Switchgear

Abstract

The present invention provides a switch device with a degree of freedom in the configuration of a detection part, which can be miniaturized and thinned. The switch device is composed of: an operating knob (10) for performing a tilting operation; a detected part (20) that performs a tilting action in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob 10; a detection part (30) that detects the action of the detected part 20; and a substrate (40) on which the detection part (30) is configured. The detection part (30) is configured in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40 to detect the in-plane movement of the detected part 20 and perform a switch action.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a switch device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, for example, a momentary switch has been proposed that can freely set the operating force and displacement amount when operating the switch to desired values ​​and that produces almost no sound during operation and restoration. The switch device is equipped with a detection switch on a substrate, and a housing is arranged at two locations above the substrate, and the housing is provided with a displacement portion having a structure in which a click rubber composed of a rubber-like component is sandwiched between a base and a top composed of a rubber-like component. In addition, a switch knob composed of a synthetic resin component formed in a roughly U-shape is arranged in a manner covering the housing from above, a rotation axis is provided protruding from two side surfaces, openings are formed at the ends of the two side surfaces, and a handle of the detection switch is inserted into the openings. In addition, two protrusions are provided on the upper inner surface of the switch knob, which are arranged opposite to the tops of the two click rubbers provided on the housing (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-251625

[0004] However, the switch device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a rotating shaft protruding from two side surfaces of the switch knob, and openings are formed at the ends of the two side surfaces and the handle of the detection switch is inserted into the openings. Therefore, by the tilting operation of the switch knob, the rotating shaft rotates, and the tilting operation of the switch knob is detected by the movement of the handle of the detection switch linked thereto. In this way, the device for detecting the operation of the switch knob via the handle of the detection switch has the problem of limiting the degree of freedom of configuration of the detection switch and making it difficult to achieve miniaturization and thinning of the switch size. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device which has a degree of freedom in arrangement of a detection unit and can be reduced in size and thickness.

[0006] The present invention provides a switch device, which comprises: an operating knob, which is used to perform a tilting operation; a detected part, which performs a tilting action in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob; a detecting part, which detects the action of the detected part; and a substrate, on which the detecting part is arranged, and the detecting part is arranged in the in-plane direction of the substrate to detect the movement of the detected part in the in-plane direction to perform a switching action.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is a degree of freedom in the arrangement of the detection section, and downsizing and thinning can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1This is a front view showing the arrangement of the knob of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example in which the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle, and is a front view of the steering wheel and the vicinity of a driver's seat of the vehicle.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the movement of the operating knob of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention when being operated.

[0011] Figure 4A The switch device of the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of Figure 1 The AA section view is shown. Figure 4B This is a cross-sectional view of a state where the operation knob is tilted.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of the structure of the switch device involved in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 is Figure 1 In the AA cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 , the position of the detection portion is changed in the in-plane direction of the substrate to increase the tilting operation amount of the operation knob. Figure 4A Quite a picture.

[0014] Fig. 7A A switch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The AA section view shown, Figure 7B It is a cross-sectional view where other cross-sectional positions of the guide part can be seen. Figure 7C This is a cross-sectional view of a case where the operation knob is tilted in the AA section.

[0015] Description of Reference Numerals

[0016] 1... switch device; 10... operation knob; 5... multi-operation switch; 10... operation knob; 10a... operation portion; 11... main body; 12... center axis; 13, 14... abutment portion; 15... guide portion; 20... detected portion; 21, 22... detection surface; 23... center axis; 25... guide portion; 30, 31... detection portion; 35... detection portion; 40... substrate; 40a... surface side; 40b... back side; 41...through hole; 50...node portion; 51, 52...upper end portion; 53, 54...side portion; 55, 56...arch portion; 57...through hole; 70...control portion; 81, 82...press switch; 83...backward; 84...telephone selection portion; 85...volume down; 86...volume up; 87...voice recognition; 88...display portion; 90...vehicle; 92...steering wheel; 93...spoke portion; 100...main body portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] [First embodiment of the present invention]

[0018] The switch device 1 of the embodiment of the present invention is constructed as follows: an operating knob 10 for performing a tilting operation; a detected portion 20, which performs a tilting action in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob 10; detecting portions 30, 31, which detect the action of the detected portion 20; and a substrate 40 on which the detecting portions 30, 31 are arranged, wherein the detecting portion 30 is arranged in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40, detects the movement of the detected portion 20 in the in-plane direction, and performs a switching action.

[0019] The switch device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the detected portion 20 that tilts in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob 10 is formed integrally with the operating knob 10. For example, the detected portion 20 is formed integrally with the operating knob 10 as a part of the operating knob 10 by molding resin.

[0020] (Operation knob 10)

[0021] The operation knob 10 is used for the operator to perform a tilting operation and detect the direction in which the tilting operation is performed. Figure 1 An example of an application of a multi-operation switch 5 is shown.

[0022] As a specific application example, the multi-operation switch 5 including the switch device 1 is mounted on the spoke portion 93 of the steering wheel 92 of the vehicle 90. Figure 1As shown, the multi-operation switch 5 is provided with an operation knob 10 in the central part, for example, and can be tilted in the up and down direction. By tilting in the up and down direction, operations in the menu can be performed. In addition, by operating the push switches 81 and 82, operations in the left and right directions can be performed.

[0023] In addition, for example, Figure 1 In the embodiment, various selection buttons such as back button 83, phone selection unit 84, volume down 85, volume up 86, and voice recognition 87 are arranged around the operation knob 10. For example, operations such as operating the above selection buttons to display a menu on the display unit 88 can be performed by tilting the operation knob 10. As an example, in the operation of air conditioning control, the temperature of the driver's seat side that is initially set can be increased by tilting the operation knob 10 in the upward direction, and the temperature can be decreased by tilting the operation knob 10 in the downward direction.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the operation knob 10 is formed by resin molding, for example, and the operation portion 10a, the central axis 12 of the tilting action, and the detected portion 20 are integrally formed in the main body 11. The operation knob 10 is assembled to the main body 100 as a housing, and can be tilted. Figure 3 The dumping operation is shown in the upper direction U or the lower direction D.

[0025] Figure 4A A switch device according to a first embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 The AA section view shown,

[0026] Figure 4B This is a cross-sectional view of a state where the operation knob is tilted. Figure 4A , Figure 4B The operation knob 10 is on the upper side and the substrate 40 is on the lower side. Figure 1 The AA cross-sectional view shown is used for illustration.

[0027] like Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the operation knob 10 is configured such that the operation portion 10a is on the surface side 40a of the substrate 40. The operation knob 10 is formed such that the operation portion 10a and the detected portion 20 are on opposite sides of the central axis 12 of the tilting action. The central axis 12 of the operation knob 10 is rotatably mounted on the main body 100. Figure 4B As shown, for example, when the operation portion 10a of the operation knob 10 is tilted in the left direction, that is, in the direction D, the detected portion 20 is rotationally moved in the right direction.

[0028] like Figure 4AAs shown, the main body 11 of the operation knob 10 is formed with contact portions 13 and 14 that contact the joint portion 50. The contact portions 13 and 14 can contact upper end portions 51 and 52 of the joint portion 50 described later.

[0029] (Detected part 20)

[0030] As described above, the detected portion 20 is formed integrally with the operation knob 10. The detected portion 20 is formed so as to protrude toward the back surface side 40b of the substrate 40.

[0031] The detection surfaces 21 and 22 of the detected part 20 are detection objects of the detection parts 30 and 31 described later. When the detection parts 30 and 31 are contact switches, the detection surfaces 21 and 22 are formed as abutment surfaces or contact surfaces. In addition, when the detection parts 30 and 31 are distance sensors, the detection surfaces 21 and 22 are formed as light reflecting surfaces when the distance is detected by light, and are formed as magnetic surfaces with permanent magnets installed when the detection distance is detected by magnetism.

[0032] In this embodiment, the detection parts 30 and 31 are set as contact switches, so the detection surfaces 21 and 22 are formed as abutment surfaces and contact surfaces. Figure 4B As shown, the detection surfaces 21 and 22 abut against and contact the detection parts 30 and 31 in an inclined state, and therefore may be formed as inclined surfaces or curved surfaces.

[0033] (Detection Units 30, 31)

[0034] The detection parts 30 and 31 are arranged in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40. That is, the detection parts 30 and 31 are arranged and installed at predetermined positions on the surface and the back side of the substrate 40. The detection parts 30 and 31 detect the movement of the detected part 20. Specifically, the detection part 30 is arranged on the back side 40b of the substrate 40 in a manner to detect the movement of the detection surfaces 21 and 22 of the detected part 20 that has performed a tilting action. As described above, the detection parts 30 and 31 use contact switches. The contact switch has a contact circuit inside the detection part 30 and 31, and due to the action of a force from the outside, the contact circuit is turned into an open state or a closed state, thereby performing a switching action. In addition, in addition to the contact switch, a touch switch, a limit switch, etc. can also be used.

[0035] (Variation Example)

[0036] The detection units 30 and 31 may also use non-contact sensors such as distance sensors. The detection units 30 and 31 may use, for example, photodiodes whose output varies with the amount of light or optical sensors with built-in phototransistors. In addition, the detection units 30 and 31 may also use, for example, magnetic sensors such as Hall sensors and MR sensors whose output varies with a magnetic field.

[0037] (Substrate 40)

[0038] As an example, the substrate 40 is a rigid substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate, a circuit pattern is formed on the front side 40 a or the back side 40 b or on both surfaces, and electronic components such as the detection units 30 and 31 are mounted.

[0039] In this embodiment, if Figure 4A As shown, the detection units 30 and 31 are arranged and installed at predetermined positions in the in-plane direction of the back side 40b of the substrate 40. Figure 4A As shown, the contact switch, that is, the detection parts 30 and 31 are installed in a position where the switch is turned on when the detection surfaces 21 and 22 of the detected part 20 are moved only by a predetermined value c by the tilting operation of the operation knob 10.

[0040] In addition, a through hole 41 is formed so that the detected portion 20 can protrude toward the back side 40b of the substrate 40. The through hole 41 may be larger than the initially set hole size so that the mounting position of the detection portions 30, 31 can be changed and the tilting operation amount of the operation knob 10 can be changed.

[0041] (Jiedu section 50)

[0042] The joint portion 50 is provided on the surface side 40a of the substrate 40 to provide an operational feel to the operating knob 10. In the present embodiment, the joint portion 50 is formed as a rubber arch piece by an elastic body (rubber) such as silicone, so that the upper end portions 51, 52, the side portions 53, 54, and the arch portions 55, 56 formed into a convex shape and providing a sense of appropriateness by deformation are formed integrally. In addition, a through hole 57 is formed in the joint portion 50 so that the detected portion 20 can protrude toward the back side 40b of the substrate 40.

[0043] The arches 55 and 56 are deformed by contacting and abutting the abutting portions 13 and 14 of the operating knob 10, and thus the elastic force of the rubber applies force to the operating knob 10, which becomes a resistance to the tilting operation and gives the operator a sense of rhythm. In addition, the contact points in the arches can be eliminated, thereby reducing the diameter of the arch piece and achieving miniaturization.

[0044] Furthermore, the joint portion 50 can cover the entire substrate 40 through the side surface portions 53 and 54 , and can provide a waterproof function to the substrate.

[0045] (Control Unit 70)

[0046] Figure 570 is a block diagram of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 70 is, for example, a microcomputer, which is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a program, a semiconductor memory, namely a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. In addition, the control unit 70 receives commands from Figure 1 , Figure 5 By receiving signals from the various selection buttons and detection units 30 and 31 shown, and executing processing according to a predetermined program, it is possible to output a control signal Sc to the vehicle 90 side.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the following detection signals are input to the control unit 70, that is, the detection signals S from the detection units 30 and 31. U , S D , detection signal S from push switches 81, 82 81 , S 82 , the detection signal S from the air conditioning control selection unit 83 83 , the detection signal S from the telephone selection unit 84 84 , the detection signal S from the volume reduction 85 85 , the detection signal S from the volume increase 86 86 and the detection signal S from the speech recognition 87 87 The control unit 70 changes, for example, a menu screen displayed on the display unit 88 by inputting the above-mentioned signal. In addition, by tilting the operation knob 10, control such as increasing or decreasing the set value can be performed.

[0048] (Operation of the switch device 1)

[0049] according to Figure 4A In the non-operation state shown, the operator performs a tilting operation on the operation knob 10 by means of a finger or the like. In the present embodiment, the detected portion 20 that performs a tilting operation in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation knob 10 is formed integrally with the operation knob 10. Therefore, the detected portion 20 performs a tilting operation in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation knob 10, that is, performs a tilting operation integrally.

[0050] like Figure 4B As shown, for example, when the operating knob 10 is tilted in the D direction, the detection surface 21 of the detected portion 20 abuts against and contacts the detection portion 30. As a result, the contact circuit inside the detection portion 30, which is a contact switch, is turned on. Figure 5 The detection signal S shown Dis input to the control unit 70. Similarly, when the operation knob 10 is tilted in the U direction, the detection signal S U is input to the control unit 70.

[0051] (Adjustment of dumping operation amount)

[0052] The tilting operation amount of the above-mentioned operating knob 10 is as follows Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the distance between the detection parts 30 and 31 mounted on the substrate 40 and the detection surfaces 21 and 22 of the detected part 20 is determined. Figure 4A The interval between the detection parts 30 and 31 and the detection surfaces 21 and 22 of the detected part 20 shown in the figure is set to a predetermined value c.

[0053] Figure 6 is Figure 1 In the AA cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 , the position of the detection portion is changed in the in-plane direction of the substrate to increase the tilting operation amount of the operation knob. Figure 4A , Figure 4B For example, by comparing Figure 4A The value d larger than the value c shown above arranges the detection parts 30 and 31 in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40, and can be easily changed in a manner to increase the tilting operation amount of the operation knob 10. In addition, as described above, by presetting the through hole 41 of the substrate 40 to be larger, the through hole 57 of the joint portion 50 is also presetting to be larger accordingly.

[0054] In addition, for example, Figure 4A The value c shown as a small value can also be easily changed so that the tilting operation amount of the operation knob 10 is reduced by mounting the detection units 30 and 31 on the substrate 40 .

[0055] In this way, the detection parts 30 and 31 are arranged in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40, and the movement of the detected part 20 in the in-plane direction is detected to perform the switch action, so it is easy to change the tilting operation amount of the operation knob 10. In addition, the detection switch has a large degree of freedom in configuration and a large degree of freedom in design, regardless of the tilting operation amount. As a result, the switch device can be miniaturized and thinned.

[0056] [Second embodiment of the present invention]

[0057] The switch device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the detection portion 20 that performs a tilting operation in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operation knob 10 is formed separately from the operation knob 10 .

[0058] like Fig. 7A As shown, the operating knob 10 can be moved to Figure 7B The sliding of the operation knob 10 in the P direction is performed by, for example, a pushing operation so that the force does not affect the detection portion 20 .

[0059] On the other hand, Figure 7B As shown, the central axis 23 of the tilting action of the detected part 20 is rotatably mounted on the main body 100. Therefore, the operation knob 10 is connected to the detected part 20 in the rotation direction through the guide part 25, and the operation knob 10 and the detected part 20 rotate integrally around the central axis 23.

[0060] With such a structure, the operation knob 10 can move independently in the direction P. When the operation knob 10 is tilted, the operation knob 10 and the detection portion 20 are integrated and tilted around the central axis 23. Other structures, operations, and motions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] (Operation of the switch device 1)

[0062] from Fig. 7A In the non-operation state shown, if the operator presses the operation knob 10 in the P direction with a finger or the like, the operation knob 10 moves in the P direction. Figure 7B The detection unit 35 shown in the figure detects the pressing operation, thereby inputting the control unit 70 Figure 5 The detection signal S shown P The detection signal S P For example, it can be used as a decision signal for determining selection of a menu screen.

[0063] In addition, according to Fig. 7A In the non-operation state shown, the operator performs a tilting operation on the operation knob 10 with a finger or the like. In the present embodiment, as described above, in the tilting operation of the operation knob 10, the operation knob 10 and the detected portion 20 perform a tilting motion integrally.

[0064] like Figure 7C As shown, for example, when the operating knob 10 is tilted in the D direction, the detection surface 21 of the detected portion 20 abuts against and contacts the detection portion 30. As a result, the contact circuit inside the detection portion 30, which is a contact switch, is turned on. Figure 5 The detection signal S shown D is input to the control unit 70. Similarly, when the operation knob 10 is tilted in the U direction, the detection signal S U is input to the control unit 70.

[0065] [Effects of the Embodiments of the Present Invention]

[0066] According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

[0067] (1) The switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to include: an operating knob 10 for performing a tilting operation; a detected portion 20 that performs a tilting action in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob 10; detecting portions 30 and 31 that detect the action of the detected portion 20; and a substrate 40 on which the detecting portions 30 and 31 are disposed; the detecting portion 30 is disposed in the in-plane direction of the substrate 40, and detects the in-plane movement of the detected portion 20 to perform a switch action. Since the detecting portions 30 and 31 are disposed on the back side 40b of the substrate 40, the size of the front side of the substrate can be miniaturized, and the size of the switch can be reduced in height and thickness.

[0068] (2) The detection parts 30 and 31 are arranged in the plane direction of the substrate 40, and detect the movement of the detected part 20 in the plane direction to perform the switch operation, so it is easy to change the tilting operation amount of the operation knob 10. Thus, the operation stroke can be adjusted by detecting the position of the switch, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

[0069] (3) In the second embodiment, the operation knob 10 can be pushed together with the tilting operation, and the function of the operation knob 10 can be expanded.

[0070] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of not departing from or changing the technical concept of the present invention. Although the representative embodiments and illustrations involved in the present invention are illustrated, the above-mentioned embodiments and illustrations do not limit the invention involved in the claims. Therefore, it should be noted that all of the combinations of the features described in the above-mentioned embodiments and illustrations are not limited to those necessary for the means to solve the problems of the invention.

Claims

1. A switch device, wherein: The switch device comprises: An operating knob, which is used for performing a dumping operation; a detected portion that performs a tilting action in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating knob; a detection unit configured to detect a movement of the detected unit; a step portion that imparts an operational feel to the operating knob; as well as a substrate having the node portion disposed on the front side and the detection portion disposed on the back side, The detection portion is disposed in the in-plane direction of the substrate, and detects the movement of the detected portion in the in-plane direction to perform a switching operation.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein: The detected portion protrudes toward the rear surface side of the substrate.

3. The switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The detected portion is formed integrally with the operation knob.

4. The switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The detected portion is formed separately from the operating knob.

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