JP2001280937A - Steering sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and simply assemble the whole device of a steering sensor, and accurately set luminescent elements and photoreceiving elements onto a sensor board. SOLUTION: This steering sensor S detects rotation of the sensor board 3 rotated together with a steering wheel by the luminescent elements 9,10 and the photoreceiving elements 11, 12. The sensor board 3 is covered with a cover 1 and a case 2 with cut-out parts 1a, 2k for fitting a holder 13 to which the luminescent elements 9, 10 and photoreceiving elements 11, 12 are attached. In the cover 1 and the case 2, holding faces 1b, 21 engaged with clamping pieces 13a, 13b formed in a tip part of the holder 13 are formed in deep parts of the cut-out parts 1a, 2k to hold the holder 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a steering sensor for detecting a rotation angle of a steering wheel of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a steering sensor of this type, there is a device disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 60-161677. 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional steering sensor is mounted in a rotating connector device such as a slip ring or a cable reel for electrically connecting a rotating steering handle and a vehicle body, or in a body of a combination switch. A steering sensor emits light toward a slit of a sensor board that rotates together with a steering handle, a light-receiving element that detects light from the light-emitting element that has passed through the slit, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. It comprises a sensor board having a number of the slits interposed therebetween, and a case body in which a circuit board is provided.

In a steering sensor, a transmission type photointerpreter comprising the light emitting element and the light receiving element is installed on the upper and lower surfaces of a sensor board which rotates together with the steering sensor, and the microcomputer counts the number of rotations of the slit and performs steering. This is a sensor that detects the position of the handle.

As disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the steering sensor has a sensor board rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the rotary connector device, and the sensor case has a rotatable insertion portion formed on both sides of the upper portion. The connector is attached by engaging with an engaging portion formed on the lower surface of the connector device and locking a stopper protruding piece formed on the upper end of the sensor case to the case of the rotary connector device.

[0005]

However, the sensor case of the prior art steering sensor described above is large because the printed circuit board provided therein is composed of one sheet.
In particular, since the sensor case is long in the vertical direction, the sensor case also has a long shape in the vertical direction, and the entire sensor is large. The sensor case which is long in the vertical direction has a problem that it is easily tilted and fall down when an external force is applied to the sensor case because the portion fixed to the rotary connector device is only the upper end of the sensor case.

[0006] When the sensor case is tilted, the light receiving / emitting element provided in the sensor case deviates from a predetermined position. As for the light emitting element, when the lens of the light emitting element is displaced from a predetermined installation position, the direction of the divergent light is tilted, the light reaching the light receiving element through the slit of the sensor board is weakened, and the accuracy of the steering sensor is reduced. There is a problem that it decreases.
In addition, the light receiving element also has a problem in that the position of the lens of the light receiving element shifts or tilts, so that the light to be received is weakened and the accuracy of the steering sensor is reduced.

As means for solving the above-mentioned problem of falling of the sensor case and fixing the sensor case to the rotary connector device, the sensor case made of resin and the housing of the rotary connector device are prevented from being deformed by an external force. Means have been taken to prevent ribs by forming or increasing the thickness. However, there is a problem in that the ribs and the means for increasing the thickness increase the size of the entire sensor case.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The entire steering sensor device is simple and easy to assemble, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are accurately installed on the sensor board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering sensor capable of performing the following.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first aspect of the present invention is a sensor for rotating a light emitting element and a light receiving element together with a steering handle. In a steering sensor for detecting rotation of a board, the sensor board is covered with a cover and a case forming a cutout for installing a holder to which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are attached, and the cover and the case are provided with the cutout. A holding surface with which a holding piece formed at the tip of the holder is engaged is formed at the back of the portion to hold the holder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor board has a shaft portion formed at a base end portion of the board having the slit formed therein, and the shaft portion is provided with the cover and the cover. A flange is formed in sliding contact with a support formed on the back side of the holding surface of the case. The case rotatably holds the flange between the support of the case and the support of the cover. It consists of doing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the sensor board has a sliding contact convex portion formed on a flange portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the holder has an element installation groove for fitting the light emitting element and the light receiving element on upper and lower surfaces. A holding projection for holding the lead terminals of the light emitting element and the light receiving element and a through hole into which the lens of the light emitting element and the light receiving element fit are formed in the element installation groove.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the holder is fixed to a second substrate electrically connected to the first substrate by a flat cable, and the lower surface is held by a bottom plate of a base. The first substrate is inserted into and held in a first slide groove formed on the inner wall of the base, and the second substrate is formed on a second slide formed by directing the first slide groove of the base in the same direction. It is inserted and held in the groove.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the first substrate has a terminal holder in which a terminal is insert-molded, and the base has the first slide groove in the first slide groove. When the terminal is inserted into the connector, a terminal hole is formed for inserting the terminal and disposing the terminal in the connector portion.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the invention described in the above, the case integrally forms a housing portion with which the base matches, and the housing portion matches a side plate portion having a hole with which a claw formed in the base engages, and a top surface of the base. And an upper plate portion.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the case is formed with a step groove in the housing portion, in which rattling preventing convex portions formed on both side surfaces of the base are engaged. Become.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the sixth or seventh aspect is provided.
In the invention described in the above, the housing portion of the case has a step portion for supporting an upper end of the second substrate on the side plate portion and a backlash preventing convex portion for supporting the first substrate on the upper plate portion. Consisting of

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claims 1 and 2,
Or the sensor board according to claim 3, wherein the sensor board has a shaft formed at a base end of the board having the slit formed therein, and the shaft has a projection inserted into a vertical groove formed in a cancel rotor of the combination switch. The case is integrally formed, and the case is integrally formed with an ear having a through hole on an outer peripheral portion for fixing the case to the body of the combination switch.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the tenth aspect, the base fixed to the case includes an outer wall provided with an engaging portion into which a fitting piece integrally formed on the lower surface of the body of the combination switch is fitted. Formed integrally.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a cover that matches the case 2 to form a ring-shaped box.
The cover 1 is fixed to each other by engaging a plurality of claws 1 d formed on the outer peripheral portion with elastic locking pieces 21 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the case 2.

In the box body composed of the cover 1 and the case 2,
A sensor board 3 for detecting rotation of a steering handle is rotatably installed. The cover 1, the case 2, and the shaft 3a of the sensor board 3 are made of, for example, an oil-impregnated resin having good sliding properties. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 1 and the case 2 pivotally support the shaft portion 3a of the sensor board 3 so as to be sandwiched between the cover 1 and the case 2, and cover the board 3b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the case 2 is attached to the outer periphery of the case 2 by the body 4a of the combination switch 4.
Plate-like ears 2a, 2 for screwing to the lower surface of the
b and the positioning pieces 2c and 2h are integrally formed to protrude. As shown in FIG. 4, the steering sensor S is screwed to the outer periphery of the case 2 with the ears 2a and 2b and the positioning piece 2h, and is fixed to the outer wall of the base 8 fixed to the case 2 as shown in FIG. An engaging portion 8k is formed, and the engaging portion 8k is fixed by being fitted to a fitting piece 4f provided continuously with the support 4e of the body 4a.

The engaging portion 8k is, as shown in FIG.
It is formed at a position higher than the ears 2a, 2b and the positioning pieces 2c, 2h. Accordingly, when the steering sensor S is attached to the body 4a, the engaging portion 8k is first fitted to the fitting piece 4f, so that the steering sensor S is guided by the fitting piece 4f to move and assemble. easy. The steering sensor S is mounted on the body 4a without play in the vertical and horizontal directions by fitting the engaging portion 8k to the fitting piece 4f.

The ear portion 2a is provided with a through hole 2d for inserting a screw 5, and a through hole 2e for inserting a positioning projection 4b integrally formed on the lower surface of the body 4a. The case 2 can be screwed while positioning the case 2 on the body 4a. The other ear 2b has a through hole 2f through which the screw 6 is inserted. The positioning piece 2c is attached to the body 4
A notch groove 2g is formed on the lower surface of a to engage with a positioning projection 4c integrally formed therewith. The positioning piece 2h
Defines a notched groove 2i with which a screw 7 screwed to the lower surface of the body 4a engages.

On the outer wall of the base 8 fixed to the case 2, there is provided a fitting piece 4f of a column 4e integrally formed below the body 4a of the combination switch 4 as shown in FIGS. An engaging portion 8k to be fitted is formed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the engaging portion 8k is formed by opposing two elastic pieces 8m, 8m each having an inclined surface 8l. The fitting piece 4f has a substantially triangular tip at the side to be fitted to the engagement portion 8k, and is integrally and laterally connected to the column 4e to prevent bending by external force. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the case 2 is integrally formed with a housing portion 2j whose base 8 matches a predetermined position on the outer peripheral portion. The case 2 and the cover 1
Notches 1a and 2k for disposing holders 13 holding light emitting elements 9, 10 and light receiving elements 11, 12 are formed on the axis P side from the position where the housing 2j is formed. (See FIGS. 1 and 3)

When the holder 13 is moved in the direction of the horizontal arrow A as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and assembled to the case 2, the holding pieces 13a, 13k are provided at the inner ends of the notches 1a, 2k.
b form the holding surfaces 1b and 2l to be engaged. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, L-shaped edges 8 b formed at both ends of the bottom plate 8 a of the base 8 are inserted into left and right inner walls of the notch 2 k to hold the base 8. Guide pieces 2m, 2o, and 2p are formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor board 3 has a shaft 3a formed at the base end on the axis P side of a board 3b having slits 3c and 3d. The shaft portion 3a is formed integrally with a flange portion 3g that slides on supporting portions 1c and 2z formed on the back side of the holding surfaces 1b and 21 of the cover 1 and the case 2, and a cylindrical portion 3j. In the case 2, the flange 3g is rotatably held by the support 2z of the case 2 and the support 1c of the cover 1. The sensor board 3 has ring-shaped sliding contact protrusions 3h and 3i arranged in two rails on the flange 3g on the upper and lower surfaces to reduce sliding resistance with the support portions 1c and 2z. I have.

The flange 3g is located on the outermost side of the shaft 3a formed of resin of the sensor board 3, and a board 3b insert-molded on the sensor board 3 projects from the outer periphery of the flange 3g. The flange portion 3g is formed outside the shaft portion 3a, and at a position close to the slits 3c, 3d, the support portion 1c,
Since the sensor board 3 is pivotally supported at 2z, it is possible to prevent the sensor board 3 from swinging. Grease for improving slidability is applied to the flange 3g and the sliding contact protrusions 3h and 3i. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the sliding protrusions 3h and 3i has two parallel protrusions arranged in a ring shape, and the tip is curved to reduce frictional resistance.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, a large number of sliding contact projections 3k are formed on the outside of the cylindrical portion 3j to reduce frictional resistance with the case 2. . The sliding contact protruding portion 3k is a slender mountain-shaped protruding portion formed from the upper end to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 3j, and has a curved end. The sensor board 3 is formed so as to be rotatable with the case 2 by forming a cylindrical portion 3j having the sliding contact protrusion 3k slidingly contacting the inner wall on the axis P side of the case 2 so that the sensor board 3 is rotatable. The swing of the sensor board 3 can be stabilized by restricting the swing in the radial direction.

The guide piece 2m is a protruding piece formed on the inner wall on both sides of the notch 2k as shown in FIG. The guide piece 2m is formed at a position higher than the intermediate position between the guide piece 2o and the guide piece 2p by a thickness substantially equal to the edge 8b of the bottom plate 8a. The guide piece 2m is composed of the guide piece 2m and the guide piece 2
o, 2p to support the upper surface of the edge 8b of the bottom plate 8a. The guide pieces 2o form inner walls on both sides near the back wall of the notch 2k, and support the lower surface of the edge 8b on the distal end side of the bottom plate 8a. The guide piece 2p has a notch 2
k are formed on both sides on the opening end side to support the lower surface of the edge 8b on the base end side of the bottom plate 8a.

The housing portion 2j is an L-shaped plate member that matches the base 8 as shown in FIG. The housing 2j has an upper plate 2r formed continuously on the side plate 2q in an L-shape. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side plate 2q has a hole 2s formed with a claw 8c formed below the base 8 and a step groove 2t formed with a T-shaped rattling preventing protrusion 8d. And an elastic piece 2v having a hole 2u with which a claw 8e formed above the base 8 engages.
And forming.

The upper plate 2r of the housing 2j includes:
With a single screw 22, the through hole 4i of the bracket 4h of the body 4a shown in FIG. Anti-rattle protrusion 2 against which the end face of substrate 14 is pressed.
x.

As shown in FIG. 6 between the cover 1 and the case 2.
The sensor board 3 is rotatably arranged as shown in FIG. 2, and a slit 3c for detecting a handle rotation angle and a slit 3d for detecting a handle rotation number are formed in the cutout 2k. Assembled to appear. The slit 3c is formed by a large number of punched holes near the outer peripheral portion of the metal board 3b. The slit 3d
Is formed by one arc-shaped hole formed by punching on the axial center side of the slit 3c.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor board 3 includes the board 3b and a resin shaft 3a obtained by insert-molding the board 3b. The shaft portion 3a has projections 3e, 3f fitted into the vertical grooves 4g, 4g of the shaft cylinder portion of the cancel rotor 4d (see FIG. 4) shown in FIG. 11 rotatably fitted to the body 4a of the combination switch 4. Are integrally formed. (See FIG. 1.) The projections 3e and 3f are tapered to facilitate fitting into the grooves.
The cancel rotor 4d is engaged with the lower surface of the steering handle, and the protrusions 3e,
By engaging 3f with the vertical grooves 4g, 4g of the cancel rotor 4d, the sensor board 3 rotates together with the steering handle.

Notch 1a, 2 of cover 1 and case 2
k is provided with a board insertion groove 13e of the holder 13 into which the portions of the sensor board 3 where the slits 3c and 3d are formed are loosely inserted. The light emitting element 9 is disposed on the ceiling surface of the board insertion groove 13e located above the slit 3c of the sensor board 3, and the light receiving element 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the board insertion groove 13e in opposition to the light emitting element 9. Is arranged. The steering sensor S is emitted from the light emitting element 9,
By detecting the light passing through the slit 3c with the light receiving element 11, the rotation angle of the steering wheel is detected.

On the ceiling surface of the board insertion groove 13e of the holder 13 located on the rotation locus of the slit 3d of the sensor board 3, the light emitting element 10 is arranged, and the board located below the rotation locus of the slit 3d. The light receiving element 12 is disposed on the bottom surface of the insertion groove 13e so as to face the light emitting element 10 as shown in FIGS. Steering sensor S
Is emitted from the light emitting element 10 and the slit 3d
The number of rotations of the steering wheel is detected by detecting the light passing through the light receiving element 12.

The light emitting elements 9 and 10 and the light receiving elements 11 and 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes through holes 13c, 13 of the holder 13 in which the lenses 9b, 10b, 11b, 12b are bored at respective opposing positions.
d. The light emitting elements 9 and 10 and the light receiving element 1
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
13b, two element installation grooves 13f, 13
g, 13h and held by the holder 13.

The light emitting elements 9 and 10 and the light receiving element 1
1, 12 are 2-3 lead terminals 9a, 10a, 11
a and 12a. The lead terminals 9a, 10a, 11
a and 12a are one of the light emitting elements 9 and 10 and the light receiving element 1
The first and second sides are set to the respective element installation grooves 13f, 13g, and 13h.
Holding projections 13i, 13j, 13k formed on both inner walls of
, And the other side is soldered to a through hole of the second substrate 15.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the holder 13 is provided with the lead terminals 9a, 10a, 11 on the second substrate 15 side.
a, 12a and the elastic locking projections 131, 13m integrally formed with the holder 13 are protruded, and these are fitted to the second substrate 15. The holder 13 inserts the second substrate 15 fixed to the holder 13 into the second slide grooves 8g formed on the inner walls on both sides of the base 8, and inserts the support holes 13n formed in the holding pieces 13b into the bottom plate 8a of the base 8. Is fixed to the base 8 by being fitted to the protrusion 8h formed integrally with the base 8.

The light emitting elements 9, 10 and the light receiving element 11,
When soldering the lead terminals 9 a, 10 a, 11 a, 12 a to through holes (not shown) of the second board 15, the elastic locking projections 13 l, 13 m of the base 8 are punched in the second board 15. The base 8 is temporarily fixed by being fitted into a through hole (not shown) provided, and then the lead terminals 9a, 10
Since a, 11a and 12a are soldered, the soldering operation is easy.

The second substrate 15 is held by inserting both sides into the slide grooves 8g, supporting the lower surface by the bottom plate 8a, and supporting the upper surface by the step 2y formed on the housing portion 2j of the case 2. ing. The light emitting elements 9 and 10, the light receiving elements 11 and 12, the electronic element 16 and the flat cable 18 are soldered to the second substrate 15 on the board surface. The second substrate 15 is connected to the adjacent first substrate 14 by the flat cable 18.

The length L2 of the second substrate 15 in the vertical direction is shorter than the length L1 of the first substrate 14 as shown in FIG. 10, and is disposed on the housing portion 2j side. This allows
When assembling the first and second substrates 14 and 15 to the base 8, first, the longer first substrate 14 is inserted into the first slide groove 8 f of the base 8. Thereby, the first substrate 14
It is supported by the first slide groove 8f, so that the next assembling work can be easily performed.

Next, the terminal 19 of the terminal holder 20 installed on the first substrate 14 is inserted into the terminal hole 8j of the connector portion 8i. Next, the second substrate 15 is inserted into the second slide groove 8g. The first and second substrates 14 and 15 are inserted into the first and second slide grooves 8f and 8g, and the bottom plate 8a of the base 8, the anti-rattle protrusion 2x and the step 2y of the case 2 are provided.
And sandwiched between.

The first substrate 14, the second substrate 15, and the terminals 19 are inserted into the base 8 by being moved in the same directions of arrows B, C, and D as shown in FIG.
Automatic assembly by machine is possible. As shown in FIG. 8, the first substrate 14, the second substrate 15, and the terminals 19 mounted on the base 8 hold the first substrate 14 in the first slide grooves 8f, and connect the second substrate 15 to the second slide shaft. 8g, the terminal 19 is held by the terminal hole 8j, and the whole inside of the base 8 is fixed.

The first and second substrates 14 and 15 form electronic elements 16 and 1 forming an electric circuit of the steering sensor S.
8 The terminal 19 is insert-molded in the terminal holder 20, one of which is provided inside the connector portion 8 i, and the other is soldered to a through hole of the first substrate 14.

The embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. Next, the operation will be described in detail together with the assembly procedure. First, the sensor board 3 is inserted into the case 2, pushed in such that the notch 1 a is aligned with the notch 2 k of the case 2, and closed by the cover 1. Then, the cover 1
d fits the elastic locking piece 21 and matches the case 2.

Next, the light emitting elements 9, 10 and the light receiving element 11,
12 with the element installation grooves 13f, 13g, 13
h, each lens 9b, 10b, 11b, 12b
Are fitted in the through holes 13c, 13d, and the lead terminals 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a are held by the holding projections 13i, 13d.
j, 13k. Thereby, the light emitting elements 9 and 10
The light receiving elements 11 and 12 can be fixed at predetermined positions of the holder 13.

The electronic element 16 and the flat cable 18 are soldered to the second substrate 15. The holder 13 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
5, and each lead terminal 9a,
10a, 11a, and 12a are fixed to the second substrate 15 by being inserted into through holes of the second substrate 15 and soldered.

The electronic element 17, the terminals 19 of the terminal holder 20, and the flat cable 18 are soldered to the first substrate 14. Then, the first substrate 1 is connected with the flat cable 18.
4 and the second substrate 15 are connected.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first substrate 14 is inserted into the first slide groove 8f of the base 8 in the direction of arrow B, and then the terminal 19 is inserted into the terminal groove 8j in the same direction of arrow C as the direction of arrow B. Then, the second substrate 15 is inserted into the second slide groove 8g in the same arrow D direction as the arrow A direction, and
13n is fitted into the projection 8h of the bottom plate 8a.

The first and second substrates 14 and 15 correspond to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the length L1 of the first substrate 14 is longer than the length L2 of the second substrate 15, and they are arranged in two steps as shown in FIG. And the entire base 8 can be reduced in size.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, both edges 8b of the bottom plate 8a
Is inserted between the guide piece 2m and the guide pieces 2o, 2p, and the holding pieces 13a, 13b of the holder 13 are moved in the direction of the arrow A, so that the holding surfaces 1b,
Fits 2l. Then, the base plate 8a is engaged with the notch 2k, the claw 8c is engaged with the hole 2s, the anti-rattle projection 8d is engaged with the step groove 2t, and the claw 8e is engaged with the hole 2u. The base 8 is fitted to the housing portion 2j of the case 2 by closing the opening at the upper surface of the case 8.

The side surface of the first substrate 14 is held by the first slide groove 8f, and the upper and lower surfaces are sandwiched between the bottom plate 8a of the base 8 and the upper plate portion 2r of the case 2. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the terminal holder 20 provided on the first substrate 14 and the terminal 19 arranged in the connector portion 8i from moving.

The side surface of the second substrate 15 is held by the second slide groove 8g, and the upper and lower surfaces are held between the bottom plate 8a of the base 8 and the step 2y of the housing portion 8j. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the holder 13, the light emitting elements 9, 10 and the light receiving elements 11, 12 provided on the second substrate 15 from moving.

Thus, the steering sensor S
Are assembled and then screwed to the body 4a of the combination switch 4 as shown in FIG. When assembling the steering sensor S to the body 4a, first, the engaging portion 8k of the base 8 is inserted into the fitting piece 4f, and then the projections 3e and 3f of the sensor board 3 are inserted into the vertical grooves 4g and 4g of the cancel rotor 4d. Insert sequentially into 4g.

Then, the steering sensor S moves in the axial direction while being guided by the fitting piece 4f and the vertical grooves 4g, 4g. The positioning projection 4c is smoothly fitted into the notch groove 2g of the positioning piece 2c, the through hole 2f of the ear 2a is smoothly fitted into the positioning projection 4b, and the steering sensor S is locked to the body 4a. . Next, each screw 5, 6,
At 7, the steering sensor S is fixed to the bottom surface of the body 4a.

Then, as shown in FIG.
2 is screwed into the base 8 through the through hole 4i of the bracket 4h of the body 4a and the through hole 2w of the upper plate 2r of the case 2. Thereby, the base 8 and the single screw 22 can be used.
Upper plate 2r of case 2 and bracket 4h of body 4a
And can be firm. Since the base 8 fixes the upper portion of the connector portion 8i with the screw 22, the base 8 does not deform even when the mating connector is attached to or detached from the connector portion 8i.

[0059]

The present invention has the following configuration and operation, and has the following effects. The invention according to claim 1 is a steering sensor S that detects rotation of a sensor board that rotates together with a steering handle with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, wherein the sensor board is provided with a holder to which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are attached. The cover and the case have a notch formed therein, and the cover and the case form a holding surface in the back of the notch with which a holding piece formed at the tip of the holder is engaged, thereby holding the holder. By doing so, the tip of the holder is fixed at a predetermined position on the cover and the case without play, so that the vibration resistance and shock resistance of the steering sensor can be improved, and the light receiving / emitting element moves due to vibration. It is possible to prevent the accuracy of detecting the rotation angle of the steering handle from being reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor board has a shaft formed at a base end of the board having the slit formed therein, and the shaft is formed with the cover and the cover. A flange is formed in sliding contact with a support formed on the back side of the holding surface of the case. The case rotatably holds the flange between the support of the case and the support of the cover. Therefore, the holder having the light emitting / receiving element is positioned on the holding surface, the sensor board can be positioned on the support portion on the back side of the holding surface, and the positioning can be performed without intervening other members. Accuracy can be improved. Also, the sensor board
Since the upper and lower surfaces of the flange portion, which is the outer periphery of the shaft portion, are held by the support portion of the case and the support portion of the cover, the sensor board is held near the slit of the sensor board, and the sensor board can swing even when the vehicle body vibrates. The sensor board can be rotatably supported without any rotation, so that the rotation of the sensor board can be stabilized and the accuracy of the steering sensor can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the sensor board has a sliding contact convex portion formed on a flange portion to reduce sliding resistance between the sensor board, the case, and the cover. As a result, the rotation of the sensor board can be made smooth to prevent the occurrence of sliding noise.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the holder has an element installation groove for fitting the light emitting element and the light receiving element on upper and lower surfaces. In the element installation groove, a holding projection for holding the lead terminal of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and a through hole in which the lens of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are formed, so that the light receiving and emitting element of the holder is formed. By holding at a predetermined position, it is possible to prevent the light emitting / receiving element from being detached from the holder due to vibration of the vehicle body, and it is possible to improve the accuracy of the steering sensor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the holder is fixed to the second substrate electrically connected to the first substrate by a flat cable, and the lower surface is held by the bottom plate of the base. The first substrate is inserted into and held in a first slide groove formed in the inner wall of the base, and the second substrate is configured to hold the first slide groove of the base in the same direction (directions of arrows B and D). When the first and second substrates are assembled to the base by inserting and holding them in the second slide grooves formed so as to face, the first substrate is first inserted into the base,
Next, if the second substrate is inserted into the base, the first substrate is guided by the first slide groove and moves to the mounting position of the base without grasping the first substrate. The assembly workability is good, automatic assembly by machine is possible, and the structure is suitable for mass production. Further, the steering sensor can be provided with the first and second substrates separated from each other and two substrates can be arranged side by side, and the entire base can be reduced in size.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first substrate has a terminal holder in which terminals are insert-molded, and the base has the first substrate mounted on the first slide groove. When the terminal is inserted into the connector portion, a terminal hole for inserting the terminal into the connector portion is formed. The terminal and the terminal are guided by the first slide groove and move in the same direction (the directions of arrows B, C, and D), and the terminal can be smoothly inserted into the terminal hole. Thus, a steering sensor having a simple connector structure can be provided.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the invention described in the above, the case integrally forms a housing portion with which the base matches, and the housing portion matches a side plate portion having a hole with which a claw formed in the base engages, and a top surface of the base. The base plate can be assembled to the case with one touch, and the workability of the assembling operation can be improved. In addition, since the case is formed integrally with the housing, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced to reduce costs, and the base can be firmly attached to the case.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventh aspect, the case has a stepped groove formed in the housing portion so that the backlash prevention projections formed on both side surfaces of the base are engaged. The base can be installed at a predetermined reference position of the case without play. This prevents the second substrate on which the light emitting and receiving elements and the like provided inside the base are fixed from moving together with the base and prevents the second substrate from rattling, thereby contributing to an improvement in accuracy of the steering sensor and an improvement in earthquake resistance.

The ninth aspect of the present invention relates to the sixth or seventh aspect.
In the invention described in the above, the housing portion of the case has a step portion for supporting an upper end of the second substrate on the side plate portion and a backlash preventing convex portion for supporting the first substrate on the upper plate portion. Therefore, the first substrate can be held by the rattling prevention convex portion and the second substrate can be held by the step portion without adding any special components.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention,
Or the sensor board according to claim 3, wherein the sensor board has a shaft formed at a base end of the board having the slit formed therein, and the shaft has a projection inserted into a vertical groove formed in a cancel rotor of the combination switch. The case is integrally formed, and the case is formed integrally with an ear portion having a through hole for fixing to the body of the combination switch on the outer peripheral portion, so that the steering sensor can be easily positioned at a predetermined position of the body of the combination switch and screwed. I can stop it. Also, the steering sensor can be fixed to the body by fixing the outer peripheral portion of the case to the body and can be connected to the cancel rotor by giving the shaft portion some degree of freedom in the axial direction, so that the shaft portion can be rotated when the sensor board rotates. Can be reduced, and the sliding noise of the shaft portion can be reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the tenth aspect, the base fixed to the case includes an outer wall provided with an engaging portion into which a fitting piece integrally formed on the lower surface of the body of the combination switch is fitted. By integrally forming the base and the steering sensor, it is possible to prevent the base and the entire steering sensor from rattling in the body of the combination switch in the horizontal direction, and to improve the earthquake resistance and shock resistance of the steering sensor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view of a steering sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the embodiment of the present invention, and is a bottom view of the steering sensor.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the embodiment of the present invention, and is a bottom view when a steering sensor is installed on a combination switch.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a steering sensor.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory sectional view showing an assembling relationship between a case and a base having a holder.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view of a base 8. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a bottom view of a base.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a holder provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an assembling relationship between a base, a first substrate, and a second substrate.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view of an essential part showing an assembling relationship between a steering sensor and a body of a combination switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cover 1a, 2k Notch 1b, 2l Holding surface 1c, 2z Support 2 Case 2a, 2b Ear 2c, 2h Positioning pieces 2d, 2e, 2f Through hole 2j Housing 2q Side plate 2r Upper plate 2s, 2u Hole 2t Step groove 2x Anti-rattle protrusion 2y Step 3 Sensor board 3a Shaft 3c, 3d Slit 3b Board 3e, 3f Projection 3g Flange 3h, 3i Sliding contact protrusion 4 Combination switch 4a Body 8 Base 8a Bottom plate 8c, 8e Claw 8f First slide shaft 8d Anti-rattle projection 8g Second slide shaft 8i Connector 8j Terminal hole 9,10 Light emitting element 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a Lead terminal 9b, 10b, 11b, 12b Lens 11,12 Light receiving element 13 Holder 13a, 13b Nipping pieces 13c, 13d, 13d Through holes 13f, 13g, 3h element mounting groove 13i, 13j, 13k holding projection 14 first substrate 15 length S steering sensor of the second substrate 18 flat cable 19 pin 20 terminal holder L1 first length L2 second substrate substrate

Claims (11)

[Claims] A light emitting element (9, 10) and a light receiving element (1)
1, 12), the steering sensor S which detects the rotation of the sensor board (3) which rotates together with the steering wheel, wherein the sensor board (3) comprises the light emitting element (9, 10).
And the holder (1) to which the light receiving elements (11, 12) are attached.
3) The cover (1) and the case (2) formed with the cutouts (1a, 2k) for installing the cover (1) and the case (2).
a, 2k), the holding surfaces (1b, 2) with which holding pieces (13a, 13b) formed at the tip of the holder (13) engage.
(1) A steering sensor, wherein (1) is formed to hold the holder (13). 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the sensor board (3) forms a shaft (3a) at a base end of a board (3b) having slits (3c, 3d) formed therein. The shaft (3a) is provided with the cover (1) and the case (2).
A flange portion (3g) that slides on a support portion (1c, 2z) formed on the back surface side of the holding surface (1b, 2l), and the case (2) includes the support portion of the case (2). (2
z) and the support portion (1c) of the cover (1), wherein the flange (3g) is rotatably sandwiched. 3. The steering sensor according to claim 2, wherein the sensor board (3) has sliding protrusions (3h, 3i) formed on the flange (3g). 4. The invention according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the holder (13) has the light emitting elements (9,
10) and an element installation groove (13f, 13g, 13h) for fitting the light receiving element (11, 12), and the light emitting element (9, 10) is formed in the element installation groove (13f, 13g, 13h). ) And holding projections (13i, 13j, 13k) for holding lead terminals (9a, 10a, 11a, 12a) of the light receiving elements (11, 12), and the light emitting elements (9, 10) and the light receiving elements (11, 12). 12) lens (9
b, 10b, 11b, 12b) into which through holes (13
c, 13d, 13d). 5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the holder (13) is fixed to a second substrate (15) electrically connected to the first substrate (14) by a flat cable (18). The lower surface is held by a bottom plate (8a) of a base (8), and the first substrate (14) is inserted and held in a first slide groove (8f) formed in an inner wall of the base (8). A steering sensor, wherein the two substrates (15) are inserted and held in a second slide groove (8g) formed with the first slide groove (8f) of the base (8) facing in the same direction. 6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the first substrate (14) includes a terminal holder (20) in which a terminal (19) is insert-molded, and the base (8) includes the first holder. The substrate (14) is connected to the first
When the terminal (1f) is inserted into the slide groove (8f),
9) A steering sensor, characterized in that a terminal hole (8j) is formed for insertion and placement in the connector part (8i). 7. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the case (2) integrally forms a housing portion (2j) with which the base (8) matches, and the housing portion (2j) A side plate (2q) having holes (2s, 2u) with which the claws (8c, 8e) formed on the base (8) engage, and an upper plate (2r) matching the upper surface of the base (8). And a steering sensor comprising: 8. The case (2) according to claim 7, wherein the case (2) is provided on the housing portion (2j) with a backlash preventing protrusion (8) formed on both side surfaces of the base (8).
A steering sensor, wherein a step groove (2t) with which d) engages is formed. 9. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the housing portion (2j) of the case (2) has a step supporting the upper end of the second substrate (15) on the side plate portion (2q). A steering sensor comprising: a portion (2y); and an anti-rattle projection (2x) for supporting the first substrate (15) on the upper plate portion (2r). 10. The invention according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sensor board (3) has a shaft (3a) at a base end of a board (3b) having slits (3c, 3d) formed therein. ), And the projections (3e, 3f) inserted into the longitudinal grooves (4g, 4g) formed in the cancel rotor (4d) of the combination switch (4) are integrally formed on the shaft (3a). The case (2) is characterized in that ears (2a, 2b) having through holes (2d, 2e, 2f) for fixing to the body (4a) of the combination switch (4) are formed integrally on the outer peripheral portion. Steering sensor. 11. The invention according to claim 10, wherein the base (8) fixed to the case (2) is a fitting piece (4f) integrally formed on the lower surface of the body (4a) of the combination switch (4). (8k)
A steering sensor characterized by being integrally formed on an outer wall.