Switching device and assembly method

Abstract

The switching device includes: an operating button that can be slidably operated in the horizontal direction; a holding member that holds the operating button and can move horizontally integrally with the operating button; a driving member that can tilt as the holding member moves horizontally; a switch that is pressed down by the driving member as the driving member tilts; and a support member that supports the holding member so that it can move horizontally. The holding member has: a base located at the center in the horizontal direction and a protruding edge extending outward in the horizontal direction from the base. The support member has: an upper wall portion that restricts the vertical movement of the holding member by abutting against the upper surface of the protruding edge portion, and a slit portion with a constant vertical width located between the upper wall portion and an intermediate wall portion located below the upper wall portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a switching device and its assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device for a vehicle electric seat with a cam mechanism that can restore the operating button to its initial position by restoring the tilted drive component to the neutral position by the restoring force of the rubber dome switch.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 187343 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the drive component is supported by a support component, and the holding component is supported by a frame. Since the drive component and the holding component are the core components forming the operating transmission system, if these components are supported by other components (support component, frame), the wobbling of the operating transmission system may increase due to the accumulation of dimensional tolerances of the constituent parts. Therefore, the wobbling of the operating button connected to the operating transmission system may increase.

[0008] Methods for solving technical problems

[0009] One embodiment of the switching device includes: an operating button that can be slidably operated in the horizontal direction; a holding member that holds the operating button and can move horizontally integrally with the operating button; a driving member that can tilt as the holding member moves horizontally; a switch that is pressed down by the driving member as the driving member tilts; and a support member that supports the holding member so that it can move horizontally; the holding member has: a base provided at the center in the horizontal direction, and a protruding edge extending outward in the horizontal direction from the base; the support member has: an upper wall portion that restricts the vertical movement of the holding member by abutting against the upper surface of the protruding edge portion, and a slit portion provided between the upper wall portion and an intermediate wall portion lower than the upper wall portion and having a constant vertical width.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to one embodiment, it is possible to suppress the shaking of the operating transmission system and operating button of the switching device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the switching device according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of a switching device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a side view of a switching device according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of a switching device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the retainer unit according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of a retainer unit according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the support member of one embodiment, viewed from the top surface side.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the support member of one embodiment, viewed from the bottom side.

[0020] Figure 9 yes Figure 2 The switch device shown is shown in section A-A.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a top view of a support member (with the protruding edge of the retaining member in an unengaged state) according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of a support member (with the protruding edge of the retaining member in an unengaged state) according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a top view of a support member (holding the protruding edge of the member in a engaged state) according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a bottom view of a support member (keeping the protruding edge of the member engaged) according to one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 It means Figure 11 A three-dimensional sectional view of the cross section along the B-B section line of the support component shown.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the operation button and holding member (in a state where they are not combined with each other) according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 16This is a perspective view of the operation button and holding member (in a combined state) according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 17 This is a partially exploded perspective view (a) illustrating the assembly method of the drive component, support component, and retaining component according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 18 This is a partially exploded perspective view (b) illustrating the assembly method of the drive component, support component, and retaining component according to one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 19 This is a partially exploded perspective view (c) illustrating the assembly method of the drive component, support component, and retaining component according to one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 20 This is a partially exploded perspective view (d) illustrating the assembly method of the drive component, support component, and retaining component according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 21 This is a partially exploded perspective view (a) illustrating the assembly method of the support member and circuit board according to one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 22 This is a partially exploded perspective view (b) illustrating the assembly method of the support member and circuit board according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 23 This is a lower perspective view of a retaining member according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, for convenience, the direction parallel to the XY plane will be referred to as the "horizontal direction", and the Z-axis direction will be referred to as the "vertical direction".

[0036] (Overview of the switching device 100)

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the external appearance of a switching device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 This is a top view of a switching device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 3 This is a side view of a switching device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0038] Figures 1-3 The switch device 100 shown is a device operated by the user to drive the electric seat of the vehicle. For example, the switch device 100 is provided on a designated surface inside the vehicle (e.g., the inner panel of the door, the side of the seat surface, etc.).

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, the switch device 100 includes a housing 102 and an operating button 104. The operating button 104 protrudes upward relative to the upper surface 102A of the housing 102. The operating button 104 is a sliding operation component used to perform various adjustments to the electric seat (e.g., reclining adjustment, height adjustment, tilt adjustment, fore-aft position adjustment). The operating button 104 can slide in the horizontal direction (parallel to the upper surface 102A of the housing 102 and the XY plane) by being slid by the user. Furthermore, in... Figures 1-3 In the example shown, the switching device 100 has two operating buttons 104 capable of performing different switching operations.

[0040] The switching device 100 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) mounted in the vehicle via a connector, cable, or other connecting component (not shown). Thus, the switching device 100 can output an electrical signal corresponding to a sliding operation performed by the operating button 104 to the control unit, enabling the control unit to control the electric seat.

[0041] (Structure of the switching device 100)

[0042] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of a switching device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the retainer unit 110 according to one embodiment. Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the retainer unit 110 according to one embodiment. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the support member 112 as seen from the top surface side in one embodiment. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the support member 112 as seen from the bottom side in one embodiment. Figure 9 yes Figure 2 The switch device 100 shown is shown in section A-A. Figure 23 This is a lower perspective view of the retaining member 111 according to one embodiment.

[0043] like Figure 4 As shown, the switch device 100 is composed of an operation button 104, a housing 102, a retainer unit 110, a rubber sheet 107, a circuit board 105, and a base plate 108, arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0044] When the operating button 104 is slidably operated, the switching device 100, Figure 6 The retaining member 111 shown slides, and through this movement, the shaft portion 113B of the driving member 113 is subjected to a horizontal operating force, thereby causing the driving member 113 to tilt. At this time, the driving member 113 tilts according to each arm 113C, and the tilted arms 113C will... Figure 4The multiple switches 106 shown are pushed over the rubber sheet 107. Since the multiple switches 106 are pushed in the direction that the operation button 104 is operated, it is possible to detect which direction the operation button 104 is operated in.

[0045] The structure is described in detail below. The housing 102 is a container-shaped component with an internal space and a lower opening on its bottom side. For example, the housing 102 is formed by injection molding of resin raw material. Furthermore, on the upper surface 102A of the housing 102, two openings 102B are formed for each operating button 104. The openings 102B are for the shaft portion 104A of the operating button 104 to pass through. The lower opening of the housing 102 is sealed by a mounting base plate 108. The internal space of the housing 102 houses the retainer unit 110, the rubber sheet 107, and the circuit board 105.

[0046] The operation button 104 protrudes upward from the upper surface 102A of the housing 102. The operation button 104 is a component operated by the user. In this embodiment, the operation button 104 has a thin cuboid shape in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Figure 9 As shown, the operation button 104 has a shaft portion 104A extending downward from its bottom surface. The shaft portion 104A is connected to the retaining member 111 via an opening 102B formed on the upper surface of the housing 102. Thus, the operation button 104 is held by the retaining member 111 and can slide horizontally integrally with the retaining member 111.

[0047] The retainer unit 110 is provided for each operating button 104. That is, the switching device 100 of this embodiment is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, two retainer units 110 are provided corresponding to the two operation buttons 104. The two retainer units 110 have identical structures. Figures 5-8 The detailed structure of the retainer unit 110 is shown below. For example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the retainer unit 110 includes a retaining member 111, a supporting member 112, and a driving member 113.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the retainer unit 110 includes two retaining members 111 and two driving members 113 arranged in a horizontal direction. Additionally, the operation button 104 has two shaft portions 104A arranged in a horizontal direction, and the two retaining members 111 are connected to these two shaft portions 104A. Therefore, the switching device 100 of this embodiment can simultaneously drive the two driving members 113 via the two retaining members 111 by operating the operation button 104 in a horizontal direction.

[0049] A retaining member 111 is disposed on the lower side of the shaft portion 104A of the operation button 104, coaxial with the shaft portion 104A. The retaining member 111 is a component that retains the shaft portion 104A of the operation button 104 and moves horizontally integrally with the operation button 104 when the operation button 104 is slidably operated. The retaining member 111 has a cylindrical base 111A extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) at its central portion in the horizontal direction. Figure 9 As shown, the shaft portion 104A of the operation button 104 is inserted from above into the upper cylindrical portion 111B of the base 111A. Thus, the retaining member 111 holds the shaft portion 104A of the operation button 104. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, the upper end portion of the shaft portion 113B of the drive member 113 is embedded in the lower cylinder 111C of the base 111A. Thus, the retaining member 111 holds the shaft portion 113B of the drive member 113, causing the drive member 113 to tilt when moved horizontally along with the operating button 104. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the retaining member 111 has a protruding edge 111D extending outward in a horizontal direction from the base 111A at its lower end. The protruding edge 111D is a horizontal, flat plate-like portion with a constant thickness in the vertical direction. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the retaining member 111 has four protruding edges 111D that protrude in four horizontal directions at 90° intervals, centered on the base 111A. Furthermore, as... Figure 23As shown, the retaining member 111 has a sliding contact surface 111G that is continuous with the lower surface of the protrusion 111D and is disposed on the lower surface side of the retaining member 111. The lower surface of the protrusion 111D and the sliding contact surface 111G are horizontal planar portions. The upper surface of the protrusion 111D, the lower surface of the protrusion 111D, and the sliding contact surface 111G are disposed parallel to each other. The upper surface of the protrusion 111D is the surface that slidably abuts against the upper abutment surface 112H (described in detail later) after assembly. The lower surface of the protrusion 111D is the surface that abuts against the lower abutment surface 112I during the assembly process (described in detail later). The sliding contact surface 111G is the surface that slidably abuts against the lower abutment surface 112I (described in detail later) after assembly. In this embodiment, the retaining member 111 uses the upper surface of the protrusion 111D as a reference plane for its height. The height of the lower surface of the protrusion 111D is formed to be smaller than the height of the sliding contact surface 111G, and the lower surface of the protrusion 111D and the sliding contact surface 111G are formed continuously. Furthermore, the joint between the lower surface of the protrusion 111D and the sliding contact surface 111G is formed as a smooth slope. However, the height of the lower surface of the protrusion 111D only needs to be formed to be lower than the height of the sliding contact surface 111G, and the height of the lower surface of the protrusion 111D can also be the same as the height of the sliding contact surface 111G. By forming the lower surface of the protrusion 111D to be lower than the height of the sliding contact surface 111G, in the assembly process described in detail later, the operation of inserting the protrusion 111D into the slit 112G becomes easier when the retaining member 111 rotates around the base 111A.

[0050] A support member 112 is disposed below the retaining member 111. The support member 112 supports the retaining member 111 for horizontal movement and supports the drive member 113 for tilting movement. Figure 6 As shown, the support member 112 has a horizontal, flat, intermediate wall portion 112A. Furthermore, the support member 112 has a recess 112B in a cross-shaped indentation on the upper side of the intermediate wall portion 112A. Figure 5 As shown, a retaining member 111 is disposed in the recess 112B. A supporting member 112 supports the retaining member 111 in the recess 112B, allowing it to move in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, the support member 112 has a receiving portion 112D on the lower side of the intermediate wall portion 112A, which has a shape approximately the same as the outer shape of the drive member 113 (i.e., cross-shaped in plan view). The receiving portion 112D accommodates the drive member 113 in a tiltable manner. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, an opening 112C is formed on the intermediate wall portion 112A. The opening 112C is a portion through which the shaft portion 113B of the drive member 113 housed in the housing portion 112D is inserted.

[0051] Here, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The detailed structure of the recess 112B of the support member 112 will be described. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the recess 112B has a cross-shaped recess formed by four grooves, which extend from the center of the recess 112B to four horizontal directions (positive X-axis direction, negative X-axis direction, positive Y-axis direction, and negative Y-axis direction).

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, the support member 112 has four right-angled inner corner portions 112E that connect with the outer peripheral edge of the recess 112B. An upper wall portion 112F and a slit portion 112G are formed at each of the four inner corner portions 112E. The upper wall portion 112F is a horizontal, plate-like portion with a constant thickness and a right-angled shape along the edge of the inner corner portions 112E when viewed from above, and is positioned higher than the intermediate wall portion 112A. The slit portion 112G is the space formed between the upper wall portion 112F and the intermediate wall portion 112A. By inserting the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111 into the slit portion 112G, the support member 112 can support the retaining member 111 so that it can move horizontally while restricting its upward and downward movement.

[0053] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, an upper abutment surface 112H is provided at a corner of the lower surface of the upper wall portion 112F, protruding slightly downward. The upper abutment surface 112H is a horizontal planar portion that partially abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111 inserted into the slit portion 112G. By partially abutting against the upper surface of the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111, the upper abutment surface 112H can restrict the upward movement of the retaining member 111 while suppressing the sliding resistance of the retaining member 111 in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the retaining member 111 is a resin part molded using molding technology, and the upper abutment surface 112H is provided as a partial portion. In the case of molding using molding technology, it is easy to improve the dimensional accuracy of the partial shape of the portion, and the upper abutment surface 112H is provided with high dimensional accuracy. Therefore, by making the upper abutment surface 112H abut against the upper surface of the protruding edge 111D, the movement of the protruding edge 111D can be restricted with good precision.

[0054] In addition, such as Figure 7As shown, a lower abutment surface 112I is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion 112A (the portion where it meets the two sides forming the inner corner portion 112E), protruding slightly upward. The lower abutment surface 112I is provided during the assembly process, which will be described in detail later, when the retaining component 111 is removed from... Figure 18 The state shown Figure 19 The horizontal planar portion that abuts against the lower surface of the protrusion 111D when disposed in the recess 112B as shown in the state change. The lower abutment surface 112I is provided parallel to the upper abutment surface 112H. The lower abutment surface 112I is a surface disposed opposite to the upper abutment surface 112H, and in this embodiment, it is disposed in a position that does not overlap when viewed from above. The switching device 100, by having a structure that allows the lower abutment surface 112I to abut against the lower surface of the protrusion 111D, can quickly and accurately align the vertical height positions of the holding member 111 and the support member 112 during the assembly process. Furthermore, on the lower surface of the holding member 111, such as Figure 9 As shown, a sliding contact surface 111G with a planar shape is provided. Furthermore, as... Figure 20 As shown, in the assembly process, the retaining member 111, disposed in the recess 112B of the lower abutment surface 112I, is rotated 45° about the base 111A, and the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111 is inserted into the slit 112G. Simultaneously, the sliding contact surface 111G, which is continuous with the lower surface of the protrusion 111D and disposed on the lower surface side of the retaining member 111, contacts the lower abutment surface 112I. The sliding contact surface 111G and the lower abutment surface 112I are provided to abut against each other and to slide against each other. In one embodiment of the switching device 100, the lower surface of the protrusion 111D and the sliding contact surface 111G are continuously disposed. Therefore, in the assembly process of the retaining member 111 and the support member 112, rotating the retaining member 111 becomes easier. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the lower abutment surface 112I and the sliding contact surface 111G are slidable. Therefore, when the retaining member 111 slides in the horizontal direction after assembly, the downward movement of the retaining member 111 can be restricted, and the sliding resistance of the retaining member 111 in the horizontal direction can be suppressed.

[0055] The support member 112 is a resin part formed using a mold, and the lower abutment surface 112I is provided as a partial part of the support member 112 and has a planar shape. Furthermore, the lower abutment surface 112I is provided with high dimensional accuracy by using mold technology.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 9As shown, the gap between the upper abutment surface 112H and the lower abutment surface 112I is the same size as the gap between the upper surface of the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111 and the sliding contact surface 111G. Therefore, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can prevent vertical wobbling of the protrusion 111D of the retaining member 111 in the slit portion 112G. As a result, the retaining member 111 can move horizontally without wobbling as the operating button 104 is operated.

[0057] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, curved surfaces 112J are formed at the four inner corners of the cross-shaped receiving portion 112D of the support member 112. The curved surfaces 112J have a curved shape along the surface of the central portion 113A of the drive member 113.

[0058] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, the support member 112 has a pair of claw portions 112K protruding downward from its bottom surface. The pair of claw portions 112K are engaged with the opening 105A (see reference) formed on the circuit board 105 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Figure 4 The support member 112 is thus fixed to the upper surface of the circuit board 105 by engaging the opening edge of the support member 112.

[0059] The drive component 113 is a component that tilts as the operation button 104 and the holding component 111 move horizontally, pressing down the switch 106 corresponding to the direction of tilting movement. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the drive member 113 has a central portion 113A, a shaft portion 113B, and four arm portions 113C. The central portion 113A is disposed in the center of the receiving portion 112D of the support member 112, and is the central part for the tilting movement of the drive member 113. The restoring force of the multiple switches 106 is transmitted through the four arm portions 113C, thereby being pushed upward. As a result, the central portion 113A is pressed against the curved surfaces 112J formed at the four inner corner portions 112E of the receiving portion 112D of the support member 112 (see reference). Figure 8The central portion 113A rotates while slidingly contacting the curved surface 112J of the support member 112 as the shaft portion 113B tilts. The shaft portion 113B is a columnar portion that extends vertically upward from the central portion 113A. The shaft portion 113B passes through the opening 112C of the support member 112 and protrudes upward beyond the middle wall portion 112A of the support member 112. Furthermore, the upper end of the shaft portion 113B is embedded in the lower cylinder 111C of the base 111A of the retaining member 111. Thus, the drive member 113 is connected to the retaining member 111. When the operation button 104 and the retaining member 111 move horizontally with the sliding operation of the operation button 104, the drive member 113 is operated by the retaining member 111 and tilts about the central portion 113A as the center of rotation. The four arms 113C are arm-shaped portions extending from the central portion 113A in four horizontal directions at 90° intervals. That is, the four arms 113C are arranged in a cross shape centered on the central portion 113A when viewed from above. Each arm 113C is a portion that presses down the switch 106 located on the lower side of the arm 113C by rotating it downwards around the central portion 113A.

[0060] The circuit board 105 is a flat plate extending horizontally. Electronic circuits are mounted on the circuit board 105. Multiple switches 106 are provided on the upper surface of the circuit board 105. Each of the multiple switches 106 is located on the underside of any one of the four arms 113C of the drive member 113. Therefore, when one arm 113C corresponding to the tilting direction rotates downwards as the drive member 113 tilts, the multiple switches 106 are pressed down by the underside of that arm 113C, switching to an on state. For example, rubber dome switches are used among the multiple switches 106. Thus, each of the multiple switches 106 can apply upward force to the arm 113C of the drive member 113 through its restoring force. Therefore, each of the multiple switches 106 can reset the drive member 113 to a neutral state.

[0061] The rubber sheet 107 is a sheet-like component made of elastic and waterproof raw materials (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.). The rubber sheet 107 prevents the circuit board 105 from being immersed in water by completely covering the upper surface of the circuit board 105.

[0062] Next, refer to Figures 10-14 The method of mounting the retaining member 111 relative to the supporting member 112 will be described.

[0063] Figure 10 This is a top view of a support member 112 (with the protruding edge 111D of the retaining member 111 in an unengaged state) according to one embodiment. Figure 11This is a bottom view of a support member 112 (with the protruding edge 111D of the retaining member 111 in an unengaged state) according to one embodiment. Figure 12 This is a top view of a support member 112 (in the engaged state of the protruding edge 111D of the retaining member 111) according to one embodiment. Figure 13 This is a bottom view of a support member 112 (with the protruding edge 111D of the retaining member 111 engaged) according to one embodiment. Figure 14 It means Figure 11 A three-dimensional sectional view of the cross section along section B-B of the support component 112 shown.

[0064] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the retaining member 111 is first placed into the recess 112B of the supporting member 112 such that each of the four protrusions 111D is disposed in one of the four grooves constituting the recess 112B. At this moment, since each of the four protrusions 111D of the retaining member 111 does not engage with each of the four upper wall portions 112F of the supporting member 112, the upward movement of the retaining member 111 is not restricted.

[0065] Next, when viewing the retaining component 111 from above with the base 111A as the center, rotate it counterclockwise. Figure 10 The direction of arrow D1 (as shown) is rotated by a specified angle of 45°. Therefore, as... Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, each of the four protrusions 111D of the retaining member 111 is inserted into each of the four slits 112G of the support member 112, and engages with each of the four upper wall portions 112F of the support member 112. Thus, the upward movement of the retaining member 111 is restricted.

[0066] like Figure 13 As shown, the upper surface of the protrusion 111D inserted into the slit portion 112G abuts against the upper abutment surface 112H, which is located at a position slightly protruding downward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 112F. Furthermore, the lower surface of the protrusion 111D inserted into the slit portion 112G abuts against the lower abutment surface 112I, which is located at a position slightly protruding upward from the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion 112A. Thus, the protrusion 111D can move horizontally within the slit portion 112G, and its vertical movement is limited by the upper abutment surface 112H and the lower abutment surface 112I.

[0067] Thus, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can assemble the retaining member 111 and the supporting member 112 by performing a simple operation such as placing the retaining member 111 into the recess 112B and then rotating it by a predetermined angle (45°). The assembled retaining member 111 is installed in a manner that allows it to move horizontally relative to the supporting member 112 without wobbling in the vertical direction.

[0068] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the operation button 104 and the holding member 111 (in a state where they are not combined with each other) according to one embodiment. Figure 16 This is a perspective view of the operation button 104 and the holding member 111 (in a state of being combined with each other) according to one embodiment.

[0069] like Figure 15 As shown, a protrusion 111E and a rib 111F are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical portion 111B of the base 111A of the retaining member 111, protruding outward.

[0070] On the other hand, such as Figure 15 As shown, an opening 104B and a groove 104C (an example of a "rotation restriction part") are formed on the outer peripheral wall of the shaft portion 104A of the operation button 104.

[0071] like Figure 16 As shown, the operation button 104 is held by the retaining member 111 by being embedded in the upper cylindrical portion 111B of the retaining member 111 via its shaft portion 104A.

[0072] At this time, as Figure 16 As shown, by retaining the protrusion 111E of the member 111 being embedded in the opening 104B of the operation button 104, the operation button 104 is not easily dislodged from the operation button 104.

[0073] In addition, such as Figure 16 As shown, the rotation of the retaining member 111 is restricted by inserting the rib 111F of the retaining member 111 into the slot 104C of the operating button 104.

[0074] As already explained, the retaining member 111 is supported by the supporting member 112 by rotation. Therefore, the retaining member 111 may accidentally detach from the supporting member 112 by rotating unintentionally from its supported state. Thus, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, if used... Figure 15 and Figure 16 As explained, by mounting an operating button 104 on the retaining member 111, the rotation of the retaining member 111 can be limited by the operating button 104. Thus, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can prevent the retaining member 111 from falling off the support member 112.

[0075] (Description of assembly process)

[0076] Figures 17-22 This is a diagram illustrating the assembly process of a switching device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 17 This is a partially exploded perspective view (a) illustrating the assembly method of the drive member 113, support member 112, and holding member 111 according to one embodiment. Figure 18 This is a partially exploded perspective view (b) illustrating the assembly method of the drive member 113, support member 112, and retaining member 111 according to one embodiment. Figure 19 This is a partially exploded perspective view (c) illustrating the assembly method of the drive member 113, support member 112, and holding member 111 according to one embodiment. Figure 20 This is a partially exploded perspective view (d) illustrating the assembly method of the drive member 113, support member 112, and holding member 111 according to one embodiment. Figure 21 This is a partially exploded perspective view (a) illustrating the assembly method of the support member 112 and the circuit board 105 according to one embodiment. Figure 22 This is a partially exploded perspective view (b) illustrating the assembly method of the support member 112 and the circuit board 105 according to one embodiment.

[0077] <Drive Component Assembly Process>

[0078] First, such as Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown, the drive member 113 is positioned below the support member 112 and is moved upward toward the support member 112 to be housed in the housing portion 112D. The shaft portion 113B of the drive member 113 housed in the housing portion 112D is inserted into the opening portion 112C. Furthermore, the process of assembling the drive member 113 with the support member 112 can be performed after the process of assembling the retaining member 111 with the support member 112, which will be described in detail later.

[0079] <Component placement process>

[0080] Next, as Figure 18 As shown, the retaining member 111 is positioned above the supporting member 112, and the lower surface of the protruding edge 111D is moved downward toward the supporting member 112 until it abuts against the lower contact surface 112I and is placed into the recess 112B. At this time, the driving member 113 is embedded in the lower cylinder 111C of the base 111A of the retaining member 111 via the upper end of the shaft portion 113B, with the supporting member 112 sandwiched in between, and is thus combined with the retaining member 111.

[0081] When viewed from above, the four protruding edges 111D of the retaining member 111 are provided to have a square shape. Furthermore, the recess 112B of the supporting member 112 is provided to have a square shape that is slightly larger than the square shape formed by the four protruding edges 111D when viewed from above. Therefore, the protruding edges 111D and the recess 112B can be easily combined at an angle that matches the square shape. In this embodiment, the protruding edges 111D and the recess 112B are set to a square shape, but they can also be set to a polygonal shape other than a square.

[0082] The lower abutment surface 112I is partially provided on a portion of the intermediate wall portion 112A, thus making it easy to locally improve dimensional accuracy. As a result, during the assembly process of the retaining member 111 and the supporting member 112, the movement of the retaining member 111 can be precisely restricted, reducing operational errors during the assembly process.

[0083] <Process for Maintaining Component Rotation>

[0084] Next, as Figure 19 and Figure 20 As shown, the retaining member 111, which is placed in the recess 112B, is rotated 45° about the axis formed by the base 111A. When the retaining member 111 is rotated 45°, the protruding edge 111D is inserted into the slit 112G, and its upper surface abuts against the upper abutment surface 112H. As a result, the upward movement of the retaining member 111 relative to the support member 112 is restricted, and it is able to move in the horizontal direction.

[0085] <Circuit board mounting process>

[0086] Next, as Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, after the support member 112 is combined with the drive member 113 and the holding member 111, it is positioned above the circuit board 105 and then assembled with the circuit board 105. As the first stage of this assembly process, the support member 112 and the circuit board 105 are temporarily assembled by using snap-in shapes (112K, 105A) (temporary assembly process). After temporary assembly using snap-in shapes, the support member 112 and the circuit board 105 are fixed with bolts (bolt fixing process). By performing the temporary assembly process first, the bolt fixing process becomes easier, and overall operational errors in the assembly process can be reduced.

[0087] As described above, a switching device 100 according to one embodiment includes: an operation button 104 that can be slidably operated in the horizontal direction; a holding member 111 that holds the operation button 104 and can move horizontally integrally with the operation button 104; a driving member 113 that can tilt as the holding member 111 moves horizontally; a switch 106 that is pushed down by the driving member 113 as the driving member 113 tilts; and a support member 112 that supports the holding member 111 so that it can move horizontally; the holding member 111 has a base 111A provided at the center in the horizontal direction and a protruding edge 111D that extends outward in the horizontal direction from the base 111A; the support member 112 has an upper wall portion 112F that restricts the movement of the holding member 111 in the vertical direction by abutting against the upper surface of the protruding edge 111D.

[0088] Therefore, the switch device 100 of one embodiment can support both the holding member 111 and the driving member 113 with the support member 112, thus reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, the switch device 100 of one embodiment can suppress vertical wobbling of the holding member 111 by means of the upper wall portion 112F of the support member 112. Therefore, according to the switch device 100 of one embodiment, wobbling of the operating transmission system and the operating button 104 provided in the switch device 100 can be suppressed.

[0089] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the support member 112 has a slit 112G with a constant vertical width between the upper wall portion 112F and the intermediate wall portion 112A which is lower than the upper wall portion 112F; the retaining member 111 is inserted into the slit 112G through the protruding edge portion 111D, thereby enabling horizontal movement while restricting vertical movement.

[0090] Therefore, the switch device 100 of one embodiment, through the upper wall portion 112F and the middle wall portion 112A of the support member 112, can suppress the vertical wobbling of the holding member 111 from both above and below. Thus, the switch device 100 of one embodiment can suppress the wobbling of the operation transmission system and the operation button 104 provided by the switch device 100.

[0091] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the upper wall portion 112F has an upper abutting surface 112H that is provided at a position protruding downward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion 112F and abuts against the upper surface of the protruding edge portion 111D.

[0092] Therefore, the dimensional accuracy of the upper contact surface 112H that abuts against the upper surface of the protrusion 111D can be partially improved in one embodiment of the switch device 100. Consequently, the wobbling of the operating transmission system and the operating button 104 provided in the switch device 100 can be suppressed according to one embodiment.

[0093] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the intermediate wall portion 112A has a lower abutment surface 112I located at a position protruding upward from the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion 112A and abutting against a sliding contact surface 111G located on the lower surface of the retaining member 111.

[0094] The lower abutment surface 112I is a partially formed shape. The lower abutment surface 112I is formed by using molding technology to create the support member 112, and is thus provided with high dimensional accuracy. As a result, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can improve the accuracy of the movement of the retaining member 111 that slides between the lower abutment surface 112I and the sliding contact surface 111G, and can suppress the wobbling of the operating transmission system and the operating button 104 provided in the switching device 100.

[0095] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the support member 112 has a recess 112B in which the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion 112A is the inner bottom surface and the holding member 111 can be placed from above; the upper wall portion 112F and the slit portion 112G are provided at positions corresponding to the protruding edge portion 111D when the holding member 111 placed in the recess 112B is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0096] Thus, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can be mounted relative to the support member 112 by rotating the retaining member 111 placed in the recess 112B by a predetermined angle, so that the retaining member 111 can move in the horizontal direction and does not wobble in the vertical direction.

[0097] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the holding member 111 has a plurality of protruding edges 111D, and the upper wall portion 112F and the slit portion 112G are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of protruding edges 111D when the holding member 111 placed in the recess 112B is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0098] Therefore, the switching device 100 of one embodiment, through the plurality of upper wall portions 112F of the support member 112, can suppress vertical wobbling of the plurality of protrusions 111D of the holding member 111. Thus, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can suppress wobbling of the operating transmission system and the operating button 104 provided by the switching device 100.

[0099] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switching device 100, the holding member 111 has four protruding edges 111D extending from the base 111A in four directions in the horizontal direction; the upper wall portion 112F and the slit portion 112G are provided at positions corresponding to the four protruding edges 111D when the holding member 111 placed in the recess 112B is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0100] Therefore, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the four upper wall portions 112F of the support member 112 can suppress vertical wobbling of the four protruding edges 111D of the holding member 111. Thus, according to one embodiment of the switch device 100, wobbling of the operating transmission system and the operating button 104 provided by the switch device 100 can be suppressed.

[0101] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the switch device 100, the operating button 104 has a groove 104C that restricts the rotation of the retaining member 111 when the retaining member 111 has been rotated by a predetermined angle and the protrusion 111D has been inserted into the slit 112G.

[0102] Thus, the switching device 100 of one embodiment can prevent the device from falling off the support member 112 due to accidental rotation of the holding member 111.

[0103] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various modifications or alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0104] For example, the above embodiments illustrate the application of the invention to a power seat switch for a vehicle, but it is not limited thereto; the invention can be applied to any switching device.

[0105] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-108984, filed on June 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0106] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0107] 100 Switching device

[0108] 102 Casing

[0109] 102A upper surface

[0110] 102B Opening

[0111] 104 control buttons

[0112] 104A Shaft

[0113] 104B Opening

[0114] 104C groove

[0115] 105 Circuit Board

[0116] 105A Opening

[0117] 106 switches

[0118] 107 Rubber Sheet

[0119] 108 base plate

[0120] 110 Holder Unit

[0121] 111 Retaining component

[0122] 111A base

[0123] 111B Upper cylindrical section

[0124] 111C Lower side cylinder

[0125] 111D Protruding edge

[0126] 111E Protrusion

[0127] 111F Rib

[0128] 111G sliding contact surface

[0129] 112 Support components

[0130] 112A Intermediate wall portion

[0131] 112B concave part

[0132] 112C Opening

[0133] 112D Containment Department

[0134] 112E inner corner

[0135] 112F Upper Wall

[0136] 112G Slit Section

[0137] 112H Upper abutment surface

[0138] 112I Lower abutment surface

[0139] 112J Curved Face

[0140] 112K Claw

[0141] 113 Drive Components

[0142] 113A Central Department

[0143] 113B Shaft

[0144] 113C Arm

Claims

1. A switching device, characterized in that, have: The control button can be slid in the horizontal direction. The retaining component holds the aforementioned operating button and is capable of moving integrally with the aforementioned operating button in the aforementioned horizontal direction; The driving component is capable of tilting as the holding component moves in the horizontal direction. The switch is pressed down by the aforementioned driving component as the driving component tilts; and The support member supports the retaining member so that it can move in the horizontal direction. The aforementioned retaining component has: The base is located at the center of the aforementioned horizontal direction; and The protruding edge extends outward in the horizontal direction compared to the base. The aforementioned support component has: The upper wall portion restricts the vertical movement of the retaining member by abutting against the upper surface of the aforementioned protruding edge portion; and The slit portion is provided between the aforementioned upper wall portion and the intermediate wall portion located below the aforementioned upper wall portion, and has a constant vertical width.

2. The switching device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned support member has a recess in which the upper surface of the aforementioned intermediate wall portion is the inner bottom surface, and the aforementioned retaining member can be placed from above. The aforementioned upper wall portion and the aforementioned slit portion are positioned at positions corresponding to the aforementioned protruding edge portion when the aforementioned retaining member placed in the aforementioned recess is rotated by a predetermined angle.

3. The switching device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, By inserting the protruding edge into the slit, the retaining member can move in the horizontal direction, while its movement in the vertical direction is restricted.

4. The switching device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned upper wall portion has an upper abutting surface located at a position protruding downward from the lower surface of the upper wall portion and abutting against the upper surface of the aforementioned protruding edge portion.

5. The switching device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned retaining member has a sliding contact surface continuously formed on the lower surface side of the aforementioned protruding edge. The aforementioned intermediate wall portion has a lower abutment surface located at a position protruding upward from the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion and abutting against the aforementioned sliding contact surface.

6. The switching device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned retaining member has a plurality of the aforementioned protruding edges, The aforementioned upper wall portion and the aforementioned slit portion are positioned at locations corresponding to the aforementioned plurality of protruding edges when the aforementioned retaining member placed in the aforementioned recess is rotated by a predetermined angle.

7. The switching device as described in claim 2 or 6, characterized in that, The aforementioned retaining member has four protruding edges extending in four directions from the aforementioned base toward the aforementioned horizontal direction. The aforementioned upper wall portion and the aforementioned slit portion are positioned at locations corresponding to the four aforementioned protruding edges when the aforementioned retaining member placed in the aforementioned recess is rotated by a predetermined angle.

8. The switching device as described in claim 2 or 6, characterized in that, The aforementioned operating button has a rotation limiting part that restricts the rotation of the retaining member when the retaining member has been rotated to the aforementioned predetermined angle and the aforementioned protrusion has been inserted into the aforementioned slit.

9. The switching device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The aforementioned operating button has a rotation limiting part that restricts the rotation of the retaining member when the retaining member has been rotated to the aforementioned predetermined angle and the aforementioned protrusion has been inserted into the aforementioned slit.

10. An assembly method, which is the assembly method of the switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The drive component receiving process involves receiving the drive component from the underside of the support component into the support component; The retaining member placement process involves placing the retaining member from above the supporting member onto the supporting member, with the supporting member sandwiched in between, thereby engaging the retaining member with the driving member; and The process of rotating the retaining member involves rotating the retaining member, which is mounted on the support member, by a predetermined angle, thereby inserting the protruding edge of the retaining member into the slit of the support member.

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