EPB switch with small working stroke and small operating force

Abstract

An EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force comprises a housing which is internally provided with an accommodating space, the upper side of the housing is provided with a through hole communicated with the accommodating space, and the accommodating space is internally provided with a printed circuit board; the key is arranged in the through hole in a sliding manner and is provided with a first axis arranged along a pressing path; the microswitch is arranged on the printed circuit board and provided with a second axis arranged along the action path, and the second axis and the first axis are arranged in a non-coaxial mode; and one end of the lever bracket is hinged with the shell, and the other end of the lever bracket is arranged above the microswitch and can be driven by the key to trigger the microswitch. According to the EPB switch, the microswitch is moved to the outer side, the microswitch and the key are not located on the same axis, a lever support is arranged inside, the key acts on the lever support, the microswitch is triggered through the lever support, the EPB switch function with the micro stroke and the small operating force is achieved by adjusting the lever proportion, and the requirements of various strokes and the small operating force of an automobile enterprise are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model specifically relates to an EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force. Background Art

[0002] The full name of electronic parking brake is Electrical Park Brak, or EPB for short. It is a technology that uses wire control technology to integrate temporary braking during driving and long-term braking after parking, and realizes parking braking by electronic control. The EPB system removes the mechanical devices such as handles or pedals of ordinary mechanical parking brake systems, and controls the parking brake through an EPB switch (usually designed as a button P). The system not only realizes the electronic control of parking brakes, but also the EPB control unit is connected to the ESP system through a data bus to realize the automatic stop function and dynamic emergency braking of the vehicle.

[0003] Conventional electronic EPB switches are divided into button type and toggle type, such as the utility model CN202321928957.3 applied by the applicant on July 21, 2023, which specifically discloses a toggle type electronic EPB switch, using a wave button to switch functions. The button type is an electronic parking control device and an electronic parking control method disclosed in Chinese patent CN115703438A. This device includes a switch and a P gear button. The switch uses a micro switch. When the P gear button is pressed, the micro switch can be triggered to make the micro switch output a hard-line signal of the parking requirement.

[0004] For push-button electronic EPB switches, the operating force and travel are generally relatively large, and the maximum travel is generally around 2.6mm. After the popularization of new energy electric vehicles, comfort and simplicity are the main concerns. In order to improve driving feel and comfort, some models adjust the EPB switch position to below the IP plate. For the convenience and reliability of operation, some car companies have extremely high requirements for the travel and operating force of the P gear button. In the design of the EPB switch, how to reduce the operating force and travel has become the main solution. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the utility model is to provide an EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] An EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force, comprising:

[0008] A housing having a built-in accommodating space, an upper side of which is provided with a through hole communicating with the accommodating space, and a printed circuit board is arranged in the accommodating space;

[0009] A button, slidably disposed in the through hole, having a first axis disposed along a pressing path;

[0010] A micro switch is arranged on the printed circuit board, and has a second axis arranged along the action path, and the second axis is arranged non-coaxially with the first axis;

[0011] One end of the lever bracket is hinged to the shell, and the other end is placed above the micro switch, and the micro switch can be triggered by a button.

[0012] It also includes:

[0013] The reset member is placed between the hinge point and the micro switch, and is used to provide the reset force required for resetting the lever bracket.

[0014] The distance from the hinge point to the reset member and the distance from the hinge point to the micro switch are adjustable.

[0015] A push rod is arranged between the reset member and the lever bracket.

[0016] A guide mechanism for limiting the moving direction of the push rod is arranged in the shell.

[0017] A waterproof rubber is arranged on the upper side of the printed circuit board, and an opening is arranged on the waterproof rubber for exposing the micro switch.

[0018] The button includes an upper button and a lower button horizontally combined with the upper button.

[0019] A cavity for installing a light guide is formed between the upper button and the lower button.

[0020] The light guide body comprises a light guide plate arranged in a horizontal direction and a light guide column formed by bending downwards any one side of the light guide plate, and the light guide column is placed above the light emitting part of the printed circuit board.

[0021] The lower button portion can be slidably disposed in the through hole and can press the lever bracket disposed on its moving path during the movement.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows: by moving the micro switch outward so that it is not on the same axis as the button, and then arranging a lever bracket inside, the button acts on the lever bracket, and the micro switch is triggered by the lever bracket. By adjusting the lever ratio, a micro-stroke and small operating force EPB type switch function is achieved, meeting various stroke and small operating force requirements of automobile companies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the upper shell of the utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the upper shell of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a force analysis diagram of the utility model.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the light guide of the utility model.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the light guide of the present utility model.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the waterproof rubber of the utility model.

[0031] In the figure, 1. shell; 2. button; 3. printed circuit board; 4. micro switch; 5. waterproof rubber; 6. push rod; 7. lever bracket; 8. light guide; 11. upper shell; 12. base; 111. guide mechanism; 21. upper button; 22. lower button; 51. opening; 52. elastic part; 53. light-emitting notch; 81. light guide plate; 82. light guide column; 83. limit block; 811. reflective part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0033] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0034] As shown in the figure, the utility model discloses an EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force, which includes a housing, a button that can be pressed relative to the housing, a micro switch arranged inside the housing, and a lever bracket that is linked with the button and is used to trigger the micro switch. By arranging the lever bracket inside the housing, the required stroke is shortened, and the operating force can also be reduced, meeting the needs of automobile companies for EPB switches with a small stroke and a small operating force.

[0035] The shell 1 has a built-in accommodating space, and a through hole connected to the accommodating space is provided on its upper side, and a printed circuit board 3 is provided in the accommodating space. The size of the through hole can be equal to or slightly smaller than the projected area of ​​the shell 1, or can be completely smaller than the projected area of ​​the shell 1, that is, the part occupying the projected area is sufficient for the keys to pass through.

[0036] The shell 1 includes an upper shell 11 and a base 12, which are locked together to form a complete shell, and a accommodating space is formed between the base and the upper shell for placing a printed circuit board 3. At the same time, a plurality of supporting members are provided on the upper surface of the base 12 for supporting the printed circuit board 3 placed in the accommodating space so that the printed circuit board 3 will not be shifted in position in the accommodating space, thereby affecting the stroke and operating force of the button touching the micro switch.

[0037] The button 2 is slidably disposed in the through hole and has a first axis A disposed along the pressing path. The first axis A is defined as the center axis of the contact position between the pressing portion of the button 2 and the lever bracket.

[0038] The button 2 includes an upper button 21 and a lower button 22 horizontally connected to the upper button 21. The upper button 21 is provided with a graphic, which is illuminated by light to serve as an indication. At the same time, the upper button 21 and the lower button 22 are fixed by snap-fitting, and a cavity is formed between the upper button 21 and the lower button 22 for installing the light guide 8.

[0039] The lower button 22 extends downward in the circumferential direction to form a side wall that is compatible with the shell. The side wall can slide relative to the sliding axis of the shell. At the same time, the length of the side wall limits the maximum pressing position, and a space for accommodating a printed circuit board is formed between the side walls. At the same time, a pressing portion for applying a downward pressure F to the lever bracket is formed at the bottom. When the button receives a downward pressing force, the pressing portion transmits it to the lever bracket, driving the lever bracket to rotate relative to the hinge point C, thereby triggering the micro switch, that is, the lower button 22 part can be slidably placed in the through hole, and can press the lever bracket 7 placed on its moving path during the movement.

[0040] The micro switch 4 is arranged on the printed circuit board 3. The micro switch 4 is fixed on the printed circuit board by welding. At the same time, the micro switch can also be a switch of other forms, such as a rocker switch, etc. It has a second axis B arranged along the action path. The second axis B is defined as the center axis of the action of the pressing part of the micro switch, and the second axis B is non-coaxially arranged with the first axis A, so that the micro switch deviates from the button setting, that is, when there is no lever bracket, the pressing part of the micro switch will not be driven by the button, so that when the button acts on the lever bracket, it acts on the micro switch through the lever bracket.

[0041] The lever bracket 7 is a flat plate structure with a groove on its upper side. The pressing part of the button is placed in the groove and acts on the flat plate structure to drive its movement. One end of the lever bracket is set as a hinge end, which is hinged to the shell 1. The lever bracket can rotate relatively with the hinge point C of the hinge as the center point, and the other end of the lever bracket is placed above the micro switch 4. Therefore, when the lever bracket is subjected to force, it moves downward relatively, thereby triggering the micro switch 4.

[0042] The EPB switch also includes:

[0043] The reset member is placed between the hinge point C and the micro switch 4 and is used to provide the reset force required for the lever bracket 7 to reset.

[0044] The reset member can be a torsion spring, a tension spring or a spring. In the present embodiment, an elastic part 52 with elasticity is directly formed on the waterproof rubber. The lever abuts against the elastic part and utilizes it to deform the elastic part so that the deformed rubber provides a reset force.

[0045] In order to maintain the reliability of the elasticity of the elastic part of the waterproof rubber, a push rod 6 is provided between the elastic part and the lever bracket 7. The lever bracket 7 is used to compress the elastic part through the push rod, so that the elastic part generates a force to reset the lever bracket.

[0046] In order to limit the moving direction of the push rod, a guide mechanism 111 for limiting the moving direction of the push rod 6 is provided in the housing 1, thereby ensuring that the push rod always moves up and down, and thus making the matching surface between the push rod and the elastic part always in surface contact.

[0047] The distance from the hinge point C to the reset member and the distance from the hinge point C to the micro switch 4 are adjustable. By adjusting the positions of the reset member and the micro switch 4, the required stroke and operating force are adjusted to meet the different requirements of different car companies for stroke and operating force.

[0048] A waterproof rubber 5 is provided on the upper side of the printed circuit board 3. An opening 51 is provided on the waterproof rubber for exposing the micro switch. The micro switch is arranged through the opening 51. A waterproof wall is provided around the opening. The waterproof rubber is preferably fitted with the micro switch to ensure that water does not enter the gap between the two. The waterproof rubber covers the entire printed circuit board 3. A light-emitting component is provided on the printed circuit board. In order to ensure the normal light output of the light-emitting component, a light-emitting notch 53 is provided on the waterproof rubber. The light-emitting component is placed at the light-emitting notch. In order to further ensure the waterproofness of the light-emitting notch, a waterproof wall is provided along its periphery to ensure that water does not enter the interior through the light-emitting notch 53 and cause damage to the printed circuit board 3.

[0049] The light guide 8 includes a light guide plate 81 arranged in a horizontal direction and a light guide column 82 formed by bending downwards any one side of the light guide plate 81 . The light guide column 82 is placed above the light emitting element of the printed circuit board.

[0050] The light-emitting element is arranged on one side of the micro switch, and the light-guiding body avoids the lever bracket by bending the light-guiding column 82, so as to ensure that the light output of the light-emitting element can be transmitted by the light-guiding body to the pattern to be illuminated.

[0051] The lower surface of the light guide plate is provided with a plurality of reflective portions 811 arranged in an array, and the lower surface of the light guide plate is gradually raised along the direction of light propagation to form an inclined surface, so that the reflective portions farther away from the light emitting direction of the light guide column can receive the light emitted by the light guide column and reflect it through the upper surface of the light guide plate as parallel light output, thereby realizing a uniform backlight design.

[0052] At the same time, the light guide plate extends outward in the circumferential direction to form a plurality of limit blocks 83, which are used for positioning the light guide plate when placed in the chamber to ensure that the position of the light guide plate does not change, thereby affecting the light guiding effect.

[0053] Due to its functional reliability requirements, the EPB switch needs to have two-way on-off to realize its function, and the two-way synchronization time difference is also required to be less than 50ms. At present, the industry mainly uses micro switch SPVQC10201, and the maximum stroke of micro switch SPVQC10201 is 2.6, while the customer requires a maximum stroke of 0.9±0.15. When using the micro switch SPVQC10201, it is also necessary to adjust the stroke and operating force through the lever structure.

[0054] The connection stroke of the micro switch SPVQC10201 is 2.6mm, while the stroke required by car manufacturers is 0.9±0.15mm. This micro switch cannot meet customer requirements. This application adds a lever bracket inside the switch, and the lever ratio is controlled between 1.8-2.3, so that the large-stroke micro switch can be converted into a 0.9mm micro-stroke switch. The operating force is designed to be 4N through the joint action of waterproof rubber and the micro switch.

[0055] Specific operating force and stroke realization principle:

[0056] Customer operating force requirements: 4N, connection stroke 0.7-0.9mm;

[0057] Micro switch operating force: 1N; switch-on stroke 2.1-2.6mm; waterproof rubber operating force: 1N;

[0058] Micro switch force 1N (amplified 3 times by lever) = 3N + rubber operating force 1N (without lever) = 4N (meet customer requirements);

[0059] The switch is pressed down 0.7-0.9mm (magnified 3 times by the lever) to reach 2.1-2.7mm (meeting the conduction stroke requirement of the micro switch).

[0060] Therefore, it is feasible to use a lever to reduce the stroke and operating force of the same type of micro switch.

[0061] The embodiments should not be regarded as limiting the present invention, but any improvements based on the spirit of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force, characterized in that: It includes: A housing (1) having a built-in accommodating space, a through hole communicating with the accommodating space being provided on its upper side, and a printed circuit board (3) being provided in the accommodating space; A button (2) is slidably disposed in the through hole and has a first axis (A) disposed along a pressing path; A micro switch (4) is arranged on the printed circuit board (3), and has a second axis (B) arranged along the action path, and the second axis (B) is arranged non-coaxially with the first axis (A); A lever bracket (7) has one end hingedly connected to the housing (1) and the other end disposed above the micro switch (4), and can be driven by the button (2) to trigger the micro switch (4).

2. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes: The reset member is disposed between the hinge point (C) and the micro switch (4) and is used to provide the reset force required for resetting the lever bracket (7).

3. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distance between the hinge point (C) and the reset element and the distance between the hinge point (C) and the micro switch (4) are adjustable.

4. An EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A push rod (6) is provided between the reset member and the lever bracket (7).

5. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 4, characterized in that: A guide mechanism (111) for limiting the moving direction of the push rod (6) is provided in the housing (1).

6. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 1, characterized in that: A waterproof rubber (5) is provided on the upper side of the printed circuit board (3), and an opening (51) is provided on the waterproof rubber for exposing the micro switch.

7. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 1, characterized in that: The button (2) comprises an upper button (21) and a lower button (22) connected to the upper button (21) in a horizontal direction.

8. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 7, characterized in that: A cavity in which the light guide (8) can be installed is formed between the upper button (21) and the lower button (22).

9. The EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 8, characterized in that: The light guide (8) comprises a light guide plate (81) arranged in a horizontal direction and a light guide column (82) formed by bending downwards on any one side of the light guide plate (81); the light guide column (82) is placed above the light-emitting component of the printed circuit board.

10. An EPB switch with a small working stroke and a small operating force according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that: The lower button (22) portion can be slidably disposed in the through hole, and can press the lever bracket (7) disposed on its moving path during the movement.

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