Operating device

Abstract

To improve assembly. [Solution] In the knob unit 30, the number of teeth of the first gear 52 on the operating shaft 50 is the same as the number of protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54. Also, on the rotating shaft 70, the number of teeth of the second gear 73 is the same as the total number of slits 76A and light-shielding parts 76B on the rotating plate 76. That is, the number of teeth of the second gear 73 is the same as the number of detections that the photointerrupter 102 detects per rotation of the rotating plate 76. As a result, the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70 can be assembled to the support member 40 without using jigs or the like to determine the assembly position of the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the operating device 10 can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The switch device (operating device) described in Patent Document 1 below includes a rotary knob, a shaft portion integrally rotatably connected to the rotary knob, a first gear integrally rotatably connected to the shaft portion, a transmission gear meshed with the first gear, a second gear meshed with the transmission gear, and a magnet integrally rotatably connected to the second gear. Thus, when the rotary knob is rotationally operated, the magnet rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary knob. Further, a magnetic sensor is disposed facing the outer peripheral portion of the magnet. In the magnet, four S poles and N poles are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the magnet. Thus, when the operator rotates the rotary knob, the magnetic sensor detects the switching between the S pole and the N pole of the magnet facing the magnetic sensor, and detects the rotational position of the magnet and the rotational position of the rotary knob.

[0003] Further, a regulating plate constituting a regulating mechanism is integrally rotatably provided on the shaft portion, and a plurality of regulating grooves are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the regulating plate. A ball biased by a spring is fitted into the regulating groove, and the ball and the regulating plate are engaged with each other. Thus, the regulating mechanism holds the rotary knob at a predetermined rotational position and imparts a regulating feeling when the rotary knob rotates. As described above, in the switch device, the regulating mechanism can hold the rotary knob at a predetermined rotational position, and the magnetic sensor can detect the predetermined rotational position of the rotary knob.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above-described switch device has room for improvement in the following respects. Specifically, for example, if the second gear is shifted by one tooth from its normal assembly position and meshed with the transmission gear, the relative rotational position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic sensor changes. In this case, compared to when the second gear is assembled in its normal position, the actual rotational position of the rotating knob and the rotational position of the rotating knob detected by the magnetic sensor will be different, making it impossible to accurately detect the rotational position of the rotating knob. For this reason, when assembling the first gear, transmission gear, and second gear, it is necessary to determine the positions of these gears using jigs or the like and then assemble them. For this reason, the above-described switch device may have poor assembly efficiency.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an operating device that can improve ease of assembly, taking the above facts into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One or more embodiments of the present invention include: an operating shaft extending in a first direction and having an operating knob provided in the middle of its longitudinal direction, which is rotated by an operator; a first gear integrally rotatable on the operating shaft; a rotating shaft extending in the first direction and positioned on one side of a second direction perpendicular to the operating shaft; a second gear integrally rotatable on the rotating shaft and directly or indirectly meshing with the first gear; a detected part integrally rotatable on the rotating shaft; a detection unit for detecting the rotational position of the detected part; and a mechanism for providing a tactile sensation to the operating knob when the operating shaft is rotated. An operating device comprising a stopper mechanism, the stopper mechanism comprising a rotating body provided to be rotatable integrally with the operating shaft and having a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction of the operating shaft on its outer circumference, a stopper member provided radially outward of the rotating body and configured to be movable in the radial direction of the rotating body and having a contact portion positioned between adjacent protrusions, and a biasing member that biases the stopper member toward the rotating body, wherein the number of teeth of the first gear and the number of protrusions are the same, and the number of teeth of the second gear and the number of detections detected by the detection unit per rotation of the detected unit are the same. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The above configuration of the operating device makes assembly easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a three-view drawing showing the operating device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device shown, taken from the right rear. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a plan view from above, showing the area around the knob unit of the control device with the panel removed. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view from the right side showing the inside of the operating device shown in Figure 1 (cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in Figure 1). [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view from the right side showing the inside of the operating device shown in Figure 1 (cross-sectional view along line 5-5 in Figure 1). [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view from the left side showing the inside of the operating device shown in Figure 1 (cross-sectional view along line 6-6 in Figure 1). [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a side view of the knob unit as seen from the left side. [Figure 8] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the knob unit, seen from the right rear. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the assembly procedure of the rotating shaft to the support member, and is a perspective view showing the rotating shaft's insertion shaft portion inserted into the second support hole for the rotating shaft of the support member. [Figure 10] Figure 6 is a side view showing the rotating shaft assembled in a position rotated 45 degrees. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The operating device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The arrows UP, FR, and RH shown in the drawings as appropriate indicate the upper, front, and right sides of the operating device 10, respectively. In the following description, when the directions of up / down, front / back, and left / right are used, they refer to the up / down, front / back, and left / right directions of the operating device 10, unless otherwise specified. The left / right direction corresponds to the first direction of the present invention, the front / back direction corresponds to the second direction of the present invention, and the up / down direction corresponds to the third direction of the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the operating device 10 comprises a case 20, a panel 22, a knob unit 30, a holder 90, and a substrate 100.

[0012] (Regarding Case 20) As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the case 20 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape that is open to the bottom and extends in the left-right direction. The interior of the case 20 is a substrate housing section 20A for housing the substrate 100, which will be described later. The front wall of the case 20 is provided with an inclined wall 20B that protrudes above the top wall of the case 20, and in a side view taken from the left-right direction, the inclined wall 20B slopes forward as it goes upward. At the upper end of the inclined wall 20B, in the middle in the left-right direction, a lower notch 20C is formed for arranging the dial knob 56, which will be described later. In a front view taken from the front, the lower notch 20C is formed in a concave shape that is open to the top.

[0013] On the upper surface of the case 20, a pair of fixed bosses 20D are provided on the left and right sides in the middle of the front-to-back direction. The fixed bosses 20D are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction and protrude upward from the case 20. The fixed bosses 20D are positioned on both the left and right sides with respect to the left-to-right center of the case 20. On the upper wall of the case 20, a pair of light source holes 20E are formed through the left and right pair of fixed bosses 20D. The light source holes 20E are formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the left-to-right direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0014] On the upper wall of the case 20, a first cylindrical portion 20F is provided on the front side of the light source hole 20E. The first cylindrical portion 20F is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the left - right direction and protrudes upward from the case 20. The inside of the first cylindrical portion 20F penetrates in the up - down direction. On the upper wall of the case 20, a second cylindrical portion 20G is provided on the right side of the right fixing boss 20D. The second cylindrical portion 20G is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape with the front - rear direction as the longitudinal direction and protrudes upward from the case 20. On the upper wall of the case 20, at the middle portion in the front - rear direction of the second cylindrical portion 20G, a sensor housing portion 20H for housing a photo interrupter 102 described later is provided. The sensor housing portion 20H is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape open to the lower side and bulges upward from the upper wall of the case 20. Note that a hole is formed in the case 20 to communicate the inside of the second cylindrical portion 20G and the inside of the sensor housing portion 20H.

[0015] (Regarding the panel 22) The panel 22 is formed in a substantially plate - like shape extending in the left - right direction and is bent into a substantially concave shape open to the lower side in side view. Specifically, the panel 22 includes an upper wall 22A with the up - down direction as the plate thickness direction, a front wall 22B extending obliquely downward and forward from the front end portion of the upper wall 22A, and a rear wall 22C extending obliquely downward and backward from the rear end portion of the upper wall 22A. The extension length of the rear wall 22C is set to be longer than the extension length of the front wall 22B, and the tip of the rear wall 22C is bent downward. Then, the panel 22 is assembled to the case 20 by snap - fit and covers the case 20 from above. Specifically, the front wall 22B of the panel 22 is located above the inclined wall 20B of the case 20.

[0016] An upper notch 22D is formed at the front end portion of the panel 22 at a position corresponding to the lower notch 20C of the case 20. The upper notch 22D is formed in a concave shape open to the front in plan view seen from above.

[0017] Panel 22 is formed of a material that can transmit light (in this embodiment, a transparent resin material), and a light-shielding coating is applied to the upper surface of panel 22. As a result, panel 22 is configured to be non-transmissive to light. The upper wall 22A of panel 22 has a pair of left and right lighting portions 22E. The lighting portion 22E is located above the light source hole portion 20E of the case 20. A display portion (not shown) is formed in the lighting portion 22E, and characters, figures, symbols, marks, etc. that are not coated with a light-shielding coating are formed in the display portion. As a result, the first light source 104 described later transmits through the display portion, and the display portion of the lighting portion 22E is illuminated.

[0018] (Regarding the knob unit 30) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the knob unit 30 includes a support member 40, an operation shaft 50, an intermediate gear 60, a rotating shaft 70, and a regulating mechanism 80 (see FIG. 6).

[0019] (Regarding the support member 40) The support member 40 includes a pair of left and right fixing pieces 42, a connecting portion 44, a first support portion 46, and a second support portion 48. The fixing piece 42 constitutes the lower end portion of the support member 40. The fixing piece 42 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as the plate thickness direction and the front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction, and is respectively disposed above the fixing bosses 20D of the case 20. A circular fixing hole 42A is formed through the rear portion of the fixing piece 42 in the vertical direction. The fixing hole 42A is coaxially arranged with the fixing boss 20D. Then, a fixing screw (not shown) inserted into the fixing hole 42A is screwed into the fixing boss 20D, and the fixing piece 42 (support member 40) is fixed to the case 20.

[0020] The connecting portion 44 extends in the left-right direction and, in a cross-sectional view from the left-right direction, is formed in a roughly V-shaped plate form that is open to the rear. The lower end of the connecting portion 44 is connected to the front end of the fixing piece 42, so that the connecting portion 44 connects the pair of fixing pieces 42. The lower part of the connecting portion 44 is the lower connecting portion 44A, which is located on the rear side of the inclined wall 20B of the case 20. The upper part of the connecting portion 44 is the upper connecting portion 44B, which is located spaced apart below the opening end of the upper notch 22D in the panel 22. In a side view, the front surface of the upper connecting portion 44B is curved in an arc shape centered on the axis of the operating shaft 50, which will be described later (see Figures 4 and 5). Multiple (three in this embodiment) restricting ribs 44C are formed on the front surface of the upper connecting portion 44B. The regulating rib 44C extends along the shorter direction of the upper connecting portion 44B and is arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction.

[0021] The first support portion 46 constitutes the left end of the support member 40. The first support portion 46 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal plate shape with the left-right direction being the plate thickness direction. The first support portion 46 extends upward from the left end of the left fixing piece 42 and is positioned on the rear side of the inclined wall 20B of the case 20. The left end of the aforementioned connecting portion 44 is connected to the middle of the right side of the first support portion 46 in the front-rear direction. A first support hole 46A for the operating shaft (see Figure 8) is formed through the front end of the first support portion 46 in the left-right direction. In a side view, the first support hole 46A for the operating shaft is formed in a substantially C shape that opens upward diagonally forward. A circular first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft (see Figure 8) is formed through the rear end of the first support portion 46 in the left-right direction. A gear support shaft 46C is provided in the middle of the first support portion 46 in the front-rear direction. The gear support shaft 46C is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axial direction in the left-right direction and protrudes to the left from the first support portion 46.

[0022] The second support portion 48 constitutes the right end of the support member 40. The second support portion 48 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal plate shape with the left-right direction being the plate thickness direction. The second support portion 48 extends upward from the right end of the right fixing piece 42 and is positioned on the rear side of the inclined wall 20B of the case 20. The right end of the aforementioned connecting portion 44 is connected to the middle of the left side of the second support portion 48 in the front-rear direction. A second support hole 48A for the operating shaft (see Figures 8 and 9) is formed through the front end of the second support portion 48 in the left-right direction. The second support hole 48A for the operating shaft is formed in a substantially C shape that opens upward diagonally forward in a side view, similar to the first support hole 46A for the operating shaft. The diameter of the second support hole 48A for the operating shaft and the diameter of the first support hole 46A for the operating shaft are set to be the same, and the second support hole 48A for the operating shaft is positioned coaxially with the first support hole 46A for the operating shaft.

[0023] A circular support hole, a second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft (see Figures 8 and 9), is formed through the rear end of the second support portion 48 in the left-right direction. The diameter of the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft is set to be smaller than the diameter of the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft, and the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft is arranged coaxially with the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft. A communication groove 48C is formed above the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft at the rear end of the second support portion 48. The communication groove 48C extends vertically and penetrates vertically. As a result, the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft is opened upward by the communication groove 48C. The diameter of the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft is set to be larger than the groove width of the communication groove 48C.

[0024] At the rear end of the second support portion 48, a pair of front and rear engaging claws 48D are provided on both sides in the front-rear direction of the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft. The engaging claws 48D are formed in a substantially rectangular columnar shape, extend to the right from the second support portion 48, and are configured to be elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. At the tip of the engaging claws 48D, a claw portion 48E is provided that protrudes inward in the front-rear direction.

[0025] At the front of the second support portion 48, there is a cushion mechanism housing portion 48F, which serves as a housing for the cushion mechanism 80 described later. The cushion mechanism housing portion 48F is formed in a roughly box shape that opens upward and diagonally forward, and protrudes to the right from the second support portion 48. A support pin 48G (see Figure 6) is formed on the bottom wall of the cushion mechanism housing portion 48F, and the support pin 48G protrudes from the bottom wall toward the opening side of the cushion mechanism housing portion 48F.

[0026] (Regarding the operating axis 50) As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the operating shaft 50 is formed in a substantially stepped cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axial direction. Fitting shaft portions 50A are formed at both longitudinal ends of the operating shaft 50, and the diameter of the fitting shaft portions 50A is smaller than the diameter of the other parts of the operating shaft 50. The fitting shaft portions 50A are fitted into the first support hole 46A and the second support hole 48A for the operating shaft of the support member 40, and are rotatably supported in the first support hole 46A and the second support hole 48A for the operating shaft.

[0027] A first gear 52 is integrally provided at the left end (one end) of the operating shaft 50, on the left side (one side in the left-right direction) of the left-side fitting shaft portion 50A. A gear portion 52A, composed of multiple gear teeth, is provided on the outer circumference of the first gear 52. The gear portion 52A is formed around the entire circumference of the first gear 52, and the number of teeth of the gear portion 52A is set to 10.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 8, a rotating body 54 constituting a stop mechanism 80, described later, is provided at the right end (other end) of the operating shaft 50, on the right side (other side in the left-right direction) of the right-side fitting shaft portion 50A. The rotating body 54 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axis. Multiple (10 in this embodiment) protrusions 54A are formed on the outer circumference of the rotating body 54, and these multiple protrusions 54A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 54. As a result, the number of protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54 and the number of teeth on the first gear 52 are set to be the same.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, a dial knob 56 is provided as an operating knob on the radially outer side of the operating shaft 50 in the left-right intermediate portion. The dial knob 56 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axial direction. The operating shaft 50 is fitted into the dial knob 56, and the dial knob 56 is connected to the operating shaft 50 so as to be integrally rotatable. The dial knob 56 is positioned between the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48 of the support member 40, and is rotatably exposed to the outside of the operating device 10 through the lower notch 20C of the case 20 and the upper notch 22D of the panel 22. Furthermore, the regulating rib 44C of the upper connecting portion 44B of the support member 40 is positioned adjacent to the radially outer side of the dial knob 56 and is located diagonally below and behind the dial knob 56. As a result, if the dial knob 56 is pushed backward by the operator, causing the operating shaft 50 to bend and deform backward, the dial knob 56 will come into contact with the regulating rib 44C. Therefore, the regulating rib 44C is configured to suppress radial outward deformation of the operating shaft 50.

[0030] (Regarding the intermediate gear 60) As shown in Figures 2, 3, 7, and 8, the intermediate gear 60 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axial direction. The intermediate gear 60 is mounted on the gear support shaft 46C of the support member 40 and is rotatably supported on the gear support shaft 46C. That is, the intermediate gear 60 is located to the left of the first support portion 46 of the support member 40. The outer circumference of the intermediate gear 60 is provided with a gear portion 60A composed of multiple gear teeth, and the gear portion 60A is formed over the entire circumference of the intermediate gear 60. The gear portion 60A meshes with the gear portion 52A of the first gear 52 on the operating shaft 50.

[0031] (Regarding the rotation axis 70) As shown in Figures 2 to 8, the rotating shaft 70 is formed in a substantially stepped cylindrical shape with the left-right direction as its axial direction. The diameter of the rotating shaft 70 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft in the support member 40. A first support shaft portion 71 is provided at the left end of the rotating shaft 70. The first support shaft portion 71 is inserted from the right side into the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft of the first support portion 46 and is rotatably supported in the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft. A flange portion 71A is formed at the right end of the outer circumference of the first support shaft portion 71, protruding radially outward. The flange portion 71A is positioned adjacent to the right side of the first support portion 46 of the support member 40. As a result, the movement of the rotating shaft 70 to the left is restricted by the flange portion 71A.

[0032] A second support shaft portion 72 is provided at the right end of the rotating shaft 70, serving as a support shaft portion. The second support shaft portion 72 is inserted from the right side into the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft of the second support portion 48, and is rotatably supported in the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft. As a result, the rotating shaft 70 is rotatably connected to the support member 40 at the rear side of the operating shaft 50.

[0033] On the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 70, a pair of front and rear stepped portions 70A are formed on the left side of the second support shaft portion 72. In a plan view, the stepped portions 70A are formed in a concave shape that opens outward in the front-rear direction. The portion of the rotating shaft 70 in which the stepped portions 70A are formed is designated as the insertion shaft portion 70B. The front-rear dimension of the insertion shaft portion 70B is set to be smaller than the groove width of the communication groove 48C of the support member 40, so that the insertion shaft portion 70B can be inserted into the communication groove 48C. As a result, when assembling the rotating shaft 70 to the support member 40, the insertion shaft portion 70B is inserted from the communication groove 48C into the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft (as shown in Figure 9, which will be referred to as the initial assembly state below). Then, by sliding the rotating shaft 70 to the left from the initial assembly state, the first support shaft portion 71 is inserted into the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft of the first support portion 46, and the second support shaft portion 72 is inserted into the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft of the second support portion 48.

[0034] A second gear 73 is provided at the left end of the rotating shaft 70, on the left side of the first support shaft portion 71, so as to be rotatable as an integral part. A gear portion 73A, composed of multiple gear teeth, is provided on the outer circumference of the second gear 73. The gear portion 73A is formed around the entire circumference of the second gear 73, and the number of teeth of the gear portion 73A is set to 8. The gear portion 73A meshes with the gear portion 60A of the intermediate gear 60. As a result, when the operator rotates the dial knob 56, the rotating shaft 70 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the operating shaft 50.

[0035] An engagement shaft portion 74 is provided at the right end of the rotating shaft 70, protruding to the right from the second support shaft portion 72. The engagement shaft portion 74 has a larger diameter than the second support shaft portion 72 and is positioned adjacent to the right side of the second support portion 48 of the support member 40. The engagement claw 48D of the support member 40, as described above, is positioned close to the outer side of the engagement shaft portion 74 in the front-rear direction. A pair of front-rear guide grooves 74A (see Figure 9) are formed on the outer circumference of the left side of the engagement shaft portion 74. The guide grooves 74A are open to the radially outward and left side of the engagement shaft portion 74. The groove width dimension (vertical dimension) of the guide grooves 74A is set to be slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the engagement claw 48D, and the claw portion 48E of the engagement claw 48D is configured to be insertable into the guide grooves 74A.

[0036] Here, when the rotating shaft 70 slides to the left from its initial assembled state, the claw portion 48E of the engaging claw 48D is inserted into the guide groove 74A, and the claw portion 48E and the guide groove 74A engage in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 70. This configuration restricts the relative rotation of the rotating shaft 70 with respect to the support member 40. In other words, the assembled position of the rotating shaft 70 is determined. Furthermore, when the rotating shaft 70 is slid further to the left from the state in which the claw portion 48E is inserted into the guide groove 74A, the engaging claw 48D elastically deforms in the front-rear direction, causing the engaging shaft portion 74 to snap-fit ​​into place between the pair of engaging claws 48D. Specifically, the claw portion 48E is positioned adjacent to the right side of the outer circumference of the engaging shaft portion 74, and the claw portion 48E and the engaging shaft portion 74 engage in the left-right direction. This configuration restricts the movement of the rotating shaft 70 to the right by the engaging claw 48D.

[0037] A connecting shaft portion 75 is provided at the right end of the rotating shaft 70, protruding to the right from the engaging shaft portion 74. The connecting shaft portion 75 has a smaller diameter than the engaging shaft portion 74. A rotating plate 76, which is the part to be detected, is provided at the right end of the connecting shaft portion 75. The rotating plate 76 is formed in a disc shape with the left-right direction being the thickness direction. The rotating plate 76 is housed in the second cylindrical portion 20G of the case 20 and is positioned to the right of the stopper mechanism housing portion 48F of the support member 40. In a side view, the diameter of the rotating plate 76 is set so that the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76 overlaps with the stopper mechanism housing portion 48F (more specifically, the slider 82 of the stopper mechanism 80, which will be described later).

[0038] Multiple (four in this embodiment) slit portions 76A are formed on the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76. The slit portions 76A are formed in a substantially fan-shaped concave form that opens radially outward from the rotating plate 76 and are arranged at equal intervals (every 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 76. As a result, light-shielding portions 76B are provided on the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76 between adjacent slit portions 76A in the circumferential direction, and the slit portions 76A and light-shielding portions 76B are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 76. That is, four light-shielding portions 76B are formed on the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76, the same number as the slit portions 76A. Therefore, in the rotating shaft 70, the number of teeth of the second gear 73 and the total number of slit portions 76A and light-shielding portions 76B on the rotating plate 76 are set to be the same. In the rotating plate 76, the width dimension of the slit portion 76A is set such that the length of the slit portion 76A and the length of the light-shielding portion 76B are the same in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 76. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled to the support member 40 such that the light-shielding portion 76B protrudes outward in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to the rotating shaft 70 (as shown in Figure 6, and hereafter this assembled state of the rotating plate 76 will be referred to as the first assembled state).

[0039] (Regarding the moderation mechanism 80) As shown in Figure 6, the shibari mechanism 80 is composed of a rotating body 54 provided at the right end of the aforementioned operating shaft 50, a slider 82 as a shibari member, and a shibari spring 84 as a biasing member. The rotating body 54 is located on the opening side of the shibari mechanism housing 48F of the support member 40. The slider 82 is housed in the shibari mechanism housing 48F and is positioned radially outward of the rotating body 54. More specifically, the slider 82 is housed in the shibari mechanism housing 48F so as to be movable in the direction toward and toward the rotating body 54. The slider 82 is formed in a substantially U-shaped block that opens radially outward of the rotating body 54. A shibari projection 82A is provided on the top wall of the slider 82 (the wall portion facing the rotating body 54) as a contact portion. The shibari projection 82A protrudes from the top wall of the slider 82 toward the rotating body 54 and is formed in a substantially semicircular shape in side view. The nodal projection 82A is positioned between adjacent convex portions 54A in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 54. A support pin 82B is provided on the top wall of the slider 82, projecting away from the rotating body 54.

[0040] The detent spring 84 is a compression coil spring. The detent spring 84 is located inside the slider 82. One end of the detent spring 84 is locked to the support pin 48G of the detent mechanism housing 48F, and the other end of the detent spring 84 is locked to the support pin 82B of the slider 82, so that the detent spring 84 biases the slider 82 toward the rotating body 54. As a result, the detent projection 82A contacts the outer circumference of the rotating body 54, and the rotating body 54 (operating shaft 50 and dial knob 56) is held in the initial rotation position shown in Figure 6. When the operating shaft 50 rotates, the detent projection 82A overcomes the protrusion 54A of the rotating body 54, so that the dial knob 56 is held in a predetermined rotation position by the detent mechanism 80, and a detent sensation is given to the dial knob 56. In this embodiment, since the number of protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54 is 10, 10 rotational positions are set for each rotation of the dial knob 56.

[0041] (Regarding holder 90) As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the holder 90 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape that is open to the bottom and front. The holder 90 is assembled to the case 20 between the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48 of the support member 40, and covers the longitudinal middle portion of the rotating shaft 70 from above. At the rear of the holder 90, a pair of left and right holder cylindrical portions 90A are formed at a position corresponding to the light source hole portion 20E of the case 20. The holder cylindrical portions 90A are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and are located behind the first cylindrical portion 20F of the case 20. The front wall of the holder cylindrical portion 90A is inclined towards the rear as it is directed downwards, and the left and right side walls of the holder cylindrical portion 90A are inclined in a direction that brings them closer to each other as they are directed downwards.

[0042] A light guide lens 92 is integrally provided at the front end of the upper wall of the holder 90, serving as a light guide. The light guide lens 92 is made of a light-transmitting material and extends in the left-right direction. The light guide lens 92 is positioned between the edge of the upper notch 22D of the panel 22 and the connecting portion 44 of the support member 40, and is located on the rear side of the upper part of the dial knob 56 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0043] (Regarding circuit board 100) As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the substrate 100 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction being the thickness direction and the horizontal direction being the longitudinal direction. The substrate 100 is housed in the substrate housing section 20A of the case 20 and fixed to the upper wall of the case 20. A photointerrupter 102, which serves as a detection unit, is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 100, and the photointerrupter 102 is housed in the sensor housing section 20H of the case 20. The photointerrupter 102 has a light-emitting unit (not shown) located on one side in the left-right direction of the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76 on the rotation axis 70, and a light-receiving unit (not shown) located on the other side in the left-right direction of the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76. The light-emitting unit irradiates light toward the light-receiving unit, and the light-receiving unit receives the light that has passed through the slit section 76A of the rotating plate 76. As a result, the photointerrupter 102 detects the rotational position of the rotating plate 76 (rotation axis 70) and the dial knob 56 (operating axis 50). Specifically, the rotational position of the rotating plate 76 is detected in accordance with the switching of the slit portion 76A and the light-shielding portion 76B, which are located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion. Here, since four slit portions 76A and light-shielding portions 76B are formed on the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76, the number of rotational positions of the rotating plate 76 detected by the photointerrupter 102 per rotation of the rotating plate 76 is 8.

[0044] A pair of first light sources 104 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 100. The first light sources 104 are LEDs or the like and are located within the light source holes 20E of the case 20. The first light sources 104 are also located within the holder cylinder portion 90A of the holder 90 when viewed from above. The first light sources 104 direct the emitted light towards the illumination section 22E of the panel 22 (see arrow BM1 in Figure 5). As a result, the display section of the illumination section 22E of the panel 22 is illuminated by the first light sources 104.

[0045] A second light source 106 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 100, and the second light source 106 is an LED or the like. The second light source 106 is located inside the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 20F of the case 20. That is, the aforementioned light guide lens 92 and the second light source 106 are located in a plan view between the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48 of the support member 40, and also between the dial knob 56 and the rotating shaft 70. The second light source 106 directs the emitted light upwards. Specifically, the light emitted by the second light source 106 enters the light guide lens 92 of the holder 90 and is emitted forward from the light guide lens 92 (see arrow BM2 in Figure 4). As a result, the outer circumference of the dial knob 56 is illuminated by the light emitted from the light guide lens 92.

[0046] (Effects and Benefits) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be explained while describing the assembly procedure for the knob unit 30 in the operating device 10.

[0047] In the knob unit 30, the first step is to assemble the operating shaft 50 and the shim mechanism 80 to the support member 40. Specifically, the slider 82 and shim spring 84 of the shim mechanism 80 are housed in the shim mechanism housing portion 48F of the support member 40. The operating shaft 50, which is positioned diagonally upward and forward relative to the support member 40, is then moved diagonally downward and backward, and the fitting shaft portion 50A of the operating shaft 50 is fitted into the first support hole 46A and the second support hole 48A for the operating shaft of the support member 40. This completes the assembly of the operating shaft 50 and the shim mechanism 80 to the support member 40. In the assembled state of the operating shaft 50 to the support member 40, the shim projection 82A of the slider 82 of the shim mechanism 80 is positioned between adjacent protrusions 54A of the rotating body 54. As a result, the operating shaft 50 is positioned at its initial rotation position, and the relative rotation of the operating shaft 50 with respect to the support member 40 is restricted.

[0048] Next, the intermediate gear 60 is assembled to the gear support shaft 46C of the support member 40 from the left side, and the gear portion 60A of the intermediate gear 60 is meshed with the gear portion 52A of the first gear 52.

[0049] Next, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled to the support member 40. Specifically, the insertion shaft portion 70B of the rotating shaft 70 is inserted from above into the communication groove 48C of the support member 40 to bring the rotating shaft 70 to its initial assembly state. The rotating shaft 70 in its initial assembly state is slid to the left, and the first support shaft portion 71 is inserted from the right into the first support hole 46B for the rotating shaft of the first support portion 46, and the second support shaft portion 72 is inserted from the right into the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft of the second support portion 48. Also, when the rotating shaft 70 is slid to the left, the claw portion 48E of the engaging claw 48D of the support member 40 is inserted into the guide groove 74A of the rotating shaft 70, and the claw portion 48E and the guide groove 74A engage in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 70. As a result, the rotating shaft 70 is positioned in the direction in which the rotating plate 76 is in the first assembly state. In this state, the rotating shaft 70 is slid further to the left, and the gear portion 73A of the second gear 73 engages with the gear portion 60A of the intermediate gear 60, thereby assembling the rotating shaft 70 so that the rotating plate 76 is in the first assembled state. With this, the assembly of the knob unit 30 is completed.

[0050] Here, in the knob unit 30, the number of teeth of the first gear 52 on the operating shaft 50 is the same as the number of protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54. Also, on the rotating shaft 70, the number of teeth of the second gear 73 is the same as the total number of slits 76A and light-shielding parts 76B on the rotating plate 76. That is, the number of teeth of the second gear 73 is the same as the number of detections that the photointerrupter 102 detects per rotation of the rotating plate 76. As a result, the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70 can be assembled to the support member 40 without using jigs or the like to determine the assembly position of the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the operating device 10 can be improved. This point will be explained below.

[0051] As described above, in the knob unit 30, the number of teeth (10) of the first gear 52 on the operating shaft 50 is the same as the number of protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54 (10). Therefore, the angle between adjacent gear teeth on the first gear 52 (36 degrees) and the angle between adjacent protrusions 54A on the rotating body 54 (36 degrees) are the same. Consequently, at the initial rotation position of the operating shaft 50, the state of the second gear 73 as viewed from the left is always as shown in Figure 7. That is, even when the operating shaft 50 is rotated from the initial rotation position to a predetermined rotation position by the operation of the locking mechanism 80, the state of the second gear 73 as viewed from the left is always as shown in Figure 7. Therefore, by meshing the intermediate gear 60 with the first gear 52 in this state, the state of the intermediate gear 60 as viewed from the left is also always as shown in Figure 7.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, in the knob unit 30, the number of teeth of the second gear (8) is the same as the total number of slits 76A and light-shielding parts 76B in the rotating plate 76 (8). Therefore, the angle between adjacent gear teeth in the second gear 73 is 45 degrees. For this reason, when the rotating shaft 70 is rotated by one tooth of the second gear 73, the rotating plate 76 is rotated 45 degrees from the first assembled state (as shown in Figure 10, and hereafter referred to as the second assembled state). Also, when the rotating shaft 70 is rotated further by one tooth of the second gear 73, the rotating plate 76 rotates 45 degrees from the second assembled state and returns to the first assembled state. In other words, when the second gear 73 meshes with the intermediate gear 60, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled so that the rotating plate 76 is in either the first assembled state or the second assembled state.

[0053] The photointerrupter 102 then detects the rotational position of the rotating plate 76 in accordance with the switching of the slit portion 76A and the light-shielding portion 76B, which are positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion. Therefore, regardless of whether the rotating plate 76 is rotating from the first assembly state or the second assembly state, the rotation angle at which the photointerrupter 102 detects the switching of the slit portion 76A and the light-shielding portion 76B will be the same. Thus, even if the rotating shaft 70 is assembled so that the rotating plate 76 is in the second assembly state, the rotational position of the rotating shaft 70 and the operating shaft 50 can be detected by the photointerrupter 102 in the same way as in the first assembly state of the rotating plate 76. As a result, the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70 can be assembled to the support member 40 without using jigs or the like to position the operating shaft 50 and the rotating shaft 70.

[0054] Furthermore, the first gear 52 is located at the left end of the operating shaft 50, and the rotating body 54 is located at the right end of the operating shaft 50. The second gear 73 is located at the left end of the rotating shaft 70, and the rotating plate 76 is located at the right end of the rotating shaft 70. The rotating plate 76 is positioned to the right of the stop mechanism 80, and when viewed from the left-right direction, the outer circumference of the rotating plate 76 overlaps with the slider 82 of the stop mechanism 80. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the positions of the rotating plate 76 and the stop mechanism 80 are aligned in the left-right direction, the diameter of the rotating plate 76 can be increased. This allows for an increase in the length of the slit portion 76A and the light-shielding portion 76B in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 76. Thus, the accuracy of the rotational position detection of the rotating plate 76 by the photointerrupter 102 can be increased.

[0055] Furthermore, the fitting shaft portion 50A of the operating shaft 50 and the first support shaft portion 71 of the rotating shaft 70 are rotatably supported on the first support portion 46 of the support member 40, and the intermediate gear 60 is rotatably supported on the gear support shaft 46C of the first support portion 46. In addition, the fitting shaft portion 50A of the operating shaft 50 and the second support shaft portion 72 of the rotating shaft 70 are rotatably supported on the second support portion 48 of the support member 40. The first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48 are connected by a connecting portion 44. Therefore, the operating shaft 50, the rotating shaft 70, and the intermediate gear 60 can be assembled onto a single support member 40 to unitize the knob unit 30.

[0056] Furthermore, the first gear 52, intermediate gear 60, and second gear 73 are positioned to the left of the first support section 46, the rotating body 54 and rotating plate 76 are positioned to the right of the second support section 48, and the dial knob 56 is positioned between the first support section 46 and the second support section 48. A light guide lens 92 is provided on the rear side of the dial knob 56, and a second light source 106 that irradiates light onto the light guide lens 92 is provided below the light guide lens 92. When viewed from above, the light guide lens 92 and the second light source 106 are positioned between the first support section 46 and the second support section 48, as well as between the dial knob 56 and the rotating shaft 70. This allows the illumination mechanism (light guide lens 92 and second light source 106) for illuminating the dial knob 56 to be mounted on the rear side of the dial knob 56 while suppressing interference between the illumination mechanism and the first gear 52, intermediate gear 60, second gear 73, rotating body 54, and rotating plate 76.

[0057] Furthermore, a regulating rib 44C is provided at the connecting portion 44 of the support member 40. The regulating rib 44C is positioned adjacent to the radially outer side of the dial knob 56 and is located diagonally below and behind the dial knob 56. As a result, if the dial knob 56 is pushed backward by the operator, causing the operating shaft 50 to bend and deform backward, the dial knob 56 will come into contact with the regulating rib 44C, and the radially outward deformation of the operating shaft 50 will be suppressed by the regulating rib 44C. Thus, the protective performance of the operating shaft 50 can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, the second support portion 48 of the support member 40 is provided with a shim mechanism housing portion 48F, and the slider 82 and shim spring 84 that constitute the shim mechanism 80 are housed in the shim mechanism housing portion 48F. This allows the shim mechanism 80 to be housed by utilizing the second support portion 48 that supports the right end of the operating shaft 50 and the right end of the rotating shaft 70, and also allows the shim mechanism 80 to be concentrated and arranged at the right end of the support member 40.

[0059] Furthermore, the rotating shaft 70 has a second support shaft portion 72 that is inserted from the right side into the second support hole 48B for the rotating shaft of the support member 40, and an engaging shaft portion 74 that is located to the right of the second support shaft portion 72. The support member 40 is also provided with an engaging claw 48D that is located on the front-rear outer side of the engaging shaft portion 74, and the engaging claw 48D has a claw portion 48E that is located adjacent to the right side of the outer circumference of the engaging shaft portion 74. In addition, a guide groove 74A is formed on the outer circumference of the left side of the engaging shaft portion 74, into which the claw portion 48E can be inserted, and when the claw portion 48E is inserted into the guide groove 74A, the relative rotation of the rotating shaft 70 with respect to the support member 40 is restricted. For this reason, when sliding the rotating shaft 70 in its initial assembled state to the left, the rotational position of the rotating shaft 70 can be determined by the claw portion 48E and the guide groove 74A. That is, the rotating shaft 70 can be assembled to the support member 40 while determining the position of the rotating shaft 70 so that the rotating plate 76 is in the first assembled state. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the rotating shaft 70 can be improved.

[0060] In the above description, the assembly procedure for the knob unit 30 involves assembling the operating shaft 50 and the tactile mechanism 80 to the support member 40, then assembling the intermediate gear 60 to the support member 40, and finally assembling the rotating shaft 70 to the support member 40. However, the assembly procedure for the knob unit 30 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the operating shaft 50 and the tactile mechanism 80 may be assembled to the support member 40, then the rotating shaft 70 may be assembled to the support member 40, and finally the intermediate gear 60 may be assembled to the support member 40. Alternatively, the rotating shaft 70 may be assembled to the support member 40, then the operating shaft 50 and the tactile mechanism 80 may be assembled to the support member 40, and finally the intermediate gear 60 may be assembled to the support member 40. In this case as well, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled to the support member 40 so that the rotating plate 76 is in the first or second assembled state.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the intermediate gear 60 is provided between the first gear 52 and the second gear 73, but the knob unit 30 may omit the intermediate gear 60, or it may be configured to have multiple intermediate gears between the first gear 52 and the second gear 73. If the intermediate gear 60 is omitted in the knob unit 30, the second gear 73 will mesh directly with the first gear 52. In this case, for example, the rotating shaft 70 may be positioned so that it extends to the left from the second gear 73, and the rotating plate 76 may be positioned at the left end of the rotating shaft 70. In both cases, whether the intermediate gear 60 is omitted in the knob unit 30 or the knob unit 30 has multiple intermediate gears, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled to the support member 40 so that the rotating plate 76 is in the first or second assembled state.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide groove 74A is formed on the rotating shaft 70, but the guide groove 74A may be omitted on the rotating shaft 70. Even in this case, the rotating shaft 70 is assembled to the support member 40 so that the rotating plate 76 is in the first or second assembled state.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first gear 52 and the rotating body 54 are integrally formed on the operating shaft 50. Alternatively, the first gear 52 and the rotating body 54 and the operating shaft 50 may be formed separately, and the first gear 52 and the rotating body 54 may be connected to the operating shaft 50 so as to be integrally rotatable.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second gear 73 is integrally formed with the rotating shaft 70. Alternatively, the second gear 73 and the rotating shaft 70 may be formed separately, and the second gear 73 may be connected to the rotating shaft 70 so as to be rotatable as an integral part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Operating device 40 Support member 44 Connecting part 44C Regulating Rib (Regulating Section) 46 1st support part 48 Second support part 48B Second support hole for rotating shaft (support hole) 48D engaging claw 48E Claw part 48F Control Mechanism Housing (Housing) 50 Operation axis 52 First gear 54. Solids of revolution 54A Protrusion 56 Dial knob (operating knob) 60 intermediate gear 70 Rotation axis 72 Second support shaft part (support shaft part) 73 Second gear 74 Engagement shaft part 74A Guide groove (groove section) 76 Rotating plate (detected part) 76A Slit section 76B Light shielding part 80 Moderation mechanism 82 Slider (adjustment member) 82A Moderation protrusion (contact part) 84. Adjustment spring (biasing member) 92 Light guide lens (light guide part) 102 Photointerrupter (detection unit) 106 Second light source (light source)

Claims

1. An operating shaft having an operating knob extending in a first direction and rotated by an operator located in the middle of its longitudinal direction, A first gear is provided on the aforementioned operating shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with it, A rotation axis extending in the first direction and positioned on one side of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the operating axis, A second gear is provided on the aforementioned rotating shaft so as to be integrally rotatable and is directly or indirectly meshed with the first gear, A detection unit is provided on the aforementioned rotating shaft so as to be rotatable integrally with it, A detection unit for detecting the rotational position of the part to be detected, A mechanism that provides a sense of control to the operating knob when the operating shaft is rotated, Equipped with, The aforementioned moderation mechanism is A rotating body is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the operating shaft and has a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction of the operating shaft on its outer circumference, A stopper member is provided on the radially outer side of the rotating body, configured to be movable in the radial direction of the rotating body, and has a contact portion positioned between adjacent protrusions, A biasing member that biases the aforementioned joint member toward the rotating body, It has, The number of teeth of the first gear and the number of protrusions are the same, An operating device in which the number of teeth of the second gear and the number of detections detected by the detection unit per rotation of the detected unit are the same.

2. The detected portion is a disc with the first direction as the thickness direction, and has a plurality of slit portions arranged in the rotational direction of the detected portion, and a plurality of light-shielding portions arranged between adjacent slit portions in the rotational direction. The detection unit is a photointerrupter, The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the number of teeth of the second gear is the same as the total number of teeth of the slit portion and the light-shielding portion.

3. The first gear is provided at one end of the operating shaft, and the rotating body is provided at the other end of the operating shaft. The second gear is provided at one end of the rotating shaft, and the detected part is provided at the other end of the rotating shaft. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the detected portion is positioned offset in the first direction from the stop mechanism, and the outer periphery of the detected portion overlaps the stop mechanism when viewed from the first direction.

4. The system includes a support member extending in the first direction, The aforementioned support member is A first support portion which constitutes one end of the support member in the first direction and rotatably supports one end of the operating shaft and the rotating shaft, A second support portion constitutes the other end of the support member in the first direction and rotatably supports the other end of the operating shaft and the rotation shaft, A connecting portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion, The operating device according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The first gear and the second gear are arranged on one side of the first support portion in the first direction. The rotating body and the detected part are arranged on the other side of the second support part in the first direction. The operating knob is positioned between the first support portion and the second support portion. A light guide is provided on one side of the operating knob in the second direction for illuminating the operating knob. A light source is provided on one side of the third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions with respect to the light guide portion, for irradiating the light guide portion with light. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein, when viewed from the third direction, the light guide and the light source are arranged between the first support and the second support and are located on the other side of the rotation axis in the second direction.

6. The operating knob is formed in a cylindrical shape with the first direction as its axial direction, The connecting portion is positioned radially outward of the operating knob. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion, and the operating knob contacts the restricting portion to restrict radial outward deformation of the operating shaft.

7. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein the second support portion is provided with a housing portion for housing the stopper mechanism.

8. The aforementioned rotating shaft is A support shaft portion is inserted into the support hole formed in the second support portion from the other side in the first direction and is supported by the support hole, An engagement shaft portion having a larger diameter than the support shaft portion is disposed on the other side of the support shaft portion in the first direction, It has, The second support portion is provided with an engaging claw positioned radially outward from the engaging shaft portion, and the engaging claw has a claw portion positioned adjacent to the other side of the engaging shaft portion in the first direction. The operating device according to claim 4, wherein a groove is formed in one side of the engagement shaft portion in the first direction, into which the claw portion can be inserted, and when the claw portion is inserted into the groove, the relative rotation of the rotating shaft with respect to the support member is restricted.

Images