Steering input member, steering input device, and steering device

Abstract

Provided are a steering operation input member, a steering operation input device, and a steering device with which operability can be improved. The steering operation input member includes: a shaft that rotates about an axis; a dial provided on the shaft; and a first arm and a second arm connected to the shaft and having a length from a rotation center of the shaft different from the dial.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering operation input component, a steering operation input device and a steering device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dial-type steering device that can be rotated and operated by a driver with one hand.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent document 1: (Japanese) Patent Publication No. 2020-172135. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the driver is required to operate the entire steering angle range only by the steering operation, it is desired to improve the operability.

[0008] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a steering operation input member, a steering operation input device, and a steering device capable of improving operability.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] A steering operation input component according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis; a first operating portion that is provided on the rotating shaft; and a second operating portion that is connected to the rotating shaft and has a different length from the rotation center of the rotating shaft than the first operating portion.

[0011] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the driver can perform operations by distinguishing between the first operating unit and the second operating unit, operability can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the operation method of the steering operation input member 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the steering operation input member 2 according to the second embodiment as viewed from above.

[0016] Figure 5This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the third embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the fifth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] [Implementation Method 1]

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] The steering system 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called steer-by-wire type steering system in which a steering operation input member 2 and a rack bar (steering shaft) 3 are mechanically separated.

[0022] The steering system 1 includes a steering operation input device 4 and a steering device 5 .

[0023] The steering operation input device 4 includes a steering operation input member 2 , a steering angle sensor 6 , and a steering ECU (output unit) 7 .

[0024] The steering operation input member 2 inputs the driver's steering operation, and includes a dial 8, a first arm 9, a second arm 10, an arm 11 for adjusting a minute steering angle, and a rotating shaft (hereinafter referred to as shaft 18). The dial 8 or the arm 11 for adjusting a minute steering angle is a first operating unit that performs a steering operation when a first steering angle is given to the front wheel 13. On the other hand, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are second operating units that perform a steering operation when a second steering angle greater than the first steering angle is given to the front wheel 13. The detailed structure of the steering operation input member 2 will be described later. The steering angle sensor 6 detects the steering angle (operation amount) of the steering operation input member 2, specifically, the rotation angle of the steering operation input member 2. The steering ECU 7 outputs a steering command based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 6 to the steering ECU 16 of the steering device 5 described later. The steering command is set to a value proportional to the steering angle of the steering operation input member 2, for example.

[0025] The steering device 5 includes a rack bar 3, a tie rod 12, a front wheel (wheel) 13, a rack bar position sensor 14, a steering motor (steering actuator) 15, and a steering ECU 16. The rack bar 3 can move in the vehicle width direction, and the front wheel 13 is steered via the tie rod 12 as it moves. The rack bar position sensor 14 detects the position of the rack bar 3, and outputs a steering angle signal corresponding to the detected position to the steering ECU 16. The steering angle (steering angle) of the front wheel 13 is uniquely determined by the position of the rack bar 3, and therefore the steering angle signal is a signal related to the steering angle of the front wheel 13. The steering motor 15 applies thrust to the rack bar 3 based on a drive command from the steering ECU 16.

[0026] The steering ECU 16 generates a driving command for driving the steering motor 15 based on the steering command and various signals from the external sensor 17, and outputs the driving command to the steering motor 15. The external sensor 17 may be, for example, a vehicle speed sensor, and the steering command is corrected to be smaller as the vehicle speed increases.

[0027] Next, combine Figure 2 , the structure of the steering operation input device 4 is described in detail. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0028] The steering operation input component 2 of the first embodiment is provided on the center console CC. The dial 8 rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction and parallel to the axis 18. Hereinafter, the direction along the axis 18 is defined as the x-axis, the vertically upward direction in the x-axis direction is defined as the x-axis positive direction, and the vertically downward direction is defined as the x-axis negative direction. Furthermore, the radial direction relative to the axis 18 is defined as the radial direction, and the direction around the axis 18 is defined as the circumferential direction.

[0029] The dial 8 is provided on the shaft 18, and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a placement portion 19 and a side portion 20. The placement portion 19 expands radially outward from the shaft 18, and can place the driver's hand. The placement portion 19 is formed flat, and its diameter is, for example, 50 mm. The side portion 20 extends from the radial outer side of the placement portion 19 to the negative direction of the x-axis. The side portion 20 is divided into two parts, an upper part 20a and a lower part 20b, in the x-axis direction. The upper part 20a and the lower part 20b of the side portion 20 rotate integrally with the shaft 18. It should be noted that the dial 8 can be formed integrally with the shaft 18. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are connected to the shaft 18, and extend radially outward from the lower part 20b. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 have the same shape. It should be noted that the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 can be connected to the shaft 18 via the lower part 20b as in the first embodiment, or can be connected to the shaft 18 without being connected to the shaft 18 via the lower part 20b.

[0030] The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are arranged at positions symmetrical to the left and right of the dial 8 when the dial 8 is in the neutral position. The neutral position of the dial 8 refers to the rotation position of the dial 8 corresponding to the zero steering angle of the front wheel 13 when the vehicle is traveling straight. It should be noted that the play (steering insensitive range) can also be set within a range of several degrees to the left and right from the neutral position of the dial 8. The steering operation input component 2 is always applied toward the neutral position. That is, when the driver operates the steering operation input component 2, a steering reaction force is always generated. As a generating mechanism for the steering reaction force (action force), a motor or a spring can be used. It should be noted that the steering operation input component 2 can be rotated to the left and right by about 180° from the neutral position. When the rotation angle of the steering operation input component 2 is the maximum (approximately equal to 180°), the front wheel 13 becomes the maximum steering angle (maximum steering angle). Here, when the first steering angle and the second steering angle are given as examples, the first steering angle refers to the steering angle at which the front wheel 13 is actually steered when the dial 8 is rotated to a level above the steering insensitive range, for example, when the steering insensitive range is set. This is the case when the angle at which the dial 8 is rotated is small (fine adjustment is performed). In addition, the second steering angle is larger than the first steering angle and refers to the case when the front wheel 13 is steered.

[0031] The arm 11 for adjusting the micro-steering angle is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the dial 8 when the dial 8 is in the neutral position. The arm 11 for adjusting the micro-steering angle can also be used when applying the first steering angle to the front wheel 13. The shape of the arm 11 for adjusting the micro-steering angle can also be the same as the shape of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10. In the case of the first embodiment of the same shape, each arm 9, 10, 11 is arranged at equal intervals (120 degree intervals) in the circumferential direction. The length and height (position in the x-axis direction) of each arm 9, 10, 11 are the same. Balls 21, 22, 23 are installed at the front end of each arm 9, 10, 11. Each ball 21, 22, 23 has the same shape and is formed to a size that the driver can pinch with his fingers (for example, about 28 mm). The radial length of each arm 9, 10, 11 is set to 40 to 50 mm.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the operation method of the steering operation input member 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), when driving straight and when the steering operation is performed to apply the first steering angle to the front wheel 13 (when operating at a small steering angle), the dial 8 or the rear ball 23 is operated. The dial 8 is operated by rotating the wrist, and the rear ball 23 is operated by moving the wrist left and right. At this time, by placing the finger on the front side of the dial 8 and between the first arm 9 and the second arm 10, it is prepared to switch to the middle steering angle operation described later.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown in FIG. 2( b), during the steering operation of applying the second steering angle to the front wheel 13 (during the middle steering angle operation), Figure 3 In the state (a), the fingers on standby are moved to the first arm 9 or the second arm 10, and two fingers are used to pull the first arm 9 or the second arm 10. In the case of right turning, the first arm 9 is pulled by the index finger and the middle finger, and in the case of left turning, the second arm 10 is pulled by the ring finger and the little finger.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown in (c), when the second steering angle is applied to the front wheel 13, that is, when a steering operation is performed with a larger steering angle (large steering angle operation), the Figure 3 In the state (b), the right ball 21 or the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 or the second arm 10 is pinched and pulled.

[0036] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0037] As a new control device replacing the existing steering wheel, a dial-type steering device is known. Since the dial cannot be operated by hand, the operating angle range has to be reduced. When the steering gear ratio is increased, the vehicle behavior becomes too sensitive to the steering operation, so a certain degree of proficiency is required for driving. In addition, when the dial is operated by hand, the vehicle behavior may be affected when the hand is operated. Therefore, it is required to improve the operability.

[0038] In contrast, the steering device 1 of the first embodiment can continuously continue the operation by touching the second operating part different from the first operating part when the driver wants to perform the steering operation beyond the movable range of the driver's wrist. Moreover, compared with the case where the entire steering angle range is operated only by the conventional dial, the operating angle range can be set larger, thereby preventing the vehicle behavior from becoming too sensitive to the steering operation, and since the driver can distinguish between the first operating part and the second operating part for operation according to the desired steering angle, the operability can be improved.

[0039] The first operating part includes a dial 8 that rotates around an axis 18, and the second operating part includes a first arm 9 and a second arm 10 that are operated to steer the vehicle with a greater amplitude than the dial 8. The dial 8 is easy to fine-tune in a small steering angle operation area. On the other hand, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 can be quickly and stably operated using multiple fingers in a medium / large steering angle operation area. Thus, by selectively using the dial 8 and the arms 9 and 10 according to the size of the steering angle, operability can be improved.

[0040] The dial 8 includes a placement portion 19 that expands radially outward from the shaft 18 and can place the driver's hand, and a side portion 20 that extends from the radial outer side of the placement portion 19 in the x-axis direction. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 extend radially outward from the dial 8, respectively. Thus, by placing the hand on the placement portion 19 in the micro-steering angle operation area, the dial 8 can be operated in a comfortable posture by rotating the wrist, thereby improving operability. In addition, by placing the fingers on the arms 9 and 10 extending from the dial 8 and preparing to switch to a medium steering angle operation, a smooth operation change from a micro-steering angle to a medium / large steering angle can be achieved, thereby improving operability.

[0041] When the dial 8 is in the neutral position, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are arranged at left-right symmetrical positions with respect to the dial 8. By arranging the two arms 9 and 10 from the position of the dial 8, etc., the operability is further improved.

[0042] The first operating portion may also include a minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 extending radially outward from the dial 8, and when the dial 8 is in the neutral position, the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the dial 8. Thus, in the minute steering angle operation area, the wrist is placed on the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11, and the steering operation can be performed in a comfortable posture by moving the wrist left and right, thereby improving operability.

[0043] The first arm 9, the second arm 10, and the arm 11 for adjusting the micro-steering angle have balls 21, 22, and 23 that the driver can pinch with his fingers. Thus, in the large steering angle operation area, by pinching the right ball 21 or the left ball 22, a larger operation can be performed, and the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 become easy to rotate. In addition, the hand-over operation can be smoothly performed from the dial operation, so the operability during the large steering angle operation can be improved. In addition, the arm 11 for adjusting the micro-steering angle has a rear ball 23, so that the placement of the wrist becomes easy, and since the wrist is fixed, it becomes easy to further fine-tune the operation using the wrist.

[0044] [Implementation Method 2]

[0045] The basic structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the steering operation input member 2 according to the second embodiment as viewed from above.

[0047] The steering operation input member 2 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the rear ball 23 has a larger diameter than the right ball 21 and the left ball 22. The first ball 21 and the second ball 22 have the same shape.

[0048] In the second embodiment, by distinguishing the right ball 21 and the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 from the rear ball 23 of the micro-steering angle adjustment arm 11, the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2 can be easily perceived intuitively. In addition, by increasing the diameter of the rear ball 23, the wrist can be easily placed on the rear ball 23, and the wrist can be easily fixed.

[0049] [Implementation Method 3]

[0050] The basic structure of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the third embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0052] The steering operation input component 2 of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the position of each arm 9, 10, 11 in the x-axis direction can be arbitrarily set. Long holes 24 extending in the x-axis direction are formed on the side surface 20 of the dial 8 and at positions corresponding to each arm 9, 10, 11. The position of each arm 9, 10, 11 in the x-axis direction relative to the dial 8 can be arbitrarily set within a prescribed range (within the length range of the long hole 24). It should be noted that in the third embodiment, the arm 11 for fine steering angle adjustment is set at a position closer to the positive direction side of the x-axis (vertically above the first arm 9 and the second arm 10).

[0053] In the steering operation input member 2 of the third embodiment, the mounting position of each ball 21, 22, 23 in the x-axis direction can be arbitrarily changed, and each ball 21, 22, 23 can be set at a desired height according to the driver, thereby improving operability.

[0054] The rear ball 23 of the third embodiment is located vertically above the right ball 21 and the left ball 22. By making the right ball 21 and the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 different from the rear ball 23 of the micro-steering angle adjustment arm 11, the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2 can be easily perceived intuitively. In addition, if the rear ball 23 is further set at a position closer to the x-axis direction side (vertically above the side) than the placement portion 19, it is easy to place the wrist on the rear ball 23 and fix the wrist.

[0055] [Implementation Method 4]

[0056] The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0057] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0058] The steering operation input member 2 of the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the arms 9, 10, 11 are not arranged at equal intervals (120 degree pitches) in the circumferential direction. The arms 9, 10, 11 and the balls 21, 22, 23 have the same shape.

[0059] The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are located at left-right symmetrical positions relative to the dial 8 when the dial 8 is located at the neutral position, but their configuration positions are different. When the center points of the balls 21, 22, and 23 are connected, they are configured to draw an isosceles triangle in a plane including these three center points.

[0060] In the fourth embodiment, by changing the arrangement positions of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10, the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2 can be easily perceived intuitively. Moreover, for example, when the driver places his hand on the placement portion 19, the driver's fingers can be placed on both the first arm 9 and the second arm 10. In this case, regardless of the position of the driver's wrist, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are always in contact with the driver's fingers, so that the direction in which the steering operation input member 2 is facing (how much operation amount is given) can be easily perceived intuitively, and the direction in which the vehicle is moving can be recognized.

[0061] The basic structure of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0062] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 according to the fifth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle.

[0063] The steering operation input member 2 of the fifth embodiment includes a dial 8 as a first operating portion and a third arm 25 as a second operating portion. When the dial 8 is in a neutral position, the third arm 25 is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the dial 8. A rear ball 26 is attached to the front end of the third arm 25. The rear ball 26 is formed to a size that the driver can hold with his fingers.

[0064] The operation method of the steering operation input component 2 of the fifth embodiment is explained. When driving straight and operating at a small steering angle, the dial 8 is rotated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When operating at a medium steering angle, for example, the third arm 25 is rotated by placing the thumb on the third arm 25 and performing a push operation. When operating at a large steering angle, the third arm 25 is rotated by pinching the rear ball 26. Therefore, when the driver wants to perform a steering operation in a movable area exceeding the driver's wrist, the operation can be continued continuously by touching the second operating part different from the first operating part. Moreover, compared with the case where the entire steering angle area is operated only by the existing dial, the operating angle area can be set larger, thereby preventing the vehicle behavior from becoming too sensitive to the steering operation, and since the driver can distinguish between the first operating part and the second operating part for operation according to the desired steering angle, the operability can be improved.

[0065] [Other implementation methods]

[0066] Although the embodiments for implementing the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments, and the present invention is intended to include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

[0067] For example, in the first embodiment, the steering operation input device is provided on the center console, but the steering operation input device can be set at any position as long as it is a position that the driver can operate.

[0068] The placement portion of the dial may be set to be convex.

[0069] When the driver operates the dial, only the upper member of the side surface portion rotates relative to the transmission shaft, and when the driver operates the arm, the upper member and the lower member rotate integrally relative to the transmission shaft.

[0070] The ball may be configured to be rotatable relative to the arm about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the dial.

[0071] Furthermore, the first arm 9, the second arm 10, the arm 11 for fine steering angle adjustment, and the third arm 25 can be extended in any direction. In particular, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the arm 11 for fine steering angle adjustment and the third arm 25 are extended to the rear of the vehicle relative to the dial 8, but they may be extended to the front of the vehicle relative to the dial 8. In this case, it is easy to recognize the direction of travel of the vehicle during fine steering.

[0072] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may include various modified examples. For example, the above-mentioned embodiments are described in detail to make the present invention easy to understand, but are not limited to necessarily including all the described structures. In addition, a part of the structure of a certain embodiment may be replaced with the structure of other embodiments, and the structure of other embodiments may be added to the structure of a certain embodiment. In addition, for a part of the structure of each embodiment, other structures may be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0073] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-193901, filed on December 5, 2022. This application refers to and cites the entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-193901, filed on December 5, 2022, including the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract.

[0074] Description of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1. Steering device; 2. Steering operation input component; 3. Rack rod (steering shaft); 4. Steering operation input device; 7. Steering ECU (output part); 8. Dial (first operating part); 9. First arm (second operating part); 10. Second arm (second operating part); 11. Arm for fine steering angle adjustment; 13. Front wheel (wheel); 15. Steering motor (steering actuator); 18. Shaft (rotating shaft); 19. Placement part; 20. Side part; 21. Right ball; 22. Left ball; 23. Rear ball.

Claims

1. A steering operation input component for inputting a driver's steering operation, characterized in that: have: a rotary shaft, which rotates about an axis; A first operating part, which is disposed on the rotating shaft; The second operating part is connected to the rotating shaft and has a length from the rotating center of the rotating shaft different from that of the first operating part.

2. The steering operation input member according to claim 1, wherein: The first operating unit is operated for steering when a first steering angle is applied to the wheel. The second operating unit is operated for steering when a second steering angle greater than the first steering angle is applied to the wheel.

3. The steering operation input member according to claim 2, wherein: The first operating part has a dial that rotates around the rotation axis. The second operating portion includes a first arm and a second arm that are operated to steer with a greater amplitude than the dial.

4. The steering operation input member according to claim 3, wherein: When the direction along the rotation axis is defined as the axial direction, The dial has: A placement portion, which extends from the rotating shaft to the radially outer side of the rotating shaft and can place the driver's hand; a side surface portion extending from the radially outer side of the placement portion along the axial direction, The first arm and the second arm extend outward in the radial direction respectively from the dial.

5. The steering operation input member according to claim 4, wherein: The first arm and the second arm are disposed at left-right symmetrical positions with respect to the dial when the dial is located at a neutral position.

6. The steering operation input member according to claim 3, wherein: The first operating part includes an arm for adjusting a minute steering angle extending outward in the radial direction from the dial. The minute steering angle adjustment arm is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the dial when the dial is located at a neutral position.

7. The steering operation input member according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The first arm, the second arm, and the minute steering angle adjustment arm include balls that the driver can hold with his fingers.

8. The steering operation input member according to claim 7, wherein: The ball can arbitrarily change the installation position in the axial direction.

9. The steering operation input member according to claim 8, wherein: In the axial direction, when one side of the placement portion of the dial is set as the upper side and the side opposite to the placement portion is set as the lower side, The ball of the minute steering angle adjustment arm is located above the balls of the first arm and the second arm in the axial direction.

10. The steering operation input member according to claim 7, wherein: The ball of the minute steering angle adjustment arm has a larger outer diameter than the balls of the first arm and the second arm.

11. The steering operation input member according to claim 1, wherein: The first operating part enables the driver to place his palm on the rotating shaft and hold the rotating shaft. The second operating portion is provided at a position separated from the first operating portion, and can be operated for steering by the driver's finger.

12. A steering operation input device, characterized in that: The steering operation input device comprises: A steering operation input component that inputs the driver's steering operation; an output unit that outputs a steering command to a steering actuator that steers wheels of the vehicle based on an operation amount of the steering operation input member; The steering operation input component comprises: a rotary shaft, which rotates about an axis; A first operating part, which is disposed on the rotating shaft; The second operating part is connected to the rotating shaft and has a length from the rotating center of the rotating shaft different from that of the first operating part.

13. A steering device of a steer-by-wire type in which a steering operation input member for inputting a driver's steering operation and a steering shaft for steering wheels of a vehicle are mechanically separated, wherein: The steering operation input component comprises: a rotary shaft, which rotates about an axis; A first operating part, which is disposed on the rotating shaft; The second operating part is connected to the rotating shaft and has a length from the rotating center of the rotating shaft different from that of the first operating part.

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