Steering Wheel

Abstract

To provide a steering wheel that is able to obtain natural grip of a rim portion by a driver and excellent turning operation while securing satisfactory front visibility of the driver in a steering neutral state.SOLUTION: A steering wheel includes a non-annular rim portion 11 and a spoke portion 12. In the rim portion 11, a region that is an upper portion in a steering neutral state is interrupted. The rim portion 11 includes a protruding portion 15 that protrudes from an intersection region 13 intersecting with the spoke portion 12, toward a side that is an upper side in the steering neutral state. The protruding portion 15 has at least one of an inclined rear surface and an inclined front surface. The inclined rear surface is inclined on a vehicle rear side from a surface of the intersection region 13 facing the vehicle rear side toward an upper side in the steering neutral state. The inclined front surface is inclined on a vehicle front side from a surface of the intersection region 13 facing the vehicle front side toward the upper side in the steering neutral state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A steering wheel for a general vehicle includes a hub portion supported by a steering shaft, an annular rim portion gripped by a driver, and spokes connecting the hub portion and the rim portion. In recent years, steering wheels with non-annular rim portions have been developed from the viewpoint of ensuring forward visibility (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In some steering wheels of this type, the rim is formed in a substantially semicircular or horizontally elongated substantially semi-elliptical shape, and there is no upper region of the rim in the neutral steering state. In this steering wheel, the spokes extend in the direction that corresponds to the width of the vehicle in the neutral steering state, and the ends of the spokes in the extending direction are connected to the upper end regions on the left and right of the rim. In the case of this steering wheel, the rim portion does not have an upper area (the part located above the hub portion) when the steering is neutral, so the rim portion does not obstruct the driver's view when looking forward, ensuring the driver's forward visibility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-69717 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional steering device, when the driver grips the upper parts of the left and right side edges of the rim portion in the neutral steering state, the spoke portion is located in a position where the driver's thumbs would be wrapped around it, so the driver is often forced to grip the spoke portion with his or her fingers in an unnatural position.

[0006] In addition, in the above-mentioned conventional steering device, in the neutral steering state, the rim does not exist above the intersection area of ​​the rim with the left and right spoke parts. Therefore, when the driver grips the rim near the intersection area of ​​the rim with the left and right spoke parts to turn the rim, the driver is forced to turn carefully so as not to cause the grip part to shift in position. In other words, when the driver turns the rim, the driver's hand, which is trying to push the rim upward, tends to shift from the end of the rim in the pushing direction, and the driver is forced to turn carefully so as not to cause this shift in the pushing direction.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a steering wheel that allows the driver to grip the rim part naturally and comfortably and to perform good turning operation while ensuring good forward visibility for the driver in the neutral steering state, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A steering wheel according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a non-annular rim portion (e.g., rim portion 11 in the embodiment) whose upper region is interrupted in the neutral steering state, and spoke portions (e.g., spoke portion 12 in the embodiment) which extend along the vehicle width direction in the neutral steering state and have ends on the outer side in the vehicle width direction connected to the rim portion, the rim portion comprising a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 15 in the embodiment) which protrudes from an intersection region (e.g., intersection region 13 in the embodiment) which intersects with the spoke portions toward a side which is upward in the neutral steering state, the protrusion having at least one of an inclined rear surface (e.g., rear surface 15r in the embodiment) which inclines toward the rear side of the vehicle from a surface of the intersection region facing the rear side of the vehicle toward a side which is upward in the neutral steering state, and an inclined front surface (e.g., front surface 15f in the embodiment) which inclines toward the front side of the vehicle from a surface of the intersection region facing the front side of the vehicle toward a side which is upward in the neutral steering state. The width of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction in a neutral steering state is increased toward the end in the protruding direction. It is characterized by:

[0009] In the steering wheel having the above-mentioned configuration, when the steering is in a neutral state, the interrupted portion of the upper part of the rim is positioned in front of the driver's line of sight, so that the steering wheel does not block the driver's line of sight forward, improving the driver's visibility. In addition, the driver can wrap his or her thumb around the inside of the base of the protrusion and grasp the intersection area of ​​the rim and the spoke with the fingers other than the thumb, allowing the driver to stably grip the steering wheel in a natural position without applying excessive force to the hands. In addition, when the driver grips the rim as described above, the inclined rear or front surface of the protrusion is positioned directly above the gripped portion. Therefore, when the driver turns the rim in one direction from the neutral steering state in this state, the inclined rear or front surface of the protrusion acts as resistance, making it difficult for the hand pushing upward to shift position in the direction of the turning operation. In this case, when the driver wraps his thumb around the inside of the base side of the protrusion to grip the intersection area with the spoke part of the rim part, in the neutral steering state, the side of the protrusion with the increased width is positioned above the driver's grip position. At this time, since the base side of the protrusion is relatively narrow in width, the protrusion does not hinder the driver's grip of the rim part. In addition, since the width of the protrusion increases toward the protrusion end side, when the driver turns the steering wheel while gripping the intersection area with the spoke part of the rim part, the protrusion can more reliably prevent the grip part of the driver who is pushing it upward from shifting in position.

[0010] The rim portion may have a lower extension portion (e.g., lower extension portion 14 in the embodiment) extending from the intersection area to a side that is downward in a neutral steering state, and the rear surface of the lower extension portion facing the rear of the vehicle may be inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from the surface of the intersection area facing the rear of the vehicle toward the side that is downward in a neutral steering state.

[0011] In this case, when a driver gripping the intersection area of ​​the rim turns the rim in one direction from a neutral steering state, the pad of the driver's palm, which is trying to push it upward, is pressed against the inclined part on the rear surface of the lower extension with the wrist bent at a right angle. This allows the driver to easily turn the rim while preventing the grip from shifting in the direction of the turn.

[0014] It is desirable that the surface of the protruding portion that faces upward in a neutral steering state (for example, the upper end surface 15u in the embodiment) be a flat surface.

[0015] In this case, when the driver directly grips the protruding portion, the driver can stably place a part of the index finger or middle finger on the flat surface at the top of the protruding portion. By placing a part of the index finger or middle finger on the flat surface at the top of the protruding portion in this way, the finger grip on the protruding portion is improved. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the gripping state when gripping the protruding portion is stable.

[0016] It is desirable that the surface of the protrusion facing the rear side of the vehicle and the surface facing the front side of the vehicle are inclined toward the same side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle toward the protruding direction of the protrusion.

[0017] In this case, the thickness of the protruding portion in the vehicle front-rear direction is not too thick, so that even when the driver directly grips the protruding portion, the ease of gripping is not impaired. Effect of the Invention

[0018] In the steering wheel according to the present invention, the protruding portion of the rim has at least one of an inclined rear surface and an inclined front surface, so that when the steering wheel according to the present invention is used, good forward visibility is ensured for the driver in the neutral steering state, while the driver can comfortably and naturally grip the rim and can perform good turning operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of a steering wheel according to an embodiment disposed in front of a driver's seat. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a gripping state of the steering wheel according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a front view showing another gripping state of the steering wheel of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view of a tearing wheel according to another embodiment 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a side view of a tearing wheel according to another embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to denote common parts, and some of the overlapping descriptions will be omitted. In addition, in the appropriate places of the drawings, an arrow FR pointing to the front of the vehicle, an arrow UP pointing to the top of the vehicle, and an arrow LH pointing to the left side of the vehicle are indicated.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel 1 according to the present embodiment, which is disposed in front of the driver's seat of a vehicle. Is, Ste FIG. 2 is a side view of the bearing wheel 1. The steering wheel 1 comprises a hub portion 10 supported by a steering shaft (not shown), a non-annular rim portion 11 that is gripped by the driver, and three spoke portions 12 that connect the hub portion 10 and the rim portion 11. An instrument panel 2 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the steering wheel 1. On the instrument panel 2, display portions 2a to 2c that display vehicle information such as vehicle speed and other information are disposed facing the driver (toward the rear of the vehicle).

[0022] The hub portion 10 is disposed so as to face the driver seated in the driver's seat. In this embodiment, the hub portion 10 is formed in a shape that is substantially elliptical and horizontally long when viewed from the front when the steering is in a neutral state. A horn and an airbag device (not shown) are built into the hub portion 10. In this specification, the term "neutral steering state" refers to the steering state (rotational position of the steering wheel 1) when the steered wheels of the vehicle are directed in a straight-ahead direction. In the following, terms such as "up," "down," and "vehicle width direction" related to the steering wheel 1 refer to the directions when the steering wheel 1 is in the neutral steering state, unless otherwise specified.

[0023] The rim portion 11 has a non-annular shape with an interrupted area at the top in the neutral steering state. The rim portion 11 has a lower edge portion 11a extending along the vehicle width direction below the hub portion 10, and a pair of side edge portions 11b extending upward from both ends of the lower edge portion 11a in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the lower edge portion 11a are curved upward in an arc shape and continue to the lower ends of each side edge portion 11b.

[0024] The spoke portion 12 comprises a pair of side spoke portions 12s extending from the hub portion 10 in the vehicle width direction in the neutral steering state, and a lower spoke portion 12l extending downward from the hub portion 10 in the neutral steering state. The side spoke portions 12s extend from the side ends of the hub portion 10 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, tilting slightly downward. The extending ends of each side spoke portion 12s are connected to the side edge portion 11b of the rim portion 11.

[0025] Here, each side edge portion 11b of the rim portion 11 comprises an intersection region 13 that intersects with the extending ends of the side spoke portions 12s, a lower extension portion 14 that extends downward from the intersection region 13 and has its lower end connected to the lower edge portion 11a, and a protrusion 15 that protrudes upward from the intersection region 13. The detailed shape of the side edge portions 11b will be described in detail later, but the overall shape of the side edge portions 11b is generally formed in a substantially arc shape when viewed from the front. The intersection region 13 refers to the region of each side portion 11b of the rim portion 11 that is sandwiched between an extension line of the upper side and an extension line of the lower side of the side spoke portion 12s.

[0026] Each side spoke portion 12s includes an inflection portion 16 that extends along the extension direction of the side spoke portion 12s and faces the driver side (rear side of the vehicle), an upper slope 17 that curves upward from the inflection portion 16 toward the front side of the vehicle, and a lower slope 18 that curves downward from the inflection portion 16 toward the front side of the vehicle. The inflection portion 16 is the portion that bulges most toward the driver side (rear side of the vehicle) in a cross section that intersects with the extension direction of the side spoke portion 12s. The portion of the inflection portion 16 that bulges most toward the driver side (rear side of the vehicle) extends along the extension direction of the side spoke portion 12s and is continuous with the rear surface 13r of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11. In this embodiment, the inflection portion 16 is in a band shape having a certain vertical width, but may be in a linear shape having almost no vertical width.

[0027] The upper slope 17 of the side spoke portion 12s is set so that the radius of curvature of the portion curved toward the front of the vehicle is larger than the radius of curvature of the lower slope 18 of the portion curved toward the front of the vehicle. The upper slope 17 includes a main region 17a that extends linearly along the extension direction of the side spoke portion 12s in a front view, and a connection region 17b that extends from the end of the main region 17a on the rim portion 11 side to the upwardly concave curve. The main region 17a is curved toward the front of the vehicle in a portion close to the inflection portion 16, but the portion forward of the curved portion is formed substantially flat. The radius of curvature of the arc of the connection region 17b in a front view gradually increases from the back side to the front side in the depth direction (from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle).

[0028] Of the side edges 11b of the rim portion 11, the protruding portion 15 protruding upward from the intersection region 13 has a width in the vehicle width direction that gradually increases toward the end (upper end) in the protruding direction. In particular, the inner end 15ie, which is the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion 15, is inclined at a substantially constant angle inward in the vehicle width direction from the connecting portion with the intersection region 13 upward. In other words, the inner end 15ie of the protruding portion 15 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction so that the protruding width gradually increases toward the upper side.

[0029] Additionally, each rear surface 13r of the left and right intersection regions 13 of the rim portion 11 is formed to be substantially flush with the rear surface of the inflection portion 16 of the adjacent spoke portion 12. In contrast, the rear surfaces 15r of the left and right protrusions 15 of the rim portion 11 are inclined upward from the rear surfaces 13r of the intersection region 13 toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 2. Additionally, the front surfaces 15f of the left and right protrusions 15 of the rim portion 11 are inclined at substantially the same angle to the same side as the rear surfaces 15r. In this embodiment, the inclined rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 forms an inclined rear surface that inclines upward from the rear surface 13r of the intersection region 13 toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0030] Each protrusion 15 protrudes upward from a position adjacent to the connection region 17b of the upper slope 17 of the side spoke portion 12s. The connection region 17b of the upper slope 17 curves upward from the end of the main region 17a of the upper slope 17 on the rim portion 11 side and continues to the protrusion 15. The upper end surface 15u of each protrusion 15 (the surface facing upward in a neutral steering state) is a substantially horizontal flat surface.

[0031] Figure 3 is a front view of the steering wheel 1, with the turning trajectory To of the outer peripheral surface (the outer end face in the vehicle width direction) of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11 and the turning trajectory Ti of the inner peripheral surface (the outer end face in the vehicle width direction) of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11 added by virtual lines. 3, a portion of the outer end 15oe of each of the protrusions 15 protruding upward from each of the left and right intersection regions 13 bulges outward from the turning path To of the outer circumferential surface of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11. Also, a portion of the inner end 15ie of each of the left and right protrusions 15 bulges inward from the turning path Ti of the inner circumferential surface of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11.

[0032] A flat inner inclined surface 19 facing the driver (rear side of the vehicle) and toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is formed in the inner region in the vehicle width direction of each protrusion 15. The inner inclined surface 19 smoothly continues to the upper end of the curved connection region 17b of the upper inclined surface 17 of the side spoke portion 12s.

[0033] Further, rear surfaces 14r of the lower extension portions 14 extending downward from the left and right intersection regions 13 are inclined downward from the rear surfaces 13r of the intersection regions 13 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0034] <Holding the steering wheel> A driver seated in the driver's seat can grasp the steering wheel 1 in the following manner. (1) Gripping form 1 4 is a front view showing a state in which a driver grips the steering wheel 1 in gripping form 1. In the figure, symbols Hl and Hr represent the driver's left and right hands, symbol Th represents the thumb, and symbol Fi represents fingers other than the thumb Th, such as the index finger and middle finger. In this gripping form 1, the driver presses the pads and the vicinity of the first joints of the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl and Hr against the main region 17a and the connecting region 17b of the upper slope 17 of the spoke part 12, and in this state grips the outside of the intersection region 13 of the rim part 11 with the remaining fingers Fi. At this time, the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl and Hr face upward while inclining inward in the vehicle width direction, and the inner surface of the thumb Th abuts against the connecting region 17b of the upper slope 17. Furthermore, at this time, the root region between the thumbs Th and the index fingers of the left and right hands Hl and Hr contacts the lower region of the inclined rear surface 15r of the protruding part 15. Therefore, the driver's hands Hl and Hr are less likely to slip upward, and gripping the rim part 11 is stable. At this time, the fingers Fi other than the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl and Hr of the driver grip the intersection region 13 directly below the protruding part 15. (2) Gripping form 2 FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which a driver grips the steering wheel 1 in the gripping mode 2. As shown in FIG. In this gripping form 2, the driver directly grips the outer circumferential surfaces of the left and right protrusions 15 with the thumbs Th and the fingers Fi other than the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl, Hr. At this time, the driver can press down the flat inner inclined surface 19 with the pads or bases of the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl, Hr. Also, at this time, parts of the index fingers and middle fingers of the left and right hands Hl, Hr can be placed on the flat upper end surfaces 15u of the left and right protrusions 15. Note that parts of the thumbs Th of the left and right hands Hl, Hr near their bases can also be placed on the connection region 17b or main region 17a of the upper inclined surface 17 of the spoke portion 12. In this gripping form 2, the rear surface 15r and the front surface 15f of the protrusion 15 are inclined backward and upward (towards the protruding end), allowing the driver to grip the protrusion 15 in a more natural gripping position (a gripping position that does not place undue force on the hand).

[0035] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the region of the rim portion 11 that is the upper part in the neutral steering state is discontinued. Therefore, the rim portion 11 does not block the driver's line of sight forward. Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment is adopted, the driver can clearly see the display portions 2a to 2c on the instrument panel 2 and the area outside the vehicle in front.

[0036] Furthermore, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the driver can rotate the thumbs Th of the hands Hl, Hr inside the base of the protrusion 15 and, in this state, grip the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11 with the fingers Fi other than the thumbs Th. This allows the driver to stably grip the steering wheel 1 in a natural state without applying excessive force to the hands Hl, Hr. Furthermore, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 protruding upward from the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11 is an inclined rear surface that inclines upward toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver grips the rim portion 11, the rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 inclined toward the rear of the vehicle is positioned directly above the gripped portion. Therefore, when the driver turns the rim portion 11 in this state, the inclined rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 provides resistance, and the driver's hands Hl, Hr that push the rim portion 11 upward are less likely to shift position in the direction of the turning operation. Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment is adopted, the driver can have good forward visibility in the neutral steering state, while being able to grip the rim portion 11 in a natural and relaxed manner and to perform good turning operations.

[0037] In addition, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the rear surface 14r of the lower extension 14 of the rim portion 11 is inclined downward and rearward. Therefore, when a driver gripping the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11 turns the rim portion 11 in one direction from a neutral steering state, the pad portion of the palm of the driver's hand trying to push it upward is pressed against the inclined portion of the rear surface of the lower extension with the wrist bent at a substantially right angle. Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment is employed, the driver can more easily turn the rim portion 11 while preventing the grip portion from shifting.

[0038] In addition, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the width of the protrusion 15 in the vehicle width direction increases toward the end (upper end) in the protrusion direction. Therefore, when the part of the thumb Th from the base to the vicinity of the first joint is pressed against the upper slope 17 of the side spoke part 12s and the outer part of the intersection region 13 of the rim part 11 is gripped with the other fingers in this state, the side where the width of the protrusion 15 increases is positioned above the base of the thumb Th and the other fingers. At this time, since the width of the base end side of the protrusion 15 in the vehicle width direction is relatively narrow, it does not hinder good gripping of the rim part 11 in the state where the thumb Th is pressed against the upper slope 17. In addition, since the width of the protrusion 15 increases toward the protruding end side (upper end side), when the driver turns the steering wheel 1, the protrusion 15 can more reliably prevent the position of the driver's hand that pushes it upward.

[0039] In addition, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the upper end surface 15u of the protruding portion 15 is a flat surface. Therefore, when the driver directly grips the protruding portion 15, the driver can stably place a part of the index finger or middle finger on the flat upper end surface 15u of the protruding portion 15. When the driver places a part of the index finger or middle finger on the flat upper end surface 15u of the protruding portion 15 in this manner, the finger grip on the protruding portion 15 is good. Therefore, when the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment is employed, the gripping state can be stabilized when the protruding portion 15 is directly gripped.

[0040] Furthermore, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the front surface 15f of the protruding portion 15 is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle, similar to the rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15. Therefore, the thickness of the protruding portion 15 in the vehicle front-rear direction does not become too large. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, even when the driver directly grips the protruding portion 15, the ease of gripping is not impaired.

[0041] Furthermore, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, the side spoke portions 12s are inclined downward from the side end portions of the hub portion 10 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the driver grips the outer portion of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11, the driver can easily press the thumb Th against the upper inclined surface 17 (the connection region 17b) of the side spoke portion 12s. Furthermore, even if the vertical width of the side spoke portion 12s is wide, the thumb Th can be placed at a height close to the height of the turning center C1 and in that state the rim portion 11 can be stably gripped. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the turning operability of the steering wheel 1 can be maintained good.

[0042] Furthermore, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, a part (outer end 15oe) of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 15 bulges outward from the turning path To of the outer peripheral surface of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11. Therefore, when the driver grips the outer part of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11, the outer end 15oe of the protrusion 15, which bulges outward from the turning path To of the outer peripheral surface of the intersection region 13, is positioned above the fingers (index finger) other than the thumb Th. Therefore, when the driver turns the steering wheel 1 in this state, the fingers other than the thumb Th of the driver who is pushing it upward get caught on the outer end 15oe of the protrusion 15, preventing the driver's grip position from shifting.

[0043] In addition, in the steering wheel 1 of this embodiment, a part (inner end 15ie) of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 15 bulges inward from the turning path Ti of the inner peripheral surface of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11. Therefore, when the driver presses his / her thumb Th against the upper inclined surface 17 to grip the outer portion of the intersection region 13 of the rim portion 11, the inner end 15ie of the protrusion 15, which bulges inward from the turning path Ti of the inner peripheral surface of the intersection region 13, is positioned above the thumb Th. Therefore, when the driver turns the steering wheel 1 in this state, the thumb Th of the driver who is pushing it upward gets caught on the inner end 15ie of the protrusion 15, preventing the driver's gripping position from shifting. In addition, when the driver directly grasps the protrusion 15 to turn the steering wheel 1, the driver's thumb Th which is pushing the steering wheel upward similarly gets caught on the inner end 15ie of the protrusion 15, preventing the driver's gripping position from shifting.

[0044] <Another embodiment 1> FIG. 6 is a side view of a tearing wheel 101 according to the first alternative embodiment. In the steering wheel 101 of this embodiment, the front surface 15f of the protruding portion 15 protruding upward from the rim portion 11 is an inclined front surface that is inclined upward toward the front side of the vehicle. The rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 is inclined at approximately the same angle to the same side as the front surface 15f. In this embodiment, the inclined front surface 15f of the protruding portion 15 constitutes an inclined front surface that is inclined upward from the front surface 13f of the intersection region 13 toward the front side of the vehicle.

[0045] In the steering wheel 101 of this embodiment, the front surface 15f of the protrusion 15 is an inclined front surface that inclines upward toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver grips the rim portion 11 to turn the wheel, the inclined front surface 15f of the protrusion 15 provides resistance, making it difficult for the driver's hand, which is pushing the wheel upward, to shift out of position in the direction of the turning operation.

[0046] <Another embodiment 2> FIG. 7 is a side view of a tearing wheel 201 according to another embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. In the tearing wheel 201 of this embodiment, the rear surface 15r of the protruding portion 15 is an inclined rear surface that slopes upward toward the rear side of the vehicle, and the front surface 15f of the protruding portion 15 is an inclined front surface that slopes upward toward the front side of the vehicle. The protruding portion 15 has a longitudinal width that gradually increases from the connection portion with the intersection region 13 upward (toward the protruding end).

[0047] In the tearing wheel 201 of this embodiment, the front-to-rear width of the protrusion 15 gradually increases from the intersection region 13 toward the top. Therefore, when the driver grips the rim portion 11 to turn, the gradually increasing portion of the front-to-rear width of the protrusion 15 acts as resistance, and the driver's hand pushing it upward is less likely to shift position due to the direction of the turning operation.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the rim portion 11 below the left and right side spoke portions 12s is formed in a horizontally long, generally U-shape, but the shape of the rim portion 11 below the left and right side spoke portions 12s (below the intersection region) is not limited to this. The shape of the rim portion 11 below the left and right side spoke portions 12s may be, for example, semicircular. The rim portion may also have a shape without the lower side portion 11a.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one lower spoke portion 12l is provided in addition to the left and right side spoke portions 12s, but the number and shape of the lower spoke portion 12l are not limited to those in the above embodiment. The number of lower spoke portions 12l may be two or more, and is not necessarily required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Steering wheel 11…Rim section 12s…Side spokes (spokes) 13...Intersection area 14...Lower extension part 15...Protrusion 15f...Front (slanted front) 15r...Rear (slanted front) 15u…Top surface (surface facing upwards)

Claims

1. A non-annular rim portion in which an upper region in a neutral steering state is interrupted; a spoke portion extending along a direction that corresponds to a vehicle width direction in a neutral steering state and having an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction connected to the rim portion, The rim portion includes a protrusion protruding from an intersection region where the rim portion intersects with the spoke portion toward an upward side in a neutral steering state, the protrusion has at least one of an inclined rear surface inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from a surface of the intersection area facing the rear of the vehicle toward a side that is upward in a neutral steering state, and an inclined front surface inclined toward the front of the vehicle from a surface of the intersection area facing the front of the vehicle toward a side that is upward in a neutral steering state, A steering wheel characterized in that the width of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction in a neutral steering state increases toward the end in the protruding direction.

2. The rim portion includes a lower extension portion extending from the intersection region to a lower side in a neutral steering state, 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein a rear surface of the lower extension portion facing the rear of the vehicle is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from a surface of the intersection area facing the rear of the vehicle toward a side that is downward in a neutral steering state.

3. 2. The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the protrusion that faces upward in a neutral steering state is a flat surface.

4. 4. A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a surface of the protrusion facing the rear side of the vehicle and a surface of the protrusion facing the front side of the vehicle are inclined to the same side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle toward the protruding direction of the protrusion.

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