Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device that is easy to operate when operating each switch portion and can be made compact.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes a first switch portion 2 having a knob 21, a first support portion 3 supporting the first switch portion 2 so as to be capable of at least one of a rotation operation in which the knob 21 rotates around a central axis O21 of the knob 21, a movement operation in which the knob 21 moves along the central axis O21, and a tilt operation in which the central axis O21 tilts, at least one second switch portion 4 arranged on the back side of the knob 21, which is on one side of the knob 21 in the direction of the central axis O21, and a second support portion 5 supporting the second switch portion 4 so as to be operable independently of the first switch portion 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a display that displays various information such as map information, and a switch device that operates a cursor on the information displayed on the display are arranged in the center console of an automobile.Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 5827448) discloses a switch device (multi-position switch assembly) that includes an annular gripping member that is rotated, a push button that is concentrically arranged in the center of the annular gripping member and is operated by pressing, and a plurality of function buttons that are arranged around the annular gripping member at a distance from the annular gripping member and are operated by pressing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5827448 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, even if a driver (operator) who operates the switch device wants to operate a function button while holding (operating) the annular gripping member, he or she must release the hand from the annular gripping member to operate the function button, so there is room for improvement in the operability of the switch device. In addition, when operating a function button, the position of the function button must be confirmed visually, etc., so there is also an issue with safe operation while driving. In addition, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, each function button is arranged away from the annular gripping member, so the switch device becomes larger, making it difficult to save space for the switch device in the center console.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that is excellent in operability when operating each switch portion and can be made compact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the switch device of the present invention comprises a first switch section having a knob, a first support section supporting the first switch section so as to be capable of at least one of a rotation operation in which the first switch section rotates around a central axis of the knob, a movement operation in which the first switch section moves along the central axis, and a displacement operation in which the central axis is displaced in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the movement operation, at least one second switch section arranged adjacent to the knob on one side of the knob in the central axis direction, and a second support section supporting the second switch section so as to be operable independently of the first switch section. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the operability of each switch portion is excellent and the size can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical sectional view of a switch device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a view seen from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 (a top view of the switch device). [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a switch device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a side view of the switch device according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a top view of a switch device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each part constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can exert a similar function. In addition, any configuration may be added. In addition, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0010] First Embodiment Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. For convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as "upper" or "upper side" and the lower side will be referred to as "lower" or "lower side" (similarly for FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 (top view of the switch device). FIG. 1 is also a cross-sectional view of line BB in FIG. 2. The switch device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is mounted on, for example, a center console of an automobile for use. The switch device 1 includes a first switch section 2, a first support section 3 that operably supports the first switch section 2, a second switch section 4, a second support section 5 that operably supports the second switch section 4, an electric circuit board 6 electrically connected to, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of an automobile, and a housing 7 that houses the electric circuit board 6 and the like.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the first switch section 2 is electrically connected to the electric circuit board 6, and has a knob 21 and a shaft section 22 formed to protrude downward from the knob 21 in a columnar shape. The knob 21 is exposed from the housing 7, and is a part that is held when the first switch section 2 is operated, that is, is pinched with fingers. In this embodiment, the knob 21 is disk-shaped, and the upper surface 211 is rounded. As shown in FIG. 2, the knob 21 has a contour shape seen from the direction of its central axis O21, that is, a contour line 212, which forms a circle centered on the central axis O21. The lower end of the shaft section 22 is connected to the first support section 3. Here, the "lower side" refers to the side on which the first support section 3 is disposed with respect to the knob 21.

[0012] The first support portion 3 is disposed in the housing 7 and supports the first switch portion 2 so as to enable three types of operations. The first operation is a rotation operation for rotating the first switch portion 2 around the central axis O21 of the knob 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the first switch portion 2 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow α1 (clockwise) around the central axis O21 and in the direction of the arrow α1' (counterclockwise) which is the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow α1. The second operation is a movement operation for moving the first switch portion 2 along the central axis O21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the first switch portion 2 can be moved in the direction of the arrow α2. Note that the first support portion 3 can return the first switch portion 2 to its original position (neutral position) when the hand is released from the first switch portion 2 and the operating force for moving the first switch portion 2 is released. The third operation is a tilt operation for operating the first switch portion 2 in the direction in which the central axis O21 is tilted. 2, the first switch section 2 can be tilted in four directions: the direction of the arrow α3-1 pointing upward in the figure, the direction of the arrow α3-2 pointing rightward in the figure, the direction of the arrow α3-3 pointing downward in the figure, and the direction of the arrow α3-4 pointing leftward in the figure. When the hand is released from the first switch section 2 and the operating force for tilting the first switch section 2 is released, the first support section 3 can return the first switch section 2 to its original position (neutral position). The configuration of the first support section 3 that supports the first switch section 2 so as to enable these three types of operations is not particularly limited, and for example, a known configuration can be used.

[0013] In this embodiment, the rotation operation can be used to move the cursor (item) on the menu screen displayed on the monitor inside the vehicle, change (increase or decrease) set values ​​for temperature, volume, etc., and the like. The rotation operation can also be used to enlarge or reduce the map displayed on the monitor. The movement operation can be used to confirm an item on the menu screen or map displayed on the monitor. The tilt operation can be used to move the cursor on the menu screen displayed on the monitor, change set values ​​for temperature, volume, etc., and the like. The tilt operation can also be used to move the map displayed on the monitor.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, on the rear side of the knob 21 (the lower side in FIG. 1, the far side of the paper in FIG. 2) which is one side in the direction of the central axis O21 with respect to the knob 21, i.e., on the side where the first support part 3 is arranged, two second switch parts 4 are arranged exposed from the housing 7. Hereinafter, one of the two second switch parts 4 may be referred to as the "second switch part 4A" and the other second switch part 4 may be referred to as the "second switch part 4B". The second switch part 4A and the second switch part 4B are each electrically connected to the electric circuit board 6. The second switch part 4A and the second switch part 4B are arranged around the central axis O21 with an interval therebetween, i.e., arranged via the central axis O21. This allows the second switch part 4 to be operated more reliably than when, for example, the second switch part 4A and the second switch part 4B are arranged side by side along the central axis O21. 2, the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B each have a semicircular arc shape (arc shape) centered on the central axis O21 as viewed from the central axis O21 direction, and each have an arc-shaped portion 41 facing the opposite side to the central axis O21 side. In addition, each of the arc-shaped portions 41 of the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B is disposed concentrically with the contour line 212 of the knob 21, and is located inside the contour line 212 (contour) of the knob 21 as viewed from the central axis O21 direction. Since the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B have such a shape and positional relationship, it is possible to prevent the second switch section 4A or the second switch section 4B from being operated erroneously and unintentionally while holding the first switch section 2.

[0015] The second support portion 5 supports the first switch portion 2 so as to be operable independently. As shown in FIG. 1, the second support portion 5 has a cylindrical tubular portion 51 arranged concentrically with the shaft portion 22 of the first switch portion 2 on the outer circumferential side of the shaft portion 22. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 51 is supported by the first support portion 3. The cylindrical portion 51 has two through holes 511 formed along the circumferential direction, penetrating the cylindrical wall. These through holes 511 are arranged via the central axis O21, and the second switch portion 4A is inserted into one of the through holes 511, and the second switch portion 4B is inserted into the other through hole 511. As a result, the second support portion 5 supports the second switch portion 4A and the second switch portion 4B so as to be operable in a direction perpendicular to the central axis O21. In this embodiment, the second switch portion 4A can be pushed in the direction of the arrow β1 (left side in FIG. 2) toward the central axis O21. The second switch section 4B can be pushed in the direction of the arrow β2 (the right side in FIG. 2) toward the central axis O21. The second support section 5 supports the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B so that they can be operated independently of each other. When the second switch section 4A is released and the operating force for pushing the second switch section 4A is released, the second support section 5 can return the second switch section 4A to its original position (neutral position), that is, in the direction opposite to the arrow β1. Similarly, when the second switch section 4B is released and the operating force for pushing the second switch section 4B is released, the second switch section 4B can be returned to its original position. With such a second support section 5, the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B can be operated in a direction different from that of the first switch section 2, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the central axis O21 in this embodiment.

[0016] In the switch device 1 configured as above, for example, the driver can operate at least one of the second switch sections 4A and 4B while holding (operating) the knob 21 of the first switch section 2. This allows the switch device 1 to have excellent operability when operating the first switch section 2 and each second switch section 4 (particularly each second switch section 4). Since each second switch section 4 can be operated while holding the first switch section 2, the need to visually check the position of each second switch section 4 when operating each second switch section 4 is eliminated. This allows the driver to continue driving while keeping his / her eyes on the front, for example, and therefore increases safety while the car is traveling. In addition, since the switch device 1 has a configuration in which each second switch section 4 is concentrated in the first switch section 2, the switch device 1 can be made space-saving, that is, compact.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a protruding portion 512 protruding in the direction of the central axis O21 is formed on the central axis O21 side of each through hole 511 of the cylindrical portion 51. A pair of the protruding portions 512 is arranged above and below each through hole 511. When each second switch portion 4 is pushed, it abuts against the pair of protruding portions 512. This restricts the pushing limit of each second switch portion 4, and therefore the driver can know how far to push the second switch portion 4 when pushing the second switch portion 4. In this way, each protruding portion 512 functions as a restricting portion that restricts the pushing limit of the second switch portion 4. In addition, the inner peripheral portion 513 of the cylindrical portion 51 (second support portion 5) is separated from the outer peripheral portion 221 of the shaft portion 22 of the first switch portion 2 and is in a non-contact state, that is, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral portion 513 of the cylindrical portion 51 and the outer peripheral portion 221 of the shaft portion 22. As a result, even if the first switch section 2 is rotated, the second switch sections 4 can be restricted from rotating around the central axis O21 in conjunction with the rotation operation. As a result, regardless of the rotation operation of the first switch section 2, the position of each second switch section 4 is fixed, and therefore, each second switch section 4 can be operated quickly. The switch device 1 may be configured such that, when the first switch section 2 is moved, each second switch section 4 moves together with the second support section 5 in conjunction with the movement operation. The switch device 1 may be configured such that, when the first switch section 2 is tilted, each second switch section 4 tilts together with the second support section 5 in conjunction with the tilt operation. In addition, the second switch sections 4 are arranged on the left and right in FIG. 2 in this embodiment, but are not limited thereto, and may be arranged, for example, on the top and bottom in FIG. 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, for example, by operating the second switch section 4A, the screen displayed on the monitor in the car can be returned to the initial screen, or the menu on the menu screen can be displayed in detail. In addition, by operating the second switch section 4A, a destination can be searched for and set on the map displayed on the monitor. In addition, by operating the second switch section 4B, the menu screen displayed on the monitor in the car can be returned to the screen (previous screen) that was displayed before the menu screen, or the return can be canceled. In addition, by operating the second switch section 4B, the map displayed on the monitor can be returned to the screen (previous screen) that was displayed before the map, or the return can be canceled. In addition, by operating the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B simultaneously, shortcuts (favorites) and the like can be displayed on the monitor. In addition, by operating the second switch section 4A and the second switch section 4B simultaneously, it is also possible to return to the current location on the map displayed on the monitor. Furthermore, the display contents on the monitor resulting from the operation of the first switch section 2, the display contents on the monitor resulting from the operation of each second switch section 4, and the display contents on the monitor resulting from the simultaneous operation of two second switch sections 4 are not limited to the above-mentioned display contents.

[0019] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, but the differences from the above-mentioned embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar matters will be omitted. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the operation direction of the second switch unit is different. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a switch device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the second support portion 5 supports the second switch unit 4A and the second switch unit 4B so that they can be operated along the central axis O21. In this embodiment, the second switch unit 4A can be operated in the direction of the arrow γ1 (upward in FIG. 2) that is pulled up toward the knob 21. Similarly, the second switch unit 4B can be operated in the direction of the arrow γ1. In this embodiment, the operation direction (arrow γ1 direction) of each second switch unit 4 and the operation direction (arrow α2 direction) of the first switch unit 2 during the moving operation are opposite to each other. This allows the driver to reliably operate the switch unit that he / she wants to operate between the first switch unit 2 and each second switch unit 4. In this embodiment, after the second switch section 4 is operated in the direction of the arrow γ1, the second switch section 4 can also be operated in the direction of the arrow γ1', which is the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow γ1. This makes it possible to increase the function of each second switch section 4 according to the operation direction.

[0020] <Third embodiment> Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, but the differences from the above-mentioned embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar matters will be omitted. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the outer periphery of the knob of the first switch part and the shape of the outer periphery of the second switch part are different. FIG. 4 is a side view of a switch device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer periphery (outer periphery surface) 213 of the knob 21 of the first switch part 2 is knurled to form a twill pattern. The arc-shaped part 41 of the second switch part 4, i.e., the outer periphery (outer periphery surface), is knurled to form a flat pattern. As a result, the knob 21 of the first switch part 2 and the second switch part 4 have different tactile sensations, i.e., different touches, so that the driver can know which of the first switch part 2 and the second switch part 4 he is touching without visually checking. The method of making the tactile sensations different from each other is not limited to the knurling method, and can also be a method of appropriately selecting the constituent materials, for example.

[0021] <Fourth embodiment> Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, but the differences from the above-mentioned embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the similar matters will be omitted. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the number of second switch units is different. FIG. 5 is a top view of a switch device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the switch device 1 has four second switch units 4. Specifically, the switch device 1 has second switch units 4C and 4D in addition to second switch units 4A and 4B. In this embodiment, the second switch units 4C, 4B, and 4D are arranged in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 starting from the second switch unit 4A. The second switch unit 4C can be pushed in the direction of the arrow β3 (upper side in FIG. 2) toward the central axis O21 side. The second switch unit 4D can be pushed in the direction of the arrow β4 (lower side in FIG. 2) toward the central axis O21 side. By arranging four second switch units 4 in this way, the function of the second switch unit 4 can be increased. 5, the lengths (arc lengths) of the arc-shaped portions 41 of the second switch sections 4 are the same, but are not limited to this. For example, the lengths of the arc-shaped portions 41 of the second switch sections 4A and 4B are the same, and the lengths of the arc-shaped portions 41 of the second switch sections 4C and 4D are the same, but may be longer or shorter than the lengths of the arc-shaped portions 41 of the second switch sections 4A and 4B.

[0022] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the first support portion 3 supports the first switch portion 2 so that it can be rotated, moved, and tilted, respectively, but is not limited thereto, and may support at least one of the rotation, movement, and tilt operations. In addition, in the switch device 1, instead of the tilt operation, a translation operation in which the central axis O21 translates in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the movement operation can be used. In addition, the tilt operation and the translation operation can be collectively referred to as a displacement operation. The displacement operation is an operation in which the central axis O21 is displaced in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the movement operation. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the first support portion 3 has four tilt directions in the tilt operation, but is not limited thereto, and may have two or eight directions, for example. The number of the second switch sections 4 is two in each of the first to third embodiments, and four in the fourth embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, one, three, or five or more. The switch device 1 may be configured such that, when the first switch section 2 is rotated, each second switch section 4 rotates together with the second support section 5 in conjunction with the rotation operation. The second switch sections 4 are arranged on the back side of the knob 21 (the side on which the first support section 3 is arranged) in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, but are not limited thereto, and may be arranged on the front side of the knob 21 (the side opposite to the side on which the first support section 3 is arranged), or may be arranged on both the front side and the back side of the knob 21. In this way, the second switch section 4 is arranged adjacent to the knob 21. The switch device 1 is mounted on the center console of an automobile in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, but the use of the switch device 1 is not limited thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1 Switching device 2 First switch section 3 First support part 4, 4A, 4B Second switch section 5 Second support part 21 Knob 41 Arc-shaped part 212 Contour O21 center axis

Claims

1. A first switch portion having a knob; a first support portion that supports the first switch portion so as to be capable of at least one of a rotation operation of rotating the first switch portion around a central axis of the knob, a movement operation of moving the first switch portion along the central axis, and a displacement operation of displacing the first switch portion in a direction intersecting with a movement direction of the movement operation; at least one second switch portion disposed adjacent to the knob on one side in the central axis direction with respect to the knob; A switch device comprising: a second support portion that supports the second switch portion so that the second switch portion can be operated independently of the first switch portion.

2. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second support portion supports the second switch portion so as to be operable in a direction different from that of the first switch portion.

3. the displacement operation is a tilt operation in which the central axis is tilted, the first support portion supports the first switch portion so that the first switch portion can be rotated, moved, and tilted, The switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the second support portion operably supports the second switch portion in a direction perpendicular to the central axis, which is a different direction from the first switch portion.

4. The switch device according to claim 3 , wherein the second switch portion is operated in a direction in which it is pushed toward the central shaft.

5. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second support portion supports the second switch portion so as to be operable along the central axis.

6. The switch device according to claim 5 , wherein the second switch portion is operated in a direction in which it is pulled up toward the knob.

7. the first support portion supports the first switch portion so as to be capable of the rotational operation, 2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the second support portion is configured to restrict rotation of the second switch portion around a central axis of the knob in conjunction with the rotational operation of the first switch portion when the first switch portion is rotated.

8. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second switch portion comprises a plurality of second switch portions arranged around the central axis.

9. The switch device according to claim 8 , wherein the second switch portion is arranged in two parts with the central shaft interposed therebetween.

10. the knob has a contour shape, as viewed from the central axis direction, that is a circle centered on the central axis, The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second switch portion is located inside a contour of the knob when viewed in the central axis direction.

11. The switch device according to claim 10 , wherein the second switch portion has a contour shape, as viewed from the central axis direction, that has a portion that forms an arc shape centered on the central axis.

12. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second switch is disposed on a side of the knob on which the first support portion is disposed.

13. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the first switch portion and the second switch portion have different tactile sensations.

14. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the displacement operation is a tilt operation in which the central axis is tilted, or a translation operation in which the central axis is translated in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction.

15. The switch device according to claim 14 , wherein the first support portion has at least four tilt directions in the tilt operation.

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