Steering device

Abstract

In a steering device in which operability is improved while ensuring a preferred appearance, a plurality of operation switches are provided on a wheel unit of the steering device, the plurality of operation switches including light emitting portions that can be individually turned on and off, and for operating functions mounted in a vehicle. The operation switch may be individually operated through the design panel. The design panel includes a design surface that transmits light of the open light emitting portion and makes visibility of the closed light emitting portion lower than visibility of the light emitting portion in the open state. A function having a high operation possibility is determined based on at least one piece of information among operation information of a user, environment information, driving information, and vehicle position information, and a light emitting portion associated with the determined function having the high operation possibility is turned on.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a steering device. Background Art

[0002] In the field of vehicles, there is a known input device that includes operation switches that can be individually opened and closed and can be individually operated. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 2011-255877 discloses an input device that has a switch operation surface for operating in-vehicle devices and includes an illumination function (light-emitting portion) for the corresponding switch operation surface. In such an input device, when an operation for operating the switch operation surface is detected, the switch operation surface is illuminated. For example, as a trigger caused by approaching or contacting the switch operation surface, the amount of retraction of the seat belt, the steering angle of the steering wheel, or weight transfer, etc., the switch operation surface is illuminated.

[0003] In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 2009-135059 discloses a technique for changing the illumination position of a display unit by moving a finger on a display panel formed with a plurality of display units. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 2009-135059 can be applied to a steering device.

[0004] In terms of operability, the light-emitting portion of the operation switch is preferably always on. However, the turning on and off of the light-emitting portion affects the appearance. In view of this, there is still room for improvement in ensuring a preferable appearance and enhancing operability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention improves operability while ensuring a preferable appearance.

[0006] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a steering device for steering a vehicle, the steering device including: a rim unit that is grasped during steering; a wheel unit located on the inner side of the rim unit; a plurality of operation switches provided on the wheel unit, each operation switch including a light-emitting portion that can be individually opened and closed, each operation switch being for operating a function installed in the vehicle; a design panel; an acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of information from user operation information, environment information, driving information, and vehicle position information; a determination unit that determines a function with a high operation possibility based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a control unit that controls the light-emitting portion, wherein the operation switches can be individually operated via the design panel, the design panel includes a design surface that transmits light from the light-emitting portion in the on state and makes the visibility of the light-emitting portion in the off state lower than the visibility in the on state, and the control unit turns on the light-emitting portion associated with the function determined by the determination unit to have a high operation possibility.

[0007] According to the present invention, the operability can be improved while ensuring a preferable appearance.

[0008] Other features of the present invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a steering device;

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of an operation switch;

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the steering device; and

[0012] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a flowchart of a light-emitting portion control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present technology will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a steering device according to an embodiment of the present technology. As an example, the steering device 100 is used in a vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 is, for example, a four-wheeled vehicle, but is not limited thereto.

[0015] The steering device 100 is a device for steering the vehicle 200. The steering device 100 generally includes: a rim unit 101 that is grasped during steering, and a wheel unit 102 located inside the rim unit 101. Steering switch groups 10 and 20 are provided on the wheel unit 102. The steering switch group 10 is mainly operated by the left hand, and the steering switch group 20 is mainly operated by the right hand.

[0016] The steering switch groups 10 and 20 each include: a plurality of operation switches for operating functions installed in the vehicle 200. For example, the steering switch group 10 includes operation switches 12 to 18, and the steering switch group 20 includes operation switches 21 to 26. The operation switches 12 to 16 are included in the arrow switch 11. In addition, marks 19A and 19B indicating a propeller are provided on the right and left sides of the arrow switch 11.

[0017] The operation switches 12 to 18 and 21 to 26 are individually operated by the user. Although it will be referred to later Figure 2Describes a detailed configuration, but each of the operation switches 12 to 18 and 21 to 26 has a symbol mark and a light-emitting part. When the light-emitting part corresponding to the respective operation switch is turned on (lights up), each symbol mark is visually recognized. In addition, the light-emitting part is provided in each of the marks 19A and 19B, and when the corresponding light-emitting part is turned on (lights up), the marks 19A and 19B are visually recognized. That is, as the light-emitting part corresponding to the respective operation switch switches from the non-lighted state to being turned on (lights up) and the symbol mark becomes visible, it is possible to ensure a preferable appearance and enhanced operability.

[0018] The functions installed in the vehicle 200 include an air-conditioning function, an audio function, a car navigation function, and a driving assistance function. Among these functions, which function will be activated can be specified by a user's instruction or can be automatically set by a determination executed by a control unit 30 described later.

[0019] Now, an example of the function corresponding to the respective operation switch is described. For example, the operation switches 12 to 16 of the arrow switch 11 are for the air-conditioning function, the audio function, or the car navigation function. The operation switch 16 corresponds to an OK (confirmation) button. The operation switches 12 and 14 are for adjusting the volume and the room temperature, and the operation switches 13 and 15 are for adjusting the air volume and switching channels.

[0020] The operation switch 17 corresponds to a home button, has a mark indicating the home page as a symbol mark, and has a function of returning the set state to the initial state. The operation switch 18 corresponds to a cancel button, has the character "CANCEL" as a symbol mark, and has a function of canceling the setting.

[0021] Although no examples of the marks are shown in the drawings, the operation switches 21 to 26 have symbol marks corresponding to the respective functions. As an example, the operation switches 21 and 26 correspond to functions such as increasing / decreasing and setting the vehicle speed, and have character marks such as "RES / +" and "SET / -", respectively. The operation switch 22 corresponds to a setting cancel function and has a character mark such as "CANCEL". The operation switch 23 corresponds to a function related to a congestion tracking function (ADAS) and has a predetermined graphic pattern as a mark. The operation switch 24 corresponds to a function related to the inter-vehicle distance setting in congestion tracking and has a predetermined graphic pattern as a mark. The operation switch 25 corresponds to a function related to lane keeping (LKAS) and has a predetermined graphic pattern as a mark.

[0022] It should be noted that the functions and symbol marks corresponding to the respective operation switches are not limited to the above examples.

[0023] Figure 2It is a schematic side view showing the configuration of an operation switch. The basic configurations of operation switches 12 to 18 and 21 to 26 are the same. Therefore, the configuration of operation switch SW will be described herein as a typical configuration. "Operation switch SW" is a term used to collectively refer to the corresponding operation switches.

[0024] The operation switch SW is provided on the substrate 41. The operation switch SW includes: a light-emitting portion 42 such as an LED mounted on the substrate 41. The light-emitting portion 42 of each operation switch SW can be individually turned on and off. A sheet 43 and a design panel 40 are stacked above the operation switch SW. It should be noted that the sheet 43 and the design panel 40 can be shared among multiple operation switches SW. The operation switch SW can be individually operated via the sheet 43 and the design panel 40.

[0025] As an example, a symbol mark is provided by forming a light-transmitting portion in the shape of a symbol mark on the upper surface of the sheet 43 or the operation switch SW. Alternatively, conversely, a symbol mark can be provided by using only a portion other than the shape of the symbol mark as the light-transmitting portion. It should be noted that the position where the symbol mark is formed and the method for forming the symbol mark are not limited thereto.

[0026] It should be noted that the operation switch SW can be a device driven by the on / off operation of a built-in micro switch through a pressing operation or the like, or a device driven after detecting a change in the amount of electrostatic capacitance changed due to an object approaching the operation switch SW and comparing it with a threshold value.

[0027] The design surface 40a of the design panel 40 is designed to: transmit the light of the turned-on light-emitting portion 42 and make the visibility of the turned-off light-emitting portion lower than that in the turned-on state. The design surface 40a is decorated. For example, the design surface 40a can be formed by at least one of a wood grain surface, an aluminum-like surface, or a carbon-like surface. With this arrangement, an aesthetic appearance can be presented. It should be noted that the design panel 40 or the design surface 40a can be dark and transparent. Making the visibility of the light-emitting portion 42 lower than that in the turned-on state also includes: preventing the light-emitting portion from being completely visually recognized. The design surface 40a is provided on the front surface of the design panel 40, but can also be provided on the back surface or can be provided on both the front surface and the back surface.

[0028] Therefore, when the light-emitting portion 42 is turned on, the light of the light-emitting portion 42 is transmitted and reaches the user. Therefore, the symbol mark is visually recognized by the user. When the light-emitting portion 42 is turned off, the light-emitting portion 42 does not emit light and is therefore invisible. In addition, since the design surface 40a is decorated and the light transmittance of the design panel 40 is slightly lower, the light-transmitting portion in the shape of the symbol mark is less likely to be visually recognized. As a result, the symbol mark is not visually recognized or is difficult to be visually recognized.

[0029] It should be noted that in normal daytime and nighttime vehicle environments, when the light-emitting portion 42 is turned off, the design surface 40a appears as a uniform surface, the presence of the operation switch SW is not recognized, and the boundaries between adjacent operation switches SW are also not recognized. The turning on and off of the light-emitting portion 42 of the operation switch SW are controlled individually by the control unit 30.

[0030] It should be noted that the markings 19A and 19B ( Figure 1 ) are not operation switches and are therefore not operated. However, the markings 19A and 19B are visually recognized by the light emitted from the correspondingly arranged light-emitting portions (not shown) and are not visually recognized when turned off. For example, the markings 19A and 19B are only visually recognized (displayed) when the air-conditioning function can be operated.

[0031] That is to say, the arrow switch 11 ( Figure 1 ) is shared for air-conditioning operation, audio operation, and car navigation operation. In the mode where the air-conditioning can be operated, the symbol markings of the operation switches 12 to 14 on the arrow switch 11 and the markings 19A and 19B become visually recognizable. By being able to visually recognize the markings 19A and 19B, the user recognizes that the air-conditioning can be operated. In the case where the markings 19A and 19B are visually recognized, the operation switches 13 and 15 correspond to decreasing and increasing the air volume of the air-conditioning, and the operation switches 12 and 14 correspond to increasing and decreasing the room temperature with the air-conditioning.

[0032] On the other hand, in the mode where audio operation or car navigation operation can be performed, the symbol markings of the operation switches 12 to 14 are visually recognized, and the markings 19A and 19B are placed in a non-visually recognizable state. In this state, the user recognizes that audio operation or car navigation operation can be performed. As an example, in the case where the markings 19A and 19B are not visually recognized, the operation switches 12 and 14 correspond to the operations of increasing and decreasing the volume, and the operation switches 13 and 15 correspond to the operation of scrolling the channel back and forth.

[0033] It should be noted that although audio operation or car navigation operation has been described as an example, the present technology can also be used for switching the operation of the displayed display screen, such as switching the display portion of the multifunctional information display unit provided on the instrument panel such as a speedometer.

[0034] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the steering device 100. In addition to the above-mentioned control unit 30, memory 35, and multiple operation switches SW (operation switches 12 to 18 and 21 to 26), the steering device 100 further includes: multiple devices 34 mounted on the vehicle 200. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33.

[0035] The CPU 31 controls the entire steering device 100. The ROM 32 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 31. The RAM 33 provides a work area used when the CPU 31 executes programs. The memory 35 is a non-volatile memory and stores various information.

[0036] Examples of the device 34 include an air conditioner, a car navigation system, an audio device, and a display device. In addition to these, the device 34 also includes various devices (such as sensors and actuators) for implementing a driving assistance function. It should be noted that the type of the device 34 is not limited to those mentioned as examples.

[0037] The CPU 31 receives operation inputs and detection information through the operation switch SW and outputs a drive instruction to the device 34. An operation detection mechanism (not shown) is provided on each operation switch SW, and its operation detection result is provided to the CPU 31. In addition, the CPU 31 outputs an on / off instruction to the light-emitting part 42 of each operation switch SW.

[0038] The CPU 31 as an acquisition unit acquires at least one piece of information among the user's operation information, environment information, driving information, and vehicle position information as information for controlling the light-emitting part 42. These pieces of information are information detected by corresponding sensors or information acquired from the outside and are input to the control unit 30.

[0039] First, the operation information is information indicating the user's behavior and operations, and (as an example) includes: information about the grasping strength on the rim unit 101 and information indicating approaching the operation switch SW, etc. For example, the grasping strength on the rim unit 101 is detected by a piezoelectric sensor (not shown) provided on the rim unit 101. For example, the degree of approach to the operation switch SW is detected by a capacitive proximity sensor or the like (not shown) provided on the operation switch SW.

[0040] The environment information is information about the environment outside or inside the vehicle and includes information such as the temperature and humidity outside the vehicle and the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle. The driving information is information about the driving state and driving operations and includes the vehicle speed. In addition to this, the driving information may include information about the accelerator operation or the braking operation. The vehicle position information is, for example, information provided by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or a Global Positioning System (GPS) and is acquired by an ECU (not shown) received from an external server (not shown). The information for controlling the light-emitting part 42 is not limited to the above examples and may include, for example, weather information.

[0041] In addition, the environmental information may include time information. The operation information may include: information about the user's voice, gestures, line of sight, posture, and mood (obtained through driver monitoring). The driving information may include: information about the presence or absence of a parking space. It should be noted that the operation information or the driving information may include: multimedia collaborative operations or turning on the headlights.

[0042] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a flowchart of the light-emitting part control process. This process is implemented by the CPU 31 executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the like. This process starts when the power (or engine) key is turned on and ends when the power key is turned off. After this process starts, the light-emitting part 42 is immediately in the off state.

[0043] It should be noted that in the example shown in this flowchart, when the power key is turned off, the process ends. However, even after the vehicle turns off the power key, the state of the vehicle can be switched to the standby state, in which specific functions can be executed, or the light-emitting part remains on. That is to say, although the light-emitting part is off, the light-emitting part can be in a powered-on state capable of executing specific operations, or in a continuous-on state of the light-emitting part 42.

[0044] First, in step S101, the CPU 31, as an acquisition unit, stands by until information (operation information, environmental information, driving information, and vehicle position information) for controlling the light-emitting part 42 is successfully acquired (standby state). If the CPU 31 successfully acquires the said information, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0045] In step S102, the CPU 31, as a determination unit, determines a function with a high operation possibility based on the acquired information and outputs a signal corresponding to the determined function. Examples of the determination methods used here include the following examples (a), (b), (c), and (d), and at least one of these examples is adopted.

[0046] In example (a), when the grasping strength on the rim unit 101 exceeds a predetermined strength, the CPU 31 determines a predetermined specific function as a function with a high operation possibility. Specific functions mentioned here are, for example, the audio function or the car navigation function. This is because when the rim unit 101 is tightly grasped, there is a possibility that the user wants to operate these functions. It should be noted that the audio function or the car navigation function can be pre-registered as specific functions. By adopting this determination method, specific functions (such as the audio function or the car navigation function) can be operated without using any other preliminary methods.

[0047] In example (b), when the difference between the vehicle exterior temperature and the vehicle interior temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (e.g., 6°C), the CPU 31 determines that the air conditioning function has a high operation possibility. This is because when a certain magnitude of difference occurs between the vehicle exterior temperature and the vehicle interior temperature, there is a possibility that the user wants to operate the air conditioner. By adopting this determination method, a specific function (e.g., the air conditioning function) can be operated without adopting any other preliminary methods.

[0048] It should be noted that, in addition to this, in example (b), the function with a high operation possibility can be determined based on the difference between the vehicle exterior humidity and the vehicle interior humidity. Alternatively, the function with a high operation possibility can be determined based only on the interior temperature or only on the interior humidity of the vehicle. Alternatively, by comprehensively considering at least two of the temperature difference, humidity difference, interior temperature of the vehicle, and interior humidity of the vehicle, the function with a high operation possibility can be determined.

[0049] In example (c), when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed (e.g., 80 km / h), the CPU 31 determines that the driving assistance function has a high operation possibility. This is because when the vehicle speed is very high, the possibility that the user wants to perform an operation to activate the driving assistance function (such as the congestion tracking function or the lane keeping function) is very high. By adopting this determination method, a specific function (e.g., the driving assistance function) can be operated without adopting any other preliminary methods.

[0050] In example (d), when the vehicle position information indicates that the vehicle 200 has entered the highway, the CPU 31 determines that the driving assistance function has a high operation possibility. This is because when the vehicle has entered the highway, there is a very high possibility that the user wants to perform an operation to activate the driving assistance function (such as the congestion tracking function or the lane keeping function). By adopting this determination method, a specific function (e.g., the driving assistance function) can be operated without adopting any other preliminary methods.

[0051] In steps S103 to S116, the CPU 31, which is the control unit for controlling the light emitting part 42, executes this process.

[0052] In step S103, the CPU 31 determines the light-emitting portion 42 to be turned on (activated). Here, the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to the function determined to have a high operation possibility is determined as the light-emitting portion 42 to be turned on. For example, when the air-conditioning function is determined to be a function with a high operation possibility, the light-emitting portions 42 included in the operation switches 12 to 16 correspond to the air-conditioning function, and thus these light-emitting portions are determined as the light-emitting portions 42 to be turned on. In addition, when the driving assistance function is determined to be a function with a high operation possibility, the light-emitting portions 42 included in the operation switches 21 to 26 correspond to the driving assistance function, and thus these light-emitting portions are determined as the light-emitting portions 42 to be turned on.

[0053] In step S104, the CPU 31 determines the turn-on mode based on the function determined to have a high operation possibility. Here, the modes related to light emission include the turn-on mode and the turn-off mode. In addition to simple turning on, the turn-on mode also includes light-emitting modes such as whether there is blinking, the light-emitting brightness, and the change in the color of the light. It should be noted that the turn-on mode or the turn-off mode can be specified in advance according to the needs of the user by grouping or the like.

[0054] In step S105, the CPU 31 determines whether the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to some other function has been turned on. If the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to some other function has been turned on, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S106. If the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to some other function has not been turned on, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S109.

[0055] In step S106, the CPU 31 determines whether the user wants a new trigger. The occurrence of the "new trigger" mentioned herein means that the light-emitting portion 42 to be turned on has been determined. It is determined whether the user wants a new trigger based on the information obtained in step S101. For example, when the obtained information relates to any one of the grasping on the rim unit 101, detecting whether approaching the operation switch SW, voice, gesture, multimedia collaboration operation, and the turning on of the headlight, it is determined that the user wants a new trigger because the new trigger results from the user operation.

[0056] If the user wants a new trigger, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S107. If the user does not want a new trigger, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S108.

[0057] In step S107, the CPU 31 excludes the light-emitting portions with low priority from the light-emitting portions determined to be turned on. Here, for example, the CPU 31 excludes the light-emitting portions that are irrelevant to the operation desired by the user. The priority of the corresponding light-emitting portion 42 can be determined in advance. After that, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S109.

[0058] In step S108, the CPU 31 determines whether the function determined in step S102 is a function capable of simultaneously turning on the corresponding light-emitting portion 42. If the function is not a function capable of simultaneously turning on the corresponding light-emitting portion 42, the CPU 31 returns to step S101. This is because, in the case where the light-emitting portion 42 determined to be turned on is immediately turned on, if the light-emitting portion 42 at the same position is turned on in an overlapping manner, there is a risk of confusing the driver. On the other hand, if the function is capable of simultaneously turning on the corresponding light-emitting portion 42, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0059] In step S109, the CPU 31 starts to turn on the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to the function determined to have a high operation possibility. It should be noted that in the case where the process has continued from step S107, only the light-emitting portion 42 that has not been excluded is started to be turned on. When turning on, the CPU 31 enables the function (allows the function to be operated with the operation switch SW). That is, in response to the output of the signal corresponding to the function determined to have a high operation possibility, the CPU 31 enables the operation of the function determined to have a high operation possibility and starts to turn on the light-emitting portion 42 associated with the function.

[0060] For example, in the case where the air-conditioning function is determined to be a function with a high operation possibility, the CPU 31 enables the operation of the air-conditioning function and starts to turn on the light-emitting portions 42 of the operation switches 12 to 16 and the light-emitting portions 42 corresponding to the marks 19A and 19B. In addition, in the case where the audio function is determined to be a function with a high operation possibility, the CPU 31 enables the operation of the audio function and starts to turn on the light-emitting portions 42 of the operation switches 12 to 18. In the case where the driving assistance function is determined to be a function with a high operation possibility, the CPU 31 enables the operation of the driving assistance function and starts to turn on the light-emitting portions 42 of the operation switches 21 to 26.

[0061] Here, the illumination mode of the light-emitting portion 42 is not limited to any specific mode. For example, the light-emitting brightness can be gradually increased, or it can be switched from blinking to lighting. Alternatively, the light-emitting color can be gradually changed.

[0062] In addition, the level of operation possibility can be determined based on the acquired information, and the lighting mode of the light-emitting part 42 can be changed according to the determined level of operation possibility. For example, when the gripping strength on the rim unit 101 is high, it can be determined that the operation possibility is high. When the difference between the vehicle exterior temperature and the vehicle interior temperature is large, it can be determined that the operation possibility is high. When the vehicle speed is high, it can be determined that the operation possibility is high. In addition, when the operation possibility is high, the light-emitting brightness can be made higher, and when the light-emitting brightness or the light-emitting color gradually changes, the change rate of the brightness or the light-emitting color can be made higher. Since the lighting mode of the light-emitting part 42 is changed in this way, the operable part can be visually recognized more clearly.

[0063] It should be noted that during this process, the CPU 31 continuously monitors the operation of the operation switch SW and stores the operated operation switch SW and the operation time in the memory 35. These processes are performed for each operation switch SW.

[0064] In step S110, the CPU 31 determines whether there is an operation input to the operation switch SW including the light-emitting part 42 turned on in step S109. If there is no operation input to the operation switch SW including the light-emitting part 42 turned on, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S112. If there is an operation input to the operation switch SW including the light-emitting part 42 turned on, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S111.

[0065] In step S111, the CPU 31 resets the timeout period and continues to turn on the light-emitting part 42 that has already started to be turned on. It should be noted that the timeout period is set to the initial value at the start of this process.

[0066] In step S112, the CPU 31 determines whether a trigger for changing the mode related to light emission has been input. If no trigger for changing the mode related to light emission has been input, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S115. If any trigger for changing the mode related to light emission has been input, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S113.

[0067] In step S113, the CPU 31 determines whether the trigger for changing the mode related to light emission is a trigger for changing the mode to the off mode. If the trigger for changing the mode related to light emission is a trigger for changing the mode to the off mode, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S116. If not, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S114.

[0068] In step S114, the CPU 31 changes the turn-on mode based on a trigger for changing a mode related to light emission. In step S115, the CPU 31 determines whether a timeout period (predetermined period) has elapsed. If the timeout period has not elapsed, the CPU 31 returns to step S110. If the timeout period has elapsed, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S116.

[0069] In step S116, the CPU 31 starts to turn off the turned-on light-emitting portion 42. Here, in the case where the process advances from step S113, the corresponding lit light-emitting portion 42 is turned off. Further, in the case where the transition from S110 to S112 to S115 to S116 has been made, the light-emitting portion 42 has been turned on according to the user's intention, but remains on without any operation of the corresponding operation switch SW. In this case, the corresponding lit light-emitting portion 42 is turned off.

[0070] Among the operation switches SW with the light-emitting portion 42 turned on in step S109, the switch that has been operated and for which the timeout period has elapsed after the operation ends is hereinafter referred to as the "operated switch". In the case where the transition from step S110 to step S111 to step S112 to step S115 to step S116 has been made, the CPU 31 turns off the light-emitting portion 42 (the turned-on light-emitting portion) of the operated switch. In combination with this, in the case where there is another light-emitting portion 42 that is associated with a function corresponding to the light-emitting portion 42 of the operated switch and is in the on state, the CPU 31 also turns off the other light-emitting portion 42.

[0071] For example, in the case where the air-conditioning function can be operated, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the room temperature increase operation is performed on the operation switch 12, the CPU 31 turns off the light-emitting portions 42 of the operation switches 12 to 16, and also turns off the light-emitting portions 42 corresponding to the marks 19A and 19B. That is, when a predetermined time has elapsed after any one of the operation switches 12 to 16 is operated, all the light-emitting portions corresponding to the air-conditioning function are immediately turned off. Since the light-emitting portion 42 is turned off in this way after the predetermined time has elapsed, the appearance can be maintained and the power consumption of the vehicle can be reduced.

[0072] The reason for performing this control is that when a predetermined time has elapsed after performing certain operations related to the air-conditioning function, it can be determined that there is no intention to perform any subsequent operations related to the air-conditioning function. Further, the reason is to avoid continuous reflection of light emission on the glass surface (for example, especially at night) and ensure a preferred appearance. Other functions are controlled in a similar manner. Therefore, the group of light-emitting portions corresponding to the function corresponding to the operated switch is immediately turned off.

[0073] It should be noted that the off mode in step S116 is not limited to any specific mode. For example, the emission luminance can be gradually decreased, or it can be switched to the off state via a blinking state. Alternatively, when turning off, the emission color can be gradually changed. After step S116, the CPU 31 returns to step S101.

[0074] According to the present embodiment, the light-emitting portion 42 associated with the function determined to have a high operation possibility based on the acquired information (such as operation information, environment information, driving information, and vehicle position information) is turned on. In addition, when the light-emitting portion 42 of the operation switch SW is turned on, the corresponding symbol mark is visually recognized. When the light-emitting portion 42 is turned off, the symbol mark is no longer visually recognized.

[0075] Therefore, through the symbol mark, the user can visually recognize the operation switch SW to be operated, thereby improving the operability. In addition, the operation switch SW with a low expected operation possibility cannot be visually recognized through the design panel 40, thus maintaining the preferred appearance. In particular, the design panel 40 is recognized as a uniformly flat surface, thereby reducing the awareness of the presence of the operation switch SW. In addition, the design surface 40a of the design panel 40 is decorated with a wood grain pattern or the like, so that the aesthetic appearance can be further enhanced. Therefore, the operability can be improved while ensuring the preferred appearance. Although a wood grain pattern or the like is taken as an example, the type of decoration is not limited thereto, and for example, solid wood, genuine leather, synthetic leather, or cloth can be used for decoration.

[0076] In addition, the on mode of the light-emitting portion 42 corresponding to the function determined to have a high operation possibility is changed according to the level of the determined operation possibility, so that when the intention to perform an operation is stronger, control can be executed to make the visibility of the operation switch SW higher.

[0077] In addition, among the operation switches SW corresponding to the light-emitting portions in the on state, the light-emitting portion group corresponding to the function corresponding to the operation switch SW after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation is immediately turned off. Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily ensuring the visibility of the operation switch SW with a low operation possibility and ensure the preferred appearance.

[0078] Although the present technology has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments of the present technology, the present technology is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modes within the scope of the present technology are also included in the present technology.

[0079] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-203158 filed on November 30, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A steering device for steering a vehicle, the steering device comprising: a wheel rim unit, which is gripped during steering; a wheel unit, the wheel unit being located on an inner side of the rim unit; a plurality of operating switches provided on the wheel unit, each of the operating switches including a light emitting portion capable of being turned on and off individually, each of the operating switches being used to operate a function installed in the vehicle; Design panels; an acquisition unit, the acquisition unit acquiring at least one piece of information among user operation information, environmental information, driving information and vehicle position information; a determination unit that determines a function having a high possibility of operation based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; as well as a control unit, the control unit controlling the light emitting portion, wherein The operating switches can be operated individually via the design panel, The design panel includes a design surface that transmits light of the light emitting portion in an on state and makes visibility of the light emitting portion lower in an off state than in an on state, and The control unit turns on a light emitting portion associated with a function determined by the determination unit to have a high possibility of operation.

2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The determining unit determines a level of operation possibility based on the information, and The control unit changes a turn-on pattern of a light emitting portion corresponding to a function determined to have a high operation possibility according to the determined level of the operation possibility.

3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein When an operation switch having a light-emitting part in an on state is operated, and a predetermined time elapses after the operation is completed, the control unit turns off the light-emitting part in the on state, and when there is another light-emitting part that is associated with a function corresponding to the light-emitting part and is in an on state, the control unit turns off the other light-emitting part.

4. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The operation information includes the grip strength on the rim unit, When the gripping strength on the rim unit exceeds a predetermined strength, the determination unit determines a predetermined specific function as a function having a high possibility of operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the specific function, and, In response to the output of the signal, the control unit enables the specific function to operate and turns on a light emitting portion associated with the specific function.

5. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The environmental information includes the temperature difference between the vehicle's external temperature and the vehicle's internal temperature, When the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature, the determination unit determines the air conditioning function as a function having a high possibility of operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the air conditioning function, and, In response to the output of the signal, the control unit enables the air conditioning function to operate and turns on a light emitting portion associated with the air conditioning function.

6. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The driving information includes vehicle speed, When the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the determination unit determines the driving assist function as a function having a high possibility of operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the driving assist function, and, In response to the output of the signal, the control unit enables the driving assist function to operate and turns on a light emitting portion associated with the driving assist function.

7. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein When the vehicle position information indicates that the vehicle has entered an expressway, the determination unit determines the driving assistance function as a function having a high possibility of operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the driving assistance function, and, In response to the output of the signal, the control unit enables the driving assist function to operate and turns on a light emitting portion associated with the driving assist function.

8. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein The design surface is decorated and provided on one of the front surface or the rear surface of the design panel.

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