JP2004155265A - Steering wheel device for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tilting type steering wheel device for an automobile which can effectively and efficiently improve the getting on/off property by preventing an interference from occurring between a peripheral appliance such as a meter unit and the steering wheel. <P>SOLUTION: This steering wheel device for an automobile has the tilting type steering wheel 1 and the meter unit 5 as a movable peripheral appliance which is adjacently arranged to the steering wheel 1. The meter unit 5 is constituted in a manner to be retractable so that the meter unit 5 may not interfere with the steering wheel 1 when the steering wheel l tilts up. Driving motors 9 and 10 for respectively turning the steering wheel 1 and the meter unit 5 are provided. A hood 7 is opened/closed through a link mechanism 11 by interlinking with the turning motion of the meter unit 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering handle device for a vehicle such as a passenger car, and more particularly to a tilt-type steering handle device for preventing interference between peripheral devices such as a meter unit and the steering handle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tilt steering (Tilt Steering) mechanism capable of adjusting a vertical position of a steering wheel or an angle of the steering wheel with respect to a driver is known. With such a mechanism, the position of the steering wheel can be moved up and down according to the physique and preference of the driver.
[0003]
In addition, in recent years, a technology has been known in which a steering handle can be flipped up to the maximum movable range of a tilt mechanism of the steering handle in order to improve the getting on / off property when getting on / off a driver's seat of a passenger car or the like.
With such a technique, the gap between the driver, especially the thigh, and the steering handle is widened, so that the area around the thigh does not hit the steering handle when getting on and off.
[0004]
In such a device in which the steering handle is flipped up, first, the removal of the ignition key is detected as an operation procedure. Thereafter, the stopper that locks the steering up in the steering column is released, and the steering handle jumps up to the uppermost position by the elasticity of the spring.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the amount by which the steering handle is flipped up, that is, the amount of tilt movement is not always sufficient, and it may be difficult to ensure good getting on and off.For example, the vehicle may be parked close to another vehicle in a narrow parking lot or the like, If the driver's seat side door cannot be opened wide enough, the passenger must get on and off in a posture that stands up close to the car. In such a case, the thigh interferes with the steering handle, and it may not be possible to smoothly get on and off.
[0006]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel device for an automobile that can effectively and effectively improve the getting on and off.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a steering handle device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a tilt-type steering handle and a movable peripheral device disposed in close proximity to the tilt-type steering handle. It is characterized in that it can be retracted so as not to interfere with the handle.
[0008]
In the steering handle device for an automobile according to the present invention, it is preferable that the peripheral device includes a meter unit, and the meter unit is rotatably supported around a pivot.
[0009]
The steering handle device for an automobile of the present invention preferably has a drive motor for rotating the steering handle and the meter unit, respectively.
[0010]
Further, it is desirable that the steering handle device for an automobile of the present invention is configured such that its hood opens and closes via a link mechanism in conjunction with the turning operation of the meter unit.
[0011]
According to the present invention, when the steering handle is rotated, that is, tilted up, its peripheral devices, particularly the meter unit, are retracted so as not to interfere with the steering handle. As a result, the amount of jumping of the steering handle can be effectively increased.
[0012]
Thus, for example, if the driver parks in a narrow parking lot close to another car and cannot open the driver's seat side door sufficiently wide, the passenger gets on and off in a posture that stands up close to the car. Even when it is necessary to get on and off the vehicle, the passenger's thighs and the like can smoothly get on and off without interfering with the steering handle.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a steering handle device for an automobile according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration around a steering handle device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a steering handle 1 is disposed in front of a driver's seat, and a driver sitting on the driver's seat can freely turn the steering handle 1. The steering handle 1 is supported rotatably up and down as indicated by an arrow A around a fulcrum set in a steering column 2, that is, around a pivot 3.
[0014]
In addition, a meter unit 5 incorporated in the instrument panel 4 is disposed as a peripheral device on the front side of the steering handle 1, and the meter unit 5 is configured as a combination meter including a speedometer, a tachometer, a water temperature meter, and the like. ing.
[0015]
The meter unit 5 is supported rotatably as shown by an arrow B around a fulcrum provided in the instrument panel 4, that is, around a pivot 6.
Further, a roof or eaves-shaped hood 7 is mounted on the upper part of the meter unit 5, and this hood 7 opens and closes in conjunction with the turning operation of the meter unit 5 as described later.
[0016]
Here, the steering handle 1 and the meter unit 5 are each configured to be electrically driven and swing. Therefore, a drive motor 9 for rotating the steering handle 1 around the pivot 3 is provided in the steering column 2, and a drive motor 10 for rotating the meter unit 5 around the pivot 6 is also provided. It is provided in the instrument panel 4.
[0017]
These drive motors 9 and 10 are connected to the steering handle 1 and the meter unit 5 via, for example, a gear mechanism (not shown) or a screw feed mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, the steering handle 1 and the meter unit 5 rotate, that is, swing by the power generated by the drive motors 9 and 10 being transmitted to a gear mechanism or the like.
[0018]
The timing at which the drive motor 9 and the drive motor 10 start driving is controlled by a control circuit (not shown) based on an ignition key withdrawal detection signal or an insertion detection signal.
[0019]
As described above, the hood 7 is connected to the meter unit 5 rotated by the drive motor 10 via the link mechanism 11, as shown in FIG. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the link mechanism 11 is attached to the meter unit 5, and is connected to a plate-shaped protruding piece 13 having a vertically long opening 13a, and one end of the link 13 is slidably slidable. And a link rod 12 whose other end is rotatably connected to a rear end of the hood 7 by a pin 7a. The movement locus of the rear end of the hood 7 is regulated by, for example, a projection 7b provided at the rear end of the hood 7 slidingly contacting a slide groove 4a provided on the instrument panel 4. I have.
[0020]
In addition, what is indicated by reference numeral 8 in FIG. 1 is a windshield, which is disposed in front of the instrument panel 4 so as to rise obliquely rearward.
[0021]
Hereinafter, the operation of the steering device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.
First, during driving of a vehicle or the like, the steering handle 1 is set at a standard tilt angle as shown in FIG. 1A, and the driver can operate the steering device properly and smoothly. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2A, the meter unit 5 stands at a position where it is easy for the driver to visually recognize the hood 7, and the hood 7 is set in an eave shape on the upper part of the meter unit 5 at a predetermined opening angle. I have.
[0022]
Next, at the time of getting on and off the vehicle, after the engine is stopped, a pull-out detection signal of the ignition key is received, and the drive motor 10 is first activated to cause the meter unit 5 to operate as shown in FIG. It turns upward around the pivot 6 so as to retreat from the steering handle 1. At this time, the hood 7 is closed by the link mechanism 11 in conjunction with the turning operation of the meter unit 5 as shown in FIG.
As a result, the meter unit 5 is stowed inside the closed hood 7, so that a considerable empty space is secured around the steering handle 1, especially above.
[0023]
Next, when the drive motor 9 is operated, the steering handle 1 rotates upward around the pivot 3 and is tilted up. At this time, the steering handle 1 and the steering column 3 move so as to penetrate into the area before the movement of the meter unit 5, that is, into the empty space above the steering handle 1, that is, tilt up.
[0024]
On the other hand, after the driver gets on the vehicle, the steering handle 1 is tilted down by actuation of the drive motor 9 in response to an ignition key insertion detection signal and the like, and is again set to the standard tilt angle. 5 rotates to a predetermined position, and the hood 7 expands to a predetermined opening angle via the link mechanism 11 in conjunction with the rotation operation of the meter unit 5.
[0025]
As described above, according to the steering device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, when the steering handle 1 is flipped up to a considerably high position, when the driver gets off the vehicle or gets on the vehicle, the driver can take the The thigh does not interfere with the steering handle 1 and can be easily dismounted in a comfortable posture.
[0026]
Similarly, when riding, the space between the raised steering handle 1 and the driver's seat is widened, so that it does not interfere with the passenger's thighs, and can be easily taken in a comfortable posture. You can get on.
[0027]
Next, a steering handle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a steering handle device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0028]
In the second embodiment, in particular, the hood 7 is integrally fixed to the meter unit 5. The meter unit 5 is retracted so as not to interfere with the steering handle 1 when the steering handle 1 is tilted up as in the first embodiment, but the hood 7 operates integrally with the meter unit 5.
[0029]
In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the getting on / off property as well as the hood 7 can be simply configured without the link mechanism 11 for interlocking the turning operation of the meter unit 5. , Easy to manufacture.
[0030]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention.
For example, the steering handle 1 and / or the meter unit 5 may be manually moved without using the drive motor 9 and the drive motor 10.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the steering wheel is tilted up, the amount of jumping up of the steering handle is effectively increased by retreating so as not to interfere with the meter unit. Accordingly, in any case, the getting on / off property can be remarkably improved, for example, a person with a disability or the like can be rotated while greatly raising the leg, and the improved getting on / off property and high safety can be secured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a configuration example of a steering handle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an operation example of a meter unit of the steering handle device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of a steering handle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 200 Steering handle device 1 Steering handle 2 Steering column 3, 6 Axis 4 Instrument panel 5 Meter unit 7 Hood 8 Windshield 9, 10 Drive motor 11 Link mechanism 12 Link rod 13 Projection 13a Opening

Claims (4)

It has a tilt-type steering handle and movable peripheral devices arranged close to it,
A steering handle device for an automobile, wherein when the steering handle is tilted up, the peripheral device is retractable so as not to interfere with the steering handle. The steering wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device includes a meter unit, and the meter unit is rotatably supported around a pivot. The steering handle device according to claim 2, further comprising a drive motor for rotating the steering handle and the meter unit. 4. The steering handle device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the hood opens and closes via a link mechanism in conjunction with the turning operation of the meter unit. 5.

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