Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-12-11
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327932
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering apparatus to be mounted on a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a steering apparatus in which an operating section (for example, switches) for operating other equipment (for example, vehicle mounted equipment) are installed on a steering wheel so that the other equipment are operable while the steering wheel is operated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, switches for operating vehicle mounted equipment (for example, a car audio system, a car airconditioner and others) have been installed as additional components on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle. While a conventional steering apparatus has been made such that a tactile response to the on/off of a switch has not developed and the confirmation on the on/off operation of the switch has been made by viewing a monitor display unit or the like placed nearby. However, it is difficult to confirm the on/off operation while viewing the monitor display unit while the vehicle is being driven, and it is even troublesome in the driving operation.
In order to eliminate these drawbacks, there has been proposed a structure shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6
. As
FIG. 5
shows, retractable projections
102
are provided in close proximity to each other on a circumferential surface of a grip section
101
of a joy stick
100
, with four projections
102
being arranged vertically while four projections
102
being arranged horizontally, sixteen in total.
As
FIG. 6
shows, the positions of the projections
102
correspond respectively to portions designated at numeral
104
when the driver grips the grip section
101
with his hand
103
, that is, to the finger tips and the intermediate portions of the first to fourth fingers of the hand
103
and the portions of the palm close to the bases of the fingers. Although not illustrated, inside each of the projections
102
, a vibration means is provided with a piezoelectric device whereby the projection
102
individually undergoes vibration control.
When the grip section
101
is held with the hand
103
so that the joy stick
100
is inclined in a desired direction, not only is the operation of vehicle mounted equipment made through a generated output signal accompanying that operation but also the aforesaid vibration means is driven on the basis of the same output signal to transmit vibration to the projection
102
. The hand
103
can sense the vibrating projection
102
through a tactile impression and, therefore, the driver can confirm the vehicle mounted equipment, currently in operation, through the hand
103
.
In this manner, since the operation of vehicle mounted equipment is confirmable through the tactile sense of the hand
103
, the need for viewing the monitor display unit, maybe advantageously eliminated. However, even in this instance, some drawbacks still exist.
That is, this joy stick
100
requires a large number of projections
102
, vibration means corresponding to each of the projections
102
, control means for drive-controlling a large number of vibration means individually, which leads to an increase in the number of parts, a complication in its structure, an increase in its size, a rise in its manufacturing cost, and a problem of assembling work.
In addition, since an individual difference exists in the size of the hand
103
which is to operate the joy stick
100
, that is, in the positions signified at the reference numerals
104
, a difference may occur in sensing the vibrating projection
102
in the tactile way, which makes it difficult to accurately confirm the operation of the vehicle mounted equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been developed in order to eliminate such drawbacks inherent in the conventional technique, and it is an object of this invention to provide a steering apparatus which is capable of accurately recognizing an operation by an operation section, coupled with reducing the number of parts, simplifying its construction, reducing its size and manufacturing cost and simplifying its assembly work.
This object is achievable by a first means comprising a steering wheel for controlling movements (for example, forward and backward directions, and other directions), an operation section (for example, switches) installed on the steering wheel for operating other equipment (for example, vehicle mounted equipment, and a vibration means (for example, a vibration system including a solenoid) for giving vibrations to at least a portion of the steering wheel in accordance with the operation of the operation section.
Furthermore, the aforesaid object is achievable in a manner that, in the aforesaid first means, a second means is constructed to give vibrations in different modes to the steering wheel in accordance with the contents of the operation of the operation section (for example, volume control in a car audio system, and air quantity control in a car air conditioner).
Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by the aforesaid first or second means involving a third means in which the steering wheel is a steering wheel in a motor vehicle and the other equipment is equipment mounted on the motor vehicle.
Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by the first means involving a fourth means in which the vibration means is incorporated into the steering wheel.
Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by the aforesaid first or fourth means involving a fifth means whereby vibrations generated from the vibration means are transmitted through an elastic member (for example, rubber and others) to a surface of the steering wheel.
For achieving the aforesaid object, the aforesaid first or fourth means involves a sixth means in which a vibration transmission cover is provided on a surface of the steering wheel.
For achieving the aforesaid object, the aforesaid first or second means includes a seventh means in which a plurality of equipment are operated by the aforesaid operation section and the equipment to be operated is selectable through a selection means.
For achieving the aforesaid object, the aforesaid first, second or seventh means is based upon an eighth means in which a plurality of operation sections are installed on the steering wheel and each of vibrations different in mode is given to the steering wheel in relation to each of the operation sections.
As described above, in this invention, a vibration means is provided to give to the steering wheel vibration corresponding to the operation of the operation section, so that a tactile response returns to the palm of the driver at the manipulation of the operation section. Additionally, since the positions receiving the vibrations are not the fingertips or the intermediate portions of the fingers, the response can accurately be made irrespective of the size of the hand. Thus, it is possible to recognize the operation by the operation section precisely.
Moreover, at least one vibration means will do, which enables further reduction of the number of parts, further simplification of its structure, further reduction of manufacturing cost and further simplification of assembling work as compared with the techniques proposed so far.
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Mitsuzuka Katsuya
Numata Hidetaka
Onodera Mikio
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Bucci David A.
Kim Chong H.
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