JP2001184966A - Dial switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dial switch device, which has an improved freedom degree of design and also a reduced cost. SOLUTION: A length of a contacted side corresponding to a central angle between the respective indicator switches uniformly set to a dial-rotating portion is set equal to a length of an outer peripheral portion of a driving portion corresponding to a central angle between contacts of a rotating switch portion. The respective set indication positions of the dial-rotating portion are made to correspond to the respective contact positions of the rotating switch portion, so that the dial-rotating portion is improved with respect to a freedom degree of design at the plural indication positions thereof. Further, the contacted side may also be formed of plural circular arc-shaped portions having a different diameter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dial switch mechanism used for an operation panel for setting / changing control of an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle, for example, in which positions set at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction are provided. The present invention relates to a dial switch mechanism corresponding to a plurality of control modes and capable of setting a control mode by adjusting a dial to its position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional dial switch mechanism, for example, a dial switch disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-66725 is one in which rotation of a knob is directly transmitted to a rotating shaft of a variable resistor. There is.

Further, currently available rotary digital switches have switching angles of 45 °, 36 °, 30 °, and 2 °.
2, 5 °, 20 °, 15 °, 11.25 °, 9 ° are set at good angles, and the number of contacts is 8, 10 respectively.
, 12, 16, 18, 24, 32, and 40.

[0004]

In view of the above, when a commercially available inexpensive rotary switch is used, and when a knob is provided directly on the rotary shaft of the switch, the switch angle corresponds to the switching angle of each rotary switch. Therefore, it is necessary to design the display position of the control mode, and if a special display position is set in the design, it becomes a custom-ordered product, so that the cost is increased.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dial switch mechanism capable of improving design flexibility and reducing cost.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has a plurality of positions uniformly set at a predetermined central angle in the circumferential direction, and has a contact side surface formed in an arc shape,
A driving part having a dial rotating part rotatable in the circumferential direction, an outer peripheral part in contact with the contact side surface, and rotating correspondingly with the rotation of the dial rotating part; A drive shaft fixed to the center axis of the drive unit and a plurality of contacts uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction at a center angle different from the predetermined center angle, and the contacts are short-circuited sequentially as the drive unit rotates. And a length of the contact side surface corresponding to each central angle of the dial rotating portion, and a length of an outer peripheral portion of the driving portion corresponding to each central angle of the rotary switch portion. Are set equal.

Thus, according to the present invention, the length of the contact side surface corresponding to the central angle between the respective display positions equally set on the dial rotating portion and the contact point of the rotary switch portion By setting the length of the outer peripheral portion of the drive unit corresponding to the center angle to be equal, each display position set by the dial rotating unit and the position of each contact point of the rotary switch unit are associated with each other, Along with improving the design flexibility of a plurality of display positions of the dial rotation unit,
Since the rotary switch section having an appropriate number of contacts can be used, the above object can be achieved.

It is preferable that the contact side surface is formed on the outer peripheral side of the dial rotating portion, but it may be formed on the inner peripheral side of the dial rotating portion. Thereby, the degree of freedom of design can be improved.

Further, the length of the contact side surface corresponding to each central angle (θ) of the dial rotating portion and the outer peripheral portion of the drive portion corresponding to each central angle (α) of the rotary switch portion. Setting the length equal to
The ratio (R / r) between the radius (R) of the contact side surface of the dial rotating portion and the radius (r) of the outer peripheral portion is determined by the ratio (θ / α) between the central angle of the dial rotating portion and the central angle of the rotary switch portion. ) (Α / θ)
When the center angle (α) of the rotary switch unit is a fixed value, the radius R of the contact side surface is changed in accordance with the set position of the dial rotating unit. The setting position of the dial rotation unit can be made to correspond to the contact position of the rotation switch unit.

[0010] Gears formed at a predetermined pitch are provided on a contact side surface of the dial rotating portion and an outer peripheral portion of the driving portion, and gears corresponding to respective central angles of the dial rotating portion are provided. It is desirable that the number of gear teeth on the contact side surface is equal to the number of gear teeth on the outer peripheral portion of the drive unit corresponding to the respective central angles of the rotary switch unit.

An elastic member made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, synthetic resin or the like having a predetermined friction is disposed on the contact side surface of the dial rotating portion and the outer peripheral portion of the driving portion. Although the drive unit may be rotated, in consideration of the deformation of the elastic member and slip due to a reduction in frictional force, gears with a predetermined pitch are provided on the contact side surface and the outer peripheral portion, and The rotation range of the dial rotation unit can be reliably transmitted to the rotation switch unit by engaging with the rotation switch unit.

In the case where a gear is used, the number of teeth of the gear formed on the arcuate portion of the contact side surface corresponding to the central angle between the set positions of the dial rotating portion, and the contact point of the rotary switch portion Must be equal to the number of gear teeth formed on the arcuate portion of the outer peripheral portion corresponding to the central angle between the gears. Ratio of the number of gear teeth (Gb) to be formed (Ga / Gb)
Can be set to be equal to the reciprocal (α / θ) of the ratio (θ / α) of the respective central angles described above, so that the set position of the dial rotation unit can correspond to the contact position of the rotary switch unit. Things.

[0013] The contact side surface of the dial rotating portion may be
Desirably, it is composed of a plurality of arcs having different diameters. Thus, by forming a dial rotating portion having a contact side surface composed of a plurality of arcs, for example, when an operation panel is formed by a plurality of dial switch mechanisms, the setting position of the dial rotating portion can be changed by a plurality of types. Even if formed
This can be handled by one dial rotating unit.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A dial switch mechanism 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention constitutes a part of an operation panel 1 for controlling, for example, a vehicle air conditioner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, A cylindrical extension 6 formed on the middle case 4 to which the printed board 5 is fixed so as to protrude from the front case 3, and a cylinder fixed to the printed board 5 by being inscribed in the cylindrical extension 6. An internal member 7, a rotary knob mounting portion 9 rotatably mounted on the cylindrical extension 6, a dial rotary portion 8 fixed to the rotary knob mounting portion 9, and a rotary knob mounting portion 9; , A driving portion (hereinafter, a second gear portion) 13 that meshes with the first gear portion 15, and a rotation of the second gear portion 13. Rotary switch part fixed to the shaft (hereinafter, digital rotary switch) 4 to be composed by. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the first gear portion 15 is formed on a lower outer peripheral side surface of the rotary knob mounting portion 9, and the second gear portion 13 is provided with the rotary knob. It is provided outside the mounting portion 9 and meshes with the first gear portion 15.

In the above configuration, for example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, a plurality of positions N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, and N6 set in the circumferential direction of the dial rotation unit 8 are set at intervals of a central angle θ (30 °), and the digital rotation corresponding thereto is set. The contacts S1, S2, S3, S4 of the switch 14
As shown in FIG. 4B, S5 and S6 are central angles α (6
0 °), the display positions N1,
The length L1 of the arc on the outer periphery of the first gear portion 15 corresponding to the center angle θ between N2 and the length of the arc on the outer periphery of the second gear portion 13 corresponding to the center angle α between the contact points S1 and S2. By making L2 equal, both can be made to correspond.

Specifically, the ratio (R / r) of the radius R of the first gear portion 15 to the radius r of the second gear portion 13 is calculated by calculating the reciprocal (α / α) of the ratio (θ / α) of the respective central angles. / Θ), the turning distance of the dial turning unit 8 and the turning distance of the digital turning switch 14 can be made to correspond.

Further, when the pitch of the gears formed on the first gear portion 15 and the second gear portion 13 is constant, the number of teeth Ga of the first gear portion 15 and the number of teeth of the second gear portion 13 The gear ratio with respect to Gb (Ga / Gb) is also equal to the reciprocal of the ratio of the central angle (α / θ).

From the above, the display of the control modes evenly arranged in the circumferential direction of the dial rotating portion 8, for example, N1 is an automatic blowing mode, N2 is a venting mode, N3 is a bilevel blowing mode, and N4 is a bilevel blowing mode. Foot blowing mode, N5
Is displayed in the differential foot blowing mode, and N6 is displayed in the differential blowing mode. When the position of the dial rotating unit 8 is at N1, the contact S1 of the digital rotary switch 14 is short-circuited, and similarly, N2, N3, N4 A digital rotary switch 14 is provided for the position of each of the dial rotating portions 8 of N5 and N6.
, S4, S5, and S6.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment in which a first gear portion 15 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the knob mounting portion 9 and a second gear portion 13 meshes with the first gear portion 15 from outside. FIG. 6 shows a first gear portion 15A formed on the inner peripheral side surface of the knob mounting portion 9, and a second gear portion 13A meshes with the first gear portion 15A from the inside. This shows a second embodiment.

In the case of the dial switch mechanism 2 according to the first embodiment, since the digital rotary switch 14 is provided outside the dial switch mechanism 2, a push switch or a light emitting diode is provided inside the dial switch mechanism 2. Since many electric parts such as can be arranged,
A large number of displays and switch operations can be set in one dial switch mechanism 2, and the dial setting display of the dial switch mechanism 2 can be freely designed as described above, so that the degree of freedom in switch design is improved.

Also, in the second embodiment,
The knob mounting part 9 is to be rotatably mounted on the inner peripheral side surface of the cylindrical extension part 6, and it is not particularly necessary to arrange many electric components inside the dial switch mechanism 2. In this case, since the digital rotary switch 14 can be disposed inside the dial switch mechanism 2, there is an advantage that space can be saved.

In the dial switch mechanism according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first gear portion 15B is constituted by a semicircular arc having two different diameters.
As shown in FIG. 7, the gear ratio Gc / Gb when the large-diameter side of the first gear portion 15 and the second gear portion 13 mesh with each other is determined by the small-diameter side of the first gear portion 15 and the second gear portion 13. Is set to be larger than the gear ratio Gd / Gb when the gears are engaged with each other, so that the turning distance of the digital rotary switch 14 can be set to be longer than the turning distance of the dial turning unit 8. Gc, Gd
Shows the number of teeth when gears of the same pitch are formed on the entire circumference for each diameter.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a case where the small-diameter side of the first gear portion 15 and the second gear portion 13 are meshed with each other. The turning distance of the digital rotary switch 14 can be set smaller than the turning distance of.

Thus, when two dial switch mechanisms 2 are used for the operation panel 1, the interval between the display positions set in the circumferential direction of each dial rotating unit 8 and the interval between the contact positions of the digital rotary switch 14 are set. By forming the first gear portion 5B having two diameters corresponding to the respective ratios, the number of parts can be reduced because one dial can cope with two dial switch mechanisms.

The dial switch mechanism according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 discloses a first gear portion 15C comprising three arc-shaped portions having different diameters. The respective central angles θ1, θ2, θ3 are the same (120
°), but may be at a different angle as needed. Thereby, it is possible to correspond to three different display positions or contact positions of the digital rotary switch 14. Note that Ge, Gf, and Gg indicate the number of teeth when the gear is formed all around the diameter.

The dial switch mechanism according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a first gear portion 15D composed of two arc-shaped portions having two different diameters and different center angles as described above. It was done. In this embodiment, the central angle θ4 on the large diameter side of the first gear portion 15D is formed smaller than the central angle θ5 on the small diameter side, but the central angle θ4 on the large diameter side is larger than the central angle θ5 on the small diameter side. It may be formed. Thereby, it is possible to correspond to the display position of the dial rotating unit 8 set in a necessary range.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the central angle of the display position uniformly set in the circumferential direction of the dial rotating unit and the central angle of the contact point of the rotary switch unit composed of the digital rotary switch. The diameter or the number of teeth of the contacting side of the dial rotating part and the diameter or the number of teeth of the driving part are set in accordance with the ratio of the dial rotating part. Since the display position of the moving part can be freely set, the degree of freedom in designing the dial switch mechanism can be improved, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the present invention, the contact side surface of the dial rotating portion is formed by a plurality of arcs having different diameters, so that one dial rotating portion corresponds to a plurality of display positions. Since digital rotary switches having different numbers of contacts can be used, the degree of freedom in design can be further improved and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a dial switch mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the dial switch mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first gear unit and a second gear unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display position of a dial rotating unit, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a contact position of a digital rotary switch.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing positions and operations of a first gear unit and a second gear unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing positions and operations of a first gear unit and a second gear unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first meshing state of a first gear unit and a second gear unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a second meshing state of a first gear unit and a second gear unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shape of a first gear unit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shape of a first gear unit according to a fifth embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Operation panel 2 Dial switch mechanism 8 Dial rotating section 9 Rotary knob mounting section 13, 13A Drive section (second gear section) 14 Rotary switch section (digital rotary switch) 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D Contact side surface (1st gear part)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A dial rotating portion having a plurality of positions uniformly set at a predetermined central angle in a circumferential direction, having a contact side surface formed in an arc shape, and being rotatable in the circumferential direction. A drive unit having an outer peripheral portion in contact with the contact side surface and rotating in response to rotation of the dial rotating unit; a drive shaft fixed to a central axis of the drive unit; A rotary switch unit having a plurality of contacts uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction at a center angle different from the center angle, and a rotary switch unit that short-circuits the contacts sequentially with the rotation of the driving unit; The length of the contact side surface corresponding to each central angle of the dial switch and the length of the outer peripheral portion of the drive unit corresponding to each central angle of the rotary switch unit are set to be equal. mechanism. 2. The dial switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the contact side surface is formed on an outer peripheral side of the dial rotating portion. 3. The dial switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the contact side surface is formed on an inner peripheral side of the dial rotating portion. 4. A gear formed at a predetermined pitch is provided on a contact side surface of the dial rotating unit and an outer peripheral portion of the driving unit, and the gear corresponding to a central angle of each of the dial rotating units is provided. The number of teeth of a gear on a contact side surface is equal to the number of teeth of a gear on an outer peripheral portion of the drive unit corresponding to each central angle of the rotary switch unit. Dial switch mechanism. 5. The contact side surface of the dial rotating portion comprises a plurality of arcs having different diameters.
4. The dial switch mechanism according to any one of 4.