Switch device

Abstract

To provide a switch device capable of stably and smoothly performing a first operation and a second operation, whose operation directions are different from each other, of simple configuration.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 comprises: an operation member 2 capable of performing a first operation in which a rotational operation is performed toward a positive side in an X-axis direction and a second operation in which a rotational operation is performed around a Y axis; switches 10A-10C serving as energization members which energize the operation member 2 toward a negative side in the X-axis direction; a first support section 31 supporting the operation member 2 in such a manner that the first operation can be performed; and a second support section 32 supporting the operation member 2 in such a manner that the second operation can be performed. The operation member 2 includes a first shaft part 24 extending in a Y-axis direction. The first support part 31 includes a lower-side abutment portion 45 which is abutted from the positive side in the X-axis direction to the first shaft part 24 and an upper-side abutment portion 65 which is abutted from the negative side in the X-axis direction. A position of the lower-side abutment portion 45 and a position of the upper-side abutment portion 65 in the Y-axis direction are different.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device.

Background Art

[0002] Some automobiles are equipped with a switch device for adjusting the posture of a seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The switch device described in Patent Document 1 includes an operating body that can be subjected to a pressing operation and a rotating operation about a predetermined axis by a passenger in the automobile. Also, similar to the switch device described in Patent Document 1, a switch device (push-button switch) including a push button that can be subjected to a pressing operation and a rotating operation is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The switch device described in Patent Document 1 includes an operating piece as a regulating member that regulates the pressing operation and the rotating operation from being performed in parallel (simultaneously). Therefore, in this switch device, the structure becomes complicated by including the operating piece, and as a result, for example, the movement of the operating body may become dull. Also, the switch device described in Patent Document 2 includes an elastic sheet on which the push button is placed. A cavity (recess) is formed in this elastic sheet. The push button is placed on the elastic sheet in a state where its side regulating piece is in contact with the side opposite to the cavity of the elastic sheet. In such a placement state, there is a possibility that the push button may wobble due to the presence of the cavity, and it may not be stably operated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that can stably and smoothly perform a first operation and a second operation with different operation directions with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, when two axes orthogonal to each other are assumed as the X axis and the Y axis, respectively, the switch device of the present invention includes a first operation that is rotated in the direction of one side of the X axis and a second operation that is rotated around the Y axis. An operation member capable of performing the operation; a biasing member that biases the operation member toward the other side in the X-axis direction; a first support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of performing the first operation; and a second support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of performing the second operation. The operation member is provided on one side in the Y-axis direction and has a one-end shaft portion extending along the Y-axis direction. The first support portion has a one-side contact portion that contacts the one-end shaft portion from one side in the X-axis direction and a the other-side contact portion that contacts the one-end shaft portion from the other side in the X-axis direction, and the positions of the one-side contact portion and the other-side contact portion are different in the Y-axis direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a first operation and a second operation with different operation directions can be stably and smoothly performed with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in the embodiments. In FIGS. 1 to 9, the upper side may be referred to as "upper (or upward)" and the lower side may be referred to as "lower (or downward)".

[0010] The switch device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted, for example, at an appropriate position in the passenger compartment of an automobile, for example, on the steering wheel. Note that the switch device 1 is not limited to being mounted on the steering wheel, and can also be mounted on, for example, the instrument panel. In the present embodiment, three axes orthogonal to each other are set (assumed) as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The X-axis direction is the direction from the front surface, which is the operation surface of the operation member, to the back surface, the Y-axis direction is the direction in which the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion extend from the operation member, and the Z-axis direction is the direction in which the finger-hooking portion falls during the second operation (described later) of the operation member. Also, the direction in which the arrow in each direction points is referred to as the "positive side", and the opposite direction is referred to as the "negative side".

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 includes an operation member (operation knob) 2 operated by a driver driving an automobile, a case 3 that supports the operation member 2, and a base 9 disposed at the lower part (back side) of the case 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the switch device 1 includes a switch (first switch) 10A, a switch (second switch) 10B, and a switch (third switch) 10C built in and disposed in the case 3.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation member 2 is supported by the case 3 so that a first operation of rotating in the direction of arrow α around an axis parallel to the Z-axis and a second operation of rotating (swinging) in the directions of arrow β and arrow β' around an axis parallel to the Y-axis are possible. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, switches 10A, 10B, and 10C are respectively arranged below the operation member 2. The switches 10A to 10C are respectively in contact with different portions of the operation member 2 (see FIG. 3 for the switch 10A, for example). Further, the switches 10A to 10C are respectively electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) built in the base 9. Then, in conjunction with the first operation, the switch 10A is pressed. As a result, the switch 10A is turned on. Further, in conjunction with the second operation in the direction of arrow β, the switch 10B is pressed. As a result, the switch 10B is turned on. Similarly, in conjunction with the second operation in the direction of arrow β', the switch 10C is pressed. As a result, the switch 10C is turned on.

[0013] For example, when the switch device 1 is used for adjusting the volume of an audio, when the switch 10B is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β, the volume is increased, and conversely, when the switch 10C is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β', the volume is decreased. Further, when the switch 10A is turned on by the first operation, the mute state is entered.

[0014] Further, when the switch device 1 is used for adjusting the vehicle speed, when the switch 10B is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β, the vehicle accelerates, and conversely, when the switch 10C is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β', the vehicle decelerates. Further, when the switch 10A is turned on by the first operation, the speed at the time of performing the first operation is maintained. In this way, the switch device 1 can be provided with a cruise function.

[0015] Also, when the switch device 1 is used for operating the display of the car navigation system, when the switch 10B is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β, the cursor on the display is moved upward. Conversely, when the switch 10C is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β', the cursor is moved downward. By such movement of the cursor, the items displayed on the display can be selected. And when the switch 10A is turned on by the first operation, the item at the cursor movement destination is determined.

[0016] In addition, when the switch device 1 is used for operating the air conditioner, when the switch 10A is turned on by the first operation, the air conditioner starts or stops. When the switch 10B is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β, the air volume increases. Conversely, when the switch 10C is turned on by the second operation in the direction of arrow β', the air volume decreases.

[0017] The switches 10A to 10C also function as biasing members that bias the operation member 2 toward the negative side (the other side) in the X-axis direction. Thereby, the operation member 2 can return to its original position (home position), that is, the position before each operation. At the original position, each operation is canceled, and the switches 10A to 10C are each turned off. In the switch device 1, since the switches 10A to 10C function as biasing members that bias the operation member 2, it is possible to omit further providing a biasing member separately from the switches 10A to 10C. Thereby, the switch device 1 can be made smaller and lighter by the amount of the omitted biasing member.

[0018] As described above, the operation member 2 can perform a first operation (push operation) and a second operation (toggle operation) with different operation directions. And by the first operation, the switch 10A can be switched from the off state to the on state. Also, by the second operation, the switches 10B and 10C can be switched from the off state to the on state. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation member 2 has a main body portion 21, a finger hook portion (lever) 22, a guide portion 23, a first shaft portion (one - end shaft portion) 24, and a second shaft portion (the other - end shaft portion) 25, and these are integrally formed.

[0019] The main body portion 21 is a portion having a flat shape. A finger hook portion 22 is protruding - formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 21. The finger hook portion 22 extends along the Y - axis direction, the total length is smaller than the total length of the main body portion 21, and the width is also smaller than the width of the main body portion 21. And as shown in FIG. 1, by pressing the portion on the negative side in the Y - axis direction of the finger hook portion 22 as the pressing point 221 toward the positive side in the X - axis direction (one side), the first operation can be performed. Also, by hanging a finger on the side surface 222 on the negative side in the Z - axis direction (the other side) of the finger hook portion 22 and tilting the finger hook portion 22 as it is to the negative side in the Z - axis direction, that is, to the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 1, the second operation in the direction of arrow β can be performed. On the contrary, by hanging a finger on the side surface 223 on the positive side in the Z - axis direction (one side) of the finger hook portion 22 and tilting the finger hook portion 22 as it is to the positive side in the Z - axis direction, that is, to the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1, the second operation in the direction of arrow β' can be performed. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide portion 23 is provided on both side surfaces located in the Z - axis direction (width direction) of the main body portion 21, and has fitting holes 231 into which fitting claws 42 of a case 3 described later are engaged. The fitting holes 231 are through - holes having an oval shape along the X - axis direction. Thereby, when either the first operation or the second operation is performed, the fitting claws 42 can move relatively along the X - axis direction within the fitting holes 231. By this movement, the operation member 2 is guided, and the first operation and the second operation can be stably performed.

[0020] On the positive side (one side) of the main body portion 21 in the Y-axis direction, a first shaft portion 24 is provided, and on the negative side (the other side) of the Y-axis direction, a second shaft portion 25 is provided. Therefore, in the operation member 2, the first shaft portion 24 and the second shaft portion 25 are arranged at a distance from each other in the Y-axis direction. The first shaft portion 24 and the second shaft portion 25 each extend in a columnar shape along the Y-axis direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first shaft portion 24 when cut by a plane orthogonal to the Y-axis is preferably at least partially curved, for example, circular. When the cross-sectional shape of the first shaft portion 24 is circular, the diameter φd24 of the first shaft portion 24 is preferably constant along the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 4, the second shaft portion 25 has a shaft contact portion 26 and a reduced-width portion 27 that protrudes from the shaft contact portion 26 toward the positive side in the X-axis direction. The shaft contact portion 26, like the first shaft portion 24, preferably has a cross-sectional shape that is at least partially curved when cut by a plane orthogonal to the Y-axis, for example, circular. Also, when the cross-sectional shape of the shaft contact portion 26 is circular, the diameter φd26 of the shaft contact portion 26 is preferably constant along the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 7). Note that the diameter φd26 of the shaft contact portion 26 is smaller than the diameter φd24 of the first shaft portion 24 in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be the same as the diameter φd24 of the first shaft portion 24, or may be larger than the diameter φd24 of the first shaft portion 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft contact portion 26 is arranged coaxially with the first shaft portion 24. In the second operation, the operation member 2 rotates about the common axis O2 of the shaft contact portion 26 and the first shaft portion 24. The reduced-width portion 27 has a width w27 that is reduced compared to the diameter φd26 of the shaft contact portion 26, and the width w27 is preferably constant along the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 7). Also, the protruding amount of the reduced-width portion 27 from the shaft contact portion 26 is preferably constant along the Y-axis direction.

[0021] As described above, the first shaft portion 24 and the second shaft portion 25 are arranged to be separated from each other in the Y-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a recess 28 can be formed between the first shaft portion 24 and the second shaft portion 25 of the operation member 2. In this recess 28, for example, a light guide component 12 that receives light from a light emitting component 11 described later, and other diffusion components that diffuse the light from the light emitting component 11 can be arranged. For example, by illuminating the operation member with the light from the light emitting component 11 by the light guide component 12, the operator can grasp the operating state of the switch device 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the case 3 includes a case body 4, a lid body 5, and a frame body 6. The case body 4 is composed of a member having a flat shape. On the upper surface of the case body 4, switches 10A to 10C fixed to the base 9 penetrate and protrude. The case body 4 has a box-shaped portion 41 formed in a box shape between the switch 10A and the switches 10B and 10C. Inside the box-shaped portion 41, for example, a light emitting component 11 that emits light toward the light guide component 12 can be accommodated. As described above, in the switch device 1, the light guide component 12 can be arranged in the recess 28 between the first shaft portion 24 and the second shaft portion 25. Note that the light emitting component 11 can be arranged in the box-shaped portion 41 facing the light guide component 12. When the light guide component 12 and the light emitting component 11 are close to each other, the light guide component 12 can be omitted. Note that the optical components arranged in the recess 28 of the operation member 2 and the box-shaped portion 41 of the case body 4 are not limited to the light emitting component 11 and the light guide component 12. As a result, the optical components can be appropriately selected, and the degree of freedom in design is increased. Further, the case body 4 has fitting claws 42 formed to protrude from the box-shaped portion 41. The fitting claws 42 are provided on both outer side surfaces located in the Z-axis direction of the box-shaped portion 41, respectively, and engage with the fitting holes 231 of the operation member 2.

[0023] The lid body 5 is composed of a member having a flat shape. The lid body 5 is mounted on the upper side of the case body 4 and can cover the case body 4. An opening 51 is formed through the lid body 5. A frame body 6 is fitted into this opening 51. The frame body 6 has a plurality (three in this embodiment) of claw portions 61 protruding downward therefrom. Each claw portion 61 engages with the engaging portion 43 of the case body 4. Thereby, the frame body 6 is fixed to the case body 4. Also, inside the frame body 6, the finger-hooking portion 22 of the operation member 2 is disposed. The finger-hooking portion 22 protrudes from the frame body 6. Thereby, a finger can be easily hooked on the finger-hooking portion 22, and the first operation and the second operation can be stably and smoothly performed.

[0024] A base 9 is disposed below the case body 4. The base 9 has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of claw portions 91, and each claw portion 91 engages with the engaging portion 44 of the case body 4, whereby the base 9 is fixed to the case body 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 9 is also fixed to the case body 4 by screws 13. Further, the base 9 has a flat shape, and switches 10A to 10C are respectively fixed to the upper surface thereof.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the case 3 includes a first support portion 31 that supports the operation member 2 so as to be capable of performing a first operation, and a second support portion 32 that supports the operation member 2 so as to be capable of performing a second operation.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first support portion 31 has a lower contact portion (one-side contact portion) 45 provided on the case body 4 and an upper contact portion (the other-side contact portion) 65 provided on the frame body 6. The lower contact portion 45 contacts the outer peripheral surface 241 of the first shaft portion 24 of the operation member 2 from the positive side in the X-axis direction, that is, from below. The upper contact portion 65 contacts the outer peripheral surface 241 of the first shaft portion 24 from the negative side in the X-axis direction, that is, from above. Thereby, the first shaft portion 24 is in a state of being sandwiched in the X-axis direction between the lower contact portion 45 and the upper contact portion 65. Also, the position of the lower contact portion 45 and the position of the upper contact portion 65 are different in the Y-axis direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the operation member 2 rotates in the direction of arrow α, the position of the lower contact portion 45 is on the positive side in the Y-axis direction compared to the position of the upper contact portion 65. As a specific deviation amount (offset amount) m between the position of the lower contact portion 45 and the position of the upper contact portion 65, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the operation member 2 is at least at the first operation limit, the contact point 451 of the lower contact portion 45 with the first shaft portion 24 is preferably positioned on the positive side in the Y-axis direction more than the contact point 651 of the upper contact portion 65 with the first shaft portion 24.

[0027] As described above, the first support portion 31 sandwiches the first shaft portion 24 between the lower contact portion 45 and the upper contact portion 65, and the lower contact portion 45 and the upper contact portion 65 are displaced from each other by an amount m in the Y-axis direction. According to the first support portion 31 having such a simple configuration, when the pressing point 221 of the operation member 2 is pressed toward the positive side in the X-axis direction, the operation member 2 can easily and sufficiently rotate in the direction of arrow α with the lower contact portion 45 and the upper contact portion 65 as fulcrums. Thereby, the first operation can be stably and smoothly performed. Also, since the lower contact portion 45 and the upper contact portion 65 are displaced from each other, it is possible to prevent the first shaft portion 24 from bending when the operation member 2 rotates and an excessive bending stress from acting on the first shaft portion 24. Since there is no need for the first shaft portion 24 to bend, the overall length of the first shaft portion 24 can be suppressed, and thus, the switch device 1 can be made smaller (thinner).

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower contact portion 45 has a curved convex surface (curved surface) 452 that is curved in an arc shape. The upper contact portion 65 also has a curved convex surface (curved surface) 652 that is curved in an arc shape. Thereby, regardless of the rotation angle of the operation member 2, that is, regardless of the posture of the operation member 2 during the first operation, both the curved convex surface 452 and the curved convex surface 652 can contact the outer peripheral surface 241 of the first shaft portion 24. Due to such contact, the operation member 2 can smoothly rotate in the direction of arrow α, and thus the first operation becomes easy. Note that it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the curved convex surface 452 and the radius of curvature of the curved convex surface 652 are the same, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the curved convex surface 452 of the lower contact portion 45 and the curved convex surface 652 of the upper contact portion 65 preferably line-contact the first shaft portion 24 along the circumferential direction (Z-axis direction) of the first shaft portion 24 regardless of the posture of the operation member 2 during the first operation. Thereby, the operation member 2 can stably rotate in the direction of arrow α.

[0029] As described above, the case 3 includes a second support portion 32 that supports the operation member 2 so as to be second-operable. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second support portion 32 has a bearing portion 66 provided on the frame body 6. The bearing portion 66 is configured by a recess that is recessed toward the negative side in the X-axis direction, and can receive the second shaft portion 25 inside thereof. The width w66 of the bearing portion 66 is constant along the X-axis direction and is the same as or slightly larger than the diameter φd26 of the shaft abutting portion 26 of the second shaft portion 25 (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the outer peripheral surface 261 of the shaft abutting portion 26 contacts the side surface 661 of the bearing portion 66. Due to this contact, the operation member 2 can stably swing in the direction of arrow β and the direction of arrow β' as shown in FIG. 8, that is, can stably rotate around the axis O2, and thus the second operation becomes easy.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the case 3 includes an operation restricting unit 33 that restricts the second operation when the first operation is performed. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the operation restricting unit 33 is provided in the case body 4 and has a recess 46 that is recessed toward the positive side in the X-axis direction. The width w46 of the recess 46 is constant along the X-axis direction and is the same as or slightly larger than the width w27 of the reduced-width portion 27 of the second shaft portion 25 (see Fig. 7). As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, during the first operation, the reduced-width portion 27 of the second shaft portion 25 enters the recess 46, and the reduced-width portion 27 and the recess 46 engage with each other. This engagement restricts the second operation from being performed during the first operation, preventing simultaneous operation and misoperation.

[0031] At the upper part of the recess 46, a chamfered portion 461 that has been chamfered is provided, and at the lower part of the reduced-width portion 27, a curved convex surface 271 that is curved in an arc shape is provided. As a result, the reduced-width portion 27 of the second shaft portion 25 can smoothly enter the recess 46. As shown in Fig. 8, when the second operation is performed, the curved convex surface 271 of the reduced-width portion 27 abuts against one of the two chamfered portions 461. As a result, the limit of the second operation is reached. Note that the curved convex surface 271 may abut against the side surface 661 of the bearing portion 66. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, when the first operation is performed, the curved convex surface 271 of the reduced-width portion 27 abuts against the bottom surface 462 of the recess 46. As a result, the limit of the first operation is reached.

[0032] Also, in this embodiment, the operation restricting unit 33 is integrally formed with the case 3. Such a configuration can reduce the number of parts of the switch device 1 compared to the case where the operation restricting unit 33 is a separate member from the case 3. As a result, the structure of the switch device 1 can be simplified and its weight can be reduced. Also, the degree of freedom in layout when arranging the above-described optical components in the case 3 is increased.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 Switch device 2 Operating member (operating knob) 24 First shaft portion (one end shaft portion) 25 Second shaft portion (the other end shaft portion) 31 First support part 32 Second support part 45 Lower contact part (one-side contact part) 65 Upper contact part (the other-side contact part)

Claims

1. When two axes orthogonal to each other are assumed as the X-axis and the Y-axis respectively, an operation member capable of a first operation that is rotated in one direction along the X-axis and a second operation that is rotated around the Y-axis, a biasing member that biases the operation member toward the other side in the X-axis direction, a first support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of the first operation, a second support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of the second operation, and the operation member is provided on one side in the Y-axis direction and has a one-end shaft portion that extends along the Y-axis direction, the first support portion has a one-side contact portion that contacts the one-end shaft portion from one side in the X-axis direction and the other-side contact portion that contacts the one-end shaft portion from the other side in the X-axis direction, a switch device in which the position of the one-side contact portion and the position of the other-side contact portion are different in the Y-axis direction.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the one-side contact portion is on one side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the position of the other-side contact portion.

3. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation member is at least at the limit of the first operation, the position of the one-side contact portion and the position of the other-side contact portion are different in the Y-axis direction.

4. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the one-side contact portion and the other-side contact portion each have a curved surface.

5. When a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis is assumed, the one-side contact portion and the other-side contact portion are each in line contact with the one-end shaft portion along the Z-axis direction regardless of the posture of the operation member during the first operation. The switch device according to claim 4.

6. An operation restricting portion that restricts the second operation when the first operation is performed, the operation member is provided on the other side in the Y-axis direction and has the other-end shaft portion that extends along the Y-axis direction, the second support portion has a bearing portion that receives the other-end shaft portion, the other-end shaft portion has a cross-sectional shape that is at least partially curved when cut by a plane orthogonal to the Y-axis, and has a shaft contact portion that contacts the bearing portion during the second operation and a width-reducing portion that protrudes from the shaft contact portion toward one side in the X-axis direction and has a width smaller than that of the shaft contact portion, the operation restricting portion has a recess that engages with the width-reducing portion during the first operation. The switch device according to claim 1.

7. When assuming two axes orthogonal to each other as the X-axis and the Y-axis respectively, an operation member capable of a first operation that is rotated in one direction along the X-axis and a second operation that is rotated around the Y-axis, a biasing member that biases the operation member toward the other side in the X-axis direction, a first support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of the first operation, a second support portion that supports the operation member so as to be capable of the second operation, and an operation restricting portion that restricts the second operation when the first operation is performed. The switch device is provided with: the operation member has a shaft portion extending along the Y-axis direction, the operation restricting portion has a concave portion with which the shaft portion engages during the first operation, the first support portion has an one-side contact portion that contacts the shaft portion from one side in the X-axis direction and the other-side contact portion that contacts the shaft portion from the other side in the X-axis direction, the biasing member is a switch that is turned on by the first operation or the second operation.

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