CN115892184A - Relay structure of steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

An inner tube portion (32) of an inner cover (31) is fixed to a spoke portion (17) in a state of surrounding the spoke portion. The outer cover (41) has an outer cylinder (42) formed around the inner cylinder and forming an annular housing (47) with the inner cylinder, and is fixed to the boss (15). The relay harness (51) has a cable (52) whose main portion is disposed in the annular housing portion. The cable has: a 1 st end (53) connected to the grip-side electronic device (27); a 2 nd end (54) connected to the boss portion side harness (21); and a main body part (55) which is positioned between the 1 st end part and the 2 nd end part, and which is configured by winding the periphery of the inner tube part for 1 or more times so that the inner diameter of the main body part is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube part and the outer diameter of the main body part is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube part. The 1 st end is fixed to the inner cover, and the 2 nd end is fixed to the outer cover.

Description

Relay structure of steering wheel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a relay structure of a steering wheel operated by a driver when steering a vehicle such as a vehicle.

Background

As a part of a steering apparatus, a vehicle such as a vehicle is provided with a steering shaft that rotates about a 1 st axis. A steering wheel that is gripped and operated by a driver of the vehicle is attached to the steering shaft.

Patent document 1 describes that even when the steering wheel is rotated in the same direction from the position of the vehicle when traveling straight around the 1 st axis greatly, for example, at an angle of 90 ° or more, a load is not easily applied to the wrist of the driver.

The steering wheel has a boss portion, a pair of spoke portions, and a grip portion for each spoke portion. The boss portion is integrally rotatably attached to the steering shaft. The two spoke portions are supported on the boss portion so as to be rotatable about a 2 nd axis line extending in opposite directions from the boss portion. The holding part is fixed on each spoke part.

In the steering wheel, the two grip portions can be rotated about the 2 nd axis, respectively. Therefore, the driver can perform steering while maintaining the wrist at a natural angle by rotating the two grips about the 2 nd axis and about the 1 st axis, and thus a load is not easily applied to the wrist.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2004-34849

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the steering wheel, an electronic device (a grip portion side electronic device) such as a touch sensor or a heater may be provided in the grip portion. In this case, the grip-side electronic device is electrically connected to the boss-side harness disposed on the boss by the relay harness.

However, the above patent document 1 does not describe a relay structure.

On the other hand, in the steering wheel, the spoke portion and the grip portion rotate about the 2 nd axis. At this time, the grip portion side electronic device also rotates about the 2 nd axis together with the grip portion. In contrast, the boss portion and the boss portion-side wire harness do not rotate about the 2 nd axis. Therefore, a force to deform the relay harness is applied to the relay harness from the grip portion side. Therefore, a relay structure that improves the durability of the relay wire harness is desired.

A relay structure of a steering wheel that solves the above problems is applied to a steering wheel having: a boss portion that is integrally rotatably attached to a steering shaft that rotates about a 1 st axis; a pair of disc spoke portions supported by the boss portion so as to be rotatable about a 2 nd axis extending from the boss portion in directions opposite to each other; and a grip portion fixed to each spoke portion, the relay structure of the steering wheel electrically connecting a grip-portion-side electronic device provided at least one of the two grip portions to a boss-portion-side wire harness arranged on the boss portion, the relay structure including: an inner cover having an inner cylindrical portion; an outer cover formed around the inner cylinder and having an outer cylinder forming an annular housing with the inner cylinder; and a relay harness including a cable having a main portion disposed in the annular housing portion, one of the inner cover and the outer cover being fixed to the spoke portion to which the grip portion of the grip-portion-side electronic device is fixed as a rotating cover, and the other being fixed directly or indirectly to the boss portion as a fixed cover, the cable including: a 1 st end portion connected to the grip portion side electronic device; a 2 nd end connected to the boss portion side wire harness; and a main body portion that is located between the 1 st end portion and the 2 nd end portion, and that is configured by being wound around the inner tube portion 1 or more times so that an inner diameter of the main body portion is larger than an outer diameter of the inner tube portion and an outer diameter of the main body portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tube portion, the 1 st end portion being fixed to the rotating cover, and the 2 nd end portion being fixed to the fixed cover.

According to the above configuration, if a force to rotate the two grip portions about the 1 st axis is applied by the driver, the force is transmitted to the steering shaft via the two spoke portions and the boss portion. The two grip portions, the two spoke portions, the boss portion, and the steering shaft are rotated about the 1 st axis by this transmission. The steering device operates to steer the vehicle and change the traveling direction of the vehicle. The rotation of each gripping portion about the 1 st axis is accompanied by the rotation of each gripping portion about the 2 nd axis.

Along with the rotation of the holding part, the electronic device on the holding part side of the holding part also rotates around the 2 nd axis. On the other hand, the boss portion and the boss portion side harness do not rotate about the 2 nd axis.

With the relay structure, the stationary cover directly or indirectly fixed to the boss portion does not rotate about the 2 nd axis. In contrast, the rotating cover fixed to the spoke portion rotates about the 2 nd axis together with the spoke portion.

The cable of the relay harness is fixed to the rotating cover at the 1 st end and fixed to the fixed cover at the 2 nd end. A force to deform the main body portion located between the 1 st end portion and the 2 nd end portion of the cable is applied to the main body portion in association with the above-described rotation of the rotating cover.

In this regard, according to the above configuration, the main body portion is disposed in the annular housing portion in a state of being wound around the inner tube portion 1 or more times. Therefore, the body portion to which the force is applied is deformed (reduced in diameter) in a tightening direction in the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical portion or deformed (increased in diameter) in a loosening direction. The body portion having the diameter changed in this way is not easily subjected to a force for stretching in the direction along the 2 nd axis and a force for contracting. The inner diameter of the main body is larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube, and the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube. Therefore, the main body is less likely to contact the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. Therefore, stress is less likely to concentrate on the main body, and durability of the relay wire harness is improved.

In the relay structure of the steering wheel, it is preferable that the inner cover, the outer cover, and the main body of the relay harness are disposed inside the grip portion.

According to the above configuration, the interior of the grip portion is used as a space for arranging the inner cover and the outer cover of the relay structure and the main body portion of the relay harness. Therefore, the steering wheel in the direction along the 2 nd axis can be downsized.

In the relay structure of the steering wheel, it is preferable that the rotating cover is formed of the inner cover, the fixed cover is formed of the outer cover, and the inner cylindrical portion of the inner cover is fixed to the spoke portion in a state of surrounding the spoke portion.

According to the above configuration, the cover directly or indirectly fixed to the boss portion functions as a fixed cover and does not rotate about the 2 nd axis. On the other hand, an inner cover fixed to the inner cylinder portion so as to surround the disc web portion functions as a rotating cover and rotates about the 2 nd axis together with the disc web portion.

The cable of the relay harness is fixed to the inner cover at the 1 st end and fixed to the outer cover at the 2 nd end. A force to deform the main body portion between the 1 st end portion and the 2 nd end portion of the cable is applied to the main body portion along with the rotation of the inner cover.

However, the body portion to which the force is applied is reduced in diameter or expanded in diameter. Further, the main body is less likely to contact the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. Therefore, as described above, stress is less likely to concentrate on the main body, and durability of the relay wire harness is improved.

In the relay structure of a steering wheel described above, it is preferable that the inner cover further includes a 1 st side wall portion formed at an end portion on a side away from the boss portion, among both end portions of the inner cylindrical portion in the direction along the 2 nd axis, the outer cover further includes a 2 nd side wall portion formed at an end portion on a side close to the boss portion, among both end portions of the outer cylindrical portion in the direction along the 2 nd axis, both end portions of the annular housing portion in the direction along the 2 nd axis are closed by the 1 st side wall portion and the 2 nd side wall portion, the 1 st end portion of the cable is fixed to the inner cover in a state of being inserted into the 1 st side wall portion, and the 2 nd end portion is fixed to the outer cover in a state of being inserted into the 2 nd side wall portion.

According to the above configuration, the 1 st end portion of the cable is fixed to the inner cover in a state inserted into the 1 st side wall portion. The 2 nd end portion of the cable is fixed to the housing in a state of being inserted into the 2 nd side wall portion. Then, the main body portion between the 1 st end portion and the 2 nd end portion is formed to be laid between the 1 st side wall portion and the 2 nd side wall portion. The main body portion disposed in the annular housing portion can be kept in a state of being separated from the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion and being wound around the inner cylinder portion.

In the relay structure of the steering wheel, it is preferable that the relay harness further includes: a 1 st connector connected to the grip-side electronic device; and a 2 nd connector connected to the boss portion side wire harness, wherein the 1 st connector is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion than the 1 st side wall portion, the 2 nd connector is disposed at a position closer to the boss portion than the 2 nd side wall portion, the 1 st end portion is connected to the 1 st connector, and the 2 nd end portion is connected to the 2 nd connector.

According to the above configuration, the 1 st end portion of the cable inserted into the 1 st side wall portion is connected to the 1 st connector disposed at a position farther from the boss portion than the 1 st side wall portion of the inner cover. The 2 nd end portion of the cable inserted into the 2 nd side wall portion is connected to the 2 nd connector disposed at a position closer to the boss portion than the 2 nd side wall portion of the housing.

Therefore, if the 1 st connector is connected to the grip-side electronic instrument and the 2 nd connector is connected to the boss-side harness, the boss-side harness and the grip-side electronic instrument are electrically connected via the 2 nd connector, the cable, and the 1 st connector.

In the relay structure for a steering wheel, it is preferable that a steering switch disposed between the boss portion and the fixed cover is fixed to the boss portion, the fixed cover is fixed to a housing constituting a housing portion of the steering switch, and a part of the boss portion side wire harness is disposed inside the housing.

According to the above configuration, the fixed cover is indirectly fixed to the boss portion by being fixed to the housing of the steering switch.

The internal space of the housing is used as a space for arranging a part of the harness on the boss portion side. Therefore, the steering wheel can be downsized compared to the case where the entire boss portion side wire harness is disposed outside the housing.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the relay structure of the steering wheel, durability of the relay harness can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a steering wheel to which a relay structure is applied in one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an inside of one relay structure of fig. 1 and a peripheral portion of the relay structure.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the relay structure in a plane orthogonal to the 2 nd axis of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic oblique view of the relay structure of fig. 2 as viewed from the boss portion side.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the relay structure of fig. 2 as viewed from the grip portion side.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the relay structure of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

Next, an embodiment of a relay structure embodied in a steering wheel for a steering system of a vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as the forward direction, and the backward direction is defined as the backward direction. The vertical direction is a vertical direction of the vehicle, and the horizontal direction is a vehicle width direction and coincides with a horizontal direction when the vehicle travels.

As shown in fig. 1, the steering apparatus 10 is provided in front of a driver's seat in a vehicle interior. The steering device 10 includes: a steering shaft 11 having a 1 st axis L1 extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface; and the steering wheel 12 of the present embodiment. The steering shaft 11 is rotatable about the 1 st axis L1 in both forward and reverse directions, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise directions in fig. 1. In addition, the rotation in both the forward and reverse directions will be referred to as "rotation" hereinafter.

In fig. 1 and 2, only a skeleton portion of the steering wheel 12 is shown. The steering wheel 12 includes a boss portion 15, a turn switch 23, a pair of spoke portions 17, a grip portion 19 for each spoke portion 17, and a relay structure 30 (see fig. 2).

The boss portion 15 is a member attached to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 11, and rotates around the 1 st axis L1 integrally with the steering shaft 11. The shape of the boss portion 15 is shown as a circle in fig. 1 and 2, but is not limited thereto. A part of the boss portion side wire harness 21 is arranged on the boss portion 15. A control device (not shown) for controlling operations of various electronic devices provided on the steering wheel 12 and the like is mounted on the boss portion 15. Various electronic instruments include sensors, actuators, and the like. A cable 22 constituting a part of the boss portion side wire harness 21 is connected to the control device. In the present embodiment, a pair of the boss portion side wire harnesses 21 is provided, and the cable 22 of each boss portion side wire harness 21 is connected to the control device.

The steering switch 23 is a switch that is operated by the driver when various electronic devices mounted on the vehicle, for example, an indicator light, a wiper, and the like are operated or stopped. The steering wheel 12 may have only 1 steering switch 23, or may have a plurality of steering switches. Fig. 1 shows an example in which 2 steering switches 23 are used.

The housing part of each steering switch 23 is formed by a housing 24. Each of the steering switches 23 is fixed to the boss portion 15 in the housing 24. The spoke portion 17 may be inserted into the housing 24 so as to be rotatable, or may not be inserted. A bus bar 25 and a connector 26, which constitute a part of the above-described boss portion side wire harness 21, are arranged inside the housing 24 of each of the turn switches 23. Each bus bar 25 is connected to the cable 22 via a connector 26.

The two spoke portions 17 have the 2 nd axis L2 extending from the boss portion 15 in directions opposite to each other. The two 2 nd axis lines L2 become a state extending from the boss portion 15 to each other in opposite directions in the left-right direction when the vehicle travels straight. The above state of the 2 nd axis L2 includes a state extending along a plane orthogonal to the 1 st axis L1 and a state extending along a plane intersecting the 1 st axis L1 in a nearly orthogonal state. For example, a state extending along a plane intersecting the 1 st axis L1 in a nearly orthogonal state so as to approach the driver as it goes farther from the 1 st axis L1 to the outside in the radial direction is also included in the above-described state of the 2 nd axis L2.

The pair of spoke portions 17 are supported by the boss portion 15 at end portions close to the 1 st axis L1 so as to be rotatable about the 2 nd axis L2.

The pair of gripping portions 19 are portions gripped by the driver. The gripping portions 19 are fixed to the end portions of the spoke portions 17 that are apart from the 1 st axis L1 (boss portion 15) in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. Each grip portion 19 is rotatable about the 2 nd axis L2 integrally with the spoke portion 17.

The pair of spoke portions 17 and the pair of gripping portions 19 are shaped to have a surface-symmetric relationship with each other with the 1 st axis L1 therebetween.

Here, the position around the 2 nd axis L2 of each grip 19 when the vehicle travels straight is referred to as a "neutral position". Further, a direction in which a portion of each grip portion 19 above the 2 nd axis L2 is turned toward the driver is referred to as a "forward direction", and a direction in which the above-described upper portion is turned away from the driver is referred to as a "depth direction".

At least one of the two grip portions 19 is provided with a grip portion side electronic device 27 configured by a touch sensor, a grip heater, or the like. In the present embodiment, any grip portion 19 is provided with a grip portion side electronic device 27.

A rotation control mechanism (not shown) having the following function is provided between the boss portion 15 and each disc web portion 17.

The maximum rotation angle θ 1 in the forward direction from the neutral position of the grip portion 19 is defined.

The maximum rotation angle θ 2 in the depth direction from the neutral position of the grip portion 19 is defined.

The total of the maximum rotation angles θ 1 and θ 2 is about 180 °.

The grip portion 19 is returned to the neutral position when the vehicle travels straight.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the steering wheel 12 is provided with a relay structure 30 for electrically connecting the grip-side electronic device 27 to the corresponding bus bar 25 of the boss-side wire harness 21. In the present embodiment in which the grip-side electronic device 27 is provided for each grip 19 and the pair of boss-side wire harnesses 21 are provided, the relay structure 30 is provided in a pair. The two relay structures 30 have a plane-symmetric relationship with each other with the 1 st axis L1 therebetween. Therefore, one (right side) relay structure 30 will be described, and illustration and description of the other (left side) relay structure 30 will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the relay structure 30 includes an inner cover 31 as a rotary cover, an outer cover 41 as a fixed cover, and a relay harness 51. The inner cover 31, the outer cover 41, and a main body 55 of the relay harness 51, which will be described later, are disposed inside the grip portion 19. Next, each component constituting the relay structure 30 will be explained. In fig. 2, only the cover 41 is shown in cross section in order to show as many components of the relay structure 30 as possible. In fig. 2, a portion of the cover 41 on the upper side and a portion on the lower side of the spoke portion 17 are shown in cross-sections on different surfaces.

< inner cover 31 >

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the inner cover 31 is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion 15 than the turn switch 23. The inner cover 31 has an inner cylindrical portion 32 and a 1 st side wall portion 34, and is entirely made of an insulating material, for example, a resin material. The inner tube portion 32 is cylindrical and extends in a direction along the 2 nd axis L2, and surrounds the disc web portion 17. The 1 st side wall portion 34 is formed in an annular shape around an end portion on a side away from the boss portion 15, of both end portions of the inner tube portion 32 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. The 1 st side wall portion 34 has an insertion hole portion 35 (see fig. 2 and 3) that penetrates in a direction along the 2 nd axis L2.

A cable support portion 36 projecting toward the boss portion 15 is formed around the insertion hole portion 35 of the 1 st side wall portion 34. The cable support portion 36 is a shape obtained by dividing the circular tube-shaped member into 2, that is, half-cut shapes along the 2 nd axis L2, and is open toward the inner cylindrical portion 32. The cable support portion 36 has an inner diameter larger than a diameter of a cable 52 described later. The length of the cable support portion 36 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2 is set to a minimum length that can stop the 1 st end portion 53 of the cable 52.

The inner cover 31 is fixed to the disc web 17 at the inner cylindrical portion 32 and rotates integrally with the disc web 17.

< housing 41 >

As shown in fig. 2, 3, and 6, the cover 41 is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion 15 than the switch 23. The outer cover 41 includes an outer tube portion 42, a 2 nd side wall portion 44 (see fig. 2), and an annular projection 48, and is entirely formed of an insulating material, for example, a resin material. The outer tube portion 42 extends in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2, and is disposed coaxially with the spoke portion 17 and the inner tube portion 32. The outer tube portion 42 has a diameter slightly larger than that of the 1 st side wall portion 34. An annular housing portion 47 is formed between the outer cylinder portion 42 and the inner cylinder portion 32.

The 2 nd side wall portion 44 is formed at an end portion on a side close to the boss portion 15, of both end portions of the outer tube portion 42 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. The 2 nd side wall portion 44 includes a hole 45 and an insertion hole 46 (both see fig. 2) that penetrate in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. The hole 45 is formed in the area including the center of the 2 nd side wall 44. The hole 45 has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the spoke 17. The spoke 17 is rotatably inserted into the hole 45. The insertion hole 46 is formed in the 2 nd side wall portion 44 at a position spaced radially outward from the hole 45.

The annular convex portion 48 is formed over the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface 43 at a portion of the inner circumferential surface 43 of the end portion of the outer tube portion 42 on the side away from the boss portion 15 and slightly away from the end surface 49 of the end portion toward the boss portion 15. The annular projection 48 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the 1 st side wall portion 34. The region between the annular convex portion 48 and the end face 49 of the end portion of the outer tube portion 42 on the side away from the boss portion 15 constitutes an annular fitting portion 50. The 1 st side wall portion 34 is fitted to the fitting portion 50 of the outer tube portion 42.

Both ends of the annular receiving portion 47 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2 are closed by the 1 st side wall portion 34 and the 2 nd side wall portion 44.

An outer cover 41 surrounded by the inner cover 31 is fixed to the housing 24 of the switch 23. If the description is changed, the cover 41 is indirectly fixed to the boss portion 15 via the housing 24 (see fig. 2).

< Relay harness 51 >

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, a part of the relay harness 51 is constituted by a cable 52 whose main portion is disposed in the annular housing portion 47. The cable 52 bundles a plurality of electric wires for power supply and signal communication.

The cable 52 has: a 1 st end portion 53 on a side away from the boss portion 15; a 2 nd end portion 54 on a side close to the boss portion 15; and a main body 55 located between the 1 st end 53 and the 2 nd end 54. The main body portion 55 is a portion constituting a main part of the cable 52. The main body portion 55 is wound into a coil shape by being wound around the inner tube portion 32 more than or equal to 1 time so as to satisfy the following conditions.

Conditions are as follows: as shown in fig. 3, the inner diameter ID1 of the main body portion 55 is larger than the outer diameter OD2 of the inner cylindrical portion 32, and the outer diameter OD1 of the main body portion 55 is smaller than the inner diameter ID2 of the outer cylindrical portion 42.

Here, the inner diameter ID1 is an inner diameter of a coil-shaped portion of the main body portion 55. The outer diameter OD1 is the outer diameter of the coil-shaped portion of the main body 55.

The main body 55 is wound around the inner tube 32 so as to satisfy the above-described condition, regardless of whether the diameter is reduced to the maximum or the diameter is expanded to the maximum as the inner cover 31 rotates.

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, the 1 st end portion 53 is partially disposed in the cable support portion 36 and extends along the 2 nd axis L2 to a side away from the boss portion 15. The 1 st end portion 53 is fixed to the inner cover 31 in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole portion 35 of the 1 st side wall portion 34. In the 1 st end portion 53, the 1 st terminal portion (not shown) is attached to each of the plurality of electric wires.

A 1 st connector 57 constituting a part of the relay wire harness 51 is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion 15 than the 1 st side wall portion 34, and the 1 st terminal portion of each of the electric wires is connected to the 1 st connector 57. As shown in fig. 2, the 1 st connector 57 is connected to the grip portion side electronic device 27. Thereby, the plurality of wires of the cable 52 are electrically connected to the grip portion side electronic device 27 via the 1 st terminal portion and the 1 st connector 57.

The 2 nd end portion 54 extends toward the boss portion 15 side along the 2 nd axis L2. The 2 nd end portion 54 is fixed to the housing 41 in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole portion 46 of the 2 nd side wall portion 44. In the 2 nd end 54, a 2 nd terminal portion (not shown) is attached to each of the plurality of electric wires.

A 2 nd connector 58 constituting a part of the relay wire harness 51 is disposed at a position closer to the boss portion 15 than the 2 nd side wall portion 44, and the 2 nd terminal portion of each of the wires is connected to the 2 nd connector 58. A part of the 2 nd connector 58 is located in the housing 24 of the turn switch 23 and connected to the bus bar 25. Thereby, the plurality of electric wires of the cable 52 are electrically connected to the boss portion side wire harness 21 via the 2 nd terminal portion and the 2 nd connector 58.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. Effects associated with the actions will be described together.

< miniaturization of steering wheel 12 >

(1-1) As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the inside of the grip portion 19 is used as a space for arranging the inner cover 31, the outer cover 41, and the main body portion 55. Therefore, the steering wheel 12 can be downsized in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2.

(1-2) in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the inside of the housing 24 of the turn switch 23 is used as a space in which a part of the boss portion side harness 21 and a part of the 2 nd connector 58 are arranged. Therefore, the steering wheel 12 can be made smaller than in the case where the entire boss portion-side wire harness 21 and the entire 2 nd connector 58 are disposed outside the housing 24.

< reduction of load applied to driver's wrist >

As shown in fig. 1, when the vehicle travels straight, the spoke portions 17 and the gripping portions 19 are positioned on the left and right sides of the boss portion 15. Each grip 19 is located at a neutral position in a rotational direction about the 2 nd axis L2.

When a force for rotating the two grip portions 19 about the 1 st axis L1 is applied from the above state by the driver, the force is transmitted to the steering shaft 11 via the spoke portions 17 and the boss portion 15. The two grip portions 19, the two disc spoke portions 17, the boss portion 15, and the steering shaft 11 are rotated about the 1 st axis L1 by this transmission. The steering device 10 operates to steer the vehicle and changes the traveling direction of the vehicle. The rotation of each grip 19 about the 1 st axis L1 is performed in accordance with the rotation of the grip 19 about the 2 nd axis L2.

(2-1) thus, each grip 19 rotates about the 2 nd axis L2. Therefore, the driver can rotate the steering wheel 12 about the 1 st axis line L1 significantly (by 90 degrees or more) while gripping the respective gripping portions 19, as compared to when the respective gripping portions 19 are not rotated about the 2 nd axis line L2. The driver can prevent the wrist from bending at an unnatural angle, and the load is not easily applied to the wrist.

< Relay by Relay configuration 30 >

(3-1) As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, as the inner cover 31 (turning cover), a structure having an inner cylindrical portion 32 and a 1 st side wall portion 34 is used. Further, as the outer cover 41 (fixed cover), a structure having an outer tube portion 42 and a 2 nd side wall portion 44 is used. The inner cover 31 and the outer cover 41 are disposed coaxially with the disk web portion 17. Therefore, the annular housing portion 47 for disposing the main body portion 55 of the cable 52 can be formed easily.

(3-2) in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, the 1 st connector 57 is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion 15 than the 1 st side wall portion 34. The 1 st end portion 53 fixed to the inner cover 31 in the state of being inserted into the 1 st side wall portion 34 of the main body portion 55 of the cable 52 is connected to the 1 st connector 57.

In the present embodiment, the 2 nd connector 58 is disposed at a position closer to the boss portion 15 than the 2 nd side wall portion 44. The 2 nd end 54 of the main body 55 fixed to the housing 41 in the state of being inserted into the 2 nd side wall 44 is connected to the 2 nd connector 58.

Therefore, the 1 st connector 57 is connected to the grip-side electronic device 27, and the 2 nd connector 58 is connected to the bus bar 25 of the table-side wire harness 21. By the above connection, the boss portion-side harness 21 and the grip portion-side electronic device 27 can be electrically connected via the 2 nd connector 58, the cable 52, and the 1 st connector 57 constituting the relay harness 51.

< improvement of durability of relay wire harness 51 >

Along with the above-described rotation of the grip portion 19 during the steering operation, the grip portion side electronic device 27 also rotates about the 2 nd axis L2. On the other hand, neither the boss portion 15 nor the boss portion side wire harness 21 rotates about the 2 nd axis L2.

With the relay structure 30, the housing 41 indirectly fixed to the boss portion 15 via the steering switch 23 does not rotate about the 2 nd axis L2. In contrast, the inner cover 31 fixed to the disc web portion 17 rotates about the 2 nd axis L2 together with the disc web portion 17.

A force to deform the main body 55 is applied to the cable 52 fixed to the inner cover 31 at the 1 st end 53 and the outer cover 41 at the 2 nd end 54 in accordance with the rotation of the inner cover 31.

Here, it is assumed that if a force that stretches in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2 and a force that contracts in this direction are applied to the main body portion 55 with the above-described forces, the main body portion 55 deforms in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. If the body 55 is brought into contact with surrounding members by this deformation, the following phenomenon may occur. The surrounding members include, for example, the inner cylindrical portion 32 and the 1 st side wall portion 34 of the inner cover 31, the outer cylindrical portion 42 and the 2 nd side wall portion 44 of the outer cover 41, and the like.

The above-described contact may cause the length of a portion where the main body portion 55 is likely to be deformed, that is, a portion between the contact portion and the 1 st end portion 53 to be shortened, and stress to be concentrated on the portion. This stress concentration may cause a decrease in durability of the relay harness 51 and disconnection.

In particular, in the steering wheel 12 of the present embodiment, when the grip portion 19 is rotated about the 1 st axis L1, the grip portion 19 is rotated about the 2 nd axis L2, and the rotational frequency of the grip portion 19 is high. Accordingly, the frequency of applying a force to the main body portion 55 to deform the main body portion 55 is high. Therefore, the durability of the relay harness 51 may be particularly reduced.

In this regard, (4-1) in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the main body portion 55 of the cable 52 is wound around the inner cylindrical portion 32 more than or equal to 1 time. The 1 st end 53 of the cable 52 is fixed to the inner cover 31 and the 2 nd end 54 is fixed to the outer cover 41.

Therefore, the body portion 55 to which the force is applied is deformed (reduced in diameter) in a tightening direction or deformed (expanded) in a loosening direction in the circumferential direction of the inner cylindrical portion 32. The body 55 having the diameter changed in this manner is less likely to be subjected to a force for stretching in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2 and a force for contracting in this direction. The inner diameter ID1 of the body 55 is larger than the outer diameter OD2 of the inner tube 32, and the outer diameter OD1 of the body 55 is smaller than the inner diameter ID2 of the outer tube 42. Therefore, even when the diameter of the main body 55 is reduced to the maximum, the main body is less likely to contact the outer peripheral surface 33 of the inner cylindrical portion 32. Further, the body portion 55 is less likely to contact the inner peripheral surface 43 of the outer tube portion 42 even when the body portion is expanded in diameter to the maximum extent.

Therefore, a phenomenon in which stress concentrates on the main body 55 and the relay harness 51 is broken can be prevented from easily occurring, and durability of the relay harness 51 can be improved.

(4-2) in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the 1 st end portion 53 of the cable 52 is fixed to the inner cover 31 in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole portion 35 of the 1 st side wall portion 34. The 2 nd end 54 of the cable 52 is fixed to the cover 41 in a state of being inserted into the insertion hole 46 of the 2 nd side wall portion 44.

Therefore, the main body 55 can be set in a state of being laid between the 1 st side wall portion 34 and the 2 nd side wall portion 44. The main body 55 disposed in the annular housing portion 47 can be held in a state of being separated from the inner tube 32 and the outer tube 42 and wound around the inner tube 32. Therefore, the effect of (4-1) above can be obtained more easily.

(4-3) as shown in fig. 2 and 4, in the present embodiment, a cable support portion 36 is formed on the 1 st side wall portion 34 and around the insertion hole portion 35. The cable support portion 36 is open toward the inner cylinder portion 32. Therefore, the 1 st end portion 53 is covered by the cable support portion 36 from the outside in the direction (radial direction) orthogonal to the 2 nd axis L2, and the movement of the 1 st end portion 53 to the outside in the radial direction along with the rotation of the inner cover 31 can be restricted. Therefore, also in this regard, the durability of the 1 st end portion 53, and even the relay harness 51, can be improved.

Further, the length of the cable support portion 36 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2 is set only to a length necessary for stopping the 1 st end portion 53. Therefore, the cable support portion 36 has little influence on the diameter reduction and diameter expansion of the main body portion 55.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described effects, the following effects can be obtained.

(5-1) as shown in fig. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, an annular housing portion 47 is formed between the inner cover 31 and the outer cover 41 which are coaxially arranged, and a main body portion 55 is arranged therein. If the expression is changed, the main body 55 is surrounded by the inner cover 31 and the outer cover 41. Therefore, the main body 55 can be protected by the inner cover 31 and the outer cover 41.

(5-2) as shown in fig. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, the relay structure 30 is unitized by using a plurality of individual components such as the inner cover 31, the outer cover 41, and the relay harness 51 (the cable 52, the 1 st connector 57, and the 2 nd connector 58). Therefore, the relay structure 30 that is unitized at the time of mounting or replacing the relay structure 30 can be handled as 1 aggregate, and thus handling is easy.

The above embodiment may be implemented as a modified example modified as follows. The above-described embodiment and the following modifications are combined and implemented within a range that is not technically contradictory.

In fig. 1, the grip portion side electronic device 27 may be provided only in a single grip portion 19. In this case, the number of relay structures 30 applied to the steering wheel 12 is 1.

A plurality of grip portion side electronic devices 27 provided in 1 grip portion 19 may be provided.

The relay structure 3 including the inner cover 31, the outer cover 41, and the main body 55 may be disposed outside the grip portion 19, for example, between the steering switch 23 and the grip portion 19.

Only a part of the relay structure 30 may be disposed inside the grip portion 19. In this case, the relay structure 30 is disposed across the inside and outside of the grip portion 19.

In fig. 2, the cover 41 may be directly fixed to the boss portion 15 without the steering switch 23.

In contrast to the above embodiment, the 1 st side wall portion 3 of the inner cover 31 may be formed at an end portion on a side close to the boss portion 15, of both end portions of the inner cylindrical portion 32 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2. In addition, the 2 nd side wall portion 44 of the outer cover 41 may be formed at an end portion on a side away from the boss portion 15, of both end portions of the outer tube portion 42 in the direction along the 2 nd axis L2.

The 1 st end portion 53 of the cable 52 may be fixed to a portion different from the 1 st side wall portion 34, for example, the inner cylindrical portion 32, in the inner cover 31. The 2 nd end 54 of the cable 52 may be fixed to a portion different from the 2 nd side wall 44, for example, the outer tube 42, in the cover 41.

The cover 41 may be a rotary cover and fixed to the spoke portion 17. The inner cover 31 may be a fixed cover and fixed directly or indirectly to the boss portion 15.

The relay structure 30 described above may be applied to a steering wheel of a steering system of a vehicle other than a vehicle, for example, an airplane, a ship, or the like.

Description of the reference numerals

11 8230a steering shaft

12 \ 8230and steering wheel

15 \ 8230and boss part

17 \ 8230and spoke part

19 \ 8230and holding part

21 \ 8230and side wire harness of boss part

23 \ 8230and steering switch

24% -8230and a shell

27 \ 8230and electronic instrument at holding part side

30-8230and relay structure

31 \ 8230and inner cover (rotating cover)

32' \ 8230and inner barrel part

34 \ 8230and the 1 st side wall

41' \ 8230and outer cover (fixed cover)

42 8230a outer barrel part

44 8230a part 2 side wall

47 \ 8230and annular containing part

51 \ 8230and wiring harness for relay

52 method 8230and cable

53, 8230a 1 st end part

54 nd 8230a nd 2 nd end part

55 \ 8230and main body part

57 \ 8230and No. 1 connector

58 nd 8230and 2 nd connector

ID1, ID 2' 8230and internal diameter

L1 \8230and1 st axis

L2 \8230and2 nd axis

OD1, OD2 \8230andexternal diameter

Claims (6)

1. A relay structure of a steering wheel, which is applied to a steering wheel having: a boss portion that is integrally rotatably attached to a steering shaft that rotates about a 1 st axis; a pair of spoke portions supported by the boss portion so as to be rotatable about a 2 nd axis extending from the boss portion in opposite directions; and a grip portion fixed to each spoke portion, the relay structure of the steering wheel electrically connecting a grip-portion-side electronic device provided at least one of the two grip portions to a boss-portion-side wire harness arranged on the boss portion,

the relay structure of the steering wheel comprises:

an inner cover having an inner cylindrical portion;

an outer cover formed around the inner cylinder and having an outer cylinder forming an annular housing with the inner cylinder; and

a relay harness including a cable whose main portion is disposed in the annular housing portion,

one of the inner cover and the outer cover is fixed as a rotating cover to the spoke portion to which the grip portion of the grip-side electronic instrument is fixed, and the other is fixed as a fixed cover directly or indirectly to the boss portion,

the cable has: a 1 st end portion connected to the grip portion side electronic device; a 2 nd end portion connected to the boss portion side wire harness; and a main body portion that is positioned between the 1 st end portion and the 2 nd end portion, and that constitutes the main portion by being wound around the inner tube portion 1 or more times so that an inner diameter of the main body portion is larger than an outer diameter of the inner tube portion and an outer diameter of the main body portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tube portion, the 1 st end portion being fixed to the rotating cover, and the 2 nd end portion being fixed to the fixed cover.

2. The relay structure of a steering wheel according to claim 1,

the inner cover, the outer cover, and the main body of the relay harness are disposed inside the grip portion.

3. The relay structure of a steering wheel according to claim 1,

the rotating cover is composed of the inner cover, the fixed cover is composed of the outer cover,

the inner cylindrical portion of the inner cover is fixed to the disc web portion in a state of surrounding the disc web portion.

4. The relay structure of a steering wheel according to claim 3,

the inner cover further has a 1 st side wall portion formed at an end portion of one of both end portions of the inner cylindrical portion in the direction along the 2 nd axis which is remote from the boss portion,

the housing further has a 2 nd side wall portion formed at an end portion on a side close to the boss portion among both end portions of the outer cylinder portion in the 2 nd axis direction,

both ends of the annular housing in the direction along the 2 nd axis are closed by the 1 st side wall and the 2 nd side wall,

the 1 st end portion of the cable is fixed to the inner cover in a state of being inserted into the 1 st side wall portion, and the 2 nd end portion is fixed to the outer cover in a state of being inserted into the 2 nd side wall portion.

5. The relay structure of a steering wheel according to claim 4,

the wiring harness for a relay further includes: a 1 st connector connected to the grip-side electronic device; and a 2 nd connector connected to the boss portion side wire harness,

the 1 st connector is disposed at a position farther from the boss portion than the 1 st side wall portion, the 2 nd connector is disposed at a position closer to the boss portion than the 2 nd side wall portion,

the 1 st end is connected with the 1 st connector, and the 2 nd end is connected with the 2 nd connector.

6. The relay structure of a steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

a steering switch disposed between the boss portion and the fixed cover is fixed to the boss portion,

the stationary cover is fixed to a case constituting a housing portion of the steering switch,

a part of the boss portion side wire harness is disposed inside the housing.

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