Switch device

Abstract

To reduce the load applied to a locking claw.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes an operation knob 3 that is rotatable about an axis X defined on a case 2, and a stopper mechanism 10 that defines a range of relative displacement in the facing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 when the operation knob 3 rotates. The stopper mechanism 10 includes an engagement hole 37 provided on the operation knob 3, and a locking claw 251 provided on the case 2 and inserted into the engagement hole 37 from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37. The engagement hole 37 includes an engagement surface 372 that comes into contact with the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2. When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, the engagement surface 372 includes a relief portion N recessed in a direction away from the locking surface 252.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a paddle shift switch attached to a steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0081516 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some paddle shift switches of this type have a case fixed to the steering wheel, a shaft supported by the case, and an operating knob rotatably supported by the shaft. The operating knob has an operated part that is located radially outwardly away from the rotation axis of the shaft, and is operated by a user. In a paddle switch, when the operated part is operated, the operating knob rotates around the rotation axis, and the operating knob and the case are displaced relative to each other in the opposing directions.

[0005] The control knob is provided with a stopper mechanism at a position away from the rotation axis to define the rotation range of the control knob. The stopper mechanism can be composed of a locking claw provided on one of the control knob or the case, and an engagement hole provided on the other. The engagement hole is a hole having a length in the opposing direction between the operation knob and the case, and the locking claw is a protrusion that engages with the engagement hole from a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction. In the stopper mechanism, when the operating knob is displaced in one direction in the opposing direction, that is, away from the case, the locking surface of the locking claw engages with the engagement surface on the other side of the engagement hole in the opposing direction, regulating the displacement of the operating knob.

[0006] Here, the stopper mechanism regulates the displacement of the operating knob by surface contact between the engagement surface on the engagement hole side and the locking surface on the locking claw side. However, when the operating knob is operated, the operating force (load) caused by the operation may not act uniformly on the contact surface between the engagement surface on the engagement hole side and the locking surface on the locking claw side. In such cases, an excessive load is applied to the base of the locking claw. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the load on the locking claw. In addition to such requirements, another objective of the present invention is to achieve actions and effects derived from the configurations disclosed in the "Form 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 relates to an operation knob rotatable around a rotation axis set in the housing; a stopper mechanism that defines a range within which the operation knob and the housing can be relatively displaced in the opposing direction when the operation knob is rotated, The stopper mechanism includes: an engagement hole provided in one of the housing and the operation knob; a locking claw that is provided on the other of the housing and the operation knob and is inserted into the engagement hole from an opening direction of the engagement hole, the engagement hole has an engagement surface with which the engagement surface of the engagement claw comes into contact when the operation knob is displaced in a direction away from the housing, When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole, The switch device is configured such that the engaging surface or the locking surface is provided, on at least one side in the width direction, with a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the locking surface or the engaging surface. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the load applied to the locking claw can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a switch device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a switch device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case of the switch device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation knob. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a stopper mechanism. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a stopper mechanism. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a stopper mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the stopper mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described taking as an example a switch device 1 (paddle shift switch) that is attached to a steering wheel of a vehicle and used to operate an in-vehicle transmission. 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining the switch device 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the switch device 1 is installed on a steering wheel SW. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 1. In FIG. 1, the steering wheel SW is shown by a virtual line.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the case 2 (housing) of the switch device 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the case 2 as viewed from the side where the operation knob 3 is attached, and the case 2 is shown in a schematic manner. FIG. 3 corresponds to a view of the state in which the switch device 1 is attached to the steering wheel SW as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. Note that FIG. 3 shows cross hatching in the open area. Furthermore, in order to make it easier to understand the position of the end face of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the case 2 side on the near side of the page, the end face is shown with hatching. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the switch device 1 taken along line AA in Fig. 3. In the following description, the positional relationship of each component of the switch device 1 will be described based on the vertical direction in Fig. 4 as necessary. For example, the term "upper side" means the upper side in the vertical direction in Fig. 4. Note that, depending on the installation state of the switch device 1 on the steering wheel SW, the "upper side" in Fig. 4 may actually be the "lower side".

[0012] 1, the switch device 1 is attached to a frame 102 of a steering wheel SW. The frame 102 is a portion that connects a connecting portion 100 of a steering shaft (not shown) and a ring-shaped grip portion 101. The switch device 1 is attached to the rear side of the frame 102 when viewed from the passenger operating the steering wheel SW.

[0013] The switch device 1 has an operation knob 3 that is operated by a driver when performing an upshift or downshift. The switch device 1 is a so-called shift paddle switch device.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device 1 has a resin case 2, a shaft 4 supported by the case 2, and an operating knob 3 supported by the shaft 4 so as to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 3, inside the case 2, a printed circuit board 5, a rubber member 6 placed on the printed circuit board 5, and the shaft 4 are housed.

[0015] The case 2 has a bottom wall portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 21. The case 2 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom that is open on the front side of the page. The case 2 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The surface of the case 2 on the far side of the page serves as a mounting surface for a steering wheel SW (not shown).

[0016] The peripheral wall portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape from side wall portions 221, 222 which are parallel to each other, and side wall portions 223, 224 which connect the ends of the side wall portions 221, 222 to each other. Support holes 23, 24 for the shaft 4 are provided at one end side (side wall 223 side) of the side wall portions 221, 222 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in the figure). The support holes 23, 24 penetrate the side wall portions 221, 222 in the thickness direction (up-down direction in FIG. 3).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 4 is supported by the case 2 with one end 4a and the other end 4b in the longitudinal direction inserted into support holes 23 and 24 of the case 2. At one end 4a and the other end 4b of the shaft 4, the connecting portions 34, 34 on the operation knob 3 side are fitted at positions adjacent to the side walls 221, 222.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the operating knob 3 has a base 31 having connecting portions 34, 34 with the shaft 4, an operated portion 32 operated by a user, and a connection portion 33 connecting the base 31 and the operated portion 32. The connecting parts 34, 34 are provided on both sides of the base 31 in the direction of the axis X. The connecting parts 34, 34 are provided with insertion holes 341, 341 penetrating the connecting parts 34, 34 in the thickness direction. The shaft 4 penetrates the insertion holes 341, 341 in the direction of the axis X along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 4. The insertion holes 341, 341 are formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter D4 (see FIG. 4) of the shaft 4. Therefore, the connecting parts 34, 34 are loosely fitted into the shaft 4. The operation knob 3 is supported by the shaft 4 in a state in which rotation about the axis X (rotation axis) is permitted. The operation knob 3 is formed of, for example, a metal material such as tin, etc. The operation knob 3 is formed of a material that is harder than the case 2 made of resin.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation knob 3. Fig. 5(A) is a plan view of the operation knob 3 seen from the case 2 side. Fig. 5(B) is a perspective view of the operation knob 3 seen from the case 2 side. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of the switch device 1. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are schematic cross-sectional views of the switch device 1 taken along line BB in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows the arrangement when the operation knob 3 is placed at the reference position, i.e., when no operating force is acting on the operation knob 3. Fig. 7 shows the arrangement when the operation knob 3 is placed at the operating position, i.e., when an operating force is acting on the operation knob 3 and the operation knob 3 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 5.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 31 and the operated portion 32 are provided so as to be offset from each other in the vertical direction. At the connection portion 33, the outer surface 31b of the base 31 and the inner surface 32a of the operated portion 32 are separated in the vertical direction by a height h33. At the inner surface 32a of the operated portion 32 on the case 2 side, a wall portion 35 is provided by utilizing the step between the base 31 and the operated portion 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the wall portion 35 has a pair of first side wall portions 351, 352 spaced apart in the direction of the axis X, and a second side wall portion 353 connecting one ends 351a, 352a of the first side wall portions 351, 352. The first side walls 351, 352 are provided in a range extending from the operated portion 32 through the connection portion 33 to the base portion 31 (the range in the left-right direction in FIG. 5A). The other ends 351b, 352b of the first side walls 351, 352 are located closer to the base portion 31 (to the right in the figure) than the boundary Bx between the base portion 31 and the connection portion 33.

[0021] A space Ra is formed on the surface of the operation knob 3 facing the case 2, the space Ra being surrounded by the wall 35 (first side wall 351, 352, second side wall 353) and the connection part 33. In the space Ra, the area overlapping with the connection part 33 becomes shallower in depth in the direction toward the front of the page as it approaches the base 31 side (the right side in the figure). In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 3 is attached to the case 2, the wall portion 35 is inserted into the inside of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2. In this state, the opening of the peripheral wall portion 22 is covered by the operated portion 32, the region of the connection portion 33 surrounded by the wall portion 35, and the base portion 31.

[0022] 5(A), the second side wall 353 is provided with a guide piece 36 on the first side wall 351 side (upper side in the figure) of the center line C3 of the operation knob 3. The center line C3 is a straight line that passes through the center of the case 2 in the width direction (up-down direction in the figure) and is perpendicular to the axis line X along the rotation axis of the shaft 4. The guide piece 36 extends beyond the first side walls 351 and 352 toward the front side of the paper surface. As shown in FIG. 6B, the guide piece 36 is formed with a length L36 that extends beyond the tip 351c of the first side wall portion 351 to the printed circuit board 5 side.

[0023] An engagement hole 37 is provided on the tip 36c side of the guide piece 36, penetrating the guide piece 36 in the thickness direction. The locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25 on the case 2 side is inserted into the engagement hole 37 from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37 (the left-right direction in the figure). In this embodiment, the locking claw 251 on the engaging arm 25 side and the engaging hole 37 on the operating knob 3 side form a stopper mechanism 10 that defines the range of relative displacement between the operating knob 3 and the case 2 in the opposing direction (the up and down direction in Figure 6 (A)).

[0024] Here, the term "opposing direction" in this specification is not limited to the vertical direction in FIG. 6(A) in the strict sense, that is, the direction perpendicular to the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2 (the opening direction of the case 2).

[0025] As described above, the operation knob 3 is rotatably supported by the shaft 4 supported by the case 2 at the base portion 31 side (the right side in the figure) located away from the guide piece . The guide piece 36 is located radially away from the axis X, which is the rotation axis of the operation knob 3. Therefore, when the operation knob 3 is rotated around the axis X by operating the operation knob 3, the area on the guide piece 36 side is displaced along a virtual circle Im1 centered on the axis X.

[0026] In the case of FIG. 6A, the movement locus when the region in which the engagement hole 37 is provided is displaced is indicated by an arc-shaped imaginary line Im1. In this embodiment, the region of the engagement hole 37 in the operation knob 3, in the process of being displaced in the opposing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 in the strict sense, also displaces in a direction perpendicular to this opposing direction (left and right direction in the figure). Here, the area in which the engagement hole 37 and the locking claw 251 on the engagement arm 25 engage is a limited range in the vertical direction in the figure, and in this specification, for convenience of use, it is described using the term "opposing direction."

[0027] The engagement arm 25 has a base 250 extending from the bottom wall 21 toward the operation knob 3. A base end 250b of the base 250 is connected to the bottom wall 21. In a cross-sectional view, the base 250 is provided in a positional relationship overlapping with the side wall 224 on the case 2 side. The base 250 is provided by utilizing the thickness of the side wall 224. The locking claw 251 protrudes from the inner circumference of the end portion 250a side of the base portion 250 toward the inside of the case 2. The inner circumference of the base portion 250 is provided with an inclined surface 250c in which the thickness W250 becomes larger toward the connecting portion with the locking claw 251. The inclined surface 250c is connected to the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251. The locking surface 252 is a flat surface perpendicular to the extending direction of the base portion 250 (the vertical direction in FIG. 6).

[0028] The engaging arm 25 is supported in a cantilever manner by the bottom wall 21 of the case 2. An end 250a side (locking claw 251 side) of the engaging arm 25 is elastically displaceable in the opening direction of the engaging hole 37 (left and right direction in the figure). In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 3 is assembled to the case 2, the locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25 is inserted into the engagement hole 37 of the guide piece 36 on the operation knob 3 side from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37 (left and right direction in the figure).

[0029] The height h251 of the locking claw 251 in the opposing direction of the operation knob 3 and the case 2 (the vertical direction in the figure) is smaller than the length L37 of the engagement hole 37 in the same direction (L37>h251). As described above, the operation knob 3 is supported by the shaft 4 so as to be rotatable about the axis X. When the operation knob 3 rotates about the axis X, the guide piece 36 also displaces in the circumferential direction about the axis X. At this time, the guide piece 36 displaces relative to the engagement arm 25 on the case 2 side in the opposing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 (the up-down direction in FIG. 6(B)). At this time, the operation knob 3 can be displaced relative to the case 2 within the range of the length L37 of the engagement hole 37.

[0030] Here, an engagement surface 372 which is a side edge of the engagement hole 37 on the bottom wall portion 21 side (the lower side in the figure) is a flat surface disposed opposite the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251. In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2, the engagement surface 372 of the engagement hole 37, which is displaced by the rotation of the operation knob 3, is locked in a state of surface contact with the locking surface 252 on the locking claw 251 side, thereby preventing the operation knob 3 from moving in the direction away from the case 2. In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 having the engagement surface 372 and the locking surface 252 defines the rotation range (movement range) of the operation knob 3 when it rotates around the axis X.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6A, in the operation knob 3, an operator 38 is provided at a position offset from the guide piece 36 toward the connection portion 33 (to the right in the figure). As shown in Fig. 5A, the operator 38 is located on a straight line Cy. The straight line Cy is a straight line parallel to the center line C3 of the operation knob 3. The center line C3 is a straight line that passes through the center of the operation knob 3 in the width direction and is perpendicular to the axis line X.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6(A), the operator 38 protrudes toward the case 2 (downward in the figure). The tip 38a of the operator 38 has a flat surface, and the tip 38a is placed on a cylindrical mounting portion 62 on the rubber member 6 side. The outer diameter D38 of the tip 38a of the operator 38 is larger than the outer diameter D62 of the mounting portion 62 (D38>D62).

[0033] 6(B), the rubber member 6 has a base portion 61, a mounting portion 62, a support wall portion 63, and a stopper portion 64. The rubber member 6 is an integrated part made of a flexible elastic material such as rubber. The base 61 is a portion that is placed on the printed circuit board 5. The mounting portion 62 is a portion that supports the operator 38. The support wall portion 63 is a portion that holds the mounting portion 62 at a position separated from the printed circuit board 5 and supports the mounting portion 62 so that it can be displaced in the orthogonal direction to the printed circuit board 5 (the up and down direction in the figure). The stopper portion 64 is a portion that protrudes from the lower end of the mounting portion 62 towards the printed circuit board 5 (the lower side in the figure) and supports a contact 65. The contact 65 is provided on a surface of the stopper portion 64 that faces the printed circuit board 5 (the lower surface in the figure). A contact 66 is provided on the printed circuit board 5 at a portion that faces the contact 65. When the operation knob 3 is operated, the mounting portion 62 supporting the operator 38 on the operation knob 3 side is displaced relative to the printed circuit board 5 in the direction facing the printed circuit board 5 (up and down direction in the figure). At this time, a contact 65 provided on the stopper portion 64 is also displaced in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 3, and comes into contact with or separates from a contact 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side. The contact 65 (movable side contact) of the stopper portion 64 and the contact 66 (fixed side contact) of the printed circuit board 5 form a switch that turns on / off in response to the operation of the operation knob 3.

[0034] The operation knob 3 is biased in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5 by a biasing force acting from the rubber member 6 side. The operation knob 3 is placed in a reference position (see FIG. 6B) by a biasing force acting from the rubber member 6 side. At the reference position, the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 on the case 2 side engages with the locking surface 372 of the locking hole 37 on the guide piece 36 side, restricting the displacement of the operation knob 3 in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5. When the operation knob 3 is placed in the reference position, the movable side contact 65 is placed in a position spaced apart from the fixed side contact 66.

[0035] When the operating knob 3 is operated to displace the operating element 38 in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 5, the mounting portion 62 of the rubber member 6 is pushed by the operating element 38 and displaced in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 5 while deforming the support wall portion 63. The operation knob 3 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 5 to a position where a contact 65 of a stopper portion 64 abuts against a contact 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side (operation position: see FIG. 7). At this time, contact 65 on the mounting portion 62 abuts contact 66 on the printed circuit board 5, and the voltage resulting from the operation of the operating knob 3 is output to the outside from a terminal (not shown) connected to the printed circuit board 5. The support wall portion 63 constantly applies a biasing force to the operation knob 3 in a direction that returns the operation element 38 (operation knob 3) placed on the mounting portion 62 to a reference position before the displacement. Therefore, when the operating force acting on the mounting portion 62 is released, the mounting portion 62 is displaced in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5 by the restoring force of the support wall portion 63.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the stopper mechanism 10. As shown in FIG. Fig. 8(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device 1 taken along line AA in Fig. 6(A). Fig. 8(B) is an enlarged view of region A in Fig. 8(A). Fig. 8(C) is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 8(B). Fig. 8(C) shows a state in which the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 is disposed at a position separated from the locking surface 372 of the locking hole 37. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a stopper mechanism 10' according to a comparative example. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the stopper mechanism 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the stopper mechanism 10.

[0037] In the switch device 1, when a user applies an operating force to the operated portion 32 of the operating knob 3, the operating knob 3 rotates about the axis X, changing its positional relationship relative to the case 2. The rotating direction of the operating knob 3 at this time is one direction determined according to the input direction of the operating force to the operated portion 32. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the operation knob 3 rotates in a direction approaching the case 2, the case 2 itself becomes a stopper that determines the rotation range of the operation knob 3. On the other hand, when the operation knob 3 rotates in a direction away from the case 2, the stopper mechanism 10 determines the rotation range of the operation knob 3. Specifically, the engagement surface 372 on the engagement hole 37 side and the locking surface 252 on the locking claw 251 side are in surface contact with each other, thereby restricting the rotation of the operation knob 3 in the direction away from the case 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the engagement surface 372 on the engagement hole 37 side and the engagement surface 252 on the engagement claw 251 side are set so that they come into contact with each other at a surface having a width in the radial direction of the straight line Cy (the left-right direction in Figures 8B and 8C).

[0039] Here, as shown in Fig. 7, the operation knob 3 has a base 31 rotatably supported by a shaft 4 and an operated part 32 positioned apart in the radial direction of the axis X. Therefore, the point of application of the operation force on the operated part 32 is radially away from the axis X. In this case, the operation force acting on the operated part 32 acts in a direction to bend the operation knob 3 with the base 31 side as a fulcrum. The operation force acting in this bending direction increases as the position of the point of application moves radially away from the axis X. In the case of Fig. 7, the operation knob 3 is bent to a greater extent when the operation force acts on the application point B than when the operation force acts on the application point A.

[0040] 8A, the operated portion 32 has extended regions 321 and 322 on one side and the other side of the straight line Cy, respectively. Therefore, as the point of application of the operating force on the operated portion 32 moves away from the straight line Cy in the radial direction, the degree to which the operating knob 3 is bent increases. In the case of FIG. 8, when an operating force is applied to the point of application D, the operating knob 3 is bent to a greater extent than when an operating force is applied to the point of application C. The end 321a of the region 321 reaches a position farther from the straight line Cy than the end 322a of the region 322. Therefore, the region 321 on one side is longer in the direction perpendicular to the straight line Cy (the direction along the axis X) than the region 322 on the other side, so that the greater the operating force acting on the end 321a side of the region 321, the greater the degree to which the operating knob 3 is bent.

[0041] Here, when bending occurs in the operation knob 3, the engagement surface 372 on the operation knob 3 side may come into contact with the locking surface 252 on the locking claw 251 side in an inclined state. As shown in (A) of Figure 9, in a normal stopper mechanism 10', the engagement surface 372' and the locking surface 252' are formed with a width in the X direction (left-right direction in the figure), and it is assumed that the engagement surface 372' and the locking surface 252' are in surface contact over their entire surfaces, thereby regulating the rotation of the operating knob 3.

[0042] Therefore, when the operating knob 3 rotates in a direction away from the case 2, if the guide piece 36 tilts due to bending of the operating knob 3, a load will act on the left side area of ​​the engagement surface 372' in the figure from the locking surface 252 side. This load acts from the timing when the operation knob 3 is bent and the guide piece 36 starts to tilt, and increases as the tilt increases. 9A, a compressive force due to stress concentration acts on the left-hand region of the locking claw 251. In such a case, as a result of stress concentration on a part of the locking surface 252 in the X direction, a crack CK may occur in the region where the load is concentrated on the left-hand side of the boundary between the locking claw 251 and the base 250 (see FIG. 9B).

[0043] In this embodiment, in order to prevent stress from concentrating when the guide piece 36 is tilted due to bending of the operation knob 3, a stopper mechanism 10 having a relief portion N is employed (see FIG. 8). The stopper mechanism 10 is provided on the operating knob 3 and has an engagement hole 37 with an opening facing in the radial direction of the axis X which is the rotation axis of the operating knob 3, and a locking claw 251 is provided on the case 2 and inserted into the engagement hole 37 from the radial direction of the axis X. The engagement hole 37 has an engagement surface 372 with which the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 engages when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2. The locking surface 252 and the engagement surface 372 are surfaces that are joined to each other in the relative displacement direction (Cy direction).

[0044] 8(C), the locking surface 252 has a width W252 in the X direction, and is a flat surface along the X direction. The engagement surface 372 is composed of a flat portion 372a along the X direction and an inclined portion 372b. The inclined portion 372b is inclined in such a direction that the gap CL between the locking surface 252 and the inclined portion 372b becomes wider as it moves away from the flat portion 372a. The inclined portion 372b is located on the region 321 side of the operated portion 32 as viewed from the straight line Cy.

[0045] 8(B), when viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, one side edge 371 of the engagement hole 37 is a flat surface parallel to the flat portion 372a described above. Both ends of the side edge 371 and the engagement surface 372 are connected to one end and the other end of side edges 373, 374 extending in the up-down direction on both sides of the locking claw 251. The side edge 371 and the connecting portions between the engagement surface 372 and the side edges 373 and 374 are rounded. In this embodiment, the inclined portion 372b and the portion on the side edge 374 side where the rounding has been performed, which is below the imaginary line Im along the flat portion 372a in the figure, form the "relief portion N" in the present invention.

[0046] As described above, in the operated portion 32, the region 321 extending to one side is longer than the region 322 extending to the other side. Therefore, when an operating force is applied to the end 321a side of the region 321, the operating knob 3 is bent to a greater extent than when an operating force is applied to the end 322a side of the region 322. In this embodiment, a relief portion N is formed on the side where the stress acting is large in order to prevent a compressive force from acting on the locking claw 251. Specifically, an inclined portion 372b is provided on the region 321 side (the left side in FIG. 8) of the engagement surface 372, and the relief portion N is formed between the engagement surface 372 and the locking surface 252. The boundary between the flat portion 372a and the inclined portion 372b is rounded (see FIG. 10) to prevent edges from being generated at the boundary.

[0047] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, even if the guide piece 36 tilts due to bending of the operating knob 3 when the operating knob 3 rotates in a direction away from the case 2, the escape portion N is provided on the left side of the engagement surface 372 in the figure, so that it is possible to preferably prevent the compressive force from being concentrated and acting on a part of the region 321 side (left side in the figure) of the locking surface 252. Furthermore, when the engagement surface 372 contacts the locking surface 252 while being inclined with respect to the locking surface 252, the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the clearance portion N (the boundary between the flat portion 372a and the inclined portion 372b) first contacts the locking surface 252. Therefore, when the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the clearance portion N has a pointed cross section, stress is concentrated at the contact portion with the boundary at the locking surface 252. By subjecting the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the clearance portion N to R processing, it is possible to prevent stress from concentrating at the contact portion with the boundary at the locking surface 252. This makes it possible to reduce the effect of the operating force on the locking claw 251.

[0048] In this way, even if the engagement surface 372 is inclined with respect to the locking surface 252, the relief portion N is provided, so that the degree of compressive force acting on the side of the locking claw 251 to which the operating force is input can be reduced. Therefore, the degree of load applied to the locking claw 251 can be reduced.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the case where the recess N is provided on the region 321 side in the direction of the axis X (the left side in FIG. 8A) is illustrated. The arrangement of the recess N is not limited to this embodiment. The recess may be provided on at least one side in the direction of the axis X. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11A, a stopper mechanism 10A may be provided in which the relief portion N is provided on the region 322 side in the direction of the axis X (the right side in FIG. 11A).

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11B, a stopper mechanism 10B may be provided in which the recess N is provided on both the region 322 side (the right side in FIG. 11A) and the region 321 side (the left side in FIG. 11B) in the direction of the axis X. When the relief portions N are provided on both sides in the direction of the axis X, it is preferable that the engagement surface 372 is configured such that the flat portion 372a is located between the inclined portions 372b. If no flat portion 372a is provided between the inclined portions 372b, the boundary line between one recess N and the other recess N on the engagement surface 372 will have a pointed cross-section protruding toward the engagement surface 252. When no operating force is applied to the operation knob 3, the engagement surface 372 is held in contact with the locking surface 252. If the engagement surface 372 has a pointed cross section as described above, the operation knob 3 may become wobbly, which may cause abnormal noise and the like. By providing a flat surface between one recess N and the other recess N, it is possible to suitably prevent the operation knob 3 from becoming wobbly.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the recess N is provided in the engagement hole 37 on the operation knob 3 side has been exemplified, but the recess N may be provided on the locking claw 251 side of the case 2. 11C, a locking portion 251C having a locking surface 252 composed of a flat portion 252a and an inclined portion 252b may be used. This stopper mechanism 10C also provides the same effects as the stopper mechanism 10 described above.

[0052] Also, as in the stopper mechanism 10D shown in FIG. 11(D), the recess N may be provided on the engaging surface 252 on both the region 322 side (the right side in FIG. 11(D)) and the region 321 side (the left side in FIG. 11(D)) in the axial direction X. In this case, for the reasons described above, it is preferable that the locking surface 252D is configured such that the flat portion 252a is located between the inclined portions 252b.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the stopper mechanism 10 in which the engagement hole 37 is provided on the operation knob 3 side and the locking claw 251 is provided on the case 2 side is exemplified. The stopper mechanism may be configured such that a locking claw is provided on the operation knob 3 side and an engagement hole is provided on the case 2 side. With such a configuration, the same effects as those of the stopper mechanism 10 described above can be achieved.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the case has been exemplified in which the arm 25 having the locking claw 251 is provided on the peripheral wall 22 (side wall 224) of the case 2. The engaging arm 25 having the locking claw 251 may be provided on the side walls 221, 222 of the case 2. In this case, the engagement hole 37 may be provided in the operation knob 3 with its opening facing the direction of the axis X, and the locking claw 251 may be provided in the case 2 with its locking claw 251 oriented so as to be inserted into the engagement hole 37 from the direction of the axis X. Even in such a case, by providing a relief portion N on the side of the engagement surface 372 where the operating force is input, as viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, the degree of load applied to the locking claw 251 when the operating knob 3 is operated can be reduced.

[0055] As described above, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 is an operation knob 3 that is rotatable around an axis X (rotation axis) set in a case 2 (housing); The control knob has a stopper mechanism that defines a range within which the control knob and the case can be relatively displaced in the opposing direction when the control knob rotates. The stopper mechanism 10 is An engagement hole 37 provided in the operation knob 3; The case has a locking claw that is inserted into the engagement hole from the opening direction of the engagement hole. The engagement hole 37 has an engagement surface 372 with which the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 comes into contact when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2. When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, The engagement surface 372 is provided with a recess N recessed in a direction away from the locking surface 252 .

[0056] In the operation knob 3 of the switch device 1, when an operating force is applied to a position away from one side or the other side of a straight line Cy that passes through the stopper mechanism 10 and is perpendicular to the axis line X, the engagement surface 372 may come into contact with the locking surface 252 at an angle. In such a case, as viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, a compressive force is applied to the side of the locking claw 251 to which the operating force is input, and a load is applied to the locking claw 251. With the above configuration, even if the load caused by the operation of the operation knob 3 acts on a partial area of ​​the locking claw 251, the relief portion N is provided, so that the degree of the compressive force acting on the side of the locking claw 251 to which the load caused by the operating force is input can be suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress the degree of the load acting on the locking claw 251. Furthermore, even if the engagement surface 372 is inclined with respect to the locking surface 252 due to the operation of the operation knob 3, the relief portion N is provided, so that the degree of compressive force acting on the side of the locking claw 251 to which the operating force is input can be reduced.

[0057] (I) In paragraph (1) above, The engagement hole 37 in the operation knob 3 is provided with its opening facing in the radial direction of the axis X. In the case 2, the locking claw 251 is provided in a direction such that it can be inserted into the engagement hole 37 in the radial direction of the axis X. When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, a relief portion N is provided on the side of the engagement surface 372 in the width direction along the axis X where the operating force is input.

[0058] This configuration also makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the locking claw 251.

[0059] (2) In (1) or (I) above, The engagement hole 37 in the operation knob 3 is provided with its opening facing in the radial direction of the axis X. The operation knob 3 has an operated portion 32 at a position radially spaced from the axis X. The operated portion 32 passes through the stopper mechanism 10 and extends to one side and the other side of a straight line Cy that is perpendicular to the axis X. The operated portion 32 has a length in the direction of the axis X such that the region 321 extending to one side reaches a position farther from the straight line Cy than the region 322 extending to the other side. When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, the relief portion N is provided on the side of the region 321 on one side.

[0060] When an operating force is input to the region 321 that is long in the direction of the axis X in the operated portion 32, the stress that tilts the engagement surface 372 with respect to the locking surface 252 becomes strong. With the above configuration, even if the engagement surface 372 is inclined with respect to the locking surface 252, the relief portion N is provided, so that the degree of compressive force acting on the side of the locking claw 251 to which the operating force is input can be suppressed. This makes it possible to suppress the degree of load applied to the locking claw 251.

[0061] (3) In any one of (1), (2), or (I) above, In the clearance portion N, the clearance CL, which is the depth in the direction away from the locking surface 252, becomes larger toward the side edge 374 in the width direction along the axis X.

[0062] With this configuration, even if the region 321 side of the operation knob 3 is operated in a direction away from the case 2, the timing at which the engagement surface 372 comes into contact with the locking surface 252 is delayed by the amount of the gap CL. The delayed timing can delay the timing at which the compressive force acts on the locking claw 251. This makes it possible to reduce the degree of the load applied to the locking claw 251.

[0063] (II) In any one of (1) to (3) and (I) above, The locking surface 252 and the engagement surface 372 are flat surfaces joined in the direction of relative displacement between the operation knob 3 and the case 2.

[0064] With this configuration, when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2, stress is transmitted between the locking surface 252 and the engagement surface 372 via the contact surfaces of the locking surface 252 and the engagement surface 372. For example, when the operation knob 3 is tilted, the operating force transmitted from the engagement surface 372 is concentrated on a part of the locking surface 252, and the concentrated stress may affect the locking claw 251. By providing the relief portion as described above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operating force will be concentrated on a part of the locking surface 252. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the locking claw 251 will be affected by stress concentration.

[0065] (III) In any one of (1) to (3) and (I) and (II) above, When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37, the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the recess N is rounded. When the engagement surface 372 contacts the locking surface 252 while being inclined with respect to the locking surface 252, the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the recess N comes into contact with the locking surface 252 first. Therefore, if the boundary between the engagement surface 372 and the recess N has a pointed cross section, stress is concentrated at the contact portion with the boundary at the locking surface 252. As described above, by subjecting the engagement surface 372 to R processing at the boundary with the recess N, it is possible to prevent stress from concentrating at the contact portion with the boundary at the locking surface 252. This makes it possible to reduce the effect of the operating force on the locking claw 251.

[0066] (IV) In any one of (1) to (3) above and (I), (II), or (III), The recesses N are provided on both sides in the direction of the axis X, and a flat surface is provided between the recesses on one side and the recesses on the other side. The flat surface is provided in a range that crosses the straight line Cy from one side to the other side.

[0067] If no flat surface is provided between one recess and the other recess, the boundary line between the one recess and the other recess at the engagement surface 372 will have a pointed cross-section protruding toward the engagement surface 252. When no operating force is applied to the operation knob 3, the engagement surface 372 is held in contact with the locking surface 252. If the engagement surface has a pointed cross section as described above, the operation knob 3 may become wobbly, which may cause abnormal noise and the like. By providing a flat surface between one of the recesses and the other of the recesses, it is possible to suitably prevent the operation knob 3 from becoming wobbly.

[0068] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above and (I), (II), (III), or (IV), The case 2 has a base portion 250 whose longitudinal base end is supported by the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2 and has an engaging arm 25 whose tip end side has a locking claw 251 and is elastically displaceable in the radial direction of the axis X. The engaging arm 25 is located on the opposite side of the axis X as viewed from the engaging hole 37 . The engagement arm 25 is provided by utilizing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 22 (side wall portion 224) of the case 2.

[0069] For example, if the engaging arm 25 is provided on the inside of the peripheral wall portion 22, the case 2 may become larger in size in order to secure space for providing the engaging arm 25. If the engaging arm 25 is provided on the outside of the peripheral wall portion 22, the engaging arm 25 is located on the outside of the case 2, which may cause the entire switch device 1 to become larger. With the above-mentioned configuration, it is not necessary to provide the engaging arm 25 on the inside or outside of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the switch device 1 from becoming larger.

[0070] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) and (I) to (IV) above, The engagement hole 37 is provided on the side of the operation knob 3. The locking claw 251 is provided on the side of the case 2. The operation knob 3 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the case 2.

[0071] If the engagement surface 372 on the operating knob 3 side engages with the locking surface 252 on the case 2 side, which is made of a material with a lower hardness than the operating knob 3, in an inclined state, there is a possibility that the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 will be scraped off. By providing the relief portion N, it is possible to delay the timing at which the compressive force acts on the locking claw 251. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the locking claw 251 will be scraped off.

[0072] (V) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) to (IV) above, The switch device 1 is a paddle shift switch for operating an in-vehicle transmission.

[0073] With this configuration, the possibility of electric charges transferring from the operation knob 3 side to the printed circuit board 5 can be reduced, so that gear shifting by operating the switch device 1 can be performed appropriately.

[0074] Although the embodiment 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]

[0075] 1: Switch device 10, 10', 10A to 10D: Stopper mechanism 2: Case (housing) 21: Bottom wall 22: Peripheral wall part 25: Engagement arm 250: Base 250a: End 250b: proximal end 250c: Inclined surface 251, 251C: Locking part 252, 250', 252D: Locking surface 252a: Flat part 252b: Inclined part 3: Operation knob 31: Base 32: Operated part 321 :Area 321a: End 322: area 322a: End 35: Wall part 36: Guide piece 37: Engagement hole 371, 373, 374: Side edge 372, 372': Engagement surface 372a: Flat part 372b: Inclined part 38: Operator 4: Shaft 5: Printed circuit board 6: Rubber material C3: Center line CK: Crack CL: Gap Cy: Straight line N: Relief X: Axis line

Claims

1. an operation knob rotatable around a rotation axis set in the housing; a stopper mechanism that defines a range within which the operation knob and the housing can be relatively displaced in the opposing direction when the operation knob is rotated, The stopper mechanism includes: an engagement hole provided in one of the housing and the operation knob; a locking claw that is provided on the other of the housing and the operation knob and is inserted into the engagement hole from an opening direction of the engagement hole, the engagement hole has an engagement surface with which the engagement surface of the engagement claw comes into contact when the operation knob is displaced in a direction away from the housing, When viewed from the opening direction of the engagement hole, A switch device, wherein the engagement surface or the locking surface is provided with a recess on at least one side in the width direction, the recess being recessed in a direction away from the locking surface or the engagement surface.

2. In claim 1, The engagement hole is provided with an opening facing in a radial direction of the rotation shaft, the operation knob has an operated portion at a position radially spaced from the rotation shaft, the operated portion passes through the stopper mechanism and extends to one side and the other side of a straight line perpendicular to the rotation axis, the operated portion has a length in the rotation axis direction such that the region extending to the one side extends to a position farther from the straight line than the region extending to the other side, The recess is provided on the one side in the width direction.

3. In claim 2, A switch device, wherein the recess has a depth in a direction away from the locking surface or the engagement surface that increases toward a side edge in a direction along the rotation axis.

4. In claim 3, the housing has a base end in a longitudinal direction supported by a bottom wall portion of the housing, and a tip end side having the locking claw has an engaging arm that is elastically displaceable in a radial direction of the pivot shaft, the engaging arm is located on the opposite side of the pivot shaft as viewed from the engaging hole, The engaging arm is provided by utilizing a thickness of a peripheral wall portion of the housing.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, A switch device, wherein the engagement hole is provided on the operation knob side, the locking claw is provided on the housing side, and the operation knob is made of a material harder than the housing.

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