JPH02288117A - Knob with switch for steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify an internal structure of a knob and securely operate an operating equipment by constituting the knob of a stationary ring and a casing provided with a push switch, which covers the stationary ring and is abutted against a slip ring under pressure so as to be conducted, and turnably held by the stationary shaft. CONSTITUTION:Inside a casing 7 provided with a push switch 6, a stationary ring 5 having a slip ring 4 disposed coaxially with a stationary shaft 3 is fixed in the stationary shaft 3. Consequently, even through the push switch 6 is moved together with rotation of the casing 7, the push switch 6 is pushed so as to be abutted against the slip ring 4 in face of an abutting portion 61 since the slip ring 4 faces to the push switch 6. The abutted slip ring 4 is conducted through the abutting portion 61, thus operating an operating equipment. Therefore, the operating equipment can be securely operated with a simple and cheap internal structure of a knob.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a knob with a switch for a steering wheel, and more particularly to a knob with a switch provided on a ring portion of a steering wheel fixed to a steering shaft of a vehicle.

[Prior Art] In industrial vehicles, a steering wheel is equipped with a rotatable knob on the ring portion of the steering wheel, and the knob revolves around the steering shaft, so that the steering wheel can be operated with one hand. ing.

By the way, even when driving the vehicle with one hand using this knob, the driver is required to operate various switches in order to operate the horn, blinkers, wipers, forward/backward movement of the vehicle, etc. For this reason, a knob equipped with these switches is desired. However, because the knob rotates relative to the steering wheel, it was difficult to equip the knob with a switch and use lead wires to directly communicate electricity between the switch and the operating device due to wiring constraints. . For this reason, various electrical transmission means from the switch to the actuating device have been studied.

For example, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-43334 discloses a means for opening and closing the switch by providing a switch on a support part that rotatably supports a knob, and sliding the knob into sliding contact with the switch by pressing the knob. There is.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-118427 discloses a means for operating various operating devices by equipping a mounting plate on which a knob is mounted with a radio transmitter.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the means described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 48-43334, the knob itself is a switch button, so the switch can only be turned on and off by the pressed or released state of the knob. It is not configured and only one switch can be configured.

Furthermore, in the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-118427, the circuit is complicated due to the wireless signal on/off operation, and a wireless transmitter and receiver are required, making it expensive. Ta.

In this way, conventionally, due to the difficulty and economy of electrical transmission means from the switch to the actuating device, a knob with multiple switches that is inexpensive, has a simple structure, and can reliably operate the actuating device has been developed. had not been put into practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a knob with a switch for a steering wheel, which can simplify the internal structure of the knob, and can operate operating devices at low cost and reliably. With the goal.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A knob with a switch of a steering wheel according to the present invention has a fixed shaft fixed to a ring portion of a steering wheel fixed to a steering shaft, and arranged concentrically with respect to the fixed shaft. A fixing ring is provided with a slip ring fixed to the fixed shaft, and a push-type switch is provided that covers the fixed ring and contacts the slip ring when pressed to conduct electricity, and is rotatably attached to the fixed shaft. It is characterized by consisting of a retained casing for manual operation.

The fixed shaft is fixed to the ring portion of the steering wheel. The steering wheel is fixed to a steering shaft provided on the vehicle body. This steering wheel includes a boss portion fixed to the steering shaft, at least one spoke portion extending radially from the boss portion, and a ring portion connected to the spoke portion.

The fixed shaft can be fixed to the ring portion by fastening means such as bolts using a mounting plate, etc.
It is also possible to provide an insertion hole in the ring portion and insert and fix the fixed shaft into this insertion hole. Preferably, the fixed shaft has a hole for housing the lead wire.

This is because by passing the lead wire connecting the slip ring and the operating device through such a groove, the aesthetic appearance is improved and unnecessary contact between the casing and the lead wire can be prevented. Note that this fixed shaft can also be used as a ground.

The fixed ring is fixed to the fixed shaft. This retaining ring is made of a non-conductive material such as plastic. The fixed ring is equipped with at least two slip rings. This slip ring is made of a conductive material, and is arranged concentrically with respect to a fixed shaft, such as a disk shape or a cylinder shape. Lead wires to operating equipment are connected to this slip ring.

The casing is the manually operated part of the knob and is rotatably held on a fixed shaft. This casing covers the fixing ring and is equipped with a push switch. A push-type switch is brought into contact with a slip ring by pressing with a finger or the like against the biasing force of an elastic member such as a spring, and becomes electrically conductive. The part of this push-type switch that contacts and conducts with the slip ring is made of a conductive material. In addition, by providing multiple slip rings and providing push-type switches equal to the number of combinations of slip rings, it is possible to create a multi-pole switch, which allows multiple operating devices to be operated by operating the knob. . Note that it is desirable that the portion of the push switch that is pressed by a finger or the like not protrude too much from the casing.

[Function] The casing is rotatably held on the fixed shaft of the ring part. Therefore, the steering wheel can be rotated by holding the casing and rotating it around the fixed shaft and revolving around the steering shaft.

Moreover, inside the casing provided with the push-type switch, a fixed ring including a slip ring arranged concentrically with respect to the fixed shaft is fixed to the fixed shaft. Therefore, even when the casing rotates on its own axis, the slip ring and the push-type switch are facing each other, so when the push-type switch is pressed, the push-type switch comes into contact with any set of slip rings, and The activated slip ring is made conductive via a push switch and the actuating device is actuated.

In addition, in the steering wheel knob with switch of the present invention, the push-type switches are arranged so that they are difficult to press simultaneously even when the knob is manually operated, so that the actuating device can be operated only when necessary. Since the push switch can be operated independently, it can also be used as a multi-pole switch.

Roughly speaking, since the push switch and the slip ring come into contact and conduction only when the push switch is pressed, the amount of wear on the push switch and the slip ring can be reduced.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the switch-equipped knob 1 of this embodiment is
It is installed in the ring portion 23 of the steering wheel 2. The steering wheel 2 is fixed to a steering shaft 20 extending from the vehicle body in the same manner as in the past, and consists of a boss portion 21, spoke portions 22, and a ring portion 23, and includes a core metal (not shown) and a core metal around the core metal. A resin coating layer is formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the knob 1 with a switch has a ring portion 2.
3, a fixed shaft 3 that extends in the axial direction of the steering shaft 20 and projects upward; a fixed ring 5 that includes a slip ring 4 and is fixed to the fixed shaft 3; and a push switch 6 that includes a fixed shaft 3. The casing 7 is rotatably held by the casing 7.

A portion of the ring portion 23 that is integrated with the spoke portions 22 includes an insertion hole 231 that extends parallel to the axial direction of the steering shaft 20, and a large roughness that communicates with one end of the insertion hole 231 at the center at the upper end of the ring portion 23. A shaped recess 232 and a small recess 234 communicating with the other end of the insertion hole 231 at the lower end of the ring portion 23 are provided. The large rough recess 232 has a bottom surface perpendicular to the insertion hole 231, and a bearing 233 is provided on the bottom surface. Further, a groove 25 that continues to the boss portion 21 is provided in the lower part of the ring part 23 and the lower part of the spoke part 22, and this groove 25 is closed by a cover member 26 made of the same material as the steering wheel 2. .

The fixed shaft 3 is a bar with a circular cross section, and is made of iron with threaded grooves cut at both ends. This fixed shaft 3 has a bulging portion 30 with an enlarged diameter formed in the middle portion, and the bulging portion 30 is treated as a stop portion 301 having a larger diameter on the upper end side. The screw grooves at both ends each have nuts 33.
34 are screwed together. Furthermore, a groove 35 that is continuous in the axial direction is formed on the circumferential surface of the fixed shaft 3, as shown in FIG.

The fixing ring 5 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a cylindrical outer shape with a closed top surface, a recess 50 formed in the center of the top surface, and a hole 511 protruding in the axial direction formed in the center of the inside. A cylindrical holding portion 51 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the outer periphery of this fixing ring 5 has
Four slits 52 are formed. This fixing ring 5 has a nut 34 screwed into a recess 50 at the center of the upper surface.
The lower end of the bulging portion 30 is brought into contact with the upper portion of the stop portion 301 to restrict movement in the vertical direction.

The slip rings 4 are made of a conductive material, and are formed into a ring shape with cuts, as shown in FIG. 1.2, and are fixed to the outer periphery of the fixed ring 5 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. Each slip ring 4 is formed with a lead connection part 41 that protrudes inward from the slit 52 of the fixed ring 5 and is locked at one end, and a hook part 42 that is held in the slit 52 of the fixed ring 5 at the other end. There is. A lead wire 8 is connected to the lead connection portion 41 of each slip ring 4, and each lead wire 8 is connected to the hole 511 of the fixed ring 5,
It is connected to an operating device (not shown) through the groove 25 of the fixed shaft 3, the ring portion 23, and the spoke portion 22. In addition, in FIG. 1, the lidding wire 8 is omitted to one piece. Further, this lead wire 8 is connected to the boss portion 21 at
It is connected to a contact ring (not shown) and is configured to transmit electricity while making sliding contact with a contact pin held by a column.

The casing 7 includes a first casing part 71 aligned with the recess 232 of the ring part 23 and a second casing part 72 connected to the first casing part 71. The first casing part 71 is made of synthetic resin, and the bulging part 3 of the fixed shaft 3
A cylindrical sliding part 711 inserted into the outer periphery of 0, a ring-shaped flat bottom part 712 continuous with this sliding part 711,
A flange portion 713 that is continuous with this bottom portion 712 is provided. The first gauging part 71 is such that the upper end of the sliding part 711 can contact the lower end of the stopper part 301, and the lower end of the bottom part 712 is fixed to the bearing 233. The movement of the shaft is restricted, and the shaft is rotatably attached to the fixed shaft 3. Second casing part 7
2 is made of synthetic resin and is formed into a box shape so as to be joined to the flange portion 713 of the first casing portion 71, and has a button hole 722 on the outer surface, and this button hole 722 inside.
Two holes 723 into which the shaft portion 62 of the push-type switch 6 is inserted are formed in the switch holding portion 721 which is formed to protrude from the lower surface of the upper plate at a position facing the push-type switch 6 .

The push switch 6 includes a contact portion 61 made of a conductive material that has a width equal to about two slip rings 4 and is longer than the slit 52, and a shaft portion 6 extending from the contact portion 61.
2, a spring 63 that is fitted onto the shaft portion 62 and supported by the switch holding portion 721; and a spring 63 that is biased outward in the radial direction of the casing 7,
2, and a button part 64 screwed onto the end of the button 2.

The steering wheel knob 1 with a switch is assembled as follows.

First, the bearing 233 is installed in the recess 232 of the ring portion 23, and the first casing 71 is placed thereon.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. The lead connection portion 41 and the lead wire 8 are connected inside.

Then, as shown in FIG.
1 into the short end of the fixed shaft 3, and
The fixing ring 5 is fixed to the fixed shaft 3 with the nut 34 by aligning the @35 with the hole 511 of the holding part 51. Then,
While inserting each lead wire 8 into the groove 35 from the hole 511,
Insertion hole 2 of ring part 23 on which casing part 71 is placed
31, insert the fixed shaft 3 from the long end. and,
The lead wire 8 guided from the groove 35 of the fixed shaft 3 is connected to the ring part 2.
3 and the groove 25 of the spoke part 22 , cover with the lid member 26 , and screw the nut 33 onto the end of the fixed shaft 3 to fix the fixed shaft 3 to the ring part 23 .

In addition, in the second casing part 72, the contact part 61 of the push-type switch 6 is inserted into the hole 723 of the switch holding part 721.
The push-type switch 6 is assembled by inserting the shaft portion 62 with the spring 63 into the shaft portion 62 from inside, inserting the spring 63 into the shaft portion 62, and screwing the button portion 64 together while sandwiching the spring 63 between the switch holding portion 721 and the button portion 64. is installed. In this way, the push switch 6 is attached to the second casing part 7.
2 is attached to the flange portion 713 of the first casing portion 71, the casing 7 is assembled, and the switch-equipped knob 1 is attached to the steering wheel 2.

In the steering wheel switch knob 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, the casing 7 is rotatably held with respect to the fixed shaft 3.

Therefore, the steering wheel 2 can be rotated by causing the casing 7 to rotate around the fixed shaft 3 and revolve around the steering shaft 20.

Moreover, inside the casing 7 provided with the push-type switch 6, a fixed ring 5 including a slip ring 4 arranged concentrically with respect to the fixed shaft 3 is fixed to a fixed position @h3. Therefore, even if the push-type switch 6 moves due to the rotation of the casing 7, the slip ring 4 and the push-type switch 6 face each other. The slip ring 4 is brought into contact with the slip ring 4 that is in contact, and the abutted slip ring 4 is electrically connected through the contact portion 61, and the actuating device is actuated.

In the steering wheel switch knob 1 of this embodiment, even if the casing 7 is manually operated, it is difficult for the plurality of push switches 6 to be pressed at the same time, so that the operating devices can be operated only when necessary. Furthermore, since the device is not operated wirelessly, the circuit and structure are simple and can be manufactured at low cost.

Incidentally, since the steering wheel of a vehicle is generally mounted at an angle, it is also possible to attach a weight to the inside of the casing so that the switch 6 is always positioned at the appropriate position of the hand.

Further, in the above embodiment, the contact portion 61 of the push switch 6 was configured to contact and conduct the adjacent slip ring 4, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a non-contact portion may be provided in the contact portion 65, or a non-conductive material (not shown) may be attached to connect any slip ring 4.

Generally speaking, in the above embodiment, the push switch 6 is attached to the side surface of the casing, but for example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to attach a push switch 65 to the top surface of the switch.

The functions and effects of the present invention can also be obtained by these Examples.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, the steering wheel switch knob of the present invention includes a fixed shaft fixed to a ring portion, and a slip ring arranged concentrically with respect to the fixed shaft. The knob consists of a fixed ring fixed to the fixed shaft, and a casing that covers the fixed ring and is rotatably held on the fixed shaft, with a push switch that contacts the slip ring when pressed and conducts electricity. The internal structure of the device can be simplified, and the operating equipment can be operated reliably. Moreover, even when the switch has multiple poles to operate a plurality of actuating devices, the internal structure is simple and it can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 5 show a knob with a switch of a steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. The figure is an overall perspective view, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views showing other embodiments. 20...Steering shaft 2...Steering wheel 23...Ring portion 3...Fixed shaft 4...Slip ring 5...Fixed ring 6...Push type switch 7...Casing patent application Person Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Hiroshi Okawa Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) a fixed shaft fixed to a ring portion of a steering wheel fixed to a steering shaft; a fixed ring fixed to the fixed shaft, including a slip ring arranged concentrically with respect to the fixed shaft; A steering wheel characterized by comprising: a manually operated casing that covers the fixed ring and is rotatably held on the fixed shaft and is equipped with a push switch that contacts the slip ring when pressed to conduct electricity. Knob with switch on wheel.