WO2022064886A1

WO2022064886A1 - Switch device

Info

Publication number: WO2022064886A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/029549
Authority: WO
Inventors: 元哉竹内
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2021-08-10
Publication date: 2022-03-31
Also published as: JP2022052455A; JP7428620B2

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a knob 10 that has a detection electrode 31 for detecting an operation of an operator and a terminal electrode 32 for outputting an electric signal of the detection electrode 31; a housing 20 that swingably supports the knob 10; an elastic electric connection body 40 that has elasticity to provide a biasing force to the terminal electrode 32 and is electrically connected in contact with the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10; and a control unit 70 that detects the capacitance of the detection electrode 31.

Description

Switch device

Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-158868 filed on September 23, 2020, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-158868 are incorporated by reference in this application. do.

The present invention relates to a switch device.

There is a switch device for operating a power window having a knob operated by an operating body and a housing for supporting the knob (for example, Patent Document 1).

This switch device includes an electrode provided inside the knob for detecting contact with the operating body, connected to the electrode, and a control unit for detecting contact with the operating body with the knob from a change in the capacitance of the electrode. Then, the control unit outputs a control signal for operating the power window when it detects that the operating body touches the knob.

As a result, the control unit can output a control signal for operating the power window when the operating body detects contact with the operation unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a switch device capable of operating the power window without using the switch element and reducing the number of knobs and switch elements.

JP-A-2015-109212

In the switch device shown in Patent Document 1, the electrode is formed of a metal foil such as copper on a flexible film substrate made of polyimide or the like, and has a connection portion electrically connected to the electrode. There is. Then, this connection portion bends each time the knob is operated. Therefore, there is a problem of reliability of the electrical connection.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch device having excellent reliability of electrical connection.

The switch device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a knob having a detection electrode for detecting an operator's operation and a terminal electrode for outputting an electric signal of the detection electrode, a housing for swingably supporting the knob, and a terminal. It has an elastic electric connection body that has elasticity to give an urging force to the electrode and is electrically connected in contact with the terminal electrode of the knob, and a control unit that detects the electrostatic capacity of the detection electrode.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a switch device having excellent reliability of electrical connection.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the driver's seat when the switch device according to the first embodiment is mounted on the armrest of the driver's seat door of the vehicle. FIG. 2A is a front view showing the structure of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2A showing the structure of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2A illustrating a unit of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2A illustrating a unit of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of pulling up the knob in the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of pulling down the knob in the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the knob operation of the switch device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the contact point between the knob of the switch device and the elastic connection body according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a front view showing the structure of the switch device according to the second embodiment. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 9A showing the structure of the switch device according to the second embodiment. 9C is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9B showing the structure of the switch device according to the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the driver's seat when the switch device according to the first embodiment is mounted on the armrest of the driver's seat door of the vehicle. 2A and 2B are explanatory views showing the structure of the switch device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the switch device according to the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are sectional views illustrating a unit of the switch device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2A. It is a cross-sectional view.

The switch device 1 is mounted on the vehicle 100 and can function as a switch device for receiving an operation on a device to be controlled, and can be applied to various devices. In the present embodiment, the device mounted on the vehicle 100 and to be controlled will be described as, for example, a window glass opening / closing device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switch device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the armrest 80 of the driver's door 85 of the vehicle 100. Then, the switch device 1 controls the window glass opening / closing device to open / close the left and right windows of the front seat and the rear seat of the vehicle.

(Overall configuration of switch device 1)
2A and 2B are overall configuration views of the switch device 1. The switch device 1 includes a knob 10 housed in a housing 20 and swingably supported. The knob 10 has a front knob 10F for operating the first operation position (the driver's seat side window and the passenger seat side window of the front seat of the vehicle) and the second operation position (the left and right windows on the rear seat side of the vehicle). There is a rear knob 10R for operating. Further, the switch device 1 includes an elastic electric connection body 40 supported by the main body 60, a swing operation detection sensor 50, and a control unit 70 mounted on a circuit board 75.

Further, the switch device 1 includes a detection electrode 31 that detects the operation of the operator on the knob 10, a terminal electrode 32 that outputs an electric signal of the detection electrode, and an electrode of the terminal electrode 32 that is electrically connected to the detection electrode 31. 30 is on the knob 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the left and right detection electrodes 31 of the front knob 10F and the rear knob 10R are electrically connected to the control unit 70 via the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40. Further, the swing operation detection sensor 50 is electrically connected to the control unit 70. The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the window opening / closing drive unit.

(Knob 10)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the knob 10 includes a front knob 10F and a rear knob 10R, but the basic configuration is the same although there are differences in shape for the following purposes and the like.

That is, for the purpose of easily recognizing which of the front and rear knobs 10 is being operated by the operator (driver), the front knob 10F and the rear knob 10R of the knob 10 have the front knob 10F as the rear knob. It is provided so as to be at a position lower than 10R. Further, for the purpose of facilitating the operation space of the rear knob 10R and facilitating the operation of the rear knob 10R, the front knob 10F has a recess 14 formed between the rear knobs 10R.

Therefore, the structure will be described below, assuming that the front knob 10F and the rear knob 10R are the same, and the front knob 10F is the knob 10. Further, the elastic electric connection body 40, the swing operation detection sensor 50, and the main body 60 arranged on the lower side of the knob 10 have the same specifications in the front portion and the rear portion, and will be described in the same manner.

The knob 10 is made of synthetic resin and is composed of a decorative body 11 having a metal film formed by plating and a non-decorative body 12 having no metal film formed. The decorative body 11 and the non-decorative body 12 are fitted and integrated.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the knob 10 is formed in a symmetrical shape on the left and right sides by integrating the knobs for operating the right side and the left side, respectively. The knob 10 is formed by forming an outline shape by the non-decorative body 12, and the two non-decorative bodies 12 are arranged so as not to be symmetrically in contact with each other on the left and right sides of the knob 10.

The knob 10 has a shape in which the central portion in the left-right direction of the vehicle protrudes in front of the vehicle. As a result, the operator can easily recognize the right side or the left side by the tactile sensation of the shape in which the central portion protrudes in front of the vehicle when the finger is brought into contact with the knob 10.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the knob 10 has a side operation portion 10a on the side surface in front of the vehicle, which is an operation surface for facilitating the operation of pulling up the knob 10 with a finger, and a knob on the upper surface above the vehicle with a finger. An upper surface operation portion 10b, which is an operation surface for facilitating the pushing-down operation of the ten, is formed.

The decorative body 11 forms an upper side of the side surface operating portion 10a of the knob 10, a vehicle front portion of the upper surface operating portion 10b, and a lower surface portion 11d that is not exposed to the operator side of the knob 10. The undecorated body 12 forms a lower side of the side surface operating portion 10a of the knob 10, a vehicle rear portion of the upper surface operating portion 10b, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the undecorated body 12 has a moderation mountain 12e of the knob 10 having two conical surfaces having different inclinations on the lower surface of the left and right central portion of the knob 10 which is not exposed to the operator side. , 12f are formed. Further, in the non-decorative body 12, swing transmission portions 12g are formed before and after the moderation peaks 12e and 12f, respectively.

(Case 20)
The housing 20 is made of synthetic resin and houses the switch device 1 as shown in FIG. 2B. In the housing 20, the upper surface 21 serves as a frame around the knob 10, and the knob 10 is housed so that a part of the knob 10 is exposed to the operator side, and the knob 10 is swingably supported.

The rotation center of the swing of the knob 10 is the height of the lower surface portion 11d of the decorative body 11 as shown in FIG. 4A, and from the moderation peaks 12e and 12f of the non-decorative body 12 as shown in FIG. 4B. It is the lower height. Note that FIGS. 4A and 4B show the knob 10 in a neutral state in which the knob 10 is not swung. The knob 10 in the neutral state is in a stable state and its position is fixed by the moderation mechanism described later. Further, the housing 20 has a recess 23 in front of the knob 10 to facilitate the operation space of the front knob 10F.

(Electrode 30)
The electrode 30 is a plated metal film formed on the decorative body 11. As shown in FIG. 4A, the detection electrode 31 and the terminal electrode 32 are formed at a position where the decorative body 11 is fitted in the knob 10 in which the decorative body 11 is fitted and integrated with the non-decorative body 12. Has been done.

The detection electrodes 31 are formed on the upper side of the side surface operating portion 10a of the knob 10 and on the vehicle front portion of the upper surface operating portion 10b. Further, the terminal electrode 32 is formed on the lower surface portion 11d of the decorative body 11 which is not exposed to the operator side of the knob 10. The lower surface portion 11d is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle. The detection electrode 31 and the terminal electrode 32 are formed in a state of being electrically connected.

The detection electrode 31 is an electrode that detects the capacitance that changes when the operator operates the switch device 1 by touching or approaching the detection electrode 31 with a finger. Further, the terminal electrode 32 is an electrode as a terminal for outputting the electric signal of the detection electrode 31 from the knob 10.

The knob 10 may be provided with an electrode 30 by partial plating. According to the plated electrode 30, the restriction on the shape of the knob 10 on which the electrode can be formed can be reduced, which leads to an improvement in the degree of freedom in the design shape of the knob 10 and an improvement in detection performance. However, in order to partially plate the knob 10, it takes time and effort to mask the three-dimensional shape. In addition, there is a concern about quality problems such as variations in the plating range depending on the masking accuracy.

On the other hand, the knob 10 does not require a masking process for partial plating by forming a decorative body 11 on which the electrode 30 is formed and a non-decorative body 12 on which the electrode 30 is not formed, instead of a single member configuration. Can be done.

That is, the portion where the decorative body 11 is exposed to the operator side is the portion where the electrode 30 of the knob 10 is formed. In this configuration, the electrodes 30 may be formed at the required positions of the decorative body 11, and for example, the entire decorative body 11 may be plated. Therefore, even if the number of parts is increased, the electrode can be easily formed on the knob 10. Further, since the decorative body 11 can be integrated only by fitting it into the non-decorative body 12, the electrode can be easily formed on the knob 10. Further, since the plated range of the knob 10 is the range of the decorative body 11 on which the electrode 30 is formed, it is possible to obtain an electrode of stable quality.

(Elastic electrical connection body 40)
The elastic electrical connection body 40 is composed of a metal ball 41 such as carbon steel or stainless steel and a metal spring 42 such as a copper alloy. The elastic electrical connection body 40 is an elastic member that electrically connects the terminal electrode 32 and the circuit board 75 in response to the operation of the knob 10. The metal ball 41 may have a spherical tip and a cylindrical spring 42 side. Further, the end portion of the spring 42 may be silver-plated or gold-plated.

(Elastic body 45 for moderation mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 4B, the elastic body 45 for a moderation mechanism is composed of a pusher 46 made of a metal such as carbon steel or stainless steel, and a spring 47 made of a metal such as a copper alloy. The pusher 46 has a hemispherical tip and a cylindrical spring 42 side. The elastic body 45 for a moderation mechanism is an elastic member that gives a feeling of operation when the knob 10 is operated in combination with the moderation peaks 12e and 12f of the knob 10.

(Swing operation detection sensor 50)
The swing operation detection sensor 50 is a switch that outputs an on / off signal by a pulling operation and a pushing operation of the knob 10. The swing operation detection sensor 50 may be a detection sensor that outputs an analog output or a digital output corresponding to the pulling operation amount and the pushing operation amount.

(Main body 60)
The main body 60 is made of synthetic resin and has a shape for accommodating and holding an elastic electric connection body 40, an elastic body 45 for a moderation mechanism, and a swing operation detection sensor 50. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, holes in the vertical direction are provided at the respective storage holding positions.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the through hole 61 of the main body 60 houses and holds the elastic electrical connection body 40, the sphere 41 is on the terminal electrode 32 side, the spring 42 is on the circuit board 75 side, and the terminal electrode of the knob 10 is used. An elastic electrical connection body 40 is arranged between 32 and the circuit board 75. At this time, the elastic electrical connection body 40 is arranged between the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 and the circuit board 75 in a state shorter than the natural length. That is, the terminal electrode 32 and the circuit board 75 are in a state where the urging force by the spring 42 is applied.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the hole 62 of the main body 60 houses and holds the elastic body 45 for the moderation mechanism, the pusher 46 is on the

moderation peak

12e and 12f side of the knob 10, and the spring 47 is the hole 62 of the main body 60. As the bottom side, the elastic body 45 for the moderation mechanism is arranged at the lower part of the knob 10. At this time, the elastic body 45 for the moderation mechanism is arranged between the moderation peaks 12e and 12f of the knob 10 and the bottom of the hole 62 of the main body 60 in a state shorter than the natural length. That is, the moderation peaks 12e and 12f are in a state where the urging force by the spring 47 is applied. The urging force of the spring 47 is stronger than the urging force of the spring 42. Then, the knob 10 is in a neutral state determined by the urging force of the spring 47 unless an external force from an operator or the like is applied.

A lubricant is applied to the region where the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 are in contact with each other, and the region where the moderation peaks 12e and 12f are in contact with the elastic body 45 for the moderation mechanism. Even if the lubricant is non-conductive, the electric conductivity between the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 is maintained because the urging force is applied by the spring 42.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the through hole 63 of the main body 60 houses and holds the swing operation detection sensor 50, and the swing operation detection sensor 50 is placed between the swing transmission portion 12 g of the knob 10 and the circuit board 75. It is arranged.

(Control unit 70)
The control unit 70 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on the acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a semiconductor memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. Equipped with a microcomputer. Further, a current driver or the like for driving the window glass opening / closing device can be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 70 is electrically connected to the detection electrode 31 via the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40. Further, the control unit 70 is electrically connected to the swing operation detection sensor 50. The control unit 70 is electrically connected to the window opening / closing drive unit.

Capacitance values C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ , and C ₄ of the respective electrodes detected by the detection electrodes 31 (31FR, 31FL, 31RR, 31RL) corresponding to the front, rear, left, and right windows are input to the control unit 70. Will be done. Then, the control unit 70 detects this. Further, the rocking operation detection sensor 50 inputs detection information S ₅ and S ₆ for pulling up and pushing down the front and rear knobs 10 (10F and 10R) to the control unit 70.

Further, the control unit 70 receives these input signals and outputs the control signal S ₁₀ to the predetermined window opening / closing drive unit according to a predetermined program to control the opening / closing of the window of the vehicle.

(Operation of switch device 1)
5A and 5B are operation explanatory views of the knob of the switch device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is a pulling operation, and FIG. 5B is a pushing operation. FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the operation of the knob of the switch device according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 6A to 6D are explanatory views when the positions of the rotation axes of the knobs are different from each other. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the switch device according to the first embodiment.

When the operator touches or brings his finger close to the knob 10 for operation, the control unit 70 detects the capacitance information of the detection electrode 31 via the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40. .. For example, when the operator touches or approaches the detection electrode 31FL on the left side of the front knob 10F, the control unit 70 detects the capacitance detection information S2 of the detection electrode _31FL in which the change has occurred, as shown in FIG. do.

Next, when the operator pulls up the knob 10, the knob 10 swings clockwise as shown in FIG. 5A. Further, when the operator presses the knob 10, the knob 10 swings counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 5B. Then, the swing operation detection sensor 50 detects the pull-up operation amount and the push-down operation amount due to being pushed by the swing transmission unit 12g of the knob 10, and outputs this detection information. The control unit 70 detects this detection information. For example, when the operator pulls up the left side of the front knob 10F, the swing operation detection sensor 50 detects the amount of operation by the front knob 10F. Then, as shown in FIG. ₃ , the control unit 70 detects the operation information S5 of the swing operation detection sensor 50F corresponding to the front knob 10F.

Then, in the swinging operation in the pulling operation and the pushing down operation of the knob 10, the contact point between the knob 10 and the elastic electric connection body 40 does not move much, and a stable connection is maintained. Further, as described below, the rotation center of the swing of the knob 10 is the height of the lower surface portion 11d of the decorative body 11, that is, the radius of the sphere 41 from the uppermost portion of the sphere 41 of the elastic electrical connection body 40. A stable connection can be maintained even in the range from a slightly higher position (position on the terminal electrode 32 side) to a position lower by the diameter of the sphere 41 (position on the spring 41 side).

6A to 6D are enlarged views of the vicinity of the contact point between the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 and the elastic electrical connection body 40, and the alternate long and short dash line is the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 before the swing operation (in this state). Sphere 41 is not shown). The solid line is the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 after the swing operation and the ball 41 of the elastic electrical connection body 40. The Z-axis is a vertical axis of the vehicle that passes through the central portion of the elastic electrical connection body 40. 6A to 6D are explanatory views when the height of the rotation center position of the swing of the knob 10 is changed (sequentially changed by the radius of the sphere 41).

6A to 6D are in the same state when the knob 10 is not swung. That is, the terminal electrode 32 is located at a position perpendicular to the vertical direction of the vehicle. The sphere 41 is below the terminal electrode 32. The contact position: P0 between the terminal electrode 32 and the ball 41 of the elastic electrical connection body 40 before the operation is the uppermost portion of the ball 41.

When the operator swings the knob 10, the knob 10 is tilted and the terminal electrode 32 is tilted about the point 0. Then, the contact position: P1 between the terminal electrode 32 and the ball 41 of the elastic electrical connection body 40 after the operation moves according to the inclination of the terminal electrode 32. That is, the sphere 41 moves in the vertical direction not restricted by the main body 60, and the contact position of the sphere 41 with the terminal electrode 32 moves from the uppermost portion of the sphere 41 along the circumference of the sphere 41.

For example, the operator pulls up the knob 10 and tilts the knob 10 clockwise by an angle: θ. In the case of FIG. 6B, the rotation center of the swing of the knob 10: point 0 coincides with the contact position before the operation: P0. Therefore, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted clockwise at an angle of θ with respect to the contact position: P0 before the operation. Then, along with the slight downward movement of the sphere 41, there is a movement of the contact position by a clockwise angle: θ along the circumference of the sphere 41. Then, the contact position: P1 in the swing operation is a position slightly lower right from the contact position: P0 before the swing operation.

In the case of FIG. 6C, the rotation center: point 0 is a position below the contact position: P0 by the radius of the sphere 41 before the operation. Therefore, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted clockwise by an angle: θ with respect to the center of the sphere 41 before the operation. Then, the sphere 41 does not move, and the contact position in the swing operation: P1 is a position moved clockwise by an angle: θ along the circumference of the sphere 41.

In the case of FIG. 6D, the center of rotation: point 0 is a position below the contact position: P0 by the diameter of the sphere 41 before the operation. Therefore, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted clockwise by an angle: θ with respect to this position. Then, along with the slight upward movement of the sphere 41, there is a movement of the contact position by a clockwise angle: θ along the circumference of the sphere 41. Then, the contact position: P1 in the swing operation is a position slightly to the right of the contact position: P0 before the swing operation.

In the case of FIG. 6A, the center of rotation: point 0 is a position on the radius of the sphere 41 from the contact position before the operation: P0. Therefore, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted clockwise by an angle: θ with respect to this position. Then, along with the downward movement of the sphere 41, there is a movement of the contact position by a clockwise angle: θ along the circumference of the sphere 41. Then, the contact position: P1 in the swing operation is a position in the lower right direction from the contact position: P0 before the swing operation. It should be noted that FIGS. 6A to 6D are enlarged views for explanation, and the swing angle is also shown enlarged so that the movement can be easily understood.

As described above, in the pulling operation of the knob 10, the contact position between the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 is moved, but it is a slight distance substantially corresponding to the swing angle on the circumference of the sphere 41. In the push-down operation, this left-right symmetrical operation is performed. Even if this is included, the contact position moves slightly on the upper part of the sphere 41. Further, the movement of the sphere 41 is small, and the urging force of the elastic electric connection body 40 is substantially constant.

The spring 47 of the elastic electrical connection body 40 is rich in elasticity. Then, even if the position of the contact point between the knob 10 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 is significantly changed by the swing operation of the knob 10, the electrical connection between the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 can be maintained. Among them, by setting the rotation axis of the knob 10 near the contact point between the knob 10 and the elastic electric connection body 40, the movement of the contact point between the knob 10 and the elastic electric connection body 40 is suppressed, and the elastic electric connection body 40 is attached. The power can be kept almost constant and a stable connection can be maintained for a long period of time.

Grease as a lubricant is used for the contact portion, but since the urging force by the spring acts, the electrical connection of the contact is maintained even if the grease is not conductive. On the other hand, it has the effect of reducing frictional force and preventing corrosion.

Since the detection electrode 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 70 via the terminal unit 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40, the capacitance of the detection electrode 31 can be measured even in the swing operation of the knob 10. can.

Next, the control operation of the switch device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

(Step01)
The control unit 70 determines whether or not the detection electrode _31FR is on based on the capacitance value C1 input from the detection electrode 31FR. The control unit 70 has a predetermined threshold value Cth for determining, for example, a case where a finger or the like is in contact with or close to the detection electrode. By comparing the capacitance value C ₁ with this Cth, the control unit 70 performed an operation with respect to the operation position (driver's seat side window) in which the detection electrode 31FR was turned on, that is, the detection electrode 31FR was mounted. , Can be judged. If the detection electrode 31FR is on, the process proceeds to Step 05 (Step 01: Yes), and if the detection electrode 31FR is not on, the process proceeds to Step 02 (Step 01: No).

(Step02)
The control unit 70 determines whether or not the detection electrode 31FL is on based on the capacitance value C ₂ input from the detection electrode 31FL. By comparing the capacitance values _C2 and Cth, the control unit 70 performed an operation on the detection electrode 31FL, that is, the operation position (passenger seat side window) on which the detection electrode 31FL was mounted. Can be judged. If the detection electrode 31FL is on, the process proceeds to Step 05 (Step 02: Yes), and if the detection electrode 31FL is not on, the process proceeds to Step 03 (Step 02: No).

(Step03)
The control unit 70 determines whether or not the detection electrode 31RR is on based on the capacitance value C ₃ input from the detection electrode 31RR. By comparing the capacitance values C3 and Cth _, the control unit 70 performed an operation with respect to the operation position (rear seat right window) in which the detection electrode 31RR was turned on, that is, the detection electrode 31RR was mounted. Can be judged. If the detection electrode 31RR is on, the process proceeds to Step 05 (Step 03: Yes), and if the detection electrode 31RR is not on, the process proceeds to Step 04 (Step 03: No).

(Step04)
The control unit 70 determines whether or not the detection electrode 31RL is on based on the capacitance value C ₄ input from the detection electrode 31RL. By comparing the capacitance values _C4 and Cth, the control unit 70 performed an operation with respect to the operation position (rear seat left window) in which the detection electrode 31RL was turned on, that is, the detection electrode 31RL was mounted. Can be judged. If the detection electrode 31RL is on, the process proceeds to Step 05 (Step 04: Yes), and if the detection electrode 31RL is not on, the process returns to Step 01 (Step 04: No).

(Step05)
The control unit 70 controls the opening and closing of the window of the vehicle via the window regulator by outputting the control signal S ₁₀ based on the detection information S ₅ of the pulling operation and the pushing operation of the knob 10. That is, the operation position is specified by the detection electrode, and the opening operation or the closing operation of the window corresponding to the operation position (driver's seat, passenger seat, rear seat right side, rear seat left side) is controlled based _on the detection information S5.

The operation of the switch device 1 is terminated by the above series of operations, but the above operations can be repeatedly executed as necessary.

(Effect of embodiment)
In the switch device according to the present embodiment, the electrical connection between the knob and the circuit board is made by an elastic electrical connection body made of a metal ball and a metal spring. Therefore, the connection portion formed of a metal foil such as copper on a flexible film substrate made of polyimide or the like is not bent every time it is operated, and the reliability is not lowered. Then, it can be a switch device having excellent reliability of electrical connection.

[Modified example of the first embodiment]
8A and 8B are enlarged explanatory views of the knob operation of the modified example of the switch device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of the first modified example, and FIG. 8B is a second. It is explanatory drawing of the modification.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the switch device 1 of the first modification has a curved surface shape in which the terminal electrode 32 is convex downward. This curved surface is the same R surface as the sphere 41, and the center of rotation of the knob 10: point 0 is the center point of this R surface. In this case, the contact position before the swing operation of the knob 10: P0 is the lowermost portion of the R surface of the terminal electrode 32 and the uppermost portion of the sphere 41. Then, when the knob 10 is swung, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted about the point 0, but the position of the R surface of the terminal electrode 32 on the Z axis does not change. As a result, the position of the sphere 41 does not change. Further, the contact position: P1 in the swing operation is the same as the contact position: P0 before the swing operation.

As described above, in the switch device 1 of the first modification, the movement of the contact position in the swing operation can be made smaller than that in the first embodiment in which the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 is flat. It is assumed that the terminal electrode 32 is formed with the same convex R surface as the sphere 41, but the size of the R surface is arbitrary. : The point may be 0.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the switch device 1 of the second modification has a conical surface in which the terminal electrode 32 is concave downward. This conical surface is a surface, and the center of rotation of the knob 10: point 0 is the center point of the sphere 41. In this case, the contact position: P0 before the swing operation of the knob 10 becomes an annular shape centered on the Z axis. Then, when the knob 10 is swung, the terminal electrode 32 is tilted about the point 0 which is the center of the sphere 41 before the swing operation, and the conical surface of the terminal electrode 32 is similarly tilted. As a result, the position of the sphere 41 does not change, but the contact position in the swing operation: P1 is a position moved along the surface of the sphere 41 while remaining annular.

The terminal electrode 32 is not limited to the conical surface, and may be concave as long as a part of the sphere 41 is inserted. For example, the terminal electrode 32 may have the same shape as the sphere 41 and may cover the entire surface of a part of the sphere 41.

As described above, in the switch device 1 of the second modification, the movement of the contact position in the swing operation can be small as in the first embodiment in which the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 is flat. Further, the switch device 1 of the second modification has an effect of stably holding the sphere 41 because the contact position is an annular shape surrounding the Z axis.

As in these modifications, the terminal electrode 32 of the knob 10 may be convex or concave. Also in these cases, the rotation center of the swing of the knob 10 is the sphere 41 of the elastic electrical connection body 40 before the swing operation, as in the first embodiment in which the terminal electrode 32 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D is flat. Even in the range from the position higher by the radius of the sphere 41 (the position on the terminal electrode 32 side) to the lower position by the diameter of the sphere 41 (the position on the spring 41 side) with respect to the position of the end on the terminal electrode 32 side. A stable connection can be maintained.

However, when the terminal electrode 32 is concave, the terminal electrode 32 may interfere with the movement of the elastic electrical connection body 40. Therefore, the rotation center of the swing of the knob 10 needs to be located at a position where the terminal electrode 32 does not hinder the movement of the sphere 41 in the vertical direction (axial direction of the elastic electrical connection body 40). In an extreme example, when the terminal electrode 32 has a hemispherical shape having a diameter substantially equal to that of the sphere 41, the rotation center of the swing of the knob 10 is supported by the main body 60 unless it is at the substantially center position of the sphere 41. The terminal electrode 32 hinders the vertical movement of the ball 41, which hinders the swing of the knob 10.

[Second Embodiment]
9A-9C are block diagrams of the switch device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 9A is a front view, FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 9B. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the parts having the same configuration and function as those of the first embodiment.

The switch device 2 described in the first embodiment is intended for a window glass opening / closing device, but is intended for a heatcon device. Therefore, the shape of the knob is different. Further, in the switch device 1, the elastic electric connection body 40 is composed of a metal ball 41 and a metal spring 42, but in the switch device 2, the elastic electric connection body 40 is a metal ball 41. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is not provided and is composed only of a metal spring 42. Hereinafter, this difference will be mainly described.

Similar to the first embodiment, the knob 10 is made of synthetic resin and is composed of a decorative body 11 having a metal film formed by plating and a non-decorative body 12 having no metal film formed. The decorative body 11 and the non-decorative body 12 are fitted and integrated.

On the other hand, the knob 10 is formed as a symmetrical shape in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 9A. The operation unit 10c, which is an operation surface for facilitating the swing operation of the knob 10 with a finger, has a shape protruding in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 9A.

Further, in the decorative body 11, a convex spherical surface is formed on the bottom surface 11d of the decorative body 11 on the side not exposed to the operator side of the knob 10. The terminal electrode 32 has a convex spherical shape. Further, the elastic electrical connection body 40 is composed of only a spring 42 made of a metal of a copper alloy, and does not include a ball 41 made of a metal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the knob 10 has a rotation axis at the center point of the convex spherical surface of the decorative body 11. The elastic electric connection body 40 is housed and held in the through hole 61 of the main body 60 in a state where the convex portion of the decorative body 11 is half-inserted into the spring 42 of the elastic electric connection body 40.

Then, when the knob 10 is swung, the terminal portion 32 of the knob 10 is tilted about the center point, but since the terminal portion 32 has a convex spherical shape, it is in contact with the spring 42 of the elastic electrical connection body 40. There is no change in the shape of the terminal electrode 32.

As described above, the shape of the knob 10 may be adjusted according to the intended use. Then, instead of the structure in which the elastic electric connection body 40 is composed of the metal ball 41 and the metal spring 42, the elastic electric connection body 40 does not have the metal ball 41 and only the metal spring 42 is used. The operation and effect described for the first embodiment can also be obtained by the present embodiment having a configured structure.

Although some embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the invention according to the claims. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the embodiment described above, the elastic electrical connection body 40 is shown to have elasticity by the spring 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be an elastic conductive resin or a rubber material. By suppressing the movement of the contact position between the terminal electrode 32 and the elastic electrical connection body 40 in the operation of the knob 10 to a small extent, an elastic material having a small shrinkage amount can also be used.

Moreover, not all of the combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are essential for the means for solving the problems of the invention. Further, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1, 2 Switch device 10 Knob

10F Front knob

10R Rear knob 11 Decorative body 12 Non-decorative body 20 Housing 31 Detection electrode 32 Terminal electrode 40 Elastic electrical connection body 41 Ball 42 Spring 70 Control unit

Claims

A detection electrode for detecting the operation of the operator, a knob having a terminal electrode for outputting an electric signal of the detection electrode, and a knob.
A housing that swingably supports the knob and
An elastic electrical connection body that has elasticity to give an urging force to the terminal electrode and is a conductor that is electrically connected in contact with the terminal electrode of the knob.
A control unit that detects the capacitance of the detection electrode and
A switch device equipped with.
The elastic electrical connection has a metal spring.
The switch device according to claim 1.
The elastic electrical connection body has a contact body separate from the spring.
The switch device according to claim 2.
In the contact body, the surface in contact with the terminal electrode has a spherical shape.
The switch device according to claim 3.
The contact body is a metal sphere.
The switch device according to claim 4.
When the knob is in the neutral state, the rotation axis of the swing of the knob is from the position of the radius of the spherical surface to the terminal electrode side with respect to the end portion of the contact body on the terminal electrode side to the spring side. In the range up to the position of the diameter of the sphere,
The switch device according to claim 4 or 5.
The terminal electrode was formed as a convex R surface protruding toward the spring side.
The switch device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The terminal electrode was formed as a concave conical surface into which a part of the contact body was inserted.
The switch device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The operation knob is composed of a decorative body decorated with plating and a non-decorative body not decorated with plating.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A lubricant is applied to the region where the knob and the elastic electric connection body are in contact with each other.
The switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.