Steering wheel

Abstract

To obtain a steering wheel that allows the driver to easily recognize the position of the control switches while operating the steering wheel while looking towards the front of the vehicle. [Solution] The boss portion 22 is fixed to the steering shaft 18 of the vehicle. A rim portion 24 for the driver to grip is positioned on the outer circumference of the boss portion 22 when viewed in the axial direction, and the boss portion 22 and the rim portion 24 are connected by connecting portions 26, 27, and 28. The left and right connecting portions 26 and 27 are provided with finger insertion holes 32 and 34, which have openings on the front side (driver side) of the steering wheel 20, and operating switches 42 and 44 that protrude from inside the holes 32 and 34 are rotatably provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an operation switch is provided in a spoke portion of a steering wheel.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in terms of allowing the driver to easily recognize the position of the operation switch when the driver is operating the steering wheel while looking at the front side of the vehicle.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a steering wheel that allows a driver to easily recognize the position of an operation switch when the driver is operating the steering wheel while looking at the front side of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The steering wheel according to the first aspect includes a boss portion fixed to a steering shaft of a vehicle, a grip portion disposed on an outer peripheral side of the boss portion as viewed in the axial direction of the boss portion and gripped by a driver, a connecting portion that connects the boss portion and the grip portion and is provided with a hole for inserting a finger having an opening on the front side, and an operation switch that protrudes inside the hole and is provided so as to be rotatable.

[0007] In the context of the coupling section, "front side" refers to the same side as the front side of the steering wheel, or in other words, the driver's side.

[0008] In the steering wheel of the first embodiment, the boss portion is fixed to the steering shaft of the vehicle. A grip portion for the driver to hold is arranged on the outer circumference of the boss portion when viewed in the axial direction, and the boss portion and the grip portion are connected by a connecting portion. Therefore, the driver can rotate the steering wheel with the steering shaft as the center of rotation while gripping the grip portion. Here, the connecting portion is provided with a finger insertion hole having an opening on the front side (driver side) of the steering wheel, and an operating switch that protrudes from inside the hole is rotatably mounted. As a result, when the driver is operating the steering wheel while looking towards the front of the vehicle, the driver can touch the operating switch by inserting their finger into the opening of the hole, so the position of the operating switch can be easily recognized by touch.

[0009] In the second embodiment of the steering wheel, the axial direction of the pivot center of the operating switch is set to be aligned with the axial direction of the boss portion, as in the first embodiment.

[0010] Furthermore, "direction along the axial direction of the boss" includes not only the direction parallel to the axial direction of the boss, but also directions that are slightly inclined relative to the direction parallel to the axial direction of the boss and, strictly speaking, are not parallel to the axial direction of the boss, but are effectively understood as directions along the axial direction of the boss.

[0011] According to the steering wheel of the second embodiment, the axis direction of the rotation center of the operating switch is set to be aligned with the axial direction of the boss portion, so the driver can easily operate the operating switch with their fingers on both sides in the direction of rotation.

[0012] In the third embodiment of the steering wheel, in the first or second embodiment, the amount of the operating switch protruding from the inside of the hole is greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switch and the inner surface of the hole in a direction parallel to the direction of the operating switch's protrusion.

[0013] According to the steering wheel of the third embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the operating switch inside the hole is greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switch and the inner surface of the hole in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switch, so that when the driver puts their finger into the hole, the driver can easily hook their finger onto the operating switch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, the steering wheel according to the present invention has the excellent effect of allowing the driver to easily recognize the position of the operating switches when the driver is operating the steering wheel while looking towards the front of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a simplified view of a portion of the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle having a steering wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the driver's side. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side view showing a portion of the front of the vehicle interior, including the steering wheel. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an enlarged front view of the steering wheel. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state after cutting along line 4-4 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a magnified view of the area around the hole in the connecting section on the left side of Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] A steering wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In Figures 1 to 5, arrows FR indicate the front of the vehicle, arrows UP indicate the upper side of the vehicle, and arrows RH indicate the right side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, some reference numerals may be omitted in each figure for the sake of clarity.

[0017] (Configuration of the embodiment) Figure 1 shows a simplified view of a portion of the front part 10F of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10 having a steering wheel 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the driver's side (driver's seat side). As shown in Figure 1, an instrument panel 12 is provided in the front part 10F of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. A windshield 13 is positioned above the front end of the instrument panel 12. A front pillar 14 is positioned along the vertical direction of the vehicle on the outer side of the windshield 13 in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a side view of a portion of the front part 10F of the vehicle interior. The front seats 16 shown in Figure 2 are located on the rear side of the instrument panel 12 shown in Figure 1. The front seats 16 consist of a driver's seat 16D on one side of the front part 10F of the vehicle interior (the right side in this embodiment) and a passenger seat on the other side (the left side in this embodiment). A steering wheel 20, shown in Figures 1 and 2, is located on the front side of the driver's seat 16D on one side of the front part 10F of the vehicle interior (the right side in this embodiment). As shown in Figure 2, the steering wheel 20 is operated by the driver PD seated in the driver's seat 16D. The steering wheel 20 is sometimes referred to as a handle.

[0019] Figure 3 shows an enlarged front view of the steering wheel 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the steering wheel 20 has a boss portion 22 that is fixed to the steering shaft 18 of the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the portion on the tip side (upper end side) of the steering shaft 18 is covered by the steering column cover 19. As shown in FIG. 3, the boss portion 22 is provided in the central region of the steering wheel 20. The boss portion 22 is fixed to the tip of the steering shaft 18 using fixing means such as a nut N (see FIG. 4). The boss portion 22 is sometimes referred to as a hub portion.

[0020] The steering wheel 20 has a rim portion 24 that is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the boss portion 22 when viewed in the axial direction of the boss portion 22 and serves as an annular gripping portion for the driver to grip. The boss portion 22 and the rim portion 24 are connected by a plurality (three in this embodiment) of connecting portions (also referred to as "spoke portions") 26, 27, 28.

[0021] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the state cut along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the boss portion 22 is a part of the core metal 21 that constitutes the skeleton portion of the steering wheel 20. The illustration of the shape of the core metal 21 in a front view is omitted. The core metal 21 is formed of, for example, an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, steel, or the like. The core metal 21 includes the boss portion 22, an annular ring core metal portion 21B that constitutes the skeleton portion of the rim portion 24, and spoke core metal portions 21C that constitute the skeleton portions of the connecting portions 26, 27, 28 (see FIG. 3). In the spoke core metal portion 21C, through holes 21H are formed in a part of the portion that becomes the skeleton portions of the left and right connecting portions 26, 27.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a synthetic resin pad portion 30 is positioned on the front side (driver side) relative to the boss portion 22. The pad portion 30 is sometimes referred to as a wheel pad. The pad portion 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with one end closed and positioned with the open end facing the boss portion 22. It comprises a top wall portion 30A facing the driver side and a peripheral wall portion 30B extending from the outer circumference of the top wall portion 30A to the side opposite to the front side (driver side). The peripheral wall portion 30B is composed of left and right side wall portions 30L and 30R.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, an airbag device 50 is positioned in the inner space of the pad portion 30. The airbag device 50 includes a metal base plate 52 positioned on the leading edge (open end) of the peripheral wall portion 30B of the pad portion 30. The base plate 52 consists of a rectangular flat base portion 52A to which the inflator 56 is fixed, and a mounting portion 52B formed by bending from the edge of the base portion 52A toward the opposite side from the driver. Meanwhile, metal or resin insert plates 54 are embedded in the side walls 30L and 30R of the pad portion 30 by insert molding, and the mounting portion 52B of the base plate 52 is fixed to these insert plates 54. A folded bag 58 is stored in the space formed by the base plate 52 and the pad portion 30. In Figure 4, the cross-section of the bag 58 is shown with a thick line without indicating the thickness for convenience. The bag 58 has its opening fixed to the base portion 52A of the base plate 52, and is designed to inflate and deploy when expansion gas is supplied from the inflator 56 during a vehicle collision.

[0024] The top wall portion 30A of the pad portion 30 is the part that is pressed when activating the horn device (not shown). A horn switch (not shown) is located near the tip end of the peripheral wall portion 30B of the pad portion 30. That is, the pad portion 30 is configured such that when the top wall portion 30A is pressed, the tip end of the peripheral wall portion 30B presses the horn switch. Furthermore, when the horn switch is pressed, the horn device is activated. Note that a known configuration can be used for activating the horn device, so detailed illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the rim portion 24 is positioned to surround the boss portion 22 when viewed in the axial direction of the boss portion 22, and includes a covering portion 24A that covers the annular ring core portion 21B (see Figure 4). The rim portion 24 is rotated by the driver who grips the rim portion 24, with the steering shaft 18 as the center of rotation.

[0026] Of the three connecting parts 26, 27, and 28, connecting part 26 is provided on the left side relative to the boss part 22, connecting part 27 is provided on the right side relative to the boss part 22, and connecting part 28 is provided below the boss part 22. The connecting parts 26, 27, and 28 are provided on the spoke core metal part 21C (see Figure 4) and are equipped with synthetic resin covers 26A, 27A, and 28A that cover the portion including the spoke core metal part 21C.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the left and right covers 26A and 27A form a space together with the spoke core metal portion 21C, etc., on the front side relative to the spoke core metal portion 21C. In the space formed by the left cover 26A, etc., a circuit board (not shown) on which a cruise control switch is mounted is housed, for example. In the space formed by the right cover 27A, etc., a circuit board (not shown) on which an audio switch is mounted is housed, for example.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, as an example, the left and right connecting parts 26 and 27 of the three connecting parts 26, 27, 28 are provided with finger insertion holes 32 and 34, which have openings 32A and 34A on the front side (driver side). The holes 32 and 34 are formed, for example, by notched recesses 26K and 27K formed on the pad portion 30 side of the cover 26A and 27A, and by a part of the side wall portions 30L and 30R of the pad portion 30. The holes 32 and 34 are formed in a shape that is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front, and are set to a width that allows one thumb to be inserted from the front side. The width of the holes 32 and 34 can be set in various ways, such as being larger than the width of one thumb of an average adult male and smaller than the sum of the widths of the index and middle fingers of an average adult male.

[0029] The steering wheel 20 also has operating switches 42 and 44 that protrude from the holes 32 and 34 and are rotatable. The operating switch 42 located in the left hole 32 is used to increase or decrease the set vehicle speed of the cruise control by a predetermined amount. The operating switch 44 located in the right hole 34 is used to select the music to be played on the in-vehicle audio system. The operating switches 42 and 44 can move their protruding tips both upward and downward from the home position (neutral position) shown in Figure 3.

[0030] As shown in the partially enlarged view of the cross-sectional view in Figure 4, the operating switches 42 and 44 are part of the toggle switch devices 36 and 38. Since known toggle switch devices can be used for the toggle switch devices 36 and 38, a detailed explanation is omitted. For example, the operating switches 42 and 44 are formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate with the longitudinal direction being along the direction through which the holes 32 and 34 pass through, but they may also be formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate with the short direction being along the direction through which the holes 32 and 34 pass through, or they may be formed in the shape of a rod shaft.

[0031] The operating switches 42 and 44 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are, for example, located on the vertical wall portions 26K1 and 27K1 (opposite the side wall portions 30L and 30R) of the recessed portions 26K and 27K, and protrude toward the side wall portions 30L and 30R of the pad portion 30. As shown in Figure 4, the toggle switch devices 36 and 38, which have the operating switches 42 and 44, are arranged to penetrate the vertical wall portions 26K1 and 27K1. Note that the detailed structure of the parts of the toggle switch devices 36 and 38 that are located inside the covers 26A and 27A is not shown. Furthermore, in the operating switches 42 and 44 shown in Figure 4, as an example, the pivot shafts 42S and 44S of the operating switches 42 and 44 are located near the vertical wall portions 26K1 and 27K1 within the holes 32 and 34. However, the pivot shafts 42S and 44S may also be located inside the covers 26A and 27A or in portions that penetrate the covers 26A and 27A.

[0032] The axis direction of the rotation center of the operating switches 42 and 44 shown in Figure 4 (the direction of extension of the dashed-dotted lines 42X and 44X) is set to align with the axial direction of the boss portion 22 (the direction of extension of the dashed-dotted line CL). In Figure 2, the axis of the rotation center of the operating switches 42 and 44 (see Figure 4, etc.) in a side view is indicated by dashed-dotted lines denoted by reference numerals 42X and 44X, and the axial direction of the boss portion 22 is indicated by the direction of extension of the dashed-dotted line CL.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the area around the hole 32 of the left-side connecting portion 26 shown in Figure 3. For convenience, the shape of the operating switch 42 is simplified in Figure 5. Also, the enlarged view of the area around the hole 34 of the connecting portion 27 shown on the right side of Figure 3 is substantially symmetrical to Figure 5, so it is omitted from the illustration. As shown in Figure 5, the amount L of the operating switch 42 protruding into the left-side hole 32 is greater than the distance G between the protruding tip 42T of the operating switch 42 and the inner surface 32B of the hole 32 in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switch 42. Similarly, the amount of the operating switch 44 protruding into the right-side hole 34 shown in Figure 3 is also greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switch 44 and the inner surface of the hole 34 in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switch 44.

[0034] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "amount of protrusion of the operating switches 42 and 44" and "the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switches 42 and 44 and the inner surface of the holes 32 and 34" in a direction parallel to the protrusion direction of the operating switches 42 and 44 can be compared at each position in the through-direction of the holes 32 and 34 (in other words, by changing the position in the through-direction) in the region where the operating switches 42 and 44 are located at the through-direction of the holes 32 and 34 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 3). In this embodiment, the above relationship holds true at all of the positions in the through-direction where such comparison is possible.

[0035] (Effects and mechanisms of the embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, in the steering wheel 20 of this embodiment, the boss portion 22 is fixed to the steering shaft 18. Furthermore, a rim portion 24, which is gripped by the driver, is positioned on the outer circumference of the boss portion 22 when viewed in the axial direction, and the boss portion 22 and the rim portion 24 are connected by connecting portions 26, 27, and 28. Therefore, the driver can rotate the steering wheel with the steering shaft 18 as the center of rotation while gripping the rim portion 24.

[0037] Here, the left and right connecting portions 26 and 27 are provided with finger insertion holes 32 and 34, which have openings 32A and 34A on the front side (driver side) of the steering wheel 20, and operating switches 42 and 44 that protrude from inside the holes 32 and 34 are rotatably mounted. As a result, when the driver is operating the steering wheel 20 while looking towards the front of the vehicle, the driver can reach the operating switches 42 and 44 by inserting their fingers into the openings 32A and 34A of the holes 32 and 34, so that the position of the operating switches 42 and 44 can be easily recognized by touch.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the axial direction of the pivot center of the operating switches 42 and 44 (see Figure 4) (the direction of extension of the dashed-dotted lines 42X and 44X) is set to align with the axial direction of the boss portion 22 (the direction of extension of the dashed-dotted line CL). Therefore, the operator can easily operate the operating switches 42 and 44 shown in Figure 3 with their fingers on both sides (here, the upper and lower sides) in the direction of rotation.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the amount L of the protrusion of the operating switch 42 inside the left hole 32 is greater than the distance G between the protruding tip 42T of the operating switch 42 and the inner surface 32B of the hole 32 in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switch 42. Similarly, the amount of the protrusion of the operating switch 44 inside the right hole 34 shown in Figure 3 is also greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switch 44 and the inner surface of the hole 34 in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switch 44. As a result, when the driver puts their fingers into the holes 32 and 34, the driver can easily hook their fingers onto the operating switches 42 and 44.

[0040] As described above, the steering wheel 20 according to this embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 allows the driver to easily recognize the positions of the operation switches 42 and 44 when operating the steering wheel 20 while looking towards the front of the vehicle.

[0041] (Supplementary explanation of the embodiment) In the above embodiment, the rim portion 24, which serves as a gripping portion for the driver, is formed in an annular shape. However, as a modification of the above embodiment, the gripping portion, which is positioned on the outer circumference of the boss portion (22) when viewed in the axial direction of the boss portion (22) and is gripped by the driver, may be formed in an arc shape or a substantially U-shape, or other than an annular shape.

[0042] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, finger insertion holes 32 and 34 are provided in the left and right connecting parts 26 and 27, and operating switches 42 and 44 are provided inside these holes 32 and 34. However, for example, a configuration can also be adopted in which a finger insertion hole having an opening on the front side is provided in the lower connecting part (28), and a rotatable operating switch protrudes from inside the hole.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the finger insertion holes 32 and 34 includes a portion of the peripheral wall portion 30B of the pad portion 30 (more specifically, a portion of the side wall portions 30L and 30R), but a finger insertion hole provided in the connecting portion that connects the boss portion (22) and the gripping portion (rim portion 24) and having an opening on the front side does not need to include a portion of the peripheral wall portion (30B) of the pad portion (30) in a portion of its inner circumferential surface.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the axial direction of the rotation centers of the operating switches 42 and 44 (the extending direction of the dashed-dotted lines 42X and 44X) is set to align with the axial direction of the boss portion 22 (the extending direction of the dashed-dotted line CL), and such a configuration is preferred. However, as a modification of the above embodiment, for example, a configuration in which the axial direction of the rotation center of the operating switch is set to align with a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the boss portion (22) can also be adopted.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the operating switches 42 and 44 is greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switches 42 and 44 and the inner surface of the holes 32 and 34 in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switches 42 and 44, and such a configuration is preferred. However, as a modification of the above embodiment, it is also possible to set the amount of protrusion of the operating switches to be less than or equal to the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switches and the inner surface of the holes (32 and 34) in a direction parallel to the direction of protrusion of the operating switches.

[0046] Furthermore, the above embodiments and the various modifications described above can be combined as appropriate.

[0047] Although an example of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and it is of course possible to implement it in various modified forms without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 10 vehicles 18 Steering shaft 20 Steering Wheel 22 Boss Section 24. Rim section (gripping section) 26 Connecting part 27 Connecting part 32 Hole 32A aperture 32B Inner surface of the hole 34 Hole 34A aperture 42 Operating switches 42T Protruding tip of the operating switch 42X Axis of the pivot center 44 Operating switches 44X Axis of the pivot point G Distance between the protruding tip of the operation switch and the inner surface of the hole. L Protrusion amount of the operating switch

Claims

1. A boss portion that is fixed to the vehicle's steering shaft, A gripping portion is positioned on the outer circumference of the boss portion when viewed in the axial direction of the boss portion and is gripped by the driver, A connecting portion is provided which connects the boss portion and the gripping portion, and which has a finger insertion hole with an opening on the front side. An operating switch is provided within the hole so as to protrude and be rotatable, A steering wheel having a steering wheel.

2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the axial direction of the rotation center of the operating switch is set to be in a direction along the axial direction of the boss portion.

3. The steering wheel according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the amount of the operating switch protruding from the inside of the hole is greater than the distance between the protruding tip of the operating switch and the inner surface of the hole in a direction parallel to the direction of the operating switch's protrusion.

Images