Switching device

Abstract

To provide a switching device capable of achieving stabilized switch operation.SOLUTION: A switching device includes: an operation part 2 moving in an operation direction by switch operation; a bus bar 3 attached to the operation part 2 and moving together with the operation part 2; and 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: a body part 31 provided in contact with the operation part 2; an energizing part extending from the body part 31 toward the printed board 4; and a contact part 34 extending from the body part 31 toward the printed board 4. The energizing part abuts a surface in a direction intersecting the operation direction X on the printed board 4 and energizes the operation part 2 in an opposite direction to the movement direction by applying a reaction force to the printed board 4 relative to the movement of the operation part 2. The contact part 34 contacts a surface different from a surface formed along the operation direction X on the printed board 4 and transmits a change in capacitance to the printed board 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known switch device is one that detects capacitance generated by a touch operation on a light-irradiated surface, as described in Patent Document 1. This switch device is used as a switch for a vehicle interior lighting system and includes a housing having a busbar contact surface and an annular lens contact surface that is in surface contact with the outer periphery of the light-receiving surface of the light-transmitting portion; a conductive first busbar with an annular electrode portion; a first holder having an annular contact end portion that conforms to the shape of the electrode portion and that holds the first busbar by bringing the contact end portion into contact with the electrode portion; and a control unit that switches the light source on and off in response to changes in capacitance between the electrode portion and a part of the human body that touches the light-irradiated surface. The electrode portion is a flat plate whose first main plane is in surface contact with the busbar contact surface and whose second main plane faces the contact end portion. The electrode portion has a first biasing portion that applies a biasing force to the contact end portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-153530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-described switch device has room for improvement in terms of ensuring operational stability. Specifically, the above-described switch device is configured such that the board connection portion of the first bus bar transmits changes in capacitance to the board. This board connection portion elastically deforms the contact portion at the tip to contact the board, but there is a concern that the contact state of the contact portion may become unstable due to pressure during assembly or plastic deformation caused by impact, making it impossible to transmit changes in capacitance.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a switch device that can stabilize 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 that is attached to the operating unit and moves together with the operating unit, and a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to the bus bar and detects a change in capacitance in the operating unit, the bus bar having a main body that is provided in contact with the operating unit, a biasing portion that extends from the main body toward the printed circuit board, and a contact portion that extends from the main body toward the printed circuit board, the biasing portion abutting a surface of the printed circuit board that is oriented in a direction that intersects the operating direction and applying a reaction force to the printed circuit board against the movement of the operating unit, thereby biasing the operating unit in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement, and the contact portion contacting a surface of the printed circuit board that is different from the surface that is formed along the operating direction, and transmitting the change in capacitance to the printed circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the switch device of the present invention, it is possible to stabilize 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 is provided with a bus bar 3 having an actuation portion 32 and a contact portion 34 separately, and thereby can suppress plastic deformation of the contact portion 34 due to pressure application during assembly, etc., and can ensure electrical continuity at the contact portion 34, thereby stabilizing switch operation.

[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 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 feeling 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 feeling and an operating sound with a simple mechanical structure without using a vibration generator.

[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 31: Main body 32: biasing section 34: Contact point 41: End face (surface) 44: Main surface (different surface) X:Operation direction

Claims

1. an operating unit that moves in 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 includes a main body portion provided in contact with the operation portion, a biasing portion extending from the main body portion toward the printed circuit board, and a contact portion extending from the main body portion toward the printed circuit board, the biasing portion abuts against a surface of the printed circuit board in a direction intersecting the operation direction, and applies a reaction force to the printed circuit board against the movement of the operation portion, thereby biasing the operation portion in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement, the contact portion contacts a surface of the printed circuit board that is different from the surface formed along the operation direction, and transmits the change in capacitance to the printed circuit board. 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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