Switching device

Abstract

To provide a switching device capable of achieving an improvement in operating touch of switch operation.SOLUTION: A switching device 1 includes: an operation part 2 moving along an operation direction X by switch operation; a bus bar 3 attached to the operation part 2 and moving together with the operation part 2; a printed board 4 electrically connected to the bus bar 3 and detecting a change in capacitance at the operation part 2. The bus bar 3 includes: an energizing part 32 energizing the operation part 2 in an opposite direction to a movement direction by applying a reaction force to the printed board 4 relative to the movement of the operation part 2; and a sliding part 33 that slides along an end face 42 of the printed board 4 according to the movement of the operation part 2 and that can ride on a projection 421 formed on the end face 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a switch device that operates by detecting capacitance caused by a touch operation on a touch area, as described in Patent Document 1, for example. This switch device has a vibration generating unit that vibrates the touch area in response to the touch operation, and this vibration gives a sense of operation in response to the touch operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-120890 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described switch device has room for improvement in that it may not provide a satisfactory operational feel. That is, the switch device does not emit an operational sound when touched, making it difficult to recognize whether a touch operation has been performed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a switch device that can improve the operational feel of switch operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] That is, the switch device according to the present invention comprises an operating unit that moves in an operating direction by switch operation, a bus bar attached to the operating unit and moving together with the operating unit, and a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to the bus bar and detects changes in capacitance in the operating unit, and the bus bar is configured to have a biasing portion that applies a reaction force to the printed circuit board in response to movement of the operating unit and biases the operating unit in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement, and a sliding portion that slides along the surface of the printed circuit board in response to the movement of the operating unit and can ride up onto protrusions formed on the surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the switch device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the operational feel of the switch operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bus bar in the switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switch device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the switch device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] This embodiment relates to a switch device. In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction is referred to as the "operation direction X," the second direction is referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction is referred to as the "depth direction Z." Here, the operation direction X, the width direction Y, and the depth direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The operation direction X corresponds to the operation direction or pressing direction of the operating unit. The width direction Y corresponds to the width direction of the switch device. The width direction Y and the depth direction Z correspond to orthogonal directions that are perpendicular to the operation direction X. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, each direction used in the following description represents a direction when each part is assembled to each other. Note that orthogonal here includes nearly orthogonal.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a switch device 1 according to this embodiment is used as a switch device for a lighting device mounted on a vehicle, and includes an operation unit 2, a bus bar 3, and a printed circuit board 4. The operation unit 2 is a portion of the switch device 1 that is operated as a switch, and is configured as, for example, a push button. The operation unit 2 is formed, for example, in the shape of a box with an open bottom, and the top surface is used as an operation surface 21. The operation unit 2 is formed, for example, from a translucent member, and can emit light emitted inside the operation unit 2 from the operation surface 21. Furthermore, the operation surface 21 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape, and is configured as a lens having a predetermined power.

[0012] A bezel 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the operation unit 2. The bezel 5 is a member that surrounds the outer edge of the operation surface 21 of the operation unit 2, and is provided as a rectangular frame. Here, the term "rectangle" includes an almost rectangular shape. The bezel 5 is attached to a component 11 that is mounted on the vehicle. The operation unit 2 is assembled so that the operation surface 21 is exposed from the inside of the bezel 5 and can be pressed down.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bus bar 3 is a conductive member that electrically connects the operation unit 2 and the printed circuit board 4. The bus bar 3 is attached to the inside of the box-shaped operation unit 2. The bus bar 3 has a main body 31, a biasing portion 32, a sliding portion 33, and a contact portion 34. The main body 31 is joined to the operation unit 2 and abuts against the back side of the operation surface 21. The main body 31 is formed, for example, as a rectangular frame. Specifically, the main body 31 is formed as a rectangular frame by connecting a pair of long side portions 311 that are spaced apart in the width direction Y and extend along the depth direction Z, and a pair of short side portions 312 that are spaced apart in the depth direction Z and extend along the width direction.

[0014] The biasing portion 32 is a portion that biases the operation unit 2 and biases the operation unit 2 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the operation unit 2 due to operation. The biasing portion 32 is, for example, a plate extending obliquely from the long side portion 311 of the main body portion 31. It is formed by bending from the main body portion 31 and protrudes obliquely inward from the long side portion 311 toward the opposite side from the operation surface 21. Two biasing portions 32 are provided, protruding from each of the two long sides 311. The tip portion of the biasing portion 32 abuts against an end surface 41 of the printed circuit board 4. The end surface 41 is a surface that intersects with the operation direction X. The biasing portion 32 applies a reaction force to the printed circuit board 4 against movement of the operation unit 2 in the operation direction, biasing the operation unit 2 in a direction opposite to the movement direction. The biasing portion 32 is provided to be elastically deformable, and when the main body portion 31 is pressed together with the operation unit 2, it elastically deforms so as to reduce the angle of inclination relative to the main body portion 31. The end surface 41 is a surface of the printed circuit board 4 that is oriented in a direction intersecting with the operation direction X.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the sliding portion 33 is a component that improves the operational feel of the switch operation and abuts against and slides along an end surface 42 of the printed circuit board 4. The end surface 42 is a surface of the printed circuit board 4 that faces along the operation direction X. The sliding portion 33 is, for example, a plate extending from the long side 311 of the main body 31 toward the opposite side from the operation surface 21 and is formed by bending from the main body 31. Two sliding portions 33 are formed, protruding from each of the two long sides 311, and are provided to sandwich the printed circuit board 4. The sliding portion 33 has a mountain fold 331 at its tip. The mountain fold 331 is a protruding portion bent in a mountain shape toward the printed circuit board 4, has a mountain shape facing inward in the width direction Y, and abuts against the end surface 42. When the switch of the operation unit 2 is operated, the sliding portion 33 moves together with the operation unit 2 in the operation direction X and slides against the end surface 42. The mountain fold 331 of the sliding portion 33 can ride up on the protrusion 421 formed on the end surface 42. In other words, the mountain fold 331 is elastically deformed according to the surface of the protrusion 421 by the movement of the sliding portion 33, and can ride up on the protrusion 421. The protrusion 421 is a protrusion that protrudes from the end surface 42, and protrudes in a mountain shape in the width direction Y, for example.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , the contact portion 34 is a portion that comes into contact with the printed circuit board 4 and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 4. The contact portion 34 is, for example, a plate extending obliquely from the short side portion 312 of the main body portion 31 toward the printed circuit board 4, is formed by bending from the main body portion 31, protrudes obliquely from the short side portion 312 inward toward the opposite side from the operation surface 21, and is in contact with a main surface 44 of the printed circuit board 4. The main surface 44 is a surface of the printed circuit board 4 and is a surface different from the end surface 41 with which the biasing portion 32 abuts. By coming into contact with the printed circuit board 4, the contact portion 34 transmits a change in the capacitance of the operation unit 2 to the printed circuit board 4. The contact portion 34 is provided on the bus bar 3 as a separate member or portion from the biasing portion 32.

[0017] Two contact portions 34 are provided, protruding from each of the two short side portions 312. Tip portions 341 of the contact portions 34 are in contact with and electrically connected to the printed circuit board 4. For example, the tip portions 341 are in contact with a copper foil portion formed on the printed circuit board 4. The surface of the copper foil portion is subjected to, for example, a surface treatment to prevent oxidation. The two contact portions 34 are in contact with different main surfaces 44 of the printed circuit board 4. That is, one contact portion 34 is in contact with one main surface 44 of the printed circuit board 4, and the other contact portion 34 is in contact with the main surface 44 on the back side of the main surface 44 with which the one contact portion 34 is in contact. The contact portions 34 move in the operation direction X in response to movement due to switch operation of the operation unit 2, but even during this movement, they maintain contact with the copper foil portions.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the printed circuit board 4 is a component electrically connected to the bus bar 3 and detects changes in capacitance in the operation unit 2. For example, the printed circuit board 4 is formed by mounting electronic components on a printed wiring board. The printed circuit board 4 is formed in a plate shape and includes, for example, at least a detection sensor, a light-emitting element, and a control component as electronic components. The detection sensor detects changes in capacitance. The light-emitting element is a light-emitting component capable of emitting illumination light, such as a light-emitting diode. The control component is, for example, an integrated circuit, and determines whether a change in capacitance has exceeded a preset threshold, and causes the light-emitting element to emit light if the threshold is exceeded. The printed circuit board 4 is arranged so that its main surface 44 is aligned with the operation direction X. The printed circuit board 4 is assembled to the housing 8 and accommodated in an accommodation space 12 formed by the operation unit 2, the cover 6, and the housing 8.

[0019] The housing 8 is a component that defines the lower portion of the storage space 12, and has a bottom 82 and a fitting portion 83. The bottom 82 is a portion that defines the lower portion of the storage space 12. The fitting portion 83 is a cylindrical portion that is provided adjacent to the bottom 82 in the depth direction Z. A connection bus bar 7 is inserted into the fitting portion 83. The connection bus bar 7 is a conductive member that is connected to the printed circuit board 4. For example, two connection bus bars 7 are provided, and they supply power from the outside to the printed circuit board 4.

[0020] A cover 6 is attached to the upper part of the housing 8. The cover 6 is formed, for example, as a cylindrical body with a rectangular cross section. An operating unit 2 is attached to the upper part of the cover 6. The operating unit 2 is attached to the cover 6 so as to be movable in the operating direction X.

[0021] Next, the operation of the switch device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the switch device 1 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle and is used as a switch for a lighting device that emits illumination light in response to operation of an operation unit 2. As shown in Fig. 7, an operator 9 touches the operation unit 2 to perform a switch operation.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 8, when an operator 9 presses the operation unit 2, the operation unit 2 is pressed down and moves in the operation direction X. Therefore, the operator 9 can feel the operation of the switch device 1 by the movement of the operation unit 2. When the operation unit 2 moves in the operation direction X, the biasing portion 32 of the bus bar 3 is elastically deformed. The biasing portion 32 receives a reaction force from the printed circuit board 4 and applies a reaction force to the operation unit 2 in the direction opposite to the direction of movement.

[0024] Furthermore, when the operator 9 operates the switch to move the operation unit 2 in the operation direction X, the sliding portion 33 slides along the end surface 42 of the printed circuit board 4. Then, the sliding portion 33 rides up onto the protruding portion 421.

[0025] 6 , when the operator 9 operates the switch to move the operation unit 2 in the operation direction X, the contact portion 34 of the bus bar 3 moves while contacting the main surface 44 of the printed circuit board 4. Since the contact portion 34 maintains electrical connection with the printed circuit board 4 even when moved in the operation direction X, the change in capacitance due to the operation by the operator 9 can be reliably transmitted to the printed circuit board 4. Since the contact portion 34 is configured as a separate member from the biasing portion 32, plastic deformation of the contact portion 34 is suppressed even when the switch operation is performed repeatedly many times, and the conduction state of the contact portion 34 is suppressed from becoming unstable.

[0026] In Fig. 8, when an operator 9 touches the operation unit 2, the capacitance of the operation unit 2 changes. This change in capacitance is detected by the printed circuit board 4 through the bus bar 3. The printed circuit board 4 detects the change in capacitance and causes the light-emitting element to emit light. As a result, illumination light is emitted from the operation surface 21 of the operation unit 2.

[0027] 9, when the operator 9 releases his / her finger from the operation unit 2, the operation unit 2 is pushed back by the reaction force of the biasing member 32. The sliding member 33 also moves back along the operation direction X, and moves from a state where it is mounted on the protrusion 421 of the printed circuit board 4 to a state where it is lowered. At this time, the sliding member 33 comes into contact with the end surface 42 and emits a sound. That is, the switch device 1 can emit an operation sound when the operator 9 presses down on the operation unit 2 and then releases it. Therefore, the operator 9 can get a sense of operation of the switch by hearing the operation sound. Furthermore, when the sliding member 33 descends from the protrusion 421, the operator 9 gets a clicking sensation, and thus gets a sense of operation of the switch.

[0028] As described above, the switch device 1 according to this embodiment can detect a switch operation of the operation unit 2 by detecting a change in the capacitance of the operation unit 2, and can give an operating feel to the operator 9 by causing the sliding portion 33 of the bus bar 3 to ride up onto the convex portion 421 in response to the switch operation of the operation unit 2 and then causing it to descend from the convex portion 421 due to the reaction force of the biasing portion 32. Furthermore, the switch device 1 according to this embodiment can generate an operating feel and an operating sound with a simple mechanical structure without using a vibration generator.

[0029] Furthermore, the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and used as a switch for a lighting device, and thus has a simple mechanical structure, yet can provide a suitable operational feel while reducing power consumption.

[0030] The switch device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a bus bar 3 having a separate biasing portion 32 and contact portion 34, thereby making it possible to suppress plastic deformation of the contact portion 34 due to pressure application during assembly, thereby ensuring electrical continuity at the contact portion 34 and stabilizing switch operation.

[0031] The switch device 1 according to this embodiment includes an operating unit 2 that moves in an operating direction X in response to a switch operation and a biasing unit 32 that biases the operation unit 2 in the opposite direction to the movement of the operation unit 2. This enables the switch operation to be detected by a change in the capacitance of the operation unit 2, while providing a sense of operation in response to the operation of the operation unit 2 with a simple mechanical structure.

[0032] Although the switch device according to the present invention has been described above, the switch device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The switch device according to the present embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the respective embodiments and modifications described above.

[0033] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the switch device 1 is used as a switch for a lighting device mounted on a vehicle, but it may also be applied to a switch other than a lighting device. Even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1: Switch device 2:Operation unit 3: Busbar 4: Printed circuit board 32: biasing section 33: Sliding part 42: End face (surface) 421: Convex X:Operation direction

Claims

1. an operating unit that moves along an operating direction by operating a switch; a bus bar attached to the operation unit and moving together with the operation unit; a printed circuit board electrically connected to the bus bar and detecting a change in capacitance in the operation unit, The bus bar has a biasing portion that applies a reaction force to the printed circuit board in response to movement of the operation portion, thereby biasing the operation portion in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement, and a sliding portion that slides along the surface of the printed circuit board in response to the movement of the operation portion and can ride up onto a protrusion formed on the surface. Switch device.

2. It is installed in a vehicle and used as a switch for lighting devices. The switch device according to claim 1 .

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