Switch device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a switch device having a plurality of to-be-operated parts which can be independently displaced while suppressing manufacturing costs.　[Solution] This switch device 1 comprises: a plurality of operation knobs 7(7A to 7D) which can be independently displaced; a movable member 9 which, when any of the plurality of operation knobs 7(7A to 7D) is operated, becomes displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7; a magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9; a plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) which are disposed opposite the magnet 10 in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member 9; fixed electrodes 6 which are provided one-to-one to the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A-7D) and detect the operation of the operation knobs 7(7A-7D); and an MPC 41 as a processing unit that identifies the operated operation knob 7 among the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) on the basis of output signals of the plurality of magnetic sensors 8(8A, 8B, 8C) and output signals of the fixed electrodes 6.　

Description

Switching device

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch device having one push knob with a plurality of operated areas set on its surface.

[0003] Patent No. 5260241

[0004] In the switch device of Patent Document 1, a push knob and a printed circuit board on which a push switch is mounted are arranged opposite each other with a gap in the displacement direction of the push knob. The push knob has legs extending toward the printed circuit board, and when the push knob is displaced toward the printed circuit board by pressing the operated area, the legs press and turn on the push switch on the printed circuit board. Inside the switch device, a capacitance sensor is arranged between the push knob and the printed circuit board. Multiple capacitance sensors are provided in a one-to-one relationship in the operated area.

[0005] In the switch device, when one of the operated areas is pressed further by the user, the push knob is displaced toward the printed circuit board, and the push switch on the printed circuit board is turned on by the leg. Furthermore, as the push knob approaches the capacitance sensor, the output of the capacitance sensor arranged opposite the pressed operated area changes, making it possible to identify which of the operated areas has been pressed.

[0006] That is, by using a single common push knob (operation knob) instead of separate push knobs for each operation area, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing cost of the switch device is kept low by being able to separately identify the pressed operated area. However, there is still a need for separate operation knobs (push knobs) for each operation area from the perspective of ease of recognition by the operator and prevention of malfunction. Therefore, there is a demand for a switch device that has separate operation knobs for each operation area while keeping manufacturing costs low. In addition to such demands, the present invention also aims to achieve functions and effects derived from the configurations disclosed in the "Description of the Invention" below, which are not available in conventional technology.

[0007] The present invention provides a switch device having a configuration including: a plurality of independently displaceable operated parts; a movable member that displaces in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operated part regardless of which of the plurality of operated parts is operated; a magnet attached to the movable member; a plurality of detection elements arranged opposite the magnet in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member; an operation sensor that is provided one-to-one with the plurality of operated parts and detects the operation of the operated part; and a processing unit that identifies the operated operated part of the plurality of operated parts based on output signals from the plurality of detection elements and the output signal from the operation sensor.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch device having a plurality of operated portions that can be displaced independently while suppressing manufacturing costs.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating a switch device. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a switch device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a magnet and a magnetic sensor. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processing unit for output signals from a magnetic sensor and a capacitance sensor. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the processing unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to a modified example in the processing unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a switch device employing a movable member according to a modified example. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a switch device employing a movable member according to a modified example. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a switch device employing a movable member according to a modified example. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a switch device employing a movable member according to a modified example.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a switch device 1 including multiple operation knobs 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D) to which different functions are assigned as an example. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the switch device 1. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the switch device 1. FIG. 1B is an enlarged plan view of the operation knob 7A and its surroundings, viewed from the Z direction. FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the switch device 1 taken along plane A in FIG. 1A. Note that in FIG. 1B, the positions of components (detection unit 61, opening 610, and mounting unit 52) ​​located on the reverse side of the key top 71 are indicated by dashed lines for ease of explanation. FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross-sectional views of essential parts of the switch device 1. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of region B in FIG. 1C. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the operation knob 7A depressed from the initial position shown in FIG. 2A to the operating position. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of the switch device 1 taken along line A-A in Fig. 2A. Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of the switch device 1 taken along line A-A in Fig. 3.

[0011] In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the positional relationship of each component will be described based on the vertical direction (Z direction), X direction, and Y direction in FIG. 1C. For example, when the term "upper side" is used, it means the upper side in the vertical direction in FIG. 1C. Therefore, depending on the usage state of the switch device 1, even if a term "component located on the upper side" is used, it may be located diagonally above or below.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , the switch device 1 includes a total of four operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). Different functions are assigned to each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). As an example, if the switch device 1 is a switch device used to specify a vehicle driving mode, functions such as parking (P), reverse driving (R), neutral (N), and forward driving (D) are assigned to each of the operation knobs 7A to 7D. In the switch device 1, when any one of the operation knobs 7A to 7D is pressed, the function assigned to the pressed operation knob 7 is designated, and the previously designated function is terminated.

[0013] 1C , the switch device 1 has a lower case 3 that houses a printed circuit board 4. The lower case 3 has a bottom wall 31 and a peripheral wall 32 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall 31. The lower case 3 is attached to the upper case 2 with the peripheral wall 32 fitted into the peripheral wall 22 of the upper case 2. In this state, the lower case 3 is attached to the upper case 2 with screws (not shown).

[0014] A support base 33 for the printed circuit board 4 is provided inside the peripheral wall portion 32. The printed circuit board 4 is placed on the upper end of the support base 33. A rubber member 5 made of an elastic material is placed on the printed circuit board 4. The operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are placed on mounting portions 52 of the rubber member 5. In the following description, when the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are not particularly distinguished from one another, they may be simply referred to as operation knobs 7.

[0015] The following describes the configuration around the operation knob 7A, taking the operation knob 7 as an example. As shown in FIG. 2 , the switch device 1 has the operation knob 7A operated by the user. The operation knob 7A has a keytop 71 and a peripheral wall portion 72. The keytop 71 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above (see FIG. 1B ). A mark (not shown) indicating the function assigned to the operation knob 7 may be provided in the center of the keytop 71. As shown in FIG. 2 , the peripheral wall portion 72 is a cylindrical portion that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the keytop 71. A plurality of guide pieces 73 are provided on the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 72. As shown in FIG. 1B , the guide pieces 73 protrude from the outer periphery of the peripheral wall portion 72 in the Y direction and the X direction, respectively. Four guide pieces 73 are provided at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Za, which is the central axis.

[0016] 1C, the upper case 2 has an upper wall portion 21 and a peripheral wall portion 22 that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the upper wall portion 21. The upper wall portion 21 is provided with openings 23 that expose the key tops 71 of the operation knobs 7. The openings 23 penetrate the upper wall portion 21 in the thickness direction (Z direction). The openings 23 are provided at predetermined intervals in the Y direction, and the number of openings 23 is the same as the number of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0017] 1B , the opening 23 is formed into a rectangular shape by a pair of side walls 231, 231 spaced apart in the X direction and a pair of side walls 232, 232 spaced apart in the Y direction. Each of the side walls 231, 232 has a guide groove 233 formed in the center in the width direction. The guide pieces 73 on the operation knob 7 are inserted into the guide grooves 233. In this embodiment, the movement of the operation knob 7 in the Z direction (the direction of the axis Za) is guided by the guide pieces 73 on the operation knob 7 and the guide groove 233 on the upper case 2.

[0018] 2A, the mounting portion 52 on the rubber member 5 side abuts against the surface of the key top 71 facing the printed circuit board 4. The mounting portion 52 abuts against the center of the key top 71 in the direction of the axis Za. Here, the axis Za is a straight line that is perpendicular to the printed circuit board 4 and passes through the center of the key top 71. Furthermore, the axis Za is a straight line that lies along the displacement direction when the operation knob 7 is pressed, that is, a straight line that lies along the Z direction.

[0019] The rubber member 5 has a base 51, a mounting portion 52, and a support wall portion 53. The rubber member 5 is an integrated component formed from a flexible elastic material such as rubber. The base 51 is a portion that is placed on the printed circuit board 4. The mounting portion 52 is a portion that supports the surface of the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 that faces the printed circuit board 4. The support wall portion 53 is a portion that connects the mounting portion 52 and the base 51. Furthermore, the support wall portion 53 is a portion that holds the mounting portion 52 at a position spaced above the base 51 and supports the mounting portion 52 and the key top 71 so that they can be displaced in the direction of the axis Za (up and down direction in the figure).

[0020] The mounting portion 52 of the rubber member 5 supports the operation knob 7 so that it can move back and forth in the direction of the axis Za. When the operation knob 7 is pressed and an operating force is input to move the operation knob 7 toward the printed circuit board 4, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 while deforming the support wall portion 53. The mounting portion 52 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 to a position (operating position) where the stopper portion 54 contacts the printed circuit board 4 (see FIG. 2B). When the operating force acting on the operation knob 7 is released, the restoring force of the support wall portion 53 displaces the mounting portion 52 in a direction away from the printed circuit board 4. The support wall portion 53 constantly applies a biasing force to the operation knob 7 in a direction that returns the operation knob 7 (key top 71) mounted on the mounting portion 52 to its initial position before displacement (see FIG. 2A).

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the peripheral wall 72 of the operation knob 7A has engagement portions 74, 74 on both sides in the X direction, which extend toward the printed circuit board 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the engagement portion 74 is a strip-shaped portion extending toward the printed circuit board 4 from the center of the peripheral wall 72 in the Y direction. An end 74a of the engagement portion 74 on the printed circuit board 4 side is located closer to the printed circuit board 4 (lower in the figure) than an end 72a of the peripheral wall 72 on the printed circuit board 4 side.

[0022] The engaging portion 74 has recesses 75, 75 recessed toward the key top 71 on both sides of the axis Za. The recesses 75, 75 open to the end 74a. The recesses 75, 75 are formed in a tapered shape that narrows in width in the Y direction as they move away from the end 74a toward the key top 71 (upper side in the figure). In the engaging portion 74, the recesses 75, 75 are spaced apart by a distance W75 that increases toward the key top 71.

[0023] A pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 on the movable member 9 side engage with the recesses 75, 75. The connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided to transmit displacement caused by pressing the operation knob 7 to the ring-shaped movable member 9 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1. FIG. 5A schematically shows a cross-section of the entire switch device 1 based on a cross-section of the switch device 1 taken along line A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 5B schematically shows a cross-section of the switch device 1 taken along line A-A in FIG. 5A.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5A , in the upper case 2, an annular movable member 9 is housed inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9 is housed in a state in which displacement in the Z direction is permitted. When viewed from the Z direction, the movable member 9 has a ring-shaped base portion 90 formed from a pair of first beam portions 901, 901 and a pair of second beam portions 902, 902. The first beam portions 901, 901 are arranged parallel to each other in a direction along the Y direction. The second beam portions 902, 902 are arranged parallel to each other in a direction along the X direction. The second beam portions 902, 902 connect the ends of the first beam portions 901, 901 to each other.

[0025] When viewed from the Z direction, the ring-shaped base 90 of the movable member 9 is disposed so as to surround the area where the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1 are provided. The base 90 is positioned in the X direction so that the centers of the X-direction of each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are aligned on the center line CX of the base 90 in the X direction. The movable member 9 is positioned inside the base 90 so that the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are aligned in the Y direction.

[0026] Inside the base 90, pairs of engagement portions 74, 74 of each operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) are positioned close to each other inside first beam portions 901, 901. Pairs of connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided at opposing portions of the first beam portions 901, 901. Four pairs of connecting pieces 91, 91 are provided on one first beam portion 901, with a gap between them in the Y direction. Four pairs of connecting pieces 91, 91 are also provided on the other first beam portion 901, with a gap between them in the Y direction.

[0027] The pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of one first beam portion 901 and the pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of the other first beam portion 901 are aligned in the Y direction. The number of pairs of connecting pieces 91, 91 of one first beam portion 901 and the pair of connecting pieces 91, 91 of the other first beam portion 901 is the same as the total number of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0028] The engaging portions 74 of the corresponding operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are placed on each of the pair of connecting pieces 91 (see FIG. 4). The movable member 9 is provided so as to be displaceable in the Z direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the movable member 9 is disposed closer to the operation knob 7A than the printed circuit board 4. In this state, the connecting pieces 91 on the movable member 9 side are engaged with the recesses 75 of the engaging portions 74 from the printed circuit board 4 side by the biasing force of the elastic member.

[0029] In the switch device 1, when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is pressed down toward the printed circuit board 4, the operation force acting on the operation knob 7 is transmitted from the engagement portion 74 to the movable member 9. As a result, the movable member 9 is displaced in the Z direction (the operation direction of the operation knob 7) in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7.

[0030] 5A, a pair of guide arms 92 are provided on the outer periphery of the second beam portion 902. The guide arms 92 protrude in the Y direction from the outer periphery of the second beam portion 902. The guide arms 92 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center line CX of the base portion 90 in the X direction. The guide arms 92 are inserted from the Y direction into recessed grooves 221 provided on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side.

[0031] 5B , a pair of grooves 221 are provided symmetrically about the center line CX on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 22 of the upper case 2. The grooves 221 have widths W221 in the X direction. The width W221 is slightly wider than the width W92 of the guide arm 92 (W221>W92).

[0032] The grooves 221 extend linearly downward toward the lower case 3 in the Z direction. The lower ends of the grooves 221 open to a step 223 on the upper case 2 side. The guide arms 92 are displaced in the Z direction inside the grooves 221 when the movable member 9 is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operation knob 7 toward the printed circuit board 4. The guide arms 92 are provided to prevent tilting of the movable member 9 when it is displaced in the Z direction and to guide its displacement in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the grooves 221 and the guide arms 92 constitute a tilt suppression mechanism 15.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5A , one first beam portion 901 of the movable member 9 has a support portion 95 for the magnet 10 provided at approximately the center in the Y direction. The support portion 95 has a pair of locking arms 951, 951 spaced apart in the Y direction. The locking arms 951, 951 are provided symmetrically across the center line CY of the first beam portion 901 in the Y direction. The locking arms 951, 951 extend linearly in the X direction. Claw portions 951a, 951a are provided at the tips of the locking arms 951, 951. The claw portions 951a, 951a protrude in directions approaching each other. The claw portions 951a, 951a are locked to a step portion 11 provided on the magnet 10. In this state, the magnet 10 is held between the claws 951a, 951a and the first beam 901, and is positioned in the opposing direction (X direction in the figure) of the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C).

[0034] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the arrangement of the magnet and the magnetic sensor. Fig. 6A schematically shows the positional relationship in the Z direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B when the operation knob 7 is in the initial position. Fig. 6B schematically shows the positional relationship in the Z direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8B when the operation knob 7 is in the operation position.

[0035] 6, the magnet 10 is oriented so that its north pole is on one side in the Z direction (the upper side in the figure) and its south pole is on the other side (the lower side in the figure). Note that the arrangement of the north and south poles may be reversed.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5A, magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged on the side of magnet 10, facing magnet 10. The surface 10a of magnet 10 facing magnetic sensor 8 has a basic shape that is flat and perpendicular to the facing direction (X direction in the figure) between magnet 10 and magnetic sensor 8. Facing surface 10a is the surface from which magnetic force is emitted, and has a width W10 in the Y direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are lined up at a predetermined interval in a direction (Y direction) along the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10. When viewed from the facing direction of the magnetic sensors 8 and magnet 10, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are positioned so as to overlap the magnet 10.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6A , the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) have a detection portion 81 and a leg portion 82 extending from the detection portion 81. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are supported by a common support 45. The leg portion 82 of each magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) penetrates the printed circuit board 4. The region of the leg portion 82 that penetrates the printed circuit board 4 is soldered to the rear surface of the printed circuit board 4. In this state, the detection surface 8a of each magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is positioned at a height h8 away from the printed circuit board 4. The support 45 is used to align the height positions of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) from the printed circuit board 4 while preventing tilting of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5A, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided with their detection surfaces 8a facing the magnet 10. The detection surfaces 8a of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are located on a common straight line Lm. The straight line Lm is a line that runs along the arrangement direction of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C). The straight line Lm is parallel to the opposing surface 10a, which is the surface from which the magnetic force of the magnet 10 is emitted. Therefore, the distance from the opposing surface 10a of the magnet 10 to each detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is set to be the same distance d.

[0040] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a processing unit for output signals from the magnetic sensor and the capacitance sensor. Fig. 7 shows one of the multiple fixed electrodes 6 as a representative. As shown in Fig. 7, an MCU 41 is mounted on the printed circuit board 4 as a control device. Each of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) is connected to terminals 41a, 41b, and 41c of the MCU 41 via wiring 42 (42a, 42b, and 42c) on the printed circuit board 4.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are sensors that detect a magnetic force oriented along the opposing direction between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (the X direction in the figure), and output a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force. When the operation knob 7 is pushed, the movable member 9 is displaced back and forth in the Z direction in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7. At this time, the magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9 is displaced from an initial position (see Fig. 6A) in which the S pole faces the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8 to an operating position (see Fig. 6B) in which the N pole faces the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8, and then returns to the initial position (see Fig. 6A).

[0042] As a result, the direction and strength of the magnetic force detected by the detection surface 8a of the magnetic sensor 8 change as the magnet 10 is displaced. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the magnet 10 is stationary in its initial position, the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed facing the south pole. In this state, the magnetic sensor 8 detects a magnetic force in a direction toward the magnet 10 (toward the left in the figure). When the magnet 10 is displaced from the state shown in FIG. 6A toward the printed circuit board 4, the magnet 10 reaches the operating position shown in FIG. 6B. When the magnet 10 is disposed in the operating position, the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed facing the north pole. In this state, the magnetic sensor 8 detects a magnetic force in a direction away from the magnet 10 (toward the right in the figure).

[0043] For example, if magnetic sensor 8 outputs a positive voltage value when magnet 10 is located at the initial position, magnetic sensor 8 outputs a negative voltage value when magnet 10 is located at the operating position. Therefore, when magnet 10 is displaced from the initial position toward the operating position in conjunction with the operation of operation knob 7, the magnetic force detected by magnetic sensor 8 changes, and the direction of the magnetic force detected by magnetic sensor 8 reverses at the timing when the boundary between the south pole and the north pole crosses the front of detection unit 81. In other words, the phase of the output voltage of magnetic sensor 8 reverses at the timing when the boundary between the south pole and the north pole crosses the front of detection unit 81.

[0044] When the magnet 10 moves back and forth in the Z direction, each magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) outputs a voltage value corresponding to the magnetic force detected by the detection surface 8a to the MCU 41. The MCU 41 can detect that one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated by detecting that the positive and negative of the input voltage value has been reversed (the phase has been reversed).

[0045] In the switch device 1 of this embodiment, when the operation knob 7 is pressed, the magnet 10 is displaced in the Z direction together with the movable member 9. The change in magnetic force at this time is detected, and it is determined that one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed. The fixed electrode 6 (see FIG. 2 ), which functions as a capacitance sensor, is then used to identify which of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed.

[0046] The fixed electrode 6 is a conductive metal member. As shown in FIG. 1C , the fixed electrodes 6 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). As shown in FIG. 2 , the fixed electrode 6 has a plate-shaped detection portion 61 and legs 62, 62 provided on both sides of the detection portion 61 in the width direction. The legs 62, 62 each extend to one side of the detection portion 61 in the thickness direction (the lower side in the figure). As shown in FIG. 2 , the fixed electrode 6 is attached to the surface of the printed circuit board 4 facing the operation knob 7. The legs 62, 62 of the fixed electrode 6 penetrate the printed circuit board 4 in the thickness direction. In the Z direction, the detection portion 61 is disposed between the printed circuit board 4 and the key top 71 of the operation knob 7, parallel to the printed circuit board 4 and the key top 71. An opening 610 is provided in the center of the detection portion 61. The opening 610 has an opening diameter large enough to allow the mounting portion 52 of the rubber member 5 to pass through. 1B , when viewed from the direction of the axis Za, the detection unit 61 is sized to overlap with the key top 71. When viewed from the direction of the axis Za, the detection unit 61 has an opening 610 in a region overlapping with the center of the key top 71.

[0047] 7, the legs 62, 62 of the fixed electrode 6 are positioned diagonally across the rectangular detection section 61. The legs 62, 62 are connected to terminals 41d, 41e of the MCU 41 via wiring 42 (42d, 42e). The MCU 41 constantly monitors changes in capacitance between the terminals 41d and 41e.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2 , when the operation knob 7A is pushed, the distance Dz in the X direction between the key top 71 and the detection unit 61 of the fixed electrode 6 changes (Dz → Dz': Dz > Dz'). As a result, the MCU 41 detects a change in capacitance between terminals 41d and 41e, which is different from the capacitance detected when the operation knob 7A is not being operated. While FIG. 7 shows only one fixed electrode 6 as an example, the same number of fixed electrodes 6 as the number of operation knobs 7A are installed on the printed circuit board 4 (see FIG. 1 ). Each fixed electrode 6 is connected to a different terminal of the MCU 41. Therefore, the MCU 41 identifies the fixed electrode 6 whose capacitance has changed. This allows the MCU 41 to determine that the operation knob 7 facing the identified fixed electrode 6 is the operation knob 7 that was actually operated.

[0049] Here, the MCU 41 constantly monitors the change in capacitance between the terminal 41d and the terminal 41e of each fixed electrode 6. Therefore, if an abnormality is found in the capacitance value even though operation of the control knob 7 is not confirmed from the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the fixed electrode 6 (electrostatic sensor) whose capacitance value is abnormal.

[0050] The processing in the MCU 41 will be described below. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing in the MCU 41. The MCU 41 repeatedly executes processing to check whether or not the operation knob 7 has been operated while power is being supplied from the vehicle side in which the switch device 1 is mounted. First, the MCU 41 checks whether or not any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pushed based on the output signal (output voltage) of the magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (step S101).

[0051] Specifically, when the voltage value input from the magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) fluctuates and a reversal of the positive and negative voltage values ​​is confirmed, the MCU 41 determines that one of the operating knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated.

[0052] Here, (a) if the positive and negative voltage values ​​are inverted in the output voltages of all the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), it may be determined that one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated. Also, (b) if the positive and negative voltage values ​​are inverted in the output voltages of at least two of the magnetic sensors 8, it may be determined that one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated. (c) If the positive and negative voltage values ​​are inverted in the output voltages of some of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) and the positive and negative voltage values ​​are not inverted in the output voltages of the remaining magnetic sensors, it is preferable to use the result of the larger number. Therefore, it is preferable that the total number of magnetic sensors 8 is an odd number.

[0053] When a push operation of any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is detected from the output signal (output voltage) of the magnetic sensor 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (step S101, Yes), the MCU 41 checks whether or not a push operation has been performed on any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) from the output of each fixed electrode 6 that functions as a capacitance sensor.

[0054] As an example, the MCU 41 checks whether or not there is any fixed electrode 6 among the multiple fixed electrodes 6 in which the capacitance detected by the MCU 41 has changed and the amount of change ΔI has exceeded the threshold value Tha. If there is any fixed electrode 6 in which the amount of change ΔI has exceeded the threshold value Tha, it determines that the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated.

[0055] When a push operation of the operating knob 7 (7A to 7D) is detected from the output of each fixed electrode 6 (step S102, Yes), the MCU 41 checks whether the total number of fixed electrodes 6 (target electrodes) whose change amount ΔI exceeds the threshold value Tha is "1" (step S103).

[0056] If the total number of fixed electrodes 6 identified as target electrodes is "1" (step S103, Yes), the MCU 41 identifies which of the multiple manipulation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) corresponds to the fixed electrode 6 identified as the target electrode (step S104). In this embodiment, the fixed electrodes 6 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the manipulation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), so that the manipulated manipulation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified by identifying the target electrode.

[0057] The MCU 41 then outputs information indicating the identified operation knob to the vehicle-side control device (step S105), and then returns to the processing of step S101. Here, the information indicating the operation knob may simply be an identifier for identifying each of the operation knobs 7A to 7D. Alternatively, it may be information indicating the function assigned to the operation knob. It may also be both information indicating the identifier and the function. Information items included in the output information can be added or changed as appropriate in response to requests from the vehicle-side device to which the output signal of the switch device 1 is sent.

[0058] As a result, the vehicle-side control device realizes the function assigned to the identified operation knob. For example, if the function assigned to the identified operation knob is forward driving (D), the vehicle's driving mode is changed to a forward driving mode that allows the vehicle to drive forward.

[0059] In the above-described step S103, if the total number of fixed electrodes 6 identified as target electrodes is not "1," for example, if it is "2" or more, the process returns to step S101. For example, if two or more operation knobs 7 are pressed simultaneously, the two fixed electrodes 6 corresponding to the pressed operation knobs 7 are extracted as target electrodes. Here, if multiple operation knobs 7 are pressed simultaneously, there is a high possibility that this is an erroneous operation, so the process returns to step S101 to wait for the operation knob 7 to be operated again.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of processing by the MCU 41. The flowchart in FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the magnetic sensor 8 detects the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), and then the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor confirms the detection of the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D). As shown in FIG. 9, the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor may detect the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), and then the magnetic sensor 8 confirms the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D). Steps S201 to S203 in FIG. 9 correspond to steps S102 to S104 in FIG. 8. Step S204 in FIG. 9 corresponds to step S101 in FIG. 8. Step S205 in FIG. 9 corresponds to step S105 in FIG. 8.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of the ring-shaped movable member 9. However, any member that can be displaced in conjunction with the operation of each operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) and to which the magnet 10 can be attached, such as a columnar rod or a band-shaped plate, can be appropriately selected.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the displacement of the movable member 9, which is displaced in conjunction with the operation of the operation knob 7, is approximately equal to the displacement caused by the pushing operation of the operation knob 7. For example, a speed-increasing gear train may be interposed to amplify and transmit the Z-direction displacement of the operation knob 7 to another linearly moving member via a gear train, and the displacement of the magnet 10 attached to the linearly moving member may be detected by the magnetic sensor 8. In such a case, the Z-direction displacement of the operation knob 7 can be suppressed while ensuring the magnet stroke length necessary for the magnetic sensor 8 to detect changes in magnetic force. This allows the magnetic sensor 8 to perform appropriate detection while suppressing the thickness of the entire switch device in the Z direction. Furthermore, since the magnet stroke length can be secured, it is expected that cheaper ferrite magnets can be used instead of expensive neodymium magnets.

[0063] In this case, the displacement direction of the linear moving member is not limited to the displacement direction (Z direction) of the operation knob 7. For example, the displacement direction of the linear moving member may be the Y direction or the X direction. In this case, the thickness of the switch device in the Z direction can be further reduced.

[0064] 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating a switch device 1A employing a movable member 9A according to a modified example. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A taken along a plane along the movable member 9A. FIG. 10B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A taken along line A-A in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of region C in FIG. 10B, illustrating a change in the relative positional relationship between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A taken along line B-B in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the operation knob 7D of the switch device 1A is pushed from the initial position in FIG. 11A to the operation position.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 10A , in the upper case 2, an annular movable member 9A is housed inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9A has a ring-shaped base portion 90A formed from a cylindrical first shaft portion 905, a cylindrical second shaft portion 906, and a pair of connecting beams 907, 907. The connecting beams 907, 907 are arranged parallel to each other and oriented along the X direction. The first shaft portion 905 and the second shaft portion 906 are arranged parallel to each other and oriented along the Y direction. One and the other longitudinal ends of the first shaft portion 905 and the second shaft portion 906 are connected to the connecting beams 907, 907.

[0066] When viewed from the Z direction, the base 90A of the movable member 9A is disposed so as to surround the area where the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1 are provided. The movable member 9A is positioned inside the base 90A so that the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are arranged side by side in the Y direction.

[0067] A pair of hinge portions 96, 96 is fitted onto the first shaft portion 905. The hinge portions 96, 96 are spaced apart in the Y direction. The hinge portions 96, 96 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center line CY of the base portion 90A in the Y direction. The hinge portions 96, 96 are fixed to the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the upper case 2.

[0068] The first shaft 905 penetrates support holes 96a, 96a of the hinge portions 96, 96 in the Y direction. The first shaft 905 is rotatably supported by the hinge portions 96, 96. Therefore, the movable member 9A can rotate about an axis Y1 along the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 905. In the movable member 9A, at least one of the second shaft 906 and the connecting beam 907 is supported by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). Therefore, when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is not being pressed, the base 90A of the movable member 9A is normally positioned in a direction along the horizontal line HL due to the biasing force acting from the elastic member (see FIG. 10B).

[0069] A support portion 95 for the magnet 10 is provided in the approximate center of the second shaft portion 906 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 10B , the support portion 95 is fitted onto and fixed to the second shaft portion 906. The support portion 95 is provided oriented along the Z direction. The support portion 95 extends along the side of the printed circuit board 4 in a direction away from the second shaft portion 906 (downward in the figure). When viewed from the X direction, a portion of the lower portion of the support portion 95 overlaps with the printed circuit board 4. A magnet 10 is provided on the printed circuit board 4 side of the support portion 95 (left side in the figure). The magnet 10 is oriented so that its north pole is located on one side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure) and its south pole is located on the other side (lower side in the figure).

[0070] On the printed circuit board 4, the magnetic sensor 8 is disposed to the side of the magnet 10, facing the magnet 10 (see FIG. 10C). Although not shown in the drawings, in this modification, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are lined up at a predetermined interval in the direction along the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10 (Y direction).

[0071] The operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1A have the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment. Here, the operation knob 7D will be described as a representative example. As shown in FIG. 11A , a locking portion 76 is provided on the peripheral wall portion 72 of the operation knob 7D on the second shaft portion 906 side in the X direction (the right side in the figure). The locking portion 76 is oriented along the key top 71. One end 76a of the locking portion 76 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 72. The other end 76b of the locking portion 76 crosses the second shaft portion 906 in the X direction and reaches a position that reaches the end 907a of the connecting beam 907. The locking portion 76 is oriented along the horizontal line HL and is placed on the second shaft portion 906 from the Y direction.

[0072] In the switch device 1A, when the operation knob 7D is pressed and an operating force is input to move the operation knob 7D toward the printed circuit board 4, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 deforms the support wall portion 53 of the rubber member 5 and displaces toward the printed circuit board 4 to a position where the stopper portion 54 contacts the printed circuit board 4 (operating position: see FIG. 11B ). At this time, the second shaft portion 906 of the movable member 9A is pushed by the locking portion 76 on the operation knob 7D side and rotates circumferentially about the axis Y1, displacing toward the printed circuit board 4. As a result, the second shaft portion 906 of the movable member 9A reaches a position below the horizontal line HL. Here, because the first shaft portion 905 is supported at two points by the pair of hinge portions 96, 96, tilt in the Y direction when the second shaft portion 906 is displaced in the Z direction is suppressed. In this modification, the pair of hinge portions 96, 96 constitute a tilt suppression mechanism 15.

[0073] During this process, the relative positional relationship of the magnet 10 supported by the support portion 95 of the second shaft portion 906 with the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) changes from the positional relationship shown on the left side of FIG. 10C to the positional relationship shown on the right side. As a result, the direction of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) reverses from the positional relationship shown on the left side of FIG. 10C to the positional relationship shown on the right side. As a result, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the MPU 41 can detect that any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed.

[0074] FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating a switch device 1B employing a movable member 9B according to another modification. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B taken along the movable member 9B. FIG. 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the switch device 1A taken along line A-A in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12C is an enlarged view of region D in FIG. 12B, illustrating changes in the relative positional relationship between the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensor 8. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B taken along line B-B in FIG. 12A. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating the displacement of the guide piece 97 when one of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is pushed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the switch device 1B taken along line C-C in FIG. 12A.

[0075] 12A, in the upper case 2, a movable member 9B is housed inside the peripheral wall portion 22. The movable member 9B is a rod-shaped member composed of a cylindrical shaft portion 908. The movable member 9B is provided so as to be displaceable in the Z direction by an elastic member such as a spring (not shown). The movable member 9B is provided along the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22, oriented along the Y direction. In the switch device 1B, the movable member 9B is positioned so as to be arranged next to each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) in the Y direction.

[0076] A pair of guide pieces 97, 97 and a support portion 95 are fitted onto the shaft portion 908 of the movable member 9B. The guide pieces 97, 97 are arranged at a distance from each other in the Y direction. The pair of guide pieces 97, 97 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the center line CY of the movable member 9B (shaft portion 908) in the Y direction. Note that three or more guide pieces 97 may be provided on the movable member 9B.

[0077] The support portion 95 is located between a pair of guide pieces 97, 97. In this embodiment, the support portion 95 is positioned at a position overlapping the center line CY. As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C , the support portion 95 is fitted onto and fixed to the shaft portion 908. The support portion 95 is oriented along the Z direction. The support portion 95 extends along the side of the printed circuit board 4 in a direction away from the shaft portion 908 (downward in the figure). When viewed from the X direction, a portion of the lower part of the support portion 95 overlaps with the printed circuit board 4. A magnet 10 is provided on the printed circuit board 4 side of the support portion 95 (left side in the figure). The magnet 10 is oriented so that its north pole is located on one side in the Z direction (upper side in the figure) and its south pole is located on the other side (lower side in the figure).

[0078] On the printed circuit board 4, magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged to the sides of the magnet 10, facing the magnet 10 (see FIG. 12C). Although not shown in the figures, in this modified example, three magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided for one magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are lined up at predetermined intervals in the direction along the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10 (Y direction).

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12A , the guide piece 97 has a base 971 that is fitted onto the movable member 9B. An insertion hole 97a is provided at one end of the base 971. The insertion hole 97a penetrates the base 971 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 13A , the base 971 of the guide piece 97 is a rectangular prism-shaped member. The base 971 is oriented along a horizontal line HL that is perpendicular to the central axis Y2 of the movable member 9B. A tip 97c of the base 971 faces the peripheral wall portion 22 of the upper case 2 with a gap therebetween. In the base 90 of the movable member 9B, rotation of the guide piece 97 around the central axis Y2 is restricted so that the guide piece 97 is always oriented along the horizontal line HL.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12A , the tip 97c of the guide piece 97 is inserted into a guide groove 341 between a pair of guide walls 34. The guide walls 34 protrude inward from the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the lower case 3. The guide walls 34 are spaced apart by a distance W34 in the Y direction. This distance W34 is wider than the width W97 of the guide piece 97 in the Y direction (W34 > W97). As shown in FIG. 13B , the guide groove 341 is provided along the Z direction within a range of a height h341 in the Z direction that extends to the bottom wall portion 31 of the lower case 3.

[0081] In this modification, the movable member 9B is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 in conjunction with the operation of pressing the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) toward the printed circuit board 4. At this time, the guide pieces 97 on the movable member 9B side move along the guide grooves 341, thereby guiding the movement of the movable member 9B in the Z direction. In addition, the guide grooves 341 are provided at intervals in the Y direction, thereby suppressing tilting of the movable member 9B when it is displaced. In this modification, the guide pieces 97 on the movable member 9B side and the guide grooves 341 constitute the tilt suppression mechanism 15.

[0082] The operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) of the switch device 1B have the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment. Here, the operation knob 7D will be described as a representative example. As shown in FIG. 14 , a locking portion 76 is provided on the peripheral wall portion 72 of the operation knob 7D on the side of the shaft portion 908 in the X direction (the right side in the figure). The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the key top 71. One end 76a of the locking portion 76 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 72. The other end 76b of the locking portion 76 reaches a position across the shaft portion 908 in the X direction. The locking portion 76 is provided in a direction along the horizontal line HL and is placed on the shaft portion 908 from the Y direction.

[0083] In the switch device 1B, when an operating force is input to move the operation knob 7D toward the printed circuit board 4 by pressing the operation knob 7D, the key top 71 of the operation knob 7 is displaced toward the printed circuit board 4 while deforming the support wall portion 53. At this time, the shaft portion 908 of the movable member 9B is pushed by the locking portion 76 on the operation knob 7D side and displaces toward the printed circuit board 4 in the Z direction. As a result, the shaft portion 908 side of the movable member 9B is displaced below the initial horizontal line HL. In other words, the locking portion 76 is provided to displace the movable member 9B in conjunction with the displacement of the operation knob 7 (7A-7D) toward the printed circuit board 4. Here, because the locking portion 76 of each operation knob 7 (7A-7D) is placed on the movable member 9B, the movable member 9B can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7, regardless of which operation knob 7 (7A-7D) is operated.

[0084] 13B, at this time, the guide piece 97, with its tip 97c inserted between the pair of guide walls 34, 34, is also displaced toward the printed circuit board 4. Here, the guide piece 97 is inserted between the pair of guide walls 34, 34. Therefore, when the operation knob 7D located at the end of the switch device 1B is pressed, the possibility that the operation knob 7D side of the movable member 9B (the right side in FIG. 12A) will be tilted more toward the printed circuit board 4 than the operation knob 7A side (the left side in FIG. 12A) that is not pressed is reduced.

[0085] During this displacement of the movable member 9B, the relative positional relationship of the magnet 10 supported by the support portion 95 with the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) changes from the positional relationship shown on the left side of FIG. 12C to the positional relationship shown on the right side. As a result, the direction of the magnetic force detected by the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) reverses from the positional relationship shown on the left side of FIG. 12C to the positional relationship shown on the right side. This allows the MCU 41 to detect that any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been pressed, as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor is used to detect the operation of the operation knob 7. Instead of this detection method using a change in capacitance, an inductive sensor (inductive proximity sensor) may be used to detect the operation of the operation knob 7.

[0087] As an example, an inductive sensor is composed of a sensor coil provided on the printed circuit board 4 at a position facing the operation knob 7, and a metal or conductor provided on the operation knob 7 at a position facing the sensor coil. In this case, a high-frequency signal is supplied to the sensor coil to generate an electromagnetic field around the sensor coil. When the operation knob 7 is operated and the metal or conductor approaches the electromagnetic field, the inductance of the sensor coil changes. Therefore, by detecting this change in inductance, the operation of the operation knob 7 can be detected.

[0088] Furthermore, instead of the fixed electrodes 6 functioning as capacitance sensors, films with printed electrodes may be attached to the backside of each of the operation knobs 7 (7A, 7B, 7C). In this case, by connecting the film-like electrodes to the wiring on the printed circuit board 4 via a flat cable or the like, the MCU 41 can detect changes in capacitance and identify the operated operation knob 7.

[0089] Furthermore, instead of the legs 62 of the fixed electrode 6 functioning as a capacitance sensor, the fixed electrode 6 may be ultimately connected to the MCU 41 via a flat cable or a spring.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the magnetic sensor is a sensor that outputs a voltage value corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force. However, the magnetic sensor may be a latching Hall sensor IC that outputs a digital signal corresponding to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the magnetic sensor 8 has legs and the detection unit 81 is positioned away from the printed circuit board 4 in the direction of the axis Za. In addition, in the above-described modified example, instead of the magnetic sensor 8, a plurality of magnetic sensors surface-mounted on a single board are used to detect changes in magnetic force due to displacement of the magnet 10 in the direction of the axis Za. The boards supporting the magnetic sensors 8 may be a plurality of boards on the same plane.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, all of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are provided with their sensing surfaces 8a facing the magnet 10. The magnetic sensors 8 may also be configured to include a sensing element with its sensing surface 8a facing the magnet 10 and a sensing element with its sensing surface 8a facing away from the magnet 10. In this case, it is preferable that the distance d between the sensing surface 8a of each magnetic sensor 8 and the opposing surface 10a of the magnet 10 is the same. In this case, by arranging at least one magnetic sensor with its sensing surface 8a facing away from the magnet 10, the output voltage of the magnetic sensor with its sensing surface 8a facing away from the magnet 10 will be in opposite phase to the output voltages of the other magnetic sensors. Therefore, if an abnormality is detected in the output voltage of any of the magnetic sensors, the magnetic sensor causing the problem can be identified by comparing the output voltages with different phases. This allows the operation of the operating knob 7 to be determined from the output signals (output voltages) of the other magnetic sensors excluding the identified magnetic sensor.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic sensor 8 outputs a positive voltage value when the magnet 10 is in the initial position and a negative voltage value when the magnet 10 is in the operating position. The magnetic sensor 8 may output a positive voltage value both when the magnet 10 is in the initial position and when the magnet 10 is in the operating position. For example, the output voltage when the magnet 10 is in the initial position may be higher than the output voltage when the magnet 10 is in the operating position. In this case, the operation of any of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) can be detected when the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 8 changes across an intermediate value between the output voltage value when the magnet 10 is in the initial position and the output voltage value when the magnet 10 is in the operating position.

[0094] As described above, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment has the following configuration. (1) The switch device 1 includes: a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) (operated parts) that can be independently displaced in the same direction along the axis Za; a movable member 9 that displaces in the Za direction in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operation knob 7 regardless of which of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated; a magnet 10 attached to the movable member 9; a plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) (detection elements) that are arranged opposite the magnet 10 in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member 9; operation sensors (fixed electrodes 6) that are provided one-to-one with the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) and detect the operation of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D); and an MCU 41 as a processing unit that identifies the operated operation knob 7 of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) based on output signals from the plurality of magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) and the output signal from the operation sensor (fixed electrode 6).

[0095] With this configuration, it is possible to identify which of the operation knobs 7 has been operated from the output signals of the multiple magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C), and it is possible to identify which of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has been operated from the output signal of the operation sensor (fixed electrode 6). Here, when providing a switch device 1 having multiple independently displaceable operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the total number of magnets and magnetic sensors (detection elements) can be reduced compared to when a magnet 10 and multiple magnetic sensors 8 are provided for each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) to identify the operated operation knob 7. This makes it possible to provide a switch device 1 having multiple independently displaceable operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) while keeping the manufacturing cost of the switch device 1 low.

[0096] (2) In the above (1), the operation sensor has a fixed electrode 6 disposed on the displacement side (on the printed circuit board 4 side) when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is operated, with a gap between it and the key top 71 of the operation knob 7. The MPU 41 is a capacitance sensor (electrostatic sensor) that identifies the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) based on a change in capacitance caused by the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) approaching the fixed electrode 6.

[0097] With this configuration, the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified by adding the fixed electrode 6 to the printed circuit board 4. Therefore, the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) can be identified with an inexpensive configuration. Furthermore, (a) even if the magnetic sensor 8 detects physical displacement of the movable member 9, if the capacitance sensor does not confirm operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), the operated operation knob 7 is not identified. Therefore, even if an operation knob is erroneously operated due to a collision with an object, the possibility of erroneously determining that the operation knob 7 has been operated can be reduced. Furthermore, (b) even if the capacitance sensor confirms operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), if the magnetic sensor 8 does not detect physical displacement of the movable member 9, the operated operation knob 7 is not identified. If neither a change in capacitance nor physical displacement of the movable member 9 is confirmed, the operated operation knob 7 is not identified. Therefore, the possibility of erroneously determining that the operation knob 7 has been operated can be reduced.

[0098] (I) In the above (2), when the capacitance sensor detects the operation of multiple operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) at the same time, the MPC 41 does not identify the operated operation knob 7.

[0099] When a plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are pressed at the same time, it is possible to preferably prevent the operated operation knob from being erroneously identified.

[0100] (3) In the above (2) or (I), a rubber member 5 (mounting portion 52: elastic member) that supports the operation knob 7 so that the operation knob 7 can be displaced in the direction of the axis Xa is provided on the printed circuit board 4 that supports the fixed electrode 6, on the side facing the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D). The fixed electrode 6 has a plate-shaped detection portion 61 that is arranged parallel to the key top 71 of the operation knob 7. The detection portion 61 has an opening 610 that prevents interference with the mounting portion 52.

[0101] With this configuration, the reciprocating displacement of each of the multiple operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) in the direction of the axis Xa can be achieved by the rubber member 5 (elastic member) without significantly reducing the area of ​​the detection unit 61 facing the key top 71. As a result, while having multiple operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) that can be displaced independently, it is possible to identify the operated operation knob 7 (7A to 7D).

[0102] (II) In the above (3), when viewed from the direction of the axis Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), the detection unit 61 of the fixed electrode 6 is large enough to overlap with the key top 71. When viewed from the direction of the axis Za, the detection unit 61 has an opening 610 in an area overlapping with the center of the key top 71.

[0103] With this configuration, the center of the operation knob 7 (keytop 71) can be supported by the mounting portion 52 of the rubber member 5. This improves the support stability of the operation knob 7 compared to when the peripheral edge of the keytop 71 is supported. Furthermore, it reduces the possibility that the operation knob 7 will be displaced while tilted relative to the axis Za when pressed down. Furthermore, it is possible to make the operation feel uniform across all of the operation knobs 7A to 7D when pressing the keytop 71. Furthermore, the fixed electrode 6, except for a central region (the region of the opening 610), faces the keytop 71 in the Z direction. This ensures an effective facing area with the detection unit 61 on the keytop 71, making it possible to appropriately detect changes in capacitance due to operation of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0104] (III) In (II) above, the rubber member 5 is an integral part having a cylindrical mounting portion 52, a base portion 51 placed on the printed circuit board 4, and a support wall portion 53 that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the mounting portion. The support wall portion 53 connects the outer periphery of the mounting portion 52 to the base portion 51 and supports the mounting portion 52 at a position spaced from the operation knob 7 so that the mounting portion 52 can be displaced in the direction of the axis Xa. The rubber member 5 is provided with at least the same number of combinations of mounting portions 52 and support wall portions 53 as the number of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D).

[0105] With this configuration, the displacement of each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) in the direction of the axis Za can be managed by a single rubber member 5. Compared to a case where a combination of a mounting portion 52 and a support wall portion 53 is provided for each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), the switch device 1 can be provided with a cheaper configuration.

[0106] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3) and (I) to (III), the switch device 1, 1A, 1B includes a tilt suppression mechanism 15 that suppresses tilt of the movable member 9, 9A, 9B when it is displaced.

[0107] When the operated operation knob 7 is positioned at an end of the multiple lined-up operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D), there is a possibility that the movable members 9, 9A, and 9B will be displaced in a state tilted with respect to the axis Za. By providing the tilt suppression mechanism 15, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the movable members 9, 9A, and 9B will be displaced in a state tilted with respect to the axis Za.

[0108] (IV) In (4) above, as shown in Fig. 5 , the tilt suppression mechanism 15 restricts at least one of the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the axis Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7, the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7, and the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the line CY perpendicular to the line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 is composed of a pair of guide arms 92, 92 protruding in the Y direction from second beam portions 902 located on both sides of the movable member 9 in the line CX direction, and a pair of grooves 221, 221 provided on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side. When viewed from the direction of the axis Za, the pair of guide arms 92, 92 and the pair of grooves 221, 221 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line CX of the base portion 90 in the X direction. The guide arms 92, 92 are inserted into the recessed grooves 221, 221 from the Y direction (see FIG. 5).

[0109] With this configuration, the possibility that the movable member 9 will be displaced in a state inclined with respect to the axis Za can be reduced.

[0110] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4) and (I) to (IV), the movable member 9 is provided with one magnet 10. At least two magnetic sensors 8 are provided.

[0111] With this configuration, even if an abnormality occurs in at least one of the magnetic sensors, the operation of the operating knob 7 can be detected from the output signals of the remaining magnetic sensors. This provides the switch device 1 with high redundancy.

[0112] (V) In (5) above, the facing surface 10a of the magnet 10, which is the surface from which the magnetic force is emitted, has a predetermined width W10 in the Y direction, which is the direction perpendicular to the facing direction of the magnet 10 and the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C). The magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are arranged at intervals in the Y direction.

[0113] With this configuration, even if some of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are impaired, it is possible to determine whether the operation knob 7 is being operated from the output voltage of the remaining unimpaired magnetic sensors. Therefore, even if a problem occurs in one of the magnetic sensors 8, it will not affect the detection of whether the operation knob 7 is being operated. This improves the robustness of the magnetic sensors 8 against interference.

[0114] (VI) In the above (V), the magnetic sensor 8 includes a detection element with its detection surface 8 a facing the magnet 10 and an opposite detection element with its detection surface 8 a facing away from the magnet 10. The total number of the multiple magnetic sensors 8 is at least three.

[0115] With this configuration, at least one magnetic sensor 8B is positioned with its sensing surface 8a facing away from the magnet 10. The phases of the output signals of the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C, whose sensing surfaces 8a face the magnet 10, are reversed from those of the magnetic sensor 8B, whose sensing surface 8a faces away from the magnet 10. Therefore, the phases of the output signals of the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C, whose sensing surfaces 8a face the magnet 10, are different from those of the magnetic sensor 8B, whose sensing surface 8a faces away from the magnet 10. By comparing the output signals with different phases, it is possible to determine whether a malfunction has occurred in either the magnetic sensors 8A and 8C, whose sensing surfaces 8a face the magnet 10, or the magnetic sensor 8B, whose sensing surface 8a faces away from the magnet 10. By providing at least three magnetic sensors 8, it is possible to identify which magnetic sensor is malfunctioning by changing the combination of output signals to be compared. Whether the operating knob 7 is being operated can be determined from the output signals of the remaining magnetic sensors, excluding the identified magnetic sensor.

[0116] (VII) In the above (VI), the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are aligned in the direction of the axis Za and are arranged with the distance d from the surface of the magnet 10 (opposing surface 10a) aligned.

[0117] With this configuration, the output voltages (output signals) of the magnetic sensors 8 (8A, 8B, 8C) are generally the same, making it easy to compare the output signals of the magnetic sensors 8.

[0118] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) to (VII) above, the movable member 9B is a rod-shaped member that is oriented along the printed circuit board 4 and is displaceable in the Z direction along the operation direction of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). The multiple operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the movable member 9B. Each of the multiple operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has a locking portion 76 that is an operator of the movable member.

[0119] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a movable member 9 with a simple configuration that displaces in the Za direction in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operating knob 7, regardless of which of the multiple operating knobs 7 (7A to 7D) is operated.

[0120] (VIII) In (5) above, the movable member 9B is provided with a pair of guide pieces 97, 97 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. Each of the guide pieces 97, 97 is inserted into a guide groove 341 that extends along the displacement direction (Z direction) of the movable member 9B. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 is composed of the guide pieces 97, 97 and the guide grooves 341, 341.

[0121] With this configuration, when an operating knob located at the end of the multiple operating knobs 7 (7A to 7D) lined up along the longitudinal direction of the movable member 9B, for example, operating knobs 7A and 7D, is operated, the possibility of the movable member 9D being displaced in an inclined state relative to the horizontal line can be reduced.

[0122] (7) In any one of (1) to (5) and (I) to (VII) above, the movable member 9A is an annular member that surrounds the area where the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is provided and is displaceable in the direction of operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D). In the movable member 9A, one of a pair of shafts (a first shaft 905 and a second shaft 906) facing each other with the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) therebetween, the first shaft 905, is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis Y1 along the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 905. A magnet 10 is attached to the other, the second shaft 906. Each of the operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D) has a locking portion 76 that is an operator that displaces the second shaft 906 in conjunction with operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D).

[0123] This configuration prevents the switch device from becoming larger in size in the direction of operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D), while ensuring the amount of displacement of the magnet 10 when the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) is operated. This allows the operation of the operation knob 7 (7A to 7D) to be properly detected using the magnetic sensor 8 (8A to 8C).

[0124] (IX) In (7) above, as shown in Fig. 10, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 restricts at least one of the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the axis Za along the displacement direction of the operation knob 7 and the tilt of the movable member 9 with respect to the line CY perpendicular to the line CX along the arrangement direction of the operation knobs 7. As an example, the tilt suppression mechanism 15 is composed of one first shaft portion 905 of the movable member 9A and a pair of hinge portions 96, 96 fixed to the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 22 on the upper case 2 side. The pair of hinge portions 96, 96 are provided in a symmetrical positional relationship with the line CY in between.

[0125] With this configuration, the possibility that the movable member 9 will be displaced in a state inclined with respect to the axis Za can be reduced.

[0126] (8) In any one of (1) to (7) and (I) to (VIII) above, a different function is assigned to each of the plurality of operation knobs 7 (7A to 7D). The assigned functions are modes related to stopping and running of the vehicle.

[0127] As an example, if the switch device 1 is configured such that functions such as parking (P), reverse driving (R), neutral (N), and forward driving (D) are assigned to the operation knobs 7A to 7D, respectively, it is possible to provide a highly redundant and inexpensive switch device 1.

[0128] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the invention.

[0129] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B: Switch device 2: Upper case 21: Upper wall portion 22: Peripheral wall portion 221: Groove 23: Opening 233: Guide groove 3: Lower case 4: Printed circuit board 41: MPU 5: Rubber member 51: Base portion 52: Placement portion 53: Support wall portion 54: Stopper portion 6: Fixed electrode 61: Detection portion 610: Opening 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, 7D): Operation knob 71: Key top 72: Peripheral wall portion 73: Guide piece 74: Engagement portion 75: Recess 76: Locking portion 8 (8A, 8B, 8C): Magnetic sensor 81: Detection portion 82: Leg portion 9, 9A, 9B: Movable member 90: Base portion 901: First beam portion 902: Second beam portion 905: First support shaft 906: Second support shaft 907: Connecting beam 91: Connecting piece 92: Guide arm 95: Support portion 951: Locking arm 97: Connecting portion 10: Magnet 10a: Opposing surface 15: Tilt suppression mechanism Za: Axis

Claims

1. A switch device comprising: a plurality of independently displaceable operated parts; a movable member which displaces in conjunction with the displacement of the operated operated part regardless of which of the plurality of operated parts is operated; a magnet attached to the movable member; a plurality of detection elements arranged facing the magnet in the radial direction of the displacement direction of the movable member; an operation sensor which is provided one-to-one on the plurality of operated parts and detects the operation of the operated parts; and a processing unit which identifies which of the plurality of operated parts has been operated based on output signals from the plurality of detection elements and the output signal from the operation sensor.

2. A switch device according to claim 1, wherein the operation sensor has a fixed electrode arranged with a gap between it and the operated part on the displacement side of the operated part when the operated part is operated, and the processing unit is a capacitance sensor that identifies the operated operated part based on a change in capacitance caused by the operated operated part approaching the fixed electrode.

3. A switch device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an elastic member supporting the operated part in a displaceable manner on the side of the substrate supporting the fixed electrode opposite the operated part, the fixed electrode having a plate-shaped detection part disposed opposite the operated part, and an opening provided in the detection part to avoid interference with the elastic member.

4. A switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a tilt suppression mechanism for suppressing tilt when the movable member is displaced.

5. A switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the magnets is attached to the movable member, and at least two of the detection elements are provided.

6. A switch device according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is a rod-shaped member displaceable in the operating direction of the operated portion, and each of the plurality of operated portions has an operator of the movable member.

7. A switch device according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is an annular member which surrounds the area in which the operated parts are provided and which is displaceable in the direction of operation of the operated parts, and in the movable member, one of a pair of shaft parts which face each other with the multiple operated parts in between is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis along the longitudinal direction of the shaft parts, and the magnet is attached to the other of the pair of shaft parts, and each of the multiple operated parts has an operator which displaces the other shaft part in conjunction with the operation of the operated part.

8. The switch device according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of operated parts is assigned a different function, and the functions are modes related to stopping and running of the vehicle.

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