JP5966144B2 - Compound switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite switch mainly used for operation of various electronic devices in a vehicle cabin.

  In recent years, a compound switch combined with various operation methods is mounted on a steering wheel or an instrument panel in an automobile, thereby increasing the number of electronic devices such as an acoustic device and an air conditioner in a vehicle interior. ing.

  Such a conventional composite switch will be described with reference to FIGS.

  8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of a conventional composite switch, and FIG. 10 is a front view thereof. In the figure, 1 is a case made of an insulating resin having a substantially box shape and having a lower surface opening, and a plurality of opening holes on the upper surface. 1A and 1B are formed.

  Reference numerals 2, 3, 4, and 5 are operation bodies made of insulating resin, and a lower surface of the operation body 2 is provided with a pressing portion 2 </ b> A that protrudes downward, and a plurality of operation bodies 2 are disposed in the opening hole 1 </ b> A of the case 1. The rib 2B is guided to the groove 6A of the upper cover 6 made of insulating resin.

  Further, a pressing portion 3A that protrudes downward is provided on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the operating body 3, and the operating body 3 has an intermediate portion as a fulcrum in the cylindrical portion 6B of the upper cover 6 in the opening hole 1B of the case 1. Both ends are mounted to move up and down.

  Furthermore, 7 is a wiring board having a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) formed on the upper and lower surfaces, 8 is a push switch, and a plurality of push switches 8 are mounted and mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 7 so that a plurality of switch contacts are provided. The pressing portion 2A on the lower surface of the operating body 2 and the pressing portion 3A of the operating body 3 are in contact with the upper end of the operating shaft 8A protruding upward from the upper surface of the push switch 8 via the pin 9 made of insulating resin. ing.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a lower cover made of an insulating resin. The lower cover 10 covers the lower surface of the case 1 and the upper cover 6, and these are fixed by a plurality of screws (not shown) to constitute a composite switch. ing.

  The composite switch configured as described above is attached to, for example, a spoke (not shown) of a steering wheel in the vehicle interior, with the upper surfaces of the plurality of operating bodies 2 and 3 facing forward, and attached to the automobile. A plurality of push switches 8 are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the vehicle via a wiring pattern, a lead wire (not shown) or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the operating body 2 is pressed with a finger, the operating body 2 moves downward, the pressing portion 2A on the lower surface presses the operating shaft 8A, and the push switch 8 is electrically connected / disconnected. This electric signal is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle, and for example, operations such as switching of the temperature and air volume of the air conditioner are performed.

  When the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operating body 3 are pressed with a finger, the operating body 3 swings with the intermediate portion as a fulcrum, and the left and right pressing portions 3A press the operating shaft 8A via the pins 9 to push The switch 8 is electrically connected / disconnected, and this electric signal is output to an electronic circuit of the vehicle. For example, an operation such as increasing / decreasing the volume of the audio is performed.

  In other words, by using a composite switch in which a plurality of operation bodies 2 and 3 having different shapes and operation methods are combined, various operations of various electronic devices such as an acoustic device and an air conditioner in a vehicle can be easily performed. It was configured.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2011-18570 A

  However, in the conventional composite switch, since a plurality of operation bodies 2 and 3 having different shapes and operation methods are combined, the opening 1A of the case 1 for mounting the operation body 2 so as to be movable up and down is provided. It is necessary to provide a holding portion, a guide portion, etc., such as the cylindrical portion 6B of the upper cover 6 and the pin 9 for swinging the operating body 3 with the inner cylindrical portion 1C, the groove portion 6A of the upper cover 6 and the intermediate portion as a fulcrum. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated and the overall height is large, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a composite switch that can be thinned and can be reliably operated.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a case having a substantially box shape with a plurality of opening holes formed on the upper surface, and a pressing portion which is mounted on the opening hole of the case so as to be vertically movable and protrudes downward on the lower surface. A plurality of operating bodies, a switch contact that makes electrical contact / separation according to the vertical movement of the operating body, a wiring board on which the switch contact is formed on the top surface, and a switch contact between the operating body and the switch contact. The operation body is made of an elastic cover with which the lower surface is locked, and the elastic cover is provided with a recessed portion with which the pressing portion abuts, and a stopper portion protruding downward from the lower surface of the recessed portion is formed. Then, the lower end of the pressing part electrically contacts and separates the switch contact through the recess, and the stopper part is in contact with the wiring board to restrict the pressing of the operating body, and is elastic by the pressing of the operating body. Deformed and presses the upper end of the switch contact That the convex portion is obtained by the composite switch is formed on the lower surface of the recess, a plurality of the operating tool is locked to the elastic cover an upper surface, an operation of the operation body is performed the elastic cover is elastically deformed , holder and guide part becomes unnecessary, it is possible to form the entire structure in a simple, Hakare is thinner, it is possible to obtain a composite switch capable reliable operation, in addition, the elastic by the pressing of the operating body By forming a convex portion that is deformed and presses the upper end of the switch contact point on the lower surface of the recess, the pressing operation amount of the operating body can be increased .

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve an advantageous effect that a composite switch that can be thinned and can be reliably operated can be realized.

Sectional drawing of the composite switch by one embodiment of this invention Exploded perspective view Front view Cross section Cross section Partial sectional view of the same Partial sectional view of the same Cross section of conventional composite switch Cross section Front view

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment)
1 is a sectional view of a composite switch according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof. In the figure, 11 is a substantially box-like polycarbonate or ABS having a bottom opening. A plurality of opening holes 11A, 11B, and 11C are formed on the upper surface.

  Reference numerals 12, 13, 14, and 15 are operating bodies made of an insulating resin such as polycarbonate or ABS, and a plurality of operating bodies 12 are in the opening hole 11 </ b> A of the case 11, and the operating body 13 is in the opening hole 11 </ b> B. 14 and 15 are respectively mounted in the opening hole 11C so as to be movable up and down.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a wiring board such as paper phenol or epoxy containing glass, 17 denotes a push switch in which the operation shaft 17A protrudes upward from the upper surface, and a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the wiring board 16 by copper foil or the like. And a plurality of push switches 17 are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 16 to form a plurality of switch contacts.

  Further, reference numeral 18 denotes an elastic cover such as rubber or elastomer. The entire or predetermined portion is made of a light-transmitting material such as milky white, and the operation bodies 12 to 15 and the plurality of push switches 17 are arranged so as to cover the entire upper surface of the wiring board 16. The lower surfaces of the plurality of operating bodies 12 to 15 are locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18 by adhesion or the like.

  In addition, the elastic cover 18 with the operating body 12 locked on the upper surface has a plurality of thin hollow portions with which a thin dome 18A and a pressing portion 12A protruding downward from the center of the lower surface of the operating body 12 abut. 18B is provided, and a plurality of stopper portions 18C projecting downward from the lower surface of the recess 18B are formed on the lower surface.

  As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the elastic cover 18 with the operating body 13 locked on the upper surface is in contact with a plurality of pressing portions 13 </ b> A that protrude downward from the left and right sides of the lower surface of the operating body 13. A thin holding portion 18E is formed on the lower surface of the operating body 13 and a fulcrum portion 13B protruding downward from the center of the lower surface of the operating body 13, and the lower surface protrudes below the lower surface of the concave portion 18D. A plurality of stopper portions 18F are provided.

  Further, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, a plurality of pressing portions 14 </ b> A that protrude downward from the left, right, front, and back of the lower surface of the operating body 14 abut on the elastic cover 18 with the operating body 14 locked on the upper surface. A plurality of thin-walled recesses 18G and a plurality of thin-walled plurality of outer peripheral walls 14B formed at the four corners in the direction of approximately 45 degrees outward from the pressing portion 14A with respect to the center of the operating body 14 A concave portion 18H is provided, and a plurality of stopper portions 18J are formed on the lower surface so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the recess 18G.

  Further, the thin dome portion 18K and the pressing portion 15A protruding downward from the center of the lower surface of the operating body 15 abut on the elastic cover 18 to which the operating body 15 disposed in the operating body 14 is locked. A thin-walled recess 18L is formed, and a plurality of stopper portions 18M are provided on the lower surface of the recess 18L so as to protrude downward from the recess 18L.

  And between the thin concave portions 18B, 18D, 18G, 18L of the elastic cover 18 and the upper end of the operation shaft 17A protruding upward from the upper surface of the push switch 17 mounted and mounted below the elastic cover 18 Each of the predetermined gaps is formed.

  Further, 19 is a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, and a plurality of light emitting elements 19 are mounted and mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 16 near the push switch 17 with the light emitting surface facing upward, and insulation such as polycarbonate and polyoxymethylene is used. A resin lower cover 20 covers the lower surface of the case 11 and the wiring board 16, and these are fixed by a plurality of screws 21 to constitute a composite switch.

  The composite switch configured in this way is attached to the automobile, for example, on the spokes (not shown) of the steering wheel, for example, in the passenger compartment, with the top surfaces of the plurality of operating bodies 12, 13, 14, and 15 facing forward. At the same time, the plurality of push switches 17 and the light emitting elements 19 are electrically connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) of the vehicle via a wiring pattern, a lead wire (not shown) or the like.

  In the above configuration, when the upper surface of the operating body 12 is pressed with a finger, the operating body 12 moves downward, the dome portion 18A of the elastic cover 18 is elastically deformed, and the lower end of the pressing portion 12A on the lower surface passes through the recessed portion 18B. When the operating shaft 17A is pressed, the push switch 17 is electrically connected and separated, and this electric signal is output to an electronic circuit of the vehicle, for example, an operation such as switching of the temperature and air volume of the air conditioner is performed.

  At this time, if the operating body 12 is pressed to a certain extent, the lower ends of the plurality of stopper portions 18C on the lower surface of the elastic cover 18 come into contact with the upper surface of the wiring board 16 and cannot be pressed any further. Thus, even when a slight impact or the like is applied to the operating body 12, the push switch 17 is formed so as not to be damaged.

  Since the plurality of operation bodies 12 are locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18 by adhesion or the like, and the operation body 12 is operated by elastically deforming the elastic cover 18, the operation body 12 is placed in the opening 11 </ b> A of the case 11. The structure for holding or guiding 12 is not required, the entire structure can be easily formed, and the height can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced.

  Further, since a predetermined gap is formed between the lower surface of the thin hollow portion 18B of the elastic cover 18 and the upper end of the operation shaft 17A of the push switch 17 mounted and mounted below the elastic cover 18, the push switch 17 Even when the pressing operation amount is small, the pressing operation amount by which the operating body 12 moves up and down by this gap can be increased.

  Further, when the left and right ends of the upper surface of the operating body 13 are pressed with a finger, the operating body 13 swings in the left-right direction with the lower end of the fulcrum portion 13B in contact with the holding portion 18E as a fulcrum, and the pressing portions 13A on the lower left and right sides are recessed. The operation shaft 17A is pressed via 18D, and the push switch 17 is electrically connected / disconnected, and this electric signal is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle, for example, operations such as increasing / decreasing the volume of the audio are performed. .

  At this time, the operating body 13 is locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18 by adhesion or the like, and the operating body 13 swings with the lower end of the fulcrum part 13B contacting the holding part 18E having a thin shape and little deformation as a fulcrum. Therefore, a pin or the like for pressing the operating shaft 17A becomes unnecessary, and the entire thickness can be reduced, and the left and right push switches 17 are simultaneously pressed even when the center of the upper surface of the operating body 13 is accidentally pressed. It is possible to prevent this.

  Further, as shown in the partial sectional view of FIG. 6, a predetermined gap is formed between the lower surface of the recess 18D of the elastic cover 18 and the upper end of the operation shaft 17A of the push switch 17, and the recess 18D. Since the lower surface is thick on the inside and slightly thin on the outside and is formed to be inclined, when the operating body 13 swings in the left-right direction, the pressing portion 13A that moves up and down thereby makes the operating shaft 17A almost straight. The push switch 17 is configured to be surely electrically connected / separated.

  Further, when the left and right or front and rear ends of the upper surface of the operating body 14 are pressed with a finger, the operating body 14 swings in the left and right or front and rear direction, and the left and right or front and rear pressing portions 14A push the operating shaft 17A via the recess 18G. When the push switch 17 is pressed, the electrical contact / separation of the push switch 17 is performed, and this electrical signal is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle. For example, the cursor or pointer displayed on the car navigation screen moves in the left / right or front / rear direction. Thus, an operation such as selection of a menu displayed on the screen is performed.

  At this time, the outer peripheral wall 14B of the operating body 14 and the recessed portion 18H of the elastic cover 18 with which the lower end abuts are located closer to the center of the operating body 14 than the pressing portion 14A and the recessed portion 18G pressing the push switch 17. Since it is formed on the outer side, the pressing portion 14A and the depression are also provided when a pressing operation is performed on the left and right or front and rear end intermediate portions of the operating body 14, that is, a portion where “<” or “>” is not displayed. Before the portion 18G presses the operating shaft 17A, the outer peripheral wall 14B abuts against the recess 18H, so that the left and right or front and rear push switches 17 can be prevented from being pressed simultaneously.

  Furthermore, when the operating body 15 disposed in the operating body 14 is pressed with a finger, the operating body 15 moves downward, the dome portion 18K of the elastic cover 18 is elastically deformed, and the pressing portion 15A on the lower surface is a recess. The operating shaft 17A is pressed via 18L, and the push switch 17 is electrically connected / disconnected, and this electric signal is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle. For example, the menu of the menu selected by operating the operating body 14 is displayed. Operations such as confirmation are performed.

  At this time, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, protrusions 15 </ b> C are provided on the left and right and front and rear sides of the operation body 15 disposed in the operation body 14, and the protrusions 15 </ b> C are provided in the operation body 14. Since the operation body 15 is inserted into the groove 14 </ b> C formed in the circumference so that the operation body 15 moves up and down in the operation body 14, the operation body 15 moves up and down without rattling, and the push switch 17 is reliably moved. Electrical contact and separation are performed.

  In addition, since these operation bodies 14 and 15 are locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18 by adhesion or the like, the stopper portion 18J can be realized when the entire thickness can be reduced or the operation bodies 14 and 15 are pressed to some extent. And the lower end of 18M abuts the upper surface of the wiring board 16 to prevent the push switch 17 from being damaged, and the amount of pressing operation of the operating bodies 14 and 15 can be increased by the gap between the recesses 18G and 18L and the upper end of the operating shaft 17A. Is the same as that of the operation bodies 12 and 13 described above.

  In addition, when the surroundings are dark, such as at night or in a tunnel, when the combination switch (not shown) mounted near the steering wheel is operated, the electrical circuit of the vehicle detects this electrical contact / separation, The plurality of light emitting elements 19 are caused to emit light.

  Then, the light from the light emitting element 19 travels upward through the light transmitting portion of the elastic cover 18, and displays a light-transmitting character, symbol, or other shape on the upper surface of the plurality of operating bodies 12, 13, 14, 15. By illuminating from below, the operation bodies 12, 13, 14, and 15 can be easily identified and operated.

  In other words, by using a composite switch in which operating bodies 12, 13, 14, 15, etc. having different shapes and operating methods are combined, various operations of various electronic devices such as an acoustic device and an air conditioner in a vehicle can be performed. Even when the surroundings are dark, the plurality of light emitting elements 19 emit light and the display on the upper surface of each operation body is illuminated so that each operation body can be operated easily.

  In the present invention, the plurality of operating bodies 12, 13, 14, and 15 are locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18 by adhesion or the like, and the elastic cover 18 is elastically deformed to operate each operating body. In addition, the holding portions and guide portions in the opening holes 11A, 11B, and 11C of the case 11, pins for pressing the push switch 17, and the like are not required, and the entire configuration can be easily formed, and the height dimension is reduced and the thickness is reduced. Can be made.

  In addition, a plurality of stopper portions 18C and 18F projecting downward from the bottom surfaces of the recesses 18B, 18D, 18G, and 18L on the lower surface of the elastic cover 18 to which the plurality of operating bodies 12, 13, 14, and 15 are locked. 18J and 18M are provided, and when each operation body is pressed to a certain extent, they come into contact with the upper surface of the wiring board 16 and cannot be pressed any further. Even when added, the push switch 17 below each operation body is formed so as not to be damaged.

  Further, since a predetermined gap is formed between the lower surface of the recess 18B or 18D, 18G, 18L of the elastic cover 18 and the upper end of the operation shaft 17A of the push switch 17 mounted and mounted below this, Even when the pressing operation amount of the switch 17 is small, the pressing operation amount by which each operating body moves up and down can be increased.

  Instead of providing a gap between the lower surface of each recess and the upper end of the operation shaft 17A of the push switch 17 as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a protrusion 18P is provided on the lower surface of the recess 18L. A configuration may be adopted in which the amount of pressing operation is increased by pressing the operating shaft 17 </ b> A by being elastically deformed by the pressing of the operating body 15.

  Further, when the operation body 13 is swung with the lower end of the fulcrum part 13B in contact with the holding part 18E having a thin shape and little deformation as a fulcrum, the left and right push switches are accidentally pressed near the center of the upper surface. 17 is pressed at the same time, or the outer peripheral wall 14B and the recessed portion 18H of the operating body 14 are formed outward of the center of the operating body 14 rather than the pressing portion 14A and the recessed portion 18G. When pressing the middle part of the left and right or front and rear ends, it is possible to prevent the left and right or front and rear push switches 17 from being pressed at the same time and perform a reliable operation.

  Further, when the entire upper surface of the wiring board 16 on which the plurality of push switches 17 and the light emitting elements 19 are mounted is covered with the elastic cover 18, when some water droplets or dust enter from the gaps between the operation bodies and the upper surface of the case 11. However, these are prevented from adhering to the upper surface of the wiring board 16 and are configured to have improved waterproofness and dustproofness.

  In the above description, a configuration in which a plurality of push switches 17 are mounted and mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board 16 to form a plurality of switch contacts has been described. However, a fixed contact is formed on the upper surface of the wiring board 16 with carbon or the like, A structure in which a movable contact made of a conductive metal thin plate is placed on the dome, or a dome-like flexible rubber contact in which a movable contact is formed on the lower surface on a fixed contact. The present invention can also be implemented by using various switch contacts.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the elastic cover 18 is provided between the plurality of operation bodies 12, 13, 14, 15 and the switch contacts, and the lower surface of each operation body is locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18. As a result, the plurality of operating bodies 12, 13, 14, and 15 are locked to the upper surface of the elastic cover 18, and the elastic cover 18 is elastically deformed to operate each operating body. Thus, the overall configuration can be easily formed, and a composite switch that can be thinned and can be reliably operated can be obtained.

  The composite switch according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that it can be thinned and can be operated with certainty, and is useful mainly for operation of various electronic devices of automobiles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Case 11A, 11B, 11C Opening hole 12, 13, 14, 15 Operation body 12A, 13A, 14A, 15A Press part 13B Support part 14B Outer peripheral wall 14C Groove part 15C Protrusion part 16 Wiring board 17 Push switch 17A Operation shaft 18 Elastic cover 18A, 18K Dome portion 18B, 18D, 18G, 18L Recessed portion 18C, 18F, 18J, 18M Stopper portion 18E Holding portion 18H Recessed portion 18P Convex portion 19 Light emitting element 20 Lower cover 21 Screw

Claims (2)

A case having a substantially box shape with a plurality of opening holes formed on the upper surface, a plurality of operating bodies mounted on the opening holes of the case so as to be vertically movable , and provided with pressing portions projecting downward on the lower surface, and the operating body A switch contact that electrically contacts and separates according to the vertical movement of the switch, a wiring board on which the switch contact is formed on the upper surface, and a lower surface of the operation body on the upper surface. The elastic cover comprises a latched elastic cover, and the elastic cover is provided with a concave portion with which the pressing portion abuts, and a stopper portion protruding downward from the lower surface of the concave portion is formed. The lower end of the pressing portion performs electrical contact / separation of the switch contact through the recess, and the stopper portion is in contact with the wiring board to regulate the pressing of the operating body,
The composite switch which formed the convex part which is elastically deformed by the press of an operation body and presses the upper end of the said switch contact in the lower surface of the said recessed part . Composite switch of claim 1 wherein in which a predetermined gap between the upper end of the lower surface and the switch contacts of the recess.

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