Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
  • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
  • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
  • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
  • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
  • G05G1/087—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels retractable; Flush control knobs
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H25/00—Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
  • H01H25/06—Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
  • H01H19/02—Details
  • H01H19/10—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
  • H01H19/14—Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
  • H01H2003/026—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch specially adapted to avoid injury to occupants of a car during an accident
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
  • H01H3/08—Turn knobs
  • H01H2003/085—Retractable turn knobs, e.g. flush mounted

Definitions

• the invention relates to a control device that includes an operating portion that protrudes from a reference surface.
• Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-266704 JP-A-2001-266704
• Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-189116 JP-A-2001-189116
• Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-253063 JP-A-2006-253063
• Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-277045 JP-A-2006-277045
• JP-A-2008-273313 describe as related art a structure in which, in such a control device, an operating portion is able to irreversibly reduce a protrusion amount to equal to or less than a predetermined protrusion amount when a large load (i.e., a load in a direction that reduces the protrusion amount) is applied to the operating portion.
• a large load i.e., a load in a direction that reduces the protrusion amount
• the operating portion irreversibly reduces the protrusion amount, so once the protrusion amount is reduced, the operating portion is unable to operate thereafter, or the operability ends up deteriorating, which is problematic.
• one aspect of the invention provides a control device that includes a base plate, an operating portion that protrudes from a reference surface located apart from the base plate , and an elastic body.
• the operating portion moves more than a maximum stroke amount within an operating stroke, against a repulsion force of the elastic body in the direction in which the protrusion amount decreases.
• the operating portion is supported via the elastic body so as to return to an original protrusion amount by a restoring force of the elastic body when the load is removed.
• a control device in which the protrusion amount of the protruding portion can be reduced, while the protruding portion is able to be restored to its original state after the protrusion amount is reduced, can be obtained.
• FIG 1 is a perspective view of an example of a control device according to one example embodiment of the invention, in an assembled state;
• FIG 2 is. an exploded perspective view of the control device of this example embodiment
• FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are perspective views of the exterior of the control device in each state (i.e., an unloaded state, a partially pushed in state, and a fully pushed in state);
• FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are perspective views of the main portions of the control device in each state (i.e., the unloaded state, the partially pushed in state, and the fully pushed in state);
• FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are perspective views of an encoder of the control device in each state (i.e., the unloaded state, the partially pushed in state, and the fully pushed in state);
• FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective views of an internal mechanism of the control device in each state (i.e., the unloaded state, the partially pushed in state, and the fully pushed in state);
• FIG. 7 is a graph of an example of an elastic characteristic of a spring of the control device.
• FIG. 8 is a graph of another example of the elastic characteristic of the spring of the control device.
• FIG. 9 is a simplified sectional view of the main portions of a modified example of the example embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a view of an example of a control device 1 according to one example embodiment of the invention, in an assembled state.
• the control device 1 is provided in a position taking operability into account, in a vehicle cabin.
• the control device 1 of this example embodiment is typically preferably provided in a location where it may be struck by the body of an occupant when a collision or the like occurs.
• the control device 1 may be a device for operating appropriate on-board equipment.
• control device 1 is embodied as a control knob and is incorporated into a front panel.
• control device 1 is a control device for adjusting the volume and the like of an on-board audio device.
• the control device 1 may be only able to be rotated, only able to be pushed in (i.e., depressed), or able to be both rotated and pushed in.
• the control device 1 mainly described as an example hereinafter is able to be both rotated and pushed in.
• a rotating operation may be an operation for adjusting the volume of the on-board audio device
• a push-in operation may be an "enter" or "select” operation or an operation for turning the power on and off.
• the control device 1 includes an operating portion la that protrudes out from the surrounding portion such that a rotating operation and the like is possible.
• This operating portion la may be any suitable shape.
• the operating portion la of the control device 1 has a cylindrical shape.
• FIG 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control device 1 of this example embodiment.
• the control device 1 mainly includes a cap 2, an upper holder 10, a lower holder 20, a middle holder 30, a spring 40, an encoder-side holder 50, an encoder (an encoder element) 60, and a base plate 70.
• the cap 2 forms the operating portion la (see FIG. 1) that is exposed to the outside, and has a shape that takes operability into account.
• the cap 2 has a cylindrical shape.
• the upper holder 10 includes an annular plate-shaped base portion 12, and leg portions 14 that stand erect from portions near the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 12.
• the leg portions 14 extend in the axial direction of a center axis X. Three of these leg portions 14 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
• a tip end portion of each leg portion 14 is bent radially outward and has a screw hole 16 formed in it.
• the tip end portion of each leg portion 14 defines a surface that is perpendicular to the center axis X.
• the lower holder 20 is formed by an annular flat plate. This lower holder 20 extends to substantially the same diameter as the tip end portions of the leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10.
• the lower holder 20 has three engageable portions 22 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a screw inserting hole 24 is formed in each engageable portion 22.
• the engageable portions 22 are formed by forming an inner peripheral edge of a central hole (that is basically circular) in the lower holder 20, straight in some parts.
• the middle holder 30 includes an annular plate-shaped base portion 32, and side walls 38 that stand erect from portions near the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 32. Three of these side walls 38 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
• the tip end portion of each side wall 38 has a bent portion 39 that is split into two tabs while bending radially outward.
• the two tabs of each bent portion 39 are formed such that the width between them is substantially the same (or slightly wider) than the width of the leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 and the tip end portions of the leg portions 14.
• the annular base portion 32 includes triangular flat surfaces 34 that extend radially outward between the side walls 38 in the circumferential direction.
• a screw hole 36 is formed in each flat surface 34.
• the upper holder 10, the lower holder 20, and the middle holder 30 are preferably made of metal, not resin. This is because the upper holder 10, the lower holder 20, and the middle holder 30 must maintain a state (i.e., a structure) in which the spring 40 that generates a strong repulsion force is kept inside, as will be described later.
• the spring 40 may be a coil spring having a cylindrical outer shape. The elastic characteristic of the spring 40 will be described later.
• the encoder-side holder 50 includes a central cylindrical portion 52, and middle holder mounting surfaces 54 that extend radially outward from the central cylindrical portion 52. Three of these middle holder mounting surfaces 54 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A hole 56 into which a screw 80 is inserted is formed in each middle holder mounting surface 54.
• the encoder 60 includes a rotating shaft 62 that rotates about the center axis X, and a bearing portion 64 that rotatably supports this rotating shaft 62.
• One end side of the bearing portion 64 is fixed to the base plate 70.
• the base plate 70 may include a circuit that processes signals from the encoder 60.
• the base plate 70 may form a control unit of the on-board audio device.
• the encoder 60 is arranged on top of the base plate 70 that is attached to the back side of a front panel, and the rotating shaft 62 of the encoder 60 is inserted into the central hole of the lower holder 20.
• the middle holder 30 and the encoder-side holder 50 that have been screwed together with the screws 80 are press-fitted onto the tip end of the rotating shaft 62 of the encoder 60.
• the rotating shaft 62 of the encoder 60 is fitted into the central cylindrical portion 52 of the encoder-side holder 50.
• the upper holder 10 is put on, such that the spring 40 is sandwiched between the upper holder 10 and the middle holder 30.
• the screw holes 16 in the tip end portions of the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 are aligned with the three screw inserting holes 24 in the lower holder 20 through which the rotating shaft 62 of the encoder 60 had been inserted earlier, and the lower holder 20 and the upper holder 10 are screwed together with screws 82.
• the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 are each slidably mounted (in the notch) between the two tabs of the corresponding bent portions 39 provided on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30.
• the upper holder 10 is able to slide in the axial direction of the center axis X while being positioned in the rotational direction with respect to the middle holder 30 (i.e., positioned in the rotational direction with the center axis X as the rotational center, in a plane perpendicular to the center axis X).
• the cap 2 is fixed to the upper holder 10 with double-faced tape 4 inserted between the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10 and the inside of the cap 2.
• the upper holder 10 that is fixed to the cap 2 being screwed to the lower holder 20 in this way results in the middle holder 30 being slidably mounted in the space formed in between. Also, the upper holder 10 (and thus the operating portion la) is able to slide in the axial direction of the center axis X by the bent portions 39 on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30 sliding with respect to the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10. Also, the spring 40 is retained between the annular base portion 32 of the middle holder 30 and the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10 by being seated on them.
• the repulsion force of this spring 40 constantly urges the cap 2, the upper holder 10, and the lower holder 20 as a single unit in the protruding direction. That is, the cap 2, the upper holder 10, and the lower holder 20 form a single unit that is able to slide in the axial direction of the center axis X with respect to the middle holder 30.
• the cap 2, the upper holder 10, and the lower holder 20 are urged in a direction away from the base plate 70 by the repulsion force of the spring 40, so the cap 2 (i.e., the operating portion la) protrudes from the surface of the front panel.
• the bent portions 39 provided on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30 abut against the engageable portions 22 (i.e., inner peripheral side portions of the screw inserting hole 24) of the lower holder 20 to serve as stoppers, so the height of the cap 2 with respect to the front panel is fixed.
• FIGS. 3 A, 3B, and 3C are perspective views of the exterior of the control device 1 in each state.
• FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are perspective views of the main portions of the control device 1 in each state.
• FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are perspective views of the encoder 60 of the control device 1 in each state.
• FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective views of the internal mechanism of the control device 1 in each state.
• FIGS. 3A to 6A show a normal state (i.e., an unloaded state) in which no load is applied to the control device 1, FIGS.
• FIGS. 3B to 6B show a partially pushed in state when an operating load (i.e., the load when being pushed) is applied to the control device 1
• FIGS. 3C to 6C show a fully pushed in state when a large load has been applied to the control device 1.
• FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show the inside through the cap 2.
• the cap 2 when the cap 2 is pushed in in the axial direction of the center axis X, the cap 2, the upper holder 10, the lower holder 20, the spring 40, the middle holder 30, the encoder-side holder 50, and the rotating shaft 62 of the encoder 60 are depressed as a single unit, such that a normal push-in operation (i.e., a push operation) is realized (see FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B). In FIG 3B, only the control device 1 on the left side in the drawing is operated.
• a push operation i.e., a push operation
• the operating range i.e., within a predetermined operating stroke
• the operating range (i.e., the predetermined operating stroke) of the encoder 60 itself is specified by ADl as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C and FIGS. 5A to 5C.
• the spring 40 elastically deforms in the compression direction, such that the cap 2, the upper holder 10, and the lower holder 20 exceed the operating range (i.e., the maximum stroke amount within the predetermined operation stroke) of the encoder 60 itself and move toward the base plate 70.
• the protrusion amount of the cap 2 is able to be reduced beyond the reduction amount that is possible within the operating range of the encoder 60 itself (see the reduction amount ⁇ in FIGS. 4A to 4C).
• the protrusion amount of the cap 2 is further reduced by AD2 from the partially pushed in state, and is thus reduced by the sum of ADl + AD2 from the normal state (see FIGS. 4A to 4C).
• AD2 is significantly larger than ADl.
• the horizontal axis represents the protrusion amount of the cap 2 with respect to a reference surface
• the vertical, axis represents the repulsion force (i.e., the load) of the spring 40.
• the reference surface may be any appropriate surface.
• a position where a member (such as the front panel) provided on the outer peripheral side of the cap 2 protrudes the most may be set as the reference, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C.
• the protrusion amount D2 is a protrusion amount in the partially pushed in state (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 3B).
• the spring 40 has a linear elastic characteristic. The spring 40 is retained between the base portion 32 and the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10 in an elastically deformed state. That is, in the partially pushed in state, the spring 40 is elastically deformed in the compression direction between the annular base portion 32 and the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10, such that a repulsion force Nl is generated.
• the spring 40 When the load in the direction that pushes the cap 2 in in the axial direction of the center axis X exceeds the repulsion force Nl, the spring 40 elastically deforms further, such that the protrusion amount decreases linearly. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the spring 40 generates a repulsion force N2 when the protrusion amount of the cap 2 with respect to the reference surface is zero.
• the repulsion force Nl may be set to a value that is significantly larger than the load (i.e., the push load) that is applied to the encoder 60 during a normal push operation. More specifically, repulsion force Nl may be a value that is equal to or greater than 2.5 times the push load. For example, when the push load is approximately 2 [N], the repulsion force Nl may be equal to or greater than 5 [N].
• the protrusion amount of the cap 2 is reduced slightly within the operating range (i.e., the predetermined operating stroke) of the encoder 60 itself, and the protrusion amount of the cap 2 with respect to the reference surface is significantly greater than zero even at the maximum stroke within the operating stroke (see ⁇ 2 in FIGS. 4A to 4C).
• the repulsion force N2 may be set to a value that is greater than the load that is applied when part of the body such as a knee of an occupant (i.e., an operator) strikes the control device 1 unrelated to a collision.
• the cap 2 i.e., the operating portion la
• the repulsion force N2 may be set to a value greater than 10 [N] that is significantly (e.g., at least two times) 5 [N].
• the repulsion force N2 is set to a value less than a predetermined upper limit value.
• the predetermined upper limit value may be arbitrary, but typically it is set at a value less than an interior impact specified load set forth by a regulation or the like.
• a regulation ECE No. 21
• the protrusion amount of the operating portion la from a grille surface must be no more than a predetermined amount 9.5 mm. Therefore, when the reference surface is a surface of a predetermined height (9.5 mm) from the grille surface, the repulsion force N2 is set to a value less than 378 [N].
• the repulsion force N2 may be approximately 100 [N], as a value that is greater than 10 [N] and less than 378 [N].
• the control device 1 displays the effects described below in particular. According to the control device 1 of this example embodiment, even if a load that is significantly larger than normal is applied, the tip end portion of the cap 2 (i.e., the operating portion la) is able to be depressed to the reference surface (such as the same surface as the surrounding front panel) or lower, so the mounting structure will not be damaged. As a result, for example, the interior impact standard can be satisfied, and the cap 2 (i.e., the operating portion la) can be returned to its initial position again (see FIG. 6A) when the significantly large load is removed.
• the reference surface such as the same surface as the surrounding front panel
• the control device 1 that is operated in the rotational direction to make an adjustment typically the operating portion la is made comparatively large in size so that small adjustments can be performed easily, and the protrusion amount tends to be large. Therefore, the control device 1 that includes this type of operating portion la is easy to operate, but on the other hand, is also easily bumped by a knee of an occupant, so a load that is significantly larger than a normally assumed load may be applied to the control device 1. Accordingly, this example embodiment is particularly preferable for the control device 1 that includes this operating portion la.
• the cap 2 preferably has a peripheral portion 2a that has a larger outer diameter than the outer diameters of the upper holder 10, the lower holder 20, the middle holder 30, the spring 40, and the encoder-side holder 50. That is, the upper holder 10, the lower holder 20, the middle holder 30, the spring 40, and the encoder-side holder 50 preferably fit radially inside of the surrounding portion 2a of the cap 2.
• a gap is formed in the radial direction between the surrounding portion 2a of the cap 2 and a hole formed in the front panel (i.e., the grille), but there is no structural object that protrudes farther out than the outer shape of the cap 2, so illuminated light can pass through the gap between the surrounding portion 2a of the cap 2 and the front panel.
• the spring 40 has a linear elastic characteristic, but a nonlinear elastic characteristic may also be realized by combining a plurality of springs, for example. Also, the spring 40 may be substituted for another elastic member such as rubber.
• the spring 40 in the normal state and the partially pushed in state (see FIGS. 6 A and 6B), the spring 40 is retained between the annular base portion 32 and the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10 in an elastically deformed state.
• the spring 40 may also be retained (in a state with no play) between the annular base portion 32 of the middle holder 30 and the base portion 12 of the upper holder 10, so that it is normally substantially free.
• the elastic characteristic of the spring 40 is as shown as in FIG. 8, for example.
• the repulsion force of the spring 40 in the normal state and the partially pushed in state (see FIGS. 6 A and 6B), the repulsion force of the spring 40 is essentially zero, so the necessary strength and durability of the structure (e.g., the fastening portion between the upper holder 10 and the lower holder 20) that retains the spring 40 can be reduced.
• the mode in which the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 slide with respect to the bent portions 39 on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30 during sliding may or may not be accompanied by friction.
• the gap (i.e., play) between the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 and the bent portions 39 on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30 may be reduced as much as possible without losing operability of the rotating operation.
• the middle holder 30 is fixed to the encoder 60 side
• the upper holder 10 is fixed to the cap 2 (i.e., the operating portion la) side
• the reverse is also possible. That is, the cap 2 (i.e., the operating portion la) may be fixed to the middle holder 30 side, and the encoder 60 may be fixed to the upper holder 10 side.
• the middle holder 30 is urged by the spring 40 in the protruding direction of the operating portion la, and the lower holder 20 (i.e., the engageable portions 22) abuts against the middle holder 30 to serve as a stopper.
• the invention may also be realized by a mechanism in which an operating portion side member 100 is urged in the protruding direction by the spring 40, and that includes a retaining member 200 that stops the operating portion side member 100 from moving in the protruding direction.
• the retaining member 200 has a retaining portion 202 that stops the operating portion side member 100 from moving in the protruding direction.
• the retaining member 200 is connected to an encoder side member 300 (such as an encoder side holder or an encoder) in a state in which the retaining member 200 is unable to protrude in the protruding direction and unable to rotate with respect to the encoder side member 300.
• the operating portion side member 100 and the retaining member 200 are configured such that the operating portion side member 100 is able to slide in the direction that reduces the protrusion amount with respect to the retaining member 200, and a rotating operation is able to be transmitted from the operating portion side member 100 to the retaining member 200, similar to the relationship between the bent portions 39 on the tip ends of the side walls 38 of the middle holder 30 and the three leg portions 14 of the upper holder 10 described above.
• the operating portion side member 100 may also be formed by a plurality of members such as the cap 2, the upper holder 10, and the lower holder 20 in the example embodiment described above, for example. The same also applies to the retaining member 200. With the structure shown in FIG. 9 as well, the side where the operating portion is attached and the side where the encoder is attached may be reversed, just like the structure according to the example embodiment described above.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
• Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

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ID=45852611

Family Applications (1)

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• 2011
  • 2011-01-31 JP JP2011018036A patent/JP5697469B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-01-30 EP EP12709363.1A patent/EP2671238B8/fr not_active Not-in-force
  • 2012-01-30 WO PCT/IB2012/000132 patent/WO2012104702A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2012-01-30 CN CN201280004262.4A patent/CN103270567B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

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