Switch device and steering switch apparatus equipped with the switch device

A switch device is provided. A switch device includes a housing. A circuit board is provided with fixed contacts. A rubber sheet is disposed on the circuit board and has protuberances, a tiltably-supported actuator, a rotatable knob, and a torsional coil spring serving as a restoring spring. The actuator is disposed adjacent to the rotatable knob. The rotatable knob is provided with a drive portion, which extends through a cutout in the actuator so as to be slidably engaged to engagement portions of the actuator.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-256917 filed on Sep. 5, 2005, Application No. 2005-256919 filed on Sep. 5, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-256920 filed on Sep. 5, 2005 which are both hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate to a switch device.

2. Related Art

A typical example of a switch device of this type is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-7701 (pages 3 to 4, FIG. 1). Such a switch device includes a pair of switch units disposed on a circuit board inside a housing. An actuator is disposed over the two switch units. A tiltable operating member is disposed on the actuator. In this conventional switch device, the operating member tiltably supported within the housing is partly exposed through a window of the housing so that a portion of the operating member can be manually operated by an operator. When the operating member is operated, one end of the actuator is pushed inward so that the switch unit disposed below that end is pressed. Accordingly, by selectively pushing the opposite ends of the actuator using the operating member, switch-on signals can be selectively output from the pair of switch units.

The conventional switch device described above requires an installation space inside the housing for stacking the switch units and the actuator below the operating member. This leads to an increase in the height of the housing, which makes a low-profile structure for the entire device difficult to achieve.

In the conventional switch device described above, the actuator is interposed between the operating member and the switch units. Thus, the actuator can be held in position only after an installation process for the operating member is completed. The actuator is apt to become displaced or detached at an assembly stage, which is one of significant factors that lower the assembly efficiency. In the conventional example, since the operating member has to be used for pushing the actuator downward, the operating method of the operating member is extremely limited. For example, it is difficult to apply the conventional example to a switch device of a sliding type.

Accordingly, a low-profile switch device in which a pair of switch units can be selectively pushed, and a steering switch apparatus equipped with such a switch device is desired. A switch device having enhanced assembly properties and applicable to various operating types, and a steering switch apparatus equipped with such a switch device is also desired.

SUMMARY

The present embodiments are directed to a switch device, which may obviate one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

In a first embodiment, a switch device includes a housing having a window in an operating surface. An operating member is rotatably supported within the housing and is partly exposed through the window. A pair of switch units are disposed on a circuit board in the housing and generate an elastic repulsive force against a pushing force. An actuator tiltably supported within the housing and having a pair of ends are respectively disposed on the pair of switch units. The actuator is disposed adjacent to the operating member.

The operating member has a rotating shaft whose one end is provided with a drive portion that is given a predetermined radius of rotation. The drive portion is slidably engaged to the actuator. The drive portion tilts the actuator in response to a rotating operation performed on the operating member so that one of the ends pushes the corresponding switch unit.

According to the switch device described above, the drive portion of the operating member tilts the actuator, disposed adjacent to the operating member, in response to a rotating operation so that one of the ends of the actuator pushes the corresponding switch unit disposed below the end. Accordingly, since the actuator and the switch units are disposed adjacent to a side of the operating member, the housing is reduced in height, thereby facilitating a low-profile structure.

A central section of the actuator in a tilting direction thereof is preferably provided with a notch-like or slit-like cutout through which the drive portion extends, the extending section of the drive portion being parallel to an axial direction of the rotating shaft of the operating member. The actuator can be tilted smoothly when the drive portion is rotated in response to a rotating operation. Accordingly, this allows for a stable operation of an operating-force transmission mechanism.

The switch device may further include a restoring spring that is engaged to the operating member within the housing and generates a restoring force in response to the rotating operation. Consequently, in a non-operative state, even if there is a backlash between the drive portion of the operating member and the actuator, the operating member itself can be maintained in a backlash-free state by means of the restoring spring. This allows for the dimensional accuracy to be set relatively roughly, and achieves lower component costs and enhanced assembly properties.

In one exemplary embodiment, the housing may include an upper case having the window and a lower case to which the upper case is attached. Moreover, the actuator may be tiltably supported by the lower case and the operating member may be rotatably supported by the lower case. For example, the circuit board, the switch units, the actuator, and the operating member, can all be assembled together in the lower case, and the assembly process can be completed by attaching the upper case to the lower case. Accordingly, a switch device having enhanced assembly properties is achieved.

In one exemplary embodiment, each of the switch units may include a fixed contact fixed on the circuit board. A dome body is disposed on the circuit board and surrounds the fixed contact, the dome body capable of being elastically buckled. A movable contact is attached to an interior of the dome body and facing the fixed contact in a manner such that the movable contact is capable of moving into and out of contact with the fixed contact. In this embodiment, the movable contact moves into contact with the fixed contact when the dome body is pushed and becomes buckled. This significantly enhances the dustproof and moisture-proof properties in each contact section, and also allows each dome body to generate a relatively large elastic repulsive force and to clearly produce a feel of a click. Accordingly, with a simple structure, improvements in reliability and haptic feedback are achieved.

In another exemplary embodiment, the housing is installed in a steering wheel. As described above, the switch device includes the housing having the window in the operating surface thereof. The operating member is rotatably supported within the housing and is partly exposed through the window. The pair of switch units are disposed on the circuit board in the housing and generate an elastic repulsive force against a pushing force. The actuator is tiltably supported within the housing and has a pair of ends that are respectively disposed on the pair of switch units. The actuator is disposed adjacent to the operating member. The operating member has the rotating shaft whose one end is provided with the drive portion that is given a predetermined radius of rotation, the drive portion being slidably engaged to the actuator, the drive portion tilting the actuator in response to a rotating operation performed on the operating member so that one of the ends pushes the corresponding switch unit.

Accordingly, the housing is reduced in height, thereby achieving a low-profile steering switch apparatus in which the pair of switch units can be selectively pushed.

In another embodiment, the switch device includes a circuit board disposed inside a housing. A rubber sheet is disposed on the circuit board and has protuberances at a plurality of positions, the protuberances are capable of being elastically buckled. A tiltably-supporting portion is provided inside the housing in an area where the circuit board and the rubber sheet are not present. An actuator is tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion. An operating member has a drive portion engaged to the actuator and is partly exposed on an exterior of the housing. Each of the protuberances has a movable contact disposed therein. The movable contact faces a corresponding one of fixed contacts provided on the circuit board in a manner such that the movable contact is capable of moving into and out of contact with the fixed contact. The actuator has ends that are respectively disposed on the corresponding protuberances in a manner such that each end is elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberance. When the operating member is operated, the drive portion tilts the actuator so that one of the ends buckles the corresponding protuberance.

According to this embodiment the opposite ends of the actuator are tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion in the housing and are respectively disposed on the corresponding protuberances of the rubber sheet disposed on the circuit board in a manner such that each end elastically contacts the corresponding protuberance. Therefore, at an assembly stage, the actuator can be set in a preloaded state in which the ends receive a reactive force from the protuberances disposed below the ends. This allows the actuator to be installed in the housing in a backlash-free positioned state, and prevents the rubber sheet from becoming displaced or detached by means of the ends of the actuator, whereby high assembly efficiency is achieved.

As an alternative to a downward driving force, the actuator is tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion can be tilted readily in response to an oblique or lateral driving force. Accordingly, the switch device is readily applicable to various operating types, such as a rotating type and a sliding type.

The actuator is rotatably attached to the tiltably-supporting portion in a snap-fit fashion. This contributes to higher assembly efficiency. For example, the actuator may include a tilting shaft whose center of axle is aligned with a tilting axis of the actuator, and the tiltably-supporting portion in the housing may include a pair of walls standing substantially in parallel to each other, the walls being respectively provided with shaft holes at opposing positions of the walls. Opposite ends of the tilting shaft may be rotatably attached to the shaft holes. Thus, at the time of an assembly process, the tilting shaft of the actuator may be press-fitted into a space between the pair of walls so that the actuator can be readily joined to the tiltably-supporting portion in a snap-fit fashion.

According to another embodiment, a housing is installed in a steering wheel. A switch device includes the circuit board disposed inside the housing. The rubber sheet is disposed on the circuit board and having the protuberances at a plurality of positions, the protuberances capable of being elastically buckled. The tiltably-supporting portion is provided inside the housing in an area where the circuit board and the rubber sheet are not present. The actuator is tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion. The operating member has the drive portion engaged to the actuator and is partly exposed on an exterior of the housing. Each of the protuberances has the movable contact disposed therein, the movable contact facing a corresponding one of fixed contacts provided on the circuit board in a manner such that the movable contact is capable of moving into and out of contact with the fixed contact. The actuator has the ends that are respectively disposed on the corresponding protuberances in a manner such that each end is elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberance. When the operating member is operated, the drive portion tilts the actuator.

Accordingly, the opposite ends of the actuator tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion in the housing are respectively disposed on the corresponding protuberances of the rubber sheet disposed on the circuit board in a manner such that each end is elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberance. Therefore, at an assembly stage, the actuator can be set in a preloaded state in which the ends receive a reactive force from the protuberances disposed below the ends. This allows the actuator to be installed in the housing in a backlash-free positioned state, and prevents the rubber sheet from becoming displaced or detached by means of the ends of the actuator. Accordingly, a steering switch apparatus that allows for high assembly efficiency is achieved.

In the switch device according to a present embodiment, the drive portion of the operating member tilts the actuator, disposed adjacent to the operating member, in response to a rotating operation so that one of the ends of the actuator pushes the corresponding switch unit disposed below the end. Accordingly, since the actuator and the switch units are disposed adjacent to a side of the operating member, the housing is reduced in height. Thus, a low-profile switch device is achieved in which a pair of switch units can be selectively pushed.

In a present embodiment, the opposite ends of the actuator are disposed on the corresponding protuberances of the rubber sheet in a manner such that each end is elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberance. Therefore, at an assembly stage, the actuator can be set in a preloaded state. This allows the actuator to be installed in the housing in a backlash-free positioned state, and prevents the rubber sheet from becoming displaced or detached by means of the ends of the actuator, whereby high assembly efficiency is achieved. Alternatively, the actuator is tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion can be tilted readily in response to an oblique or lateral driving force. Accordingly, a highly versatile switch device that is at least readily applicable to various operating types is achieved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3illustrates a steering switch apparatus which includes a pair of left and right switch devices1according to an embodiment disposed within a circular ring portion31of a steering wheel30of a vehicle. The pair of steering devices1is bisymmetrical to each other, and the basic structure between the two is substantially the same. Therefore, the description below will only refer to the switch device1disposed on the right side ofFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 2, the switch device1mainly includes a lower case2having, for example, positioning pins3and a tiltably-supporting portion4projected therefrom. A circuit board6is disposed inside the lower case2and has a wiring pattern that includes fixed contacts7on an upper surface of the circuit board6. A rubber sheet8is disposed on the circuit board6and has a plurality of dome-shaped protuberances8a. An actuator9has a tilting shaft9atiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion4and ends9bdisposed on the protuberances8a. An upper case10is attached on the lower case2so as to cover the circuit board6and the rubber sheet8. A frame-like case11has a window11aand is combined with the upper case10. A rotatable knob13is rotatably supported within the lower case2and partly exposed through the window11a, A torsional coil spring14is wound around a rotating shaft13aof the rotatable knob13and serves as a restoring spring during a rotating operation. Two operating keys15,16are supported by the upper case10in a vertical movable fashion at two positions adjacent to the frame-like case11and whose lower ends are disposed on the protuberances8a. A cover body17has an opening17aand covers the lower case2and the upper case10.

A rotating operation can be implemented using the rotatable knob13, and a pushing operation can be implemented using the operating key15or16. When one of the operations is selectively performed, the corresponding protuberance8abecomes elastically buckled so as to generate a feel of a click. At the same time, for example, a movable contact18provided in the protuberance8acomes into contact with the corresponding fixed contact7on the circuit board6, thereby switching to an ON-state (seeFIG. 5). The lower case2, the upper case10, and the frame-like case11constitute a housing19. For example, the circuit board6, the rubber sheet8, the actuator9, the torsional coil spring14, are housed within an internal space of the housing19. The rotatable knob13and the operating keys15,16are manually operable by being exposed on an upper surface of the housing19.

The lower case2contains positioning pins3for positioning the circuit board6and the rubber sheet8. The tiltably-supporting portion4defined by a pair of walls4bhas shaft holes4afor the actuator9. A supporting wall12has a shaft notch12afor the rotatable knob13. The pair of walls4bstands substantially in parallel to each other and has the shaft holes4aat positions that face each other. One side portion inside the lower case2is provided with an array of terminal holes2a. The other side portion inside the lower case2is provided with a shaft hole2bfor the rotatable knob13at a position facing the shaft notch12a. Opposite arm segments14aof the torsional coil spring14are elastically contactable with inverted-trapezoidal-shaped engagement step portions5that are disposed near the shaft hole2b.

The circuit board6disposed inside the housing19is substantially parallel to the window11a. The circuit board6has the wiring pattern (not shown) including the fixed contacts7provided thereon, and is provided with LEDs20for light emission and terminals21for external connection. The circuit board6also has a plurality of through holes6athrough which the positioning pins3extend, and a cutout section6bthat provides an installation space for the tiltably-supporting portion4. In a state where the positioning pins3are inserted through the corresponding through holes6aand the terminals21are inserted through the corresponding terminal holes2a, the circuit board6is fixed accurately in position onto the lower case2.

The rubber sheet8is an integrally molded component formed of elastic rubber. Protruding from a sheet-like area of the rubber sheet8are six protuberances8adeformable in a buckling manner, two pin-engagement portions8bto be capped on the positioning pins3, and two angular tubes8cfor holding the LEDs20therein. The rubber sheet8is provided with a cutout section8dat a position directly above the cutout section6bof the circuit board6so as to provide an installation space for the tiltably-supporting portion4. The rubber sheet8is secured on the circuit board6in a positioned state in which the pin-engagement portions8bare engaged to the corresponding positioning pins3. As shown inFIG. 5, the movable contact18attached to a ceiling face of each protuberance8afaces the corresponding fixed contact7and is capable of moving into or out of contact with the fixed contact7.

The actuator9has the tilting shaft9awhose center of axle is aligned with the tilting axis of the actuator9. The tilting shaft9ahas its opposite ends rotatably engaged to the shaft holes4aof the pair of walls4bso that the actuator9is tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion4. Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the actuator9is bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the tilting shaft9a. The ends9bof the actuator9are set in an elastically contactable fashion on two of the protuberances8athat are arranged in a line across the cutout section8d. For example, at an assembly stage, the tilting shaft9aof the actuator9is press-fitted into a space between the pair of walls4buntil the ends9bare set on the corresponding protuberances8a. The opposite ends of the tilting shaft9aare then fitted to the shaft holes4aso as to become rotatably supported by the shaft holes4a. Thus, the actuator9becomes joined to the tiltably-supporting portion4in a snap-fit fashion. Consequently, the actuator9is maintained in a preloaded state in which the ends9breceive a reactive force from the corresponding protuberances8a.

The actuator9is disposed adjacent to the supporting wall12, which is positioned adjacent to one side of the rotatable knob13. A central section of the actuator9in a tilting direction thereof has a notch-like cutout9c. The rotatable knob13has a drive portion13bwhich extends through the cutout9cin a vertical movable fashion. Inner surfaces of the actuator9that face each other across the cutout9cserve as engagement portions9dto which the drive portion13bis slidably engaged. When the rotatable knob13is rotated, the drive portion13brotates together with the rotatable knob13and thus biases one of the engagement portions9din one direction. Thus, the actuator9is tilted in the one direction around the tilting shaft9a, whereby the biased end9bmoves downward and pushes against the corresponding protuberance8a.

The rotatable knob13is formed into a substantially semi-columnar shape that includes the rotating shaft13a. The opposite ends of the rotating shaft13aare rotatably supported by the shaft notch12aof the supporting wall12and the shaft hole2bof the lower case2. Projected from an end of the rotating shaft13aproximate to the shaft notch12ais the drive portion13b, which has an L-shape and extends from the exterior of the supporting wall12.

A front end of the drive portion13bis given a predetermined radius of rotation and extends through the cutout9cof the actuator9in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotating shaft13a. The torsional coil spring14is wound around an end of the rotating shaft13aof the rotatable knob13proximate to the shaft hole2b. Referring toFIG. 6A, both of the arm segments14aof the torsional coil spring14are elastically in contact with the engagement step portions5in the lower case2. Consequently, when the rotatable knob13is rotated, one of the arm segments14ain the rotating direction is pressed hard against the corresponding engagement step portion5and thus generates an elastic repulsive force. Due to this elastic repulsive force, the rotatable knob13can return automatically to its original position after the rotating operation.FIGS. 6A and 6Bare cross-sectional views as viewed in a direction of an arrow B shown inFIG. 1, for example, in a direction from the shaft hole2bof the lower case2towards the shaft notch12aof the supporting wall12.

The frame-like case11is attached to a predetermined position of the upper case10. The upper case10is secured on the lower case2with appropriate means, such as screws22and caulking. The upper case10supports the operating keys15,16in a vertically movable fashion. The upper surfaces of the operating keys15,16are exposed at two sections that are adjacent to the frame-like case11. Although the present embodiment is directed to an example in which the separate frame-like case11is post-attached to the upper case10, the upper case10and the frame-like case11may alternatively be a single-piece component formed by integral molding.

The cover body17is secured to the outer walls of the lower case2with appropriate means, for example, in a snap-fit fashion. The rotatable knob13exposed on the frame-like case11and the operating keys15,16are exposed through the opening17aof the cover body17. Thus, an operator can selectively rotate the rotatable knob13or push the operating key15or16by moving his/her finger within the opening17a.

An operation implemented in response to a rotation of the rotatable knob13will be described mainly with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B. In a neutral state shown inFIG. 4A, when an operator manually rotates the rotatable knob13, the torsional coil spring14bends inside the lower case2, and the drive portion13brotates together with the rotatable knob13so as to drive the actuator9. Thus, the actuator9pushes against a predetermined one of the protuberances8a. For example, as shown inFIG. 4B, when the rotatable knob13is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow A, the drive portion13bin the cutout9cof the actuator9rotates while pushing against the engagement portion9don the right side of the drawing. Thus, the actuator9is tilted clockwise around the tilting shaft9a, whereby the right end9bmoves downward while pushing the protuberance8adisposed below the right end9b. As a result, the protuberance8abecomes elastically buckled and thus generates a feel of a click.

The movable contact18inside the protuberance8acomes into contact with the corresponding fixed contact7, whereby a switch-on signal is output. If the rotatable knob13is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A, the same operation is implemented, but in that case, the left end9binFIGS. 4A and 4Bpushes the protuberance8adisposed below the left end9bso that the protuberance8abecomes elastically buckled, whereby a switch-on signal is output.

Alternatively, when the rotating force applied to the rotatable knob13in the state shown inFIG. 4Bis released, the buckled protuberance8aregains its original dome-shape by its own elastic force. Thus, the movable contact18moves away from the fixed contact7, thereby switching to an OFF-state. The right end9bis pushed upward by the protuberance8a, forcing the actuator9to tilt counterclockwise.

Referring toFIG. 6B, when a rotating operation is performed, since the rotatable knob13biases the torsional coil spring14to force the torsional coil spring14to bend, the elastic repulsive force of the torsional coil spring14acts as a force for returning the rotatable knob13and the actuator9to their original positions. Accordingly, when the rotating force is released, the rotatable knob13and the actuator9are properly rotated backward to their neutral positions, thereby automatically restoring the neutral state shown inFIG. 4A.

When the operating force is released after the rotating operation, the elastic repulsive force of the protuberance8apressed by the end9bof the actuator9allows the rotatable knob13to return automatically to a substantially neutral position. Therefore, the torsional coil spring14may alternatively be omitted.

By providing the torsional coil spring14serving as a restoring spring after a rotating operation as in this embodiment, even in a case where there is a backlash between the drive portion13bof the rotatable knob13and the actuator9in a non-operative state, the rotatable knob13itself can be maintained in a backlash-free state by means of the torsional coil spring14. Accordingly, this allows for the dimensional accuracy to be set relatively roughly, and achieves lower component costs and enhanced assembly properties.

An operation implemented in response to pushing of the operating key15will be described below. Because the operating key15is disposed on the corresponding protuberance8a, the protuberance8abecomes elastically buckled in response to a pushing operation and thus generates a feel of a click. The movable contact18inside the protuberance8acomes into contact with the corresponding fixed contact7, whereby a switch-on signal is output. When the pushing force is released, the buckled protuberance8aregains its original dome-shape by its own elastic force. Thus, the movable contact18moves away from the fixed contact7, thereby switching to an OFF-state. The previously pushed operating key15is pressed upward by the protuberance8aand thus returns automatically to its original position. Substantially the same operation is implemented in response to pushing of the operating key16, and therefore, the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the switch device1according to this embodiment, the drive portion13bprovided in the rotatable knob13tilts the actuator9in response to a rotating operation, thus forcing one of the ends9bof the actuator9to push against the protuberance8adisposed below the end9b. Because the actuator9and the protuberances8aare disposed adjacent to a side of the rotatable knob13, the housing19is reduced in height, thereby facilitating a low-profile structure. In addition, by selecting an appropriate shape for the actuator9, a desired actuating force and actuating stroke can be readily attained. This switch device1is designed such that the front end of the drive portion13bextending parallel to the axial direction of the rotatable knob13extends through the cutout9cprovided in the central section of the actuator9, and the drive portion13bslides along one of the engagement portions9dof the actuator9in response to a rotating operation performed on the rotatable knob13. Therefore, the actuator9can be tilted smoothly in response to the rotation of the drive portion13b, whereby a stable operation is always attained. The cutout9cof the actuator9may alternatively be slit-shaped instead of being notch-shaped.

In the switch device1according to this embodiment, the housing19includes the upper case10combined with the frame-like case11having the window11aand the lower case2to which the upper case10is attached. The actuator9is tiltably supported by the lower case2, and the rotatable knob13is rotatably supported by the lower case2. Therefore, at the time of an assembly process, the circuit board6, the rubber sheet8, the actuator9, and the rotatable knob13, for example, can all be assembled together in the lower case2, and the assembly process can be completed by attaching the upper case10to the lower case2. Accordingly, the switch device1has enhanced assembly properties.

In the switch device1according to this embodiment, since the rubber sheet8having the plurality of protuberances8ais disposed on the circuit board6, the switch device1has switch units that can be selectively pushed in response to the various types of operations. Therefore, there is an extremely low possibility of contact failures and short circuits that could be caused when foreign matter, such as dust and moisture, entering the housing19from the outside attaches to the contact sections. This contributes to higher reliability of each switch unit, and achieves a less number of components, thereby contributing to enhanced assembly properties. Furthermore, since each protuberance8acan generate a relatively large elastic repulsive force and can clearly generate a feel of a click, good haptic feedback is achieved.

Although the above embodiment is directed to an example of a complex-type switch device1in which the rotatable knob13has additional operating members (i.e. the operating keys15,16) arranged adjacent thereto, the switch device1may alternatively include only the rotatable knob13as an operating member. In other words, the present invention is applicable to other types of switch devices as well.

In the switch device1according to the above embodiment, the tiltably-supporting portion4provided in the housing19tiltably supports the actuator9, and the opposite ends9bof the actuator9are disposed elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberances8aprovided on the rubber sheet8. At an assembly stage, the actuator9can be set in a preloaded state in which the two ends9breceive a reactive force from the protuberances8adisposed below the ends9b. This allows the actuator9to be installed in the housing19in a backlash-free positioned state, and prevents the rubber sheet8from becoming displaced or detached by means of the ends9bof the actuator9, whereby high assembly efficiency is achieved. When installing the actuator9, the tilting shaft9ais press-fitted into the space between the pair of walls4bso that the actuator9can be joined to the tiltably-supporting portion4in a snap-fit fashion, and that the two ends9bcan be made elastically in contact with the corresponding protuberances8a. Accordingly, this contributes to extremely high assembly efficiency.

FIG. 7illustrates a relevant portion of a switch device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Components inFIG. 7that correspond to those inFIGS. 1 to 6are given the same reference numerals, and the descriptions of those components will not be repeated.

The switch device shown inFIG. 7is a sliding type in which an operating knob23can be moved back and forth in the horizontal direction of the drawing. The operating knob23has a drive portion23aextending perpendicular thereto. The drive portion23ais slidably engaged to the actuator9. When the operating knob23is operated in a sliding manner, the drive portion23aforces the actuator9to tilt. In this embodiment, the cutout9cof the actuator9is substantially C-shaped. When the drive portion23aof the operating knob23moves in the horizontal direction of the drawing in response to a sliding operation, the drive portion23aallows the actuator9to tilt smoothly. The end9bof the actuator9at a side toward which the drive portion23ais slid moves downward so as to push the protuberance8adisposed below the end9b. The cutout9cmay alternatively be, for example, substantially V-shaped.

As is apparent from the above embodiments, the actuator9tiltably supported by the tiltably-supporting portion4in the housing19can be tilted readily in response to an oblique or lateral driving force applied by the drive portion13bof the rotatable knob13or the drive portion23aof the operating knob23. The switch device according to the present embodiments is readily applicable to various operating types, such as a rotating type and a sliding type, and is therefore highly versatile.

The switch device1according to the above embodiments applies a simple mechanism for converting a rotational movement to a vertical movement. For example, in response to a rotating operation performed on the rotatable knob13, the drive portion13bforces the actuator9to tilt so that one of the ends9bof the actuator9pushes the protuberance8adisposed below the end9b, whereby a switch-on signal is output. In response to a pushing operating of the operating key15or the operating key16, the key15or16moves downward so as to push the protuberance8adisposed below the key15or16, whereby a switch-on signal corresponding to the pushing operation is output. When any one of the operations is implemented, the fixed contacts7and the movable contacts18constituting the switch units to be pushed are kept in a sealed state without being exposed in the internal space of the housing19. To achieve this in the above embodiments, the rubber sheet8having the plurality of protuberances8ais disposed on the circuit board6so that the sealing property of the switch units is significantly enhanced. Therefore, in the switch device1, there is an extremely low possibility of contact failures and short circuits that could be caused when foreign matter, such as dust and moisture, entering the housing19from the outside attaches to the contact sections.

In one exemplary embodiment, each of the switch units is given a non-sliding type contact structure in which the fixed contact7and the movable contact18face each other in a manner such that the two are capable of coming into and out of contact with each other. This implies that even if an operation is repeatedly performed a large number of times, connection failures caused by abrasions in the contact sections are less likely to occur. In this respect, the reliability of the contact sections is also enhanced. In the above embodiments, each switch unit is defined by the movable contact18provided inside the corresponding protuberance8aof the rubber sheet8and the corresponding fixed contact7disposed below the movable contact18. This structure not only significantly enhances the dustproof and moisture-proof properties in each contact section, but also allows each protuberance8ato generate a relatively large elastic repulsive force and to clearly produce a feel of a click. Accordingly, with a simple structure, improvements in reliability and haptic feedback are achieved.