Vehicle Switches

Abstract

To provide a vehicular switch which can suppress damage and improve durability.SOLUTION: A vehicular switch 1 includes: an operation body 20 which is arranged to face a floor section 3 on a rear face side of a pedal 50 of a vehicle and can approach and separate from the rear face side of the pedal 50 by abutting on the floor section 3; and a stopper section 30 which projects toward the floor section 3. The operation body 20 can switch the switch 1 from a non-operating state to an operating state by moving by prescribed stroke d1 toward the rear face side of the pedal 50 and projects by prescribed projection amount d2 toward the floor section 3 with respect to a projection end 30A of the stopper section 30 in the non-operating state of the switch 1. The projection amount d2 is configured to be the prescribed stroke d1 or more and maximum movement stroke d3 or less of an operation body 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle switch used in a vehicle and a kickdown switch used on an accelerator pedal of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pedal switches such as kick-down switches that detect the depression state of the accelerator pedal have been known in vehicles such as automobiles (for example, Patent Document 1). The kick-down switch detects strong depression of the accelerator pedal and downshifts the transmission, thereby smoothly accelerating the vehicle. Recently, pedal switches have also been used in false start suppression controls for vehicles, and there has been an increasing demand for their retrofitting on vehicles. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-4187 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The kickdown switch described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the actuating body is supported by a coil spring. Therefore, if the accelerator pedal is continuously depressed beyond the allowable stroke of the actuating body, the coil spring may cause wire adhesion, causing the actuating body to be pressed harder than the allowable limit, potentially damaging the kickdown switch.

[0005] As mentioned above, when a pedal switch is retrofitted to a pedal, it is assumed that it will be attached to the tread side (surface side) of the pedal for ease of installation. However, when the pedal switch is attached to the tread side of the pedal, it affects the tread height, which can cause problems with pedal operation. Also, if the pedal bottoms out on the floor, all of the pressure is input to the switch, which could lead to damage to the pedal switch.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle switch and a kick-down switch that can suppress breakage and improve durability, and that can be easily retrofitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The vehicle switch of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a vehicle switch arranged on a pedal of a vehicle, and is characterized in that it comprises an actuator that is arranged on the back side of the pedal facing the floor portion of the vehicle and that can move toward and away from the back side of the pedal by abutting against the floor portion, and a stopper portion that protrudes toward the floor portion, and the actuator can switch the switch from an inactive state to an active state by moving a predetermined stroke toward the back side of the pedal, and in that, when the switch is in the inactive state, the actuator protrudes toward the floor portion by a predetermined protruding amount beyond the protruding end of the stopper portion, and the protruding amount is configured to be equal to or greater than the predetermined stroke and equal to or less than the maximum movement stroke of the actuator.

[0008] In the above-described vehicle switch, when the switch is in an inactive state, the actuating body protrudes a predetermined amount toward the floor portion beyond the protruding end of the stopper portion. Furthermore, the above-described vehicle switch is configured such that the protrusion amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined stroke required to switch the switch to an activated state and equal to or less than the maximum travel stroke of the actuating body. In other words, after the above-described vehicle switch is switched to an activated state by moving the actuating body a predetermined stroke, the stopper portion abuts against the floor portion before the actuating body reaches its maximum travel stroke. Therefore, the above-described vehicle switch can suppress the application of a load to the actuating body. This improves the durability of the above-described vehicle switch. The amount of protrusion of the actuating body from the stopper portion can be appropriately changed depending on the switch used, the shape of the floor portion, and the like.

[0009] (2) In the vehicle switch of the present invention, the stopper portion may be configured to be detachable from the pedal.

[0010] By configuring the above-described vehicle switch in this manner, an appropriate stopper portion can be provided depending on the shape of the floor portion of the vehicle. That is, the above-described vehicle switch can limit the movement amount (stroke) of the actuator in the vehicle switch on the stopper side. This improves the versatility of the above-described vehicle switch.

[0011] (3) The vehicle switch of the present invention described above is arranged on the floor portion and has a bracket that can abut against the actuator in response to operation of the pedal, and the bracket may have an abutment surface that intersects with the direction of movement of the actuator at the abutment position with the actuator.

[0012] By configuring the above-described vehicle switch in this manner, the operability of the vehicle switch can be improved. That is, the above-described vehicle switch has an abutment surface that intersects with the moving direction of the actuating body, thereby enabling the actuating body to reliably abut against the bracket (floor portion). Furthermore, the above-described vehicle switch can adjust the actuation state of the actuating body using the bracket, thereby enhancing the versatility of the vehicle switch.

[0013] (4) The kickdown switch of the present invention described above is characterized in that the vehicle switch described above is arranged on the back side of the accelerator pedal, and when the accelerator pedal is operated, the actuator comes into contact with the floor portion, thereby switching between an inactive state and an active state.

[0014] By configuring the kick-down switch as described above, it can be used as a kick-down switch for an accelerator pedal, which is expected to improve the durability of the kick-down switch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention can provide a vehicle switch and a kick-down switch that can suppress breakage and improve durability. Also, the present invention can provide a vehicle switch and a kick-down switch that can be easily retrofitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a vehicle switch according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 as seen from the side. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a side view of a main body portion of a vehicle switch according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(b) is an exploded view of the vehicle switch of FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4]4(a) is an explanatory side view of the operation of a vehicle switch according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted on an accelerator pedal, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 4(a). [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a bracket used in a vehicle switch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the operating principle of the vehicle switch of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A vehicle switch 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, the vehicle switch 1 will be described as an example in which the vehicle switch 1 is a kick-down switch (hereinafter also referred to as kick-down switch 1) provided near an accelerator device 2 of a vehicle, as shown in Figure 1.

[0018] 1 and 2, the accelerator device 2 is provided around a floor section 3 formed below the driver's seat of the vehicle. The accelerator device 2 includes an accelerator pedal 50 (also referred to as pedal 50), a support arm 51 that supports the accelerator pedal 50, a swing shaft 52 (see FIG. 2) that swingably supports the support arm 51, and a kickdown switch 1 of the present invention provided on the back side of the accelerator pedal 50.

[0019] Accelerator pedal 50 is attached to the lower end of support arm 51. The upper end of support arm 51 is supported by swing shaft 52 so that it can swing. Support arm 51 is biased with an appropriate force by a spring (not shown) or the like. Therefore, when the driver depresses accelerator pedal 50, accelerator pedal 50 swings via support arm 51 in accordance with the force of the depression. The vehicle detects the amount of depression of accelerator pedal 50 by an appropriate sensor (not shown), and performs acceleration control in accordance with the amount of depression.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(a), a kickdown switch 1 is attached to the back side of accelerator pedal 50. Kickdown switch 1 is attached to accelerator pedal 50 so that an actuating body 20, which will be described later, faces a bracket 40 provided on floor portion 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As will be described in detail later, kickdown switch 1 is switched between an inactive state and an active state when actuating body 20 comes into contact with an abutment surface 43 of bracket 40 in response to operation of accelerator pedal 50.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the kick-down switch 1 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 3(b). In the following description, for convenience, the direction perpendicular to the back surface of the accelerator pedal 50 (the left-right direction in the drawing) will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0022] 3(b) is an exploded view showing the kickdown switch 1 removed from the accelerator pedal 50. The kickdown switch 1 includes a switch main body 10 and a stopper portion 30. The switch main body 10 includes a housing portion 11 serving as a case, an actuator 20, and the like.

[0023] The accommodation portion 11 is formed as a substantially rectangular box, and its bottom surface is supported by bolts or the like on the back side of the accelerator pedal 50. The accommodation portion 11 accommodates and supports the actuating body 20 so that the actuating body 20 can reciprocate in the up-down direction. In addition, the accommodation portion 11 is provided with a coil spring 12 extending in the up-down direction for biasing the actuating body 20.

[0024] The actuating body 20 is formed in a cubic shape and is disposed so that its upper surface faces the floor portion 3 (in this embodiment, the abutment surface 43 of the bracket 40) (see FIG. 1). The actuating body 20 is biased upward by a coil spring 12 provided in the housing portion 11. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the upper surface of the actuating body 20 abuts against the abutment surface 43 of the bracket 40 (see FIG. 5), allowing the actuating body 20 to be pushed downward against the bias of the coil spring 12. This allows the actuating body 20 to move toward and away from the rear surface of the accelerator pedal 50. The actuating body 20 can switch the vehicle switch 1 from an inactive state to an active state by being pressed downward a predetermined stroke. Here, the predetermined stroke is the stroke from the upper end position (biased end) of the actuating body 20 to an active state (a state in which the switch is turned on) in which the vehicle switch 1 starts to operate. More specific details will be explained in the description of the operation of the vehicle switch 1, which will be described later.

[0025] The stopper portion 30 is formed as a case that surrounds the periphery of the switch body 10, and is detachably fixed to the back side of the accelerator pedal 50. As a result, the stopper portion 30 protrudes toward the floor portion 3.

[0026] Here, when the vehicle switch 1 is in a non-operated state, the actuating body 20 protrudes a predetermined amount of protrusion beyond the protruding end 30A of the stopper portion 30 toward the floor portion 3. As a result, the stopper portion 30 is configured to limit a portion of the movement of the actuating body 20 in the up and down direction. Specifically, when the actuating body 20 abuts against the abutment surface 43 of the bracket 40 and is pushed in, the stopper portion 30 abuts against the bracket 40 or the floor portion 3 at a predetermined position, thereby limiting the actuating body 20 so that it is not pushed in by more than a certain amount (exceeding the maximum movement stroke d3 (see FIG. 6)). As will be described in detail later, the maximum movement stroke d3 is set as a so-called play of the actuating body 20.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bracket 40 is detachably fixed to the floor portion 3 with bolts 44. As shown in Figure 5, the bracket 40 has a protruding portion 42 that protrudes in a generally triangular prism shape from a base plate 41. The protruding portion 42 has an abutment surface 43 that faces the actuating body 20. The outer peripheral edge of the bracket 40 can also hold down a floor mat (not shown) that is installed on the floor portion 3. This allows the bracket 40 to prevent the kickdown switch 1 and accelerator pedal 50 from interfering with the floor mat.

[0028] The contact surface 43 is formed to be substantially flat, and can come into contact with the actuating body 20 as the accelerator pedal 50 is depressed. The contact surface 43 is arranged so as to face a direction intersecting the movement direction of the actuating body 20 at the position of contact with the actuating body 20 (in this embodiment, a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the actuating body 20).

[0029] The above is the configuration of the kick-down switch 1 (vehicle switch 1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Next, the operation and operating principle of the kick-down switch 1 will be described below.

[0030] Fig. 6(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of kick-down switch 1, and Fig. 6(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the operating principle of kick-down switch 1. Note that bracket 40 is omitted from Fig. 6 for ease of understanding.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6(a), as the accelerator pedal 50 is depressed, the actuating body 20 comes into contact with the floor portion 3. As the accelerator pedal 50 continues to be depressed, the floor portion 3 pushes the actuating body 20 toward the rear surface of the accelerator pedal 50. Furthermore, when the accelerator pedal 50 is depressed a predetermined amount, the stopper portion 30 comes into contact with the floor portion 3, thereby restricting the depression of the accelerator pedal 50. The relationship between the restriction on the depression of the accelerator pedal 50 and the movement stroke of the actuating body 20 at this time will be described with reference to FIG. 6(b).

[0032] 6(b) shows an inactive state where the actuator 20 is not pressed in (left side of the figure), and a state where the stopper portion 30 abuts against the floor portion 3 (right side of the figure). For ease of understanding, an example will be described in which the position where the actuator 20 activates the switch is the same as the position where the stopper portion 30 abuts against the floor portion 3. Furthermore, each operating position will be described based on the bottom side of the actuator 20.

[0033] The operating body 20 is allowed to move from an initial position P1 (unpressed state) to a maximum movement position P3. Here, the distance between the initial position P1 and the maximum movement position P3 is set as a maximum movement stroke d3.

[0034] A switch actuation position P2 (also referred to as a switch contact P2) for switching the switch (vehicle switch 1) to an actuated state is set between the initial position P1 and the maximum movement position P3. The distance between the upper surface of the actuation body 20 at the initial position P1 and the protruding end 30A of the stopper portion 30 is set as a protrusion amount d2.

[0035] The distance from the initial position P1 to the switch actuation position P2 is set as the predetermined stroke d1. In this embodiment, the position where the stopper portion 30 abuts on the floor portion 3 is the same as the switch actuation position P2, as described above, so the distance from the initial position P1 to the abutment position of the floor portion 3 coincides with the predetermined stroke d1.

[0036] The kick-down switch 1 (vehicle switch 1) of the present invention has the above-described configuration and therefore provides the following advantageous effects.

[0037] As described above, the vehicle switch 1 of the present invention is configured such that the protrusion amount d2 of the actuating body 20 from the stopper portion 30 is equal to or greater than the predetermined stroke d1 of the actuating body 20 and equal to or less than the maximum movement stroke d3 of the actuating body 20. In other words, in the above-described vehicle switch 1, after the actuating body 20 is switched to an actuated state by moving the predetermined stroke d1, the stopper portion 30 abuts against the floor portion 3 before the actuating body 20 reaches the maximum movement stroke d3. Therefore, the above-described vehicle switch 1 can suppress the application of a load to the actuating body 20. This improves the durability of the above-described vehicle switch 1. Here, the protrusion amount d2 of the actuating body 20 from the stopper portion 30 can be changed as appropriate depending on the switch used, the shape of the floor portion 3, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, the above-described vehicle switch 1 is configured such that the stopper portion 30 is detachable from the pedal 50. Therefore, the above-described vehicle switch 1 can be provided with an appropriate stopper portion 30 depending on the shape of the floor portion 3 of the vehicle. That is, the above-described vehicle switch 1 can limit the amount of movement (stroke) of the actuating body 20 in the vehicle switch 1 on the stopper portion 30 side. This improves the versatility of the above-described vehicle switch 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the vehicle switch 1 described above has a bracket 40 disposed on the floor portion 3 that can come into contact with the actuating body 20, and the bracket 40 has an abutment surface 43 formed thereon that intersects with the movement direction of the actuating body 20 at the abutment position with the actuating body 20. Therefore, the vehicle switch 1 described above can improve the operability of the vehicle switch 1. That is, by having the abutment surface 43 that intersects with the movement direction of the actuating body 20, the vehicle switch 1 described above can reliably abut the actuating body 20 against the bracket 40 (floor portion 3). Furthermore, the vehicle switch 1 described above can adjust the actuation state of the actuating body 20 using the bracket 40, and therefore the versatility of the vehicle switch 1 can be improved.

[0040] The above is the operation flow and effects of the vehicle switch 1 of the present invention, but the vehicle switch 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the vehicle switch 1 is a kick-down switch 1 disposed on the rear side of the accelerator pedal 50, but the vehicle switch 1 of the present invention is not limited to this and can be used for various types of vehicle switches 1. For example, the vehicle switch 1 may be configured as a switch in an erroneous start suppression device. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle switch 1 is a push-type switch, but the vehicle switch 1 is not limited to a push-type switch and can be used for various types of switches.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the stopper portion 30 is configured to be detachable from the pedal 50, but the stopper portion 30 is not limited to being detachable from the pedal 50 and may be of various other shapes, such as being fixed to the pedal 50. Furthermore, the stopper portion 30 is not limited to being box-shaped, and various shapes and sizes may be used. For example, the stopper portion 30 may be formed of a bolt or a guide pin. Furthermore, the protrusion amount d2 of the actuating body 20 from the stopper portion 30 can be changed as appropriate depending on the characteristics of the vehicle switch 1, the shape of the floor portion 3 (including the bracket 40), etc.

[0043] In this embodiment, a bracket 40 is provided on the floor portion 3, and the abutment surface 43 of the bracket 40 abuts against the actuating body 20, but the bracket 40 may be provided as needed. Furthermore, when the bracket 40 is provided, the shape can be changed appropriately to match the shape of the floor portion 3.

[0044] The above are various embodiments and modifications of the vehicle switch 1 (kick-down switch 1) according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims in accordance with the teachings and spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] The vehicle switch of the present invention can be used for various pedals such as an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal in a vehicle such as an automobile. The vehicle switch of the present invention can also be used as a kickdown switch for an accelerator pedal or as a pedal switch for controlling the false start suppression of a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Vehicle switch 10: Switch body 11: Storage section 20: Actuator 30: Stopper part 30A:Protruding end 40: Bracket 43: Contact surface 50: Accelerator pedal (pedal) P1: Initial position (non-operating position) P2: Switch operating position (switch contact) P3: Maximum movement position d1: specified stroke d2:Protrusion amount d3: Maximum travel stroke

Claims

1. A vehicle switch disposed on a pedal of a vehicle, an actuator that is disposed on a rear surface side of the pedal so as to face a floor portion of the vehicle and that is capable of moving toward and away from the rear surface side of the pedal by abutting against the floor portion; a stopper portion protruding toward the floor portion; Equipped with The actuator is The switch can be switched from a non-operated state to an operated state by moving the pedal by a predetermined stroke toward the rear side thereof, and when the switch is in the non-operated state, the switch protrudes by a predetermined protrusion amount toward the floor portion beyond the protruding end of the stopper portion, The vehicle switch, wherein the protrusion amount is configured to be equal to or greater than a predetermined stroke and equal to or less than a maximum movement stroke of the actuator.

2. 2. The vehicle switch according to claim 1, wherein the stopper portion is configured to be detachable from the pedal.

3. a bracket disposed on the floor portion and capable of coming into contact with the actuating body in response to operation of the pedal; 3. The vehicle switch according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has an abutment surface formed thereon that intersects with a direction of movement of the actuating body at a position where the bracket abuts the actuating body.

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