Abstract:
For proving a pedal assembly module to improve the productivity, this invention assembles and integrates a forward pedal, a backward pedal, a first shaft supporting the forward pedal and the backward pedal, a brake pedal, a second shaft supporting the brake pedal, and a frame box supporting the first shaft and the second shaft with their functions ensured.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/892582, filed on Oct. 18, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates pedal a pedal assembly module. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Conventionally, tractors used for such as towing the working machine are known (See JP 2013-52771 A). The tractor is equipped with a driver&#39;s seat and an operator operates on the seat. The tractor as described above is referred to as a riding type tractor. 
         [0006]    By the way, there are tractors equipped with a reverse pedal and the forward pedal (for example, refer to JP 2011-141016 A). Such a tractor has at least three pedals disposed on the floor in conjunction with the brake pedal. Thus, the steps of attaching a variety of pedals are required, and there is a problem the process is complicated further. Therefore, the pedal assembly module which improves productivity has been desired. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments disclosed herein provide a pedal assembly module to improve the productivity. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, 
         [0000]    a pedal assembly module is disclosed, comprising: a forward pedal, a backward pedal, a first shaft supporting the forward pedal and the backward pedal, a brake pedal, a second shaft supporting the brake pedal, and a frame box supporting the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the forward pedal, the backward pedal, and the brake pedal are assembled and integrated with their functions ensured. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the forward and the backward pedals are supported with the first shaft inserted in their each sleeve. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the pedal assembly module farther comprises: 
         [0011]    a link plate rotates along with the rotation of the forward or the backward pedal, wherein the brake pedal and the link plate are supported with tie second shaft inserted in their each sleeve. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, the link plate forms a mechanism of pushing out the backward pedal when the forward pedal is depressed and of pushing out the forward pedal when the backward pedal is depressed. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the pedal assembly module further comprises: a ratchet plate stopping the brake pedal, and a link rod able to rotate the ratchet plate, wherein the ratchet plate and the link rod are supported by the frame box. 
       Advantageous Effects 
       [0014]    In one embodiment, the pedal assembly module is made by integrating and assembling the forward pedal, the backward pedal and the brake pedal with their functions ensured. This reduces some processes for installing various pedals, achieves just installing the pedal assembly and increases the productivity. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the forward pedal and the back ward pedal are supported with inserting the first shaft to each sleeve. This makes simple in the structure for supporting the forward pedal and the backward pedal and achieves the cost reduction. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the brake pedal and the link plate are supported with inserting the second shaft to each sleeve. This makes simple in the structure for supporting the brake pedal and the link plate and achieves the cost reduction. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the link plate forms a mechanism of pushing out the backward pedal when the forward pedal is depressed and of pushing out the forward pedal when the backward pedal is depressed. This makes the forward pedal and the backward pedal to work together, reduces a clutch and achieves the cost reduction. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the ratchet plate and the link rod are supported by the frame box. This reduces some processes for installing and further increases the productivity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a tractor. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a pedal assembly module. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view in a direction of an arrow Fx in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a view in a direction of an arrow Fy in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an operation mode in a case where a forward pedal is depressed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an operation mode in a case where a backward pedal is depressed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an operation mode in a case where a brake pedal is depressed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an operation mode of a parking brake mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    First, a tractor  100  is briefly described. A pedal assembly module  7  according to the present invention can be applied to vehicles other than tractors. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the tractor  100 . In the figure, the front and rear direction and the upper and lower direction of the tractor  100  are indicated. 
         [0029]    The tractor  100  mainly includes a frame  1 , an engine  2 , a transmission  3 , a front axle  4 , and a rear axle  5 . The tractor  100  also includes a cockpit  6 , which accommodates an operator. 
         [0030]    The frame  1  serves as the main structure for the tractor  100 . The engine  2  and the like described below are attached to the frame  1 . 
         [0031]    The engine  2  converts energy obtained by burning a fuel into rotational movement. When the operator operates an acceleration lever, the engine  2  changes the driving state in accordance with the operation. The engine  2  maintains the rotational speed at a constant level even when the load changes. 
         [0032]    The transmission  3  switches between forward and backward movement of the tractor  100  and shifts the speed of the tractor  100 . When the operator operates a shift lever, the operation state of the transmission  3  changes in accordance with the operation. The transmission  3  includes a hydromechanical continuously variable transmission (HMT or I-HMT) as a transmission device. 
         [0033]    The front axle  4  transmits the rotational energy from the engine  2  to front tires  41 . The rotational energy from the engine  2  is input to the front axle  4  through the transmission  3 . The front axle  4  is disposed next to a steering device. When the operator operates a handle, the steering device changes a steering angle of the front tires  41  in accordance with the operation. 
         [0034]    The rear axle  5  transmits the rotational energy from the engine  2  to rear tires  51 . The rotational energy from the engine  2  is input to the rear axle  5  through the transmission  3 . The rear axle  5  is provided with a PTO output mechanism. The PTO output mechanism inputs the rotational energy to a towing implement. 
         [0035]    The cockpit  6  is a control cabin of the tractor  100 . The cockpit  6  is provided with an acceleration lever and a handle. The cockpit  6  is further provided with a forward pedal  71 , a backward pedal  72 , and a brake pedal  73 . These pedals form the pedal assembly module  7 . [0035]The pedal assembly module  7  is described below. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows the pedal assembly module  7 .  FIG. 3  is a view in a direction of an arrow Fx in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a view in a direction of an arrow Fy in  FIG. 2 . In the figure, the front and rear direction, the left and right direction, and the upper and lower direction of the tractor  100  are indicated. 
         [0037]    The pedal assembly module  7  includes a link plate  74 , as well as the forward pedal  71 , the backward pedal  72 , and the brake pedal  73 . 
         [0038]    The forward pedal  71  includes an arm  71   a,  a sleeve  71   s,  and a pedal plate  71   p . The arm  71   a  is formed by bending a single plate member. The sleeve  71   s  is welded while being inserted in a hole of the arm  71   a.  The pedal plate  71   p  is welded on an end portion of the arm  71   a.  The pedal plate  71   p  is covered by a rubber plate as a slip stopper. A pin is disposed on a side surface of the arm  71   a.  A roller  81  is attached to the pin. Another pin is disposed on a side surface of the arm  71   a . One end of a spring  82  is attached to the pin. 
         [0039]    The backward pedal  72  includes an arm  72   a,  a sleeve  72   s,  and a pedal plate  72   p . The arm  72   a  is formed by bending a single plate member. The sleeve  72   s  is welded while being inserted in a hole of the arm  72   a.  The pedal plate  72   p  is welded on an end portion of the arm  72   a.  The pedal plate  72   p  is covered by a rubber plate as a slip stopper. A pin is disposed on a side surface of the arm  72   a.  One end of a connecting plate  83  is attached to the pin. 
         [0040]    The brake pedal  73  includes an arm  73   a  and a sleeve  73   s.  The arm  73   a  is formed by bending a single rod member. The sleeve  73   s  is welded while being in contact with an end portion of the arm  73   a.  The other end of the arm  73   a  is bent in the left and right direction, whereby a pedal portion (a portion serving as a substitute of a pedal plate) is formed. The pedal portion is covered by a rubber tube as a slip stopper. A clevis is disposed on a peripheral surface of the sleeve  73   s.  A brake rod  84  is attached to the clevis. 
         [0041]    The link plate  74  includes a cam plate  74   c  and a sleeve  74   s.  The cam plate  74   c  is cutout from a single plate member to be formed. The sleeve  74   s  is welded while being inserted in a hole of the cam plate  74   c.  The cam plate  74   c  is formed to have a predetermined curved surface (cam face) as its peripheral surface. The roller  81  described above is disposed while being in contact with the curved surface. The cam plate  74   c  is partly bent in the left and right direction, whereby a bracket portion is formed. The other end of the above-described spring  82  is attached to the bracket portion. A pin is disposed on a side surface of the cam plate  74   c,  and the other end of the connecting plate  83  is attached to the pin. 
         [0042]    The pedal assembly module  7  further includes a first shaft  75  and a second shaft  76 . 
         [0043]    The first shaft  75  supports the forward pedal  71  and the backward pedal  72 . Specifically, the forward pedal  71  and the backward pedal  72  are supported with the first shaft  75  inserted in their respective sleeves  71   s  and  72   s.  More specifically, the forward pedal  71  is fixed to the first shaft  75  by hitting a pin while the first shaft  75  is inserted in the sleeve  71   s.  The backward pedal  72  is supported by simply inserting the first shaft  75  in the sleeve  72   s.  Thus, the forward pedal  71  integrally rotates with the first shaft  75 , whereas the backward pedal  72  rotates independently from the first shaft  75 . One end of the first shaft  75  is provided with a clevis. A control rod  85  is attached to the clevis. The first shaft  75  has both ends supported by a frame box  77  formed by bending or welding a plate member. 
         [0044]    The second shaft  76  supports the brake pedal  73  and the link plate  74 . Specifically, the brake pedal  73  and the link plate  74  are supported with the second shaft  76  inserted in their respective sleeves  73   s  and  74   s.  More specifically, the brake pedal  73  is supported by simply inserting the second shaft  76  in the sleeve  73   s . The link plate  74  is supported by simply inserting the second shaft  76  in the sleeve  74   s.  Thus, the brake pedal  73  and the backward pedal  72  each rotate independently from the second shaft  76 . A spring is fit on to an intermediate portion of the second shaft  76 . The spring biases the brake pedal  73  (arm  73   a ). The second shaft  76  has both end portions supported by the frame box  77  described above. 
         [0045]    Next, an operation mode in a case where the forward pedal  71  is depressed will be described. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows the operation mode in the case where the forward pedal  71  is depressed. Arrows in the figure indicate operation directions of the components. 
         [0047]    The operator depresses the forward pedal  71  to move the tractor  100  forward. Then, the forward pedal  71  rotates the first shaft  75 , and the first shaft  75  pulls the control rod  85 . Thus, the operation state of the continuously variable transmission is changed, whereby the tractor  100  moves forward. 
         [0048]    Here, the link plate  74  rotates along with the rotation of the forward pedal  71 . Specifically, the roller  81  moves upward along with the rotation of the forward pedal  71 . Thus, the link plate  74  in contact with the roller  81  also rotates. Thus, the link plate  74  rotates the backward pedal  72  through the connecting plate  83  (rotated in a direction opposite to that in a case where the backward pedal  72  is depressed). As described above, the pedal assembly module  7  pushes out the backward pedal  72  when the forward pedal  71  is depressed. 
         [0049]    Next, an operation mode in the case where the backward pedal  72  is depressed will be described. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows the operation mode where the backward pedal  72  is depressed. Arrows in the figure indicate operation directions of the components. 
         [0051]    The operator depresses the backward pedal  72  to move the tractor  100  backward. Then, the backward pedal  72  rotates the link plate  74  through the connecting plate  83 , and the link plate  74  rotates the forward pedal  71 . Specifically, the roller  81  moves downward along with the rotation of the link plate  74 . Thus, the forward pedal  71 , to which the roller  81  is attached, rotates (in a direction opposite to that in the case where the forward pedal  71  is depressed). As described above, the pedal assembly module  7  pushes out the forward pedal  71  when the backward pedal  72  is depressed. 
         [0052]    Here, the first shaft  75  rotates along with the rotation of the forward pedal  71 . Thus, the first shaft  75  pushes out the control rod  85 . Thus, the operation state of the continuously variable transmission is changed, whereby the tractor  100  moves backward. 
         [0053]    Next, an operation mode in a case where the brake pedal  73  is depressed will be described. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows the operation mode in the case where the brake pedal  73  is depressed. Arrows in the figure indicate operation directions of the components. 
         [0055]    The operator depresses the brake pedal  73  to stop the tractor  100 . Then, the brake pedal  73  pulls the brake rod  84 . Thus, a braking device is activated and the tractor  100  is stopped. 
         [0056]    The pedal assembly module  7  farther includes a parking brake mechanism. 
         [0057]    The parking brake mechanism mainly includes a ratchet plate  91  and a link rod  92 . 
         [0058]    The ratchet plate  91  is cutout from a single plate member to be formed. The ratchet plate  91  includes a plurality of claw blades arranged along the arm  73   a  of the brake pedal  73 . The ratchet plate  91  is supported by the frame box  77  in a rotatable manner. A lock plate  73   r  is welded on the arm  73   a.  The claws are hooked on the lock plate  73   r.    
         [0059]    The link rod  92  is formed by bending a single rod member. The link rod  92  is coupled to the ratchet plate  91  having one end supported by the frame box  77 . Thus, the link rod  92  can be regarded as being supported by the frame box  77 . The link rod  92  has the other end coupled to the arm plate  93 . A parking lever  94  is coupled to the arm plate  93 . 
         [0060]    Next, an operation mode of the parking brake mechanism will be described. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  shows the operation mode of the parking brake mechanism. Arrows in the figure indicate operation directions of the components. 
         [0062]    The operator moves the parking lever  94  to a predetermined position to park the tractor  100 . Thus, the parking lever  94  pulls the link rod  92  through the arm plate  93 . The link rod  92  rotates the ratchet plate  91 . Then, when the operator depresses the brake pedal  73 , the claws of the ratchet plate  91  are hooked on the lock plate  73   r.  Thus, the brake pedal  73  is stopped. Thus, the braking device is kept under operation, and the tractor  100  can be parked. 
         [0063]    The pedal assembly module  7  according to the present invention described above is summarized as follows. 
         [0064]    The pedal assembly module  7  is formed by assembling and integrating the forward pedal  71 , the backward pedal  72 , and the brake pedal  73  with their functions ensured. Thus, the steps of attaching the various pedals can be omitted, and only the pedal assembly module  7  needs to be attached, whereby the productivity can be improved. 
         [0065]    As a feature of the pedal assembly module  7 , the forward pedal  71  and the backward pedal  72  are supported with the first shaft  75  inserted in their sleeves  71  s and  72   s.  Thus, a structure for supporting the forward pedal  71  and the backward pedal  72  is simplified, whereby the cost reduction is able to be achieved. 
         [0066]    As a feature of the pedal assembly module  7 , the brake pedal  73  and the link plate  74  are supported with the second shaft  76  inserted in their sleeves  73   s  and  74   s.  Thus, a structure for supporting the brake pedal  73  and the link plate  74  is simplified, whereby the cost reduction is able to be achieved. 
         [0067]    Furthermore, as a feature of the pedal assembly module  7 , the link plate  74  forms a mechanism of pushing out the backward pedal  72  when the forward pedal  71  is depressed, and pushing out the forward pedal  71  when the backward pedal  72  is depressed. Thus, the forward pedal  71  and the backward pedal  72  are interlocked, and the clutch is not needed. Thus, the cost reduction is able to be achieved. 
         [0068]    Still furthermore, as a feature of the pedal assembly module  7 , the ratchet plate  91  and the link rod  92  are supported by the frame box  77 . Thus, the steps for attaching the ratchet plate  91  and the link rod  92  are able to be omitted, whereby the productivity is able to be further improved.