JP7572125B2 - Lever switch - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a lever switch.

A vehicle direction indicator device that is attached to the steering shaft of a vehicle has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

This vehicle turn signal device is provided with a bracket that is arranged to rotate together with the operating lever and that rotates around a neutral position between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position, a case that rotatably supports the bracket, and a cancel mechanism that returns the operating lever to the neutral position based on the biasing force from a cancel cam that rotates together with the steering wheel when the steering wheel is operated in the opposite direction to the indicated direction with the operating lever positioned at the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position.

The cancel mechanism has a ratchet that rotates to return the bracket to a neutral position when pressed by the cancel cam as the cancel cam rotates in the direction opposite to the indicated position of the operating lever, a spring that is positioned between the ratchet and the bracket while holding the ratchet, and a spring housing that houses the spring, which exerts a force returning the bracket to its original position by expanding and contracting in response to the rotation of the ratchet.

Patent No. 4256276

However, the vehicle direction indicator device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the spring and the spring housing are located between the ratchet and the bracket, which makes the vehicle direction indicator device larger.

Therefore, this disclosure provides a lever switch that can be miniaturized.

A lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a rotating body that rotates an operating lever between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with respect to a neutral position, a ratchet that is provided movably relative to the rotating body, and an elastic body that is provided between the ratchet and the rotating body, the ratchet is provided so as to come into contact with the rotating body via the elastic body when the operating lever is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the ratchet is provided on a rotation trajectory of a rotating steering cam, and when the operating lever is provided on the rotation trajectory, the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position at which the operating lever is provided is indicated. When the steering cam is operated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the operating lever is rotated, a canceling force for rotating the operating lever to the neutral position by the pressing force due to the rotation of the steering cam is transmitted to the rotating body via the elastic body, the canceling force including a first canceling force and a second canceling force which is greater than the first canceling force, and when the first canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body transmits the first canceling force to the rotating body, and when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body moves while elastically deforming due to the second canceling force.
Also, a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a rotating body that rotates an operating lever between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with respect to a neutral position, a ratchet that is provided movably with respect to the rotating body, and an elastic body that is arranged between the ratchet and the rotating body, and the rotating body has a pair of mounting portions to which the pair of elastic bodies can be attached, and the ratchet is arranged on a rotation trajectory of a rotating steering cam when the operating lever is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, and when the ratchet is arranged on the rotation trajectory, the ratchet moves in a direction indicated by the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position at which the operating lever is arranged. When the steering cam is operated in the direction opposite to the neutral direction, a canceling force for rotating the operating lever to the neutral position by a pressing force due to the rotation of the steering cam is transmitted to the rotating body via the elastic body, the canceling force including a first canceling force and a second canceling force which is a canceling force greater than the first canceling force, and when the first canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body transmits the first canceling force to the rotating body, and when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body moves while elastically deforming due to the second canceling force.

The lever switch disclosed herein can be made compact.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle equipped with a lever switch according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the lever switch according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the lever switch according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the lever switch taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, showing the lever switch with the operating portion in the neutral position. FIG. 4C is a partial enlarged view showing a rotating body and a bite spring of the lever switch according to the embodiment. Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the operating part of the lever switch is positioned in the right turn indication position when cut along line B-B in Figure 2, and the abutment protrusion of the ratchet is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the operating part of the lever switch is positioned in a right turn indication position when cut along line B-B in Figure 2, the abutment protrusion of the ratchet is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam, and the steering cam further rotates to abut against the ratchet. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the vehicle has completed a right turn and the steering cam has rotated left when the operating part of the lever switch is positioned in a right turn indicating position when cut along line B-B in Figure 2. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing a case where, when the operating part of the lever switch is positioned in a right turn indicating position when cut along line B-B in Figure 2, the vehicle completes a right turn, the steering cam rotates left, and the operating part is operated. FIG. 6C is a partial enlarged view showing the bite spring of FIG. 6B. FIG. 7A is a partial enlarged view showing a rotating body and a bite spring of a lever switch according to a modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 7B is a partial enlarged view showing a case where the biting spring of the lever switch in the modified example of the embodiment is pressed by a ratchet.

A lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a rotating body that rotates an operating lever between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with respect to a neutral position, a ratchet that is movable relative to the rotating body, and an elastic body that is arranged between the ratchet and the rotating body, and the ratchet is arranged on a rotation trajectory of a rotating steering cam when the operating lever is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, and when the ratchet is arranged on the rotation trajectory, the steering cam is operated in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position in which the operating lever is located. When the steering cam is rotated, a canceling force for rotating the operating lever to the neutral position is transmitted to the rotating body via the elastic body, and the canceling force includes a first canceling force and a second canceling force that is greater than the first canceling force. When the first canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body transmits the first canceling force to the rotating body, and when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body moves while elastically deforming due to the second canceling force.

According to this, when the steering cam is rotated while the operating lever is positioned at the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the pressing force (first canceling force) caused by the rotation of the steering cam is transmitted to the elastic body via the ratchet, and the elastic body transmits the pressing force to the rotating body, thereby returning the operating lever at the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position to the neutral position.

In addition, when the operating lever is placed in the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, if the operating lever is held (biting operation) while rotating the steering cam, the pressing force (second canceling force) caused by the rotation is transmitted to the elastic body via the ratchet, and the elastic body is elastically deformed by the pressing force. As a result, the ratchet can move without damaging itself by elastically deforming the elastic body.

In this way, by providing an elastic body between the ratchet and the rotating body, the elastic body has the role of returning the operating lever from the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position to the neutral position, and the role of elastically deforming so that the ratchet can move during the bite operation. This makes the spring and spring housing part required for conventional lever switches unnecessary, and therefore saves space for providing the spring and spring housing part.

This lever switch can therefore be made smaller.

In particular, the lever switch of the present disclosure can achieve the same effect as a conventional lever switch by simply using the elastic body of the present disclosure instead of the spring and spring housing of a conventional lever switch, and therefore can suppress an increase in the number of parts and an increase in weight. By suppressing an increase in the number of parts, an increase in the assembly labor of the lever switch can be suppressed, and therefore an increase in the manufacturing cost of the lever switch can be suppressed.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the rotating body has a pair of mounting portions to which a pair of the elastic bodies can be attached.

With this, even if the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet when the operating lever is in either the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the ratchet can elastically deform the elastic body because the elastic body is supported by the mounting portion. This allows the ratchet to move while elastically deforming the elastic body so that it is not damaged.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the pair of mounting parts has a locking part that locks the elastic body and a mounting recess that supports the elastic body by abutting against the elastic body.

With this, the elastic body can be supported on the rotating body by the locking portion, so that the elastic body can be held in a predetermined position relative to the rotating body. In addition, because the elastic body only abuts against the mounting recess, elastic deformation of the elastic body can be tolerated, and it becomes easier to maintain the elastically deformed elastic body attached to the mounting portion.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the pair of elastic bodies has an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion, a bent portion that is continuous with the engaged portion, and an abutment portion that is continuous with the bent portion and abuts against the mounting recess.

With this, the engaged portion is engaged with the engaging portion, so that the elastic body can be supported by the mounting portion. Furthermore, even if the elastic body is pressed by the second canceling force applied to the ratchet, the bent portion can elastically deform while the abutting portion can slide along the mounting recess. This can reduce the load on the ratchet to which the second canceling force is applied, further reducing damage to the ratchet.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the second canceling force is applied from the steering cam to the elastic body, the abutment portion slides on the bottom surface of the mounting recess.

This allows the abutment portion to slide on the contact surface of the elastic body when the elastic body is elastically deformed by the second canceling force. This further reduces the load on the ratchet to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby further reducing damage to the ratchet.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the mounting recess has a first recess and a second recess that is further recessed from the first recess, and the abutment portion rides up from the second recess onto the first recess when the second canceling force is applied from the steering cam to the elastic body.

With this, when the elastic body is pressed by the second canceling force applied to the ratchet, the abutting portion can climb from the second recess to the first recess in response to the elastic deformation of the bent portion. This can further reduce the load on the ratchet to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby further reducing damage to the ratchet.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elastic body is disposed on the path of movement of the ratchet.

With this, when the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet, the ratchet can reliably press against the elastic body. This makes it possible to further reduce the load on the ratchet to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby more reliably preventing damage to the ratchet.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the elastic body does not exist on a straight line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet and the rotation axis of the rotating body.

This allows the ratchet and the rotating body to be as close as possible, which in turn allows the ratchet and the operating lever to be closer together. As a result, the lever switch can be made more compact.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the second canceling force is applied from the steering cam to the elastic body, the ratchet moves to a position that is not on the rotational trajectory of the steering cam.

As a result, even if the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet, it moves to the outside of the rotational trajectory of the steering cam, further reducing damage to the ratchet.

In a lever switch according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the angle between the direction along the line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet and the rotation axis of the rotating body and the direction along the contact surface of the elastic body changes when the elastic body is elastically deformed by the second canceling force.

By doing this, the elastic body can be elastically deformed to move the load to the outside of the rotation trajectory of the steering cam so that the load is not easily applied to the ratchet. This makes it possible to further prevent damage to the ratchet.

The following describes the embodiment in detail with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim are described as optional components.

The figures are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily drawn precisely. In each figure, the same components are given the same reference numerals. In the following embodiments, expressions such as "approximately parallel" are used. For example, "approximately parallel" does not only mean completely parallel, but also means substantially parallel, that is, including an error of, for example, about a few percent. Furthermore, "approximately parallel" means parallel within the range in which the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved. The same applies to other expressions using "approximately."

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 4 equipped with a lever switch 1 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lever switch 1 in this embodiment is disposed adjacent to a steering shaft 3 mounted on the driver's seat of a vehicle 4 with a right-hand drive. The lever switch 1 receives the steering of the steering wheel 8 of the vehicle 4 by the driver, as well as the operation of the operating lever 20. The vehicle 4 is, for example, an automobile, a bus, a truck, a tractor, etc.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lever switch 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the thickness direction of the lever switch 1 is referred to as the Z-axis direction, and the two directions perpendicular to the Z-axis direction are referred to as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The X-axis direction is the depth direction of the lever switch 1 (i.e., the left-right direction), and the Y-axis direction is the width direction of the lever switch 1 (i.e., the front-back direction), and is perpendicular to the X-axis direction.

The steering shaft 3 is cylindrical or columnar and is a rotating shaft extending in the Z-axis direction. A steering cam 5 is provided on the steering shaft 3, and the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1 moves in conjunction with the rotation of the steering cam 5.

The steering cam 5 is a cancel cam that can return the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1, which is positioned in the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, to a neutral position via the ratchet 60 by pressing the ratchet 60 of the lever switch 1. The steering cam 5 also rotates in response to the rotation of the steering shaft 3. The steering cam 5 is also positioned so as to be located on a straight line connecting the axis of the ratchet 60 and the axis of the rotating body 30.

The steering cam 5 is a notched recess with a portion of the end on the negative Z-axis side cut out. In this embodiment, two steering cams 5 (notches) are formed in the steering shaft 3, and the two steering cams 5 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation of the steering cam 5. The steering cam 5 rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft 3, and moves the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1 in conjunction with that rotation.

The lever switch 1 is a device that indicates the turning direction (left or right turn) of the vehicle 4, and is operated by an operator to indicate the direction. The lever switch 1 is attached, for example, to the positive side of the X-axis of the steering shaft 3, and is operated by the right hand of the operator of the vehicle 4.

The lever switch 1 may be equipped with a combination switch lever having, for example, a turn signal switch for flashing the turn signal lamps, a lighting switch for turning on the head lamps, the parking lamps, and the tail lamps, a passing switch for turning on the head lamps in a passing light, and a dimmer switch for switching between high beam and low beam of the head lamps.

The specific configuration of the lever switch 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4A. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the lever switch 1 in the embodiment. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the lever switch 1 when cut along line A-A in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4A, the lever switch 1 includes an operating lever 20, a rotating body 30, an actuator 41, a first holder 42, a second holder 43, a circuit board 44, a main body case 51, a cover case 52, a switch cover 53, a moderation plate 54, a ratchet 60, a leaf spring 69, and a pair of bite springs 70.

The operating lever 20 extends to the right side of the steering shaft 3 so that the operator can use his or her right hand to operate the steering wheel. The operating lever 20 is made of insulating resin or the like.

The operating lever 20 has an operating part 21, a drive part 22, a first spring 23, and a roller 24.

The operating unit 21 is a lever that is generally cylindrical and extends to the right side relative to the steering shaft 3, and is operated by the operator. The operating unit 21 is displaced between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position based on a neutral position by the operator's operation.

The drive unit 22 is rod-shaped and extends along the X-axis direction, and extends from the end of the operating unit 21 on the negative X-axis side toward the steering shaft 3. The drive unit 22 is connected to the rotating body 30 by being inserted into the insertion portion 30a of the rotating body 30, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. By connecting the drive unit 22 to the rotating body 30, the operating unit 21 connected to the drive unit 22 is positioned in a state in which it extends from the rotating body 30 toward the positive X-axis direction (right side).

The drive unit 22 is provided with a pair of drive shafts 22a extending along the Y-axis direction. Of the pair of drive shafts 22a, one drive shaft 22a protrudes from the face (front face) of the drive unit 22 on the positive Y-axis direction side, and the other drive shaft 22a protrudes from the face (rear face) of the drive unit 22 on the negative Y-axis direction side. The pair of drive shafts 22a are inserted into and supported by the insertion hole 30b of the rotating body 30. As a result, the pair of drive shafts 22a serve as fulcrums, and the operating lever 20 is held by the rotating body 30 so that it can rotate (swing) in the Z-axis direction around the Y-axis direction as the central axis.

In addition, a drive hole 25 is formed at the end of the drive unit 22 on the negative X-axis side. The drive hole 25 is a recess that is recessed from the end of the drive unit 22 in the positive X-axis direction. The coil-shaped first spring 23 extending along the X-axis direction and the roller 24 are inserted in this order into the drive hole 25. In other words, the roller 24 is arranged in contact with the first spring 23 on the negative X-axis side of the first spring 23, so that it is biased in the negative X-axis direction by the first spring 23 and contacts the uneven rotating cam 30d formed on the rotating body 30. This allows the operator to achieve appropriate operability when the operating lever 20 rotates (rotates left or right) in the Z-axis direction relative to the rotating body 30.

An actuator 41 is connected between the end of the drive unit 22 on the negative X-axis direction side and the pair of drive shafts 22a. A first holder 42 is connected to the actuator 41, and the actuator 41 is connected to the board 44 via the first holder 42. Therefore, the rotation of the drive unit 22 caused by the displacement of the operating lever 20 is transmitted to the board 44 via the actuator 41 and the first holder 42. A first fixed contact 44a is formed on the board 44, and the first fixed contact 44a can be electrically connected to and separated from the first fixed contact 44a by the movement of the first movable contact piece 42a of the first holder 42. Therefore, when the operating unit 21 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the operating lever 20, the first holder 42 slides along the X-axis direction, and the first fixed contact 44a of the first holder 42 is electrically connected to and separated from the first movable contact piece 42a of the first holder 42. The first switch contact portion, consisting of the first fixed contact 44a and the first movable contact piece 42a, opens and closes the electrical circuit, outputting a dimmer signal.

The main body case 51, cover case 52, and switch cover 53 form the outer shell of the lever switch 1, and house the operating part 21, the rotating body 30, the actuator 41, the first holder 42, the second holder 43, the circuit board 44, the moderation plate 54, part of the ratchet 60, the leaf spring 69, and a pair of bite springs 70. The main body case 51 is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the cover case 52.

The operating unit 21 connected to the rotating body 30 extends from the side surface on the positive X-axis direction of the housing, which is composed of the main body case 51, cover case 52, and switch cover 53. In addition, an opening 55 is formed on the side surface on the negative X-axis direction of the housing, allowing a part of the ratchet 60 to protrude.

The switch cover 53 is a plate-like member that is disposed approximately parallel to the XY plane. The switch cover 53 is disposed between the top plate of the main body case 51 and the bottom plate of the cover case 52 in the housing, and separates the space on the main body case 51 side from the space on the cover case 52 side within the housing.

The switch cover 53 is also formed with two guide portions 53a, 53b that guide the movement of the first holder 42 and the second holder 43. The guide portion 53a that guides the first holder 42 is an elongated hole extending along the X-axis direction, and the guide portion 53b that guides the second holder 43 is an elongated hole extending along the Y-axis direction. Specifically, the pin of the first holder 42 is inserted into the guide portion 53a, and the pin of the second holder 43 is inserted into the guide portion 53b, so that the first holder 42 is guided by the guide portion 53a, and the second holder 43 is guided by the guide portion 53b.

A detent plate 54 is provided between the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51. The detent plate 54 is disposed at the end of the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51 on the X-axis negative side, and defines an opening 55 together with the main body case 51. The detent plate 54 is attached to the end of the switch cover 53 on the X-axis negative side in a position that is approximately parallel to the Z-Y plane. Specifically, the detent plate 54 is attached to the end of the switch cover 53 on the X-axis negative side so as to face the second spring 81, the sliding pin 82, and the rotating body 30. The detent plate 54 is formed with a plurality of detent cams 54a for supporting the position of the rotating body 30 by engaging with the sliding pin 82 of the rotating body 30. In this embodiment, the detent plate 54 is formed with two detent cams 54a aligned along the Y-axis direction. The moderation cam 54a is formed on the surface of the moderation plate 54 on the positive side of the X-axis and is a convex portion that protrudes in the positive direction of the X-axis.

A rotating body 30 is attached to the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51.

The rotating body 30 is a long operating member that extends from the drive unit 22 of the operating lever 20 to the ratchet 60. The rotating body 30 rotates between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with the neutral position as a reference, thereby holding the operating lever 20 in one of the neutral position, the left turn indication position, and the right turn indication position.

The rotating body 30 is also provided with a pair of actuating shafts 31 that extend along the Z-axis direction.

Of the pair of operating shafts 31, one operating shaft 31 protrudes upward from the surface (upper surface) of the rotating body 30 on the positive Z-axis direction, and the other operating shaft 31 protrudes downward from the surface (lower surface) of the rotating body 30 on the positive Z-axis direction. The pair of operating shafts 31 are inserted into and supported by engagement holes 53c, 51a of the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51, respectively. The pair of operating shafts 31 serve as fulcrums, and the rotating body 30 is held by the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51 so that it can rotate in the Y-axis direction around the Z-axis direction as the central axis. As a result, the operating lever 20 connected to the rotating body 30 can rotate in the Y-axis direction relative to the switch cover 53 and the main body case 51.

The rotating body 30 also has a coil-shaped second spring 81 and a cylindrical sliding pin 82. An operating hole 32 is formed at the end of the rotating body 30 on the negative X-axis side. The operating hole 32 is a recess that is recessed in the positive X-axis direction from the end of the rotating body 30. The second spring 81 and the sliding pin 82, which extend along the X-axis direction, are inserted in this order into the operating hole 32. In other words, the sliding pin 82 is arranged on the negative X-axis side relative to the second spring 81 with the second spring 81 arranged in the cylindrical internal space, so that the sliding pin 82 is biased in the negative X-axis direction by the second spring 81 to engage with the moderation cam 54a of the moderation plate 54 and maintain the posture of the rotating body 30. For example, the sliding pin 82 can support the rotating body 30 at a position (right turn indication position) where the rotating body 30 rotates right (clockwise, rotates rightward) around the operating shaft 31 of the rotating body 30 by hooking on the moderation cam 54a on the Y-axis negative side of the moderation plate 54. Also, the sliding pin 82 can support the rotating body 30 at a position (left turn indication position) where the rotating body 30 rotates left (counterclockwise, rotates leftward) around the operating shaft 31 of the rotating body 30 by hooking on the moderation cam 54a on the Y-axis positive side of the moderation plate 54. In this way, the second spring 81 and the sliding pin 82 hold the operating lever 20 connected to the rotating body 30 in any one of the neutral position, the left turn indication position, and the right turn indication position. This allows the operator to achieve appropriate operability when the operating lever 20 rotates in the Y-axis direction relative to the rotating body 30.

The rotating body 30 also has a pair of mounting portions 34 to which a pair of bite springs 70 can be attached. The specific configuration of the bite springs 70 will be described with reference to Figures 4B and 4C. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2, showing the lever switch 1 with the operating unit 21 in the neutral position. Figure 4C is a partially enlarged view showing the rotating body 30 and bite springs 70 of the lever switch 1 in the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 4B and 4C, a pair of mounting parts 34 are formed on the end of the rotating body 30 on the negative side of the X-axis for mounting a pair of bite springs 70 in a one-to-one relationship. Of the pair of mounting parts 34, one mounting part 34 is disposed on the positive side of the Y-axis of the rotating body 30, and the other mounting part 34 is disposed on the negative side of the Y-axis of the rotating body 30.

A pair of biting springs 70 are attached to the pair of mounting parts 34 in a one-to-one relationship. Of the pair of biting springs 70, one biting spring 70 is attached to one mounting part 34 located on the positive side of the Y axis, and the other biting spring 70 is attached to the other mounting part 34 located on the negative side of the Y axis. The pair of mounting parts 34 support the pair of biting springs 70 on the rotating body 30.

Specifically, each of the pair of mounting portions 34 has a locking portion 34a that locks the locked portion 71, which is one end of each of the pair of biting springs 70, and a mounting recess 34b that abuts against the abutment portion 73, which is the other end of each of the pair of biting springs 70, to support the abutment portion 73. The locked portion 71 is fitted into the locking portion 34a, so that the locking portion 34a supports the locked portion 71. The mounting recess 34b is composed of a first recess 34b1 into which the abutment portion 73 is inserted, and a second recess 34b2 that is further recessed from the bottom surface (surface on the Y-axis direction side) of the first recess 34b1. In other words, a step is formed between the first recess 34b1 and the second recess 34b2. The step of the abutment portion 73, which will be described later, is formed to a height that allows it to slide on the bottom surface (surface on the Y-axis direction side) of the mounting recess 34b by climbing up from the second recess 34b2 to the first recess 34b1 when the steering cam 5 is operated in the opposite direction to the indicated direction of the operating lever 20 and a second canceling force is applied from the steering cam 5 to the ratchet 60 against the bite spring 70.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the second holder 43 is connected to the portion of the rotating body 30 on the negative Z-axis side of the operating hole portion 32. The rotating body 30 is connected to the substrate 44 via the second holder 43. Therefore, the rotation of the rotating body 30 via the drive unit 22 caused by the displacement of the operating lever 20 is transmitted to the substrate 44 via the second holder 43. The substrate 44 is provided with a second fixed contact 44b, which can be electrically connected to and separated from the second fixed contact 44b by the movement of the second movable contact piece 43a of the second holder 43. Therefore, when the rotating body 30 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the operating lever 20, the second holder 43 slides along the Y-axis direction, and the second movable contact piece 43a of the second holder 43 electrically connects and disconnects to the second fixed contact 44b of the substrate 44. The second switch contact portion, consisting of the second fixed contact 44b and the second movable contact piece 43a, opens and closes the electrical circuit, outputting a turning direction indication signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating body 30 is formed with a retaining cam 33 that protrudes in the positive direction of the X-axis from the end on the negative side of the X-axis to guide the ratchet 60. The retaining cam 33 is a triangular protrusion formed within the guide portion 30c of the rotating body 30. When viewed along the Z-axis direction, the retaining cam 33 is V-shaped. The apex of the retaining cam 33 is located at the center in the Y-axis direction within the guide portion 30c, and the retaining cam 33 has an inclined surface that curves from the center along the positive and negative Y-axis directions.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4A, the ratchet 60 is a long member that extends from the rotating body 30 to the steering cam 5. When the operating lever 20 is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the ratchet 60 is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the rotating steering cam 5. When the steering shaft 3 is operated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the steering cam 5 rotates while the ratchet 60 is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam 5, the ratchet 60 transmits a canceling force for rotating the operating lever 20 to the neutral position to the rotating body 30 via the bite spring 70 due to the pressing force caused by the rotation of the steering cam 5.

The canceling force includes a first canceling force and a second canceling force that is greater than the first canceling force. The first canceling force is a normal canceling force in which the pressing force due to the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to the rotating body 30 via the ratchet 60 when the operating lever 20 is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position. The second canceling force is a canceling force in which the pressing force due to the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to the rotating body 30 via the ratchet 60 when the operating lever 20 is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position and the pressing force due to the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to the rotating body 30 via the ratchet 60 when an operation is performed to maintain the operating lever 20 in the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position.

The ratchet 60 is placed on the surface (top surface) on the Z-axis positive side of the end (rear) of the rotating body 30 on the X-axis negative side. The ratchet 60 is also covered by the main body case 51. A contact protrusion 63, which is part of the ratchet 60, protrudes from an opening 55 in the case.

The ratchet 60 has a base 61 in the shape of a long oval flat plate extending along the X-axis direction, a pressing protrusion 62 that protrudes from the end of the base 61 on the positive side of the X-axis and can press the bite spring 70, and a contact protrusion 63 that protrudes from the end of the base 61 on the negative side of the X-axis and can abut against the steering cam 5.

The pressing protrusion 62 is generally Y-shaped and is bifurcated so as to protrude from the end (front end) of the base 61 on the positive X-axis side toward the positive Y-axis side and the negative Y-axis side. The pressing protrusion 62 extends so that its width increases in the Y-axis direction toward the positive X-axis side.

The ratchet 60 is provided with a pair of pawl shafts 64 extending along the Z-axis direction. In the pair of pawl shafts 64, one pawl shaft 64 protrudes upward from the surface (upper surface) of the ratchet 60 on the positive side of the Z-axis, and the other pawl shaft 64 protrudes downward from the surface (lower surface) of the ratchet 60 on the negative side of the Z-axis. The pair of pawl shafts 64 are inserted into the concave guides 51b and 30c formed in the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30. One pawl shaft 64 is disposed in the guide 51b of the main body case 51 and moves within the guide 51b. The other pawl shaft 64 is disposed in the guide 30c in which the retaining cam 33 of the rotating body 30 is formed, and moves within the guide 30c. As a result, even if the ratchet 60 moves in the XY plane, the pair of tooth stop shafts 64 come into contact with the guides 51b, 30c, thereby suppressing the movement of the ratchet 60 in the XY plane. In other words, the ratchet 60 can move within the guides 51b, 30c of the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30. As a result, the ratchet 60 can move in the XY plane relative to the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30, and can rotate relative to the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30 around the pair of tooth stop shafts 64.

Grease may be applied between the pair of tooth stop shaft portions 64 of the ratchet 60 and the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30. This can reduce sliding friction between the main body case 51 and the rotating body 30 and the ratchet 60.

In addition, an engagement recess 65 for mounting a leaf spring 69 is formed on the surface of the base 61 of the ratchet 60 on the negative Z-axis side. The engagement recess 65 is groove-shaped and is formed between the pressing protrusion 62 and the abutting protrusion 63, recessed upward from the surface on the negative Z-axis side of the ratchet 60, and extends along the Y-axis direction.

The leaf spring 69 is elongated and extends from the base 61 of the ratchet 60 in the positive and negative directions of the Y axis. The central portion of the leaf spring 69 is fitted into the engagement recess 65 of the ratchet 60. In addition, both ends of the leaf spring 69 are fixed by being engaged with a pair of engagement portions 54b formed on the moderation plate 54. As a result, the leaf spring 69 is formed in a V-shape extending from the base 61 of the ratchet 60 along the positive and negative directions of the Y axis, and biases the ratchet 60 in the negative direction of the X axis.

The substrate 44 is disposed between the switch cover 53 and the cover case 52, and is fixed to the surface of the cover case 52 on the positive side of the Z axis in a position approximately parallel to the X-Y plane.

A first fixed contact 44a electrically connected to the first movable contact piece 42a of the first holder 42 and a second fixed contact 44b electrically connected to the second movable contact piece 43a of the second holder 43 are formed on the surface of the substrate 44 on the positive side of the Z axis. The first fixed contact 44a is a terminal that is elongated along the X axis direction, and the second fixed contact 44b is a terminal that is elongated along the Y axis direction.

In addition, since the board 44 is connected to a lead wire or the like for external connection, the first switch contact portion and the second switch contact portion are electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the vehicle 4. Therefore, the electronic circuit of the vehicle 4 can perform a predetermined process in response to the turning direction instruction and dimmer signals from the first switch contact portion and the second switch contact portion, thereby blinking lamps such as turn signal lamps, for example.

The pair of biting springs 70 are attached to a pair of mounting parts 34 formed at the end of the rotating body 30 on the negative side of the X-axis. The pair of biting springs 70 are arranged between the ratchet 60, which is provided movably relative to the rotating body 30, and the rotating body 30. In addition, the pair of biting springs 70 do not exist on a straight line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet 60 and the rotation axis of the rotating body 30. Specifically, the pair of biting springs 70 do not exist on a straight line connecting the rotation axis of the pair of pawl stop shafts 64 in the ratchet 60 and the rotation axis of the pair of operating shafts 31 in the rotating body 30. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a space between the pair of pawl stop shafts 64 and the pair of operating shafts 31 to arrange the pair of biting springs 70, so the distance between the pair of pawl stop shafts 64 and the pair of operating shafts 31 can be reduced.

The pair of biting springs 70 are arranged on the movement trajectory of the ratchet 60. Therefore, when the ratchet 60 moves, the pair of biting springs 70 are pressed by the pressing protrusions 62 of the ratchet 60 with the first canceling force, and transmit the pressing force to the rotating body 30. As a result, the pair of biting springs 70 rotate the rotating body 30 by transmitting the pressure from the pressing protrusions 62, and when the rotating body 30 cannot rotate due to the second canceling force, the pair of biting springs 70 are sandwiched between the pressing protrusions 62 and the mounting portion 34 and elastically deformed. In other words, when the first canceling force is applied to the biting springs 70 from the steering cam 5 via the ratchet 60, the first canceling force is transmitted to the rotating body 30, causing the rotating body 30 to rotate. In addition, when a second canceling force is applied to the bite spring 70 from the steering cam 5 via the ratchet 60, the bite spring 70 moves around the locked portion 71 as an axis while being elastically deformed by the second canceling force. The movement of the bite spring 70 includes cases where a portion of the bite spring 70 is elastically deformed and cases where a portion of the bite spring 70 is elastically deformed and rotates.

Each of the pair of bite springs 70 is U-shaped, C-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped, etc. In this embodiment, a U-shaped bite spring 70 is exemplified. Also, each of the pair of bite springs 70 is made of a leaf spring material such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, stainless steel, etc. The bite spring 70 is an example of an elastic body.

Each of the pair of biting springs 70 has an engaged portion 71 that is engaged with the engaging portion 34a of the mounting portion 34, a bent portion 72 that is continuous (connected) with the engaged portion 71, and an abutment portion 73 that is continuous with the bent portion 72 and abuts against the rotating body 30. One end of the engaged portion 71 is attached to the mounting portion 34. The other end of the engaged portion 71 is connected to one end of the bent portion 72. The bent portion 72 is bent at a predetermined angle, and may be, for example, U-shaped, C-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped, etc. The bent portion 72 extends in a direction away from the engaged portion 71 attached to the mounting portion 34, and is disposed on the positive X-axis side of the engaged portion 71. The abutment portion 73 has one end connected to the other end of the bent portion 72, extends from the bent portion 72 so as to approach the mounting portion 34, and has the other end abutting against the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b of the rotating body 30. The other end of the abutment portion 73 has a curved arc shape, and is disposed in the mounting recess 34b so as to contact the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b. When the second canceling force is applied to the biting spring 70 from the steering cam 5, the abutment portion 73 is elastically deformed by the biting spring 70 being pressed by the ratchet 60, and slides on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b. Specifically, the abutment portion 73 is pressed by the ratchet 60 with a force corresponding to the second canceling force, and rides from the second recess 34b2 to the first recess 34b1 via the step portion, thereby sliding on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b. In other words, the width of the abutment portion 73 in the Y-axis direction is greater than the height of the step formed by the first recess 34b1 and the second recess 34b2, so the abutment portion 73 can slide between the first recess 34b1 and the second recess 34b2. When the second canceling force is released, the abutment portion 73 moves from the first recess 34b1 to the second recess 34b2, and the bite spring 70 returns to its original position.

<Operation>
The operation of the lever switch 1 in this embodiment will be described below assuming that the operator turns the vehicle 4 right.

In FIG. 4B, the operating lever 20 is in a neutral position, the rotating body 30 is also in a neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned along the X-axis direction, and the ratchet 60 is also in a neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned along the X-axis direction. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the contact protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 is arranged on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam 5 when the operating part 21 of the lever switch 1 is arranged in a right turn indication position when cut along the line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the contact protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 is arranged on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam 5 when the operating part 21 of the lever switch 1 is arranged in a right turn indication position when cut along the line B-B in FIG. 2, and the steering cam 5 further rotates to contact the ratchet 60. In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the steering cam 5 is shown as steering cam 5a and 5b so that the rotation position of the steering cam 5 can be determined. The same applies to Figures 6A and 6B, which will be described later.

[From neutral position to right turn indication position]
First, as shown in Figures 4B and 5A, an operator operates the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1 to rotate (rotate right or clockwise) from the neutral position in the Y-axis positive direction, thereby displacing the operating lever 20 to a right turn indication position. Then, the rotating body 30 connected to the operating lever 20 rotates right from the neutral position around the operating shaft portion 31 of the rotating body 30. The rotating body 30 rotates right by a predetermined angle, and the sliding pin 82 pushed out in the X-axis negative direction by the second spring 81 of the rotating body 30 engages with the moderation cam 54a on the Y-axis negative side of the moderation plate 54, thereby being supported at the right turn indication position. At this time, the ratchet 60 remains in the neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned along the X-axis direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the right (clockwise), the steering cams 5a and 5b rotate to the right together with the steering shaft 3. At this time, the force of the leaf spring 69 causes the pawl stop shaft portion 64 of the ratchet 60 to move from the apex to the positive Y-axis direction along the inclined surface of the retaining cam 33 of the rotating body 30. As a result, the abutment protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 enters the rotation track of the steering cams 5a and 5b, and is positioned in a position where it can abut against the steering cams 5a and 5b. In these cases, the second holder 43 slides along the Y-axis direction as the rotating body 30 rotates. As a result, the second switch contact portion is electrically connected and disconnected, and a signal indicating the turning direction is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle 4, causing the right turn signal lamp to flash. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the steering cams 5a and 5b rotate to the right, the steering cam 5a presses the contact protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate to the left (rotate in the positive direction of the Y axis or rotate counterclockwise) so that the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 moves away from one of the biting springs 70. As a result, the rotating body 30 does not rotate.

Next, as shown in Figures 5B and 6A, the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the right to turn the vehicle 4 right, and then rotates the steering wheel 8 to the left to return the steering wheel 8 to its original position. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the case where the vehicle 4 has completed a right turn and the steering cams 5a and 5b have rotated to the left when the operating unit 21 of the lever switch 1 is positioned in the right turn indication position when cut along line B-B in Figure 2.

As a result, the steering cams 5a and 5b rotate left in conjunction with the steering wheel 8, pressing the abutment protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 in the rotational orbit of the steering cam 5a, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate right (rotate in the negative Y-axis direction or rotate clockwise), and the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 presses one of the biting springs 70 in the positive Y-axis direction. As a result, by pressing one of the biting springs 70, the rotating body 30 rotates left about the operating shaft 31, returning from the right turn indication position to the neutral position as shown in FIG. 4B. At this time, the operating lever 20 connected to the rotating body 30 also rotates in the negative Y-axis direction, returning from the right turn indication position to the neutral position. The ratchet 60 also returns to the neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X-axis direction.

[From neutral position to left turn indication position]
The operation of the operation lever 20 when it is displaced from the neutral position to the left turn indication position and then returned to the neutral position will be described. Note that the positions and rotations of the steering cams 5a, 5b, the rotating body 30, the ratchet 60, the bite spring 70, etc. in Figures 5A to 6A are the same as those in which they are reversed, so they are not shown in the figures.

First, the operator rotates the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1 from the neutral position in the negative Y-axis direction (left or counterclockwise) to displace the operating lever 20 to a left turn indication position. Then, the rotating body 30 connected to the operating lever 20 rotates left from the neutral position around the operating shaft portion 31 of the rotating body 30. The rotating body 30 rotates left by a predetermined angle, and the sliding pin 82 pushed out in the negative X-axis direction by the second spring 81 of the rotating body 30 engages with the moderation cam 54a on the positive Y-axis side of the moderation plate 54, thereby being supported in the left turn indication position. In addition, the ratchet 60 remains in the neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned along the X-axis direction.

Next, when the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the left, the steering cams 5a, 5b rotate to the left together with the steering shaft 3. At this time, the biasing force of the leaf spring 69 causes the pawl stop shaft portion 64 of the ratchet 60 to move from the apex to the negative Y-axis direction along the inclined surface of the retaining cam 33 of the rotating body 30. As a result, the abutment protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 enters the rotation path of the steering cams 5a, 5b and is positioned in a position where it can abut against the steering cams 5a, 5b. In these cases, the second holder 43 slides along the Y-axis direction as the rotating body 30 rotates. As a result, the second switch contact portion is electrically connected and disconnected, and a turning direction indication signal is output to the electronic circuit of the vehicle 4, causing the left turn signal lamp to flash. Furthermore, when the steering cams 5a and 5b rotate to the left, the steering cam 5b presses the contact protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate to the right so that the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 moves away from the other biting spring 70. As a result, the rotating body 30 does not rotate.

Next, the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the left to turn the vehicle 4 to the left, and then rotates the steering wheel 8 to the right to return the steering wheel 8 to its original position. As a result, the steering cams 5a and 5b rotate to the right in conjunction with the steering wheel 8, pressing the abutment protrusions 63 of the ratchet 60 in the rotational orbit of the steering cams 5a and 5b, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate to the left, and the pressing protrusions 62 of the ratchet 60 press the other biting spring 70 in the negative Y-axis direction. As a result, the other biting spring 70 is pressed, causing the rotating body 30 to rotate to the right around the operating shaft 31, returning from the left turn indication position to the neutral position. As a result, the operating lever 20 connected to the rotating body 30 also rotates in the positive Y-axis direction, returning from the left turn indication position to the neutral position. The ratchet 60 also returns to its neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X-axis direction.

[During bite operation]
Here, we will explain the case where the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the right or left to turn the vehicle 4 right or left, and then operates (bite operation) the operating lever 20 of the lever switch 1 when rotating the steering wheel 8 to the left or right to return the steering wheel 8 to its original position.

Here, as an example, as shown in Figures 6B and 6C, a case will be described in which the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 to the right to turn the vehicle 4 right, and then rotates the steering wheel 8 to the left to return the steering wheel 8 to its original position, and performs a bite operation. Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing a case in which the operating unit 21 of the lever switch 1, cut along line B-B in Figure 2, is positioned in a right turn indication position, and the operating unit 21 is operated when the vehicle 4 turns right and the steering cam 5 is rotating to the left. Figure 6C is a partially enlarged view of the bite spring 70 in Figure 6B. In Figure 6C, the case in which the bite spring 70 is not elastically deformed is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the case in which the bite spring 70 is elastically deformed is shown by a solid line.

When the steering cam 5 rotates left in conjunction with the steering wheel 8, the steering cam 5 presses the abutment protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60 in the rotation orbit of the steering cam 5, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate right, and the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 presses one of the biting springs 70 in the positive direction of the Y axis. At this time, during the biting operation, the operating lever 20 is fixed (held) so that it cannot be displaced from the right turn indication position to the neutral position. For this reason, the operating lever 20 cannot return to the neutral position, and the ratchet 60 remains within the rotation orbit of the steering cam 5. In this state, if the steering cam 5 tries to rotate further left, the ratchet 60 will press one of the biting springs 70 more strongly. Specifically, the rotation of the steering cam 5 presses the abutment protrusion 63 of the ratchet 60, causing the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 to press one of the biting springs 70 more strongly. As a result, the pressing force caused by the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to one of the biting springs 70 via the ratchet 60. Then, the abutting portion 73 of one of the biting springs 70 moves from the second recess 34b2 to the first recess 34b1, sliding on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b, and the contact surface with the ratchet 60 (contact surface 72a of one of the biting springs 70) is inclined, so that the ratchet moves in the positive direction of the X-axis. At this time, the biting spring 70 falls down with the locked portion 71 as a fulcrum, so that the ratchet can move in the positive direction of the X-axis. As a result, the ratchet 60 deviates from the rotation orbit of the steering cam 5. In other words, the ratchet 60 moves to a position that is not on the rotation orbit of the steering cam 5. At this time, the relationship between the ratchet 60 and the bite spring 70 during the bite operation is such that the angle θ between the direction V1 along the straight line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet 60 and the rotation axis of the rotating body 30 and the direction V2 along the contact surface 72a of the bite spring 70 changes when the bite spring 70 is elastically deformed by the second canceling force.

In this way, even if the ratchet 60 is pressed against the steering cam 5 during the bite operation, the ratchet 60 can move in the positive direction of the X-axis while elastically deforming the bite spring 70.

When the steering cam 5 continues to rotate and the steering cams 5a and 5b are no longer positioned in the negative X-axis direction of the ratchet 60, the ratchet 60 moves again on the rotation trajectory of the steering cam 5. When the operator stops the biting operation, the abutment protrusion 63 is pressed, as in FIG. 6A, causing the ratchet 60 to rotate right, and the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 presses one of the biting springs 70 in the positive Y-axis direction. Then, by pressing one of the biting springs 70, the rotating body 30 rotates left about the operating shaft 31, returning from the right turn indication position to the neutral position as shown in FIG. 4B. At this time, the operating lever 20 connected to the rotating body 30 also rotates in the negative Y-axis direction, returning from the right turn indication position to the neutral position. The ratchet 60 also returns to the neutral position with its longitudinal direction aligned with the X-axis direction.

In addition, when the operator rotates the steering wheel 8 left to turn the vehicle 4 left, and then rotates the steering wheel 8 right to perform the bite operation, the position and rotation of the steering cam 5, rotating body 30, ratchet 60, bite spring 70, etc. described above are reversed from left to right, so a description of this is omitted.

<Action and effect>
As described above, the lever switch 1 in this embodiment includes the rotating body 30 that rotates the operating lever 20 between the left turn indication position and the right turn indication position with respect to the neutral position, the ratchet 60 that is provided movably relative to the rotating body 30, and the bite spring 70 that is arranged between the ratchet 60 and the rotating body 30. When the operating lever 20 is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the ratchet 60 is arranged on the rotation trajectory of the rotating steering cam 5, and when arranged on the rotation trajectory, the ratchet 60 rotates the steering cam 5 in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position at which the operating lever 20 is arranged. When the steering cam 5 is operated, a canceling force for rotating the operating lever 20 to a neutral position by the pressing force caused by the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to the rotating body 30 via the bite spring 70, and the canceling force includes a first canceling force and a second canceling force which is a canceling force greater than the first canceling force. When the first canceling force is applied to the bite spring 70 from the steering cam 5, the bite spring 70 transmits the first canceling force to the rotating body 30, and when the second canceling force is applied to the bite spring 70 from the steering cam 5, the bite spring 70 moves while elastically deforming due to the second canceling force.

Accordingly, when the operating lever 20 is positioned in the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position and the steering cam 5 is rotated, the pressing force (first canceling force) caused by the rotation of the steering cam 5 is transmitted to the biting spring 70 via the ratchet 60, and the biting spring 70 can transmit the pressing force to the rotating body 30, thereby returning the operating lever 20 in the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position to the neutral position.

When the operating lever 20 is positioned at the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, if the operating lever 20 is held (bite operation) while rotating the steering cam 5, the pressing force (second canceling force) caused by the rotation is transmitted to the biting spring 70 via the ratchet 60, and the biting spring 70 is elastically deformed by the pressing force. As a result, the ratchet 60 can move without damaging itself by elastically deforming the biting spring 70.

In this way, by providing the bite spring 70 between the ratchet 60 and the rotating body 30, the bite spring 70 has the role of returning the operating lever 20 from the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position to the neutral position, and the role of elastically deforming so that the ratchet 60 can move during the bite operation. This makes the spring and spring housing in the conventional lever switch unnecessary, and therefore saves space for providing the spring and spring housing.

This allows the lever switch 1 to be made smaller.

In particular, with the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, instead of the spring and spring housing of a conventional lever switch, the same function as a conventional lever switch can be achieved simply by using the bite spring 70 of this embodiment, and therefore an increase in the number of parts and an increase in weight can be suppressed. Furthermore, by suppressing the increase in the number of parts, an increase in the number of assembly steps for the lever switch 1 can be suppressed, and therefore an increase in the manufacturing cost of the lever switch 1 can be suppressed.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, the rotating body 30 has a pair of mounting portions 34 to which a pair of gripping springs 70 can be attached.

Accordingly, even if the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet 60 when the operating lever 20 is positioned in either the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the ratchet 60 can elastically deform the biting spring 70 because the biting spring 70 is supported by the mounting portion 34. This allows the ratchet 60 to move while elastically deforming the biting spring 70 so that it is not damaged.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, each of the pair of mounting parts 34 has a locking part 34a that locks the biting spring 70 and a mounting recess 34b that abuts against the biting spring 70 to support the biting spring 70.

As a result, the bite spring 70 can be supported on the rotating body 30 by the locking portion 34a, so that the bite spring 70 can be held in a predetermined position relative to the rotating body 30. In addition, because the bite spring 70 only abuts against the mounting recess 34b, elastic deformation of the bite spring 70 can be permitted, and it becomes easier to maintain the elastically deformed bite spring 70 attached to the mounting portion 34.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, each of the pair of biting springs 70 has an engaged portion 71 that engages with the engaging portion 34a, a bent portion 72 that is continuous with the engaged portion 71, and an abutting portion 73 that is continuous with the bent portion 72 and abuts against the mounting recess 34b.

As a result, the engaged portion 71 is engaged with the engaging portion 34a, so that the biting spring 70 can be supported on the mounting portion 34. Even if the biting spring 70 is pressed by the second canceling force applied to the ratchet 60, the bent portion 72 can elastically deform while the abutting portion 73 can slide along the mounting recess 34b. This can reduce the load on the ratchet 60 to which the second canceling force is applied, further reducing damage to the ratchet 60.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, when a second canceling force is applied from the steering cam 5 to the bite spring 70, the abutment portion 73 slides on the bottom surface of the mounting recess 34b.

As a result, when the biting spring 70 is elastically deformed by the second canceling force, the abutment portion 73 can slide on the contact surface 72a of the biting spring 70. This can further reduce the load on the ratchet 60 to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby further reducing damage to the ratchet 60.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, the mounting recess 34b has a first recess 34b1 and a second recess 34b2 that is further recessed from the first recess 34b1. When a second canceling force is applied from the steering cam 5 to the bite spring 70, the abutment portion 73 moves from the second recess 34b2 onto the first recess 34b1.

As a result, when the bite spring 70 is pressed by the second canceling force applied to the ratchet 60, the abutment portion 73 can move from the second recess 34b2 to the first recess 34b1 in response to the elastic deformation of the bent portion 72. This can further reduce the load on the ratchet 60 to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby further reducing damage to the ratchet 60.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, the bite spring 70 is positioned on the movement path of the ratchet 60.

As a result, when the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet 60, the ratchet 60 can reliably press the bite spring 70. This makes it possible to further reduce the load on the ratchet 60 to which the second canceling force is applied, thereby more reliably preventing damage to the ratchet 60.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, the biting spring 70 does not exist on a straight line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet 60 (the rotation axis of the pair of pawl shafts 64) and the rotation axis of the rotating body 30 (the rotation axis of the pair of operating shafts 31).

This allows the ratchet 60 and the rotating body 30 to be as close as possible, which in turn allows the ratchet 60 and the operating lever 20 to be closer together. As a result, the lever switch 1 can be made more compact.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, when a second canceling force is applied from the steering cam 5 to the bite spring 70, the ratchet 60 moves to a position that is not on the rotation path of the steering cam 5.

As a result, even if the second canceling force is applied to the ratchet 60, it moves to the outside of the rotational trajectory of the steering cam 5, thereby further reducing damage to the ratchet 60.

In the lever switch 1 of this embodiment, the angle θ between the direction V1 along the straight line connecting the rotation axis of the ratchet 60 and the rotation axis of the rotating body 30 and the direction V2 along the contact surface 72a of the biting spring 70 changes when the biting spring 70 is elastically deformed by the second canceling force.

As a result, the bite spring 70 can be elastically deformed to move the ratchet 60 to the outside of the rotation trajectory of the steering cam 5 so that the ratchet 60 is less likely to be subjected to a load. This makes it possible to further prevent damage to the ratchet 60.

(Modification of the embodiment)
As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the basic configuration of the lever switch 1 in this modification is similar to that of the lever switch in the embodiment, and therefore the description of the basic configuration of the lever switch 1 in this modification will be omitted as appropriate. This modification differs from the embodiment in that the shape of the biting spring 70a and the position of the second recess 34b2 of the mounting portion 34 are different. Figure 7A is a partial enlarged view showing the rotating body 30 and the biting spring 70a of the lever switch 1 in the modification of the embodiment. Figure 7B is a partial enlarged view showing the biting spring 70a of the lever switch 1 in the modification of the embodiment when pressed by the ratchet 60.

Figures 7A and 7B show one of the biting springs 70a, but the other biting spring 70a has the same configuration, so they are sometimes referred to as a pair of biting springs 70a. In this modified example, an L-shaped biting spring 70a is shown as an example.

The mounting recess 34b in the mounting portion 34 of the rotating body 30 has a first recess 34b1 and a second recess 34b2 formed on the side surface of the first recess 34b1 (the surface on the positive X-axis direction side of the first recess 34b1). In addition, the mounting recess 34b has an inclined surface 34b3 that inclines from the second recess 34b2 to the first recess 34b1, formed on the side surface in the Y-axis direction of the rotating body 30.

The bent portions 72 of each of the pair of biting springs 70a are L-shaped and bent at a predetermined angle. The abutting portions 73 of each of the pair of biting springs 70a are inserted into the second recesses 34b2 and abut against the second recesses 34b2. For example, when a force corresponding to the second canceling force is applied to the biting spring 70a, the abutting portions 73 move from the second recesses 34b2 onto the inclined surface 34b3 and slide along the inclined surface 34b3. In other words, since the biting spring 70a is attached in a state in which the arc-shaped surface of the abutting portion 73 is in contact with the inclined surface 34b3, when the biting spring 70a is pressed by the second canceling force applied to the ratchet 60, the biting spring 70a is elastically deformed, causing the abutting portion 73 to slide along the inclined surface 34b3. As the biting spring 70a elastically deforms, the pressing protrusion 62 of the ratchet 60 slides on the contact surface 72a of the biting spring 70a.

This modified example achieves the same effects as the embodiment.

(Other Modifications)
Although the lever switch according to the present disclosure has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the modifications do not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, modifications that are conceivable by a person skilled in the art may also be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the mounting recess 34b has the first recess 34b1 and the second recess 34b2 that is further recessed from the first recess 34b1. However, the mounting recess 34b may have only the second recess 34b2. For example, the second recess 34b2 (mounting recess 34b) may be formed on a flat surface, and when the second canceling force is applied from the steering cam 5 to the biting spring 70, the abutment portion 73 may rise from the second recess 34b2 onto the flat surface. In other words, when the mounting recess 34b has the first recess 34b1 and the second recess 34b2, the first recess 34b1 may have a shape other than a recess, such as a flat surface.

This disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would come to mind by a person skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

The lever switch of the present disclosure can be applied, for example, to an input device of a vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lever switch 5, 5a, 5b Steering cam 20 Operating lever 30 Rotating body 34 Mounting portion 34a Locking portion 34b Mounting recess 34b1 First recess 34b2 Second recess 60 Ratchet 70, 70a Biting spring (elastic body)
71 Locked part 72 Bent part 72a Contact surface 73 Abutting part

Claims (10)

a rotating body that rotates the operation lever between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with respect to a neutral position;
a ratchet that is movably provided relative to the rotating body;
an elastic body disposed between the ratchet and the rotating body,
The ratchet is provided so as to rotate and come into contact with the rotating body via the elastic body,
The ratchet is
When the operation lever is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the operation lever is disposed on a rotation trajectory of a rotating steering cam,
When the steering cam is operated in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position in which the operation lever is located while the steering cam is disposed on the rotation trajectory, a canceling force for rotating the operation lever to the neutral position by a pressing force caused by the rotation of the steering cam is transmitted to the rotating body via the elastic body,
The canceling force includes a first canceling force and a second canceling force that is greater than the first canceling force,
The elastic body is
When the first canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the first canceling force is transmitted to the rotating body,
A lever switch that moves while being elastically deformed by the second canceling force when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam. The elastic body is provided on the rotating body,
The ratchet rotates to come into contact with the elastic body, and presses the elastic body to transmit the canceling force to the rotating body.
The lever switch according to claim 1. The lever switch according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the rotating body has a pair of mounting portions to which the pair of elastic bodies can be attached. a rotating body that rotates the operation lever between a left turn indication position and a right turn indication position with respect to a neutral position;
a ratchet that is movably provided relative to the rotating body;
an elastic body disposed between the ratchet and the rotating body,
the rotating body has a pair of mounting portions to which the pair of elastic bodies can be attached,
The ratchet is
When the operation lever is moved from the neutral position to the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position, the operation lever is disposed on a rotation trajectory of a rotating steering cam,
When the steering cam is operated in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the left turn indication position or the right turn indication position in which the operation lever is located while the steering cam is disposed on the rotation trajectory, a canceling force for rotating the operation lever to the neutral position by a pressing force caused by the rotation of the steering cam is transmitted to the rotating body via the elastic body,
The canceling force includes a first canceling force and a second canceling force that is greater than the first canceling force,
The elastic body is
When the first canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the first canceling force is transmitted to the rotating body,
When the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam, the elastic body moves while being elastically deformed by the second canceling force.
Lever switch. The lever switch according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein each of the pair of mounting portions has a locking portion that locks the elastic body, and a mounting recess that supports the elastic body by abutting against the elastic body. The lever switch according to claim 5, wherein each of the pair of elastic bodies has an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion, a bent portion that is continuous with the engaged portion, and an abutment portion that is continuous with the bent portion and abuts against the mounting recess . The lever switch according to claim 6 , wherein the abutment portion slides on a bottom surface of the mounting recess when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam. The mounting recess has a first recess and a second recess further recessed from the first recess,
The lever switch according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the abutment portion moves from the second recess to the first recess when the second canceling force is applied to the elastic body from the steering cam. The lever switch according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic body is disposed on a moving path of the ratchet . The lever switch according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic body does not exist on a straight line connecting a rotation axis of the ratchet and a rotation axis of the rotating body.

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