JP2001067991A - Lever switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small and multifunctional lever switch. SOLUTION: A lever switch 1 has an operating shaft 3, a first operating ring 4 and a frame member 19. The frame member 19 has a fixed portion 19e fixed to the operating shaft 3, an outer cylinder portion 19b ranging to the fixed portion 19e along the operating shaft 3 and an outer periphery protruded portion 19d. The outer periphery protruded portion 19d is protruded from the outer cylinder portion 19b to the direction of the outer periphery. The first operating ring 4 is turnably provided on the operating shaft 3. The first operating ring 4 consists integrally of a bottom portion 4a turnably mounted on the operating shaft 3 and a cylinder portion 4b extended from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 4a along the operating shaft 3. One end 4c of the first operating ring 4 is integrally formed and supported with the bottom portion 4a. One end 4d of the first operating ring 4 is supported by the outer periphery protruded portion 19d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lever switch mounted on a steering column of a vehicle or the like as a moving body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle as a moving body is provided with a lever switch on a steering column or the like for operating various accessories such as a lighting device, a wiper device and a direction indicator.

A lever switch of this type includes a shaft, an operating body rotatably provided around the shaft, and a contact for transmitting the rotating operation of the operating body to a base end of the shaft. ing. The lever switch includes a detent mechanism for giving a click feeling to a rotation operation of the operating body, and a rotational displacement of the operating body at a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as a neutral position).
And an automatic return mechanism for restoring the operating body to the neutral position when the operating body is rotated.

[0004]

At present, it is desired that the lever switch described above can operate various accessories such as a car radio and a navigation device (hereinafter referred to as a car navigation). As described above, it is desired that the above-described lever switch is compatible with multifunctional equipment such as the above-described car radio and car navigation system.

For this reason, the lever switch is provided with a plurality of the above-mentioned operation bodies in order to enable the operation of the above-mentioned multifunctional equipment, and further includes a contact, a moderation mechanism, an automatic return mechanism, etc. corresponding to each of the operation bodies. Need to be provided.

In the structure of a conventionally known lever switch, if a plurality of operating bodies are provided and a contact, a detent mechanism, an automatic return mechanism, etc. corresponding to each operating body are provided, the lever switch itself tends to become large. Had become. Therefore, it is difficult to attach the operating body to the steering column, and the operating body may be too large to impair the operability when operating the operating body.

In addition, if the lever switch is reduced in size by, for example, reducing the thickness of the operation unit or the like touched by a fingertip of the operation body or the like, the rigidity of the operation unit may decrease. When the rigidity of the operation unit is reduced, it is conceivable that the operability is deteriorated such that a fingertip deforms the operation unit when operating the operation unit, and it becomes difficult to rotate the operation body.

For this reason, it has been difficult to realize a small, multifunctional lever switch of a practical size.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact and multifunctional lever switch.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a lever switch according to the present invention is provided with a shaft and a rotatable member around the shaft. An operating body, and a frame member fixed to the shaft body and having an outer peripheral protruding portion extending toward an outer circumferential direction of the shaft body, and mounted when the operating body is rotatably mounted on the shaft body. And an operating portion extending from the mounting portion along the axis of the shaft, one end of the operating portion of the operating body is supported by the mounting portion, and the other end of the operating portion is the frame. It is characterized in that it is supported by the outer peripheral projection of the member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lever switch according to the first aspect, wherein the frame member is fixed to the shaft, and the shaft is connected to the fixed portion and is connected to the shaft. A cylindrical portion extending along the axis of the operating body, a space surrounded by the operating portion, the mounting portion, and the fixing portion of the frame member is formed inside the operating portion of the operating body, A detection means for detecting a rotation operation of the operating body around the axis is arranged in the space.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lever switch according to the first or second aspect, the lever switch is disposed on an outer periphery of the shaft body and is rotatably provided around the shaft body. A second operating body, and an electrical connection element for transmitting a rotation operation of the second operating body to a base end side of the shaft body, wherein the second operating body and the operating body are coaxial with each other. And the electric connection elements are arranged inside the cylindrical portion of the frame member.

A lever switch according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the lever switch according to the third aspect, wherein
A push switch attached to the distal end of the shaft body and housed in the concave portion, the operating body including a concave portion formed concavely from an end surface located at a distal end portion of the shaft body toward the base end portion; It is characterized by having.

A lever switch according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the lever switch according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the second operating body is biased to a predetermined position in a rotational direction of the second operating body. An automatic return mechanism for returning to the predetermined position when the rotation operation is released after rotating the second operation body around the shaft body, and the automatic return mechanism is provided on the operation body of the second operation body. It is characterized by being arranged from the opposite end to the inside of the cylindrical portion of the frame member.

According to the lever switch of the present invention, the operating portion of the operating body rotatably provided around the shaft has a mounting portion having one end attached to the shaft of the operating body. , And the other end is supported by an outer peripheral projection of a frame member attached to the shaft.

For this reason, even when the thickness of the operation portion is reduced, since both ends of the operation portion are supported by the mounting portion and the frame member, deformation when the operation portion is operated can be suppressed. Can be. Therefore, a decrease in operability can be suppressed.

Further, since the thickness of the operation section can be reduced without impairing the operability, the inside of the operation section can be reduced.
A contact for transmitting the rotational movement of the operating body to the base end of the shaft body, a detent mechanism for giving a click feeling to the rotating operation of the operating body, and a rotational displacement of the operating body at a predetermined position (hereinafter, neutral) ) Can be provided.

Further, even when an operation body separate from the operation body is provided, the above-mentioned contact, detent mechanism, automatic return mechanism, etc. provided corresponding to the separate operation body are provided.
It can be provided inside the above-mentioned operation unit or the like.

Therefore, the lever switch can be provided with a plurality of operating bodies and the like to have multiple functions, and the multifunctional lever switch can be downsized to a practical size.

According to the lever switch of the present invention, the frame member is provided with a fixed portion fixed to the shaft and a cylindrical portion connected to the fixed portion, and is formed inside the operating portion of the operating body. Detecting means for detecting the rotation operation of the operating body is provided in the space defined. As described above, since the detection means is provided inside the operation unit, the lever switch can be more reliably miniaturized.

Further, since the detecting means can be provided inside the operating section to make it compact, it is possible to provide an operating body separate from the operating body, and it is possible to make the lever switch multifunctional. Become.

According to the lever switch of the present invention, since the operating body and the second operating body are arranged coaxially and in series with each other, a multifunctional lever switch can be provided in a practical size. It is possible to reduce the size. Further, since the electrical connection element for transmitting the rotation operation of the second operating body to the base end side of the shaft body is provided inside the cylindrical portion of the frame member, the multifunctional lever switch can be reduced to a practical size. The size can be reduced more reliably.

According to the lever switch of the present invention described in claim 4, the second operating member is provided with a concave portion that is concave from the end face located at the distal end of the shaft, and is attached to the distal end of the shaft. A press switch is housed in the recess. As described above, since the push switch is attached to the end of the shaft, the lever switch can be further multi-functional. In addition, since the press switch is housed in the recess of the second operation body, the multifunctional lever switch can be downsized more reliably to a practical size.

According to the lever switch of the present invention, the rotational operation of the second operating body is urged to a predetermined position to rotate the second operating body, and then the rotational operation is performed. An automatic return mechanism is provided for returning the second operating body to the predetermined position when released.

Further, since the automatic return mechanism is disposed between the end of the second operating body facing the operating body and the inside of the cylindrical portion of the frame member, a multifunctional lever switch is practically used. The size can be reduced more reliably to a small size.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. A lever switch 1 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted near a steering wheel such as a steering column of a vehicle as a moving body, and is, for example, a car radio or a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as a car radio or a navigation system). (Called a car navigation system)
It is used to operate various equipment such as.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lever switch 1 includes a base case 2, an operation shaft 3 as a shaft,
A first operation ring 4 as an operation body, a second operation ring 5 as a second operation body, an operation switch unit 6, and the like are provided. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the proximal end case 2 includes a back case 7, a front case 8, and an operation shaft support portion 9.

The back case 7 is formed in a box shape having an opening 7a facing outward when the lever switch 1 is mounted on a steering column or the like. The front case 8 is formed in a box shape having an opening 8a opposed to the opening 7a of the back case 7. The front case 8 is arranged such that the opening 8a covers the opening 7a.
Attached to.

The front case 8 has a through hole 8c provided in a wall 8b opposed to the opening 8a and through which the operating shaft 3 can pass, and a through hole 8c along the through hole 8c.
A plurality of concave grooves (not shown) formed concavely from the inner peripheral surface of
It has.

The operating shaft support 9 is accommodated in the back case 7 and the front case 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation shaft support 9 includes a base body 11 fixed to the front case 8 and the like by a plurality of screws 10 and a plurality of switches 12.
And a slide member 13 disposed between the base body 11 and the wall 8b, a connection pipe 14, and the like.

The base body 11 is provided on the wall 8 b of the front case 8.
And a flat surface 11a which is formed to be flat along the wall 8b and a concave portion 11b arranged substantially at the center of the flat surface 11a. The concave portion 11b has a flat surface 11
a, a plurality of grooves 1 each extending outward from the center of the groove 1a and formed in a recess from the flat surface 11a.
1c. The concave groove 11c has a bottom surface,
The flat surface 11a is formed to be inclined so as to gradually approach the flat surface 11a as going outward from the center of the flat surface 11a.

Each of the switches 12 has a switch main body 12a attached to the base body 11 with screws 15 and the like, and a displacement shaft 12b. Displacement axis 1
2b is arranged so as to protrude from the switch body 12a toward the front case 7. The displacement shaft 12b is provided swingably with respect to the switch body 12a.

The switch 12 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned equipment such as a car navigation system. For example, when the operation shaft 3 is swung with respect to the base case 2, the switch shaft 12 b swings with respect to the switch body 12 a, and the switch 12 moves to a desired position such as the car navigation system. Output a signal.

The slide member 13 is formed in a frame shape. The slide member 13 includes a frame-shaped frame main body 13a, holding projections 13b and 13c, and a connection pipe holding projection 13d. Two sets of the holding projections 13b and 13c are provided in the illustrated example. The holding projections 13b, 13c
Each is formed so as to protrude outward from the frame body 13a.

The pair of holding projections 13b and 13c sandwich the displacement shaft 12b of the switch 12 between each other. The connection pipe holding projection 13d is formed to protrude inward from each of the frame main bodies 13a.

The connection pipe 14 is disposed between the slide member 13 and the wall 8b of the front case 8. Connection pipe 14
Is formed in a tubular shape, and the operation shaft 3 is inserted into an inner peripheral side thereof. The connection pipe 14 includes a swing direction guide protrusion 14a protruding outward, and a plurality of fitting grooves 14b provided at an end located on the slide member 13 side.

The swing direction guide projections 14a are respectively
It is engaged in the concave groove of the front case 8. The fitting groove 14b is formed over an end located on the slide member 13 side and a central portion along the longitudinal direction. Fitting groove 1
4b is fitted with the connection pipe holding projection 13d.

The connecting pipe 14 is provided with a mounting pin 15.
It is designed to fit from the outside. The mounting pin 15 prevents the operation shaft 3 inserted into the connection pipe 14 from coming out of the connection pipe 14. In addition, a coil spring 16 and a concave groove penetration pin 17 are attached to the base end 3a of the operation shaft 3 inserted on the inner peripheral side of the connection pipe 14.

The coil spring 16 holds the groove-entry pin 17 at the base end 3 a of the operating shaft 3 in a state where the groove-entry pin 17 is urged toward the base body 11. The concave groove injecting pin 17 is provided in a state of intruding into a concave portion 11b provided in the flat surface 11a of the base body 11.

According to the configuration described above, the operating shaft support 9
When the proximal end 3a of the operating shaft 3 is attached to the connecting pipe 14, the swinging direction guide projection 14a of the connecting pipe 14 is engaged in the concave groove of the front case 8 and the connecting pipe is held in the fitting groove 14b. The projection 13d is fitted. Further, the concave groove penetration pin 17 enters the concave portion 11b, and the holding projections 13b, 1
The operation shaft 12b is sandwiched between 3c.

When the driver or the like tries to swing the tip 3b of the operating shaft 3 along, for example, arrows H and J in FIG. 2, the swinging direction guide projection 14a is guided by the groove of the front case 8. Then, the operation shaft 3 swings. The slide member 13 slides along the flat surface 11a, that is, along a direction perpendicular to the axis P of the operation shaft 3.
Then, the displacement shaft 12b sandwiched between the holding projections 13b and 13c swings with respect to the switch body 12a, and outputs a desired signal to the above-mentioned equipment (not shown).

When the swinging operation of the operation shaft 3 is stopped, the concave groove injecting pin 17 is guided by the bottom surface of the concave groove 11c by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 16 toward the center of the flat surface 11a. Displace. The operation shaft 3 is shown in FIG.
It returns to the initial state shown in FIG.

The operating shaft 3 is formed in a tubular shape having a substantially constant inner diameter along the axis P as shown in FIG. As described above, the operation shaft 3 is attached to the base case 2 with the base 3a supported by the operation shaft support 9, and the distal end 3b is directed outward from the base case 2. It is arranged in a protruding state. The distal end 3b of the operating shaft 3 has a flange 3c protruding in the outer peripheral direction.
Are integrally formed.

The first operation ring 4 is rotatably supported around the operation shaft 3 by a cover member 18 and a frame member 19, as shown in FIG. The first operation ring 4 is configured to move the operation shaft 3 from the base case 2.
Are disposed on the side of the tip 3b.

The cover member 18 is fixed to the outer periphery of the operation shaft 3. The cover member 18 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 18a and a cylindrical portion 18b. Cover member 18
Is a state in which the operating shaft 3 is passed through the bottom 18a.
8a are arranged opposite to the front case 7. The cover member 18 is positioned by an E-ring 20.

The frame member 19 is fixed to the outer periphery of the operation shaft 3. As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the frame member 19 includes a fixing portion 19e fixed to the operation shaft 3, an outer cylindrical portion 19b as a cylindrical portion, and an outer peripheral projecting from the outer cylindrical portion 19b toward the outer peripheral side. A portion 19d.

The fixed portion 19e has an inner cylindrical portion 19a having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the operating shaft 3, and a disk extending outward from the edge located at the tip 3b of the inner cylindrical portion 19a. A portion 19c. The inner cylindrical portion 19a passes through the operation shaft 3 inside and is fixed to the outer periphery of the operation shaft 3. The inner cylindrical portion 19a is provided at the bottom 18a of the cover member 18.
And arranged at intervals.

The outer cylindrical portion 19b is formed in an annular shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 19a. The outer cylinder portion 19b is continuous with the periphery of the disk portion 19c and extends along the axis P. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral protruding portion 19 d extends in the cross section of the lever switch 1 from the outer cylindrical portion 19 b toward the outer peripheral direction of the operation shaft 3.

The first operation ring 4 is provided with a bottom part 4 as an attachment part.
a and a cylindrical portion 4b as an operating portion. The bottom 4a is formed in a disk shape. The bottom portion 4a is rotatably attached to the operation shaft 3 through the operation shaft 3 at the center thereof. The bottom 4a is
It is provided between the bottom part 18a of the cover member 18 and the inner cylinder part 19a of the frame member 19.

The cylindrical portion 4b is continuous with the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 4a and extends along the axis P. The cylindrical portion 4b is supported by the cylindrical portion 4a because one end 4c is formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 4a. The other end 4 of the cylindrical portion 4b
d is supported by the outer circumferential projection 19c of the frame member 19.

Inside the cylindrical portion 4b of the first operating ring 4, the cylindrical portion 4b, the bottom portion 4a, and the frame member 1
A space K surrounded by the nine fixing portions 19e is formed. In this space K, there is provided a rotary encoder 21 as a detecting means for detecting a rotational displacement of the first operation ring 4 around the axis P.

The rotary encoder 21 is electrically connected, for example, to the above-mentioned equipment such as a car radio. The rotary encoder 21 outputs a pulse signal or the like to the equipment such as a car radio whenever the rotational displacement of the first operation ring 4 becomes a predetermined angle such as 10 degrees.

The first operation ring 4 and the cover member 1
8 and the frame member 19 are positioned by the E-rings 20 and 60 so as not to be displaced along the axis P.

The second operation ring 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is rotatably supported on the distal end 3 b of the operation shaft 3 with respect to the operation shaft 3. The second operation ring 5 is arranged coaxially and in series with the first operation ring 4.
The second operation ring 5 is provided so as to be displaceable from the flange portion 3c toward the base end portion 3a against a biasing force of a coil spring 24 described later.

The second operating ring 5 is in contact with the flange 3c and a support 5a provided on the outer periphery of the operating shaft 3.
And an operating portion 5b provided on the outer peripheral side of the support portion 5a and formed in a cylindrical shape.

The end 5c of the operating portion 5b located on the side of the distal end 3b of the operating shaft 3 is provided with a concave portion 5f and an unillustrated lock receiving portion. The concave portion 5f is formed to be concave from the end face 5d of the operation portion 5b located at the distal end portion 3b of the operation shaft 3 toward the base end portion 3a. The recess 5f is
The inner diameter is formed in a cylindrical hole whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the operation shaft 3.

The locking receiving portion is provided on the base end 3a side of the operation shaft 3 from the end face 5d. The locking receiving portion has a step (not shown) in which the inner diameter of the operation portion 5b gradually increases from the end face 5d toward the base end 3a.

The second operating ring 5 is provided with a plurality of holes 23 extending along the axis P of the operating shaft 3 in the supporting portion 5a when the second operating ring 5 is attached to the operating shaft 3. Hole 23 is
The second operation ring 5 is arranged at positions equidistant from each other along the circumferential direction. In the illustrated example, two holes 23 are provided. Each of the holes 23 has an open end facing a fixing member 55 described later.

In each of the holes 23, a coil spring 24 as an urging means and a ball 25 as a rolling element are accommodated. The coil spring 24 and the ball 25 are positioned with respect to the second operation ring 5 along the circumferential direction of the second operation ring 5. The coil spring 24 and the ball 25 rotate around the axis P of the operation shaft 3 integrally with the second operation ring 5.

The ball 25 is arranged to face the fixing member 55 and is rotatable on a cam surface 59a of the fixing member 55 which will be described later. In addition to the balls 25, rollers or rollers may be used as rolling elements.

The coil spring 24 moves the ball 25 to the operation shaft 3.
And the second operating ring 5 is urged toward the direction away from the fixing member 55, that is, toward the distal end 3b of the operating shaft 3. I have.

When the ball 25 is urged toward the base end 3a of the operating shaft 3 by the coil spring 24, it rolls on the cam surface 59a and is located at the bottom 59b of a cam recess 59 described later. . Thus, the ball 25 is positioned on the bottom 59 of the cam recess 59.
The state located at “b” is a neutral position N (shown in FIG. 2) as a predetermined position along the circumferential direction of the second operation ring 5.

When the second operation ring 5 is rotated around the operation shaft 3 from the neutral position N, the coil spring 2
The ball 25 is displaced from the cam recess 59 on the cam surface 59a in a direction approaching the second operation ring 5 along the cam surface 59a against the urging force of the ball 4.

When the rotation of the second operation ring 5 is released, the ball 25 is moved toward the above-described neutral position N at the bottom 59 b of the cam recess 59 by the urging force of the coil spring 24. The second operation ring 5 rotates. Thus, when the rotation operation of the second operation ring 5 is released, the second operation ring 5 is released.
Is returned to the neutral position N.

The above-described coil spring 24 and ball 25
, The cam recess 59 and the cam surface 59a constitute the automatic return mechanism 70 described in this specification. With the above-described configuration, the automatic return mechanism 70 is connected to the second operation ring 5.
Of the frame member 19 from the end 5g located on the base end 3a side and facing the first operation ring 4.
9b.

The end 5g of the second operation ring 5 includes:
An operation force transmission unit 26 is provided. The operating force transmitting portion 26 is provided on the outer periphery of the hole 27 along the circumferential direction of the second operating ring 5.

The operating force transmitting section 26 is provided at the base end 3 of the operating shaft 3.
and a first concave portion (not shown) formed in a direction away from the base end portion 3a. The operating force transmitting section 26 is provided with the first convex portions and the first concave portions alternately along the circumferential direction of the second operation ring 5.

The operation switch section 6 is attached to the tip 3b of the operation shaft 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation switch section 6 is attached to the distal end 3 b of the operation shaft 3 by a mounting member 2.
9 and a pressing switch 31 attached via an insulating sheet 30 and the like, and the pressing switch 31
And a switch cover 32 that covers the front end 3b of the switch.

The push switch 31 includes a switch body 31a.
And an operator 31b provided to be able to protrude and retract from the switch body 31a. Switch body 31a
Through the mounting member 29 and the insulating sheet 30
It is attached to the tip 3b of the operation shaft 3. Operator 3
1b is urged | biased by the spring etc. which are illustrated in the direction which protrudes from the said switch main body 31a.

The pressing switch 31 is housed in the recess 5f in a state where the operating element 31b protrudes toward the tip 3b of the operating shaft 3. The push switch 31
The above-mentioned equipment, such as a car navigation (not shown), is electrically connected. The push switch 31 outputs a desired signal toward the car navigation system when the operator 31b is pressed.

A switch holder 33 is provided between the press switch 31 and the switch cover 32. The switch holder 33 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom portion 33a and a tubular portion 33b. In the bottom 33a, a through hole 33c through which the operator 31b of the press switch 31 can be exposed is formed.

The switch holder 33 is operated in a state where the bottom portion 33a is located on the distal end portion 3b side of the operating shaft 3 and the operating element 31b is exposed on the distal end portion 3b side of the operating shaft 3 through the through hole 33c. 3 is attached to the tip 3b.

The switch cover 32 is formed in a bottomed tubular shape having a bottom portion 32a and a tubular portion 32b. An engagement claw 32c that can be engaged with a step of the engagement receiving portion is formed on an outer edge of the cylindrical portion 32b. The locking claw 32c is formed in a hook shape protruding outward from an outer edge of the cylindrical portion 32b.

Further, the locking claw 3 is provided on the bottom portion 32a.
When the lever 2c is locked on the step of the lock receiving portion, a convex portion 32d is provided opposite to the operating member 31b of the pressing switch 31. The convex portion 32d protrudes from the inner surface of the bottom portion 32a toward the operation element 31b. The convex portion 32d is formed in a size that can enter the switch holder 33 through the through hole 33c.

The switch cover 32 is mounted on the operating shaft 3 with the locking claw 32c of the cylindrical portion 32d locked on the step of the locking receiving portion and the convex portion 32d opposed to the operating element 31b. Is attached to the tip 3b of the main body.

A coil spring 34 is provided between the switch cover 32 and the switch holder 33.
The coil spring 34 moves the switch cover 32 away from the switch holder 33, that is, the distal end 3 of the operation shaft 3.
It is urged toward the b side.

According to the above-described structure, when the switch cover 32 is pressed toward the base end 3a of the operation shaft 3 against the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 34, the switch 32
d penetrates into the switch holder 33 through the through hole 33c, and presses the operation element 31b so as to be immersed in the switch main body 31a. Then, a desired signal is output from the push switch 31 to the above-described car navigation system or the like.

On the other hand, when the pressing operation of the switch cover 32 is released, the operator 31b returns to the state of protruding from the switch body 31a by the elastic restoring force of a spring (not shown), and the switch cover 32 is
Due to the elastic restoring force, the projection 32d returns to a state where it is not pressed in the direction in which the operation element 31b is sunk.

The outer cylindrical portion 19 of the frame member 19
Inside b, a contact 50 is provided as an electrical connection element for transmitting whether or not the second operation ring 5 has been rotated to the base end 3 a of the operation shaft 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the contact 50 includes a fixed contact piece plate 51, a fixed contact piece 52, a movable contact piece supporting member 53 that rotates in conjunction with the second operation ring 5, and a movable contact piece 53. A leaf spring 54 as a contact piece, a fixing member 55 fixed to the operation shaft 3 and the like are provided.

The fixing member 55 is formed in an annular shape, and is fixed to the operating shaft 3 by fitting it to the outer periphery of the operating shaft 3 with the operating shaft 3 passing through the inner peripheral side thereof. You.
The fixing member 55 is arranged such that one end thereof is opposed to an insulating sheet 56 to be described later and the other end is opposed to the second operation ring 5.

The fixing member 55 has a first step 57 and a second step 58 whose outer diameter gradually increases from the one end to the other end. At a portion closer to the one end than the first step 57, that is, a portion located on the insulating sheet 56 side, a fixed contact plate 51 is fixed to the outer periphery by fitting or the like. The second step 58 abuts the movable contact piece support member 53 to hold the movable contact piece support member 53.

The fixing member 55 has a plurality of cam recesses 59 at the other end. The cam recess 59 is formed to be concave in a direction away from the second operation ring 5 from an end face located at the other end. When the fixing member 55 is attached to the operation shaft 3, the cam recess 59
Are disposed at substantially equal intervals around the axis P. In the illustrated example, two cam recesses 59 are provided.

Each of the cam recesses 59 has a pair of cam surfaces 5.
9a and 59a. The cam surface 59a,
59a are inclined with respect to both the direction along the circumferential direction of the fixing member 5 and the direction along the axis P. The cam surfaces 59a, 59a
Are connected to each other at the bottom, and the cam recess 59 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the above-described direction so that the bottom is farthest from the end face.

The fixed contact plate 51 is formed in an annular shape. The fixed contact piece plate 51 is fixed to the fixed member 55 by, for example, fitting to the outer periphery of the fixed member 55. That is, the fixed contact piece plate 51 is fixed to the operation shaft 3.

The fixed contact plate 51 is fixed to a portion of the fixing member 55 closer to the base end 3b than the first step 57. The fixed contact plate 51 is connected to the connecting portion 1 of the frame member 19.
9c. Fixed contact plate 51 and frame member 1
An insulating sheet 56, an E-ring 60, and the like are provided between the connecting portion 19c and the connecting portion 19c.

The fixed contact piece 52 is provided on the distal end portion 3b of the operation shaft 3 of the fixed contact piece plate 51, that is, on the end face 51a facing the second operation ring 5. The fixed contact piece 52 is formed, for example, in a belt extending coaxially with the fixed contact plate 51 in an arc shape.

When the second operating ring 5 is rotated around the axis P against the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 24, the fixed contact piece 52 comes into contact with the leaf spring 54 and conducts with each other. When the second operating ring 5 returns to the neutral position N due to the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 24, the fixed contact piece 52 does not contact the leaf spring 54 and does not conduct with each other.

The movable contact piece support member 53 is
5 is formed in an annular shape having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter. The movable contact piece support member 53 is provided so as to face each of the second operation ring 5 and the fixed contact piece 52. The movable contact piece support member 53 supports a leaf spring 54 on an end face facing the fixed contact piece 52.

That is, the leaf spring 54 is disposed between the second operation ring 5 and the fixed contact piece 52 along the axis P on the outer peripheral side of the fixed member 55. The leaf spring 54 is formed in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the movable contact piece support member 53. When the leaf spring 54 comes into contact with the fixed contact piece plate 51 and the fixed contact piece 52, an elastic force is generated to urge the movable contact piece supporting member 53 in a direction away from the fixed contact piece 52.

When the second operating ring 5 is located at the above-described neutral position N, the leaf spring 54 is arranged at a position where the leaf spring 54 does not contact the fixed contact piece 52. When the second operating ring 5 is rotated along arrow U or arrow D in FIG. 2, the leaf spring 54 comes into contact with the fixed contact piece 52,
The fixed contact piece 52 is electrically connected to the fixed contact piece 52.

When the leaf spring 54 urges the movable contact supporting member 53 in a direction away from the fixed contact 52, the movable contact supporting member 53 comes into contact with the second step 58 of the fixed member 55. Touch The movable contact piece support member 53 is positioned along the axis P by the elastic force of the leaf spring 54 and the second step 58.

Further, the movable contact piece supporting member 53 has an operation force transmitting portion 64 at an end facing the second operation ring 5.
Is provided. The operation force transmitted portion 64 is formed along the circumferential direction of the movable contact piece support member 53.

The operation force transmitting portion 64 has a second convex portion (not shown) projecting toward the distal end portion 3b of the operation shaft 3 and a second concave portion (not shown) formed in a direction away from the distal end portion 3b. And a recess. The operation force transmitting portion 64 connects the second convex portion and the second concave portion with the movable contact piece supporting member 53.
Are provided alternately along the circumferential direction.

The second operating ring 5 and the movable contact piece supporting member 53 are such that the first convex portion enters the second concave portion and the second convex portion is formed in the first concave portion. While invading
Is provided. Then, the second operation ring 5 and the movable contact piece support member 53 rotate in conjunction with each other.

When the lever switch 1 having the above-described structure is pressed, for example, in a direction in which the switch cover 32 is immersed in the end surface 5d of the second operation ring 5 along the arrow M in FIG.
The operator 31b of the push switch 31 is the switch body 3
1a. Then, a desired signal is output from the push switch 31 or the like to the car navigation. The car navigation displays, for example, traffic information on its display device.

When a person or the like touches the first operation ring 4 with a fingertip and rotates around the operation shaft 3 along an arrow S in FIG. 2, the rotary encoder 21 rotates the first operation ring 4.
Each time the camera rotates a predetermined angle, it generates a pulse-like signal toward the car radio or the like. Then, the volume of the car radio increases or decreases.

When the second operation ring 5 is rotated from the above-described neutral position N along the arrow U or the arrow D in FIG. 2, the leaf spring 54 and the fixed contact piece 52 come into contact with each other.
Conduct. For example, the set frequency of the car radio is increased or decreased to select the car radio. When the rotation of the second operation ring 5 is released, the second operation ring 5 returns to the above-described neutral position N by the urging force of the coil spring 24 or the like.

When the entire lever switch 1 is operated, for example, in front of the driver along arrow H in FIG. 2, the displacement shaft 12b of the switch 12 swings with respect to the switch body 12a, and To output a desired signal. Then, the car navigation displays the current position on a display device or the like.

When the entire lever switch 1 is operated in the vertical direction, for example, along arrow J in FIG. 2, the displacement shaft 12b of the switch 12 swings with respect to the switch body 12a, and the lever is moved to the car navigation system. And outputs a desired signal. Then, the car navigation switches the map information displayed on the display device or the like to a wider area or to a more detailed and narrower area.

According to the lever switch 1 of the present embodiment,
A cylindrical member 4b of the first operation ring 4 has one end 4c integrally formed with and supported by a bottom 4a attached to the operation shaft 3, and a frame member 19 having the other end 4d fixed to the operation shaft 3. Is supported by the outer peripheral projecting portion 19d.

For this reason, the thickness of the cylindrical portion 4b is reduced, and even if a pressing force is applied from a fingertip or the like along the arrow F in FIG. Part 4
The deformation of b can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in operability can be suppressed, and the lever switch 1 with good operability can be obtained.

The frame member 19 includes a fixing portion 19e fixed to the operation shaft 3 and an outer cylindrical portion 19b connected to the periphery of the disk portion 19c of the fixing portion 19e. A rotary encoder 21 for detecting a rotation operation of the operation ring 4 is provided. Thus, since the rotary encoder 21 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 4b, the lever switch 1 can be downsized.

Since the first operation ring 4 and the second operation ring 5 are arranged coaxially and in series with each other, it is possible to reduce the size of the multifunctional lever switch 1 to a practical size. Become. The rotation of the second operating ring 5 is controlled by the operating shaft 3.
Is provided inside the outer cylinder portion 19b of the frame member 19, so that the multifunctional lever switch 1 can be more reliably reduced to a practical size.

When the rotation of the second operation ring 5 is released after the rotation of the second operation ring 5, the automatic return mechanism 70 for returning the second operation ring 5 to the neutral position N is provided by the automatic operation mechanism 70 of the second operation ring 5. Since the end 5g facing the first operation ring 4 and the inside of the outer tubular portion 19b are arranged, the multifunctional lever switch 1 can be more reliably miniaturized to a practical size.

A push switch 31 is attached to the tip 3b of the operation shaft 3.
, The lever switch 1 can be made multifunctional. Also, since the press switch 31 is housed in the recess 5f of the second operation ring 5,
The multifunctional lever switch 1 can be downsized to a practical size.

Therefore, a compact and multifunctional lever switch 1 having good operability can be obtained.

[0108]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, both ends of the operating portion of the operating body rotatably provided around the shaft are supported by the mounting portion and the frame member. Therefore, even when the thickness of the operation unit is reduced, deformation when the operation unit is operated can be suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in operability can be suppressed, and a lever switch with good operability can be obtained.

Further, since the thickness of the operation section can be reduced without impairing the operability, the inside of the operation section can be reduced.
A contact point, a moderation mechanism, an automatic return mechanism, and the like can be provided. Furthermore, even in the case where an operation body separate from the operation body is provided, the above-described contact point, detent mechanism, automatic return mechanism, etc. provided corresponding to the separate operation body are provided inside the operation unit or the like. Can be provided.

Therefore, it is possible to provide the lever switch with a plurality of operating bodies and the like to make the lever switch multifunctional, and to reduce the size of the multifunctional lever switch to a practical size. Therefore, a compact and multifunctional lever switch can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a detecting means for detecting a rotation operation of the operating body is provided in a space formed inside the operating portion of the operating body. The multifunctional lever switch can be more reliably miniaturized. Therefore, a small and multifunctional lever switch can be obtained more reliably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the operating body and the second operating body are arranged coaxially and in series with each other, and the rotation of the second operating body is controlled by the base end of the shaft. Since the electrical connection element for transmitting to the part side is provided inside the cylindrical part of the frame member, the multifunctional lever switch can be more reliably downsized to a practical size. Therefore,
A small and multifunctional lever switch can be obtained more reliably.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the pressing switch is attached to the tip of the shaft, the lever switch can be further multi-functionalized.
Further, since this press switch is housed in the concave portion provided on the end face of the second operation body, the multifunctional lever switch can be more reliably downsized to a practical size. Therefore, a compact and multifunctional lever switch can be obtained more reliably.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second operating body is operated to rotate between the end of the second operating body opposed to the operating body and the inside of the cylindrical portion of the frame member. Since the automatic return mechanism that returns to the predetermined position when the rotation operation is released is provided, the multifunctional lever switch can be more reliably reduced in size to a practical size. Therefore,
A small and multifunctional lever switch can be obtained more reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a lever switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lever switch of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the lever switch shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lever switch 3 Operation shaft (shaft) 3a Base end 3b Tip 4 First operation ring (operation body) 4a Bottom part (mounting part) 4b Tube part (operation part) 4c One end 4d Other end 5 Second 5d End face 5f Concave part 5g End 19 Frame member 19b Outer cylinder (cylindrical part) 19d Outer periphery protruding part 19e Fixed part 21 Rotary encoder (detection means) 31 Press switch 50 Contact (electrical connection) Element) 70 Automatic return mechanism K space

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A frame having a shaft, an operating body rotatably provided around the shaft, and an outer peripheral projection fixed to the shaft and extending toward the outer periphery of the shaft. A member, wherein the operating body is rotatably mounted on the shaft body, comprising: a mounting portion; and an operating portion extending from the mounting portion along the axis of the shaft body; One end of the operating section is supported by the mounting section,
A lever switch, wherein the other end of the operation unit is supported by an outer peripheral projection of the frame member. 2. The operating member of the operation body, wherein the frame member includes a fixing portion fixed to the shaft, and a tubular portion connected to the fixing portion and extending along an axis of the shaft. A space surrounded by the operation unit, the attachment unit, and the fixing unit of the frame unit is formed inside the operation unit, and a detecting unit that detects a rotation operation of the operation body around the axis is provided in the space. 2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
The described lever switch. 3. A second operating body rotatably provided around the shaft body, and an electrical connection element for transmitting a rotating operation of the second operating body to a base end side of the shaft body. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second operating body and the operating body are arranged coaxially and in series with each other, and the electrical connection element is arranged inside a tubular portion of the frame member. Or the lever switch according to claim 2. 4. The shaft according to claim 1, wherein the second operating body includes a concave portion formed to be concave from an end surface located at a distal end portion of the shaft toward the base end, and is attached to a distal end of the shaft and 4. A pressure switch provided in the recess.
The described lever switch. 5. When the second operating body is urged to rotate in a rotational direction thereof to a predetermined position, and the second operating body is rotated around the shaft body and then released, the predetermined operation is released. An automatic return mechanism for returning to the position, wherein the automatic return mechanism is disposed from an end of the second operation body facing the operation body to an inside of the cylindrical portion of the frame member. The lever switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein