Direction indicator device

Abstract

To provide a direction indicator device capable of achieving size reduction.SOLUTION: A direction indicator device 2 comprises: an operation lever 6; a rotary body 8 connected to the operation lever 6, and rotating in response to an operation of the operation lever 6; a leaf spring 10 attached to the rotary body 8, and rotating integrally with the rotary body 8 in response to an operation of the operation lever 6; and a click member 12 having a click surface 42 disposed opposite to the leaf spring 10. The leaf spring 10 has: a first support 24 and a second support 26 disposed opposite to each other, and supported by a first side surface 16 and a second side surface 18, respectively, of the rotary body 8; a first extension 28 and a second extension 30 that extend in directions approaching each other from the first support 24 and the second support 26, respectively, along the click surface 42; and a protrusion 32 that protrudes from each opposing end of the first extension 28 and the second extension 30 toward the click surface 42 in an approximately arc-shaped cross section, and is pressed against the click surface 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a turn signal device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a turn signal device for flashing a turn signal lamp when a vehicle turns right or left or changes lanes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A conventional turn signal device includes an operating lever, a bracket, a coil spring, a detent piece, and a detent surface. The bracket is connected to one end of the operating lever. A recess extending in a predetermined direction is formed in the bracket. The detent piece is formed in an elongated shape, and a portion of the detent piece is slidably housed in the recess of the bracket. The coil spring is disposed inside the bracket and biases the detent piece toward the detent surface.

[0003] When the driver of the vehicle operates the control lever, the bracket rotates in response to the operation of the control lever, causing the detent piece to slide on the detent surface while being pressed against the detent surface by the coil spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-109548 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conventional turn signal device described above, the coil spring needs to be long enough to achieve the force-stroke (FS) characteristic when the operating lever is operated. Therefore, the bracket needs to be large enough to accommodate the total length of the long moderation piece and the long coil spring aligned in the axial direction, which results in an increase in the size of the turn signal device.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a direction indicator device that can be made smaller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A direction indicator device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a direction indicator device mounted on a vehicle, and includes: an operating lever that is operated by a driver of the vehicle and is displaceable between a neutral position and a left turn indication position or a right turn indication position; a rotating body that is connected to the operating lever and rotates in response to operation of the operating lever; a leaf spring that is attached to the rotating body and rotates integrally with the rotating body in response to operation of the operating lever; and a detent member having a detent surface arranged opposite the leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring has a pair of support parts that are arranged opposite each other and supported respectively on a pair of side surfaces of the rotating body, a pair of extending parts that extend from one end of each of the pair of support parts in directions approaching each other along the detent surface, and a protruding part that protrudes from each opposing end of the pair of extending parts toward the detent surface in a generally arc-shaped cross section and is pressed against the detent surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the direction indicator according to one aspect of the present disclosure, miniaturization can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a direction indicator according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a direction indicator according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an operating lever is in a neutral position. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a direction indicator device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an operating lever is in a left turn indication position. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the other end of the rotating body and the leaf spring of the direction indicator according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the other end of the rotating body and the leaf spring of the direction indicator according to the embodiment, as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a leaf spring of the direction indicator according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is an enlarged side view showing a leaf spring and a moderation member of the direction indicator according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining a procedure for attaching the leaf spring to the rotating body according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the direction indicator according to the embodiment when the operating lever is in a neutral position. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the direction indicator device according to the embodiment in a state where the operation lever is displaced from the neutral position to the left turn indication position. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a moderation member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Technology 1) a leaf spring attached to the rotating body and rotating integrally with the rotating body in response to operation of the operating lever; and a detent member having a detent surface disposed opposite the leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring has a pair of support parts disposed opposite each other and supported by a pair of side surfaces of the rotating body; a pair of extending parts extending from one end of each of the pair of support parts along the detent surface in directions approaching each other; and a protruding part protruding from each opposing end of the pair of extending parts toward the detent surface in a generally arc-shaped cross section and pressed against the detent surface.

[0011] According to Technology 1, when the rotating body rotates in response to operation of the operating lever, the leaf spring elastically deforms, causing the protruding portion of the leaf spring to slide along the moderation surface. By using such a leaf spring, the size of the leaf spring in a predetermined direction can be reduced compared to when a long moderation piece and a long coil spring are arranged axially, as described in the Background Art section. As a result, the turn signal device can be made smaller while still achieving FS characteristics when the operating lever is operated.

[0012] (Technology 2) The direction indicator device according to Technology 1, wherein each of the pair of extending portions includes a pair of inclined portions that extend in a direction away from the operating lever as they approach the protruding portion and that are inclined relative to each other.

[0013] According to Technique 2, the length of each of the pair of extending portions can be increased by the pair of inclined portions, and the spring constant of the leaf spring can be reduced accordingly, thereby improving the operating feel of the operating lever.

[0014] (Technology 3) The direction indicator according to Technology 1 or 2, wherein a pair of holes are formed in the pair of support parts, a pair of protrusions are formed in the pair of side surfaces of the rotating body, and the pair of protrusions are displaceably engaged with the pair of holes.

[0015] According to Technology 3, when the leaf spring elastically deforms in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body, the pair of protrusions are displaced relative to the pair of holes, thereby absorbing part of the elastic deformation of the leaf spring. As a result, the spring constant of the leaf spring can be kept small, and the operating feel of the operating lever can be improved.

[0016] (Technology 4) The direction indicator device according to any one of techniques 1 to 3, wherein the detent surface includes a detent valley against which the protrusion of the leaf spring is pressed when the operating lever is in the neutral position; a pair of inclined surfaces that are inclined in opposite directions from the detent valley and that approach the operating lever as they move away from the detent valley; a pair of detent peaks formed on each end of the pair of inclined surfaces on the opposite side from the detent valley; and a pair of stop peaks formed on the outer sides of the pair of detent peaks, against which the protrusion of the leaf spring abuts when the operating lever is displaced to the left turn indication position and the right turn indication position, respectively.

[0017] According to Technology 4, the protruding portion of the leaf spring comes into contact with the stopping ridge when it passes over the detent ridge, so the rotation of the rotating body can be stopped without a part of the rotating body coming into contact with the housing, etc. As a result, it is possible to suppress the collision noise between the rotating body and the housing, etc. when the rotation of the rotating body is stopped.

[0018] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0020] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration of turn signal device] First, the configuration of a direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment with the operating lever 6 in a neutral position. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment with the operating lever 6 in a left-turn indication position. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the other end 8b of the rotating body 8 and the leaf spring 10 of the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the other end 8b of the rotating body 8 and the leaf spring 10 of the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment, as viewed from a different direction than FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the leaf spring 10 of the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing the leaf spring 10 and the moderator member 12 of the direction indicator 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a procedure for attaching the leaf spring 10 to the rotating body 8 according to an embodiment.

[0021] In each drawing, the left-right direction of the direction indicator 2 is the X-axis direction, the front-rear direction of the direction indicator 2 is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction (height direction) of the direction indicator 2 is the Z-axis direction. The positive side of the X-axis is the "right" and the negative side of the X-axis is the "left". The positive side of the Y-axis is the "front" and the negative side of the Y-axis is the "rear". The positive side of the Z-axis is the "up" and the negative side of the Z-axis is the "down".

[0022] The turn signal device 2 is mounted on a steering column (not shown) located at the driver's seat of the vehicle, and is an input device for flashing turn signal lights when the vehicle turns right or left, changes lanes, etc. The vehicle is, for example, an automobile.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the direction indicator 2 includes a housing 4, an operating lever 6, a rotating body 8, a leaf spring 10, and a moderation member 12.

[0024] The housing 4 is a box-shaped enclosure that is disposed inside the steering column of the vehicle. An opening 14 is formed in the side surface of the housing 4 in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). For convenience of explanation, the side surface of the housing 4 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) is shown cut away in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0025] The operating lever 6 is a turn signal lever operated by the driver of the vehicle, and is disposed on the right side of the housing 4 (the positive side of the X-axis) as seen from the driver. The operating lever 6 is formed in the shape of a rod that is long in the left-right direction. One end 6a of the operating lever 6 in the longitudinal direction is disposed opposite the opening 14 of the housing 4. The other end 6b of the operating lever 6 in the longitudinal direction is disposed in a position that protrudes to the right from the housing 4 as seen from the driver. The operating lever 6 can be displaced (tilted) between a neutral position and a left turn indication position or a right turn indication position. Although not shown, the direction indicator device 2 further includes a detection unit, which is constituted by, for example, a switch, etc., and detects the operation (displacement) of the operating lever 6, and a control unit that outputs a signal based on the detection result of the detection unit.

[0026] The neutral position is a position when the vehicle is not being operated by the driver, as shown in FIG.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the left turn indication position is a position displaced counterclockwise (towards the positive side of the Z axis) from the neutral position in Figure 3, around the axis near one end 6a of the operating lever 6, when the driver pushes it up from the neutral position.

[0028] Although not shown, the right turn indication position is a position displaced clockwise (opposite to the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3) (negative side of the Z axis) from the neutral position by the driver pushing down the control lever 6 from the neutral position, around an axis near one end 6a of the control lever 6. The left turn indication position and the right turn indication position are positions that are approximately symmetrical to the neutral position in the up-down direction.

[0029] The operating lever 6 may be a combination switch lever having, for example, (a) a turn signal switch for flashing the direction indicator lights, (b) a lighting switch for switching the headlights, parking lights (sidelights), fog lights, and taillights on and off, (c) a passing switch for turning on the headlights with passing lights, and (d) a dimmer switch for switching the headlights between high beam and low beam.

[0030] The rotating body 8 is rotatably arranged inside the housing 4. One end 8a of the rotating body 8 (the end closer to the operating lever 6) protrudes outside the housing 4 through an opening 14 of the housing 4 and is connected to one end 6a of the operating lever 6. The other end 8b of the rotating body 8 (the end farther from the operating lever 6) is arranged opposite the moderation member 12. The rotating body 8 rotates relative to the housing 4 in response to operation of the operating lever 6.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the left turn indication position, the rotating body 8 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 3 from the position shown in Fig. 2 in response to the operation of the operating lever 6. Furthermore, although not shown, when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the right turn indication position, the rotating body 8 rotates clockwise (the direction opposite to the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 3) from the position shown in Fig. 2 in response to the operation of the operating lever 6.

[0032] 4 and 5, a first side surface 16 and a second side surface 18 are formed on the other end portion 8b of the rotating body 8 so as to face in opposite directions in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The first side surface 16 is disposed above the second side surface 18.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, a first protrusion 20 that protrudes upward in a substantially T-shape is formed on the first side surface 16. The first protrusion 20 has a first engagement portion 20a and a first connecting portion 20b. The first engagement portion 20a is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate that is elongated in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The first connecting portion 20b is formed, for example, in a substantially cylindrical shape and connects the first engagement portion 20a and the first side surface 16.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, a second protrusion 22 that protrudes downward in a generally T-shape is formed on the second side surface 18. The second protrusion 22 has a second engagement portion 22a and a second connecting portion 22b. The second engagement portion 22a is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate that is elongated in the front-rear direction and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The second connecting portion 22b is formed, for example, in the shape of a generally cylindrical column, and connects the second engagement portion 22a and the second side surface 18.

[0035] 2, a first support column 21 and a second support column 23 are formed on the other end 8b of the rotating body 8. The first support column 21 and the second support column 23 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and protrude to the side opposite the operating lever 6.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the leaf spring 10 is detachably attached to the other end 8b of the rotating body 8 and rotates integrally with the rotating body 8 in response to operation of the operating lever 6. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the leaf spring 10 is an elastic member formed in a generally U-shape (roughly a square bracket shape) as a whole, and is produced, for example, by pressing a thin metal plate. Specifically, the leaf spring 10 has a first support portion 24, a second support portion 26, a first extension portion 28, a second extension portion 30, and a protrusion 32. When the leaf spring 10 is made of, for example, stainless steel, the thickness of the leaf spring 10 is, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0037] The first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26 are arranged to face each other in the up-down direction. A first hole portion 34 and a second hole portion 36 are formed in the first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26, respectively. Each of the first hole portion 34 and the second hole portion 36 is an elongated hole that is elongated in the left-right direction and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The sizes of the first hole portion 34 and the second hole portion 36 are substantially the same as the sizes of the first engagement portion 20a and the second engagement portion 22a, respectively.

[0038] The first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26 are displaceably supported by the first side surface 16 and the second side surface 18 of the rotating body 8, respectively. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 of the rotating body 8 are displaceably engaged with the first hole 34 and the second hole 36, respectively. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the first engagement portion 20a of the first protrusion 20 and the longitudinal direction of the first hole 34 are approximately perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the second engagement portion 22a of the second protrusion 22 and the longitudinal direction of the second hole 36 are approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0039] As a result, the first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26 are respectively displaceable relative to the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 along the longitudinal directions of the first hole 34 and the second hole 36. That is, the first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26 are respectively displaceable in the left-right direction along the first side surface 16 and the second side surface 18 of the rotating body 8. Note that the first support portion 24 and the second support portion 26 are substantially immovable relative to the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 along the lateral directions of the first hole 34 and the second hole 36.

[0040] The first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30 extend from one end of the first supporting portion 24 and one end of the second supporting portion 26, respectively, along a moderation surface 42 (described later) of the moderation member 12 in a direction approaching each other. As shown in FIG. 7, the first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30 each include a first inclined portion 38 and a second inclined portion 40 that extend in a direction away from the operating lever 6 as they approach the protruding portion 32 and are inclined relative to each other. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the first supporting portion 21 and the second supporting portion 23 of the rotating body 8 are in contact with the vicinity of the other end of the first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30, respectively (i.e., the end farther from the protruding portion 32).

[0041] The protrusions 32 protrude from opposing ends of the first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30 toward the moderation surface 42 of the moderation member 12 in a generally arc-shaped cross section (or a generally U-shaped cross section). As shown in Fig. 7, the protrusions 32 are elastically pressed against the moderation surface 42 of the moderation member 12 by the biasing force of the leaf spring 10.

[0042] Here, with reference to Figure 8, a procedure for attaching the leaf spring 10 to the rotating body 8 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 8(a), the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 of the rotating body 8 are inserted into the first hole 34 and the second hole 36, respectively. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the first engagement portion 20a of the first protrusion 20 and the longitudinal direction of the first hole 34 are approximately parallel to each other. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the second engagement portion 22a of the second protrusion 22 and the longitudinal direction of the second hole 36 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0043] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the leaf spring 10 is rotated approximately 90° relative to the rotating body 8, whereby the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 of the rotating body 8 are displaceably engaged with the first hole 34 and the second hole 36, respectively. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the first engagement portion 20a of the first protrusion 20 and the longitudinal direction of the first hole 34 are approximately perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the second engagement portion 22a of the second protrusion 22 and the longitudinal direction of the second hole 36 are approximately perpendicular to each other. In this manner, the leaf spring 10 is attached to the rotating body 8.

[0044] The detent member 12 is disposed inside the housing 4 and faces the other end 8b of the rotating body 8. The detent member 12 has a detent surface 42, which faces the leaf spring 10. As shown in FIG. 7 , the detent surface 42 is a surface formed with a generally V-shaped cross section as a whole. Specifically, the detent surface 42 includes a detent valley portion 44, a first inclined surface 46, a second inclined surface 48, a first detent peak portion 50, and a second detent peak portion 52.

[0045] The detent valley 44 is a valley recessed on the opposite side to the leaf spring 10. The detent valley 44 is disposed opposite the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 when the operating lever 6 is in the neutral position.

[0046] The first inclined surface 46 and the second inclined surface 48 are inclined in opposite directions from the detent valley portion 44 in the up-down direction and in a direction approaching the operating lever 6 as they move away from the detent valley portion 44.

[0047] The first detent ridge 50 is a ridge that protrudes toward the leaf spring 10 and is formed at the end of the first inclined surface 46 opposite the detent valley 44. The second detent ridge 52 is a ridge that protrudes toward the leaf spring 10 and is formed at the end of the second inclined surface 48 opposite the detent valley 44.

[0048] [2. Operation of turn signal device] Next, the operation of the direction indicator 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 9, and 10. Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the direction indicator 2 according to the embodiment when the operating lever 6 is in the neutral position. Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the direction indicator 2 according to the embodiment when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the left turn indication position.

[0049] 2 and 9(a), when the operating lever 6 is in the neutral position, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 is elastically pressed against the detent valley 44 of the detent surface 42. At this time, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 is engaged with the detent valley 44 of the detent surface 42, so the operating lever 6 is held in the neutral position unless an external force is applied to the operating lever 6. In this state, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the second protrusion 22 is not displaced with respect to the second hole 36. Furthermore, although not shown, the first protrusion 20 is not displaced with respect to the first hole 34.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10(a), when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the left-turn indication position, the leaf spring 10 rotates integrally with the rotating body 8. Accordingly, the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 slides along the second inclined surface 48 from the detent valley portion 44 of the detent surface 42 toward the second detent peak 52. The protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 then rides over the second detent peak 52 and engages with it. At this time, the driver operating the operating lever 6 feels a sense of detent (for example, a small click or other vibration). At the same time that the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 rides over the second detent peak 52, a portion of the rotating body 8 comes into contact with the housing 4, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotating body 8.

[0051] While the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 moves from the detent valley 44 of the detent surface 42 to the second detent peak 52, the second extending portion 30 of the leaf spring 10 elastically deforms in a generally V-shaped manner toward the other end 8b of the rotating body 8. At this time, the second extending portion 30 of the leaf spring 10 serves as the point of force, the second support column 23 of the rotating body 8 serves as the fulcrum, and the second support portion 26 serves as the point of action. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the second protruding portion 22 is displaced relative to the second hole 36. Accordingly, the second support portion 26 displaces toward the detent member 12 along the second side surface 18 of the rotating body 8, thereby absorbing a portion of the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 10. As a result, the spring constant of the leaf spring 10 can be kept small, thereby improving the operating feel of the operating lever 6.

[0052] When the operating lever 6 is in the left turn indication position, if the driver applies an external force to the operating lever 6 in a direction that pushes it down, or if an external force that rotates the rotating body 8 clockwise in conjunction with a right rotation of the steering wheel acts, the engagement between the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 and the second detent crest 52 of the detent surface 42 is released. Thereafter, the biasing force of the leaf spring 10 moves the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 from the second detent crest 52 of the detent surface 42 to the detent valley 44. This causes the operating lever 6 to return from the left turn indication position to the neutral position.

[0053] Although not shown, when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the right turn indication position, the leaf spring 10 rotates integrally with the rotating body 8. As a result, the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 slides along the first inclined surface 46 from the detent valley portion 44 of the detent surface 42 toward the first detent peak 50. Thereafter, the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 rides over the first detent peak 50 and engages with it. At this time, a sense of detent is imparted to the fingers of the driver operating the operating lever 6. Note that, at the timing when the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 rides over the first detent peak 50, a part of the rotating body 8 abuts against the housing 4, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotating body 8.

[0054] While the protruding portion 32 of the leaf spring 10 moves from the detent valley 44 of the detent surface 42 to the first detent peak 50, the first extending portion 28 of the leaf spring 10 elastically deforms in a generally V-shaped manner toward the other end 8b of the rotating body 8. At this time, the first extending portion 28 of the leaf spring 10 serves as the point of force, the first support column 21 of the rotating body 8 serves as the fulcrum, and the first support portion 24 serves as the point of action, causing the first protruding portion 20 to be displaced relative to the first hole 34. Accordingly, the first support portion 24 displaces toward the detent member 12 along the first side surface 16 of the rotating body 8, thereby absorbing a portion of the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 10. As a result, the spring constant of the leaf spring 10 can be kept small, thereby improving the operating feel of the operating lever 6.

[0055] When the operating lever 6 is in the right turn indication position, if the driver applies an external force to the operating lever 6 in a direction pushing it up, or if an external force is applied that rotates the rotating body 8 counterclockwise in conjunction with a left rotation of the steering wheel, the engagement between the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 and the first detent peak 50 of the detent surface 42 is released. Thereafter, the biasing force of the leaf spring 10 moves the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 from the first detent peak 50 to the detent valley 44 of the detent surface 42. This causes the operating lever 6 to return from the right turn indication position to the neutral position.

[0056] [3.Effects] As described above, the direction indicator 2 according to the embodiment includes the leaf spring 10 instead of the detent piece and coil spring described in the Background Art section. When the rotating body 8 rotates in response to the operation of the operating lever 6, the leaf spring 10 is elastically deformed, causing the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 to slide along the first inclined surface 46 of the detent surface 42 and climb over the first detent peak 50.

[0057] By using such a leaf spring 10, the size of the leaf spring 10 in the left-right direction can be reduced compared to when a long detent piece and a long coil spring are arranged axially, as described in the Background of the Invention section. As a result, the turn signal device 2 can be made smaller while still achieving FS characteristics when the operating lever 6 is operated. Furthermore, by realizing the functions of the detent piece and coil spring, as described in the Background of the Invention section, with a single leaf spring 10, the number of parts of the turn signal device 2 can be reduced and the turn signal device 2 can be easily assembled.

[0058] Furthermore, the first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30 each include a first inclined portion 38 and a second inclined portion 40 that extend in a direction away from the operating lever 6 as they approach the protruding portion 32 and are inclined relative to each other. This allows the lengths of the first extending portion 28 and the second extending portion 30 to be increased by the first inclined portion 38 and the second inclined portion 40, respectively, and therefore the spring constant of the leaf spring 10 can be kept small. As a result, the operating feel of the operating lever 6 can be improved.

[0059] Furthermore, the first protrusion 20 and the second protrusion 22 are displaceable relative to the first hole 34 and the second hole 36 along the longitudinal direction of the first hole 34 and the second hole 36, respectively. This allows the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 10 to be partially absorbed when the leaf spring 10 is elastically deformed in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 8. As a result, the spring constant of the leaf spring 10 can be kept small, and the operating feel of the operating lever 6 can be improved.

[0060] (Variation) Next, the configuration of a moderation member 12A according to a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a moderation member 12A according to a modified example. Note that in this modified example, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0061] 11, in the detent member 12A according to the modified example, the shape of the detent surface 42A is different from that of the above embodiment. Specifically, the detent surface 42A includes a first stop ridge 54 and a second stop ridge 56 in addition to the detent valley 44, first inclined surface 46, second inclined surface 48, first detent ridge 50, and second detent ridge 52 described in the above embodiment.

[0062] The first stop ridge 54 is a ridge that protrudes toward the leaf spring 10 and is formed further outward (on the positive side of the Z axis) than the first detent ridge 50. The second stop ridge 56 is a ridge that protrudes toward the leaf spring 10 and is formed further outward (on the negative side of the Z axis) than the second detent ridge 52.

[0063] 11, when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the left turn indication position, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 rides over the second detent ridge 52 and then abuts against the second stop ridge 56. This stops the rotation of the rotating body 8 (see FIG. 1).

[0064] Furthermore, although not shown, when the operating lever 6 is displaced from the neutral position to the right turn indication position, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 moves over the first detent projection 50 and then comes into contact with the first stop projection 54. This stops the rotation of the rotating body 8.

[0065] Therefore, in this modification, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 comes into contact with the first stopper ridge 54 when it moves over the first detent ridge 50. Furthermore, the protrusion 32 of the leaf spring 10 comes into contact with the second stopper ridge 56 when it moves over the second detent ridge 52. This allows the rotation of the rotating body 8 to be stopped without a part of the rotating body 8 coming into contact with the housing 4 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the collision noise between the rotating body 8 and the housing 4 when the rotation of the rotating body 8 is stopped can be suppressed.

[0066] (Other variations) While the direction indicator device according to one or more aspects has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiment or configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the leaf spring 10 is attached to the other end 8b of the rotating body 8, and the detent surface 42 is arranged opposite to the leaf spring 10 inside the housing 4. However, on the other hand, the detent surface 42 may be arranged at the other end 8b of the rotating body 8, and the leaf spring 10 may be arranged opposite to the detent surface 42 inside the housing 4. [Industrial Applicability]

[0068] The direction indicator device according to the present disclosure can be applied as a combination switch lever mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 2 direction indicating device 4. Housing 6 Operating lever 6a,8a One end 6b,8b Other end 8 Rotating Body 10 Leaf spring 12, 12A Moderation member 14 Openings 16 First Aspect 18 The Second Aspect 20 First protrusion 20a First engagement portion 20b First connecting portion 21 First support 22 Second protrusion 22a Second engagement portion 22b Second connecting part 23 Second support section 24 First support 26 Second support 28 First extension 30 Second extension 32 Protrusion 34 First hole 36 Second hole 38 First inclined portion 40 Second inclined section 42,42A moderation surface 44 Moderation Valley 46 First Inclined Surface 48 Second Inclined Surface 50 First Moderation Mountain Section 52 The Second Moderation Mountain 54 First stop mountain 56 Second stop mountain

Claims

1. A turn signal device mounted on a vehicle, an operating lever that is operated by a driver of the vehicle and is displaceable between a neutral position and a left turn indication position or a right turn indication position; a rotating body connected to the operating lever and rotating in response to operation of the operating lever; a leaf spring attached to the rotating body and rotating integrally with the rotating body in response to operation of the operating lever; a detent member having a detent surface disposed opposite the leaf spring, The leaf spring is a pair of support portions that are arranged to face each other and are supported by a pair of side surfaces of the rotating body, respectively; a pair of extending portions extending from respective one ends of the pair of support portions along the moderation surface in directions approaching each other; a protrusion that protrudes from each of the opposing ends of the pair of extending portions toward the moderation surface and has a substantially arcuate cross section, and is pressed against the moderation surface; direction indicating device.

2. Each of the pair of extending portions includes a pair of inclined portions that extend in a direction away from the operating lever as they approach the protruding portion and that are inclined relative to each other. The direction indicator according to claim 1 .

3. A pair of holes is formed in each of the pair of support portions, A pair of protrusions is formed on each of the pair of side surfaces of the rotating body, The pair of protrusions are displaceably engaged with the pair of holes, respectively.

3. The direction indicator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The moderation surface is a depression valley portion against which the protruding portion of the leaf spring is pressed when the operating lever is in the neutral position; a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions from the detent valley portion and inclined in a direction approaching the operating lever as the inclined surfaces move away from the detent valley portion; a pair of depression ridges formed at each end of the pair of inclined surfaces opposite the depression valleys; a pair of stop ridges formed on the outer sides of the pair of detent ridges, the pair of stop ridges against which the protrusion of the leaf spring abuts when the operating lever is displaced to the left turn indication position and the right turn indication position, respectively.

3. The direction indicator according to claim 1 or 2.

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