EP3264217B1

EP3264217B1 - Lever operation device

Info

Publication number: EP3264217B1
Application number: EP17174011.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenji Kataoka; Daiki Kaburagi
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-17
Filing date: 2017-06-01
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-01
Also published as: JP6775182B2; JP2017224548A; EP3264217A3; EP3264217A2

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a lever operation device, in particular, a lever operation device operated by a driver in a vehicle such as a car.

2. Description of the Related Art

Vehicular operation devices operated by a driver include, for example, a lever operation device provided near a steering wheel. In the lever operation device, generally, an operation portion lies rotatably and pivotally supported on a top end portion of a lever. On a top end surface of the operation portion, a guide hole is formed, and, into the guide hole, a tactile pin is biased and inserted. A cam is provided in a forward-backward direction of the tactile pin. The cam has an abutting-target surface where both side portions are raised toward the tactile pin, while a center is recessed lowermost. The tactile pin normally abuts a bottom at the center of the abutting-target surface. When the lever is operated to swing, the biased tactile pin slides and moves toward either of the side portions from the bottom of the abutting-target surface, and, due to resistance occurred through this movement, a tactile feel is provided when the lever is rotated.
In the lever operation device configured as described above, basically, an inner diameter of the guide hole is set slightly greater than an outer diameter of the tactile pin so that the tactile pin can be inserted and movable back and forth. However, due to the greater inner diameter of the guide hole, a gap is necessarily formed between an inner peripheral surface of the guide hole and an outer peripheral surface of the tactile pin. Such a gap formed causes the lever to rattle when operated.
To prevent a lever from rattling when operated, various conventional lever operation devices have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a lever switch device (lever operation device) having a cylindrical tactile piece (tactile pin) assembled in a retractable manner into a hole (guide hole) on a top end portion of an operation lever (lever) and biased by a spring (tactile spring). The lever switch device compresses the spring to incline the cylindrical tactile piece. When the tactile piece is inclined, a top end and a base end on its outer peripheral surface abut an inner peripheral surface of the guide hole. The inner peripheral surface of the guide hole and the outer peripheral surface of the tactile piece therefore come into close contact without forming a gap and prevent the operation lever (lever) from rattling when operated.
DE 10 2007 038291 A1 discloses:
A lever operation device comprising: an operation portion having a base end rotatably and pivotally supported, and a top end portion provided with a guide hole; a lever provided to the base end of the operation portion, the lever changing a position of the top end portion of the operation portion; a cam provided at a position facing the top end portion of the operation portion, the cam having an abutting-target surface that is recessed and that extends in operation directions of the lever; a detector for detecting a predetermined signal based on the position of the top end portion of the operation portion; and a tactile pin biased in a forward direction and inserted into the guide hole so as to be movable back and forth, the tactile pin having, at a top top end, an abutting-end portion abutting the abutting-target surface of the cam, the abutting-end portion sliding on the abutting-target surface as the position of the top end portion of the operation portion changes,wherein the guide hole has, on an inner peripheral surface, at a position facing the first inclined surface, two second inclined surfaces at positions facing each other in the operation directions of the lever, wherein the two first inclined surfaces each have a flat surface, wherein a normal direction of the two second inclined surfaces is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever, and the tactile pin is biased in a direction toward which the two first inclined surfaces of the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole abut, wherein the two first inclined surfaces and the two second inclined surfaces abut each other.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-266707

SUMMARY

In a configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 1, however, in directions other than a direction toward which the tactile piece (tactile pin) is inclined, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole and the outer peripheral surface of the tactile piece. In Patent Literature 1, for example, the spring (tactile spring) is compressed to cause a lower portion of the top end and an upper portion of the base end of the tactile piece to abut an inner surface of the guide hole. Although abutting is achieved on the outer peripheral surface at an upper and a lower of the tactile piece, gaps are formed on the outer peripheral surface other than at the upper and the lower. When the operation lever (lever) is operated in a direction toward which a gap is formed, the operation lever (lever) therefore rattles.
To solve the above problems in the conventional art, the present disclosure has an object to further effectively prevent a lever from rattling when operated in a lever operation device having a tactile pin.
A lever operation device according to the present disclosure includes, to solve the above problems, an operation portion, a lever, a cam, a detector, and a tactile pin. The operation portion has a base end rotatably and pivotally supported, and a top end portion provided with a guide hole. The lever is provided to the base end of the operation portion to change a position of the top end portion of the operation portion. The cam is provided at a position facing the top end portion of the operation portion, and has an abutting-target surface that is recessed and that extends in operation directions of the lever. The detector detects a predetermined signal based on the position of the top end portion of the operation portion. The tactile pin is biased in a forward direction, and inserted into the guide hole so as to be movable back and forth, and has, at a top end, an abutting-end portion abutting the abutting-target surface of the cam. The abutting-end portion slides on the abutting-target surface as the position of the top end portion of the operation portion changes. The tactile pin has, on an outer peripheral surface, at least one first inclined surface. The guide hole has, on an inner peripheral surface, at a position facing the first inclined surface, at least one second inclined surface. A normal direction of the at least one first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. A normal direction of the at least one second inclined surface is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. The tactile pin is biased in a direction toward which the at least one first inclined surface of the tactile pin and the at least one second inclined surface of the guide hole abut each other.
According to a configuration described above, the outer peripheral surface of the tactile pin and the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole are each provided with an inclined surface facing in a direction inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. The tactile pin is biased and inserted into the guide hole so that the first inclined surface provided on the tactile pin and the second inclined surface provided on the guide hole substantially abut each other without forming a gap. When the tactile pin is inserted into the guide hole, the tactile pin therefore abuts, with its first inclined surface, the second inclined surface of the guide hole. A portion regarded as the second inclined surface of the guide hole and a portion regarded as the first inclined surface of the tactile pin therefore become a state where the portions almost fit each other.
Even when the lever is operated, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface therefore are kept abutted. In areas other than the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, gaps allowing good forward and backward movement of the tactile pin can therefore be maintained. Since the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are kept abutted, the lever can be operated with a fine tactile feel. As a result, rattling of the lever is prevented effectively when operated, and a fine operation feel can be provided.
The present disclosure configured as described above can prevent rattling of a lever more effectively when operated in a lever operation device including a tactile pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic exemplary configuration of a lever operation device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A is a lower perspective view of a casing provided in the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the casing shown in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3A is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where a tactile pin provided in the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into a guide hole of an operation portion;
FIG. 4B is another schematic diagram illustrating a state where the tactile pin provided in the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the guide hole of the operation portion;
FIG. 4C is still another schematic diagram illustrating a state where the tactile pin provided in the lever operation device shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the guide hole of the operation portion;
FIG. 5 is a partial, vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the tactile pin abutting a cam in the lever operation device shown in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6D is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6E is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6F is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6G is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C;
FIG. 6H is a schematic diagram illustrating still another exemplary modification of the tactile pin and the guide hole shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C; and
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic exemplary configuration of a lever operation device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A lever operation device according to the present disclosure includes an operation portion, a lever, a cam, a detector, and a tactile pin. The operation portion has a base end rotatably and pivotally supported, and a top end portion provided with a guide hole. The lever is provided to the base end of the operation portion to change a position of the top end portion of the operation portion. The cam is provided at a position facing the top end portion of the operation portion, and has an abutting-target surface that is recessed and that extends in operation directions of the lever. The detector detects a predetermined signal based on the position of the top end portion of the operation portion. The tactile pin is biased in a forward direction, and inserted into the guide hole so as to be movable back and forth, and has, at a top end, an abutting-end portion abutting the abutting-target surface of the cam. The abutting-end portion slides on the abutting-target surface as the position of the top end portion of the operation portion changes. The tactile pin has, on an outer peripheral surface, two first inclined surfaces. . The guide hole has, on an inner peripheral surface, at a position facing the first inclined surface, two second inclined surfaces. . A normal direction of the at least one first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. A normal direction of the two second inclined surfaces is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. The tactile pin is biased in a direction toward which the two first inclined surfaces. of the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole abut each other.
According to a configuration described above, the outer peripheral surface of the tactile pin and the inner peripheral surface of the guide hole are each provided with an inclined surface facing in a direction inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever. The tactile pin is biased and inserted into the guide hole so that the two first inclined surfaces provided on the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces provided on the guide hole substantially abut each other without forming a gap. When the tactile pin is inserted into the guide hole, the tactile pin therefore abuts, with its first inclined surface, the second inclined surface of the guide hole. A portion regarded as the second inclined surface of the guide hole and a portion regarded as the first inclined surface of the tactile pin therefore become a state where the portions almost fit each other.
Even when the lever is operated, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface therefore are kept abutted. In areas other than the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, gaps allowing good forward and backward movement of the tactile pin can therefore be maintained. Since the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are kept abutted, the lever can be operated with a fine tactile feel. As a result, rattling of the lever is prevented effectively when operated, and a fine operation feel can be provided.
The lever operation device according to the present disclosure may be configured such that the two first inclined surfaces of the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole lie eccentric near one edge portion in a longitudinal direction, and the abutting-target surface is inclined so that a height of the abutting-target surface is reduced, in the longitudinal direction, from another edge portion toward the one edge portion. Herein, on the cam, a direction toward which the abutting-target surface extends is referred to as a lateral direction, a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, and toward which the tactile pin lies, when viewed from the abutting-target surface, is referred to as a height direction, and a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction and the height direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction.
The lever operation device according to the present disclosure may be configured such that the tactile pin has a cylindrical shape having an interior space into which a biasing member is inserted. A center line of the interior space, i.e., an interior space center line, may be configured to lie eccentric from an abutting-center line extending in the forward direction from a center of the abutting-end portion of the tactile pin. The two first inclined surfaces of the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole may be configured to lie eccentric opposite to the interior space center line with respect to the abutting-center line.
The lever operation device according to the present disclosure is configured such that the tactile pin has, on the outer peripheral surface, at positions facing each other in the operation directions of the lever, the two first inclined surfaces. The lever operation device according to the present disclosure is configured such that the guide hole has, on the inner peripheral surface, at positions facing each other in the operation directions of the lever, the two second inclined surfaces.
The lever operation device according to the present disclosure is configured such that the two first inclined surfaces of the tactile pin and two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole have a flat surface .
The lever operation device according to the present disclosure may be configured such that at least either one of the two first inclined surfaces of the tactile pin and the two second inclined surfaces of the guide hole is provided with a recess portion recessed from the inclined surface.
Typical exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described herein with reference to the drawings. Herein, identical or equivalent components are provided with identical reference signs through all the drawings, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Configuration of lever operation device

First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3B, a typical exemplary configuration of lever operation device 10A according to a first exemplary embodiment will now specifically be described herein.
As shown in FIG. 1, lever operation device 10A according to the present disclosure includes casing 11, cam 12, board cover 13, detector 14, printed circuit board 15, a bottom plate (not shown), operation body 20, and other components. Operation body 20 includes lever 21, and operation portion 22. Although, for purpose of convenience, descriptions are given based on upper-lower directions, left-right directions, and front-back directions indicated by arrows shown in FIG. 1, these directions may not always conform to directions when lever operation device 10A is mounted on a vehicle and the like. Since a longer direction of lever operation device 10A lies, in an example shown in FIG. 1, in the left-right directions, the left-right directions might be sometimes referred to as the "longer direction".
Casing 11 configures a body of lever operation device 10A, and has, for example, a box shape fixed and attached to a body of a vehicle. Casing 11 internally accommodates operation portion 22 of operation body 20. At a lower side of casing 11, board cover 13 is attached. Operation portion 22 is therefore interposed between casing 11 and board cover 13. The lower side of casing 11 is sealed with bottom plate 16 (see FIG. 3B).
As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, a lower surface of casing 11 is open. As also shown in FIG. 1, on an upper surface of casing 11, near an end (right end in this exemplary embodiment) in the longer direction, upper bearing 11a is provided. Upper bearing 11a configures a part of a swinging axis portion rotatably fixing a base end of operation portion 22. On a side surface (right side surface in this exemplary embodiment), near upper bearing 11a, of casing 11, lever-side opening 11b is provided. While operation portion 22 is accommodated in casing 11 and rotatably supported, lever 21 exposes from lever-side opening 11b to outside of casing 11.
As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, inside casing 11, cam 12 is provided. Cam 12 is provided, inside casing 11, at a position facing a top end portion of operation portion 22. Cam 12 has abutting-target surface (cam surface) 12a that is recessed and that extends in operation directions of lever 21. In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, a base end portion of operation portion 22 is rotatably supported by the end (right end in this exemplary embodiment) in the longer direction of casing 11. The top end portion of operation portion 22 therefore faces another end (left end in this exemplary embodiment) in the longer direction of casing 11. Cam 12 is therefore provided on an inner surface of the other end in the longer direction of casing 11.
The other end in the longer direction of casing 11 is, in other words, a position facing lever-side opening 11b of casing 11. In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, cam 12 is configured separated from casing 11, and, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, attached inside casing 11. However, this configuration is merely an example, and cam 12 may be configured integrally so as to form a part of casing 11.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, upper shaft 22d is provided on an upper surface of operation portion 22, while, as shown in FIG. 3B, lower shaft 22e is provided on a lower surface of operation portion 22. On the upper surface of casing 11, as described above, at a position near the end (right end) in the longer direction, upper bearing 11a is provided. On an upper surface of board cover 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, at a position near an end (right end) in the longer direction, lower bearing 13a is provided.
Upper shaft 22d of operation portion 22 fits to upper bearing 11a of casing 11. Lower shaft 22e of operation portion 22 fits to lower bearing 13a of board cover 13. Upper bearing 11a, upper shaft 22d, lower shaft 22e, and lower bearing 13a therefore configure the swinging axis portion rotatably fixing the base end of operation portion 22. A configuration of the swinging axis portion is not limited to the configuration where upper bearing 11a and upper shaft 22d are fitted each other, as well as, lower shaft 22e and lower bearing 13a are fitted each other, but another known configuration may advantageously be used.
Board cover 13 lies, inside casing 11, over detector 14 lying below operation portion 22 and printed circuit board 15. On the upper surface of board cover 13, near the end (right end) in the longer direction, as described above, lower bearing 13a is provided. On the upper surface of board cover 13, near another end (left end) in the longer direction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, detector opening 13b is provided. Detector opening 13b configures an opening extending in directions orthogonal to the longer direction (front-back directions in this exemplary embodiment). A part of detector 14 (detection projection 14b described later) passes through detector opening 13b to abut a part of operation portion 22 (operation recess 22c described later).
Based on a position of the top end portion of operation portion 22, which changes as lever 21 swings, detector 14 detects a predetermined signal. Although detector 14 is not particularly limited to a specific configuration, in this exemplary embodiment, detector 14 includes detector body 14a having a lower surface having a movable contact abutting a surface of printed circuit board 15, and detection projection 14b projecting from an upper surface of detector body 14a. As shown in FIG. 3B, detector body 14a abuts, at the movable contact on the lower surface, an upper surface (surface) of printed circuit board 15. Detection projection 14b passes through, as shown in FIG. 3B, detector opening 13b of board cover 13 to lie in operation recess 22c provided on the lower surface of operation portion 22.
Operation portion 22 of operation body 20 is accommodated, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, in casing 11. The base end of operation portion 22 is rotatably and pivotally supported, as described above, by the swinging axis portion (upper bearing 11a, upper shaft 22d, lower shaft 22e, and lower bearing 13a). Lever 21 of operation body 20 is provided, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, to the base end of operation portion 22 to swingably expose outside of casing 11. Lever 21 is configured, in this exemplary embodiment, to be swingable in at least the front-back directions.
Operation portion 22 has, as described above, on an end in the longer direction, i.e., the base end portion (right end in this exemplary embodiment), upper shaft 22d on its upper surface, and lower shaft 22e on its lower surface. On a front surface of another end in the longer direction, i.e., the top end portion (left end in this exemplary embodiment), of operation portion 22, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, guide hole 22a is provided, into which tactile pin 23 is inserted. On the lower surface of the top end portion, operation recess 22c allowing detection projection 14b to dispose internally is provided.
As described above, detection projection 14b passes through detector opening 13b of board cover 13 to project toward operation portion 22. Operation recess 22c allows detection projection 14b projected from board cover 13 to lie internally. When lever 21 is operated, and operation portion 22 rotates about a center of the swinging axis portion, the top end portion of operation portion 22 greatly swings in the front-back directions. Since, along with this swinging, operation recess 22c also swings in the front-back directions, detection projection 14b lying in operation recess 22c and abutting either of inner surfaces of operation recess 22c also swings in the front-back directions.
Detection projection 14b lies, as described above, near the left end of board cover 13, and in detector opening 13b provided as the opening having a substantially rectangular shape extending in the front-back directions. When detection projection 14b swings in the front-back directions, detection projection 14b is therefore guided in swinging directions so as to move approximately straight along detector opening 13b. When detection projection 14b moves approximately straight in the front-back directions, the movable contact on the lower surface of detector body 14a also slides on the surface of printed circuit board 15. On the surface of printed circuit board 15, a plurality of wiring patterns is formed. At a predetermined location of each of the wiring patterns, a fixed contact is provided. When the movable contact on the lower surface of detector body 14a that is swinging lies at the fixed contact, electricity can be conducted. In other words, detector 14 and printed circuit board 15 (as well as detector opening 13b of board cover 13) configure a switch contact capable of performing an electrical separation when the top end portion of operation portion 22 swings.
In this exemplary embodiment, detector 14 is configured as a mechanical switch for performing switching of an electrical separation depending on whether the fixed contact and the movable contact on the lower surface of detector body 14A abut each other. However, a configuration of detector 14 is not limited to this configuration. As long as detector 14 can detect displacement of operation portion 22, magnetic detection means or optical detection means may be employed. For example, a permanent magnet may be provided to operation portion 22 to configure printed circuit board 15 disposed with a magnetic sensor. A reflector may be provided to operation portion 22 to configure printed circuit board 15 disposed with a light emitting element and a light receiving element.
Tactile pin 23 is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, inserted into guide hole 22a provided at the top end portion of operation portion 22 so as to be movable back and forth, and biased in the forward direction. A top end of tactile pin 23 configures abutting-end portion 23a abutting abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12. As shown in FIG. 3A, in this exemplary embodiment, in tactile pin 23, an upper surface and both side surfaces at an upper portion respectively have an approximately flat cross section (cross section in the front-back directions). At a lower portion, on both the side surfaces of tactile pin 23, first inclined surfaces, i.e., pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, are formed. Even though a lower surface of tactile pin 23 is flat, its area is narrower than a width of the upper surface due to pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b. At edge portions, adjacent to the upper surface, on both the side surfaces of tactile pin 23, lateral projections 23c each projecting from each of the side surfaces are provided.
Tactile pin 23 has, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3A, 3B, a hollow cylindrical shape. In an interior space of tactile pin 23, i.e., bore 23d, a biasing member, i.e., tactile spring 24, is inserted. Tactile spring 24 therefore biases tactile pin 23 toward the end (top end portion, left end) in the longer direction, i.e., the forward direction. As shown in FIG. 1, at a lower portion, on an inner peripheral surface, of guide hole 22a, second inclined surfaces, i.e., guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b are laterally provided.
As tactile pin 23 is biased in the forward direction, abutting-end portion 23a abuts abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12. As shown in FIG. 3A, abutting-target surface 12a is a continuous recessed surface in the front-back directions (operation directions of lever 21, extending directions). When a direction toward tactile pin 23, i.e., a direction toward the top end portion of operation portion 22, is referred to as a height direction of abutting-target surface 12a (right direction in this exemplary embodiment), a center in the front-back directions, i.e., the bottom, of abutting-target surface 12a, becomes lowest, while both side portions become highest. Cam 12 according to this exemplary embodiment is configured such that both the side portions in the front-back directions are flat, while the bottom at the center is lowest (recessed). However, cam 12 may be configured such that both side portions are projected with respect to a bottom at a center (projected). Cam 12 may otherwise be configured such that a side portion is flat, while another side portion is projected.
When lever 21 lies at a neutral position, abutting-end portion 23a of tactile pin 23 lies at the bottom. When lever 21 is operated to swing in either of the front-back directions, and a position of the top end portion of operation portion 22 changes, abutting-end portion 23a of tactile pin 23 slides on abutting-target surface 12a from the bottom to either of the side portions, along with this operation. A sliding movement at this time provides a tactile feel when lever 21 is rotated. In other words, tactile pin 23 and cam 12 configure tactile means. When lever 21 lies at the neutral position, the top end portion of operation portion 22 is therefore held at a position facing the bottom of abutting-target surface 12a. When lever 21 is operated to swing in either of the front-back directions, the tactile means operates and provides a tactile feel, and the top end portion of operation portion 22 is held at a predetermined position in the front-back directions.
In this exemplary embodiment, abutting-target surface 12a has a recessed shape as shown in FIG. 3A. Abutting-target surface 12a is inclined, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the upper-lower directions, such that an upper portion is raised, while a lower portion is lowered. In other words, abutting-target surface 12a is inclined such that a height of the abutting-target surface is reduced, in the longitudinal direction, from another edge portion (upper edge portion) toward an edge portion (lower edge portion). Herein, the extending direction of abutting-target surface 12a is referred to as a "lateral direction of the tactile means" (in parallel to the operation directions, front-back directions). A direction orthogonal to the lateral direction, and facing tactile pin 23, when viewed from abutting-target surface 12a, is referred to as a "height direction of the tactile means or abutting-target surface 12a" (in parallel to the forward-backward directions, right direction). A direction orthogonal to the lateral direction and the height direction is referred to as a "longitudinal direction of the tactile means" (upper-lower directions).

Configuration of tactile pin and guide hole

Next, a specific configuration of tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a into which tactile pin 23 is to be inserted, as well as a state where tactile pin 23 is inserted into guide hole 22a will now be described herein with reference, in addition to FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B, to FIGS. 4A to 4C, and 5.
In lever operation device 10A according to the present disclosure, tactile pin 23 has, on its outer peripheral surface, a first inclined surface. Guide hole 22a has, on its inner peripheral surface, at a position facing the first inclined surface of tactile pin 23, a second inclined surface. Normal directions of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are inclined with respect to the operation directions of lever 21.
FIG. 4A schematically illustrates this exemplary embodiment where tactile pin 23 is inserted into guide hole 22a of operation portion 22, when viewed from a top end surface (the other end in the longer direction, left end) of operation portion 22. In FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, tactile pin 23 is inserted in an identical manner. FIG. 4B shows operation portion 22 and guide hole 22a with a broken line for illustrating a configuration of tactile pin 23. FIG. 4C shows tactile pin 23 with a broken line for illustrating a configuration of guide hole 22a.
In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, at a lower side, on an outer periphery, of tactile pin 23, two first inclined surfaces, i.e., pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, are provided. Two pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b are, when viewed from the top end surface, in a positional relationship of line symmetry with respect to a center line in the upper-lower directions (longitudinal direction of the tactile means) (illustrated with an alternate long and short dash line only in FIG. 4A). As shown in FIG. 4C, at a lower side, on an inner periphery, of guide hole 22a, two second inclined surfaces, i.e., guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b, are provided. Two guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b are also, similar to pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, in a positional relationship of line symmetry with respect to the center line in the upper-lower directions. In other words, pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b of tactile pin 23 and guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b of guide hole 22a lie eccentric downward in the upper-lower directions (a side in the longitudinal direction).
While tactile pin 23 is inserted into guide hole 22a, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a pair of pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b (first inclined surfaces) of tactile pin 23 and a pair of guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b (second inclined surfaces) of guide hole 22a are biased so as to abut each other. Although means for achieving this biasing (biasing means) is not limited to particular means, in this exemplary embodiment, biasing means is achieved, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 5, by inclining abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12 so that its height is reduced downward in the longitudinal direction of the tactile means. In FIG. 5, for purpose of convenience, the height direction (right direction in this exemplary embodiment) of abutting-target surface 12a described above is also illustrated with an arrow.
Specifically, lever 21 can swing, about the swinging axis portion (upper shaft 22d, and other components) of operation portion 22, in operation directions M₁ shown by a block bidirectional arrow in FIG. 3A (swinging directions, the front-back directions in this exemplary embodiment) (FIGS. 4B, 4C also show the block bidirectional arrow of operation directions M₁). As shown in FIGS. 3B and 5, tactile pin 23 is movable in forward-backward directions M₂ shown by a block bidirectional arrow (advancing-retracting directions, the left-right directions in this exemplary embodiment). Tactile pin 23 is, as described above, biased by tactile spring 24 inserted into bore 23d toward cam 12 (left direction in this exemplary embodiment).
As shown in FIGS. 3B and 5, abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12 is inclined so that the upper portion is higher, while the lower portion is lower. The top end of tactile pin 23, i.e., abutting-end portion 23a, abuts inclined abutting-target surface 12a, and thus is slidable. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, a biasing force therefore occurs toward abutting-end portion 23a in biasing direction M₃ shown by a block arrow (downward direction in this exemplary embodiment).
At the lower portion, on the outer peripheral surface, of tactile pin 23, as described above, the pair of pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b is provided. At the lower portion, on the inner peripheral surface, of guide hole 22a, at positions corresponding to the pair of pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, the pair of guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b is provided. These inclined surfaces lie eccentric downward in the longitudinal direction of the tactile means. Due to pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b abutting each other by the downward biasing force, the lower portion of tactile pin 23 stably abuts the lower portion of guide hole 22a. Tactile pin 23 is therefore held so as to fit, with its lower portion, to the lower portion of guide hole 22a.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, appropriate gaps are therefore formed between the outer peripheral surface of tactile pin 23 and the inner peripheral surface of guide hole 22a, excluding abutting positions between pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b. As a result, tactile pin 23 can move well back and forth in guide hole 22a. The lower portion of tactile pin 23 and the outer peripheral surface of guide hole 22a tightly fit each other without forming a gap. As a result, even when lever 21 is operated to swing the top end portion of operation portion 22, rattling in operation can be suppressed or avoided effectively.
Tactile pin 23 is biased by the "biasing member", i.e., tactile spring 24, in the forward direction (opposite to the height direction), as well as is biased by the "biasing means", i.e., inclined abutting-target surface 12a, in the longitudinal direction (downward). In the present disclosure, tactile pin 23 is therefore applied with, by the "biasing member", a first biasing force, and, by the "biasing means (or a biasing structure)", a second biasing force.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, at the upper portion of tactile pin 23, lateral projections 23c are laterally provided. At the lower portion of tactile pin 23, pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b abutting each other partially eliminate any gap. At the upper portion of tactile pin 23, due to lateral projections 23c, gaps formed with the inner periphery of guide hole 22a are reduced. Therefore, even when lever 21 is operated to swing the top end portion of operation portion 22, since a gap can substantially be eliminated at the upper portion of tactile pin 23, and a gap can be reduced as much as possible at the lower portion, rattling can be suppressed or avoided more effectively.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, appropriate gaps are formed between the lower surface, on the outer periphery, of tactile pin 23 and a lower surface, on the inner periphery, of guide hole 22a, and between the upper surface, on the outer periphery, of tactile pin 23 and an upper surface, on the inner periphery, of guide hole 22a. Even when the lower portion of tactile pin 23 and the lower portion of guide hole 22a come closer so as to almost fit each other, a gap for allowing tactile pin 23 to move well back and forth in the guide hole 22a can therefore be secured.
Operation directions M₁, forward-backward directions M₂, and biasing direction M₃ respectively are in intersecting relationships each other. Operation directions M₁ are directions orthogonal to a horizontal direction, with respect to the longer direction of lever operation device 10A. Forward-backward directions M₂ are directions in the longer direction. Biasing direction M₃ is a direction orthogonal to a vertical direction, with respect to the longer direction. Operation directions M₁ are in parallel to the lateral direction of the tactile means. Forward-backward directions M₂ are in parallel to the height direction of the tactile means. Biasing direction M₃ is in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tactile means.
An inclination angle of the first inclined surface of tactile pin 23 (i.e., an inclination angle of the second inclined surface of guide hole 22a) is not limited to a particular angle, but may appropriately be set in accordance with various conditions including a shape and a material of tactile pin 23, and a magnitude of a load to be applied in biasing direction M₃. As a proposed example, as shown in FIG. 4A, with respect to a reference line in the upper-lower directions (longitudinal direction of the tactile means) (straight line in an identical direction to the center line), when an angle formed by a direction toward which the first inclined surface extends is specified to inclination angle θ₁ of the first inclined surface, inclination angle θ₁ may fall within a range from 5° to 45° inclusive.
Since, when inclination angle θ₁ becomes smaller, tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a can fit well, rattling of lever 21 can be prevented more when operated. However, operability of lever 21 would likely lower. On the other hand, when inclination angle θ₁ becomes greater, the operability of lever 21 can be improved. However, an effect of rattling prevention would likely lower. For actual inclination angle θ₁, from a view point of a balance between rattling prevention and operability, an appropriate angle range can be set (for example, in a range from 5° to 45° inclusive).
An angle of abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12 is not limited to a particular angle, as long as an angle allows an advantageous biasing force to be applied in biasing direction M₃ toward the top end portion (abutting-end portion 23a) of tactile pin 23 slidably abutting abutting-target surface 12a. As a proposed example, as shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the reference line in the upper-lower directions (longitudinal direction of the tactile means), when an angle formed by a direction toward which abutting-target surface 12a extends is specified to inclination angle θ₂ of abutting-target surface 12a, inclination angle θ₂ may also fall within a range from 5° to 45° inclusive.
Since, if inclination angle θ₂ is reduced excessively, a height difference (inclination height difference) in the upper-lower directions of abutting-target surface 12a also is reduced, an enough biasing force would less likely be applied to abutting-end portion 23a of tactile pin 23. On the other hand, since, if inclination angle θ₂ is increased excessively, an inclination height difference of abutting-target surface 12a with respect to a height difference required for a cam surface (height difference between both the side portions and the bottom) relatively increases, cam 12 having an appropriate function would less likely be designed. For example, an excessive inclination height difference could lead to unintended results including that a part of the top end portion of operation portion 22 would likely come into contact with one of the side portions of abutting-target surface 12a, and a length of protrusion of tactile pin 23 when lying in the neutral position would likely be extended.

EXEMPLARY MODIFICATIONS

In lever operation device 10A according to the present disclosure, the pair of pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b is provided at the lower portion of tactile pin 23, while the pair of guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b is provided at the lower portion of guide hole 22a. However, a specific configuration of a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface is not limited to this configuration. Other exemplary configurations of a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface will now specifically be described herein with reference, in addition to FIGS. 4A to 4C, to FIGS. 6A to 6H.
FIGS. 4A to 4C exemplify configurations of tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a. At the lower portion, on the outer peripheral surface, of tactile pin 23, two pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b are provided at positions facing each other. At the lower portion, on the inner peripheral surface, of guide hole 22a, two guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b can abut pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, and are provided at positions facing each other. At the edge portions, adjacent to the upper surface, on both the side surfaces, of tactile pin 23, lateral projections 23c are provided. However, as shown in FIG. 6A or 6B, lateral projections 23c may not particularly be provided.
As shown in FIG. 6B or 6C, on pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b of tactile pin 23, recess portions 23e respectively recessed from pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b may be provided. By providing recess portions 23e to tactile pin 23, and allowing recess portions 23e to retain a lubricant such as grease, the grease can be spread wholly along tactile pin 23 moving back and forth. Abutting portions between tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a (abutting portions between the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces) can fully be lubricated, and tactile pin 23 can thus move well back and forth.
A specific shape of recess portion 23e is not particularly limited, but a widely known shape may be applied. For example, a straight groove or a waved groove extending in the longer direction of tactile pin 23 may be applied, as well as dotted recesses configuring a regular arrangement may be applied. Recess portions 23e may be provided, as shown in FIG. 6B or 6C, to tactile pin 23, or to guide hole 22a.
The present disclosure can be achieved, as long as at least one first inclined surface is provided on an outer peripheral surface of tactile pin 23. The present disclosure can also be achieved, as long as at least one second inclined surface is provided on an inner peripheral surface of guide hole 22a, at a position corresponding to the first inclined surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b may be provided on either of side surfaces at a lower portion, and may not be provided on another of the side surfaces at the lower portion.
In a configuration where two first inclined surfaces and two second inclined surfaces are provided, as shown in FIG. 4A or 6A, two inclination angles may not be identical, and the two inclination angles may differ each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 6E, on a side surface at a lower portion, pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b are provided, and, on another side surface at the lower portion, pin outer periphery inclined surface 23f and guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22f each having smaller inclination angle θ₁ (steep inclined surface) may be provided. On the other hand, while not shown in the drawings, on another side surface at a lower portion, an inclined surface having greater inclination angle θ₁ (slow inclined surface) may be provided.
In the above described exemplary configurations, the first inclined surface(s) and the second inclined surface(s) each have a flat surface. In a non-claimed exemplary illustration as shown in FIG. 6F, at a lower portion of guide hole 22a, flat guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b are provided at two locations, while, at a lower portion of tactile pin 23, curved pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23g may be provided at two locations.
In a non-claimed exemplary illustration as shown in FIG. 6G, at a lower portion of tactile pin 23, flat pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b are provided at two locations, while, at a lower portion of guide hole 22a, curved guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22g may be provided at two locations. As shown in FIG. 6H, at a lower portion of tactile pin 23, curved pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23g may be provided at two locations, while, at a lower portion of guide hole 22a, curved guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22g may be provided at two locations. Although not shown in the drawings, a first inclined surface or a second inclined surface may have an uneven surface other than a flat surface and a curved surface.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B (or, FIGS. 6A to 6C), tactile pin 23 may advantageously have an outer peripheral surface having two first inclined surfaces, at positions facing each other in the operation directions of lever 21 (lateral direction of the tactile means). Guide hole 22a may advantageously have an inner peripheral surface having two second inclined surfaces, at positions facing each other in the operation directions of lever 21 (lateral direction of the tactile means). All inclined surfaces may advantageously lie eccentric at a side (downward) in the longitudinal direction of the tactile means.
In such a configuration, when tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a fit each other, a biasing force is applied to positions where two inclined surfaces abut each other. As a result, tactile pin 23 functions as a "wedge" to stably hold guide hole 22a. Tactile pin 23 and guide hole 22a can therefore advantageously and fully be fitted and held. Such a "wedge function" of tactile pin 23 further well works when a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface each have a flat surface.
A first inclined surface and a second inclined surface should advantageously not be in parallel to the operation directions (the lateral direction of the tactile means). If these inclined surfaces are in parallel to the operation directions, the "wedge function" of tactile pin 23 would not be likely to work fully. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, as long as pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b are not in parallel to the operation directions, pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b and guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b may each be only one. In this example, since an area of the outer peripheral surface of tactile pin 23, which is opposite to pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b, abuts the inner peripheral surface of guide hole 22a, tactile pin 23 can fully demonstrate the "wedge function".
As described above, in the configurations according to the present disclosure, the outer peripheral surface of tactile pin 23 and the inner peripheral surface of guide hole 22a are respectively provided with an inclined surface facing in a direction inclined with respect to the operation directions of lever 21. Tactile pin 23 is biased and inserted into guide hole 22a so that the first inclined surface (pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b) provided to tactile pin 23 and the second inclined surface (guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b) provided to guide hole 22a substantially abut each other.
While tactile pin 23 is inserted into guide hole 22a, tactile pin 23 therefore abuts, with its first inclined surface, the second inclined surface of guide hole 22a. Due to a biasing force, a portion regarded as the second inclined surface of guide hole 22a and a portion regarded as the first inclined surface of tactile pin 23 therefore become a state where the portions almost fit each other. Even when lever 21 is operated, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface can therefore be kept abutted.
In other areas than the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface, gaps allowing tactile pin 23 to move well back and forth can therefore be kept maintained. Since the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are kept abutted, lever 21 can be operated with a fine tactile feel. As a result, lever 21 is effectively prevented from rattling when operated, and a fine operation feel can be provided.

SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The first exemplary embodiment has been configured such that, as a configuration (biasing means) where tactile pin 23 is biased into guide hole 22a so that the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces abut each other, abutting-target surface 12a of cam 12 has been inclined so that its height reduces downward. A configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to this, but another configuration may be applied. Another exemplary configuration of the biasing means will now be described herein with reference to FIG. 7.
As shown in the vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, lever operation device 10B according to a second exemplary embodiment basically has a configuration identical to the configuration of lever operation device 10A according to the first exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 3B), excluding biasing means. A description of the configuration of lever operation device 10B, excluding the biasing means, is therefore omitted.
In lever operation device 10B, different from abutting-target surface 12a according to the first exemplary embodiment, neither abutting-target surface (cam surface) 12b of cam 12 is inclined, nor its height is changed. Instead, different from bore 23d according to the first exemplary embodiment, an interior space of cylindrical-shaped tactile pin 23, i.e., bore 23h, lies eccentric from abutting-center line X set on abutting-end portion 23a of tactile pin 23. As shown in FIG. 7, with abutting-end portion 23a of tactile pin 23 abutting abutting-target surface 12b, abutting-center line X is set as a straight line extending in a forward direction of tactile pin 23 from a center of abutting-end portion 23a.
While bore 23h of tactile pin 23 lies eccentric from abutting-center line X as described above, a first inclined surface (pin outer periphery inclined surface 23b) of tactile pin 23 and a second inclined surface (guide hole inner periphery inclined surface 22b) of guide hole 22a lie eccentric downward in the longitudinal direction of the tactile means, similar to the first exemplary embodiment. In other words, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface lie eccentric in a direction opposite to an eccentric direction of bore 23h with respect to abutting-center line X (see FIGS. 4A to 4C).
In other words, it can be said that the biasing means according to this exemplary embodiment includes bore 23h lying eccentric from abutting-center line X set to tactile pin 23, and a biasing member (tactile spring 24) inserted into bore 23h. A degree of eccentricity of bore 23h from abutting-center line X of tactile pin 23 is not limited to a particular degree, but may appropriately be set in accordance with various conditions including a height difference of cam 12, a shape of tactile pin 23, and a magnitude of elasticity of tactile spring 24.
As described above, when bore 23h of tactile pin 23 lies eccentric, a direction of a "first biasing force" provided by tactile spring 24 can lie eccentric from abutting-center line X of tactile pin 23. In the example shown in FIG. 7, bore 23h and tactile spring 24 lie eccentric upward. Toward a top end portion of tactile pin 23, i.e., abutting-end portion 23a, a "second biasing force" therefore occurs downward (see FIGS. 4B and 5). At a lower portion, on both side surfaces, of tactile pin 23, a pair of first inclined surfaces (pin outer periphery inclined surfaces 23b, 23f, 23g, etc.) is provided. At a lower portion, on an inner peripheral surface, of guide hole 22a, a pair of second inclined surfaces (guide hole inner periphery inclined surfaces 22b, 22f, 22g, etc.) is provided.
Therefore, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, portions regarded as the second inclined surfaces of guide hole 22a and portions regarded as the first inclined surfaces of tactile pin 23 each become a state where the portions respectively almost fit each other. Since tactile pin 23 can therefore demonstrate a "wedge function", even when lever 21 is operated, the first inclined surfaces and the second inclined surfaces are kept abutted. As a result, rattling of lever 21 is prevented effectively when operated, and a fine operation feel can be provided.
Lever operation device 10A according to the first exemplary embodiment or lever operation device 10B according to the second exemplary embodiment can advantageously be used as a lever operation device mounted on a vehicle such as a car. Typical lever operation devices include, for example, but not limited to, a turning direction indicating device for turning on or off turn signal lamps through an operation of an operation lever mounted in a vehicle.
The present disclosure is not limited to the above described exemplary embodiments, but may variously be altered within the scope of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims. Other exemplary embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technological means disclosed in different exemplary embodiments and a plurality of exemplary modifications are also included , as defined in the appended Claims

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is widely and advantageously applicable to a field of lever operation devices mounted in vehicles such as cars.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10A, 10B: lever operation device
11: casing
11a: upper bearing
11b: lever-side opening
12: cam
12a, 12b: abutting-target surface
13: board cover
13a: lower bearing
13b: detector opening
14: detector
14a: detector body
14b: detection projection
15: printed circuit board
16: bottom plate
20: operation body
21: lever
22: operation portion
22a: guide hole
22b, 22f, 22g: guide hole inner periphery inclined surface (second inclined surface)
22c: operation recess
22d: upper shaft
22e: lower shaft
23: tactile pin
23a: abutting-end portion
23b, 23f, 23g: pin outer periphery inclined surface (first inclined surface)
23c: lateral projection
23d, 23h: bore (interior space)
23e: recess portion
24: tactile spring (biasing member)

Claims

A lever operation device (10A, 10B) comprising:
an operation portion (22) having a base end rotatably and pivotally supported, and a top end portion provided with a guide hole (22a);

a lever (21) provided to the base end of the operation portion (22), the lever (21) changing a position of the top end portion of the operation portion (22);

a cam (12) provided at a position facing the top end portion of the operation portion (22), the cam (12) having an abutting-target surface (12a, 12b) that is recessed and that extends in operation directions of the lever (21);

a detector (14) for detecting a predetermined signal based on the position of the top end portion of the operation portion (22); and

a tactile pin (23) biased in a forward direction and inserted into the guide hole (22a) so as to be movable back and forth, the tactile pin (23) having, at a top top end, an abutting-end portion (23a) abutting the abutting-target surface (12a, 12b) of the cam (12), the abutting-end portion (23a) sliding on the abutting-target surface (12a, 12b) as the position of the top end portion of the operation portion (22) changes,

wherein

the tactile pin (23) has, on an outer peripheral surface, two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) at positions facing each other in the operation directions of the lever (21),

the guide hole (22a) has, on an inner peripheral surface, at a position facing the first inclined surface, two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) at positions facing each other in the operation directions of the lever (21),

wherein the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) and the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) each have a flat surface,

a normal direction of the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever (21),

a normal direction of the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) is inclined with respect to the operation directions of the lever (21), and

the tactile pin (23) is biased in a direction toward which the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) of the tactile pin (23) abut the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) of the guide hole (22a), wherein the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) and the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) abut each other.
The lever operation device (10A) according to claim 1, wherein
when, on the cam (12), a direction toward which the abutting-target surface (12a, 12b) extends is referred to as a lateral direction, a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction and facing the tactile pin (23) when viewed from the abutting-target surface (12a, 12b) is referred to as a height direction, and a direction orthogonal to the lateral direction and the height direction is referred to as a longitudinal direction,

the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) of the tactile pin (23) and the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) of the guide hole (22a) lie eccentric near one edge portion in the longitudinal direction, and

the abutting-target surface (12a) is inclined so that a height of the abutting-target surface is reduced, in the longitudinal direction, from another edge portion toward the one edge portion.
The lever operation device (10B) according to claim 1, wherein
the tactile pin (23) has a cylindrical shape having an interior space (23d, 23h) into which a biasing member (24) is inserted,

the interior space (23d, 23h) having a center line that is an interior space center line lying eccentric to an abutting-center line (X) extending in the forward direction from a center of the abutting-end portion (23a) of the tactile pin (23), and

the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) of the tactile pin (23) and the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) of the guide hole (22a) lie eccentric opposite to the interior space center line with respect to the abutting-center line (X).
The lever operation device (10A, 10B) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
at least either one of the two first inclined surfaces (23b, 23f) of the tactile pin (23) and the two second inclined surfaces (22b, 22f) of the guide hole (22a) is provided with a recess portion (23e) recessed from the inclined surface.