Lever operation device

Abstract

To provide a lever operation device capable of improving water resistance and foreign matter resistance.SOLUTION: A lever operation device 1 includes a lever portion 3 that performs first rotation operation about a first shaft 410, a magnet 6 attached to the tip of the lever portion 3, a magnetic sensor 7 that detects the movement of the magnet 6 by the first rotation operation of the lever portion 3, and a housing 10 having a first space 11 in which the tip is attached, and a second space 12 that is isolated from the first space 11 and in which the magnetic sensor 7 is arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] As prior art, a lever switch is known that includes a lever that can be swung in a predetermined direction, a rotating body that rotates in response to operation of the lever, a magnet attached to the center of the rotating body, and a magnetic detection element that detects the magnetism of the magnet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lever is mounted between the upper and lower cases so that it can be swung back and forth and up and down from a middle position. A cover is attached to the upper case to cover the lower surface. A wiring board is mounted on the cover. A magnetic detection element is provided on the wiring board so as to face the magnet attached to the rotating body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-218067 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional lever switches, an opening through which the lever protrudes is provided between the upper and lower cases, which means that liquids such as water or conductive foreign matter can get into the switch through this opening, potentially causing the magnetic detection element to malfunction.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a lever operating device that can improve water resistance and foreign matter resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a lever operating device comprising a lever portion that undergoes a first rotational operation around a first axis, a magnet attached to a tip of the lever portion, a magnetic sensor that detects movement of the magnet due to the first rotational operation of the lever portion, and a housing having a first space in which the tip portion is attached, and a second space isolated from the first space in which the magnetic sensor is disposed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve water resistance and resistance to foreign matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram of the steering wheel and its periphery of a vehicle equipped with an example of a lever operation device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of the lever operation device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(a) is an example of a front view of the lever operating device according to the embodiment, FIG. 2(b) is an example of a top view, and FIG. 2(c) is an example of a rear view. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the lever operating device according to the embodiment when the left front cover is removed, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the lever operating device according to the embodiment when the second bracket is further removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of a lever operating device according to an embodiment when a left rear cover is removed, and FIG. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line IV(b)-IV(b) in FIG. 3(a). [Diagram 5] FIG. 5(a) is an example of a view before the lever body of the lever operating device of the embodiment is inserted into the bracket portion, and FIG. 5(b) is an example of a view after the lever body has been inserted into the bracket portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of rotation of a magnet around a first axis of a lever operating device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of rotation of a magnet around a second axis. [Figure 7]FIG. 7(a) shows an example of a tip portion of a lever portion of a lever operating device according to a modified example, and FIG. 7(b) shows an example of a moderation portion of the lever operating device according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The lever operating device of the embodiment is generally configured to include a lever portion that undergoes a first rotational operation around a first axis, a magnet attached to the tip of the lever portion, a magnetic sensor that detects movement of the magnet due to the first rotational operation of the lever portion, and a housing having a first space in which the tip portion is attached, and a second space isolated from the first space in which the magnetic sensor is disposed.

[0011] This lever operating device separates the first space in which the tip of the lever portion is attached from the second space in which the magnetic sensor is located. Therefore, compared to when the magnetic sensor is located in the same space as the tip, liquids or foreign objects that enter through the opening where the lever portion is exposed do not adhere directly to the magnetic sensor and cause malfunctions, thereby improving water resistance and foreign object resistance.

[0012] [Embodiment Mode] (Outline of lever operation device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a lever operation device arranged in a vehicle, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of a lever operation device. In each of the figures relating to the embodiments described below, the ratio between figures may differ from the actual ratio. Also, in FIG. 1(b), arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information. Below, an overview of the lever operation device 1 of this embodiment will be described with the reference numerals in parentheses that are attached to the drawings described later.

[0013] The lever operating device 1 is generally configured to include a lever portion (3) that undergoes a first rotation operation around a first axis (410), a magnet (6) attached to the tip of the lever portion (3), a magnetic sensor (7) that detects the movement of the magnet (6) due to the first rotation operation of the lever portion (3), and a housing (10) having a first space (11) in which the tip is attached, and a second space (12) isolated from the first space (11) and in which the magnetic sensor (7) is disposed.

[0014] The lever operation device 1 has a determination unit that determines the operation of the lever portion (3) based on the detection of the movement of the magnet (6) by the magnetic sensor (7). The housing (10) has a third space (13) that is different from the second space (12) and is isolated from the first space (11). The determination unit is disposed in this third space (13). The determination unit is the control unit 8 described later.

[0015] In the lever operation device 1, the magnetic sensor (7) arranged in the second space (12) and the determination unit arranged in the third space (13) are electrically connected via a cable (17).

[0016] The housing (10) has openings (105a and 106a) through which the lever portion (3) protrudes. The first space (11) has drain holes (105b and 106b) that drain liquid that has entered through the openings (105a and 106a) to the outside of the housing (10).

[0017] The lever portion (3) includes a lever body (30), a first bracket (41) in which the lever body (30) is attached and in which a first axis (410) is provided, and a bracket portion (4) as a tip portion having a second bracket (42) in which the first bracket (41) is attached and a second axis (420) which serves as an axis for a second rotation operation in a direction intersecting with the first rotation operation. The first bracket (41) has a magnet (6). The magnetic sensor (7) detects the movement of the magnet (6) due to the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation of the lever portion (3).

[0018] The housing (10) is mounted on a vehicle (9) and has a first space (11) and a second space (12) on the left and right sides of a steering shaft (93) of the vehicle (9). The lever portion (3) and the magnetic sensor (7) are disposed in the first space (11) and the second space (12) on the left and right sides, respectively.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the lever operation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle 9. The lever operation device 1 of this embodiment includes a lever operation unit 2a and a lever operation unit 2b on either side of a steering shaft 93, but is not limited to this, and there may be one lever operation unit or three or more lever operation units. The lever operation unit 2a and the lever operation unit 2b are roughly configured to include a lever portion 3, a bracket portion 4, a moderation portion 5, a magnet 6, and a magnetic sensor 7, which will be described later.

[0020] In the lever operation device 1 of this embodiment, as an example, the left lever operation unit 2a is a turn operation unit that operates a direction indicator and a headlight, and the right lever operation unit 2b is a shift operation unit that operates a shift device. As an example, the shift device switches the connection state of the gears of the transmission of the vehicle 9 according to the operation position of the shift operation unit, such as a parking position, a drive position, or a neutral position.

[0021] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, left and right refer to left and right as seen by a driver seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle 9, up and down refer to up and down as seen by the driver, and front and rear refer to front and rear of the vehicle 9. In addition, the lever operation device 1 has at least one of the functions of operating a turn signal, a headlight, a shift device, a wiper device, etc., assigned to the lever operation unit 2a and the lever operation unit 2b. Next, a specific configuration of the lever operation device 1 will be described below.

[0022] (Configuration of the housing 10) Fig. 2(a) is an example of a front view of the lever operating device, Fig. 2(b) is an example of a top view, and Fig. 2(c) is an example of a rear view. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the lever operating device with the left front cover removed, and Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the lever operating device with the second bracket removed. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of the lever operating device with the left rear cover removed, and Fig. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along line IV(b)-IV(b) in Fig. 3(a).

[0023] 2(a) to 2(c), the housing 10 is made of a resin material and has a cylindrical shape, for example. The housing 10 has an insertion hole 107 in the center. The insertion hole 107 is surrounded by a circular wall portion 14, and the steering shaft 93 is inserted into the insertion hole 107.

[0024] 1(a), in the lever operating device 1, a steering shaft 93 is inserted into an insertion hole 107 in a housing 10, and a base 91 of a steering wheel 90 is attached to the steering shaft 93 protruding from the insertion hole 107. The lever operating device 1 of this embodiment is configured not to rotate following the steering wheel 90.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the housing 10 has a shape with the upper part cut out on the front side. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the housing 10 has a shape with the upper part cut out, so that the visible area 94 between the upper part of the base part 91 of the steering wheel 90 and the ring part 92 is widened, and the meter panel 95 on which the speedometer and the like are arranged can be enlarged to improve visibility. This visible area 94 is the area surrounded by the dotted line in Fig. 1(a), and is the area surrounded by the upper part of the base part 91 of the steering wheel 90 and the ring part 92.

[0026] 2(a), a left cover 102a, a right cover 103a, and a bottom cover 104 made of a resin material are attached to the front surface 100 side of the housing 10, i.e., the driver's side. The left cover 102a and the right cover 103a have a shape like a circle with an insertion hole 107, with the top of the upper half and a part of the center of the top cut out and then further divided into two. The bottom cover 104 has a shape like the lower half of the circle.

[0027] When the housing 10 side is considered to be the lower part, the left front cover 102a covers the upper part of the first space 11 in which the left lever operation unit 2a is disposed. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2(a), this first space 11 is a space surrounded by the housing 10 and the left front cover 102a, and is connected to the outside of the housing 10 via an opening 105a for allowing the lever main body 30 to protrude outside the housing 10.

[0028] When the housing 10 side is considered to be the lower part, the right front cover 103a covers the upper part of the first space 11 in which the right lever operation unit 2b is disposed. As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2(a), this first space 11 is a space surrounded by the housing 10 and the right front cover 103a, and is connected to the outside of the housing 10 via an opening 106a for allowing the lever main body 30 to protrude outside the housing 10.

[0029] When the housing 10 side is considered to be the lower part, the lower cover 104 covers the upper part of the third space 13. As shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2(a), the third space 13 is a space surrounded by the housing 10 and the lower cover 104. The housing 10 corresponding to this third space 13 is provided with a connector opening 131 and a connector opening 132 penetrating to the back surface 101, as shown in Fig. 2(c).

[0030] The connector portion 108a is disposed in the connector opening 131. The connector portion 108b is disposed in the connector opening 132. The connector portion 108a and the connector portion 108b are provided on the substrate 16 disposed on the bottom surface 130 of the third space 13, and are connected to a connector of the harness of the vehicle 9.

[0031] 2(c), the housing 10 has second spaces 12 on the left and right sides of the insertion hole 107 on the back surface 101. When the housing 10 side is the lower part, the left second space 12 has a left rear cover 102b made of a resin material attached to the upper part. When the housing 10 side is the lower part, the right second space 12 has a right rear cover 103b made of a resin material attached to the upper part.

[0032] The first space 11 on the left side in which the lever operating unit 2a is arranged has a discharge hole 105b for discharging liquid or foreign matter that has entered through the opening 105a to the outside of the housing 10, as shown in Figures 2(c) and 4(a).

[0033] 4(a), this discharge hole 105b is connected to a discharge groove 105c formed on the back surface 101 side of the housing 10. In addition, the discharge groove 105c is formed by the circular wall portion 14 forming the insertion hole 107 and a groove wall portion 105d provided along the discharge groove 105c, and prevents liquid or foreign matter from entering the second space 12 on the left side.

[0034] Further, the first space 11 on the right side in which the lever operation unit 2b is disposed has a discharge hole 106b for discharging liquid or foreign matter that has entered through the opening 106a to the outside of the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0035] This discharge hole 106b is connected to a discharge groove 106c formed on the rear surface 101 side of the housing 10. Similarly to the discharge hole 105b, the discharge hole 106b is formed by the circular wall portion 14 and a groove wall portion 106d obtained by inverting the groove wall portion 105d on the left side, and prevents liquid or foreign matter from entering the inside of the second space 12 on the right side. In FIG. 4(a), the reference symbol "106d" for the groove wall portion obtained by inverting the groove wall portion 105d is enclosed in parentheses.

[0036] The second space 12 on the left side is a space surrounded by the housing 10 and the left rear cover 102b, and is isolated from the discharge groove 105c by the groove wall portion 105d. Similarly, the second space 12 on the right side is a space surrounded by the housing 10 and the right rear cover 103b, and is isolated from the discharge groove 106c by the groove wall portion 106d.

[0037] In the case of the left-side lever operation unit 2a, as shown in Figures 2(c) and 3(b), liquids and foreign matter enter the first space 11 through the opening 105a, flow due to gravity along the partition 111 separating the first space 11 and the third space 13, enter the drain hole 105b, and are discharged via the drain path 109a that flows along the drain groove 105c on the back surface 101 of the housing 10.

[0038] In the case of the right-side lever operation unit 2b, as shown in FIG. 2(c), liquid or foreign matter enters the first space 11 through the opening 106a, travels by gravity along the partition 111 separating the first space 11 and the third space 13, enters the drain hole 106b, and is then drained via the drain path 109b that travels along the drain groove 106c on the rear surface 101 of the housing 10.

[0039] Partition walls 111 that form discharge paths 109a and 109b are inclined toward discharge holes 105b and 106b so as to guide liquid and foreign matter to discharge holes 105b and 106b.

[0040] These discharge paths 109a and 109b do not pass through electronic circuits such as the magnetic sensor 7 and the control unit 8. Therefore, the lever operation device 1 can prevent failures due to the intrusion of liquid or foreign matter.

[0041] The third space 13 is isolated from the first space 11 as shown in Fig. 4(b). However, the third space 13 is connected to the second space 12 via a connector opening 122 provided in the second space 12 as shown in Fig. 4(a).

[0042] A connector portion 108c is disposed in this connector opening 122. This connector portion 108c is connected to the magnetic sensor 7 via a cable 17. The connector portion 108c is provided on a substrate 16. On this substrate 16, a control unit 8 is disposed.

[0043] Therefore, in the lever operation device 1, the magnetic sensor 7 arranged in the second space 12 and the control unit 8 arranged in the third space 13 are electrically connected via a cable 17. The substrate 16 is, for example, a printed wiring board. The cable 17 is, for example, a flat cable.

[0044] The left and right first space 11 and second space 12 have shapes that are inverted from left to right, so the following description will mainly focus on the left first space 11 and second space 12.

[0045] (Configuration of lever section 3) Fig. 5(a) is an example of a view before the lever body is inserted into the bracket part, and Fig. 5(b) is an example of a view after the lever body is inserted into the bracket part. In Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b), the bracket part 4 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0046] 5(a) and 5(b), the lever portion 3 has a lever body 30 and a bracket portion 4 attached to the lever body 30. The specific configuration of the bracket portion 4 will be described later.

[0047] The lever body 30 is made of a resin material, protrudes from the housing 10, and has a gripping portion 300 that is gripped by the user, and an insertion portion 301 that is inserted into the bracket portion 4.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the gripping part 300 can be operated in the up-down direction (the directions of arrows A and B) and the front-back direction (the directions of arrows C and D). The operation in the up-down direction is a second rotation operation with the second shaft 420 as the rotation axis. The operation in the front-back direction is a first rotation operation with the first shaft 410 as the rotation axis.

[0049] The first rotation operation and the second rotation operation have directions perpendicular to each other, that is, the first axis 410 that is the rotation axis of the first rotation operation and the second axis 420 that is the rotation axis of the second rotation operation are perpendicular to each other, but are not limited to this.

[0050] The lever operation unit 2a in this embodiment is capable of operating functions such as turn signal functions, so that an upward operation turns on the right turn signal of the vehicle 9, a downward operation turns on the left turn signal, a forward operation switches the headlights to high beam, and a backward operation turns on the high beam of the headlights for the duration of the operation.

[0051] In other words, when the user operates the lever body 30 of the lever operation unit 2a upward, the right turn signal turns on, when it is operated downward, the left turn signal turns on, when it is operated in a pushing direction, the headlights switch from low beam to high beam, and when it is operated toward the user, the headlights switch from low beam to high beam only while the lever is being operated.

[0052] 5(a) and 5(b), the insertion part 301 has a substantially rectangular prism shape. The insertion part 301 has an end part 302 in which the width of an upper surface 301a is narrower than that of the grip part 300 side.

[0053] 5(a) and 5(b), end portion 302 is provided with contact surface 303 that is inclined from side surface 301b. Due to contact surface 303, the width from side surface 301b on the grip portion 300 side to side surface 301c of insertion portion 301 is wider than the width from side surface 301b on the end portion 302 side to side surface 301c.

[0054] The insertion portion 301 has claw portions 304 provided on side surfaces 301b and 301c. When the lever body 30 is inserted into the first bracket 41, the claw portions 304 come into contact with a stopper 411a provided in an insertion opening 411 of the first bracket 41.

[0055] 5(a) and 5(b), the insertion portion 301 has a protrusion 313 protruding from an upper surface 301a. This protrusion 313 fits into a fitting portion 413 of the first bracket 41 to integrate the first bracket 41 and the insertion portion 301.

[0056] (Configuration of bracket part 4) FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of rotation of a magnet around a first axis, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of rotation of a magnet around a second axis.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5(b) and 6(a), the first bracket 41 is made of a resin material and rotates together with the magnet 6 relative to the housing 10 by a first rotation operation about a first shaft 410. The second bracket 42 is made of a resin material and rotates together with the first bracket 41 and the magnet 6 relative to the housing 10 by a second rotation operation about a second shaft 420.

[0058] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), this first bracket 41 has an insertion opening 411 into which the lever body 30 is inserted, a moderation insertion portion 412 having a through hole 412a communicating with the insertion opening 411, an engagement portion 413 that engages with the protrusion portion 313 of the lever body 30, and a holding portion 414 that holds the magnet 6.

[0059] The first shaft 410 is provided on the side surface 410b and the side surface 410c. The first shaft 410 is inserted into a recess 421a formed in the receiving opening 421 of the second bracket .

[0060] The insertion opening 411 is an opening into which the lever body 30 is inserted, and is wide at the entrance and narrow at the back.

[0061] The moderation insertion portion 412 is provided on the upper side surface 410b of the first bracket 41. This moderation insertion portion 412 is offset from the insertion direction (arrow E direction) of the lever main body 30. Specifically, the through hole 412a is not formed in the extension direction of the insertion portion 301 of the lever main body 30 inserted into the first bracket 41, that is, in the extension direction of the insertion opening 411 of the bracket part 4. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the magnet 6 and the magnetic sensor 7 are arranged in this extension direction.

[0062] The through hole 412a is provided in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction (arrow E direction) in which the lever body 30 is inserted. Specifically, the through hole 412a includes a center line L2 of the hole within an expanded surface 42b obtained by expanding a surface 42a described by a rotation of the center line L1 shown in FIG. 6(b) about the second shaft 420.

[0063] 5(a) and 5(b), the insertion opening 411 has a stopper 411b that prevents the inserted moderation part 5 from moving too far toward the insertion opening 411. The stopper 411b is provided so as not to come into contact with the contact surface 303.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 5(b), the center line L1 is the center line of the insertion portion 301 of the lever portion 3. In other words, the center line L1 is the insertion direction of the lever body 30. The expansion surface 42b has a shape as viewed from the side in Fig. 6(a), so it overlaps with the center line L1. Therefore, the center line L2 of the through hole 412a shown in Fig. 6(b) overlaps with the center line L1 in Fig. 6(a).

[0065] 6(b) is a straight line passing through the second axis 420. Therefore, the through hole 412a is provided such that the center line L1 rotated around the second axis 420 becomes the center line L2. Note that the center line L2 of the through hole 412a is not limited to a straight line passing through the second axis 420, and may be a straight line intersecting with the expansion surface 42b.

[0066] 3(b), the fitting portion 413 is provided on the upper surface 410a. Grooves 413b are formed on the tip surface 413a and both side surfaces of the fitting portion 413, and the fitting portion 413 is further bent into the insertion opening 411. The groove 413b on the tip surface 413a side has a shape that fits with the protrusion 313 of the lever main body 30. The first bracket 41 and the lever main body 30 are integrated by fitting the protrusion 313 into the groove 413b.

[0067] The holding portion 414 is provided as a claw for holding the magnet 6 inserted into a recess 415 that is open on the upper surface 410a side. As shown in FIG. 5(b), this recess 415 is provided beyond the tip of the insertion opening 411 into which the lever body 30 is inserted.

[0068] The tip surface 410d of the first bracket 41 is curved in response to the rotation of the second axis 420 of the lever body 30 in order to shorten the distance between the magnet 6 and the magnetic sensor 7, and faces the side portion 121b of the protrusion 121 on which the magnetic sensor 7 is arranged.

[0069] The second bracket 42 has a cancel mechanism 43 on the upper surface 420a. This cancel mechanism 43 is a mechanism for returning the state in which the lever body 30 is held in the vertical direction to the state before operation, that is, the state before operation by operating the steering wheel 90. Note that the cancel mechanism 43 is not essential because it is a mechanism necessary, for example, when the operation of a direction indicator is assigned, and is not disposed in the right-side lever operation unit 2b.

[0070] 5(a) and 5(b), the second bracket 42 has an accommodation opening 421 into which the lever body 30 is inserted and which accommodates the first bracket 41 therein. The accommodation opening 421 holds the first bracket 41 rotatably.

[0071] The second bracket 42 is configured to be separable, for example. The first bracket 41 is placed on one of the separated second brackets 42, and then the other is assembled to attach the second bracket 42 to the first bracket 41.

[0072] After the second bracket 42 is attached to the first bracket 41, the lever operation unit 2a is arranged in the first space 11 with the detent part 5 set in the through hole 412a, and the lever body 30 is inserted with the left front cover 102a attached to the housing 10. At this time, the through hole 412a is provided with a stopper 411b, so that the detent part 5 is maintained in the set state.

[0073] The second shaft 420 is provided on the top surface 420a. The second shaft 420 is inserted into a recess formed in the bottom surface 110 of the housing 10 in the first space 11 and in the left front cover 102a.

[0074] Modification of bracket portion 4 FIG. 7(a) is an example of a modified example of the tip of the lever part. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a first shaft 310 is provided at the tip 31 of the lever part 3. The tip 31 is provided with a detent insertion part 311 on a side surface 310b. The detent insertion part 311 is provided with a detent opening 312 into which the detent part 5 is inserted. The tip 31 is provided with a recess 314 on an upper surface 310a in which the magnet 6 is disposed, and a holder 315 for holding the magnet 6 disposed in the recess 314. The first shaft 310 may be provided in a direction intersecting with the first shaft 310 shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0075] (Configuration of moderation unit 5) As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the moderation portion 5 is configured to include a moderation leading end portion 50, an elastic portion 51, and a moderation terminal end portion 52.

[0076] Specifically, the moderation portion 5 is provided on the lever portion 3 and has a moderation tip portion 50 that moves inclined from the direction in which the insertion portion 301 of the lever portion 3 is extended toward the direction of the first rotation operation and comes into contact with the moderation surface 150 of the moderation wall 15 arranged on the housing 10 to generate a moderation, and an elastic portion 51 that applies an elastic force to the moderation tip portion 50.

[0077] The detent portion 5 is inserted into the through hole 412 a , and the detent end portion 52 on the opposite side to the detent tip portion 50 is in contact with the contact surface 303 of the lever body 30 inserted into the insertion opening 411 of the first bracket 41 .

[0078] The moderation tip portion 50 has a cylindrical shape, and the radius on the moderation wall 15 side is smaller than that on the elastic portion 51 side. The portion of the moderation tip portion 50 that comes into contact with the moderation wall 15 is spherical. The moderation tip portion 50 has a recess 500 into which the elastic portion 51 is inserted. The moderation tip portion 50 is formed using a resin material, but may be made of a metal material.

[0079] The elastic portion 51 is, for example, a coil spring made of a metal material. The elastic portion 51 is provided between the detent tip portion 50 and the detent end portion 52. The elastic portion 51 is compressed from its natural length and disposed in the through hole 412a, so that an elastic force is applied to the detent tip portion 50 and the detent end portion 52. Therefore, the detent tip portion 50 is pressed against the detent surface 150 of the detent wall 15 by the elastic force of the elastic portion 51. And the detent end portion 52 is pressed against the lever body 30 by the elastic force of the elastic portion 51.

[0080] The detent end portion 52 has a cylindrical shape. The detent end portion 52 has a recess 520 into which the elastic portion 51 is inserted. The detent end portion 52 is made of a resin material, but may be made of a metal material.

[0081] Before the insertion of the lever body 30, the detent portion 5 is inserted into the through hole 412a so that the detent end portion 52 is exposed to the insertion opening 411, as shown in Fig. 5(a). At this time, the detent tip portion 50 is spaced away from the detent surface 150 so that the bracket portion 4 can be easily disposed in the first space 11, as shown in Fig. 5(a).

[0082] 5(b), when the lever body 30 is inserted into the insertion opening 411, the contact surface 303 of the lever body 30 comes into contact with the end surface 521 of the moderation end portion 52 and moves in the direction of the moderation surface 150. When the protrusion 313 of the lever body 30 is pushed in until it fits into the fitting portion 413 of the first bracket 41, the moderation portion 5 is pressed by the lever body 30, and the elastic portion 51 is compressed while pressing the moderation tip portion 50 against the moderation surface 150, completing the assembly of the lever body 30.

[0083] As a modified example, the lever body 30 may be provided with a protrusion that contacts the detent end portion 52 instead of the contact surface 303. This protrusion has a shape that protrudes in the direction of the through hole 412a when the lever body 30 is assembled to the bracket part 4.

[0084] The moderation wall 15 is disposed in the first space 11. The moderation wall 15 has a moderation surface 150 that comes into contact with the moderation tip portion 50 of the moderation portion 5. As shown in Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b), the moderation surface 150 has a reference recess 150a where the moderation tip portion 50 before operation is located, a first peak portion 150b, a first valley portion 150c, a second peak portion 150d, and a second valley portion 150e that generate moderation for the up-down operation of the lever body 30.

[0085] 5(a) and 5(b), the reference recess 150a is a V-shaped groove. The reference recess 150a is a groove with both ends inclined toward the bracket part 4 so that the elastic part 51 is compressed when operated in the directions of the arrows C and D. The reference recess 150a may have recesses formed at the ends of the groove so as to hold the operating position of the lever main body 30 in the direction of the arrow D.

[0086] The first peak 150b has a V-shaped convex shape. The first valley 150c is a V-shaped groove. The first valley 150c may have a recess formed at the end of the groove so as to hold the lever body 30 in the operating position in the direction of the arrow D.

[0087] When the lever body 30 is operated in the direction of the arrow A, the detent tip 50 moves from the reference recess 150a over the first peak 150b and fits into the first valley 150c. The detent tip 50 generates detent by passing over the first peak 150b and fitting into the first valley 150c.

[0088] The second peak 150d has a V-shaped convex shape. The second valley 150e is a V-shaped groove. The second valley 150e may have a recess formed at the end of the groove so as to hold the lever body 30 in the operating position in the direction of the arrow D.

[0089] When the lever body 30 is operated in the direction of the arrow B, the detent tip portion 50 moves from the reference recess 150a past the second peak portion 150d and fits into the second valley portion 150e. The detent tip portion 50 generates detent by passing over the second peak portion 150d and fitting into the second valley portion 150e.

[0090] Modification of the moderation part 5 Fig. 7(b) is an example of a modified moderation portion. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the moderation portion 5 may be composed of a moderation tip portion 50 and an elastic portion 51. In the moderation portion 5 of this modified example, the elastic portion 51 contacts the contact surface 303 of the lever body 30.

[0091] Moreover, the elastic portion 51 is a coil spring, but is not limited to this, and may be an elastic material such as synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, etc. Moreover, the moderation portion 5 may be formed by integrally forming the moderation tip portion 50, the elastic portion 51, and the moderation end portion 52 by two-color molding.

[0092] (Configuration of magnet 6) The magnet 6 is a permanent magnet such as a ferrite magnet or a neodymium magnet. The magnet 6 has a rectangular shape. As shown in Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b), the magnet 6 is magnetized with the north pole on the magnetic sensor 7 side and the south pole on the opposite side, for example. The magnetization direction of the magnet 6 is not limited as long as the magnetic sensor 7 can detect the magnetic field 60 that changes with the rotational operation of the lever body 30.

[0093] Since the moderation portion 5 of the magnet 6 is positioned offset from the magnetic sensor 7, the magnet 6 does not interfere with the moderation portion 5 even when it is positioned facing the magnetic sensor 7. Therefore, the magnet 6 is positioned facing the magnetic sensor 7 and can be positioned inside the first bracket 41 rather than on the surface thereof, so that the volume can be increased to generate a strong magnetic field 60, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor 7. Furthermore, since a large magnet can be used for the magnet 6, an inexpensive magnet such as a ferrite magnet can be used.

[0094] (Configuration of magnetic sensor 7) The magnetic sensor 7 is a sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field 60 accompanying the movement of the magnet 6 due to the first and second rotation operations of the lever portion 3. This magnetic sensor 7 is configured using a magnetic resistance sensor or a Hall sensor. As an example, the magnetic sensor 7 in this embodiment is a Hall sensor IC (=Integrated Circuit) that outputs an analog signal generated by detecting the movement of the magnet 6 as a digital signal. Note that the magnetic sensor 7 may be only a sensor.

[0095] 6(a) and 6(b), the magnetic sensor 7 detects the up, down, left and right movement of the magnet 6. The magnetic sensors 7 of the lever operation units 2a and 2b are connected to the control unit 8 as shown in FIG. 1(b), and output detection signals S1 and S2, which are digital signals based on the detection of the movement of the magnet 6.

[0096] 4(b), the magnetic sensor 7 is disposed in a second space 12 isolated from the first space 11. The fact that the first space 11 and the second space 12 are isolated means that they do not share a space.

[0097] The housing 10 is provided with a protruding portion 121 protruding from a bottom surface 120 of the first space 11. The protruding portion 121 has an internal space 121a in which the magnetic sensor 7 is disposed. The internal space 121a forms a part of the second space 12. The magnetic sensor 7 faces the magnet 6 via a side surface portion 121b of the protruding portion 121.

[0098] In the lever operating device 1, the moderation part 5, the magnet 6, and the magnetic sensor 7 are arranged above and below as seen by the user. Therefore, in the lever operating device 1, the magnet 6 can be arranged inside the first bracket 41 without interfering with the moderation part 5, and therefore it is possible to use an inexpensive magnet 6 capable of generating a necessary and sufficient magnetic field 60 while keeping the thickness of the first bracket 41 to a minimum, compared to when the magnet is arranged on the surface of the first bracket 41.

[0099] (Configuration of control unit 8) The control unit 8 is a microcomputer including a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) and a ROM (=Read Only Memory) that are semiconductor memories. For example, the ROM stores programs for the operation of the control unit 8. The RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results, for example. The control unit 8 also has a means for generating a clock signal therein and operates based on this clock signal.

[0100] The control unit 8 is disposed on the substrate 16 and has a threshold value 80 for determining the operation direction. The control unit 8 determines the operation based on the detection signals S1 and S2 output from the magnetic sensors 7 of the lever operation units 2a and 2b and the threshold value 80, generates operation information S3, and outputs it to the vehicle control device 96. The vehicle control device 96 comprehensively controls the vehicle 9, and controls the direction indicators, shift device, etc. based on the acquired operation information S3.

[0101] (Effects of the embodiment) The lever operation device 1 according to the present embodiment can improve water resistance and foreign matter resistance. Specifically, the lever operation device 1 has a bracket part 4 having a magnet 6 arranged therein, and the first space 11 into which liquid or foreign matter may enter through the openings 105a and 106a from which the lever body 30 protrudes and the second space 12 in which the magnetic sensor 7 is arranged are separated, improving water resistance and foreign matter resistance. Therefore, compared to a case in which a magnet and a magnetic sensor are arranged in the same space, the lever operation device 1 can suppress failure of the magnetic sensor 7 due to external factors such as when a user accidentally spills liquid such as drinking water near the boundary between the lever body 30 and the housing 10 and the liquid enters the housing 10 through the openings 105a and 106a, or when a foreign matter, particularly a conductive foreign matter, enters the housing 10 through the openings 105a and 106a.

[0102] The lever operating device 1 further has a substrate 16 on which electronic components such as the control unit 8 are mounted disposed in a third space 13 isolated from the first space 11. This makes it possible to prevent failure of electronic components such as the control unit 8 due to liquid or foreign matter entering the housing 10 through the openings 105a and 106a, compared to a case in which this configuration is not adopted.

[0103] The lever operating device 1 has drain holes 105b and 106b that can drain liquid and foreign matter that has entered the first space 11 to the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, compared to a case in which this configuration is not adopted, liquid and foreign matter can be drained to the outside of the housing 10 via drain paths 109a and 109b, and accumulation of liquid and foreign matter in the first space 11 can be prevented.

[0104] In the lever operation device 1, the bracket portion 4 is disposed in the first space 11, the left front cover 102a and the right front cover 103a are attached, and the lever body 30 is inserted into the openings 105a and 106a, so that the lever operation units 2a and 2b can be assembled to the housing 10. Therefore, the lever operation device 1 is easier to assemble than a case not employing this configuration, and it is also easy to replace the lever operation units with ones having different functions in accordance with the specifications of the vehicle 9.

[0105] Although the lever operation device 1 is thin, it is possible to standardize the main mechanisms of the turn operation unit and the shift operation unit, which serve as the lever operation units.

[0106] When assembling the moderation part to the housing while pushing it into the through hole, the assembly direction is not linear but takes a twisting path to avoid contact with the moderation wall, making automatic assembly by machine difficult. However, with the lever operation device 1, there is no need to compress the moderation part 5 to attach it to the bracket part 4, so the assembly direction is linear, meaning that assembly is possible just by placing the part on the work, making the work size smaller and facilitating automatic assembly by machine.

[0107] Although some embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the invention according to the claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...lever operation device, 3...lever portion, 4...bracket portion, 6...magnet, 7...magnetic sensor, 8...control portion, 9...vehicle, 10...casing, 11...first space, 12...second space, 13...third space, 17...cable, 41...first bracket, 42...second bracket, 93...steering shaft, 105a, 106a...opening, 105b, 106b...discharge hole, 410...first shaft, 420...second shaft

Claims

1. a lever portion that is rotated in a first direction about a first axis; A magnet attached to the tip of the lever portion; a magnetic sensor that detects the movement of the magnet caused by the first rotation operation of the lever portion; a housing having a first space in which the tip portion is attached and a second space isolated from the first space in which the magnetic sensor is disposed; a determination unit that determines an operation of the lever unit based on detection of movement of the magnet by the magnetic sensor; Equipped with the housing has a third space that is different from the second space and isolated from the first space, the determination unit is disposed in the third space, the first space and the third space are formed in one of the housings, The second space is formed in the other of the housings. Lever operated device.

2. the magnetic sensor disposed in the second space and the determination unit disposed in the third space are electrically connected via a cable; The lever operating device according to claim 1 .

3. the housing has an opening through which the lever portion projects, the first space has a drain hole for draining liquid that has entered through the opening to the outside of the housing; 3. The lever operating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the lever portion includes a lever body, a first bracket to which the lever body is attached and to which the first axis is provided, and a bracket portion as the tip portion having a second bracket to which the first bracket is attached and which has a second axis that serves as an axis for a second rotation operation in a direction intersecting with the first rotation operation, the first bracket has the magnet; the magnetic sensor detects movement of the magnet due to the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation of the lever portion. The lever operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the housing is mounted on a vehicle and has the first space and the second space on the left and right sides of a steering shaft of the vehicle, The lever portion and the magnetic sensor are disposed in the first space and the second space on the left and right sides, respectively. The lever operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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