Handle grip device

Abstract

The present invention provides a steering wheel grip device that allows for a grip shape that is easy for the driver to hold, and that can reduce hand fatigue while driving. [Solution] A handle grip device 1 that can be attached to a handle pipe H of a vehicle and gripped by a driver, comprising a grip body 2 fixed to the handle pipe H and having a gripping area α that can be gripped by a driver, wherein at least a part of the cross-section of the gripping area α of the grip body 2 is flattened, and a substantially flat mating surface Q is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area α that can be fitted and supported by the driver's palm.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs have a steering handle pipe (handle bar), and handle grips that can be gripped by a driver during driving are attached to both ends of the handle pipe. And, the right handle grip is a throttle grip that can rotate around an axis, and by the driver twisting and rotating it forward, the drive source of the vehicle can be operated.

[0003] In such a throttle grip device, since it is necessary to rotate the throttle grip around the axis while gripping it, a relatively large operating force has been required. Therefore, recently, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, throttle devices that detect throttle operations with sensors and control drive sources are becoming widespread. In this case, since not much operating force is required for throttle operations, the demand for handle grips with a more easily grippable shape has been increasing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To meet these requirements, the applicant considered providing a handle grip device with a shape that is easy for the driver to grip, by having the throttle operation performed by a separate operating means from the handle grip, and by fixing a grip body with a gripping area to the handle pipe. However, in this case, since the grip body is fixed to the handle pipe, the applicant diligently studied a grip body that can form a shape that can be fitted and supported by the driver's palm, thereby reducing hand fatigue while driving.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a handle grip device that can be shaped to be easy for the driver to grip and that can reduce hand fatigue while driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] 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 fixed to the handle pipe and having a gripping area that can be gripped by a driver, wherein at least a part of the cross-section of the gripping area of ​​the grip body is flattened, and a substantially flat mating surface is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area that can be fitted and supported by the palm of the driver.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 1, the matching surface is formed with a predetermined downward slope toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is a handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body has a protrusion formed in a portion located between the index finger and middle finger of the driver who grips the gripping area.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is a handle grip device according to claim 3, characterized in that the grip body has a throttle operating knob formed thereon that can control the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating knob is operable within the range of motion of the driver's thumb that grips the gripping area.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 4, the throttle operating knob is slidable from the base end to the tip end of the grip body.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is a handle grip device according to claim 1, wherein the grip body is formed by forming a surface layer on the surface of a core material, and the surface layer is made of a material softer than the core material and has the gripping area and the mating surface.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the handle grip device described in claim 6, a grip heater capable of warming the driver's hand gripping the gripping area, or a grip sensor for detecting that the driver is gripping the gripping area, is formed between the core material portion and the outer surface portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the invention of claim 1, the grip body is fixed to the handle pipe and has a gripping area that the driver can grasp, and the grip body has a flattened cross-section for at least a part of the gripping area, and a substantially flat mating surface is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area that can be fitted and supported by the driver's palm, so that the grip body can be made into a shape that is easy for the driver to grip and can reduce hand fatigue while driving.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 2, since the mating surface is formed with a predetermined downward slope toward the rear of the vehicle, the driver's palm can be well fitted to the mating surface, and fatigue of the driver's hand can be further reduced.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 3, the grip body has a protrusion formed in a portion located between the index finger and middle finger of the driver who grips the gripping area, so that the driver's hand can be positioned in a predetermined position in the gripping area, and the gripping area can be firmly grasped.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 4, the grip body has a throttle operating knob formed thereon that can control the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating knob is operable within the range of motion of the driver's thumb that grips the gripping area. Therefore, the driver's thumb, which is positioned by the protrusion and gripping the gripping area, can be extended to the throttle operating knob to operate the throttle, making it easy to operate the throttle.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 5, the throttle operating knob is slidable from the base end to the tip end of the grip body. Therefore, the driver's fingers, which are positioned by the protrusions and grip the gripping area, can be extended to the throttle operating knob and slid from the base end to the tip end of the grip body to operate the throttle, thereby enabling smooth throttle operation.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 6, the grip body is formed by forming a surface layer on the surface of the core material, and the surface layer is made of a softer material than the core material and has a gripping area and a mating surface, so that the gripping area and the mating surface can be made into soft parts, and can be gripped with a soft feel.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 7, a grip heater capable of warming the driver's hand gripping the gripping area, or a grip sensor that detects when the driver grips the gripping area, is formed between the core material portion and the outer layer portion, so that the function of a grip heater or grip sensor can be added inside the grip body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1]Overall perspective view showing a handle grip device according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Overall perspective view showing the handle grip device [Figure 3] Three views showing the 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 handle grip device [Figure 9] Three views showing the core material part in the grip body of the handle grip device [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view showing the handle grip device [Figure 11] Perspective view showing the back side of the throttle operation knob of the handle grip device [Figure 12] Schematic view showing the state where the throttle operation knob of the handle grip device is assembled to the grip body [Figure 13] Perspective view showing the state before assembling the grip body and the extension part of the handle grip device [Figure 14] Plan view showing the state where the driver grips the gripping area of the grip body of the handle grip device [Figure 15] Perspective view showing the state where the driver grips the gripping area of the grip body of the handle grip device and operates the throttle operation knob [Figure 16] Schematic view showing the state where the handle grip device is attached to a vehicle [Figure 17] Perspective view showing the grip body of the handle grip device [Figure 18] Three views showing the grip body of the handle grip device [Figure 19] Perspective view showing a grip body according to another embodiment of the present invention [Figure 20] Two-view drawing showing the grip body of the handle grip device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The forward imaging means 16 and the 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. The forward imaging means 16 is configured to capture images of the front of the vehicle, and the rear imaging means 17 is configured to capture images of the rear of 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.

[0040] 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. Moreover, the forward imaging means 16 and the rear imaging means 17 are also attached to a handle grip device 1' attached to the end of the left handle pipe H, so that the front and rear of the vehicle can be simultaneously imaged at both the right and left ends of the handle pipe H.

[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] In this embodiment, the grip body 2 has a flattened cross-section for at least a portion of the gripping area α. In addition, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, a substantially flat mating surface Q is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area α, which can support the driver's palm. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, this mating surface Q consists of a substantially flat surface formed on a portion of the gripping area α and is formed over a predetermined area of ​​the surface portion 2a of the grip body 2.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, the mating surface Q is formed with a predetermined downward slope (a downward slope of angle t with respect to the horizontal) toward the rear of the vehicle (i.e., the driver's side). The angle of this mating surface Q can be arbitrarily set according to the size of the vehicle, the driver's seating position, etc., and can also be arbitrarily adjusted, for example, by the assembly angle with respect to the handle pipe H.

[0045] Furthermore, when the vehicle is in motion, the driver can align their palm with the mating surface Q and support it, thereby allowing the mating surface Q to function as a palm rest. This reduces fatigue in the driver's palms and arms during low-speed driving or long-distance driving. In other words, since the mating surface Q consists of a substantially flat surface formed on the upper surface of the gripping area α, when the driver aligns their palm with it, the entire palm can be supported by the flat, wide surface, reducing the burden on the palms and arms.

[0046] According to the handle grip device (1, 1') of this embodiment, the grip body 2 is fixed to the handle pipe and has a gripping area α that can be grasped by the driver. The grip body 2 has a flattened cross-section for at least a part of the gripping area α, and a substantially flat mating surface Q is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area α that can be fitted and supported by the driver's palm. As a result, the grip body 2 can be shaped to be easy for the driver to grip and reduce hand fatigue while driving.

[0047] In particular, since the matching surface Q according to this embodiment is formed with a predetermined downward slope toward the rear of the vehicle, the driver's palm can be well fitted to the matching surface Q, thereby further reducing fatigue in the driver's hand.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the grip body 2 has a protrusion 2aa formed in a part located between the index finger and middle finger of the driver who grips the gripping area α, so that the driver's hand can be positioned in a predetermined position in the gripping area α, and the gripping area α can be gripped securely. Moreover, in this embodiment, the grip body 2 has a throttle operation knob 3 that can control the vehicle's drive source, and the throttle operation knob 3 is operable within the range of motion of the driver's thumb that grips the gripping area α, so that the driver's thumb, which is positioned by the protrusion 2aa and gripping the gripping area α, can be extended to the throttle operation knob to operate the throttle, making throttle operation easy.

[0049] However, since the throttle operation knob 3 is designed to slide from the base end to the tip end of the grip body 2, the driver can extend their fingers, which are positioned by the protrusion 2aa and 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.

[0050] Furthermore, the grip body 2 according to this embodiment is formed by forming a surface layer 2a on the surface of a core material 2b, and the surface layer 2a is made of a softer material than the core material 2b and has a gripping area α and a mating surface Q. Therefore, the gripping area α and the mating surface Q can be made into soft parts, allowing for a soft gripping feel.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the handle grip device (1, 1') of this embodiment, a grip heater 8 capable of warming the driver's hand gripping the gripping area α, and a grip sensor 9 that detects when the driver grips the gripping area α are formed between the core material portion 2b and the outer surface portion 2a, so that the function of either the grip heater 8 or the grip sensor 9 can be added inside the grip body 2. Note that either the grip heater 8 or the grip sensor 9 may be formed between the core material portion 2b and the outer surface portion 2a.

[0052] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the grip body 2' may have a bulge 2ab formed on the tip side (right end side in the figures) in addition to the mating surface Q. This bulge 2ab consists of a protruding portion formed on the surface portion 2a of the grip body 2', and can prevent the driver's hand, which is gripping the mating surface Q, from slipping towards the tip side of the grip body 2'.

[0053] 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]

[0054] 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]

[0055] 1.1' Handle grip device 2 Grip body 2a Epidermis 2aa convex part 2ab bulge 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 Q Matching surface 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

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 fixed to the handle pipe and having a gripping area that can be grasped by a driver, wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the gripping area of ​​the grip body is flattened, and a substantially flat mating surface is formed on the upper surface of the gripping area that can be fitted and supported by the driver's palm.

2. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the matching surface is formed with a predetermined downward slope toward the rear of the vehicle.

3. The handle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip body has a protrusion formed in a portion located between the index finger and middle finger of the driver who grips the gripping area.

4. The handle grip device according to claim 3, characterized in that the grip body has a throttle operating knob that can control the drive source of the vehicle, and the throttle operating knob is operable within the range of motion of the driver's thumb that grips the gripping area.

5. The handle grip device according to claim 4, characterized in that the throttle operating knob is slidable from the base end to the tip end of the grip body.

6. The handle grip device according to claim 1, wherein the grip body is formed by forming a surface layer on the surface of a core material, and the surface layer is made of a material softer than the core material and has the gripping area and the mating surface.

7. The handle grip device according to claim 6, characterized in that a grip heater capable of warming the driver's hand gripping the gripping area, or a grip sensor for detecting that the driver is gripping the gripping area, is formed between the core material portion and the outer layer portion.

Images