JP2010102956A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch device capable of attaining downsizing of the whole device and simplification of a manufacturing process. <P>SOLUTION: The switch device is provided with a circuit board 2 having first contact parts 20, 20 and second contact parts 21, 21, an operating knob 4 which is arranged on the contact parts side of the circuit board 2 and is displaced in pushing direction by an pushing operation, a first contact member 50 which has a third contact part 500b to conduct by contact with the first contact parts 21, 21 owing to a first displacement L<SB>1</SB>in the pushing direction of the operating knob 4 and is capable of elastic deformation, a second contact member 51 which has a fourth contact part 510b to conduct by contact with the second contact parts 20, 20 owing to a second displacement L<SB>2</SB>in the pushing direction of the operating knob 4, and a spring member 6 which elastic holds the first contact member 50, the second contact member 51, and the operating knob 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device, and more particularly to a switch device that can be switched in two stages by a push operation.

As a conventional switch device, the base member having the first fixed contact portion and the second fixed contact portion on the component mounting surface side, and the stroke length to the first fixed contact portion and the second fixed contact portion of the circuit board in the initial state and dimensions _{L 1, L 2 (L 1} <L 2) to the first movable contact and elastically deformable contact member having a second movable contact, respectively, the push operation force of the contact member from the outside received at And a push operation member that is elastically deformed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The base member is formed of a printed wiring board including a first switch operation circuit connected to the first fixed contact portion and a second switch operation circuit connected to the second fixed contact portion.

  The contact member has a base portion and an arm portion, and is entirely formed of rubber. In the base portion, the first movable contact portion and the second movable contact portion are disposed on the fixed contact portion side. The arm portion is disposed on the component mounting surface side of the base member and is formed integrally with the base portion.

  The push operation member has a pressing portion that can press the contact member, and is elastically held by the contact member.

With the above configuration, when the operator pushes the push operation member downward, the arm portion is elastically deformed by receiving the push operation force of the push operation member from the base portion, and accordingly, the first movable contact portion is in the push operation direction. The first fixed contact portion is contacted by the displacement (stroke length L ₁ ) to complete the first switch operation. Subsequently, when the operator further pushes the push operation member, the base portion receives the push operation force of the push operation member and elastically deforms together with the arm portion, and accordingly, the second movable contact portion is displaced in the push operation direction. The second fixed contact portion is contacted by (stroke length L ₂ −stroke length L ₁ ), and the second switch operation ends.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-80567

  However, according to the switch device of Patent Document 1, since the push operation member is elastically held by the contact member, there is a problem that the width direction size and the push operation direction size of the contact member are increased and the entire device is enlarged. It was. Moreover, since the contact member is formed of a single member, there is a problem that the shape becomes complicated and the manufacturing process becomes difficult.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device capable of reducing the size of the entire device and simplifying the manufacturing process.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a base member having a first contact portion and a second contact portion, and a push disposed on the contact portion side of the base member and displaced in the push direction by a push operation. An operation member; an elastically deformable first contact member having a third contact portion that is conductive by contact of the first contact portion due to a first displacement of the push operation member in the push direction; and the push operation member A second contact member having a fourth contact portion that is conducted by contact of the second contact portion due to a second displacement in the push direction, and elastically holds the first contact member, the second contact member, and the push operation member. A switch device including a spring member is provided.

(2) In the switch device according to (1), the first contact member has a through hole penetrating along the push direction, and the second contact member is inserted into the through hole. A switch function unit for bringing the fourth contact part into contact with the second contact part;

(3) In the switch device according to (1), the spring member is formed by a compression coil spring that is elastically deformed by receiving an operation force generated by the push operation, and the first contact member is formed by the push operation. It is formed of a cylindrical rubber member that is elastically deformed by pressure contact with the base member.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire apparatus and simplify the manufacturing process.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2) for explaining a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the interior of the vehicle to which the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining a wiring pattern of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Overall configuration of switch device]
In FIG. 1, a switch device denoted by reference numeral 1 reciprocates in a circuit board 2 as a base member, a device body 3 that forms a housing space 3 a together with the circuit board 2, and a housing space 3 a of the device body 3. an operating knob 4 of the push operation member, the contact member 5 for detecting the switch operation (operation) state by displacement in the pushing direction of the operation knob 4 (arrow P ₁ direction), the contact member 5 and the operation knob And a spring member 6 that elastically holds 4, a plurality of (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are arranged on the steering 101 (both shown in FIG. 2) of the vehicle 100, and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 102 (FIG. 3). Connected). As shown in FIG. 3, the switch device 1 functions as a changeover switch that can be switched in two stages (first switch operation or second switch operation), and a first switch signal S ₁ corresponding to the first switch operation. , and we are configured to output the second switch signal S ₂ the ECU102 corresponding to the second switch operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, a monitor 103 that can be viewed from the vehicle seat (not shown) side and a disk device 104 that can reproduce, for example, a CD (Compact Disk) are connected to the switch device 1 via the ECU 102. ing. Switch, which, entering the first switch signals S ₁ at ECU 102, for outputting a drive signal S ₃ to the monitor 103, the operator of the plurality the monitor 103 of the switching device corresponding to the operation knob 4 that is pushed Information about the device 1 is displayed as a message. Also, entering the second switch signal S ₂ at ECU 102, for outputting a drive signal S ₄ to the disk device 104, the operator has selected in accordance with the content of information displayed in a message to the disk device 104, a monitor 103 Playback as a function is executed.

(Configuration of circuit board 2)
As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 2 is disposed in the steering 101 (shown in FIG. 2), and is formed by a printed board having through holes 2 a and 2 a that are parallel to each other along the surface direction. On the component mounting surface (front surface) side of the circuit board 2, a pair of second contact portions 20, 20 connected to the through holes 2 a, 2 a are also paired around the second contact portions 20, 20. First contact portions 21 and 21 and first wiring patterns 22 and 22 connected to the first contact portions 21 and 21 are formed. On the back side of the circuit board 2, second wiring patterns 23, 23 connected to the second contact portions 20, 20 via the through holes 2 a, 2 a are formed. Examples of materials for the first contact portions 21 and 21, the second contact portions 20 and 20, the first wiring patterns 22 and 22, and the second wiring patterns 23 and 23 include metals such as gold (Au) and copper (Cu), A conductive material made of carbon-based powder such as carbon black is used.

(Configuration of the apparatus body 3)
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 3 has a concave housing space 3a that opens downward (on the surface side of the circuit board 2), and a knob insertion hole 3b that is, for example, a round hole that opens inside and outside the housing space 3a. And is disposed on the surface side of the circuit board 2 and is entirely formed of a plastic material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) resin. A mask rubber 30 is attached to the apparatus main body 3 so as to close the opening of the knob insertion hole 3b on the vehicle inner side (the side opposite to the circuit board side). Further, the apparatus main body 3 is provided with a movement restricting surface 3c that restricts the movement of the operation knob 4 to the outside (in the vehicle) at the periphery of the circuit board side opening of the knob insertion hole 3b.

(Configuration of operation knob 4)
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation knob 4 has a headed cylindrical operation portion 4a that opens downward, and an annular flange portion 4b that functions as a stopper, and is disposed on the contact portion side of the circuit board 2. And it is accommodated in the apparatus main body 2 so that it can reciprocate, and the whole is formed of a plastic material such as PBT resin, for example, in the same manner as the material of the apparatus main body 3. The operation knob 4, the arrow P ₁ direction by the push operation by the operator, and is also configured so as to be displaced respectively in the arrow P ₂ direction (pushing direction opposite to the direction) by the release of the push operation.

  The operation unit 4a has an operation surface 40a that an operator pushes through the mask rubber 30, and a part of the operation unit 4a is inserted into the knob insertion hole 3b and disposed on the circuit board 2 side of the mask rubber 30.

  The flange portion 4b has a flange end surface 40b facing the movement restricting surface 3c of the apparatus main body 3, is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion 4a, and is accommodated in the accommodating space 3a.

(Configuration of contact member 5)
As shown in FIG. 1, the contact member 5 includes a first contact member 50 and a second contact member 51 that are parallel to each other along the axial direction of the knob insertion hole 3 b, and is disposed on the circuit board 2 side of the operation knob 3. The device main body 3 is reciprocally accommodated in the accommodation space 3a. Then, the contact member 5, and moves forward on the circuit board 2 side (the arrow P ₁ direction) by operation force of the operation knob 4 by the operator, the spring member 6 or the first contact member by the operation force releasing the operation knob 4 (Consolidated It is configured to backward to the mask rubber 30 side (the arrow P ₂ direction) by parts 50c) and the resilience of the spring member 6.

  The first contact member 50 includes an elastic force receiving portion 50a that receives the elastic force of the spring member 6, a switch function portion 50b that functions as a switch portion corresponding to the first switch operation, and the switch function portion 50b and the elastic force receiving force. The circuit board 2 has a connecting part 50c for connecting to the part 50a, and is reciprocally disposed on the operation knob 4 side of the circuit board 2. The whole is formed by a substantially cylindrical member. As a material of the first contact member 50, for example, a plastic material made of soft insulating rubber (rubber) such as silicone is used.

  The repelling force receiving portion 50a is disposed at a position where it comes into contact with the operating force receiving portion 51a of the second contact member 51, and is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 50c.

Switch function unit 50b, the third contact portion 500b and the first contact member 50 is conducted by the contact of the first displacement _{L 1} of the first contact portions 21, 21 from the initial position of the operating knob 4 to the pushing direction _{P 1} The through hole 501b is open in both axial directions (through the push direction), is disposed at a position facing the component mounting surface of the circuit board 2, and is integrally formed on the lower end surface of the connecting portion 50c. ing. As the material of the third contact portion 500b, for example, a conductive material made of a metal such as gold (Au) or copper (Cu) or a carbon-based powder such as carbon black is used. Here, the initial operation position refers to a position where the flange portion 4b of the operation knob 4 abuts against the movement restricting surface 3c of the apparatus main body 3.

  The connecting portion 50c is disposed so as to be interposed between the elastic force receiving portion 50a and the switch function portion 50b, and has a substantially frustoconical shape with the entire diameter gradually increasing from the circuit board 2 side toward the operation knob 4 side. It is based on the cylinder which has internal space. Further, the connecting portion 50c is set to have a thickness smaller than the thicknesses of the elastic force receiving portion 50a and the switch function portion 50b. The connecting portion 50c is configured to be elastically deformed by pressure contact with the circuit board 2 by a push operation of the operation knob 4, and to be elastically restored by releasing the push operation of the operation knob 4.

  The second contact member 51 includes a planar circular operation force receiving portion 51a that receives the push force (operation force) of the operation knob 4, and a cylindrical switch function portion 51b that functions as a switch portion corresponding to the second switch operation. And is interposed between the first contact member 50 and the operation knob 4 and is entirely formed of a member having a substantially T-shaped cross section. As a material of the second contact member 51, for example, a plastic material made of soft insulating rubber (rubber) such as silicone is used.

  The operation force receiving portion 51 a is disposed at a position that contacts the inner surface (ceiling surface) of the operation portion 4 a and is accommodated in the operation knob 4.

The switch function unit 51b is turned on by the contact of the second contact parts 20 and 20 by the second displacement L ₂ (L ₂ > L ₁ ) from the initial operation position of the operation knob 4 in the arrow direction P ₁ . And a part thereof is inserted into the through hole 501b of the switch function part 50b and disposed in the first contact member 50. As the material of the fourth contact portion 510b, for example, a conductive material made of a metal material such as gold (Au) or copper (Cu) or a carbon-based powder material such as carbon black is used.

(Configuration of spring member 6)
The spring member 6 is housed in the housing space 3 a of the apparatus main body 3 and is elastically mounted between the component mounting surface of the circuit board 2 and the elastic force receiving portion 50 a of the first contact member 50, and the entire operation knob 4. It is formed by a compression coil spring that is elastically deformed in response to an operation force generated by a push operation. The spring member 6 is configured to return the operation knob 4 and the contact member 5 to the initial operation position.

[Operation of switch device 1]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a first switch operating state of the switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a second switch operating state of the switch device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation of the switch device 1 shown in the present embodiment will be described for each of the “first switch operation” and the “second switch operation”.

"First switch operation"
As shown in FIG. 5, in the switch device 1 in the vehicle 100 (shown in FIG. 2), the operator bends the mask rubber 30 with fingers, and the operation part 4 a of the operation knob 4 passes the mask rubber 30 through the arrow P _1. Push in the direction. In this case, the operating portion 4a of the operation knob 4 is pushed in the arrow P ₁ direction, the contact member operation knob 4 against the resilience of the spring member 6 downward (direction toward the circuit board 2) Goes forward with 5. At this time, the first displacement _{L 1} downward from the initial position of the operating knob 4 to the first contact member 50 first contact portion 21 third contact portion 500b of the (switch function portion 50b) of the circuit board 2 The first switch operation of the switch device 1 is executed by contacting and conducting.

  When the operation portion 4a of the operation knob 4 is released, the bending of the mask rubber 30 is removed, and the operation knob 4 is moved upward (in the direction away from the circuit board 2) together with the contact member 5 by the elastic force of the spring member 6. The operation knob 4 is moved backward, and the flange end surface 40b of the flange portion 4b is brought into contact with the movement restricting surface 3c of the apparatus main body 3 and is arranged at the initial operation position.

"Second switch operation"
As shown in FIG. 6, in the state where the first switch operation is completed (the third contact portion 500b is brought into contact with the first contact portions 21, 21), the operator further deflects the mask rubber 30 with fingers. the operating portion 4a of the operation knob 4 is pushed in the arrow P ₁ the direction to the mask rubber 30 over. In this case, the operating portion 4a of the operation knob 4 is pushed in the arrow P ₁ direction, the operation knob 4 is lower spring member (in the direction to approach the circuit board 2) 6 and the first contact member 50 (connecting portion 50c ) And the second contact member 51 against the elastic force, and the first contact member 51 elastically deforms the connecting portion 50c and bends inward. At this time, the second contact member is moved by the third displacement L ₃ (L ₃ = L ₂ −L ₁ ) downward from the first switch operating position of the operation knob 4 (by the second displacement L ₂ downward from the initial operation position). The fourth contact part 510b of 51 (switch function part 51b) comes into contact with the second contact parts 20 and 20 of the circuit board 2 and conducts, and the second switch operation of the switch device 1 is executed.

  When the operation portion 4a of the operation knob 4 is released, the bending of the mask rubber 30 is removed, and the operation knob 4 moves upward (in the direction away from the circuit board 2) to the spring member 6 and the first contact member 50 (the connection portion). 50c) rebounds together with the second contact member 51, and the first contact member 51 elastically returns the connecting portion 50c to return, and the operation knob 4 moves the flange end surface 40b of the flange portion 4b to the apparatus main body. 3 is placed at the initial operation position together with the contact member 5 in contact with the movement restricting surface 3c.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the operation knob 4 and the contact member 5 are elastically held by the spring member 6, the width (diameter) direction dimension and the push operation (axis line) direction dimension of the contact member 5 are reduced, thereby reducing the size of the entire apparatus. Can be planned.

(2) The contact member 5 can be divided into two members (the first contact member 50 and the second contact member 51) to avoid a complicated shape, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

(3) The spring member 6 can be set to have a small overall length while maintaining a low load.

  As mentioned above, although the switch apparatus of this invention was demonstrated based on said embodiment, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It implements in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the present embodiment, the case where the second contact member 51 is formed of the same material as the first contact member 50 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the apparatus main body 3 and the operation. The second contact member may be formed of the same material (PBT resin) as that of the knob 4 or may be formed of a material other than the PBT resin.

(2) In the present embodiment, the case where the disk device 104 in the vehicle 100 is functioned has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when other electronic devices in the vehicle such as an air conditioner are functioned. The present invention can also be used in the same manner as in this embodiment when an electronic device other than an electronic device in a vehicle is caused to function.

Sectional drawing shown in order to demonstrate the switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a front view schematically showing the inside of a vehicle to which a switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The block diagram shown in order to demonstrate the switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view shown in order to demonstrate the wiring pattern of the switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the 1st switch operation state of the switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the 2nd switch operation state of the switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch apparatus, 2 ... Circuit board, 2a ... Through hole, 3 ... Operation knob, 3a ... Accommodating space, 3b ... Knob insertion hole, 3c ... Movement control surface, 4 ... Operation knob, 4a ... Operation part, 4b ... 鍔Part, 5 ... contact member, 6 ... spring member, 21 ... first contact part, 20 ... second contact part, 22 ... first wiring pattern, 23 ... second wiring pattern, 30 ... mask rubber, 40a ... operation surface, 40b ... Flange end face, 50 ... Contact member, 50a ... Repulsive force receiving part, 50b ... Switch function part, 50c ... Connection part, 51 ... Contact member, 51a ... Operation force receiving part, 51b ... Switch function part, 100 ... Vehicle , 101 ... steering, 102 ... ECU, 103 ... monitor 104 ... disk apparatus, 500b ... third contact portion, 501b ... through hole, 510b ... fourth contact _portion, L 1, _{L 2,} L 3 _... strange , P ₁ ... push direction, P ₂ ... direction opposite to the push direction, S ₁ ... switch signal, S ₂ ... switch signal, S ₃ ... drive signal, S ₄ ... drive signal

Claims (3)

A base member having a first contact portion and a second contact portion;
A push operation member disposed on the contact portion side of the base member and displaced in the push direction by a push operation;
An elastically deformable first contact member having a third contact portion that is conductive by contact of the first contact portion due to a first displacement of the push operation member in the push direction;
A second contact member having a fourth contact portion that conducts by contact of the second contact portion due to a second displacement of the push operation member in the push direction;
A switch device comprising: a spring member that elastically holds the first contact member, the second contact member, and the push operation member. The first contact member has a through-hole penetrating along the push direction,
2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the second contact member includes a switch function unit that is inserted into the through-hole and causes the fourth contact part to contact the second contact part. The spring member is formed by a compression coil spring that is elastically deformed by receiving an operation force by the push operation,
The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact member is formed of a cylindrical rubber member that is elastically deformed by pressure contact with the base member by the push operation.

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