JP4891117B2 - Lever combination switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called lever combination switch in which light, turn, and wiper switches that are frequently used during vehicle operation are integrated around a steering wheel.

In this type of lever combination switch, the current path is switched through a sliding contact switch when the knob is rotated or the lever is tilted, and depending on the operation mode. The operation of the light, turn, and wiper is realized (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 6).
JP 2000-11815 A JP 11-329162 A JP 2000-231841 A JP 2000-208003 A JP 2000-182457 A JP 2003-276573 A

  However, in a conventional lever combination switch in which a contact switch is used, when a volatilized silicone molecule mixed in a spray adheres to the contact portion, an insulating film is formed on the contact portion. There is a risk that it will not flow and will not function as a switch.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a lever combination switch capable of improving the reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operated means operated to operate the in-vehicle device is operated, the position of the operation destination of the operated means is detected, In a lever combination switch that realizes the operation of an in-vehicle device in accordance with the position of the operation destination, a magnet that generates a magnetic field , a magnetic body that guides the magnetic field generated from the magnet in a plurality of directions, and a magnetic body that is guided by the magnetic body A magnetic sensor having a plurality of sensor elements that receive a magnetic field, wherein the plurality of sensor elements receive a magnetic field emitted from the magnet and guided in a plurality of directions by the magnetic body. operation destination is configured differently for each position, when the plurality of sensor elements a magnetic field directed in multiple directions by the magnetic emitted receives from the magnet The difference between embodiments as a basis, the are as its gist in that it comprises an operation position specifying means for specifying the operation target position of the operating means.

According to this configuration, as the operated means is operated, a difference appears in the manner in which a plurality of sensor elements receive a magnetic field emitted from a magnet and guided in a plurality of directions by a magnetic body. The position of the operation destination of the operated means is specified. Here, since a magnetic contactless switch is used instead of a contact switch, the occurrence of a contact failure due to the formation of an insulating film can be avoided, and thus the reliability can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the lever combination switch according to the first aspect, a different sensor element is emitted from the magnet and guided by the magnetic body for each position of the operation destination of the operated means. The magnetic sensor is provided with a plurality of sensor elements so that the change of the magnetic field is larger than the other sensor elements, and the operation position specifying means is emitted from the magnet and guided by the magnetic body The gist of the present invention is to specify the position of the operation destination of the operated means based on the difference between the sensor elements that receive the magnetic field in such a manner that the change in the magnetic field is larger than the other sensor elements.

According to this configuration, a difference appears in the sensor element that receives the magnetic field emitted from the magnet and guided by the magnetic body in a manner in which the change in the magnetic field is greater than that of the other sensor elements, depending on the position of the operation destination of the operated means. Based on this, the position of the operation destination of the operated means can be specified.

The invention according to claim 3, claim 2 in lever combination switch according to the previous Symbol field other sensor element guided different sensor elements for each position of the operation target of the operation means by the magnetic The gist of the invention is that the magnetic body is displaced relative to the magnetic sensor as the operated means is operated so that the magnetic field changes more greatly than the magnetic sensor.

  According to the same configuration, by adopting a configuration in which at least one of the magnetic body and the magnetic sensor is displaced in accordance with the operation of the operated means, the magnetism can be changed according to the position of the operation destination of the operated means. A difference appears in the sensor element that receives the magnetic field guided by the body in a manner in which the change of the magnetic field is larger than that of the other sensor elements, and based on this, the position of the operation destination of the operated means can be specified.

Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
According to the present invention, reliability can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an automotive lever combination switch will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a lever combination switch 4 including a wiper switch unit 2 and a turn signal switch unit 3 is provided on the back side of the steering wheel 1 in front of the driver's seat. Then, when the lever (operated means) of the wiper switch unit 2 is tilted, the position of the operation destination of the lever is detected, and the operation of the wiper (vehicle equipment) according to the position of the operation destination is realized. It is like that. Further, when the lever (operated means) of the turn signal switch unit 3 is tilted, the position of the operation destination of the lever is detected, and the operation of the direction indicator (in-vehicle device) corresponding to the position of the operation destination is detected. It has come to be realized. Further, when the knob (operated means) of the turn signal switch unit 3 is rotated, the position of the operation destination of the knob is detected, and the operation of the headlamp (on-vehicle equipment) according to the position of the operation destination Has been realized.

  Here, the position of the operation destination of the lever of the wiper switch unit 2, the position of the operation destination of the lever of the turn signal switch unit 3, and the position of the operation destination of the knob of the turn signal switch unit 3 are used using a magnetic contactless switch. The operation in the case of detection will be described. Here, the lever and the knob are collectively referred to as an operated device, and the operated device is a first operation position, a second operation position, and a second operation position as the operation destination position of the operated device. The operation when the operation position is operated up to the third operation position, to the eighth operation position, will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a magnetic contactless switch is configured by the magnetic sensor 30 having one magnet 10, one magnetic body 20, and eight sensor elements 31 to 38. Yes.

  The magnetic sensor 30 is fixedly arranged, and the surface of the substrate has one direction along a total of eight directions including a cross direction and a total of four intermediate directions shifted from each of the four directions by 45 degrees in the same direction. A total of eight sensor elements 31 to 38 are provided one by one. That is, the sensor elements 31 to 38 are provided so as to form a radial shape along the eight directions as a whole so that the angle formed by the adjacent sensor elements is 45 degrees. For convenience of explanation, the sensor elements along the cross direction are denoted by reference numerals 31 to 34 to define them as sensor elements 31 to 34, and the sensor elements along the four intermediate directions are denoted by reference numerals 35 to 38. These are defined as sensor elements 35 to 38.

  The magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are disposed opposite to the magnetic sensor 30 so as to be separated from the magnetic sensor 30. The magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are incorporated in the operated means (the lever of the wiper switch unit 2 and the like) and are integrally displaced as the operated means is operated. Yes.

  The operated means can be operated from the origin position to the first operation position to the fourth operation position, and the first operation position (second operation position, third operation position, fourth operation position). The fifth operation position (sixth operation position, seventh operation position, eighth operation position) can be operated via the (position). Then, when the operation of the operated means is released at each of these eight operation positions, the operated means is returned to the origin position by the momentary function.

  The magnetic body 20 is shaped like a cross plate, and the tip portions in the cross direction are bent in the same direction, and the magnet 10 is fixed to the cross crossing position on the bent side. The magnet 10 is magnetized so that the side fixed to the magnetic body 20 is an N pole and the opposite side is an S pole. Therefore, the magnetic field generated from the N pole of the magnet 10 is guided from the cross position of the magnetic body 20 to each tip portion in the cross direction along the shape of the magnetic body 20, and finally travels through the air from there. To the south pole of the magnet 10.

  In addition, both the magnetic body 20 and the magnetic sensor 30 are positioned so that the cross direction of the magnetic body 20 and the cross direction by the sensor elements 31 to 34 of the magnetic sensor 30 coincide.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the operated means is at the origin position, the magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are in a horizontal state with respect to the magnetic sensor 30. Accordingly, at this time, the sensor elements 31 to 34 provided along the cross direction that coincides with the cross direction of the magnetic body 20 receive magnetic fields having the same magnetic flux density and are shifted by 45 degrees from the cross direction. The provided sensor elements 35 to 38 hardly receive a magnetic field. At this time, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by the sensor elements 31 to 34 is defined as B1, and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by the sensor elements 35 to 38 is defined as B0 (<B1).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the operated means is operated from the origin position to the first operation position, the magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are inclined with respect to the magnetic sensor 30. Accordingly, at this time, the sensor element 31 receives a magnetic field in a manner in which the magnetic flux density is higher than that of the other sensor elements 32 to 38. At this time, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by the sensor element 31 is defined as B2 (> B1).

  Similarly, when the operated means is operated from the origin position to the second operation position (from the third operation position to the eighth operation position), the magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are inclined with respect to the magnetic sensor 30. The Accordingly, at this time, the sensor element 32 (33 to 38) receives a magnetic field in such a manner that the magnetic flux density is higher than that of the other sensor elements. At this time, the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by the sensor element 32 (33 to 38) is B2 (> B1).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 30 is fixedly arranged, and different sensor elements (any one of 31 to 38) are guided by the magnetic body 20 for each position of the operation destination of the operated means. The magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are integrally displaced as the operated means is operated so that the magnetic field is received in such a manner that the magnetic flux density is higher than that of the other sensor elements.

  Here, each of the sensor elements 31 to 38 is a magnetoresistive element in which the electric resistance value decreases as the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by the sensor element 31-38 increases, and the voltage at both ends thereof is monitored by the control circuit 40. . Then, the control circuit 40 monitors the voltage across each of the sensor elements 31 to 38 so that the magnetic field guided by the magnetic body 20 is received by the sensor element having a higher magnetic flux density than the other sensor elements. Based on the difference (difference between sensor elements receiving a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of B2), the position of the operation destination of the operated means is specified.

  Specifically, when a voltage indicating that a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of B2 has been received appears at both ends of the sensor element 31, the control circuit 40 indicates that the sensor element that has received the magnetic field of magnetic flux density of B2 is the sensor element 31. Based on a certain fact, it is specified that the operated means has been operated to the first operation position.

  Similarly, when a voltage indicating that a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of B2 has been received appears at both ends of the sensor element 32 (33 to 38), the control circuit 40 receives the magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of B2. Is based on the fact that is the sensor element 32 (33 to 38), it is specified that the operated means has been operated to the second operation position (the third operation position to the eighth operation position). Yes.

  When such a magnetic contactless switch is applied to the position detection of the lever of the wiper switch unit 2, the first operation position corresponds to, for example, the wiper OFF position, and the second operation position is the wiper. It corresponds to the INT position, the third operation position corresponds to the wiper LO position, and the fourth operation position corresponds to the wiper HI position. Therefore, for example, when the lever of the wiper switch unit 2 is tilted to the third operation position (wiper LO position), this is specified by the control circuit 40, and at this time, the low-speed drive (LO) of the wiper is performed. Will be realized.

  Similarly, when such a magnetic contactless switch is applied to detect the position of the lever of the turn signal switch unit 3 or to detect the position of the knob of the turn signal switch unit 3, the lever or knob The position of the operation destination is specified by the control circuit 40, and the operation of the direction indicator and the headlamp according to the position of the operation destination is realized.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit 40 corresponds to an operation position specifying unit.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

  (1) As the lever of the wiper switch unit 2 is operated, a difference appears in the mode when the magnetic sensor 30 receives the magnetic field generated from the magnet 10, and the operation destination of the lever or the like is based on this. Is determined. Here, since a magnetic contactless switch is used instead of a contact switch, the occurrence of a contact failure due to the formation of an insulating film can be avoided, and thus the reliability can be improved.

  (2) A sensor element (any one of 31 to 38) that receives a magnetic field generated from the magnet 10 in a manner in which the magnetic flux density is higher than other sensor elements according to the position of the operation destination such as a lever of the wiper switch unit 2 1)), and the position of the operation destination of the lever or the like can be specified based on this difference.

  (3) By adopting a configuration in which the magnetic body 30 is displaced as the magnetic sensor 30 is fixedly arranged and the lever or the like of the wiper switch unit 2 is operated, the operation destination of the lever or the like is adopted. Depending on the position of the sensor element, a difference appears in the sensor element (any one of 31 to 38) that receives the magnetic field guided by the magnetic body 20 in a mode in which the magnetic flux density is higher than that of the other sensor elements. The position of the operation destination such as the lever can be specified.

  (4) A magnetic path is formed along the shape of the magnetic body 20, and the sensor elements 31 to 38 receive the magnetic field guided so as to be narrowed down by the magnetic path. The difference in the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field received by each can be clarified.

  (5) Since non-contact position detection is performed by a magnetic non-contact switch, there is no mechanical sliding portion in such a detection system, and thus abnormal noise can be prevented. Moreover, it is not necessary to use grease for the purpose of preventing abnormal noise.

(6) In relation to the above (5), since there is no mechanical sliding portion in the detection system, the generation of foreign matter such as wear powder can be prevented.
(7) Although it depends largely on the life of the sensor elements 31 to 38, the life can generally be extended.

  (8) If a contact switch is used in a situation where a large current flows, even if an insulating film is formed on the contact portion, dielectric breakdown occurs due to the current, so that the switch functions sufficiently. Become. On the other hand, when a contact switch is used in a situation where only a small current flows like a lever combination switch, dielectric breakdown due to the current cannot be expected. Therefore, it is useful to employ a non-contact switch for the lever combination switch 4 that allows only a small current to flow as in this embodiment, thereby avoiding the occurrence of contact failure due to the formation of an insulating film.

  (9) Since the configuration of displacing the magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 that do not require harness connection is adopted, the position of the operation destination such as the lever of the wiper switch unit 2 is detected while the electrical connection state is suitably maintained. it can.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed and actualized as follows.
A configuration is adopted in which a plurality of sensor elements that are different from each other for each position of the operation destination of the operated means receive the magnetic field guided by the magnetic body 20 in a manner in which the magnetic flux density is higher than other sensor elements. Also good. In this case, the control circuit 40 determines the operation destination of the operated means on the basis of the difference in the combination mode of the plurality of sensor elements that receive the magnetic field generated from the magnet 10 in a mode in which the magnetic flux density is higher than that of the other sensor elements. A location is identified.

  -The magnet 10 and the magnetic body 20 are fixedly arranged, and different sensor elements (any one or more of 31 to 38) for each position of the operation destination of the operated means generate a magnetic field guided by the magnetic body 20. A configuration in which the magnetic sensor 30 is displaced as the operated means is operated so as to receive the magnetic flux density higher than other sensor elements may be employed.

  The configuration in which the magnetic body 20 is displaced relative to the magnetic sensor 30 is not limited to a configuration in which one of the magnetic body 20 and the magnetic sensor 30 is fixedly arranged and the other is displaced. That is, a configuration in which both the magnetic body 20 and the magnetic sensor 30 are displaced may be employed. In this case, the magnetic body 20 is displaced, and the magnetic sensor 30 is displaced independently of the magnetic body 20. As a result, the magnetic body 20 may be displaced relative to the magnetic sensor 30. And the sensor element (any one or more of 31-38) mutually different for every position of the operation destination of a to-be-operated means has a magnetic flux density higher than the other sensor element for the magnetic field guided by the magnetic body 20. What is necessary is just to receive in a mode.

  The configuration in which the magnetic body 20 is displaced relative to the magnetic sensor 30 includes a configuration in which the magnetic body 20 is slid relative to the magnetic sensor 30, and the magnetic body 20 is relative to the magnetic sensor 30. And a configuration in which the magnetic body 20 is inclined relative to the magnetic sensor 30.

A moderation mechanism may be provided that gives a feeling of operation to the operator when the operated means is operated.
-Based on the difference between sensor elements that have received a magnetic field in such a manner that the magnetic flux density itself is higher than other sensor elements, instead of a configuration that specifies the position of the operation destination of the operated means, before and after the operation of the operated means A configuration may be adopted in which the position of the operation destination of the operated means is specified based on the difference between sensor elements having a large difference in magnetic flux density. If comprised in this way, the change of a magnetic field can be regarded as a big thing by taking the difference before and behind operation.

The perspective view which shows the important point in the vehicle in which a lever combination switch is provided, and the schematic which shows the internal structure of the lever combination switch. The principle figure which shows a magnetic non-contact switch. Explanatory drawing which shows what kind of magnetic field a magnetic sensor receives when a to-be-operated means exists in an origin position. Explanatory drawing which shows what kind of magnetic field a magnetic sensor receives when a to-be-operated means is operated to the 1st operation position.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Lever combination switch, 10 ... Magnet, 20 ... Magnetic body, 30 ... Magnetic sensor, 31-38 ... Sensor element, 40 ... Control circuit (operation position specification means).

Claims (3)

A lever combination that detects the position of the operation destination of the operated means when the operated means operated to operate the in-vehicle equipment is detected, and realizes the operation of the in-vehicle equipment according to the position of the operated destination In the switch
A magnet that generates a magnetic field, a magnetic body that guides the magnetic field emitted from the magnet in a plurality of directions, and a magnetic sensor that has a plurality of sensor elements that receive the magnetic field guided by the magnetic body ,
The aspect when the plurality of sensor elements receive magnetic fields emitted from the magnet and guided in a plurality of directions by the magnetic body is configured to be different for each position of the operation destination of the operated means,
An operation position specifying means for specifying the position of the operation destination of the operated means on the basis of a difference in a mode when the plurality of sensor elements receive magnetic fields emitted from the magnet and guided in a plurality of directions by the magnetic body. Lever combination switch characterized by comprising The lever combination switch according to claim 1,
The magnetic elements so that different sensor elements are emitted from the magnets and are guided by the magnetic body for each position of the operation destination of the operated means in such a manner that the change of the magnetic field is larger than that of the other sensor elements. The sensor is provided with a plurality of sensor elements,
The operation position specifying means is based on the difference between sensor elements that receive a magnetic field emitted from the magnet and guided by the magnetic body in a manner in which a change in the magnetic field is larger than that of other sensor elements. Lever combination switch characterized by specifying the position of the operation destination. The lever combination switch according to claim 2 ,
The operated means is operated so that different sensor elements for each operating position of the operated means receive a magnetic field guided by the magnetic body in such a manner that the change of the magnetic field is larger than that of the other sensor elements. Accordingly, the lever combination switch is characterized in that the magnetic body is displaced relative to the magnetic sensor.

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