JP2011023325A - Steering switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering switch device capable of obtaining good operability for an operating knob. <P>SOLUTION: The steering switch device is equipped with a steering switch 2d which is arranged at a steering wheel and performs mutually different functions by a first switch operation and a second switch operation, and an operation knob 2b which performs a first switch operation by a transfer movement with a push operation or a second switch operation by a rocking movement with a pull operation, respectively. The operation knob 2b is equipped with a first operation part 20b which performs the push operation corresponding to the first switch operation on a front side of the steering wheel, and a second operation part 21b which performs the pull operation corresponding to the second switch operation on a rear side of the steering wheel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering switch device, and more particularly to a steering switch device disposed on a steering wheel for a vehicle.

  As a conventional steering switch device, for example, there is one provided with a steering switch (paddle switch) including a shift-up switch and a shift-down switch for switching a gear ratio of a vehicle transmission by manual operation (Patent Document 1).

  The shift-up switch has a paddle-shaped operation lever, is disposed on the back side of the steering wheel, and is configured to output a shift-up command signal by operating the lever (swinging) of the operation lever.

  The downshift switch has a push type operation knob, is arranged on the front side of the steering wheel, and is configured to output a downshift command signal when the operation knob is pushed (swinged).

  With the above configuration, the upshift of the vehicle transmission is executed by the swing operation of the operation lever, and the downshift of the vehicle transmission is executed by the swing operation of the operation knob.

JP 2003-118417 A

  However, according to the steering switch device shown in Patent Document 1, when operating the downshift switch arranged on the front side of the steering wheel, the operation knob is pressed and swung in a direction to escape from the operator's finger. There was a problem that the operation direction of was changed and the operability of the operation knob was poor.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering switch device in which the operation direction of the operation knob does not change when a switch arranged on the front side of the steering wheel is operated, and thus the operation operability of the operation knob can be obtained. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the steering switch device of (1) to (3).

(1) A steering switch which is arranged on the steering wheel and performs different functions by the first switch operation and the second switch operation, and the first switch operation is moved by a push operation, and the second switch operation is pulled. Each of which is operated by swinging by an operation, and the operation knob includes a first operation unit that performs a push operation in response to a first switch operation on the front side of the steering wheel, and the second operation unit on the back side of the steering wheel. A steering switch device having a second operation unit that performs a pull operation corresponding to a switch operation.

(2) In the steering switch device according to (1), the steering switch includes a switch member that moves by a push operation force generated by the push operation, and converts the push operation force into a moving force of the switch member. A cam surface is provided on the switch member.

(3) In the steering switch device according to (1), the steering switch performs one of a shift-up and a shift-down of the transmission on the front side of the steering wheel, and the transmission switch on the back side of the steering wheel. It consists of switches for performing the other of upshifting and downshifting.

  According to the present invention, when the switch arranged on the front side of the steering wheel is operated, the operation direction of the operation knob does not change, and good operability of the operation knob can be obtained.

The perspective view shown in order to demonstrate the inside of the vehicle to which the steering switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention was applied. The front view shown in order to demonstrate the steering wheel by which the steering switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted. AA sectional drawing of FIG. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the 1st switch operation | movement of the steering switch in the steering switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing in order to demonstrate the 2nd switch operation | movement of the steering switch in the steering switch apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the interior of the vehicle. FIG. 2 shows a steering wheel. FIG. 3 shows a steering switch device. As shown in FIG. 1, the steering switch devices 2 and 3 are arranged on the steering wheel 101 of the vehicle 100 and are configured to manually operate a transmission (not shown) for the vehicle.

  The vehicle 100 includes a driver seat 102 on which a driver can be seated and an instrument panel 103 positioned in front of the driver seat 102.

  A display 105 such as various meters and various switches 106 are arranged on the instrument panel 103.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steering wheel 101 includes a ring-shaped rim portion 101a, a boss portion 101b located at the center of the rim portion 101a, and a spoke portion interposed between the boss portion 101b and the rim portion 101a. 101c to 101e, disposed on the instrument panel side of the driver's seat 102 (shown in FIG. 1), and a steering mechanism via a steering shaft (not shown) in the steering column 104 (shown in FIG. 1), etc. (Not shown).

  The rim portion 101a is disposed around a core metal 101f (shown in FIG. 3) as a skeleton of the steering wheel 101. The boss portion 101b is formed by a case for housing a horn switch mechanism (not shown), and the spoke portions 101c and 104d are formed by a case for housing a part of the steering switch devices 2 and 3, respectively.

  One steering switch device 2 is disposed on the spoke portion 101c, and the other steering switch device 3 is disposed on the spoke portion 101d so as to be partially exposed to the outside (in the vehicle).

(Configuration of steering switch device 2)
As shown in FIG. 3, the steering switch device 2 includes a switch body 2a having a pair of fixed contact portions 4a and 4b and a pair of movable contact portions 5a and 5b, and a forward and backward movement (movement) in the switch body 2a. A swingable operation knob 2b, a switch mechanism 2c that operates by operating the operation knob 2b, and a steering switch 2d that executes different functions by the first switch operation and the second switch operation by the operation of the switch mechanism 2c, It has.

<Configuration of switch body 2a>
The switch body 2a includes a base 20a that opens upward and a cover 21a that closes the opening of the base 20a, and the switch body 2a is entirely formed of a box that accommodates the circuit board 6 therein.

  On the circuit board 6, fixed contact portions 4a and 4b are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the steering wheel 101 (shown in FIG. 2).

  The base 20a has a pair of holder portions 200a and 200a for holding the circuit board 6, and is attached to the cored bar 101d.

  The cover 21a has a pair of convex portions 210a and 211a protruding upward, and is attached to the base 20a. A shaft fixing portion 7 protruding upward is disposed on the cover 21a.

Pusher guide holes 212a, 213a for guiding the pushers 9a, 9b (described later) of the switch mechanism 2c to the projections 210a, 211a, respectively, and guiding them in the directions of arrows b ₁ , b ₂ (and directions opposite to these directions), In addition, internal spaces 214a and 215a communicating with the pusher guide holes 212a and 213a are provided.

  A knob support shaft 8 is fixed to the shaft fixing portion 7 to support the operation knob 2b so that the operation knob 2b can move forward and backward.

<Configuration of operation knob 2b>
The operation knob 2b includes a first operation unit 20b, a second operation unit 21b, and the first operation unit 20b, the first operation unit 20b, which are parallel to each other along the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the vehicle 100 (shown in FIG. 1). 2 It has a connecting portion 22b for connecting the operating portion 21b, is arranged so as to be able to advance and retreat and swing on the knob support shaft 8, and has a return habit for the initial position (position shown in FIG. 3). It is given by force (restoring force). Then, the operation knob 2b is to move along a push from the knob non-operation state of the first operating portion 20b (pressing) push operation to a radial direction of the knob support shaft 8 by the operation (arrow a ₁ direction), and are each configured to swing along the pull operation direction (arrow a ₂ direction) around the knob support shaft 8 by a pull operation of the second operating unit 21b. The operation knob 2b is provided with a long hole 23b through which the knob support shaft 8 is inserted and extending in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The first operation portion 20b is disposed on the front side (driver's seat side) of the steering wheel 101, and is integrally formed on the driver's seat side of the connecting portion 22b. The first operation unit 20b is configured to perform a push operation corresponding to the first switch operation on the front side of the steering wheel 101.

  The second operation portion 21b is arranged on the back side (instrument panel side) of the steering wheel 101 so as to be partially visible from the driver's seat 102 side by the operator (driver), and on the instrument panel side of the connecting portion 22b. It is integrally formed. And the 2nd operation part 21b is comprised so that pull operation may be carried out corresponding to the 2nd switch operation on the back side of steering wheel 101.

  The connecting portion 22b is integrally provided with a first abutting portion 220b that protrudes on the first operating portion 20b side of the knob support shaft 8 and abuts against the pusher 9a of the switch mechanism 2c. The connecting portion 22b is integrally provided with a second abutting portion 221b that projects on the second operating portion 21b side of the knob support shaft 8 and abuts against the pusher 9b of the switch mechanism 2c.

<Configuration of switch mechanism 2c>
The switch mechanism 2c includes a pair of pushers 9a and 9b that move forward and backward by the forward and backward movement and swinging (tilting) of the operation knob 2b, and a pair of movable members 10a and 10b that can be elastically deformed by pressing of the pushers 9a and 9b. And is held on the circuit board 6.

Pusher 9a (switch member) transmits the operating force receiving surface 90a receives the operation force of the first operating portion 20b (push operation force of the arrow _{a 1} direction), and the operation force of the first operating portion 20b to the movable member 10a It has an operating force transmission surface 91a, is disposed between the first contact portion 220b of the connecting portion 22b and the movable member 10a, and is inserted through the pusher guide hole 212a of the convex portion 210a so as to be able to advance and retract. Operating force receiving surface 90a is formed with a cam surface for converting the push operation force of the arrow a ₁ direction relative to the first operating portion 20b to the movement force of the arrow b ₁ direction of the pusher 9a.

Pusher 9b is operating force transmission surface for transmitting the operating force receiving surface 90b that receives the operating force of the second operating unit 21b (pulling operation force of the arrow a ₂ direction), and the operation force of the second operating unit 21b to the movable member 10b 91b, which is disposed between the second contact portion 221b of the connecting portion 22b and the movable member 10b, and is inserted through the pusher guide hole 213a of the convex portion 211a so as to be able to advance and retract.

  The movable member 10a has a movable contact portion 5a facing the fixed contact portion 4a, and an elastically deformable portion 5c that can be elastically deformed by receiving a pressing force from the pusher 9a, and is disposed around the fixed contact portion 4a. It is held on the circuit board 6 and formed entirely by a rubber member.

  The movable member 10b has a movable contact portion 5b facing the fixed contact portion 4b, and an elastically deformable portion 5d that can be elastically deformed by receiving a pressing force from the pusher 9b, and is disposed around the fixed contact portion 4b. It is held on the circuit board 6 and formed entirely by a rubber member.

<Configuration of steering switch 2d>
The steering switch 2d includes a pair of fixed contact portions 4a and 4b and a pair of movable contact portions 5a and 5b, and is disposed between the movable members 10a and 10b and the circuit board 6. The steering switch 2d is configured to execute a shift down (first function) of the transmission by a first switch operation and an upshift (second function) of the transmission by a second switch operation.

(Configuration of steering switch device 3)
Similarly to the steering switch device 2, the other steering switch device 3 is configured to shift down the transmission by a first switch operation and to shift up the transmission by a second switch operation. Since the other configuration is substantially the same as that of the steering switch device 2, the reference numerals of the respective parts are attached corresponding to the reference symbols of the steering switch device 2 (for example, the steering switch device 2 is attached to the operation knob of the steering switch device 3). 3b is assigned to the operation knob 2b), and the description thereof is omitted.

[Operation of steering switch device 2]
The operation of the steering switch device 2 shown in the present embodiment will be described for each operation of “shift down of transmission” and “shift up of transmission”. 4 and 5 show the operating state of the steering switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 shows a shift-down operation, and FIG. 5 shows a shift-up operation.

"Transmission downshift"
Down-shifting of the transmission, the driver of the push operation force given to the first operating portion 20b of the operation knob 2b with the left thumb, and the operation knob 2b is moved in the arrow a ₁ direction as shown in FIG. 4 given It is carried out by arranging at the moving position. In this case, when the operation knob 2b is arranged at a predetermined movement position, the push operation force with respect to the first operation portion 20b is converted into the movement force of the pusher 9a by the operation force receiving surface 90a. Therefore, the pusher 9a is moved guided by the fixed contact portion 4a in a direction of contacting the movable contact 5a (arrow b ₁ direction) to the pusher guide hole 212a. Thereby, in the steering switch 2d, the movable contact portion 5a comes into contact with the fixed contact portion 4a to be in the first switch operating state, and a downshift command signal is output from the fixed contact portion 4a to the transmission. On the other hand, in the transmission, when a downshift command signal is input from the steering switch 2d, downshift is executed.

"Shifting up the transmission"
In shifting up the transmission, the driver applies a pulling operation force to the second operation portion 21b of the operation knob 2b with the index finger (middle finger) of the left hand, and the operation knob 2b around the knob support shaft 8 as shown in FIG. the is swung in the arrow a ₂ direction is performed by placing a predetermined swing position. In this case, when the operation knob 2b is disposed at a predetermined swing position, a pull operation force for the second operation portion 21b is transmitted to the operation force receiving surface 90b. Therefore, the pusher 9b is moved guided by the fixed contact portion 4b in a direction to contact the movable contact 5b (arrow b ₂ direction) to the pusher guide hole 213a. Thereby, in the steering switch 2d, the movable contact portion 5b comes into contact with the fixed contact portion 4b to be in the second switch operation state, and an upshift command signal is output from the fixed contact portion 4b to the transmission. On the other hand, in the transmission, when the upshift command signal is input from the steering switch 2d, the upshift is executed.

  In addition, since the shift up of the transmission is also executed by a shift up command signal output from the steering switch device 3, it is possible to shift up by a switch operation of the steering switch device 3 (pull operation of the operation knob 3b). . Further, since the downshift of the transmission is also executed by a downshift command signal output from the steering switch device 3, the downshift is possible by a switch operation of the steering switch device 3 (a push operation of the operation knob 3b). .

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

  When the first operation unit 20b is operated, even if the operation direction is a direction of escaping from the finger of the operator, it does not change, and good operability of the operation knob 2b can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although the steering switch device of the present invention was explained based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and is implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the present embodiment, the case where the switch operation of the steering switch device 2 is performed by bringing the movable contact portions 5a and 5b into contact with the fixed contact portions 4a and 4b has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, the switch operation of the steering switch device may be performed using a non-contact sensor such as a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor.

(2) In the present embodiment, the case where the steering switch devices 2 and 3 shift down the transmission on the front side of the steering wheel 101 and shift up the transmission on the back side of the steering wheel 101 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the steering switch device may shift up the transmission on the front side of the steering wheel and shift down the transmission on the back side of the steering wheel.

(3) Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the steering switch device 2 is disposed on the left side of the steering wheel 101 and the steering switch device 3 is disposed on the right side of the steering wheel 101, the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, a single steering switch device may be arranged only on either the left or right side of the steering wheel.

  2 ... Steering switch device, 2a ... Switch body, 20a ... Base, 200a ... Holder part, 21a ... Cover, 210a, 211a ... Convex part, 212a, 213a ... Pusher guide hole, 214a, 215a ... Internal space, 2b ... Control knob , 20b ... first operation part, 21b ... second operation part, 22b ... connecting part, 220b ... first contact part, 221b ... second contact part, 2c ... switch mechanism, 2d ... steering switch, 3 ... steering switch Device, 3b ... operation knob, 30b ... first operation part, 31b ... second operation part, 4a, 4b ... fixed contact part, 5a, 5b ... movable contact part, 5c, 5d ... elastic deformation part, 6 ... circuit board, 7 ... Shaft fixing portion, 8 ... Knob support shaft, 9a, 9b ... Pusher, 90a, 90b ... Operating force receiving surface, 91a, 91b ... Operating force transmitting surface, 10a, 10b ... Moving member, 100 ... Vehicle, 101 ... Steering wheel, 101a ... Rim part, 101b ... Boss part, 101c-101e ... Spoke part, 101f ... Core metal, 102 ... Driver's seat, 103 ... Instrument panel, 104 ... Steering column, 105 ... Display, 106 ... Various switches

Claims (3)

A steering switch disposed on the steering wheel for performing different functions by the first switch operation and the second switch operation;
An operation knob for performing the first switch operation by movement by a push operation and performing the second switch operation by swinging by a pull operation;
The operation knob includes a first operation unit that performs a push operation corresponding to the first switch operation on the front side of the steering wheel, and a second operation unit that performs a pull operation corresponding to the second switch operation on the back side of the steering wheel. A steering switch device.   The steering switch includes a switch member that moves by a push operation force generated by the push operation, and a cam surface for converting the push operation force into a movement force of the switch member is provided on the switch member. The steering switch device according to 1. The steering switch includes a switch for performing one of a shift up and a shift down of the transmission on the front side of the steering wheel and the other of the shift up and the shift down of the transmission on the back side of the steering wheel. The steering switch device according to claim 1.

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