JP2006040562A - See-saw switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively reduce noise generated when a pressing operation member in a see-saw switch returns to a neutral position with a simple structure comprising a small number of components. <P>SOLUTION: A pressing force transmission member 76 is interlaid between a pressing part 29b of a rotatably-operated rotating operation member 29 and a switch element 38B corresponding to it. In the pressing force transmission member 76, a pressing force transmission part 76b contacting a part 39 to be operated of the switch element 38B to apply pressing force to the part 39 to be operated, and a spring part 76e contacting the back face of the pressing part 29b of the rotating operation member 29 in an elastically deformed state to provide energizing force in a direction opposite to the direction of the pressing operation to the pressing part 29b by its elastic force are integrally formed; and a state where the spring part 76e contacts the pressing part 29b is kept even if a pressed part on the side opposite to the pressing part 29b is pressingly operated and the pressing part 29b is lifted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a seesaw switch provided on a front panel or the like of an automobile.

  In general, a seesaw switch provided in a front panel or various devices of an automobile includes a pair of switch elements and a rotation operation member having a pressing portion corresponding to each of the switch elements. By being operated to rotate about a rotation axis located between the pressing parts, the pressing part alternatively presses the switch element. Further, even when the rotation operation member and the switch element are arranged at positions separated from each other, the rotation operation is performed so that the switch element is operated in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotation operation member. A pressing force transmitting member that is displaceable in the same direction as the pressing direction is interposed between each pressing portion of the member and the switch element, and an operating force applied to an end of the rotating operation member is the pressing force transmitting member. There is known one that can be transmitted to the switch element via a switch (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

  FIG. 6 schematically shows the structure of a conventional general seesaw switch. In the figure, a pair of switch elements 102A and 102B are mounted on a circuit board 100, and a rotation operation member 106 is disposed so as to straddle them. The rotating operation member 106 has pressing portions 106a and 106b corresponding to the switch elements 102A and 102B at both ends, and is rotated around a rotating shaft 104 positioned between the pressing portions 106a and 106b. It is supported by an unillustrated panel so that it is possible. Further, pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B are interposed between the pressing portions 106a and 106b and the switch elements 102A and 102B, respectively, and these pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B are respectively connected to the pressing portions 106a and 106b. Is held by the panel so as to be movable in the pressing direction (vertical direction in the figure).

In such a structure, when the rotation operation member 106 is rotated by, for example, pressing the pressing portion 106a of the rotation operation member 106 with a finger from the neutral position shown in FIG. The pressing portion 106a and the pressing force transmission member 108A on the back side thereof are displaced in a direction approaching the switch element 102A and transmit the pressing force to the element 102A (FIG. 5B). Thereafter, when the pressing force of the pressing portion 106a is released (for example, the finger is released from the rotation operation member 106), the pressing portion 106a is pushed up by the reaction force received from the switch element 102A, and the rotation operation member 106 is moved to the neutral position. Return to position.
JP 2004-95508 A

  In the seesaw switch as shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the one pressing portion 106a is pushed down, the other pressing portion 106b is lifted in the opposite direction, and the pressing force transmitting member 108B. It will be away from. Accordingly, when the pressing operation member 106 returns to the neutral position by releasing the pressing of the pressing portion 106a from this state (for example, releasing the finger), the pressing portion 106b is moved to the pressing force transmitting member 108B upon the return. There is an inconvenience that a collision occurs suddenly, thereby generating a so-called rattling sound. Suppression of such a rattling sound is a major issue in improving quality, such as reducing noise and imparting a high-class feeling.

  As a means for preventing the occurrence of such a rattling sound, even if the pressing portion 106a or the pressing portion 106b rises, the pressing force transmitting member also follows the pressing portion (that is, the pressing portions 106a and 106b). Regardless of the position, the pressing strokes 106a and 106b and the pressing force transmission members 108A and 108B are always in contact with each other. It is conceivable to set it equal to (movement distance from the position where the pressing portion is pressed down to the position where it rises conversely).

  However, since the basic condition is that neither of the pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B press the switch elements 102A and 102B in the neutral position as shown in FIG. 6A, for example, a simple structure as shown in the figure. In the seesaw switch, the moving stroke of the pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B must be set to about half the moving stroke of the pressing portions 106a and 106b. If the basic conditions are to be satisfied while setting the moving stroke of the pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B to be substantially equal to the moving stroke of the pressing portions 106a and 106b, the pressing force transmitting members 108A and 108B are used. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce a complicated mechanism such as a booster mechanism, and a significant cost increase cannot be avoided.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to effectively reduce a sound generated when a pressing operation member in a seesaw switch returns to a neutral position with a simple structure having a small number of parts.

  As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes a pair of switch elements having an operated part that receives a pressing operation, and pressing parts at positions corresponding to the operated parts of these switch elements. A rotation operation member that is displaced in a direction in which each of the pressing portions contacts and separates from the corresponding operated portion by being rotated about a rotation axis positioned between the pressing portions; The displacement operation member is interposed between each pressing portion of the rotating operation member and the operated portion of the corresponding switch element, and is displaced together with the pressing portion that is displaced in a direction approaching the operated portion. A pressing force transmitting member that transmits a pressing force from a portion to the operated portion, and the pressing force transmitting member contacts the operated portion of the switch element and applies the pressing force to the operated portion. The transmission part and elastically deformed In this state, a spring portion that is always in contact with the back surface of the pressing portion of the rotating operation member and that gives an urging force opposite to the direction of the pressing operation to the pressing portion by the elastic force is integrally formed. There is something.

  According to this seesaw switch, even when one pressing portion of the pressing operation member is displaced in the pressing direction, even if the other pressing portion is displaced in the opposite direction, the pressing force is applied to the back surface of the other pressing portion. Since the spring portion of the transmission member is in contact, even if the pressing of the one pressing portion is released from this state, a so-called rattling sound due to a sudden collision hardly occurs. Even when the pressing portion hits the pressing force transmission portion of the pressing operation member due to the elastic deformation of the spring portion, the pressing portion is applied with an urging force in the opposite direction by the spring portion so far. The impact due to the contact between the portion and the pressing force transmission portion is small, and the tapping noise is also effectively suppressed.

  In addition, since the difference between the stroke of the pressing portion and the stroke of the pressing force transmitting portion of the pressing force transmitting member is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the spring portion, the pressing force transmission is performed while setting the stroke of the pressing force transmitting portion small. The contact state between the member and the back surface of the pressing portion can be maintained. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the rattling noise with a simple structure with a small number of parts that simply adds a spring portion to the pressing force transmission member.

  The specific shape of the spring portion can be set as appropriate. For example, the spring portion of the pressing force transmission member extends from the pressing force transmission portion in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction, and is on the pressing portion side. In the state of extending in a slanting manner and in contact with the back surface of the pressing portion in a state of being bent and deformed, the pressing portion is brought into contact with the pressing force transmitting portion in a state in which the amount of bending deformation of the spring portion reaches a certain amount. Those having a shape that allows direct contact are preferred.

  With such a shape, the required dimension in the pressing operation direction can be kept small, and it is possible to apply a biasing force to the pressing portion without causing excessive deformation of the spring portion. A long life of the transmission member can be ensured. Further, since the pressing portion directly contacts the pressing force transmitting portion in a state where the bending deformation amount of the spring portion reaches a certain amount, high operational reliability can be ensured.

  In addition, the shape of this spring part may be linear or curved.

  The pressing force transmitting member may be provided as a separate member for each pressing portion, but the pressing force transmitting portion interposed between each pressing portion and the corresponding switch element, and these pressing forces. If the connecting portions that interconnect the transmission portions are integrally formed, the number of parts can be further reduced and assembly can be facilitated. In addition, the connecting portion has a shape connecting to each pressing force transmitting portion from one side of the straight line connecting the both pressing force transmitting portions as a boundary, and each spring portion is connected to the connecting portion from each pressing force transmitting portion. By setting it as the shape extended to the other side, each said pressing force transmission part, a connection part, and each spring part can be rationally arrange | positioned, suppressing the dimension of a pressing operation direction small.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a simple structure in which a spring portion is integrally formed with a pressing force transmission member and a simple structure with a small number of parts can effectively prevent a rattling sound generated when the pressing operation member returns to the neutral position. It can be suppressed, and this has the effect of improving the quality.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although embodiment shown here applies this invention about the seesaw switch provided in the front panel 10 of the motor vehicle shown in FIG. 1, regardless of the use, the seesaw switch concerning this invention is other than that. The present invention can also be applied to a seesaw switch provided in an operation unit of a vehicle or various devices.

  The front panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of windows, and is fitted into a specific window from the back side in a state where the audio operation button 28 can be pressed, and the seesaw switch cover 78 is mounted on another window. The seesaw switch knob 29 corresponding to the rotating operation member according to the present invention is fitted into the knob window 79 formed in the seesaw switch cover 78 from the back side. 29 can be rotated around a horizontal axis as will be described later.

  A printed circuit board 30 is disposed on the back side of the front panel 10. Below the printed circuit board 30, a pair of left and right lamps 34 that are illumination light sources, six switch elements 36 operated by the audio operation buttons 28, and a pair of upper and lower switch elements arranged on the left and right sides. 38A and 38B are mounted. The switch elements 38A and 38B are constituent elements of the seesaw switch according to the present invention, and are arranged at positions where the switch elements 38A and 38B can be selectively pressed as the seesaw switch knob 29 is rotated.

  The audio operation button 28 and the seesaw switch knob 29 are held by a holder 60. The holder 60 is fixed to the front panel 10 at a position interposed between the circuit board 30 and the audio operation button 28 and the seesaw switch knob 29.

  Specifically, the holder 60 includes a light guide material holding part 62, actuator holding parts 64 and 66, and a light guide material holding part 68.

  The light guide material holding part 62 is provided at a position immediately behind the audio operation buttons 28, and the light guide material holding part 68 is provided at a position immediately behind the seesaw switch cover 78. The actuator holding portion 64 is provided at a position immediately below each light guide material holding portion 62 and corresponding to the switch element 36 of the circuit board 30, and the actuator holding portion 66 is immediately below each seesaw switch knob 29. It is provided at a position corresponding to the switch elements 38A and 38B on the back side. The above holding parts 62, 64, 68 are formed so as to penetrate the holder 60.

  The light guide members 70 are held by the light guide member holding portions 62, and the actuators 74 are held by the actuator holding portions 64.

  The light guide member 70 is for guiding the light emitted from the lamp 34 to the back side of each audio operation button 28 and the seesaw switch cover 78, and the entire light guide member 70 has a relatively high translucency such as acrylic resin. It is made of material. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, a main body portion 71 extending in the left-right direction, and a thick lens portion 72 projecting forward from the main body portion 71 (upward in FIG. 2B) And a lens portion 73 that extends downward from the main body portion 71 and protrudes forward, and these lens portions 72 and 73 are fitted into the light guide material holding portions 62 and 68 from the back side, respectively. Thus, the entire light guide 70 is held by the holder 60.

  Each actuator 74 is for transmitting a pressing force from the lower end of the button 28 to the switch element 36 as each audio operation button 28 receives a pressing operation from the front side of the panel, and extends forward and backward. It has a pin shape and is inserted and held in the actuator holding portion 64 of the holder 60 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Similarly, as the seesaw switch knob 29 is rotated about the horizontal axis, the actuator 76 moves from the seesaw switch knob 29 to the switch element (switch element 38A or switch element 38B) on the operated side. A pressing force transmission member that transmits the pressing force is configured.

  In such a panel display unit, when the audio operation button 28 is pressed, the pressing force is transmitted to the switch element 36 through the actuator 74, and the switch element 36 is turned on. Further, when the seesaw switch knob 29 is rotated in one of the upper and lower directions, the operating force is transmitted to the operated switch element (switch element 38A or switch element 38B) via the actuator 76, The switch element is switched on.

  Next, details of the structure of the seesaw switch including the seesaw switch knob 29 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The seesaw switch knob 29 has a cap shape that extends in the horizontal direction and opens to the rear side (circuit board 30 side), and the upper and lower portions of the rear end spread outward to form pressing portions 29a and 29b. Yes. Further, a rotating shaft 29c (FIG. 4) protrudes outwardly from the left and right side surfaces of the seesaw switch knob 29, while a knob support wall 67 protrudes forward from the front side surface of the holder 60. The seesaw switch knob 29 is centered on the horizontal turning shaft 29c by fitting the turning shafts 29c into the through holes (not shown) provided in the knob support walls 67 so as to be relatively rotatable from the inside. The holder 60 is supported so as to be rotatable.

  In other words, the seesaw switch 29 is operated upward from the neutral position shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 4 (b) as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (a), or as shown in FIGS. The downward operation shown in FIG. 4C can be selectively performed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4 (only the switch element 38B is shown in the figure), each switch element 38A, 38B is disposed in the cylindrical actuator holding portion 66 formed in the holder 60, and is pressed. Each has an operated portion 39 that receives an operation. The actuator 76, which is a pressing force transmission member, is disposed between the switch elements 38A and 38B and the seesaw switch knob 29.

  The actuator 76 is formed of a material that is relatively easily elastically deformed, such as a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 2A, a pair of upper and lower pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b and a both pressing force transmitting portion 76a. , 76b, and spring pieces 76d, 76e respectively extended from the pressing force transmitting portions 76a, 76b.

  Each of the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is fitted in the actuator holding portion 66 so that it can move in the pressing operation direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) on the holder 60 side. Is retained. These pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b are connected to the pressing portions 29a and 29b of the seesaw switch knob 29 in the neutral position shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B and the operated portion 39 of the switch elements 38A and 38B. And an axial length equivalent to the separation distance.

  When viewed from the front of the panel, the connecting portion 76c has a substantially U-shape connected to each of the pressing force transmission portions 76a and 76b from one side (left side in the example) with a straight line connecting the pressing force transmission portions 76a and 76b as a boundary. The spring portions 76d and 76e extend from the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b to the side opposite to the connecting portion 76c (right side in the illustrated example). These spring portions 76d and 76e extend from the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction (rightward in the drawing), and as shown in FIG. 4A, the pressing portions 29a and 29b ( In the same figure, only the 9b is shown in the pressing portion, and it has a cantilever shape extending obliquely toward the side, and can be bent and deformed (elastically deformed) in the pressing operation direction. In the elastically deformed state, the spring portions 76d and 76e are always kept in contact with the back surface regardless of the positions of the pressing portions 29a and 29b.

  The holder 60 is formed with an actuator mounting wall 65 protruding forward at a position behind the seesaw switch knob 29, and the actuator 76 is mounted so as to surround the actuator mounting wall 65.

  Next, the operation of this seesaw switch will be described.

  When the seesaw switch knob 29 is not operated, the pressing portions 29a and 29b receive the reaction force evenly from the switch elements 38A and 38B via the actuator 76, so that the knob 29 is shown in FIG. b) and the neutral position as shown in FIG. Specifically, the spring pieces 76d and 76e extending from the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b are elastically applied to the pressing portions 29a and 29b of the seesaw switch knob 29 in a state where the tip portions of the spring pieces 76d and 76e are bent by an equal amount. The pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b are in close proximity to the back surfaces of the pressing portions 29a and 29b.

  When the seesaw switch knob 29 is turned upward in this state, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, the pressing portion 29a further presses the spring piece 76d, whereby the pressing portion 29a is It directly contacts the pressing force transmission part 76a. The pressing force transmitting portion 76a is displaced in the pressing direction together with the pressing portion 29a, whereby the pressing force of the pressing portion 29a is transmitted to the operated portion 39 of the switch element 38A via the pressing force transmitting portion 76a. The

  At this time, the pressing portion 29b on the opposite side is lifted by an amount equal to the pressing amount of the pressing portion 29a, and the tip portion of the spring piece 76e of the actuator 76 reduces the amount of bending following the lifting. The contact state with 29b is maintained (FIG. 4A). That is, even when the pressing portion 29b floats, the contact state between the pressing portion 29b and the tip of the spring piece 76e is maintained, and the pressing portion 29b and the actuator 76 are prevented from separating.

  When the operating force is released from this operating state (for example, the finger is released from the seesaw switch knob 29), the reaction force of the switch element 38A is transmitted to the pressing part 29a of the seesaw switch knob 29 via the pressing force transmitting part 76a ( That is, the pressing portion 29a is pushed back), and the knob 29 finally returns to the neutral position.

  At this time, the pressing portion 29b returns from the lifted position to the neutral position. At the lifted position, the tip of the spring piece 76e is already in contact with the back surface of the pressing portion 29b. Unlike the seesaw switch shown in FIG. 6, the pressing portion 106 b is separated from the pressing force transmission member 108 </ b> B at the lifted position, so that a so-called rattling sound is not generated when returning to the neutral position.

  Even if the pressing portion 29b comes into direct contact with the pressing force transmitting portion 76b by reaction, a reverse biasing force (elastic force) is applied from the spring piece 76e to the pressing portion 29b until then. For this reason, there is almost no impact at the time of contact, and thus the generation of a rattling sound is extremely effectively suppressed.

  In addition, when the seesaw switch knob 29 is operated downward as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C (when the pressing operation is performed by the pressing portion 29b), the operating force is released as described above. Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a rattling sound at the pressing portion 29a when returning to the neutral position.

  Moreover, the moving stroke of the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b may be small, and the moving stroke and the moving stroke of the pressing portions 29a and 29b (the pressing portion 29b is shown from the position at the time of the upward operation shown in FIG. 4A). Since the difference from the movement stroke to the position at the time of the downward operation shown in (c) is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the spring portion 76e, it is possible to suppress the rattling noise without introducing a complicated mechanism. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the seesaw switch knob 29 corresponding to the rotation operation member is supported on the panel side via the holder 60. However, in the present invention, the rotation operation member is directly supported on the panel. It may be what is done.

  Further, the rotation operation member according to the present invention is not limited to a knob type like the seesaw switch knob 29 but may be a button type like a rotation operation member 106 shown in FIG.

  The specific structure of the pressing force transmission member can also be set as appropriate, and is not limited to the illustrated actuator 76.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the spring portion 76 f extending from the pressing force transmitting portion 76 b is curved so as to be reversed approximately 180 ° in the middle thereof, and the tip portion thereof is elastic to the pressing portion of the seesaw switch knob 29. You may make it contact.

  However, in this case, the distance between the pressing force transmission part 76b and the pressing part of the knob 29 is large, and the required space increases accordingly, and the pressing operation is unstable because the pressing part does not directly contact the pressing force transmission part 76b. 2 to 4, the springs 76d and 76e shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 extend from the pressing force transmitting parts 76a and 76b in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction, and the pressing parts 29a and A shape that is inclined and extended toward the side 29b and that allows the pressing portions 29a and 29b to directly contact the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b in a state where the amount of deformation of deformation reaches a certain amount (FIG. 4). (C)) has the advantage that the required space can be reduced and the operational reliability can be improved.

  Further, the connecting portion 76c is omitted, and the upper pressing force transmission portion 76a and spring portion 76d and the lower pressing force transmission portion 76b and spring portion 76e are configured as mutually independent pressing force transmission members. Good.

  However, if the pressing force transmitting portions 76a and 76b are integrally connected by the connecting portion 76c, the number of parts can be further reduced and the assembly can be facilitated. Further, as shown in the figure, a connecting portion 76c is connected to each pressing force transmitting portion 76a, 76b from one side thereof with a straight line connecting the pressing force transmitting portions 76a, 76b as a boundary, and each spring portion 76d, 76e on the opposite side. If the shape extends, each of the portions 76a to 76e can be reasonably arranged in a limited space.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the whole structure of the front panel part of the motor vehicle containing the seesaw switch which concerns on this invention. (A) is a front view which shows the holder which hold | maintains the seesaw switch knob and actuator of the said seesaw switch, (b) is the sectional view on the AA line of (a). (A) (b) (c) is a figure which shows the BB line cross section of Fig.2 (a), (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the seesaw switch knob was operated upward, (b) Is a sectional view showing a state in which the knob is in a neutral position, and (c) is a sectional view showing a state in which the knob is operated downward. (A) (b) (c) is a figure which shows the CC line cross section of Fig.2 (a), (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the seesaw switch knob was operated upward, (b) Is a sectional view showing a state in which the knob is in a neutral position, and (c) is a sectional view showing a state in which the knob is operated downward. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the shape of a spring piece. (A) (b) is a partial cross section front view which shows the operation state of the conventional general seesaw switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Front panel 29 Seesaw switch 29a, 29b Press part 29c Rotating shaft 38A, 38B Switch element 39 Operated part 60 Holder 76 Actuator (pressing force transmission member)
76a, 76b Pressing force transmitting portion 76c Connecting portion 76d, 76e, 76f Spring piece

Claims (3)

  A pair of switch elements having an operated part that receives a pressing operation, and a pressing part at a position corresponding to the operated part of these switch elements, respectively, and a rotation axis positioned between these pressing parts As a result of the pivoting operation, the respective pressing parts are displaced in the direction of contacting and separating from the corresponding operated parts, the respective pressing parts of the rotational operating member and the corresponding parts. A pressing force that is interposed between the operated portion of the switch element to be moved and is displaced together with the pressing portion that is displaced in a direction approaching the operated portion and transmits the pressing force from the pressing portion to the operated portion. And a pressing force transmitting member that contacts the operated portion of the switch element and applies the pressing force to the operated portion, and the rotation operating member in an elastically deformed state. Always contact the back of the pressing part Seesaw switch and a spring portion to provide a biasing force of a direction opposite to the direction of the pressing operation the pressing portion by its elastic force, characterized in that formed integrally.   2. The seesaw switch according to claim 1, wherein the spring portion of the pressing force transmitting member extends from the pressing force transmitting portion in a direction orthogonal to a displacement direction thereof and extends obliquely toward the pressing portion. A shape that allows contact with the back surface of the pressing portion in a deformed state and allows the pressing portion to directly contact the pressing force transmitting portion in a state where the amount of bending deformation of the spring portion reaches a certain amount. A seesaw switch comprising:   The seesaw switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressing force transmission member includes a pressing force transmitting portion interposed between the pressing portions and a corresponding switch element, and the pressing force transmitting portions. The connecting portion to be connected is formed integrally, and the connecting portion has a shape connected to each pressing force transmitting portion from one side thereof with a straight line connecting the both pressing force transmitting portions as a boundary, Each seesaw switch characterized in that each spring part extends from each pressing force transmitting part to the side opposite to the connecting part.

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