JP2023073660A - Steering gear with sensor switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering gear with a sensor switch allows a user to perform various operations easily without releasing a hand from a steering wheel even during operation.SOLUTION: In a steering gear 1 with a sensor switch for performing steering of a vehicle, comprises: a steering wheel 2; a shaft 7 with an end part directed to central area in plane view of the steering wheel 2; one or more spokes 3 which connect between an inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel 2 and the shaft 7; and the sensor switch 5 capable of controlling a prescribed device installed on the vehicle. The steering gear 1 with the sensor switch is configured so that sensor switch 5 is arranged on back side of the steering wheel 2 viewed when the operator faces in front of the steering wheel 2, within a range where fingers except for a thumb of the operator can reach in such a condition that the operator grasps a connection part 4 between the steering wheel 2 and the spoke 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a steering system with a sensor switch.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a steering device (a so-called steering wheel) equipped with switches of an in-vehicle device that are frequently operated during driving (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). Such switches include, for example, switches for controlling ON/OFF and volume control of audio devices, switches for controlling map display scale and screen switching of navigation devices, and temperature control for air conditioner devices. A switch, a switch for controlling the start/end of hands-free communication of a mobile phone (car phone), a shift stage selection switch for an automatic car, and the like are known. In such a conventionally known steering apparatus, switches are arranged on the front side of the steering wheel (that is, on the driver's side). , and the operability of the switch can be improved.

JP-A-2000-118256

However, in the conventionally known steering device described above, since the switch is arranged on the front side, it is difficult to operate with fingers other than the thumb due to the structure of the human hand. was there. In addition, since the operation range of the thumb is limited, the degree of freedom in designing the arrangement and shape of the switches is restricted, and there is a possibility that the driver may unintentionally touch the switches. In addition, since the switch is arranged on the front side of the steering wheel, there is a risk that the driver will have trouble steering if the switch is visually recognized while driving. The above-mentioned problems are not limited to steering wheels of automobiles, for example, steering devices of other vehicles such as motorcycles, aircraft, ships, railway vehicles, steering devices in simulation devices for simulating traveling of automobiles, flight of aircraft, etc. This is an issue that also applies to

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering apparatus with a sensor switch that allows various operations to be easily performed without releasing the steering wheel even during driving.

(1) A steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to an embodiment for achieving the above object is a steering apparatus with a sensor switch for steering a vehicle, comprising a steering wheel and a center area of the steering wheel in a plan view. a shaft with an end directed toward the vehicle, one or more spokes connecting between the inner peripheral surface of the handle and the shaft, and a sensor switch capable of controlling a predetermined device mounted on the vehicle; The sensor switch is located on the rear side of the handle when the operator is facing the handle, and when the operator is gripping the connecting portion between the handle and the spoke, the sensor switch is operated by the operator other than the operator's thumb. placed within reach of the finger.
(2) In a steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the sensor switch may be arranged on the back surface of the spoke.
(3) In the steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the sensor switch is set on the rear surface of the spoke by pressing the thumb of the operator's right hand while the operator is holding the connecting portion. and a first sensor switch arranged within a reach of fingers other than the thumb of the operator's left hand, and a first sensor switch arranged within a reach of fingers other than the thumb of the operator's left hand on the rear surface of the spoke while the operator grips the connecting portion. and a second sensor switch.
(4) In the steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the first sensor switch and the second sensor switch are different from each other in the predetermined device or operate in the same predetermined device. Of these, mutually different operations may be controllable.
(5) In a steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the sensor switch may be a touch pad that detects a touch operation made on the operation surface by an operator.
(6) In the steering system with sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the predetermined device may be at least one of an audio device, a navigation device, an air conditioner device and a telephone device.
(7) In the steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to another embodiment, preferably, the sensor switch adjusts the volume of the audio device, switches screens of the navigation device, adjusts the temperature of the air conditioner device, and adjusts the temperature of the telephone device. at least one of the calls may be controllable.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steering apparatus with a sensor switch that allows various operations to be easily performed without releasing the steering wheel even during driving.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the steering system with sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the state of the steering system with a sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention when the sensor switch is not operated. FIG. 5 shows a diagram for explaining the state of the steering system with a sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention when the sensor switch is operated. FIG. 6 shows an example of a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device for controlling an in-vehicle device using a sensor switch of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention as operation input means. FIG. 7 shows a diagram for explaining the operation of the control device. FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a modification of the steering system with sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. Also, not all of the elements and their combinations described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a right side view of the steering system with sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the state of the steering system with a sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention when the sensor switch is not operated. FIG. 5 shows a diagram for explaining the state of the steering system with a sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention when the sensor switch is operated.

The front view, right side view, and rear view of the steering system 1 with sensor switch shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 show the operating state (posture) of the steering system 1 with the sensor switch when the vehicle is traveling straight. Hereinafter, this operating state (orientation) will be referred to as a neutral state. In FIG. 1, the up-down direction on the page is the up-down direction of the steering apparatus 1 with a sensor switch in the neutral state, and the left-right direction on the page is the left-right direction of the steering apparatus 1 with the sensor switch in the neutral state. In FIG. 1, the front direction of the paper is the front direction of the steering device 1 with a sensor switch in the neutral state, and the back direction of the paper is the rear direction of the steering device 1 with the sensor switch in the neutral state. In FIG. 3, the front, rear, left, and right directions are opposite to those in FIG. 2, 4 and 5, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction A is the up-down direction of the steering apparatus 1 with sensor switch in the neutral state, and the axial direction A is the front-rear direction of the steering apparatus 1 with the sensor switch in the neutral state. direction and back direction). 2, 4 and 5, the front direction of the paper is the right direction (right side) of the steering device 1 with a sensor switch in the neutral state, and the back direction of the paper is the left direction (left side) of the steering device 1 with the sensor switch in the neutral state. and

A steering device 1 with a sensor switch according to this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "steering device 1") is a steering wheel provided in an automobile vehicle. The steering device 1 includes a steering wheel 2, a shaft 7 having an end directed toward a central region in a plan view of the steering wheel 2, one or more spokes 3 connecting between the inner peripheral surface of the steering wheel 2 and the shaft 7, and a sensor switch 5 capable of controlling an in-vehicle device (an example of a predetermined device of the present invention). The sensor switch 5 is located on the rear side of the handle 2 when the operator faces the handle 2, and when the operator grips the connecting portion 4 between the handle 2 and the spokes 3, the sensor switch 5 is operated by a finger other than the operator's thumb. Placed within finger reach. Operators are also referred to as drivers, drivers, drivers, and the like. The steering device 1 is not limited to a steering wheel of an automobile, and may be a steering device for steering a vehicle, for example, a steering device for another vehicle such as a motorcycle, an aircraft, a ship, a railway vehicle, or an automobile. It may also be a steering device in a simulation device for simulating the running of an aircraft or the flight of an aircraft.

The steering device 1 preferably includes a steering wheel 2 , a shaft 7 , a boss 8 connected to the shaft 7 , spokes 3 , a sensor switch 5 and a lower cover 6 . Handle 2 is joined by boss 8 and spoke 3 . The steering wheel 2 is a member held by an operator when operating the steering device 1, and is used for steering the vehicle. The handle may be read as the rim. In this embodiment the handle 2 is toric. However, the handle 2 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape, a rectangular frame shape, or other circular shape, or a shape other than a circular shape, such as a shape in which a part of the ring is missing. good. The spokes 3 connect between the handle 2 and the shaft 7, and are set so that the shaft 7 is substantially horizontal in a neutral state. In this embodiment, the steering device 1 includes three spokes 3 extending laterally and downwardly from a boss 8 toward the steering wheel 2 . In this embodiment, the steering device 1 includes a left spoke 3L connected to the left portion of the steering wheel 2 in a neutral state, a right spoke 3R connected to the right portion of the steering wheel 2, and a lower spoke 3B connected to the lower portion of the steering wheel 2. , provided. Further, in this embodiment, the connecting portion between the handle 2 and the left spokes 3L is the left connecting portion 4L, the connecting portion between the handle 2 and the right spokes 3R is the right connecting portion 4R, and the connecting portion between the handle 2 and the lower spokes 3B. are referred to as a lower connecting portion 4B. Note that the number of spokes 3 is not limited to three, and may be at least one. Moreover, the extending direction of the spokes 3 is not particularly limited as long as at least the inner peripheral surface of the handle 2 and the shaft 7 can be connected. The lower cover 6 is a cover that covers the central portion of the steering device 1 from the back side, and covers the boss 8 and part of the spokes 3 (see FIG. 3).

The sensor switch 5 is preferably a touch pad that detects touch operations made on the operation surface by the operator. A touch pad can, for example, operate an electronic device that is electromagnetically connected. The touch pad, for example, moves and selects the cursor displayed on the display unit of the electronic device, and instructs the selection, decision, drag, drop, etc. of the displayed icon by operating a conductive pen, finger, etc. configured to be able to In this embodiment, the sensor switch 5 is a touch pad capable of giving a predetermined instruction to the in-vehicle device by operating the operator's finger. The sensor switch 5 preferably gives a predetermined instruction to at least one of an audio device, a navigation device, an air conditioner device and a telephone device as an in-vehicle device. More specifically, the sensor switch 5 may be a touch pad capable of controlling at least one of volume adjustment of an audio device, screen switching of a navigation device, temperature adjustment of an air conditioner device, and phone call of a telephone device. preferable. The control of the in-vehicle device by the sensor switch 5 will be detailed later. Devices that can be controlled by the sensor switch 5 are not limited to the devices described above as long as they are mounted on a vehicle equipped with the steering device 1, and may be, for example, a transmission device. Further, control by the sensor switch 5 is not limited to the above-described control of operations, and may be, for example, adjustment of the map display scale of the navigation device, selection of the receiving display station of the audio device, selection of the telephone number list of the telephone device, transmission device. , etc., may be used.

The sensor switch 5 is more preferably a touch pad of resistive type, infrared type, SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) type, capacitance type, or the like. In this embodiment, the sensor switch 5 is a capacitive touch pad having a rectangular operating surface. However, the shape of the operation surface of the sensor switch 5 is not particularly limited, and is preferably designed appropriately according to the application, installation location, and the like.

The sensor switch 5 is preferably located on the rear surface of the spoke 3 when the operator faces the steering wheel 2, and when the operator grips the connecting portion 4 between the steering wheel 2 and the spoke 3, the sensor switch 5 is pressed by the operator's thumb. Placed within reach of fingers other than In this embodiment, the sensor switch 5 is arranged on the back surface of the right spoke 3R and within a reach of the operator's fingers other than the thumb when the operator grips the right connecting portion 4R (see FIG. 5). reference). In this embodiment, when the sensor switch 5 is not operated, the operator grips the right connecting portion 4R of the steering wheel 2 with the right hand 10 and the left connecting portion 4L with the left hand (not shown) to perform the driving operation. (See Figure 4). Further, when operating the sensor switch 5, the operator holds the right connecting portion 4R with fingers other than the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13 of the right hand 10, extends the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13, and operates the sensor switch 5. By touching the surface, the sensor switch 5 is operated (see FIG. 5). By arranging the sensor switch 5 on the back surface of the right spoke 3R in this manner, for example, when the operator is right-handed, the operator can keep his/her hand on the steering wheel 2 and visually recognize the operation surface even during driving. The sensor switch 5 can be easily operated with fingers other than the thumb. Note that if the sensor switch 5 is arranged at least on the back side of the handle 2 and within the reach of the operator's fingers other than the thumb while the operator is gripping the connecting portion 4, the right spoke 3R is positioned. You may arrange|position in places other than a back surface. For example, if the operator is left-handed, the sensor switch 5 is arranged on the back surface of the left spoke 3L and within a reach of the operator's fingers other than the thumb while the operator grips the left connecting portion 4L. is preferred. In this case, a left-handed operator can easily operate the sensor switch 5 with fingers other than the thumb without removing the handle 2 and visually recognizing the operating surface even during driving. Further, the sensor switch 5 may be arranged on the back surface of the lower spoke 3B and within a range where the operator's fingers other than the thumb can reach while the operator grips the lower connecting portion 4B. may be placed on the back of the Further, when operating the sensor switch 5, the operator is not restricted to extending the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13 to touch the operating surface of the sensor switch 5 to operate the sensor switch 5. One or more fingers out of the ring finger and the little finger may be brought into contact with the operation surface to perform the operation.

Next, control of the in-vehicle device by the sensor switch 5 will be described. In this embodiment, an audio device will be described as an example of an in-vehicle device. However, the device controlled by the sensor switch 5 is not limited to the audio device, and may be, for example, a navigation device, an air conditioner device, a telephone device, or the like.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device for controlling an in-vehicle device using a sensor switch of a steering system with a sensor switch according to an embodiment of the present invention as operation input means.

The control device 30 is a device that controls an audio device 40, which is an example of an in-vehicle device, using the sensor switch 5 provided in the steering device 1 as operation input means. The control device 30 preferably includes a sensor control section 32 that controls the sensor switch 5 and an audio control section 34 that controls the audio device 40 . Also, the sensor switch 5 and the audio device 40 are connected to the control device 30 . The control device 30 preferably comprises a microcomputer and a storage device, and has a control program (not shown) that controls the audio device 40 based on the input from the sensor switch 5 . More specifically, in the control device 30, when the sensor control section 32 receives an operation input to the sensor switch 5, the audio control section 34 controls the audio device 40, for example, adjusts the volume output from the audio device 40. do.

The sensor control unit 32 detects contact and/or movement of a finger on the operating surface of the sensor switch 5 based on changes in capacitance of the operating surface. Audio controller 34 increases or decreases the volume of audio device 40 based on the finger contact and/or movement detected by sensor controller 32 .

A specific example of the operation of the control device 30 based on the operation of the sensor switch 5 will be described according to the contents of the display screen 50 of the audio device 40. FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram for explaining the operation of the control device.

The example shown in FIG. 7 is an operation example of adjusting the volume of the audio device 40 based on the operational input of the sensor switch 5 . The display screen 50 of the audio device 40 displays the volume with a volume bar 52 and numerical values. First, the operator extends the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13 of the right hand 10 from the non-operating gripping state of the sensor switch 5 (see FIG. 4 ) and touches the operation surface of the sensor switch 5 to operate the sensor switch 5 . (See the left diagram of FIG. 7b). Next, the operator slides the sensor switch 5 upward while touching the operation surface with the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13 (see the left diagram of FIG. 7a). At this time, when the sensor control unit 32 detects an upward sliding operation of the finger based on a change in the capacitance of the operation surface of the sensor switch 5, the control device 30 causes the audio control unit 34 to Increase the volume of the audio device 40 . As a result, on the display screen 50 of the audio device 40, instead of the volume "15" before the upward sliding operation, a volume bar 52 indicating the volume "25" and a numerical value are displayed (Fig. 7a and b). On the other hand, the operator slides downward while touching the operation surface with the index finger 12 and the middle finger 13 from the gripping state (see the left diagram of FIG. 7b) when operating the sensor switch 5 (see the left diagram of FIG. 7c). (see left). At this time, when the sensor control unit 32 detects a downward sliding operation of the finger based on a change in the capacitance of the operation surface of the sensor switch 5, the control device 30 causes the audio control unit 34 to Decrease the volume of the audio device 40 . As a result, on the display screen 50 of the audio device 40, instead of the volume "15" before the downward sliding operation, the volume bar 52 indicating the volume "05" and the numerical value are displayed (FIG. 7 b and c). With this configuration, the operator can easily control the operation of the audio device 40 by intuitive finger operation without releasing the steering wheel 2 and visually recognizing the operation surface even while driving. can do.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the volume of the audio device 40 is adjusted by sliding the finger upward or downward, but the control based on the operation of the sensor switch 5 is not limited to this. Based on the operation of 5, operations such as reception display station selection, music reproduction and/or stop, etc. of the audio device 40 may be controlled. Further, the operation of the sensor switch 5 is not limited to the upward or downward sliding operation of the finger, and may be, for example, a sliding operation in other directions, a single tap or a double tap on the operation surface. etc.

<Other embodiments>
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these and can be implemented in various modifications.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of controlling a predetermined device (in-vehicle device) mounted in a car using the sensor switch 5 of the steering device 1 as operation input means, the volume control of the audio device 40 is described as an example. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, by using the sensor switch 5 as operation input means, instead of controlling the volume of the audio device 40, it is possible to adjust the size of the map display scale of the navigation device, select the telephone number list of the telephone device, change the number of gears of the transmission device, etc. 30 may be controlled. In this case, the control device 30 is connected to a device to be controlled among the navigation device, the telephone device, and the transmission device instead of the audio device 40, and controls the device to be controlled instead of the audio control unit 34. A control is preferably provided (see FIG. 6). Further, the operation of the sensor switch 5 in this case is not particularly restricted, and may be, for example, a sliding operation of the finger in various directions, a single tap or a double tap on the operation surface, or the like. With this configuration, the operator can easily operate the steering wheel 2 by intuitive finger operation without releasing the steering wheel 2 while driving and visually recognizing the operation surface, as in the above-described embodiment. The operation of navigation devices, telephony devices or transmission devices can be controlled. Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when the steering device 1 is a vehicle such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a ship, an airplane, a railway vehicle, etc., safe steering can be realized without the driver taking his/her line of sight off. .

Further, a plurality of devices may be controlled using the sensor switch 5 of the steering device 1 as operation input means. For example, the control device 30 uses the sensor switch 5 as operation input means to adjust the volume of the audio device 40, adjust the size of the map display scale of the navigation device, select the receiving display station of the audio device, select the telephone number list of the telephone device, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which two or more operations are controlled in changing the number of stages of the transmission device. In this case, the control device 30 is connected to a plurality of devices to be controlled among the audio device 40, the navigation device, the telephone device, and the transmission device, and includes a control unit that controls the plurality of devices to be controlled. is preferred (see Figure 6).

Further, the sensor switch 5 is not limited to a touch pad as long as it can detect the movement of the operator's finger, and may be, for example, a wheel pad, a trackball, or the like.

Moreover, the steering device 1 may include a plurality of sensor switches 5 . In this case, in the steering device 1, the location of the plurality of sensor switches 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is within reach of the operator's fingers other than the thumb while gripping the connecting portion 4. In addition to the rear surface of the spoke 3R, it may be arranged on the rear surface of the left spoke 3L and/or the rear surface of the lower spoke 3B.

FIG. 8 shows a rear view of a modification of the steering system with sensor switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the modified example, the sensor switch-equipped steering system 1a differs from the sensor switch-equipped steering system 1 of the above-described embodiment in that two sensor switches (a first sensor switch 5R and a second sensor switch 5L) are provided. Note that, in this modified example, the configuration other than the first sensor switch 5R and the second sensor switch 5L is the same as the steering device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The first sensor switch 5R is preferably arranged on the rear surface of the right spoke 3R in a range within which fingers other than the thumb of the operator's right hand can reach while the operator grips the right connecting portion 4R. The second sensor switch 5L is preferably arranged on the rear surface of the left spoke 3L in a range within which the operator's fingers other than the thumb of the left hand can reach while holding the left connecting portion 4L. It is preferable that the first sensor switch 5R and the second sensor switch 5L can control different devices (in-vehicle devices). For example, in a modified example, the first sensor switch 5R is a touch pad capable of controlling the volume adjustment of the audio device 40 by operating the operator's finger, and the second sensor switch 5L is operated by the operator's finger. It is a touch pad that can control the temperature adjustment of the conditioner device. Devices that can be controlled by the first sensor switch 5R and the second sensor switch 5L are not particularly limited as long as they are different devices. Also, the first sensor switch 5R and the second sensor switch 5L may be capable of controlling the same device. In this case, it is preferable that the first sensor switch 5R and the second sensor switch 5L can control mutually different operations among the operations of the same device. For example, the first sensor switch 5R can control the volume control of the audio device 40, and the second sensor switch 5L can control the reception display station selection of the audio device 40. FIG.

The steering device with a sensor switch according to the present invention can be used, for example, in the steering portion of various vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, ships, railways, etc., and simulation devices for simulating the running of automobiles or the flight of aircraft. be.

Reference Signs List 1 Steering device with sensor switch 2 Steering wheel 3 Spokes 3B Lower spokes 3L Left spokes 3R Right spokes 4 Joints 4B: lower connecting portion, 4L: left connecting portion, 4R: right connecting portion, 5: sensor switch, 5R: first sensor switch, 5L: second sensor switch, 7 ... axis, 40 ... audio device (an example of a predetermined device).

Claims (7)

A steering device with a sensor switch for steering a vehicle,
a handle;
a shaft with an end directed toward the central region in a plan view of the handle;
one or more spokes connecting between the inner peripheral surface of the handle and the shaft;
a sensor switch capable of controlling a predetermined device mounted on the vehicle;
with
The sensor switch is located on the rear side of the handle when the operator is facing the handle, and when the operator is gripping the connecting portion between the handle and the spoke, the sensor switch is operated by the operator other than the operator's thumb. A steering device with a sensor switch, characterized in that it is arranged within a reach of a finger. 2. The steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to claim 1, wherein the sensor switch is arranged on the rear surface of the spoke. The sensor switch
a first sensor switch arranged on the rear surface of the spoke within a range where the operator's fingers other than the thumb of the right hand can reach when the operator grips the connecting portion;
a second sensor switch arranged on the rear surface of the spoke within a range where the operator's fingers other than the thumb of the operator's left hand can reach when the operator grips the connecting portion;
3. The steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to claim 2, comprising at least: 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first sensor switch and the second sensor switch are capable of controlling different operations among different predetermined devices or the same predetermined device. steering gear with sensor switch. 5. The steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to claim 1, wherein the sensor switch is a touch pad that detects a touch operation made on an operation surface by an operator. 6. The steering apparatus with a sensor switch according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined device is at least one of an audio device, a navigation device, an air conditioner device and a telephone device. 4. The sensor switch is capable of controlling at least one of volume adjustment of the audio device, screen switching of the navigation device, temperature adjustment of the air conditioner device, and telephone call of the telephone device. 7. The steering device with a sensor switch according to 6.

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