Patent ID: 7430466

Claim:
A steering force detection device for a steering handle of a vehicle, comprising: a pair of steering force detection sections spaced from each other and near a steering shaft connected to a steering handle of a vehicle, each steering force detection section including a pressure receiving section; a pressing member being connected to the steering handle or the steering shaft, the pressing member comprising a pair of pressing sections, the pressing member being configured such that one of the pressing sections presses against one of the pressure receiving sections when the steering handle is rotated to a first position, the other pressing section presses against the other pressure receiving section when the steering handle is rotated to a second position; wherein the steering force detection device being configured to detect a steering force of the steering handle based on a pressure applied by one of the pressing sections to one of the pressure receiving sections, the pair of steering force detection sections being positioned such that the pressure receiving sections are spaced apart by a distance, wherein the pressure receiving sections are actuatable along lines of action that are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the distance.