JPH08329788A - Joy stick switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a joy stick switch whose structure is simple and by which the number of part items is reduced. CONSTITUTION: An operation lever 1, a switch main body 2, strain sensing sensors 31 and 32 and a light source 4 are provided. The operation lever l is formed of a flexible and translucent construction material. A base end part 11 of the operation lever l is supported by the switch main body 2. The light source 4 and the strain sensing sensors 31 and 32 in the number corresponding to respective operational positions of the operation lever 1 are arranged in the base end part 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a multidirectional tilt switch having a plurality of tilting operation positions, such as a turn signal switch for automobiles, and more particularly to the simplification of the multidirectional tilt switch by using a strain sensor. Concerning the technology aimed at.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multidirectional tilt switch is a switch used for a turn signal switch of an automobile, etc., and an operating lever is operated in two directions or four directions to move an operating rod, and the movable rod is operated by the operating rod. Was provided with a switch mechanism for bringing the fixed contact into contact with the fixed contact. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-201326, a large number of operating rods, movable contacts and fixed contacts were provided.

[0003]

Therefore, the above-mentioned prior art has a problem that the structure becomes complicated and a large number of man-hours are required for assembly. Further, since the number of parts is large, there is a problem that many man-hours are required for parts management and the like. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a multidirectional tilting switch having a simple structure and a small number of parts.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, first of all, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an operation lever formed of a flexible material and a switch main body for supporting a base end portion of the operation lever. And a strain sensing sensor which is provided at the base end portion and which converts a strain generated when the operating lever is tilted into an electric signal to derive the electric signal, and provides a multidirectional tilt switch. To do.

The invention according to claim 2 provides a multidirectional tilt switch, characterized in that the operating lever is made of a light-transmitting material and a light source is provided at a base end portion thereof.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the operation lever has a plurality of tilting operation positions, and the strain sensing sensors are set in a number corresponding to each operation position of the operation lever. Provide a direction tilt switch.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be explained based on. In the drawings, 1 is an operating lever, 2 is a switch body, 31 and 32 are strain sensing sensors, and 4 is a light source. Each of these configurations will be described below.

First, the operation lever 1 is a portion that is tilted by an operator, and is formed in a columnar shape with a material having flexibility and translucency, such as synthetic resin, silicon resin or glass fiber. The resin material facilitates diffusing the illumination light from the light source 4 around the operation lever 1 and contains a pigment or a light diffusing agent to color the illumination light to a desired color. The operation lever 1 has a plurality of tilting operation positions. For example, when the operation lever 1 is a turn signal switch, it has two operation positions, a right turn side and a left turn side.

The switch body 2 is a portion to be mounted on, for example, a steering column portion (not shown) of an automobile, and supports the base end portion 11 of the operation lever 1. Then, inside the switch body 2 and at the base end portion 11 of the operation lever 1.
A light source 4 is provided at a position where is, and a light beam from the light source 4 is incident on the operation lever 1.

The strain sensors 31 and 32 are elements for converting the strain generated when the operating lever 1 is tilted into an electrical signal to derive the electrical signal, and the base end portion 11 of the operating lever 1.
It is provided in. The strain sensing sensors 31 and 32 are set in the number corresponding to each operating position of the operating lever 1. By the way, in this embodiment, two are set.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a circuit in which the strain sensing sensors 31 and 32 are connected to an external circuit. In the figure, 5 is a judgment circuit for judging whether or not the level of the analog signal derived by the strain sensing sensors 31, 32 exceeds a predetermined level and outputting a digital signal, which is a general comparator circuit or holding circuit. Etc. are used. A reset circuit 7 is connected to the judgment circuit 5 so that the strain sensing sensor 3
It is possible to reset the determination circuit 5 that is in the holding state in response to the input signals from the input terminals 1 and 32. The reset circuit 7 is configured to derive a reset signal to the determination circuit 5 when a steering angle sensor (not shown) detects that the steering wheel is turned back. A flasher unit 6 is connected to the subsequent stage of the determination circuit 5. The flasher unit 6 is connected to the left and right direction indicator lights 81 and 82, performs oscillation operation in response to an input signal from the determination circuit 5, and outputs the direction indicator lamp 81 on the side corresponding to the operation position of the operation lever 1. , 82 is configured to blink.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
First, when the operation lever 1 is in the neutral position N, the signal level derived by the strain sensing sensors 31, 32 is less than or equal to the threshold level set in the determination circuit 5, and the determination circuit 5 does not deliver a signal to the flasher unit 6.

Next, when the operating lever 1 is operated to, for example, one operating position P, the signal level derived from the strain sensing sensor 31 exceeds the threshold level set in the determination circuit 5. As a result, the determination circuit 5 becomes the flasher unit 6
The signal is led to and the holding state is set. Therefore, even if the operator stops the operation of the operation lever 1 and the operation lever 1 automatically returns to the neutral position N by its own elastic force, the flasher unit 6 continues to blink one direction indicator lamp 81.

Next, when the reset circuit 7 derives a reset signal in response to the turning of the handle, the decision circuit 5 releases the holding state. As a result, the determination circuit 5 stops the signal that has been delivered to the flasher unit 6. Therefore, the flasher unit 6 stops the blinking of the turn signal lamp 81. Even when the operation lever 1 is operated to the other operation position Q, the blinking of the other direction indicator lamp 82 is controlled by the same operation, but the description thereof will be omitted.

Although the light source 4 is provided in the switch body 2 in the above-described embodiment, the light source 4 is not necessarily provided when night lighting or the like is not required.

[0016]

According to the present invention, an operating lever formed of a flexible material, a switch body for supporting a base end portion of the operating lever, and a tilting operation for the operating lever provided at the base end portion. Since the strain sensing sensor for converting the generated strain into an electric signal and deriving it is provided, the structure of the multidirectional tilt switch can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, man-hours such as assembly man-hours and parts management man-hours can be reduced. Further, by forming the operation lever with a light-transmitting material and providing the light source at the base end portion thereof, the position of the operation lever becomes clear at night and the like, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit diagram showing an external circuit connected to the strain sensing sensor shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Operation Lever 2 Switch Main Body 31, 32 Strain Sensing Sensor 4 Light Source 5 Judgment Circuit 6 Flasher Unit 7 Reset Circuit 81, 82 Direction Indicator Light

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An operating lever (1) made of a flexible material, a switch body (2) for supporting a base end portion (11) of the operation lever (1), and the base end portion (11). And a strain sensing sensor (31, 32) for converting the strain generated when the operating lever (1) is tilted into an electric signal to derive the electric signal. . 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the operation lever (1) is made of a light-transmissive material, and a light source (4) is provided at a base end portion (11) thereof. Multi-directional tilt switch. 3. The invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation lever (1) has a plurality of tilting operation positions, and the strain sensor (31, 32) is operated by each operation of the operation lever (1). Multidirectional tilt switch characterized by setting the number corresponding to the position.