JP2020157956A - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering wheel which has good durability and good designability.SOLUTION: In a steering wheel, a display part 20 is arranged at a visible position in a ring part. The display part includes at least one display unit 21. In the display unit, a cover layer 22, a display pattern layer 25, an input part 36 and a light source 40 are disposed in this order from a surface side. The display pattern layer can display a display pattern in which a predetermined drawing pattern is allowed to develop color when the light source is lighted. The input part can detect a pressing operation when the cover layer is pressed. The cover layer can transmit light rays from the light source at the lighting time, and at the lights-out time of the light source, a rear surface side of the cover layer is not visible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a steering wheel having a configuration in which a display unit is arranged at a visible position of the ring unit.

Conventionally, as a steering wheel provided with a display unit, there has been a configuration in which a display and a touch sensor are arranged in a region of a ring portion that the driver grips during steering (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this steering wheel, a touch sensor is arranged on the outer surface side of the ring portion, and when the driver detects the gripping state of the ring portion by the touch sensor, the information is displayed on the display near the gripping position. It was.

International Publication No. 2016/125304

However, in the conventional steering wheel, since the touch sensor is arranged on the outer surface of the ring portion, the driver's hand is always in contact during steering, and there is room for improvement in that the durability is improved. It was.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel having good durability and good design.

The steering wheel according to the present invention is a steering wheel having a configuration in which a display unit is arranged at a visible position of the ring portion.
The display unit is configured to include at least one display unit.
The display unit is configured to arrange a cover layer, a display pattern layer, an input unit, and a light source in order from the surface side.
The display pattern layer is configured to be able to display a display pattern in which a predetermined pattern is developed when the light source is turned on.
The input unit is configured to be able to detect the pressing operation when pressing the cover layer.
The cover layer is characterized in that it can transmit light rays from a light source when it is lit, and the back surface side of the cover layer is invisible when the light source is turned off.

In the steering wheel of the present invention, the input portion for detecting the pressing operation when the cover layer is pressed is arranged on the back surface side of the cover layer so as to be covered by the cover layer instead of the outer surface side of the steering wheel. Therefore, the durability can be improved as compared with the conventional steering wheel in which the driver's hand is always in contact with the touch panel during steering. Further, in the steering wheel of the present invention, the cover layer arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the light source on the front surface side of the display portion is configured so that the back surface side of the cover layer cannot be seen when the light source is turned off. In the non-operating state, it is difficult for the driver to determine whether or not the display unit is mounted, such as the design of the display pattern layer, and the design of the ring portion can be improved.

Therefore, the steering wheel of the present invention has good durability and good design.

Further, in the steering wheel of the present invention, if the display pattern layer is configured so that the display pattern can be displayed by selecting one of a plurality of symbols and one of a plurality of colors when the light source is lit, variations of the display pattern can be obtained. Further, if the display pattern layer can develop a fluorescent color, the variation of the display color can be further increased, which is preferable.

Further, in the steering wheel having the above configuration, the light source is configured to include a light source main body and a light guide layer capable of guiding light rays emitted from the light source main body.
The light guide layer is arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer so as to face the display pattern layer.
The light source body is arranged on the periphery of the light guide layer so as to be capable of emitting light rays that substantially follow the cover layer and the display pattern layer.
It is preferable that the light guide layer is configured so that light rays emitted from the light source main body can be guided so as to be deflected toward the display pattern layer side.

In the steering wheel having the above configuration, since the light source main body is arranged in an area that cannot be seen linearly by the driver, the light source main body is not scattered in the area of the displayed display pattern during operation. As a state like indirect lighting, the entire design of the display pattern to be displayed can be displayed as a state of irradiating substantially evenly, and the design during operation can be improved.

Further, in the steering wheel having the above configuration, the display units are arranged so that the light sources can emit light rays so as to be substantially orthogonal to the cover layer and the display pattern layer, and a plurality of display units are arranged side by side.
A light-shielding wall for partitioning between light sources may be arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer.

When the steering wheel has such a configuration, the diffusion of light from the adjacent light source can be regulated, so that the leakage of light from the light source of the adjacent display unit can be regulated during operation, and the design during operation can be improved. Can be good.

It is a top view of the steering wheel which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the steering wheel of an embodiment, and is the figure corresponding to the part II-II of FIG. It is schematic cross-sectional view along the circumferential direction of the ring part which shows the display part in the steering wheel of embodiment. It is the schematic which shows when the red light emission mode LED is lit in the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is the schematic which shows when the green light emission mode LED is lit in the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows when the ultraviolet light emitting mode LED is lit in the steering wheel of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged schematic plan view showing a display example of a display pattern in the steering wheel of the embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the other example of the display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows still another example of a display part. It is the schematic which shows the light source used for the display part of still another example. It is the schematic which shows the light source used for the display part of still another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel 1 connects an annular ring portion 2 that is gripped during rotary steering, a boss portion 4 that is arranged substantially in the center of the ring portion 2, and the ring portion 2 and the boss portion 4. It is configured to have a plurality of (three in the case of the embodiment) spoke portions 3, and as constituent parts, an airbag device 6 above the boss portion 4 and a display portion arranged on the ring portion 2. 20 and the other steering wheel main body 10 are provided.

In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions are the directions along the rotation center axis of the ring portion 2 with reference to the straight-ahead steering of the steering wheel 1 mounted on the vehicle. Is the vertical direction, the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the ring portion 2 and substantially along the front-rear direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, and the direction substantially along the left-right direction of the vehicle perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the ring portion 2 is left and right. The direction.

The airbag device 6 arranged above the boss portion 4 has an airbag (not shown) that is folded and stored, an inflator (not shown) that supplies expansion gas to the airbag, and an upper surface side of the folded airbag. A pad 7 for covering is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the pad 7 is arranged so as to cover the entire upper surface side of the boss portion 4 and the portion of the spoke portion 3 on the boss portion 4 side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering wheel main body 10 has a core metal 11 as a core material arranged so as to connect the ring portion 2, the boss portion 4, and the spoke portions 3 to each other, and the ring portion 2 in the core metal 11. The illustration covers the covering layer 13 covering the spoke portion 3 in the vicinity of the ring portion 2, the outer skin layer 14 covering the outer peripheral surface side of the ring portion 2 which is the outer peripheral side of the covering layer 13, and the lower surface side of the boss portion 4. It is equipped with a lower cover that does not.

The core metal 11 is made of a metal made of an aluminum alloy or the like. In the core metal 11, the ring portion core metal 12 arranged at the portion of the ring portion 2 has a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.

The coating layer 13 is formed of a soft synthetic resin having a cushioning property, and in the case of the embodiment, it is formed of a soft foaming material such as polyurethane foam. As shown in FIG. 2, the coating layer 13 is configured to cover the outer peripheral side of the ring portion core metal 12 at the portion of the ring portion 2, and has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape. Further, the covering layer 13 has a recess 13a for accommodating the display unit 20 in the area where the display unit 20 is arranged (see FIG. 2). The outer skin layer 14 is arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the coating layer 13 except for the arrangement area of the display portion 20, and in the case of the embodiment, the sheet body made of synthetic resin, natural leather, or synthetic leather. , It is formed from leather such as artificial leather.

The display unit 20 is arranged at a visible position of the ring unit 2. In the case of the embodiment, the display unit 20 is arranged at an end in the region of the front side portion 2a between the left and right spoke portions 3L and 3R in the ring portion 2. The portions are arranged so as to be close to the spoke portions 3L and 3R. Specifically, the display unit 20 is continuously formed in the upper and posterior regions of the anterior portion 2a of the ring portion 2 over substantially the entire length. As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 20 serves as the cover layer 22, the display pattern layer 25, and the input unit in order from the surface side (from the surface of the ring unit 2 toward the center of the cross section of the ring unit 2). The touch panel unit 36 and the LED 40 as a light source are configured to be arranged. Further, the display unit 20 is configured such that a plurality of display units 21 are arranged side by side.

The cover layer 22 is continuously arranged over the entire display unit 20 on the surface side of the ring portion 2, is capable of transmitting light rays from the LED 40 when the LED 40 is lit, and is a cover layer 22 when the LED 40 is turned off. It is configured so that the back side of the is invisible. In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover layer 22 includes a cover body 23 made of a translucent synthetic resin and a half mirror layer 24 formed on the back surface side of the cover body 23. There is. In the case of the embodiment, the cover main body 23 is made of a black transparent synthetic resin having translucency in accordance with the black outer skin layer 14. Specifically, the cover body 23 is formed of a polycarbonate resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, a methacrylic resin, an ABS resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, or the like. The cover body 23 has substantially the same color as the outer skin layer 14, and is configured so that it is difficult to determine the presence or absence of the display pattern layer 25, the LED 40, etc. arranged inside, and the surface is connected to the surface of the outer skin layer 14. (See FIG. 2). The cover body 23 is attached to the steering wheel body 10 side by locking it in a recess (not shown) formed on the ring wheel body 10 side.

The half mirror layer 24 arranged on the back surface side of the cover body 23 can transmit light rays from the LED 40 when the cover body 23 is lit, and the back surface side of the cover layer 22 (cover body 23) cannot be visually recognized when the LED 40 is turned off. It is formed on the back surface side of the cover main body 23 by vapor deposition. The half mirror layer 24 reflects all visible light in the daytime, makes the back surface side, that is, the display pattern layer 25 and the LED 40 invisible, and makes the irradiation light (light rays) from the LED 40 in all wavelength ranges. It is said to be transparent.

Then, in the display unit 20 of the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, in addition to the half mirror layer 24, a display pattern layer 25 and a touch panel unit 36 as an input unit are laminated on the back surface side of the cover body 23. There is. Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the LEDs 40 are housed in the recesses 13a formed in the coating layer 13 on the back surface side of the touch panel portion 36 so as to be scattered on the substrate 42. .. In the case of the embodiment, the display unit 21 is configured as one unit (unit) having one LED 40 as a light source, and is a cover layer 22 (cover body 23 and half mirror layer 24). The display pattern layer 25 and the touch panel unit 36 are configured to be continuously arranged over the entire area of the display unit 20 so as to straddle the plurality of display units 21 arranged side by side in the display unit 20.

The display pattern layer 25 is configured to be able to display a display pattern in which a predetermined pattern is developed when the LED 40 as a light source is lit. In the case of the embodiment, the fluorescent display pattern 32 is displayed as shown in FIG. A possible fluorescent pattern display layer 26, a green pattern display layer 27 capable of displaying the green display pattern 33, and a red pattern display layer 29 capable of displaying the red display pattern 34 are provided.

The fluorescent pattern display layer 26 is formed by forming a first design pattern 26b with a fluorescent layer on a plate-shaped transparent base material 26a made of a synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate resin, and is configured as shown in FIG. When the ultraviolet light emitting mode LED 40V, which will be described later, is irradiated, the first design pattern 26b is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to emit light, and the fluorescent yellow fluorescent display pattern 32 is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the fluorescent display pattern 32 is a fluorescent yellow lightning bolt-shaped pattern. The green pattern display layer 27 forms a first mask layer 28 capable of blocking only light in the green wavelength region on a plate-shaped transparent base material (not shown) made of a synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate resin. It is configured by forming a second design pattern 28a on the mask layer 28 so as to be cut out into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 5, when irradiating the green light emission mode LED 40G described later, green light is emitted. , The green display pattern 33 is displayed by transmitting only the region of the second design pattern 28a. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the green display pattern 33 is a green “◯” -shaped pattern. The red pattern display layer 29 forms a second mask layer 30 capable of blocking only light rays in the red wavelength region on a plate-shaped transparent base material (not shown) made of a synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate resin. The second mask layer 30 is formed by forming a third design pattern 30a cut out into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 4, when the red light emission mode LED 40R, which will be described later, is irradiated, the red light is emitted. The red display pattern 34 is displayed by transmitting only the region of the third design pattern 30a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the red display pattern 34 is a red “x” shaped pattern. The first mask layer 28 and the second mask layer 30 are configured to be capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting mode LED 40V. On the contrary, the fluorescence pattern display layer 26 (including the first design pattern 26b) is configured to be capable of transmitting green light and red light emitted from the green light emission mode LED 40G and the red light emission mode LED 40R. Further, the second design pattern 28a formed on the first mask layer 28 and the third design pattern 30a formed on the second mask layer 30 are within the region of the display unit 21 when viewed from above. They are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the green display pattern 33 or the red display pattern 34 can be displayed in the area of the display unit 21 (see FIG. 7). In the illustrated example, the second design pattern 28a and the third design pattern 30a (cutout) are arranged at positions displaced from each other, but these second design pattern 28a and the third design pattern 30a (cutout) are arranged. There is also an area where it is placed at a position where it overlaps with each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the touch panel unit 36 as an input unit is configured by forming a touch panel layer 36b on a plate-shaped transparent base material 36a made of a synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate resin, and the touch panel is formed. The portion 36 is configured such that a predetermined portion near the outer peripheral edge is supported on the steering wheel main body 10 side so that the pressing operation at the time of pressing the cover layer 22 (cover main body 23) by the driver can be detected. As shown in parentheses in FIG. 3, the touch panel unit 36 is electrically connected to an operating circuit (not shown) arranged on the steering wheel body 10 side. Specifically, regarding the method of detecting the pressing operation of the touch panel unit 36, a general-purpose method such as a matrix switch method, a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, a pressure sensitive method, etc. Can be adopted as appropriate. In the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the display pattern layer 25 (fluorescent pattern display layer 26, green pattern display layer 27, red pattern display layer 29) and the touch panel unit 36 are laminated on the back surface side of the cover main body 23 to cover the cover. It is configured so that it can be handled integrally with the main body 23 (cover layer 22).

In the case of the embodiment, the LEDs 40 as the light sources scattered on the substrate 42 are capable of emitting ultraviolet rays, red light, and green light. The substrate 42 is electrically connected to an operating circuit (not shown) arranged on the steering wheel body 10 side, and the LED 40 is configured to be operated by the operating circuit as shown in parentheses in FIG. Is. In the case of the embodiment, the substrate 42 is arranged on the back surface side of the touch panel portion 36 so as to substantially follow the touch panel portion 36, and each LED 40 arranged so as to project from the substrate 42 emits light rays to cover the cover layer. The light is emitted so as to be substantially orthogonal to the 22 and the display pattern layer 25. That is, the LED 40 is arranged on the back surface side of the touch panel unit 36 at a position visible to the driver when lit.

Next, the operation of the display unit 20 will be described. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the LED 40 is divided into an ultraviolet light emitting mode LED 40V, a green light emitting mode LED 40G, and a red light emitting mode LED 40R, but this is for the sake of clarity and is actually used. As described above, the LED 40 is configured to be capable of emitting ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths, red light, and green light. When the red light RL is emitted from the red light emission mode LED 40R in response to the operation signal from the operation circuit, the red light RL is transmitted to the second mask layer 30 of the red pattern display layer 29 as shown in FIG. The red display pattern 34 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by passing through the formed third design pattern 30a. Further, if the green light GL is emitted from the green light emission mode LED 40G in response to the operation signal from the operation circuit, the green light GL is the first mask layer of the green pattern display layer 27 as shown in FIG. The green display pattern 33 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed by passing through the second design pattern 28a formed in 28. Further, if the ultraviolet UVL is emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting mode LED 40V in response to the operation signal from the operating circuit, the ultraviolet UVL is formed on the first design pattern 26b formed on the fluorescent pattern display layer 26 as shown in FIG. Will hit, and the fluorescent display pattern 32 shown in FIG. 6 will be displayed. Then, when the driver who visually recognizes this display presses the cover layer 22 (cover body 23), the LED 40 is lit (display of the red display pattern 34, the green display pattern 33, and the fluorescent display pattern 32), and the touch panel unit 36 is turned on. The pressing operation is detected by, and the operating circuit detects this pressing operation to turn off the light.

Regarding the operation of the display unit 20, for example, when the driving state of the driver is detected, when the road traffic information is acquired, or the like, the display unit 20 can be appropriately operated. For example, when an in-vehicle camera or the like detects an inappropriate driving condition such as a driver's doze, the red display pattern 34 is turned on or blinks at substantially the same time as a vibration device or the like separately provided on the steering wheel 1. It is possible to call attention to the driver. Further, when the driving time is measured and the driver's proper driving state for a long time is detected, the green display pattern 33 can be turned on or blinked. Further, when the caution information regarding the road traveling such as the traffic jam information is received, the fluorescent display pattern 32 can be turned on or blinked to alert the driver. In any case, if the driver who detects (visually recognizes) the display of the fluorescent display pattern 32, the red display pattern 34, and the green display pattern 33 presses the cover layer 22 (cover body 23), the touch panel unit 36 When the pressing operation is detected, the LED 40 is turned off, and the display of the fluorescent display pattern 32, the red display pattern 34, and the green display pattern 33 ends. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when a large number of fluorescent display patterns 32, red display patterns 34, and green display patterns 33 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the ring portion 2, for example, all the display patterns are lit at once. Alternatively, the lighting pattern of the LED 40 can be arbitrarily set, such as blinking display, or sequentially blinking the display pattern along the circumferential direction and reciprocating the blinking operation. Of course, the arrangement position of the display pattern can be arbitrarily set, and the shape of the display pattern is not limited to the figure, and the character information may be lit and displayed. Further, the operation of such a display unit is not limited to the detection of the driving state of the driver or the acquisition of road traffic information, for example, for the display of an air conditioner switch, an audio switch, or the like. Can be used.

Then, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the touch panel unit 36 as an input unit for detecting the pressing operation when the cover layer 22 is pressed is not the outer surface side of the steering wheel 1, but the cover layer 22 (cover body 23). ) Is placed on the back side of the cover layer 22 so that the touch panel is more durable than the conventional steering wheel in which the driver's hand is always in contact during steering. Can be good. Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the cover layer 22 arranged so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the LED 40 as a light source on the front surface side of the display unit 20 cannot see the back surface side of the cover layer 22 when the LED 40 is turned off. In the non-operating state, it is difficult for the driver to determine whether or not the display unit 21 is mounted, such as the design of the display pattern layer 25 and the LED 40, and the design of the ring portion 2 is also good. can do.

Therefore, the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment has good durability and good design.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, when the LED 40 as a light source is lit, the display pattern layer 25 selects one of a plurality of symbols and one of a plurality of colors to display a display pattern (green display pattern 33, red). Since the display pattern 34) is configured to be displayable, the variation of the display pattern can be increased. Further, in the embodiment, since the display pattern layer 25 has the fluorescent pattern display layer 26 and is configured to be capable of developing a fluorescent color (the fluorescent display pattern 32 can be displayed), the variation of the display color is further increased. Can be increased. If such a point is not taken into consideration, the display pattern layer may not be provided with the fluorescent pattern display layer, and further, the display pattern of only one symbol may be displayed in a single color at the time of operation. May be.

In the display unit 20 of the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the LED 40 is arranged so as to emit light rays so as to be substantially orthogonal to the cover layer 22 and the display pattern layer 25, as shown in FIG. Like the display unit 20A, a light-shielding wall 45 for partitioning between the LEDs 40 may be arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer 25. The light-shielding wall 45 is made of a plate material made of synthetic resin that cannot transmit light rays emitted from the LED 40, and is substantially orthogonal to the display pattern layer 25 so as to block between the substrate 42 and the touch panel portion 36. It is arranged so as to do so. If the display unit 20A has such a configuration, it is possible to regulate the diffusion of light from the adjacent LED 40, so that it is possible to regulate the leakage of light from the LED 40 of the adjacent display unit 21 during operation, and the design during operation. The sex can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 20B is not provided with a light-shielding wall, and is arranged so as to be substantially along the display pattern layer 25 on the back surface side (between the touch panel unit 36 and the LED 40) of the touch panel unit 36. The light guide plate 47 may be arranged. The light guide plate 47 is arranged one by one for each LED 40 (each display unit 21B) so as to cover the surface side of each LED 40 and to provide a gap S1 between them. .. The light guide plate 47 is made of a translucent synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin, and has a refractive index set to be larger than that of air (a region of a gap S1 arranged around the light guide plate 47). .. Then, by providing the light guide plate 47, the light ray L1 may be emitted from the LED 40 toward the region of the adjacent display unit 21B in the display pattern layer 25 as shown in FIG. The light beam can be bent by the light guide plate 47 so as to pass through the display pattern layer 25 of the display unit 21B constituting the LED 40. That is, by providing the light guide plate 47, it is possible to regulate the diffusion of light from the adjacent LED 40, similarly to the display unit 20A provided with the light shielding wall 45. Further, when the light guide plate is provided, the clad layer 48 may be provided between the light guide plates 47 (the light guide plates 47 are connected by the clad layer 48) as in the display unit 20C shown in FIG. The clad layer 48 is made of synthetic resin and has a lower refractive index than the light guide plate 47. The display unit 20C having such a configuration also has the same function as the display unit 20B described above, and can regulate the diffusion of light from the adjacent LED 40.

Further, as the display unit 50, the one having the configuration shown in FIG. 11 may be used. The display unit 50 has the same configuration as the display unit 20 described above except that the light source 52 is different, and the same members are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also in the display unit 50, the display unit 51 includes one light source main body 53 constituting the light source 52 as one unit (unit), and the cover layer 22, the display pattern layer 25, and the like. Further, the touch panel unit 36 is configured to be continuously arranged over the entire area of the display unit 50 so as to straddle the display unit 51, similarly to the display unit 20 described above. In the display unit 50, the light source 52 is configured to include a light source main body 53 composed of LEDs and a light guide layer 54 capable of guiding light rays emitted from the light source main body 53. The light guide layer 54 is arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer 25 so as to face the display pattern layer 25, and the light source main body 53 transmits the light ray L2 on the peripheral edge of the light guide layer 54 to the cover layer 22 and the display pattern. It is arranged so that it can emit light so as to substantially follow the layer 25. Further, in the display unit 50, the light source main body 53 is covered on the surface side by a covering portion 57 arranged so as to be continuous from a covering layer or the like (not shown), and the light rays from the light source main body 53 are directly emitted from the driver. It is configured so that it cannot be seen. In the display unit 50, the light guide layer 54 is substantially formed in the display pattern layer 25 (touch panel unit 36) by providing a gap S2 about the size of the light source main body between the light guide layer 54 and the display pattern layer 25 (touch panel unit 36). Along with this, it is composed of a reflective layer 55 arranged so as to cover substantially the entire back surface side of the display pattern layer 25 (touch panel portion 36). The reflection layer 55 is configured so that the light beam L2 emitted from the light source main body 53 can be refracted toward the display pattern layer 25 side. That is, the light guide layer 54 is configured to deflect the light beam L2 emitted from the light source main body 53 toward the display pattern layer 25 so as to be refracted by reflection to guide the light.

If the steering wheel is configured to have such a display unit 50, the light source main body 53 made of LEDs is arranged in an area that cannot be linearly seen by the driver, so that the display displayed during operation is displayed. The light source main body 53 is not scattered in the area of the pattern, and the entire design of the display pattern to be displayed can be displayed as a state of irradiating substantially evenly as a state like indirect lighting. The design can be improved.

When the light source is configured to include a light source main body and a light guide layer, as a modification, the light source layer 54A in the light source 52A is a light guide plate 60 and a light guide plate 60 as shown in the display unit 50A shown in FIG. It may be composed of a reflective layer 55 arranged on the back surface side. The light guide plate 60 is arranged on the tip end side of the light source main body 53 in series with the light source main body 53. When the display unit 50A has such a configuration, by providing the light guide plate 60 on the surface side of the reflection layer 55, the light rays from the light source main body 53 are diffused over a wide range while being deflected toward the display pattern layer 25 side. The display pattern can be uniformly irradiated over a wide area, and the design during operation can be further improved. Further, as shown in the display unit 50B shown in FIG. 13, the light guide layer 54B in the light source 52B is used as a light guide layer unit 61 composed of a light guide plate 60 and a reflection layer 55, and each light source main body 53 (each). The display unit 51B) may be arranged one by one by providing a gap S3 between them. When the display unit 50B has such a configuration, it is possible to regulate the diffusion of light from the adjacent light source main body 53 side, so that it is possible to regulate the leakage of light from the light source main body 53 of the adjacent display unit 51B during operation. , The design at the time of operation can be further improved. Furthermore, as in the display unit 50C shown in FIG. 14, the light guide layer 54C in the light source 52C is provided with a clad layer 62 between the light guide plate 60 and the light guide layer unit 61 composed of the reflection layer 55 (light guide layer). The units 61 may be connected by a clad layer 62), and in this case as well, the diffusion of light from the light source main body 53 of the adjacent display unit 51C can be regulated. Furthermore, as in the display unit 50D shown in FIG. 15, the reflection layer 64 may be provided around the light guide layer 54D composed of the light guide plate 60 and the reflection layer, and such a configuration may be provided. Then, by deflecting (refracting) the light rays emitted from the light source main body 53 while being reflected by the reflection layers 55 and 64, it is possible to reliably irradiate a predetermined portion of the display pattern layer.

As the light source 70 used for the display unit, as shown in FIG. 16, the light guide plate 71 is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the display pattern layer 25, and the light source main body 72 is placed on the back surface side of the light guide plate 71. , A structure in which the light rays are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the light guide plate 71 may be used. Even with such a configuration, it is difficult for the light source main body 72 to enter the driver's field of view, and the display pattern can be stably irradiated by the light rays emitted from the light source main body 72.

In the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the touch panel unit 36 laminated on the display pattern layer 25 is used as the input unit, but the input unit is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the input unit may be used. , It may be composed of a deflection sensor or the like which is partially arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer (cover layer) and detects the deflection of the cover layer (cover body) when pressed. Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the display unit 20 is formed so as to extend to a region near the spoke portions 3L and 3R in the ring portion 2, in other words, the driver usually grips the steering wheel 1 during steering. The display unit 20 is also arranged in the area. When the display unit 20 has such a configuration, the touch panel unit 36 as an input unit may be used as a grip sensor for detecting the gripping state of the driver when the display unit 20 is not operated.

Further, although the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment uses an LED as a light source, the light source that can be used in the steering wheel of the present invention is not limited to the LED, and for example, an organic EL or a miniature bulb may be used. Can be used. Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the cover layer 22 is configured such that the half mirror layer 23 is arranged on the back surface side of the cover main body 22, but the configuration of the cover layer is the same as that of the embodiment. It is not limited, and if the light source and display pattern layer on the back side are invisible and the light from the light source can be transmitted, a decorative layer or the like is placed on the surface of the cover body made of synthetic resin. The cover layer may be formed by providing the cover layer.

1 ... Steering wheel, 2 ... Ring part, 3 (3L, 3R) ... Spoke part, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20 ... Display part, 21,21A, 21B, 21C ... Display unit, 22 ... Cover layer, 23 ... cover body, 24 ... half mirror layer, 25 ... display pattern layer, 26 ... fluorescent pattern display layer, 27 ... green pattern display layer, 29 ... red pattern display layer, 36 ... touch panel layer (input unit), 40 ... LED ( Light source), 45 ... Shading wall, 47 ... Light guide plate, 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D ... Display unit, 51, 51A, 51B, 51C ... Display unit, 52, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D ... Light source, 53 ... Light source body, 54, 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D ... Light guide layer, 55 ... Reflection layer, 60 ... Light guide plate, 64 ... Reflection layer, 70 ... Light source, 71 ... Light guide plate, 72 ... Light source body.

Claims (5)

A steering wheel with a display unit placed at a visible position on the ring unit.
The display unit is configured to include at least one display unit.
The display unit is configured to dispose a cover layer, a display pattern layer, an input unit, and a light source in order from the surface side.
The display pattern layer is configured to be able to display a display pattern in which a predetermined pattern is developed when the light source is turned on.
The input unit is configured to be able to detect a pressing operation when the cover layer is pressed.
A steering wheel characterized in that the cover layer is capable of transmitting light rays from the light source when it is lit, and the back surface side of the cover layer is invisible when the light source is turned off. The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the display pattern layer is configured to be able to display the display pattern by selecting one of a plurality of symbols and one of a plurality of colors when the light source is turned on. Steering wheel. The steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein the display pattern layer is configured to be capable of developing a fluorescent color. The light source is configured to include a light source main body and a light guide layer capable of guiding light rays emitted from the light source main body.
The light guide layer is arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer so as to face the display pattern layer.
The light source body is arranged on the peripheral edge of the light guide layer so as to be capable of emitting light rays that substantially follow the cover layer and the display pattern layer.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide layer is configured to be able to guide light rays emitted from the light source main body so as to deflect the light rays emitted from the light source body toward the display pattern layer side. The steering wheel described in. The display unit is configured such that the light source is arranged so as to be capable of emitting light rays so as to be substantially orthogonal to the cover layer and the display pattern layer, and a plurality of light sources are arranged side by side.
The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a light-shielding wall for partitioning between the light sources is arranged on the back surface side of the display pattern layer.

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