JP4971088B2 - Vehicle speed change operation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle speed change operation device for outputting a speed change command to a vehicle speed change device by a driver's operation.

  A recent vehicle (for example, an automobile) may be equipped with a shift operation device for manually shifting up and down the transmission (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Many switches of this type of speed change operation device are provided on the back side of the steering wheel of the vehicle in order to make the operation by the driver easy and reliable. The driver can shift up by operating a switch provided on the right side of the axis of the steering wheel, and can downshift by operating a switch also provided on the left side. And the function display part which displays the function when each switch is operated is provided in the position which can be visually recognized from the driver in each switch.

However, in the conventional speed change operation device, the function display section of the switch is only provided by printing or engraving. For this reason, it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize particularly at night, and there is a risk that the driver will make an erroneous operation.
JP 2003-118417 A

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a speed change operation device that allows a driver to visually recognize a function display unit of a switch even at night.

Means and functions for solving the problems

The present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A shift operation device for a vehicle in which a shift command is output to the transmission device of the vehicle by a driver's operation,
A pair of switch levers that are made of a member that does not transmit light or that has low light transmittance, in which a light guide member is embedded, and extend in the diameter direction from a shaft portion on the back side of the steering wheel of the vehicle,
A portion of the pair of switch levers that is visible from the driver has a function display unit that is formed to have translucency in a form of displaying a function when each switch lever is operated,
At least one of the function display units is attached to the pair of switch levers, connected to the function display unit by the light guide member, and sends light from the back side to the function display unit through the light guide member. A light source for brightly displaying the shape,
The boundary surface of the switch lever with the light guide member is white or milky white, facilitating reflection when light is guided ,
Each of the pair of switch levers is attached to a switch main body that is operated by a driver, a lever that extends from the switch main body, and an end of the lever that is opposite to the switch main body. A rotation support part that rotatably supports the switch body part and the lever part,
The function display part is provided in the switch body part,
The light source is provided in the lever portion;
The light guide member is embedded from a portion of the function display portion in the switch main body portion to a portion of the light source in the lever portion .

  The vehicle speed change operation device according to the present invention is configured as described above, and the shape of the function in the function display section of the switch lever is brightly displayed by the light from the light source. Thereby, the driver can surely see the function display part of the switch even at night, and the risk of erroneous operation is reduced. What is brightly displayed is not limited to the shape of the function display unit, but may be a code, a character, or the like associated therewith.

A light guide member is embedded in each switch lever,
The light source and the function display unit are connected by the light guide member,
The shape of the function display unit can be brightly displayed by light guided through the light guide member.

In addition, an optical fiber is embedded in the switch lever,
The light source and the function display unit are connected by the optical fiber,
The shape of the function display unit can be brightly displayed by light guided through the optical fiber.

  By guiding the light from the light source with a light guide plate or an optical fiber, the function display unit and the light source may be provided at positions separated from each other. Thereby, the freedom degree of design of a switch lever increases.

  Further, the function display unit may be directly illuminated with light from the light source so that the shape of the function display unit is brightly displayed. Thereby, it becomes unnecessary to embed a light guide plate or an optical fiber.

  The light guide member may be insert-molded in each switch lever.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to embed the light guide member in the switch lever and to mold it. If it is difficult to insert-mold the optical fiber, a groove can be formed in the switch by a molding means such as gas injection, and the optical fiber can be inserted into the groove.

  It is desirable to form a portion of the switch lever excluding the function display portion and the light guide member from a white or milky white resin member.

  The light guide plate is made of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin material or a polycarbonate material. In order to diffuse the light from the light source in the light guide plate, it is necessary to reflect the light on the outer surface of the light guide plate (boundary surface between the light guide plate and its peripheral part). By making the peripheral part of the light guide plate white or milky white, the light incident on the light guide plate can be reflected as it is. And after embedding a light-guide plate, the aesthetics on the design of a switch are also ensured by surface-treating (painting etc.) the outer surface of a switch.

  The light source can be turned on when the lamp switch of the vehicle is turned on and turned off when the vehicle is turned off.

  Thereby, even at night, the driver can reliably see the function display section of the switch.

  Examples of the present invention will be described. 1 is a front view of a steering wheel 1 to which a speed change operation device 100 is attached, FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a switch lever 2 of the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a front view, and FIG. The top view which fractured | ruptured the part, (b) is XX sectional drawing of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a speed change operating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of switch levers 1 and 2 and a frame portion 3 that supports them, and a shaft portion 5 of a steering wheel 4 of a vehicle. Further, it is attached to the back side of the steering wheel 4. The pair of switch levers 1 and 2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis 5a of the shaft portion 5 of the steering wheel 4, and can be operated independently. The switch lever 1 on the right side of the steering wheel 4 when viewed from the front is shifted up so as to output a shift-up command to the transmission (not shown) of the vehicle when the driver causes it toward the front side (the steering wheel 4 side). Similarly, the switch lever 2 on the left side is a downshift switch that outputs a downshift command. Therefore, a function display unit 6 having a shape of “+” meaning upshift is provided on the front face of the upper part of the switch lever 1, and “−” means downshift on the upper part of the switch lever 2. ”Is provided. The function display portions 6 and 7 of the switch levers 1 and 2 are disposed in the space portion of the steering wheel 4 with the rotation angle of the steering wheel 4 being 0 (in other words, in other words, the steering wheel 4 The driver can visually recognize each of the function display units 6 and 7. In addition, since the frame part 3 of the speed change operation device 100 of the present embodiment is fixedly attached to the shaft part 5 of the steering wheel 4, the speed change operation device 100 follows when the steering wheel 4 is rotated. Will not rotate.

  Next, the switch levers 1 and 2 will be described. Since the pair of switch levers 1 and 2 are symmetrical and only their function display portions 6 and 7 are different, only the switch lever 2 will be described in this specification. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the switch lever 2 includes a paddle-shaped switch body 8, a curved lever 9 extending from the lower portion of the switch body 8, and a switch body in the lever 9. 8 and a columnar rotation support portion 11 attached to the opposite end portion. On the back surface of the lever portion 9, a box-shaped light source accommodating portion 13 for accommodating a light source (in the present embodiment, LED 12) is provided. Further, the rotation support unit 11 is provided with an output unit 14 in an overhanging state for outputting a shift command. The switch lever 2 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame 3 around the axis 11 a of the rotation support 11. In FIG. 2, 12 a is a code of the LED 12. A function display unit 7 for displaying the function of the switch lever 2 is provided on the upper portion of the switch body 8. Since the switch lever 2 is a downshift switch, the function display section 7 is provided with a hole 7a for displaying a sign (symbol) of “− (minus)”.

  The switch body portion 8 and the lever portion 9 of the switch lever 2 of the present embodiment are made of a nylon resin material containing glass fiber in order to ensure rigidity. A light guide plate 15 is embedded from the function display section 7 in the switch body section 8 to the LED 12 section in the lever section 9. The light guide plate 15 is made of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin material or polycarbonate material, and is integrally formed with the switch main body portion 8 and the lever portion 9 by insert molding. The end surface of the light guide plate 15 on the switch body portion 8 side extends to the function display portion 7, and the light guide plate 15 enters the portion of the hole 7 a of the function display portion 7, and the light guide plate 15 enters the surface of the switch body portion 8. Is exposed (see FIG. 4B). Further, the end surface of the light guide plate 15 on the lever portion 9 side extends to the light source housing portion 13. When the LED 12 emits light, the light is applied to the light guide plate 15. The light incident on the light guide plate 15 is diffused while being reflected in the light guide plate 15 and is emitted from the function display unit 7. In FIG. 3, light diffusing in the light guide plate 15 is denoted by reference numeral 16.

  The switch body 8 and the lever 9 are preferably white or milky white glass fiber-containing nylon resin material. Thereby, the light 16 irradiated to the light guide plate 15 can be effectively reflected at the boundary surface between the light guide plate 15 and the switch main body portion 8 or the lever portion 9. This is because if the switch body 8 and the lever 9 are black, the light 16 is absorbed and the light transmission efficiency is reduced. In addition, the design aesthetics of the switch lever 2 can be improved by surface-treating (painting etc.) the outer surface of the switch main-body part 8 and the lever part 9 after shaping | molding the switch lever 2. FIG.

  The operation of the speed change device 100 of this embodiment will be described. When the speed change operation device 100 of the present embodiment is attached to the back side of the steering wheel 4, the upper portions of the pair of switch levers 1 and 2 are arranged at positions that do not overlap the spoke portions 4a of the steering wheel 4. For this reason, the driver | operator can visually recognize the function display parts 6 and 7 of each switch lever 1,2. When the driver wants to shift down manually while traveling, the driver puts his / her finger on the switch main body 8 of the switch lever 2 while holding the steering wheel 4, and causes it to the front side (the steering wheel 4 side). When the driver removes the finger force applied to the switch body 8, the switch lever 2 automatically returns to the initial position by the action of a spring (not shown). Thereby, a downshift command is transmitted to the transmission of the vehicle, and the downshift is performed. By repeating the action of causing the switch lever 2 by the driver, the degree of shift down can be adjusted. When the driver wants to manually shift up, the switch lever 1 is operated similarly.

  In the case of a conventional speed change operation device, the function display units 6 and 7 of the pair of switch levers 1 and 2 display the shape of those functions by printing or stamping. For this reason, it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize, particularly at night, and there is a risk of erroneous operation. However, in the speed change operation device 100 of the present embodiment, the LEDs 12 are attached to the switch levers 1 and 2, and the light of these LEDs 12 passes through the light guide plate 15 and the function display units 6 and 6 of the switch levers 1 and 2. 7 to display them brightly. For this reason, even at night, the driver can surely recognize the functions of the switch levers 1 and 2 and the risk of erroneous operation is extremely small. Further, by displaying the function display portions 6 and 7 of the switch levers 1 and 2 with brilliant display, they can be used as the accent of the steering wheel 4 portion, and the aesthetics are improved.

  The LEDs 12 in the switch levers 1 and 2 can be turned on in conjunction with the lamp switch of the vehicle. When the driver turns on the lamp switch at night, each LED 12 is turned on, and the function display sections 6 and 7 of the switch levers 1 and 2 are displayed in a bright manner. Thereby, the driver | operator can visually recognize the function display parts 6 and 7 of each switch lever 1 and 2 reliably at night.

  The switch lever 2 of the first embodiment described above is configured such that the light from the LED 12 is transmitted via the light guide plate 15. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the light of the LED 12 may be transmitted via the optical fiber 17 instead of the light guide plate 15, and the function display units 6 and 7 of the switch levers 1 and 2 may be displayed brightly. In order to embed the optical fiber 17 in the switch body 8 and the lever 9, a method of forming a through hole in the switch body 8 and the lever 9 by gas injection molding, for example, and inserting the optical fiber 17 into the through hole Alternatively, a method in which the switch main body portion 8 and the lever portion 9 are two parts and the optical fiber 17 is sandwiched between them is assumed.

  Further, like the switch lever 2 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a light source accommodating portion 18 is formed on the back surface portion of the function display portion 7 in the switch main body portion 8, and the LED 12 accommodated in the light source accommodating portion 18 is directly used. Alternatively, the function display unit 7 may be brightly displayed. In the case of the switch lever 2 of this embodiment, since it is not necessary to insert-mold the light guide plate 15 or insert the optical fiber 17, the switch lever 2 can be easily molded.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the function display section 7 is provided directly on the upper part of the switch body section 8. This has the advantage that the number of parts can be reduced. However, like the switch lever 2 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the function display portion is a separate cap body 19, and the light transmitting portion 21 (the light guide plate 15 of the light guide plate 15 is formed on the upper portion of the switch body portion 8. It may be in the form of being attached to the end face. The cap body 19 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and can transmit light only in the shape portion 19a where the function is displayed. In the case of the switch lever 2 of this embodiment, the display forms of the functions of the switch levers 1 and 2 can be various by replacing the cap body 19. For example, it is possible to easily replace the display of the downshift function with “↓” symbol display or “DOWN” character display instead of “−”. Moreover, since the translucent part 21 of the switch body part 8 can be made into a simple shape (for example, a circular shape as shown in FIG. 7B), the mold can be easily manufactured.

  Although the light source of the switch lever 2 in each of the above-described embodiments is the LED 12, other light sources (for example, a light bulb) may be used.

1 is a front view of a steering wheel 1 to which a speed change operation device 100 is attached. It is a front perspective view of switch lever 2 of the 1st example. It is also a front view. (A) is the top view which fractured | ruptured the part similarly, (b) is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is a front view of the switch lever 2 of 2nd Example. It is a rear view of the switch lever 2 of 3rd Example. (A) is a side view of the switch lever 2 of 4th Example, (b) is a Y arrow directional view of (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Shifting operation apparatus 1, 2 Switch lever 4 Steering wheel 5 Shaft part 6, 7 Function display part 8 Switch main-body part (part except a function display part and a light guide member)
12 LED (light source)
15 Light guide plate (light guide member)
16 Light 17 Optical fiber 19 Cap body (function display part)

Claims (3)

A shift operation device for a vehicle in which a shift command is output to the transmission device of the vehicle by a driver's operation,
A pair of switch levers that are made of a member that does not transmit light or that has low light transmittance, in which a light guide member is embedded, and extend in the diameter direction from a shaft portion on the back side of the steering wheel of the vehicle,
A portion of the pair of switch levers that is visible from the driver has a function display unit that is formed to have translucency in a form of displaying a function when each switch lever is operated,
At least one of the function display units is attached to the pair of switch levers, connected to the function display unit by the light guide member, and sends light from the back side to the function display unit through the light guide member. A light source for brightly displaying the shape,
The boundary surface of the switch lever with the light guide member is white or milky white, facilitating reflection when light is guided ,
Each of the pair of switch levers is attached to a switch main body that is operated by a driver, a lever that extends from the switch main body, and an end of the lever that is opposite to the switch main body. A rotation support part that rotatably supports the switch body part and the lever part,
The function display part is provided in the switch body part,
The light source is provided in the lever portion;
The vehicle speed change operation device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member is embedded from the function display portion of the switch main body portion to the light source portion of the lever portion . The shift operation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member is insert-molded in the switch main body portion and the lever portion .   3. The vehicle speed change operation device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is turned on when a lamp switch of the vehicle is turned on and is turned off when the light switch is turned off.

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