Turn signal switch

Abstract

To improve the operability in winker operation and hazard operation using one operation lever.SOLUTION: A winker switch includes: an operation lever 10 structured so that an oscillating operation along a first operation direction, an operation in a push-in operation direction and an operation in a linear second operation direction different from any of the first operation direction and the push-in operation direction can be executed; and contact parts 32, 33 in which conduction and non-conduction states are switched according to each operation. The operation lever 10 is configured so that one end of the operation lever 10 is returned to a neutral position at which the operation lever during non-operation is retained after the oscillating operation along the first operation direction or the operation in the push-in operation direction is performed on the one end, and the one end is retained at a position during operation when the one end is operated in the second operation direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Vehicles equipped with a handlebar, such as a motorcycle, are equipped with a blinker switch for operating the blinker near the gripping grip of the handlebar. The blinker switch can be swung left and right, and when operated, the blinker in the operation direction blinks.

[0003] In addition, both the left and right blinkers function as hazards by blinking simultaneously, and a switch for performing such hazard operation is also equipped. However, as described in Patent Document 1, the blinker switch may have a function for performing a hazard operation. Specifically, in Patent Document 1, first, by swinging the operation knob left and right, one of the blinkers is blinked, and then, by pushing in the operation knob, the blinking of the blinker is canceled. In addition to this, by swinging the operation knob leftward while pushing it in and locking it, it is made to blink as a hazard.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, there arises a problem that the operability when performing a blinker operation and a hazard operation cannot be improved. That is, in Patent Document 1, in the hazard operation, since the operation knob is swung leftward while being pushed in, it is difficult to operate immediately.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of not being able to improve the operability of turn signal operation and hazard light operation using a single operating lever. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a turn signal switch, An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction of operation, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position at the time of operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, the present invention can improve the operability of turn signal operation and hazard light operation using a single operating lever. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the turn signal switch in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This figure shows a partial configuration of the turn signal switch disclosed in Figure 1. [Figure 2B] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the turn signal switch shown along line AA. [Figure 3] This figure shows a partial configuration of the turn signal switch disclosed in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows a partial configuration of the turn signal switch disclosed in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows another example of some of the configurations of the turn signal switch disclosed in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This figure shows the configuration of a turn signal switch in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0011] [composition] The turn signal switch in this invention is mounted on the handlebars of motorcycles and the like for operating the turn signals. Furthermore, the turn signal switch in this invention is configured to also be able to operate the hazard lights.

[0012] Figure 1 shows the internal configuration of the turn signal switch with the case and other components removed. As shown in Figure 1, the turn signal switch comprises an operating lever 10, a support mechanism 20 that supports the operating lever 10 so that it can be operated, and a contact mechanism 30 that switches the conductive state in accordance with the operation of the operating lever 10. Each component will be described in detail below. The turn signal switch will be mounted on the handlebars in a state where it is housed in the housing H shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. Here, Figures 2A, 3, and 4 are top perspective views of the turn signal switch shown in Figure 1 with some components removed. Specifically, Figure 2A is a diagram with some components of the operating lever 10 of the turn signal switch removed, and Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view along line AA when the components of the operating lever 10 are not omitted. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams with the operating lever 10 of the turn signal switch further removed.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the operating lever 10 is configured to include a knob 11 which is the part operated by the operator, a lever portion 12 of a predetermined length extending from the knob 11, and a sliding pin 13 provided at the tip of the lever portion 12.

[0014] The knob 11 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and is operated by the operator with their thumb. At this time, the knob 11 can be swung from its neutral position when being operated in a first operating direction Y1, which is roughly horizontal and corresponds to the left-right direction for the operator. The knob 11 can also be operated from its neutral position when being operated in a second operating direction Y2, which is roughly vertical and corresponds to the upward direction for the operator. Furthermore, the knob 11 can be operated from its neutral position when being operated in a push-in operating direction Y3, which, when pushed in, is in the direction toward the longitudinal direction of the lever portion 12 and corresponds to the forward direction for the operator. Here, as described above, the second operating direction Y2 is a different direction from the first operating direction Y1 and the push-in operating direction Y3, and is a linear operating direction.

[0015] The lever portion 12 is formed from a rod-shaped body of a predetermined length, with a knob 11 connected to one end in the longitudinal direction and a sliding pin 13 connected to the other end, the tip. The lever portion 12 is constructed by connecting the one end portion to which the knob 11 is connected and the other end portion to which the sliding pin 13 is connected. The lever portion 12 is pivotally supported at a predetermined position along its longitudinal direction by a shaft member 20a provided on the support mechanism 20.

[0016] To describe the shaft member 20a in Fig. 2A in detail, a perspective view of the AA cross-section of the lever portion 12 and the shaft member 20a is shown in Fig. 2B. As shown in Fig. 2B, the shaft member 20a has a first shaft portion 20aa having the rotation axis of the lever portion 12 along the second direction, and a second shaft portion 20ab having the rotation axis of the lever portion 12 along the first direction. The first shaft portion 20aa is a cylindrical member erected in the second direction, and the lever portion 12 is inserted in the pushing direction. Thereby, the lever portion 12 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction with the first shaft portion 20aa as a fulcrum. The second shaft portion 20ab is a rod-shaped member protruding from the lever portion 12 in the first direction and is fitted to the first shaft portion 20aa. Thereby, the lever portion 12 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in a substantially vertical direction with the second shaft portion 20ab as a fulcrum. Note that the lever portion 12 may be pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in any direction, that is, in a 360-degree direction. By the shaft member 20a having the first shaft portion 20aa and the second shaft portion 20ab, the play of the lever portion 12 can be suppressed, and the miniaturization of the device can be achieved by concentrating the axes of multi-directional operations at one place.

[0017] As described above, since the lever portion 12 is pivotally supported by the shaft member 20a, when the knob 11 is swung in the first operation direction Y1 along the substantially horizontal direction, the lever portion 12 rotates by a predetermined angle in the substantially horizontal direction with the first shaft portion 20aa as a fulcrum, and the sliding pin 13 connected to the tip thereof swings along the first operation direction which is substantially horizontal as shown by the arrow Y11 in Fig. 2A. Also, as described above, when the knob 11 is moved in the second operation direction Y2 which is the upward direction along the substantially vertical direction, the lever portion 12 rotates by a predetermined angle in the substantially vertical direction with the second shaft portion 20ab as a fulcrum, and the sliding pin 13 connected to the tip thereof moves downward, which is opposite to the upward operation direction, as shown by the arrow Y12 in Fig. 2A.

[0018] Also, as shown in Fig. 2A, inside the lever portion 12, there is a biasing member 14 that biases a pressing force to the sliding pin 13. The biasing member 14 is formed of, for example, a compression coil spring, and is configured to always press the sliding pin 13 in the tip direction. At the same time, the biasing member 14 also biases the knob 11 of the lever portion 12 to press it toward the knob 11 side. Therefore, as described above, when the knob 11 is operated in the pushing operation direction Y3 from the neutral position where it is located during the operation, the one end side portion to which the knob 11 of the lever portion 12 is connected moves to the other end side, but is pushed back to the one end side by the biasing member 14, and the knob 11 returns to the neutral position.

[0019] Also, as shown in Fig. 2A, the sliding pin 13 (sliding member) provided at the tip, which is the other end of the lever portion 12, has a pointed tip. The sliding pin 13 is configured to abut against a sliding wall 21 formed in the support mechanism 20 so as to face the tip thereof, and to slide on the wall surface of the sliding wall 21.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2A and 3, the sliding wall 21 (sliding member) is located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the operating lever 10 of the support mechanism 20 and is formed as a wall surface erected along a substantially vertical direction. Specifically, the sliding wall 21 is formed by a valley 22 against which the sliding pin 13 abuts when the operating lever 10 is in the neutral position, as shown in Figures 2A and 3, and inclined surfaces 23 located on both sides of the valley 22 in the first operating direction Y1. The valley 22 is located approximately in the center of the sliding wall 21 in the substantially horizontal direction, which is the first operating direction Y1, and is formed as a linear valley shape along the substantially vertical direction, which is the second operating direction Y2. The inclined surfaces 23 are formed extending to one side and the other side in the substantially horizontal direction, which is the first operating direction Y1, with the valley 22 as the boundary, and are formed in a V-shape so that the valley 22 becomes the bottom of the valley. Furthermore, the height of each inclined surface 23 from the valley 22 is formed to gradually increase as it moves away from the valley 22 along the first operating direction Y1. For this reason, the inclined surface 23 is erected so as to sandwich the tip side of the operating lever 10 from the side with two wall surfaces, and the distance between the two wall surfaces gradually narrows as it moves towards the tip of the operating lever 10, i.e., the neutral position of the sliding pin 13 when not in operation, and is formed to connect at the valley 22.

[0021] Furthermore, the surface of the inclined surface 23 is formed such that the frictional force on the sliding pin 13 is small, allowing the sliding pin 13 to slide. Therefore, as described above, when the knob 11 is swung in the first operating direction Y1, the sliding pin 13 slides along the first operating direction Y1, either on one side of the inclined surface 23 as shown by arrow Y21 in Figure 4, or on the other side of the inclined surface 23 as shown by arrow Y22 in Figure 4, with the valley portion 22 as the boundary. After the knob 11 is swung in the first operating direction Y1, the sliding pin 13 is pressed toward the tip as described above, so it moves toward the valley portion 22 along the inclination of the inclined surface 23 and returns to the neutral position.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2A and 3, a protrusion 24 is formed on the valley 22 of the sliding wall 21, projecting from the wall surface toward the operating lever 10. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2A and 3, the protrusion 24 is formed below the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10, which is in the neutral position, in the second operating direction Y2, that is, the approximately vertical direction, of the valley 22. In other words, the protrusion 24 is on the valley 22 and is formed on the opposite side (downward) from the second operating direction Y2 (upward) with respect to the sliding pin 13, which is in the neutral position. The protrusion 24 is formed with an inclination such that its height from the valley 22 gradually increases as it moves from the sliding pin 13 side toward the direction opposite to the second operating direction Y2, that is, downward. The protrusion 24 itself has a peak near its center in the second operating direction Y2, and from this peak downwards, it is formed with an inclination such that its height gradually decreases toward the valley 22.

[0023] Furthermore, the protrusion 24 is formed to have a predetermined width in its first operating direction Y1, that is, in a substantially horizontal direction. For example, the width of the protrusion 24 is formed to be narrower than the width of the sliding wall 21 along the first operating direction, that is, the distance between the two inclined surfaces 23 which form a substantially V shape. Moreover, the width of the protrusion 24 is formed to be narrower than the width when the operating lever 10 is swung to its maximum extent along the first operating direction Y1. In other words, when the operating lever 10 is swung to its maximum extent in the first operating direction Y1, and the sliding pin 13 slides and moves the maximum distance on one or the other inclined surface 23, it will be located outside the protrusion 24 in the first operating direction Y1.

[0024] As described above, when the knob 11 of the operating lever 10 is operated in the second operating direction Y2, which is upward, the sliding pin 13 moves from the position above the convex portion 24, which is the neutral position of the valley portion 22, to the position below the convex portion 24, as shown by arrow Y23 in Figure 4. Specifically, the sliding pin 13 first slides up the slope on the upper side of the convex portion 24, crosses over the top, and slides down the slope on the lower side of the convex portion 24. After the operation of the knob 11 in the second operating direction Y2, the sliding pin 13 remains in the position below the convex portion 24, which was its position at the time of operation, and is held in that position.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2A, the contact mechanism 30 (contact portion) includes turn signal contact mechanisms 31 and 32 that detect turn signal operation in response to operation of the operating lever 10. The turn signal contact mechanisms 31 and 32 are located above the tip of the operating lever 10 and include a movable portion 31 that moves the contact in response to the movement of the sliding pin 13 due to a swinging operation in a first operating direction Y1, and a detection portion 32 that detects the conductive and non-conductive state of the contact, i.e., the on / off state of the turn signal operation, in response to the movement of the movable portion 31. For example, when the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 is moved to one side (for example, to the right side for the operator) relative to the valley portion 22 of the sliding wall 21, the movable portion 31 moves the contact in the same direction as the sliding pin 13, and the detection portion 32 detects one turn signal operation in response to the movement of the contact to one side (right side). Similarly, when the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 is moved to the other side (for example, to the left side for the operator) relative to the valley 22 of the sliding wall 21, the movable part 31 moves its contact in the same direction as the sliding pin 13, and the detection unit 32 detects the operation of the other turn signal corresponding to the movement of the contact to the other side (left side). As a result, either one or the other turn signal will flash. In addition, when the operating lever 10 is operated in the push-in operation direction Y3, the movable part 31 moves to make the contact non-conductive, and the detection unit 32 detects the operation to stop the flashing of the turn signal. As a result, the flashing of either turn signal will stop.

[0026] Furthermore, the contact mechanism 30 includes a hazard contact mechanism 33 that detects hazard operation in response to operation of the operating lever 10. As shown in Figure 2A, the hazard contact mechanism 33 is located below the tip of the operating lever 10 and moves its contacts in response to the movement of the sliding pin 13 due to operation in the second operating direction Y2, detecting the conductive and non-conductive state of the contacts, i.e., the on / off state of the hazard operation. For example, when the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 is moved downward along the valley 22 of the sliding wall 21, the hazard contact mechanism 33 is pressed from above against the tip of the operating lever 10, detecting the flashing operation of the hazard. On the other hand, when the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 is moved from the downward position to the neutral position, the upward pressure on the hazard contact mechanism 33 is released, detecting the stopping operation of the flashing of the hazard.

[0027] Furthermore, the hazard contact mechanism 33 described above is configured as a second biasing member that, when pressed from above by the operating lever 10, biases the operating lever 10 to move in the second operating direction Y2, that is, upward. For example, by placing a compression coil spring inside the hazard contact mechanism 33, it is configured to bias the sliding pin 13 side of the operating lever 10 that has been moved downward with an upward pressing force. However, the tip portion of the operating lever 10 may be biased to be pressed in the second operating direction Y2 by other means.

[0028] [Operation] Next, the operation of the turn signal switch described above will be explained. First, let's explain the case when the operator operates the turn signal. The operator operates the knob 11 of the operating lever 10, which is in the neutral position and in the activated state, in the first operating direction Y1, that is, to the left or to the right, as shown by arrow Y1 in Figure 1. As a result, the operating lever 10 rotates along a substantially horizontal plane with the first shaft portion 20aa as the pivot point, and the sliding pin 13 at its tip moves to the right or left, as shown by arrow Y11 in Figure 2A and arrows Y21, 22 in Figure 4. Then, in response to the movement of the tip of the operating lever 10, the turn signal contact mechanisms 31, 32 detect that the knob 11 has been operated to the left or right, and the turn signal in the corresponding direction flashes.

[0029] At this time, the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 slides along the inclined surface 23 so as to move away from the valley 22 of the sliding wall 21 to the right or left from the operator. However, after the operator releases the lever, the sliding pin 13 is pressed toward the tip, so it moves along the inclination of the inclined surface 23 to return to the neutral position. As a result, the operating lever 10 returns to the neutral position while the turn signal in either direction remains flashing.

[0030] Subsequently, to stop the turn signal from flashing, the operator pushes the knob 11 from the neutral position in the operating direction Y3, as shown by arrow Y3 in Figure 1. This causes the part of the operating lever 10 connected to the knob 11 to move to the other end, and accordingly, the turn signal contact mechanisms 31 and 32 detect the operation to stop the turn signal flashing, and the turn signal flashing stops. After that, the knob 11 of the operating lever 10 is pushed back to the one end and returns to the neutral position.

[0031] Next, we will explain the case when the operator activates the hazard lights. The operator operates the knob 11 of the operating lever 10, which is in the neutral position and in the activated state, in the second operating direction Y2, that is, upward from the operator, as shown by arrow Y2 in Figure 1. As a result, the operating lever 10 rotates along a plane perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane with the second shaft portion 20ab as the pivot point, and the sliding pin 13 at its tip moves downward, as shown by arrow Y12 in Figure 2A and arrow Y23 in Figure 4. At this time, the sliding pin 13 moves from a position above the convex portion 24, which is the neutral position of the valley portion 22, to below the convex portion 24, as shown by arrow Y23 in Figure 4. Accordingly, the hazard contact mechanism 33 detects the hazard operation caused by the tip portion of the operating lever 10 being pressed from above, and the hazard lights flash. After the operator moves the knob 11 in the second operating direction Y2, the sliding pin 13 remains in the position below the protrusion 24, which was the position at the time of operation, and is held in that position, causing the hazard lights to continue flashing.

[0032] Subsequently, if the operator wishes to stop the hazard lights from flashing, the operator moves the knob of the operating lever 10, whose tip, the sliding pin 13, is held below the protrusion 24, in the second operating direction Y2, that is, downwards from the operator's perspective. This causes the sliding pin 13 to move from the position below the protrusion 24 to the position above it, returning to the neutral position. As a result, the hazard contact mechanism 33 is released from the upward pressure from the tip of the operating lever 10, and detects the operation to stop the hazard lights from flashing, thus stopping the flashing of the hazard lights. This is the basic operation for stopping the flashing of hazard lights.

[0033] Another operation to stop the hazard lights from flashing is to operate the knob of the operating lever 10, whose tip, the sliding pin 13, is held below the protrusion 24, in a first operating direction Y1, that is, to the left or to the right for the operator. In this case, first, the position of the sliding pin 13 moves approximately horizontally from its position below the protrusion 24. At this time, since the tip portion of the operating lever 10 is biased upward by the hazard contact mechanism 33, the sliding pin 13 slides along the inclined surface 23 located to the side of the protrusion 24 and moves upward. Furthermore, since the sliding pin 13 is pressed toward the tip, once it moves further above the side of the protrusion 24, it moves along the inclination of the inclined surface 23 to return to the neutral position above the protrusion 24. Then, similar to the basic operation described above, the hazard contact mechanism 33 detects the hazard light deactivation operation because the upward pressure from the tip of the operating lever 10 is released, and the hazard lights stop flashing.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the turn signal switch allows the operator to operate the turn signals by moving the operating lever 10, which is located in the neutral position, in a substantially horizontal direction, i.e., left or right, and to operate the hazard lights by moving it in a substantially vertical direction, i.e., upward. In particular, when operating the hazard lights, the operating lever 10 is held in the position after the operation, and the hazard lights continue to flash. In this way, the hazard lights can also be operated with a single turn signal switch with simple operation, thereby improving operability.

[0035] [Differentiation] Next, a modified version of the turn signal switch described above will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The turn signal switch in the modified version has almost the same configuration as the turn signal switch described above, but the configuration of the sliding wall 21 (sliding member) on which the sliding pin 13 slides is different. The following mainly describes the configuration that differs from the above.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, in this example, the sliding wall 21 is divided into two inclined surfaces, one on the left and one on the right side from the operator's perspective, separated by the valley 22, as described above. Furthermore, it is divided into an upper inclined surface 23A (first inclined surface) and a lower inclined surface 23B (second inclined surface), separated by the convex portion 24, which corresponds to a second inclined surface in the second inclined surface in the second inclined surface in the second inclined surface in the second inclined surface in the first inclined surface in the second In other words, in this example, the inclined surfaces 23A and 23B of the sliding wall 21 are first inclined toward the tip of the operating lever 10 as they approach the valley 22 extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the operator in the left-right direction, which is the first operating direction Y1, and second inclined toward the tip of the operating lever 10 as they approach the second valley 22 extending in the left-right direction when viewed from the operator in the up-down direction, which is the second operating direction Y2. As a result, the height of the inclined surfaces 23A and 23B of the sliding wall 21 is formed to be inclined such that it gradually becomes higher than the center position as the distance from this center position increases, with the center position being the upper end position of the convex portion 24, which is the neutral position of the sliding pin 13, at the intersection of the valley 22 and the second valley.

[0037] The upper inclined surface 23A, as described above, is located above the upper end position of the protrusion 24, and becomes the surface on which the sliding pin 13 slides when the operating lever 10 is operated from the neutral position in the first operating direction Y1, that is, when the left or right turn signals are operated. The lower inclined surface 23B, since it is located below the upper end position of the protrusion 24, becomes the surface on which the operating lever 10 slides after it has been operated from the neutral position in the second operating direction Y2, that is, when the flashing of the hazard lights is stopped after the hazard lights have been activated. For example, when the hazard lights are activated, the sliding pin 13 of the operating lever 10 is held below the protrusion 24, but to stop the flashing of the hazard lights from this state, the operator operates the knob 11 of the operating lever 10 in the first operating direction Y1, that is, to the left or to the right. As a result, the position of the sliding pin 13 moves approximately horizontally from the position below the protrusion 24, and moves away from the valley 22 to the lower inclined surface 23B. At this time, since the sliding pin 13 is pressed toward the tip, it slides toward the second valley along the slope of the lower inclined surface 23B, and moves to return to the neutral position.

[0038] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a part of the configuration of the turn signal switch in this embodiment.

[0039] The turn signal switch in this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of Embodiment 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the turn signal switch in this embodiment includes an operating lever 110 with an operating knob 111 on one end of a lever portion 112 having a predetermined length, and a sliding pin 113 connected to the other end, the tip. The turn signal switch also includes a sliding wall 21 on which the sliding pin 113 slides, having a valley portion 22 and an inclined surface 23 (23A, 23B) as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5 of Embodiment 1.

[0040] As a result, as described above, when the operator swings the knob 111 of the operating lever 110 in the first operating direction, which is approximately horizontal, the sliding pin 113 at its tip swings from the neutral position in the first operating direction Y1, that is, in the left-right direction, and then returns to the neutral position due to the inclination of the sliding wall 21 shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

[0041] Furthermore, the turn signal switch is equipped with a turn signal contact mechanism 131 that detects the operation of the turn signal lever 110. The mechanism is configured to detect the conduction and non-conduction state of the turn signal contact (first contact portion) located at the tip of the turn signal contact mechanism 131, i.e., the on / off state of the turn signal operation, in accordance with the swing operation of the operation lever 110 in a first operating direction Y1. At this time, the turn signal contact is formed on a planar substrate 140 that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the operation lever 110 extends. The extension portion 110a, which is the part of the operation lever 110 that extends toward the substrate 140, is in contact with the hazard contact mechanism 133, which will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, when the operator moves the knob 111 of the operating lever 110 upward in the second operating direction, which is the approximately vertical direction, the sliding pin 113 at its tip moves downward along the valley 22 from the neutral position shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5, over the protrusion 24, and moves to below the protrusion 24. After that, the operating lever 110 is held in the position below the protrusion 24, which was the position at the time of operation, with the sliding pin 113 remaining in that position.

[0043] Furthermore, the turn signal switch is equipped with a hazard contact mechanism 133 that detects the operation of the operating lever 110 to activate the hazard lights. The mechanism is configured to detect the conduction and non-conduction state of the hazard contact (second contact portion), i.e., the on / off state of the hazard lights, in accordance with the operation of the operating lever 110 in the second operating direction Y2. Specifically, the hazard contact mechanism 133 is equipped with a first conversion portion 133a that is pressed downward by an extension portion 110a that moves downward when the operating lever 110 is operated in the second operating direction Y2, and a second conversion portion 133b that moves in the direction in which the operating lever 110 extends, i.e., in the direction of pushing the operating lever 110, Y3, as the first conversion portion 133a moves downward. In other words, the hazard contact mechanism 133, with the first conversion portion 133a and the second conversion portion 133b, is a conversion mechanism that converts the operation of the operating lever 110 in the second operating direction Y2 into an input in the pushing direction Y3. Furthermore, a hazard contact is formed on the tip side of the second conversion section 133b in the pushing direction Y3, and in particular, this hazard contact is formed on the substrate 140 described above.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, the turn signal contact for detecting turn signal operation and the hazard light contact for detecting hazard light operation are arranged on the same circuit board 140. Therefore, the configuration of the circuit board 140 and the configuration of the turn signal switch itself can be simplified.

[0045] <Note> Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows. The outline of the turn signal switch in the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration. (Note 1) An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction described above, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position it was in during operation. Turn signal switch. (Note 2) The turn signal switch described in Appendix 1, The operating lever has a sliding member provided at the other end and a biasing member that biases the sliding member in the pushing direction. The sliding member comprises a sliding member that can slide, The sliding member has a groove that the sliding member abuts against and is provided along the second operating direction, and an inclined surface that extends in the first operating direction with respect to the groove. The valley portion has a protrusion that extends toward the operating lever side. Turn signal switch. (Note 3) The turn signal switch described in Appendix 2, The protrusion is configured such that the sliding member can move over it when the operating lever is operated along the second operating direction. The distance from the position where the sliding member contacts the inclined surface during the maximum oscillation operation of the operating lever in the first operating direction to the valley portion is set to be greater than the distance from the maximum protruding portion of the convex portion to the valley portion. Turn signal switch. (Note 4) The turn signal switch described in Appendix 2, The width of the protrusion along the first operating direction is formed to be narrower than the width of the sliding member along the first operating direction. Turn signal switch. (Note 5) A turn signal switch as described in Appendix 3 or 4, The operating lever is pivotally supported at its shaft so that it can swing in the first operating direction. The operating lever has a second biasing member that biases the other end of the operating lever with respect to the shaft portion, causing the other end of the operating lever to move in the second operating direction. Turn signal switch. (Note 6) A turn signal switch as described in Appendix 3 or 4, The inclined surface is divided into a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface with respect to the convex portion in the second operating direction. The first inclined surface is the surface on which the sliding member slides when the operating lever is operated in the first operating direction. The second inclined surface is provided such that, in the second operating direction, the height of the second inclined surface gradually increases as it moves away from the first inclined surface. Turn signal switch. (Note 7) The turn signal switch described in Appendix 3, The system further includes a conversion mechanism that converts operation in the second operating direction into input in the pushing direction, The contact portion includes a first contact portion that conducts when the operating lever is operated in the first operating direction, and a second contact portion that conducts when the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged on the same substrate. Turn signal switch.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made within the scope of the present invention as can be understood by those skilled in the art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10 Operating levers 11 Knobs 12 Lever section 13 Sliding pin 14. Biasing member 20 Support mechanism 20a Shaft member 20aa First shaft 20ab Second shaft 21 Sliding wall 22 Tanibe 23,23A,23B Slope 24 Convex part 30 Contact mechanism 31. Movable part (turn signal contact mechanism) 32. Detection unit (turn signal contact mechanism) 33. Hazard Contact Mechanism 110 Operating lever 110a extension 111 Knob 112 Lever section 113 Sliding pin 131 Turn signal contact mechanism 133 Hazard Contact Mechanism 133a First conversion section 133b Second conversion section 140 circuit boards

Claims

1. An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction described above, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position it was in during operation. The operating lever has a sliding member provided at the other end and a biasing member that biases the sliding member in the pushing direction. The sliding member comprises a sliding member that can slide, The sliding member has a groove that the sliding member abuts against and is provided along the second operating direction, and an inclined surface that extends in the first operating direction with respect to the groove. The valley portion has a protrusion that extends toward the operating lever side, The width of the protrusion along the first operating direction is formed to be narrower than the width of the sliding member along the first operating direction. The operating lever is pivotally supported at its shaft so that it can swing in the first operating direction. The operating lever has a second biasing member that biases the other end of the operating lever with respect to the shaft portion, causing the other end of the operating lever to move in the second operating direction. Turn signal switch.

2. An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction described above, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position it was in during operation. The operating lever has a sliding member provided at the other end and a biasing member that biases the sliding member in the pushing direction. The sliding member comprises a sliding member that can slide, The sliding member has a groove that the sliding member abuts against and is provided along the second operating direction, and an inclined surface that extends in the first operating direction with respect to the groove. The valley portion has a protrusion that extends toward the operating lever side, The width of the protrusion along the first operating direction is formed to be narrower than the width of the sliding member along the first operating direction. The inclined surface is divided into a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface with respect to the convex portion in the second operating direction. The first inclined surface is the surface on which the sliding member slides when the operating lever is operated in the first operating direction. The second inclined surface is provided such that, in the second operating direction, the height of the second inclined surface gradually increases as it moves away from the first inclined surface. Turn signal switch.

3. An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction described above, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position it was in during operation. The operating lever has a sliding member provided at the other end and a biasing member that biases the sliding member in the pushing direction. The sliding member comprises a sliding member that can slide, The sliding member has a groove that the sliding member abuts against and is provided along the second operating direction, and an inclined surface that extends in the first operating direction with respect to the groove. The valley portion has a protrusion that extends toward the operating lever side, The protrusion is configured such that the sliding member can move over it when the operating lever is operated along the second operating direction. The distance in the first operating direction from the position where the sliding member contacts the inclined surface during the maximum oscillation operation of the operating lever in the first operating direction to the valley portion is greater than the distance in the first operating direction from the maximum protruding portion of the convex portion to the valley portion. The operating lever is pivotally supported at its shaft so that it can swing in the first operating direction. The operating lever has a second biasing member that biases the other end of the operating lever with respect to the shaft portion, causing the other end of the operating lever to move in the second operating direction. Turn signal switch.

4. An operating lever configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a linear second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, The device includes a contact portion that switches between conductive and non-conductive states in accordance with the swinging operation of the operating lever along the first operating direction, the operation in the pushing direction, and the operation in the second operating direction, The operating lever is configured such that, after one end is swung along the first operating direction or pushed in the direction described above, it returns to the neutral position where the operating lever is held when not in operation, and when one end of the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction, it is held in the position it was in during operation. The operating lever has a sliding member provided at the other end and a biasing member that biases the sliding member in the pushing direction. The sliding member comprises a sliding member that can slide, The sliding member has a groove that the sliding member abuts against and is provided along the second operating direction, and an inclined surface that extends in the first operating direction with respect to the groove. The valley portion has a protrusion that extends toward the operating lever side, The protrusion is configured such that the sliding member can move over it when the operating lever is operated along the second operating direction. The distance in the first operating direction from the position where the sliding member contacts the inclined surface during the maximum oscillation operation of the operating lever in the first operating direction to the valley portion is greater than the distance in the first operating direction from the maximum protruding portion of the convex portion to the valley portion. The inclined surface is divided into a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface with respect to the convex portion in the second operating direction. The first inclined surface is the surface on which the sliding member slides when the operating lever is operated in the first operating direction. The second inclined surface is provided such that, in the second operating direction, the height of the second inclined surface gradually increases as it moves away from the first inclined surface. Turn signal switch.

5. A turn signal switch according to claim 3 or 4, The system further includes a conversion mechanism that converts operation in the second operating direction into input in the pushing direction, The contact portion has a first contact portion that conducts when the operating lever is operated in the first operating direction, and a second contact portion that conducts when the operating lever is operated in the second operating direction. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged on the same substrate. Turn signal switch.

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