Operation device

Abstract

To satisfactorily maintain the assembled state of a shaft.SOLUTION: In the operation device 10, the restriction mechanism 60 is provided in the substrate 70 and the locking portion 52 assembled to the case 20, and the locking portion 52 is engaged with the substrate 70 by the restriction mechanism 60 to restrict the deformation of the locking portion 52 in the first direction. Therefore, the deformation of the locking portion 52 in the first direction after the locking portion 52 is engaged with the engagement groove 40D can be suppressed by the restriction mechanism 60. As a result, the engagement state between the locking portion 52 and the engagement groove 40D can be satisfactorily maintained by the restriction mechanism 60. Therefore, the assembled state of the shaft 40 can be favorably maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the shaft retention structure for a rotary switch (operating device) described in Patent Document 1 below, the shaft of the operating unit main body is rotatably supported on the switch main body. A locking mechanism prevents the shaft from coming off the switch main body. Specifically, the locking piece of the switch main body is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the shaft and is disposed within the tapered portion of the shaft. This allows the locking piece to engage with the locking step portion of the shaft, preventing the shaft from coming off the switch main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-165162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-described shaft retaining structure leaves room for improvement in the following respects. Specifically, in the above-described shaft retaining structure, the locking pieces are assembled to the shaft and engage with the locking steps by a so-called snap fit. That is, when the shaft is inserted into the shaft insertion hole of the switch body, the locking pieces elastically deform radially outward and radially inward of the shaft, thereby assembling the shaft to the switch body. However, if the locking pieces deform radially outward of the shaft due to, for example, aging, the locking pieces may no longer engage with the locking steps of the shaft, potentially causing the shaft to come out of the switch body. That is, it may become impossible to maintain a good assembled state of the shaft.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that can maintain a good assembled state of a shaft. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention are an operating device including: a case; a cylindrical operating knob rotatably supported on the case with a predetermined direction as its axial direction; a shaft inserted into the operating knob with the predetermined direction as its axial direction, one end of which protrudes from the operating knob to one side in the predetermined direction and is disposed inside the case, the shaft having an engagement groove on the outer periphery of the one end that is open in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction and penetrates in the predetermined direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a locking portion configured to be elastically deformable in the first direction, disposed inside the engagement groove, and engaging with the engagement groove to restrict rotation of the shaft about its axis and movement to the other side in the predetermined direction; a base member assembled to the case; and a restriction mechanism provided on the locking portion and the base member that engages the locking portion with the base member to restrict deformation of the locking portion in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the shaft assembly can be maintained in a good condition. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above; [Figure 2] 2A is a side view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from one side in a first direction, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from one side in a second direction. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1) showing the inside of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from one side in a first direction. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1) showing the inside of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from one side in the second direction. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4) seen from above, showing the state of engagement between the shaft and the locking portion shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from above. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1 as seen from below. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The operating device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the direction of arrow A, as shown appropriately in the drawings, indicates the upper side of the operating device 10, and the direction of arrow B indicates the lower side of the operating device 10. The up-down direction of the operating device 10 corresponds to the predetermined direction of the present invention. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction when viewed from the up-down direction is referred to as the first direction (see arrows C and D in FIG. 1), and the direction perpendicular to the first direction is referred to as the second direction (see arrows E and F in FIG. 2). The direction of arrow C is referred to as one side of the first direction, and the direction of arrow E is referred to as one side of the second direction.

[0010] 1 to 7, the operating device 10 has a case 20, an operating knob 30, a shaft 40, a spacer member 50, and a substrate 70 serving as a base member. The operating device 10 also has a restriction mechanism 60 that restricts deformation of the locking portion 52 of the spacer member 50. Each component of the operating device 10 will be described below.

[0011] (About Case 20) The case 20 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape that is open downward (on one side in the vertical direction). A support cylinder 20A is provided in the approximate center of the upper wall of the case 20. The support cylinder 20A is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the vertical direction and extends upward from the case 20, with the lower end of the support cylinder 20A protruding slightly into the case 20. The interior of the support cylinder 20A is penetrated in the vertical direction.

[0012] A first mating recess 20B is formed as a mating recess at the lower end of the side walls on both sides in the first direction, in a middle portion in the second direction. The first mating recess 20B is formed in a recessed shape that is open downward and penetrates in the first direction. A second mating recess 20C is formed as a mating recess at the lower end of the side wall on one side in the second direction, in a middle portion in the first direction. The second mating recess 20C is formed in a recessed shape that is open downward and penetrates in the second direction. An insertion recess 20D is formed at the lower end of the side wall on the other side in the second direction, in a portion excluding both ends in the first direction. The insertion recess 20D is formed in a recessed shape that is open downward and penetrates in the second direction.

[0013] The upper surface of second mating recess 20C and the upper surface of insertion recess 20D are positioned at the same position in the vertical direction and are located lower than the upper surface of first mating recess 20B. A step portion 20E (see FIG. 7) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the lower end of case 20, and the plate thickness of the lower end of case 20 is thinner than the plate thickness of other parts. The upper end surface of step portion 20E is positioned at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper surfaces of second mating recess 20C and insertion recess 20D.

[0014] (Regarding the operation knob 30) The operation knob 30 is formed in a generally stepped cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, the outer diameter of the lower part (one axial side part) of the operation knob 30 is smaller than the outer diameter of the upper part of the operation knob 30. The operation knob 30 is inserted into the support cylinder portion 20A from above, and the lower part of the operation knob 30 is rotatably supported by the support cylinder portion 20A. When the operation knob 30 is in a supported state, the upper part of the operation knob 30 protrudes upward from the support cylinder portion 20A, and the lower end (one end) of the operation knob 30 is disposed within the upper part of the case 20. In this way, the operation knob 30 is assembled to the case 20 so as to be rotatable. The inner diameter of the operation knob 30 is set to be constant in the vertical direction.

[0015] The outer periphery of the lower end of the operation knob 30 is notched on both sides in the second direction, and the lower end of the operation knob 30 is formed in a generally track shape with the first direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from below. Furthermore, tapered portions 30A are formed on both sides in the first direction on the outer periphery of the lower end of the operation knob 30. The tapered portions 30A are inclined radially inward of the operation knob 30 as they extend downward. Furthermore, a connecting groove 30B that opens radially outward is formed above the tapered portions 30A at the lower end of the operation knob 30, and the connecting groove 30B extends along the circumferential direction of the operation knob 30.

[0016] A rotor 32 is connected to the lower end of the operation knob 30 so as to rotate integrally therewith, and the rotor 32 is disposed within the case 20. The rotor 32 is formed in a generally stepped, bottomed cylindrical shape that is open downward. Specifically, the outer diameter of the upper portion of the rotor 32 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lower portion of the rotor 32. A connecting hole 32A is formed through the upper wall of the rotor 32, and the connecting hole 32A is formed in a generally track shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the operation knob 30. The lower end of the operation knob 30 is inserted into the connecting hole 32A from above, and the portion of the operation knob 30 where the connecting groove 30B is formed is fitted into the connecting hole 32A, thereby connecting the rotor 32 to the operation knob 30. When the rotor 32 is connected to the operation knob 30, the lower end of the operation knob 30 and the connecting hole 32A engage in the circumferential and vertical directions of the operation knob 30. This allows the rotor 32 to be connected to the operation knob 30 so as to rotate integrally therewith. Additionally, the upper portion of the operation knob 30 and the rotor 32 sandwich the support cylinder portion 20A of the case 20 from both the top and bottom directions, restricting the vertical movement of the operation knob 30. Note that a plurality of slits are formed in the bottom end portion of the rotor 32, which, together with a sensor portion such as a photosensor arranged on a substrate 70 (described later), constitute a rotary encoder.

[0017] (About shaft 40) The shaft 40 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction. The shaft 40 is inserted into the operation knob 30 and is supported by the operation knob 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The upper end of the shaft 40 protrudes above the operation knob 30 so as to be operable by pressing downward. An expanded diameter portion 40A is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the shaft 40, above the operation knob 30, and protrudes radially outward. The expanded diameter portion 40A is formed around the entire circumferential direction of the shaft 40.

[0018] The lower end (one end) of the shaft 40 protrudes downward from the operation knob 30 and is disposed within the lower portion of the case 20. A pressing portion 40B is provided at the lower end of the shaft 40, and the diameter of the pressing portion 40B is set smaller than the diameter of the shaft 40. A tapered portion 40C is formed at the lower end of the shaft 40 above the pressing portion 40B. The tapered portion 40C slopes radially inward of the shaft 40 as it extends downward, and the lower end of the tapered portion 40C is connected to the upper end of the pressing portion 40B. A pair of engagement grooves 40D are formed above the tapered portion 40C on the outer periphery of the lower end of the shaft 40. The engagement grooves 40D are formed in a groove-like shape that opens outward in the first direction and penetrates in the second direction. The portion of the shaft 40 where the pair of engagement grooves 40D are formed is an engagement shaft portion 40E, and the cross-sectional shape of the engagement shaft portion 40E is formed in a generally track shape with its longitudinal direction in the second direction.

[0019] (Regarding the spacer member 50) The spacer member 50 is made of resin. The spacer member 50 is formed as a generally rectangular plate with its thickness extending in the vertical direction. The outer shape of the spacer member 50 is formed to correspond to the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the case 20, and the spacer member 50 is fitted into the lower end of the case 20 and assembled to the case 20. When the spacer member 50 is assembled, it is adjacent to the lower side of the upper surfaces of the second fitting recess 20C, insertion recess 20D, and step portion 20E of the case 20, and is positioned above the lower end surface of the case 20.

[0020] A first mating piece 50A is provided on the outer periphery of the spacer member 50 at a position corresponding to the first mating recess 20B of the case 20. The first mating piece 50A is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction in the first direction, and protrudes on both sides in the vertical direction from the spacer member 50. The first mating piece 50A is fitted into the first mating recess 20B. The lower end of the first mating piece 50A is located above the lower end of the case 20. The inner periphery of the first mating piece 50A is located in a position flush with the inner periphery of the lower end of the case 20.

[0021] A second mating piece 50B is provided on the outer periphery of the spacer member 50 at a position corresponding to the second mating recess 20C of the case 20. The second mating piece 50B is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction in the second direction and protrudes downward from the spacer member 50. The second mating piece 50B is fitted into the second mating recess 20C. The lower end of the second mating piece 50B is located above the lower end of the case 20. The inner periphery of the second mating piece 50B is located in a position flush with the inner periphery of the lower end of the case 20.

[0022] A hole 50C (see FIGS. 5 and 7) is formed through the spacer member 50 at approximately its center, and the hole 50C is formed in a generally semicircular shape that protrudes toward the other side in the second direction when viewed from above. A base wall 50D is formed at the edge of the hole 50C on the other side in the second direction, at the center in the first direction. The base wall 50D is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with its plate thickness direction in the second direction and protrudes upward from the spacer member 50.

[0023] The base wall 50D is provided with a pair of locking portions 52, which extend from both ends of the base wall 50D in the first direction toward one side in the second direction and are arranged to overlap with the hole portions 50C when viewed from the top and bottom (see FIG. 5). The pair of locking portions 52 are configured symmetrically in the first direction with respect to the center of the base wall 50D (spacer member 50) in the first direction. Therefore, hereinafter, only the locking portions 52 provided at the end on one side in the first direction of the base wall 50D will be described, and a description of the locking portions 52 provided at the end on the other side in the first direction of the base wall 50D will be omitted.

[0024] The locking portion 52 includes a first arm portion 52A extending from the upper end of the base wall 50D toward one side in the second direction, and a second arm portion 52B extending from the tip of the first arm portion 52A toward one side in the first direction (the opening direction of the engagement groove 40D of the shaft 40 that engages with the locking portion 52). The first arm portion 52A is formed in a substantially rectangular columnar shape and is configured to be elastically deformable in the first direction. A step portion 52C is formed on the base end portion of the first arm portion 52A on the side surface on the other side in the first direction, the step portion 52C being one step lower toward the one side in the first direction. In addition, a chamfered portion 52D is formed at a corner on the upper side of the first arm portion 52A and on the other side in the first direction. When viewed from the second direction, the chamfered portion 52D is inclined downward as it approaches the other side in the first direction. Furthermore, the distance between the tip ends of the pair of first arm portions 52A in the first direction is slightly smaller than the diameter of the pressing portion 40B of the shaft 40.

[0025] The second arm portion 52B extends from the tip of the first arm portion 52A to one side in the first direction, and the tip of the second arm portion 52B is bent downward. The lower surface of the tip of the second arm portion 52B is positioned so as to be flush with the lower surface of the spacer member 50. A restriction boss 62 serving as a restriction protrusion is provided on the lower surface of the tip of the second arm portion 52B, and the restriction boss 62 constitutes the restriction mechanism 60. The restriction boss 62 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction, and protrudes downward from the second arm portion 52B. The lower end surface of the restriction boss 62 is positioned above the lower end surface of the case 20.

[0026] The engagement shaft portion 40E of the shaft 40 is disposed between the distal ends of the first arm portions 52A of the pair of locking portions 52. Specifically, a portion of the distal end of the first arm portion 52A is inserted into the engagement groove 40D of the shaft 40, and the distal end of the first arm portion 52A is adjacent to the outer side of the engagement shaft portion 40E in the first direction. As a result, the shaft 40 (engagement shaft portion 40E) and the locking portion 52 (first arm portion 52A) are engaged with each other in the circumferential direction of the shaft 40, thereby restricting rotation of the shaft 40 around its axis. Furthermore, the distal end of the first arm portion 52A is disposed within the lower end of the engagement groove 40D and adjacent to the upper side of the lower surface of the engagement groove 40D (see FIG. 4). As a result, the shaft 40 (engagement shaft portion 40E) and the locking portion 52 are engaged with each other in the vertical direction, thereby restricting upward movement of the shaft 40.

[0027] The upper surface of the engagement groove 40D is disposed above the tip of the first arm portion 52A with a predetermined gap therebetween. This allows the shaft 40 to move downward within the range of the predetermined gap, and the shaft 40 moves downward when the operator presses it downward. When the operator presses the shaft 40, the enlarged diameter portion 40A of the shaft 40 abuts against the upper surface of the operation knob 30, thereby restricting the downward movement of the shaft 40 at a position where the shaft 40 presses a switch 74 (described later). The operation knob 30 is adjacent to the upper side of the tip of the first arm portion 52A (see FIG. 4). That is, the lower end of the operation knob 30 is disposed below the upper surface of the engagement groove 40D and adjacent to the upper side of the tip of the first arm portion 52A. This allows the shaft 40 to move downward while restricting the upward deformation of the tip of the first arm portion 52A.

[0028] When assembling the shaft 40 to the spacer member 50, the lower end of the shaft 40 is inserted from above between the tips of the pair of first arm portions 52A. At this time, the tapered portion 40C of the shaft 40 abuts against the chamfered portion 52D of the first arm portion 52A, causing the tapered portion 40C to push the first arm portion 52A outward in the first direction. That is, the first arm portion 52A elastically deforms outward in the first direction, increasing the distance between the tips of the pair of first arm portions 52A. Then, when the engagement shaft portion 40E of the shaft 40 reaches between the tips of the first arm portions 52A, the first arm portion 52A elastically deforms inward in the first direction to return to its original state, and the tip of the first arm portion 52A is fitted into the engagement groove 40D of the shaft 40. That is, the shaft 40 is assembled to the spacer member 50 by a so-called snap fit.

[0029] (Regarding the substrate 70) The substrate 70 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with the thickness direction in the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction in the second direction. Slits 70A are formed in the outer periphery of both sides of the substrate 70 in the first direction, penetrating the other side in the second direction, and the slits 70A are groove-shaped and extend in the second direction. The portion of the substrate 70 on the one side in the second direction, closer to the slits 70A, is fitted into the lower end of the case 20, thereby assembling the substrate 70 to the case 20. The substrate 70 thus closes the lower opening of the case 20. When the substrate 70 is attached to the case 20, the substrate 70 is adjacent to the underside of the spacer member 50, determining the vertical position of the substrate 70. Furthermore, when the substrate 70 is attached to the case 20, the outer periphery of the substrate 70 is adjacent to the inner periphery of the first mating piece 50A and the second mating piece 50B of the spacer member 50. That is, the first mating piece 50A and the second mating piece 50B intermittently surround the outer periphery of the substrate 70, and the position of the substrate 70 relative to the spacer member 50 in the first and second directions is determined.

[0030] Furthermore, the board 70 is inserted into the insertion recess 20D of the case 20, and the other end of the board 70 in the second direction protrudes from the case 20 to the other side in the second direction. A connector 72 is provided on the upper surface of the other end of the board 70 in the second direction, and the connector 72 is connected to an external device, and a switch 74 (described later) is electrically connected to the external device.

[0031] Furthermore, a circular restriction hole 64 is formed through the substrate 70 in the vertical direction at a position corresponding to the restriction boss 62 of the spacer member 50, and the restriction hole 64 constitutes a restriction mechanism 60. The restriction boss 62 is fitted into the restriction hole 64, and the restriction hole 64 and the restriction boss 62 engage in the radial direction of the restriction boss 62. As a result, after the shaft 40 and the spacer member 50 are engaged, by assembling the substrate 70 to the case 20, the locking portion 52 of the spacer member 50 and the substrate 70 engage in the first direction, and deformation of the first arm portion 52A of the locking portion 52 in the first direction is restricted.

[0032] A switch 74 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 70, below the shaft 40. The switch 74 is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the pressing portion 40B of the shaft 40. When the operator presses the shaft 40 downward, the pressing portion 40B of the shaft 40 presses the switch 74, turning it on. A sensor unit such as a photosensor (not shown) is also provided on the upper surface of the substrate 70, and the sensor unit and the rotor 32 form a rotary encoder.

[0033] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0034] In the operating device 10 configured as described above, a cylindrical operation knob 30 is rotatably supported on the support tube portion 20A of the case 20 with its axial direction aligned vertically. A shaft 40, whose axial direction is aligned vertically, is inserted into the operation knob 30, with its lower end disposed within the case 20. An engagement groove 40D, which is open in a first direction and penetrates in a second direction, is formed at the lower end of the shaft 40. A spacer member 50 is provided within the case 20, and the spacer member 50 has a locking portion 52 configured to be elastically deformable in the first direction. The locking portion 52 is disposed within the engagement groove 40D and engages with the engagement groove 40D, thereby restricting the rotation of the shaft 40 about its axis and its upward movement. By elastically deforming the locking portion 52 in the first direction and fitting it into the engagement groove 40D, the shaft 40 can be made non-rotatable and can be prevented from coming loose from the case 20.

[0035] Here, the restricting mechanism 60 is provided on the board 70 and the locking portion 52 that are assembled to the case 20, and the restricting mechanism 60 engages the locking portion 52 with the board 70 to restrict deformation of the locking portion 52 in the first direction. Therefore, the restricting mechanism 60 can suppress deformation of the locking portion 52 in the first direction after the locking portion 52 engages with the engagement groove 40D. As a result, the restricting mechanism 60 can maintain a good engagement state between the locking portion 52 and the engagement groove 40D. Therefore, the assembled state of the shaft 40 can be maintained good.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the locking portion 52 is disposed within the engagement groove 40D and engages with the engagement groove 40D, restricting the rotation of the shaft 40 about its axis and the upward movement of the shaft 40. That is, the locking portion 52, which engages with the engagement groove 40D by a so-called snap fit, can prevent the shaft 40 from rotating and from coming off the case 20. Therefore, the locking portion 52 can prevent the shaft 40 from rotating and from coming off the case 20 with an inexpensive structure.

[0037] Furthermore, the operation knob 30 is adjacent to the upper side of the locking portion 52. Specifically, the operation knob 30 is adjacent to the upper side of the tip of the first arm portion 52A of the locking portion 52. As a result, even if an upward external force is input to the shaft 40 and acts on the tip of the first arm portion 52A from the underside of the engagement groove 40D, the operation knob 30 can restrict the upward deformation of the first arm portion 52A. As a result, the engagement state between the locking portion 52 and the shaft 40 can be effectively maintained.

[0038] Furthermore, the spacer member 50 having the locking portion 52 is assembled to the case 20 from below, and the board 70 is adjacent to the underside of the spacer member 50. As a result, by assembling the spacer member 50 to the case 20 from below, engaging the spacer member 50 with the shaft 40, and then assembling the board 70 to the case 20 from below, the board 70 can be engaged with the locking portion 52 by the restriction mechanism 60. Therefore, the board 70 can be engaged with the locking portion 52 by the restriction mechanism 60 while suppressing a decrease in the ease of assembly of the operating device 10. Furthermore, because the board 70 is adjacent to the underside of the spacer member 50, the spacer member 50, which functions as a base for the board 70, can be utilized to provide the locking portion 52 within the case 20. This contributes to a reduction in the number of parts and assembly man-hours compared to when the locking portion 52 is configured as a separate member from the spacer member 50.

[0039] The restriction mechanism 60 is configured to include a restriction boss 62 provided on the locking portion 52 and a restriction hole 64 provided on the substrate 70, and the restriction boss 62 is fitted into the restriction hole 64. This makes it possible to engage the locking portion 52 and the substrate 70 in the radial direction of the restriction boss 62 with a simple configuration, thereby suppressing deformation of the locking portion 52 in the first direction.

[0040] The locking portion 52 includes a first arm portion 52A extending in the second direction and a second arm portion 52B extending outward in the first direction from the tip of the first arm portion 52A. The tip of the first arm portion 52A is disposed within the engagement groove 40D. That is, the second arm portion 52B, which has the restricting boss 62, is disposed at a position offset outward in the first direction relative to the tip of the first arm portion 52A. This ensures space below the tip (shaft 40) of the first arm portion 52A. As a result, in this embodiment, the locking portion 52 can be engaged with the circuit board 70 while ensuring space for arranging a switch 74 pressed by the shaft 40. Furthermore, the second arm portion 52B is disposed at a position bent 90 degrees relative to the first arm portion 52A of the locking portion 52, ensuring space for arranging electronic elements constituting the sensor unit of the rotary encoder. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a rotary encoder is mounted on the operating device 10, but the operating device 10 may be equipped with another rotation operation detection device such as a rotary switch instead of the rotary encoder.

[0041] The sidewall of the case 20 is formed with a first mating recess 20B and a second mating recess 20C, which are open downward. The outer periphery of the spacer member 50 is provided with a first mating piece 50A that fits into the first mating recess 20B and a second mating piece 50B that fits into the second mating recess 20C. The lower ends of the first mating recess 20B and the second mating piece 50B protrude downward from the spacer member 50 and intermittently surround the outer periphery of the substrate 70. This allows the first mating recess 20B and the second mating recess 20C to determine the position of the spacer member 50 relative to the case 20, while also determining the position of the substrate 70 relative to the spacer member 50. Therefore, the spacer member 50 and the substrate 70 can be assembled to the case 20 while preventing misalignment of the spacer member 50 and the substrate 70 relative to the case 20.

[0042] As described above, the lower ends of the first mating recess 20B and the second mating piece 50B protrude downward from the spacer member 50. This allows an operator to grasp the lower ends of the first mating recess 20B and the second mating piece 50B and assemble the spacer member 50 to the case 20. This improves the ease of assembling the spacer member 50 to the case 20. Note that, in order to secure the substrate 70, both wall portions on the outer side in the second direction relative to the first mating recess 20B at the lower end of the case 20 may be bent toward the inside of the case 20, and the substrate 70 may be secured to the case 20 by so-called caulking.

[0043] Furthermore, a pair of engagement grooves 40D that are open outward in the first direction are formed in the shaft 40, and a pair of locking portions 52 that engage with the engagement grooves 40D are provided in the spacer member 50. This allows the portions of the shaft 40 where the engagement grooves 40D are formed (engagement shaft portions 40E) to be sandwiched from both sides in the first direction, allowing the engagement shaft portions 40E to be satisfactorily engaged with the locking portions 52. This effectively prevents the shaft 40 from rotating and coming off.

[0044] In the restriction mechanism 60, the restriction boss 62 is provided on the locking portion 52, and the restriction hole 64 is provided on the base plate 70. Alternatively, the restriction boss 62 may be provided on the base plate 70, and the restriction hole 64 may be provided on the locking portion 52.

[0045] In addition, the locking portion 52 includes a first arm portion 52A extending from the upper end portion of the base wall 50D to one side in the second direction when viewed from above, and a second arm portion 52B extending from the tip end portion of the first arm portion 52A to the outside in the first direction. However, the shape of the locking portion 52 is not limited to this. For example, a pair of second arm portions 52B may be configured to extend from the tip end portion of the first arm portion 52A to one side in the second direction. Also, the second arm portions 52B may be extended from the tip end portion of the first arm portion 52A such that, when viewed from above, they incline in a direction of separating from each other (the outside in the second direction) as they go toward one side in the second direction. Further, the second arm portion 52B may be omitted in the locking portion 52. In this case, a regulating boss 62 may be provided at the tip end portion of the first arm portion 52A.

[0046] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 10 Operating device 20 Case 20B First fitting recess (fitting recess) 20C Second fitting recess (fitting recess) 30 Operating knob 40 Shaft 40D Engagement groove 50 Spacer member 50A First fitting piece (fitting piece) 50B Second fitting piece (fitting piece) 52 Locking portion 52A First arm portion 52B Second arm portion 60 Regulation mechanism 62 Regulation boss (regulation projection) 64 Regulation hole 70 Substrate (base member) 70A Slit portion 74 Switch

Claims

1. Case and a cylindrical operation knob rotatably supported on the case with a predetermined direction as its axial direction; a shaft that is inserted into the operation knob with the predetermined direction as its axial direction, has one end that protrudes from the operation knob toward one side in the predetermined direction and is disposed inside the case, and has an engagement groove on an outer periphery of the one end that opens in a first direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction and penetrates in a second direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction and the first direction; a locking portion that is configured to be elastically deformable in the first direction, is disposed inside the engagement groove, and engages with the engagement groove to restrict rotation of the shaft about its axis and movement toward the other side in the predetermined direction; a base member attached to the case; a restriction mechanism provided on the locking portion and the base member, the restriction mechanism engaging the locking portion with the base member to restrict deformation of the locking portion in the first direction; An operating device comprising:

2. The operating device according to claim 1 , wherein one end of the operating knob is adjacent to the other side of the locking portion in the predetermined direction.

3. a spacer member having the locking portion is assembled to the case from one side in the predetermined direction; 2. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the base member is disposed adjacent to one side of the spacer member in the predetermined direction.

4. The regulation mechanism is a restricting protrusion provided on one of the locking portion and the base member and protruding toward the other side of the locking portion and the base member; a restriction hole provided on the other of the locking portion and the base member, into which the restriction protrusion is fitted; The operating device according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. The locking portion is a first arm portion extending in the second direction, having a base end connected to the spacer member and a tip end inserted into the engagement groove; a second arm portion extending from a tip end of the first arm portion toward an opening direction of the engagement groove; It is composed of The operating device according to claim 4 , wherein the restricting protrusion or the restricting hole is provided at a tip end of the second arm portion.

6. A plurality of mating recesses that are open to one side in the predetermined direction are formed on the side wall of the case, The operating device described in claim 3, wherein the spacer member is provided with a mating piece that fits into the mating recess, and one end of the mating piece in the specified direction protrudes further than the spacer member toward one side in the specified direction and intermittently surrounds the outer periphery of the base member.

7. a pair of the engagement grooves are formed on both sides in the first direction on an outer periphery of the one end of the shaft, 4. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the spacer member is provided with a pair of the locking portions that are engaged with the engaging grooves.

8. The shaft is configured to be movable to one side in the predetermined direction, the base member is a substrate whose thickness direction is the predetermined direction, The operating device according to claim 5 , wherein the base plate is provided with a switch that is pressed by movement of the shaft.

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