JP2006335147A - Steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering device capable of promptly cooling or warming a driver's hands getting high or low temperatures without using volatile liquid such as water. <P>SOLUTION: The steering device 1 has an annular steering core 3 gripped by a driver's hands in steering operation. A cooling element 6 generating heat of temperature lower than standard temperature, and a heater element 7 generating heat of temperature higher than the standard temperature are attached to the steering core 3. A heat transfer member 8 transmitting low temperature heat generated by the cooling element 6, and a heat transfer member 9 transmitting high temperature heat generated by the heater element 7 are wound around the steering core 3. A comb-shaped portion 8a of the heat transfer member 8 and a comb-shaped portion 9a of the heat transfer member 9 are alternately wound around the steering core 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering device for determining a traveling direction of a vehicle such as an automobile.

  As a conventional steering device, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. The steering device described in Patent Document 1 includes an air passage formed inside the rim, a mixing container disposed on the outer periphery of the steering column so as to be connected to the air passage and the connection passage, and the mixing container. A sprayer for spraying water in a mist shape and a heater provided inside the rim are provided.

In such a steering device, when the air conditioner is operated for cooling, the mist-like water ejected from the sprayer is mixed with the air blower of the air conditioner in the mixing container, and the air blower of the air conditioner is cooled by the heat of vaporization of the water. In order to be supplied to the air passage, the handle is cooled. On the other hand, when the air conditioner is heated, the mist-like water is mixed with the air blower of the air conditioner and the heater is heated as in the cooling operation, so that the handle is warmed early. This makes it possible to control the surface temperature of the handle, which has become extremely high or low due to the external environment, to an appropriate temperature in a short time.
JP 2004-345375 A

  However, in the above prior art, maintenance is indispensable because it is a system in which water is sprayed in a mist form with a sprayer and mixed with the airflow of the air conditioner, and the airflow of the air conditioner is cooled or warmed by the heat of vaporization of water. . In addition, the air conditioner air mixed with the mist-like water is introduced into the air passage and discharged from the exhaust port of the rim, so that the vehicle interior environment such as humidity may change.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering device that can quickly cool or warm a driver's hand that has become hot or cold without using a volatile liquid such as water.

  The present invention provides a steering device for determining a traveling direction of a vehicle, a steering core that is gripped when a vehicle driver performs a steering operation, and a first that is attached to the steering core and generates heat at a temperature lower than a reference temperature. A heat source element, a second heat source element that is attached to the steering core and generates heat higher than a reference temperature, and a first heat transfer member that is wound around the steering core and that conducts low-temperature heat generated by the first heat source element And a second heat transfer member that is wound around the steering core and conducts high-temperature heat generated by the second heat source element.

  In such a steering device, for example, when the driver's hand during driving becomes hot, by generating low temperature heat by the first heat source element, the low temperature heat is transmitted to the first heat transfer member, Cold sensation occurs in the driver's hand holding the steering core. On the other hand, when the driver's hand during operation gets cold, the high-temperature heat is generated by the second heat source element, so that the high-temperature heat is transmitted to the second heat transfer member and the steering core is gripped. A warm sensation occurs in the hand of the person. Therefore, the driver's hand that has become hot or cold can be quickly cooled or warmed without using a volatile liquid such as water.

  Furthermore, for example, when the concentration of the driver during driving has decreased, low-temperature heat is generated by the first heat source element and high-temperature heat is generated by the second heat source element. In this case, low temperature heat is transferred to the first heat transfer member and high temperature heat is transferred to the second heat transfer member, so that a cold sense and a warm sense are simultaneously generated in the driver's hand. For this reason, an illusion stimulus called “Thermal Grill Illusion” makes the driver feel painful, so that the driver can change his / her mood and the like.

  Preferably, a heat insulating material is provided between the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member to insulate the low temperature heat generated in the first heat source element from the high temperature heat generated in the second heat source element. Has been placed. Thereby, since heat becomes difficult to transfer between the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member, the heat conduction efficiency of the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member is improved.

  Preferably, each of the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member has a comb shape and is alternately wound around the steering core. Thus, by using the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member having a comb shape, the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member can be easily wound alternately around the steering core. Further, by fixing the first heat source element to the first heat transfer member and fixing the second heat source element to the second heat transfer member, the first heat source element and the second heat source element can be easily attached to the steering core. It can be carried out.

  The first heat transfer member is spirally wound around the steering core so as to pass the outside of the steering core on one side of the steering core and the inside of the steering core on the other side of the steering core, and the second heat transfer member is The steering core may be spirally wound so that it passes through the inside of the steering core on one side of the steering core and passes through the outside of the steering core on the other side of the steering core. In this case, an inexpensive copper wire, nichrome wire, or the like can be used as the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member. In addition, since the first heat source element and the second heat source element can be attached to either the inside or the outside of the steering core, the attachment position can be appropriately selected according to the specification or the like.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the driver | operator's hand which became high temperature or low temperature can be rapidly cooled or warmed without using volatile liquids, such as water. In addition, a painful stimulus can be given to the driver. As a result, the driver can perform comfortable driving.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a steering apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a steering apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, a steering device 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and is a device for determining the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The steering device 1 includes a steering wheel (handle) 2. The steering wheel 2 is integrally attached to the steering core 3 through a plurality of (here, three) spokes 4 and an annular steering core (rim) 3 that is gripped by a hand when the driver performs a steering operation. Hub 5.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of the steering wheel 2, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel 2. 1 to 3, the steering core 3 has a substantially semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape. A cooling element 6 and a heater element 7 are attached to the steering core 3. The cooling element 6 is a heat source element that generates heat at a reference temperature (here, about 20 ° C.) lower than room temperature (25 ° C.). The heater element 7 is a heat source element that generates heat higher than a reference temperature (for example, about 40 ° C.).

  The steering core 3 has a heat transfer member 8 that conducts low-temperature heat (hereinafter referred to as cooling heat) generated in the cooling element 6 and heat transfer that conducts high-temperature heat (hereinafter referred to as heater heat) generated in the heater element 7. The member 9 is wound around. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the heat transfer members 8 and 9 is formed of a thin plate having a comb shape. Specifically, the heat transfer member 8 includes a comb-shaped portion 8a and a base portion 8b, and the heat transfer member 9 includes a comb-shaped portion 9a and a base portion 9b. The heat transfer members 8 and 9 are desirably formed of a metal material having high heat conduction efficiency and few energy deficiencies. Examples of such a metal material include gold, aluminum, copper, silver, platinum, and zinc.

  Such heat transfer members 8 and 9 are wound around the steering core 3 as follows. That is, with the base portion 8b of the heat transfer member 8 attached to the inner peripheral surface 3b of the steering core 3, the comb-like portion 8a of the heat transfer member 8 is bent and attached to the outer curved surface 3a of the steering core 3, and With the base portion 9 b of the heat member 9 attached to the inner peripheral surface 3 b of the steering core 3, the comb-like portion 9 a of the heat transfer member 9 is bent and attached to the outer curved surface 3 a of the steering core 3. At this time, the heat transfer members 8 and 9 are connected to the steering core so that the tip of the comb-like portion 8a is located on the opposite side of the tip of the comb-like portion 9a and the comb-like portions 8a and the comb-like portions 9a are alternately arranged. 3 is wound around. In this state, the heat transfer members 8 and 9 are not physically connected to each other.

  The cooling element 6 is joined to the base portion 8 b of the heat transfer member 8. The heater element 7 is joined to the base portion 9 b of the heat transfer member 9. As a result, the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 are arranged inside the steering core 3, so that it is not difficult for the driver to perform the steering operation.

  Between the comb-shaped portion 8a and the comb-shaped portion 9a, a heat insulating material 10 for thermally insulating the cooling heat conducted through the heat transfer member 8 and the heater heat conducted through the heat transfer member 9 is disposed. Yes. The heat insulating material 10 is made of, for example, glass or ceramic. By providing such a heat insulating material 10, heat conduction between the heat transfer members 8 and 9 is suppressed, so that the heat transfer efficiency by the heat transfer members 8 and 9 is increased.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of grooves 11 for arranging a heat insulating material are formed on the outer curved surface 3 a of the steering core 3. And the heat insulating material 10 is being fixed to the steering core 3 in the state which entered the groove part 11. As shown in FIG. Thereby, it becomes possible to attach the heat insulating material 10 so as not to be displaced with respect to the steering core 3 reliably.

  The heat transfer members 8 and 9 may be entirely wound around the steering core 3 or may be wound only on the steering core 3 where the driver's hand can easily touch. Further, the heat transfer members 8 and 9 may be exposed or a thin skin or the like may be put on the heat transfer members 8 and 9.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the steering core 3 is provided with a temperature sensor 12 that measures the temperature of the heat transfer member 8 and a temperature sensor 13 that measures the temperature of the heat transfer member 9. The temperature sensors 12 and 13 may be arranged at the comb-like portions 8a and 9a or the base portions 8b and 9b.

  The steering device 1 further includes a low temperature instruction button 14, a high temperature instruction button 15, a stimulus instruction button 16, a temperature controller 17, a cooling power source 18, and a heater power source 19.

  The low temperature instruction button 14 is a manual operation button for the driver to instruct to cool the steering core 3. The high temperature instruction button 15 is a manual operation button for the driver to instruct to warm the steering core 3. The stimulus instruction button 16 is a manual operation button for the driver to instruct to give an illusion stimulus.

  The cooling power supply 18 applies a voltage to the cooling element 6 in order to generate cooling heat from the cooling element 6. The heater power supply 19 applies a voltage to the heater element 7 in order to generate heater heat from the heater element 7.

  The temperature controller 17 controls the cooling power supply 18 and the heater power supply 19 based on the operation signals of the low temperature instruction button 14, the high temperature instruction button 15 and the stimulation instruction button 16 and the detection signals of the temperature sensors 12 and 13. Details of the processing procedure by the temperature controller 17 are shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the low temperature instruction button 14 has been operated (procedure 51), and when the low temperature instruction button 14 has been operated, the switch of the cooling power supply 18 is turned on (procedure 52). At this time, the voltage applied to the cooling element 6 by the cooling power supply 18 is feedback-controlled so that the temperature of the heat transfer member 8 detected by the temperature sensor 12 becomes a set temperature (here, about 20 ° C.).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 51 that the low temperature instruction button 14 has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the high temperature instruction button 15 has been operated (step 53). When the high temperature instruction button 15 is operated, the heater power supply 19 is turned on (procedure 54). At this time, feedback control of the voltage applied to the heater element 7 by the heater power source 19 is performed so that the temperature of the heat transfer member 9 detected by the temperature sensor 13 becomes a set temperature (here, 40 ° C.).

  If it is determined in step 53 that the high temperature instruction button 15 has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the stimulus instruction button 16 has been operated (procedure 55). When the stimulus instruction button 16 is operated, the cooling power supply 18 and the heater power supply 19 are turned on (procedure 56). At this time, similarly to the procedure 52, the cooling power source 18 is controlled so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 becomes the set temperature, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 becomes the set temperature as in the procedure 54. The heater power source 19 is controlled.

  The operation of the steering device 1 configured as described above will be described. Here, the driver performs the operation by grasping a portion of the steering core 3 around which the heat transfer members 8 and 9 are wound with his / her hand.

  The driver presses the low temperature instruction button 14 when the environmental temperature is high in summer or when the temperature of the hand becomes high during driving due to tension. Then, the cooling power source 18 is controlled by the temperature controller 17 (procedure 52 in FIG. 6), and a voltage is applied to the cooling element 6 to cool the heat transfer member 8. For this reason, while the temperature of the steering core 3 falls, the cold feeling of the hand touching the heat-transfer member 8 will be stimulated, and it will be in a comfortable state for the driver.

  When the environmental temperature is low, such as in winter, or when the fingertip at the end of the hand gets cold during driving, the driver presses the high temperature instruction button 15. Then, the power supply 19 for heaters is controlled by the temperature controller 17 (procedure 54 in FIG. 6), and a voltage is applied to the heater element 7 to warm the heat transfer member 9. For this reason, while the temperature of the steering core 3 rises, the thermal sensation of the hand touching the heat transfer member 9 is stimulated, and the driver feels comfortable.

  The driver presses the stimulation instruction button 16 when he / she wants to change his / her mood because the driver feels sleepy or the driver's concentration level has decreased. Then, both the cooling power supply 18 and the heater power supply 19 are controlled by the temperature controller 17 (step 56 in FIG. 6), and voltage is applied to the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 respectively, thereby cooling the heat transfer member 8. And the heat transfer member 9 is warmed. For this reason, the thermal sensation of the hand touching the heat transfer members 8 and 9 is stimulated simultaneously. By the way, it has become clinically clear that a sense of pain is felt when a thermal sensation is given simultaneously. This is called “Thermal Grill Illusion”. Therefore, by simultaneously stimulating the thermal sensation of the driver's hand, the pain of the driver's hand is stimulated, so the driver's sleepiness is awakened and the driver's concentration reduction is suppressed. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 are attached to the steering core 3, and the heat transfer member 8 that transmits the cooling heat generated in the cooling element 6 and the heater generated in the heater element 7. Since the heat transfer member 9 for transferring heat is wound around the steering core 3, it is possible to cool the driver's hand at a high temperature in a short time or to warm the driver's hand at a low temperature in a short time. it can. This makes it possible to bring the driver's psychological state in a more comfortable direction even when there are factors such as road environment and traffic jams while driving the vehicle. Further, by cooling the heat transfer member 8 and heating the heat transfer member 9 at the same time, an effective pain sensation is given to the driver's hand, so the driver's arousal can be maintained and improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the coolness of the driver's hand can be obtained without supplying the air from the air conditioner mixed with volatile liquid such as mist-like water into the steering core 3 as in the prior art. In addition, it is possible to realize a comfortable driving by stimulating the sense of warmth. As a result, the use of mist-like water or the like eliminates fluctuations in the cabin environment such as humidity.

  FIG. 7 is a side view showing a part of a steering wheel in another embodiment of the steering apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the steering wheel. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent members as those of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In each figure, the steering device 20 of this embodiment includes a steering wheel 21. The steering wheel 21 has a steering core 22 instead of the steering core 3 in the above-described embodiment.

Steering core 22, an annular core body portion 23, is provided inside the core body portion 23, integrated with the core body portion 23 so as to form a space S ₁ between the core body portion 23 It has an inner ring 24 and an outer ring 25 that is provided outside the core main body 23 and is integrated with the core main body 23 so as to form a space S ₂ between the inner ring 24 and the core main body 23. The core main body 23 has a circular cross section. The inner ring 24 and the outer ring 25 have a curved cross section.

  The cooling element 6 is built in one end of the core body 23, and the heater element 7 is built in the other end of the core body 23. Thus, by providing the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 inside the core body 23, it becomes difficult for the driver to perform the steering operation, and the size of the steering device 20 can be suppressed.

  A heat transfer member 26 that conducts cooling heat generated by the cooling element 6 and a heat transfer member 27 that conducts heater heat generated by the heater element 7 are wound around the steering core 22. The heat transfer members 26 and 27 are formed of nichrome wire, copper wire, or the like.

  The heat transfer member 26 passes through the interior of the steering core 22 in the region on the cooling element 6 side of the core body 23 and passes outside the steering core 22 in the region on the heater element 7 side of the core body 23. 22 is spirally wound. The heat transfer member 27 passes through the inside of the steering core 22 in a region on the heater element 7 side of the core main body 23 and passes outside the steering core 22 in a region on the cooling element 6 side of the core main body 23. 22 is spirally wound. These heat transfer members 26 and 27 are alternately wound around the steering core 22. The heat transfer member 26 is physically connected to the cooling element 6, and the heat transfer member 27 is physically connected to the heater element 7.

Gap P ₁ is formed between the outer surface and the heat transfer member 27 on one side of the steering core 22 (cooling device 6 side), the outer surface and the heat transfer member 26 on the other side of the steering core 22 (heater element 7 side) A gap P2 is formed between the _two . Between the air gaps P ₁ and P _2, that is, between the heat transfer members 26 and 27, an annular heat insulating material 28 for thermally insulating the cooling heat conducted through the heat transfer member 26 and the heater heat conducted through the heat transfer member 27. Is arranged. The heat insulating material 28 is fixed to the outer surface of the core body 23.

  Also in such a steering device 20, when a voltage is applied to the cooling element 6, the temperature of the heat transfer member 26 is lowered, so that the steering core 22 and the driver's hand are cooled, and the voltage is applied to the heater element 7. When is applied, the temperature of the heat transfer member 27 rises, so that the steering core 22 and the driver's hand are warmed. Further, when a voltage is simultaneously applied to the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7, the temperature of the heat transfer member 26 is lowered and the temperature of the heat transfer member 27 is raised, so that painful stimulation is given to the driver's hand. .

  In the present embodiment, the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 are provided inside the core body 23 of the steering core 22. However, the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 may be provided outside the steering core 22. good. For example, a heat conducting member connected to the heat transfer member 26 is disposed on one side of the steering core 22, the cooling element 6 is fixed to the heat conducting member, and the heat transfer member 27 is disposed on the other side of the steering core 22. And a heater element 7 may be fixed to the heat conducting member. In this case, the cooling element 6 and the heater element 7 can be easily attached to the steering core 22.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of the steering device concerning this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the low temperature instruction button 14, the high temperature instruction button 15, and the stimulation instruction button 16 are provided and the cooling power source 18 and the heater power source 19 are manually controlled. The power source 19 may be automatically controlled according to the environment. As an example of this, the cooling power supply 18 and the heater power supply 19 are controlled in conjunction with the operating state of the air conditioner.

  It is also possible to detect a decrease in the driver's arousal and control the cooling power supply 18 and the heater power supply 19 according to the detection result. As a method for detecting the driver's arousal decrease, it is possible to determine whether the driver feels drowsy by observing the driver's face (yawning, blinking eyes, etc.) with a camera, or a biometric instrument To measure driver's physiological data (blood pressure, heart rate, etc.).

It is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a steering device concerning the present invention. It is a side view which shows a part of steering wheel shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the steering wheel shown in FIG. It is an expanded view of the heat-transfer member shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the steering wheel shown in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process sequence by the temperature controller shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows a part of steering wheel in other embodiment of the steering device concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing of the steering wheel shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering device, 3 ... Steering core, 6 ... Cooling element (first heat source element), 7 ... Heater element (second heat source element), 8 ... Heat transfer member (first heat transfer member), 9 ... Heat transfer member (Second heat transfer member), 10 ... heat insulating material, 20 ... steering device, 22 ... steering core, 26 ... heat transfer member (first heat transfer member), 27 ... heat transfer member (second heat transfer member), 28 ... insulation.

Claims (4)

In a steering device for determining the traveling direction of a vehicle,
A steering core that is gripped when the driver of the vehicle performs a steering operation;
A first heat source element attached to the steering core and generating heat lower than a reference temperature;
A second heat source element attached to the steering core and generating heat higher than the reference temperature;
A first heat transfer member wound around the steering core and conducting the low-temperature heat generated by the first heat source element;
A steering apparatus comprising: a second heat transfer member wound around the steering core and configured to conduct the high-temperature heat generated by the second heat source element.   Between the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member, the low temperature heat generated in the first heat source element is insulated from the high temperature heat generated in the second heat source element. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heat insulating material is disposed.   3. The steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first heat transfer member and the second heat transfer member has a comb shape and is alternately wound around the steering core. The first heat transfer member is spirally wound around the steering core so as to pass outside the steering core on one side of the steering core and to pass inside the steering core on the other side of the steering core.
The second heat transfer member is spirally wound around the steering core so as to pass through the inside of the steering core on one side of the steering core and pass outside the steering core on the other side of the steering core. The steering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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