Switching device

Abstract

To appropriately couple a rod and a movable platen.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes a coupling mechanism 9 coupling a rod 4 with a movable platen 6. The coupling mechanism 9 includes: an engagement portion 403 that is provided in an outer periphery of the rod 4; and an engaged portion 64 that is provided at a portion surrounding the outer periphery of the rod 4 in the movable platen 6. The plurality of engagement portions 403 are provided in such a manner that the phases of the engagement portions are shifted in a peripheral direction of a circumference of a shaft line X. The same number of engaged portions 64 of at least the engagement portion 403 is provided. In an inner periphery of the engaged portion 64, a tooth row 600 along a direction of the shaft line X is provided. The engagement portion 403 includes: an engagement portion 403A in which a tooth row 400 along the direction of the shaft line X is provided in the outer periphery; and an engagement portion 403B in which the tooth row 400 is not provided. By a rotation around the shaft line X of the rod 4, the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are engaged from the peripheral direction of the circumference of the shaft line X, and the rod 4 is coupled with the movable platen 6.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 body 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 body 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 tooth grooves provided 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 rod and the movable platen. 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 case that supports the rod so that the rod is movable in the axial direction; a movable platen that is displaceable in the axial direction within the case and is non-rotatable relative to the case; a connecting mechanism that connects the rod and the movable platen, The connecting mechanism includes: an engaging portion provided on the outer periphery of the rod; an engaged portion provided at a portion of the movable platen surrounding an outer periphery of the rod, The engaging portion is provided in a plurality in the circumferential direction, The number of the engaged portions is at least the same as the number of the engaging portions, The engaged portion has an inner periphery provided with a row of teeth extending along the axial direction, the engaging portion includes a first engaging portion provided with a tooth row along the axial direction and a second engaging portion not provided with the tooth row, About the axis of the rod of A switch device in which, upon rotation, the tooth row on the rod side and the tooth row on the movable platen side mesh with each other in the circumferential direction around the axis, thereby connecting the rod and the movable platen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the rod and the movable platen 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 connecting the rod and the movable platen. [Figure 13] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the process of connecting the rod and the movable platen. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of connecting a rod and a movable platen according to a comparative 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. The movable platen 6 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 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 cross-sectional view of the rod 4 taken along line EE in (B) 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] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pair of engagement portions 403 (403A, 403B) are provided on the outer periphery of the base portion 40 on the side of the end portion 40a. The pair of engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) extend from one end 40a in the longitudinal direction of the base 40 toward the other end 40b (the left side in FIG. 4B). The pair of engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) are provided within a range of a predetermined length L1 from the end 40a of the base 40.

[0022] 5B, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the central axis (axis X) of the base 40, the engagement portions 403 (403A, 403B) protrude from the outer periphery of the base 40 radially outward from the axis X. The engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) are provided circumferentially about the axis X with a phase difference of 180°. The pair of engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) are located on a diameter line C1 of the base 40. The pair of engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) are components of a connecting mechanism 9 that connects the rod 4 and the movable platen 6.

[0023] 5B, in a cross-sectional view, the engaging portion 403 (403A, 403B) has a side surface 403b on one side of the diameter line C1 and a side surface 403c on the other side thereof that are parallel to each other and flat. These side surfaces 403b and 403c are provided in a positional relationship that is symmetrical with respect to the diameter line C1. The outer periphery of the engaging portion 403A is arc-shaped in cross section. As shown in Fig. 4C, the outer periphery of the engaging portion 403A 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.

[0024] 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 tooth row 400 of the engaging portion 403A of the rod 4 engages with the tooth row 600 (see Figure 3) of one of the engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side described later, thereby connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6.

[0025] In the tooth row 400 of the engagement portion 403A, a contact portion 400c is provided in a part of the plurality of tooth groove portions 400b aligned in the direction of the axis X. The contact portion 400c is a portion that comes into contact with the tooth portion 600a on the movable platen 6 side when the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are meshed with each other.

[0026] The tooth gap portion 400b in which the contact portion 400c is provided is formed to a depth ha that is shallower than the other tooth gap portions 400b in which the contact portion 400c is not provided. As shown in Fig. 5(c), the outer periphery of the contact portion 400c is arc-shaped when viewed from the direction of the axis X. The outer periphery of the contact portion 400c is located on an imaginary circle Im2 that surrounds the axis X. The imaginary circle Im2 has a smaller outer diameter than an imaginary circle Im1 on which the outer periphery of the tooth portion 400a is located. The imaginary circle Im2 has a larger outer diameter than an imaginary circle Im3 on which the bottom of the tooth groove portion 400b is located.

[0027] The contact portion 400c is provided on one side in the circumferential direction around the axis X with a recess 400d recessed toward the axis X side. In this embodiment, the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X, and the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side approaches the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side from the circumferential direction, thereby engaging the tooth row 400 with the tooth row 600. The recess 400d is provided on the side that approaches the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side when the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X.

[0028] If the recess 400d were not provided, the contact portion 400c could create resistance to meshing in the early stages when the teeth row 400 meshes with the teeth row 600. By providing the recess 400d, it is possible to reduce resistance to meshing in the early stages when the teeth row 400 meshes with the teeth row 600. This allows the teeth row 400 and the teeth row 600 to mesh smoothly.

[0029] Unlike engaging portion 403A, engaging portion 403B does not have a row of teeth on its outer periphery. The engaging portion 403B has a pressure contact portion 400e on the outer diameter side, which has a portion with the same outer diameter as the contact portion 400c. In the engaging portion 403B, the pressure contact portion 400e is an area located on the outer diameter side of the imaginary circle Im3 where the bottom of the tooth groove portion 200b is located.

[0030] In the press-contact portion 400e, the intersection P with the diameter line C1 of the base portion 40 is located on an imaginary circle Im2 that follows the outer periphery of the contact portion 400c. A recess 400f recessed in a direction away from the imaginary circle Im2 is provided on one side as viewed from the intersection point P. The recess 400f is provided on the side approaching the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side when the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X. The press-contact portion 400e, which has a larger outer diameter, is located on the opposite side of the clearance portion 400f as viewed from the intersection point P. The press-contact portion 400e is located on the inner diameter side of an imaginary circle Im1 that passes through the outer periphery of the tooth portion 400a.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), when viewed from the engagement portion 403 (403A, 403B), a pair of displacement restriction ribs 408 are provided on the end portion 40b side of the rod 4 (left side in Figure 4(B)). The displacement restriction rib 408 is provided adjacent to the engagement portion 403, straddling the engagement portion 403 and the base portion 40. The displacement restriction rib 408 is provided within a range of a predetermined length L9 in the direction of the axis X from the engagement portion 403. When viewed from the radial direction of the central axis (axis X) of the base portion 40, the engagement portion 403 and the displacement restriction rib 408 are aligned in series in the direction of the axis X. 5A, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the central axis (axis X) of the base 40, the displacement restriction ribs 408, 408 are provided circumferentially about the axis X with a phase shift of 180°. The displacement restriction ribs 408, 408 are also located on a diameter line C1 of the base 40. The outer periphery of the displacement restriction 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 restriction rib 408 is located on the diameter line C1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5(A), when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the rod 4 is provided with engagement ribs 404, 404 at positions shifted in phase by 90° in the circumferential direction around the axis X relative to the displacement restricting rib 408. 4(B), the engagement 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 engagement rib 404 is longer than the length L1 of the engagement portion 403 (L2>L1). 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 4A and 4B, a protrusion 405 is provided on the outer periphery of the end portion 40a side (right side in the figure) of the engagement rib 404. The protrusion 405 protrudes radially outward from the axis X.

[0036] In the rod 4, the region where the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B), the engaging rib 404, and the displacement restricting rib 408 are provided is a region of the rod 4 located inside the main body case 10. The region of the rod 4 on the other end 40b side of the engaging rib 404 is a region of the rod 4 that can freely appear and disappear from the main body case 10.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3(A), the lock holder 5 is fitted onto the rod 4 in a region 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 around the axis X.

[0038] [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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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. 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.

[0041] 7(B), displacement restriction pieces 524 are provided on the inner periphery of the other end side of the engagement pieces 52. The displacement restriction pieces 524 extend toward the axis X. Therefore, in the two-flat width portions 501 of the base 50, notches 503 are provided on the inner diameter side (the side toward the axis X) of the displacement restriction pieces 524 to avoid interference with the displacement restriction pieces 524.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 7A, recesses 524a are provided at the ends of the displacement restriction pieces 524 on the axis X side. In the switch device 1, before the switch device 1 is completely attached to the bracket 110 (see Fig. 1B), the recesses 524a of the displacement restriction pieces 524 elastically engage with the displacement restriction rib 408 of the rod 4 from the direction of the axis X (see Fig. 3A).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7(A), the wall portion 51 has an insertion hole 510 for the rod 4 at the center thereof. Key grooves 540, 540 are provided on the periphery of the insertion hole 510. Two key grooves 540, 540 are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction about the axis X. These key grooves 540, 540 are formed to be recessed in directions away from each other on the diameter line C2.

[0044] 7(A), the wall portion 51 is provided with engagement protrusions 53, 53 on the outer diameter side of the key grooves 540, 540. Two engagement protrusions 53, 53 are provided at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. 6(D), the engaging protrusions 53, 53 protrude at a predetermined protrusion height h2 in a direction away from the wall portion 51. This protrusion height h2 is set to a height at which the engaging protrusions 53, 53 penetrate an arc-shaped groove 320a of the cover 3 (described later) in the direction of the axis X, and at which the tips of the engaging protrusions 53, 53 do not come into contact with an engaging portion 332 of the cover 3.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(D), the base 50 is provided with legs 54, 54 on the opposite side (right side in the drawing) of the engaging projections 53, 53. Ends 54a of the legs 54, 54 are located outside the base 50 (on the right side in the figure), and the other ends are connected to the wall 51. The legs 54, 54 extend from the wall 51 through the inside of the base 50 to the outside of the base 50.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 7(C), the legs 54, 54 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the axis X. The aforementioned key grooves 540, 540 are provided in opposing portions of the legs 54, 54. As shown in Fig. 6(D), the key grooves 540, 540 are provided over the entire length of the legs 54, 54 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in the figure). The key grooves 540, 540 function as guide grooves that guide the movement of the rod 4 in the direction of the axis X.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7(C), reinforcing ribs 506, 506 for supporting the legs 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 legs 54, 54 to the region of the base 50 where the two-flat portions 501, 501 are provided.

[0048] 3(B), the lock holder 5 is fitted onto the rod 4. In this state, the base 40 of the rod 4 is inserted through the lock holder 5 in the direction of the axis X. In this state, the engagement ribs 404, 404 of the rod 4 are disposed in the key grooves 540, 540 of the legs 54, 54 (see FIG. 7B). Furthermore, the engagement portions 403 (403A, 403B) of the rod 4 are disposed between a pair of reinforcing ribs 506, 506 (see FIG. 7C).

[0049] 3(B), inside the main body case 10, the movable platen 6 biased by the spring Sp1 abuts against the lock holder 5 in the direction of the axis X. Ends 54a, 54a of the legs 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 abut against contact support portions 63, 63 on the movable platen 6 side, respectively.

[0050] [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.

[0051] 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 engaged portions 64, 64 provided at the opposing portions of the pair of contact support portions 63, 63.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 8(C), the annular base 60 has a length L6 in the axial direction of the X axis that is shorter than a length L5 in the axial direction 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 axial direction of the X axis (see Fig. 8(B)). 8(C), the contact support portions 63, 63 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the axis line X. 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.

[0053] The contact support portions 63, 63 have regions on the other end 63b side in the direction of the axis X that face each other across the axis X. Engaged portions 64, 64 are provided on the opposing surfaces of these opposing regions (see FIG. 8C). The engaged portions 64, 64 are portions that engage with the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side when connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. The engaged portions 64, 64 are components of the connecting mechanism 9 that connects the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. The engaged 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 engaged 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.

[0054] As shown in (D) of Figure 8, when viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaged portion 64 has a first engaged portion 641 having an inner periphery along an imaginary circle Im1 centered on the axis X, and a second engaged portion 642 having an inner periphery along a diameter line C1. The second engaged 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 engaged portion 642 moves away from the first engaged portion 641.

[0055] The movable platen 6 is provided with engaged portions 64, 64 on one side and the other side of the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaged portion 64 on one side and the engaged portion 64 on the other side are provided in a positional relationship rotated 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. In FIG. 8(D), in the engaged portion 64 on one side and the engaged portion 64 on the other side, a first engaged portion 641 and a second engaged portion 642 are arranged in this order in the counterclockwise direction around the axis X.

[0056] 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 engaged portions 64, 64, and the strength around the engaged portions 64, 64 is reinforced by the ribs 632, 632. 3(B), in the movable platen 6, a spring Sp1 supported by the pole plate 2 is inserted into the inner periphery of the annular base portion 60. The biasing force acting from the spring Sp1 causes the contact support portions 63, 63 of the movable platen 6 to abut against the end portions 54a of the legs 54 from the direction of the axis X.

[0057] [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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 9(B), a support rod 24 is provided in the center of the base 20. The support rod 24 is a cylindrical member arranged in a direction 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The length L7 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)).

[0063] 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).

[0064] 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)). As shown in FIG. 3(B), the annular wall portion 21 of the pole plate 2 is inserted into the outer peripheral wall 31 on the cover 3 side.

[0065] [Cover 3] 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the cover 3. FIG. Fig. 10(A) is a perspective view of the cover 3. Fig. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view of the cover 3 taken along plane A in Fig. 10(A). Fig. 10(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Fig. 10(B). 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 the line BB in Fig. 11(A). 11B, the end face of the contact portion 326 on the front side of the paper is shown with cross hatching to make it easier to see the position of the contact surface that contacts the bracket 110. In FIG. 11(C), the displacement of the locking claw 521 of the engaging piece 52 on the lock holder 5 side from the guide groove 323 until it engages with the positioning groove 322 is shown by imaginary lines.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 11(C), 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.

[0070] 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. 11C).

[0071] When attaching the switch device 1 to the bracket 110 (see FIG. 1B), the main body case 10 and the lock holder 5 are rotated relative to each other in the circumferential direction about the axis X. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11C, the locking claw 521 of the engagement piece 52 on the lock holder 5 side moves in a direction approaching the positioning groove 322 from the guide groove 323, and finally engages with the positioning groove 322, thereby restricting the relative rotation between the main body case 10 and the lock holder 5.

[0072] 11(A), 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] Furthermore, arcuate grooves 320a, 320a are provided in the wall portion 320. The arcuate grooves 320a are provided along the circumferential direction around the axis X on an imaginary circle Im centered on the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the arcuate grooves 320a, 320a are provided in a positional relationship where they are shifted in phase by 180° on either side of the axis X. Engagement protrusions 53, 53 (see FIG. 3B) of the lock holder 5 are inserted into the arcuate grooves 320a, 320a from the direction of the axis X.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 11(A), the second restricting portion 33 is provided with engaging portions 332, 332 on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 331 on the restricting wall 330 side. The engaging portions 332, 332 protrude radially outward from the axis X. As shown in Fig. 11(B), the engaging portions 332, 332 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship 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 X.

[0075] In the switch device 1, when the switch device 1 is installed on the vehicle body side, the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected via a connecting mechanism 9 interposed therebetween. As a result, the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 stroke in the direction of the axis X in conjunction with the operation of the brake pedal (see FIG. 1(B)), and a pair of movable contacts 7, 7 provided on the movable platen 6 come into contact with and separate from fixed contacts 8, 8 on the main body case 10 side. Hereinafter, the connection between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 and the function of the connection mechanism 9 when the switch device 1 is attached to the bracket 110 will be described.

[0076] 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the process of connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 in the case of the connecting mechanism 9. FIG. 12(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) of the rod 4 have been moved to a coupling start position with the engaged portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6. FIG. 12(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 12(A). FIG. 12(C) is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the rod 4 and the main body case 10 (movable platen 6) have been rotated relative to each other around the axis X, and the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) of the rod 4 are positioned at a coupling position where they are engaged with the engaged portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6.

[0077] 13A is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the movable platen 6, the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side, and the legs 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 when the rod 4 is located at the coupling start position. FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the movable platen 6, the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side, and the legs 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 at an intermediate stage when the rod 4 is displaced to the coupling position. FIG. 13C is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the movable platen 6, the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side, and the legs 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 when the rod 4 is located at the coupling position. 13 shows a schematic view of the movable platen 6 as seen from the lock holder 5 side. In FIG. 13, cross hatching is used to make it easier to understand the position of the end face of the contact support portion 63 on the movable platen 6 side facing the viewer. Furthermore, the engagement portions 403 (403A, 403B) and the legs 54, 54 are shown by virtual lines.

[0078] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the process of connecting the rod 4' and the movable platen 6 in the case of a connecting mechanism 9' according to a comparative example. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403A) on the rod 4′ side and the engaged portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side at an intermediate stage of the displacement of the rod 4′ to the coupled position. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403A) on the rod 4′ side and the engaged portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side at a stage when the rod 4′ reaches the coupled position. FIG. 14C is a conceptual diagram for explaining a misalignment of the meshing positions when the teeth 400a on the rod 4′ side and the teeth 600a on the movable platen 6 side face each other in the radial direction of the axis X. FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inclination of the rod 4′ when a misalignment of the meshing positions occurs between the tooth row 400 on the rod 4′ side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side.

[0079] As described above, this embodiment illustrates a rod 4 in which one of a pair of engagement portions 403, 403A, has a tooth row 400 on the outer periphery, and the other engagement portion 403B does not have a tooth row on the outer periphery. Here, the connection between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 will be described using as an example the case of the rod 4' in which rows of teeth are provided on the outer peripheries of both of the pair of engaging portions 403A, 403A.

[0080] As shown in (A) of Figure 14, when the rod 4' and the movable platen 6 (main body case 10) are rotated relative to each other around the axis X to connect the rod 4' and the movable platen 6, the tooth portions 400a, 400a of the pair of engaging portions 403A, 403A approach the engaged portions 64, 64 (second engaged portions 642, 642) on the movable platen 6 side, respectively, from the circumferential direction around the axis X. As a result, the teeth 400a of one engaging portion 403A and the teeth 400a of the other engaging portion 403A mesh with the second engaged portions 642, 642 on the mating side at approximately the same timing.

[0081] Here, the position of the rod 4' arranged at the connection start position in the direction of the axis X may be slightly misaligned due to tolerances, etc. Depending on the degree of misalignment, the position of the tooth portion 400a constituting the tooth row 400 on the rod 4' side and the position of the tooth portion 600a constituting the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side may coincide in the direction of the axis X, as shown in Fig. 14(C). In this state, when the rod 4' is rotated and connected to the movable platen 6, the meshing position between the tooth portion 400a and the tooth portion 600a will be misaligned in the direction of the axis X. In the case of (C) of Figure 14, it is possible that the tooth portion 600a on the movable platen 6 side engages with the tooth groove portion 400b on the rod 4' side on the right side in the figure (see the right arrow in the figure), or it may engage with the tooth groove portion 400b on the left side in the figure (see the left arrow in the figure).

[0082] Here, in the case of the rod 4', the engaging portions 403A, 403A at two locations mesh with the engaged portions 64, 64 at two locations on the movable platen 6 side. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14(D), there is a possibility that the meshing position of the toothed portion 400a on one engaging portion 403A side and the meshing position of the toothed portion 400a on the other engaging portion 403B side may be misaligned in the direction of the axis X (left and right direction in the drawing). In this case, the rod 4' will be connected to the movable platen 6 in a tilted state relative to the axis X, and the connected rod 4' may interfere with the regulating wall 330 on the main body case 10 side, causing problems with the movement of the rod 4' in the direction of the axis X.

[0083] In this embodiment, in order to preferably prevent such a situation from occurring, a connecting mechanism 9 is adopted that uses a rod 4 in which one engaging portion 403A has a tooth row 400 on its outer periphery and the other engaging portion 403B does not have a tooth row on its outer periphery (see (C) of Figure 12).

[0084] As shown in FIG. 1B, the bracket 110 is provided with a mounting hole 111 having an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the second restricting portion 33 of the main body case 10. When mounting the switch device 1 on the bracket 110 on the vehicle side, the second restricting portion 33 of the switch device 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 111 of the bracket 110 and the abutment portion 326 is brought into abutment with one surface of the bracket 110.

[0085] In this state, the contact member of the rod 4 is brought into contact with the bracket 101 of the brake pedal 100, and the rod 4 is inserted into the main body case 10 while maintaining this contact state. 12(A) and 12(B), when the rod 4 is pushed into the main body case 10 by a predetermined length Lx, the rod 4 is disposed at a position where it starts to connect with the movable platen 6. As shown in FIG. Here, when the rod 4 is placed at the connection start position, the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side in the direction of the axis X and the engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side are placed in a positional relationship in which they overlap when viewed from the radial direction of the axis X. Therefore, when the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X from this state, the engaging portions 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod 4 side approach the engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side from the circumferential direction around the axis X. That is, when the rod 4 is disposed at the connection start position, it means that the rod 4 is disposed at a position where it can be connected to the movable platen 6 by rotating the rod 4.

[0086] When the rod 4 is positioned at the connection start position shown in Figures 12(A) and (B), the legs 54, 54 of the lock holder 5 abut against the end faces of the contact support parts 63, 63 on the movable platen 6 on the front side of the paper from the direction of the axis X, as shown in Figure 13(A). 12(A), the contact support portions 63, 63 are pressed against the legs 54, 54 by the biasing force of the spring Sp1, and the lock holder 5 and the movable platen 6 are arranged in series in the direction of the axis X. Therefore, the lock holder 5 and the movable platen 6 are arranged along the axis X without tilting relative to the axis X. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13(A), the engaging portions 403A and 403B on the rod 4 side are disposed between the contact support portions 63 and 63 in a direction along the diameter line C1.

[0087] From this state, when the rod 4 and the main body case 10 (movable platen 6) are rotated relative to each other around the axis X, the relative positional relationship between the engaging portions 403A, 403B of the rod 4 and the engaged portions 64, 64 of the movable platen 6 changes, as shown in Figure 13 (B). As a result, the engaging portions 403A, 403B of the rod 4 approach the engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side in the circumferential direction around the axis X.

[0088] Here, the movable platen 6 is provided with engaged portions 64, 64 on one side and the other side of the axis line X. In the engaged portion 64 on one side and the engaged portion 64 on the other side, a first engaged portion 641 and a second engaged portion 642 are arranged in this order in the counterclockwise direction around the axis line X. Therefore, when viewed from the first engaged portion 641, the second engaged portion 642 is located on the side where the engaging portion 403 (403A, 403B) on the rod side approaches when the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected.

[0089] Therefore, when the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 rotate relative to each other, the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side first engages with the second engaged portion 642, and then finally engages with the first engaged portion 641. In the initial stage of engagement between the engaging portion 403A and the engaged portion 64, the meshing margin between the tooth row 400 on the engaging portion 403A side and the tooth row 600 on the engaged portion 64 side is shallow. Then, as the engagement progresses and the engaging portion 403A approaches the first engaged portion 641, the meshing margin becomes deeper. That is, the load is small in the initial stage of engagement between the engaging portion 403A and the engaged portion 64, and the load increases as the engagement progresses.

[0090] On the other hand, the engaging portion 403B on the rod side has the relief portion 400f located on the side closer to the engaged portion 64. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13 (B), when the tooth portion 400a on the engaging portion 403A side engages with the second engaged portion 642 on the engaged portion 64 side, the outer periphery of the engaging portion 403B is not pressed against the inner periphery of the second engaged portion 642.

[0091] When the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are further rotated relative to each other from the state of Figure 13 (B), when the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side engages with the first engaging portion 341, the pressure-contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B on the rod side is pressed against the inner circumference of the second engaged portion 642 (see Figure 13 (C)). Therefore, when the engagement (connection) between the engaging portion 403A and the engaged portion 64 is completed, the engaging portion 403A plays a role in connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6, while the engaging portion 403B plays a role in suppressing rattling between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6.

[0092] Furthermore, at the point in time when the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side begins to engage with the second engaged portion 642, the engaging portion 403B does not engage with the second engaged portion 642. Then, at the point in time when the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side begins to engage with the first engaged portion 641, the engaging portion 403B on the rod side (pressure contact portion 400e) engages with the second engaged portion 642 of the engaged portion 64. As a result, the load caused by the engaging portion 403B increases in the final stage of connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6, and the load at the initial stage of engagement between the engaging portion 403A and the engaged portion 64 becomes smaller.

[0093] Here, the tilt of the lock holder 5 supporting the rod 4 is suppressed by a pair of legs 54, 54 abutting against contact support parts 63, 63 on the movable platen 6 side (see FIG. 13(A)). 13, the position at which the legs 54, 54 abut changes during the relative rotation between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. Therefore, when the legs 54, 54 move away from the contact support parts 63, 63, the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 tend to tilt with respect to the axis X.

[0094] In this embodiment, the pressure contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B is set to come into pressure contact with the inner periphery of the second engaged portion 642 at the timing when the leg portions 54, 54 and the contact support portions 63, 63 are released from contact with each other. When the pressure contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B comes into pressure contact with the second engaged portion 642 of one engaged portion 64, the teeth 400a on the outer periphery of the engaging portion 403A on the opposite side are engaged with the second engaged portion 642 of the other engaged portion 64. Therefore, when the legs 54, 54 move away from the contact support portions 63, 63, the engaging portion 403A that has meshed with the engaged portion 64 and the engaging portion 403B that has been pressed against the inner periphery of the engaged portion 64 restrict the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 from tilting with respect to the axis X. This prevents the rod 4 from tilting during the process of connecting the rod 4 to the movable platen 6, thereby reducing the possibility that the rod 4 will be connected to the movable platen 6 in a tilted state.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, only one engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side is involved in meshing with the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side. Therefore, even if the rod 4 is rotated in a state in which the tooth portions 400a constituting the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth portions 600a constituting the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are opposed to each other in the radial direction of the axis X, the rod 4 will not be coupled to the movable platen 6 in a state inclined with respect to the axis X. This is because, even if a positional deviation occurs in the direction of the axis X between the meshing position of the tooth portions 400a on the engaging portion 403A side and the tooth portions 600a on one engaged portion 64 side, the meshing position of the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 is one point in the circumferential direction around the axis X, and therefore the rod 4 will not be coupled to the movable platen 6 in a state inclined with respect to the axis X, as in the case of the rod 4′.

[0096] In this way, the connecting mechanism 9 between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 is composed of a pair of engaging portions 403 on the rod 4 side and a pair of engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side, and the engaging portion 403 on the rod 4 side is composed of an engaging portion 403A provided with a tooth row 400 along the direction of the axis X, and an engaging portion 403B not provided with a tooth row 400. This prevents the rod from being connected in a state tilted with respect to the axis X, as in the case of rod 4' in which tooth rows 400 are provided on the outer peripheries of both of the pair of engaging portions 403. This allows the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 to be connected appropriately.

[0097] In the embodiment described above, the case where the same number of engaging portions 403 on the rod 4 side and the same number of engaged portions 64 on the movable platen 6 side are provided has been exemplified. The number of engaged portions 64 provided should be at least the same as the number of engaging portions 403 on the rod 4 side. It is also possible to set the number of engaging portions 403 on the rod 4 side to two and the number of engaged portions 64 on the movable platen 6 to three.

[0098] As described above, the switch device 1 has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 includes a rod 4 that moves forward and backward along an axis X in response to the operation of a brake pedal 100; a main body case 10 (case) that supports the rod 4 so that the rod 4 can move in the direction of the axis X; a movable platen 6 that is displaceable in the direction of the axis X within the main body case 10 and is non-rotatable relative to the main body case 10; and a connecting mechanism 9 that connects the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. The connecting mechanism 9 is An engagement portion 403 provided on the outer periphery of the rod 4; and an engaged portion 64 provided at a portion of the movable platen 6 that surrounds the outer periphery of the rod 4. A plurality of engaging portions 403 are provided with their phases shifted in the circumferential direction around the axis X. The number of engaged portions 64 provided is at least the same as the number of engaging portions 403 . The engaged portion 64 is provided on its inner periphery with a row of teeth 600 extending along the axis X. The engaging portion 403 includes an engaging portion 403A (first engaging portion) having a tooth row 400 along the axis X direction provided on the outer periphery thereof, and an engaging portion 403B (second engaging portion) having no tooth row 400 provided thereon. As the rod 4 rotates around the axis X, the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side mesh with each other in the circumferential direction around the axis X, connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6.

[0099] In the connecting mechanism 9, the rod 4 placed at the connection start position is rotated around the axis X, and the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side is engaged with the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side from the circumferential direction to connect to the movable platen 6. In this case, if the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 each have two tooth rows 400, 600, and the position of the tooth portion 400a of the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side in the direction of the axis X coincides with the position of the tooth portion 600a of the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side in the direction of the axis X, 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. With the above configuration, only one engaging portion 403A meshes with the tooth row 600 on the engaged portion 64 side. Unlike a specification in which two engaging portions on the rod 4 side and two engaged portions on the movable platen 6 side are engaged with each other, the meshing position at one connecting point and the meshing position at the other connecting point do not shift in the direction of the axis X. Therefore, the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 can be properly connected.

[0100] (2) In (1) above, When viewed from the direction of the axis X, two engaging portions 403A and 403B are provided with a phase difference in the circumferential direction around the axis X. When the rod 4 is placed at a position where it starts to be coupled to the movable platen 6, the engaging portions 403A, 403B and the engaged portions 64, 64 are arranged with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the axis X. When the rod 4 is placed at the position where it engages with the movable platen 6, the phases of the engaging portions 403A, 403B and the engaged portions 64, 64 in the circumferential direction around the axis X are aligned.

[0101] When the tooth row 400 on the engaging portion 403A side meshes with the tooth row 600 on the engaged portion 64 side, stress acts on the meshing portion of the rod 4 between the tooth rows 400, 600 in a direction that tilts the rod 4 with respect to the axis X. When the engaging portion 403A and the engaging portion 403B are arranged with a phase shift in the circumferential direction around the axis X, preferably with a phase shift of at least 90° or more, the contact point between the remaining engaging portion 403B and the engaged portion 64 applies a reaction force that prevents the rod 4 from tilting relative to the axis X. This allows the rod 4 to be connected to the movable platen 6 while restricting the inclination of the rod 4, so that the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 can be connected appropriately.

[0102] (I) In (1) or (2) above, When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engagement portions 403A and 403B are provided with a phase shift of 180° in the circumferential direction around the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaged portions 64, 64 are provided circumferentially around the axis X with a phase shift of 180°.

[0103] With this configuration, when the rod 4 is viewed from the direction of the axis X, one engaging portion 403A and the other engaging portion 403B are located on the same diameter line. Therefore, when the tooth row 400 on the engaging portion 403A side meshes with the tooth row 600 on the engaged portion 64 side, the engaging portion 403B, which is provided 180° out of phase with the engaging portion 403A, applies a reaction force that prevents the rod 4 from tilting with respect to the axis X, thereby reducing the possibility of the rod 4 tilting in the diameter line direction. This reduces the possibility of the rod 4 being connected to the movable platen 6 in a state tilted with respect to the axis X.

[0104] (3) In any one of (1), (2), or (I) above, The tooth row 400 of the engagement portion 403A (first engagement portion) is configured such that tooth portions 400a and tooth groove portions 400b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X. The tooth row 600 of the engaged portion 64 is configured such that tooth portions 600a and tooth groove portions 600b are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis X. At least one of the tooth groove portions 600b on the engaging portion 403A side is provided with a contact portion 400c that comes into contact with the outer periphery of the tooth portion 600a of the engaged portion 64 when the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are meshed.

[0105] With this configuration, when the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6 side are connected, it is possible to suppress rattle at the meshing portion between the tooth rows 400, 600. As a result, when the rod 4 moves in the direction of the axis X after connection, it is possible to reduce the possibility that wobble will occur in the movement in the direction of the axis X due to rattle between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6.

[0106] (II) In (3) above, The engaging portion 403A has tooth groove portions 400b with contact portions 400c at predetermined intervals in the direction of the axis X.

[0107] If contact portions 400c are provided in all tooth groove portions 400b, the torque required to rotate the rod 4 to the coupling completion position increases when the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X and the tooth row 400 on the rod 4 engages with the tooth row 600 on the movable platen 6. If tooth groove portions 400b having contact portions 400c are provided intermittently with the above configuration, the torque required to rotate the rod 4 to the coupling completion position can be reduced. This allows the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 to be coupled more smoothly.

[0108] (III) In (3) or (II) above, The contact portion 400c is On one side in the circumferential direction about the axis X, there is provided a recess 400d (inclined portion) in which the outer diameter decreases. The recess 400d is located on the side approaching the engaged portion 64 when the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X to engage the engaging portion 403A with the engaged portion 64.

[0109] If the load is large in the initial stage when the tooth row 400 of the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side and the tooth row 600 of the engaged portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side mesh with each other, there is a possibility that the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side will shift in position in the direction of the axis X and then mesh with the tooth row 600 of the engaged portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side. The above configuration reduces the load at the initial stage of meshing, thereby reducing the possibility that the engaging portion 403A on the rod 4 side will mesh with the tooth row 600 of the engaged portion 64 on the movable platen 6 side after being displaced in the direction of the axis X.

[0110] (4) In any one of (3), (II), and (III) above, When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaging portion 403B (second engaging portion) has a pressure contact portion 400e (outer periphery) having a portion with the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the contact portion 400c.

[0111] With this configuration, the load when the engaging portion 403B is inserted into the inner periphery of one of the engaged portions 64 can be made closer to the load when the tooth row 400 on the engaging portion 403A side meshes with the tooth row 600 on the other of the engaged portions 64. This makes it possible to make the load when connecting the rod 4 to the movable platen 6 approximately the same for the engaging portion 403A on one side and the engaging portion 403 on the other side. This reduces the possibility of the rod 4 tilting with respect to the axis X in the process of connecting the rod 4 to the movable platen 6.

[0112] (5) In (4) above, When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaging portion 403B has, on one circumferential side around the axis X, a pressure contact portion 400e (outer periphery) having a portion with the same outer diameter as the contact portion 400c.

[0113] If the pressure contact portion 400e is positioned on the side opposite to the side approaching the engaged portion 64 when the rod 4 is rotated about the axis X to connect to the engaged portion 64, the pressure contact portion 400e can be brought into pressure contact with the inner periphery of one engaged portion 64 at the latter timing when the engaging portion 403B engages with the other engaged portion 64. This makes it possible to suppress tilting and rattling of the rod 4 after the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 are connected.

[0114] (6) In (5) above, When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the engaging portion 403B has, on the other side in the circumferential direction around the axis X, a relief portion 400f whose outer diameter is smaller than that of the pressure contact portion 400e.

[0115] When the rod 4 is rotated around the axis X to couple the engaging portion 403B to the engaged portion 64, if the relief portion 400f is positioned on the side closer to the engaged portion 64, the load during coupling can be reduced. This allows the rod 4 and the movable platen 6 to be coupled smoothly.

[0116] (7) In any one of (1) to (6) and (I) to (III) above, Inside the main body case 10, a lock holder 5 (holder) that supports the rod 4 so that it cannot rotate relative to the movable platen 6 and is movable in the direction of the axis X, and that is arranged coaxially with the movable platen 6; A spring Sp1 (elastic body) that biases the movable platen 6 toward the lock holder 5 is housed therein. The lock holder 5 has a pair of legs 54, 54 extending toward the movable platen 6 side. The movable platen 6 has a pair of engaged portions 64, 64 having a tooth row 600 on the inner periphery thereof. When the rod 4 is disposed at a position where it is connected to the movable platen 6, the pair of engaged portions 64, 64 are disposed at a position where they abut against the pair of legs 54, 54 from the direction of the axis X by the biasing force of the spring Sp1.

[0117] The lock holder 5 has a pair of legs 54, 54 that abut against engaged portions 64, 64 on the movable platen 6 side in the direction of the axis X. When connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6, the rod 4 and the lock holder 5 are displaced relative to the movable platen 6 in the circumferential direction about the axis X. As a result, the lock holder 5 is prone to tilt with respect to the axis X. If the lock holder 5 tilts with respect to the axis X, the rod 4 will also tilt with respect to the axis X. With the above configuration, tilt of the rod 4 with respect to the axis X can be suppressed, and therefore tilt of the lock holder 5 with respect to the axis X can also be suitably suppressed.

[0118] (IV) In (7) above, When the rod 4 is positioned at the start position of connection with the movable platen 6, the pair of legs 54, 54 are positioned 90° out of phase with respect to the engaging portions 403A, 403B on the rod 4 side in the circumferential direction around the axis X, as viewed from the direction of the axis X. When viewed from the direction of the axis X, the pair of legs 54, 54 are positioned so as to overlap with the pair of engaged portions 64, 64 at the start position of connection between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6, and are positioned out of phase with the pair of engaged portions 64, 64 at the connection position. The pressure contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B is set to come into pressure contact with the second engaged portion 642 at the timing when the leg portions 54, 54 and the contact support portions 63, 63 are released from contact with each other.

[0119] The position at which the legs 54, 54 abut changes during the relative rotation between the rod 4 and the movable platen 6. Therefore, when the legs 54, 54 move away from the contact support portions 63, 63, the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 tend to tilt relative to the axis X. When configured as described above, if the pressure contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B is set to be pressed against the second engaged portion 642 at the time when the contact between the legs 54, 54 and the contact support portions 63, 63 is released, then at the time when the pressure contact portion 400e of the engaging portion 403B is pressed against the second engaged portion 642 of one engaged portion 64, the engaging portion 403A on the opposite side has its outer tooth portion 400a engaged with the second engaged portion 642 of the other engaged portion 64. Therefore, at the timing when the legs 54, 54 separate from the contact support portions 63, 63, the engaging portion 403A meshing with the engaged portion 64 and the engaging portion 403B pressing against the inner periphery of the engaged portion 64 restrict the lock holder 5 and the rod 4 from tilting with respect to the axis X. Therefore, the rod 4 can be prevented from tilting in the process of connecting the rod 4 and the movable platen 6, thereby reducing the possibility that the rod 4 will be connected to the movable platen 6 in a tilted state.

[0120] 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]

[0121] 1: Switch device 2: Extreme 3: Cover 4, 4': Rod 40: Base 400:Dentition 400a: Tooth 400b: Tooth space 400c: Contact part 400d: Concave 400e: Pressure welded part 400f: Relief area 403 (403A, 403B): Engagement part 404: Engagement rib 408: Displacement control rib 5: Lock holder 50: Base 51 :Wall part 54: Legs 54a: End 540: Keyway 6: Movable plate 60: Annular base 600:Dentition 600a: Tooth 600b: Tooth space 63: Contact support part 64: Engaged part 641: First engaged part 642: Second engaged part 9, 9': Connection mechanism 10: Main unit case 100: Brake pedal 101, 110: Bracket 111: Mounting hole C1, C2: Diameter line Sp1, Sp2: Springs 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 case that supports the rod so that the rod is movable in the axial direction; a movable platen that is displaceable in the axial direction within the case and is non-rotatable relative to the case; a connecting mechanism that connects the rod and the movable platen, The connecting mechanism includes: an engaging portion provided on the outer periphery of the rod; an engaged portion provided at a portion of the movable platen surrounding an outer periphery of the rod, The engaging portion is provided in a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction around the axis, The number of the engaged portions is at least the same as the number of the engaging portions, The engaged portion has an inner periphery provided with a row of teeth extending along the axial direction, the engaging portion includes a first engaging portion provided with a row of teeth along the axial direction and a second engaging portion not provided with the row of teeth, A switch device in which, as the rod rotates around the axis, the tooth row on the rod side and the tooth row on the movable platen mesh with each other in the circumferential direction around the axis, thereby connecting the rod and the movable platen.

2. In claim 1, When viewed from the axial direction, two engaging portions are provided with a phase difference in a circumferential direction around the axis, When the rod is positioned at a position where connection with the movable platen begins, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are positioned with a phase difference in the circumferential direction around the axis.

3. In claim 2, The tooth row of the first engagement portion is configured such that tooth portions and tooth groove portions are alternately arranged in the axial direction, The tooth row of the engaged portion is configured such that tooth portions and tooth groove portions are alternately arranged in the axial direction, A switch device in which at least one of the tooth groove portions on the first engagement portion side is provided with a contact portion that comes into contact with the tooth portion of the engaged portion when the tooth row on the rod side and the tooth row on the movable platen side are meshed.

4. In claim 3, A switch device, wherein the second engagement portion, when viewed in the axial direction, has a portion whose outer diameter matches the outer diameter of the contact portion.

5. In claim 4, A switch device, wherein the second engagement portion, as viewed from the axial direction, has a portion on one circumferential side around the axis, the portion having an outer diameter that matches the outer diameter of the contact portion.

6. In claim 5, A switch device, wherein the second engagement portion, as viewed from the axial direction, has a recess portion on the other circumferential side around the axis, the recess portion having an outer diameter smaller than the portion of the outer diameter that matches the outer diameter of the contact portion.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 6, Within the case: a holder that supports the rod so as to be non-rotatable relative to the rod and movable in the axial direction, and that is arranged coaxially with the movable platen; an elastic body that biases the movable platen toward the holder, the holder has a pair of legs extending toward the movable platen, the movable platen has a pair of the engaged portions, When the rod is positioned at a connection position with the movable platen, the pair of engaged portions are positioned in contact with the pair of leg portions from the axial direction by the biasing force of the elastic body.

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