JP2011243300A - Switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive switching device used for operating various electronic devices for an automobile, the device permitting construction of various switch units in a simple constitution.SOLUTION: The case side of a first switching unit 40 is provided with a step-shape stationary portion 31 in which a nearly tongue piece like contact part 31B and a support part 31C positioned under the contact part 31B and having a width narrower than that of the contact part 31B are formed to protrude. The step-shape stationary portion 31 is sandwiched between a boss part 9D of an upper cover 9 and a receptacle 16A of a lower cover 16 and they are fastened with screws 17. This enables the lower cover 16 to be shared either when the first and second switch units 40 and 41 are disposed side by side or when only the first switch unit 40 is disposed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device used mainly for operating various electronic devices in an automobile.

  In recent years, a switch device having a plurality of operating bodies is mounted on a steering wheel in an automobile, thereby increasing the operation of various electronic devices such as acoustics and air conditioning equipment in the passenger compartment.

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

  FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional switch device, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view thereof. In FIG. 6, 1 and 3 are substantially box-shaped first and second cases made of insulating resin, and 2 and 4 are insulated. The operation bodies 2 and 4 are made of resin and have predetermined symbols and the like displayed on the upper surface, and the operation bodies 2 and 4 are respectively attached to the hollow cylinder portions 1A and 3A on the upper surface of the first and second cases 1 and 3 so as to be movable up and down. Yes.

  The left and right side surfaces of the first case 1 have flat plate-like fixing portions 11 and 12 that protrude in a generally tongue-like shape and have through holes 11A and 12A formed in the center. Are respectively provided with flat plate-like fixing portions 13 and 14 each protruding substantially in the shape of a tongue and having through holes 13A and 14A formed in the center.

  Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote wiring boards in which a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of switch contacts 7 such as push switches are mounted on the upper surfaces of the wiring boards. The operation parts projecting from the operation bodies 2 and 4 are in contact with the pressing parts 2A and 4A projecting from the lower surface.

  Further, the wiring boards 5 and 6 cover the lower surface openings of the first and second cases 1 and 3, respectively, and these are fastened and fixed by a plurality of screws 8, so that the first switch unit 20 and the second switch Each unit 21 is configured.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an upper cover made of an insulating resin having a substantially box shape, inside the operation surfaces 9B and 9C inclined to the right side and the left side of the upper surface, and substantially parallel to the operation surfaces 9B and 9C. The switch units 20 and 21 are arranged, and a plurality of operation bodies 2 and 4 protrude from the corresponding opening holes 9A so as to be vertically movable.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a substantially flat bottom cover made of an insulating resin that covers the lower surface opening of the upper cover 9, and the fixing portions 11 to 14 on both sides of the first and second switch units 20 and 21 are at predetermined positions. While being sandwiched between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16, these are fastened and fixed by screws 17.

  Note that the fixing part 11 on the left side of the first switch unit 20 and the fixing part 14 on the right side of the second switch unit 21 have a fixing part 11, 14 on the lower surface of the center of the upper cover 9 in order to reduce the fastening work by screws 17. The fixing portions 11 and 14 are clamped and fixed between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16 by screws 17 which are arranged to overlap each other at the lower end of the boss portion 9D and are inserted from the receiving portion 16A of the lower cover 16.

  Further, the wiring boards 5 and 6 of the first and second switch units 20 and 21 are electrically connected by the flexible wiring board 15, and one end of the connector portion 18 is connected to the wiring board 5 and the other end connecting portion. Is extended outward to form the switch device 22.

  Then, as shown in the plan view of the steering in FIG. 5, such a switch device 22 is attached to the spoke 50B of the steering wheel 50 and mounted in the vehicle interior, and a plurality of switch contacts 7 and the like are connected to the connector portion 18. And is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the automobile.

  In the above configuration, when the operating body 2 or 4 of the switch device 22 is pressed, the corresponding switch contact 7 is electrically connected / disconnected via the pressing portion 2A or 4A, and the electronic circuit of the vehicle is For example, it is configured to increase or decrease the set temperature of the air conditioner or the volume of the audio.

  Note that the switch device 22 having such a configuration may be configured with only the first switch unit 20 without the second switch unit 21 depending on the model of the automobile.

  In this case, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8, the switch device 23 is fastened and fixed by the screw 17 between the first switch unit 20 and the lower cover 19 below the operation surface 9B on the right side of the upper cover 9. Since the upper surface of the flat fixing portion 11 is in contact with the lower end of the boss portion 9D and the receiving portion 19A of the lower cover 19 is in direct contact with the lower surface of the fixing portion 11, the thickness of the receiving portion 19A is the receiving amount of the lower cover 16 described above. In addition to the thickness of the portion 16A, the thickness of the fixing portion 14 of the second switch unit 21 is further added to make the thickness thicker.

  Therefore, normally, when a new mold is manufactured and the lower cover 19 of another part is used, or when the lower cover 16 is shared, a ring-shaped spacer having a predetermined thickness is added below the fixing portion 11. In the case where the switch device is constituted by only one switch unit, for example, it is necessary to increase the manufacturing cost due to the addition of a lower cover mold or the increase in the number of parts and the time required for work.

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

JP 2009-32536 A

  However, in the conventional switch device, when the switch device 22 is configured by arranging two first and second switch units 20 and 21 side by side, the first and second switch units 20 are arranged. 21, the fixing portions 11 and 14 are overlapped and sandwiched between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16 and fastened and fixed with screws 17, while the switch device 23 is configured by only one first switch unit 20. In some cases, the lower cover 19 in which the thickness of the receiving portion 19A is larger than the thickness of the receiving portion 16A is used as a new part, or a spacer is added between the fixed portion 11 and the receiving portion 16A by using the lower cover 16 in common. There is a problem that the manufacturing cost tends to be high.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive switch device that can have various switch unit configurations with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a step unit in which a substantially tongue-shaped contact portion and a support portion having a narrower width than the contact portion are formed on the side surface of the switch unit. A plurality of switch units are arranged side by side, and a plurality of switch units are arranged side by side by providing a fixed portion with a stepped fixed portion between the upper cover and the lower cover and fastening them with screws. When the fixing part is overlapped and sandwiched between the upper and lower covers and fastened with screws, the plate-like fixing part of the other switch unit is surrounded by the supporting part of the stepped fixing part of one switch unit. When the two switch units are securely fastened and fixed between the upper and lower covers and the switch device is configured by only one switch unit, the contact portion of the stepped fixing portion and the support portion are supported. The thickness of the part is almost the same as the thickness of the flat plate-like fixing parts of the two switch units, and can be fastened with one stepped fixing part between the upper and lower covers. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the number of parts and the time required for the operation, various switch unit configurations are possible with a simple configuration, and an inexpensive switch device can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect that various switch unit configurations are possible with a simple configuration and an inexpensive switch device can be realized.

Sectional drawing of the switch apparatus by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Perspective view of the main part Sectional view when there is one switch unit Steering plan view Sectional view of a conventional switch device Exploded perspective view Sectional view when there is one switch unit

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

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

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 25 and 26 denote first and second substantially box-shaped and made of insulating resin such as polycarbonate or ABS. Cases 2 and 4 are operation bodies which are also made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate and ABS, and characters, symbols, symbols, etc. are displayed on the upper surface, and these operation bodies 2 and 4 are the first and second cases 25, 26 are mounted on the hollow cylinder portions 25A and 26A on the upper surface so as to be movable up and down.

  Then, on the left side surface of the first case 25, as shown in the perspective view of the main part in FIG. 3, the flat contact portion 31B has a substantially tongue-like outer shape, and the lower surface thereof is narrower than the contact portion 31B. Is provided with a stepped fixing portion 31 from which a substantially disc-shaped support portion 31C is protruded, and a through hole 31A is formed substantially at the center of the support portion 31C, and a chamfered portion 31D is provided at the outer periphery of the tip of the support portion 31C. Is formed.

  Further, the thickness of each of the contact part 31B and the support part 31C is about 1 to 2 mm, and the outer diameter of the support part 31C is around φ6 mm.

  Further, on the right side surface of the second case 26, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a fixed portion 34 having a flat plate shape and having a through hole 34A having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support portion 31C at a substantially central position. The thickness is slightly greater than the thickness of the support portion 31C.

  In addition, by providing a chamfered portion 31D on the outer periphery of the tip of the support portion 31C, as will be described later, when the through hole 34A is inserted into the support portion 31C and the fixing portion 34 is overlapped, the through hole 34A is formed by the chamfered portion 31D. It is easy to enter the support portion 31C.

  Further, on the right side surface of the first case 25 and the left side surface of the second case 26, flat fixing portions 32 and 33 having a substantially tongue-like outer shape are provided, and a through hole 32A is provided at the approximate center thereof. And 33A are formed.

  Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote wiring boards in which a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of switch contacts 7 such as push switches are mounted on the upper surfaces of the wiring boards. The operation parts projecting from the operation bodies 2 and 4 are in contact with the pressing parts 2A and 4A projecting from the lower surface.

  The wiring boards 5 and 6 cover the lower surface openings of the first and second cases 25 and 26, respectively, and are fastened and fixed by a plurality of screws 8, so that the first switch unit 40 and the second switch Each unit 41 is configured.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a substantially box-shaped upper cover made of an insulating resin, which is provided with operation surfaces 9B and 9C that are inclined downward from the center of the upper surface to the right end and the left end, and inside the operation surface 9B. The first and second switch units 40 and 41 are arranged substantially parallel to 9C, and a plurality of operation bodies 2 and 4 protrude from the corresponding opening holes 9A so as to be vertically movable.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a substantially flat bottom cover made of an insulating resin, which covers the lower surface opening of the upper cover 9 and is fixed to the stepped fixing portions 31 on both the left and right sides of the first and second switch units 40 and 41. The parts 32 to 34 are sandwiched between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16 at predetermined positions, and these are fastened and fixed by screws 17.

  It should be noted that the stepped fixing portion 31 on the left side of the first switch unit 40 and the fixing portion 34 on the right side of the second switch unit 41 have a contact portion of the stepped fixing portion 31 in order to reduce the fastening work by the screws 17. 31B abuts the lower end of the boss 9D on the lower surface of the center of the upper cover 9, and the support portion 31C is inserted into the through hole 34A of the fixing portion 34 so that the stepped fixing portion 31 and the fixing portion 34 are arranged to overlap each other. The stepped fixing portion 31 and the fixing portion 34 are sandwiched between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16 by the screws 17 inserted from the receiving portion 16A of the cover 16 through the through hole 31A, and these are fastened and fixed.

  Further, since the thickness of the fixing portion 34 is slightly larger than the thickness of the support portion 31C of the stepped fixing portion 31, a fastening force by the screw 17 is directly applied to the fixing portion 34, and the stepped fixing portion 31 and the fixing portion 34 are bosses. It is securely clamped between the portion 9D and the receiving portion 16A, and stable fastening and fixing without rattling can be performed.

  Then, the wiring boards 5 and 6 of the first and second switch units 40 and 41 are electrically connected by the flexible wiring board 15, and one end of the connector portion 18 is connected to the wiring board 5 and the connecting portion at the other end. Extends outwards to form the switch device 42.

  Further, as shown in the plan view of the steering shown in FIG. 5, the switch device 42 configured in this manner is located between the steering wheel 50 and the pad 50A containing the central airbag, etc. with the upper surface of the upper cover 9 facing forward. The plurality of switch contacts 7 and the like are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the automobile via the connector portion 18 while being attached to the spoke 50B and mounted in the vehicle interior.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the operating body 2 on which “∧” on the operation surface 9B of the switch device 42 is pressed, the corresponding switch contact 7 is electrically connected / disconnected via the pressing portion 2A on the lower surface, In response to this, the electronic circuit of the vehicle increases the set temperature of the air conditioner, for example.

  Further, when the operation body 4 on which “+” is displayed on the operation surface 9C below the operation surface 9B is pressed, the corresponding switch contact 7 is electrically connected / disconnected via the pressing portion 4A, for example, the volume of the audio Is configured to increase.

  Such a switch device may be configured with only the first switch unit 40 installed without the second switch unit 41 depending on the model of the automobile.

  In this case, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the first switch unit 40 is fastened and fixed by screws 17 between the lower cover 16 and the lower cover 16 on the right side of the upper cover 9 to form the switch device 43. However, the contact portion 31B of the upper portion of the stepped fixing portion 31 on the left side surface of the first switch unit 40 contacts the lower end of the boss portion 9D, and the support portion 31C of the lower portion of the stepped fixing portion 31 directly receives the receiving portion 16A. The lower cover 16, the stepped fixing portion 31, and the boss portion 9 </ b> D are fastened and fixed by the screws 17 in contact with the upper surface.

  At this time, the thickness of the stepped fixing portion 31 is substantially the same as the thickness when the stepped fixing portion 31 and the fixing portion 34 overlap in the switch device 42 composed of the first and second switch units 40 and 41. Since they are the same, these fastening and fixing by the screws 17 are similarly performed reliably.

  Therefore, the lower cover 16 can be shared by the switch device 42 constituted by the first and second switch units 40 and 41 and the switch device 43 constituted only by the first switch unit 40, and a new lower cover can be used. In addition, since no parts such as spacers are required, various switch unit configurations are possible and inexpensive without the cost of molds or the addition of parts such as spacers or the need for mounting work.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, a substantially tongue-shaped contact portion 31B and a support portion 31C having a width narrower than the contact portion 31B are formed on the side surface of the case of the first switch unit 40 so as to protrude. By providing a stepped fixing part 31, sandwiching the stepped fixing part 31 between the boss part 9D of the upper cover 9 and the receiving part 16A of the lower cover 16, and fastening and fixing them with screws 17, The first and second switch units 40 and 41 are arranged side by side, and the stepped fixing portions 31 and fixing portions 34 of the adjacent first and second switch units are stacked and sandwiched between the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 16. When fastening and fixing with the screws 17, the fixing portion 34 of the second switch unit 41 is overlapped on the supporting portion 31 C of the stepped fixing portion 31 of the first switch unit 40 so as to surround the outer periphery of the supporting portion 31 C, and Fixed part 1 and the fixing portion 34 are securely fastened and fixed between the upper and lower covers 9 and 16, and when the switch device is constituted by only one switch unit 40, the stepped fixing portion 31 is used to fix the step. Since the thickness of the contact portion 31B and the fixing portion 34 of the portion 31 is almost the same as that of the fixing portion 34, the lower cover 16 can be shared because the single stepped fixing portion 31 is sandwiched between the upper and lower covers. Because there is no need to add new parts such as a new lower cover and spacers, or to increase the number of operations such as mounting spacers, various switch unit configurations are possible with a simple configuration, and an inexpensive switch device is obtained. It is something that can be done.

  In the above description, the support portion 31C of the stepped fixing portion 31 is described as protruding from the lower surface of the contact portion 31B. However, the support portion 31C is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the stepped contact portion 31B. At the same time, the present invention can be implemented by forming the stepped fixing portion 31 and the fixing portion 34 upside down and inserting the support portion 31C into the upper through hole 34A.

  In the above description, the first and second switch units 40 and 41 have been described as pressing operation types that press the operating bodies 2 and 4. It may be provided with a switch unit of various operation forms such as a rotary operation type in which a body is rotated to operate a lower encoder or the like.

  The switch device according to the present invention has a simple configuration, allows various switch unit configurations, can realize an inexpensive switch device, and is useful for a switch device used for operation of various electronic devices in an automobile. .

2, 4 Operation body 2A, 4A Press part 5, 6 Wiring board 7 Switch contact 8, 17 Screw 9 Upper cover 9A Opening hole 9B, 9C Operation surface 9D Boss part 15 Flexible wiring board 16 Lower cover 16A Receiving part 18 Connector part 25 First case 26 Second case 25A, 26A Hollow cylindrical part 31 Stepped fixing part 32, 33, 34 Fixing part 31B Abutting part 31C Supporting part 31D Chamfering part 34A Through hole 40 First switch unit 41 Second switch Switch unit 42, 43 Switch device 50 Steering wheel 50A Pad 50B Spoke

Claims (1)

An operating body is operably attached to a substantially box-shaped case, and a switch unit is electrically connected / disconnected in accordance with the operation of the operating body; An upper cover projecting from the upper surface opening and a lower cover covering the lower surface opening of the upper cover, and a substantially tongue-shaped contact portion and the abutting portion on the side surface of the case of the switch unit. Provided with a stepped fixing part with a support part protruding narrower than the contact part on the lower or upper surface of the contact part, and sandwiching the stepped fixing part between the upper cover and the lower cover with screws Fastened and fixed switch device.

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