JP2010241327A - Vehicle steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle steering wheel that can be operated with a switch while holding the steering wheel and has excellent operability at the time of turning.
A grip portion 16 constituting a part of a rim of a steering wheel that rotates about a rotation axis is supported so as to be swingable about a swing axis L2 with respect to a rim main body portion 15, and a grip portion 16 by a driver is supported. In this case, at least the connecting portion of the rim main body portion 15 and the grip portion 16 is covered with the elastically deformable cover 17, so that when the grip portion 16 is operated, the grip portion 16 is detected. Further, a step is generated between the rim main body portion 15 and a finger is caught, or a finger is not caught in a gap between the grip portion 16 and the rim main body portion 15, and the operability of the steering wheel is not hindered. The operation of the grip part 16 can be detected.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  According to the present invention, a part of a rim of an annular steering wheel that rotates around a rotation shaft is used as a grip portion, and the grip portion is perpendicular to the swing shaft or the rotation shaft parallel to the rotation shaft with respect to the rim main body portion. The present invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel that is supported so as to be swingable around a swing shaft and that detects a swing operation of the grip portion by a driver using a sensor.

  In the following Patent Document 1, the vehicle steering wheel 2 is divided into a first operation portion 7 on the lower side and a second operation portion 9 on the upper side, and stick portions 3 are provided at both left and right ends of the first operation portion 7 on the lower side. , 3 is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing left and right, and the steering wheel 2 is rotated to steer the wheel, and the wheels can be steered by tilting the stick parts 3 and 3 left and right. Yes.

  In Patent Document 2 below, a grip knob 2 constituted by separating a part of a vehicle steering wheel 1 from other parts is rotatably supported around a grip knob shaft 7 arranged in parallel with the steering shaft, It is described that the steering wheel 1 can be rotated without changing the grip knob 2 while holding the grip knob 2 with one hand.

JP 2005-225384 A Japanese Patent No. 4003283

  By the way, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the steering wheel 2 is divided into two parts, that is, a first operation part 7 and a second operation part 9, and the stick parts 3 are arranged from the left and right ends of the first operation part 7. 3 protrudes toward the driver side, and after turning the steering wheel 2 to steer the wheel, the steering wheel 2 is automatically returned to the neutral position while sliding against the driver's hand. Even if it tries, there existed a problem that the cut | interruption of the 1st, 2nd operation parts 7 and 9 and the stick parts 3 and 3 became obstructive, and the said return operation could not be performed smoothly.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, when the grip knob 2 swings with respect to the main body portion of the steering wheel 1, the gap between the main body portion and the grip knob 2 is enlarged or reduced. There was a problem that it was easy to pinch.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering wheel that can be operated with a switch while holding the steering wheel and has excellent operability during turning.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the rim of the annular steering wheel that rotates about the rotation axis is used as a grip part, and the grip part is provided with respect to the rim body part. A vehicle steering wheel that is supported so as to be swingable and detects a swing operation of the grip portion by a driver with a sensor, and at least a connection portion of the rim main body portion and the grip portion is covered with an elastically deformable cover. A vehicle steering wheel characterized by the above is proposed.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a vehicle steering wheel is proposed in which the sensor outputs a signal for controlling the yaw motion of the vehicle. .

  The switches 27 and 28 and the rotary encoder 31 of the embodiment correspond to the sensor of the present invention.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, the grip portion that constitutes a part of the rim of the steering wheel that rotates about the rotation axis is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the rim body portion, and the swing operation of the grip portion by the driver is performed. Since at least the connection part of the rim body part and the grip part is covered with an elastically deformable cover, a step is generated between the grip part and the rim body when the grip part is operated. Can be detected, and fingers can be prevented from being caught in the gap between the grip portion and the rim body, and the operation of the grip portion can be detected without impeding the operability of the steering wheel.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the sensor outputs a signal for controlling the yaw movement of the vehicle, the steering wheel can be changed by holding the grip portion of the steering wheel and swinging it. Therefore, the steering angle can be arbitrarily controlled, and the operability of the steering wheel is improved.

1 is a front view of a vehicle steering wheel (first embodiment). FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 (first embodiment). FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 (first embodiment). Action explanatory drawing corresponding to the said FIG. 1 (1st Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 (2nd Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 (3rd Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 (4th Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIGS. 1-3 (5th Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIGS. 1-3 (6th Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (7th Embodiment). The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (8th Embodiment).

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 11 for a vehicle is connected to a boss 12 supported rotatably around a rotation axis L1, a plurality of spokes 13 extending radially from the boss 12, and the tips of the spokes 13 ... An annular rim 14. The rim 14 includes a pair of upper and lower rim body portions 15 and 15 fixed to the spokes 13 and a pair of left and right grip portions 16 that are swingably supported around the swing axis L2 with respect to the rim body portions 15 and 15. The grip portions 16 and 16 are arranged at positions where the driver can easily grip the left and right hands when the steering wheel 11 is in the neutral position. The surface of each grip portion 16 is covered with a cover 17 made of an elastic body such as rubber, and both ends of the cover 17 are fitted and baked so as to cover the ends of the pair of rim body portions 15 and 15. Or fixed by bonding.

  As apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3, metal first frames 18 and 18 connected to the radially outer ends of the spokes 13 are embedded in the rim main body portions 15 and 15. Both ends of the first frame 18 slightly protrude from the end portions of the rim main body portions 15 and 15. Both ends of a pair of second frames 19, 19 formed in an arc shape are coupled by bolts 32... Between the opposed end portions of the pair of first frames 18, 18. The two frames 19 and 19 have a ring shape in a coupled state.

  The grip portion 16 includes first and second halves 20 and 21 coupled in the direction of the swing axis L2. The first half 20 includes a bolt hole 20a positioned on the swing axis L2. A mounting hole 20b coaxial with the bolt hole 20a, an arcuate guide hole 20c coaxial with the bolt hole 20a, and tapered grooves 20d and 20d whose width increases from the guide hole 20c toward both sides in the longitudinal direction; Is formed. The second half 21 of the grip portion 16 is formed with a bolt hole 21a located on the swing shaft L2 and a mounting hole 21b coaxial with the bolt hole 21a. On the other hand, a bolt hole 19a located on the rocking shaft L2 and a circular boss 19b coaxial with the bolt hole 19a are formed at the center in the longitudinal direction of the second frame 19.

  Thus, to attach the grip portion 16 to the second frame 19, the guide hole 20 c of the first half 20 is fitted to the outer periphery of the circular boss 19 b of the second frame 19, and then the first half 20 is attached to the first half 20. With the two halves 21 fitted, the bolts 22 are inserted into the bolt holes 21 a of the second half 21, the bolt holes 19 a of the second frame 19, and the bolt holes 20 a of the first half 20 and fastened with the nuts 23. To do. Then, the mounting hole 20b of the first half 20 and the mounting hole 21b of the second half 21 are closed with caps 24 and 25, respectively.

  The bolt 22 and the nut 23 do not fix the first and second halves 20 and 21 of the grip portion 16 to the second frame 19, but the first and second halves 20 and 21 are attached to the second frame 19. They can swing relative to each other and are fixed to each other so as not to separate. Therefore, the bolt 22 is a stepped bolt so that the amount of tightening of the nut 23 with respect to the bolt 22 can be limited.

  Two concave portions 19c are formed on the radially inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the second frame 19, and are made of columnar rubber fixed to the four concave portions 19c by baking or bonding. The elastic bodies 26 are in contact with the tapered grooves 20d and 20d of the first half body 20.

  In addition, the first half 20 is provided with two switches 27 and 28 with the swing axis L <b> 2 interposed therebetween, and the detectors of these switches 27 and 28 abut against the second frame 19.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows the right grip 16 of the left and right grips 16, 16, and when the driver twists the grip 16 with the right hand in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 16 indicates that the arcuate guide hole 20c of the first half 20 is slid while being guided by the circular boss 19b of the second frame 19, so that the grip portion 16 swings around the swing axis L2. As a result, the lower switch 27 is turned on when the detector is pushed, and the same effect as that obtained by turning the steering wheel 11 clockwise is exerted, and the rightward turning angle of the wheel is increased. At this time, when the upper left elastic body 26 and the lower right elastic body 26 are compressed, a restoring force is generated. When the driver removes the force applied to the grip portion 16, the grip portion 16 is moved to the original position by the restoring force. Return to (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the driver twists the grip portion 16 counterclockwise with the right hand, the grip portion 16 has a circular boss of the second frame 19 formed by the arcuate guide hole 20c of the first half body 20. By being guided by 19b and sliding, the grip portion 16 swings around the swing axis L2. As a result, the upper switch 28 is turned on when the detector is pushed, and the same effect as that obtained when the steering wheel 11 is turned counterclockwise is exerted, and the left turning angle of the wheel is increased. At this time, when the upper right elastic body 26 and the lower left elastic body 26 are compressed, a restoring force is generated. When the driver removes the force applied to the grip portion 16, the grip portion 16 is moved to the original position ( Return to FIG.

  The turning angle of the wheel may be increased or decreased by a certain value every time the switches 27 and 28 are turned on, or may be increased or decreased according to the length of time that the switches 27 and 28 are turned on. good.

  Thus, when the grip portion 16 swings, a step or a gap is generated between the end portion of the grip portion 16 and the end portions of the rim main body portions 15, 15. The step 17 can be made smooth to prevent the driver's finger from being caught, and the problem of the driver's finger being caught in the gap can be eliminated, thereby improving the operability of the steering wheel 11.

  Further, when the grip portions 16, 16 are not operated, the steering wheel 11 has the same ring shape as a general steering wheel, so that the driver does not feel uncomfortable, and the steering wheel 11 is placed against the driver's hand. The operation of automatically returning to the neutral position while sliding can be performed smoothly.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the elastic bodies 26. That is, the elastic bodies 26 of the first embodiment are formed in a columnar shape, but the elastic bodies 26 of the second embodiment are the guide grooves 20d of the second frame 19 and the first half 20. It arrange | positions so that the space between 20d may be filled. Also according to the second embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the elastic bodies 26. That is, the elastic bodies 26 of the first embodiment are made of rubber, but the elastic bodies 26 of the third embodiment are constituted by coil springs. Also according to the third embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the number of elastic bodies 26. That is, in the third embodiment, four elastic bodies 26 are provided, but in the fourth embodiment, only two elastic bodies 26 and 26 are provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the second frame 19. It has been. According to the fourth embodiment, the same operational effects can be achieved while reducing the number of parts compared to the third embodiment described above.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the fifth embodiment, the elastic body 26 is not a rubber that compresses and deforms, but is an annular rubber that twists and deforms. That is, in the fifth embodiment, an annular hole 19d is formed inside the circular boss 19b of the second frame 19, and the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body 26 made of an annular rubber is baked or bonded to the inner peripheral surface thereof. It is fixed by. The square shaft portions 29a, 29a of the pin 29 are fitted into the pin holes 20e, 21e of the square cross section formed in the first and second halves 20, 21 of the grip portion 16 so as not to be relatively rotatable, and two bolts The inner peripheral surface of the elastic body 26 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 28 by baking or bonding.

  Therefore, when the grip portion 16 swings with respect to the second frame 19, the elastic body 26 whose inner peripheral surface is fixed to the pin 38 integrated with the grip portion 16 is elastically deformed so as to be twisted with respect to the outer peripheral surface. Thus, a restoring force for returning the grip portion 16 to the original position can be generated. According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same function and effect as those of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sixth embodiment does not include the elastic body 26 for returning the grip portion 16 to the original position, and instead, the thickness of the cover 17 is increased as compared with the first to fifth embodiments. Thus, a restoring force that causes the grip portion 16 to return to the original position is generated by the cover 17 that is elastically deformed as the grip portion 16 swings. According to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the first embodiment described above while eliminating the elastic body 26 and reducing the number of parts.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the seventh embodiment, the structure in which the grip portion 16 is swingably supported by the second frame 19 and the structure of the elastic bodies 26 and 26 for returning the grip portion 16 to the original position are the first embodiment. -This is different from the sixth embodiment.

  That is, the second frame 19 includes a pair of arc-shaped recesses 19e and 19e at the center in the longitudinal direction, and the grip portion 16 is given a predetermined set load to the pair of recesses 19e and 19e at the center in the longitudinal direction. A pair of rubber elastic bodies 26, 26 to be fitted is provided. The grip portion 16 is biased to the neutral position by the elastic force of the elastic bodies 26, 26, and when the grip portion 16 is twisted clockwise or counterclockwise, the fitting portions of the elastic bodies 26, 26 and the recesses 19e, 19e are moved. Oscillating as a fulcrum and restoring force to the original position is generated by deformation of the elastic bodies 26, 26.

  In the present embodiment, since the fulcrum on which the grip portion 16 swings is not rigid, it is difficult to reliably detect the swing of the grip portion 16 simply by providing the two switches 27 and 28. 27 and 27 are arranged at the first diagonal position, and the two switches 28 and 28 are arranged at the second diagonal position. Then, when both of the two switches 27, 27 at the first diagonal position are turned on, it is detected that the grip portion 16 has swung clockwise, and the two switches at the second diagonal position are detected. By detecting that the grip portion 16 has swung counterclockwise when both 28 and 28 are turned on, it is possible to avoid occurrence of erroneous detection. Further, when only one of the two switches 27 and 27 at the diagonal position is turned on, or when only one of the two switches 28 and 28 at the diagonal position is turned on, the switches 27 and 27: 28 and 28 failures can be detected.

  According to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the function and effect of the first embodiment, the bolt 22, the nut 23, and the caps 24, 25 can be eliminated to reduce the number of parts.

  Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The eighth embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment (see FIG. 5), and includes a single rotary encoder 31 instead of the pair of switches 27 and 28. The rotary encoder 31 is fixed inside the circular boss 19 b of the second frame 19, and the angular shaft portion of the detection shaft 31 a is coupled to the second half 21 of the grip portion 16. Accordingly, the operation amount of the grip portion 16 can be detected by the rotation of the detection shaft 31a of the rotary encoder.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase or decrease the turning angle of the wheel according to the operation amount of the grip portion 16, and it is possible to control the turning angle more precisely.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the rocking shaft L2 of the grip portions 16 and 16 is arranged in parallel with the rotation shaft L1 of the steering wheel 11, but the rocking shaft L2 is arbitrary as long as it is in a plane orthogonal to the rim 14. (For example, a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis L1).

  In the embodiment, the steering wheel 11 is provided with the two grip portions 16, 16, but the grip portion 16 may be provided only on either the left or right side of the steering wheel 11.

  Further, in the embodiment, the turning angle of the wheel is controlled to increase or decrease by operating the grip parts 16 and 16, but the grip parts 16 and 16 are instructed to shift up and down, the navigation device is operated, the audio device is operated, etc. Can be used for

  In the embodiment, the cover 17 covers the entire grip portion 16, but it is sufficient that at least the connection portion between the rim main body portion 15 and the grip portion 16 is covered.

11 Steering wheel 14 Rim 15 Rim body 16 Grip 17 Cover 27 Switch (sensor)
28 Switch (sensor)
31 Rotary encoder (sensor)
L1 Rotating shaft L2 Oscillating shaft

Claims (2)

A part of the rim (14) of the annular steering wheel (11) rotating around the rotation axis (L1) is used as a grip part (16), and the grip part (16) is swung with respect to the rim body part (15). A steering wheel for a vehicle that supports the vehicle and detects a swing operation of the grip portion (16) by a driver with a sensor (27, 28, 31),
A vehicle steering wheel, wherein at least a connection portion of the rim main body portion (15) and the grip portion (16) is covered with an elastically deformable cover (17).   The vehicle steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (27, 28, 31) outputs a signal for controlling a yaw motion of the vehicle.

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