JP2009170196A - Multidirectional operation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multidirectional operation switch capable of sure operation, and superior in operability, in the multidirectional operation switch mainly installed in the steering vicinity in an automobile and used for operating various kinds of electronic equipment. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of operation parts 22B radially disposed on an operation body 22 are recessed from outer peripheral upper edges of the operation parts 22B toward a storage hole part 22A, and a step is provided between the upper part of the strorage hole part 22A and a pressing part 24A of a push-button 24 such that the pressing part 24A is below the upper part 22A, whereby erroneous operation of the operation part 22B and a pressing part 24A is prevented and rocking operation of an operation part 22B is easily performed, thereby providing this multidirectional operation switch capable of sure operation and superior in operability. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multidirectional operation switch mainly used for operation of various electronic devices in an automobile.

  In recent years, a so-called steering switch capable of multi-directional operation is installed in the vicinity of a steering wheel in an automobile, and an electronic device such as an audio device or an air conditioner is operated by operating this switch with a finger while holding a handle. There is a demand for a device that is widely used and that is easy to operate without erroneous operation.

  Such a conventional multidirectional operation switch will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional multi-directional operation switch, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view thereof. In FIG. 7, 1 is a substantially box-shaped case made of insulating resin, and 2 is a substantially cylindrical operation body made of insulating resin. Reference numeral 3 denotes a drive body made of an insulating resin. The operation body 2 is disposed above the opening 1A of the case 1, and the drive body 3 is also disposed below, and the lower portion of the operation body 2 is engaged with the upper portion of the drive body 3. As a whole, the case 1 is swingably mounted.

  Around the accommodation hole 2A of the operation body 2, a plurality of substantially flat operation portions 2B on which symbols and symbols indicating operation functions are displayed are arranged radially in four directions, front, rear, left and right.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes an insulating resin push button, which is inserted through a through hole provided in the accommodation hole 2A at the center of the operation body 2 so as to be movable up and down, and the outer periphery of the substantially flat push part 4A at the upper portion is an accommodation hole. Close to the inner periphery of the portion 2A, the push portion 4A and the operation portion 2B are mounted on the operation body 2 on substantially the same plane.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of switch contacts 6 such as a push switch provided with a button portion biased upward are mounted on the upper surface. Has been.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a substantially box-shaped storage body made of an insulating resin, which includes a plurality of pressing portions 3A extending radially from the upper driving body 3 and pressing bodies 8 arranged to face the lower ends of the push buttons 4, respectively. The guide 7A of the storage body 7 is inserted and protrudes upward, and the lower end of the pressing body 8 comes into contact with the button portion of the switch contact 6, so that the wiring board 5, the switch contact 6 and the pressing body 8 are stored in the storage body 7. It is stored in.

  The central portion of the driving body 3 is supported on the lower surface of the case 1 and the upper surface of the storage body 7 so as to be swingable in a predetermined direction, and the lower end of the pressing portion 3A and the lower end of the push button 4 of the driving body 3 A multi-directional operation switch 10 is configured in contact with each of the upper ends.

  Furthermore, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6, the multidirectional operation switch 10 configured in this way is attached to the spoke portion 11 </ b> A of the steering 11 with the operation surface facing forward, and a plurality of switch contacts 6 are connected to a connector or It is electrically connected to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a lead wire (not shown) or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the thumb is extended while grasping the steering wheel 11B and the operation unit 2B with “左側” displayed on the left side of the operation body 2 is pressed, for example, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The drive body 3 swings to the lower left.

  And the button part of the lower switch contact 6 which opposes via the press body 8 which the press part 3A of the left side of the drive body 3 contact | abuts is pressed, and the electrical contact of this switch contact 6 is performed, and this electrical signal Is transmitted to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a connector, a lead wire, etc., for example, the frequency of the radio is lowered.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 2B on the right side of the operation body 2 with the “操作” is pressed, the drive body 3 swings to the lower right together with the operation body 2 and is dealt with by the right pressing unit 3A. The switch contact 6 is electrically connected and separated, and the radio frequency is increased.

  Further, when the operation unit 2B on the front side or the rear side of the operation body 2 is pressed, the operation body 2 swings forward / downward or backward / downward according to the pressing operation, similarly to the operation on the left / right operation unit 2B. Thus, the switch contacts 6 corresponding to the respective operation units 2B are electrically connected and separated so that, for example, the volume of audio is increased or decreased.

  Then, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, when the pressing portion 4 </ b> A of the push button 4 arranged at the center of the operation body 2 is pressed, the push button 4 moves downward and the lower end of the push button 4 faces through the pressing body 8. When the switch contact 6 is pressed, the switch contact 6 is electrically connected and separated to switch the audio function such as radio, CD, MD, for example.

  In the above operation, when the frequency is changed by alternately pressing the left and right operation units 2B without visually observing, for example, to select the radio, for example, the left operation unit 2B is pressed. When the operated thumb is moved to the right and an attempt is made to press the right operation unit 2B, there is a possibility that the push button 4 is erroneously pressed during the movement.

  That is, the operation part 2B of the operation body 2 and the push part 4A of the push button 4 are formed so that each upper surface is flat and these surfaces are substantially on the same surface. When a part is pressed, it is difficult to discriminate even if the operation unit 2B or the pressing part 4A is touched with a thumb, and an unintended part may be operated by mistake.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2006-12695 A

  However, in the conventional multidirectional operation switch 10 described above, the operation portion 2B of the operating body 2 that is operated to swing and the push portion 4A of the push button 4 that is operated to move up and down are substantially flat and have the same upper surface. Therefore, when operating with the thumb while holding the steering wheel 11B, there is a problem that it is difficult to distinguish between the operation unit 2B and the pressing unit 4A, and an unintended location may be operated by mistake.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multidirectional operation switch that can be reliably operated and has good operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of operation portions arranged radially on the operation body are recessed from the upper peripheral edge of the operation portion toward the accommodation hole portion, and between the upper end of the accommodation hole portion and the upper surface of the push button. A multi-directional operation switch is configured by providing a step with the upper surface of the push button on the lower side. For example, when operating without visual observation, an inclination that is recessed from the upper edge of the outer periphery of the operation unit toward the accommodation hole with a thumb or the like By touching, it is possible to easily determine that it is an operation portion of the intended operating body, and it is possible to determine the push portion by the step between the operation portion and the push portion of the push button. In addition, it is easy to hold the operating part with the thumb during the pressing operation and the swinging operation is easy to perform by the inclined operating part, so that a reliable operation is possible and a multi-directional operation switch with good operability is obtained. Have the effect of being able to A.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the operation load of the push button is made larger than the operation load of the operating body, and the operation feeling when the push button and the operation portion are pressed is different. It is easy to discriminate between the push button and the operation unit, and the number of erroneous operations can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect that a multi-directional operation switch that can be reliably operated and has good operability can be realized.

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

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure demonstrated in the term of background art, and detailed description is simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multidirectional operation switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, in which 1 is a substantially box-like polycarbonate (hereinafter referred to as PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene. A case made of an insulating resin such as styrene (hereinafter referred to as ABS) is formed with an upper support 1B that protrudes upward from the bottom of the opening 1A that is recessed in a substantially circular shape and opens in a substantially circular shape in the center. A holding part 1C is provided.

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a substantially cylindrical operating body made of an insulating resin such as PC or ABS. Reference numeral 3 also denotes a driving body made of an insulating resin such as PC or ABS. The operating body 22 is located above the opening 1A of the case 1. The driving body 3 is disposed below the holding portion 1C, and the lower part of the operating body 22 is engaged with the upper part of the driving body 3 so as to be integrated with the case 1 so as to be swingable.

  In addition, a symbol or symbol indicating an operation function is displayed by printing, two-color molding, laser processing, or the like around a substantially circular accommodation hole 22A provided in the center of the operation body 22, and a plurality of protrusions protruding in a substantially fan shape. The operation portions 22B are radially arranged in four directions, front, rear, left, and right, and each operation portion 22B is provided with a depression that is inclined in a substantially curved shape or a substantially flat shape from the outer peripheral upper edge toward the accommodation hole portion 22A. Yes.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a push button made of an insulating resin such as polyoxymethylene (hereinafter referred to as POM) or ABS. The outer periphery of the upper substantially disk-shaped pressing portion 24A is close to the inner periphery of the accommodation hole portion 22A of the operating body 22. In addition, the lower pressing portion 24B is mounted on the operating body 22 so as to be movable up and down through the through hole 22C in the accommodation hole portion 22A.

  Note that the pressing portion 24A has a substantially curved surface that protrudes upward, and its central portion is located at a height equal to or near the upper end of the receiving hole portion 22A, and its outer edge is positioned below the upper end of the receiving hole portion 22A. Then, a step is provided between the accommodating hole 22A and the push portion 24A on the upper surface of the push button 24 so that the push portion 24A is downward.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of switch contacts 6 such as push switches whose button portions are biased upward are mounted on the upper surface. Yes.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a substantially box-shaped storage body made of an insulating resin such as ABS or POM, which faces a plurality of pressing portions 3A extending radially from the upper driving body 3 and the lower end of the pressing portion 24B of the push button 24. The pressing body 8 is inserted through the guide portion 7A of the storage body 7 and protrudes upward, and the lower end of the pressing body 8 comes into contact with the button portion of the switch contact 6 so that the wiring board 5 and the switch contact 6 The pressing body 8 is stored in the storage body 7.

  The central portion of the drive body 3 is rotatably supported by the upper support portion 1B on the lower surface of the case 1 and the lower support portion 7B on the upper surface of the storage body 7, and the lower end of the pressing portion 3A of the drive body 3 and the lower end of the push button 24 are A multi-directional operation switch 30 is configured in contact with the upper end of the corresponding pressing body 8.

  Furthermore, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 6, the multidirectional operation switch 30 configured in this way is attached to the spoke portion 11 </ b> A of the steering 11 with the operation surface facing forward, and a plurality of switch contacts 6 are connected to connectors or It is electrically connected to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a lead wire (not shown) or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the thumb is extended while gripping the steering wheel 11B and the operation unit 22B with “∨” displayed on the left side of the operation body 22 is pressed, for example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The drive body 3 swings to the lower left.

  And the button part of the lower switch contact 6 which opposes via the press body 8 which the press part 3A of the left side of the drive body 3 contact | abuts is pressed, and the electrical contact of this switch contact 6 is performed, and this electrical signal Is transmitted to an automobile electronic circuit (not shown) via a connector, a lead wire, etc., for example, the frequency of the radio is lowered.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 22B on which “∧” on the right side of the operation body 22 is displayed is pressed, the drive body 3 swings downward together with the operation body 22, and the right side switch is pressed by the pressing unit 3A. Electrical contact / separation of the contact 6 is performed, and the frequency of the radio is increased.

  Further, when the operation unit 22B on the front side or the rear side of the operation body 22 is pressed, the operation body 22 swings forward / downward or rear / downward according to the pressing operation, similarly to the operation on the left / right operation unit 22B. Thus, the electrical contacts of the switch contacts 6 corresponding to the respective operation units 22B are performed, and for example, the volume of the audio is increased or decreased.

  Note that when the operating body 22 is swung by pressing the operating portion 22B in this way, the operating portion 22B is recessed from the outer peripheral upper edge toward the accommodation hole portion 22A. It is configured so that it can be easily discriminated and can be operated easily.

  That is, usually, when the intended operation portion 22B is pressed with the thumb without observing the hand while grasping the steering wheel 11B, the operation portion 22B is moved by tracing or touching the top surface of the operation body 22 back and forth and left and right. In order to discriminate and press, by touching the slope recessed from the outer peripheral upper edge of the operation part 22B, the inclination and the direction of the inclination, for example, if it is recessed from the left side to the right side, the operation part 22B on the left side is intended. It is easy to discriminate that it is the operation unit 22B to be performed, and it is easy to push with the thumb against the inclination of the operation unit 22B.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, since the upper surface of the operation unit 22B is substantially perpendicular to the operation direction of the thumb when the operation body 22 is swung, the operation unit is substantially flat and the upper edge of the outer periphery is lower than the center. Compared to the tilted state, it is easier to press the operation portion 22B with the thumb and the operability is better.

  Then, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, when the pressing portion 24 </ b> A of the push button 24 disposed at the center of the operating body 22 is pressed, the push button 24 moves downward and the lower end of the pressing portion 24 </ b> B is interposed via the pressing body 8. The switch contacts 6 are pressed and the switch contacts 6 are electrically connected to and separated from each other, so that the audio functions such as radio, CD, and MD are switched.

  Here, for example, in order to select a radio, when changing the frequency by alternately pressing the left and right operation units 22B without visually observing the left operation unit 22B, When the user touches the vicinity of the pressing portion 24A with the intention of pressing the operation portion 22B on the right side, the pressing portion is moved by the step between the upper end of the housing hole 22A, which is the end on the center side of the operating body 22, and the pressing portion 24A. 24A can be discriminated, and the pressing operation of the pressing portion 24A can be prevented by mistake.

  Further, the push portion 24A of the push button 24 has a substantially curved shape that protrudes upward, and its central portion is the same as or close to the height of the accommodation hole portion 22A. Therefore, when the push button 24 is pressed, Is easy to operate.

  That is, the push portion 24A is easily discriminated by the step between the outer edge of the push portion 24A and the housing hole portion 22A of the operating body 22, while the thumb is pressed by the thumb when the push button 24 is pushed with the thumb. It is comprised so that it can operate easily by pressing against and pressing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of operation portions 22B radially arranged on the operation body 22 are recessed from the outer peripheral upper edge toward the accommodation hole portion 22A, and the upper end of the accommodation hole portion 22A and the push button 24 are By providing a step between the pressing portion 24A and the pressing portion 24A, the operation portion 22B touches the inclination of the recess from the upper peripheral edge of the operating portion 22B toward the accommodation hole portion 22A, and in the intended direction. Can be easily determined, and the pressing portion 24A can be easily determined by the level difference between the operating portion 22B and the pressing portion 24A, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the operating portion 22B and the pressing portion 24A. Since the depression of the operation portion 22B is inclined, the operation portion 22B can be easily pressed by the thumb for the pressing operation, and the swing operation can be easily performed. Therefore, a reliable operation is possible and a multi-directional operation switch with good operability can be obtained. It is intended.

  In the above description, the plurality of switch contacts 6 that are push switches are described as having the same configuration. However, the operating force of the switch contact that is operated by pressing the pressing portion 24A is determined by pressing the operating portion 22B. By making it larger than the operating force of the surrounding switch contact 6 to be operated, the feeling when pressing the pressing portion 24A and the operating portion 22B with the thumb is different, and it is easy to distinguish the pressing portion 24A and the operating portion 22B. , It is possible to reduce the number of erroneous operations.

  Further, in the above description, the operation portion 22B of the operation body 22 is in the range from the accommodation hole portion 22A to the outer periphery of the operation body 22, and accommodates the outer periphery upper edge of the operation portion 22B, that is, the outer periphery upper edge of the operation body 22. Although described as a configuration in which the space between the hole portion 22A is recessed, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 5, the outer periphery of the operation portion 25B is substantially intermediate between the outer periphery of the operation body 25 and the accommodation hole portion 25A. It is good also as a thing of the structure which made it protrude in this way and was dented toward the accommodation hole part 25A from the outer periphery upper edge of this operation part 25B.

  In the above description, a configuration using a single push switch as the switch contact 6 has been described. However, a fixed contact is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 5 with carbon or the like, and a movable contact is formed on the lower surface thereof. The present invention can be implemented using various switch contacts such as those using a flexible rubber sheet having a substantially dome shape, or those having a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate in a substantially dome shape. is there.

  The multi-directional operation switch according to the present invention can realize a reliable operation and good operability, and is mainly used for operation of various electronic devices by being mounted near the steering wheel of an automobile.

Sectional drawing of the multidirectional operation switch by one embodiment of this invention Same perspective view Cross section during the same operation Cross section during the same operation Main part sectional drawing by other embodiment Steering plan view Sectional view of a conventional multidirectional operation switch Same perspective view Cross section during the same operation Cross section during the same operation

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1A Opening part 1B Upper support part 1C Holding part 3 Drive body 3A Press part 5 Wiring board 6 Switch contact 7 Storage body 7A Guide part 7B Lower support part 8 Press body 11 Steering 11A Spoke part 11B Steering wheel 22, 25 Operation body 22A, 25A Housing hole 22B, 25B Operation part 22C Through hole 24 Push button 24A Push part 24B Press part 30 Multi-directional operation switch

Claims (2)

A substantially box-shaped case and a substantially cylindrical operation that is mounted on the case so as to be swingable in a plurality of directions, and in which a plurality of operation parts are radially arranged around the accommodation hole provided in the center of the upper surface. Body, a push button that is mounted in the accommodation hole of the operation body so as to be movable up and down, and a switch contact that is electrically connected to and separated from each other by swinging of the operation body and vertical movement of the push button. A multi-directional operation switch that is recessed from the outer peripheral upper edge of the housing toward the housing hole and that has a step between the top of the housing hole and the top surface of the push button. The multidirectional operation switch according to claim 1, wherein the operation load of the push button is larger than the operation load of the operating body.

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