JP2012119206A - Push type switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push type switch device in which a movable peripheral wall of a switching member can move smoothly along a fixed peripheral wall of the frame member so that excellent operability of the switching member is maintained.SOLUTION: A formation direction M1 of a concave rail 22 positioned in the lower right corresponds to (overlaps with) the formation direction M1 of the concave rail 22 positioned in the upper left. A formation direction M2 of a concave rail 22 positioned in the lower left corresponds to (overlaps with) the formation direction M2 of the concave rail 22 positioned in the upper right. These formation directions M1 and M2 are set in a direction inclined from both of the preset longitudinal direction Y and lateral direction X. The formation direction M1 and the formation direction M2 are not orthogonal but crossing (non-orthogonal crossing).

Description

  The present invention relates to a push-type switch device mounted on a vehicle, a home appliance, and the like, and particularly relates to a push-type illuminated switch device for a vehicle.

  Many electric devices, such as electric devices for vehicles and home appliances, are equipped with a push-type switch (push-type switch device). For example, in an illumination type push-type switch that is mounted on an air conditioning display panel of an automobile and includes a light-emitting unit (light source) such as an LED inside, the push switch surrounds the LED and the electrical switch fixed on the substrate. (Switching member) presses an electrical switch to electrically connect and disconnect the air conditioner and the LED.

  Then, the switch knob is arranged outside the support frame (frame member) formed in a frame shape, a rail protruding outward from the peripheral wall portion (fixed peripheral wall portion) of the support frame, and the peripheral wall portion of the switch knob (moving) A structure in which a rail protruding from the peripheral wall portion toward the inside is slidably guided (see Patent Document 1). By the way, in such a press switch including Patent Document 1, both the support frame side rail and the switch knob side rail protrude only in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction when viewed from the design surface (display surface) of the switch knob. That is, these rails are formed to project in two orthogonal directions (vertical direction and horizontal direction).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-39990 (FIG. 5)

  For this reason, when the vicinity of the center of the switch knob is pressed, it moves smoothly along the rail. However, when the peripheral part of the switch knob (especially the corner of the rectangular switch knob) is pressed, the amount of change in the movement direction of the peripheral part (the amount of settlement: indicated by L in FIG. 4 described later) is relative. May become twisted between the rails, which may hinder smooth push-in and return of the push switch.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a push-type switch device capable of maintaining good operability of a switching member by configuring the moving peripheral wall portion of the switching member so as to smoothly move along the fixed peripheral wall portion of the frame member. There is.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, the push type switch device of the present invention provides:
A moving peripheral wall portion projecting from an operation portion pressed by an operator to a side opposite to the side where the operator is positioned so as to at least partially surround the electric switch fixed to the substrate; A switching member that electrically connects and disconnects a predetermined operating portion by pressing in a moving direction parallel to a direction in which the moving peripheral wall portion protrudes;
In the form of being arranged to face the inner or outer side of the moving peripheral wall of the switching member, in the moving direction from the side where the electric switch is located toward the operator side so as to at least partially surround the electric switch. A push-type switch device comprising: a frame member having a fixed peripheral wall portion erected along;
The operation unit is formed with a display surface on the side where the operator is located, for the operator to press and display the operation content to the operator. The display surface is displayed on the display surface. Depending on the operation content, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as viewed from the operator are set in a direction orthogonal to each other in advance,
Engaging wall portions for sliding and guiding each other in the moving direction by projecting or retracting to the other side are provided on the moving peripheral wall portion of the switching member and the fixed peripheral wall portion of the frame member in the circumferential direction. Formed in pairs at multiple locations,
When the direction in which the engagement wall portion protrudes or retracts from the movable peripheral wall portion or the fixed peripheral wall portion is a forming direction, at least one of a plurality of forming directions is the vertical direction and the vertical direction as viewed from the moving direction. It is characterized by being set in a direction inclined from any of the lateral directions.

  As described above, the direction of formation of the engagement wall portion (for example, the convex rail on one side and the concave rail on the other side) formed in the movable peripheral wall portion and the fixed peripheral wall portion is the display surface (design) of the operation portion (for example, the switch knob). It is set in a direction inclined from both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (defined) defined by (surface). Therefore, even when the peripheral part of the operation part (in particular, the corner part in the case of a rectangular operation part) is pressed, the amount of change in the movement direction of the peripheral part (the amount of settlement: indicated by L in FIG. 4) It becomes relatively small and it is difficult for the engaging wall portion to be twisted, and smooth switching and return of the switching member (for example, push switch) are not hindered. As described above, the moving peripheral wall portion of the switching member can smoothly move along the fixed peripheral wall portion of the frame member, and the favorable operability of the switching member can be maintained.

  The engaging wall portion is constituted by a concave rail having a notch-like recess in the inner fixed peripheral wall portion and extending in the moving direction, and a convex rail protruding in a plate shape and extending in the moving direction in the outer moving peripheral wall portion. In this case, the outer guide surface of the convex rail and the inner guide surface of the concave rail slide and guide each other. In addition, among a plurality of forming directions, a part may be inclined from both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the remaining may be the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

  And it is desirable for the formation direction which an engagement wall part has to be set to the direction which at least 2 mutually cross | intersects seeing from a moving direction. By having a plurality of forming directions, it becomes easy to absorb the twisting of the engaging wall portion in the plurality of directions, so that it is possible to smoothly operate any position of the operating portion.

  It is more desirable that the plurality of formation directions intersect without being orthogonal (non-orthogonal intersection). This makes it easy to absorb the twisting of the engaging wall portion in any direction, so that it can be easily applied to a switching member having a large operation portion. When the outer shape of the operation portion is a polygonal shape or a pseudopolygon shape (for example, a rectangular shape or a pseudo-rectangular shape having two sides in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction), the forming direction of the engaging wall portion is the above-described outer shape of the operation portion. It may be a diagonal line connecting the corners. Similarly, in the cross section orthogonal to the moving direction, the surrounding shape of the moving peripheral wall portion and the fixed peripheral wall portion is a polygonal shape or a pseudo-polygon shape (for example, a rectangular shape or a pseudo-rectangular shape having two sides in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction). Sometimes, the forming direction of the engagement wall portion may be a diagonal line connecting the corner portions of the surrounding shape.

  Further, it may include a plurality of pairs of engaging wall portions arranged in parallel in the forming direction when viewed from the moving direction. Furthermore, when viewed from the moving direction, the forming direction may include a plurality of pairs of engaging wall portions arranged on one straight line. Since the plurality of forming directions are arranged in parallel or arranged on one straight line, the frame member and the switching member can be easily assembled.

  In addition, in the case of a plurality of pairs of engaging wall portions arranged in parallel or on one straight line, the engaging wall portion is arranged on the other side along the forming direction from the movable peripheral wall portion and the fixed peripheral wall portion facing each other. You may form with the movement convex rail and the fixed convex rail which protrude in a plate shape. In this case, when the guide surface on which the movable convex rail and the fixed convex rail slide is viewed from the moving direction, it is arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the forming direction (that is, the guide surface is engaged with the engaging wall portion with respect to the forming direction). For each side).

The front view which shows an example of the case body in the push type illumination type switch apparatus which concerns on this invention. The front view which shows an example of the push switch in the switch apparatus of FIG. The rear view of the push switch of FIG. Explanatory drawing showing the movement state of a push switch. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of formation of an engagement wall part. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of formation of an engagement wall part.

Example 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a case body in the push type illumination switch device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the push switch, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the push switch. A push-type illuminated switch device 100 (push-type switch device) shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle body (main body) side (not shown) such as an air-conditioning display panel of an automobile, and a light-emitting unit (light source) such as an LED 4 or the like. ) Is an illumination type pressing switch. This push-type illuminated switch device (hereinafter also simply referred to as a switch device) 100 is a box-type case 1 (case body) attached to the vehicle body (main body) via a bracket 1a (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a pseudo rectangular parallelepiped shape). The case 1 is integrally formed with a support frame 20 as a frame member, and the support frame 20 accommodates a push switch 10 as a switching member.

  In the push switch 10 shown in FIG. 2, the switch knob 11 (operation unit) that is pressed by the operator is pressed and operated by the operator on the side where the operator is located (the front side of the sheet). A design surface 11a (display surface) for display to a person is formed. In the design surface 11a, the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X viewed from the operator are set (defined) in advance in a direction orthogonal to each other in accordance with the operation content displayed on the design surface 11a. In this embodiment, since the push switch 10 is a blow mode changeover switch, the blowing direction is illustrated on the design surface 11a, the blowing direction to the feet is the vertical direction Y, and the blowing direction to the face is the horizontal direction X. Set to The outer shape of the switch knob 11 has two sides 11y and 11y in the vertical direction Y and two sides 11x and 11x in the horizontal direction X, and is formed in a pseudo-rectangular shape in which the horizontal width gradually decreases toward the lower side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the switch knob 11 includes one or more (for example, one) electrical switch 3 and one or more (for example, one) LED 4 fixed to the printed circuit board 2 (board). A moving peripheral wall portion 12 protruding from the switch knob 11 in the depth direction (front side in FIG. 3) is provided so as to surround the entire circumference. When the operator presses the switch knob 11 in a moving direction Z (see FIG. 4; a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 1 to 3) parallel to the protruding direction of the moving peripheral wall 12, the tip of the moving peripheral wall 12 When the electric switch 3 is pressed, the air conditioner (operating unit; not shown) and the LED 4 are electrically connected (cut).

  In FIG. 1, the support frame 20 is disposed so as to face the moving peripheral wall portion 12 of the push switch 10 so as to surround the electric switch 3 and the LED 4 over the entire circumference from the substrate 2 side. It has a fixed peripheral wall portion 21 erected along the moving direction Z (see FIG. 4) toward the operator side (front side in FIG. 1). In FIGS. 1 and 3, the surrounding shape of the movable peripheral wall portion 12 and the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 can be regarded as a pseudo triangle shape or a pseudo pentagon shape, or another polygon shape having a larger number of corners. It can also be seen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a concave rail 22 (engagement wall portion) having a notch-like recess and extending in the moving direction is formed in a plurality of circumferential positions (for example, four locations) on the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 located on the inner side. Is formed. On the other hand, convex rails 13 (engagement wall portions) projecting inward and extending in the moving direction are formed on the outer peripheral moving wall portion 13 at the same number and at the same positions as the concave rails 22 in the circumferential direction. Yes. And since the formation directions M1 and M2 (engagement center lines) of the corresponding convex rails 13 and the concave rails 22 are made to coincide, the outer guide surface 13a of each convex rail 13 corresponds to the corresponding concave rail. It moves while being slidably guided by the inner guide surface 22a.

  The formation direction M1 of the concave rail 22 positioned at the lower right in FIG. 1 (the convex rail 13 positioned at the lower left in FIG. 3) is the concave rail 22 positioned at the upper left in FIG. It coincides (overlaps) with the forming direction M1 of the rail 13). On the other hand, the formation direction M2 of the concave rail 22 positioned at the lower left in FIG. 1 (the convex rail 13 positioned at the lower right in FIG. 3) is located at the upper left in FIG. It coincides (overlaps) with the forming direction M2 of the convex rail 13). A plurality (two in this embodiment) of forming directions M1 and M2 are all set in directions inclined from both the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X set on the design surface 11a (see FIG. 2). Further, the formation direction M1 and the formation direction M2 intersect with each other without being orthogonal (non-orthogonal intersection). In this embodiment, the formation directions M1 and M2 of the concave rail 22 and the convex rail 13 do not coincide with the diagonal lines D1 and D2 (see FIG. 3) connecting the corners of the pseudo rectangular switch knob 11. It is not parallel to the diagonal lines D1 and D2. Therefore, the intersection M of the two formation directions M1 and M2 (engagement center line) is at a position shifted from the intersection D of the two diagonal lines D1 and D2, and does not match.

  As described above, the formation directions M1 and M2 of the convex rail 13 and the concave rail 22 are set in directions inclined from both the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X defined by the design surface 11a of the switch knob 11. Even when the pressing force F in the direction intersecting the moving direction Z acts on the peripheral part (especially the corner part) of the switch knob 11, the change amount L (sinking amount) of the peripheral part in the moving direction Z is relatively small. (See FIG. 4). Therefore, it becomes difficult to produce the twist between the convex rail 13 and the concave rail 22, and smooth push-in and return of the push switch 10 are not hindered. As a result, the movable peripheral wall portion 12 of the push switch 10 can smoothly move along the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 of the support frame 20, and good operability of the push switch 10 can be maintained for a long period of time.

  Further, since the convex rail 13 and the concave rail 22 are arranged so that the formation directions M1 and M2 coincide (overlap), the push switch 10 can be assembled to the support frame 20 very easily. Further, since the formation direction M1 and the formation direction M2 intersect without being orthogonal (non-orthogonal intersection), it becomes easy to absorb the twist between the convex rail 13 and the concave rail 22 in all directions, and a large switch It becomes easy to apply also to the push switch 10 having the knob 11. When the forming directions M1 and M2 do not coincide with the diagonal lines D1 and D2 and are not parallel to the diagonal lines D1 and D2, the amount of settlement of the design surface 11a is more uniform regardless of the pressing position of the switch knob 11. Therefore, the movement of the push switch 10 becomes smoother.

  In addition, you may arrange | position the convex rail 13 and the concave rail 22 so that the parallel formation direction M1, M2 may be included. Further, the case 1, the support frame 20, and the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 can be formed by injection molding of synthetic resin (for example, ABS resin), and the switch knob 11 and the movable peripheral wall portion 12 are formed of synthetic resin (for example, ABS resin). It can be formed by injection integral molding.

(Example 2)
Next, another example of forming the engaging wall portion is shown in FIG. In the switch knob 11 (operation unit) shown in FIG. 5, the moving peripheral wall portion 12 is formed to protrude in the moving direction along the outer edge of the pseudo-rectangular switch knob 11, and at the four corners of the moving peripheral wall portion 12, A concave rail 113 (engagement wall portion) having a notch-like depression and extending in the moving direction is formed along diagonal formation directions M1 and M2. On the other hand, on the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 located inside the movable peripheral wall portion 12, convex rails 122 (engagement wall portions) that protrude outward in a plate shape and extend in the movement direction are formed in the same number and the same position as the concave rail 113. Has been. In this embodiment, the surrounding shape of the movable peripheral wall portion 12 and the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 is a pseudo-rectangular shape similar to the outer shape of the switch knob 11. The forming directions M1 and M2 (engagement center lines) of the corresponding convex rails 122 and concave rails 113 are substantially matched with the diagonal lines (corresponding to D1 and D2 in FIG. 3) of the switch knob 11. Therefore, the intersection M of the two formation directions M1 and M2 (center line of engagement) coincides with the intersection of the two diagonal lines. In this case, the outer guide surface 122a of each convex rail 122 moves while being slidably guided by the corresponding inner guide surface 113a of the concave rail 113. Also in this embodiment, the formation direction M1 and the formation direction M2 do not intersect but intersect (non-orthogonal intersection).

  As described above, the concave rail 113 and the convex rail 122 are formed at the four corners of the movable peripheral wall portion 12 and the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 along the diagonal line forming directions M1 and M2. Even when the pressing force F in the direction intersecting the moving direction Z acts on the peripheral portion (especially the corner portion), the amount of change L (sinking amount) in the moving direction Z of the peripheral portion can be further reduced (FIG. 4). reference).

(Example 3)
Next, still another example of forming the engaging wall portion is shown in FIG. In the switch knob 11 (operation unit) shown in FIG. 6, the moving peripheral wall portion 12 is formed to protrude in the moving direction along the outer edge of the pseudo-rectangular switch knob 11, and at the four corners of the moving peripheral wall portion 12, Moving convex rails 213 (engagement wall portions) that protrude inward and extend in the moving direction are formed along diagonally forming directions M1 and M2. On the other hand, on the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 located inside the movable peripheral wall portion 12, fixed convex rails 222 (engagement wall portions) that protrude outward in a plate shape and extend in the movement direction have the same number and the same number as the movable convex rail 213. Formed in position. Also in this embodiment, the surrounding shape of the movable peripheral wall portion 12 and the fixed peripheral wall portion 21 is a pseudo-rectangular shape similar to the outer shape of the switch knob 11. In this embodiment, when the guide surfaces 213a and 222a on which the movable convex rail 213 and the fixed convex rail 222 slide are viewed from the movement direction Z (see FIG. 4), they are staggered with respect to the formation directions M1 and M2. (That is, the guide surfaces 213a and 222a are distributed to the right and left for each engagement wall portion in the forming directions M1 and M2).

  Specifically, the fixed convex rail 222 located in the lower right in FIG. 6 is located on the left side of the opposed moving convex rail 213 (formation direction M1), and the fixed convex rail 222 located in the upper left is opposed movement. It is located on the right side of the convex rail 213 (formation direction M1). Similarly, the fixed convex rail 222 located in the lower left is located on the right side of the opposed moving convex rail 213 (formation direction M2), and the fixed convex rail 222 located in the upper right is opposed to the movable convex rail 213 (formation). Located on the left side of direction M2). Also in this embodiment, the formation direction M1 and the formation direction M2 do not intersect but intersect (non-orthogonal intersection).

  Thus, by simplifying the structure of the engaging wall portion by the moving convex rail 213 and the fixed convex rail 222, while maintaining the good operability of the push switch 10 equivalent to the first and second embodiments, Cost can be reduced.

  About the engagement wall part demonstrated above, you may implement combining the structure of each Example. Of the plurality of forming directions M1 and M2, some may be inclined from both the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X, and the remaining may be the vertical direction Y or the horizontal direction X. 5 (Embodiment 2) and FIG. 6 (Embodiment 3), parts having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 (Embodiment 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. is there.

1 Case (case body)
1a Bracket 2 Printed circuit board (board)
3 Electric switch 4 LED (light emitting part; light source)
10 Push switch (switching member)
11 Switch knob (operation unit)
11a Design surface (display surface)
11x Horizontal side 11y Vertical side 12 Moving peripheral wall 13 Convex rail (engagement wall)
13a Outer guide surface 113 Concave rail (engagement wall)
113a Inner guide surface 213 Moving convex rail (engagement wall)
213a Guide surface 20 Support frame (frame member)
21 fixed peripheral wall part 22 concave rail (engagement wall part)
22a Inner guide surface 122 Convex rail (engagement wall)
122a Outer guide surface 222 Fixed convex rail (engagement wall)
222a Guide surface 100 Push-type illuminated switch device (push-type switch device)
M1, M2 Formation direction X Horizontal direction Y Vertical direction Z Movement direction

Claims (4)

A moving peripheral wall portion projecting from an operation portion pressed by an operator to a side opposite to the side where the operator is positioned so as to at least partially surround the electric switch fixed to the substrate; A switching member that electrically connects and disconnects a predetermined operating portion by pressing in a moving direction parallel to a direction in which the moving peripheral wall portion protrudes;
In the form of being arranged to face the inner or outer side of the moving peripheral wall of the switching member, in the moving direction from the side where the electric switch is located toward the operator side so as to at least partially surround the electric switch. A push-type switch device comprising: a frame member having a fixed peripheral wall portion erected along;
The operation unit is formed with a display surface on the side where the operator is located, for the operator to press and display the operation content to the operator. The display surface is displayed on the display surface. Depending on the operation content, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as viewed from the operator are set in a direction orthogonal to each other in advance,
Engaging wall portions for sliding and guiding each other in the moving direction by projecting or retracting to the other side are provided on the moving peripheral wall portion of the switching member and the fixed peripheral wall portion of the frame member in the circumferential direction. Formed in pairs at multiple locations,
When the direction in which the engagement wall portion protrudes or retracts from the movable peripheral wall portion or the fixed peripheral wall portion is a forming direction, at least one of a plurality of forming directions is the vertical direction and the vertical direction as viewed from the moving direction. A push-type switch device characterized in that the push-type switch device is set in a direction inclined from any of the lateral directions.   2. The push-type switch device according to claim 1, wherein a forming direction of the engaging wall portion is set to at least two directions intersecting each other when viewed from the moving direction.   The push-type switch device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of pairs of the engaging wall portions arranged in parallel in the forming direction when viewed from the moving direction.   4. The push switch device according to claim 3, wherein when viewed from the moving direction, the push-type switch device includes a plurality of pairs of the engaging wall portions arranged in a straight line in a forming direction.

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