Operating device

Abstract

The present invention suppresses the degradation of the appearance design in a rotary operating device. The operating device of the present invention includes: a rotary operating part (20) that is rotatable about a rotation axis and is configured such that an operating part (21) formed on the rotation surface protrudes outward from an opening formed in an operating panel (10); and a support part (30) that covers at least a portion of a separation portion of the rotary operating part (20) located at a position separated from the operating part (21) along the rotation axis, and has a sliding part (31) that contacts a portion of the separation portion to provide sliding support for the rotation of the rotary operating part (20). Furthermore, the support part (30) is configured such that a space (24a) for retaining grease (G) applied to the rotary operating part (20) is formed between the sliding part (31) and the separation portion of the rotary operating part (20) located on the opposite side of the operating part.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This invention claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-214149, filed on December 23, 2020, the entire contents of which are contained in this specification. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to an operating device for performing rotational operations. Background Technology

[0004] As an operating device for operating various devices, rotary operating devices are known to operate by rotating the operating part. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a rotary operating device mounted on a portable telephone. Specifically, the operating device described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that the side of a cylindrical rotating body is a rotating surface, which is exposed to the outside from an opening formed in the operating panel, and the rotating surface is operated by the operator by rotating it.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-199405

[0008] In the rotary operating device described in Patent Document 1, the adjacent position of the rotating surface of the rotating body located inside the operating panel can be visually confirmed from the outside through the opening of the operating panel. However, there is a concern that grease used to ensure smooth rotation of the rotating body may adhere to this adjacent position of the rotating surface, which can be visually confirmed from the opening, thus compromising the aesthetic design of the operating device due to grease exposure. In particular, in the case of a structure where the adjacent position of the rotating surface of the rotating body is illuminated, grease adheres to the luminous surface, thereby reducing brightness and compromising the aesthetic design. Furthermore, the above-mentioned problems are not limited to operating devices mounted on mobile phones, but may also occur in rotary operating devices mounted on any device. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of impairing the appearance design in rotary operating devices.

[0010] One aspect of the operating device of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0011] A rotary operating unit, capable of rotating about a rotation axis, and configured such that the operating portion formed on the rotating surface protrudes outward from an opening formed in the operating panel; and

[0012] The support portion covers at least a portion of the separation portion of the rotary operating part located at a position separated from the operating part along the rotation axis direction, and has a sliding portion that contacts a portion of the separation portion to provide sliding support for the rotation of the rotary operating part.

[0013] The support portion is configured such that a space is formed between the sliding portion and the separation portion of the rotating operating portion located on the opposite side of the operating portion to retain the grease applied to the rotating operating portion.

[0014] The present invention is configured as described above, thereby solving the problem of compromising the aesthetic design in rotary operating devices. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the appearance of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It means to remove Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the control panel of the publicly disclosed operating device.

[0017] Figure 3 It means to observe from the side. Figure 1 A sectional view of the structure of the publicly disclosed operating device.

[0018] Figure 4 It means Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of a portion of the disclosed operating device.

[0019] Figure 5 It means Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of a portion of the disclosed operating device.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a brief representation Figure 1 Figures showing other configuration examples of the disclosed operating device.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10… Operation panel; 11… Opening; 20… Rotary operation part; 21… Operation component; 22… Shaft component; 23… Adjacent part; 24… Annular recess; 24a… Spatial part; 24b… Second spatial part; 25… Annular protrusion; 30… Support part; 31… Sliding part; 40… Substrate; 41… Light source; 50… Second support part. Detailed Implementation

[0023] <Implementation Method 1>

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Figures 1 to 6 It is a diagram used to illustrate the structure of the operating device.

[0025] The operating device of the present invention is equipped on the steering wheel of an automobile, for example, on an operating panel 10 disposed to the left or right of the center of the steering wheel. Figure 1 This represents one example of an operation panel 10, but the operation panel 10 described above is equipped with multiple operating devices (switches), such as... Figure 1 As indicated by arrow Y1, the subject of this invention is a rotary operating device that allows an operator to rotate it vertically using their fingers. Furthermore, this rotary operating device can also be used relative to… Figure 1 The pressing operation is performed perpendicular to the paper surface, but the description of the structure for the pressing operation is omitted below. The structure of the rotary operating device will be described in detail below.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the structure of the operating device as seen from above after removing the operation panel 10. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the operating device including the operation panel 10, as viewed from the side. Furthermore, in Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The diagram shows a general outline of the structure of the operating device. (For example...) Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the operating device includes: a rotatable rotating operating part 20; a support part 30 covering the upper sides of both ends of the rotating operating part 20 and supporting the rotation of the rotating operating part 20; and a second support part 50 covering the lower sides of both ends of the rotating operating part 20 and supporting the rotation of the rotating operating part 20 from the lower sides. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, the operating device has a substrate 40 located inside the operating panel 10 and below the rotating operating section 20, and a light source 41 is provided on the substrate 40. Furthermore, Figure 3 And later Figures 4 to 6 This is a sectional view of the operating device from the side, but for ease of explanation, the rotating operating part 20 and the light source 41 are omitted from the shaded lines.

[0027] like Figure 3As shown, the rotary operating unit 20 includes a generally cylindrical shaft member 22 extending along the rotation axis direction and formed to a predetermined length, and a generally cylindrical operating member 21 integrally formed with the shaft member 22 on its outer periphery near the center of the shaft member 22 in the rotation axis direction. The operating member 21 is formed with an outer diameter larger than the shaft member 22, so that its rotating surface, which is a generally cylindrical side surface, becomes the operating surface for rotational operation by the operator. Furthermore, the shaft member 22 of the rotary operating unit 20 is located inside the operating panel 10, in other words, below the operating panel 10, and the rotation axis is set to be approximately parallel to the surface of the operating panel 10, thereby enabling… Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the upper side of the rotating surface of the operating member 21, in other words, the portion located on the side of the operating panel 10, is exposed to the outside from the generally rectangular opening 11 formed in the operating panel 10. Therefore, the operator can rotate the operating surface of the operating member 21 that is exposed to the outside from the opening 11 of the operating panel 10.

[0028] The aforementioned shaft component 22 is formed such that its outer diameter and axial position are respectively different. Specifically, a portion 23 (adjacent portion) adjacent to the operating component 21 is formed near the end side of the shaft component 22, an annular recess 24 located near the end side of the adjacent portion 23 and having an outer diameter smaller than the adjacent portion 23, and an annular protrusion 25 located further near the end side of the annular recess 24 and forming the end of the shaft component 22 itself and having an outer diameter larger than the annular recess 24. Thus, the annular recess 24 is formed such that the rotational surface of the shaft component 22 is more recessed than the adjacent positions adjacent to both sides in the rotational direction, i.e., the adjacent portion 23 and the annular protrusion 25. In other words, an annular recess 24 with a similarly concave rotational surface is formed at the separation position located at the position where the operating component 21, which is provided near the center of the shaft component 22, is separated along the rotational direction from the adjacent portion 23. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the adjacent portion 23 and the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 25 may be the same or different.

[0029] Here, the shaft component 22 is formed, for example, of a component with light-transmitting properties, such as a transparent resin. Therefore, if the light source 41 located on the substrate 40 below emits light, the shaft component 22 performs the function of allowing light to pass through. Thus, as... Figure 3As indicated by arrow Y2, light from the light source 41 passes through the adjacent portion 23 of the shaft member 22 toward the operation panel 10. Since the adjacent portion 23 is adjacent to the operating surface formed by the aforementioned operating member 21, the operator can visually confirm this from outside the operation panel 10 through the opening 11. Therefore, the operator can visually confirm the light transmitted through the adjacent portion 23 of the shaft member 22 at both ends in the rotational axis direction relative to the operating surface of the operating member 21 exposed from the opening 11. Thus, the adjacent portion 23 of the shaft member 22 allows light from the light source 41 to pass through, thereby constituting a light-emitting configuration.

[0030] Furthermore, the annular protrusion 25 located at either end of the shaft member 22 may, for example, be a gear with teeth formed on its rotating surface. Moreover, a drive mechanism is connected to the annular protrusion 25 constituting the gear. This drive mechanism is located within the operation panel 10 and below the annular protrusion 25, transmitting the rotational force that drives the shaft member 22 to rotate relative to the annular protrusion 25. Therefore, to suppress contact friction with the drive mechanism, grease G is applied to the annular protrusion 25. The application of grease G will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, as described above, the shaft member 22 has been configured to allow light to pass through, but it is not necessarily limited to being configured with a light-transmitting component. Additionally, as described above, the rotary operation unit 20 has been configured with the shaft member 22 and the operation member 21, but the rotary operation unit 20 may also be configured as a single, integrated component.

[0032] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the aforementioned support portion 30 is formed in a generally bowl shape with an opening at the bottom, such that it covers the upper side of each end of the shaft member 22. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the support portion 30 is configured such that its open end, located at the center side of the shaft member 22, abuts against the inner bottom surface of the annular recess 24 of the shaft member 22. Therefore, the portion of the support portion 30 that abuts against the inner bottom surface of the annular recess 24 forms a sliding portion 31 (sliding part) that provides sliding support for the rotation of the shaft member 22 during rotation. Furthermore, since the sliding portion 31 is located on the inner bottom surface of the annular recess 24, the support portion 30 is configured to cover a portion of the annular recess 24 located at the end side along the rotation axis direction from the position of the sliding portion 31 in the shaft member 22, as well as the upper side of the annular protrusion 25.

[0033] At this time, a proximity portion is formed above the annular protrusion 25 of the support portion 30, which is close to the annular protrusion 25. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, the aforementioned grease G is applied between the annular protrusion 25 and the adjacent portion of the support 30. Furthermore, the grease G is applied during the assembly of the operating device.

[0034] Furthermore, the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the annular recess 24. Specifically, the sliding portion 31 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the end side of the annular recess 24 in the direction of rotation axis. Thus, between the support portion 30 and the shaft member 22, at the end side closer to the rotation axis than the sliding portion 31, such as... Figure 5 As shown in the gray area, a space portion 24a is formed by the interior of the annular recess 24, the space above it, and the space between the annular protrusion 25 and the adjacent portion of the support portion 30. This space portion 24a functions as a space to retain the grease G applied to the annular protrusion 25 of the shaft member 22 as described above. At this time, the space portion 24a is configured to have a volume larger than the capacity of the grease G applied to the annular protrusion 25.

[0035] Furthermore, the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30 is configured as described above to be spaced a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the central side of the annular recess 24 in the direction of rotation axis. Thus, a second space portion 24b, formed by the space inside the annular recess 24, is formed between the support portion 30 and the shaft member 22, on the central side in the direction of rotation axis, closer to the sliding portion 31. This second space portion 24b functions as a space to retain the grease G applied to the annular protrusion 25 of the shaft member 22 as described above. In other words, the grease G applied to the annular protrusion 25 remains in the aforementioned space portion 24a, and may also enter between the inner bottom surface of the annular recess 24 and the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30, and even into the second space portion 24b, but the grease G remains in the second space portion 24b. At this time, the second space portion 24b is formed to a width that does not produce capillary action of the grease G. Therefore, even when grease G enters the second space 24b, no capillary action occurs in the second space 24b, and the grease G does not move upward within the second space 24b, thereby suppressing its reach to the adjacent portion 23. In particular, it can effectively suppress oil detached from the grease from reaching the adjacent portion 23 due to capillary action. As an example, the width of the second space 24b, which prevents capillary action of grease G, is such that the distance between the inner surface of the central side of the annular recess 24 in the direction of rotation axis and the surface of the support portion 30 opposite to the inner surface is made longer than 0.3 mm. The width of the second space 24b described above is an example, and any width is possible.

[0036] Accordingly, in the rotary operating device of the present invention, a space 24a is formed at the end of the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30 that provides sliding support for the rotation of the shaft member 22, near the end in the direction of the rotation axis, to retain the grease G applied to the shaft member 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the grease G from moving to the central side of the shaft member 22, particularly to the adjacent portion 23 of the shaft member 22 adjacent to the operating member 21 on which the operating surface is formed, thereby preventing the grease G from adhering to the surface of the adjacent portion 23. As a result, even if the adjacent portion 23 is configured to be luminous as in this embodiment, and the luminous surface can be visually confirmed from the opening 11 of the operating panel 10, it is possible to prevent the grease from adhering to the luminous surface and suppress the reduction in the brightness of the luminous surface, thereby preventing a decrease in the aesthetic design of the operating device itself. Furthermore, even if the adjacent portion 23 is not configured to emit light, since the adjacent portion 23 is located in a position that can be visually confirmed from the opening 11 of the operation panel 10, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of grease G to the surface of the adjacent portion 23, thereby suppressing the reduction of the appearance design of the operation device itself and the equipment mounted thereon.

[0037] Furthermore, in the aforementioned operating device, a second space 24b for retaining grease G is also formed on the central side of the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30, which provides sliding support for the rotation of the comparison shaft member 22, in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the movement of grease G to the adjacent portion 23 of the shaft member 22, thereby more effectively suppressing the adhesion of grease G to the surface of the adjacent portion 23. As a result, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the aesthetic design of the operating device itself and the mounted equipment.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, an annular recess 24 is formed on the end side of the shaft component 22, and a portion of this annular recess 24 is used to form a space 24a for retaining grease G, but it is not necessary to form the annular recess 24 on the shaft component 22. For example, as Figure 6 As shown, the shaft member 22 can also be configured such that the annular recess 24 is not formed, and the sliding portion 31 of the support portion 30 abuts against any position on the rotating surface of the shaft member 22, which is separated from the operating surface of the operating member 21 in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, the space 24a formed between the support portion 30 and the shaft member 22 can be utilized as a space to retain the lubricant G, located further than the position of the sliding portion 31 towards the end of the shaft member 22.

[0039] Furthermore, as described above, a space 24a is formed on the end side of the sliding part 31 near the shaft member 22, so that the grease G may not enter the sliding part 31. Therefore, the aforementioned second space 24b between the adjacent part 23 of the shaft member 22 adjacent to the operating surface of the operating member 21 and the sliding part 31 of the support part 30 may not be formed.

[0040] Furthermore, as described above, the rotary operating device of the present invention has been described as being equipped on a car steering wheel, but it is not limited to operating devices equipped on car steering wheels. It can also be applied to operating devices equipped in other locations on a car. In addition, it is not limited to cars and can be applied to operating devices equipped on any device. Also, as described above, the rotary operating device of the present invention has been exemplified as one of the operating devices when multiple operating devices are arranged on the operation panel 10, but it can also be configured as a single operating device.

[0041] <Note>

[0042] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows: The operating device of the present invention will now be described in summary. However, the present invention is not limited to the following structure.

[0043] (Note 1)

[0044] An operating device comprising:

[0045] A rotary operating unit, capable of rotating about a rotation axis, and configured such that the operating portion formed on the rotating surface protrudes outward from an opening formed in the operating panel; and

[0046] The support portion covers at least a portion of the separation portion of the rotary operating part located at a position separated from the operating part along the rotation axis direction, and has a sliding portion that contacts a portion of the separation portion to provide sliding support for the rotation of the rotary operating part.

[0047] The support portion is configured to form a space between the sliding portion and the separation portion of the rotating operating portion located on the opposite side of the operating portion, forming a space for retaining the grease applied to the rotating operating portion.

[0048] (Note 2)

[0049] The operating device according to Note 1 is characterized in that,

[0050] The aforementioned rotating operating part has an annular recess formed on the rotating surface located at the aforementioned separation part.

[0051] The aforementioned support portion is configured such that the aforementioned sliding part is located on the inner bottom surface of the aforementioned annular recess, and the sliding part is located at a predetermined distance from the inner side surface of the aforementioned annular recess.

[0052] (Note 3)

[0053] The operating device according to Note 2 is characterized in that,

[0054] The aforementioned rotary operating part is configured such that the adjacent part located between the aforementioned operating part and the aforementioned annular recess and adjacent to the operating part can be visually confirmed from the outside of the aforementioned operating panel through the aforementioned opening.

[0055] (Note 4)

[0056] The operating device according to Note 3 is characterized in that,

[0057] The adjacent portion of the aforementioned rotating operating part is configured to emit light.

[0058] (Note 5)

[0059] The operating device according to note 3 or 4 is characterized in that,

[0060] The aforementioned rotating operating part has an annular protrusion coated with the aforementioned grease formed on the rotating surface of the aforementioned separating part, that is, on the side opposite to the aforementioned operating part side and adjacent to the aforementioned annular recess.

[0061] The aforementioned support portion has an approach portion that is close to and covers the aforementioned annular protrusion.

[0062] (Note 6)

[0063] The operating device according to Note 5 is characterized in that,

[0064] The aforementioned space is formed by the space inside and above the annular recess located on the side opposite to the operating part of the rotary operation part to the sliding part of the support part, and the space between the annular protrusion of the rotary operation part and the approach part of the support part.

[0065] (Note 7)

[0066] The operating device according to any one of notes 1 to 6 is characterized in that,

[0067] The aforementioned space is formed to have a larger capacity than the grease coated on the aforementioned rotating operating part.

[0068] (Note 8)

[0069] The operating device according to any one of notes 2 to 7 is characterized in that,

[0070] The aforementioned rotating operating part has a second space portion formed in the inner space of the annular recess located on the side of the operating part closer to the sliding part of the aforementioned support part to retain the aforementioned grease.

[0071] (Note 9)

[0072] The operating device according to Note 8 is characterized in that,

[0073] The second space is formed to a width that does not produce the capillary phenomenon of the aforementioned grease.

[0074] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the structure and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An operating device, characterized in that, have: A rotating operating unit, wherein the rotating operating unit is capable of rotating about a rotation axis, and the operating portion formed on the rotating surface is exposed to the outside from an opening formed in the operating panel; and The support portion covers at least a portion of a separation portion of the rotating operating part located at a position separated from the operating part along the rotation axis direction, and has a sliding portion that contacts a portion of the separation portion to provide sliding support for the rotation of the rotating operating part. The support portion is configured to form a space between the sliding portion and the separation portion of the rotating operating portion located on the opposite side of the operating portion to retain the grease applied to the rotating operating portion. The rotating operating part has an annular recess formed on the rotating surface located at the separation part. The support portion is configured such that the sliding part is located on the inner bottom surface of the annular recess, and the sliding part is located at a predetermined distance from the inner side surface of the annular recess. The rotating operating part has a second space for retaining the grease formed in the interior space of the annular recess located on the operating part side of the sliding part of the support part. The second space is formed to a width that does not produce the capillary effect of the lubricating grease.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating operating part is configured such that the adjacent part located between the operating part and the annular recess and adjacent to the operating part can be visually confirmed from the outside of the operating panel through the opening.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adjacent portion of the rotating operating part is configured to emit light.

4. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating operating part has an annular protrusion coated with the lubricant formed on the rotating surface of the separation part, that is, on the side opposite to the operating part side and adjacent to the annular recess. The support portion has a proximity portion that approaches and covers the annular protrusion.

5. The operating device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The space is formed by the space inside and above the annular recess located on the side opposite to the sliding part of the support and the operating part of the rotary operation part, and the space between the annular protrusion of the rotary operation part and the approach part of the support.

6. The operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The space is formed to be larger than the capacity of the grease applied to the rotating operating part.

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