Switch device and vehicle

Abstract

To realize reliable return of an operator and a waterproof function of a contact portion.SOLUTION: A switch device 100 includes: an operation knob 50 that is pressed down and moves relative to an upper case 40; a spring 60 that is arranged between the operation knob 50 and the upper case 40 and biases the operation knob 50 in a return direction opposite to the pressing direction; a substrate 20 on which a fixed contact 21 is arranged; a lower case 10 that holds the substrate 20; and a contact member 30 that is made of a deformable member and includes a base portion 31 and a dome portion 32, a tip portion 37 of the dome portion 32 being fixed to the operation knob 50, and a movable contact 36 arranged inside the dome portion 32 at a position facing the fixed contact 21. By sandwiching the base portion 31 between the substrate 20 and the upper case 40, the movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 are contained in a space S0 formed by the dome portion 32 and the substrate 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is known a switch device that detects an operation by deforming a deformable contact member when an operator is pressed. For example, in Patent Document 1, when the operator is pressed, a movable contact provided on the contact member made of rubber abuts against a fixed contact arranged on a circuit board, thereby detecting the movement of the operator. Then, when the operator is released from the press, the elastic force of the contact member causes the operator to return to a non-operating position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-39994 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, as switch operation detection using small current values ​​has become more common, waterproofing of contact points has become increasingly important to prevent malfunctions due to water intrusion. Patent Document 1 states that dustproofing is achieved by pressing the contact end of the contact member against the substrate. However, this does not provide sufficient waterproofing. Therefore, there is room for improvement in achieving highly accurate waterproofing of the contact points.

[0005] Furthermore, since the operator is configured to return to the non-operating position solely by the elastic force of the contact member, there is a risk that the returning force will weaken over time, making it difficult to return properly, and there is also room for improvement in ensuring that the operator returns reliably.

[0006] The present technology aims to realize a reliable return of the operator and a waterproof function for the contact portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the switch device of the present technology has a first case, an operator that is pressed and moves relative to the first case, an elastic member that is arranged between the operator and the first case and that urges the operator in a return direction opposite to the pressing direction, a substrate on which a fixed contact is arranged, a second case that holds the substrate, and a contact member that is composed of a deformable member and includes a base portion and a dome portion that bulges from the base portion, the tip portion of the dome portion being fixed to the operator, and a movable contact that is arranged inside the dome portion at a position opposite the fixed contact, and the base portion is sandwiched between at least one of the substrate or the second case and the first case, so that the movable contact and the fixed contact are contained in a space formed by at least one of the substrate or the second case and the dome portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present technology, it is possible to realize a reliable return of the operating element and a waterproof function for the contact portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a fastening portion between a lower case and an upper case in a switch device of a first modified example. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a fastening portion between a lower case and an upper case in a switch device of a second modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present technology. As an example, the switch device 100 is applied to a handlebar switch of a vehicle 101, which is a straddle-type vehicle. However, the devices and apparatuses to which the switch device 100 is applied are not limited to vehicles.

[0012] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the switch device 100 taken along a plane passing through the axes of the two screws 12. The switch device 100 comprises a lower case 10 (second case), a substrate 20, a contact member 30, an upper case 40 (first case), an operation knob 50 (operator), and a spring 60 (elastic member). The operation knob 50 is an operator that is pressed down. Hereinafter, the reciprocating direction of the operation knob 50 is referred to as the Z direction, and in particular, the pressing direction is referred to as the -Z direction, and the direction in which the pressed operation knob 50 returns to the non-operating position (the return direction opposite to the pressing direction) is referred to as the +Z direction.

[0013] The lower case 10 holds the circuit board 20. The lower case 10 may be fixed to the device in which it is to be mounted. A fixed contact 21 is arranged on the +Z side surface of the circuit board 20. The upper case 40 holds the operation knob 50 so that it can move in the Z direction. Therefore, the operation knob 50 moves relative to the upper case 40.

[0014] The coil spring 60 is disposed between the step portion 43 of the upper case 40 and the ceiling surface 54 of the operation knob 50 in the Z direction. The upper case 40 is provided with claw-shaped first engagement portions 42 in two locations (only one location is shown in FIG. 1). The operation knob 50 is provided with first engagement counterparts 52 in two locations corresponding to the first engagement portions 42 (only one location is shown in FIG. 1). The first engagement portions 42 are inserted into the holes of the corresponding first engagement counterparts 52.

[0015] The spring 60 biases the operating knob 50 in the +Z direction relative to the upper case 40, and the first engaging portion 42 and the hole of the first engaging corresponding portion 52 abut and engage in the Z direction, thereby regulating the non-operating position of the operating knob 50.

[0016] The end of the upper case 40 on the +Z side is a second engagement portion 41. The operation knob 50 is provided with a second engagement corresponding portion 51 that faces the second engagement portion 41 in the Z direction. When the operation knob 50 is in the non-operating position, the second engagement portion 41 and the second engagement corresponding portion 51 are separated. During the process in which the operation knob 50 is pressed down against the biasing force of the spring 60, the second engagement portion 41 and the second engagement corresponding portion 51 come into contact and engage with each other, thereby regulating the position at which the operation knob 50 ends up being pressed down.

[0017] The contact member 30 is made of a deformable material (for example, an elastic material such as rubber). The contact member 30 includes a base portion 31 and a dome portion 32 that bulges from the base portion 31 toward the +Z side. Almost the entire periphery of the contact member 30, excluding the base portion 31, is surrounded by an upper case 40. A tip portion 37 on the +Z side of the dome portion 32 is fitted and fixed to an end portion 53 on the -Z side of the operation knob 50. Note that the tip portion 37 and the operation knob 50 only need to be engaged or fixed so that they move together, and any engagement or fixing method, such as fitting, press-fitting, or adhesive, can be used. The portion of the dome portion 32 between the base portion 31 and the tip portion 37 is a skirt portion 33, which is the main deformation site.

[0018] When the tip portion 37 is pressed toward the -Z side, the dome portion 32 exerts a biasing force toward the +Z side due to the restoring force caused by the elastic deformation of the skirt portion 33. That is, when the operation knob 50 is in a pressed state, the operation knob 50 receives a biasing force toward the +Z side from the contact member 30 due to the elasticity of the skirt portion 33. At the same time, the operation knob 50 receives a biasing force toward the +Z side from the spring 60. Therefore, the operation knob 50, which is in the pressed-down position, is biased toward the +Z side by the cooperation of the spring 60 and the contact member 30, and returns to the non-operating position. Note that when the operation knob 50 is restricted to the non-operating position, the contact member 30 may receive a slight pushing force or pulling force from the operation knob 50.

[0019] A movable contact 36 is disposed inside the dome portion 32 at a position facing the fixed contact 21. The fixed contact 21 has, for example, a pair of terminal portions (not shown) that constitute a pair of comb-shaped electrodes. Therefore, when the movable contact 36 abuts against the fixed contact 21, both terminal portions are short-circuited, resulting in a make (on) state. The movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 may be made of any conductive material, but examples include carbon fiber, brass, copper, tin, aluminum, gold, silver, or alloys or plated materials thereof.

[0020] The base portion 31 of the contact member 30 is disposed facing the +Z side of the substrate 20. The upper case 40 is fixed to the lower case 10 by fastening two fixed portions 44 of the upper case 40 to two bosses 11 of the lower case 10 with screws 12. This causes the base portion 31 to be sandwiched between the substrate 20 and the upper case 40. It may also be interpreted that the base portion 31 and the substrate 20 are sandwiched together between the upper case 40 and the lower case 10.

[0021] A space S0 is formed by the dome portion 32 and the substrate 20. The movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 are contained within the space S0. This makes the movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 waterproof.

[0022] A first annular rib 35 that abuts and closely contacts the upper case 40 is formed on the +Z side surface of the base portion 31. A second annular rib 34 that abuts and closely contacts the substrate 20 is formed on the -Z side surface of the base portion 31. In FIG. 2, the protrusion amounts of the ribs 35 and 34 are exaggerated, but in reality, the ribs 35 and 34 are crushed and tightly adhere to the upper case 40 and the substrate 20. This further improves the waterproofing of the space S0. Note that the provision of the ribs 35 and 34 is not essential. Note that it is not essential to provide the ribs 35 and 34 on the base portion 31; a rib equivalent to the first rib 35 may be provided on the upper case 40, and a rib equivalent to the second rib 34 may be provided on the substrate 20.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the spring 60 disposed between the operation knob 50 and the upper case 40 biases the operation knob 50 in the return direction (toward the non-operating position), eliminating the need to rely on the elasticity of the contact member 30 for the biasing force in the return direction. Compared to a configuration that relies solely on the elasticity of the contact member 30, there is less risk of the return force of the operation knob 50 weakening over time. Furthermore, by sandwiching the base portion 31 between the substrate 20 and the upper case 40, the movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 are contained within the space S0 formed by the dome portion 32 and the substrate 20. This ensures that the movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 are waterproof. This ensures reliable return of the operation knob (operation knob 50) and waterproofing of the contact portion (contacts 36, 21).

[0024] Furthermore, the pressed operating knob 50 returns to the non-operating position through cooperation between the spring 60 and the contact member 30, which contributes to a more reliable return than a configuration that relies solely on the spring 60. Furthermore, because the operating knob 50 and the contact member 30 are engaged with each other, even if the returning force due to the elasticity of the contact member 30 alone weakens, the operating knob 50 is reliably returned by the biasing force of the spring 60, making it possible to separate the contact portions.

[0025] Furthermore, the first rib 35 and the second rib 34 provided on the base portion 31 come into contact with and adhere tightly to the upper case 40 and the substrate 20, respectively, further strengthening the waterproof function of the contact portions.

[0026] Note that if the biasing of the operation knob 50 in the return direction is primarily performed by the spring 60 out of the spring 60 and the contact member 30, the degree of freedom in designing the contact member 30 will be increased. For example, it is possible to provide a clicking sensation when the operation knob 50 is operated between the upper case 40 and the operation knob 50, and it is no longer necessary to achieve this on the contact member 30 side, allowing for more flexible design of the contact member 30. From this perspective, it is also possible to configure the operation knob 50 to be biased in the return direction solely by the spring 60. In this case, the contact member 30 does not necessarily need to be elastic, as long as it is deformable.

[0027] (Variation) In this embodiment, the base portion 31 of the contact member 30 is sandwiched between the substrate 20 and the upper case 40. However, a configuration in which the base portion 31 is sandwiched between at least one of the substrate 20 or the lower case 10 and the upper case 40 may also be employed. In this case, the movable contact 36 and the fixed contact 21 may be configured to be contained within a space formed by the at least one of the substrate 20 or the lower case 10 and the dome portion 32. Such a configuration will be described as a modified example with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0028] 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views of the vicinity of the fastening portion between the lower case 10 and the upper case 40 by the screws 12 in the switch device 100 of the first and second modified examples, respectively.

[0029] In a first modified example (FIG. 3), the base portion 31 of the contact member 30 is sandwiched between the upper case 40 and the lower case 10. A first rib 35 provided on the +Z side surface of the base portion 31 abuts and closely contacts the upper case 40. A second rib 34 provided on the -Z side surface of the base portion 31 abuts and closely contacts the lower case 10. The contacts 36, 21 (see FIG. 2) are contained within a space formed by the substrate 20 or the lower case 10 and the dome portion 32. Note that in the first modified example, the base portion 31 and the substrate 20 do not need to abut, and the substrate 20 may be fixed to the lower case 10. When the base portion 31 and the substrate 20 do not abut, the contacts 36, 21 are contained within a space formed by the lower case 10 and the dome portion 32.

[0030] In the second modified example (FIG. 4), the base portion 31 of the contact member 30 is sandwiched between the upper case 40 and the "substrate 20 and lower case 10." A first rib 35 provided on the +Z side surface of the base portion 31 abuts and closely contacts the upper case 40. A double set of second ribs 34A, 34B is provided on the -Z side surface of the base portion 31. The outer second rib 34A abuts and closely contacts the lower case 10. The inner second rib 34B abuts and closely contacts the substrate 20. The contacts 36, 21 are contained within the space formed by the substrate 20 and the dome portion 32.

[0031] As another modified example (not shown), the circuit board 20 and the upper case 40 may be directly fixed together with screws or by fitting, with the base portion 31 sandwiched between them. In this case, the contacts 36, 21 are contained within the space formed by the circuit board 20 and the dome portion 32. From this perspective, it is not essential to provide a lower case. The upper case 40 or the circuit board 20 may be fixed to equipment such as a vehicle.

[0032] The elastic member that biases the operation knob 50 in the return direction is not limited to the spring 60, but may be other elastic members such as rubber.

[0033] It should be noted that the switch device 100 is not limited to a switch having only the operation knob 50. For example, the switch device 100 may be applied to either or both of two seesaw-type switches. Alternatively, the switch device 100 may be applied to at least one of the four switches in a cross-shaped switch.

[0034] The present technology has been described above in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, but the present technology is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present technology are also included in the present technology. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Lower case, 20 Circuit board, 21 Fixed contact, 30 Contact member, 31 Base portion, 32 Dome portion, 36 Movable contact, 37 Tip portion, 40 Upper case, 50 Operation knob, 60 Spring, 100 Switch device, S0 Space

Claims

1. The first case, an operator that is pressed down and moves relative to the first case; an elastic member disposed between the operating element and the first case and biasing the operating element in a return direction opposite to a pressing direction; a substrate on which fixed contacts are arranged; a second case for holding the substrate; a contact member formed of a deformable member, including a base portion and a dome portion bulging from the base portion, a tip portion of the dome portion fixed to the operator, and a movable contact disposed inside the dome portion at a position facing the fixed contact, A switch device in which the base portion is sandwiched between at least one of the substrate or the second case and the first case, so that the movable contact and the fixed contact are contained in a space formed by at least one of the substrate or the second case and the dome portion.

2. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the first case holds the operator so as to be movable in a depression direction.

3. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact member is elastic.

4. 4. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the depressed operating element returns to the non-operating position by cooperation of the elastic member and the contact member.

5. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion is formed with a first annular rib that is in close contact with the first case.

6. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion is formed with a second annular rib that is in close contact with at least one of the substrate and the second case.

7. a first engaging portion is provided on the first case, and a first corresponding engaging portion is provided on the operating element; The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-operating position of the operating element is restricted by the first engaging portion and the first corresponding engaging portion engaging with each other.

8. a second engaging portion is provided on the first case, and a second engaging corresponding portion is provided on the operating element; The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the second engaging portion and the second corresponding engaging portion are engaged with each other to restrict a depression end position of the operator.

9. Case and an operator that is pressed down and moves relative to the case; an elastic member disposed between the operator and the case, and biasing the operator in a return direction opposite to a pressing direction; a substrate on which fixed contacts are arranged; a contact member formed of a deformable member, including a base portion and a dome portion bulging from the base portion, the operation element being fixed to a tip end of the dome portion, and a movable contact being disposed inside the dome portion at a position facing the fixed contact, The base portion is sandwiched between the substrate and the case, and the movable contact and the fixed contact are contained within a space formed by the substrate and the dome portion.

10. A vehicle comprising the switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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