JP2006347447A - Vehicular turn indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular turn indicator capable of effectively suppressing occurrence of impact noise to an engagement unit when a ratchet is returned while permitting the passage of a cam projecting part of a cancel cam with a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: Projecting parts 28, 29 for stoppers are provided on a spring hooking groove 27 formed in a lower face of a ratchet 23. When a cancel cam 4 is turned by a steering wheel in the same direction of an arrow F1 as the indicating direction while a bracket 6 is set to the left-turn instruction position, the ratchet 23 permits the passage of a cam projecting part 5 while being turned in the direction of an arrow G1 by the cam projecting part 5. When the cam projecting part 5 is passed, the ratchet 23 is returned in the direction of an arrow G2, and in this condition, a counter-cancel cam side end 23b collides with an engagement part 34 of an arm 30. Before the collision, the projecting part 28 for the stopper is slidably brought into contact with a ratchet spring 36, and the impact when the counter-cancel cam side end 23b collides with the engagement part 34 is mitigated, and occurrence of the impact noise can be suppressed thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular direction indicating device provided with a self-cancelling mechanism.

  This type of vehicle direction indicating device is provided with the following configuration. In the state where the turn lever and the bracket are positioned at the neutral position, the ratchet of the cancel mechanism is biased to the cancel cam side by the ratchet spring, and the end portion on the side opposite to the cancel cam of the ratchet is provided for the cancel provided on the bracket side. Between the two engaged parts. The bracket is held in a neutral position by a moderation mechanism. When the bracket is rotated to, for example, the left turn instruction position by the operation of the turn lever from the neutral position, the end portion on the cancel cam side of the ratchet enters the rotation locus of the cam convex portion of the cancel cam. At this time, the anti-cancellation cam side end portion of the ratchet is in a state of being close to one of the two engaged portions for cancellation.

  When the steering wheel is rotated in the left direction (forward direction), which is the same as the direction indicated by the turn lever, and the cancel cam is rotated in the left direction, the cam convex portion of the cancel cam is ratcheted. The ratchet is shaken (turned) while coming into contact with the end portion of the cancel cam from one side. In this case, the ratchet is allowed to pass the cam convex portion by swinging in the direction in which the end portion on the side opposite to the cancel cam side is separated from the close engaged portion, and the bracket is moved to the left turn instruction position. Retained.

  On the other hand, when the steering wheel is rotated in the right direction opposite to the direction indicated by the turn lever and the cancel cam is rotated in the right direction, the cam convex portion of the cancel cam is the end portion on the cancel cam side of the ratchet. The ratchet is swung in the direction opposite to that described above. In this case, the ratchet is rotated in a direction in which the end portion on the side opposite to the cancel cam is engaged with the engaged portion adjacent to the ratchet, so that the bracket and the turn lever are turned to the left turn instruction position via the engaged portion. Is rotated in the neutral position direction and returned to the neutral position.

  Although the above description is about the case where the bracket is turned to the left turn instruction position, when the bracket is turned to the right turn instruction position, only the turning direction of each member is reversed. The basic operation is the same as described above.

  By the way, in this type of device, when the steering wheel (cancellation cam) is rotated in the same direction (forward direction) as the indicated direction with the bracket being put in the left or right turn indicating position, the ratchet When the cancel cam is swung so as to allow passage of the cam convex portion, when returning, the anti-cancellation cam side end portion of the ratchet collides with an engaged portion that is close, and a collision noise is generated. There is a problem that this collision sound is annoying for the user.

As a solution to such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technique. That is, a projection is formed at the end of the ratchet on the side opposite to the cancel cam, and a peak portion is formed on the cover of the body so that the projection slides. Then, when the steering wheel (cancellation cam) is rotated in the same direction (forward direction) as the indicated direction with the bracket being put in the left turn or right turn instruction position, the ratchet cam cam projection When the ratchet is swung to allow passage of the ratchet, the protrusion of the ratchet is in sliding contact with the peak portion of the case, so that the end of the ratchet on the side opposite to the cancel cam collides with the engaged portion. The impact is alleviated, thereby suppressing the occurrence of collision noise.
JP-A-8-80781 (FIGS. 1 to 5)

  However, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following drawbacks. That is, in order to suppress the collision sound between the ratchet and the engaged portion, an effect is sought in the ratchet protrusion and the peak portion of the case. For this reason, the structure becomes complicated, and adjustment between both members of the ratchet and the case is necessary, and the adjustment may be difficult. Further, since the ratchet and the case are usually made of a synthetic resin having relatively high rigidity, there is a drawback that it is difficult to obtain an impact sound absorbing effect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily generate a collision sound with respect to an engaged portion when the ratchet allows the cam convex portion of the cancel cam to return and returns. The object is to provide a vehicular direction indicating device that can be effectively suppressed with the configuration.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a vehicle direction indicating device of the present invention is provided with a cancel cam having a cam convex portion and rotated by a steering wheel, and rotatably provided on the body in the vicinity of the cancel cam. A bracket that is rotated between a neutral position, a left turn instruction position, and a right turn instruction position together with the turn lever, a moderation mechanism that selectively holds the bracket at the neutral position, the left turn instruction position, and the right turn instruction position, and a canceling mechanism. The two engaged portions are provided so as to be rotatable and movable in the direction of approaching and separating from the cancel cam, and the end portion on the side opposite to the cancel cam is opposite to the cancel cam. The cam of the cancel cam is located between the two engaged portions and the end portion of the cancel cam side is rotated to the left or right turn indicating position of the bracket. A bracket that includes a ratchet that enters the rotation trajectory of a portion, and a belt-like ratchet spring that is provided so that an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction is hooked on the ratchet and biases the ratchet toward the cancel cam. When the cancel cam is rotated in the same direction as the indicated direction with the left turn or the right turn designated position being rotated, the ratchet has its cancel cam side end portion formed by the cam convex portion. The cancel cam is returned to allow the cam convex portion to pass back by separating the counter cancel side end portion from the adjacent engaged portion of the two engaged portions as it is swung. When the ratchet is rotated in the direction opposite to the indicated direction, the ratchet is moved by the cam cam end being swung by the cancel cam side end. In the vehicle direction indicating apparatus that rotates returning the counter cancel cam side end portion to the neutral position the bracket is engaged with the engaged portion that is the proximity,
When the ratchet returns to the ratchet while allowing the cam convex portion to pass at the left or right turn instruction position of the bracket, the anti-cancellation cam side end of the ratchet contacts the engaged portion. Before the contact, a stopper convex portion is provided which slides on the ratchet spring to weaken the rotational force in the return direction of the ratchet.

  According to the above-mentioned means, when the ratchet is allowed to return by allowing the cam convex portion to pass at the left or right turn instruction position of the bracket, before the end portion of the ratchet opposite to the cancel cam comes into contact with the engaged portion. The stopper convex portion provided on the ratchet is slidably contacted with the ratchet spring, so that the impact when the ratchet anti-cancellation cam side end collides with the engaged portion is mitigated, thereby suppressing the occurrence of collision noise. be able to.

  In this case, since only the stopper convex portion is formed on the ratchet, the structure is simpler and the adjustment can be simplified as compared with the case where the projection and the peak portion are provided on the two members of the ratchet and the body cover. In addition, the ratchet spring with which the stopper convex portion is in sliding contact is a belt-like spring and can be expected to be flexible, so that it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of collision noise.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a collision sound with respect to the engaged portion when the ratchet is allowed to return while allowing the cam convex portion of the cancel cam to pass.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the body 1 of the vehicular direction indicating device includes a case 2 and a cover 3 assembled on the upper surface of the case 2, and is provided in a fixed state near the cancel cam 4. . The cancel cam 4 has a cam projection 5 integrally on its outer peripheral portion, and is provided so as to be rotatable around a steering shaft (not shown). The cancel cam 4 is rotated integrally with a steering wheel (not shown). In FIG. 1, the rotation locus A of the cam projection 5 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  A bracket 6 is disposed in the body 1. The bracket 6 is rotatably attached between the partition wall 2a of the case 2 and the cover 3 via shaft portions 7 and 8 that protrude from the upper and lower portions. Accordingly, the bracket 6 is rotatable about the shaft portions 7 and 8 from the neutral position shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow B1 that is the direction of the left turn instruction position and in the direction of the arrow B2 that is the direction of the right turn instruction position. Yes. A receiving hole 9 (only one is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) is formed at two positions on the tip end side (cancellation cam 4 side) of the bracket 6, and each of the receiving holes 9 has a moderation piece 10 and the moderation piece. A coil spring 11 that biases 10 outward is disposed. In the case 2, a moderation uneven portion 12 is provided at a portion facing each moderation piece 10, and the moderation piece 10 is in contact with the moderation uneven portion 12.

  Here, a moderation mechanism 13 is configured by the moderation piece 10, the coil spring 11, and the moderation uneven portion 12. The moderation mechanism 13 is configured to selectively hold the bracket 6 at a neutral position shown in FIG. 1, a left turn instruction position shown in FIG. 6, and a right turn instruction position (not shown).

  One end of a turn lever 14 is inserted into the bracket 6. The turn lever 14 is connected to the bracket 6 by a pin 15, and can rotate in the direction of the arrow B 1 and the direction of the arrow B 2 around the shaft portions 7 and 8 together with the bracket 6. On the other hand, it can be rotated around the pin 15 in the arrow C1 direction and the arrow C2 direction (vertical direction) in FIG. A turn lever moderation mechanism 16 is provided between one end of the turn lever 14 and the bracket 6 to impart moderation to the turn of the turn lever 14 in the directions of the arrow C1 and the arrow C2. A turn switch (not shown) whose state is changed in conjunction with the rotation of the bracket 6 in the arrow B1 direction and the arrow B2 direction is provided below the partition wall 2a, and the turn lever 14 There is provided a dimmer passing switch 18 whose state is changed by an operating shaft 17 provided at the front end thereof.

  A guide recess 21 having a chevron-shaped guide protrusion 20 (see FIG. 3) at the center is provided at the center of the upper surface of the bracket 6. Further, two operating projections 22 are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the bracket 6 so as to sandwich the guide recess 21. A ratchet 23 is disposed between the upper surface of the bracket 6 and the lower surface of the cover 3. Shaft portions 24 and 25 project from the upper and lower surfaces of the ratchet 23 in the middle in the longitudinal direction. The upper shaft portion 24 is slidably and rotatably inserted into a long hole 26 formed in the cover 3, and the lower shaft portion 25 is inserted into the guide recess 21. The ratchet 23 has a cancel cam side end 23a, which is one end thereof, oriented in the direction of the cancel cam 4.

  On the lower surface of the ratchet 23, as shown in FIG. 4, a spring hooking groove 27 is formed in the vicinity of the shaft portion 25 and at a position on the cancel cam 4 side of the shaft portion 25. Further, on both the left and right side portions of the inner surface (upper surface in FIG. 4) of the spring hook groove 27, stopper convex portions 28 and 29 having a mountain shape project downward (upward in FIG. 4) (FIG. 5). reference).

  Further, two arms 30 and 31 are disposed between the upper surface of the bracket 6 and the lower surface of the cover 3 so as to sandwich the ratchet 23 therebetween. Shaft portions 30a and 31a projecting from the base end portions of the arms 30 and 31 are slidably and rotatably inserted into long holes 32 and 33 formed so as to sandwich the long hole 26 in the cover 3. Yes. The distal ends of the arms 30 and 31 are positioned between the operating projection 22 and the anti-cancellation cam side end 23b of the ratchet 23. The engaging portions 34 and 35 are used. Therefore, the non-cancellation cam side end 23b of the ratchet 23 is positioned between the two engaged portions 34 and 35 for cancellation.

  Spring-engaging step portions 30b and 31b (see FIG. 3) are formed on the lower surface side of the base end portions of the two arms 30 and 31, respectively. The ratchet spring 36 is formed by forming a coil spring in a band shape, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction are hooked and held by spring projections 37 (see FIG. 3) projecting from the cover 3, and the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction is It is stretched over the spring latching groove 27 of the ratchet 23 and the spring latching step portions 30b, 31b of both arms 30,31. Therefore, the ratchet spring 36 is biased in the direction of the arrow D1 in FIG. 1 on the cancel cam 4 side by the biasing force of the ratchet spring 36, and both arms 30, 31 are in the direction of the arrow D2 opposite to the biasing direction of the ratchet 23. Is being energized.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the state where the turn lever 14 and the bracket 6 are located at the neutral position shown in FIG. 1, the lower shaft portion 25 of the ratchet 23 faces the tip of the guide convex portion 20 in the guide concave portion 21. 23 is moved and displaced in the direction of the opposite arrow D1 against the urging force of the ratchet spring 36, and the cancel cam side end portion 23a is positioned outside the rotation locus A of the cam convex portion 5 in the cancel cam 4. .

  From this state, for example, when the turn lever 14 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B1 that is the left turn instruction direction, the bracket 6 is also rotated in the direction of the arrow B1 and is located at the left turn instruction position in FIG. . In this state, the shaft portion 25 of the ratchet 23 is disengaged from the guide convex portion 20 and moved and displaced in the direction of the arrow D1 by the urging force of the ratchet spring 36, and the cancel cam side end portion 23a of the ratchet 23 is cam convex in the cancel cam 4. It is located in the rotation locus A of the part 5. At this time, the tip end side of one arm 30 is rotationally displaced in the direction of arrow E1 about the shaft portion 30a by one actuating projection 22 (upper actuating projection 22 in FIG. 4), and the arm 30 is engaged. The part 34 is brought into a state of being close to the anti-cancellation cam side end part 23b of the ratchet 23. Note that the other arm 31 continues to be positioned between the other operating projection 22 and the ratchet 23 and is separated therefrom.

  When the left turn instruction position is put in, the cancel cam 4 is rotated in the same left direction (arrow F1 direction in FIG. 4) (forward direction) as the operation direction of the turn lever 14 by a steering wheel (not shown). Is in contact with the cancel cam side end portion 23a of the ratchet 23 from the direction of the arrow F1, the ratchet 23 is centered on the shaft portions 24 and 25, and the anti-cancel cam side end portion 23b is in close contact with the engaged portion of the arm 30. It rotates so as to be swung in a direction away from 34 (arrow G1 direction) (see FIG. 7), and allows the cam convex portion 5 to pass in the arrow F1 direction.

  When the cam projection 5 passes in the direction of the arrow F1, the ratchet 23 is returned to the direction of the arrow G2 opposite to the arrow G1 by the elastic force of the ratchet spring 36. At this time, before the anti-cancellation cam side end portion 23b of the ratchet 23 collides with the engaged portion 34, the stopper convex portion 28 provided on the ratchet 23 slidably contacts the ratchet spring 36 and the return direction of the ratchet 23 ( The rotational force in the direction of arrow G2) is weakened. For this reason, the impact when the non-cancellation cam side end portion 23b of the ratchet 23 collides with the engaged portion 34 is alleviated, and thereby the occurrence of collision noise can be suppressed. In this case, the bracket 6 remains held at the left turn instruction position.

  On the other hand, when the left turn instruction position in FIG. 6 is turned on, the cancel cam 4 is rotated in the right direction (the direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 4) opposite to the operation direction of the turn lever 14 by a steering wheel (not shown). When the cam convex portion 5 comes into contact with the cancel cam side end portion 23a of the ratchet 23 from the direction of the arrow F2, the ratchet 23 is centered on the shaft portions 24 and 25, and the anti-cancel cam side end portion 23b of the adjacent arm 30 It is turned and displaced so as to be swung in the direction of the arrow G2 engaged with the engaged portion 34. As the ratchet 23 rotates in the arrow G2 direction, the anti-cancellation cam side end 23b engages with the engaged portion 34 of the arm 30, and the arrow 30 indicates that the arm 30 is centered on the shaft portion 30a. A rotating force that rotates in the direction of the opposite arrow E2 acts. As the arm 30 pivots in the direction of arrow E2, the arm 30 comes into contact with the operating protrusion 22 provided on the bracket 6, and the rotational force of the arm 30 is transmitted to the operating protrusion 22. Is rotated in the direction of arrow B2. As a result, the bracket 6 and the turn lever 14 are returned to the neutral position in FIG. 1, and self-cancellation is performed.

  Next, the turn lever 14 is held by the driver so as not to return and rotate in the direction of the arrow B2 in the input state of the left turn instruction position in FIG. 6, and the cancel cam 4 is operated by the steering wheel in this state. When the cam convex portion 5 of the cancel cam 4 comes into contact with the cancel cam side end portion 23a of the ratchet 23 from the arrow F2 direction, the ratchet 23 is rotated. With the shaft portions 24 and 25 as the center, the anti-cancellation cam side end portion 23b is rotationally displaced so as to be swung in the direction of the arrow G2 engaged with the engaged portion 34 of the adjacent arm 30. . However, in this case, the turn lever 14 and the bracket 6 are prevented from rotating in the direction of the arrow B2, so that the ratchet 23 rotates in the direction of the arrow G2, as shown in FIG. The arm 30 is moved and displaced in the opposite direction of the arrow D2 opposite to the arrow D2 against the biasing force of the ratchet spring 36 due to this displacement. The cam projection 5 is allowed to pass in the direction of arrow F2.

  The above description is about the case where the turn lever 14 is turned in the left turn instruction direction. However, when the turn lever 14 is turned in the right turn instruction direction, the action of each member is centered on the ratchet 23. Since it is only left-right symmetric, detailed description is omitted.

  According to the above embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, when the ratchet 23 returns to allow the cam projection 5 of the cancel cam 4 to pass at the left or right turn instruction position of the bracket 6, the opposite cancel cam side end 23 b of the ratchet 23 is engaged with one of the engaged parts. The stopper convex portion 28 or 29 provided on the ratchet 23 is brought into sliding contact with the ratchet spring 36 before coming into contact with the portion 34 or 35, whereby the anti-cancellation cam side end 23 b of the ratchet 23 is engaged with the engaged portion 34 or 35. The impact at the time of collision with the motor is relieved, which can suppress the generation of a collision sound.

  In this embodiment, as a configuration for suppressing the collision noise, only the protrusions 28 and 29 for the stopper are formed on the ratchet 23. Therefore, protrusions and peaks are formed on the two members of the ratchet and the body cover. Compared with the case of providing the portion, the structure is simple and the adjustment can be easily performed. In addition, the ratchet spring 36 with which the stopper projections 28 and 29 are in sliding contact is a belt-like spring and can be expected to be flexible, so that the occurrence of collision noise can be effectively suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The two engaged portions 34 and 35 for cancellation may be provided on the back plate provided on the bracket 6 instead of being provided on the arms 30 and 31.

The top view which shows one Example of this invention and shows the state which the bracket and the turn lever were located in the neutral position in the state which removed the cover Longitudinal section Exploded perspective view of the main part Perspective view of ratchet upside down Longitudinal sectional view along line XX in FIG. FIG. 1 equivalent view with the bracket and turn lever positioned at the left turn instruction position FIG. 1 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a state where the cancel cam is rotated leftward in the state of FIG. FIG. 1 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state in which the cancel cam is rotated rightward while the turn lever is held so as not to return and rotate.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a body, 3 is a cover, 4 is a cancel cam, 5 is a cam projection, 6 is a bracket, 13 is a moderation mechanism, 14 is a turn lever, 22 is an operating projection, 23 is a ratchet, and 23a is a cancel cam side. An end portion, 23b is an anti-cancellation cam side end portion, 27 is a spring engaging groove, 28 and 29 are stopper convex portions, 30 and 31 are arms, 34 and 35 are engaged portions, and 36 is a ratchet spring.

Claims (1)

A cancel cam having a cam projection and rotated by a steering wheel;
A bracket that is rotatably provided on the body in the vicinity of the cancel cam, and that is rotated together with the turn lever between a neutral position, a left turn instruction position, and a right turn instruction position;
A moderation mechanism that selectively holds the bracket at the neutral position, the left turn instruction position, and the right turn instruction position;
Two engaged parts for cancellation;
It is provided so as to be able to rotate and move in the direction of approaching and separating from the cancel cam, and the opposite end portion of the counter-cancel cam that is opposite to the cancel cam is located between the two engaged portions. And a ratchet in which the end portion of the cancel cam side enters the rotation locus of the cam convex portion of the cancel cam as the bracket is turned to the left or right turn instruction position,
A belt-shaped ratchet spring provided so that an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction is hooked on the ratchet and urges the ratchet toward the cancel cam;
When the cancel cam is rotated in the same direction as the direction in which the bracket is rotated to the left turn or right turn instruction position, the ratchet has an end portion on the cancel cam side. The counter-cancel side end portion is separated from the adjacent engaged portion of the two engaged portions by being swung by the portion, thereby allowing the cam convex portion to pass and returning, When the cancel cam is rotated in a direction opposite to the indicated direction, the ratchet moves the end portion opposite to the cancel cam side as the cancel cam side end portion is swung by the cam convex portion. In the vehicular direction indicating device that is engaged with the engaging portion and returns the bracket to the neutral position.
When the ratchet returns to the ratchet while allowing the cam convex portion to pass at the left or right turn instruction position of the bracket, the anti-cancellation cam side end of the ratchet contacts the engaged portion. A vehicular direction indicating device characterized in that a stopper convex portion is provided that slides against the ratchet spring before contact and weakens the rotational force in the return direction of the ratchet.

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