JP5428729B2 - Vehicle switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular switch used mainly for operation of various electronic devices in an automobile.

  In recent years, there are an increasing number of devices that are equipped with switches of various operation methods on a steering wheel or a front panel in an automobile, thereby operating various electronic devices such as acoustics and air conditioning equipment in the vehicle interior.

  Such a conventional vehicle switch will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 is a sectional view of a conventional vehicle switch, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view. In FIG. 4, 1 is a substantially box-shaped case made of an insulating resin, and has a square shape protruding upward at the center of the upper surface. The cylindrical portion 1A and square cylindrical portions 1B and 1C are formed on the left and right sides, respectively.

  2 is an operation body made of an insulating resin, and an operation portion 2A protruding upward is formed at the center of the upper surface of the operation body 2. On the upper surface of the operation portion 2A, milky white or the like formed in the shape of characters, symbols, etc. A display unit 2B is provided.

  Further, reference numeral 3 denotes a drive body made of an insulating resin. The drive body 3 is locked to the cylindrical portion 1A at the center of the case 1 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The operating body 2 is attached to the cylinder portion 1A such that the operation body 2 is locked in such a manner that the front, rear, left and right outer peripheral side walls of the operating body 2 cover the cylinder portion 1A.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a push button made of an insulating resin, and a plurality of push buttons 4 are mounted on the cylinder portions 1B and 1C so that the front and rear, left and right outer peripheral side walls of the push button 4 cover the cylinder portions 1B and 1C of the case 1. Has been.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of switch contacts 6A to 6E such as push switches are mounted on the upper surface, and the switch contacts 6A to 6E are mounted. An operation shaft protruding from the upper surface is in contact with the lower surface of the push button 4 and the lower surface of the operation body 2 and the driving body 3 via a plurality of pins 7.

  Further, 8 is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, and is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 5 between the switch contacts 6A, 6B and 6C below the display unit 2B of the operation body 2 with the light emitting surface facing upward.

  Reference numeral 9 is an upper cover made of insulating resin, and 10 is also a lower cover. The case 1 and the wiring board 5 are accommodated in the upper cover 9 and the lower cover 10 and are operated from the opening hole on the upper surface of the upper cover 9. The operation unit 2A of the body 2 and the plurality of push buttons 4 protrude upward so as to be able to swing and move up and down to constitute a vehicle switch.

  Such a vehicle switch is mounted on a steering wheel or a front panel in the vehicle interior, and a plurality of switch contacts 6A to 6E and a light emitting element 8 are connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 5, connectors, and lead wires (see FIG. It is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the automobile via a not-shown etc.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the left and right push buttons 4 are pressed downward, the lower surface of the push button 4 presses the operation shaft of the lower switch contacts 6D and 6E, and the switch contacts 6D and 6E are electrically connected and separated. In response to this, the electronic circuit of the vehicle selects a predetermined CD from a plurality of CDs stored in a CD player mounted on the vehicle, for example.

  Then, for example, when the operation portion 2A of the central operation body 2 is swung in the front-rear direction, the lower surface of the drive body 3 presses the operation shafts of the lower switch contacts 6A and 6B via the pins 7, The switch contacts 6A and 6B are electrically connected and separated, and for example, a predetermined music piece in the selected CD is selected.

  Further, when the operating body 2 is pressed downward in this state, the lower surface of the operating body 2 presses the switch contact 6C, and the switch contact 6C is electrically connected and separated, and the music selected by the electronic circuit of the vehicle is determined. Then, music is played back.

  Further, when the surroundings are dark at night or the like, when a combination switch (not shown) or the like mounted in the vicinity of the steering wheel is operated, the electric circuit of the vehicle detects this electrical contact and separation, and the light emitting element 8 To emit light.

  The light of the light emitting element 8 illuminates the display unit 2B on the upper surface of the operation body 2 from below, so that the display unit 2B can be easily seen even when the surroundings are dark so that the operation unit 2 can be easily identified and operated. It has become.

  That is, by operating the operating body 2 and the push button 4 of the vehicle switch mounted on the steering wheel or the front panel, various devices in the vehicle can be operated, and the light emitting element 8 can be used even when the surroundings are dark. The operation body 2 can be easily operated by emitting light and illuminating the display section 2B of the operation body 2.

  Further, even when some raindrops or water drops such as drinking water hit the upper surface of the upper cover 9, the front and rear, right and left outer peripheral walls of the operating body 2 and the push button 4 cover the cylindrical portions 1 A, 1 B, and 1 C on the upper surface of the case 1. By being configured in this way, they do not enter the case 1 and wet the wiring board 5 on which the switch contacts 6A to 6E and the light emitting element 8 are mounted.

  That is, even when some water droplets or the like enter from the gap with the opening hole of the upper cover 9 by covering the cylindrical portions 1A, 1B, 1C of the case 1 with the outer peripheral side walls of the operation body 2 and the push button 4 in the front, rear, left and right, These are formed so as not to easily enter the case 1 from the cylindrical portions 1A, 1B, and 1C.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2009-43524 A

  However, in the conventional vehicle switch described above, the cylindrical portions 1A, 1B, and 1C on the upper surface of the case 1 are covered with the front and rear, left and right outer peripheral sidewalls of the operation body 2 and the push button 4 in order to prevent intrusion of water droplets or the like. The thickness of the outer peripheral side wall is required, and the distance between the central operation body 2 and the left and right push buttons 4 cannot be reduced, and there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the entire switch.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular switch that can be easily downsized by narrowing the interval between an operating body and a push button.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a substantially box-shaped case having a cylindrical portion formed on the upper surface, an operating body mounted on the cylindrical portion of the case so as to be swingable or vertically movable, The push button is arranged on both sides and is mounted on the case so as to be movable up and down, and a switch contact that makes electrical contact according to the operation of the operation body. A vehicle switch is configured by providing an opening on the side surface below the wall portion and an opening on the side surface below the wall portion, and providing side walls on both side surfaces opposite to the direction in which the push button is disposed to cover the cylinder portion. The walls on both ends of the upper surface of the operating body can prevent water droplets and the like from entering the case, and the outer peripheral side walls on both ends of the operating body are eliminated to form an opening. It is possible to easily reduce the size by narrowing the interval between push buttons. It is expected to have an effect that it is possible to obtain a switch for a vehicle.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a vehicular switch that can prevent water droplets or the like from entering a case and can be downsized.

Sectional drawing of the switch for vehicles by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Front view of the same part Sectional view of a conventional vehicle switch Exploded perspective view

  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 background art, and detailed description is simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, in which 11 is a substantially box-like case made of an insulating resin such as polyoxymethylene or ABS. In the center of the upper surface, a rectangular tube portion 11A that protrudes upward is formed, and rectangular tube portions 11B and 11C are formed on the left and right sides, respectively.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation body made of an insulating resin such as polybutylene terephthalate or polyoxymethylene, and an operation section 12A protruding upward is formed at the center of the upper surface of the operation body 12, and characters, symbols, etc. are formed on the upper surface of the operation section 12A. The display part 12B of milky white etc. formed in the shape is provided.

  Further, wall portions 12C projecting upward are formed at the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operation body 12, and a groove portion 12E is formed by the projecting portion 12D provided inwardly. 12F.

  Further, reference numeral 13 denotes a driving body made of an insulating resin such as polybutylene terephthalate or polyoxymethylene. The driving body 13 is locked to the cylindrical portion 11A in the center of the case 11 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The operation body 12 is locked to the upper surface so as to be movable up and down, and the operation body 12 is mounted on the cylinder portion 11A such that the front and rear side walls of the operation body 12 cover the front and rear direction of the cylinder portion 11A.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a push button made of an insulating resin such as polybutylene terephthalate or polyoxymethylene. The front and rear, left and right outer peripheral side walls of the push button 14 cover the cylindrical portions 11B and 11C of the case 11, and the plurality of push buttons 14 are cylindrical portions. 11B and 11C are mounted so as to be movable up and down.

  A wiring board 15 such as paper phenol or epoxy containing glass has a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed of copper foil or the like on the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of switches such as push switches on the upper surface. The contacts 6A to 6E are mounted, and the lower surface of the operating body 12 and the driving body 13 are in contact with the operation shaft protruding from the upper surface of the switch contacts 6A to 6E via the push button 14 and the plurality of pins 7.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, which is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 15 between the switch contacts 6A, 6B and 6C below the display unit 12B of the operation body 12 with the light emitting surface facing upward.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an upper cover made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate or ABS. Reference numeral 18 also denotes a lower cover. The upper cover 17 and the lower cover 18 accommodate the case 11, the wiring board 15 and the like, and the upper cover 17 upper surface. The operating portion 12A of the operating body 12 and the plurality of push buttons 14 protrude upward from the opening hole so as to be swingable and movable up and down, and a plurality of through holes 18A are formed in the lower cover 18 to constitute a vehicle switch. ing.

  That is, side walls are formed on the front and rear sides of the operation body 12, but there are no side walls on the left and right side surfaces, and the opening 12F is formed. The distance between the switches is reduced, and the horizontal dimension of the entire switch is reduced.

  Such a vehicle switch is mounted on the steering wheel or the front panel in the vehicle interior, and the switch contacts 6A to 6E and the light emitting element 8 are connected to the wiring pattern of the wiring board 15, the connector, and the lead wire (see FIG. It is electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the automobile via a not-shown etc.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the left and right push buttons 14 are pressed downward, the bottom surface of the push button 14 presses the operation shaft of the lower switch contacts 6D and 6E, and the switch contacts 6D and 6E are electrically connected and separated. In response to this operation, the electronic circuit of the vehicle selects a predetermined CD from a plurality of CDs stored in, for example, a CD player mounted on the vehicle.

  Then, for example, when the operation portion 12A of the central operation body 12 is swung in the front-rear direction, the lower surface of the drive body 13 presses the operation shaft of the lower switch contact 6A or 6B via the pin 7, The switch contacts 6A and 6B are electrically connected and separated, and for example, a predetermined music piece in the selected CD is selected.

  Further, when the operating body 12 is pressed downward in this state, the lower surface of the operating body 12 presses the switch contact 6C, and the switch contact 6C is electrically connected and separated, and the music selected by the electronic circuit of the vehicle is determined. Then, music is played back.

  Further, when the surroundings are dark at night or the like, when a combination switch (not shown) or the like mounted in the vicinity of the steering wheel is operated, the electric circuit of the vehicle detects this electrical contact and separation, and the light emitting element 8 To emit light.

  The light of the light emitting element 8 illuminates the display unit 12B on the upper surface of the operation body 12 from below, so that the display unit 12B can be easily seen even when the surroundings are dark so that the operation body 12 can be easily identified and operated. It has become.

  That is, various devices in the vehicle can be operated by operating the operating body 12 and the push button 14 of the vehicle switch mounted on the steering wheel or the front panel, and the light emitting element 8 can be operated even when the surroundings are dark. The operation body 12 can be easily operated by emitting light and illuminating the display unit 12B of the operation body 12.

  Even when some raindrops or water droplets such as drinking water are applied to the upper surface of the upper cover 17 and this enters the gap between the opening hole of the upper cover 17 and the left and right push buttons 14, for example, the cylindrical portions 11B and 11C on the upper surface of the case 11 Is covered with outer peripheral side walls on the front, rear, left and right of the push button 14, so that water droplets and the like can be prevented from entering the case 11.

  Even when water droplets or the like enter from the gap between the opening hole of the upper cover 17 and the central operation body 12, the water droplets are formed by the wall portions 12C, protrusions 12D, and groove portions 12E formed on the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operation body 12. Or the like does not enter the case 11 from the cylindrical portion 11A and wet the wiring board 15 on which the switch contacts 6A to 6E and the light emitting element 8 are mounted.

  That is, as shown in the partial front view of FIG. 3, even if the water droplet 20 enters the switch from the opening hole of the upper cover 17, wall portions 12C that protrude upward are provided on the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operating body 12. Therefore, it does not flow into the opening 11F on the left and right side surfaces and enter the case 11, but covers the groove 12E formed by the inner projection 12D and the front and back side wall surfaces of the central portion of the operating body 12. The casing 11 is configured to flow from the outer wall surface of the case 11 covering the wiring board 15 to the lower cover 18.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower cover 18 is formed with a plurality of through holes 18A, and the water droplets 20 flowing on the upper surface of the lower cover 18 are discharged outward from the through holes 18A and drained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets or the like from accumulating on the lower cover 18.

  Therefore, even when some water droplets or the like are applied to the upper cover 17, the operation body 12, and the push button 14, they enter the case 11 from the cylindrical portions 11 </ b> A, 11 </ b> B, 11 </ b> C, and the switch contacts 6 </ b> A to 6 </ b> E and the light emitting element 8 are connected. Since the switch contacts 6 </ b> A to 6 </ b> E are not wetted, the switch contacts 6 </ b> A to 6 </ b> E can be surely electrically connected and separated, and the operation body 12 can be reliably illuminated by the light emitting element 8.

  The wall 12C protruding upward is provided at the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operating body 12 in this way, and the wall 12C prevents water droplets or the like from entering the case 11, and side walls are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the operating body 12. As described above, the distance between the central operation body 12 and the left and right push buttons 14 is reduced by the amount of the side wall, so that the entire switch can be reduced in size. Yes.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the operating body 12 is mounted on the cylindrical portion 11A in the center of the case 11 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction and movable up and down has been described. Alternatively, the present invention can be implemented even when only a downward pressing operation is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the wall portions 12C protruding upward at both ends of the upper surface of the operating body 12 mounted on the cylinder portion 11A on the upper surface of the case 11 so as to be swingable or vertically movable, Thus, it is possible to obtain a vehicular switch that can prevent water droplets or the like from entering 11 and reduce the distance between the operating body 12 and the push button 14 and can be easily reduced in size.

  In the above description, the switch contacts 6A to 6E have been described using a single push switch. However, a fixed contact is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 15 with carbon or the like, and a conductive metal thin plate having a substantially dome shape above this. The present invention can be carried out using various switch contacts, such as those having movable contact points made of metal, or those using a substantially dome-shaped flexible rubber sheet with movable contacts formed on the lower surface. Is possible.

  The vehicle switch according to the present invention can prevent water droplets and the like from entering and can be easily reduced in size, and is useful mainly for operation of various electronic devices of automobiles.

6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E Switch contact 7 pin 8 Light emitting element 11 Case 11A, 11B, 11C Tube 12 Operation body 12A Operation section 12B Display section 12C Wall section 12D Projection section 12E Groove section 12F Opening section 13 Driver 14 Push button 15 Wiring Board 17 Upper Cover 18 Lower Cover 18A Through Hole 20 Water Drop

Claims (1)

A substantially box-shaped case with a cylindrical part formed on the upper surface, an operating body mounted on the cylindrical part of the case so as to swing or move up and down , and arranged on both sides of the operating body and movable up and down in the case And a switch contact that makes electrical contact / separation in accordance with the operation of the operating body, a wall portion that protrudes upward at both ends on the push button side of the upper surface of the operating body , A vehicular switch in which an opening is provided on a lower side surface and side walls are provided on both side surfaces opposite to the direction in which the push button is arranged so as to cover the cylindrical portion .

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