JPH0143782Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a turn signal switch mainly used in motorcycles.

While the motorcycle is running, when turning left or right, it is necessary to move the switch actuator of the turn signal switch from the neutral position to the right or left turn indication area and temporarily hold it there in order to make the flasher lamp flash for a predetermined period of time. When changing lanes, the blinking time of the flasher lamp is short, so it is sufficient to simply move the switch actuator to the right or left turn side, and there is no need to hold it there. Therefore, in order to be able to sense each movement position of the switch actuator when changing lanes with a finger, the turn signal switch is equipped with a small moderation mechanism, but the moderation mechanism is operated by a steel ball using the elastic force of a coil spring. Since the steel ball is configured to engage with the groove, there is a problem in that it is difficult to sense the engagement between the steel ball and the groove with a finger.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a structure that allows the finger to clearly sense each movement position of the switch actuator when changing lanes, and also allows the switch actuator to be reliably held in the right-turn and left-turn indication areas. It is an object of the present invention to provide the turn signal switch having a simple moderation mechanism.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a switch actuator is arranged in a switch case so as to be able to slide between a neutral position and a right turn indication area and a left turn indication area on both sides thereof. Return springs are interposed between both end surfaces of the switch operating element in the sliding direction and the inner surface of the switch case opposite to the end surfaces, respectively, for constantly biasing the switch operating element toward a neutral position. , a spring and a steel ball urged to protrude outward from the hole opening by the elastic force of the spring are disposed in the hole formed in the switch actuator; A regulating plate is disposed along the sliding direction of the switch actuator so as to be in contact with the steel ball so as to prevent the steel ball from leaving the hole, and the regulating plate includes:
an engaging recess capable of engaging with the steel ball to hold the switch actuator in the neutral position; a long hole capable of guiding the steel ball in the sliding direction; a pair of engagement steps capable of engaging with the ball, and the elongated hole is configured such that when the steel ball is engaged with both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole, the switch actuator moves into each of the display areas. The length is set according to the position.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes a switch case in the shape of a rectangular box, a case body 2 with one side and a bottom open, and a contact plate 3 fitted on the bottom of the case body 2. It becomes more. On the contact plate 3, a right turn fixed contact 4 ₁ connected to a right flash lamp (not shown) and a left turn fixed contact 4 ₂ connected to a left flash lamp (not shown) are provided at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. . Notches 5 are formed in each of the opposing side walls of the case body 2, and these notches 5
Both ends of the guide shaft 6 are fitted into the retaining ring 7.
It is prevented from coming off. A switch actuator 9 having a movable contact 8 on the lower surface is slidably held on the guide shaft 6, and leg pieces 10 protruding from both edges of the lower surface of the switch actuator 9 are attached to both edges of the upper surface of the contact plate 3. It is slidably fitted into the formed guide step portion 11.

The guide shaft 6 has a large diameter part 6a at the center and small diameter parts 6b on both sides thereof, and coiled return springs 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are fitted in each of the small diameter parts 6b.
Both end portions of each of the return springs 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are in contact with the stepped portions of the large diameter portion 6a and the small diameter portion 6b and the inner surface of the side wall of the case body 2 via washers 13, respectively.

A rectangular window 14 is formed in the side wall of the case body 2 parallel to the guide shaft 6 along its longitudinal direction.
A protrusion 9a formed on the side surface of the switch actuator 9 protrudes from the window 14. The protrusion 9a has
A hole 15 is formed in the outer end surface, and a coil spring 16 and a steel ball 17 are disposed in the hole 15 and are urged to protrude outward from the opening of the hole 15 by the elastic force of the coil spring 16. will be established. At both short edges of the window 14, outwardly bent pieces 18 are provided, and mounting pieces 19a bent at both ends of the regulating plate 19 are spot-welded to each bent piece 18. As a result, the regulating plate 19 is disposed along the movement path of the steel ball 17 due to the sliding of the switch actuator 9, and the steel ball 17 is constantly pressed against the inner surface of the regulating plate 19 by the elastic force of the coil spring 16. come into contact with

The intermediate portion 19b of the regulating plate 19 is formed in an arc shape so that the contact surface with the steel ball 17 forms a concave surface, and outward bent portions 1 are provided at both ends of the intermediate portion 19b.
A flat side portion 19d is connected via 9c ₁ and 19c ₂ . A long hole 20 is formed in the intermediate portion 19b along its longitudinal direction, that is, the sliding direction of the switch actuator 9, and this long hole 20 allows the steel ball 17 to pass in the sliding direction when the switch actuator 9 slides. Provide transportation guidance.
An engagement hole 21 having a smaller diameter than the steel ball 17 and a larger diameter than the width of the elongated hole 20 is located in the longitudinal center of the elongated hole 20.
is formed. The engagement hole 21 serves as an engagement recess of the present invention that engages with the steel ball 17 and holds the switch actuator 9 in a neutral position, and also serves as an engagement recess of the present invention that engages with the steel ball 17 and holds the switch actuator 9 in a neutral position. Bending portion 19c ₁ ,
19c ₂ indicates that the steel ball 17 is located at the ends 20 ₁ , 2 of the elongated hole 20
After exceeding _0.02 , they function as a pair of engagement steps of the present invention which engage the steel balls 17 and hold the switch actuator 9 in the right turn cover area and the left turn indication area, respectively.

The positional relationship between the movable contact 8 and both fixed contacts 4 ₁ and 4 ₂ is such that when the switch actuator 9 is in the neutral position, the movable contact 8 is located between both the fixed contacts 4 ₁ and 4 ₂ ; When the steel ball 17 engages with the ends 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ of the elongated hole 20 by sliding the steel ball 9 to one side, and when the steel ball 17 engages with the outward bent portions 19 c ₁ , 1
When engaged with 9c ₂ , the switch actuator 9 is in the right turn or left turn indication area, and the movable contact 8 comes into contact with the fixed contacts 4 ₁ and 4 ₂ .

An operation knob 22 is attached to the upper surface of the switch actuator 9, and the top surface of the knob 22 has a convex surface 22a on one side and a concave surface 22a on the other side.
2b, respectively, to provide different tactile sensations to the knob 22 and to prevent erroneous operation.

In the above configuration, while traveling straight, the switch actuator 9 is urged toward the neutral position by the pair of return springs 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ , and the steel ball 17 is pushed into the engagement hole 2.
By engaging with the edge of the opening 1, the switch actuator 9 is reliably held in the neutral position.

When changing lanes from driving straight to the right lane, push the knob 22 in the direction of arrow A in Figures 1 and 4 with your finger against one of the return springs ₁₂₁ , and the switch actuator 9 At the same time, steel ball 1 slides in the same direction.
7 disengages from the engagement hole 21 and rolls on the edge of the elongated hole 20, and when the steel ball 17 engages with the end ₂₀₁ of the elongated hole 20, the switch actuator 9 temporarily stops. As a result, the movable contact 8 comes into contact with the right turn fixed contact 4 ₁ and the right flasher lamp blinks. In this case, the steel ball 17 climbs up the concave surface of the intermediate portion 19b of the regulating plate 19, so the steel ball 17 is pushed into the hole 15, and the elastic force of the coil spring 16 increases, resulting in resistance to the sliding of the switch actuator 9. gradually increases. After changing lanes, when you release your finger from the knob 22, the elastic force of one of the return springs ₁₂₁ , which had been compressed until now, causes the switch actuator 9 to move to the first and second positions.
It automatically returns and slides in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4, and is held in the neutral position by the stopper action of the other return spring ₁₂₂ and the engagement of the steel ball 17 with the engagement hole 21, and the right flasher lamp goes out. When changing lanes from driving straight to the left lane, the switch actuator 9 may be slid from the neutral position in the direction of arrow B in Figures 1 and 4.

When turning right _, push the knob 22 strongly with your finger in the direction of arrow _A in Figs.
9c ₁ to be engaged. As a result, the switch actuator 9
is held in the right turn display area, and even if the knob 22 is released, the right flasher lamp continues to blink.

After turning right, if you push the knob 22 strongly with your finger in the direction of arrow B in Figures 1 and 4, the engagement between the steel ball 17 and the outwardly bent portion 19c ₁ will be disengaged, and the elastic force of one of the return springs 12 ₁ will cause the switch to be turned. The actuator 9 slides in the same direction and is then held in a neutral position. When turning left, the switch actuator 9 may be slid from the neutral position in the direction of arrow B in Figures 1 and 4.

As described above, according to the present invention, the switch actuator is disposed in the switch case so as to be able to slide between the neutral position and the right turn display area and the left turn display area on both sides thereof, and Return springs are interposed between both end faces of the actuator in the sliding direction and the inner surface of the switch case opposite to the end faces, respectively, to constantly bias the switch actuator toward the neutral position. A spring and a steel ball are disposed in the hole formed in the switch case, and a steel ball is biased to protrude outward from the hole opening by the elastic force of the spring. A regulating plate that comes into contact with the steel ball so as to prevent the ball from coming out of the hole is disposed along the sliding direction of the switch actuator, and the regulating plate is provided with a regulating plate that holds the switch actuator in the neutral position. an engaging recess capable of engaging the steel ball to hold the steel ball; and an engaging recess that extends along the sliding direction of the switch actuator so as to cross the engaging recess at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, and the steel ball extends in the sliding direction of the switch actuator. a pair of elongated holes located on both outer sides of the elongated hole in the sliding direction and capable of engaging with the steel balls to hold the switch actuators in the right turn indication area and the left turn indication area, respectively; and the elongated hole has a length such that the switch actuator is located in each of the display areas when the steel ball is engaged with both longitudinal ends of the elongated hole. Therefore, while the vehicle is traveling straight, the switch actuator is reliably held in the neutral position by the engagement of the steel ball with the engagement recess and the elastic force of the pair of return springs, and the switch actuator is held in the neutral position by vibration etc. There are no malfunctions. Furthermore, when changing lanes, the steel balls of the switch actuator are engaged with both longitudinal ends of the elongated hole and the switch actuator is temporarily stopped, so that the movement position of the switch actuator can be clearly sensed with a finger and the switch actuator is activated. The child can be temporarily held in the right-turn or left-turn indicator area, and after changing lanes, releasing the switch actuator allows it to automatically return to the neutral position due to the release of the return spring. . Furthermore, when turning right or left, the switch actuator is moved by sliding the switch actuator sufficiently until the steel ball overcomes both longitudinal ends of the elongated hole and engages with the engagement step portions on both outside sides. Can be held securely in the right turn or left turn indication area. Moreover, the elongated hole in the regulation plate allows the steel ball to move smoothly in the sliding direction when the switch actuator slides, and also effectively prevents the steel ball from leaving the hole in the switch actuator. can be prevented. Furthermore, since the moderation mechanism is composed of three members: the regulation plate having the elongated hole, the engagement recess, and the engagement step, the steel ball, and the spring,
The structure is extremely simple, and manufacturing man-hours and costs can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the back side, FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. Figure-
FIG. 1... Switch case, 9... Switch actuator, 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ ... Return spring, 15... Hole,
16... Spring, 17... Steel ball, 19... Regulation plate,
19c ₁ , 19c ₂ ... outward bent portion as engagement step, 20 ... long hole, 20 ₁ , 20 ₂ ... end, 2
1... Engagement hole as an engagement recess.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A switch actuator 9 is disposed in the switch case 1 so as to be able to slide between a neutral position and a right turn display area and a left turn indicator area on both sides thereof, and both ends of the switch actuator 9 in the sliding direction Return springs 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are interposed between the inner surface of the switch case 1 and the inner surface of the switch case 1 facing both end faces thereof, respectively, to constantly bias the switch actuator 9 toward the neutral position. Hole 15 formed in child 9
A spring 16 and a steel ball 17 which is urged to protrude outward from the opening of the hole 15 by the elastic force of the spring 16 are disposed in the switch case 1.
includes a regulating plate 19 that comes into contact with the steel ball 17 so as to prevent the steel ball 17 from leaving the hole 15;
is arranged along the sliding direction of the switch actuator 9, and the regulating plate 19 has an engagement recess 21 that can engage with the steel ball 17 to hold the switch actuator 9 in the neutral position. , an elongated hole 20 that extends along the sliding direction of the switch actuator 9 so as to traverse the engagement recess 21 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, and is capable of guiding the steel ball 17 in the sliding direction; 20
a pair of engaging step portions 19c ₁ and 19c ₂ which are located on both outer sides of the sliding direction and can engage with the steel ball 17 to hold the switch actuator 9 in the right turn indication area and the left turn indication area, respectively. and the elongated hole 20 has both longitudinal ends 20 of the elongated hole 20.
_{A turn} signal switch characterized in that the length is set such that the switch actuator 9 is located in each of the display areas when the steel ball 17 is engaged with the switch actuator 9.