Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device that can reduce the number of parts and prevent the structure from becoming large.SOLUTION: A fixed contact 5 is supported on a substrate 4. A movable contact 10 can change its electrical connection state with the fixed contact 5 by displacing it in the vertical direction. A support 8 is arranged on the substrate 4 so as to be displaceable in the front-to-rear direction. A switch 6 is supported on the substrate 4, and its state changes when the support 8 is displaced in the front-to-rear direction. A movable body 3 is connected to the support 8 so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and can be displaced in the front-to-rear direction. When the movable body 3 is displaced in the vertical direction, the movable contact 10 is displaced in the vertical direction. When the movable body 3 is displaced in the vertical direction, the support 8 is displaced in the front-to-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The switch device described in Patent Document 1 includes a first substrate, a fixed contact supported on the first substrate, a movable contact whose electrical connection state with the fixed contact can be changed by displacement in a first direction, a support disposed on the second substrate so as to be displaceable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a switch supported on the second substrate and whose state transitions by displacement of the support in the second direction, a first movable body coupled to the support so as to be displaceable in the second direction, and a second movable body supported on the first movable body so as to be displaceable in the first direction and displaceable in the second direction. The first substrate is supported by the support and is displaceable in the second direction. Displacement of the second movable body in the first direction displaces the first movable contact in the first direction. Displacement of the first movable body in the second direction displaces the support in the second direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-269528 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for providing a switch device that can reduce the number of parts and prevent the structure from becoming large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One example aspect provided by the present disclosure is a switch device, comprising: A substrate; a fixed contact supported on the substrate; a movable contact that can change an electrical connection state with the fixed contact by displacement in a first direction; a support disposed on the substrate so as to be displaceable in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a switch supported on the substrate, the state of which changes in response to displacement of the support in the second direction; a movable body coupled to the support body so as to be displaceable in the first direction and displaceable in the second direction; It is equipped with When the movable body is displaced in the first direction, the movable contact is displaced in the first direction, When the movable body is displaced in the second direction, the support body is displaced in the second direction.

[0006] According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the fixed contact, whose electrical connection state changes when the movable body is displaced in a first direction, and the switch, whose state transitions when the movable body is displaced in a second direction, are arranged on a single substrate, thereby reducing the number of components and suppressing an increase in the size of the device in the first direction, compared to a configuration in which the substrate supporting the fixed contact and the substrate supporting the switch are arranged side by side in the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a plurality of elements constituting the switch device. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a push operation of a switch device. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a push operation of a switch device. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a sliding operation of the switch device. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a sliding operation of the switch device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of light from a light source to a sign. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a sliding operation of the switch device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a sliding operation of the switch device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used for the description, the scale has been appropriately changed so that the illustrated elements can be clearly seen.

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, arrow F indicates the forward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow B indicates the rearward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow U indicates the upward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow D indicates the downward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow R indicates the rightward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the illustrated structure. These directional expressions are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the posture or direction of the illustrated structure in actual use.

[0010] The term "front-rear direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned front and rear directions. The term "up-down direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned top and bottom directions. The term "left-right direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned left and right directions.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a switch device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing multiple elements constituting the switch device 1. Fig. 3 illustrates a cross section taken along line III-III in Fig. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 includes a case 2 and a movable body 3. The case 2 has a recess 21 on its top surface. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an opening 211 is formed in the recess 21. The movable body 3 has a knob 31 that is operated by a user. A portion of the movable body 3 is housed in the case 2. The knob 31 is exposed to the outside of the case 2 through the opening 211. The movable body 3 can be displaced in the up-down direction and the front-back direction when the user operates the knob 31. The up-down direction is an example of a first direction. The front-back direction is an example of a second direction.

[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable body 3 has a push operation portion 32.

[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch device 1 includes a substrate 4, a fixed contact 5, and a switch 6. The fixed contact 5 is supported on the substrate 4. In the neutral position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixed contact 5 is disposed to face the lower end of the push operation unit 32. The substrate 4 includes a circuit (not shown) that can output a control signal according to the electrical connection state of the fixed contact 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch 6 is supported on the substrate 4. The substrate 4 includes a circuit (not shown) that can output a control signal according to the state of the switch 6. In this example, the switch 6 includes a first switch 6A and a second switch 6B that are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0015] The switch device 1 includes a housing 7. The housing 7 is fixed onto the substrate 4. The housing 7 has an opening 71 on the top surface.

[0016] The switch device 1 includes a support body 8. The support body 8 is supported by the housing 7 so as to be displaceable in the front-rear direction. The support body 8 includes a support portion 81 and a base portion 82. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , most of the support portion 81 of the support body 8 is exposed to the outside of the case 2 through the opening 71 of the housing 7 and the opening 211 of the case 2.

[0017] The support portion 81 supports the movable body 3 so that it can be displaced in the vertical direction. In this example, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the support portion 81 has a guide portion 811 and an opening 812. The guide portion 811 has a groove that extends in the vertical direction. The opening 812 extends in the vertical direction. The movable body 3 has a guide portion 33 and a claw portion 34. The guide portion 33 has a convex portion that extends in the vertical direction. The claw portion 34 extends toward the support portion 81. The guide portion 33 engages with the guide portion 811 so that it can be displaced in the vertical direction. The claw portion 34 engages with the opening 812. In this way, the movable body 3 is coupled to the support portion 81 so that it can be displaced in the vertical direction.

[0018] The base portion 82 is disposed on the substrate 4 so as to be displaceable in the front-to-rear direction between the housing 7 and the substrate 4. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the base portion 82 has a slide operation portion 821 that protrudes to the left. In the neutral state shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the slide operation portion 821 is disposed between the first switch 6A and the second switch 6B.

[0019] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the switch device 1 includes an elastic body 9. The elastic body 9 includes a movable portion 91, a support portion 92, and an elastic deformation portion 93. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the movable portion 91 abuts against the lower end of the push operation portion 32 of the movable body 3. The support portion 92 is disposed on the support body 8. The elastic deformation portion 93 is formed between the movable portion 91 and the support portion 92, and is elastically deformed by the displacement of the movable portion 91 in the vertical direction.

[0020] The switch device 1 includes a movable contact 10. The movable contact 10 is attached to the lower surface of a movable portion 91 of an elastic body 9. In other words, the movable contact 10 is supported by a support body 8. The movable contact 10 can change the state of electrical connection with the fixed contact 5 by displacing in the vertical direction.

[0021] Next, the push operation of the switch device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 show cross-sectional views of the switch device 1 in Figure 4.

[0022] The knob 31 of the movable body 3 can be displaced downwards on the case 2 by the user. The operation of displacing the knob 31 in this manner is called a push operation.

[0023] FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 4 and shows the neutral state. When the user presses the knob 31 downward on the case 2 with their finger from this state, the push operation unit 32 is displaced downward. As shown in FIG. 6, when the push operation unit 32 is displaced downward, the elastic body 9 and the movable contact 10 are displaced downward. The downward displacement of the movable contact 10 brings the movable contact 10 into contact with the fixed contact 5, changing the electrical connection state of the fixed contact 5. A circuit (not shown) included in the board 4 outputs a control signal according to the electrical connection state of the fixed contact 5.

[0024] When the user's finger is released from the knob 31, the elastic restoring force of the elastic deformation portion 93 of the elastic body 9 causes the push operation portion 32 and the elastic body 9 to return to the neutral position shown in FIG.

[0025] Next, the sliding operation of the switch device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figures 7 and 8 are top views showing the switch 6 and a part of the base portion 82 of the support body 8.

[0026] The knob 31 of the movable body 3 can be displaced by the user in the front-to-rear direction of the case 2. The operation of displacing the knob 31 in this manner is called a slide operation.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows the neutral state. In this state, the slide operation unit 821 of the base unit 82 is disposed between the first switch 6A and the second switch 6B. When the user presses the knob 31 toward the rear of the case 2 from this state with their finger, the support body 8 is displaced rearward. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the support body 8 is displaced rearward, the slide operation unit 821 displaces the movable part 61 of the first switch 6A. The displacement of the movable part 61 causes a transition in the state of the first switch 6A. A circuit (not shown) included in the board 4 outputs a control signal corresponding to the state of the first switch 6A.

[0028] When the user's finger is released from the knob 31, the movable portion 61 of the first switch 6A and the slide operation portion 821 of the support body 8 return to the neutral position shown in FIG.

[0029] Similarly, when the user presses the knob 31 toward the front of the case 2 from the neutral state shown in Fig. 7, the support body 8 is displaced forward. When the support body 8 is displaced forward, the slide operation unit 821 displaces the movable part 61 of the second switch 6B disposed in front. The displacement of the movable part 61 causes a transition in the state of the second switch 6B. A circuit (not shown) included in the board 4 outputs a control signal corresponding to the state of the second switch 6B.

[0030] When the user's finger is released from the knob 31, the movable portion 61 of the second switch 6B and the slide operation portion 821 of the support body 8 return to the neutral position shown in FIG.

[0031] With this configuration, the fixed contact 5, whose electrical connection state changes when the movable body 3 is displaced in the up-down direction, and the switch 6, whose state transitions when the movable body 3 is displaced in the forward-backward direction, are arranged on a single substrate 4, thereby reducing the number of parts. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the substrate 4 supporting the fixed contact 5 and the substrate 4 supporting the switch 6 are arranged side by side in the up-down direction, the size of the device in that direction can be prevented from increasing.

[0032] The movable body 3 is coupled to the support body 8 while elastically deforming the elastic body 9. In the neutral state shown in Fig. 3, the claw portion 34 of the movable body 3 is located at the upper end of the opening 812. In this state, the elastic body 9 is pressed downward by the lower end of the push operation portion 32 of the movable body 3.

[0033] With this configuration, the movable body 3 can be held in an appropriate position by utilizing the pushing back force (elastic restoring force) of the elastic body 9. This increases the stability of the movable body 3 in its initial position.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the switch device 1 includes a sign 11 and a light source 12. The sign 11 is provided on the upper surface of the knob 31 of the movable body 3. The sign 11 can be formed as an opening or a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion is formed from a material that is transparent or translucent to light having a predetermined wavelength. The shape of the sign 11 is not limited to the symbol shown in the figure, and can be any appropriate pattern or letter.

[0035] The light source 12 is disposed on the substrate 4. The light source 12 is configured to emit light that causes the sign 11 to emit light. An example of the light source 12 is a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0036] The movable body 3 is configured so as not to block the optical path of light from the light source 12 to the sign 11, regardless of displacement in the forward and backward directions. In this example, as shown in Fig. 4, a notch 321 is formed in the upper part of the push operation unit 32 of the movable body 3.

[0037] Figure 9 shows a state in which the movable body 3 and the support body 8 have been displaced forward from the neutral state in Figure 3. The light path L1 from the light source 12 to the top surface of the knob 31 on which the markings 11 are formed is shown by a dashed dotted line.

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 9, even if the distance between the light source 12 and the push operation unit 32 is short, a cutout portion 321 is formed in the portion located on the optical path L1 of the light from the light source 12 to the sign 11, so that the optical path L1 is not blocked by the push operation unit 32.

[0039] With this configuration, the light emitting state of the sign 11 can be stabilized regardless of the position of the movable body 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0040] 2, the housing 7 has a first recess 72 recessed to the left and a second recess 73 recessed to the right. The first recess 72 and the second recess 73 are formed to face each other in the left-right direction. The left-right direction is an example of the third direction.

[0041] The support body 8 includes a piece 83, a piece 84, a coil spring 85, and a housing 86. The piece 83, the piece 84, and the coil spring 85 are housed in the housing 86. The coil spring 84 biases the piece 83 leftward toward the first recess 72. The coil spring 84 also biases the piece 83 rightward toward the second recess 73. The coil spring 84 is an example of an elastic member.

[0042] Next, the movements of the piece 83, the piece 84, and the coil spring 84 when the switch device 1 is slid will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] The first recess 72 has an inclined surface 721 that extends rightward as it moves forward from the most recessed region, and an inclined surface 722 that extends rightward as it moves rearward from that region. The second recess 73 has an inclined surface 731 that extends leftward as it moves forward from the most recessed region, and an inclined surface 732 that extends leftward as it moves rearward from that region. The left-right distance between the inclined surface 721 of the first recess 72 and the inclined surface 731 of the second recess 73 decreases as it moves forward from the most recessed region. The left-right distance between the inclined surface 722 of the first recess 72 and the inclined surface 732 of the second recess 73 decreases as it moves rearward from the most recessed region.

[0044] The piece 83 has a spherical tip 831 that contacts the first recess 72 when biased by the coil spring 84. The piece 84 has a spherical tip 841 that contacts the second recess 73 when biased by the coil spring 84.

[0045] In the neutral state shown in FIG. 10, the tip 831 of the piece 83 contacts the most recessed area of ​​the first recess 72, and the tip 841 of the piece 84 contacts the most recessed area of ​​the second recess 73.

[0046] From this state, when the user presses the knob 31 forward with their finger and the support body 8 is displaced forward, as illustrated in Figure 11, the piece 83 slides along the inclined surface 721 of the first recess 72 so as to compress the coil spring 84 in the left-right direction, and the piece 84 slides along the inclined surface 731 of the second recess 73.

[0047] When the user's finger is released from the knob 31, the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 84 causes the pieces 83 and 84 to return to the neutral position shown in FIG.

[0048] Similarly, when the user presses knob 31 toward the rear of case 2 from the neutral state shown in Fig. 10, support body 8 is displaced rearward. When support body 8 is displaced rearward, piece 83 slides on inclined surface 721 of first recess 72 so as to compress coil spring 84 in the left-right direction, and piece 84 slides on inclined surface 732 of second recess 73. When the user's finger is released from knob 31, the elastic restoring force of coil spring 84 returns pieces 83 and 84 to the neutral position shown in Fig. 10.

[0049] With this configuration, the coil spring 84, which constitutes the mechanism for returning the support 8 to its original position when the displacement in the forward / backward direction is released, expands and contracts in the left / right direction, thereby preventing the device from becoming larger in the vertical direction.

[0050] The configurations referred to above are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified or combined with other configuration examples within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] The support body 8 and the elastic body 9 can be an integrally molded product. For example, a molten thermoplastic resin material is injected into a mold with a portion of the elastic body 9 placed therein. When the thermoplastic resin solidifies, an integrally molded product of the support body 8 and the elastic body 9 is obtained. With this configuration, positioning of the support body 8 and the elastic body 9 is not required, improving the ease of assembly.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the slide operation unit 821 is formed on the base 82 of the support 8, and the switch 6 mechanically detects the displacement of the support 8 in the forward and backward directions. However, the switch 6 may be configured to detect the displacement of the support 8 in the forward and backward directions electrically, optically, or magnetically, rather than mechanically. For example, a magnet may be attached to the base 82 of the support 8, and the switch 6 may be a sensor disposed on the substrate 4 that detects a magnetic field that changes as the magnet rotates.

[0053] The movable contact 10 can be disposed on the substrate 4. For example, the movable contact 10 can be configured to be elastically deformable and can be disposed above the fixed contact 5. When the elastic body 9 is displaced downward, the elastic body 9 comes into contact with the movable contact 10, elastically deforming the movable contact 10 downward. This causes the movable contact 10 to come into contact with the fixed contact 5, and the electrical connection state of the fixed contact 5 changes.

[0054] The switch device 1 can be installed at an appropriate position in the cabin of a vehicle. In this case, the operation of an appropriate controlled device mounted on the vehicle is controlled by an instruction input received by the switch device 1. A vehicle is an example of a moving object.

[0055] The switch device 1 can also be mounted on a moving body other than a vehicle. Examples of other moving bodies include trains, ships, and aircraft. The moving body does not need to require a crew member.

[0056] The moving object does not necessarily have to have a physical entity. The switch device 1 may be mounted on a simulator that simulates the operation of the moving object. In this case, the switch device 1 is used to control the operation of a virtual controlled device simulated by the simulator.

[0057] The switch device 1 does not necessarily have to be mounted on a moving object, but can be installed in any suitable device, equipment, facility, or the like.

[0058] The configurations listed below also form part of this disclosure. Item 1: A substrate; a fixed contact supported on the substrate; a movable contact that can change an electrical connection state with the fixed contact by displacement in a first direction; a support disposed on the substrate so as to be displaceable in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a switch supported on the substrate, the state of which changes in response to displacement of the support in the second direction; a movable body coupled to the support body so as to be displaceable in the first direction and displaceable in the second direction; It is equipped with When the movable body is displaced in the first direction, the movable contact is displaced in the first direction, When the movable body is displaced in the second direction, the support body is displaced in the second direction. Switch device. Item 2: an elastic body supported by the support body, the elastic body is in contact with an end of the movable body in the first direction, The movable body is coupled to the support body while elastically deforming the elastic body. Item 1. The switch device according to item 1. Item 3: A mark provided on the movable body; a light source that emits light to cause the sign to emit light; It is equipped with 3. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the movable body is configured not to block the optical path of light from the light source to the sign, regardless of displacement in the second direction. Item 4: The switch device according to item 2 or 3, wherein the support body and the elastic body are integrally molded. Item 5: a housing that supports the support body so that the support body can be displaced in the second direction; the housing has a recess that is recessed in a third direction that intersects with the first direction and the second direction, The support is a piece having a tip portion that contacts the recess; an elastic member that biases the piece toward the recess in the third direction; 5. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1: switch device, 2: case, 21: recess, 211: opening, 3: movable body, 31: knob, 32: push operation portion, 321: notch portion, 33: guide portion, 34: claw portion, 4: circuit board, 5: fixed contact, 6: switch, 6A: first switch, 6B: second switch, 61: movable body, 7: housing, 71: opening, 72: first recess, 721: inclined surface, 722: inclined surface, 73: second recess, 731: inclined surface, 732: inclined surface, 8: support, 81: support portion, 811: guide portion, 812: opening, 82: base portion, 821: slide operation portion, 83: first piece, 831: tip portion, 84: second piece, 841: tip portion, 85: coil spring, 86: housing, 9: elastic body, 91: movable portion, 92: support portion, 93: elastic deformation portion, 10: movable contact, 11: sign, 12: light source

Claims

1. A substrate; a fixed contact supported on the substrate; a movable contact that can change an electrical connection state with the fixed contact by displacement in a first direction; a support disposed on the substrate so as to be displaceable in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a switch supported on the substrate, the state of which changes in response to displacement of the support in the second direction; a movable body coupled to the support body so as to be displaceable in the first direction and displaceable in the second direction; It is equipped with When the movable body is displaced in the first direction, the movable contact is displaced in the first direction, When the movable body is displaced in the second direction, the support body is displaced in the second direction. Switch device.

2. an elastic body supported by the support body, the elastic body is in contact with an end of the movable body in the first direction, The movable body is coupled to the support body while elastically deforming the elastic body. The switch device according to claim 1 .

3. A mark provided on the movable body; a light source that emits light to cause the sign to emit light; It is equipped with The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable body is configured not to block the optical path of light from the light source to the sign, regardless of displacement in the second direction.

4. The switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the support body and the elastic body are integrally molded.

5. a housing that supports the support body so that the support body can be displaced in the second direction; the housing has a recess that is recessed in a third direction that intersects with the first direction and the second direction, The support is a piece having a tip portion that contacts the recess; an elastic member that biases the piece toward the recess in the third direction; The switch device according to claim 1 , comprising:

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