JP7024683B2 - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steering wheel that allows the driver to rest his hand during steering.

The conventional steering wheel is configured to include a ring portion that is gripped and rotationally steered by the driver, a boss portion that is arranged on the center side of the ring portion, and a spoke portion that connects the boss portion and the ring portion. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The spoke portion was configured by, for example, providing three spoke constituent portions extending from the boss portion to the left and right sides and rearward. Further, switches for audio equipment and the like are arranged in the spoke components.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-06710

In the conventional steering wheel, switches such as audio equipment are arranged in the spoke components of the spokes, and the spoke components cannot be used so that the driver can rest his / her hands. However, when the vehicle is automatically driven, if the driver holds the ring portion, the driver may be tired, and the conventional steering wheel has a problem that the driver's hand is rested. was there.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and is a steering wheel that can rest the driver's hand and can quickly grip the gripping portion that the driver grips when steering the ring portion in an emergency. The purpose is to provide.

The steering wheel according to the present invention has a ring portion that is gripped and rotationally steered by the driver, a boss portion that is arranged on the center side of the ring portion, and a spoke portion that connects the boss portion and the ring portion. It ’s a steering wheel.
A hand rest portion in which the spoke portions are arranged so as to expand each other on the rear sides on both the left and right sides from the boss portion, and the vicinity of each of the left and right palms of the driver can be placed on the upper surface side. It is equipped with left and right spoke components that are configured by arranging
The left and right hand rests of the spoke components are viewed from above.
A leading edge portion that is arranged on the leading edge side, extends substantially linearly in the left-right direction from the boss portion, and is arranged so as to be connected to the ring portion.
An inner edge portion that extends substantially linearly from the boss portion on the rear side of the boss side end portion of the leading edge portion to the rear side.
Arranged on the trailing edge side, on the rear side of the leading edge portion, it extends substantially linearly outward along the substantially left-right direction from the rear end side of the inner edge portion and approaches the outer end portion of the leading edge portion. At the same time, the trailing edge portion arranged so as to be continuous with the ring portion,
As well as being configured with
The upper surface side between the upper edge of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion is a palm mounting surface on which at least the area of the fingertip ball in the driver's palm can be placed.
The inner space of the inner side surface extending downward from the upper edge of the inner edge portion is configured as a thumb storage space in which the driver's thumb can be stored.

In the steering wheel according to the present invention, when the driver tries to rest his hand, if the driver's palm is placed on the palm mounting surface on the upper surface side of the hand rest portion, at least the fingertip in the driver's palm The area of the ball is supported by the palm mounting surface, and the thumb of the driver's hand on which the palm is placed can be stored in the thumb storage space adjacent to the inside of the palm mounting surface. That is, if the driver puts the left and right palms in a lightly grasped state on the palm resting surface of the hand rest part with the left and right palms facing down, the thumb extending from the palm in a lightly grasped state fits neatly. The driver can rest his hands in a relaxed state. Further, in an emergency, for example, if it becomes necessary to manually steer the steering wheel from the automatic driving state, the driver will remove his hand from the hand rest portion and move it to the grip portion of the ring portion. At that time, the hand rest portion is arranged in the spoke constituent portion of the spoke portion that connects the ring portion and the boss portion that the driver grips at the time of steering, and is in close contact with the grip portion of the ring portion, so that the hand rest portion can be swiftly used. , You can move your hand.

Therefore, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the driver's hand can be rested, and in an emergency, the driver can quickly grip the gripping portion to be gripped when steering the ring portion.

In the steering wheel according to the present invention, the upper edge of the leading edge portion is arranged so as to be diagonally rearward in the left-right direction from the boss portion with a length dimension in the range of 80 to 150 mm. The intersection angle between the edge portion and the trailing edge portion is within the range of 25 to 35 °, and the intersection angle between the inner edge portion and the trailing edge portion is 90 to 160 °. It is desirable that it is configured within the range of.

In such a configuration, the hand rest portion has a length dimension of the upper edge of the leading edge portion in the range of 80 to 150 mm, and the average value of the width dimension of the palm in a normal driver is about 79.8 mm. Since the length of the upper edge of the leading edge is 80 mm or more, the palm can be smoothly placed on the palm mounting surface. Further, since the length dimension of the upper edge of the leading edge portion is 150 mm or less, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily increasing the external dimension of the ring portion.

Further, the front edge portion and the rear edge portion have the crossing angle between the upper edges within a range of 25 to 35 °, and each finger (finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger) of a normal driver's hand. It matches the average value of the crossing angles of the straight line connecting the second joints of the palm and the boundary line on the side of the fingertip of the palm away from each finger. Then, the upper edge of the front edge portion is arranged so as to face diagonally backward side in the left-right direction from the boss portion, and the fingertip ball of the palm is aligned in the left-right direction, and each finger of the hand (personal finger, The area of the fingertip ball of the palm is placed on the palm resting surface of the hand rest, with the tip side from the second joint of the middle finger, medicinal finger, and small finger bent downward from the upper edge of the front edge of the hand rest. Can be placed so that it follows the left-right direction, and with the palm lightly grasped to each finger, place the palm on the palm-mounted surface of the hand rest part while keeping it approximately along the front-back direction. The driver can put his / her palm on the hand rest and relax.

At this time, the inner edge portion and the trailing edge portion have the intersection angle between the upper edges within the range of 90 to 160 °, and the thumb movement angle with respect to the palm is a bending angle toward the palm side in a normal driver. The limit angle of is about 90 °, the limit angle of the opening angle to the outside of the palm is about 70 °, and the total three-dimensional angle is 160 °, which is the upper edge between the inner edge and the trailing edge. Since the mutual crossing angle is smaller than that, the driver can place the palm on the palm mounting surface with the thumb stored in the thumb storage space without forcibly bending it. In addition, the intersection angle between the inner edge, the trailing edge, and the upper edge is set to 90 ° or more, and the driver brings the thumb closer to the palm side and stores the thumb in the thumb storage space so as to simply lower it from the palm. Then, the ventral side of the thumb can be easily applied to the vertical wall surface extending downward from the upper edge of the inner edge. Therefore, if the driver makes the ventral side of the thumb slightly in contact with the vertical wall surface of the inner edge portion, the thumb fits better and the thumb can be stored in the thumb storage space. You can relax by putting your palm on the rest.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, it is desirable that the palm mounting surface of the hand rest portion is formed in a curved surface shape with an upward bulge as a cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction.

In such a configuration, the palm placed on the palm mounting surface easily fits the surface side to the palm mounting surface, and the driver can stably place the palm on the palm mounting surface without shifting. Can be placed on.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, at least the vicinity of the intersection of the upper edges of the trailing edge portion and the inner edge portion is arranged so as to project upward from the upper surface of the ring portion. Is desirable.

In such a configuration, the fingertip ball near the mother's finger ball of the palm is placed near the intersection of the upper edge of the trailing edge portion and the inner edge portion on the palm mounting surface of the hand rest portion. When the hand is moved from the state where the palm is placed on the placing surface to grip the gripping portion of the ring portion, the vicinity of the intersection of the upper edges of the trailing edge portion and the inner edge portion of the hand rest portion, that is, the palm Compared to the case where the fingertip ball near the mother's finger ball is arranged so as to descend downward from the upper surface of the ring portion, the fingers of the hand or the like are less likely to come into contact with the ring portion, that is, they are interfered with by the ring portion. It is possible to move the hand from the hand rest portion to the grip portion of the ring portion without having to move the hand to the grip portion of the ring portion, which is suitable when the driver moves the hand from the hand rest portion to the grip portion of the ring portion in an emergency. Become.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the ring portion arranges the grip portion gripped by the driver on the left and right sides of the boss portion.
The left and right grip portions are arranged so as to extend substantially linearly from the left and right outer sides of the left and right hand rest portions so as to approach each other.
It is desirable that the angle at which the left and right grip portions approach each other is in an angle range of 10 to 20 ° from the front-rear direction.

In such a configuration, the left and right grip portions of the ring portion extend forward from the left and right outer sides of the left and right hand rest portions while approaching each other within an angle range of 10 to 20 ° from the front-rear direction. When the driver grips the left and right grips, the driver is in a position to tighten both sides, and the steering angle at the time of steering is compared with the position in which both sides are opened. Can be finely adjusted. Therefore, in the steering of the vehicle, it is suitable when the steering angle of the wheel is largely adjusted by adjusting the steering angle small.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, it is desirable that a wide portion that protrudes toward the boss portion and widens the grip area is arranged on the inner circumference of the left and right grip portions on the front end side.

In such a configuration, the thumb can be placed on a wide portion during steering, the contact area of the thumb where it is easy to exert the force during steering can be expanded, and the steering angle during steering can be finely adjusted. .. Therefore, in the steering of the vehicle, it is suitable when the steering angle of the wheel is largely adjusted by adjusting the steering angle small.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the cross section of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the left and right grip portions is formed in a substantially elliptical shape, and the cross section is formed in a substantially elliptical shape.
It is desirable that the substantially elliptical cross section is set so that the angle from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the long axis is within the range of 5 to 15 ° and approaches the boss portion side.

In such a configuration, if the left and right grips are gripped, the driver is likely to be in a position to tighten both sides, and the steering angle at the time of steering can be finely adjusted as compared with the position in which both sides are open. can.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, it is desirable that the left and right grip portions are provided with a gently raised raised portion on the upper surface on the rear side of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction.

In such a configuration, the surface side of the palm of the hand that grips the grip portion can be fitted to the raised portion, and the driver can stably grip the grip portion without shifting. Can be steered.

Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, it is desirable that the left and right grip portions are provided with a palm rest portion that rises upward on the upper surface side of the rear end.

In such a configuration, when the grip portion is gripped, the hypothenar side of the palm is placed on the palm rest portion to reduce the weight of the hand supported by the driver's arm, so that the driver is in a state where both sides are tightened. However, the weight burden on the hand can be reduced and the ring part can be operated easily.

It is a front view of the steering wheel of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is a side view of the vehicle-mounted state in the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is a front view of the vehicle-mounted state in the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is a top view of the vehicle-mounted state in the steering wheel of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the hand rest part in the steering wheel of embodiment, and corresponds to the VI-VI part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which the driver lightly grasped the handleless part in the steering wheel of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state of a driver's palm and a finger, and the range of motion of a thumb. It is sectional drawing of the grip part of the steering wheel of an embodiment, and corresponds to the IX-IX part of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the grip part of the steering wheel of an embodiment, and corresponds to the XX part of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment has a ring portion 40 that is gripped and rotationally steered by the driver, and a ring portion 40. A boss portion 3 arranged on the center side of the boss portion 3 and a spoke portion 10 connecting the boss portion 3 and the ring portion 40 are provided.

The boss portion 3 is a portion connected to a steering shaft (not shown), and as shown in FIG. 3, is configured to include a pad portion 5 on the upper surface side and a lower cover 6 on the lower surface side, and the rotation of the steering wheel 1 is provided. It is configured to penetrate the steering center axis 4 during steering. In the case of the embodiment, the angle (column angle) θC of the steering center axis 4 from the horizontal plane is 25.3 °. The spoke portions 10 are configured to include left and right spoke constituent portions 12 (L, R) extending diagonally rearward from both the left and right sides of the boss portion 3. The ring portion 40 is arranged in an inverted U shape so as to surround the periphery of the boss portion 3 so as to connect the left and right tip portions 12a of the left and right spoke constituent portions 12L and 12R to each other. Further, the ring portion 40 has grip portions 42 (L, R) that grip the left and right sides of the boss portion 3 during steering, and the front ends 42a of the grip portions 42L and 42R are connected to each other by the connecting rod portion 52. The ring portion 40 is composed of the grip portions 42L and 42R and the connecting rod portion 52.

In the case of the embodiment, the width dimension WL in the front-rear direction of the steering wheel 1 is about 220 mm, the width dimension WB on the left and right is about 370 mm, and the width dimension WF between the centers on the front end 42a side of the grip portions 42L and 42R is. The width dimension RW near the center of the grip portions 42L and 42R is about 260 mm, and is about 31 mm (see FIG. 1).

Further, the spoke portion 10 and the ring portion 40 of the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment are provided with a core material made of an aluminum alloy or the like (not shown) extending from the boss portion 3, and the core material is further coated with a coating layer such as urethane. Are arranged and configured.

The left and right spoke components 12L and 12R are arranged so as to expand each other from the boss portion 3 to the rear sides on both the left and right sides, and the left and right palm DPs of the driver are arranged on the upper surface side. It is configured by disposing a hand rest portion 13 (L, R) on which a vicinity can be placed. The left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R) are arranged so as to be surrounded by the leading edge portion 15, the inner edge portion 20, and the trailing edge portion 25, respectively, when viewed from above.

The leading edge portion 15 is arranged on the leading edge side of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) and extends substantially linearly from the boss portion 3 in the left-right direction to the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40. It is arranged so as to be continuous with the rear end 42b. The inner edge portion 20 is arranged so as to extend substantially linearly from the boss portion 3 on the rear side of the boss side end portion 15b of the leading edge portion 15 to the rear side (in the embodiment, the rear side facing outward in the left-right direction). Will be set up. The trailing edge portion 25 is arranged on the trailing edge side of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R), and is located on the rear side of the leading edge portion 15 and outward along the substantially left-right direction from the rear end 20a side of the inner edge portion 20. It extends substantially linearly and is arranged so as to be connected to the rear end 42b of the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40 while approaching the outer end portion 15a of the leading edge portion 15.

Then, the upper surface side between the upper edges 16 and 26 of the leading edge portion 15 and the trailing edge portion 25 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) is at least the fingertip ball DPF in the driver's palm DP (see B in FIG. 8). ) Is the palm mounting surface 33 on which the mounting surface can be placed. Further, the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) is configured such that the inner space of the inner side surface extending downward from the upper edge 21 of the inner edge portion 20 is a thumb storage space 35 capable of storing the driver's thumb F0. ..

The left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R) have a symmetrical shape with the boss portion 3 as the center. The description of the hand rest portion 13L of the above will be omitted.

The leading edge portion 15 is provided with a front descending surface 18 that gently bends downward from the upper edge 16 to the lower edge 17 (see FIG. 6), and the inner edge portion 20 is a substantially flat surface from the upper edge 21 to the lower edge 22. A vertical wall surface 23 is provided (see FIG. 4), and the trailing edge portion 25 is also configured to include a substantially flat vertical wall surface 28 from the upper edge 26 to the lower edge 27 (see FIG. 4).

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper edge 16 of the leading edge portion 15 has a length dimension LF of about 90 mm within the range of 80 to 150 mm, and an angle θ1 from the horizontal direction in the left-right direction from the boss portion 3 is set. It is arranged so as to be diagonally rearward at about 30 °. The angle θ1 of the upper edge 16 can be appropriately selected in the range of 0 to 45 °.

Further, the leading edge portion 15 and the trailing edge portion 25 are arranged so that the crossing angle θ2 between the upper edges 16 and 26 is about 30 ° within the range of 25 to 35 °. Further, the inner edge portion 20 and the trailing edge portion 25 are configured such that the intersection angle θ3 between the upper edges 21 and 26 is about 150 ° within the range of 90 to 160 °.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the palm mounting surface 33 of the hand rest portion 13 is formed into a curved surface having an upwardly bulging cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction (curvature radius AR of about 75 to 90 mm). There is. This curved surface is configured so that a normal driver fits the palm DP with the palm DP slightly bent.

In the case of the embodiment, the hand rest portion 13 viewed from above has a width dimension LHI on the boss portion 3 side of about 80 mm and a width dimension LHO on the ring portion 40 side of about 44 mm, and the palm mounting surface 33. The original portion 13b side of the hand rest portion 13 is wide in the front-rear direction, the tip portion 13a side of the hand rest portion 13 is narrow in the front-rear direction, and the upper edge 26 side of the rear edge portion 25 is aligned in the left-right direction. It is almost a pentagon.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the hand rest portion 13 is at least in the vicinity of the intersection portion 30 between the upper edges 26 and 21 of the trailing edge portion 25 and the inner edge portion 20 above the upper surface 41 of the ring portion 40. It is arranged so as to protrude. In the case of the embodiment, substantially the entire surface of the palm mounting surface 33 including the upper edge 26 of the trailing edge portion 25 is above the upper surface 41 of the ring portion 40 except for the vicinity of the boss portion 3 side of the hand rest portion 13. It is arranged so as to project to (see FIG. 6).

Further, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40 extend substantially linearly from the left and right outer sides of the left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R) at an angle approaching each other. It is arranged. The inclination angle θ4 of the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) approaching each other is set to about 15 ° within an angle range of 10 to 20 ° from the front-rear direction (see FIG. 1).

Further, the grip portion 42 (L, R) is provided with a trapezoidal plate-shaped wide portion 45 projecting toward the boss portion 3 on the inner circumference on the front end side to widen the grip area. The wide portion 45 has a width dimension W1 on the tip portion 45b side of about 36 mm, a width of the base portion 45c side of about 45 mm wider than that of the tip portion 45b side, and a protrusion width W3 of about 34 mm (see FIG. 1). On the upper surface 45a of the wide portion 45, a normal driver holds the grip portion 42 (L, R) with the palm DP and each finger F1, F2, F3, F4 (index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger. When gripped with F4), an area on which the thumb F0 can be placed is provided and arranged.

The grip portion 42 (L, R) has a length dimension GL in the front-rear direction of about 140 mm, and the cross section of the intermediate portion 42c in the front-rear direction of the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) is shown in FIG. It has a substantially elliptical shape. The cross-sectional shape is such that the angle θX from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the long axis LX is about 8 ° within the range of 5 to 15 °, and the top portion 42e side of the upper surface 42d approaches the boss portion 3 side. It is set to let you.

The diameter dimension Dh along the long axis LX in the cross section of the intermediate portion 42c is about 39 mm, and the diameter dimension Db along the short axis SX in the cross section of the intermediate portion 42c is the width dimension RW of the grip portion 42 described above. It is about 31 mm, which is almost the same.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) are provided with a gently raised raised portion 48 on the upper surface 42d on the rear side of the intermediate portion 42c in the front-rear direction. In the raised portion 48, the central portion 48c between the front end portion 48a and the rear end portion 48b has a protrusion height TP of about 2.5 mm from the upper surface 42d side of the front end portion 48a and the rear end portion 48b. The length LP from the front end portion 48a to the rear end portion 48b of the raised portion 48 is set to about 64 mm.

Furthermore, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) are provided with a palm rest portion 50 that rises upward on the upper surface 42d side of the rear end 42b (see FIGS. 3 and 10).

In the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, as shown by the two-point chain line in FIG. 1, the driver grips the left and right grip portions 42L and 42R with the left and right hand DHs during steering, and more specifically, the left and right hand DHs. Thumb F0 is placed on the upper surface 45a of the wide portion 45, and the left and right grip portions 42L and 42R are placed on the palm DP and each finger F1, F2, F3, F4 (index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger F4). ) And steer.

Then, when the hand DH is rested in the automatic operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the area of the fingertip ball DPF of the palm DP is set on the palm mounting surface of the left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R). Place on 33.

At that time, at least the area of the fingertip ball DPF in the driver's palm DP is supported by the palm mounting surface 33, and the thumb F0 of the driver's hand DH on which the palm DP is placed is the palm mounting surface 33. It can be stored in the thumb storage space 35 adjacent to the inside. That is, if the driver puts the left and right palm DPs in a lightly grasped state on the palm mounting surface 33 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) with the left and right palm DPs facing downward, the driver can hold the palm DP in a lightly grasped state. The thumb F0 extending from the driver also fits neatly, allowing the driver to rest his hand DH in a relaxed state. Further, in an emergency, for example, when it becomes necessary to manually steer the steering wheel 1 from the automatic driving state, the driver removes the hand DH from the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) and the ring portion 40. At that time, the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) is a spoke portion that connects the ring portion 40 gripped by the driver during steering and the boss portion 3. It is arranged in the spoke constituent portions 12 (L, R) of the 10 and is close to the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40, so that the hand DH can be moved quickly.

Therefore, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the driver's hand DH can be rested, and in an emergency, the driver quickly grips the grip portion 42 (L, R) when steering the ring portion 40. Can be grasped.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the upper edge of the leading edge portion is arranged so as to be diagonally rearward in the left-right direction from the boss portion 3 with a length dimension of about 90 mm within the range of 80 to 150 mm. The leading edge portion 15 and the trailing edge portion 25 are provided, and the crossing angle θ2 between the upper edges 16 and 26 is set to 30 ° within the range of 25 to 35 °, and the inner edge portion 20 and the trailing edge portion 25 are provided. The crossing angle θ3 between the upper edges 21 and 26 is set to 150 ° within the range of 90 to 160 °.

In such a configuration, the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) sets the length dimension LF of the upper edge 16 of the leading edge portion 15 to be about 90 mm within the range of 80 to 150 mm, as shown in A of FIG. In addition, the average value of the width dimension PW of the palm DP in a normal driver is about 79.8 mm, and the length dimension LF of the upper edge 16 of the leading edge portion 15 is 80 mm or more, which is smooth. In addition, the palm DP can be placed on the palm mounting surface 33. Further, since the length dimension LF of the upper edge 16 of the leading edge portion 15 is 150 mm or less, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily increasing the external dimension (width dimension) WB of the ring portion 40.

Further, the front edge portion 15 and the trailing edge portion 25 set the intersection angle θ3 between the upper edges 16 and 26 to about 30 ° within the range of 25 to 35 °, and as shown in B of FIG. 8, it is normal. The straight line L2 connecting the second joints of each finger (index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, little finger F4) of the hand DH in the driver of the palm DP, and the boundary line L1 on the side away from each finger in the fingertip ball DPF of the palm DP. And, it matches the average value (about 30 °) of the intersection angle θP. The upper edge 16 of the front edge portion 15 is arranged so as to face diagonally rearward in the left-right direction from the boss portion 3 at an angle θ1 of about 30 °, and the fingertip ball DPF of the palm DP is left and right. Along the direction, the tip side from the second joint of each finger of the hand (index finger F1, middle finger F2, drug finger F3, small finger F4) is the upper edge of the front edge portion 15 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R). As a state of bending downward from 16, the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) can be placed on the palm mounting surface 33 so that the area of the fingertip ball DPF of the palm DP is aligned in the left-right direction, and each finger can be placed. With the palm DP lightly grasped to F1, F2, F3, and F4, the palm DP can be placed on the palm mounting surface 33 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) downward while being substantially along the front-back direction. The driver can further relax by placing the palm DP on the hand rest portion 13 (L, R).

At this time, the inner edge portion 20 and the trailing edge portion 25 have an intersection angle between the upper edges 21 and 26 of about 150 ° within the range of 90 to 160 °, which is usually used as the operating angle of the thumb F0 with respect to the palm DP. As shown in C of FIG. 8, the driver has a limit angle θv of the bending angle toward the palm DP side of about 90 °, and as shown in D of FIG. 8, the limit of the opening angle of the palm DP to the outside. The angle θw is about 70 °, and the total three-dimensional angle is 160 °, and the intersection angle θ3 between the inner edge 20 and the trailing edge 25 and the upper edges 21 and 26 is about 150 ° less than that. Therefore, the driver can place the palm DP on the palm mounting surface 33 in a state where the thumb F0 is stored in the thumb storage space 35 without forcibly bending. Further, the intersection angle θ3 between the inner edge portion 20 and the trailing edge portion 25 and the upper edges 21 and 26 is set to 150 °, which is 90 ° or more, and the driver brings the thumb F0 closer to the palm DP side and simply from the palm DP. If the thumb F0 is stored in the thumb storage space 35 so as to be lowered, the ventral side (back side / inner side) F0I of the thumb F0 easily extends from the upper edge 21 of the inner edge portion 20 to the lower lower edge 22 side. It can be applied to the wall surface 23. Therefore, if the driver slightly contacts the ventral side F0I of the thumb F0 with the vertical wall surface 23 of the inner edge portion 20, the driver can fit the thumb F0 even more and can store the thumb F0 in the thumb storage space 35. , The driver can relax by placing the palm DP on the hand rest portion 13 (L, R).

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the palm mounting surface 33 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) has a curved surface shape (curvature radius AR) in which the cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction bulges upward. It is formed into a curved surface (curved surface shape of about 75 to 90 mm).

Therefore, in the embodiment, the palm DP placed on the palm mounting surface 33 easily fits the front surface side to the palm mounting surface 33, and the driver can stably perform the palm DP without shifting. It can be placed on the palm mounting surface 33.

Further, in the embodiment, at least the vicinity of the intersection portion 30 between the upper edges 26 and 21 of the trailing edge portion 25 and the inner edge portion 20 is arranged so as to project upward from the upper surface 41 of the ring portion 40. There is.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the mother of the palm DP is located near the intersection portion 30 between the upper edges 26 and 21 of the trailing edge portion 25 and the inner edge portion 20 on the palm mounting surface 33 of the hand rest portion 13 (L, R). Since the fingertip ball PDF near the finger ball DPM is placed, the hand DH is moved from the state where the palm DP is placed on the palm mounting surface 33 to grip the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40. In the hand rest portion 13 (L, R), the fingertip ball PDF near the intersection portion 30 between the upper edges 26 and 21 of the trailing edge portion 25 and the inner edge portion 20, that is, near the mother finger ball DPM of the palm DP. , Are less likely to come into contact with the ring portion 40, that is, interfere with the ring portion 40, as compared with the case where the hand fingers F4, F3, F2, and F1 are arranged downward from the upper surface 41 of the ring portion 40. The hand DH can be moved from the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) to the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40 without being used, and in an emergency, the driver can move the hand DH to the grip portion 42 (L, R). It is suitable for moving from the hand rest portion 13 (L, R) to the grip portion 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the ring portion 40 arranges the grip portions 42 (L, R) gripped by the driver on the left and right sides with the boss portion 3 in between, and the left and right grip portions 42 (L). , R) are arranged so as to extend substantially linearly from the outside of the left and right tip portions 13a of the left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R) at an angle approaching each other, and the left and right grip portions. The inclination angles θ4 (see FIG. 1) of 42 (L, R) approaching each other are set to about 15 ° in an angle range of 10 to 20 ° from the front-rear direction.

In such a configuration, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) of the ring portion 40 are 10 from the outside of the left and right tip portions 13a of the left and right hand rest portions 13 (L, R) from the front-rear direction. It is arranged so as to extend forward while approaching each other as about 15 ° within an angle range of about 20 °, and when the driver grips the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R), the driver , It becomes a posture to tighten both sides, and it is possible to finely adjust the steering angle at the time of steering as compared with the posture to open both sides. Therefore, in the steering of the vehicle, it is suitable when the steering angle of the wheel is largely adjusted by adjusting the steering angle small.

If the inclination angle θ4 of the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) approaching each other is less than 10 °, both sides of the driver are likely to be tightened, but the wrist on the rotation direction side when the ring portion 40 is steered. The degree of bending becomes large and it becomes difficult to steer, and if it exceeds 20 °, it becomes difficult to tighten both sides of the driver, which is not preferable.

Further, in the embodiment, a wide portion 45 is arranged on the inner circumference of the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) on the front end 42a side so as to project toward the boss portion 3 and widen the grip area (FIG. 1). reference).

Therefore, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the thumb F0 can be placed on the upper surface 45a of the wide portion 45 during steering, and the contact area of the thumb F0 where the force during steering can be easily applied can be expanded, and the contact area of the thumb F0 can be expanded during steering. The steering angle of the wheel can be finely adjusted. Therefore, in the steering of the vehicle, it is suitable when the steering angle of the wheel is largely adjusted by adjusting the steering angle small.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the cross section of the intermediate portion 42c, which is an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R), is formed in a substantially elliptical shape, and the cross section of the substantially elliptical shape is formed. , The inclination angle θX (see FIG. 9) from the vertical direction from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the long axis LX is set to 8 ° within the range of 5 to 15 ° so as to approach the boss portion side. ing.

Therefore, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, if the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) are gripped, the driver is likely to be in a position to tighten both sides, and the steering wheel is steered as compared with a position in which both sides are opened. The steering angle of the hour can be finely adjusted.

If the inclination angle θX is less than 5 °, it becomes difficult for the driver to tighten both sides, which is not preferable. If it exceeds 20 °, both sides become too tight, and conversely, it becomes difficult to steer. Not preferred.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) are provided with a gently raised raised portion 48 on the upper surface 42d on the rear side of the intermediate portion 42c, which is an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. (See FIG. 10).

Therefore, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the surface side of the palm DP of the hand DH holding the grip portion 42 (L, R) can be fitted to the raised portion 48, and the driver shifts the steering wheel 1. The grip portion 42 (L, R) can be gripped and steered stably without any problem.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the embodiment, the left and right grip portions 42 (L, R) are provided with a palm rest portion 50 that rises upward on the upper surface 42d side of the rear end 42b.

Therefore, in the steering wheel of the embodiment, when the grip portion 42 (L, R) is gripped, the hypothenar DPS side of the palm DP (see B in FIG. 8) is placed on the palm rest portion 50 and the driver's arm supports it. Since the weight of the hand DH can be reduced, the driver can easily operate the ring portion 40 by reducing the weight burden of the hand DH even when both sides are tightened.

1 ... Steering wheel, 3 ... Boss part, 10 ... Spoke part, 12 (L, R) ... Spoke component part, 13 (L, R) ... Hand rest part, 15 ... Leading edge part, 16 ... Upper edge, 20 ... Inner edge, 20a ... trailing edge, 21 ... upper edge, 22 ... lower edge, 23 ... (inner) vertical wall surface, 25 ... trailing edge, 26 ... upper edge, 30 ... (upper edge between inner edge and trailing edge) (Mutual) crossing part, 33 ... palm mounting surface, 35 ... thumb storage space, 40 ... ring part, 41 ... upper surface, 42 (L, R) ... (grip part) grip part, 42a ... front end, 42b ... rear end , 42c ... middle part, 42d ... top surface, 45 ... wide part, 48 ... raised part, 50 ... palm rest part,
Dh ... Diameter dimension (on the long axis side of the cross section of the grip), LX ... Long axis, θX ... Tilt angle (on the long axis), LF ... Length dimension (on the upper edge of the leading edge), θ2 ... (leading edge) Cross-section angle (between the upper edges of the portion and the trailing edge), θ3 ... Cross-section angle (between the upper edges of the inner edge and the trailing edge), θ4 ...
DH ... (driver's) hand, F0 ... thumb, F1 ... index finger, F2 ... middle finger, F3 ... ring finger, F4 ... little finger, DP ... palm, DPF ... fingertip ball.

Claims (6)

A steering wheel including a ring portion that is gripped and rotationally steered by the driver, a boss portion that is arranged on the center side of the ring portion, and a spoke portion that connects the boss portion and the ring portion.
A hand rest portion in which the spoke portions are arranged so as to expand each other on the rear sides on both the left and right sides from the boss portion, and the vicinity of each of the left and right palms of the driver can be placed on the upper surface side. It is equipped with left and right spoke components that are configured by arranging
The left and right hand rests of the spoke components are viewed from above.
A leading edge portion that is arranged on the leading edge side, extends substantially linearly in the left-right direction from the boss portion, and is arranged so as to be connected to the ring portion.
An inner edge portion that extends substantially linearly from the boss portion on the rear side of the boss side end portion of the leading edge portion to the rear side.
Arranged on the trailing edge side, on the rear side of the leading edge portion, it extends substantially linearly outward along the substantially left-right direction from the rear end side of the inner edge portion and approaches the outer end portion of the leading edge portion. At the same time, the trailing edge portion arranged so as to be continuous with the ring portion,
As well as being configured with
The upper surface side between the upper edge of the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion is a palm mounting surface on which at least the area of the fingertip ball in the driver's palm can be placed.
The inner space of the inner side surface extending downward from the upper edge of the inner edge portion is configured as a thumb storage space that can store the driver's thumb.
The palm-mounted surface of the hand rest portion is formed into a curved surface with an upward bulge as a cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction.
The hand rest portion is arranged so that at least the vicinity of the intersection of the upper edges of the trailing edge portion and the inner edge portion protrudes upward from the upper surface of the ring portion.
The ring portion arranges the grip portion gripped by the driver on the left and right sides of the boss portion.
The left and right grip portions are arranged so as to extend substantially linearly from the left and right outer sides of the left and right hand rest portions so as to approach each other.
A steering wheel characterized in that the angle at which the left and right grip portions approach each other is in an angle range of 10 to 20 ° from the front-rear direction . The upper edge of the leading edge portion is arranged so as to be diagonally rearward in the left-right direction from the boss portion with a length dimension in the range of 80 to 150 mm.
The crossing angle between the leading edge and the trailing edge is within the range of 25 to 35 °.
The steering wheel according to claim 1, wherein the inner edge portion and the trailing edge portion are configured such that the crossing angle between the upper edges is within a range of 90 to 160 °. The steering wheel according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a wide portion that protrudes toward the boss portion and widens the grip area is arranged on the inner circumference of the left and right grip portions on the front end side. wheel. The cross section of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the left and right grip portions is formed in a substantially elliptical shape, and the cross section is formed in a substantially elliptical shape.
A claim characterized in that the substantially elliptical cross section is set so that the angle from the lower surface side to the upper surface side of the long axis is set within the range of 5 to 15 ° and approaches the boss portion side. The steering wheel according to any one of items 1 to 3 . The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the left and right grip portions are provided with a gently raised raised portion on the upper surface on the rear side of the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. Steering wheel. The steering wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the left and right grip portions are provided with a palm rest portion that rises upward on the upper surface side of the rear end.

Images