JP2007115469A - Guide member and switch operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guide member of a switch operation device capable of preventing looseness of a knob in both a state where the knob is pushed in and a state where the knob is not pushed in. <P>SOLUTION: The guide member 2 includes: a tubular part 2a for having a shaft 4 extended from a switch body part 3 and the knob 5 attached to the shaft 4 pierce the inside thereof; a first rib 2c formed on the inner periphery of the tubular part 2a for supporting the knob 5 by contacting the outer peripheral part 5b of the knob 5 when the knob 5 is not pushed in; and a second rib 2d formed on the inside surface of the tubular part 2a independently of the first rib 2c for supporting the knob 5 by contacting the outer peripheral part 5b of the knob 5 when the knob 5 is pushed in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a push-type switch operating device and a guide member thereof.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 3, an electric / electronic device such as an audio device includes a switch operation device for setting its operation. The switch operating device has a switch main body 33, a shaft 34, and a knob 35. When the knob 35 is pushed by the user, the displacement of the shaft 34 is transmitted to the switch main body 33, and the switch main body 33 is set to the on state. The switch operating device further includes a guide member 33 in order to prevent the knob 35 from rattling in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the knob 35 (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The guide member 33 has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape and a plurality of ribs 33c provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. The rib 33 c contacts the outer peripheral surface of the knob 35, thereby preventing the knob 35 from rattling and supporting the knob 35. The rib 33c is formed continuously (integrally) from one end to the other end of the cylindrical portion.

JP 2004-281322 A

  If the rib 33c is formed in parallel with the outer peripheral surface of the knob 35, the rattling of the knob 35 can be satisfactorily prevented regardless of the pushing position of the knob 35. However, in reality, when the rib 33c is formed using a mold made of resin, an inclined surface is formed on the surface of the rib 33c that contacts the knob 35 due to the draft of the mold. Specifically, the distance between the inclined surface of the rib 33c and the knob 35 increases in the direction in which the knob 35 is pushed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the state where the knob 35 is not pushed in, the knob 35 comes into contact with the rib 33c, so that rattling of the knob 35 can be prevented. As shown in FIG. 3C, which is an enlarged view of the main part, when the knob 35 is pushed in, a gap is formed between the rib 33c and the knob 35, and the rib 33c and the knob 35 are not in contact with each other. It is impossible to prevent rattling.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a guide member for a switch operating device that can prevent rattling of the knob in both the state in which the knob is pushed in and the state in which the knob is not pushed in.

A guide member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed on a cylindrical portion for allowing a shaft extending from a switch main body portion and a knob attached to the shaft to pass through the inside, and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion. A first support portion that contacts the outer periphery of the knob and supports the knob when the knob is not pushed in; and the cylindrical portion is independent of the first support portion. A second support portion that is formed on the inner peripheral surface and contacts the outer peripheral portion of the knob when the knob is pushed in to support the knob.

Preferably, the first support part and the second support part are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical part.

Preferably, the first support portion and the second support portion have an inclined surface that contacts the knob, and the inclined surface of the first support portion faces in a direction in which the knob is pushed. The inclined surface of the second support portion is formed so that the distance from the knob decreases in the direction in which the knob is pushed. The guide member further includes a flange extending from the cylindrical portion, and a slit is formed in the flange at a position facing the second support portion.

  The first support portion is continuously formed from one end of the cylindrical portion, and the second support portion is continuously formed from the other end of the cylindrical portion.

  The first support portion faces at least a part of the second support portion.

  A switch operation device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes any one of the above guide members, the switch main body that can be switched between an on state and an off state, the shaft extending from the switch main body, and the shaft And the knob attached to the tip of the.

  Since the first support portion and the second support portion are independently formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the guide member, the first support portion serves as the knob when the knob is not pushed in. By touching, the rattling of the knob can be prevented. On the other hand, in a state in which the knob is pushed in, rattling of the knob can be prevented by the second support portion coming into contact with the knob. That is, by forming the first support part and the second support part independently, the first support part and the second support part do not need to be lengthened. In addition, there is no gap between the first and second support portions and the knob due to the inclined surface due to the draft angle of the mold. As a result, in both the state in which the knob is not pushed in and the state in which the knob is pushed in, one of the supporting portions sufficiently contacts the knob, and the rattling of the knob can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, although a switch operation device provided with a guide member by preferred embodiments of the present invention is explained, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the switch operating device 1. FIG. 2A is a detailed view showing the configuration of the guide member 2, (b) is a plan view when viewed from the rear side (switch body 3 side), and (a) is an A-O-D diagram in (b). It is sectional drawing by a surface. FIG. 2B (a) is an enlarged view for explaining the first rib 2c, and FIG. 2B (b) is an enlarged view for explaining the second rib 2d. FIG. 1A corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along the plane AOC in FIG. 2A (b) and shows a state where the knob 5 is pushed in. FIG. 1B corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along the B-O-D plane in FIG. 2A (b) and shows a state where the knob 5 is not pushed. Here, the state in which the knob 5 is pushed is a state in which the knob 5 is located on the rearmost side (switch body 3 side), and the switch body 3 is on. The state in which the knob 5 is not pushed is a state in which the knob 5 is positioned on the foremost side (front panel 11 side), and the switch body 3 is in an off state. In the present embodiment, the left side of the drawing is the front side and the right side is the rear side.

  The switch operating device 1 includes a guide member 2, a switch main body 3, a shaft 4, and a knob 5. The switch body 3 is a push-type switch that can be switched between an on state and an off state by a user's pressing operation, and is attached to the chassis 10 of the audio device with screws or the like. The shaft 4 extends from one end of the switch main body 3, and a knob 5 is attached (fitted) to the tip of the shaft 4.

The knob 5 is a portion for a user to perform a pressing operation, and a main body 5a having a cylindrical shape (for example, a cylindrical shape), and an extending portion 5b extending radially outward at an end of the main body 5a. And a cover 5c that covers the main body 5a. Each part of the knob 5 is typically made of resin. The extending portion 5b includes an orthogonal portion formed in a direction orthogonal to the main body portion 5a and an outer peripheral portion formed in a direction parallel to the main body portion 5a. The outer peripheral portion is a first rib and a second rib described later. Contact with. The knob 5 is attached to the tip of the shaft 4 so that a part of the main body 5a protrudes from the front panel 11, and when the user presses the knob 5, the on / off state of the switch main body 3 is switched. It is done.

  The guide member 2 is for advancing and retracting the knob 5 in the pushing direction / pushing release direction without the knob 5 rattling in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the knob 5. The guide member 2 is typically made of resin. As shown in detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the guide member 2 includes a cylindrical portion 2a formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, a flange 2b, a first support portion (hereinafter referred to as a first rib) 2c, 2d (hereinafter referred to as second rib) 2d.

  The cylindrical part 2a is a part which comprises the main-body part of the guide member 2, and the knob 5 and the shaft 4 have penetrated the hollow part currently formed in the inside. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical shape refers to a shape that is hollow inside, and is not limited to the outer peripheral shape. In this example, the cylindrical portion 2a is cylindrical, but may be polygonal (for example, rectangular) cylindrical.

The flange 2b is a collar-shaped part extending toward the inside and outside in the radial direction at one end (on the front panel 11 side) of the tubular portion 2a. The inner portion of the flange 2b prevents the knob 5 from falling off the front panel 11 when the extending portion 5b of the knob 5 comes into contact therewith. An outer portion of the flange 2b is attached to the front panel 11. On the further inner peripheral side of the flange 2b, an opening 2e communicating with the hollow portion inside the cylindrical portion 2a is formed, and the knob 5 protrudes to the surface side through the opening 2e.

  The first rib 2c supports the knob 5 by contacting the outer periphery of the extending portion 5b when the knob 5 is not pushed in (the switch main body portion is off), and the knob 5 This is to prevent rattling. A plurality (three in this example) of first ribs 2c are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2a, for example, at equal intervals. As shown in FIGS. 2A (a) and 2B (a), the first rib 2c is substantially in the length direction (lateral direction in the figure) of the cylindrical portion 2a from one end (flange 2b) side of the cylindrical portion 2a. It is formed continuously (extends) to an intermediate position (for example, about 70% of the length of the cylindrical portion 2a). The portion where the first rib 2c is formed corresponds to the position of the extended portion 5b in a state where the knob 5 is not pushed in to the position of the extended portion 5b in the middle of the push-in operation (and push-in releasing operation). ing.

  The first rib 2c has an inclined surface that gradually increases the distance from the extending portion 5b in the pushing direction (the direction of the switch main body 3). That is, the first rib 2c has a thickness that is sufficiently in contact with the extending portion 5b on the flange 2b side (however, the knob 5 is movable), and the thickness thereof increases in the pushing direction. It is formed so that the contact between the extended portion 5b and the first rib 2c is gradually released. By forming such an inclined surface, the knob 5 can be smoothly advanced and retracted in the pushing direction (or the pushing release direction) when the knob 5 is pushed in and released. This is because the first rib 2c gradually does not contact (or contacts) the extended portion 5b. Furthermore, when the push of the knob 5 is released, the extending portion 5b can smoothly ride on the first rib 2c. Such an inclined surface is formed by pulling out the right mold for forming the guide member 2 in the right direction in the drawing.

  The width (circumferential width) of the first rib 2c is preferably gradually reduced in the pushing direction. This is because, as the knob 5 is pushed in, the contact (opposite) area between the first rib 2c and the extending portion 5b gradually decreases, so that the knob 5 can move smoothly.

  The second rib 2d supports the knob 5 by contacting the outer peripheral portion of the extending portion 5b when the knob 5 is pushed in (switch body 3 is turned on), and the knob 5 This is to prevent rattling. A plurality (three in this example) of second ribs 2d are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2a, for example, at equal intervals. As shown in FIG. 2A (b), the second rib 2d is formed at a position different from the first rib 2c in the circumferential direction (alternately with the first rib 2c) and independently of the first rib 2c. Has been. Here, forming independently means not forming continuously (integrally) as shown in FIG. 3 but forming them separately from each other. As a result, the first and second ribs can be formed so that rattling of the knob 5 can be prevented in both the state where the knob 5 is not pushed in and the state where the knob 5 is pushed. Further, by forming the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d at different positions in the circumferential direction, the inclination directions of the inclined surfaces of the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d are reversed as will be described later. Can be.

As shown in FIGS. 2A (a) and 2B (b), the second rib 2d is substantially at an intermediate position in the length direction of the tubular portion 2a from the other end (switch body 3) side of the tubular portion 2a (see FIG. 2A). For example, it is continuously formed up to about 30% of the length of the cylindrical portion 2a). The portion where the second rib 2d is formed corresponds to the position of the extended portion 5b in a state where the knob 5 is pushed in to the position of the extended portion 5b in the middle of the push-in operation (and push-in releasing operation). Yes.

The second rib 2d has an inclined surface such that the distance from the extended portion 5b gradually decreases in the pushing direction (the direction of the switch main body 3). That is, the second rib 2d has a thickness sufficient to contact the extended portion 5b (however, the knob 5 can be advanced and retracted) on the switch body 3 side, and is directed toward the flange 2b. The thickness is gradually reduced, and the contact between the extended portion 5b and the second rib 2d is gradually released. By forming such an inclined surface, the knob 5 can be smoothly advanced and retracted in the push-in direction (or push-in release direction) when the knob 5 is pushed in (or released). This is because the second rib 2d gradually contacts (or stops contacting) the extending portion 5b. Furthermore, when the knob 5 is pushed in, the extending portion 5b can smoothly ride on the second rib 2d. Such an inclined surface is formed by pulling out the left mold in the left direction of the drawing (flange 2b). For this reason, the left mold is inserted into and pulled out from the portion of the flange 2b facing the second rib 2d. For this purpose, a slit 2f is formed. The slit 2f has a shape that is slightly larger than the shape of the second rib 2d projected onto the flange 2b in order to remove the mold having the shape of the second rib 2d.

The width (circumferential width) in which the second rib 2d is formed is preferably gradually increased in the pushing direction. This is because the contact (opposite) area between the second rib 2d and the extending portion 5b is gradually reduced as the knob 5 is released and the knob 5 can move smoothly.

  As shown in FIG. 2A (a), the rear end portion of the first rib 2c (the end portion corresponding to the intermediate position in the length direction of the tubular portion 2a) faces at least a part of the second rib 2d. ing. That is, either (or both) of the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d are always formed at any position in the length direction of the cylindrical portion 2a. In this example, the rear end portion of the first rib 2c is opposed to the front end portion of the second rib 2d (the end portion corresponding to the intermediate position in the length direction of the tubular portion 2a). Thereby, when the knob 5 is pushed in, the tip of the extending portion 5b does not face the first rib 2c and at the same time faces the second rib 2d. As a result, since the extended portion 5b does not face any rib, the extended portion 5b can smoothly run on the inclined surface of the first rib 2c or the second rib 2d.

Or the 2nd rib 2d is formed to the position of about 50% of the length direction of the cylindrical part 2a, and the 1st rib 2c and the 2nd rib 2d are the length direction of the cylindrical part 2a. It may be formed so as to face each other at an intermediate position. In this case, when the knob 5 is pushed in, the tip of the extending portion 5b faces the second rib 2d before it stops facing the first rib 2c (that is, the first rib 2c, the second rib 2c). Therefore, the first rib 2c or the inclined surface of the second rib 2d can be smoothly ridden.

  With respect to the apparatus having the above configuration, the relationship between the knob 5 and the guide member 2 when the knob 5 is pushed in and when the knob 5 is not pushed will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 1B, in a state where the knob 5 is not pushed in, the extending portion 5b is in contact with the first rib 2c and is not in contact with the second rib 2d. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the extending portion 5b is supported by the first rib 2c, the knob 5 is prevented from rattling in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction.

  When the knob 5 is pressed by the user's operation, the knob 5 moves to the switch body 3 side along the inclined surface of the first rib 2c, and the extending portion 5b gradually does not come into contact with the first rib 2c. . When the knob 5 further moves, the tip of the extending portion 5b does not face the first rib 2c, and at the same time, faces the second rib 2d. As the knob 5 moves, the extending portion 5b smoothly rides on the inclined surface of the second rib 2d, finally advances to the position shown in FIG. 1A, and the knob 5 is pushed in (switch) The main body 3 is turned on. In this state, the extending portion 5b is in contact with the second rib 2d and is not in contact with the first rib 2c. At this time, since the outer peripheral surface of the extending portion 5b is supported by the second rib 2d, the knob 5 is prevented from rattling in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction.

  When the knob 5 is released from being pushed in, the reverse operation is performed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d are provided, so that the knob 5 is loose in both the state where the knob 5 is pushed and the state where the knob 5 is not pushed. Can prevent sticking. Furthermore, since the inclined surfaces of the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d are inclined in the opposite direction, the extending portion 5b can smoothly run over the first rib 2c and the second rib 2d. .

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment.

  The present invention can be suitably employed for a push-type switch operating device in an electric / electronic device such as an audio device.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the switch operation apparatus by preferable embodiment of this invention. It is (a) sectional drawing and (b) top view which show the detail of a guide member. (A) The enlarged view which shows the 1st rib 2c, (b) The enlarged view which shows the 2nd rib 2c. It is sectional drawing which shows the conventional switch operating device and a guide member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switch operating device 2 Guide member 2a Cylindrical part 2c 1st rib 2d 2nd rib 3 Switch main-body part 4 Chassis 5 Knob

Claims (7)

A shaft extending from the switch main body and a tubular portion through which a knob attached to the shaft penetrates,
A first support portion that is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and supports the knob by contacting the outer periphery of the knob when the knob is not pushed in;
A second support that is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion independently of the first support portion, and that contacts the outer peripheral portion of the knob when the knob is pushed in to support the knob; A guide member comprising a support portion. The guide member according to claim 1, wherein the first support part and the second support part are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical part. The first support part and the second support part have an inclined surface in contact with the knob;
The inclined surface of the first support portion is formed such that the distance from the knob increases toward the direction in which the knob is pushed,
The guide member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclined surface of the second support portion is formed so that a distance from the knob decreases in a direction in which the knob is pushed. Further comprising a flange extending from the tubular portion;
The guide member according to claim 3, wherein a slit is formed in the flange at a position facing the second support portion. The first support portion is continuously formed from one end of the tubular portion;
The guide member according to claim 1, wherein the second support part is formed continuously from the other end of the cylindrical part.   The guide member according to claim 5, wherein the first support portion faces at least a part of the second support portion. A guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The switch body that can be switched between an on state and an off state;
The shaft extending from the switch body;
A switch operating device comprising the knob attached to the tip of the shaft.

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