JP2019050116A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch device capable of stably detecting a selection state of a switch.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 comprises: a selector member 40 which is rotatable around a rim 120 so as to select any one rotation position from among rotation positions A-D corresponding to multiple commands; a metal piece 47 which is rotated around the rim 120 together with the selector member 40; an electrostatic capacity monitor part 71 for detecting a change in electrostatic capacity caused by the metal piece 47 that is moved with the rotation of the selector member 40; a rotation position detection part 72 for detecting a rotation position of the selector member 40 based on the change in the electrostatic capacity that is detected by the electrostatic capacity monitor part 71; and a command determination part 73 for determining that a command corresponding to a rotation position of the selector member 40 which is detected by the rotation position detection part 72 is inputted when button operations of button parts 41-44 are detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device, and more particularly to a switch device that can be mounted around a shaft body such as a steering rim of a car.

  In recent years, various additional functions are required for vehicles, and electronic devices mounted in vehicles are also increasing. Recently, an automatic driving function of a car is also being realized. For this reason, the number of switches required to operate and control the functions of electronic devices and automatic driving is also increasing. On the other hand, since the range in which the driver can operate during driving is limited, it is also possible to use a rotary switch to enable operation or control of a plurality of functions with one switch (for example, Patent Document 1).

  A conventional rotary switch selects a specific function from a plurality of functions by rotating a rotatable portion around a central axis of the fixed portion, but the terminal of the rotating portion and the terminal of the fixed portion Because of the configuration of electrical connection, it is necessary to form an electric circuit also in the rotating part. However, forming an electrical circuit on a rotating member such as a rotating unit is not desirable. In addition, since the terminal of the rotating part and the terminal of the fixed part are in mechanical contact, the contact is worn due to the rotation of the rotating part and a good electrical connection can not be obtained, and the state of the switch can not be detected stably. It is conceivable.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-521959

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch device capable of stably detecting the selection state of the switch.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a switch device capable of stably detecting the selection state of the switch. The switch device comprises a selector member rotatable around the shaft so as to select any one of a plurality of rotational positions corresponding to a plurality of commands, and around the shaft together with the selector member. An electrostatic capacitance detection unit for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance caused by at least one rotating detection member, the at least one detection member moving with the rotation of the selector member, and the electrostatic capacitance detection unit A rotational position detection unit that detects a rotational position of the selector member based on a change in capacitance detected by the detection unit, a determination button that determines one of the plurality of commands, and a button operation of the determination button A command determination unit that determines that a command corresponding to the rotational position of the selector member detected by the rotational position detection unit is input; It is provided. The capacitance detection unit is fixed to the shaft.

  According to such a configuration, a desired command can be selected by rotating the selector member around the shaft, and the selected command can be input by button operation of the determination button. Since this switch device detects the rotational position of the selector member using a change in capacitance when the selector member is rotated, the capacitance detection can be performed only by providing a detection body that rotates with the selector member. The rotational position of the selector member can be detected by the unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a special electrical circuit on the rotating selector member, nor is it necessary to provide a mechanical contact between the selector member and the detection circuit. This makes it possible to stably detect the selected state of the switch.

  The capacitance detection unit may include a plurality of electrodes disposed around the shaft in correspondence with the plurality of rotational positions of the selector member. In addition, the at least one detection body may include a plurality of detection bodies having different distances to the plurality of electrodes.

  A button unit incorporated in the selector member may be used as the determination button. By incorporating the determination button into the selector member in this manner, the entire switch device can be made compact. In this case, a plurality of button portions incorporated in the selector member corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions may be used as the determination button. The button portion is configured such that the capacitance generated in the specific electrode is changed by performing a button operation on the specific electrode among the plurality of electrodes. The command determination unit detects a button operation of the button unit based on a change in capacitance generated in the specific electrode of the capacitance detection unit, and the command is input when a button operation of the button unit is detected. Decide that it was done. By incorporating the determination button into the selector member in this manner, the entire switch device can be made compact.

  The switch device may further include a movement restricting member that restricts the approach of the button portion to an electrode other than the specific electrode among the plurality of electrodes. Since the movement of the button portion approaches the electrodes other than the electrodes for detecting the button operation by such a movement restricting member, it is possible to prevent the erroneous detection of the button operation in these electrodes.

  Further, the selector member may have a spring member that contacts and moves over the movement restricting member when the selector member rotates. In this case, since the resistance is generated when the spring member passes over the movement restricting member, the selector member is easily held between the movement restricting members, and the selector member is easily positioned at any of the plurality of rotational positions. . In addition, since a click sound is generated when the spring member passes over the movement restricting member, it becomes easy to recognize that the driver is rotating the selector member.

  It is preferable that the switch device further includes a display unit that performs display corresponding to the command determined by the command determination unit. Such a display allows the user to visually recognize that the selected command has been correctly input.

  The shaft may be a steering rim of a motor vehicle.

  According to the present invention, a desired command can be selected by rotating the selector member around the shaft, and the selected command can be input by button operation of the determination button. Since this switch device detects the rotational position of the selector member using a change in capacitance when the selector member is rotated, the capacitance detection can be performed only by providing a detection body that rotates with the selector member. The rotational position of the selector member can be detected by the unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a special electrical circuit on the rotating selector member, nor is it necessary to provide a mechanical contact between the selector member and the detection circuit. This makes it possible to stably detect the selected state of the switch.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a steering according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a steering rim cut near the switch body incorporated in the steering shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the switch main body shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the switch body shown in FIG. 2 taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rim. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the rotational position of the selector member of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the sensor units of FIG. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state in which the covering sheet is removed from the sensor unit of FIG. 7. FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state in which the flexible electrode is removed from the sensor unit of FIG. 8A. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the sensor unit of FIG. 7 is pressed by the button unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the switch device shown in FIG. FIG. 11A is a schematic view for explaining a change in capacitance in the sensor unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 11B is a schematic view for explaining changes in capacitance in the sensor unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 11C is a schematic view for explaining changes in capacitance in the sensor unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 11D is a schematic view for explaining changes in capacitance in the sensor unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 12 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a switch body in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a switch body in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rim according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a switch device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. Note that, in FIG. 1 to FIG. 13, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 13, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated and shown, or some components may be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of a steering 100 incorporating the switch device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering 100 includes an annular rim 120 held by the driver at the time of steering, a boss 200 disposed at the center of the rim 120, and spokes 300 A extending outward from the boss 200 toward the rim 120. , 300B and 300C. The shape of the rim 120 is not limited to the annular shape, and may be any shape as long as it can be gripped by the driver.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 includes a switch main body 10 disposed on the right side of the steering 100 and a control unit 400 electrically connected to the switch main body 10 via a wire 12. In the illustrated example, the control unit 400 is installed inside the boss 200, but the installation position of the control unit 400 is not limited to this.

  In addition, switch device 1 includes display portions 501 to 504 embedded in the upper portion of rim 120, and these display portions 501 to 504 are electrically connected to control portion 400 via wiring 510. . For example, the display units 501 and 502 are given the symbol "+", and the display units 502 and 503 are given the symbol "-". In the present embodiment, the display unit 501 includes a blue light emitting diode (LED), the display unit 502 includes a yellow LED, the display unit 503 includes a green LED, and the display unit 504 includes an orange LED. .

  FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the rim 120 in the vicinity of the switch body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the rim 120 includes a metal core (core metal) 140, a cushioning material 160 covering the entire circumference of the core 140, and a skin (not shown) covering the outer circumferential surface of the cushioning material 160. It contains. For example, the cushioning material 160 is formed of a flexible material such as polyurethane. A groove is formed in the cushion member 160 corresponding to the switch main body 10, and the switch main body 10 is disposed in the groove.

  3 is an exploded perspective view of the switch body 10, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the switch body 10 cut in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rim 120, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. It is. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the switch body 10 has base members 20A and 20B of a half structure attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cushion member 160, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) mounted on the base member 20A. 30A, an FPC 30B mounted on a base member 20B, and selector members 40A and 40B disposed radially outward of the FPCs 30A and 30B. Similarly to the base members 20A and 20B, the selector members 40A and 40B have a half structure. For example, the base members 20A and 20B are formed of a resin such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polypropylene (PP), and the selector members 40A and 40B are a resin such as an ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin) It is formed from

  Here, since base members 20A and 20B, FPCs 30A and 30B, and selector members 40A and 40B have the same structure except that they have mutually symmetrical shapes, in the following, mainly, base members 20A and FPC 30A. The selector member 40A will be described, and the detailed description of the base member 20B, the FPC 30B, and the selector member 40B will be omitted.

  The base member 20A (or 20B) has a semi-cylindrical portion 21, flange portions 22 and 23 extending radially outward from both ends of the semi-cylindrical portion 21, and protrusions projecting radially inward from the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 21. And 24. The semi-cylindrical portion 21 is formed with an opening 25 for accommodating a reinforcing plate 34 of an FPC 30A (or 30B) described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusions 24 have a role of fixing the base member 20A (or 20B) to the cushioning material 160 by biting into the cushioning material 160.

  The FPC 30A (or 30B) includes two sensor units 31, 31, a connecting unit 32 for connecting the two sensor units 31, 31, and a wire (see FIG. 1) for connecting the sensor units 31, 31 to the wiring 12 (see FIG. 1). And a reinforcing plate 34 for improving the strength of the sensor units 31 and 31. The reinforcing plate 34 of the FPC 30A (or 30B) is accommodated in the opening 25 of the base member 20A, and the connecting portion 32 of the FPC 30A (or 30B) is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the semicylindrical portion 21 of the base member 20A. As shown in FIG. 3, a notch 26 is formed in the flange portion 23 of the base member 20A (or 20B), and the wiring portion 33 of the FPC 30A (or 30B) passes through the notch 26 and the rim 120 It extends in the extending direction (see FIG. 2).

  The selector members 40A and 40B are disposed between the flange portion 22 and the flange portion 23 of the base members 20A and 20B, and are integrated by bonding the end portions 45A to each other and the end portions 45B to each other ( Hereinafter, the integrated selector members 40A and 40B will be referred to as "selector members 40". The selector member 40 is configured to be rotatable around the rim 120 every 90 ° from the position shown in FIG. In other words, the selector member 40 can rotate around the rim 120 so that any one of four rotational positions provided every 90 ° can be selected.

  The selector member 40A has a button portion 41 with a code of "1" and a button portion 42 with a code of "2". The selector member 40B has a code of "3". And the button portion 44 to which the symbol "4" is attached. As shown in FIG. 4, all of the button portions 41 to 44 of the selector member 40 are formed thick, and the selector member 40 has a thin portion 46 between the adjacent button portions 41 to 44. . Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a metal piece 47 is embedded in the inside of the button portion 41 of the selector member 40A. As described later, this metal piece 47 has a role as a detection body that rotates around the rim 120 together with the selector member 40.

  As described above, since the thin portion 46 of the selector member 40 is thinner than the button portions 41 to 44, the thin portion 46 is more easily deformed than the button portions 41 to 44. Therefore, when the button portions 41 to 44 are pressed by the finger toward the core 140, the thin portion 46 is flexibly deformed, and the pressing operation by the finger is easy. Further, asperities are formed on the outer surfaces of the selector members 40A and 40B, and when the driver rotates the selector member 40 with his / her finger, the fingers are caught on the asperities, so that the selector member 40 can be easily rotated. .

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining the rotational position of the selector member 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, assuming that the rotational position of the selector member 40 shown in FIG. 4 is the rotational position A, the selector member 40 is rotated 180.degree. From the state shown in FIG. The rotational position C can be rotated to a rotational position D rotated 270 °. The sensor units 31 of the FPCs 30A and 30B are installed corresponding to these four rotational positions A to D. That is, when the selector member 40 is at the rotational position A, the sensor portion 31A is disposed at the position where the button portion 41 faces, and when the selector member 40 is at the rotational position B, the sensor portion 31B is facing the position , And the sensor portion 31C is disposed at a position where the button portion 41 faces when the selector member 40 is at the rotational position C, and at a position where the button portion 41 faces when the selector member 40 is at the rotational position D. The part 31D is disposed.

  A predetermined command is assigned to each of the button parts 41 to 44 of the selector member 40, and the driver rotates the selector member 40 around the rim 120 to select a desired command from a plurality of commands. be able to. For example, the command "increase the volume" is given to the button 41 with the code "1", and the command "decrease the temperature" is "3" for the button 42 with the code "2". The command "increase temperature" is assigned to the button portion 43 to which the code is attached, and the "volume down" is assigned to the button portion 44 to which the symbol "4" is attached.

  In the present embodiment, the command is selected by moving the button units 41 to 44 corresponding to the command that the driver wants to use above the sensor unit 31A. For example, when the driver intends to use the command "increase temperature", the selector member 40 is rotated to the rotational position C, and the button portion 43 corresponding to "increase temperature" is positioned above the sensor portion 31A. (See Figure 6). In addition, when the driver intends to use the command "drop the temperature", the selector member 40 is rotated to the rotational position D, and the button portion 42 corresponding to the "drop the temperature" is positioned above the sensor portion 31A. (See Figure 6). When the driver intends to use the command “increase volume”, the selector member 40 is rotated to the rotational position A, and the button 41 corresponding to “increase volume” is positioned above the sensor unit 31A ( See Figure 6). In addition, when the driver intends to use the command “decrease the volume”, the selector member 40 is rotated to the rotational position B, and the button unit 44 corresponding to “decrease the volume” is positioned above the sensor unit 31A. (See Figure 6).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the selected command can be determined by pressing the button portions 41 to 44 corresponding to the command selected as described above toward the sensor portion 31A. That is, the driver can determine (execute) the selected command by moving the button units 41 to 44 corresponding to the command to be used above the sensor unit 31A and pushing the button unit toward the sensor unit 31A. It is supposed to be. As described above, in the present embodiment, the button portions 41 to 44 of the selector member 40 function as a determination button for determining the selected command.

  Next, the structure of the sensor unit 31 of the FPC 30A or 30B (hereinafter, referred to collectively as “FPC 30” as necessary) will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the sensor portions 31 of the FPC 30. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor unit 31 of the FPC 30 includes the insulating substrate 51 to which the reinforcing plate 34 is attached, the fixed electrode 52 provided on the insulating substrate 51, the insulating layer 53 covering the fixed electrode 52, and the insulation Outer electrode 54 provided on substrate 51, flexible electrode 55 disposed such that the outer peripheral edge is in contact with outer electrode 54, and resin layer provided on insulating substrate 51 so as to surround outer electrode 54 And a covering sheet 57 covering the flexible electrode 55, the outer electrode 54, and the resin layer 56. FIG.

  For example, the insulating substrate 51 is formed of an insulating material such as polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester resin, liquid crystal polymer, glass or the like. In the present embodiment, the resin layer 56 is integrally formed with the insulating layer 53, but the resin layer 56 and the insulating layer 53 may be separated. For example, the resin layer 56 and the insulating layer 53 are formed of an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, a polyester resin, a polyimide resin, an epoxy resin, or a combination of two or more of them.

  8A is a plan view showing a state in which the covering sheet 57 is removed from the sensor unit 31 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a plan view showing a state in which the flexible electrode 55 is removed from the sensor unit 31 in FIG. is there.

  The fixed electrode 52 is formed of a conductor such as silver or copper, and has a substantially circular outer shape in FIG. 8B. The fixed electrode 52 is grounded, for example, so that the potential is constant. The outer shape of the fixed electrode 52 does not have to be substantially circular.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the outer electrode 54 is formed of a conductor such as silver or copper, and is formed at a position spaced outward from the fixed electrode 52. In the present embodiment, the outer electrode 54 is formed to have a substantially C-shaped outer shape so as to surround the fixed electrode 52. The separation distance between the outer electrode 54 and the fixed electrode 52 is set such that the parasitic capacitance generated between the outer electrode 54 and the fixed electrode 52 is sufficiently small.

  The flexible electrode 55 has a substantially circular outer shape in FIG. 8A, and is formed concentric with the fixed electrode 52 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A. The flexible electrode 55 has an outer diameter larger than that of the fixed electrode 52, and at least a part thereof is formed to overlap with the fixed electrode 52 in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  The flexible electrode 55 is formed of, for example, a plate-like conductor such as stainless steel. The outer peripheral edge of the flexible electrode 55 is in contact with the outer electrode 54, and the flexible electrode 55 is electrically connected to the outer electrode 54 at the contact portion.

  The flexible electrode 55 is configured to have flexibility such that at least a portion of the flexible electrode 55 can approach or move away from the fixed electrode 52. In order to realize such flexibility, as shown in FIG. 7, the flexible electrode 55 in the present embodiment has a dome-shaped outer shape which protrudes in a convex shape from the insulating substrate 51 toward the covering sheet 57 side. have. In other words, the flexible electrode 55 has a dome-shaped outer shape which becomes higher toward the center.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the insulating layer 53 is provided so as to cover the fixed electrode 52 so that the electrical connection between the fixed electrode 52 and the flexible electrode 55 is prevented by the insulating layer 53. It has become. If the electrical connection between the fixed electrode 52 and the flexible electrode 55 is prevented, the insulating layer 53 does not necessarily have to cover the entire surface of the fixed electrode 52.

  In such a configuration, when the driver pushes the button portions 41 to 44 of the selector member 40 toward the core 140, as shown in FIG. 9, the flexible electrode 55 deforms so as to be depressed toward the core 140. Do. When the driver removes his / her finger from the button portions 41 to 44, the flexible electrode 55 returns to the initial state shown in FIG. 7 by an elastic force.

  FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a circuit configuration of the switch device 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the flexible electrodes 55 of the sensor units 31A to 31D on the FPC 30 described above are connected to the control unit 400 via the outer electrode 54 and the wiring 12 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 400 controls the rotational position of the selector member 40 based on the output from the capacitance monitoring unit 71 that monitors the change in capacitance in each of the sensor units 31A to 31D and the capacitance monitoring unit 71. A command to determine that a command corresponding to the rotational position of the selector member 40 is input when it is detected that the rotational position detection unit 72 to judge and the driver push the button units 41 to 44 toward the sensor unit 31A. And a determination unit 73.

  Next, changes in capacitance in the sensor unit 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11D. The flexible electrodes 55 of the respective sensor units 31 are connected to the capacitance monitor unit 71 of the control unit 400, and the capacitance monitor unit 71 applies a voltage to the respective flexible electrodes 55. Capacitance can be detected. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding, a shield (not shown) is provided inside or outside of the selector member 40 to block the influence of the capacitance on the outside of the selector member 40. The change in capacitance outside the selector member 40 is described as not affecting the capacitance in the sensor unit 31.

  First, in a state where the metal piece 47 as a detection body is separated from the flexible electrode 55, the metal piece 47 does not affect the capacitance of the flexible electrode 55. At this time, a capacitance detected by applying a voltage to the flexible electrode 55 by the capacitance monitoring unit 71 is generated between the fixed electrode 52 and the flexible electrode 55 as shown in FIG. 11A. (It is actually the sum of the capacitance α and other parasitic capacitances, but in order to simplify the discussion, parasitic capacitances other than the capacitance α are ignored here). A state in which the metal piece 47 is separated from the flexible electrode 55 and does not affect the capacitance of the flexible electrode 55 is referred to as a "non-detection state".

  When the metal piece 47 approaches the flexible electrode 55 from the non-detection state, a capacitance is formed between the flexible electrode and the flexible electrode 55. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11B, the electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic capacitance monitor 71 is the above-mentioned electrostatic capacitance α, and the electrostatic capacitance generated between the metal piece 47 and the flexible electrode 55. It becomes the sum α + β with β. The state in which the metal piece 47 is close to the flexible electrode 55 is referred to as a "detection state".

  Therefore, from the capacitances of the sensor units 31A to 31D detected by the capacitance monitor unit 71, it is grasped which of the "non-detection state" or the "detection state" the respective sensor units 31A to 31D are in can do. As described above, in the present embodiment, the sensor units 31A to 31D function as a capacitance detection unit for detecting a change in capacitance generated by the metal piece 47 moving with the rotation of the selector member 40.

  Then, based on the capacitances of the sensor units 31A to 31D detected by the capacitance monitor unit 71, the rotational position detection unit 72 of the control unit 400 described above determines that each of the sensor units 31A to 31D "" Or "detection state" is determined. Thus, it can be seen that the metal piece 47, that is, the button portion 42 is positioned above the sensor portions 31A to 31D in the “detection state”, so the rotational position of the selector member 40 is the rotational position shown in FIG. It can be determined which of A to rotational position D. Thus, the rotational position detection unit 72 determines the rotational position of the selector member 40 based on the change in the capacitance of the sensor units 31A to 31D detected by the capacitance monitor unit 71.

  For example, at the rotational position A shown in FIG. 6, only the sensor unit 31A is in the “detection state”, and the other sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D are in the “non-detection state”. At the rotational position B, only the sensor unit 31B is in the “detection state”, and the other sensor units 31A, 31C, and 31D are in the “non-detection state”. At the rotational position C, only the sensor unit 31C is in the “detection state”, and the other sensor units 31A, 31B, and 31D are in the “non-detection state”. At the rotational position D, only the sensor unit 31D is in the “detection state”, and the other sensor units 31A, 31B, and 31C are in the “non-detection state”.

  In addition, when the flexible electrode 55 is pressed toward the fixed electrode 52 by pressing the button portions 41 to 44 located above the sensor portion 31 toward the core 140 from the non-detection state described above, as described above The flexible electrode 55 deforms to sink. As a result, the distance between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 becomes shorter than in the non-detection state, and the capacitance generated between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 at this time is not The distance between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 is increased by the reduced amount γ from the capacitance α in the detection state. Therefore, the capacitance detected by the capacitance monitor 71 at this time is the capacitance α + γ generated between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 as shown in FIG. 11C. A state where the flexible electrode 55 is pressed by the button portions 41 to 44 as shown in FIG. 11C is referred to as a "pressed state", and a state where the flexible electrode 55 is not pressed is referred to as a "non-pressed state". Let's say.

  Furthermore, even when the flexible electrode 55 is pressed toward the fixed electrode 52 by pressing the button portions 41 to 44 located above the sensor portion 31 toward the core 140 from the detection state described above, the same applies. The capacitance between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 is increased by the amount γ when the distance between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 is shortened from the capacitance α in the non-detection state Do. In addition, since the distance between the metal piece 47 and the flexible electrode 55 is shorter than in the detection state, the capacitance generated between the metal piece 47 and the flexible electrode 55 at this time is in the detection state. When the distance between the metal piece 47 and the flexible electrode 55 is shortened by the capacitance .beta. Therefore, the capacitance detected by the capacitance monitor 71 at this time is, as shown in FIG. 11D, the capacitance α + γ generated between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52, and the metal piece 47. The sum α + β + γ + ε of the capacitances β + ε generated between the and the flexible electrode 55 is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the button portions 41 to 44 positioned above the sensor portion 31A are pressed (the button is pressed (button) using the change in capacitance generated between the flexible electrode 55 and the fixed electrode 52 described above. Is the operation done?). That is, from the capacitance of the sensor unit 31A detected by the capacitance monitor unit 71, the command determination unit 73 of the control unit 400 determines whether the sensor unit 31A is in the "pressed state" or the "non-pressed state". To detect. Thus, the command determination unit 73 detects the button operation of the button units 41 to 44 above the sensor unit 31A based on the change in the capacitance of the sensor unit 31A detected by the capacitance monitor unit 71.

  When the command determination unit 73 detects that the sensor unit 31A is in the “pressed state”, that is, when detecting the button operation of the button units 41 to 44 located above the sensor unit 31A, the command determination unit 73 determines that a command corresponding to the rotational position of the selector member 40 at that time is input, and outputs a control signal to a device (audio device or air conditioner) corresponding to the input command. As a result, the command selected by the driver on the compatible device is executed.

  At this time, the command determination unit 73 sends an output signal corresponding to the input command to the display units 501 and 502. For example, when the command "volume up" is input, an output signal for lighting the blue LED is sent to the display unit 501 with the symbol "+", and the command "volume down" is input. , An output signal for lighting the orange LED is sent to the display unit 504 with the symbol "-". In addition, when the command “increase temperature” is input, an output signal for lighting the yellow LED is sent to the display unit 502 with the “+” symbol attached, and the command “decrease temperature” is input. , Sends an output signal to light the green LED to the display unit 503 with the symbol "-". In this manner, since the display units 501 to 504 corresponding to the input command light in the color corresponding to the command, the driver can visually recognize that the selected command has been correctly input. In this case, the driver may easily grasp the selected command by matching the color of the characters of the button portions 41 to 44 with the color of the LED to be emitted. In the above example, the character of the button 41 corresponding to the command "increase the volume" is blue, the character of the button 44 corresponding to the command "decrease the volume" is orange, and the button corresponding to the command "increase the temperature" The letter 43 may be yellow, and the letter of the button section 42 corresponding to the command "drop the temperature" may be green.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D other than the sensor unit 31A do not determine the “pressed state” and the “non-pressed state”, but the sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D are also determined. It is also possible to judge "pressed state" or "non-pressed state".

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which only one metal piece 47 as a detection body is provided on the selector member 40 has been described, but a plurality of such detection bodies may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, metal pieces 147A to 147D as detection members may be embedded in the button portions 41 to 44 of the selector member 40, respectively. In this case, the rotational position of the selector member 40 can not be grasped unless the influence on the electrostatic capacitance detected by the sensor unit 31 is changed for each of the metal pieces 147A to 147D. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 12, each metal piece 147A-147D is embed | buried under the button parts 41-44 so that the distance from the sensor part 31 (flexible electrode 55) may differ. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the metal piece 147D is disposed at a position closest to the sensor unit 31, and is arranged to be gradually farther from the sensor unit 31 in the order of the metal piece 147A, the metal piece 147C, and the metal piece 147B.

  According to such a configuration, since the distance between the metal pieces 147A to 147D and the sensor unit 31 differs depending on the metal pieces 147A to 147D, the sensor portions 31A to 31D are detected by the rotational position of the selector member 40. Therefore, the rotational position of the selector member 40 can be detected as in the first embodiment.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 12, since the metal pieces 147A to 147D are included in all the button parts 41 to 44, the metal pieces 147A to 147D and the flexibility of the sensor part are operated by the button operation of the button parts 41 to 44. As the distance between the metal electrode 147 and the flexible electrode 55 is shortened, the capacitance between the metal pieces 147A to 147D and the flexible electrode 55 is increased. Therefore, the command determination unit 73 does not need to detect whether or not the pressed state as shown in FIGS. 11C and 11D is obtained, and the capacitance between the metal pieces 147A to 147D and the flexible electrode 55 is It is possible to detect the button operation of the button parts 41 to 44 by detecting the change of.

  In addition, in order to prevent malfunction due to the button operation of the button units 41 to 44 with respect to the sensor units 31B, 31C, 31D other than the sensor unit 31A, the button units 41 to 44 are restricted from approaching the sensor units 31B, 31C, 31D. A movement restriction member may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, protrusions 81 extending radially outward may be provided on both sides in the circumferential direction of the sensor portions 31B, 31C, 31D other than the sensor portion 31A. By providing such a protrusion 81, even if the button portions 41 to 44 located above the sensor portions 31B, 31C, 31D are pushed toward the core 140, the movement of the button portions 41 to 44 is performed by the protrusion 81. Since regulation is performed, erroneous detection of button operation in these sensor units 31B, 31C, 31D is prevented.

  In this case, a spring member 83 as shown in FIG. 13 may be attached to the selector member 40. The spring member 83 has on both sides a spring portion 82 which curves and extends inward from the outside, and the spring portion 82 contacts and overturns the projection 81 when the selector member 40 rotates. Is configured. By providing such a spring member 83, resistance occurs when the spring portion 82 rides over the projection 81, so that the selector member 40 is easily held between the projections 81, and the rotation position A to D of the selector member 40 described above (The selector member 40 is easily rotated by 90 degrees). Further, since the click sound is generated when the spring portion 82 gets over the protrusion 81, it becomes easy to recognize that the driver is rotating the selector member 40. In the illustrated example, the spring member 83 is attached to the inside in the radial direction of the metal piece 47, but the position at which the spring member 83 is attached is not limited to this.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the metal pieces 47 or 147A to 147D are used as a detection body that rotates around the rim 120 together with the selector member 40 has been described, for example, metal plating of a part of the selector member 40 or metal It is also possible to constitute a detection body by coating or sticking an FPC to the selector member 40 or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, button portions 41 to 44 incorporated in the selector member 40 are used as a determination button for determining the command selected by the selector member 40. Thus, by incorporating the determination button into the selector member 40, the entire switch device 1 can be made compact. It goes without saying that the determination button for determining the command selected by the selector member 40 may be provided separately from the selector member 40.

  In the embodiment described above, the same sensor unit as the sensor unit 31A that detects the button operation of the determination button is used for the other sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D, but the sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D Since it is not necessary to detect the button operation described above, electrodes may be provided instead of the sensor units 31B, 31C, and 31D to detect a change in capacitance.

  In the embodiment described above, the switch device according to the present invention is applied to the steering 100 of an automobile, and the switch body 10 is mounted around the rim 120. However, the present invention is not limited to the rim 120 of the steering 100 The invention is applicable to any shaft of

  Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the display units 501 to 504 are provided corresponding to the button units 41 to 44. However, the button unit 41 selected by collectively changing a plurality of display units into one and changing the luminescent color -44 may be specified. Alternatively, the liquid crystal display may be used as the display unit, and the currently selected button units 41 to 44 may be displayed as characters, images, and the like in the liquid crystal display. In addition, such a display unit may be provided in a portion other than the steering 100.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 switch apparatus 10 switch main body 12 wiring 20A, 20B base member 21 semi-cylindrical part 22, 23 flange part 24 protrusion 25 opening 26 notch 30A, 30B FPC
31A, 31B, 31C, 31D Sensor part 32 Connecting part 33 Wiring part 34 Reinforcing plate 40A, 40B Selector member 41 to 44 Button part 46 Thin part 47 Metal piece 51 Insulating substrate 52 Fixed electrode 53 Insulating layer 54 Outer electrode 55 Flexibility Electrode 56 Resin layer 57 Cover sheet 71 Capacitance monitor unit 72 Rotational position detection unit 73 Command determination unit 100 Steering 120 Rim 140 Core 147A, 147B, 147C, 147D Metal piece 160 Cushion material 200 Boss 300A, 300B, 300C Spoke 400 control Parts 501 to 504 Display part 510 Wiring

Claims (9)

A selector member rotatable around the shaft so as to select any one of a plurality of rotational positions corresponding to a plurality of commands;
At least one detector rotating around the shaft together with the selector member;
A capacitance detection unit for detecting a change in capacitance generated by the at least one detection body moving with the rotation of the selector member, the capacitance detection unit fixed to the shaft ,
A rotational position detection unit that detects a rotational position of the selector member based on a change in electrostatic capacitance detected by the electrostatic capacitance detection unit;
A determination button for determining one of the plurality of commands;
A switch device comprising: a command determination unit configured to determine that a command corresponding to a rotational position of the selector member detected by the rotational position detection unit is detected when a button operation of the determination button is detected.   The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance detection unit includes a plurality of electrodes disposed around the shaft in correspondence with the plurality of rotational positions of the selector member.   The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one detection body includes a plurality of detection bodies having different distances from the plurality of electrodes.   The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the determination button is a button unit incorporated in the selector member. The determination button includes a plurality of the button portions incorporated in the selector member corresponding to the plurality of rotational positions,
The button unit is configured to change a capacitance generated in the specific electrode by performing a button operation on a specific electrode among the plurality of electrodes.
The command determination unit detects a button operation of the button unit based on a change in capacitance generated in the specific electrode of the capacitance detection unit, and the command is input when a button operation of the button unit is detected. To determine
The switch device according to claim 4.   The switch device according to claim 5, further comprising a movement restricting member that restricts the approach of the button portion to an electrode other than the specific electrode among the plurality of electrodes.   The switch device according to claim 6, wherein the selector member has a spring member that contacts and moves over the movement restricting member when the selector member rotates.   The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a display unit for performing display corresponding to the command determined by the command determination unit.   The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shaft is a steering rim of a motor vehicle.

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