JP2008262835A - Operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating device having a simple configuration that can easily change the number of clicks by a user's operation.
As the position of the position changer 24 is slid relative to the U-shaped part 21 when the user rotates the lower dial 3, the position of the position changer 24 is different from that of the U-shaped part 21. To touch. At this time, the elastic part inside the cylindrical member 18 urges the U-shaped part 21 toward the position changing part 24, and the vertical position of the U-shaped part 21 changes. Due to the change in the vertical position of the U-shaped portion 21, the hemispherical engaged portion projecting from the upper end side of the U-shaped portion 21 causes the first click surface 14 (36 groove shapes) of the disk 11. The hemispherically engaged portion projecting from the lower end side of the U-shaped portion 21 is simultaneously contacted with the second click surface 16 ( It is separated from the lower surface of the disk 11 on which 18 groove-like engaging portions are formed. A click occurs due to engagement / disengagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device that generates a click when a rotary or slide operation knob is rotated.

For example, an in-vehicle air conditioner has control amounts such as a large amount of air flow and a high and low air temperature depending on the amount of operation of a rotary operation knob provided in the air conditioner operation device. Switching to multiple stages.
Such an operation device causes the user to feel an audible or tactile click feeling by generating a click when the operation knob is rotated. As a result, the operation device makes it easy for the user to determine the operation amount of the operation knob, and also makes it easy to stop the operation knob at a desired position (see Patent Document 1).
Here, the term “click” in this specification refers to a clicking sound according to the meaning of the word, or a mechanical impact, vibration, or the like that generates such a sound.

However, when the operation knob for switching the control amount to the P stage (where P is a natural number) and the operation knob for switching to the Q stage (where Q is a natural number, Q ≠ P) are combined, If the relationship between the number of clicks to be generated (hereinafter referred to as the number of clicks) is constant, it is difficult for the user to determine the relationship between the operation amount of the operation knob and the switching stage, which is inconvenient to use.
In order to solve such problems, an operation device that generates a click by applying a load to the rotary operation of the operation knob with a motor, and generates an electronic sound instead of a click according to the rotation operation of the operation knob An operating device or the like can be considered. In these operating devices, it is possible to generate the number of clicks corresponding to the switchable stage.

  By the way, the operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a click plate formed by concentrically forming a portion where P click grooves are formed and a portion where Q click grooves are formed, and the click grooves. And a slider that changes the distance between the projection position of the engaged portion with respect to the click plate and the center position of the click plate.

In such an operating device, by sliding the slider, the engaged portion is positioned at a position facing either the portion where the P click grooves are formed or the portion where the Q click grooves are formed. Therefore, the number of clicks corresponding to the relationship between the operation amount of the operation knob and the switching stage is generated according to the rotation operation of the operation knob.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 50-2155

However, the operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the slider is fixed after the slider is slid in the assembly stage of the operating device. For this reason, it is easy for the assembly operator to change the number of clicks according to the use of the operation knob. However, after the operation device is assembled, the user can change the number of clicks by operating the slider. It is impossible or difficult.
On the other hand, an operation device that applies a load to the rotary operation of the operation knob with a motor, an operation device that generates an electronic sound in response to the rotation operation of the operation knob, and the like are complicated in the motor or the electronic sound generation unit to generate a click. Expensive control is required, and the cost is high.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its main purpose is to make contact and separation of one engaged portion with respect to one click surface and contact and separation of another engaged portion with respect to another click surface. Can be switched at the same time, and when one engaged portion is in contact with one click surface, the other engaged portion is separated from the other click surface, thereby easily An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device with a simple configuration that can change the number of clicks.

  Another object of the present invention is to simultaneously switch between contact and separation of the first engaged portion with respect to the first click surface and separation and contact of the second engaged portion with respect to the second click surface. An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device with a simple configuration that can change the number of clicks easily by a user operation by providing a switching operation means.

  Another object of the present invention is the contact and separation of the first engaged portion with respect to the first click surface formed on one side of the disc, and the second click formed on the other side of the disc. By adopting a configuration in which the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with respect to the surface can be switched simultaneously using a U-shaped portion, a step-like or inclined surface-like position changing portion, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that can easily change the number of clicks with a mechanical configuration.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a staircase or curved surface at the boundary between the steps of the step-like position change portion or between the steps of the U-shaped portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device capable of smoothly changing the number of clicks while using a position change portion having a shape.

  Still another object of the present invention is to contact and separate the first engaged portion from the first click surface formed on one end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, and to the other end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The number of clicks can be easily changed with a simple mechanical configuration by adopting a configuration in which the separation and contact of the formed second engaged portion with the second click surface can be switched simultaneously. It is to provide an operating device.

  The operating device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an operating device that generates a click when a rotary or slide type operation knob is operated, and a plurality of engaging portions are formed in order to generate a click. Each click surface and an engaged portion that is disposed opposite to each click surface and is detachably provided on an engagement portion formed on the opposite click surface. The clicked surface facing the mating portion is in contact with and separated from the click surface facing the engaged portion of one engaged portion and the engaged portion of the other engaged portion. When the one engaged portion is in contact with the click surface facing the engaged portion, the one engaged portion can be switched at the same time. So that the engaged part except the part is separated from the click surface facing the engaged part. And wherein the are.

  The operating device according to the second aspect of the invention includes a first click surface on which M (M is a natural number) concave or convex first engaging portions and N (N is a natural number, N ≠ M). A second click surface on which a concave or convex second engagement portion is formed, and the first click surface and the second click surface are respectively opposed to the first click surface and the second engagement portion. A first engaged portion and a second engaged portion that are detachably provided, contact of the first engaged portion with the first click surface and separation in the opposing direction, and the second engaged portion. Switching operation means for simultaneously switching separation and contact of the joint portion with respect to the second click surface in the opposite direction, and according to the operation knob operation, the first engagement portion and the first click portion 1 engaged portion, and the second engaged portion and the second engaged portion relatively move in the operation direction of the operation knob, respectively. Characterized in that that is the other.

In the operating device according to a third aspect of the invention, the operation knob is a rotary type, the first engaged portion is provided on one end side, and the second engaged portion is provided on the other end side. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are provided on one surface and the other surface of a disc that is provided integrally and coaxially with a rotation shaft that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob. Each of the switching operation means is provided in a rotary second operation knob arranged coaxially with the operation knob and in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft, and is arranged in an axial length direction of the rotation shaft. In a state where the position changes in a stepped shape or an inclined surface and is in contact with the U-shaped portion in the axial length direction, with respect to the U-shaped portion according to the rotation operation of the second operation knob. The position changing portion that slides in the circumferential direction and the U-shaped portion are connected to the position changing portion by elastic restoring force. And having an elastic portion for urging said U-shaped portion in the axial direction.

  In the operating device according to a fourth aspect of the invention, the position changing portion is stepped, and a boundary between the steps of the position changing portion or a portion of the U-shaped portion that contacts the position changing portion is inclined. Or it is formed in the shape of a curved surface.

  In the operating device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation knob is a rotary type, and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are one end of an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder that rotates according to the rotation operation of the operation knob. The first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are respectively formed on one side and the other side of the radial direction with a central position in the radial direction of the cylinder interposed therebetween. The switching operation means is connected to the reciprocating operation knob provided so as to be reciprocally movable, and the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are connected to each other. And a moving connecting portion that reciprocates in the radial direction along with the reciprocating movement.

In the first invention, the number of engaged portions corresponding to the number of click surfaces is provided.
Each click surface is formed with a different number of engaging portions (for example, click grooves) from the other click surfaces, and the engaged portions that are disposed opposite to the click surfaces are formed on the click surfaces. It is provided so that it can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the engaging portion. For this reason, when the user operates a rotary or slide type operation knob, a click corresponding to the number of engaging portions formed on the click surface is generated.

It is possible to switch between the engagement / disengagement of the engaged portion with respect to one click surface and the engagement / disengagement of the engaged portion with respect to another click surface at the same time, and the engagement portion contacts the one click surface. When the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged / disengaged, the engaged portion is separated from the click surface other than the click surface, and the engaging portion and the engaged portion are not engaged / disengaged. For this reason, the number of clicks is easily changed.
Here, the engaged portion may be brought into and out of contact with the click surface either automatically or manually. However, since the occurrence of the click is due to the engagement / disengagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion, the click is generated. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform complicated control. That is, the configuration of the operating device is simple.

In the second aspect of the invention, the first click surface on which the M concave or convex first engaging portions are formed, and the first click surface is disposed to be opposed to the first click portion, and is engaged with and disengaged from the first engaging portion. And a first engaged portion that is freely provided.
Similarly, a second click surface on which a second engagement portion is formed and a second engaged portion are provided, and the number of second engagement portions formed is N, which is different from M.
The first engaged portion is brought into contact with and separated from the first click surface, the second engaged portion is brought into contact with and separated from the second click surface, and the switching operation means The contact of the first engaged portion with the first click surface and the separation in the facing direction and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with the second click surface in the facing direction can be switched simultaneously.

When the user operates the switching operation means, the first engaged portion comes into contact with the first click surface, and the second engaged portion is separated from the second click surface. Since the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion move relative to each other in the operation direction of the operation knob in accordance with the operation of the knob, when the operation knob is operated, Clicks corresponding to (M) occur.
Similarly, when the user operates the switching operation means, the second engaged portion comes into contact with the second click surface, and the first engaged portion is separated from the first click surface. The second engagement portion and the second engaged portion move relative to each other in the operation direction of the operation knob according to the operation of the operation knob, so that the second engagement portion is formed when the operation knob is operated. A click corresponding to the number (ie, N) occurs.

In the third invention, the first engagement portion is formed on one surface of the disk integrally and coaxially with the rotating shaft that rotates in accordance with the rotating operation of the rotary operation knob. A second engagement portion is formed on the other surface of the plate. That is, one surface of the disk is the first click surface and the other surface is the second click surface.
Moreover, the 1st to-be-engaged part is provided in the one end side of the U-shaped part, and the 2nd to-be-engaged part is provided in the other end side of this U-shaped part. Since each engaged portion is disposed opposite to each click surface, the U-shaped portion has a disk disposed inside the U-shape, and the first click is provided on one end side where the first engaged portion is provided. The second click surface (that is, the second engaging portion is formed on the other end side where the second engaged portion is provided is opposed to the surface (that is, one surface of the disk on which the first engaging portion is formed). The other side of the disc.

The switching operation means has a rotary second operation knob, a position changing portion, and an elastic portion.
The second operation knob is arranged coaxially with the operation knob for generating a click, and is operated by the user to change the number of clicks.
The position changing portion is provided in the circumferential direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the circumferential direction) of the rotating shaft that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob, and the axial length direction of the rotating shaft (hereinafter simply referred to as the axial length direction). It is a stepped shape or an inclined surface shape in which the position of is changed.
The position changing portion slides in the circumferential direction with respect to the U-shaped portion in accordance with the rotation operation of the second operation knob while being in contact with the U-shaped portion in the axial direction.
The elastic portion is connected to the U-shaped portion, and this U-shaped portion is urged by an elastic restoring force in the axial direction toward the position changing portion.

When the user rotates the second operation knob, the position changing portion slides with respect to the U-shaped portion, and therefore the portion of the position changing portion that contacts the U-shaped portion changes in the circumferential direction. To do. That is, with the sliding with respect to the U-shaped portion, the portion where the position changing portion has a different position in the axial length direction contacts the U-shaped portion. At this time, since the elastic portion urges the U-shaped portion toward the position changing portion, the position of the U-shaped portion in the axial length direction changes.
Due to the change in the axial length of the U-shaped portion, the first engaged portion on one side of the U-shaped portion comes into contact with the first click surface on one side of the disk, and at the same time, the U-shaped portion The second engaged portion on the other side is separated from the second click surface on the other surface side of the disk. Conversely, the second engaged portion on the other side of the U-shaped portion comes into contact with the second click surface on the other surface side of the disk, and at the same time, the first covered portion on the one side of the U-shaped portion. The engaging portion is separated from the first click surface on the other surface side of the disk.

When the position change portion is inclined, the sliding between the position change portion and the U-shaped portion is smooth.
On the other hand, when the position changing portion is stepped, it is easy to stop the second operation knob at the required position, and when the second operation knob is rotated, a click is generated so that the user can It becomes easy to determine the operation amount of the second operation knob.

In the fourth invention, the boundary between the steps of the step-like position changing portion is formed in a slope shape or a curved shape. Or the part which contacts the position change part of a U-shaped part is formed in slope shape or curved surface shape.
For this reason, when the U-shaped portion moves from one stage to the other stage of the position changing portion, the sliding between the position changing portion and the U-shaped portion is smooth.

In the fifth invention, the first engagement portion is formed on one end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotary operation knob, and the other end of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. A second engagement portion is formed on the side. That is, the first click surface is formed on one end side of the inner surface of the disc, and the second click surface is formed on the other end side.
The first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are arranged on one side and the other side in the radial direction of the cylinder with the radial center position of the cylinder interposed therebetween. Below, this one side-other side direction is called cylindrical diameter direction.
Since each engaged portion is disposed opposite to each click surface, the first engaged portion is opposed to one end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder on which the first engaging portion is formed, and the second engaged portion. The engaging part is opposed to the other end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder in which the second engaging part is formed.

The switching operation means has a reciprocating operation knob and a moving connecting portion.
The reciprocating knob is provided so as to be freely reciprocated, and is operated by the user to change the number of clicks.
A first engaged portion and a second engaged portion are connected to the moving connecting portion, and reciprocate in the cylindrical radial direction as the reciprocating operation knob is reciprocated.

  When the user operates the reciprocating operation knob in one direction, the movable connecting portion moves in one direction in the cylindrical radial direction, so that the first engaged portion contacts the first click surface on one side of the cylinder and simultaneously Accordingly, the second engaged portion is separated from the second click surface on the other side of the cylinder. On the other hand, when the user operates the reciprocating operation knob in the other direction, the movable connecting portion moves in the other direction in the cylindrical radial direction, so the second engaged portion is the second click surface on the other side of the cylinder. At the same time, the first engaged portion is separated from the first click surface on one side of the cylinder.

According to the operating device of the first invention, the click can be generated by engaging / disengaging the engaging portion and the engaged portion, and the engaged portion of the one engaged surface and the engaging portion of the one click surface are engaged. To avoid disengagement between the other engaged parts and the engaging parts of the other click surfaces when detached, the engagement of the one engaged part with respect to the one click surface and the other click surface with respect to the other click surface The engagement / disengagement of the engaged portion can be simultaneously switched manually or automatically.
Therefore, there is no need to provide a device that generates clicks using the motor and the motor control unit, or the electronic sound generation unit and the control unit of the electronic sound generation unit, so the number of clicks can be easily changed with a simple configuration. can do.

In the operating device according to the second aspect of the invention, the contact of the first engaged portion with the first click surface and the separation in the facing direction and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with the second click surface in the facing direction are manually performed. Can be switched simultaneously.
Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a device for automatically contacting and separating the engaged portion with respect to each click surface using the motor and the motor control unit, the number of clicks can be easily changed with a simpler configuration. be able to.

In the case of the operating device according to the third aspect of the invention, the user operates the second operating knob, so that the first engaged portion is brought into contact with the first click surface, which is one surface of the disk, with a simple mechanical configuration. The separation and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with respect to the second click surface which is the other surface of the disc can be switched simultaneously. That is, the number of clicks can be easily changed.
Further, since the second operation knob for changing the number of clicks is arranged coaxially with the operation knob for generating the click, the user can easily perform the second operation knob corresponding to the operation knob. Judgment can be made.

In the case of the operating device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, sliding between the step-like position changing portion and the U-shaped portion can be made smooth. For this reason, it becomes easy to stop the second operation knob at a required position, and when the second operation knob is rotated, a click is generated and the user operates the second operation knob. It is possible to provide a step-like position changing part that makes it easy to determine the above.

  In the case of the operating device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the user engages the reciprocating knob so that the first engaged portion contacts the first click surface formed on one end of the cylinder with a simple mechanical configuration. And the separation and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with respect to the second click surface formed on the other end side of the cylinder can be switched simultaneously. That is, the number of clicks can be easily changed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

Embodiment 1.
1 and 2 are a longitudinal sectional view and a transverse sectional view showing an operating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
Further, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a lower dial as a second operation knob provided in the operation device.
Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a disk provided in the operating device, FIG. 5 is a side view showing a U-shaped portion provided in the operating device, and FIG. 6 is provided in the operating device. It is a front view which shows a position change part.

  The operating device 1 according to the present embodiment is an operating device for a user to operate an air conditioner (each not shown) provided in a vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a rotary operation knob is used. A two-stage dial switch including a certain upper dial 2 and a lower dial 3 that is a rotary second operation knob. The upper dial 2 and the lower dial 3 are arranged on the outer surface side of the operation panel 4. ing. Hereinafter, the direction approaching from the upper dial 2 side to the operation panel 4 side (downward direction in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) is referred to as the downward direction, and the reverse direction is referred to as the upward direction.

The upper dial 2 is rotatable in 360 ° right and left directions, and the lower dial 3 is rotatable in right and left directions within a predetermined rotation angle range of less than 180 °. Further, the outer diameter of the lower dial 3 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper dial 2, and a through hole 3a through which a rotating shaft 10 described later passes is formed at the center.
The operation panel 4 is covered with the upper dial 2 and the lower dial 3, and a through hole 4 a is formed. On the inner surface side (that is, the lower surface side) of the operation panel 4, the first switch element 5 and the second switch element 5 are provided. A switch board 6, a third switch element 7, a rotary encoder 8, and a printed circuit board 9 on which a CPU (not shown) of the air conditioner is mounted are arranged substantially parallel to the operation panel 4.

A cylindrical rotary shaft 10 provided coaxially with the upper dial 2 is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the printed circuit board 9 in the lower center portion of the upper dial 2. The rotary shaft 10 has an upper end integrally connected to the upper dial 2, passes through the through hole 3 a of the lower dial 3 and the through hole 4 a of the operation panel 4, and the lower end is connected to the printed circuit board 9. It is supported so as to be rotatable about a central axis. For this reason, the upper dial 2 is also rotatable.
Further, in the middle of the rotating shaft 10, a disk 11 having a hole formed in the center is fixedly fitted to the rotating shaft 10 coaxially. Here, the disk 11 is disposed between the operation panel 4 and the printed board 9.

When the upper dial 2 is rotated, the rotary shaft 10 and the disk 11 rotate according to the operation amount of the upper dial 2, and the rotation amount of the disk 11 is arranged in contact with the peripheral surface of the disk 11. The rotary encoder 8 is detecting and gives the detection result to the CPU.

  The lower dial 3 is provided coaxially with the upper dial 2 and is provided to rotate separately from the upper dial 2. A through hole 3 a is formed at the center of the lower dial 3, and a C-shaped columnar member 12 having a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the disk 11 is formed on the printed board 9 at the lower portion of the lower dial 3. Is arranged almost vertically. The columnar member 12 is provided coaxially with the lower dial 3, the upper end is integrally connected to the lower dial 3, passes through the through hole 4 a of the operation panel 4, and the lower end is connected to the printed circuit board 9. It is supported so as to be rotatable within a range of a predetermined rotation angle of less than 180 ° about its own central axis. For this reason, the lower dial 3 is also rotatable. A rotating shaft 10 and a disk 11 are arranged inside the columnar member 12.

  A movable contact 13 is provided on the lower end surface of the columnar member 12, and the columnar member 12 rotates according to the amount of operation of the lower dial 3 by rotating the lower dial 3. Among the 1 switch element 5, the second switch element 6, and the third switch element 7, the switch corresponding to the one that the movable contact 13 contacts is turned on. On the other hand, the switches corresponding to the first switch element 5, the second switch element 6, and / or the third switch element 7 that are not in contact with the movable contact 13 are turned off. Such on / off of the switch is given to the CPU as the presence or absence of a predetermined signal.

  FIG. 2 shows a state where the movable contact 13 and the first switch element 5 are in contact with each other and a switch corresponding to the first switch element 5 (hereinafter referred to as a first switch) is turned on. In this state, naturally, the switch corresponding to the second switch element 6 (hereinafter referred to as the second switch) and the switch corresponding to the third switch element 7 (hereinafter referred to as the third switch) are both turned off.

When the first switch is turned on, the CPU controls the air conditioner to change the blowing temperature on the passenger seat side (“P-TEMP” in FIG. 3). In this case, the rotary encoder 8 that rotates in accordance with the rotating operation of the upper dial 2 is provided with a resolution of 36 levels, and functions as a switch that switches the level of the blowing temperature on the passenger seat side.
When the second switch is turned on, the CPU controls the air conditioner to change the blowing temperature on the driver's seat side (“TEMP” in FIG. 3). In this case, the rotary encoder 8 that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the upper dial 2 is provided with 36-step resolution and functions as a switch that switches the level of the air temperature on the driver's seat side.

Further, when the third switch is turned on, the CPU controls the air conditioner to change the air flow rate (“air volume” in FIG. 3). In this case, the rotary encoder 8 that rotates in accordance with the rotating operation of the upper dial 2 is given a resolution of 18 levels and functions as a switch for switching the amount of air flow.
Note that the CPU may display information (for example, characters such as “TEMP” and “18 ° C.”) indicating the current setting state of the controller device 1 on the display unit of the car navigation, for example.

By the way, since the rotation of the columnar member 12 connected to the lower dial 3 is limited within a range of a predetermined rotation angle, the columnar member 12 does not contact the rotary encoder 8.
In addition, it may be configured to generate a click when the movable contact 13 and each of the first switch element 5, the second switch element 6, and the third switch element 7 come into contact with each other according to the rotation operation of the lower dial 3. desirable.

Next, a configuration for generating a click according to the rotation operation of the upper dial 2 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 (a), the upper surface of the disk 11 is a first click surface 14, and M (36 in the present embodiment) concave first engaging portions. 15, 15, ... are formed. The 36 first engaging portions 15, 15,... Are 36 click grooves formed radially on the upper surface of the disk 11. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the lower surface of the disk 11 is the second click surface 16, and N (18 in the present embodiment) concave second engaging portions. 17, 17, ... are formed. The 18 second engaging portions 17, 17,... Are 18 click grooves formed radially on one surface of the disk 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a cylindrical member 18 is fixed on the printed circuit board 9. The cylindrical member 18 incorporates an elastic part 19 using a coil spring, and a columnar protruding part 20 protruding from the inside of the cylindrical member 18 is urged upward by the elastic restoring force of the elastic part 19. The lower end portion of the projecting portion 20 is inherent in the cylindrical member 18, and the upper end portion is connected to the lower surface of the U-shaped portion 21.

The U-shaped portion 21 is a plate-shaped portion having a U-shaped side end surface, the first engaged portion 22 is provided on the inner surface of the upper end portion, and the second engaged portion 23 is provided on the inner surface of the lower end portion. Is provided. However, the first engaged portion 22 and the second engaged portion 23 are not shown in FIG. 1 (and FIGS. 7 and 10 described later).
The first engaged portion 22 is a hemispherical shape projecting from the inner surface of the upper end portion of the U-shaped portion 21, and is disposed opposite to the first click surface 14, that is, the upper surface of the disk 11. .. Are detachably provided at the portions 15, 15,. Similarly, the second engaged portion 23 has a hemispherical shape protruding from the inner surface of the lower end portion of the U-shaped portion 21, and is disposed opposite to the second click surface 16, that is, the lower surface of the disk 11, The second engaging portions 17, 17,...

  .. And the first engaged portion 22 are relatively rotated in the rotational direction of the upper dial 2 because the disk 11 is rotated in accordance with the rotation operation of the upper dial 2. Similarly, the second engaging portions 17, 17,... And the second engaged portion 23 relatively rotate in the rotational direction of the upper dial 2.

  As a result, when the first engaged portion 22 and the first click surface 14 are in contact with each other, the upper dial 2 is rotated, whereby the first engaged portions 15, 15,. The engagement portion 22 is engaged and disengaged, and 36 clicks per rotation of the upper dial 2 are generated. Similarly, when the second engaged portion 23 and the second click surface 16 are in contact with each other, the upper dial 2 is rotated so that the second engaged portions 17, 17,. The joint portion 23 is engaged and disengaged, and 18 clicks per rotation of the upper dial 2 are generated.

  Further, the first engaged portion 22 is made to contact and separate from the first click surface 14, and the second engaged portion 23 is made to contact and separate from the second click surface 16. More specifically, when the U-shaped portion 21 swings in the vertical direction, the contact of the first engaged portion 22 with the first click surface 14 and the separation in the opposing direction, and the second engaged portion 23 of the second engaged portion 23 are moved. The separation and contact in the opposite direction to the two-click surface 16 are switched simultaneously. That is, when the first engaged portion 22 contacts the first click surface 14, the second engaged portion 23 is automatically separated from the second click surface 16, and the second engaged portion 23 is second. When contacting the click surface 16, the first engaged portion 22 is automatically separated from the first click surface 14.

Here, in a state where the protruding portion 20 protrudes to the maximum by the elastic restoring force of the elastic portion 19, the second engaged portion 23 contacts the second click surface 16, and the protruding portion 20 is inside the cylindrical member 18. The second engaged portion 23 is separated from the second click surface 16, the first engaged portion 22 approaches the first click surface 14, and finally the protruding portion 20 is Cylindrical member 18
The first engaged portion 22 comes into contact with the first click surface 14 by immersing it to the maximum extent.
Then, the contact of the first engaged portion 22 with the first click surface 14 and the separation in the opposing direction and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion 23 with respect to the second click surface 16 can be switched simultaneously. The switching operation means for making up is configured by the lower dial 3 and the elastic portion 19 and the position changing portion 24 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the position changing portion 24 is a stepped protruding plate portion that protrudes in parallel from the inner surface of the columnar member 12 to the operation panel 4 and the printed circuit board 9. That is, the position changing unit 24 is provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 10 and has a step shape in which the position of the rotating shaft 10 in the axial length direction (that is, the vertical direction) changes. A boundary 27 between the upper step portion 25 and the lower step portion 26 of the position changing portion 24 is formed in a slope shape. Further, the circumferential length of the upper step portion 25 is about twice the circumferential length of the lower step portion 26.

  The lower surface of the position changing portion 24 is in contact with the outer surface of the upper end portion of the U-shaped portion 21. More specifically, in a state where the lower surface of the upper stage portion 25 of the position changing portion 24 is in contact with the outer surface of the upper end portion of the U-shaped portion 21, the protruding portion 20 protrudes to the maximum extent from the cylindrical member, and the position changing portion 24. In a state where the lower surface of the lower step portion 26 is in contact with the outer surface of the upper end portion of the U-shaped portion 21, the protruding portion 20 is maximally immersed in the cylindrical member. Further, the position changing portion 24 rotates integrally with the columnar member 12. That is, the elastic portion 19 urges the U-shaped portion 21 upward toward the position changing portion 24, and the position changing portion 24 rotates the lower dial 3 with the U-shaped portion 21 contacting the vertical direction. Depending on the operation, the U-shaped portion 21 slides in the circumferential direction.

  The U-shaped portion 21 that slides with respect to the position changing portion 24 smoothly moves from the upper step portion 25 to the lower step portion 26 and from the lower step portion 26 to the upper step portion 25 through the inclined boundary 27. Since the step between the upper step portion 25 and the lower step portion 26 is small, the U-shaped portion 21 is not caught by the boundary 27 and the movement from the lower step portion 26 to the upper step portion 25 is not hindered.

7, 8, and 9 are a longitudinal sectional view, a transverse sectional view, and a plan view showing a state in which the lower dial included in the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is rotated. FIG. 8 shows a state where the movable contact 13 and the second switch element 6 are in contact with each other and the switch corresponding to the second switch element 6 is turned on, as in FIG.
10, 11 and 12 are a longitudinal sectional view, a transverse sectional view and a plan view showing a state where the lower dial provided in the operating device is further rotated. FIG. 11 shows a state where the movable contact 13 and the third switch element 7 are in contact with each other and the switch corresponding to the third switch element 7 is turned on, as in FIGS. 2 and 8.
1, FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 correspond, FIG. 2, FIG. 8 and FIG. 11 correspond, and FIG. 3, FIG. 9 and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, when the user rotates the lower dial 3 so that the lower dial 3 matches the position of “P-TEMP”, the movable contact 13, the first switch element 5, Contacts and the first switch is turned on. In this state, the U-shaped portion 21 abuts on the lower step portion 26 of the position changing portion 24 (more specifically, the circumferential end opposite to the boundary 27 side of the lower step portion 26). The projecting portion 20 is pushed into the cylindrical member 18 through the first contact portion 22, and the first engaged portion 22 contacts the first click surface 14. As a result, 36 clicks are generated per rotation of the upper dial 2.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the user rotates the lower dial 3 in the right direction so that the lower dial 3 matches the position of “TEMP”, whereby the movable contact 13 and the second switch The element 6 contacts and the second switch is turned on. During the operation of the lower dial 3, the U-shaped portion 21 slides on the lower step portion 26 of the position changing portion 24 and, after the operation is completed, abuts on the circumferential end portion on the boundary 27 side of the lower step portion 26. The first engaged portion 22 continues to contact the first click surface 14 while the protruding portion 20 is pushed into the cylindrical member 18 via the U-shaped portion 21. As a result, 36 clicks are generated per rotation of the upper dial 2.

  Finally, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the user rotates the lower dial 3 to the right so that the lower dial 3 matches the position of “air volume”, so that the movable contact 13 and the third contact The switch element 7 contacts and the third switch is turned on. During the operation of the lower dial 3, the U-shaped portion 21 slides from the lower step portion 26 of the position changing portion 24 to the upper step portion 25 through the boundary 27, and comes into contact with the upper step portion 25 after the operation is completed. Since the pushing of the protruding portion 20 through the U-shaped portion 21 into the cylindrical member 18 is released and the protruding portion 20 protrudes upward, and the protruding portion 20 pushes up the U-shaped portion 21, the second engaged portion 23 Contacts the second click surface 16. This results in 18 clicks per revolution of the upper dial 2.

  The operating device 1 as described above assigns switching of the setting mode of the air conditioner to the lower dial 3, assigns switching of a variable to be set to the upper dial 2, and rotates the lower dial 3. The number of clicks related to the upper dial 2 is changed. Since the operating device 1 has a simple mechanical configuration, it can be manufactured at low cost.

In addition, including the structure which rotates the upper dial 2 in the state in which both the 1st to-be-engaged part 22 and the 2nd to-be-engaged part 23 are not contacting the 1st click surface 14 and the 2nd click surface 16, respectively. Also good. In this case, the number of clicks is changed in three stages of 18, 36, and 0 (that is, no click).
In addition, a disk having L engaging portions different from both M and N on the lower surface (or upper surface) is added to the upper side (or lower side) of the disk 11, and the U-shaped portion 21 An engaged portion may be added to the outer surface of the upper end portion (or the outer surface of the lower end portion), and the number of clicks may be changed in multiple stages.

Furthermore, the engaging part side may be formed in a convex shape, and the engaged part side may be formed in a concave shape. Moreover, the structure by which the engaging part side is fixed and the to-be-engaged part side moves may be sufficient.
Furthermore, the boundary 27 between the upper step portion 25 and the lower step portion 26 is not limited to a slope shape, and may be a curved shape. Further, the outer surface of the upper end portion of the U-shaped portion 21 may be formed in a curved shape. Furthermore, the position changing portion 24 may be a slope instead of a step.
Furthermore, such an operating device is not limited to a configuration provided for an in-vehicle air conditioner, and may be provided for an in-vehicle radio, a general air conditioner, or the like.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
13 and 14 are a perspective view and a longitudinal sectional view showing the operating device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is also a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a cylinder provided in the operating device.
In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes an operating device. The operating device 31 includes a rotary operation knob 32 corresponding to the upper dial 2 of the first embodiment, a reciprocating operation knob 33 corresponding to the lower dial 3 of the first embodiment, and a cylinder 34. With. The operation device 31 is arranged on one surface of the printed board 35. Hereinafter, the direction approaching the printed circuit board 35 side from the rotary operation knob 32 side (the downward direction in FIGS. 13 and 14) is referred to as the downward direction, and the reverse direction is referred to as the upward direction.

  The cylinder 34 is formed by juxtaposing a first cylindrical member 36 and a second cylindrical member 37 having substantially the same inner diameter and outer diameter in this order from the lower side in the axial length direction. By closing with a rotary operation knob 32 having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter, a bottomed cylindrical shape is formed as a whole.

  The inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical member 36 is a first click surface 38, and M (36) concave first engaging portions 39, 39,... Click grooves) are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction with the longitudinal direction being along the axial length direction of the first cylindrical member 36. In the first cylindrical member 36, four through holes 40, 40,... Penetrating both end surfaces are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction by about 90 °. Similarly, the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical member 37 is a second click surface 41, and N (18) concave second engaging portions 42, 42, 42 parallel to each other are formed on the inner peripheral surface. ... (that is, click grooves) are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction with the longitudinal direction being along the axial length direction of the second cylindrical member 37. In the second cylindrical member 37, four through holes 43, 43,... Penetrating both end surfaces are formed so as to be separated from each other by about 90 ° in the circumferential direction.

  The rotary operation knob 32 has a disc shape, and a long and narrow rectangular guide hole 44 is formed in the center so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the radial direction of the rotary operation knob 32 (the arrow direction in FIGS. 13 and 14). The four holes 45, 45, ... are formed on the lower surface so as to be spaced apart from each other by about 90 ° in the circumferential direction.

The through holes 40, 40,... Of the first cylindrical member 36, the through holes 43, 43,... Of the second cylindrical member 37, and the holes 45, 45,. Are stacked in the order of the first cylindrical member 36, the second cylindrical member 37, and the rotary operation knob 32 from below, and the four rod-shaped members 46, 46,... Are connected to the through holes 40, 40,. .. And the holes 45, 45,... Form an integral bottomed cylindrical member.
In other words, the first engaging portions 39, 39,... Are formed on one end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 34 that rotates in response to the rotating operation of the rotating operation knob 32, and the second engaging portions 42, 42,. Is formed on the other end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 34 that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the rotary operation knob 32.

  The lower end of the first cylindrical member 36 is supported on the printed circuit board 35 so as to be rotatable 360 ° rightward and leftward (in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 13) about its own central axis. For this reason, when the rotary operation knob 32 is rotated, the cylinder 34 rotates integrally with the rotary operation knob 32.

The operating device 31 includes a first engaged portion 47 and a second engaged portion 48, and the first engaged portion 47 is in contact with the first click surface 38 and separated in the opposite direction, and the second engaged portion. The switching operation means for making it possible to simultaneously switch the separation and contact in the facing direction of the joint portion 48 with respect to the second click surface 41 includes a reciprocating operation knob 33 and a moving connecting portion 49.
The movable connecting portion 49 is a slider configured to reciprocate on the printed circuit board 35 along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 44 (that is, in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 13 and 14) just below the guide hole 44. is there.

  A lever 50 is erected at the center of the upper portion of the movable connecting portion 49. The lever 50 has a lower end portion attached to the movable connecting portion 49, passes through the guide hole 44, and a reciprocating operation knob 33 is attached to the upper end portion. For this reason, when the reciprocating operation knob 33 is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow, the lever 50 is guided to the guide hole 44 and the movable connecting portion 49 is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow. That is, the reciprocating operation knob 33 is provided so as to freely reciprocate.

The first engaged portion 47 is disposed to face the first click surface 38 and is connected to the moving connecting portion 49 via the linear connecting bar 51. The second engaged portion 48 is disposed opposite to the second click surface 41 and is connected to the moving connecting portion 49 via a modified Z-shaped connecting bar 52. Therefore, according to the rotation operation of the rotary operation knob 32, the first engaging portions 39, 39,... And the first engaged portion 47 are relatively rotated in the rotation direction of the rotary operation knob 32, and the second engagement. .. And the second engaged portion 48 are relatively rotated in the rotational direction of the rotary operation knob 32.
Further, the first engaged portion 47 and the second engaged portion 48 are arranged on a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 44 on one side and the other side centered on the radial center position of the cylinder 34. They are arranged separately.

  When the user moves the reciprocating knob 33 to one side of the guide hole 44, the first engaged portion 47 comes into contact with the first click surface 38, and the second engaged portion 48 becomes the second click surface 41. Separately from the above, 36 clicks per rotation of the rotary operation knob 32 are generated. On the other hand, when the user moves the reciprocating operation knob 33 to the other side of the guide hole 44, the second engaged portion 48 comes into contact with the second click surface 41, and the first engaged portion 47 becomes the first click. Separately from the surface 38, 18 clicks per rotation of the rotary operation knob 32 are generated.

  As with the operating device 1 of the first embodiment, the operating device 31 as described above assigns switching of the setting mode of the air conditioner to the reciprocating operation knob 33 and switches the magnitude of the variable to be set to the rotating operation knob 32. And the number of clicks related to the rotary operation knob 32 is changed by the reciprocating operation of the reciprocating knob 33. Since the operating device 31 has a simple mechanical configuration, it can be manufactured at a low cost.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the lower dial as a 2nd operation knob with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a top view which shows the disc with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a side view which shows the U-shaped part with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a front view which shows the position change part with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the state which rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a top view which shows the state which rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which further rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the state which further rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a top view which shows the state which further rotated the lower dial with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is equipped. It is a perspective view which shows the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the cylinder with which the operating device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is provided.

Explanation of symbols

1,31 Operation device 2 Upper dial (operation knob)
3 Lower dial (second operation knob, switching operation means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Disc 14,38 1st click surface 15,39 1st engaging part 16,41 2nd click surface 17,42 2nd engaging part 19 Elastic part (switching operation means)
21 U-shaped portion 22, 47 First engaged portion 23, 48 Second engaged portion 24 Position changing portion (switching operation means)
25 Upper section (stage)
26 Lower part (stage)
27 Boundary 32 Rotary operation knob (operation knob)
33 Reciprocating knob (switching operation means)
34 Cylinder 49 Moving connection (switching operation means)

Claims (5)

In an operating device that generates a click when a rotary or sliding operation knob is operated,
In order to generate a click, a plurality of click surfaces each having a different number of engaging portions, and
And an engaged portion that is disposed opposite to each click surface and is detachably provided on an engagement portion formed on the opposing click surface,
Each engaged portion is adapted to come into contact with and separate from the click surface facing the engaged portion,
It is possible to simultaneously switch between the contact and separation of one engaged portion with respect to the click surface facing the engaged portion and the contact and separation of the other engaged portion with respect to the click surface facing the engaged portion. Yes,
When one engaged portion is in contact with the click surface facing the engaged portion, the engaged portions except for the one engaged portion are separated from the click surface facing the engaged portion. An operating device characterized by being configured to do so. A first click surface on which M (M is a natural number) concave or convex first engaging portions are formed;
A second click surface on which N (N is a natural number, N ≠ M) concave or convex second engaging portions are formed;
A first engaged portion and a second engaged portion that are respectively opposed to the first click surface and the second click surface and are detachably provided on the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. When,
The contact of the first engaged portion with the first click surface and the separation in the facing direction, and the separation and contact of the second engaged portion with the second click surface in the facing direction can be switched simultaneously. Switching operation means for
Depending on the operation knob operation, the first engagement portion and the first engaged portion, and the second engagement portion and the second engaged portion are operated in the operation knob operation direction. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein each of the operating devices is relatively moved. The operation knob is a rotary type,
The first engaged portion is provided on one end side, and the U-shaped portion is provided with the second engaged portion on the other end side,
The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are formed respectively on one surface and the other surface of a disk provided integrally and coaxially with a rotating shaft that rotates in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob.
The switching operation means includes
A rotary second operation knob arranged coaxially with the operation knob;
A stepped or inclined surface provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, the position of the rotating shaft changing in the axial length direction, and in contact with the U-shaped portion in the axial length direction, the first A position changing portion that slides in the circumferential direction with respect to the U-shaped portion in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob of 2;
An elastic part that is coupled to the U-shaped part and urges the U-shaped part in the axial length direction toward the position changing part by an elastic restoring force. The operating device according to 1. The position changing portion is stepped,
The operation according to claim 3, wherein a boundary between the step of the position changing portion or a portion of the U-shaped portion that contacts the position changing portion is formed in a slope shape or a curved surface shape. apparatus. The operation knob is a rotary type,
The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are formed on one end side and the other end side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder that rotates according to the rotation operation of the operation knob, respectively.
The first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are respectively disposed on one side and the other side of the radial direction with a central position in the radial direction of the cylinder interposed therebetween,
The switching operation means includes
A reciprocating operation knob provided to be freely reciprocated,
The first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are connected to each other, and have a moving connecting portion that reciprocates in the radial direction in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating knob. Item 3. The operating device according to Item 2.

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