JP2013251235A - Seesaw input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfy both deterioration suppression of switch operation feeling and avoidance of collision noise, in a seesaw input device.SOLUTION: The seesaw input device includes a seesaw knob 20 turning around a rotary fulcrum 20a in the direction opposite from each other, a first switch 31 and a second switch 32 disposed while spaced apart from each other, and an intermediate member 40 interposed between these switches 31, 32 and the seesaw knob 20 and turning around a rotary fulcrum 40a in the direction opposite from each other. When the seesaw knob 20 turns to one side, the intermediate member 40 is pushed by the seesaw knob 20 and also turns to one side, and thereby the first switch 31 is operated by the intermediate member 40. When the seesaw knob 20 turns to the other side, the intermediate member 40 is pushed by the seesaw knob 20 and also turns to the other side, and thereby the second switch 32 is operated by the intermediate member 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seesaw type input device that includes a seesaw knob that can rotate in opposite directions around a rotation fulcrum, and that operates a switch by the rotating seesaw knob.

  Conventionally, this type of seesaw type input device is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, and as shown in FIG. 7A, a seesaw knob 20x that rotates in opposite directions around a rotating shaft 12 is spaced apart from each other. A first switch 31 and a second switch 32 which are arranged apart from each other. When the seesaw knob 20x is operated to rotate to one side, the lower end 21ax of the first pin 21x formed on the seesaw knob 20x pushes the first switch 31, and the first switch 31 is activated. Similarly, when the seesaw knob 20x is turned to the other side, the lower end 22ax of the second pin 22x formed on the seesaw knob 20x pushes the second switch 32, and the second switch 32 is activated.

  Here, the seesaw knob 20 is disposed in the opening 10a of the design panel 10. However, the distance L from the design panel 10 to the switches 31, 32 may become longer due to the layout of the switches 31, 32. The pins 21x and 22x become longer. Then, the operation trajectory (refer to the alternate long and short dash line) of the pin lower ends 21ax and 22ax around the rotation shaft 12 is inclined with respect to the operation direction (vertical direction in FIG. 7) of the switches 31 and 32. In other words, the angle of intersection between the tangent line at the intersection of the arcs of the motion trajectory with the switches 31 and 32 and the operating direction of the switches 31 and 32 increases. Therefore, the operational feeling (press feeling) of the switches 31 and 32 is deteriorated.

JP 2004-327276 A

  In order to solve the above-mentioned operational feeling, the present inventors examined a seesaw type input device shown in FIG. In other words, the first pin 41y and the second pin 42y are formed separately from the seesaw knob 20y, and these pins 41y, 42y are pushed by the contact portion 20by of the seesaw knob 20y to operate in the vertical direction. According to this, even when the distance L from the design panel 10 to the switches 31 and 32 is long and the pins 41y and 42y have to be lengthened, the operation trajectory of the pin lower ends 41ay and 42ay becomes the switch 31, Since it becomes substantially parallel to the operation direction of 32, the operational feeling deterioration of the switches 31 and 32 can be avoided.

  However, in this configuration, in the state of FIG. 7B in which the first switch 31 is pushed by the first pin 41y, a gap is generated between the contact portion 20by of the seesaw knob 20y and the upper end 42by of the second pin 42y. . Therefore, when the seesaw knob 20y is returned to the state shown in FIG. 7C, the contact portion 20by collides with the second pin upper end 42by and a sound is generated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seesaw type input device that achieves both suppression of deterioration of switch operation feeling and avoidance of collision noise.

  The invention for achieving the above object is characterized by the following points. That is, a seesaw knob having a seesaw structure having a turning fulcrum and turning in opposite directions around the turning fulcrum, the first switch and the second switch arranged at a distance from each other, and the first switch An intermediate member (40) disposed between the first and second switches and the seesaw knob, having a rotation fulcrum and having a seesaw structure that rotates in the opposite directions around the rotation fulcrum; .

  When the seesaw knob is rotated to one side, the intermediate member is also rotated to one side by being pushed by the seesaw knob, the first switch is operated by the intermediate member, and the seesaw knob is moved to the other side. The intermediate member is also rotated to the other side by being pushed by the seesaw knob, and the second switch is actuated by the intermediate member. To do.

  According to the above invention, the intermediate member rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the seesaw knob, and the first and second switches are operated via the intermediate member. Therefore, the operation locus (refer to the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) of the portion of the intermediate member that contacts the switch is centered on the rotation fulcrum (see the dashed line in FIG. 2) is oblique to the switch operating direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). This can be suppressed. Therefore, even when the distance from the operation surface of the seesaw knob to the switch (see symbol L in FIG. 7A) is long, deterioration of the switch operation feeling (press feeling) can be suppressed.

  According to the above invention, since the intermediate member rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the seesaw knob, both side portions around the rotation fulcrum of the seesaw knob are on both sides of the intermediate member around the rotation fulcrum. It can comprise so that it may rotate, contacting a part (refer FIG. 2). Therefore, the seesaw knob can be prevented from colliding with the intermediate member when the switch is returned from the pressed state. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both suppression of deterioration of the switch operation feeling and avoidance of collision noise.

The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the seesaw type input device concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the state which switched on the seesaw type input device of the switch-off state shown in FIG. The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the seesaw type input device concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the seesaw type input device concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The component exploded view which showed the schematic diagram of FIG. 4 in detail. The assembly figure which showed the state which assembled | attached each component shown in FIG. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional device in which a seesaw knob and a pin are integrally formed, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a study device in which a seesaw knob and a pin are separated.

  Embodiments of a seesaw type input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description of the same reference numerals is used.

(First embodiment)
The seesaw type input device according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, and in the example shown in FIG. 1, the seesaw type input device is disposed on an instrument panel (design panel 10) located in the front portion of the vehicle interior. This seesaw-type input device includes a seesaw knob 20, a substrate 30, and an intermediate member 40 described below. The seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 are made of resin.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the seesaw knob 20 is disposed in the opening 10 a of the design panel 10 and is operated by a fingertip of a vehicle occupant. A resin-made rotating shaft 12 is formed on the design panel 10, and a bearing hole 20 a (rotating fulcrum) that fits the rotating shaft 12 is formed on the seesaw knob 20. The seesaw knob 20 has a seesaw structure that rotates in opposite directions around the bearing hole 20a. For example, when the user presses the left side of the bearing hole 20a in the operation surface of the seesaw knob 20, the seesaw knob 20 rotates counterclockwise around the bearing hole 20a as shown in FIG.

  The substrate 30 is disposed inside the design panel 10 and is mounted with a first switch 31 and a second switch 32 that are spaced apart from each other. These switches 31 and 32 are push button type, and the board | substrate 30 is arrange | positioned so that it may act | operate in the direction (vertical direction of FIG. 1) perpendicular | vertical with respect to the design surface of the design panel 10. FIG.

  An elastic force is applied to the operating portions 31a and 32a of both the switches 31 and 32, and the switches 31 and 32 are turned on by pushing the operating portions 31a and 32a downward against the elastic force in FIG. Operate. The operating portions 31a and 32a are made of rubber, and may be configured such that they themselves elastically deform to exhibit the elastic force, or configured to exhibit the elastic force by a spring member (not shown). Also good.

  The intermediate member 40 is disposed between the seesaw knob 20 and the switches 31 and 32. A resin-made rotating shaft 13 is formed in the design panel 10, and a bearing hole 40 a (rotating fulcrum) that fits the rotating shaft 13 is formed in the intermediate member 40. The intermediate member 40 has a seesaw structure that rotates in opposite directions around the bearing hole 40a. For example, when the left side of the bearing hole 40a of the intermediate member 40 is pushed downward, the intermediate member 40 rotates counterclockwise around the bearing hole 40a as shown in FIG.

  The seesaw knob 20 is formed with a first extension portion 21 and a second extension portion 22 that extend toward the intermediate member 40. The direction in which these extending portions 21 and 22 extend coincides with the operation direction of the switches 31 and 32 (up and down direction in FIG. 1). The lower end 21 a of the first extension portion 21 abuts on one side of the intermediate member 40 with respect to the bearing hole 40 a, and the lower end 22 a of the second extension portion 22 is in the bearing hole of the intermediate member 40. It abuts against the other side of 40a.

  The intermediate member 40 is formed with a first intermediate extension portion 41 extending toward the first switch 31 and a second intermediate extension portion 42 extending toward the second switch 32. The direction in which these intermediate extending portions 41 and 42 extend coincides with the operating direction of the switches 31 and 32 (up and down direction in FIG. 1). The lower end 41 a of the first intermediate extension portion 41 faces the first switch 31, and the lower end 42 a of the second intermediate extension portion 42 faces the second switch 32.

  When the user turns the seesaw knob 20 to the one side and turns it counterclockwise, the lower end 21a of the first extension 21 pushes and moves the intermediate member 40, and the intermediate member 40 also turns counterclockwise. To do. As a result, the lower end 41a of the first intermediate extending portion 41 pushes down the operating portion 31a of the first switch 31, and the first switch 31 is turned on. Thus, when rotating counterclockwise, the lower end 22 a of the second extending portion 22 remains in contact with the intermediate member 40.

  Similarly, when the seesaw knob 20 is rotated to the other side to rotate clockwise, the lower end 22a of the second extending portion 22 pushes and moves the intermediate member 40, and the intermediate member 40 also rotates clockwise. To do. As a result, the lower end 42a of the second intermediate extending portion 42 pushes down the operating portion 32a of the second switch 32, and the second switch 32 is turned on. Thus, when rotating clockwise, the lower end 21a of the first extending portion 21 remains in contact with the intermediate member 40.

  In short, even when the seesaw knob 20 is rotated to any side, the intermediate member 40 is pushed by the seesaw knob 20 while the lower ends 21 a and 22 a of both extending portions slide on the surface of the intermediate member 40. As a result, the intermediate member 40 rotates together with the seesaw knob 20.

  When the user releases his / her finger from the seesaw knob 20 in the state where the first switch 31 is turned on, the first intermediate extension portion 41 is pushed back by the elastic force of the operation portion 31a of the first switch 31, The intermediate member 40 rotates clockwise. As a result, the lower end 21a of the first extending portion 21 is pushed by the intermediate member 40, and the seesaw knob 20 also rotates clockwise. The same applies when the second switch 32 is turned off, and the second intermediate extension 42 is pushed back by the elastic force of the second switch 32, and the seesaw knob 20 rotates counterclockwise together with the intermediate member 40.

  Thus, when the switches 31 and 32 are turned off, the lower ends 21a and 22a of the first and second extending portions 21 and 22 are both in contact with the intermediate member 40. In short, in both the on operation and the off operation, the seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 rotate in conjunction with each other while the first and second extending portions 21 and 22 are both in contact with the intermediate member 40.

  The rotation center line of the seesaw knob 20 is a line that passes through the rotation shaft 12 and extends in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The rotation center line of the intermediate member 40 is a line that passes through the rotation shaft 13 and extends in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. And the seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 are assembled | attached so that these rotation centerlines may become parallel.

Also, the distance in the switch operating direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) from the position of the seesaw knob 20 that contacts the intermediate member 40 (the position of the lower ends 21a and 22a) to the rotation center of the seesaw knob 20 is “knob length L1”. Call. The distance in the switch operating direction from the position of the intermediate member 40 that contacts the switches 31 and 32 (the position of the lower ends 41a and 42a) to the center of rotation of the intermediate member 40 is referred to as “intermediate length L2.” Then, the shapes of the seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 are set so that the intermediate length L2 is shorter than the knob length L1. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the effects listed below are exhibited. .

  The intermediate member 40 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the seesaw knob 20, and the switches 31 and 32 are operated via the intermediate member 40. Therefore, it is suppressed that the operation locus (refer to the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2) of the lower end 41 a of the first intermediate extension portion 41 is inclined with respect to the operating direction of the switches 31 and 32.

  In other words, the angle at which the tangent line at the intersection of the arcs of the motion trajectory with the switches 31 and 32 and the operating direction of the switches 31 and 32 intersect can be reduced. Therefore, even when the distance from the operation surface of the seesaw knob 20 (design surface of the design panel 10) to the switches 31 and 32 (see symbol L in FIG. 7A) is long, the switch operation feeling (press feeling) ) Can be suppressed.

  -According to the structure of this embodiment, if the extension length of the 1st extension part 21 and the 2nd extension part 22 is adjusted according to the distance L from the operation surface of the seesaw knob 20 to the switches 31 and 32, Well, according to the present embodiment in which the switches 31 and 32 are operated via the intermediate member 40, the crossing angle is kept small even if the extension length is lengthened, and deterioration of the switch operation feeling is suppressed. it can.

  In other words, the longer the extension length is, the larger the angle at which the operation trajectory (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) of the lower ends 21a and 22a of the seesaw knob 20 intersects the switch operating direction. However, since the angle at which the operation trajectory of the lower ends 41a and 42a of the intermediate member 40 (see the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2) intersects with the switch operating direction can be kept small, deterioration of the switch operation feeling can be suppressed.

  According to the present embodiment, the seesaw knob 20 with the first and second extending portions 21 and 22 both in contact with the intermediate member 40 in both cases of the on operation and the off operation of the switches 31 and 32. And the intermediate member 40 rotates interlockingly. Therefore, the seesaw knob 20 can be prevented from colliding with the intermediate member 40. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both suppression of deterioration of the switch operation feeling and avoidance of collision noise.

  Incidentally, when the OFF operation is performed from the ON operation state of FIG. 2, the lower end 42 a of the second intermediate extension 42 collides with the second switch 32. However, since the operation parts 31a and 32a of the switches 31 and 32 are made of rubber, the sound due to the collision is so small that it can be ignored by the user.

  Here, in the configuration of FIG. 7B examined by the present inventors, a rubber member is interposed between the contact portion 20by of the seesaw knob 20y and the upper end 42by of the pins 41y, 42y to mute the collision sound. The inventors further studied what to do. However, with this configuration, the switches 31 and 32 are turned on while elastically deforming the rubber member, so that the pressing feeling felt by the user when operating the seesaw knob 20 is the pressing feeling of the switches 31 and 32 themselves. And will be different.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, when the turning force of the seesaw knob 20 is transmitted to the switches 31 and 32 via the intermediate member 40, it is transmitted without the presence of elastic deformation. The operational feeling can be made close to the pressing feeling of the switches 31 and 32 themselves, and the desired operational feeling can be prevented from being hindered.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the rotation center line of the seesaw knob 20 and the rotation center line of the intermediate member 40 are set in parallel, the turning force of the seesaw knob 20 is switched via the intermediate member 40 to the switch 31. , 32, the transmission loss can be reduced. Therefore, it can suppress that a desired operation feeling is disturbed.

  Here, as the intermediate extension portions 41 and 42 are lengthened and the intermediate length L2 is increased, the operation trajectory of the lower ends 41a and 42a of the intermediate extension portion (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) indicates the switch operating direction. The degree of inclination becomes larger. Therefore, it is desirable to shorten the intermediate length L2 in order to suppress the deterioration of the switch operation feeling. In this embodiment in view of this point, the intermediate length L2 is set shorter than the knob length L1. Therefore, it is possible to promote the suppression of deterioration of the switch operation feeling as described above.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the lower ends 21a and 22a of the seesaw knob 20 are formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the switch operating direction. In contrast, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the seesaw knob 20 is configured to be in line contact with the intermediate member 40 by forming the lower ends 21 a and 22 a of the seesaw knob 20 into a tapered shape.

  Although the lower end 21a, 22a of the seesaw knob 20 slides on the surface of the intermediate member 40, the intermediate member 40 is pushed by the seesaw knob 20, as described above. In the present embodiment, the lower ends 21a, 22a of the seesaw knob 20 Since the taper shape is in line contact, the intermediate member 40 and sliding resistance can be reduced. Therefore, when transmitting the turning force of the seesaw knob 20 to the switches 31 and 32 via the intermediate member 40, the transmission loss can be reduced, so that the desired operational feeling can be prevented from being hindered.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the lower end portions of the extension portions 21 and 22 of the seesaw knob 20 are configured to be sandwiched between a pair of ribs 43 and 44 formed on the intermediate member 40. The seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 are moved while the side surfaces 21b and 22b (sliding surfaces) of the extending portions 21 and 22 and the side surfaces 43a and 44a (sliding surfaces) of the ribs 43 and 44 come into contact with each other and slide. Are configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

  Here, due to the clearance between the rotating shaft 12 and the bearing hole 20a, the seesaw knob 20 may rotate while being displaced in the radial direction. Similarly, due to the clearance between the rotating shaft 13 and the bearing hole 40a, the intermediate member 40 may rotate while being displaced in the radial direction. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the extension parts 21 and 22 are rotated in the state pinched by the ribs 43 and 44, it can suppress that the seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 shift | deviate relatively.

  In other words, by sliding the side surfaces 21b and 22b of the extending portions 21 and 22 and the side surfaces 43a and 44a of the ribs 43 and 44, the intermediate member 40 is restricted from being displaced in the radial direction by the side surfaces 21b and 22b. The seesaw knob 20 is restricted from being displaced in the radial direction by the side surfaces 43a and 44a. Therefore, it can suppress that the rotation fulcrum position of the seesaw knob 20 and the rotation fulcrum position of the intermediate member 40 shift relatively.

  5 and 6 are detailed views showing an example in which the schematic configuration shown in FIG. 4 is an actual product. As shown in the drawing, the bearing hole 20a is formed in a shape in which a part of the ring is cut out, and the design panel 10 of the seesaw knob 20 is inserted by inserting the rotary shaft 12 in the radial direction from the cutout portion. The assembly direction is the switch operating direction. The assembling direction of the intermediate member 40 is also the switch operating direction with the same configuration.

  Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 4, the rotation shaft 13 is formed in the design panel 10 and the bearing hole 40 a is formed in the intermediate member 40, but in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation shaft 13 a is formed in the design panel 10. The bearing hole 40b is formed in the intermediate member 40.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the intermediate length L2 is set to zero. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the lower ends 41 a and 42 a of the intermediate member 40 are positioned below the rotating shaft 13 in the switch operation direction, but in the example of FIG. 6, the lower ends of the intermediate member 40 are in the switch operation direction. 41a and 42a are made to correspond with the position of the rotating shaft 13, and the intermediate length L2 is set to zero. Therefore, the degree to which the operation trajectories of the lower ends 41a and 42a are inclined with respect to the switch operating direction can be reduced to the maximum, and the suppression of deterioration of the switch operation feeling is further promoted.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, you may make it combine the characteristic structure of each embodiment arbitrarily, respectively.

  In the third embodiment, the lower ends 21 a and 22 a of the extending portions 21 and 22 are brought into contact with the intermediate member 40, and the turning force of the seesaw knob 20 is transmitted from the lower ends 21 a and 22 a to the intermediate member 40. On the other hand, clearances are provided at the lower ends 21a and 22a of the extending portions 21 and 22 and the intermediate member 40, and rotational force is supplied from the side surfaces 21b and 22b of the extending portions 21 and 22 to the side surfaces 43a and 44a of the ribs 43 and 44. You may comprise so that it may be transmitted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the lower ends 21a and 22a of the extension portions 21 and 22 of the seesaw knob 20 are positioned on the extension lines of the switches 31 and 32 and the intermediate extension portions 41 and 42. The seesaw knob 20 may be formed so that the lower ends 21a and 22a of the seesaw knob 20 are located at the same position.

  In the third embodiment, the extending portions 21 and 22 are sandwiched between the ribs 43 and 44 from both sides, and the side surfaces 21b and 22b on both sides of the extending portion are regulated by the rib side surfaces 43a and 44a. On the other hand, you may comprise so that only the one side of the extension parts 21 and 22 may be controlled by the ribs 43 and 44. FIG.

  In each of the above embodiments, the intermediate extending portions 41 and 42 extending in the switch operating direction are formed in the intermediate member 40. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the intermediate extending portions 41 and 42 are provided. Alternatively, the switches 31 and 32 may be brought into direct contact with the main body portion of the intermediate member 40.

  In each of the above embodiments, the rotary shafts 12 and 13 are formed on the design panel 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotary shafts 12 and 13 are formed on members other than the design panel 10. May be. Moreover, a rotating shaft may be formed in the seesaw knob 20 and the intermediate member 40 side, and a bearing hole may be formed in members, such as the design panel 10.

  In the second embodiment, the lower ends 21 a and 22 a of the seesaw knob 20 are formed in a tapered shape, but may be formed in an arc shape so as to be in line contact with the intermediate member 40.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Seesaw knob, 20a, 40a ... Bearing hole (rotation fulcrum), 31 ... 1st switch, 32 ... 2nd switch, 40 ... Intermediate member.

Claims (5)

A seesaw knob (20) having a seesaw structure having a turning fulcrum (20a) and turning in opposite directions around the turning fulcrum;
A first switch (31) and a second switch (32) spaced apart from each other;
An intermediate member (40) which is disposed between the first and second switches and the seesaw knob, has a rotation fulcrum (40a), and has a seesaw structure that rotates in the opposite directions around the rotation fulcrum. ) And
When the seesaw knob is rotated to one side, the intermediate member is also rotated to one side by being pushed by the seesaw knob, and the first switch is operated by the intermediate member,
When the seesaw knob is rotated to the other side, the intermediate member is also rotated to the other side by being pushed by the seesaw knob, and the second switch is operated by the intermediate member. A seesaw-type input device.   The seesaw knob and the intermediate member are arranged so that a rotation center line when the seesaw knob rotates and a rotation center line when the intermediate member rotates are parallel to each other. The seesaw type input device according to claim 1. The seesaw knob and the intermediate member are formed with sliding surfaces (21b, 43a, 22b, 44a) that come into contact with each other and slide with the rotation operation,
The seesaw type input device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding surfaces are formed in a shape that mutually restricts the seesaw knob and the intermediate member from being displaced in the radial direction of rotation. . The distance in the operating direction of the first switch or the second switch from the position of the seesaw knob contacting the intermediate member to the rotation center of the seesaw knob is the knob length (L1),
In the case where the distance in the operation direction from the position of contact with the first switch or the second switch of the intermediate member to the rotation center of the intermediate member is an intermediate length (L2),
The seesaw type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate length is configured to be shorter than the knob length.   The seesaw type input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a portion of the seesaw knob that rotates by pressing the intermediate member is formed in a shape that makes line contact with the intermediate member. .

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