JP7405120B2 - steering handle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steering handle that includes a rim portion that is gripped by a vehicle driver and rotated around a steering shaft, and that has a function of detecting the grip state of the rim portion by the driver.

A steering handle provided on a vehicle includes a rim portion that is gripped by a driver and rotated around a steering shaft. As one form of this steering handle, one having a function of detecting whether a driver is gripping a rim portion is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The rim portion of the steering handle includes a rim core material, a capacitance sensor, and a skin material. The rim core member is connected to the steering shaft and constitutes a skeleton portion of the rim. The capacitance sensor is disposed around the rim core material while covering the rim core material. The skin material is wrapped around the capacitive sensor and constitutes the outermost layer of the rim.

The capacitive sensor includes an insulating layer, a detection electrode layer, and a shield electrode layer. The detection electrode layer is arranged along the outer peripheral surface of the insulating layer, and the shield electrode layer is arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the insulating layer. The detection electrode layer generates capacitance between it and the driver's hand. The capacitance sensor detects the gripping state of the rim portion based on the change in capacitance.

The shield electrode layer is grounded and has the function of shielding the detection electrode layer from noise.
The insulating layer and the skin material are made of thermoplastic polymer, and the detection electrode layer and shield electrode layer are made of conductive cloth. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion is softer than the rim core material, and the rim portion feels softer to the touch when gripped.

JP2020-157937A

However, although the conventional steering handle described above has a good tactile feel, the rim is composed of many parts such as a rim core material, a shield electrode layer, an insulating layer, a detection electrode layer, and a skin material, and the number of parts is low. There are many. A skin material is also wrapped around the capacitive sensor. This wrapping is done to avoid wrinkles in the skin material from the viewpoint of ensuring appearance quality. Therefore, the winding work is complicated.

A steering handle that solves the above problems includes a rim portion that is gripped by a vehicle driver and rotated around a steering shaft, the rim portion being connected to the steering shaft, and a frame of the rim portion. a first coating layer made of resin attached to the rim core material while covering the rim core material, and a first covering layer made of polyurethane, A second coating layer constituting an outer layer portion, and a part of a capacitance sensor that detects a grip state of the rim portion based on a change in capacitance that occurs when the rim portion is gripped by the driver's hand. and a detection electrode layer formed of a conductive material, disposed between the first coating layer and the second coating layer, and generating a capacitance between the detection electrode layer and the hand; The rim part further has a gap between the rim part core material and the first coating layer.

According to the above configuration, the detection electrode layer generates capacitance between the detection electrode layer and the driver's hand. The capacitance sensor detects the grip state of the rim portion by hand based on the change in capacitance.
By the way, the rim core member is connected to the steering shaft. The steering shaft is grounded through the vehicle body. Therefore, the capacitance of the rim core material changes in response to changes in the surrounding conditions of the rim core material, such as the running state of the vehicle and changes in the temperature of the passenger compartment. If this capacitance affects the capacitance generated between the detection electrode layer and the hand, the accuracy of detection of the grip state by the capacitance sensor will decrease.

In this regard, according to the above configuration, the gap between the rim core material and the first coating layer functions as an insulating part. The void portion blocks the electric charge accumulated in the rim core material, thereby suppressing the influence of the electric charge on the capacitance generated between the detection electrode layer and the hand. That is, the void portion exhibits the same function as the shield electrode layer in the conventional steering wheel (Patent Document 1). Therefore, the grip state can be stably and accurately detected by the capacitance sensor regardless of the surrounding situation. Therefore, it is possible to omit the shield electrode layer and reduce the number of parts in the rim portion.

Further, the second coating layer, which constitutes the outermost layer of the rim portion and is made of polyurethane, is soft. Therefore, when the driver grips the rim portion, the driver can feel the softness of the second coating layer through his/her hands, thereby providing a good tactile sensation.

In addition, if the outermost layer of the rim part is formed by wrapping the skin material, in order to ensure the appearance quality, the skin material must be wrapped so as not to create wrinkles. The work is complicated. In this regard, according to the above configuration, the second coating layer is formed by urethane molding. Therefore, it is easy to form the second coating layer to have a desired shape, that is, to ensure good appearance quality.

In the above steering handle, the first coating layer includes a plurality of first coating members attached to the rim core material, and each first coating member is attached to the rim core material. , a gap forming part is formed between the first covering member and the rim core material, and the gap forming part is formed by the gap forming parts of all the first covering members attached to the rim core material. It is preferable that the

According to the above configuration, when the first covering member is attached to the rim core material, a gap forming portion is formed between the first covering member and the rim core material. When all the first covering members are attached to the rim core material, the rim core material is surrounded by these first covering members. Further, a void portion is formed around the rim core material by the void forming portion of each first covering member.

In the above steering handle, each first covering member preferably has a Shore A hardness of 40 to 70.
Here, if each first covering member is formed of a hard material, and the thickness of the second covering layer is made thinner in order to improve the detection sensitivity of the gripping state by the capacitive sensor, the following concerns may arise. There is. This is because when the driver grips the rim and the second coating layer elastically deforms and bottoms out, the hardness of the first coating member is transmitted to the hand via the detection electrode layer and the second coating layer, causing a tactile sensation. It is about becoming hard.

In this respect, each first covering member having the Shore A hardness described above is soft. Therefore, even if the second covering layer elastically deforms and bottoms out when the driver grips the rim portion, each first covering member will elastically deform, resulting in a softer touch.

In the above steering handle, a cross section of the rim portion in a plane including the axis of the steering shaft, the circumferential direction of the cross section being centered around the rim core material, and the circumferential direction of the cross section being centered around the rim core material. When the radial direction of the cross section is the radial direction of the cross section, a plurality of portions of each first covering member that are different from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section are provided with protrusions that protrude inward in the radial direction of the cross section. The first covering member is attached to the rim core by locking each protrusion to a locked portion formed on the outer circumference of the rim core. It is preferable that

According to the above configuration, when manufacturing the rim portion, the plurality of protrusions of each first covering member are locked to the locked portions formed at corresponding locations on the outer peripheral portion of the rim portion core material. Then, each first covering member is positioned relative to the rim core material in the circumferential direction of the cross section, and each first covering member is positioned relative to the rim core material in the radial direction of the cross section. Each first covering member is attached to the rim core material while forming a gap forming portion between the first covering members and the rim core material.

In the above steering handle, some of the locked portions are constituted by recesses that are recessed inward in the radial direction of the cross section from the outer surface of the rim core material, and the protrusions fit into the recesses. It is preferable that the protruding portion is locked to the locked portion by being locked.

According to the above configuration, when manufacturing the rim part, when the protrusion formed in each first covering member is formed in the rim part core material and fitted into the locked part consisting of the recess, the protrusion The part is locked to the locked part.

Then, on the condition that the other protrusions are locked to the corresponding locked parts, the positioning of each first covering member with respect to the rim core material in the circumferential direction of the cross section, and the diameter of the cross section are determined. The positioning of each first covering member with respect to the rim core member in the direction is performed. Each first covering member is attached to the rim core material while a gap forming portion is formed between the first covering member and the rim core material.

In the above steering handle, some of the locked portions are constituted by a stepped portion having a stepped surface extending in the radial direction of the cross section at the outer peripheral portion of the rim core material, and the protruding portion is It is preferable that the protrusion is locked to the locked portion by being hooked to the stepped surface.

According to the above configuration, when manufacturing the rim part, the protrusion of each first covering member is hooked onto the stepped surface of the stepped part formed in the rim core material. This latching causes the protrusion to be latched to the latched portion.

Then, on the condition that the other protrusions are locked to the corresponding locked portions, the positioning of each first covering member relative to the rim core material in the circumferential direction of the cross section, and the Each first covering member is positioned relative to the rim core member in the radial direction. Each first covering member is attached to the rim core material while a gap forming portion is formed between the first covering member and the rim core material.

According to the above steering handle, it is possible to reduce the number of parts while ensuring the soft touch and appearance quality of the rim portion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a steering handle according to an embodiment together with peripheral parts of the steering handle in a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the steering handle of one embodiment together with the driver's hands. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a rim portion of a steering handle according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rear first covering member is attached to the rim core material together with the detection electrode layer during manufacturing of the rim portion in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a state before the front first covering member and the rear first covering member are attached to the rim core material together with the detection electrode layer during manufacturing of the rim part in one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rear first covering member is being attached to the rim core material together with the detection electrode layer during manufacturing of the rim portion in one embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the steering handle will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a steering device 12 that is operated by a driver D1 when steering the vehicle 10 is provided in front of a driver's seat 11 in the vehicle 10. The steering device 12 includes a steering column 13 and a steering handle 14 rotatably arranged behind the steering column 13. A steering shaft 15 is disposed within the steering column 13 and transmits the rotation of the steering handle 14 to a steering gear box (not shown). The steering shaft 15 is arranged in an inclined state so that it becomes higher toward the rear. The steering shaft 15 is grounded through the body of the vehicle 10.

In this embodiment, when describing each part of the steering handle 14, the axis L1 of the steering shaft 15 is used as a reference. The direction along this axis L1 is referred to as the "front-back direction" of the steering handle 14, and the direction in which the steering handle 14 stands up among the directions along the plane perpendicular to the axis L1 is referred to as the "up-down direction." Therefore, the front-back direction and the up-down direction of the steering handle 14 are slightly inclined with respect to the front-back direction (horizontal direction) and the up-down direction (vertical direction) of the vehicle 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the steering handle 14 includes a rim portion (sometimes referred to as a handle portion or a ring portion) 20, a pad portion 51, and spoke portions 52. The rim portion 20 is a portion that is held by the driver D1 and rotated around the steering shaft 15, and has a substantially annular shape around the axis L1. The pad portion 51 is arranged in a space surrounded by the rim portion 20. The spoke portions 52 are provided between the rim portion 20 and the pad portion 51.

The skeleton portion of the steering handle 14 is composed of a core material (sometimes referred to as a core metal). The core material is made of iron, aluminum, magnesium, or an alloy thereof. The core member is attached to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 15 so as to be able to rotate integrally therewith.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the core material located within the rim portion 20 is called a rim core material 21. As shown in FIGS. The rim core material 21 forms a skeleton portion of the rim portion 20, and has a substantially annular shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. The rim core material 21 is connected to the steering shaft 15 via the core material in the spoke portions 52 and the core material in the pad portion 51 .

Here, a cross section of the rim portion 20 in a plane including the axis L1 of the steering shaft 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and a circumferential direction centered on the rim core material 21, is referred to as a "circumferential direction of the cross section." do. Further, in the above-mentioned cross section, the radial direction centered on the rim core material 21 is referred to as the "radial direction of the cross section." The outer surface of the rim core material 21 has a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 22 in the circumferential direction of the cross section. Each outer peripheral surface 22 is curved so as to bulge outward in the radial direction of the cross section.

Locked portions are formed on the outer surface of the rim core material 21 at a plurality of locations that are different from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section. In this embodiment, the plurality of locked portions are formed at approximately equal angles (approximately 90°) in the circumferential direction of the cross section.

The plurality of locked parts are constituted by two recesses 23 and 26 and two step parts 24 and 27. The two recesses 23 and 26 are located at positions sandwiching the central axis CL of the rim core material 21 from both front and rear sides. The two step portions 24 and 27 are located on both sides of the rim portion 20 in the radial direction, with the center axis CL being centered on the axis L1. The recesses 23 and 26 and the stepped portions 24 and 27 are alternately formed in the circumferential direction of the cross section.

Each of the recesses 23 and 26 extends from the outer surface of the rim core material 21 between the adjacent outer circumferential surfaces 22 inward in the radial direction of the cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as "radially inward"). Concave. The stepped portion 24 has a stepped surface 25, and the stepped portion 27 has a stepped surface 28. The step surfaces 25 and 28 extend in the radial direction of the cross section and are located at the boundary between the outer circumferential surfaces 22 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the cross section.

In addition to the rim core material 21, the rim portion 20 includes a first coating layer 30, detection electrode layers 44, 45, and a second coating layer 43.
The first coating layer 30 is attached to the rim core material 21 in a state that it covers the rim core material 21. The first coating layer 30 includes a plurality of first coating members attached to the rim core material 21, respectively. In this embodiment, the plurality of first covering members include a front first covering member 31 and a rear first covering member 36. Both the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 are made of a soft resin material, for example, an elastomer such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or TPO (olefin thermoplastic elastomer). The Shore A hardness of the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 is 40 to 70.

The front first covering member 31 is attached to the rim core 21 so as to cover the rim core 21 from the front in the direction along the axis L1 (vertical direction in FIGS. 3 to 5). Most parts of the front first covering member 31 are constituted by the front first covering main body portion 32. The front first covering main body portion 32 is configured to bulge outward in the radial direction of the cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as “radially outward”) along the outer surface of the rim core material 21 including the outer circumferential surface 22. It's curved. In the front first covering main body portion 32, protrusions 33 and 34 are formed at a plurality of locations (in this embodiment, two locations) different from each other in the circumferential direction of the above-mentioned cross section. Each of the protrusions 33 and 34 protrudes inward in the radial direction of the cross section from the inner peripheral portion of the first front covering main body portion 32.

One of the protrusions 33 is formed at one end (left side in FIGS. 3 to 5) of the front first covering main body portion 32 in the circumferential direction of the cross section. The protrusion length of the protrusion 33 from the front first covering main body portion 32 is set to be longer than the dimension of the stepped surface 25 in the radial direction of the cross section.

The other protrusion 34 is formed at an intermediate portion of the front first covering body portion 32 in the circumferential direction of the cross section. The protruding length of the protruding portion 34 from the front first covering main body portion 32 is set to be longer than the depth of the recessed portion 23.

A part of the protrusion 33 including the tip of the protrusion 33 is latched to the stepped surface 25, thereby locking the protrusion 33 to the stepped portion 24 (locked portion). Further, by fitting a portion of the protrusion 34 including the tip of the protrusion 34 into the recess 23, the protrusion 34 is locked to the recess 23 (locked portion). Due to these locks, the front first covering member 31 is attached to the rim core member 21. In this mounted state, the boundary portion of the protrusion 33 with the front first covering main body portion 32 is located further outward in the radial direction of the cross section than the step surface 25 is. Further, a boundary portion of the protrusion 34 with the front first covering body portion 32 is exposed from the recess 23 . A gap forming portion 35 is formed between the front first covering main body portion 32 and the rim core material 21.

On the other hand, the rear first covering member 36 is attached to the rim core material 21 so as to cover the rim core material 21 from the rear in the direction along the axis L1. Most parts of the rear first covering member 36 are constituted by a rear first covering main body portion 37. The rear first covering body portion 37 is curved so as to bulge outward in the radial direction of the cross section along the outer surface of the rim core material 21 including the outer circumferential surface 22 . In the rear first covering main body portion 37, protrusions 38 and 39 are formed at a plurality of locations (in this embodiment, two locations) different from each other in the circumferential direction of the above-mentioned cross section. Each of the protrusions 38 and 39 protrudes inward in the radial direction of the cross section from the inner peripheral portion of the rear first covering body portion 37.

One of the protrusions 38 is formed at one end (the right side in FIGS. 3 to 5) of the rear first covering body portion 37 in the circumferential direction of the cross section. The protrusion length of the protrusion 38 from the rear first covering main body portion 37 is set to be longer than the dimension of the stepped surface 28 in the radial direction of the cross section.

The other protrusion 39 is formed at an intermediate portion of the rear first covering body portion 37 in the circumferential direction of the cross section. The protruding length of the protruding portion 39 from the rear first covering body portion 37 is set to be longer than the depth of the recessed portion 26 .

A part of the protrusion 38 including the tip of the protrusion 38 is latched to the stepped surface 28, thereby locking the protrusion 38 to the stepped portion 27 (locked portion). In addition, by fitting a portion of the protrusion 39 including the tip of the protrusion 39 into the recess 26, the protrusion 39 is locked to the recess 26 (locked portion). Due to these locks, the rear first covering member 36 is attached to the rim core member 21. In this state, the boundary portion of the protrusion 38 with the rear first covering body portion 37 is located outward from the stepped surface 28 in the radial direction of the cross section. The rear boundary portion of the protrusion 39 with the first covering body portion 37 is exposed from the recess 26 . A gap forming portion 41 is formed between the rear first covering member 36 and the rim core material 21.

Both ends of the front first covering member 31 in the circumferential direction of the cross section and both ends of the rear first covering member 36 in the same circumferential direction are elastically deformed and approach each other in the circumferential direction. It is pressed against the side to which it is attached.

A gap 42 is formed around the rim core material 21 and between the first coating layer 30 and the gap forming parts 35 and 41 .
As shown in FIG. 3, the second covering layer 43 is made of polyurethane and is soft, and constitutes the outermost layer of the rim portion 20. As shown in FIG. The second coating layer 43 is formed to have a uniform thickness in the circumferential direction of the cross section. Although the thickness of the second coating layer 43 is set to 3 to 4 mm in this embodiment, it may be set to a different value.

The detection electrode layers 44 and 45 are arranged between the first coating layer 30 and the second coating layer 43, and constitute a part of the capacitance sensor. Each detection electrode layer 44, 45 is formed of a conductive material. In this embodiment, each detection electrode layer 44, 45 is formed of aluminum foil, but may be formed of copper foil. Further, the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 may be formed of fabric impregnated with a conductive metal material.

One detection electrode layer 44 is attached to the outer circumferential surface 32a of the front first covering body part 32, and the other detection electrode layer 45 is attached to the outer circumferential surface 37a of the rear first covering body part 37. In both detection electrode layers 44 and 45, end portions of the cross section adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are in contact with each other.

The capacitance sensor further includes a detection circuit section (not shown). The detection circuit section is arranged within the pad section 51, for example. The detection circuit section is electrically connected to the detection electrode layers 44 and 45. The detection circuit section detects the grip state of the hand H1 on the rim section 20 based on the change in capacitance that occurs between the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the hand H1 of the driver D1.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained. In addition, effects that occur as a result of the action will also be explained.
The rim portion 20 is manufactured as follows.

First, each of the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 is molded by a resin molding method such as an injection molding method.
In addition to the resin molding described above, the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 are formed by punching conductive foil such as aluminum foil into a predetermined shape using a press.

As shown in FIG. 5, a detection electrode layer 44 is attached to the outer circumferential surface 32a of the first front covering main body portion 32. As shown in FIG. A detection electrode layer 45 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 37a of the rear first covering body portion 37. The front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 to which the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 are attached in this manner are attached to the rim core material 21.

Both the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 are attached to the rim core member 21 in the same manner. Therefore, here, a case where the first covering member 36 is attached to the rim core material 21 after the detection electrode layer 45 is attached will be described.

The protrusions 38 and 39 of the rear first covering member 36 are locked to corresponding locked portions on the outer peripheral portion of the rim core member 21.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 38 is hooked onto the stepped surface 28 of the stepped portion 27. This latching causes the protrusion 38 to be latched to the stepped portion 27 (locked portion).

Next, the rear first covering member 36 is rotated using the protrusion 38 as a fulcrum in a direction where the protrusion 39 approaches the recess 26 . This rotation is performed while the first covering member 36 is elastically deformed after coming into contact with the rim core member 21. When the protrusion 39 is fitted into the recess 26 due to the rotation accompanied by elastic deformation, the protrusion 39 is locked to the recess 26 (locked portion).

Then, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the positioning of the rear first covering member 36 with respect to the rim core material 21 in the circumferential direction of the cross section, and the positioning of the rim portion of the rear first covering member 36 in the radial direction of the cross section. Positioning with respect to the core material 21 is performed. The rear first covering member 36 is attached to the rim core material 21 while the gap forming part 41 is formed between the rim core material 21 and the rim core material 21 . By locking the protrusions 38 and 39 of the rear first covering member 36 to the stepped portion 27 and the recess 26 of the rim core material 21, the rear first covering member 36 also locks against the rim core material 21. , movement of the cross section in the circumferential direction and the radial direction is restricted.

Note that by locking the protrusion 39 with the recess 26 at an earlier timing than the locking of the protrusion 38 with the stepped portion 27, or at the same time, the rear first covering member 36 can be attached to the rim core member 21. may be done.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the front first covering member 31 is also attached to the rim core member 21 in the same manner as the rear first covering member 36. During this installation, both ends of the front first covering member 31 in the circumferential direction of the cross section and both ends of the rear first covering member 36 in the same circumferential direction interfere with each other. The front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 are attached to the rim core member 21 while the end portions of the cross section adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are elastically deformed. Then, the end portions of the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section are pressed into contact with each other toward sides that approach each other in the same circumferential direction.

Therefore, no gap is created at the boundary between the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36. Alternatively, even if a gap occurs in the boundary portion, the gap is so narrow that it can be ignored.
When the front first covering member 31 is attached to the rim core material 21 as described above, the rim core material 21 is surrounded by the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36. state. In addition, the rim core material 2 A void portion 42 is formed around the.

Note that, contrary to the above, the first front covering member 31 and the first rear covering member 36 may be attached to the rim core material 21 in this order.
Next, as described above, the rim core material 21 covered with the first front covering member 31 and the first rear covering member 36 is placed in a mold (not shown). By injecting the urethane material into the mold and performing urethane molding, the soft second coating layer 43 made of polyurethane, which covers the detection electrode layers 44 and 45, has a thickness in the circumferential direction of the cross section. It is formed to be uniform. At this time, as described above, the rim core material 21 is covered with the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36. Moreover, at the boundary between the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36, there is no gap or only a negligibly narrow gap. Therefore, it is difficult for the urethane material to enter the void portion 42 through the boundary portion. Therefore, a gap 42 having a desired size and shape can be formed between the rim core material 21 and the first coating layer 30.

In the manner described above, the rim portion 20 having the desired shape and size is obtained. This rim portion 20 is removed from the mold. The steering handle 14 having the rim portion 20 is attached to the rear end of the steering shaft 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the steering handle 14, the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 generate capacitance with the driver's D1's hand H1. When the rim portion 20 is gripped by the driver D1, the capacitance between the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the hand H1 becomes a value different from the capacitance when the rim portion 20 is not gripped. Therefore, the detection circuit section of the capacitance sensor can detect the gripping state of the rim portion 20 by the hand H1 based on the change in capacitance.

By the way, the rim core member 21 is connected to the steering shaft 15. The steering shaft 15 is grounded through the vehicle body. Therefore, the capacitance of the rim core material 21 changes in response to changes in the conditions around the rim core material 21, such as the running state of the vehicle 10 and changes in the temperature of the vehicle interior. If this capacitance affects the capacitance generated between the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the hand H1, the accuracy of detection of the grip state by the capacitance sensor will decrease.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the gap 42 between the rim core material 21 and the first coating layer 30 functions as an insulating part. Therefore, by shielding the electric charge stored in the rim core material 21, the void part 42 suppresses the influence of the electric charge on the capacitance generated between the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the hand H1. do. That is, the cavity 42 exhibits the same function as the shield electrode layer in the conventional steering wheel (Patent Document 1). The grip state can be stably and accurately detected by the capacitance sensor regardless of the surrounding situation. Therefore, the number of parts of the rim portion 20 can be reduced by omitting the shield electrode layer.

Further, the second covering layer 43, which constitutes the outermost layer of the rim portion 20 and is made of polyurethane, is soft. Therefore, when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20, the driver D1 can feel the softness of the second coating layer 43 through the hand H1, thereby providing a good tactile sensation (grip feeling).

Additionally, if the outermost layer of the rim is formed by wrapping a skin material, the skin material must be wrapped in a manner that prevents wrinkles from forming in order to ensure quality appearance. , the work is complicated. In this regard, in this embodiment, the second coating layer 43 is formed by urethane molding. Therefore, it is easy to form the second coating layer 43 in a desired shape, that is, to ensure good appearance quality.

Moreover, if the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 are formed of a hard resin material, the following problem may occur. This problem may occur when the thickness of the second coating layer 43 is reduced in order to improve the detection sensitivity of the capacitance sensor. The problem is that when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20 and the second coating layer 43 elastically deforms and bottoms out, the hardness of the front first coating member 31 and the rear first coating member 36 is This is transmitted to the hand H1 via the layers 44, 45 and the second coating layer 43, and the tactile sensation becomes hard.

In this respect, the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 having the above-mentioned Shore A hardness are soft. Therefore, even if the second covering layer 43 elastically deforms and bottoms out when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20, the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 will elastically deform. The softness of the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 is transmitted to the hand H1 via the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the second covering layer 43, resulting in a softer touch. The tactile sensation is better than when the front first covering member 31 and the rear first covering member 36 are made of a hard resin material.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above.
(1) In this embodiment, the urethane material does not enter the cavity 42. Therefore, compared to the case where the urethane material enters the cavity 42, it is possible to reduce the weight of the rim portion 20 and thus the steering handle 14.

(2) In this embodiment, the second coating layer 43 is formed by urethane molding. Therefore, it is easy to form the second coating layer 43 so that the thickness is uniform in the circumferential direction of the cross section.

(3) Related to (2) above, the distance from the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 to the part (outer surface) of the second coating layer 43 that is touched by the hand H1 is determined in the circumferential direction of the cross section. It can be made uniform. It is possible to suppress variations in the capacitance generated between the detection electrode layers 44, 45 and the hand H1 in the circumferential direction of the cross section.

(4) In the present embodiment, the protrusion length of the protrusion 33 from the first front covering main body portion 32 is set to be longer than the dimension of the stepped surface 25 in the radial direction of the cross section. Further, the protrusion length of the protrusion 34 from the front first covering main body portion 32 is set to be longer than the depth of the recess 23.

Therefore, when the front first covering member 31 is attached to the rim core material 21, the front first covering body section 32 can be separated from the rim core material 21 outward in the radial direction of the cross section. . A gap forming portion 35 having a desired size and shape can be formed between the first front covering member 31 and the rim core material 21, particularly between the outer circumferential surface 22.

Regarding the rear first covering member 36, a gap forming portion 41 is formed between it and the rim core material 21 in the same manner as the front first covering member 31 by setting the protruding lengths of the protrusions 38 and 39. can do.

(5) In this embodiment, a gap 42 is formed between the rim core material 21 and the first coating layer 30. Therefore, the outer shape of the first covering layer 30 can be made larger and the thickness of the second covering layer 43 can be made smaller accordingly, compared to the case where the void portion 42 is not formed.

Note that the above embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

<About the shape of the rim portion 20>
- The rim part 20 may be formed in a ring shape different from a circular ring shape centered on the axis L1. In this case, a portion of the rim portion 20 may be formed in an arc shape, and the other portion may be formed in a straight line shape, for example.

- The rim portion 20 may be formed in a non-annular shape.
<About the first coating layer 30>
- The rear first covering member 36 located on the side closer to the driver D1 and the front first covering member 31 located on the side farther from the driver D1 are made to have the same hardness as in the above embodiment. The hardness may be different from each other.

For example, the front first covering member 31 may be formed of a soft resin material similar to the above embodiment, and the rear first covering member 36 may be formed of a resin material harder than the front first covering member 31. As the hard resin material, for example, PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate), etc. can be used.

In this way, the hardness of the rear first covering member 36 can be made higher than the hardness of the front first covering member 31, and the tactile sensation when gripping the rim portion 20 can be improved.
That is, the region of the rim portion 20 that is close to the driver D1 is the region that the palm of the hand comes into contact with when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20. The contact area of this region with the hand H1 is large. A large pressing force is applied to this region as the rim portion 20 is gripped. A hard rear first covering member 36 is disposed in the above region of the rim portion 20 . Therefore, when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20, the driver D1 can feel the hardness of the rear first covering member 36 with the palm of the hand via the second covering layer 43 and the detection electrode layer 45.

On the other hand, in the rim portion 20, the region far from the driver D1 is the region that the fingertips of the driver D1 come into contact with when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20. The contact area of this region with the hand H1 is small. When the rim portion 20 is gripped, the pressing force applied to the above region is small. A soft front first covering member 31 is arranged in the above region of the rim portion 20 . Therefore, when the driver D1 grips the rim portion 20, he can feel the softness of the front first covering member 31 with his fingertips through the second covering layer 43 and the detection electrode layer 44.

As a result, the rim portion 20 fits easily in the hand H1 and has a good tactile feel.
- The first covering layer 30 may be constituted by three or more first covering members.
- When the first covering layer 30 is composed of two first covering members, the region in which each of the first covering members covers the rim core material 21 may be changed to a different region from the above embodiment. For example, one first covering member may cover an inner circumferential portion in a radial direction centered on the axis L1, and the other first covering member may cover an outer circumferential portion in the same radial direction.

<About the locked part>
- The locked portion consisting of the recesses 23 and 26 may be constituted by a stepped portion having a stepped surface. In this case, all the locked portions are constituted by stepped portions having stepped surfaces.

Further, contrary to the above, the locked portion consisting of the step portions 24 and 27 having the step surfaces 25 and 28 may be constituted by a recess. In this case, all the locked parts are constituted by recesses.

<About the protrusions 33, 34, 38, 39>
- The number of protrusions 33 and 34 in the front first covering member 31 may be changed to three or more. Similarly, the number of protrusions 38 and 39 on the rear first covering member 36 may be changed to three or more. In these cases, the same number of locked parts (recesses 23, 26, stepped parts 24, 27) in the rim core 21 are provided as the number of protrusions 33, 34, 38, 39 after the change.

<About detection electrode layers 44 and 45>
- The detection electrode layers 44 and 45 may be arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the rim part 20 centering on the axis L1, or may be arranged only in a part. In some cases, the detection electrode layers 44 and 45 are arranged in areas that are frequently held by the driver D1.

- The detection electrode layers 44 and 45 may be arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cross section as in the above embodiment, or may be arranged only in a part in the same direction.
<Others>
- When the vehicle 10 is parked in a cold region during the winter, the temperature inside the vehicle decreases, and the temperature of the rim portion 20 decreases accordingly. When the driver D1 gets on the vehicle 10 and starts driving in such a state, he/she has to grip the cold rim portion 20, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. Moreover, it gives a feeling of discomfort to the driver D1.

Therefore, a sheet-shaped heater may be arranged within the rim portion 20. In this case, the heater may be arranged between the front first covering body part 32 and the detection electrode layer 44 or between the rear first covering main body part 37 and the detection electrode layer 45. . Further, the heater may be disposed between the front first covering body portion 32 and the detection electrode layer 44 and between the rear first covering body portion 37 and the detection electrode layer 45.

In this way, the temperature of the rim portion 20 can be increased by generating heat by energizing the heater. The driver D1 grips the warmed rim portion 20, which makes steering easier than when the rim portion 20 is cold. Further, it is possible to prevent the driver D1 from feeling uncomfortable due to the cold rim portion 20.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Vehicle 14... Steering handle 15... Steering shaft 20... Rim part 21... Rim part core material 23, 26... Recessed part (locked part)
24, 27...Step part (locked part)
25, 28... Stepped surface 30... First coating layer 31... Front first coating member (first coating member)
33, 34, 38, 39... Protrusion 35, 41... Gap forming part 36... Rear first covering member (first covering member)
42...Gap portion 43...Second coating layer 44, 45...Detection electrode layer D1...Driver H1...Hand L1...Axis line

Claims (6)

It includes a rim portion that is gripped by the driver of the vehicle and rotated around a steering shaft,
The rim portion is
a rim core member connected to the steering shaft and forming a skeleton of the rim;
a first coating layer made of resin attached to the rim core material in a state covering the rim core material;
a second coating layer made of polyurethane and constituting the outermost layer of the rim portion;
The sensor constitutes a part of a capacitance sensor that detects the gripping state of the rim based on a change in capacitance that occurs when the rim is gripped by the driver's hand, and is made of a conductive material. and a detection electrode layer disposed between the first coating layer and the second coating layer to generate a capacitance between the rim portion and the hand, the rim portion further comprising A steering handle having a gap between the material and the first coating layer. The first covering layer includes a plurality of first covering members respectively attached to the rim core material,
When each first covering member is attached to the rim core material, a gap forming portion is formed between the first covering member and the rim core material, and all the first covering members attached to the rim core material are The steering handle according to claim 1, wherein the gap portion is formed by the gap forming portion of the first covering member. The steering handle according to claim 2, wherein each first covering member has a Shore A hardness of 40 to 70. A cross section of the rim portion in a plane including the axis of the steering shaft, where the circumferential direction around the rim core material is the circumferential direction of the cross section, and the radial direction around the rim core material is the circumferential direction of the cross section. , in the radial direction of the cross section,
Protrusions that protrude inward in the radial direction of the cross section are formed in each of the first covering members at a plurality of locations that are different from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section,
Claim 2 or 3, wherein each first covering member is attached to the rim core material by locking each protrusion to a locked portion formed on an outer peripheral portion of the rim core material. Steering handle as described in. Some of the locked portions are constituted by recesses that are recessed inward in the radial direction of the cross section from the outer surface of the rim core material,
The steering handle according to claim 4, wherein the protrusion is engaged with the locked portion by fitting the protrusion into the recess. Some of the locked portions are constituted by a stepped portion having a stepped surface extending in the radial direction of the cross section at the outer peripheral portion of the rim core material,
The steering handle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the protrusion is latched to the stepped surface so that the protrusion is locked to the locked portion.