BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary switch device in which a structure of contacting
a movable contact with a fixed contact and separating the movable contact from the
fixed contact is improved.
[0002] Concerning the rotary switch device used for various control of a vehicle, there
is conventionally provided a rotary switch device shown in Fig. 8. This rotary switch
device is composed as follows. In the knob 1 to be rotated for operation, there is
provided a gear 2. The gear 2 is meshed with a gear 3. A holder support 4 is attached
to this gear 3, and a contact holder 5 is attached to this holder support 4. This
structure is disclosed, for example, in
JP-A-10-269898. Movable contacts 6 are attached to the contact holder 5. Fixed contacts 7 to 9 corresponding
to the movable contacts 6 are provided on a base plate 10. Fig. 9 is a view showing
an arrangement of the fixed contacts 7 to 9 on the base plate 10 in detail.
[0003] When the knob 1 is rotated in this constitution, as respectively shown by arrows
in Fig. 8, the gear 2 is integrally rotated with the knob 1, and the gear 3 meshed
with the gear 2 is rotated. Then, the holder support 4 is integrally rotated with
the gear 3, and the contact holder 5 is integrally rotated with the holder support
4. As a result, the movable contacts 6 slide on portions where the fixed contacts
7 to 9 are located, so that the movable contacts 6 can be contacted with and separated
from the fixed contacts 7 to 9.
[0004] In Fig. 9, black points show the contacting points at which the movable contacts
6 come into contact with the fixed contacts 7 to 9. In the first operation stage A
of the knob 1, the movable contact 6 comes into contact with the fixed contacts 7
and 8, so that the fixed contacts 7 and 8 can be connected with each other. Successively,
in the operation state B, the movable contact 6 comes into contact with the fixed
contacts 7, 8 and 9, so that the fixed contacts 7, 8 and 9 can be connected with each
other. Successively, in the operation state C, the movable contact 6 comes into contact
with the fixed contacts 7 and 9, so that the fixed contacts 7 and 9 can be connected
with each other. Successively, in the operation state D, the movable contact 6 comes
into contact with only the fixed contact 7, that is, the movable contact 6 does not
come into contact with the other fixed contacts 8 and 9.
[0005] In the operation stages E to H of the knob 1, operation is conducted in the same
manner as that of the above operation stages A to D. Further, even after the knob
1 has been rotated by one revolution, the same operation is endlessly conducted in
the operation stages A to H. Fig. 10 is a table on which the above operation is shown.
[0006] In the case of the above conventional rotary switch device, it is necessary to concentrically
arrange the fixed contacts 7 to 9 on the base plate 10 in accordance with the movement
of the movable contacts 6 which are moved by the rotation of the contact holder 5.
The fixed contacts 7 to 9, which are arranged in an arcuate swelling space (that is,
the width of which is wide), must be arranged on the base plate 10, the space of which
is limited. Therefore, the fixed contacts 7 to 9 are necessarily arranged compactly.
[0007] For the above reasons, an operation stroke of the movable contact 6 must be reduced.
Therefore, this structure has the following disadvantages. In this structure, the
accuracy of switching is greatly affected by the accuracy of meshing of the gear 2
with the gear 3 and the positional deviation of the movable contact 6. Therefore,
the actual thing must be manufactured with considerably high accuracy. Unless the
actual thing is manufactured with considerably high accuracy, the reliability of the
product is lowered.
[0008] Document
DE-C-19722780 discloses a rotary switch according to the preamble of claim 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above circumstances. It
is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary switch device, the reliability
with respect to the switching accuracy of which is high even when the actual thing
is not manufactured with considerably high accuracy.
[0010] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a rotary
switch device according to claim 1.
[0011] According to the above structure, although the knob is operated by rotation, all
movable contacts are linearly reciprocated. Corresponding to the linear movements
of the movable contacts, the fixed contacts are linearly arranged. Therefore, the
sufficiently large fixed contacts can be arranged even in a limited space. Accordingly,
it is possible to extend an operation stroke of each movable contact. There is no
possibility that the switching accuracy is greatly affected by the assembling accuracy
of the other parts and the positional deviation of the movable contacts. Consequently,
it is unnecessary to manufacture the actual thing with considerably high accuracy.
Therefore, high reliability can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a primary portion of an embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 2 is an external appearance perspective view of an operation lever into which
the present rotary switch device is incorporated.
Fig. 3 is a first lower face view showing an action of the primary portion.
Fig. 4 is a second lower face view showing an action of the primary portion.
Fig. 5 is a third lower face view showing an action of the primary portion.
Fig. 6 is a fourth lower face view showing an action of the primary portion.
Fig. 7 is a view showing a table on which an action of the primary portion is expressed.
Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing a conventional example.
Fig. 9 is a lower face view showing an action of the primary portion of the conventional
example of figure 8.
Fig. 10 is a view showing an operation table of the conventional rotary switch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, an embodiment will be explained below in which the present
invention is applied to a rotary switch device for vehicle use.
First, in Fig. 2, reference numeral 11 is an operation lever, for example, arranged
in a portion close to a steering wheel of a vehicle. Various parts shown in Fig. 1
are incorporated into the operation lever 11.
[0014] In the operation lever 11, reference numeral 12 is a knob, which is formed into a
short cylinder having a lid. One guide piece 13 is incorporated into the knob 12.
This one guide piece 13 is formed into a short cylinder, the diameter of which is
smaller than that of the knob 12, and provided with an internal cylinder 14 inside.
This internal cylinder 14 has a wave-shaped portion 15 on the side opposite to the
inner side of the knob 12 (on the right in the drawing). Each wave-form of the wave-form
portion 15 is trapezoidal. In this connection, this one guide piece 13 may be integrally
formed with the knob 12.
[0015] On the other hand, reference numeral 16 is the other guide piece which forms a pair
together with one guide piece 13 described above. The other guide piece 16 is formed
into a ring-shape and provided with a wave-shaped portion 17 on the guide piece 13
side. Shape of the wave-shaped portion 17 is constituted by a plurality of trapezoids.
This other guide piece 16 is incorporated into one guide piece 13. As a result of
this incorporation, the wave-shaped portion 17 is opposed to the wave-shaped portion
15. A gap formed between the wave-shaped portion 17 and the wave-shaped portion 15
forms a guide portion 18 composed of a wave-shaped groove.
[0016] Reference numerals 19 and 20 are contact holders. Both contact holders 19 and 20
respectively have protrusions 21 and 22, which are inserted into the aforementioned
guide portion 18. On the sides of the contact holders 19 and 20 opposite to the side
on which the protrusions 21 and 22 are arranged, the movable contacts 23 and 24 are
attached. At the forward end portions of these movable contacts 23 and 24, there are
provided contacts 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b shown in Figs. 3 to 6. Although not shown in
the drawing, traverse movements of these contact holds 19, 20 are restricted by some
structure arranged in the operation lever 11.
[0017] Reference numeral 25 is a base plate. On the lower face of this base plate 25, there
are provided fixed contacts 26, 27, 28. These fixed contacts 26, 27, 28 correspond
to the movable contacts 23, 24. In these fixed contacts, the fixed contact 26 is formed
into a crank-shape. On the other hand, both the fixed contacts 27, 28 are respectively
formed into a simple rectangle.
[0018] As described before, these parts are incorporated into the operation lever 11, however,
as shown in Fig. 2, one portion of the knob 11 is exposed outside from the window
portion 29 of the operation lever 11, so that the knob 11 can be rotated by operation.
[0019] Next, operation of the above rotary switch will be explained below.
When the knob 12 is rotated by operation, as shown by arrows in Fig. 1, one guide
piece 13 and the other guide piece 16 are integrally rotated with the knob 12, and
the guide portion 1 is also rotated. The protrusions 21, 22 of the contact holders
19, 20 are respectively inserted into the rotating guide portion 18. Further, since
the movements of the contact holders 19, 20 in the traverse direction are restricted
by some structure arranged in the operation lever 11, the contact holders 19, 20 are
individually, linearly reciprocated by the protrusions 21, 22 following ups and downs
of the waveshape of the guide portion 18. Accordingly, the movable contacts 23, 24
are individually, linearly reciprocated integrally with the protrusions 21, 22. Therefore,
the movable contacts 23, 24 slide on the fixed contacts 26, 27, 28 arranged below
the base plate 25. In this way, the movable contacts 23, 24 are contacted with and
separated from the fixed contacts 26, 27, 28.
[0020] Figs. 3 to 6 are views showing the displacement of the movable contacts 23, 24 (the
displacement of the contact holders 19, 20) in the order of operation of the knob
12. In the initial operation stage A of the knob 12 shown in Fig. 3, the movable contact
23 makes the contact 23a come into contact with the fixed contact 26. At the same
time, the movable contact 23 makes the contact 23b come into contact with the fixed
contact 27. Due to this contacting operation, the fixed contacts 26 and 27 are connected
with each other. In this connection, at this time, the movable contact 24 makes the
contact 24a come into contact with the fixed contact 26, however, the contact 24b
is not contacted with the fixed contact 28. Therefore, these fixed contacts 26 and
28 are not connected with each other.
[0021] Successively, in the operation stage B shown in Fig. 4, the movable contact 23 makes
the contact 23a come into contact with the fixed contact 26 and also makes the contact
23b come into contact with the fixed contact 27. Due to this switching operation,
these fixed contacts 26 and 27 are connected with each other. In this connection,
at this time, the movable contact 24 makes the contact 24a come into contact with
the fixed contact 26, and at the same time, the contact 24b is contacted with the
fixed contact 28. Therefore, these fixed contacts 26 and 28 are connected with each
other.
[0022] Successively, in the operation stage C shown in Fig. 5, the movable contact 23 makes
the contact 23a come into contact with the fixed contact 26, however, the movable
contact 23 does not make the contact 23b come into contact with the fixed contact
27. Therefore, these fixed contacts 26 and 27 are not connected with each other. However,
at this time, the movable contact 24 makes the contact 24a come into contact with
the fixed contact 26 and also makes the contact 24b come into contact with the fixed
contact 28. Due to this switching operation, these fixed contacts 26 and 28 are connected
with each other.
[0023] Successively, in the operation stage D shown in Fig. 6, the movable contact 23 makes
the contact 23a come into contact with the fixed contact 26, however, the movable
contact 23 does not make the contact 23b come into contact with the fixed contact
27. Therefore, these fixed contacts 26 and 27 are not connected with each other. At
this time, the movable contact 24 makes the contact 24a come into contact with the
fixed contact 26. However, the movable contact 24 does not make the contact 24b come
into contact with the fixed contact 28. Therefore, these fixed contacts 26 and 28
are connected with each other.
After one revolution has been completed, the same operation as that described above
is endlessly repeated in the operation stages A to D. This repetition is shown on
the table of Fig. 7.
[0024] In the constitution described above, a different state of connection of the movable
contacts 23, 24 with the fixed contacts 26 to 28 is successively realized by a linear
reciprocating motion of the plurality of individual contact holders 19, 20 according
to the rotation of the knob 12.
[0025] According to the above structure, although the knob 12 is operated by rotation, all
movable contacts 23, 24 are linearly reciprocated. Corresponding to the linear movements
of the movable contacts 23, 24, the fixed contacts 26 to 28 are linearly arranged
not being swollen. Therefore, the sufficiently large fixed contacts can be arranged
even in a limited space (especially, in a space, the width of which is limited) such
as a space on the lower face of the base plate 25. Accordingly, it is possible to
extend an operation stroke of each movable contact 23, 24. There is no possibility
that the switching accuracy is greatly affected by the assembling accuracy of the
other parts and the positional deviation of the movable contacts. Consequently, it
is unnecessary to manufacture the actual thing with considerably high accuracy. Therefore,
high reliability can be provided.
[0026] In this connection, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiment
shown in the accompanying drawings. Especially, the present invention may be applied
to a case in which the numbers of the movable and the fixed contacts are not less
than the aforementioned numbers. Further, the rotary switch device of the invention
can be used for not only vehicles but also the other apparatus. Furthermore, the rotary
switch device of the invention is not limited to the use of incorporating it into
an operation lever. That is, variations may be made without departing from the scope
of the appended claims.
[0027] As explained above, according to the rotary switch device of the present invention,
even when the actual thing is not manufactured with considerably high accuracy, it
is possible to provide a rotary switch device, the switching accuracy of which is
highly reliable.
1. A rotary switch device comprising:
a knob (12) to be rotated for operation;
a wave-shaped guide portion (18) provided in the knob (12) in a rotary direction;
a plurality of protrusions (21, 22) belonging to contact holders (19, 20), the protrusions
(21, 22) being provided in the guide portion (18), which can be individually, linearly
reciprocated in accordance with the rotation of the knob (12);
a plurality of movable contacts (23, 24) respectively provided in the contact holders
(19, 20);
a plurality of fixed contacts (26, 27, 28) adapted to be in contact with and separated
from the movable contacts (23, 24),
wherein a different state of connection of the movable contacts (23, 24) with the
fixed contacts (26, 27, 28) is successively realized by a linear reciprocating motion
of the plurality of individual contact holders (19, 20) according to the rotation
of the knob (12),
characterized in that
the guide portion (18) has an annular shape in which a wave-shaped groove is provided
in the knob (12) in the rotary direction so that the knob (12) can be endlessly rotated
in the rotary direction.
2. The rotary switch device according to claim 1, wherein shape of the guide portion
(18) is constituted by a plurality of trapezoids.
3. The rotary switch device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion (21, 22) is
projected from one side of the contact holder (19, 20) and inserted into the guide
portion (18), and the movable contact (23, 24) is attached to the other side of the
contact holder (19, 20).
1. Drehschaltervorrichtung, die umfasst:
einen Knopf (12), der zum Betätigen gedreht wird;
einen wellenförmigen Führungsabschnitt (18), der in dem Knopf (12) in einer Drehrichtung
vorhanden ist;
eine Vielzahl von Vorsprüngen (21, 22), die zu Kontakthaltern (19, 20) gehören, wobei
die Vorsprünge (21, 22) in dem Führungsabschnitt (18) vorhanden sind und sie entsprechend
der Drehung des Knopfes (12) einzeln linear hin- und herbewegt werden können;
eine Vielzahl beweglicher Kontakte (23, 24), die jeweils in den Kontakthaltern (19,
20) vorhanden sind;
eine Vielzahl unbeweglicher Kontakte (26, 27, 28), die so eingerichtet sind, dass
sie mit den beweglichen Kontakten (23, 24) in Kontakt kommen und von ihnen getrennt
werden,
wobei ein anderer Verbindungszustand der beweglichen Kontakte (23, 24) mit den unbeweglichen
Kontakten (26, 27, 28) anschließend mittels einer linearen Hin- und Herbewegung der
Vielzahl einzelner Kontakthalter (19, 20) entsprechend der Drehung des Knopfes (12)
hergestellt wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Führungsabschnitt (18) eine Ringform hat, bei der in dem Knopf (12) eine wellenförmige
Nut in der Drehrichtung vorhanden ist, so dass der Knopf (12) endlos in der Drehrichtung
gedreht werden kann.
2. Drehschaltervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Form des Führungsabschnitts (18)
durch eine Vielzahl von Trapezoiden gebildet wird.
3. Drehschaltervorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Vorsprung (21, 22) von einer Seite
des Kontakthalters (19, 20) vorsteht und in den Führungsabschnitt (18) eingeführt
ist und der bewegliche Kontakt (23, 24) an der anderen Seite des Kontakthalters (19,
20) angebracht ist.
1. Dispositif de commutateur tournant comprenant :
un bouton (12) fonctionnant en étant mis en rotation ;
une partie de guidage de forme ondulée (18) placée dans le bouton (12) dans une direction
de rotation ;
une pluralité de saillies (21, 22) appartenant à des supports de contact (19, 20),
les saillies (21, 22) étant placées dans la partie de guidage (18), qui peuvent être
actionnées individuellement, linéairement en va-et-vient avec la rotation du bouton
(12) ;
une pluralité de contacts mobiles (23, 24) placés respectivement dans les supports
de contact (19, 20) ;
une pluralité de contacts fixes (26, 27, 28) adaptés pour être en contact avec et
séparés des contacts mobiles (23, 24),
dans lequel un état différent de connexion des contacts mobiles (23, 24) avec les
contacts fixes (26, 27, 28) est réalisé successivement par un mouvement de va-et-vient
linéaire de la pluralité de supports de contact (19, 20) individuels en fonction de
la rotation du bouton (12),
caractérisé en ce que
la partie de guidage (18) a une forme annulaire dans lequel une rainure de forme ondulée
est placée dans le bouton (12) dans la direction de rotation de telle manière que
le bouton (12) peut être tourné sans fin dans la direction de rotation.
2. Dispositif de commutateur tournant selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la forme
de la partie de guidage (18) est constituée d'une pluralité de trapèzes.
3. Dispositif de commutateur tournant selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la saillie
(21, 22) fait saillie depuis un côté du support de contact (19, 20) et est insérée
dans la partie de guidage (18), et le contact mobile (23, 24) est fixé sur l'autre
côté du support de contact (19, 20).