JP2010096711A - Actuator for operating engine starter switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator for operating an engine starter switch that guarantees safe and adequate action, is excellent in operability and is compactly attached. <P>SOLUTION: This actuator is adapted to operate a push type engine starter switch. The actuator includes an operation section that is suspended at a predetermined portion of a casing 11 having an air chamber in its inside and is evaginated and deformed, the operation section 16 constituting a part of the air chamber. The casing 11 is attached and fixed by a restricting means so as to cause the operating section 16 to face the engine starter switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator suitable for a driving operation device used in a vehicle test apparatus such as a chassis dynamometer, and more particularly to an engine starter switch operation actuator.

  In this type of vehicle test apparatus, a test vehicle to be tested is placed and fixed at a predetermined position on the pit floor, and its wheels are placed on a roller of a chassis dynamometer. Various running tests on the test vehicle are performed by operating the chassis dynamometer. In this case, in order to automatically drive the test vehicle so as to have a predetermined traveling pattern, a driving operation device is attached to the driver's seat of the test vehicle.

  Conventionally, for example, in the driving operation device described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of operation units that are engaged with an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a clutch pedal and that control them are arranged in a compact manner on a base. Each operation unit operates an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, or a clutch pedal so that the test vehicle can travel in a desired traveling pattern and appropriate data can be collected.

  By the way, in a vehicle equipped with a so-called push-type engine starter switch, the engine can be started by a simple operation by simply pressing the switch. In the case of such a push-type engine starter switch, it is required that the driving operation device be compatible with the push-type switch when the vehicle test apparatus is used for test running.

JP 2000-352548 A

Conventional driving operation devices have a structure that uses an electric servo or air cylinder as a power source to push and operate switches with a cylinder or cam, etc., and since the contact part with the switches is hard, it is generally a thin object as it is Risk of damage to the starter switch in the structure.
Further, when an electric servo or an air cylinder is arranged, the size of the actuator increases, and the position of the center of gravity shifts from the point of action of the push operation, or it becomes difficult to fix the actuator.

  In addition, when using a cylinder or the like, the longitudinal direction of the cylinder is set in the direction of pushing the starter switch, and the support point for fixing the cylinder or the like is separated from the starter switch. I have to be unstable. In addition, there may be interference with members around the starter switch. Furthermore, since the weight of the device is heavy, it is necessary to take a method of fixing by using a strong structure such as a floor or a handle via a metal support member (rod or the like). There is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an engine starter switch operating actuator that guarantees safe and proper operation and can be mounted in a compact manner that is excellent in handling and the like.

  An engine starter switch operating actuator according to the present invention is an actuator for operating a push-type engine starter switch, and is stretched over a predetermined portion of a casing having an air chamber therein to form a part of the air chamber. And an operation part capable of bulging and deforming, wherein the casing is attached and fixed by a restraining means so that the operation part faces the engine starter switch.

  In the engine starter switch operating actuator according to the present invention, the operating portion bulges out of the casing by the air pressure fed to the air chamber, and is pushed in contact with the engine starter switch.

  In the engine starter switch operating actuator according to the present invention, the operating portion is formed of an elastic material that can be expanded and contracted, and an amount of bulging deformation thereof can be adjusted according to an air pressure of the air chamber.

  In the engine starter switch operating actuator according to the present invention, a pad is formed around the operation portion so as to protrude from the casing, and the pad is in pressure contact with a peripheral portion of the engine starter switch.

  In the engine starter switch operating actuator of the present invention, the restraining means includes a plurality of band members connected to the casing.

  According to the present invention, when applied to a starter switch typically, it achieves proper operation as a switch while effectively preventing damage and the like, ensuring safe and proper operation, and excellent as an actuator Demonstrate the function. Moreover, it is configured as a small and lightweight actuator, realizes excellent handleability, and can be mounted in an extremely compact manner.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an engine starter switch operating actuator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of mounting the actuator 10 in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, when a vehicle running test is performed by a vehicle test apparatus such as a chassis dynamometer, the engine starter switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a starter switch) of the vehicle is operated in a driving operation apparatus mounted on the test vehicle. An example of the starter switch operating actuator is shown below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, a starter switch 100 is disposed at a predetermined portion of the instrument panel 101 of the test vehicle in front of the driver seat 102 and on the right side of the handle 103. The starter switch 100 is a so-called push type, and the engine can be started by pushing the starter switch 100 as indicated by an arrow P. As an example of the operation procedure of the starter switch 100, for example, the engine is started by pressing the starter switch 100 once while depressing a brake pedal (not shown).

  During a vehicle test in the vehicle test apparatus, a driving operation device is mounted on the driver's seat 102, and the actuator 10 is mounted so as to cover the starter switch 100 as shown in FIG. 1, and the engine is started at a predetermined timing. . In this case, the actuator 10 is attached and fixed by a restraining means described later. In FIG. 1, the front, the right, and the upper side are represented by arrows Fr, R, and Up, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body of the actuator 10 is composed of an aluminum die-cast casing 11 having a rectangular thin box shape in this example, and the inside of the casing 11 has a substantially hollow structure. In the present embodiment, rubber bands 12 constituting a restraining means are connected to both end portions of the casing 11. The rubber band 12 is connected to one rectangular surface of the casing 11 via a connector 13 (only one side is shown in FIG. 2). A hook 14 is attached to each end of the rubber band 13, and the actuator 10 can be attached and fixed by engaging the hook 14 with an appropriate position of the instrument panel 101.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the rubber band 12 has an adjuster part for adjusting the length. The rubber band 12 can always fix the actuator 10 with an appropriate tension according to the mounting site on the instrument panel 101 when mounting the actuator 10, the vehicle type, and the like.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5A, the casing 11 of the actuator 10 has a hollow structure as described above, and has an air chamber 15 inside the hollow. In this case, an operation unit 16 is stretched on the other surface side of the rectangle of the casing 11, and the operation unit 16 forms a part of the air chamber 15. The operation unit 16 is formed of a stretchable elastic material, typically a thin rubber material, and has a circular shape that is slightly larger than the starter switch 100. The operation unit 16 has moderate elasticity and rigidity, and is stretched so as to face the starter switch 100 in its natural state. In this case, an appropriate gap may be formed between the starter switch 100 and the operation unit 16.

  Further, the operation unit 16 can bulge and deform as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5A when the pressure in the air chamber 15 increases. In this case, the bulging deformation amount can be adjusted according to the air pressure of the air chamber 15. Here, the air chamber 15 is connected to an air pressure source (not shown) via a pipe or a tube 17. On the air pressure source side, the compressed air supplied from the compressor is adjusted to a desired pressure by a regulator. In addition, an open / close valve for opening and closing the compressed air supply path, a direction switching valve, and the like may be provided, and the pressure in the air chamber 15 can be freely controlled through an air pressure circuit constituted by these. .

  The starter switch 100 is provided such that it can reciprocate by a predetermined stroke as indicated by an arrow B in FIG. In this case, by attaching the spring 18 that elastically presses the starter switch 100 in the protruding direction, the starter switch 100 can be returned to the original position by the elasticity of the spring 18 when the pushing operation force to the starter switch 100 is released. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5, the actuator 10 has a pad 19 that protrudes from the casing 11 around the operation portion 16. In this example, the pad 19 is formed in a circumferential shape in accordance with the shape of the starter switch 100, and press-contacts the surface of the instrument panel 101 in the peripheral portion of the starter switch 100. The pad 19 is preferably formed of a rubber material or a soft synthetic resin material. The pad 19 and the instrument panel 101 are selected so that they do not slip easily from each other in material, that is, they are familiar with each other and easily stick to each other.

  In the above configuration, the driving operation device is mounted on the driver seat 102 and the actuator 10 is mounted at the time of the vehicle test by the vehicle testing device. When mounting the actuator 10, for example, first, the casing 11 of the actuator 10 is applied to the instrument panel 101 from the pad 19 side with the operation unit 16 and the starter switch 100 being aligned. Then, the length may be adjusted in advance or may be adjusted on the spot, but the hook 14 at the tip of the rubber band 13 is engaged with an appropriate position of the instrument panel 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, one rubber band 13 is engaged with the upper end or end surface of the instrument panel 101, and the other rubber band 13 is engaged with the lower end. Can be mounted appropriately and accurately.

  Since the rubber band 13 can be expanded and contracted, the rubber band 13 can be expanded and contracted appropriately when the hook 14 is engaged, and the mounting operation of the actuator 10 can be performed very easily and quickly. In addition to the above-mentioned case, the hook 14 can be engaged with the hook 14 by using, for example, the air conductor 104 (see FIG. 1), the instrument panel 101, or a peripheral portion thereof. .

  As described above, the actuator 10 attached and fixed by the hook 14 as the restraining means has its pad 19 pressed against the surface of the instrument panel 101 at the peripheral portion of the starter switch 100 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a biasing force toward the instrument panel 101 acts on the actuator 10 by the tension T of the rubber band 14, and the pad 19 does not substantially slip with respect to the instrument panel 101. The actuator 10 is held in an appropriate position during actual use after completion of the mounting.

  Next, a case where the starter switch 100 is operated will be described. First, as described above, for example, the brake pedal is depressed. Note that the operation of the brake pedal can also be performed by the driving operation device. In this state, compressed air having a predetermined pressure is supplied from the air pressure source to the air chamber 15 via the tube 17. Then, the operating portion 16 bulges out of the casing 11 as shown in FIG. 5 (b) by the air pressure p fed to the air chamber 15 and elastically contacts the starter switch 100. And push it inward. Then, the starter switch 100 is turned on by this pushing, and the engine can be started.

  On the other hand, by releasing the supply of compressed air from the air pressure source, that is, by opening the air chamber 15 to the atmosphere, the operation unit 16 returns to the natural state shown in FIG. The switch 100 returns to the original position by the elasticity of the spring 18. As described above, the starter switch 100 can be accurately turned on / off by the expansion / contraction of the operation unit 16 only by increasing / decreasing the pressure in the air chamber 15.

  In the actuator 10 of the present invention, the operation unit 16 is formed of a soft material and can be appropriately operated without damaging the starter switch 100 by making surface contact with the starter switch 100 over a wide area. . Further, since the starter switch 100 is not a point contact but a surface contact as described above, even if the misalignment between the starter switch 100 and the actuator 10 occurs, the starter switch 100 can be properly operated. That is, it is extremely advantageous in positioning accuracy.

  Although the surface of the instrument panel 101 is generally hard and easy to slip, the pad 19 is pressed against the surface, so that the operation unit 16 can be stably held by suppressing the slip. As a result, it is possible to ensure proper and stable operation of the operation unit 16 and thus the actuator 10. In this case, the actuator 10 is urged toward the instrument panel 101 by the tension of the rubber band 12, and the function of the pad 19 is more effectively applied.

Furthermore, since the actuator 10 has a thin box type, that is, a thin and simple structure in this example, it can be mounted on the front surface of the starter switch 100 in a compact manner. Since it can be mounted and arranged without taking up an arrangement space and without being bulky, the degree of freedom of design can be greatly increased in relation to other members or parts.
Further, since the actuator 10 is light and easy to handle and the output action point of the operation unit 16 coincides with the center of gravity of the actuator 10, the mounting operation is extremely easy.
In addition, since the actuator 10 is mounted and fixed using an instrument panel, an air conductor, or the like generally provided in a vehicle, it can be mounted on all vehicles and has a very wide application range.

  As described above, according to the actuator 10 of the present invention, when applied to the starter switch 100, the switch 10 can be appropriately operated while effectively preventing damage and the like, that is, its safe and proper operation is guaranteed. An excellent function as an actuator can be exhibited. Moreover, it is configured as a small and lightweight actuator, realizes excellent handleability, and can be mounted in an extremely compact manner.

  Here, an example in which the pair of rubber bands 13 are extended in the vertical direction of the actuator 10 in the above embodiment has been described. However, the number or the like of the rubber bands 13 may be three or more as necessary. The position to be engaged can be changed as appropriate.

  Furthermore, it is possible to connect to a vacuum device that creates a negative pressure in the air chamber 15 as necessary. In that case, for example, it has an operation part having a bellows-like stretchable structure, and is extended to its maximum position by pressurization to press the starter switch 100. Thereafter, when the air chamber 15 is negatively pressurized by the vacuum device when contracting, the bellows-like operation portion is returned to the original position. This is effective when the pressing force on the starter switch 100 is accurately controlled as in this example.

  In this type of vehicle starter switch, as the button is pushed, the mode or state at the time of starting sequentially changes, and the emission color of the built-in lamp changes accordingly. The actuator 10 may be provided with a sensor for detecting such a lamp emission color, and the actuator 10 may be operated while confirming a change in the state of the starter switch.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the starter switch of a vehicle was demonstrated in the said embodiment, this invention is applied with respect to push type switches including the panel switch used for what is called a household appliance and other apparatuses. You can also

It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of vehicle mounting of the actuator of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the actuator of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example around the starter switch of the vehicle as an application example of the actuator of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. 1 which shows the state at the time of vehicle mounting of the actuator of this invention. It is each sectional drawing for demonstrating the effect | action of the actuator of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Actuator 11 Casing 12 Rubber band 13 Connector 14 Hook 15 Air chamber 16 Operation part 17 Piping or tube 18 Spring 19 Pad 100 Starter switch 101 Instrument panel 102 Driver's seat 103 Handle

Claims (5)

An actuator for operating a push-type engine starter switch,
It is stretched over a predetermined part of a casing having an air chamber inside, and has an operation part capable of bulging and deforming to form a part of the air chamber,
An actuator for operating an engine starter switch, wherein the casing is attached and fixed by a restraining means so that the operation portion faces the engine starter switch.   2. The engine starter switch operating actuator according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion is swelled from the casing by an air pressure pumped to the air chamber and is elastically pressed against the engine starter switch.   3. The engine starter switch operating actuator according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion is formed of an elastic material that can be expanded and contracted, and an amount of swelling deformation of the operation portion can be adjusted in accordance with an air pressure of the air chamber. .   The engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a pad that protrudes from the casing around the operation portion, and the pad presses against a peripheral portion of the engine starter switch. Actuator for starter switch operation.   The actuator for engine starter switch operation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restraining means includes a plurality of band members connected to the casing.

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