Turn signal switch device

Abstract

To provide a turn signal lamp switch device that can immediately perform a function different from flashing a turn signal and can prevent erroneous operation.SOLUTION: A turn signal lamp switch device 14 includes an operation knob 15 that is configured to perform swinging operation in the extension direction (swinging direction) of a handle bar 11, operation in the pushing direction, and operation in a direction perpendicular to the swinging direction and toward the top of a vehicle (upward direction), and when the operation knob 15 is operated to swing, a turn signal on the side corresponding to the direction of the swing operation blinks, and when the operation knob 15 is operated in the upward direction, the turn signal performs a lighting mode different from the blinking of the turn signal due to the swing operation. The operation knob 15 returns to the neutral position where the operation knob 15 is held when the operation knob 15 is not operated after the operation knob 15 is operated in the swinging direction, pushing direction, or upward direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a turn signal switch device, and more particularly to a turn signal switch device capable of executing functions other than the blinking of turn signals.

Background Art

[0002] A turn signal switch is disposed in a switch housing attached to a handlebar of a vehicle. The turn signal switch usually has an operation knob that can be swung substantially parallel to the extending direction of the handlebar, and in response to the swinging operation of the operation knob by the driver's finger, the turn signal on the side corresponding to the operation direction of the vehicle is blinked. Further, the operation knob is configured to be able to be pushed in, and the blinking of the turn signal is canceled in response to the pushing-in operation.

[0003] By the way, in a two-wheeled vehicle or the like, there is an increasing demand for the setting of a hazard switch for executing a hazard function of blinking the turn signals on both sides of the vehicle at the same time, and a hazard switch may be newly installed in the switch housing. On the other hand, in response to the recent needs for miniaturization and weight reduction, the switch housing is also miniaturized. In addition, it is also required to dispose a switch for switching the driving mode and a switch for turning on / off the traction control in the switch housing. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a place for installing the hazard switch in the switch housing.

[0004] Therefore, it has been proposed to assign the on / off operation of the hazard function to the operation of the operation knob of the turn signal switch without installing the hazard switch in the switch housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the hazard function is activated by pressing the control knob multiple times or by continuously pressing the control knob for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of time to activate the hazard function, which is problematic because it cannot meet the driver's need to activate the hazard function immediately.

[0007] Furthermore, since both the hazard light function's on / off operation and the turn signal's cancellation are performed by pressing the control knob, there is a problem with accidental operation.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a turn signal switch device that can immediately perform a function different from the flashing of a turn signal, and can prevent erroneous operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the turn signal switch device of the present invention has an operating knob configured to allow swinging operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction. And a switch housing that can be attached to the vehicle's handlebars, Equipped with, The operating knob is positioned to protrude from the switch housing, and the second operating direction is towards the handlebar. When the operating knob is oscillated, the turn signal on the side corresponding to the direction of the oscillation flashes, and when the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the turn signal performs a different illumination pattern than the flashing of the turn signal caused by the oscillation, and after being operated in the first operating direction, the pushing direction, or the second operating direction, the operating knob returns to the neutral position in which the operating knob is held when not being operated. Another turn signal switch device of the present invention comprises an operating knob configured to allow swinging operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction; a first conductive part that requires pressing to flash the turn signal on the right side of the vehicle; a second conductive part that requires pressing to flash the turn signal on the left side of the vehicle; a third conductive part that requires pressing to cancel the flashing of the turn signal; and a fourth conductive part that requires pressing to perform a lighting mode different from the flashing of the turn signal by the swinging operation, wherein when the operating knob is swung to the right side of the vehicle along the first operating direction, the first conductive part When the operating knob is pressed and swung to the left side of the vehicle along the first operating direction, the second conductive portion is pressed; when the operating knob is pushed in, the third conductive portion is pressed; when the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the fourth conductive portion is pressed; when the operating knob is swung, the turn signal on the side corresponding to the direction of the swung operation flashes; when the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the turn signal performs a different lighting pattern than the flashing of the turn signal due to the swung operation; and after being operated in the first operating direction, the pushing direction, or the second operating direction, the operating knob returns to the neutral position in which the operating knob is held when not being operated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the turn signal performs a different illumination pattern than the flashing of the turn signal caused by the swinging operation of the operating knob. Therefore, the driver can instantly perform a different illumination pattern of the turn signal than the flashing of the turn signal caused by the swinging operation of the operating knob simply by operating the operating knob in the second operating direction, without having to perform multiple push operations of the operating knob or continuous push operations of the operating knob for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, when the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, which is different from both the first operating direction and the push direction, a different illumination pattern of the turn signal is performed than the flashing of the turn signal caused by the swinging operation of the operating knob. This prevents accidental operation such as flashing or canceling the turn signal when attempting to perform this function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a switch housing in which a turn signal switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a turn signal switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a turn signal switch device. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a turn signal switch device. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the circuit board of a turn signal switch device. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the swinging motion of the control knob. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the operation of pressing down on the control knob. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the operation of raising the control knob. [Figure 9] This is a view of the front housing of the switch housing from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates a variation in the operating direction of the control knob. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a switch housing which is a part of a turn signal switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 to 5, 9, and 10 hereinafter, the X direction in the drawing indicates the direction along the axis of the handlebar 11, and the Y direction in the drawing is orthogonal to the X direction. In the present embodiment, the Y direction indicates the vertical direction of a vehicle provided with the handlebar 11. Further, the Z direction in the drawing is a direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, and corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the present embodiment.

[0014] In FIG. 1(A), the case-shaped switch housing 10 has a front housing 12 disposed on the driver's side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, and a rear housing 13 disposed on the side opposite to the driver with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. The front housing 12 and the rear housing 13 are fastened to each other by screws (not shown) to sandwich the handlebar 11 of a vehicle (not shown) such as a two-wheeler and are fixed to the handlebar 11. Further, an operation knob 15 of the turn signal switch device 14 projects rearward from the front housing 12. The switch housing 10 may be a component of the turn signal switch device 14, and in this case, it can also be said that the operation knob 15 is assembled to the switch housing 10.

[0015] The operation knob 15 is configured to be swingable along the extending direction of the handlebar 11 (hereinafter referred to as the “swing direction”) (the first operation direction) and to be pushed forward in the vehicle front direction. Further, the operation knob 15 is configured to be operable in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the “ascending direction”) (the second operation direction) that is perpendicular to the swing direction and directed upward of the vehicle and different from the pushing direction of the operation knob 15 (FIG. 1(B)). Note that the ascending direction of the operation knob 15 does not exactly coincide with the vertical direction of the vehicle, but hereinafter, the operation in the ascending direction is referred to as an “ascending operation”. Further, the operation knob 15 is located below the central axis 16 of the handlebar 11, and when the operation knob 15 is ascended, the operation knob 15 approaches the central axis 16 of the handlebar 11.

[0016] In each of the following figures, the operation of the operation knob 15 in the swing direction is indicated by a black arrow, the pushing operation of the operation knob 15 is indicated by a hatched arrow, and the ascending operation of the operation knob 15 is indicated by a hollow arrow.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the turn signal switch device 14 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the turn signal switch device 14, and FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the turn signal switch device 14. The turn signal switch device 14 is covered by the switch housing 10 by being sandwiched between the front housing 12 and the rear housing 13, but in FIGS. 2 to 4, the illustration of the switch housing 10 is omitted.

[0018] In Figures 2 to 4, the turn signal switch device 14 includes an operating knob 15, a sliding part 17 assembled to the operating knob 15, and a holder 18 that holds the sliding part 17. Furthermore, the turn signal switch device 14 includes a circuit board 23 having four contact switches 19 to 22, and four push rods 24 to 27 corresponding to each of the contact switches 19 to 22. The sliding part 17, the holder 18, and the push rods 24 to 27 are sometimes collectively referred to as actuators. In this embodiment, the actuators transmit the operation input to the operating knob 15 to the contact switches 19 to 22.

[0019] The holder 18 holds the sliding portion 17 so that it can slide in the Z direction (forward of the vehicle). The holder 18 also has a cylindrical rotating shaft 18a that protrudes substantially parallel to the Y direction and is held by the switch housing 10 so that it can rotate around the rotating shaft 18a. The holder 18 does not move forward of the vehicle.

[0020] Furthermore, the slide portion 17 has a cylindrical rotation axis 17a that protrudes in the X direction and is held by the holder 18 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 17a. On the other hand, when the operating knob 15 is oscillated as described later, both the slide portion 17 and the holder 18 oscillate, as described later.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the turn signal switch device 14, a case 33 is interposed between the holder 18 and the circuit board 23, and the case 33 is fixed to the switch housing 10. A biasing rod 28 that protrudes forward in the vehicle direction is provided between the holder 18 and the case 33. A sliding part 17 is interposed between the holder 18 and the biasing rod 28. Also, in Figures 2 to 4, the case 33 is omitted from the illustration for ease of understanding.

[0022] The biasing rod 28 has a spring 34 inside, and the vehicle-front end of the biasing rod 28 abuts against the sliding surface 33a of the case 33. The sliding surface 33a is a hemispherical concave surface that is recessed toward the front of the vehicle, and has a neutral recess 33b into which the tip of the biasing rod 28 fits when the operating knob 15 is in the neutral position described later. The contact switches 19 to 22 are composed of so-called rubber contact switches.

[0023] As will be described later, when the operating knob 15 is swung or pushed in, the spring 34 of the biasing rod 28 and the contact switches 19-22 are compressed, and the restoring force of the spring 34 and the contact switches 19-22 generates a biasing force that pushes the operating knob 15 back toward the rear of the vehicle together with the holder 18. Due to this biasing force, when the driver releases the swung or pushed operation of the operating knob 15, the operating knob 15 moves toward the rear of the vehicle and returns to the position it was in before the swung or pushed operation.

[0024] Specifically, when the operating knob 15 is pushed in, the sliding part 17 slides forward, compressing not only the spring 34 of the biasing rod 28 but also the contact switch 21, causing the biasing rod 28 and the contact switch 21 to generate a biasing force. On the other hand, the holder 18 does not move forward or swing, so the contact switches 20 and 21 are not compressed and do not generate a biasing force. Furthermore, the rotation axis 18a of the holder 18 is such that the contact switch 21 of the biasing rod 28 is in the direction of action of the biasing force, while the contact switches 20 and 21, whose direction of action is offset with respect to the rotation axis 18a, do not generate a biasing force, and therefore no moment is generated around the rotation axis 18a. As a result, the holder 18 is pushed back toward the rear of the vehicle without rotating around the rotation axis 18a, and the operating knob 15 returns to its position before the push operation together with the holder 18.

[0025] On the other hand, when the operating knob 15 is oscillated, the oscillation of the holder 18 compresses only the contact switch 19, 20 corresponding to the direction of the oscillation, so that only that contact switch generates a biasing force. When the oscillation of the operating knob 15 is released, this biasing force generates a moment around the rotation axis 18a, causing the holder 18 to rotate around the rotation axis 18a. Then, when the tip of the biasing rod 28, which rotates together with the holder 18, fits into the neutral recess 33b of the sliding surface 33a, the rotation of the holder 18 stops, and the operating knob 15 returns to the neutral position. In this embodiment, this return of the operating knob 15 to its position before the push operation and to the neutral position is referred to as the auto-return function.

[0026] The circuit board 23 is positioned in front of the vehicle, ahead of the slide section 17 and the holder 18, and has four contact switches 19 to 22, as shown in Figure 5, in order to achieve miniaturization and a reduction in the number of parts. Each of the contact switches 19 to 22 is positioned on the rearward mounting surface 23a of the same circuit board 23, facing the slide section 17 and the holder 18. Alternatively, each of the contact switches 19 to 22 may be configured as, for example, microswitches, so that they do not face the same direction on the mounting surface 23a. Furthermore, each of the contact switches 19 to 22 may not be placed on the same circuit board 23, but rather on the components of individual turn signal switch devices 14 or on various parts of the switch housing 10.

[0027] On the arrangement surface 23a, contact switch 19 is positioned on the left side of the vehicle, contact switch 20 is positioned to the right of contact switch 19, contact switch 21 is positioned between contact switch 19 and contact switch 20, and contact switch 22 is positioned below contact switch 21. The functions of each contact switch 19 to 22 will be described later.

[0028] Four push rods 24-27 are arranged between the circuit board 23 and the slide portion 17 and holder 18, extending along the Z direction. Specifically, push rod 24 is positioned between the contact switch 19 and the flange 18b protruding to the left of the holder 18. Push rod 25 is positioned between the contact switch 20 and the flange 18c protruding to the right of the holder 18, push rod 26 is positioned between the contact switch 21 and the vehicle-front end 17b of the slide portion 17, and push rod 27 is positioned between the contact switch 22 and the holder 18. Furthermore, a slope 27a is formed on the vehicle-rear end of push rod 27, and an intermediate rod 29 is positioned between the slope 27a and the flange 17c protruding forward from the slide portion 17, extending substantially parallel to the Y direction. The slope 27a of push rod 27 is formed so that its upper part is inclined toward the vehicle forward.

[0029] Each contact switch 19-22 is connected to a vehicle control system, such as an ECU (not shown). When each contact switch 19-22 is pressed forward by each push rod 24-27, each contact switch 19-22 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as a "press signal") to the ECU indicating that it has been pressed. The ECU is also connected to turn signals (not shown) located on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, and controls the illumination or extinguishing of each turn signal in accordance with the press signals transmitted from each contact switch 19-22.

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates the swinging operation of the operating knob 15. In Figure 6, the switch housing 10 and handlebar 11 are omitted from the illustration, and only the turn signal switch device 14 is shown. Also, Figure 6 shows the turn signal switch device 14 as viewed from above the vehicle, with the left direction in the figure corresponding to the front of the vehicle, the right direction corresponding to the rear of the vehicle, the top direction corresponding to the right direction of the vehicle, and the bottom direction corresponding to the left direction of the vehicle.

[0031] In Figure 6, as described above, the holder 18 is held by the switch housing 10 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 18a. However, the slide portion 17 is held in a manner that prevents it from rotating around the rotation axis 18a relative to the holder 18, and rotates integrally with the holder 18 around the rotation axis 18a. The rotation axis 18a protrudes approximately parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the slide portion 17 and the holder 18 are swingable in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and since the left-right direction of the vehicle is approximately parallel to the extension direction of the handlebar 11, the slide portion 17 and the holder 18 can swing along the extension direction of the handlebar 11, thereby allowing the operating knob 15, which is integrated with the slide portion 17, to swing in the swinging direction. Furthermore, the turn signal switch device 14 has the auto-return function described above, which returns the operating knob 15 to the neutral position when the operating knob 15 is not being swung in either the left-right direction (non-operation). The neutral position of the operating knob 15 is the position in which the operating knob 15 is held when it is not being operated.

[0032] In the turn signal switch device 14, when the operating knob 15 is in the neutral position, neither of the left nor right flanges 18b and 18c of the holder 18 moves forward of the vehicle. Therefore, each flange 18b and 18c does not move the push rods 24 and 25 forward of the vehicle, and neither of the push rods 24 or 25 presses the contact switches 19 and 20 (Figure 6(A)).

[0033] When the operating knob 15 is swung to the right, the flange 18c of the holder 18, which rotates around the rotation axis 18a, moves forward of the vehicle, causing the push rod 25 to move forward of the vehicle (Figure 6(B)). As a result, the contact switch 20 (first conductive part) is pressed by the push rod 25, and a pressing signal is transmitted to the ECU. When the ECU receives the pressing signal from the contact switch 20, it flashes the turn signal on the right side of the vehicle.

[0034] On the other hand, when the operating knob 15 is swung to the left, the flange 18b of the holder 18, which rotates around the rotation axis 18a, moves forward of the vehicle, causing the push rod 24 to move forward of the vehicle (Figure 6(C)). As a result, the contact switch 19 (second conductive part) is pressed by the push rod 24, and a pressing signal is transmitted to the ECU. When the ECU receives the pressing signal from the contact switch 19, it flashes the left turn signal of the vehicle.

[0035] In other words, the operating knob 15 flashes the turn signal corresponding to the direction in which it is being swung. When the swinging operation of the operating knob 15 in the left-right direction is released, the operating knob 15 returns to the neutral position by the auto-return function described above.

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates the operation of pushing in the control knob 15. In Figure 7, the turn signal switch device 14 is shown as viewed from above the vehicle, and the vertical and horizontal directions in Figure 7 are the same as those in Figure 6.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, the holder 18 holds the sliding portion 17 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, allowing the operating knob 15, which is integrated with the sliding portion 17, to be pushed forward of the vehicle.

[0038] In the turn signal switch device 14, if the operating knob 15 is not pushed forward, the sliding part 17 does not move forward, so the sliding part 17 does not move the push rod 26 forward, and the push rod 26 does not press the contact switch 21 (Figure 7(A)).

[0039] When the operating knob 15 is pushed forward, the sliding part 17 moves forward, causing the push rod 26 to move forward (Figure 7(B)). As a result, the contact switch 21 (third conductive part) is pressed by the push rod 26, and a pressing signal is sent to the ECU. When the ECU receives the pressing signal from the contact switch 21, it cancels the flashing of the vehicle's turn signals.

[0040] Furthermore, when the operation of pushing the operating knob 15 forward of the vehicle is released, the operating knob 15 returns to its position before the pushing operation was performed by the auto-return function described above.

[0041] Figure 8 illustrates the upward operation of the control knob 15. In Figure 8, only the turn signal switch device 14 is shown, but it is shown as viewed from the left side of the vehicle, not as viewed from above the vehicle. Also, in Figure 8, the left direction corresponds to the front of the vehicle, the right direction corresponds to the rear of the vehicle, the top direction corresponds to the top of the vehicle, and the bottom direction corresponds to the bottom of the vehicle.

[0042] In Figure 8, the slide portion 17 is held by the holder 18 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 17a. On the other hand, the holder 18 is held relative to the switch housing 10 so as not to be rotatable around the rotation axis 17a. The rotation axis 17a protrudes approximately parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the slide portion 17 can swing in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and this allows the operating knob 15, which is integrated with the slide portion 17, to swing in the vertical direction of the vehicle. When the operating knob 15 is raised, the flange 17c of the slide portion 17, which is located on the opposite side of the operating knob 15 (forward of the vehicle) with respect to the rotation axis 17a, moves downward of the vehicle due to the rotation of the slide portion 17 around the rotation axis 17a.

[0043] In the turn signal switch device 14, when the operating knob 15 is not raised, the sliding part 17 does not rotate around the rotation axis 17a, and therefore the flange 17c of the sliding part 17 does not move downward on the vehicle. Consequently, the flange 17c does not move the intermediate rod 29 downward on the vehicle, and the intermediate rod 29 does not press the inclined surface 27a of the push rod 27 downward on the vehicle. As a result, the push rod 27 does not move forward on the vehicle, and the push rod 27 does not press the contact switch 22 (Figure 8(A)).

[0044] When the operating knob 15 is raised, the sliding part 17 rotates around the rotation axis 17a, and the flange 17c of the sliding part 17 moves downward on the vehicle. As a result, the flange 17c moves the intermediate rod 29 downward on the vehicle, and the intermediate rod 29 presses the inclined surface 27a of the push rod 27 downward on the vehicle. Here, as described above, the inclined surface 27a is formed so that its upper part slopes toward the front of the vehicle, so when the intermediate rod 29 presses the inclined surface 27a downward on the vehicle, as the intermediate rod 29 moves downward on the vehicle, the inclined surface 27a moves toward the front of the vehicle, and as a result the push rod 27 moves toward the front of the vehicle (Figure 8(B)). As a result, the contact switch 22 (fourth conductive part) is pressed by the push rod 27 and sends a pressing signal to the ECU. When the ECU receives the pressing signal from the contact switch 22, it executes the hazard function and flashes the turn signals on both sides of the vehicle simultaneously. Furthermore, the function corresponding to the pressing of contact switch 22 is not limited to a hazard function; any function that illuminates or flashes a turn signal, different from the flashing of the turn signal corresponding to the pressing of contact switch 20 or contact switch 19, is acceptable.

[0045] Furthermore, when the upward movement of the operating knob 15 is released, the biasing force of the contact switch 22, which was compressed by the pressing, generates a moment around the rotation axis 17a, causing the slide portion 17 to rotate around the rotation axis 17a. As a result, the operating knob 15 moves downwards on the vehicle and returns to its position before the upward movement was performed. The flange 17c of the slide portion 17 of the turn signal switch device 14, the inclined surface 27a of the push rod 27, and the intermediate rod 29 constitute a conversion mechanism that converts the upward movement of the operating knob 15 into forward movement of the push rod 27 on the vehicle (movement parallel to the pushing direction).

[0046] Figure 9 shows the front housing 12 of the switch housing 10 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. The front housing 12 has a through hole 32 in its rear wall that allows the slide portion 17 of the turn signal switch device 14, which is built into the switch housing 10, to protrude toward the rear of the vehicle. The slide portion 17 passes through the through hole 32 and protrudes toward the outside of the switch housing 10 (towards the rear of the vehicle). An operating knob 15 is provided at the rear end of the slide portion 17. The through hole 32 has a swing opening 32a (first opening) that opens along the swing direction and an upward opening 32b (second opening) that opens along a direction perpendicular to the swing direction, and the swing opening 32a and the upward opening 32b are arranged to intersect (Figure 9(A)).

[0047] As described above, the turn signal switch device 14 is configured such that the operating knob 15 can swing in the swinging direction, and when the operating knob 15 swings in the swinging direction, the operating knob 15 is guided by the swinging opening 32a.

[0048] Furthermore, the turn signal switch device 14 is configured such that the operating knob 15 can swing in the vertical direction of the vehicle. When the operating knob 15 swings in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the operating knob 15 is guided by the upward opening 32b. Here, the upward opening 32b is formed only above the swinging opening 32a and not below the swinging opening 32a. Therefore, when the operating knob 15 is operated in a direction perpendicular to the swinging direction, the operating knob 15 cannot move downwards of the vehicle and can only move upwards. As a result, the operating knob 15 is only allowed to be operated upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0049] Furthermore, the upward opening 32b intersects with the swinging opening 32a at the point where the operating knob 15 is in the neutral position. Therefore, upward operation is permitted only when the operating knob 15 is in the neutral position with respect to the swinging direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in order to allow a smooth transition from operation in the swinging direction of the operating knob 15 to operation in the rising direction, the connection point between the swinging opening 32a and the rising opening 32b may be molded into an R shape (Figure 9(B)), or the connection point between the swinging opening 32a and the rising opening 32b may be molded to form a hypotenuse (Figure 9(C)).

[0051] According to this embodiment, in the turn signal switch device 14, the operating knob 15 is configured to be operable in an upward direction, which is different from the swinging direction and the pushing direction of the operating knob 15. When the operating knob 15 is operated in the upward direction, it performs a hazard function, which is different from the flashing of the turn signal. Therefore, the driver can immediately perform the hazard function simply by operating the operating knob 15 in the upward direction, without having to push the operating knob 15 multiple times or continuously push the operating knob 15 for a predetermined period of time.

[0052] Furthermore, since the hazard function is activated when the operating knob 15 is operated in an upward direction that is different from both the swinging direction and the pushing direction, it is possible to prevent accidental operation such as flashing or canceling the turn signals when trying to activate the hazard function.

[0053] However, since the operating knob 15 is located below the central axis 16 of the handlebar 11, when the driver swings the operating knob 15 along the swinging direction with the fingers of the hand gripping the handlebar 11, there is a risk of inadvertently applying downward load to the operating knob 15. However, in this embodiment, as described above, downward movement of the operating knob 15 of the vehicle is not permitted, and in order to execute the hazard function, the operating knob 15 must be operated upward to bring it closer to the handlebar 11. Therefore, when the driver swings the operating knob 15 to flash the turn signal, it is possible to prevent accidental operation that would cause the hazard function to be activated by mistake.

[0054] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist.

[0055] For example, the upward direction of the operating knob 15 is perpendicular to the direction of oscillation, but the upward direction of the operating knob 15 does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the direction of oscillation; it can be a direction directed upward towards the vehicle and different from the direction of oscillation. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the upward direction D1 of the operating knob 15, shown by the solid line, may be inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the direction D2 perpendicular to the direction of oscillation, for example, the predetermined angle θ is 5° or more. In this case, from the viewpoint of improving the operability of the operating knob 15, it is preferable that the upward direction D1 is inclined with respect to the direction D2 perpendicular to the direction of oscillation so as to be closer to the hands of the driver gripping the handlebar 11.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hazard function was activated when the operating knob 15 was operated in an upward direction different from the swinging or pushing direction. However, the function activated when the operating knob 15 is operated in an upward direction is not limited to the hazard function; for example, it could be a dimmer function that changes the direction of the optical axis of the vehicle's headlights.

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicles to which this invention applies are not limited to two-wheeled vehicles, but can also be applied to other saddle-type vehicles. Saddle-type vehicles include all vehicles in which the rider straddles the vehicle body, and include not only two-wheeled vehicles (including motorcycles and mopeds), but also three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles classified as ATVs (all-terrain vehicles). In addition, this invention can be applied to vehicles equipped with handlebars, even if they are not vehicles, such as snowmobiles and boats. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 10 Switch Housing 11 Handlebars 12 Front Housing 14. Turn signal switch device 15. Operation knob 17. Slide section 17c flange 18 holder 19-22 Contact switches 23 Circuit board 23a Placement surface 27 Pushrod 27a slope 29 Intermediate rod 32 through holes 32a Swiveling opening 32b Rising opening 33 cases 34 Springs

Claims

1. An operating knob configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, A switch housing that is mounted on the vehicle's handlebars, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating knob is positioned to protrude from the switch housing. The second operating direction is the direction towards the handlebar, When the aforementioned operating knob is swung, the turn signal on the side corresponding to the direction of the swing operation flashes. When the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the turn signal performs a lighting pattern different from the flashing of the turn signal caused by the swinging operation. The operating knob returns to a neutral position where it is held when not being operated, after being operated in the first operating direction, the pushing direction, or the second operating direction. Turn signal switch device.

2. The operating knob is located below the handlebar, and the second operating direction is the direction that raises the operating knob. The turn signal switch device according to claim 1.

3. A through hole is provided in the wall portion of the switch housing. The operating knob has an actuator extending from the operating knob, The actuator is positioned to pass through the through hole, The aforementioned through hole is A first opening that opens along the first operating direction, It has a second opening that opens along the second operating direction, The first opening and the second opening are provided so as to intersect. The turn signal switch device according to claim 1.

4. The connection point between the first opening and the second opening is formed into an R shape. The turn signal switch device according to claim 3.

5. The connection point between the first opening and the second opening is formed to form a slanted edge. The turn signal switch device according to claim 3.

6. An operating knob configured to allow oscillating operation along a first operating direction, operation in a pushing direction, and operation in a second operating direction different from both the first operating direction and the pushing direction, A first conductive part that requires pressing to activate the turn signal on the right side of the vehicle, A second conductive part that requires pressing to flash the turn signal on the left side of the vehicle, A third conductive part that requires pressing to cancel the flashing of the turn signal, A fourth conductive part that requires pressing when performing a lighting mode different from the flashing of the turn signal by the aforementioned swinging operation, Equipped with, When the operating knob is swung to the right side of the vehicle along the first operating direction, the first conductive portion is pressed. When the operating knob is swung to the left side of the vehicle along the first operating direction, the second conductive portion is pressed. When the operating knob is pushed in, the third conductive part is pressed. When the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the fourth conductive part is pressed, and when the operating knob is swung, the turn signal on the side corresponding to the direction of the swinging operation flashes. When the operating knob is operated in the second operating direction, the turn signal performs a lighting pattern different from the flashing of the turn signal caused by the swinging operation. The operating knob returns to a neutral position where it is held when not being operated, after being operated in the first operating direction, the pushing direction, or the second operating direction. Turn signal switch device.

7. The system further includes a conversion mechanism that converts the operation input in the second operation direction into the input in the pushing direction, The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, the third conductive portion, and the fourth conductive portion are provided on the same substrate. The turn signal switch device according to claim 6.

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