Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device that enables operation with less malfunction while reducing a space for operation.SOLUTION: A switch device includes: an operation unit having an operation space of a recessed groove portion; and a switch knob provided in the operation unit, installed with a substantially center of the groove portion as a reference position, and sliding in a front-rear direction of the groove portion to open and close a window.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, technologies relating to power window switches that raise and lower the window glass of an automobile have been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device that makes effective use of limited space. In Patent Document 1, the switch knob has a cutout space that prevents it from interfering with the opening edge of the switch panel when it rotates via a rotary shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-243035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Prior art power window switches require a deep hole for the finger to be inserted into the switch knob, which is used to operate the switch. This deep hole resulted in a uniform design, limited variation, and impaired design. Furthermore, operability could be impaired depending on the size of the operator's fingers or nails.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a switch device that allows operation with fewer malfunctions while minimizing the space required for operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The switch device described in claim 1 includes an operating unit with an operating space in a recessed groove, and a switch knob that is provided on the operating unit and installed with the approximate center of the groove as a reference position, and that opens and closes the window by sliding it in the forward and backward directions of the groove. This reduces the space required for operation while enabling operation with fewer malfunctions.

[0007] The switch device according to claim 2 is the switch device according to claim 1, wherein when the switch knob is operated forward or backward and then the operation is released, a force is applied to the operating portion to return the switch knob to the reference position. According to the switch device according to claim 2, operability when returning the switch knob can be improved.

[0008] The switch device according to claim 3 is the switch device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the operating portion has a first position at a predetermined distance from the reference position and a second position that is closer to the reference position than the first position, and the operating load of the switch knob is smaller when moving to the second position than when moving to the first position. The switch device according to claim 3 can improve operability and prevent erroneous operation.

[0009] The switch device according to claim 4 is the switch device according to claim 3, wherein the operating portion is provided with a slope that curves upward in the front-to-rear direction with the approximate center of the groove portion as its bottom, and the window is opened or closed by pushing the switch knob up or down relative to the slope. The switch device according to claim 4 can prevent unintentional operation by simple contact.

[0010] The switch device according to claim 5 is the switch device according to claim 4, wherein the operating portion is configured so that the switch knob does not protrude above a general surface located above the slope of the groove portion at the reference position and in the vicinity of the reference position. The switch device according to claim 5 can suppress erroneous operation when a load is applied from above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the space required for operation while enabling operation with fewer malfunctions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the power window switch of this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the structure and operation of the power window switch of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front when a finger is placed on the switch knob in the reference position. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a conventional power window switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, a conventional power window switch that poses a problem will be described. Conventional power window switches require a space in front of the switch knob for inserting a finger to operate the switch, which requires a deep hole-shaped space in the L direction of the switch. With this structure, if an operator has long fingernails, if the space is insufficient for the operator to insert their finger and operate the switch, the fingernail may get caught, resulting in poor operability. Another problem is that the deep hole-shaped space for operation results in a poor appearance. Figure 4 shows an example of a conventional power window switch. With a conventional power window switch, the window is opened by hooking a finger on the switch knob and pulling it up, as shown in (a1). The window is closed by pressing it down, as shown in (a2). Thus, conventional power window switches require an extra space in front of the switch knob, enough to fit the first joint of a finger.

[0014] Therefore, in this embodiment, a space for hole-shaped operation is not adopted, and a slide type switch that moves back and forth is adopted.

[0015] Fig. 1 is an image diagram of a power window switch according to this embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an example in which power window switch installation section 1 is provided on the door trim with power window switches 2 for operating four windows for each of four seats in a vehicle. The structure and operation of power window switch 2 will be described below. Power window switch 2 is an example of a switch device according to the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure and operation of the power window switch of the present disclosure. (X1) in FIG. 2 shows the structure of the power window switch 2 as a front perspective view, and (X2) shows the structure of the power window switch 2 as a side view. As shown in (X1), the operating unit 10 has an operating space with a recessed groove portion 11, and a switch knob 12 is installed at a reference position approximately in the center of the groove portion 11. The groove portion 11 has a movable range r in the front-rear direction. The switch knob 12 is slidable in the front-rear direction along the movable range r, and sliding it opens and closes the window. Furthermore, as shown in (X2), the operating unit 10 has a slope s that curves upward in the front-rear direction from approximately the center of the groove portion 11 as its bottom. The window is opened or closed by pushing the switch knob 12 up or down relative to the slope s. Furthermore, the operating unit 10 is structured so that the switch knob 12 does not protrude above the general surface g of the door trim located above the slope s of the groove portion 11 at or near the reference position. This structure prevents erroneous operation when a load is applied from above. The operating load for the operation of (X2) will be described later.

[0017] The positions to which the switch knob 12 slides within the movable range r will be explained. The position (a) is the reference position, which is the initial position of the switch knob 12. The forward positions are (b1) and (b2), which are contacts that turn on the window opening operation. The backward positions are (c1) and (c2), which are contacts that turn on the window closing operation. As will be explained below, (b1) and (c1) are contacts that turn on manual operation, and (b2) and (c2) are contacts that turn on automatic operation.

[0018] The (b1) position is the position where the manual operation to open the window is on, and the window opens while it is slid to this position. When the switch knob 12 is released or pressed down from the (b1) position, it returns to the standard position (a) and the window opening operation stops. The (b2) position is the automatic operation position for opening the window, and when it is slid to this position, the window opens automatically until it is fully open. Note that when the finger f is released at the (b2) position, the switch knob 12 returns to the standard position (a), but the opening operation is maintained.

[0019] Position (c1) is the position where the manual operation for closing the window is turned on, and the window closes while the switch knob 12 is slid to this position. When the switch knob 12 is released or pressed down from position (b1), it returns to the reference position (a), and the window closing operation stops. Position (c2) is the position for automatic operation for closing the window. When the switch knob 12 is slid to this position, the window automatically closes until it is completely closed. Releasing the finger f at position (c2) returns the switch knob 12 to the reference position (a), but the closing operation continues. Positions (b2) and (c2) are the end points of the range of motion r. Positions (b2) and (c2) are the "first position at a predetermined distance from the reference position" of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the end point of the range of motion r is the predetermined distance from the reference position, and the contact point at which the automatic operation is turned on is an example of the first position. Positions (b1) and (c1) are the "second position closer to the reference position than the first position" of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the contact point at which manual operation of the range of motion r is turned on is set to the second position.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch knob 12 when viewed from the front, with a finger placed on the switch knob in the standard position. As shown in Fig. 3, the switch knob 12 is recessed below the general surface g, and can be operated by pressing it with the pad of a finger f and sliding it back and forth.

[0021] As described above, the operating unit 10 is shaped so that the operation for opening and closing the door ascends the slope s, thereby preventing unintended and accidental operation by the operator. This prevents erroneous operation when a child accidentally places their hand or elbow on the door trim due to mischief or unexpected contact. It also ensures safety by preventing the window from suddenly closing and the risk of the operator's hand or neck being pinched. Furthermore, when the switch knob 12 is operated in the forward or backward direction and then released, a force is applied to return it to its reference position. The operation in the forward or backward direction is released by releasing or depressing the finger f. The force to return it to its reference position can be applied by the weight of the switch knob 12, the reaction force of a spring, or computer-controlled load application. This makes it easier to return the switch knob 12 to its reference position, improving operability.

[0022] The operation load of the switch knob 12 will be described. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the operation load of the switch knob 12 is set to three levels: "low," "medium," and "high." The "low," "medium," and "high" operation loads are set within the range of motion r, which is divided into ranges r1 to r3. The "low" operation load is set within the range of motion r1, which is from the reference position (a) to a position just before manual operation (b1) or (c1). The "medium" operation load is set within the range of motion r2, which is from a position just before manual operation to a contact point at which manual operation is turned on. The "medium" operation load is set within the range of motion r3, which is from a position just before automatic operation to a contact point at which automatic operation is turned on. In this way, the operation load associated with the movement of the switch knob 12 is changed depending on the range of motion r. Furthermore, by increasing the operation load so that automatic operation is not turned on more easily than manual operation, the operator can intentionally turn on automatic operation and prevent the operator from accidentally opening or closing the window completely. The above description of the operation load is an example of "the operation load of the switch knob when moving to the second position is smaller than when moving to the first position" in the present disclosure.

[0023] As described above, to open or close the window, the switch knob 12 is operated so as to climb the slope s. When the switch knob 12 is close to the reference position, it is operated with the pad of the finger f, so it is difficult to apply force, and so the required operating load is set small. When the switch knob 12 is halfway up the slope s, it is easy to apply force by placing the finger on it, so the operating load is set large. This improves the operability when operating the switch knob 12.

[0024] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications other than the above-described exemplary embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 Power window switch installation area 2 Power window switch (switch device) 10 Control section 11 Groove section 12 Switch Knob

Claims

1. An operating unit having an operating space in a recessed groove portion; a switch knob that is provided on the operation unit and is installed with a reference position at approximately the center of the groove portion, and that operates to open or close the window by sliding the switch knob in the forward / backward direction of the groove portion; A switch device comprising:

2. The switch device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation portion is biased with a force that returns the switch knob to the reference position when the switch knob is operated in a forward or backward direction and then the operation is released.

3. 2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion has a first position at a predetermined distance from the reference position and a second position that is closer to the reference position than the first position, and an operating load of the switch knob when moving to the second position is smaller than that when moving to the first position.

4. 2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion has a slope that curves upward in the front-to-rear direction from a bottom that is approximately the center of the groove portion, and the window is opened or closed by pushing the switch knob up or down in the front-to-rear direction relative to the slope.

5. 5. The switch device according to claim 4, wherein the operating portion is configured so that the switch knob does not protrude above a general surface located above the slope of the groove portion at or near the reference position.

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