Steering device

Abstract

Provided is a steering device which makes it possible to accurately detect the presence of a driver hand gripping a rim section, in order to improve traffic safety.　The steering device 1 is equipped with: a steering wheel 2 provided with a rim section 20, a hub section 23 and spoke sections 25L and 25R; electrode devices 6L, 6R; and a steering control device 4 for detecting a change in the capacitance of the electrode devices 6L, 6R. The electrode devices 6L, 6R are respectively equipped with a first electrode section 61L, 61R provided to a spoke connection section 22L, 22R to which the spoke section 25L, 25R is connected and which constitutes part of an inner-circumferential rim section 21. Radially outermost sections 613L, 613R, which are the sections of the first electrode sections 61L, 61R farthest from the center, are positioned to the outside in the radial direction of arc-shaped imaginary lines L1, L2 which contact the contour line of the inner-circumferential rim section 21 above the spoke sections 25L, 25R and the contour line of the inner-circumferential rim section 21 below the spoke sections 25L, 25R.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device, and more particularly to a steering device that accepts steering operations by a driver. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to improve traffic safety, vehicles have been increasingly equipped with driving assistance devices that assist drivers in driving the vehicle, such as a lane keeping function, a lane departure prevention function, a lane change function, and a preceding vehicle following function. In vehicles equipped with such driving assistance devices, a sensor device such as that shown in Patent Document 1 detects whether the driver is gripping the steering wheel, and if it is detected that the driver is not gripping the steering wheel, the device may prompt the driver to grip the steering wheel or cancel any driving assistance function that is currently being executed.

[0003] The sensor device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects contact or proximity of the driver's hands with the steering wheel based on changes in the electrostatic capacitance of electrodes provided on the spokes of the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 195620 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the sensor device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plate-shaped electrode is provided on the spoke with its flat surface facing the driver. Because the electric field lines induced around this electrode pass perpendicular to the electrode, the sensor device disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to accurately detect the presence of a hand gripping the annular rim connected to the radially outer side of the spoke. In particular, the detection accuracy is low for a hand gripping the radially outer part of the rim connected to the spoke.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can accurately detect the presence of a driver's hands gripping the rim portion in order to improve traffic safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A steering device according to the present invention accepts steering operations by a driver and comprises a steering wheel having an annular rim portion, a hub portion provided inside the rim portion, and spoke portions extending radially along the rim portion and connecting the hub portion and the inner rim portion of the rim portion; an electrode device provided on the steering wheel; and a control unit that detects changes in the capacitance of the electrode device, wherein the electrode device comprises a first electrode portion provided at a connection portion of the inner rim portion to which the spoke portion is connected.

[0008] (2) In this case, it is preferable that the outermost diameter portion of the first electrode portion, which is the portion that is the farthest radially from the hub portion, is positioned radially outward from an arc-shaped imaginary line that touches the contour line of the rim inner periphery above the spoke portion and the contour line of the rim inner periphery below the spoke portion, as viewed by the rider.

[0009] (3) In this case, it is preferable that a portion of the first electrode portion including the outermost diameter portion is arc-shaped when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface facing outward in the radial direction.

[0010] (4) In this case, it is preferable that the spoke portion is provided with an auxiliary equipment operation console that receives auxiliary equipment operation by the driver and is rectangular when viewed from the driver, and that the first electrode portion is L-shaped when viewed from the driver and includes a first flat portion that is provided along the upper first side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface facing the rim inner circumference, and a second flat portion that is provided at a position radially outward from the radially outer second side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver.

[0011] (5) In this case, it is preferable that the lower end of the second flat surface portion as seen from the rider is Y-shaped and has a flat surface directed toward the space between the lower side of the spoke portion and the rim inner circumferential portion as seen from the rider.

[0012] (6) In this case, it is preferable that the spoke portion is provided with an auxiliary equipment operation console that receives auxiliary equipment operation by the driver and is rectangular when viewed from the driver, and that the first electrode portion is C-shaped when viewed from the driver, and that it comprises: a first flat portion that is provided in the auxiliary equipment operation console along the upper first side wall surface when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface facing toward the rim inner circumference; a second flat portion that is provided in the auxiliary equipment operation console at a position radially outward away from the radially outer second side wall surface when viewed from the driver; and a third flat portion that is provided in the auxiliary equipment operation console along the lower third side wall surface when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface facing toward the rim inner circumference.

[0013] (7) In this case, it is preferable that the electrode device further includes a second electrode portion that is provided on the rear side of the auxiliary equipment operation console and has a flat surface facing the driver. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] (1) A steering system includes a steering wheel having a rim portion, a hub portion, and spoke portions, an electrode device provided on the steering wheel, and a control unit that detects changes in the capacitance of the electrode device. In the steering system according to the present invention, the electrode device includes a first electrode portion provided on a connection portion of the inner periphery of the rim where the spoke portions are connected. Therefore, according to the present invention, the first electrode portion provided on the connection portion, which is closer to the rim than the spoke portions, can induce electric field lines that pass through the rim portion, particularly near the connection portion. This makes it possible to more accurately detect the driver's hand in contact with or near the rim portion, compared to conventional systems in which electrodes are provided on the spoke portions, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0015] (2) In this invention, the outermost diameter portion of the first electrode, which is the portion radially farthest from the hub portion, is positioned radially outward from an imaginary arc line that touches both the contour line of the rim inner periphery above the spokes and the contour line of the rim inner periphery below the spokes, as viewed from the driver. This makes it possible to induce many electric lines of force in the portion of the rim radially outward from the connection portion, more specifically, in the portion near the 90° angle that the driver's right hand can grasp or the portion near the 270° angle that the driver's left hand can grasp. This makes it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands in contact with or near these portions, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0016] (3) In the steering device according to the present invention, the portion of the first electrode portion including the outermost diameter portion has an arc shape that follows the rim portion as seen from the driver and has a flat surface that faces radially outward. Therefore, in the present invention, more electric field lines can be induced in the portion of the rim portion that is particularly radially outer than the connection portion, more specifically, in the portion near 90° that the driver's right hand can grip or the portion near 270° that the driver's left hand can grip. This makes it possible to more accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or near these portions, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0017] (4) In the steering device according to the present invention, the first electrode portion is L-shaped as seen from the driver, and includes a first flat portion provided along a first sidewall surface of the accessory operation console that is on the upper side as seen from the driver and has a flat surface facing the inner peripheral portion of the rim, and a second flat portion provided at a position radially outwardly spaced from a second sidewall surface of the accessory operation console that is on the radially outer side as seen from the driver. Therefore, in the present invention, many electric field lines can be induced near a portion of the annular rim portion that is within a range of 60° to 90° and that the driver's right hand can grasp, or a portion that is within a range of 270° to 300° and that the driver's left hand can grasp. This makes it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or in proximity to these ranges of the rim portion, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0018] (5) In the steering device according to the present invention, the lower end of the second flat surface as seen from the driver has a Y-shape as seen from the driver and a flat surface facing the space between the lower side of the spokes and the inner circumferential portion of the rim. This makes it possible to induce electric lines of force that pass through the rim below the spokes, thereby enabling accurate detection of the driver's hands that are in contact with or close to the rim, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0019] (6) In the steering device according to the present invention, the first electrode portion is C-shaped as viewed from the driver and includes: a first flat portion provided along a first upper sidewall surface of the accessory operation console as viewed from the driver and having a flat surface facing toward the inner circumferential rim portion; a second flat portion provided radially outward from a second radially outer sidewall surface of the accessory operation console as viewed from the driver; and a third flat portion provided along a third lower sidewall surface of the accessory operation console as viewed from the driver and having a flat surface facing toward the inner circumferential rim portion. Thus, in the present invention, many electric field lines can be induced near a portion of the annular rim portion within a range of 60° to 120° that the driver's right hand can grasp or a portion of the annular rim portion within a range of 240° to 300° that the driver's left hand can grasp. This makes it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands in contact with or near these ranges of the rim portion, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0020] (7) In the present invention, the second electrode unit, which has a flat surface facing the driver, is provided on the rear side of the auxiliary equipment operation console. This allows many electric field lines to be induced near the spokes, making it possible to detect the driver's hands in contact with or close to the spokes, thereby improving traffic safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rim portion and the left spoke portion taken along line II-II extending in the radial direction in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the left accessory operation console unit and the left electrode device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the range of electric field lines induced around the electrode devices provided on each spoke by applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode devices. [Figure 5] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] First Embodiment A steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a steering device 1 according to this embodiment. The steering device 1 includes a steering wheel 2 that accepts steering operations of the vehicle by the driver and auxiliary device operations for the vehicle, a steering shaft 3 that supports the steering wheel 2, and a steering control device 4.

[0024] The steering wheel 2 comprises a circular rim portion 20 that can be gripped by the driver, a hub portion 23 provided inside the rim portion 20, and three spoke portions 25L, 25R, 25D that extend from the hub portion 23 along the radial direction of the rim portion 20 and are connected to the rim inner peripheral portion 21 of the rim portion 20.

[0025] The hub portion 23 is disk-shaped and is provided, for example, at the center of the rim portion 20 as seen by the driver, and constitutes the center of the steering wheel 2. Connected to the back side of the hub portion 23 as seen by the driver is an axial steering shaft 3 that supports the steering wheel 2 and transmits the steering torque generated when the driver turns the steering wheel 2 to a steering mechanism (not shown). In addition, the steering shaft 3 is provided with a torque sensor 31 that detects the steering torque acting on the steering shaft 3 and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected value to a steering control device 4.

[0026] The rim portion 20 and the hub portion 23 are connected by three spokes 25L, 25R, and 25D. The left spoke portion 25L extends horizontally and connects the left portion of the hub portion 23 as seen by the driver with the left portion of the rim inner periphery 21 as seen by the driver. The right spoke portion 25R extends horizontally and parallel to the left spoke portion 25L and connects the right portion of the hub portion 23 as seen by the driver with the right portion of the rim inner periphery 21 as seen by the driver. The lower spoke portion 25D extends vertically and perpendicular to the spokes 25L and 25R and connects the lower portion of the hub portion 23 as seen by the driver with the lower portion of the rim inner periphery 21 as seen by the driver.

[0027] In the following, the positions of the approximately circular rim portion 20, rim inner periphery 21, hub portion 23, and steering shaft 3 as viewed by the driver, and the orientations of each spoke portion 25L, 25R, 25D may also be expressed in degrees (°) clockwise from the steering shaft 3 as the center and the upper end portion 20C of the rim portion 20 as viewed by the driver. That is, the right spoke portion 25R extends along a 90° angle and connects the 90° portions of the hub portion 23 and the rim inner periphery 21. The lower spoke portion 25D extends along a 180° angle and connects the 180° portions of the hub portion 23 and the rim inner periphery 21. The left spoke portion 25L extends along a 270° angle and connects the hub portion 23 and the 270° portions of the rim inner periphery 21.

[0028] The left spoke portion 25L and the right spoke portion 25R are respectively provided with a left accessory operation console unit 5L and a right accessory operation console unit 5R that accepts accessory operation by the driver to operate vehicle accessories (not shown) (e.g., an audio device, a car navigation device, etc.), and a left electrode device 6L and a right electrode device 6R that detect the driver's hands in contact with or in proximity to the steering wheel 2. These accessory operation console units 5L and 5R are each rectangular when viewed from the driver. The driver can operate the vehicle accessories by operating multiple switches 51L, 52L, 53L, 51R, 52R, and 53R provided on these accessory operation console units 5L and 5R with his / her fingers.

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rim portion 20 and left spoke portion 25L taken along line II-II extending radially in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the left spoke connection portion 22L, which is the portion of the rim inner circumferential portion 21 to which the left spoke portion 25L is connected, is concave when viewed from the rider's side (i.e., from above in Figure 2). Although not shown in a cross-sectional view, the right spoke connection portion 22R, which is the portion of the rim inner circumferential portion 21 to which the right spoke portion 25R is connected, is also similarly concave when viewed from the rider's side.

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the left accessory operation console unit 5L and the left electrode device 6L. The left accessory operation console unit 5L includes a plurality of lid-like switches 51L, 52L, 53L for receiving accessory operations by the driver, and a console body 50L for supporting these switches 51L, 52L, 53L.

[0031] The console body 50L is columnar and rectangular when viewed from the driver. The switches 51L, 52L, 53L are each lid-shaped and attached to an upper surface 501L of the console body 50L on the driver's side.

[0032] The left electrode device 6L includes a first electrode portion 61L provided around the side wall surfaces 502L, 503L of the console body 50L, and a second electrode portion 62L provided on the rear surface 505L side of the console body 50L as seen by the driver.

[0033] The first electrode portion 61L is formed by bending a conductive plate material and is L-shaped as viewed from the driver. More specifically, the first electrode portion 61L includes a first flat portion 611L extending along a first side wall surface 502L that is on the upper side of the console body 50L as viewed from the driver, and a second flat portion 612L that extends along a second side wall surface 503L that is on the left side of the console body 50L as viewed from the driver (i.e., on the radially outer side of the rim portion 20) and is arc-shaped as viewed from the driver.

[0034] The first electrode unit 61L is attached to the left spoke unit 25L and the left spoke connection unit 22L together with the console main body 50L so that the first flat surface 611L is provided along the first side wall surface 502L and the second flat surface 612L faces the second side wall surface 503L and is located slightly radially outward from the second side wall surface 503L. As a result, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first electrode unit 61L is provided on the left spoke unit 25L and the left spoke connection unit 22L with the radially outer flat surface of the first flat surface 611L facing toward the rim inner circumferential portion 21 and the radially outer flat surface of the second flat surface 612L facing radially outward.

[0035] Also, as shown in Figure 1, when the first electrode portion 61L is provided on the left spoke portion 25L and the left spoke connection portion 22L, the outermost diameter portion 613L, which is the part of the first electrode portion 61L that is radially farthest from the hub portion 23, is positioned radially outward from an arc-shaped imaginary line L1 that is tangent to both the contour line of the rim inner circumference 21 above the left spoke portion 25L and the contour line of the rim inner circumference 21 below the left spoke portion 25L, as viewed by the rider.

[0036] Furthermore, the lower end of the second flat surface portion 612L of the first electrode portion 61L as seen from the driver is branched into a Y shape and has a flat surface 614L directed toward the space between the underside of the left spoke portion 25L and the rim inner circumference portion 21 as seen from the driver.

[0037] 3, the second electrode portion 62L is made of the same conductive plate material as the first electrode portion 61L, and is provided on the back surface 505L side of the console main body 50L as seen from the driver. Therefore, when the second electrode portion 62L is provided on the left spoke portion 25L together with the console main body 50L, the surface 620L of the second electrode portion 62L is oriented perpendicular to the first electrode portion 61L, i.e., facing toward the driver.

[0038] The detailed configurations of the left accessory operation console unit 5L and the left electrode device 6L have been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The detailed configurations of the right accessory operation console unit 5R and the right electrode device 6R are almost the same as those of the left accessory operation console 5L and the left electrode device 6L except for their arrangement position and orientation, so the following will mainly describe the differences from the left accessory operation console unit 5L and the left electrode device 6L, and will omit illustrations and detailed description of the same points as the left accessory operation console unit 5L and the left electrode device 6L as appropriate.

[0039] The right accessory operation console unit 5R includes a plurality of lid-like switches 51R, 52R, 53R for accepting accessory operations by the driver, and a columnar console body (not shown) for supporting these switches 51R, 52R, 53R.

[0040] The right electrode device 6R includes a first electrode portion 61R provided around the side wall surface of the console body, and a second electrode portion (not shown) provided on the rear side of the console body as seen by the driver.

[0041] The first electrode portion 61R is formed by bending a conductive plate material and is L-shaped as viewed from the driver. More specifically, the first electrode portion 61R includes a first flat portion 611R extending along a first side wall surface of the console body that is on the upper side as viewed from the driver, and a second flat portion 612R that extends along a second side wall surface of the console body that is on the right side as viewed from the driver (i.e., on the radially outer side of the rim portion 20) and is arc-shaped as viewed from the driver.

[0042] The first electrode portion 61R is attached to the right spoke portion 25R and the right spoke connection portion 22R together with the console body so that the first flat portion 611R is provided along a first side wall surface of the console body and the second flat portion 612R faces the second side wall surface of the console body and is provided at a position slightly radially outward from this second side wall surface. As a result, as shown in Fig. 1, the first electrode portion 61R is provided on the right spoke portion 25R and the right spoke connection portion 22R with the radially outer flat surface of the first flat portion 611R facing toward the rim inner circumferential portion 21 and the radially outer flat surface of the second flat portion 612L facing radially outward.

[0043] Also, as shown in Figure 1, when the first electrode portion 61R is provided on the right spoke portion 25R and the right spoke connection portion 22R, the outermost diameter portion 613R, which is the part of the first electrode portion 61R that is radially farthest from the hub portion 23, is positioned radially outward from an arc-shaped imaginary line L2 that is tangent to both the contour line of the rim inner circumference 21 above the right spoke portion 25R and the contour line of the rim inner circumference 21 below the right spoke portion 25R, as seen by the rider.

[0044] Furthermore, the lower end of the second flat surface portion 612R of the first electrode portion 61R as seen from the driver is branched into a Y shape and has a flat surface 614R that faces the space between the underside of the right spoke portion 25R and the rim inner circumference portion 21 as seen from the driver.

[0045] Although not shown, the second electrode portion of the right electrode device 6R is made of the same conductive plate material as the first electrode portion 61R and is provided on the rear side of the console body as seen by the driver. Therefore, when the second electrode portion is provided on the right spoke portion 25R together with the console body, the surface of the second electrode portion is oriented perpendicular to the first electrode portion 61R, i.e., facing the driver.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the ranges RL and RR of electric lines of force induced around the electrode devices 6L and 6R by applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode devices 6L and 6R.

[0047] As described above, the first electrode portions 61L, 61R of each electrode device 6L, 6R include the first flat portions 611L, 611R and the second flat portions 612L, 612R that face radially outward. Therefore, the ranges RL, RR of electric field lines induced around the electrode devices 6L, 6R by applying a voltage to the electrode devices 6L, 6R include the ranges of 270° to 300° and 60° to 90° toward which the first flat portions 611L, 611R and the second flat portions 612L, 612R of the rim portion 20 face.

[0048] In particular, in this embodiment, the second flat portions 612L, 612R are provided on the spoke connection portions 22L, 22R, which are closer to the rim portion 20 than the spoke portions 25L, 25R. More specifically, of these second flat portions 612L, 612R, the outermost diameter portions 613L, 613R, which are radially farthest from the hub portion 23, are positioned radially outward from the imaginary lines L1, L2. Therefore, of the ranges RL, RR of electric field lines induced around the electrode devices 6L, 6R, the portions near 270° and 90° can induce electric field lines farther along the radial direction than other portions.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower end of the second flat portions 612L, 612R of each electrode device 6L, 6R as seen from the rider is provided with flat surfaces 614L, 614R that face the space between the lower side of each spoke portion 25L, 25R and the rim inner circumferential portion 21. For this reason, the ranges RL, RR of electric field lines induced around these electrode devices 6L, 6R by applying a voltage to these electrode devices 6L, 6R include the ranges of 240° to 270° and 90° to 120° of the rim portion 20 toward which these flat surfaces 614L, 614R face.

[0050] 1, the steering control device 4 detects changes in capacitance between the electrode devices 6L, 6R and the ground, and determines whether or not the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2 based on the changes in capacitance of these electrode devices 6L, 6R and the steering torque detected by the torque sensor 31. More specifically, the steering control device 4 determines that the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2 when the steering torque detected by the torque sensor 31 is equal to or greater than a predetermined torque threshold set near zero, or when the amount of change in capacitance of either of the electrode devices 6L, 6R from a predetermined reference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacitance threshold, and determines that the driver is not gripping the steering wheel 2 when the steering torque is less than the torque threshold and the amount of change in capacitance of both the electrode devices 6L, 6R is less than the capacitance threshold.

[0051] Here, for example, when traveling at high speeds, there is little need to perform steering operations, and therefore the driver often grips the steering wheel 2 with both hands placed at the 90° and 270° portions of the rim portion 20. However, in this case, even though the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2, the steering torque may be less than the torque threshold. For this reason, it is not possible to appropriately determine whether the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2 based on the detection signal of the torque sensor 31 alone. In contrast, in this embodiment, the steering control device 4 determines whether the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2 based on the detection signal of the torque sensor 31 and the changes in the capacitance of the two electrode devices 6L, 6R as described above, thereby making it possible to accurately determine whether the driver is gripping the steering wheel 2 even in situations where it is difficult for the torque sensor 31 to make detection.

[0052] The steering device 1 according to this embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The steering device 1 includes a steering wheel 2 having a rim portion 20, a hub portion 23, and spoke portions 25L, 25R, electrode devices 6L, 6R provided on the steering wheel 2, and a steering control device 4 that detects changes in the capacitance of these electrode devices 6L, 6R. In the steering device 1, the electrode devices 4L, 4R include first electrode portions 61L, 61R provided on spoke connection portions 22L, 22R of the rim inner circumferential portion 21 to which the spoke portions 25L, 25R are connected. Therefore, according to the steering device 1, the first electrode portions 61L, 61R provided at the spoke connection portions 22L, 22R, which are closer to the rim portion 20 than the spoke portions 25L, 25R, can induce electric field lines that pass particularly near the spoke connection portions 22L, 22R of the rim portion 20.This makes it possible to more accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or close to the rim portion 20, compared to conventional methods in which electrodes are provided at the spoke portions 25L, 25R, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0053] (2) In the steering device 1, the outermost diameter portions 613L, 613R, which are the portions of the first electrode portions 61L, 61R that are radially farthest from the hub portion 23, are positioned radially outward of arc-shaped imaginary lines L1, L2 that are tangent to both the contour line of the rim inner periphery 21 above the spoke portions 25L, 25R and the contour line of the rim inner periphery 21 below the spoke portions 25L, 25R, as viewed from the driver. This makes it possible to induce many electric lines of force in portions of the rim portion 20 radially outward of the spoke connection portions 22L, 22R, more specifically, in portions near a 90° angle that the driver's right hand can grasp and portions near a 270° angle that the driver's left hand can grasp. This makes it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or near these portions, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0054] (3) In the steering device 1, the portions of the first electrode portions 61L, 61R including the outermost diameter portions 613L, 613R have an arc shape that follows the shape of the rim portion 20 when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface that faces radially outward. Therefore, in the steering device 1, more electric field lines can be induced in the portions of the rim portion 20 that are particularly radially outward of the spoke connection portions 22L, 22R, more specifically, in the portions near 90° that the driver's right hand can grip and the portions near 270° that the driver's left hand can grip. This makes it possible to more accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or near these portions, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0055] (4) In the steering device 1, the first electrode portions 61L, 61R are L-shaped as viewed from the driver and include a first flat portion 611L that is provided along an upper first side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R as viewed from the driver and has a flat surface facing the rim inner peripheral portion 21, and a second flat portion 612L, 612R that is provided at a position radially outwardly away from a radially outer second side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R as viewed from the driver. Therefore, in the steering device 1, many electric field lines can be induced in the annular rim portion 20 near a portion in the range of 60° to 90° that the driver's right hand can grip and a portion in the range of 270° to 300° that the driver's left hand can grip. This makes it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or near these ranges of the rim portion 20, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0056] (5) In the steering device 1, the lower end of the second flat portions 612L, 612R as seen from the driver has a Y-shape as seen from the driver and has flat surfaces 614L, 614R that are directed toward the space between the underside of the spoke portions 25L, 25R and the rim inner circumferential portion 21. This makes it possible to induce electric lines of force that pass below the spoke portions 25L, 25R in the rim portion 20, thereby making it possible to accurately detect the driver's hands that are in contact with or close to the rim portion 20, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0057] (6) In the steering device 1, the second electrode portion having a flat surface facing the driver is provided on the back side of the accessory operation console units 5L, 5R. This makes it possible to induce many electric lines of force near the spoke portions 25L, 25R, so that the driver's hands in contact with or close to the spoke portions 25L, 25R can also be detected, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0058] Second Embodiment Next, a steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components as those in the steering device according to the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a steering device 1A according to this embodiment. The steering device 1A differs from the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of each electrode device 6LA, 6RA provided on each spoke portion 25L, 25R and each spoke connection portion 22L, 22R. More specifically, the steering device 1A differs from the steering device 1 according to the first embodiment in the configuration of each first electrode portion 61LA, 61RA of each electrode device 6LA, 6RA.

[0060] 5, the first electrode portions 61LA, 61RA provided on each spoke portion 25L, 25R are C-shaped as viewed from the driver. That is, each first electrode portion 61LA, 61RA includes: a first flat portion 611LA, 611RA provided along an upper first side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R as viewed from the driver and having a flat surface directed toward the rim inner circumferential portion 21; a second flat portion 612LA, 612RA provided at a position radially outwardly spaced from a radially outer second side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R as viewed from the driver; and a third flat portion 615LA, 615RA provided along a lower third side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R as viewed from the driver and having a flat surface directed toward the rim inner circumferential portion 21.

[0061] 5, the second flat portions 612LA, 612RA are arc-shaped when viewed from the driver. Outer diameter portions 613LA, 613RA, which are the portions of the second flat portions 612LA, 612RA that are radially farthest from the hub portion 23, are positioned radially outward from the imaginary lines L1, L2.

[0062] In addition to the above effects (1) to (3), the steering device 1A according to this embodiment has the following effects. (7) In the steering device 1A, the first electrode portions 61LA, 61RA are C-shaped when viewed from the driver, and include a first flat surface 611LA, 611RA that is provided along the upper first side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface directed toward the rim inner circumference 21, a second flat surface 612LA, 612RA that is provided at a position radially outwardly away from the radially outer second side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R when viewed from the driver, and a third flat surface 615LA, 615RA that is provided along the lower third side wall surface of the accessory operation console unit 5L, 5R when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface directed toward the rim inner circumference 21. Therefore, in the steering device 1A, many electric field lines can be induced in the vicinity of the portion of the annular rim portion 20 in the range of 60° to 120° that the driver's right hand can grasp and the portion in the range of 240° to 300° that the driver's left hand can grasp, so that the driver's hands that are in contact with or close to these ranges of the rim portion 20 can be accurately detected, thereby improving traffic safety.

[0063] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detailed configuration may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1,1A...Steering device 2...Steering wheel 20...Rim section 21...Inner rim 22L...Left spoke connection (connection) 22R...Right spoke connection (connection) 23...Hub section 25L...Left spoke 25R...Right spoke 3...Steering shaft 4...Steering control device (control unit) 5L...Left auxiliary operation console unit (auxiliary operation console) 6L,6LA…Left electrode device (electrode device) 61L, 61LA…1st electrode part 611L, 611LA…1st plane part 612L, 612LA…Second plane part 613L, 613LA…Outermost diameter part 614L…Plane 615LA...Third plane part 62L…Second electrode part 5R...Right auxiliary operation console unit (auxiliary operation console) 6R,6RA…Right electrode device (electrode device) 61R, 61RA…1st electrode part 611R, 611RA…1st plane part 612R, 612RA…Second plane part 613R,613RA…Outermost diameter part 614R…Plane 615RA...Third plane part

Claims

1. A steering device that accepts steering operations by a driver, a steering wheel including an annular rim portion, a hub portion provided inside the rim portion, and spoke portions extending along the radial direction of the rim portion and connecting the hub portion and an inner rim portion of the rim portion; an electrode device provided on the steering handle; a control unit that detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode device, the electrode device includes a first electrode portion provided on a connection portion of the rim inner circumferential portion to which the spoke portion is connected, a steering device characterized in that an outermost diameter portion of the first electrode portion, which is the portion that is radially farthest from the hub portion, is positioned radially outward from an arc-shaped imaginary line that is tangent to a contour line of the rim inner circumference above the spoke portions and a contour line of the rim inner circumference below the spoke portions, as viewed by a driver.

2. 2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the first electrode portion including the outermost diameter portion is curved to follow the rim portion when viewed from the driver and has a flat surface directed outward in the radial direction.

3. A steering device that accepts steering operations by a driver, a steering wheel including an annular rim portion, a hub portion provided inside the rim portion, and spoke portions extending along the radial direction of the rim portion and connecting the hub portion and an inner rim portion of the rim portion; an electrode device provided on the steering handle; a control unit that detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode device, the electrode device includes a first electrode portion provided on a connection portion of the rim inner circumferential portion to which the spoke portion is connected, A steering device characterized in that a portion of the first electrode portion including an outermost diameter portion that is the farthest portion from the hub portion in the radial direction is curved to follow the rim portion when viewed from the driver, and has a flat surface that is directed radially outward.

4. A steering device that accepts steering operations by a driver, a steering wheel including an annular rim portion, a hub portion provided inside the rim portion, and spoke portions extending along the radial direction of the rim portion and connecting the hub portion and an inner rim portion of the rim portion; an electrode device provided on the steering handle; a control unit that detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode device, the electrode device includes a first electrode portion provided on a connection portion of the rim inner circumferential portion to which the spoke portion is connected, The spoke portion is provided with an auxiliary equipment operation console that receives auxiliary equipment operations by the driver and has a rectangular shape as seen from the driver, A steering device characterized in that the first electrode portion is L-shaped when viewed from the driver, and comprises: a first flat surface portion that is arranged along an upper first side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver, and has a flat surface directed toward the rim inner peripheral portion; and a second flat surface portion that is arranged at a position radially outwardly away from the radially outer second side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver.

5. 5. The steering device according to claim 4, wherein the second flat portion has a Y-shape at a lower end as viewed from the driver, and has a flat surface directed toward a space between the lower side of the spoke portion and the rim inner peripheral portion as viewed from the driver.

6. A steering device that accepts steering operations by a driver, a steering wheel including an annular rim portion, a hub portion provided inside the rim portion, and spoke portions extending along the radial direction of the rim portion and connecting the hub portion and an inner rim portion of the rim portion; an electrode device provided on the steering handle; a control unit that detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode device, the electrode device includes a first electrode portion provided on a connection portion of the rim inner circumferential portion to which the spoke portion is connected, The spoke portion is provided with an accessory operation console that receives accessory operation by the driver and has a rectangular shape as seen from the driver, The steering device is characterized in that the first electrode portion is C-shaped when viewed from the driver, and comprises: a first flat surface portion that is arranged along an upper first side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver, and has a flat surface directed toward the rim inner peripheral portion; a second flat surface portion that is arranged at a position radially outwardly away from the radially outer second side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver; and a third flat surface portion that is arranged along a lower third side wall surface of the auxiliary equipment operation console when viewed from the driver, and has a flat surface directed toward the rim inner peripheral portion.

7. 7. The steering apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electrode device further comprises a second electrode portion provided on the rear side of the auxiliary equipment operation console and having a flat surface facing the driver.

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