Vehicle switch structure

Abstract

To provide a switch structure of a vehicle with which it is possible to discriminate between a plurality of switches without visual recognition while securing safety of occupants.SOLUTION: A switch structure A10 comprises a plurality of switches 20 installed in a same region of a vehicle and operated by an occupant's finger 30. The plurality of switches 20 includes a first switch 201 having a first operation surface 21 and a second switch 202 having a second operation surface 22. The first operation surface 21 forms a curve bent in an operating direction X of the finger 30. The second operation surface 22 forms a curve bent in a same direction as the first operation surface 21. Curvatures of the first and second operation surfaces 21, 22 are mutually different. The first operation surface 21 includes a first apex 21A at a position closest from the finger 30 in an operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 includes a second apex 22A at a position closest from the finger 30 in the operating direction X. In the operating direction X, the position of the second apex 22A is equal to a position of the first apex 21A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch structure for a vehicle that includes a plurality of switches that are mainly installed in the same area inside a vehicle cabin and are used to operate an in-vehicle device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a switch structure for a vehicle. The switch structure is provided on a steering wheel. The switch structure includes a plurality of switches. A protrusion that protrudes toward an occupant is provided on any of the plurality of switches. This allows the occupant's fingers to come into contact with the protrusion, thereby enabling the occupant to distinguish between the plurality of switches solely by the sensation of the fingers. Therefore, the switch structure makes it possible to distinguish between the plurality of switches without visually recognizing them.

[0003] However, providing a protrusion to any of the multiple switches requires that the switch meet the standards for internal protrusions in the "Notice Prescribing Details of Safety Standards for Road Transport Vehicles (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Notice No. 619 of 2002)." This is because a sharp protrusion reduces the safety of passengers. This standard imposes restrictions on the shape of the protrusion (for example, the radius of curvature of the protrusion must be set at 2.5 mm or more). Therefore, there is concern that this restriction will reduce the distinctiveness of the multiple switches. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-32538 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a switch structure for a vehicle that allows a driver and passengers to distinguish between a plurality of switches without visually checking the switches while ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle switch structure provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of switches installed in the same area of ​​the vehicle and operated by the fingers of an occupant, the plurality of switches including a first switch and a second switch which switch different signals and have the same movement direction of the fingers, the first switch has a first operating surface which is curved in the movement direction, the second switch has a second operating surface which is curved in the same direction as the first operating surface, the first operating surface and the second operating surface have different curvatures, the first operating surface includes a first vertex which is located closest to the fingers in the movement direction, and the second operating surface includes a second vertex which is located closest to the fingers in the movement direction, and the position of the second vertex is equal to the position of the first vertex in the movement direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the switch structure for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between a plurality of switches without visually checking them.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a steering wheel to which a vehicle switch structure according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle switch structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 13 is a scatter diagram of a principal component analysis of the monitoring survey results regarding vehicle switches. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a switch structure for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a switch structure for a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the switch structure of the vehicle shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a switch structure for a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] [First embodiment] A vehicle switch structure (hereinafter referred to as "switch structure A10") according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. The switch structure A10 includes a plurality of switches 20. The plurality of switches 20 are installed in the same area of ​​the vehicle and are operated by the fingers 30 of an occupant. The plurality of switches 20 are used to operate in-vehicle devices.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the steering wheel 11 has a rim portion 111, a pad portion 112, and a number of spoke portions 113. The rim portion 111 and the pad portion 112 are connected by the number of spoke portions 113. The pad portion 112 is connected to a steering shaft (not shown). Therefore, the vehicle can be steered by rotating the rim portion 111 around the central axis of the steering shaft.

[0013] 1, in the switch structure A10, the multiple switches 20 are installed on any of the multiple spoke portions 113. Therefore, in the switch structure A10, the spoke portions 113 correspond to the above-mentioned "same region of the vehicle."

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple switches 20 include a first switch 201 and a second switch 202. The second switch 202 is adjacent to the first switch 201. The first switch 201 and the second switch 202 switch different signals (mainly electrical signals) and have the same movement direction X of the finger 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "movement direction X"). In the switch structure A10, the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 are of a push-in type separated from each other. That is, in the switch structure A10, the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 are operated by the finger 30 pushing the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 individually in the movement direction X. Therefore, the stroke direction of each of the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 is equal to the movement direction X.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the first switch 201 has a first operation surface 21. When the first switch 201 is operated by the finger 30, the finger 30 comes into contact with the first operation surface 21. The first switch 201 is convex toward the side where the finger 30 is located in the operating direction X. The first operation surface 21 forms a curved surface bent in the operating direction X. In the switch structure A10, the first operation surface 21 forms a convex curved surface toward the side approaching the finger 30 in the operating direction X. The first operation surface 21 forms a curved surface with a curvature radius r1. The curved surface includes a cylindrical surface and a spherical surface. The first operation surface 21 includes a first vertex 21A. The first vertex 21A is located closest to the finger 30 in the operating direction X. In the switch structure A10, the first vertex 21A is located at the center of the first operation surface 21 when viewed along the operating direction X.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the second switch 202 has a second operation surface 22. When the second switch 202 is operated by the finger 30, the finger 30 comes into contact with the second operation surface 22. The second operation surface 22 forms a curved surface bent in the same direction as the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201. In the switch structure A10, the second operation surface 22 forms a convex curved surface toward the side approaching the finger 30 in the operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 forms a curved surface with a radius of curvature r2. The curved surface includes a cylindrical surface and a spherical surface. The radius of curvature r2 is larger than the radius of curvature r1 of the first operation surface 21. Therefore, the curvature of the second operation surface 22 is smaller than the curvature of the first operation surface 21. The second operation surface 22 includes a second vertex 22A. The second vertex 22A is located closest to the finger 30 in the operating direction X. In the switch structure A10, the first vertex 21A is located at the center of the first operation surface 21 when viewed along the operating direction X.

[0017] 2, the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201 and the second operation surface 22 of the second switch 202 have different curvatures. Furthermore, in the operating direction X, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21. Here, the spoke portion 113 of the steering wheel 11 has a surface 11A facing the occupant. The first switch 201 and the second switch 202 may protrude from the surface 11A toward the occupant as long as the protrusion amount is within a range that is not subject to the standard for the internal protrusion described above (protrusion amount less than 3.2 mm).

[0018] Next, the function and effect of the switch structure A10 will be described.

[0019] The switch structure A10 includes a first switch 201 having a first operation surface 21 and a second switch 202 having a second operation surface 22. The first operation surface 21 is a curved surface bent in the operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 is a curved surface bent in the same direction as the first operation surface 21. The first operation surface 21 and the second operation surface 22 have different curvatures. Furthermore, in the operating direction X, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a scatter diagram of the principal component analysis of the monitoring survey results on vehicle switches. In this survey, seven blindfolded monitors were asked to touch 17 types of vehicle switches with their fingers, and the sensations from the fingers at that time were monitored. The stroke amount of the vehicle switches was the same for all of them. It was confirmed that the monitors felt that "the stroke amount of the switch feels larger" or "the switch feels thicker" as the values ​​of the first and second principal components shown in FIG. 3 became larger in the positive direction. Of the 17 types of vehicle switches shown in FIG. 3, the curvature of switch S1 was set to be larger than that of switch S2. According to FIG. 3, the values ​​of the first and second principal components of switch S1 are larger in the positive direction than those of switch S2. Therefore, it can be said that switch S1 is configured to feel the stroke amount of the switch larger than switch S2, and that switch S1 is configured to feel the thickness of the switch larger than switch 2.

[0021] 3, the curvature of the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201 is different from the curvature of the second operation surface 22 of the second switch 202, so that the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 can be discriminated only by the sensation of the finger 30, without providing a protrusion on either the first switch 201 or the second switch 202. Therefore, according to the switch structure A10, it is possible to discriminate between the multiple switches 20 without visual recognition.

[0022] 2, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21 in the operation direction X. This makes it easier to set the positions of the first vertex 21A and the second vertex 22A in the operation direction X in the switch structure A10 so that they are within the range of protrusion amounts that are not subject to the standard for the internal protrusion described above with respect to the surface 11A of the spoke portion 113 of the steering wheel 11 in the operation direction X. This ensures the safety of the occupants.

[0023] According to the switch structure A10, even if the stroke amount of each of the multiple switches 20 is reduced, the multiple switches 20 can be discriminated only by the sensation from the fingers 30. Furthermore, since each of the multiple switches 20 has a curvature, the volume of each of the multiple switches 20 can be reduced. These factors contribute to reducing the cost of the switch structure A10.

[0024] Second Embodiment A vehicle switch structure A20 (hereinafter referred to as "switch structure A20") according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In this figure, elements that are the same as or similar to the switch structure A10 described above are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0025] The switch structure A20 differs from the switch structure A10 in the configurations of the first switch 201 and the second switch 202. As shown in Fig. 1, the switch structure A20 is installed in the spoke portion 113 of the steering wheel 11, similar to the switch structure A10. Therefore, in the switch structure A20, the spoke portion 113 corresponds to the above-mentioned "same area of ​​the vehicle."

[0026] 4, in the switch structure A20, the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 are integrated into a seesaw type. In the switch structure A20, when either the first switch 201 or the second switch 202 is pushed in the operating direction X by the finger 30, the integrated first switch 201 and second switch 202 swing in the operating direction X with the fulcrum 23 as the axis of rotation. This causes each of the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 to be operated. Therefore, the stroke direction of each of the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 is equal to the operating direction X.

[0027] Next, the function and effect of the switch structure A20 will be described.

[0028] The switch structure A20 includes a first switch 201 having a first operation surface 21 and a second switch 202 having a second operation surface 22. The first operation surface 21 is a curved surface bent in the operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 is a curved surface bent in the same direction as the first operation surface 21. The first operation surface 21 and the second operation surface 22 have different curvatures. Furthermore, in the operating direction X, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21. Therefore, the switch structure A20 also makes it possible to discriminate between multiple switches without visual recognition while ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0029] Third Embodiment A vehicle switch structure A30 (hereinafter referred to as "switch structure A30") according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In this figure, elements that are the same as or similar to the switch structure A10 described above are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0030] The switch structure A30 differs from the switch structure A10 in the configuration of the first switch 201 and the second switch 202. As shown in Fig. 5, the switch structure A30 is disposed in an interior member 12. The interior member 12 is, for example, an armrest portion for an occupant provided on a door trim. Therefore, in the switch structure A30, the interior member 12 corresponds to the above-mentioned "same region of the vehicle."

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, in the switch structure A30, the multiple switches 20 are adjacent to each other. Each of the multiple switches 20 is a seesaw type having a base 24 and a knob 25. The base 24 is stored in the interior member 12 and is flush with the surface 12A of the interior member 12. The surface 12A faces the protruding direction Y shown in FIG. 6. The knob 25 protrudes from the base 24 in the protruding direction Y shown in FIG. 6. The knob 25 of each of the multiple switches 20 is provided with a first switch 201 and a second switch 202 that are located on opposite sides to each other in the operating direction X. Furthermore, in the direction in which the multiple switches 20 are adjacent to each other, the second switch 202 of one switch 20 is located next to the first switch 201 of the other switch 20. In the switch structure A30, the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201 and the second operation surface 22 of the second switch 202 each form a convex curved surface toward the side where the finger 30 is positioned in the operating direction X. In the switch structure A30, the curved surface is a spherical surface, but it may be a cylindrical surface.

[0032] 6, in the switch structure A30, when the knob portion 25 of any of the multiple switches 20 is moved in the operating direction X by the finger 30, the base portion 24 of the switch 20 swings in the protruding direction Y with the fulcrum 23 as the axis of rotation. This allows the multiple switches 20 to be operated individually. Therefore, the stroke direction of each of the multiple switches 20 is equal to the protruding direction Y.

[0033] 7, on one side of the operating direction X, the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21 (first switch 201) of one switch 20 and the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 (second switch 202) of the other switch 20 are aligned at the position of an imaginary plane P1. Furthermore, on the other side of the operating direction X, the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 of one switch 20 and the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21 of the other switch 20 are aligned at the position of an imaginary plane P2.

[0034] Next, the function and effect of the switch structure A30 will be described.

[0035] The switch structure A30 includes a first switch 201 having a first operation surface 21 and a second switch 202 having a second operation surface 22. The first operation surface 21 is a curved surface bent in the operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 is a curved surface bent in the same direction as the first operation surface 21. The first operation surface 21 and the second operation surface 22 have different curvatures. Furthermore, in the operating direction X, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21. Therefore, the switch structure A30 also makes it possible to discriminate between multiple switches without visual recognition while ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0036] [Fourth embodiment] A vehicle switch structure A40 (hereinafter referred to as "switch structure A40") according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In this figure, elements that are the same as or similar to the switch structure A10 described above are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Here, the cross-sectional position of Fig. 8 is the same as the cross-sectional position of Fig. 2 showing the switch structure A10.

[0037] The switch structure A40 differs from the switch structure A10 in the configuration of the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201 and the second operation surface 22 of the second switch 202. The switch structure A40 is installed on the spoke portion 113 of the steering wheel 11, just like the switch structure A10. Therefore, in the switch structure A40, the spoke portion 113 corresponds to the aforementioned "same region of the vehicle."

[0038] 8, in the switch structure A40, the first operation surface 21 of the first switch 201 forms a concave curved surface facing away from the finger 30 in the operating direction X. Therefore, the bending direction of the first operation surface 21 is opposite to the bending direction of the first operation surface 21 of the switch structure A10. When viewed along the operating direction X, the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21 is located on the periphery of the first operation surface 21.

[0039] 8, the second operation surface 22 of the second switch 202 forms a concave curved surface facing away from the finger 30 in the operating direction X. Therefore, the direction in which the second operation surface 22 bends is the same as the direction in which the first operation surface 21 bends, and is opposite to the direction in which the second operation surface 22 of the switch structure A10 bends. When viewed along the operating direction X, the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is located on the periphery of the second operation surface 22.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, the first switch 201 and the second switch 202 may protrude toward the occupant from the surface 11A of the spoke portion 113 of the steering wheel 11 as long as the positions of the first vertex 21A and the second vertex 22A in the operating direction X are within a range of protrusion amounts that are not subject to the criteria for the internal protrusion described above.

[0041] Next, the function and effect of the switch structure A40 will be described.

[0042] The switch structure A40 includes a first switch 201 having a first operation surface 21 and a second switch 202 having a second operation surface 22. The first operation surface 21 is a curved surface bent in the operating direction X. The second operation surface 22 is a curved surface bent in the same direction as the first operation surface 21. The first operation surface 21 and the second operation surface 22 have different curvatures. Furthermore, in the operating direction X, the position of the second vertex 22A of the second operation surface 22 is equal to the position of the first vertex 21A of the first operation surface 21. Therefore, the switch structure A40 also makes it possible to discriminate between multiple switches without visual recognition while ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention can be applied to any member or device of a vehicle, such as an instrument panel, a console, or a car navigation system. Furthermore, the specific configuration of each part of the present invention can be freely designed in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] A10, A20, A30, A40: Switch structure 11: Steering wheel 11A: Surface 111: Rim section 112: Pad section 113: Spoke section 12: Interior materials 12A: Surface 20: Switch 201: First switch 202: Second switch 21: 1st operation surface 21A: First Apex 22:Second operation surface 22A: 2nd apex 23:Fulcrum 24: Base 25: Knob section 30: Finger r1,r2: radius of curvature X:Movement direction Y:Protrusion direction

Claims

[Claim 1] A plurality of switches are provided in the same area of ​​the vehicle and are operated by the fingers of an occupant; the plurality of switches include a first switch and a second switch which switch different signals from each other and whose finger movement directions are the same; the first switch has a first operation surface formed only of a curved surface having a single first radius of curvature bent in the operating direction, the second switch has a second operation surface formed only of a curved surface having a single second radius of curvature bent in the same direction as the first operation surface, the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature are different from each other, the first operation surface includes a first vertex located closest to the finger in the movement direction; the second operation surface includes a second vertex located closest to the finger in the movement direction; A switch structure for a vehicle, wherein in said operating direction, the position of said second vertex is equal to the position of said first vertex.

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