JP2002367483A - Lever switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve mounting workability of a switch body, a lead wire and the like, when the shape of a lever is bent at intermediate part. SOLUTION: This lever switch device comprises a hollow lever 11, having a shape bent in an intermediate part and an operation knob 20 attached rotatably to a tip part of the lever 11. The lever switch device is provided with two shafts 23 and 25, connected so as to be integrally rotated in the bent form through a jointing part 28 at the bent position of the lever 11, and is composed such that the operation knob 20 is attached to the tip part of the first shaft 23 out of the two shafts 23 and 25, and a switch body 36 for executing a switch operation according to the rotation of the base end part of the second shaft 25 is mounted to a body 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a lever switch device suitable for a lever-type combination switch mounted on, for example, an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of this type of lever switch device, there is a configuration in which an operation knob for operating a light control switch is provided at the tip of a lever for operating a turn signal switch. In this configuration, the lever is rotatably provided on the body, and the switch body of the turn signal switch is provided on the body. The switch body is configured to perform a switch operation in accordance with the turning operation of the lever. A switch body of the light control switch is provided inside the lever corresponding to the operation knob, and is configured to perform a switch operation in accordance with a rotation operation of the operation knob.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since the switch body of the light control switch is provided inside the lever, the work of assembling the components constituting the switch body inside the lever is considerable. There is a disadvantage that it is troublesome. Also, it is necessary to pass the lead wire led out from the switch body through the hollow portion of the lever and solder the connection terminal provided on the body, which is also troublesome. Furthermore,
Since the lever is rotated, the insulating coating of the lead wire may be damaged.

As a configuration for solving these disadvantages, when the lever has a linear shape, a hollow portion of the lever is provided.
A configuration in which a shaft that rotates integrally with the operation knob is inserted, a switch main body of the light control switch is provided on the body, and the switch main body performs a switching operation in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob and the shaft. The present applicant has invented a lever switch device having such a configuration,
It has been previously filed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-279731).

However, when the lever is not linear, that is, when the lever is bent in the middle, the configuration of the above-mentioned prior application cannot be adopted. For this reason, when a lever having such a bent shape is used, the switch body of the light control switch must be provided inside the lever, and the various problems described above have occurred.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lever switch device capable of improving the workability of assembling a switch body, a lead wire, and the like even when the lever has a bent shape in the middle. is there.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a lever switch device which is rotatably provided on a body, has a bent shape in the middle, and has a hollow shape, and a lever which is rotatable at a tip portion of the lever. And an operation knob provided, wherein the operation knob is provided rotatably inside the lever,
Two shafts are connected so as to rotate integrally with each other in a bent form at a bent portion of the lever via a joint portion, and the two shafts are arranged on the tip end side of the lever among the two shafts. It is characterized in that the operation knob is attached to a distal end portion of a shaft, and a switch main body that performs a switch operation in accordance with rotation of a base end portion of the other of the two shafts is provided on the body. .

According to the above construction, the two shafts connected so as to rotate integrally in a bent form are inserted into the lever, and the two shafts are integrally formed with the operation knob at the tip of the lever.
Since the shaft of the book is configured to rotate, a switch main body that performs a switch operation in accordance with the rotation of the operation knob can be provided on the body. For this reason, even when the lever has a bent shape in the middle, the workability of assembling the switch body, the lead wire, and the like can be improved.

Further, in the case of the above configuration, the joint portion is formed integrally with the convex portion provided at the end of one shaft and the two shafts provided at the end of the other shaft. It is a preferable configuration that the projection is configured to include a recess in which the projection is fitted so as to rotate.

[0010] Further, the joint portion has a first bevel gear provided at the end of one shaft and two shafts provided at the end of the other shaft are bent and integrally rotated. The first bevel gear may be configured to include a second bevel gear meshed with the first bevel gear.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a lever switch device (lever type combination switch) for an automobile will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the body portion of the lever switch device of the present embodiment.
The body 1 of the lever switch device is disposed around a steering column (not shown).

The body 1 is provided with a front case 2 shown in FIG.
And a rear case 3 on the lower side in FIG. 3. The front case 2 and the rear case 3 form an outer shell of the body 1. A middle case 4 and an insulator 5 are provided between the front case 2 and the rear case 3. A bracket 6 is provided between the front case 2 and the middle case 4 so as to be rotatable around the shaft 7.

The direction of rotation of the bracket 6 about the shaft 7 is a vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3).
It is. A groove 8 is formed on the upper side in FIG. 1 of the middle case 4 so as to guide the rotation of the bracket 6, and a projection 9 that moves in the groove 8 is formed on the bracket 6. . Although not shown, the groove 8 is an arc-shaped groove concentric with the shaft portion 7.

On the right side of the bracket 6 in FIG.
A cavity 10 is formed, and in this cavity 10,
The base end of the lever 11 is inserted. This lever 11
Is provided so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 12. The direction of rotation of the lever 11 about the shaft 12 is the direction indicated by the arrow A (rear) and the opposite direction (front). In this case, the lever 11 has a form protruding from the right side of the body 1 in FIG.

A hole 1 is provided at the base end of the lever 11.
3 are formed. A spring 15 and a moderation piece 16 are accommodated in the hole 13. On the other hand, a moderation wall 17 having three valleys is formed at the back of the cavity 10 of the bracket 6. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the moderation piece 16 of the lever 11 is fitted in the middle valley of the moderation wall 17 by the urging force of the spring 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lever 11 has a bent shape in the middle. This lever 11
Is composed of a substantially cylindrical (hollow) lever main body 18 that is bent in the middle, and a cover member 19 that closes the opening 18a of the lever main body 18. Opening 18
Reference numeral a denotes an opening that opens in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape from the substantially bent portion to the base end portion on the lower side in FIG.

An operating knob 20 is provided at the end of the lever 11 so as to be able to rotate forward and backward in the direction of arrow S.
At the left end in FIG. 1 of the operation knob 20, a plurality of engaging claws 21 for retaining are projected. These engaging claws 21
Is slidably engaged with an engaging projection 22 projecting inward from the end of the cylindrical portion at the tip of the lever 11. As a result, the operation knob 20 is rotatably retained at the tip of the lever 11 in a rotatable state.

A first shaft 2 is fitted in a fitting hole 20a formed at the center of the left end of the operation knob 20 in FIG.
3 is fitted at the right end. This first shaft 23
Is configured to be prevented from falling off by a pin 24 and to rotate integrally with the operation knob 20. The first shaft 23 is rotatably inserted into a hollow portion extending from the distal end portion of the lever main body 18 to the bent portion.

Further, a second shaft 25 is rotatably inserted into the hollow portion of the lever body 18 extending from the base end to the bent portion. A large diameter portion 26 having a slightly larger diameter is formed at the right end of the second shaft 25. The right end surface of the large diameter portion 26 has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. Is formed.
On the other hand, at the left end of the first shaft 23,
A large-diameter portion 27 having a slightly larger diameter is formed, and the shape of the large-diameter portion 27 is formed into, for example, a rounded substantially rectangular shape that fits into the recess 26a.

In the case of this configuration, by fitting the large-diameter portion 27 of the first shaft 23 into the concave portion 26a of the second shaft 25, the two shafts 23 and 25 are bent and integrally formed. It is configured to rotate. The joint portion 28 is formed from the concave portion 26a and the large-diameter portion 27.
Is configured.

An annular groove 18 into which the large-diameter portion 26 is rotatably fitted is provided in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lever body 18 corresponding to the large-diameter portion 26 of the second shaft 25.
a is formed. Further, a plurality of receiving projections 29 for rotatably supporting the second shaft 25 are provided on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lever body 18 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover member 19 extending from the base end to the bent portion. ing.

An arm 30 is formed at the base end of the second shaft 25 so as to be bent downward in FIG. The tip portion 31 of the arm 30 is formed in a shape as shown in FIGS. In this case, when the operation knob 20 is rotated, the distal end portion 31 of the arm 30 reciprocates in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG.

On the other hand, on the upper side of the insulator 5 in FIG. 3, a contact holder 32 is incorporated so as to be movable in a vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3). 3 and 4, a fitting recess 33 is formed in the upper part of the contact holder 32. The distal end 31 of the arm 30 of the second shaft 25 is fitted into the fitting recess 33. I have. In the case of this configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the arm 30 of the second shaft 25 swings as shown by the arrow B, the contact holder 32 is configured to reciprocate in the direction shown by the arrow C. .

A movable contact 34 is held on the insulator 5 side of the contact holder 32. On the other hand, the insulator 5 is provided with a fixed contact 35, and the movable contact 34 is configured to move toward and away from the fixed contact 35 as the contact holder 32 moves. The movable contact 34 and the fixed contact 35 constitute a first switch main body 36 provided on the body 1. The switch body 36 functions as a light control switch for controlling turning on / off of a head lamp, a small lamp (all not shown), and the like.

Although not shown, the inside of the body 1 is responsive to the rotation of the bracket 6 (that is, the rotation of the lever 11 in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3)). A second switch body that performs a switching operation, and third and fourth switch bodies that perform a switching operation in response to the rotation of the lever 11 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 are provided. The second switch body functions, for example, as a switch for controlling a turn signal, the third switch body functions, for example, as a switch for performing dimmer control of a headlamp, and the fourth switch body, for example, functions as a switch. It functions as a switch for controlling passing.

Next, the operation of the lever switch device having the above configuration will be described. First, when the lever 11 is turned in the up and down direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 3), the lever 11 turns up and down with the bracket 6 around the shaft 7 of the bracket 6. Thereby, the second switch main body is operated, and the switch control of the turn signal is performed. It should be noted that the vertical operation of the lever 11 is also given a sense of moderation by a well-known moderation mechanism (not shown).

When the lever 11 is turned in the direction (rearward) indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 3, the lever 11 turns in the direction of the arrow A about the shaft 12 thereof. Thus, the third switch body is operated, and the dimmer control of the headlamp is performed. At this time, moderation piece 1
6 is the spring 1 from the central valley of the moderation wall 17.
5 is compressed, and moves over the upper ridge in FIG. 3 to engage with the upper valley in FIG. By this operation, the lever 11
The operation in the direction of arrow A is given a sense of moderation.

When the lever 11 is rotated in the direction (forward) opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A, the lever 11
Rotates forward about the shaft portion 11. Thereby, the fourth switch body (not shown) is operated to control the passing. At this time, the moderation piece 16
From the central valley of the moderation wall 17 to the spring 15
3 moves to the lower hill portion in FIG. 3, and the resistance caused by the compression gives a sense of moderation to the forward rotation operation of the lever 11.

In the case of this configuration, when the operation by the user is released when the moderation feeling is given, the lever 15 automatically returns by returning the moderation piece 14 to the original valley. It is configured.
On the other hand, after the lever 11 is operated backward, by manually returning the lever 11, the moderation piece 16 moves from the upper trough in FIG. It is configured to return to the valley.

Next, when the operation knob 20 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow B (counterclockwise), the first shaft 23 and the second shaft 25 are bent in the same direction (see FIG. 1). To rotate. Thereby, the arm 30 also swings in the same direction, and the contact holder 32 is moved by the tip 31 in the tangential direction of the rotation. As a result, the movable contact 34 of the first switch main body 36 comes into contact with and separates from the fixed contact 35, and the switching control of the light is executed. It should be noted that a moderation mechanism (not shown) provides a sense of moderation to the turning operation of the operation knob 20.

In the present embodiment having such a configuration, the two shafts 2 connected so as to rotate integrally with each other at a bent portion of the lever 11 via a joint portion 28 are formed.
3 and 25 are rotatably provided inside the lever 11, and the operating knob 20 is provided at the distal end of the shaft 23 disposed on the distal end side of the lever 11 among the two shafts 23 and 25.
And a switch body 3 that engages with a base end of the other shaft 25 of the two shafts 23 and 25 and performs a switch operation in accordance with the rotation of the base end.
6 is provided on the body 1. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide the body 1 with the switch main body 36 that performs a switch operation in accordance with the rotation of the operation knob 20.
For this reason, even when the lever 11 has a bent shape in the middle, the workability of assembling the switch body 36 and the lead wires can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the joint portion 28 is connected to the large-diameter portion 2 provided at the end of the first (one) shaft 23.
7 and a concave portion 26a provided at the end of the second (other) shaft 25, and the two shafts 23 and 25 are bent by fitting the large-diameter portion 27 into the concave portion 26a. And they are configured to rotate together. According to this configuration, the joint 28 can be easily configured with a simple configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a joint 37 is connected to a first bevel gear 38 provided at the end of the first shaft 23 and an end of the second shaft 25. And a second bevel gear 39 provided. The first bevel gear 38 and the second bevel gear 39 are meshed with each other, so that the two shafts 23 and 25 are bent and rotate integrally.

The configuration of the second embodiment other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore,
Also in the second embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the joints 28, 37
Is constituted by the concave portion 26a, the large-diameter portion 27, and the bevel gears 38 and 39, but is not limited thereto, and may be constituted by a universal joint having a well-known configuration. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the lever 11 has a shape that is bent once in the middle, but may have a shape that is bent a plurality of times in the middle, or may have a curved shape (arc shape). In the case of such a shape, it is preferable to increase the number of shafts to three or more as necessary. Then, the joint of the present invention may be used for the connecting portion of each shaft.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the lever switch device in which the turn signal switch (switch main body) is operated by the lever 11 and the light control switch (switch main body 36) is operated by the operation knob 20. The present invention is not limited to this.
To operate the control switch (switch body) of the front wiper with the operation knob 20, and to operate the control switch (switch body) for the intermittent operation of the front wiper and the control switch (switch body) of the rear wiper with the operation knob 20. May be applied.

[0037]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention is provided so as to be rotatable inside the lever, and is connected so as to be integrally rotated in a bent form via a joint portion at a bent portion of the lever. Operating shaft is attached to the distal end of a shaft disposed on the distal end side of the lever of the two shafts, and the other of the two shafts provided on the body. Since the base end of the shaft is engaged and the switch main body is configured to perform a switch operation in accordance with the rotation of the base end, even if the lever has a bent shape in the middle, the switch main body and An excellent effect that the workability of assembling a lead wire or the like can be improved can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of a lever with a cover member removed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a joint portion of a lever.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a body portion of the lever switch device.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the periphery of a first switch body.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a joint portion showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a body, 5 is an insulator, 6 is a bracket, 1
1 is a lever, 18 is a lever body, 18a is an opening, 19
Is a cover member, 20 is an operation knob, 21 is an engagement claw, 22 is an engagement projection, 23 is a first shaft, 25 is a second shaft, 26 is a large diameter portion, 26a is a concave portion, and 27 is a large diameter. Part, 28
Is a joint part, 29 is a receiving convex part, 30 is an arm, 31 is a tip part, 32 is a contact holder, 33 is a fitting concave part, 34 is a movable contact, 35 is a fixed contact, 36 is a first switch body, and 37 is A joint portion 38 is a first bevel gear,
Reference numeral 39 denotes a second bevel gear.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A lever switch comprising a lever rotatably provided on a body and having a shape bent in the middle and having a hollow shape, and an operation knob rotatably provided at a distal end portion of the lever. In the apparatus, there are provided two shafts rotatably provided inside the lever and connected so as to rotate integrally with each other in a bent form at a bent portion of the lever via a joint portion, and these two shafts are provided. The operation knob is attached to a distal end of a shaft disposed on the distal end side of the lever among the shafts, and the base is attached to the body in accordance with rotation of a proximal end of the other of the two shafts. A lever switch device, comprising: a switch body that performs a switch operation. 2. The joint section has a projection provided at an end of one shaft and an end of the other shaft, and the two shafts are bent and integrally rotated. The lever switch device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lever switch device is constituted by a concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted. 3. The joint portion has a first bevel gear provided at an end of one shaft, and the two shafts provided at an end of the other shaft are bent and integrally formed. The lever switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a second bevel gear that is rotatably engaged with the first bevel gear.