JP5898157B2 - Vehicle steering switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improved vehicle steering switch.

  A vehicle steering wheel for steering a vehicle includes a rim gripped by an occupant and spokes integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rim. In recent years, various vehicle steering switches have been proposed in which an operation unit for operating an in-vehicle device is attached to a spoke. As such a conventional technique, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in Patent Document 1, a vehicle steering switch is configured such that an operation unit including a touch switch capable of a gesture operation such as a swipe operation is attached to a spoke. The operator can operate any on-vehicle device by touching the operation surface of the touch switch with a finger. An example of the in-vehicle device is a car navigation system. If it is possible to easily perform a gesture while grasping the rim, it is desirable that the direction of the thumb in the normal gripping state is toward the front of the vehicle, and it is difficult to touch the operation surface of the steering switch with a finger in that state.

JP 2009-298285 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle steering switch including an operation unit that can be easily operated from a normal gripping state without lifting a thumb.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a rim for steering a vehicle, a spoke integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rim, and an on-vehicle device that is attached to the spoke and holds the rim are operated. In a vehicle steering switch provided on a steering wheel composed of a touch-type operation unit capable of
The operation unit is for recognizing a passenger's thumb gesture,
The boundary between the rim and the spoke is formed in a stepped shape so that the spoke is separated from the front of the vehicle body with respect to the rim.
The operation surface of the operation unit is located in front of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end of the rim on the side facing the occupant, and is disposed in an area surrounded by a frame body,
A vehicle steering switch is provided in which a front end of the frame protrudes toward the occupant side with respect to the operation surface .

  As described in claim 2, preferably, the operation surface of the operation portion is inclined forward of the vehicle body from the outer peripheral edge of the rim toward the center.

As described in claim 3, preferably, the operation surface, the thumb ball that is located in a location that can be operated by the occupant of the thumb remains in contact with the rim.

In the invention according to claim 1, the boundary portion between the rim and the spoke is formed so that the spoke is separated forward with respect to the rim. The height from the top of the rim parallel to the operation surface to the operation surface is high according to the direction of the thumb in the normal grip state of the steering handle. Accordingly, the operation unit can be swiped with the thumb while holding the rim. When the operation is performed, the thumb is put up for the operation so as to be separated from the front. Since the tip of the thumb contacts the operation surface, the contact area of the thumb with the operation unit can be reduced. By reducing the contact area, it is possible to suppress erroneous contact with a nearby switch to be operated. Thereby, the accuracy of operation of the 1st operation part can be raised. In addition, since the operation is performed with the thumb raised, the operation is easy to perform. Further, since the base of the thumb (the thumb ball) is in contact with the rim, the operation with the thumb is further facilitated.
Furthermore, the periphery of the operation surface is surrounded by a frame, and the tip of the frame protrudes toward the operator side from the operation surface. For this reason, when operating the first operation part with the thumb while holding the rim, the operation is performed with the thumb raised to the extent that it is necessary to avoid the tip of the frame. Thereby, the accuracy of operation of the 1st operation part can be raised further.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the operation surface of the said operation part inclines in the vehicle body front toward the center from the outer periphery of the said rim | limb. Thereby, it can operate with a natural posture further.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the operation surface is located in the place which can be operated with a passenger | crew's thumb with the thumb ball contacting the rim. Since the operation surface is arranged within the length of the thumb, it can be operated in a natural posture.

It is a figure explaining the vehicle carrying the steering switch for vehicles by the Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation method of the operation part shown by FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect of the steering switch for vehicles shown by FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, left and right refer to the left and right based on the vehicle occupant, and front and rear refer to the front and rear based on the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the figure, Fr indicates the front, Rr indicates the rear, Ce indicates the center of the vehicle width, Up indicates the top, and Dw indicates the bottom.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle steering wheel 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as “steering wheel 20”) for steering the vehicle 10 is provided at the front of the vehicle interior. A monitor 12a of the audio device 12 (vehicle device 12) is provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel 20, and two air outlets 13a and 13a of the air conditioner device 13 (vehicle device 13) are sandwiched between the monitors 12a. Is provided. The monitor 12a also serves as a monitor for the car navigation system.

  The steering wheel 20 includes a rim 21 that is grasped by the occupant and has a substantially circular shape, a spoke 22 that is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rim 21 and that has a substantially T shape, and a horn that is attached to the center of the spoke 22. A horn switch cover 23 that covers the switch, a first operation unit 30 (operation unit 30) that is provided adjacent to the left side of the horn switch cover 23, and that operates the audio device 12, and a horn switch cover 23 And a second operation unit 40 (operation unit 40) for operating the air conditioner device 13 provided adjacent to the right side.

  The 1st operation part 30, the horn switch cover 23, and the 2nd operation part 40 are arrange | positioned linearly. The horn switch cover 23 is disposed on the center of the rim 21.

  The first operation unit 30 is a part for operating the audio device 12. By operating the first operation unit 30, the operator selects a song or adjusts the volume. The second operation unit 40 is a part for operating the air conditioner device 13. By operating the second operation unit 40, the operator selects heating or cooling, or adjusts the temperature. The basic configuration of the first operation unit 30 and the second operation unit 40 is common, and the first operation unit 30 will be mainly described below as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pipe-shaped material is used for the rim 21. The spoke 22 extends from the inner periphery of the rim 21 while being inclined slightly forward toward the center of the rim 21. The spoke 22 is directly connected to the inner periphery of the rim 21. An opening 22a is formed in the spoke 22, and a first operation unit 30 unitized in the opening 22a is fitted therein. The opening 22a is formed toward the driver's seat, and the operation surface 30a of the first operation unit 30 is disposed to face the driver's seat. The operation surface 30 a is inclined slightly forward toward the center of the rim 21 together with the spoke 22.

  An extension 22b extending forward is formed at the end of the spoke 22. By forming the extension part 22b, the base end part 22c of the spoke 22 and the peripheral part of the opening part 22a are formed in a stepped shape. The end portion of the spoke 22 can also be referred to as a boundary portion between the rim 21 and the spoke 22. That is, the boundary portion between the rim 21 and the spoke 22 is formed in a stepped shape so that the spoke 22 (at least a portion where the first operation unit 30 is attached) is separated forward with respect to the rim 21. .

  In addition, as a structure which makes the boundary part of the rim | limb 21 and the spoke 22 step shape, in addition to bending the spoke 22, a part of the rim | limb 21 may be deform | transformed, or a level | step difference between the rim | You may interpose another member for forming.

  Returning to FIG. 1, a first switch 31 is disposed near the horn switch cover 23, that is, on the center side of the rim 21 in the first operation unit 30, and the rim 21 is adjacent to the first switch 31. A second switch 32 (switch 32) is disposed on the side, and a third switch 33 is disposed below the second switch 32. The first to third switches 31 to 33 are electrostatic capacitance type switches that both detect that the operator has touched them.

  The first to third switches 31 to 33 are arranged in a region surrounded by the frame body 34. The front end of the frame 34 protrudes toward the operator side from the operation surface 30 a of the first operation unit 30.

  Note that the first to third switches 31 to 33 may be touch switches other than the capacitance type.

  Similarly, first to third switches 41 to 43 are arranged in the second operation unit 40. For example, the first switch 41 is operated when adjusting the temperature setting, the second switch 42 is operated when selecting the blowing mode, and the third switch 43 is selected for cooling or heating. It is operated when performing.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first operation unit 30 is operated by the thumb Th of the left hand holding the rim 21. The operator performs an operation (swipe operation) to rotate around the base P1 of the thumb Th while holding the rim 21. A region indicated by an imaginary line is a movable range of the thumb Th in a state where the region is straightly extended. That is, the area indicated by the imaginary line is a range where the swipe operation is possible. This movable range assumes the average adult male (American) thumb. An operation surface 30a is formed below this region.

  Referring also to FIG. 3B, the first switch 31 is a switch for adjusting the sound volume, which is arranged substantially in the vertical direction. When adjusting the volume, the operator slides the thumb Th up and down on the operation surface of the first switch 31. When the volume is increased, the thumb Th is slid upward, and when the volume is decreased, the thumb Th is slid downward.

  The second switch 32 is formed in a double circle shape, and a determination key 32a is disposed at the center, and a direction key 32b is disposed so as to surround the determination key 32a, so that the center is deepest. It is shaped like a bowl. The second switch 32 is used, for example, when selecting a song title. In order to select an arbitrary music piece, the operator selects the music title shown on the monitor (FIG. 1, reference numeral 12a) with the direction key 32b and decides it with the decision key 32a. At this time, the operator presses the enter key 32a or the direction key 32b with the thumb Th.

  By forming irregularities in the second switch 32, it is possible to further suppress erroneous operations of the switches 31 to 33. That is, the accuracy of the operation of the first operation unit 30 can be improved.

  The third switch 33 is arranged along the extending direction of the spoke 22 and is a switch for selecting music, radio, or the like. By pressing any key, music, AM radio or FM radio can be switched. The third switch 33 can also be operated by the operator's thumb Th.

  As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 4A, when the spoke 122 extends linearly from the rim 121, the base P <b> 1 (thumb ball) of the thumb Th is separated from the rim 121. Since the center of the trajectory of the thumb Th is separated from the rim 121, it is difficult to perform a swipe operation with the thumb Th. Further, in the state where the thumb Th is laid down, the feeling of operation is poor.

  Further, the thumb Th extends straight. For this reason, the belly portion of the thumb Th is in contact with the operation surface 130a of the operation unit 130. The area of the contact portion of the thumb Th is large, and there is a risk that it will accidentally contact a nearby switch to be operated. That is, the height H1 from the line L1 drawn in parallel to the operation surface 130a from the vertex of the rim 121 to the operation surface 130a is low. This increases the area of the thumb Th that contacts the operation surface 130a. The large contact area makes it difficult to detect an operation and facilitates an erroneous operation.

  As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4B, in the present invention, the boundary between the rim 21 and the spoke 22 is formed in a stepped shape so that the spoke 22 is separated forward with the rim 21 as a reference. . For this reason, the height H1 from the line L1 drawn in parallel to the operation surface 30a from the vertex of the rim 21 to the operation surface 30a is high. As a result, when the first operating portion 30 is operated with the thumb Th while the rim 21 is being gripped, the thumb Th is operated with the border portion formed in a stepped shape. Become. Since the tip of the thumb Th contacts the operation surface 30a, the contact area of the thumb Th with the first operation unit 30 can be reduced. By reducing the contact area, it is possible to suppress erroneous contact with a nearby switch to be operated. Thereby, the accuracy of operation of the 1st operation part 30 can be improved.

  In addition, since the thumb Th is operated, the operation is easy. Moreover, since the base P1 of the thumb Th is in contact with the rim 21, the operation with the thumb Th is further facilitated.

  Furthermore, the periphery of the operation surface 30a is surrounded by the frame body 34, and the tip of the frame body 34 protrudes toward the operator side from the operation surface 30a. For this reason, when the first operation unit 30 is operated with the thumb Th while the rim 21 is being held, the thumb Th is operated while the tip of the frame body 34 needs to be avoided. . Thereby, the accuracy of operation of the 1st operation part 30 can be raised further.

  The vehicle steering switch according to the present invention has been described by way of example of operating an audio device, but can also be used for operating other in-vehicle devices such as a car navigation system. That is, the in-vehicle devices are not limited to these as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved, and can include all devices mounted on the vehicle.

  Moreover, the passenger | crew in this invention assumes the average adult male. The average adult male is also assumed for the size of the hand and the position of the thumb ball.

  Further, in the steering according to the present invention, the boundary portion between the rim 21 and the spoke 22 is an example in which the spoke 22 is formed in a stepped shape with the rim 21 as a reference so that the spoke 22 is separated forward. Instead of forming, the boundary portion may be formed in a slope shape.

  The operation part of the vehicle steering switch of the present invention is suitable for operation of the vehicle audio device.

10 ... Vehicle 12 ... Audio device (vehicle equipment)
13. Air conditioner device (vehicle equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Steering wheel for vehicles 21 ... Rim 22 ... Spoke 30 ... 1st operation part (operation part)
40 ... 2nd operation part (operation part)

Claims (3)

A rim for steering the vehicle, a spoke integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rim, and a touch-type operation that allows the vehicle-mounted device to be operated while holding the rim attached to the spoke. In the vehicle steering switch provided on the steering wheel consisting of
The operation unit is for recognizing a passenger's thumb gesture,
The boundary between the rim and the spoke is formed in a stepped shape so that the spoke is separated from the front of the vehicle body with respect to the rim.
The operation surface of the operation unit is located in front of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end of the rim on the side facing the occupant, and is disposed in an area surrounded by a frame body,
The vehicle steering switch according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the frame body protrudes toward the occupant side with respect to the operation surface .   2. The vehicle steering switch according to claim 1, wherein an operation surface of the operation portion is inclined forward of a vehicle body from an outer peripheral edge of the rim toward a center. 3. 3. The vehicle steering switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is located at a place where the occupant's thumb ball is in contact with the rim and can be operated by the occupant's thumb. 4. .

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