Steering system

Abstract

The present invention provides a steering device that can suppress the formation of a gap between the light-transmitting member and the pad. [Solution] The steering wheel 10 comprises a pad 5 that covers the boss portion 2 from the rear and has a through hole 5a1a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, an emblem 51 attached to the front surface of the pad 5, the emblem 51 having a translucent projection 51a1a that fits into the through hole 5a1a from the front and a claw portion 51b1 that extends forward, a circuit board 52 on which an LED 53a that emits light irradiated from the through hole 5a1a to the rear of the pad 5 via the projection 51a1a, and a holder member 55 that is positioned in front of the emblem 51 and has an engagement hole 55b into which the claw portion 51b1 engages, and holds the circuit board 52, the holder member 55 is connected to the emblem 51 by the claw portion 51b1 engaging with the engagement hole 55b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration in which a lighting unit used for attracting the driver's attention by light or decoration is provided on a pad of a steering device has been widely known. In Patent Document 1, an optical unit having a light source is provided inside the pad in order to light the lighting unit of the pad. The optical unit includes a light source, a light-transmitting member attached to the front surface of the pad and transmitting the light emitted from the light source, a circuit board on which the light source is mounted, and a holding member for holding the circuit board.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, a claw portion is provided on the holding member, and an engagement hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided in the light-transmitting member. Then, the claw portion is inserted and engaged with the engagement hole from the front, so that the light-transmitting member and the holding member are connected. Further, the tip of the claw portion protrudes behind the engagement hole.

[0005] When connecting the light-transmitting member and the holding member as described above, depending on the positional relationship of each member, in order to provide an arrangement space for the tip of the claw portion protruding rearward from the engagement hole, it is necessary to provide a gap between the pad and the light-transmitting member. In that case, there is a possibility that light leaks out from the gap, or foreign substances such as dust enter through the gap and block the light, reducing the amount of light of the lighting unit of the pad.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a steering device that can suppress the formation of a gap between the light-transmitting member and the pad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A typical configuration of the steering device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a steering device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a boss portion connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle; a pad covering the boss portion from the rear and having a through hole penetrating in the front-rear direction; a light-transmitting member attached to the front surface of the pad, having a light-transmitting fitting portion that fits into the through hole from the front and a claw portion extending forward; a light source that emits light irradiated from the through hole to the rear of the pad via the fitting portion; a circuit board on which the light source is mounted; and a holding member positioned in front of the light-transmitting member and holding the circuit board, having an engaged portion into which the claw portion engages, wherein the holding member is connected to the light-transmitting member by the claw portion engaging with the engaged portion.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the light-transmitting member and the pad in a steering device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a view from the left side of the area around the driver's seat of a vehicle equipped with a steering wheel. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the steering wheel. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the steering wheel with the airbag inflated. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel taken along section AA shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the optical unit. [Figure 6] This is a front view of the optical unit and pad. [Figure 7]This is a disassembled perspective view of the optical unit and pads. [Figure 8] This is a disassembled perspective view of the optical unit and pads. [Figure 9] This is a disassembled perspective view of the pads of the optical unit. [Figure 10] This is a magnified cross-sectional view of the area around the lighting and optical unit of the steering wheel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The configuration of the steering wheel 10 as a steering device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0011] Figure 1 is a view from the left side of the area around the driver's seat 39 of a vehicle 30 equipped with a steering wheel 10, with the driver M seated in the driver's seat 39 indicated by a dashed line. Figure 2 is a front view of the steering wheel 10. Figure 3 is a front view of the steering wheel 10 with the airbag 41 inflated. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel 10 cut along the cross-section AA shown in Figure 2.

[0012] In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, each direction described with respect to the steering wheel 10 refers to the direction when the steering wheel 10 is mounted on the vehicle 30 as shown in Figure 1. That is, the front-rear direction generally coincides with the direction of travel and the opposite direction when the vehicle 30 is traveling straight, or the front and rear directions as seen from the driver M. The left-right direction refers to the left and right directions when the vehicle 30 is traveling straight, specifically the left and right directions as seen from the driver M. The up-down direction generally coincides with the up and down directions in the vertical direction.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the steering wheel 10 (steering device) is mounted on the vehicle 30 by being connected to the steering shaft 35 of the vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 includes a steering column 36 which consists of a column tube 36a that partially covers the outer circumference of the steering shaft 35 and supports the steering shaft 35, and a column cover 36b that covers the portion of the steering shaft 35 that protrudes rearward from the instrument panel 37. The steering wheel 10 is attached to the rear end 35a of the steering shaft 35 that protrudes rearward from the instrument panel 37.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the steering wheel 10 includes a grip portion 1 that is grasped by the driver M when the vehicle 30 is steered, a boss portion 2 connected to the steering shaft 35, and spoke portions 3 connecting the grip portion 1 and the boss portion 2. The steering wheel 10 also includes a pad 5 that covers the boss portion 2 and the folded airbag 41 from the rear and forms part of the rear exterior of the steering wheel 10, and an optical unit 50 attached to the front (back) of the pad 5 that illuminates the illuminated portions 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5. The steering wheel 10 also includes a lower cover 6 that forms part of its front exterior, and an airbag unit 40 which is positioned between the boss portion 2 and the pad 5 and includes the airbag 41.

[0015] The gripping part 1 consists of a metal core material 1a, an intermediate material 1b made of synthetic resin such as polyurethane that covers the core material 1a, and a surface material 1c such as leather wrapped around the outer circumference of the intermediate material 1b. The driver M changes the direction of travel of the vehicle 30 by rotating the steering shaft 35 while gripping the gripping part 1 and turning it.

[0016] The boss portion 2 is a metal component connected to the steering shaft 35 (steering axis) and has a shaft hole 2a through which the steering shaft 35 is inserted. The boss portion 2 and the steering shaft 35 are connected when the steering shaft 35 is inserted through the shaft hole 2a and fitted together, and the two are fixed with a nut 38.

[0017] The spoke portion 3 is composed of a left spoke portion 3a and a right spoke portion 3b that extend left and right from the boss portion 2, and a lower spoke portion 3c that extends downward. The spoke portion 3 has a metal core 3x1 that connects the core 1a of the grip portion 1 and the boss portion 2, and a resin spoke cover 3x2 that covers the core 3x1. The core 1a of the grip portion 1, the boss portion 2, and the core 3x1 of the spoke portion 3 are integrally formed by die-casting.

[0018] The pad 5 is formed of synthetic resin in this embodiment. The pad 5 has a cover portion 5a that covers the rear of the airbag 41 in the folded state and constitutes a part of the exterior of the steering wheel 10, and a connecting portion 5b that extends forward from the cover portion 5a and is connected to the case 43 of the airbag unit 40.

[0019] The cover portion 5a of the pad 5 breaks due to the pressure received from the airbag 41 when the airbag 41 expands, forming an opening 5h, and the airbag 41 is extended from the opening 5h. The cover portion 5a has a substantially rectangular door portion 5ad that rotates upward when broken. When the airbag 41 expands and contacts the door portion 5ad, and the door portion 5ad rotates as described above, an opening 5h is formed in the cover portion 5a. Note that the edge portion of the door portion 5ad in the cover portion 5a is a fragile portion (not shown) that is cut out from the back surface 5az2 side of the cover portion 5a to be thin so as to be easily broken by the pressure received from the airbag 41.

[0020] Furthermore, the cover portion 5a is provided with five illuminated sections 5x1 to 5x5 arranged in parallel in the left-right direction, which light up as decoration for the pad 5. The illuminated sections 5x1 to 5x5 are examples of a first illuminated section, a second illuminated section positioned differently from the first illuminated section, and a third illuminated section positioned differently from these illuminated sections. In this embodiment, all of the illuminated sections 5x1 to 5x5 light up to display the letter "S". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured in other ways, such as a configuration in which the illuminated sections 5x1 to 5x5 each light up to display a different letter, a configuration in which they light up to display other types of characters such as katakana or Arabic characters, or a configuration in which they light up in other shapes such as dots.

[0021] Furthermore, an optical unit 50, which includes a light source for illuminating the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5, is attached to the back surface 5az2 (front surface of the pad) of the cover portion 5a. The detailed configuration of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 and the optical unit 50 will be described later. Note that since the optical unit 50 is attached to the back surface of the door portion 5ad of the cover portion 5a, it rotates upward together with the door portion 5ad as the airbag 41 inflates, and does not adversely affect the inflation of the airbag 41.

[0022] The airbag unit 40 comprises an airbag 41, an inflator 42 that supplies inflation gas to the airbag 41, a case 43 that holds the airbag 41 and the inflator 42, and a retainer 44 housed inside the airbag 41.

[0023] The inflator 42 is a substantially cylindrical member that generates and releases expansion gas, and has a discharge port 42a on its rear side for discharging the expansion gas. The portion of the inflator 42 where the discharge port 42a is formed is located inside the airbag 41. The inflator 42 also has a flange portion 42b that extends radially from the surface where the discharge port 42a is formed, as a portion that connects to the case 43. The inflator 42 is electrically connected to a control device (not shown), and operates to generate expansion gas when a signal is input from the control device.

[0024] The airbag 41 is a bag-shaped component made of synthetic fibers or the like, and is stored inside the steering wheel 10 in a folded state. At the front of the folded airbag 41, there is a gas inlet 41h, which is an opening for inserting the portion where the discharge port 42a of the inflator 42 is formed. When fully inflated, the airbag 41 is configured to cover the entire gripping portion 1 of the steering wheel 10 from the rear.

[0025] The case 43 is a sheet metal component that holds the airbag 41, the inflator 42, and the pad 5. The case 43 is fixed to the core material 3x1 of the spoke portion 3 via pins of a horn switch unit (not shown). The case 43 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped bottom wall portion 43a and a side wall portion 43b extending rearward from the outer edge of the bottom wall portion 43a. The bottom wall portion 43a has an insertion hole 43a1 through which the inflator 42 is inserted and an insertion hole 43a2 through which the connecting portion 5b of the pad 5 is inserted. The pad 5 is held in the case 43 by inserting the connecting portion 5b of the pad 5 into the insertion hole 43a2 of the case 43 and preventing the connecting portion 5b from coming out by the side wall portion 43b.

[0026] The retainer 44 is a roughly rectangular, annular metal member used to secure the airbag 41 and the like, and is positioned inside the airbag 41. The retainer 44 has a through hole 44a through which the inflator 42 is inserted. When securing the airbag 41 and the inflator 42 to the case 43, the inflator 42 is inserted through the through hole 43a1 of the case 43, the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41, and the through hole 44a of the retainer 44. Bolts 45 are then inserted through screw holes formed on the periphery of the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41, the bottom wall portion 43a of the case 43, and the flange portion 42b of the inflator 42, respectively, and fastened with nuts 46. As a result, the periphery of the gas inlet 41h of the airbag 41 is sandwiched between the front surface of the retainer 44 and the rear surface of the bottom wall 43a of the case 43, and the flange portion 42b of the inflator 42 is sandwiched between the front surface of the bottom wall 43a and the nut 46. In this way, the airbag 41 and the inflator 42 are fixed to the bottom wall 43a of the case 43.

[0027] Next, the detailed configuration of the lighting sections 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5 and the optical unit 50 will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the optical unit 50. Figure 6 is a front view of the optical unit 50 and the pad 5. Figures 7 and 8 are exploded perspective views of the optical unit 50 and the pad 5 as seen from the front side, with Figure 8 showing the circuit board 52 and the light guide 54 assembled to the holder member 55. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the optical unit 50 and the pad 5 as seen from the back side. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the lighting sections 5x1 to 5x5 and the optical unit 50 in the steering wheel 10.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 to 10, the optical unit 50 comprises an emblem 51, a circuit board 52, five LEDs 53a to 53e mounted on the circuit board 52, a light guide 54 that guides the light emitted from the five LEDs 53a to 53e, and a holder member 55. These components are arranged in the order of emblem 51, light guide 54, circuit board 52 on which the LEDs 53a to 53e are mounted, and holder member 55, from front to back.

[0029] The cover portion 5a of the pad 5 has five through holes 5a1a to 5a1e, each cut out in the shape of the letter "S" and extending through in the front-to-back direction, arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction. Additionally, the back surface 5az2 (front) of the cover portion 5a of the pad 5 has four protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d that project forward, arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction. All of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d are identical in shape and integrally molded with the cover portion 5a of the pad 5. In this embodiment, they are cylindrical in shape with a vertical width of L2. Furthermore, the vertical width of all the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e is the same at L1, and the width L2 of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d is set to be greater than or equal to the width L1 of the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e.

[0030] When viewed from the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 5a2a of the pad 5 is positioned between the through-hole 5a1a and the through-hole 5a1b. In this embodiment, since the through-holes 5a1a and 5a1b are positioned adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the protruding portion 5a2a is positioned between the through-holes 5a1a and 5a1b in the left-right direction. Similarly, in the left-right direction, the protruding portion 5a2b is positioned between the through-hole 5a1b and the through-hole 5a1c, the protruding portion 5a2c is positioned between the through-hole 5a1c and the through-hole 5a1d, and the protruding portion 5a2d is positioned between the through-hole 5a1d and the through-hole 5a1e.

[0031] As will be explained later, the light-up section 5x1 of pad 5 is illuminated by light radiated from the rear of pad 5 through the through-hole 5a1a, so the light-up section 5x1 can also be seen as the through-hole 5a1a. Similarly, the light-up section 5x2 can be seen as the through-hole 5a1b, the light-up section 5x3 as the through-hole 5a1c, the light-up section 5x4 as the through-hole 5a1d, and the light-up section 5x5 as the through-hole 5a1e. Therefore, when viewed from the front and back, the protruding section 5a2a is located between the light-up sections 5x1 and 5x2, the protruding section 5a2b is located between the light-up sections 5x2 and 5x3, the protruding section 5a2c is located between the light-up sections 5x3 and 5x4, and the protruding section 5a2d is located between the light-up sections 5x4 and 5x5.

[0032] The emblem 51 (translucent member) is a member that has high translucency throughout and is attached to the back surface 5az2 of the cover portion 5a of the pad 5. The emblem 51 has a substantially rectangular base portion 51a and side wall portions 51b that extend forward from each side of the base portion 51a.

[0033] The base 51a of the emblem 51 has five protrusions 51a1a to 51a1e (fitting parts) that project backward in a shape corresponding to the display characters 5x1 to 5x5 of the illuminated section 5. In other words, protrusions 51a1a, 51a1b, 51a1c, 51a1d, and 51a1e all protrude in the shape of the letter "S". The protrusions 51a1a to 51a1e are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

[0034] The projections 51a1a to 51a1e are fitted from the front into the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e of the pad 5 so as to fill the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e. In this embodiment, the rear ends of the projections 51a1a to 51a1e are located in front of the surface 5az1 (rear surface of the pad) of the cover portion 5a of the pad 5. That is, as viewed from the driver M, the projections 51a1a to 51a1e are located slightly recessed from the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e. However, the projections 51a1a to 51a1e may be configured to be flush with the surface 5az1 of the cover portion 5a, or to protrude backward from the surface 5az1.

[0035] Furthermore, in the base portion 51a of the emblem 51, between the left-right adjacent protrusions 51a1a and 51a1b, there is an insertion hole 51a2a that penetrates in the front-rear direction, through which the protruding portion 5a2a of the pad 5 is inserted. Similarly, in the base portion 51a, between the protrusions 51a1b and 51a1c, between the protrusions 51a1c and 51a1d, and between the protrusions 51a1d and 51a1e, there is an insertion hole 51a2b to 51a2d through which the protruding portions 5a2b to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0036] Furthermore, the side wall portion 51b of the emblem 51 is provided with four claw portions 51b1 that protrude forward and two positioning protrusions 51b2 that protrude in a V-shape in the left-right direction. Each claw portion 51b1 has an insertion portion 51b1a that extends in the front-rear direction and a retaining portion 51b1b that bends vertically from the tip of the insertion portion 51b1a to prevent the insertion portion 51b1a from coming off. In this embodiment, two claw portions 51b1 are arranged on each of the side wall portions 51b that extend forward from the two long sides of the rectangular base portion 51a, and one positioning protrusion 51b2 is arranged on each of the side wall portions 51b that extend forward from the two short sides of the base portion 51a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the claw portions 51b1 and positioning protrusions 51b2 may be provided on the base portion 51a or other side wall portions 51b.

[0037] The circuit board 52 is a rectangular parallelepiped with a wide left-right orientation. The rear surface of the circuit board 52 is the mounting surface 52a, on which five LEDs 53a to 53e and a control component 57 such as a CPU that controls the illumination of LEDs 53a to 53e are mounted. LEDs 53a to 53e are arranged side by side on the mounting surface 52a and each emits visible light according to the control of the control component 57. Here, LED 53a is a light source that emits light to illuminate the illumination section 5x1 of the pad 5. Similarly, LED 53b is a light source that emits light to illuminate the illumination section 5x2 of the pad 5. Likewise, LEDs 53c to 53e are light sources that emit light to illuminate the illumination sections 5x3 to 5x5 of the pad 5, respectively. LEDs 53a to 53e are also examples of a first light source and a second light source positioned at a different location, respectively. In this embodiment, LEDs 53a to 53e are used as light sources, but other light sources may be used as long as they are components that emit visible light.

[0038] Furthermore, the right and left ends of the circuit board 52 are provided with V-shaped positioning grooves 52b. The emblem 51 and the circuit board 52 are positioned by fitting the positioning projections 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning grooves 52b. The circuit board 52 is also provided with through holes 52c1 to 52c4 through which the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pads 5 are inserted.

[0039] The light guide 54 is positioned in front of the emblem 51 and is a synthetic resin component that diffuses and guides the light emitted from the LEDs 53a to 53e. The light emitted downward from the LEDs 53a to 53e enters the upper surface of the light guide 54, is deflected by a deflection part (not shown), and is emitted forward from the front surface of the light guide 54.

[0040] Specifically, light emitted from LED 53a enters the incident surface 54a1 of the light guide 54 and is emitted from the exit surface 54b1, which is positioned to correspond to the protrusion 51a1a of the emblem 51. Similarly, light emitted from LED 53b enters the incident surface 54a2 of the light guide 54 and is emitted from the exit surface 54b2, which is positioned to correspond to the protrusion 51a1b of the emblem 51. Light emitted from LEDs 53c to 53e also enters the incident surfaces 54a3 to 54a5 of the light guide 54, respectively, and is emitted from the exit surfaces 54b3 to 54b5, which are positioned to correspond to the protrusions 51a1c to 51a1e of the emblem 51. In this embodiment, the deflection portion is a textured surface formed on the light guide 54, and the light is deflected by reflecting the light off the inner wall of the textured surface.

[0041] Furthermore, the right and left ends of the light guide 54 are provided with V-shaped positioning grooves 54c. The emblem 51 and the light guide 54 are positioned by fitting the positioning projections 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning grooves 54c. The light guide 54 is also provided with through holes 54d1 to 54d4 that penetrate in the front-to-back direction, through which the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0042] The holder member 55 (holding member) is a synthetic resin member positioned in front of the circuit board 52, and its outer shape is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped that is wide in the left-right direction. The holder member 55 has a base portion 55a that protrudes rearward from its rear surface and has a mounting surface 55a1 on which the circuit board 52 is placed, four engagement holes 55b (engaged portions) that are positioned near the edge of the holder member 55 and penetrate in the front-rear direction, with each of the four claw portions 51b1 of the emblem 51 engaging with them, and a projection 55c that protrudes forward from the front surface of the holder member 55.

[0043] The claw portion 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages with the engagement hole 55b of the holder member 55, thereby connecting the holder member 55 and the emblem 51. This forms a box-shaped housing for the circuit board 52 on which the light guide 54 and LEDs 53a to 53e are mounted. Specifically, the front of this housing is the holder member 55, the rear is the base portion 51a of the emblem 51, and the four sides are the side walls 51b of the emblem 51.

[0044] Furthermore, the right and left ends of the base portion 55a are provided with V-shaped positioning grooves 55a2. The emblem 51 and the holder member 55 are positioned by fitting the positioning projections 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning grooves 55a2. In addition, the base portion 55a is provided with through holes 55a3a to 55a3d that penetrate in the front-to-back direction, through which the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted.

[0045] Next, the method for assembling the optical unit 50 onto the pad 5 will be described. The worker performing the assembly first places the emblem 51 on the floor or table and places the light guide 54 on the emblem 51. At this time, the worker fits the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 54c of the light guide 54. Next, the worker fits the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 52b of the circuit board 52 and places the circuit board 52, on which the LEDs 53a to 53e and control components 57 are mounted, onto the light guide 54.

[0046] Next, the worker fits the positioning projection 51b2 of the emblem 51 into the positioning groove 55a2 of the holder member 55, and then places the mounting surface 55a1 of the holder member 55 onto the circuit board 52. This aligns the positions of the emblem 51, the circuit board 52, the light guide 54, and the insertion holes 51a2a~51a2d, 52c1~52c4, 54d1~54d4, and 55a3a~55a3d of the holder member 55, and they are in communication with each other.

[0047] Next, the worker engages the claw portion 51b1 of the emblem 51 with the engagement hole 55b of the holder member 55. Specifically, while elastically deforming the retaining portion 51b1b of the claw portion 51b1 so that it is parallel to the direction in which the insertion portion 51b1a extends, the worker inserts the insertion portion 51b1a and the retaining portion 51b1b into the engagement hole 55b from the rear so that the retaining portion 51b1b penetrates to the front of the engagement hole 55b. This causes the retaining portion 51b1b that protruded forward relative to the engagement hole 55b to return to its original position, and the retaining portion 51b1b catches on the part of the holder member 55 surrounding the engagement hole 55b in front of the engagement hole 55b, preventing the insertion portion 51b1a located inside the engagement hole 55b from coming out. In this way, the claw portion 51b1 engages with the engagement hole 55b, and the optical unit 50 is unitized.

[0048] Next, the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted into the insertion holes 51a2a to 51a2d, 52c1 to 52c4, 54d1 to 54d4, and 55a3a to 55a3d of the emblem 51, circuit board 52, light guide 54, and holder member 55 of the optical unit 50. After that, the portions of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 that protrude forward from the holder member 55 are melted by heat or vibration, etc., and the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d are welded (connected) to the holder member 55. At this time, the molten portions 5a2bx and 5a2cx of the protrusions 5a2b and 5a2c clamp the projection 55c of the holder member 55 from the left and right directions. In other words, the protrusions 5a2b and 5a2c (first and second protrusions) of the pad 5 clamp the protrusion 55c of the holder member 55 from the left and right directions. The optical unit 50 is assembled to the pad 5 in this way.

[0049] As described above, the assembled optical unit 50 emits light from LEDs 53a to 53e in accordance with the control of the control component 57. The light emitted from LED 53a enters the incident surface 54a1 of the light guide 54 and is emitted from the exit surface 54b1. This light then passes through the projection 51a1a of the emblem 51 and is projected through the through-hole 5a1a of the pad 5 toward the outside of the pad 5, specifically toward the rear where the driver M is located. In this way, the lighting section 5x1 of the pad 5 lights up.

[0050] Furthermore, the light emitted from LED 53b first enters the incident surface 54a2 of light guide 54 and is emitted from the exit surface 54b2. After that, this light passes through the projection 51a1b of emblem 51 and is irradiated to the outside of pad 5 through the through hole 5a1b of pad 5. In this way, the lighting section 5x2 of pad 5 lights up.

[0051] Similarly, the light emitted from LEDs 53c to 53e enters the incident surfaces 54a3 to 54a5 of the light guide 54 and is emitted from the exit surfaces 54b3 to 54b5. After that, this light passes through the protrusions 51a1c to 51a1e of the emblem 51 and is irradiated to the outside of the pad 5 through the through holes 5a1c to 5a1e of the pad 5. In this way, the illuminated parts 5x3 to 5x5 of the pad 5 light up. As a result, the illuminated parts 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5 light up together to display the letters "SSSSS".

[0052] In this embodiment, the protrusions 5a2a located between the lighting units 5x1 and 5x2 on the pad 5 are welded and connected to the holder member 55 that holds the circuit board 52. Similarly, the protrusions 5a2b located between the lighting units 5x2 and 5x3, the protrusions 5a2c located between the lighting units 5x3 and 5x4, and the protrusions 5a2d located between the lighting units 5x4 and 5x5 are also connected to the holder member 55. This provides the following effects.

[0053] In other words, considering the role of the optical unit 50 in illuminating the 5x1 to 5x5 sections, the center of the optical unit 50 is positioned near the 5x1 to 5x5 sections. Therefore, the positions of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d are also positioned near the center of the optical unit 50. Consequently, if the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d and the holder member 55 are not connected, the pad 5 and the holder member 55 will not be connected near the center of the optical unit 50. In that case, even if the two are connected at another position, the connection strength between the entire optical unit 50 and the pad 5 will be weak, and there is a risk that the optical unit 50 may detach from the pad 5 when an external force is applied to the steering wheel 10.

[0054] In contrast, in this embodiment, the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are connected to the holder member 55. Therefore, with the steering wheel 10 of this embodiment, the pad 5 and the holder member 55 can be firmly connected. As a result, when an external force is applied to the steering wheel 10, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the pad 5 and the holder member 55 from shifting, which would adversely affect the illumination of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5, and to prevent the optical unit 50 from detaching from the pad 5. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the protrusions 5a2b and 5a2c of the pad 5 clamp the projection 55c of the holder member 55, the pad 5 and the holder member 55 are connected more firmly.

[0055] Furthermore, when viewed from the front and rear, the protrusions 5a2a of pad 5 are positioned between the lighting units 5x1 and 5x2. Therefore, the light emitted from LED 53a that is directed towards the through-hole 5a1b of pad 5, rather than the through-hole 5a1a as intended by the design, can be blocked by the protrusions 5a2a. The same applies to the protrusions 5a2b to 5a2d of pad 5. Thus, the amount of light emitted from the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 of pad 5 can be made uniform.

[0056] In particular, in this embodiment, the vertical width L2 of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 is set to be greater than or equal to the vertical width L1 of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5. Therefore, it is possible to effectively block the light emitted from the LEDs 53a to 53e that would otherwise be directed toward the through holes 5a1a to 5a1e of the pad 5.

[0057] In this embodiment, the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as long as the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d, which are located between the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5, are connected to the holder member 55, the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 may be arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, for example. Furthermore, the method of connection is not limited to welding, but may also be screw fixing or the like. The same effects as described above can be obtained with such a configuration.

[0058] Furthermore, even if some of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d are not connected to the holder member 55, the above effect can be obtained as long as the other parts are connected, although there may be some change in connection strength. In addition, in order to further increase the connection strength between the pad 5 and the holder member 55, the pad 5 and the holder member 55 may be connected at positions other than between the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5, in addition to the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d. Also, if the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, the light-shielding performance of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d can be improved by making the width of each of the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 in the left-right direction greater than or equal to the width of each of the lighting units 5x1 to 5x5 in the left-right direction.

[0059] Furthermore, the emblem 51, circuit board 52, light guide 54, and holder member 55 are provided with through holes 51a2b to 51a2d, 52c1 to 52c4, 54d1 to 54d4, and 55a3a to 55a3d through which the protrusions 5a2a to 5a2d of the pad 5 are inserted. Therefore, the relative positional accuracy of the pad 5, emblem 51, circuit board 52, light guide 54, and holder member 55 can be improved.

[0060] Furthermore, the emblem 51 has a claw portion 51b1 extending forward, and the holder member 55 has an engagement hole 55b into which the claw portion 51b1 engages. The holder member 55 is connected to the emblem 51 by the engagement of the claw portion 51b1 into the engagement hole 55b. This provides the following effects.

[0061] In other words, suppose the relationship between the claw portion 51b1 and the engagement hole 55b is reversed, and the holder member 55 has a claw portion extending towards the rear, and the emblem 51 has an engagement hole that penetrates in the front-to-back direction, and the emblem 51 and the holder member 55 are connected by these engagements. In that case, if the claw portion of the holder member 55 is inserted into the engagement hole of the emblem 51 from the front and its tip protrudes to the rear side of the engagement hole, it becomes necessary to create a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 to provide space for the tip of the claw portion that protrudes to the rear. Also, even if the engaged portion of the emblem 51 into which the claw portion of the holder member 55 engages is not a through hole, if it is locally recessed to the rear to insert the claw portion of the holder member 55, it becomes necessary to create a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 in the same way as above. In that case, light may leak out through the gap, or foreign matter such as dust may enter through the gap and block the light, which may reduce the amount of light emitted from the illuminated parts 5x1 to 5x5 of pad 5 toward the rear.

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, the emblem 51 has a claw portion 51b1 extending forward, and the holder member 55 has an engagement hole 55b (engaged portion) into which the claw portion 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages. Therefore, when the claw portion 51b1 engages with the engagement hole 55b during connection, the tip of the claw portion 51b1 is positioned on the holder member 55 side, eliminating the need to create a gap between the pad 5 and the emblem 51 to secure space for the tip of the claw portion 51b1. Consequently, the steering wheel 10 of this embodiment can prevent a gap from forming between the pad 5 and the emblem 51. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light from leaking out through the gap or foreign matter such as dust from entering the gap and blocking the light, thereby reducing the amount of light emitted from the illuminated parts 5x1 to 5x5 of the pad 5 toward the rear.

[0063] In this embodiment, the engaged portion of the holder member 55 with which the claw portion 51b1 of the emblem 51 engages is an engagement hole 55b that penetrates in the front-rear direction, and the tip of the claw portion 51b1 when engaged with the engagement hole 55b is positioned forward of the engagement hole 55b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the engaged portion of the holder member 55 with which the claw portion 51b1 engages does not necessarily have to penetrate in the front-rear direction. That is, if the emblem 51 is provided with a claw portion 51b1 that extends at least forward, and the holder member 55 is provided with an engaged portion with which the claw portion 51b1 engages, then it is not necessary to provide a space between the emblem 51 and the pad 5 for positioning the tip of the claw portion 51b1 when connecting the two, and thus the above effect can be obtained. However, as in this embodiment, the retaining portion 51b1b of the claw portion 51b1 catches on the portion of the holder member 55 surrounding the engagement hole 55b in front of the engagement hole 55b, thereby obtaining the above-mentioned effect while preventing the insertion portion 51b1a from coming off and firmly connecting the emblem 51 and the holder member 55, which is preferable. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 2…Boss part, 5…Pad, 5a1a~5a1e…Through hole, 5a2a~5a2d…Protruding part, 5x1~5x5…Lighting part (1st lighting part, 2nd lighting part, 3rd lighting part), 10…Steering wheel (steering device), 30…Vehicle, 35…Steering shaft (steering axis), 51…Emblem (translucent material), 51a1a~51a1e…Protrusion (fitting part), 51b1…Claw part, 51b1a…Insertion part, 51b1b…Retaining part, 52…Circuit board, 52c1~52c4…Through hole, 53a~53e…LED (light source, 1st light source, 2nd light source), 55…Holder member (holding member), 55b…Engagement hole (engaged part), 55c…Protrusion

Claims

1. A steering system mounted on a vehicle, A boss portion connected to the steering shaft of the aforementioned vehicle, A pad that covers the boss portion from the rear and has a through hole that penetrates in the front-to-back direction, A light-transmitting member to be attached to the front surface of the pad, having a light-transmitting fitting portion that fits into the through hole from the front, and a claw portion that extends forward, A light source that emits light irradiated from the through hole to the rear of the pad via the fitting portion, A circuit board on which the aforementioned light source is mounted, A holding member positioned in front of the light-transmitting member and holding the circuit board, the holding member having an engaged portion into which the claw portion engages, Equipped with, The steering device is characterized in that the retaining member is connected to the light-transmitting member by the claw portion engaging with the engaged portion.

2. The engaged portion is an engagement hole that penetrates in the front-rear direction, The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the claw portion, when engaged with the engagement hole, has an insertion portion located inside the engagement hole, and a retaining portion positioned in front of the insertion portion and the engagement hole, which hooks onto the portion of the retaining member surrounding the engagement hole to prevent the insertion portion from coming out.

Images