Switching device

Abstract

To enable appropriately coupling between tooth parts on a rod side and toot parts on a movable platen side.SOLUTION: A switching device 1 includes a positioning mechanism 9 that positions a rod 4 when a coupling start position of a movable platen 6 of when coupling the rod 4 with the movable platen 6 in a main body case 10. The positioning mechanism 9 includes: a plurality of projection pieces 48 that projects toward a radial direction from an external periphery of the rod 4, and is provided at a predetermined interval along an axis X direction; a regulation wall 330 that is provided in the main body case 10 and includes an insertion hole 330a; and groove parts 335 each of which is formed, in the regulation wall 330, in a size that allows each projection piece 48 to pass and is open toward the insertion hole 330a. When the rod 4 is positioned at the coupling start position, each position of the plurality of projection pieces 48 on the rod 4 is set so that a concave part 49 between the adjacent projection pieces 48 and 48 is arranged at a position to be overlapped with the regulation wall 330 in the axis X direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch device used to detect the depression of a brake pedal. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device used to detect depression of a brake pedal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-57532 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This switch device has a rod that moves back and forth in response to operation of the brake pedal, a main body case that supports the rod so that it can move in the axial direction, and a movable platen provided within the main body case. The rod and movable platen are connected via a connecting mechanism inside the main case. When the brake pedal is operated, the movable platen and rod move axially, and the contacts on the movable platen come into contact with or separate from the contacts on the main case, switching the output signal on and off.

[0005] When installing the switch device in a vehicle, the rod must be placed in contact with the brake pedal's contact point, so the amount of pushing of the rod into the main case must be adjusted so that the end of the rod protruding from the main case contacts the brake pedal's contact point. Therefore, the rod and the movable platen are connected after adjusting the amount of pressing of the rod into the main body case.

[0006] The connecting mechanism is composed of a row of teeth provided on the outer periphery of the rod and a row of teeth on the movable platen. The row of teeth on the movable platen is provided on the inner periphery of a pair of walls surrounding the outer periphery of the rod. The rod and movable platen are connected in the following manner: (a) the rod is pushed into the main case from its initial position, and the teeth on the rod are positioned inside the pair of walls; (b) the rod is rotated around its axis, and the teeth on the rod are engaged with the teeth on the inner periphery of the pair of walls, thereby connecting the rod and movable platen.

[0007] Here, when the rod is rotated while the teeth constituting the tooth row on the rod side and the teeth constituting the tooth row on the movable platen side are facing each other in the radial direction of the axis, there is a possibility that a misalignment will occur in the axial direction between the meshing positions of each tooth on one peripheral wall side and each tooth on the rod side and the meshing positions of each tooth on the other peripheral wall side and each tooth on the rod side. Therefore, it is required to be able to appropriately connect the teeth on the rod side with the teeth on the movable platen side. In addition to such requirements, another objective of the present invention is to achieve actions and effects derived from the various configurations disclosed in the "Forms for Implementing the Invention" described below, which actions and effects cannot be obtained with conventional technologies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a rod that moves back and forth in an axial direction in conjunction with the operation of the brake pedal; a main body case into which one longitudinal end of the rod is inserted and which supports the rod movably in the axial direction; a movable platen that is displaceable in the axial direction within the main body case and is provided so as to be unable to rotate relative to the main body case, In the switch device in which the rod and the movable platen are connected within the main body case, a positioning mechanism that positions the rod at a connection start position with the movable platen in the axial direction when connecting the rod and the movable platen, The positioning mechanism includes: a plurality of protruding pieces that protrude radially from the outer periphery of the rod and are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction; a wall portion provided in the main body case and having an insertion hole for the rod; a groove formed in the wall portion to a size that allows the protruding piece to pass therethrough and opening into the insertion hole; The switch device is configured such that the positions of the multiple protruding pieces on the rod are set so that, when the rod is positioned at the connection start position, the recesses between adjacent protruding pieces in the axial direction are positioned so as to overlap with the wall portion in the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the toothed portion on the rod side and the toothed portion on the movable platen side can be appropriately connected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a switch device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a lock holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a lock holder. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the process of installing the switch device. [Figure 13]10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the process of installing the switch device. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a positioning mechanism. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the process of engagement between the engagement portion of the rod and the engagement portion of the movable platen. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a positioning mechanism according to a modified example. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the switch device 1, where (A) of Figure 1 is an oblique view of the switch device 1 seen from diagonally above, and (B) of Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation state of the switch device 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch device 1. As shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. Fig. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1 taken along plane A in Fig. 1. Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1 taken along plane B in Fig. 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 has a main body case 10 in which a pole plate 2 and a cover 3 are assembled, and a rod 4 that moves back and forth along an axis X in response to operation of a brake pedal 100. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body case 10 accommodates a lock holder 5 fitted onto the rod 4 and a movable platen 6 connected to the rod 4.

[0013] The lock holder 5 supports the rod 4 movably in the direction of the axis X while restricting the relative rotation between the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 . The movable platen 6 has a pair of movable contacts 7, 7, and moves back and forth in the direction of the axis X together with the rod 4. In the switch device 1, when the movable platen 6 moves in the direction of the axis X, the pair of movable contacts 7, 7 supported by the movable platen 6 also moves in the direction of the axis X. As a result, the pair of movable contacts 7, 7 and fixed contacts 8, 8 exposed on the inner periphery of the annular wall portion 21 of the pole plate 2 come into contact with and separate from each other in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the rod 4, and an ON / OFF signal is output from the switch device 1. In FIG. 2, the fixed contacts 8, 8 embedded in the pole plate 2 by molding are shown extracted from the pole plate 2.

[0014] Below, we will explain each component of the switch device 1 (the pole plate 2, the cover 3, the rod 4, the lock holder 5, and the movable plate 6). In the following explanation, the positional relationship of each component of the switch device 1 will be explained based on the axis X that is along the assembly direction of the pole plate 2 and the cover 3 and that is along the central axis of the rod 4.

[0015] [Rod 4] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the rod 4. (A) of FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rod 4. (B) of FIG. 4 is a side view of the rod 4. (C) of FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rod 4 taken along plane A in (A) of FIG. 4. (A) of FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rod 4 taken along line CC in (B) of FIG. 4. (B) of FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rod 4 taken along line DD in (B) of FIG. 4. (C) of FIG. 5 is a view of the area where the protruding piece 48 is provided on the outer periphery of the rod 4, as viewed from the direction of the arrow EE in (B) of FIG. 4. (D) of FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rod 4 taken along plane B in (A) of FIG. 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3B, the rod 4 has a cylindrical base 40 . The rod 4 is supported by the main body case 10 so as to be movable in the direction of the axis X, with one longitudinal end 40a of the base 40 positioned inside the main body case 10 and the other longitudinal end 40b positioned outside the main body case 10.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 4(C), an accommodation hole 401 is provided inside the base 40. The accommodation hole 401 opens at one end 40a of the base 40. The accommodation hole 401 is provided linearly along the center line (axis X) of the base 40. The accommodation hole 401 extends to the vicinity of the other end 40b of the base 40. The accommodating hole 401 is sealed at the end 40b side of the base 40 by a wall 402. A communication hole 402a having a smaller diameter than the accommodating hole 401 is provided in the center of the wall 402. The communication hole 402a penetrates the wall 402 in the thickness direction (direction of the axis X).

[0018] An abutting member 41 is attached to the end 40b of the base 40. The abutting member 41 has a disk portion 410 with an outer diameter that approximately matches the base 40, and a shaft portion 411 extending from the center of the disk portion 410. The shaft portion 411 of the abutting member 41 is inserted into the communication hole 402a of the wall portion 402 from the direction of the axis X. The shaft portion 411 protrudes into the accommodation hole 401.

[0019] A spring Sp2 is housed inside the housing hole 401. One end side of the spring Sp2 is fitted onto the shaft portion 411 of the abutting member 41. In this state, one end of the spring Sp2 abuts against the wall portion 402 in the direction of the axis X. The one end of the spring Sp2 is positioned in the direction of the axis X by the wall portion 402.

[0020] The other end of the spring Sp2 is fitted onto the support rod 24 on the pole board 2 side inserted into the accommodation hole 401. The other end of the spring Sp2 is positioned in the direction of the axis X by the step 242 of the support rod 24. The spring Sp2 is held between the wall 402 on the rod 4 side and the step 242 on the support rod 24 side in a state where it is compressed in the direction of the axis X. As shown in Figure 3 (B), in the main body case 10, the rod 4 is biased by the biasing force acting from the spring Sp2 in a direction that causes the other longitudinal end 40b side to protrude from the main body case 10 (to the left in the figure).

[0021] 4A, an engaging portion 403, an engaging rib 404, a stopper piece 405, and a displacement-regulating rib 408 are provided on the outer periphery of the end portion 40a side of the base portion 40. The region where the engaging portion 403, the engaging rib 404, the stopper piece 405, and the displacement-regulating rib 408 are provided is a region of the rod 4 located inside the main body case 10. The area of ​​the rod 4 on the other end 40b side of the engaging rib 404 is an area of ​​the rod 4 that can freely protrude and retract from the main body case 10. A plurality of protruding pieces 48 that constitute the positioning mechanism 9, which will be described later, are provided in this area.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4(C), the rod 4 is provided on the other end 40b side with a flat surface 40d along the axis X. As shown in FIG. 5(C), three protruding pieces 48 are provided on the flat surface 40d at intervals W49 in the direction of the axis X. When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, the protruding pieces 48 have a rectangular shape. The protruding pieces 48 are provided with their longitudinal directions orthogonal to the axis X. The protruding pieces 48 are provided in a range that crosses the axis X. When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, both end portions 481, 482 of the protruding piece 48 in the direction perpendicular to the axis X form flat surfaces along the axis X. The end portions 481, 482 are arranged symmetrically with the axis X therebetween. A recess 49 is formed between the protruding pieces 48, 48 adjacent to each other in the direction of the axis X (the left-right direction in the drawing). The width of the recess 49 in the direction of the axis X is the same as the spacing W49 of the protruding pieces 48 in the direction of the axis X.

[0023] 4B, in the base 40, the engaging portion 403 extends from one longitudinal end 40a toward the other longitudinal end 40b (to the left in FIG. 4B) along the central axis (axis X) of the base 40. The engaging portion 403 is formed with a predetermined length L1 in the direction of the central axis of the base 40 (direction of axis X).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5B, in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis (axis X) of the base 40, the engagement portion 403 protrudes from the outer periphery of the base 40 radially outward of the axis X. Two engaging portions 403 are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. The engaging portions 403, 403 are located on a diameter line C1 of the base portion 40.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 5B, in a cross-sectional view, the engaging portion 403 has a side surface 403b on one side of the diameter line C1 and a side surface 403c on the other side that are parallel to each other and flat. These side surfaces 403b and 403c are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the diameter line C1. The outer periphery of the engaging portion 403 has an arc shape in a cross-sectional view. As shown in Fig. 4C, the outer periphery of the engaging portion 403 is provided with a tooth row 400 in which multiple tooth portions 400a and tooth groove portions 400b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X.

[0026] When the switch device 1 is attached to a bracket 110 (see FIG. 1B) on the vehicle side, the rod 4 and the main body case 10 are rotated relative to each other around the axis X. At this time, the engaging portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 engage with engaging portions 64, 64 (see FIG. 13(C)) on the movable platen 6 side, which will be described later, so that the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected to each other.

[0027] A displacement restriction rib 408 is provided integrally with the engaging portion 403 on the end 40b side of the engaging portion 403 (the left side in FIG. 4B). The displacement restriction rib 408 is provided along the axis X on an extension of the engaging portion 403. The displacement restriction rib 408 is formed to have a predetermined length L9 in the direction of the axis X. As shown in Fig. 4B, when viewed from the radial direction of the central axis (axis X) of the base 40, the engagement portion 403 and the displacement restriction rib 408 are provided in series on the axis X. As shown in Fig. 5A, the displacement restriction rib 408 is also located on the diameter line C1 of the base 40 (see Fig. 6A).

[0028] 5(A), two displacement-regulating ribs 408 are also provided at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction about the axis X. The outer periphery of the displacement-regulating rib 408 has a pointed shape whose width in the circumferential direction about the axis X narrows toward the outer periphery, and an outer periphery end 408P of the displacement-regulating rib 408 is located on the diameter line C1.

[0029] When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the rod 4 is provided with engaging ribs 404, 404 at positions shifted in phase by 90° in the circumferential direction around the axis X with respect to the displacement restricting rib 408. As shown in FIG. 4B, the engaging rib 404 of the rod 4 is formed with a predetermined length L2 in the direction of the axis X of the base 40. The length L2 of the engaging rib 404 is longer than the length L1 of the engaging portion 403 (L1 <L2)。 When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, the base 40 is provided with an engagement rib 404 that overlaps with the engagement portion 403 by a predetermined length ΔL. The engagement rib 404 protrudes by a predetermined length Lc toward the end portion 40b of the base 40 beyond the displacement restriction rib 408.

[0030] 5(A), in a cross-sectional view, the engagement rib 404 protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the base 40 about the axis X. Two engagement ribs 404 are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction about the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaging portions 403 and the engaging ribs 404 are alternately provided at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0031] In a cross-sectional view, the engaging rib 404 has a side surface 404b on one side in the direction of the diameter line C1 and a side surface 404c on the other side that are parallel to each other and flat surfaces. The outer periphery 404a of the engaging rib 404 is an arc-shaped surface centered on the axis X.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5(D), a stopper piece 405 is provided on the outer periphery of the engagement rib 404 on the end 40a side (right side in the figure). The stopper piece 405 protrudes radially outward about the axis X. The stopper piece 405 is formed with a predetermined length L405 in the direction of the axis X. The stopper piece 405 is formed with a predetermined height h405 from the outer periphery 40c of the base 40. The outer periphery surface 405a of the stopper piece 405 is an arc-shaped surface centered on the axis X (see FIG. 5(A)).

[0033] As shown in Figure 3(A), the lock holder 5 is fitted onto the rod 4 in an area of ​​the base 40 that is located inside the main body case 10. The lock holder 5 fitted onto the rod 4 is restricted from rotating relative to the rod 4 in the circumferential direction about the axis X. In this state, the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 are able to move relatively in the direction of the axis X.

[0034] [Lock holder 5] 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the lock holder 5. FIG. Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are perspective views of the lock holder 5. Figure 6(C) is a cross-sectional view of the lock holder 5 taken along plane B in Figure 6(A). Figure 6(D) is a cross-sectional view of the lock holder 5 taken along plane A in Figure 6(A). Fig. 7(A) is a view of the lock holder 5 as seen from the direction of arrow CC in Fig. 6(C). Fig. 7(B) is a cross-sectional view of the lock holder 5 taken along line DD in Fig. 6(C). Fig. 7(C) is a cross-sectional view of the lock holder 5 taken along line EE in Fig. 6(C).

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 6(C) and 6(D), the lock holder 5 has a cylindrical base 50 and a wall 51 that seals one end of the base 50. As shown in Fig. 7(A), the base 50 has parallel two-face width portions 501, 501 when viewed from the direction of the axis X. The two-face width portions 501, 501 are flat surfaces formed by cutting away the outer periphery of the base 50 along imaginary lines Ln, Ln shown in Fig. 7(A). Here, the imaginary lines Ln, Ln are imaginary lines positioned symmetrically across the diameter line C2, and are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the diameter line C1.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6(C), on the outer sides of the two-flat width portions 501, 501, engagement pieces 52, 52 are provided in a direction along the axis X.

[0037] The engaging pieces 52, 52 have one longitudinal end connected to a region (connecting portion 502) outside the two flat portions 501, 501 of the base portion 50 in the direction of the axis X. Locking claws 521 are provided on the outer periphery of the other end of the engaging pieces 52. The locking claws 521 protrude outward from the outer periphery of the engaging pieces 52. The engaging pieces 52, 52 are configured so that the tip ends on which the locking claws 521, 521 are provided can be elastically displaced in the radial direction of the axis X.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3(A), in the cover 3, the lock holder 5 has locking claws 521, 521 locked in guide grooves 323, 323 on the cover 3 side. As shown in Fig. 3(B), a movable platen 6 biased by a spring Sp1 abuts against the lock holder 5 from the direction of the axis X, and the lock holder 5 is housed inside the cover 3.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 7B, displacement restriction pieces 524 are provided on the inner periphery of the other end of the engagement pieces 52. The displacement restriction pieces 524 extend toward the axis X. Therefore, the two-flat width portions 501 of the base 50 are provided with notches 503 in an area on the wall portion 51 side (the left side in Fig. 6C) to avoid interference with the displacement restriction pieces 524.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7A, the displacement restricting pieces 524, 524 are provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis X, and recesses 524a, 524a are provided at the ends on the axis X side. In the switch device 1, before the mounting of the switch device 1 to the bracket 110 (see FIG. 1B) is completed, the recesses 524a, 524a of the displacement restriction pieces 524, 524 are elastically engaged with the displacement restriction rib 408 of the rod 4 from the direction of the axis X (see FIG. 3A).

[0041] 7A, the outer periphery of the displacement-restricting rib 408 has a pointed shape whose circumferential width around the axis X narrows toward the outer periphery. In this embodiment, the recess 524a of the displacement-restricting piece 524 has a shape whose opening width in the direction of the diameter line C2 widens as it approaches the displacement-restricting rib 408. Therefore, the recess 524a of the displacement restricting piece 524 and the displacement restricting rib 408 function as a guide when the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 move relative to each other in the direction of the axis X.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7(C), the wall portion 51 has an insertion hole 510a at the center thereof through which the base portion 40 of the rod 4 is inserted. Key grooves 540a, 540a are provided on the periphery of the insertion hole 510a. As shown in Fig. 7(C), two key grooves 540a, 540a are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. These key grooves 540a, 540a are formed to be recessed in directions away from each other on the diameter line C2.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6(D), the wall portion 51 is provided with engagement protrusions 53, 53 on the opposite side of the wall portion 51 in the direction of the axis X from the guide rails 54, 54, which will be described later. As shown in Fig. 7(A), two engagement protrusions 53, 53 are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. These engagement protrusions 53, 53 are located outside the key grooves 540a, 540a on the diameter line C2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6(D), the engagement projections 53, 53 project in a direction away from the wall portion 51 to a predetermined projection height h2. This protrusion height h2 is set to a height that allows the engaging protrusions 53, 53 to penetrate the arc-shaped groove 320a of the cover 3 described below in the direction of the axis X, and at the same time, the tips of the engaging protrusions 53, 53 do not come into contact with the engaging portion 332 of the cover 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(D) and FIG. 7(C), the base 50 is provided with guide rails 54, 54 oriented along the axis X for guiding the movement of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X. One end 54a of each of the guide rails 54 is located outside the base 50 (on the right side in the drawing), and the other end is connected to the surface of the wall 51 on the base 50 side. The guide rails 54 , 54 extend from the wall portion 51 through the inside of the base portion 50 to the outside of the base portion 50 .

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7C, reinforcing ribs 506, 506 for supporting the guide rails 54, 54 are provided on the inside of the base 50. The reinforcing ribs 506, 506 are provided in a positional relationship symmetrical with respect to the diameter line C1, and connect the guide rails 54, 54 to the region of the base 50 where the two flat portions 501, 501 are provided.

[0047] When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the guide rails 54, 54 are provided in a positional relationship that is symmetrical with respect to the axis X, and the aforementioned guide grooves 540, 540 open at the mutually opposing portions of the guide rails 54, 54. The guide grooves 540, 540 reach the wall portion 51. On the inner diameter side of the region of the guide grooves 540, 540 that contacts the wall portion 51, the key grooves 540a, 540a are opened. An insertion hole 510a provided in the wall portion 51 is positioned between the guide rails 54, 54 when viewed from the direction of the axis X (see FIG. 7C).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the lock holder 5 is fitted onto the rod 4 so that the base 40 of the rod 4 is inserted through the insertion hole 510a of the lock holder 5. In this state, the engagement ribs 404, 404 of the rod 4 are disposed in the key grooves 540a, 540a of the guide rails 54, 54, while the stopper pieces 405, 405 are disposed in the guide grooves 540, 540. Furthermore, the engagement portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 are disposed between a pair of reinforcing ribs 506, 506. As described above, in the main body casing 10, the rod 4 is biased by the biasing force of the spring Sp2 in a direction (leftward in the figure) that causes the other longitudinal end 40b of the rod 4 to protrude from the main body casing 10. At this time, the stopper pieces 405, 405 are positioned within the guide grooves 540, 540 of the lock holder 5, thereby guiding the movement of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X. Furthermore, the stopper pieces 405, 405 of the rod 4 abut against the wall portion 51 of the lock holder 5, thereby preventing the rod 4 from falling out of the main body casing 10.

[0049] In the switch device 1, when the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 are relatively displaced in the direction of the axis X, the stopper pieces 405, 405 on the rod 4 side are kept engaged with the guide grooves 540, 540. Therefore, the relative movement between the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 in the direction of the axis X is guided by the guide rails 54, 54 arranged in a direction along the axis X, allowing the relative movement between the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 to be carried out smoothly.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3(B), inside the main body case 10, one ends 54a, 54a of the guide rails 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 abut against the movable platen 6 from the direction of the axis X.

[0051] [Movable board 6] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the movable platen 6. As shown in FIG. (A) of Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the movable platen 6. (B) of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the movable platen 6 taken along plane A in (A) of Fig. 8. (C) of Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the movable platen 6 taken along plane B in (A) of Fig. 8. (D) of Fig. 8 is a view of the movable platen 6 as seen from the direction of arrow CC in (C) of Fig. 8. In FIG. 8A, for the sake of convenience, the movable contact 7 on the front side of the paper is omitted.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8A, the movable platen 6 has an annular base 60, a pair of contact support portions 63, 63, and a pair of engagement portions 64, 64 provided at the opposing portions of the pair of contact support portions 63, 63.

[0053] 8(C), the annular base 60 has a length L6 in the direction of the axis X that is shorter than a length L5 in the direction of the axis X of the contact support portions 63, 63. The annular base 60 is located on one end 63a, 63a side of the contact support portions 63, 63 in the direction of the axis X. As shown in FIG. 8C, the contact support portions 63, 63 are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the axis X, and the annular base portion 60 connects the contact support portions 63, 63 to each other between the contact support portions 63, 63. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, movable contacts 7, 7 are fixed to the outer periphery of the contact support portions 63, 63 on the side opposite to the axis X. As shown in (A) and (D) of FIG. 8, the contact support portions 63, 63 are provided with reinforcing ribs 632, 632 in the center in the width direction.

[0054] The contact support portions 63, 63 have regions on the other end 63b side in the direction of the axis X facing each other across the axis X. Engagement portions 64, 64 are provided on the opposing surfaces of these opposing regions (see FIG. 8C). The engaging portions 64, 64 are portions that engage with the engaging portion 403 on the rod 4 side when connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. The engagement portions 64, 64 protrude toward the axis X from the contact support portion 63. A tooth row 600 is provided on the inner periphery of the engagement portions 64, 64 on the axis X side, in which a plurality of tooth portions 600a and tooth groove portions 600b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X.

[0055] As shown in (D) of Figure 8, when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engagement portion 64 has a first engagement portion 641 having an inner periphery along an imaginary circle Im1 centered on the axis X, and a second engagement portion 642 having an inner periphery along a diameter line C1. The second engagement portion 642 extends linearly in the tangential direction of the imaginary circle Im1, and the distance ra from the axis X increases as the second engagement portion 642 moves away from the first engagement portion 641.

[0056] The movable platen 6 is provided with engagement portions 64, 64 on one side and the other side of the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engagement portion 64 on one side and the engagement portion 64 on the other side are provided in a positional relationship rotated by 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. In FIG. 8(D), in the engagement portion 64 on one side and the engagement portion 64 on the other side, the first engagement portion 641 and the second engagement portion 642 are arranged in this order in the counterclockwise direction around the axis X.

[0057] The reinforcing ribs 632, 632 are formed with a length L7 in the direction of the axis X that reaches the rear side of the engaging portions 64, 64, and the strength around the engaging portions 64, 64 is reinforced by the ribs 632, 632.

[0058] [Gokuban 2] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the pole plate 2. As shown in FIG. (A) of Figure 9 is an oblique view of the pole plate 2, (B) of Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pole plate 2 cut at plane A in (A) of Figure 9, and (C) of Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pole plate 2 cut at plane B in (A) of Figure 9.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9(B), the pole plate 2 has a plate-shaped base 20 and an annular wall 21 that surrounds the outer periphery of the plate-shaped base 20 over the entire periphery. Parts of the fixed contacts 8 are embedded in the base 20 and the annular wall 21. The areas of the fixed contacts 8 that protrude from the base 20 are surrounded by a wall 23 that is formed integrally with the base 20. In the switch device 1, the area of ​​the fixed contacts 8, 8 that protrudes from the base 20 and the wall 23 that surrounds this area form a connection portion (connector portion) with an external connection terminal.

[0060] The components of the pole board 2 (base 20, annular wall 21, wall 23, and fixed contacts 8, 8) are integrally formed by molding a resin material.

[0061] 9(B), a support rod 24 for the rod 4 is provided in the center of the base 20. The support rod 24 is a cylindrical member oriented along the axis X, and is formed integrally with the base 20. 9(C), the support rod 24 extends linearly on the axis X in a direction away from the base 20. A small diameter portion 241 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the support rod 24 is provided at the tip of the support rod 24.

[0062] One end of the spring Sp2 is fitted onto the small diameter portion 241 from the direction of the axis X. One end of the spring Sp2 abuts against a step 242 at the boundary between the small diameter portion 241 and the support rod 24 from the direction of the axis X. In this state, the one end of the spring Sp2 is positioned in the direction of the axis X by the step 242 provided on the support rod 24.

[0063] The length L24 of the support rod 24 in the direction of the axis X is set to a length that prevents the tip of the small diameter portion 241 from protruding outward from the annular wall portion 21 (see FIG. 9(B)).

[0064] In the base 20, a support portion 25 of the spring Sp1 is provided on the surface on which the support rod 24 is provided. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the support portion 25 is annular and surrounds the support rod 24 at a predetermined interval, and one end of the spring Sp1 is extrapolated onto the outer periphery of this support portion 25 to determine its position in the direction of the axis X (see (C) of FIG. 9).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9A, when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the annular wall portion 21 has a pair of first wall portions 210, 210 and a pair of second wall portions 211, 211 connecting the ends of the pair of first wall portions 210, 210. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the annular wall portion 21 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape by the pair of first wall portions 210, 210 and the pair of second wall portions 211, 211. In the pair of first wall portions 210, 210, fixed contacts 8, 8 are exposed on the opposing surfaces 210a, 210a (see FIG. 9(C)).

[0066] [Cover 3] 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the cover 3. FIG. Fig. 10A is a perspective view of the cover 3. Fig. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the cover 3 taken along plane A in Fig. 10A. Fig. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Fig. 10B. Fig. 10D is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in Fig. 10B. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the cover 3 taken along plane B in FIG. Fig. 11(B) is a view of the cover 3 as seen from the direction of the arrow AA in Fig. 11(A). Fig. 11(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 11(A). Fig. 11(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 11(A). Fig. 11(E) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 11(A). Fig. 11(E) shows with imaginary lines the transition of the locking claw 521 of the engaging piece 52 on the lock holder 5 side from the guide groove 323 to engagement with the positioning groove 322.

[0067] As shown in (B) of Figure 10, the cover 3 has an outer peripheral wall 31 that is extrapolated to the annular wall portion 21 (see Figure 9) of the pole plate 2, a first regulating portion 32 that determines the rotation range of the lock holder 5, and a second regulating portion 33 that regulates the rod 4 from falling off the cover 3.

[0068] 10(C), the outer peripheral wall 31 has first wall portions 311, 311 and second wall portions 312, 312 connecting the ends of the first wall portions 311, 311. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the outer peripheral wall 31 has a rectangular shape. The first wall portions 311 have engagement holes 311a in the center in the width direction. The engagement holes 311a are provided at positions corresponding to the engagement claws 215 (see FIG. 9) on the pole base 2. When the cover 3 and the pole base 2 are assembled in the direction of the axis X, the engagement claws 215 on the pole base 2 engage with the engagement holes 311a on the cover 3. This prevents the cover 3 from falling off the pole base 2.

[0069] 10(B), one end of the outer peripheral wall 31 in the direction of the axis X is sealed by a wall portion 310 that is perpendicular to the axis X. A first restricting portion 32 is provided in the center of the wall portion 310. The first restricting portion 32 has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 321 and a wall portion 320 that seals one end of the peripheral wall portion 321. The peripheral wall portion 321 is open in the area where it overlaps with the wall portion 310 on the right side in the drawing. A cylindrical space 325 inside the peripheral wall portion 321 and a square pillar-shaped space 315 inside the outer peripheral wall 31 are in communication with each other.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11(E), the peripheral wall portion 321 is provided with a positioning groove 322 and a guide groove 323. The positioning groove 322 and the guide groove 323 are provided to penetrate the peripheral wall portion 321 in the thickness direction. The positioning groove 322 is located on a diameter line C2 of the peripheral wall portion 321 that passes through the axis X. The positioning grooves 322, 322 are provided 180° out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0071] The guide groove 323 is formed by cutting out the peripheral wall portion 321 over a predetermined range from a position overlapping with the diameter line C1 in a direction approaching the positioning groove 322 (clockwise direction CW in FIG. 11(E)). One end 323a and the other end 323b of the guide groove 323 in the circumferential direction about the axis X are located on one side and the other side of the diameter line C1, and are provided parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the positioning groove 322 and the guide groove 323 are formed to have the same width W1 (see FIG. 10B) in the direction of the axis X.

[0072] 10(B), one end of the peripheral wall portion 321 of the first restricting portion 32 in the direction of the axis X is sealed by a wall portion 320 that is perpendicular to the axis X. A cylindrical second restricting portion 33 is provided in the center of the wall portion 320. 11(B), contact portions 326, 326 are provided on the outer periphery of the wall portion 320, protruding radially outward. The contact portions 326, 326 are provided symmetrically with respect to diameter lines C1, C2. The contact portions 326 are provided at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis line X.

[0073] 11(B) and 11(D), arc-shaped grooves 320a, 320a are provided in the wall portion 320. The arc-shaped grooves 320a are provided on an imaginary circle Im centered on the axis X, along the circumferential direction around the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the arc-shaped grooves 320a, 320a are provided in a positional relationship where they are shifted in phase by 180° on either side of the axis X. The arc-shaped grooves 320a, 320a are adapted to receive the engagement projections 53, 53 of the lock holder 5 (see FIG. 3(B)) from the direction of the axis X.

[0074] The arc-shaped grooves 320a, 320a are provided to enable relative rotation between the lock holder 5 and the main casing 10 (cover 3) about the axis X, and to define the range of rotation.

[0075] 11(D), an insertion hole 320b for the rod 4 (base 40) is provided in the center of the wall portion 320. The insertion hole 320b penetrates the wall portion 320 in the direction of the axis X, and the insertion hole 330a connects the interior of the second restricting portion 33 with the space 325 inside the first restricting portion 32. The peripheral wall portion 331 of the second restricting portion 33 is a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer periphery of the insertion hole 320b. As shown in Fig. 3(B), the peripheral wall portion 331 is formed with an inner diameter r1 that is larger than the outer diameter of the engagement rib 404 of the rod 4.

[0076] 10(B), one end of the peripheral wall portion 331 in the direction of the axis X is closed by the restricting wall 330. The other end communicates with the space 325 inside the second restricting portion 33. An insertion hole 330a for the rod 4 is provided in the center of the restricting wall 330. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the engaging rib 404 of the rod 4, which is pressed by the biasing force of the spring Sp2, abuts against this restricting wall 330 from the direction of the axis X.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11(A), the second restricting portion 33 is provided with engaging portions 332, 332 that protrude radially outward on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 331 on the restricting wall 330 side. 11(B), the engaging portions 332, 332 are provided in a positional relationship that is symmetrical with respect to the diameter line C1. These engaging portions 332, 332 are located on the same diameter line C2 and are provided at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis line X.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11(C), when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaging portions 332, 332 are formed with an outer diameter that reaches the outer periphery of the arc-shaped groove 320a on the first restricting portion 32 side.

[0079] 10(D), in the second restricting portion 33, a rod insertion hole 330a is provided in the center of the restricting wall 330. The insertion hole 330a is formed with an inner diameter r330 that allows the rod 4 to pass through. Grooves 335 and 336 open on the inner periphery of the insertion hole 330a. The grooves 335, 335 are provided at positions that are 180° out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction about the axis X. The grooves 336, 336 are provided at positions that are 180° out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction about the axis X. In the restriction wall 330, grooves 335 and grooves 336 are alternately positioned at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0080] The groove 335 is composed of side edges 335a and 335b parallel to the diameter line C1 and an outer edge 335c connecting the ends of the side edges 335a and 335b and parallel to the diameter line C2. The side edges 335a and 335b are positioned symmetrically across the diameter line C1. The side edges 335a and 335b are flat surfaces parallel to the diameter line C1. The side edges 335a and 335b face each other with a gap W335 therebetween that allows the protruding piece 48 on the rod 4 to pass through. Therefore, the gap W335 between the side edges 335a and 335b is greater than the width W48 of the protruding piece 48 (W335 > W48).

[0081] The groove 336 is composed of side edges 336a and 336b parallel to the diameter line C2 and an outer edge 336c connecting the ends of the side edges 336a and 336b and parallel to the diameter line C1. The side edges 336a and 336b are positioned symmetrically across the diameter line C1. The side edges 336a and 336b are flat surfaces parallel to the diameter line C2. The side edges 336a and 336b face each other with a distance W336 larger than the distance W335 of the groove 335 described above (W336 > W335). In the switch device, before the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected, the protruding piece 48 of the rod 4 passes through the groove portion 335. After the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected, the protruding piece 48 of the rod 4 passes through the groove portion 336. After the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected, the switch device 1 is in a state where it can be used. Therefore, by making the spacing W336 of the groove portion 336 wider than the spacing W335 of the groove portion 335, the possibility of the protruding piece 48 interfering with the regulating wall 330 is reduced when the rod 4 moves back and forth in the direction of the axis X in conjunction with the operation of the brake pedal 100.

[0082] The assembly of the switch device 1 to the bracket 110 will be described below. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the process of installing the switch device. 12(A) is a plan view of the mounting hole 111 provided in the bracket 110. FIG. 12(B) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the second restricting portion 33 of the switch device 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 111, as viewed from the direction of the axis X. FIG. 12(C) is a side view of the switch device 1 in the case of FIG. 12(B). FIG. 12(D) is a view of the state in which the main body case 10 is rotated from the state of FIG. 12(B), as viewed from the direction of the axis X. FIG. 12(E) is a side view of the switch device 1 in the case of FIG. 12(D). FIG. 12(F) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the arc-shaped groove 320a of the cover 3 and the engaging protrusion 53 of the lock holder 5 in the case of FIG. 12(B). FIG. 12(G) is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the arc-shaped groove 320a of the cover 3 and the engaging protrusion 53 of the lock holder 5 in the case of FIG. 12(D). Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the installation process of the switch device. Figure 13(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engaging portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 have been moved to the engagement start position with the engaging portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6. Figure 13(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 13(A). 13C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rod 4 and the main body case 10 are rotated relatively around the axis X to engage the engaging portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 with the engaging portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6. FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the positioning mechanism 9. As shown in FIG. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating the process of engagement between the engagement portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 and the engagement portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6 when the rod 4 and the main body case 10 are rotated relatively around the axis X. FIG.

[0083] As shown in Figures 12 (A) and (B), the bracket 110 has an attachment hole 111 with an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the second restricting portion 33 of the main body case 10, and recessed grooves 112, 112 through which the engagement portions 332, 332 can pass. First, in the switch device 1, the positional relationship between the rod 4 and the main body case 10 is set so that the engaging protrusion 53 of the lock holder 5 is hidden behind the engaging portions 332, 332 when viewed from the direction of the axis X (see Figures 12(B) and (C)).

[0084] In this state, the second regulating portion 33 of the switch device 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 111 of the bracket 110, so that the first regulating portion 32 is positioned on one side of the thickness direction of the bracket 110, and the engaging portions 332, 332 are positioned on the other side of the thickness direction of the bracket 110 (see (C) of Figure 12).

[0085] In this state, the contact member of the rod 4 is brought into contact with the bracket 101 of the brake pedal 100 (see FIG. 2B), and the rod 4 is inserted into the main body case 10 by the biasing force acting from the brake pedal 100 side. As a result, the engaging portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 that have been pushed into the main body case 10 move to the engagement start position with the engaging portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6 (see FIGS. 13A and 13B). In this state, when the rod 4 and the main body case 10 are rotated relative to each other around the axis X, the relative positional relationship between the engagement portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 and the engagement portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6 changes, as shown in Figure 15, and the engagement portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 and the engagement portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6 are connected.

[0086] Specifically, as shown in (A) of Figure 15, when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engagement portion 64 has a first engagement portion 641 having an inner periphery along the imaginary circle Im1 and a second engagement portion 642 having an inner periphery along the diameter line C1. The second engagement portion 642 extends linearly in the tangential direction of the imaginary circle Im1, and the distance ra from the axis X increases as the second engagement portion 642 moves away from the first engagement portion 641.

[0087] The movable platen 6 is provided with engagement portions 64, 64 on one side and the other side of the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engagement portion 64 on one side and the engagement portion 64 on the other side are provided in a positional relationship rotated by 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. In FIG. 15(A), in the engagement portion 64 on one side and the engagement portion 64 on the other side, a first engagement portion 641 and a second engagement portion 642 are arranged in this order in the clockwise direction around the axis X.

[0088] As shown in (B) of Figure 15, when the rod 4 is positioned at the engagement start position where it is pushed a predetermined distance into the main body case 10 from the initial position, the engagement portions 403, 403 on the rod 4 side are located between the engagement portions 64, 64 that face each other across the axis X. When the main body case 10 is rotated clockwise from this state, the movable platen 6 also rotates clockwise together with the main body case 10. Then, as the main body case 10 rotates, the engaging portions 403, 403 on the rod 4 side gradually engage with the second engaging portion 642 of the engaging portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side. Finally, the engaging portions 403, 403 on the rod 4 side engage with the first engaging portions 641, 641 on the movable platen 6 side, thereby connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. As a result, the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected so as to be able to move integrally in the direction of the axis X. At this time, the engaging portion of the locking claw 521 on the lock holder 5 side switches from the guide groove 323 to the positioning groove 322 (see FIG. 11 (E)), thereby restricting the relative rotation of the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 with the main body case 10.

[0089] When connecting the engagement portions 403, 403 of the rod 4 to the engagement portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6, the rod 4 is pushed into the main body case 10, and the engagement portion 403 on the rod 4 side is positioned at the engagement start position within the main body case 10 (see (B) of Figure 13). Here, if there is a slight deviation in the amount of pressing of the rod 4, there is a possibility that a deviation will occur in the direction of the axis X in the meshing position between the tooth row 600 on the engaging portions 64, 64 side of the movable platen 6 and the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side. In this state, if the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are rotated relative to each other, there is a possibility that the rod 4 will be connected to the movable platen 6 in a state inclined with respect to the axis X due to, for example, collision between the tooth portions 400a, 600a.

[0090] In this embodiment, a positioning mechanism 9 is provided to prevent the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 from being connected while the engagement position between the engagement portion 403 on the rod 4 side and the engagement portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side remains misaligned. As shown in FIG. 14, the positioning mechanism 9 is composed of a plurality of protruding pieces 48 provided on the outer periphery of the rod 4, and a groove 335 provided in the regulating wall 330 on the main body case 10 (cover 3) side.

[0091] In this positioning mechanism 9, when the protruding piece 48 on the rod 4 side is positioned within the groove portion 335 on the main body case 10 side (see (B) of Figure 14), the protruding piece 48 abuts against the side edges 335a, 335b of the groove portion 335, thereby preventing the rod 4 from rotating relative to the main body case 10 around the axis X. When the recess 49 between the protruding pieces 48, 48 is positioned in the groove 335 on the main body case 10 side, the rod 4 can rotate around the axis X relative to the main body case 10.

[0092] In this embodiment, the protruding piece 48 of the rod 4 is arranged so that the recess 49 is positioned within the groove 335 when the rod 4 is pushed into the main body case 10 to a predetermined length. Therefore, when the amount of pushing in of the rod 4 deviates from the expected length, the protruding piece 48 interferes with the groove portion 335, restricting the rotation of the rod 4. As a result, when each tooth portion 600a of the tooth row 600 on the engaging portions 64, 64 side of the movable platen 6 faces each tooth portion 400a of the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side, the tooth rows 400, 600 are not connected to each other.

[0093] Here, the amount of depression of the rod 4 differs depending on the installation target (brake device) of the switch device 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of protruding pieces 48 are provided at intervals in the direction of the axis X. For example, as shown in FIG. 14(C), the amount of pushing in of the rod 4 when the recess 49A is used is shorter than the amount of pushing in of the rod 4 when the recess 49B is used. Therefore, by preparing the same number of recesses 49 as the number of variations in the rod depression amount expected, such as using recess 49A in a brake device with a short depression amount and recess 49B in a brake device with a long depression amount, a single rod 4 can be used to accommodate multiple specifications with different depression amounts (connection start positions) of the rod 4. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in manufacturing costs due to an increase in the number of parts.

[0094] Furthermore, when the desired recess 49 is positioned within the groove 335 on the main body case 10 side, the protruding piece 48 located on the end 40b side of the rod 4 as viewed from the recess 49 is positioned in a position that can be seen from outside the main body case 10. Therefore, it can be visually confirmed from the number of protruding pieces 48 located outside the main body case 10 whether the desired recess 49 on the rod 4 side is positioned within the groove 335. This allows the rod 4 to be pushed in at an appropriate position according to the specifications.

[0095] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a positioning mechanism 9A according to a modified example. In the embodiment described above, the shape of the protruding piece 48 when viewed from the radial direction of the axis X is rectangular (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 16, a protruding piece 48A having one end in an arc shape may be used. The positioning mechanism 9A shown in FIG. 16 is composed of a plurality of protruding pieces 48A and a groove portion 335A provided in the restriction wall 330. Three protruding pieces 48A are provided on the flat surface 40d of the rod 4 at intervals W49 in the direction of the axis X. When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, the protruding pieces 48A are provided with their longitudinal directions perpendicular to the axis X. The protruding pieces 48A are provided in a range that crosses the axis X. When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, one end 482 of the protruding piece 48A in the direction perpendicular to the axis X is a flat surface along the axis X. The other end 483 is arc-shaped with an apex P facing away from the end 482. The apex P of the end 483 is located on an imaginary line Im48 that passes through the center of the thickness direction (axis X direction) of the protruding piece 48A. Between adjacent protruding pieces 48A in the direction of axis X (left and right direction in the drawing), a recess 49 is formed. The width of the recess 49 in the direction of axis X is the same as the spacing W49 of the protruding pieces 48A in the direction of axis X.

[0096] 16(B), grooves 335A, 335A, 336, and 336 open on the inner periphery of the rod insertion hole 330a in the restriction wall 330 of the cover 3. The grooves 335A and 335A are provided at positions 180° out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction about the axis X. The grooves 336 and 336 are provided at positions 180° out of phase with each other in the circumferential direction about the axis X. In the restriction wall 330, grooves 335A and 336 are alternately positioned at intervals of 90° in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0097] The groove 335A is composed of side edges 335a and 335b parallel to the diameter line C1, and an outer edge 335c connecting the ends of the side edges 335a and 335b and parallel to the diameter line C2. The side edges 335a, 335b are positioned symmetrically with respect to the diameter line C1. The side edges 335a, 335b are flat surfaces parallel to the diameter line C1. The side edges 335a, 335b face each other with a gap W335 therebetween that allows the protruding piece 48 on the rod 4 to pass through. Therefore, the gap W335 between the side edges 335a, 335b is greater than the width W48 of the protruding piece 48A (W335>W48).

[0098] 16A, the side edge 335a has an arc-shaped side edge 335e (end portion) with its apex P facing inward in the circumferential direction on the inner side (lower side in the figure) of the cover 3. The apex P of the arc-shaped side edge 335e is located on one side in the direction of the axis X (on the inner side of the cover 3) when viewed from the center line Im330 in the thickness direction of the restriction wall 330.

[0099] With the positioning mechanism 9A having such a configuration, when the rod 4 is displaced to one side in the circumferential direction about the axis X and the arc-shaped end 483 of the protruding piece 48A abuts against the side edge 335e of the groove 335A, the rod 4 moves to one side in the direction of the axis X while sliding the end 483 of the protruding piece 48A along the side edge 335e. As a result, after the position of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X is corrected, the restriction wall 330 is inserted into the recess 49 between the protruding pieces 48A, 48A. Therefore, when the rod 4 is rotated about the axis X, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side will interfere with the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side, causing a problem in the connection between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. In other words, rather than accurately positioning the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X, priority is given to avoiding interference between the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side and the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side, and the teeth 400 on the rod 4 side can be engaged with the teeth 600 on the movable platen 6 side. Furthermore, when the rod 4 is displaced to the other side in the circumferential direction around the axis X, the end 482 of the protruding piece 48A comes into contact with the side edge 335b of the groove 335A, restricting the rotation of the rod 4. This prevents the rod 4 from being rotated in the wrong direction.

[0100] As described above, the switch device 1 has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 is a rod 4 that moves back and forth in the direction of an axis X in conjunction with the operation of a brake pedal 100; a main body case 10 into which one longitudinal end 40a of the rod 4 is inserted and which supports the rod 4 movably in the direction of the axis X; The movable platen 6 is provided so as to be displaceable in the direction of the axis X within the main body case 10 and to be unable to rotate relative to the main body case 10, and the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected within the main body case 10. The device has a positioning mechanism 9 that positions the rod 4 at a connection start position with the movable platen 6 in the direction of the axis X when connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 together. The positioning mechanism 9 is a plurality of protruding pieces 48 that protrude radially from the outer periphery of the rod 4 and are provided at predetermined intervals in the direction of the axis X; a restricting wall 330 provided in the main body case 10 and having a rod insertion hole 330a (see FIG. 10(D)); The restricting wall 330 is formed to a size that allows the protruding piece 48 to pass through, and has a groove 335 that opens into the insertion hole 330a. The positions of the multiple protruding pieces 48 on the rod 4 are set so that when the rod 4 is positioned at the connection start position (see (B) of Figure 13), the recesses 49 between adjacent protruding pieces 48, 48 in the axial direction are positioned at a position overlapping with the regulating wall 330 in the axial X direction (see (B) of Figure 14).

[0101] For example, when the rod 4 placed at the connection start position is rotated around the axis X to circumferentially engage the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 with the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 to connect it to the movable platen 6, if the axial position of the tooth portion 400a of the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the axial position of the tooth portion 600a of the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are the same, the following may occur. (a) When the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X, the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side interfere with the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side, which hinders the connection between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. (b) When the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side and the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side interfere with each other, the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected in a state inclined with respect to the axis X. After configuring as described above, when the rod 4 is positioned at the engagement start position, each tooth portion 400a of the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side is set to a position where it engages with each tooth groove portion 600b between tooth portions 600a and 600a of the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side, and interference between the tooth portions 400a on the rod 4 side and the tooth portions 600a on the movable platen 6 side can be avoided, and the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 can be properly connected. Furthermore, when the rod 4 is positioned away from the engagement start position, the protruding piece 48 interferes with the restricting wall 330, thereby preventing the rod 4 from rotating. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 from being coupled to each other at a position where the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side interfere with the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side.

[0102] (2) In (1) above, When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, both end portions 481, 482 of the protruding piece 48 in the circumferential direction about the axis X are flat surfaces along the axis X (see FIG. 14(B)). When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, both side edges 335a, 335b of the groove portion 335 on the side of the restriction wall 330 in the circumferential direction around the axis X are flat surfaces along the axis X.

[0103] With this configuration, when the rod 4 is positioned away from the engagement start position, the ends 481, 482 of the protruding piece 48 interfere with the side edges 335a, 335b of the recess, preventing rotation of the rod 4. This makes it possible to preferably prevent the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 from being coupled to each other at a position where the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side interfere with the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side.

[0104] (3) In (1) above, When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, the protruding piece 48A has one end 482 in the circumferential direction around the axis X which is a flat surface along the axis X, and the other end 483 which is an arc shape with the apex P facing outward in the circumferential direction (see Figure 16). When viewed from the radial direction of the axis X, the groove portion 335A has one side edge 335b in the circumferential direction about the axis X which is a flat surface along the axis X, and the other side edge 335a has an arc-shaped side edge 335e with its apex P facing inward in the circumferential direction. An apex P of the arc-shaped side edge 335e of the groove 335 is located on one side in the direction of the axis X when viewed from the center line Im330 in the thickness direction of the restriction wall 330.

[0105] With this configuration, when the rod 4 is displaced to one side in the circumferential direction about the axis X and the end 483 of the protruding piece 48A abuts against the side edge 335a of the groove 335 on the restricting wall 330 side, the rod 4 moves to one side in the direction of the axis X while sliding the end 483 of the protruding piece 48A along the side edge 335e. As a result, after the position of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X is corrected, the restricting wall 330 is inserted into the recess 49 between the protruding pieces 48A, 48A. Therefore, after the rod 4 is corrected to an appropriate position, the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side can be engaged with the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side. In other words, rather than accurately positioning the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X, priority is given to avoiding interference between the teeth 400a on the rod 4 side and the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side, and the teeth 400 on the rod 4 side can be engaged with the teeth 600 on the movable platen 6 side. Furthermore, when the rod 4 is displaced to the other side in the circumferential direction around the axis X, the end 482 of the protruding piece 48A comes into contact with the side edge 335b of the groove 335, restricting the rotation of the rod 4. This makes it possible to prevent the rod 4 from being rotated in the wrong direction.

[0106] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, A plurality of connection start positions are set at positions shifted in the direction of the axis X. The recesses 49 are provided in the same number as the connection start positions.

[0107] If the connection start position differs, the amount of pushing of the rod 4 into the main body case 10 will differ. With the above configuration, one rod 4 can be used to accommodate multiple specifications with different connection start positions. This prevents an increase in manufacturing costs due to an increase in the number of parts.

[0108] (5) In (4) above, The rod 4 is provided on its outer periphery at one end 40a (one end) with a tooth row 400 in which a plurality of tooth portions 400a and tooth groove portions 400b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X. On the inner periphery of the movable platen 6 facing the outer periphery of the rod 4, a row of teeth 600 is provided, in which a plurality of tooth portions 600a and tooth groove portions 600b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X. The spacing W49 between the protruding pieces 48 in the direction of the axis X is set to the same spacing as the spacing between the tooth portions 400a, 400a, 600a, 600a adjacent to each other in the direction of the axis X in the tooth rows 400, 600.

[0109] With this configuration, by shifting the recesses 49 between the protruding pieces 48, 48 one by one in the direction of the axis X, the meshing position of the tooth portion 400a and the tooth portion 600a can be shifted by one tooth at a time, so that the position of the rod can be adjusted while avoiding interference between the tooth portion 400a and the tooth portion 600a.

[0110] (6) In (5) above, The lock holder 5 (holder) is housed in the main body case 10 and supports the rod 4 so that it cannot rotate relative to the rod 4 and can move in the direction of the axis X. The rod 4 has a pair of stopper pieces 405, 405 extending in the radial direction on the outer periphery of one end 40a in the longitudinal direction. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the pair of stopper pieces 405, 405 are provided circumferentially around the axis X with a phase shift of 180°, and are also provided with a phase shift from the engaging portions 403, 403. The lock holder 5 has guide grooves 540, 540 that open on the opposite side to the restriction wall 330 in the direction of the axis X and that define the range of movement of the stopper pieces 405, 405 in the direction of the axis X. The guide grooves 540, 540 have wall portions 51 on the side of the restriction wall 330 in the direction of the axis X that function as stopper surfaces that restrict movement of the stopper pieces 405, 405 toward the restriction wall 330 side.

[0111] With this configuration, it is possible to guide the movement of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X while preventing the rod 4 from tilting with respect to the axis X. When the stopper pieces 405, 405 abut against the wall portion 51, it is possible to restrict the movement of the rod 4 in the direction in which it falls off the main body case 10.

[0112] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1: Switch device 2: Extreme 3: Cover 32: First Regulatory Section 33: Second Regulatory Section 320: Wall 321: Peripheral wall part 322: Positioning groove 323: Guide groove 330: Regulatory Wall 330a: Insertion hole 331: Peripheral wall part 332: Engagement part 335, 335A: Groove 335a, 335b, 335e: Side edges 335c: outer edge 336: Groove 336a, 336b: Side edge 336c: outer edge 4: Rod 40: Base 400:Dentition 400a: Tooth 400b: Tooth space 403: Engagement part 404: Engagement rib 405: Stopper piece 408: Displacement control rib 48, 48A: Projecting piece 49, 49A, 49B: recessed parts 5: Lock holder 50: Base 51 :Wall part 52: Engagement piece 521: Locking claw 524: Displacement control piece 53: Engagement protrusion 54: Guide rail 540: Guide groove 6: Movable plate 60: Annular base 600:Dentition 600a: Tooth 600b: Tooth space 63: Contact support part 64: Engagement part 9, 9A: Positioning mechanism 10: Main unit case C1, C2: Diameter line X: Axis line

Claims

1. a rod that moves back and forth in an axial direction in conjunction with the operation of the brake pedal; a main body case into which one longitudinal end of the rod is inserted and which supports the rod movably in the axial direction; a movable platen that is displaceable in the axial direction within the main body case and is provided so as to be unable to rotate relative to the main body case, In the switch device in which the rod and the movable platen are connected within the main body case, a positioning mechanism that positions the rod at a connection start position with the movable platen in the axial direction when connecting the rod and the movable platen, The positioning mechanism includes: a plurality of protruding pieces that protrude radially from the outer periphery of the rod and are provided at predetermined intervals in the axial direction; a wall portion provided in the main body case and having an insertion hole for the rod; a groove formed in the wall portion to a size that allows the protruding piece to pass therethrough and opening into the insertion hole; A switch device in which the positions of the multiple protrusions on the rod are set so that when the rod is positioned at the connection start position, recesses between adjacent protrusions in the axial direction are positioned so as to overlap with the wall portion in the axial direction.

2. In claim 1, When viewed from a radial direction of the axis, both ends of the protruding piece in a circumferential direction around the axis are flat surfaces along the axis, A switch device, wherein, when viewed from a radial direction of the axis, both side edges of the groove portion in a circumferential direction around the axis are flat surfaces that extend along the axis.

3. In claim 1, When viewed from the radial direction of the axis, one end of the protruding piece in the circumferential direction about the axis is a flat surface along the axis, and the other end forms an arc shape with an apex facing outward in the circumferential direction, When viewed from the radial direction of the axis, one side edge of the groove in the circumferential direction about the axis is a flat surface along the axis, and the other side edge forms an arc shape with an apex facing inward in the circumferential direction, A switch device, wherein an apex of the arc-shaped end of the groove is located on one side in the axial direction when viewed from a center line in the thickness direction of the wall portion.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, a plurality of connection start positions are set at positions shifted in the axial direction, The number of recesses provided is the same as the number of connection start positions.

5. In claim 4, a tooth row in which a plurality of tooth portions and tooth groove portions are alternately arranged in the axial direction is provided on an outer periphery of the one end side of the rod, a tooth row in which a plurality of tooth portions and tooth groove portions are alternately arranged in the axial direction is provided on an inner circumference of the movable platen facing the outer circumference of the rod, A switch device, wherein the spacing between the protruding pieces in the axial direction is set to be the same as the spacing between adjacent tooth portions in the tooth row in the axial direction.

6. In claim 5, a holder that is accommodated in the main body case and supports the rod so that the rod cannot rotate relative to the main body case and can move in the axial direction; The rod has a pair of stopper pieces extending radially on an outer periphery of one end side in the longitudinal direction, When viewed from the axial direction, the pair of stopper pieces are provided with a phase shift of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis and are also provided with a phase shift from the tooth row on the rod side, the holder has a guide groove that opens to a side opposite to the wall portion in the axial direction and that defines a movement range of the stopper piece in the axial direction, The guide groove has a stopper surface on the wall side in the axial direction that restricts movement of the stopper piece toward the wall side.

Images