JP2017168314A - Vehicular lever switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lever switch device which has an improved operation feeling and can suppress abnormal noise.SOLUTION: A vehicular lever switch device comprises: an actuator 12 whose tip comes into contact with an operation surface; a sleeve 14 which slidably holds the actuator 12 so that it is biased toward the operation surface; and an operation lever 1 which has a hole 11A, formed on one end side, into which the sleeve 14 is inserted. The sleeve 14 has: a slit 14E formed at least from one end side to the other end side; and a rib part 14C, arranged in the vicinity of one end side of its outer peripheral surface, which comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the operation lever 1. The actuator 12 has, on its outer peripheral surface, a ring-shaped flange part 12A which slides on an inner peripheral side of the sleeve 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lever switch device that is disposed near a steering wheel or the like of a driver's seat and is used for operation of a direction indicator, a light, a wiper, and the like, and in particular, can detect a swing operation in two directions. The present invention relates to a lever switch device.

A general vehicle lever switch device mounted on a passenger car detects the up and down movement of the operation lever as an operation of a direction indicator, and detects the back and forth movement of the operation lever as an operation of a headlight beam or a wiper. To do.
Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle lever switch that can generate a click feeling by biasing an actuator with a spring against an operation lever.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-220065

  Here, if the actuator is made of resin, the actuator diameter may not be increased due to the space in the product, and the rigidity may not be increased. (For example, there is little sharpness and sharpness).

  In order to solve this problem, when the actuator is made of metal, the problem of strength is solved, but the problem that dimensional accuracy is required remains. In other words, if there is a backlash between the bearing and the actuator due to dimensional variation, whether it is made of resin or metal, the actuator may be violated in the backlash and generate noise during operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lever switch device that improves the operational feel and can suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise.

  The vehicle lever switch device according to the present invention is formed on one end side with an actuator whose tip abuts against the operation surface, a sleeve that holds the actuator slidably in a state of being urged toward the operation surface. An operation lever into which the sleeve is inserted into the hole, wherein the sleeve has a slit formed at least from one end side to the other end side, and is near the one end side of the outer peripheral surface The actuator has a rib portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever, and the actuator has a ring-shaped flange portion that slides on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve on a part of the outer peripheral surface.

  According to this configuration, since the sleeve is elastically deformed in the radial direction, it is possible to improve the operational feeling and to suppress the generation of abnormal noise even when the actuator is other than resin. Further, since the sleeve is elastically deformed in the radial direction, the operation lever and the sleeve, and the sleeve and the actuator can be adjusted to each other without increasing the fitting size accuracy of the sleeve and the actuator with respect to the operation lever without play. Can be fixed.

  Preferably, the sleeve is elastically deformed by being inserted into the hole formed in the operation lever, and the outer diameter of the sleeve before being elastically deformed after being fitted into the hole is elastically deformed. It is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve.

  According to this configuration, as the sleeve is inserted into the hole, the outer diameter is elastically deformed while the outer diameter is reduced. Therefore, the sleeve can be easily inserted into the hole, and assembly is facilitated.

  Preferably, the sleeve is elastically deformed by being inserted into the hole formed in the operation lever, and the width of the slit before being elastically deformed is fitted into the hole, and the sleeve after the elastic deformation is It is larger than the width of the slit.

  According to this configuration, as the sleeve is inserted into the hole, the slit is elastically deformed while the width of the slit is reduced. Therefore, the sleeve can be easily inserted into the hole, and assembly is facilitated.

  Preferably, the actuator is slidably inserted into the sleeve in a state where a coiled elastic member is wound along a sliding direction, and the elastic member has one end supported by the flange portion, and the like. An end portion is supported on the other end side of the sleeve.

  According to this structure, since the said elastic member is hold | maintained in the said sleeve, assemblability is good. In addition, since the sleeve acts in a direction that does not come out of the operation lever, the sleeve is more securely held in the operation lever.

Preferably, the sleeve has a cylindrical shape and a C-shaped cross section.
According to this configuration, as the sleeve is inserted into the hole, the slit is elastically deformed while the width of the slit is reduced. Therefore, the sleeve can be easily inserted into the hole, and assembly is facilitated. Further, the sleeve is more reliably held in the operation lever.
Preferably, the sleeve has a C-shape at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
According to this configuration, two places in the longitudinal direction of the actuator 12 are held without play, and the operation of the actuator 12 is stabilized.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the lever switch apparatus for vehicles which improved the operation feeling and was able to suppress generation | occurrence | production of unusual noise can be provided.

It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the lever switch apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the lever switch apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the lever switch apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. 1, and shows the state which abbreviate | omitted illustration of the housing. It is sectional drawing in the AA of the lever switch apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the actuator and spring which the lever switch apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. It is a front view which shows the inside of the lever switch apparatus for vehicles shown in FIG. 1, and shows the state which abbreviate | omitted illustration of the housing and the lever support body. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the sleeve and actuator which the lever switch apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the sleeve which the lever switch apparatus for vehicles which concerns on embodiment of this invention has.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle lever switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a vehicle lever switch device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lever switch device 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the vehicle lever switch device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state in which the first case body 31 is not shown. FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along line AA.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the appearance of the actuator and the spring included in the vehicle lever switch device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the inside of the vehicle lever switch device 100 shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state in which a housing and a part of the lever support are not shown. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the appearance of a sleeve and an actuator (pressing element) included in the vehicle lever switch device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a sleeve included in the vehicle lever switch device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle lever switch device 100 according to this embodiment includes an operation lever 1, a lever support 2 that supports the operation lever 1 in a swingable manner, and supports the operation lever 1 through the lever support 2 in a swingable manner. The first rotation detection switch 4 for detecting the rotation of the operation lever 1 relative to the lever support 2, the second rotation detection switch 5 for detecting the rotation of the lever support 2 relative to the housing 3, and the first rotation detection. A flexible printed circuit board 6 (hereinafter abbreviated as “FPC board 6”) on which the switch 4 and the second rotation detection switch 5 are mounted is provided.

  A pair of rotating shafts arranged on the same axis are provided on both side surfaces of the operating member 11 of the operating lever 1. The rotation shaft is supported by bearing portions 2C and 2D provided on the lever support 2, respectively.

  The operating lever 1 includes a lever main body 1A provided with an operating member 11 to be inserted into the accommodation chamber 21 of the lever support 2, and a part of the outer surface of the lever main body 1A in a long portion protruding to the outside of the lever support 2. Has a cover 1B. An electrical component such as a rotary switch is mounted on the long portion of the lever main body 1A surrounded by the cover 1B. These electrical components are connected to the FPC board 6 of the housing 3 via a cable, an FPC board, etc. (not shown).

  The lever support 2 is provided with a housing chamber 21 for housing the distal end side portion of the operating member 11, and a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating shaft of the operating member 11 inside the housing chamber 21. Portions 2C and 2D are provided.

  The rotation shaft is, for example, a columnar protrusion formed on the outer surface of the operating member 11, and the bearing portions 2C and 2D have a columnar inner wall that supports the protrusion.

  When the distal end portion of the actuating member 11 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 21 of the lever support 2, the pivot shaft of the actuating member 11 is rotatably supported by the bearing portions 2 </ b> C and 2 </ b> D in the accommodating chamber 21. When the rotation shaft is supported by the bearing portions 2C and 2D, the operation lever 1 can swing around the first swing shaft AX1. The first swing axis AX1 is a line passing through the centers of the bearing portions 2C and 2D and the rotation shaft.

On the other hand, on the upper and lower outer surfaces of the lever support 2, a pair of rotating shafts 2A and 2B arranged on the same axis are provided. The rotating shaft 2A is supported by a bearing portion 32A provided in the second case body 32 of the housing 3, and the rotating shaft 2B is supported by a bearing portion 31B provided in the first case body 31 of the housing 3. . The rotation shafts 2A and 2B are, for example, columnar protrusions formed on the outer surface of the lever support 2, and the bearing portion 32A is a hole having a columnar inner wall that supports the protrusions.
When the rotation shafts 2A and 2B of the lever support 2 are supported by the bearing portion 32A of the housing 3, the lever support 2 is rotatable about the second swing axis AX2. The operation lever 1 is swingable about the second swing axis AX2 via the lever support 2. The second swing axis AX2 is a line passing through the center of the bearing portion 32A and the rotation shafts 2A and 2B.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the first swing axis AX1 passing through the centers of the bearing portions 2C and 2D and the rotation shaft, and the second swing shaft AX2 passing through the centers of the bearing portion 32A and the rotation shafts 2A and 2B are: It is almost orthogonal.

  The housing 3 is a case that accommodates the lever support 2, and supports the pivot shafts 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B of the lever support 2 by the bearing portion 32 </ b> A described above, whereby the lever support 2 is centered on the second swing axis AX <b> 2. Is supported rotatably.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the housing 3 is divided into two parts, a first case body 31 and a second case body 32. The first case body 31 and the second case body 32 are integrated using, for example, a snap fit. The housing 3 is attached to a housing holding member provided in a steering column of an automobile, for example.

  The first rotating member 7 is a member that rotates about the first swing axis AX1 in response to the swing operation of the operation lever 1 about the first swing axis AX1, and rotates the first rotation detection switch 4. To drive. In the example of FIG. 2, the first rotating member 7 includes a drive gear 7A and a shaft 7B.

  The shaft 7 </ b> B penetrates the bearing portion 2 </ b> C from the outside of the lever support 2 and is fitted into a fitting hole of a rotating shaft formed on the side surface of the operating member 11. The drive gear 7A is fixed to the shaft 7B and meshes with the driven gear 4F of the first rotation detection switch 4.

  When the operating lever 1 is swung around the first swing axis AX1, the drive gear 7A fixed to the shaft 7B rotates around the first swing axis AX1, and this rotation is driven by the driven gear 4F. Thus, the first rotation detection switch 4 is driven to rotate. As described above, since the first fixed contact is fixed to the lever support 2, when the driven gear 4F rotates relative to the lever support 2, the first movable contact rotates relative to the first fixed contact. .

  The second rotating member 8 is a member that rotates about the second swing axis AX2 in response to the swing operation of the operation lever 1 about the second swing axis AX2, and rotates the second rotation detection switch 5. To drive. 2 and 4, the second rotating member 8 has a drive gear 8A and a shaft 8B.

  The shaft 8B is fitted from the outside of the housing 3 into a fitting hole 2E formed in the rotation shaft 2B of the lever support 2. The drive gear 8A is fixed to the shaft 8B and meshes with the driven gear 5F of the second rotation detection switch 5.

  When the operating lever 1 is swung around the second swing axis AX2, the drive gear 8A fixed to the shaft 8B rotates around the second swing axis AX2, and this rotation is driven by the driven gear 5F. The second rotation detection switch 5 is driven to rotate. As described above, since the second fixed contact is fixed to the housing 3, when the driven gear 5F rotates with respect to the housing 3, the second movable contact rotates with respect to the second fixed contact.

  The drive gears (7A, 8A) provided on these rotating members (7, 8) have a pitch circle radius that is greater than the driven gears (4F, 5F) provided on the rotation detection switches (4, 5). Configured to be large. Thereby, the rotation of the driven gears (4F, 5F) is increased as compared with the rotation of the drive gears (7A, 8A) due to the swinging operation of the operation lever 1.

  The FPC board 6 has a first board portion 6A on which wiring connected to the first fixed contact of the first rotation detection switch 4 and wiring connected to the second fixed contact of the second rotation detection switch 5 are formed. Second substrate portion 6B.

  The first substrate portion 6A is fixed to the lever support 2 by a substrate pressing member (not shown), and is connected (soldered or the like) to the terminal of the first rotation detection switch 4 connected to the first fixed contact. The second substrate portion 6B is fixed to the surface of the substrate mounting base 31A provided on the outer surface of the first case body 31 via a boss or the like, and the second rotation detection switch 5 connected to the second fixed contact. Connected to terminals (soldering etc.). In the example shown in the figure, one end portion of the second substrate portion 6B is bent at a substantially right angle so that the surfaces thereof are parallel to the first swing axis AX1 and the second swing axis AX2, and the bent portions are A terminal of the second rotation detection switch 5 is connected.

  In the FPC board 6, a band-shaped intermediate part 6 </ b> C bent in a U shape is provided between the first board part 6 </ b> A fixed to the lever support 2 and the second board part 6 </ b> B fixed to the housing 3. It has been. Even if the distance and the positional relationship between the first substrate portion 6A and the second substrate portion 6B change as the lever support 2 rotates with respect to the housing 3, the deformation of the FPC substrate 6 in the belt-shaped intermediate portion 6C occurs. Is allowed, so that the rotating operation is not hindered.

  According to the vehicle lever switch device 100 having the above-described configuration, when the operation lever 1 is swung around the first swing axis AX1, the rotation shaft of the actuating member 11 is moved with respect to the lever support 2. The drive gear 7A of the first rotating member 7 rotates together with the shaft 7B fitted to the rotation shaft, and the driven gear 4F meshed with the drive gear 7A rotates.

  When the driven gear 4F rotates, the first movable contact rotates with respect to the first fixed contact fixed to the lever support 2, and this rotation is detected as a change in resistance value at a terminal connected to the first fixed contact. The As a result, the swing operation of the operation lever 1 around the first swing axis AX1 is detected as an electrical signal by the first rotation detection switch 4.

  Further, when the operation lever 1 is swung around the second swing axis AX2, the pivot shafts 2A and 2B of the lever support 2 are pivoted with respect to the housing 3, and are fitted to the pivot shaft 2B. The drive gear 8A of the second rotating member 8 rotates together with the shaft 8B thus made, and the driven gear 5F meshed with the drive gear 8A rotates.

  When the driven gear 5F rotates, the second movable contact rotates with respect to the second fixed contact fixed to the housing 3, and this rotation is detected as a change in resistance value at a terminal connected to the second fixed contact. As a result, the swing operation of the operation lever 1 around the second swing axis AX2 is detected as an electrical signal by the second rotation detection switch 5.

  3 and 4, a hole 11A is formed at the distal end portion of the operating member 11 provided in the lever main body 1A of the operation lever 1, and the sleeve 14 is accommodated in the hole 11A. The sleeve 14 is made of an elastically deformable resin such as polyacetal, and is elastically deformed by being inserted into a hole 11A formed in the operating member 11 of the operation lever 1, and is fitted into the hole 11A. The sleeve 14 is formed with a hole 14A on one end side, and the actuator 12 and the spring 13 are accommodated through the hole 14A. The spring 13 biases the actuator 12 so as to protrude to the outside of the hole 14A.

  The actuator 12 is a pin-shaped metal member, and one end protrudes outside the hole 11A. The other end of the actuator 12 penetrates the coiled spring 13. A hole 14B having a diameter smaller than that of the spring 13 is formed on the inner side of the hole 14A, and an end portion of the actuator 12 penetrating the spring 13 is inserted into the hole 14B. The actuator 12 is slidably inserted into the sleeve 14 in a state where a spring 13 which is a coil-shaped elastic member is wound along the sliding direction.

  The spring 13 is sandwiched between the step formed at the boundary between the hole 14 </ b> A and the hole 14 </ b> B and the flange portion 12 </ b> A formed on the actuator 12 and compressed. Further, one end (tip) of the actuator 12 abuts on the operation surface (cam surface) 31C. That is, the tip of the actuator 12 protruding from the hole 14 </ b> A of the sleeve 14 is in elastic contact with the cam surface 31 </ b> C formed on the inner wall of the first case body 31 of the housing 3. The sleeve 14 holds the actuator 12 slidably in a state of being biased toward the operation surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 12 has a ring-shaped flange portion 12 </ b> A that slides on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve 14 at a part of the outer peripheral surface. One end of the spring (elastic member) 13 is supported by the flange portion 12 </ b> A, and the other end is supported by the other end of the sleeve 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the sleeve 14 is cylindrical and has a C-shaped cross section. The sleeve 14 has a C shape at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The sleeve 14 has a slit 14E formed at least from one end side to the other end side.

  The sleeve 14 has a rib portion 14C provided in the vicinity of one end side of the outer peripheral surface. The rib portion 14C comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A of the operation lever 1 in a state where the sleeve 14 is inserted. The sleeve 14 has a rib portion 14D provided on the multi-end side of the outer peripheral surface. The rib portion 14D contacts the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A of the operation lever 1 in a state where the sleeve 14 is inserted.

  The sleeve 14 is inserted into the hole 11A formed in the operation lever 1 from the side where the rib part 14D is provided, so that the rib part 14D is first pushed in the direction of decreasing the diameter from the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A, and the back side. The slit 14E is elastically deformed so that the width thereof becomes narrow, and the rib portions 14D facing each other approach each other. Thereafter, when the sleeve 14 is further pushed into the hole 11A, the rib portion 14C is pushed in the direction of decreasing the diameter from the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A, and elastically deforms so that the width of the slit 14E is further narrowed. The rib portion 14C to be approached.

  After the rib portion 14D is pushed into the hole 11A, the rib portion 14C is pushed into the hole 11A, whereby the sleeve 14 is pushed into the hole 11A while the rib portion 14C and the rib portion 14D are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A. It fits without any play. Further, the sleeve 14 can be elastically deformed in the direction in which the inner diameter of the sleeve 14 is increased with the rib portion 14C and the rib portion 14D as a fulcrum between the rib portion 14C and the rib portion 14D or in the outer region in the longitudinal direction. That is, when the sleeve 14 is pushed by the inner peripheral surface of the hole 11A and the holes 14A and 14B come into contact with the actuator 12, the sleeve 14 is elastically deformed along the outer peripheral surface of the actuator 12 to slide the actuator 12. It works so as not to disturb the movement. As a result, the two locations in the longitudinal direction of the actuator 12 are held in a state where there is no backlash and the sliding is not hindered, the operation of the actuator 12 is stable, and no abnormal noise is generated.

The outer diameter of the sleeve 14 before elastic deformation is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 14 after elastic deformation. The width of the slit 14E before elastic deformation is larger than the width of the slit 14E after elastic deformation.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above, Various modifications are included. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the slit 14E is provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, but the slit 14E may be provided only at the end, the center may be connected, and the cross-section may be a ring shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation lever 1A ... Lever main body 1B ... Cover 11 ... Actuating member 11C, 11D ... Turning shaft 12 ... Actuator 13 ... Spring 2 ... Lever support body 21 ... Storage chamber 2A, 2B ... Turning shaft 2C, 2D ... Bearing part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Housing 31 ... 1st case body 31A ... Board | substrate mounting base 31B ... Bearing part 31C ... Cam surface 32 ... 2nd case body 32A ... Bearing part 4 ... 1st rotation detection switch 4F ... Driven gear 5 ... 2nd rotation detection Switch 5F ... driven gear 6 ... FPC board 6A ... first board part 6B ... second board part 6C ... intermediate part 7 ... first rotating member 7A ... drive gear 7B ... shaft 8 ... second rotating member 8A ... drive gear 8B ... shaft 100 ... vehicle lever switch device AX1 ... first swing axis AX2 ... second swing axis.

Claims (6)

An actuator whose tip abuts against the operation surface, a sleeve that slidably holds the actuator biased toward the operation surface, and an operation lever into which the sleeve is inserted into a hole formed on one end side A vehicle lever switch device comprising:
The sleeve is
A slit is formed at least from the one end side along the other end side,
Provided near the one end side of the outer peripheral surface, and having a rib portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the operation lever;
The actuator has a ring-shaped flange portion that slides on the inner peripheral side of the sleeve on a part of the outer peripheral surface.
A lever switch device for a vehicle. The sleeve is
It is elastically deformed by being inserted into the hole formed in the operation lever, and is fitted into the hole.
The outer diameter of the sleeve before elastic deformation is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve after elastic deformation,
The vehicle lever switch device according to claim 1. The sleeve is
It is elastically deformed by being inserted into the hole formed in the operation lever, and is fitted into the hole.
The width of the slit before elastic deformation is larger than the width of the slit after elastic deformation,
The vehicle lever switch device according to claim 1. The actuator is slidably inserted into the sleeve in a state where a coiled elastic member is wound along the sliding direction,
The elastic member has one end supported by the flange and the other end supported by the other end of the sleeve.
The vehicle lever switch device according to claim 1. The sleeve is cylindrical and has a C-shaped cross section.
The vehicle lever switch device according to claim 1. The sleeve has a C shape at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
The vehicle lever switch device according to claim 1.

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