JP2009087556A - Rotation operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a good click touch with easy mounting of a plate-like spring, and without generating noises with looseness of the plate-like spring. <P>SOLUTION: Mounting parts 27c of both ends of a plate-like spring 27 are made in contact with a pair of support parts 43 from an outer side, respectively, and the plate-like spring 27 is supported by the pair of the support parts 43 so as a protrusion 27a at a center part of the plate-like spring 27 is elastically pressed and in contact with an outer periphery of a circular rotating body 25. All through before and after the protrusion 27a of the plate-like spring 27 goes over a convex part 37b of the circular rotating body 25 by rotating that 25, as a bending part 27d of both mounting parts 27c are always in contact with both support parts 43, click touch is given to a crew (an operator) for every predetermined rotation angle of the circular rotating body 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a rotary operation device that constitutes an operation unit of an electronic device or the like, and particularly relates to measures for improving operability.

  In Patent Document 1, a plate-shaped spring is arranged close to the outer periphery of a circular rotating body in which a plurality of concave and convex portions are alternately and continuously formed on the outer periphery, and the central portion of the plate-shaped spring is curved. The protruding portion is elastically pressed against the outer periphery of the circular rotating body, and the circular rotating body is rotated so that the protruding portion gets over the protruding portion of the circular rotating body and engages the adjacent concave portion. Thus, there is disclosed a rotary operation device configured to give the operator a click feeling at every predetermined rotation angle of the circular rotary body. In Patent Document 1, both ends of the plate spring are clamped on the fixed side, and a protruding portion protruding on the fixed side is engaged with a concave portion on the back side of the protruding portion.

  According to this, when the circular rotator rotates, the plate-like spring is pushed and moved in the tangential direction of the circular rotator by the engagement between the protruding portion and the concave portion, and the click feeling is not hindered. However, if the protrusion is too close to the circular rotator, the rotation of the circular rotator will be hindered. Conversely, if the protrusion is too far away from the circular rotator, a click feeling will occur. It becomes weak, and it is very difficult to set the positional relationship between the protrusion and the circular rotating body appropriately.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the projecting portion a is curved at the central portion, and the projecting portions b are projecting outward from both ends of the projecting portion a. A plate-like spring d is prepared in which attachment portions c extend from the projecting end of the portion b toward the anti-projection portion side, and both the attachment portions c are brought into contact with the pair of support portions e from the outside respectively. There is also a rotary operation device g in which the plate spring d is supported by the support portions e so that the protruding portion a is elastically pressed against the outer periphery of the circular rotating body f.

According to this, since the plate-like spring d can be attached in a state where it is simply positioned with one touch only by fitting it into both the support portions e, and the projection portion as in Patent Document 1 is not on the fixed side, Troublesome position adjustment with a circular rotating body is also unnecessary.
JP-A-2005-129477 (paragraph 0052 column, paragraph 0053 column, FIG. 8)

  However, in the rotation operating device g shown in FIG. 5, since both the mounting portions c of the plate spring d are bent at right angles from the projecting portion b, the circular rotating body f is rotated clockwise as indicated by arrows A and B. When the projecting part a rides on the convex part h of the circular rotating body f by rotating it counterclockwise, the projecting part a is deformed so as to be crushed and the total length of the plate spring d is increased accordingly. Both attachment parts c are separated from both support parts e. At this time, the plate spring d is pushed in the tangential direction (directions of arrows C and D) of the circular rotating body f. Therefore, when both the attachment portions c are separated from the both support portions e as described above, the arrow C , Rattling in the D direction may cause noise, or the click feeling may be hindered. In particular, when a lubricant such as grease is applied to both attachment portions c of the plate spring d, the play in the directions of arrows C and D increases, and the frequency of occurrence of different noise increases.

  In FIG. 5, i is a concave portion formed next to the convex portion h on the outer periphery of the circular rotating body f. Moreover, the plate-like spring d shown with a virtual line shows the free state supported by the support part e.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it easy to mount the plate spring, to prevent the plate spring from rattling and to generate a noise, and to provide a good click feeling. Is to be able to get

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the shape of both ends of the plate spring is devised.

  Specifically, the present invention includes a circular rotating body in which a plurality of concave portions and convex portions are alternately and continuously formed on the outer periphery, and a protruding portion is curved at the central portion. A plate-like spring in which overhanging portions are formed to project outward from both ends, and mounting portions are respectively formed to extend from the overhanging ends of the overhanging portions to the anti-projection portion side, and both the above mounting portions And a pair of support portions for supporting a plate-like spring so that the protruding portion is elastically pressed against the outer periphery of the circular rotator, and the circular rotator is rotated. Rotating operation configured to give the operator a click feeling at every predetermined rotation angle of the circular rotator by the protrusion protruding over the convex part of the circular rotator and engaging with the adjacent recess. The following solutions were taken for the equipment.

  That is, according to the present invention, the mounting portions are formed with curved portions that are concave outward, respectively, and the curved portions are supported by both the projecting portions before and after the protruding portions get over the convex portions of the circular rotating body. It is characterized by being always in contact with the part.

  According to the present invention, when the operator rotates the circular rotator, the projecting portion of the plate-like spring climbs over the convex portion of the circular rotator and engages with the concave portion adjacent thereto, so that the predetermined rotation of the circular rotator is achieved. A click feeling is given to the operator for each angle.

  At this time, the projecting portion of the plate spring is deformed so as to be pushed and crushed by the convex portion of the circular rotating body riding on the projecting portion, and the entire length of the plate spring is increased accordingly. The mounting part moves away from both support parts. Even in this state, the curved parts of both mounting parts are in contact with both support parts from the outside, that is, both support parts are curved by both mounting parts. Even if the plate spring is pushed in the tangential direction of the circular rotating body when the protruding portion of the plate spring gets over the convex portion of the circular rotating body, the plate spring further Even if lubricant such as grease is applied to both mounting parts, the movement of the circular rotating body in the tangential direction is restricted and does not rattle, preventing the generation of noise and providing a good click feeling. .

  In addition, the plate spring can be attached in a state where it is easily positioned by one-touch by simply fitting the plate-like springs into the both support portions. Further, since the protrusion portion as in Patent Document 1 is not on the fixed side, the protrusion portion and the circular rotating body Troublesome position adjustment is also unnecessary.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 shows a resin instrument panel 1 made of resin. The instrument panel 1 includes an instrument panel main body 3 as a main body, and a center panel 5 is detachably assembled to a central portion of the instrument panel main body 3 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the right upper panel 7, the left upper panel 9, the right lower panel 11, and the left lower panel 13 adjacent to the center panel 5 are detachably assembled in the region excluding the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel body 3. Yes. The right upper panel 7 is formed with a seamless type airbag door 15, and the right lower panel 11 is assembled with a glove box 17.

  As shown in FIG. 3, three rotary operation devices 19 according to the embodiment of the present invention that constitute an operation unit of an audio device or the like (only one appears in FIG. 3) are attached to the rear side of the lower end of the center panel 5. It has been. These rotary operation devices 19 include a common substantially rectangular resin base plate 21, a bottomed cylindrical resin operation knob 23, a ring-shaped resin circular rotary body 25, and a metal plate spring 27. Separated.

  In the base plate 21, three circular insertion holes 29 into which the operation knob 23 is rotatably inserted from the front side are formed at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Also at the lower end of the center panel 5, three circular insertion holes 31 into which the operation knob 23 is rotatably inserted from the back side are formed at intervals in the vehicle width direction so as to correspond to the insertion holes 29 of the base plate 21. The occupant can operate the operation knob 23 that protrudes from the circular insertion hole 31 to the front side.

  The operation knob 23 includes a knob main body 23a and a large-diameter portion 23b projecting integrally at one end of the knob main body 23a in the outer diameter direction, and an open end edge (circular insertion hole 29) of the large-diameter portion 23b. The four engagement piece portions 33 having the engagement holes 33a are integrally projected at intervals in the circumferential direction and one rotation-retaining recess portion 33b. (Refer to FIG. 2) is notched.

  The circular rotator 25 is provided integrally with a circular short cylindrical portion 35 into which each engagement piece portion 33 of the operation knob 23 is inserted, and one end of the circular short cylindrical portion 35 in the outer diameter direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of concave portions 37 a and convex portions 37 b are alternately and continuously formed on the outer periphery of the annular portion 37. Has been. One pin portion 39 for transmitting the rotational position of the circular rotating body 25 to a switch mechanism or the like of an audio device is integrated with the back surface of the annular portion 37 (the surface opposite to the circular short tube portion 35). Projected to On the inner peripheral surface of the circular short cylinder portion 35, four locking claws 35 a are integrally formed at intervals in the circumferential direction so as to correspond to the engagement piece portion 33. By inserting each engagement piece portion 33 into the circular short cylinder portion 35 and locking each engagement claw portion 35a in the engagement hole 33a of each engagement piece portion 33, the operation knob 23 and the circular rotating body 25 can be assembled together in a rotating manner. On the inner peripheral surface from the annular portion 37 to the circular short cylindrical portion 35, two rotation-preventing ridge portions 41 approach each other and project integrally, and the operation knob 23, the circular rotator 25, In this state, the two protrusions 41 engage with the inner side of the rotation-preventing recess 33b to restrict the movement in the respective circumferential directions.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 1, the plate-like spring 27 has a projecting portion 27a that is curved in a substantially semicircular arc shape at the center, and projecting portions 27b from both ends of the projecting portion 27a. It is formed in a linearly extending manner on the outer side, and mounting portions 27c are formed to extend from the protruding ends of the two protruding portions 27b toward the anti-projecting portions 27a. Each of the curved portions 27d is formed in a concave shape outward.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of support portions 43 having engagement protrusions 43a for preventing dropout are integrally protruded from the back surface in the vicinity of the circular insertion hole 29 of the base plate 21 with a gap therebetween. The attachment portions 27c of the plate spring 27 are brought into contact with each other from the outside, and the attachment portions 27c are engaged with the engagement protrusions 43a so that the plate spring 27 does not fall off. Further, in this state, the protruding portion 27 a is elastically pressed against the outer periphery (the recessed portion 37 a and the protruding portion 37 b) of the annular portion 37 of the circular rotating body 25, so that the plate spring 27 is held by the both support portions 43. It comes to support.

  Then, the circular rotator 25 is rotated so that the projecting portion 27 a gets over the convex portion 37 b of the circular rotator 25 and engages with the adjacent concave portion 37 a, so that the circular rotator 25 has a predetermined rotation angle. The occupant (operator) is given a click feeling. At this time, the two curved portions 27d of the plate spring 27 are always in contact with the support portions 43 through before and after the protruding portion 27a gets over the convex portion 37b of the circular rotating body 25. This is a feature of the present invention.

  The base plate 21, the operation knob 23, the circular rotating body 25, and the plate-like spring 27 configured as described above are assembled as follows to constitute the rotation operating device 19 and attached to the back side of the center panel 5. Mounting holes 45 are formed at the four corners of the base plate 21, and mounting bosses (not shown) are integrally projected on the back surfaces on both sides of the lower end of the center panel 5 so as to correspond to the mounting holes 45. Yes. In addition, since the engagement projection 43a of the support portion 43 is a portion that becomes an undercut portion during molding, the base plate 21 is provided with a molding die provided so that the engagement projection 43a can be molded. A hole 47 which is a trace of the core mold portion is formed corresponding to the engagement protrusion 43a.

  First, the plate-like spring 27 is assembled to the back surface of the base plate 21, and both mounting portions 27c of the plate-like spring 27 are brought into contact with the pair of support portions 43 from the outside, respectively, and are engaged with the engaging projections 43a. Thus, the plate-like spring 27 is supported by both support portions 43 so as not to drop off.

  Next, the circular rotating body 25 is arranged on the back side of the base plate 21, the circular short cylinder portion 35 is inserted into the circular insertion hole 29 of the base plate 21, and the front surface of the annular portion 37 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the circular insertion hole 29. Make contact. As a result, the outer periphery of the annular portion 37 is pressed against the protruding portion 27 a of the plate spring 27.

  Thereafter, the operation knob 23 is arranged on the front side of the base plate 21 so that the engaging piece 33 is inserted into the circular short cylindrical portion 35 of the circular rotating body 25 and the large diameter portion 23 b is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the circular insertion hole 29. In addition, the two protrusions 41 are engaged with the inside of the rotation-preventing recess 33b to restrict the movement in the respective circumferential directions, and the engaging claw portion 35a of the circular short cylindrical portion 35 is engaged with the engagement. The piece 33 is engaged with the engaging hole 33a. As a result, the three members of the base plate 21, the operation knob 23, and the circular rotating body 25 are assembled together to form the rotation operation device 19.

  Thereafter, after the pin portion 39 of the annular portion 37 is connected to a switch mechanism or the like of an audio device or the like, the rotary operation device 19 is disposed on the back side of the center panel 5 and the operation knob 23 is inserted into the center panel 5 in a circular shape. The rotation operation device 19 is attached to the back side of the center panel 5 by inserting it into the hole 31 from the back side and projecting it to the front side and screwing screws (not shown) into the bosses from the mounting holes 45 at the four corners of the base plate 21.

  When the rotary operation device 19 is operated, that is, when the occupant (operator) rotates the circular rotating body 25 clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by arrows A and B, the protruding portion 27a of the plate spring 27 is formed. Gets over the convex portion 37b of the circular rotating body 25 and engages with the adjacent concave portion 37a, and a feeling of clicking is given to the occupant (operator) at every predetermined rotation angle of the circular rotating body 25.

  At this time, the projecting portion 27a of the plate spring 27 is deformed so as to be pushed and crushed by the convex portion 37b of the circular rotating body 25 riding on the projecting portion 27a. Although the overall length becomes longer and both attachment portions 27c move away from both support portions 43, even in this state, the curved portions 27d of both attachment portions 27c are outwardly connected to both support portions 43 as shown in FIG. Since the two support portions 43 are in contact with the curved portions 27d of the mounting portions 27c from the inside, the projecting portions 27a of the plate springs 27 are convex portions 37b of the circular rotating body 25. Even when the plate-like spring 27 is pushed in the tangential direction of the circular rotator 25 and the plate-like spring 27 is applied with a lubricant such as grease on both attachment portions 27c, the circular rotator 25 Move in the tangential direction Not adhere play have been control, and the occurrence of different noise is prevented good click feeling is obtained.

  Further, since the plate-like spring 27 can be attached in a state where it is simply positioned by one-touch by simply fitting the plate-like springs 43 into the both support portions 43, and the protrusion as in Patent Document 1 is not on the fixed side, the protrusion and the circular rotating body No troublesome position adjustment is required.

  In FIG. 1, the plate spring 27 indicated by a virtual line indicates a free state supported by the support portion 43.

  The present invention is useful for a rotary operation device that constitutes an operation unit of an electronic device or the like.

It is an enlarged view which shows the state which the protrusion part of the plate-shaped spring got on the convex part of a circular rotary body. It is a reverse view of a rotation operating device. It is a disassembled perspective view of the rotational operation apparatus and center panel before an assembly | attachment. It is a perspective view of an instrument panel. It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 1 of a conventional example.

Explanation of symbols

19 Rotating Operation Device 25 Circular Rotating Body 27 Plate-like Spring 27a Projecting Part 27b Projecting Part 27c Mounting Part 27d Curved Part 37a Concave Part 37b Convex Part 43 Support Part

Claims (1)

A circular rotating body in which a plurality of concave and convex portions are alternately and continuously formed on the outer periphery,
A projecting portion is curved at the center, and overhangs are formed outwardly from both ends of the protuberance, and the mounting portions are respectively projected from the overhang ends of the both overhang portions. A plate-like spring formed to extend on the side of the shaped part;
A pair of support portions for supporting the plate springs so that the mounting portions are in contact with each other from the outside, and the protruding portions are elastically pressed against the outer periphery of the circular rotating body;
The circular rotator is rotated so that the projecting portion climbs over the convex portion of the circular rotator and engages with the adjacent concave portion, thereby giving the operator a click feeling at every predetermined rotation angle of the circular rotator. A rotary operation device configured as described above,
The both attachment portions are formed with curved portions that are concave outward, respectively, and the curved portions are always in contact with the support portions before and after the protruding portion climbs over the convex portion of the circular rotating body. A rotary operation device characterized by that.

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