GB2562426A

GB2562426A - Switch device

Info

Publication number: GB2562426A
Application number: GB1812762.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Uemura Tsunehito; Myojo Hideyuki; Ogawa Satoshi; Fujiwara Sadao; Moriwaki Riichi
Original assignee: Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tokai Rika Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-01
Filing date: 2017-01-24
Publication date: 2018-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-24
Also published as: GB2562426B; JP6619659B2; GB201812762D0; WO2017135104A1; JP2017139067A

Abstract

A switch device is provided with a pedestal part (20) having a mounting hole (21); a switch body (30) having a base (40) attached to the pedestal part (20) by being inserted into the mounting hole (21); a rattling suppression groove (22) provided on one of the pedestal part (20) or the base (40); a rattling suppression wall (43) provided on the other of the pedestal part (20) and the base (40), the rattling suppression wall (43) contacting said rattling suppression groove (22) by being inserted into the rattling suppression groove (22) correspondingly and in accompaniment with the base (40) being inserted into the mounting hole (21); and a collapsing rib (48) provided on the rattling suppression groove (22) and/or the rattling suppression wall (43), the rib being deformed by crushing due to contact between the rattling suppression groove and the rattling suppression wall. A groove width (L1) of the rattling suppression groove (22) gradually expands towards the opposite side from the corresponding insertion direction of the rattling suppression wall (43).

Description

DESCRIPTION

SWITCH DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A switch device known in the art includes a switch main body including an operation portion supported by a base so as to be movable relative to the base (for example, patent document 1) and a seat including a coupling hole into which the base is inserted. The base is inserted into the coupling hole to fix the base to the seat. Such a switch device may be used to shift gear modes of a vehicle or the like and is arranged on, for example, a dashboard.

[0003] In addition to the switch main body used to shift gear modes, a plurality of switch main bodies such as that used to adjust air conditioning are often coupled to the dashboard. That is, the switch main bodies share the dashboard corresponding to the seat. Such a dashboard needs to include a plurality of coupling holes corresponding to bases of the switch main bodies. Thus, dashboards are often manufactured through injection molding.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

PATENT DOCUMENT

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent

Publication No. 2010-137623

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is desirable that some of the switch devices such as that used to shift gear modes on the dashboard be arranged directed toward the driver so that it can easily be operated by the driver. However, the dashboard is injection-molded and thus needs to be removed from a mold. Thus, when some of the switch devices are inclined with respect to the other switch devices, the axial directions of some of the coupling holes differ from the mold-removal direction. For this reason, the dashboard needs to be short shot in excess. The switch main body, more specifically, the base, needs to be shaped accordingly in order to fill the short shot portions. However, there are right-hand drive vehicles and left-hand drive vehicles. In addition, the switch device (switch main body) that needs to be arranged in an inclined manner differs between vehicle types. The number of vehicle types is tremendous when taking into account the difference between right-hand drive vehicles and left-hand drive vehicles. Further, a switch device (switch main body) that is arranged in an inclined manner needs to be prepared for each vehicle type. In other words, it is difficult to commonize the switch device between different vehicle types.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch device that is arranged in an inclined manner and allows for commonization of elements of the switch device.

One aspect of the present invention is a switch device including a seat, a switch main body, a loosening limiting groove, a loosening limiting wall, and a compressed rib. The seat includes a coupling hole. The switch main body includes a base inserted into the coupling hole and coupled to the seat. The loosening limiting groove is arranged on one of the seat and the base; a loosening limiting wall arranged on the other one of the seat and the base. When the base is inserted into the coupling hole, the loosening limiting wall is relatively inserted into the loosening limiting groove to contact the loosening limiting groove. The compressed rib is arranged on at least one of the loosening limiting groove and the loosening limiting wall. The compressed rib is compressed and deformed as the loosening limiting groove contacts the loosening limiting wall. The loosening limiting groove has a groove width that gradually increases toward a side opposite to a relative insertion direction of the loosening limiting wall.

[0007] In this structure, since the groove width of the loosening limiting groove gradually increases toward the side opposite to the relative insertion direction of the loosening limiting wall, mold removal can be performed on the loosening limiting groove and the loosening limiting wall of the seat even when they are inclined with respect to the mold-removal direction. Thus, the seat can be manufactured through a molding method that requires a mold removal process.

[0008] The switch device of the present invention is arranged in an inclined manner and allows for commonization of elements of the switch device. Other embodiments and advantages of the present invention are understood from the following description together with the drawings that illustrate the examples of technical ideas of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a front view of a switch device.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a process for manufacturing a dashboard.

Fig. 3A is an upper view of a switch main body.

Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4A is an upper view of the switch main body.

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the dashboard taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of a loosening limiting groove 22 and a loosening limiting wall 43 before the loosening limiting portion 43 enters the loosening limiting groove 22 .

Fig. 5B an enlarged view of the loosening limiting groove 22 and the loosening limiting wall 43 after the loosening limiting portion 43 enters the loosening limiting groove 22 .

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One embodiment of a switch device will now be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1, a switch device 10 includes a dashboard 20 and a switch main body 30. The switch main body 30 includes a base 40 coupled to the dashboard 20 and an operation portion 50 coupled to the base 40. For example, the operation portion 50 is coupled to the base 40 so that the operation portion 50 is rotatable relative to the base 40. [0011] The dashboard 20 is formed through injection molding. As shown in Fig. 2, the dashboard 20 includes a coupling hole 21. The coupling hole 21 is tubular and gradually increases in diameter toward a front side of the dashboard 20 (upper side in the drawing). The front side of the dashboard 20 refers to a portion of the dashboard 20 that is exposed to the passenger compartment when the dashboard 20 is coupled to a body (not shown). The axis of the coupling hole 21 is inclined by angle a relative to the direction in which a mold is removed.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 4B, a loosening limiting groove 22 is arranged in a wall surface of the dashboard 20 that defines the coupling hole 21. The loosening limiting groove 22 includes opposing inner side surfaces 23 and 24. The loosening limiting groove 22 has a groove length LI (opposing distance of inner side surfaces 23 and 24) that gradually increases toward the front side of the dashboard 20.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 3A and 4A, the base 40 includes a tube 41, a flange 42, and a loosening limiting wall 43.

The outer diameter of the tube 41 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the smallest part of the coupling hole 21.

[0014] The flange 42 is continuous with an edge of the tube 41. The outer diameter of the flange 42 is larger than the inner diameter of the smallest part of the coupling hole 21, that is, the inner diameter of an opening of the coupling hole 21. The operation portion 50, which is tubular, coupled to the side of the flange 42 opposite to the tube 41 is rotatable relative to the base 40 (flange 42).

[0015] The loosening limiting wall 43 includes a first wall 44 and a second wall 45 arranged on an outer circumference of the tube 41. The first wall 44 and the second wall 45 are axial members each having a rectangular cross section in an axial direction. Opposing portions (opposing surfaces) of the first wall 44 and the second wall 45 extend in the axial direction of the tube 41. In other words, the switch main body 30 includes the operation portion 50 coupled to a first end of the base 40, and the loosening limiting wall 43 extends on the outer circumferential surface of the base 40 from the first end to a second end located at a side opposite to the first end. That is, the switch main body 30 is elongated, and the loosening limiting wall 43 extends in the axial direction of the switch main body 30 on the outer circumferential surface of the base 40. Further, the separated distance between an outer side surface 46 of the first wall 44 located at the side opposite to the second wall 45 and an outer side surface 47 of the second wall 45 located at the side opposite to the first wall 44 (hereinafter referred to as the wall width L2 of loosening limiting wall 43) gradually increases toward the flange 42. The groove width LI and the wall width L2 are set so that the increasing rate of the wall width L2, which increases toward the flange 42, is equal to the increasing rate of the groove width LI, which increases toward the front side of the dashboard 20. Additionally, the wall width L2 at the boundary of the tube 41 and the flange 42 is equal to the groove width LI at the opening of the coupling hole 21.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, a compressed rib 48 projects from the outer side surface 47. The compressed rib 48 extends between two ends of the outer side surface 47 in a longitudinal direction of the outer side surface 47, that is, the axial direction of the tube 41. In other words, the loosening limiting groove 22 includes two opposing wall surfaces, the loosening limiting wall 43 includes the two side surfaces 47 respectively opposing the two wall surfaces of the loosening limiting groove 22, and the compressed rib 48 is formed on at least one of the two wall surfaces of the loosening limiting groove 22 and the two side surfaces (47) of the loosening limiting wall 43. The compressed rib 48 is an extremely thin plate. The projection length d from the outer side surface 47 is sufficiently smaller than the groove width LI and the wall width L2. However, the projection length d is illustrated in an exaggerated manner in the drawing. The compressed rib 48 is compressed and deformed when receiving pressure in the projecting direction. The projection length d of the compressed rib 48 is set to be uniform.

[0017] The operation and advantages of the switch device 10 will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 3B, the base 40 is inserted into the coupling hole 21 so that the switch main body 30 is coupled to the dashboard 20 by an engagement relationship (not shown) with the dashboard 20.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the loosening limiting wall 43 enters the loosening limiting groove 22.

The increasing rate of the groove width LI of the loosening limiting groove 22 is equal to the increasing rate of the wall width L2 of the loosening limiting wall 43 toward the front side of the dashboard 20. In addition, the largest groove width LI is equal to the largest wall width L2. Thus, the entrance of the loosening limiting wall 43 into the loosening limiting groove 22 abuts the inner side surface 23 against the outer side surface 46 and abuts the inner side surface 24 against the outer side surface 47.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the compressed rib 48 projects from the outer side surface 47. Thus, the compressed rib 48 is held and compressed between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47. The compressed deformation of the compressed rib 48 maintains a high contact pressure between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47 and a high contact pressure between the inner side surface 23 and the outer side surface 46.

This maintains a high contact pressure between the loosening limiting groove 22 and the loosening limiting wall 43. This limits loosening even if the mold-removal direction and the axial direction of the coupling hole 21 are inclined and form a slight gap between the coupling hole 21 and the tube 41.

[0020] Further, with this structure, even if the inclination direction is changed, as long as mold removal can be performed on the coupling hole 21 and the loosening limiting groove 22, the switch main body 30 having the above structure can be coupled to the dashboard 20. As long as mold removal can be performed, there is no limit between the mold-removal direction and the axial direction of the coupling hole 21. Thus, even when the inclination angle is different, that is, when the vehicle type is different, a common switch main body 30 can be used.

[0021] The projection length d of the compressed rib 48 is uniform. Thus, the compressed deformation tends to occur uniformly. Accordingly, the contact pressure between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47 tends to be uniform in the axial direction of the loosening limiting groove 22 and the loosening limiting wall 43.

[0022] The above embodiment may be modified as described below.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of compressed ribs 48 may be arranged between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47. Such a structure allows the compressed ribs 48 to be compressed and deformed over a broader range between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47. This further stabilizes the contact pressure between the inner side surface 24 and the outer side surface 47. Consequently, the loosening between the switch main body 30 and the dashboard 20 is further limited.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the projection length d of the compressed rib 48 does not have to be uniform.

In the above embodiment, the loosening limiting wall 43 has a width that gradually increases toward the front side in the insertion direction. Instead, the wall width may be uniform. In this case, the projection length d of the compressed rib 48 gradually increases toward the front side in the insertion direction. Such a structure obtains the same advantages as the above embodiment.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the loosening limiting groove 22 includes the coupling hole 21, and the loosening limiting wall 43 includes the tube 41. However, the relationship of these members may be reversed.

In the above embodiment, the loosening limiting wall 43 includes the compressed rib 48. Instead, the loosening limiting groove 22 may include the compressed rib 48. Alternatively, the loosening limiting wall 43 and the loosening limiting groove 22 may both include the compressed rib 4 8 .

[0025] In the above embodiment, the compressed rib 48 is formed only on the outer side surface 47 of the second wall 45. Instead, the compressed rib 48 may be formed on the outer side surface 46 of the first wall 44.

In the above embodiment, the compressed rib 48 extends toward the front side along the outer side surface 47. However, the compressed rib 48 does not have to extend in such a manner. In addition, the outer side surface 47 may include a plurality of compressed ribs 48.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the loosening limiting wall 43 is formed by the first wall 44 and the second wall 45. Instead, these walls may be integrated.

In the switch device 10 of the above embodiment, the axial direction of the coupling hole 21 may coincide with the mold-removal direction.

[0027] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical spirit thereof. For example, some of the components described in the embodiment (or one or more aspects thereof) may be omitted, or some of the components may be combined. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with the full scope of equivalents to which the appended claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising: a seat including a coupling hole; a switch main body including a base inserted into the coupling hole and coupled to the seat; a loosening limiting groove arranged on one of the seat and the base; a loosening limiting wall arranged on the other one of the seat and the base, wherein when the base is inserted into the coupling hole, the loosening limiting wall is relatively inserted into the loosening limiting groove to contact the loosening limiting groove; and a compressed rib arranged on at least one of the loosening limiting groove and the loosening limiting wall, wherein the compressed rib is compressed and deformed as the loosening limiting groove contacts the loosening limiting wall, wherein the loosening limiting groove has a groove width that gradually increases toward a side opposite to a relative insertion direction of the loosening limiting wall.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the loosening limiting wall has a wall width that gradually increases toward the side opposite to the relative insertion direction into the loosening limiting groove at a rate that is equal to an increasing rate of the groove width of the loosening limiting groove, and the loosening rib includes a portion extending in the relative insertion direction on at least one of the loosening limiting groove and the loosening limiting wall.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the compressed rib has a projection length from at least one of the loosening limiting groove and the loosening limiting wall that is set to be uniform.

4. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the loosening limiting groove is arranged along an axial direction of the coupling hole in a wall surface of the seat that defines the coupling hole.

5. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch main body includes an operation portion coupled to a first end of the base, and the loosening limiting wall extends on an outer circumferential surface of the base from the first end to a second end located at a side opposite to the first end.

6. The switch device according to claim 5, wherein the switch main body is elongated, and the loosening limiting wall extends in a longitudinal direction of the switch main body on the outer circumferential surface of the base.

7. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the loosening limiting groove includes two opposing wall surfaces, the loosening limiting wall includes two side surfaces that respectively oppose the two wall surfaces of the loosening limiting groove, and the compressed rib is formed on at least one of the two wall surfaces of the loosening limiting groove and the two side surfaces of the loosening limiting wall.