steering wheel

Abstract

The invention provides a steering wheel comprising a steering wheel rim and a steering wheel center portion, the steering wheel rim being movable relative to the steering wheel center portion and mounted to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation, the steering wheel center portion being provided with a first track and a second track, and the steering wheel rim comprising a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion that are movable in the first track and the second track, respectively, wherein at least one of the first track and the second track comprises a change section, the direction of extension of the at least one of the first track and the second track changing at the change section, such that at the change section a movement of the first protruding portion along the first track and / or a movement of the second protruding portion along the second track is transformed into a rotation of the steering wheel rim about a second axis of rotation, and the second axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle control mechanisms, and more specifically, to a steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles typically adjust their desired direction via their front wheels. The driver sets the desired direction using the steering wheel. This is done by rotating the rim of the steering wheel, causing the front wheels to point in the desired direction. The rim of the steering wheel is usually positioned in front of the driver's chest, allowing for relatively easy gripping. However, this positioning also restricts the driver's freedom of movement, making it difficult or only relatively awkward for the driver to turn laterally within the seat. Furthermore, this also negatively impacts the driver's entry and exit from the vehicle.

[0003] Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly automated, enabling them to move autonomously. Accordingly, different levels of automation are defined for each vehicle. Starting with Level 3, which corresponds to high automation, the driver no longer needs to constantly monitor the various systems used to control the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can shift their attention to things of interest or take a break. In this scenario, it is desirable for the steering wheel rim to be recessed to provide the driver with more space and greater comfort.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to provide a steering wheel that can be stored with a simple structure and low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a steering wheel that can be stored with a simple structure and low cost.

[0006] The present invention provides a steering wheel including a steering wheel rim and a steering wheel center portion, wherein the steering wheel rim is movable relative to the steering wheel center portion, and the steering wheel rim is mounted to be rotatable about a first rotation axis.

[0007] The steering wheel has a first rail and a second rail at its center; and

[0008] The steering wheel rim includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that are respectively movable in the first track and the second track;

[0009] Wherein, at least one of the first track and the second track includes a changing section, and the extension direction of at least one of the first track and the second track changes at the changing section, such that at the changing section, the movement of the first protrusion along the first track and / or the movement of the second protrusion along the second track is transformed into the rotation of the steering wheel rim about a second rotation axis, and the second rotation axis is perpendicular to the first rotation axis.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the first track and the second track changes at the changing section.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first track and the second track is configured as a straight track, and the other is configured to have a straight track section and the variable section.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed on the spokes connecting the steering wheel rim and the center portion of the steering wheel.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a steering column housing connected axially to one end of the center portion of the steering wheel, and the first rail and the second rail extend to the steering column housing.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the variable section is disposed at at least one end of the first track or the second track.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the steering wheel rim includes a missing portion, and the missing portion abuts against the center portion of the steering wheel or the steering column housing when the steering wheel rim rotates about the second rotation axis.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axis of the center portion of the steering wheel and the axis of the steering column housing both coincide with the first rotation axis.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the changing segment is configured as an arc segment.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the number of spokes and the number of missing portions are both set to two, and the straight line defined by the two spokes is perpendicular to the straight line defined by the two missing portions. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figures 1-4 A steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0020] Figures 5-7 A steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0021] Figures 8-9 A steering wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0022] Figure 10 A steering wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details specific embodiments of the steering wheel according to the present invention. The detailed description and drawings below are provided to exemplify the principles of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the described preferred embodiments, and the scope of protection of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0024] Furthermore, spatially related terms (such as "up," "down," "left," and "right") are used to describe the relative positional relationship between elements shown in the accompanying drawings and other elements. Therefore, spatially related terms can be applied to directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings. Clearly, while all these spatially related terms refer to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings for ease of explanation, those skilled in the art will understand that directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings can be used.

[0025] It is understood that the steering wheel of the present invention is applicable to vehicles to control the driving direction of the vehicle.

[0026] Figures 1-4 A steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Reference is made below. Figures 1-4 A steering wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a steering wheel 100, which includes a steering wheel rim 110 and a steering wheel center portion 120. The steering wheel rim 110 is movable relative to the steering wheel center portion 120. It should be noted that the movement of the steering wheel rim 110 relative to the steering wheel center portion 120 includes the ability of the steering wheel rim 110 to move relative to the steering wheel center portion 120 at... Figure 1 The steering wheel rim 110 can rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the steering wheel rim 110 can be longitudinally translated relative to the steering wheel center portion 120. Furthermore, the steering wheel rim 110 is mounted to be rotatable about a first rotation axis A1, allowing the driver to control the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0028] The following is for reference Figure 2 The steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention will continue to be described.

[0029] like Figure 2As shown, the steering wheel rim 110 includes two spokes 1103 integrally formed therewith. These two spokes 1103 are arranged on the same straight line at a 180-degree interval, and are located between the steering wheel rim 110 and the steering wheel center portion 120 to connect the steering wheel rim 110 and the steering wheel center portion 120. Furthermore, the steering wheel rim 110 includes a first protrusion 1101 and a second protrusion 1102, which are movable in a first track and a second track of the steering wheel center portion 120, respectively, as will be described in detail below. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 1101 and the second protrusion 1102 are disposed on the spokes 1103 connecting the steering wheel rim 110 and the steering wheel center portion 120, and these two protrusions are located on the end face of the spokes 110 facing the steering wheel center portion 120. Those skilled in the art will understand that, although the steering wheel rim is described in the above embodiments as having two spokes integrally formed therewith and two protrusions disposed on the spokes, this is merely an example. The steering wheel of the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be configured differently according to actual circumstances (e.g., taking into account the user's personalized needs for space utilization). For example, only one spoke may be provided, or the protrusions may be disposed at positions other than the end face of the spoke facing the center of the steering wheel, or even directly disposed on the steering wheel rim.

[0030] The following is for reference Figure 3 The steering wheel according to the first embodiment of the present invention will continue to be described.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, a first track 1201 and a second track 1202 are provided on the center portion 120 of the steering wheel. As mentioned above, the first protrusion 1101 and the second protrusion 1102 of the steering wheel rim 110 are respectively movable within the first track 1201 and the second track 1202 of the center portion 120 of the steering wheel. Specifically, both the first track 1201 and the second track 1202 extend only on the center portion 120 of the steering wheel and do not extend into the steering column housing 130. Among the first track 1201 and the second track 1202, the second track 1202 is configured as a straight track, and the extension direction of the second track 1202 is parallel to the first rotation axis A1. Furthermore, the first track 1201 is configured to have a straight track section at the right end and a variable section 1201A at the left end. In this embodiment, the changing section 1201A is set to be arc-shaped, and the arc is centered on the left end point of the second track 1202. Therefore, the extension direction of the first track 1201 changes at the changing section 1201A. At the same time, the distance between the first track 1201 and the second track 1202 also changes at the changing section 1201A. Specifically, the distance between the two decreases at the changing section 1201A.

[0032] Therefore, when the first protrusion 1101 of the steering wheel rim 110 moves at the changing section 1201A of the first track 1201 of the steering wheel center portion 120, the movement trajectory of the first protrusion 1101 (coinciding with the changing section 1201A) is an arc centered on the left end point of the second track 1202. Correspondingly, the steering wheel rim 110 rotates around a second rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1 and passes through the left end point of the second track 1202. In this case, when the first protrusion 1101 moves along the first track 1201, at the changing section 1201A of the first track 1201, the movement of the first protrusion 1101 along the first track 1201 is transformed into rotation of the steering wheel rim around the second rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1.

[0033] When the steering wheel needs to be stowed, the first protrusion 1101 is moved from the left end to the right end of the changing section 1201A. At this time, the steering wheel rim 110 rotates around the second rotation axis. Then, the first protrusion 1101 and the second protrusion 1102 move along the first track 1201 and the second track 1202 respectively, causing the steering wheel rim 110 to move longitudinally in the center portion 120 of the steering wheel, until the first protrusion 1101 and the second protrusion 1102 move to the right end of their respective tracks. At this point, the steering wheel rim 110 enters the stowed state. Figure 4 As shown. Therefore, the steering wheel rim 110 is composed of... Figure 1 The first state shown enters by Figure 4 The second state shown is in which, in the first state, the driver controls the vehicle's direction of travel by operating the steering wheel rim 110 to rotate it around the first rotation axis A1. In the second state, the steering wheel rim 110 is in a retracted state and is not used to control the vehicle's direction of travel. At this time, the driver does not need to be involved in driving the vehicle at all times, so the driver can shift his attention to things he is interested in or take a rest. In this case, the retracted steering wheel rim can provide the driver with more space and greater comfort.

[0034] It should be noted that in the steering wheel of the present invention, the steering wheel rim 110 is not limited to being able to be positioned relative to the center portion 120 of the steering wheel. Figure 1 Rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow. For example, the first and second tracks in this embodiment can be interchanged so that the steering wheel rim can rotate relative to the center of the steering wheel. Figure 1The steering wheel of the present invention rotates in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow; and the steering wheel of the present invention is not limited to the first track 1201 and the second track 1202 specifically described in the above embodiments. The distance between the first track and the second track is not limited to changing at the changing section. For example, a segment of the left end of the second track 1202 in the above embodiments can be set as an arc, and the arc and the changing section 1201A of the first track 1201 are arranged as two concentric arcs; as another example, the changing section in the above embodiments can be set at the right end of the first track.

[0035] Therefore, in the steering wheel of the present invention, by providing a changing section on the center portion of the steering wheel, the extension direction of at least one of the first and second tracks changes at the changing section. This causes the movement of only the first protrusion along the first track, or only the second protrusion along the second track, or both the first and second protrusions along the first and second tracks, to be converted into rotation of the steering wheel rim at the changing section, thereby retracting the steering wheel rim. Therefore, in the steering wheel of the present invention, rotation of the steering wheel rim can be achieved simply by driving the two protrusions to move along the two tracks respectively. Furthermore, by setting the extension direction of the tracks, the position of the steering wheel rim relative to the center portion of the steering wheel can be controlled; in other words, the degree of retraction of the steering wheel rim can be controlled, facilitating personalized design for the user. Therefore, the present invention provides a retractable steering wheel with a simple structure and low cost.

[0036] Other embodiments of the steering wheel of the present invention are described below.

[0037] Figures 5-7 A steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Reference is made below. Figures 5-7 A steering wheel according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. It should be noted that the following description mainly focuses on the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment; similarities will not be described to avoid redundancy.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the steering wheel rim 110' includes a missing portion 110'A, and this missing portion 110'A abuts against the steering column housing 130 when the steering wheel rim 110 rotates about the second rotation axis (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown).

[0039] like Figure 6As shown, a first track 1201' and a second track 1202 are provided on the center part 120' of the steering wheel. Specifically, in the first track 1201' and the second track 1202, the second track 1202 is set as a straight track, and the first track 1201' is set as having two changing sections 1201'A and 1201'B at the left end and the right end, and a straight track section located between the two changing sections. In this embodiment, the two variable segments 1201'A and 1201'B are set as arcs, and these two arcs are centered at the left and right endpoints of the second track, respectively. Therefore, the extension direction of the first track 1201' changes at the two variable segments 1201'A and 1201'B. The distance between the first track 1201' and the second track 1202 also changes at the variable segments 1201'A and 1201'B. Specifically, the distance between the two decreases at the variable segment 1201'A, while at the variable segment 1201'B, the endpoint of the first track 1201' is on the same straight line as the second track 1202 but is separated from the right endpoint of the second track 1202 by a certain distance. It should be noted that the change in distance between the first and second tracks mentioned in this article at the changing section can be understood as the different distances between two different points in the changing section on one track and the other track, causing the two tracks to extend in a manner that is either closer to or farther from each other at the changing section. Therefore, in this embodiment, at the changing section 1201'B, the distance between the first track 1201' and the second track 1202 can be understood as decreasing, causing the two tracks to extend in a manner that is closer to each other at this changing section. Figure 1 It extends to the right side of the middle.

[0040] Therefore, when the first protrusion 1101 of the steering wheel rim 110' moves at the changing section 1201'A of the first track 1201' of the steering wheel center portion 120', the trajectory of the first protrusion 1101 is an arc centered on the left end of the second track 1202. Correspondingly, the steering wheel rim 110' rotates for the first time around a second rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1 and passes through the left end of the second track 1202. When the first protrusion 1101 of the steering wheel rim 110' moves at the changing section 1201'B of the first track 1201' of the steering wheel center portion 120', the trajectory of the first protrusion 1101 is an arc centered on the right end of the second track 1202. Correspondingly, the steering wheel rim 110' rotates for the second time around a second rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1 and passes through the right end of the second track. In this case, when the first protrusion 1101 moves along the first track 1201', at the changing sections 1201'A and 1201'B of the first track 1201', the movement of the first protrusion 1101' along the first track 1201' is transformed into two rotations of the steering wheel rim 110' around two different second rotation axes, and both of the different second rotation axes are perpendicular to the first rotation axis A1.

[0041] When the steering wheel needs to be stowed, the first protrusion 1101 moves from the left end point of the changing section 1201'A to the right end point. At this time, the steering wheel rim 110' rotates for the first time around the second rotation axis. Then, the first protrusion 1101 and the second protrusion 1102 move along the first track 1201' and the second track 1202 respectively, causing the steering wheel rim 110' to move longitudinally in the center portion 120 of the steering wheel. Then, when the first protrusion 1101 moves from the left end point of the changing section 1201'B to the right end point, the steering wheel rim 110' rotates for the second time around the second rotation axis. After the second rotation is completed, the steering wheel rim 110' enters the stowed state. Figure 7 As shown. Therefore, the steering wheel rim 110' is made of a material similar to... Figure 1 The first state shown enters by Figure 7 The second state is shown. Compared to the first embodiment, since the right end point of the first track 1201' and the second track 1202 are arranged on the same straight line, the retracted steering wheel rim 110' is positioned relative to the steering wheel center 120'. Figure 1 The steering wheel is rotated further in the direction of the arrow, making the space occupied by the folded steering wheel rim even smaller.

[0042] Figures 8-9 A steering wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Reference is made below. Figures 8-9A steering wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described. It should be noted that the following description mainly focuses on the differences between the third embodiment and the second embodiment; similarities will not be described to avoid redundancy.

[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, the steering wheel rim 110” includes missing portions 110”A and 110”B, and these missing portions 110”A and 110”B respectively abut against the steering column housing 130 and the steering wheel center portion 120 when the steering wheel rim 110” rotates around the second rotation axis. Figure 9 (As shown). Specifically, the straight line defined by the two spokes 1103 is perpendicular to the straight line defined by the missing parts 110”A and 110”B.

[0044] It is understood that in the second embodiment, when the first protrusion 1101 moves from the left end point to the right end point of the changing section 1201'B, the steering wheel rim 110' rotates a second time around the second rotation axis, causing the steering wheel rim 110 to enter a retracted state. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the two protrusions can move further along two tracks respectively, so that the left end of the steering wheel rim 110' does not extend beyond the left end face of the steering wheel center portion 120'. Thus, the steering wheel rim 110' is similar to... Figure 1 The first state shown enters by Figure 9 The second state is shown. Compared with the second embodiment, since the left end of the steering wheel rim 110” does not extend beyond the left end face of the steering wheel center portion 120”, the space occupied by the retracted steering wheel rim is smaller.

[0045] Figure 10 A steering wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Reference is made below. Figure 10 A steering wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described. It should be noted that the following description mainly focuses on the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment; similarities will not be described to avoid redundancy.

[0046] like Figure 10 As shown, unlike the first embodiment, in this embodiment, both the first and second tracks extend from the center portion 120 of the steering wheel until they reach one axial end of the center portion 120 of the steering wheel. Figure 10 The steering column housing 130 is connected to the right end of the steering column. In this case, the vehicle can operate in autonomous driving mode, controlling the vehicle's direction of travel through a steer-by-wire system instead of the steering wheel. Moreover, the steering column housing 130 can be retracted while the steering wheel is being stored.

[0047] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the axis of the steering wheel center portion 120 and the axis of the steering column housing 130 can be configured to coincide with the first rotation axis A1.

[0048] It should be noted that although the above embodiments are all described as a segment in the form of an arc, the steering wheel of the present invention is not limited to this. Those skilled in the art can design the segment in other forms according to the actual situation, such as a segment composed of multiple arcs or other curved shapes.

[0049] As mentioned above, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') comprising a steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') and a steering wheel center portion (120, 120', 120''), the steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') being movable relative to the steering wheel center portion (120, 120', 120''), and the steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') being mounted to be rotatable about a first rotation axis (A1). Its features are, The steering wheel center section (120, 120', 120'') is provided with a first rail (1201, 1201') and a second rail (1202); and The steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') includes a first protrusion (1101) and a second protrusion (1102) that are respectively movable in the first track (1201, 1201') and the second track (1202). Wherein, at least one of the first track (1201, 1201') and the second track (1202) includes a changing section (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B), and the extending direction of at least one of the first track (1201, 1201') and the second track (1202) changes at the changing section (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B), such that at the changing section (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B), the first protrusion (1101) along... The movement of the first track (1201, 1201'A) and / or the movement of the second protrusion (1102) along the second track (1202) is transformed into the rotation of the steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') about the second rotation axis, and the second rotation axis is perpendicular to the first rotation axis (A1), and the distance between the first track (1201, 1201') and the second track (1202) changes at the changing section (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B).

2. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 1, wherein, One of the first track (1201, 1201') and the second track (1202) is configured as a straight track, and the other is configured to have a straight track section and the variable section (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B).

3. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 2, wherein, The first protrusion (1101) and the second protrusion (1102) are disposed on the spokes (1103) that connect the steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') and the steering wheel center (120, 120', 120'').

4. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 3, wherein, It also includes a steering column housing (130) axially connected to one end of the center portion (120, 120', 120'') of the steering wheel, and the first rail (1201, 1201') and the second rail (1202) extend to the steering column housing (130).

5. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 4, wherein, The variable sections (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B) are disposed at at least one end of the first track (1201, 1201') or the second track (1202).

6. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 5, wherein, The steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') includes a missing portion (110'A, 110''A, 110''B), and the missing portion (110'A, 110''A, 110''B) abuts against the steering wheel center portion (120, 120', 120'') or the steering column housing (130) when the steering wheel rim (110, 110', 110'') rotates about the second rotation axis.

7. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 6, wherein, The axes of the center portion (120, 120', 120'') of the steering wheel and the axis of the steering column housing (130) are both coincident with the first rotation axis (A1).

8. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 7, wherein, The variable segments (1201A, 1201'A, 1201'B) are set as arc segments.

9. The steering wheel (100, 100', 100'') according to claim 8, wherein, The number of spokes (1103) and the number of missing parts (110'A, 110''A, 110''B) are both set to two, and the straight line defined by the two spokes (1103) is perpendicular to the straight line defined by the two missing parts (110'A, 110''A, 110''B).

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