Shift device

Abstract

To suppress erroneous operation of an operation part.SOLUTION: In a shift device 10, a first shift mechanism 18 is arranged in a 16A part of an arrangement surface of a handle 12, and the first shift mechanism 18 is operated to change a shift position of a gearbox 22. Here, the arrangement surface 16A is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the handle 12. Therefore, the placement surface 16A can be easily recognized, and erroneous operation of the first shift mechanism 18 on the placement surface 16A can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device in which an operating unit is disposed on a steering element. [Background technology]

[0002] In the shift device described in Patent Document 1 below, an operating unit is arranged on the screen of a touch detection display on a steering wheel, and the operating state of the automobile is changed by operating the operating unit.

[0003] Here, in this shift device, the screen of the touch detection display is arranged perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0011042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can suppress erroneous operation of an operating portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the shift device of the present invention includes a steering body that is rotated to steer a vehicle, and an arrangement surface that is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the steering body, and an operating unit that is arranged on the arrangement surface and operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission.

[0007] A second aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising an additional arrangement surface provided on the steering body, and an additional operating unit that is arranged on the additional arrangement surface and operated to operate the vehicle's operating device.

[0008] A shift device of a third aspect of the present invention is the shift device of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the arrangement surface is arranged on the opposite side of the additional arrangement surface from a gripping portion of the steering body that is gripped by a rider.

[0009] A shift device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the operating direction of the operating unit and the operating direction of the additional operating unit are different.

[0010] A shift device of a fifth aspect of the present invention is the shift device of any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the operation device is a vehicle driving mode change device.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is a shift device of any one of the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a traveling system shift position, and the additional operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission, which is the operating device, to a stopping system shift position.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the operating unit is operated to cause the vehicle to travel in the operating direction of the operating unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, a steering element is provided with a mounting surface, an operating unit is mounted on the mounting surface, and the operating unit is operated to change the shift position of a transmission of a vehicle. Also, the steering element is rotated to steer the vehicle.

[0014] Here, the arrangement surface is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the steering body, which makes it possible to easily recognize the arrangement surface and to prevent erroneous operation of the operating part.

[0015] In the shift device of the second aspect of the present invention, an additional arrangement surface is provided on the steering body, and an additional operation unit is arranged on the additional arrangement surface, and the additional operation unit is operated to operate the vehicle operation device. Therefore, the operation device can be operated at the steering body.

[0016] In the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, the arrangement surface is arranged on the opposite side of the additional arrangement surface from the grip portion of the steering body that is gripped by the driver. Therefore, by separating the arrangement surface from the grip portion of the steering body with respect to the additional arrangement surface, it is possible to effectively prevent erroneous operation of the operating unit.

[0017] In the shift device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operating direction of the operating unit and the operating direction of the additional operating unit are different, which can prevent erroneous operation of the operating unit and the additional operating unit.

[0018] In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating device is a vehicle driving mode changing device, so that the vehicle driving mode can be changed by operating the additional operating portion.

[0019] In a sixth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, the operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a traveling system shift position. Furthermore, the additional operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission (operating device) to a stopping system shift position. Therefore, by separately arranging the operating unit and the additional operating unit, it is possible to improve the operability of the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission to the traveling system shift position and the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission to the stopping system shift position.

[0020] In the shift device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the operating unit is operated, the vehicle travels in the direction in which the operating unit is operated, which makes it easy to recognize the traveling direction of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a handle in a first embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a front view seen from the front, and 1B is a top view seen from above. [Figure 2](A) is a front view of the first shift mechanism of the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a front view of the first switch mechanism of the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (C) is a front view of the second switch mechanism of the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (D) is a front view of the second shift mechanism of the shift device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and (E) is a front view of the third shift mechanism of the shift device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] (A) is a front view showing a part of a first shift mechanism of a shift device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B of (A), (C) is a front view showing a part of a first modified example of the first shift mechanism, and (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3D-3D of (C). [Figure 4] (A) is a front view showing a second modified example of the first shift mechanism of the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B of (A), (C) is a front view showing a third modified example of the first shift mechanism of the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4D-4D of (C). [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a handle in a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 6] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing a handle in a third embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view seen from the front, and (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in (A)). [Figure 7] (A) is a cross-sectional view from above showing the main parts of a first modified example of the handle in the third embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a cross-sectional view from above showing the main parts of a second modified example of the handle in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) and (B) are diagrams showing a handle in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view seen from the front, and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the main part seen from the right (cross-sectional view along line 8B-8B in (A)). [Figure 9] (A) to (C) are diagrams showing a handle in a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view seen from the front, (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the right side of the main part (cross-sectional view taken along line 9B-9B in (A)), and (C) is a front view seen from the front side of the main part. [Figure 10] (A) and (B) are front views showing the handle of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the normal state and (B) shows the state rotated to the left. [Figure 11] 10A is a front view of the right part of the handle in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the shift device in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] [First embodiment] Fig. 1(A) shows a front view of a steering wheel 12 as a steering body to which a shift device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 1(B) shows a top view of the steering wheel 12. In the drawings, the front of the steering wheel 12 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right side of the steering wheel 12 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the top of the steering wheel 12 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0023] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 12 is installed on the front side of the driver's seat (not shown) of the vehicle (automobile), and the front, right and top of the steering wheel 12 are directed diagonally upward and rearward, right and upward and forward, respectively, of the vehicle.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a generally rectangular pillar-shaped boss 12A is provided at the center of the handlebar 12 as a central portion, and the boss 12A extends in the vertical direction. A generally U-shaped rim 12B is provided on the outer periphery of the handlebar 12 as an outer peripheral portion (grip portion), and the left-right center of the lower portion of the rim 12B is connected to the boss 12A. A generally rectangular plate-shaped spoke 12C is provided between the upper left and right upper portions of the rim 12B and the boss 12A, respectively, as a connecting portion, and connects the rim 12B to the boss 12A. The rear side of the boss 12A is fixed to a generally cylindrical handlebar shaft 18 (steering shaft), and the axial direction of the handlebar shaft 18 is aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the rim 12B and the front faces of the spokes 12C are aligned along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the handlebar shaft 18 (the direction of the rotational axis of the handlebar 12).

[0025] The steering wheel 12 is located in front of the vehicle occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat, and the steering wheel 12 is rotated in the circumferential direction by gripping the left and right sides of the rim 12B with the occupant's left and right hands, respectively, causing the steering wheel shaft 18 to rotate integrally with the steering wheel 12, thereby steering the vehicle.

[0026] The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is mounted on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the boss 12A.

[0027] A roughly triangular prism-shaped mounting member 16 is fixed to the left and right sides of the lower portion of the boss 12A, and the mounting member 16 extends in the vertical direction below the spoke 12C. The front surface of the mounting member 16 is a mounting surface 16A, which is inclined rearward as it extends outward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12. The mounting member 16 is provided with a first shift mechanism 18 (see FIG. 2(A)). The first shift mechanism 18 is provided with a P switch 18P, an R switch 18R, an N switch 18N, and a D switch 18D, each of which has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, as operating units. The P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D are arranged on the mounting surface 16A, with their respective front surfaces parallel to the mounting surface 16A. The P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D are arranged in this order from top to bottom. The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D are mechanical switches (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), and the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D can be pressed by the occupant and are operated rearward in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 16A (front surface). The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the left first shift mechanism 18 can be operated by the thumb of the occupant's left hand gripping the left side of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the right, and the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the right first shift mechanism 18 can be operated by the thumb of the occupant's right hand gripping the right side of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the left.

[0028] The first shift mechanism 18 is electrically connected to a vehicle control device 20, which is electrically connected to a transmission 22 (automatic transmission) of the vehicle. When the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D are operated, the shift positions of the transmission 22 are changed to the P position (park position, stop system shift position), the R position (reverse position, running system shift position), the N position (neutral position, stop system shift position), and the D position (drive position, running system shift position), respectively, under the control of the control device 20.

[0029] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] In the shift device 10 configured as described above, the first shift mechanism 18 is provided on the mounting body 16 of the handlebar 12, and the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 are arranged on the mounting surface 16A of the mounting body 16. The shift position of the transmission 22 is changed by operating the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D.

[0031] Here, the arrangement surface 16A is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis direction (front-rear direction) of the handle 12. Therefore, unlike when the arrangement surface 16A is arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the handle 12, the arrangement surface 16A can be easily recognized, and erroneous operation of the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D on the arrangement surface 16A can be prevented.

[0032] Furthermore, when the occupant grips the left side of the rim 12B with all the fingers of their left hand, the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the left-side first shift mechanism 18 are rendered inoperable. Moreover, when the occupant grips the right side of the rim 12B with all the fingers of their right hand, the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the right-side first shift mechanism 18 are rendered inoperable. This allows for appropriate placement of the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18, which are operated less frequently.

[0033] Furthermore, the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the left-side first shift mechanism 18 can be operated by the thumb of the left hand of the occupant gripping the left side of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the right. Moreover, the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the right-side first shift mechanism 18 can be operated by the thumb of the right hand of the occupant gripping the right side of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the left. This improves the operability of the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18.

[0034] In this embodiment, the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 are mechanical switches that can be operated by pressing them. However, as a first modified example of the first shift mechanism 18, the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 may be capacitance switches (see FIGS. 3C and 3D) that can be operated by touching them.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first shift mechanism 18 is provided with a P switch 18P, an R switch 18R, an N switch 18N, and a D switch 18D. However, as a second modified example of the first shift mechanism 18, the first shift mechanism 18 may be provided with a long, plate-shaped rotating body 24 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) as an operating unit. In this case, the rotating body 24 extends in the width direction (substantially the left-right direction) of the arrangement surface 16A, is rotatably supported at a base end (rear side) by the arrangement body 16, and protrudes forward from the arrangement surface 16A. When the rotating body 24 is rotated in the up-down direction, the shift position of the transmission 22 is changed under the control of the control device 20.

[0036] Moreover, in this embodiment, the first shift mechanism 18 is provided with a P switch 18P, an R switch 18R, an N switch 18N, and a D switch 18D. However, as a third modified example of the first shift mechanism 18, the first shift mechanism 18 may be provided with a disk-shaped rotating body 26 (see FIGS. 4C and 4D) as an operating unit. In this case, the axial direction of the rotating body 26 is aligned with the width direction (approximately the left-right direction) of the arrangement surface 16A, the rotating body 26 is rotatably supported by the arrangement body 16 at its central axis, and a front portion thereof protrudes forward of the arrangement surface 16A. Then, by operating the rotating body 26 to rotate in the vertical direction, the shift position of the transmission 22 is changed under the control of the control device 20.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first shift mechanism 18 is provided on the left and right arrangement bodies 16. However, the first switch mechanism 28 (see FIG. 2B) may be provided on the left or right arrangement body 16. In this case, the first switch mechanism 28 includes a middle switch 28A, an upper switch 28B, a lower switch 28C, a left switch 28D, and a right switch 28E as additional operation units, which are mechanical switches or capacitance switches and are arranged on the arrangement surface 16A (additional arrangement surface). Furthermore, the first switch mechanism 28 is electrically connected to the control device 20, and an audio device 28F (see FIG. 1A) as an operation device is electrically connected to the control device 20. When the middle switch 28A, the upper switch 28B, the lower switch 28C, the left switch 28D, and the right switch 28E are pressed or touched, the audio device 28F is operated under the control of the control device 20.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the left and right arrangement bodies 16 are provided with the first shift mechanisms 18. However, a second switch mechanism 30 (see FIG. 2(C)) may be provided in the left or right arrangement body 16. In this case, the second switch mechanism 30 is used for ACC (adaptive crease control), and the second switch mechanism 30 has mechanical or capacitance switches, such as a + / RES switch 30A, a CANSEL switch 30B, and a -- / SET switch 30C, as additional operating devices, arranged on the arrangement surface 16A (additional arrangement surface). Furthermore, the second switch mechanism 30 is electrically connected to the control device 20, and a driving mode change device 30D (see FIG. 1(A)) as an operating device is electrically connected to the control device 20. When the + / RES switch 30A, the CANSEL switch 30B, and the -- / SET switch 30C are pressed or touched, the driving mode change device 30D changes the vehicle's driving mode (for example, to ACC mode or normal mode) under the control of the control device 20.

[0039] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the handlebar 12 to which a shift device 40 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0040] The handle 12 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, in the handle 12 (steering wheel) of this embodiment, the rim 12B is annular in front view, and the left and right ends of the rim 12B are connected to the boss 12A by spokes 12C.

[0042] The shift device 40 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

[0043] Here, the shift device 40 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0044] In this embodiment, instead of the first shift mechanism 18, a first modified example of the first shift mechanism 18 (see (C) and (D) in Figures 3A and 3B), a second modified example (see (A) and (B) in Figures 4A and 4B), a third modified example (see (C) and (D) in Figures 4A and 4B), a first switch mechanism 28 (see (B) in Figure 2A), or a second switch mechanism 30 (see (C) in Figure 2A) may be provided.

[0045] In the first and second embodiments, the shift devices 10, 40 are provided on the left and right sides of the boss 12A. However, the shift devices 10, 40 may be provided on the left or right side of the boss 12A.

[0046] [Third embodiment] Figure 6(A) shows a front view of a handle 12 to which a shift device 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Figure 6(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the handle 12 from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in Figure 6(A)).

[0047] The handle 12 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0048] 6(A) and 6(B), in the steering wheel 12 of this embodiment, the boss 12A is cylindrical, and the central axis of the boss 12A is arranged coaxially with the steering shaft 18. The rim 12B is annular in front view, and the left end, right end, and bottom end of the rim 12B are connected to the boss 12A by spokes 12C.

[0049] The shift device 50 according to this embodiment is mounted on the left and right spokes 12C, and the front surfaces of the left and right spokes 12C are concave in the left-right direction. The front surfaces of the boss 12A side portions of the left and right spokes 12C (the inner portions of the handlebars 12 in the left-right direction) form mounting surfaces 16A, which are inclined rearward as they extend outward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12. The front surfaces of the rim 12B side portions of the left and right spokes 12C (the outer portions of the handlebars 12 in the left-right direction) form additional mounting surfaces 16B, which are inclined rearward as they extend inward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12.

[0050] The boss 12A side portions of the left and right spokes 12C are provided with the first shift mechanism 18 (see Figures 2(A) and 3(A) and (B)), and the rim 12B side portions of the left and right spokes 12C are provided with the first switch mechanism 28 (see Figure 2(B)).

[0051] The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 on the left side, and the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D, and right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 can be operated by the thumb of the left hand of the occupant gripping the left end of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the right. The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 on the right side, and the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D, and right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 can be operated by the thumb of the right hand of the occupant gripping the right end of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the left.

[0052] Here, the shift device 50 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0053] Furthermore, on the left and right sides of the handlebars 12, the first shift mechanism 18 (P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D) is disposed on the opposite side of the rim 12B (toward the boss 12A) from the first switch mechanism 28 (middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D, and right switch 28E). This makes it relatively difficult to operate the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18, which are operated less frequently, and reduces erroneous operation of the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D. Furthermore, the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D and right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28, which are operated frequently, can be operated relatively easily, thereby improving the operability of the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D and right switch 28E.

[0054] Furthermore, on the left and right sides of the handlebars 12, the operation direction of the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 is toward the rear side (the opposite side to the rim 12B) in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 16A, and the operation direction of the middle switch 28A, the upper switch 28B, the lower switch 28C, the left switch 28D, and the right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 is toward the rear side (the rim 12B side) in the direction perpendicular to the additional arrangement surface 16B. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D and the middle switch 28A, the upper switch 28B, the lower switch 28C, the left switch 28D, and the right switch 28E.

[0055] In this embodiment, the front surfaces (arrangement surfaces 16A) of the spokes 12C on the boss 12A side are inclined rearward as they extend outward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12. However, as shown in Figure 7(A), for example, the front surfaces (arrangement surfaces 16A) of the spokes 12C on the boss 12A side may be inclined rearward as they extend inward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front surfaces (additional arrangement surfaces 16B) of the spokes 12C on the rim 12B side are inclined rearward as they move inward in the left-right direction of the handlebars 12. However, as shown in Figure 7(B), for example, the front surfaces (additional arrangement surfaces 16B) of the spokes 12C on the rim 12B side may be arranged vertically in the front-to-rear direction.

[0057] [Fourth embodiment] Figure 8(A) shows a front view of a handlebar 12 to which a shift device 60 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Figure 8(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the handlebar 12 from the right (cross-sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in Figure 8(A)).

[0058] The handle 12 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the third embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0059] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the shift device 60 according to this embodiment is mounted on the left and right spokes 12C, and the front surfaces of the left and right spokes 12C are concave in the vertical direction. The front surfaces of the upper portions of the left and right spokes 12C form mounting surfaces 16A, which are inclined downward and toward the rear. The front surfaces of the lower portions of the left and right spokes 12C form additional mounting surfaces 16B, which are inclined upward and toward the rear.

[0060] The first shift mechanism 18 (see FIG. 2(A) and FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)) is provided on the upper portion of the left and right spokes 12C, and the P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 are arranged, for example, from left to right in this order. Furthermore, the first switch mechanism 28 (see FIG. 2(B)) is provided on the lower portion of the left and right spokes 12C.

[0061] The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 on the left side, and the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D, and right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 can be operated by the thumb of the left hand of the occupant gripping the left end of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the right. The P switch 18P, R switch 18R, N switch 18N, and D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 on the right side, and the middle switch 28A, upper switch 28B, lower switch 28C, left switch 28D, and right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 can be operated by the thumb of the right hand of the occupant gripping the right end of the rim 12B and stretching it out to the left.

[0062] Here, the shift device 60 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0063] Furthermore, on the left and right sides of the handlebars 12, the operation direction of the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D of the first shift mechanism 18 is rearward in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface 16A, and the operation direction of the middle switch 28A, the up switch 28B, the down switch 28C, the left switch 28D, and the right switch 28E of the first switch mechanism 28 is rearward in the direction perpendicular to the additional arrangement surface 16B. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the P switch 18P, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the D switch 18D and the middle switch 28A, the up switch 28B, the down switch 28C, the left switch 28D, and the right switch 28E.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first shift mechanism 18 (including the positioning surface 16A) is provided in the upper portion of the spoke 12C, and the first switch mechanism 28 (including the additional positioning surface 16B) is provided in the lower portion of the spoke 12C. However, the first shift mechanism 18 (including the positioning surface 16A) may be provided in the upper portion of the spoke 12C, and the first switch mechanism 28 (including the additional positioning surface 16B) may be provided in the lower portion of the spoke 12C.

[0065] In addition, in the third and fourth embodiments, the first shift mechanism 18 may be replaced by a first modified example (see (C) and (D) of Figures 3), a second modified example (see (A) and (B) of Figures 4), or a third modified example (see (C) and (D) of Figures 4) of the first shift mechanism 18, and the first switch mechanism 28 may be replaced by a second switch mechanism 30 (see (C) of Figure 2).

[0066] Furthermore, in the third and fourth embodiments, a second shift mechanism 32 (see FIG. 2(D)) may be provided instead of the first shift mechanism 18, and a third shift mechanism 34 (see FIG. 2(E)) may be provided instead of the first switch mechanism 28. In this case, in the second shift mechanism 32, the R switch 18R and the D switch 18D serving as operation units are mechanical switches or capacitance switches and are arranged on the arrangement surface 16A (in the fourth embodiment, the R switch 18R and the D switch 18D may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction). Then, by pressing or touching the R switch 18R and the D switch 18D, the shift positions of the transmission 22 are changed to the R position and the D position (traveling-system shift positions), respectively, under the control of the control device 20. Furthermore, in the third shift mechanism 34, the P switch 18P and the N switch 18N serving as additional operating units are mechanical switches or capacitance switches and are arranged on the additional arrangement surface 16B (in the fourth embodiment, the P switch 18P and the N switch 18N may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction). When the P switch 18P and the N switch 18N are pressed or touched, the shift position of the transmission 22 (operating device) is changed to the P position and the N position (stop-system shift position) under the control of the control device 20. Therefore, by separately arranging the R switch 18R and the D switch 18D and the P switch 18P and the N switch 18N, the operability of the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission 22 to the R position and the D position and the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission 22 to the P position and the N position can be improved.

[0067] [Fifth embodiment] Figure 9(A) shows a front view of a handle 12 to which a shift device 70 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Figure 9(B) shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the handle 12 from the right (cross-sectional view taken along line 9B-9B in Figure 9(A)).

[0068] The handle 12 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the fourth embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0069] 9A and 9B, in the shift device 70 according to this embodiment, the front surfaces of the upper and lower portions of the left and right spokes 12C are arrangement surfaces 16A, with the upper arrangement surface 16A inclined rearward as it extends downward, and the lower arrangement surface 16A inclined rearward as it extends upward. Furthermore, the front surfaces of the middle portions (middle portions in the up-down direction) of the left and right spokes 12C are additional arrangement surfaces 16B, which are arranged perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0070] The second shift mechanism 32 (see FIG. 2(D)) is provided at the top and bottom of the left and right spokes 12C, with the D switch 18D of the second shift mechanism 32 arranged on the upper arrangement surface 16A and the R switch 18R of the second shift mechanism 32 arranged on the lower arrangement surface 16A (see FIG. 9(C)). The third shift mechanism 34 (see FIG. 2(E)) is provided in the middle of the left and right spokes 12C, with the N switch 18N of the third shift mechanism 34 arranged on the left side of the additional arrangement surface 16B and the P switch 18P of the third shift mechanism 34 arranged on the right side of the additional arrangement surface 16B.

[0071] Here, the shift device 70 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0072] Furthermore, on the left and right sides of the handlebars 12, the operation directions of the D switch 18D and the R switch 18R of the second shift mechanism 32 are rearward in a direction perpendicular to the upper and lower arrangement surfaces 16A, respectively, and the operation directions of the N switch 18N and the P switch 18P of the third shift mechanism 34 are rearward in a direction perpendicular to the additional arrangement surface 16B. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the D switch 18D, the R switch 18R, the N switch 18N, and the P switch 18P.

[0073] Moreover, on the left and right sides of the handlebars 12, the D switch 18D is arranged on the upper arrangement surface 16A, the R switch 18R is arranged on the lower arrangement surface 16A, and the N switch 18N and the P switch 18P are arranged on the additional arrangement surface 16B. Therefore, by separately arranging the D switch 18D, the R switch 18R, the P switch 18P, and the N switch 18N, it is possible to improve the operability of the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission 22 to the D position (traveling system shift position), the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission 22 to the R position (traveling system shift position), and the operation for changing the shift position of the transmission 22 to the P position and the N position (stop system shift position).

[0074] In the third to fifth embodiments, the shift devices 50, 60, 70 are provided on the left and right spokes 12C. However, the shift devices 50, 60, 70 may be provided on either the left or right spokes 12C.

[0075] [Sixth embodiment] FIG. 10(A) shows a front view of the handlebar 12 to which a shift device 80 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0076] The handle 12 in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0077] 10(A), in the handlebar 12 of this embodiment, the rim 12B is roughly C-shaped when viewed from the front, and the upper left and upper right portions of the rim 12B (both longitudinal ends) are connected to the upper portion of the boss 12A, and the center of the lower portion in the left-right direction (center portion in the longitudinal direction) is connected to the lower end of the boss 12A. Note that the handlebar 12 does not have spokes 12C.

[0078] A shift device 80 according to this embodiment (see FIGS. 11A and 11B) is mounted on the right side of the rim 12B.

[0079] A substantially rectangular columnar arrangement body 16 is fixed to the inner periphery (left side) of the right side of the rim 12B, and extends substantially vertically along the right side of the rim 12B, rearward of the front end of the rim 12B. The front surface of the upper side (one side in the longitudinal direction) of the arrangement body 16 is inclined upward and rearward, and the front surface of the lower side (other side in the longitudinal direction) of the arrangement body 16 is inclined downward and rearward. The front surface of the middle part (middle part in the vertical direction) of the arrangement body 16 is concave, and the front surfaces of the upper and lower parts of the middle part of the arrangement body 16 are arrangement surface 16A and additional arrangement surface 16B, respectively. The arrangement surface 16A is inclined upward and forward, and the additional arrangement surface 16B is inclined downward and forward.

[0080] An operating body 82 is supported at the middle of the arrangement body 16, and is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the approximate left-right direction (the width direction of the arrangement body 16). The operating body 82 is rotatable within a predetermined range, and is biased toward the center of the rotatable range. The upper portion of the operating body 82 serves as a D button 82D as an operating unit, and the D button 82D is disposed on the arrangement surface 16A of the arrangement body 16. The front surface of the D button 82D is inclined in a forward direction as it extends upward, and is parallel to the arrangement surface 16A. The lower portion of the operating body 82 serves as an R button 82R as an additional operating unit, and the R button 82R is disposed on the additional arrangement surface 16B of the arrangement body 16. The front surface of the R button 82R is inclined in a forward direction as it extends downward, and is parallel to the additional arrangement surface 16B. The D button 82D and the R button 82R can be operated by the occupant by pressing their respective front surfaces, and when the D button 82D or the R button 82R is operated, the operating body 82 is rotated against the biasing force. The thumb of the occupant's right hand, which grips the right side of the rim 12B, can move to the front surfaces of the D button 82D and the R button 82R, and the D button 82D and the R button 82R can be operated by the thumb. The D button 82D is operated in the rearward direction (toward the front of the vehicle), and the R button 82R is operated in the downward direction (the other longitudinal side of the arrangement body 16).

[0081] The operating body 82 is electrically connected to the control device 20, and when the D button 82D and the R button 82R are operated, the shift positions of the transmission 22 (operating device) are changed to the D position and the R position, respectively, under the control of the control device 20.

[0082] Here, the shift device 80 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0083] Furthermore, the operating direction of the D button 82D of the operating body 82 is set rearward, and the operating direction of the R button 82R of the operating body 82 is set downward. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the D button 82D and the R button 82R.

[0084] Moreover, when the handlebars 12 are rotated (see FIG. 10(B)), the operating direction of the D button 82D of the operating body 82 is maintained rearward, while the operating direction of the R button 82R of the operating body 82 (the other side in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement body 16) is changed (toward the right side of the vehicle in FIG. 10(B)), but the difference between the operating directions of the D button 82D and the R button 82R is maintained. Therefore, erroneous operation of the D button 82D and the R button 82R can be appropriately prevented.

[0085] Furthermore, the operating direction of the D button 82D of the operating body 82 is maintained rearward regardless of the rotational position of the handle 12. This makes it possible to prevent the D button 82D from being operated erroneously.

[0086] Also, the operation direction of the D button 82D of the operating body 82 is set to the front of the vehicle. Moreover, even when the steering wheel 12 is turned, the operation direction of the D button 82D is maintained to the front of the vehicle. Then, by operating the D button 82D, the shift position of the transmission 22 is set to the D position, and the vehicle moves forward (travels in the direction of operation of the D button 82D). Therefore, the occupant can easily recognize the traveling direction of the vehicle due to the operation of the D button 82D.

[0087] Furthermore, a D button 82D and an R button 82R are provided on the rim 12B of the handlebar 12. Therefore, the D button 82D and the R button 82R can be operated with the fingers of the occupant gripping the rim 12B, making it easy to operate the D button 82D and the R button 82R.

[0088] Additionally, the D button 82D and the R button 82R are disposed rearward of the front end of the rim 12B, which prevents the D button 82D and the R button 82R from being unnecessarily operated by the hands of a passenger gripping the rim 12B.

[0089] In this embodiment, the D button 82D and the R button 82R may be capacitive switches arranged on the arrangement surface 16A and the additional arrangement surface 16B of the arrangement body 16, respectively.

[0090] In this embodiment, the arrangement 16 (including the operating body 82) is provided on the inner periphery of the right side of the rim 12B of the handlebars 12. However, the arrangement 16 (including the operating body 82) may be provided on a portion of the handlebars 12 other than the inner periphery of the right side of the rim 12B. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the arrangement 16 (including the operating body 82) may be provided on the outer periphery of the upper right part of the rim 12B, or the arrangement 16 (including the operating body 82) may be provided on the front side of the lower right part of the boss 12A. Moreover, the arrangement 16 (including the operating body 82) may be provided on the left side of the handlebars 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10···Shift device, 12···Handle (steering element), 12B···Rim (grip), 16A···Arrangement surface, 16B···Additional arrangement surface, 18P···P switch (operation unit, additional operation unit), 18R···R switch (operation unit), 18N···N switch (operation unit, additional operation unit), 18D···D switch (operation unit), 22···Transmission (operation device), 24···Pivoting body (operation unit), 26···Pivoting body (operation unit), 28A···Middle switch (additional operation unit), 28B···Upper switch (additional operation unit), 28C···Lower switch (additional operation unit) part), 28D···Left switch (additional operation part), 28E···Right switch (additional operation part), 28F···Audio (operation device), 30A···+ / RES switch (additional operation part), 30B···CANSEL switch (additional operation part), 30C···- / SET switch (additional operation part), 30D···Driving mode change device (operation device), 40···Shift device, 50···Shift device, 60···Shift device, 70···Shift device, 80···Shift device, 82D···D button (operation part), 82R···R button (additional operation part)

Claims

1. an arrangement surface provided on a steering body that is rotated to steer a vehicle, the arrangement surface being inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis direction of the steering body; an operating unit that is disposed on the arrangement surface and is operated to change a shift position of a transmission of the vehicle; A shift device comprising:

2. An additional arrangement surface provided on the steering body; an additional operation unit that is disposed on the additional placement surface and is operated to operate an operation device of the vehicle; The shifting device of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein the arrangement surface is arranged on the opposite side of the additional arrangement surface from the grip portion of the steering body that is gripped by the rider.

4. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein the operating direction of the operating portion is different from the operating direction of the additional operating portion.

5. 3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein the operating device is a driving mode changing device of the vehicle.

6. 3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein the operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a traveling system shift position, and the additional operating unit is operated to change the shift position of the transmission, which is the operating device, to a stopping system shift position.

7. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is operated to cause the vehicle to travel in the operating direction of the operating unit.

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