Handle grip device

Abstract

The present invention provides a handle grip device that can be enhanced in functionality by adding an imaging means, and that can perform imaging well using the imaging means. [Solution] A handle grip device 1 that can be attached to a handle pipe H of a vehicle and gripped by the driver, comprising a grip body 2 fixed to the handle pipe H and having a gripping area α that can be gripped by the driver, and the grip body 2 is fitted with a front imaging means 16 and a rear imaging means 17 that capture images of the front and rear of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle grip device that is fixed to a handle pipe of a vehicle equipped in a vehicle and can be gripped by a driver.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs have a steering handle pipe (handlebar). For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, handle grips that can be gripped by a driver during driving are attached to both ends of the handle pipe. Among such handle grips, the right handle grip is a throttle grip that can rotate around an axis, and the driver can operate the drive source of the vehicle by twisting and rotating it forward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Although conventional handle grips can be used for throttle operation, they are solely for the driver to grip. Therefore, the applicant has come to consider a handle grip device that can be enhanced in functionality by adding other functions. Since the handle grip device is attached to the tip of the handle pipe, when imaging means for imaging the front is attached, the imaging means will follow even when the handle pipe is rotated to steer the vehicle, and it has been found that an image in the traveling direction can always be obtained well.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a handle grip device that can be made more functional by adding an imaging means, and that can perform imaging well using the imaging means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a handle grip device that can be attached to a handle pipe of a vehicle and can be gripped by a driver, comprising a grip body having a gripping area that can be gripped by a driver, and the grip body is equipped with an imaging means for imaging the area in front of or behind the vehicle.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body is fixed to the handle pipe and at least a portion of the cross-section of the gripping area is flattened.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, the imaging means comprises a forward imaging means for imaging the area in front of the vehicle and a rear imaging means for imaging the area behind the vehicle, and is capable of simultaneously imaging the area in front of and behind the vehicle.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, the imaging means is connected to a storage means, and the image captured by the imaging means can be stored in the storage means.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, an extension is attached to the tip of the grip body, and the imaging means is attached to the extension.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 5, the extension portion is fitted with a turn signal lamp that flashes to indicate a change in the direction of the vehicle.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is a handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body has a throttle operating section formed therein that can control the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating section is operable within the range of motion of the driver's fingers that are gripping the gripping area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the invention of claim 1, the device comprises a grip body having a gripping area that can be grasped by the driver, and the grip body is fitted with an imaging means for imaging the area in front of or behind the vehicle. Therefore, the device can be made more functional by adding the imaging means, and imaging by the imaging means can be performed effectively.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 2, the grip body is fixed to the handle pipe, and the cross-section of at least a part of the gripping area is flattened, so that the grip body can be shaped to be easy for the driver to grip, and imaging by the imaging means can be performed well.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 3, the imaging means includes a front imaging means for imaging the front of the vehicle and a rear imaging means for imaging the rear of the vehicle, and is capable of imaging the front and rear of the vehicle simultaneously, so that images of both the front and rear of the vehicle can be acquired at the same time.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 4, the imaging means is connected to the storage means, and the images captured by the imaging means can be stored in the storage means, so that the imaging means can function as a drive recorder.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 5, the grip body is equipped with an extension attached to its tip, and the imaging means is attached to the extension, so the imaging means can be positioned on the extension located at the tip of the grip body, and good imaging of the front or rear of the vehicle can be performed.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 6, since the extension part is provided with a turn signal lamp that flashes to indicate the vehicle's direction change, the turn signal lamp can be arranged on the extension part located at the tip of the grip body, and the visibility of the turn signal can be improved.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 7, the grip body is formed with a throttle operation part that can control the vehicle's drive source, and the throttle operation part is operable within the movable range of the driver's finger that grips the gripping area. Therefore, the driver's finger that grips the gripping area can be extended to the throttle operation knob to perform throttle operation, and the throttle operation can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] Overall perspective view showing the handle grip device according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Overall perspective view showing the same handle grip device [Figure 3] Three-view drawing showing the same handle grip device [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3 [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3 [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3 [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the manufacturing process of the grip body of the same handle grip device [Figure 9] Three-view drawing showing the core material part in the grip body of the same handle grip device [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view showing the same handle grip device [Figure 11] Perspective view showing the back side of the throttle operation knob of the same handle grip device [Figure 12] Schematic diagram showing the state where the throttle operation knob of the same handle grip device is assembled to the grip body [Figure 13]This is a perspective view showing the state of the handle grip device before the grip body and extension are assembled. [Figure 14] A plan view showing the grip area of ​​the handle grip device as held by the driver. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the driver gripping the grip area of ​​the handle grip device and operating the throttle control knob. [Figure 16] A schematic diagram showing the handle grip device attached to a vehicle and indicating the imaging direction of the imaging means. [Figure 17] A schematic diagram showing the imaging direction of the forward imaging means when the handle grip device is attached to a vehicle and the handle pipe is steered to the right. [Figure 18] A schematic diagram showing the imaging direction of the forward imaging means when the handle grip device is attached to a vehicle and the handle pipe is steered to the left. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 16, the handle grip device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to the handle pipe H of a two-wheeled vehicle (vehicle), and as shown in Figures 1 to 10, it comprises a grip body 2, a throttle operating knob 3, a grip heater 8, a grip sensor 9, a vibration means 12, a turn signal lamp 15, a forward imaging means 16, and a rear imaging means 17.

[0022] As shown in Figure 16, the handle grip device 1 according to this embodiment is attached to the tip of the right handle pipe H, and a handle grip device 1' similar to the handle grip device 1 is attached to the tip of the left handle pipe H. Although this handle grip device 1' does not have a throttle operating knob 3, it is equipped with a grip body 2 similar to the handle grip device 1, a grip heater 8, a grip sensor 9, a vibration means 12, a turn signal lamp 15, a forward imaging means 16, and a rear imaging means 17.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grip body 2 is fixed to the handle pipe H and has a gripping area α that the driver can grasp. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, at least a part of the cross-section of the gripping area α is flattened (an elliptical or flat irregular shape that fits the driver's palm, with the left-right (width) dimension being larger than the vertical (thickness) dimension). The grip body 2 according to this embodiment is composed of a surface part 2a made of a soft resin such as elastomer and a core part 2b made of a hard resin.

[0024] In other words, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is manufactured by first injecting resin into a core material portion 2b (see Figure 8(a)) of a predetermined shape in a mold, then placing the molded core material portion 2b in another mold and forming a surface portion 2a (see Figure 8(b)) on the surface of the core material portion 2b by insert molding (double molding). Furthermore, a protrusion 2aa is formed on the surface portion 2a, so that when the driver grips the gripping area α, the protrusion 2aa is positioned between the index finger and the middle finger, as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a flexible circuit board 7 is attached to the core material portion 2b of the grip body 2 by adhesive or other means along its surface. This flexible circuit board 7 consists of a bendable circuit board on which a predetermined electrical circuit is printed, and in this embodiment, a grip heater 8 and a grip sensor 9 are formed on it. Wiring h2 is connected to the flexible circuit board 7, and power can be supplied from the vehicle's battery to each electrical component via the wiring h2.

[0026] The grip heater 8 consists of a heating element pattern formed on a flexible substrate 7, and is positioned inside the grip body 2 by the formation of a surface layer 2a. By applying current to the grip heater 8, it generates heat to warm the gripping area α, thereby warming the driver's hand that grips the gripping area α.

[0027] The grip sensor 9 is made of a conductor whose capacitance changes when the driver's hand gripping the gripping area α approaches, and a surface portion 2a is formed so that it is located inside the grip body 2. When the driver grips the gripping area α, the grip sensor 9 detects the grip and can transmit a detection signal to the vehicle.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment has an insertion hole 2ba through which the grip end N can be inserted, a housing recess 2bb capable of accommodating the vibration means 12, and a mounting portion 2bc to which the throttle operation knob 3 can be attached. The housing recess 2bb is covered by a cover member C, which is fixed to the grip body 2 with mounting screws n2, as shown in Figures 10 and 13.

[0029] The vibration means 12 is mounted inside the gripping area α of the grip body 2 and comprises a vibrating part 12a that can vibrate the grip body 2 by rotating when electricity is applied. The vibration means 12 is configured so that the gripping area α of the grip body 2 can be vibrated at any desired timing by applying electricity to the vibrating part 12a and operating it.

[0030] The throttle control knob 3 is controllable by operating the drive source (engine or motor, etc.) of the vehicle (a motorcycle in this embodiment), and is operable within the range of motion of the driver's fingers gripping the gripping area α. As shown in Figure 4, the throttle control knob 3 according to this embodiment is slidable from the base end (left side in the figure) to the tip end (right side in the figure) of the grip body 2, and as shown in Figure 15, it is slidable by the driver's thumb gripping the gripping area α.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in Figures 10-12, the throttle operating knob 3 has an interlocking member 4 connected to its back side by a locking pin p, and a magnet m is attached extending axially. The interlocking member 4 has a shaft member L with a return spring 5 inserted through it, and when the throttle operating knob 3 is slid, the interlocking member 4 slides along the shaft member L against the biasing force of the return spring 5. As a result, when the operating force of the throttle operating knob 3 is released, the interlocking member 4 and the throttle operating knob 3 naturally return to their initial positions due to the biasing force of the return spring 5.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the magnet m is attached to the back side of the throttle operation knob 3 and extends in the sliding direction of the throttle operation knob 3. Then, as shown in Figure 12, a substrate 6 having a magnetic sensor 6a is attached to the grip body 2 at a position opposite to the magnet m. This magnetic sensor 6a detects the amount of movement of the interlocking member 4 by detecting the change in magnetism from the magnet m in conjunction with the sliding operation of the throttle operation knob 3, and is capable of detecting the amount of sliding operation of the throttle operation knob 3.

[0033] Specifically, the magnetic sensor 6a is capable of obtaining an output voltage corresponding to the change in the magnetic field (change in magnetic flux density) of the magnet m accompanying the movement of the interlocking member 4. For example, it is composed of a Hall element, which is a magnetic sensor that utilizes the Hall effect (specifically, a linear Hall IC that can obtain an output voltage proportional to the magnetic field (magnetic flux density) of the magnet m). As shown in Figure 10, wiring h1 is connected to the circuit board 6, and the output signal of the magnetic sensor 6a is transmitted to the vehicle side via wiring h1.

[0034] As a result, when the throttle control knob 3 is slid and the interlocking member 4 moves in the same direction, the magnetism of the magnet m acting on the magnetic sensor 6a changes according to the amount of movement of the interlocking member 4. This allows for obtaining an output voltage corresponding to the amount of movement, and also makes it possible to detect the amount of slide operation of the throttle control knob 3 based on the obtained output voltage. The detected amount of slide operation of the throttle control knob 3 is transmitted as an electrical signal to the control means that controls the engine or motor mounted on the vehicle, so that the drive of the engine or motor can be controlled.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment has an extension 13 attached to its tip (the right side of the grip body 2 in Figures 3 and 4), and other electrical components (in this embodiment, a turn signal lamp 15, a forward imaging means 16, and a rear imaging means 17) different from the electrical components attached to the grip body 2 (in this embodiment, a grip heater 8, a grip sensor 9, and a vibration means 12) are attached to the extension 13.

[0036] The extension 13 has an extension body 14 made of a resin molded product or the like, and as shown in Figures 3 and 10, a turn signal lamp 15, a forward imaging means 16, and a rear imaging means 17 are attached to the extension body 14 as other electrical components. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, an extension board portion 7a is formed on the flexible circuit board 7 attached to the grip body 2, and the turn signal lamp 15, the forward imaging means 16, and the rear imaging means 17 are electrically connected to the circuit boards 10 and 11 attached to the extension board portion 7a.

[0037] The turn signal lamp 15 consists of an LED that flashes to indicate a change in direction of a vehicle (such as a motorcycle), and is mounted on the front of the extension body 14 as shown in Figures 3 and 7. A turn signal lamp 15 is also mounted on the handle grip device 1' attached to the left side of the handle pipe H. For example, when the driver operates a turn signal control switch (not shown), either the left or right turn signal lamp 15 is energized and flashes, indicating the steering direction.

[0038] Here, the handle grip device (1, 1') according to this embodiment is equipped with a front imaging means 16 and a rear imaging means 17. These front imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17 consist of a CCD camera or the like and are attached to the front (the part facing the front of the vehicle) and rear (the part facing the rear of the vehicle) of the extension body 14, respectively, as shown in Figures 3 and 7.

[0039] Furthermore, the forward imaging means 16 is configured to image the area in front of the vehicle, and the rear imaging means 17 is configured to image the area behind the vehicle. The captured images can be displayed on a display device 18 (see Figure 16), such as a liquid crystal panel, attached to the vehicle. In other words, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, the forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17 of the handle grip device 1 attached to the right side of the handle pipe H can simultaneously acquire an image of the right-side forward imaging area Fa and an image of the right-side rear imaging area Ra. Similarly, the forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17 of the handle grip device 1' attached to the left side of the handle pipe H can simultaneously acquire an image of the left-side forward imaging area Fb and an image of the left-side rear imaging area Rb.

[0040] However, when the steering wheel pipe H is rotated to the right to steer the vehicle, as shown in Figure 17, the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 follow the steering direction, so even when turning to the right, the forward imaging areas Fa and Fb in the direction of travel of the vehicle can always be imaged and the image can be acquired. Similarly, when the steering wheel pipe H is rotated to the left to steer the vehicle, as shown in Figure 18, the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 follow the steering direction, so even when turning to the left, the forward imaging areas Fa and Fb in the direction of travel of the vehicle can always be imaged and the image can be acquired.

[0041] Furthermore, the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 according to this embodiment are connected to a storage means 19 (see Figure 16) such as a memory provided by the vehicle, and images captured by the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 can be stored in the storage means 19. This allows the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 to function as imaging means for a drive recorder.

[0042] When assembling the handle grip device 1 (and the left handle grip device 1') according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the extension body 14 is positioned on the outside of the grip body 2, the handle pipe H is inserted through the insertion hole 2ba on the base end side of the grip body 2, and the grip end N is inserted through the insertion hole 14a on the tip side of the extension body 14. Then, with the screw hole Ha formed in the handle pipe H and the screw hole Na formed in the grip end N aligned with the screw hole s formed in the grip body 2, the mounting screw n1 is inserted as shown in Figure 6 to connect the three parts. This fixes the grip body 2 and the extension body 14 to the handle pipe H and the extension body 14.

[0043] According to the handle grip device (1, 1') of this embodiment, the device comprises a grip body 2 having a gripping area α that can be grasped by a driver, and the grip body 2 is equipped with imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17) that image the area in front of (forward imaging area Fa, Fb) or behind (rear imaging area Ra, Rb) the vehicle (vehicle). Therefore, the device can be made more functional by adding imaging means, and imaging by the imaging means can be performed well.

[0044] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is fixed to the handle pipe H, and at least a portion of the cross-section of the gripping area α is flattened, so that the grip body 2 can be shaped to be easy for the driver to grip, and imaging can be performed well by the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17). In particular, the imaging means according to this embodiment has a forward imaging means 16 that images the front of the vehicle (forward imaging areas Fa, Fb) and a rear imaging means 17 that images the rear of the vehicle (rear imaging areas Ra, Rb), and is capable of imaging the front and rear of the vehicle simultaneously, so that images of both the front and rear of the vehicle can be acquired at the same time.

[0045] Furthermore, since the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17) according to this embodiment are connected to a storage means 19, and the images captured by the imaging means can be stored in the storage means 19, the imaging means can function as a drive recorder. The storage means 19 may consist of a memory attached to the body of the vehicle, or it may consist of a memory attached to the steering grip device (1, 1').

[0046] Furthermore, according to the handle grip device (1, 1') of this embodiment, an extension portion 13 is attached to the tip of the grip body 2, and the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rearward imaging means 17) are attached to the extension portion 13 (extension portion body 14). Therefore, the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rearward imaging means 17) can be positioned on the extension portion 13 located at the tip of the grip body 2, enabling good imaging of the front or rear of the vehicle.

[0047] In other words, by arranging the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17) in the outer space of the extension 13 located at the tip of the grip body 2, imaging can be performed at an external position of the vehicle, thereby avoiding the driver or parts of the vehicle from appearing in the image and obtaining a good image.

[0048] Furthermore, since the extension 13 according to this embodiment is equipped with a turn signal lamp 15 that flashes to indicate a change in the direction of the vehicle, the turn signal lamp 15 can be positioned on the extension 13 located at the tip of the grip body 2, thereby improving the visibility of the turn signal. Note that the turn signal lamp 15 may be positioned at a different location from the extension 13 of the grip body 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment has a throttle operating section 3 that can control the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating section 3 is operable within the range of motion of the driver's fingers that are gripping the gripping area α. Therefore, the driver can extend their fingers that are gripping the gripping area α to the throttle operating knob 3 to operate the throttle, making it easy to operate the throttle.

[0050] In particular, the throttle operation knob 3 according to this embodiment is designed to slide from the base end to the tip end of the grip body 2. Therefore, the driver can extend their fingers, which are gripping the gripping area α, to the throttle operation knob 3 and slide them from the base end to the tip end of the grip body 2 to operate the throttle, thereby enabling smooth throttle operation.

[0051] In addition, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment has a grip heater 8 that can warm the driver's hand gripping the gripping area α. Therefore, the grip heater 8 can be formed on the grip body 2 fixed to the handle pipe H, which improves the durability of the grip heater 8 and enables stable operation compared to conventional grips where the grip heater 8 is formed on a rotatable grip body.

[0052] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment has a grip sensor 9 that detects when the driver grips the gripping area α, so it can detect when the driver grips the grip body 2 and send a detection signal to the vehicle side, and for example, imaging can be performed by the imaging means (forward imaging means 16 and rear imaging means 17) only when it is detected that the driver has gripped it.

[0053] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the slideable throttle control knob 3, the vehicle's drive source may be controlled by other operating methods such as swinging or pressing. Furthermore, although the imaging means in this embodiment is attached to a grip body 2 (specifically, an extension 13 of the grip body 2) in which at least a part of the cross-section of the gripping area α is flattened, it may also be attached to a conventional cylindrical grip.

[0054] Furthermore, the imaging means is not limited to having both a front imaging means 16 and a rear imaging means 17, but may be equipped with only one of them. Although the handle grip device according to this embodiment is applied to two-wheeled vehicles (engine-driven or motor-driven), it may also be applied to other types of vehicles equipped with a handle pipe H (vehicles such as ATVs and snowmobiles, or vessels such as motorboats). [Industrial applicability]

[0055] The present invention can also be applied to products with different external shapes or those with added functions, provided they are of a similar nature. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1.1' Handle grip device 2 Grip body 2a Epidermis 2aa convex part 2b Core material section 2ba insertion hole 2bb Receiving recess 2bc mounting part 3. Throttle control knob 4 Interlocking members 5. Return spring 6 circuit boards 6a Magnetic sensor 7 Flexible circuit board 7a Extension board part 8 Grip Heaters 9. Grip Sensor 10 circuit boards 11 circuit boards 12 Vibration means 12a Vibration part 13 Extension 14 Extension body 14a Through hole 15 Turn signal lamps 16 Forward imaging means 17 Rear imaging means 18 Display device 19 Memory means α Grasping area H Handle Pipe Ha screw hole C Cover component L shaft member N Grip End Na screw hole m magnet p locking pin s screw hole n1, n2 mounting screws Fa, Fb forward imaging region Ra, Rb back imaging area

Claims

1. A handle grip device that is attached to the handle pipe of a vehicle and can be grasped by the driver, A handle grip device comprising a grip body having a gripping area that can be grasped by a driver, wherein the grip body is equipped with imaging means for imaging the area in front of or behind the vehicle.

2. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body is fixed to the handle pipe and at least a portion of the cross-section of the gripping area is flattened.

3. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaging means comprises a forward imaging means for imaging the area in front of the vehicle and a rear imaging means for imaging the area behind the vehicle, enabling simultaneous imaging of the area in front of and behind the vehicle.

4. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaging means is connected to a storage means, and images captured by the imaging means can be stored in the storage means.

5. The handle grip device according to claim 1, further comprising an extension attached to the tip of the grip body, wherein the imaging means is attached to the extension.

6. The handle grip device according to claim 5, characterized in that the extension portion is fitted with a turn signal lamp that flashes to indicate a change in the direction of the vehicle.

7. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body has a throttle operating section capable of controlling the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating section is operable within the range of motion of the driver's fingers gripping the gripping area.

Images