JP5633813B2 - Turn signal switch device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a turn signal switch device including an operation lever that can freely rotate from a neutral position to at least a left turn instruction rotation position and a right turn instruction rotation position, and in particular, a handle is rotated in one direction and then rotated in the opposite direction. The present invention relates to a turn signal switch device that cancels a left turn instruction output or a right turn instruction output.

  The turn signal switch device is provided in a driver's seat of an automobile, and an operation lever is rotatably provided in a housing attached to a steering column. By rotating the operation lever from the neutral position to the left turn instruction rotation position or the right turn instruction rotation position, the operation lever can be turned inside the housing so that the left turn or right turn instruction lamp can blink. A switch to be driven is provided.

  In order to guide the rotation direction of the operation lever, a cam surface is provided in the housing, and a driving body driven by the rotation of the operation lever slides on the cam surface. The operation lever is latched at the left turn instruction rotation position or the right turn instruction rotation position. After the handle is rotated in the instruction direction, the operation lever is rotated in the opposite direction, thereby turning the left turn instruction rotation position or the right turn instruction rotation position. A turn signal switch device is provided with a cancel mechanism for automatically returning from the moving position to the neutral position. As a turn signal switch device provided with such a cancellation mechanism, there is one as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-269901

  However, in the conventional turn signal switch device, the mechanism for returning from the left turn instruction turning position or the right turn instruction turning position to the neutral position is entirely composed of mechanical means, and the release of the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is canceled. However, since it has been made by mechanical means, there are problems that the number of parts is large, the assembly is troublesome, and the entire apparatus is enlarged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a turn signal switch device that has a small number of parts and can release a left turn instruction output or a right turn instruction output without mechanical means. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a turn signal switch device according to the present invention includes an operation lever that is rotatable from a neutral position to at least a left turn instruction rotation position and a right turn instruction rotation position, and the operation lever is turned to a left turn instruction rotation. Turn to the position to produce a left turn instruction output, turn the operation lever to the right turn instruction turn position to produce a right turn instruction output, and turn the steering shaft to release the left turn instruction output or right turn instruction output In the signal switch device,
A ring body having a peripheral wall concentric with the steering shaft; a pair of detection parts provided to face the inside and outside of the peripheral wall; and two sensor parts having a detected part; and depending on the detection state of the sensor part And an output section for making a switch output,
The ring body is rotatable with the steering shaft, and the peripheral wall has two notches at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the two sensor parts are respectively connected to the detection lines orthogonal to the peripheral wall. , It is possible to detect a shielding state by the peripheral wall between the detection unit and the detected part or an open state by the two notches,
When the steering shaft is in a neutral position, the two sensor parts are arranged such that one of the detection lines crosses one of the two notches, and each of the detection lines The other detection line crosses the other notch of the two notches, and detects the open state, and the detection state of each of the detection lines at different rotational angle positions of the steering shaft. And the open state are switched to each other.

Further, in the turn signal switch device according to the present invention, a central angular position between the two notches in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is a reference position on the peripheral wall,
The angle from the reference position to each detection line when the steering shaft is in a neutral position is the same in both positive and negative directions,
The two notch portions are configured such that the circumferential angles of the peripheral wall from the end portion on the reference position side to the end portion on the opposite side to the reference position have the same size . .

  Further, in the turn signal switch device according to the present invention, when the steering shaft is in the neutral position, the magnitude of the angle from each end portion on the reference position side of the two notches to each detection line. Is different in the size of the angle from each detection line to each end of the two notches opposite to the reference position.

  Still further, in the turn signal switch device according to the present invention, after the output unit outputs a left turn instruction output or a right turn instruction output by the operation lever, one of the two sensor units is shielded from an open state. When it is detected that the switch to the state is detected, the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is canceled when the other sensor part of the two sensor parts is switched from the shield state to the open state. Yes.

  In the turn signal switch device according to the present invention, the operation lever includes a drive body that is elastically biased in a direction of pressing against the valley-shaped cam surface, and the drive body is in a neutral position of the operation lever. When the operation is released after the operation lever is rotated to the left turn instruction rotation position or the right turn instruction rotation position, the driver is moved by the elastic biasing force to the cam. By moving to the deepest part of the surface, the operation lever is returned to the neutral position.

  According to the turn signal switch device of the present invention, the two sensor parts for detecting the shielding state by the peripheral wall or the open state by the notch part of the ring body including the peripheral wall having the two notch parts have the steering shaft in the neutral position. At one time, one detection line crosses one notch and the other detection line crosses the other notch, both detect the open state and shield each detection line at different rotational angle positions of the steering shaft. By arranging to switch between the state and the open state, the angle of the handle operation is detected regardless of mechanical means, the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output can be released, the left turn instruction output or the right turn Since the instruction output can be canceled, the number of parts can be greatly reduced and the durability can be improved. It can be.

  Further, according to the turn signal switch device of the present invention, the angle from the reference position when the steering shaft is in the neutral position to the two detection lines is the same in both the positive and negative directions, and the two notch portions The angle range is symmetrical in the circumferential direction around the reference position when the steering shaft is in the neutral position, so that the same operation can be performed even when the steering wheel is rotated to the left or right. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the turn signal switch device according to the present invention, the magnitude of the angle from the reference position side end of the notch portion to the detection line when the steering shaft is in the neutral position is such that the steering shaft is in the neutral position from the detection line. The difference between the reference position of the notch portion and the angle to the opposite end of It can comprise so that a shielding state and an open state may be switched.

  Furthermore, according to the turn signal switch device of the present invention, when it is detected that one sensor unit has switched from the open state to the shield state after the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is made by the operation lever, By releasing the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output when the sensor unit is switched from the shield state to the open state, the state of the ring body can be determined by a simple process.

  According to the turn signal switch device of the present invention, when the operation lever is released after the operation lever is turned to the left turn instruction turning position or the right turn instruction turning position, the driving body is moved to the cam surface by the elastic biasing force. By moving the control lever back to the neutral position, the left turn instruction output or right turn instruction output by operating the control lever can be separated from the release, and the release is not performed by mechanical means. Output can be performed easily.

It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure of the turn signal switch apparatus in this embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the holding structure of the operation lever of the turn signal switch apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram for making switch output of a turn signal switch device. It is a perspective view of a rotation connector. It is a top view showing the positional relationship of a ring body, a 1st sensor part, and a 2nd sensor part when a steering shaft exists in a neutral position. It is a top view showing the positional relationship of a ring body, a 1st sensor part, and a 2nd sensor part when the ring body rotates (theta) 2 to the positive direction. It is a top view showing the positional relationship of a ring body, a 1st sensor part, and a 2nd sensor part when a handle | steering_wheel is returned until a ring body will be in the angle position of (theta) 1. It is a figure showing the relationship between the rotation angle of a steering shaft, and the output from a 1st sensor part and a 2nd sensor part. It is an operation | movement flowchart of a turn signal switch apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure of the turn signal switch apparatus 1 in this embodiment is shown. The turn signal switch device 1 of this embodiment is attached to a housing 50 fixed to the back side of a handle provided in a driver's seat of an automobile.

  The housing 50 is formed in a hollow shape in cross section, penetrates the steering shaft 3 and has the rotary connector 4 disposed therein. The rotary connector 4 includes a fixed housing 4a that is fixed to the housing 50, a movable housing 4b that is rotatably attached to the fixed housing 4a, and is formed in a ring shape between the two housings in the circumferential direction. And a cable storage portion 40 that is a continuous space. A flat cable 5 is wound around the cable storage unit 40. The flat cable 5 is provided to electrically connect the fixed housing 4a attached to the automobile side and the movable housing 4b attached to the rotating handle side. As the movable housing 4b of the rotary connector 4 rotates, the flat cable 5 is provided. Can be tightened or loosened. In addition, the movable housing 4 b of the rotary connector 4 is formed with a ring body 42 including a peripheral wall 43 along the circumferential direction on the surface facing the inner bottom surface of the housing 50. Details thereof will be described later.

  The operation lever 2 is rotatable with respect to the turn signal switch device 1 in two directions, a left turn instruction direction and a right turn instruction direction. In FIG. 1, the operation lever 2 is held by the turn signal switch device 1 so that it can be rotated in at least two directions perpendicular to the paper surface. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the holding structure of the operation lever 2 of the turn signal switch device 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrow X in FIG. The operation lever 2 is housed in the turn signal switch device 1 and supported by a base 20 having a center of rotation, and protrudes outward from the turn signal switch device 1 to be exposed.

  An opening 10 through which the operation lever 2 is inserted is formed in the outer wall of the turn signal switch device 1, and a rotation shaft portion 12 that rotatably holds the base 20 of the operation lever 2 is formed inside the turn signal switch device 1. Provided. Further, a cam surface 11 is disposed in the turn signal switch device 1 so as to face the base 20. The cam surface 11 is formed in a valley shape with the center portion being the deepest portion.

  The base 20 of the operation lever 2 is formed with an open recess 22 on the cam surface 11 side, and a drive body 23 is held in the recess 22 via an elastic body 24 made of a coil spring. In order to hold the elastic body 24, a protruding holding portion 22 a is formed on the bottom wall of the recess 22. The drive body 23 is also formed with a concave space that is open on the side opposite to the tip 23a, and the elastic body 24 is accommodated in this space. The elastic body 24 elastically biases the driving body 23 in a direction in which the driving body 23 is pressed against the cam surface 11.

  The operation lever 2 shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 represents a neutral position where the tip 23a of the drive body 23 is located at the center of the cam surface 11, and the operation lever 2 shown by a solid line indicates a left turn from the neutral position. The state which rotated to the rotation position is represented. When the hand is released in this state and the operation state is released, the distal end portion 23a of the elastically biased driving body 23 moves toward the central portion which is the deepest portion of the cam surface 11, and accordingly, the operation lever 2 is Rotating about the rotating shaft 12 and stopping when the tip 23a of the driving body 23 reaches the center of the cam surface 11, ie, to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. The same applies to the case where the turning operation is performed from the neutral position to the opposite right turn instruction turning position.

  As described above, the operation lever 2 is rotated from the neutral position to the left turn instruction rotation position or the right turn instruction rotation position, and when the operation state is released, the operation lever 2 is automatically moved to the neutral position by the elastic biasing force of the elastic body 24. It is configured to return automatically.

  In FIG. 3, the block diagram for making the switch output of the turn signal switch device 1 is shown. The turn signal switch device 1 according to the present embodiment detects a turning operation of the operation lever 2 and thereby outputs a left turn instruction output or a right turn instruction output, and operates the handle to the right or left to return to the neutral position. For the rotation of the steering shaft 3 accompanying the rotational operation, the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is canceled by optically detecting the operation of the ring body 42 (FIG. 4) rotating together with the steering shaft 3.

  The operation lever 2 detects the presence / absence and direction of the rotation operation by the rotation detection unit 6. The rotation detection unit 6 includes, for example, a magnet (not shown) provided on the base 20 and a magnetic sensor (not shown) attached in the turn signal switch device 1 so as to face the magnet. Any device that can detect the operation of 2 can be used, and electrical detection means, optical detection means, and other means can be used. The rotation detection unit 6 is connected to an output unit 7 that makes a switch output, and the output unit 7 performs a left turn instruction output or a right turn instruction output based on the detection by the rotation detection unit 6.

  The ring body 42 rotates with the rotation of the steering shaft 3 as described above, and the rotation angle and the rotation direction thereof are detected by the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15. The first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 are provided in the housing 50 and detect the rotation of the ring body 42 by optical means, and are connected to the output unit 7 respectively. The output unit 7 cancels the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output based on detection by the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15.

  The steering wheel operation will be described by way of an example of a right turn instruction. Usually, the driver rotates the operation lever 2 to blink the right turn indicator, and then turns the handle to the right. When the automobile turns right, the driver returns the handle. Rotate as shown. Therefore, in accordance with the steering operation, the turn signal switch device 1 enables the right turn instruction output to be released when the handle is rotated to a certain degree in the right turn direction, and outputs the right turn instruction output when the handle is returned to a predetermined angle or less. To release. The same applies to a left turn.

  The detection of the rotation of the steering shaft 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the rotary connector 4 as seen from the back side. As shown in this figure, the ring body 42 is formed by forming a circumferential wall 43 coaxial with the rotary connector 4 in a circular shape along the circumferential direction, and the circumferential wall 43 has first cutout portions 44 at two locations in the circumferential direction. And the 2nd notch part 45 is formed. When the peripheral wall 43 having such a notch rotates with respect to the main body 1, the shielding state and the open state with respect to the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 provided in the main body unit 1 are switched. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the ring body 42, the first sensor unit 14, and the second sensor unit 15 when the steering shaft 3 is in the neutral position. Since the ring body 42 is coaxial with the rotary connector 4, the center position (O) of the ring body 42 coincides with the center position of the steering shaft 3. A central angular position of a portion of the peripheral wall 43 disposed between the first cutout portion 44 and the second cutout portion 45 is a reference position 43a in the peripheral wall 43, and the reference position 43a when the steering shaft 3 is in the neutral position. The angle is 0 °. Further, the clockwise direction in the figure corresponding to the rotation operation of the handle in the right turn direction is set as the positive direction, and the counterclockwise direction in the drawing corresponding to the rotation operation of the handle in the left turn direction is set as the negative direction. Accordingly, the angular position of the reference position 43 a that moves in the circumferential direction is denoted as the angular position of the ring body 42. The same applies to FIGS.

  The first cutout portion 44 of the ring body 42 is a space formed between the end portion 44a on the reference position 43a side and the end portion 44b opposite to the reference position 43a. The portion 45 is a space formed between the end portion 45a on the reference position 43a side and the end portion 45b on the opposite side to the reference position 43a.

  The first sensor unit 14 can detect whether the detection line 14 c perpendicular to the peripheral wall 43 is in a shielding state by the peripheral wall 43 or an open state by the notch 45. Since the detection line 14c is orthogonal to the peripheral wall 43, the detection line 14c is located on a line extending in the radial direction from the center position (O) of the ring body 42. For the detection, the first sensor unit 14 includes a detection unit 14a and a detected unit 14b on the detection line 14c.

  The detection unit 14a is made of, for example, a light receiving component having a photodiode, and the detected portion 14b is made of a light emitting component having a laser diode. The detected part 14b and the detection part 14a are arranged so as to sandwich the peripheral wall 43 with the detection line 14c as the optical axis. As the ring body 42 rotates, when the notch 45 is present on the detection line 14c, the first sensor unit 14 detects an open state between the detection unit 14a and the detected portion 14b, and the detection line 14c When the peripheral wall 43 exists, the first sensor unit 14 detects the shielding state between the detection unit 14a and the detected unit 14b.

  Similar to the first sensor unit 14, the second sensor unit 15 includes a detection unit 15 a and a detected unit 15 b, and in a detection line 15 c orthogonal to the peripheral wall 43, either the shielding state by the peripheral wall 43 or the open state by the notch 45. Can be detected.

  FIG. 8 shows a relationship between the rotation angle of the steering shaft 3 and the outputs from the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15. In this figure, the rotation angle range from 0 ° to ± 90 ° is shown. The first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 output a low level signal when the first notch 44 or the second notch 45 is located in the detection lines 14c and 15c, and output a low level signal. When the first notch 44 or the second notch 45 is positioned at 14c and 15c, a high level signal is output.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the steering shaft 3 is in the neutral position, the detection line 14c of the first sensor unit 14 forms an angle of θ1 with the angular position of the reference position 43a side end 44a of the first notch 44, An angle θ2 is formed with respect to the angular position of the end 44b opposite to the reference position 43a of the first notch 44. θ1 is smaller than θ2, and in this embodiment, θ1 is 13.5 ° and θ2 is 22.5 °. The first cutout portion 44 has a size in the angle range of θ1 + θ2, and the second cutout portion 45 is the same.

  Further, the arrangement on the second sensor unit 15 side is symmetrical with respect to the first sensor unit 14 side with respect to the angle position of 0 °, and the detection line 15 c of the second sensor unit 15 is the reference position of the second notch unit 45. An angle position θ1 is formed with the angle position of the 43a side end portion 45a, and an angle θ2 is formed with the angle position of the second end portion 45b opposite to the reference position 43a of the second notch portion 45.

  In FIG. 8, the rotation angle 0 ° indicated by the arrow A corresponds to the state of FIG. When the ring body 42 rotates in the forward direction, the end position 44a of the first notch 44 is detected line 14c when the angular position of the ring body 42 (the angular position of the reference position 43a) is θ1 (13.5 °). Since it is located above, when it rotates further, the detection line 14c of the 1st sensor part 14 will be in a shielding state from an open state, and the output of the 1st sensor part 14 will switch from a low level to a high level.

  When the ring body 42 is further rotated in the positive direction from the angle position θ1, the end 45b of the second notch 45 is positioned on the detection line 15c at the angle position θ2 (22.5 °). FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the ring body 42 and the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 when the ring body 42 rotates by θ2 in the forward direction. In FIG. 8, the rotation angle 22.5 ° indicated by the arrow B corresponds to the state of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the end 45 b of the second notch 45 is positioned on the detection line 15 c of the second sensor 15, the detection line 14 c of the first sensor 14 is shielded by the peripheral wall 43. ing. Then, when the ring body 42 further rotates in the positive direction from the state of FIG. 6, the detection line 15c of the second sensor unit 15 is changed from the open state to the shield state, and as shown in FIG. Output from low level to high level.

  In this embodiment, when the handle is operated in the forward direction and the ring body 42 is rotated to an angular position greater than θ2, the output unit 7 can release the right turn instruction output, and then the handle is on the neutral position side. When the ring body 42 is rotated to an angular position smaller than θ1, the output unit 7 releases the right turn instruction output.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the ring body 42, the first sensor unit 14, and the second sensor unit 15 when the handle is returned until the ring body 42 reaches the angle position θ1. Yes. In FIG. 8, the rotation angle of 13.5 ° indicated by the arrow C corresponds to the state of FIG. At this time, the angular position of the end portion 44a on the reference position 43a side of the first notch 44 is on the detection line 14c of the first sensor unit 14, and when the handle is further returned, as shown in FIG. In addition, the output of the first sensor unit 14 is switched from the high level to the low level.

  When the handle is operated in the negative direction and the ring body 42 is rotated in the negative direction from the angle position of 0 °, the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 corresponding to the angles θ1 and θ2 are used. Output switching is reversed. In the following, the rotation angle is expressed as an absolute value even when the rotation is performed in the negative direction. When the ring body 42 rotates in the negative direction, the output of the second sensor unit 15 switches from the low level to the high level at the angle position θ1, and the output of the first sensor unit 14 changes from the low level at the angle position θ2. The output is switched to the high level, and the output unit 7 can release the left turn instruction output. After that, when the handle is returned to the neutral position side and the ring body 42 is rotated to an angular position smaller than θ1, the output of the second sensor unit 15 is switched from the high level to the low level, and the left turn instruction output is output at the output unit 7. Canceled.

  As described above, when the steering shaft 3 is in the neutral position with respect to the detection line 14c of the first sensor unit 14 and the detection line 15c of the second sensor unit 15, the magnitudes of θ1 and θ2 are different. When the ring body 42 is rotated along with the rotation, the angle at which the first sensor unit 14 detects the shielding state is different from the angle at which the second sensor unit 15 detects the shielding state. The rotation angle at which the instruction output can be released and the rotation angle at which the instruction output is actually released can be detected, and a switch output can be made in accordance with the handle operation.

  Further, the detection lines 14c and 15c are in a circumferentially symmetric position around the 0 ° angular position, and the angular range of the first cutout portion 44 and the second cutout portion 45 is also around the 0 ° angular position. Because it is symmetric, it can be detected at the same rotation angle regardless of whether the ring body 42 is rotated in the positive direction or in the negative direction. Therefore, when the handle is rotated to the right and to the left Thus, the same operation can be performed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the turn signal switch device 1 will be described in more detail. FIG. 9 shows an operation flowchart of the turn signal switch device. As shown in this figure, it is first determined whether or not the ring body 42 is in the neutral position range (S1). This determination is made based on whether or not the output of the first sensor unit 14 and the output of the second sensor unit 15 are both at a low level. Accordingly, if the ring body 42 is at an angular position smaller than θ1 in the positive direction or the negative direction, the neutral position range is determined in S1. If the ring body 42 is not in the neutral position range in S1, the determination is repeated until the condition is satisfied.

  If the ring body 42 is in the neutral position range in S1, it is next determined whether or not the operating lever 2 has been instructed to turn right (S2). This determination is made according to the output of the rotation detection unit 6 that detects the rotation operation of the operation lever 2. If a right turn instruction operation has been performed, the output unit 7 outputs a right turn instruction (S4). If the right turn instruction operation is not performed, it is determined whether or not the operation lever 2 is operated to turn left (S3). If a left turn instruction operation has been performed, the output unit 7 outputs a left turn instruction (S8). If neither a right turn instruction operation nor a left turn instruction operation has been performed, the process returns to S2 and the determination is repeated.

  Next, a case where a right turn instruction operation is performed in S2 will be described. When the output unit 7 outputs a right turn instruction in S4, an operation such as blinking the right turn indicator is performed on the automobile side. If a right turn instruction output is made, it is determined whether or not the angular position of the ring body 42 is larger than θ2 (S5). This determination is made based on whether or not the output of the second sensor unit 15 has changed from a low level to a high level. The output of the second sensor unit 15 changes from the low level to the high level at the angular position indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 8 and is in the state shown in FIG. Corresponds to the operated state. In this S5, it becomes possible to cancel the right turn instruction output. If the angular position of the ring body 42 is smaller than θ2 in S5, S5 is repeated until it becomes larger than θ2.

  If it is determined in S5 that the angular position of the ring body 42 is larger than θ2, it is then determined whether or not the angular position of the ring body 42 is smaller than θ1 (S6). This determination is made based on whether or not the output of the first sensor unit 14 has changed from a high level to a low level. The output of the first sensor unit 14 changes from the high level to the low level at the angular position indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 8 and in the state shown in FIG. Then, it corresponds to the state where the steering wheel is returned and the vehicle enters the neutral position range, that is, the state where the automobile completes the right turn. If the angular position of the ring body 42 is larger than θ1 in S6, S6 is repeated until it becomes smaller than θ1.

  If it is determined in S6 that the angular position of the ring body 42 is smaller than θ1, the output unit 7 cancels the right turn instruction output (S7). As a result, operations such as stopping blinking of the right turn indicator on the vehicle side are performed. If S7 is performed, it returns to S1 again.

  When a left turn instruction operation is detected in S3, it is the same as in the case of a right turn. First, a left turn instruction output is made (S8), and it is determined whether or not the angular position of the ring body 42 is greater than θ2 (S9). If the condition is satisfied, the left turn instruction output can be canceled, and then it is determined whether or not the angular position of the ring body 42 is smaller than θ1 (S10). If the condition is satisfied, the left turn instruction output is canceled (S11). Return to S1 again.

  As described so far, the turn signal switch device according to the present embodiment includes the angular position at which the open state and the shielding state are switched by the first sensor unit 14, and the angular position at which the open state and the shielding state are switched by the second sensor unit 15. Using this difference, it is possible to determine whether the left turn instruction output or right turn instruction output can be released and to release the left turn instruction output or right turn instruction output. be able to. Further, the angle of the steering wheel operation is detected by the ring body 42 that rotates together with the steering shaft 3 and the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 that detect the rotation of the ring body 42 by optical means. As compared with the case where the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is canceled, the number of parts can be greatly reduced, the size can be reduced, and the durability can be improved.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the application of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be applied in various ways within the scope of its technical idea. In the present embodiment, the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 are configured by optical means, but other means may be used as long as they can detect the shielding state and the open state by the ring body 42, for example, magnetic Means may be used.

  Further, the arrangement relationship between the ring body 42 and the first sensor unit 14 and the second sensor unit 15 can be variously set. For example, if the angles θ1 and θ2 are different from each other, the present embodiment can be used. However, θ1 may be larger than θ2. In this case, since the output of each sensor unit with respect to the rotation angle of the ring body 42 shown in FIG. 8 changes, the determination of FIG. 9 may be performed accordingly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Turn signal switch apparatus 2 Operation lever 3 Steering shaft 4 Rotation connector 5 Flat cable 6 Rotation detection part 7 Output part 14 1st sensor part 14a Detection part 14b Detected part 14c Detection line 15 2nd sensor part 15a Detection part 15b Detected Detection unit 15c Detection line 42 Ring body 43 Peripheral wall 43a Reference position 44 First notch 45 Second notch 50 Housing

Claims (5)

An operation lever is provided that is rotatable from a neutral position to at least a left turn instruction rotation position and a right turn instruction rotation position. When the operation lever is rotated to a left turn instruction rotation position, a left turn instruction output is generated, and the operation lever is turned to the right. In a turn signal switch device that makes a right turn instruction output when rotated to an instruction rotation position, and releases the left turn instruction output or right turn instruction output as the steering shaft rotates,
A ring body having a peripheral wall concentric with the steering shaft; a pair of detection parts provided to face the inside and outside of the peripheral wall; and two sensor parts having a detected part; and depending on the detection state of the sensor part And an output section for making a switch output,
The ring body is rotatable with the steering shaft, and the peripheral wall has two notches at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the two sensor parts are respectively connected to the detection lines orthogonal to the peripheral wall. , It is possible to detect a shielding state by the peripheral wall between the detection unit and the detected part or an open state by the two notches,
When the steering shaft is in a neutral position, the two sensor parts are arranged such that one of the detection lines crosses one of the two notches, and each of the detection lines The other detection line crosses the other notch of the two notches, and detects the open state, and the detection state of each of the detection lines at different rotational angle positions of the steering shaft. And a turn signal switch device arranged so as to be switched between an open state and an open state. The central angular position between the two notches in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall is a reference position on the peripheral wall,
The angle from the reference position to each detection line when the steering shaft is in a neutral position is the same in both positive and negative directions,
2. The angle in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall from the end portion on the reference position side to the end portion on the opposite side to the reference position is the same for the two notch portions. The turn signal switch device described.   When the steering shaft is in a neutral position, the magnitude of the angle from each end on the reference position side to each detection line of the two notches is determined from the two detection lines. The turn signal switch device according to claim 2, wherein the turn signal switch device is different from the angle of each notch to each end on the opposite side to the reference position.   When the output unit detects that one of the two sensor units is switched from the open state to the shielded state after the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is made by the operation lever, the two sensors 4. The turn signal switch device according to claim 3, wherein the left turn instruction output or the right turn instruction output is canceled when the other sensor part of the parts is switched from the shielding state to the open state.   The operating lever includes a driving body that is elastically biased in a pressing direction against the valley-shaped cam surface, and the driving body is located at a deepest portion of the cam surface at a neutral position of the operating lever. When the operation is released after the lever is turned to the left turn instruction turning position or the right turn instruction turning position, the driving body is moved to the deepest part of the cam surface by an elastic biasing force. The turn signal switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lever is returned to a neutral position.

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