Steering operation input device and steer-by-wire type steering device

Abstract

A steering operation input device (1) and a steer-by-wire steering device (SD) according to the present invention include: an operating unit (5) that is steered when a steering operation input member (31) imparts a steering angle to wheels (WL) (WR) of a vehicle; and a fixed unit (6) that is fixedly provided in a position different from that of the operating unit (5) and that comes into contact with an operating hand (H) of a driver during an action of the driver to operate the operating unit (5). As a result, when operating the operating unit (5), a difference in displacement between the operating unit (5) and the fixed unit (6) can be felt in the contacting part by touching the operating unit (5) and the fixed unit (6) simultaneously, and a frictional force between the operating unit (5) and the operating hand (H) can be adjusted, making it easy to perform fine adjustment of the steering angle, such as increasing or decreasing the amount of turn, thereby improving the operability of the steering operation input device (1).

Description

Steering operation input device and steer-by-wire steering device

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering operation input device and a steer-by-wire type steering device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known conventional steering operation input device is, for example, that described in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] That is, conventional steering operation input devices are applied to so-called steer-by-wire steering devices, and are equipped with a dial that can be rotated by the vehicle driver with one hand, and by rotating the dial, steering can be performed in accordance with the direction of rotation.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-172135

[0005] However, the conventional steering operation input device does not give any consideration to improving operability.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in consideration of the technical problems of the conventional steering operation input devices, and aims to provide a steering operation input device and a steer-by-wire type steering device that can improve operability.

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention is characterized in that the steering operation input member has an operating unit that is steered when a steering angle is applied to the wheels of the vehicle, and a fixed unit that is fixedly provided at a position different from the operating unit and that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand when the driver operates the operating unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, operability can be improved.

[0009] 5 is a schematic diagram of a steer-by-wire steering device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a steering operation input device showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the steering operation input member showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in FIG. 2, where (a) shows a straight-ahead state (including a left / right steering state with a small steering angle), (b) shows a right steering state with a large steering angle, and (c) shows a left steering state with a large steering angle. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a steering operation input member showing another example of the second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating another form of the mounting portion and the support column portion shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the steering operation input member showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in FIG. 5, where (a) shows a straight-ahead state (including a left / right steering state with a small steering angle), (b) shows a right steering state with a large steering angle, and (c) shows a left steering state with a large steering angle. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the steering operation input member showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the steering operation input member showing an operation mode of the steering operation input member shown in Fig. 9, in which (a) shows a straight-ahead state (including a left / right steering state with a small steering angle), (b) shows a right steering state with a large steering angle, and (c) shows a left steering state with a large steering angle.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a steering operation input device and a steer-by-wire steering device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in each of the following embodiments, the steering operation input device and the steer-by-wire steering device will be described as being applied to a steer-by-wire steering device for an automobile, as in the conventional case.

[0011] (Configuration of steer-by-wire steering device) Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram showing the system configuration of a steer-by-wire steering device SD according to the present invention. Note that Fig. 1 is an image diagram showing the system configuration of the steer-by-wire steering device SD, and does not show the specific shape of the steer-by-wire steering device SD according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] 1, for example, a steer-by-wire steering device SD according to the present invention comprises a steering operation input device 1 and a steering device 2, and is configured such that the steering operation input device 1 is mechanically separated from the steering device 2. The steering operation input device 1 has a steering operation input member 3 used to input a steering operation, and a reaction force section 4 that applies a reaction force to an operation section 5 (described later) of the steering operation input member 3.

[0013] The steering operation input member 3 has an operation unit 5 and a fixed unit 6 (not shown in FIG. 1 , see FIG. 2 ), and the operation unit 5 has a dial 51 corresponding to a steering wheel, and a rotating shaft 52 connected to the dial 51 and corresponding to a steering shaft. The steering angle input via the dial 51, i.e., the rotation angle of the dial 51, is detected by a steering angle sensor AS linked to the rotating shaft 52 which rotates synchronously with the dial 51. The steering angle sensor AS is connected to an on-board control device 7, and a steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor AS is output to the control device 7.

[0014] The reaction force unit 4 is configured, for example, by a reaction force actuator CA. The reaction force actuator CA is connected to the control device 7 and is driven and controlled by the control device 7. Specifically, the reaction force actuator CA generates a reaction force according to driving conditions, such as the vehicle speed (vehicle speed), and road conditions. Note that in the present embodiment, a well-known reaction force actuator CA is exemplified as one aspect of the reaction force unit 4, but the reaction force unit 4 is not limited to a configuration that generates a reaction force electrically, such as the reaction force actuator CA, and may be configured to generate a reaction force mechanically, such as a biasing member (coil spring). In other words, the reaction force unit 4 only needs to be able to generate a reaction force on the operation unit 5 of the steering operation input member 3, and can be arbitrarily modified depending on the specifications of the steering device SD, etc.

[0015] The control device 7 is electrically connected to the steering angle sensor AS, an external sensor OS mounted on the vehicle, and a steering amount sensor DS, and drives and controls the reaction force actuator CA and a steering actuator DA (described later). The external sensor OS includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensor and various other sensors.

[0016] The steering device 2 includes a rack bar 21 as a steering shaft connecting the left and right wheels WL, WR, which are the steerable wheels of the vehicle, tie rods 22 connecting the rack bar 21 to the wheels WL, WR, and a steering actuator DA that moves the rack bar 21 in the vehicle width direction. The rack bar 21 and the steering actuator DA are connected by, for example, a transmission mechanism and a speed reduction mechanism (not shown). The transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force of the steering actuator DA to the rack bar 21 and is composed, for example, of an input pulley connected to the rotation shaft of the steering actuator DA, an output pulley connected to the rack bar 21, and a belt wound between the two pulleys. The speed reduction mechanism reduces the speed of the rotational force transmitted via the transmission mechanism and converts it into a moving force in the axial direction of the rack bar 21 and is composed, for example, of a ball screw interposed between the output pulley and the rack bar 21.

[0017] Furthermore, rack bar 21 is linked to a steering shaft position sensor PS that can detect the axial position of rack bar 21. The steering shaft position sensor PS is connected to control device 7 and outputs a detected position signal of rack bar 21 to control device 7. That is, based on the position signal of rack bar 21 detected by steering shaft position sensor PS, control device 7 calculates the amount of movement of rack bar 21 in the axial direction from the steering angle signal detected by steering angle sensor AS, and drives and controls steering actuator DA. As a result, an appropriate thrust according to the axial position of rack bar 21 is applied to rack bar 21.

[0018] [First embodiment] (Configuration of steering operation input device) Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 31 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front (rear) side. In the following description, for convenience, the rotation axis of the dial 51 in Figure 2 is referred to as the rotation axis Z, the direction along the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction around the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "circumferential direction." In addition, the traveling direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the traveling direction of the vehicle as the "rear," the upper side in the vertical direction as the "upper," and the lower side in the vertical direction as the "lower."

[0019] 2, the steering operation input member 31 according to this embodiment is provided, for example, on a center console (not shown) inside the vehicle cabin. Specifically, the steering operation input member 31 has an operation unit 5 that rotates in response to a steering operation by the driver and is used to input a steering operation from the driver, and a fixed unit 6 that is fixed to the operation unit 5 and does not rotate relative to the operation unit 5 as the operation unit 5 rotates.

[0020] The steering operation input member 3 has a dial 51 that rotates in response to a steering operation input, and a rotation shaft 52 (not shown in FIG. 2 , see FIG. 1 ) that is connected to the dial 51 so as to be integrally rotatable. In this case, the rotation shaft 52 is connected to the center of the dial 51, and is configured so that the rotation axis Z of the rotation shaft 52 coincides with the center of the dial 51. This allows the operation amount (rotation amount) of the dial 51 to be linearly reflected in the steering angle. Furthermore, the dial 51 and the rotation shaft 52 are connected to be integrally rotatable by a predetermined fixing means, such as press fitting or fastening. Note that the dial 51 and the rotation shaft 52 do not necessarily need to be configured as separate members, and may be formed integrally.

[0021] The dial 51 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom from a resin material or a metal material. Specifically, the dial 51 has a support surface 511 provided on the upper surface of the dial 51 and on which an operating hand H (not shown in FIG. 2 , see FIG. 3 ) is placed, and an operation surface 512 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the dial 51 and used for steering (rotating) the dial 51 by the operating hand H. The support surface 511 is formed of a flat surface parallel to the operation table 30. The operation surface 512 is provided continuously along the circumferential direction of the dial 51. Note that the operation surface 512 has a relatively rough surface roughness compared to a support portion 62 (described later) of the fixed portion 6, and is desirably subjected to an anti-slip treatment, such as knurling, that increases friction with the operating hand H.

[0022] The rotating shaft 52 passes vertically through the operation console 30 arranged on the center console (not shown), and the dial 51 is connected to one axial end of the rotating shaft 52 exposed from the operation console 30, while the reaction force actuator CA is connected to the other axial end of the rotating shaft 52 facing the inside of the operation console 30 (the inside of the center console not shown).

[0023] The operation console 30 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with a certain thickness and is provided on, for example, a center console (not shown). The operation console 30 may be formed integrally with the center console. The operation console 30 also has a recess 301 at its front end that is recessed toward the center console (the other axial end of the rotation shaft 52). The recess 301 has a shape corresponding to the fixing portion 6 (a flange portion 41, described later), and is formed so that the flange portion 61 of the fixing portion 6 can be fitted therein.

[0024] The fixed portion 6 has a flange portion 61 fixed to the operation console 30 and a cylindrical support portion 62 gripped by some of the fingers of the operating hand H, the flange portion 61 and the support portion 62 being integrally formed. The flange portion 61 is fitted into a recess 301 of the operation console 30 and fixed to the operation console 30 via any fastening means such as a screw (not shown). The support portion 62 rises perpendicularly from the flange portion 61 and extends axially from the flange portion 61 toward the dial 51. The support portion 62 has substantially the same shape as the dial 51 and has an outer circumferential surface formed with approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the operation surface 512 of the dial 51. The outer circumferential surface of the support portion 62 has a surface roughness that is relatively smaller than that of the operation surface 512.

[0025] (Explanation of Operation Mode of Steering Operation Input Device) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an operation mode in which the steering operation input member 31 shown in Fig. 2 is operated by the operating hand H, and shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 31 as seen from the front. An example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 31 is shown below.

[0026] For example, as shown in Figure 3, as an example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 31 by the operating hand H, the basic operating posture of the steering operation input member 31 is such that the palm of the operating hand H is placed on the support surface 511 of the dial 51, the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6 is grasped by, for example, the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H, and the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H are hooked on the operation surface 512 of the dial 51.

[0027] In particular, in this embodiment, during a steering operation, which will be described later, the support portion 62 of the fixing portion 6 is not intended to fix the fingers F1, F4, and F5 of the operating hand H, but is merely intended to be gripped in order to support the operating hand H. In other words, during a steering operation, in order to make it easier to operate the dial 51 with the index finger F2 or middle finger F3 of the operating hand H, the fingers F1, F4, and F5 used for supporting the operating hand H may be appropriately slid in the rotation direction while feeling a difference in displacement of the dial 51 in accordance with the operation of the index finger F2 or middle finger F3 of the operating hand H.

[0028] (Explanation of operation method of steering operation input device) Figure 4 shows a plan view of the steering operation input member 31 shown in Figure 2, showing the operation mode of the steering operation input member 31, (a) showing a straight-ahead state (including left and right steering states with small steering angles), (b) showing a right steering state with large steering angles, and (c) showing a left steering state with large steering angles.

[0029] 4A, for example, while the vehicle is traveling straight, the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H grip the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6, and the pads of the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H are hooked on the operating surface 512 at the front of the dial 51. As a result, the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H hold the dial 51 in the neutral position.

[0030] In a relatively small right steering operation, i.e., a right steering operation with a small steering angle, in the straight-ahead posture, by moving the index finger F2 of the operating hand H placed on the operation surface 512 in the right direction, the dial 51 rotates in the right direction as if following the index finger F2, thereby performing right steering with a small steering angle. On the other hand, in a relatively small left steering operation, i.e., a left steering operation with a small steering angle, by moving the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H placed on the operation surface 512 in the left direction as if following the middle finger F3, thereby performing left steering with a small steering angle.

[0031] In addition, in a relatively large right steering operation, that is, a right steering operation with a large steering angle, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(b), with the support part 62 of the fixed part 6 being gripped with the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H, the index finger F2 of the operating hand H is opened to the right from the basic posture of the straight-ahead state shown in Fig. 4(a) and the index finger F2 is pulled toward the user (rearward). As a result, the dial 51 rotates to the right (clockwise) while being accompanied by the side surface of the index finger F2 of the operating hand H (the side surface on the middle finger F3 side), and a right steering operation with a large steering angle is performed.

[0032] In addition, in a relatively large left steering operation, that is, a left steering operation with a large steering angle, for example, as shown in Fig. 4(c), with the support part 62 of the fixed part 6 being gripped with the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H, the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H is opened to the left from the basic posture of the straight-ahead state shown in Fig. 4(a) and the middle finger F3 is pulled toward the user (rearward). As a result, the dial 51 rotates leftward (counterclockwise) while being accompanied by the side surface (side surface on the index finger F2 side) of the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H, and a left steering operation with a large steering angle is performed.

[0033] (Effects of the Present Embodiment) As described above, the conventional steering operation input device does not give any consideration to improving operability. Specifically, the steering operation is performed by gripping only the dial, which is the steering operation input member, during steering. Therefore, there is room for improvement in that it is difficult to perform appropriate steering operations, for example, when steering with a relatively small steering angle, when fine adjustments of the steering angle such as turning further and returning, and when maintaining the steering angle. Furthermore, when the vehicle vibrates, the vibrations interfere with the movement of the operator, making it difficult to perform appropriate steering operations.

[0034] In contrast, the steering operation input device 1 according to this embodiment can solve the problems of the conventional steering operation input device by achieving the following advantageous effects.

[0035] That is, the steering operation input device 1 according to this embodiment is a steering operation input device that includes a dial 51 into which the driver's steering operation is input, and a reaction force unit 4 (reaction force actuator CA) that applies a reaction force in the direction of returning the dial 51 to the neutral position. The steering operation input device 1 has an operation unit (dial 51 and rotating shaft 52) ​​that is operated to steer when applying a steering angle to the vehicle's wheels WL, WR, and a fixed unit 6 that is fixedly provided at a position different from the operation unit 5 and does not move in response to the driver's steering operation, and that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand H when the driver operates the operation unit 5.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, the steering operation input member 31 includes the operating unit 5, which is operated to steer the vehicle wheels WL, WR when a steering angle is applied, and the fixed unit 6, which is fixedly provided at a position different from the operating unit 5 and comes into contact with the driver's operating hand H when the driver operates the operating unit 5. As a result, when operating the operating unit 5, the driver simultaneously touches the fixed unit 6, thereby feeling the difference in displacement between the operating unit 5 and the fixed unit 6 at the contact point, and adjusting the friction between the operating unit 5 and the operating hand H, thereby enabling the operating unit 5 to be operated appropriately and smoothly. As a result, for example, further steering and return steering operations can be easily performed by fine-tuning the operating unit 5. More specifically, by facilitating fine-tuning of the operating unit 5, for example, excessive further steering and return steering operations can be prevented, thereby enabling appropriate further steering and return steering operations.

[0037] Furthermore, the provision of the fixed portion 6 makes it possible to support a portion of the operating hand H at the fixed portion 6. This makes it possible to easily hold the operating unit 5 with a portion of the operating hand H supported at the fixed portion 6, and makes it easy to perform, for example, a steering operation to maintain (hold) the operating unit 5 at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, by supporting a portion of the operating hand H at the fixed portion 6, it becomes possible to easily resist vibrations of the vehicle, and it is also possible to suppress erroneous operation of the operating unit 5 due to the driving state or road surface condition.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, the steering operation input member 31 has a rotation shaft 52 that rotates around an axis (rotation axis Z), and is configured so that the operating hand H can contact the operating unit 5 from one end side of the rotation shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 52, and the operating unit 5 is a dial 51 that is provided on one end side of the rotation shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 52 and rotates around the rotation shaft 52, and the fixed portion 6 is provided on the other end side of the rotation shaft 52 relative to the dial 51 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 52.

[0039] As described above, in this embodiment, the dial 51 of the operating unit 5 is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft 52, and the fixed part 6 is provided on the other end side of the rotating shaft 52. This makes it possible to adjust the friction between the dial 51 on one end side and the operating hand H while gripping the fixed part 6 on the other end side, thereby making it easier to perform steering operation in particular.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, when the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft 52 is defined as the radial direction, the dial 51 and the fixed portion 6 (support portion 62) are formed so as to extend radially outward from the rotating shaft 52, and the fixed portion 6 (support portion 62) has approximately the same shape as the dial 51.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, the dial 51 and the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6 have substantially the same shape. This allows the operating hand H to come into contact with both the dial 51 and the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6, making it easier for the operating hand H to come into contact with the dial 51 and the fixed portion 6 and to feel friction between the operating hand H and the dial 51. As a result, it is possible to more easily perform steering operations and steering return operations that are performed by finely adjusting the dial 51, and steering operations that maintain (hold) the dial 51 at a predetermined angle.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fixed portion 6 (support portion 62) that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand H is different from the surface roughness of the outer surface of the operating portion 5 (dial 51) that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand H.

[0043] In this manner, in this embodiment, the surface roughness of the outer surface of the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6 is different from the surface roughness of the outer surface of the dial 51. This makes it easier to feel the difference in friction between the dial 51 and the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6, thereby further improving operability.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the surface roughness of the outer surface (particularly the operation surface 512 ) of the operation unit 5 (dial 51 ) is set to be relatively rougher than the surface roughness of the outer surface of the support portion 62 of the fixed portion 6 .

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the surface roughness of the outer surface of the dial 51, particularly the operation surface 512, is set to be rougher than the surface roughness of the outer surface of the support part 62 of the fixed part 6. This makes it easier for the operating hand H to catch on the operation surface 512 of the dial 51 when operating the dial 51, further improving the operability of the dial 51. In particular, since the operating hand H can more easily catch on the operation surface 512 of the dial 51, the friction of the operating hand H with respect to the dial 51 increases, and the operability of the steering operation can be improved.

[0046] 5 to 8 show a second embodiment in which the steering operation input device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a steer-by-wire type steering device SD, and is mainly a modification of the configuration of the fixing portion 6 of the steering operation input member 31 according to the first embodiment. Note that, other than the modification, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 32 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front (rear) side. In the following description, for convenience, the rotation axis of the dial 51 in Figure 5 is referred to as the rotation axis Z, the direction along the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction around the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "circumferential direction." In addition, the traveling direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the traveling direction of the vehicle as the "rear," the upper side in the vertical direction as the "upper," and the lower side in the vertical direction as the "lower."

[0048] 5 , for example, in the steering operation input member 32 according to this embodiment, the fixing portions 6 are provided on one axial end side and the other axial end side of the dial 51. That is, the steering operation input member 32 includes, in addition to the flange portion 61 and the support portion 62 according to the first embodiment, a mounting portion 63 that is provided further on the one axial end side than the dial 51 and above the dial 51.

[0049] The mounting portion 63 is formed in a raindrop shape in a plan view. Specifically, the mounting portion 63 has an arc portion 631 formed on a side approaching the dial 51 in the radial direction, and a tapered portion 632 formed integrally with the arc portion 631 and formed on a side moving away from the dial 51 in the radial direction. The arc portion 631 has an arc shape concentric with the dial 51 and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the dial 51. In a plan view, the operating surface 512 of the dial 51 is located radially outward of the arc portion 631. The tapered portion 632 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes thinner as it moves away from the arc portion 631 in the radial direction, and is provided so that its tip is located radially outward of the operating surface 512 of the dial 51 in a plan view. In addition, the mounting portion 63 is supported on the flange portion 61 by a support portion 64 that extends vertically upward from the flange portion 61 and is connected to the tip of the tapered portion 632. That is, the support portion 64 can support the load of the operating hand H acting on the placing portion 63 .

[0050] FIG. 6 shows another example of the mounting portion 63 and the support portion 64 shown in FIG. 5, and shows a cross-sectional view of the steering operation input member 32 taken along the rotation axis Z.

[0051] The mounting portion 63 and the support portion 64 may have a configuration other than that shown in FIG. 5 , such as that shown in FIG. 6 . That is, the mounting portion 63 shown in FIG. 6 has a circular portion 633 formed with approximately the same diameter as the dial 51. The circular portion 633 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the dial 51, and is formed so that the operating surface 512 of the dial 51 is located radially outward of the circular portion 633 in a plan view. The support portion 64 is disposed coaxially with the hollow rotating shaft 52 so as to penetrate the inside of the hollow rotating shaft 52. The hollow rotating shaft 52 is rotatably supported by a pair of upper and lower bearings BG provided in a generally cylindrical housing 40 that covers the reaction force unit 4. The support portion 64 is fixed to the other axial end of the housing 40 via any fastening means, such as a screw (not shown). With this configuration, the support portion 64 can support the load of the operating hand H acting on the mounting portion 63.

[0052] (Explanation of Operation Mode of Steering Operation Input Device) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an operation mode in which the operating hand H operates the steering operation input member 32 shown in Fig. 5, and shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 32 as seen from the front. An example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 32 is shown below.

[0053] For example, as shown in Figure 7, as an example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 32 by the operating hand H, the basic operating posture of the steering operation input member 32 is such that the palm of the operating hand H is placed on the placement portion 63, the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H are in contact with the support portion 62, and the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H are hooked on the operating surface 512 of the dial 51.

[0054] In particular, in this embodiment, during a steering operation, which will be described later, the placing portion 63 of the fixing portion 6 is not intended to fix the pad of the operating hand H, but is merely intended to place the pad of the operating hand H on the placing portion 63 in order to support the operating hand H. In other words, during a steering operation, in order to make it easier to operate the dial 51 with the index finger F2 or middle finger F3 of the operating hand H, the pad of the operating hand H may be appropriately slid on the placing portion 63 while feeling the difference in displacement of the dial 51 in accordance with the operation of the index finger F2 or middle finger F3 of the operating hand H.

[0055] (Explanation of operation method of steering operation input device) Figure 8 shows a plan view of the steering operation input member 32 shown in Figure 5, showing the operation mode of the steering operation input member 32, (a) showing a straight-ahead state (including left and right steering states with small steering angles), (b) showing a right steering state with large steering angles, and (c) showing a left steering state with large steering angles.

[0056] 8A, for example, while the vehicle is traveling straight, the pads of the operating hand H are placed on the rest portion 63, and with the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H touching the support portion 62, the pads of the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H are hooked on the operating surface 512 in front of the dial 51. As a result, the dial 51 is held in the neutral position by the index finger F2 and middle finger F3 of the operating hand H.

[0057] In a relatively small right steering operation, i.e., a right steering operation with a small steering angle, in the straight-ahead posture, by moving the index finger F2 of the operating hand H placed on the operation surface 512 in the right direction, the dial 51 rotates in the right direction as if following the index finger F2, thereby performing right steering with a small steering angle. On the other hand, in a relatively small left steering operation, i.e., a left steering operation with a small steering angle, by moving the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H placed on the operation surface 512 in the left direction as if following the middle finger F3, thereby performing left steering with a small steering angle.

[0058] Furthermore, in a relatively large right steering operation, i.e., a right steering operation with a large steering angle, for example, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the pad of the operating hand H is placed on the rest portion 63, and with the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H touching the support portion 62, the operating hand H is slid horizontally to the right on the rest portion 63 from the basic posture for the straight-ahead state shown in Fig. 8(a). Then, the index finger F2 of the operating hand H is opened to the right and pulled toward the user (rearward). As a result, the dial 51 rotates to the right (clockwise) while being accompanied by the side surface of the index finger F2 of the operating hand H (the side surface on the middle finger F3 side), and a right steering operation with a large steering angle is performed.

[0059] Furthermore, in a relatively large left steering operation, that is, a left steering operation with a large steering angle, as shown in Fig. 8(c), for example, the pad of the operating hand H is placed on the rest portion 63, and with the thumb F1, ring finger F4, and little finger F5 of the operating hand H touching the support portion 62, the operating hand H is slid horizontally to the left on the rest portion 63 from the basic posture for the straight-ahead state shown in Fig. 8(a). Then, the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H is opened to the left and pulled toward the user (rearward). As a result, the dial 51 rotates leftward (counterclockwise) while being accompanied by the side surface of the middle finger F3 of the operating hand H (the side surface on the index finger F2 side), and a left steering operation with a large steering angle is performed.

[0060] (Action and effect of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the steering operation input member 32 has a rotating shaft 52 that rotates around an axis, and is configured so that the operating hand H can contact the operating unit 5 from one end side of the rotating shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 52, the operating unit 5 is a dial 51 that is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 52 and rotates around the rotating shaft 52, and the fixed portion 6 (mounting portion 63) is provided further toward one end of the rotating shaft 52 than the dial 51 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 52.

[0061] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the mounting portion 63 constituting a part of the fixed portion 6 is provided further toward one axial end than the dial 51 constituting the operation unit 5. Therefore, it is possible to operate the dial 51 with the operating hand H while supporting the operating hand H by placing the pad of the operating hand H on the mounting portion 63. This makes it possible to operate the dial 51 without supporting the operating hand H with the support portion 62, as in the first embodiment. This reduces fatigue when operating the dial 51 and improves operability of the steering operation input member 32. In other words, in the present embodiment, support for the operating hand H is ensured by the mounting portion 63, and the support portion 62 allows the fingertips (e.g., the thumb F1, the ring finger F4, and the little finger F5) of the operating hand H to feel friction associated with the rotation of the dial 51 and contribute to fine adjustment of the dial 51. This reduces fatigue in the operating hand H while ensuring operability similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when a relatively large steering angle is applied, that is, when a so-called large steering angle operation is performed, the movable area of ​​the operating hand H (each of the fingers F1 to F5) is expanded by sliding the palm of the operating hand H over the mounting portion 63, and the above-mentioned large steering angle operation can be easily performed.

[0063] 9 to 11 show a third embodiment in which the steering operation input device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a steer-by-wire type steering device SD, and is mainly a modification of the configuration of the steering operation input member 31 according to the first embodiment. Note that, since the basic configuration other than the modification is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] 9 shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front (rear) side. In the following description, for convenience, the rotation axis of the dial 51 in FIG. 9 is referred to as the rotation axis Z, the direction along the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction around the rotation axis Z is referred to as the "circumferential direction." In addition, the traveling direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the traveling direction of the vehicle as the "rear," the upper side in the vertical direction as the "upper," and the lower side in the vertical direction as the "lower."

[0065] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the steering operation input member 33 according to this embodiment has a hemispherical upper portion (one axial end side) of the dial 51, and three arms, namely a first arm 531, a second arm 532 and a third arm 533, extending radially along the dial 51 are provided on the radial side of the dial 51 at approximately equal intervals (120° intervals) around the circumferential direction of the dial 51.

[0066] When the dial 51 is in the neutral position, the first arm 531 and the second arm 532 are disposed at positions that are symmetrical on either side of the rotation axis Z of the dial 51. Specifically, since the first arm 531 and the second arm 532 are spaced apart by 120° in the circumferential direction, the first arm 531 is disposed at a position 60° to the right (clockwise) from the neutral position of the dial 51. Similarly, the second arm 532 is disposed at a position 60° to the left (counterclockwise) from the neutral position of the dial 51. Furthermore, the third arm 533 is disposed at positions that are equally spaced (120° apart) in the circumferential direction from the first arm 531 and the second arm 532, i.e., at a position 180° to the left and right (clockwise and counterclockwise) from the neutral position of the dial 51.

[0067] A first ball 541, a second ball 542, and a third ball 543 each having the same size and formed in a spherical shape are provided at the tip ends (ends away from the dial 51) of the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533. The first ball 541, the second ball 542, and the third ball 543 are provided so as to protrude upward from the tip ends of the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533. The first ball 541, the second ball 542, and the third ball 543 have outer diameters that are larger than the width dimensions of the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533 and smaller than the outer diameter of the dial 51.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing portion 6 is provided radially outward of the dial 51, more specifically, radially outward of the tip ends of the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533. That is, the fixing portion 6 according to this embodiment includes a ring portion 65 formed in a generally annular shape and provided radially outward of the tip ends of the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533, and a first support portion 661 and a second support portion 662 extending downward from the ring portion 65, connected to the operation console 30, and supporting the ring portion 65.

[0069] The ring portion 65 is disposed at a predetermined height position, which in the present embodiment is generally at the same height position in the axial direction as the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533. In other words, the ring portion 65 is disposed so as to face the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533 in the radial direction. The ring portion 65 is provided at a distance from the first arm 531, the second arm 532, and the third arm 533 and the first ball 541, the second ball 542, and the third ball 543 so as not to interfere with each other. The first support pillars 661 and the second support pillars 662 are disposed at generally equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring portion 65, i.e., at intervals of generally 180° in the circumferential direction of the ring portion 65, and are disposed symmetrically on both sides of the rotation axis Z of the dial 51. The first support column 661 and the second support column 662 are formed separately from the ring column 65 and are connected to the ring column 65 by fastening them together with bolts or nuts.

[0070] (Explanation of Operation Mode of Steering Operation Input Device) Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an operation mode in which the operating hand H operates the steering operation input member 33 shown in Fig. 9, and shows a perspective view of the steering operation input member 33 as seen from the front. An example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 33 is shown below.

[0071] 10 , as an example of an operation mode of the steering operation input member 33 of the steering operation input device 1 by the operating hand H, the basic operating posture of the steering operation input member 33 is a state in which the palm of the operating hand H (the ball of the thumb and the ball of the little finger) and each of the fingers F1 to F5 are placed on the ring portion 65, and the palm of the operating hand H holds the third ball 543 in a neutral position. Note that, at this time, holding the first ball 541 between the thumb F1 and index finger F2 of the operating hand H in a pinched manner makes it easier to hold the dial 51 in the neutral position. Also, at this time, the second ball 542 may be sandwiched between the ring finger F4 and the little finger F5.

[0072] (Explanation of the operation method of the steering operation input device) Figure 11 shows a plan view of the steering operation input member 33 shown in Figure 9, showing the operation mode of the steering operation input member 33, (a) showing a straight-ahead state (including left and right steering states with small steering angles), (b) showing a right steering state with large steering angles, and (c) showing a left steering state with large steering angles.

[0073] 11A, for example, in a state where the pad of the operating hand H and the fingers F1 to F5 are in contact with the ring portion 65, the index finger F2 of the operating hand H is hooked on the first ball 541 and the ring finger F4 is hooked on the second ball 542 while holding the third ball 543 with the pad of the operating hand H. As a result, the dial 51 is held in the neutral position by the pad of the operating hand H, the index finger F2, and the ring finger F4.

[0074] Then, in a relatively small right steering operation, that is, a right steering operation with a small steering angle, in the straight-ahead posture, by sliding the palm of the hand leftward on the ring portion 65, the third ball 543 held by the palm rotates leftward (clockwise) as the operating hand H slides, thereby performing right steering with a small steering angle. As another operation, right steering with a small steering angle may be performed by pinching the first ball 541 between the thumb F1 and index finger F2 and rotating the first ball 541 rightward (clockwise).

[0075] Conversely, in a relatively small left steering operation, that is, a left steering operation with a small steering angle, in the straight-ahead posture, by sliding the palm of the hand to the right on the ring portion 65, the third ball 543 held by the palm rotates to the right (counterclockwise) as the operating hand H slides, thereby performing left steering with a small steering angle. As another operation, left steering with a small steering angle may also be performed by pinching the first ball 541 between the thumb F1 and index finger F2 and rotating the first ball 541 to the left (counterclockwise).

[0076] 11(b), for example, in a state where the pad of the operating hand H and the fingers F1 to F5 are in contact with the ring portion 65, the index finger F2 is hooked on the part of the first arm 531 on the side of the second arm 532 from the basic posture of the straight-ahead state shown in FIG. 11(a), and the index finger F2 is pulled toward the user (rearward). This causes the dial 51 together with the first arm 531 to rotate significantly to the right (clockwise), and a large steering angle is performed to steer right.

[0077] 11(c), for example, in a relatively large left steering operation, that is, a left steering operation with a large steering angle, with the palm of the operating hand H and the fingers F1 to F5 touching the ring portion 65, from the basic posture of the straight-ahead state shown in FIG. 11(a), the ring finger F4 is hooked on the part of the second arm 532 on the first arm 531 side and the ring finger F4 is pulled toward the user (rearward). This causes the dial 51 together with the second arm 532 to rotate largely to the left (counterclockwise), and a left steering operation with a large steering angle is performed.

[0078] (Action and effect of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the steering operation input member 33 has a rotating shaft 52 that rotates around an axis, and is configured so that the operating hand H can contact the operating unit 5 from one end side of the rotating shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 52, the operating unit 5 is a dial 51 that is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft 52 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 52 and rotates around the rotating shaft 52, and the fixing portion 6 (ring portion 65) is provided radially outward of the dial 51 when the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft 52 is defined as the radial direction.

[0079] As described above, according to this embodiment, the ring portion 65, which mainly constitutes the fixing portion 6, is provided radially outward of the dial 51. Therefore, it is possible to operate the dial with the operating hand H while supporting the operating hand H by placing the pad of the hand H on the ring portion 65. This makes it possible to operate the dial 51 without supporting the operating hand H with the support portion 62, as in the first embodiment, thereby reducing fatigue when operating the dial 51 and improving the operability of the steering operation input member 33.

[0080] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when a relatively large steering angle is applied, i.e., when operating at a large steering angle, the movable area of ​​the operating hand H (each of the fingers F1 to F5) can be expanded by sliding the pad of the hand over the ring portion 65, making it easy to perform the large steering angle operation.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the configurations and aspects exemplified in the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified depending on the specifications, cost, and the like of the steering operation input device 1 (steer-by-wire steering device SD) to which the present invention is applied, as long as the above-described operational effects of the present invention can be achieved. For example, with respect to the steering operation input member 3, the operation unit 5 may be formed as a so-called joystick type in which the rotation axis 52 can be tilted in a radial direction, rather than as a rotating body such as the dial 51 exemplified in the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, although not specifically illustrated, the steering operation input members 31 to 33 may be provided in locations other than the center console inside the vehicle cabin, such as the dashboard inside the vehicle cabin, a vehicle door (e.g., an armrest on the driver's side door), or a vehicle seat (e.g., an armrest on the driver's seat).

[0082] As a means for improving the operability of the steering operation input device 1, for example, it is conceivable to facilitate fine adjustment of the steering angle by setting hysteresis in the operation range of large steering angles. However, in this case, there is a technical problem that the operability decreases when operating in an operation range other than the large steering angles. Therefore, the present invention provides a fixed portion 6, which makes it possible to finely adjust the steering angle even in an operation range that cannot be covered by setting the hysteresis.

[0083] 1...Steering operation input device, 31, 32, 33...Steering operation input member, 4...Reaction force portion, 5...Operation portion, 51...Dial, 52...Rotation shaft, 6...Fixed portion, SD...Steer-by-wire type steering device, Z...Rotation axis,

Claims

1. A steering operation input device comprising: a steering operation input member to which a driver's steering operation is input; and a reaction force section that applies a reaction force in a direction in which the steering operation input member returns to a neutral position, wherein the steering operation input member has: an operation section that is steered when a steering angle is applied to the wheels of a vehicle; and a fixed section that is fixedly provided at a position different from the operation section and does not move in response to the driver's steering operation, and wherein when the driver operates the operation section, the fixed section comes into contact with the driver's operating hand during the operation.

2. A steering operation input device as described in claim 1, wherein the steering operation input member has a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis line, and is configured so that the operating hand can contact the operating unit from one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the operating unit is a dial that is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and rotates around the rotating shaft, and the fixed portion is provided on the other end side of the rotating shaft relative to the dial in the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

3. A steering operation input device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft is defined as the diameter direction, the dial and the fixed portion are formed so as to extend radially outward from the rotating shaft, and the fixed portion is approximately the same shape as the dial.

4. A steering operation input device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fixing part that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand is different from the surface roughness of the outer surface of the operating part that comes into contact with the driver's operating hand.

5. A steering operation input device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the surface roughness of the outer surface of the operating part is set relatively coarse compared to the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fixed part.

6. A steering operation input device as described in claim 1, wherein the steering operation input member has a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis line, and is configured so that the operating hand can contact the operating unit from one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the operating unit is a dial that is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and rotates around the rotating shaft, and the fixed portion is provided further on the one end side of the rotating shaft than the dial in the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

7. A steering operation input device as described in claim 1, wherein the steering operation input member has a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis line, and is configured so that the operating hand can contact the operating unit from one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the operating unit is a dial that is provided on one end side of the rotating shaft in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and rotates around the rotating shaft, and the fixed portion is provided radially outward of the dial when the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft is defined as the radial direction.

8. A steer-by-wire type steering device comprising the steering operation input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images