JPH11288644A - Switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily confirm a pushing operation even if the stroke of the operation of pushing a push plate is small. SOLUTION: The distance from the part of a lever 8 supported against a lower case 3 to the part of the lever 8 elastically deforming an elastic member 9 is greater than the distance from the part of the lever 8 supported against the lower case 3 to the part of the lever 8 connected to a push plate 7. As result, even if the stroke of the operation of pushing the push plate 7 is small, the tilting stroke of the lever 8 needed for the lever 8 to elastically deform the elastic member 9 is so large as to ensure the elastic deformation of the elastic member 9 to easily confirm the operation of pushing the push plate 7; that is, even if the stroke of the operation of pushing the push plate 7 is small, the pushing operation can be easily confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switch device for constructing a predetermined circuit by pushing a push plate, and more particularly to a modest feeling of the push operation even if the push stroke of the push plate is small. The present invention relates to a switch device obtained in (1).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of this type of switch device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-212875. The switch device includes a hollow case having an opening, a fixed contact and a movable contact disposed in the case, and a push plate attached to the opening of the case so as to be able to be pushed in a plurality of directions. The movable contact is connected to the fixed contact by pushing the push plate, and a predetermined circuit is configured. The above-described switch device is used as a switch device for tilting the mirror surface of the left side door mirror or the mirror surface of the right side door mirror up, down, left and right, or a switch device for tilting the handle up, down, front and back. The above-mentioned switch device tends to be compact.

[0003]

However, when the above-mentioned conventional switch device is made compact, the push operation stroke of the push plate becomes small, and there is a problem that a feeling of moderation of the push operation cannot be sufficiently obtained.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch device capable of sufficiently providing a sense of moderation of a push operation even when a push operation stroke of a push plate is small.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a case in which a lever is tiltably supported by a case, and the lever is tilted by a push plate in conjunction with a push operation of the push plate. An elastic member for imparting a sense of moderation is interposed between the lever and the push plate or the case, from a position where the lever is supported by the case to a position where the lever elastically deforms the elastic member. Is greater than a distance from a position where the lever is supported by the case to a position where the lever is connected to the push plate.

As a result, in the switch device of the present invention, the lever is tilted in conjunction with the push operation of the push plate and the elastic member for imparting the sense of elasticity is elastically deformed. The Rukoto. At this time, the distance from the position where the lever is supported by the case to the position where the lever elastically deforms the elastic member is larger than the distance from the position where the lever is supported by the case to the position where the lever is connected to the push plate. Therefore, even if the push operation stroke of the push plate is small, the lever has a large tilting stroke for the lever to elastically deform the elastic member. Is given a sense of moderation to the push operation. That is,
Even if the push operation stroke of the push plate is small, a sufficient moderation of the push operation can be obtained.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Two embodiments of a switch device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the switch device of the present invention. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views of the components of the switch device of the present invention. The arrow A in FIG. 4 is continuous with the arrow B in FIG. Be composed. In this example, an example in which the left and right mirror surfaces of an electric remote control mirror for a vehicle are tilted up, down, left and right will be described.

In this embodiment, the four directions are an X direction and a Y direction, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the X direction is a direction of a line connecting the center of the left side and the center of the right side of the push plate 7 having a substantially square shape when the switch device of the present invention is viewed from a plane. The Y direction is a direction of a line connecting the center of the upper side and the center of the lower side of the push plate 7, which is substantially square, as viewed in a plan view, as shown in FIG. It is. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the central axis ZZ is an axis that is perpendicular to the push plate 7 and passes through the center of the push plate 7 (the four directions, that is, the intersection points between the X direction and the Y direction). .

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1, 2, and 3 denote an upper case (housing), an inner case, and a lower case (bottom plate) which constitute a case of the switch device of the present invention. The upper case 1 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin (made of ABS resin) and has a hollow shape with an open lower surface 11. An opening 10 having a substantially square shape is formed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the upper case 1. This opening 10
The walls 12 are integrally provided on the lower surfaces of the four sides. The wall 12 is engaged with a flange 70 of the push plate 7, which will be described later, to regulate the push operation direction of the push plate 7 in four directions, and serves as a branch line when the push plate 7 tilts during the push operation. Things.

The inner case 2 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin (ABS resin), has a low height, and has a hollow shape with an open lower surface 21. A large cylindrical portion 20 is integrally provided at the center of the upper surface of the inner case 2 in the center axis Z-Z direction, and four directions of the upper surface of the inner case 2 centered on the large cylindrical portion 20. Above, 4
The small cylindrical portion 22 of the book is provided integrally. The inner case 2 is mounted on an electric circuit board 4 described later and is fixed in the upper case 1.

The lower case 3 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin (ABS resin) and has a plate shape. At substantially the center of the upper surface of the lower case 3, a support shaft 30 is provided with a central axis Z-.
They are provided integrally in the Z direction. The tip (upper end) of the support shaft 30 has a hemispherical shape. The outer case 3 is fixed to the lower opening 11 of the upper case 1 described above. As a result, the lower opening 11 of the upper case 1 is closed, and the upper case 1, the inner case 2 and the lower case 1 are closed. The case 3 forms a hollow case.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an electric circuit board as a base. The electric circuit board 4 is constituted by a printed circuit board (PCB). At a substantially center of the electric circuit board 4, a circular through hole 41 is provided in the center axis Z-Z direction. The fixed contact 40 is provided on the upper surface of the electric circuit board 4 in four directions around the circular through hole 41.
Are arranged respectively. The electric circuit board 4 is fixed in the upper case 1 so as to face the inner case 2. The fixed contact 40 of the electric circuit board 4 is electrically connected to a power supply by a connector (not shown) or the like.

In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes a rubber contact. The rubber contact 5 is made of an elastic and insulating material such as silicon rubber, for example, and has a substantially square plate shape. At a substantially center of the rubber contact 5, a circular through hole 51 is provided in the center axis ZZ direction. In addition, among the rubber contacts 5, the circular through holes 51 are formed.
The flexible portions 52 are provided integrally in four directions around the center. A movable contact 50 is arranged on the inner surface of the flexible portion 52. The movable contact 50 is formed by fixing a conductive member separate from the rubber contact 5 to the rubber contact 5 or by providing a conductive material integrally with the rubber contact 5. The rubber contact 5 is fixed on the electric circuit board 4 described above, and as a result, the fixed contact 40 and the movable contact 50 are opposed to each other.

In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes an actuator.
The actuator 6 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin,
It is almost small cylindrical. The actuator 6 is housed in the small cylindrical portion 22 of the inner case 2 so as to be slidable in the axial direction (vertical direction), and is interposed between a push plate 7 described below and the rubber contact 5 described above. Have been. That is, the upper end of the actuator 6 contacts the lower surface of the push plate 7, and the lower end of the actuator 6 contacts the upper surface of the flexible portion 52 of the rubber contact 5.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a push plate. The push plate 7 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, has a low height, and has a hollow shape with an open lower surface. The push plate 7 is slightly smaller than the upper surface opening 10 of the upper case 1 when viewed from a plane. It has a square shape with four chamfers. A flange 70 is integrally provided on four side surfaces of the push plate 3. The flange portion 70 engages with the wall 12 to regulate the push operation direction of the push plate 7 in four directions, and serves as a branch line when the push plate 7 tilts during the push operation. Near the center of the lower surface of the push plate 7,
The cylindrical portion 71 is provided integrally in the central axis Z-Z direction. The distal end (lower end) of the cylindrical portion 71 has a cylindrical portion 7
Slits 72 for connection are respectively provided in four directions around 1. Also, a convex portion 73 is formed on the lower surface of the push plate 7 in four directions around the cylindrical portion 71.
Are provided integrally. Further, small hemispherical convex portions 74 are provided on the upper surface of the push plate 7 in four directions around the cylindrical portion 71 and at positions corresponding to the above-mentioned convex portions 73, respectively.

The push plate 7 is formed in such a manner that the flange 70 of the push plate 7 is engaged with the wall 12 of the upper case 1 by an elastic member 9 described later, so that the opening 10 of the upper case 1 is not loose. It is mounted so that it can be pushed in the direction. Also, this push plate 7
The cylindrical portion 71 of the inner case 2
0 and the circular through hole 51 of the rubber contact 5 and the circular through hole 41 of the electric circuit board 4. Further, the lower surfaces of the four protrusions 73 of the push plate 7 are in contact with the upper ends of the four actuators 6.

In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a lever. The lever 8 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and has a small cylindrical shape. One end surface (lower end surface) of the lever 8 has a support recess 8
0 is provided. The support recess 80 has a conical shape, and has a hemispherical bottom. Also,
Four connecting projections 81 are provided on the side surface of the lever 8.
It is provided integrally in the direction. The projection 81 has a small cylindrical diameter shape. Further, a convex portion 82 having a conical shape is integrally provided on the other end surface (upper end surface) of the lever 8.

The support recess 80 of the lever 8 is fitted to the support shaft 30 of the lower case 3 so that the lever 8 is tiltably supported by the lower case 3. The four projections 81 of the lever 8 are loosely fitted into the four slits 72 of the push plate 7 described above, so that the lever 8
Is connected to the push plate 7 so as to be tilted in conjunction with the push operation.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 9 denotes an elastic member for imparting a sense of moderation. The elastic member 9 is made of, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 9 is provided with the above-described push plate 7.
Between the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 71 and the convex portion 82 of the lever 8 in a compressed state. As a result, the cylindrical portion 71, the lever 8, and the elastic member 9 of the push plate 7 are located on the same center axis ZZ. Further, the push plate 7 is attached to the upper case 1 so as to be able to push in four directions without leaning, and the lever 8 is attached to the lower case 3 so as to be tiltable in four directions. The elastic member 9 imparts a sense of moderation to the push operation of the push plate 7 by the lever 8 being interlockingly tilted and elastically deformed by the push operation of the push plate 7.

Then, the lever 8 is moved from a position where the lever 8 is supported by the lower case 3 (the center of the upper end of the hemispherical shape of the support shaft 30 and the center of the hemispherical bottom of the support concave portion 80; Is a distance T to a portion where the elastic member 9 is elastically deformed (a portion where the convex portion 82 and the inside of the coil spring come into contact, hereinafter referred to as an elastic change portion) D
1 is a distance T2 from the above-mentioned support point C to a point E where the lever 8 is connected to the push plate 7 (a part where the slit 72 and the projection 81 are loosely fitted, hereinafter referred to as a connection point). Is big. As a result, the amount of tilt movement of the convex portion 82 of the lever 8 is equal to the distance T2 with respect to the above-described distance T2.
Thus, the push operation stroke of the push plate 7 can be converted into a larger tilting movement amount of the projection 82 of the lever 8.

The switch device of the present invention according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described below. First, the normal state (neutral state)
It is in the state shown in FIG. In this normal state, as shown in FIG. 6, one of four directions of the push plate 7 is pushed in the direction of arrow F. Then
The push plate 7 is moved in the push operation direction F with the engagement point G between the flange 70 on the opposite side of the push operation of the push plate 7 and the wall 12 of the upper case 1 as a branch line.
Starts to tilt in the same direction (counterclockwise). With the tilting of the push plate 7, the connection point E between the push plate 7 and the lever 8 moves in the direction of the arrow H in the same direction as the push operation direction F. Then, the protrusion 82 of the lever 8 starts to interlock and tilt in the direction of the arrow I in a direction (clockwise) opposite to the push operation direction F with the support point C as a fulcrum. At this time,
The lower end side of the elastic member 9 is tilted in the same direction as the tilt direction I of the lever 8, and the axis of the elastic member 9 is slightly shifted from the center axis Z-Z. On the other hand, the actuator 6 corresponding to the place where the push operation of the push plate 7 is pushed is pushed down, and the push plate 7
The flexible portion 52 corresponding to the position where the push operation is performed is bent.

Then, when the push plate 7 is
When it is further tilted in the push operation direction F as a branch line,
As shown in FIG. 7, the flexible portion 52 of the rubber contact 5 is completely bent, and the fixed contact 40 on the electric circuit board 4 and the movable contact 50 on the rubber contact 5 are electrically connected to each other, so that a predetermined circuit is formed. Be composed. On the other hand, the lever 8 is largely interlocked and tilted in the direction I opposite to the push operation direction F with the support point C as a fulcrum. Along with this, the elastic member 9 is elastically deformed into a large V shape in the direction I opposite to the push operation direction F. When the elastic member 9 is elastically deformed, a moderation is given to the push operation of the push plate 7.

At this time, an elastically deformed portion D between the lever 8 and the elastic member 9 is moved from a support portion C between the lever 8 and the lower case 3.
The distance T1 from the supporting point C between the lever 8 and the lower case 3 to the connecting point E between the lever 8 and the push plate 7
Is greater than the distance T2 to the lever 8, even if the push operation stroke of the push plate 7 is small.
However, the tilting stroke of the lever 8 for elastically deforming the elastic member 9 is large, whereby the elastic member 9 is surely elastically deformed, and the push operation of the push plate 7 is given a sense of moderation. That is, even if the push operation stroke of the push plate 7 is small, a sufficient sense of moderation of the push operation can be obtained. The above-described operation is similarly performed in the push operation of the push plate 7 in the other three places in the four directions.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the elastic member 9 as the moderating means is constituted by a coil spring made of metal, the following operation and effect can also be achieved. That is, the flexible portion 52 of the rubber contact 5 does not need to have a moderation-imparting function, so that the low-cost rubber contact 5 can be used.
Further, since the metal coil spring is provided with a moderation-imparting function, the thickness of the flexible portion 52 of the rubber contact 5 can be reduced, and the fluctuation of the push operation load of the push plate 7 due to a temperature change can be reduced. It can stabilize moderation at low and high temperatures. Further, the adjustment of the push operation load of the push plate 7 may be performed only on the metal coil spring side, and it is not necessary to adjust the load on the flexible portion 52 side of the rubber contact 5, so that excessive adjustment is easy.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the first embodiment of the switch device of the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 7 denote the same components. A support shaft 83 is provided at a lower end of the lever 8. The tip (lower end) of the support shaft 83 has a hemispherical shape. In addition, a base is provided integrally at substantially the center of the upper surface of the lower case 3, and a support recess 31 is provided on the upper surface of the base. The support recess 31 has a conical shape, and has a hemispherical bottom. When the support shaft 83 of the lever 8 is fitted into the support recess 31 of the lower case 3, the lever 8 is supported by the lower case 3 in a tiltable manner. This modification can achieve the same operation and effect as those of the above-described first embodiment.

FIGS. 9 to 13 show a second embodiment of the switch device of the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 denote the same components. In this example, an example in which the left and right mirror surfaces of an electric remote control mirror for a vehicle are tilted up, down, left and right will be described.

A support shaft 32 is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface of the lower case 3. The support shaft 32 has a square prism shape. On the other hand, a support concave portion 84 is provided on the end surface of the lower end of the lever 8 in a cross shape. This support recess 8
Reference numeral 4 denotes a square pyramid, the bottom of which has a cross shape.

Since the switch device of the present invention in this embodiment has the above-described configuration, when the push plate 7 is pushed, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the flexible portion 52 of the rubber contact 5 is moved. The movable contact 50 and the fixed contact 40 are bent to form a predetermined circuit. On the other hand, one side of the support shaft 32 of the lower case 3 and one side of the support concave portion 84 of the lever 8 contact each other. With the position C as a branch line, the lever 8 is interlocked and tilted, and the elastic member 9 is elastically deformed, thereby giving a sense of moderation. At this time, the position C where the tilting of the lever 8 is supported is a line contact between one side of the supporting shaft 32 and one side of the supporting concave portion 84 that are in contact with each other, so that the tilting of the lever 8 is stabilized.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the second embodiment of the switch device of the present invention. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 13 denote the same components. A support shaft 85 having a square prism shape is provided at the lower end of the lever 8. This support shaft 85
Has a square shape. A support plate having a cross shape is integrally provided substantially at the center of the upper surface of the lower case 3, and a support recess 33 is provided on the upper surface of the support plate.
Is provided. The support recess 33 has a square pyramid shape, and a bottom portion having a cross shape.
This modified example can achieve the same operation and effects as those of the above-described second embodiment.

In the above-described second embodiment and its modifications, the support recesses 84 and 33 may be conical, and the bottom may be circular. in this case,
The adjacent two corners of the support shafts 32 and 85 have a conical support recess 8.
4 and 33, the lever 8 is interlockingly tilted with the line connecting the two contact points as a branch line of the support point C, so that the tilting stability of the lever 8 can be obtained.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the push operation direction of the push plate 1 is set to four directions. However, the switch device of the present invention is a two-way switch device or The present invention can be applied to other multidirectional switch devices.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the lever 8 is tilted in conjunction with the push operation direction F of the push plate 7 in the opposite direction I. It may be one that interlocks and tilts in the same direction as the push operation direction F. In this case, the lever 8 is supported by the case on the push plate 7 side so as to be tilted in the same direction as the push operation direction F of the push plate 7, while the elastic member 9 is opposite to the lever 8 and the push plate 7. It will be interposed between the case on the side.

In the above-described embodiment, the switch device of the present invention is used as a switch for tilting the left and right mirror surfaces of an electric remote control mirror for an automobile in the vertical and horizontal directions. May be used for other switches.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, in the switch device of the present invention, the distance from the position where the lever is supported by the case to the position where the lever elastically deforms the elastic member is the position where the lever is supported by the case. Is larger than the distance from the point where the lever is connected to the push plate,
Even if the push operation stroke of the push plate is small, the lever has a large tilting stroke for the elastic member to elastically deform the elastic member. Moderation will be imparted. That is, even if the push operation stroke of the push plate is small, a sufficient sense of moderation of the push operation can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an upper case, a push plate, and an inner case.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator, a rubber contact, an electric circuit board, an elastic member, a lever, and a lower case.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view when a push operation of a push plate is started.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view when the push operation of the push plate is completed.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a lever and a lower case showing a second embodiment of the switch device of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view when a push operation of a push plate is started.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view when the push operation of the push plate is completed.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modification of the second embodiment of the switch device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Upper case, 10 ... Opening, 11 Lower surface, 12 ... Wall,
2 ... inner case, 20 ... large cylindrical part, 21 ... lower surface, 2
2 ... small cylindrical part, 3 ... lower case, 30, 32 ... support shaft,
31, 33: Support recess, 4: Electric circuit board, 40: Fixed contact, 41: Circular through hole, 5: Rubber contact, 50:
Movable contact, 51: circular through hole, 52: flexible part, 6: actuator, 7: push plate, 70: flange, 71 ...
Cylindrical part, 72: slit, 73: convex part, 74: convex part, 8
... Lever, 80, 84 ... Support recess, 81 ... Protrusion, 82 ...
Protrusions, 83, 85: Support shaft, 9: Elastic member, C: Support location, D: Elastic deformation location, E: Connection location, F: Push operation direction, G: Engagement location, H: Movement direction, I ... Tilting direction,
ZZ: central axis; T1: distance from the support location to the elastically deformed location; T2: distance from the support location to the connection location.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A hollow case having an opening, a fixed contact and a movable contact disposed in the case, and a push plate attached to the opening of the case so as to be push-operable in a plurality of directions. And by pushing the push plate,
A switch device in which the movable contact is connected to the fixed contact to form a predetermined circuit. The switch device is tiltably supported by the case, and is connected to the push plate so as to tilt in conjunction with a push operation of the push plate. The lever is interposed between the lever and the push plate or the case, and the push operation of the push plate causes the lever to interlock and tilt and elastically deform, thereby giving a sense of moderation to the push operation of the push plate. An elastic member for imparting a sense of moderation, and a distance from a position where the lever is supported by the case to a position where the lever elastically deforms the elastic member is:
The switch device, wherein a distance from a position where the lever is supported by the case to a position where the lever is connected to the push plate is larger. 2. The lever is supported by the case on the opposite side of the push plate so as to tilt in a direction opposite to a push operation direction of the push plate, and the elastic member includes the lever and the lever. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is interposed between the switch device and the push plate. 3. The push plate according to claim 2, wherein the lever is supported by the case on the push plate side so as to tilt in conjunction with a push operation direction of the push plate, and the elastic member includes the lever and the push plate. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is interposed between the case and the case on the opposite side. 4. The fixed contact is disposed on an electric circuit board fixed in the case, and the movable contact is disposed on a rubber contact opposed to the fixed contact and fixed in the case. An actuator for transmitting a push operation of the push plate to the movable contact is interposed between the rubber contact on the movable contact side and the push plate. 4. The switch device according to 1 or 2 or 3.