JPH08273492A - Combination switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make a combination switch highly integrated, provide a long life without probability of erroneous wiring, make maintenance easy by providing a photosensor to which light radiation is shielded by a shielding plate which rotates following the rotation of a lever installed in a lever tip part. CONSTITUTION: With a click touch, a lever 1B rotates on a lever fulcrum 1A as a center based on fitting of steel balls 15 of a ball stopper 13 in hole parts 17A-D of a stopper frame 17. Corresponding to the rotary angle of the lever 1B, a first shielding plate 10 installed in the tip end part of the lever shields light-rays from a light emitting diode 18A and changes the output of the photosensor 18 in multi-stages. A second shielding plate 11 is projected by pushing in of a pushing switch in the rear end part of the lever and the quantity of the light is changed in two stages and in combination with the output change in multi-stages, further increased multi-value switching can be carried out in a non-contact and non-touch way.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination switch, and more particularly to a contactless non-contact type combination switch incorporated in a steering column of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A steering column of an automobile is equipped with a switch for operating an auxiliary device for traveling. Such operations include a light control switch, a wiper control switch, a washer switch, and the like, each of which requires multipoint switching. By the way, in order to collect and house each of these switches in a narrow space and to improve the operability,
A configuration in which a lever switch is incorporated in at least one of the left and right sides of the steering column and moreover, a plurality of switching operations are performed by the lever switch is generally used, and it is called a combination switch. FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of such a conventional combination switch. As shown in the figure, a steering column provided near the steering wheel 7 is equipped with a combination switch assembly 100, and the combination switch assembly 100 includes a wiper control switch 1
The lever that configures 01 and the lever that configures the light control switch 102 are incorporated.

In order to collect the switch functions in this way, it is necessary to install contacts in the lever as well, and it takes time and labor to route the circuit between the base substrate and the contacts in the lever, and the productivity is poor. There was a problem. Therefore, a configuration example proposed as a countermeasure against this is shown in FIG. FIG.
[FIG. 6] is a perspective view illustrating a lever contact portion of a washer switch provided in the combination switch. As shown in the same figure, the lever 125 of the washer switch is raised and the pin 126 protruding from the base is provided.
Is rotated about the axis in the direction of arrow B, the contact portion 13 is formed by extending both ends of the coil portion 135a having spring properties of the conductive member 135 that constitutes the washer switch 132.
5b and contact portion 135c are two arc-shaped fixed contact portions 133 and fixed contact portion 1 which are concentrically mounted on the insulating plate.
34, respectively. As a result, the fixed contact portion 133 and the fixed contact portion 134 are electrically connected to each other, and the washer switch is turned on.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned structure, the inside of the lever is composed of only mechanical parts and the contacts are provided on the substrate side to form the switch. However, a plurality of contacts are integrated on the substrate. Therefore, there is a drawback that the contact area is limited and thus the current capacity is limited. Further, the number of contact parts increases, which leads to an increase in parts cost, and the problem of short life due to wear or contact failure of the contact part or seizure has not been solved. Further, in the circuit wiring, the number of wirings is large, so that there is a possibility that incorrect wiring may occur, and in addition, there is a problem that maintenance is not easy.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems and drawbacks of the prior art, and its purpose is to achieve a high degree of integration, to realize a long life without contact, and to avoid the possibility of incorrect wiring. In addition, it is to provide a combination switch that is easy to maintain and maintain.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a combination switch according to the present invention is mounted on a steering column of an automobile and is arranged at the tip of the lever in a combination switch which operates based on the rotation of a lever. It is characterized in that it comprises a shield plate which is provided and rotates based on the rotation of the lever, and a photosensor in which the incidence of light is blocked by the shield plate. Alternatively, it is characterized in that a shield plate is projected from the lever tip end portion, and the incidence of light to the photosensor is blocked by the shield plate.

Alternatively, in a combination switch which is mounted on a steering column of an automobile and operates based on the rotation of a lever, a magnet disposed at the tip of the lever and rotating based on the rotation of the lever, and the magnet. It is characterized by comprising a Hall element for detecting the amount of magnetic flux from the. Alternatively, it is characterized in that a magnet projects from the lever tip portion and the Hall element detects the amount of magnetic flux from the magnet in the projecting state.

[0008]

In the combination switch according to the present invention,
Since the shield plate provided at the tip of the lever rotates at an angle corresponding to the rotation angle of the lever, the amount of light blocked by the shield plate changes in multiple stages. Therefore, the output from the photosensor on which the light that has passed through the shielding plate enters changes in multiple stages. Multivalued switching is performed based on this multistage output change. When the lever rear end is twisted or the push switch at the rear end is pushed, the shield plate protrudes from the lever front end, and the amount of light blocked by the protruding shield plate changes in two steps. The output from the photo sensor also changes in two steps. Therefore, more multi-valued switching is performed by combining the two-step output change and the multi-step output change.

Alternatively, in the combination switch according to the present invention, since the magnet disposed at the tip of the lever rotates at an angle corresponding to the rotation angle of the lever, the amount of magnetic flux entering the Hall element from the magnet is multi-staged. Changes to. Therefore, the output from the Hall element changes in multiple stages. Multivalued switching is performed based on this multistage output change.
Further, when the rear end of the lever is twisted or the push switch at the rear end is pushed in, the magnet projects from the front end of the lever, and the magnetic flux entering the Hall element changes in two steps by the protruding magnet. , The output from the Hall element is also 2
Change in stages. Therefore, more multi-valued switching is performed by combining the two-step output change and the multi-step output change.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the structure of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration of an embodiment of a combination switch according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an essential part of the combination switch shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lever of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the stopper frame shown in FIG.

Combination switch C according to the present invention
Is mounted in a steering column having a cover 6, which is located near the steering wheel 7 of the vehicle. The combination switch C has a first switch unit 1 and a second switch unit 2 mounted on a printed wiring board (PCB) 3, and the first switch unit 1 has a handle 7
A lever 1B is provided so as to project on the left side when viewed from the side. The lever 1B is switched by rotating the rear end of the lever 1B up and down about the lever fulcrum 1A on the front end side. The same applies to the second switch unit 2 except that the right and left are reversed. That is, the combination switch C operates based on the rotation of the lever or the like. A handle angle sensor 4 and a connector 5 are mounted on the printed wiring board (PCB) 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, a protrusion 12 is provided on the lower end of the lever 1B, and a lever fulcrum 1A is provided on the protrusion 12. The pivot pin 16 is inserted through the lever fulcrum 1A. A first shield plate 10 is provided above the tip of the lever 1B, and the first shield plate 10 has its tip protruding from the tip of the lever 1B. The shield plate 10 rotates with the rotation of the lever 1B. A U-shaped photo sensor 18 is arranged so as to sandwich the first shielding plate 10.
In the photo sensor 18, the light emitting diode 18A and the phototransistor 18B face each other with the first shielding plate 10 sandwiched therebetween, and the light emitted from the light emitting diode 18A is partially blocked by the shielding plate 10, and the light which is not blocked is converted into photo. Detected by transistor 18B. FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the photo sensor 18.

A hollow cylindrical ball stopper 13 is provided on the first shield plate 10, and a spring 14 and a steel ball 15 are housed in the ball stopper 13. On the other hand, a fixed stopper frame 17 is fixedly provided on the opening side of the ball stopper 13, and holes 17A to 17D into which the steel balls 15 are fitted are provided on the side surface of the ball stopper 13 of the stopper frame 17. (See Figure 4). When the lever 1B rotates, the ball stopper 13 and the steel ball 15 move to the lever fulcrum 1A.
It will move on a circle whose radius is the distance to
Each time the lever 1B rotates in turn up to four predetermined angles,
Holes 17A to 17D are formed so that the steel balls 15 are fitted into the holes 17A to 17D in order. As a result, when the lever 1B rotates to a predetermined angle, the steel ball 15 fits into the hole and gives the operator a click sensation.

Next, the structure of the lever 1B is mainly shown in FIG.
It will be explained based on. Inside the lever 1B, a hollow portion 21 is bored from the rear end that is the grip portion of the lever 1B to the tip where the first shield plate 10 is provided. A key top 22 for a push switch is attached to the rear end side of the hollow portion 21,
The push switch key top 22 is biased rearward by a spring 24 and has a stroke allowance of a stroke d in the front end direction. The push switch key top 22 is connected to a guide bar 23, a connecting metal fitting 20, and a second shielding plate 11 in this order in the front end direction. Key top 2 for push switch
When 2 is pushed in, the second shielding plate 11 projects from the tip of the lever, and the second shielding plate 11 blocks the incidence of light on the photosensor 18. In the above description, the second shield plate 11 is configured to pop out when the push switch key top 22 is pushed. However, other than this, for example, the second end can be twisted by twisting the rear end of the lever.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the shielding plate 11 is projected.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the lever shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the amount of light shielding to the photo sensor in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lever 1B is at the origin position and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed in, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is S1 as shown in FIG.
It is the sum of 1 and S12, so the amount of light incident on the photosensor 18 is T1. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T1 is obtained from the photo sensor 18. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the key top for a push switch is operated, and shows a state when the key top 22 for a push switch is pushed in when the lever 1B is at the origin position. Due to the protrusion of the second shielding plate 11, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is the sum of S11, S12, and S21 as shown in FIG. 9, so that the incident light amount to the photo sensor 18 is T2. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T2 is obtained from the photo sensor 18.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by the angle θ1. As shown in FIG. 10, when the lever 1B is in the position of being rotated by the angle θ1 from the origin and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed in, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is as shown in FIG. To S
It is the sum of 31 and S32, so the amount of light incident on the photosensor 18 is T3. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T3 is obtained from the photo sensor 18. 12
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor when the key top for the push switch is activated in the state of FIG. 10. Second
Due to the projection of the shielding plate 11, the amount of light shielded to the photo sensor 18 is the sum of S31, S32, and S41, and thus the amount of light incident on the photo sensor 18 is T4. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T4 is obtained from the photo sensor 18.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by the angle θ2. As shown in FIG. 13, when the lever 1B is in the position of being rotated by the angle θ2 from the origin and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is as shown in FIG. To S
This is the sum of 51 and S52, so the amount of light incident on the photosensor 18 is T5. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T5 is obtained from the photo sensor 18. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor when the key top for the push switch is activated in the state of FIG. 13. Second
Due to the projection of the shielding plate 11, the amount of light shielded to the photo sensor 18 is the sum of S51, S52, and S61, so that the amount of light incident on the photo sensor 18 is T6. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T6 is obtained from the photo sensor 18.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the operation when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by the angle θ3. As shown in FIG. 16, when the lever 1B is in the position of turning by the angle θ3 from the origin and the push switch key top 22 is not pushed in, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is as shown in FIG. To S
It is the sum of 71 and S72, so the amount of light incident on the photosensor 18 is T7. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T7 is obtained from the photo sensor 18. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the shielding amount of the photo sensor when the key top for the push switch is activated in the state of FIG. 16. Second
Due to the projection of the shielding plate 11, the light shielding amount to the photo sensor 18 is the sum of S71, S72, and S81, so that the incident light amount to the photo sensor 18 is T8. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident light amount T8 is obtained from the photo sensor 18.

As is apparent from the above, in this embodiment, eight different multi-valued outputs (different voltages) T1 to T8 are obtained by one photo sensor 18, and based on this multi-valued output. Switch function can be determined. Therefore, eight switchings are possible without contact (contactless).

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the essential parts of the structure of another embodiment of the combination switch according to the present invention. The same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The first magnet 31 is provided above the tip of the lever 1B of the combination switch C1 according to the present invention so as to project from the tip of the lever 1B. The first magnet 31 rotates with the rotation of the lever 1B. The Hall IC 33 is arranged on the PCB 3 so as to overlap with the first magnet 31. First
The amount of magnetic flux from the magnet 31 is detected by the Hall IC 33. 20 is a sectional view of the lever shown in FIG.
In the figure, the push switch key top 22 has a guide bar 23, a string 20 and a second magnet 32 connected in this order in the front end direction. When the push switch key top 22 is pushed in, the second magnet 32 projects from the lever tip, and the magnetic flux from the second magnet 32 enters the Hall IC 33 and is detected. In the above description, the second magnet 32 is configured to pop out when the push switch key top 22 is pushed, but other than this, for example, the second magnet 32 may be popped out by twisting the lever rear end portion. it can.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lever shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, when the lever 1B is at the origin position and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed in, the amount of magnetic flux into the Hall IC 33 is G1 as shown in FIG. The area becomes N1. As a result, Hall IC33
From, an output corresponding to the incident magnetic flux amount G1 is obtained. Figure 2
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view when the key top for the push switch shown in FIG. 21 is operated. FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, when the key top 22 for the push switch is pushed in when the lever 1B is at the origin position, the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 becomes G1 as shown in FIG. 24 due to the protrusion of the second magnet 32. It becomes the sum with G2, so the non-incident region of the magnetic flux is N
It becomes 2. As a result, an output corresponding to the sum of the incident magnetic flux amounts G1 and G2 is obtained from the Hall IC 33.

FIG. 25 shows the lever angle θ1 shown in FIG.
It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of rotation. Further, FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, when the lever 1B is at the position of the angle θ1 and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed in, the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 is as shown in FIG.
6 is G3, and the non-incident region of the magnetic flux is N3. As a result, an output corresponding to the incident magnetic flux amount G3 is obtained from the Hall IC 33. The output when the push switch key top 22 is pushed in can be obtained by the same procedure as in FIG.

FIG. 27 shows the lever angle θ2 shown in FIG.
It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of rotation. Further, FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 27, when the lever 1B is at the position of the angle θ2 and the push switch key top 22 is not pushed in, the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 is as shown in FIG.
Is G4, and the non-incident region of the magnetic flux is N4.
As a result, an output corresponding to the incident magnetic flux amount G4 is obtained from the Hall IC 33. Key top 2 for push switch
The output when 2 is pushed is also obtained by the same procedure as in FIG.

FIG. 29 shows the lever angle θ3 shown in FIG.
It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of rotation. Further, FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 in the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 29, when the lever 1B is at the position of the angle θ3 and the key top 22 for the push switch is not pushed in, the amount of magnetic flux to the Hall IC 33 is as shown in FIG.
G is 0 as in 0, and the non-incident region of the magnetic flux is N5. As a result, an output corresponding to the amount of incident magnetic flux G5 is obtained from the Hall IC 33. The output when the push switch key top 22 is pushed in can be obtained by the same procedure as in FIG. As described above, also in the present embodiment, eight different multi-valued outputs can be obtained by one Hall IC 33, and therefore, eight switchings can be performed by one Hall IC 33, and contactless (contactless) is possible. Become.

[0025]

As described above, in the combination switch according to the present invention, the shield plate disposed at the tip of the lever and rotated by the rotation of the lever, and the shield plate blocks the incidence of light. Since it is composed of a photo sensor, when the amount of light blocked by the shield plate changes in multiple stages, the output from the photo sensor on which the light passing through the shield plate enters also changes in multiple stages. Therefore, multivalued switching can be executed based on this multistage output change. In addition, this multi-valued switching can be performed without contact. Further, the rear end of the lever is twisted, or the push switch at the rear end is pushed in, so that the shield plate protrudes from the front end of the lever. The output from the photo sensor also changes in two steps. Therefore, by combining the two-step output change and the multi-step output change, more multivalued switching can be achieved.
It can be performed without contact.

Further, since the magnet is arranged at the tip of the lever and rotates according to the rotation of the lever, and the Hall element for detecting the amount of magnetic flux from this magnet, the amount of magnetic flux from the magnet is When changing in multiple steps, the output from the Hall element also changes in multiple steps. Therefore, multivalued switching can be executed based on this multistage output change. In addition, this multi-valued switching can be performed without contact. further,
When the lever rear end is twisted or the push switch at the rear end is pushed in, the magnet protrudes from the lever front end, so the amount of magnetic flux entering the Hall element changes in two stages. The output from the Hall element also changes in two steps. Therefore, by combining the two-step output change and the multi-step output change, more multi-valued switching can be performed without contact.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a long service life and maintenance-free of the contact by the non-contact sensor, and further, it is possible to equip a single sensing unit with a plurality of switch functions, thereby reducing the cost. It will be possible.
Further, the function can be expanded without changing the mechanism. Further, by eliminating the circuit wiring and the contacts inside the lever, it is possible to realize the improvement of reliability by simplifying parts and reducing the number of points. In addition, the column switch and the C mounted on the instrument panel due to the realization of multiple functions
Multiplexing between PUs is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a configuration of an embodiment of a combination switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the combination switch shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lever of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the stopper frame shown in FIG.

5 is a circuit diagram of the photo sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the lever shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor in the state of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when the lever push switch shown in FIG. 6 is operating.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a shielding amount of the photo sensor in the state of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by an angle θ1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor in the state of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the shielding amount of the photo sensor when the lever push switch operates in the state of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by an angle θ2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor in the state of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a shielding amount of the photo sensor when the lever push switch is activated in the state of FIG.

16 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by an angle θ3.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the shielding amount of the photo sensor in the state of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the shielding amount of the photo sensor when the lever push switch operates in the state of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a main part of a configuration of another embodiment of the combination switch according to the present invention.

20 is a cross-sectional view of the lever shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of the operation of the lever shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the amount of magnetic flux to the magnetic Hall sensor in the state of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram when the lever push switch shown in FIG. 21 is activated.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the amount of magnetic flux to the magnetic Hall sensor in the state of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 20 is rotated by an angle θ1.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the amount of magnetic flux to the magnetic Hall sensor in the state of FIG. 25.

27 is an operation explanatory view when the lever shown in FIG. 20 is rotated by an angle θ2.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the amount of magnetic flux to the magnetic Hall sensor in the state of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when the lever shown in FIG. 20 is rotated by an angle θ3.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the amount of magnetic flux to the magnetic Hall sensor in the state of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a conventional combination switch.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a lever contact portion of a conventional combination switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Combination switch 1 First switch unit 1A Lever fulcrum 1B Lever 2 Second switch unit 2A Lever fulcrum 3 PCB 4 Handle angle sensor 5 Connector 6 Cover 7 Handle

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A combination switch which is mounted on a steering column of an automobile and operates based on a rotation of a lever, and a shield plate which is disposed at a tip portion of the lever and rotates according to the rotation of the lever, A combination switch comprising a photo sensor in which light is blocked by a shield plate. 2. A shield plate protrudes from the tip of the lever,
The combination switch according to claim 1, wherein the shield plate blocks light from entering the photosensor. 3. A combination switch which is mounted on a steering column of an automobile and operates based on the rotation of a lever, wherein a magnet is provided at the tip of the lever and rotates based on the rotation of the lever, and the magnet. A combination switch comprising a Hall element that detects the amount of magnetic flux from the. 4. The combination switch according to claim 3, wherein a magnet protrudes from the tip of the lever, and the Hall element detects the amount of magnetic flux from the magnet in the protruding state.