阅读说明：本技术 转向装置 (Steering device ) 是由 小畑诚司 大林祐也 于 2020-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：转向装置具备方向盘(11)、支承框架(12)、框架固定部、操舵传递部。支承框架(12)将方向盘(11)支承为旋转自如。框架固定部将支承框架(12)固定于车身。操舵传递部将方向盘(11)相对于支承框架(12)的旋转向车轮的转舵机构(14)传递。支承框架(12)和框架固定部配置于在方向盘(11)的主视观察上与方向盘的旋转中心轴线(o)不重叠的位置。(The steering device is provided with a steering wheel (11), a support frame (12), a frame fixing part, and a steering transmission part. The support frame (12) rotatably supports the steering wheel (11). The frame fixing portion fixes the support frame (12) to the vehicle body. The steering transmission unit transmits rotation of the steering wheel (11) relative to the support frame (12) to a steering mechanism (14) for the wheels. The support frame (12) and the frame fixing portion are disposed at positions that do not overlap the rotation center axis (o) of the steering wheel (11) in a front view.)

1. A steering device is provided with:

a substantially annular steering wheel that is rotated by a driver;

a support frame that rotatably supports the steering wheel;

a frame fixing portion that fixes the support frame to a vehicle body; and

a steering transmission unit that transmits rotation of the steering wheel with respect to the support frame to a steering mechanism for a wheel,

the support frame and the frame fixing portion are disposed at positions that do not overlap with a rotation center axis of the steering wheel in a front view of the steering wheel.

2. The steering device according to claim 1,

an area on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel, including a portion through which the rotation center axis of the steering wheel passes, is set as an access area in which visual confirmation and operation can be performed on the dashboard of the vehicle.

3. The steering device according to claim 1 or 2,

the steering transmission unit is configured by a mechanical operation transmission mechanism disposed at a position offset from a rotation center axis of the steering wheel.

4. The steering device according to claim 3,

the operation transmission mechanism includes:

a ring gear that rotates integrally with the steering wheel; and

and a power transmission gear that is rotatably supported by the support frame, and that meshes with a tooth surface of the ring gear to transmit rotation of the ring gear to the steering mechanism.

5. The steering device according to claim 1 or 2,

the steering transmission unit includes: a steering detection unit that detects rotation information of the steering wheel with respect to the support frame; and a steering actuator for operating the steering mechanism based on the information detected by the steering detection unit.

6. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the steering device further includes a skin member covering a periphery of the grip portion of the steering wheel,

the support frame has a protruding portion protruding toward an inner peripheral side from the steering wheel,

the cover member is formed with an opening portion that allows displacement of the protruding portion in accordance with the rotation operation of the steering wheel, and a lid portion that can close the opening portion is provided at an edge portion of the opening portion.

7. The steering device according to claim 6,

the lid is biased by a biasing member in a direction to close the opening.

8. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the steering wheel is provided with:

a main tray held by a driver; and

and an auxiliary disk disposed on an inner peripheral side of the main disk, rotating integrally with the main disk, and rotatably supported by the support frame.

9. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

a meter is provided on a surface of the steering wheel facing the driver's seat side.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a steering device for steering a vehicle.

Background

A steering apparatus of a vehicle mounts a steering wheel on a steering shaft that protrudes from the front of a driving seat toward the upper rear of the vehicle. The lower end side of the steering shaft is connected to a steering mechanism of the front wheel below the front side of the driving seat. The steering wheel includes a hub portion coupled to a front end portion of a steering shaft, a rim portion to be gripped by a driver, and a plurality of spokes coupling the hub portion and the rim portion. The hub portion is disposed at a rotation center position (on a rotation center axis) of the annular rim portion. An airbag module that also functions as a horn switch is attached to a surface of the hub portion facing the driver's seat (see, for example, japanese patent application laid-open No. h 5-139319).

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the conventional steering apparatus, a hub portion is disposed on a rotation center axis of a steering wheel, and the hub portion is coupled to a steering shaft also serving as a support portion of the steering wheel. Therefore, the central region on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel is blocked from view in the instrument panel direction by the boss portion, the airbag unit, and the like.

The invention provides a steering device which can make the view of the instrument panel direction on the inner peripheral side of a steering wheel good.

A steering device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a substantially annular steering wheel that is rotated by a driver; a support frame that rotatably supports the steering wheel; a frame fixing portion that fixes the support frame to a vehicle body; and a steering transmission unit that transmits rotation of the steering wheel with respect to the support frame to a steering mechanism of a wheel, wherein the support frame and the frame fixing unit are disposed at positions that do not overlap with a rotation center axis of the steering wheel in a front view of the steering wheel.

With the above configuration, when the steering wheel is rotationally operated, the steering wheel rotates relative to the support frame while being supported by the support frame. When the steering wheel is rotated, the rotation is transmitted to the steering mechanism of the wheel through the steering transmission unit. Since the support frame and the frame fixing portion that support the substantially annular steering wheel are disposed at positions that do not overlap with the rotation center axis of the steering wheel in a front view of the steering wheel, a space portion that avoids blocking the field of view in the instrument panel direction can be secured in the central region on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel.

A region on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel, including a portion through which the rotation center axis of the steering wheel passes, may be set as an access region in which visual confirmation and operation can be performed on the dashboard of the vehicle.

In this case, visual confirmation and operation of the instrument panel can be easily performed through the access area on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel.

The steering transmission unit may be a mechanical operation transmission mechanism disposed at a position offset from a rotation center axis of the steering wheel.

In this case, the operation of the steering wheel can be reliably transmitted to the steering mechanism of the wheel through the mechanical operation transmission mechanism. Further, since the operation transmission mechanism is disposed at a position offset from the rotation center axis of the steering wheel, the view in the instrument panel direction on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel is not largely blocked.

The operation transmission mechanism may have: a ring gear that rotates integrally with the steering wheel; and a power transmission gear that is rotatably supported by the support frame, and that meshes with a tooth surface of the ring gear to transmit rotation of the ring gear to the steering mechanism.

In this case, when the steering wheel is rotationally operated, the ring gear rotates integrally with the steering wheel. When the ring gear rotates in this way, the rotation of the ring gear is transmitted to the steering mechanism via the power transmission gear that meshes with the ring gear. In this case, the rotation of the steering wheel can be transmitted to the steering mechanism with a simple configuration.

The steering transmission unit may include: a steering detection unit that detects rotation information of the steering wheel with respect to the support frame; and a steering actuator for operating the steering mechanism based on the information detected by the steering detection unit.

In this case, the rotation of the steering wheel can be transmitted to the steering mechanism without using a mechanical mechanism. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the constituent members is improved, which is advantageous in terms of the layout of the components of the vehicle.

The steering device may further include a cover member that covers a periphery of the grip portion of the steering wheel, wherein the support frame has a protruding portion that protrudes inward from the steering wheel, the cover member may have an opening that allows displacement of the protruding portion in response to a rotational operation of the steering wheel, and a lid portion that can close the opening may be provided at an edge of the opening.

In this case, when the protruding portion is relatively moved with respect to the skin material by the rotational operation of the steering wheel, the lid portion opens the opening portion and allows the displacement of the protruding portion. The cover closes the opening of the skin material to suppress a decrease in appearance when the protruding portion does not pass through the opening.

The lid may be biased by a biasing member in a direction to close the opening.

In this case, in a state where the protruding portion does not pass through the opening of the cover, the lid portion is urged by the urging member to reliably close the opening.

The steering wheel may include: a main tray held by a driver; and an auxiliary disk disposed on an inner peripheral side of the main disk, rotating integrally with the main disk, and rotatably supported by the support frame.

In this case, since the auxiliary board not gripped by the driver is rotatably supported by the support frame in a normal state, even if the support frame has a protruding portion protruding from the auxiliary board toward the inner peripheral side, for example, the fingers of the driver gripping the main board do not come into contact with the protruding portion. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the driver can easily perform the turning operation of the steering wheel.

A meter may be provided on a surface of the steering wheel facing the driver's seat.

In this case, the driver holding the steering wheel can read the display of the meter at a position close to the eyes of the driver.

In an aspect of the present invention, the support frame and the frame fixing portion that support the substantially annular steering wheel are disposed at positions that do not overlap with the rotation center axis of the steering wheel in a front view of the steering wheel. Therefore, in the case of the steering device according to the aspect of the present invention, a space portion that does not block the field of view in the instrument panel direction can be secured on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel, and the field of view in the instrument panel direction is improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a steering device of the first embodiment as viewed from the driver's seat side.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main portion of the steering device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a main portion of the steering device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the steering device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of the operation of a main part of the steering device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the steering device of the first embodiment taken along the line VI-VI of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the steering device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the steering device of the first embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view of the steering device according to the first embodiment, in which the electric wiring is added to the cross section of the same portion as that of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to fig. 8 of the steering device of the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view similar to fig. 8 of the steering device of the third embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a main portion of a steering device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a front view of a main portion of a steering device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a steering device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along XV-XV line of fig. 13 of the steering device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory view of an operation of a main part of the steering device according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a steering device according to a fifth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same reference numerals are assigned to common parts, and redundant description is omitted.

[ first embodiment ]

First, the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 9 will be explained.

Fig. 1 is a view showing the front of a driving seat of a vehicle to which a steering device 10 according to a first embodiment is applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the steering device 10. Fig. 3 is a front view of a main part of the steering device 10. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the steering device 10. Reference numeral 1 in fig. 1 is an instrument panel in front of the driver's seat, and reference numeral 2 is a front windshield in front of the driver's seat.

The steering device 10 includes: a substantially annular steering wheel 11 that is rotationally operated by a driver; a support frame 12 that rotatably supports the steering wheel 11; a fixing stay 13 (see fig. 2) for fixing the support frame 12 to a frame member of a vehicle body (not shown); an operation transmission mechanism 15 (steering transmission unit) that transmits the rotation of the steering wheel 11 to a steering mechanism 14 (not shown); an airbag unit 16 that inflates and deploys a bag body, not shown, when an impact is input.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of the operation of a main part of the steering device 10. Fig. 5 is a front view of a main portion of fig. 3 with a part of the components (a disk half 17a described later) removed. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 3. The scale of the cross-section of figure 3 is adjusted as appropriate.

As shown in fig. 2 to 6, the steering wheel 11 is formed by joining two substantially annular half disc bodies 17a and 17b to each other, and the peripheries of the joined half disc bodies 17a and 17b are covered with a skin member 18 (see fig. 1 and 7 to 9). A ring gear 19 is sandwiched and fixed between the two half disk bodies 17a, 17b, and internal teeth 19a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring gear 19. The outer diameter of the ring gear 19 is formed substantially the same as the maximum outer diameter of the two half disk bodies 17a, 17 b. The inner diameter of the ring gear 19 is set larger than the minimum inner diameter of the two disk half bodies 17a, 17 b. An opening 20 that opens radially inward is annularly formed between the ring gear 19 and the two disk half bodies 17a and 17 b.

Although not shown in the drawings other than fig. 1, a pair of paddle levers 40 that enable the driver to shift the vehicle while holding the steering wheel 11 are attached to the steering wheel 11. A speedometer 41 such as a speedometer is attached to a surface of the steering wheel 11 facing the driver's seat. The meter 41 is disposed at a position located on the upper side when the steering wheel 11 is at the neutral position.

The support frame 12 is formed of a substantially circular plate material (metal plate). The support frame 12 includes a substantially annular ring portion 12a and a substantially rectangular protruding piece 12b (protruding portion) protruding radially inward from a part of the inner peripheral edge portion of the ring portion 12 a. A first gear receiving hole 21 having a large diameter is formed in a portion of the straddle ring portion 12a and the projecting piece 12 b. A second gear receiving hole 22a and a third gear receiving hole 22b having small diameters are formed at two positions of the protruding piece 12b adjacent to the first gear receiving hole 21. The second gear receiving hole 22a and the third gear receiving hole 22b communicate with the first gear receiving hole 21. A notch 23 is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the ring portion 12a in a region where the protruding piece 12b is provided, the notch opening a part of the first gear housing hole 21 to the outer peripheral side of the ring portion 12 a. The notch 23 opens a part of the first gear housing hole 21 to a predetermined width in the circumferential direction of the ring portion 12 a.

The first gear 24 having a large diameter is rotatably accommodated in the first gear accommodating hole 21. The first gear 24 has external teeth 24a on the outer peripheral surface. The external teeth 24a of the first gear 24 are exposed to the outer peripheral side of the ring portion 12a through the cutout portion 23 of the ring portion 12 a. As shown in fig. 6, the first gear 24 has a rotation shaft 24b, and the rotation shaft 24b is rotatably supported by the protruding piece 12b via a shaft support portion, not shown.

The ring portion 12a of the support frame 12 is slidably accommodated in the opening 20 on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11. The ring portion 12a supports the steering wheel 11 to be rotatable about a rotation center axis o which is an axial center of the ring portion 12 a. The steering wheel 11 is coaxially supported by the ring portion 12 a. The external teeth 24a of the first gear 24 exposed outward from the notch 23 of the ring portion 12a mesh with the internal teeth 19a of the ring gear 19 in the opening 20 of the steering wheel 11. Therefore, when the steering wheel 11 is rotationally operated by the driver, the rotation of the steering wheel 11 is transmitted to the first gear 24 via the ring gear 19.

The second gear 25 and the third gear 26 having small diameters are rotatably accommodated in the second gear accommodating hole 22a and the third gear accommodating hole 22b, respectively. The second gear 25 has external teeth 25a, and the external teeth 25a mesh with the external teeth 24a of the first gear 24. The third gear 26 has external teeth 26a, and the external teeth 26a mesh with the external teeth 24a of the first gear 24. In the present embodiment, the output shaft 27 is integrally rotatably coupled to the second gear 25.

The output shaft 27 penetrates the instrument panel 1 and is connected to a steering mechanism 14 provided below the front portion of the vehicle so as to be capable of power transmission. Therefore, the rotational operation force applied to the steering wheel 11 is transmitted from the ring gear 19 to the steering mechanism 14 via the first gear 24, the second gear 25, and the output shaft 27. The steering mechanism 14 steers the front wheels of the vehicle in accordance with the rotational direction and the rotational force of the steering wheel 11.

The third gear 26 is a gear for balance and may be omitted. In the present embodiment, the first gear 24, the second gear 25, and the output shaft 27 constitute a mechanical operation transmission mechanism 15 (steering transmission unit). The first gear 24 and the second gear 25 constitute a power transmission gear that transmits the rotation of the ring gear 19 to the steering mechanism 14.

As shown in fig. 2, the fixing stay 13 is formed in a substantially U-shape in cross section having a flat upper wall 13U and side walls 13s extending downward from left and right ends of the upper wall 13U, and the cross section extends substantially parallel to the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11. The cross-sectional shape of the fixing stay 13 is not limited to a substantially U-shape. One end portion in the extending direction of the fixing stay 13 is fixed to a frame member of a vehicle body, not shown. The other end in the extending direction of the fixing stay 13 is integrally coupled to the protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12. In the present embodiment, the fixing stay 13 constitutes a frame fixing portion that fixes the support frame 12 to the vehicle body.

In the present embodiment, the fixing stay 13 (frame fixing portion) and the support frame 12 are formed of separate members, but the fixing stay 13 (frame fixing portion) and the support frame 12 may be formed of an integral member.

The fixing stay 13 and the protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12 coupled to the fixing stay 13 are disposed at positions shifted downward by a predetermined amount from the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11. The ring portion 12a of the support frame 12 is disposed inside the opening 20 on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11. Therefore, the fixing stay 13 and the support frame 12 (the protruding piece 12b and the ring portion 12a) are arranged at positions that do not overlap the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11 in the front view of the steering wheel 11.

The airbag unit 16 shown in fig. 1 is attached to the upper wall 13u of the fixing stay 13. The airbag unit 16 is attached to the fixing stay 13 in a state of allowing a predetermined amount of stroke in the vertical direction. The airbag unit 16 also serves as a horn operating portion of a warning horn. That is, a horn contact for turning on a conduction circuit of a horn when the airbag unit 16 is pushed down is attached to the airbag unit 16. The airbag unit 16 attached to the fixing stay 13 is located in a region that does not overlap with the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11 in a front view of the steering wheel 11 (a region that is offset downward by a predetermined amount with respect to the rotation center axis o).

In the steering apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the fixing stay 13, the airbag unit 16, the support frame 12, and the like are not disposed in the central region including the rotation center axis o on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11, and a large space portion that does not obstruct the view of the driver in the direction of the instrument panel 1 can be secured. The space portion serves as an access area a in which the instrument panel 1 can be visually confirmed and operated.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, a display panel 30 such as a touch-operable liquid crystal panel is disposed at a position on the front surface of the driving seat of the instrument panel 1. The display panel 30 can appropriately switch the display of the current driving condition such as the vehicle speed, the display of the navigation screen, the display of other information, and the like by operating a switch, not shown. The screen of the display panel 30 can be visually confirmed through the large access area a inside the steering wheel 11. The touch operation on the display panel 30 and the like can be performed through the large access area a on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11.

In the steering apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since there is no steering shaft, steering column, or the like on the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11, various switches S1 to S6 such as a winker switch, a wiper switch, or the like, which are normally provided on the steering column or the like, are provided at the front surface position of the instrument panel 1, as shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing a part of the steering wheel 11 in section. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of fig. 7. Fig. 7 and 8 show a state in which the skin material 18 is attached to the peripheral region of the steering wheel 11.

An opening 31 extending in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 11 is formed in a portion of the skin member 18 corresponding to an inner peripheral portion (radially inner portion) of the steering wheel 11. A lid 32 capable of closing the opening 31 is integrally formed at one side edge of the opening 31.

In the present embodiment, the notch 33 is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the skin member 18, and the side edge portion of the skin member 18 corresponding to the opening 20 on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11 is capable of being flexibly deformed (rolled up) as the lid portion 32. That is, one side edge portion of the skin material 18 adjacent to the slit 33 functions as a lid portion 32, and when the side edge portion (lid portion 32) is in a rolled state, the opening portion 31 of the skin material 18 appears. In the present embodiment, the cover member 18 is formed of an elastic material, and when an external force is applied to one side edge portion (the lid portion 32) of the slit 33 from the inside, the side edge portion is rolled up so as to press open the opening portion 31. One side edge portion (lid portion 32) of the notch 33 closes the opening 31 in a state where no external force is applied. When the steering wheel 11 is rotated from this state and one of the side edges (lid 32) of the notch 33 comes into contact with the protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12, the side edge (lid 32) is pushed up from the inside by the protruding piece 12b as shown in fig. 7 and 8, and the opening 31 is opened. As a result, the protruding piece 12b can pass through the opening 31. After the protruding piece 12b passes through the opening 31 or when the steering wheel 11 is rotated in the reverse direction, one side edge portion (cover portion 32) of the notch 33 closes the opening 31 by its own elasticity.

Fig. 9 is a view of a cross section of the same portion as fig. 8 with an electric wiring added.

As shown in fig. 9, a plurality of ring-shaped terminals 34a and 34b are provided on the side surface of the ring portion 12a of the support frame 12. On the other hand, connection terminals 35a and 35b that are always in contact with the ring terminals 34a and 34b in a slidable manner are disposed at positions of the half bodies 17a and 17b of the steering wheel 11 that face the ring terminals 34a and 34 b. The ring-shaped terminals 34a and 34b of the ring portion 12a are connected to a power supply circuit or a control device on the vehicle via a protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12 and cables 36a and 36b wired to the fixing stay 13. On the other hand, the connection terminals 35a and 35b of the half disks 17a and 17b are connected to the current-carrying portions of the meter 41, the paddle 40, and the like disposed on the steering wheel 11 and the input/output portions of signals via cables 37a and 37b wired to the half disks 17a and 17 b. In the present embodiment, with the above configuration, power supply to the meter 41, the paddle lever 40, and the like, and input/output of signals can be performed regardless of the rotational operation position of the steering wheel 11.

In the steering device 10 having the above configuration, when the steering wheel 11 is rotationally operated by the driver, the steering wheel 11 rotates relative to the support frame 12 while being held by the support frame 12. When the steering wheel 11 is rotated in this way, the rotation is transmitted to the steering mechanism 14 via the ring gear 19, which is a steering transmission portion, the first gear 24, the second gear 25, and the output shaft 27 in this order.

At this time, the support frame 12 and the fixing stay 13 (frame fixing portion) that support the substantially annular steering wheel 11 are disposed at positions that do not overlap the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11 in the front view of the steering wheel 11. With this configuration, a space (access area a) that avoids blocking the field of view in the direction of the instrument panel 1 can be secured in the central area on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11. Therefore, when the steering device 10 of the present embodiment is used, the field of view in the instrument panel direction is improved.

In addition, in the steering device 10 of the present embodiment, since a large access area a on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11 can be secured, visual confirmation of the instrument panel 1, touch operation of the display panel 30, and the like can be easily performed by the large access area a.

In the steering device 10 of the present embodiment, the steering transmission unit that transmits the rotational operation of the steering wheel 11 to the steering mechanism 14 is configured by the mechanical operation transmission mechanism 15, and the operation transmission mechanism 15 is disposed at a position largely displaced downward from the rotational center axis o of the steering wheel 11. Therefore, in the steering device 10 of the present embodiment, the rotation operation of the steering wheel 11 can be reliably transmitted to the steering mechanism 14 of the wheel by the mechanical operation transmission mechanism 15, and the operation transmission mechanism 15 does not greatly obstruct the view in the direction of the dashboard 1 on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11.

In particular, the operation transmission mechanism 15 of the present embodiment includes: a ring gear 19 that rotates integrally with the steering wheel 11; and a power transmission gear (a first gear 24 and a second gear 25) rotatably supported by the support frame 12 and transmitting the rotation of the ring gear 19 to the steering mechanism 14. Therefore, when the operation transmission mechanism 15 of the present configuration is employed, the rotation of the steering wheel 11 can be transmitted to the steering mechanism 14 with a simple configuration.

In the steering apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the airbag unit 16, which also serves as a horn operating portion, is attached to the fixing stay 13 at a position offset from the rotation center axis o of the steering wheel 11. Therefore, the horn operating section can be arranged at a position where it is easy to operate, and the airbag unit 16 does not narrow the access area a on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 11.

In the steering device 10 of the present embodiment, the skin material 18 covering the periphery of the grip portion of the steering wheel 11 is formed with an opening 31 that allows displacement of the protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12 in accordance with the rotation operation of the steering wheel 11. A lid 32 that closes the opening 31 by the elasticity of the cover 18 is provided at the edge of the opening 31.

Therefore, when the protruding piece 12b is relatively moved with respect to the skin material 18 by the rotational operation of the steering wheel 11, the lid portion 32 opens the opening portion 31 and allows the displacement of the protruding piece 12 b.

In a state where the protruding piece 12b does not pass through the opening 31, the lid 32 closes the opening 31 of the cover 18. Therefore, in the case of this configuration, it is possible to prevent the appearance from being deteriorated due to the opening 31 of the cover 18 being visually largely opened from the outside.

In the steering device 10 according to the present embodiment, since the meter 41 is provided on the surface of the steering wheel 11 facing the driving seat, the display of the meter 41 can be read at a position close to the position of the eyes of the driver who grips the steering wheel 11. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the steering wheel 11 is in the neutral position (the position in which the front wheels are oriented in the straight traveling direction), the meter 41 is disposed in the region located on the upper end side of the steering wheel 11, and therefore the display of the meter 41 is more easily read by the driver.

[ second embodiment ]

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to fig. 8 of a steering device 110 according to a second embodiment.

The steering device 110 of the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but differs in the configuration of the lid portions 132a, 132b of the cover 118 that close the opening 31.

The lid portions 132a and 132b of the cover 118 are formed at both side edges of the opening 31. The cover portions 132a, 132b are integrally formed on the skin member 118. A flexure allowing portion 43 that allows displacement of the covers 132a and 132b (displacement in the direction of opening and closing the opening 31) is formed at the root portions of the covers 132a and 132 b. The movable piece 44 is integrally attached to the inner side (the inner peripheral surface side of the cover 118) of each of the lid portions 132a and 132b (the edge of the opening 31). Each movable piece 44 is constantly biased in a direction to close the opening 31 by a coil spring 45 as a biasing member.

In the case of the present embodiment, while the external force does not act from the inside of the opening 31 of the skin material 118, the lid portions 132a and 132b on both sides receive the urging force of the coil spring 45 to close the opening 31. When the steering wheel 11 is rotated from this state and the covers 132a and 132b contact the protruding pieces 12b of the support frame 12, the covers 132a and 132b and the movable piece 44 on both sides are pressed by the protruding pieces 12 b. Thereby, the deflection allowing portion 43 is deformed, and the lid portions 132a and 132b and the movable piece 44 on both sides are displaced against the urging force of the coil spring 45. As a result, the lid portions 132a and 132b on both sides press open the opening 31, and the protruding piece 12b can pass through the opening 31. After the protruding piece 12b passes through the opening 31 or when the steering wheel 11 is rotated in the reverse direction, the lid portions 132a and 132b receive the biasing force of the coil spring 45 to close the opening 31.

In the steering device 110 of the present embodiment, since the lid portions 132a, 132b of the skin material 118 are biased by the coil springs 45 in the direction of closing the opening portion 31, the opening portion 31 can be reliably closed by the lid portions 132a, 132b in a state where the protruding pieces 12b of the support frame 12 do not pass through the opening portion 31. Therefore, the appearance of the skin member 118 can be further improved.

[ third embodiment ]

Fig. 11 is a sectional view similar to fig. 8 of a steering device 210 according to a third embodiment.

The steering device 210 of the present embodiment has a basic configuration substantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments, but is different from the first and second embodiments in a wiring configuration for energizing a device such as a paddle lever or a meter on the steering wheel 211 via a support frame.

An annular groove 46 having a substantially U-shaped cross section facing inward is formed in the half disc body 217a constituting one side (the driving seat side) of the steering wheel 211. The annular groove 46 is provided therein as a cable reel for accommodating a plurality of cables 47. Each cable 47 is wired along an annular groove 46 as a cable reel. One end side of each cable 47 is connected to a device on the steering wheel 211 side. The other end of each cable 47 is connected to a power supply circuit and a control device on the vehicle via a support frame. Each cable 47 has an extra length portion to avoid a large tension from being applied when the steering wheel 211 is rotated maximally from the neutral position to one side and when it is rotated maximally to the other side.

In the present embodiment, the opening 20 formed between the ring gear 19 and the front and rear half- disk bodies 217a and 217b of the steering wheel 211 is formed to be inclined toward the vehicle front side. Accordingly, the front half disc 217a has a larger cross section, and the annular groove 46 having a large opening area can be formed in the cross section of the front half disc 217 a. The first gear 224 that meshes with the internal teeth 19a of the ring gear 19 is constituted by a bevel gear. The tooth surface 224a of the first gear 224 that meshes with the ring gear 19 is preferably a helical tooth.

The inner peripheral portion of the skin material 218 of the present embodiment is provided with an opening 31 and a lid 132b capable of closing the opening 31. Similarly to the second embodiment, the deflection allowing portion 43 is provided on the base side of the lid portion 132b, and the movable piece 44 is attached to the inner side of the lid portion 132 b. The movable piece 44 is biased in a direction to close the opening 31 by a coil spring 45 as a biasing member.

In the steering device 210 of the present embodiment, an annular groove 46 functioning as a cable reel is formed in one half 217a of the steering wheel 211, and a cable 47 having a sufficient extra length is disposed in the annular groove 46. In the case of the present embodiment, maintenance work such as replacement of the cable 47 can be performed relatively easily.

[ fourth embodiment ]

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of the steering device 310. Fig. 13 is a front view of a main part of the steering device 310. Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the steering device 310.

The steering device 310 of the present embodiment has substantially the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the steering wheel 311 is different from that of the first embodiment. The steering wheel 311 of the present embodiment includes a main disc 50 having a large diameter, which is gripped by a driver, and a small-diameter auxiliary disc 51 disposed on an inner peripheral side of the main disc 50 and rotating integrally with the main disc 50. The main plate 50 and the auxiliary plate 51 are formed in a substantially annular shape and are connected to each other via a plurality of connection pieces 52. The auxiliary disk 51 is disposed coaxially with the main disk 50 at a position offset to the front side with respect to the main disk 50. Although not shown, an operation switch of the navigation device, an emergency flashing switch, and the like can be provided on the auxiliary board 51 that the driver does not directly grip.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV of fig. 13. The scale of the cross-section of fig. 15 can be adjusted as appropriate. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a main part of the steering device 310. Fig. 16 is a front view of a main portion of fig. 13 with a part of the components (auxiliary tray half-body 53a described later) removed.

The auxiliary disk 51 couples two substantially annular auxiliary disk half bodies 53a and 53b to each other. The ring gear 19 is sandwiched between the two auxiliary disk halves 53a, 53 b. The ring gear 19 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge portions of the two auxiliary disk half bodies 53a, 53b, and forms an annular opening 20 with the inner peripheral edge portions of the auxiliary disk half bodies 53a, 53 b. The ring portion 12a of the support frame 12 is housed inside the opening 20.

The ring portion 12a slidably holds the auxiliary disk 51. The auxiliary disk 51 and the main disk 50 are rotatably supported by the support frame 12 about the rotation center axis o.

The support frame 12 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. The support frame 12 has the above-described ring portion 12a and projecting pieces 12b (projecting portions), and a first gear 24, a second gear 25, and a third gear 26 are held in regions spanning the projecting pieces 12b (projecting portions) and the ring portion 12 a. The first gear 24 meshes with the internal teeth 19a of the ring gear 19, and the output shaft 27 is coupled to the second gear 25. When the main disc 50 is rotationally operated by the driver, the ring gear 19 of the auxiliary disc 51 rotates together with the main disc 50 as shown by the arrow in fig. 16. When the ring gear 19 is thus rotated, the rotation thereof is transmitted to the output shaft 27 via the first gear 24 and the second gear 25.

In the present embodiment, the support frame 12 and the fixing stay 13 (frame fixing portion) are also disposed offset from the rotation center axis o. Although not shown, an airbag unit 16 (see fig. 1) similar to that of the first embodiment is attached to the fixing stay 13. The airbag unit 16 is disposed offset downward with respect to the rotation center axis o. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, a large access area a including a portion through which the rotation center axis o passes can be secured on the inner peripheral side of the steering wheel 311 (auxiliary wheel 51).

Since the basic configuration of the steering device 310 of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

However, in the steering device 310 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary wheel 51 not gripped by the driver is rotatably supported by the support frame 12 in a normal state. Therefore, even when the driver rotates the steering wheel 11 to a position crossing the protruding piece 12b of the support frame 12 in a state where the driver grips the main dial 50, the finger of the driver gripping the main dial 50 does not contact the protruding piece 12 b. Therefore, the steering device 310 of the present embodiment has an advantage that the turning operation of the driver gripping the steering wheel 11 becomes easy.

[ fifth embodiment ]

Fig. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of a steering device 410 of the fifth embodiment.

In each of the embodiments described above, the steering transmission unit that transmits the rotation of the steering wheel to the steering mechanism of the wheel is constituted by a mechanical operation transmission mechanism. However, in the steering device 410 of the present embodiment, the steering transmission unit includes a steering detection unit 70 that detects rotation information of the steering wheel 11, and a steering actuator 71 such as an electric motor that operates the steering mechanism 14 based on the information detected by the steering detection unit 70. In the case of the present embodiment, the support frame 12 and the fixing stay (frame fixing portion) that rotatably support the steering wheel 11 are also disposed at positions that do not overlap the rotation center axis of the steering wheel 11 in the front view of the steering wheel 11.

The steering detection unit 70 may be constituted by, for example, an information reading device such as a camera or a sensor provided in the support frame 12, or a detection target attached to the inner circumferential surface of the steering wheel 11. The information read by the steering detection unit 70 is input to a control device, not shown, and the control device controls the steering actuator 71 based on the steering information. The configuration of the steering detection unit 70 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be any configuration as long as the rotation direction, rotation position, operation speed, and the like of the steering wheel 11 can be detected as an electric signal, and various configurations such as a capacitance type configuration, a configuration using a QR code (registered trademark), and a configuration using a barcode may be employed.

The steering device 410 of the present embodiment is configured to detect steering information of the steering wheel 11 by the steering detection unit 70 and control the steering actuator 71 based on the detected information. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the components can be improved as compared with the case where the operation force of the steering wheel 11 is transmitted to the steering mechanism 14 via the mechanical operation transmission mechanism. Therefore, the structure according to the present embodiment is advantageous in terms of the layout of the components of the vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.