Switch device

Abstract

A detection part (11) can detect an instruction input, from a user, causing a device that is being controlled to execute a desired operation. A cushion layer (12) covers the detection part (11). The cushion layer (12) has a bottom surface (123) that is closer to the detection part (11), and a top surface (124) that is farther from the detection part (11) and has a flat surface. The cushion layer (12) is formed such that the density of the portion including the bottom surface (123) is lower than the density of the portion including the top surface (124).

Description

Switching device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switch device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-024832 discloses a switch device mounted on a vehicle, which is an example of a moving body. The device includes a tactile switch operated by a movable member that is displaced by an external force associated with a user's operation input. The movable member is covered with a cushioning member. The cushioning member is covered with a skin material. When a user presses a portion of the skin material facing the movable member, the movable member is displaced and the tactile switch is operated. Because the cushioning member is interposed between the movable member and the skin material, a soft feeling of pressure is provided.

[0003] There is a demand for providing a switch device that allows blind operation while suppressing deterioration in aesthetic appearance.

[0004] One example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is a switch device comprising: a detection unit capable of detecting a user's instruction input to cause a controlled device to perform a desired operation; and a cushion layer covering the detection unit and having a first surface closer to the detection unit and a second surface farther from the detection unit and having a flat surface, wherein the cushion layer is formed so that the density of the portion including the first surface is lower than the density of the portion including the second surface.

[0005] By covering the detection unit with the cushion layer configured as described above and surrounding it with, for example, a cushion layer with a uniform density or a more rigid material, the user can recognize that their finger has reached a position facing the detection unit (a position where they can input instructions) through the difference in feel provided by the cushion layer compared to the surrounding area, enabling blind operation. In addition, because the second surface of the cushion layer has a flat surface, the structure providing the difference in feel itself is not visible to the user, and the appearance can easily be matched to the surrounding components. Therefore, blind operation can be enabled while suppressing degradation of aesthetics.

[0006] One example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is a switch device comprising: a detection unit capable of detecting a user's instruction input to cause a controlled device to perform a desired operation; a cushion layer covering the detection unit and having a first surface closer to the detection unit and a second surface farther from the detection unit; and a skin material supported on the second surface of the cushion layer and having a surface exposed to the user, wherein the cushion layer is formed so that the density of the portion including the first surface is lower than the density of the portion including the second surface.

[0007] By covering the detection unit with the cushion layer configured as described above and surrounding it with, for example, a cushion layer with a uniform density or a more rigid material, the user can recognize that their finger has reached a position facing the detection unit (a position where they can input instructions) through the difference in feel provided by the cushion layer compared to the surrounding area, enabling blind operation. In addition, the second surface of the cushion layer supporting the skin material with the surface exposed to the user is formed to have a higher density, thereby improving adhesion to the skin material. This prevents the deterioration of the surface uniformity of the skin material due to adhesion. Therefore, blind operation is possible while preventing a deterioration in aesthetics.

[0008] 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a switch device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the appearance of the cushion layer of FIG. 1 as viewed from below. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the operation of the switch device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates another example of the operation of the switch device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates another example of the shape of the cushion layer of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates another example of the shape of the cushion layer of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the configuration of the switch device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates a vehicle in which the switch device of FIG. 1 is installed. FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the configuration of the switch device of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 illustrates another example of the shape of the cushion layer of FIG. 1.

[0009]

[0023] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used for the description, the scale has been appropriately changed so that the illustrated elements can be clearly seen.

[0010] In the accompanying drawings, arrow F indicates the forward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow B indicates the rearward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow U indicates the upward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow D indicates the downward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow R indicates the rightward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the illustrated structure. These directional expressions are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the posture or direction of the illustrated structure in actual use.

[0011] The term "front-rear direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned front and rear directions. The term "up-down direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned top and bottom directions. The term "left-right direction" used in this specification means a direction along the aforementioned left and right directions.

[0012] The expression "extending in the front-to-rear direction" used in this specification includes extending at an angle relative to the front-to-rear direction, and means extending at an angle closer to the front-to-rear direction than the up-down and left-to-right directions.

[0013] The expression "extending in the vertical direction" used in this specification includes extending at an angle relative to the vertical direction, and means extending at an angle closer to the vertical direction than the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0014] The expression "extending in the left-right direction" used in this specification includes extending at an angle relative to the left-right direction, and means extending at an angle closer to the left-right direction than the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0015] 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a switch device 10 according to an embodiment. The switch device 10 is configured to receive an instruction input from a user and output a signal that causes a controlled device (not shown) to execute a desired operation based on the instruction input.

[0016] The switch device 10 includes a detection unit 11. The detection unit 11 is configured to be able to detect the above-described instruction input. In this example, the detection unit 11 includes a push switch 111 and a movable member 112. As will be described later, when a user inputs an instruction, the movable member 112 is displaced downward. When the push switch 111 is operated by this displacement, the instruction input is detected. The detection unit 11 includes a circuit (not shown) that is able to output a control signal according to the instruction input.

[0017] The switch device 10 according to the present embodiment includes two detectors 11. However, the number of detectors 11 may be one, or three or more. The number of detectors 11 can be determined appropriately depending on the specifications of the controlled device.

[0018] The switch device 10 includes a cushion layer 12. The cushion layer 12 is disposed so as to cover the detection unit 11. The cushion layer 12 includes a first portion 121 and a second portion 122. The first portion 121 has a first flexibility. The second portion 122 has a second flexibility. The second flexibility is higher than the first flexibility.

[0019] The term "flexibility" as used herein refers to the magnitude of deformation for the same amount of input force. In other words, a more flexible portion can be deformed with a smaller input force. Therefore, a more flexible portion gives a "softer" feeling to a user who presses the portion.

[0020] Fig. 2 illustrates an external view of the cushion layer 12 as viewed from below. The shape of the cushion layer 12 illustrated in Fig. 1 corresponds to a cross section viewed from the direction of the arrow along line II in Fig. 2.

[0021] The cushion layer 12 has a lower surface 123 and an upper surface 124. The lower surface 123 is located closer to the detection unit 11 than the upper surface 124. In other words, the upper surface 124 is located farther from the detection unit 11 than the lower surface 123. The lower surface 123 is an example of a first surface. The upper surface 124 is an example of a second surface.

[0022] The cushion layer 12 has an uneven portion 125. The uneven portion 125 is formed on a lower surface 123 included in the second portion 122. Due to the formation of the uneven portion 125, the density of the portion of the cushion layer 12 including the lower surface 123 is lower than the density of the portion including the upper surface 124.

[0023] The upper surface 124 has a flat surface. The expression "flat surface" used in this specification is intended to describe a surface state having a uniform flatness to the extent that irregularities are not visible to the user, and is not intended to limit the shape of the upper surface 124 itself. In other words, the upper surface 124 may be a horizontally extending plane, a sloped surface, or a curved surface.

[0024] The density (first density) of the cushion layer 12 in the first portion 121 is uniform in the vertical direction. The density (second density) of the cushion layer 12 in the second portion 122 is not uniform in the vertical direction due to the formation of the uneven portion 125. As a result, the second density is lower than the first density. In other words, the higher flexibility of the second portion 122 is achieved by the lower density.

[0025] 3 illustrates a state in which the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12 is pressed by the user's finger 20. In this example, the first portion 121 of the cushion layer 12 is disposed so as to face the detection unit 11. Therefore, when the user moves the finger 20 to the left to a position corresponding to the less flexible first portion 121, the user feels a "harder" sensation. Through this change in sensation, the user can recognize that the finger 20 has reached a position facing the detection unit 11 (a position where instructions can be input).

[0026] 4 illustrates a state in which the first portion 121 of the cushion layer 12 is pressed by the user's finger 20 as an instruction input. Pressing the first portion 121 causes the movable member 112 of the detection unit 11 to be displaced downward. The downward displacement of the movable member 112 operates the push switch 111, and a control signal corresponding to the instruction input is output from the detection unit 11.

[0027] According to the above-described configuration, the user can recognize the position on the switch device 10 that can accept an instruction input without relying on visual inspection, through the change in the feel provided by the cushion layer 12. Therefore, it is possible to provide a switch device 10 with improved blind operability.

[0028] From the viewpoint of allowing the user to recognize the position where a pointing input can be accepted through a change in the feel, the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12 may be disposed so as to face the detection unit 11 .

[0029] However, in a configuration in which a user's instruction input is detected through mechanical operation of the push switch 111 by the movable member 112, as in this example, it is preferable that the less flexible first portion 121 be disposed opposite the movable member 112. The fact that a less flexible portion deforms less in response to the same magnitude of input force means that the input force is more likely to be transmitted rather than absorbed. Therefore, compared to a case in which the second portion 122 is disposed opposite the movable member 112, the movable member 112 can be displaced with a smaller pressing force, thereby improving the operability of the switch device 10.

[0030] From the perspective of recognizing the position where instruction input is possible through the difference in feel, an uneven portion 125 may be formed over the entire lower surface 23 of the cushion layer 12. By covering the detection unit 11 with the cushion layer 12 configured in this manner and surrounding it with, for example, a cushion layer with a uniform density or a more rigid material, the user can recognize that their finger 20 has reached a position facing the detection unit 11 (a position where instruction input is possible) through the difference in feel provided by the cushion layer 12 compared to the surrounding area, thereby enabling blind operation. In addition, because the upper surface 124 of the cushion layer 12 has a flat surface, the structure providing the difference in feel itself is not visible to the user, and the appearance can easily be matched with surrounding components. Therefore, blind operation can be enabled while suppressing degradation of aesthetics.

[0031] As illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the switch device 10 includes a substrate 13. The substrate 13 supports the cushion layer 12 from below. The substrate 13 has higher rigidity than the cushion layer 12. At least the outer periphery 123a of the lower surface 123 of the cushion layer 12 can be bonded to the substrate 13. The outer periphery 123a is an example of a supported surface. In addition, the tip of the convex portion 125a included in the uneven portion 125 is in contact with the substrate 13. The tip of the convex portion 125a is also an example of a supported surface.

[0032] With this configuration, the influence of deformation of the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12, which has higher flexibility to provide a difference in feel, on the configuration of the switch device 10 located below can be suppressed.

[0033] In this example, the base material 13 has an opening 131. The movable member 112 of the detection unit 11 is disposed within the opening 131. That is, the opening 131 is disposed so as to allow displacement of the movable member 112 in accordance with deformation of the first portion 121 of the cushion layer 12.

[0034] This configuration can ensure the effect of suppressing the influence of deformation of the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12, while also ensuring a larger stroke amount for the movable member 112. Therefore, the operability of the switch device 10 can be improved.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the first portion 121 of the cushion layer 12 can enter the opening 131 as the movable member 112 is displaced.

[0036] According to this configuration, a larger amount of deformation can be ensured for the first portion 121, and therefore the feeling that the user may perceive as resistance to the operation input for displacing the movable member 112 can be reduced.

[0037] However, a configuration may also be employed in which a portion of the lower surface of first portion 121 is placed around the edge of opening 131. By appropriately setting the area of ​​that portion, the magnitude of the feeling that can be recognized as the resistance can be changed.

[0038] In this example, the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12 are formed of the same material. With this configuration, an increase in material costs involved in manufacturing the switch device 10 can be suppressed.

[0039] Additionally, the cushioning layer 12 according to this embodiment is a one-piece molded product. In other words, the first portion 121 and the second portion 122, which are made of the same material, are integral and inseparable. The expression "integral and inseparable" used here is to be distinguished from a configuration in which the portions are inseparable through adhesion, welding, fusion, fitting, or the like. This configuration can suppress an increase in the number of parts and assembly steps, thereby suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the switch device 10.

[0040] However, the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 may be formed of different materials as long as different degrees of flexibility can be provided between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122. The first portion 121 and the second portion 122 formed of different materials may be joined together by adhesive or the like, or may be provided as a one-piece component by two-color molding.

[0041] The degree of flexibility provided in the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12, which is higher than that of the first portion 121, can be adjusted by appropriately changing the configuration of the uneven portion 125. For example, at least one of the number and cross-sectional area of ​​the convex portions 125a formed in the uneven portion 125 can be changed.

[0042] 5 shows another example of the shape of the cushion layer 12. In this example, the tips of the convex portions 125a formed in the uneven portion 125 are gradually tapered. With this configuration, the contact area between the tips of the convex portions 125a and the substrate 13 is reduced, and therefore the flexibility of the second portion 122 can be increased compared to the cushion layer 12 having the shape illustrated in FIG.

[0043] 6, the length of the convex portion 125a formed in the concave-convex portion 125 may be shortened. Even with such a configuration, a gap is formed between the tip of the convex portion 125a and the substrate 13, so that the flexibility of the second portion 122 can be increased compared to the cushion layer 12 having the shape exemplified in FIG.

[0044] 7 , the boundary between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122 may be formed as a surface that is inclined in the up-down direction. With this configuration, it is possible to gradually change the flexibility between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122. As a result, it is possible to gradually change the feel that the user experiences at the boundary between the first portion 121 and the second portion 122.

[0045] 8 , the switch device 10 may include a cover material 14. The cover material 14 has a surface 141 that is exposed to the user. The cover material 14 is disposed so as to cover at least the upper surface 124 of the cushion layer 12. The material forming the cover material 14 may be appropriately determined depending on the appearance that the switch device 10 is to present to the user. Examples of such materials include resin, rubber, leather, and woven fabric.

[0046] Since the upper surface 124 of the cushion layer 12 has a flat surface, it is easy to ensure that the surface of the cover material 14 is also flat. Since it is easy to achieve consistency in appearance with the surrounding components of the switch device 10, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the aesthetic appeal of the switch device 10.

[0047] When the cushion layer 12 is covered with the skin material 14, the upper surface 124 does not necessarily need to be flat. The bonding strength between the cushion layer 12 and the skin material 14 can be improved if the density of the portion including the upper surface 124 is higher than the density of the portion including the lower surface 123. This prevents the uniformity of the surface of the skin material 14 exposed to the user from decreasing due to bonding, thereby preventing a decrease in the aesthetic appeal of the switch device 10.

[0048] 9 , the switch device 10 can be installed at an appropriate position in the cabin of the vehicle 30. In this case, the operation of an appropriate controlled device mounted on the vehicle 30 is controlled by an instruction input received by the switch device 10. The vehicle 30 is an example of a moving body. In particular, when the switch device 10 is installed near the driver's seat including the center cluster, the driver's line of sight movement can be suppressed when an instruction is input, thereby making the effect of improved blind operability more pronounced.

[0049] The configurations referred to above are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example may be appropriately modified or combined with other configuration examples within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] The detection unit 11 of the switch device 10 is not limited to a configuration that detects a user's instruction input through mechanical displacement. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the detection unit 11 may include an electrostatic sensor 113. When the user's finger 20 presses the first portion 121 of the cushion layer 12, the distance from the electrostatic sensor 113 changes, causing a change in the detected capacitance. The electrostatic sensor 113 is configured to detect that an instruction input has been made based on the change and output a control signal corresponding to the instruction input.

[0051] As described above, in this example, the second portion 122 of the cushion layer 12 can be disposed so as to face the detection unit 11. In this case, the user can recognize that the finger 20 has reached a position facing the detection unit 11 (a position where an instruction can be input) from the fact that a softer feeling has been obtained.

[0052] The configuration of the uneven portion 125 formed on the lower surface 123 can be appropriately changed as long as the density of the portion of the cushion layer 12 including the lower surface 123 can be made lower than the density of the portion including the upper surface 124. As illustrated in Fig. 11 , the uneven portion 125 may be formed by a plurality of grooves extending in at least one of the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

[0053] Making the density of the portion of the cushion layer 12 that includes the lower surface 123 lower than the density of the portion that includes the upper surface 124 can also be achieved by methods other than forming the uneven portion 125. For example, when the cushion layer 12 is made of a porous material, the density can be lowered by making the porosity of the portion that includes the lower surface 123 higher than that of the portion that includes the upper surface 124.

[0054] The switch device 10 can also be applied to moving bodies other than the vehicle 30. Examples of other moving bodies include trains, airplanes, flying bodies, ships, etc. The moving bodies may not require a driver.

[0055] The switch device 10 does not necessarily have to be mounted on a mobile object, but can be installed in any suitable device, equipment, facility, etc. where blind operation is required.

[0056] The contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-141260 filed on August 31, 2023 are incorporated by reference as part of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising: a detection unit capable of detecting a user's instruction input for causing a controlled device to perform a desired operation; and a cushion layer covering the detection unit and having a first surface closer to the detection unit and a second surface farther from the detection unit and having a flat surface, wherein the cushion layer is formed so that the density of a portion including the first surface is lower than the density of a portion including the second surface.

2. A switch device comprising: a detection unit capable of detecting a user's instruction input for causing a controlled device to perform a desired operation; a cushion layer covering the detection unit and having a first surface closer to the detection unit and a second surface farther from the detection unit; and a skin material supported on the second surface of the cushion layer and having a surface exposed to the user, wherein the cushion layer is formed so that the density of a portion including the first surface is lower than the density of a portion including the second surface.

3. The switch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a reduction in density is achieved by forming an uneven portion on the first surface.

4. A switch device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cushion layer has a first portion having a first density and a second portion having a second density lower than the first density, and one of the first portion and the second portion is arranged to face the detection portion.

5. The switch device according to claim 4, wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed from the same material.

6. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cushion layer is a one-piece molded product.

7. The switch device according to claim 3, further comprising a base material supporting said cushion layer, and wherein tips of the projections included in said uneven portion are in contact with said base material.

8. A switch device as set forth in claim 4 or 5, wherein the detection section includes a movable member that is displaced by the instruction input, and the first portion is disposed so as to face the movable member.

9. The switch device according to claim 8, further comprising a base material having an opening that allows displacement of the movable member, and the cushion layer has a supported surface that is supported by the base material.

10. The switch device according to claim 9, wherein the first portion is capable of entering the opening as the movable member is displaced.

11. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover material supported on the second surface of the cushion layer and having a surface exposed to a user.

12. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controlled device is mounted on a moving object.

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