Depression button device and vehicle

Abstract

To prevent simultaneous operation of operators which are in an exclusive relation, and suppress floating of an operator that is not operated.SOLUTION: In a depression step of a knob 10, a first contact part 41 is depressed by a first pressure part 11 to cause a second contact part 42 to move in a direction toward a second pressure part 21. In a depression step of a knob 20, the second contact part 42 is depressed by the second pressure part 21 to cause the first contact part 41 to move in the direction toward the first pressure part 11. At a neutral position of a swinging member 40, a first gap D1 is created between the first pressure part 11 and the first contact part 41 in a Z-direction, and a second gap D2 is created between the second pressure part 21 and the second contact part 42. In the depression step of the knobs 10 and 20, an amount of movement X2 of the second contact part 42 is equal to the second gap D2 or less, and an amount of movement X1 of the first contact part 41 is equal to the first gap D1 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a push button device and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a push button device that has two or more operators that should be operated exclusively. For example, in Patent Document 1, an interlock function is provided to prevent simultaneous pressing of such operators. In Patent Document 1, when an operator is pressed, an interlock piece tilts and abuts against a part of an opposing operator, thereby performing interlocking. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-110275 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the interlock piece pushes up the opposing operator when one is operated. This not only looks bad, but can also affect the quality. For example, if a thin film is attached to the surface of the operator, the film may bulge every time the operator is operated, which may affect the durability of the film.

[0005] The present technology aims to prevent simultaneous operation of operators that are in an exclusive relationship, and to suppress the floating of the operator that is not being operated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a push button device of the present technology includes a first operator including a first pressing portion and to be pressed, a second operator including a second pressing portion and to be pressed, a case, and a swing member that is swingably held in the case and includes a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion, the first abutment portion being pressed by the first pressing portion so that the second abutment portion moves in a direction approaching the second pressing portion, and the second abutment portion being pressed by the second pressing portion so that the first abutment portion moves in a direction approaching the first pressing portion, In a neutral position of the oscillating member in this state, there is a first gap between the first pressing portion and the first abutment portion and a second gap between the second pressing portion and the second abutment portion, and in a depression stroke in which the first operator is depressed from a non-operated state to a depression end position, the amount of movement of the second abutment portion in a direction parallel to the depression direction of the second operator is less than or equal to the second gap, and in a depression stroke in which the second operator is depressed from a non-operated state to a depression end position, the amount of movement of the first abutment portion in a direction parallel to the depression direction of the first operator is less than or equal to the first gap. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present technology, it is possible to prevent simultaneous operation of operators that are in an exclusive relationship, and to suppress the floating of the operator that is not operated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a knob, a fixing member, and a swinging member. [Figure 4] This is a view of the knob and fixing member from the -Z side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a view of the knob, the swinging member, and the fixed member as viewed from the +X side. [Figure 6] 13 is an enlarged schematic view showing a part of the elastic engagement portion and the protrusion as viewed from the +Y side. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a partial perspective view of a push button device according to an embodiment of the present technology. As an example, the push button device 100 is mounted on an operation panel of a vehicle 200. Note that the application of the push button device 100 is not limited to vehicles, but can be applied to various types of equipment.

[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the push button device 100. Figs. 1 and 2 show some areas of the push button device 100, and areas not shown may also have the same configuration as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The push button device 100 mainly comprises a knob 10 (first operator), a knob 20 (second operator), a case 30, a swinging member 40, a fixed member 50, and a substrate 60.

[0012] Hereinafter, the directions of each part will be referred to based on the X, Y, and Z coordinate axes shown in each drawing. The thickness direction and width direction of the substrate 60 are respectively defined as the Z direction and the X direction, and the longitudinal direction of the substrate 60 (the arrangement direction of the knob 10, the fixing member 50, and the knob 20) is defined as the Y direction. First, the schematic configuration of each part will be described.

[0013] The knobs 10 and 20 are controls that are pressed in the -Z direction. The fixed member 50 is fixed to the case 30. The knobs 10 and 20 are assembled to the case 30. The oscillating member 40 (FIG. 2) is held to be oscillable around an oscillating center P0 (see FIG. 4) parallel to the X direction with respect to the case 30. The board 60 is fixed to the case 30 with screws (not shown). A plurality of tactile switches 61 (FIG. 2) are provided on the board 60. Also, an LED 63 is arranged on the board 60 in correspondence with the fixed member 50. LEDs corresponding to the knobs 10 and 20 may also be arranged. The type of switch arranged on the board 60 is not limited to a tactile switch, and may be a rubber contact switch, a metal switch, or the like.

[0014] Although the material of each component is not important, the knobs 10, 20, case 30, oscillating member 40, and fixed member 50 are each made of a suitable resin, for example. In particular, the fixed member 50 is made of a material having elasticity. It is preferable that the materials of the knobs 10, 20, and fixed member 50 have optical transparency.

[0015] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the knobs 10, 20 and the fixed member 50. Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view of the oscillating member 40. Fig. 4 is a view of the knobs 10, 20 and the fixed member 50 as viewed from the -Z side. The knobs 10 and 20 are disposed facing each other in the Y direction with the fixed member 50 in between. The knobs 10 and 20 have the same configuration, and are oriented in opposite directions in the Y direction when disposed. The knobs 10 and 20 may differ from each other in material and partial shape as long as they have the main parts related to the present technology in common.

[0016] 2 and 3(a), knob 10 is formed as an integral unit and includes a plurality of first pressing portions 11, a plurality of guided portions 12, a plurality of stopper portions 13, and a switch pressing portion 14. Knob 20 is formed as an integral unit and includes a plurality of second pressing portions 21, a plurality of guided portions 22, a plurality of stopper portions 23, and a switch pressing portion 24. Fixing member 50 is formed as an integral unit and includes elastic engagement portion 51A (first elastic engagement portion), elastic engagement portion 51B (second elastic engagement portion), and fitting holes 55 and 56.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the oscillating member 40 is annular and integrally constructed. In addition to shaft portions 44 and 45, a plurality of first abutment portions 41 and a plurality of second abutment portions 42 are arranged on the outer periphery of the annular shape of the oscillating member 40. The first abutment portions 41 correspond to the first pressing portion 11 of the knob 10, and the second abutment portions 42 correspond to the second pressing portion 21 of the knob 20. Protrusions 43A and 43B are arranged on the inner periphery of the annular shape of the oscillating member 40. The protrusions 43A and 43B correspond to the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B of the fixed member 50, respectively.

[0018] 2, the case 30 includes a first restricting portion 33 corresponding to the stopper portion 13 and a second restricting portion 34 corresponding to the stopper portion 23 (some are not shown). The case 30 also includes a guide groove 35 corresponding to the guided portions 12, 22. The case 30 also includes a first support portion 31 and a second support portion 32 which are support holes corresponding to the shaft portions 44, 45, as shown in FIG. 4. The shaft portions 44, 45 are supported by the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32, so that the swinging member 40 is supported at both ends by the first support portion 31 and the second support portion 32 and can swing freely around a swing center P0.

[0019] The fixing member 50 is inserted from the +Z side relative to the case 30. The case 30 has protrusions (not shown) formed thereon that correspond to the fitting holes 55, 56 of the fixing member 50, and the fixing member 50 is fixed to the case 30 by fitting these protrusions into the fitting holes 55, 56. Note that any method for fixing the fixing member 50 to the case 30 may be used.

[0020] Next, the engagement and operation of each part will be described.

[0021] The guided portion 12 of the knob 10 and the guided portion 22 of the knob 20 engage with the guide groove 35 of the case 30, thereby guiding the movement of the knobs 10 and 20 in the Z direction. When the knobs 10 and 20 are pressed down, the corresponding tactile switch 61 is turned on. During the depression stroke of the knob 10, the stopper portion 13 of the knob 10 abuts against the first restricting portion 33 of the case 30, thereby restricting the end position of the depression of the knob 10 in the depression direction (-Z direction). Similarly, during the depression stroke of the knob 20, the stopper portion 23 of the knob 20 abuts against the second restricting portion 34 of the case 30, thereby restricting the end position of the depression of the knob 20 in the depression direction.

[0022] When the knobs 10 and 20 are released from being pressed, they obtain a restoring force due to the elasticity of the tact switch 61 and return to the non-operating state which is the state at the initial position. In FIG. 1, the knobs 10 and 20 are in the non-operating state. Also, when the knobs 10 and 20 are pressed, the swing member 40 swings. Here, the knobs 10 and 20 are operating elements that should be exclusively operated, and the swing member 40 is provided to perform an interlock function for avoiding simultaneous operation. As applications of the knobs 10 and 20, for example, volume operation of an audio or temperature operation of an air conditioner can be considered.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a view of the knobs 10 and 20, the swing member 40, and the fixing member 50 as seen from the +X side. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the knobs 10 and 20 and the fixing member 50 are covered with an elastic film 62 having light transmissibility from the +Z side. Therefore, actually, the knobs 10 and 20 are pressed through the elastic film 62. In FIG. 5, the knobs 10 and 20 are in the non-operating state, and the swing member 40 is at the neutral position regarding the swinging direction.

[0024] When the knob 10 is pressed, the swing member 40 swings in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5. That is, in the pressing stroke of the knob 10, the first contact portion 41 of the swing member 40 is pushed by the first pressing portion 11, so that the second contact portion 42 of the swing member 40 moves in the direction approaching the second pressing portion 21 (substantially the +Z direction). On the other hand, when the knob 20 is pressed, the swing member 40 swings in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5. That is, in the pressing stroke of the knob 20, the second contact portion 42 of the swing member 40 is pushed by the second pressing portion 21, so that the first contact portion 41 of the swing member 40 moves in the direction approaching the first pressing portion 11 (substantially the +Z direction).

[0025] At the neutral position of the swing member 40, a first gap D1 is formed between the first pressing portion 11 and the first contact portion 41 in the Z direction. Also, a second gap D2 is formed between the second pressing portion 21 and the second contact portion 42. As described above, since the pressing end positions of the knobs 10 and 20 are regulated by the regulating portions 33 and 34, the pressing stroke is determined.

[0026] In a depression stroke in which the knob 10 is depressed from a non-operated state to a depression end position, the amount of movement of the second contact portion 42 in the Z direction is X2. In a depression stroke in which the knob 20 is depressed from a non-operated state to a depression end position, the amount of movement of the first contact portion 41 in the Z direction is X1. Here, the amount of movement X2 is set to be equal to or smaller than the second gap D2, and the amount of movement X1 is set to be equal to or smaller than the first gap D1 (X1≦D1, X2≦D2).

[0027] When the knob 10 reaches the pressing end position, the second contact portion 42 comes close to or slightly comes into contact with the second pressing portion 21, so that even if the knob 20 is pressed down, the movement of the knob 20 in the -Z direction is restricted. On the other hand, when the knob 20 reaches the pressing end position, the first contact portion 41 comes close to or slightly comes into contact with the first pressing portion 11, so that even if the knob 10 is pressed down, the movement of the knob 10 in the -Z direction is restricted. This prevents the knobs 10 and 20 from being pressed down simultaneously.

[0028] In addition, since X1≦D1 and X2≦D2 are set as described above, it is possible to prevent the knob 10, 20 that is not being operated from moving (floating) to the +Z side. This prevents the elastic film 62 from swelling up every time the knob is operated, and there is no risk of affecting the durability of the elastic film 62.

[0029] The structure in which the rocking member 40 automatically returns to the neutral position when the depressed knobs 10, 20 are released is as follows.

[0030] First, the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B of the fixed member 50 are extension pieces hanging down in the -Z direction and are mainly flexible in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 4, the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A of the oscillating member 40 are disposed at a first position PA so as to be engageable with each other. The elastic engagement portion 51B and the protrusion 43B of the oscillating member 40 are disposed at a second position PB so as to be engageable with each other. The first position PA and the second position PB are disposed on the -Y side and the +Y side of the oscillating center P0 as viewed from the Z direction.

[0031] The first position PA is located on the side closer to the first journal portion 31 (-X side) than the second journal portion 32 in the axial direction (X direction) of the swing center P0, and the second position PB is located on the side closer to the second journal portion 32 (+X side) than the first journal portion 31 in the axial direction.

[0032] When the swinging member 40 is in the neutral position, the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A are engaged, and the elastic engagement portion 51B and the protrusion 43B are engaged. When the knob 10 reaches the end position of depression, the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A are engaged, but the engagement between the elastic engagement portion 51B and the protrusion 43B is released. Conversely, when the knob 20 reaches the end position of depression, the elastic engagement portion 51B and the protrusion 43B are engaged, but the engagement between the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A is released.

[0033] The engagement relationship between elastic engagement portion 51A and protrusion 43A when knob 10 or knob 20 is pressed is the same as the engagement relationship between elastic engagement portion 51B and protrusion 43B, so using Figure 6, we will mainly explain the engagement relationship between elastic engagement portion 51A and protrusion 43A as a representative.

[0034] 6 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A as viewed from the +Y side. The elastic engagement portion 51A has an inclined surface 53 facing the +Z side and the -X side. Although not shown, the elastic engagement portion 51B also has an inclined surface 53 facing the +Z side and the +X side. In FIG. 6, the protrusion 43A in the non-operated state of the knobs 10 and 20 is indicated by a protrusion 43A-0. The protrusion 43A corresponding to the end position of the depression of the knob 10 is indicated by a protrusion 43A-1. The protrusion 43A corresponding to the end position of the depression of the knob 20 is indicated by a protrusion 43A-2.

[0035] When the knobs 10, 20 are not operated, the oscillating member 40 is in a neutral position, and the inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A (43A-0) are lightly engaged. The inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51B also lightly engages with the protrusion 43B. That is, the oscillating member 40 elastically engages with both the elastic engagement portion 51A and the elastic engagement portion 51B. As a result, the oscillating member 40 receives a biasing force in the +Z direction from the inclined surfaces 53 on both sides, so that the posture is stable without rattling in the neutral position, and the generation of mechanical noise and the like is suppressed.

[0036] When the knob 10 is pressed down, the protrusion 43A is lowered by the rocking of the oscillating member 40. When the knob 10 reaches the end-of-pressing position, the protrusion 43A (43A-1) is tightly engaged with the inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51A. At that time, the elastic engagement portion 51A is bent in the +X direction, generating a stronger urging force than in the non-operated state. As a result, the oscillating member 40 receives a stronger urging force in the +Z direction from the inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51A. Therefore, when the pressing operation of the knob 10 is released, the oscillating member 40 automatically returns to the neutral position.

[0037] On the other hand, during the depression stroke of the knob 20, the projection 43A rises, weakening the engagement between the projection 43A and the inclined surface 53. Then, when the knob 20 reaches the end of depression position, the projection 43A (43A-2) leaves the inclined surface 53 and is no longer engaged. As a result, the oscillating member 40 is no longer subjected to the biasing force from the inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51A. At this time, the projection 43B is tightly engaged with the inclined surface 53 of the elastic engagement portion 51B. Since the projection 43A is not engaged with the inclined surface 53, the projection 43A does not hinder the return of the oscillating member 40 to the neutral position when the depression operation of the knob 20 is released.

[0038] In this way, when the knob 10 is in the pressed-down end position, the elastic engagement portion 51A engages with the protrusion 43A, and the elastic engagement portion 51B does not engage with the protrusion 43B, and when the knob 20 is in the pressed-down end position, the elastic engagement portion 51B engages with the protrusion 43B, and the elastic engagement portion 51A does not engage with the protrusion 43A. Therefore, when the pressing operation of either the knob 10 or 20 is released, the swinging member 40 can efficiently obtain a return force to the neutral position.

[0039] It is not essential that the engagement between the projection 43A and the elastic engagement portion 51A is completely released when the knob 20 reaches the end position. Even if a design is adopted in which the engagement between the projection 43A and the elastic engagement portion 51A continues even when the knob 20 reaches the end position, the biasing force toward the +Z side by the projection 43A and the elastic engagement portion 51A weakens, so that the return of the oscillating member 40 to the neutral position is not significantly hindered. The same can be considered for the engagement relationship between the projection 43B and the elastic engagement portion 51B regarding the depression of the knob 10.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the gap and movement amount during the depression stroke of the knobs 10, 20 are set to X1≦D1 and X2≦D2, so that simultaneous operation of the exclusive operators (knobs 10, 20) can be prevented and the operator that is not operated can be suppressed from floating up.

[0041] Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the knobs 10, 20 is released, the rocking member 40 returns to the neutral position by the biasing force received from the elastic engagement portions 51A, 51B, so that the operation becomes stable.

[0042] When the oscillating member 40 is in the neutral position, it engages with both the elastic engagement portion 51A and the elastic engagement portion 51B, which are disposed on both sides of the oscillating center P0, so that rattling of the oscillating member 40 in the neutral position can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, the elastic engagement portions 51A, 51B are disposed on the -X side and +X side portions of the oscillating member 40, respectively, in the axial direction of the oscillating center P0, so that the balance is stable and rattling suppression effect is high.

[0043] Also, when the knobs 10 and 20 are at the end-of-press positions, neither the pair of the elastic engagement portion 51A and the protrusion 43A nor the pair of the elastic engagement portion 51B and the protrusion 43B is in an engaged state. Therefore, when the pressing operation of either of the knobs 10 and 20 is released, the swing member 40 can efficiently return to the neutral position.

[0044] Further, since the fixing member 50 is composed of an elastic member and the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B are part of the fixing member 50, the swing member 40 obtains a biasing force from the fixing member 50, which is a common member, regardless of the inclined posture from which it returns to the neutral position. Therefore, complication of the configuration is suppressed.

[0045] Note that the fixing member 50 may be formed integrally with the case 30. In that case, the case 30 may be composed of an elastic member, and the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B may be configured as part of the case 30.

[0046] Note that the push button device 100 may include a plurality of sets having the same configuration as the set including the knobs 10 and 20, the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B, and the swing member 40.

[0047] Note that the configuration of the elastic engagement portions 51A and 51B is not limited to the illustrated one, and any configuration may be used as long as it biases the swing member 40 to the neutral position.

[0048] Note that the location where the portion for restricting the end-of-press positions of the knobs 10 and 20 (the portion corresponding to the restricting portions 33 and 34) is provided is not limited, and it may be provided on a member other than the case 30 (for example, the substrate 60).

[0049] As described above, the present technology has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present technology is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of this technology are also included in the present technology.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 10, 20 knob, 11 first pressing portion, 21 second pressing portion, 30 case, 40 swing member, 41 first contact portion, 42 second contact portion, D1 first gap, D2 second gap, X1, X2 movement amount

Claims

1. a first operator that includes a first pressing portion and is operated by pressing; a second operator that includes a second pressing portion and is operated by pressing; Case and a swinging member that is swingably held by the case, includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion, and when the first contact portion is pressed by the first pressing portion, the second contact portion moves in a direction approaching the second pressing portion, and when the second contact portion is pressed by the second pressing portion, the first contact portion moves in a direction approaching the first pressing portion, when the swinging member is in a neutral position where both the first and second operating elements are in a non-operated state, a first gap is provided between the first pressing portion and the first abutting portion, and a second gap is provided between the second pressing portion and the second abutting portion; during a depression stroke in which the first operator is depressed from a non-operated state to a depression end position, a movement amount of the second contact portion in a direction parallel to a depression direction of the second operator is equal to or smaller than the second gap; A push button device, wherein during a depression stroke in which the second operator is depressed from a non-operated state to an end depression position, the amount of movement of the first abutment portion in a direction parallel to the depression direction of the first operator is less than or equal to the first gap.

2. The case or a member fixed to the case is provided with an elastic engagement portion that engages with the swinging member, 2. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein when the pressing operation is released while the first operator or the second operator is in the pressed-down end position, the rocking member returns to the neutral position by the biasing force received from the elastic engagement portion.

3. the elastic engagement portion is provided at a first position and a second position on either side of a swing center of the swing member when viewed from a pressing direction of the first operator or the second operator, 3. The push button device according to claim 2, wherein when said swinging member is in said neutral position, said swinging member is engaged with both of said elastic engagement portion in said first position and said elastic engagement portion in said second position.

4. the swing member is supported at both ends by a first pivotal support portion and a second pivotal support portion of the case, the first position is located closer to the first journal portion than the second journal portion in an axial direction of the swing center, 4. The push button device according to claim 3, wherein the second position is located closer to the second pivot portion than to the first pivot portion in the axial direction.

5. the elastic engagement portion includes a first elastic engagement portion provided at the first position and a second elastic engagement portion provided at the second position, When the first operator is at a depression end position, the first elastic engagement portion and the swinging member are engaged with each other, and the second elastic engagement portion and the swinging member are not engaged with each other, 4. The push button device according to claim 3, wherein when the second operator is in a depressed end position, the second elastic engagement portion and the rocking member are engaged with each other, and the first elastic engagement portion and the rocking member are not engaged with each other.

6. 3. The push button device according to claim 2, wherein said pivot member is biased toward said neutral position by an engagement between said inclined surface formed on said elastic engagement portion and said pivot member.

7. 3. The push button device according to claim 2, wherein said member fixed to said case is made of an elastic material, and said elastic engagement portion is a part of said member.

8. a first restriction portion that restricts a depression end position of the first operator in a depression direction of the first operator; The push button device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second restriction portion that restricts a pressing end position of the second operator in a pressing direction of the second operator.

9. A vehicle comprising the push button device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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