JP2008204821A - Moderation changeover type switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moderation changeover switching device capable of making strange noise hardly generated at moderation changeover, even with a structure enabling changeover among a plurality of moderations with just one operating switch. <P>SOLUTION: The operating switch 7 is made provided with plunger members 14 integrally rotating with a dial knob 10, and a plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c equipped with moderation mound members 13 capable of rotating together with the plunger members 14. Further, electromagnets 23a to 23c are arranged at a sideway position of the moderation mound members 13a to 13c pairing with each other. By passing electricity to a given one out of the plurality of electromagnets 23a to 23c, the moderation mound member 13 facing that electromagnet with electricity is fixed to a case side, whereby, a given one out of the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c using that moderation member as a constituent component is set in a driving state to change over moderation feeling generated at the dial knob 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a moderation switching type switch device capable of switching a moderation feeling generated in an operation unit of an operation switch.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle has been provided with operation switches for various functions as an input operation system for performing operation settings of various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner device and an audio device. As an example, the operation switches for the air conditioner device include, for example, a temperature setting switch for setting the blowing temperature, a blowing amount setting switch for setting the blowing amount, a wind direction setting switch for setting the wind direction, and the like. As these switch groups, for example, a rotary operation type switch that performs various function settings by rotating the dial knob with a rotary operation type dial knob as an operation part, a so-called rotary switch is widely used.

  In addition, this type of rotary switch has a moderation that can give the dial knob the desired operating force and click feeling as a moderation in order to improve the dial knob operation feeling and ensure the operation of the dial knob. A mechanism is provided. A common moderation mechanism is provided with a plurality of moderation mountains along the knob rotation direction on one side between a dial knob that is rotated by an operator and a case that rotatably supports the dial knob. On the other hand, a moderation piece that is always urged by the urging spring is provided on the other side, and when the dial knob is rotated, the operating force when the moderation piece gets over the moderation mountain is given to the operator as a feeling of moderation.

  Incidentally, in recent years, attempts have been made to share one rotary switch among a plurality of selection functions in order to reduce the number of parts of the operation switch. In this type of operation switch shared structure, the switch controller, which is the control unit for the input operation system, is in the function selection setting mode in the switch discrimination initial state, and when the dial knob is operated at this time, The switch signal obtained from the rotary switch is used to select and specify the in-vehicle device that the operator wants to set the function at that time. The switch controller switches to the detailed setting mode after the on-vehicle device selection is specified.When the dial knob is operated at this time, the switch controller is selected and specified at that time using the switch signal obtained from the rotary switch. The details of the in-vehicle device are set in a state corresponding to the switch operation.

In the case of a shared operation switch structure, it is desirable that the moderation feeling generated in the rotary switch by the moderation mechanism is different for each selection function. Here, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a moderation switching technique for switching a moderation feeling for each selection function in this type of operation switch shared structure. The disclosed technique of Patent Document 1 is provided with a plurality of disks each having a moderation mountain having different arrangement intervals, and a moderation piece is moved up and down by an actuator, whereby one moderation mountain in these disks is arranged. The moderation piece is selectively elastically contacted to switch the moderation feeling obtained when the dial knob is rotated.
JP 2002-189559 A

  However, although the disclosed technique of Patent Document 1 can switch the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob for each selection function when one rotary switch is shared among a plurality of selection functions, the moderation piece itself can be switched by an actuator. Since the structure is configured to move up and down across a plurality of disks, the moderation piece falls into a groove formed between adjacent disks when switching the feeling of moderation. For this reason, there has been a problem that the moderation piece makes a strong contact with the disk during the depression operation, and this is heard as an abnormal noise by the operator. Therefore, even if the moderation feeling of one rotary switch is changed over a wide range, there is a demand for a structure in which no abnormal noise is generated at the time of moderation switching.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mode switching switch device capable of making it difficult to generate an abnormal sound when switching modes, even if it has a structure in which a plurality of modes can be switched with one operation switch.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a selection function operation of the operation switch is performed by operating the operation unit of the operation switch, and the operation unit is connected to one of the operation side and the fixed side of the operation switch. A moderation mountain member having a concavo-convex pattern is provided along the operation direction, and a plunger member having a piece member that is elastically brought into contact with the concavo-convex pattern by an urging member is provided on the other of these members. In the mode switching switch device in which a feeling of moderation is generated in the operation unit by a piece member getting over the protrusion of the uneven pattern,
A plurality of moderation generating means each having a pair of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member and different moderation feelings generated between the plunger member and the moderation mountain member are provided, and one of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member Moderation switching that operates so that a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means is in a driving state in which the moderation is generated by allowing relative movement between the plunger member and the moderation mountain member with the fixed state The gist is that a mechanism is provided.

  According to this configuration, the moderation switching mechanism allows a specific mode in the plurality of moderation generating means by allowing one of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member to be in a fixed state with a plurality of moderation generating means. The moderation feeling generated in the operation unit is switched with the object in the driving state. For example, when the moderation generating means capable of generating high characteristic value moderation (large moderation, multi-click feeling) is in the driving state, the moderation generating means for generating the large moderation works, and when the operation unit is operated, the operation unit A great sense of moderation occurs. On the other hand, when the moderation generating means that can generate low characteristic value moderation (bargeness, small click feeling) is in the driving state, the moderation generating means for generating the moderation becomes effective, and when the operation section is operated, the operation section A small feeling of moderation occurs.

  By the way, the moderation switching mechanism of this configuration has a structure in which each of the moderation generating means has both a plunger member and a moderation mountain member, so when adopting a structure for switching the moderation feeling generated in the operation unit. Since it is not necessary to use a structure in which one piece member is shared among a plurality of moderation mountain members as described in the background art, a piece member that is in an energized state at the time of moderation switching is replaced with a plurality of moderation mountain members. There is no need to move it across. For this reason, it is possible to switch one operation switch to a plurality of moderation feelings without having to consider the generation of abnormal noise due to the piece member, which is a concern when using the moderation switching mechanism of the background art. Even if it is taken, it becomes possible to make it difficult to generate an abnormal sound when moderation is switched.

  In the present invention, the moderation switching mechanism constitutes at least a part of a part on the fixed side of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member and a metal member made of metal, and each moderation generating means A plurality of electromagnets that can adsorb the metal member, a detection unit that detects an operation state that is performed when an operator operates the operation unit, and an energization on / off of the electromagnet based on a detection amount of the detection unit And control means for switching and controlling the moderation generated in the operation unit by selectively setting at least one of the moderation generation units to a driving state by controlling the moderation To do.

  According to this configuration, when the operator operates the operation unit, operations such as various switch operations and screen switching operations are performed, and the operation state is detected by the detection unit. The control means uses the detection amount acquired from the detection means at this time, and by selectively energizing the electromagnet according to the detection amount, a specific one of the plurality of moderation generation means is selectively driven to save the moderation. Change the feeling. For example, if the first-stage moderation generating means is driven by energizing, for example, the first-stage electromagnet among a plurality of existing electromagnets, the moderation feeling of the first-stage moderation generating means is generated in the operation unit. When the second-stage moderation generating means is driven by energizing the second-stage electromagnet, the moderation feeling of the second-stage moderation generating means is generated in the operation unit.

  Therefore, in this configuration, the moderation switching mechanism has a non-contact structure in which the electromagnet and the moderation generating means are not mechanically connected. For example, contact points that are considered to be a concern when these are mechanically connected Therefore, it is possible to make the mode switching switch device highly durable.

  In the present invention, the moderation switching mechanism includes a linear motion actuator in which its drive shaft moves linearly, and a stopper attached to the drive shaft when the linear motion actuator is driven to linearly move the drive shaft. A linear motion locking means that selectively locks a portion to a fixed side of a specific one from among the plurality of moderation generating means, and puts the specific one in a driving state among the plurality of moderation generating means; Detection means for detecting an operation state performed when an operator operates the operation unit, and a linear movement amount of the linear motion actuator based on a detection amount of the detection unit to control a stop destination of the stopper unit The gist is provided with control means for switching and controlling the moderation generated in the operation unit by selectively switching at least one of the plurality of moderation generation units to a driving state.

  According to this configuration, when the operator operates the operation unit, operations such as various switch operations and screen switching operations are performed, and the operation state is detected by the detection unit. The control means drives the linear motion actuator using the detection amount acquired from the detection means at this time, and locks the stopper portion attached to the drive shaft to the fixed side of a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means. By doing so, a particular one of the plurality of moderation generating means is selectively driven to switch the moderation feeling. For example, among the plurality of moderation generating means, for example, if the stopper portion is locked to the fixed side of the first stage and the first stage moderation generating means is in a driving state, the moderation feeling of the first stage moderation generating means If the stopper portion is locked to the fixed side of the second-stage moderation generating means and the second-stage moderation generating means is in the driving state, the moderation feeling of the second-stage moderation generating means can be obtained. Occurs in the operation unit.

  By the way, when a general actuator including a linear actuator is used, there is an advantage that the stopper portion serving as a fixing portion when the plunger member or the moderation mountain member is fixed can be smaller in size than the electromagnet. For this reason, if a linear motion actuator is used instead of an electromagnet as a drive source of the moderation switching mechanism as in this configuration, the stopper portion is positioned laterally of the moderation generating means in the same manner as when an electromagnet is used due to the arrangement position. Therefore, when considering the device size of the mode switching switch device, it is possible to reduce the device size in the orthogonal direction that intersects the direction in which the mode generation means are juxtaposed. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, the moderation switching mechanism includes a rotation actuator in which its drive shaft rotates, and a stopper portion attached to the drive shaft when the drive shaft of the rotation actuator rotates. A rotation locking means for selectively locking a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means to a fixed side, and setting the specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means in a driving state; and an operator Detecting means for detecting an operation state performed when operating the operation section; and controlling a rotation amount of the rotation actuator based on a detection amount of the detection means to switch a locking destination of the stopper section, and The gist of the invention is that it includes control means for switching and controlling the moderation generated in the operation unit by selectively setting at least one of the moderation generation units in a driving state.

  According to this configuration, when the operator operates the operation unit, operations such as various switch operations and screen switching operations are performed, and the operation state is detected by the detection unit. The control means drives the rotation actuator using the detection amount acquired from the detection means at this time, and locks the stopper portion attached to the drive shaft to the fixed side of a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means. By doing so, a particular one of the plurality of moderation generating means is selectively driven to switch the moderation feeling. For example, if the stopper portion is locked to the fixed side of the first-stage moderation generating means, the moderation feeling of the first-stage moderation generating means is generated in the operation section, and the second-stage moderation generating means is fixed to the fixed side. If the stopper portion is locked, the moderation feeling of the second-stage moderation generating means is generated in the operation portion.

  By the way, since this type of rotation actuator is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a plurality of moderation generating means are arranged, when this arrangement relationship is taken, the arrangement space for the rotation actuators is arranged in parallel. The arrangement space required for the direction is smaller than that for the vertical direction. For this reason, when considering the device size of the mode switching switch device, it is possible to reduce the device size in the direction in which the mode generation means is arranged.

  In the present invention, the moderation mountain member has a projecting amount larger than the projecting portion for generating moderation, thereby restricting further movement of the moderation generating means in the driving state and limiting the operation range. The gist is that the limiting portion is formed.

  According to this configuration, when a moderation generation unit having a restriction unit is selected from a plurality of moderation generation units, the operation unit is movable only within a predetermined operation range. Therefore, the operation switch in this case can be used as a switch with a limited operation range, and it is possible to cope with a case where it is desired to limit the operation range of the operation switch.

The gist of the present invention is that the moderation generating means is a momentary type that automatically returns to the start position before the operation when the operator releases the hand after operating the operation unit.
According to this configuration, when the momentary moderation generating means is selected from the plurality of moderation generation means, the operation unit automatically returns to the start position when the hand is released after a predetermined amount of operation. Therefore, the operation switch in this case can be used as a momentary switch, and it is possible to cope with a situation where the operation switch is desired to be a momentary type.

  According to the present invention, even when a structure in which a plurality of moderations can be switched with a single operation switch, it is possible to make it difficult for abnormal noise to occur during moderation switching.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a mode switching switch device embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an operation switch device 3 is provided in the center cluster 2 of the vehicle 1 as an operation system for various in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner device, an audio device, and a car navigation device. The operation switch device 3 of the present example uses a graphical user interface (GUI) for the purpose of improving visibility and operability during button selection operations. The graphical user interface type operation switch device 3 graphically displays item buttons 5 and icons 6 on the display 4 provided in the center cluster 2, and the item buttons 5 and the like on the display 4 by the operation switch 7 also provided in the center cluster 2. While selecting and designating the icon 6 or the like, an input operation is performed using the decision switch 7a or the return switch 7b adjacent thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a case portion 9 that houses various switch parts of the operation switch 7 is integrally formed from the inner wall surface of the cluster panel 8 inside the cluster panel 8 of the center cluster 2. When the operation switch 7 is of a dial operation type, a dial knob 10 is attached to the case portion 9 in a state in which the dial knob 10 can be rotated as an operation portion when the switch is operated. The dial knob 10 includes a substantially cylindrical knob portion 10a that is a grip portion when a switch is operated, and an operation shaft 10b that integrally extends vertically from a coaxial position on the bottom surface of the knob portion 10a. The operation switch 7 of this example does not have a structure that restricts the turning operation of the dial knob 10, and when the dial knob 10 is turned, an infinite rotation type operation switch whose turning range is not restricted. It has become. The dial knob 10 corresponds to the operation unit.

  On the operation shaft 10b of the dial knob 10, a moderation mechanism 11 that generates a moderation feeling when the dial knob 10 is rotated is arranged in multiple stages (three in this example) to generate different moderation feelings. ). The multi-stage moderation mechanism 11 of the present example includes a first-stage moderation mechanism 11a that generates a small click feeling (large moderation), a second-stage moderation mechanism 11b that generates a middle click feeling (medium mode), and a multi-click feeling (small mode). And a third-stage moderation mechanism 11c that generates the above-described features, and these are arranged side by side along the operation shaft 10b of the dial knob 10. The moderation mechanism 11 (11a to 11c) corresponds to moderation generating means.

  These moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c are a moderation mountain member 13 having an uneven pattern 12 along the direction of rotation of the dial knob 10 (the direction of arrow Ra in FIG. 4), and the dial knob 10 in cooperation with the moderation mountain member 13. And a plunger member 14 for imparting a moderation feeling. The moderation mountain members 13a to 13c of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c have a bottomless cylindrical shape, and an uneven pattern 12 is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The concave / convex patterns 12 a to 12 c of the moderation mechanisms 11 a to 11 c have a shape pattern in which a plurality of moderation peaks 15 and moderation valleys 16 are alternately arranged along the rotational operation direction of the dial knob 10. In addition, a pair of retaining members 17, 17 project from the operation shaft 10 b of the dial knob 10 as attachment points of the moderation mountain member 13. The moderation mountain members 13a to 13c are attached to the operation shaft 10b while being sandwiched between the pair of retaining members 17 and 17, and the operation shaft 10b is allowed to rotate around its axis, The relative movement of the shaft 10b in the axial direction is restricted. The plunger member 14 constitutes a metal part.

  In addition, the plunger members 14a to 14c of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c have a plunger case 18 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the plunger case 18 is attached to the operation shaft 10b. In the plunger case 18, a moderation piece 19 having a spherical shape, for example, is always in elastic contact with the concavo-convex pattern 12 by a biasing member 20 made of a coil spring or the like, and is relatively movable in the biasing direction of the biasing member 20. It is attached with. The plunger case 18 is provided with a storage portion 21 opened to the concave / convex pattern 12 side of the moderation mountain member 13, and the moderation piece 19 is stored in the storage portion 21 so as to be relatively movable. The urging member 20 is also housed in the housing portion 21, and has an attached state in which one end abuts on the moderation piece 19 and the other end abuts on the bottom surface of the housing portion 21. The moderation piece 19 can be linearly reciprocated inside the storage portion 21, and can be moved along an orthogonal direction that intersects the operation axis direction of the dial knob 10 in this example. The moderation feeling of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c is determined by various factors such as the height and interval of the moderation mountain 15, the size of the moderation piece 19, and the urging force of the urging member 20. The moderation piece 19 corresponds to a piece member.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation switch device 3 is provided with a moderation switching mechanism 22 that switches the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 when the dial knob 10 is rotated. This will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each moderation mechanism 11 a to 11 c has a pair of metal moderator members 13 a to 13 c that can adsorb the moderation mountain members 13 a to 13 c by electromagnetic attraction. The electromagnets 23 are provided in groups. The electromagnet 23 is composed of an exciting coil in which a plurality of copper wires or the like are wound. The electromagnet 23 is attached and fixed to the case portion 9 formed of the inner wall of the cluster panel 8 while taking an arrangement position facing the corresponding moderation mountain member 13. The electromagnet 23 of this example includes first electromagnets 23a and 23a for the first stage moderation mechanism 11a, second electromagnets 23b and 23b for the second stage moderation mechanism 11b, and third electromagnets 23c for the third stage moderation mechanism 11c. 23c.

  When the electromagnet 23 is energized, the moderation mountain member 13 of this example is made of metal, so the moderation mountain member 13 facing the electromagnet 23 in the energized state is electromagnetized by the electromagnetic adsorption action of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 23. 23, the moderation mountain member 13 is fixed to the case portion 9 side. For this reason, when the dial knob 10 is rotated in this state, only the plunger member 14 of the moderation mountain member 13 and the plunger member 14 is rotated with the dial knob 10. The moderation piece 19 moves over the moderation mountain 15, and this occurs in the dial knob 10 as a feeling of moderation.

  The switching of the moderation occurring in the dial knob 10 of this example is, in a broad sense, a change in the click feeling that occurs when the dial knob 10 is rotated, or an operation when the dial knob 10 is rotated. Includes change in moderation intensity corresponding to weight. That is, when it is described that the moderation is increased, it means that the click feeling and the moderation intensity are increased, and when it is described that the moderation is decreased, it means that the click feeling and the moderation intensity are decreased. Further, the click feeling change mainly relates to the interval between the moderation mountains 15 located next to each other, and the moderation strength change mainly includes the height of the moderation peak 15, the size of the moderation piece 19, and the urging force of the urging member 20. It's related.

  The moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c of the present example are formed so that the first stage generates a small click feeling, and are set so that the total number of clicks per rotation increases from the first stage to the third stage. . That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the moderation peak intervals of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c are formed with the highest moderation peak interval W1 in the first step and the narrower step interval W2 in the second step. The third stage is formed with the narrowest moderation mountain interval W3. Further, the moderation piece 19 of each moderation mechanism 11a to 11c is formed with the largest piece diameter R1 in the first step according to the moderation mountain interval of each moderation mechanism 11a to 11c, and the second step is higher than that. Is formed with a small piece diameter R2, and the third stage is formed with the smallest piece diameter R3.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an encoder 24 that detects the amount of rotation (number of rotations) of the dial knob 10 is attached to the lower end of the operation shaft 10 b of the dial knob 10. The encoder 24 is composed of, for example, a pulse encoder that outputs a rotation detection output value as a pulse signal. When detecting the rotation of the dial knob 10, the encoder 24 can output a detection signal having the number of pulses corresponding to the amount of rotation of the dial knob 10 at that time. is there. The determination switch 7a, the return switch 7b, and the encoder 24 constitute detection means.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation switch device 3 is provided with a switch controller 25 as a control unit of the operation switch device 3. The switch controller 25 includes a CPU 26 that performs overall control of the switch controller 25, a ROM 27 that stores various programs and data groups, a RAM 28 that is used as a work area during program operation, and the like, and operates according to a control program in the ROM 27. To do. An encoder 24 is connected to the switch controller 25 through electrical wiring. The switch controller 25 calculates the rotation operation amount of the dial knob 10 using the detection signal acquired from the encoder 24, and supplies the operation amount information to another control unit that requires this rotation operation amount, or Display control of the display screen of the display 4 is performed.

  The switch controller 25 controls the on / off of the electromagnets 23a to 23c based on various operations performed by the operator when the dial knob 10 is operated, thereby driving a specific one of the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. As described above, switching control of the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 is performed. For example, when the switch controller 25 recognizes that the display screen of the display 4 or the rotation operation position of the dial knob 10 has caused the dial knob 10 to generate a small click feeling, the first stage electromagnet 23a is energized. When the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a is used, and when it is recognized that the dial knob 10 is in a state of generating a multi-click feeling, the third-stage electromagnet 23c is energized to use the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c. The switch controller 25 corresponds to control means.

Next, the operation of the operation switch device 3 of this example will be described.
When an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is operated to the ACC position or the IG position, the switch controller 25 is activated and sets its own operation mode to the item button selection mode, and displays the initial operation screen on the display 4. The menu screen 29 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and the operation switch 7 is recognized as an item button selection switch. On the menu screen 29, a plurality of item buttons 5, 5... Selected and specified when setting functions of various vehicle devices mounted on the vehicle 1 are allocated and displayed. As the item buttons 5, 5... Displayed on the menu screen 29, for example, an air conditioner function setting button 5 a selected when setting various functions of the air conditioner device, and selecting when setting various functions of the car navigation device. A car navigation button 5b, an audio button 5c selected when setting various functions of the audio device, and the like.

  Here, when the item button 5 is selected and specified on the menu screen 29, the dial knob 10 moves the selected coordinate position Px on the display 4 so that the button focus 30 is positioned on the desired item button 5, and the position adjustment is performed. Thereafter, the determination switch 7a (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 5) installed in the center cluster 2 is depressed. When the switch controller 25 recognizes the selection operation of the decision switch 7a, the switch controller 25 recognizes the item button 5 in which the selected coordinate position Px is located immediately before the decision switch 7a is operated as an operation request button, and the operation request button has. The vehicle 1 is made to perform various processes according to the function.

  By the way, in the operation switch device 3 of the present example in which one operation switch 7 is shared among a plurality of selection functions, the number of selection objects, the number of selection items, etc. in each selection function (including the display screen and the knob rotation operation position). Therefore, it is preferable to cope with this by changing the generated clicks of the dial knob 10 in accordance with these. Therefore, the operation switch 7 of this example is provided with a multi-stage moderation mechanism 11 that can generate a moderation feeling in the dial knob 10. In this type of moderation mechanism 11, the dial knob 10 is rotated. In this case, since the tactile sensation when the moderation piece 19 gets over one moderation mountain 15 has an operational feeling equivalent to a one-click feeling, this can be dealt with by switching between the clicks.

  For this reason, when the number of item buttons 5 displayed on the menu screen 29 is small, the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 is reduced to a small click feeling, so that the number of item buttons and the dial knob 10 at the time of displaying a small number of buttons are reduced. A measure is taken to correspond to the number of clicks that may occur. Therefore, the switch controller 25 at this time turns on the first electromagnet 23a and energizes the second electromagnet 23b and the third electromagnet 23c, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to generate a small click feeling on the dial knob 10. Leave off.

  When the first electromagnet 23a is energized and the second electromagnet 23b and the third electromagnet 23c are energized off, the first moderation mountain member 13a is fixed to the case portion 9 by the electromagnetic adsorption action with the first electromagnet 23a. The second moderation mountain member 13b and the third moderation mountain member 13c are in a state of being freely rotatable with respect to the case portion 9. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is rotated at this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a takes a movement in which the plunger member 14a rotates with respect to the moderation mountain member 13a. Since the moderation mechanism 11a is in a working state, the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b and the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c are also rotated with the moderation mountain members 13b and 13c as the plunger members 14b and 14c are rotated. The moderation mechanism 11b and the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c are in a state where moderation does not work. As a result, the dial knob 10 has a feeling of moderation with a small click feeling that is the moderation of the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a.

  On the other hand, when the number of the item buttons 5 displayed on the menu screen 29 is large, the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 is made to have a multi-click feeling, so that the number of item buttons and the dial knob 10 at the time of displaying many buttons are reduced. Actions are taken to correlate with the number of clicks that can occur. Therefore, the switch controller 25 at this time turns off the first electromagnet 23a and the second electromagnet 23b and energizes the third electromagnet 23c, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to generate a multi-click feeling on the dial knob 10. Turn on.

  When the first electromagnet 23a and the second electromagnet 23b are energized off and the third electromagnet 23c is energized on, the first moderation mountain member 13a and the second moderation mountain member 13b are in a state in which they can freely rotate with respect to the case portion 9. As a result, the third moderation mountain member 13c is fixed to the case portion 9 by the electromagnetic adsorption action with the third electromagnet 23c. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is rotated at this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c takes the movement in which the plunger member 14c rotates with respect to the moderation mountain member 13c. The moderation mechanism 11c is in a working state, and the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a and the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b are also rotated with the moderation mountain members 13a and 13b as the plunger members 14a and 14b rotate. The moderation mechanism 11a and the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b are in a state where moderation does not work. As a result, the dial knob 10 has a multi-click moderation feeling that is the moderation of the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c.

  Further, when the number of item buttons 5 displayed on the menu screen 29 is an intermediate number, the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 is set to a middle click feeling, so that the number of item buttons and the dial when the intermediate button number is displayed are dialed. Measures are taken to correlate with the number of clicks that can occur on the knob 10. Therefore, the switch controller 25 at this time turns off the first electromagnet 23a and the third electromagnet 23c and energizes the second electromagnet 23b, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to generate a middle click feeling in the dial knob 10. Turn on.

  When the first electromagnet 23a and the third electromagnet 23c are energized off, and the second electromagnet 23b is energized on, the first moderation mountain member 13a and the third moderation mountain member 13c are in a state of being freely rotatable with respect to the case portion 9. As a result, the second moderation mountain member 13b is fixed to the case portion 9 by the electromagnetic adsorption action between the second electromagnet member 23b. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is rotated at this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b moves the plunger member 14b to rotate relative to the moderation mountain member 13b. The moderation mechanism 11b is in a working state, and the first-step moderation mechanism 11a and the third-step moderation mechanism 11c are also rotated together with the moderation mountain members 13a and 13c as the plunger members 14a and 14c rotate. The moderation mechanism 11a and the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c are in a state where moderation is not effective. As a result, the dial knob 10 has a moderate click feeling, which is the mode of the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b.

  When the air conditioner function setting button 5a is selected and determined on the menu screen 29, the switch controller 25 sets its own operation mode to the air conditioner function setting mode, and the detailed function setting screen of the air conditioner device is displayed on the display 4 in FIG. An air conditioner function setting screen 31 is displayed, and the operation switch 7 is recognized as an air conditioner function switch. The air conditioner function setting screen 31 includes a blower button 32 that is selected when the air outlet is switched, an air volume setting button 33 that is selected when the air volume is set, and a blowing temperature that is selected when the air blowing temperature is set. A setting button 34 is assigned. The selection decision operation of these buttons 32 to 34 is the same as the selection decision of the item button 5 on the menu screen 29, and the moderation generated at the dial knob 10 at this time is set to any moderation of large, medium and small. The

  When the blower button 32 is selected and specified on the air conditioner function setting screen 31, the switch controller 25 that has detected this button selection decision operation sets its own operation mode to the blower function setting mode, and the blower setting shown in FIG. The screen 35 is displayed and the operation switch 7 is recognized as a blower function setting switch. On the blower setting screen 35, blower function images 35a, 35a,... Corresponding to the respective blower functions are displayed, and the blower function image 35a on the screen is designated and displayed by an arrow 35b. Be informed by that. At this time, when the selection state of the blower function is switched by the turning operation of the dial knob 10, the display position of the arrow 35b on the blower setting screen 35 is also switched and displayed according to the blower function position after the designation of selection.

  By the way, since this type of blower function has a relatively small number of selection items, when the switch controller 25 displays the blower setting screen 35 on the display 4, the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a among the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. The dial knob 10 is caused to feel a small click in the driving state. Thus, when the dial knob 10 is rotated to switch the blower function, the dial knob 10 is in a state of one-click operation every time the blower function is switched to the adjacent function. The number of clicks on the dial knob 10 is in a corresponding state.

  When the air volume setting button 33 is selected and specified on the air conditioner function setting screen 31, the switch controller 25 that has detected this button selection determination operation sets the operation mode to the air volume setting mode, and displays the air volume setting shown in FIG. The screen 36 is displayed and the operation switch 7 is recognized as an air volume setting switch. On this air volume setting screen 36, an air volume image 36a representing the air volume is displayed, and the air air volume in the selected state at that time is notified by the air volume image 36a being designated and displayed by the arrow 36b at the set air volume position. Yes. At this time, when the air air volume selection state is switched by the turning operation of the dial knob 10, the display position of the arrow 36 b on the air volume setting screen 36 is also switched and displayed according to the air volume after the selection designation.

  In addition, since this type of air volume setting function has a larger number of setting operation stages than the number of blower functions, the switch controller 25 displays two of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c when displaying the air volume setting screen 36 on the display 4. The step knob mechanism 11b is driven to cause the dial knob 10 to feel a middle click. As a result, when the dial knob 10 is turned to switch the air volume, each time the air volume is switched by one step, the dial knob 10 has a one-click operational feeling. Corresponds to the number of clicks.

  When the air temperature setting button 34 is selected and specified on the air conditioner function setting screen 31, the switch controller 25 that has detected this button selection determination operation sets its own operation mode as the air temperature setting mode, and is shown in FIG. 10 on the display 4. While the air temperature setting screen 37 is displayed, the operation switch 7 is recognized as an air temperature setting switch. On the air temperature setting screen 37, an air temperature image 37a that represents the air air temperature is displayed, and the air temperature that is currently selected is indicated by an arrow 37b at the air temperature setting position. Be informed by. At this time, when the selection state of the air blowing temperature is switched by the turning operation of the dial knob 10, the display position of the arrow 37b on the blowing temperature setting screen 37 is also switched and displayed according to the blowing temperature after the selection designation.

  In addition, since this type of blowing temperature setting function is set in multiple stages, the switch controller 25, when displaying the blowing temperature setting screen 37 on the display 4, includes the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. The third-stage moderation mechanism 11c is driven to generate a multi-click feeling on the dial knob 10. Thereby, when the dial knob 10 is turned to switch the air blowing temperature, every time the blowing temperature is switched by one step, the dial knob 10 has a one-click operational feeling. And the number of clicks on the dial knob 10 correspond to each other.

  Accordingly, in the present example, each of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c includes a pair of moderation mountain members 13 and the plunger member 14 and each can generate a different moderation feeling, and the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. A moderation switching mechanism 22 is provided that can switch the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 in multiple stages by selectively driving a specific one of them. Therefore, the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 can be freely switched between a plurality of moderation feelings, and even when one dial knob 10 is shared among a plurality of selection functions as in this example, If different moderation feeling is generated for each function, the operation switch 7 becomes an operation switch corresponding to each selection function, which is highly effective in improving the switch operation feeling.

  Further, when the configuration of this example is adopted, when the moderation switching mechanism 22 for switching the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 is incorporated, one moderation piece (ball member) as described in the background art has a plurality of different mountain shapes. The moderation piece is moderated when the moderation piece in the biased state is moved to the next moderation mountain member at the time of moderation switching. There is no need to consider the impact sound that can be generated by abutting the mountain member. Therefore, the moderation feeling of the dial knob 10 can be switched without causing abnormal noise or the like in the operation switch 7.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The moderation switching mechanism 22 of this example that switches the moderation feeling of the dial knob 10 includes moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c each having a moderation mountain member 13 and a plunger member 14, and from among these moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c By specifying what to use by using the magnetic force of the electromagnets 23a to 23c, the moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 is switched and set. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a moderation switching mechanism for switching the moderation feeling of the dial knob by sharing one moderation piece among a plurality of disks corresponding to moderation mountain members as described in the background art. There is no need to think about the striking sound that is generated when moving the moderation piece in the energized state, which was a concern, to the adjacent disk. A moderation feeling generated in the dial knob 10 can be switched without generating a sound.

  (2) In the mode switching mechanism described in the background art, for example, when the moderation piece is moved to the adjacent disk and the moderation is switched, the moderation piece is not necessarily positioned in the concave portion of the disk depending on the rotation position of the moderation mountain member. It is not always in the state. For this reason, when the moderation piece takes a position shifted to the concave portion at the time of moderation switching, for example, the moderation piece tries to engage with the concave portion by the urging force of the urging member. It turns by a predetermined amount without permission, and this takes an unfavorable movement as a switch device. However, in the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c of this example, when the dial knob 10 is not rotated, the moderation piece 19 of the plunger member 14 is applied to the moderation valley 16 of the uneven pattern 12 by the urging force of the urging member 20. Since the state where it always enters is kept, there is no situation where the dial knob 10 freely rotates regardless of the intention of the operator when moderation is switched.

  (3) When this moderation mechanism 11a-11c using the moderation piece 19 sets the moderation generated in the dial knob 10, the height and arrangement interval of the moderation mountain 15, the size of the moderation piece 19, the moderation piece 19 There are small factors such as the urging force of the urging member 20 that urges the movement. For this reason, when the moderation switching mechanism described in the background art is employed, a moderation piece and a biasing member are shared by a plurality of moderation uneven patterns, so that the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 is adjusted. Can be set only by the height and interval of the moderation mountain, so that there is a problem that the moderation generated in the dial knob 10 cannot be finely adjusted. However, in the moderation switching mechanism 22 of this example, each of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c has the moderation mountain member 13 and the plunger member 14, so that the size of the moderation piece 19 and the urging force of the urging member 20 are changed. Therefore, the moderation feeling can be appropriately set to a suitable value.

  (4) The moderation switching mechanism 22 of this example is a magnetic moderation switching mechanism using an electromagnet 23 as a driving component (driving source) at the time of driving a specific one of the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. For this reason, since the electromagnet 23 which is a driving component of the moderation switching mechanism 22 and the moderation mountain member 13 have a non-contact structure that is not mechanically connected, for example, this may occur as a concern when these are mechanically connected. Thus, it is not necessary to consider problems such as component deterioration at the contact points to be obtained, and the operation switch device 3 can be made highly durable.

  (5) The operation switch device 3 of this example uses a GUI that displays various item buttons 5 on the display 4 and performs a button selection determination operation by selecting and operating the button 5 using the dial knob 10. . Therefore, even if a structure is used in which one dial knob 10 is shared among a plurality of switch selection functions, in this case, the dial knob 10 can be used in any operation amount range or selection item in the selection function that is active at that time. The operator can be notified of whether or not the selection is possible. Therefore, the operator can recognize which operation position may be operated when operating the operation switch 7, and can ensure high operability of the operation switch 7.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the second embodiment has a configuration in which the drive structure of the moderation switching mechanism 22 of the first embodiment is changed, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of locking grooves arranged along the rotation operation direction of the dial knob 10 (the direction of the arrow Ra in FIG. 11) are provided in the entire outer periphery of each of the moderation mountain members 13 a to 13 c of the moderation mechanisms 11 a to 11 c. 38, 38 ... are formed. The locking grooves 38a to 38c of the moderation mountain members 13a to 13c are formed so that the groove shape is a triangle shape, and the groove direction is oriented along the axial direction of the operation shaft 10b. The locking grooves 38a to 38c of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c have the same groove shape and groove interval, and take an arrangement position where the groove positions overlap in the axial direction of the operation shaft 10b. Note that the locking groove 38 corresponds to a direct-acting locking means.

  The operation switch device 3 is provided with a linear actuator 39 as a driving component of the moderation switching mechanism 22. The linear actuator 39 is an actuator that outputs its own driving force by linear reciprocating motion of the drive shaft 39a. For example, a multistage electromagnetic solenoid is used as a driving source, or the rotational force of the motor is converted into linear motion of the driving shaft 39a. A motor mechanism or the like is used. The linear actuator 39 is capable of linearly reciprocating in its own drive shaft 39 a along the operation shaft 10 b of the dial knob 10, and is controlled by the switch controller 25.

  A stopper portion 40 that can be selectively locked to a specific one of the locking grooves 38 a to 38 c is attached to the tip of the drive shaft 39 a of the linear motion actuator 39. The stopper portion 40 is provided with a locking piece 40 a that protrudes toward the moderation mountain member 13 on the surface facing the moderation mountain member 13. The locking piece 40a is a locking portion to the locking groove 38 when the stopper portion 40 is locked to the locking groove 38 of the moderation mountain member 13, and as the tip moves forward as shown in FIG. It has a pointed shape. The switch controller 25 includes a first linear position where the stopper portion 40 is locked to the first locking groove 38a, a second linear position where the stopper portion 40 is locked to the second locking groove 38b, and the stopper portion 40 is the first position. The linear actuator 39 is controlled so as to take three positions with the third linear position locked in the three locking grooves 38c.

  When the switch controller 25 recognizes that a small click feeling should be generated when switching the moderation of the dial knob 10, the switch controller 25 moves the drive shaft 39a of the linear actuator 39 to the first moderation as shown by the solid line in FIG. By extending toward the mountain member 13a, the stopper portion 40 at the tip is positioned at the first linear position, and the locking piece 40a is locked in the first locking groove 38a of the first moderation mountain member 13a. Thereby, the 1st moderation mountain member 13a will be in a fixed state to the case part 9 side among the moderation mountain members 13a-13c, and the 1st step moderation mechanism 11a will be in a drive state. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is turned, a small click feeling, which is the moderation generated by the first stage moderation mechanism 11a, is generated in the dial knob 10.

  When the switch controller 25 recognizes that an intermediate click feeling should be generated when switching the moderation of the dial knob 10, the switch controller 25 moves the drive shaft 39a of the linear actuator 39 to the intermediate position as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. By positioning to the second stopper position 40, the stopper 40 at the tip is positioned at the second linear position, and the locking piece 40a is locked to the second locking groove 38b of the second moderation mountain member 13b. Thereby, the 2nd moderation mountain member 13b will be in a fixed state in the case part 9 side among the moderation mountain members 13a-13c, and the 2nd step moderation mechanism 11b will be in a drive state. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is turned, a feeling of middle click, which is the moderation generated by the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b, is generated in the dial knob 10.

  Further, when the switch controller 25 recognizes that a multi-click feeling should be generated when switching the moderation of the dial knob 10, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. By pulling it to the side, the stopper 40 at the tip is positioned at the third linear position, and the locking piece 40a is locked to the third locking groove 38c of the third moderation mountain member 13c. As a result, among the moderation mountain members 13a to 13c, the third moderation mountain member 13c is fixed to the case portion 9 side, and the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c is driven. Therefore, when the dial knob 10 is turned, a multi-click feeling that is the moderation generated by the third-stage moderation mechanism 11 c is generated in the dial knob 10.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (3) and (5) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) The moderation switching mechanism 22 of this example is a linear motion actuator moderation switching mechanism using the linear motion actuator 39 as a drive component when selecting a specific one from the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. When the linear motion actuator 39 is used as a driving component of the moderation switching mechanism 22, when the moderation mountain member 13 is fixed to the case portion 9, the stopper portion 40 of the linear motion actuator 39 is locked to the moderation mountain member 13. Although a locking structure for locking to the groove 38 is used, this type of stopper portion 40 has an advantage that the component size can be smaller than the electromagnet 23 described in the first embodiment. For this reason, if the linear motion actuator 39 is used as a driving part of the moderation switching mechanism 22, the stopper portion 40 smaller than the electromagnet 23 is positioned at the side position of the moderation mountain member 13. The size can be kept small.

  (7) The stopper portion 40 is formed with a locking piece 40a having a pointed shape toward the tip as a locking portion of the moderation mountain member 13 to the locking groove 38. Accordingly, when the stopper portion 40 is locked to the locking groove 38 to switch the moderation feeling of the dial knob 10, the locking piece 40a smoothly engages with the locking groove 38. It is possible to make it difficult to cause a situation where the end face of the locking groove 38 is caught during the locking operation.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the third embodiment also has a configuration in which the drive structure of the moderation switching mechanism 22 of the first embodiment is changed, so that the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described. explain.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of first latches are arranged on the bottom surface of the first moderation mountain member 13 a along the rotation operation direction of the dial knob 10 (in the direction of arrow Ra in FIG. 13) over the entire region. A groove 41a is formed. In addition, a plurality of second locking grooves 41 b arranged in the direction of the rotation operation of the dial knob 10 are formed in the entire outer periphery of the second moderation mountain member 13 b. Furthermore, a plurality of third locking grooves 41 c are formed on the upper surface of the third moderation mountain member 13 c so as to be arranged over the entire area along the direction in which the dial knob 10 is rotated. These locking grooves 41a to 41c are formed so that the groove shape is triangular, and have the same groove shape and groove interval. The locking grooves 41a to 41c correspond to the rotation locking means.

  The operation switch device 3 is provided with a rotation actuator 42 as a driving component of the moderation switching mechanism 22. The rotating actuator 42 is an actuator that outputs its own driving force by a rotating motion of the drive shaft 42a, and for example, a DC motor or the like is used. The rotation actuator 42 is arranged in a lateral state where its own drive shaft 42 a intersects the operation shaft 10 b of the dial knob 10, and drive control is performed by the switch controller 25.

  A stopper 43 that can be selectively locked with respect to a specific one of the locking grooves 41 a to 41 c is attached to the tip of the drive shaft 42 a of the rotation actuator 42. The stopper portion 43 is provided with a locking piece 43a protruding toward the moderation mountain member 13 side. The locking piece 43a is a locking position to the locking grooves 41a to 41c when the stopper portion 43 is locked to the locking grooves 41a to 41c of the moderation mountain members 13a to 13c, and the locking piece 43a of the second embodiment. As in the case, the tip is pointed as it goes forward. The switch controller 25 includes a first rotation position where the stopper portion 43 is engaged with the first engagement groove 41a, a second rotation position where the stopper portion 43 is engaged with the second engagement groove 41b, and a stopper portion 43. Controls the rotation actuator 42 so as to take three positions with the third rotation position locked in the third locking groove 41c.

  When the switch controller 25 recognizes that a small click feeling should be generated when switching the moderation of the dial knob 10, the switch controller 25 moves the drive shaft 42a of the rotary actuator 42 to the first moderation as shown by the solid line in FIG. By rotating to the mountain member 13a side, the stopper portion 43 at the tip is positioned at the first rotation position, and the locking piece 43a is locked to the first locking groove 41a of the first moderation mountain member 13a. As a result, the first moderation mountain member 13a is fixed to the case portion 9 side, and the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a is driven. Therefore, the generated moderation of the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a is performed when the dial knob 10 is turned. A small click feeling is generated in the dial knob 10.

  Further, when the switch controller 25 recognizes that a middle click feeling should be generated when switching the moderation of the dial knob 10, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. By rotating to the moderation mountain member 13b side, the stopper portion 43 at the tip is positioned at the second rotation position, and the locking piece 43a is locked to the second locking groove 41b of the second moderation mountain member 13b. . As a result, the second moderation mountain member 13b is fixed to the case portion 9 side, and the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b is driven, so that the generated moderation of the second-stage moderation mechanism 11b is performed when the dial knob 10 is turned. A middle click feeling is generated on the dial knob 10.

  Further, when the switch controller 25 recognizes that a multi-click feeling should be generated when the moderation of the dial knob 10 is switched, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. By rotating to the 3rd degree mountain member 13c side, the stopper part 43 at the tip is positioned at the third rotation position, and the locking piece 43a is locked to the third locking groove 41c of the third moderation mountain member 13c. To do. As a result, the third moderation mountain member 13c is fixed to the case portion 9 side, and the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c is driven. Therefore, the generated moderation of the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c is performed when the dial knob 10 is rotated. A multi-click feeling is generated on the dial knob 10.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (3), (5), and (7) of the first embodiment and the effects described in (7) of the second embodiment. The following effects can be obtained.
(8) The moderation switching mechanism 22 of this example is a rotary actuator moderation switching mechanism that uses the rotary actuator 42 as a drive component when selecting a specific one from the plurality of moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c. By the way, the arrangement direction of the rotation actuator 42 is perpendicular to the direction in which the moderation mountain members 13 are arranged. Therefore, when this arrangement relation is taken, the arrangement space of the rotation actuator 42 is necessary in the direction of arrangement. Since the space is small, the size in the height direction of the operation switch device 3 can be kept as small as possible.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments only in that the operation switch 7 is a switch having a limited rotation operation range, and therefore the same part as the first to third embodiments. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the case where the operation switch 7 is a rotation operation range limiting switch 44 in which the operation range at the time of the rotation operation is limited, the uneven pattern 12 of each moderation mountain member 13 a to 13 c has the dial knob 10. A restricting portion 45 is projected in a mountain shape higher than the moderation mountain 15 at a position where further rotation is desired to be restricted. When the operation switch 7 is the rotation operation range limiting switch 44, when the plunger member 14 moves relative to the moderation mountain member 13, the plunger case 18 of the plunger member 14 moves to the inclined surface 46 of the limiting portion 45. When it comes into contact (indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 17), further rotation operation is limited, and the rotation operation range of the dial knob 10 is limited.

  By the way, when the operation switch 7 is the rotation operation range limiting switch 44, the rotation direction position of each of the restriction portions 45a to 45c of each moderation mountain member 13a to 13c, that is, the rotation operation range position of the operation switch 7 is Depending on the switching position when the moderation feeling is switched between the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c, the state becomes different. That is, FIG. 16 shows an example. If the dial knob 10 is rotated while the moderation mountain member 13a is fixed and the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a is in the driving state, Since the moderation mountain member 13c rotates with the dial knob 10, the third restricting portion 45c of the third moderation mountain member 13c is rotated in accordance with the knob rotation operation position at that time in accordance with the knob rotation operation. Displace. For this reason, for example, when the first-stage moderation mechanism 11a is driven, after the dial knob 10 is operated by one click as shown in FIG. 16 (b) from the state shown in FIG. In the case of switching to the moderation mechanism 11c and the case where the driving moderation mechanism is switched to the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c after the dial knob 10 is operated by two clicks as shown in FIG. The rotation operation range positions of the are different.

  In order to cope with such a situation, when the switch controller 25 of the present example displays various screens 29, 31, 35 to 37 on the display 4, various images (for example, various images 35a to 35a to be displayed on these screens) are displayed. 37a and arrows 35b to 37c) are assigned to the arrangement positions corresponding to the rotational direction positions of the restricting portion 45 at that time and displayed as images. For example, after the third moderation mountain member 13c is rotated about 30 degrees in the left direction as shown in FIG. 16B from the center position shown in FIG. 16A, the third-stage moderation mechanism 11c is driven. When this happens, the blowing temperature image 37a and the arrow 37b on the blowing temperature setting screen 37 are also assigned and displayed in a direction rotated about 30 degrees to the left in the drawing. FIG. 16C shows an example in which the blowing temperature image 37a and the arrow 37b are assigned and displayed by rotating about 60 degrees in the left direction of the drawing. It should be noted that all three of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c are not limited to the rotational operation range limiting formula having the limiting portion 45, and at least one of these may be applicable.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the operation switch 7 may be a momentary switch 47 that automatically returns the dial knob 10 to the operation start position when the dial knob 10 is turned and then released. When the operation switch 7 is a momentary switch 47, one storage groove portion 48 into which the moderation piece 19 can be engaged is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the moderation mountain member 13. In addition, inclined guide portions 49 and 49 having slopes for guiding the dial knob 10 after the turning operation to the operation start position are formed on both sides of the storage groove portion 48 on the inner peripheral surface of the moderation mountain member 13.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the plunger member 14 of the momentary switch 47 has a tip formed as a pair of sandwiching portions 50, 50, and the sandwiching portions 50, 50 sandwich the inclined guide portions 49, 49. I'm taking it. The plunger member 14 is sandwiched between the inclined guide portions 49 and 49 by the sandwiching portions 50 and 50, whereby the distal end side thereof is connected to the moderation mountain member 13. Further, at each end of each inclined guide portion 49, 49 opposite to the storage groove portion 48, a rotation that restricts further rotation operation when the plunger member 14 rotates with respect to the moderation mountain member 13 is regulated. Movement restricting portions 51 and 51 are formed.

  When the operation switch 7 is a momentary switch 47, when the dial knob 10 is rotated, the plunger member 14 moves with respect to the fixed moderation mountain member 13, and at this time, the moderation piece 19 is moved. Is pushed by the inclined guide portion 49 and pulled inward in the radial direction against the urging force of the urging member 20, so that the dial knob 10 is allowed to rotate, and the plunger member 14 contacts the rotation restricting portion 51. The dial knob 10 can be rotated until it comes into contact. Then, when the hand is released from the dial knob 10 after the turning operation, the moderation piece 19 pushed by the urging member 20 slides down the inclined guide portion 49, thereby moving the moderation piece 19 into the storage portion 21. The dial knob 10 automatically returns to the rotation start position.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (8) of the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(9) If the moderation mechanism 11 having the rotation operation range limiting structure of the present example that limits the rotation operation of the dial knob 10 is used as the moderation mechanism 11, the rotation operation range of this type of operation switch 7 is limited. It can be used as the rotation operation range limiting switch 44, and the air conditioner device often uses the rotation operation range limitation switch 44, but this example can cope with this.

  (10) When the operation switch device 3 is a GUI, various images are displayed on the display 4 as marks for setting operation functions such as buttons and icons, but the operation switch 7 is used as a rotation operation range limiting switch 44. When used, these display images are assigned to the arrangement positions corresponding to the rotational direction positions of the restricting portions 45a to 45c of the moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c from time to time, and are displayed as images. For this reason, even if the operation switch 7 is used as the rotation operation range limiting switch 44, the display position of various images takes the correct arrangement position corresponding to the rotation operation range of the dial knob 10 at that time. Is effective in ensuring the operability when the dial knob 10 is rotated.

  (11) If the moderation mechanism having the momentary structure of this example is used as the moderation mechanism 11, this type of operation switch 7 can be used as the momentary switch 47, and this type of operation switch 7 can be used as a temperature of an air conditioner device, for example. It can be used as an operation switch for setting and the like by momentary operation.

  (12) When the momentary switch 47 is used as the operation switch 7, as an application thereof, for example, one of the three moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c is a moderation mechanism having a rotational operation range limiting structure, and the other one If the moderation mechanism has a momentary structure, it is possible to switch the operation switch 7 from an infinite rotation operation switch to a momentary switch or from a momentary switch to an infinite rotation operation switch by using these moderation mechanisms properly. it can. For this reason, the operation switch 7 can be used by switching to an infinite rotation operation switch or a momentary switch according to the use situation, and the operation switch 7 can be provided with versatility.

In addition, the said embodiment is not limited to the structure so far, You may change into the following aspects.
In the first to fourth embodiments, when the moderation mechanism 11 is in the driving state, the moderation mountain member 13 is fixed to the case portion 9 side, thereby allowing only the plunger member 14 to rotate. It is not limited to satisfying. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, a moderation mountain member 13 is fixed to the operation shaft 10 b of the dial knob 10, and a plunger member 14 having an annular outer frame is formed outside the dial knob 10 in the radial direction. The moderation mechanism 11 may be in a driving state by setting the fixing mechanism to the case portion 9 side.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the positional relationship between the moderation mountain member 13 and the plunger member 14 is such that the plunger member 14 is located on the radially inner side of the dial knob 10 and the moderation mountain member 13 is located on the radially outer side. However, this arrangement relationship may be reversed.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the operation switch 7 is not limited to the rotation operation type switch which operates the dial knob 10 which is the operation location in a rotation direction, For example, the slide operation which operates an operation location laterally It may be a type switch.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the moderation feeling (including the switch type) of the operation switch 7 may be switched based on this panel touch operation when the display 4 is a touch panel type, or a dial Since the rotary operation amount of the knob 10 is viewed by the encoder 24, it may be performed based on this rotational operation amount.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the item value regarding moderation feelings, such as the shape and space | interval of the moderation peak 15 of each moderation mechanism 11a-11c, the magnitude | size of the moderation piece 19, and the urging | biasing force of the urging | biasing member 20, is free as needed. The setting can be changed.

-In 1st-4th embodiment, the moderation piece 19 is not necessarily limited to a spherical shape, For example, the shape with a securing part which prevents dropping from the plunger case 18 may be sufficient.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the number of moderation mechanisms 11 is not necessarily limited to three, but may be two, or four or more.

  -In 2nd and 3rd embodiment, it is not limited to forming the locking groove 38 in the moderation peak member 13, and forming the stopper part 40 in the actuator 39, It is good also as this combination reverse.

In the first to fourth embodiments, two or more of these moderation mechanisms 11a to 11c may be simultaneously driven.
-In 1st-4th embodiment, the operation switch apparatus 3 of this example is not necessarily a switch apparatus mounted in a vehicle, For example, if it is a switch apparatus which has operation systems, such as an electrical appliance, the mounting object will be There is no particular limitation.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In any one of Claims 3-6, the engagement protrusion which makes the front-end | tip pointed shape is formed in the stop point to the said plunger member or a moderation mountain member in the said stopper part. In this case, when the stopper portion is locked to one of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member so that any one of the plurality of moderation generating means is in a driving state, the locking portion of the stopper portion at that time should be an engagement protrusion. If it does not get caught, it will be locked to the plunger member or the moderation mountain member. For this reason, it becomes possible to secure the ease of locking of the stopper portion, and it is possible to make it difficult for the stopper portion to be caught on the plunger member or the moderation mountain member during the locking operation.

  (2) In any one of claims 1 to 6, the function switching means for switching the selection function of the operation unit based on the detection amount of the detection means, and the control based on the selection function set by the function switching means And display control means for displaying on the display means a display screen corresponding to the selection function set by the function switching means when switching the moderation feeling of the operation unit. In this case, since a display screen corresponding to the selection function selected and specified at that time is displayed on the display means, even if one operation unit is shared among a plurality of selection functions as in the present invention, With the selection function that is selected and specified at that time, it is possible to display on the display means which operation amount range and selection item can be selected on the operation unit, and details that can be operated on the operation unit for each selection function. It is possible to notify the operator. Therefore, the operator does not have to be able to recognize which operation position to operate when operating the operation unit, which is highly effective in ensuring the operability of the operation unit.

  (3) In the technical idea (2), an operation amount detection unit that detects an operation amount of the operation unit is provided, and the display control unit detects the operation amount when displaying the display screen on the display unit. The display screen corresponding to the operation position of the operation unit at that time is displayed based on the detected amount of the means. In this case, even when there is a limitation on one operation amount of the selection function, this display can be performed accurately when displaying the operation amount range and selection items of the operation unit on the display means. It becomes.

The perspective view in the vehicle in a 1st embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the operation switch with a moderation switching mechanism. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of an operation switch. Structure explanatory drawing which shows the specific structure of a moderation switching mechanism. The schematic block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of an operation switch apparatus. The screen figure of the menu screen displayed on a display. Operation | movement explanatory drawing used when demonstrating operation | movement of a moderation switching mechanism. Operation | movement explanatory drawing used when demonstrating operation | movement of a moderation switching mechanism. Operation | movement explanatory drawing used when demonstrating operation | movement of a moderation switching mechanism. The screen figure of the air conditioner function setting screen displayed on a display. The perspective view of the operation switch with the moderation switching mechanism in 2nd Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of an operation switch. The disassembled perspective view which shows the components group of the moderation switching mechanism in 3rd Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view at the time of seeing the components group of a moderation switching mechanism from another angle similarly. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of an operation switch. (A)-(b) is operation | movement explanatory drawing used when explaining operation | movement of this rotation operation range limitation switch, when an operation switch is used as a rotation operation range limitation switch. The cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of a rotation operation range limitation switch. FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view showing a schematic structure of a momentary switch. The II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The plane sectional view showing the schematic structure of the moderation mechanism in another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Operation switch, 7a ... Decision switch which comprises detection means, 7b ... Return switch which comprises detection means, 10 ... Dial knob as operation part, 11 (11a-11c) ... Moderation mechanism as moderation generation means, 12 (12a to 12c) ... uneven pattern, 13 (13a to 13c) ... moderation mountain member, 14 (14a to 14c) ... plunger member constituting a metal member, 15 ... moderation mountain as a protrusion, 19 ... as piece member Moderation piece, 20 ... biasing member, 22 ... moderation switching mechanism, 23 (23a-23c) ... electromagnet, 24 ... encoder constituting detection means, 25 ... switch controller as control means, 38 (38a-38c) ... straight Locking groove as a moving locking means, 39: linear motion actuator, 39a, 42a ... drive shaft, 40, 43 ... stopper, 41a-41c ... Locking groove as Dogakaritome means, 42 ... rotating actuator, 45 (45 a to 45 c) ... limiting unit, Ra ... rotational operation direction of the operation direction.

Claims (6)

By operating the operation part of the operation switch, the selection function operation of the operation switch is performed, and a moderation mountain member having a concavo-convex pattern along the operation direction of the operation part on one of the operation side and the fixed side of the operation switch A plunger member having a piece member that elastically contacts the concavo-convex pattern by an urging member is provided on the other of them, and the piece member climbs over the protrusion of the concavo-convex pattern when the operation unit is operated. In the mode switching switch device in which a feeling of moderation occurs in the operation unit,
A plurality of moderation generating means each having a pair of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member and different moderation feelings generated between the plunger member and the moderation mountain member are provided, and one of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member Moderation switching that operates so that a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means is in a driving state in which the moderation is generated by allowing relative movement between the plunger member and the moderation mountain member with the fixed state A mode switching switch device characterized by comprising a mechanism. The moderation switching mechanism is
A metal member that constitutes at least a part of a part on the fixed side of the plunger member and the moderation mountain member and is made of metal.
A plurality of each moderation generating means, an electromagnet capable of attracting the metal member;
Detection means for detecting an operation state performed when an operator operates the operation unit;
The on-off of the electromagnet is controlled based on the detection amount of the detecting means, and at least one or more of the moderation generating means is selectively driven to generate the operation portion. The mode switching switch device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for switching and controlling moderation. The moderation switching mechanism is
A linear actuator with its own drive shaft moving linearly;
When the linear motion actuator is driven and the drive shaft moves linearly, a stopper portion attached to the drive shaft is selectively locked to a fixed side of a specific one of the moderation generating means. And a linear motion locking means that drives a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means,
Detection means for detecting an operation state performed when an operator operates the operation unit;
Based on the detection amount of the detection means, the linear movement amount of the linear actuator is controlled to switch the stopper destination of the stopper portion, and at least one of the plurality of moderation generation means is selectively driven. The mode switching switch device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for switching and controlling the moderation generated in the operation unit. The moderation switching mechanism is
A rotation actuator whose own drive shaft rotates;
When the drive shaft of the rotating actuator is rotated, a stopper portion attached to the drive shaft is selectively locked to a fixed side of a specific one of the plurality of moderation generating means. A rotation locking means for driving a specific one of the moderation generating means in a driving state;
Detection means for detecting an operation state performed when an operator operates the operation unit;
Based on the detection amount of the detection means, the amount of rotation of the rotary actuator is controlled to switch the stopper destination of the stopper portion, and at least one of the moderation generation means is selectively driven. The mode switching switch device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for switching and controlling the moderation generated in the operation unit.   The moderation mountain member is formed with a limiting portion that limits the operation range by limiting the further movement of the moderation generating means that is in a driven state by taking a protruding amount larger than the protruding portion for generating the moderation. The mode switching switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mode switching switch device is provided.   6. The momentary generation means according to claim 1, wherein the moderation generation unit is a momentary type that automatically returns to a start position before an operation when the operator releases the hand after operating the operation unit. The mode switching switch device according to one item.

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