Illumination device

Abstract

To inhibit a deviation in a relative positional relationship between a light source and a light-guiding member in an illumination device used in a steering wheel.SOLUTION: An illumination device used in a steering wheel includes: a substrate provided with a light-emitting element on its surface; an optically transparent cover member which forms part of an outer surface of the steering wheel and emits visible light output from the light-emitting element to outside the steering wheel; a light-guiding member for guiding the visible light output from the light-emitting element to the cover member; and a base member to which the substrate and the cover member are attached, and which holds the substrate and the cover member. The light-guiding member is held while being sandwiched between the substrate and the base member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an illumination device used for a steering wheel.

Background Art

[0002] In a steering wheel, it has been proposed to attach and use a device (hereinafter referred to as an "illumination device") that emits light such as visible light or infrared light at a position visible to the driver. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an illumination device including a substrate provided with a light source, a diffuser that extends along the rim and constitutes an outer wall from which light is emitted, and a light guide member that guides the light emitted from the light source to the diffuser. In this illumination device, the relative positional relationship between the light guide member and the diffuser is fixed by engaging the light guide member with the diffuser.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the illumination device of Patent Document 1, since the relative positional relationship between the light source and the light guide member is not fixed, there is a risk that such a positional relationship may shift. For example, comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1, in the configuration of FIG. 3, the light guide member is shifted upward with respect to the light source compared to the configuration of FIG. 2. When such a shift in the relative positional relationship between the light source and the light guide member occurs, problems such as the luminance on the light emitting surface of the illumination device deviating from the planned luminance and luminance unevenness occurring on the light emitting surface may occur. Therefore, in an illumination device used for a steering wheel, a technique capable of suppressing a shift in the relative positional relationship between the light source and the light guide member is desired.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems and can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) As one embodiment of the present disclosure, an illumination device used for a steering wheel is provided. This illumination device includes a substrate provided with a light-emitting element on its surface, a cover member that forms a part of the outer surface of the steering wheel and has light-transmittance for injecting visible light output from the light-emitting element to the outside of the steering wheel, a light guide member that guides the visible light output from the light-emitting element to the cover member, and a base member to which the substrate and the cover member are attached and that holds the substrate and the cover member. The light guide member is held sandwiched between the substrate and the base member. According to the illumination device of the above-described form, since the light guide member is held sandwiched between the substrate and the base member, it is possible to suppress a shift in the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting element, which is a light source provided on the surface of the substrate, and the light guide member. Also, since it is possible to suppress a shift in the relative positional relationship between the light source and the light guide member in this way, for example, there is no need to provide engaging portions such as claws or engaging holes on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member and engage them with the base member or the cover member to prevent positional deviation. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light due to visible light leaking to the outside or the like at the engaging portion provided on the light guide member. (2) In the illumination device of the above-described form, the substrate may be attached to the base member by screwing, and the light guide member may be held by the substrate and the base member by screwing. According to the illumination device of this form, since the light guide member is held by the substrate and the base member by screwing, it is possible to more reliably realize the holding of the light guide member by the substrate and the base member and maintain such a holding state for a longer time as compared with a configuration without screwing. (3) In the illumination device of the above-described embodiment, the light guide member may include a first light guide portion having an emission surface from which the visible light is emitted from the light guide member to the cover member, the first light guide portion extending along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member, a second light guide portion having an incident surface on which the visible light output from the light emitting element is incident, the second light guide portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a deflection portion that connects the first light guide portion and the second light guide portion and deflects the visible light guided by the second light guide portion to input it to the first light guide portion. According to the illumination device of this embodiment, since the light guide member includes the first light guide portion, the second light guide portion, and the deflection portion, the optical path length in the light guide member can be made longer than that in a configuration including only the first light guide portion or only the second light guide portion, and thus the light can be more easily diffused. Further, compared with a configuration in which the second light guide portion is omitted and the length of the first light guide portion is extended, or a configuration in which the first light guide portion is omitted and the length of the second light guide portion is extended, it is possible to suppress the light guide member from becoming excessively long in a specific direction, and the illumination device can be miniaturized. (4) In the illumination device of the above-described embodiment, the light guide member may include a first light guide portion having an emission surface from which the visible light is emitted from the light guide member to the cover member, the first light guide portion extending along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member, and the base member may include a support portion that surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the first light guide portion over the entire circumference. According to the illumination device of this embodiment, since the base member includes the support portion that surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the first light guide portion over the entire circumference, excessive displacement of the first light guide portion can be suppressed. (5) In the illumination device of the above-described embodiment, the first contact portion that contacts the substrate to sandwich the light guide member and the second contact portion that contacts the base member to sandwich the light guide member may be arranged at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member. According to the illumination device of this form, since the first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member, displacement of the substrate in the direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member can be more reliably suppressed. For this reason, displacement of the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting element, which is the light source, and the light guide member can be more reliably suppressed. (6) As another embodiment of the present disclosure, an illumination device used for a steering wheel is provided. This illumination device includes a substrate provided with a light-emitting element on its surface, a lens member having light transmissibility for injecting visible light output from the light-emitting element to the outside of the steering wheel, a light guide member for guiding the visible light output from the light-emitting element to the lens member, and a separate member different from the substrate, the lens member, and the light guide member. The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the lens member or the separate member. According to the illumination device of this form, since the light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the lens member or the separate member, displacement of the relative positional relationship between the light-emitting element, which is the light source provided on the surface of the substrate, and the light guide member can be suppressed. Also, since displacement of the relative positional relationship between the light source and the light guide member can be suppressed in this way, for example, there is no need to provide engaging portions such as claws or engaging holes on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member to engage with the base member or the lens member to prevent displacement. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light due to visible light leaking to the outside or the like at the engaging portion provided on the light guide member. (7) In the illumination device of the above form, the separate member may include a core metal forming the skeleton of the steering wheel, and the light guide member may be sandwiched and held between the substrate and the core metal. According to the illumination device of this form, since the light guide member is held sandwiched between the substrate and the core metal that is resistant to impact, even when an impact is applied from the outside, the occurrence of displacement of the light guide member can be suppressed. For this reason, it is not necessary to bring the light guide member close to the lens member in order to suppress displacement of the light guide member, and it can be arranged away from the lens member. Therefore, when an impact is applied from the outside, damage to the light guide member can be further suppressed. (8) In the illumination device of the above form, the light guide member may be held sandwiched between the substrate and the lens member. According to the illumination device of this form, since the light guide member is held sandwiched between the substrate and the lens member, it is easy to align the center of the light guide member with the center of the lens member and to maintain the aligned state. In addition, an assembly in which the substrate, the lens member, and the light guide member are integrated can be configured as a separate member from other members that constitute the steering wheel. For this reason, for example, when winding a leather member to form an outer skin layer as the outermost layer of the steering wheel, it can be wound with the above assembly removed, improving work efficiency. (9) In the illumination device of the above form, the light guide member is a first light guide portion having an emission surface from which the visible light is emitted from the light guide member to the lens member, and has a first light guide portion extending along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the lens member. The lens member has an enclosing portion that surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the first light guide portion over the entire circumference, and the light guide member may be held sandwiched between the substrate and an end portion of the enclosing portion. According to the illumination device of this form, since the lens member has an enclosing portion that surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the first light guide portion over the entire circumference, positioning of the first light guide portion is facilitated during assembly, and displacement of the first light guide portion can be suppressed during use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: A1. Overall Configuration of Steering Wheel 100: FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an external shape of a steering wheel 100 with an illumination device 200 attached thereto as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The steering wheel 100 is disposed and used in a driver's seat of a vehicle. Examples of the vehicle include a vehicle equipped with an engine, a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and a fuel cell vehicle (FCV). The steering wheel 100 is a part of a steering device operated by a driver of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the steering wheel 100 in a state (hereinafter also referred to as "reference state") when the vehicle is going straight, which is connected to a steering shaft SH in the vehicle, is shown. Further, in FIG. 1, an external configuration on the side of the steering wheel 100 facing the driver (the "rear" side described later) is shown. The steering wheel 100 is configured to be rotatable about an axis AX of the steering shaft SH. Rotation of the steering wheel 100 is transmitted to a steering gear box (not shown) via the steering shaft SH.

[0009] In the present embodiment, a direction along the axis AX of the steering shaft SH is associated with the traveling direction of the vehicle and is referred to as the "front-rear direction" (front direction and rear direction). Further, among the directions orthogonal to the axis AX, a direction overlapping with the vertical direction (vertically upward and vertically downward) as viewed from the driver is referred to as the "vertical direction". Further, among the directions orthogonal to the axis AX, a direction parallel to the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle is referred to as the "left-right direction".

[0010] The steering wheel 100 includes a ring-shaped grip portion 110, a boss portion 130 disposed at a substantially central portion of the grip portion 110, three spoke portions 120, and an illumination device 200 disposed on a part of the grip portion 110.

[0011] The grip portion 110 is gripped by the driver when operating the steering wheel 100. In the present embodiment, the shape of the grip portion 110 is a substantially annular shape. The central axis of the grip portion 110 coincides with the axis AX of the steering shaft SH. Note that the shape of the grip portion 110 may be an arbitrary shape such as a polygonal shape or an elliptical shape instead of the substantially annular shape, or may be an asymmetric shape such as a so-called D shape. Furthermore, the shape of the grip portion 110 is not limited to an annular shape, and may be an arbitrary shape formed by a plurality of parts provided at positions separated from each other. As will be described later, the grip portion 110 is configured by stacking a plurality of members in the thickness direction. The outermost layer is formed by an outer skin layer (outer skin layer 80 described later) formed of a leather member. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a recess (recess C1 described later) for accommodating a part of the illumination device 200 is formed in a part of the upper side of the grip portion 110 in the reference state. A part of the illumination device 200 is accommodated in the recess C1. In other words, the illumination device 200 is fitted into the recess C1. And the opening of the recess C1 is blocked by the illumination device 200.

[0012] The three spoke portions 120 connect the grip portion 110 and the boss portion 130. The boss portion 130 corresponds to a connection site when connecting the steering wheel 100 to the steering shaft SH. Inside the boss portion 130, folded airbags and inflators (not shown in any figure) are accommodated. Note that a temperature adjustment circuit constituting a heater device and various sensor devices for detecting the room temperature and the grip of the grip portion 110 by the user may be further accommodated inside the boss portion 130. Various operation buttons for operating a navigation device, an audio device, etc. mounted on the vehicle may be provided on the three spoke portions 120 and the boss portion 130.

[0013] The illumination device 200 emits light. In the present embodiment, the light emitted by the illumination device 200 is visible light and infrared light (infrared rays). By emitting visible light from the illumination device 200, various information can be notified to the driver. For example, by emitting light of various colors or blinking light, some information can be notified to the driver. Specifically, by emitting red light, the driver can be prompted to grip the steering wheel. Further, by emitting infrared light from the illumination device 200, a part of the driver's body can be clearly photographed by an infrared camera in the dark passenger compartment at night.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external shape of the steering wheel 100 with the cover member 10, the light guide member 20, and the base member 40 removed. As will be described later, in the illumination device 200, a cover member 10 having light transmissibility is disposed at a position facing the driver, and a light guide member 20 and a base member 40 described later are disposed on the front side of the cover member 10. In FIG. 2, the steering wheel 100 with the cover member 10, the light guide member 20, and the base member 40 removed is schematically shown.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, when the cover member 10, the light guide member 20, and the base member 40 are removed, the light emitting portion 30, which is one of the elements constituting the illumination device 200, is exposed. The light emitting portion 30 includes a substrate 31 and a plurality of light emitting elements provided on the surface of the substrate 31. In this embodiment, the "plurality of light emitting elements" includes a plurality of first LEDs 32 and a plurality of second LEDs 33. The substrate 31 has an arc-shaped and strip-like external shape that is curved along the circumferential direction (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "circumferential direction") of the grip portion 110 as viewed from the driver. Hereinafter, the radial direction (the direction perpendicular to the axis AX) of the grip portion 110 is also simply referred to as the "radial direction". The plurality of first LEDs 32 are arranged at positions close to the lower end portion on the rearward side surface of the substrate 31, separated from each other by a predetermined distance along the circumferential direction. The first LED 32 emits visible light. In this embodiment, as the first LED 32, a visible light LED capable of emitting red light, green light, and blue light is used. The plurality of second LEDs 33 form two groups g1 and g2 that are arranged separately from each other. Each of the groups g1 and g2 consists of a plurality of second LEDs 33 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The two groups g1 and g2 are both arranged at positions close to the upper end portion on the rearward side surface of the substrate 31. These two groups g1 and g2 are arranged separately from each other so as to sandwich the plurality of first LEDs 32 when viewed along the circumferential direction.

[0016] A2. Detailed Configuration of Illumination Device 200: Fig. 3 is a first exploded perspective view showing the detailed configuration of the illumination device 200. Fig. 4 is a second exploded perspective view showing the detailed configuration of the illumination device 200. Fig. 5 is a first cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the steering wheel 100. Fig. 6 is a second cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the steering wheel 100. Fig. 3 corresponds to an exploded perspective view of the illumination device 200 as viewed approximately from the rear side toward the front side. Fig. 4 corresponds to an exploded perspective view of the illumination device 200 as viewed approximately from the front side toward the rear side. Fig. 5 shows the V-V cross-section shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 shows the VI-VI cross-section shown in Fig. 2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in addition to the above-described light-emitting unit 30, the illumination device 200 includes a cover member 10, a light guide member 20, and a base member 40. The illumination device 200 has a structure in which the light guide member 20 and the light-emitting unit 30 and the cover member 10 are assembled and integrated in the front-rear direction with the base member 40 interposed therebetween.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover member 10 includes an outer surface forming portion 11, a surrounding portion 12, and a plurality of engaging walls 15. The outer surface forming portion 11 shown in FIG. 3 forms the outer surface of the steering wheel 100 continuously with the outer skin layer 80 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Similar to the above-described substrate 31, the outer surface forming portion 11 has an arc-shaped and belt-like appearance shape that curves along the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 110 when viewed from the driver. The outer surface forming portion 11 has permeability to visible light and infrared light. In the present embodiment, the outer surface forming portion 11 has a transmittance of approximately 25% for visible light and approximately 90% for infrared light. Note that the transmittances of visible light and infrared light may be any values higher than 0%, respectively. In the present embodiment, the outer surface forming portion 11 is formed of a black transparent synthetic resin in accordance with the black outer skin layer 80. In addition to the function of protecting the light-emitting unit 30, the outer surface forming portion 11 has a function of restricting a region through which visible light emitted from the first LED 32 passes (in other words, a function of masking a region where light emission is not desired), and a function of deflecting the emission direction of infrared light emitted from the second LED 33 upward in the rear direction on the driver side. Further, the outer surface forming portion 11 may have a function of diffusing visible light emitted from the first LED 32. Note that the outer surface forming portion 11 may be covered with the outer skin layer 80. Even in such a configuration, since the outer skin layer 80 has light permeability, the outer surface forming portion 11 can diffuse visible light emitted from the first LED 32 into the passenger compartment.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the surrounding portion 12 is provided on the frontward side surface (inner surface) of the outer surface forming portion 11. In a state where the illumination device 200 is assembled (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "assembled state"), the surrounding portion 12 surrounds, over the entire circumference, a support portion 41 protruding rearward from a recess C1 of the base member 40 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 and a first light guide portion 21 described later corresponding to a part of the light guide member 20 housed in the support portion 41. The recess C1 opens to the frontward surface of the base member 40 and has a groove-like structure extending along the circumferential direction. Among the surrounding portion 12, a protruding portion 13 corresponding to the side wall along the radial direction protrudes in the depth direction of the recess C1 from the frontward side surface of the outer surface forming portion 11, that is, the inner surface. In the present embodiment, the "depth direction of the recess C1" substantially coincides with the front-rear direction as is apparent from FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of engaging holes 14 are formed in the protruding portion 13. In the assembled state, an engaging claw 44 (see FIG. 3) provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 41 of the base member 40 engages with the engaging holes 14. Such engagement is realized as a so-called snap fit. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of engaging walls 15 have a thin wall-like appearance protruding forward and are provided with engaging holes. In the assembled state, the engaging walls 15 are arranged in contact with the engaging walls 45 (see FIG. 3) of the base member 40. And in the assembled state, an engaging claw provided on the engaging wall 45 engages with the engaging holes of the engaging walls 15. Such engagement is also realized as a so-called snap fit.

[0020] The light guide member 20 guides the light (visible light) emitted from the first LED 32 to the cover member 10. In the present embodiment, the light guide member 20 is formed of a polycarbonate (PC) resin. Note that it may be formed of an acrylic resin instead of the PC resin. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the light guide member 20 has an outer appearance shape with a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape along the axis AX. Further, the light guide member 20 has an arc-shaped outer appearance shape as viewed from the driver in accordance with the arrangement positions of the plurality of first LEDs 32.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the light guide member 20 includes a first light guide portion 21, a second light guide portion 22, and a deflection portion 23. The first light guide portion 21 has an emission surface S1 from which visible light is emitted from the light guide member 20 to the cover member 10. The first light guide portion 21 extends along the direction from the surface of the substrate 31 toward the cover member 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first direction"). The first direction is parallel to the front direction. The second light guide portion 22 has an incident surface S2 on which the visible light output from the first LED 32 is incident. As shown in FIG. 5, the incident surface S2 is located above the first LED 32. Therefore, visible light is incident on the incident surface S2 upward from the first LED 32. The second light guide portion 22 extends along a direction intersecting the first direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "second direction"). The second direction corresponds to the upward direction and substantially the upward direction in the states of FIGS. 5 and 6. In the present embodiment, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other. The deflection portion 23 connects the first light guide portion 21 and the second light guide portion 22, reflects the visible light guided by the second light guide portion 22, and inputs it to the first light guide portion 21. More specifically, the deflection portion 23 deflects the visible light incident on the second light guide portion 22 from the incident surface S2 and traveling upward so as to travel forward and inputs it to the first light guide portion 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the deflection portion 23 has a deflection surface 24 that deflects visible light. A plurality of diffusion portions 25 are formed on the deflection surface 24. Each diffusion portion 25 is disposed at a corresponding position in front of each first LED 32. Each diffusion portion 25 has a concave structure in which the deflection surface 24 is partially chamfered. Specifically, each diffusion portion 25 has a concave structure in which the position corresponding to the front direction with respect to the first LED 32 is the most concave, and the depth gradually decreases toward the position corresponding to the adjacent first LED 32 along the circumferential direction. Further, the width of each diffusion portion 25, that is, the dimension in the vertical direction, is the largest at the position corresponding to the upward direction (more precisely, the direction toward the outside in the radial direction) with respect to the first LED 32, and gradually decreases toward the position corresponding to the adjacent first LED 32 along the circumferential direction. Due to the deflection portion 23 having such a structure, the visible light of the so-called point light source output from each first LED 32 is diffused in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction when being deflected in the deflection portion 23.As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the assembled state, the first light guide portion 21 is accommodated in the recess C1. On the other hand, in the assembled state, the second light guide portion 22 and the deflection portion 23 are located on the front side of the base member 40 and are not accommodated in the recess C1.

[0022] The base member 40 holds the light guide member 20 and the light emitting portion 30 attached to the front side of itself, and also holds the cover member 10 attached to the rear side of itself. Details of the attachment state among the base member 40, the light guide member 20, and the light emitting portion 30 (substrate 31) will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base member 40 has an arc-shaped and belt-like outer appearance shape that curves along the circumferential direction when viewed from the driver. In the present embodiment, the base member 40 is configured as a single part formed of ABS resin. Note that, instead of or in addition to the ABS resin, it may be configured as a single part formed of PC resin. Also, it may be configured as a composite part formed by combining a plurality of parts. As described above, a recess C1 that is continuous in the circumferential direction is formed on the rear surface side of the base member 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, on the front surface side of the base member 40, covering portions 42 that are continuous in the circumferential direction are provided above and below the recess C1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the covering portion 42 has a shape in which the angle between the surface existing upward and the surface existing downward with the top portion 43 interposed therebetween is an acute angle. The covering portion 42 is covered with an outer skin layer 80 described later.

[0023] In the recess C1, through holes penetrating in the thickness direction are formed in the portion corresponding to the light guide member 20. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first light guide portion 21 of the light guide member 20 is inserted into such through holes. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, in the recess C1, the support portion 41 is provided so as to surround the through hole into which the first light guide portion 21 is inserted. Similar to the surrounding portion 12 of the cover member 10 shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 41 is formed to project forward so as to surround the through hole and the side surface of the first light guide portion 21 inserted into the through hole over the entire circumference. As shown in FIG. 3, the support portion 41 has an outer shape of a flat cylindrical shape curved in an arc shape. As described above, a plurality of engaging claws 44 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion 41, and such engaging claws 44 engage with the engaging holes 14 of the cover member 10 in the assembled state. The support portion 41 suppresses displacement of the light guide member 20 including the first light guide portion 21 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0024] A3. Detailed configuration of the gripping portion 110: In the gripping portion 110, the cross-sectional configuration of the other portion excluding the portion where the illumination device 200 is mounted is different from the cross-sectional configuration of the portion where the illumination device 200 is mounted shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in that the illumination device 200 is not mounted, and the other configurations are the same.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the gripping portion 110 includes a core metal 50, a core portion 60, an element layer 70, the above-described illumination device 200, and an outer skin layer 80.

[0026] The core metal 50 is made of metal and is a member that forms the framework of the gripping portion 110. In the present embodiment, the core metal 50 is made of an aluminum alloy. Note that instead of the aluminum alloy, the core metal 50 may be formed of any type of metal such as a magnesium alloy or steel. The core portion 60 is disposed so as to cover the entire core metal 50 and forms the core of the gripping portion 110. The core portion 60 is formed of a soft synthetic resin having cushioning properties. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the core portion 60 is formed of a soft foaming material such as foamed polyurethane. The element layer 70 partially covers the core portion 60. The element layer 70 is a layer provided with a heating wire that constitutes a heater device and electrodes for detecting gripping. For example, it is formed of a conductive cloth obtained by subjecting a fiber fabric to a surface treatment such as carbon coating or metal plating. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the portion of the gripping portion 110 where the illumination device 200 is mounted, the element layer 70 also covers a part of the base member. The outer surface of the element layer 70 and a part of the outer surface of the base member 40 form a continuous curved surface. The outer skin layer 80 continuously covers the outer surface of the element layer 70, the outer surface of the covered portion 42 of the base member 40, and the inside of the concave portion C1 of the base member 40. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the terminal portion of the leather member constituting the outer skin layer 80 is housed in the concave portion C1. The outer skin layer 80 is formed of a leather member. In the present embodiment, the leather member is constituted by natural leather such as top leather or split leather obtained by splitting top leather. Note that the leather member may be constituted by any type of leather material such as synthetic leather or artificial leather instead of natural leather.

[0027] A4. Manufacturing method of the steering handle 100: A manufacturing method (assembly method) of the steering handle 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. First, a member obtained by removing the cover member 10 from the illumination device 200 (hereinafter referred to as "illumination sub-assembly") is manufactured. Specifically, first, the cover member 10, the light guide member 20, the light emitting portion 30, and the base member 40 are manufactured. Thereafter, the light guide member 20 and the light emitting portion 30 are attached to the back surface (front side in the assembled state) of the base member 40. At this time, the three screws 90 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are screwed into screw holes 46 (see FIG. 6) provided in the base member 40 while being accommodated in notches 35 provided in the upper edge portion of the substrate 31. In this way, the illumination sub-assembly is completed. Next, the core metal 50 is formed. The core portion 60 and the element layer 70 are formed so as to surround the core metal 50. Hereinafter, the member thus obtained is referred to as a "handle material". The formation of the handle material may be realized by, for example, two-color molding. Subsequently, the illumination sub-assembly is fastened to the core metal 50 using screws. Thereby, the handle material and the illumination sub-assembly are integrated. Note that FIGS. 5 and 6 show cross-sections at portions without fastening screws. In this way, by fastening the illumination sub-assembly and the core metal 50 to each other with screws, the heat generated with the light emission of the light emitting portion 30 can be transmitted to the core metal 50, and it is possible to suppress the illumination device 200 from overheating. Subsequently, a leather member is wound around the outer surface of the member in which the handle material and the illumination sub-assembly are integrated to form an outer skin layer 80. The outer skin layer 80 may be formed, for example, by winding parts of a plurality of leather members in the circumferential direction. Subsequently, an adhesive is applied to the wall surface of the recess C1, the terminal portion of the outer skin layer 80 is bent along the shape of the covering portion 42 and accommodated in the recess C1, and such a terminal portion is adhered to the wall surface of the recess C1. Subsequently, the cover member 10 is fitted into the recess C1, and the cover member 10 is attached to the base member 40 by snap fit. In addition to the above procedures, there are procedures such as accommodating an airbag and an inflator (not shown) in the boss portion 130, but descriptions of these procedures are omitted.

[0028] A5. Details of the mounting state of the base member 40, the light guide member 20, and the light emitting portion 30 (substrate 31): As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the base member 40. Specifically, the rearward-facing surface of the second light guide portion 22 of the light guide member 20 is in contact with the bottom forming portion 47 corresponding to the bottom of the recess C1 in the base member 40. Also, the forward-facing surface of the second light guide portion 22 is in contact with the substrate 31. In this way, since the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the base member 40, displacement of the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32 serving as a light source provided on the surface of the substrate 31 and the light guide member 20 can be suppressed. Here, the portion T1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first contact portion T1") that contacts the light guide member 20 (second light guide portion 22) in order to sandwich the light guide member 20 on the substrate 31, and the portion T2 (hereinafter referred to as the "second contact portion T2") that contacts the light guide member 20 (second light guide portion 22) in order to sandwich the light guide member 20 on the base member 40 are arranged at positions that overlap each other in the direction from the surface of the substrate 31 where the first LED 32 is provided toward the cover member 10, that is, in the forward direction when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 5, the first LED 32 is not in contact with the bottom forming portion 47, and damage to the first LED 32 due to contact with the bottom forming portion 47 is suppressed.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 and as described above, the substrate 31 is attached to the base member 40 by screwing the screw 90 through the substrate 31 into the screw hole 46 of the base member 40, that is, by screwing. And the light guide member 20 is held by the substrate 31 and the base member 40 by screwing. For this reason, the holding of the light guide member 20 by the substrate 31 and the base member 40 can be realized more reliably, and such a holding state can be maintained for a longer time.

[0030] According to the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment described above, since the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the base member 40, it is possible to suppress a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32 serving as a light source provided on the surface of the substrate 31 and the light guide member 20. Also, since the deviation in the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32 and the light guide member 20 can be suppressed in this way, for example, it is not necessary to provide engaging portions such as claws or engaging holes on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 20 and engage them with the base member 40 or the cover member 10 to prevent displacement. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the light amount due to visible light leaking to the outside or the like at the engaging portion provided on the light guide member 20.

[0031] Also, since the light guide member 20 is held between the substrate 31 and the base member 40 by screwing, compared to a configuration without screwing, the holding of the light guide member 20 by the substrate 31 and the base member 40 can be realized more reliably, and such a holding state can be maintained for a longer time.

[0032] Also, since the light guide member 20 includes the first light guide portion 21, the second light guide portion 22, and the deflection portion 23, the optical path length in the light guide member 20 can be made longer compared to a configuration including only the first light guide portion 21 or only the second light guide portion 22, and thereby the light can be more easily diffused. Also, compared to a configuration in which the second light guide portion 22 is omitted and the length of the first light guide portion 21 is extended, or a configuration in which the first light guide portion 21 is omitted and the length of the second light guide portion 22 is extended, it is possible to suppress the light guide member 20 from becoming excessively long in a specific direction, and the illumination device 200 can be miniaturized.

[0033] Also, since the base member 40 has the support portion 41 that surrounds the side surface of the first light guide portion 21 over the entire circumference, excessive displacement of the first light guide portion 21 can be suppressed.

[0034] In addition, since the first contact portion T1 and the second contact portion T2 are arranged at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the direction from the surface of the substrate 31 toward the cover member 10, displacement of the substrate 31 in the direction from the surface of the substrate 31 toward the cover member 10 can be more reliably suppressed. For this reason, displacement of the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32, which is a light source, and the light guide member 20 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0035] B. Second Embodiment: FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100a of the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, similar to FIG. 5, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The steering handle 100a of the second embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that a base member 40a is used instead of the base member 40. Other configurations in the steering handle 100a of the second embodiment are the same as those in the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0036] The base member 40a of the second embodiment is different from the base member 40 of the first embodiment in that it does not include the support portion 41, and other configurations are the same.

[0037] The illumination device 200 of the second embodiment having the above configuration exhibits the same effects as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, as a result of omitting the support portion 41, a through-hole forming portion 49 that forms a through-hole into which the first light guide portion 21 is inserted is exposed in the base member 40a. Since this through-hole forming portion 49 exists in the vicinity of the first light guide portion 21, displacement of the first light guide portion 21 is suppressed by the through-hole forming portion 49.

[0038] C. Third Embodiment: FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100b of the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 5, it shows a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2. The steering handle 100b of the third embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that a light guide member 20b is used instead of the light guide member 20, and a first contact portion T1a is provided instead of the first contact portion T1. Other configurations of the steering handle 100b of the third embodiment are the same as those of the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the detailed configuration of the light guide member 20b of the third embodiment. The light guide member 20b of the third embodiment is different from the light guide member 20 of the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of support columns 26, and other configurations are the same. Each support column 26 has a thin plate-like external shape and is arranged between two adjacent diffusion portions 25 along the circumferential direction.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the front end of the support column 26 is located further forward than the front end of the light guide member 20 (the second light guide portion 22). As a result, the substrate 31 does not contact the second light guide portion 22 but contacts the end of the support column 26. For this reason, in the third embodiment, the first contact portion T1a, which is the portion that contacts to sandwich the light guide member 20 in the substrate 31, becomes the portion that contacts the tip of the support column 26. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the first contact portion T1a and the second contact portion T2 are not arranged at positions overlapping each other when viewed in the direction from the surface of the substrate 31 toward the cover member 10.

[0041] The illumination device 200 of the third embodiment having the above configuration has the same effect as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment.

[0042] D. Fourth Embodiment: FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100c of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 10, similar to FIG. 5, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. In the steering handle 100c of the fourth embodiment, the arrangement position of the first LED 32 on the substrate 31 is different from the arrangement position in the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the first LED 32 is arranged higher on the substrate 31 than in the first embodiment. Also, in the steering handle 100c of the fourth embodiment, the first LED 32 is different from the first LED 32 of the first embodiment in that it emits visible light forward. Furthermore, the steering handle 100c of the fourth embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that a light guide member 20c is used instead of the light guide member 20. Note that since other configurations of the steering handle 100c of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0043] The light guide member 20c of the fourth embodiment is different from the light guide member 20 of the first embodiment in that it includes an enclosing portion 27 instead of the second light guide portion 22 and the deflecting portion 23, and other configurations are the same. As shown in FIG. 10, the enclosing portion 27 has a shape that encloses the first LED 32 and is arranged to surround the first LED 32. Specifically, the enclosing portion 27 is arranged to continuously surround each first LED 32 in the upward, forward, and downward directions. In the fourth embodiment, the first LED 32 is arranged at a position corresponding to the rear direction of the first light guide portion 21. Therefore, the visible light emitted from the first LED 32 travels forward and enters the first light guide portion 21 from the incident surface S2c, and is guided by the first light guide portion 21 and emitted from the emission surface S1 toward the cover member 10.

[0044] In the fourth embodiment, on the substrate 31, the portion of the enclosing portion 27 that covers the substrate 31 from above and the portion that covers the substrate 31 from below correspond to the first contact portion T1b.

[0045] The illumination device 200 of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration exhibits the same effects as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment.

[0046] E. Fifth Embodiment: FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100d of the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 11, similar to FIG. 5, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The steering handle 100d of the fifth embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that the substrate 31 is attached to the base member 40 by screwing with a screw 91 instead of screwing with a screw 90, the base member 40 includes a through hole 48, the substrate 31 includes a through hole 38, and a screw hole 51 is formed in the core metal 50. Other configurations in the steering handle 100d of the fifth embodiment are the same as those in the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0047] In the base member 40, a through hole 48 penetrating in the thickness direction is formed at a position corresponding to the bottom of the concave portion C1. Further, in the substrate 31, a through hole 38 penetrating in the thickness direction is formed at a position corresponding to the front direction with respect to the through hole 48. Furthermore, in the core metal 50, screw holes 51 are formed at positions corresponding to the front direction with respect to the two through holes 48 and 38. Threads are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the screw hole 51. The screw 91 is arranged to penetrate through the two through holes 48 and 38, and its tip is screwed with the screw hole 51. Thus, in the steering handle 100d of the fifth embodiment, the substrate 31 is attached to the base member 40 by screwing the screw 91 with the screw hole 51 of the core metal 50 with the base member 40 and the through hole 38 interposed therebetween. And the light guide member 20 is held in a state of being sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the base member 40 by screwing.

[0048] According to the illumination device 200 of the fifth embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0049] F. Sixth Embodiment: FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100e of the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 12, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The steering handle 100e of the sixth embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a core portion 60e instead of the core portion 60, includes a lens member 10e instead of the cover member 10, the base member 40 does not include a support portion 41, and the light guide member 20 is sandwiched and held between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10e. Other configurations of the steering handle 100e of the sixth embodiment are the same as those of the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0050] The core portion 60e of the sixth embodiment is different from the core portion 60 of the first embodiment in that it does not cover a part of the rearward side of the core metal 50. Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, the rearward end of the core metal 50 is exposed from the core portion 60e and is in contact with the base member 40.

[0051] The lens member 10e is different from the cover member 10 of the first embodiment in that it includes an enclosing portion 12e instead of the enclosing portion 12. Other configurations of the lens member 10e are the same as those of the cover member 10. Therefore, although the names are different, the lens member 10e of the sixth embodiment has the same functions as the cover member 10 of the first embodiment. The protruding portion 13 constituting the enclosing portion 12e is thicker than the protruding portion 13 of the first embodiment, and a screw hole 131 is formed. Threads are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the screw hole 131. Note that in the protruding portion 13, only the portion where the screw hole 131 is formed may be thicker, and the other portions may have the same thickness as the protruding portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0052] In the sixth embodiment, as described above, the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10e. Specifically, the second light guide portion 22 in the light guide member 20 is in contact with the substrate 31 in the forward direction and in contact with a protruding portion 13 corresponding to the end portion of the surrounding portion 12e in the rearward direction. Then, the screw 90 is screwed into the thread of the screw hole 131 through the through hole 38 provided in the substrate 31. Thereby, the second light guide portion 22 is held in a state of being sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the end portion of the surrounding portion 12e.

[0053] For example, in advance, the substrate 31, the light guide member 20, and the lens member 10e can be assembled and integrated by the screw 90 to prepare an assembly. Then, after forming the outer skin layer 80 in a state where the core metal 50, the core portion 60e, and the base member 40 are assembled to each other, the steering handle 100e can be manufactured by fitting the assembly into the recess C1. Therefore, when performing the operation of winding the leather member to form the outer skin layer 80, since the lens member 10e, the light guide member 20, and the light emitting portion 30 do not exist in the recess C1, the efficiency of such an operation can be improved.

[0054] Further, since the substrate 31, the light guide member 20, and the lens member 10e are integrated, it is easy to make the center of the first light guide portion 21 in the lens member 10e coincide with the center of the lens member 10e, and the coincident state can be easily maintained.

[0055] The illumination device 200 of the sixth embodiment having the above configuration exhibits the same effects as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment. In addition, since the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10e, it is easy to align the center of the light guide member 20 with the center of the lens member 10e and to maintain the aligned state. Further, an assembly in which the substrate 31, the lens member 10e, and the light guide member 20 are integrated can be configured as a separate member from other members constituting the steering handle 100e. Therefore, for example, when winding a leather member to form the outer skin layer 80 as the outermost layer of the steering handle 100e, it can be wound with the above assembly removed, improving the working efficiency. Also, since the lens member 10e has an enclosing portion 12e that surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the first light guide portion 21 over the entire circumference, it facilitates the positioning of the first light guide portion 21 during assembly and can suppress displacement of the first light guide portion 21 during use.

[0056] G. Seventh Embodiment: FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100f of the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 13, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The steering handle 100f of the seventh embodiment differs from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a core portion 60f instead of the core portion 60, a light-emitting portion 30f instead of the light-emitting portion 30, a screw hole 51 is formed in the core metal 50, and the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the core metal 50. Other configurations of the steering handle 100f in the seventh embodiment are the same as those of the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and their detailed description is omitted. In the seventh embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, the "cover member" is referred to as the "lens member".

[0057] The core part 60f of the seventh embodiment is different from the core part 60 of the first embodiment in that, similar to 60e of the sixth embodiment, it does not cover a part of the rearward side of the core metal 50. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, the rearward end of the core metal 50 is exposed from the core part 60f and is in contact with the base member 40.

[0058] The light emitting part 30f includes a substrate 31 and a first LED 32, similar to the light emitting part 30 of the first embodiment. Of course, it also includes a second LED 33 (not shown). However, different from the light emitting part 30 of the first embodiment, in the light emitting part 30f of the seventh embodiment, the first LED 32 is arranged on the forward side surface of the two surfaces of the substrate 31. Along with this, the second light guide part 22 in the light guide member 20 is located forward of the substrate 31. A through hole 38 is formed in the substrate 31.

[0059] In the seventh embodiment, as described above, the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the core metal 50. Specifically, the second light guide part 22 in the light guide member 20 is in contact with the core metal 50 forward and in contact with the substrate 31 rearward. And the screw 90 is screwed with the thread of the screw hole 51 formed in the core metal 50 through the through hole 38 provided in the substrate 31. Thereby, the second light guide part 22 is held in a state of being sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the core metal 50.

[0060] The illumination device 200 of the seventh embodiment having the above configuration has the same effects as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment. In addition, since the light guide member 20 is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the core metal 50 which is resistant to impact, even when an external impact is applied, the occurrence of displacement of the light guide member 20 can be suppressed. For this reason, it is not necessary to bring the light guide member 20 close to the lens member 10 (cover member 10) for suppressing the displacement of the light guide member 20, and it can be arranged away from the lens member 10. Therefore, when an external impact is applied, damage to the light guide member 20 can be further suppressed.

[0061] As is also clear from the above-described sixth and seventh embodiments, when a member different from the substrate 31, the lens members 10, 10e (cover members 10, 10e), and the light guide member 20 is defined as a "separate member", the present disclosure can be applied to an illumination device 200 in which the light guide member 20 is sandwiched and held between the substrate 31 and the lens members 10, 10e or the separate member. In this way, the light guide member 20 is sandwiched and held between the substrate 31 and the lens members 10, 10e or the separate member, thereby suppressing a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32 serving as a light source provided on the surface of the substrate and the light guide member 20. Further, since the deviation in the relative positional relationship between the first LED 32 and the light guide member 20 can be suppressed in this way, for example, there is no need to provide engaging portions such as claws or engaging holes on the outer peripheral surface of the light guide member 20 and engage with the base member 40 or the lens members 10, 10e to prevent positional deviation. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of light due to visible light leaking to the outside or the like at the engaging portion provided on the light guide member 20.

[0062] H. Eighth Embodiment: FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of an illumination device 200g according to the eighth embodiment. The illumination device 200g according to the eighth embodiment is different from the illumination device 200 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it does not include the light guide member 20, includes a light emitting portion 30g instead of the light emitting portion 30, includes a base member 40g instead of the base member 40, and includes a lens member 10g instead of the cover member 10. Other configurations of the illumination device 200g according to the eighth embodiment are the same as those of the illumination device 200 according to the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In the eighth embodiment, as in the sixth and seventh embodiments, the "cover member" is referred to as the "lens member".

[0063] The light-emitting unit 30g differs from the light-emitting unit 30 of the first embodiment in that it includes a light-emitting functional unit 37 instead of the first LED 32, and a plurality of through-holes (through-hole 39 described later) penetrating in the thickness direction are formed in the substrate 31. Since other configurations of the light-emitting unit 30g are the same as those of the light-emitting unit 30, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0064] The light-emitting functional unit 37 has a function of emitting visible light and guiding such visible light to the lens member 10 (cover member 10). The light-emitting functional unit 37 includes a pair of light-emitting element units 36 and a light guide member 20g. Each light-emitting element unit 36 is arranged on the substrate 31 so as to be circumferentially separated from each other. Each light-emitting element unit 36 includes an LED having the same function as the first LED 32. The light guide member 20g has a quadrangular prism shape curved in an arc shape. Both end faces in the circumferential direction of the light guide member 20g face the pair of light-emitting element units 36. Similar to the light guide member 20, the light guide member 20g guides the light (visible light) emitted from the LEDs of each light-emitting element unit 36 to the lens member 10g. On the front side of the light guide member 20g, a structure for deflecting the light guided along the circumferential direction backward, for example, a plurality of grooves are formed. Therefore, the light emitted from the LEDs of each light-emitting element unit 36 is guided toward the other light-emitting element unit 36 while being reflected along the inner surface of the light guide member 20g in the circumferential direction, and is deflected backward and guided to the lens member 10g (outer surface forming portion 11). In the present embodiment, the light guide member 20g is formed of a PC resin. Note that it may be formed of an acrylic resin instead of the PC resin. Details of the lens member 10g will be described later.

[0065] The base member 40g differs from the base member 40 of the first embodiment in that it does not include the support portion 41. Since the base member 40g of the eighth embodiment does not include the support portion 41, a through-hole forming portion 49 is exposed at the arc-shaped bottom portion located substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the base member 40.

[0066] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the steering handle 100g of the eighth embodiment. In FIG. 15, a cross-section at the same position as the V-V cross-section shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The steering handle 100g of the eighth embodiment is different from the steering handle 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes an illumination device 200g instead of the illumination device 200 and includes a core portion 60g instead of the core portion 60. Since other configurations of the steering handle 100g in the eighth embodiment are the same as those of the steering handle 100 in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0067] The core portion 60g of the eighth embodiment is different from the core portion 60 of the first embodiment in that, similar to the 60e of the sixth embodiment and the 60f of the seventh embodiment, it does not cover a part of the rearward side of the core metal 50. Therefore, in the eighth embodiment, the rearward end of the core metal 50 is exposed from the core portion 60g and is in contact with the base member 40.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 15, the lens member 10g is different from the cover member 10 (lens member 10) of the first embodiment in that it includes a surrounding portion 12g instead of the surrounding portion 12 and the thickness of the outer surface forming portion 11 is greater. The protruding portion 13 constituting the surrounding portion 12g is thicker than the protruding portion 13 of the first embodiment and has a screw hole 131 formed therein, similar to the protruding portion 13 of the sixth embodiment. Threads are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the screw hole 131. Note that in the protruding portion 13, only the portion where the screw hole 131 is formed may be thicker, and the other portions may have the same thickness as the protruding portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0069] In the eighth embodiment, the light guide member 20g is held sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10g in the radial direction. Specifically, the light guide member 20g is in contact with the substrate 31 in the forward direction and in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer surface forming portion 11 in the rearward direction. Then, the screw 90 passes through the through hole 39 provided in the substrate 31 and is screwed into the thread of the screw hole 131. Thereby, the light guide member 20g is held in a state of being sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10g (the inner peripheral surface of the outer surface forming portion 11). In the eighth embodiment, in all regions of the light guide member 20g along the circumferential direction, the light guide member 20g is sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10g. Note that the light guide member 20g may be sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10g only in a part of the light guide member 20g along the circumferential direction. Further, instead of the light guide member 20g, at least one of the pair of light emitting element portions 36 may be sandwiched between the substrate 31 and the lens member 10g.

[0070] The illumination device 200g of the eighth embodiment having the above configuration exhibits the same effects as the illumination device 200 of the first embodiment and the illumination device 200 of the sixth embodiment.

[0071] I. Other Embodiments: (I1) In the first to fourth embodiments, the substrate 31 was attached to the base members 40, 40a by screwing, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the base members 40, 40a may be provided with engaging claws, and the substrate 31 may be attached by engaging with such engaging claws.

[0072] (I2) In each embodiment, the illumination devices 200 and 200g are provided on the gripping portion 110, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the illumination devices 200 and 200g may be provided on any part of the steering wheels 100, 100a to 100g, such as the boss portion 130 or the spoke portion 120. In this case, the shape and configuration of the illumination devices 200 and 200g can be appropriately changed according to the size and shape of the location where the illumination devices 200 and 200g are provided. Note that the position of the illumination devices 200 and 200g is preferably a position that can be directly viewed by the driver. However, for example, when the light emitted from the illumination devices 200 and 200g is reflected on the surface of any part inside the vehicle, such as the surface of the instrument panel, and such reflected light can be viewed by the driver, the position of the illumination devices 200 and 200g may be a position that cannot be directly viewed by the driver.

[0073] (I3) The configurations of the steering wheels 100, 100a to 100g in each embodiment are merely examples and can be variously changed. For example, in each embodiment, the protruding portion 13 may be omitted. Also, in each embodiment, a plurality of second LEDs 33 may be omitted. Further, in the first to third embodiments and the fifth to seventh embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the light guide member 20 along the axis AX was substantially L-shaped. That is, the first direction and the second direction were orthogonal to each other. However, the first light guide portion 21 and the second light guide portion 22 may be arranged such that these directions intersect at an arbitrary angle other than 90°.

[0074] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features in each embodiment corresponding to the technical features in the forms described in the summary of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 10... Cover member (lens member), 10e... Lens member, 10g... Lens member, 11... Outer surface forming portion, 12... Surrounding portion, 12e... Surrounding portion, 12g... Surrounding portion, 13... Protruding portion, 14... Engaging hole, 15... Engaging wall, 20... Light guide member, 20b... Light guide member, 20c... Light guide member, 20g... Light guide member, 21... First light guide portion, 22... Second light guide portion, 23... Deflecting portion, 24... Deflecting surface, 25... Diffusing portion, 26... Support portion, 27... Surrounding portion, 30... Light emitting portion, 30f... Light emitting portion, 30g... Light emitting portion, 31... Substrate, 32... First LED, 33... Second LED, 35... Notch portion, 37... Light emitting function portion, 38... Through hole, 39... Through hole, 40... Base member, 40a... Base member, 40g... Base member, 41... Support portion, 42... Coating portion, 43... Top portion, 44... Engaging claw, 45... Engaging wall, 46... Screw hole, 47... Bottom forming portion, 48... Through hole, 49... Through hole forming portion, 50... Core wire, 60... Core portion, 60e... Core portion, 60f... Core portion, 60g... Core portion, 70... Element layer, 80... Outer skin layer, 90... Screw, 91... Screw, 100... Steering handle, 100a... Steering handle, 100b... Steering handle, 100c... Steering handle, 100d... Steering handle, 100e... Steering handle, 100f... Steering handle, 100g... Steering handle, 110... Gripping portion, 120... Spoke portion, 130... Boss portion, 200... Illumination device, 200g... Illumination device, AX... Axis, C1... Concave portion, S1... Emitting surface, S2... Incident surface, SH... Steering shaft, T1... First contact portion, T1a... First contact portion, T1b... First contact portion, T2... Second contact portion, g1... Group, g2... Group

Claims

1. An illumination device for use in a steering wheel, comprising: A substrate having a light emitting element provided on a surface thereof; a cover member that forms a part of an outer surface of the steering wheel and has optical transparency and transmits visible light output from the light-emitting element to the outside of the steering wheel; a light guiding member that guides the visible light output from the light emitting element to the cover member; a base member to which the substrate and the cover member are attached and which holds the substrate and the cover member; Equipped with The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the base member. Illumination device.

2. 2. The illumination device according to claim 1, The substrate is attached to the base member by screws, The light guide member is held by the substrate and the base member with the screws.

3. 2. The illumination device according to claim 1, The light guiding member is a first light guiding section having an exit surface through which the visible light is emitted from the light guiding member to the cover member, the first light guiding section being extended along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member; a second light guiding section having an incident surface to which the visible light output from the light emitting element is incident, the second light guiding section extending along a second direction intersecting with the first direction; a deflection section that connects the first light guiding section and the second light guiding section and deflects the visible light guided by the second light guiding section to input the visible light into the first light guiding section; An illumination device comprising:

4. 2. The illumination device according to claim 1, the light guide member includes a first light guide portion having an exit surface through which the visible light is emitted from the light guide member to the cover member, the first light guide portion being extended along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member; The base member has a support portion that completely surrounds at least a portion of a side surface of the first light guide portion.

5. An illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, An illumination device, wherein a first contact portion that comes into contact with the substrate to sandwich the light-guiding member and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the base member to sandwich the light-guiding member are positioned so as to overlap each other when viewed in a direction from the surface of the substrate toward the cover member.

6. An illumination device for use in a steering wheel, comprising: A substrate having a light emitting element provided on a surface thereof; a lens member having optical transparency that transmits visible light output from the light-emitting element to the outside of the steering wheel; a light guiding member that guides the visible light output from the light emitting element to the lens member; a member different from the substrate, the lens member, and the light guiding member; Equipped with The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the lens member or the separate member. Illumination device.

7. 7. An illumination device according to claim 6, comprising: the separate member includes a core metal that forms a framework of the steering wheel, The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the core metal. Illumination device.

8. 7. An illumination device according to claim 6, comprising: The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and the lens member. Illumination device.

9. 9. An illumination device according to claim 8, comprising: the light guide member includes a first light guide section having an exit surface through which the visible light is emitted from the light guide member to the lens member, the first light guide section being extended along a first direction from the surface of the substrate toward the lens member; the lens member has a surrounding portion that completely surrounds at least a portion of a side surface of the first light guiding portion, The light guide member is sandwiched and held between the substrate and an end portion of the surrounding portion. Illumination device.

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