Steering operation input member, steering operation input device, and steering device

Abstract

To provide a steerage operation input member, a steerage operation input device, and a steering device that can enhance operability.SOLUTION: A steerage operation input member 2 includes: a shaft 18 that rotates about an axis; a dial 8 provided on the shaft 18; and a first arm 9 and a second arm 19 that are connected to the shaft 18 and have a different length from a rotational center of the shaft 18 than the dial 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering operation input member, a steering operation input device, and a steering apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dial-type steering device that can be rotated by a driver with one hand. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-172135 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the driver needs to operate the entire steering angle range only by operating the dial, and therefore there is a demand for improved operability. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering operation input member, a steering operation input device, and a steering system that can improve operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steering operation input member has a rotation shaft that rotates around an axis, a first operating unit provided on the rotation shaft, and a second operating unit connected to the rotation shaft and having a different length from the center of rotation of the rotation shaft than the first operating unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Therefore, in the present invention, the driver can selectively use the first operating unit and the second operating unit for operation, thereby improving operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a steering device 1 of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member 2 of a first embodiment as viewed from the right rear of a vehicle. [Figure 3] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a method of operating the steering operation input member 2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the steering operation input member 2 of the second embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member 2 of a third embodiment as viewed from the right rear of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member 2 of a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the right rear of the vehicle. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a steering operation input member 2 of a fifth embodiment, as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a steering device 1 according to a first embodiment. The steering device 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called steer-by-wire type steering device in which the steering operation input member 2 and the rack bar (steered shaft) 3 are mechanically separated from each other. The steering device 1 includes a steering operation input device 4 and a turning device 5.

[0009] The steering operation input device 4 has a steering operation input member 2, a steering angle sensor 6, and a steering ECU (output unit) . Steering operation input member 2 receives the driver's steering operation and has a dial 8, a first arm 9, a second arm 10, a minute steering angle adjustment arm 11, and a rotating shaft (hereinafter referred to as shaft 18). Dial 8 or minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 is a first operation unit that is operated to steer front wheels 13 at a first steering angle. Meanwhile, first arm 9 and second arm 10 are second operation units that are operated to steer front wheels 13 at a second steering angle that is larger than the first steering angle. A detailed configuration of steering operation input member 2 will be described later. Steering angle sensor 6 detects the steering angle (operation amount) of steering operation input member 2, specifically, the rotation angle of steering operation input member 2. Steering ECU 7 outputs a steering command based on the steering angle detected by steering angle sensor 6 to steering ECU 16 of steering device 5, which will be described later. The steering command is set to a value proportional to the steering angle of the steering operation input member 2, for example.

[0010] Steering device 5 has rack bar 3, tie rods 12, front wheels (wheels) 13, rack bar position sensor 14, steering motor (steering actuator) 15, and steering ECU 16. Rack bar 3 is movable in the vehicle width direction and steers front wheels 13 via tie rods 12 in accordance with this movement. Rack bar position sensor 14 detects the position of rack bar 3 and outputs a steering angle signal corresponding to the detected position to steering ECU 16. The steering angle (steering angle) of front wheels 13 is uniquely determined according to the position of rack bar 3, so the steering angle signal is a signal related to the steering angle of front wheels 13. Steering motor 15 applies thrust to rack bar 3 based on a drive command from steering ECU 16. Based on the steering command and various signals from external sensor 17, steering ECU 16 generates a drive command for driving steering motor 15 and outputs it to steering motor 15. External sensor 17 is, for example, a vehicle speed sensor, and corrects the steering command to be smaller the higher the vehicle speed.

[0011] Next, the configuration of the steering operation input device 4 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 of the first embodiment as viewed from the right rear of the vehicle. The steering operation input member 2 of the first embodiment is installed on the center console CC. The dial 8 has an axis parallel to a shaft 18 extending in the vertical direction, and rotates around this axis. Hereinafter, the x-axis is defined as a direction along the shaft 18, and the vertically upward direction in the x-axis direction is referred to as the x-axis positive direction, and the vertically downward direction is referred to as the x-axis negative direction. The radial direction relative to the shaft 18 is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction around the shaft 18 is referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0012] The dial 8 is provided on the shaft 18, is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has a mounting portion 19 and a side portion 20. The mounting portion 19 extends radially outward from the shaft 18 and allows the driver's hand to be placed thereon. The mounting portion 19 is formed flat and has a diameter of, for example, 50 mm. The side portion 20 extends in the negative x-axis direction from the radially outer side of the mounting portion 19. The side portion 20 is divided into two in the x-axis direction: an upper member 20a and a lower member 20b. The upper member 20a and the lower member 20b of the side portion 20 rotate together with the shaft 18. The dial 8 may be formed integrally with the shaft 18. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are connected to the shaft 18 and extend radially outward from the lower member 20b. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 have the same shape. The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 may be connected to the shaft 18 via the lower member 20b as in the first embodiment, or may be connected to the shaft 18 without the lower member 20b.

[0013] The first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are disposed at positions symmetrical to the left and right of the dial 8 when the dial 8 is in the neutral position. The neutral position of the dial 8 is the rotational position of the dial 8 when the vehicle is traveling straight, i.e., when the steering angle of the front wheels 13 is zero. Note that a play (steering dead zone) may be set within a range of several degrees to the left and right from the neutral position of the dial 8. The steering operation input member 2 is constantly biased toward the neutral position. In other words, when the driver operates the steering operation input member 2, a steering reaction force is always generated. A motor or a spring may be used as a means for generating this steering reaction force (biasing force). Note that the steering operation input member 2 can rotate approximately 180° to the left and right from the neutral position. The front wheels 13 reach their maximum steering angle (maximum steering angle) when the rotation angle of the steering operation input member 2 is maximum (≒180°). Regarding the first steering angle and second steering angle mentioned above, the first steering angle refers to, for example, when a steering dead zone is set, when the dial 8 is rotated beyond the steering dead zone and the front wheels 13 actually turn. This is when the angle by which the dial 8 is rotated is very small (when fine adjustment is being performed). The second steering angle refers to a steering angle that is larger than the first steering angle and causes the front wheels 13 to turn.

[0014] The minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 is disposed rearward of the vehicle relative to the dial 8 when the dial 8 is in the neutral position. The minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 may be used when applying a first steering angle to the front wheels 13. The shape of the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 may be the same as that of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10. In the case of the first embodiment in which the arms 9, 10, and 11 have the same shape, the arms 9, 10, and 11 are disposed at equal intervals (at 120-degree intervals) in the circumferential direction. The arms 9, 10, and 11 have the same length and height (position in the x-axis direction). Balls 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the tip of each arm 9, 10, and 11. The balls 21, 22, and 23 have the same shape and are formed to a size (for example, approximately 28 mm) that can be picked up by the driver's fingers. The radial length of each arm 9, 10, and 11 is 40 to 50 mm.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of operating the steering operation input member 2 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 3(a), when traveling straight or when performing a steering operation to apply a first steering angle to the front wheels 13 (when performing a small steering angle operation), the dial 8 or the rear ball 23 is operated. The dial 8 is operated by rotating the wrist, and the rear ball 23 is operated by moving the wrist left and right. At this time, by placing a finger on the front side of the dial 8 between the first arm 9 and the second arm 10, the vehicle is prepared for a transition to a medium steering angle operation, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 3(b), when performing a steering operation to give the front wheels 13 a second steering angle (a medium steering angle operation), the waiting fingers are moved from the state shown in Figure 3(a) to the first arm 9 or the second arm 10, and the first arm 9 or the second arm 10 is pulled with two fingers. When steering to the right, the index finger and middle finger are used to pull the first arm 9, and when steering to the left, the ring finger and little finger are used to pull the second arm 10. As shown in Figure 3(c), when a second steering angle is applied to the front wheels 13, and when a steering operation is performed to apply an even larger steering angle (large steering angle operation), the right ball 21 or the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 or the second arm 10 is pinched and pulled from the state shown in Figure 3(b).

[0016] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. Dial-type steering devices are known as new steering devices to replace conventional steering wheels, but because dials cannot be changed, the operating angle range is inevitably narrowed. Increasing the steering gear ratio makes vehicle behavior sensitive to steering operations, requiring a certain level of driving skill. Furthermore, when changing the dial, there is a possibility that the vehicle's behavior may be affected when changing the dial. Therefore, improved operability is required. In contrast, in the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, when the driver wants to perform a steering operation beyond the range of motion of the driver's wrist, the driver can continue the operation by touching the second operation unit separate from the first operation unit. Furthermore, compared to the conventional case where the entire steering angle range is operated only with a dial, the operation angle range is set wider, which prevents the vehicle behavior from becoming overly sensitive to the steering operation, and the driver can operate by selectively using the first operation unit and the second operation unit depending on the desired steering angle, thereby improving operability.

[0017] The first operating unit has a dial 8 that rotates around a shaft 18, and the second operating unit has a first arm 9 and a second arm 10 that are operated to a greater extent than the dial 8. The dial 8 allows for easy fine adjustments in the small steering angle operation range. On the other hand, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 allow for quick and stable operation using multiple fingers in the medium / large steering angle operation range. Therefore, operability can be improved by selectively using the dial 8 and each arm 9, 10 depending on the magnitude of the steering angle. Dial 8 extends radially outward from shaft 18 and has a resting portion 19 on which the driver can place his / her hand, and a side portion 20 extending in the x-axis direction from the radial outside of resting portion 19, with first arm 9 and second arm 10 each extending radially outward from dial 8. This allows the driver to place his / her hand on resting portion 19 in the small steering angle operation range and operate dial 8 by rotating his / her wrist in a comfortable position, improving operability. In addition, fingers can be hooked on each arm 9, 10 extending from dial 8 to prepare for transition to medium steering angle operation, allowing for smooth operation changes from small steering angle to medium / large steering angle, improving operability.

[0018] When the dial 8 is in the neutral position, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are disposed at positions symmetrical to the left and right of the dial 8. By disposing the two arms 9, 10 at equal positions from the dial 8, operability is further improved. The first operating unit may have a minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 extending radially outward from the dial 8, and when the dial 8 is in the neutral position, the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 is located on the rear side of the vehicle relative to the dial 8. This allows the driver to place his / her wrist on the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 in the minute steering angle operation range and perform steering operation by moving his / her wrist left and right in a comfortable position, improving operability.

[0019] The first arm 9, the second arm 10, and the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 have balls 21, 22, and 23 that the driver can pinch with his or her fingers. Therefore, in the large steering angle operation range, large operations are possible by pinching the right ball 21 or the left ball 22, making it easier to turn the first arm 9 and the second arm 10. Furthermore, since it is possible to smoothly switch from dial operation, operability during large steering angle operation is improved. Furthermore, the rear ball 23 of the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 makes it easier to place the wrist, and since the wrist is fixed, fine adjustments by wrist operation are made even easier.

[0020] [Embodiment 2] The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 4 is a view of the steering operation input member 2 of the second embodiment as viewed from above. The steering operation input member 2 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the rear ball 23 has a larger diameter than the right ball 21 and the left ball 22. The first ball 21 and the second ball 22 have the same shape.

[0021] In the second embodiment, by distinguishing between the right ball 21 and the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 and the rear ball 23 of the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11, it is possible to intuitively understand the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2. In addition, by increasing the diameter of the rear ball 23, it becomes easier to place the wrist on the rear ball 23 and to fix the wrist.

[0022] [Embodiment 3] The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 of the third embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. The steering operation input member 2 of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the positions of the arms 9, 10, and 11 in the x-axis direction can be set arbitrarily. A slot 24 extending in the x-axis direction is formed in the side portion 20 of the dial 8 at a position corresponding to each of the arms 9, 10, and 11. The position of each arm 9, 10, and 11 in the x-axis direction relative to the dial 8 can be set arbitrarily within a predetermined range (within the range of the length of the slot 24). In the third embodiment, the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 is set on the positive x-axis side (vertically upward) of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10.

[0023] In the steering operation input member 2 of the third embodiment, the mounting positions of the balls 21, 22, 23 in the x-axis direction can be changed as desired, so that each driver can set the balls 21, 22, 23 to a preferred height, improving operability. The rear ball 23 in the third embodiment is located vertically above the right ball 21 and the left ball 22, and therefore, by distinguishing between the right ball 21 and the left ball 22 of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 and the rear ball 23 of the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11, it is possible to intuitively understand the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2. Furthermore, when the rear ball 23 is set on the x-axis direction side (vertically above) of the mounting portion 19, it becomes easier to rest the wrist on the rear ball 23 and to fix the wrist.

[0024] [Embodiment 4] The basic configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. The steering operation input member 2 of the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the arms 9, 10, 11 are not arranged at equal intervals (at 120-degree intervals) in the circumferential direction. The arms 9, 10, 11 and the balls 21, 22, 23 have the same shape. When the dial 8 is in the neutral position, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the dial 8, but their positions are different, and when the center points of each ball 21, 22, and 23 are connected, an isosceles triangle is drawn on a plane including the three center points.

[0025] In the fourth embodiment, by changing the positions of the first arm 9 and the second arm 10, the neutral position of the steering operation input member 2 can be intuitively and easily understood. Furthermore, for example, when the driver places his / her hand on the rest portion 19, the driver can place his / her fingers on both the first arm 9 and the second arm 10. In this case, the first arm 9 and the second arm 10 are always in contact with the driver's fingers regardless of the position of the driver's wrist, so it is intuitively and easily understood which direction the steering operation input member 2 is facing (how much operation has been applied), and the direction in which the vehicle is traveling can be recognized.

[0026] The basic configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the steering operation input member 2 of the fifth embodiment as viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. The steering operation input member 2 of the fifth embodiment has a dial 8 as a first operation part and a third arm 25 as a second operation part. The third arm 25 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the dial 8 when the dial 8 is in the neutral position. A rear ball 26 is attached to the tip of the third arm 25. The rear ball 26 is formed to a size that can be held by the driver's fingers.

[0027] The operation method of the steering operation input member 2 of the fifth embodiment will be described. When traveling straight or performing a small steering angle operation, the operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and the dial 8 is rotated. When performing a medium steering angle operation, for example, the third arm 25 is rotated by placing a thumb on the third arm 25 and pressing it. When performing a large steering angle operation, the rear ball 26 is pinched and the third arm 25 is rotated. Therefore, when the driver wants to perform a steering operation beyond the range of motion of the driver's wrist, the driver can continue the operation continuously by touching the second operation unit, which is separate from the first operation unit. Furthermore, compared to when the entire steering angle range is operated using only a conventional dial, the operation angle range is set wider, which prevents the vehicle behavior from becoming overly sensitive to the steering operation. Furthermore, the driver can selectively use the first operation unit and the second operation unit depending on the desired steering angle, thereby improving operability.

[0028] Other Embodiments The above describes an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the invention are also included in the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the steering operation input device is installed in the center console, but the steering operation input device can be installed in any position as long as it is within the range where the driver can operate it. The dial mounting portion may be convex.

[0029] The configuration may be such that when the driver operates the dial, only the upper member of the side portion rotates relative to the shaft, and when the driver operates the arm, the upper and lower members rotate together relative to the shaft. The ball may be configured to be rotatable relative to the arm about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the dial. Furthermore, the first arm 9, the second arm 10, the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11, and the third arm 25 may be configured to extend in any direction. In particular, in each of the above embodiments, the minute steering angle adjustment arm 11 and the third arm 25 are configured to extend rearward of the vehicle relative to the dial 8, but they may also be configured to extend forward of the vehicle relative to the dial 8, in which case it is easier to recognize the direction of travel of the vehicle when making small steering turns. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Steering device, 2...Steering operation input member, 3...Rack bar (steering axis), 4...Steering operation input device, 7...Steering ECU (output section), 8...Dial (first operation section), 9...First arm (second operation section), 10...Second arm (second operation section), 11...Arm for fine steering angle adjustment, 13...Front wheel (wheel), 15...Steering motor (steering actuator), 18...Shaft (rotating axis), 19...Placement section, 20...Side section, 21...Right ball, 22...Left ball, 23...Rear ball

Claims

1. A steering operation input member into which a driver's steering operation is input to steer the wheels of a vehicle, A rotation shaft that rotates around an axis line, a first operating portion provided on the rotation shaft; a second operating unit connected to the rotation shaft and having a length from a rotation center of the rotation shaft different from that of the first operating unit; and the first operation unit has a dial that rotates around the rotation axis, the second operating unit has a first arm and a second arm that are steered to a greater extent than the dial; Steering operation input member.

2. The steering operation input member according to claim 1, the first operating unit is steered when a first steering angle is applied to the wheels, the second operating unit is steered when a second steering angle greater than the first steering angle is applied to the wheels; Steering operation input member.

3. The steering operation input member according to claim 1, When the direction along the rotation axis is defined as the axial direction and the radial direction relative to the rotation axis is defined as the radial direction, The dial is a rest portion that extends radially outward from the rotation shaft and on which the driver's hands can be placed; a side surface portion extending in the axial direction from the radially outer side of the mounting portion; and the first arm and the second arm each extend radially outward from the dial; Steering operation input member.

4. The steering operation input member according to claim 3, the first arm and the second arm are disposed at positions symmetrical to the left and right of the dial when the dial is in a neutral position; Steering operation input member.

5. The steering operation input member according to claim 3, the first operating portion has a minute steering angle adjustment arm extending radially outward from the dial, the minute steering angle adjustment arm is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the dial when the dial is in a neutral position; Steering operation input member.

6. The steering operation input member according to claim 5, the first arm, the second arm, and the minute steering angle adjustment arm each have a ball that the driver can hold with his or her fingers; Steering operation input member.

7. The steering operation input member according to claim 6, The ball can be attached at any position in the axial direction. Steering operation input member.

8. The steering operation input member according to claim 7, In the axial direction, when the side of the dial where the dial is placed is defined as an upper side and the opposite side of the dial where the dial is placed is defined as a lower side, the ball of the minute steering angle adjustment arm is located above the balls of the first arm and the second arm in the axial direction; Steering operation input member.

9. The steering operation input member according to claim 6, the ball of the minute steering angle adjustment arm has an outer diameter larger than the balls of the first arm and the second arm; Steering operation input member.

10. The steering operation input member according to claim 1, The first operating unit can be gripped by the driver with the palm of the hand placed on the rotation shaft, The second operating unit is provided at a position separated from the first operating unit, and allows the driver to perform steering operation with his / her finger. Steering operation input member.

11. A steering operation input device including: a steering operation input member to which a driver's steering operation is input; and an output unit that outputs a steering command to a steering actuator that steers wheels of a vehicle based on an operation amount of the steering operation input member, The steering operation input member is A rotation shaft that rotates around an axis line, a first operating portion provided on the rotation shaft; a second operating unit connected to the rotation shaft and having a length from a rotation center of the rotation shaft different from that of the first operating unit; and the first operation unit has a dial that rotates around the rotation axis, the second operating unit has a first arm and a second arm that are steered to a greater extent than the dial; Steering operation input device.

12. A steer-by-wire steering device in which a steering operation input member to which a driver's steering operation is input and a steering shaft for steering the vehicle wheels are mechanically separated, The steering operation input member is A rotation shaft that rotates around an axis line, a first operating portion provided on the rotation shaft; a second operating unit connected to the rotation shaft and having a length from a rotation center of the rotation shaft different from that of the first operating unit; and the first operation unit has a dial that rotates around the rotation axis, the second operating unit has a first arm and a second arm that are steered to a greater extent than the dial; Steering device.

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