JPH10334771A - Steering wheel operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance operability and effectively utilize a space by arranging an operation switch having a plurality of operation methods. SOLUTION: The steering wheel has a center cover 2 for covering a boss part in the center, at least one pair of spoke parts 3 extending in the radial direction from the center cover 2, and a circular wheel part 4 to which the tips of the spoke parts 3 are connected. Operation switches 5, 6 are formed in each spoke part 3, the operation switch 5 on one side and the operation switch 6 on the other side have a rotating dial capable of rotating, and the rotating dial is constituted so that three operations of rotation, move to the one side and the other side in parallel to the rotational axis direction, and pushing are made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel operating device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, although the existence of a known publication is unknown, a center cover surrounding a central boss portion, at least a pair of spoke portions extending radially from the center cover, and a circular shape in which the tips of the spoke portions are connected. In a steering wheel for operation of a vehicle or the like having a wheel portion described above, a configuration in which left and right operation switches of a horn are provided in each of the spoke portions is known.

[0003]

The above-mentioned known example has a problem that when pressed, only one operation of sounding the horn can be performed, wasting valuable space. According to the present invention, operability is improved and a space is effectively used by providing an operation switch having a plurality of operation methods.

[0004]

An object of the present invention is to improve operability and effectively use space.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a center cover for covering a central boss portion, at least a pair of spoke portions extending radially from the center cover,
In a steering wheel for operation of a vehicle or the like having a circular wheel portion 4 to which the tip of the spoke portion 3 is connected, each of the spoke portions 3 is provided with operation switches 5 and 6, respectively, and the one-side operation switch 5 and The other-side operation switch 6 has a rotary dial 7 that can be rotated, and the rotary dial 7 is configured to be capable of three operations by rotation and movement to one side and the other side in parallel with the rotation axis direction and pressing. It is a wheel operating device. In the present invention, the spoke portion 3 is disposed so as to be substantially horizontal in a straight-ahead operation state, and the one-side operation switch 5 is provided.
The other side operation switch 6 is a steering wheel operating device provided at a position where it can be operated with the thumb while holding the wheel portion 4.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
Reference numeral denotes a steering wheel, which is formed by connecting the tips of a pair of spokes 3 extending radially from a center cover 2 surrounding a central boss to a circular wheel 4. Each of the spokes 3 has a one-side operation switch 5
And the other-side operation switch 6 are provided. Since the steering wheel 1 rotates with respect to a handle shaft (not shown), the positions of the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 also change, but for convenience of explanation, FIG.
, And the one-side operation switch 5
Is a left switch, and the other operation switch 6 is a right switch. It is preferable that the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are provided at a position where they can be operated with the thumb while the wheel unit 4 is gripped, thereby improving operability.

The left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 have the same configuration and will be described with the same reference numerals. Is configured to be capable of three operations by rotation, vertical movement, and pressing. This is the gist. The configuration of the left and right operation switches 5 and 6 is optional, but the rotary dial 7 is divided into grooves 1 parallel to the direction of the mother ship.
0 and the split cylinder member 1
An arm 12 protruding to the center is formed in the lower opening of 1,
A lower shaft 13 protruding downward is provided on the lower surface of the arm 12,
The lower shaft 13 abuts (presses) on the lower movement switch 14 when the rotary dial 7 is moved downward. The upper surface of the arm portion 12 is provided with an upward shaft 15 protruding into the split cylinder member 11, and the upper surface of the upward shaft 15 is provided with an upward shaft 15.
Ridge-shaped engaging protrusion 16 in a direction crossing the axial direction of
Is provided.

[0008] An insertion hole 19 formed in the cylindrical portion 18 of the support member 17 is inserted and fitted into the upward shaft 15. The outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 18 is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the split cylindrical member 11. Accordingly, the split cylinder member 11 rotates while being guided by the outer periphery of the cylinder section 18. A pressing shaft portion 20 protruding rearward is provided on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 18, and the pressing shaft portion 20 is connected to a pressing switch 21.
Contact. A pair of guide grooves 23 are provided in the body 22 of the pressing switch 21, and a guide shaft 24 projecting forward is fitted in the guide grooves 23, and the guide shaft 24 is
To guide the back and forth movement of the support member 17. The front side of the cylindrical portion 18 is formed vertically long to form a projecting portion 26 projecting up and down from the split tube member 11 of the rotary dial 7, and the projecting portion 26 functions as a stopper that comes into contact with an inner surface of a casing 27 described later. expect.

A groove 29 of a slider 28 is fitted into the engagement projection 16 of the upward shaft 15 of the rotary dial 7. A groove 30 is provided on the upper surface of the slider 28 in a direction crossing the groove 29, and a groove 32 provided on the lower surface of the rotation transmitting body 31 is fitted into the groove 30. Rotation transmission body 31
Is formed on a plate-shaped different diameter shaft portion 33, and the different diameter shaft portion 3
3 is inserted into an insertion groove 36 formed in a rotating portion 35 of a rotary switch 34. The rotary switch 34 is rotated by the rotation of the different diameter shaft portion 33, and the rotary switch 35 is operated by transmitting a signal indicating the position of the rotary portion 35. The distal end of the different diameter shaft portion 33 projects from the insertion groove 36, and the distal end projection of the different diameter shaft portion 33 contacts the upper switch 37.

The casing 27 has an opening 40 formed on the upper surface thereof, and a projection 41 projecting upward and downward is provided on the upper and lower inner surfaces of the opening 40, and a gap 42 is formed on the left and right sides of the projection 41. The gap 42 is formed to be larger than the thickness of the split cylinder member 11 of the rotary dial 7 to secure a space for the split cylinder member 11 to move up and down. At this time, the cylindrical portion 18
The upper and lower end surfaces 43 of the front side contact the protruding portion 41 so that only the split tube member 11 moves up and down, and the inner periphery of the split tube member 11 contacts the front surface of the protruded portion 41 to form the split tube. The pressing of the member 11 is prevented. 44 is the casing 27
It is a bottom plate.

The left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 may be operated in any manner and in any manner. However, as an example, the left operation switch 5 is used as an air conditioner switch, and is pressed to turn on and off. When rotated, the air volume is adjusted and the temperature is adjusted by moving up and down, and the right operation switch 6 is used for radio.
Rotating the volume control adjusts the volume, moving the music up and down, and so on. Each of them is operated independently or in association with each other (FIG. 6).

Further, if the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are configured to be operated in association with each other without being operated independently, an extremely large number of combinations are possible.
7 and 8 show examples of multi-functional operation. When the left operation switch 5 is rotated, the operation target is switched. When the left operation switch 5 is pressed, the operation is switched on / off, and the air conditioner is turned off. When the left operation switch 5 is moved upward once each time, the inside and outside air are alternately switched. When the air conditioner is operated, the left operation switch 5 is moved downward once each time, and the air outlet is sequentially switched and selected. When the right operation switch 6 is pressed while the air conditioner is selected by the rotation operation of the switch 5, switching between the air conditioner and the air only is selected, and when the right operation switch 6 is rotated, the air volume is adjusted. Moving the right operation switch 6 once lowers the temperature by 0.5 degree, and lowers the temperature by 0.5 degree.

Similarly, when the left operation switch 5 is rotated to select audio, the left operation switch 5 is pressed to turn on and off, and then the left operation switch 5 is moved upward once each time. When the CD and the cassette are alternately switched, and the left operation switch 5 is moved downward once by one at the time of the radio, the AM and FM are switched and the right operation switch 6 is switched.
Is pressed to switch and select the volume, sound quality (treble, bass), and balance adjustment targets. Rotate the right operation switch 6 to make each adjustment, and select the station by moving the right operation switch 6 up and down once. . When the CD is selected by moving the left operation switch 5 upward once each time, the left operation switch 5
Is moved down one time each time, a CD is selected by the chainer, and when the right operation switch 6 is moved up and down once, music is selected. When the cassette is selected by moving the left operation switch 5 upward once each time, when the left operation switch 5 is moved downward, the reproduction is performed. When the right operation switch 6 is moved once once, the reproduction is fast-forwarded. 6 is moved downward once to rewind.

When the left operation switch 5 is rotated, the operation object is set to navigation, and when the left operation switch 5 is pressed, the selected one is determined.
Is moved upward, the current position is displayed, and the left operation switch 5
Is re-searched by moving down one time each time, and pressing the right operation switch 6 selects one of the menus,
Moving the right operation switch 6 upward once will increase the scale of the map (details), and moving the right operation switch 6 downward once will reduce the scale of the map (wide area).

Further, it is assumed that the operation object is to select the heater of the steering by the rotation operation of the left operation switch 5, and when the left operation switch 5 is pressed, the operation is stopped by a timer. Moving the operation switch 6 upward once raises the temperature by 0.5 degrees, and moving the right operation switch 6 downward once lowers the temperature.
Lower by 0.5 degrees.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6, wherein the rotary dial 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the moving shaft 50 is fixed at the center thereof. The moving shaft 50 is a longitudinal moving member 51.
Are mounted on the pair of support arms 52 so as to be rotatable up and down. The rear side of the support arm 52 of the forward and backward moving member 51 is connected by a connecting member 53, and a protrusion 54 is provided on the rear surface of the connecting member 53 so as to protrude rearward, and the protrusion 54 is brought into contact with the pressing switch 21. Reference numeral 55 denotes a guide hole provided in the protrusion 54. The guide shaft 24 is fitted into the guide hole
To guide you back and forth.

The upper side of the moving shaft 50 is formed in a plate-shaped different diameter shaft portion 56, which is inserted into an insertion groove 36 formed in the rotating portion 35 of the rotary switch 34. In the second embodiment, the rotary switch 34 is vertically movable together with the moving shaft 50,
4, a guide hole 57 is formed, and a guide shaft 58 is fitted into the guide hole 57 to guide the longitudinal movement. The guide shaft 58 may be formed integrally with the guide shaft 24.

In the first embodiment, the upward shaft 15, the slider 28, the rotation transmitting member 31, and the lower shaft 13 move up and down integrally. However, the rotation transmitting member 31 and the lower shaft 13 are The switch is held between the switch 37 and is released when the finger is released from the rotary dial 7 by the surface pressure of each switch.
The switch is also configured to release when the finger is released from the rotary dial 7 by the surface pressure of each switch, but may be configured to return by a spring elasticity. In the second embodiment, the spring 6
1 is provided. The connection between the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 and each operation target is arbitrary, but is made via the controller 62 (FIG. 9). Instead of the controller 62, a multiplexing unit may be provided on each of the steering wheel 1 and the vehicle body and connected to each other.

[0019]

Next, the operation will be described. The present invention is configured as described above, and has a rotary dial 7 on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 1 with the vertical direction as the axial direction, and the rotary dial 7 is configured to be capable of three operations by rotation, vertical movement, and pressing. Since the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are provided, the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 can be easily operated, and the operability is improved. That is, although each switch is a single switch, three operations can be performed by rotating, moving up and down, and pressing, so that a switch in which a narrow space is effectively used and the operation range is expanded can be provided.

Further, the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are constituted by a rotary dial 7 which can be operated by rotation, up / down movement and pressing, so that the operation can be performed by one thumb and the wheel unit 4 can be operated. Enables operation in a gripped state and improves operability. That is, the operation can be performed without releasing the hand from the wheel unit 4, and the operability is improved. Particularly, since the wheel portion 4 is provided on the spoke portion 3 which can be operated with the thumb while holding the wheel portion 4, the mounting is easy.

In the example shown in FIG. 6 in which the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are configured to operate a certain operation object independently, the left operation switch 5 is used as an air conditioner switch, and the left operation switch 5 is pressed. Then, when turned on / off and rotated, the temperature is adjusted by adjusting the air volume and moving up and down, and the right operation switch 6 is used for radio. When pressed, the right operation switch 6 is turned on / off. When turned, the volume can be adjusted and music can be selected by moving up and down. In this case, if the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 are not operated independently of each other but are operated in association with each other, an extremely large number of combinations are possible, and a multifunctional operation becomes possible. Not only can the operability be improved, but the operating range can be expanded.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, various operations such as air conditioner, audio, navigation and the like can be performed by the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6.
Thus, the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 form the rotary dial 7 by a split cylinder member 11 having a split groove 10 parallel to the mother ship direction. An arm 12 protruding is formed, a lower shaft 13 protruding downward is provided on a lower surface of the arm 12, and an upward shaft 15 protruding into the split cylinder member 11 is provided on an upper surface of the arm 12, and an upward shaft is provided. An engagement projection 16 is provided on the upper surface of the support member 15, and the upwardly directed shaft portion 15 and the engagement projection 16 are inserted through the insertion hole 19 of the cylindrical portion 18 of the support member support member 17.
And the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 18 is brought into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the split cylindrical member 11.

Next, the grooves 29 of the slider slider 28 are fitted into the engaging projections 16 of the upward shaft 15 of the rotary dial 7, and the rotating body rotation transmitting body 31 is inserted into the grooves 30 on the upper surface of the slider 28. The protrusions 32 provided on the lower surface of the rotation transmission member 31 are fitted to each other, so that
Is inserted into an insertion groove 36 formed in the rotating part 35 of the rotary part of the rotary switch 34. In this state, the lower shaft 13 of the rotary dial 7 is brought into contact with the lower movement switch 14, and the projecting end of the different diameter shaft portion 33 is brought into contact with the upper switch upper switch 37. Next, the bottom plate 44 of the casing 27 is closed, the pressing shaft 20 on the rear side of the cylindrical portion 18 is brought into contact with the pressing switch 21, and the guide shaft 24 is inserted into the guide groove 23 of the body 22 of the pressing switch 21. At the same time, the guide shaft 24 is fitted into the guide hole 25 of the cylindrical portion 18.

When the rotary dial 7 is turned, the upward shaft 15 and the engagement projection 16 rotate, and the engagement projection 16
Rotates the groove 29 of the slider 28, and the slider 2
8 rotates the rotation transmitting body 31 at the meeting of the groove 30 and the projection 32, and the different diameter shaft portion 33 of the rotation transmitting body 31.
Is inserted into the insertion groove 36 of the rotary unit 35 of the rotary switch 34, the different-diameter shaft unit 33 rotates the rotary unit 35, and sends a signal indicating the position of the rotary unit 35 for operation. When the rotary dial 7 is moved upward, the engagement projection 16 of the upward shaft 15 pushes up the slider 28, and the slider 28 pushes up the rotation transmission body 31, and the tip of the different diameter shaft 33 of the rotation transmission body 31 The upper switch 37 is contacted.

When the rotary dial 7 is moved downward, the lower end of the lower shaft 13 comes into contact with the lower movement switch 14. When the rotary dial 7 is pressed, the support member 17 moves to the back side, and the pressing shaft portion 20 of the support member 17 contacts the pressing switch 21. In this case, since the lower shaft 13 is in contact with the upper surface of the lower movement switch 14, it does not hinder the pressing of the rotary dial 7. In addition, rotary dial 7
Is moved to the back side, the engagement protrusion 16 of the upward shaft 15 moves inside the groove 29 of the slider 28 to the back side. Since the rotation transmitting member 31 moves to the side, the front and rear positions of the rotation transmitting body 31 with respect to the rotating portion 35 do not change, and the pressing operation of the rotary dial 7 does not affect the rotary switch 34.

When the rotary dial 7 moves to the rear side, the upper and lower end surfaces 43 of the support member 17 come into contact with the protruding portions 41 of the casing 27, so that the vertical movement of the rotary dial 7 is prevented in this state, thereby preventing erroneous operation. I do. In the second embodiment of the left operation switch 5 and the right operation switch 6 shown in the figure, when the rotary dial 7 is turned, the moving shaft 50 rotates, and the different diameter shaft portion 56 of the moving shaft 50
4 is inserted into the insertion groove 36 of the rotating portion 35, the different diameter shaft portion 56 rotates the rotating portion 35, and operates by transmitting a signal of the position of the rotating portion 35. In addition, rotary dial 7
Is moved upward, the rotary dial 7 moves upward in the gap between the support arms 52 against the spring elasticity, whereby the moving shaft 50 moves upward and the moving shaft 50 has a different diameter. Shaft 5
6 comes into contact with the upper switch 37, and when it is released, it returns by spring elasticity.

When the rotary dial 7 is moved downward, the rotary dial 7 moves downward in the gap between the support arms 52 against the spring elasticity, whereby the moving shaft 50 moves downward. Then, it contacts the lower movement switch 14. When the rotary dial 7 is pressed, the moving shaft 50 pushes the support arm 52 of the front-rear moving member 51 rearward, and the protrusion 54
Contacts the pressing switch 21. In this case, the moving axis 5
Since the lower end of the “0” and the upper end of the different diameter shaft portion 56 are in contact with the lower movement switch 14 and the upper switch 37, they do not hinder the pressing of the rotary dial 7. Further, when the rotary dial 7 moves to the back side, the rotary switch 34 also moves to the back side, so that the rotary switch 34 does not hinder the pressing operation.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the center cover 2 surrounding the center boss portion, at least a pair of spoke portions 3 extending radially from the center cover 2, and a circular wheel portion 4 to which the tips of the spoke portions 3 are connected. In the steering wheel for operation of a vehicle or the like having a
Are provided with operation switches 5 and 6, respectively, and the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 have a rotary dial 7 which can be rotated, and the rotary dial 7 rotates in parallel with the rotation and the rotation axis direction. Since the steering wheel operating device is configured to be capable of three operations by moving and pressing to one side and the other side, the one-side operation switch 5
In addition, the operation of the other side operation switch 6 can be facilitated, and three operations can be performed by rotating, moving up and down, and pressing, while each is a single switch, so that the operation range is expanded by effectively using a narrow space. Since the frequency of operating a switch provided in another place is reduced, the operability can be improved as a whole, and the rotary dial 7 is rotated and parallel to the rotation axis direction. However, the three operations by moving and pressing one side and the other side are the easiest operations that match the movement of the thumb, and also improve operability in this respect. The present invention
The spoke portion 3 is disposed so as to be substantially horizontal in a straight-ahead operation state, and the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 are provided at a position where the thumb portion can be operated with the wheel portion 4 held. The operation device for the steering wheel has been arranged so that the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 can be operated by one thumb and can be operated while the wheel portion 4 is held. Thus, the operation can be performed without releasing the hand from the wheel unit 4, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front (plan) view of a steering wheel.

FIG. 2 is a front (plan) view of an operation switch.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 7 is a front (plan) view of the operation switch.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a connection state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pressed state of a switch.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... steering wheel, 2 ... center cover, 3 ...
Spoke part, 4 ... wheel part, 5 ... one side (left) operation switch, 6 ... the other side (right) operation switch, 7 ... rotary dial, 10 ... split groove, 11 ... split cylinder member, 12 ... arm part,
13: Lower shaft, 14: Downward movement switch, 15: Upward shaft, 16: Engagement projection, 17: Support member, 18: Tube,
19: insertion hole, 20: pressing shaft, 21: pressing switch, 22: body, 23: guide groove, 24: guide shaft, 2
5 ... guide hole, 26 ... projecting part, 27 ... casing, 28 ...
Slider, 29: groove, 30: groove, 31: rotation transmitting body, 32: protrusion, 33: different diameter shaft part, 34: rotary switch, 35: rotating part, 36: insertion groove, 37: upper switch, 40 ... opening, 41 ... projecting part, 42 ... gap,
43: upper and lower end surfaces, 44: bottom plate, 50: moving shaft, 51: front and rear moving member, 52: support arm, 53: connecting member, 54: projection, 55: guide hole, 56: different diameter shaft portion.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 11, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 14

FIG. 4

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

FIG. 10

FIG. 11

FIG.

FIG. 13

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A center cover 2 for covering a central boss portion, at least a pair of spoke portions 3 extending radially from the center cover 2, and a circular wheel portion 4 to which the tips of the spoke portions 3 are connected. In a steering wheel for operating a vehicle or the like, each of the spoke portions 3 is provided with an operation switch 5 and 6, respectively, and the one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6 have a rotary dial 7 that can be rotated. An operating device for a steering wheel, wherein the rotary dial 7 is configured to be able to perform three operations by rotation and movement and pressing to one side and the other side in parallel with the rotation axis direction. 2. The spoke unit 3 according to claim 1, wherein the spoke unit 3 is disposed so as to be substantially horizontal in a straight-ahead operation state.
The one-side operation switch 5 and the other-side operation switch 6
Is a steering wheel operating device provided at a position where it can be operated with the thumb while holding the wheel unit 4.