Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-15
2001-07-24
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S512000, C074S560000, C123S399000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263758
ABSTRACT:
SPECIFICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicular accelerator pedal mechanism wherein a frictional force is impairted to the accelerator pedal when the driver of the vehicle steps on the accelerator pedal, while the same force is diminished when the pedal is returned.
2. Related Art
When an automobile or the like is allowed to travel at a constant speed, the driver of the automobile is required to maintain the accelerator pedal at a certain position, which has heretofore been a cause of fatigue of the driver. Particularly in the case where an accelerator position sensor is attached directly to an accelerator pedal mechanism, an accelerator cable is omitted and therefore a frictional force exerted on the driver becomes extremely small, which especially affects the driver's fatigue. For avoiding such an inconvenience, that is, for eliminating the driver's fatigue in vehicular operation, there has been proposed a mechanism wherein a friction disc is mounted on a rotating shaft of the accelerator pedal to impart a frictional force to the accelerator pedal when the driver of the vehicle concerned steps on the pedal.
However, in the conventional mechanism wherein a frictional force is merely exerted on the accelerator pedal when depressed, the frictional force may cause an insufficient return of the accelerator pedal when the pedal is released and returned.
A mechanism for eliminating the fear of occurrence of such an insufficient return of the accelerator pedal is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 168337/91. The mechanism disclosed therein is provided with a main shaft (a pedal rotating shaft) which rotates in accordance with depression of the accelerator pedal and which is biased by means of a return through spring so as to return a rotational angle to the original position. Further, in this mechanism, a friction generating device for generating friction which resists the rotation of the main shaft upon depression of the accelerator pedal is connected to the main shaft through an engaging/disengaging means. The engaging/disengaging means connects the main shaft and the friction generating device with each other when the accelerator pedal is depressed and it disconnects the two from each other when the pedal is released.
According to this construction, upon depression of the accelerator pedal, the friction generating device and the main shaft are brought into connection with each other through the engaging/disengaging means to impart a frictional force to the accelerator pedal. On the other hand, upon release of the accelerator pedal, the friction generating device and the main shaft are disconnected from each other by the engaging/disengaging means to diminish the friction force working on the accelerator pedal. As a result, when the accelerator pedal is returned to its original position, the friction force generated by the friction force generating device is diminished lest there should occur an insufficient return of the accelerator pedal.
In the above conventional mechanism, the main shaft adapted to rotate with depression of the accelerator pedal and the friction generating device which imparts a frictional force to the accelerator pedal are disposed coaxially with each other. Therefore, it is necessary that the friction area and the coefficient of friction between the friction generating device and the main shaft be relatively large. For this reason, it has so far been required to enhance the durability of the related components at their friction surfaces.
Moreover, when the accelerator pedal is returned, it is possible to reduce the frictional force generated by the friction generating device, but for ensuring the return of the accelerator pedal, it is necessary that the biasing force of the return spring for returning the main shaft be set large. This gives rise to a drawback such that a larger force (treading force) is required in the accelerator pedal treading direction.
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problems and it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicular accelerator pedal mechanism capable of satisfying a required performance with use of a small friction force, thereby reducing the frictional force at friction surfaces in comparison with the prior art, and also capable of using a return spring with a small biasing force and, first instance, simple in structure and which is low in cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided, in combination with a vehicular accelerator pedal mechanism including an accelerator pedal, a pedal rod connected to the accelerator pedal, and a pedal shaft which supports the pedal rod pivotably, a vehicular accelerator pedal mechanism further including a fixed friction member fixed to a vehicle, a movable friction member capable of moving in contact with the fixed friction member, and a friction member return spring for urging the movable friction member in a predetermined direction, and wherein the pedal rod has a free end on the side opposite to the accelerator pedal with the pedal shaft as a center, and when the pedal rod moves upon depression of the accelerator pedal, it causes the movable friction member to move against the friction member return spring while allowing the movable friction member to be in contact with the fixed friction member.
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Kumamoto Masato
Oikawa Takumi
Shibuya Yoshio
Toukai Yuuichirou
Hannon Thomas R.
Kim Chong H.
Lorusso & Loud
Mikuni Corporation
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