Slide switch, and operation lever device comprising same

Abstract

This slide switch includes a housing, a slide member, and a sensor mechanism. The sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on a rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in the magnetic field of the magnet. The slide member includes: an attachment hole formed about the rotation axis and including a closed bottom; and a lid member that closes the opening of the attachment hole. The attachment hole includes, at the bottom end, a housing portion in which the magnet is housed and, at the opening end, a fitting portion on which the lid member fits.. The magnet disposed in the housing portion projects into the fitting portion in an axial direction in which the rotation axis extends. The lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to the amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a slide switch including a slide member rotatably supported on a housing, and an operation lever device including the slide switch.Background Art

[0002] In operation levers for construction equipment and other various devices, a slide switch is used. As an example of the slide switch, the rotary control device disclosed in Patent Literature (PTL) 1 is known, for example. In the rotary control device disclosed in PTL 1, a movable actuation portion is configured to be rotatable (in other words, slidable) about an axis. Furthermore, in the rotary control device, when the movable actuation portion rotates through at least a predetermined angle in each of a first direction and a second direction, a signal is output.Citation List Patent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication (Japanese Translation of PCT Publication) No. 2008-529144Summary of Invention Technical Problem

[0004] In a slide switch such as the rotary control device disclosed in PTL 1, it is considered desirable that a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the movable actuation portion be output. Using a magnet-based sensor mechanism for the slide switch is an option that enables the output of the signal corresponding to the amount of rotation. When the magnet-based sensor mechanism is used, a magnet is disposed on a slide member equivalent to the movable actuation portion, for example. A sensor detects a change in the magnetic field of the magnet that has occurred during rotation of the slide member and as a result, a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation is output. In such a slide switch, an attachment hole is formed about a rotation axis in the slide member. The magnet is embedded in the attachment hole during assembling. The attachment hole is filled with a filler such as an adhesive or resin material when the magnet is embedded, and thus the magnet is fixed to the attachment hole.

[0005] During assembling such a slide switch, the following issues may occur. Specifically, there are instances where embedding the magnet in the attachment hole is inadvertently missed, for example. Furthermore, although the magnet needs to assume a predetermined posture when being embedded in and fixed to the attachment hole, there are cases where the magnet assumes an incorrect posture (for example, is tilted) due to process errors or the like when being embedded in the attachment hole. The missed embedding and embedding with an incorrect posture are difficult to find unless all the assembled products undergo an output signal inspection or the like. Therefore, it is desirable that the missed embedding and embedding with an incorrect posture can be easily found. Furthermore, when the magnet-based sensor mechanism is used, the position of each of the magnet and the sensor has an impact on the accuracy of detection results. Therefore, the sensor needs to be accurately positioned at a desired point with respect to the magnet.

[0006] Thus, an object of the first disclosure is to provide a slide switch in which missed embedding of a magnet and embedding a magnet with an incorrect posture can be easily found, and an operation lever device including the slide switch.

[0007] Furthermore, an object of the second disclosure is to provide a slide switch in which a sensor is accurately positioned at a desired point with respect to a magnet, and an operation lever device including the slide switch.Solution to Problem

[0008] A slide switch according to the first disclosure includes: a housing; a slide member disposed inside the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member. The sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet. The slide member includes: an attachment hole formed about the rotation axis and including a closed bottom; and a lid member that closes an opening of the attachment hole. The attachment hole includes, at a bottom end, a housing portion in which the magnet is housed and, at an opening end, a fitting portion on which the lid member fits. The magnet disposed in the housing portion projects into the fitting portion in an axial direction in which the rotation axis extends. The lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to an amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction.

[0009] According to the first disclosure, the lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to the amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to check the magnet housing condition according to the lid member fitting condition in the attachment hole. For example, when the lid member housed in the attachment hole projects through the opening of the attachment hole, it can be found that the magnet housed in the housing portion assumes an incorrect posture. In contrast, when the lid member inserted in the attachment hole is recessed relative to the opening of the attachment hole, it can be found that the magnet has been inadvertently not placed in the housing portion.

[0010] A slide switch according to the second disclosure includes: a housing; a slide member supported on the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member. The sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet. The housing includes a sensor housing portion that is open on one side in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction and extends on the other side in the first direction and in which the sensor is inserted. The sensor housing portion includes, on the other side in the first direction, a positioning portion that projects in the axial direction. The sensor includes a detection portion that detects the change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction.

[0011] According to the second disclosure, the sensor includes a detection portion that detects a change in the magnetic field and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor, particularly, the detection portion, in the first direction in the housing.

[0012] An operation lever device according to the present disclosure includes: an operation lever extending in a predetermined direction and pivotally supported at an end on one side in the predetermined direction; and the slide switch according to any one of the first to eighth disclosures. The slide switch is disposed in an area on the operation lever that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, the operation lever device includes the above-described slide switch disposed in an area on the operation lever that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction. Therefore, the operation lever device including the above-described functions can be realized.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0014] In the slide switch according to the first disclosure, missed embedding of a magnet and embedding a magnet with an incorrect posture can be easily found.

[0015] In the slide switch according to the second disclosure, the sensor is accurately positioned at a desired point with respect to the magnet.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, the operation lever device including the above-described functions can be realized.

[0017] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be made clear by the following detailed explanation of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an operation lever device including a slide switch according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the slide switch of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the slide switch of Fig. 2 taken along virtual plane X. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the slide switch of Fig. 3 taken along cut plane IV-IV. Fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating a second housing part in the slide switch of Fig. 3 taken along cut line V-V. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the slide switch of Fig. 3 viewed from one side in a first direction. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a slide member in a disassembled state. Description of Embodiments

[0019] Hereinafter, a slide switch 1 and an operation lever device 2 including the slide switch 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the aforementioned drawings. Note that the concept of directions mentioned in the following description is used for the sake of explanation; the orientations, etc., of elements according to the present disclosure are not limited to these directions. The slide switch 1 and the operation lever device 2 described below are merely one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and may be subject to addition, deletion, and alteration within the scope of the essence of the present disclosure.<Operation Lever Device>

[0020] The operation lever device 2 illustrated in Fig. 1 is provided, for example, in work vehicles including construction vehicles such as excavators and cranes and industrial vehicles such as forklifts. The operation lever device 2 is provided on the driver seat or the like of a work vehicle. More specifically, the operation lever device 2 is pivotally supported on a base included in a cabin and not illustrated in the drawings. An operator of the work vehicle, such as a driver, can operate various elements of the work vehicle by griping and moving the operation lever device 2. The operation lever device 2 includes an operation lever 5, a plurality of switches 6 to 9, and the slide switch 1.

[0021] The operation lever 5, which is a hollow rod-shaped member extending in a predetermined direction, is designed to be grippable. Furthermore, the operation lever 5 is pivotally supported at a portion on one side in the predetermined direction (one end in the predetermined direction in the present embodiment) on the base not illustrated in the drawings. The operation lever 5 is operated to tilt in various directions (for example, all directions including the front-back or depth direction and the left-right or horizontal direction).

[0022] The plurality of switches 6 to 9 are arranged in an area on the operation lever 5 that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, four switches 6 to 9 are arranged on a portion of the operation lever 5 that is located at the other end in the predetermined direction. The four switches 6 to 9 are, for example, button switches, and are arranged in two columns on the portion of the operation lever 5 that is located at the other end in the predetermined direction. When pressed (in other words, operated), each of the four switches 6 to 9 outputs a signal.<Slide Switch>

[0023] The slide switch 1 is also disposed in the area on the operation lever 5 that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the slide switch 1 is disposed on one side of the four switches 6 to 9 in the direction of the columns thereof. The slide switch 1, which is a magnetic switch, is configured as follows.

[0024] Specifically, the slide switch 1 is configured to be slidable (refer to the arrow A), as illustrated in Fig. 2. When the slide switch 1 is operated to be slid, the slide switch 1 outputs a signal. The slide switch 1 includes a slide switch mechanism 11 and a sensor mechanism 12, as illustrated in Fig. 3.<Slide Switch Mechanism>

[0025] The slide switch mechanism 11 is configured to be slidable (refer to the arrow A), as illustrated in Fig. 2. The slide switch mechanism 11 includes a housing 15, a slide member 16, and a spring member 17, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0026] The housing body 15 is made from a synthetic resin and formed to be hollow. The housing 15 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box having a height in a first direction, for example. In the housing 15, the sensor mechanism 12, the slide member 16, and the spring member 17 are housed. Furthermore, the housing 15 includes a first housing part 18 and a second housing part 19. The second housing part 19 constitutes a part of the housing 15 that is located on the one side in the first direction. The first housing part 18 constitutes a part of the housing 15 that is located on the one side in the first direction. The housing 15 is separable in the first direction into the first housing part 18 and the second housing part 19. Furthermore, each of the first housing part 18 and the second housing part 19 is configured as follows.

[0027] The first housing part 18 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box. The first housing part 18 is open on the one side in the first direction. A ceiling portion 18a of the first housing part 18 that is located on the other side in the first direction is curved in the form of a projection. The first housing part 18 includes an opening portion 21, a first shaft support portion 22, and an inner cover portion 23. The opening portion 21 is formed in the ceiling portion 18a. In the ceiling portion 18a, the opening portion 21 extends in the longitudinal direction (or the circumferential direction centered on rotation axis L1, which will be described in detail later). In the present embodiment, the opening portion 21 is formed in the shape of a rectangle, for example, in plan view seen from the one side in the first direction (refer to Fig. 2).

[0028] The first shaft support portion 22 is formed in association with a second shaft support portion 26 to be described later and constitutes a shaft support 24 together with the second shaft support portion 26. The first shaft support 22 is formed in the shape of a semicircle around rotation axis L1. The rotation axis L1 is an axis passing through the housing 15 (the first housing part 18 in the present embodiment). More specifically, the rotation axis L1 is an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis L1 passes through the center of the housing 15 and extends in the transverse direction. The first shaft support portion 22 will be described in more detail; the first housing part 18 includes two first shaft support portions 22. The two first shaft support portions 22 are arranged spaced apart from each other in an axial direction (that is, the transverse direction) in which the rotation axis L1 extends.

[0029] The inner cover portion 23 is formed inside the first housing part 18 to face the ceiling portion 18a. More specifically, the inner cover portion 23 is disposed facing the opening portion 21. The inner cover portion 23 is formed in the shape of a semicircle centered on the rotation axis L1. The inner cover portion 23 covers the first shaft support portion 22 from the other side in the first direction.

[0030] The inner cover portion 23 formed as just described forms a slide space 25 inside the first housing part 18. The slide space 25, which is a space formed between the ceiling portion 18a and the inner cover portion 23, is formed in the shape of a semicircle centered on the rotation axis L1. At least part of the slide space 25 (part of the slide space 25 that is located in the middle thereof in the circumferential direction in the present embodiment) faces the outside through the opening portion 21.

[0031] The second housing part 19 includes a second shaft support portion 26 and a sensor housing portion 27, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The second shaft support portion 26 is formed in association with the first shaft support portion 22. Specifically, the second housing part 19 includes two second shaft support portions 26. The two second shaft support portions 26 constitute the two shaft supports 24 together with the corresponding first shaft support portions 22. A shaft part 31 to be described in detail later is inserted through each of the two shaft supports 24. The two shaft supports 24 support axially opposite end portions of the shaft part 31 so that the shaft part 31 can rotate about the rotation axis L1.

[0032] The sensor housing portion 27 is a hole with a closed bottom. In the sensor housing portion 27, a sensor 42 to be described in detail later is housed, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The sensor housing portion 27 is formed on an end surface of the second housing part 19 that is located on the one side in the first direction, namely, a first direction one end surface 19a, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Note that in Fig. 6, the first direction one end surface 19a is shown by hatching for the sake of explanation. The sensor housing portion 27 is open on the one side in the first direction and extends in the first direction, as illustrated in Fig. 5. More specifically, the sensor housing portion 27 includes an opening 27a in the first direction one end surface 19a of the second housing part 19 and extends on the other side in the first direction from the opening 27a. The sensor housing portion 27 is formed on one side of the shaft support 24 in the axial direction so as to be adjacent thereto in the second housing part 19. Furthermore, the sensor housing portion 27 includes a positioning portion 27b on the other side in the first direction. The positioning portion 27b projects in the axial direction in the sensor housing portion 27. In the present embodiment, the positioning portion 27b projects on the one side in the axial direction from an area on the shaft support 24 side in the sensor housing portion 27.

[0033] The sensor housing portion 27 is formed to be wide in a second direction that is the longitudinal direction in a bottom view seen from the one side in the first direction, as illustrated in Fig. 6. In the present embodiment, the sensor housing portion 27 is formed in the shape of a strip that is wide in the second direction. More specifically, the sensor housing portion 27 includes fitting groove portions 27c on respective second direction opposite side surface portions that are opposite to each other in the second direction. The fitting groove portions 27c are recessed in the second direction. The fitting groove portions 27c extend on the other side in the first direction from the opening 27a of the sensor housing portion 27.<Slide Member>

[0034] The slide member 16 is a member made from a synthetic resin. The slide member 16 is disposed inside the housing body 15 to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1. A thumb or other fingers can be pressed against the slide member 16. By pushing and pulling (in other words, sliding) the slide member 16 with a finger, the sliding member 16 rotates (in other words, slides) about the rotation axis L1. The slide member 16 includes the shaft part 31, a slide body 32, an operation portion 33, an attachment hole 35, and a lid member 36, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0035] The shaft part 31 is supported on the shaft support 24 to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1, as illustrated in Fig. 3. More specifically, a bearing 37 fits on each of the axially opposite ends of the shaft part 31. The axially opposite ends of the shaft part 31 are supported on the respective shaft supports 24 via the bearings 37. Therefore, the shaft part 31 can rotate about the rotation axis L1. The shaft part 31 rotates about the rotation axis L1 in conjunction with the slide body 32 as will be described in detail later.

[0036] The slide body 32 is provided inside the housing 15 to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The slide body 32 is operated to rotate about the rotation axis L1. More specifically, the slide body 32 is formed in the shape of an arc centered on the rotation axis L1. The slide body 32 is housed in the slide space 25 to be rotatable about the rotation axis L1. The slide body 32 is inserted into the slide space 25 in such a manner that a portion of the slide body 32 projects through the opening portion 21 in the present embodiment. The slide body 32 is coupled to the shaft part 31 via a coupling portion 34. In the present embodiment, the coupling portion 34 extends radially outward from the shaft part 31 to the slide body 32, for example. In the inner cover portion 23, an insertion groove 23a is formed at a position corresponding to the coupling portion 34. The insertion groove 23a extends in the circumferential direction from one circumferential end to the other circumferential end of the inner cover portion 23, for example. The coupling portion 34 is inserted through the insertion groove 23a and can move in the circumferential direction in the insertion groove 23a. This allows the shaft part 31 to move in conjunction with the slide body 32 via the coupling portion 34.

[0037] The operation portion 33 is used to operate the slide member 16. The operation portion 33 is provided on the slide body 32. More specifically, the operation portion 33 projects radially outward from a portion of the slide body 32 that is located in the middle thereof in the circumferential direction. The operation portion 33 projects on the other side in the first direction from the opening portion 21. Therefore, a thumb or other fingers can be pressed against the operation portion 33. With the pressed finger being pushed and pulled, the operation portion 33 can cause the slide body 32 to rotate about the rotation axis L1.

[0038] The attachment hole 35 is a hole with a closed bottom formed about the rotation axis L1. More specifically, the attachment hole 35 is formed about the rotation axis L1 in the shaft part 31. The attachment hole 35 is formed having a rectangular cross-section in the present embodiment. The attachment hole 35 includes a housing portion 35a and a fitting portion 35b, as illustrated in the enlarged view in Fig. 7. The housing portion 35a is formed in an area at the bottom of the attachment hole 35.

[0039] In the housing portion 35a, a magnet 41 of the sensor mechanism 12 to be described in detail later is housed (refer to Fig. 3). Meanwhile, the housing portion 35a is formed to be shorter in the axial direction than the magnet 41. In other words, the magnet 41 projects from the housing portion 35a into the fitting portion 35b by a predetermined projection amount α. The housing portion 35a includes a plurality of crush ribs 35c such as those illustrated in the enlarged view in Fig. 7. Each of the crush ribs 35c is formed on a different one of the inner peripheral surfaces of the housing portion 35a. In the present embodiment, the housing portion 35a is formed having a rectangular cross-section, and each of the crush ribs 35c is formed in a different one of the four surrounding surfaces. The fitting portion 35b is formed on the side of an opening 35d of the attachment hole 35. The lid member 36 to be described in detail later fits in the fitting portion 35b, as illustrated in Fig. 3. More specifically, the peripheral edge of the fitting portion 35b is shaped to be larger than the peripheral edge of the housing portion 35a.

[0040] The lid member 36 closes the opening 35d of the attachment hole 35, as illustrated in Fig. 3. More specifically, the lid member 36 fits in the fitting portion 35b of the attachment hole 35. In the present embodiment, the lid member 36 is an expandable press-fit pin. Specifically, the lid member 36 is inserted into the fitting portion 35b of the attachment hole 35 and then is expanded to fit to the fitting portion 35b. This allows the lid member 36 to keep the magnet 41 housed in the housing portion 35a from being detached from the slide member 16. The lid member 36 is formed to be shorter in the axial direction than the fitting portion 35b. In other words, the axial length of the lid member 36 is smaller than the depth of the fitting portion 35b. More specifically, the lid member 36 is formed to be shorter in the axial direction than the fitting portion 35b by a length corresponding to the projection amount α. Therefore, when the magnet 41 is housed in the housing portion 35a, the lid member 36 is flush with the opening end surface of the shaft part 31. In contrast, when the magnet 41 is not housed in the housing portion 35a, the lid member 36 disposed in the fitting portion 35b is recessed relative to the opening end surface of the shaft part 31.<Spring Member>

[0041] The spring member 17 illustrated in Fig. 4 biases, to the one side or the other side in the circumferential direction, the slide member 16 that rotates from a predetermined neutral position. Thus, the slide member 16 is brought back to the neutral position by the spring member 17. The neutral position is the position of the slide member 16 at which the operation portion 33 assumes a predetermined posture. In the present embodiment, the neutral position represents the state where the operation portion 33 is upright on the other side in the first direction. Note that the neutral position is not limited to representing the state where the operation portion 33 assumes the aforementioned posture and may represent the state where the operation portion 33 is tilted. Furthermore, the neutral position is not limited to representing the posture of the operation portion 33 and may be defined by the circumferential position of the operation portion 33. The spring member 17 is, for example, a torsion coil spring, and the coil 17a is provided on the exterior of the shaft part 31. Furthermore, the spring member 17 includes one arm 17b fixed to the second housing part 19 and the other arm 17b that moves in conjunction with the rotation of the slide member 16. Thus, the spring member 17 biases the slide member 16 to bring the slide member 16 back to the neutral position.<Sensor Mechanism>

[0042] The sensor mechanism 12 illustrated in Fig. 3 detects an amount of operation, that is, an amount of rotation (for example, an angle from the neutral position) of the slide member 16. More specifically, the sensor mechanism 12 detects an amount of rotation of the shaft part 31. Subsequently, the sensor mechanism 12 outputs a signal corresponding to the detected amount of rotation. The sensor mechanism 12 is a magnet-based rotation angle sensor in the present embodiment. The sensor mechanism 12 includes the magnet 41 and the sensor 42.

[0043] The magnet 41 is provided on the rotation axis L1 in the slide member 16. More specifically, the magnet 41 is housed in the housing portion 35a of the attachment hole 35. In other words, the magnet 41 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the cross-sectional shape of the housing portion 35a in the present embodiment. The magnet 41 crushes (in other words, causes plastic deformation of) the crush ribs 35c when housed in the housing portion 35a. As a result, the magnet 41 fits in the housing portion 35a. Note that the magnet 41 and the housing portion 35a are formed each having a rectangular cross-section. Therefore, in the process of housing, the magnet 41 the longitudinal and transverse directions of which differ from those of the housing portion 35a will fail to be housed in the housing portions 35a. The magnet 41 is formed to be longer in the axial direction than the housing portion 35a. Therefore, the magnet 41 projects from the housing portion 35a into the fitting portion 35b by the projection amount α.

[0044] The sensor 42 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation (that is, the amount of angular displacement) of the slide member 16 on the basis of a change in the magnetic field of the magnet 41 that has occurred during rotation of the slide member 16. The sensor 42 is provided on the rotation axis L1 in the housing 15. More specifically, the sensor 42 is housed in the sensor housing portion 27 of the second housing part 19. The sensor 42 includes a detection portion 42a and a substrate 42b.

[0045] The detection portion 42a detects an amount of rotation of the slide member 16 on the basis of a change in the magnetic field of the magnet 41 that has occurred during the rotation of the slide member 16. The detection portion 42a is what is called a Hall element. Note that the detection portion 42a is not limited to the Hall element. The detection portion 42a is brought into contact with the positioning portion 27b in the state where the sensor 42 is housed in the sensor housing portion 27. More specifically, the detection portion 42a is brought into contact with the positioning portion 27b when the sensor 42 is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27. As a result, the sensor 42 is positioned in the first direction. The detection portion 42a configured as just described is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, for example.

[0046] The substrate 42b outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation detected by the detection portion 42a. The substrate 42b is a generally rectangular board. The substrate 42b is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 to the other side in the first direction through the opening 27a by fitting outer edge portions of the substrate 42b that are located at the opposite ends in the width direction (namely, second direction opposite end portions) in the respective fitting groove portions 27c, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The detection portion 42a is provided in an area of a principal surface 42c of the substrate 42b that is located on the one side in the first direction (that is, the height direction of the substrate 42b). The detection portion 42a is attached to the substrate 42b so as to project in the thickness direction from the principal surface 42c.

[0047] The sensor 42 configured as just described is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 to the other side in the first direction through the opening 27a by fitting the outer edge portions of the substrate 42b in the respective fitting groove portions 27c, as mentioned above. At this time, the sensor 42 is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 by causing the outer edge portions of the substrate 42b to abut the second direction opposite side surface portions (more specifically, surface portions of the fitting grooves 27c that are located in the second direction) of the sensor housing portion 27. As a result, the sensor 42 is positioned in the second direction. Furthermore, since the outer edge portions fit in the respective fitting grooves 27c, the sensor 42 can be positioned in the axial direction. Furthermore, the sensor 42 is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 until the positioning portion 27b comes into contact with the sensor 42 as mentioned above. As a result, the sensor 42 is positioned in the first direction. In this manner, the sensor 42 is positioned in the axial direction, the first direction, and the second direction. With the sensor 42 in position, the sensor housing portion 27 is filled with a molding resin. As a result, the sensor 42 (more specifically, the detection portion 42a) is fixed on the rotation axis L1 in the sensor housing potion 27.<Operations of Operation Lever Device and Slide Switch>

[0048] Hereinafter, a method for operating the operation lever device 2 will be described. In the operation lever device 2, an operator grips a portion of the operation lever 5 that is located in the middle thereof in the vertical direction, for example. The operation lever 5 tilts in all directions at 360 degrees on a fulcrum that is a base not illustrated in the drawings. Furthermore, in the operation lever device 2, the switches 1, 6 to 9 are operated with a thumb of an operator, for example. For example, the switches 6 to 9 are operated (for example, pressed) with a thumb. As a result, the switches 6 to 9 output signals. Meanwhile, the slide switch 1 is operated as follows.

[0049] Specifically, a thumb or other fingers are pressed against the operation portion 33 of the slide member 16 in the slide switch 1. By pushing and pulling the operation portion 33 with a finger, the sliding member 16 rotates in the one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction (refer to the arrow A in Fig. 1). This causes the magnet 41 provided on the shaft part 31 to rotate about the rotation axis L1. As a result, the magnetic field of the magnet 41 changes. Accordingly, the sensor 42 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the slide member 16 on the basis of the change in the magnetic field of the magnet 41. In this manner, the slide switch 1 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of operation of the slide member 16.

[0050] In the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the lid member 36 is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion 35b by a length corresponding to the projection amount a of the magnet 41 projecting into the fitting portion 35b in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to check the housing condition of the magnet 41 according to the fitting condition of the lid member 36 in the attachment hole 35. For example, when the lid member 36 fitting in the attachment hole 35 projects through the opening 35d of the attachment hole 35, it can be found that the magnet 41 housed in the housing portion 35a assumes an incorrect posture (for example, is tilted). In contrast, when the lid member 36 fitting in the attachment hole 35 is recessed relative to the opening end of the attachment hole 35, it can be found that the magnet 41 has been inadvertently not placed in the housing portion 35a. Thus, missed embedding of the magnet 41 and embedding the magnet 41 with an incorrect posture can be easily found.

[0051] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the attachment hole 35 is formed in the shaft part 31 that moves in conjunction with the slide body 32. Therefore, even in the slide switch 1 having such a structure, missed embedding of the magnet 41 and embedding the magnet 41 with an incorrect posture can be easily found.

[0052] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the housing portion 35a includes the plurality of crush ribs 35c on the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the magnet 41 is fitted when housed in the housing portion 35a. Thus, it is possible to not only improve the function of press-fitting the magnet 41 into the housing portion 35a (in other words, how easy the magnet 41 can be press-fit into the housing portion 35a), but also improve the accuracy of positioning the magnet 41.

[0053] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the lid member 36 is an expandable press-fit pin. Therefore, the lid member 36 is kept from being detached from the attachment hole 35. Accordingly, the magnet 41 is kept from being detached.

[0054] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensor 42 includes the detection portion 42a that detects a change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion 42a is brought into contact with the positioning portion 27b, the sensor 42 is positioned in the first direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor 42, particularly, the detection portion 42a, in the first direction in the housing 15.

[0055] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensor 42 is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 to cause the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate 42b to abut the second direction opposite side surface portions of the sensor housing portion 27. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor 42 in the second direction in the housing 15.

[0056] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensor 42 is inserted into the sensor housing portion 27 to cause each of the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate 42b to fit in a corresponding one of the fitting groove portions 27c. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor 42 in the axial direction in the housing 15.

[0057] The operation lever device 2 according to the present embodiment includes the above-described slide switch 1 disposed in an area on the operation lever 5 that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction. Therefore, the operation lever device 2 including the above-described functions can be realized.<Other Embodiments>

[0058] The operation lever device 2 according to the present embodiment is an operation device that operates a work vehicle, but may be an operation device that operates a robot or an operation device for game consoles. Furthermore, a device on which the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment is provided is not limited to the operation lever device 2; the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment may be provided on various devices other than the operation device. Moreover, the structure of the slide switch 1 is also not limited to the above-described structure. Specifically, it is sufficient that the slide switch 1 be structured such that the magnet 41 of the magnet-based sensor mechanism 12 is attached to the rotatable slide member 16 and the sensor 42 is fixed to the housing 15. Furthermore, the housing 15 does not necessarily need to have a separable structure and may have an integrated structure.

[0059] Furthermore, in the slide switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the magnet 41 is fixed to the attachment hole 35 by being pressed by the lid member 36, but the magnet 41 may be fixed to the attachment hole 35 by a filler instead of the lid member 36. The lid member 36 does not need to be an expandable press-fit pin and may be a simple rod-shaped press-fit pin, a bolt, or the like. The housing portion 35a of the attachment hole 35 does not necessarily need to include the crush ribs 35c. The method for housing the sensor 42 in the sensor housing portion 27 is not limited to the above-described method. This means that the sensor 42 does not necessarily need to be positioned in each of the axial direction, the first direction, and the second direction in the sensor housing portion 27.<Exemplary Embodiments>

[0060] A slide switch mechanism according to the first aspect includes: a housing; a slide member disposed inside the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member. The sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet. The slide member includes: an attachment hole formed about the rotation axis and including a closed bottom; and a lid member that closes an opening of the attachment hole. The attachment hole includes, at a bottom end, a housing portion in which the magnet is housed and, at an opening end, a fitting portion on which the lid member fits. The magnet disposed in the housing portion projects into the fitting portion in an axial direction in which the rotation axis extends. The lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to an amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction.

[0061] According to this aspect, the lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to the amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to check the magnet housing condition according to the lid member fitting condition in the attachment hole. For example, when the lid member housed in the attachment hole projects through the opening of the attachment hole, it can be found that the magnet housed in the housing portion assumes an incorrect posture. In contrast, when the lid member inserted in the attachment hole is recessed relative to the opening of the attachment hole, it can be found that the magnet has been inadvertently not placed in the housing portion.

[0062] In a slide switch mechanism according to the second aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to the first aspect, the slide member further includes: a slide body that is provided inside the housing and rotates about the rotation axis; and a shaft part that is supported on the housing and rotates about the rotation axis in conjunction with the slide body, and the attachment hole is formed in the shaft part.

[0063] According to this aspect, the attachment hole is formed in the shaft part that moves in conjunction with the slide body. Therefore, even in the slide switch having such a structure, missed embedding of the magnet and embedding the magnet with an incorrect posture can be easily found.

[0064] In a slide switch mechanism according to the third aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to the first or second aspect, the housing portion includes a plurality of crush ribs on an inner peripheral surface.

[0065] According to this aspect, the housing portion includes the plurality of crush ribs on the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the magnet is fitted when housed in the housing portion. Thus, it is possible to not only improve the function of press-fitting the magnet into the housing portion, but also improve the accuracy of positioning the magnet.

[0066] In a slide switch mechanism according to the fourth aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to any one of the first to third aspects, the lid member is an expandable press-fit pin.

[0067] According to this aspect, the lid member is an expandable press-fit pin. Therefore, the lid member is kept from being detached from the attachment hole. Accordingly, the magnet is kept from being detached.

[0068] In a slide switch mechanism according to the fifth aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the housing includes a sensor housing portion that is open on one side in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction and extends on the other side in the first direction and in which the sensor is inserted, the sensor housing portion includes, on the other side in the first direction, a positioning portion that projects in the axial direction, and the sensor includes a detection portion that detects the change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction.

[0069] According to this aspect, the sensor includes the detection portion that detects a change in the magnetic field and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor, particularly, the detection portion, in the first direction in the housing.

[0070] In a slide switch mechanism according to the sixth aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to the fifth aspect, the sensor housing portion is formed in the shape of a strip that is wide in a second direction as viewed from the one side in the first direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction, and the sensor further includes a substrate on which the detection portion is provided, and is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause second direction opposite end portions of the substrate that are opposite to each other in the second direction to abut second direction opposite side surface portions of the sensor housing portion that are opposite to each other in the second direction.

[0071] According to this aspect, the sensor is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate to abut the second direction opposite side surface portions of the sensor housing portion. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor in the second direction in the housing.

[0072] In a slide switch mechanism according to the seventh aspect, in the slide switch mechanism according to the sixth aspect, the sensor housing portion includes, on the second direction opposite side surface portions, fitting groove portions each being recessed in the second direction, and the sensor is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause each of the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate to fit in a corresponding one of the fitting groove portions.

[0073] According to this aspect, the sensor is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause each of the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate to fit in a corresponding one of the fitting groove portions. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor in the axial direction in the housing.

[0074] A slide switch according to the eighth aspect includes: a housing; a slide member supported on the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member. The sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet. The housing includes a sensor housing portion that is open on one side in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction and extends on the other side in the first direction and in which the sensor is inserted. The sensor housing portion includes, on the other side in the first direction, a positioning portion that projects in the axial direction. The sensor includes a detection portion that detects the change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction.

[0075] According to this aspect, the sensor includes the detection portion that detects a change in the magnetic field and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of positioning the sensor, particularly, the detection portion, in the first direction in the housing.

[0076] An operation lever device according to the ninth aspect includes: an operation lever extending in a predetermined direction and pivotally supported at an end on one side in the predetermined direction; and the slide switch according to any one of the first to eighth aspects. The slide switch is disposed in an area on the operation lever that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction.

[0077] According to this aspect, the operation lever device includes the above-described slide switch disposed in an area on the operation lever that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction. Therefore, the operation lever device including the above-described functions can be realized.

[0078] From the foregoing description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the foregoing description should be interpreted only as an example and is provided for the purpose of teaching the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Substantial changes in details of the structures and / or functions of the present disclosure are possible within the spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A slide switch comprising: a housing; a slide member disposed inside the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member, wherein: the sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet; the slide member includes: an attachment hole formed about the rotation axis and including a closed bottom; and a lid member that closes an opening of the attachment hole; the attachment hole includes, at a bottom end, a housing portion in which the magnet is housed and, at an opening end, a fitting portion on which the lid member fits; the magnet disposed in the housing portion projects into the fitting portion in an axial direction in which the rotation axis extends; and the lid member is formed to be shorter than the fitting portion by a length corresponding to an amount of projection of the magnet into the fitting portion in the axial direction.

2. The slide switch according to claim 1, wherein: the slide member further includes: a slide body that is provided inside the housing and rotates about the rotation axis; and a shaft part that is supported on the housing and rotates about the rotation axis in conjunction with the slide body; and the attachment hole is formed in the shaft part.

3. The slide switch according to claim 1, wherein: the housing portion includes a plurality of crush ribs on an inner peripheral surface.

4. The slide switch according to claim 1, wherein: the lid member is an expandable press-fit pin.

5. The slide switch according to claim 1, wherein: the housing includes a sensor housing portion that is open on one side in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction and extends on the other side in the first direction and in which the sensor is inserted; the sensor housing portion includes, on the other side in the first direction, a positioning portion that projects in the axial direction; and the sensor includes a detection portion that detects the change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction.

6. The slide switch according to claim 5, wherein: the sensor housing portion is formed in the shape of a strip that is wide in a second direction as viewed from the one side in the first direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction; and the sensor further includes a substrate on which the detection portion is provided, and is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause second direction opposite end portions of the substrate that are opposite to each other in the second direction to abut second direction opposite side surface portions of the sensor housing portion that are opposite to each other in the second direction.

7. The slide switch according to claim 6, wherein: the sensor housing portion includes, on the second direction opposite side surface portions, fitting groove portions each being recessed in the second direction; and the sensor is inserted into the sensor housing portion to cause each of the second direction opposite end portions of the substrate to fit in a corresponding one of the fitting groove portions.

8. A slide switch comprising: a housing; a slide member supported on the housing to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is predetermined; and a sensor mechanism that detects an amount of rotation of the slide member, wherein: the sensor mechanism includes: a magnet provided on the rotation axis in the slide member; and a sensor that is provided on the rotation axis in the housing and detects a change in a magnetic field of the magnet; the housing includes a sensor housing portion that is open on one side in a first direction perpendicular to an axial direction and extends on the other side in the first direction and in which the sensor is inserted; the sensor housing portion includes, on the other side in the first direction, a positioning portion that projects in the axial direction; and the sensor includes a detection portion that detects the change in the magnetic field, and when the detection portion is brought into contact with the positioning portion, the sensor is positioned in the first direction.

9. An operation lever device comprising: an operation lever extending in a predetermined direction and pivotally supported at an end on one side in the predetermined direction; and the slide switch according to claim 1 or 8, wherein: the slide switch is disposed in an area on the operation lever that is located on the other side in the predetermined direction.

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