JP3996144B2 - 2-stage switch unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a two-stage switch unit comprising a plurality of switches and capable of detecting a pressing force against a member to be pressed in two stages.

  Conventionally, a two-stage switch unit including a substrate, a push button switch, a case, a slider, a link, a membrane sheet, a plurality of pushers, and a knob is known (see Patent Document 1 below).

  A push button switch (second press detecting means) is disposed at a position away from the center of the upper surface of the substrate.

  The case is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and accommodates the push button switch.

  The slider is accommodated in the case and supported by the case so as to be movable up and down.

  The link connects the case and the slider. The link presses the push button switch in conjunction with the movement when the slider is lowered.

  The membrane sheet has a plurality of contacts and is disposed on the upper surface of the slider.

  The plurality of pushers are disposed on the membrane sheet and each face the contact.

  The knob is accommodated in the case in a state of surrounding the plurality of pushers. The upper ends of the plurality of pushers protrude upward from the opening on the upper surface of the knob.

When the pusher is pressed, the movable contact facing the pusher contacts the fixed side,
The function assigned to the pusher is selected.

When the pusher is further pressed, the slider moves toward the substrate, the link moves in conjunction with the movement of the slider, and the push button switch is pressed. As a result, the selected function is executed.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-14358 (see paragraphs 0016 to 0021, FIG. 2)

  When the above-described two-stage contact unit is mounted on an automobile instrument panel as a function selection switch such as an audio device, a car navigation system, or a car air conditioner, an adjustment switch such as a volume control button is provided near the two-stage contact unit. Will be installed. As for the adjustment switch, the dial switch has better operability than the push button switch, and the larger the switch, the easier the adjustment.

  Therefore, a wide space on the instrumental panel is occupied by various switches, which has been an obstacle to newly mounting electrical components and the like on automobiles.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a two-stage switch unit capable of meeting the demand for space saving.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the two-stage switch unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to detect a plurality of pressed members and which of the plurality of pressed members is pressed by the first pressing force. A pressure detecting means; a support member supporting the plurality of pressed members and the first pressure detecting means; and rotatable relative to the support member so as to surround the plurality of pressed members. It is detected that the arranged rotating member and any of the pressed members of the plurality of pressed members or the rotating member are pressed with a second pressing force larger than the first pressing force. And a rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation of the rotating member.

  Compared with the case where a plurality of pressed members and rotating members are provided separately, the area occupied by the switch can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the two-stage switch unit according to the first aspect, the first pressing detection unit is mounted on the support member, and the plurality of pressed members are the first pressing detection unit. The rotating member is mounted on the support member.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the two-stage switch unit according to the first or second aspect, the second pressing detection means is a single detection switch that supports a central portion of the lower surface of the support member. .

  As described above, since the second pressing detection means is one detection switch that supports the central portion of the lower surface of the support member, the pressing force is the same as that of the second pressing detection means regardless of which member is pressed. Acts as follows. Further, since there is one second pressure detecting means, a space for accommodating the second pressure detecting means can be minimized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the two-stage switch unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, a part of the rotation detection means and the first press detection means are supported by the support member. It is provided in FPC.

  As described above, part of the rotation detection means and the first pressure detection means are provided in one FPC supported by the support member, so that the rotation detection means and the first pressure detection means can be easily wired. .

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the two-stage switch unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein one part of the rotation detection means and the second press detection means are supported by the support member. It is provided in FPC.

  As described above, part of the rotation detection means and the second pressure detection means are provided in one FPC supported by the support member, so that the rotation detection means and the second pressure detection means can be easily wired. .

  The invention according to claim 6 is the two-stage switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising guide means for guiding the support member in a predetermined direction.

  Since the guide means for guiding the support member in a certain direction is provided as described above, the support member is reliably guided in a certain direction even if the stroke of the support member is increased.

  As described above, according to the two-stage switch unit of the first or second aspect of the invention, space saving can be realized.

  According to the two-stage switch unit of the invention of claim 3, any pressing member is pressed, and the pressing force acts on the second pressing detecting means in the same manner, so that a certain operational feeling can be obtained. In addition, since there is one second press detection means, a space for accommodating the second press detection means is minimized, and as a result, the two-stage switch unit can be reduced in height.

  According to the two-stage switch unit of the invention of claim 4 or 5, wiring can be easily performed.

  According to the two-stage switch unit of the sixth aspect of the present invention, even if the stroke of the support member is increased, the support member is reliably guided in a certain direction, so that a good operational feeling can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 9 show a two-stage switch unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a plan view of the two-stage switch unit, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view when the two-stage switch unit is viewed from obliquely above, Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view when the two-stage switch unit is viewed from obliquely below, and Fig. 5 is a view of the pressed member and the like from obliquely below. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the touch knob is viewed from obliquely below, FIG. 7 is a plan view of the FPC, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the membrane switch, and FIG. 9 is a view of the contact from obliquely below. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the two-stage switch unit includes a plurality of pressed members 2, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 3, a membrane sheet 4, a holder (support member) 5, a dial knob (rotary member) 6, and the like. A contact 7 and a tactile push switch (second press detecting means) 8 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressed member 2 has a substantially inverted truncated cone shape. The material of the pressed member 2 is a hard resin. A substantially cylindrical convex portion 21 is formed at one end of the pressed member 2, and a substantially square columnar convex portion 22 is formed at the other end of the pressed member 2. A protrusion 23 is formed on the convex portion 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, the five pressed members 2 are arranged on the upper surface of the elastic thin plate 9. The material of the elastic thin plate 9 is a thermoplastic elastomer. One rectangular hole 91 is formed at the center of the elastic thin plate 9, and four rectangular holes 91 are also formed at equal intervals in the peripheral portion of the elastic thin plate 9. The five pressed members 2 are positioned by inserting the convex portions 22 of the pressed members 2 into these holes 91. The elastic thin plate 9 is formed with two positioning holes 92 (see FIG. 3).

  A spacer 10 is disposed on the other surface of the elastic thin plate 9. A hole 101 and a plurality of notches 102 are formed in the spacer 10. A space S is formed between the elastic thin plate 9 and the membrane sheet 4 by the hole 101 and the notch 102 (see FIG. 2). Due to the space S, the elastic thin plate 9 can be elastically deformed around the hole 91 when the pressed member 2 is pressed with a pressing force (first pressing force) enough to touch the pressed member 2. . Further, two positioning holes 103 are formed in the spacer 10. The positioning hole 103 faces the positioning hole 92 of the elastic thin plate 9.

  The assembly A of the pressed member 2, the elastic thin plate 9 and the spacer 10 is accommodated in the touch knob 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the touch knob 11 includes a dish-like portion 111 and a flange portion 112. The material of the touch knob 11 is resin. A hole 111 a is formed on the upper surface of the dish-like portion 111. The convex portion 21 of the pressed member 2 is inserted into the hole 111a (see FIG. 2). A plurality of protrusions 113 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dish-like portion 111 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The protrusion 113 has an arc surface. Two bosses 114 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the dish-shaped portion 111. The two bosses 114 are in a symmetrical position with respect to the hole 111a located at the center of the upper surface of the dish-shaped portion 111. The tip of the boss 114 protrudes downward. Further, four screw holes 115 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the dish-shaped portion 111.

  A ring 12 is rotatably mounted on the touch knob 11. The material of the ring 12 is resin. A storage chamber 121 is formed on one surface of the ring 12 (see FIG. 3). An opening 121 a is formed in the storage chamber 121. The opening 121a faces the protrusion 113. A spring 13 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 121. The spring 13 has a convex portion 131, and the convex portion 131 projects out of the storage chamber 121 through the opening 121a. The convex part 131 contacts the protrusion 113. Three ridges 122 are formed on one surface of the ring 12. The ridge 122 has an arc shape, and slidably contacts the flange portion 112 of the touch knob 11. Further, four holes 123 are formed in the ring 12 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, two bosses 124 (see FIG. 4) are formed on the other surface of the link 12.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the FPC 3 includes a circular portion 3a and a tail portion 3b extending from a part of the periphery of the circular portion 3a. Five pairs of fixed contacts 31 and 32 are formed on one surface of the circular portion 3a. The fixed contacts 31 and 32 are both substantially semicircular. The fixed contacts 31 and 32 are opposed to each other with a small interval. The five pairs of fixed contacts 31 and 32 face the five pressed members 2 of the assembly A, respectively.

  One rotation detection ground pattern 33, twelve first rotation detection conductor patterns 34, and twelve second rotation detection conductor patterns 35 are formed on the periphery of the circular portion 3a. The rotation detection ground pattern 33 is substantially ring-shaped. Twelve notches 33 a are formed at equal intervals on the inner edge of the rotation detection ground pattern 33. Twelve notches 33 b are formed at equal intervals on the outer edge of the rotation detection ground pattern 33. The rotation detection ground pattern 33 is electrically connected to a ring-shaped ground pattern (not shown) formed on the other surface of the circular portion 3a. The twelve first rotation detection conductor patterns 34 are respectively located in the notches 33a. The rotation detection ground pattern 33 and the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 are electrically insulated. The twelve first rotation detecting conductor patterns 34 are electrically connected to each other by a first ring-shaped conductor pattern (not shown) formed on the other surface of the circular portion 3a. A center angle formed by two virtual straight lines (not shown) drawn from the center point (not shown) of the circular portion 3a to both ends of the first rotation detecting conductor pattern 34 is 15 °. The twelve second rotation detection conductor patterns 35 are respectively located in the notches 33b. The rotation detection ground pattern 33 and the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35 are electrically insulated. The twelve second rotation detecting conductor patterns 35 are electrically connected to each other by a second ring-shaped conductor pattern (not shown) formed on the other surface of the circular portion 3a. A central angle formed by two virtual straight lines (not shown) drawn from the center point (not shown) of the circular portion 3a to both ends of the second rotation detecting conductor pattern 35 is 15 °. The first rotation detecting conductor pattern 36 and the second rotation detecting conductor pattern 37 are shifted by 7.5 ° from the central angle. Two first and second positioning holes 36 and 37 are formed in the circular portion 3a. The first positioning hole 36 faces the positioning hole 103 of the spacer 10. The boss 114 of the touch knob 11 is inserted into the second positioning hole 37. Four through holes 38 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of the circular portion 3a. The through hole 38 faces the screw hole 115 of the touch knob 11.

  A plurality of terminals 39 communicating with the fixed contacts 31 and 32, the rotation detection ground pattern 33, the first and second rotation detection conductor patterns 34 and 35, etc. via a relay pattern (not shown) are provided at the tip of the tail portion 3b. ing.

  The membrane sheet 4 is substantially circular and covers the inner portion of the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 of the FPC 3. The membrane sheet 4 has five movable contacts 41 (one movable contact 41 is shown in FIG. 8). The five movable contacts 41 face the pair of fixed contacts 31 and 32, respectively. Two positioning holes 42 are formed in the membrane sheet 4 (see FIG. 3). The positioning hole 42 faces the first positioning hole 36 of the FPC 3 and the positioning hole 103 of the spacer 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the membrane sheet 4 is affixed to the FPC 3 via a spacer 14 having a hole 141. The inner part of the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 of the FPC 3, the membrane sheet 4 and the spacer 14 constitute a membrane switch (first pressing detection means) D1.

  The holder 5 has a dish-like part 51 and a flange part 52. The material of the holder 5 is resin. Two bosses 53 are formed on one surface of the dish-like portion 51. The boss 53 is inserted into the positioning holes 36, 42, 103, 92 of the FPC 3, the membrane sheet 4, the spacer 10 and the elastic thin plate 9, and the FPC 3, the membrane sheet 4, the spacer 10 and the elastic thin plate 9 are positioned with respect to the holder 5. . Two positioning holes 54 are formed in the dish-like portion 51. The boss 114 of the touch knob 11 is inserted into the positioning hole 54 through the positioning hole 37 of the FPC 3. Thereby, the touch knob 11 is positioned with respect to the holder 5. The dish-like portion 51 is formed with four through holes 55 and one window hole 56 (see FIG. 4). The through hole 55 faces the through hole 38 of the FPC 3. The tail portion 3 b of the FPC 3 is passed through the window hole 56. A pusher 57 is formed at the center of the other surface of the dish-like portion 51. The flange portion 52 is coupled to the upper edge of the dish-like portion 51.

  The holder 5 is supported by a ring-shaped damper (not shown) provided on one surface of the printed wiring board 15. Since the damper is made of an elastic material, the holder 5 is movable along the thickness direction of the printed wiring board 15 and returns to a predetermined position.

  The printed wiring board 15 is rectangular, and through holes 151 are formed at the four corners. One window hole 152 is formed in the printed wiring board 15. The tail portion 3 b of the FPC 3 is passed through the window hole 152. A connector 16 is provided at the center of the other surface of the printed wiring board 15.

  The dial knob 6 has a ring-shaped part 61 and a cylindrical part 62. The material of the dial knob 6 is resin. A plurality of ribs 63 are formed radially on one surface of the ring-shaped portion 61. Four bosses 64 are formed on the other surface of the ring-shaped portion 61. The boss 64 is inserted into the hole 123 of the ring 12 and then heated and caulked. As a result, the dial knob 6 and the ring 12 are coupled. The dial knob 6 is rotatably attached to the touch knob 11. The ring-shaped portion 61 is slidably supported on the flange portion 112 of the touch knob 11. The cylindrical portion 62 surrounds the ring 12.

  The contact 7 is formed by bending a conductive belt-shaped metal plate. As shown in FIG. 9, first to third contact portions 71, 72, 73 are formed at one end of the contact 7, and fourth to sixth contact portions 74, 75, 76 are formed at the other end of the contact 7. Has been. Further, two positioning holes 77 are formed in the contact 7. The boss 124 of the ring 12 is passed through the positioning hole 77, and the boss 124 is heated and caulked. As a result, the contact 7 is fixed to the other surface of the ring 12.

  When the dial knob 6 is rotated, the contact 7 moves along the rotation detection ground pattern 33. At this time, the first contact portion 71 alternately contacts the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 and the rotation detection ground pattern 33. The fourth contact portions 74 alternately contact the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 and the rotation detection ground pattern 33 in the same order and the same timing as the first contact portion 71. On the other hand, the second and fifth contact portions 72 and 75 are always in contact with the rotation detection ground pattern 33. Similar to the first and fourth contact portions 71 and 74, the third and sixth contact portions 73 and 76 alternately contact the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35 and the rotation detection ground pattern 33 in the same order and at the same timing. To do. Therefore, the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 is periodically connected to the rotation detection ground pattern 33 through the contact 7. At this time, the first pulse signal is output. Similarly, the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35 is periodically connected to the rotation detection ground pattern 33 through the contact 7. At this time, the second pulse signal is output. By counting the first and second pulse signals, the rotation amount of the dial knob 6 can be detected. Further, since the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34 and the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35 are displaced by 7.5 ° from the central angle as described above, the first pulse signal and the second rotation signal are proportionally proportional to each other. The output timing of the pulse signal is shifted. Therefore, the rotation direction of the dial knob 6 can be detected by detecting which of the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal is output first. In this manner, the rotation detection ground pattern 33, the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34, the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35, the contact 7 and the like constitute rotation detection means of the dial knob 7.

  When the key stem 81 of the tactile push switch 8 is pressed, a so-called click feeling is generated and an input signal is output. The tactile push switch 8 is arranged at the center of one surface of the printed wiring board 15. The key stem 81 is pressed by the pusher 57 of the holder 5.

  A case 17 is provided on one surface of the printed wiring board 15. A hole 171 is formed in the upper surface of the case 17. Screw holes 172 are formed in the four corners of the case 17, respectively. The screw hole 172 faces the through hole 151 of the printed wiring board 15. The dial knob 6 and the like are exposed outside the case 17 through the hole 171. The holder 5 and the like are accommodated in the case 17. The flange portion 52 of the holder 5 is in contact with the peripheral portion of the hole 171 of the case 17. As a result, the holder 5 is prevented from being removed from the case 17.

  Next, the assembly of the two-stage switch unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Prior to assembly, the pressed member 2, the elastic thin plate 9, and the spacer 10 are assembled in advance to make an assembly A. Further, the contact 7 and the spring 13 are attached to the ring 12. Further, the spacer 14 and the membrane sheet 4 are attached to one surface of the FPC 3 to configure the membrane switch D1. Further, a tactile push switch 8 and a damper (not shown) are provided on one surface of the printed wiring board 15, and a connector 16 is provided on the other surface.

  After the above work is completed, the assembly work is started.

  First, the tail portion 3 b of the FPC 3 is passed through the holder 5 and the window holes 56 and 152 of the printed wiring board 15, and the terminal 39 of the tail portion 3 b is connected to the connector 16. Further, the FPC 3 is positioned with respect to the holder 5 through the bosses 53 of the holder 5 in the positioning holes 36 and 42 of the FPC 3 and the membrane sheet 4. At this time, the FPC 3 is attached to one surface of the holder 5 with a double-sided tape (not shown).

  Thereafter, the elastic thin plate 9 of the assembly A is bonded onto the membrane sheet 4.

  Next, the ring 12 is attached to the touch knob 11. The boss 114 of the touch knob 11 is passed through the FPC 3 and the positioning holes 37 and 54 of the holder 5, and the touch knob 11 is arranged at a predetermined position on the holder 5. Further, the assembly A is accommodated in the touch knob 11. At this time, the convex portion 21 of the pressed member 2 is passed through the hole 111 a of the touch knob 11.

  Thereafter, the boss 64 of the dial knob 6 is inserted into the hole 123 of the ring 12 and then heated and caulked to fix the dial knob 6 to the ring 64. As a result, since the flange portion 112 of the touch knob 11 is slidably sandwiched between the dial knob 6 and the ring 12, the dial knob 6 is rotatably attached to the touch knob 11 and cannot be removed from the touch knob 11.

  Next, the bolt 18 is passed through the holder 5 and the through holes 55 and 38 of the FPC 3 from the lower side of the holder 5 and further screwed into the screw hole 115 of the touch knob 11. Thereby, the touch knob 11 is fixed on the holder 5.

  Finally, bolts 19 are passed through the through holes 151 from below the printed wiring board 15, and the bolts 19 are screwed into the screw holes 172 of the case 17 to fix the case 17 to the printed wiring board 15. At this time, the dial knob 11 and the like are passed through the hole 171 of the case 17.

  Thus, the two-stage switch unit is completed.

  10 shows the operation of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pressed member is not pressed, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pressed member is pressed, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state where the pressed member is further pressed from the state shown in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state where the dial knob of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG.

  The operation of the two-stage switch unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  10A, the pressed member 2 is not pressed, the movable contact 41 of the membrane switch D1 is separated from the fixed contacts 31 and 32, and the membrane switch D1 is off (see FIG. 8). Further, since no pressing force is applied to the key stem 81 of the tactile push switch 8, the tactile push switch 8 is also turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the pressed member 2 is pressed with the first pressing force, the movable contact 41 is pressed by the protrusion 23 of the pressed member 2 and contacts the fixed contacts 31 and 32. As a result, the fixed contacts 31 and 32 are electrically connected by the movable contact 41, and the first pressing force detection signal is output. It is possible to detect which pressed member 2 is pressed by the first pressing force detection signal.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the pressed member 2 being pressed is further pressed with a second pressing force stronger than the first pressing force, the holder 5 resists the biasing force of the key stem 81 and the printed wiring board 15. Move towards As a result, the key stem 81 of the tactile push switch 8 is pressed by the pusher 57 of the holder 5, the tactile push switch 8 is turned on, and the second pressing force detection signal is output together with the detection signal. At this time, a click feeling is generated. Based on the first and second pressing force detection signals, it can be detected that the pressed member 2 is pressed by the second pressing force.

  When the force to press the pressed member 2 is weakened, first, the holder 5 returns to the state shown in FIG. 10B by the urging force of the key stem 81 and the tactile push switch 8 is turned off, but the membrane switch D1 is still on. It is in the state. When the force for pressing the pressed member 2 is further weakened, the movable contact 41 is separated from the fixed contacts 31 and 32 by the restoring force of the spacer 14, returns to the state shown in FIG. 10A, and the membrane switch D1 is turned off.

  When the dial knob 6 is rotated in the state shown in FIG. 10A, the first and second pulse signals are output as described above. By counting this pulse signal, the amount of rotation of the dial knob 6 can be detected. Further, the rotation direction of the dial knob 6 can be detected by detecting which of the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal is output first. When the dial knob 6 is rotated, the convex portion 131 of the spring 13 and the protrusion 113 of the touch knob 11 are engaged, and a click feeling is generated.

  When the dial knob 6 is pressed toward the printed wiring board 15 with the second pressing force in the state shown in FIG. 10A, the holder 5 moves toward the printed wiring board 15 against the urging force of the key stem 81, and FIG. It will be in the state shown in As a result, the key stem 81 of the tactile push switch 8 is pressed by the pusher 57 of the holder 5, the tactile push switch 8 is turned on, and the second press detection signal is output. At this time, a click feeling is generated. At this time, since the first pressing detection signal is not output, it can be detected that the dial knob 6 is pressed with the second pressing force.

  When the force for pressing the dial knob 6 is weakened, the urging force of the key stem 81 returns the holder 5 to the state shown in FIG. 10A and the tactile push switch 8 is turned off.

  FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the screen of the display when the two-stage switch unit is not operated, and FIG. 12B is the screen of the display when the pressed member corresponding to the “AUDIO” icon is pressed with the first pressing force. FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a display screen when “AUDIO” is executed after “AUDIO” is selected, and FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control system for in-vehicle electrical equipment.

  The usage examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are examples in which the two-stage switch unit according to the first embodiment is used as a multi-controller for in-vehicle electrical equipment.

  In general, a single display is used to display the operating state of in-vehicle devices such as audio, navigation system, air conditioner, and television.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in-vehicle electrical equipment M such as an audio equipment, a car navigation system, and a car air conditioner is connected to the output side of the microcomputer C. The microcomputer C stores various control programs. The two-stage switch unit 1 is connected to the input side of the microcomputer C, and a display such as an LCD is connected to the output side of the microcomputer C. An input signal from the two-stage switch unit 1 is input to the microcomputer C. A control signal is output from the microcomputer C to the in-vehicle electrical equipment M and the display DP.

  In the state shown in FIG. 12A, the main menu screen is displayed on the display DP. The arrangement of each icon E1 corresponds to the arrangement of the pressed member 2.

  When the pressed member 2 of the two-stage switch unit corresponding to the “AUDIO” icon E1 on the screen of the display DP is touched, the “AUDIO” icon E1 is highlighted as shown in FIG. 12B. For this reason, even if the operator does not actually look at the two-stage switch unit, it can be seen that the operator is now touching the pressed member 2 corresponding to “AUDIO”. Therefore, the operator can operate the two-stage switch unit by groping while looking at the display DP.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, after the “AUDIO” icon E1 is selected and the pressed member 2 is pressed with a stronger pressing force, the tactile push switch 8 is turned on, and the screen of the display DP is as shown in FIG. 12C. Switch to the audio screen. Also in the audio screen, the arrangement of the icons E2 corresponds to the arrangement of the pressed member 2. If the pressed member 2 is touched in the same manner as the operation on the main menu screen, the function is selected and the icon E2 is highlighted, and if the pressed member 2 is further pressed in this state, the corresponding function is executed. The

  Next, the operation of the dial knob 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the initial state of the audio screen, the dial knob 6 is used as a volume control. By rotating the dial knob 6, the volume can be adjusted according to the amount of rotation.

  When the dial knob 6 is pressed along the thickness direction, the function of the dial knob 6 until now is changed to the function of selecting a track, and the music can be selected by rotating the dial knob 6. . Although not shown, whether the function of the dial knob 6 is currently volume or channel selection can be visually determined by highlighting one of the functions.

  In this usage example, the signal processing is performed as shown in FIG.

  Signals generated by various operations of the two-stage switch unit 1 are processed by the microcomputer C and sent to the display DP and various electrical devices M. In response to the signal, the display DP displays a corresponding screen, and the various electrical devices M execute a function corresponding to the operation.

  According to the two-stage switch unit of this embodiment, the area occupied by the two-stage switch unit with respect to the installation location can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where the two-stage switch unit and the dial knob are separately provided.

  Further, the membrane switch D1, the pressed member 2, the dial knob 6 and the like are provided on the holder 5, and the tactile push switch 8 is pressed by the pusher 57 formed in the center portion of the holder 5. The tactile push switch 8 is shared by the member 2 and the dial knob 6, and accordingly, the configuration of the two-stage switch unit can be simplified and the two-stage switch unit can be miniaturized. Moreover, since the same click feeling can be obtained regardless of which pressed member 2 is pressed, the quality of the operation feeling is high. Furthermore, the click feeling when pressing the pressed member 2 and the click feeling when pressing the dial knob can be made the same.

  In the first embodiment, the rotation detecting means is provided and the dial knob 6 can be used as a volume or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the dial knob may be used as a dial type changeover switch.

  Moreover, although the substantially dish-shaped member formed with resin was used as the holder 5, a printed wiring board can also be used as a holder. In this case, wiring can be performed more easily.

  In addition, you may provide a guide means for the holder 5 to the thickness direction instead of a damper. As the guide means, for example, a case in which the flange portion 52 of the holder 5 is guided in the thickness direction by the inner wall surface can be considered. In this case, the holder 5 can be reliably guided even if the stroke of the holder 5 is increased.

  In the first embodiment, the rotation detection means of the dial knob 6 is constituted by the rotation detection ground pattern 33, the first rotation detection conductor pattern 34, the second rotation detection conductor pattern 35, the contact 7, and the like. The detection means is not limited to this, and an optical rotary encoder or the like may be used.

  14 is a cross-sectional view of a two-stage switch unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the board, FPC, and holder of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 16 is a perspective view when the substrate, the FPC, and the holder of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 14 are viewed obliquely from below.

  Since the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. explain.

  In the first embodiment, the tactile push switch 8 is provided at the center of one surface of the printed wiring board 15 as the second pressing detection means. However, in the second embodiment, the nose portion on the opposite side of the tail portion 3b of the FPC 203. 203c was provided, and a membrane switch 208 as a second press detecting means was formed at the tip of the nose portion 203c. In addition, a click plate 281 is disposed on the membrane switch 208 in order to generate a click feeling. The nose portion 203 c is passed through the window hole 258 of the holder 205, and the membrane switch 208 is attached to the center of the other surface of the holder 205. Thus, since the membrane switch 208 as the second pressing detection means is provided at the center of the other surface of the holder 205, it is not necessary to use the printed wiring board 15 as in the first embodiment, and the second In the embodiment, a simple substrate 215 formed of resin is used instead of the printed wiring board 15.

  A pusher 215 is formed on one surface of the substrate 215. The pusher 215 presses the membrane switch 208 via the click plate 281.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the wiring can be simplified. Furthermore, since the membrane switch is used as the second pressing detection means, the height can be further reduced.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a two-stage switch unit. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the two-stage switch unit when viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the two-stage switch unit when viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pressed member and the like when viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the touch knob as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the FPC. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a part of the membrane switch. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the contact as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pressed member is not pressed. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pressed member is pressed. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the pressed member is further pressed from the state shown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a state where the dial knob of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 1 is pressed. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing a display screen when the two-stage switch unit is not operated. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a screen of the display when the pressed member corresponding to the “AUDIO” icon is pressed with the first pressing force. FIG. 12C is a diagram showing a display screen when “AUDIO” is executed after “AUDIO” is selected. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control system for in-vehicle electrical equipment. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a two-stage switch unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a perspective view when the substrate, FPC, and holder of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 14 are viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 16 is a perspective view when the substrate, FPC, and holder of the two-stage switch unit shown in FIG. 14 are viewed obliquely from below.

Explanation of symbols

1 Two-stage switch unit 2 Pressed member 3 FPC
33 Ground pattern for rotation detection (rotation detection means)
34 First rotation detection conductor pattern (rotation detection means)
35 Second rotation detection conductor pattern (rotation detection means)
4 Membrane sheet 5 Holder (supporting member)
6 Dial knob (rotating member)
7 Contact (Rotation detection means)
8 Tactile push switch (second press detection means)
D1 Membrane switch (first press detection means)

Claims (6)

A plurality of pressed members;
First pressing detection means for detecting which of the plurality of pressed members is pressed by the first pressing force;
A support member that supports the plurality of pressed members and the first press detection unit;
A rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the support member and is disposed so as to surround the plurality of pressed members;
Second pressure detecting means for detecting that one of the pressed members or the rotating member of the plurality of pressed members is pressed with a second pressing force larger than the first pressing force. When,
And a rotation detecting means for detecting the rotation of the rotating member.   2. The first press detection means and the rotating member are mounted on the support member, and the plurality of pressed members are mounted on the first press detection means. The two-stage switch unit described.   The two-stage switch unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second pressing detection means is one detection switch that supports a central portion of the lower surface of the support member.   4. The two-stage according to claim 1, wherein a part of the rotation detection unit and the first pressure detection unit are provided in one FPC supported by the support member. Switch unit.   5. The two-stage according to claim 1, wherein a part of the rotation detection unit and the second pressure detection unit are provided in one FPC supported by the support member. Switch unit.   The two-stage switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising guide means for guiding the support member in a certain direction.

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