JPH0614344Y2 - Steering wheel horn switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial field of application> The present invention relates to a horn switch arranged on a steering wheel of an automobile or the like.

<Prior Art> A conventional horn switch is shown in FIG. 17 (refer to FIG. 1 of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-36450).

This horn switch HO has one contact plate 2 with a coil spring 3 interposed above the contact sheet 1.
Is provided. Above the contact plate 2, a horn pad 7 in which a locking leg 8 is locked in a locking hole 2c of the contact plate 2 is arranged.

Note that 1a and 2a are respective contact points. Also, 4
Is an insulating sheet, and 5 is a flanged spacer which is screwed to the contact sheet 1 through the insertion hole 2b of the contact plate 2 and regulates the upward movement of the contact plate 2. Further, 7a is a projection which prevents the horn pad 7 from falling down and pushes down the contact plate 2 when the horn pad 7 is pushed down.

Further, the contacts 1a and 2a, the insertion hole 2b, the locking hole 2c, the coil spring 3, the spacer 5, the protrusion 7a, the locking leg 8 and the like correspond to the contact sheet 1, the contact plate 2 and the horn pad 7, respectively. A plurality of them are arranged.

When operating the horn, the horn pad 7
It is only necessary to press down, and at that time, the projection 7a pushes down the contact plate 2 against the urging force of the coil spring 3, and the contact 2a comes into contact with the contact 1a, so that the horn operates. By the way, the contact sheet 1 is normally connected to the negative side of the horn operating circuit, and the contact plate 2
Is normally connected to the positive side of the horn operating circuit.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The conventional horn switch HO has the above-described configuration. , The contacts 1a and 2a, the coil springs 3, the spacers 5, the locking legs 8 and the like are horizontally displaced,
Space was needed in the area below the horn pad.

In the conventional horn switch HO, the horn pad 7
To the locking leg 8 of the
b and a head portion 8a that can be reduced in diameter by the slit 8b are formed, and the periphery of the locking hole 2c of the contact plate 2 is configured such that the head portion 8a is elastically reduced in diameter and restored. The horn pad 7 can be easily attached to the contact plate 2 by inserting and locking the horn pad 7 into the contact plate 2.

This simple attachment is convenient for maintenance of the horn switch HO, but conversely, when a large upward force is applied to the horn pad 7, the horn pad 7 may be detached from the contact plate 2.

The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a horn switch for a steering wheel that can reduce the space occupied by the lower portion of the horn pad. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a horn switch for a steering wheel that can prevent the horn pad from coming off even when a large upward force is applied to the horn pad.

<Means for Solving the Problems> A horn switch according to the present invention has a plurality of contact plates with springs interposed above the contact sheets, and a horn pad arranged above the plurality of contact plates. A horn switch of a steering wheel for operating the horn by pressing each contact plate with the contact sheet by pressing the contact plate, wherein the lower surface of the horn pad is provided with a plurality of engaging heads having bulged lower ends. A stop leg is formed, and a plurality of substantially cylindrical mounting bosses each having a locking portion that locks the head of each locking leg by narrowing the inner diameter is fixed to the upper surface of the contact sheet. Of the locking leg of the non-deformable locking leg that cannot reduce the diameter of the head, and a slit that is axially provided from the lower end to reduce the diameter of the head. A plurality of mounting bosses, which correspond to the non-deformable locking legs, and which are provided with an opening through which the head can be inserted from the side on the periphery of the locking portion. When the mounting boss for the deformable locking leg and the deformable locking leg are provided and the locking portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface so that the head of the deformable locking leg can be inserted from above, the head is not deformed. And a deformable locking leg mounting boss having a mounting hole with a size smaller than the outer diameter of the contact plate. It is characterized in that it is disposed so as to be interposed and is in contact with the tip ends of the heads of the respective locking legs.

<Operation and Effect of Invention> In the horn switch according to the present invention, a plurality of mounting bosses are arranged on the upper surface of the contact sheet, and the heads of the horn pad locking legs are locked to the locking portions of the respective mounting bosses. Contact plates, which are urged upward from the contact sheets by springs, are arranged in contact with the tips of the locking leg heads.

Therefore, each member / portion such as the contact sheet of the horn switch, the contact of the contact plate, the spring, the mounting boss, and the locking leg can be arranged substantially in the vertical direction.

Therefore, in the horn switch according to the present invention, it is not necessary to horizontally displace each member / portion constituting the horn switch, and it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the portion below the horn pad in the steering wheel. Further, since the space of each member / portion constituting the horn switch can be made small, various functional devices provided on the steering wheel can be easily arranged, and the horn pad of the steering wheel can be easily designed.

Further, in the corresponding locking leg and mounting boss of the horn pad, at least one locking leg and mounting boss are locked by inserting the head of the locking leg from the side of the locking portion. A predetermined non-deformable locking leg and a non-deformable locking leg mounting boss, and the remaining locking legs and mounting bosses are locked by inserting the head of the locking leg from above the locking portion, It is composed of a predetermined deforming locking leg and a mounting boss for the deforming locking leg, which are arranged respectively.

That is, first, the non-deformable locking leg is slid from the side to the non-deformable locking leg mounting boss and locked, and then the deformable locking leg is pushed down from above to the deformable locking leg mounting boss. By stopping the horn pad, the horn pad can be attached to the predetermined position by a simple method which is almost the same as the conventional method. Even when a large upward force is applied to the horn pad, the head of the non-deformable locking leg is locked to a predetermined locking portion so that the diameter cannot be reduced. Since the locked state with the locking boss mounting boss is not released, the horn pad can be prevented from coming off.

<Embodiment> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the horn switch H1 of the embodiment includes an upper portion of the boss B of the steering wheel W and a boss B.
The horn pad 17 covers the upper portions of the three spokes S extending from the horn pad 17.

In addition, the contact sheet 11 of this horn switch H1
Are arranged in the front-rear direction of the steering wheel W, the contact sheet 110 as the core metal s of the spokes S connected to the boss b, and the central downward protruding portion 111d arranged in the left-right direction of the steering wheel W. Is formed on the upper surface of the front part of the contact sheet 110 by a screw t (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).

The contact sheet 110 is made of a steel material, and as shown in FIG. 3, a contact 110a made of copper is arranged at the center in the front-rear direction. Insertion holes 110b for fixing the mounting boss 15 (151) described later with screws 16 are formed at two locations around the contact 110a (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 10).

The contact sheet 111 is also made of sheet metal steel,
・ As shown in FIG. 4, contact points 111a are arranged at the left and right ends, and an annular recess 11 is formed around these contact points 111a.
1b is formed. These recesses 111b serve as spring seats for the coil spring 13 described later. Also,
Around each recess 111b, a mounting boss 1 described later is provided.
Two insertion holes 111c for fixing five (152) screws 16 are formed. In addition, this contact sheet 11
1, the downward protruding portion 111d is screwed to the core metal s of the steering wheel W serving as the contact sheet 110, and the left and right ends 111e are fixed to the lower cover R of the steering wheel W by screwing t. (See Figures 2 and 4).

The horn pad 17 arranged above the contact sheets 110 and 111 is made of synthetic resin such as PP,
Locking legs 18 projecting downward are arranged at three upper positions of each contact 110a, 111a (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

The locking leg 18 is a contact 110 a of the contact sheet 110.
It is composed of two types: a non-deformable locking leg 181 arranged above and a deformable locking leg 182 arranged above each contact 111a of the contact sheet 111.

The non-deformable locking leg 181 has a head 181a that bulges like a disc at its lower end (see FIGS. 3 and 10). In addition,
Reference numeral 181b is a meat-relief hole formed in the axial direction of the locking leg 181 from the head 181a so that the surface of the horn pad 17 does not have a beard.

The deformed locking leg 182 has a bulging head 182a at its lower end.
The head 182a is provided with a slit 182b formed in the axial direction of the locking leg 182 so as to divide the head 182a into two in the front-rear direction of the steering wheel W, and the head 182a can be reduced in diameter (1.15. (See Figure 16). Further, each deformed locking leg 182 is formed with a meat stealing hole 182c similarly to the non-deformable locking leg 181, and the meat stealing hole 18 at the lower end is formed.
The contact 1 of the contact plate 12 to be described later is provided on the periphery of 2c.
A recess 182d into which the upper part of 2a can be inserted is formed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, each of the deformed locking legs 182 is formed in a shape in which a portion of the head 182a on the front side of the steering wheel W is slightly cut on both sides.
This shape is formed in consideration of the attachability of the phone pad 17. That is, when the horn pad 17 is attached, the non-deformable locking leg 181 is slid from the mounting boss 15 (151) from the side to be locked, and then the deformable locking leg 18 is locked.
2 is locked to the mounting boss 15 (152) from above, in which case the deformable locking leg 182 is not deformed.
This is because it is inserted and locked in the mounting boss 15 (152) in the vertical direction such that it slightly rotates around the side of the head 181a of No. 1.

The mounting boss 15 has a screw 16 on the contact sheet 110.
It is composed of two types: a non-deformable locking leg mounting boss 151 to be stopped and a deformable locking leg mounting boss 152 to be screwed 16 onto the contact sheet 111.
It is made of an insulating synthetic resin such as.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 9 to 11, the mounting boss 151 has a substantially cylindrical shape provided with screw holes 151e on both sides for fixing the screws 16 therein. A locking portion 151a is formed on the upper portion of the locking portion 151a so that the head 181a of the non-deformable locking leg 181 can be locked so as to project to the inner peripheral side. On the periphery of the locking portion 151a, from the front side of the steering wheel W, the locking leg 1
An opening 151b into which the head 181a of 81 can be inserted and locked is formed.

The opening 151b is located on the peripheral side and allows the head 181a to be inserted from above, and the neck 181c of the locking leg 181 is horizontally slid from the inserting section 151c to horizontally move the head 181a. A locking hole portion 151d that can be locked by 151a is provided. The insertion portion 151c
Is formed to the lower end of the mounting boss 151, and a part 12b exposed from the mounting boss 151 of the contact plate 12, which will be described later, can be moved in the vertical direction.

The mounting boss 152 has a substantially cylindrical shape with screw holes 152c capable of fixing the screws 16 to the contact sheet 111 on both sides, as shown in FIGS.
Then, the head portion 182a of the locking leg 182 is elastically reduced in diameter in the upper portion so as to be insertable and lockable.
Is formed with a locking portion 152a. In addition, a part of the peripheral surface of the mounting boss 152 (the mounting boss 15 on both the left and right sides
2 is a symmetrical position), and a part 12b exposed from a mounting boss 152 of the contact plate 12 described later.
An opening 152d is formed to allow the vertical movement of the.

In each of the mounting bosses 151 and 152, a contact plate 12 made of sheet metal and having a substantially ladle shape in plan view is formed.
However, the coil spring 13 is interposed between the contact sheets 110 and 111 (see FIGS. 1 to 3-5).

Each of the contact plates 12 has a contact 12a arranged in a recessed portion in the center, and a terminal portion 12b for connecting with the lead wire 19 is arranged so as to protrude from each of the mounting bosses 151 and 152. The lead wire 19 is connected to the slip ring 20 on the lower surface of the steering wheel W,
The contact plate 12 is connected to the positive electrode side of the horn operating circuit. By the way, contact sheet 11
The 0.111 side is configured to be connected to the negative side of the horn operation circuit via a boss b which is a core metal of the steering wheel W, a steering shaft (not shown), and the like.

Further, each contact plate 12 is formed with notches 12c for attaching the insulating sheet 14 at two locations on the periphery.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the insulating sheet 14 is AB
It is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape from an insulating synthetic resin such as S. Two holding protrusions 14b for locking the upper portion of the coil spring 13 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion. The locking leg 14a is provided so as to project.

Next, the assembly of the horn switch H1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the coil spring 13 is attached to the lower surface side of each contact plate 12 using the insulating sheet 14.

Then, the contacts 12a of the contact plate 12 are arranged above the contacts 110a and 111a of the contact sheets 110 and 111, respectively, and the predetermined mounting bosses 151 and 152 are attached to the contact sheets 110 and 111 from above the contact plates 12, respectively. Fix with screw 16.

Then, the head 181a of the non-deformable locking leg 181 of the horn pad 17 is inserted into the insertion portion 151c of the opening 151b of the mounting boss 151 from above. At that time, the head 181
The a enters the mounting boss 151 while pushing down the contact plate 12 against the urging force of the coil spring 13 (see FIG. 10). After that, the horn pad 17 is slid to the rear side of the steering wheel W, the neck 181c of the locking leg 181 is slid into the insertion portion 151c, and the head 181a is locked to the locking portion 151a.

Then, the head 182a of the deformed locking leg 182 of the horn pad 17 located on the front side of the steering wheel W is inserted into the mounting hole 152b of the mounting boss 152, and the locking portion 1 thereof is inserted.
The horn switch H1 can be assembled by engaging with 52a.

Then, if the horn pad 17 is pushed down to operate the horn, the head 181 of each of the locking legs 181 and 182 is pressed.
a ・ 182a Contact plate 1 in contact with the lower surface
Since 2 descends against the biasing force of the coil spring 13, the contact 12a can be brought into contact with the contacts 110a and 111a of the contact sheets 110 and 111 to operate the horn.

In the horn switch H1 of the embodiment, as described above, the contacts 110a, 111a.
Unlike the conventional case, the members 12a, the coil spring 13, the mounting boss 15, the locking leg 18, and the like can be arranged substantially vertically in the same manner. Therefore, the space occupied in the horizontal direction of each member / portion of the horn switch H1 can be reduced below the horn pad 17. The arrangement of various functional devices provided on the steering wheel W is facilitated, and the horn pad 17 of the steering wheel W is provided.
It can contribute to the ease of internal design.

In the horn switch H1 of the embodiment, even when a large upward force is applied to the horn pad 17 after assembly,
The locking leg 181 on the rear side of the steering wheel W locks a head portion 181a that does not contract to the locking portion 151a of the mounting boss 151, and the locking leg 181 locks with the mounting boss 151. Depending on the state, the horn pad 17 does not come off.

By the way, when the horn pad 17 has to be removed for maintenance or the like, the deformed locking leg 182 side of the horn pad 17 is strongly pulled upward, and then the locking leg 181.
In order to release the locking state between the mounting boss 151 and the mounting boss 151, the horn pad 17 can be removed by moving the horn pad 17 forward and pulling it upward.

In the embodiment, the non-deformable locking leg 181 and the corresponding mounting boss 151 are arranged on the rear side of the steering wheel W, and the deformable locking leg 182 and the corresponding mounting boss 152 are arranged on the front side. Although shown, the arrangement may be reversed. Further, the non-deformable locking leg 18 is provided on one side in the left-right direction.
1 and the corresponding mounting boss 151 may be arranged, and the deforming locking leg 182 and the corresponding mounting boss 152 may be arranged on the other side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a horn switch showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing a II portion of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a steering wheel to which the embodiment is mounted, and FIG.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a contact sheet, Fig. 5 is a plan view of a contact plate, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a mounting boss for a modified locking leg of the same embodiment. , 7th
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a view taken in the direction of arrow VIII in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mounting boss for the non-deformable locking leg of the same embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line XX, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI in FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the insulating sheet of the same embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 14th
12 is a sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 12, FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a modified locking leg of the horn pad of the embodiment, FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the modified locking leg, and FIG. 17 is a conventional horn. It is sectional drawing of a switch. (11) 110/111 ... Contact sheet, 12 ... Contact plate, 13 ... Coil spring, 15 ... Mounting boss, 151 ... Non-deformable locking leg mounting boss, 151a ... Locking portion, 151b ... ... Aperture, 152 ... Mounting boss for deforming locking leg, 152a ... Locking part, 152b ... Mounting hole, 17 ... Horn pad, 18 ... Locking leg, 181 ... Non-deforming locking leg, 181a ...... Head, 182 ... Deformation locking leg, 182a ... Head, 182b ... Slit, H1 ... Horn switch, W ... Steering wheel.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plurality of contact plates are arranged above a contact sheet with springs respectively interposed therebetween, and one of the horn pads arranged above the plurality of contact plates is depressed to bring the contact plates into contact with each other. A horn switch of a steering wheel for operating a horn by contacting a seat, wherein the lower surface of the horn pad is formed with a plurality of locking legs having a head with a bulged lower end, and the upper surface of the contact sheet , A plurality of substantially cylindrical mounting bosses each having a locking portion that locks the head portion of each of the locking legs with a narrowed inner diameter is fixed to the upper portion, and the plurality of locking legs reduces the diameter of the head portion. The non-deformable locking leg that is disabled and the deformable locking leg that is provided with a slit in the axial direction from the lower end to allow the head to be reduced in diameter are provided. A non-deformable locking leg mounting boss corresponding to the non-deformable locking leg and provided with an opening into which the head can be inserted from the side on the peripheral edge of the locking part; For a modified locking leg having the locking portion on its inner peripheral surface and having a mounting hole smaller than the outer diameter of the head when the head of the modified locking leg can be inserted from above Two types of attachment bosses are provided, and each of the contact plates is disposed in each of the attachment bosses with the spring interposed between the contact plate and the head of each locking leg. The horn switch of the steering wheel, which is in contact with the tip.