SWITCH WITH REVERSIBLE LEVER AND LARGE SHIFT PATH

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch, in particular as a steering column switch for arrangement on a steering column of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle having the above switch.

[0003] Steering column switches are switches equipped with a shift lever that are mounted on the steering column of a vehicle between the dashboard and the steering wheel. In modern vehicles, steering column switches can be directly connected to a control unit on the steering column, which can immediately convert various states on the shift lever into corresponding switching signals. The switching signals can be transmitted via a vehicle bus, for example. Common bus systems include CAN, LIN, or Flexray.

[0004] Basic applications for steering column switches are direction indicators, also known as turn signals, vehicle lighting including low beam, high beam and possibly headlight flasher, as well as windshield wiper and washer controls.

[0005] In addition, steering column switches are known as control elements for automatic cruise control, also known as cruise control, or the remote control of car radios.

[0006] With each gearshift lever, several functions can be realized, which can be triggered by tangential movement with a detent or tip function, such as with the direction indicator, by pulling against a resistance for the headlight flasher or by pressing with a detent for the high beam.

[0007] In principle, such switches with magnetic actuation are also known. A switching element is attached to the inside of the switching lever, extending radially from the switching lever, and a magnetic signaling element is attached to its tip. The position of the signaling element is detected by a magnetic sensor. A disadvantage of these switches, however, is that distinguishing between different switch positions is directly dependent on the movement of the switching element, whose movement, in turn, is directly dependent on the movement of the switching lever. Therefore, a long switching element is required to reliably distinguish between switch positions, which in turn requires a large amount of installation space.

[0008] In this context, a switch device is known from DE 199 22 500 A1, in particular for motor vehicles, in which an actuation of the actuating element is detected without contact and the switch device is designed as a module.

[0009] Furthermore, from DE 10 2005 018 289 A1 a switch is known, in particular a steering column switch for arrangement on a steering column of a vehicle, with an actuatable gearshift lever, with a switching element which is coupled in movement to the gearshift lever, wherein one switching element is pivotable about at least two axes arranged transversely to one another and has differently polarized magnet sections in the region of its surface, and with an electronic unit having magnetic field sensors, wherein the respective switching position of one switching element can be detected via the magnetic field sensors and a corresponding switching process can be initiated and wherein a wall is arranged between the one switching element and the magnetic field sensors, which wall is penetrated by the magnetic field emanating from the switching element.

[0010] Further steering column switches are known from JP 2017 016920 A and JP 2015 176652 A. Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a switch of the above-mentioned type and a vehicle with such a switch, which enable easy differentiation between different switch positions and require only little installation space.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0012] According to the invention, a switch is thus specified, in particular as a steering column switch for arrangement on a steering column of a vehicle, with an actuatable shift lever which has a bearing element along its longitudinal axis, with which the shift lever is movably mounted in a bearing of a base housing, a switching element which is movement-coupled to the shift lever and which is designed with a contactless signaling element, wherein the shift lever can be actuated on a first side of the bearing element, the switching element is arranged on a second side of the bearing element, the switching element is designed as a deflection lever with a first and a second lever arm, the deflection lever is rotatably held on the base housing in a deflection bearing in the connecting region of the first and second lever arms, the signaling element is arranged on the first lever arm, and the second lever arm is coupled to the shift lever.

[0013] According to the invention, a vehicle with a switch as above is also provided.

[0014] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to decouple the movement of the switching lever from the movement of the signaling element by designing the switching element as a bell crank. This allows the switch to be designed with a small installation space, since the movement of the signaling element can be carried out as desired thanks to the design of the bell crank.

[0015] The shift lever can be designed as a simple, straight lever. However, it is also possible for the shift lever to have any other shape. Sections of the shift lever on the first and second sides can also be arranged not in a line, but with an angular offset in essentially any direction.

[0016] The bearing element is designed depending on the degrees of freedom of movement of the gearshift lever, for example for movable mounting around one or two axes of the gearshift lever.

[0017] The coupling of the switching element to the switching lever is designed in such a way that a movement of the switching lever on its second side causes a movement of the reversing lever, with the resulting movement of the signaling element.

[0018] The base housing can also house the bearing element. The base housing provides a structure to which the switch components can be permanently attached.

[0019] The switching element can be designed with the first and a second lever arm in such a way that the first and second lever arms can, in principle, be at any angle to each other. Preferably, the first and second lever arms are arranged such that they enclose an angle of approximately 90° between them.

[0020] According to the invention, the shift lever can be pivoted about an axis, and the reversing lever converts the movement of the shift lever along one axis into a corresponding movement of the shifting element along another axis. Thus, both the bearing element and the reversing bearing can be designed simply, since they each only need to support a simple pivoting movement.

[0021] According to the invention, the switching lever can be pivoted about two axes arranged transversely to each other, and the reversing lever converts the movement of the switching lever along the two axes into a movement of the switching element along two axes. This enables the implementation of multiple switching functions with a single switch. Alternatively, a two-dimensional switching function can be implemented with the switch.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second lever arm is shorter than the first lever arm. Due to the shorter length of the second lever arm, a generally smaller movement of the shift lever can be converted into a larger movement of the signaling element, thereby increasing the shifting travel. This allows different positions of the shift lever to be easily detected using conventional sensors. The length of each lever arm refers to an effective lever length, i.e., a length from the deflection bearing to the signaling element or to a position of the coupling with the shift lever.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second lever arm has a longitudinal guide, with which the second lever arm is coupled to the shift lever so that it can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the shift lever. The longitudinal guide allows for good mobility of the shifting element, which is particularly advantageous for movement around multiple axes. A movable coupling is formed between the second lever arm and the shift lever.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching element and the bearing element are arranged on the switching lever axially offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the switching lever. The arrangement of the switching element on the switching lever is thus separate from the bearing in the bearing element. This allows the movement of the switching element and in particular of the signaling element to be freely designed. In particular, due to different lever lengths of the switching lever, deflections of the switching lever can be amplified by the signaling element in order to improve the resolution of the switch or to be able to precisely define the response of the switch. The movement of the signaling element can be freely designed, in particular by combining it with the switching element designed as a deflection lever.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switching element is designed and arranged such that the second lever arm extends substantially in the direction of the bearing element and is coupled to the switching lever between the bearing element and the deflection bearing. As a result, even a small absolute movement of the switching lever can be converted into a corresponding, large movement of the signaling element. The switching lever can be designed with a small extension in the longitudinal direction, whereby the switch can have a small overall size. In an alternative embodiment, the switching element can be designed and arranged such that the second lever arm extends substantially in the direction away from the bearing element. Accordingly, the second lever arm is coupled to the switching lever, starting from the deflection bearing on the side of the switching lever opposite the bearing element.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the signaling element is a magnetic signaling element, and the switch has a magnetic sensor to detect the movement of the signaling element. The magnetic sensor is designed to match the mobility of the signaling element. The magnetic sensor is preferably mounted on the housing.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the magnetic sensor is a 3D magnetic sensor or a magnetic sensor array. This is advantageous for reliably detecting a movement of the gearshift lever around more than one axis through the corresponding movement of the signaling element.

[0028] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the attached drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination.

[0029] It shows Fig. 1 a side view of a switch designed as a steering column switch, with a switching lever, a housing, a switching element with a contactless signaling element and a magnetic sensor arranged on a circuit board according to a first preferred embodiment, Fig. 2 a plan view of the switch from Fig. 1 in partially transparent representation, Fig. 3 the side view from Fig. 1 in a partially transparent representation with a fully visible switching element and its coupling to the switching lever, and Fig. 4 a side view of a switch according to a second embodiment in a partially transparent representation with a fully visible switching element and its coupling to the switching lever, wherein the switching element is arranged rotated in the axial direction of the switching lever.

[0030] The Figures 1 to 3show a switch 10 designed as a steering column switch according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The switch 10 is designed for placement on a steering column (not shown) of a vehicle (also not shown).

[0031] The switch 10 comprises an actuatable switching lever 12, which has a bearing element 16 along its longitudinal axis 14, by means of which the switching lever 12 is movably mounted in a bearing of a base housing 18. The bearing element 16 is held in the base housing 18.

[0032] The shift lever 12 is designed with an angular offset on its first and second sides 34, 36. The first side 34, as viewed from the bearing element 16, relates to the side of the shift lever 12 on which the shift lever 12 can be actuated. The second side 36 relates to the correspondingly other side of the shift lever 12. The shift lever 12 is pivotable about two axes 50, 52 arranged transversely to one another. Accordingly, the bearing element 16 is designed in accordance with the degrees of freedom of movement of the shift lever 12 for the movable mounting of the shift lever 12 about the two axes 50, 52.

[0033] In addition, the switch 10 comprises a switching element 30, which is designed as a deflection lever with a first and a second lever arm 40, 42. The switching element 30 is arranged on the second side 36 of the switching lever 12. The switching element 30 is arranged axially offset from the bearing element 16 on the switching lever 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the switching lever 12, whereby the arrangement of the switching element 30 on the switching lever 12 is separated from the bearing in the bearing element 16. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the deflection bearing (46) of the switching element (30) and the bearing (20) of the bearing element (16) are arranged axially offset from one another on the switching lever (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the switching lever (12).

[0034] The switching element 30 is designed such that the first and second lever arms 40, 42 form an angle of approximately 90° between them. A contactless signaling element 32 is arranged at a tip of the first lever arm 40, and the second lever arm 42 is coupled for movement to the switching lever 12. The coupling of the switching element 30 to the switching lever 12 is designed such that a movement of the switching lever 12 on its second side 36 causes a movement of the switching element 30, with a resulting movement of the signaling element 32.

[0035] The switching element 30 is rotatably mounted on the base housing 18 in a deflection bearing 46 in the connecting region 44 of the first and second lever arms 40, 42. The switching element 30 converts the movement of the switching lever 12 in the two axes 50, 52 into a movement of the signaling element 32 in two axes 50, 52.

[0036] The signaling element 32 is a magnetic signaling element. Accordingly, the switch 10 includes a magnetic sensor 60 to detect the movement of the signaling element 32. The magnetic sensor 60 is designed as a 3D magnetic sensor or magnetic sensor array and is mounted on the base housing 18.

[0037] As can be seen from Fig. 3 The second lever arm 42 has a longitudinal guide 48, with which the second lever arm 42 is slidably coupled to the shift lever 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14. A coupling element 39 is formed on the second side 36 of the shift lever 12, which coupling element is guided in the longitudinal guide 48 in order to couple the second lever arm 42 to the second side 36 of the shift lever 12 via the longitudinal guide 48 and the coupling element 39.

[0038] The switching element 30 is designed and arranged such that its second lever arm 42 extends substantially in the direction of the bearing element 16. The switching element 30 is accordingly coupled to the switching lever 12 at the second lever arm 42 between the bearing element 16 and the deflection bearing 46.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a switch 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The switch 10 of the second embodiment is substantially identical to the switch 10 of the first embodiment. Accordingly, only differences between the switch 10 of the second embodiment and the switch 10 of the first embodiment will be described in detail. Details not described may be implemented as described with reference to the first embodiment.

[0040] According to the second embodiment, the switching element 30 is designed and arranged such that its second lever arm 42 extends substantially in the direction away from the bearing element 16. The switching element 30 is accordingly coupled to the second lever arm 42 of the switching lever 12 on the side opposite the bearing element 16, as viewed from the deflection bearing 46. List of reference symbols

[0041] Switch 10 gearshift lever 12 Longitudinal axis 14 Bearing element 16 Basic housing 18 warehouse 20 Switching element, reversing lever 30 Signaling element 32 first page 34 second page 36 coupling element 39 first lever arm 40 second lever arm 42 Connection area 44 Deflection bearing 46 Longitudinal guide 48 first axis 50 second axis 52 magnetic sensor 60 circuit board 62

Claims

1. Switch (10) for a vehicle, in particular as a steering column switch for arrangement on a steering column of a vehicle, with an actuable switch lever (12) which has along its longitudinal axis (14) a bearing element (16) with which the switch lever (12) is mounted movably in a bearing (20) of a base housing (18), a switching element (30) which is movement-coupled to the switch lever (12) and which is embodied with a contactfree signalling element (32), wherein the switch lever (12) can be actuated on a first side (34) of the bearing element (16), and the switching element (30) is arranged on a second side (36) of the bearing element (16), wherein the switching element (30) is embodied as a reversing lever with a first and a second lever arm (40, 42), the reversing lever (30) is retained in the connection region (44) of the first and second lever arm (40, 42) in a reversing bearing (46) rotatably on the base housing (18), the signalling element (32) is arranged on the first lever arm (40), and the second lever arm (42) is coupled to the switch lever (12), and wherein the switch lever (12) is pivotable about an axis (50), and the reversing lever converts the movement of the switch lever (12) about the one axis (50) into a corresponding movement of the signalling element (32) about the one axis (50), characterized in that the switch lever (12) is pivotable about a second axis (52) arranged transversely to the axis (50), and the reversing lever converts the movement of the switch lever (12) about the two axes (50, 52) into a corresponding movement of the signalling element (32) about the two axes (50, 52).

2. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second lever arm (42) has a smaller length than the first lever arm (40).

3. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second lever arm (42) has a longitudinal guide (48) with which the second lever arm (42) is coupled to the switch lever (12) displaceably in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the switch lever (12).

4. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (30) and the bearing element (16) are arranged on the switch lever (12) axially offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the switch lever (12).

5. Switch (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the reversing bearing (46) of the switching element (30) and the bearing (20) of the bearing element (16) are arranged on the switch lever (12) axially offset to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14) of the switch lever (12).

6. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (30) is embodied and arranged in such a manner that the second lever arm (42) extends substantially in the direction of the bearing element (16) and is coupled to the switch lever (12) between the bearing element (16) and the reversing bearing (46).

7. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signalling element (32) is a magnetic signalling element (32), and the switch (10) has a magnetic sensor (60) in order to detect the movement of the signalling element (32).

8. Switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic sensor (60) is a 3D magnetic sensor or a magnetic sensor field.

9. Vehicle with a switch (10) according to any of the preceding claims.