Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device having a plurality of operated portions that can be displaced independently while keeping manufacturing costs down.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes a plurality of independently displaceable control knobs 7 (7A to 7D), a movable member 9 that displaces in conjunction with the displacement of an operated control knob 7 even when any one of the plurality of control knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated, a magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9, a plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) arranged to face the magnet 10 in a radial direction of a displacement direction of the movable member 9, a fixed electrode 6 that is provided in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of control knobs 7 (7A to 7D) and detects the operation of the control knob 7 (7A to 7D), and a MPC 41 as a processing unit that identifies the operated control knob 7 of the plurality of control knobs 7 (7A to 7D) on the basis of the output signals of the plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) and the output signal of the fixed electrode 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device having a single push knob with a plurality of operating areas set on its surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the switch device of Patent Document 1, the push knob and the printed circuit board on which the push switch is mounted are arranged to face each other with a space in the displacement direction of the push knob. The push knob has a leg portion extending toward the printed circuit board side. When the push knob is displaced toward the printed circuit board side by a pressing operation on the operating area, the push switch on the printed circuit board is pushed by the leg portion and turned on. Inside the switch device, a capacitance sensor is arranged between the push knob and the printed circuit board. A plurality of capacitance sensors are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the operating areas.

[0005] In the switch device, when one of the operating areas is pushed deeper by the user, the push knob is displaced toward the printed circuit board side, and the push switch on the printed circuit board is turned on by the leg portion. Furthermore, as the push knob approaches the capacitance sensor, the output of the capacitance sensor arranged to face the pushed-in operating area changes, enabling identification of which operating area among the operating areas has been subjected to the pressing operation.

[0006] That is, by using one common push knob (operation knob) instead of using independent push knobs for each operation area, the pushed operation area can be separately specified, thereby reducing the number of parts and suppressing the manufacturing cost of the switch device. However, there is still a need to provide operation knobs (push knobs) independent for each operation area from the viewpoints of ease of recognition by the operator and prevention of malfunction. Therefore, there is a demand for a switch device that has independent operation knobs for each operation area while suppressing the manufacturing cost. In addition to such requirements, the actions and effects derived from each configuration disclosed in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" described later, and the actions and effects that cannot be obtained by the conventional technology can also be positioned as other objects of this case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention A plurality of operable parts that can be displaced independently, A movable member that is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operable part regardless of which of the plurality of operable parts is operated, A magnet attached to the movable member A plurality of detection elements arranged to face the magnet in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member, An operation sensor that is provided one-to-one for the plurality of operable parts and detects the operation of the operable part, A switch device having a configuration including a processing unit that specifies the operated operable part among the plurality of operable parts based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements and the output signal of the operation sensor.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch device having a plurality of operable parts that can be displaced independently while suppressing the manufacturing cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case of a switch device 1 including a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) to which different functions are assigned. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the switch device 1. (A) of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch device 1. (B) of FIG. 1 is a plan view enlarged around the operation knob 7A and viewed from the Z direction. (C) of FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a cross section obtained by cutting the switch device 1 along the plane A in (A) of FIG. 1. In (B) of FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the positions of the components (detection unit 61, opening 610, mounting portion 52) located on the back side of the paper surface of the key top 71 are shown by broken lines. FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the switch device 1. (A) of FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the region B in (C) of FIG. 1. (B) of FIG. 2 is a view showing a state where the operation knob 7A is pushed down from the initial position shown in (A) of FIG. 2 to the operation position. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section obtained by cutting the switch device 1 along the line A-A in (A) of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section obtained by cutting the switch device 1 along the line A-A in FIG. 3.

[0011] In the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the positional relationship of each component will be described based on the vertical direction (Z direction), the X direction, and the Y direction in (C) of FIG. 1. For example, when it is described as "upper side", it means the upper side in the vertical direction in (C) of FIG. 1. Therefore, depending on the usage state of the switch device 1, even when it is described as, for example, "a component located on the upper side", it may be located obliquely upper or lower.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 includes a total of four operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). Different functions are assigned to each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). As an example, when the switch device 1 is a switch device used for designating the driving mode of a vehicle, functions such as parking (P), reverse driving (R), neutral (N), forward driving (D), etc. are assigned to these operation knobs 7A to 7D one by one. In the switch device 1, when any one of the operation knobs 7A to 7D is pressed, the function assigned to the pressed operation knob 7 is specified, and the specification of the function specified until then ends.

[0013] As shown in (C) of FIG. 1, the switch device 1 has a lower case 3 that houses a printed circuit board 4. The lower case 3 has a bottom wall portion 31 and a peripheral wall portion 32 that surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 31 over the entire circumference. The lower case 3 is assembled to the upper case 2 with the peripheral wall portion 32 fitted inside the peripheral wall portion 22 provided in the upper case 2. In this state, the lower case 3 is attached to the upper case 2 by screws (not shown).

[0014] Inside the peripheral wall portion 32, a support base 33 for the printed circuit board 4 is provided. The printed circuit board 4 is placed on the upper end of the support base 33. A rubber member 5 made of an elastic material is placed on the printed circuit board 4. The operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is placed on the placement portion 52 of the rubber member 5. In the following description, when the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are not particularly distinguished, they may simply be referred to as the operation knob 7.

[0015] Hereinafter, the configuration around the operation knob 7A will be described by taking the operation knob 7 as a representative. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device 1 has an operation knob 7A operated by a user. The operation knob 7A has a key top 71 and a peripheral wall portion 72. In a top view, the key top 71 has a substantially rectangular shape (see (B) of FIG. 1). A mark (not shown) indicating the function assigned to the operation knob 7 may be attached to the center of the key top 71. As shown in Fig. 2, the peripheral wall portion 72 is a cylindrical portion that surrounds the outer periphery of the key top 71 over the entire circumference. A plurality of guide pieces 73 are provided on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 72. As shown in Fig. 1(B), the guide pieces 73 project from the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 72 in the Y direction and the X direction, respectively. Four guide pieces 73 are provided at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Za, which is the central axis.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1(C), the upper case 2 has an upper wall portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the upper wall portion 21 over the entire circumference. An opening 23 for exposing the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is provided in the upper wall portion 21. The opening 23 penetrates the upper wall portion 21 in the thickness direction (Z direction). The openings 23 are provided in the Y direction at a predetermined interval and in the same number as the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1(B), the opening 23 is formed in a rectangular shape from a pair of side wall portions 231, 231 arranged at intervals in the X direction and a pair of side wall portions 232, 232 arranged at intervals in the Y direction. In each of the side wall portions 231, 232, a guide groove 233 is provided at the central portion in the width direction. The guide pieces 73 on the operation knob 7 side are inserted into the guide grooves 233, respectively. In the present embodiment, the movement of the operation knob 7 in the Z direction (axis Za direction) is guided by the guide pieces 73 on the operation knob 7 side and the guide grooves 233 on the upper case 2 side.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2(A), the mounting portion 52 on the rubber member 5 side is in contact with the surface of the key top 71 on the printed circuit board 4 side. The mounting portion 52 contacts the central portion of the key top 71 from the axis Za direction. Here, the axis Za is a straight line that is orthogonal to the printed circuit board 4 and passes through the center of the key top 71. Further, the axis Za is a straight line along the displacement direction when the operation knob 7 is pressed, and is a straight line along the Z direction.

[0019] The rubber member 5 has a base portion 51, a mounting portion 52, and a support wall portion 53. The rubber member 5 is an integral part formed of an elastic material having flexibility such as rubber. The base portion 51 is a portion placed on the printed circuit board 4. The mounting portion 52 is a portion that supports the surface on the printed circuit board 4 side of the key top 71 of the operation knob 7. The support wall portion 53 is a portion that connects the mounting portion 52 and the base portion 51. Further, the support wall portion 53 holds the mounting portion 52 at a position separated upward from the base portion 51, and is a portion that supports the mounting portion 52 and the key top 71 so as to be displaceable in the axial direction Za (vertical direction in the figure).

[0020] The mounting portion 52 of the rubber member 5 supports the operation knob 7 so as to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction Za. When an operating force for moving the operation knob 7 toward the printed circuit board 4 is input by pressing the operation knob 7, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is displaced in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 4 while deforming the support wall portion 53. The mounting portion 52 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 until the stopper portion 54 contacts the printed circuit board 4 (operation position) (see (B) of FIG. 2). When the operating force acting on the operation knob 7 is eliminated, the mounting portion 52 is displaced in a direction away from the printed circuit board 4 by the restoring force of the support wall portion 53. The support wall portion 53 constantly applies a biasing force in a direction to return the operation knob 7 (key top 71) placed on the mounting portion 52 to the initial position before displacement (see (A) of FIG. 2) to the operation knob 7.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, on the peripheral wall portion 72 of the operation knob 7A, engaging portions 74, 74 extending toward the printed circuit board 4 are provided on both sides in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging portion 74 is a belt-shaped portion extending from the central portion in the Y direction of the peripheral wall portion 72 toward the printed circuit board 4. The end portion 74a on the printed circuit board 4 side of the engaging portion 74 is located closer to the printed circuit board 4 side (lower side in the figure) than the end portion 72a on the printed circuit board 4 side of the peripheral wall portion 72.

[0022] In the engaging portion 74, recesses 75, 75 that are recessed toward the key top 71 are provided on both sides with the axis Za in between. The recesses 75, 75 open at the end portion 74a. The recesses 75, 75 are formed in a tapered shape with a narrower width in the Y direction as they move away from the end portion 74a toward the key top 71 side (upper side in the figure). In the engaging portion 74, the distance W75 between the recesses 75, 75 widens as they approach the key top 71 side.

[0023] A pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 on the movable member 9 side are engaged with the recesses 75, 75. The connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided to transmit the displacement caused by the pressing operation of the operation knob 7 to the ring-shaped movable member 9 (see Fig. 5). Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. In Fig. 5(A), a cross-section of the entire switch device 1 based on the cross-section cut along the line A-A in Fig. 4 is schematically shown. In Fig. 5(B), a cross-section of the switch device 1 cut along the line A-A in Fig. 5(A) is schematically shown.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 5(A), in the upper case 2, an annular movable member 9 is housed inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9 is housed in a state where displacement in the Z direction is permitted. When viewed from the Z direction, the movable member 9 has a ring-shaped base portion 90 formed by a pair of first beam portions 901, 901 and a pair of second beam portions 902, 902. The first beam portions 901, 901 are provided parallel to each other in the direction along the Y direction. The second beam portions 902, 902 are provided parallel to each other in the direction along the X direction. The second beam portions 902, 902 connect the ends of the first beam portions 901, 901.

[0025] When viewed from the Z direction, the ring-shaped base portion 90 of the movable member 9 is arranged so as to surround the region where the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1 are provided. The base portion 90 is positioned in the X direction such that the centers of the respective operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are aligned on the center line CX in the X direction of the base portion 90. The movable member 9 is positioned inside the base portion 90 such that the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are arranged side by side in the Y direction.

[0026] Inside the base portion 90, inside the first beam portions 901, 901, a pair of engaging portions 74, 74 of each operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) are positioned in proximity to each other. A pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided at the opposing portions of the first beam portions 901, 901 with respect to each other. In one of the first beam portions 901, four sets of a pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided with a gap therebetween in the Y direction. In the other first beam portion 901 as well, four sets of a pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided with a gap therebetween in the Y direction.

[0027] The pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of one of the first beam portions 901 and the pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of the other first beam portion 901 are provided with their positions aligned in the Y direction. The pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of one of the first beam portions 901 and the pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of the other first beam portion 901 are provided in the same number of sets as the total number of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0028] On each of the pair of connecting pieces 91, 91, the engaging portion 74 of the corresponding operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is placed (see FIG. 4). The movable member 9 is provided so as to be displaceable in the Z direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the movable member 9 is arranged on the operation knob 7A side with respect to the printed circuit board 4. In this state, the connecting pieces 91, 91 on the movable member 9 side are engaged with the concave portions 75, 75 of the engaging portion 74 from the printed circuit board 4 side by the biasing force from the elastic member.

[0029] In the switch device 1, when the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are pushed down toward the printed circuit board 4 side, the operating force acting on the operation knobs 7 is transmitted from the engaging portion 74 to the movable member 9. As a result, the movable member 9 is displaced in the Z direction (the operation direction of the operation knobs 7) in conjunction with the operation of the operation knobs 7.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5(A), a pair of guide arms 92, 92 are provided on the outer periphery of the second beam portions 902, 902. The guide arms 92, 92 protrude in the Y direction from the outer periphery of the second beam portions 902. The guide arms 92, 92 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with the center line CX in the X direction of the base 90 interposed therebetween. The guide arms 92, 92 are inserted into the concave grooves 221, 221 provided on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side from the Y direction.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5(B), on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the upper case 2, a pair of concave grooves 221, 221 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with the center line CX interposed therebetween. The concave grooves 221, 221 have widths W221, W221 in the X direction. This width W221 is slightly wider than the width W92 of the guide arm 92 (W221 > W92).

[0032] In the Z direction, the concave grooves 221, 221 extend linearly downward toward the lower case 3 side. The lower ends of the concave grooves 221, 221 open to the stepped portion 223 on the upper case 2 side. When the movable member 9 is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operation knob 7 toward the printed circuit board 4 side, the guide arms 92, 92 are displaced in the Z direction inside the concave grooves 221, 221. The guide arms 92, 92 are provided to prevent the inclination of the movable member 9 during displacement in the Z direction and to guide the displacement in the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the concave grooves 221, 221 and the guide arms 92, 92 constitute an inclination suppression mechanism 15.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5(A), in one of the first beam portions 901 of the movable member 9, a support portion 95 for the magnet 10 is provided at a substantially central portion in the Y direction. The support portion 95 has a pair of locking arms 951, 951 arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The locking arms 951, 951 are provided in a target positional relationship with the center line CY in the Y direction of the first beam portion 901 interposed therebetween. The locking arms 951, 951 extend linearly in the X direction. Claw portions 951a, 951a are provided at the tips of the locking arms 951, 951. The claw portions 951a, 951a protrude in a direction approaching each other. The claw portions 951a, 951a are locked to the stepped portions 11 provided on the magnet 10. In this state, the magnet 10 is held between the claw portions 951a, 951a and the first beam portion 901, and the position of the magnet 10 in the facing direction (X direction in the figure) with the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is determined.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the magnet and the magnetic sensors. In FIG. 6(A), the positional relationship in the Z direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B when the operation knob 7 is arranged at the initial position is schematically shown. In FIG. 6(B), the positional relationship in the Z direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B when the operation knob 7 is arranged at the operation position is schematically shown.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the magnet 10 is provided with the N pole positioned on one side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure) and the S pole positioned on the other side (lower side in the figure). Note that the arrangement of the N pole and the S pole may be reversed.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5(A), on the side of the magnet 10, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged to face the magnet 10. The facing surface 10a of the magnet 10 with the magnetic sensor 8 has a basic shape that is a flat surface orthogonal to the facing direction (X direction in the figure) between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8. The facing surface 10a is the magnetic force emission surface and has a width W10 in the Y direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged at predetermined intervals along the direction (Y direction) of the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10. When viewed from the facing direction between the magnetic sensor 8 and the magnet 10, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged in a positional relationship overlapping the magnet 10.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6(A), the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) each have a detection unit 81 and a leg portion 82 extending from the detection unit 81. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are supported by a common support 45. The leg portions 82 of the respective magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) penetrate the printed circuit board 4. The region of the leg portion 82 that penetrates the printed circuit board 4 is soldered to the back surface of the printed circuit board 4. In this state, the detection surface 8a of each magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is disposed at a position separated from the printed circuit board 4 by a height h8. The support 45 is used to align the height positions of the respective magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) from the printed circuit board 4 while preventing the inclination of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided with their detection surfaces 8a facing the magnet 10. The detection surfaces 8a of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are located on a common straight line Lm. The straight line Lm is a straight line along the arrangement direction of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C). The straight line Lm is parallel to the opposing surface 10a which is the magnetic force emission surface of the magnet 10. Therefore, the distance from the opposing surface 10a of the magnet 10 to each detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is set to be the same distance d.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit for the output signals of the magnetic sensor and the capacitance sensor. In FIG. 7, one of the plurality of fixed electrodes 6 is shown as a representative. As shown in FIG. 7, an MCU 41 as a control device is mounted on the printed circuit board 4. Each of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is connected to the respective terminals 41a, 41b, 41c of the MCU 41 via wirings 42 (42a, 42b, 42c) on the printed circuit board 4.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are sensors that detect the magnetic force in the direction along the facing direction (X direction in the figure) between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), and output a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force. When the operation knob 7 is pushed, the movable member 9 reciprocally displaces in the Z direction in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7. At this time, the magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9 displaces from the initial position (see (A) in FIG. 6) where the S pole is disposed to face the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8 to the operation position (see (B) in FIG. 6) where the N pole is disposed to face the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8, and then returns to the initial position (see (A) in FIG. 6).

[0042] Then, the direction and intensity of the magnetic force detected by the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8 change as the magnet 10 displaces. As shown in FIG. 6(A), when the magnet 10 is stationary at the initial position, the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed to face the S pole. In this state, the magnetic sensor 8 detects the magnetic force in the direction toward the magnet 10 (left direction in the figure). When the magnet 10 displaces toward the printed circuit board 4 side from the state shown in FIG. 6(A), the magnet 10 reaches the operation position shown in FIG. 6(B). When the magnet 10 is disposed at the operation position, the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed to face the N pole. In this state, the magnetic sensor 8 detects the magnetic force in the direction away from the magnet 10 (right direction in the figure).

[0043] For example, when the magnetic sensor 8 outputs a positive voltage value when the magnet 10 is disposed at the initial position, the magnetic sensor 8 outputs a negative voltage value when the magnet 10 is disposed at the operation position. Therefore, when the magnet 10 displaces from the initial position toward the operation position in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7, the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensor 8 changes, and at the timing when the boundary between the S pole and the N pole crosses the front of the detection unit 81, the direction of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensor 8 is reversed. That is, at the timing when the boundary between the S pole and the N pole crosses the front of the detection unit 81, the phase of the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 8 is reversed.

[0044] Each magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) outputs a voltage value corresponding to the magnetic force detected by the detection surface 8a to the MCU 41 when the magnet 10 reciprocates in the Z direction. In the MCU 41, it can be detected that any one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated by the fact that the positive and negative of the input voltage value are reversed (the phase is reversed).

[0045] Here, in the switch device 1 of the present embodiment, the magnet 10 is displaced in the Z direction together with the movable member 9 as the operation knob 7 is pressed. The change in the magnetic force at this time is detected, and it is determined that there has been a pressing operation in any one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). Then, which operation knob among the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed is specified using the fixed electrode 6 (see FIG. 2) that functions as a capacitance sensor.

[0046] The fixed electrode 6 is a metallic member having conductivity. As shown in FIG. 1(C), the fixed electrodes 6 are provided one-to-one with respect to the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed electrode 6 has a plate-shaped detection portion 61 and leg portions 62, 62 provided on both sides in the width direction of the detection portion 61. The leg portions 62, 62 extend respectively on one side (the lower side in the drawing) in the thickness direction of the detection portion 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed electrode 6 is attached to the surface of the printed circuit board 4 on the operation knob 7 side. The leg portions 62, 62 of the fixed electrode 6 penetrate the printed circuit board 4 in the thickness direction. In the Z direction, the detection portion 61 is arranged parallel to the printed circuit board 4 and the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 between the printed circuit board 4 and the key top 71. An opening 610 is provided at the center of the detection portion 61. The opening 610 is provided with an opening diameter through which the mounting portion 52 of the rubber member 5 can pass. As shown in FIG. 1(B), when viewed from the axis Za direction, the detection portion 61 has a size that overlaps the key top 71. In the detection portion 61 when viewed from the axis Za direction, the opening 610 is provided in a region that overlaps the center of the key top 71.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the legs 62, 62 of the fixed electrode 6 are located diagonally at the rectangular detection part 61. The legs 62, 62 are connected to the terminals 41d, 41e of the MCU 41 via the wirings 42 (42d, 42e). The MCU 41 constantly monitors the change in the capacitance between the terminal 41d and the terminal 41e.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, when the operation knob 7A is pushed, the distance Dz in the X direction between the key top 71 and the detection part 61 of the fixed electrode 6 changes (Dz→Dz’: Dz>Dz’). Then, on the MCU 41 side, the capacitance between the terminal 41d and the terminal 41e changes, and a value different from the capacitance when the operation knob 7A is not operated is detected. Here, in FIG. 7, only one fixed electrode 6 is shown as an example, but on the printed circuit board 4, the same number of fixed electrodes 6 as the operation knobs 7A are installed (see FIG. 1). And each fixed electrode 6 is connected to a different terminal of the MCU 41. Therefore, the MCU 41 identifies one fixed electrode 6 whose capacitance has changed. Thereby, it can be determined that the operation knob 7 facing the identified fixed electrode 6 is the actually operated operation knob 7.

[0049] Here, the MCU 41 constantly monitors the change in the capacitance between the terminal 41d and the terminal 41e of each fixed electrode 6. Therefore, when an abnormality is recognized in the capacitance value even though the operation of the operation knob 7 has not been confirmed from the output voltage of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the fixed electrode 6 (electrostatic sensor) with the abnormal capacitance value.

[0050] Hereinafter, the processing in the MCU 41 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in the MCU 41. The MCU 41 repeatedly executes the process of checking the presence or absence of the operation of the operation knob 7 while the power is supplied from the vehicle side on which the switch device 1 is mounted. First, the MCU 41 checks for the presence or absence of a push operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) from the output signals (output voltages) of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (step S101).

[0051] Specifically, when the voltage value input from the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) fluctuates and the positive / negative inversion of the voltage value is confirmed, the MCU 41 determines that there has been an operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0052] Here, (a) when there is a positive / negative inversion in the output voltages of all the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), it may be determined that there has been an operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). Also, (b) when there is a positive / negative inversion in the output voltages of at least two of the magnetic sensors 8, it may be determined that there has been an operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). (c) When there is a positive / negative inversion in the output voltages of some of the magnetic sensors among the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) and there is no positive / negative inversion in the output voltages of the remaining magnetic sensors, it is preferable to adopt the result of the larger number. Therefore, the total number of magnetic sensors 8 is preferably odd.

[0053] When detecting a push operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) from the output signals (output voltages) of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (step S101, Yes), the MCU 41 checks for the presence or absence of a push operation on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) from the outputs of each fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor.

[0054] Here, as an example, the MCU 41 checks for the presence or absence of a fixed electrode 6 in which the capacitance detected by the MCU 41 among the plurality of fixed electrodes 6 has changed and the change amount ΔI exceeds the threshold value Tha. And when there is a fixed electrode 6 in which the change amount ΔI exceeds the threshold value Tha, it is determined that there has been an operation on the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D).

[0055] When the push operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is detected from the output of each fixed electrode 6 (step S102, Yes), the MCU 41 checks whether the total number of fixed electrodes 6 (target electrodes) for which the change amount ΔI exceeds the threshold Tha is "1" (step S103).

[0056] When the total number of fixed electrodes 6 specified as the target electrodes is "1" (step S103, Yes), the MCU 41 identifies which operation knob 7 among the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is the operation knob 7 corresponding to the fixed electrode 6 specified as the target electrode (step S104). In the present embodiment, since the fixed electrodes 6 are provided one-to-one for the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified by identifying the target electrode.

[0057] Then, after the MCU 41 outputs the information indicating the identified operation knob to the control device on the vehicle body side (step S105), it returns to the process of step S101. Here, the information indicating the operation knob may simply be an identifier for identifying each of the operation knobs 7A to 7D. It may also be information indicating the function assigned to the operation knob. It may be both the identifier and the information indicating the function. The information items included in the output information can be appropriately added or changed according to the requirements of the in-vehicle device that is the transmission destination of the output signal of the switch device 1.

[0058] Thereby, the control device on the vehicle body side realizes the function assigned to the identified operation knob. For example, when the function assigned to the identified operation knob is forward travel (D), the travel mode of the vehicle is changed to a forward travel mode in which the vehicle can travel forward.

[0059] In step S103 described above, when the total number of fixed electrodes 6 specified as the target electrodes is not "1", for example, when it is "2" or more, the process returns to step S101. For example, when two or more operation knobs 7 are pressed simultaneously, two fixed electrodes 6 corresponding to the pressed operation knobs 7 are extracted as target electrodes. Here, when a plurality of operation knobs 7 are pressed simultaneously, since there is a high possibility of an erroneous operation, the process returns to the process of step S101 to wait for the operation knob 7 to be operated again.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the process in the MCU 41. Here, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, an example is illustrated in which after detecting the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) by the magnetic sensor 8, the detection of the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) by the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor is confirmed. As shown in FIG. 9, after detecting the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) by the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor, the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) by the magnetic sensor 8 may be confirmed. Steps S201 to S203 in FIG. 9 correspond to steps S102 to S104 in FIG. 8. Step S204 in FIG. 9 corresponds to step S101 in FIG. 8. Step S205 in FIG. 9 corresponds to step S105 in FIG. 8.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the case of the ring-shaped movable member 9 is illustrated. As long as it is a member that can be displaced in conjunction with the operation of each operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) and to which the magnet 10 can be attached, for example, a columnar rod, a belt-shaped plate, etc. can be appropriately selected.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, an example is illustrated in which the displacement amount of the movable member 9 that is displaced in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7 substantially coincides with the displacement amount due to the pushing operation of the operation knob 7. For example, a speed increasing gear train may be interposed to amplify and transmit the displacement of the operation knob 7 in the Z direction via a wheel train to another linear motion member, and the displacement of the magnet 10 attached to the linear motion member may be detected by the magnetic sensor 8. In such a case, while suppressing the displacement amount of the operation knob 7 in the Z direction, it is possible to secure the stroke amount of the magnet necessary for detecting the change in the magnetic force by the magnetic sensor 8. While suppressing the thickness of the entire switch device in the Z direction, it becomes possible to appropriately perform the detection by the magnetic sensor 8. Further, since the stroke amount of the magnet can be secured, it is expected that a less expensive ferrite magnet can be used instead of an expensive neodymium magnet.

[0063] In this case, the displacement direction of the linear member is not limited to the displacement direction (Z direction) of the operation knob 7. For example, the displacement direction of the linear member may be the Y direction or the X direction. In this case, the thickness of the switch device in the Z direction can be further suppressed.

[0064] FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining a switch device 1A employing a movable member 9A according to a modified example. (A) of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A cut along a plane along the movable member 9A. (B) of FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of the switch device 1A cut along line A-A in (A) of FIG. 10. (C) of FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of region C in (B) of FIG. 10, and is a diagram for explaining the change in the relative positional relationship between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8. (A) of FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A cut along line B-B in (A) of FIG. 10. (B) of FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the operation knob 7D of the switch device 1A is pushed from the initial position in (A) of FIG. 11 to the operation position.

[0065] As shown in (A) of FIG. 10, in the upper case 2, an annular movable member 9A is accommodated inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9A has a columnar first shaft portion 905, a columnar second shaft portion 906, and a ring-shaped base portion 90A formed by a pair of connecting beams 907, 907. The connecting beams 907, 907 are provided parallel to each other in the direction along the X-axis. The first shaft portion 905 and the second shaft portion 906 are provided parallel to each other in the direction along the Y-axis. One longitudinal end and the other end of the first shaft portion 905 and the second shaft portion 906 are connected to the connecting beams 907, 907.

[0066] When viewed from the Z-direction, the base 90A of the movable member 9A is arranged so as to surround the region where the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1 are provided. The movable member 9A is positioned inside the base 90A such that the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are arranged side by side in the Y-direction.

[0067] In the first shaft portion 905, a pair of hinge portions 96, 96 are externally inserted. The hinge portions 96, 96 are arranged at intervals in the Y-direction. The hinge portions 96, 96 are provided in a positional relationship with each other with the center line CY in the Y-direction of the base 90A interposed therebetween. The hinge portions 96, 96 are fixed to the inner circumference of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the upper case 2.

[0068] The first shaft portion 905 penetrates the support holes 96a, 96a of the hinge portions 96, 96 in the Y-direction. The first shaft portion 905 is rotatably supported by the hinge portions 96, 96. Therefore, the movable member 9A is rotatable about the axis Y1 along the longitudinal direction of the first shaft portion 905. In the movable member 9A, at least one of the second shaft portion 906 and the connecting beam 907 is supported by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). Therefore, the base 90A of the movable member 9A is arranged in a horizontal layer direction by the biasing force acting from the elastic member during normal times when the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are not being pressed (see (B) of FIG. 10).

[0069] In the second shaft portion 906, a support portion 95 for the magnet 10 is provided at a substantially central portion in the Y-direction. As shown in (B) of FIG. 10, the support portion 95 is externally inserted and fixed to the second shaft portion 906. The support portion 95 is provided in a direction along the Z direction. The support portion 95 extends in a direction away from the second shaft portion 906 (downward in the figure) on the side of the printed circuit board 4. When viewed from the X direction, a part of the lower portion of the support portion 95 overlaps with the printed circuit board 4. On the side of the support portion 95 on the printed circuit board 4 side (left side in the figure), a magnet 10 is provided. The magnet 10 is provided in such a direction that the N pole is positioned on one side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure) and the S pole is positioned on the other side (lower side in the figure).

[0070] On the printed circuit board 4, a magnetic sensor 8 is disposed opposite to the magnet 10 at a position on the side of the magnet 10 (see (C) of FIG. 10). Also in this modified example, although illustration is omitted, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are prepared for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction (Y direction) along the opposing surface 10a of the magnet 10.

[0071] The operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1A have the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment. Here, the operation knob 7D will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. 11(A), on the peripheral wall portion 72 of the operation knob 7D, a locking portion 76 is provided on the side of the second shaft portion 906 in the X direction (right side in the figure). The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the key top 71. One end portion 76a of the locking portion 76 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 72. The other end portion 76b of the locking portion 76 reaches a position reaching the end portion 907a of the connecting beam 907 across the second shaft portion 906 in the X direction. The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the horizontal line HL and is placed on the second shaft portion 906 from the Y direction.

[0072] In the switch device 1A, when an operating force for moving the operation knob 7D toward the printed circuit board 4 is input by pressing the operation knob 7D, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 to a position where the stopper portion 54 contacts the printed circuit board 4 while deforming the support wall portion 53 of the rubber member 5 (operating position: see (B) of FIG. 11). At this time, the second shaft portion 906 of the movable member 9A is pushed by the locking portion 76 on the operation knob 7D side, rotates in the circumferential direction around the axis Y1, and is displaced to the side approaching the printed circuit board 4 side. As a result, the movable member 9A reaches a position where the second shaft portion 906 side is below the horizontal line HL. Here, since the first shaft portion 905 is supported at two points by the pair of hinge portions 96, 96, the inclination in the Y direction when the second shaft portion 906 is displaced in the Z direction is suppressed. In this modification, the pair of hinge portions 96, 96 constitute the inclination suppressing mechanism 15.

[0073] In this process, the magnet 10 supported by the support portion 95 of the second shaft portion 906 changes its relative positional relationship with the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) from the positional relationship shown on the left side in FIG. 10(C) to the positional relationship shown on the right side. Then, the direction of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is reversed until it changes from the positional relationship shown on the left side in FIG. 10(C) to the positional relationship shown on the right side. Thus, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, the MPU 41 side can detect that any one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed.

[0074] FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining a switch device 1B employing a movable member 9B according to another modification. FIG. 12(A) is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B cut along a plane along the movable member 9B. FIG. 12(B) is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section of the switch device 1A cut along line A-A in FIG. 12(A). FIG. 12(C) is an enlarged view of region D in FIG. 12(B), and is a diagram for explaining the change in the relative positional relationship between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8. FIG. 13(A) is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B cut along line B-B in FIG. 12(A). FIG. 13(B) is a diagram for explaining the displacement of the guide piece 97 when any one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is pushed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B cut along line C-C in FIG. 12(A).

[0075] As shown in (A) of FIG. 12, in the upper case 2, the movable member 9B is accommodated inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9B is a rod-shaped member composed of a columnar shaft portion 908. The movable member 9B is provided so as to be displaceable in the Z direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). The movable member 9B is provided along the inner circumference of the peripheral wall portion 22 in a direction along the Y direction. In the switch device 1B, the movable member 9B is positioned so as to be arranged side by side in the Y direction on the side of each operation knob 7 (7A to 7D).

[0076] A pair of guide pieces 97, 97 and a support portion 95 are externally inserted into the shaft portion 908 of the movable member 9B. The guide pieces 97, 97 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The pair of guide pieces 97, 97 are provided in a positional relationship with the center line CY in the Y direction of the movable member 9B (shaft portion 908) interposed therebetween. Note that three or more guide pieces 97 may be provided on the movable member 9B.

[0077] The support portion 95 is located between the pair of guide pieces 97, 97. In the present embodiment, the support portion 95 is positioned at a position overlapping the center line CY. As shown in (B) and (C) of FIG. 12, the support portion 95 is externally inserted and fixed to the shaft portion 908. The support portion 95 is provided in a direction along the Z direction. The support portion 95 extends in a direction away from the shaft portion 908 (downward in the figure) on the side of the printed circuit board 4. When viewed from the X direction, a part of the lower portion of the support portion 95 overlaps the printed circuit board 4. A magnet 10 is provided on the side of the support portion 95 on the printed circuit board 4 side (left side in the figure). The magnet 10 is provided in a direction in which the N pole is positioned on one side (upper side in the figure) in the Z direction and the S pole is positioned on the other side (lower side in the figure).

[0078] On the printed circuit board 4, magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged to face the magnet 10 at a position on the side of the magnet 10 (see (C) of FIG. 12). Also in this modification example, although illustration is omitted, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are prepared for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction (Y direction) along the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12(A), the guide piece 97 has a base portion 971 externally inserted into the movable member 9B. An insertion hole 97a is provided at one end side of the base portion 971. The insertion hole 97a penetrates the base portion 971 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 13(A), the base portion 971 of the guide piece 97 is a quadrangular prism-shaped member. The base portion 971 is arranged in a direction along the horizontal line HL orthogonal to the central axis Y2 of the movable member 9B. The tip 97c of the base portion 971 faces the peripheral wall portion 22 of the upper case 2 with a space therebetween. At the base portion 90 of the movable member 9B, the rotation of the guide piece 97 around the central axis Y2 is restricted so that it is always arranged in a direction along the horizontal line HL.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12(A), the tip 97c side of the guide piece 97 is inserted into the guide groove 341 between the pair of guide walls 34, 34. The guide walls 34, 34 project inward from the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the lower case 3. The guide walls 34, 34 are provided with a space W34 in the Y direction. This space W34 is wider than the width W97 of the guide piece 97 in the Y direction (W34 > W97). As shown in FIG. 13(B), the guide groove 341 is provided in the range of the height h341 in the Z direction extending to the bottom wall portion 31 of the lower case 3 along the Z direction.

[0081] In this modification example, in conjunction with the pressing operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) toward the printed circuit board 4, the movable member 9B is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4. At this time, the guide piece 97 on the movable member 9B side moves along the guide groove 341, thereby guiding the movement of the movable member 9B in the Z direction. Further, since the guide grooves 341 are provided at intervals in the Y direction, the inclination when the movable member 9B is displaced is suppressed. In this modification example, the guide piece 97 on the movable member 9B side and the guide groove 341 constitute the inclination suppressing mechanism 15.

[0082] The operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1B has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment. Here, the operation knob 7D will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. 14, on the peripheral wall portion 72 of the operation knob 7D, a locking portion 76 is provided on the shaft portion 908 side (right side in the figure) in the X direction. The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the key top 71. One end portion 76a of the locking portion 76 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 72. The other end portion 76b of the locking portion 76 reaches a position crossing the shaft portion 908 in the X direction. The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the horizontal line HL and is placed on the shaft portion 908 from the Y direction.

[0083] In the switch device 1B, when an operating force for moving the operation knob 7D toward the printed circuit board 4 is input by the pressing operation of the operation knob 7D, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 while deforming the support wall portion 53. At this time, the shaft portion 908 of the movable member 9B is pushed by the locking portion 76 on the operation knob 7D side and is displaced toward the side approaching the printed circuit board 4 along the Z direction. As a result, the shaft portion 908 side of the movable member 9B is displaced to a position below the initial horizontal line HL. That is, the locking portion 76 is provided to displace the movable member 9B in conjunction with the displacement of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) toward the printed circuit board 4. Here, since the locking portions 76 of the respective operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are placed on the movable member 9B, no matter which of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated, the movable member 9B can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13(B), at this time, the guide piece 97 with its tip 97c inserted between the pair of guide walls 34, 34 also displaces toward the printed circuit board 4 side. Here, the guide piece 97 is inserted between the pair of guide walls 34, 34. Therefore, when the operation knob 7D located at the end in the switch device 1B is pushed, the operation knob 7D side (the right side in FIG. 12(A)) of the movable member 9B is less likely to tilt more toward the printed circuit board 4 side than the non-pushed operation knob 7A side (the left side in FIG. 12(A)).

[0085] In the process of displacement of this movable member 9B, the magnet 10 supported by the support portion 95 changes its relative positional relationship with the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) from the positional relationship shown on the left side in FIG. 12(C) to the positional relationship shown on the right side. Then, the direction of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) will reverse until it reaches the positional relationship shown on the right side from the positional relationship shown on the left side in FIG. 12(C). Thus, in the same manner as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the MCU 41 side can detect that any one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the operation of the operation knob 7 is detected using the fixed electrode 6 that functions as a capacitance sensor is exemplified. Instead of this detection method using the change in capacitance, an inductive sensor (inductive proximity sensor) may be used to detect the operation of the operation knob 7.

[0087] As an example, an inductive sensor is composed of a sensor coil provided at a portion facing the operation knob 7 on the printed circuit board 4 and a metal or conductor provided at a portion of the operation knob 7 facing the sensor coil. In this case, a high-frequency signal is supplied to the sensor coil to generate an electromagnetic field around the sensor coil. When the metal or conductor approaches the electromagnetic field due to the operation of the operation knob 7, the inductance of the sensor coil changes. Therefore, by detecting this change in inductance, the operation of the operation knob 7 can be detected.

[0088] Alternatively, instead of the fixed electrode 6 that functions as a capacitance sensor, a film with electrodes printed thereon may be attached to the back surface of each operation knob 7 (7A, 7B, 7C). In this case, by connecting the film-shaped electrodes to the wiring on the printed circuit board 4 side via a flat cable or the like, the change in capacitance can be detected on the MCU41 side, and the operated operation knob 7 can be specified.

[0089] Alternatively, instead of the leg portion 62 of the fixed electrode 6 that functions as a capacitance sensor, the fixed electrode 6 may be finally connected to the MCU41 via a flat cable or a spring.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the magnetic sensor is a sensor that outputs a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force is exemplified. The magnetic sensor may be a latching Hall sensor IC that outputs a digital signal corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the detection unit 81 is the magnetic sensor 8 with legs located away from the printed circuit board 4 in the axial direction Za is exemplified. Also, in the above-described modification, the case where a plurality of magnetic sensors surface-mounted on one substrate are employed instead of the magnetic sensor 8 to detect the change in magnetic force due to the displacement of the magnet 10 in the axial direction Za is exemplified. The substrate that supports the magnetic sensor 8 may be a plurality of substrates on the same plane.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the case where all the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 has been exemplified. The magnetic sensor 8 may be configured to include a detection element with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and a reverse detection element with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10. In this case, it is preferable that the distance between the detection surface 8a of each magnetic sensor 8 and the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10 is the same distance d. In such a case, by arranging at least one magnetic sensor with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10, the output voltage of the magnetic sensor with the detection surface 8a facing the opposite side and the output voltage of the other magnetic sensors are reversed in positive and negative phases. Therefore, when an abnormality is recognized in the output voltage of any of the magnetic sensors, it is possible to identify which magnetic sensor is malfunctioning by comparing the output voltages with different phases. Thereby, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the operation of the operation knob 7 from the output signals (output voltages) of the other magnetic sensors excluding the identified magnetic sensor.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the magnetic sensor 8 outputs a positive voltage value when the magnet 10 is arranged at the initial position and outputs a negative voltage value when the magnet 10 is arranged at the operation position has been exemplified. The magnetic sensor 8 may be configured to output a positive voltage value both when the magnet 10 is arranged at the initial position and when it is arranged at the operation position. For example, the output voltage when the magnet 10 is arranged at the initial position may be higher than the output voltage when the magnet 10 is arranged at the operation position. In this case, when the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 8 changes across the intermediate value between the output voltage value when the magnet 10 is arranged at the initial position and the output voltage value when the magnet 10 is arranged at the operation position, it can be detected that any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated.

[0094] As described above, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 A plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) (operated parts) that can be independently displaced in the same direction along the axis Za, A movable member 9 that is displaced in the Za direction in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7 regardless of which of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated, A magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9 A plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (detection elements) arranged to face the magnet 10 in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member 9, An operation sensor (fixed electrode 6) provided one-to-one for the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) and detecting the operation of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), An MCU41 as a processing unit that identifies the operated operation knob 7 among the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) based on the output signals of the plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) and the output signal of the operation sensor (fixed electrode 6).

[0095] With this configuration, it is possible to identify from the output signals of the plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) that any one of the operation knobs 7 has been operated, and to identify which operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated from the output signal of the operation sensor (fixed electrode 6). Here, when providing the switch device 1 having a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) that can be independently displaced, by providing a magnet 10 and a plurality of magnetic sensors 8 for each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the total number of magnets and magnetic sensors (detection elements) can be suppressed compared to the case of identifying the operated operation knob 7. Thereby, it is possible to provide the switch device 1 having a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) that can be independently displaced while suppressing the manufacturing cost of the switch device 1.

[0096] (2) In the above (1), The operation sensor has a fixed electrode 6 arranged with a gap between the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 on the displacement side (printed circuit board 4 side) when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is operated. The MPU 41 is a capacitance sensor (electrostatic sensor) that identifies the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) based on the change in capacitance caused by the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) approaching the fixed electrode 6.

[0097] With this configuration, by adding the fixed electrode 6 on the printed circuit board 4, the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified. Therefore, the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified with an inexpensive configuration. Also, (a) even if the physical displacement of the movable member 9 is detected by the magnetic sensor 8, if the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is not confirmed by the capacitance sensor, the identification of the operated operation knob 7 is not performed. Therefore, even if there is an incorrect operation of the operation knob due to a collision of an object or the like, the possibility of erroneously determining that the operation knob 7 has been operated can be reduced. Furthermore, (b) even if the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is confirmed by the capacitance sensor, if the physical displacement of the movable member 9 cannot be detected by the magnetic sensor 8, the identification of the operated operation knob 7 is not performed. If neither the change in capacitance nor the physical displacement of the movable member 9 is recognized, the identification of the operated operation knob 7 is not performed. Therefore, the possibility of erroneously determining that the operation knob 7 has been operated can be reduced.

[0098] (I) In the above (2), When the MPC 41 detects the operations of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) at the same timing by the capacitance sensor, the MPC 41 does not identify the operated operation knob 7.

[0099] When the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are pressed at the same timing, it is possible to suitably prevent an incorrect execution of the identification of the operated operation knob.

[0100] (3) In the above (2) or (I), On the side of the printed circuit board 4 that supports the fixed electrode 6 opposite to the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), a rubber member 5 (mounting portion 52: elastic member) that supports the operation knob 7 so as to be displaceable in the axial direction Xa of the operation knob 7 is provided. The fixed electrode 6 has a plate-shaped detection portion 61 disposed in parallel with the key top 71 of the operation knob 7. The detection portion 61 is provided with an opening 610 for avoiding interference with the placement portion 52.

[0101] With such a configuration, the reciprocating displacement of each of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) in the axial direction Xa can be realized by the rubber member 5 (elastic member) without significantly reducing the facing area between the detection portion 61 and the key top 71. Thereby, while having a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) that can be displaced independently, the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be specified.

[0102] (II) In the above (3), When viewed from the axial direction Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), the detection portion 61 of the fixed electrode 6 has a size that overlaps with the key top 71. In the detection portion 61 when viewed from the axial direction Za, the opening 610 is provided in a region that overlaps the center of the key top 71.

[0103] With such a configuration, the central portion of the operation knob 7 (key top 71) can be supported by the placement portion 52 of the rubber member 5. Compared with the case where the peripheral portion of the key top 71 is supported, the support stability of the operation knob 7 is improved. Furthermore, when the operation knob 7 is pushed down, the possibility that the operation knob 7 is displaced in a tilted state with respect to the axis Za can be reduced. Furthermore, the operation feeling when the key top 71 is pressed can be made uniform for all the operation knobs 7A to 7D. Also, in the fixed electrode 6, regions other than a partial region in the center (region of the opening 610) face the key top 71 in the Z direction. Thereby, an effective facing area between the detection portion 61 and the key top 71 in the key top 71 is ensured, and a change in capacitance due to the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be appropriately detected.

[0104] (III) In the above (II), The rubber member 5 is an integral component having a columnar placement portion 52, a base portion 51 placed on the printed circuit board 4, and a support wall portion 53 that surrounds the outer periphery of the placement portion over the entire circumference. The support wall portion 53 is connected to the outer periphery of the placement portion 52 and the base portion 51, and supports the placement portion 52 in a position spaced apart from the operation knob 7 side so as to be displaceable in the direction of the axis Xa. In the rubber member 5, at least the same number of combinations of the placement portion 52 and the support wall portion 53 as the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are provided.

[0105] With this configuration, the displacement of each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) in the direction of the axis Za can be managed by one rubber member 5. Compared with the case where combinations of the placement portion 52 and the support wall portion 53 are provided for each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the switch device 1 can be provided with a less expensive configuration.

[0106] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), (I) to (III), The switch devices 1, 1A, 1B are provided with an inclination suppressing mechanism 15 that suppresses the inclination when the movable members 9, 9A, 9B are displaced.

[0107] When the operated operation knob 7 is located at the end of the plurality of arranged operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the movable members 9, 9A, 9B may be displaced in a state inclined with respect to the axis Za. By providing the inclination suppressing mechanism 15, the possibility that the movable members 9, 9A, 9B are displaced in a state inclined with respect to the axis Za can be reduced.

[0108] (IV) In the above (4), As shown in FIG. 5, the inclination suppressing mechanism 15 regulates at least one of the inclination of the movable member 9 with respect to the axis Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7, the inclination of the movable member 9 with respect to the straight line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7, and the inclination of the movable member 9 with respect to the straight line CY orthogonal to the straight line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 includes a pair of guide arms 92, 92 that protrude in the Y direction from second beam portions 902 located on both sides of the movable member 9 in the CX direction of the straight line, and a pair of concave grooves 221, 221 provided on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side. When viewed from the axis Za direction, the pair of guide arms 92, 92 and the pair of concave grooves 221, 221 are provided in a positional relationship that is symmetric with the center line CX in the X direction of the base portion 90 interposed therebetween. The guide arms 92, 92 are inserted into the concave grooves 221, 221 from the Y direction (see FIG. 5).

[0109] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the movable member 9 is displaced in a tilted state with respect to the axis Za.

[0110] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4) and (I) to (IV), One magnet 10 is attached to the movable member 9. At least two magnetic sensors 8 are provided.

[0111] With this configuration, even if an abnormality occurs in at least one magnetic sensor, the operation of the operation knob 7 can be detected from the output signals of the remaining magnetic sensors. As a result, the switch device 1 has high redundancy.

[0112] (V) In the above (5), The opposing surface 10a, which is the magnetic force emission surface of the magnet 10, has a predetermined width W10 in the Y direction, which is the orthogonal direction to the opposing direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C). The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged side by side with an interval in the Y direction.

[0113] With this configuration, even if a part of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is malfunctioning, the presence or absence of the operation of the operation knob 7 can be determined from the output voltages of the remaining magnetic sensors that are not malfunctioning. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in any of the magnetic sensors 8, it will not affect the detection of the presence or absence of the operation of the operation knob 7. This can improve the robustness of the magnetic sensor 8 against malfunctions.

[0114] (VI) In the above (V), The magnetic sensor 8 includes a detection element with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and a reverse detection element with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10. The total number of the plurality of magnetic sensors 8 is at least three.

[0115] With this configuration, at least one magnetic sensor 8B is arranged with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10. In the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10, the phase of the output signal is reversed. Therefore, in the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10, the phases of the output signals are different. Then, by comparing the output signals with different phases, it can be confirmed that a malfunction has occurred in one of the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C with the detection surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B with the detection surface 8a facing the side opposite to the magnet 10. Since at least three magnetic sensors 8 are provided, by changing the combination for comparing the output signals, it is possible to identify which magnetic sensor has a malfunction. From the output signals of the other magnetic sensors excluding the identified magnetic sensor, it is possible to determine whether the operation knob 7 is operated.

[0116] (VII) In the above (VI), The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided with their positions aligned in the direction of the axis Za and are arranged side by side with the distance d from the surface (opposing surface 10a) of the magnet 10 aligned.

[0117] With this configuration, the output voltages (output signals) of the respective magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are generally aligned, so it becomes easier to compare the output signals of the respective magnetic sensors 8.

[0118] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) to (VII) above, The movable member 9B is provided in a direction along the printed circuit board 4 and is a rod-shaped member displaceable in the Z direction along the operation direction of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). The plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the movable member 9B. Each of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has a locking portion 76 which is an operating element of the movable member.

[0119] With this configuration, no matter which of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated, the movable member 9 which is displaced in the Za direction in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7 can be provided with a simple configuration.

[0120] (VIII) In (5) above, In the movable member 9B, a pair of guide pieces 97, 97 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Each of the guide pieces 97, 97 is inserted into a guide groove 341 along the displacement direction (Z direction) of the movable member 9B. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 is composed of the guide pieces 97, 97 and the guide grooves 341, 341.

[0121] With this configuration, when an operation knob located at the end among the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) arranged along the longitudinal direction of the movable member 9B, for example, the operation knobs 7A, 7D are operated, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the movable member 9D is displaced in a state tilted with respect to the horizontal line.

[0122] (7) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) to (VII) above, The movable member 9A is an annular member that surrounds the region where the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are provided and is displaceable in the operation direction of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). In the movable member 9A, one of the pair of shaft portions (the first shaft portion 905 and the second shaft portion 906) that face each other with the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) interposed therebetween, the first shaft portion 905, is rotatably supported about an axis Y1 along the longitudinal direction of the first shaft portion 905. A magnet 10 is attached to the other second shaft portion 906. Each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has a locking portion 76 that is an operating element for displacing the second shaft portion 906 in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D).

[0123] With this configuration, it is possible to secure the displacement amount of the magnet 10 when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is operated while preventing the size increase of the switch device in the operation direction of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D). Thereby, the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be appropriately detected using the magnetic sensors 8 (8A to 8C).

[0124] (IX) In the above (7), As shown in FIG. 10, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 regulates at least one of the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the axis Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7 and the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to a straight line CY orthogonal to a straight line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 is composed of one of the first shaft portions 905 of the movable member 9A and a pair of hinge portions 96, 96 fixed to the inner circumference of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side. The pair of hinge portions 96, 96 are provided in a positional relationship with each other sandwiching the straight line CY therebetween.

[0125] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the movable member 9 is displaced in a tilted state with respect to the axis Za.

[0126] (8) In any one of the above (1) to (7), (I) to (VIII), Different functions are assigned to each of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). The assigned functions are modes related to the stop and running of the vehicle.

[0127] As an example, in a switch device 1 where functions such as parking (P), reverse driving (R), neutral (N), forward driving (D), etc. are respectively assigned to operation knobs 7A to 7D, a highly redundant and inexpensive switch device 1 can be provided.

[0128] As described above, the embodiments and modified examples of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0129] 1, 1A, 1B: Switch device 2: Upper case 21: Upper wall portion 22: Peripheral wall portion 221: Concave groove 23: Opening 233: Guide groove 3: Lower case 4: Printed circuit board 41: MPU 5: Rubber member 51: Base portion 52: Mounting portion 53: Support wall portion 54: Stopper portion 6: Fixed electrode 61: Detection portion 610: Opening 7(7A, 7B, 7C, 7D): Operation knob 71: Key top 72: Peripheral wall portion 73: Guide piece 74: Engaging portion 75: Concave portion 76: Locking portion 8(8A, 8B, 8C): Magnetic sensor 81: Detection portion 82: Leg portion 9, 9A, 9B: Movable member 90: Base portion 901: First beam portion 902: Second beam portion 905: First support shaft 906: Second shaft axis 907: Connecting beam 91: Connecting piece 92: Guide arm 95: Support part 951: Locking arm 97: Connecting part 10: Magnet 10a: Opposite surface 15: Tilt suppression mechanism Za: Axis

Claims

1. A plurality of operable parts that can be displaced independently, a movable member that displaces in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operable part regardless of which of the plurality of operable parts is operated, a magnet attached to the movable member, and a plurality of detection elements arranged to face the magnet in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member, operation sensors provided one-to-one for the plurality of operable parts and detecting the operation of the operable parts, and a processing unit that identifies the operated operable part among the plurality of operable parts based on the output signals of the plurality of detection elements and the output signals of the operation sensors. A switch device.

2. In Claim 1, the operation sensor has a fixed electrode arranged with a gap between the operation sensor and the operable part on the displacement side of the operable part when the operable part is operated, the processing unit is a capacitance sensor that identifies the operated operable part based on a change in capacitance due to the operated operable part approaching the fixed electrode. A switch device.

3. In Claim 2, an elastic member that supports the operable part in a displaceable manner is provided on the side of the substrate that supports the fixed electrode and faces the operable part, the fixed electrode has a plate-shaped detection part arranged to face the operable part, and the detection part is provided with an opening for avoiding interference with the elastic member. A switch device.

4. In Claim 1, a switch device including an inclination suppression mechanism that suppresses the inclination when the movable member is displaced.

5. In any one of Claims 1 to 4, one magnet is attached to the movable member, and at least two detection elements are provided. A switch device.

6. In Claim 5, the movable member is a rod-shaped member displaceable in the operation direction of the operable part, and each of the plurality of operable parts has an operating element of the movable member. A switch device.

7. In Claim 5, the movable member is an annular member that surrounds the region where the operable parts are provided and is displaceable in the operation direction of the operable parts, and in the movable member, one of a pair of shaft parts that face each other with the plurality of operable parts sandwiched therebetween is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis along the longitudinal direction of the shaft part of the equal shaft part, and the magnet is attached to the other shaft part of the pair of shaft parts. The switch device, wherein each of the plurality of operated parts has an operator that displaces the other shaft part in conjunction with the operation of the operated part. **Claim 8** In claim 5, different functions are assigned to each of the plurality of operated parts, and the functions are modes related to stopping or running of a vehicle.

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