handle

Abstract

To provide a handle that employs a structure in which a grip portion that can maintain an excellent sensor sensitivity with an excellent durability can be easily formed.SOLUTION: An annular grip portion R gripped when a handle W is operated includes: a core member 3; a covering layer 10 that covers the core member; a surface skin layer 21 placed at the front-surface side of the grip portion; and a grip detecting layer 13 placed between the covering layer and the surface skin layer. The grip detecting layer includes a shield layer 14 at the core-member side and a sensor layer 19 at the surface-skin-layer side with an insulation layer 16 being present therebetween. The grip portion R includes an outer skin layer 24 formed by placing, at a back-surface 22b side of the surface skin layer, the sensor layer 19 formed by applying a coating material that contains a conductive material. The outer skin layer 24 is wound around the insulation layer 16 that covers the shield layer 14 covering a front-surface 10a side of the covering layer, and is placed at the front-surface side of the grip portion R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering wheel having an annular grip portion that is gripped when steering, and a sensor layer that can detect gripping. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in this type of steering wheel, the annular grip part that is gripped during steering is configured to include a core material, a covering layer that covers the core material, a skin layer that is disposed on the surface side of the grip part, and a grip detection layer that is disposed between the covering layer and the skin layer (for example, see Patent Document 1). The grip detection layer is configured to include a shield layer on the core material side and a sensor layer on the skin layer side, with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. The sensor layer detects an increase in electrostatic capacitance when the driver's hand or finger approaches the grip part, and the shield layer is disposed to suppress capacitive coupling that occurs between the sensor layer and the core material, and to suppress parasitic capacitance that occurs in the sensor layer that inhibits the accuracy of grip detection. In this steering wheel, a film-like shield layer is wrapped around the surface of the covering layer formed around the core material, and further, an insulating layer with a sheet-like sensor layer attached thereto is wrapped around the surface of the shield layer, and a skin layer made of leather or the like is wrapped around the surface side of the sensor layer to form the grip part of the steering wheel. In addition, as for the grip portion of a handle having a grip detection layer in which a sensor layer and a shield layer are provided with an insulating layer in between, there has been one in which a coating layer formed by applying a urethane paint or the like to protect the sensor layer is provided on the surface of the covering layer as a skin material on the surface side of the grip detection layer (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-166858 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-202446 A (Fig. 6) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional steering wheel described in Patent Document 1, when the insulating layer to which the sensor layer is attached is wound around the surface of the shield layer, the insulating layer itself is wound around the surface side of the shield layer while being careful not to make the sensor layer conductive with the shield layer, and the grip part cannot be easily formed. Also, in the steering wheel described in Patent Document 2, a single-piece skin material in which the shield layer, insulating layer, sensor layer, and coating layer are laminated is arranged on the surface side of the covering layer, and although it is a configuration in which the grip part can be easily formed, the coating layer is simply applied and arranged on the surface of the sensor layer, and there is a risk that the sensor layer will be exposed due to wear of the coating layer at the grip part held by the driver, and there is a problem with durability to maintain good sensor sensitivity.

[0005] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a handle having a configuration that allows for a simple formation of a grip portion that can maintain good sensor sensitivity with good durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the handle according to the present invention, a ring-shaped grip portion to be gripped during steering includes a core material, a covering layer covering the core material, a skin layer disposed on a surface side of the grip portion, and a grip detection layer disposed between the covering layer and the skin layer, The grip detection layer is a handle including a shield layer on the core material side and a sensor layer on the skin layer side with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, an outer skin layer formed by disposing the sensor layer on a back surface side of the skin layer, the sensor layer being formed by applying a paint containing a conductive material; The outer skin layer is wrapped around the insulating layer that covers the shielding layer that covers the surface side of the covering layer, and is disposed on the surface side of the gripping portion.

[0007] In the handle according to the present invention, the sensor layer of the grip detection layer is formed from a paint containing a conductive material, and is applied to the back side of the skin layer and disposed in the grip part as an outer skin layer. This outer skin layer is wound around the insulating layer that covers the shield layer that covers the front side of the covering layer. If the insulating layer is disposed so as to sufficiently cover the front side of the shield layer, the grip part can be formed simply by winding the outer skin layer around the insulating layer. In other words, the grip part can be formed easily because it is not necessary to wind the outer skin layer while being careful not to contact the sensor layer with the shield layer. In addition, the sensor layer is applied to the back side of the skin layer and is protected by the skin layer, so that wear resistance can be ensured and good sensor sensitivity can be maintained with good durability.

[0008] Therefore, the handle according to the present invention can easily form a grip portion that can maintain good sensor sensitivity with good durability.

[0009] It is preferable that the skin layer is formed from leather, that the outer skin layer is composed of a plurality of divided pieces divided along the circumferential direction of the gripping portion, and that the edges of adjacent divided pieces are connected to each other by sewing with conductive thread.

[0010] In this configuration, the handle is wrapped in leather, with the leather being arranged around the entire circumference of the annular grip, improving the feel and design of the grip. Also, since the edges of adjacent partitions are connected to each other by conductive thread, the sensor layers on the back sides of adjacent partitions are smoothly conductive to each other, making it possible to detect gripping around the entire circumference of the grip.

[0011] In the handle according to the present invention, it is preferable that the insulating layer is formed of an insulating tape attached to the front surface side of the shielding layer.

[0012] In such a configuration, the insulating layer can be easily disposed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the shield layer.

[0013] In this case, the covering layer is formed of urethane foam provided by molding, The shielding layer may be formed from a mold coating agent made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and may be disposed on the surface side of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded.

[0014] In such a configuration, a mold coating agent is applied to the surface of a mold for forming the coating layer, and then the coating layer is molded. This allows a mold coating layer made of the mold coating agent, i.e., a shielding layer, to be disposed on the surface side of the coating layer, and therefore the shielding layer can be easily formed.

[0015] Of course, the shield layer may be formed by applying a paint containing a conductive material to the surface side of the covering layer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a handle of one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a grip portion of the handle according to the embodiment, corresponding to the II-II portion of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a grip portion of the handle of the embodiment, corresponding to the III-III portion of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing each divided member of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a covering layer having a shielding layer is formed on a core material in a handle according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing process of the handle according to the embodiment, showing the process subsequent to that in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which both edges in the width direction of a division material of an embodiment are disposed on the inner peripheral edge side of a covering layer provided with a shielding layer and an insulating layer. FIG. [Figure 9]10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a handle according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a handle according to still another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example in which the edges of adjacent divided members are sewn together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a steering wheel W of the embodiment is configured to include a substantially annular grip portion R to be gripped when steering, a boss portion B at the center of the grip portion R, and spoke portions S (L, R, B) connecting the grip portion R and the boss portion B. The spoke portion S includes spoke portions SL, SR extending from the boss portion B to both the left and right sides, and a spoke portion SB extending from the boss portion B to the rear. The steering wheel W is also configured to include an airbag device 60, indicated by a two-dot chain line, disposed on the upper side of the boss portion B, a steering wheel main body 1, and a lower cover (not shown) that covers the lower side of the boss portion B.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the handle body 1 is further configured with a core 3 made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy that connects the grip portion R, the boss portion B, and the spoke portions S. The core 3 is configured with a grip core portion 4 disposed in the grip portion R, a boss core portion 5 disposed in the boss portion B, and spoke core portions 6 (L, R), 7 disposed in the spoke portions S (L, R, B) so as to connect the grip core portion 4 and the boss core portion 5. The boss core portion 5 has a steel boss 5a disposed therein that is connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle. The spoke core portion 6 is further configured with spoke core portions 6L, 6R disposed in the left and right spoke portions SL, SR, and two spoke core portions 7, 7 disposed in the rear spoke portion SB, branching to the left and right at the boss core portion 5 side, and connected at the grip core portion 4 side.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a coating layer 10 is arranged around the gripping core portion 4 arranged in the gripping portion R, and a skin layer 21 is arranged on the surface side of the gripping portion R, and a grip detection layer 13 is arranged between the coating layer 10 and the skin layer 21.

[0020] 1 to 3 and 5, the covering layer 10 is disposed around the gripping core portion 4 and around the spoke core portions 6 (L, R), 7 adjacent to the gripping core portion 4. The covering layer 10 is made of an insulating synthetic resin material such as urethane, and is formed around the gripping core portion 4 of the core 3 and the spoke core portions 6, 7 by injection molding or the like.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the covering layer 10 is formed from urethane foam that is molded by molding.

[0022] Additionally, the covering layer 10 has annular grooves 11 (LF, LB, RF, RB) arranged along the cross-sectional circumferential direction of the gripping core portion 4 at both the front, rear, left and right sides of the gripping portion R (see Figs. 3 and 5). As shown in Fig. 3, these grooves 11 (LF, LB, RF, RB) become wood grain grooves that accommodate the ends 30, 30 (connecting portions 33 (LF, LB, RF, RB)) of adjacent divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) described below.

[0023] The skin layer 21 is formed from leather 22 such as natural leather or synthetic leather. In the case of the embodiment, the leather 22 is formed from synthetic leather.

[0024] The grip detection layer 13 is configured to include a shield layer 14 on the grip core part 4 side of the core 3 and a sensor layer 19 on the skin layer 21 side, with an insulating layer 16 interposed therebetween. The shield layer 14 and the sensor layer 19 are connected to lead wires 51, 52 connected to a grip detection circuit 50, and the grip detection circuit 50 detects the grip by detecting an increase in capacitance when the driver's hand H or finger F approaches the grip part R. In the embodiment, the insulating layer 16 is formed from an insulating tape 17 made of a resin such as polyvinyl chloride. Both the sensor layer 19 and the shield layer 14 are formed from a resin paint such as urethane containing a conductive material. Examples of the conductive material include metal powder such as silver particles and conductive fillers such as carbon. In the case of the embodiment, the sensor layer 19 is disposed on the back surface 22b side of the leather 22 as the skin layer 21 by applying a paint containing a conductive material.

[0025] The shield layer 14 is disposed on the surface 10a side of the covering layer 10, and in this embodiment, is formed from a mold coating agent 45 made of a urethane paint containing a conductive material (see FIG. 6), and is disposed so as to be welded to the surface 10a of the covering layer 10 when the covering layer 10 is molded. An insulating tape 17 is wound around the surface 14a of the shield layer 14 to form an insulating layer 16. The shield layer 14 and the insulating layer 16 are also disposed on the inner circumferential surface 11a side of the groove 11 of the covering layer 10 (see FIG. 3).

[0026] Furthermore, in the embodiment, a member having a sensor layer 19 formed by applying paint containing a conductive material to the back surface 22b of the leather 22 as the skin layer 21 is attached by adhesion to the front surface 16a side of the insulating layer 16 as the outer skin layer 24 to form the gripping portion R.

[0027] Further, the outer skin layer 24 is formed in an annular shape by connecting a plurality of (four in the embodiment) divided pieces 25 (F, L, R, B) divided along the circumferential direction of the gripping portion R. In the embodiment, each divided piece 25 is formed from leather 26 as a divided piece main body constituting the leather 22, and a sensor layer 27 constituting the sensor layer 19 formed by applying a conductive paint to the back surface 26b side of the leather 26.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, dividing material 25 is composed of four pieces: dividing material 25F arranged between the left and right grooves 11LF, 11RF on the front side of coating layer 10, dividing material 25L arranged between the front and rear grooves 11LF, 11LB on the left side of coating layer 10, dividing material 25R arranged between the front and rear grooves 11RF, 11RB on the right side of coating layer 10, and dividing material 25B arranged between the left and right grooves 11LB, 11RB on the rear side of coating layer 10.

[0029] Divider 25F has a substantially rectangular shape when spread out flat, and the other dividers 25L, 25R, and 25B have a substantially cross shape. Divider 25F has left and right edges 30, 30 connected to the upper edges 30, 30 of the adjacent left and right dividers 25L, 25R in the state shown in Fig. 4. Divider 25B has left and right edges 30, 30 connected to the lower edges 30, 30 of the adjacent left and right dividers 25L, 25R in the state shown in Fig. 4.

[0030] The outer peripheral side edge 28 and the inner peripheral side edge 29 of each divided member 25 (F, L, R, B), excluding the end edge 30, are arranged close to each other so as to be in close contact with each other when each divided member 25 (F, L, R, B) is arranged to cover the surface 16a of the corresponding covering layer 10 (more specifically, the insulating layer 16) using an adhesive (see FIG. 8), and are configured as the grip portion R of the leather-wrapped handle W. Note that, although the illustrated example shows a case where only an adhesive is used, the side edges 28, 29 may be sewn together. Also, in the side edges 28, 29 of the left, right, and rear divided members 25L, 25R, 25B, the boss side edges 28a, 26a near the middle are bonded to the end faces of the spoke portions SL, SR, SB of the covering layer 10 without being in close contact with each other.

[0031] The connecting portions 33 between the edges 30, 30 of adjacent divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) are each bent toward the gripping core portion 4 side of the core member 3, i.e., toward the sensor layer 27 side of each divided member 25, and the bent folded portions 31 of the edges 30, 30 are connected to each other by stitching with a conductive thread 36 that penetrates in the thickness direction (see Figure 3).

[0032] The conductive thread 36 is formed by, for example, inserting conductive metal or carbon into fibers such as polyester.

[0033] In addition, in order to reinforce the seams 34 formed by sewing the conductive thread 36, the edges 30, 30 of the adjacent divided members 25 may be sewn together with a sewing thread having a greater tensile strength than the conductive thread 36.

[0034] In the embodiment, the conductive thread 36 is sewn by a straight stitch, but other stitching methods such as an overlock stitch may also be used.

[0035] The following describes the manufacturing process of the handle body 1 of the embodiment. The manufacturing process of the handle body 1 of the embodiment includes a mold coating agent application process, a covering layer forming process, an insulating layer providing process, and a leather wrapping process.

[0036] 6A and 6B, a mold 40 is used to mold the coating layer 10. First, a mold coating agent 45 made of paint containing a conductive material for forming the shield layer 14 is applied to the mold surfaces 41a and 42a of the split halves 41 and 42 of the mold 40 by a spray gun 44 as an application device. Before applying the mold coating agent 45, a release agent is applied to the mold surfaces 41a and 42a.

[0037] 6C and 6D, in the coating layer molding process, a molding die 40 consisting of split dies 41 and 42 is clamped, and a urethane material for forming the coating layer 10 is injected into the cavity 40a. The injected urethane material is then cured, whereby the coating layer 10 is molded while the shield layer 14 as the mold coating layer 15 consisting of the mold coating agent 45 is disposed on the surface 10a, thereby manufacturing a first handle body 47 in which the coating layer 10 is molded. The mold 40 is then opened, and the manufactured first handle body 47 is taken out.

[0038] Thereafter, in the insulating layer providing process, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, insulating tape 17 is wrapped around the surface 14a of the shielding layer 14 of the first handle body 47, and an insulating layer 16 is provided to form the second handle body 48.

[0039] In the leather wrapping process, the four divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) are interconnected to form the annular outer skin layer 24, and the outer skin layer 24 is covered on the surface 16a of the insulating layer 16 using an adhesive while each connecting portion 33 (LF, LB, RF, RB) is accommodated in the corresponding groove 11 (LF, LB, RF, RB) of the covering layer 10 in the second handle body 48. Thereafter, the outer peripheral side edge 28 side and the inner peripheral side edge 29 side of each divided member 25 (F, L, R, B) excluding the edge 30 are brought close to each other (see FIG. 8), and the outer skin layer 24 is adhered to the insulating layer 16, thereby forming the grip portion R of the leather-wrapped handle W and the handle body 1, as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0040] Then, a lower cover (not shown) is attached to the lower side of the boss portion B, the boss core portion 5 is fitted onto the steering shaft of the vehicle and fastened with nuts, the handle body 1 is attached to the vehicle, and the airbag device 60 is attached to the upper side of the boss portion B, whereby the handle W can be formed and the handle W can be mounted on the vehicle.

[0041] When the airbag device 60 is attached, the lead wires 51, 52 extending from the sensor layer 19 (27) and the shield layer 14 are connected to the grip detection circuit 50 (see FIG. 1).

[0042] In a steering wheel W mounted on a vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2, when the fingers F of the driver's hand H approach the sensor layer 19 (27) as if gripping the grip portion R, a specified grip detection circuit 50 detects an increase in capacitance, thereby detecting the driver's grip.

[0043] In the handle W of the embodiment, the sensor layer 19 of the grip detection layer 13 is formed from a paint containing a conductive material, and is applied to the back surface 22b side of the skin layer 21, and is arranged in the grip part R as the skin layer 24. The skin layer 24 is wound around the insulating layer 16 that covers the shield layer 14 that covers the front surface 10a side of the coating layer 10, and if the insulating layer 16 is arranged to sufficiently cover the front surface 14a side of the shield layer 14, the grip part R can be formed simply by winding the skin layer 24 around the insulating layer 16. In other words, the grip part R can be easily formed because it is not necessary to wind the skin layer 24 while taking care that the sensor layer 19 does not come into contact (conduct) with the shield layer 14. Furthermore, the sensor layer 19 is applied to the back surface 22b side of the skin layer 21 and is protected by the skin layer 21, ensuring abrasion resistance and allowing the sensor to maintain good durability and good sensor sensitivity.

[0044] Therefore, the handle W of the embodiment can easily form the grip portion R that can maintain good sensor sensitivity with good durability.

[0045] In the embodiment, the skin layer 21 is formed from leather 22, and the skin layer 24 is composed of a plurality of divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) divided along the circumferential direction of the gripping portion R, and is formed by connecting the edges 30, 30 of adjacent divided members 25, 25 to each other by sewing with conductive thread 36.

[0046] Therefore, in the handle W of the embodiment, the leather 22 is disposed around the entire circumference of the annular gripping portion R, resulting in a handle W with improved tactile feel and design of the gripping portion R. In addition, since the edges 30, 30 of adjacent divided members 25, 25 are connected to each other by the conductive thread 36, the sensor layers 27 (19) on the back surfaces 26b of adjacent divided members 25, 25 are also smoothly conductive to each other, making it possible to detect gripping around the entire circumference of the gripping portion R.

[0047] In the handle W of the embodiment, the insulating layer 16 is formed of an insulating tape 17 attached to the front surface 14a side of the shield layer 14.

[0048] Therefore, in the embodiment, the insulating layer 16 can be easily disposed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the shield layer 14 .

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the coating layer 10 is formed from urethane foam arranged by mold molding, and the shielding layer 14 is formed from a mold coating agent 45 made of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and is arranged on the surface 10a side of the coating layer 10 when the coating layer 10 is molded.

[0050] Therefore, in the embodiment, a mold coating agent 45 is applied to the mold surfaces 41a, 42a of the mold 40 for the coating layer 10, and then the coating layer 10 is molded. This allows the mold coating layer 15 made of the mold coating agent 45, i.e., the shield layer 14, to be disposed on the surface 10a side of the coating layer 10, and therefore the shield layer 14 can be easily formed.

[0051] The shield layer may be provided by applying or printing a paint containing a conductive material. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the handle body 1A of the handle WA may be formed from a covering layer forming step, a shield layer providing step, an insulating layer providing step, and a leather wrapping step. In the covering layer forming step, as shown in FIG. 9A, a covering layer 10A made of urethane foam or the like is formed around the grip core part 4 of the core 3 by molding. Next, in the shield layer providing step, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a paint containing a conductive material is applied to the surface 10a of the covering layer 10A to form a shield layer 14A. After that, in the insulating layer providing step, as shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, an insulating tape 17 is wound around the surface 14a of the shield layer 14A to form an insulating layer 16A. Then, in the leather wrapping process, as shown in Figures 9C and 9D, the outer skin layer 24 formed in a circular ring shape is wrapped around the surface 16a of the insulating layer 16A, as in the embodiment, to form the grip portion RA of the handle body 1A of the handle WA.

[0052] In addition, the insulating layer 16 may be formed by wrapping a sheet-like insulating material around the shielding layer, or by applying an insulating paint or adhesive to the surface of the shielding layer, without using the insulating tape 17.

[0053] In addition, when the shield layer is formed by applying a paint containing a conductive material, the handle body 1B of the handle WB having a grip part RB with a heater may be formed through a coating layer forming process, a heater disposing process, a shield layer disposing process, an insulating layer disposing process, and a leather wrapping process, as shown in Fig. 10. That is, first, as shown in Fig. 10A, a coating layer 10B made of urethane foam or the like is formed around the grip core part 4 of the core 3 by molding. Next, in the heater disposing process, as shown in Fig. 10B, a sheet-like heater element 54 is attached to a predetermined surface 10a side of the molded coating layer 10B. In the shield layer disposing process, as shown in Fig. 10B and C, a paint containing a conductive material is applied to the surface 54a of the disposed heater element 54 and the surface 10a of the coating layer 10B on which the heater element 54 is not disposed, to form a shield layer 14B. Thereafter, in the insulating layer providing step, insulating tape 17 is wound around surface 14a of shield layer 14B to form insulating layer 16B, as shown in Fig. 10C and D. Then, in the skin wrapping step, as shown in Fig. 10D and E, by wrapping outer skin layer 24 formed in a circular ring shape around surface 16a of insulating layer 16B in the same manner as in the embodiment, handle body 1B of handle WB having grip portion RB with a heater can be formed.

[0054] In the handle W of the embodiment, even if the connecting parts 33 (LF, LB, RF, RB) between the divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) are stored in the concave grooves 11 (LF, LB, RF, RB) of the covering layer 10, the folded edges 30, 30 of the adjacent divided members 25 (F, L, R, B) are connected to each other by stitching with the conductive thread 36 that penetrates in the thickness direction (see FIG. 3). That is, the conductive thread 36 approaches the surface 22a side of the leather 22 as the skin layer 21, and approaches the arrangement position of the sensor layer 27 (19) itself of the general part 38 of the divided member 25 near the connecting parts 33. Furthermore, since the conductive thread 36 itself also functions as a sensor portion, the difference in sensor sensitivity between the connecting portion 33 between the dividing members 25, 25 and the general portion 38 in its vicinity can be suppressed, and even if a space SP with a triangular cross section between the bent portions 31, 31 is arranged in the connecting portion 33, the sensor sensitivity at the connecting portion 33 can be improved.

[0055] Furthermore, if consideration is given to appearance and feel, as shown in Figure 11, the end faces 32, 32 of the edges 30, 30 of adjacent divided members 25, 25 may be butted together and the edges 30, 30 may be sewn together with conductive thread 36 to form the gripping portion RC of the handle body 1C of the handle WC.

[0056] In addition, in the handle W of the embodiment, an approximately circular ring-shaped gripping portion R is exemplified, but as long as the ring-shaped outer skin layer 24 made of multiple connected divided materials can be fitted onto the surface 16a side of the insulating layer 16, the gripping portion R is not limited to a circular shape and may have various shapes such as a square ring or an elliptical ring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 3...core material, 4...gripping core material portion, 10, 10A, 10B...coating layer, 10a...surface, 13...gripping detection layer, 14, 14A, 14B...shielding layer, 14a...surface, 15...mold coat layer, 16, 16A, 16B...insulating layer, 16a...surface, 17...insulating tape, 19, 27...sensor layer, 21...skin layer, 22...leather, 22a...surface, 22b...back side, 24...outer skin layer, 25(F,L,R,B)...dividing material, 30...edge, 36...conductive thread, 40...molding mold, 41a,42a...mold surface, 45...mold coat agent, R, RA, RB, RC…grip part, W, WA, WB, WC…handle.

Claims

1. A ring-shaped grip portion to be gripped during steering includes a core material, a coating layer that covers the core material, a skin layer that is disposed on a surface side of the grip portion, and a grip detection layer that is disposed between the coating layer and the skin layer, The grip detection layer is a handle including a shield layer on the core material side and a sensor layer on the skin layer side with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, an outer skin layer formed by disposing the sensor layer on a back surface side of the skin layer, the sensor layer being formed by applying a paint containing a conductive material; the outer skin layer is wound around the insulating layer that covers the shielding layer that covers the surface side of the coating layer, and is disposed on the surface side of the grip portion, The skin layer is formed from leather, The skin layer is A handle characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of divided pieces separated circumferentially along the grip portion, and is formed by connecting the edges of adjacent divided pieces by sewing with conductive thread.

2. A ring-shaped grip portion to be gripped during steering includes a core material, a coating layer that covers the core material, a skin layer that is disposed on a surface side of the grip portion, and a grip detection layer that is disposed between the coating layer and the skin layer, The grip detection layer is a handle including a shield layer on the core material side and a sensor layer on the skin layer side with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, an outer skin layer formed by disposing the sensor layer on a back surface side of the skin layer, the sensor layer being formed by applying a paint containing a conductive material; the outer skin layer is wound around the insulating layer that covers the shielding layer that covers the surface side of the coating layer, and is disposed on the surface side of the grip portion, the insulating layer is formed of an insulating tape attached to a front surface side of the shielding layer, the covering layer is formed from urethane foam that is applied by molding; A handle characterized in that the shielding layer is formed from a mold coating agent consisting of a urethane-based paint containing a conductive material, and is disposed on the surface side of the coating layer when the coating layer is molded.

3. 2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is formed of an insulating tape attached to the front side of the shielding layer.

4. 4. The handle according to claim 3, wherein the shield layer is formed by applying paint containing a conductive material to the surface side of the covering layer.

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