Switching device

Abstract

To increase a stroke amount of a pressure direction of a rotational knob without increasing a size of a switching device.SOLUTION: A switching device includes: an operated member that can be rotated around a first shaft in a predetermined angle unit, and can be reciprocally deformed in an orthogonal direction of the first shaft; a rotator that interlocks with the rotation of the operated member so as to rotate around a second shaft in parallel with the first shaft, and is reciprocally deformed by following up the reciprocate deformation of the operated member; and an inspection element that passes the second shaft and is arranged on a straight line along the orthogonal direction. In view of a second shaft direction, the inspection element is provided to a position that overlaps with an outer peripheral part surrounding the second shaft of the rotator. In the outer peripheral part, a plurality of concave parts exposing the inspection element are provided with an interval in the predetermined angle unit around the second shaft. Each concave part is set to an angle unit that overlaps in the second shaft direction with the inspection element in each time when the operated member is rotated aound the first shaft in the predetermined angle unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device having a rotary knob, in which different functions are assigned to the rotation operation and the pressing operation of the rotary knob. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-145274 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the switch device of Patent Document 1, a detection element that rotates in accordance with the rotation of a rotary knob passes between a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part of an optical sensor mounted on a circuit board. This causes light to be alternately incident on and blocked by the light-receiving part, thereby detecting the rotation of the rotary knob. In addition, pressing the rotary knob in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis turns on / off a push switch mounted on the circuit board, thereby detecting the pressing of the rotary knob.

[0005] In the switch device of Patent Document 1, when the rotary knob is pressed, the detection body moves together with the rotary knob in the pressing direction and approaches the optical sensor. For example, to improve the operability, the stroke amount of the rotary knob in the pressing direction may be increased. In this case, increasing the stroke amount while avoiding interference between the detection body and the optical sensor leads to an increase in the size of the switch device.

[0006] Therefore, there is a demand for increasing the stroke amount of the rotary knob in the pressing direction without increasing the size of the switch device. In addition to such requirements, another objective of the present invention is to achieve actions and effects derived from the various configurations disclosed in the "Forms for Implementing the Invention" described below, which actions and effects cannot be obtained with conventional technologies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides an operated member that is rotatable around a first axis in predetermined angular units and that is reciprocally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis; a rotating body that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in conjunction with the rotation of the operated member and that reciprocates in the orthogonal direction following the reciprocating displacement of the operated member; A switch device having a detection element arranged on a straight line that passes through the second axis and is along the orthogonal direction when viewed from the second axis direction, When viewed from the second axis direction, the detection element is provided in a positional relationship overlapping with an outer circumferential portion surrounding the second axis of the rotating body at a predetermined interval, a plurality of recesses exposing the detection element are provided at intervals of a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction around the second axis on an outer circumferential portion of the rotor as viewed from the second axis direction, The switch device is configured so that the angle unit of the recess is set to an angle unit such that the recess and the detection element overlap in the second axial direction each time the operated member rotates around the first axis by the determined angle unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the stroke amount of the rotary knob in the pressing direction can be increased without increasing the size of the switch device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a switch device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a moving block. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a moving block. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a gear train. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the shaft and the rotor blades. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a rotary blade. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the displacement of the rotary blades during a pressing operation. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the displacement of the rotary blades during a pressing operation. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the rotation of the rotary blades during a rotating operation. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a rotation restricting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, a switch device 1 provided on a steering wheel W will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the switch device 1. FIG. 1(A) is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the switch device 1 on the steering wheel W. FIG. 1(B) is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 1(A). In FIG. 1(B), the portion of the rotary knob 20 exposed from the spoke portion Ws is cross-hatched. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. FIG. 2 shows a cross section taken along plane B in FIG. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 1. Fig. 3 shows the main parts of the switch device 1 exploded. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 1. Fig. 4 shows the components of the intermediate member 5 and the moving block 6 of the switch device 1 disassembled. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along line AA in FIG.

[0011] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the positional relationship of each component of the switch device 1 will be described based on the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. In the following description, "overlap in the axial direction" and "overlap in the axial direction" mean "overlap as viewed from the axial direction." "overlap in the radial direction" and "overlap in the radial direction" mean "overlap as viewed from the radial direction."

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1(A), the switch device 1 is provided on a spoke portion Ws of a steering wheel W. 1(B), the switch device 1 has a rotary knob 20 (operated member) that is operated by a user. The switch device 1 is housed inside the spoke portion Ws, and the rotary knob 20 is exposed from the spoke portion Ws.

[0013] In the spoke portion Ws, the rotary knob 20 is provided so as to be rotatable (in the directions of arrows a and b) around a rotation axis X1 (first axis) and so as to be reciprocally displaceable (in the directions of arrows c and d) along a straight line Y1 (orthogonal direction) perpendicular to the rotation axis X1. In the switch device 1, different functions are assigned to the rotational movement of the rotary knob 20 around the rotation axis X1 and the reciprocating movement of the rotary knob 20 along the straight line Y1.

[0014] 2, the spoke portion Ws has an upper cover 4U from which the rotary knob 20 is exposed, and a lower cover 4L that is fitted into and assembled to the upper cover 4U. The switch device 1 is housed in a space Ra surrounded by the upper cover 4U and the lower cover 4L.

[0015] When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X1, the upper cover 4U has a first side surface 41 extending in a direction perpendicular to the straight line Y1, and a second side surface 42 extending from the end of the first side surface 41 toward the lower cover 4L in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0016] An opening 401 is formed in the first side surface 41, and the rotary knob 20 is exposed from the opening 401. A rib 43 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the upper cover 4U, spanning the first side surface 41 and the second side surface 42. A moving block 6, which will be described later, abuts against the rib 43 from a straight line Y1.

[0017] The lower cover 4L has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, with its opening facing the upper cover 4U. The lower cover 4L has a bottom wall 46 that is perpendicular to the straight line Y1 and a peripheral wall 45 that surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall 46. The peripheral wall 45 is provided with a flange 47 that protrudes outward. The flange 47 is provided around the entire outer periphery of the peripheral wall 45 (see FIG. 3).

[0018] A printed circuit board 7 is installed on the lower cover 4L so as to cover the opening of the lower cover 4L. A wiring portion 73 (see FIG. 3) connected to the printed circuit board 7 and the like is housed in a space Rb surrounded by the printed circuit board 7 and the peripheral wall portion 45 and bottom wall portion 46 of the lower cover 4L. As shown in FIG. 3, on the opposite side of the printed circuit board 7 from the wiring portion 73 in the direction of the straight line Y1, an intermediate member 5 that supports the moving block 6, a push switch 71, and an optical sensor 72 (detection element) are provided.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate member 5 has a plate-shaped base 50 provided in a direction intersecting the line Y1. The base 50 has bosses 58, 58 on the other surface 50b facing the printed circuit board 7. The printed circuit board 7 and the intermediate member 5 are connected to each other by screwing bolts (not shown) into the bosses 58, 58. In this case, a space Rc is formed between the printed circuit board 7 and the intermediate member 5. A push switch 71 and an optical sensor 72 (see FIG. 3), which are electrically connected to the printed circuit board 7, are arranged in the space Rc.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the base 50 has through-holes 501 and 502 that penetrate the base 50 in the direction of line Y1. When viewed from the direction of line Y1, the through-holes 501 and 502 are provided at positions that overlap the push switch 71 and the optical sensor 72, respectively. As shown in Fig. 4, when the printed circuit board 7 is attached to the intermediate member 5, the optical sensor 72 penetrates the through-hole 502 and is exposed on one surface 50a of the base 50.

[0021] 4, the optical sensor 72 has a base 721 that passes through the through-hole 502, and protruding walls 722 and 723 that protrude upward in the direction of the line Y1 from both ends of the base 721 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. The protruding walls 722 and 723 are provided with detection units 725 on their opposing surfaces in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0022] 5, the detection unit 725 has a light-receiving unit 725a provided on the protruding wall 722 and a light-emitting unit 725b provided on the protruding wall 723. The optical sensor 72 irradiates detection light L from the light-emitting unit 725b toward the light-receiving unit 725a. The rotating blades 8, which will be described later, pass between the protruding walls 722 and 723 of the optical sensor 72. The rotation of the rotating blades 8 switches between receiving and blocking the detection light L at the light-receiving unit 725a.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, a moving block 6 is provided on one surface 50a of the base 50. The moving block 6 supports the rotary knob 20 so that it can rotate around a rotation axis X1. An elastic body can be interposed between the moving block 6 and the base 50, and examples of the elastic body include a spring Sp or a rubber contact. The moving block 6 is provided so that it can move back and forth together with the rotary knob 20 in the direction of a straight line Y1.

[0024] The moving block 6 has a case 60 that houses the rotary knob 20, and a pair of guide ribs 68, 69 that protrude away from each other from the side of the case 60. The moving block 6 is biased upward in the direction of line Y1 by a spring Sp, and its position in the direction of line Y1 is maintained by the guide ribs 68, 69 abutting against the ribs 43, 43 of the upper cover 4U, respectively. As a result, the rotary knob 20 is exposed from the opening 401 of the upper cover 4U with a slight gap between it and the opening 401.

[0025] Furthermore, guide walls 51 and 52 are provided on a surface 50a of the base 50 opposite to the printed circuit board 7. The guide walls 51 and 52 extend from the base 50 toward the ribs 43 and 43 of the upper cover 4U in the direction of the straight line Y1. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X1, the guide walls 51 and 52 are provided at positions overlapping with the guide ribs 68 and 69 of the moving block 6, respectively.

[0026] 4, the guide walls 51 are provided on one side and the other side of the guide rib 68 of the moving block 6 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. The guide walls 52 are also provided on one side and the other side of the guide rib 69 of the moving block 6 in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0027] 4, a protrusion 53 onto which the spring Sp is fitted is provided on the base 50. The protrusion 53 protrudes from the base 50 in the same direction as the guide walls 51 and 52. There are four protrusions 53 and four springs Sp. The four springs Sp are arranged two on each side of the guide walls 51 and 52 in the direction of the rotation axis X1, and support the moving block 6 at four points.

[0028] As a result, the spring Sp elastically deforms, allowing the moving block 6 to move back and forth in the up and down direction relative to the intermediate member 5. At this time, the guide ribs 68, 69 of the moving block 6 move back and forth between the guide walls 51, 51 and the guide walls 52, 52 along the direction of the straight line Y1 (see FIG. 3), thereby reducing the swinging of the moving block 6 relative to the intermediate member 5.

[0029] An engaged portion 9B that engages with an engaging portion 9A (described later) is provided on the base 50 on the opposite side of the through holes 501, 502 in the direction of the rotation axis X1, with the guide walls 51, 52 sandwiched between them. When viewed from above in the vertical direction in Figure 4, the engaged portion 9B is provided in an area that overlaps with the rotation axis X1.

[0030] 4, the moving block 6 is a support member for supporting the components (rotary knob 20, rotary blade 8, and gear train G) of the rotary switch 2. The moving block 6 includes a case portion 60 that houses the rotary knob 20 and the gear train G, and a push rod 66 for operating the push switch 71.

[0031] 3 and 4, the push rod 66 is formed integrally with the case part 60 and moves back and forth in the direction of the straight line Y1 together with the case part 60. When the moving block 6 is attached to the intermediate member 5, the push rod 66 passes through the through-hole 501 and is provided at a position facing the push switch 71 in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the rotary switch 2 has a ring-shaped rotary knob 20, a shaft 21 that is fitted into the rotary knob 20 and rotates integrally with the rotary knob 20 around the rotation axis X1, and a gear train G that transmits the rotation of the rotary knob 20 to the rotary blades 8. The gear train G has a first gear 25 (driving gear) that rotates integrally with the shaft 21, and a second gear 85 (driven gear) that rotates integrally with the rotary vane 8.

[0033] 5, the rotation axis X1 of the first gear 25 and the rotation axis X2 of the second gear 85 are parallel to each other. The rotation axis X2 is located below the rotation axis X1. When the user rotates the rotary knob 20 around the rotation axis X1, the rotary blade 8 rotates around the rotation axis X2 by the rotation transmitted via the gear train G (first gear 25, second gear 85).

[0034] One end 21a side and the other end 21b side of the shaft 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 are inserted into support holes 623a and 614a, respectively, provided in the case part 60. Therefore, the shaft 21 is supported by the case part 60 so as to be rotatable relative to the case part 60, and is supported so as to be immovable relative to the case part 60 in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0035] The shaft 21 has a large diameter portion 210, a medium diameter portion 211, and a small diameter portion 212. The large diameter portion 210, the medium diameter portion 211, and the small diameter portion 212 are arranged in this order from one end 21a to the other end 21b in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0036] The large diameter portion 210 is formed with a first gear 25 of the gear train G and an indexing portion 26 that indexes the shaft 21 at each predetermined angular position around the rotation axis X1. In the large diameter portion 210, the first gear 25 is provided on one end 21a of the shaft 21, and the indexing portion 26 is provided on the other end 21b. The first gear 25 and the indexing portion 26 are separated by a flange portion 27. The indexing portion 26 is composed of a plurality of detent grooves 260 provided over the entire circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1 of the large diameter portion 210 (see FIG. 9).

[0037] Splines 211s are formed on the outer peripheral surface 211a of the medium diameter portion 211. The splines 211s of the medium diameter portion 211 are spline-fitted to splines 202s formed on the inner peripheral surface 202 of the rotatable knob 20. The rotatable knob 20, together with the shaft 21, is provided in the case portion 60 so as to be rotatable relative to the case portion 60.

[0038] The small diameter portion 212 penetrates the inner circumferential surface 202 of the rotary knob 20 and the support hole 614a of the case portion 60 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. A spline 212s is formed on the outer circumferential surface 212a of the small diameter portion 212 in an area exposed to the outside of the case portion 60 (the left side in FIG. 5). An engaging portion 9A of the rotation restricting portion 9, which will be described later, is spline-fitted onto the spline 212s. An engaged portion 9B is located below the engaging portion 9A in the drawing. The engaged portion 9B is provided on the intermediate member 5. The engaging portion 9A and the engaged portion 9B face each other with a gap in between in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0039] In this state, the outer peripheral surface 201 of the rotatable knob 20 is exposed from the opening 401 of the upper cover 4U. When a downward pressing force in FIG. 5 acts on the outer peripheral surface 201 of the rotatable knob 20 exposed from the opening 401, the rotatable knob 20, the shaft 21, and the moving block 6 are displaced integrally in a direction approaching the intermediate member 5. In this case, the spring Sp applies a force to the moving block 6 in a direction that resists the pressing force.

[0040] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the moving block 6. Figure 6(A) shows the moving block 6 of Figure 4 as seen from above. Figure 6(B) is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of Figure 6(A). In FIG. 6A, the rotary knob 20 and the shaft 21 are shown by imaginary lines. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the moving block 6. Fig. 7(A) is a schematic diagram of a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 6(B). Fig. 7(B) is a view seen from the arrow BB in Fig. 6(B). In Fig. 7A, the spring Sp and the ball B arranged in the second housing portion 62 are shown by imaginary lines. In Fig. 7B, the connecting wall 623 and the pressing rod 66 are cross-hatched to make it easier to understand their positional relationship.

[0041] 6(A), the case portion 60 of the moving block 6 is composed of a first housing portion 61 that houses the rotary knob 20 and a second housing portion 62 that houses the large diameter portion 210 of the shaft 21. The first housing portion 61 and the second housing portion 62 are adjacent to each other in the direction of the rotation axis X1.

[0042] The first housing portion 61 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the straight line Y1. Specifically, the first housing portion 61 has side walls 611, 612 that are arranged parallel to the rotation axis X1, and connecting walls 613, 614 that are arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis X1 and connect the ends of the side walls 611, 612. The rotary knob 20 is housed in the area surrounded by the side walls 611, 612 and the connecting walls 613, 614.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6B, the side wall 611 and the connecting walls 613 and 614 extend in a direction along the straight line Y1. Although not shown, the side wall 612 (see Fig. 6A) also extends in a direction along the straight line Y1. The first storage section 61 has a cylindrical shape that is open at the top and bottom in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0044] 6A, guide ribs 68 and 69 are integrally formed on the side walls 611 and 612, respectively. The guide ribs 68 and 69 extend from the side walls 611 and 612 in directions away from each other in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1. A support hole 614a is formed in the connecting wall 614 at a portion where the connecting wall 614 intersects with the rotation axis X1. The shaft 21 is inserted into the support hole 614a.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6A, a notch 613a is formed in the connecting wall 613 at a portion where the rotation axis X1 intersects. The medium diameter portion 211 of the shaft 21 is disposed in the notch 613a. As shown in Fig. 7A, the notch 613a is an arc-shaped recess that is recessed downward in the direction of a straight line Y1 from an upper surface 613b of the connecting wall 613. A notch width W1 of the notch 613a in a direction perpendicular to the straight line Y1 is formed to be wider than an outer diameter D1 of the medium diameter portion 211 of the shaft 21 (W1>D1).

[0046] 6(A), the second housing portion 62 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction of the straight line Y1. Specifically, the second housing portion 62 has side walls 621 and 622 that protrude in the direction of the rotation axis X1 from the connecting wall 613 of the first housing portion 61, and a connecting wall 623 that is provided perpendicular to the rotation axis X1 and connects the ends of the side walls 621 and 622 together. As shown in FIG. 6B, the second accommodating portion 62 has a bottom wall 624 that protrudes from the connecting wall 613 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 and is connected to the lower end of the connecting wall 623.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 6(A), the side walls 621, 622 extend in a direction away from the first housing portion 61 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. The side walls 621, 622 are provided on one side and the other side of the cutout portion 613a in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1. The large diameter portion 210 of the shaft 21 is housed in an area surrounded by the side walls 621, 622, the connecting walls 613, 623, and the bottom wall 624 (see Fig. 6(B)).

[0048] As shown in Fig. 6B, the side wall 621 and the connecting walls 613 and 623 extend in a direction along the straight line Y1. Although not shown, the side wall 622 (see Fig. 6A) also extends in a direction along the straight line Y1. The second storage section 62 is shaped like a cylinder with a bottom that is open at the top in the direction of the straight line Y1 and closed at the bottom by a bottom wall 624.

[0049] 6(A), the second housing portion 62 is provided with a spring housing portion 63. The spring housing portion 63 has an arc-shaped wall 631 that bulges out in the direction of the rotation axis X1 from the surface of the connecting wall 613 on the second housing portion 62 side.

[0050] 6(B), the arc-shaped wall 631 is provided across the bottom wall 624 in the direction of the straight line Y1. The arc-shaped wall 631 is open at its upper side in the direction of the straight line Y1 and closed at its lower side by a bottom wall 632. The bottom wall 632 is flush with the lower end 611a of the side wall 611.

[0051] 7A, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X1, the center line of the arc-shaped wall 631 is arranged concentrically with a line Y1 that passes through the rotation axis X1. A spring Sp and a ball B are housed inside the arc-shaped wall 631. A depth H1 of the arc-shaped wall 631 in the direction of the line Y1 is set to a depth such that when the spring Sp and the ball B are housed, only the ball B is exposed from the arc-shaped wall 631.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(A), the connecting wall 623 has support holes 623a and 65 formed at the intersections of the rotation axes X1 and X2. The shaft 21 is inserted into the support hole 623a. The rotary vane 8 (see Figure 5) is inserted into the support hole 65.

[0053] 7(B), in the direction of line Y1, the support hole 65 of the rotary vane 8 is formed below the support hole 623a of the shaft 21. The support hole 65 is connected to the upper surface 623b of the connecting wall 623 via a guide groove 64. The guide groove 64 is for guiding the rotary vane 8 (see FIG. 4) to the support hole 65 when the rotary vane 8 is assembled to the case part 60.

[0054] The guide groove 64 is composed of a first guide portion 641, a second guide portion 642, and a third guide portion 643. Specifically, the first guide portion 641 opens to the upper surface 623b of the connecting wall 623 and extends downward along the line Y1 between the support hole 623a and the side wall 622. The second guide portion 642 is connected to the lower end of the first guide portion 641 and extends between the rotation axis X1 and the rotation axis X2 in a direction approaching the line Y1. The third guide portion 643 is provided along the line Y1 and has an upper end connected to the second guide portion 642 and a lower end connected to the support hole 65. The first guide portion 641, the second guide portion 642, and the third guide portion 643 are formed with a common groove width W2 that approximately matches the inner diameter D2 of the support hole 65 (W2≒D2).

[0055] A pressure rod 66 is formed integrally with the side wall 622. The pressure rod 66 has an arm 661 oriented along a straight line Y2 parallel to the straight line Y1, and a pressure piece 662 provided at the lower end of the arm 661 in the direction of the straight line Y2. The pressure piece 662 of the pressure rod 66 is positioned below the bottom wall 632 of the spring accommodating portion 63 in the direction of the straight line Y2 by a length H2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the push rod 66 passes through the through-hole 501 of the intermediate member 5 and faces the push switch 71 provided on the printed circuit board 7.

[0056] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the indexing portion 26. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of Fig. 5 as viewed from one end 21a of the shaft 21. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the gear train G. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the BB cross section of Fig. 5 as viewed from one end 21a of the shaft 21. 10 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the shaft 21 and the rotary vanes 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the area around the large diameter portion 210 of the shaft 21 in FIG. 5, viewed from below.

[0057] 10, the large diameter portion 210 of the shaft 21 is provided with an indexing portion 26 and a first gear 25 that constitutes a gear train G. In the direction of the rotation axis X1, the indexing portion 26 is provided on the medium diameter portion 211 side in the direction of the rotation axis X1, and the first gear 25 is provided on one end 21a side of the shaft 21. The indexing portion 26 and the first gear 25 rotate integrally around the rotation axis X1.

[0058] When the large diameter portion 210 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 62 (see FIG. 6A) of the moving block 6, the indexing portion 26 is disposed at a position overlapping in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1 with the spring Sp and the ball B provided in the spring accommodation portion 63 (see FIG. 7A) of the second accommodation portion 62. The first gear 25 is disposed in the region between the spring accommodation portion 63 and the connecting wall 623 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 (see FIG. 6B).

[0059] 8, the indexing portion 26 has a plurality of detent grooves 260 provided in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1 over the entire circumference of the large diameter portion 210. The detent grooves 260 are V-shaped grooves recessed toward the inner diameter side from an imaginary circle Im1 passing through the outer circumferential surface 210a of the large diameter portion 210.

[0060] The detent groove 260 has a pair of inclined surfaces 261, 262 that face each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1. The pair of inclined surfaces 261, 262 are inclined in directions that approach each other as they move toward the inner diameter side in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1. The pair of inclined surfaces 261, 262 have their inner diameter side ends connected by a valley portion 263, and are provided symmetrically with respect to a diameter line Lm that passes through the valley portion 263. In the indexing portion 26, the region between adjacent valley portions 263, 263 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1 configures a peak portion 264.

[0061] The detent grooves 260, 260 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1 are set at a predetermined interval (angle θ1). In this embodiment, the indexing unit 26 has 12 detent grooves 260. In the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1, the detent grooves 260 are arranged, for example, every 30°. The angle θ1 can be set appropriately depending on the number of functions assigned to the rotation of the rotary knob 20 (see FIG. 5).

[0062] A spring Sp and a ball B housed in a spring housing portion 63 (see FIG. 7A) are located below the indexing portion 26 in the direction of the straight line Y1. The ball B is biased upward in the direction of the straight line Y1 by the spring Sp (indicated by the hollow arrow in the drawing), and resiliently engages with one of the multiple detent grooves 260.

[0063] In the detent groove 260 with the ball B engaged, the pair of inclined surfaces 261, 262 are pressed against the outer circumferential surface Ba of the ball B, and the valley portion 263 is positioned at a position overlapping the straight line Y1.

[0064] In this state, for example, when the dividing portion 26 is rotated in the clockwise direction CW around the rotation axis X1, the tooth portion 264 adjacent to the valley portion 263 crosses the ball B in the circumferential direction. At this time, the ball B is pushed downward in the direction of the straight line Y1 by the tooth portion 264. The ball B moves downward in the direction of the straight line Y1 while compressing the spring Sp (black arrow in the figure).

[0065] When the tooth portion 264 passes over the ball B, the valley portion 263 of another pitch groove 260 adjacent in the circumferential direction is arranged at a position overlapping the ball B on the straight line Y1. Then, the ball B engages with the pitch groove 260 again by the biasing force of the spring Sp. As a result, when the dividing portion 26 rotates by an angle θ1 (30°) in the clockwise direction CW around the rotation axis X1, the rotation temporarily stops and the division is completed.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, the first gear 25 and the second gear 85 constituting the gear train G have tooth portions 250 and 850 that mesh with each other. In the direction of the straight line Y1, the second gear 85 is provided below the first gear 25.

[0067] The gear diameter R2 of the second gear 85 is set smaller than the gear diameter R1 of the first gear 25 (R2 < R1). Also, the number of teeth of the tooth portion 850 of the second gear 85 is set less than the number of teeth of the tooth portion 250 of the first gear 25. That is, the gear ratio of the gear train G (number of teeth of the second gear 85 / number of teeth of the first gear 25) is set to a value smaller than at least 1. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the second gear 85 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the first gear 25 is larger than the amount of rotation of the first gear 25.

[0068] [[ID=I8]]When the dividing portion 26 is rotated by an angle θ1 in the clockwise direction CW around the rotation axis X1 (see FIG. I8), the first gear 25 rotates by an angle θ1 in the clockwise direction CW around the rotation axis X1 integrally with the dividing portion 26. The second gear 85 meshing with the first gear 25 rotates in the counterclockwise direction CCW around the rotation axis X2.

[0069] Here, the number of teeth of the toothed portion 850 of the second gear 85 is set to be smaller than the number of teeth of the toothed portion 250 of the first gear 25. Therefore, in the counterclockwise direction CCW about the rotation axis X2, the angle θ2 through which the second gear 85 rotates is larger than the angle θ1 through which the first gear 25 rotates (θ2 > θ1). In this embodiment, as an example, the numbers of teeth of the first gear 25 and the second gear 85 are set so that when the first gear 25 rotates 30°, the second gear 85 rotates an angle of 72°. The angle θ2 through which the second gear 85 rotates corresponds to the interval (angle θ3, see FIG. 11 ) between adjacent recesses 83, 83 in the rotary vane 8, which will be described later.

[0070] 10, the second gear 85 is provided with a rotary vane 8. The rotary vane 8 is connected to the second gear 85 via a connecting shaft 89 so as to be rotatable integrally therewith. The connecting shaft 89 and the rotary vane 8 are provided in a direction along the rotation axis X2, and are provided on the opposite side of the shaft 21 when viewed from the second gear 85.

[0071] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the rotary blade 8. Fig. 11(A) is a diagram of the rotary blade 8 in Fig. 10 as viewed from the AA direction. Fig. 11(B) is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of Fig. 11(A). In the enlarged area of ​​Fig. 11(A), the rotary vanes 8 are cross-hatched to make it easier to understand the positional relationship. In the enlarged area of ​​Fig. 11(A) and Fig. 11(B), the optical sensor 72 is shown by a virtual line.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 11(A), the rotary blade 8 has a plate-shaped base 81 that is perpendicular to the rotation axis X2, and five plate-shaped blade portions 82 (detectable portions) that extend radially from the base 81 in the radial direction of the rotation axis X2. The five blade portions 82 (82a to 82e) have the same shape. Furthermore, five recesses 83 (83a to 83e) are provided between the five blade portions 82 (82a to 82e) in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. The five recesses 83 (83a to 83e) have the same shape. In the following description, the five blades 82 (82a to 82e) and the five recesses 83 (83a to 83e) will also be simply referred to as blades 82 and recesses 83, respectively, unless otherwise specified.

[0073] The blade portions 82 and the recessed portions 83 are provided on the outer diameter side of the base portion 81 so as to surround the rotation axis X2, and are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. These blade portions 82 and recessed portions 83 constitute the outer peripheral portion 84 of the rotary blade 8 in the present invention.

[0074] 11(A), the five recesses 83 (83a to 83e) are provided at intervals of an angle θ3 (72°) in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. This angle θ3 is the same as the angle θ2 by which the second gear 85 rotates in conjunction with the first gear 25 when the first gear 25 rotates by an angle θ1, as shown in FIG. 9 (θ3=θ2).

[0075] The rotating blade 8 is connected to the second gear 85 so that when the ball B is engaged with the detent groove 260 (see Figure 8), the blade portion 82 is indexed upward in the direction of the straight line Y1 that sandwiches the rotation axis X2, and the recess 83 is indexed downward. As a result, when the rotary vane 8 rotates integrally with the second gear 85 around the rotation axis X2 by an angle θ3, the positions of the vane portion 82 and the recessed portion 83 are aligned before and after the rotation.

[0076] The outer periphery 820 of the blade portion 82 forms an arc shape that follows the imaginary circle Im2. The diameter R3 of the imaginary circle Im2 is set to a diameter such that the outer periphery 820 of the blade portion 82 passes below the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 (see the enlarged area in (A) of FIG. 11) when the rotary blade 8 rotates around the rotation axis X2. In other words, the outer periphery 84 (blade portion 82, recess 83) is arranged to overlap with the optical sensor 72 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2.

[0077] 11B, the base 81 and the blade 82 have the same thickness T8 in the direction of the rotation axis X2. This thickness T8 is smaller than the distance CL72 between the protruding walls 722 and 723 of the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the rotation axis X2 (T8 <CL72)。

[0078] In the rotary vane 8, only the vane portion 82 located on the outer diameter side of the base portion 81 is disposed between the protruding walls 722, 723 of the optical sensor 72. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the vane portion 82 overlaps with the light receiving portion 725a and the light emitting portion 725b of the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72. Therefore, when the rotary vane 8 rotates around the rotation axis X2, the vane portions 82 (82a to 82e) and the recessed portions 83 (83a to 83e) alternately pass between the light receiving portion 725a and the light emitting portion 725b of the optical sensor 72.

[0079] When the recess 83 is located between the light receiving portion 725a and the light transmitting portion 725b, the detection light L passes through the recess 83. Therefore, the light receiving portion 725a detects the detection light L. On the other hand, when the blade portion 82 is located between the light receiving portion 725a and the light transmitting portion 725b, the detection light L is blocked by the blade portion 82. Therefore, the light receiving portion 725a does not detect the detection light L. The optical sensor 72 detects whether the light receiving portion 725a receives or blocks light. For example, when the light receiving portion 725a receives the detection light L, an ON signal is output, and when the light is not received (when the light is blocked), an OFF signal is output. As a result, the rotation of the rotary blade 8 is detected at the signal input destination.

[0080] 11(A), recess 83 is recessed from the outer periphery 820 side (outer diameter side) of blade portion 82 in the radial direction of rotation axis X2 toward rotation axis X2 side (inner diameter side). Specifically, on the inner diameter side of recess 83, recess 83 has a pair of inclined surfaces 832, 833 that face each other in the circumferential direction around rotation axis X2, and an interference avoidance portion 831 that connects to the inner diameter sides of the pair of inclined surfaces 832, 833.

[0081] The pair of inclined surfaces 832, 833 are inclined in a direction that narrows the circumferential distance CL1 about the rotation axis X2 from the outer periphery 820 toward the inner diameter side of the blade portion 82. The distance CL1 between the pair of inclined surfaces 832, 833 is set to be wider than the width W725 of the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 (CL1>W725).

[0082] The interference avoidance portion 831 is formed to extend from the pair of inclined surfaces 832, 833 toward the base 81, and has a periphery that follows the outer shape of the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72. Specifically, the periphery of the interference avoidance portion 831 is made up of a side wall 831b connected to the inner diameter side end of the inclined surface 832, a side wall 831c connected to the inner diameter side end of the inclined surface 833, and a bottom wall 831a that connects the inner diameter side ends of the side walls 831b, 831c to each other.

[0083] The side walls 831b, 831c face each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2 and are parallel to each other. The bottom wall 831a is perpendicular to the side walls 831b, 831c. The distance CL2 between the side walls 831b, 831c is set to be wider than the width W725 of the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 (CL2>W725). The length H3 of the side walls 831b, 831c in the radial direction of the rotation axis X2 is set to be a length such that the bottom wall 831a does not overlap the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 when the rotary vane 8 is displaced downward in the direction of the straight line Y1 (see FIG. 13A). In this way, the side walls 831b, 831c and bottom wall 831a that form the periphery of the interference avoidance portion 831 are set to avoid interference with at least the detection portion 725 (light receiving portion 725a, light emitting portion 725b) of the optical sensor 72 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2.

[0084] 12 is a diagram illustrating the displacement of the rotary vanes 8 during a pressing operation, and is a view taken along the CC arrow in FIG. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the displacement of rotary vanes 8 during a pressing operation. Fig. 13(A) is an enlarged view of area A in Fig. 12. Fig. 13(B) is a diagram illustrating the displacement of rotary vanes 8 according to a comparative example. 14 is a diagram illustrating the rotation of the rotary blades 8 during a rotation operation. FIG. 14 shows only the upper cover 4U, the rotary knob 20, the indexing portion 26, the rotary blades 8, and the optical sensor 72 shown in FIG. 13 and 14, the optical sensor 72 is shown in cross section along the radial direction of the rotation axis X2.

[0085] 12, the moving block 6, which supports the components of the rotary switch 2 (the rotary knob 20, the rotary blades 8, and the gear train G), is biased upward in the direction of line Y1 by a spring Sp interposed between the moving block 6 and the intermediate member 5. When the rotary knob 20 is not being pressed, the moving block 6 maintains its position in the direction of line Y1 as the guide ribs 68 and 69 abut against the ribs 43 and 43 of the upper cover 4U, respectively. As a result, the rotary knob 20 is exposed to the outside of the upper cover 4U through the opening 401 with a small gap between the rotary knob 20 and the opening 401.

[0086] In this state, the pressing rod 66 provided on the moving block 6 has the arm 661 passing through the through hole 501 of the intermediate member 5 in the direction of the straight line Y2, and the pressing piece 662 facing the push switch 71 on the printed circuit board 7 with a gap ST therebetween.

[0087] When the user presses the rotatable knob 20 downward in the direction of line Y1, the moving block 6 supporting the rotatable knob 20 moves downward in the direction of line Y1 while compressing the spring Sp. The pressing rod 66 provided on the moving block 6 also moves downward in the direction of line Y1. This narrows the gap ST between the pressing piece 662 and the push switch 71, and eventually the pressing piece 662 of the pressing rod 66 comes into contact with the push switch 71. This completes the pressing operation by the rotatable knob 20.

[0088] Furthermore, when the user stops pressing the rotary knob 20, the upward biasing force of the spring Sp causes the moving block 6 to move upward in the direction of the line Y1 together with the push rod 66. As a result, the pressing piece 662 moves away from the push switch 71 and again faces the push switch 71 with the distance ST therebetween.

[0089] In this way, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed, the distance ST between the pressing piece 662 and the push switch 71 is the stroke amount in the pressing direction of the rotary knob 20. In the following description, the distance ST between the pressing piece 662 and the push switch 71 is also referred to as the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20.

[0090] Here, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed downward in the direction of the line Y1, the moving block 6 moves downward in the direction of the line Y1 together with the gear train G and the rotary blade 8. As shown in Fig. 8, when the ball B is engaged with the detent groove 260, the rotary blade 8 is configured so that the blade portion 82 is indexed on the upper side in the direction of the line Y1 across the rotation axis X2, and the recessed portion 83 is indexed on the lower side (see Fig. 11(A)).

[0091] Therefore, when the rotary knob 20 is not being rotated, the recess 83 overlaps with the optical sensor 72 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2. As a result, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed, the rotary blade 8 can be displaced to a region where the base 721 of the optical sensor 72 is located inside the outer periphery 820 (imaginary circle Im2) of the rotary blade 8 (see the imaginary line in (A) of FIG. 13).

[0092] In this embodiment, the indexing portion 26 (the detent groove 260 and the ball B) is used to change the angle of the rotary knob 20 about the rotation axis X2 by a predetermined angle when the rotary knob 20 is rotated about the rotation axis X2. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the recessed portion 83 of the rotary blade 8 is always positioned so as to overlap with the optical sensor 72 each time the rotary knob 20 rotates by the predetermined angle (see FIG. 12).

[0093] Here, as shown in (B) of FIG. 13, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, each time the rotary knob 20 rotates by a determined angle, the blade part 82 of the rotary blade 8 is set to be arranged at a position overlapping with the optical sensor 72. Then, the outer periphery 820 of the blade part 82 will be arranged closest to the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0094] In this case, the separation distance CL4 between the outer periphery 820 of the blade part 82 and the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1 is smaller than the separation distance CL3 between the recess 83 and the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72 when the recess 83 is arranged to overlap with the optical sensor 72 (see (A) of FIG. 13) (CL4 < CL3). The stroke amount ST' of the rotary blade 8 (rotary knob 20) is set to be at least smaller than the separation distance CL4 between the outer periphery 820 of the blade part 82 and the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72. This stroke amount ST' is shorter than the stroke amount ST when the recess 83 is arranged to overlap with the optical sensor 72 (see (A) of FIG. 13) (ST' < ST).

[0095] For example, in order to increase this stroke amount ST', it is conceivable to move the rotary blade 8 away from the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1 to ensure the separation distance CL4 between the outer periphery 820 of the blade part 82 and the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72. However, in this case, the switch device 1 (see FIG. 12) will become larger in size in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0096] Therefore, as shown in (A) of FIG. 13, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, each time the rotary knob 20 rotates by a determined angle, the recess 83 of the rotary blade 8 is always arranged at a position overlapping with the optical sensor 72, thereby ensuring the separation distance CL3 between the recess 83 and the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1. Thereby, the rotary blade 8 can be displaced to a region where the base part 721 of the optical sensor 72 is located inside the outer periphery 820 (virtual circle Im2) of the rotary blade 8. Therefore, the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20 can be increased without the switch device 1 becoming larger in size in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an interference avoidance portion 831 is formed on the inner diameter side of the recess 83. This makes it more unlikely that the rotary vane 8 will overlap the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 when the rotary vane 8 is displaced downward in the direction of the line Y1 by the stroke amount ST (white arrow in FIG. 13(A)). The provision of the interference avoidance portion 831 allows the rotary vane 8 to be closer to the optical sensor 72, thereby further increasing the stroke amount ST.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 14, when a user rotates the rotary knob 20 around the rotation axis X1, the indexing unit 26 rotates around the rotation axis X1 together with the rotary knob 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the first gear 25 rotates together with the rotation of the indexing unit 26, and the rotation of the first gear 25 is transmitted to the second gear 85, and finally the rotary blade 8 rotates around the rotation axis X2.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 14, for example, when a user rotates the rotary knob 20 in a clockwise direction CW about the rotation axis X1 by an angle θ1 between circumferentially adjacent detent grooves 260, 260, a rotation whose speed is changed by the gear train G shown in Fig. 9 is output to the rotary vane 8. Specifically, the rotary vane 8 rotates in a counterclockwise direction CCW about the rotation axis X2 by an angle θ3. The angle θ3 through which the rotary vane 8 rotates is the angle between circumferentially adjacent recesses 83, 83, and is greater than the angle θ1 through which the rotary knob 20 rotates.

[0100] When rotary blade 8 rotates through angle θ3 in conjunction with the rotation of rotary knob 20 through angle θ1, recess 83c, blade portion 82d, and recess 83d of rotary blade 8 pass in that order by detection portion 725 of optical sensor 72 as viewed from the direction of rotation axis X2. As a result, optical sensor 72 detects that the cycle of light reception → light blocking → light reception has been completed once. This allows the determination that the rotary vane 8 has rotated by the angle θ3, that is, that the rotary knob 20 has been rotated by the angle θ1.

[0101] 14, in this embodiment, the angle θ3 at which the rotary vanes 8 rotate is set to be larger than the angle θ1 at which the rotary knob 20 rotates (θ3>θ1). This reduces the number of vanes 82 and ensures a larger area for providing the recesses 83. This makes it possible to more effectively avoid interference between the vanes 82 and the optical sensor 72, thereby further increasing the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20.

[0102] Here, the switch device 1 according to this embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 9 for preventing the rotary knob 20 from being pressed and rotated at the same time. 15 is a diagram illustrating the rotation restricting portion 9. FIG. 15 is a view taken along the arrow DD in FIG. In FIG. 15, the engaging portion 9A and the engaged portion 9B of the rotation restricting portion 9 are cross-hatched to make it easier to understand the positional relationship.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 15, the rotation restricting portion 9 has an engaging portion 9A provided on the rotary knob 20 side and an engaged portion 9B provided on the intermediate member 5 side. The engagement portion 9A has a ring-shaped base portion 90 that surrounds the rotation axis X1, and an engagement groove 91 formed on the outer periphery of the base portion 90. A plurality of engagement grooves 91 are provided over the entire circumference of the base portion 90 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X1.

[0104] The engagement groove 91 has a pair of inclined surfaces 911, 912 that face each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis X1. The pair of inclined surfaces 911, 912 are inclined so that they approach each other as they move toward the inner diameter side in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1. The inner diameter side ends of the pair of inclined surfaces 911, 912 are connected by a valley portion 913. Furthermore, the area between adjacent valley portions 913, 913 in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis X1 forms a peak portion 914 (see the enlarged area in Figure 15).

[0105] The engagement grooves 91 are formed in the same number as the detent grooves 260 (see FIG. 8) of the indexing portion 26. The angle θ4 between the engagement grooves 91, 91 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis X1 is set to the same angle as the angle θ1 (see FIG. 8) between the detent grooves 260, 260 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis X1 (θ4=θ1).

[0106] 5, the engaging portion 9A has a spline 92 formed on the inner periphery of the base portion 90. The spline 92 is fitted with a spline 212s provided on the other end 21b of the shaft 21. Therefore, the engaging portion 9A rotates integrally with the shaft 21 around the rotation axis X1.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 15, an engaged portion 9B is provided below the engaging portion 9A in the direction of the straight line Y1. As shown in Fig. 5, the engaged portion 9B has a protruding wall portion 95 extending upward in the direction of the straight line Y1 from the intermediate member 5, and an engaged groove 96 formed in the upper surface of the protruding wall portion 95. The engaged groove 96 faces the engaging groove 91 of the engaging portion 9A with a gap therebetween in the direction of the straight line Y1.

[0108] 15, the engaged groove 96 of the engaged portion 9B has a shape that meshes with the engaging groove 91 (valley portion 913, peak portion 914) of the engaging portion 9A. Specifically, in the direction of the straight line Y1, the valley portion 962 of the engaged groove 96 overlaps with the peak portion 914 of the engaging groove 91, and the peak portion 961 of the engaged groove 96 overlaps with the valley portion 913 of the engaging groove 91.

[0109] 15, for example, when the rotatable knob 20 is rotated by an angle θ1 (see FIG. 8), the engaging portion 9A rotates by the angle θ1 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotatable knob 20. The angle θ4 between adjacent engaging grooves 91, 91 in the circumferential direction is the same as the angle θ1. Therefore, each time the rotatable knob 20 rotates, the engaging portion 9A switches between the engaging groove 91 that faces the engaged groove 96 of the engaged portion 9B.

[0110] When the rotary knob 20 is not being pressed, the engaging groove 91 of the engaging portion 9A and the engaged groove 96 of the engaged portion 9B are spaced apart in the direction of the straight line Y1 by the stroke amount ST. When the rotary knob 20 is pressed and displaced downward in the direction of the straight line Y1 by a stroke amount ST, the engaging groove 91 of the engaging portion 9A and the engaged groove 96 of the engaged portion 9B engage with each other, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotary knob 20.

[0111] Furthermore, when the user stops pressing the rotatable knob 20, the upward biasing force of the spring Sp moves the rotatable knob 20 upward in the direction of the line Y1, thereby releasing the engagement between the engaging groove 91 of the engaging portion 9A and the engaged groove 96 of the engaged portion 9B, allowing the rotatable knob 20 to rotate.

[0112] As described above, the switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 is a rotary knob 20 (operated member) that is rotatable around a rotation axis X1 (first axis) in increments of an angle θ1, which is a predetermined angular unit, and that is reciprocally displaceable in the direction of a straight line Y1 that is a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X1; a rotary vane 8 (rotating body) that rotates around a rotation axis X2 (second axis) parallel to the rotation axis X1 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary knob 20 and that reciprocates in the direction of a straight line Y1 following the reciprocating displacement of the rotary knob 20; When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the optical sensor 72 (detection element) is disposed on a straight line Y1 passing through the rotation axis X2. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the optical sensor 72 is provided in a positional relationship where it overlaps with an outer periphery 84 that surrounds the rotation axis X2 of the rotary vane 8 at a predetermined interval. In the outer peripheral portion 84 as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, a plurality of recesses 83 exposing the optical sensors 72 are provided at intervals of an angle θ3, which is a predetermined angular unit, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. The angle θ3 of the recess 83 is set to an angle unit such that the recess 83 and the optical sensor 72 overlap in the direction of the rotation axis X2 each time the rotary knob 20 rotates around the rotation axis X1 by an angle θ1, which is a predetermined angle unit.

[0113] If the blade portion 82 of the rotary vane 8 is positioned to overlap the optical sensor 72 each time the rotary knob 20 rotates by a predetermined angle as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the outer periphery 820 of the blade portion 82 will be positioned closest to the base 721 of the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1 (see FIG. 13B). In this case, in order to increase the stroke amount ST' of the rotary knob 20, it is conceivable to move the rotary vane 8 away from the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1. However, in this case, the size of the switch device 1 (see FIG. 12) will increase in the direction of the straight line Y1. Therefore, by configuring as described above, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed, the rotary blade 8 can be displaced to an area where the base 721 of the optical sensor 72 is located inside the outer periphery 820 (virtual circle Im2) of the rotary blade 8 (see (A) of Figure 13). This allows the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20 to be increased without increasing the size of the switch device 1.

[0114] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In the above (1), (2) A gear train G is provided to transmit rotation between the rotary knob 20 and the rotary blades 8 . The gear train G is a first gear 25 (drive gear) that rotates integrally with the rotary knob 20; and a second gear 85 (driven gear) that rotates integrally with the rotary vane 8. The number of teeth of the second gear 85 is smaller than the number of teeth of the first gear 25 .

[0115] With this configuration, when the rotary knob 20 is rotated by angle θ1, the rotary blades 8 can rotate by angle θ3, which is larger than angle θ1. This makes it possible to reduce the number of blades 82 and ensure a larger area for providing the recesses 83. This allows the blades 82 to be more appropriately spaced from the optical sensor 72, thereby increasing the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20.

[0116] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In the above (1) or (2), (3) The rotor blades 8 are a base 81 intersecting the rotation axis X2; and an outer peripheral portion 84 that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the base portion 81. In the outer peripheral portion 84, blade portions 82 (detection target portions) to be detected by the optical sensor 72 are provided on both sides of the recessed portions 83, 83 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the blade portions 82 and the recessed portions 83 are provided alternately in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. The recess 83 is recessed from the outer periphery 820 side (outer diameter side) of the blade portion 82 in the radial direction of the rotation axis X2 toward the rotation axis X2 side (inner diameter side). An interference avoidance portion 831 is provided on the inner diameter side of the recess 83 to avoid interference with the optical sensor 72 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2 when the rotating blade 8 is displaced in the direction of the straight line Y1 toward the optical sensor 72.

[0117] With this configuration, when the rotary vane 8 is displaced downward in the direction of the line Y1 by the stroke amount ST (white arrow in FIG. 12), the rotary vane 8 is less likely to overlap the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72. The provision of the interference avoidance portion 831 in the recess 83 allows the rotary vane 8 to be brought closer to the optical sensor 72, thereby further increasing the stroke amount ST.

[0118] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In (3) above, (I) The interference avoidance portion 831 is formed to extend to the base portion 81. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the region of the base 81 in the interference avoidance section 831 has side walls 831b and 831c that form peripheral edges that follow the outer shape of the detection section 725 of the optical sensor 72, and a bottom wall 831a.

[0119] With this configuration, it is possible to suitably prevent the rotary vane 8 from overlapping the detection portion 725 of the optical sensor 72 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2.

[0120] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In the above (3) or (I), (II) The optical sensor 72 has a light-emitting portion 725b (light-emitting element) located on one side of the rotary blade 8 in the direction of the rotation axis X2, and a light-receiving portion 725a (light-receiving element) located on the other side. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the side walls 831b, 831c and bottom wall 831a that form the periphery of the region of the base 81 in the interference avoidance portion 831 are set so as to avoid interference with at least the light projecting portion 725b and the light receiving portion 725a.

[0121] With this configuration, the rotary vanes 8 can be brought closer to the optical sensor 72 in the direction of the straight line Y1, and the stroke amount ST can be further increased.

[0122] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. (4) The switch device 1 is a rotary knob 20 (operated member) that is rotatable around a rotation axis X1 (first axis) in increments of an angle θ1, which is a predetermined angular unit, and that is provided so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the direction of a straight line Y1 perpendicular to the rotation axis X1; a rotary vane 8 (rotating body) that rotates about a rotation axis X2 (second axis) parallel to the rotation axis X1 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary knob 20 and that reciprocates along a straight line Y1 in response to the reciprocating displacement of the rotary knob 20; When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the optical sensor 72 (detection element) is disposed on a straight line Y1 passing through the rotation axis X2. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, the optical sensor 72 is provided in a positional relationship where it overlaps with an outer periphery 84 that surrounds the rotation axis X2 at a predetermined interval. In the outer peripheral portion 84 as viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X2, a plurality of recesses 83 exposing the optical sensors 72 are provided at intervals of an angle θ3, which is a predetermined angular unit, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X2. A gear train G is provided to transmit rotation between the rotary knob 20 and the rotary blades 8 . The gear train G is set to a gear ratio that causes the recess 83 and the optical sensor 72 to overlap in the direction of the rotation axis X2 every time the rotary knob 20 rotates around the rotation axis X1 by an angle θ1.

[0123] With this configuration, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed, the rotary blade 8 can be displaced to a region where the base 721 of the optical sensor 72 is located inside the outer periphery 820 (imaginary circle Im2) of the rotary blade 8. This allows the stroke amount ST of the rotary knob 20 to be increased without increasing the size of the switch device 1.

[0124] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In any of the above (1) to (4) or (I) to (II), (5) The rotary knob 20 has a rotation restricting portion 9 (restricting portion) that restricts the rotation of the rotary knob 20 when the rotary knob 20 is displaced in a direction approaching the optical sensor 72 along the line Y1.

[0125] With this configuration, when the rotary knob 20 is pressed, the rotary blade 8 rotates around the rotation axis X2, and the blade portion 82 can be prevented from interfering with the optical sensor 72.

[0126] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. In any of the above (1) to (5) or (I) to (II), (6) The rotation regulating portion 9 has an engaging portion 9A that is non-rotatable relative to the rotating knob 20 via the shaft 21, and an engaged portion 9B that is formed on the intermediate member 5 (fixed side member) to which the optical sensor 72 is fixed. The engaging portion 9A and the engaged portion 9B can engage with each other at every rotation angle θ1 of the rotary knob 20.

[0127] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the rotary vane 8 from interfering with the optical sensor 72 when the rotary knob 20 is pressed and rotated at the same time.

[0128] In this embodiment, the rotating blade 8 has five blade portions 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the rotating blade 8 has four blade portions 82, the angle θ3 between adjacent recesses 83, 83 is 90°. Also, if the rotating blade 8 has three blade portions 82, the angle θ3 between adjacent recesses 83, 83 is 120°. In these cases, the gear ratio of the gear train G can be set so that the optical sensor 72 can detect that a cycle of light reception → light blocking → light reception has been completed once when the rotary knob 20 has rotated by the angle θ1.

[0129] In addition, in this embodiment, the gear train G is configured from the first gear 25 and the second gear 85, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an intermediate gear may be interposed between the first gear 25 and the second gear 85. By interposing an intermediate gear, for example, the rotary knob 20 can be rotated with a light force.

[0130] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 Switching device 2 rotary switches 5 Intermediate member (fixed side member) 6 Moving Block 7 Printed circuit board 8 Rotating blades (rotating body) 9 Rotation restriction part (restriction part) 9A Engagement part 9B Engaged part 20 Rotating knob (operated member) 21 Shaft 25 1st gear (drive gear) 26 Index section 60 Case part 61 First storage section 62 Second storage section 66 Push rod 71 Optical sensor (detection element) 81 Base 82 Blade part (detected part) 83 Recess 84 Outer periphery 85 2nd gear (driven gear) 91 Engagement groove 96 Engaged groove 260 Detent groove 725 Detector 725a Photodetector 725b Light projector 831 Interference avoidance unit 831a Bottom wall 831b side wall 831c side wall G gear train Im2 Virtual Circle ST stroke volume X1 Rotation axis (1st axis) X2 Rotation axis (2nd axis) Y1 line (straight line perpendicular to the first axis) θ1 angle (unit of angle determined around the first axis) θ3 angle (unit of angle determined around the second axis)

Claims

1. an operated member that is rotatable around a first axis by a predetermined angle and is provided so as to be reciprocally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis; a rotor that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in conjunction with the rotation of the operated member and that reciprocates in the perpendicular direction following the reciprocating displacement of the operated member; A switch device having a detection element disposed on a straight line passing through the second axis and along the orthogonal direction when viewed from the second axial direction, When viewed from the second axial direction, the detection element is provided in a positional relationship overlapping an outer circumferential portion surrounding the second axis of the rotor at a predetermined interval, a plurality of recesses exposing the detection element are provided at intervals of a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction around the second axis on an outer circumferential portion of the rotor as viewed from the second axis direction, A switch device characterized in that the angular unit of the recess is set to an angular unit such that the recess and the detection element overlap in the second axial direction each time the operated member rotates around the first axis in the determined angular unit.

2. In claim 1, a gear train that transmits rotation between the operated member and the rotating body; The gear train includes: A driving gear that rotates integrally with the operated member; a driven gear that rotates integrally with the rotor, A switch device, characterized in that the number of teeth of the driven gear is smaller than the number of teeth of the driving gear.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The rotating body is A base portion intersecting the second axis; The outer periphery of the base is entirely surrounded by the outer periphery of the base. a detection portion to be detected by the detection element is provided on both sides of the recess in a circumferential direction around the second axis in the outer circumferential portion, When viewed from the second axis direction, the detection portions and the recessed portions are alternately provided in a circumferential direction around the second axis, The recess is recessed from an outer diameter side to an inner diameter side in a radial direction of the second shaft, A switch device characterized in that an interference avoidance portion is provided on the inner diameter side of the recess to avoid interference with the detection element when viewed from the second axial direction when the rotating body is displaced in a direction approaching the detection element in the perpendicular direction.

4. an operated member that is rotatable around a first axis by a predetermined angle and is provided so as to be reciprocally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the first axis; a rotor that rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in conjunction with the rotation of the operated member and that reciprocates in the perpendicular direction following the reciprocating displacement of the operated member; a detection element disposed on a straight line passing through the second axis and along a reciprocating displacement direction of the rotating body, as viewed from the second axial direction, When viewed from the second axial direction, the detection element is provided in a positional relationship overlapping an outer circumferential portion surrounding the second axis of the rotor at a predetermined interval, a plurality of recesses exposing the detection element are provided at intervals of a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction around the second axis on an outer circumferential portion of the rotor as viewed from the second axis direction, a gear train that transmits rotation between the operated member and the rotating body; A switch device characterized in that the gear train is set to a gear ratio that causes the recess and the detection element to overlap in the second axial direction each time the operated member rotates around the first axis by the determined angle.

5. In claim 1 or claim 4, A switch device comprising: a restricting portion that restricts rotation of the operated member when the operated member is displaced in a direction approaching the detection element in the perpendicular direction.

6. In claim 5, the regulating portion has an engaging portion formed to be integrally rotatable with the operated member, and an engaged portion formed on a fixed member on which the detection element is provided, A switch device, characterized in that the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is performed every determined angle of the operated member.

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