Patent Publication Number: US-2018037199-A1

Title: Device for preventing rearward movement of vehicle pedal assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to rearward movement preventing devices for vehicle pedal devices which restrain a pedal portion of an operation pedal from being moved rearward toward a driver&#39;s seat when a dash panel is moved rearward and displaced toward the driver&#39;s seat. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Rearward movement preventing devices for vehicle pedal devices are known in the arts, in which the vehicle pedal device includes (a) a pedal bracket that is mounted on a dash panel, and (b) an operation pedal that is directly or indirectly supported by the pedal bracket such that the operation pedal can rotate about a first axis, that is mechanically coupled to a predetermined output member, and that includes at its lower end a pedal portion that is depressed toward the front of a vehicle, and (c) the rearward movement preventing device restrains the pedal portion of the operation pedal from being moved rearward toward a driver&#39;s seat when the dash panel is moved rearward and displaced toward the driver&#39;s seat. A device described in Patent Document 1 is one example of such a rearward movement preventing device. The device described in Patent Document 1 includes (d) a support member that is mounted on a vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver&#39;s seat than the dash panel, that supports a tip end (end closer to the rear of the vehicle) of the pedal bracket, and that allows the tip end to be disengaged from the support member when the pedal bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel, and (e) a guide that is mounted on the vehicle body-side member, and that guides the tip end, having been disengaged from the support member, so that the tip end is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle when the pedal bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel. In the device described in Patent Document 1, (f) the pedal bracket is bent and deformed so that the tip end is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle, which mechanically restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion of the operation pedal disposed in the pedal bracket. 
     Patent Document 2 describes a device that includes (d) a sub bracket that is coupled to the pedal bracket such that the sub bracket can rotate about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and that has its one end extended beyond the pedal bracket toward the rear of the vehicle, and (e) a guide that is mounted on the vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver&#39;s seat than the dash panel is, and that guides the one end of the sub bracket so that the one end of the sub bracket is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle when the pedal bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel. In the device described in Patent Document 2, (f) the sub bracket is withdrawn and rotated about the second axis so that the one end is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle, which mechanically restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion of the operation pedal disposed in the sub bracket. 
     RELATED ART DOCUMENTS 
     Patent Documents 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H10-59146 
     Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H11-139346 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
     However, the rearward movement preventing device of Patent Document 1 restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion of the operation pedal based on bending and deformation of the pedal bracket. The rearward movement preventing device of Patent Document 1 is therefore disadvantageous in that rearward movement of the pedal portion tends not always to be restrained to the same extent as the pedal bracket is not always deformed in the same manner. It is difficult to always deform the pedal bracket in the same manner. In the rearward movement preventing device of Patent Document 2, the sub bracket is rotated about the second axis. The rearward movement preventing device of Patent Document 2 can therefore be expected to restrain rearward movement of the pedal portion to the same extent based on the rotation of the sub bracket. However, since the sub bracket is held in a fixed attitude on the pedal bracket by clinching or projections, holding strength of the sub bracket is affected by the strength and rigidity of the pedal bracket, and it is difficult to appropriately release the sub bracket when the dash panel is moved rearward and displaced in case of a collision etc. while ensuring holding strength high enough to appropriately support the operation pedal. That is, in the structure in which the pedal bracket and the sub bracket are fastened together as in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to achieve both of normal operation in which the operation pedal is depressed and the function to disengage the sub bracket in case of a collision. This restricts flexibility of design in view of the friction and axial force of a fastened portion, cutout shape, etc., and it is difficult to reliably disengage the sub bracket in case of a collision to restrain rearward movement of the pedal portion. Moreover, if the pedal bracket is deformed by a collision, the sub bracket may not be able to be disengaged due to twisting etc. in the portion where the pedal bracket and the sub bracket are fastened together. 
     The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances and it is an object of the present invention to allow a sub bracket to be appropriately held in a predetermined attitude during normal operation and allow the sub bracket to be appropriately released in case of a collision etc. in a rearward movement preventing device for a vehicle pedal device in which the sub bracket is mounted on a pedal bracket such that the pedal bracket can rotate about a second axis. 
     Solution to Problem 
     To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a rearward movement preventing device for a vehicle pedal device, the vehicle pedal device including (a) a pedal bracket that is mounted on a dash panel, and (b) an operation pedal that is directly or indirectly supported by the pedal bracket such that the operation pedal can rotate about a first axis, that is mechanically coupled to a predetermined output member, and that includes at its lower end a pedal portion that is depressed toward a front of a vehicle, and (c) the rearward movement preventing device restraining the pedal portion of the operation pedal from being moved rearward toward a driver&#39;s seat when the dash panel is moved rearward and displaced toward the driver&#39;s seat, the rearward movement preventing device comprising: (d) a sub bracket that is coupled to the pedal bracket such that the sub bracket can rotate about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and that has its one end extended beyond the pedal bracket toward a rear of the vehicle; and (e) a support member that is mounted on a vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver&#39;s seat than the dash panel, that supports the one end of the sub bracket, and that allows the one end to be disengaged from the support member when the sub bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel, wherein (f) when the one end is disengaged from the support member, the sub bracket is withdrawn and rotated about the second axis so that the one end is displaced toward a lower side of the vehicle, which allows the pedal portion of the operation pedal to be mechanically restrained from being moved rearward toward the driver&#39;s seat based on the mechanical coupling between the output member and the operation pedal. 
     The vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver&#39;s seat than the dash panel is an instrument panel reinforcement (a reinforcement member for an instrument panel), a cowl bracket, etc. This vehicle body-side member is less likely to be displaced toward the driver&#39;s seat, namely toward the rear of the vehicle, than the dash panel and is deformed by an amount smaller than that of the dash panel, when subjected to a large load from the front of the vehicle in case of a collision etc. The present invention is a technique of restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion of the operation pedal on the assumption that there is the difference in amount of deformation between the vehicle body-side member and the dash panel. The withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket includes the case where the one end of the sub bracket is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by natural dropping due to gravity or by an elastic body. 
     A second aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a guide is mounted on the vehicle body-side member, and the guide guides the one end, having been disengaged from the support member, so that the one end is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle when the sub bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel. 
     A third aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the operation pedal is rotatably disposed in the sub bracket, (b) an intermediate lever, which is coupled to the output member and is coupled to the operation pedal via a coupling link, is disposed in the pedal bracket such that the intermediate lever can rotate about a third axis parallel to the first axis, and (c) with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket, the operation pedal is pulled by the intermediate lever and the pedal portion is moved toward the front of the vehicle. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the third axis coincides with the second axis, and the intermediate lever and the sub bracket are rotatably supported by a common support shaft. 
     A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the operation pedal is rotatably disposed in the pedal bracket, (b) an intermediate lever, which is coupled to the output member and is coupled to the operation pedal via a coupling link, is disposed in the sub bracket such that the intermediate lever can rotate about a third axis parallel to the first axis, and (c) with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket, the operation pedal is pulled by the intermediate lever and the pedal portion is moved toward the front of the vehicle. 
     A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the first axis coincides with the second axis, and the operation pedal and the sub bracket are rotatably supported by a common support shaft. 
     A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the operation pedal is disposed in the sub bracket at a position located on an upper side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis such that the operation pedal can rotate about the first axis, (b) the output member is coupled directly to the operation pedal at an intermediate position between the first axis and the pedal portion, and (c) with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket, the operation pedal is pulled by the output member and the pedal portion is moved toward the front of the vehicle. 
     An eighth aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the operation pedal is rotatably disposed in the sub bracket, and (b) an intermediate lever, which is coupled to the output member and is coupled to the operation pedal via a coupling link, is disposed in the sub bracket such that the intermediate lever can rotate about a third axis parallel to the first axis, and (c) with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket, the operation pedal is pulled by the intermediate lever and the pedal portion is moved toward the front of the vehicle. 
     A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the rearward movement preventing device for the vehicle pedal device recited in the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein (a) the sub bracket has the other end extended toward the front of the vehicle, which is toward an opposite side of the second axis from the one end, and (b) the operation pedal and the intermediate lever are rotatably disposed in parts of the sub bracket which are located on opposite sides of the second axis in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially cutaway left side view showing a schematic configuration of a brake pedal device to which the present invention is applied. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II and viewed in the direction of arrows II in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing only a slide member attached to a sub bracket of an embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views illustrating how rearward movement of a pedal portion of an operation pedal is restrained when a dash panel is moved rearward and deformed by a collision in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , showing another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , showing still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , showing still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , showing still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views corresponding to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , showing still another embodiment of the present invention 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is preferably applied to vehicle pedal devices whose output member is disposed so as to project through the dash panel into a passenger compartment, such as brake pedal devices for service brakes to which, e.g., an operating rod of a brake booster is coupled as an output member. The present invention is also applicable to other vehicle pedals such as an accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal, and a parking brake pedal. 
     The dash panel is a partition wall that separates the passenger compartment from an engine room. However, an engine need not necessarily be accommodated in the engine room, and the dash panel may be any component that forms a front wall of the passenger compartment. For example, the operation pedal is disposed in the pedal bracket or the sub bracket such that the operation pedal can rotate about the first axis that is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle. For example, it is desirable that the operation pedal be coupled to the output member via the intermediate lever and the operation pedal and the intermediate lever be coupled via the coupling link. However, the operation pedal and the intermediate lever may be directly coupled via a long hole. The operation pedal and the output member may be coupled via a plurality of intermediate levers. 
     For example, the support member that supports the sub bracket so that the one end of the support member can be disengaged includes a coupling member such as a rivet which is broken when subjected to a predetermined disengagement load, or a fastening device such as a nut and a bolt that are fastened so as to be disengaged from a slit etc. by sliding when subjected to the predetermined disengagement load. For example, the support member allows the sub bracket to be disengaged from the support member when subjected to such a load that moves the one end of the sub bracket rearward substantially horizontally toward the rear of the vehicle, and appropriately keeps the sub bracket supported when subjected to a load in any other direction. 
     In the second aspect of the present invention, the one end of the sub bracket is forced to be displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide. However, when carrying out other aspects of the present invention, the one end of the sub bracket may be displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by an elastic member such as a spring or may be merely displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by its own weight. The guide has desirably a flat tilted surface tilted obliquely downward, but may have a curved surface. The guide displaces the one end of the sub bracket toward the lower side of the vehicle when the one end of the sub bracket is in contact with the guide. A guide pin etc. may be used as the guide. 
     In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the third axis coincides with the second axis, and in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first axis coincides with the second axis, and the common support shaft is used in the fourth and sixth aspects of the present invention. However, when carrying out other aspects of the present invention, the intermediate lever or the operation pedal and the sub bracket may be supported by separate support shafts, and the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis may be located at different positions from each other. Although at least one of the operation pedal and the intermediate lever is rotatably disposed in the sub bracket, it is desirable that the first axis or the third axis, which is the rotation axis of the operation pedal or the intermediate lever, be located in a part that does not overlap the pedal bracket as viewed from the side. In this case, even if the pedal bracket is deformed by a vehicle collision, the support shaft etc. that is disposed along the first axis or the third axis is restrained from interfering with the pedal bracket, and the sub bracket is withdrawn and rotated appropriately. 
     In the eighth aspect of the present invention, both the operation pedal and the intermediate lever are rotatably disposed in the sub bracket. In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation pedal and the intermediate lever are disposed in the parts of the sub bracket which are located on the opposite sides of the second axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. When carrying out the eighth aspect of the present invention, both the operation pedal and the intermediate lever may be disposed on the rear side or front side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis. In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation pedal may be rotatably disposed on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis and the intermediate lever may be rotatably disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis. Alternatively, the operation pedal may be rotatably disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis and the intermediate lever may be rotatably disposed on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the second axis. 
     EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures in the following embodiments are shown simplified or deformed as appropriate for the purpose of illustration, and each part is not necessarily drawn at an accurate dimensional ratio, in an accurate shape, etc. 
       FIG. 1  is a partially cutaway left side view illustrating a brake pedal device  10  for service brake to which the present invention is applied, as viewed from the left side of a vehicle.  FIG. 2  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II and viewed in the direction of arrows II in  FIG. 1 . The brake pedal device  10  corresponds to the vehicle pedal device. A pedal bracket  14  is fixedly attached to a dash panel  12  that separates an engine room from a passenger compartment, and a sub bracket  16  is mounted on the pedal bracket  14  such that the sub bracket  16  can rotate about the axis of a second support shaft  18  that is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle. The axis of the second support shaft  18  is a second axis S 2  that is a rotation axis of the sub bracket  16 . The sub bracket  16  has a longitudinal shape and is extended obliquely upward toward the rear of the vehicle beyond the pedal bracket  14 . The sub bracket  16  is, at its one end  16   a,  coupled to and supported by a support member  22  fixed to an instrument panel reinforcement  20 . The sub bracket  16  is normally held in a certain assembled attitude shown in  FIG. 1 . Each of the pedal bracket  14  and the sub bracket  16  includes a pair of side plates parallel to each other. In the present embodiment, the sub bracket  16  is mounted on the pedal bracket  14  so as to be in close contact with the outer surfaces of the pedal bracket  14 . The pedal bracket  14  and the sub bracket  16  are positioned with a relatively weak temporary fixing pin  24  made of aluminum etc. so that the sub bracket  16  is held in the assembled attitude even before the sub bracket  16  is coupled at its one end  16   a  to the support member  22 . The instrument panel reinforcement  20  corresponds to the vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver&#39;s seat than the dash panel  12  is. The instrument panel reinforcement  20  is thus less likely to be displaced toward the rear of the vehicle than the dash panel  12  and is deformed by an amount smaller than that of the dash panel  12 , when subjected to a large load from the front of the vehicle in case of a vehicle collision etc. 
     An operation pedal  30  is disposed in a part of the sub bracket  16  which is located at an intermediate position of the sub bracket  16 , namely at a position between the second axis S 2  and the one end  16   a,  and which does not overlap the pedal bracket  14  as viewed in the side view of  FIG. 1 . The operation pedal  30  is disposed such that the operation pedal  30  can rotate about the axis of a first support shaft  32  substantially parallel to the second support shaft  18 . The axis of the first support shaft  32  is a first axis S 1  that is a rotation axis of the operation pedal  30 . The operation pedal  30  is rotatably supported at its upper end by the first support shaft  32 , so that a pedal portion  34  at the lower end of the operation pedal  30  can be depressed toward the front of the vehicle (to the left in  FIG. 1 ). An intermediate lever  36  is disposed in the pedal bracket  14  such that the intermediate lever  36  can rotate about the second axis S 2 . The second axis S 2  coincides with a third axis S 3  that is a rotation axis of the intermediate lever  36 , and the sub bracket  16  and the intermediate lever  36  are supported by the common second support shaft  18  such that the sub bracket  16  and the intermediate lever  36  can rotate relative to each other. The intermediate lever  36  is supported at its lower end such that the intermediate lever  36  can rotate about the second axis S 2 . The intermediate lever  36  extends upward and is coupled at its intermediate position in the vertical direction to the operation pedal  30  via a coupling link  38 . An operating rod  40  of a brake booster is coupled to the upper end of the intermediate lever  36  via a clevis  42 . When the operation pedal  30  is depressed, the intermediate lever  36  is mechanically rotated counterclockwise (output direction) about the second support shaft  18  via the coupling link  38  accordingly. The operating rod  40  is thus pressed toward the front of the vehicle to generate a braking force. The operating rod  40  corresponds to the output member and is disposed so as to project through the dash panel  12  into the passenger compartment. 
     The support member  22  includes a substantially horizontal, flat support plate portion  22   a.  The sub bracket  16  is bent such that the one end  16   a  extends substantially horizontally, and a slide member  44  is fixedly attached to the one end  16   a  by welding etc. The slide member  44  and the support plate portion  22   a  are fastened together by a fastening device  46 , which is comprised of a bolt and a nut, such that the slide member  44  surface-contacts the lower surface of the support plate portion  22   a . The sub bracket  16  is thus positioned in the assembled attitude. As shown in  FIG. 3  that shows only the slide member  44 , the slide member  44  has a slit  48  in its flat plate portion that is supposed to surface-contact the support plate portion  22   a,  and the fastening device  46  is inserted through the slit  48 . The slit  48  is formed substantially parallel to the sub bracket  16  having a longitudinal shape, and is open toward the front of the vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 4B , if, in case of a vehicle collision, the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced substantially horizontally toward the rear of the vehicle and the sub bracket  16  is displaced relative to the support member  22 , which is displaced by an amount smaller than that of the dash panel  12 , toward the rear of the vehicle, the slide member  44  slides toward the rear of the vehicle against the fastening force of the fastening device  46  so that the slit  48  is disengaged from the fastening device  46  toward the rear of the vehicle. A coupled state of the support member  22  and the one end  16   a  attained by the fastening device  46  is thus cancelled, and the sub bracket  16  together with the slide member  44  is disengaged from the support member  22 . The fastening force of the fastening device  46  is determined so that, when the sub bracket  16  is subjected to a predetermined disengagement load that is applied substantially horizontally toward the rear of the vehicle, the slide member  44  is allowed to move toward the rear of the vehicle and be disengaged from the support member  22  and so that, when a load other than the disengagement load is applied, the coupled state is appropriately maintained, namely the sub bracket  16  is appropriately kept supported at its one end  16   a,  and the sub bracket  16  is held in the assembled attitude. The operation pedal  30  that is depressed can thus be appropriately supported by the sub bracket  16 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 4B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  together with the pedal bracket  14  have been translated together toward the rear of the vehicle with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel  12 . 
     If the slide member  44  is further moved toward the rear of the vehicle after disengaged from the support member  22 , the slide member  44  contacts a tilted surface  52  of a guide  50 . The guide  50  together with the support member  22  is fixed to the instrument panel reinforcement  20 , and the tilted surface  52  is a flat surface tilted downward as it gets closer to the rear of the vehicle. Accordingly, if the sub bracket  16  is further moved toward the rear of the vehicle with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel  12  even after the slide member  44  contacts the tilted surface  52 , the slide member  44  is forced to be displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle along the tilted surface  52 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated clockwise about the second axis S 2  as shown by arrow A in  FIG. 4B . If the first support shaft  32  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 , the operation pedal  30  coupled to the intermediate lever  36  via the coupling link  38  is pulled relatively upward by the intermediate lever  36  and is rotated clockwise about the first axis S 1  as shown by arrow B. The pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  is thus moved toward the front of the vehicle, and rearward movement of the operation pedal  30  toward the driver&#39;s seat is restrained accordingly. At this time, the pedal portion  34  need only be located at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line, that is, at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position of the pedal portion  34  moved rearward with the dash panel  12 . For example, the pedal portion  34  may merely rotate with the sub bracket  16  about the second axis S 2 . 
     The sub bracket  16  is positioned in the assembled attitude by the temporary fixing pin  24 . However, when the one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50 , the temporary fixing pin  24  is broken to allow the sub bracket  16  to be withdrawn and rotated. The temporary fixing pin  24  serves to prevent the sub bracket  16  from swinging before the sub bracket  16  is coupled at its one end  16   a  to the support member  22 , and the temporary fixing pin  24  may be omitted. The temporary fixing pin  24  may be removed after the sub bracket  16  is coupled at its one end  16   a  to the support member  22 . 
     In such a brake pedal device  10  of the present embodiment, the sub bracket  16 , which is coupled to the pedal bracket  14  such that the sub bracket  16  can rotate about the second axis S 2 , is supported at its one end  16   a  by the support member  22  mounted on the instrument panel reinforcement  20  such that the one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  can be disengaged from the support member  22 . This improves design flexibility of a support structure comprised of the support member  22 , and in the present embodiment, the sub bracket  16  is attached at its one end  16   a  to the support member  22  by the fastening device  46  and the slit  48  such that the one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  can be disengaged from the support member  22 . This allows the sub bracket  16  to be held between the support member  22  and the pedal bracket  14  during normal operation so as to appropriately achieve support performance for the operation pedal  30 , and allows the one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  to be appropriately disengaged from the support member  22  when the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced in case of a vehicle collision. Even if the pedal bracket  14  is deformed by the collision, the one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  can be reliably disengaged from the support member  22  without being affected by the deformation. Moreover, since the sub bracket  16  is rotated about the second axis S 2 , this configuration appropriately restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30 . 
     The one end  16   a  of the sub bracket  16  disengaged from the support member  22  is forced to be displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50  mounted on the instrument panel reinforcement  20 . The sub bracket  16  is thus reliably mechanically withdrawn and rotated when the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced. This configuration thus appropriately restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30 . 
     The operation pedal  30  is rotatably disposed in the sub bracket  16  and is coupled to the operating rod  40  via the intermediate lever  36  disposed in the pedal bracket  14 . Accordingly, when the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle as shown by arrow A, the operation pedal  30  is pulled by the intermediate lever  36  and is rotated toward the front of the vehicle as shown by arrow B. This configuration thus appropriately restrains rearward movement of the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30 . 
     The third axis S 3  that is the rotation axis of the intermediate lever  36  coincides with the second axis S 2 , and the intermediate lever  36  and the sub bracket  16  are rotatably supported by the common second support shaft  18 . This reduces the number of parts and cost. 
     The operation pedal  30  is disposed in the sub bracket  16 , and only the intermediate lever  36  is disposed in the pedal bracket  14 . This configuration can reduce the size and weight of the pedal bracket  14 . In particular, this configuration is advantageous in terms of strength because of the short distance (moment) from the second support shaft  18  that receives the loads of the sub bracket  16  and the intermediate lever  36  to the dash panel  12 . Accordingly, the weight of the pedal bracket  14  can further be reduced. 
     The operation pedal  30  is disposed in a part of the sub bracket  16  such that the first axis S 1 , which is the rotation axis of the operation pedal  30 , does not overlap the pedal bracket  14 . Accordingly, even if the pedal bracket  14  is deformed by a vehicle collision, the first support shaft  32  is restrained from interfering with the pedal bracket  14 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated appropriately. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following embodiments, substantially the same portions as those of the above embodiment are denoted with the same reference characters and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  correspond to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In a brake pedal device  60 , a pedal bracket  62  is larger than the pedal bracket  14  and is extended toward the rear of a vehicle, and the sub bracket  16  and the intermediate lever  36  are rotatably disposed in a tip end portion of the pedal bracket  62  via the second support shaft  18 . The other end  16   b  of the sub bracket  16  projects toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the second support shaft  18 , and the operation pedal  30  is disposed in a part of the other end  16   b  which does not overlap the pedal bracket  62  as viewed in the side views of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  such that the operation pedal  30  can rotate about the first axis S 1  via the first support shaft  32 . An upper end  30   a  of the operation pedal  30  projects obliquely upward toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the first support shaft  32 , and a lower end  36   a  of the intermediate lever  36  projects toward the front of the vehicle. The upper end  30   a  and the lower end  36   a  are coupled by the coupling link  38 . 
     In such a brake pedal device  60  as well, if, in case of a vehicle collision, the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced toward the rear of the vehicle and the sub bracket  16  is displaced relative to the support member  22  toward the rear of the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 5B , the slide member  44  slides toward the rear of the vehicle and is disengaged from the support member  22 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50  as shown by arrow A. If the first support shaft  32  is displaced toward the upper side of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 , the upper end  30   a  of the operation pedal  30  is pulled relatively downward by the intermediate lever  36 , whereby the operation pedal  30  is rotated toward the front of the vehicle (clockwise about the first axis S 1 ) as shown by arrow B. This configuration thus has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment, such as appropriately restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 5B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  have been moved rearward with the dash panel  12 , and the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  need only be moved to a position at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  correspond to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . A brake pedal device  70  is different from the brake pedal device  60  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in that the brake pedal device  70  uses a smaller pedal bracket  14  than that of the brake pedal device  60  of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , and in that the operation pedal  30  is disposed in the pedal bracket  14  such that the operation pedal  30  can rotate about the first axis S 1  via the first support shaft  32 , and the other end  16   b  of the sub bracket  16  is mounted on the pedal bracket  14  such that the sub bracket  16  can rotate with the operation pedal  30  about the second axis S 2  (that coincides with the first axis S 1 ) via the first support shaft  32 . The intermediate lever  36  is disposed in a part of the sub bracket  16  which is located at an intermediate position of the sub bracket  16 , that is, at a position between the second axis S 2  and the one end  16   a , and which does not overlap the pedal bracket  14  as viewed in the side views of  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The intermediate lever  36  is disposed such that the intermediate lever  36  can rotate about the axis of a third support shaft  72  substantially parallel to the first support shaft  32 . The axis of the third support shaft  72  is the third axis S 3  that is the rotation axis of the intermediate lever  36 . 
     In such a brake pedal device  70  as well, if, in case of a vehicle collision, the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced toward the rear of the vehicle and the sub bracket  16  is displaced relative to the support member  22  toward the rear of the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 6B , the slide member  44  slides toward the rear of the vehicle and is disengaged from the support member  22 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50  as shown by arrow A. If the third support shaft  72  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 , the upper end  30   a  of the operation pedal  30  is pulled downward by the intermediate lever  36 , whereby the operation pedal  30  is rotated toward the front of the vehicle (clockwise about the first axis S 1 ) as shown by arrow B. At this time, the intermediate lever  36  is pulled by the operating rod  40  and rotated counterclockwise about the third axis S 3 . The operation pedal  30  is therefore rotated by a larger amount toward the front of the vehicle. This configuration thus has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment, such as appropriately restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 6B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  have been moved rearward with the dash panel  12 , and the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  need only be moved to a position at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. 
     The intermediate lever  36  together with the third support shaft  72  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 . This configuration reduces the possibility that the intermediate lever  36  is moved toward the rear of the vehicle and contacts the support member  22 , the guide  50 , etc. to reduce the effect of restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34  due to deformation of the intermediate lever  36  etc. The configuration also reduces the possibility that a steering device is moved rearward due to deformation of the instrument panel reinforcement  20 . For example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the intermediate lever  36  is moved with the pedal bracket  14  toward the rear of the vehicle. Accordingly, the intermediate lever  36  may contact the support member  22  etc. 
     The second axis S 2  that is the rotation axis of the sub bracket  16  coincides with the first axis S 1 , and the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  are rotatably supported by the common first support shaft  32 . This reduces the number of parts and cost. 
     The intermediate lever  36  is disposed in a part of the sub bracket  16  such that the third axis S 3 , which is the rotation axis of the intermediate lever  36 , does not overlap the pedal bracket  14 . Accordingly, even if the pedal bracket  14  is deformed by a vehicle collision, the third support shaft  72  is restrained from interfering with the pedal bracket  14 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated appropriately. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  correspond to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . A brake pedal device  80  is different from the brake pedal device  10  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in that the operating rod  40  is coupled directly to the operation pedal  30  without using the intermediate lever  36 . The operating rod  40  is coupled to the operation pedal  30  at an intermediate position between the first support shaft  32  and the pedal portion  34 , namely at a position located below the first support shaft  32 . As shown in  FIG. 7B , if, in case of a vehicle collision, the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced toward the rear of a vehicle and the sub bracket  16  is displaced relative to the support member  22  toward the rear of the vehicle, the slide member  44  slides toward the rear of the vehicle and is disengaged from the support member  22 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50  as shown by arrow A. If the first support shaft  32  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 , the operation pedal  30  is pulled at its intermediate position by the operating rod  40 , whereby the operation pedal  30  is rotated toward the front of the vehicle (clockwise about the first axis S 1 ) as shown by arrow B. This configuration thus has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment, such as appropriately restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 7B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  have been moved rearward with the dash panel  12 , and the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  need only be moved to a position at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  correspond to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . A brake pedal device  90  is different from the brake pedal device  80  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  in that the sub bracket  16 , which is mounted on the pedal bracket  14  such that the sub bracket  16  can rotate about the second axis S 2  via the second support shaft  18  (not shown), has a bent shape, namely the sub bracket  16  is extended upward and then bent toward the rear of the vehicle, and in that the operation pedal  30  is disposed in a bent part of the sub bracket  16  at a position above the second axis S 2 , and in the part of the sub bracket  16  which does not overlap the pedal bracket  14  as viewed in the side views of  FIGS. 8A and 8B , such that the operation pedal  30  can rotate about the first axis S 1  via the first support shaft  32 . A clevis pin  42   p  of the clevis  42  that couples the operating rod  40  to the operation pedal  30  is coupled to the operation pedal  30  at substantially the same position as that of the second axis S 2  as viewed in the side views of  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In this case, if the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle as shown by arrow A in case of a vehicle collision shown in  FIG. 8B , the first support shaft  32  is displaced toward the rear of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 . At this time, the operation pedal  30  is rotated clockwise about the second axis S 2 , namely in the direction in which the pedal portion  34  is displaced toward the front of the vehicle, substantially together with the sub bracket  16  as shown by arrow B. This is because the position of the clevis pin  42   p  coupled to the operating rod  40  is substantially the same as the position of the second axis S 2  that is the rotation axis of the sub bracket  16 . This configuration thus has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment, such as appropriately restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 8B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  have been moved rearward with the dash panel  12 , and the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  need only be moved to a position at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  correspond to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . A brake pedal device  100  is different from the brake pedal device  70  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  in that the brake pedal device  100  uses a pedal bracket  102  that projects toward the rear of a vehicle by an amount slightly larger than that of the pedal bracket  14 , and in that the sub bracket  16  is mounted on a tip end portion of the pedal bracket  102  such that the sub bracket  16  can rotate about the second axis S 2  via the second support shaft  18 . The other end  16   b  of the sub bracket  16  is extended obliquely downward toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the second support shaft  18 , and the operation pedal  30  is disposed in a part of the other end  16   b  which does not overlap the pedal bracket  102  as viewed in the side views of  FIGS. 9A and 9B  such that the operation pedal  30  can rotate about the first axis S 1  via the first support shaft  32 . That is, both the operation pedal  30  and the intermediate lever  36  are disposed in the sub bracket  16 , and the first axis S 1  and the third axis S 3 , which are the rotation axes of the operation pedal  30  and the intermediate lever  36 , are located on the opposite sides of the second axis S 2  in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 
     In such a brake pedal device  100  as well, if, in case of a vehicle collision, the dash panel  12  is moved rearward and displaced toward the rear of the vehicle and the sub bracket  16  is displaced relative to the support member  22  toward the rear of the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 9B , the slide member  44  slides toward the rear of the vehicle and is disengaged from the support member  22 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated toward the lower side of the vehicle by the guide  50  as shown by arrow A. If the third support shaft  72  together with the intermediate lever  36  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle and the first support shaft  32  together with the operation pedal  30  is displaced toward the upper side of the vehicle with this withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 , the upper end  30   a  of the operation pedal  30  is pulled downward by the intermediate lever  36 , whereby the operation pedal  30  is rotated toward the front of the vehicle (clockwise about the first axis S 1 ) as shown by arrow B. At this time, the intermediate lever  36  is pulled by the operating rod  40  and rotated counterclockwise about the third axis S 3 . The operation pedal  30  is therefore rotated by a larger amount toward the front of the vehicle. This configuration thus has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment, such as appropriately restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34 . Alternate long and short dash lines in  FIG. 9B  show the positions of the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  in the case where the sub bracket  16  and the operation pedal  30  have been moved rearward with the dash panel  12 , and the pedal portion  34  of the operation pedal  30  need only be moved to a position at least closer to the front of the vehicle than the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line. 
     The intermediate lever  36  together with the third support shaft  72  is displaced toward the lower side of the vehicle with the withdrawal and rotation of the sub bracket  16 . This configuration reduces the possibility that the intermediate lever  36  is moved toward the rear of the vehicle and contacts the support member  22 , the guide  50 , etc. to reduce the effect of restraining rearward movement of the pedal portion  34  due to deformation of the intermediate lever  36  etc. The configuration also reduces the possibility that a steering device is moved rearward due to deformation of the instrument panel reinforcement  20 . 
     The operation pedal  30  and the intermediate lever  36  are disposed in parts of the sub bracket  16  such that the first axis S 1  and the third axis S 3 , which are the rotation axes of the operation pedal  30  and the intermediate lever  36 , do not overlap the pedal bracket  102 . Accordingly, even if the pedal bracket  102  is deformed by a vehicle collision, the first support shaft  32  or the third support shaft  72  is restrained from interfering with the pedal bracket  102 , and the sub bracket  16  is withdrawn and rotated appropriately. 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above in detail based on the drawings, the embodiments are shown by way of example only, and the present invention can be embodied in various modified or improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       10 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  100 : Brake pedal device (Vehicle pedal device)  12 : Dash panel  14 ,  62 ,  102 : Pedal bracket  16 : Sub bracket  16   a : One end  16   b : Other end  18 : Second support shaft  20 : Instrument panel reinforcement (Vehicle body-side member)  22 : Support member  30 : Operation pedal  32 : First support shaft  34 : Pedal portion  36 : Intermediate lever  38 : Coupling link  40 : Operating rod (Output member)  50 : Guide  72 : Third support shaft S 1 : First axis S 2 : Second axis S 3 : Third axis