JPH0696384B2 - Steering wheel - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel used in a vehicle that makes it possible to detect steering force.

BACKGROUND ART In power steering used in vehicles, a steering force sensor and a steering amount sensor are arranged on a steering shaft to detect the steering force and the steering amount, and the detected steering force and steering amount are used for steering. The delay is being corrected.

However, since the steering force sensor and the steering amount sensor detect distortion and displacement of the steering shaft,
Due to the inertia of the steering wheel itself, it was difficult to accurately detect the steering force and steering amount.

OBJECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE INVENTION An object and problems of the present invention are to improve the neutral return for sensor output and to detect steering force without being affected by the inertia of the steering wheel itself, and to provide power steering during steering. The present invention is to provide a steering wheel used in a vehicle that can detect a steering force to accurately correct the cut-off delay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION OF STRUCTURE OF THE INVENTION ACCORDING TO THE OBJECTS AND PROBLEMS Content of Claimed Invention In relation to the above objects and problems, a steering wheel according to the present invention is a spoke mounted on a steering shaft, and fixed to the spoke. A rim to be connected, a spoke cover movably supported relative to the spoke and the rim in the rotation direction, and a spoke cover connected to the spoke cover and relative to the rim in the rotation direction A rim cover that is supported as much as possible, and a cage that fixes the root to the steering shaft side and extends the tip to the spoke cover.
The beam is placed in its spoke cover in place, and a slight gap in the direction of rotation of the spoke cover is received to receive the tip of the gauge beam and its movement to the rim cover. It is composed of a connector for transmitting to the gauge beam and a strain detecting means attached to the gauge beam, and in a free state, a slight gap given to the gauge beam by the connector causes the sensor output to be neutral. The steering wheel of the present invention is provided with a casing fixedly supported on its spokes, in which the steering force of the sensor and its direction can be sensed. A pair of pistons reciprocally slidably fitted in the casing, and between the pair of pistons in the casing A compression spring that is placed and a centering device that is assembled with a pair of pins that are fixedly supported by the spoke cover by contacting the tips of the pair of pistons face-to-face with each other. And the connector is the gauge
The slight clearance given to the beam and its centering device are to positively improve the neutral return of the sensor output so that the steering force by the sensor and its direction can be sensed.

Description of Specific Examples Preferred specific examples of the steering wheel according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 are specific examples 10 of the steering wheel of the present invention used for power steering of an automobile.
Is shown.

The steering wheel 10 includes a metal hub 11 attached to a steering shaft 50, a pair of metal spokes 12 and 13, a metal rim 14, a synthetic resin spoke cover 15, and a synthetic resin rim. The steering force sensing type is constituted by the cover 16, the gauge beam 17, the connector 18, the strain detecting means 19, the centering device 20, and the horn cover 21.

The pair of spokes 12 and 13 are welded to the hub 11,
It is radially projected from the hub 11 at predetermined intervals.

The rim 14 is welded to the tips of the spokes 12 and 13 and is fixedly connected between the spokes 12 and 13.

The rim 14 also has its gauge beam 17 where a beam relief 22 is notched adjacent the spoke 12 and the tip extends into the spoke cover 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is designed so that it can be bent freely within a predetermined range.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the spoke cover 15 is made of a synthetic resin half-molded product, and the spokes 12, 1
3, cover part of the rim 14, the gauge beam 17, the centering device 20, etc. from the top and bottom, but butt against each other, and weld the butt points to make them uniform, and attach them to the spokes 12, 13 and rim 14 Has been.

Also, the spoke cover 15 is pre-sized and shaped so that an appropriate gap is formed between the spoke cover 12 and the rim 14 in such a mounted state, and the steering wheel The wheel 12 is supported so as to be movable relative to the spokes 12 and 13 and the rim 14 in the rotation direction of the wheel 10.

Further, the spoke cover 15 arranges ball bearings 25, which come into contact with the rim 14, in the ring through openings 23, 24 to facilitate relative movement with respect to the rim 14.

The ball bearing 25, of course, can be replaced with any other suitable one as long as it is a means for improving sliding.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rim cover 16 is a synthetic resin molded product which is cut in the ring direction and is easily manufactured so as to cover the rim 14. Of course, the cut surfaces 26 and 27 are
The rim cover 16 is joined after being put on the rim 14, and the both ends 28, 29 of the rim cover 16 are connected to the corresponding ring through openings 23, 24 of the spoke cover 15 so as to be integrated. Are linked together.

Also, the rim cover 16 is replaced by the spoke cover 15
As described above, in the mounted state, the steering wheel 10 of the steering wheel 10 is preliminarily dimensioned and molded so that an appropriate gap is formed between the steering wheel 10 and the rim 14. Its rim in the direction of rotation
It is supported so that it can move relative to 14.

Furthermore, the rim cover 16 has a predetermined position,
A rib 30 is projected on the inner side surface, and a gap between the rib 30 and the rib 14 is maintained at the rib 30, so that the relative movement with respect to the rim 14 is made smooth.

The gauge beam 17 is made of a leaf spring material, and as shown in FIG. 1, the roots are screwed to the brackets 33 welded to the spokes 12 and fixed to the hub 11 side,
In addition, the tip is extended to the inner surface of the spoke cover 15 through the beam escape 22 of the rim 14,
The tip is fitted to 18. Of course, when no steering force is applied, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the gauge beam 17 is caused by its centering device 20 to its rim 14 and spoke cover.
In the circumferential direction of 15 is located in the center of the beam escape 22 and the connector 18, in the beam escape 22
Large gaps S are formed on both sides of the beam,
Further, in the connector 18, a slight gap δ is formed on each side of the beam.

The gauge beam 17 so arranged is bent and distorted in its beam relief 22 when a steering force is applied.

The connector 18 is adjacent to the spoke 12, and as shown in FIGS.
It is positioned on the inner surface of the spoke cover 15 in relation to the tip of the beam 17 and the beam relief 22 and is arranged on the spoke cover 15.

The connector 18 is formed into a socket at a boss 34 projecting from the inner surface of the spoke cover 15 with an appropriate gap from the outer peripheral surface of the rim 14, and its gauge
Accepts the tip of beam 17 and its spoke cover 15
And the movement of the rim cover 16 can be transmitted to the gauge beam 17.

In particular, in this way, this connector 18, which is arranged in its spoke cover 15 in its position, in the absence of a steering force, by means of its centering device 20, as shown in FIG. The tip of the gauge beam 17 is received in the center, in other words, the tip of the gauge beam 17 is set with a slight gap δ on both sides of the beam in the rotation direction of the spoke cover 15 and the rim cover 16. Accept. Of course, the connector 18 may be formed with a notch or groove in the boss 34, and may have a deformed structure.

The strain detecting means 19 is a strain gauge,
The strain gauge 19 is an electric resistance strain wire unit 35 attached to the left and right plate surfaces 31, 32 of the gauge beam 17,
36, and is electrically connected to a controller (not shown) that controls a pressure oil injection valve (not shown) arranged in the hydraulic circuit of the power steering.

The centering device 20 is arranged between the spoke 13 and the spoke cover 15 so that when the steering force is not exerted, the gauge beam 17 has its rim 14
It is located in the center of the beam relief 22 and the connector 18, in other words, its gauge beam 17 is left free.

To further elaborate, the centering device 20
As shown in FIG. 3, a casing 37 arranged at the tip portion of the spoke 13, a pair of pistons 38, 39 fitted in the casing 37 so as to be reciprocally slidable, and the pistons 38, 39. Between the compression spring 40 arranged in the casing 37 and a pair of pins 41, 42 arranged in the spoke cover 15 in relation to the pistons 38, 39 in the casing 37. There is.

The casing 37 is made into a cylinder from a cylindrical casing body 43 and end plates 44 and 45 attached to both ends of the casing body 43, and the casing body 43 is welded to the tip portions of the spokes 13. , Attached to its spoke 13.

In addition, the end plates 44 and 45 have bores 4 respectively.
6 is formed, its bore 46 has its spoke cover 15
As it is moved relative to its spokes 12,13, causing its pins 41,42 to push and pull its compression spring 40 through its pistons 38,39. It is possible.

The pair of pins 41, 42 are connected to the bores 46, 46 of the casing 37.
The spoke cover 15 is integrally molded with the spoke cover 15 positioned so that the spoke cover 15 can be moved in and out. Therefore, the pins 41, 42 of the pin 41, 42 are not moved when the steering force is not applied.
In the state shown in the figure, it receives the spring force given by the compression spring 40 via its pistons 38, 39,
As a result, the centering device 20 keeps the steering wheel 10 in the neutral position.

The horn cover 21 is a molded product of synthetic resin and is arranged on the hub 11. Of course, this horn cover 21
Are shaped into a triangle that is related to the shape of the spoke cover 15, which improves the appearance of the steering wheel 10 in relation to the spoke cover 15.

Next, the steering wheel configured as described above
Referring to the operation of 10, if steering force is now applied to the steering wheel 10 that causes it to rotate in either the left or right direction, the steering force is first applied to the rim wheel.
It acts on the cover 16 and its rim cover 16
Relative to either the left or right direction, and with the rotation of such rim cover 16, its spoke cover 15 and connector 18 also
It is rotated relative to its rim 14 in the same direction as the cover 16.

As such, because its steering force is transmitted, its gauge beam 17 is bent in either the left or right direction by its connector 18 with its spoke cover 15 being relatively rotated, A strain is generated and the strain gauge 19 detects the bending strain of the gauge beam 17.

As such, the steering force and its direction are sensed by the strain gauge 19 and converted into a signal which is provided to the controller which controls the current flowing through the pressure oil injection valve. Then, the pressure oil injection valve is opened, the pressure oil is sent to the directional control valve (not shown) of the power steering, and the pressure oil is quickly supplied to the power cylinder of the power steering. , Its power steering prevents delay.

Also, as described above, the rim cover 16 integrally connecting the spoke covers 15 is rotated relative to the rim 14, and the gauge beam 17 is a beam notched in the rim 14. The inner surface of one of the escapes 22 is momentarily hit.

After the gauge beam 17 hits the inner surface of either one of the beam reliefs 22, the rim 14 is either in the left or right direction with the rim cover 16 integrally connecting the spoke cover 15. As a result, the steering shaft 50 is rotated through the spokes 12 and 13 and the hub 11, and the control valve of the power steering is rotated as the steering shaft 50 rotates. Switching operation is performed.

Thus, in this power steering, the gauge beam 17 is bent, distorted and its gauge by its connector 18 with its rim cover 16 and spoke cover 15 with very low inertia. The bending strain of the beam 17 is detected by its strain gauge 19, its steering force and its direction are sensed, and the steering force sensed by its strain gauge 19 and its direction are converted into electrical signals. , Its electrical signal causes its controller to open its pressure oil injection valve located in the hydraulic circuit of its power steering and quickly inject pressure oil into its directional control, so its rim 14 and steering shaft 50 The steering force and its direction are accurately detected with virtually no delay, without being affected by the large inertia of Switching delay of the ring is reliably prevented.

Further, when the steering force is removed and the steering wheel 10 is returned, the centering device 20 causes the gauge beam 17 to move to the state shown in FIG. The connector 18 is returned to the state shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this case, in addition to the slight gaps δ, δ provided between the gauge beam 17 and the connector 18, the centering device 20 is provided, the steering wheel 10 Neutral return failure is improved.

In the above steering wheel 10, a strain gauge is used as the strain detecting means 19, but the strain detecting means 19 is appropriately selected from a Hall element, a Hall IC, a magnetoresistive element, a strain semiconductor element, or the like. Can be used.

Convenience and Benefits of the Invention As can be understood from the above, the steering /
The wheel has a rim fixedly connected to a spoke mounted on a steering shaft, a spoke cover movably supported relative to the spoke and the rim in a rotational direction, and a rim cover attached to the spoke. · Connected to the cover and in the direction of rotation,
It is supported so that it can move relative to the rim, and the gauge beam fixes the root on the steering shaft side,
Extend the tip to the spoke cover, the connector,
In position, it is placed on the spoke cover, and with a slight gap in the direction of rotation of the spoke cover, accepts the tip of the gauge beam and allows the movement of the rim cover to move to the gauge beam. Since the strain detecting means is configured to be attached to the gauge beam, the steering wheel of the present invention has a rim that has a very small inertia when a steering force is applied. The gage beam is bent and distorted by the connector along with the cover and spoke cover, and the strain sensing means detects the gage beam bending strain to determine its steering force and its direction. Is sensed and in that way
The steering force and its direction can be detected without being influenced by the large inertia of the rim and the steering shaft, in other words, the steering force and its direction can be accurately measured substantially without delay. When detected, the steering delay of the power steering during steering is accurately performed, and the steering delay of the power steering is reliably prevented, and when the steering force is removed, the connector is connected to the gauge. The small gap on the beam improves the neutral return for the sensor output and the dead zone for the sensor output, and the steering wheel of the invention additionally has a centering device. A casing fixedly supported by the spokes, a pair of pistons fitted in the casing so as to be reciprocally slidable, Since it is assembled with a compression spring that is arranged between the pair of pistons in the thing and a pair of pins that are fixedly supported by the spoke cover by making the tips of the pair of pistons face to face, In the steering wheel of the invention, the neutral return for the sensor output is positively improved when the steering force is removed, due to the slight gap in the connector to the gauge beam and the centering device. Improved neutral return failure, and improved dead zone for sensor output, which is very useful and practical for its power steering.

Relationship with Embodiments of the Invention As is apparent from the embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the drawings as described above, the present invention is for anyone having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. Is derived from the technical essence of the invention, which is essential to the achievement of the invention and the nature of the invention, in order to achieve the object of the invention, and is objectively admitted Easily embodied in the embodiments described.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a partial section of a specific example of a steering wheel of the present invention used for power steering of an automobile, and FIG. 2 is taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. . 14 …… rim, 15 …… spoke cover, 16 …… rim cover, 17 …… gauge beam, 18 …… connector, 19 ……
Strain gauge, 20 ... Centering device,
22 …… Beam escape.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A spoke mounted on a steering shaft, a rim fixedly connected to the spoke, a spoke cover movably supported on the spoke and the rim in a rotational direction, A rim cover that is connected to the spoke cover and is movably supported relative to the rim in the direction of rotation, and the root is fixed to the steering shaft side and the tip is extended to the spoke cover. The gauge beam and its position, in place, on its spoke cover, and with a slight gap in the direction of rotation of that spoke cover, accepts the tip of the gauge beam and moves its rim cover. To the gauge beam and the strain attached to the gauge beam Steering wheel that includes a detection means. 2. A spoke mounted on a steering shaft, a rim fixedly connected between the spokes, and a spoke cover movably supported on the spoke and the rim in a rotational direction. A rim cover that is connected to the spoke cover and is supported so as to be movable relative to the rim in the direction of rotation, and the root is fixed to the steering shaft side, and the tip is extended to the spoke cover. The cage beam to be placed and the spoke beam in place, with a slight gap in the direction of rotation of the spoke cover to receive the tip of the gauge beam and A connector that allows movement to be transmitted to the gauge beam and is attached to the gauge beam Detecting means, a casing fixedly supported by the spoke, a pair of pistons reciprocally slidably fitted in the casing, a compression spring arranged between the pair of pistons in the casing, and A steering wheel comprising: a pair of pistons, tips of which face to face and are fixedly supported by the spoke covers, and a centering device.