JP2009064773A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate unfixed touch of a switch whose operation knob swings in any direction. <P>SOLUTION: In a switch device, an engaging projection 25 is formed around a knob mounting portion 20 projecting out of an upper case 13 and a joint member 21 of approximately octagonal ring is swingably engaged with this. An engaging projection 23 projecting in a direction different by 90° from the engaging projection 25 is also formed and engaged with an operation knob 15 relatively swingably. The operation knob 15 is universally jointed to the knob mounting portion 20 through the joint member 21. The operation knob 15 is swung in a position of all directions around the knob by pushing it and operated with restrained touch due to support from two orthogonal axes (23 and 25). A sealing board 22 is placed on a recessed portion 14 of the upper case 13 and lifting springs 17 are projected at an interval of approximately 45° around it so that a switch device under any of lifting springs 17 is switched on/off by pushing any position of the operation knob 15 in the circumferential direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device suitable for operating an electric mirror of an automobile.

The operation knob is attached to the switch case so as to be swingable in any direction. For example, the pressing points corresponding to the upper, lower, left and right directions are provided at 90 ° intervals on the periphery of the operating knob, and one of the pressing points is selected. A switch device for an electric mirror is known in which the mirror tilting motor composed of two motors for vertical adjustment and left / right adjustment is rotated forward or backward to adjust the tilt of the mirror. . In addition, there is also a type in which pressing points are provided at an interval of about 45 ° so that adjustment can be performed even when an oblique position is pressed.
No. 5-5629 Japanese Patent No. 3766251

  A schematic structure of such a switch device is shown in FIGS. FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the main part, in which four mounting legs 2 (see FIG. 22) are projected from the back surface of the operation knob 1 having a substantially square shape, and the mounting legs are inserted into the mounting holes 4 provided in the switch case 3. 2, the operation knob 1 is mounted on the mounting leg 2 by engaging the claw 4 a at the tip thereof with the flange 4 b of the peripheral wall 4 a provided around the mounting hole 4.

  A rubber spring 5 is interposed between the operation knob 1 and the mounting leg 2, and eight lift springs 5 a are integrally formed at intervals of approximately 45 °, and each tip supports the rear side of the peripheral edge of the operation knob 1. Thus, the operation knob 1 is lifted and supported. These support points correspond to the press points P1 to P8 set on the peripheral portion of the operation knob 1 at an interval of about 45 °, and when any one of the press points is pressed, the corresponding lift spring 5a and a total of three adjacent to it are displayed. Are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed to tilt the operation knob and release the operation knob, the lift spring 5a is restored and deformed to return the tilt of the operation knob.

  The actuator rod 6 is accommodated in three of the eight lift springs 5a, and the lower ends thereof enter the switch case 3 through holes 3a formed in the upper surface of the switch case 3 and come into contact with the inclined surface 7a of the slider 7. Yes. Three sliders 7 are provided in accordance with the actuator rod 6, each of which has a movable contact 8 and is slidable on the circuit board 9 against the return spring 7 b, and when the actuator rod 6 is pushed down, the slider 7 Is moved against the return spring 7b, the movable contact 8 comes into contact with the fixed contact 9a on the circuit board 9 and is turned on. When the actuator rod 6 is released, the slider 7 is returned to the original position by the return spring 7b and turned off.

  The actuator rod 6, slider 7, movable contact 8, return spring 7b, and fixed contact 9a constitute a switch element. By combining the on / off of the three switch elements, the forward / reverse rotation of the motor for adjusting the vertical direction and the forward / reverse rotation of the motor for adjusting the left / right direction can be controlled. It is sufficient to provide one switch element, and the number of switch elements used can be reduced with respect to the number of lift springs 5a.

FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing the operation state of the operation knob, where A is a neutral state, B is a state in the middle of depressing the operation knob 1, and C is a state in which the operation knob 1 is sufficiently depressed. As indicated by the phantom line in A, if the center of the operation knob 1 is pushed, the entire operation knob 1 is lowered, and at this time, all the switch elements are turned on and the neutral state is maintained. When one of the pressing points (P7 in this example) is pressed, as shown in B, the mounting leg 2 close to this pressing point protrudes downward and the opposite mounting leg 2 engages with the switch case 3 When the operation knob 1 is tilted toward the pressing point P7 with the portion as a fulcrum, the lift spring 5a is pushed in the vicinity of the pressing point P7 and sufficiently pushed, the state C is obtained. At this time, depending on how to push in, as shown in C, the mounting leg 2 on the fulcrum side also moves and moves slightly downward.

  In the case of the conventional structure as described above, the operation knob 1 moves up and down with respect to the switch case 3 by pressing. The same applies when the operation knob 1 is swung. Therefore, a feeling of fluffiness may occur in the operation of the operation knob 1, and an operation with such a feeling of moderation may be required to dislike such a feeling of fluffy feeling. It is desired.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, by pressing any one of the eight lift springs 5a arranged along the press points P1 to P8, the total of the press points and the adjacent press points is calculated. Three are pushed at the same time. Therefore, when three switch elements are provided at the press points P4, P6, and P8, any switch element other than the press point P2 is switched, so that any switch element is switched, and the mirror adjustment motor operates as a response. However, when the pressing point P2 is pressed, the switch elements are not arranged correspondingly in any of the pressing points P1 to P3, including the adjacent ones, so that the mirror adjusting motor does not respond. Therefore, since there is no reaction even if the operation knob 1 is operated, there is a possibility that it is mistaken for a failure.
The present application solves such a problem.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a switch device according to claim 1 includes a switch case provided with a circuit board, an operation knob attached to the switch case so as to be swingable in an arbitrary direction, and the operation knob and the switch case. And a plurality of lift springs arranged along the periphery of the operation knob to lift and support the operation knob from the switch case side and selectively compressed by swinging of the operation knob, and arranged corresponding to the lift spring, and In a switch device comprising a plurality of switch elements provided on the circuit board with a number smaller than the number of lift springs, wherein the plurality of switch elements are selectively pushed and switched by the swing direction of the operation knob.
A ring-shaped joint member is interposed between the operation knob and the switch case,
An operation knob is attached to the joint member so as to be swingable about the first swing center axis, and
By attaching the joint member so as to be swingable about a second swinging center axis perpendicular to the first swinging center axis with respect to a knob mounting portion formed to project from the switch case,
The operation knob is attached to the switch case in a universal joint type via a joint member.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the interlocking pressing portion that presses the switch element that is disposed corresponding to another lift spring when the lift spring not correspondingly disposed to the switch element is pressed by the operation knob. It is characterized by having.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to second aspects, a first swing shaft is integrally formed on the first swing center axis of the joint member so that the first swing shaft is In addition to being engaged with the operation knob, the tip end of the first swing shaft is tapered to facilitate engagement.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, a second swing shaft is integrally formed on the second swing center axis of the knob mounting portion formed on the switch case. The second rocking shaft is engaged with the joint member, and the tip of the second rocking shaft is tapered to facilitate the engagement.

The invention of claim 5 is any one of the above-mentioned claims 1 to 4, wherein the knob mounting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a valve for displaying transmitted light on the operation knob is disposed in the internal space.
Surrounding this valve, the switch elements are provided in a switch case,
In addition, a light guide material that guides light from the bulb to the periphery using a portion where the switch element is not disposed is provided in the switch case.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation knob is attached to the joint member so as to be swingable about the first swing center axis, and the joint member is orthogonal to the first swing center axis on the knob mounting portion of the switch case. Since the operation knob is universally jointed to the switch case via the joint member by being slidably mounted around the second swing center axis, the operation knob can be swung in all directions, Because of the swing by pivoting around the 1st and 2nd swing center axis, it is possible to eliminate the fluffy feeling and obtain a good operational feeling with moderate moderation and to enhance the operational reliability. Can do.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when a pressing point at a position where no switch element exists is pressed, the joint member swings in conjunction with the pressing of the pressing point, and the interlocking pressing portion presses the switch element to switch. it can. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the malfunction of the response side, such as the motor not operating when the operation knob is operated, and to always perform the response operation, so that misunderstanding such as failure does not occur and the operation reliability is improved. be able to.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the joint member is provided with the engagement protrusion that forms the first swing axis along the first swing center axis, the joint member can be easily engaged and integrated with the operation knob. it can. In addition, since the tip of the engagement protrusion is tapered, the engagement is further facilitated.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the engagement protrusion that forms the second swing axis along the second swing center axis is provided on the knob mounting portion, the joint member can be easily engaged with the knob mounting portion. Can be integrated. In addition, since the tip of the engagement protrusion is tapered, the engagement is further facilitated.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the valve is accommodated using the hollow portion of the knob mounting portion, the transmitted light display of the operation knob is facilitated. In addition, since the bulb is arranged in the center and a small number of switch elements are arranged around the bulb, a light guide material that guides the light of the bulb from the central part to the peripheral part of the switch case using a gap where no switch element is arranged. Can be arranged efficiently.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment configured as a mirror switch for operating an electric mirror for an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a plan view and FIG. 2 is a front view. The mirror switch 10 controls forward / reverse rotation of an up / down direction adjustment motor or a left / right direction adjustment motor (not shown) provided on each of electric mirrors (not shown) provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle body. For the slide switch 11 for selecting one of the left and right electric mirrors to be operated, and for either one of the left and right electric mirrors selected by the slide switch 11 In order to adjust the inclination, a push switch 12 is provided for forward / reverse control of the vertical adjustment motor or the horizontal adjustment motor.

  The slide switch 11 is provided with a slide knob 11a that is slidable on the upper case 13 in the left-right direction of FIG. 1. When the slide switch 11 is slid to the L position on the left side of FIG. When it is slid to the position, the operation target can be switched to the electric mirror on the right side of the vehicle body. The center is the neutral position. The upper case 13 constitutes a switch case together with a lower case described later.

  The pressing switch 12 includes a circular operation knob 15 disposed in a substantially square recess 14 on the upper case 13. Press point pressing points P1 to P8 are provided on the peripheral edge of the operation knob 15 at intervals of approximately 45 °. Among these, the pressing point P1 is up, the pressing point P3 is right, the pressing point P5 is down, the pressing point P7 is corresponding to the left operation, and the line passing through the pressing points P1 and P5 is the first swing center axis L1, A line passing through the pressing points P3 and P7 is defined as a second swing center axis L2. Marking protrusions 16 are formed to protrude at the positions of the pressing points P1, P3, P5 and P7.

  Eight lift springs 17 are provided between the operation knob 15 and the pressing switch 12. The lift springs 17 are provided at positions corresponding to the pressing points P1 to P8. Let L3 (FIG. 2) be a line that passes through the intersection O (FIG. 1) of the two axes L1 and L2 orthogonal to each other in the plane to which the upper surface of the operation knob 15 belongs. This line L3 indicates the pressing direction when the center of the operation knob 15 is pushed straight down.

  The slide switch 11 is provided on a step portion 18 formed on the one end side of the upper case 13 so as to be one step higher than the concave portion 14 in which the push switch 12 is provided. A lower case, which will be described later, is fitted inside the upper case 13, and a coupler 19 is formed to project downward from the lower case.

  3 is a perspective view of the mirror switch 10 with the operation knob 15 removed, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mirror switch 10 as a whole. As shown in FIG. 3, a knob mounting portion 20 that integrally protrudes upward from the center of the recess 14 is provided as a substantially octagonal cylindrical portion, and a substantially octagonal ring shape with a space around the knob mounting portion 20. The joint member 21 is formed. As will be described later, the knob mounting portion 20 and the joint member 21 are engaged so as to be swingable about the first swing center axis L1 (FIG. 1).

A substantially square seal plate 22 is placed in the recess 14 around the knob mounting portion 20, and a lift spring 17 is integrally formed around the seal plate 22.
The seal plate 22 is made of rubber, and the portion excluding the lift spring 17 is a flat rubber plate, has a thickness similar to the step of the recess 14, and functions as a seal against the inside of the upper case 13. The seal plate 22 may be another appropriate synthetic resin elastic member as long as it performs the sealing function and the lift spring function of the lift spring 17.

  Each of the upper case 13 and the joint member 21 is made of resin, and the joint member 21 is formed with an engagement protrusion 23 that forms a first swinging shaft on one of the sides of the octagon and integrally protrudes outward. An engagement hole 24 is provided on a side that is 90 ° different in the circumferential direction from the side on which the projection 23 is provided, and an engagement projection 25 that forms the second swing shaft is engaged therewith. The engaging protrusion 25 is formed to protrude from the knob mounting portion 20. The engagement protrusions 23 and the engagement holes 24 are also formed on the opposite sides at intervals of 180 °, respectively, and form a pair, and are opposite to each other across the central axis of the knob mounting portion 20 (ie, L3, see FIG. 2). Protruding in the direction

  As shown in FIG. 4, the seal plate 22 is provided with a central hole 26 through which the knob mounting portion 20 passes, and a seat portion formed around the knob mounting portion 20 by passing the knob mounting portion 20 therethrough. 14a. The seat portion 14a is formed so as to be slightly higher inside the concave portion 14, and three through holes 27 are formed in each of the three corner portions. The position of the through hole 27 corresponds to the pressing points P4, P6 and P8.

  In these through holes 27, the lower end side of the actuator rod 28 is put, respectively, and each upper end side is put in advance inside each lift spring 17 corresponding to the pressing points P4, P6 and P8. Each lift spring 17 is pushed by the swing of the operation knob 15 and is compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, the lift spring 17 in which the actuator rod 28 is housed is configured to push the actuator rod 28 downward simultaneously with being compressed.

  A total of three sliders 30 are arranged at positions corresponding to the actuator rods 28 in the upper case 13 so that the lower end portions of the actuator rods 28 corresponding to the inclined surfaces 31 provided at the respective one end portions are in contact with each other. It has become. Return springs 33 are accommodated in the recesses 32 of the slider 30. One end of the return spring 33 abuts against the wall near the slope 31 of the slider 30 and the other end abuts against the upper case 13, thereby biasing the slope 31 in the direction of pushing up the actuator rod 28.

  A movable contact 34 is provided on the bottom surface of each slider 30. Each slider 30 is slidable on the circuit board 35. At this time, the movable contact 34 slides on the fixed contact 36 provided on the circuit board 35 so that the contact connection is turned on. It is designed to switch off. In this example, both are normally open, and are closed only when the slider 30 moves against the return spring 33.

  A valve hole 37 is provided in the center of the circuit board 35, and a valve 38 is inserted and attached thereto from below. The circuit board 35 is mounted on the lower case 40. A plurality of terminals 41 are integrally provided on the lower case 40, one end is connected to the circuit board 35, and the other end is protruded into the coupler 19 formed integrally with the lower case 40.

  A recess 42 is provided in a part of the lower case 40, and a slider 43 is slidable therein. The slider 43 has a hollow columnar holder portion 44 that is open upward, and when the lower case 40 is combined and integrated with the upper case 13, the holder portion 44 is put into the step portion 18, and The slider 43 moves integrally with the slide portion 11 by inserting the leg portion 11 b provided on the slide knob 11 a into the elongated hole 29 formed on the upper surface and further inserting the leg portion 11 b into the holder portion 44. It is like that. Although illustration is omitted, the slider 43 is provided with a movable contact 34, and a fixed contact is provided on the back side of the circuit board 35, and the connection of the contact is switched by the movement of the slider 43.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes a click pin, and 46 denotes a click spring, which forms a click mechanism that gives a click feeling to the movement of the slider 43. Reference numeral 47 denotes a light guide material that guides light from the bulb 38 to the inside of the step portion 18. Reference numeral 48 denotes an engagement hole formed in the side wall of the upper case 13. When the lower case 40 is fitted from the lower side to the inner side of the upper case 13 opened downward, a claw formed on the side portion of the lower case 40. 49 engages and integrates.

  In order to assemble the mirror switch 10, first, the slider 43 is inserted into the recess 42 of the lower case 40, and the circuit board 35 in which the valve 38 is fitted in the valve hole 37 in advance is stacked on the lower case 40 and integrated. Make a small assembly.

  Next, the switch element and the light guide material 47 are put into the upper case 13 and accommodated in a predetermined place on the back side of the recess 14, and the lower case subassembly is fitted from below to engage the claw 49. By engaging with the holes 48, an upper and lower case subassembly in which the upper case 13 and the lower case 40 are integrated is formed.

In the upper and lower case assembly, since the upper part of the actuator rod 28 protrudes upward from the through hole 27, the seal plate 22 is placed on the seat 14 a of the recess 14 so that the lift spring 17 covers them. As a result, the knob mounting portion 20 protrudes upward from the central hole 26 of the seal plate 22, so that the joint member 21 that has been engaged and integrated in advance with the engagement protrusion 23 inside the operation knob 15 is used as the knob mounting portion 20. The operation knob 15 and the joint member 21 are integrated by engaging the engagement protrusion 25 of the knob mounting portion 20 with the engagement hole 24 of the joint member 21.
Subsequently, the mirror switch 10 is assembled by inserting the leg portion 11 b into the holder portion 44 that is inside the step portion 18 from the long hole 29.

  5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross section along a first swing center axis L1 (FIG. 1) passing through a pair of engaging protrusions 23 facing each other across the center L3 of the knob mounting portion 20; The top surface 50 of the operation knob 15 has a concave shape so that the center is recessed downward, and a pair of left and right mounting legs 51 projecting downward is formed on the back surface thereof. Engagement protrusions 23 projecting from the joint member 21 are engaged with the mounting legs 51, and the operation knob 15 and the joint member 21 are integrated.

  Since the left and right engaging protrusions 23 are on the first swing center axis L1, the operation knob 15 is swingable about the first swing center axis L1. At this time, since the joint member 21 is integrally engaged with the knob mounting portion 20 by the engagement protrusion 25, the joint member 21 does not swing integrally with the operation knob 15. However, if the operation knob 15 is swung around the engaging protrusion 25, the joint member 21 is swung integrally.

  The lower end surface 52a of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the operation knob 15 is in contact with the flat upper end surface 53 of the lift spring 17, and the upper end surface 53 supports the lower end surface 52a of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the operation knob 15 so that the lift spring 17 is not elastically deformed. In the state, the lower end surface 52a of the peripheral wall portion 52 is leveled. When the lift spring 17 is compressed and elastically deformed, the upper end surface 53 elastically urges the lower end surface 52a of the peripheral wall portion 52 to be pushed up to a horizontal state. The lift spring 17 has a hollow, substantially frustoconical shape (referred to as a dome shape), and the two lift springs 17 shown in the figure are at positions corresponding to the pressing points P1 and P5, respectively, and the inside is empty without accommodating the actuator rod. . Such an empty thing is called a dummy.

The periphery of the seal plate 22 forms a step portion 54 that is one step lower, fits around the seat portion 14a, and adheres closely to the recess 14 around the seat portion 14a. As a result, the fitting portion of the recess 14 around the seal plate 22 and the periphery of the seat portion 14a is liquid-tightly sealed, and water enters the switch case from the through hole 27 (see FIGS. 4 and 16) of the seat portion 14a. It is waterproof so that it does not.
The valve 38 is fitted in the lower portion of the shaft hole 55 formed at the center of the knob mounting portion 20.

  The light guide member 47 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and includes a horizontal portion 47a, an upright portion 47b, and a reflection surface 47c formed with a bent portion between them as an inclined surface of approximately 45 °. One end of the horizontal portion 47a is a valve. The reflective surface 47c portion located on the other end side is located near the holder portion 44, and the upright portion 47b is arranged vertically in the step portion 18 so as to be substantially parallel to the holder portion 44.

  In this way, the light from the bulb 38 is guided from the horizontal portion 47a to the peripheral portion on the side of the holder portion 44, bent at a substantially right angle by the reflecting surface 47c and guided upward in the upright portion 47b, and on the top surface of the step portion 18. The position of the slide switch 11 is displayed through the formed lens 56 as transmitted light. Note that the lower end of the knob mounting portion 20 and the lower surface of the recess 14 above one end near the bulb 38 of the horizontal portion 47a form a slope portion 57 that is cut obliquely downward toward the reflecting surface 47c. The light is easily guided to the light guide material 47.

  FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1, and is also a cross section taken along the second oscillation center axis L2. A pair of engaging protrusions 25 formed outwardly projecting from the left and right of the upper portion of the knob mounting portion 20 are engaged with engaging holes 24 formed in the joint member 21, respectively. As a result, the joint member 21 is integrated with the operation knob 15 and can be moved around the engagement protrusion 25, that is, around the second swing center axis L2.

At this time, only the operation knob 15 can be swung to the left and right of the drawing with respect to the joint member 21 around the engaging protrusion 23, and the joint member 21 is integrated by the knob mounting portion 20 and the engaging protrusion 25. Cannot swing. However, if the operation knob 15 is swung around the second rocking central axis L2, the joint member 21 is integrated with the operation knob 15 and around the engaging projection 25 with respect to the knob mounting portion 20. Swing.
As described above, the operation knob 15 engages with the knob mounting portion 20 via the joint member 21 and the engagement protrusions forming the first and second swing center axes along the first and second swing center axes L1 and L2. The operation knob 15 is universally jointed with the shafts 23 and 25, and the operation knob 15 is located at an arbitrary position on the entire circumference around the center line L3 (FIG. 2) with respect to the knob mounting portion 20. By pushing, it can swing in any direction.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the bottom portion of the upper case 13 from below in a state where the switch element and the light guide material 47 are provided. In the upper case 13, three substantially rectangular slide frame portions 57 are provided in a substantially U shape surrounding the central shaft hole 55, and the slider 30 is slidably accommodated therein. One end of each return spring 33 is in contact with and fixed to the short side wall surface of the slide frame portion 57.

  One end of the horizontal portion 47a is disposed in the light guide material 47 in the vicinity of the bulb socket portion 38a where the slide frame portion 57 is not provided, and the upright portion 47b is located in the step portion 18. In other words, the light guide material 47 has a substantially triangular shape that expands toward the stepped portion 18 that is the peripheral portion, and the wide portion enters the stepped portion 18.

  8 to 10 show the operation knob 15, FIG. 8 is a plan view, FIG. 10 is a bottom view, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. As shown in these drawings, the operation knob 15 has a container shape that is opened downward and includes a top surface 50 and a peripheral wall portion 52 formed in an annular shape around the top surface 50. Legs 51 are formed so as to project integrally, and an engagement hole 60 is provided at each tip. Further, a guide slope 61 that changes so as to become thinner toward the tip is provided on the tip side of the engagement hole 60, and when the joint member 21 is pushed between the pair of peripheral wall portions 52, The protrusion 23 is guided by the guide slope 61 and is easily engaged with the engagement hole 60.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a total of eight pressing ribs 62, 63, 64 are integrally formed on the lower end surface 52 a of the peripheral wall portion 52 at approximately 45 ° intervals in the circumferential direction. Among these, the rib 62 formed at a position corresponding to the pressing points P1, P3, P5, and P7 has a substantially convex shape in a bottom view in which only one radial protrusion protrudes, and the first swing center. It corresponds to the movement along one of the axis L1 and the second oscillation center axis L2.

The rib 63 formed at a position corresponding to the pressing points P2, P4, P6 has a substantially V-shaped projection in a bottom view, and is respectively formed from the first swing center axis L1 or the second swing center axis L2. The lift spring can be pressed by swinging in any direction around a straight line deviated by approximately 45 ° from the first rocking center axis L1 and the second rocking center axis L2 at a position shifted by approximately 45 °. It has become.
The rib 64 corresponding to the pressing point P8 has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the bottom, and functions as a pressing portion.

  11 to 14 show the joint member 21, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the joint member 21, FIG. 12 is a front view, FIG. 13 is a side view, and FIG. The wall portion on which the engagement protrusion 23 is formed has an arc shape 70 whose upper portion is convex upward, and is formed thin and forms an easily deformable portion. The upper half of the tip of the engagement protrusion 23 forms a slope 85, and the engagement of the engagement hole 60 with the guide slope 61 is facilitated.

  Let the surrounding wall which makes the substantially octagonal shape of the joint member 21 be the first wall portion 71 to the eighth wall portion 78. The first wall portion 71 to the eighth wall portion 78 are at positions corresponding to the pressing points P1 to P8, respectively. A rib 79 is formed on the peripheral wall excluding the first wall portion 71 and the fifth wall portion 75 so as to protrude sideways substantially horizontally, and the rib 79 in the eighth wall portion 78 is further formed in the upper part of the figure. Projecting to form an interlocking pressing portion 80. The interlocking pressing portion 80 projects to a position overlapping the lift spring 17 at the pressing point P8 (see FIG. 15). As shown in FIG. 13, the interlocking pressing portion 80 is reinforced with diagonal ribs 81.

The rib 79 formed on the outside of the third wall portion 73 and the seventh wall portion 77 is formed with a concave portion 82 that curves downward, and serves as a relief portion that allows the engagement protrusion 25 to be engaged. .
The lower part of the third wall part 73 and the fifth wall part 75 forms an arcuate part 83 projecting downward, the inner surface forms a tapered surface 84 that becomes thinner toward the lower end, and covers the knob mounting part 20. The engagement protrusion 25 is easily engaged.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the engagement protrusion 25 has a tapered surface 86 at the upper half, facilitating engagement with the engagement hole 24.
In addition, the lower end of the arc-shaped portion 83 abuts on a step portion formed at the lower side of the knob mounting portion 20, and serves as a swing fulcrum when the joint member 21 swings about the engaging protrusion 25. Yes.

  15 is a cross section taken along line 15-15 of FIG. At the pressing points P <b> 1 to P <b> 7 of the peripheral wall portion 52, the pressing rib 62 or the pressing rib 63 is positioned on the lift spring 17. Further, at the pressing point P <b> 8, the interlocking pressing portion 80 and the pressing rib 64 are located on the lift spring 17. The inclined portion 80 a formed on the side portion of the interlocking pressing portion 80 is formed so as to avoid interference with the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 52. Further, the notched portions 80 b and 80 c are formed so as to avoid interference with the pressing rib 64.

  The operation knob 15 swings universally around the first swing center axis L1 passing through the centers of the upper and lower engagement protrusions 23 or the second swing center axis L2 passing through the centers of the left and right engagement protrusions 25. It is possible to selectively push down one of the lift springs 17 according to the swing.

  Here, among the lift springs 17, the ones provided with the switch elements are the lift springs corresponding to the pressing points P 4, P 6, and P 8 (shown with hatching for convenience), and these are the first oscillations. It is on straight lines L4 and L5 that are deviated by approximately 45 ° with respect to the central axis L1 and the second swinging central axis L2, and only the lift spring 17 corresponding to the pressing point P6 is located on the straight line L4, and is located diagonally. The lift spring corresponding to the pressing point P <b> 1 is a dummy with no switch element and an empty interior. On the straight line L5, lift springs 17 corresponding to the pressing points P4 and P8 where the switch elements are arranged correspondingly are arranged at diagonal positions.

When the operation knob 15 swings about the first swing center axis L <b> 1, it swings independently about the engaging protrusion 23. Therefore, if the pressing point P3 is pressed on the right side of the drawing from the first swinging central axis L1, the right side is swung so as to be pushed down, and the lift spring 17 corresponding to the pressing point P3 and the upper and lower pressing points P2 and P4 are moved. A total of three corresponding lift springs 17 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, one switch element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P4 is switched.
On the contrary, if the left pressing point P7 is pressed from the first swing center axis L1, the left side is pressed down, and the pressing point P7 and the lift springs 17 corresponding to the upper and lower P8 and P6 in total are compressed simultaneously. At this time, two switch elements arranged corresponding to the pressing points P6 and P8 are simultaneously switched.

  When swinging about the second swing center axis L2, the operation knob 15 is engaged with the joint member 21 by the engaging protrusion 23, and the joint member 21 is swingable about the engaging protrusion 25. Therefore, the operation knob 15 swings integrally with the joint member 21, and swings so that the upper side is pushed down by pressing the pressing point P1 on the upper side of the drawing from the second swing center axis L2. A total of three lift springs 17 corresponding to the pressing point P1 and its left and right P8 and P2 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, one switching element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P8 is switched.

  On the contrary, if the pressing point P5 below the second swing center axis L2 is pressed, the lower side is pressed down, and the pressing point P5 and the lift springs 17 corresponding to the left and right P4 and P6 in total are compressed simultaneously. At this time, two switch elements arranged corresponding to the pressing points P4 and P6 are simultaneously switched.

When swinging about the diagonal straight line L4, if the lower right pressing point P4 is pressed, the operation knob 15 swings so as to be pressed diagonally lower right, and corresponds to the pressing point P4 and its adjacent P3 and P5. A total of three lift springs 17 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, one switch element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P4 is switched.
On the contrary, if the pressing point P8 obliquely above the left side of the straight line L4 is pressed, the upper left side is pressed down, and the total of the three lifting springs 17 corresponding to the pressing point P8 and its adjacent P1 and P7 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed, At this time, one switching element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P8 is switched.

  When swinging about an oblique straight line L5, if the pressing point P2 on the upper right is pressed, the operation knob 15 swings so that the upper right is pushed down, and corresponds to the pressing point P2 and P1 and P3 on both sides thereof. A total of three lift springs 17 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, since there is no switch element arranged corresponding to these pressing points P1 to P3, it cannot be switched directly.

  However, since the upper oblique side is pushed down about the straight line L5, the joint member 21 swings so that the upper side is pushed down about the second swing center axis L2, and accordingly, the interlocking pressing member 80 also has the tip side on the tip side. The lift spring 17 corresponding to the pressed point P8 that is pressed down is compressed and elastically deformed, and at this time, one switch element arranged corresponding to the pressed point P8 is switched. Therefore, even if all the three lift springs 17 to be elastically deformed are dummy, the response operation of the motor can be obtained by switching the switch element in the place where the operation knob 15 is not directly pressed by the interlocking pressing member 80.

  On the contrary, if the pressing point P6 diagonally lower left than the straight line L5 is pressed, the lower left side is pressed down, and a total of three lift springs 17 corresponding to the pressing point P6 and its adjacent P5 and P7 are simultaneously compressed and elastically deformed. At this time, one switch element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P6 is switched.

  FIG. 16 shows the structure of the switch element. If a portion arranged corresponding to the pressing point P4 is described as an example, the upper part of the actuator rod 28 is fitted inside the lift spring 17 and arranged in the vertical direction. When the actuator rod 28 is pushed down, the actuator rod 28 is pushed down, the inclined surface 31 of the slider 30 with which the lower end of the actuator rod 28 abuts is pushed, and the slider 30 is moved against the return spring 33, thereby moving the movable contact 34 to the circuit board 35. The upper fixed contact 36 is brought into contact with and separated from the upper fixed contact 36. Other switch elements have the same structure.

FIG. 17 shows a list of switching of switch elements corresponding to the depression point of the operation knob 15. The row is a switch element, and each switch element is represented by abc according to the corresponding pressing points P4, P6, and P8.
The vertical column is a pressing point to be pressed, and if there is something to be switched by a switch element when a certain pressing point is pressed, the column of the switch element to be switched in that column is marked with a circle.

For example, when the pressing point P1 is pressed, only the switch element arranged corresponding to the pressing point P8 is switched, so only the corresponding column c is marked with a circle. In the column of motor operation, the switching of each switch element is controlled by one or a combination of plural, and in the above example, the vertical adjustment motor is driven and the mirror is tilted upward. It is filled in.
Hereinafter, the same applies, and the switching of the switch element when each pressing point is pressed is as described above. Note that left and right are examples of a mirror provided on the right side of the vehicle body. In this case, “right” means tilting to the right (outside), which is the direction away from the vehicle body, and “left”. Means tilting to the left (inside), which is the direction approaching the vehicle body. Of course, the mirror provided on the left side of the vehicle body moves in the opposite direction, and “right” tilts to the right side (inward), the direction approaching the vehicle body, and “left” moves to the left side (outside), the direction away from the vehicle body. Will tilt. The following description relates to the mirror provided on the right side of the vehicle body.

  In this way, even if any of the eight pressing points arranged at an interval of approximately 45 ° is selectively pressed, the actual four basic points P1, P3, P5, P4, P5, P5, P5, P5, P5, P5, P5, P5, P5, and The motor is moved in either the up, down, left, or right direction as when any one of P7 is pressed. Specifically, if the pressing points P2 and P8 are pressed, the vertical adjustment motor is driven so that the mirror is inclined upward as in the case of P1 (this driving direction is assumed to be normal rotation of the vertical adjustment motor). . If the pressing point P4 is pressed, the left / right adjustment motor is driven so that the mirror opens to the right as in the case of P3. However, only when the pressing point P6 is pressed, it is driven so as to incline to the left in addition to the lower side by the circuit setting.

  If the pressing point P3 is pressed, the left / right adjustment motor is driven so that the right side of the mirror opens outward (this driving direction is the forward rotation of the left / right adjustment motor), and if P7 is pressed, the mirror is moved to the right side. Is driven inward (this drive direction is the reverse of the left-right direction adjustment motor. No adjustment is made in the left-right direction even if pressing points P3, P7 and P4 are pressed.

  As described above, even when the joint member 21 is provided and interlocked with the operation knob 15 and the pressing point P2 that does not directly press down the switch element is pressed down, the interlocking pressing portion 80 is pressed by the interlocking of the joint member 21. Since the switch element at the pressing point P8 different from the above is pushed down, the motor always responds when any point is pressed, and it is not mistaken for failure.

  On the other hand, when the joint member 21 is lacking and the operation knob 15 is simply universally connected to the knob mounting portion 20, the number of switch elements is smaller than the number of points, so that only the dummy is pressed and the switch element is not pressed. (Pressing point P2 in this embodiment) occurs, and as a result, there is a possibility that the motor is not responsive when it is pressed, so that it may be mistaken for a failure. The present embodiment can solve such problems.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the engagement protrusion 25 that forms the second swing axis around the first swing center axis L1 by the engagement protrusion 23 that forms the first swing axis with the operation knob 15 on the joint member 21. The joint member 21 is pivotably attached to the knob mounting portion 20 of the upper case 13 by the engagement protrusion 25 that forms the second swing center axis, and the second swing perpendicular to the first swing center axis L1 is performed. Since the operation knob 15 is universally jointed to the upper case 13 via the joint member 21 by being swingably mounted around the moving center axis, the operation knob 15 can be swung in all directions, and the first And because of the swing by the shaft attachment centering on the engagement protrusions 23 and 25 that are the second swing center axis, it is possible to eliminate the fluffy feeling and obtain a good operational feeling with a moderate moderation feeling, High operational reliability Rukoto can.

Further, as a result of making the number of switch elements smaller than the number of lift springs 17, even if all dummy press points P <b> 2 are formed in which the operation knob 15 elastically deforms only the lift springs 17 without the switch elements, these all dummy press points are formed. When P2 is pressed, the joint member 21 swings in conjunction with the pressing of the pressing point P2, and the interlocking pressing portion 80 of the joint member 21 further presses the pressing point P8 where the switch element is disposed, The vertical adjustment motor can be driven forward by switching the switch element at the point P8.
For this reason, it is possible to avoid a malfunction on the response side, such as a non-operation of the motor when all the dummy pressing points P2 are operated, and to always perform a response operation. Operation reliability can be increased.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 to 14, the joint member 21 is provided with the engagement protrusion 23 that forms the first swing axis, so that the joint member 21 can be easily engaged and integrated with the operation knob 15. . Moreover, since the tip of the engagement protrusion 23 is a tapered surface 61, the engagement is further facilitated. In addition, since the tip end portion of the mounting leg 51 with which the engagement protrusion 23 engages is the guide slope 61, the engagement is further facilitated.

  Moreover, since the engagement protrusion 25 which makes the 2nd rocking | fluctuation axis | shaft was provided in the knob attachment part 20, it can be easily engaged and integrated with the joint member 21. FIG. In addition, since the tip of the engagement protrusion 25 is a tapered surface 86, the engagement is further facilitated. In addition, since the tapered surface 84 is provided on the arc-shaped portion 83 of the joint member 21 with which the engagement protrusion 25 engages, the engagement of the engagement protrusion 25 when the knob attachment portion 20 is covered is further facilitated.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, since the valve 38 is accommodated using the hollow portion of the knob mounting portion 20, the transmitted light display of the operation knob 15 is facilitated. Moreover, since the bulb 38 is arranged at the center of the recess 14 and a small number of switch elements (three in the embodiment) are arranged around the concave portion 14, the light of the bulb is switched to the switch case by using a gap where no switch element is arranged. It is possible to efficiently arrange the light guide material 47 that leads from the central part to the peripheral part.

  18 and 19 show a second embodiment, FIG. 18 is a plan view of the switch, and FIG. 19 is an exploded view. Note that this embodiment is obtained by adding a storage switch for an electric mirror to the previous embodiment. Therefore, common portions are denoted by common reference numerals, and only the differences will be described without redundant description.

  In this example, a storage switch 90 is provided alongside the recess 14. The storage switch 90 is provided with a knob 91, and the shaft 91 a is inserted into the cylindrical portion 18 a provided on the step portion 18, and the slider 92 is moved. The slider 92 has click pins 97 a and 97 b and is movable on a support portion 94 provided on the lower case 40. Further, a push / push operation is performed by the cam member 95.

  Reference numeral 96a denotes a contact holder having a movable contact 93, 96b denotes a return spring, and 97a and 97b denote click pins for fixing the holder 92. Reference numeral 98 denotes a light guide member, and the horizontal portion and the vertical portion are the same as those of the light guide material 47. However, a branching portion 98a is further provided, and the tip thereof is used as a rising portion 98b to enter below the cylindrical portion 18a. The difference is that the top surface of 91 is transmitted light. However, the point that the slide switch 11 is transmitted light on the main body of the light guide member is the same as in the previous embodiment.

  This storage switch 90 employs a push / push switch mechanism. When the knob 91 is depressed, the raising / lowering motor (not shown) provided on the electric mirror is driven forward so that the electric mirror is brought into the storage state. Next, when the button is pushed, the raising / lowering motor is driven in reverse to stand up and put into use.

FIG. 20 relates to the third embodiment relating to the structure of the switch element and corresponds to a part of FIG. Note that portions common to FIG. 16 are denoted by common reference numerals.
This example also exemplifies a portion arranged corresponding to the pressing point P4, and the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 located inside the lift spring 17 is a flat portion 28a, and the contact portion 17a forming the flat shape of the lift spring 17 is shown. The entire flat portion 28a is in contact with the surface. The present embodiment differs from the structure of FIG. 16 only in this point, and the others are the same.
Thus, when the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 is in flat contact with the contact portion 17a of the lift spring 17 at the flat portion 28a, the responsiveness of the switch is improved and the blind spot in the operating range of the switch is reduced.
In other words, when the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 is a curved surface, the actuator rod 28 comes into contact with the contact portion 17a that forms the flat shape of the lift spring 17 in a point contact manner. For this reason, when the lift spring 17 that is a rubber spring is pushed down, the force that pushes the lift spring 17 concentrates on the contact portion of the local actuator rod 28, and its periphery first begins to be elastically deformed. Since the switch 28 is pushed down, useless elastic deformation occurs in the switch operation, and the response of the switch operation is delayed by this useless elastic deformation.
On the other hand, if the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 is a flat portion 28a and is in contact with the flat contact portion 17a of the lift spring 17, the actuator rod 28 can be immediately moved without such unnecessary elastic deformation. Since it is pushed down, the response of the switch operation is improved accordingly.
If the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 is in point contact with the contact portion 17a of the lift spring 17 as described above, the actuator rod 28 is pushed down by pressing the lift spring 17 on the point contact portion. If the lift spring 17 is pushed at a position away from the actuator rod 28, the actuator rod 28 is tilted and precedes a state where it cannot be pushed down, and then pushed down. For this reason, at the beginning when the lift spring 17 is pushed, there is a blind spot where there is no response to the switch operation depending on the place of pushing.
On the other hand, if the upper portion of the actuator rod 28 is in contact with the flat contact portion 17a which is the flat shape of the lift spring 17 at the flat portion 28a, there is no such blind spot, and if the actuator rod 28 is pushed above the actuator rod 28, the actuator The rod 28 can be surely pushed down, and the blind spot during operation can be eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made within the principle of the invention. For example, the switch device according to the present invention is not limited to the mirror switch, and can be applied to various switches as long as the operation knob swings in an arbitrary direction.
Further, the number of pressing points is not limited to eight and can be increased. In response to this, when all the dummy pressing points are increased, the interlocking pressing portion may be increased. Various known structures can be used for the switch element, and for example, a known tact switch may be used.

The top view of the mirror switch which concerns on 1st Example Same as above A perspective view of the mirror switch with the operation knob removed Disassembled perspective view of the entire mirror switch Sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. Section along line 6-6 in FIG. Bottom view of upper case Top view of the control knob Sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. Bottom view of control knob Top view of joint member Front view of joint member Side view of joint member Bottom view of joint member Section 15-15 in FIG. Diagram showing the structure of the switch element Diagram showing operation knob operation and switch element switching in a list Plan view of a mirror switch according to the second embodiment Exploded view The same figure as FIG. 16 according to the third embodiment Exploded view of main part of conventional mirror switch The figure which shows typically the operation knob operation state of the said mirror switch

Explanation of symbols

10: Switch device, 11: Slide switch, 12: Press switch, 13: Switch case, 14: Recess, 15: Operation knob, 17: Lift spring, 20: Knob attachment, 21: Joint member, 22: Seal plate, 23 : Engagement protrusion, 28: actuator rod, 30: slider, 31: slope, 33: return spring, 34: movable contact, 35: circuit board, 36: fixed contact, 38: valve, 40: lower case, 47: guide Light material

Claims (5)

A switch case provided with a circuit board, an operation knob swingably attached to the switch case in an arbitrary direction, and a plurality of operation knobs arranged along the periphery of the operation knob between the operation knob and the switch case. A lift spring that lifts and supports the knob from the switch case side and is selectively compressed by the swing of the operation knob, and a plurality of lift springs arranged on the circuit board in correspondence with the lift spring and less than the number of lift springs In the switch device comprising a plurality of switch elements, the plurality of switch elements can be selectively pushed according to the swinging direction of the operation knob.
A ring-shaped joint member is interposed between the operation knob and the switch case,
An operation knob is attached to the joint member so as to be swingable about the first swing center axis, and
By attaching the joint member so as to be swingable about a second swinging center axis perpendicular to the first swinging center axis with respect to a knob mounting portion formed to project from the switch case,
A switch device characterized in that the operation knob is attached to the switch case in a universal joint type via a joint member. The interlocking pressing part which presses the switch element arrange | positioned corresponding to another lift spring when the lift spring in which the said switch element is not arrange | positioned correspondingly is pushed with the said operation knob. Switch device. A first swing shaft is integrally formed on the first swing center axis of the joint member so that the first swing shaft is engaged with the operation knob, and the tip of the first swing shaft is engaged. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device has a tapered surface to facilitate alignment. A second swing shaft is integrally formed on the second swing center axis of the knob mounting portion formed on the switch case, and the second swing shaft is engaged with a joint member. The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a tip end of the second oscillating shaft is tapered to facilitate engagement. The knob mounting portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a valve for displaying transmitted light on the operation knob is disposed in the internal space.
Surrounding this valve, the switch elements are provided in a switch case,
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a light guide material that guides light from the bulb to the peripheral portion using a portion where no switch element is arranged is provided in the switch case.

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