JP2012221583A - Stalk switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stalk switch device with a cancellation mechanism, whose size can be reduced.SOLUTION: When an operation lever 2 is operated to swing along a first operation face, an actuator holder 7 rotates integrally. A cancellation mechanism for automatically returning the operation lever 2 to a neutral position comprises a rotation core body 26 gear-coupled with the actuator holder 7 and rotary-driven; a rotation base 31 rotatably coupled with the rotation core body 26; a third actuator 30 held by the rotation core body 31; a coil spring 29 for bringing the third actuator 30 into elastic contact with a third cam face 31 of the rotation base 31; a pair of rotation arms 32, 33 rotatably supported by the rotation base 31; and a pair of spring members 34, 35 elastically contacting outer walls of both of the rotation arms 32, 33. When the operation lever 2 is operated to swing along the first operation face from the neutral position, the rotation core body 26 and the rotation base 31 are integrally rotary-driven, and one of the rotation arms 32, 33 enters into a rotation trajectory 37 of a cancellation protrusion 36.

Description

  The present invention relates to a stalk switch device that operates a direction indicator by swinging an operation lever, and more particularly to a stalk switch device that includes a cancel mechanism that automatically returns the operation lever to a neutral position.

  A pair of left and right stalk switch devices are attached to the steering column of an automobile. One stalk switch device is called a turn signal switch device and is used to operate a direction indicator and the like, and the other stalk switch device is Used to operate wipers etc. Among such stalk switch devices, a stalk switch device used as a turn signal switch device has a cylindrical operation lever protruding from a housing fixed to a steering column or the like, and these operation levers are substantially orthogonal to each other. It can be swung in one operation surface. Then, by selectively operating the operation lever along each operation surface, the left or right turn lamp blinks, or the beam is switched or the passing operation is performed.

  As a support structure of the operation lever in this type of stalk switch device, conventionally, a holder that supports the base portion of the operation lever so as to be swingable along the first operation surface, and a first provided on the inner back wall of the holder are provided. A first driving body that elastically contacts one cam surface, a housing that supports the holder in a swingable manner along a second operation surface that is substantially orthogonal to the first operation surface, and an inner back wall of the housing; A second driving body that elastically contacts the second cam surface, and a detection means that can individually detect the swinging operation along the first and second operation surfaces of the operation lever. There is known a configuration in which are arranged on substantially the same straight line (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the conventional stalk switch device schematically configured as described above, when the user rotates the operation lever at the neutral position in either the upper or lower direction along the first operation surface, the holder does not rotate and the operation lever is not rotated. Oscillates and rotates with respect to the holder and the housing, and the first driving body slides on the first cam surface to generate a click feeling, and one slide switch of the detecting means is driven to the base of the operation lever. As a result, the beam is switched on and the passing operation is performed. On the other hand, when the user turns the operation lever in the neutral position to the left or right indicated position along the second operation surface, the operation lever swings and rotates integrally with the holder with the holder. The second drive body slides on the second cam surface to generate a click feeling and is held by the lock portion, and the other slide switch of the detecting means is driven by the holder to turn on and turn left or The right turn lamp blinks. In addition, when the operation lever is rotated to the left or right instruction position in this way, the lever protrusion of the cancel mechanism built into the housing is advanced into the rotation locus of the cancel protrusion, and in this state the steering wheel When a return operation for rotating the control lever in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the operation lever is performed, the cancel protrusion comes into contact with the lever protrusion to rotate it. As a result, the second drive body is released from the lock portion of the second cam surface and pushed back to the valley portion, so that the holder and the operation lever are automatically returned to the neutral position.

JP 2001-6494 A

  However, in the above-described conventional stalk switch device, the first driving body that elastically contacts the inner inner wall of the holder and the second driving body that elastically contacts the inner inner wall of the housing are disposed on substantially the same straight line. Since the desired click feeling is generated when the lever is operated along the first and second operation surfaces, there is a problem that the support structure for the operation lever cannot be designed compactly. That is, in such a conventional example, the mechanism portion for supporting the base portion of the operation lever so that a desired operation can be performed inevitably becomes a shape having a long depth dimension. Therefore, the entire stalk switch device including the cancel mechanism is provided. There was a problem that it was difficult to reduce the size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stalk switch device having a cancel mechanism and capable of being downsized.

  In order to achieve the above object, a Stoke switch device according to the present invention includes a movable support member that swingably supports a base portion of an operation lever along a first operation surface, and the movable support member that supports the first support surface. A housing that is swingably supported along a second operation surface that is substantially orthogonal to the operation surface, a first cam surface and a second cam surface provided on the housing, and a base portion of the operation lever. An actuator holder mounted in a state where only rotation along the two operation surfaces is possible, and a first actuator held by the actuator holder and elastically contacting the first cam surface by receiving the elastic force of the first elastic member And a second actuator that is held by the movable support member and receives the elastic force of the second elastic member to make elastic contact with the second cam surface, and a drive unit provided in the actuator holder. A rotating core body to be driven, a rotation base rotatably connected to the outer periphery of the rotation core body, a third actuator held on the rotation core body, and the third actuator connected to the rotation base body A third elastic member elastically contacted with a third cam surface provided on an inner peripheral surface, a pair of rotating arms rotatably supported by the rotating base, and supported by the housing so as to sandwich the rotating core body And a pair of spring members that elastically contact the outer wall surface of the rotating arm, and the pair of rotating arms can be projected and retracted with respect to a rotation locus of a cancel projection that rotates in conjunction with a steering wheel. The arm has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion on an outer wall surface straddling the rotation center, and when the operation lever is in a neutral position on the first operation surface, the pair of rotation arms is in front. The pair of spring members are in elastic contact with the first receiving portions of both rotary arms, and the operating lever is in the first position. When the rotary core body and the rotation base rotate together with the swinging operation to the end position in one direction along the operation surface, one of the rotary arms is moved from one of the spring members. The other spring member is separated and abuts against the other spring member, and the other spring member abuts against the second receiving portion of each of the rotary arms, so that the other rotary arm advances into the rotation locus. I tried to do it.

  In the stalk switch device configured as described above, when the operation lever is swung along the first operation surface, the second actuator held by the movable support member that is not interlocked with the base of the operation lever is the second cam. Only the first actuator held by the actuator holder that does not slide on the surface and interlocks with the base of the operation lever slides on the first cam surface, and the operation lever is substantially orthogonal to the first operation surface. When the swing operation is performed along the second operation surface, the first actuator does not slide on the first cam surface by the reaction force received from the first cam surface that is always elastically contacted, and interlocks with the base of the operation lever. Since only the second actuator held by the movable support member slides on the second cam surface, the first cam surface and the second cam surface can be provided at different locations on the same surface of the housing. As a result, the depth dimension of the stalk switch device can be shortened and the size can be reduced, and the click feeling (operation feel) of the operation lever operated along the first operation surface and the operation along the second operation surface. Since the click feeling of the operating lever can be set with a desired feeling curve without interfering with each other, it is possible to provide a stalk switch device excellent in operation feeling.

  In addition, a cancel mechanism for automatically returning the operation lever to the neutral position includes a rotating core body that is rotationally driven by the actuator holder, a rotating base that is coupled to the outer periphery of the rotating core body via a third actuator, A pair of rotating arms rotatably supported by the rotating base and a pair of spring members elastically contacting these rotating arms are provided, and the operating lever is swung in one direction along the first operating surface from the neutral position. When the rotary operation is performed, the rotary core is driven to rotate by the actuator holder so that one rotary arm advances into the rotation locus of the cancel projection. Can be added. Specifically, when the return operation of the steering wheel is performed with the operation lever swinging in one direction along the first operation surface, the cancel protrusion that rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel is within the rotation locus. The rotating base abuts against the advancing rotating arm, and the rotating base and the rotating core body are driven to rotate in opposite directions via the rotating arm, so that the first actuator held by the actuator holder comes off the locking portion of the first cam surface The actuator holder and operating lever are automatically returned to the neutral position. In addition, in the state where the operation lever is swung in one direction along the first operation surface, when some force that prevents the automatic return is applied to the operation lever, for example, while holding the operation lever by hand, When the return operation is performed, the rotating core that is gear-coupled to the actuator holder cannot be rotated, but the third actuator held by the rotating core pushes the third elastic member and rotates. Since the third cam surface of the base slides, the rotation base can be rotated with respect to the rotating core.

  In the above configuration, when the pair of rotating arms are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a straight line crossing the rotation center of the rotation base, and a stopper for restricting the rotation angle of these rotation arms is formed in the rotation base, A pair of rotating arms and a rotating base can be arranged compactly around the rotating core, which is preferable.

  Further, in the above configuration, a rotation member that is rotationally driven by being gear-coupled to a drive unit provided in the movable support member is provided, and the detected object is held by the rotation member and the rotation core, respectively. A detection mechanism for detecting an operation along the first operation surface and an operation along the second operation surface of the operation lever when the circuit board mounted with the detection object facing the detection object is attached to the housing. This is preferable because the space saving can be achieved, and the stalk switch device can be further reduced in size. In this case, if the detected body is a permanent magnet and the detected body is a magnetic sensor, the magnetic sensor detects the change in the magnetic field accompanying the rotational position change of the permanent magnet that rotates integrally with the rotating core and the rotating member. This makes it possible to detect the operating position of the operating lever with extremely high accuracy, and since the permanent magnet and the magnetic sensor are not in contact with each other, it is possible to avoid poor conduction due to wear and the like, thereby extending the service life. It becomes easy to plan.

  According to the Stoke switch device of the present invention, the movable support member that supports the base portion of the operation lever so as to be swingable along the first operation surface, and the movable support member are substantially orthogonal to the first operation surface. A housing that is swingably supported along the second operation surface, an actuator holder that is attached to the base of the operation lever so as to be able to rotate only along the second operation surface, and the actuator holder includes a first A first cam surface and a second actuator, each having a first actuator held via an elastic member, and a second actuator held by a movable support member via a second elastic member, wherein the first actuator elastically contacts the housing. And a second cam surface that is elastically contacted, and both cam surfaces on which these actuators slide can be provided on the same surface in the housing. Therefore, miniaturization becomes possible to shorten the depth of the stalk switch device. In addition, a cancel mechanism for automatically returning the operation lever to the neutral position is rotatably connected to a rotating core body that is rotationally driven by being gear-coupled to a driving section provided in the actuator holder, and an outer peripheral portion of the rotating core body. A rotating base, a third actuator held on the rotating core, a third elastic member for elastically contacting the third actuator with a third cam surface provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating base, A pair of rotating arms rotatably supported by the base, and a pair of spring members supported by the housing so as to sandwich the rotating core and elastically contacting the outer wall surfaces of both rotating arms. When the swinging operation is performed in one direction along the first operation surface from the neutral position, the rotary core is driven to rotate by the actuator holder so that one rotary arm advances into the rotation locus of the cancel projection. Since the Tsu can be added a function of canceling mechanism to stalk switch device which can be downsized.

1 is an external view of a Stoke switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of this Stoke switch device. It is a disassembled perspective view of this Stoke switch device. It is a perspective view which shows the support mechanism of the operation lever with which this Stoke switch apparatus is equipped. It is a perspective view of the cancellation mechanism with which the support mechanism shown in FIG. 4 is equipped. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cancellation mechanism shown in FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing when this operation lever is rocked | operated along a 1st operation surface. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing when this operation lever is rocked | operated along a 2nd operation surface. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the cancellation mechanism shown in FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the cancellation mechanism shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a Stoke switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This Stoke switch device is applied to a turn signal switch device of an automobile. As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 1 fixed to a steering column (not shown) or the like, and an operation lever 2 protruding from the housing 1 It has. The operation lever 2 can swing within two operation surfaces (first and second operation surfaces) orthogonal to each other, and the operation lever 2 can be selectively operated along each operation surface. Yes.

  The housing 1 is a box-shaped body integrated by combining the upper case 11, the lower case 12, the cam plate 13, and the bottom plate 14 shown in FIG. The upper case 11 and the lower case 12 are snap-coupled to the locking holes 11a of the upper case 11 by fitting them into the locking claws 12a of the lower case 12, and the upper case 11 covers the upper opening of the lower case 12. ing. On both side walls of the lower case 12, U-shaped groove-shaped notches 12b are formed at opposite positions. These notches 12b are bearing portions, and support a support shaft 16f of a movable support member 6 described later in a rotatable manner in cooperation with a part of an inner wall (not shown) of the upper case 11. The back wall 12c of the lower case 12 has a concave curved surface, and a horizontally long opening 12d is formed at the bottom of the back wall 12c. The cam plate 13 is fixed to the inner surface of the back wall portion 12 c of the lower case 12. In this cam plate 13, the first cam surface 13a and the second cam surface 13b are formed at different locations so that the directions of repeating the peaks and valleys of each cam surface intersect (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Both the cam surfaces 13a and 13b constitute a part of the inner wall surface of the housing 1. Moreover, the opening 1a (refer FIG. 2) formed by the coupling | bonding of the upper case 11 and the lower case 12 is provided in the side facing the back wall part 12c of the housing 1, and outward from this opening 1a. The operation lever 2 protrudes. The bottom plate 14 is fixed to the lower case 12 and covers the lower opening of the lower case 12. The bottom plate 14 is provided with mounting holes 14a and 14b for positioning and mounting a rotating member 23 and a rotating core body 26, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the circuit board 15 is arranged close to and parallel to the bottom plate 14, and magnetic sensors 25 and 28 are mounted on the circuit board 15.

  A hollow base 20 integrated with the operation lever 2 is housed inside the housing 1. The base portion 20 supports the base end portion of the operation lever 2, and is supported so as to be swingable in two directions orthogonal to each other by the configuration shown in FIGS. As is clear from FIG. 3, the base portion 20 includes a cylindrical portion 20a to which the operation lever 2 is fitted, a rectangular tube portion 20b continuous to the cylindrical portion 20a, and opposing wall portions of the rectangular tube portion 20b. A pair of first shaft portions 20c projecting outward and a pair of second shaft portions 20d projecting outward from other opposing wall portions of the rectangular tube portion 20b are provided. The axis of the portion 20c and the axis of the second shaft portion 20d are orthogonal to each other.

  The operation lever 2 includes a movable support member 6 that supports the base portion 20 of the operation lever 2 so as to be rotatable along a first operation surface P1 (a plane orthogonal to the axis of the first shaft portion 20c), and the movable support member 6. The bearing portion (notch) of the housing 1 that supports the member 6 so as to be rotatable along a second operation surface P2 (plane perpendicular to the axis of the support shaft 16f) orthogonal to the first operation surface P1. 12b), the actuator holder 7 attached to the base portion 20 so as to be swingable along the second operation surface P2, and the actuator holder 7 held by a torsion spring (first elastic member) 18 The first actuator 8 and the second actuator 9 held by the movable support member 6 via a torsion spring (second elastic member) 19 are supported so as to be swingable in two directions orthogonal to each other. When the operation lever 2 is operated along the first operation surface P1, the movable support member 6 is not interlocked, but the actuator holder 7 rotates integrally with the base 20 along the first operation surface P1. Therefore, only the first actuator 8 slides on the first cam surface 13a. When the operation lever 2 is operated along the second operation surface P2, as will be described later, the actuator holder 7 is not interlocked, but the movable support member 6 is integrated with the base portion 20 in the second operation surface. In order to rotate along P2, only the second actuator 9 slides on the second cam surface 13b. As shown in FIG. 3, the first operation surface P <b> 1 is a plane along the bottom surface of the bottom plate 14, and the second operation surface P <b> 2 is a plane along the side wall portion of the housing 1.

  The movable support member 6 is a hollow frame body in which the base portion 16 and the bridge plate 17 are integrated by snap coupling or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 16 includes a bottom surface portion 16a, a pair of side wall portions 16b protruding in the same direction from both ends of the bottom surface portion 16a, and the cam plate 13 from the side walls of these side wall portions 16b. Actuator holding portion 16c protruding toward the second cam surface 13b, and a gear portion 16d that meshes with the relay gear 22 on the back side of the bottom surface portion 16a. A pair of bearing recesses 16e and 17a that pivotally support the pair of first shaft portions 20c of the base portion 20 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the bottom surface portion 16a and the bridging plate 17, and each side wall portion. On the outer surface of 16b, a pair of support shafts 16f, which are pivotally supported by the bearing portion (notch 12b) of the housing 1, are projected outward. Both the support shafts 16f are rotation shafts of the movable support member 6 with respect to the housing 1, and the movable support member 6 attached to the housing 1 rotates along the second operation surface P2 around the axis of the support shaft 16f. It is possible to move. Note that the axis of the support shaft 16f coincides with the axis of the second shaft portion 20d of the base portion 20, and the base portion 20 and the movable support member 6 follow the second operation surface P2 with the support shaft 16f as a rotation axis. And rotate together. However, even when the base portion 20 rotates along the first operation surface P1 with the first shaft portion 20c as the rotation axis, the movable support member 6 does not rotate in conjunction with the first shaft portion 20c. The torsion spring 19 and the second actuator 9 are incorporated and held in the actuator holding portion 16c, and the second actuator 9 is always in elastic contact with the second cam surface 13b by the urging force of the torsion spring 19. . The gear portion 16d is formed as a part of a bevel gear, and this gear portion 16d is a relay gear 22 that can rotate along the bottom plate 14, that is, a relay gear 22 that can rotate with the rotation axis orthogonal to the bottom plate 14. Is engaged with the small-diameter portion 22a. Since the rotating member 23 that can rotate along the bottom plate 14 is meshed with the large-diameter portion 22 b of the relay gear 22, the gear portion 16 d rotates the rotating member 23 via the relay gear 22. can do. That is, when the movable support member 6 rotates about the support shaft 16 f, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear portion 16 d to the relay gear 22, and the rotation direction is orthogonally converted, and the relay gear 22 increases the rotation member 23. It is designed to rotate at high speed.

  The relay gear 22 and the rotating member 23 are rotatably supported on the bottom plate 14 of the housing 1, and a permanent magnet 24 is fixed to the lower surface side of the rotating member 23. The mounting position of the rotating member 23 is defined by the mounting hole 14 a of the bottom plate 14 so that the permanent magnet 24 faces the magnetic sensor 25 on the circuit board 15 in close proximity. For this reason, the magnetic sensor 25 detects the change in the magnetic field accompanying the change in the rotation position of the permanent magnet 24 that rotates integrally with the rotation member 23, so that the rotation position of the movable support member 6, that is, the second operation surface P2. The operation position of the operation lever 2 along can be detected with high accuracy. The reason why the relay gear 22 is interposed between the gear portion 16d and the rotation member 23 is that the rotation rotates by the operation of the operation lever 2 when the rotation member 23 and the gear portion 16d are directly meshed with each other. Since the angle range of the member 23 is significantly smaller than the maximum detection angle range by the magnetic sensor 25, the angle range of the rotating member 23 is expanded to near the maximum detection angle range by the magnetic sensor 25, and the second operation is performed. This is because the operation position of the operation lever 2 along the surface P2 is detected with high accuracy.

  The actuator holder 7 includes a pair of mounting wall portions 7b each formed with a shaft hole 7a facing each other, an actuator holding portion 7c projecting in the direction opposite to the mounting wall portions 7b, and the holding portion 7c. A gear portion 7d that meshes with the rotary core 26 on the back side is provided. Since the shaft holes 7a of both the mounting wall portions 7b are rotatably inserted into the pair of second shaft portions 20d of the base portion 20, the actuator holder 7 is rotatable about the axis of the second shaft portion 20d. To be attached to the base 20. Further, the first actuator 8 that is always in elastic contact with the first cam surface 13a is less likely to slide on the first cam surface 13a due to the reaction force from the first cam surface 13a generated by the biasing force of the torsion spring 18. Therefore, when the base 20 rotates along the second operation surface P <b> 2 about the support shaft 16 f as a rotation axis, the actuator holder 7 does not rotate in conjunction with the base 20, and the movable support member 6 is connected to the base 20. Since it integrally rotates along the second operation surface P2, only the second actuator 9 slides on the second cam surface 13b. However, the actuator holder 7 rotates integrally with the base portion 20 only when the base portion 20 rotates along the first operation surface P1 with the first shaft portion 20c as a rotation axis. The torsion spring 18 and the first actuator 8 are incorporated and held in the actuator holding portion 7c, and the first actuator 8 is always in elastic contact with the first cam surface 13a by the urging force of the torsion spring 18. . The gear portion 7d meshes with the gear 26a of the rotary core 26 that can rotate along the bottom plate 14, and when the actuator holder 7 rotates integrally with the base portion 20 along the first operation surface P1, its rotational drive is performed. The force is transmitted to the rotating core body 26 through the meshing portion of the gear portion 7d and the gear 26a, so that the rotating core body 26 rotates.

  The rotary core 26 has a cylindrical portion 26b, and the gear 26a is provided on the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 26b. A storage hole 26c is formed in the cylindrical portion 26b, and a coil spring (third elastic member) 29 and a third actuator 30 are incorporated and held in the storage hole 26c. The cylindrical portion 26b of the rotating core body 26 is rotatably supported by the bottom plate 14 of the housing 1, and a permanent magnet 27 is fixed to the lower end surface of the cylindrical portion 26b. The mounting position of the rotating core body 26 is defined by the mounting hole 14 b of the bottom plate 14 so that the permanent magnet 27 faces the magnetic sensor 28 on the circuit board 15 in close proximity. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 28 detects the change in the magnetic field accompanying the change in the rotational position of the permanent magnet 27 that rotates integrally with the rotating core body 26, so that the rotational position of the actuator holder 7, that is, along the first operation surface P <b> 1. The operation position of the operation lever 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

  In this embodiment, the permanent magnets 24 and 27 are annular magnets in which the N pole and the S pole are magnetized 180 degrees apart, and the magnetic sensors 25 and 28 are GMR (Giant Magnets). -Resistive) sensor is used. However, the shape and magnetization direction of the permanent magnet can be selected as appropriate, and an MRE sensor, a Hall element, or the like can be used as the magnetic sensor.

  A rotating base 31 is rotatably attached to the rotating core body 26, and the rotating base 31 is disposed at a position facing the opening 12 d of the lower case 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation base 31 has a through hole 31 a inserted into the cylindrical portion 26 b of the rotating core 26, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the through hole 31 a has a cross section V. A letter-shaped third cam surface 31b is formed. Usually, the third actuator 30 receives the urging force of the coil spring 29 and is pressed against the valley of the third cam surface 31 b, so that the rotating core body 26 and the rotating base 31 are integrated via the third actuator 30. Rotate to. However, when a rotational force is applied to the rotation base 31 in a state where the rotation of the rotating core body 26 is blocked, the third actuator 30 pushes and deflects the coil spring 29 to cause a peak portion from the valley portion of the third cam surface 31b. The rotation base 31 is rotated within a range of a predetermined angle with respect to the rotary core 26 by sliding toward. The rotation base 31 is formed with a first stopper wall 31c and a second stopper wall 31d that are opposed to each other through the through hole 31a. A third cam surface 31b is formed at the center of the first stopper wall 31c. Yes. In addition, a pair of bosses 31e are erected on the rotation base 31, and these bosses 31e are arranged at opposing positions with the second stopper wall 31d interposed therebetween.

  A first rotating arm 32 and a second rotating arm 33 are rotatably supported on each boss 31e of the rotating base 31, and the rotation angles of the rotating arms 32, 33 are the first and second stopper walls 31c, 31d. Is regulated within a predetermined angle range. Both rotary arms 32 and 33 are symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the rotation center of the rotation base 31 and the valley of the third cam surface 31b, and the first rotary arm 32 is bent and formed in a U-shape in plan view. The second rotating arm 33 is formed in a bent shape in a reverse U shape when viewed from above. A shaft hole 32a is formed in the vicinity of the bent portion of the first rotating arm 32. By inserting the shaft hole 32a into one boss 31e, the first rotating arm 32 can rotate around the shaft hole 32a. It has become. In addition, a first receiving portion 32 b and a second receiving portion 32 c are formed on the outer wall surface of the first rotating arm 32, and the pair of receiving portions 32 b and 32 c is a shaft hole that is the rotation center of the first rotating arm 32. It is in the separation position straddling 32a. Similarly, a shaft hole 33a is formed in the vicinity of the bent portion of the second rotating arm 33. By inserting this shaft hole 33a into the other boss 31e, the second rotating arm 33 is centered on the shaft hole 33a. It can be rotated. The first receiving portion 33 b and the second receiving portion 33 c are also formed on the outer wall surface of the second rotating arm 33, and the pair of receiving portions 33 b and 33 c is a shaft hole that is the rotation center of the second rotating arm 33. It is in the separation position across 33a.

  A first spring member 34 and a second spring member 35, which are L-shaped wire springs, are disposed around the rotation base 31, and both the spring members 34, 35 are arranged on the bottom surface of the lower case 12. Supported by holdings. Both spring members 34 and 35 are selectively elastically contacted with the first receiving portions 32b and 33b and the second receiving portions 32c and 33c of the rotating arms 32 and 33 according to the rotation angle of the rotating base 31. Accordingly, both rotary arms 32 and 33 rotate by a predetermined angle on the rotation base 31 around the shaft holes 32a and 33a. The rotary lever 26, the coil spring 29, the third actuator 30, the rotation base 31, the first and second rotation arms 32 and 33, and the first and second spring members 34 and 35 are used to move the operation lever 2. A cancel mechanism for automatically returning to the neutral position is configured. The operation of the cancel mechanism will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. When the operation lever 2 is swung along the first operation surface P1, the rotating core body 26 and the rotation base are moved. The first and second rotating arms 32 and 33 are moved in and out of the rotation locus 37 of the cancel projection 36 that rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel.

  The operation of the Stoke switch device according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the operation of the operation lever 2 will be described. FIGS. 7B and 8B show a state in which the operation lever 2 is not swinging in any direction and is held in a neutral position. Yes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first actuator 8 is urged by the torsion spring 18 and elastically contacts the valley of the first cam surface 13a, so that the actuator holder 7 is stably held. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the second actuator 9 is biased by the torsion spring 19 and elastically contacts the valley portion of the second cam surface 13b, the movable support member 6 is also stably held. ing.

  In this state, when the operation lever 2 is swung along the first operation surface P <b> 1, the movable support member 6 is not interlocked with the base 20 of the operation lever 2, and thus the second held by the movable support member 6. The actuator 9 does not slide on the second cam surface 13b, and only the first actuator 8 held by the actuator holder 7 interlocked with the base 20 of the operation lever 2 slides on the first cam surface 13a. Thus, since the actuator holder 7 rotates integrally with the base portion 20, the first actuator 8 slides on the first cam surface 13a, and the gear portion 7d integrally connects the rotary core body 26 and the rotation base 31. To rotate. That is, when the operation lever 2 is swung clockwise in FIG. 7B, the first actuator 8 gets over the one cam portion 13a of the first cam surface 13a and immediately after the cam surface is generated. Since it is locked to one end of 13a, the actuator holder 7 and the base 20 are rotated and held to the position shown in FIG. When the operation lever 2 is swung counterclockwise in FIG. 7B, the first actuator 8 gets over the other crest of the first cam surface 13a and immediately after the click feeling is generated. Since it is locked to the other end of the cam surface 13a, the actuator holder 7 and the base 20 are rotated and held to the position shown in FIG. Then, since the rotating core body 26 rotates by a predetermined amount in the predetermined rotating direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the actuator holder 7 and the base portion 20, the rotational position of the permanent magnet 27 fixed to the rotating core body 26 is changed. By detecting the accompanying magnetic field change by the magnetic sensor 28, the operation position of the operation lever 2 along the first operation surface P1 can be accurately detected. Therefore, when the operation lever 2 is operated and the state shown in FIG. 7A is obtained, the switch for causing the right-turn lamp to blink can be turned on based on the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 28. it can. Similarly, when the operation lever 2 is operated and the state shown in FIG. 7C is obtained, the switch for causing the left turn lamp to blink is turned on based on the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 28. it can.

  When the operation lever 2 held at the neutral position is swung along the second operation surface P2, the movable support member 6 rotates integrally with the base 20, so that the second actuator 9 is The two cam surfaces 13b slide and the gear portion 16d drives the rotation member 23 through the relay gear 22. However, as described above, the base 20 and the actuator holder 7 are coupled so as to be able to rotate separately rather than integrally along the second operation surface P2, and are held by the actuator holding portion 7c. Since the first actuator 8 receives a reaction force from the first cam surface 13a that is always in elastic contact and is difficult to slide on the first cam surface 13a, the operation lever 2 swings along the second operation surface P2. Even if operated, the actuator holder 7 does not interlock with the operation lever 2. Accordingly, when the operation lever 2 is swung clockwise in FIG. 8B, only the second actuator 9 gets over the crest of the second cam surface 13b, and immediately after the second cam 9 generates a click feeling. Since it is locked to the negative end of the surface 13b, the movable support member 6 and the base 20 are rotated and held to the position shown in FIG. When the operation lever 2 is swung counterclockwise in FIG. 8B, the second actuator 9 is engaged at the other end of the second cam surface 13b as shown in FIG. 8C. Therefore, when the operating force is removed, the second actuator 9 is pushed back to the valley of the second cam surface 13b, and the movable support member 6 and the base 20 are automatically returned to the state shown in FIG. 8B. The rotational position of the permanent magnet 24 fixed to the rotational member 23 is changed because the rotational member 23 rotates by a predetermined amount in a predetermined rotational direction as the movable support member 6 and the base 20 rotate. By detecting the change in the magnetic field accompanying the magnetic sensor 25 with the magnetic sensor 25, the operation position of the operation lever 2 along the second operation surface P2 can be accurately detected. Therefore, when the operation lever 2 is operated to reach the state shown in FIG. 8A, the switch for switching the headlamp upward can be turned on based on the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 25. Similarly, when the operation lever 2 is operated and the state shown in FIG. 8C is reached, a switch for performing a heading passing operation based on a detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 25 may be turned on. it can.

  Next, the operation of the cancel mechanism that automatically returns the operation lever 2 to the neutral position will be described. When the operation lever 2 is held at the neutral position in the state of FIG. 7B, the rotation base 31 faces the first stopper wall 31c to the opening 12d of the lower case 12 as shown in FIG. 9A. The first rotating arm 32 and the second rotating arm 33 are opposed to each other via a straight line passing through the center of rotation of the rotation base 31 and the valley portion of the third cam surface 31b. In this case, the first rotating arm 32 receives the urging force of the first spring member 34 elastically contacting the first receiving portion 32b and abuts against one end portion of the first stopper wall 31c, and the second rotating arm 33 is the first receiving portion. The urging force of the second spring member 35 that elastically contacts 33b is received and abuts against the other end portion of the first stopper wall 31c, and both the rotating arms 32 and 33 are in positions that do not protrude from the opening 12d. Accordingly, the pair of rotary arms 32 and 33 are retracted from the rotation locus 37 of the cancel projection 36, and even if the steering wheel (handle) is rotated in this state, the cancel projection 36 contacts both the rotary arms 32 and 33. Instead, the operation lever 2 is held in the neutral position.

  When the operation lever 2 is swung from the neutral position along the first operation surface P1 in a counterclockwise direction (left turn direction) in FIG. 7B, for example, the actuator core 7 and the rotation base 31 are moved by the actuator holder 7. 9a is integrally rotated in the clockwise direction of FIG. 9A, and as shown in FIG. 9B, the first rotating arm 32 positioned on the upstream side in the rotating direction is separated from the first spring member 34. And the second rotating arm 33 located on the downstream side in the rotational direction moves while pushing and bending the second spring member 35 outward. When the operation lever 2 is held in the left-turned state shown in FIG. 7C, the rotary core body 26 and the rotation base 31 rotate 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 9A. As shown in (c), the second spring member 35 elastically contacts the first receiving arm 32 c and the second receiving portion 32 c of the second rotating arm 33. As a result, the first rotating arm 32 rotates a predetermined angle clockwise around the shaft hole 32a and contacts one end of the second stopper wall 31d, and the second rotating arm 33 counterclockwise around the shaft hole 33a. The pair of rotating arms 32 and 33 are arranged side by side through the second stopper wall 31d by rotating around a predetermined angle around and contacting the other end of the second stopper wall 31d. As a result, one end of the second rotary arm 33 protrudes from the opening 12d and advances into the rotation locus 37 of the cancel projection 36, and the left turn lamp blinks.

  When the steering wheel is rotated in the same direction (counterclockwise direction) as the swinging direction of the operation lever 2 in the left turn state shown in FIG. 9C, the car turns to the left, while the cancel protrusion 36 has the rotation locus 37. In order to press the outer surface of the second rotating arm 33 that advances inward, the second rotating arm 33 rotates clockwise around the shaft hole 33 a and moves backward from the rotation locus 37. When the cancel protrusion 36 passes through the second rotating arm 33, the second rotating arm 33 returns to the state shown in FIG. 9C by the urging force of the second spring member 35. The control lever 2 is held in a left-turned state without rotating.

  Also, if the steering wheel is rotated in the direction opposite to the swinging direction of the control lever 2 (clockwise direction) in the left turn state shown in FIG. The protrusion 36 hits one end of the second rotating arm 33 that advances into the rotation locus 37. As a result, the pressing force of the cancel protrusion 36 acts on the rotating base 31 from the second rotating arm 33 via the second stopper wall 31d, so that the rotating core body 26 and the rotating base 31 are integrally formed counterclockwise. It rotates and it will be in the state of FIG.9 (b). As a result, the rotation of the rotating core body 26 is transmitted to the actuator holder 7 through the gear coupling of the gear 26a and the gear portion 7d, so that the first actuator 8 held by the actuator holder 7 locks the first cam surface 13a. The operation lever 2 automatically returns to the neutral position shown in FIGS. 7B and 9A, and the left turn lamp is turned off.

  Furthermore, in the case of a left turn shown in FIG. 9C, when some force that prevents the automatic return is applied to the operation lever 2, for example, if the return operation of the steering wheel is performed while pressing the operation lever 2, the operation is canceled as described above. The rotation base 31 tries to rotate counterclockwise by receiving the pressing force from the protrusion 36. However, since the operation lever 2 is pressed, the rotating core 26 that is gear-coupled to the actuator holder 7 does not rotate and rotates. An excessive load is generated between the moving base 31 and the rotary core 26. When such an overload occurs, the pressing force of the cancel protrusion 36 is transmitted to the rotation base 31 via the second rotation arm 33, so that the rotation base 31 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10b, and the third actuator 30 held by the rotating core body 26 pushes the coil spring 29 and bends it from the valley portion of the third cam surface 31b toward the peak portion. Slide. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the cancel projection 36 passes through the second rotating arm 33 retracted from the rotation locus 37, the third actuator 30 is crested on the third cam surface 31 b by the biasing force of the coil spring 29. Therefore, the rotation base 31 and the rotary core 26 are returned to the state shown in FIG. 10A, and the operation lever 2 is maintained in the left-turned state. As described above, the overload generated between the rotating core 26 and the rotation base 31 during the canceling operation is absorbed by the relative position change between the third actuator 30 and the third cam surface 31b. It is possible to prevent the components of the power transmission system including the rotary core 26 and the rotation base 31 from being damaged.

  When the operation lever 2 is swung clockwise from the neutral position along the first operation surface P1 in FIG. 7B, the rotating core body 26 and the rotation base 31 are opposite to those described above with reference to FIG. The first rotation arm 32, which is integrally rotated counterclockwise in (a) and located downstream in the rotation direction, advances into the rotation locus 37 of the cancel projection 36. Since the general operation is the same, redundant description is omitted here.

  As described above, in the Stoke switch device according to the present embodiment, the movable support member 6 that supports the base portion 20 of the operation lever 2 so as to be swingable along the first operation surface P1, and the movable support member 6. And the actuator holder 7 attached to the base 20 of the operation lever 2 so as to be able to rotate only along the second operation surface P2. The first actuator 8 held on the actuator holder 7 via a torsion spring (first elastic member) 18 and the second actuator held on the movable support member 6 via a torsion spring (second elastic member) 19 9, and the housing 1 is provided with a first cam surface 13 a that elastically contacts the first actuator 8 and a second cam surface 13 b that elastically contacts the second actuator 9. Since both the cam surfaces 13a and 13b on which the actuators 8 and 9 slide can be provided on the same surface in the housing 1, the depth dimension of the stalk switch device can be shortened and the size can be reduced. Become.

  In addition, a cancel mechanism for automatically returning the operation lever 2 to the neutral position is coupled to a gear portion (drive portion) 7d provided in the actuator holder 7 and is rotationally driven. A rotating base 31 rotatably connected to the outer peripheral portion of the rotating base 31, a third actuator 30 held by the rotating core 31, and a third actuator 30 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating base 31. A coil spring (third elastic member) 29 that is elastically contacted with the cam surface 31b, a pair of rotary arms 32 and 33 that are rotatably supported by the rotation base 31, and the housing 1 so as to sandwich the rotary core 26 therebetween. And a pair of spring members 34 and 35 that elastically contact the outer wall surfaces of both rotary arms 32 and 33, and the operation lever 2 is swung in one direction along the first operation surface P1 from the neutral position. Control Then, the rotating core body 26 is driven to rotate by the actuator holder 7 so that one of the rotating arms 32 and 33 advances into the rotation locus 37 of the cancel projection 36. Therefore, the stalk switch device can be downsized. The function of a cancel mechanism can be added.

  That is, when the return operation of the steering wheel is performed in a state where the operation lever 2 is swung in one direction along the first operation surface P1, the cancel protrusion 36 that rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel is included in the rotation locus 37. Since the rotary base 31 and the rotary core body 26 are driven to rotate in opposite directions via the rotary arms 32 and 33, the rotary base 32 and 33 are held by the actuator holder 7. Then, the first actuator 8 is released from the lock portion of the first cam surface 13a and pushed back to the trough portion, and the actuator holder 7 and the operation lever 2 are automatically returned to the neutral position. In addition, in the state where the operation lever 2 is swung in one direction along the first operation surface P1, if any force is applied to the operation lever 2 to prevent automatic return, for example, the operation lever 2 is pressed by hand. When the return operation of the steering wheel is performed without being performed, the rotary core body 26 that is gear-coupled to the actuator holder 7 cannot be rotated, but the third actuator 30 held by the rotary core body 26 is rotated by the coil spring 29. Is pushed and bent to slide on the third cam surface 31 b of the rotation base 31, the rotation base 31 can be rotated with respect to the rotating core body 26.

  The pair of rotating arms 32 and 33 are formed symmetrically with respect to a straight line crossing the center of rotation of the rotating base 31, and stopper walls (stoppers) 31c and 31d for regulating the rotation angle of the rotating arms 32 and 33 are provided. Is formed on the rotation base 31, so that the pair of rotation arms 32 and 33 and the rotation base 31 can be compactly arranged around the rotation core body 26.

  Further, a rotating member 23 that is rotationally driven via a relay gear 22 that meshes with the gear portion 16d of the movable support member 6 is provided, and a permanent magnet (detected body) 24 is provided on each of the rotating member 23 and the rotating core body 26. 27, and the circuit board 15 on which the magnetic sensors (detectors) 25, 28 facing the permanent magnets 24, 27 are attached to the housing 1, so that the first of the operation lever 2 is Space can be saved in the detection mechanism for detecting the operation along the operation surface P1 and the operation along the second operation surface P2, and the Stoke switch device can be further miniaturized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2 Operation lever 6 Movable support member 7 Actuator holder 7a Shaft hole 7b Mounting wall part 7c Actuator holding part 7d Gear part (drive part)
8 first actuator 9 second actuator 11 upper case 12 lower case 12d opening 13 cam plate 13a first cam surface 13b second cam surface 14 bottom plate 14a, 14b mounting hole 15 circuit board 16 base portion 16a bottom plate portion 16b side wall portion 16c actuator Holding part 16d Gear part (drive part)
16e Bearing recess 16f Support shaft 17 Bridge plate 17a Bearing recess 18 Torsion spring (first elastic member)
19 Torsion spring (second elastic member)
20 base portion 20c first shaft portion 20d second shaft portion 22 relay gear 23 rotating member 24, 27 permanent magnet (detected body)
25, 28 Magnetic sensor (detection body)
26 Rotating core 26a Gear 26b Cylindrical portion 26c Storage hole 29 Coil spring (third elastic member)
30 Third Actuator 31 Rotating Base 31a Through Hole 31b Third Cam Surface 31c First Stopper Wall (Stopper)
31d Second stopper wall (stopper)
31e boss 32 first rotating arm 33 second rotating arm 32a, 33a shaft hole 32b, 33b first receiving portion 32c, 33c second receiving portion 34 first spring member 35 second spring member 36 cancel projection 37 rotation locus P1 first Operation surface P2 Second operation surface

Claims (4)

A movable support member that supports the base of the operation lever to be swingable along the first operation surface, and the movable support member is swung along the second operation surface that is substantially orthogonal to the first operation surface. A housing that is movably supported, a first cam surface and a second cam surface provided on the housing, and attached to a base portion of the operation lever in a state in which only rotation along the second operation surface is possible. An actuator holder, a first actuator held by the actuator holder and receiving the elastic force of the first elastic member and elastically contacting the first cam surface; and an elastic holder of the second elastic member held by the movable support member A second actuator that receives force and elastically contacts the second cam surface, a rotating core that is geared to a driving unit provided in the actuator holder, and is rotatable about the outer periphery of the rotating core Connected to A rotating base that is held, a third actuator that is held by the rotating core, and a third elastic member that elastically contacts the third actuator with a third cam surface provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating base. A pair of rotating arms rotatably supported by the rotating base, and a pair of spring members supported by the housing so as to sandwich the rotating core and elastically contacting the outer wall surface of the rotating arm,
The pair of rotating arms can be projected and retracted with respect to the rotation trajectory of a cancel projection that rotates in conjunction with the steering wheel, and both the rotating arms are provided with a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion on an outer wall surface straddling the rotation center. And
When the operating lever is in a neutral position on the first operating surface, the pair of rotating arms are retracted from the rotation locus at opposing positions sandwiching the rotating core, and the first of the rotating arms is A pair of the spring members are in elastic contact with each receiving portion,
When the operation lever is swung to the end position in one direction along the first operation surface, and the rotation core body and the rotation base rotate together with the operation lever, one of the rotations The arm is separated from one of the spring members and comes into contact with the other spring member, and the other spring member is in elastic contact with the second receiving portion of each of the rotating arms, whereby the other of the rotations A Stoke switch device characterized in that an arm advances in the rotation locus.   2. The rotating base according to claim 1, wherein the pair of rotating arms are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to a straight line crossing the rotation center of the rotating base, and a stopper for restricting the rotation angle of the rotating arms is formed in the rotating base. The Stoke switch device characterized by being made.   3. A rotating member that is driven to rotate by being coupled to a drive unit provided in the movable support member according to claim 1 or 2, and a detected object is held by the rotating member and the rotating core. And a circuit board on which a detection body facing the detection body is mounted is attached to the housing.   4. The stalk switch device according to claim 3, wherein the detected object is a permanent magnet and the detected object is a magnetic sensor.

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