JP4319370B2 - Dimmer switch - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dimmer switch for switching a headlight of a vehicle between forward illumination and downward illumination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a dimmer switch for a motorcycle is disposed in a switch case attached in the vicinity of a grip grip in a steering handlebar, and the headlight can be switched between front irradiation (high beam) and lower irradiation (low beam). Has been. Such a headlamp is composed of a downward irradiation light disposed with its optical axis directed downward to irradiate downward, and a front illumination light disposed with its optical axis directed substantially in a horizontal direction for forward illumination. It is configured such that when only the downward illumination light is turned on, the lower portion is irradiated, and when the forward illumination light is turned on, the front portion is irradiated.
[0003]
The conventional dimmer switch is composed of a seesaw type switch that can swing back and forth. When the rear dimmer switch is positioned at the rear swing end ("LO" position), the lower irradiation light is turned on and the lower irradiation is performed. When it is in the state and is positioned at the front side swing end (the position of “HI”), it can be switched so that the front illumination light can be turned on to enter the front illumination state. That is, when the operator swings the dimmer switch knob between the “LO” position and the “HI” position, switching between downward irradiation and forward irradiation is performed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional dimmer switch, the switching from the front irradiation to the lower irradiation is performed exclusively by the swinging operation by the operator. Therefore, when the engine is stopped while the dimmer switch knob is in the “HI” position. Then, when the engine is started next time, the front irradiation state is maintained, and if the driver does not notice, there is a problem that the vehicle travels in the front irradiation state.
[0005]
However, even if the dimmer switch knob is in the “HI” position, there is no problem if it is daytime when the engine is started and it is not necessary to turn on the headlights. In order to achieve this, daylighting that lights the headlamps even during the daytime (always on during driving) has become widespread, and in vehicles that are configured so that the headlamps always turn on when the engine is started, The possibility of traveling with irradiation is increasing.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a dimmer that can reliably prevent unintentional traveling while being irradiated forward while suppressing the cost of changes to cope with daylighting. To provide a switch.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a switch case attached to the vehicle is swingably disposed , and operates between two positions on the front irradiation side and the lower irradiation side based on the swinging operation, and the vehicle headlight is operated. In a dimmer switch equipped with a dimmer switch knob that switches the light between forward illumination and downward illumination, a switching means that constantly urges the dimmer switch knob to the downward illumination side, and a part of the dimmer switch knob is pressed by the urging means In addition, the moderation at the time of swinging of the dimmer switch knob is given, and the switch is engaged with the dimmer switch knob after switching to the front irradiation, and the switching state is maintained. the dimmer switch Roh by the urging force of the switching means by releasing the engagement at a distance from the dimmer switch knob The a moderation means for swinging from the front side irradiated downward irradiation side, the moderation means may consist of a plunger of the solenoid unit, a spring the biasing means is incorporated in the solenoid unit, and the vehicle After a predetermined time has elapsed from when the engine is started or stopped, it returns to its original position and engages with the dimmer switch knob.
[0008]
According to this configuration, when the dimmer switch swings (when operated) after the engine of the vehicle is started, the moderation means is pressed against the part of the dimmer switch knob by the elastic force of the urging means, thereby providing moderation. At the same time, after switching, the moderation means engages with the switch knob, and the switching state is maintained. On the other hand, when the engine of the vehicle is started or stopped, the engagement is released by separating the moderation means from the dimmer switch knob against the elasticity of the urging means. The switch knob is automatically swung to the lower irradiation side and switched.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
The dimmer switch of the present embodiment is capable of switching the headlight between forward irradiation (high beam) and downward irradiation (low beam). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a handlebar for steering a motorcycle. 2 is disposed in a switch case 1 attached in the vicinity of the grip grip 3. The switch case 1 includes an upper switch case 1a and a lower switch case 1b, and is fixed by sandwiching the handle bar 2 therebetween.
[0012]
The upper switch case 1a is provided with a dimmer switch knob 4 for switching between forward irradiation and downward irradiation, and a passing switch knob 5 for passing operation. The lower switch case 1b includes a horn. A horn switch button 9 is provided for actuating. Note that the switch for turning on and off the headlamp is not provided in the vehicle according to the present embodiment, and is configured to always turn on the headlamp when the engine is started and to achieve daylighting. ing.
[0013]
The lower switch case 1b is provided with a turn signal switch for blinking one of the left and right blinkers, and a turn signal switch knob 8 for the operation is provided between the lower case 1b and the upper case 1a. It protrudes from the boundary. In addition, a switch knob or a button for operating other various electrical components may be formed.
[0014]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the dimmer switch knob 4 according to the present embodiment includes an operation unit 4 a that is switched by an operator, an operation unit 4 b that is formed integrally with the operation unit 4 a, and an operation unit. 4a is mainly composed of a pair of swinging shafts 4c extending in the horizontal direction from both side surfaces of 4a. It can be switched to forward irradiation (“HI” side in the figure) or downward irradiation (“LO” side in the figure).
[0015]
In addition, a movable terminal (not shown) is disposed in the operating portion 4b, and the movable terminal moves with respect to a fixed terminal (not shown) disposed in the switch case 1, so that the headlamp Switching is performed. That is, since the operation part 4b moves centering | focusing on the rocking | fluctuation axis | shaft 4c by operation of the operation part 4a, a movable terminal can be switched with respect to a fixed terminal.
[0016]
The oscillating shaft 4c is fixed to the operation portion 4a at the base end side and supported by the upper switch case 1a at the distal end side, and is allowed to oscillate with respect to the switch case 1, and has one end at the dimmer switch knob 4 side. A torsion spring 6 (switching means) having the other end fixed to the upper switch case 1a is wound. Due to the torsion spring 6, the dimmer switch knob 4 is always biased downward (ie, “LO” side in the figure).
[0017]
Further, on the front end surface of the operating portion 4b, convex portions 4ba and 4bb are formed on both side ends, and a convex portion 4bc is formed in the center between the convex portions 4ba and 4bb. As a result, a concave portion 4bd is formed by the convex portions 4bc and 4ba, and a concave portion 4be is formed by the convex portions 4bc and 4bb, and the tip surface of the operating portion 4b has a substantially wave shape due to the concave and convex shapes. .
[0018]
A solenoid unit 7 as a moderation means as shown in FIG. 8 is disposed on the distal end surface side of the operating portion 4b in which the substantially wave shape is formed. The solenoid unit 7 includes a coil 7b on the side surface in the housing 7a and a plunger 7c disposed in a central space surrounded by the coil 7b.
[0019]
The plunger 7c is disposed so as to protrude from the one end surface of the housing 7a by a predetermined dimension, and its distal end can be protruded and retracted by a coil spring 7d disposed on the base end side thereof. That is, when the coil 7b is energized, the plunger 7c is moved rightward in the drawing by the excitation, and the protruding amount is reduced. It is configured to return to the position. In the figure, reference numeral 7e denotes a stopper that restricts the movement of the plunger 7c, and is fixed by caulking to the other end surface of the housing 7a.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the solenoid unit 7 is usually disposed with the coil 7 b in a non-energized state and the distal end of the plunger 7 c in contact with the distal end surface of the operating portion 4 b. That is, when the coil 7b is not energized, the plunger 7c is configured to press the distal end surface of the operating portion 4b with a predetermined pressure by the coil spring 7d. Therefore, as shown in FIG. When the dimmer switch knob 4 is on the front irradiation side as shown in FIG. 6, while the tip of the plunger 7c is engaged with the concave portion 4bd, the convex portion 4bc is pressed. The tip of 7c presses convex part 4bc, engaging with concave part 4be.
[0021]
Accordingly, the dimmer switch knob 4 is locked by the plunger 7c of the solenoid unit 7, and the switching state can be maintained. In the state shown in FIG. 6 (the state in which the dimmer switch knob 4 is swung to the front irradiation side), the locking force of the plunger 7c is set larger than the biasing force by the torsion spring 6. As long as the coil 7b is not energized or the operation unit 4a is operated, the switching state to the front irradiation side can be maintained.
[0022]
Further, when the dimmer switch knob 4 on the lower irradiation side is manually swung to the front irradiation side, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip of the plunger 7c is pushed by the convex portion 4bc of the operating portion 4b, and the coil After retracting against the urging force of the spring 7b and passing through the top of the convex portion 4bc, the coil spring 7b projects again by a predetermined dimension, resulting in the state shown in FIG. As a result, a predetermined load is applied in the process in which the plunger 7c gets over the convex portion 4bc, so that the moderation during the swing of the dimmer switch knob 4 is applied. The same moderation is also given when the dimmer switch knob 4 on the front irradiation side is swung to the lower irradiation side.
[0023]
On the other hand, the coil 7b in the solenoid unit 7 is electrically connected to, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a vehicle (not shown), and is configured to energize the coil 7b when the engine is started. With this energization, as shown in FIG. 7, the plunger 7c is retracted by the excitation of the coil 7b, and the distal end of the plunger 7c is separated from the distal end surface of the operating portion 4b.
[0024]
That is, when the dimmer switch knob 4 is on the front irradiation side (state shown in FIG. 6), the plunger 7c is retracted by starting the engine and the engagement with the convex portion 4bc is released. The dimmer switch knob 4 swings downward (in the state shown in FIG. 7), and the headlamp is automatically switched to downward irradiation.
[0025]
In this state, the moderation at the time of operation of the dimmer switch knob 4 cannot be obtained. Therefore, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the energization to the coil 7b is stopped to return the plunger 7c to the original position (FIG. 4). Status). Such energization may be stopped by an instruction from the above-described ECU, or a separate timer circuit may be installed to cut off energization after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0026]
As a result, even if the engine is started with the dimmer switch knob 4 left on the front irradiation side, the dimmer switch knob 4 is automatically swung to the lower irradiation side. It can be surely prevented from continuing. Further, since the electrical system of the dimmer switch can be kept as it is and can be dealt with only by the mechanical change of the dimmer switch 4, the cost associated with the change can be suppressed and the reliability can be improved. .
[0027]
Even when the engine is started with the dimmer switch knob 4 in the downward irradiation state, the coil 7b is energized and the plunger 7c is retracted as described above, but the torsion spring 6 is biased toward the downward irradiation side. Thus, the dimmer switch knob 4 does not swing and remains on the lower irradiation side. That is, since the coil 7b is energized regardless of whether the dimmer switch knob 4 is on the front irradiation side or the lower irradiation side, a separate sensor or the like for detecting the position of the dimmer switch knob 4 is provided. Is unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost can be further suppressed.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the dimmer switch will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the vehicle is traveling, the driver appropriately swings the dimmer switch 4 to switch between front irradiation and lower irradiation of the headlamp. The moderation during the operation of the dimmer switch 4 and the state maintenance of the dimmer switch knob 4 by the plunger 7c are as described above. Then, after the engine is stopped and stopped, the following operation is performed when the engine is started again.
[0029]
That is, when the engine of the vehicle is started (S1) and an engine start signal is generated in the ECU, the coil 7b of the solenoid unit 7 is energized (S2). 7c retracts, and the engagement of the dimmer switch knob 4 with the convex portion 4bc is released. By releasing the engagement, the dimmer switch knob 4 is left as it is when the dimmer switch knob 4 is on the lower irradiation side, whereas when it is on the front irradiation side, it is automatically moved to the lower irradiation side by the urging force of the torsion spring 6. Switching takes place.
[0030]
Thereafter, in S3, when the ECU or a separate timer circuit detects that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the engine, the energization to the coil 7b is stopped (or cut off), and the non-energized state is established. As a result, the plunger 7c returns to the original position (a state in which it protrudes by a predetermined dimension) by the urging force of the coil spring 7d, and again engages with the convex portion 4bc of the dimmer switch knob 4 and holds it on the lower irradiation side.
[0031]
According to the above-described embodiment, the state of the dimmer switch knob 4 can be maintained, the moderation can be performed, and the forced switching to the downward irradiation of the headlamp can be performed by one solenoid unit 7, so that each function described above can be performed with a simple configuration. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent unintentional traveling with the front illuminated. Further, because the headlamp is forcibly switched by applying a voltage to the coil 7b of the solenoid unit 7, the configuration is simple and the electric signal from the ECU can be used as the operation instruction signal of the moderation means as it is.
[0032]
Furthermore, since the plunger 7c returns to the original position after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the engine of the vehicle and engages the convex portion 4bc of the dimmer switch knob 4 again, it is possible to always perform operations with moderation on the dimmer switch knob 4. It can be.
[0033]
Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be other components.
[0034]
In this embodiment, the coil of the solenoid unit is energized when the engine is started. However, the coil may be energized when the engine is stopped. Instead of the torsion spring 6, other dimmer switch knobs that constantly urge downward (for example, a leaf spring or a coil spring) may be used.
[0035]
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to dimmer switches in various vehicles such as ATVs and snow vehicles in addition to motorcycles. Of course, the dimmer switch of the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle provided with a headlamp on / off switch (a driver can turn on and off the headlamp arbitrarily).
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention of claim 1, since the dimmer switch knob is automatically switched to the lower irradiation side by the urging force of the switching means when the engine is started or stopped, the cost for the change to cope with daylighting can be reduced. It is possible to reliably prevent unintentional traveling while being forward irradiated while being suppressed.
[0037]
Further , movement control of the moderation means based on engine start or stop can be performed easily and with a simple configuration, and unintentional travel with front irradiation can be reliably prevented.
[0038]
Furthermore , since the moderation means returns to the original position and engages with the dimmer switch knob again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start or stop of the vehicle engine, it is possible to always perform operations with moderation on the dimmer switch knob. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a switch case to which a dimmer switch according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a top view showing a switch case to which a dimmer switch according to an embodiment of the invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a dimmer switch knob in the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a state where the dimmer switch knob in the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention is on the lower irradiation side (solenoid unit non-energized state). Schematic diagram [FIG. 5] Schematic diagram showing a process (solenoid unit non-energized state) in which the dimmer switch knob in the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention is swung from the lower irradiation side to the front irradiation side. In the dimmer switch according to the embodiment, the dimmer switch knob is on the front irradiation side (solenoid unit). Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the dimmer switch knob in the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention is forcibly set to the lower irradiation side (energized unit energized state). FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a partially broken solenoid unit in the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dimmer switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switch case 1a ... Upper switch case 1b ... Lower switch case 2 ... Handle bar 3 ... Grip grip 4 ... Dimmer switch knob 4a ... Operation part 4b ... Actuating part 4c ... Swing shaft 5 ... Passing switch knob 6 ... Torsion Spring (switching means)
7 ... Solenoid unit 7a ... Housing 7b ... Coil 7c ... Plunger (moderation means)
7d ... Coil spring (biasing means)
7e ... Stopper 8 ... Turn signal switch knob 9 ... Horn switch button

Claims (1)

A switch case attached to the vehicle is swingably disposed. Based on the swinging operation, the vehicle operates a headlamp between the front irradiation side and the lower irradiation side to irradiate the vehicle headlamp with front irradiation and lower irradiation. In a dimmer switch with a dimmer switch knob to switch to
Switching means for always urging the dimmer switch knob to the lower irradiation side;
A part of the dimmer switch knob is pressed by an urging means to give moderation when the dimmer switch knob swings, and after switching to forward irradiation, the dimmer switch knob is engaged to change the switching state. On the other hand, when the vehicle engine is started or stopped, the dimmer switch knob is moved away from the dimmer switch knob and released from the engagement by swinging the dimmer switch knob from the front irradiation side to the lower irradiation side by the urging force of the switching means. and moderation means for creating,
The moderation means comprises a plunger of a solenoid unit, and the biasing means is a spring built in the solenoid unit, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle engine was started or stopped, A dimmer switch characterized by returning to a position and engaging with the dimmer switch knob.

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