JPH07291171A - Information transmission device for operation object device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit the information related to an operation object device to a device operator by a way surer than light and sound. CONSTITUTION:In an operation object device for a motorcycle, etc., which is operated by a handle member 10, an information transmission device for the operation object device which transmits the information related to the operation object device to an operator for this device is equipped with a signal output part 12 which outputs the signal corresponding to the information, and a vibration generation part 14 which vibrates the grip part 10a gripped by the operator of the handle member 10 on the basis of the output signal of the signal output part 12, and transmits information to the operator through vibration.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation target device operated by a handle member, for example, an information transfer device for the operation target device which can be adopted in a vehicle such as a motorcycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various types of devices operated by a handle member, and among them, there is a motorcycle that steers front wheel steering with a handle. 2. Description of the Related Art Motorcycles and other vehicles are provided with a turn indicator that indicates a right-turn or left-turn direction change to the surroundings when changing a course such as when turning at an intersection or changing lanes. This turn signal indicator usually adopts a blinking type, and when the driver operates the right turn or left turn changeover switch (turn signal switch), the turn signal light is turned on and off. A signal emission signal is emitted to display the course change. When this turn signal light emission signal is issued, the direction indicator light is activated to notify (transmit) the information that the turn signal light emission signal is emitted to the driver, so that the pilot lamp blinks in synchronization with the operation of the direction indicator light. Those that transmit information by light or sound, such as those that sound a sounding device such as a buzzer, are adopted.

[0003]

However, in a motorcycle, considering the riding environment (the driver's seat is exposed to the outside, the head is covered with a helmet when driving, etc.), There is a problem. When transmitting information using the light of the pilot lamp, if the driver's seat is exposed to the outside like a motorcycle, the pilot lamp is easily affected by the ambient light, and the ambient light may be reflected. , If the ambient light is too bright,
The visibility of the light emission signal emitted from the pilot lamp may be reduced. Also, when the sounding device is sounded and the above information is transmitted by sound, since the motorcycle driver wears a helmet, his / her ears are normally covered, and the sounding device requires a sufficient volume for reliable information transmission. become.

There are various devices operated by a steering wheel that transmit information related to driving of the device by light or sound as in the motorcycle, and the operating environment of the device is strongly illuminated. There is a problem that it may be difficult to transmit the driving-related information to the operator when the vehicle is hit by a vehicle or a place where a large amount of noise is generated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is capable of transmitting information of an operation target device to a device operator more reliably compared with light and sound. An object is to provide an information transmission device for a device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to an operation target device operated by a handle member, which transmits information about the device to an operator of the device. An information transmission device, comprising: a signal output unit that outputs a signal according to the information; and a vibration generation unit that vibrates a portion of the handle member gripped by the operator based on the output signal of the signal output unit. And a configuration of an operation target device information transmission device. In the invention of claim 2, the operation target device is a vehicle,
2. The configuration of the information transmission device for an operation target device according to claim 1, wherein the information about the device is at least one of turn signal light emission information of the vehicle and information that the remaining amount of lubricating oil is below a certain level. Have.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operator moves the handle member by grasping the handle member or the like, and thereby operates the device to be operated. When the device to be operated is operated, a signal corresponding to the information about the device to be operated is output, and the portion of the handle member grasped by the operator is vibrated based on the output signal of the signal output unit. The vibration is transmitted to the hand of the operator who is operating by gripping the member, etc., and the vibration surely transmits the information to the operator.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation target device is a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and the transmitted information is the turn signal emission information of the vehicle or the remaining amount of lubricating oil is below a certain level. Since it is at least one of the information, this information can be reliably transmitted to the operator (corresponding to the driver) of the vehicle. Especially when the vehicle is a motorcycle, the operator of the motorcycle receives the above-mentioned information due to the vibration to the hand holding the handle member, so that it is affected by external light or when wearing a helmet. However, the information is surely transmitted to the driver.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a detailed sectional view of a handle end portion of a motorcycle provided with an information transmission device according to an embodiment.
2 to 4 are circuit diagram diagrams of the information transmission device. The embodiment is an information transmission device for transmitting various information regarding the motorcycle to an operator (in this case, a driver) of the motorcycle in which the steering is changed by the steering wheel 10, and a signal corresponding to the information. And a vibration generator 14 for vibrating the grip portion 10a of the handle member 10 held by the operator based on the output signal of the signal output portion 12.

The handle 10 is of various types such as an up handle, a bar handle, a separate handle and the like, and is, for example, a handle bar attached to the upper end portion of the front fork. The handle 10 is a grip portion 10a having a hollow portion 16 from a vehicle width direction end to a certain length (usually, a length corresponding to a grip length of a driver). Has a cap member (for example, a handlebar end cap) 18 fitted therein. The grip portion 10a, as shown in detail in FIG.
It is formed in a substantially columnar shape having a hollow portion 16 formed therein. The hollow portion 16 is substantially concentric in a cross-section perpendicular to the axis, has a step in the axial direction, and further expands toward the outer side in the width direction and expands stepwise such that it is opened at the end. That is, a portion 1 that spreads to the extent of having a taper shape from the position slightly inside of the grip portion 10a in the width direction toward the outside.
6a, a portion 16b having the same diameter is extended to the end of the tapered portion 16a and extends axially to a portion close to the handle end, and further, two steps 16c and 16d are provided to gradually expand, The opening 16e at the end of the handle opens outward. The hollow portion 16
A small-diameter hole 20 communicates with the taper-shaped portion 16a of the handle 10 from the central direction (not shown). The wire 22 is inserted.

The cap member 18 has a cylindrical portion 18a whose outer diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the opening 16e at the end of the handle and is short in the axial direction, and a substantially frustoconical umbrella which tapers outwardly. And the cylindrical portion 1
8a is fitted into the open portion 16e to close the hollow portion 16 from the outside. The cap member 18 may be solid or hollow, and a balance weight may be provided inside to serve as a balancer.

The vibration generating part 14 is concentric with the hollow part 16, and mainly has a ring-shaped coil 14b housed in a case body 14a, and is generally mushroom-shaped and has an umbrella shape. The fixed iron core 14c in which the rod-shaped portion faces the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body and the rod-shaped portion is fitted into the central axis of the coil 14b.
And an elastic member 14d made of an elastic body that is roughly dish-shaped and is arranged so as to cover the coil 14c outside in the vehicle width direction, and has a movable iron piece 14e fixed to the center thereof. The vibration generator 14 is fixed in the hollow portion 16 by the two steps 16c and 16d of the hollow portion 16 and the nut 24.

In other words, the case body 14a is fitted into the hollow portion 16 of the hollow portion 16 having the same diameter while the coil 14b is accommodated therein. A flange 14a1 is formed on one side of the case body 14a in the axial direction (outer side in the width direction of the vehicle body in the fitted state) so as to radially expand with respect to the shaft.
The outer edge portion 14d1 of the elastic member 14d is fitted so as to wrap 4a1 from the outside, and the flange 14a1 and the outer edge portion 14d1 of the elastic member 14d in the fitted state are fitted into the step 16c of the hollow portion 16. In this fitted state, a thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface 16d1 of the other step 16d. A ring-shaped nut 24 is screwed into the thread groove to allow the flange 14a1 of the case body 14a and the elastic member 14d to be inserted.
The outer edge portion 14d1 is fixed by being sandwiched between the corner portion 16c2 of the step 16c and the threaded side surface 24a of the nut 24. As a result, the coil 14b and the fixed iron core 14c are fixed by the case body 14a, and the end of the elastic member 14d is fixed, and the movable iron piece 14e is moved by the elasticity of the elastic member.
Can be moved in the axial direction toward the fixed iron core 14c. After fixing the vibration generating portion 14 in the hollow portion 16, the end portion of the handle 10 is covered with the cap member 18. The vibration generating portion 14 may be provided at one end portion or at both end portions of the handle 10 extending in the vehicle body width direction.

When the coil 14b is intermittently energized (according to the information about the motorcycle) by the structure of the vibration generator 14, the movable iron piece 14e magnetically attaches to the fixed iron core 14c each time the electricity is energized. It is sucked in, moves, and collides. Then, the impact caused by the collision causes vibration in the handle grip portion 10a. This vibration is transmitted to the hand of the driver who holds the handle grip portion 10a.

In the embodiment, the information about the motorcycle is at least either turn signal light emission information of the motorcycle or information indicating that the remaining amount of lubricating oil is below a certain level. An example of a circuit for outputting the signals of the turn signal light emission information to the vibration generating unit 14 in the signal output unit 12 is as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. An example of a circuit that outputs a signal to the vibration generator 14 is as shown in FIG.

In the circuit example of FIG. 2, the signal output unit 12
Uses a turn signal circuit that causes the turn signal lamps 26R and 26L to emit turn signal light emission signals for indicating right and left directions. The signal output unit 12 is provided with a turn signal switch 12a which is arranged at an appropriate position of the steering wheel 10 and which selects a right or left traveling direction, and a power source which is supplied from a battery 30 via a main switch 28 intermittently. The output turn signal relay 12b is provided in series connection. Further, the coil 14b of the vibration generating unit 14 is connected (via the lead wire 22) to the + (plus) poles of the right and left turn signal lamps 26R, 26L. As a result, the right and left turn signal lamps 26
Intermittent energization is applied to the coil 14b in response to blinking of either R or 26L. The vibration generator 14
May be provided at the grip portion 10a at one end of the handle 10 in the vehicle width direction, or at the grip portions 10a at both end portions.

With the above configuration, the circuit of FIG.
When either the right or the left of the turn signal switch 12a is turned on and either of the turn signal lamps 26R and 26L blinks, intermittent power supply for the blinking is supplied to the vibration generating portion 14 and the grip portion 10a. Vibration occurs. As a result, the driver turns the turn signal lamp 2
Get the information that 6R and 26L are blinking.

Further, in the circuit of FIG. 3, the vibration generators 14 are separately provided on both ends of the handle 10 on the right and left sides.
The coils 14b and 14b of the left vibration generator 14 are connected to the right and left turn signal lamps 26R and 26L, respectively. As a result, the turn signal lamp 2
Grip part 1 on the side where the light emission signal is emitted from 6R and 26L
0a vibrates, and the driver can know which side of the turn signal lamps 26R and 26L is emitting a light emission signal from the hand holding the steering wheel 10.

In the circuit of FIG. 4, an oscillator 32 capable of generating an intermittent signal is separately provided, and the coil 1 is provided on the output side of the oscillator 32.
4b to connect the oscillator 32 with an intermittent signal output O
N / OFF is controlled by various switches 34 of the motorcycle. For example, the switch 34 is used as an oil level gauge warning switch, and an intermittent signal is output from the oscillator 32. With this configuration, when the oil level drops, the oil level gauge warning switch detects the drop in the oil level, whereby the intermittent signal output from the oscillator 32 is given to the coil 14b in response to the drop in the oil level, and vibration is generated. The portion 14 causes the grip portion 10a to vibrate. Therefore, since the driver holding the grip portion 10a perceives the vibration of the grip portion 10a by hand, it is possible to transmit the warning information of the oil level drop by the vibration.

According to the above-described embodiment, by letting the driver of the motorcycle know information about various vehicles in the form of "vibration" in his / her hand, a light emitting type information transmission device or an automatic transmission device which is easily affected by ambient light is provided. Information can be transmitted more reliably as compared with an acoustic information transmission device that is easily affected by the unique helmet of a motorcycle. Further, in the light emitting type information transmission device, it is necessary to look forward while driving to the light emitting part, but in the information transmission device using the vibration of the present invention, information is transmitted by feeling the vibration by the hand. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the line of sight from the front.

In the above embodiment, as the information to be transmitted, the turn signal light emission information of the motorcycle and the information that the remaining amount of the lubricating oil is below a certain level are mentioned, and these are implemented together in the same vehicle. Alternatively, either one may be selected and implemented.
For example, in the case of being carried out together, it is possible to vibrate one of the two grip portions with the turn signal light emission information and the other with the information that the remaining amount of the lubricating oil is below a certain level. Of course, the present invention may be used to vibrate for the transmission of various other information. For example, according to the information that the speed becomes higher than or equal to a predetermined value or the fuel becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined value, both or one of the grip portions can be vibrated together or in accordance with the information. Also,
In the above-described embodiment, the motorcycle is taken as the operation target device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be implemented as various information transmission devices for other vehicles or other mechanical devices in which a person directly touches the handle member to operate.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention of claim 1, a signal corresponding to the information regarding the operation target device is output, and the operator of the handle member grasps based on the output signal of the signal output unit. Since the part is vibrated, the vibration is transmitted to the hand of the operator who is operating by gripping the handle member and the information is surely transmitted to the operator by this vibration.
Therefore, it is possible to more reliably transmit the information regarding the operation target device to the device operator as compared with the light and the sound. According to the invention of claim 2, the operator (corresponding to the driver) of the vehicle can be surely provided with at least one of the turn signal light emission information of the vehicle and the information that the remaining amount of the lubricating oil is below a certain level. Can be communicated. Especially when the vehicle is a motorcycle, the operator of the motorcycle receives the above-mentioned information due to the vibration to the hand holding the handle member, so that it is affected by external light or when wearing a helmet. However, the information is surely transmitted to the driver.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a handle end portion of a motorcycle provided with an information transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another circuit example of the information transmission device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is another circuit example diagram of the information transmission device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Handle 10a Grip part 12 Signal output part 12a Turn signal switch 12b Turn signal relay 14 Vibration generation part 14a Case body 14b Coil 14c Fixed iron core 14d Elastic member 14e Movable iron core 16 Hollow part 18 Cap member 26R, 26L Right and left Turn signal lamp 32 Oscillator 34 Switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information transmission device for an operation target device for transmitting information about the device to an operator of the device in an operation target device operated by a handle member, the signal output outputting a signal according to the information. And a vibration generator that vibrates a portion of the handle member gripped by an operator based on an output signal of the signal output unit. 2. The operation target device is a vehicle, and the information about the device is at least one of turn signal light emission information of the vehicle and information indicating that the remaining amount of lubricating oil is below a certain level. 1. The information transmission device for an operation target device according to 1.