Dial selector unit with a panel having a concave surface

A selector unit includes a panel, and a dial member that protrudes in a first direction from an opening of the panel. A surface of the panel includes a concave surface having a depth that increases toward the opening. The dial member has an operation portion gripped by a user, and a base shaft portion that extends from the operation portion through the opening of the panel. At least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the base shaft portion is an inclined surface that is inclined radially outward as being away from the panel, and the inclined surface is opposed to the surface of the panel in the first direction. The distance from the surface of the panel to the inclined surface of the dial member in the first direction continuously increases, as a radial distance from the opening to the inclined surface increases.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-158459 filed on Sep. 23, 2020, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a dial (i.e., rotating) selector unit that is operated by a user.

2. Description of Related Art

A dial selector unit is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-086828 (JP 2012-086828 A). The selector unit is used for a vehicle, and includes a panel having an opening, and a dial member that protrudes from the opening of the panel. The user can change the traveling direction (namely, forward or backward) of the vehicle, by operating the dial member.

SUMMARY

If the amount of protrusion of the dial member relative to the panel is too large, a person or a thing may accidentally contact with the dial member. On the other hand, if the amount of protrusion of the dial member relative to the panel is too small, the user has a difficulty in gripping the dial member, and the operability of the selector unit may deteriorate. To deal with the conflicting problems, it may be considered to locally form a concave surface of the panel located adjacent to the dial member. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the panel from interfering with a finger or hand of the user when the user grips the dial member, while holding down the substantial amount of protrusion of the dial member relative to the panel.

However, when the panel has a concave surface adjacent to the dial member, and foreign objects are present on the panel, the foreign objects are likely to gather toward the dial member, and operation of the dial member may be disturbed by the foreign objects. In particular, a typical type of the dial member is operated to be rotated while it is pushed in toward the panel. In this type of dial member, space needs to be provided between the panel and the dial member, and a foreign object that moves toward the dial member may enter the space. In this case, when the dial member is pushed in toward the panel, the foreign object may be caught between the dial member and the panel, and operation of the dial member may be disturbed.

This specification provides a technology for use in a dial selector unit, which makes it less likely or unlikely that operation of a dial member is disturbed by a foreign object.

According to the technology disclosed in the specification, a selector unit of a dial type includes a panel having an opening, and a dial member that protrudes in a first direction from the opening of the panel, and is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis parallel to the first direction, in a condition where the dial member is pushed in toward the panel. A surface of the panel includes a concave surface having a depth that increases toward the opening. The dial member has an operation portion configured to be gripped by a user, and a base shaft portion that extends from the operation portion through the opening of the panel, and the operation portion has a larger radial dimension than the base shaft portion. At least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the base shaft portion is an inclined surface that is inclined radially outward as being away from the panel, and the inclined surface is opposed to the surface of the panel in the first direction. A distance from the surface of the panel to the inclined surface of the dial member in the first direction continuously increases, as a radial distance from the opening to the inclined surface increases.

In the selector unit as described above, the panel locally has a concave surface adjacent to the dial member. This arrangement makes it easier for the user to operate the dial member, namely, enhances the operability of the dial member, while holding down the substantial amount of protrusion of the dial member relative to the panel. Meanwhile, foreign objects on the panel are likely to gather toward the dial member, and any of the foreign objects is more likely to enter space between the dial member and the panel. In this respect, the outer circumferential surface of the dial member includes the inclined surface that is inclined radially outward as being away from the panel, and the inclined surface is opposed to the surface of the panel in the first direction (namely, in the direction in which the dial member is pushed in). Then, the distance from the surface of the panel to the inclined surface of the dial member in the first direction continuously increases as the radial distance from the opening increases. With this arrangement, when the dial member is pushed in toward the panel, any foreign object present between the inclined surface of the dial member and the surface of the panel can be pushed out by the inclined surface. Thus, operation of the dial member can be substantially prevented from being disturbed by foreign objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In one form of this technology, an angle formed by the surface of the panel and the inclined surface of the dial member may change continuously or in steps, in a circumferential direction about the rotation axis. Namely, the angle formed by the surface of the panel and the inclined surface of the dial member may be different between at least two locations in the circumferential direction. In this connection, as the angle formed by the surface of the panel and the inclined surface of the dial member is larger, the force with which the inclined surface pushes out a foreign object, namely, the force applied radially outward from the inclined surface to the foreign object, becomes larger. Thus, when there is a location where foreign objects are relatively likely to gather, though the location is not particularly limited, it is effective to locally increase the angle formed by the surface of the panel and the inclined surface of the dial member, at this location.

In one form of the technology, the selector unit may further include a biasing member that biases the dial member in a direction away from the panel. With this arrangement, the user can easily perform operation to push in the dial member little by little, or can easily make subtle adjustment of the force with which the dial member is pushed in. Thus, the user can more reliably remove foreign objects present between the dial member and the panel.

In one form of the technology, the dial member may be configured to be operable in the first direction, between a locked position, and an unlocked position that is displaced from the locked position toward the panel. In this case, when the dial member is in the locked position, the dial member may be inhibited from rotating about the rotation axis. With this arrangement, the dial member can be prevented from being erroneously operated.

In one form of the technology, the selector unit may be used for a vehicle. In this case, the panel may be located so as to provide a part of the interior of the vehicle. Namely, the selector unit may be placed in the interior (cabin) of the vehicle, and may be operated by a driver of the vehicle or another passenger. In one example, the selector unit may be used for changing the traveling direction (forward or backward) of the vehicle, when it is operated by the driver.

Referring to the drawings, a selector unit10of one embodiment will be described. The selector unit10of this embodiment is an operation unit adapted to be operated by a user, and, in particular, a dial (rotating) selector unit. As shown inFIG. 1, the selector unit10can be used for a vehicle2, though it is not limited to any particular use. In the drawings, direction FR indicates the front side in the front-rear direction (vehicle longitudinal direction) of the vehicle2, and direction RR indicates the rear side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle2. Also, direction LH indicates the left-hand side in the lateral direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle2, and direction RH indicates the right-hand side in the lateral direction of the vehicle2. Then, direction UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction (vehicle height direction) of the vehicle2, and direction DN indicates the lower side in the vertical direction of the vehicle2. In this specification, the longitudinal direction, lateral direction, and vertical direction of the vehicle2may be simply referred to as the longitudinal direction, lateral direction, and vertical direction, respectively.

The selector unit10is provided on a center console4of the vehicle2, and is located at a position where the selector unit10can be operated by a hand of a driver (not shown) seated on a driver seat6. The driver can change a direction (namely, forward or backward) in which the vehicle2travels, for example, by operating the selector unit10. In this embodiment, the vehicle2is an automobile that travels on a road, and may be selected from various types of vehicles, such as an engine vehicle, electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, and fuel cell vehicle. It is, however, to be noted that the selector unit10of this embodiment is not limitedly used for an automobile or other type of vehicle, but may be similarly employed in various devices.

As shown inFIG. 2toFIG. 4, the selector unit10mainly includes a panel12, center shaft14, dial member20, and biasing member30. The panel12is a plate-like member, and provides a part of the interior of the vehicle2(more specifically, a part of the upper surface of the center console4). The panel12of this embodiment is formed of a resin material, though it is not limited to any particular material. The panel12is provided with an opening12hfor the dial member20. The panel12has a concave surface12aof which the depth increases toward the opening12h.

The dial member20protrudes in a first direction from the opening12hof the panel12, along with the center shaft14. The first direction in this embodiment is the same as the vertical direction of the vehicle2, but is not limited to this. The direction in which the dial member20protrudes, namely, the orientation or attitude of the selector unit10, may be changed as needed. The dial member20is supported by the center shaft14, and can be moved along the center shaft14, between a locked position shown inFIG. 3and an unlocked position shown inFIG. 4. Also, the dial member20is biased toward the locked position, by a biasing member30. Thus, the dial member20is normally placed in the locked position to be spaced apart from the panel12. When the user pushes the dial member20toward the panel12, the dial member20moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. The biasing member30may be a coil spring, for example, though it is not particularly limited.

The dial member20is allowed to rotate about the rotation axis C when it is in the unlocked position, and is inhibited from rotating when it is in the locked position. Thus, the user (the driver in this embodiment) can perform rotating operation on the dial member20, while pushing the dial member20toward the panel12. In the selector unit10of this embodiment, for example, when the user rotates the dial member20in one direction, the traveling direction of the vehicle2is set to the forward direction. On the other hand, when the user rotates the dial member20in the other direction, the traveling direction of the vehicle2is set to the backward direction.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the dial member20has an operation portion22adapted to be gripped by the user, and a base shaft portion24that extends from the operation portion22through the opening12hof the panel12. The radial dimension R22of the operation portion22is larger than the radial dimension R24of the base shaft portion24, and the dial member20is configured such that the user can easily grip and operate the operation portion22. The radial dimensions R22, R24mean dimensions measured from the rotation axis C of the dial member20to an outer circumferential surface20cof the dial member20. In this connection, the respective radial dimensions R22, R24of the operation portion22and base shaft portion24may not necessarily be constant in the circumferential direction. Namely, the cross-sectional shapes of the operation portion22and base shaft portion24perpendicular to the rotation axis C are not limited to perfect circles.

A portion of the outer circumferential surface20cof the base shaft portion24, which is located adjacent to the operation portion22, provides an inclined surface24s. The inclined surface24sis inclined radially outward, namely, the radial distance from the rotation axis C to the inclined surface24sincreases, as the distance from the panel12to the inclined surface24sin the axial direction increases. Also, the inclined surface24sis opposed to the surface12aof the panel12in the first direction (the vertical direction in this embodiment). Space is provided in the first direction, between the inclined surface24sof the dial member20and the surface12aof the panel12, such that the dial member20, when pushed in, does not interfere with the panel12. Then, the distance DT from the surface12aof the panel12to the inclined surface24sof the dial member20in the first direction continuously increases as a distance from the opening12hof the panel12increases.

Namely, in the cross-sectional views of theFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the surface12aof the panel12and the inclined surface24sof the dial member20are not in parallel with each other, but form an angle θ. Although not particularly limited, the angle θ formed by the surface12aof the panel12and the inclined surface24sof the dial member20changes continuously or in steps, in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C. When the front and rear of the dial member20are compared with each other, for example, the angle θ1on the rear side of the dial member20is different from the angle θ2on the front side of the dial member20.

As described above, in the selector unit10of this embodiment, a local portion of the surface12aof the panel12located adjacent to the dial member20has a concave shape. This arrangement makes it easier for the user to operate the dial member20, while holding down the substantial amount of protrusion of the dial member20relative to the panel12. Meanwhile, foreign objects100on the panel are likely to gather toward the dial member20, as shown inFIG. 5, and any of the foreign objects100may enter space between the dial member20and the panel12. In this case, when the user pushes in the dial member20, the foreign object100may be caught between the dial member20and the panel12.

However, in the selector unit10of this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface20cof the dial member20includes the inclined surface24sas described above. The inclined surface24sis inclined radially outward, namely, the radial distance from the rotation axis C to the inclined surface24sincreases, as the axial distance from the panel12to the inclined surface24sincreases. Also, the inclined surface24sis opposed to the surface12aof the panel12in the first direction (namely, in the direction in which the dial member20is pushed in). Then, the distance DT in the first direction from the surface12aof the panel12to the inclined surface24sof the dial member20continuously increases as the distance from the opening12hincreases. Namely, in the cross-sectional views shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the space between the dial member20and the panel12has a wedge-like shape, namely, it expands radially outwards. With this arrangement, when the dial member20is pushed in toward the panel12, the foreign object100present between the inclined surface24sof the dial member20and the surface12aof the panel12can be pushed out by the inclined surface24s. Thus, operation on the dial member20can be substantially prevented from being disturbed or blocked by the foreign object100.

As shown inFIG. 5, the force applied from the inclined surface24sof the dial member20to the foreign object100depends on the angle θ formed by the surface12aof the panel12and the inclined surface24sof the dial member20. For example, where F represents the force with which the dial member20is pushed in, the force with which the inclined surface24spushes out the foreign object100is F sin θ, and the frictional force applied to the foreign object100against the above force is μF cos θ. Accordingly, when the relationship of F sin θ>μF cos θ is satisfied, the foreign object100can be expelled from between the dial member20and the panel12. Here, the above parameter μ, is the friction coefficient related to the frictional force applied to the foreign object100. Accordingly, the lower limit of the angle θ varies according to characteristics, such as the material, shape, and size, of the foreign object100, which may influence the friction coefficient μ. In this respect, it is not realistic to take account of characteristics of all possible foreign objects100. Thus, typical foreign objects100that can be expected to appear may be determined, and their friction coefficient μ may be specified, so that an angle θ that satisfies the relationship of F sin θ>μF cos θ may be employed. For example, the angle θ may be equal to or larger than 30 degrees, or may be equal to or larger than 45 degrees in another form, or may be equal to or larger than 60 degrees in a further form.

As described above, the selector unit10of this embodiment further includes the biasing member30that biases the dial member20away from the panel12. Thus, the dial member20is normally kept in the locked position, so that the dial member20is prevented from being erroneously operated. In addition, with the dial member20thus biased toward the locked position, the user can easily perform operation to push in the dial member20little by little, or can easily make subtle adjustment of the force with which the dial member20is pushed in. Thus, the user can more reliably remove the foreign objects100present between the dial member20and the panel12.

While the embodiment of this technology has been described in detail, the details are merely exemplary, and are not meant to limit the appended claims. The technology described in the claims includes those obtained by making various modifications or changes to specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and they are not limited to combinations described in the claims as filed. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve two or more objects at the same time, and has the technological usefulness by achieving one of the objects.