JP2019186174A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a switch device that achieves both a design of an operation panel on which an operation unit is arranged and a blind operability in which operation can be performed without visually recognizing the operation unit.SOLUTION: A switch device 1 includes a switch module 4a provided with an operation unit 7 for receiving an operation by an operator, an operation panel 3 having an opening 3a in which an operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 is disposed, a surface sheet 10 that covers the entire surface including an opening 3a of the operation panel 3, and an actuator module 12 that moves the switch module 4a by pushing the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 from the opening 3a of the operation panel 3 so as to deform the surface sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a switch device.

  As an example of a conventional switch device, there has been proposed an input keyboard of a type in which a plurality of operation members protrudes toward an operator through notches provided in a front panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The input keyboard described in Patent Document 1 can be retracted in a direction in which at least one of the plurality of operation members enters the front panel notch through the retracting device and away from the operator. ing. The notch in the front panel has two elastic tongue-like covers. When the operation member is pulled into the front panel cutout, the two covers cover the front panel cutout.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 states that an unnecessary operation member can be pulled in so that the operator cannot operate it, so that the input keyboard can be quickly selected and operated.

JP-A-9-27245

  However, in the conventional input keyboard, when the operation member is pulled into the notch of the front panel, the two covers only cover the notch of the front panel, and the design of the front panel is considered. Absent. For this reason, it is desirable to ensure the blind operability that allows the blind operation without observing the operation portion without impairing the appearance of the front panel on which the operation member is arranged.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a switch device that achieves both the design of an operation panel on which an operation unit is arranged and the blind operability that can be operated without visually recognizing the operation unit.

  To achieve the above object, a switch device according to the present invention includes a switch module provided with an operation unit that receives an operation of an operator, an operation panel having an opening in which an operation surface of the operation unit is disposed, A surface sheet that covers the entire surface including the opening of the operation panel, and an actuator module that moves the switch module by causing the operation surface of the operation section to protrude from the opening of the operation panel so as to deform the surface sheet. It is characterized by having.

  Further, in the switch device according to the present invention, when the power supply state is turned on, the actuator module has the opening from a standby position where the operation surface is disposed at least equal to or less than the operation panel of the opening. A first control unit for moving the switch module to an operation position where the switch is pushed out is provided.

  Furthermore, in the switch device according to the present invention, the actuator module includes a second control unit that reciprocally moves the switch module so as to generate a tactile feedback when the operation unit is operated while the power supply is on. It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a switch device that improves the design of the operation panel on which the operation unit is arranged and the blind operability for operation without visually recognizing the operation unit.

It is principal part sectional drawing which shows typically an example of the switch apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment in this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 1 for demonstrating operation | movement of the switch apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the switch apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows typically an example of the switch apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 4 for demonstrating operation | movement of the switch apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (a) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in which an operation part becomes operable, b) is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a vibration imparted state when the operation unit is operated. It is a control block diagram of a switch device concerning a 2nd embodiment.

  Embodiments of the switch device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a switch device that outputs an operation signal for controlling the operation of the air conditioner of the vehicle is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to an air conditioner, the present invention can be applied to a switch device that outputs an operation signal for controlling the operation of an in-vehicle device such as audio, navigation, or a door mirror.

[First Embodiment]
(Overall configuration of switch device)
In FIG. 1, the switch device 1 has a horizontally long switch case 2 having an open front surface. An operation panel 3 is press-fit coupled to the front opening of the switch case 2. Inside the switch case 2, a switch module 4 a in which a switching mechanism for performing an on / off operation is modularized is accommodated facing the operation panel 3.

  The switch module 4a includes a circuit board 5, a plurality of push switches 6 mounted on the circuit board 5, and a plurality of operation units 7 that individually operate the plurality of push switches 6. The switch module 4 a is provided with a single switch holder 8 that holds the circuit board 5, the plurality of push switches 6, and the plurality of operation units 7. The circuit board 5 is mounted with a light source composed of chip LEDs for operating panel illumination and indicators.

  The plurality of operation sections 7 are cap-shaped operation buttons for adjusting the cooler, heater, temperature, air volume, etc., and the operation surface having a curved convex shape gently bulging from the outer peripheral edge of the operation button toward the center. 7a. A pusher 7 b that presses the push switch 6 mounted on the circuit board 5 is provided on the back surface of the operation unit 7.

  As the push switch 6, any known push switch such as a contact rubber switch or a tactile switch that can give a click feeling when the operation unit 7 is pressed can be used without particular limitation. The click feeling is an operation feeling such as operation force and moderation when the operation unit 7 is pressed.

  The switch holder 8 has a rectangular frame shape that is long in the lateral direction and opens toward the front surface side and the back surface side. A lattice-shaped partition wall 8 a is integrally formed inside the switch holder 8. In each of the front and rear surface openings in which the space between the lattice-shaped partition walls 8a opens toward the front and rear surfaces of the switch holder 8, an operation unit 7 is arranged so as to be pressed. A rectangular box-shaped cover body 9 that holds and covers the circuit board 5 is press-fit coupled to the rear surface opening that opens toward the rear surface side of the switch holder 8.

  The operation panel 3 arranged on the surface side of the switch holder 8 is formed with a plurality of openings 3a through which the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 is arranged. These openings 3 a are arranged corresponding to the surface openings of the switch holder 8. The operation panel 3 is provided with a top sheet 10 that covers the entire surface including the opening 3a.

  As the surface sheet 10, it is preferable to use a base material that is appropriately bent by the pressing operation of the operation unit 7, and is made of a film-like, sheet-like, or plate-like base material such as a polycarbonate resin. An elastic sheet 11 that maintains the planar state of the topsheet 10 overlaps the backside of the topsheet 10.

  The elastic sheet 11 that maintains the planar state of the top sheet 10 is made of a film-like, sheet-like, or plate-like base material such as a transparent elastomer resin that transmits illumination to the operation region of the operation panel 3 and the operation unit 7. By using the elastic sheet 11, it is possible to add a preload to the top sheet 10. If preloading is unnecessary, the elastic sheet 11 may be omitted.

  The top sheet 10 can be deformed in the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3, and is not deformed in the periphery of the opening of the operation panel 3. When the operation unit 3 is pressed through the top sheet 10, the elastic sheet 11 is compressed and deformed, and the operation unit 7 can be pressed in the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3. On the top sheet 10, a design mark indicating the operation content to be operated is formed.

  By superimposing a sheet-like object composed of the surface sheet 10 and the elastic sheet 11 on the surface of the operation panel 3, the operation panel 3 has the surface of the opening 3a where the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 is disposed as a parting line. A seamless surface that does not appear on the sheet 10 is obtained. Thereby, the external appearance quality of the switch apparatus 1 can be improved and the appearance as a product can be improved.

(Configuration of actuator module)
The switch device 1 configured as described above has a flat surface having continuity by providing the top sheet 10 on the entire surface of the operation panel 3. According to such a configuration, although the appearance design of the surface of the switch device 1 can be improved, a plurality of operations are performed for the blind operation in which the operation unit 7 is pressed without visually confirming the operation panel 3. It is difficult to identify the arrangement area between the sections 7, and the blind operability is poor.

  Therefore, the switch device 1 is an actuator as a protruding means for deforming the top sheet 10 by pressing the operating surface 7a of the operating unit 7 from the opening 3a of the operating panel 3 before the pressing operation of the operating unit 7. A module 12 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator module 12 includes a standby position in which the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4a is disposed at least equal to or less than the operation panel of the opening 3a of the operation panel 3, and the operation panel. 3 is provided with an actuator 13 that is driven and controlled so as to reciprocate between the operation position protruding from the three openings 3a. The actuator 13 is disposed between the inner bottom surface of the switch case 2 and the outer bottom surface of the cover body 9 that covers the back surface opening of the switch holder 8.

  The actuator 13 is not particularly limited as long as the switch module 4a is an actuator that can reciprocate in the pressing (pushing down) direction of the operation unit 7 and the pushing (pushing up) direction opposite to the pressing down direction. Any known actuator such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a shape memory alloy can be used without particular limitation.

  As the actuator module 12, a rack and pinion mechanism is used in which a rack 13 b that protrudes from the back surface of the movable panel 13 a is engaged with a pinion 13 c that is fixed to the output shaft of a motor that is a forward and reverse rotating actuator 13. You can also.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator module 12 is provided with a first control unit 100 a made up of an IC chip that constitutes a microcomputer that performs calculation, processing, and the like on data acquired according to a control program. The first control unit 100a is electrically connected to the actuator 13.

  The first control unit 100a is based on the operation of the IG switch 14 among the power states in which the vehicle is turned off (off state), ACC (Accessory) on state, IG (ignition) on state, and engine start state. It is configured to control the driving of the actuator 13 by detecting that the power is in the ACC on state or the IG on state other than the power off state and sending a drive signal to the actuator 13.

(Actuator module operation)
Here, the operation of the actuator module 12 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 is now in a standby position where the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4 a is disposed in the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3. The actuator 13 is driven by a trigger that the power supply state based on the operation of the IG switch 14 is the IG on state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, by driving the actuator 13, the switch module 4 a moves toward the operation panel 3. The operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4 a comes into surface contact with the elastic sheet 11 and is pushed out from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3. Thereby, the surface sheet 10 is pressed.

  Since the topsheet 10 has flexibility, the pressing force of the actuator module 12 causes the topsheet 10 to bulge and deform in a convex shape via the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7. At this time, the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 is disposed at an operation position protruding from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3. As a result, the contours of the operation surfaces 7a of the plurality of operation units 7 appear on the surface of the operation panel 3, and the operation unit 7 becomes in a blind operable state.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment, the standby position in which the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 is arranged in the opening 3a of the operation panel 3, and the operation position that is pushed out from the opening 3a of the operation panel 3 In addition to the above effects, the following effects can be obtained.

  When the switch device 1 is used, a curved convex surface bulging on the surface of the topsheet 10 appears by the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7, so that it is easy to find the arrangement position of the operation unit 7, and the operation unit during traveling of the vehicle In the operation of 7, the movement of the operator's line of sight can be reduced.

  When the switch device 1 is not used, the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 is in a standby position disposed in the opening 3a of the operation panel 3, and the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 bulges to the surface of the topsheet 10 The curved convex shape does not appear. Thereby, the aesthetic appearance of the operation panel 3 on which the operation unit 7 is arranged is not impaired. While the vehicle is traveling, the arrangement area of the plurality of operation units 7 is surely identified by the touch of the operator's finger, and the blind operation can be performed only by the touch of the operator's finger.

[Second Embodiment]
(Configuration of switch device)
Referring to FIG. 4, a configuration example of the switch device according to the second embodiment is shown. In FIG. 4, the same member names and symbols are used for members that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and a detailed description of these members is omitted.

  In the said 1st Embodiment, what was the structure of the switch apparatus 1 provided with the some operation part 7 which carries out the press operation of the some push switch 6 separately in this 2nd Embodiment. This is different from the first embodiment in that the switch unit 1 using a touch sensor is used for the operation unit 7. In each embodiment, the first control unit 100a and the second control unit 100b are described separately. However, the same control unit may be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the switch device 1 constitutes a switch device including an electrostatic switch 15 in each of the plurality of operation units 7. The electrostatic switch 15 is an electrostatic capacitance type touch detection electrode, and is a touch sensor for detecting proximity or contact by an operator's finger. The electrostatic switch 15 is electrically connected to the second control unit 100b mounted on the circuit board 5.

  Inside the switch case 2 is housed a switch module 4b in which the circuit board 5 on which the second control unit 100b is mounted and the plurality of operation units 7 provided with the electrostatic switches 15 are modularized. The plurality of operation portions 7 are formed so as to protrude integrally on the surface of a single switch holder 8.

  A sliding guide portion 16 that slides and guides the switch holder 8 is provided on the side of the switch case 2 that houses the switch holder 8 of the switch module 4b. Since the switch holder 8 is supported by the switch case 2 via the sliding guide portion 16, the switch holder 8 can be disposed to face the operation panel 3.

(Configuration of actuator module)
In the switch device 1 according to the second embodiment, there is no click feeling as when the operation unit 7 of the switch device 1 according to the first embodiment is pressed.

  Therefore, there is provided means for feeding back to the operator a click feeling for confirming that the operator has touched the operation unit 7 with respect to the blind operation in which the operation unit 7 is touched. The means is provided in the actuator module 12 for deforming the topsheet 10 by causing the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 to protrude from the opening 3a of the operation panel 3.

  The actuator module 12 has a vibration feedback function that presents a tactile stimulus to the finger of the operator at the operation position where the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 is pushed out from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3.

  The actuator module 12 includes an actuator 17 that can linearly move in a direction along the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7, and a motion conversion mechanism that can linearly move in a direction toward the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 in conjunction with driving of the actuator 17. 18. The actuator module 12 gives a pushing force for pushing the operation unit 7 from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3 and a vibration feedback force for presenting the operation unit 7 with a stimulus operation feeling.

  The actuator 17 is not particularly limited as long as it is a mechanism capable of driving the motion conversion mechanism 18, and any known drive device such as a solenoid type or a mechanical type can be used without particular limitation. As for the motion conversion mechanism 18, any known motion conversion mechanism that reciprocates the switch module 4 b in the pressing (lowering) direction of the operation unit 7 and the pushing (upward) direction opposite to the lowering direction is particularly limited. Can be used.

  As the motion conversion mechanism 18, it is possible to employ a slider 20 connected and fixed to the actuator 17 via a rod 19 that can move forward and backward, and a cam follower 21 that slides along the surface of the slider 20. The cam follower 21 is formed to project from the outer bottom surface of the cover body 9 that covers the back surface opening of the switch holder 8 of the switch module 4b.

  On the surface of the slider 20, a reference surface 22, a first cam surface 23, and a second cam surface 24, which serve as a reference height for sliding the cam follower 21, are continuously formed. The reference surface 22 is a plane that causes the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 to wait at a standby position where the operation surface 7 a is disposed in the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3.

  The first cam surface 23 of the slider 20 is a plane that moves the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 to the operation position that protrudes from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3, and is disposed at a position that is higher than the height of the reference surface 22. ing. The second cam surface 24 is a plane that imparts a vibration feedback force that presents a tactile stimulus to the finger of an operator who performs a touch operation on the operation unit 7, and is higher than the height of the reference surface 22. It is arranged at a position lower than the height of.

  The actuator 17 is connected to the second control unit 100 b that is electrically connected to the electrostatic switch 15. The second control unit 100b includes a unit that processes a detection signal obtained from the electrostatic switch 15, and a unit that generates a drive signal including a vibration generation signal based on the detection signal.

  Based on the output from the electrostatic switch 15, the second control unit 100 b receives a signal indicating a position where the operator's finger is close to or in contact with the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7, and includes a vibration generation signal. By driving the drive signal to the actuator 17, the drive of the actuator 17 is controlled.

(Actuator module operation)
Next, the actuator module 12 of the switch device 1 according to the second embodiment configured as described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, and 6 will be described. The operation will be described.

  In FIG. 4, the switch device 1 is now in the power supply state of the ACC on state or the IG on state based on the operation of the IG switch 14, and the operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4 b is the operation panel 3. It is in the standby position arrange | positioned at the opening part 3a.

  When the actuator 17 is driven using the detection of proximity or contact by the operator's finger as a trigger, the slider 20 moves along the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 as the rod 19 of the actuator 17 moves in the rod advance direction. Move to. It should be noted that the actuator 17 can also be driven by using the power supply state based on the operation of the IG switch 14 as the power supply state of the ACC on state or the IG on state.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the rod 19 of the actuator 17 moves a predetermined amount in the rod advance direction, the cam follower 21 of the switch module 4b moves along with the movement of the slider 20 connected and fixed to the rod 19. It slides from the reference surface 22 toward the first cam surface 23. The linear motion of the cam follower 21 is converted into a linear motion in the push-up direction of the switch module 4b, and the switch module 4b moves toward the operation panel 3.

  When the cam follower 21 reaches the first cam surface 23 from the reference surface 22 of the slider 20, the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4b comes into surface contact with the elastic sheet 11 and is pushed out from the opening 3a of the operation panel 3. Thus, the top sheet 10 is pressed. The operation surface 7 a of the operation unit 7 is an operation position that protrudes from the opening 3 a of the operation panel 3. The pressing force of the urging means causes the top sheet 10 to bulge and deform in a convex shape via the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7. As a result, the contours of the operation surfaces 7a of the plurality of operation units 7 appear on the surface of the operation panel 3, and the operation unit 7 becomes in a blind operable state.

(Tactile feedback operation)
5A and 5B, the operation surface 7a of the operation unit 7 of the switch module 4b is in the operation position protruding from the opening 3a of the operation panel 3. At that time, when a touch operation of the operation unit 7 is detected, the rod 19 of the actuator 17 reciprocates by a predetermined amount in the rod advance / retreat direction. The cam follower 21 reciprocates between the first cam surface 23 and the second cam surface 24 of the slider 17 connected and fixed to the rod 19.

  The reciprocating movement of the cam follower 21 causes the switch module 4b to instantaneously receive the pulling-down force and the pushing-out force of the operation unit 7, and a vibration presenting state in which vibration is presented to the operation unit 7 is obtained. Feedback is given as vibration information in a direction perpendicular to the operator's finger by the vibration of the operation unit 7.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the switch device 1 according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  The arrangement positions of the plurality of operation units 7 on the operation panel 3 can be transmitted by vibration, and the blind operability is ensured so that the movement between the plurality of operation units 7 can be blind-operated with the touch of the operator's fingers. be able to.

  While the switch device 1 has a design that makes the surfaces of the plurality of operation units 7 configured as touch sensors and the operation panel 3 on which the operation units 7 are arranged have a continuous surface, Fewer operations are possible.

  In each of the above embodiments, the switch device 1 applied to an air conditioner of a vehicle is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The switch device 1 according to each embodiment can be applied as a switch device that outputs an operation signal for controlling the operation of an in-vehicle device such as a lighting device or a communication device.

  Moreover, it is also possible to apply to switch apparatuses, such as information terminal devices other than vehicle-mounted switch apparatuses, or household appliances.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the switch apparatus 1 comprised by the some operation part 7 was illustrated, it does not need to be comprised by the some operation part 7, The switch comprised by the single operation part 7 Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an apparatus.

  As is clear from the above description, typical embodiments, modifications, and illustrations according to the present invention have been illustrated. However, the above-described embodiments, modifications, and illustrations relate to the claims. The present invention is not limited and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the above embodiments, modifications, and illustrated examples are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch apparatus, 2 ... Switch case, 3 ... Operation panel, 3a ... Opening part, 4a, 4b ... Switch module, 5 ... Circuit board, 6 ... Push switch, 7 ... Operation part, 7a ... Operation surface, 7b ... Pusher , 8 ... Switch holder, 8a ... Bulkhead, 9 ... Cover body, 10 ... Surface sheet, 11 ... Elastic sheet, 12 ... Actuator module, 13, 17 ... Actuator, 13a ... Movable panel, 13b ... Rack, 13c ... Pinion, 14 IG switch, 15 electrostatic switch, 16 sliding guide, 18 motion conversion mechanism, 19 rod, 20 slider, 21 cam follower, 22 reference surface, 23 first cam surface, 24 first 2 cam surfaces, 100a ... 1st control part, 100b ... 2nd control part

Claims (3)

A switch module provided with an operation unit for receiving an operation by an operator;
An operation panel having an opening in which an operation surface of the operation unit is disposed;
A surface sheet covering the entire surface including the opening of the operation panel;
An actuator module for moving the switch module by causing the operation surface of the operation unit to protrude from the opening of the operation panel so as to deform the surface sheet;
A switch device comprising:   When the power supply is turned on, the actuator module moves the switch module from the standby position where the operation surface is disposed at least equal to or less than the operation panel of the opening to the operation position where the opening is pushed out. The switch device according to claim 1, further comprising a first control unit that moves the control unit.   The actuator module includes a second control unit configured to reciprocate the switch module so as to generate tactile feedback when the operation unit is operated in a power-on state. The switch device according to 1 or 2.

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