A roller control switch

Abstract

The present invention discloses a roller control switch, which includes a base, a rotating shaft assembly, a roller, and a push switch and an optical coupler installed on the base; the base includes a first rotating shaft frame and a second rotating shaft frame arranged at intervals; the rotating shaft assembly includes a driving shaft, a mounting frame rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft frame, and a driven shaft rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft frame, the driven shaft is movably connected to the mounting frame, one end of the driving shaft is connected to the roller, and the other end is rotatably connected to the mounting frame; the optical coupler detects the rotation of the driving shaft; the push switch is arranged corresponding to the driven shaft, and turning the roller can drive the driven shaft to press the push switch. The roller of the roller control switch of the present invention can be conveniently extended outside the housing, which is more convenient and comfortable to operate and is not easy to trigger other functions by mistake.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control switch, and particularly to a roller control switch. Background Art

[0002] With the development of automotive technology, people increasingly focus on the comfort of vehicle operation. To facilitate the driver in controlling various functions of the vehicle and taking into account the safety of operating the switch during driving, more and more control switches are provided on the vehicle steering wheel, enabling a large number of control functions to be realized without the driver's hand leaving the steering wheel.

[0003] Since vehicles have diverse functions and the space on the steering wheel is limited, a single control switch structure often needs to implement multiple function controls. For example, the Chinese invention patent with the application number 201611153534.3 discloses a roller motion recognition device, which includes a roller, a rolling shaft that rotates with the roller, and a spline-like rotating shaft gear feature portion provided at one end of the rolling shaft. An optoelectronic sensor for detecting its rotation is also provided at the rotating shaft gear feature portion. After the rolling member rotates, it can drive the rotating shaft gear feature portion to trigger the optoelectronic sensor to achieve function control. At the same time, a microswitch is provided below the roller, enabling the device to achieve more function controls by pressing down the roller.

[0004] However, for the roller control switches in the prior art, including the roller motion recognition device disclosed in the above patent, the rolling shaft has a structure supported at both ends, so the roller can only be buried in the housing, with only a part exposed outside. Currently, there is no roller control switch in which one end or the whole of the roller can extend outside the housing and can achieve multiple control functions.

[0005] In addition, the technical solution in the above patent document still has certain defects. First, since only a part of the outer surface of the roller is exposed outside the housing, when in use, only the exposed part can be toggled by fingers to rotate the roller or press the roller. When rotating the roller, it mainly relies on the frictional force between the finger and the roller surface to drive the roller to rotate, making it difficult to grasp the operation of the roller and causing inconvenience in operation. Second, when operating, it is very easy to press down the roller while turning the roller, resulting in accidental triggering of other functions. Especially when there is also a support spring piece that catches the roller, the rotational resistance of the roller increases significantly. To drive the roller to rotate by hand, a greater force can only be applied, greatly increasing the possibility of the roller being pressed down. In addition, since the microswitch is provided below the roller and the stroke of the microswitch is limited, it limits the distance that needs to be pressed down to trigger the microswitch, making a relatively small pressing amplitude likely to trigger the microswitch, resulting in a poor operating feel and further exacerbating the possibility of pressing down the microswitch when rotating the roller. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a roller control switch in view of the above-mentioned defects in the prior art, wherein at least one end of the roller can extend outside the housing and can realize multiple control functions.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned invention objectives, the present invention proposes a roller control switch, which includes a base, a rotating shaft assembly, a roller, and a push switch and an optical coupler installed on the base; the base includes a first rotating shaft frame and a second rotating shaft frame arranged at intervals; the rotating shaft assembly includes a driving shaft, a mounting frame rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft frame, and a driven shaft rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft frame, the driven shaft is movably connected to the mounting frame, one end of the driving shaft is connected to the roller, and the other end is rotatably connected to the mounting frame; the optical coupler detects the rotation of the driving shaft; the push switch is arranged corresponding to the driven shaft, and turning the roller can drive the driven shaft to press the push switch.

[0008] In addition, the present invention also proposes the following subsidiary technical solutions:

[0009] The mounting frame is provided with a long slot, and the driven shaft is provided with a third rotating shaft matched in the long slot.

[0010] The roller control switch also includes a gear connected to the driving shaft, the gear includes a plurality of outwardly protruding light-shielding teeth, and the light-shielding teeth extend between the emitter and the receiver of the optical coupler.

[0011] The gear wheel is provided with a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals, and the roller control switch also includes an elastic rod connected to the mounting frame, and the elastic rod includes two symmetrically arranged arms, the two arms clamp the gear wheel, and the arms are provided with a convex rod portion matched with the groove.

[0012] The grooves are arc-shaped grooves, and the grooves are transitioned through arc portions.

[0013] The mounting frame is provided with a cavity opening toward the optical coupler, and the gear is arranged in the cavity.

[0014] The mounting frame is provided with a long slot and through holes at both ends of the long slot, the elastic rod comprises a cross bar portion arranged in the long slot, and the arm portion is connected to the cross bar portion and extends into the cavity through the through holes.

[0015] The mounting frame further comprises a clamping slot communicated with the long slot and a buckle extending above the clamping slot, and the elastic rod comprises a clamping portion clamped in the clamping slot.

[0016] The first rotating shaft frame is provided with a first rotating shaft hole, and the mounting frame is provided with a first rotating shaft matched with the first rotating shaft hole.

[0017] The second rotating shaft bracket is provided with a second rotating shaft hole, and the driven shaft is provided with a second rotating shaft that is matingly connected to the second rotating shaft hole.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] 1. The roller control switch of the present invention is provided with a base, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and a mounting bracket. The driving shaft is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft bracket on the base, the driven shaft is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft bracket on the base, and the driven shaft is movably connected to the mounting bracket, so that when the roller is rotated and pressed, the induction signals of the optocoupler and the push switch can be respectively triggered, realizing the diversification of the control switch function. At the same time, the above structure makes the roller form a cantilever structure, and its end or the whole can conveniently extend out of the steering wheel or the housing of other components, so that when a person manipulates the roller by hand, the entire outer peripheral surface of the roller can be contacted, and it is not easy to accidentally press the roller when rotating the roller, and the operation is more reliable;

[0020] 2. In the present invention, the stroke required to press down the roller can be controlled by controlling the distance between the roller and the first rotating shaft, so that when the roller presses down to trigger the push switch, the deflection angle of the roller can be larger, thereby making the operation feeling more obvious and further reducing the possibility of mis-triggering;

[0021] 3. In the present invention, an elastic rod is used to clamp the belt gear to generate vibration feedback when the roller is rotated. The elastic rod can be formed by bending a metal rod, with a simple structure, convenient processing, and lower cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is the front view of the roller control switch of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is the structural schematic diagram of the base in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is the structural schematic diagram of the roller and the rotating shaft assembly in the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is the structural schematic diagram of the roller control switch of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 is the structural schematic diagram of the mounting bracket in the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 is the position schematic diagram of the belt gear and the optocoupler in the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 is the position schematic diagram of the mounting bracket and the belt gear in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8It is a schematic structural diagram of the elastic rod in the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 It is a schematic connection diagram of the elastic rod and the mounting bracket in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 10 It is a schematic connection diagram of the elastic rod and the belt gear in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram when all the rollers in the present invention are located outside the housing.

[0033] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram when part of the rollers in the present invention are located outside the housing. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments and their accompanying drawings in a non-limiting manner.

[0035] As Figure 1 shown, corresponding to a roller control switch of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it includes a base 1, the base 1 includes an upper housing 10 and a lower housing 11 which are snap-connected to each other, and the roller control switch further includes a circuit board 2 fixed between the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 11.

[0036] The base 1 is further provided with a first rotating shaft bracket group 12 and a second rotating shaft bracket group 13 protruding upward. Further referring to Figure 2 , the first rotating shaft bracket group 12 is provided with two relatively arranged first rotating shaft brackets 120, and the two first rotating shaft brackets 120 are provided with first rotating shaft holes 121 arranged coaxially; the second rotating shaft bracket group 13 is similar in structure to the first rotating shaft bracket group 12, and it includes two relatively arranged second rotating shaft brackets 130, and the two second rotating shaft brackets 130 are provided with second rotating shaft holes 131 arranged coaxially. The axes of the first rotating shaft hole 121 and the second rotating shaft hole 131 are parallel.

[0037] The roller control switch further includes a rotating shaft assembly 3, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the rotating shaft assembly 3 includes a mounting bracket 30 rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft bracket group 12, a driving shaft 31 rotatably connected to the mounting bracket 30, and a driven shaft 32 rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft bracket group 13.

[0038] As Figure 5As shown, the mounting bracket 30 includes a bracket body 300 and two first rotating shafts 301 respectively arranged on both sides of the bracket body 300. The two first rotating shafts 301 are respectively engaged in two first rotating shaft holes 121 of the first rotating shaft bracket group 12, so that the mounting bracket 30 can rotate around the axis of the first rotating shaft 301. One end of the bracket body 300 is also provided with a long slot 302. Preferably, the bottom of the long slot 302 is a semi-circular hole 302a.

[0039] The driven shaft 32 includes a shaft body 320, a second rotating shaft 321 and a third rotating shaft 322 which are arranged on the shaft body 320 in parallel. The two ends of the second rotating shaft 321 and the third rotating shaft 322 are respectively located on both sides of the shaft body 320. Among them, the second rotating shaft 321 is arranged at a position close to the middle of the shaft body 320, and it is engaged with two second rotating shaft holes 131 of the second rotating shaft bracket group 13 and can rotate around the axis of the second rotating shaft 321; the third rotating shaft 322 is arranged at a position close to the end of the shaft body 320, and it is engaged in the long slot 302 of the bracket body 300. In this embodiment, two convex plates 300a are provided on the bracket body 300, and the long slot 302 is opened on the convex plate 300a.

[0040] As Figure 3 shown, one end of the driving shaft 31 is connected with a roller 4, and the other end is rotatably connected with the bracket body 300. Specifically, a shaft hole 303 is opened on the bracket body 300, and the driving shaft 31 is engaged in the shaft hole 303. The roller 4 is fixedly connected with the driving shaft 31. After rotating the roller 4, the driving shaft 31 can be driven to rotate; pressing down the roller 4 can drive the bracket body 300 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 301 and drive the driven shaft 32 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 321, so that one end of the driven shaft 32 where the third rotating shaft 322 is provided tilts up and the other end (the end 32a) moves downward.

[0041] A push switch 5 electrically connected to the circuit board 2 is fixed on the base 1. The push switch 5 can be, for example, a conductive rubber key or a micro switch, etc. The push switch 5 is arranged below the end 32a of the driven shaft 32 and can abut against the end 32a. When the end 32a moves downward, the push switch 5 is pressed and triggered, so that an induction signal can be transmitted to the circuit board 2, and the chip on the circuit board 2 can issue corresponding control instructions according to the induction signal. After the pressure on the roller 4 is lost, since the push switch 5 has elasticity itself and can restore deformation after the pressure is lost, it can push the driven shaft 32 to reset and further reset the roller 4.

[0042] As Figure 6As shown, a belt gear 6 is connected to the driving shaft 31. The belt gear 6 is fixedly connected to the driving shaft 31 and can rotate synchronously with the driving shaft 31. The belt gear 6 includes a first wheel portion 60 and a second wheel portion 61. The first wheel portion 60 is provided with a plurality of outwardly protruding light-shielding teeth 600. Preferably, the light-shielding teeth 600 are evenly distributed on the first wheel portion 60 centered on the axis of the belt gear 6. A plurality of grooves 610 are formed on the second wheel portion 61. Preferably, the grooves 610 are arc-shaped grooves, and the grooves 610 are transitioned by an arc portion 611. Preferably, the grooves 610 are evenly distributed on the second wheel portion 61 centered on the axis of the belt gear 6.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 6 , an optocoupler 7 electrically connected to the circuit board 2 is also fixed on the base 1. The optocoupler 7 includes an emitter 70 and a receiver 71 arranged oppositely. The light-shielding teeth 600 extend beyond the outer periphery of the second wheel portion 61 and extend between the emitter 70 and the receiver 71. When the light-shielding teeth 600 rotate, the light between the emitter 70 and the receiver 71 can be intermittently blocked, so that the optocoupler 7 senses a signal and transmits the sensed signal to the circuit board 2. The chip on the circuit board 2 issues corresponding control instructions according to the sensed signal. Preferably, the diameter of the first wheel portion 60 is larger than the diameter of the second wheel portion 61, so that the light-shielding teeth 600 can necessarily exceed the outer periphery of the second wheel portion 61.

[0044] In the above structure, the roller 4 is connected to one end of the driving shaft 31, forming a structure similar to a cantilever, so that the roller 4 can protrude entirely or partially outside the housing 100 of the steering wheel or other components. Refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , Figure 11 shows the state when the entire roller 4 is located outside the housing 100, Figure 12 shows the state when one end of the roller 4 protrudes from the housing 100. When a person's hand rotates the roller 4, it can contact the entire outer peripheral surface of the roller 4 (generally speaking, when rotating, multiple fingers pinch the outer peripheral surface of the roller 4, and the axis of the roller 4 points to the palm of the hand). Therefore, a rotational force can be applied to the roller 4 more reliably, and it is not easy to accidentally press the push switch 5, resulting in accidental triggering of the function, which is more convenient to use. At the same time, in the above structure, the driving shaft 31 forms a lever structure through the first rotating shaft 301, so that the pressing amplitude required for the roller 4 to trigger the push switch can be adjusted by controlling the distance between the roller 4 and the first rotating shaft 301. Specifically, the farther the distance between the roller 4 and the first rotating shaft 301 is, the greater the amplitude required to press the roller 4. Therefore, the push switch 5 will not be accidentally triggered due to the slight swing of the roller 4 when rotating the roller 4, and the ability to prevent mis-triggering can be further improved, and the pressing amplitude can be controlled within a suitable range, and a better operation experience can be obtained.

[0045] Further, to reduce the space occupied by the belt gear 6 and make the overall structure more compact, in this embodiment, the belt gear 6 is disposed within the frame body 300. Specifically, as Figure 7 shown, the frame body 300 is provided with a cavity 304 that opens downward for the light-shielding teeth 600 to extend out, and a top plate 305 of the frame body 300 is provided above.

[0046] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, the roller control switch further includes an elastic rod 8 connected to the frame body 300. The elastic rod 8 is generally U-shaped and includes a cross bar portion 80 and arm portions 81 symmetrically disposed on both sides of the cross bar portion 80. The arm portions 81 extend downward from the cross bar portion 80.

[0047] A U-shaped clamping portion 800 extending horizontally is provided on the cross bar portion 80. An installation groove 306 and two through holes 307 respectively located on both sides of the installation groove 306 are formed in the top plate 305 of the frame body 300. Meanwhile, a clamping groove 308 vertically communicating with the installation groove 306 and one or more clamping buckles 309 extending above the clamping groove 308 are further formed in the top plate 305. During installation, the clamping portion 800 is clamped in the clamping groove 308 by the clamping buckle 309, the cross bar portion 80 is located within the installation groove 306 and is supported by the bottom surface 306a of the installation groove 306, and the two arm portions 81 are inserted into the through holes 307 and extend into the cavity 304.

[0048] As Figure 10 shown, the two arm portions 81 are respectively located on both sides of the second wheel portion 61 and clamp the second wheel portion 61. A convex rod portion 810 protruding inward is further provided on the arm portion 81 and is engaged with a groove 610. Preferably, the convex rod portion 810 and the groove 610 have the same shape, and the convex rod portion 810 can fit the groove 610, that is, the convex rod portion 810 is provided in an arc shape matching the groove 610. When the roller 4 is rotated, the convex rod portion 810 can give a certain rotational resistance to the roller 4, and the arm portion 81 can intermittently vibrate as the roller 4 rotates, giving a better rotational feedback to the human hand and a better operating feel. In addition, the elastic rod 8 can be formed by bending a metal rod, with low cost and convenient production.

[0049] The roller control switch of the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0050] 1. The roller control switch of the present invention is provided with a base, a driving shaft, a driven shaft and a mounting bracket. The driving shaft is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft bracket on the base, and the driven shaft is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft bracket on the base. Moreover, the driven shaft is movably connected to the mounting bracket, so that when the roller is rotated and pressed, the induction signals of the optocoupler and the push switch can be triggered respectively, realizing the diversification of the control switch function. At the same time, the above structure makes the roller form a cantilever structure, and its end or the whole can conveniently extend out of the steering wheel or the housing of other components, so that when a person manipulates the roller by hand, the entire outer peripheral surface of the roller can be contacted, and it is not easy to accidentally press down the roller when rotating the roller, and the operation is more reliable;

[0051] 2. In the present invention, the stroke required for pressing down the roller can be controlled by controlling the distance between the roller and the first rotating shaft, so that when the roller presses down to trigger the push switch, the deflection angle of the roller can be larger, and thus the operation feeling is more obvious, further reducing the possibility of accidental triggering;

[0052] 3. In the present invention, an elastic rod is used to clamp the belt gear to generate vibration feedback when the roller is rotated. The elastic rod can be formed by bending a metal rod, with a simple structure, convenient processing and lower cost.

[0053] It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical concept and characteristics of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable those who are familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A roller control switch, It is characterized in that It comprises a base (1), a rotating shaft assembly (3), a roller (4), and a push switch (5) and an optical coupler (7) mounted on the base (1); the base (1) comprises a first rotating shaft frame (120) and a second rotating shaft frame (130) arranged at intervals; the rotating shaft assembly (3) comprises a driving shaft (31), a mounting frame (30) rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft frame (120), and a driven shaft (32) rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft frame (130); the driven shaft (32) is movably connected to the mounting frame (30); one end of the driving shaft (31) is connected to the roller (4), and the other end is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (30); the optical coupler (7) detects the rotation of the driving shaft (31); the push switch (5) is arranged corresponding to the driven shaft (32), and turning the roller (4) can drive the driven shaft (32) to press the push switch (5); It also includes a gear wheel (6) connected to the driving shaft (31), the gear wheel (6) including a plurality of outwardly protruding light-shielding teeth (600), the light-shielding teeth (600) extending between the emitter (70) and the receiver (71) of the optical coupler (7); The belt gear (6) is provided with a plurality of grooves (610) arranged at intervals. The roller control switch further comprises an elastic rod (8) connected to the mounting frame (30). The elastic rod (8) comprises two symmetrically arranged arms (81). The two arms (81) clamp the belt gear (6), and the arms (81) are provided with a convex rod portion (810) matched with the grooves (610).

2. The roller control switch according to claim 1, Features: The mounting frame (30) is provided with a long slot (302), and the driven shaft (32) is provided with a third rotating shaft (322) matched in the long slot (302).

3. The roller control switch according to claim 1, Features: The grooves (610) are arc-shaped grooves, and the grooves (610) are transitioned through arc portions (611).

4. The roller-controlled switch according to claim 1 or 3, Features: The mounting frame (30) is provided with a cavity (304) opening toward the optical coupler (7), and the gear (6) is arranged in the cavity (304).

5. The roller control switch according to claim 4, Features: The mounting frame (30) is provided with a long slot (302) and through holes (307) located at both ends of the long slot (302); the elastic rod (8) comprises a cross bar portion (80) arranged in the long slot (302); and the arm portion (81) is connected to the cross bar portion (80) and extends into the cavity (304) through the through holes (307).

6. The roller control switch according to claim 5, Features: The mounting bracket (30) further includes a clamping groove (308) communicating with the long groove (302) and a clamping buckle (309) extending above the clamping groove (308), and the elastic rod (8) includes a clamping portion (800) clamped in the clamping groove (308).

7. The roller control switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the first rotating shaft bracket (120) is provided with a first rotating shaft hole (121), and the mounting bracket (30) is provided with a first rotating shaft (301) adapted to the first rotating shaft hole (121).

8. The roller control switch according to claim 7, characterized in that: the second rotating shaft bracket (130) is provided with a second rotating shaft hole (131), and the driven shaft (32) is provided with a second rotating shaft (321) adapted to the second rotating shaft hole (131).

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