Handle switch device

Abstract

To improve a mounting workability while avoiding damages of a flexible wiring member.SOLUTION: An FPC 30 is disposed from a first base part 10 to a second base part 20 outside the first base part 10 and the second base part 20. When the first base part 10 is in a first position, the first base part 10 can surround a handlebar 50 in cooperation with the second base part 20, and a rotation of the first base part 10 with respect to the second base part 20 about a rotation shaft 11 is restricted. In addition, when the first base part 10 is in a second position, an engagement between a first engagement part 12 and a second engagement part 21 is released, and the rotation shaft 11 is supported by a shaft support part 22 to be in an openable and closable state in which the first base part 10 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Handlebar switch devices are known that are attached to the handlebars of motorcycles, etc. Techniques are known for protecting flexible wiring members disposed inside the handlebar switch devices when the handlebar switch devices are attached.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, the handlebar is sandwiched between two separate cases, which are then fastened together with screws to attach the handlebar. In this case, a cylindrical member is provided to protect the lead wires (flexible wiring members) that are arranged across the cases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-57811 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical member needs to be attached when assembling the handlebar switch device, and the assembly process of the handlebar switch device is not simple. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of maintaining good assembly workability of the handlebar switch device while taking into consideration avoidance of damage to the flexible wiring member when attaching the handlebar switch device to the handlebar.

[0006] The present technology aims to avoid damage to flexible wiring members and improve the ease of installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a handle switch device of the present technology includes a first base portion having a first engaging portion and a rotation axis that is approximately parallel to a handlebar, a second base portion having a second engaging portion and a pivot support portion and capable of surrounding the handlebar from the outer periphery in cooperation with the first base portion, and a flexible wiring member arranged from the first base portion to the second base portion on the outside of the first base portion and the second base portion, and the first base portion can be moved relative to the second base portion between a first position and a second position in a direction approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis. When the first base portion is at the first position, the first base portion can cooperate with the second base portion to surround the handlebar, and the engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion restricts rotation of the first base portion relative to the second base portion about the rotation axis, thereby entering a first state; when the first base portion is at the second position, the engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is released, and the rotation axis is supported by the support portion, thereby entering a second state in which the first base portion can rotate about the rotation axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present technology, damage to the flexible wiring member can be avoided and the attachment workability can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handlebar switch device. [Figure 2] 10 is a side view of the handle switch device in the rotation restricted state as viewed from the -X side. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the handle switch device in the openable / closable state, as viewed from the -X side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle switch device in a rotation restricted state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle switch device in an openable and closable state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0011] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a handlebar switch device 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology. The handlebar switch device 100 is attached to a handlebar 50 of a saddle-ride vehicle, for example.

[0012] The handle switch device 100 includes a first base portion 10, a second base portion 20, an outer case 40, and a flexible printed circuit board 30 (hereinafter referred to as FPC 30) as an example of a flexible wiring member.

[0013] Hereinafter, the directions of each part will be designated based on the X, Y, and Z coordinate axes shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere. For convenience, the state in which the handlebar switch device 100 is attached to the handlebar 50 will be used as the reference. The first base portion 10 is attached to the handlebar 50 from approximately the +Y side, and the second base portion 20 is attached to the handlebar 50 from approximately the -Y side. The axial direction of the handlebar 50 is the X direction, which is approximately parallel to the axis 11a of the rotation shaft 11. In the radial direction of the handlebar 50, the side of the handlebar switch device 100 attached to the handlebar 50 where the rotation shaft 11 is located is referred to as the +Z side. When referring to the radial direction of the handlebar 50, the outer and inner sides in the radial direction may sometimes be simply referred to as the outer and inner sides, respectively.

[0014] Although details will be described later, in summary, the handlebar switch device 100 is assembled and attached to the handlebar 50 as follows.

[0015] First, the worker engages the first engaging portion 12 of the first base portion 10 with the second engaging portion 21 and the bending portion 23 of the second base portion 20. At this time, the worker arranges the FPC 30 from the first base portion 10 to the second base portion 20 on the outside of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20. The FPC 30 is arranged so that a bending portion 33 is formed in the region where the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 are engaged.

[0016] Next, the worker places the first case 41 on the outside of the first base portion 10 and fixes the first base portion 10 to the first case 41 from the inside with screws (not shown). Note that the method of fixing the first base portion 10 to the first case 41 is not limited to screws, and other methods such as fitting or adhesive may also be used. The worker places the second case 42 on the outside of the second base portion 20 and fixes the second base portion 20 to the second case 42 from the inside with screws (not shown). As a result, the first base portion 10 and the first case 41 become a pair, and the second base portion 20 and the second case 42 become a pair, and the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 are engaged with each other so that they will not be accidentally separated. In this state, the handle switch device 100 can be rotated in an open direction and a closed direction around the rotation shaft 11 depending on the engagement positions of the base portions 10 and 20, as described below.

[0017] Next, the worker rotates the base portions 10, 20 in an opening direction so that the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 surround the handlebar 50, and then rotates the base portions 10, 20 in a closing direction. After that, the worker secures the two cases by threading screws (not shown) from the +Y side through the holes in the first case 41 into the multiple bosses 43 of the second case 42. This secures the handlebar switch device 100 to the handlebar 50.

[0018] 2 and 3 are side views of the handle switch device 100 in a rotation restricted state and an openable / closable state (particularly an open state) as viewed from the -X side, respectively. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the handle switch device 100 in a rotation restricted state and an openable / closable state (particularly an open state), respectively.

[0019] The handle switch device 100 can be placed in a rotation restricted state (first state) and an openable / closable state (second state). The open state shown in Figures 3 and 5 is included in the openable / closable state. The mechanism for placing the handle switch device 100 in the rotation restricted state and the openable / closable state will be described later.

[0020] 2 and 3, both the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 have a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the direction of the axis 11a of the rotating shaft 11 (X direction). When the handlebar switch device 100 is attached to the handlebar 50, the minimum inner diameter of the outer case 40 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter formed by the base portions 10, 20, and the outer case 40 is in contact with and fixed to the handlebar 50. Note that the minimum inner diameter of the outer case 40 may be the same as the minimum inner diameter formed by the base portions 10, 20.

[0021] The second engagement portion 21 provided on the second base portion 20 is an extension portion that extends to the +Y side in a direction (Y direction) approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis 11. The second base portion 20 has a jaw portion 24 that protrudes to the +Y side radially inward from the second engagement portion 21. The bent portion 23 provided on the second base portion 20 curves and extends from the jaw portion 24 to the +Z side and the +Y side, and further extends to the -Y side. The curved portion on the +Y side of the bent portion 23 serves as a pivot support portion 22.

[0022] The first engaging portion 12 provided on the first base portion 10 is a bifurcated portion extending in the opposite direction (-Y side) to the second engaging portion 21 in a direction (Y direction) substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 11. The first engaging portion 12 includes an outer extending portion 13 and an inner extending portion 14 as the bifurcated portion.

[0023] In the rotation restricted state (FIGS. 2 and 4), the first engagement portion 12 and the second engagement portion 21 are engaged, and the outer extension portion 13 and the inner extension portion 14 of the first engagement portion 12 surround the second engagement portion 21 from both sides in the radial direction (Z direction) of the handlebar 50. At this time, the inner extension portion 14 is surrounded by the second engagement portion 21 and the jaw portion 24 from both sides in the Z direction.

[0024] By inserting the rotating shaft 11 between the second engagement portion 21 and the bent portion 23 from the -Y side, the rotating shaft 11 is temporarily engaged with the second engagement portion 21 and the bent portion 23. In this temporarily engaged state, the first base portion 10 is movable relative to the second base portion 20 between a first position and a second position in the Y direction. The first position is a position where the handlebar switch device 100 is in a rotation-restricted state. The second position is a position where the handlebar switch device 100 is in an open / closed state.

[0025] When the first base portion 10 is in the first position, the first base portion 10 can cooperate with the second base portion 10 to surround the handlebar 50 from the outer periphery. Furthermore, due to the engagement between the first engagement portion 12 and the second engagement portion 21, rotation of the first base portion 10 relative to the second base portion 20 about the rotation axis 11 is restricted (rotation restricted state). Specifically, even if an attempt is made to rotate the first base portion 10, the outer extension portion 13 or the inner extension portion 14 interferes with the second engagement portion 21, preventing the first base portion 10 from rotating. Note that interference between the inner extension portion 14 and the jaw portion 24 may also contribute to restricting rotation of the first base portion 10.

[0026] When the first base part 10 is moved in the +Y direction from the first position and positioned at the second position, the rotation shaft 11 engages with the pivot support part 22. When the first base part 10 is at the second position, the engagement between the first engagement part 12 and the second engagement part 21 is released, and the rotation shaft 11 is pivotally supported by the pivot support part 22, allowing the first base part 10 to rotate around the rotation shaft 11 (openable / closable state).

[0027] That is, as a result of the first base portion 10 moving in the +Y direction, the outer extension portion 13 or the inner extension portion 14 no longer overlaps or interferes with the second engagement portion 21 in the Z direction. Moreover, the inner extension portion 14 no longer overlaps or interferes with the jaw portion 24 in the Z direction. Therefore, the first base portion 10 can be freely rotated. After reaching this openable / closable state, the first base portion 10 can be rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3 to reach the open state shown in FIG. 3. The first base portion 10 and the first case 41 move together in the Y direction and rotate around the rotation axis 11.

[0028] The first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 can be attached to the handlebar 50 in the rotation restricted state (Figs. 2 and 4), and can be attached to and detached from the handlebar 50 in the openable and closable state.

[0029] In this way, the handlebar switch device 100, in which the base units 10, 20 and the cases 41, 42 are integrated, is portable and can be transported from the handlebar switch device 100 assembly site to a separate vehicle assembly site and attached to the handlebar 50. To do this, the worker simply moves the base units 10, 20 of the handlebar switch device 100, which is in an openable / closable state, to a rotation-restricted state. This facilitates the installation process. Furthermore, since the first base unit 10 and the first case 41 move as a single unit, the handlebar switch device 100 is easy to handle when attached to the handlebar 50. Furthermore, after the handlebar switch device 100 is attached to the handlebar 50, the base units 10, 20 are surrounded by the cases 41, 42 and are not exposed to the outside, providing protection from external forces and improving the appearance.

[0030] Incidentally, the FPC 30 is disposed between the first base portion 10 and the outer case 40 or between the second base portion 20 and the outer case 40 in the radial direction of the handlebar 50. The FPC 30 is folded back in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 11 (around an axis parallel to the rotation axis 11 (X direction)), and is disposed along the first engagement portion 12 and the second engagement portion 21.

[0031] Specifically, the FPC 30 branches into two branches in the X direction from the outer periphery of the second base portion 20, passes inside and outside the second engagement portion 21, then passes inside and outside the outer extension portion 13, and then reunites to extend to the outer periphery of the first base portion 10.

[0032] The FPC 30 comprises a first portion 31 disposed on the first base portion 10, a second portion 32 disposed on the second base portion 20, and a flexible portion 33. The flexible portion 33 is a folded region between the first portion 31 and the second portion 32. The flexible portion 33 is not fixed to either the first base portion 10 or the second base portion 20, and is a portion that can bend freely. The main region of the flexible portion 33 is the portion located from near the tip of the second engagement portion 21 to near the tip of the outer extension portion 13.

[0033] As the first base unit 10 moves between the first position and the second position, the first portion 31 follows the movement of the first base unit 10, but the second portion 32 does not move. At this time, the flexure portion 33 changes its flexure. That is, when the first base unit 10 is in the second position (FIG. 5), compared to when the first base unit 10 is in the first position (FIG. 4), the folded region of the FPC 30 is spaced apart from the base units 10 and 20, and the curvature of the flexure portion is smaller, allowing the FPC 30 to flex freely when the base units 10 and 20 are opened and closed. Furthermore, since movement from the first position to the second position is restricted by the first engaging portion 12 of the first base unit 10 and the bending portion 23 of the second base unit 20, the application of bending and pulling loads that could lead to breakage to the FPC 30 can be suppressed during transportation of the handlebar switch device 100 and installation on the handlebar 50, and damage to the FPC 30 can be avoided.

[0034] After the handle switch device 100 is attached to the handlebar 50, the FPC 30 is positioned between the base portions 10, 20 and the cases 41, 42, thereby protecting the FPC 30. Furthermore, because the FPC 30 is located outside the base portions 10, 20, there is no risk of the FPC 30 being pinched by the base portions 10, 20 or the like and being damaged when transitioning from the rotation restricted state to the openable / closable state.

[0035] Although not shown, fixed contacts are provided on the outer surface of the FPC 30, and rubber contacts having movable contacts facing the fixed contacts are also arranged. An operating knob for pressing the rubber contacts is provided through the outer case 40. When the operating knob is pressed, the rubber contacts deform, and the fixed contacts and movable contacts come into contact with each other, establishing electrical continuity. Note that the switch is not limited to a rubber contact, and a tactile switch, membrane switch, or the like may also be provided.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the FPC 30 is disposed across the base portions 10, 20 on the outside of the base portions 10. When the first base portion 10 is in the first position, the first base portion 10 can surround the handlebar 50 in cooperation with the second base portion 20, and a rotation restricted state is established in which rotation of the first base portion 10 relative to the second base portion 20 about the rotation shaft 11 is restricted. When the first base portion 10 is in the second position, the first engaging portion 12 and the second engaging portion 21 are disengaged, and the rotation shaft 11 is supported by the pivot support portion 22, establishing an openable / closable state in which the first base portion 10 can rotate about the rotation shaft 11.

[0037] Therefore, damage to the FPC 30 (flexible wiring member) can be avoided and the attachment workability can be improved.

[0038] Furthermore, the FPC 30 has a flexible portion 33 folded around an axis parallel to the X direction, and the first portion 31 follows the movement of the first base portion 10, changing the folded area of ​​the flexible portion 33. This makes it possible to suppress the load applied to the FPC 30 when the handle switch device 100 is transitioned between the rotation restricted state and the openable / closable state, thereby providing appropriate protection.

[0039] Although FPC 30 is used as an example of a flexible wiring member, the present invention is not limited to this and may be an electric wire, a flat cable, or the like. The direction in which handlebar switch device 100 is divided is generally the Y direction, which is, for example, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, but the direction in which it is divided is not important. For example, handlebar switch device 100 may be divided in the Z direction (the vertical direction of the vehicle).

[0040] 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]

[0041] 10 First base portion, 11 Rotating shaft, 12 First engagement portion, 20 Second base portion, 21 Second engagement portion, 22 Axial support portion, 30 Flexible printed circuit board (FPC), 50 Handlebar

Claims

1. a first base portion having a first engaging portion and a rotation axis substantially parallel to the handlebar; a second base portion including a second engaging portion and a pivot support portion, and adapted to surround the handlebar from the outer periphery in cooperation with the first base portion; a flexible wiring member disposed outside the first base portion and the second base portion, from the first base portion to the second base portion; the first base portion is movable relative to the second base portion between a first position and a second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis; When the first base portion is in the first position, the first base portion can cooperate with the second base portion to surround the handlebar, and engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion restricts rotation of the first base portion relative to the second base portion about the rotation axis, thereby creating a first state; When the first base portion is in the second position, the handle switch device is in a second state in which the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is released and the rotation shaft is supported by the support portion, allowing the first base portion to rotate around the rotation shaft.

2. 2. The handlebar switch device according to claim 1, wherein the first base portion and the second base portion can be attached to the handlebar in the first state and can be detached from the handlebar in the second state.

3. The handle switch device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wiring member is disposed along the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft.

4. 4. The handle switch device according to claim 3, wherein the flexible wiring member is folded back around an axis parallel to the pivot axis, and the portion of the flexible wiring member that is arranged on the first base portion follows the movement of the first base portion as the first base portion moves between the first position and the second position.

5. The handlebar switch device according to claim 4, wherein a folded-back region of the flexible wiring member is smaller when the first base portion is in the second position than when the first base portion is in the first position.

6. the second engagement portion is an extension portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, the first engaging portion is a bifurcated portion extending in a direction opposite to the extending portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis, The handlebar switch device according to claim 1, wherein when the first base portion is in the first position, the bifurcated portion surrounds the extension portion from both sides in a radial direction of the handlebar.

7. an outer case disposed outside the first base portion and the second base portion; 2. The handle switch device according to claim 1, wherein the first base portion and the second base portion are surrounded by the outer case when in the first state.

8. The handlebar switch device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible wiring member is disposed between the first base portion and the second base portion and the outer case.

9. the outer case includes a first case fixed to the first base portion and a second case fixed to the second base portion, 9. The handle switch device according to claim 8, wherein the first case moves and rotates integrally with the first base portion.

10. The handle switch device according to claim 1, wherein the first base portion and the second base portion each have a substantially semicircular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation shaft.

11. 2. The handlebar switch device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible wiring member is a flexible printed circuit board.

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