Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device in which foreign matter is less likely to be caught in a gap formed at the boundary between a switch body and a recess into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body.SOLUTION: A switch device 10 includes a switch body 20 configured to be operable by flipping it up towards the user with a finger, and a recess 14 into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body 20, and a gap 18 that forms the boundary between the bottom of the switch body 20 and the bottom of the recess 14 is formed offset from the lowest position Dp.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Switches that are operated by flipping them up toward the user with a finger have been known for some time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-098161 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such switches, a slit-like gap is formed at the boundary between the bottom part of the switch body, which rotates up and down, and the bottom part of the recess where fingers are inserted to flip the switch body forward. However, if this gap is formed at the lowest position, foreign objects can easily get into the gap and become trapped.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that makes it difficult for foreign objects to become trapped in the gap formed at the boundary between the switch body and the recess into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the switch device according to the present invention comprises a switch body configured to be operable by flipping it up toward the user with a finger, and a recess into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body, and the gap that forms the boundary between the bottom of the switch body and the bottom of the recess is formed offset from the lowest position.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the invention, the gap forming the boundary between the bottom of the switch body, which is configured to be operable by flipping it up toward the user's finger, and the bottom of the recess into which the user's finger is inserted to operate the switch body, is formed at a position offset from the lowest position. This makes it difficult for foreign objects to get caught in the gap. In other words, it is difficult for foreign objects to get caught in the gap formed at the boundary between the switch body and the recess into which the user's finger is inserted to operate the switch body.

[0008] A switch device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the switch device according to the first aspect, wherein the gap is formed on the front side.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the invention, the gap is formed on the front side, which allows the switch body to be made smaller than when the gap is formed on the opposite side from the front side.

[0010] A switch device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the switch device according to the second aspect, wherein the gap is formed 3 mm or more from the lowest position toward the front side.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, the gap is formed 3 mm or more in front of the lowest position, which makes the gap less visible than when the gap is formed at a position less than 3 mm from the lowest position, thereby preventing the design from being impaired.

[0012] A switch device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the switch device according to the second aspect, wherein the gap is formed within a range of 3 mm to 5 mm from the lowest position.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the gap is formed within a range of 3 mm to 5 mm from the lowest position. Therefore, compared to when the gap is formed at a position less than 3 mm from the lowest position, the gap is less visible, and the design is less likely to be impaired. Furthermore, compared to when the gap is formed at a position more than 5 mm from the lowest position, the occurrence of malfunctions of the switch main body is less likely to occur.

[0014] A switch device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the switch device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm or more.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the radius of curvature of the recess is 5 mm or more, which makes it easier to remove foreign matter that has fallen into the recess with fingers, etc., compared to when the radius of curvature of the recess is less than 5 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, foreign matter is less likely to become caught in the gap formed at the boundary between the switch body and the recess into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an EPB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the EPB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view showing a part of an EPB according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a part of an EPB according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a gap in the EPB according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing an eyepoint for an EPB according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the arrow UP shown in each drawing indicates the upward direction of the vehicle, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, and the arrow RH indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle. Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the directions of up / down, front / rear, and left / right are mentioned, they refer to up / down in the vertical direction of the vehicle, front / rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and left / right in the lateral direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction).

[0019] 1 to 4, a vehicle (not shown) is provided with an electric parking brake (hereinafter referred to as "EPB") 12 as an example of a switch device 10 according to this embodiment. The EPB 12 includes a switch body 20 configured to be operable by flipping it up toward the user's front with a finger, and a recess 14 into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body 20.

[0020] The recess 14 is formed on the front side of the switch body 20 in a generally rectangular recessed shape in plan and front views. The recess 14 is formed in a generally arc shape that is convex downward in side cross section. Specifically, the recess 14 has a front portion 15 formed in a generally quarter arc shape in side cross section, and an extension portion 16 that extends rearward in a generally arc shape by a predetermined length from a lowest position Dp, which is the rear end of the front portion 15 (see FIG. 4).

[0021] In other words, when viewed from the side cross section, this recess 14 is formed in an approximately arc shape with the rear end 17 of the extension portion 16 located rearward of the lowest position Dp, and a predetermined area forward from the lowest position Dp and the extension portion 16 from the lowest position Dp to the rear end 17 form the bottom of the recess 14.

[0022] Furthermore, both left and right ends 15A at the upper front end of the front portion 15 are formed in a generally arc shape in plan view (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and both left and right ends 15B at the lower front end of the front portion 15 are formed in a generally arc shape in front view (see FIG. 3).The left and right ends 17A at the rear end 17 of this recess 14 (extension 16) are formed in a generally arc shape in plan view such that the width along the front-to-rear direction gradually increases as they go outward in the left-to-right direction, and are formed in a generally arc shape with convex lower outer left-to-right directions in front view (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0023] In other words, both left and right end portions 17A of the rear end portion 17 of the recess 14 have ridge portions 17B formed in a generally arcuate shape with convex outer lower portions in the left and right direction in front view. Each of the left and right end portions 17A has a concave curved surface portion 17C integrally continuing from each ridge portion 17B to the front side and a concave curved surface portion 17D integrally continuing from each ridge portion 17B to the rear side, which are symmetrical in the front-to-rear direction in plan view (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The shape of the left and right end portions 17A is formed by providing the extension portions 16.

[0024] The switch body 20 has a top wall 22 that is generally rectangular in plan view, a front wall 24 that is generally rectangular in front view, left and right side walls 26 that are generally rectangular in side view, and a rear wall 28 that is generally rectangular in rear view (see FIG. 5). The front wall 24 is formed in a generally arc shape that convex rearward in side cross section, and its upper end 24A is integrally and continuously connected to an inclined wall 22A that is formed at the front end of the top wall 22 so as to be inclined downward and forward at a predetermined angle, thereby forming a canopy portion 30 that protrudes forward.

[0025] The switch body 20 is configured so that the front wall 24 side can swing up and down with the left-right direction as the axial direction, and is constantly biased downward. Therefore, an occupant (not shown) can hook his / her fingers on the visor portion 30 from below and flip the switch body 20 upward, which activates the EPB 12.

[0026] 4 and 5, the lower end 24B of the front wall 24 of the switch body 20 is the bottom of the switch body 20, and a slit-like gap 18 extending in the left-right direction is formed between the lower end 24B of the front wall 24 and the rear end 17 of the extension 16 of the recess 14. In other words, the gap 18, which is the boundary between the bottom of the switch body 20 and the bottom of the recess 14, is formed shifted rearward (toward the viewer) from the lowest position Dp.

[0027] 6, the gap 18 is formed at a horizontal distance L of 3 mm or more rearward (toward the viewer's front) from the lowest position Dp in a side cross-sectional view, and is preferably formed within a range of 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less in horizontal distance L from the lowest position Dp. In addition, the radius of curvature of the substantially arc-shaped portion extending from the front portion 15 of the recess 14 to the extension portion 16 in a side cross-sectional view is set to 5 mm or more, and preferably within a range of 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less so that the length of the recess 14 in the front-to-rear direction does not become unnecessarily long.

[0028] 6, the eye point Ep of the occupant within the recess 14 is at the lowest position Dp or slightly forward of that position due to the eaves portion 30 (inclined wall 22A). That is, the eaves portion 30 (inclined wall 22A) makes it difficult for the occupant to see the left and right ends 17A of the extension portion 16 and the rear end portion 17, as well as the gap 18.

[0029] 5 and 6, a protrusion 25 that protrudes downward a predetermined length is integrally formed on the lower end 24B of the front wall 24 of the switch body 20. This protrusion 25 is formed in a substantially right-angled triangular shape with the hypotenuse facing forward in a side cross-sectional view, and is configured to substantially close the gap 18 when the switch body 20 is flipped up. In other words, this protrusion 25 is configured to hide the interior of the switch body 20 so that it cannot be seen from the gap 18 when the switch body 20 is flipped up.

[0030] Next, the operation of the switch device 10 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0031] As described above, the gap 18 that forms the boundary between the bottom (lower end 24B of the front wall 24) of the switch body 20, which is configured to be operable by flipping it forward with a finger, and the bottom (extension 16) of the recess 14 into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body 20, is formed offset from the lowest position Dp.

[0032] Therefore, foreign matter, such as coin C shown by the imaginary line in Fig. 5 and dust (not shown), is less likely to get into gap 18. In other words, foreign matter (such as coin C) is less likely to get caught in gap 18 formed at the boundary between the bottom of switch main body 20 and the bottom of recess 14 into which fingers are inserted to operate switch main body 20. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent malfunction of switch main body 20.

[0033] In particular, when the gap 18 is formed on the front side (rear side) of the lowest position Dp, it is not necessary to form the lower end portion 24B of the front wall 24 of the switch body 20 in a shape that protrudes forward from the lowest position Dp, compared to when the gap 18 is formed on the opposite side (forward side) of the lowest position Dp, and therefore the switch body 20 can be made smaller.

[0034] Furthermore, when the gap 18 is formed at a horizontal distance L of 3 mm or more forward from the lowest position Dp, the eave portion 30 (inclined wall 22A) makes it more difficult for the left and right ends 17A of the extension 16 and its rear end 17 and the gap 18 to be seen from the occupant's eye point Ep, compared to when the gap 18 is formed at a horizontal distance L of less than 3 mm from the lowest position Dp. This makes it possible to prevent the design of the EPB 12 from being impaired.

[0035] Furthermore, if the gap 18 is formed within a range of 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less in horizontal distance L from the lowest position Dp, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, malfunctions of the switch body 20 can be suppressed or prevented compared to when the gap 18 is formed at a position where the horizontal distance L from the lowest position Dp exceeds 5 mm.

[0036] Specifically, if gap 18 is formed at a position that is a horizontal distance L greater than 5 mm from lowest position Dp, when switch body 20 is flipped up, rear end 17 of recess 14 will be positioned on the movement locus of protrusion 25 that protrudes downward from lower end 24B of front wall 24. In other words, protrusion 25 of switch body 20 interferes with rear end 17 of recess 14, making it difficult to flip up.

[0037] In contrast, in the switch device 10 according to this embodiment, the gap 18 is formed within a range of 3 mm to 5 mm in horizontal distance L from the lowest position Dp, so that the protruding portion 25 of the switch body 20 does not interfere with the rear end portion 17 of the recess 14. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent malfunction of the switch body 20 caused by such interference.

[0038] Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the generally arc-shaped portion of recess 14 extending from front portion 15 to extension 16 is set to 5 mm or more. Therefore, compared to when the radius of curvature of the generally arc-shaped portion of recess 14 extending from front portion 15 to extension 16 is set to less than 5 mm, foreign matter such as dust that has entered recess 14 and accumulated at its bottom (particularly around the lowest position Dp) can be easily removed with fingers or the like.

[0039] Although the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated one, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the switch device 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the EPB 12, and can also be applied to an opening / closing switch for opening and closing the door glass of a side door (not shown), etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Switching device 14 Recess 18 Gap 20 Switch body Dp bottom position

Claims

1. A switch body configured to be operable by flipping it up toward the user's finger; a recess into which a finger is inserted to operate the switch body; Equipped with A switch device in which a gap forming a boundary between the bottom of the switch body and the bottom of the recess is formed at a position shifted from the lowest position.

2. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the gap is formed on the front side.

3. The switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the gap is formed on the front side from the lowest position by 3 mm or more.

4. The switch device according to claim 2 , wherein the gap is formed within a range of 3 mm to 5 mm from the lowest position.

5. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the concave portion has a radius of curvature of 5 mm or more.

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