating stroke of the pedal arm 12.

As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the stroke sensor 30 is attached to the sensor mounting bracket 28, and the sensor mounting bracket 28 is integrally attached to the right pedal bracket 20R. Therefore, the stroke sensor 30 is configured to be attached to the pedal bracket 20 via the sensor attachment bracket 28. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor mounting bracket 28 is attached to the right pedal bracket 20R by integrally fixing the leg portion 28a formed on the sensor mounting bracket 28 to the right pedal bracket 20R by welding. . Note that the sensor mounting bracket 28 is made of a steel plate.

As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the sensor mounting bracket 28 is formed in an elongated oval shape, and has a circular hole 27 formed in the center thereof into which the mounting base 30a of the stroke sensor 30 is fitted. The fitted state is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, which will be described later. Furthermore, two stud bolts 32 are provided on both sides of the circular hole 27 in the sensor mounting bracket 28. The stud bolt 32 is arranged in the same direction as the pivot direction of the pedal arm 12. As seen in FIG. 5, this is the left and right direction (width direction) of the W direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, stud bolt attachment parts 34 (hereinafter simply referred to as "bolt attachment parts 34") are formed on both sides of the base of the stroke sensor 30, and stud bolts 32 are attached to these bolt attachment parts 34. Two cutout mounting grooves 36 that can be inserted are formed. The configuration of this notch attachment groove 36 is a feature of this embodiment. The two cutout mounting grooves 36 shown in FIG. 9 are both formed to open downward when viewed in FIG. 9 . Note that the opening direction of the notch mounting groove 36 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the stud bolt 32.

The width of the arrangement interval between the two stud bolts 32 disposed on the sensor mounting bracket 28 and the width of the formation interval between the two notch mounting grooves 36 formed in the bolt mounting portion 34 are set to be the same width. ing. Thereby, the stroke sensor 30 can be attached to the stud bolt 32 via the bolt attachment portion 34. The stroke sensor 30 is attached from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the stud bolt 32, and the details will be described later.

Since the stroke sensor 30 detects rotation of the pedal arm 12, the stroke sensor 30 and the pedal arm 12 are linked. FIG. 6 shows the linkage mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6, an L-shaped link 38 is attached to the center of the stroke sensor 30, and the other end of the L-shaped link 38 is fixed to the pedal arm body 14 in a concave groove 40 of a fixing member 39. is engaged with. Thereby, the rotation of the pedal arm 12 is transmitted to the stroke sensor 30 and detected.

Note that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, since the L-shaped link 38 is disposed across the right pedal bracket 20R, a communication hole 42 is formed in the right pedal bracket 20R. An L-shaped link 38 is disposed through this communication hole 42 so that rotation of the pedal arm 12 is transmitted to the stroke sensor 30.

Further, a portion formed at an upper position of the stroke sensor 30 is a connector portion 44, which is a portion for transmitting detection information of the stroke sensor 30 to the control portion through electrical wiring.

<Guard member 46>
Next, the guard member 46, which is another feature of this embodiment, will be explained. Guard member 46 is best shown in FIG. The guard member 46 is a member generally referred to as a "leg kick bracket" or "kick up protection bracket", and is for protecting the stroke sensor 30 from abnormal external force operation. For example, this is intended to protect the driver from accidentally kicking the stroke sensor 30 with his or her foot.

The guard member 46 is formed in an L-shape and includes a main body portion 46A and a flange portion 46B. The main body portion 46A is a portion disposed on the lower circumferential surface of the stroke sensor 30. The flange portion 46B is a portion disposed on the front side of the stroke sensor 30 (on the right side of the stroke sensor 30 when viewed in FIG. 4). The main body portion 46A and the flange portion 46B are integrally formed from a steel plate.

The guard member 46 is disposed such that the end surface on the opposite side of the L-shape of the main body portion 46A is in contact with the side surface of the pedal arm main body 14, and the contact portions are joined and integrated by arc welding 48. . As a result, the pedal arm 12 and the guard member 46 are integrated, and the guard member 46 rotates together with the pedal arm 12, but in the rotation range, it surrounds the lower part and front surface of the stroke sensor 30. It is in the state where it is placed.

<How to install the stroke sensor 30>
Next, a method of attaching the stroke sensor 30, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be explained. FIG. 7 shows a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2. As shown in this cross-sectional view, the flange portion 46B of the guard member 46 is located on the front side (upper side in FIG. 7) of the stroke sensor 30. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to attach the sensor to the stud bolt 32 fixedly attached to the sensor mounting bracket 28 from the axial direction of the stud bolt 32, the flange portion 46B of the guard member 46 becomes an obstacle and cannot be attached. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining this state. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the flange portion 46B of the guard member 46 is present, when the stud bolt mounting portion 34 is engaged with the stud bolt 32, the front portion of the stroke sensor 30 is attached to the flange portion of the guard member 46. 46B, and cannot be attached to the stud bolt 32 from the axial direction.

For this reason, in this embodiment, a notch mounting groove 36 (see FIG. 9) is formed in the bolt mounting portion 34, which opens in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt 32 and allows the stud bolt 32 to be inserted therethrough. It is. Thereby, the stroke sensor 30 can be attached to the stud bolt 32 from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the stud bolt 32. That is, the flange portion 46B of the guard member 46 does not become an obstacle.

As shown in FIG. 7, after the bolt attachment portion 34 is attached to the stud bolt 32, the nut 50 is screwed onto the stud bolt 32 to securely attach the bolt attachment portion 34 of the stroke sensor 30 to the sensor attachment bracket 28. mounted on.

<Actions and effects of the above embodiment>
First, in this embodiment, the stroke sensor 30 is surrounded and protected by the guard member 46, so that it can be protected against abnormal external force caused by kicking up the brake pedal device 10 from below. In particular, in this embodiment, the guard member 46 is formed in an L-shape, and not only protects the lower part of the stroke sensor 30 with the main body part 46A, but also protects the front part of the stroke sensor 30 with the flange part 46B. can be protected.

Next, the stroke sensor 30 can be attached to the stud bolt 32 from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft of the stud bolt 32. Thereby, the flange portion 46B of the guard member 46 does not become an obstacle when the stroke sensor 30 is attached. This is because the notch mounting groove 36 formed in the bolt mounting portion 34 of the stroke sensor 30 is opened in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt 32.

Furthermore, since the body portion and the flange portion of the guard member 46 are formed in an L-shape, the strength can be improved, so the plate thickness can be reduced, and the weight can also be reduced. .

<Another arrangement form of the two notch mounting grooves 36>
FIG. 10 shows another arrangement of the two notched mounting grooves 36 formed in the stud bolt mounting portion 34 of the stroke sensor 30. As shown in FIG. In this alternative arrangement, the openings of the two cutout mounting grooves 36 are in opposite directions. That is, the opening positions of the two notch mounting grooves 36 are opposite to each other when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the stud bolt 32. As seen in FIG. 10, the notch mounting groove 36 on the left side opens upward, and the notch mounting groove 36 on the right side opens downward. This opening in the opposite direction is an opening in the opposite direction to the tightening torque direction (direction of the arrow shown by the imaginary line) of the nut 50 (see FIG. 7) during installation. That is, both of the two notch mounting grooves 36 are opened so that the groove bottoms of the notch mounting grooves 36 are pressed against the stud bolt by tightening the nut 50. As a result, the stroke sensor 30 is rotated by the nut tightening torque, and the assembly position accuracy is stabilized due to interference between the inner wall of the notch mounting groove 36 and the stud bolt 32.

<Another shape form of the notch mounting groove 36>
FIG. 11 shows a modification of the shape of the notch mounting groove 36 formed in the stud bolt mounting portion 34 of the stroke sensor 30. As shown in FIG. In this modification, the notch mounting groove 36 has a tapered shape. The tapered shape has a wide opening and a narrow depth. That is, the groove has a tapered shape in which the groove width gradually increases from the groove bottom toward the groove opening. With such a tapered shape, the notch mounting groove 36 can be easily assembled and inserted into the stud bolt 32.

<Other embodiments>
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can also be implemented in various other forms.

For example, the vehicle pedal device of the above embodiment is a vehicle brake pedal device. However, it can also be widely applied to other pedal devices in vehicles. For example, it can be applied to a clutch pedal device, an accelerator pedal device, etc.

Further, the operation amount sensor in the above embodiment was the stroke sensor 30. In addition, it may be a load sensor that detects the operating load of the operating pedal.

Further, the pedal arm main body 14 in the above embodiment is a single plate-like member. A configuration formed in a hollow shape may also be used.

Further, the link connection configuration for connecting the stroke sensor 30 and the pedal arm 12 in the above embodiment is a configuration using an L-shaped link 38. This link connection configuration may be any of various well-known link connection configurations.

<Operations and effects of each invention described in "Means for solving the problem">
Finally, the effects of the above-described embodiments corresponding to each invention in the above-mentioned "Means for Solving the Problems" will be added.

First, according to the first invention, the stud bolt mounting portion of the manipulated variable sensor has an opening in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the stud bolt, and the stud bolt can be inserted in the perpendicular direction. A notch mounting groove is formed. Thereby, the operation amount sensor can be attached to the stud bolt in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the stud bolt.

Further, according to the first invention, as a result of the above, the guard member attached to the pedal arm can be formed with a flange portion that covers the axial front side of the stud bolt. Thereby, the operation amount sensor can be protected against abnormal external force operation from the axial front side of the stud bolt.

Next, according to the second invention, the flange portion of the guard member is formed in an L-shape with the main body portion of the guard member that covers the lower portion of the operation amount sensor. As a result, the manipulated variable sensor is protected from external forces from below by the main body of the guard, and from external forces from the side (the axial front side of the stud bolt) by the flange of the guard. Ru.

Next, according to the third invention, two notch mounting grooves are formed in the stud bolt mounting portion of the manipulated variable sensor, and the positions where the two notch mounting grooves open are located at the stud bolt mounting portion of the operation amount sensor. They are opposite to each other when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bolt. As a result, the operation amount sensor is rotated by the nut tightening torque, and the assembly accuracy is stabilized due to interference between the inner wall of the notch mounting groove and the stud bolt.

Next, according to the fourth invention, the notch mounting groove through which the stud bolt is inserted is formed in a tapered shape. Thereby, the stud bolt can be easily inserted into the notch mounting groove, and assembly is easy.

Next, according to the fifth invention, it can be suitably implemented in a brake pedal device for a vehicle.

10 Brake pedal device (vehicle operation pedal device)
12 Pedal arm (operation pedal)
14 Pedal arm body 16 Pedal tread 18 Boss part 20 Pedal bracket 20R Right side pedal bracket 20L Left side pedal bracket 22 Dash panel 26 Support shaft 27 Circular hole 28 Sensor mounting bracket 28a Leg part 30 Stroke sensor (operation amount sensor)
32 Stud bolt 34 Stud bolt mounting part 36 Notch mounting groove 38 L-shaped link member 40 Concave groove 42 Communication hole 44 Connector part 46 Guard member 46A Main body part 46B Flange part 48 Arc welding 50 Nut

Claims (5)

A vehicle operation pedal device includes a pedal bracket attached to the body of a vehicle, and an operation pedal pivotally supported by the pedal bracket and rotatably attached, and includes an operation amount for detecting information regarding an operation amount of the operation pedal. A manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in which a sensor is mounted on a sensor mounting bracket that is integrally arranged on the pedal bracket,
A stud bolt for attaching the operation amount sensor to the sensor mounting bracket is arranged in the same direction as the pivot direction of the operation pedal,
A notch mounting groove that opens in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt and into which the stud bolt can be inserted is formed in the stud bolt mounting portion of the operation amount sensor;
Furthermore, a guard member for protecting the operation amount sensor from abnormal external force operation is disposed on the pedal arm of the operation pedal,
The operation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operating pedal device is such that the guard member can cover the operation amount sensor on the axial front side and lower circumferential surface of a stud bolt to which the operation amount sensor is attached. The operation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operation pedal device according to claim 1,
The guard member has an L-shaped main body portion disposed on the lower circumferential surface of the manipulated variable sensor and a flange portion disposed on the axial front side of the manipulated variable sensor. , a structure for mounting a manipulated variable sensor in a vehicle operating pedal device. A manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operation pedal device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
Two notch mounting grooves are formed in the stud bolt mounting portion of the manipulated variable sensor, and the opening positions of the two notch mounting grooves are determined when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stud bolt. Mounting of a manipulated variable sensor in a vehicle operating pedal device, in which the notch mounting groove is opened in such a way that the bottom of the notch mounting groove is pressed against a stud bolt by tightening a nut during installation. structure. A manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operation pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The notch mounting groove is formed in a tapered shape in which the groove width gradually increases from the groove bottom toward the groove opening. A manipulation amount sensor mounting structure in a vehicle operation pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The vehicle operation pedal device is a vehicle brake pedal device, and the operation amount sensor mounting structure in the vehicle operation pedal device.

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