JP4497065B2 - Changeover switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a changeover switch, and is preferably applied to, for example, a changeover switch including an operation member that can be rotated at least from the outside of a housing.

  Conventionally, for example, in a trip display device for a vehicular instrument, a change-over switch is operated such as a knob having one end attached to a switch member provided in the housing and the other end extended outwardly through a through hole in the housing. A configuration is known that operates by rotating operation or the like via a member (see Patent Document 1).

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a knob guide is provided in a through hole into which a knob is inserted, for example, a through hole of a transparent cover that is a part of a housing, thereby holding the knob in the axial direction and the rotational direction. In this technique, the knob guide is formed of soft rubber as a buffer member.

When the knob guide is formed in a cylindrical shape with a transparent cover, generally, a soft rubber is fitted between the knob and the transparent cover of the knob guide as a cushioning member in a hemispherical projection shape or O-ring shape. It is out.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-12694

  In the prior art, a shock-absorbing member such as a protrusion or ring is mounted between the knob and the transparent cover, so that the shock-absorbing member is in the visible range near the through hole by an operator such as a driver. When the buffer member is in the driver's visible range, there is a problem that the appearance when visually recognizing characters on the instrument is lowered.

  On the other hand, a method of removing the buffer member is conceivable. However, although the problem of deterioration in appearance is solved, there is a problem that the knob hits the transparent cover due to vibration during traveling of the vehicle, and abnormal noise such as a hitting sound is generated.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a change-over switch that can prevent generation of abnormal noise due to vibration between an operation member and a housing and obtain a good appearance. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following technical means.

That is, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the switch member provided in the housing, the translucent cover disposed on the front surface side of the housing, one end mounted on the switch member, and the other end An operation member that is inserted through a hole provided in the light-transmitting cover and extends to the outside of the light-transmitting cover, and that is operated at least by a rotation operation of the operation member. The member includes a surface portion that includes an opposing surface that faces the hole portion and extends in the outward extending direction, and a main body portion that is covered with the surface portion and has a hardness higher than that of the surface portion, and the surface portion has a hardness of 50 to 70. cushioning member der made of a thermoplastic elastomer material in the range of time is, the surface portion and the body portion, the outer peripheral surface including a facing surface that faces the hole is characterized in that it is formed flush.

According to this, an operation member having one end attached to the switch member and the other end inserted through the hole of the translucent cover and extending to the outside of the transparent cover is composed of the main body portion and the surface portion covering this. The surface portion covers the main body portion with a cushioning member made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a hardness in the range of 50 to 70 degrees on the surface side in the outward extending direction including the opposing surface facing the hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration between the operation member and the housing, and to obtain a good appearance.

  When the hardness of the surface portion is less than 50, a relatively large rotational torque is required because the hardness is low when the operation member is rotated. For an operator who grips the surface portion and operates the operation member There is a risk of operability degradation. When the hardness of the surface portion exceeds 70, there is a possibility that the effect of preventing abnormal noise generation cannot be obtained effectively.

In particular, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface including the facing surface facing the hole portion is flush with the surface portion and the main body portion.

  As a result, the surface portion in the outward extending direction including the facing surface facing the hole portion is not formed by the buffer member with a protruding portion such as a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the operation member. Therefore, in the vicinity of the hole, the buffer member is outside the visual recognition range where it is easy for the operator to visually recognize, so that a good appearance can be reliably obtained.

In the invention described in claim 2 , the surface portion is insert-molded in the main body portion.

  Thereby, since the operation member having the buffer member on the surface portion is formed by insert molding, a good appearance can be obtained while preventing the generation of noise due to vibration between the operation member and the translucent cover which is a part of the housing. The resulting configuration is obtained simply.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the main body is formed of a metal material or a resin material that is relatively excellent in dimensional stability.

  According to this, since the dimensional stability of the operation member attached to the switch member is ensured, it is possible to ensure a gap between the hole portion of the translucent cover and the operation member facing the hole.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the resin material of the main body is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyacetal (POM).

  According to this, the resin material of the main body is preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyacetal (POM). Thereby, a main-body part can be resin-molded with the resin material comparatively excellent in dimensional stability.

Further, in the invention described in claim 5 , the end portion on one end side of the operation member and the switch member are mounted by fitting, and this structure has a regulating member that absorbs the fitting gap. It is characterized by.

  According to this, the end portion on one end side of the operation member and the switch member are structured to be fitted by fitting, and this structure preferably has a regulating member that absorbs the gap of the fitting portion. .

  Generally, in the case where the end portion on one end side of the operation member and the switch member are mounted by fitting, the fitting portion is in an interference fitting state or a loose fitting state. In the loose fitting state, a gap is generated in the fitting portion, so that the operation member is likely to be shaken with respect to the switch member, and the gap between the hole portion of the translucent cover and the operation member facing this is insufficient. There is a fear.

On the other hand, in the invention according to claim 5 , since the gap of the fitting portion is absorbed by a regulating member such as a D-type spring, for example, the gap between the hole portion of the translucent cover and the operation member facing the hole portion. However, there is no shortage of gaps.

  Hereinafter, a specific embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings by applying the changeover switch of the present invention to a trip meter reset switch provided in a combination meter mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a combination meter in which the changeover switch of this embodiment is mounted. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the periphery of the changeover switch according to the present embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view as seen from II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an end portion on one end side of the operation member in FIG. 2 attached to the switch member, and is a cross-sectional view seen from III-III. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a combination meter equipped with the changeover switch of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the hardness of the surface portion covering the operation member in FIG. 2 and abnormal noise. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the frequency analysis result for each hardness sample in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6A shows a hardness of 70, FIG. 6B shows a hardness of 55, and FIG. It is a graph which shows the sample whose is 47.

  In FIG. 1, the trip meter B of the combination meter 100 and its periphery are shown. In FIG. 2, the right side in the figure is the driver's seat side where the operator (driver) who operates the reset switch 1 is located, and the driver visually recognizes the combination meter 100 from the right side. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the reset switch 1 is in a no-operation natural state, that is, a state in which the driver is not touching.

  The combination meter 100 is disposed at a position visible from the driver in front of the driver's seat of the automobile, and displays various information related to the automobile, such as traveling speed and traveling distance, on the dial 102.

  When the main function of displaying various types of information is represented by a meter, the combination meter 100, as shown in FIG. 1, an odometer A that indicates the cumulative travel distance of a car, a trip meter B that indicates a section travel distance, and a trip A reset switch 1 serving as a changeover switch for the meter B, a speedometer F for instructing the traveling speed of the automobile, and a warning lamp (not shown) are provided. The reset switch 1 has a dimming function for switching and adjusting display brightness of a scale portion 102a and character portions 102b and 102c of a dial plate 102 described later.

  The odometer A and trip meter B display the distance traveled on the liquid crystal panel 103 by numbers.

  The reset switch 1 is for resetting the indicated value of the trip meter B, that is, for setting the indicated value to “0”.

  The speedometer F rotates the pointer 107 with a movement (not shown) and indicates the traveling speed by the rotation angle.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the combination meter 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The dial 102 is formed of a light-transmitting material, for example, a thin plate such as colorless and transparent polycarbonate. The dial plate 102 constitutes a speedometer F together with a pointer 107, and has a scale 102a, a number 102b, and a character 102c (see FIG. 1) for instructing the traveling speed of the automobile. The numbers 102b and the characters 102c constitute a character part, and the scale 102a constitutes a scale part.

  These scales 102a, numerals 102b, and characters 102c are formed by printing, hot stamping, or the like on the front surface (the right surface in FIG. 2) or the back surface (the left surface in FIG. 2) of the dial plate 102. .

  Specifically, a colored layer having an opaque property is provided on portions other than the scale 102a, the number 102b, and the character 102c, and the scale 102a, the number 102b, and the character 102c are kept transparent. Note that the scale 102a, the numbers 102b, and the characters 102c are not limited to being transparent, and a process such as providing a translucent colored layer may be performed.

  With such a configuration, the scale 102a, the number 102b, and the character 102c are transmitted and illuminated by the light emitted from the light emitting diode 105, which is a light source disposed behind (on the left side in FIG. 2), and are displayed. On the other hand, when the light source is turned off, the scale 102a, the numbers 102b, and the characters 102c become dark, and thus the difference in brightness from the colored layer having the above-described translucency becomes small and becomes almost inconspicuous.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the dial plate 102 is provided with a window portion 102g for making the liquid crystal panel 103 visible to the driver. The liquid crystal panel 103 is fitted in the window portion 102g.

  A casing 5 as a housing is disposed on the back side (left side in FIG. 2) of the dial 102. The casing 5 is formed of, for example, a resin material and supports the dial plate 102.

  A printed circuit board 6 is disposed on the back side of the casing 5 (left side in FIG. 2). The printed circuit board 6 is made of, for example, a glass epoxy board or the like, and forms an electric circuit portion of the combination meter 100. In order to illuminate the surface of the printed circuit board 6 (the right side surface in FIG. 2) with a switch member 8 to be described later of the reset switch 1, a light emitting diode 104 as a backlight for emitting and displaying the liquid crystal panel 103, and a dial 102. The light emitting diode 105 is mounted.

  A controller 106 is mounted on the back surface of the printed circuit board 6 (the left surface in FIG. 2). The controller 106 calculates a travel distance based on a detection signal of a distance sensor 110 described later, and drives the liquid crystal panel 103 for displaying information related to the travel distance on the odometer A and trip meter B. The controller 106 initializes the display of the trip meter B based on the signal from the reset switch 1.

  In addition to the above-described components, the printed circuit board 6 is mounted with a movement (not shown) for driving the pointer 107 described above.

  A rear cover 109 is disposed behind the printed board 6 (left side in FIG. 2) so as to cover the printed board 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent cover 108 as a translucent cover is disposed on the front side of the dial plate 102 (right side in FIG. 2) via a turn-back plate (not shown).

  Here, the casing 5, the transparent cover 108, and the rear cover 109 constitute a housing in which the switch member 8 and the like are built.

  Next, the configuration of the reset switch 1 which is the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reset switch 1 includes an operation knob 3 as an operation member and a switch member 8.

  The switch member 8 is a switch device that is switched at least by a rotation operation, and has a known structure including, for example, a variable resistor with a push switch. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch member 8 changes the resistance value between one set of terminals (not shown) continuously by the rotation operation of the shaft 81, thereby changing the current value flowing through the first electric circuit. In addition, the second electric circuit is opened and closed by switching between conduction and interruption between the other set of terminals by an axial movement operation of the shaft 81.

  More specifically, when the switch member 8 is in a natural state as shown in FIG. 2, that is, when it is not pushed in by the operation knob 3, the second electric circuit is opened and the operation knob 3 is pushed in. In this case, the second electric circuit is closed.

  The first electric circuit constitutes an electric circuit that switches and adjusts the display brightness of the scale portion 102a and the character portions 102b and 102c of the dial 102, and the second electric circuit resets the indicated value of the trip meter B. An electric circuit is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation knob 3 is formed in a substantially rod shape, one end of which is attached to the switch member 8, and the other end is inserted through a through hole 108 a as a hole of the transparent cover 108. 108 extends outward (to the right in FIG. 2). When the operator grips and rotates the distal end portion (specifically, knob surface portion 32) of the other end side of the operation knob 3, the operating force (rotational torque) is applied to the shaft 81 of the switch member 8 via the operation knob 3. The dimming function of the switch member 8 is activated. When the operator pushes the distal end of the other end of the operation knob 3 to the left in FIG. 2, the operation force moves the operation knob 3 in the axial direction corresponding to the stroke S of the shaft 81 and the switch member 8. The reset function of the switch member 8 is activated.

  The operation knob 3 includes a surface portion (hereinafter referred to as a knob surface layer portion) 32 that includes an opposing surface facing the through hole 108a and extends in the outer side (right side in FIG. 2), and a main body portion that is covered with the knob surface layer portion 32. (Hereinafter referred to as “knob body”) 31.

  The knob body 31 is made of a resin material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and is resin-molded so as to have sufficient rigidity with respect to the operating force of the operator. The material of the knob body 31 is not limited to the ABS resin, but may be any material that is relatively excellent in dimensional stability, and may be a resin such as polyacetal (POM) or a metal material. In addition, the knob main-body part 31 uses the material higher than the hardness of the knob surface layer part 32 mentioned later.

  As a result, the dimensional stability of the knob main body 31 to be mounted on the switch member 8, that is, the operation knob 3 can be ensured, so that a clearance is secured between the through hole 108a of the transparent cover 108 and the operation knob 3 facing the transparent hole 108a. It is possible to do. Therefore, since the gap between the operation knob 3 and the through hole 108a is insufficient and does not come into contact, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to vibration or the like between the operation knob 3 and the transparent cover 108 (through hole 108a) described later. In addition, the knob main-body part 31 uses the material higher than the hardness of the knob surface layer part 32 mentioned later.

  In the present embodiment, when the knob body 31 is formed of a resin material, the resin material is preferably an ABS resin or a POM resin. Thereby, the knob main-body part 31 can be resin-molded with the resin material comparatively excellent in dimensional stability.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the end portion (hereinafter referred to as a switch mounting portion) 31 a on the one end side of the knob body portion 31 is mounted and fixed to the shaft 81 by fitting. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of the fitting portion between the switch mounting portion 31a and the shaft 81 is substantially D-shaped, and the outer periphery 81h of the shaft 81 is connected to the inner periphery 31ah of the switch mounting portion 31a. It is comprised so that it may fit. Thereby, the knob main body 31 and the shaft 81 are relatively unrotatable, and when the operation knob 3 is rotated and the knob main body 31 rotates, the shaft 81 also rotates by the same angle as the knob main body 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the end portion (hereinafter, surface layer fixing shaft portion) 31 b of the other end side of the knob body portion 31 is formed in a substantially shaft shape, and the knob surface layer portion 32 is covered. .

  The knob surface layer portion 32 is formed of a resin material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and is formed into a resin having a bottomed substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface 32 f of the knob surface layer portion 32 is disposed substantially coaxially with the inner periphery 108 b of the through hole 108 a of the transparent cover 108. The length L of the knob surface layer portion 32 is set longer than the stroke S of the switch member 8 (L> S).

The material of the knob surface layer portion 32 is not limited to the TPE elastomer, but may be an elastomer material such as a thermopore (TPO).

The resin material (elastomer material ) of the knob surface layer portion 32 preferably has a hardness in the range of 50 to 70. As a result, the knob surface layer portion 32 covers the knob main body portion 31 with the cushioning member having a hardness in the range of 50 to 70 degrees on the surface side in the outward extending direction including the facing surface facing the through hole 108a. Further, it is possible to prevent the generation of noise due to vibrations described later between the operation knob 3 and the transparent cover 108 (specifically, the through hole 108a).

  Further, unlike the prior art, a shock-absorbing member such as a protrusion or a ring is not mounted between the operation knob and the transparent cover (through hole), and therefore the scale portion 102a and the character portions 102b and 102c are determined by the driver who is the operator. It is possible to make it outside the visible range which can be visually recognized, and a good appearance is obtained.

  When the hardness of the knob surface layer portion 32 is less than 50, when the driver grips and rotates the knob surface layer portion 32 of the operation knob 3, since the hardness is low, a relatively large rotational torque is required. The operability of the knob 3 may be reduced. When the hardness of the knob surface layer portion 32 exceeds 70, there is a possibility that the effect of preventing abnormal noise generation cannot be obtained effectively.

In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 32f of the knob surface layer portion 32 and the outer peripheral surface 31f of the knob main body portion 31 are preferably formed flush with each other. Thus, the knob surface portion 32 on the outside extending direction include a facing surface that faces the through-hole 108a is, the operating knob 3 of the outer peripheral surface protrusion shape of the protruding like projecting from 31f, such as e Arasutoma material It is not formed by the buffer member. Therefore, in the vicinity of the through hole 108a, the knob surface layer portion 32, which is a buffer member, is outside the visual recognition range that is easily visible by the operator, so that a good appearance can be reliably obtained.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the knob surface portion 32, because it is formed a resin material (elastomeric material) or al such as TPE elastomer, the hardness of the knob surface portion 32 easily at a relatively low hardness range of 50 to 70 Can be formed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the resin material of the knob surface layer portion 32 is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer material such as TPE elastomer or TPO elastomer. As a result, the knob surface layer portion 32 can be easily resin-molded into the knob body portion 31, and therefore the operation knob 3 inserted through the through hole 108a of the transparent cover and extended to the outside of the transparent cover 108 is relatively dimensioned. It can be formed with good stability.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the knob surface layer part 32 and the knob main body part 31 are insert-molded by resin molding or the like. As a result, the operation knob 3 having a cushioning member such as a TPE elastomer material is formed by insert molding on the knob surface layer portion 32, so that abnormal noise is generated due to vibration between the operation knob 3 and the transparent cover 108 (through hole 108a). The structure which can obtain a good appearance while preventing can be obtained simply.

  The transparent cover 108 is formed in a substantially thin plate shape from a colorless and transparent acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin. The transparent cover 108 includes a through hole 108a as a hole. The knob surface layer portion 32 of the operation knob 3 described above is inserted into the through hole 108a.

  Next, the electric circuit of the combination meter 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the odometer A, trip meter B, and reset switch 1 are mainly shown, and other devices such as a speedometer F (for example, a movement, a speed sensor, etc.) are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, power is constantly supplied from the battery 113 to the controller 106. Further, an ignition switch 112 is connected to the controller 106 so as to be able to detect its operating state (ON or OFF). Further, the distance sensor 110 and the reset switch 1 are connected to the controller 106. The controller 106 is connected to the liquid crystal panel 103 and the light-emitting diode 104 and the light-emitting diode 105 which are backlights thereof.

  The controller 106 controls the display operation of the liquid crystal panel 103 based on detection signals from the distance sensor 110 and the reset switch 1.

  Next, the operation of the combination meter 100 having the above-described configuration, particularly the reset function and dimming function of the reset switch 1 will be described below.

(1) Reset function of reset switch 1 When the ignition switch 112 is turned on by the driver, the controller 106 detects that the ignition switch 112 is turned on, turns on the light-emitting diode 104 and the light-emitting diode 105, and displays the liquid crystal. The panel 103 is driven to form display images of the odometer A and trip meter B. As a result, the dial 102 is transmitted and illuminated, the speedometer F is lit and displayed, and the odometer A and trip meter B are visible. At this time, the display contents of the odometer A and trip meter B are displayed with the display contents of both when the ignition switch 112 was last turned off.

  Thereafter, the controller 106 calculates the travel distance of the automobile based on the detection signal from the distance sensor 110 and sequentially updates the display contents of the odometer A and trip meter B.

  Here, when the operation knob 3 is pushed in the axial direction by the driver, the second electric circuit of the reset switch 1 is opened. Based on the signal of the reset switch 1 (reset signal), the controller 106 initializes the display of the trip meter B, that is, displays “0 km” as the display content.

  Thereafter, the controller 106 calculates the travel distance of the automobile based on the detection signal from the distance sensor 110 and sequentially updates the display contents of the odometer A and trip meter B.

(2) Dimming function of the reset switch 1 When the operation knob 3 is rotated by the driver, the shaft 81 that rotates integrally with the knob main body 31 is rotated via the surface layer portion 32 held by the driver, and the inner part is rotated. The resistance value changes. Based on the signal (dimming signal) from the reset switch 1, the controller 106 changes the light emission luminance of the dial plate 102, that is, the light emission luminance of the scale 102 a, number 102 b, character 102 c, and pointer 107 of the speedometer F.

  Specifically, the controller 106 controls the current values to the light sources for illuminating the light emitting diode 105 and the pointer 107 according to the signal to change the brightness of the light sources for illuminating the light emitting diode 105 and the pointer 107. .

  For example, when the operation knob 3 (specifically, the shaft 81) is at the left rotation side end, the light emission luminance of the dial plate 102 and the pointer 107 is in the lowest level or in the extinguished state. As the operation knob 3 is rotated to the right from this state, the light emission brightness of the dial 102 and the pointer 107 gradually increases. When the control knob 3 is further rotated to the right and reaches the end on the right rotation side, the light emission luminance of the dial plate 102 and the pointer 107 reaches the highest level. Thus, the driver can adjust the light emission luminance of the combination meter 100 so that the light emission luminance of the combination meter 100 is always at a level that is easy to see according to the change in the brightness around the combination meter 100 of the automobile.

  Here, the inventor conducted an experiment to verify the relationship between the hardness of the knob surface layer portion 32 covering the operation knob 3 (specifically, the knob main body portion 31) and abnormal noise due to vibration. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the hardness of the surface layer portion 32, and the vertical axis represents the sound pressure level. 6 is a graph showing the results of frequency analysis for each hardness sample in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6 (a) shows the sample hardness of the surface layer 32 and FIG. 6 (b) shows the hardness. Is a graph showing frequency analysis when the hardness is 40. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sound pressure level is reduced to 16 dB, 8 dB, and 3 dB as the hardness of the surface layer portion 32 is gradually lowered to 70, 55, and 47. Here, these sound pressure values are values indicating the highest sound pressure level (hereinafter referred to as sound pressure peak value) in the result of frequency analysis for each hardness sample. The hardness 70 in FIG. 6A was 16 dB at 700 Hz, the hardness 55 in FIG. 6B was 8 dB at about 700 Hz, and the hardness 47 in FIG. 6C was 3 dB at about 600 Hz.

  6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) indicate the sound pressure peak value, and FIG. 6 (a) is about 3 / 4 level, FIG. 6B shows the effect of reducing the sound pressure to about 1/3 level compared to the prior art, and FIG. 6C shows the effect of reducing the sound pressure to about 1/5 level compared with the prior art. .

  Next, the function and effect of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, one end is attached to the switch member 8 and the other end is inserted through the through hole 108a of the transparent cover 108 and extended to the outside of the transparent cover 108. The knob 3 is composed of a knob main body portion 31 and a knob surface layer portion 32 covering the knob body portion 31, and the knob surface layer portion 32 includes a facing surface facing the through hole 108 a and has a surface layer side in the outward extending direction. Since the knob body 31 is covered with a buffer member such as a TPE elastomer having a hardness in the range of 50 to 70 degrees, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated due to vibrations between the operation knob 3 and the transparent cover (specifically, the through hole 108a). At the same time, a good appearance can be obtained.

  When the hardness of the knob surface layer portion 32 is less than 50, when the driver grips and rotates the knob surface layer portion 32 of the operation knob 3, since the hardness is low, a relatively large rotational torque is required. The operability of the knob 3 may be reduced. When the hardness of the knob surface layer portion 32 exceeds 70, there is a possibility that the effect of preventing abnormal noise generation cannot be obtained effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the constituent material of the knob surface layer portion 32 is preferably an elastomer material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoporous (TPO). As a result, the knob surface layer portion 32 can be easily resin-molded into the knob body portion 31, and therefore the operation knob 3 inserted through the through hole 108a of the transparent cover and extended to the outside of the transparent cover 108 is relatively dimensioned. It can be formed with good stability.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, when the knob main-body part 31 is shape | molded with a resin material, it is preferable that the resin material is an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or a polyacetal (POM). Thereby, the knob main-body part 31 can be resin-molded with the resin material comparatively excellent in dimensional stability.

  In the present embodiment, the knob surface layer portion 32 and the knob main body portion 31 are preferably insert-molded by resin molding or the like. As a result, the operation knob 3 having a buffer member such as a TPE elastomer material is formed on the knob surface layer portion 32 by insert molding, so that abnormal noise due to vibrations between the operation knob 3 and the transparent cover 108 (through hole 108a) is prevented. However, a configuration that can provide a good appearance can be obtained simply.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, other embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the first embodiment, as a method of mounting the operation knob 3 and the switch member 8, the switch mounting portion 31a of the knob main body 31 and the fitting portion of the shaft 81 are formed in a substantially D-shaped cross section, and the switch mounting portion The outer periphery 81h of the shaft 81 was fitted and fixed to the inner periphery 31ah of 31a.

  On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is set as the structure provided with the control member 233 for absorbing the clearance gap of the said fitting part. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an end portion on one end side that is attached to the switch member among the operation members according to the present embodiment. 8A and 8B are views showing the operation member in FIG. 7, in which FIG. 8A is a side view of the end portion on one end side, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the operation knob 203 includes a knob main body portion 231 and a knob surface layer portion 232. The outer peripheral surface 231f of the knob body 231 and the outer peripheral surface 232f of the knob surface layer portion 232 are flush with each other. The knob main body portion 231 includes a switch mounting portion 231a and a surface layer portion fixing shaft portion 231b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a regulating member 233 made of an elastic body is sandwiched in a gap between the inner periphery 231ah of the switch mounting portion 231a and the outer periphery 81h of the shaft 81.

  As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the regulating member 233 is, for example, a D-type spring, and absorbs a gap between the inner periphery 231ah and the outer periphery 81h with an elastic force. The outer periphery 81h is fixed. The regulating member 233 is not limited to the D-type spring, and may be an elastic body such as any spring material as long as it absorbs the gap between the inner circumference 231ah and the outer circumference 81h.

  Next, the function and effect of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in the fitting structure of the switch mounting portion 231a of the operation knob 203 and the shaft 81 of the switch member 8, this structure absorbs the gap between the fitting portions. The regulating member 233 is provided.

  Generally, when the switch mounting portion of the operation knob and the shaft of the switch member are mounted by fitting, the state of the fitting portion is an interference fitting state or a loose fitting state. In the loose fitting state, a gap is generated in the fitting portion, so that the operation knob is likely to be swung with respect to the switch member, and there is a possibility that the gap between the through hole of the transparent cover and the operation knob facing the gap is insufficient. is there.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the gap between the fitting portions is absorbed by the regulating member 233 such as a D-type spring, and therefore there is a gap between the through hole 108a of the transparent cover 108 and the operation knob 203 facing the gap. There is no shortage.

  Therefore, since the gap between the operation knob 3 and the through hole 108a is insufficient and does not come into contact, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise due to vibrations between the operation knob 3 and the through hole 108a of the transparent cover 108.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the present embodiment described above, the reset switch 1 has been described as having a reset function by operating the operation knob 3 in the axial direction, and having a dimming function by rotating the operation knob 3. The reset switch 1 is not limited to the operation of the operation knob 3 in the axial direction and is operated to rotate, but the operation of the operation knob 3 may be limited to the rotation operation as long as it is at least rotated.

  (2) In the present embodiment described above, the hole through which the operation knob 3 is inserted is described as the through hole 108a. However, the hole through which the operation knob 3 is inserted is not limited to the through hole 108a, but the through hole 108a. You may have a guide part which extended the inner periphery 108b.

  (3) In the present embodiment described above, the combination meter 100 including the reset switch 1 displays the odometer A and the trip meter B on the liquid crystal panel 103 at the same time. It is not necessary to limit to such a structure, For example, it is good also as a structure which displays either one and switches an odometer A display and a trip meter B display each time the reset switch 1 is pressed once.

  (4) In the embodiment described above, the changeover switch of the present invention is applied to the reset function of the trip meter B provided in the automobile combination meter 100 and the dimming reset switch 1 of the dial 102. Although described, the use is not limited to the reset switch 1, and may be applied to a changeover switch for another use provided in the combination meter 100.

  (5) Furthermore, the installation location of the changeover switch need not be limited to the combination meter 100, and may be on another instrument panel or operation panel. For example, you may provide in the centralized warning panel arrange | positioned independently from the combination meter 100, or in the air-conditioner operation panel for adjusting the action | operation of an air-conditioning apparatus.

It is a partial front view of the combination meter carrying the changeover switch of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change switch periphery of 1st Embodiment, Comprising: It is the fragmentary sectional view seen from II-II in FIG. It is a figure which shows the edge part of the one end side with which the switch member is mounted | worn among the operation members in FIG. 2, Comprising: It is sectional drawing seen from III-III. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the combination meter by which the changeover switch of 1st Embodiment is mounted. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the hardness of the surface part which covers the operation member in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing frequency analysis results for each hardness sample in FIG. 5, where FIG. 6A shows hardness 70, FIG. 6B shows hardness 55, and FIG. 6C shows hardness 47. It is a graph which shows a sample. It is sectional drawing which shows the edge part of the one end side with which the switch member is mounted | worn among the operation members concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating the operation member in FIG. 7, in which FIG. 8A is a side view of the end portion on one end side, and FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view.

Explanation of symbols

1 Reset switch (changeover switch)
3 Operation knob (operation member)
31 Knob body (body)
31a Switch mounting part (end of one end)
31b Shaft portion for fixing the surface layer portion (end portion on the other end side)
31f Outer peripheral surface 32 Knob surface layer part (surface part)
32f Outer peripheral surface 5 Casing (housing)
6 Printed circuit board 8 Switch member 81 Shaft 100 Combination meter 102 Dial 102a Scale 102b Number 102c Character 102e Through hole 103 Liquid crystal panel 104 Light emitting diode 105 Light emitting diode 106 Controller 107 Pointer 108 Transparent cover (translucent cover)
108a Through hole (hole)
108b Inner circumference 109 Rear cover 110 Distance sensor 112 Ignition switch 113 Battery A Odometer B Trip meter F Speedometer L Length S Stroke

Claims (5)

A switch member provided in the housing;
A translucent cover disposed on the front side of the housing;
One end is mounted on the switch member, and the other end is inserted through a hole provided in the translucent cover and is extended to the outside of the translucent cover.
In the changeover switch in which the switch member is operated by at least the rotation operation of the operation member,
The operating member includes a surface portion that includes an opposing surface that faces the hole portion and is in an outer extending direction, and a main body portion that is covered with the surface portion and has a hardness higher than that of the surface portion.
The surface region, Ri cushioning member der the hardness of the thermoplastic elastomer material in the range of 70 degrees 50,
The changeover switch characterized in that the outer peripheral surface including the facing surface facing the hole portion is formed flush with the surface portion and the main body portion . The changeover switch according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion is insert-molded in the main body portion . The changeover switch according to claim 1 , wherein the main body portion is formed of a metal material or a resin material that is relatively excellent in dimensional stability . 4. The changeover switch according to claim 3, wherein the resin material of the main body is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyacetal (POM) . The end portion of the one end side of the operation member and the switch member are mounted by fitting, and this structure has a regulating member that absorbs a gap between the fitting portions. The changeover switch according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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