1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pedal supporting structure of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a pedal supporting structure for supporting a pedal provided in a foot space associated with a driver""s seat.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a large deceleration is generated in a vehicle, a large inertial force is exerted on the driver of that vehicle in a frontward direction of the vehicle. If the driver moves in the forward direction of the vehicle due to the inertial force, the driver""s knee may hit a steering column support construction or structure supporting a steering column which supports a steering wheel.
Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 1-73464 discloses a knee protector which reduces a shock applied to the driver. The knee protector is provided under the steering column so that a bracket, which mounts the steering column to the vehicle body, is covered by the knee protector. In such a construction, the driver""s knee does not directly hit the bracket of the steering column. Thus, the shock applied to the driver""s knee can be reduced.
If a large force (energy) is applied to the front side of the vehicle, a large deceleration is generated in the vehicle and additionally, a deformation toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle may occur of a dash panel which isolates the passenger compartment from the engine compartment. If the dash panel deforms toward the passenger compartment, the foot space associated with the driver""s seat is reduced. This increases a possibility of the driver""s knee colliding with the bracket of the steering column. Accordingly, in order to prevent or reduce a shock applied to the driver when a large force is exerted on the front side of the vehicle, it is preferred that a large space is maintained even when a deformation occurs in the dash panel.
In the foot space associated with the driver""s seat, pedals such as a brake pedal are provided. If the pedals can be moved toward the dash panel when the above-mentioned deformation occurs in the dash panel, a large space can be maintained in the driver""s seat. That is, if a supporting construction of the pedals has such a function, the possibility of the driver""s knee colliding with the bracket of the steering column is reduced.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful pedal supporting structure or structure in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a pedal supporting structure or construction in which a pedal is prevented from being moved in a direction toward a passenger compartment if a deformation occurs in a dash panel in the direction toward the passenger compartment.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, there is provided according to the present invention a pedal supporting structure or construction of a vehicle, including:
a pedal including a lever portion extending from the pedal;
a pedal bracket pivotally supporting the lever portion of the pedal;
a body member of the vehicle located adjacent the pedal bracket;
a connection mechanism disengageably engaging a portion of the pedal bracket to the body member; and
a guiding mechanism for guiding a movement of the pedal bracket so that the movement of the pedal bracket causes a movement of the pedal relative to the body member in a rear-to-front direction of the vehicle.
According to the above-mentioned invention, the pedal bracket, which is located in a foot space associated with a driver""s seat, is engaged to the body member. Thus, the pedal bracket provides sufficient rigidity with respect to the depression force exerted on the pedal. If the pedal bracket is moved, for example, due to a front end crash of the vehicle, the pedal bracket is disengaged from the body member and moves in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The movement of the pedal bracket is guided by the guiding mechanism so that the pedal is moved relative to the body member in a rear-to-front direction of the vehicle while the pedal bracket is moved in the front-to-rear direction. Thus, a large space is preserved in a foot space associated with the driver""s seat or position even when the pedal bracket is rapidly moved in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle due to a front end crash.
In the pedal supporting structure according to the present invention, the pedal bracket may be disengaged from the body member when the pedal bracket is moved in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being substantially the same as a direction of the movement of the pedal bracket being guided by the guiding mechanism.
According to the invention, the pedal bracket is guided by the guiding mechanism from the moment of disengagement. Thus, the movement of the pedal bracket is effectively converted into the rear-to-front movement of the pedal.
Additionally, the pedal bracket may be disengaged from the body member when the pedal bracket is moved in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being substantially the same as a direction of a force transmitted to the pedal bracket when a substantial force is exerted on a front end of the vehicle in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.
According to this invention, since the direction of disengagement of the pedal bracket is the same as the direction of the force exerted on the pedal bracket, the pedal bracket is surely or positively disengaged from the body member when the pedal is moved by the force.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the guiding mechanism includes:
a vehicle body side slide member fixed to the body member, the vehicle body side slide member having a surface slanted by a slanting angle with respect to a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle so that a rear end of the slanted surface is lower than a front end of the slanted surface; and
a bracket side slide portion formed on an upper side of the pedal bracket, the bracket side slide portion contacting the slanted surface.
According to this embodiment, the upper side of the pedal bracket is moved downwardly while the pedal bracket is moved in the front-to-rear direction. This movement of the pedal bracket causes the pedal to be moved in the rear-to-front direction.
Additionally, the slanting angle may be increased from the front end toward the rear end of the slanted surface. In such a construction, a smooth sliding movement of the pedal bracket is provided in the initial stage. A ratio of the downward movement to the rearward movement of the pedal bracket is increased as the movement of the pedal bracket progresses.
The slanting surface may be a curved surface.
Additionally, the pedal bracket may comprise a rounded smooth surface connected to a rear end of the bracket side slide portion, the rounded smooth surface moving ahead of the bracket side slide portion when the pedal bracket moves in the front-to rear direction of the vehicle.
Further, the pedal bracket may comprise a flexible portion connected to a rear end of the bracket side slide portion, the flexible portion moving ahead of the bracket side slide portion when the pedal bracket moves in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle so that the flexible portion is deformed when the flexible portion is pressed against the slanted surface.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the guiding mechanism includes:
a bracket side slide portion formed on an upper side of the pedal bracket, the bracket side slide portion having a slanted surface which is slanted by a slanted angle with respect to a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle so that a rear end of the slanted surface is lower than a front end of the slanted surface; and
a vehicle body side slide member fixed to the body member, the vehicle body side slide member engaging the rear end of the slanted surface.
According to this embodiment, the upper side of the pedal bracket is moved downwardly while the pedal bracket is moved in the front-to-rear direction. This movement of the pedal bracket causes the pedal being moved in the rear-to-front direction.
Additionally, the slanted angle may be increased from the rear end toward the front end of the slanted surface.
The slanted surface may be a curved surface.
Additionally, the bracket side slide portion may include a rounded smooth surface connected to the rear end of the slanted surface, the rounded smooth surface moving ahead of the slanted surface when the pedal bracket moves in the front-to rear direction of the vehicle.
Further, the bracket side slide portion may include a flexible portion connected to the rear end of the slanted surface, the flexible portion moving ahead of the slanted surface when the pedal bracket moves in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle so that the flexible portion is deformed when the flexible portion is pressed against the vehicle body sides slide member.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the lever portion may be urged in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, and the pedal bracket includes:
a stopper limiting a movement of the pedal lever in the front-to-rear direction so that the pedal is positioned at a normal position; and
a pressing portion limiting a pivotal movement of the lever portion in the front-to-rear direction when the lever portion moves further from the normal position in the front-to-rear direction beyond the stopper.
In this embodiment, the movement of the pedal in the front-to-rear direction is restricted by the pressing portion even when a front-to-rear movement of the pedal is large enough to depress the stopper in the front-to-rear direction.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the guiding mechanism includes:
a vehicle body side slide member fixed to the body member, the vehicle side slide member having a slanted surface extending to a position under a lower end of a steering support supporting a steering shaft of the vehicle; and
a bracket side slide portion formed on the pedal bracket, the bracket side slide portion being engaged with the slanted surface so that the bracket side slide portion slides along the slanted surface when the pedal bracket is moved in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, at least an upper portion of the pedal bracket may be offset from a steering support supporting a steering shaft of the vehicle in a direction of width of the vehicle.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.