JP2011165598A - Switch for vehicle instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch for a vehicle instrument reflecting users' demand for a direct and moreover simple switching operation, in a simple and economical structure. <P>SOLUTION: An operation knob 10 constituting a switch SW includes a shaft part 11, arm part 12, and a switch pushing part 13. The shaft part 11, the arm part 12, and the switch pushing part 13 are integrally arranged in free movement in a shaft line O1 direction and in free rotation around the shaft line O1. The operation knob 10 is so constituted that it may be rotation-operated around the shaft O1 line from an original position where it is in non-operation state to a rotation position corresponding to either of a plurality of push switches 21-23 and that the push switch selected at the pushing position where it is push-operated in the shaft line O1 direction from the rotation position may be turned on. Between the operation knob 10 and a case body 40, there is provided a coil spring 30 (a knob restoring part) to restore the operation knob 10 from the pushing position to the original position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle instrument switch.

  As a switch for a vehicle instrument, there is known a switch equipped with an operating body (operating knob) in which one fixed contact mounted on a substrate and one of two fixed contacts are made to conduct through a movable contact. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 below). In the vehicle instrument switch described in Patent Document 1, an operation member having a cam surface splined to the cam follower is converted by the cam follower into a rotational motion around the axis line by the linear motion in the axial direction of the operating body. Rotates integrally with the cam follower, and the slide member cam-coupled with the actuating member slides in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction according to the rotation of the actuating member, and moves the movable contact that moves integrally with the slide member. Accordingly, one of the two fixed contacts is selected.

JP 2004-281259 A

  In the vehicle instrument switch described in Patent Document 1, the slide member moves from the conduction position with one fixed contact to the other fixed contact as the operating body moves from the original position to the pressed position by the pressing operation. When the operation body moves forward toward the conduction position and the operating body returns from the pressing position to the origin position, the slide member is maintained at the advance position and a conduction state with the other fixed contact is ensured. As the operating body moves from the origin position to the pressed position by the pressing operation again, the slide member moves backward from the conduction position with the other fixed contact toward the conduction position with the one fixed contact, When returning from the pressing position to the origin position, the slide member is maintained in the retracted position, and a conduction state with one fixed contact is ensured. That is, the contact is switched alternately by repeating the pressing operation on the operating body. As described above, in the switch of the type in which the contact is sequentially switched by repeating the pressing operation, the more the number of contacts that can be selected, the more times the operating body is pressed, and the desired switch can be obtained only by direct and simple switch operation. It was not in line with the user's intention to obtain a conductive state. Further, in the vehicle instrument switch described in Patent Document 1, many parts are used to convert the linear movement of the operating body into the sliding movement of the slide member, which makes the structure complicated and expensive. There was also a problem.

  The present invention has been made to address the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily and inexpensively configure a vehicle instrument switch that reflects a user's intention for direct and simple switch operation. It is in.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a vehicle instrument switch including an operation knob capable of selectively turning on a plurality of push switches mounted on a board,
The operation knob has a shaft portion arranged in a posture orthogonal to the board or the plate surface of the case body covering the mounting surface of the substrate, and is provided integrally with the shaft portion in a direction away from the axis of the shaft portion. An arm portion that extends and a switch pressing portion that is provided at a predetermined position of the arm portion to press the push switch, and the shaft portion, the arm portion, and the switch pressing portion move integrally in the axial direction of the shaft portion. It is possible to rotate around the axis,
The plurality of push switches are arranged on the substrate along the rotation trajectory around the axis of the switch pressing portion, and the operation knob is moved from the origin position when the operation knob is in a non-operation state to any one of the plurality of push switches. It is configured so that the push switch selected at the pressing position is turned on when it is rotated around the axis line to the corresponding rotating position and pressed in the axial direction from the rotating position,
Between the operation knob and the substrate or the case body, there is a knob return portion that elastically deforms in response to the operation of the operation knob and returns the operation knob that has been released from the pressed position to the origin position based on the elastic return force. It is provided.

  According to this, it is possible to select the push switch by rotating the operation knob toward the push switch desired to be selected and pressing it at the rotation position. Thereby, it can be set as the switch in which the intention of the user who asks for direct and simple switch operation was reflected. Further, when the pressing operation of the operation knob is released, the operation knob automatically returns from the pressing position to the origin position based on the elastic return force of the knob return portion. For this reason, it is possible to ensure the automatic return function of the operation knob while simplifying the configuration of the switch.

  In this case, the knob return portion is configured as a coil spring that is elastically deformed in accordance with the linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction and the rotational movement around the axis of the operation knob, and one end portion of the knob return portion is a locking portion on the substrate or case body side. The other end portion can be locked to the locking portion on the shaft portion side.

  By configuring the knob return portion as a coil spring, the knob return portion can be configured very simply, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, it can be easily incorporated into the operation knob.

  In addition, the knob return portion includes a first elastic portion that elastically deforms according to the linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction, and a second elastic portion that elastically deforms according to the rotational movement around the axis of the operation knob. It may be configured as a portion and provided integrally with the shaft portion. Alternatively, the knob return portion includes a first elastic portion that elastically deforms according to a linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction, and a second elastic portion that elastically deforms according to a rotational movement around the axis of the operation knob. It may be configured as a part and provided integrally with the substrate or the case body.

  By providing the knob return part integrally with the shaft part of the operation knob, the substrate or the case body, the number of parts of the switch can be further reduced.

  Further, when the switch pressing portion of the operation knob is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation position, the case body contacts the switch pressing portion that linearly moves in the axial direction in accordance with the pressing operation and is guided to the pressing position. It is preferable that a guiding portion to be formed is formed.

  It is difficult to rotate the operation knob so that the switch pressing portion stops at the rotation position corresponding to the push switch. When the switch pressing part does not correspond to the push switch, the push switch cannot be turned on even if the operation knob is pressed. On the other hand, when the switch pressing portion is guided to the pressing position by the guiding portion, the push switch is almost certainly turned on by the pressing operation even if the rotational operation amount of the operating knob is not accurate. The operability can be improved.

  Furthermore, the case body may be formed with a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation around the axis of the operation knob.

  As described above, it is difficult to rotate the operation knob so that the switch pressing portion stops at the rotation position corresponding to the push switch, and the operation knob may be rotated more than necessary. On the other hand, when the rotation around the axis of the operation knob is restricted by the rotation restricting portion (stopper portion), the switch pressing portion can be easily pressed when the operation knob is pressed even when the operation knob is rotated vigorously. It is possible to guide to the position, and the operability of the operation knob can be improved.

The external view which shows an example of the meter for vehicles to which this invention is applied. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle instrument switch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The top view which shows the state by which the switch for vehicle instruments of FIG. 2 was assembled | attached. AA sectional drawing of FIG. The perspective view which shows the switch for vehicle instruments which concerns on the modification of Example 1. FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the switch for vehicle instruments which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. The disassembled perspective view of the switch for vehicle instruments which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. The principal part top view which shows the state by which the switch for vehicle instruments of FIG. 7 was assembled | attached. The side view of FIG. The principal part side view of the switch for vehicle instruments which concerns on Example 4 of this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a vehicle instrument 1 having a vehicle instrument switch according to the present invention. The vehicle instrument 1 is provided as a combination meter in an instrument panel in a vehicle interior, and is configured by combining a well-known speedometer 2, tachometer 3, fuel gauge 4, water temp gauge 5, and od trip meter 6. ing. In the first embodiment, a vehicle instrument switch SW (hereinafter simply referred to as a switch SW) is used as an operation switch of the od trip meter 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the switch SW is an operation knob 10 that can alternately turn on a plurality of (three in this embodiment) push switches 21, 22, 23 mounted on the substrate 20. It has. In addition, the board | substrate 20 is covered by the case body 40 mentioned later.

  The operation knob 10 includes a columnar shaft portion 11 arranged in a posture orthogonal to the mounting surface of the substrate 20, an arm portion 12 extending radially outward from an intermediate portion of the shaft portion 11, and an arm And a switch pressing portion 13 that protrudes toward the push switches 21 to 23 at the tip of the portion 12, and is movable in the direction of the axis O1 of the shaft 11 and rotatable around the axis O1.

  In FIG. 2, a projecting portion 14 is formed at the lower end of the shaft portion 11 to prevent excessive displacement of the shaft portion 11 with respect to the substrate 20 by being inserted into a through hole 41 a formed in the case body 40. A serrated knob 15 is formed on the peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the shaft 11.

  The push switches 21 to 23 are arranged on the substrate 20 so as to be positioned on a rotation locus around the axis O1 of the switch pressing portion 13, that is, on an arc line. When any one of the push switches 21 to 23 is pressed and turned on, the push switches 21 to 23 are electrically connected to a circuit unit that detects the detection and switches the display.

  In the first embodiment, when the push switch 21 is pressed, the odometer / trip meter 6 can alternately display the odometer display and the trip meter display. Further, when the push switch 22 is pressed, the luminance of the vehicle meter 1 can be increased, and when the push switch 23 is pressed, the luminance of the vehicle meter 1 can be decreased. Note that the function assignment by the push switches 21 to 23 is not limited to the above case, and can be widely applied to, for example, setting of a clock provided in the vehicle instrument 1 or switching of display display.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a coil spring 30 as a knob return portion is incorporated between the arm portion 12 of the operation knob 10 and the case body 40. Each end of the coil spring 30 is bent one step, one end 31 is engaged with a through hole 41 b formed in the case body 40, and the other end 32 is formed in the arm 12. It is locked in the hole 12a (the locking portion on the shaft 11 side).

  The coil spring 30 functions as a compression coil spring that elastically deforms according to the linear movement of the operation knob 10 in the direction of the axis O1 and a function of a torsion coil spring that elastically deforms according to the rotational movement of the operation knob 10 around the axis O1. When the switch operation (pressing operation, rotating operation) on the operation knob 10 is released, the operation knob 10 is automatically returned to the origin position based on the elastic return force. Here, the “origin position” refers to a reference position (initial position) at which the operation knob 10 is located when the coil spring 30 is in a free state where it does not receive external force due to operation. In the first embodiment, FIG. The push switch 21 is set at an upper position.

  The case body 40 is formed with a recess 41 having a substantially fan shape in plan view. In the recess 41, the lower part including the arm portion 12 of the operation knob 10 and the coil spring 30 in FIG. 2 are accommodated.

  In the recess 41, openings 41c to 41e that allow the push switches 21 to 23 on the substrate 40 and the switch pressing portion 13 of the operation knob 10 to contact each other are formed, and the axis O1 of the switch pressing portion 13 is formed. When viewed along the surrounding rotation trajectory, inclined walls 41f to 41h (guide portions) whose height positions become lower from the intermediate positions of the openings 41c to 41e toward the openings 41c to 41e are formed. Further, among the inclined walls 41f to 41h, the wall ends of the inclined walls 41f to 41h are connected to vertical walls 41j and 41k (rotation restricting portions) extending in the radial direction in the recess 41, respectively.

  Next, the operation of the switch SW configured as described above will be described. When the knob portion 15 of the operation knob 11 is picked and the shaft portion 11 is pressed as it is against the urging force of the coil spring 30 in the direction of the axis O1, the push switch 21 is turned on at the pressing position. Thereby, when the odometer is displayed on the odometer / trip meter 6, the display is switched to the trip meter display, and when the trip meter is displayed, the display is switched to the odometer display. When the finger is released from the knob 15, the operation knob 10 returns from the pressed position to the origin position by the elastic return force of the coil spring 30.

  Further, the knob portion 15 of the operation knob 11 is picked, and the shaft portion 11 is rotated clockwise until the switch pressing portion 13 reaches the rotational position corresponding to the push switch 22 against the urging force around the axis O1 of the coil spring 30. When the rotation operation is performed and the shaft portion 11 is pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 30 in the axis O1 direction at the rotation position, the push switch 22 is turned on at the pressing position. Thereby, the brightness | luminance of the meter 1 for vehicle instruments becomes high. When the finger is released from the knob 15, the operation knob 10 returns from the pressed position to the origin position by the elastic return force around the axis O <b> 1 and in the direction of the axis O <b> 1 by the coil spring 30.

  Even if the switch pressing portion 13 is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the push switch 22, the switch pressing portion 13 is guided along the inclined wall 41 g of the case body 40 to the pressing position with the push-down push switch 22. The push switch 22 can be turned on almost certainly. Even if the shaft portion 11 is rotated more than necessary around the axis O1 (clockwise), the arm portion 12 abuts against the vertical wall 41j of the case body 40 and further rotation is restricted. 11 over rotation is prevented.

  Similarly, the knob portion 15 of the shaft portion 11a is picked and the shaft portion 11 is turned counterclockwise until the switch pressing portion 13 reaches the rotational position corresponding to the push switch 23 against the urging force around the axis O1 of the coil spring 30. If the shaft portion 11 is pressed against the urging force of the coil spring 30 in the direction of the axis O1 at the rotational position, the push switch 23 is turned on at the pressed position. Thereby, the brightness | luminance of the meter 1 for vehicle instruments becomes low. When the finger is released from the knob 15, the operation knob 10 returns from the pressed position to the origin position by the elastic return force around the axis O <b> 1 and in the direction of the axis O <b> 1 by the coil spring 30.

  Further, even if the switch pressing portion 13 is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the push switch 23, the switch pressing portion 13 is guided along the inclined wall 41 h of the case body 40 to the pressing position with the push-down push switch 23. The push switch 23 can be turned on almost certainly. Even if the shaft portion 11 is rotated more than necessary around the axis O1 (counterclockwise), the arm portion 12 abuts against the vertical wall 41k of the case body 40 and further rotation is restricted. 11 is prevented from being turned too much, and the operability of the operation knob 10 is improved.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the first embodiment, when the push switch 21 is selected, the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 may be pressed as it is, and the push switch 22 or 23 is selected. In this case, the shaft portion 11a of the operation knob 10 may be rotated to a predetermined rotation position and pressed at that rotation position. As a result, it is possible to provide the switch SW reflecting the user's intention for a direct and simple switch operation. When the operation on the operation knob 10 is released, the operation knob 10 is automatically returned from the pressed position to the origin position by the coil spring 30. For this reason, the automatic return function of the operation knob 10 can be ensured while simplifying the configuration of the switch SW.

(Modification)
As shown in FIG. 5, the switch SW according to the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle instrument in which the case body 40 is omitted. In this case, the protrusion 14 of the operation knob 10 is inserted into the through hole 20 a formed in the substrate 20, and the one end 31 of the coil spring 30 is locked in the through hole 20 b formed in the substrate 20. It becomes. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, members and parts that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Instead of the coil spring 30 of the first embodiment, for example, an elastic portion 130 as shown in FIG. 6 may function as the knob return portion. Since the other configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to members and parts that perform the same function, and description thereof is omitted.

  The elastic portion 130 is formed integrally with the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 so as to extend in the direction opposite to the direction in which the arm portion 12 of the operation knob 10 is extended, that is, in the reference line O2 direction orthogonal to the direction of the axis O1. The first elastic portion 131 (movable side first elastic portion), the second elastic portion 132 (movable side second elastic portion), and the attachment shaft portion 133 are arranged in this order from the base end side connected to the shaft portion 11. I have. In the case body 40, in addition to the recess 41 that accommodates the lower portion including the arm portion 12 of the operation knob 10, a substantially rectangular recess 42 is formed in a plan view that accommodates the elastic portion 130. An attachment hole 42a for fixing the attachment shaft portion 133 of the elastic portion 130 is formed.

  The first elastic portion 131 is formed in a substantially wavy shape having a plurality of arc-shaped bent portions 131a (two in the second embodiment). The bent portions 131a of the first elastic portion 131 are arranged at different height positions in the direction of the axis O1. The second elastic portion 132 is obtained by rotating the first elastic portion 131 around the reference line O2, for example, 90 degrees. The bent portions 132a of the second elastic portion 132 are disposed at different circumferential positions around the substantially axis O1.

  Accordingly, when the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 is rotated around the axis O1, the second elastic portion 132a is elastically deformed. When the rotation operation is canceled, the shaft portion 11 returns to the origin position by the elastic return force of the second elastic portion 132a. Further, when the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 is pressed, the first elastic portion 131a is elastically deformed. When the pressing operation is released, the shaft portion 11 returns to the origin position by the elastic return force of the first elastic portion 131a.

  As in the second embodiment, by integrally forming the elastic portion 130 functioning as the knob return portion on the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10, the number of parts of the switch SW can be further reduced.

  Instead of the elastic part 130 of the second embodiment, for example, an elastic part 230 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 may function as the knob return part. Since the other configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to members and parts that perform the same function, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the operation knob 10 is integrally formed with a plate-like action piece 16 extending in the direction opposite to the arm portion 12. The elastic part 230 includes a first elastic part 231 (fixed-side first elastic part) that contacts the lower end surface of the action piece 16 and a pair of second elastic parts 232 and 232 (fixed) that sandwich the action piece 16 in FIG. 2nd elastic part), and each elastic part 231 and 232 is connected to the case body 40 at each base end.

  The first elastic portion 231 is formed in a substantially wavy shape having a plurality of arcuate bent portions 231a (four in this embodiment 3), and is arranged so as to extend from the bottom wall of the recess 41 to the opening side. Has been. Each bent portion 231a of the first elastic portion 231 is disposed at a different height position in the direction of the axis O1.

  The second elastic portions 232 and 232 are arranged to face each other so as to extend toward the recess 41 with the side wall of the recess 42 as the base end side, and extend substantially in parallel from the base end side, and extend from the intermediate portion 232a to the distal end. It is formed in a curved shape that approaches each other toward the portion 232b.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, when the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 is rotated around the axis O <b> 1, for example, counterclockwise, one side of the second elastic portions 232 and 232 is elastically deformed via the action piece 16. When the rotation operation is released, the action piece 16 rotates clockwise by the elastic return force of the second elastic portion 232, and the shaft portion 11 returns to the origin position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the shaft portion 11 of the operation knob 10 is pressed, the first elastic portion 231 is elastically deformed (compressed) via the action piece 16. When the pressing operation is released, the shaft portion 11 returns to the origin position via the action piece 16 by the elastic return force of the first elastic portion 231.

  Even if the elastic portion 230 that functions as a knob return portion is integrally formed with the case body 40 as in the third embodiment, the number of parts of the switch SW can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the coil spring 30 as the knob return portion is configured by one member. However, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the coil spring 30 may be configured by two members, a compression coil spring 331 and a torsion coil spring 332. Good. Since the other configuration is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, members and parts that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, the operation knob 10 is formed with a flange portion 17 coaxially with the shaft portion 11. A compression coil spring 331 is incorporated between the flange portion 17 of the operation knob 10 and the case body 40, and a torsion coil spring 332 having a larger diameter than the compression coil spring 331 is disposed so as to surround the compression coil spring 331. Has been. One end 332 a of the torsion coil spring 332 is locked in a through hole 41 b formed in the case body 40, and the other end 332 b is in a through hole 17 a formed in the flange portion 17 (locking portion on the shaft portion 11 side). It is locked.

  Even if a plurality of elastic members are used as the knob return portion as in the fourth embodiment, the return function of the operation knob 10 can be secured while simplifying the configuration of the switch SW.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where three push switches are used has been described. However, the number of push switches may be two, or four or more.

1 Vehicle Instrument 6 Odo Trip Meter SW Switch (Vehicle Instrument Switch)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation knob 11 Shaft part 12 Arm part 13 Switch pressing part 15 Knob part 16 Acting piece 17 Flange part 20 Substrate 21-23 Push switch 30 Coil spring (knob return part)
40 Case body 130 Elastic part (knob return part)
131 1st elastic part 132 2nd elastic part 133 Attachment shaft part 230 Elastic part (knob return part)
231 First elastic part 232 Second elastic part 331 Compression coil spring 332 Torsion coil spring O1 Axis O2 Reference line

Claims (6)

A switch for a vehicle instrument having an operation knob capable of selectively turning on a plurality of push switches mounted on a board,
The operation knob includes a shaft portion arranged in a posture orthogonal to a plate surface of the case body covering the substrate or the mounting surface of the substrate, and is provided integrally with the shaft portion and is away from the axis of the shaft portion. An arm portion extending in the direction and a switch pressing portion provided at a predetermined position of the arm portion for pressing the push switch, wherein the shaft portion, the arm portion, and the switch pressing portion are integrally formed with the shaft. It is possible to move in the axial direction of the part and rotate around the axis,
The plurality of push switches are disposed on the substrate along a rotation trajectory around the axis of the switch pressing portion, and the plurality of push switches from an origin position where the operation knob is in a non-operation state. The push switch is configured to be turned on when the rotation is performed around the axis to the rotation position corresponding to one of the push switches, and the pressing position is pressed from the rotation position in the axial direction. And
Between the operation knob and the substrate or the case body, the operation knob is elastically deformed according to an operation of the operation knob, and the operation knob released from the operation is moved from the pressed position to the origin position based on an elastic return force. A switch for a vehicle instrument, characterized in that a knob return portion is provided for returning to the position.   The knob return portion is configured as a coil spring that is elastically deformed in accordance with a linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction and a rotational movement of the operation knob around the axis, and one end portion of the knob return portion is on the substrate or the case body side. The vehicle instrument switch according to claim 1, wherein the other end portion is locked to the locking portion on the shaft portion side.   The knob return portion includes a first elastic portion that is elastically deformed according to a linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction, and a second elastic portion that is elastically deformed according to a rotational movement of the operation knob around the axis. The vehicle instrument switch according to claim 1, wherein the switch is configured as an elastic portion provided and is provided integrally with the shaft portion.   The knob return portion includes a first elastic portion that is elastically deformed according to a linear movement of the operation knob in the axial direction, and a second elastic portion that is elastically deformed according to a rotational movement of the operation knob around the axis. The vehicular instrument switch according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular instrument switch is configured as an elastic portion provided and provided integrally with the substrate or the case body.   When the switch pressing portion of the operation knob is displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotational position, the case body is in contact with the switch pressing portion that moves linearly in the axial direction in accordance with the pressing operation. The vehicle instrument switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a guide portion for guiding the position is formed.   The vehicle instrument switch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the operation knob around the axis is formed in the case body.

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