Switch device

Abstract

To suppress a tilt of a movable platen.SOLUTION: A switching device 1 includes a lever part 2 to be operated by a user. The lever part 2 includes: an annular knob 4 provided rotatably about a rotation axis X; a movable platen 9 that is inserted into the knob 4 and can rotate about the rotation axis X in conjunction with an operation of the rotation knob; a printed board 10 provided facing the movable platen 9 in an axial direction of the rotation axis X; a movable contact point 20 that is provided on a contact support part 96, the movable contact point being a part of the movable platen 9 that faces the printed substrate 10 and that has contact parts 203a, 204a in contact with the printed board 10; and a rib 98 that protrudes from a part of the movable platen 9 facing the printed board 10 toward the printed board 10 and faces the printed board 10 with an interval CL therebetween. When viewed from the axial direction of the rotational axis X, the rib 98 is provided with a phase being shifted in a circumferential direction around the rotational axis X with respect to the contact parts 203a, 204a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device for a vehicle having a rotation knob operated by a user.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device for a vehicle provided with a rotation knob.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In this switch device, an annular rotation knob is provided at the tip side of a lever part operated by a user. The rotation knob is rotatably supported via a movable disk on a shaft part protruding from a cylindrical main body part. In the switch device, the rotation knob and the main body part are adjacent in the axial direction of the shaft part. In order to prevent a gap from occurring between the annular rotation knob and the annular end part of the main body part, a part of the region on the main body part side is inserted into the main body part.

[0005] Inside the main body part, a printed circuit board is disposed opposite to the movable disk. A plurality of contacts are exposed on the surface of the printed circuit board facing the movable disk. On the part of the movable disk facing the printed circuit board, a movable contact that rotates integrally with the movable disk is provided. The movable contact elastically contacts the printed circuit board in the axial direction of the shaft part. When the movable disk rotates by the rotation operation of the rotation knob, the contacts on the printed circuit board side that the movable contact contacts are switched.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Here, when an operating force acting in the radial direction of the shaft portion acts on the side of the rotating knob opposite to the main body portion, depending on the degree of the operating force, the rotating knob may bend with the portion inserted into the main body portion as a fulcrum. In such a case, the movable plate connected to the rotating knob may tilt with respect to the shaft portion, and the movable contact supported by the movable plate may move away from the surface of the printed circuit board.

[0007] Therefore, it is required to be able to suppress the tilt of the movable plate connected to the rotating knob.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The present invention provides an annular rotating knob rotatably provided about a first axis, a movable plate inserted into the rotating knob and rotating about the first axis in conjunction with the operation of the rotating knob, a substrate disposed opposite to the movable plate in the axial direction of the first axis, a movable contact provided at a portion of the movable plate facing the substrate and having a contact portion abutting against the substrate, and a rib protruding from a portion of the movable plate facing the substrate toward the substrate side and facing the substrate with a gap therebetween, and when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided with a phase shift in the circumferential direction about the first axis with respect to the contact portion, and the switch device has such a configuration.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the tilt of the movable plate can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a case where the switch device according to the present invention is applied to a switch device 1 (lever switch device) having a lever portion 2 operated by a user will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch device 1. In FIG. 1, the portion of the lever portion 2 of the switch device 1 is specifically shown, and the connection portion 100 with a steering column (not shown) is simply denoted. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lever portion 2 of the switch device 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the lever portion 2. In FIG. 3, a cross-section of the lever portion 2 cut along the plane A shown in FIG. 1 is schematically shown. In FIG. 4(A), a cross-section of the lever portion 2 cut along the line A-A shown in FIG. 3 is schematically shown. FIG. 4(B) is an enlarged view of the region A in FIG. 4(A). FIG. 4(C) is an enlarged view of the region B in FIG. 4(A).

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 has a lever portion 2 operated by a user. The lever portion 2 is a rod-shaped portion extending from a connecting portion 100 to a steering column (not shown). The lever portion 2 has a main body case 3, a rotation knob 4, a push button 5, and a rotary slider 6.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body case 3 is bent at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction. The main body case 3 is provided with an operation portion 36 inserted into the connecting portion 100 at a proximal end 3a viewed from the bent portion 3c. In the connecting portion 100, the lever portion 2 is rotatably supported about an axis Y. The distal end 3b side of the main body case 3 viewed from the bent portion 3c is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the main body case 3, a shaft member 7 is supported inside the region formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the main body case 3 is formed by assembling a first case 31 and a second case 32 in the radial direction of a rotation axis X (axis). As shown in FIG. 4, a region on one end 7a side of the shaft member 7 is positioned in a state of being sandwiched between the first case 31 and the second case 32. In this state, the shaft member 7 is provided with a rotation axis X along the longitudinal direction of the shaft member 7 in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the main body case 3. The other end 7b side of the shaft member 7 is located outside the main body case 3 (the first case 31 and the second case 32). In the shaft member 7, a rotary slider 6, a printed circuit board 10 (substrate), a movable disk 9, and a regulating block 11 are externally inserted in order from the one end 7a side.

[0015] The rotary slider 6 has a cylindrical portion 61 externally inserted into the shaft member 7. On the outer diameter side of the cylindrical portion 61, an outer peripheral wall 62 surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 61 is located. The cylindrical portion 61 and the outer peripheral wall 62 are connected to each other by a wall portion 63 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 61. On the outer periphery of the outer peripheral wall 62, a protruding wall 65 extending toward the outer diameter side is provided. The protruding walls 65 are provided with a phase shift of about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The first case 31 and the second case 32 have openings 310 and 320 to avoid interference with the protruding wall 65. The rotary slider 6 is rotatably supported by a shaft member 7 passing through the cylindrical portion 61. In this state, the tip portion 61a of the cylindrical portion 61 is in contact with the printed circuit board 10 from the direction of the rotation axis X by the biasing force of a spring (not shown). Therefore, the printed circuit board 10 is in contact with the flange portion 75 on the shaft member 7 side from the direction of the rotation axis X (right direction in the figure) by the biasing force acting from the rotary slider 6.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the printed circuit board 10 is supported by the main body case 3 while being held between the first case 31 and the second case 32. On the inner circumferences of the first case 31 and the second case 32, recesses 313 and 323 with openings facing the rotation axis X side are provided. The printed circuit board 10 has its outer periphery inserted into the recesses 313 and 323. The widths W313 and 323 of the recesses 313 and 323 in the direction of the rotation axis X are slightly larger than the thickness W10 of the printed circuit board 10. The widths W313 and 323 of the recesses 313 and 323 are the same (W313 = W323). The movement of the printed circuit board 10 in the direction of the rotation axis X is restricted within the range of the widths W313 and 323 of the recesses 313 and 323.

[0017] The printed circuit board 10 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis X. A through hole 101 is provided in the central portion of the printed circuit board 10. The through hole 101 penetrates the printed circuit board 10 in the thickness direction (left - right direction in FIG. 4(A)). The through hole 101 has an opening diameter through which the shaft member 7 can pass. Inside the main body case 3, the shaft member 7 penetrates the through hole 101 of the printed circuit board 10 in the thickness direction. In this state, the printed circuit board 10 is loosely fitted on the shaft member 7.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 10, the printed circuit board 10 forms a ring shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X. On the surface 10a of the printed circuit board 10 on the side of the rotation knob 4, the fixed contact 102 is exposed. On the surface 10a on the side of the rotation knob 4, the movable contacts 20 (contact portions 203a, 204a) supported by the movable disk 9 described later elastically contact. By the rotation operation in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X of the rotation knob 4, the fixed contact 102 with which the movable contacts 20 (contact portions 203a, 204a) contact is switched.

[0019] Figs. 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the movable disk 9. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the movable disk 9 viewed from the side of the printed circuit board 10. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the movable disk 9 viewed from the side of the push button 5. Fig. 7 is a side view of the movable disk 9 viewed from the radial direction of the rotation axis X. In addition, in Fig. 5, for convenience of explanation, hatching is shown on the end face on the front side of the paper of the outer peripheral wall 92. In Fig. 5, hatching intersecting the end face on the front side of the paper of the rib 98 is shown. Further, in Fig. 5, the leg portions 203, 204 (contact portions 203a, 204a) of the movable contact 20 supported by the contact support portion 96 described later are shown by virtual lines. In Fig. 6, for convenience of explanation, hatching is shown on the end face on the front side of the paper of the outer peripheral wall 92. Further, in Fig. 6, hatching intersecting the end face on the front side of the paper of the arc-shaped walls 941, 942 is shown. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the movable disk 9 and the printed circuit board 10. In this Fig. 8, the state in which the movable disk 9 and the printed circuit board 10 are externally inserted into the shaft member 7 is schematically shown when viewed from the radial direction of the rotation axis X.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, the movable disk 9 has a cylindrical portion 91 that is externally inserted into the shaft member 7. On the outer diameter side of the cylindrical portion 91, an outer peripheral wall 92 surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 91 is located. The cylindrical portion 91 and the outer peripheral wall 92 are connected to each other by a wall portion 93 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 91 (see Figs. 5 and 6). As shown in Fig. 6, on the surface of the wall portion 93 opposite to the printed circuit board 10, a receiving hole 940 for the ball B is open. As shown in Fig. 4, the receiving hole 940 is a cylindrical space parallel to the rotation axis X. The receiving hole 940 houses a spring Sp and a ball B. The receiving holes 940 are provided with a phase shift of about 180 degrees in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X (see Fig. 6).

[0021] As shown in Fig. 6, in the wall portion 93, arcuate walls 941 and 942 are provided on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side as viewed from the receiving hole 940. As shown in Fig. 4, between the arcuate walls 941 and 942, the regulating wall 112 of the regulating block 11 is inserted from the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0022] The regulating block 11 has a cylindrical portion 111 that is externally inserted into the shaft member 7. On the outer diameter side of the cylindrical portion 111, a regulating wall 112 surrounding the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 111 is located. The regulating wall 112 and the cylindrical portion 111 are connected to a wall portion 114 that extends radially outward from the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 111. On the surface of the regulating wall 112 on the side of the movable disk 9, ridges and valleys are continuous in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. A ball B supported on the movable disk 9 via a spring Sp is elastically engaged with the regulating wall 112. Here, "the ball B is elastically engaged" means that the ball B is in contact with the regulating wall 112 by the biasing force acting from the spring Sp and the ball B is displaceable in the direction of the biasing force of the spring Sp. Therefore, a reaction force from the spring Sp acts on the movable disk 9. The movable disk 9 is biased toward the printed circuit board 10 side (right side in the figure). The movable disk 9 brings the end face 91a of the cylindrical portion 91 into contact with a flange portion 75 provided on the outer circumference of the shaft member 7. In this state, the movable disk 9 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 7 passing through the cylindrical portion 91. Further, the movable disk 9 is allowed a slight movement in the direction of the rotation axis X (left - right direction in the figure).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, in the regulating block 11, a pair of arms 115, 115 extend along the rotation axis X on the extension of the cylindrical portion 111. The arm 115 engages a claw portion 115b provided on the inner periphery of the tip portion 115a with a groove 72 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft member 7. In the regulating block 11, the biasing force of the spring Sp acts from a ball B elastically engaged with the regulating wall 112 (see Fig. 4). At the tip portion 115a of the arm 115, the claw portion 115b abuts against one side surface 721 of the groove 72 from the direction of the rotation axis X. The regulating block 11 is restricted from relative rotation with respect to the shaft member 7 by the claw portion 115b engaged with the groove 72 on the side of the shaft member 7, and is positioned in the direction of the rotation axis X.

[0024] On the outer diameter side of the arm 115, the cylindrical portion 52 of the push button 5 is positioned. The cylindrical portion 52 extends from the circular pressing portion 51 of the push button 5 toward the regulating block 11 side (right side in the figure) along the rotation axis X. The tip 52a of the cylindrical portion 52 abuts against the columnar operating element 55 from the direction of the rotation axis X. The operating element 55 is supported by a support cylinder 116 provided on the regulating block 11 so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis X. The support cylinder 116 penetrates an insertion hole 931 (see Fig. 6) provided in the movable disk 9 in the direction of the rotation axis X. The tip 55a side of the operating element 55 protrudes from the support cylinder 116 toward the printed circuit board 10 side. The tip 55a of the operating element 55 abuts against a tact switch 15 on the printed circuit board 10 from the direction of the rotation axis X. The push button 5 is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the rotation axis X by a cylindrical portion 42 provided on the rotary knob 4. Therefore, when the pressing portion 51 of the push button 5 is pressed toward the printed circuit board 10 side (right side in the figure), the operating element 55 is pushed by the cylindrical portion 52 of the push button 5 and is displaced toward the printed circuit board 10 side. As a result, the operating element 55 moves toward the printed circuit board 10 side against the biasing force acting from the tact switch 15, and thus the tact switch 15 is turned on.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the rotation knob 4. (A) of FIG. 9 is a plan view of the rotation knob 4 as viewed from the printed circuit board 10 side. (B) of FIG. 9 is a perspective view shown by a cross section obtained by cutting the rotation knob 4 along the line A-A in (A) of FIG. 9. (C) of FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the locking claw 44 portion of the rotation knob 4 cut along the line B-B in (A) of FIG. 9. In (C) of FIG. 9, the periphery around the locking claw 94 on the movable disk 9 side and a part of the main body case 3 are shown by phantom lines.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the rotation knob 4, the movable disk 9, and the movable contact 20. FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a state in which the rotation knob 4, the movable disk 9, and the movable contact 20 are separated from each other in the rotation axis X direction. Further, a perspective view of the printed circuit board 10 disposed opposite to the movable disk 9 in the rotation axis X direction as viewed from the surface 10a side where the movable contact 20 slides is shown.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), the rotation knob 4 has a cylindrical portion 42 and an outer peripheral wall 41 surrounding the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 42 is formed with an inner diameter into which the cylindrical portion 52 of the push button 5 described above can be inserted. The cylindrical portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the rotation axis X. The proximal end 42a of the cylindrical portion 42 is connected to the inner periphery of the outer peripheral wall 41. The outer peripheral wall 41 is formed in a shape in which the outer diameter increases as it moves away from the push button 5 and approaches the printed circuit board 10. At the tip 41a of the outer peripheral wall 41, a ring-shaped protruding wall 411 is provided. The protruding wall 411 protrudes toward the printed circuit board 10 along the rotation axis X from the tip 41a of the outer peripheral wall 41. A stepped portion 41b is provided on the inner periphery of the protruding wall 411. The stepped portion 41b is provided at a position farther from the printed circuit board 10 than the tip 41a. The stepped portion 41b and the tip 41a are flat surfaces orthogonal to the rotation axis X. The inner side wall 311 extending from the inner diameter side of the first case 31 abuts against the stepped portion 41b from the rotation axis X direction, and the inner side wall 321 extending from the inner diameter side of the second case 32 abuts against the stepped portion 41b from the rotation axis X direction (see FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C)).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, in the first case 31, an outer wall 312 is formed on the outer diameter side of the inner wall 311. In the second case 32, an outer wall 322 is formed on the outer diameter side of the inner wall 321. When the first case 31 and the second case 32 are joined, the inner wall 311 on the first case 31 side and the inner wall 321 on the second case 32 side are connected, and the outer wall 312 on the first case 31 side and the outer wall 322 on the second case 32 side are connected. As a result, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, a ring-shaped inner wall formed by the inner walls 311 and 321 and a ring-shaped outer wall formed by the outer walls 312 and 322 are formed. In the switch device 1, the protruding wall 411 on the side of the rotation knob 4 is inserted into the ring-shaped gap formed between these ring-shaped inner walls and ring-shaped outer walls from the direction of the rotation axis X, so that there is no gap in the direction of the rotation axis X between the rotation knob 4 and the main body case 3.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 9, on the inner circumference of the outer peripheral wall 41, a locking claw 44 that engages with the movable disk 9 and a rib 45 are provided. The locking claw 44 has a locking portion 441 provided in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis X and reinforcing ribs 442, 442 provided on both sides in the width direction of the locking portion 441, and is integrally formed with the outer peripheral wall 41 of the rotation knob 4. In the locking claw 44, the surface 441a (see (C) of FIG. 9) on the side opposite to the above-described protruding wall 411 serves as an engaging surface with the locking claw 94 on the movable disk 9 side. The locking claws 44, 44 on the rotation knob 4 side engage with the locking claws 94, 94 on the movable disk 9 side to restrict the movement of the rotation knob 4 and the movable disk 9 in the direction away from each other in the direction of the rotation axis X. The inner peripheral surface 442a of the reinforcing rib 442 is an inclined surface whose protruding height from the outer peripheral wall 41 decreases as it goes toward the protruding wall 411 side.

[0030] The rib 45 is located on both sides of the locking claw 44 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. On the opposing surfaces 451, 451 of the ribs 45, 45 adjacent in the circumferential direction, when the movable disk 9 is assembled to the rotation knob 4, the side surfaces 951, 951 (see FIG. 7) of the ribs 95, 95 on the movable disk 9 side come into contact therewith. The ribs 45, 45 on the rotation knob 4 side are in contact with the ribs 95, 95 on the movable disk 9 side in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X, so that the relative rotation around the rotation axis X between the rotation knob 4 and the movable disk 9 is restricted.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the movable disk 9, a locking claw 94 and ribs 95 are provided on the outer periphery of the outer peripheral wall 92. The locking claw 94 and the ribs 95 are integrally formed with the outer peripheral wall 92. The locking claw 94 projects radially outward from the outer peripheral wall 92. As shown in FIG. 9(C), the side surface 94a on the right side (printed circuit board 10 side) of the locking claw 94 in the drawing is a flat surface orthogonal to the rotation axis X. An inclined surface 94b is provided on the outer periphery of the locking claw 94 at a position offset from the side surface 94a. The inclined surface 94b is inclined in a direction in which the radial thickness becomes thinner as it moves away from the side surface 94a.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 95 are located on both sides of the locking claw 94 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The ribs 95 have a predetermined length in the rotation axis X direction (see FIG. 7). The side surface 951 of the rib 95 on the side opposite to the locking claw 94 is the contact surface with the rib 45 on the rotation knob 4 side described above.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, on the movable disk 9, a contact support portion 96 is provided on the inner diameter side of the outer peripheral wall 92. The contact support portion 96 is located on the front side of the paper surface with respect to the outer peripheral wall 92. In the contact support portion 96, the inner diameter side with respect to the outer peripheral wall 92 is the support surface 961 of the movable contact 20. The support surface 961 is a flat surface orthogonal to the rotation axis X. Protrusions 96a for positioning the movable contact 20 are provided on the support surface 961. The protrusions 96a project from the support surface 961 to the front side of the paper surface.

[0034] On the outer diameter side of the contact support portion 96, a gap 963 is provided. On the outer diameter side of the gap 963 as viewed from the rotation axis X direction, a pair of contact pieces 962, 962 are provided. The contact pieces 962, 962 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. In this embodiment, the connection piece 201 of the movable contact 20 shown in FIG. 10 is inserted into the gap 963 of the contact support portion 96 from the rotation axis X direction and positioned. In this state, the pair of contact pieces 962, 962 restrict the movement of the connection piece 201 in the radially outward direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 10, the movable contact 20 is formed by bending a metal plate after punching. In the movable contact 20, a support portion 202 is connected to one end of a plate-shaped connection piece 201. The support portion 202 is substantially orthogonal to the connection piece 201. A through hole 202a is provided in the support portion 202. In this embodiment, when the connection piece 201 is inserted into the gap 963 (see FIG. 5) of the contact support portion 96, the support portion 202 is supported by the support surface 961 in a state of contacting the support surface 961 of the contact support portion 96. In this state, the movable contact 20 is positioned by the contact support portion 96 when the protrusion 96a on the contact support portion 96 side is fitted into the through hole 202a of the support portion 202.

[0036] Leg portions 203, 204 are connected to the support portion 202. The leg portions 203, 204 branch into two at positions away from the support portion 202. Contact portions 203a, 204a with the printed circuit board 10 are provided on the distal end sides of the leg portions 203, 204. The contact portions 203a, 204a are formed by curving the distal end sides of the leg portions 203, 204 in the same direction. The base end sides of the leg portions 203, 204 are cantilever-supported by the support portion 202. The distal end sides of the leg portions 203, 204 where the contact portions 203a, 204a are provided are elastically displaceable.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the leg portions 203 and 204 are formed in an arc shape along the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 91. When the movable contact 20 is supported by the contact point support portion 96, the leg portions 203 and 204 are arranged along the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X between the cylindrical portion 91 and the outer peripheral wall 92. In this state, the inner diameter side leg portions 203 and 203 have a longer circumferential length than the outer diameter side leg portions 204 and 204. The contact portion 203a of the leg portion 203 is arranged with its position shifted in the circumferential direction with respect to the contact portion 204a of the leg portion 204. In the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment, for each of the leg portions 203 and 204 of the movable contact 20, the tip side provided with the contact portions 203a and 204a is located closer to the printed circuit board 10 side in the direction of the rotation axis X than the base end side (support portion 202 side). Each of the leg portions 203 and 204 of the movable contact 20 is arranged in a state where the contact portions 203a and 204a are in contact with the surface of the printed circuit board 10.

[0038] In this state, the leg portions 203 and 204 of the movable contact 20 are arranged between the movable disk 9 and the printed circuit board 10 in a state compressed in the direction of the rotation axis X. Therefore, each of the leg portions 203 and 204 of the movable contact 20 is arranged in a state where the contact portions 203a and 204a on the tip side are elastically in contact with the printed circuit board 10. Here, "the contact portions 203a and 204a are elastically in contact with the surface of the printed circuit board 10" means a state where the tip sides (contact portion 203a and 204a sides) of the leg portions 203 and 204 are in contact with the printed circuit board 10 in a state displaceable in the direction of the rotation axis X. In the switch device 1, when the rotation knob 4 is rotated around the rotation axis X, the movable disk 9 that rotates integrally with the rotation knob 4 also rotates around the rotation axis X. As a result, the movable contact 20 is configured such that the fixed contact 102 on the printed circuit board 10 side with which the contact portions 203a and 204a of the leg portions 203 and 204 are in contact is switched.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, a rib 98 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 92 of the movable plate 9. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rib 98 projects from one end 92a, which is the portion of the outer peripheral wall 92 facing the printed circuit board 10, toward the printed circuit board 10 side along the rotation axis X. The height h98 of the rib 98 in the rotation axis X direction is set to a height such that there is a gap CL between the rib 98 and the opposing surface 10a of the printed circuit board 10 in a state where the movable plate 9 and the printed circuit board 10 are respectively in contact with the flange portion 75 of the shaft member 7. The tip 98a of the rib 98 is located on the printed circuit board 10 side (the right side in FIG. 8) rather than the contact point support portion 96 and the cylindrical portion 91 described above.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed in the rotation axis X direction, the rib 98 has a length L98 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. When viewed in the rotation axis X direction, the rib 98 is arc-shaped.

[0041] As described above, the leg portions 203 and 204 of the movable contact 20 are in a compressed state in the rotation axis X direction, and the contact portions 203a and 204a are in contact with the printed circuit board 10 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, a reaction force acts on the movable plate 9 from the movable contact 20. The contact point support portion 96 is located radially outward when viewed from the rotation axis X. Therefore, a biasing force in a direction that tilts the movable plate 9 with respect to the rotation axis X always acts on the movable plate 9 from the movable contact 20 side.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the position of the rib 98 is determined in consideration of the position where the reaction force from the movable contact 20 acts. As shown in FIG. 5, in the movable plate 9 when viewed in the rotation axis X direction, the position overlapping the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 is the acting point of the reaction force. In the case of the movable plate 9 in FIG. 5, a reaction force acts between the contact point support portion 96 and the insertion hole 931 at a position overlapping the contact portions 203a and 204a. Here, a straight line L1 (diameter line) connecting the contact portion 203a and the rotation axis X, and a straight line L2 (diameter line) connecting the contact portion 204a of the movable contact 20 and the rotation axis X are defined. Then, if a straight line L (diameter line) passing through the midpoint between these straight lines L1 and L2 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X is defined, the reaction force acting on the movable disk 9 from the movable contact 20 can be regarded as acting on a region on the straight line L (hereinafter referred to as the acting region) between the contact support portion 96 and the insertion hole 931 in the movable disk 9.

[0043] In this embodiment, a rib 98 is provided on the opposite side of the acting region with the rotation axis X interposed therebetween. This is because when the movable disk 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X and the opposite side of the acting region approaches the printed circuit board 10, the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 move away from the printed circuit board 10 (see FIG. 12). As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided at a position where the phase is shifted in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20. Specifically, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided in a range that crosses the straight line L in the circumferential direction.

[0044] Here, the reaction force acting on the movable disk 9 from the movable contact 20 acts on the regions on the straight lines L1 and L2 between the contact support portion 96 and the insertion hole 931. Therefore, the rib 98 is formed in a range extending from the straight line L1 to the straight line L2, and more preferably, with a length L98 that is longer than the circumferential length Lx from the straight line L1 to the straight line L2 (L98 > Lx).

[0045] FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) are diagrams for explaining the tilt of the movable disk 9 with respect to the rotation axis X and the action of the rib 98. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the tilt of the movable disk 9' according to the comparative example. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the rotation knob 4, the push button 5, and the main body case 3 are shown by virtual lines. Note that in the main body case 3' shown in FIG. 12, the shape of the engaging portion with the rotation knob 4 is different from that of the main body case 3 shown in FIG. 11.

[0046] Hereinafter, the action of the rib 98 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lever portion 2 of the switch device 1 is displaceable in the circumferential direction around the axis Y. When the user operates the lever portion 2, an operating force may act on the rotation knob 4 located on the tip side of the lever portion 2. As shown in FIG. 11(A), in the rotation knob 4, a protruding wall 411 protruding toward the main body case 3 side is inserted into a groove between the inner side walls 311 and 321 and the outer side walls 312 and 322 on the main body case 3 side. Therefore, when an overload acts on the outer circumference of the rotation knob 4 on the push button 5 side, the rotation knob 4 may bend in a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis X with the protruding wall 411 as a fulcrum due to the input overload. Then, the movable disk 9 inserted into the rotation knob 4 will also be inclined with respect to the rotation axis X.

[0047] As described above, in the switch device 1, the movable disk 9 connected to the rotation knob 4 has a rib 98 extending toward the printed circuit board 10 side. Therefore, when the rotation knob 4 tends to tilt with respect to the rotation axis X, the tip 98a of the rib 98 abuts against the printed circuit board 10 to restrict an excessive tilt of the movable disk 9 with respect to the rotation axis X (see FIG. 11(B)). In the present embodiment, the height h98 of the rib 98 in the direction of the rotation axis X is determined so that the inclination of the movable disk 9 with respect to the rotation axis X when the tip 98a of the rib 98 abuts against the printed circuit board 10 is within the range where the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 do not separate from the printed circuit board 10.

[0048] Further, in the main body case 3, the inner side walls 311 and 321 and the outer side walls 312 and 322 are positioned with a ring-shaped gap in the radial direction at the portion facing the rotation knob 4. These inner side walls 311 and 321 and outer side walls 312 and 322 ensure the rigidity of the connection portion side (left side in the figure) of the rotation knob 4 in the main body case 3. Therefore, even when the outer diameter side of the movable disk 9 tends to tilt in a direction away from the printed circuit board 10 (left side in the figure), the degree of tilting of the movable disk 9 is suppressed.

[0049] On the other hand, in the case of the movable plate 9’ (see FIG. 12) without the rib 98, since the inclination of the movable plate 9’ with respect to the rotation axis X is not restricted, the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 are separated from the printed circuit board 10. And finally, the region on the movable contact 20 side of the protruding wall 411 of the rotation knob 4 may come off from the main body case 3.

[0050] Note that, in the movable plate 9 according to the present embodiment, the rib 98 faces the printed circuit board 10 with a gap CL in the direction of the rotation axis X therebetween. Therefore, the rib 98 exhibits the function of restricting the inclination only when the movable plate 9 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis X, and does not affect the rotation operation of the rotation knob 4.

[0051] FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining the movable plates 9A and 9B according to the modified example. In the above-described embodiment, an example is illustrated in which, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, one rib 98 is provided with reference to a position shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 13, a movable plate 9A having a plurality of ribs 98 may be used. The movable plate 9A has two ribs 98. When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, the ribs 98 are respectively provided with reference to positions shifted in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X on one side and the other side with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a. Specifically, the ribs 98 are provided with reference to a straight line La passing through a position shifted by 120° on one side and a straight line Lb passing through a position shifted by 120° on the other side, with reference to a straight line L passing through the middle of the contact portions 203a and 204a in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. These ribs 98, 98 are respectively provided in a range crossing the straight lines La and Lb in the circumferential direction. These ribs 98, 98 each have a length L98 in the circumferential direction and are formed in an arc shape.

[0052] When the ribs 98, 98 are provided in this way, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the contact portions 203a, 204a and the ribs 98, 98 are arranged substantially evenly at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. And the two ribs 98, 98 are arranged in a positional relationship with the straight line L in between. As a result, even when the operating force acting on the rotation knob 4 acts in the direction of tilting the movable plate 9 on one side or the other side with the straight line L in between when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10 and restricts the tilting of the movable plate 9. Thereby, the possibility that the contact portions 203a, 204a of the movable contact 20 are separated from the printed circuit board can be reduced.

[0053] Note that the circumferential lengths of the ribs 98, 98 do not necessarily have to be the same length. The circumferential lengths of the ribs 98, 98 may be different.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the contact portions 203a, 204a of the movable contact 20 are arranged with a shift in the circumferential direction is illustrated (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 14, a movable plate 9B provided with a movable contact 20 in which the positions of the contact portions 203a, 204a in the circumferential direction are the same may be used.

[0055] In such a case, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided based on a position shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a, 204a. Specifically, the rib 98 is provided based on a position shifted by 180° with respect to the straight line L passing through the contact portions 203a, 204a in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The rib 98 is formed in an arc shape with a length L98 in a range crossing the straight line L in the circumferential direction.

[0056] Also by doing in this way, even when an operating force acts in the direction of tilting the movable plate 9, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10 and restricts the tilting of the movable plate 9. Thereby, the possibility that the contact portions 203a, 204a of the movable contact 20 are separated from the substrate can be reduced.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the movable plate 9 has one movable contact 20 was illustrated. However, a reverse switch device having a movable plate with two movable contacts 20 may also be used. In such a case, by setting the straight line L described above with reference to the positions of the contact portions 203a and 204a of each movable contact 20, and providing ribs in a range that horizontally crosses the set straight line L in the circumferential direction, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of each movable contact 20 separate from the substrate can be reduced.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the case of the switch device 1 having the push button 5 was illustrated. However, a switch device not provided with the push button 5 may also be used.

[0059] As described above, the switch device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 has a lever portion 2 that is operated by a user. The lever portion 2 has an annular rotation knob 4 that is rotatably provided around a rotation axis X (first axis), a movable plate 9 that is inserted into the rotation knob 4 and rotates around the rotation axis X in conjunction with the operation of the rotation knob 4, a printed circuit board 10 (substrate) that is disposed opposite to the movable plate 9 in the axial direction of the rotation axis X, movable contacts 20 that are provided at a contact support portion 96, which is a portion of the movable plate 9 facing the printed circuit board 10, and that elastically abut the contact portions 203a and 204a against the printed circuit board 10, and ribs 98 that protrude from a portion of the movable plate 9 facing the printed circuit board 10 toward the printed circuit board 10 side and face the printed circuit board 10 with a gap CL therebetween. When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, the ribs 98 are provided with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a.

[0060] There may be a case where an operating force in a direction to tilt the movable plate 9 with respect to the rotation axis X and separate the contact portions 203a and 204a from the printed circuit board 10 acts on the lever portion 2. With the above configuration, even if the movable plate 9 tends to tilt with respect to the rotation axis X due to the operating force acting on the lever portion 2, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10, so that the degree to which the movable plate 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X can be suppressed. Thereby, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the printed circuit board 10 can be reduced. Further, when the movable plate 9 is not tilted with respect to the rotation axis X normally, since the rib 98 does not contact the printed circuit board 10, the rotation operation of the rotation knob 4 is not hindered by the rib 98.

[0061] (2) In the above (1), When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided based on a position shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a.

[0062] When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, when the movable plate 9 tilts in a direction in which a region shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a approaches the printed circuit board 10, the displacement amount of the contact portions 203a and 204a in the direction of separating from the printed circuit board 10 becomes maximum. With the above configuration, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10 and restricts the tilt of the movable plate 9. Thereby, since the degree to which the movable plate 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X is suppressed, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the printed circuit board 10 can be reduced.

[0063] (3) In the above (1), When viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided respectively based on positions shifted in phase on one side and the other side in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a.

[0064] For example, with reference to the straight line L passing through the middle of the contact portions 203a and 204a in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided with reference to the straight line La passing through a position shifted by 120° in phase on one side and the straight line Lb passing through a position shifted by 120° in phase on the other side. In such a case, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the contact portions 203a and 204a and the ribs 98, 98 are arranged substantially evenly at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. And the two ribs 98, 98 are arranged in a symmetric positional relationship with the straight line L interposed therebetween. Thereby, even when the operating force acting on the rotation knob 4 acts in a direction to tilt the movable disk 9 to one side or the other side with the straight line L interposed therebetween when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10 to restrict the tilt of the movable disk 9. Thereby, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the substrate can be reduced.

[0065] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided with reference to the straight line L passing through the middle of the contact portions 203a and 204a in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X, the rib 98 is provided in a range crossing the straight line L in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

[0066] When the region of the movable disk 9 that is shifted by 180° in phase with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a tilts in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 10, the displacement amount of the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 in a direction away from the printed circuit board 10 becomes maximum. With the above configuration, when the movable disk 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X, the rib 98 contacts the printed circuit board 10 to restrict the tilt of the movable disk 9. Thereby, the degree to which the movable disk 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X can be suppressed, so that the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the printed circuit board 10 can be reduced. Further, since the rib 98 is provided in a range that crosses the straight line L in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X, even when the operating force acting on the rotation knob 4 also acts in a direction to tilt the movable plate 9 to one side or the other side with the straight line L interposed therebetween, the tilt of the movable plate 9 can be restricted. Thereby, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 are separated from the substrate can be reduced.

[0067] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, The movable contact 20 has a support portion 202 supported by the contact support portion 96, and legs 203 and 204 that extend from the support portion 202 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X and are arranged in the radial direction of the rotation axis X. The contact portions 203a, 203a of the leg 203 and the contact portions 204a, 204a of the leg 204 are provided with their positions shifted in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. When viewed from the rotation axis direction, the rib 98 is provided in a range that crosses, in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X, the straight line L1 passing through the rotation axis X and the contact portions 203a, 203a of the inner diameter side leg 203 and the straight line L2 passing through the rotation axis X and the contact portions 204a, 204a of the outer diameter side leg 204.

[0068] With this configuration, the rib 98 is formed with a range in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. Thereby, when the movable plate 9 tilts in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 10 in a region where the phase is shifted by 180° with respect to the contact portions 203a and 204a, the rib 98 abuts against the printed circuit board 10, thereby restricting the tilt of the movable plate 9. Therefore, the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 are separated from the substrate can be reduced.

[0069] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) above, the rib 98 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the movable plate 9 in a region that overlaps the printed circuit board 10 when viewed from the rotation axis X direction.

[0070] With this configuration, the degree to which the movable plate 9 tilts with respect to the rotation axis X can be suppressed. Here, when the movable plate 9 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis X, the rib provided on the outer peripheral side of the movable plate 9 as viewed from the radial direction of the rotation axis X contacts the printed circuit board 10 earlier than the rib provided on the rotation axis X side. Therefore, by configuring as described above, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the movable plate 9 with respect to the rotation axis X and reduce the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the printed circuit board 10.

[0071] (I) In any one of (1) to (6) above, The printed circuit board 10 and the movable plate 9 have a shaft member 7 that penetrates in the rotation axis X direction. The movable plate 9 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 7 and has a play in the rotation axis X direction with respect to the rotation knob 4. The printed circuit board 10 is loosely fitted to the shaft member 7.

[0072] When an excessive load acts on the rotation knob 4 from the radial direction of the rotation axis X, the rotation knob 4 inclines with respect to the rotation axis X, and the movable plate 9 inserted into the rotation knob 4 also inclines with respect to the rotation axis X, and the rib 98 contacts the outer peripheral side of the printed circuit board 10. With the above configuration, the printed circuit board 10 can also incline following the inclination of the movable plate 9, so that the possibility that the contact portions 203a and 204a of the movable contact 20 separate from the printed circuit board 10 can be further reduced.

[0073] (II) In any one of (1) to (6) and (I) above, The main body case 3 has inner side walls 311 and 321 that extend toward the rotation knob 4 on the inner diameter side of the protruding wall 411 of the outer peripheral wall 41 of the rotation knob 4.

[0074] With this configuration, the displacement of the region (protruding wall 411) of the rotation knob 4 inserted into the main body case 3 toward the rotation axis X side is restricted by the inner side walls 311 and 321, so that the deflection of the rotation knob 4 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0075] (III) In any one of (1) to (6), (I), and (II) above, The main body case 3 is composed of a first case 31 located on one side in the radial direction of the rotation axis X and a second case 32 located on the other side. The printed circuit board 10 and the shaft member 7 are gripped between the first case 31 and the second case 32.

[0076] With such a configuration, the positioning in the rotation axis X direction of the movable disk 9, the printed circuit board 10, and the shaft member 7 is ensured, so that the relative positional relationship between the movable disk 9 and the printed circuit board 10 is maintained. Thereby, the contact state between the movable contact 20 and the printed circuit board 10 can be maintained.

[0077] (IV) In any one of the above (1) to (6), (I) to (III), On the outer periphery of the outer peripheral wall 92 of the movable disk 9, locking claws 94 and ribs 95 are provided. On the inner periphery of the outer peripheral wall 41 of the rotation knob 4, locking claws 44 and ribs 45 are provided. With the movable disk 9 inserted into the rotation knob 4, the locking claw 44 on the rotation knob 4 side and the locking claw 94 on the movable disk 9 side are adjacently arranged in the rotation axis X direction to restrict the relative displacement in the rotation axis X direction between the rotation knob 4 and the movable disk 9. With the movable disk 9 inserted into the rotation knob 4, the side surfaces 951, 951 of the ribs 95, 95 on the movable disk 9 side are locked to the opposing surfaces 451, 451 of the ribs 45, 45 on the rotation knob 4 side that face each other to restrict the relative rotation between the rotation knob 4 and the movable disk 9.

[0078] With such a configuration, it is possible to connect the rotation knob 4 and the movable disk 9 so that they can rotate integrally while preventing separation in the rotation axis X direction.

[0079] As described above, the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to these, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0080] 1 Switch device 2 Lever portion 20 Movable contact 201 Connection piece 202 Support part 203, 204 Legs 203a, 204a Contact parts 3, 3’ Main body case 31 First case 311 Inner wall 312 Outer wall 313 Recess 32 Second case 321 Inner wall 322 Outer wall 333 Recess 4 Rotating knob 41 Outer peripheral wall 411 Protruding wall 42 Cylindrical part 44 Locking claw 45 Rib 5 Push button 6 Rotary slider 7 Shaft member 75 Flange part 9, 9’9A, 9B Movable plate 91 Cylindrical part 92 Outer peripheral wall 93 Wall part 94 Locking claw 95 Rib 96 Contact support part 98 Rib 98a Tip 10 Printed circuit board 101 Through hole 102 Fixed contact 11 Stop block CL Clearance L, L1, L2, La, Lb Straight line X Rotation axis

Claims

1. An annular rotating knob rotatably provided around a first axis, a movable disk inserted into the rotating knob and rotating around the first axis in conjunction with the operation of the rotating knob, a substrate disposed opposite to the movable disk in the axial direction of the first axis, a movable contact provided at a portion of the movable disk facing the substrate and having a contact portion contacting the substrate, and a rib protruding from a portion of the movable disk facing the substrate toward the substrate side and facing the substrate with a gap therebetween, and a switch device, wherein when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the first axis with respect to the contact portion.

2. In claim 1, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided based on a position shifted by 180° in the circumferential direction around the first axis with respect to the contact portion, and a switch device.

3. In claim 1, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided based on a position shifted by 120° in one side in the circumferential direction around the first axis with respect to the contact portion and a position shifted by 120° in the other side in the circumferential direction around the first axis with respect to the contact portion, respectively, and a switch device.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided in a range crossing a straight line passing through the contact portion and the first axis in the circumferential direction around the first axis, and a switch device.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 3, the movable contact has a first contact portion contacting the substrate on the inner diameter side and a second contact portion contacting the substrate on the outer diameter side in the radial direction of the first axis, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided with positions shifted in the circumferential direction around the first axis, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the rib is provided in a range crossing a straight line passing through the contact portion of the inner diameter side leg portion and the first axis and a straight line passing through the contact portion of the outer diameter side leg portion and the first axis in the circumferential direction around the first axis, and a switch device.

6. In claim 4, the rib is provided on the outer peripheral side of the movable disk in a region overlapping the substrate when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, and a switch device.

7. In claim 5, the rib is provided on the outer peripheral side of the movable disk in a region overlapping the substrate when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, and a switch device.

Images