Steering input device and steer-by-wire-type steering device

Abstract

In a steering input device (1) and a steer-by-wire type steering device (SD) according to the present invention, a handle (51) and a placement part (6) are arranged in parallel in an axial direction, and a first distance (outer diameter R1) from a rotation axis (Z) to the outer peripheral surface of a grip part (531) of the handle (51) is set to be relatively larger than a second distance (outer diameter R2) from the rotation axis (Z) to the outer peripheral surface of an attachment base part (61) of the placement part 6. Therefore, bending of the wrist of the operator can be suppressed during steering operation. This makes it possible for the operator (10) to reasonably rotate their forearm regardless of the rotation direction of the handle (51) during steering operation, thereby improving the operability of the steering input device (1).

Description

Steering Input Device and Steer-by-Wire Steering Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering input device and a steer-by-wire steering device.

[0002] As a conventional steering input device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] That is, the conventional steering input device is applied to a so-called steer-by-wire steering device and includes a dial that can be rotated by one-handed operation of a driver. By rotating the dial, steering can be performed according to the rotation direction.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-172135

[0005] However, the above conventional steering input device does not consider any improvement in operability.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the technical problems of the above conventional steering input device, and an object thereof is to provide a steering input device and a steer-by-wire steering device that can improve operability.

[0007] As one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering input device for inputting a steering operation to a steered wheel of a vehicle by one-handed operation of a driver, the steering input device including a shaft member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an operation unit connected to the shaft member and rotating about the shaft member as a rotation axis. When a virtual straight line extending parallel to the driver's forearm is defined as a virtual straight line, the operation unit is characterized by rotating around the virtual straight line.

[0008] According to the present invention, the operability can be improved.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram of a steer-by-wire steering device according to the present invention. This is a perspective view of a steering input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a front view of the steering input device shown in Figure 2. This is a side view of the steering input device shown in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a layout diagram of the steering input device shown in Figure 2. This shows a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2 showing the operation in a straight-ahead state. This shows a side view of the steering input device showing the operation in a straight-ahead state. This shows a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2 showing the operation in a left-steering state. This shows a side view of the steering input device showing the operation in a left-steering state. This shows a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2 showing the operation in a right-steering state. This shows a side view of the steering input device showing the operation in a right-steering state.

[0010] Embodiments of the steering input device and steer-by-wire steering system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments shown below, the steering input device and steer-by-wire steering system will be explained using examples of their application to a steer-by-wire steering system for automobiles, as in the case of conventional systems.

[0011] (Configuration of the steer-by-wire steering system) Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the system configuration of the steer-by-wire steering system SD according to the present invention. Note that Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram of the system configuration of the steer-by-wire steering system SD and does not represent the specific shape of the steer-by-wire steering system SD according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the steer-by-wire steering system SD according to the present invention comprises a steering input device 1 and a steering device 2, and the steering input device 1 and the steering device 2 are mechanically separated. The steering input device 1 has a steering input section 3 for inputting steering operations and a reaction force section 4 that applies a reaction force to the steering input section 3 (operation section 5, which will be described later).

[0013] The steering input unit 3 has a movable operating unit 5 and a fixed mounting unit 6 (not shown in Figure 1; see Figure 2). The operating unit 5 has a handle 51 corresponding to a steering wheel and a shaft member 52 connected to the handle 51 and corresponding to a steering shaft. The steering angle input via the handle 51, that is, the rotation angle of the handle 51, is detected by a steering angle sensor AS linked to the shaft member 52, which rotates synchronously with the handle 51. The steering angle sensor AS is connected to an on-board control unit CU, and the steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor AS is output to the control unit CU.

[0014] The reaction force unit 4 is composed of, for example, a reaction force actuator CA. The reaction force actuator CA is connected to a control device CU and is driven and controlled by the control device CU. Specifically, the reaction force actuator CA generates a reaction force according to driving conditions such as the vehicle speed and road surface conditions. In this embodiment, a well-known reaction force actuator CA is given as an example of one form of the reaction force unit 4, but the reaction force unit 4 is not limited to a configuration that generates a reaction force electrically, such as the reaction force actuator CA, but may also be configured to generate a reaction force mechanically, such as a biasing member (coil spring). In other words, the reaction force unit 4 only needs to be able to generate a reaction force at the operating unit 5 of the steering input unit 3, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the specifications of the steering device SD, etc.

[0015] The control unit CU is electrically connected to the steering angle sensor AS, the external sensor OS mounted on the vehicle, and the steering axis position sensor PS, and drives and controls the reaction force actuator CA and the steering actuator DA, which will be described later. The external sensor OS includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensor and various other sensors.

[0016] The steering device 2 includes a rack bar 21 as a steering axis connecting the left and right wheels WL and WR, which are the steering wheels of the vehicle; tie rods 22 connecting the rack bar 21 to the wheels WL and WR; and a steering actuator DA that moves the rack bar 21 in the vehicle width direction. The rack bar 21 and the steering actuator DA are connected by a transmission mechanism and a reduction mechanism, for example (not shown). The transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force of the steering actuator DA to the rack bar 21 and consists of, for example, an input pulley linked to the rotation axis of the steering actuator DA, an output pulley linked to the rack bar 21, and a belt wrapped between the two pulleys. The reduction mechanism reduces the rotational force transmitted via the transmission mechanism and converts it into axial movement force of the rack bar 21 and consists of, for example, a ball screw interposed between the output pulley and the rack bar 21.

[0017] Furthermore, the rack bar 21 is linked to a steering axis position sensor PS capable of detecting the axial position of the rack bar 21. The steering axis position sensor PS is connected to the control unit CU and outputs the detected position signal of the rack bar 21 to the control unit CU. That is, the control unit CU calculates the amount of axial movement of the rack bar 21 from the steering angle signal detected by the steering angle sensor AS, based on the position signal of the rack bar 21 detected by the steering axis position sensor PS, and drives and controls the steering actuator DA. As a result, an appropriate thrust is applied to the rack bar 21 according to its axial position.

[0018] (Configuration of the steering input device) Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the steering input unit 3 shown in Figure 1, viewed from the upper right. Figure 3 shows a plan view of the steering input unit 3 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a side view of the steering input unit 3 shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows an axial cross-sectional view of the steering input unit 3 cut along the line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 6 shows a layout diagram of the steering input unit 3 inside the vehicle. For convenience, in the following explanation, the direction along the rotation axis Z of the operating unit 5 shown in Figures 2 to 5 will be described as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis Z of the operating unit 5 will be described as the "radial direction," and the direction around the rotation axis Z of the operating unit 5 will be described as the "circumferential direction." In addition, in the axial direction, the seat DS side will be described as the "one end side," and the dashboard DB side will be described as the "other end side." Furthermore, in the following explanation, the direction of travel of the vehicle will be referred to as "front," the opposite direction of travel as "rear," the vertically upward side as "up," and the vertically downward side as "down."

[0019] In this embodiment, the steering input unit 3 is mounted on the dashboard DB inside the vehicle, for example, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, when the vehicle is viewed from above, the steering input unit 3 (particularly the extension 62 described later) is positioned to overlap with the first region A1 or the second region A2, which are the areas in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the first end DS1 or the second end DS2 in the vehicle width direction of the seat DS. Specifically, the steering input unit 3 for left-hand operation is positioned in the first region A1, which includes the first end DS1, the end of the seat DS on the center console CC side. On the other hand, the steering input unit 3 for right-hand operation is positioned in the second region A2, which includes the second end DS2, the end of the seat DS on the front door FD side. Furthermore, the steering input unit 3 is mounted perpendicular to the dashboard DB (θx = 0, as described later), and it is desirable that the angle θx of the rotation axis Z in the vehicle width direction be tilted outward within a range of about 15° on one end in the axial direction (the mounting part 6 side, as described later), that is, tilted within a range of about 15° in the direction away from the seat DS (0 < θx ≤ 15°). This tilted arrangement makes it possible to reduce the burden on the operator 10, especially when rotating in the inward direction, that is, when rotating to the right (clockwise).

[0020] Furthermore, the steering input unit 3 includes, for example, an operating unit 5 that rotates in response to the driver's steering operation and is used as input for steering operations, and a mounting unit 6 that is fixedly provided to one end of the operating unit 5 in the axial direction and on which the driver's operating hand 10 (see Figures 7 to 12) is placed. Here, the steering input unit 3 is mounted horizontally to the dashboard DB (see Figure 6) (θy = 0, which will be described later), or it may be positioned with the angle θy of the rotation axis Z in the vertical direction such that one end in the axial direction (the mounting unit 6 side, which will be described later) is tilted vertically upward within a range of about 45°, that is, tilted within a range of about 45° in the direction away from the seat surface of the seat DS (0 < θy ≤ 45°). Such a tilted arrangement can reduce the burden on the wrist 108 of the operating hand 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the steering input unit 3 has its other axial end, which is part of the operating unit 5 (shaft member 52 described later), covered by a housing 7, and is attached to the dashboard DB (see Figure 6) via a mounting portion 710 provided on the housing 7, which will be described later. The housing 7 has a generally cylindrical first housing 71 that holds a bearing BG on its inner circumference, which rotatably supports the other axial end of the shaft member 52 described later, and a generally cylindrical second housing 72 that is attached to one axial end of the first housing 71 and houses a steering angle sensor AS inside. The first housing 71 has a generally flange-shaped mounting portion 710 on its outer circumference for attachment to the dashboard DB (see Figure 6), and is fixed to the dashboard DB (see Figure 6) via screws (not shown) inserted through a plurality of mounting holes 710a that pass through this mounting portion 710. The second housing 72 is fixed to the first housing 71 via a plurality of first screws SW1 that are screwed into a plurality of first female screw holes 711 that open on one axial end face of the first housing 71.

[0022] The operating unit 5 includes a handle 51 that rotates in response to steering input from the operator hand 10, and a shaft member 52 (not shown in Figure 2; see Figure 1) that is rotatably connected to the handle 51. In this case, the shaft member 52 is connected to the center of the handle 51, and the rotation axis Z of the shaft member 52 is configured to coincide with the center of the handle 51. This configuration allows the amount of operation (amount of rotation) of the handle 51 to be linearly reflected in the steering angle. The handle 51 and the shaft member 52 are connected rotatably by predetermined fixing means, such as press-fitting or fastening. Note that the handle 51 and the shaft member 52 do not necessarily have to be constructed as separate parts and may be formed as a single unit.

[0023] The handle 51 is integrally formed from a resin or metal material and has a handle body 53 that is generally disc-shaped, and a pair of locking parts, a first locking part 541 and a second locking part 542, which are provided in a pair on the outer circumference of the handle body 53 and protrude toward the outer circumference of the handle body 53. In addition, the handle 51 has a pair of first recesses 551 and a second recess 552 that are recessed radially inward, respectively, at the circumferential outer ends of the first locking part 541 and the second locking part 542, and are provided symmetrically with respect to the neutral axis Y which is perpendicular to the rotation axis Z when the handle 51 is in a neutral state (see Figure 3).

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the shaft member 52 is formed by dividing a metal material in the axial direction, and consists of a first shaft portion 521 connected to the handle 51 and a second shaft portion 522 that is pivotally supported in the first housing 71 via a bearing BG and connected to the reaction force actuator CA (see Figure 1), and these are connected so as to be integrally rotatable. The first shaft portion 521 has a second female screw hole 523 at the center of one axial end that opens toward the handle 51. That is, the first shaft portion 521 is fixed so as to be integrally rotatable with the handle 51 via a second screw SW2 that is screwed into the second female screw hole 523. The second shaft portion 522 has a second shaft portion enlarged diameter portion 522a formed in a stepped diameter enlargement shape at one axial end, and the second shaft portion enlarged diameter portion 522a is connected to the first shaft portion enlarged diameter portion 521a formed in a stepped diameter enlargement shape at the other axial end of the first shaft portion 521. Furthermore, the second shaft portion 522 has a second shaft portion reduced diameter portion 522b formed in a stepped diameter reduction shape on the other end in the axial direction, and the second shaft portion reduced diameter portion 522b is rotatably supported by the first housing 71 via a bearing BG fitted into a through hole 712 that penetrates the center of the first housing 71. In addition, the second shaft portion 522 has a tip portion 522c formed in a further stepped diameter reduction shape from the second shaft portion reduced diameter portion 522b on the other end in the axial direction, and a reaction force actuator CA (see Figure 1) is connected to this tip portion 522c via a shaft coupling or the like (not shown).

[0025] The handle body 53 faces vertically upward in the neutral position of the operating unit 5, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, and has a gripping portion 531 that contacts the bases 106 (see Figure 8) of the index finger 102, middle finger 103, ring finger 104, and little finger 105 of the operating hand 10, excluding the thumb 101. This gripping portion 531 has an outer diameter R1 that is larger than the outer diameter R2 of the other axial end of the mounting unit 6 that faces the handle 51 (the mounting base 61, which will be described later), as shown in Figure 3 or 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the first distance (outer diameter R1) from the rotation axis Z to the outer circumferential surface of the gripping portion 531 of the operating unit 5 is configured to be larger than the second distance (outer diameter R2) from the rotation axis Z to the outer circumferential surface of the mounting base 61 of the mounting unit 6.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the handle body portion 53 is provided with a generally cylindrical shaft connection portion 532 that protrudes axially toward the other end at the rotation center (rotation axis Z) position. This shaft connection portion 532 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has a second screw insertion hole 532b formed in a through state in the bottom portion 532a. That is, the handle 51 is connected to the shaft member 52 so as to be able to rotate integrally with it by screwing the second screw SW2, which is inserted through the second screw insertion hole 532b of the shaft connection portion 532, into a second female screw hole 523 formed on one axial end face of the first shaft portion 521 of the shaft member 52 that faces the handle 51.

[0027] Furthermore, the handle body portion 53 has a pair of notched grooves, a first notch groove 533 and a second notch groove 534, formed in a generally arc-shaped manner along the circumferential direction, through which the first screw insertion portion 821 and the second screw insertion portion 822 of the connecting member 8, which will be described later, can pass. These first notch groove 533 and the second notch groove 534 are cut out with a predetermined circumferential length in the rightward (clockwise) and leftward (counterclockwise) directions from the neutral position of the handle 51 (see Figure 7). In other words, these first notch groove 533 and the second notch groove 534 are formed along the trajectory through which the first screw insertion portion 821 and the second screw insertion portion 822 of the connecting member 8, which will be described later, pass when the handle 51 rotates left and right. In the first notch groove 533 and the second notch groove 534, the first screw insertion portion 821 and the second screw insertion portion 822 of the connecting member 8 abut against the circumferential ends of the first notch groove 533 and the second notch groove 534, thereby restricting the maximum amount of left and right rotation of the handle 51 (±60° in this embodiment), with the neutral position being 0°.

[0028] Furthermore, the grip portion 531 of the steering wheel body 53 is provided with a rib 535 that allows the driver to recognize the direction of travel of the vehicle during steering operations. The rib 535 protrudes from the upper surface of the grip portion 531 and extends along the direction of travel of the vehicle. In other words, the rib 535 has the advantage of helping the driver recognize the path the vehicle is taking while it is traveling by extending along the direction of travel of the vehicle. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the rib 535 is provided on the grip portion 531 of the steering wheel 51, but the rib 535 can also be positioned at the vertical upper end of the mounting portion 6 as a marker indicating the neutral position of the steering, thereby helping the driver recognize the steering state, such as the steering angle of the vehicle.

[0029] Here, the neutral position of the handle 51 is set to a position where it can be rotated by the same angle to the left and right. In other words, this neutral position does not necessarily have to be set at the vertical upper end, and may be positioned slightly outward from the vertical upper end. This configuration reduces the operating burden on the forearm of the operating hand 10 during rotational operation.

[0030] The pair of first locking portions 541 and second locking portions 542 are provided at one end and the other end of the grip portion 531 in the circumferential direction and are provided to extend generally along the radial direction. Furthermore, the first locking portions 541 and second locking portions 542 are formed with an axial width H2 that is larger than the axial width H1 of the handle body portion 53, ensuring a good grip (locking) state for each of the fingers 101 to 105 of the operating hand 10. That is, the first locking portions 541 and second locking portions 542 are used for steering the handle 51 by, for example, gripping the thumb 101, index finger 102, or little finger 105. Specifically, for example, in the case of the steering input unit 3 for left-hand operation, the thumb 101 is placed on the circumferential outer side 541b of the first locking part 541, the index finger 102 is placed on the circumferential inner side 541a of the first locking part 541, and the little finger 105 is placed on the circumferential inner side 542a of the second locking part 542. On the other hand, in the case of the steering input unit 3 for right-hand operation, the thumb 101 is placed on the circumferential outer side 542b of the second locking part 542, the index finger 102 is placed on the circumferential inner side 542a of the second locking part 542, and the little finger 105 is placed on the circumferential inner side 541a of the first locking part 541. The specific operation method of the steering input unit 3 will be described in detail later based on Figures 7 to 12.

[0031] The mounting portion 6 is integrally formed from, for example, a resin material or a metal material, and has a mounting base portion 61 that faces the handle 51 in the axial direction, and an extension portion 62 that extends from the mounting base portion 61 toward one end in the axial direction away from the handle 51. The mounting base portion 61 has an outer diameter R2 that is smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the gripping portion 531 of the handle 51, and is fixed to the second housing 72 via a third screw SW3 that passes through a connecting member 8 interposed between the mounting portion 6 and the second housing 72 in the axial direction.

[0032] Here, the connecting member 8 is integrally formed in a generally cylindrical shape from, for example, a resin material or a metal material. Specifically, the connecting member 8 has a main body portion 81 having a shaft insertion hole 80 that penetrates through it in the axial direction in the central part, through which a shaft member 52 is inserted, and a pair of first screw insertion portions 821 and second screw insertion portions 822 that extend in a generally cylindrical shape from one axial end of the main body portion 81 toward the mounting portion 6 side, and are provided so as to penetrate through a first notch groove 533 and a second notch groove 534 in the axial direction, and have a first screw insertion hole 821a and a second screw insertion hole 822a formed in a penetrating state through which a relatively long third screw SW3, including the interior of the main body portion 81, can be inserted. Furthermore, the other axial ends of the first screw insertion portion 821 and the second screw insertion portion 822 have openings facing the other axial end of the third screw through hole 721, which corresponds to the bottom of the second housing 72 and is opposite the first housing 71.

[0033] The mounting base 61 has multiple third screw insertion holes 63 that are provided in a through-shape on both radial sides of the center, opening through counterbore portions 630 at one axial end of the extension portion 62. Multiple relatively long third screws SW3, each inserted into these third screw insertion holes 63, face the other axial end of the third screw through hole 721 of the second housing 72 through the first screw insertion portion 821 and second screw insertion portion 822 of the connecting member 8. A pair of nuts (double nuts) NT1 and NT2, screwed onto the tips of the third screws SW3, engage with the axial edges of the third screw through hole 721, thereby fastening them together to the second housing 72 via the connecting member 8.

[0034] Furthermore, a generally cylindrical cover member 9 is provided between the handle 51 and the connecting member 8, which is fitted onto the outer circumference of one axial end of the connecting member 8 and covers the opening on that axial end. This cover member 9 is integrally formed from, for example, a resin material or a metal material, and has a generally cylindrical tubular base portion 91 that is fitted onto the outer circumference of the connecting member 8, and a flange portion 92 that is provided at one axial end of the tubular base portion 91 facing the handle 51 and is formed to expand radially outward.

[0035] The extension portion 62 is formed with an outer diameter R2 that is approximately the same as that of the mounting base portion 61, and a chamfered portion 620, which is so-called R-chamfered, is continuously formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of one end in the axial direction. With this configuration, the operator can operate the handle 51 with the bases 106 of the index finger 102, middle finger 103, ring finger 104, and little finger 105 that are placed on the grip portion 531, while the palm 107 of the operator's hand 10 is placed on the resting portion 6.

[0036] (Explanation of Steering Input Device Operation) Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 2, illustrating the operation in a straight-ahead state. Figure 8 shows a side view of the steering input unit 3, illustrating the operation in a straight-ahead state as shown in Figure 7. An example of the operation of the steering input unit 3 is shown below.

[0037] For example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, as an example of how the steering input unit 3 is operated by the driver's hand 10, the basic operating posture for the steering input unit 3 is as follows: the palm 107 of the driver's hand 10 is placed on the vertical upper end of the mounting part 6, and the bases 106 of the index finger 102, middle finger 103, ring finger 104, and little finger 105 are hooked on the grip part 531 of the steering wheel 51. The thumb 101 is hooked on the circumferential outer side 541b of the first locking part 541, the index finger 102 is hooked on the circumferential inner side 541a of the first locking part 541, and the little finger 105 is hooked on the circumferential inner side 542a of the second locking part 542.

[0038] (Explanation of how to operate the steering input device) Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 2, illustrating the operation in the left steering state. Figure 10 shows a side view of the steering input unit 3, illustrating the operation in the left steering state shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 also shows a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure 2, illustrating the operation in the right steering state. Figure 12 shows a side view of the steering input unit 3, illustrating the operation in the right steering state shown in Figure 11.

[0039] When the vehicle is moving straight, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the palm 107 of the operating hand 10 is placed on the vertical upper end of the mounting section 6, and with the rib 535 in the neutral position, the bases 106 of the index finger 102, middle finger 103, ring finger 104, and little finger 105 are hooked onto the gripping section 531 of the handle 51, thereby holding the handle 51 in the neutral position.

[0040] Furthermore, when steering to the left (counterclockwise), the forearm of the operating hand 10 is rotated inward while in the straight-ahead position. At this time, the first locking part 541 is pulled to the left (counterclockwise) by the thumb 101 which is placed on the circumferential outer side 541b of the first locking part 541, while the second locking part 542 is pressed to the left (counterclockwise) by the little finger 105 which is placed on the circumferential inner side 542a of the second locking part 542, causing the steering wheel 51 to rotate to the left and steering to the left to be performed.

[0041] On the other hand, when steering to the right (clockwise), the forearm of the operating hand 10 is rotated outward while in the straight-ahead position. At this time, the thumb 101 is placed on the circumferential outer side 541b of the first locking part 541, and the index finger 102 placed on the circumferential inner side 541a of the first locking part 541 is pressed to the right (clockwise), causing the steering wheel 51 to rotate to the right and steering to the right to be performed.

[0042] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the conventional steering input device does not take into consideration any improvement in operability. Specifically, when steering, the steering operation is performed by turning a dial, which is an operating part 5, held by each of the fingers 101 to 105 of the operating hand 10. As a result, there is a difference in the range of motion of the left and right steering operations, resulting in a so-called left-right difference, and there is still room for improvement in that it is difficult to operate in some steering states.

[0043] In contrast, the steering input device 1 according to this embodiment can solve the problems of the conventional steering input device by achieving the following effects.

[0044] That is, the steering input device 1 according to the present embodiment is a steering input device for inputting a steering operation to the steered wheels (wheels WR, WL) of a vehicle by a single-handed operation of a driver, and includes a shaft member 52 extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an operation unit 5 connected to the shaft member 52 and rotating about the shaft member 52 as a rotation axis, a mounting unit 6 provided on the one end side of the shaft member 52 closer to the vehicle seat DS in the axial direction of the shaft member 52 and relatively rotatable with respect to the operation unit 5, on which the operation hand 10 of the driver is placed, and a sensor (steering angle sensor AS) that detects the rotation amount of the shaft member 52 or the operation unit 5 and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation amount. In the axial direction, the operation unit 5 and the mounting unit 6 are arranged in parallel, and in a region where a steering operation of the driver is input to the operation unit 5, a first distance (outer diameter R1) from the rotation axis (rotation axis Z) to the outer peripheral surface of the operation unit 5 (grip portion 531) is larger than a second distance (outer diameter R2) from the rotation axis (rotation axis Z) to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting unit 6 (mounting base portion 61).

[0045] As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation unit 5 (steering wheel 51) and the mounting unit 6 are arranged in parallel in the axial direction, and the first distance (outer diameter R1) from the rotation axis Z to the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion 531 of the steering wheel 51 is set to be relatively larger than the second distance (outer diameter R2) from the rotation axis Z to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting unit 6 (mounting base portion 61). With such a configuration, as the operation posture of the driver, with the palm 107 of the operation hand 10 placed along the outer peripheral surface of the mounting unit 6, the roots 106 of the respective fingers 101 to 105 are placed on the grip portion 531 of the steering wheel 51, and the grip portion 531 is wrapped. As a result, the bending of the wrist 108 of the operation hand 10 is suppressed, and it becomes difficult to strongly grip the steering wheel 51. In other words, the driver can operate without force without gripping the steering wheel 51 (grip portion 531). Thereby, when performing a steering operation, regardless of the rotation direction of the steering wheel 51, there is no possibility of inhibiting the pronation or supination of the forearm of the operation hand 10, and the forearm can be smoothly rotated without difficulty, and the operability of the steering input device 1 can be improved.

[0046] Also, in the case of this embodiment, since it is possible to perform a steering operation without gripping the steering wheel 51, even a person with a disability in each finger 101 to 105 or a person who is not good at operating with each finger 101 to 105 can perform the steering operation well and appropriately, and the operability of the steering input device 1 can be improved.

[0047] Also, in other words, the steering input device 1 according to this embodiment is a steering input device in which a steering operation is input by a one-handed operation of a driver to the steered wheels (wheels WR, WL) of a vehicle, and includes a shaft member 52 extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and an operation unit 5 connected to the shaft member 52 and rotating about the shaft member 52 as a rotation axis. When a virtual straight line extending parallel to the driver's forearm is defined as a virtual straight line (rotation axis Z), the operation unit 5 rotates around the virtual straight line (rotation axis Z).

[0048] Thus, in this embodiment, the operation unit 5 is configured to rotate around a virtual straight line (rotation axis Z) extending parallel to the forearm of the driver's operating hand 10. Thereby, at the time of the steering operation, the driver can smoothly rotate the forearm of the operating hand 10 without difficulty regardless of the rotation direction of the steering wheel 51 by rotating the forearm of the operating hand 10 inward or inward, and the operability of the steering input device 1 can be improved.

[0049] Also, in this embodiment, a housing 7 that holds a sensor (steering angle sensor AS) while covering a part of the shaft member 52 and has a mounting portion 710 for mounting to the vehicle is provided, and the mounting portion 6 does not rotate relative to the mounting portion 710.

[0050] Thus, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 6 is fixed to the housing 7. Therefore, it is possible to rotate the steering wheel 51 while feeling the displacement difference between the steering wheel 51 and the mounting portion 6, and it becomes easy to adjust the frictional force between the operating hand 10 that rotates the steering wheel 51 and the mounting portion 6. Thereby, for example, fine adjustment of the steering angle becomes easy during overshooting or returning, and further improvement in the operability of the steering input device 1 can be achieved.

[0051] Also, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 6 has an extension portion 62 extending toward the one end side of the shaft member 52.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 6 is provided with an extension portion 62 that extends toward one end of the shaft member 52. Therefore, the driver's operating hand 10, which is placed on the mounting portion 6, can extend its wrist 108 relatively straight. This further suppresses the bending of the wrist 108 of the operating hand 10, and can further improve the operability of the steering input device 1.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating unit 5 (handle 51) has one or more locking parts (first locking part 541 and second locking part 542) on which the fingers 101 to 105 of the operating hand 10 can be placed.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, the handle 51 is provided with a first locking portion 541 and a second locking portion 542 on which the fingers 101 to 105 of the operating hand 10 can be placed. Therefore, the operability of the handle 51 is further improved, and the operability of the steering input device 1 can be further improved.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extension portion 62 is positioned so as to overlap with the area in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (first area A1 or second area A2) at the vehicle width end (first end DS1 or second end DS2) of the seat DS when the vehicle is viewed from above.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the extension portion 62 is provided so as to overlap with the first region A1 or the second region A2, which are the areas in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the first end DS1 or the second end DS2, which are the ends of the seat DS in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the driver is seated in the seat DS, the extension portion 62 is positioned at the position where the arm of the operating hand 10 extends. This reduces the burden on the driver, and in particular reduces the burden on the forearm of the operating hand 10 in the inward (right steering) direction.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the radial direction with respect to the shaft member 52 is defined as the radial direction, the operating section 5 and the mounting section 6 are formed to extend outward in the radial direction of the shaft member 52, and the operating section 5 has a larger outer diameter R1 than the mounting section 6.

[0058] As described above, in this embodiment, the outer diameter R1 of the gripping portion 531 of the handle 51 is configured to be larger than the outer diameter R2 of the mounting base 61 of the mounting portion 6. Therefore, when rotating the handle 51, the difference in displacement between the handle 51 and the mounting portion 6 becomes easier to feel, and the frictional force between the operating hand 10 that rotates the handle 51 and the mounting portion 6 becomes easier to adjust during steering operations. As a result, fine adjustment of the steering angle becomes easier when turning the handle 51 further or back, further improving the operability of the steering input device 1.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating unit 5 (handle 51) or the mounting unit 6 has ribs 535 that allow the driver to recognize the direction of travel of the vehicle when steering.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the grip portion 531 of the steering wheel 51 is provided with a rib 535 that can recognize the direction of travel of the vehicle during steering operations, and the orientation of the vehicle can be recognized by the rib 535. As a result, the rib 535 indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle serves as a guide for the appropriate amount of steering operation, and the operability of the steering input device 1 can be further improved.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the configurations and forms exemplified in the above embodiments, and can be freely modified according to the specifications and cost of the steering input device 1 (steer-by-wire type steering device SD) to which it is applied, as long as it can achieve the effects of the present invention described above. For example, although specific illustrations are omitted, the steering input unit 3 may be attached to the dashboard DB, the center console CC in the passenger compartment, the front door FD of the vehicle (for example, the armrest on the front door FD side of the seat DS), or the seat DS of the vehicle (for example, the armrest of the seat DS).

[0062] Furthermore, as another means of improving the operability of the steering input device 1, it is conceivable to facilitate fine adjustment of the steering angle by, for example, setting hysteresis in the operating range of large steering angles. However, in this case, there is a technical problem that the operability when operating in operating ranges other than large steering angles will be reduced. Therefore, the present invention provides a mounting part 6, which enables fine adjustment of the steering angle even in operating areas that cannot be covered by the above-mentioned hysteresis setting, by utilizing the mounting part 6.

Claims

1. A steering input device for inputting steering operations to the steering wheels of a vehicle by one-handed operation of the driver, comprising: an axle member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; an operating unit connected to the axle member and rotating around the axle member as a pivot axis; when the axle member is considered as one end, with the side closer to the vehicle's seat in the axial direction being one end, and the side opposite the one end and farther from the seat being the other end, a mounting unit provided on the axle member closer to the one end than the operating unit, rotatable relative to the operating unit, and on which the driver's hand rests; and a sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the axle member or the operating unit and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation, wherein the operating unit and the mounting unit are arranged in parallel in the axial direction, and in the region where the driver's steering operation is input to the operating unit, the first distance from the pivot axis to the outer surface of the operating unit is greater than the second distance from the pivot axis to the outer surface of the mounting unit.

2. A steering input device for which steering operations are input to the steering wheels of a vehicle by the driver's one-handed operation, comprising: an axle member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and an operating unit connected to the axle member and rotating about the axle member as an axis of rotation, wherein when a virtual straight line extending parallel to the driver's forearm is defined as a virtual straight line, the operating unit rotates about the virtual straight line.

3. A steering input device according to claim 1, comprising a housing that covers a part of the shaft member, holds the sensor, and has a mounting portion for attachment to the vehicle, wherein the mounting portion does not rotate relative to the mounting portion.

4. A steering input device according to claim 3, characterized in that the mounting portion has an extension portion that extends toward the one end of the shaft member.

5. A steering input device according to claim 4, wherein the operating section has one or more locking parts on which the fingers of the operating hand can be placed.

6. A steering input device according to claim 4, characterized in that the extension overlaps with the front-rear region of the vehicle at the vehicle width end of the seat when the vehicle is viewed from above.

7. A steering input device according to claim 3, wherein, when the radial direction with respect to the shaft member is defined as the radial direction, the operating portion and the mounting portion described above are formed to extend outward in the radial direction of the shaft member, and the operating portion has a larger outer diameter than the mounting portion described above.

8. A steering input device according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit or the mounting unit has ribs capable of recognizing the direction of travel of the vehicle when the driver is performing steering operations.

9. A steering input device to which steering operations are input to the steering wheels of a vehicle by the driver's one-handed operation; a steering device to steer the wheels of the vehicle; a control device that drives and controls the steering device according to the amount of steering operation to the steering input device, wherein the steering input device comprises: an axle member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; an operating unit connected to the axle member and rotating around the axle member as a pivot; when the side of the axle member closer to the vehicle's seat in the axial direction is considered one end, and the side opposite the one end and farther from the seat is considered the other end, a mounting unit provided on the axle member closer to the one end than the operating unit, rotatable relative to the operating unit, and on which the driver's hand rests; and a sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the axle member or the operating unit and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation, wherein the operating unit and the mounting unit are arranged in parallel in the axial direction, A steer-by-wire steering device characterized in that, in the region where the driver's steering operation is input to the control unit, the first distance from the rotation axis to the outer surface of the control unit is greater than the second distance from the rotation axis to the outer surface of the control unit.

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