JP6773597B2 - Vehicle steering system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle steering device including an operating body that issues an operation instruction to a direction indicator or the like.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automobile steering device in which first and second lever switches are provided on the left and right side surface portions of a steering column of a vehicle. The first lever switch includes a first operating lever that instructs the operation of the turn signal, and the second lever switch includes a second operating lever that instructs the operation of the wiper. The operation instruction of the turn signal is given by raising and lowering the first operating lever in the vertical direction. In addition, the first operating lever instructs the driver to shift up the transmission by pulling it toward the front, and the second operating lever instructs the driver to shift down the transmission by pulling it toward the front. It is configured to do.

Japanese Patent No. 3718646

When giving an operation instruction of the turn signal, the first operation lever is raised and lowered by putting a finger on the side surface of the push switch protruding from the outer part of the first operation lever, but the push switch is not so much. Since it is not large, it may not be easy to raise and lower the first operating lever by hooking a finger. Further, when the shift-up instruction of the transmission and the operation instruction of the turn signal are given at the same time, it is necessary to operate the first operating lever in different directions, which causes a problem of poor operability. This has a problem that the movements of the buttons and levers for exerting various functions of the vehicle are not independent of each other.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a steering device for a vehicle having good operability and provided with an operation instruction button of a direction indicator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steering device for a vehicle that prevents erroneous operation of a switch of an operating body provided on a steering column.

The vehicle steering device according to the invention according to claim 1 includes a steering handle, a steering column, and spokes connecting the steering handle and the steering column, and the steering column has a function of the vehicle. An operating body for instructing an operation is provided, and the operating body has an operating unit facing the driver, and the operating unit is inside the steering steering wheel and is arranged on substantially the same plane as the steering steering wheel. The operation unit is provided with a rotary switch that rotates in the vertical direction about the shaft portion and a push-type switch that instructs the operation of the direction indicator. The rotary switch is described from the operation unit. Protruding in the driver direction, the push switch is formed lower than the rotary switch and is characterized in that the push switch is located above the rotary switch.

The vehicle steering device according to the second aspect of the present invention is provided with a slide-type switch that can slide in the left-right direction at the operation unit, and the slide-type switch projects from the operation unit toward the driver. The sliding switch is below the rotary switch and is provided at a position close to the rotary switch.

The vehicle steering device according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a gap is provided between the steering handle and the operating body.

The vehicle steering device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the operating portion is curved so that a central portion in the vertical direction is recessed.

In the vehicle steering device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating body and the steering column are connected via a distance adjusting mechanism, and the distance between the steering handle and the operating body is adjusted by the distance adjusting mechanism. It is characterized by being possible.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation instruction of the direction indicator can be given by pressing the push type switch. In addition, when operating the rotary switch, it is possible to prevent the push switch from being erroneously operated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the rotary switch is rotated downward, even if the operator's finger moves downward due to the momentum of the operation, the slide switch is located below the rotary switch. Is provided, so that it is possible to prevent the finger from coming into contact with the sliding switch and further moving the finger downward.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the operating body from deteriorating the operability of the steering wheel.

According to the invention of claim 4, the operability of the operation unit can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the distance between the steering handle and the operating body can be adjusted according to the size of the driver's hand, the length of the fingers, and the like.

It is a front view of the steering apparatus which shows Example 1 of this invention. The same is a right perspective view of the steering device. It is a right perspective view of the steering device with the cover member removed. It is a left side view of the steering device in a state where the steering handle is closest to the steering shaft. Similarly, it is a left side view of the state steering device in which the steering handle is the farthest from the steering shaft. The same is a plan view of the operation panel. The same is a front view of the operation panel. The same is an exploded perspective view of the steering device. It is a design front side perspective view of the steering device. It is a design rear side perspective view of the steering device. It is a design front view of the steering device. It is a design rear view of the steering device. It is a design plan view of the steering device. It is a design bottom view of the steering device. The same is a left side view of the design of the steering device. It is a design right side view of the steering device.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 attached to the invention. The examples described below do not limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, not all of the configurations described below are essential requirements of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 8, the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment is provided in the driver's seat (not shown) of the vehicle (not shown), and the annular steering handle 2 is provided. A steering column 4 including a steering shaft 3, a horn pad portion 5 provided on the steering column 4, spokes 6 connecting the steering handle 2 and the steering column 4, and left and right sides of the steering column 4 are provided. It is configured to have operation panels 7L and 7R as an operation body. Gap 8L, 8R is provided between the steering handle 2 and the operation panels 7L, 7R. The gaps 8L and 8R have a width that allows the driver's fingers to pass through when the steering handle 2 is gripped.

As shown in FIG. 8, the steering column 4 is composed of a front column 4F arranged so as to face the driver and a rear column 4B arranged on the steering shaft 3 side, and both are connected to each other. A horn pad portion 5 formed in a side view arch shape is provided above the vertical central portion of the arcuate surface 11 which is a surface of the front column 4F facing the driver so as to cover the steering column 4. An airbag (not shown) is housed in the steering column 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the steering shaft 3 and the steering column 4 are connected via a substantially cylindrical connecting portion 12, and the connecting portion 12 has a so-called telescopic mechanism, and is inside the steering column 4. It is provided so that it can be stored. With the connecting portion 12, the steering handle 2, the steering column 4, the horn pad portion 5, and the spokes 6 can be integrally moved in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the position of the steering handle 2 can be moved in the front-rear direction according to the physique of the driver and the like. The amount of the connecting portion 12 exposed from the steering column 4 can be arbitrarily adjusted, and can be held at a desired position. A diameter-expanded portion 13 is formed at the end of the connecting portion 12 on the steering shaft 3 side.

The horn pad portion 5 is designed to sound a horn when the driver presses it, but as described above, the horn pad portion 5 of this embodiment is only on the surface facing the driver seated in the driver's seat. Since it is extended to the upper side as well, the horn can be sounded even if the horn pad portion 5 is pressed downward from the upper side.

The spokes 6 are composed of front spokes 6F extending downward from the lower part of the front column 4F and rear spokes 6B extending downward from the lower part of the rear column 4B. The front spokes 6F are integrally formed in the lower part of the front column 4F, and the rear spokes 6B are integrally formed in the lower part of the rear column 4B. The lower ends of the front spokes 6F and the rear spokes 6B are slightly toward the driver's seat, and the lower ends are connected to the steering handle 2. Further, the front spoke 6F and the rear spoke 6B are also connected. In this embodiment, the number of spokes 6 is one, and a wide range for gripping the steering handle 2 is secured. The number of spokes 6 may be a plurality of spokes 6 in consideration of the strength of supporting the steering handle 2 and the operability of the steering handle 2.

Next, the operation panels 7L and 7R provided on the left and right sides of the steering column 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The operation panels 7L and 7R are made of synthetic resin and are formed in a plate shape bent at approximately 90 °. The operation panel 7L attached to the left side surface portion 4L of the steering column 4 when viewed from the driver's seat has an operation portion 21L facing the driver and an attachment portion 22L abutting on the left side surface portion 4L of the steering column 4. There is. Further, the operation panel 7R attached to the right side surface portion 4R of the steering column 4 when viewed from the driver's seat has an operation portion 21R facing the driver and an attachment portion 22R abutting on the right side surface portion 4R of the steering column 4. are doing.

Since the operation units 21L and 21R of the operation panels 7L and 7R are inside the steering handle 2 and are arranged on substantially the same plane as the steering handle 2, the driver holding the steering handle 2 can operate the operation units 21L and 21R. The 21R is easy to operate.

A left indicator button 23 for instructing the operation of the left turn signal (not shown) of the vehicle is provided at the upper left end of the operation unit 21L. The left indicator button 23 is a so-called push-type button, and when the left indicator button 23 is pressed, the left turn signal blinks, and when the left indicator button 23 is pressed in the blinking state, the left turn signal turns off. Since it is considered that the left indicator button 23 is frequently used while the vehicle is being driven, the left indicator button 23 is provided at the upper left end of the operation unit 21L, which is easy for the driver to press. In this embodiment, the surface of the left indicator button 23 is formed so as to be flush with the surface of the operation unit 21L, but it may be formed so as to be lower than the surface of the operation unit 21L. If it is lower than the front wiper dial 24 described later, it may be projected from the surface of the operation unit 21L. On the surface of the left indicator button 23, an arrow indicating the left direction is displayed.

Below the left indicator button 23, a front wiper dial 24, which is a columnar rotary switch for instructing the operation of the front wiper (not shown), is provided. The front wiper dial 24 is provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around the shaft portion 19 in the horizontal direction. The characters OFF, INT, Lo, and Hi are displayed on the surface of the front wiper dial 24. The front wiper rotates the front wiper dial 24 to perform an operation corresponding to characters (OFF, INT, Lo, Hi) exposed and displayed from the operation unit 21L. When the front wiper dial 24 is set to the OFF position, the front wiper stops. When the front wiper dial 24 is set to the INT position, the front wiper operates intermittently at a reduced operating speed. The intermittent time can be arbitrarily set according to the amount of raindrops adhering to the windshield (not shown) by a rain sensor or the like (not shown). When the front wiper dial 24 is set to the Lo position, the front wiper operates at a low speed. The low speed is set to, for example, 45 times per minute, but can be set to a desired speed. When the front wiper dial 24 is set to the Hi position, the front wiper operates at high speed. The high speed is set to, for example, 70 times per minute, but can be set to a desired speed. About half of the front wiper dial 24 is embedded in the operation portion 21L in the diameter direction, and the left end portion 25 projects outward from the left end of the operation portion 21L. In this embodiment, the surface of the front wiper dial 24 is displayed in the order of OFF, INT, Lo, and Hi, but when OFF is displayed, the front wiper dial 24 may be rotated downward. It is no longer possible, and the front wiper dial 24 cannot be rotated upward when Hi is displayed. That is, the front wiper dial 24 can rotate only in the range of OFF to Hi. The front wiper dial can be rotated 360 °, and each operation can be performed in the order of OFF → INT → Lo → Hi → OFF → INT → Lo → Hi or OFF → Hi → Lo → INT → OFF → Hi → Lo → INT. It may be possible to select continuously.

A mist button 26 is provided adjacent to the front wiper dial 24 on the right side of the front wiper dial 24. The mist button 26 is a so-called push-type button, and when the mist button 26 is pressed once, the front wiper operates once. Further, when the mist button 26 is continuously pressed, the front wiper continues to operate while being pressed. The left side portion 27 of the mist button 26 is linear, but the right side portion 28 is formed in a convex arc shape on the right side. The characters Mist are displayed on the surface of the mist button 26.

Below the front wiper dial 24 and the mist button 26, a rear wiper switch 29 for operating the operation of the rear wiper (not shown) is provided. The rear wiper switch 29 is a so-called slide type switch, which is formed in a horizontally long substantially elliptical shape, and is provided so as to be slidable to the left and right in the horizontally long groove portion 30 formed in the operation portion 21L. The letters ON, INT, and OFF are displayed on the surface of the operation unit 21L below the rear wiper switch 29, and when the rear wiper switch 29 is located above the ON, the rear wiper is at normal speed. When the rear wiper switch 29 is located above the INT, the rear wiper operates intermittently, and when the rear wiper switch 29 is located above the OFF, the rear wiper does not operate and stops. The word "Real" is displayed on the surface of the rear wiper switch 29. A schematic diagram of the rear wiper is displayed on the right side of the groove portion 30 and on the surface of the operation portion 21L.

A front liquid button 31 for ejecting washer liquid onto the windshield is provided at the lower left end of the operation unit 21L. The front liquid button 31 is a so-called push-type button, and when pressed once, a predetermined amount of washer liquid is applied to the windshield from a washer liquid discharge port (not shown) for the windshield provided on the vehicle. Is ejected, and the front wiper operates a predetermined number of times. When the front liquid button 31 is continuously pressed, the washer fluid is ejected while the front liquid button 31 is being pressed, and the front wiper continues to operate. On the surface of the front liquid button 31, a schematic diagram of the ejected washer liquid and the windshield is displayed. In addition, the letter F is displayed in the schematic diagram of the windshield.

On the right side of the front liquid button 31, a rear liquid button 32 for ejecting washer liquid onto a rear glass (not shown) is provided adjacent to the front liquid button 31. The rear liquid button 32 is a so-called push-type button, and when pressed once, a predetermined amount of washer liquid is ejected from the washer liquid discharge port (not shown) for the rear glass provided in the vehicle to the rear glass. At the same time, the rear wiper operates a predetermined number of times. When the rear liquid button 32 is continuously pressed, the washer fluid is ejected while the rear liquid button 32 is being pressed, and the rear wiper continues to operate. On the surface of the rear liquid button 32, a schematic diagram of the ejected washer liquid and the rear glass is displayed. In addition, the letter R is displayed in the schematic diagram of the rear glass.

A bolt hole 34 for inserting a bolt 33 as a distance adjusting mechanism for attaching the operation panel 7L to the steering column 4 is bored on the upper side of the attachment portion 22L. A spring groove 36 for positioning the coil spring 39 as a distance adjusting mechanism is formed around the bolt hole 34 of the contact surface 35, which is the surface of the mounting portion 22L that comes into contact with the steering column 4.

A right indicator button 41 for instructing the operation of the right turn signal (not shown) of the vehicle is provided at the upper right end of the operation unit 21R. The right indicator button 41 is a so-called push-type button, and when the right indicator button 41 is pressed, the right direction indicator blinks, and when the right indicator button 41 is pressed in the blinking state, the right direction indicator turns off. Since it is considered that the right indicator button 41 is frequently used while the vehicle is being driven, the right indicator button 41 is provided at the upper right end of the operation unit 21R, which is easy for the driver to press. In this embodiment, the surface of the right indicator button 41 is formed so as to be flush with the surface of the operation unit 21R, but it may be formed so as to be lower than the surface of the operation unit 21R. If it is lower than the headlight dial 42 described later, it may be projected from the surface of the operation unit 21R. An arrow indicating the right direction is displayed on the surface of the right indicator button 41.

Below the right indicator button 41, a headlight dial 42, which is a columnar rotary switch for instructing the operation of a headlight (not shown) that illuminates the front of the vehicle, is provided. The headlight dial 42 is provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around the shaft portion 20 in the horizontal direction. The characters OFF, Pos, Lo, AUTO, and Hi are displayed on the surface of the headlight dial 42. The headlight rotates the headlight dial 42 and performs an operation corresponding to the characters (OFF, Pos, Lo, AUTO, Hi) exposed and displayed from the operation unit 21R. When the headlight dial 42 is set to the OFF position, the headlight is turned off. When the headlight dial 42 is set to the Pos position, a side light (not shown) lights up. When the headlight dial 42 is set to the Lo position, the headlight illuminates the light downward. Lo is a so-called low beam. When the headlight dial 42 is set to the AUTO position, the headlights, side lights (not shown), tail lights (not shown), and number lights (not shown) are automatically turned on and off depending on the brightness outside the vehicle. .. When the headlight is turned on, the indicator light (not shown) in the meter of the vehicle is also turned on. When the headlight dial 42 is set to the Hi position, the headlight illuminates the light upward. Hi is a so-called high beam. In this embodiment, the surface of the headlight dial 42 is displayed in the order of OFF, Pos, Lo, AUTO, and Hi, but when OFF is displayed, the headlight dial 42 is rotated downward. It is no longer possible to rotate the headlight dial 42 upward when Hi is displayed. That is, the headlight dial 42 can rotate only in the range of OFF to Hi. The headlight dial 42 can be rotated 360 °, and OFF → Pos → Lo → AUTO → Hi → OFF → Pos → Lo → AUTO → Hi or OFF → Hi → AUTO → Lo → Pos → OFF → Hi → AUTO → Lo. → Like Pos, each operation may be continuously selected. On the surface of the headlight dial 42, on the left side of the letters Pos, Lo, and Hi, there is a schematic diagram of the lit vehicle side light, a schematic diagram of the headlight that illuminates the light downward, and the above that illuminates the light upward. A schematic diagram of each headlight is displayed.

On the left side of the headlight dial 42, a flash button 43 is provided adjacent to the headlight dial 42. The flash button 43 is a so-called push-type button, and the headlight is turned on upward while the pressing operation is performed. The flash button 43 is an operation button for a so-called overtaking signal (passing). The right side portion 44 of the flash button 43 is linear, but the left side portion 45 is formed in a convex arc shape on the left side. The letters Flash are displayed on the surface of the flash button 43.

Below the headlight dial 42 and the flash button 43, a fog light switch 46 for instructing the operation of a fog light (not shown) is provided. The fog light switch 46 is a so-called slide type switch, which is formed in a horizontally long substantially elliptical shape, and is provided so as to be slidable to the left and right in the horizontally long groove portion 47 formed in the operation portion 21R. The characters OFF and ON are displayed on the surface of the operation unit 21R below the fog light switch 46, and when the fog light switch 46 is located above the OFF, the fog light is turned off and the fog light is turned off. When the switch 46 is located above ON, the fog light is lit. The characters of Fog are displayed on the surface of the fog light switch 46. Further, on the left side of the groove portion 47 and on the surface of the operation portion 21R, a schematic diagram when the fog light is lit is displayed.

A bolt hole 49 for inserting a bolt 48 as a distance adjusting mechanism for attaching the operation panel 7R to the steering column 4 is bored on the upper side of the attachment portion 22R. A spring groove 51 for positioning the coil spring 54 as a distance adjusting mechanism is formed around the bolt hole 49 of the contact surface 50, which is the surface of the mounting portion 22R that contacts the steering column 4.

Next, attachment of the operation panels 7L and 7R to the steering column 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the heads 37 and 52 of the bolts 33 and 48 are fixed inside the steering column 4 so as not to rotate and move, and the screw portions 38 and 53 of the bolts 33 and 48 are outside the steering column 4. It protrudes in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). The screw portions 38 and 53 are inserted through the coil springs 39 and 54, and further inserted through the bolt holes 34 and 49 of the operation panels 7L and 7R, and the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 provided on the back surface side of the operation panels 7L and 7R. Is screwed in. Since the coil springs 39 and 54 are sandwiched between the steering column 4 and the operation panels 7L and 7R in a compressed state, the operation panels 7L and 7R are urged in the left-right direction by the coil springs 39 and 54, respectively. Therefore, when the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 are rotated around the screw portions 38 and 53 of the bolts 33 and 48 and moved in the direction away from the steering column 4, the operation panels 7L and 7R are also moved by the urging force of the coil springs 39 and 54. It moves away from the steering column 4. Further, when the hexagon nut 55 is moved in the direction closer to the steering column 4 against the urging force of the coil springs 39 and 54, the operation panel 7R can be moved in the direction closer to the steering column 4. In this way, since the distance of the operation panel 7R from the steering column 4, that is, the width of the gaps 8L and 8R can be adjusted, the positions of the operation panels 7L and 7R can be adjusted according to the size of the driver's hand. The operability of the operation panels 7L and 7R can be improved. In this embodiment, bolts 33, 48, coil springs 39, 54, and hexagon nuts 40, 55 form a distance adjusting mechanism.

In this embodiment, hexagon nuts 40 and 55 are used to adjust the positions of the operation panels 7L and 7R, but various conventionally known nuts such as a cap nut, a wing nut, and a penetrating knob nut are used. Nuts can be used. Further, in order to prevent the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 from falling off from the bolts 33 and 48, various conventionally known fall-off prevention tools (not shown) may be used. Further, a well-known elastic member may be used instead of the coil springs 39 and 54 as long as the operation panels 7L and 7R can be urged in the left-right direction.

On the back surfaces of the operation panels 7L and 7R, cover members 57 and 58 that cover the screw portions 38 and 53 of the bolts 33 and 48 and the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 are detachably attached. The cover members 57 and 58 are made of synthetic resin, and are attached by locking the claw portion (not shown) to the claw receiving portion (not shown) formed on the back surface of the operation panels 7L and 7R. .. The cover members 57 and 58 of this embodiment have a shape along the back surface of the operation panels 7L and 7R. The cover members 57 and 58 are composed of operation unit back surface portions 59 and 60 covering the back surfaces of the operation portions 21L and 21R and mounting portions back surface portions 61 and 62 covering the back surfaces of the mounting portions 22L and 22R, and are substantially L-shaped in plan view. Is formed in. Therefore, the driver can also grip the steering handle 2 with the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger in contact with the back surface portions 59 and 60 of the operation unit. The cover members 57 and 58 are covered with bolts 33 and 48 and hexagon nuts 40 and 55 to improve the appearance, and the driver's hand hits the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 while driving the vehicle, which is unintentional. In order to prevent the positions of the operation panels 7L and 7R from being changed, the bolts 33 and 48 and the hexagon nuts 40 and 55 are attached to the outside with the cover members 57 and 58 attached to the operation panels 7L and 7R. The shape and the like can be arbitrarily determined as long as they are not exposed. For example, the operation panels 7L and 7R and the cover members 57 and 58 may be integrally formed, and the cover members 57 and 58 may be opened and closed by a living hinge. The cover members 57 and 58 may be removed when adjusting the positions of the operation panels 7L and 7R, closed after the adjustment, and closed during normal operation such as operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, from the mounting portions 22L and 22R of the operation panels 7L and 7R, the left indicator button 23, the front wiper dial 24, the mist button 26 and the rear wiper switch arranged on the operation portions 21L and 21R. 29, front liquid button 31, rear liquid button 32, right indicator button 41, headlight dial 42, flash button 43, wiring 63, 64 connected to the fog light switch 46 are pulled out, and these wiring 63, 64 Is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) and a power supply device (not shown) arranged inside the vehicle through the steering column 4. As a result, the left indicator button 23, the front wiper dial 24, the mist button 26, the rear wiper switch 29, the front liquid button 31, the rear liquid button 32, the right indicator button 41, the headlight dial 42, the flash button 43, and the fog light. By operating the switch 46, an operation instruction is issued to the device corresponding to the button or the like, and the device can be operated. The wirings 63 and 64 are formed long enough so that they will not be cut or damaged even when the positions of the operation panels 7L and 7R are farthest from the steering column 4.

As described above, the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment includes the steering handle 2, the steering column 4, and the spokes 6 connecting the steering handle 2 and the steering column 4, and the steering column 4 is described above. Operation panels 7L and 7R are provided as operating bodies that instruct the operation of the functions of the vehicle. The operation panels 7L and 7R have operation units 21L and 21R facing the driver, and the operation units 21L and 21R are steering handles. The front wiper dial 24 and the headlight as rotation switches that are inside the 2 and are arranged on substantially the same plane as the steering handle 2 and rotate in the vertical direction around the shafts 19 and 20 on the operation units 21L and 21R. A dial 42, a left indicator button 23 and a right indicator button 41 as push-type switches for instructing the operation of the left and right direction indicators are provided, and the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 are provided. The left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41 are formed lower than the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 so as to project from the operation units 21L and 21R toward the driver, and the driver from the operation units 21L and 21R. The left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41 are located above the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 without protruding in the direction. The left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41 are formed lower than the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42, so that the surfaces of the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 are formed on the left indicator button 23. And the surface of the right indicator button 41 is projected toward the driver side from the surface of the right indicator button 41, and the surfaces of the left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41 are flush with the surfaces of the operation units 21L and 21R. It may protrude toward the driver side from the surface of the 21L, 21R, or may be recessed from the surface of the operation unit 21L, 21R.

When the driver holding the steering handle 2 operates the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42, it is considered that the driver usually operates the abdomen of the thumb. Since the abdomen of the human thumb is warped toward the nail side, the tip of the thumb is in contact with the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 protruding from the operation units 21L and 21R toward the driver. The side is warped in the direction away from the left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41. Therefore, it becomes difficult to accidentally press the left indicator button 23 and the right indicator button 41 when the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 are rotated.

Further, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the operation units 21L and 21R are provided with a rear wiper switch 29 and a fog light switch 46 as slide type switches that can slide in the left-right direction, and the rear wiper switch 29 and the fog light switch 46 are provided. The fog light switch 46 projects from the operation units 21L and 21R toward the driver, and the rear wiper switch 29 and the fog light switch 46 are below the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42, and the front wiper dial 24 And because it is provided at a position close to the headlight dial 42, when the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 are rotated downward, the operator's finger moves downward with the momentum of the operation. Even so, since the rear wiper switch 29 and the fog light switch 46 are provided below the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42, the finger comes into contact with the rear wiper switch 29 and the fog light switch 46, and the finger touches further. It is possible to prevent the movement from moving downward. Therefore, even when the front wiper button 31 and the rear liquid button 32, which are push-type buttons, are provided below the rear wiper switch 29 as in the present embodiment, the front wiper dial 24 and the headlight dial 42 are used. It is possible to prevent the front liquid button 31 and the rear liquid button 32 from being accidentally pressed when the rotation operation is performed downward.

Further, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the gaps 8L and 8R are provided between the steering handle 2 and the operation panels 7L and 7R, so that the driver places his / her finger in the gaps 8L and 8R. The steering handle 2 can be gripped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operability of the steering handle 2 from being lowered by the operation panels 7L and 7R.

Further, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the operation units 21L and 21R are curved so that the central portion in the vertical direction is recessed, so that the operation units 21L and 21R have the shape of the abdomen of the driver's thumb. Since the shape conforms to the shape, the driver can use the left indicator button 23, front wiper dial 24, mist button 26, rear wiper switch 29, front liquid button 31, rear liquid button 32, right indicator button 41, and headlight dial 42. , The flash button 43 and the fog light switch 46 can be easily operated.

Further, in the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, the operation panels 7L and 7R and the steering column 4 are connected via bolts 33 and 48 as a distance adjusting mechanism, coil springs 39 and 54, and hexagon nuts 40 and 55. The steering handle 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the steering handle 2 and the operation panels 7L, 7R (width of the gap 8L, 8R) by the bolts 33, 48, the coil springs 39, 54, and the hexagon nuts 40, 55. The distance between the steering wheel 7L and 7R and the operation panels 7L and 7R can be adjusted according to the size of the driver's hand, the length of the finger, and the like, so that the operation panel 7L and 7R can be set to the most convenient position for the driver to operate.

Further, as an effect in the embodiment, since the spoke 6 is one and is connected to the lower portion of the steering handle 2, the driver grips the steering handle 2 when the vehicle is traveling straight. Since the spokes 6 do not get in the way, the operability of the steering handle 2 can be improved. Further, since the operation panels 7L and 7R are not directly connected to the steering handle 2 and there is a space between the operation panels 7L and 7R and the steering handle 2, a steering wheel turning assist device such as a handle spinner (not shown). The degree of freedom of the mounting position is improved.

9 to 16 are design drawings of the vehicle steering device 1 of the present embodiment, and a part of the shape of a button or the like, an arrow, a character, or the like is omitted. Further, in order to clearly show the appearance, the reference numerals indicating each part are omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, an instruction button for exerting a function other than the above, such as an operation button of an air conditioner, may be provided in the operation unit.

1 Vehicle steering device 2 Steering handle 4 Steering handle 6 Spokes 7L, 7R Operation panel (operation body)
8L, 8R gap 19 Shaft part 20 Shaft part 21L, 21R Operation part 23 Left indicator button (push type switch)
24 Front wiper dial (rotary switch)
29 Rear wiper switch (sliding switch)
33 bolts (distance adjustment mechanism)
39 Coil spring (distance adjustment mechanism)
40 Hexagon nut (distance adjustment mechanism)
41 Right indicator button (push type switch)
42 Headlight dial (rotary switch)
46 Fog light switch (sliding switch)
48 volts (distance adjustment mechanism)
54 Coil spring (distance adjustment mechanism)
55 Hexagon nut (distance adjustment mechanism)

Claims (5)

It is provided with a steering handle, a steering column, and spokes connecting the steering handle and the steering column.
The steering column is provided with an operating body that instructs the operation of the functions of the vehicle.
The operating body has an operating unit facing the driver.
The operation unit is inside the steering wheel and is arranged on substantially the same plane as the steering handle.
The operation unit is provided with a rotary switch that rotates in the vertical direction around the shaft portion and a push-type switch that instructs the operation of the direction indicator.
The rotary switch protrudes from the operation unit toward the driver.
The push switch is formed lower than the rotary switch.
A vehicle steering device characterized in that the push-type switch is located above the rotary switch. The operation unit is provided with a slide type switch that can slide in the left-right direction.
The slide type switch projects from the operation unit toward the driver.
The vehicle steering device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding switch is provided below the rotary switch and at a position close to the rotary switch. The vehicle steering device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap is provided between the steering handle and the operating body. The vehicle steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating portion is curved so that a central portion in the vertical direction is recessed. Any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating body and the steering column are connected via a distance adjusting mechanism, and the distance between the steering handle and the operating body can be adjusted by the distance adjusting mechanism. The vehicle steering device according to item 1.