JP7144657B2 - steering wheel - Google Patents

本発明は、車両の操舵時、運転者が把持して回動中心軸回りに回動操作するように使用するステアリングホイールに関する。 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering wheel that a driver grips and uses to turn around a turning center axis when steering a vehicle.

従来、ステアリングホイールとしては、回動中心軸側に配設されるボス部と、ボス部の周囲における回動中心軸の直交方向の外周縁側に配置されて、運転者が操舵時に把持可能な把持部を設けた略円環状の外周縁部（リング部・リム部）と、ボス部と外周縁部とを連結するスポーク部と、を備える構成としていた（例えば、特許文献１参照）。スポーク部は、相互に離れてボス部から放射状に延びて外周縁部に連なるように配設されていた。そして、運転者は、操舵時、スポーク部間の開口を利用して、手の親指側を、開口側に差し込むように、略円環状の外周縁部の内周面側に配置させて、他の人差し指等を利用しつつ、外周縁部を把持し、所定方向に外周縁部を回動操作していた。また、外周縁部は、アルミニウム軽合金等の略円環状の芯材（支持材）を配設させ、感触を良好にするように、芯材の周囲に、ウレタン等からなる被覆材を配設させていた。 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a steering wheel has a boss portion arranged on the rotation center axis side, and a gripper that is arranged around the boss portion on the outer peripheral edge side in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis so that the driver can hold it during steering. The configuration includes a substantially annular outer peripheral edge portion (ring portion/rim portion) provided with a portion, and spoke portions that connect the boss portion and the outer peripheral edge portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The spokes were spaced apart from each other and radially extended from the boss and continued to the outer peripheral edge. When steering, the driver uses the openings between the spokes to place the thumb side of the hand on the inner peripheral surface side of the substantially annular outer peripheral edge so as to insert it into the opening side. While using the index finger or the like, the outer peripheral edge is gripped and operated to rotate the outer peripheral edge in a predetermined direction. In addition, a substantially annular core material (supporting material) made of aluminum light alloy or the like is arranged on the outer peripheral edge, and a coating material made of urethane or the like is arranged around the core material so as to improve the feel. I was letting

特開２０１２－２０１１６４号公報JP 2012-201164 A

しかし、従来のステアリングホイールでは、ボス部側の回動中心軸と直交方向の外周縁部の内周側に、把持する際の指を挿入させる開口を備えており、把持し易いものの、ステアリングホイールが、デザイン上、外周縁部からボス部の中央部側において、開口を設けていない構成の場合には、把持し難くなることから、円滑な操舵操作に課題が生じる。 However, the conventional steering wheel is provided with an opening for inserting a finger when gripping it on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral edge in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis on the boss side, and the steering wheel is easy to grip. However, in the case of a design in which no opening is provided from the outer peripheral edge to the central portion of the boss portion, it becomes difficult to grip the handle, which poses a problem in smooth steering operation.

本発明は、上述の課題を解決するものであり、ボス部の上方から操舵時に把持する外周縁部までの領域に、指を差し込むような開口を備えていない構成としても、操舵時の感触を良好にしつつ、円滑に操舵操作できるステアリングホイールを提供することを目的とする。 The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if the area from the upper side of the boss portion to the outer peripheral edge to be gripped during steering is not provided with an opening for inserting a finger, the feeling during steering is improved. To provide a steering wheel which can be smoothly steered while maintaining good steering performance.

本発明に係るステアリングホイールは、車両の操舵時、運転者が把持して回動中心軸回りに回動操作するように使用するステアリングホイールであって、
前記回動中心軸側に配設されるボス部と、
前記ボス部の周囲における前記回動中心軸の直交方向の外周縁側に配置されて、運転者が操舵時に把持可能な把持部を設けた外周縁部と、
前記ボス部の上方側を含めた前記外周縁部の前記ボス部側の全域を覆う中央部と、
を備える構成として、
前記ボス部、前記中央部、及び、前記外周縁部を相互に連結するように、前記ボス部に配置されるボス側支持材部と、前記外周縁部に配置される外周縁側支持材部と、前記中央部に配設されて、前記ボス側支持材部と前記外周縁側支持材部とを連結する連結部と、を備えて、剛性を有して構成される支持材、が配設されるとともに、
少なくとも、前記支持材の前記外周縁側支持材部と、前記外周縁側支持材部近傍の前記連結部と、の周囲に、前記支持材より軟質の被覆材、が配設され、
前記把持部が、前記外周縁部の全周にわたって、配設されるとともに、
前記把持部に配設される前記外周縁側支持材部が、
外周縁側に、前記回動中心軸に沿った下方側に突出して、前記外周縁部の全周にわたって連なる環状凸部、を配設させ、
該環状凸部の上面側に、前記外周縁部の全周にわたって連なり、前記回動中心軸と略直交方向に前記連結部側に平面状に延びる環状平坦部、を配設させて構成され、
前記把持部が、
前記環状凸部の上面側から外周面側を経た下面側の領域を、前記被覆材を介在させて、運転者の把持する把持本体部として、構成されるとともに、
前記外周縁側支持材部の前記環状平坦部の下面側における前記環状凸部の内周側の前記被覆材の配設領域に、少なくとも運転者の把持時に、前記環状凸部の下端側における前記被覆材の部位の下面より上方側へ凹んで運転者の指先の進入可能な収納凹部、を配設させる構成としていることを特徴とする。 A steering wheel according to the present invention is a steering wheel used by a driver to be gripped and rotated around a rotation center axis when steering a vehicle,
a boss portion arranged on the rotation center axis side;
an outer peripheral edge portion disposed on the outer peripheral edge side in the direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis around the boss portion and provided with a grip portion that can be gripped by a driver during steering;
a central portion that covers the entire area of the outer peripheral edge portion on the side of the boss portion including the upper side of the boss portion;
As a configuration comprising
A boss-side supporting material portion arranged at the boss portion and an outer peripheral edge-side supporting member portion arranged at the outer peripheral edge portion so as to interconnect the boss portion, the central portion, and the outer peripheral edge portion. and a connecting portion disposed in the central portion and connecting the boss-side supporting member portion and the outer peripheral edge-side supporting member portion, and having rigidity. along with
A coating material softer than the support material is disposed at least around the outer peripheral edge side support member portion of the support member and the connecting portion near the outer peripheral edge side support member portion,
The gripping portion is arranged over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge,
The outer peripheral edge side support member portion disposed in the grip portion,
An annular projection projecting downward along the rotation center axis and continuing along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge is provided on the outer peripheral edge side,
An annular flat portion that continues along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion on the upper surface side of the annular convex portion and extends planarly toward the connecting portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation center axis,
The gripping part is
The area on the lower surface side passing through the outer peripheral surface side from the upper surface side of the annular convex portion is configured as a grip body portion to be gripped by the driver, with the covering material interposed therebetween,
At least at the time of gripping by the driver, the covering on the lower end side of the annular projection is provided in the region where the covering material is provided on the inner peripheral side of the annular projection on the lower surface side of the annular flat portion of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion. It is characterized in that it is configured such that a storage recess into which a driver's fingertip can enter is recessed upward from the lower surface of the material portion.

本発明に係るステアリングホイールでは、運転者が把持部を把持する際、把持本体部を把持し、その際、手の親指と母指球付近とを、把持本体部の上面側に配置させ、人差し指、中指、薬指、小指を、曲げて、把持本体部の下面側に配置させて、把持本体部を把持することとなる。この把持時には、把持部に配設される剛性を有した外周縁側支持材部が、ボス部側の連結部から延びる環状平坦部の下面側に、下方へ突出する環状凸部を備えて、環状凸部の内周側の環状平坦部の下面側に、収納凹部を配設させるための凹部を配設させる構成であり、環状凸部の配設部位を、軟質の被覆材を介在させて、良好な感触として、的確に、握ることができる。すなわち、把持本体部の上面側では、剛性を有した環状平坦部の連結部側までの延びる平面状の部位が、配設されており、把持本体部の上面側の軟質の被覆材を弾性変形させて、感触を良好な状態を維持しつつ、親指と母指球付近とを、広い平面状の環状平坦部側に押し付けることができ、そして、把持本体部の下面側では、収納凹部の凹面側を含めて、周囲の軟質の被覆材を弾性変形させて、感触を良好にしつつ、人差し指、中指、薬指、小指が、把持本体部の下面側を掴むことができて、その結果、環状凸部付近の把持本体部の周囲を的確に把持できて、親指等を差し込むような開口を備えていなくとも、安定して操舵操作を行える。 In the steering wheel according to the present invention, when the driver grips the grip, the driver grips the grip main body, and at that time, the thumb and the ball of the hand are placed on the top side of the grip main body, and the forefinger , the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger are bent and arranged on the lower surface side of the grip main body to grip the grip main body. At the time of gripping, the rigid outer peripheral edge side support member provided in the gripping portion is provided with an annular convex portion protruding downward on the lower surface side of the annular flat portion extending from the connecting portion on the boss portion side. It is a structure in which a concave portion for arranging a storage concave portion is arranged on the lower surface side of the annular flat portion on the inner peripheral side of the convex portion. As a good feeling, it can be grasped accurately. That is, on the upper surface side of the gripping body portion, a planar portion extending to the connecting portion side of the annular flat portion having rigidity is disposed, and the soft covering material on the upper surface side of the gripping body portion is elastically deformed. This allows the thumb and the vicinity of the ball of the foot to be pressed against the wide planar annular flat portion side while maintaining a good feeling, and the concave surface of the storage recess on the lower surface side of the grip main body portion. By elastically deforming the surrounding soft coating material including the side, the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger can grasp the lower surface side of the grip main body while improving the feel, resulting in an annular convex. It is possible to accurately grip the periphery of the grip main body near the part, and to stably perform steering operation without providing an opening for inserting a thumb or the like.

したがって、本発明に係るステアリングホイールでは、ボス部の上方から操舵時に把持する外周縁部までの領域に、指を差し込むような開口を備えていない構成としても、操舵時の感触を良好にしつつ、円滑に操舵操作をすることができる。 Therefore, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, even if the region from the upper side of the boss portion to the outer peripheral edge to be gripped during steering is not provided with an opening into which a finger can be inserted, the feeling during steering is improved. Steering operation can be performed smoothly.

そして、本発明に係るステアリングホイールでは、収納凹部は、運転者が把持する前に予め形成されていてもよい。すなわち、把持部の被覆材が、外周縁部の下面側において、外周縁側支持材部の環状凸部の下方の下面より、収納凹部の領域を、上方へ凹ませる肉厚として、配設されていればよい。 Further, in the steering wheel according to the present invention, the storage recess may be formed in advance before being gripped by the driver. That is, the coating material of the gripping portion is disposed on the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion with a thickness such that the area of the storage recessed portion is recessed upward from the lower surface below the annular protrusion of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion. All you have to do is

勿論、本発明にステアリングホイールでは、収納凹部は、運転者が把持する際に、形成されるように構成してもよい。すなわち、把持部の被覆材が、外周縁部の下面側において、外周縁側支持材部の環状凸部の下方から、収納凹部の領域を経て、連結部近傍の下方までの領域を、略平面状の肉厚として、配設されるとともに、運転者の把持時に、弾性変形して、収納凹部を形成可能な硬度として、配設されていてもよい。 Of course, the steering wheel according to the present invention may be configured such that the storage recess is formed when the driver grips it. That is, on the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion, the coating material of the grip portion extends from below the annular convex portion of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion to below the vicinity of the connecting portion through the area of the storage recessed portion in a substantially planar shape. and a hardness that enables elastic deformation to form a storage recess when gripped by the driver.

このような構成では、把持部を実際に把持するまで、外周縁部の下面側が凹みの無い平面状となることから、斬新なデザインのステアリングホイールとすることができる。 With such a configuration, the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion has a planar shape without a dent until the grip portion is actually gripped, so the steering wheel can have a novel design.

実施形態のステアリングホイールの概略斜視図である。1 is a schematic perspective view of a steering wheel of an embodiment; FIG. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの平面図である。It is a top view of the steering wheel of the embodiment. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの側面図である。It is a side view of the steering wheel of the embodiment. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの底面図である。It is a bottom view of the steering wheel of the embodiment. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの概略断面図であり、図２のＶ－Ｖ部位を示す。FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steering wheel of the embodiment, showing the VV portion of FIG. 2; 実施形態のステアリングホイールの概略断面図であり、図２のVI－VI部位を示す。FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steering wheel of the embodiment, showing the section VI-VI of FIG. 2; 実施形態のステアリングホイールの把持部の拡大断面図である。4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a grip portion of the steering wheel of the embodiment; FIG. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの把持部を把持する状態を示す平面図と底面図である。4A and 4B are a plan view and a bottom view showing a state in which the grip portion of the steering wheel of the embodiment is gripped; FIG. 実施形態のステアリングホイールの把持部を把持する状態の概略断面図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which the grip portion of the steering wheel of the embodiment is gripped; 実施形態のステアリングホイールの把持部の別位置を把持する状態を示す概略断面図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which another position of the grip portion of the steering wheel of the embodiment is gripped; 実施形態の変形例のステアリングホイールの平面図である。FIG. 4 is a plan view of a steering wheel of a modified example of the embodiment; 図１１に示すステアリングホイールの概略断面図であり、図１０のXII－XII部位を示す。FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steering wheel shown in FIG. 11, showing the XII-XII portion of FIG. 10; 図１１に示すステアリングホイールの把持部の把持状態を説明する概略断面図である。FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a gripping state of the gripping portion of the steering wheel shown in FIG. 11;

以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明すると、実施形態のステアリングホイール１０は、図１～６に示すように、操舵時の回動中心軸Ｃ１側に配設されるボス部２３と、ボス部２３の周囲における回動中心軸Ｃ１の直交方向の外周縁側に配置されて、運転者が操舵時に把持可能な把持部２６を設けた外周縁部２５と、ボス部２３の上方側を含めた外周縁部２５のボス部２３側の全域を覆う中央部３０と、を備えて構成されている。換言すれば、実施形態の場合、ボス部２３は、中央部３０の略中央領域における下面側に、配設されている。そして、実施形態のステアリングホイール１０では、外周縁部２５のボス部２３側の全域を覆う中央部３０は、指を差し込むような開口を設けていない構成として、配設されている。 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. and an outer peripheral edge portion 25 provided with a grip portion 26 which is arranged on the outer peripheral edge side in the direction orthogonal to the rotation center axis C1 around the boss portion 23 and which can be gripped by the driver during steering, and an upper side of the boss portion 23. and a central portion 30 covering the entire area of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 including the boss portion 23 side. In other words, in the case of the embodiment, the boss portion 23 is arranged on the lower surface side of the substantially central region of the central portion 30 . In the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment, the central portion 30 covering the entire area of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 on the side of the boss portion 23 is arranged without an opening for inserting a finger.

また、ステアリングホイール１０は、ボス部２３、外周縁部２５、及び、中央部３０を相互に連結するように、剛性を有した支持材１１を内部に配設させている。支持材１１は、ボス部２３に配置されるボス側支持材部１２と、外周縁部２５に配置される外周縁側支持材部１６と、中央部３０に配置されて、外周縁側支持材部１６とボス側支持材部１２とを連結する連結部１４と、から構成されている。支持材１１は、剛性を有するように、アルミニウム等の軽合金や鋼材からなる金属材、あるいは、適宜、フィラー入りとしたポリプロピレン、ポリアミド、ＡＢＳ樹脂等の合成樹脂材等からなり、鋳造や型成形等により、形成されている。 Moreover, the steering wheel 10 has a rigid support member 11 disposed therein so as to connect the boss portion 23, the outer peripheral edge portion 25, and the central portion 30 to each other. The support member 11 includes a boss side support member portion 12 arranged on the boss portion 23 , an outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion 25 , and an outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 arranged on the central portion 30 . and a connection portion 14 that connects the boss-side support member portion 12 . The support material 11 is made of a metal material such as a light alloy such as aluminum or a steel material so as to have rigidity, or a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, polyamide, ABS resin, etc. containing a filler as appropriate. etc., are formed.

ボス部２３に配置されるボス側支持材部１２は、回動中心軸Ｃ１と同軸上に配置される車体側の操舵軸１に連結されて、ステアリングホイール１０の回転操舵時、操舵軸１を回動させる。また、ボス側支持材部１２には、操舵軸１との結合強度を向上させるように、鋼等からなるボス芯材１２ａが配設されている。 The boss-side support member portion 12 arranged on the boss portion 23 is connected to the steering shaft 1 on the vehicle body side arranged coaxially with the rotation center axis C1, and supports the steering shaft 1 when the steering wheel 10 is rotated. Rotate. A boss core member 12a made of steel or the like is disposed on the boss-side support member portion 12 so as to improve the strength of the connection with the steering shaft 1. As shown in FIG.

なお、操舵軸１には、その回動角度を検出する図示しないセンサが配設され、センサによる回転角度（操舵角）の電気信号を入力した図示しない所定の制御装置により、車両の操舵輪が操舵されることとなる。 A sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of the steering shaft 1 is disposed on the steering shaft 1, and a predetermined control device (not shown) receives an electric signal of the rotation angle (steering angle) from the sensor, and the steered wheels of the vehicle are adjusted. It will be steered.

また、操舵軸１側には、回動中心軸Ｃ１とともに、操舵軸１のコラム角θｃ（図３参照）を調整可能なチルト機構３が配設されており、チルト機構３の操作レバー６のロック解除操作により、操舵軸１を支持するケース４の揺動中心軸５周りの停止状態を解除できて、操舵軸１のコラム角θｃを調整できる。そして、操舵軸１のコラム角θｃを所望の角度に調整したならば、操作レバー６をロック位置に復帰させて、ケース４を、調整した揺動中心軸５周りの角度位置で、停止させることができる。なお、このようなチルト機構３によるコラム角θｃの調整では、操舵軸１の角度調整により、中央部３０の後述するクッション部３４の配置角度を調整できて、運転者ＭＤ（図５，６の二点鎖線参照）は、所望の配置角度のクッション部３４により、休息できることとなる。 Further, on the steering shaft 1 side, a tilt mechanism 3 capable of adjusting the column angle θc (see FIG. 3) of the steering shaft 1 is arranged together with the rotation center axis C1. By the unlocking operation, the stopped state of the case 4 supporting the steering shaft 1 around the swing center axis 5 can be released, and the column angle θc of the steering shaft 1 can be adjusted. After the column angle θc of the steering shaft 1 has been adjusted to the desired angle, the operating lever 6 is returned to the lock position, and the case 4 is stopped at the adjusted angular position around the oscillation central axis 5. can be done. In addition, in the adjustment of the column angle θc by the tilt mechanism 3 as described above, by adjusting the angle of the steering shaft 1, the arrangement angle of the cushion portion 34 described later in the central portion 30 can be adjusted. ) can be rested by the cushion part 34 arranged at a desired angle.

支持材１１の外周縁側支持材部１６は、外周縁部２５の全周に配置される環状として、環状凸部１７と環状平坦部１８とを備えて構成されている（図２，５～７参照）。環状凸部１７は、回動中心軸Ｃ１に沿った下方側に突出して、外周縁部２５の全周にわたって連なるように配設され、環状平坦部１８は、環状凸部１７の上面１７ａ側に、外周縁部２５の全周にわたって連なり、回動中心軸Ｃ１と略直交方向に連結部１４側に平面状に延びるように、配設されている。そして、環状平坦部１８の下面１８ｂ側における環状凸部１７の内周面１７ｂ側には、後述する被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１を介在させて、運転者ＭＤの操舵時に把持部２６を把持する際、指（人差し指Ｆ１、中指Ｆ２、薬指Ｆ３、小指Ｆ４）が収納凹部２８内に進入して、親指Ｆ０や母指球ＤＰＭとで、円滑に、後述する把持本体部２７を把持できるように（図８参照）、凹部１６ａが形成されている（図５～７参照）。 The outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 of the support member 11 is configured as an annular shape provided with an annular convex portion 17 and an annular flat portion 18 arranged around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 (FIGS. 2, 5 to 7). reference). The annular convex portion 17 protrudes downward along the rotation center axis C1 and is disposed so as to extend along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 . , are arranged so as to extend over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 and extend planarly toward the connecting portion 14 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation center axis C1. On the inner peripheral surface 17b side of the annular convex portion 17 on the lower surface 18b side of the annular flat portion 18, a covering main body portion 21 of a covering material 20, which will be described later, is interposed, and a grip portion 26 is gripped during steering by the driver MD. At this time, the fingers (index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger F4) enter the storage recess 28 so that the thumb F0 and the ball of the foot DPM can smoothly grip the grip main body 27, which will be described later. (see FIG. 8), a recess 16a is formed (see FIGS. 5-7).

連結部１４は、ボス側支持材部１２と外周縁側支持材部１６とを連結する略楕円板状（詳しくは、略楕円形の椀形状）として、構成されている。連結部１４には、適宜、上下を貫通する複数の貫通孔１５が配設されて、被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１の形成材料を、貫通孔１５を経て、連結部１４の上面側と下面側とに流し可能とし、かつ、貫通孔１５に充填される被覆本体部２１の形成材料により、被覆本体部２１の外周縁側支持材部１６上や連結部１４上でのずれが防止されている。 The connecting portion 14 is configured in a substantially elliptical plate shape (more specifically, a substantially elliptical bowl shape) that connects the boss-side supporting member portion 12 and the outer peripheral edge-side supporting member portion 16 . A plurality of through holes 15 penetrating vertically are appropriately arranged in the connecting portion 14 , and the material forming the covering main body portion 21 of the covering material 20 is passed through the through holes 15 to the upper surface side and the lower surface of the connecting portion 14 . Displacement of the covering main body portion 21 on the outer peripheral edge side supporting member portion 16 and on the connecting portion 14 is prevented by the forming material of the covering main body portion 21 that is allowed to flow to the side and is filled in the through hole 15. .

支持材１１の周囲には、感触を良好にするように、被覆材２０が配設されている。被覆材２０は、支持材１１のボス側支持材部１２、連結部１４、及び、外周縁側支持材部１６の外周を被覆する被覆本体部２１と、外周縁部２５の被覆本体部２１の上面側に重なって配設される延設被覆部２２と、から構成されている。被覆本体部２１は、型成形等により、支持材１１の周囲に配設されている。延設被覆部２２は、把持部２６（Ｆ，Ｌ，Ｒ）の上面側の部位であり、実施形態の場合、被覆本体部２１と別体とした後述するクッション部３４の縁３４ａの前縁３４ａｆと左右の縁３４ａｌ，３４ａｒ付近から構成されて、運転者ＭＤが操舵時に把持部２６（Ｆ，Ｌ，Ｒ）を把持する際に、外周縁側支持材部１６との間に介在されて、被覆本体部２１とともに一体的に把持される部位となる。被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１は、硬質の支持材１１と相違して、把持した際の感触を良好にするように、軟質としたウレタン等の合成樹脂材料から形成され、延設被覆部２２も、同様に、支持材１１より軟質のウレタン等の合成樹脂材料から形成されている。 A covering 20 is arranged around the support 11 to improve its feel. The covering material 20 consists of a covering main body portion 21 covering the outer periphery of the boss side supporting member portion 12, the connecting portion 14, and the outer peripheral edge side supporting member portion 16 of the supporting member 11, and the upper surface of the covering main body portion 21 of the outer peripheral edge portion 25. and an extended covering portion 22 arranged to overlap with the side. The covering main body 21 is arranged around the supporting member 11 by molding or the like. The extended covering portion 22 is a portion on the upper surface side of the gripping portion 26 (F, L, R), and in the case of the embodiment, the front edge of the edge 34a of the cushion portion 34 described later, which is separate from the covering main body portion 21. 34af and left and right edges 34al and 34ar, and when the driver MD grips the grips 26 (F, L, R) during steering, it is interposed between the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16, It becomes a portion that is integrally gripped together with the covering main body portion 21 . Unlike the hard supporting material 11, the covering main body 21 of the covering material 20 is made of a soft synthetic resin material such as urethane so as to improve the feeling when gripped. are similarly made of a synthetic resin material such as urethane, which is softer than the supporting member 11. As shown in FIG.

なお、実施形態では、運転者ＭＤが把持し難い領域のボス側支持材部１２やボス側支持材部１２近傍の連結部１４の周囲にも、外周縁側支持材部１６を被覆した被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１を延設させているが、これらのボス側支持材部１２やボス側支持材部１２近傍の連結部１４の周囲、特に、中央部３０の下面側では、被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１でなく、別途、支持材１１側に組み付けて配設させるポリアミド等の合成樹脂製のロアカバー、を配設させてもよい。 In the embodiment, the covering material 20 covering the outer peripheral edge side supporting member 16 is also provided around the boss side supporting member 12 in a region where it is difficult for the driver MD to grip and the connecting portion 14 in the vicinity of the boss side supporting member 12. However, around the boss-side support member portion 12 and the connection portion 14 near the boss-side support member portion 12, especially on the lower surface side of the central portion 30, the coating member 20 A lower cover made of a synthetic resin such as polyamide, which is attached to the support member 11 side, may be separately disposed instead of the covering main body portion 21 .

そして、ステアリングホイール１０の外周縁部２５は、支持材１１の外周縁側支持材部１６を被覆材２０により被覆させて形成されており、実施形態の場合、全周にわたって、把持部２６を配設させている。把持部２６は、運転者ＭＤ側の上面２７ａと、下面２７ｃと、上面２７ａと下面２７ｃとを連結する略円弧状の外周面２７ｂと、を有した断面略円形とする把持本体部２７を備えるとともに、連結部１４に連なる下面２７ｃ側に、上方へ凹む収納凹部２８を配設させて構成されている。 The outer peripheral edge portion 25 of the steering wheel 10 is formed by covering the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 of the support member 11 with the coating material 20, and in the case of the embodiment, the grip portion 26 is arranged over the entire circumference. I am letting The grip portion 26 includes a grip body portion 27 having a substantially circular cross section and having an upper surface 27a on the side of the driver MD, a lower surface 27c, and a substantially arc-shaped outer peripheral surface 27b connecting the upper surface 27a and the lower surface 27c. At the same time, a storage recess 28 recessed upward is provided on the side of a lower surface 27 c that continues to the connecting portion 14 .

把持本体部２７の上面２７ａ側は、外周縁部２５の前縁２５ａと左右の縁２５ｃ，２５ｄの部位では、図５，７に示すように、外周縁側支持材部１６の環状平坦部１８の上面側を覆う被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１の上面側部２１ａと、クッション部３４の縁３４ａ（前縁３４ａｆ、左縁３４ａｌ，右縁３４ａｒ）側の延設被覆部２２とが、配設されており、外周縁部２５の後縁２５ｂ側では、被覆本体部２１の厚みを増した上面側部２１ａが配設されている。把持本体部２７の外周面２７ｂ側は、外周縁側支持材部１６の環状平坦部１８と環状凸部１７との外周面側を覆う被覆本体部２１の外周面側部２１ｂが、配設され、把持本体部２７の下面２７ｃ側では、環状凸部１７の下面側を覆う被覆本体部２１の下面側部２１ｃが配設されている。収納凹部２８の部位では、環状凸部１７の内周面１７ｂ側から環状平坦部１８の下面１８ｂ側を覆う被覆本体部２１の内側面部２１ｄが配設されている。 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the front edge 25a and the left and right edges 25c and 25d of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 on the side of the upper surface 27a of the grip main body portion 27 are the same as those of the annular flat portion 18 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16. The upper surface side portion 21a of the covering body portion 21 of the covering material 20 covering the upper surface side and the extended covering portion 22 on the side of the edge 34a (front edge 34af, left edge 34al, right edge 34ar) of the cushion portion 34 are provided. An upper surface side portion 21a having an increased thickness of the covering main body portion 21 is provided on the rear edge 25b side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25. As shown in FIG. On the side of the outer peripheral surface 27b of the grip body portion 27, the outer peripheral surface side portion 21b of the covering main body portion 21 covering the outer peripheral surface side of the annular flat portion 18 and the annular convex portion 17 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 is arranged, A lower surface side portion 21c of the cover body portion 21 that covers the lower surface side of the annular convex portion 17 is arranged on the side of the lower surface 27c of the grip body portion 27 . An inner side surface portion 21d of the covering main body portion 21 covering the lower surface 18b side of the annular flat portion 18 from the inner peripheral surface 17b side of the annular convex portion 17 is arranged at the portion of the accommodation recess portion 28 .

さらに、被覆本体部２１は、内側面部２１ｄから連結部１４の下面側を覆う下面側延設部２１ｆと、下面側延設部２１ｆから延びてボス側支持材部１２の外周を覆うボス側部２１ｇと、を備えている。また、被覆本体部２１は、連結部１４の貫通孔１５内に充填される充填部２１ｈ、を備えている。 Furthermore, the covering body portion 21 includes a lower surface side extension portion 21f that covers the lower surface side of the connecting portion 14 from the inner side surface portion 21d, and a boss side portion that extends from the lower surface side extension portion 21f and covers the outer periphery of the boss side support member portion 12. 21g and In addition, the covering body portion 21 includes a filling portion 21 h that fills the through hole 15 of the connecting portion 14 .

なお、実施形態の場合、中央部３０と外周縁部２５との境界部位は、収納凹部２８の領域としている。 In addition, in the case of the embodiment, the boundary portion between the central portion 30 and the outer peripheral edge portion 25 is the area of the storage recess 28 .

また、把持部２６に配設される被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１と延設被覆部２２との硬度は、柔らか過ぎず、かつ、堅過ぎず、良好な触感として、運転者ＭＤが把持できるように、３０～５０（アスカーＣ硬度）の範囲内としている。具体的には、把持部２６に配設される被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１は、略４０（アスカーＣ硬度）とし、延設被覆部２２は、殆ど後述する柔らかい外側層３７の領域となることから、略０（アスカーＣ硬度）としている。 Further, the hardness of the covering main body portion 21 and the extended covering portion 22 of the covering material 20 disposed on the grip portion 26 is neither too soft nor too hard, and the driver MD can grip the grip with a good touch. As shown, the hardness is within the range of 30 to 50 (Asker C hardness). Specifically, the covering main body portion 21 of the covering material 20 disposed on the grip portion 26 has a hardness of approximately 40 (Asker C hardness), and the extended covering portion 22 is mostly a region of the soft outer layer 37 described later. Therefore, the hardness is approximately 0 (Asker C hardness).

そして、外周縁部２５のボス部２３側を覆う中央部３０は、外周縁部２５より回動中心軸Ｃ１に沿って上方側に突出する隆起部３２を備えている。隆起部３２は、上面３２ａ側に、復元可能として下方側へ凹み可能な弾性を有したクッション部３４、を配設させている。実施形態の場合、隆起部３２は、その全域をクッション部３４から構成されている。 A center portion 30 covering the boss portion 23 side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 includes a raised portion 32 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge portion 25 along the rotation center axis C1. The raised portion 32 has an elastic cushion portion 34 on the side of the upper surface 32a that can be restored and can be recessed downward. In the case of the embodiment, the raised portion 32 is entirely composed of the cushion portion 34 .

このクッション部３４は、図５，６に示すように、透明なウレタンやシリコン等からなる内側層３６と外側層３７とを備えてなるクッション材３５を配設させて構成されている。クッション材３５の内側層３６は、弾性変形可能で、かつ、形状保持性を有し、外側層３７は、内側層３６より柔らかく（人肌に近い柔軟性を有して）構成されている。実施形態では、内側層３６の厚さ寸法ｔ１を約２ｍｍ程度、外側層３７の厚さ寸法ｔ２を約１５ｍｍ程度とし、内側層３６の硬度を約３５（ショアーＡ硬度）とし、外側層３７の硬度を約０（アスカーＣ硬度）としている。 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cushion portion 34 is constructed by arranging a cushion material 35 comprising an inner layer 36 and an outer layer 37 made of transparent urethane, silicone, or the like. The inner layer 36 of the cushion material 35 is elastically deformable and retains its shape, and the outer layer 37 is softer than the inner layer 36 (having flexibility close to human skin). In the embodiment, the thickness dimension t1 of the inner layer 36 is about 2 mm, the thickness dimension t2 of the outer layer 37 is about 15 mm, the hardness of the inner layer 36 is about 35 (Shore A hardness), and the thickness of the outer layer 37 is about 35 (Shore A hardness). The hardness is about 0 (Asker C hardness).

さらに、実施形態では、クッション材３５からなるクッション部３４は、内側に、図示しない連通孔を有して大気に連通する空間部４３を設けた椀形状として構成され、外表面には、ソフトな触感となるように、織布や不織布等の布材（ファブリック）からなるシート材３９が、貼着されている。シート材３９は、具体的には、運転者ＭＤの顔が触れても、良好な感触となるように、枕やクッションのカバー材、あるいは、ベッドやソファ等の張り布等の布材から構成されている。また、このシート材３９は、ある程度の透光性を有して、後述する投影装置５０から投影される画像ＧＦ（図１の二点鎖線参照）を、裏面３９ｂ側に投影させて、シート材３９の表面３９ａ側から視認できるように構成されている。 Further, in the embodiment, the cushion portion 34 made of the cushion material 35 is configured in a bowl shape having a communication hole (not shown) inside and a space portion 43 communicating with the atmosphere. A sheet material 39 made of a fabric such as woven fabric or non-woven fabric is attached so as to provide a tactile sensation. Specifically, the seat material 39 is made of a cloth material such as a cover material for a pillow or a cushion, or an upholstered cloth for a bed, a sofa, or the like, so as to provide a good feeling even when the face of the driver MD touches it. It is In addition, the sheet material 39 has a certain degree of translucency, and an image GF (see two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) projected from a projection device 50, which will be described later, is projected onto the back surface 39b side of the sheet material. 39 is configured to be visible from the surface 39a side.

そして、実施形態の場合、クッション部３４（隆起部３２）は、外周縁部２５の把持部２６の把持本体部２７における外周面２７ｂ側から、略半割り楕円球状に隆起するように、配設されている。ちなみに、このクッション部３４（隆起部３２）は、ボス部２３のボス芯材１２ａにおける回動中心軸Ｃ１に沿った上方位置より、僅かに前方側にずれた位置を頂部３３として、緩やかな曲面状に隆起する形状として、下端を被覆本体部２１の上面側に固着させて、配設されている。 In the case of the embodiment, the cushion portion 34 (the protruding portion 32) is arranged so as to protrude in a substantially halved oval shape from the outer peripheral surface 27b side of the grip main body portion 27 of the grip portion 26 of the outer peripheral edge portion 25. It is Incidentally, the cushion portion 34 (the protruding portion 32) has a gently curved surface with a top portion 33 at a position slightly shifted forward from an upper position along the rotation center axis C1 of the boss core member 12a of the boss portion 23. The lower end is fixed to the upper surface side of the covering body portion 21 and disposed.

また、実施形態の場合、図２に示すように、外周縁部２５は、上方から見て、左右方向の幅寸法ＷＨより、前後方向の幅寸法ＷＬを小さくした略楕円形としている。特に、外周縁部２５が、上方から見て、前縁２５ａ側の外形形状を、後縁２５ｂ側の外形形状より、曲率半径を大きくするような円弧状とした形状としている（前縁２５ａ側の曲率半径ｒｆ＞後縁２５ｂ側の曲率半径ｒｂ）。なお、実施形態では、左右方向の幅寸法ＷＨを約３８０ｍｍ、前後方向の幅寸法ＷＬを約２００ｍｍとしている。 In the case of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral edge portion 25 has a substantially elliptical shape in which the width dimension WL in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width dimension WH in the left-right direction when viewed from above. In particular, when viewed from above, the outer peripheral edge portion 25 has an arcuate shape in which the outer shape of the front edge 25a side has a larger radius of curvature than the outer shape of the rear edge 25b side (front edge 25a side). radius of curvature rf > radius of curvature rb on the side of trailing edge 25b). In the embodiment, the width dimension WH in the left-right direction is about 380 mm, and the width dimension WL in the front-rear direction is about 200 mm.

外周縁部２５の内側の隆起部３２も、上方から見て、左右方向の幅寸法より、前後方向の幅寸法を小さくした略楕円形としている。特に、隆起部３２は、上方から見て、外周縁部２５の前縁２５ａとの間の幅寸法Ｂｆより、外周縁部２５の後縁２５ｂとの間の幅寸法Ｂｂを広くして、配設されている。実施形態の場合、隆起部３２における外周縁部２５の前縁２５ａとの間の幅寸法Ｂｆは、殆ど、０としている。 The raised portion 32 on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 also has a substantially elliptical shape in which the width dimension in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width dimension in the left-right direction when viewed from above. In particular, when viewed from above, the raised portion 32 is arranged such that the width dimension Bb between the outer peripheral edge portion 25 and the rear edge 25b is wider than the width dimension Bf between the outer peripheral edge portion 25 and the front edge 25a. is set. In the case of the embodiment, the width dimension Bf between the outer peripheral edge portion 25 and the front edge 25a of the raised portion 32 is almost zero.

クッション部３４に覆われた中央部３０の内部には、支持材１１に支持されて、投影装置５０が配設されている。投影装置５０は、透明なクッション部３４を透過して、シート材３９の裏面３９ｂ側に、所定の画像ＧＦ（図１の二点鎖線参照）を投影するものであり、実施形態の場合、ＬＥＤマトリクスパネルを使用して、シート材３９の裏面３９ｂ側に、時刻表示やリラックスできるような動画等の画像ＧＦを投影させるように構成されている。 Inside the central portion 30 covered with the cushion portion 34 , the projection device 50 is arranged while being supported by the support member 11 . The projection device 50 projects a predetermined image GF (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) on the back surface 39b side of the sheet material 39 through the transparent cushion portion 34. In the case of the embodiment, the LED A matrix panel is used to project an image GF such as a time display or a relaxing moving image on the back surface 39b side of the sheet material 39 .

また、クッション部３４の左右両縁には、押圧操作して、ホーンを作動させたり、オーディオ装置を操作できる操作スイッチ５３，５４が配設されている（図２，６参照）。 Operation switches 53 and 54 are provided on both left and right edges of the cushion portion 34 so as to activate the horn or operate the audio device by being pressed (see FIGS. 2 and 6).

実施形態のステアリングホイール１０では、図８～１０に示すように、運転者ＭＤが把持部２６（Ｆ，Ｂ，Ｌ，Ｒ）を把持する際、把持本体部２７を把持し、その際、手ＤＨ（Ｌ，Ｒ）の親指Ｆ０と母指球ＤＰＭ付近とを、把持本体部２７の上面２７ａ側に配置させ、人差し指Ｆ１、中指Ｆ２、薬指Ｆ３、小指Ｆ４を、曲げて、把持本体部２７の下面２７ｃ側に配置させて、把持本体部２７を把持することとなる。この把持時には、把持部２６（Ｆ，Ｂ，Ｌ，Ｒ）に配設される剛性を有した外周縁側支持材部１６が、ボス部２３側の連結部１４から延びる環状平坦部１８の下面１８ｂ側に、下方へ突出する環状凸部１７を備えて、環状凸部の内周面１７ｂ側の環状平坦部１８の下面１８ｂ側に、収納凹部２８を配設させるための凹部１６ａを配設させる構成であり、環状凸部１７の配設部位を、軟質の被覆材２０を介在させて、良好な感触として、的確に、握ることができる。すなわち、把持本体部２７の上面２７ａ側では、剛性を有した環状平坦部１８の連結部１４側までの延びる平面状の部位１８ａが、配設されており、把持本体部２７の上面２７ａ側の軟質の被覆材２０を弾性変形させて、感触を良好な状態を維持しつつ、親指Ｆ０と母指球ＤＰＭ付近とを、広い平面状の環状平坦部１８側の平面状部位１８ａに押し付けることができる。詳しくは、図８～１０に示すように、外周縁部２５の前縁２５ａ側や左右の縁２５ｃ，２５ｄ側では、被覆本体部２１の上面側部２１ａと延設被覆部２２とが弾性変形し、外周縁部２５の後縁２５ｂ側では、被覆本体部２１の上面側部２１ａが弾性変形して、共に、親指Ｆ０と母指球ＤＰＭ付近とが、感触を良好な状態を維持しつつ、広い平面状の環状平坦部１８側の平面状部位１８ａに押し付けられることとなる。そしてまた、把持本体部２７の下面２７ｃ側では、外周縁部２５の全周にわたって、収納凹部２８の凹面２８ａ側を含めて、周囲の軟質の被覆本体部２１の下面側部２１ｃや内側面部２１ｄを弾性変形させて、感触を良好にしつつ、人差し指Ｆ１、中指Ｆ２、薬指Ｆ３、小指Ｆ４が、把持本体部２７の下面２７ｃ側を掴むことができて、その結果、環状凸部１７付近の把持本体部２７の周囲を的確に把持できて、親指Ｆ０等を差し込むような開口を備えていなくとも、安定して操舵操作を行える。 In the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. The thumb F0 of DH (L, R) and the vicinity of the ball of the foot DPM are placed on the upper surface 27a side of the grip main body 27, and the index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger F4 are bent to reach the grip main body 27. is arranged on the side of the lower surface 27c of the holding body portion 27 to hold it. At the time of this gripping, the rigid outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 disposed on the gripping portion 26 (F, B, L, R) extends from the lower surface 18b of the annular flat portion 18 extending from the connecting portion 14 on the boss portion 23 side. A concave portion 16a for arranging a storage concave portion 28 is arranged on the lower surface 18b side of the annular flat portion 18 on the inner peripheral surface 17b side of the annular convex portion. It is a structure, and the arrangement|positioning site|part of the cyclic|annular convex part 17 can be hold|gripped precisely as a favorable touch by interposing the soft covering|covering material 20. As shown in FIG. That is, on the upper surface 27a side of the grip body portion 27, a planar portion 18a extending to the connecting portion 14 side of the annular flat portion 18 having rigidity is disposed. By elastically deforming the soft covering material 20, it is possible to press the thumb F0 and the vicinity of the ball of the foot DPM against the planar portion 18a on the side of the wide planar annular flat portion 18 while maintaining a good feeling. can. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, on the front edge 25a side and the left and right edges 25c and 25d sides of the outer peripheral edge portion 25, the upper surface side portion 21a of the covering body portion 21 and the extended covering portion 22 are elastically deformed. On the rear edge 25b side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25, the upper surface side portion 21a of the covering main body portion 21 is elastically deformed, and both the thumb F0 and the vicinity of the ball of the foot DPM maintain a good tactile state. , is pressed against the planar portion 18a on the wide planar annular flat portion 18 side. In addition, on the side of the lower surface 27c of the grip main body portion 27, the lower surface side portion 21c and the inner side surface portion 21d of the surrounding soft covering main body portion 21, including the concave surface 28a side of the storage recess 28, are provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25. are elastically deformed to improve the feel, and the index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger F4 can grip the lower surface 27c side of the grip body portion 27, and as a result, grip near the annular convex portion 17. The periphery of the main body portion 27 can be grasped accurately, and the steering operation can be stably performed without providing an opening for inserting the thumb F0 or the like.

したがって、実施形態のステアリングホイール１０では、ボス部２３の上方から操舵時に把持する外周縁部２５までの領域に、指を差し込むような開口を備えていない構成としても、操舵時の感触を良好にしつつ、円滑に操舵操作をすることができる。 Therefore, in the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment, even if the region from the upper side of the boss portion 23 to the outer peripheral edge portion 25 gripped during steering is not provided with an opening into which a finger can be inserted, the feeling during steering is improved. It is possible to smoothly perform a steering operation.

また、実施形態のステアリングホイール１０では、収納凹部２８は、運転者ＭＤが把持する前に予め形成されている。すなわち、把持部２６の被覆材２０が、外周縁部２５の下面側において、外周縁側支持材部１６の環状凸部１７の下方の下面側部２１ｄより、収納凹部２８の領域を、上方へ凹ませる肉厚ｔ０として、配設されている。 In addition, in the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment, the storage recess 28 is formed in advance before being gripped by the driver MD. That is, the covering material 20 of the grip portion 26 is recessed upward in the area of the storage recess 28 from the lower surface side portion 21 d below the annular protrusion 17 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 on the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 . It is arranged as a thickness t0 that allows the

この場合、被覆材２０は、硬度を３０～５０（アスカーＣ硬度）としていれば（詳しくは、把持部２６に配設される被覆材２０の被覆本体部２１は、約４０（アスカーＣ硬度）とし、延設被覆部２２は、約０（アスカーＣ硬度）としている）、把持部２６の把持時、柔らか過ぎず、かつ、堅過ぎず、良好な触感として、運転者は把持部を把持することができる。 In this case, if the coating material 20 has a hardness of 30 to 50 (Asker C hardness) (specifically, the coating body portion 21 of the coating material 20 disposed in the grip portion 26 has a hardness of about 40 (Asker C hardness). and the extended covering portion 22 has a hardness of about 0 (Asker C hardness)). be able to.

なお、収納凹部２８は、運転者が把持する際に、形成されるように構成してもよい。すなわち、図１１～１３に示すステアリングホイール１０Ａのように、把持部２６Ａの被覆材２０Ａが、外周縁部２５Ａの下面側において、外周縁側支持材部１６Ａの環状凸部１７の下方から、連結部１４近傍の下方までの領域を、略平面状の肉厚として、配設されるとともに、運転者の把持時に、弾性変形して、収納凹部２８Ａを形成可能な硬度として、配設されていてもよい。 Note that the storage recess 28 may be configured to be formed when held by the driver. That is, as in the steering wheel 10A shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the covering material 20A of the grip portion 26A is placed on the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A from below the annular convex portion 17 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16A. 14 is provided with a substantially planar thickness, and is provided with a hardness capable of elastically deforming and forming the storage recess 28A when gripped by the driver. good.

このステアリングホイール１０Ａは、ステアリングホイール１０と同様に、回動中心軸Ｃ１側に配設されるボス部２３と、ボス部２３の周囲における回動中心軸Ｃ１の直交方向の外周縁側に配置されて、運転者が操舵時に把持可能な把持部２６Ａを設けた外周縁部２５Ａと、ボス部２３の上方側を含めた外周縁部２５Ａのボス部２３側の全域を覆う中央部３０Ａと、を備える構成としている。但し、このステアリングホイール１０Ａは、上方から見た外周縁部２５Ａの外形形状を略長方形形状として、ボス部２３、中央部３０Ａ、及び、外周縁部２５Ａを相互に連結するように、剛性を有して構成される金属製若しくは合成樹脂製の支持材１１Ａを備えている。支持材１１Ａは、ボス部２３に配置されるボス側支持材部１２と、外周縁部２５Ａに配置される外周縁側支持材部１６Ａと、中央部３０Ａに配設されて、ボス側支持材部１２と外周縁側支持材部１６Ａとを連結する連結部１４と、を備えている。 As with the steering wheel 10, the steering wheel 10A includes a boss portion 23 arranged on the rotation center axis C1 side and an outer peripheral edge side of the rotation center axis C1 around the boss portion 23 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis C1. , an outer peripheral edge portion 25A provided with a grip portion 26A that can be gripped by the driver during steering, and a central portion 30A covering the entire area of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A on the boss portion 23 side including the upper side of the boss portion 23. It is configured. However, the steering wheel 10A has a substantially rectangular outer peripheral edge portion 25A viewed from above, and has rigidity such that the boss portion 23, the central portion 30A, and the outer peripheral edge portion 25A are interconnected. A metal or synthetic resin support member 11A is provided. The supporting member 11A includes a boss side supporting member portion 12 arranged on the boss portion 23, an outer peripheral edge side supporting member portion 16A arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion 25A, and a boss side supporting member portion 16A arranged on the central portion 30A. 12 and a connecting portion 14 that connects the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16A.

そして、支持材１１Ａの外周縁側支持材部１６Ａと、連結部１４と、ボス側支持材部１２との周囲に、支持材１１Ａより軟質のウレタン等からなる被覆材２０Ａ、が配設されている。 A coating material 20A made of urethane or the like, which is softer than the support material 11A, is disposed around the outer peripheral edge side support material part 16A, the connecting part 14, and the boss side support material part 12 of the support material 11A. .

また、把持部２６Ａは、ステアリングホイール１０と同様に、外形を略長方形形状とする外周縁部２５Ａの全周にわたって、配設されている。そして、把持部２６Ａに配設される外周縁側支持材部１６Ａは、ステアリングホイール１０と同様に、外周縁側に、回動中心軸Ｃ１に沿った下方側に突出して、外周縁部２５Ａの全周にわたって連なる環状凸部１７、を配設させ、環状凸部１７の上面１７ａ側に、外周縁部２５Ａの全周にわたって連なり、回動中心軸Ｃ１と略直交方向に連結部１４側に平面状に延びる環状平坦部１８、を配設させて構成されている。 Further, similarly to the steering wheel 10, the grip portion 26A is arranged over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A having a substantially rectangular outer shape. Similarly to the steering wheel 10, the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16A disposed on the grip portion 26A protrudes toward the outer peripheral edge side along the rotation center axis C1 and extends downward along the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A. An annular convex portion 17 extending over the entire circumference is disposed, and continues on the upper surface 17a side of the annular convex portion 17 over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A, and is planar on the connecting portion 14 side in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation center axis C1. An extending annular flat portion 18 is provided.

そして、把持部２６Ａが、環状凸部１７の上面１７ａ側から外周面側を経た下面側を、被覆材２０Ａを介在させて、運転者の把持する把持本体部２７Ａとして、構成されて、把持部２６Ａの被覆材２０Ａが、外周縁部２５Ａの下面側において、外周縁側支持材部１６Ａの環状凸部１７の下方から、収納凹部２８Ａの領域を経て、連結部１４近傍の下方までの領域を、略平面状の肉厚ｔＡとして、配設されるとともに、運転者の把持時に、弾性変形して、収納凹部２８Ａを形成可能な硬度として、配設されている。 The gripping portion 26A is formed as a gripping main body portion 27A to be gripped by the driver by interposing the coating material 20A on the lower surface side of the annular convex portion 17 passing through the upper surface 17a side and the outer peripheral surface side. The coating material 20A of 26A extends from below the annular convex portion 17 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16A to below the vicinity of the connecting portion 14 via the area of the storage recessed portion 28A on the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A. It is provided with a substantially flat wall thickness tA and is provided with a hardness such that it can be elastically deformed when gripped by the driver to form the storage recess 28A.

被覆材２０Ａは、硬度を３０～４５（アスカーＣ硬度）の範囲内の約４０として、把持部２６の把持時、収納凹部２８を形成しつつ、安定したホールド感を確保して、運転者は把持部２６Ａを把持することができる。 The coating material 20A has a hardness of about 40 within the range of 30 to 45 (Asker C hardness), and when the grip portion 26 is gripped, the storage recess 28 is formed and a stable hold feeling is secured, so that the driver can The grip portion 26A can be gripped.

この把持部２６Ａの把持時には、ステアリングホイール１０と同様に、把持本体部２７Ａの上面２７ａ側では、剛性を有した環状平坦部１８の連結部１４側まで延びる平面状の部位１８ａが、配設されていることから、把持本体部２７の上面２７ａ側の軟質の被覆材２０Ａの上面側部２１ａを弾性変形させて、感触を良好な状態を維持しつつ、親指Ｆ０と母指球ＤＰＭ付近とを、広い平面状の環状平坦部１８側の平面状部位１８ａに押し付けることができる。把持本体部２７Ａの下面２７ｃ側では、外周縁部２５Ａの全周にわたって、周囲の軟質の被覆材２０Ａの下面側部２１ｃや内側面部２１ｄを弾性変形させて、感触を良好にしつつ、収納凹部２８Ａを形成して、人差し指Ｆ１、中指Ｆ２、薬指Ｆ３、小指Ｆ４が、把持本体部２７Ａの下面２７ｃ側を掴むことができて、その結果、環状凸部１７付近の把持本体部２７Ａの周囲を的確に把持できて、親指Ｆ０等を差し込むような開口を備えていなくとも、安定して操舵操作を行える。 When the grip portion 26A is gripped, similarly to the steering wheel 10, a planar portion 18a extending to the connection portion 14 side of the annular flat portion 18 having rigidity is disposed on the upper surface 27a side of the grip body portion 27A. Therefore, the upper surface side portion 21a of the soft covering material 20A on the upper surface 27a side of the grip main body portion 27 is elastically deformed, and the thumb F0 and the vicinity of the ball of the foot DPM are held while maintaining a good feeling. , can be pressed against the planar portion 18a on the wide planar annular flat portion 18 side. On the side of the lower surface 27c of the grip main body portion 27A, the lower surface side portion 21c and the inner side surface portion 21d of the surrounding soft covering material 20A are elastically deformed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A, and the storage recessed portion 28A is held while improving the feel. , the index finger F1, middle finger F2, ring finger F3, and little finger F4 can grip the lower surface 27c side of the grip body portion 27A. The steering operation can be stably performed without providing an opening for inserting the thumb F0 or the like.

したがって、このステアリングホイール１０Ａでも、ボス部２３の上方から操舵時に把持する外周縁部２５Ａまでの領域に、指を差し込むような開口を備えていない構成としても、操舵時の感触を良好にしつつ、円滑に操舵操作をすることができる。 Therefore, in the steering wheel 10A as well, even if the region from the upper side of the boss portion 23 to the outer peripheral edge portion 25A that is gripped during steering is not provided with an opening into which a finger can be inserted, the feeling during steering can be improved. Steering operation can be performed smoothly.

さらに、このステアリングホイール１０Ａでは、把持部２６Ａを実際に把持するまで、外周縁部２５Ａの下面側が凹みの無い平面状となることから、斬新なデザインのステアリングホイール１０Ａとすることができる。 Furthermore, in the steering wheel 10A, the lower surface side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25A is flat without any dents until the grip portion 26A is actually gripped, so the steering wheel 10A can have a novel design.

なお、実施形態のステアリングホイール１０では、中央部３０に、クッション部３４からなって上方へ隆起する隆起部３２を設けており、運転者ＭＤが、図５，６の二点鎖線に示すように、中央部３０の隆起部３２の上面３２ａ側に頭部ＭＨを載せれば、クッション部３４の弾力性により、運転者ＭＤの頭部ＭＨは、クッション性良く、隆起部３２に支持されて、運転者ＭＤは、隆起部３２を枕のように使用できる。特に、隆起部３２を設けた中央部３０は、図２，５，６に示すように、回動中心軸Ｃ１側のボス部２３の上方を含めて、運転者ＭＤが操舵時に把持する把持部２６を設けた外周縁部２５の内側の全域を塞ぐように配設されて、上下を貫通するような開口を備えておらず、外周縁部２５の内側の全域を塞ぐような隆起部３２の上面３２ａ側の全域で、運転者ＭＤの頭部ＭＨ等を支持できて、快適に、中央部３０の隆起部３２を、枕のように使用できる。勿論、中央部３０におけるクッション部３４を設けた隆起部３２は、外周縁部２５の内側に配設されて、ステアリングホイール１０自体に配設されており、使用時に、別途、取り付けること無く使用できる。なお、操舵時に把持する把持部２６は、枕のように使用可能な隆起部３２の周囲の外周縁部２５に、配設されており、運転者ＭＤは、把持部２６を把持して、円滑に、操舵することができる。 In addition, in the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment, the central portion 30 is provided with a raised portion 32 which is made up of a cushion portion 34 and protrudes upward. When the head MH is placed on the upper surface 32a side of the raised portion 32 of the central portion 30, the elasticity of the cushion portion 34 allows the head MH of the driver MD to be cushioned well and supported by the raised portion 32. The driver MD can use the protuberance 32 like a pillow. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the central portion 30 provided with the raised portion 32 is a grip portion that the driver MD grips during steering, including the upper side of the boss portion 23 on the rotation center axis C1 side. The protuberant portion 32 is arranged so as to cover the entire inner side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25 provided with 26, does not have an opening penetrating vertically, and covers the entire inner side of the outer peripheral edge portion 25. The driver's MD's head MH and the like can be supported over the entire area on the upper surface 32a side, and the raised portion 32 of the central portion 30 can be comfortably used like a pillow. Of course, the raised portion 32 provided with the cushion portion 34 in the central portion 30 is arranged inside the outer peripheral edge portion 25 and is arranged on the steering wheel 10 itself, so that it can be used without being separately attached during use. . The gripping portion 26 gripped during steering is arranged on the outer peripheral edge portion 25 around the raised portion 32 that can be used like a pillow. can be steered to

また、実施形態では、外周縁側支持材部１６の環状平坦部１８近傍の連結部１４の部位を、環状平坦部１８と同等の平面状として、貫通孔１５を設けた場合を示したが、運転者ＭＤの把持するエリアから外れていれば、環状平坦部１８近傍の連結部１４の部位に、支持材１１の強度を向上させる等のために、上方へ突出する凸部を設けてもよい。 Further, in the embodiment, the portion of the connecting portion 14 in the vicinity of the annular flat portion 18 of the outer peripheral edge side support member portion 16 is formed in a planar shape equivalent to the annular flat portion 18, and the through hole 15 is provided. As long as it is out of the gripping area of the person MD, a convex portion protruding upward may be provided on the connecting portion 14 in the vicinity of the annular flat portion 18 in order to improve the strength of the support member 11 or the like.

１０，１０Ａ…ステアリングホイール、１１，１１Ａ…支持材、１２…ボス側支持材部、１４…連結部、１６，１６Ａ…外周縁側支持材部、１７…環状凸部、１８…環状平坦部、２０，２０Ａ…被覆材、２３…ボス部、２５，２５Ａ…外周縁部、２６，２６Ａ（Ｆ，Ｂ，Ｌ，Ｒ）…把持部、２７，２７Ａ…把持本体部、
２８，２８Ａ…収納凹部、３０…中央部、
Ｃ１…回動中心軸、ＭＤ…運転者。 Reference Signs List 10, 10A Steering wheel 11, 11A Support member 12 Boss-side support member 14 Connecting portion 16, 16A Peripheral edge-side support member 17 Annular convex portion 18 Annular flat portion 20 , 20A... Coating material, 23... Boss part, 25, 25A... Outer peripheral edge part, 26, 26A (F, B, L, R)... Grip part, 27, 27A... Grip body part,
28, 28A... Recessed portion, 30... Central portion,
C1... rotation center shaft, MD... driver.