JP3690111B2

JP3690111B2 - Rotating electronic components for in-vehicle use

Info

Publication number: JP3690111B2
Application number: JP12854398A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 弘昌久宗; 誠貴三浦; 泰宏頼経
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1998-05-12
Publication date: 2005-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-12
Also published as: JPH11329806A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、操作軸の回転操作の際に、所定の高い回転トルク力によって作動させることができる車載用回転操作型電子部品に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、車載用の電子機器、特に車載用のオーディオ機器においては多機能化が急激に進展しており、車の前面パネルの限られたスペースの中に多くの機能を凝縮しなければならないため、各機能の調整および選択用として用いられる可変抵抗器・エンコーダ・ロータリスイッチ等の車載用回転操作型電子部品に対して小型化の要望が高まっており、部品メーカーは様々な手法を用いてこれを対応している。
【０００３】
そして、通常、車載用の電子機器に搭載される車載用回転操作型電子部品は、操作軸に装着された操作ツマミを手探りで探して操作することも多く、不用意に指等が当たった場合または車の振動等により操作軸が回転して誤信号を発生させないようにするため、小形化された電子部品であっても操作軸の回転トルクを高く設定する必要があった。
【０００４】
以下に、このような状来の車載用回転操作型電子部品において、最も汎用的に使用されている操作軸の回転トルク発生機構部について、図面を用いて説明する。
【０００５】
図５は従来の車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図、図６は同分解斜視図であり、同図において、１は上方の操作部１Ａと一体に形成されたフランジ部１Ｂを下方に備えた樹脂製の操作軸で、その円柱状中間部１Ｃが金属製の軸受２の円形貫通孔２Ａ内に回転可能に嵌合保持されている。
【０００６】
そして、軸受２の下方には操作軸１のフランジ部１Ｂを内包すると共に、フランジ部１Ｂ中央下面に設けた位置決め部１Ｄを孔部３Ａに回転可能に保持する樹脂製の箱形ケース３が配設されている。
【０００７】
また、この箱形ケース３内のフランジ部１Ｂ下面には、弾性金属からなる可動接点４が装着され、この可動接点４は箱形ケース３の凹部底面に形成された抵抗皮膜等からなる固定接点部５に弾接して両者で接点部を構成すると共に、箱形ケース３の側方から固定接点部５と電気的に導通している端子６が外方に突出しており、これらで電気信号発生部７を構成している。
【０００８】
そして、フランジ部１Ｂの上面外周部１Ｅには、操作軸１の回転角度範囲を規制するためのストッパー１Ｆが形成されており、所定の角度までフランジ部１Ｂが回転すると、ストッパー１Ｆが軸受２の下方に設けた突起部２Ｂに当接するようになっている。
【０００９】
また、８は箱形ケース３の上方から固定される金属製のカバーで、このカバー８と箱形ケース３の上面の間に挟持された弾性金属板製のばね部材９の弾性脚部９Ａが操作軸１のフランジ部１Ｂの上面中間段部１Ｇ上に弾接している。
【００１０】
このように構成された車載用回転操作型電子部品の動作は、操作軸１の上方の操作部１Ａを所定の角度範囲内で回転操作すると、フランジ部１Ｂが回転してその下面に装着された可動接点４が固定接点部５上を弾接摺動し所定の電気信号が生成され、その信号を複数の端子６から取り出すものである。
【００１１】
このときに、操作軸１は、フランジ部１Ｂの上面中間段部１Ｇがばね部材９の弾性脚部９Ａにより下方に押し付けられて回転することとなるため、操作軸１の所定の高さの回転トルクが得られるものであった。
【００１２】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の車載用回転操作型電子部品においては、弾性金属板製のばね部材９の弾性脚部９Ａを樹脂製の操作軸１のフランジ部１Ｂの上面中間段部１Ｇに弾接させて操作軸１の高い回転トルクを発生させる構造であり、車載用回転操作型電子部品の外形が小形化されるにつれて、ばね部材９の弾性脚部９Ａの径等も小さくせざるを得ず、それに伴って弾性脚部９Ａによる押し付け力も弱くなるので、一般的には、ばね部材９の材質や材厚等を変更してばね部材９の弾接力を大きくするように対応しているが、これにも限界があり、また大きなばね圧力を実現することができても、ばね部材９が弾接する樹脂製のフランジ部１Ｂに局部的に大きな圧力が加わることになるために、回転操作中の摩擦面の摩耗が大きくなる等の課題があった。
【００１３】
本発明は、このような従来の課題を解決するものであり、高くて安定した回転トルクを得ることができる小形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を提供することを目的とする。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために本発明の車載用回転操作型電子部品は、操作軸が回転可能に嵌合している軸受の円形貫通孔の下方に設けた大径円形孔部内に、所定幅の弾性金属薄板を多角形状に折り曲げて形成したばね体を、その平面部分が操作軸の円柱状中間部の外周面に、また折り曲げた角の部分が軸受の大径円形孔部の内周面に圧接するように装着することにより、操作軸の回転操作時の操作軸の外周面がばね体の平面部分に対して回転摺動するように構成するものである。
【００１５】
これにより、操作軸は全周に亘ってばね体の平面部分で均等に押圧された状態で回転するため、安定した所定の高さの操作軸の回転トルクを得ることができると共に摩耗も少なく、また、操作軸と軸受の挿通保持部分に回転トルク発生機構部を構成したために製品外形の小さい車載用回転操作型電子部品を得ることができる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、下方にフランジ部が一体に形成された樹脂製の操作軸と、操作軸の円柱状中間部を円形貫通孔で回転可能に嵌合保持すると共に、円形貫通孔下方に設けた大径円形孔部内に操作軸の円柱状中間部の外周が一定の隙間をあけて挿通される金属製の軸受と、所定幅の弾性金属薄板を操作軸の円柱状中間部を囲む多角形状に折り曲げて形成され、その平面部分が操作軸の円柱状中間部の外周面に、折り曲げた角の部分が軸受の大径円形孔部の内周面にそれぞれ圧接するように装着されて、操作軸の回転操作時に操作軸の外周面が上記平面部分に対して回転摺動するばね体と、操作軸の回転操作に伴うフランジ部の回転によって、フランジ部下面の可動接点部と軸受下方の接点基板上の固定接点部が弾接摺動して所定の電気信号を生成する電気信号発生部からなる車載用回転操作型電子部品としたものであり、操作軸の回転トルク発生機構部を操作軸と軸受の挿通保持部に構成して、ばね体の平面部分を硬度の低い樹脂製の操作時に広い面積でしかも複数箇所で当接させて、操作軸に対して全周に亘って均等なばね力を加えるようにしたため、長期間に亘って操作軸を回転操作した場合等にもその摺動部分の削れが少なく、常に高くて安定した操作軸の回転トルクが得られると共に、製品の外形を容易に小形化することもでき、さらに操作軸にフランジ部を一体形成した構成であるため、操作軸を樹脂成形等によって容易に大量生産することができて、高トルクを備えた小形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を安価に生産できるという作用を有する。
【００１７】
請求項２に記載の発明は、下方に非円形断面の係合部を有する棒状の操作軸と、操作軸を嵌合保持する円形貫通孔の下方が大径円形孔部となった金属製の軸受と、中央の係合孔部に操作軸下方の係合部が共廻り可能に結合され、上部が軸受の大径円形孔部内に一定の隙間をあけて嵌挿されている円筒部で下方の樹脂製のフランジ部を有する樹脂成形体と、所定幅の弾性金属薄板を樹脂成形体の円筒部を囲む多角形状に折り曲げて形成され、その平面部分が樹脂成形体の円筒部の外周面に、折り曲げた角の部分が軸受の大径円形孔部の内周面にそれぞれ圧接するように装着されて、操作軸の回転操作時に樹脂成形体の円筒部が上記平面部分に対して回転摺動するばね体と、操作軸の回転操作に伴う樹脂成形体の回転によって、フランジ部下面の可動接点部と軸受下方の接点基板上の固定接点部が弾接摺動して所定の電気信号を生成する電気信号発生部からなる車載用回転操作型電子部品としたものであり、操作軸の回転トルク発生機構部を操作軸と共廻りするように係合された樹脂成形体の円筒部と軸受の間に構成し、ばね体の平面部分を硬度の低い樹脂成形体の円筒部に広い面積でしかも複数箇所で当接させて、樹脂成形体の円筒部に全周に亘って均等なばね力を加えるようにしたため、長期間に亘って操作軸を回転操作して樹脂成形体を回転させた場合等にもその摺動部分の削れが少なく、樹脂成形体を介して常に高くて安定した操作軸の回転トルクを得られる外形が小さい車載用回転操作型電子部品を容易に実現できると共に、操作軸部の形状指定に対して、棒状の操作軸を変えるのみで即座に対応することができる上、必要な形状の操作軸を切削加工にて製作することにより、特殊な操作軸の形状であっても柔軟に対応することができるという作用を有する。
【００１８】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１または請求項２記載による発明において、弾性金属薄板を多角形状に折り曲げ形成されたばね体の平面部分で圧接される樹脂製の断面円形部分の外周上に潤滑用グリースが配されているものであり、操作軸を滑らかにしかも安定して回転させることができると共に、ばね体の平面部による圧接箇所の削れも少なくできるので、より長期間に亘って安定した回転トルクを得られるものを容易に実現できるという作用を有する。
【００１９】
以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図１〜図４を用いて説明する。
なお、従来の技術の項で説明した構成と同一構成の部分には同一符号を付して、詳細な説明を省略する。
【００２０】
（実施の形態１）
図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図、図２は要部である操作軸の回転トルク発生機構部の分解斜視図、図３は図１のＸ−Ｘ線における断面図であり、同図に示すように、樹脂製の操作軸１は上方の操作部１Ａと一体に形成されたフランジ部１Ｂを下方に備え、フランジ部１Ｂ中央下面に設けた位置決め部１Ｄが箱形ケース３の孔部３Ａに回転可能に保持されていると共に、その円柱状中間部１Ｃの上方部分は軸受２０の円形貫通孔２０Ａ内に嵌合保持されていることは従来の技術の場合と同じであるが、この操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃと軸受２０との間に操作軸１の回転トルク発生機構部２１を構成したものとなっている。
【００２１】
つまり、その回転トルク発生機構部２１は、軸受２０の円形貫通孔２０Ａ下方の大径円形孔部２２内に、所定幅の弾性金属薄板を操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃを囲むように多角形状に折り曲げて形成された平板ばね２３を位置決め装着し、その中に外周に潤滑グリースを塗布した円柱状中間部１Ｃが挿通されたものとなっており、平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａは操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃの外周面に、また折り曲げた角の部分２３Ｂは軸受２０の大径円形孔部２２の内周面に、一定の圧力で圧接されている。
【００２２】
そして、フランジ部１Ｂ下面に装着固定された弾性薄板金属製の可動接点４と、可動接点４が弾接する箱形ケース３の凹部底面に設けられた固定接点部５と、固定接点部５と電気的に導通し、箱形ケース３から突出している端子６により電気信号発生部７を構成していることは従来の技術の場合と同じである。
【００２３】
また、金属製のカバー８が箱形ケース３の上方に固定されていること、さらに、操作軸１の回転操作時に、フランジ部１Ｂの上面外周部１Ｅに形成されたストッパー１Ｆが軸受２０下方に設けた突起部２０Ｂに当接することにより、操作軸１の回転操作角度範囲を規制する構成となっていることも従来の技術の場合と同じである。
【００２４】
上記構成の車載用回転操作型電子部品の動作は、操作軸１の操作部１Ａを回転角度の範囲内で回転操作すると、操作部１Ａと一体形成されたフランジ部１Ｂの回転に伴ってフランジ部１Ｂ下面に装着された可動接点４が固定接点部５上を弾接摺動して所定の信号が生成され、その信号を複数の端子６から取り出すことができることも従来の技術の場合と同じであるが、この時に平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａは操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃの外周面に、また各々の角の部分２３Ｂが軸受２０の大径円形孔部２２の内周面にそれぞれ圧接しているために、操作軸１は所定の高い回転トルクでなければ回転しないようになっている。
【００２５】
そして、操作軸１が回転する際には、上記平板ばね２３のばね力による摩擦抵抗力が弱い方すなわち操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃの外周と平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａの間が回転摺動することとなるが、平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａと操作軸１の円柱状中間部１Ｃの外周は広い面積でしかも操作軸１の全周に亘って複数の箇所で圧接摺動すると共に圧接する部分に潤滑用グリースが塗布されているために、回転トルクムラを少なくでき、しかも、長期間に亘って操作軸１を回転操作した場合等にもその摩擦部分の削れも少なく、常に高くて安定した操作軸１の回転トルクを得られる上、操作軸１と軸受２０との挿通保持部に回転トルク発生機構部２１を構成したため、小さい外形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を容易に実現でき、またその回転トルクの高さは、平板ばね２３の材質や材厚または折り曲げ数を変えることにより、適宜設定することができるものである。
【００２６】
そして、その組み立て方法は、まず、平板ばね２３を軸受２０の大径円形孔部２２内に装着し、その後に円柱状中間部１Ｃの外周に潤滑用グリースを塗布した操作軸１を平板ばね２３の中に圧入するのみで良いため、製造工数も少なくて済むと共に、本実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品の操作軸１はフランジ部１Ｂを一体に形成している樹脂製のものであるため、操作軸１の先端の操作部１Ａが標準的な形状のものに対して樹脂成形等で効率良くしかも大量に操作軸１を生産することができ、これにより汎用の操作軸形状で高くて安定した回転トルクを得られる小形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を安価に生産できることは勿論である。
【００２７】
（実施の形態２）
本実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品は、実施の形態１によるものに対して、操作軸と可動接点を装着するためのフランジ部を別部材により構成したものであるため、その異なる部分を中心に説明する。
【００２８】
図４（ａ）は本発明の第２の実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図、（ｂ）は同図（ａ）のＹ−Ｙ線における断面図であり、同図に示すように、棒状の操作軸２４は、円柱状中間部２４Ａの上方が軸受２５の円形貫通孔２５Ａに嵌合されて円形貫通孔２５Ａの下面でＣリング２６によって回転可能に保持されると共に、操作軸２４の下方に設けた非円形断面の係合部２４Ｂは樹脂成形体２７の中央の係合孔部２７Ａに共廻り可能に係合されている。
【００２９】
そして、この樹脂成形体２７の上方に設けられた円筒部２７Ｂは、軸受２５の円形貫通孔２５Ａの下方の大径円形孔部２５Ｂ内に所定の隙間を有するように挿通され、その隙間に実施の形態１に説明したものと同様の平板ばね２３が装着されており、これらで回転トルク発生機構部２８を構成しているものである。
【００３０】
つまり、本実施の形態による回転トルク発生機構部２８の構成は、所定幅の弾性金属薄板を樹脂成形体２７の円筒部２７Ｂを囲むように多角形状に折り曲げて形成された平板ばね２３を、軸受２５の大径円形孔部２５Ｂに位置決め装着し、その中に外周に潤滑用グリースを塗布した円筒部２７Ｂが挿通されたものとなっており、平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａは円筒部２７Ｂの外周面に、また折り曲げた角の部分２３Ｂは軸受２５の大径円形孔部２５Ｂの内周面に一定の圧力で圧接されている。
【００３１】
そして、樹脂成形体２７のフランジ部２７Ｃの下面には、可動接点４が装着されて、これと対向する箱形ケース３の凹部底面に設けた固定接点部５上に弾接しており、この固定接点部５と導通し箱形ケース３から突出している端子６により電気信号発生部７を構成していることは実施の形態１の場合と同じである。
【００３２】
さらに金属カバー８等のその他の構成部分も、実施の形態１の場合と同じであるために、説明を省略する。
【００３３】
この車載用回転操作型電子部品の動作についても、操作軸２４を回転操作すると、操作軸２４の係合部２４Ｂが係合孔部２７Ａに挿入されることによって結合された樹脂成形体２７が共廻りして、その下方に配設された電気信号発生部７にて電気信号が生成され、その信号を端子６から導出できること、また操作軸２４の回転操作の際に、操作時２４の周囲に設けた回転トルク発生機構部２８によって、操作軸２４は所定の高い回転トルクでないと回転しないようになっていることも実施の形態１の場合と同じである。
【００３４】
そして、本実施の形態による回転トルク発生機構部２８においても、平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａは、樹脂成形体２７の潤滑用グリースが塗布された円筒部２７Ｂ外周に広い面で、その角の部分２３Ｂは軸受２５に複数の箇所で当接している構成であるため、操作軸２４の回転操作の際には、上記平板ばね２３のばね力による摩擦抵抗力が弱い方すなわち樹脂成形体２７の円筒部２７Ｂと平板ばね２３の平面部分２３Ａの間が回転摺動することも、実施の形態１の場合と同じであり、操作軸２４の回転トルクムラが少なく、かつ高くて安定した回転トルクを得られる小形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を容易に実現でき、その回転トルクの大きさも上記平板ばね２３の材質や形状等を変えることによって適宜その大きさを設定することができるものである。
【００３５】
なお、本実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品は、操作軸２４と樹脂成形体２７を別部品で構成しているために、操作軸２４の先端形状等について指定されたときに、切削加工等にて棒状の操作時２４のみを製作して迅速に対応できることは勿論である。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、操作軸と軸受の間または操作軸と共廻り可能に係合された樹脂成形体と軸受の間に、平板状のばね体を装着したのみの簡素な構造で回転トルク発生機構部を構成できるために、常に高くて安定した操作軸の回転トルクが得られる小形の車載用回転操作型電子部品を容易に実現できるという優位な効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図
【図２】同要部である操作軸の回転トルク発生機構部の分解斜視図
【図３】同図１のＸ−Ｘ線における断面図
【図４】（ａ）本発明の第２の実施の形態による車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図
（ｂ）同（ａ）のＹ−Ｙ線における断面図
【図５】従来の車載用回転操作型電子部品の側面断面図
【図６】同分解斜視図
【符号の説明】
１，２４操作軸
１Ａ操作部
１Ｂ，２７Ｃフランジ部
１Ｃ，２４Ａ円柱状中間部
１Ｄ位置決め部
１Ｅ上面外周部
１Ｆストッパー
３箱形ケース
３Ａ孔部
４可動接点
５固定接点部
６端子
７電気信号発生部
８カバー
２０，２５軸受
２０Ａ，２５Ａ円形貫通孔
２０Ｂ突起部
２１，２８回転トルク発生機構部
２２，２５Ｂ大径円形孔部
２３平板ばね
２３Ａ平面部分
２３Ｂ角の部分
２４Ｂ係合部
２６Ｃリング
２７樹脂成形体
２７Ａ係合孔部
２７Ｂ円筒部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component that can be operated by a predetermined high rotational torque force when rotating an operation shaft.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in-vehicle electronic devices, especially in-vehicle audio devices, has been rapidly becoming multifunctional, and many functions must be condensed in a limited space on the front panel of the car. There is a growing demand for miniaturization of in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic components such as variable resistors, encoders, and rotary switches that are used for adjustment and selection of each function, and component manufacturers use various methods. It corresponds.
[0003]
And usually, in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic components mounted on in-vehicle electronic devices often search and operate the operation knob mounted on the operation shaft. Alternatively, in order to prevent the operation shaft from rotating due to vehicle vibration or the like to generate an error signal, it is necessary to set the rotation torque of the operation shaft to be high even for a miniaturized electronic component.
[0004]
Hereinafter, the rotational torque generating mechanism portion of the operation shaft that is most widely used in such a vehicle-mounted rotational operation type electronic component will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0005]
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a conventional on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the same. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a flange portion 1B formed integrally with an upper operation portion 1A. The cylindrical intermediate portion 1 C is fitted and held in a circular through hole 2 A of the metal bearing 2 so as to be rotatable.
[0006]
A resin-made box case 3 is disposed below the bearing 2 so as to contain the flange portion 1B of the operation shaft 1 and rotatably hold the positioning portion 1D provided on the center lower surface of the flange portion 1B in the hole portion 3A. It is installed.
[0007]
A movable contact 4 made of an elastic metal is attached to the lower surface of the flange portion 1B in the box-shaped case 3, and the movable contact 4 is a fixed contact made of a resistance film or the like formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the box-shaped case 3. A contact portion is formed by elastic contact with the portion 5, and a terminal 6 electrically connected to the fixed contact portion 5 protrudes outward from the side of the box-shaped case 3. Part 7 is configured.
[0008]
A stopper 1F for restricting the rotation angle range of the operation shaft 1 is formed on the outer peripheral portion 1E of the upper surface of the flange portion 1B. When the flange portion 1B rotates to a predetermined angle, the stopper 1F is fixed to the bearing 2. It comes into contact with the protrusion 2B provided below.
[0009]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a metal cover fixed from above the box-shaped case 3, and elastic leg portions 9 A of a spring member 9 made of an elastic metal plate sandwiched between the cover 8 and the upper surface of the box-shaped case 3. The operation shaft 1 is in elastic contact with the upper surface intermediate step portion 1G of the flange portion 1B.
[0010]
In the operation of the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component configured as described above, when the operation portion 1A above the operation shaft 1 is rotated within a predetermined angle range, the flange portion 1B is rotated and attached to the lower surface thereof. The movable contact 4 slides elastically on the fixed contact portion 5 to generate a predetermined electrical signal, and the signal is taken out from the plurality of terminals 6.
[0011]
At this time, the operation shaft 1 is rotated by the upper intermediate step portion 1G of the flange portion 1B being pressed downward by the elastic leg portion 9A of the spring member 9, so that the operation shaft 1 is rotated at a predetermined height. Torque was obtained.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component, the elastic leg 9A of the elastic metal plate spring member 9 is elastically contacted with the upper intermediate step 1G of the flange 1B of the resin operating shaft 1 for operation. The shaft 1 has a structure that generates a high rotational torque, and as the in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component is miniaturized, the diameter and the like of the elastic leg portion 9A of the spring member 9 must be reduced. Since the pressing force by the elastic leg portion 9A is also weakened, in general, the elastic member 9 is adapted to increase the elastic contact force of the spring member 9 by changing the material and thickness of the spring member 9. Even if there is a limit and a large spring pressure can be realized, a large pressure is locally applied to the resin flange portion 1B with which the spring member 9 is elastically contacted. Issues such as increased wear Was Tsu.
[0013]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component capable of obtaining a high and stable rotational torque.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component of the present invention has a predetermined width in a large-diameter circular hole provided below a circular through hole of a bearing in which an operation shaft is rotatably fitted. A spring body formed by bending a thin elastic metal plate into a polygonal shape has a flat portion on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical intermediate portion of the operating shaft, and a bent corner portion on the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole portion of the bearing. By mounting so as to be in pressure contact, the outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft at the time of the rotating operation of the operating shaft is configured to rotate and slide with respect to the flat portion of the spring body.
[0015]
Thereby, since the operating shaft rotates in a state where it is uniformly pressed by the flat portion of the spring body over the entire circumference, it is possible to obtain a stable rotating torque of the operating shaft with a predetermined height, and less wear, In addition, since the rotational torque generating mechanism is formed in the insertion holding portion of the operation shaft and the bearing, a vehicle-mounted rotational operation type electronic component having a small product outer shape can be obtained.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the resin-made operating shaft integrally formed with the flange portion below and the cylindrical intermediate portion of the operating shaft are fitted and held rotatably by a circular through hole, A metal bearing through which the outer periphery of the cylindrical intermediate portion of the operating shaft is inserted with a certain gap in a large-diameter circular hole provided below the circular through-hole, and an elastic metal thin plate with a predetermined width are provided in the cylindrical shape of the operating shaft. It is formed by bending into a polygonal shape surrounding the intermediate part, and the flat part is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical intermediate part of the operating shaft, and the bent corner part is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole of the bearing. And a movable contact on the lower surface of the flange portion by the rotation of the flange portion accompanying the rotation operation of the operation shaft. And the fixed contact on the contact board below the bearing This is an on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component composed of an electrical signal generator that generates the electrical signal of the motor. The rotational torque generation mechanism of the operating shaft is configured as an insertion holding portion of the operating shaft and the bearing, Since the flat part is abutted at multiple locations with a large area during operation of resin with low hardness, an equal spring force is applied to the operation shaft over the entire circumference. Rotating operation, etc., there is little scraping of the sliding part, you can always obtain a high and stable rotational torque of the operating shaft, and you can easily reduce the outer shape of the product, and the operating shaft is flanged Since the parts are integrally formed, the operation shaft can be easily mass-produced by resin molding or the like, and a small in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component having high torque can be produced at low cost. .
[0017]
The invention according to claim 2 is a metal-made operation shaft having a non-circular cross-section engaging portion below and a large-diameter circular hole portion below the circular through hole for fitting and holding the operation shaft. The bearing is connected to the center engaging hole so that the engaging part below the operating shaft can rotate together, and the upper part is the lower part of the cylindrical part that is inserted into the large-diameter circular hole of the bearing with a certain gap. A resin molded body having a resin flange portion and an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width are bent into a polygonal shape surrounding the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body, and the plane portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body. The bent corners are mounted so as to be in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole of the bearing, respectively, and the cylindrical part of the resin molded body rotates and slides relative to the flat part when the operating shaft is rotated. And the rotation of the resin molding accompanying the rotation of the operating shaft, It is an on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component consisting of an electric signal generator that generates a predetermined electric signal by elastically sliding the moving contact portion and the fixed contact portion on the contact board below the bearing. The rotational torque generating mechanism is configured between the cylindrical part of the resin molded body engaged so as to rotate together with the operation shaft and the bearing, and the flat part of the spring body is wide in the cylindrical part of the resin molded body with low hardness. In addition, since a uniform spring force is applied to the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body over the entire circumference by contacting at a plurality of locations, the resin molded body is rotated by rotating the operation shaft over a long period of time. In addition, it is possible to easily realize an on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component with a small outer shape that can obtain a rotational torque of the operation shaft that is always high and stable through the resin molded body, with less scraping of the sliding portion. Change the rod-shaped operation axis to the specified shape of the operation shaft. On may correspond to instantly Runomi, an effect that the operating shaft of the required shape by fabricating at cutting, be in the form of a special operation shaft can be flexibly.
[0018]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the elastic metal thin plate is bent on the outer periphery of the circular section made of resin that is press-contacted by the flat portion of the spring body formed into a polygonal shape. Lubricating grease is provided, and the operating shaft can be rotated smoothly and stably, and the pressure contact area due to the flat part of the spring body can be reduced, so that it can be stable for a longer period of time. Thus, it is possible to easily realize a device capable of obtaining the rotational torque.
[0019]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure demonstrated in the term of the prior art, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0020]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rotational torque generating mechanism portion of an operation shaft as a main part, and FIG. As shown in the drawing, the resin-made operating shaft 1 includes a flange portion 1B formed integrally with the upper operation portion 1A on the lower side, and the flange portion 1B has a central lower surface. The provided positioning portion 1D is rotatably held in the hole 3A of the box-shaped case 3, and the upper portion of the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C is fitted and held in the circular through hole 20A of the bearing 20. Is the same as in the case of the prior art, but a rotational torque generating mechanism portion 21 of the operating shaft 1 is configured between the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C of the operating shaft 1 and the bearing 20.
[0021]
In other words, the rotational torque generating mechanism 21 is polygonal so that an elastic metal thin plate with a predetermined width surrounds the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C of the operating shaft 1 in the large-diameter circular hole 22 below the circular through hole 20A of the bearing 20. A flat spring 23 formed by bending into a shape is positioned and mounted, and a cylindrical intermediate portion 1C coated with lubricating grease is inserted into the outer periphery thereof, and the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 is an operating shaft. One cylindrical intermediate portion 1C and the bent corner portion 23B are in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole portion 22 of the bearing 20 with a constant pressure.
[0022]
Then, the movable contact 4 made of an elastic thin plate metal fixedly attached to the lower surface of the flange portion 1B, the fixed contact portion 5 provided on the bottom of the concave portion of the box-shaped case 3 in which the movable contact 4 is elastically contacted, the fixed contact portion 5 and the electric It is the same as in the case of the prior art that the electrical signal generator 7 is constituted by the terminals 6 that are electrically connected and project from the box-shaped case 3.
[0023]
Further, the metal cover 8 is fixed above the box-shaped case 3, and the stopper 1 F formed on the outer peripheral portion 1 E of the upper surface of the flange portion 1 B is located below the bearing 20 when the operation shaft 1 is rotated. It is the same as in the case of the prior art that the rotation operation angle range of the operation shaft 1 is regulated by abutting against the provided protrusion 20B.
[0024]
When the operation unit 1A of the operation shaft 1 is operated to rotate within the range of the rotation angle, the operation of the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component having the above-described configuration is accompanied by the rotation of the flange unit 1B integrally formed with the operation unit 1A. As in the case of the prior art, the movable contact 4 mounted on the lower surface of 1B is elastically slid on the fixed contact portion 5 to generate a predetermined signal, which can be taken out from a plurality of terminals 6. At this time, the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 is on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C of the operating shaft 1, and the corner portions 23B are on the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole portion 22 of the bearing 20, respectively. Because of the pressure contact, the operation shaft 1 does not rotate unless it has a predetermined high rotational torque.
[0025]
When the operating shaft 1 rotates, the frictional resistance generated by the spring force of the flat spring 23 is weak, that is, the outer periphery of the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C of the operating shaft 1 and the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 rotate. The outer periphery of the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 and the cylindrical intermediate portion 1C of the operation shaft 1 has a wide area and is slidably pressed at a plurality of locations over the entire periphery of the operation shaft 1. Since the grease for lubrication is applied to the pressed part, the rotational torque unevenness can be reduced, and even when the operating shaft 1 is rotated over a long period of time, the frictional part is less scraped and always high. In addition to obtaining a stable rotational torque of the operating shaft 1, the rotational torque generating mechanism 21 is configured in the insertion holding portion between the operating shaft 1 and the bearing 20, so that a small-sized vehicle-mounted rotationally operated electronic component can be easily realized. And again The height of the rolling torque, by changing the material and material thickness or the number of bending of the plate spring 23, in which can be set appropriately.
[0026]
The assembly method is as follows. First, the flat spring 23 is mounted in the large-diameter circular hole 22 of the bearing 20, and then the operating shaft 1 in which lubricating grease is applied to the outer periphery of the cylindrical intermediate portion 1 C is mounted on the flat spring 23. It is only necessary to press fit into the housing, so that the manufacturing man-hours can be reduced, and the operation shaft 1 of the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component according to the present embodiment is made of a resin integrally formed with the flange portion 1B. Therefore, the operation shaft 1A at the tip of the operation shaft 1 can be produced efficiently and in large quantities by resin molding or the like with respect to a standard shape operation portion 1A. Needless to say, it is possible to produce a small in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component that can obtain a stable and stable rotational torque at low cost.
[0027]
(Embodiment 2)
The on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component according to the present embodiment differs from that according to the first embodiment in that the operation shaft and the flange portion for mounting the movable contact are configured by separate members, and therefore different parts thereof. The explanation will be focused on.
[0028]
4A is a side cross-sectional view of the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the rod-like operation shaft 24 is fitted to the circular through hole 25A of the bearing 25 at the upper part of the cylindrical intermediate portion 24A and is rotatably held by the C ring 26 on the lower surface of the circular through hole 25A. The engaging portion 24B having a non-circular cross section provided below the operation shaft 24 is engaged with the engaging hole portion 27A in the center of the resin molded body 27 so as to be able to rotate together.
[0029]
The cylindrical portion 27B provided above the resin molded body 27 is inserted into the large-diameter circular hole portion 25B below the circular through hole 25A of the bearing 25 so as to have a predetermined gap, and is carried out in the gap. The flat spring 23 similar to that described in the first embodiment is mounted, and these constitute the rotational torque generating mechanism 28.
[0030]
In other words, the configuration of the rotational torque generating mechanism 28 according to the present embodiment is such that a flat spring 23 formed by bending an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width into a polygonal shape so as to surround the cylindrical portion 27B of the resin molded body 27 is used as a bearing. The cylindrical portion 27B, which is positioned and mounted in the 25 large-diameter circular hole portion 25B and coated with lubricating grease on the outer periphery thereof, is inserted therein, and the planar portion 23A of the flat spring 23 is the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 27B. The bent corner portion 23B is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole 25B of the bearing 25 with a constant pressure.
[0031]
The movable contact 4 is mounted on the lower surface of the flange portion 27C of the resin molded body 27, and is elastically contacted with the fixed contact portion 5 provided on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the box-shaped case 3 facing the movable contact 4. The electrical signal generating section 7 is configured by the terminals 6 that are electrically connected to the contact section 5 and project from the box-shaped case 3 as in the case of the first embodiment.
[0032]
Further, since other components such as the metal cover 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0033]
With respect to the operation of the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component, when the operation shaft 24 is rotated, the engagement portion 24B of the operation shaft 24 is inserted into the engagement hole portion 27A so that the resin molded body 27 joined together is shared. An electric signal is generated by the electric signal generator 7 disposed below the electric signal generator 7 and can be derived from the terminal 6, and when the operating shaft 24 is rotated, As in the case of the first embodiment, the operating shaft 24 is not rotated by the provided rotational torque generating mechanism 28 unless it has a predetermined high rotational torque.
[0034]
Also in the rotational torque generating mechanism portion 28 according to the present embodiment, the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 is a wide surface on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 27B to which the lubricating grease of the resin molded body 27 is applied. Since 23B is in contact with the bearing 25 at a plurality of locations, when the operating shaft 24 is rotated, the one where the frictional resistance due to the spring force of the flat spring 23 is weak, that is, the cylinder of the resin molded body 27. The rotational sliding between the portion 27B and the flat portion 23A of the flat spring 23 is the same as in the first embodiment, and the rotational torque unevenness of the operation shaft 24 is small and a high and stable rotational torque can be obtained. A small in-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component can be easily realized, and the magnitude of the rotational torque can be appropriately set by changing the material and shape of the flat spring 23. It is intended.
[0035]
In the on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component according to the present embodiment, since the operation shaft 24 and the resin molded body 27 are configured as separate components, cutting is performed when the tip shape of the operation shaft 24 is designated. Of course, only the rod-like operation time 24 can be produced by processing or the like to respond quickly.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a simple structure in which a flat spring body is simply mounted between the operating shaft and the bearing or between the resin molded body engaged with the operating shaft and the bearing. Thus, the rotational torque generating mechanism can be configured, and therefore, a small vehicle-mounted rotationally operated electronic component that can always obtain a high and stable rotational torque of the operating shaft can be easily realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a vehicle-mounted rotary operation type electronic component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary torque generating mechanism portion of an operation shaft, which is the main part. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 1. FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of a vehicle-mounted rotary operation type electronic component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Sectional view taken along line [Fig.5] Cross-sectional side view of a conventional on-vehicle rotary operation type electronic component [Fig.6] Exploded perspective view
1, 24 Operation shaft 1A Operation part 1B, 27C Flange part 1C, 24A Cylindrical intermediate part 1D Positioning part 1E Upper surface outer peripheral part 1F Stopper 3 Box-shaped case 3A Hole part 4 Movable contact point 5 Fixed contact part 6 Terminal 7 Electric signal generation part 8 Cover 20, 25 Bearing 20A, 25A Circular through-hole 20B Protruding portion 21, 28 Rotating torque generating mechanism portion 22, 25B Large-diameter circular hole portion 23 Flat spring 23A Flat portion 23B Corner portion 24B Engaging portion 26 C ring 27 Resin Molded body 27A engagement hole 27B cylindrical part

Claims

A resin-made operating shaft with a flange part integrally formed below and a cylindrical intermediate portion of the operating shaft are fitted and held rotatably by a circular through hole, and inside a large-diameter circular hole provided below the circular through hole The outer periphery of the cylindrical intermediate portion of the operation shaft is formed by bending a metal bearing inserted through a predetermined gap, and an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width into a polygonal shape surrounding the cylindrical intermediate portion of the operation shaft, The planar part is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical intermediate part of the operating shaft and the bent corner part is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole of the bearing. The spring body in which the outer peripheral surface of the shaft rotates and slides with respect to the plane portion, and the movable contact portion on the lower surface of the flange portion and the fixed contact portion on the contact board below the bearing by the rotation of the flange portion accompanying the rotation operation of the operation shaft Electric signal generation that generates a predetermined electrical signal by sliding elastically Automotive rotatively-operated electronic component consisting of parts.

A rod-shaped operating shaft having a non-circular cross-section engaging portion below, a metal bearing having a large-diameter circular hole below the circular through hole for fitting and holding the operating shaft, and a central engaging hole portion A resin part having a lower resin flange with a cylindrical part in which the engaging part below the operating shaft is coupled so as to be able to rotate together, and the upper part is fitted into the large-diameter circular hole part of the bearing with a certain clearance. The molded body and an elastic metal thin plate having a predetermined width are formed by bending into a polygonal shape surrounding the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body, the plane portion thereof is the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body, and the bent corner portion is the bearing. A spring body, which is mounted so as to be in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter circular hole portion, and the cylindrical portion of the resin molded body rotates and slides with respect to the plane portion when the operation shaft is rotated, and rotation of the operation shaft Due to the rotation of the resin molded body during operation, the movable contact part on the lower surface of the flange part contacts the lower part of the bearing. Automotive rotatively-operated electronic component fixed contact portion on the substrate is made of the electrical signal generator which by elastic contact slides to generate a predetermined electric signal.

3. A vehicle-mounted rotationally-operated electronic component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lubricating grease is disposed on the outer periphery of a circular section made of a resin that is press-contacted by a flat portion of a spring body formed by bending an elastic metal thin plate into a polygonal shape. .