BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a switching device, and more particularly to a switching
device that includes a plurality of operation members each swingably provided; cam
members each provided integrally with a respective one of the operation members; follower
members each driven by a respective one of the cam members; and switches each operated
by a respective one of the follower members.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Conventional switching devices includes a switching device that is provided, for
example, on an instrument panel of a car for operating an on-board air conditioner
or the like. This switching device comprises a plurality of operation members each
swingably provided; cam members each provided integrally with a respective one of
the operation members; follower members each driven by a respective one of the cam
members; and switches each operated by a respective one of the follower members.
[0003] Each of the operation members has an operation surface to be depressed by an operator,
and it is arranged to swing by the depression of the operation surface thereof. The
operation surfaces of the plurality of operation members are all arranged on an operation
panel side by side.
[0004] In each of the operation members, on the rear surface thereof (the front surface
thereof is used as an operation surface), a cam member and follower member are interposed
between the operation member and the corresponding switch. The cam member is provided
integrally with the operation member, and the follower member is arranged to linearly
move by being depressed by a cam surface of the cam member.
[0005] Each of the switches is constituted of a push switch having an operation portion
to be depressed. The operation portion of each of the switches is disposed on the
track of a respective one of the follower members, and is in a state of being abutted
against the follower member all the time.
[0006] In the switching device with these features, in each of the operation members, when
the operation surface of the operation member is depressed, the corresponding cam
member swings together with the operation member, and the corresponding follower member
is depressed by a cam surface of the cam member to linearly move, thereby depressing
the switch into an on-state.
[0007] Meanwhile, in this type of switch device, all switches are provided on the same substrate.
Namely, all switches are arranged on the same plane. In the case where the instrument
panel incorporating this switch device tilts with respect to the above-mentioned plane,
the operation panel may be tilted with respect to the above-described plane in keeping
with the tilted surface of the instrument panel, and the operation surface of each
of the operation members may be tilted in keeping with the tilt of the instrument
panel.
[0008] In this manner, when the operation surface of each of the operation members is tilted
in keeping with the tilt of the instrument panel, the operation surface of each of
the operation members is disposed at a position deviated from that of the operation
surface of each of the other operation members in the direction perpendicular to the
above-described plane. As a consequence, the swinging pivot of each of the operation
members is disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot of each
of the other operation members by the amount equal to the deviation amount of the
position of the operation surface of the operation member.
[0009] The sizes of the cam member and follower member interposed between each of the operation
members and a respective one of the switches are each set based on of the positional
relationship between the swing pivot of each of the operation members and the respective
one of the switches.
[0010] Hitherto, (1) cam members have been used as common components among the plurality
of operation members, in which, as described above, the swinging pivot of each of
the operation member is disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging
pivot of each of the other operation members, or alternatively, (2) follower members
have been used as common components among the plurality of operation members, in which,
as described above, the swinging pivot of each of the operation members is disposed
at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot of each of the other operation
members.
(1) When the cam members are used as common components, each of the cam members is
disposed at a position deviated from each of the other cam members in the direction
perpendicular to the plane having switches arranged thereon, by the amount equal to
the deviation amount of the position of the swinging pivot of each of the operation
members. Consequently, the spacing between each of the cam members and the respective
one of the switches is different from the spacing between each of the others of the
cam members and a respective one of the other switches. Therefore, the follower members
are set to sizes different from one another for every spacing between each of the
cam members and the respective one of the switches.
(2) When the follower members are used as common components, the spacing between each
of the follower members and the swinging pivot of a respective one of the operation
members is different from the spacing between each of the others of the follower members
and the swing pivot of a respective one of the other operation members. Therefore,
the cam members are set to sizes different from one another for every spacing between
each of the follower members and the respective one of the operation members.
[0011] Therefore, in the switching device in which the swinging pivot of each of the operation
members is disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot of each
of the other operation members in the direction perpendicular to the plane having
switches arranged thereon, either a plurality of kinds of cam members mutually different
in size, or a plurality of kinds of follower members mutually different in size, is
required. This unfavorably makes the number of kinds of components more than that
of the switch device in which the swinging pivot of each of the operation members
is disposed at the same position as that of the other operation members in the direction
perpendicular to the above-described plane, thereby complicating the construction
of the switching device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switching device
in which both of the cam members and follower members can be used as common components
among a plurality of operation members in which the swinging pivot of each of the
operation members is disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot
of each of the other operation members in the direction perpendicular to the plane
having switches arranged thereon.
[0013] To achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a switching
device that includes a plurality of operation members each swingably provided; cam
members each provided integrally with a respective one of the operation members, relative
to the swinging pivot of the respective one of the operation members; follower members
each driven by the respective one of the cam members; and switches each operated by
a respective one of the follower members. In this switching device, the plurality
of switches is all arranged on the same plane, and the swinging pivot of each of the
plurality of operation members is disposed at a position deviated from that of the
swinging pivot of each of the other operation members in the direction perpendicular
to the above-described plane. Here, each of the cam members has a plurality of cam
surfaces that can be selectively abutted against the respective one of the follower
members in the direction perpendicular to the above-described plane.
[0014] In the switching device with these features, because the swinging pivot of each of
the plurality of operation members is disposed at a position deviated from that of
the swinging pivot of each of the other operation members in the direction perpendicular
to the plane having switches arranged thereon, each of the cam members is disposed
at a position deviated from that of each of the other cam members. However, by selecting
any one of a plurality of cam surfaces of each of the cam members according to the
position of the cam member, it is possible to dispose a respective one of the follower
members on that cam surface. That is, both of the cam members and follower members
can be used as common components among a plurality of operation members in which the
swinging pivot of each of the operation members is disposed at a position deviated
from that of the swinging pivot of each of the other operation members in the direction
perpendicular to the plane having switches arranged thereon.
[0015] In the switching device according to the present invention, each of the follower
members may be provided so as to be linearly movable, and each of the switches may
be constituted of a push switch disposed on the track of a respective one of the follower
members.
[0016] In the switching device according to the present invention, each of the operation
members and a respect one of the cam members may be integrally molded.
[0017] In the switching device according to the present invention, each of the operation
members and a respect one of the cam members may be integrally molded by two-color
molding.
[0018] In the switching device according to the present invention, the plurality of operation
members may be all formed into the same shape.
[0019] The switching device according to the present invention may further include a translucent
portion provided in the operation surface of each of the operation members for allowing
light to pass through; an illuminating element provided on the rear surface of each
of the operation members for serving as a light source; and a light guiding member
fixed to each of the cam members for guiding light that the illuminating element emits
to the translucent portion.
[0020] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will
become clear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments
of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a switching device according to the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the switch device shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line
II-II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the switch device shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line
III-III in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the switch device shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line
IV-IV in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment according to the present invention,
which is represented in the form corresponding to the II-II sectional view of the
embodiment shown in Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a switching device according to the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the one embodiment of the switching device according to
the present invention. Figs. 2 to 4 are sectional views of the switch device shown
in Fig. 1 taken, respectively, along the lines II-II, III-III, IV-IV in Fig. 1.
[0024] The switching device according to this embodiment is one that is provided, for example,
on the instrument panel of a car for operating an on-board air conditioner or the
like.
[0025] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the switching device according to the present embodiment
has first to third operation members 3 to 5 made of PC (polycarbonate) resin swingably
provided within a case 21 made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the first operation member 3 has a shaft portion 3b constituting
a swinging pivot. The shaft portion 3b is rotatably supported by the case 21, so that
the first operation member 3b is allowed to swing in the directions of the arrow indicated
by B, and swings with the operation surface 3a thereof pressed downward. While not
shown in figures, the second and third operation members 4 and 5 are also allowed
to swing by similar structures, and swing with the operation surfaces 4a and 5a thereof
pressed downward, respectively.
[0027] Referring back to Figs. 1 and 2, the first operation member 3, the second operation
member 4, and the third operation member 5 are different in the shape from one another.
However, the positional relationship between the operation surface 3a and the shaft
portion 3b in the first operation member 3, that between the operation surface 4a
and the shaft portion 4b in the second operation member 4, and that between the operation
surface 5a and the shaft portion 5b in the third operation member 5 are set to become
the same. This allows an operator to have a similar operation feeling, no matter which
of the first to third operation members 3 to 5 the operator operates.
[0028] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the switching device according to this embodiment
has a cover 20 made of ABC (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Copolymer) resin for covering
the case 21. An opening portion 20b is provided on the top surface 20a of the cover
20. An operation panel is formed by arranging the above-described first to third operation
members 3 to 5 so that the operation surface 3a, 4a and 5a thereof are respectively
exposed through the opening portion 20b of the cover 20.
[0029] The first operation member 3 has a regulating portion 3c that projects sideward from
the lower end thereof, and that is engaged with the edge of the opening portion 20b
to prevent the first operation member 3 from slipping out of the opening portion 20b.
Likewise, the second operation member 4 has a regulating portion 4c to prevent the
second operation member 4 from slipping out of the opening portion 20b. Furthermore,
likewise, the third operation member 5 has a regulating portion 5c to prevent the
third operation member 5 from slipping out of the opening portion 20b.
[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the top surface 20a of the cover 20
is tilted so as to increase in the height with respect to the substrate 10 from the
left to the right. Specifically, the operation surface 3a of the first operation member
3, the operation surface 4a of the second operation member 4, and the operation surface
5a of the third operation member 5 are each tilted along the tilt of the top surface
20a of the cover 20. More specifically, each of the operation surfaces 3a to 5a is
disposed at a position deviated from that of each of the other two operation surfaces
in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 10. For example, the operation surfaces
3a, 4a, and 5a are arranged so as to increase in the height relative to the substrate
10 in this order by substantially equal dimensions.
[0031] The shaft portion 3b as the swinging pivot of the first operation member 3, the shaft
portion (not shown) as the swinging pivot of the second operation member 4, and the
shaft portion (not shown) as the swinging pivot of the third operation member 5, respectively,
are also disposed at positions mutually deviated in the direction perpendicular to
the substrate 10, by amounts equal to the deviation amounts of the operation surfaces
3a, 4a, and 5a. Namely, the swinging pivot of the first operation member 3, that of
the second operation member 4, and that of the third operation member 5 are arranged
so as to increase in the height relative to the substrate 10 in this order by substantially
equal dimensions.
[0032] In this embodiment, a plurality of switches, for example, three push switches 8 are
provided on the substrate 10 provided within the case 21. Each of these switches 8
is indirectly operated by a respective one of the first to third operation members
3 to 5. In each of the switches 8, the top portion 8a thereof constitutes an operation
portion such that, when it is depressed by being pressed toward a lower position in
Fig. 2, the switch 8 is turned on, and that, when it becomes returned to the original
position thereof by being released from a pressing force, the switch 8 is turned off.
[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, a cam member 6 made of POM (Polyacetal) resin
and a follower member 7 made of PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) resin are interposed
in each of the spaces between the first operation member 3 and the corresponding switch
8, between the second operation member 4 and the corresponding switch 8, and between
the third operation member 5 and the corresponding switch 8.
[0034] Each of the cam members 6 is disposed relative to the swinging pivot of a respective
one of the first to third operation members 3 to 5, and fixed to the respective one
of the first to third operation members 3 to 5. Each of the cam members 6 has a plurality
of cam surfaces, for example, first cam surface 6a, second cam surface 6b, and third
cam surface 6c. Each of the first to third cam surfaces 6a to 6c is formed into a
convex curved surface. The first, second, and third cam surfaces 6a, 6b, and 6c are
arranged so as to increase in the height relative to the substrate 10 in this order
by substantially the above-described equal dimensions.
[0035] Each of the follower members 7 is constituted of a solid-cylindrical member, and
it is inserted into a hollow-cylindrical guide portion 21a provided in each of the
spaces between the first operation member 3 and the corresponding switch 8, between
the second operation member 4 and the corresponding switch 8, and between the third
operation member 5 and the corresponding switch 8, whereby each of the follower members
7 is linearly movable upward and downward.
[0036] Each of the follower members 7 is selectively arranged to be abutted against any
one of the first to third cam surfaces 6a to 6c of a respective one of the above-described
cam members 6.
[0037] The swinging pivot of the first operation member 3 is located nearer to the substrate
10 than that of the each of the second and third operation members 4 and 5, and consequently,
the cam member 6 fixed to the first operation member 3 is also located nearer to the
substrate 10 than the two other cam members 6. In this case, therefore, the follower
member 7 is disposed on the third cam surface 6c, which is located the farthest away
from the substrate 10 of the first to third cam surfaces 6a to 6c.
[0038] The swinging pivot of the second operation member 4 is located farther away from
the substrate 10 than that of the first operation member 3, and located nearer to
the substrate 10 than that of the third operation member 5. Consequently, the cam
member 6 fixed to the second operation member 4 is also located farther away from
the substrate 10 than the cam member 6 fixed to the first operation member 3, and
located nearer to the substrate 10 than the cam member 6 fixed to the third operation
member 5. In this case, therefore, the follower member 7 is disposed on the second
cam surface 6b, which is located the second farthest away from the substrate 10 of
the first to third cam surfaces 6a to 6c.
[0039] Also, the swinging pivot of the third operation member 5 is located farther away
from the substrate 10 than that of the each of the first and second operation members
3 and 4, and consequently, the cam member 6 fixed to the third operation member 5
is also located farther away from the substrate 10 than the two other cam members
6. In this case, therefore, the follower member 7 is disposed on the first cam surface
6a, which is located the nearest to the substrate 10 of the first to third cam surfaces
6a to 6c.
[0040] The top portion 8a of each of the switches 8 is abutted against the lower end of
each of the follower members 7 disposed in the above-described manner. Namely, each
of the switches 8 is disposed on the track of a respect one of the follower members,
which linearly moves.
[0041] On the peripheral side surface of the lower end portion of each of the follower members
7, there is provided a restricting portion 7a that is engaged against the lower end
of the guide portion 21, and that restricts upward movement of the follower member
7 in a state in which the switch 8 has been returned to the original position.
[0042] Referring back to Fig. 1, in this embodiment, an illuminating mean 30 is provided
for each of the first to third operation members 3 to 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the illuminating
mean 30 for the first operation means 3 includes an illuminating element provided
on the substrate 10, and constituting a light source, for example, an LCD (Light Emitting
Diode) 32, a through hole 3d provided in the operation surface 3a, and a light guiding
member 31 for guiding light of a LED 32 into the through hole 3d fixed to the corresponding
cam member 6. The light guiding member 31 is formed by inserting the main body 31b
thereof into an engagement portion 6d provided for the corresponding cam member 6.
Also, the light guiding member 31 has a projection 31a formed on the upper end surface
of the main body 31b thereof. A translucent portion, which allows light to pass from
the rear side of the operating surface 3a up to the front surface side (i.e., operation
surface) thereof, is formed by inserting the projection 31a into the through hole
3d of the operation surface 3a. Likewise, illustrating means 30 is provided for each
of the second and third operation members 4 and 5.
[0043] The operation of the switching device with these features, according to the present
embodiment will now be described.
[0044] In this embodiment, when the operation surface 3a of the first operation member 3
is pressed downward, the first operation member 3 and the corresponding cam member
6 swing about the shaft portion 3b, and the corresponding follower member 7 is depressed
by the third cam surface 6c of the corresponding cam member 6 to thereby linearly
move downward. Consequently, the top portion 8a of the corresponding switch 8 is depressed
by the corresponding follower member 7, thereby turning the switch 8 on.
[0045] Likewise, when the operation surface 4a of the second operation member 4 is depressed,
the second operation member 4 and the corresponding cam member 6 swing about the shaft
portion (not shown), and the corresponding follower member 7 is depressed by the second
cam surface 6b of the corresponding cam member 6 to thereby linearly move downward.
Consequently, the top portion 8a of the corresponding switch 8 is depressed by the
corresponding follower member 7, thereby turning the switch 8 on.
[0046] Furthermore, likewise, when the operation surface 5a of the third operation member
5 is depressed, the third operation member 5 and the corresponding cam member 6 swing
about the shaft portion (not shown), and the corresponding follower member 7 is depressed
by the first cam surface 6a of the corresponding cam member 6 to thereby linearly
move downward. Consequently, the top portion 8a of the corresponding switch 8 is depressed
by the corresponding follower member 7, thereby turning the switch 8 on.
[0047] In the illuminating means 30 provided for the first operation member 3, light emitted
by the LED 32 is guided to the projection 31a via the light guide member body 31b.
This light is given off from the projection 31 toward the operation surface 3a side
of the first operation member, thereby shining the place of the through hole 3d. This
allows the operation surface 3a of the first operation member 3 to be visually identified
even when the interior of a car is dark at nighttime or the like. Likewise, in the
illuminating means 30 provided for the second operation member 4, and that provided
for the third operation member 5, the places of the through holes 4d and 5d are shined,
respectively. This allows the operation surfaces 4a of the second operation member
4 and the operation surfaces 5a of the third operation member 5 to be visually identified
even when the interior of a car is dark at nighttime or the like.
[0048] The switching device according to the present embodiment offers the following advantages.
[0049] In the present embodiment, by selecting any one of the first to third cam surfaces
6a to 6c of each of the cam members 6 according to the position of the cam member
6, a respective one of the follower members 7 can be disposed on that cam surface.
That is, both of the cam members and follower members can be used as common components
among the first to third operation members 3 to 5 in which the swinging pivot of each
of the first to third operation members 3 to 5 is disposed at a position deviated
from that of the swinging pivot of each of the other two operation members in the
direction perpendicular to the plane having switches 8 arranged thereon.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the combination of each of the first to third operation
members 3 to 5 and a respective one of the respective cam members 6, that of each
of the cam members 6 and a respective one of the follower members 7, that of each
of the follower members 7 and the case 21, and that of each of the first to third
operation members 3 to 5 and the cover 20, are each a combination constituted of mutually
different kinds of resin. This reduces the sliding resistance therebetween, thereby
preventing the occurrence of unusual noises caused by sliding.
[0051] In the present embodiment, since the first to third operation members 3 to 5 are
each made of PC resin, they exert shock-absorbing effect. They are, therefore, resistant
to a fracture, and even if they causes a fracture, the fracture surface would be less
prone to being sharp. This provides a high degree of safety to the switch device.
[0052] In the present embodiment, each of the cam members 6 is disposed relative to the
swinging pivot of a respective one of the operation members, the swinging pivot being
disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot of each of the other
operation members by an amount equal to the deviation amount of each of the operation
surfaces 3a to 5a. Therefore, the positional relationship between each of the cam
members 6 and the operation surface of a respective one of the operation members,
is substantially the same as the positional relationship between each of the other
cam members 6 and the operation surface of a respective one of the other operation
members. Hence, by fixing a light guide member 31 to each of the cam members 6, the
light guide members 31 can be used as common components among the operation surfaces
3a to 5a. This reduces the number of kinds of the constituent components of the illuminating
means 30, and simplifies the construction of the illuminating means 30.
[0053] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which each of the cam members 6
is separately formed with respect to a respective one of the first to third operation
members 3 to 5, has been described. However, the present invention is not limited
to such an construction. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, as operation members, first
to third operation members 71 to 73 in which each of the cam members 6 is integrally
molded with a respective one of the first to third operation members 3 to 5, may be
employed. In Fig. 5, equivalent parts to those in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference
numerals.
[0054] In another embodiment of the present invention, with above-described features, the
number of components and the kinds of constituent components can be made less than
those in the above-described embodiment. The use of the switching device according
to this other embodiment, therefore, would reduce the production costs associated
with molds and the number of assembly man-hours.
[0055] In the above-described other embodiment, when the first to third operation members
71 to 73 shown in Fig. 5 are each to be molded, two-color molding may be applied by
using mutually different kinds of resins. Thereby, the portion of each of the first
to third operation members 71 to 73 corresponding to a respective one of the first
to third operation members 3 to 5, can be made a portion which exerts shock-absorbing
effect, which is resistant to a fracture, and in which, even if it causes a fracture,
the fracture surface would be less prone to being sharp. On the other hand, the portion
of each of the first to third operation members 71 to 73 corresponding to a respective
one of the cam members 6 can be made of a resin of a kind different from that of the
follower members. When the portion of each of the first to third operation members
71 to 73 corresponding to a respective one of the first to third operation members
3 to 5 is to be molded using PC resin, and the portion of each of the first to third
operation members 71 to 73 corresponding to a respective one of the cam members 6
is to be molded using POM resin, as in the case of the above-described embodiment,
a material to connect the PC resin and POM resin is required.
[0056] The switch device with such constructions, as in the case of the above-described
embodiment, provides a high degree of safety, and can prevent the occurrence of unusual
noises caused by sliding between the portion corresponding to each of the cam members
and a respective one of the follower members, as well as can make the number of components
and the kinds of constituent components less than those of conventional arts, thereby
reducing the production costs associated with molds and the number of assembly man-hours.
[0057] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the
swinging pivot of the first operation member 3, the swinging pivot of the second operation
member 4, and the swinging pivot of the third operation member 5 are arranged so as
to increase in the height in this order relative to the substrate 10 by substantially
equal dimensions, and in which the cam surface 6a to 6c of each of the cam members
6 is provided corresponding to the deviation amount of a respective one of the first
to third operation members 3 to 5. However, the present invention is not limited to
such a construction. For example, in the direction perpendicular to the plane having
switches 8 arranged thereon, the swinging pivot of each of the first to third operation
members 3 to 5 may be disposed anywhere. In this case, a plurality of cam surfaces
each corresponding to the deviation amount of a respective one of the swinging pivots
may be disposed on one of the cam members 6.
[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in
which the first to third operation members 3 to 5 are different in the shape from
one another. However, the present invention is not restricted to such a construction.
The first to third operation members 3 to 5 may instead be formed into the same shape.
Thereby, the number of kinds of constituent components can be less, and the structure
can be still simpler, than in the case of the above-described embodiment.
[0059] As is evident from the foregoing, in the present invention, since both of the cam
members and follower members can be used as common components among a plurality of
operation members in which the swinging pivot of each of the operation members is
disposed at a position deviated from that of the swinging pivot of each of the other
operation members in the direction perpendicular to the plane having switches arranged
thereon, it is possible to reduce the number of kinds of constituent components, and
thereby to simplify the construction.
[0060] While the present invention has been described with reference to what are at present
considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various changes
and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the present invention
in its broader aspects and therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover
all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.