Abstract: An operation amount detection apparatus includes a transmission member that transmits a load corresponding to an operation amount between a shaft portion and an operation target member through connecting portions that connect a first support portion supported by the operation target member and a second support portion supported by the shaft portion, and a detection device that detects an operation amount based on an amount of deformation of the connecting portions. A plurality of the connecting portions are provided in parallel between the first support portion and the second support portion, and deflect due to transmission of a load so that the first support portion and the second support are relatively displaced in a direction of a linear motion. The respective connecting portions are mutually opposed in a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the shaft portion.

Abstract: An operating pedal device for a vehicle, includes: an operating pedal disposed at a pedal support fixed to a vehicle so as to be pivotable about an axis of a support shaft, and depressed by a driver; a reaction force member connected to the operating pedal through at least one connecting portion connecting paired members in a manner such that the paired members are relatively pivotable about a connecting pin, an output in accordance with an operating force of the operating pedal being transmitted to the reaction force member, and a reaction force corresponding to the output being applied to the reaction force member; a strain detecting element disposed in an elastic portion deformed by the reaction force, the strain detecting element electrically detecting the operating force by being deformed together with the elastic portion; in one of the paired members connected by one of the at least one connecting portion, an opening provided near the connecting pin to permit the connecting pin to be relatively displace

Abstract: The present invention related to a load detecting apparatus which comprises a hollow cylindrical strain body (11) provided with, on an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface thereof, at least one strain detecting element (16, 18, 19, 20); a first member (21) fixed to an one axial end of the strain body to close an opening, and a second member (24) fixed to an other axial end of the strain body. One of the second member and the first member receives a load in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the strain body, so that a shearing force is applied to the strain body.

Abstract: In a pedal operation amount detecting apparatus, a brake pedal and a clevis secured at an end portion of an operating rod are pivotably connected by a connecting shaft, a bush is arranged between the brake pedal and the connecting shaft, detectors are attached on an outer circumferential surface of an elastically deformable bush main body of the bush, and an ECU calculates a pedal tread force based on loads detected by the detectors, whereby a simplified structure, an improved mountainability, and a highly accurate detection of an operation amount can be realized.

Abstract: A load sensor-equipped operation apparatus. An operational member is movably operated. A reaction force member receives an operating force from the operational member, and a reaction force corresponding to the operation force. At least one pivotal connecting portion is interposed between the operational member and the reaction force member, pivotably connecting a pair of a first member and a second member relative to each other to transmit the operating force. A load sensor, which electrically detects the operating force, includes a shaft-like member, a main body member disposed to be relatively displaced in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the shaft-like member, a deformable member bridging the shaft-like member and the main body member, and a strain detecting element secured to the deformable member, which detects deformation of the deformable member. A transmittal link connects the first member to one of the shaft-like member and the main body.

Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus including: an operating pedal; and first and second working levers which are pivotable according to respective different lever-ratio characteristics in response to a depressing operation effected on the operating pedal and which are connectable to a pivot member via a clutch member. When a reaction force of an output member does not exceed a switching load, a load reaction lever is held in a reference position whereby the first working lever is connected to the pivot member. When the reaction force exceeds the switching load, the load reaction lever is pivoted to a switching position against a biasing force of a biaser whereby the second working lever is connected to the pivot member.

Abstract: In a pedal operation amount detecting apparatus, a brake pedal and a clevis secured at an end portion of an operating rod are pivotably connected by a connecting shaft, a bush is arranged between the brake pedal and the connecting shaft, detectors are attached on an outer circumferential surface of an elastically deformable bush main body of the bush, and an ECU calculates a pedal tread force based on loads detected by the detectors, whereby a simplified structure, an improved mountainability, and a highly accurate detection of an operation amount can be realized.

Abstract: A load and load direction detecting apparatus is so constructed that a shear force acts on a cylindrical strain body when a load W is applied from a displacing member to a case member in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the strain body. Thus, the strain body deforms readily. Consequently, detecting sensitivity of the value of load W is improved, which is calculated by a first differential amplifier (load value calculating unit) based on an output voltage output from a first bridge. A direction (?W) of the load W is calculated by a load direction calculator (load direction calculating unit) based on an output voltage output from a second bridge, and the output voltage output from the first bridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a load sensor-equipped operating apparatus, which comprises an operational member (16) which is movably operated; a reaction force member (22) which receives an operating force of the operational member transmitted thereto, and on which a reaction force corresponding to the operating force is acted; at least one pivotal connecting portion (20) which is interposed between the operational member and the reaction force member, and pivotably connects a pair of a first member and a second member relative to each other to transmit the operating force; and a load sensor (30) which electrically detects the operating force.

Abstract: A load-sensor-equipped vehicle operating pedal device includes a load sensor (30) having a case member (34) formed with a pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b) converged in a convex shape at a predetermined apex angle ?. The pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b) are held in surface contact with a pair of rest surfaces (28a, 28b), formed in a sensor-mounting hole (28) in a fixed and positioned state. Thus, even if a direction of an input load (reactive force), applied to a clevis pin (26) varies with an operating pedal 16 being progressively depressed, the pair of rest surfaces (28a, 28b) always bear the input load via the pair of mounting wall portions (62a, 62b). This suppresses the case member (34) from flexure deforming due to stress concentration. As a result, positional displacement of a sensor is prevented regardless of a variation in the direction of the input load, improving detecting precision.

Abstract: A load and load direction detecting apparatus is so constructed that a shear force acts on a cylindrical strain body when a load W is applied from a displacing member to a case member in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the strain body. Thus, the strain body deforms readily. Consequently, detecting sensitivity of the value of load W is improved, which is calculated by a first differential amplifier (load value calculating unit) based on an output voltage output from a first bridge. A direction (?W) of the load W is calculated by a load direction calculator (load direction calculating unit) based on an output voltage output from a second bridge, and the output voltage output from the first bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a reaction force to a pedal member. The apparatus includes: a reaction-force applying device for applying the reaction force to the pedal member and changing the reaction force; and a reaction-force controlling device for controlling the reaction-force applying device such that the reaction force is changed on the basis of a depressing stroke of the pedal member. The reaction-force applying device includes a spring member connected with the pedal member, and a reaction-force changing mechanism for changing the reaction force, by moving an end of the spring member toward and away from the pedal member. The reaction-force changing mechanism includes a feed screw mechanism for moving the end of the spring member toward and away from the pedal member. The feed screw mechanism includes an externally threaded shaft rotatable and held in engagement with an internally threaded hole formed in a spring seat that is held in engagement with the end of the spring member.

Abstract: A clevis pin (connecting pin) (26) is inserted into a clearance hole (72), and is displaceable relative to an operating pedal (16). A pivotal moving link (68) is disposed between the clevis pin (26) and a sensor pin (64) of a load sensor (30). A reaction force applied from the clevis pin (26) to the load sensor (30) always acts in a substantially constant direction (substantially leftward in FIG. 1A) even if the operating pedal (16) and an operating rod (22) are pivoted relatively around the axis of the clevis pin (26) in accordance with the depressing operation of the operating pedal (16). Thus, the detecting accuracy of the load sensor (30) is heightened, and variation in detecting accuracy is prevented, rendering the high reliability.

Abstract: An electric operating apparatus for a vehicle including an operational member operated in accordance with a traveling request or a braking request of a driver; and a reaction force adjuster that can electrically adjust a reaction force of the operational member; and wherein a driving force or a braking force is electrically controlled in accordance with a requested operation applied to the operational member against the reaction force; comprises (a) an operational information detecting device for detecting operational information concerning a requested operation applied to the operational member by the driver; (b) an environmental information detecting device for detecting environmental information concerning a driving environment of the vehicle; (c) a target pattern setting means for setting a target pattern concerning the requested operation based on the environmental information; and (d) a driving support means for controlling the reaction force adjusted by the reaction force adjuster based on the operatio

Abstract: A vehicle brake apparatus includes (a) a brake operating member operable by a vehicle driver; (b) a variable output mechanism which is disposed between the brake operating member and an output member, for mechanically changing a multiplying ratio of an output force in relation to an operational input force from the brake operating member in accordance with an operating stroke of the brake operating member; and (c) a brake controlling unit which is operated in accordance with the output force applied to the output member, wherein a load sensor for detecting the output force is provided between the variable output mechanism and the output member.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an operating pedal device for a vehicle comprises an operating pedal mounted on a pedal support fixedly secured to a vehicle to be pivotable about an axis of a support shaft and operative to be depressed by a driver; a reactive member, connected to the operating pedal via at least one connecting section which connects with allowing relative pivotal movement therebetween about a connecting pin to which an output is transferred at a rate depending on an operational force of the operating pedal and which is applied with a reaction force corresponding to the output; and a load sensor electrically detecting the operational force. A member pivotably connected via the connecting pin is formed with a sensor mounting hole allowing insertion of the connecting pin and being greater than the connecting pin, at a connecting position with the connecting pin, to allow the load sensor to be mounted between the sensor mounting hole and the connecting pin.

Abstract: The present invention related to a load detecting apparatus which comprises a hollow cylindrical strain body (11) provided with, on an outer peripheral surface or an inner peripheral surface thereof, at least one strain detecting element (16, 18, 19, 20); a first member (21) fixed to an one axial end of the strain body to close an opening, and a second member (24) fixed to an other axial end of the strain body. One of the second member and the first member receives a load in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the strain detecting body, so that a shearing force is applied to the strain body.

Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus including: an operating pedal; and first and second working levers which are pivotable according to respective different lever-ratio characteristics in response to a depressing operation effected on the operating pedal and which are connectable to a pivot member via a clutch member. When a reaction force of an output member does not exceed a switching load, a load reaction lever is held in a reference position whereby the first working lever is connected to the pivot member. When the reaction force exceeds the switching load, the load reaction lever is pivoted to a switching position against a biasing force of a biaser whereby the second working lever is connected to the pivot member.

Abstract: In a pedal reaction force device, a pedaling reaction force is applied to an operating pedal on the basis of a displacement magnitude and a variation speed of the displacement magnitude by a damper device and a spring member which are mechanically displaced in accordance with a pedaling operation of the operating pedal. The variation pattern of the displacement magnitude, that is, variation characteristics of the pedaling reaction force, are mechanically set by a cam.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a reaction force to a pedal member. The apparatus includes: a reaction-force applying device for applying the reaction force to the pedal member and changing the reaction force; and a reaction-force controlling device for controlling the reaction-force applying device such that the reaction force is changed on the basis of a depressing stroke of the pedal member. The reaction-force applying device includes a spring member connected with the pedal member, and a reaction-force changing mechanism for changing the reaction force, by moving an end of the spring member toward and away from the pedal member. The reaction-force changing mechanism includes a feed screw mechanism for moving the end of the spring member toward and away from the pedal member. The feed screw mechanism includes an externally threaded shaft rotatable and held in engagement with an internally threaded hole formed in a spring seat that is held in engagement with the end of the spring member.