Switch device

Abstract

Prevent the engagement hole of the locking claw from falling off. 【Solution means】The switch device 1 includes a case 2 attached to a holder 9, an operation knob 3 rotatable about an axis X, and a stopper mechanism 10 that defines a range in which relative displacement in the facing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 is possible. The stopper mechanism 10 includes an engagement hole 37 provided in the operation knob 3 and a locking claw 251 that is elastically displaceable in a region of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2 and engages with and disengages from the engagement hole 37. With the case 2 attached to the housing portion 91, the locking claw 251 is disposed with a gap between the inner circumference 923a of the second side edge portion 923, which is the portion of the housing portion 91 facing the locking claw 251, and the displacement of the locking claw 251 in the direction of separating from the engagement hole 37 is restricted by the inner circumference 923a of the second side edge portion 923 before separating from the engagement hole 37.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a paddle shift switch attached to a steering wheel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some of this type of paddle shift switch has a case fixed to the attached part on the steering wheel side, a shaft supported by the case, and an operation knob rotatably supported by the shaft. The operation knob has an operated part that is operated by a user at a position radially outward from the rotation axis of the shaft. In the paddle shift switch, when the operated part is operated, the operation knob rotates around the rotation axis, and the operation knob and the case are displaced relative to each other in the facing direction.

[0005] In the operation knob, a stopper mechanism for defining the rotation range of the operation knob is provided at a position away from the rotation axis. The stopper mechanism can be composed of a locking claw provided on the case and an engaging hole provided on the operation knob. The engaging hole is a hole having a length in the facing direction between the operation knob and the case. The locking claw is a protrusion that engages with the engaging hole from a direction orthogonal to the facing direction. In the stopper mechanism, when the operation knob is displaced in a direction away from the case, the locking claw is locked to the side edge of the engaging hole to restrict the displacement of the operation knob.

[0006] Here, when assembling the paddle shift switch, after the operation knob is rotatably supported by the case, the operation knob is displaced in a direction approaching the case, and the locking claw on the case side is engaged with the engagement hole on the operation knob side. At this time, the locking claw elastically deforms in a direction orthogonal to the opposing direction between the operation knob and the case, and then engages with the engagement hole by the restoring force of the material. In this state, the locking claw is also displaceable in a direction of coming off from the engagement hole. Therefore, when the operation knob is operated with an excessive force in a direction away from the case, the locking claw locked to the side edge of the engagement hole may be displaced in a direction of coming off from the engagement hole, and the operation knob may come off from the case. Therefore, it is required to be able to suppress the dropping of the locking claw from the engagement hole. In addition, not limited to such a requirement, the actions and effects derived from each configuration disclosed in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" described later, which are actions and effects not obtained by the conventional technology, can also be positioned as other objects of the present case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention A housing attached to the attached portion of the supporting member, A knob rotatable around a rotation axis set in the housing, When the knob rotates, it has a stopper mechanism that defines a range in which relative displacement in the opposing direction between the knob and the housing is possible. The stopper mechanism An engagement hole provided in the knob and opening in the radial direction of the opposing direction, It is provided in the housing so as to be elastically displaceable, and has a locking claw that engages with and disengages from the engagement hole from the opening direction of the engagement hole. The locking claw can protrude from the housing when engaging with and disengaging from the engagement hole. In a state where the housing is attached to the attached portion, the locking claw is disposed with a gap between the locking claw and the opposing portion in the attached portion, and the displacement of the locking claw in the direction of separating from the engaging hole is restricted by the opposing portion before separating from the engaging hole, and the switch device has such a configuration.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the dropping of the locking claw engaged with the engaging hole from the engaging hole. Further, in a state where the housing is attached to the attached portion, a gap is secured between the locking claw and the opposing portion on the attached portion side, and it is also possible to prevent the locking claw from being pushed into the housing due to the interference of the locking claw with the attached portion. If the locking claw engages with the engaging hole in a state where the locking claw is pushed into the housing, a deviation may occur in the position of the knob that can rotate around the rotation axis, but by securing a gap, the occurrence of the deviation can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case of a switch device 1 (paddle shift switch) that is attached to a steering wheel of a vehicle and used for operating an in-vehicle transmission. FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams for explaining the switch device 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the installation state of the switch device 1 on the steering wheel. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the attachment mode of the switch device 1 to the frame 102 on the steering wheel SW side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 1. In FIG. 1, the steering wheel SW is shown by a virtual line.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the case 2 (housing) of the switch device 1. In FIG. 4, the case 2 as viewed from the assembly side of the operation knob 3 is schematically shown. This FIG. 4 corresponds to a view of the state where the switch device 1 is attached to the steering wheel SW as seen from the front side of the vehicle. In FIG. 4, hatching intersecting the open area is shown. Further, in order to make it easy to understand the position of the end face on the front side of the paper surface of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the case 2 side, hatching is attached to the end face and shown. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. In FIG. 5, a cross-section of the switch device 1 cut along the line A-A in FIG. 4 is shown.

[0012] In the following description, as necessary, with reference to the vertical direction in FIG. 5, the positional relationship of each component of the switch device 1 will be described. For example, when described as "upper side", it means the upper side in the vertical direction in FIG. 5. Note that depending on the installation state of the switch device 1 on the steering wheel SW, even the "upper side" in FIG. 5 may be the "lower side".

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switch device 1 is attached to the frame 102 of the steering wheel SW via a holder 9. The frame 102 is a part that connects the connecting portion 100 of a steering shaft (not shown) and the ring-shaped gripping portion 101. The holder 9 is attached to the back side of the frame 102 as viewed from the occupant who operates the steering wheel SW.

[0014] The switch device 1 has an operation knob 3 that is operated by the occupant when performing an upshift or downshift. The switch device 1 is a so-called switch device for paddle shift switches.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the switch device 1 includes a resin case 2, a shaft 4 supported by the case 2, and an operation knob 3 rotatably supported by the shaft 4. The operation knob 3 is formed of a metal material such as tin as an example. The operation knob 3 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the resin case 2. The operation knob 3 is rotatable around an axis X along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the case 2, a printed circuit board 5, a rubber member 6 placed on the printed circuit board 5, and the shaft 4 are accommodated.

[0016] The case 2 has a bottom wall portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 21 over the entire circumference. The case 2 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening on the front side of the paper. In a front view, the case 2 has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0017] The peripheral wall portion 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape from side wall portions 221 and 222 that are parallel to each other and side wall portions 223 and 224 that connect the ends of the side wall portions 221 and 222 to each other. As shown in FIG. 4, inside the peripheral wall portion 22, a rib 225 is provided inside the side wall portion 223. The rib 225 is provided in a range from one side wall portion 221 in the X-axis direction to the other side wall portion 222 along the inner circumference of the side wall portion 223. Inside the peripheral wall portion 22, a rib 226 is also provided on the side wall portion 224 side (left side in the figure) when viewed from the axis X. The rib 226 is provided in a range from one side wall portion 221 in the X-axis direction to the other side wall portion 222 along the axis X. The rib 225 and the rib 226 are provided in a symmetric positional relationship with the axis X interposed therebetween.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, in the case 2, the region between the rib 225 and the rib 226 is an opening 227. In the region where the opening 227 is provided, a reinforcing plate portion 211 is provided on the side wall portion 222 side (upper side in the figure) rather than the center line Cx. The center line Cx is a straight line that passes through the center in the width direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the case 2 and is orthogonal to the axis X of the shaft 4. In a top view, the reinforcing plate portion 211 is a strip-shaped portion that extends in a direction along the center line Cx. The reinforcing plate portion 211 is provided so as to straddle the rib 225 and the rib 226.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, on one end side (side wall portion 223 side) in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the side wall portions 221 and 222, support holes 23 and 24 for the shaft 4 are provided. The support holes 23 and 24 penetrate the side wall portions 221 and 222 in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4). The support holes 23 and 24 are provided concentrically with respect to the axis X.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 4 is supported by the case 2 in a state where one end 4a side and the other end 4b side in the longitudinal direction are inserted into the support holes 23 and 24 of the case 2. On one end 4a side and the other end 4b side of the shaft 4, the connecting parts 34, 34 on the operation knob 3 side are externally inserted at positions adjacent to the side wall parts 221, 222.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation knob 3 has a base part 31 including the connecting parts 34, 34 of the shaft 4, an operated part 32 operated by a user, and a connecting part 33 connecting the base part 31 and the operated part 32. In the base part 31, the connecting parts 34, 34 are provided on both sides in the axial direction of the axis X. The connecting parts 34, 34 are provided with insertion holes 341, 341 penetrating in the thickness direction of the connecting parts 34, 34. The shaft 4 penetrates the insertion holes 341, 341 in the axial direction of the axis X along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion holes 341, 341 are formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter D4 of the shaft 4. Therefore, the connecting parts 34, 34 are loosely fitted on the shaft 4. The operation knob 3 is supported by the shaft 4 in a state where rotation around the axis X (rotation axis) is allowed.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation knob 3. (A) of FIG. 6 is a plan view of the operation knob 3 viewed from the case 2 side. (B) of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the operation knob 3 viewed from the case 2 side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. (A) of FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-section obtained by cutting the switch device 1 along the line B-B in FIG. 4. (B) of FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the region A in (A) of FIG. 7. Note that in FIG. 7, the arrangement when the operation knob 3 is disposed at the reference position, that is, when no operating force acts on the operation knob 3, is shown.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the base part 31 and the operated part 32 are provided with their positions shifted in the vertical direction. In the part of the connecting part 33, the outer surface 31b of the base part 31 and the inner surface 32a of the operated part 32 are separated by a height h33 in the vertical direction. On the inner surface 32a on the case 2 side of the operated part 32, a wall part 35 is provided by utilizing the step between the base part 31 and the operated part 32. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the wall portion 35 has a pair of side wall portions 351 and 352 arranged at intervals in the axial direction X, and a connecting wall portion 353 that connects one ends 351a and 352a of the side wall portions 351 and 352 to each other. The side wall portions 351 and 352 are provided in a range extending from the operated portion 32 through the connecting portion 33 to the base portion 31 (the left - right direction range in Fig. 6(A)). The other ends 351b and 352b of the side wall portions 351 and 352 are located on the base portion 31 side (the right side in the figure) of the boundary Bx between the base portion 31 and the connecting portion 33.

[0024] On the surface of the operation knob 3 on the case 2 side (the front - side surface of the paper in Fig. 6(A)), a space Ra surrounded by the wall portion 35 (the side wall portions 351 and 352, and the connecting wall portion 353) and the connecting portion 33 is formed. Among this space Ra, the region overlapping the connecting portion 33 becomes shallower in the depth direction from the front to the back of the paper as it goes toward the base portion 31 side (the right side in the figure). In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 3 is assembled to the case 2, the portion of the wall portion 35 is inserted inside the peripheral wall portion 22 on the case 2 side. In this state, the opening of the peripheral wall portion 22 is covered by the region surrounded by the wall portion 35 in the operated portion 32 and the connecting portion 33, and the base portion 31.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 6(A), in the connecting wall portion 353, a guide piece 36 is provided on the side of the side wall portion 351 (the upper side in the figure) with respect to the center line C3 of the operation knob 3. The center line C3 is a straight line passing through the center in the width direction of the case 2 (the up - down direction in the figure) and perpendicular to the axis X along the rotation axis of the shaft 4. As shown in Fig. 7(A), the guide piece 36 is formed with a length L36 that reaches the side of the printed circuit board 5.

[0026] On the tip 36c side of the guide piece 36, an engaging hole 37 that penetrates the guide piece 36 in the thickness direction is provided. The locking claw 251 of the engaging arm 25 on the case 2 side is inserted into the engaging hole 37 from the opening direction of the engaging hole 37 (the left - right direction in the figure). Specifically, the locking claw 251 is inserted into the engaging hole 37 from the side opposite to the printed circuit board 5 in the opening direction of the engaging hole 37 (the left - right direction in the figure).

[0027] In this embodiment, a stopper mechanism 10 is configured by a locking claw 251 on the engaging arm 25 side and an engaging hole 37 on the operation knob 3 side to define a range in which relative displacement in the facing direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 7(B)) between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 is possible.

[0028] Here, the term "facing direction" in this specification is not limited to the strict vertical direction in FIG. 7, that is, the direction orthogonal to the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2 (the opening direction of the case 2). As described above, the operation knob 3 is rotatably supported by a shaft 4 supported by the case 2 on the base portion 31 side (the right side in the figure) that is located away from the guide piece 36 (see FIG. 7(A)). The guide piece 36 is located radially away when viewed from the axis X which is the rotation axis of the operation knob 3. Therefore, when the operation knob 3 rotates around the axis X by the operation of the operation knob 3, it is displaced along an arc-shaped virtual line Im1 centered on the axis X in the region on the guide piece 36 side.

[0029] In the case of FIG. 7(A), the movement locus when the region where the engaging hole 37 is provided is displaced is shown by an arc-shaped virtual line Im1. In this embodiment, the region of the engaging hole 37 in the operation knob 3 is also displaced in the direction orthogonal to the facing direction (the left-right direction in the figure) in the process of the operation knob 3 being displaced in the facing direction with respect to the case 2. Here, the region where the engaging hole 37 engages with the locking claw 251 on the engaging arm 25 side is a limited range in the vertical direction in the figure, and in this specification, it is described using the term "facing direction" for convenience of explanation.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the engaging arm 25 has a base portion 250 extending from the bottom wall portion 21 toward the operation knob 3 side. The proximal end 250b of the base portion 250 is connected to the bottom wall portion 21. In a cross-sectional view, the base portion 250 is provided in a positional relationship overlapping with the side wall portion 224 on the case 2 side. The base portion 250 is provided using the thickness of the side wall portion 224. The locking claw 251 protrudes from the inner circumference of the end 250a side of the base 250 to the inside of the case 2. On the inner circumference of the base 250, an inclined surface 250c is provided in a direction in which the thickness W250 increases toward the connecting portion with the locking claw 251. The inclined surface 250c is connected to the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251. The locking surface 252 is a flat surface orthogonal to the extending direction of the base 250 (the vertical direction in FIG. 7(B)).

[0031] The engaging arm 25 is cantilever-supported by the bottom wall portion 21 on the case 2 side. The end 250a side (the locking claw 251 side) of the engaging arm 25 is elastically displaceable in the opening direction of the engaging hole 37 (the left-right direction in the figure). Further, the locking claw 251 side of the engaging arm 25 can protrude from and retract into the outer circumference 224a of the side wall portion 224.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the assembly of the switch device 1 by assembling the operation knob 3 to the case 2. The switch device 1 is assembled by the following procedure. (A) Assemble the operation knob 3 to the case 2 and arrange the insertion holes 341, 341 of the connecting portion 34 on the operation knob 3 side and the support holes 23, 24 on the case 2 side to be concentric on the axis X (see FIG. 5). (B) Insert the shaft 4 from one support hole 23 of the case 2 to the other support hole 24 and support one end and the other end of the shaft 4 with the case 2 (see FIG. 5). (C) Rotate the operation knob 3 rotatably supported by the shaft 4, bring the guide piece 36 side closer to the case 2, and elastically engage the locking claw 251 of the engaging arm 25 on the case 2 side with the engaging hole 37 of the guide piece 36 (see FIG. 8).

[0033] At this time, the guide piece 36 on the operation knob 3 side moves toward the case 2 side (the lower side in the figure) while pushing the engaging arm 25 outward (see FIGS. 8(A) and (B)). Specifically, the end 250a side of the engagement arm 25 where the locking claw 251 is provided is pushed by the guide piece 36 and displaced toward the outside of the case 2 (left side in the figure). Then, when the engagement hole 37 on the guide piece 36 side reaches the position of the locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25, the end 250a side of the engagement arm 25 is displaced in a direction approaching the guide piece 36 (right direction in the figure) by the restoring force, and the locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25 is inserted into the engagement hole 37 of the guide piece 36 from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37 (left direction in the figure).

[0034] That is, in the process of the locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25 being snap - engaged with the engagement hole 37 of the guide piece 36, the tip 36c of the guide piece 36 abuts against the locking claw 251 of the engagement arm 25. From this state, when the operation knob 3 is further pushed downward toward the case 2 side, the end 250a side of the engagement arm 25 is pushed by the guide piece 36 and displaced in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5 (left direction in the figure). As a result, it temporarily protrudes outward from the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2. The maximum protrusion amount ΔP of the end 250a side of the engagement arm 25 at this time is larger than the gap CLb (see (B) of FIG. 13) between the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 described later and the rib 925 protruding from the second side edge portion 923 (ΔP>CLb).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the height h251 of the locking claw 251 in the facing direction (vertical direction in the figure) between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 is smaller than the length L37 of the engagement hole 37 in the same direction (L37>h251). As described above, the operation knob 3 is supported by the shaft 4 so as to be rotatable about the axis X. When the operation knob 3 rotates about the axis X, the guide piece 36 also displaces in the circumferential direction about the axis X. At this time, the guide piece 36 relatively displaces with respect to the engagement arm 25 on the case 2 side in the facing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 (vertical direction in (B) of FIG. 7). At this time, the operation knob 3 can be relatively displaced with respect to the case 2 within the range of the length L37 of the engagement hole 37.

[0036] Here, the engaging surface 372, which is the side edge on the bottom wall portion 21 side (lower side in the figure) of the engaging hole 37, is a flat surface that faces the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251. In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2, the engaging surface 372 of the engaging hole 37 that is displaced by the rotation of the operation knob 3 is locked in a state of surface contact with the locking surface 252 on the locking claw 251 side, thereby preventing the operation knob 3 from moving in a direction away from the case 2. That is, the rotation range (movement range) when the operation knob 3 rotates around the axis X is defined by the stopper mechanism 10 having the engaging surface 372 and the locking surface 252.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7(A), in the operation knob 3, an operating element 38 is provided at a position offset from the guide piece 36 toward the connection portion 33 side (right side in the figure). As shown in FIG. 6(A), the operating element 38 is located on the straight line Cy. The straight line Cy is a straight line parallel to the center line C3 of the operation knob 3. The center line C3 is a straight line that passes through the center in the width direction of the operation knob 3 and is orthogonal to the axis X.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, the operating element 38 protrudes toward the case 2 side (lower side in the figure). The tip 38a of the operating element 3 is a flat surface, and the tip 38a is placed on the cylindrical placement portion 62 on the rubber member 6 side.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the rubber member 6 has a base portion 61, a placement portion 62, a support wall portion 63, and a stopper portion 64. The rubber member 6 is an integral part formed of an elastic material having flexibility such as rubber. The base portion 61 is a portion placed on the printed circuit board 5. The placement portion 62 is a portion that supports the operating element 38. The support wall portion 63 is a portion that holds the placement portion 62 at a position away from the printed circuit board 5 and supports the placement portion 62 so as to be displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the printed circuit board 5 (vertical direction in the figure). The stopper portion 64 protrudes from the lower end of the mounting portion 62 toward the printed circuit board 5 side (the lower side in the figure), and is a portion that supports the contact 65. The contact 65 is provided on the surface of the stopper portion 64 facing the printed circuit board 5 (the lower surface in the figure). On the printed circuit board 5, a contact 66 is provided at the portion facing the contact 65. The mounting portion 62 that supports the operating element 38 on the operation knob 3 side is displaced relative to the printed circuit board 5 in the direction of facing the printed circuit board 5 (the vertical direction in the figure) when the operation knob 3 is operated. At this time, the contact 65 provided on the stopper portion 64 also displaces in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 3 and comes into contact with and separates from the contact 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side. The contact 65 (movable-side contact) of the stopper portion 64 and the contact 66 (fixed-side contact) of the printed circuit board 5 constitute a switch that turns on / off in response to the operation of the operation knob 3.

[0040] The operation knob 3 is biased in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5 by a biasing force acting from the rubber member 6 side. The operation knob 3 is arranged at the reference position (see (A) in FIG. 7) by the biasing force acting from the rubber member 6 side. At the reference position, the locking surface 252 of the locking claw 251 on the case 2 side engages with the engaging surface 372 of the engaging hole 37 of the guide piece 36, restricting the displacement of the operation knob 3 in the direction away from the printed circuit board 5. When the operation knob 3 is arranged at the reference position, the movable-side contact 65 is arranged at a position separated from the fixed-side contact 66.

[0041] When the operation knob 3 is operated and the operating element 38 is displaced in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 5, the mounting portion 62 of the rubber member 6 is pushed by the operating element 38 and displaced in a direction approaching the printed circuit board 5 while deforming the support wall portion 63. The operation knob 3 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 5 side until the contact 65 of the stopper portion 64 abuts against the contact 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side. When the operating force acting on the mounting portion 62 is eliminated, the mounting portion 62 is displaced in a direction away from the printed circuit board 5 by the restoring force of the support wall portion 63. The support wall portion 63 always acts on the operation knob 3 (operating element 38 mounted on the mounting portion 62) with a biasing force in a direction to return it to the reference position before displacement.

[0042] The printed circuit board 5 is provided with a plurality of ribs 29 provided on the bottom wall portion 21 with a gap therebetween. In this state, the printed circuit board 5 is provided substantially parallel to the bottom wall portion 21 in the direction along the axis X (rotation axis) of the shaft 4 described above. On the surface of the printed circuit board 5 facing the operation knob 3 side, contact points 66 are provided. On the printed circuit board 5, a plurality of electronic components 51 are mounted on the surface on the bottom wall portion 21 side of the case 2.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, in the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2, a boss portion 26 is provided in a region where the center line Cx intersects the rib 226. In the boss portion 26, a ring-shaped bush 27 having a screw hole 270 in the center is embedded. In the present embodiment, a nut into which a bolt B (see FIG. 2) for attaching the switch device 1 is screwed is adopted as the bush 27. The bush 27 is embedded in the resin material constituting the case 2 with the penetrating direction of the screw hole 270 along the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 21 (the front-back direction in the drawing in FIG. 4). Here, the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 21 is a direction along the facing direction between the operation knob 3 and the printed circuit board 5.

[0044] In the bottom wall portion 21, a substantially rectangular opening 210 is provided at a position inscribed in the side wall portion 224. The opening 210 is provided along the inner circumference of the side wall portion 224 on the side wall portion 221 side (lower side in the drawing) of the center line Cx. At a position overlapping the opening 210, the locking claws 251 of the engaging arm 25 described above are arranged in an overlapping positional relationship.

[0045] On the side wall portion 223 side (right side in the drawing) as viewed from the opening 210, the printed circuit board 5 and the rubber member 6 are located. The printed circuit board 5 is positioned by the positioning pins 28 provided on the bottom wall portion 21. The printed circuit board 5 is located between the opening 210 and the boss portion 26. On the upper surface of the printed circuit board 5 facing the operation knob 3, the fixed-side contact points 66 are located. A rubber member 6 is placed on the printed circuit board 5. The rubber member 6 is provided so as to cover the region of the contact point 66 on the printed circuit board 5.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. (A) of FIG. 9 schematically shows a cross-section obtained by cutting the switch device 1 along the line C-C in FIG. 4. (B) of FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a state when the switch device 1 is assembled to the holder 9 side. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the case 2 as viewed from the holder 9 side. This FIG. 10 schematically shows a state when the case 2 is viewed from the holder 9 side which is the assembly partner of the switch device 1.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9, in the case 2 of the switch device 1, boss portions 26 which are regions where bushings 27 are embedded project inward and outward from the inner side and the outer side of the bottom wall portion 21, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, on the back surface of the bottom wall portion 21 (the surface facing the holder 9 described above), the boss portion 26 projects toward the front side of the paper surface. Further, on the back surface of the bottom wall portion 21, positioning protrusions 212 and 213 are provided on one side and the other side of the center line Cx. The protrusion 212 is provided in the region of the reinforcing plate portion 211 on the side wall portion 223 side (left side in the figure) as viewed from the boss portion 26. The protrusion 213 is located on the back side of the region where the printed circuit board 5 described above is provided on the side wall portion 224 side (right side in the figure) as viewed from the boss portion 26.

[0048] The protrusions 212 and 213 project in the same direction as the boss portion 26. These protrusions 212 and 213 are inserted into through holes 932 and 933 (see FIGS. 11 and 12), which are positioning holes on the holder 9 side, respectively, when the switch device 1 is assembled to the holder 9 described above.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the housing portion 91 of the holder 9. In FIG. 11, the area around the housing portion 91 of the holder 9 is schematically shown as viewed from the assembly side of the switch device 1. In FIG. 11, in order to make the position of the opened portion easy to understand, hatching intersecting the opening area is shown. In the holder 9, a housing portion 91 is provided in a cover portion 90 that covers the surface of the frame 102 (see FIG. 2). The housing portion 91 is a bottomed cylindrical portion with an opening facing away from the frame 102. The housing portion 91 has a peripheral wall portion 92 formed in a cylindrical shape from a pair of first side edge portions 921, 922 and a pair of second side edge portions 923, 924 that connect the ends of the first side edge portions 921, 922. A bottom wall portion 93 having an opening portion 930 is located on the inner side of the peripheral wall portion 92. In the bottom wall portion 93, the opening portion 930 is at least formed to have a size and range that can avoid interference with the boss portion 26 on the case 2 side described above. Through holes 932 and 933 are provided in the bottom wall portion 93. The through hole 932 is provided at a position closer to the second side edge portion 924. The through hole 933 is provided at a position offset to the second side edge portion 923 side (left side in the figure) as viewed from the through hole 932. Based on the position of the center line Cx when the switch device 1 is housed in the housing portion 91, the through holes 932 and 933 are located on one side and the other side of the center line Cx.

[0050] The through hole 932 is a round hole that matches the outer diameter of the protrusion 212 (see FIG. 6) on the case 2 side described above. The through hole 933 is an elongated hole having an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the protrusion 213 (see FIG. 6) on the case 2 side described above. The through hole 933 is provided along the first side edge portions 921 and 922 in a direction along a straight line C2. Here, the straight line C2 is a straight line parallel to the center line Cx described above.

[0051] A rib 925 is provided on the inner circumference 923a of the second side edge portion 923. The rib 925 is provided in the region between the center line Cx and the straight line C2. The rib 925 is provided at a position facing the engagement arm 25 described later (see (B) of FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 7(B), the rib 925 extends along the inner circumference 923a of the second side edge portion 923 in the same direction as the engaging arm 25 (in the vertical direction in the drawing: the direction in which the operation knob 3 and the printed circuit board 5 face each other). In the direction in which the operation knob 3 and the case 2 face each other (the vertical direction in the drawing), the rib 925 is provided in a range that crosses laterally from the bottom wall portion 21 side (lower side in the drawing) to the operated portion 32 side of the operation knob 3 (upper side in the drawing) on the side of the locking claw 251. The rib 925 reaches up to the operated portion 32 side (upper side) rather than the upper end portion 250a of the engaging arm 25. The rib 925 has a flat surface 925a (see FIG. 14(A)) that can abut against the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 at the opposing portion with the engaging arm 25. The width W925 of the rib 925 is narrower than the width W251 of the engaging arm 25 (locking claw 251) (W251 > W925: see FIG. 14).

[0052] FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the assembly of the switch device 1 (case 2) into the housing portion 91 of the holder 9. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the action of the rib 925. In FIG. 12, only the case 2 on the switch device 1 side is shown, and the illustration of other components is omitted. In FIG. 13(A), a state where the switch device 1 is brought closer to the housing portion 91 of the holder 9 from the case 2 side is shown. In FIG. 13(B), the gaps CLa and CLb between the second side edge portion 923 and the case 2 during the process in which the engaging arm 25 on the switch device 1 side is inserted inside the second side edge portion 923 of the housing portion 91 are shown. In FIG. 13(C), a state where the switch device 1 is disposed at a predetermined position inside the housing portion 91 is shown. FIG. 14(A) is a view of around the locking claw 251 from the direction of arrow A-A in FIG. 13(C). FIG. 14(B) is a diagram showing a state where the locking claw 251 is displaced to a position where it contacts the rib 925 on the holder 9 side.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, when assembling the switch device 1 into the housing portion 91 of the holder 9, the protrusions 212 and 213 on the case 2 side are respectively inserted into the through holes 932 and 933 inside the housing portion 91 (see FIG. 11, virtual lines), and the switch device 1 is positioned inside the housing portion 91. At this time, the boss portion 26 on the case 2 side is disposed within the opening 930 on the housing portion 91 side. In this state, the boss portion 26 (bush 27) is disposed with the opening of the bush 27 facing the frame 102 side (see FIG. 9). Therefore, by screwing the bolt B that has passed through the bolt hole 102a (see FIG. 2) on the frame 102 side into the boss portion 26, the switch device 1 is fixed to the frame 102 via the holder 9.

[0054] Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in the housing portion 91 of the holder 9, the combination of the through hole 932 (round hole) and the through hole 933 (long hole) functions as a rotation stopper for the switch device 1 (case 2) disposed within the housing portion 91. Furthermore, the through hole 933 is used for positioning to secure a gap (the left - right gap in FIGS. 7 and 11) between the engaging arm 25 on the switch device 1 (case 2) side and the rib 925 on the housing portion 91 side. In the present embodiment, when the protrusion 213 of the case 2 contacts the edge 933a on the rib 925 side (the left side in FIG. 11) of the through hole 933, the movement of the case 2 toward the second side edge portion 923 side is restricted. The position of the through hole 933 is set so as to satisfy the following conditions when the switch device 1 (case 2) is housed in the housing portion 91 (see (B) of FIG. 7). (a) A gap CLa can be secured between the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 and the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 of the housing portion 91. (b) A gap CLb can be secured between the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 and the rib 925 protruding from the second side edge portion 923.

[0055] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, during the process of inserting the switch device 1 into the housing portion 91, the side wall portion 224 on the case 2 side does not interfere with the second side edge portion 923 and the rib 925 on the housing portion 91 side, and the insertion of the switch device 1 into the housing portion 91 is not inhibited. Furthermore, since the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 does not protrude from the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224, the insertion of the switch device 1 into the housing portion 91 is not inhibited by the engaging arm 25 interfering with the rib 925.

[0056] Note that the case 2 of the switch device 1 is installed so as not to contact the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 92 of the housing portion 91 on the holder 9 side. Here, the above-described gaps CLa and CLb are set to intervals that can ensure a gap between the case 2 and the housing portion 91 even when the error (tolerance) during the production of the holder 9 is maximized.

[0057] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the influence when the engaging arm 25 interferes with the inner periphery of the housing portion 91 of the holder 9. Here, the influence when the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 or the rib 925 interferes with the engaging arm 25 on the case 2 side will be explained. As shown in FIG. 15, when the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 or the rib 925 interferes with the engaging arm 25 on the case 2 side and the engaging arm 25 is pushed into the inside of the case 2, in the engaging arm 25 that is cantilever-supported by the case 2, the locking claw 251 on the upper end side is displaced downward toward the bottom wall portion 21 with the proximal end 250b as a fulcrum. Then, since the locking claw 251 is engaged with the engaging hole 37 of the guide piece 36, the guide piece 36 is pulled by the locking claw 251 that is displaced downward toward the bottom wall portion 21 and is displaced downward toward the bottom wall portion 21. As a result, the operation knob 3 provided with the guide piece 36 rotates in the circumferential direction around the axis X, and the operated portion 32 side is displaced downward toward the bottom wall portion 21.

[0058] Then, the entire operation knob 3 is arranged at a position deviated from the reference position. In such a case, depending on the displacement amount of the operation knob 3, there is a possibility that the mounting portion 62 of the rubber member 6 on which the operating element 38 is mounted is arranged at a position where the contact point 65 contacts the contact point 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side. Furthermore, depending on the displacement amount of the operation knob 3 (operated part 32), the amount of operation of the operation knob 3 required until the contacts 65 and 66 come into contact with each other may be less than the amount of operation when the operation knob 3 is in the reference position, and the user operating the operation knob 3 may feel a sense of discomfort in the operating feel.

[0059] In the present embodiment, when the switch device 1 is housed in the housing portion 91 on the holder 9 side, a gap is secured between the outer periphery of the case 2 and the inner periphery of the housing portion 91. This is to prevent the attachment of the switch device 1 to the housing portion 91 from being hindered even when the error (tolerance) during the production of the holder 9 is maximized. Therefore, in the case 2 of the switch device 1, the engaging arm 25 is provided by utilizing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 22 so that at least the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 does not protrude outward from the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224.

[0060] Thereby, when the switch device 1 is housed in the housing portion 91 on the holder 9 side, the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 does not contact the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25. Thus, the influence when the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 or the rib 925 interferes with the engaging arm 25 on the case 2 side is prevented from occurring.

[0061] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the action of the rib when the operation knob 3 is operated in the opposite direction. The opposite direction means the direction opposite to the original operation direction (the direction approaching the case 2) (the direction away from the case 2). In FIG. 16(A), the displacement of the engaging arm 25 when the operation knob 3 is operated in the direction away from the case 2 is shown. In FIG. 16(B), the periphery around the locking claw 251 in the case of FIG. 16(A) is enlarged and shown. In FIG. 16(C), the case where the operation knob 3 is further operated from the state of FIG. 16(B) is shown.

[0062] The switch device 1 is attached to the steering wheel SW via a holder 9 and used. In the normal usage mode of the switch device 1, the operation knob 3 is operated in the direction approaching the frame 102 (downward in the figure) in FIG. 16(A). Here, the operation knob 3 may be unintentionally operated in the direction away from the frame 102 (upward in the figure: see the white arrow). In such a case, the engaging surface 372 of the engaging hole 37 on the operation knob 3 side is displaced in the direction away from the frame 102 (upward in the figure). Then, the locking claw 251 with the locking surface 252 engaged with the engaging hole 37 is pulled in the direction away from the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2 (upward in the figure). Then, since the proximal end 250b of the base portion 250 of the engaging arm 25 is cantilever - supported by the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2, the end portion 250a side where the locking claw 251 is provided is displaced in the direction away from the engaging hole 37 (leftward in the figure).

[0063] Then, the engaging margin W (see FIG. 16(B)) of the locking claw 251 on the engaging surface 372 of the engaging hole 37 decreases according to the displacement amount. In the present embodiment, while the engaging margin W is such that the locking claw 251 does not drop off from the engaging surface 372, the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 contacts the inner circumference 923a (rib 925) of the second side edge portion 923 on the holder 9 side, and the displacement of the engaging arm 25 is regulated (see FIG. 14(B) and FIG. 16(B)). Thereby, the dropping - off of the locking claw 251 from the engaging surface 372 is prevented. Thus, the operation knob 3 is prevented from deviating from the rotatable range defined by the engaging hole 37.

[0064] Here, even after the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 contacts the inner circumference 923a (rib 925) of the second side edge portion 923, if the operation of moving the operation knob 3 away from the frame 102 continues, the case 2 of the switch device 1 is displaced in the direction away from the frame 102 together with the operation knob 3. At this time, the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 is displaced in the direction away from the frame 102 along the inner circumference of the second side edge portion 923. As described above, with reference to the position of the locking claw 251 when the switch device 1 is fixed to the frame 102, the rib 925 is provided in a range that crosses the side of the locking claw 251 in the facing direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the operation knob 3 and the case 2. Therefore, even if the case 2 of the switch device 1 is displaced in a direction away from the frame 102 together with the operation knob 3, the contact state between the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 and the rib 925 can be ensured. Thereby, the displacement restriction of the engaging arm 25 by the rib 925 can be continued. Therefore, even when the switch device 1 is displaced in a direction away from the frame 102, the engagement between the engagement hole 37 and the locking claw 251 is not released. Thereby, the dropout of the locking claw 251 engaged with the engagement hole 37 from the engagement hole 37 can be suppressed.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rib 925 is provided on the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 has been illustrated. Even without providing the rib 925, the back surface 250d of the displaced engaging arm 25 may be brought into contact with the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923. In such a case, by setting the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 to contact the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 on the holder 9 side while the engaging margin W is such that the locking claw 251 does not drop out from the engaging surface 372, the dropout of the locking claw 521 from the engagement hole 37 can be prevented.

[0066] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the engaging arm 25A according to the modified example. In FIG. 17(A), the positional relationship between the engaging arm 25A in a state where the switch device 1 is attached to the housing portion 91 and the inner periphery 923a (rib 925) of the second side edge portion 923 is explained. FIG. 17(B) is a diagram showing a state where the contact portion 253 of the engaging arm 25A is displaced to a position where it contacts the rib 925 on the holder 9 side.

[0067] The above-described engaging arm 25 was exemplified by the case where the back surface 250d facing the second side edge portion 923 is a flat surface over the entire length in the height direction (vertical direction in the drawing). It may be the engaging arm 25A shown in FIG. 17(A). In the engaging arm 25A, a contact portion 253 is provided on the upper end portion 250a side of the base portion 250. When viewed from the opening direction of the engaging hole 37 (left-right direction in the drawing), the contact portion 253 is provided at a position overlapping with the locking claw 251. The contact portion 253 bulges from the back surface 250d of the base portion 250 in a direction away from the locking claw 251.

[0068] Here, even when the engaging arm 25A is adopted, while there is an engaging margin W where the locking claw 251 does not fall off from the engaging surface 372, the contact portion 253 of the engaging arm 25A is set to contact the inner periphery 923a (rib 925) of the second side edge portion 923 on the holder 9 side, so that the displacement of the engaging arm 25A is restricted. Thereby, even by adopting the engaging arm 25A, it is possible to prevent the locking claw 251 from falling off from the engaging surface 372, so that the operation knob 3 can be prevented from deviating from the rotatable range defined by the engaging hole 37.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the engaging arms 25 and 25A do not protrude from the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 in the normal state where the case 2 is attached to the accommodating portion 91 was exemplified. As long as a gap can be secured between the engaging arms 25 and 25A and the inner periphery 923a (rib 925) of the second side edge portion 923 on the holder 9 side, they may protrude from the outer periphery 224a.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the engaging arms 25 and 25A are provided on the side wall portion 224 parallel to the axis X was exemplified. The engaging arms 25 and 25A may be provided on the side wall portions 221 and 222 (see FIG. 4) orthogonal to the axis X. In such a case, by providing ribs on the first side edge portions 921 and 922 side (see FIG. 11), the same operational effects as in the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0071] As described above, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 is A case 2 (housing) attached to a housing portion 91 (mounting portion) of a holder 9 (support member), and An operation knob 3 (knob) rotatable about an axis X which is a rotation axis set in the case 2, and A stopper mechanism 10 that defines a range in which relative displacement in the facing direction between the operation knob 3 and the case 2 is possible when the operation knob 3 rotates. The stopper mechanism 10 includes An engagement hole 37 provided in the operation knob 3 and opening in the radial direction (orthogonal direction to the facing direction) of the axis X, and A locking claw 251 that is elastically displaceably provided in a region of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2 and snaps into and out of the engagement hole 37 from the opening direction of the engagement hole 37. The locking claw 251 can project outward from the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2 when engaging with and disengaging from the engagement hole 37. In a state where the case 2 is attached to the housing portion 91, the locking claw 251 is disposed with a gap between the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923, which is the opposing portion of the housing portion 91 with respect to the locking claw 251, and the displacement of the locking claw 251 in the direction of disengaging from the engagement hole 37 is restricted by the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 before disengaging from the engagement hole 37.

[0072] With this configuration, in the switch device 1 housed in the housing portion 91, the displacement of the locking claw 251 in the direction of dropping out of the engagement hole 37 is restricted by the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 before dropping out of the engagement hole 37. Thereby, the dropping out of the locking claw 251 engaged with the engagement hole 37 from the engagement hole 37 can be suppressed. Also, in a state where the case 2 is attached to the housing portion 91, a gap is secured between the locking claw 251 and the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 on the housing portion 91 side, preventing the locking claw 251 from being pushed into the case 2 due to interference with the inner periphery 923a. When the locking claw 251 engages with the engagement hole 37 in the state of being pushed into the case 2, a displacement (displacement from the reference position) occurs in the position of the operation knob 3 that can rotate around the axis X. However, by securing a gap, the possibility that the operation knob 3 is displaced from the reference position can be reduced. Prevented.

[0073] When there is a displacement from the reference position, depending on the degree of displacement, the placement portion 62 of the rubber member 6 on which the operating element 38 is placed may be arranged at a position where the contact point 65 contacts the contact point 66 on the printed circuit board 5 side. Further, depending on the degree of displacement (displacement amount), the operation amount of the operation knob 3 required until the contact points 65 and 66 contact each other becomes less than the operation amount when the operation knob 3 is at the reference position, and the user operating the operation knob 3 may feel a sense of discomfort in the operation feeling. As described above, by reducing the possibility that the operation knob 3 is displaced from the reference position, the possibility of such a problem occurring can be reduced.

[0074] (2) In the above (1), The operation knob 3 is formed of a metal material.

[0075] For example, if the operation knob 3 is formed of a metal material such as tin, the portion of the operation knob 3 where the engagement hole 37 is provided is difficult to bend. Therefore, when the locking claw 251 engages with and disengages from the engagement hole 37, the portion of the case 2 side where the locking claw 251 is provided will bend. As described above, since the locking claw 251 can project outward from the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 to the outer side of the peripheral wall portion 22 when engaging with and disengaging from the engagement hole 37, there is no need to secure a space inside the case 2 for the locking claw 251 to bend. Therefore, it is possible to preferably prevent the case 2 from becoming larger in order to secure a space for the locking claw 251 to bend.

[0076] (I) In the above (2), Inside the case 2, a printed circuit board 5 is provided inside the peripheral wall portion 22. On the printed circuit board 5, a contact point 66 with which the contact point 65 on the operation knob 3 side makes contact and separates is provided, and electronic components 51 are mounted.

[0077] With this configuration, when the locking claw 251 engages with and disengages from the engagement hole 37, it is possible to suitably prevent interference with the components in the case 2 and the printed circuit board 5.

[0078] (3) In any one of the above (1), (2), and (I), On the inner periphery 923a, which is the portion of the holder 9 (mounted part) facing the locking claw 251, a rib 925 protruding toward the case 2 side is provided. When viewed from the radial direction in the facing direction of the operation knob 3 and the case 2, the rib 925 is provided in a range that crosses the locking claw 251 in the facing direction.

[0079] When a large operating force in the direction of detaching the operation knob 3 from the case 2 acts on the operation knob 3, a stress in the direction of displacement following the operation knob 3 acts on the locking claw 251 engaged with the engagement hole 37 on the operation knob 3 side. Then, the locking claw 251 is displaced in the direction away from the engagement hole 37, contacts the rib 925 on the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923, and then slides along the rib 925 in the direction of the acting stress. At this time, a load due to the sliding acts on the locking claw 251. With the above configuration, instead of the entire surface on the back surface 250d side (the entire surface on the inner periphery 923a side) of the locking claw 251 contacting the inner periphery 923a, it contacts the rib 925, which is a partial region of the inner periphery 923a. Thereby, the sliding resistance received by the locking claw 251 can be reduced, and the load due to the sliding can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the rib 925 is provided in a range crossing the region where the locking claw 251 is provided, when the locking claw 251 is displaced following the operation knob 3, the locking claw 251 surely contacts the rib 925, reducing the possibility that the sliding resistance received by the locking claw 251 increases.

[0080] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3) and (I), The engagement hole 37 is provided in a guide piece 36 (extension piece) that extends from the operation knob 3 along the opposite direction toward the case 2 side. In the case 2, the proximal end 250b in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 250 is supported by the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2, and the end portion 250a side (tip side) having the locking claw 251 has an engagement arm 25 that can be elastically displaced in the radial direction of the axis X that is the rotation axis of the operation knob 3. The engagement arm 25 is provided by utilizing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the case 2.

[0081] When providing an engaging portion on the inner or outer side of the peripheral wall portion 22 for the engagement arm 25, the case 2 becomes larger. By providing the engagement arm 25 by utilizing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 22, an increase in the size of the case 2 can be suppressed.

[0082] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), (I), On the opposing portion of the bottom wall portion 21 of the case 2 with the holder 9, a positioning projection 212 (first projection) and a projection 213 (second projection) are provided. The accommodating portion 91 on the holder 9 side has a through hole 932 (first engagement hole) with which the projection 212 engages and a through hole 933 (second engagement hole) with which the projection 213 engages. The through hole 932 and the through hole 933 are arranged apart from each other in the direction orthogonal to the opposing direction. The through hole 932 is a round hole that matches the outer diameter of the projection 212. The through hole 933 is an elongated hole that extends in the direction orthogonal to the opposing direction (the engaging and disengaging direction of the engagement hole 37 of the engagement arm 25).

[0083] For example, when the switch device 1 (case 2) is accommodated in the accommodating portion 91, the position of the through hole 933 is set so as to satisfy the following conditions (see (B) of FIG. 7). (a) A clearance CLa can be ensured between the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 and the inner periphery 923a of the second side edge portion 923 of the accommodating portion 91. (b) A clearance CLb can be ensured between the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224 of the case 2 and the rib 925 protruding from the second side edge portion 923. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, in the process of inserting the switch device 1 into the accommodating portion 91, it is possible to prevent the side wall portion 224 on the case 2 side from interfering with the second side edge portion 923 and the rib 925 on the accommodating portion 91 side, thereby inhibiting the insertion of the switch device 1 into the accommodating portion 91. Furthermore, since the back surface 250d of the engaging arm 25 does not protrude from the outer periphery 224a of the side wall portion 224, it is possible to preferably prevent the engaging arm 25 from interfering with the rib 925 and inhibiting the insertion of the switch device 1 into the accommodating portion 91.

[0084] (6) In any one of the above (1) to (5), (I), The engaging hole 37 is provided on the operation knob 3 side. The locking claw 251 is provided on the case 2 side. The operation knob 3 is formed of a metal material having a higher hardness than the case 2.

[0085] When the case 2 is made of resin, the portion of the metal material operation knob 3 having the engaging hole 37 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the portion of the case 2 side having the locking claw 251. Therefore, when the operation knob 3 is displaced in a direction away from the case 2, the portion having the locking claw 251 is more likely to be elastically displaced. With the above configuration, the displacement of the locking claw 251 in the direction of dropping out of the engaging hole 37 is restricted before dropping out of the engaging hole 37. Thereby, the dropping out of the locking claw 251 engaged with the engaging hole 37 from the engaging hole 37 can be suppressed, and the displacement of the operation knob 3 in the direction of coming off from the case 2 can be prevented.

[0086] (II) In the above (6), At least the accommodating portion 91 of the holder 9 is formed of a resin material having a lower hardness than the metal operation knob 3. The accommodating portion 91 has a second side edge portion 923 facing the region where the locking claw 251 is provided in the case 2. A rib 925 is provided on the inner periphery 923a, which is the facing surface of the second side edge portion 923 with the locking claw 251.

[0087] With such a configuration, the inner circumference 923a, which is the opposing portion on the second side edge portion 923 side where the locking claw 251 abuts, is also formed of the same resin material as the case 2. Here, if the holder 9 and the case 2 are formed of a resin material having the same hardness, even if the locking claw 251 and the inner circumference 923a of the second side edge portion 923 repeatedly come into contact, the possibility that only one of them will excessively wear can be reduced.

[0088] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), (I), and (II), The switch device 1 is a paddle shift switch for in-vehicle transmission operation.

[0089] With such a configuration, when an excessive operating force in the direction away from the case 2 acts on the operating knob 3, the locking claw 251 is displaced in the direction of disengaging from the engaging hole 37. In the switch device 1, the displacement of the locking claw 251 in the direction of disengaging from the engaging hole 37 is restricted by the rib 925 on the second side edge portion 923 side. Thereby, the occurrence of a situation where the locking claw 251 disengages from the engaging hole 37 can be preferably prevented.

[0090] As described above, the embodiments and modification examples of the present invention have been described. However, 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

[0091] 1 Switch device 10 Stopper mechanism 2 Case (housing) 21 Bottom wall portion 212, 213 Protrusions (first protrusion, second protrusion) 22 Peripheral wall portion 221, 222, 223, 224 Side wall portions 224a Outer circumference 25 Engaging arm 250 Base portion 250a End portion 250b Base end 250c Inclined surface 250d Rear surface 251 Locking claw 252 Locking surface 253 Contact portion 26 Boss portion 27 Bush 3 Operating knob (knob) 32 Operated portion 35 Wall portion 351, 352 Side wall portions 353 Connecting wall portion 36 Guide piece (extended piece) 37 Engagement hole 372 Engagement surface 4 Shaft 5 Printed circuit board 6 Rubber member 65, 66 Contacts 9 Holder (member on the support side) 90 Cover portion 91 Accommodation portion (mounted portion) 92 Peripheral wall portion 921, 922 First side edge portions 923, 924 Second side edge portions 923a Inner circumference 925 Rib 93 Bottom wall portion 930 Opening 932, 933 Through holes (first engagement hole, second engagement hole) 102 Frame 102a Bolt hole CLa, CLb Clearances C3 Center line SW Steering wheel X Axis

Claims

1. A housing attached to the attachment portion of the support member, a knob rotatable about a rotation axis set in the housing, and a stopper mechanism that defines a range in which relative displacement in the direction facing the knob and the housing can occur when the knob rotates. The stopper mechanism has an engagement hole provided in the knob and opening in the radial direction of the facing direction, and a locking claw that is provided in the housing so as to be elastically displaceable and engages with and disengages from the engagement hole from the opening direction of the engagement hole. The locking claw can protrude from the housing when engaging with and disengaging from the engagement hole, and in a state where the housing is attached to the attachment portion, the locking claw is arranged with a gap between the opposing portion of the attachment portion and the locking claw, and displacement of the locking claw in the direction of disengaging from the engagement hole is restricted by the opposing portion before disengaging from the engagement hole. A switch device.

2. In Claim 1, the knob is formed of a metal material. A switch device.

3. In Claim 1, a rib protruding toward the housing side is provided on the opposing portion of the attachment portion with respect to the locking claw, and the rib is provided in a range that crosses the locking claw in the facing direction when viewed from the radial direction of the facing direction. A switch device.

4. In Claim 3, the engagement hole is provided in an extension piece extending from the knob toward the housing side along the facing direction, the housing has an engagement arm whose proximal end in the longitudinal direction is supported by the bottom wall portion of the housing and whose distal end having the locking claw is elastically displaceable in the radial direction of the rotation axis, and the engagement arm is provided by utilizing the thickness of the peripheral wall portion of the housing. A switch device.

5. In Claim 4, a first protrusion and a second protrusion for positioning are provided on the opposing portion of the bottom wall portion with respect to the attachment portion, the attachment portion has a first engagement hole with which the first protrusion engages and a second engagement hole with which the second protrusion engages, the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole are arranged apart in a direction orthogonal to the facing direction, the first engagement hole is a round hole that matches the outer diameter of the first protrusion, and the second engagement hole is a long hole extending in a direction orthogonal to the facing direction. A switch device.

6. In any one of Claims 1 to 5, The engaging hole is provided on the knob side, the locking claw is provided on the housing side, and the knob is made of a material with a higher hardness than the housing, the switch device.

7. In claim 1, The switch device is a paddle shift switch for operating an in-vehicle transmission, the switch device.

Images