Lever input device

Abstract

To hold a space around a steering column.SOLUTION: A lever input device 100 can switch at least one of a direction indicator lamp and a wiper of a vehicle by being operated in a vertical direction. The lever input device 100 comprises: a lever part 110; and an operation part 120 which is provided on the lever part 110, and can rotate to a shift position corresponding to a shift range of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lever input device for switching the shift range of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there have been vehicles equipped with a shift lever attached to a steering column. By arranging the shift lever at this position, it becomes possible to secure a wide space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Patent Document 1 describes a technique of attaching a shift lever similar to a wiper light switch to a steering column to which a lever-shaped wiper light switch and a lever-shaped wiper switch are attached.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, with the evolution of vehicle automation and electrification, in addition to securing the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat (for example, the space around the center console), it may be desired to secure the space around the steering column. However, in the conventional technology, since the wiper light switch, the wiper switch, and the shift lever are present around the steering column, there is room for improvement in securing space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lever input device that contributes to securing a space for mounting in-vehicle devices.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, one of the present invention is a lever input device that can switch at least one of a vehicle's turn signal and wiper by being operated in a first direction, comprising: a lever portion; and an operating portion provided on the lever portion and rotatable to a shift position corresponding to the vehicle's shift range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to secure space for mounting in-vehicle equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a combination switch unit equipped with a lever input device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the tip of the lever input device. [Figure 3] This is a schematic top view showing how the lever input device is mounted to the steering column. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the disassembled control panel. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the operating part, whose rotation is restricted, with a portion of its outer circumference cut out. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the operating section with its rotational restriction released, with a portion of the outer periphery cut out. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing the operating section after it has been cut open. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the lever input device according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples provided to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit it. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, formulas, the content of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor and include substantially acceptable errors and deviations. Similarly, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially acceptable ranges.

[0010] Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams that have been appropriately emphasized, omitted, or had their proportions adjusted to illustrate the present invention, and therefore differ from the actual shape, positional relationships, and proportions. Also, the X, Y, and Z axes shown in the drawings represent orthogonal coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of explaining the drawings. In other words, the Z axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X and Y axes are not necessarily located in the horizontal plane.

[0011] Furthermore, in the following, multiple inventions may be described comprehensively as a single embodiment. Also, some of the content described below is described as an optional component relating to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 is a front view showing a combination switch unit 200 equipped with a lever input device 100. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the tip of the lever input device 100. Figure 2 corresponds to the area enclosed by A in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing how the lever input device 100 is mounted to the steering column.

[0013] The combination switch unit 200 comprises a lever input device 100, a lever switch 220, and a fixing plate 210. The fixing plate 210 is a component for attaching the lever input device 100 and the lever switch 200 to the steering column. The fixing plate 210 has a through hole 211 through which the steering shaft is inserted. The fixing plate 210 is fixed to the steering column with the steering shaft inserted through the through hole 211. In addition to the lever input device 100, the combination switch unit 200 also includes a lever switch 220. In this embodiment, the lever switch 220 functions as a wiper switch.

[0014] The lever input device 100 is a rod-shaped switch that can switch the vehicle's turn signals by being operated in the up and down direction, which is an example of a first direction. The lever input device 100 may also function as a switch that can switch the vehicle's wipers by being operated in the up and down direction, and may function as both a turn signal switch and a wiper switch. The lever input device 100 comprises a lever portion 110 and an operating portion 120. In this embodiment, the lever input device 100 comprises a push switch 130, a return portion 140, and a regulating portion 150.

[0015] The lever portion 110 is a rod-shaped structural member that is pivotably attached to the fixing plate 210 of the combination switch unit 200. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the lever portion 110 is positioned to protrude from the fixing plate 210 to the vicinity of the steering wheel 230. This allows the driver 300 to operate the lever portion 110 immediately while holding the steering wheel 230. The driver 300 can switch to the left turn signal operation by swinging the lever portion 110 so that the tip moves upward, and to the right turn signal operation by swinging the lever portion 110 so that the tip moves downward. In addition, the driver 300 can switch the headlights to the upward direction by swinging the lever portion 110 so that the tip moves away from the steering wheel 230, and can flash the headlights by swinging the lever portion 110 so that the tip moves closer to the steering wheel 230. Furthermore, the movement of the vehicle due to the swinging of the lever portion 110 is not limited and can be selected arbitrarily.

[0016] The operating section 120 is located at the tip of the lever section 110 and is attached to the lever section 110 so as to be rotatable to the shift position corresponding to the vehicle's shift range.

[0017] The operating unit 120 can be rotated, for example, around a pivot axis along the axial direction of the lever unit 110. The lever input device 100 can be configured to output a signal corresponding to the drive range (D) when the operating unit 120 (outer circumference 121, described later) is rotated so that the driver 300 side faces downward, and to output a signal corresponding to the reverse range (R) when the operating unit 120 (outer circumference 121, described later) is rotated so that the driver 300 side faces upward. The specific structure of the operating unit 120 will be described later.

[0018] The push switch 130 is a switch that outputs a signal corresponding to the parking range of the vehicle. The push switch 130 is arranged so as to cross (orthogonal in this embodiment) the rotation axis of the operation unit 120 on the tip surface of the lever unit 110. The push switch 130 is arranged inside the outer peripheral portion 121 (described later) of the operation unit 120. The push switch 130 can be pressed in the direction along the rotation axis of the operation unit 120. By associating the push switch 130 arranged on the tip surface of the lever input device 100 with the parking range and clearly distinguishing the rotation operation of the operation unit 120 from the pressing operation of the push switch 130, the driver 300 can operate the push switch 130 intentionally, which can contribute to preventing unintended operations of the parking function.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation unit 120 disassembled. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation unit 120 with restricted rotation, with a part such as the outer peripheral portion 121 cut away. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the operation unit 120 with the restriction on rotation released, with a part such as the outer peripheral portion 121 cut away. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation unit 120 cut. As shown in these figures, the operation unit 120 includes an outer peripheral portion 121 and a rotor 123.

[0020] The operation unit 120 is arranged at the tip of the lever unit 110 and is rotatably attached to the lever unit 110 at a shift position corresponding to the shift range of the vehicle. The outer peripheral portion 121 of the operation unit 120 is cylindrical, and the outer peripheral surface of the operation unit 120 and the outer peripheral surface of the lever unit 110 are flush. The outer peripheral portion 121 extends to the tip of the lever input device 100. The outer peripheral portion 121 rotates together with the rotor 123 around the rotation shaft body 122 embedded inside the lever unit 110. Also, the outer peripheral portion 121 moves together with the rotor 123 in the rotation axis direction of the rotation shaft body 122. The movement of the outer peripheral portion 121 and the rotor 123 in the rotation axis direction is restricted by a regulating body 141 (described later) fixed to the tip of the rotation shaft body 122.

[0021] The lever input device 100 can output a signal corresponding to the drive range (D) when the outer circumference 121 is rotated so that the side of the outer circumference 121 facing the driver 300 moves downward, and can output a signal corresponding to the reverse range (R) when the outer circumference 121 is rotated so that the side of the outer circumference 121 facing the driver 300 moves upward. The operating unit 120 employs a full-position momentary structure (specific structure will be described later) and has a self-returning structure that returns to the home position (H) when the driver 300 releases operation. This makes it possible to always start the vehicle from the home position (H) when starting. The home position (H) corresponds to the neutral range. The notation H indicating the home position (H) may also be the notation N indicating the neutral range (N).

[0022] The return section 140 is a mechanism that returns the operating section 120 to the home position (H) when the operating section 120 is rotated to a shift position other than the home position. The specific structure of the return section 140 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the return section 140 comprises a stopper body 141, a ball 142, and a spring 143. The stopper body 141 has stopper peaks 144 aligned in the rotational direction of the operating section 120 and is fixedly attached to the pivot shaft body 122 in the rotational direction. The spring 143 and the ball 142, which is pressed against the stopper peaks 144 by the biasing force of the spring 143, are attached to the rotor 123 and rotate together with the rotation of the rotor 123. When the operating section 120 is in the home position (H), the ball 142 is pressed against the valley portion of adjacent stopper peaks 144. When the operating unit 120 is rotated, the spring 143 and ball 142 rotate together with the rotor 123, and the ball 142 comes into contact with the slope of one of the nodal peaks 144. When the operator 300 releases the operation of the operating unit 120, the biasing force of the spring 143 causes the ball 142 to move back to the valley portion of the nodal peak 144, and consequently, the rotor 123 and the outer circumference 121 rotate back to the home position (H). As a result, the operating unit 120 is always positioned in the home position (H) unless operated by the operator 300.

[0023] The restricting unit 150 is a mechanism that restricts the rotation of the operating unit 120. The restricting unit 150 restricts the rotation of the operating unit 120. In other words, under normal circumstances, gear changes cannot be made using the operating unit 120. The restricting unit 150 is released based on a predetermined action other than the rotation of the operating unit 120. In other words, when the driver 300 performs a predetermined action on the operating unit 120, gear changes become possible using the operating unit 120. The predetermined action other than the rotation of the operating unit 120 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the restricting unit 150 is released when the operating unit 120 slides along the rotation axis of the operating unit 120 toward the tip of the lever unit 110.

[0024] To give a specific example of the structure of the restricting section 150, the restricting section 150 comprises a first stopper 151, a second stopper 152, and a fixing section 153. The first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152 are formed by opposing surfaces of a groove cut out in a sector-shaped annular shape around the pivot axis, in a part of the outer circumference of the rotor 123, which is cylindrical in overall view. The fixing section 153 is a part fixed to the lever section 110 and is a sector-shaped annular projection that fills the gap between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152.

[0025] If the operating unit 120 is not performing a predetermined operation, the fixing part 153 engages between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152, as shown in Figure 5, and the rotation of the operating unit 120 is restricted. A biasing force is applied between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152 and the fixing part 153 in the direction that the fixing part 153 engages between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152. Next, as shown in Figure 6, the operator 300 slides the operating unit 120 toward the tip of the lever input device 100 against the biasing force, thereby releasing the engagement between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152 and the fixing part 153, and the operating unit 120 becomes rotatable. When the force from the driver 300 is released, the rotor 123 rotates in the rotational direction of the operating unit 120 by the return unit 140 to a position where the fixing unit 153 fits between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152, and the fixing unit 153 fits between the first stopper 151 and the second stopper 152 due to the biasing force.

[0026] As described above, by providing a structural restricting part 150 that restricts rotational operation so that the operating part 120 cannot be rotated unless it is pulled, it is possible to prevent unintended rotational operation of the operating part 120 by the driver 300.

[0027] According to the lever input device 100 of the above embodiment, the shifter function can be integrated into a combination switch (for example, a light switch that switches the vehicle's headlights on and off) whose usage frequency decreases due to automatic control such as the automatic on / off function of the vehicle's headlights. As a result, the three levers of the turn signal / light switch, wiper switch, and shift lever can be reduced to at least two, and a wider area can be secured between the steering wheel 230 and the instrument panel. In addition, the shift lever, which was previously provided separately on the floor or instrument panel, can be eliminated, and the space around the driver's seat can be made wider. As a result, it becomes possible to secure space for mounting in-vehicle equipment.

[0028] Furthermore, the lever input device 100 can be positioned near the steering wheel, which is constantly operated by the driver 300, contributing to improved operability of gear shifting. In addition, blind operation becomes possible during gear shifting, reducing eye movement and thus reducing driver fatigue, contributing to improved safety.

[0029] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, other embodiments of the present invention may be realized by arbitrarily combining the components described herein, or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive of without departing from the spirit of the present invention, that is, the meaning indicated by the wording in the claims, are also included in the present invention.

[0030] For example, as a mechanism for releasing the restriction of the restricting unit 150, an example was given in which the operating unit 120 is released from rotation by sliding the outer circumference 121 and the rotor 123 toward the tip of the lever unit 110 in the axial direction of the lever unit 110. However, the mechanism for releasing the restriction is not limited to this. For example, the mechanism may release the rotation restriction by sliding the outer circumference 121 toward the base end of the lever unit 110. Furthermore, the restricting unit 150 may be equipped with a push button for releasing the restriction of rotation of the operating unit 120, and a mechanism may be provided that allows the operating unit 120 to rotate only when the driver 300 is pressing the push button.

[0031] Furthermore, although the return section 140 has been described as a cam mechanism between the stopper pin 144 and the ball 142, the return section 140 is not limited to this. For example, the return section 140 may be a mechanism that returns the operating section 120 to the home position (H) based on a spring mechanism equipped with a torsion spring or the like.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, if the steering wheel mounted on the vehicle is mounted on the left side relative to the direction of travel, the lever input device 100 may be positioned to the left of the fixing plate 210 and the lever switch 220 (wiper switch) may be positioned to the right of the fixing plate 210 when viewed from the front of the combination switch unit 200.

[0033] Furthermore, in a front view of the combination switch unit 200, the lever switch 220 (wiper switch) located to the left of the fixing plate 210 may be a lever input device 100 equipped with an operating section 120. In this case, the lever input device 100 is configured to switch the vehicle's wipers by being operated in the up and down direction.

[0034] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the switch that outputs a signal corresponding to the parking range is a push switch located at the tip of the lever portion 110, the switch that outputs a signal corresponding to the parking range is not limited to this. For example, it may be a push switch located at the tip of the lever portion 110 or on the lever portion 110 other than the operating portion 120. Moreover, it is not limited to a push switch, and may be configured as a tilt switch or the like, which can be switched on / off by tilting a knob.

[0035] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the push switch is provided in the lever input device 100 of the combination switch unit 200, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be provided in the lever switch 220 of the combination switch unit 200. [Industrial applicability]

[0036] The input device according to the present invention can be used as a man-machine interface in vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, buses, construction machinery, and agricultural machinery. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 100 Lever Input Device 110 Lever section 120 Operation section 121 Outer perimeter 122 Rotating shaft 123 rotors 130 Push switches 140 Return Section 141 Moderation 142 balls 143 Spring 144 Jeddosan 150 Regulatory Department 151 First Stopper 152 Second Stopper 153 Fixed part 200 Combination Switch Unit 210 Fixed plate 211 Through hole 220 Lever switch 230 Steering Wheel 300 drivers

Claims

1. In a lever input device that can switch at least one of the vehicle's turn signals and wipers by being operated in a first direction, The lever part, An operating unit provided on the lever portion and rotatable to a shift position corresponding to the shift range of the vehicle, The operating unit is equipped with a restricting unit that restricts the rotation of the operating unit, The operating unit is returned to a position where its rotation is restricted by the restricting unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating unit is It has an outer circumference and a rotor, The outer periphery is, The aforementioned lever portion is rotatable together with the rotor around its pivot axis, The outer periphery is, The aforementioned pivot shaft is movable along with the rotor in the direction of the pivot axis, The return unit is, It has a restraining body, a restraining component, and an elastic body. The aforementioned moderation body, Nodule peaks are formed in the rotational direction of the operating section and are fixedly attached to the pivot shaft of the lever section. The elastic body is It is attached to the rotor and rotates together with the rotation of the rotor, The elastic body is The aforementioned stopper component is biased toward the aforementioned stopper peak, The aforementioned regulatory body, In the rotational direction of the operating part, the rotor and the lever portion are fitted together, thereby restricting the rotation of the operating part. When the operating part is moved along the rotation axis of the operating part toward the tip of the lever part, the restriction by the restricting part is released, and the operating part becomes able to rotate. The operating section is configured such that, when the stopper component is biased to the valley of the stopper peak by the biasing force of the elastic body, the rotor and the lever portion are in a position where they can be fitted together in the rotational direction, and the operating section returns to a position where its rotation is restricted by the biasing force of the elastic body, which biases the rotor and the lever portion in the direction of fitting together in the rotational axis direction. Lever input device.

2. The tip of the lever portion is equipped with a push switch, The push switch corresponds to the parking range of the vehicle. The lever input device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned shift position includes a plurality of shift positions, including the home position. The operating unit is configured such that when the stopper component is biased to the trough of the stopper peak by the biasing force of the elastic body, it becomes the home position. The lever input device according to claim 1 or 2.

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