Patent Description:
Vehicles are usually provided with multi-key toggle switches. For example, a control key of a vehicle air conditioner can be implemented by a switch assembly. Keys in a typical multi-key toggle switch are manufactured, assembled and positioned separately. Positioning of a key shifter lever may be implemented, for example, through the structure of a push rod and a rubber pad. To accurately position the key shifter lever, a plurality of dimension relationships associated with the push rod and force of each rubber pad need to be considered. For example, a flush needs to be adjusted by using the dimension relationships, and the dimension relationships need to be adjusted by repairing a mold many times in a later stage.

<CIT> discloses a built-in handset for furniture such as in particular seating furniture or seating/reclining furniture. The furniture has fittings and a cover covering the fittings, the built-in handset is made of a switch module arranged in a housing and at least one actuating surface which can be moved or pivoted by the hand of a user, the actuating surface is connected to the switch module by means of a pivot bracket and switches or microswitches actuated during pivoting, wherein the actuating surface can be removed from the pivot bracket or removed and attached again.

According to one aspect, an objective of this application is to provide a switch assembly, which aims to provide a convenient and reliable solution for dimension relationship of the switch assembly. According to another aspect, an objective of this application is to provide a vehicle comprising the foregoing switch assembly.

The objectives of this application are achieved by the following technical solutions as provided by the claimed invention, which is defined by the appended independent claims. Further embodiments of the claimed invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to the appended independent claim <NUM>, the claimed invention comprises a switch assembly, comprising:.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, the first push rod is installed at the first limiting surface and extends by a first distance from the first limiting surface toward the key shifter lever, and the second push rod is installed at the second limiting surface and extends by a second distance from the second limiting surface toward the key shifter lever; and
the sum of the first distance, the second distance and a thickness of the key shifter lever is configured to be greater than a distance between the first limiting surface and the second limiting surface.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, thrust applied by the first push rod to the key shifter lever is equal to thrust applied by the second push rod to the key shifter lever.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, the switch assembly further comprises a first rubber pad and a second rubber pad, the first rubber pad and the second rubber pad respectively matching the first push rod and the second push rod, the first rubber pad being configured to push the first push rod toward the key shifter lever, and the second rubber pad being configured to push the second push rod toward the key shifter lever, wherein a second prepressure provided by the second rubber pad exceeds a predetermined value than a first prepressure provided by the first rubber pad.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, the second rubber pad pushes the second push rod toward the second limiting surface, and the second push rod is always kept in contact with the second housing in an initial zero state of the key shifter lever.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, under the action of the second prepressure, the first push rod tends to be separated from the second housing, so that an initial interference amount between the first push rod and the key shifter lever is at least partially eliminated.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, the predetermined value is between <NUM> N and <NUM> N.

In the foregoing switch assembly, optionally, the shaft pin is located between the first housing and the second housing.

According to the appended independent claim <NUM>, the claimed invention further comprises a vehicle, which comprises the foregoing switch assembly.

This application is further described in detail below with reference to drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art shall understand that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments, and therefore should not be used as a limitation on the scope of this application. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are merely intended to conceptually represent the composition or configuration of the described objects, and may contain exaggerated display. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Preferred embodiments of this application will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. It shall be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are merely illustrative and exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

First, it should be noted that the orientation terms, such as top, bottom, upward, and downward, that are described herein are defined relative to the directions in each drawing. These orientations are relative concepts, and therefore will change according to their positions and states. Therefore, these or other orientation terms should not be construed as limiting.

In addition, it should also be noted that any single technical feature described or implied in the embodiments herein, or any single technical feature shown or implied in the drawings, or equivalents thereof can continue to be combined, so as to obtain other embodiments which are not directly mentioned herein.

It should be noted that in different drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or substantially the same components.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of a key shifter lever and a shaft pin according to this application. As shown in the figure, a switch assembly according to this application may comprise a plurality of key shifter levers <NUM>, and the key shifter levers <NUM> may have a common shaft pin <NUM>. The shaft pin <NUM> extends through each key shifter lever <NUM> in a direction indicated by an arrow A, thereby limiting a pivot center of each key shifter lever <NUM> in the direction indicated by the arrow A. In this way, consistency of the dimension and coaxiality of the shaft pin of the key shifter levers is ensured, so that a deviation quantity of each key shifter lever in all directions is ensured, and the dislocation of the key shifter lever caused by accumulated tolerance of dimension is reduced.

In an embodiment, the shaft pin <NUM> may be made of metal, including but not limited to iron, stainless steel, copper, and the like. In a further embodiment, the key shifter lever <NUM> may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to plastic, and the like.

<FIG> is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a switch assembly according to this application. As shown in the figure, the switch assembly includes a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>. The shaft pin <NUM> is disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, and the key shifter lever <NUM> extends from a first end <NUM> to a second end <NUM>. At least a part of the second housing <NUM> extends about the first end <NUM> of the key shifter lever <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> of the key shifter lever <NUM> at least partially extends to the outside of the first housing <NUM>. Therefore, the second end <NUM> of the key shifter lever <NUM> can be operated by a user outside the first housing <NUM>. For example, the user can press the second end <NUM> of the key shifter lever <NUM> with a finger, so that the key shifter lever <NUM> tends to move clockwise about the shaft pin <NUM> in the state shown in <FIG>.

Herein, the key shifter lever <NUM> is defined as pivoting about the shaft pin <NUM>, and a direction in which the shaft pin <NUM> is located is defined as an axial direction. Accordingly, a plane perpendicular to the shaft pin <NUM> is defined as a radial direction. For example, the plane of paper in the state shown in <FIG> is the radial direction. In use, the key shifter lever <NUM> pivots about the shaft pin <NUM> in a radial plane.

The second housing <NUM> has a first limiting surface <NUM> and a second limiting surface <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the first limiting surface <NUM> is located above the key shifter lever <NUM>, and the second limiting surface <NUM> is located below the key shifter lever <NUM>. A first push rod <NUM> and a second push rod <NUM> are respectively installed on the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM>, and respectively extend toward the key shifter lever <NUM> by a first distance D1 and a second distance D2. Therefore, between the first end <NUM> and the shaft pin <NUM>, the key shifter lever <NUM> is positioned between the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM>. The second push rod <NUM> is dimensioned in such a way that the second push rod is always kept in contact with the second limiting surface <NUM> in an initial zero state of the key shifter lever.

In an embodiment, the key shifter lever <NUM> forms a positioning relationship between the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM>, and at least one of the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> is always kept in contact with the limiting surface of the second housing <NUM> by using an ingenious design.

The initial zero state of the key shifter lever refers to a force balance state of the key shifter lever <NUM> without operation by a user. In this state, the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> apply force to the key shifter lever <NUM>, so that the key shifter lever is in the position represented by a dotted line B in <FIG>.

More specifically, as shown in the figure, the key shifter lever <NUM> has a thickness T, and the distance between the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM> is D3. The sum of the first distance D1, the second distance D2 and the thickness T is greater than the distance D3 between the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM>. This can at least partially eliminate clearance wobble that may be caused by the tolerance of the distance D3. It is easy to understand that the distance D3 between the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM> may be composed of two parts, that is, a distance from the first limiting surface <NUM> to a horizontal symmetry axis of the key shifter lever <NUM> (also referred to as a height of the first limiting surface) and a distance from the second limiting surface <NUM> to the horizontal symmetry axis of the key shifter lever <NUM> (also referred to as a height of the second limiting surface).

In an embodiment, the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> have the same height or extension length, in other words, the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> may be the same push rod. Through the technical solution of this application, a dimension relationship of the entire switch assembly can be adjusted only by adjusting the distance between the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>.

In this way, the second push rod <NUM> is configured to be always kept in contact with the second limiting surface <NUM>, and no undesired movement occurs. In this case, the key shifter lever <NUM> is also in a force balance state, that is, thrust applied by the first push rod <NUM> to the key shifter lever <NUM> is equal to thrust applied by the second push rod <NUM> to the key shifter lever <NUM>. The height of the second push rod <NUM> is designed to be equal to the distance from the second limiting surface <NUM> to the surface of the key shifter lever <NUM>. In this way, when the second push rod <NUM> is always attached to the second limiting surface <NUM>, a top end of the second push rod <NUM> always remains at this position. The force from the first push rod <NUM> is not enough to push the second push rod <NUM>, so that the second push rod <NUM> keeps the key shifter lever <NUM> at an absolute theoretical design zero position (that is, the position indicated by the dotted line B) as seen from a design state. In addition, in the presence of the foregoing dimension relationship, only the following five parameters need to be considered for a tolerance chain design of the switch assembly: the first distance D1 (that is, the height of the first push rod <NUM>), the second distance D2 (that is, the height of the second push rod <NUM>), the thickness T of the key shifter lever <NUM> (that is, the profile of the key shifter lever), the distance from the first limiting surface <NUM> to the horizontal symmetry axis of the key shifter lever <NUM> (that is, the height of the first limiting surface), and the distance from the second limiting surface <NUM> to the horizontal symmetry axis of the key shifter lever <NUM> (that is, the height of the second limiting surface).

In an embodiment, the thrust of the first push rod <NUM> is always less than the thrust of the second push rod <NUM> by using the design of asymmetric force. Therefore, the position of the second push rod <NUM> will not change, so that the height position of the second push rod <NUM> relative to the key shifter lever <NUM> becomes the only factor controlling the end position of the key shifter lever <NUM>. In other words, only the dimension of this part needs to be controlled in production. It should be noted that the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> are actually the same components, and therefore only the relative height of the second limiting surface <NUM> relative to the key shifter lever <NUM> needs to be controlled. Therefore, through the solution of this application, uncertainty of the key flush in production (that is, the second end <NUM> of each key shifter lever <NUM> is positioned above or below the dotted line B and not at the same height) can be lowered, so that the key shifter levers <NUM> are kept centered along the dotted line B or deviate to one side of the dotted line B together. In this way, the flush between the key shifter levers <NUM> is improved.

An interference amount of the first push rod <NUM> in design is actually reflected as the distance where the first push rod is pushed away between the first push rod <NUM> and the first limiting surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>. Through the dimension relationship of D1 + D2 > D3, clearance wobble caused when the dimension of the second push rod <NUM> (that is, the relative height of the second limiting surface <NUM> relative to the key shifter lever <NUM>) is excessively small can be avoided.

In an embodiment, a first rubber pad <NUM> and a second rubber pad <NUM> respectively match the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM>, and assist in respectively positioning the first push rod <NUM> and the second push rod <NUM> on the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM>. The first rubber pad <NUM> applies a first predetermined pressure to the first push rod <NUM>, and the second rubber pad <NUM> applies a second predetermined pressure to the second push rod <NUM>. The second predetermined pressure may be greater than the first predetermined pressure, for example, by <NUM>-<NUM> N. In an embodiment, the second predetermined pressure is <NUM> N greater than the first predetermined pressure. The foregoing predetermined pressure ensures that the second push rod <NUM> is always in contact with the second housing <NUM> or the second limiting surface <NUM> during operation. At this time, the first push rod <NUM> is also affected by the difference between the foregoing predetermined pressures, and will be pushed to tend to be separated from the second housing <NUM> or the first limiting surface <NUM>, so that an initial interference amount between the first push rod <NUM> and the key shifter lever <NUM> is at least partially eliminated. In an embodiment, the initial interference amount N is equal to the sum of the first distance D1, the second distance D2 and the thickness T minus the distance D3 between the first limiting surface <NUM> and the second limiting surface <NUM>.

In this case, only the following three parameters need to be considered for a tolerance chain design of the switch assembly: the second distance D2 (that is, the height of the second push rod <NUM>), the thickness T of the key shifter lever <NUM> (that is, the profile of the key shifter lever), and the distance from the second limiting surface <NUM> to the horizontal symmetry axis of the key shifter lever <NUM> (that is, the height of the second limiting surface). In this way, the tolerance chain design of the switch assembly is further simplified, and the number of tolerance chains that affect the flush is reduced to three, so that better dimensional control can be implemented.

This application further relates to a vehicle, comprising the switch assembly described above. In an embodiment, the switch assembly is disposed at an instrument panel of the vehicle.

The switch assembly and the vehicle according to this application have the advantages of simplicity, reliability, ease of implementation, convenience in use, and the like. The control over the flush of the switch assembly is improved.

Claim 1:
A switch assembly, comprising:
a first housing (<NUM>);
a plurality of key shifter levers (<NUM>), the key shifter levers (<NUM>) each comprising a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), a shaft pin (<NUM>) being connected to the key shifter lever (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the second end (<NUM>), the key shifter lever (<NUM>) extending from the first end (<NUM>) to the second end (<NUM>), and the key shifter lever (<NUM>) being configured to pivot in a radial plane with the shaft pin (<NUM>) as a centre by being pressed at the second end (<NUM>), wherein the second end (<NUM>) extends to the outside of the first housing (<NUM>);
a second housing (<NUM>), the second housing (<NUM>) surrounding the first end (<NUM>) of the key shifter lever (<NUM>) and having a first limiting surface (<NUM>) located above the key shifter lever (<NUM>) and a second limiting surface (<NUM>) located below the key shifter lever (<NUM>); and
a first push rod (<NUM>) and a second push rod (<NUM>), the first push rod (<NUM>) and the second push rod (<NUM>) being arranged in the radial plane and respectively corresponding to the first limiting surface (<NUM>) and the second limiting surface (<NUM>), and the first push rod (<NUM>) and the second push rod (<NUM>) leaning on the key shifter lever (<NUM>) between the first end (<NUM>) and the shaft pin (<NUM>), characterized in that at least one of the first push rod (<NUM>) and the second push rod (<NUM>) is always kept in contact with the first limiting surface (<NUM>) or the second limiting surface (<NUM>) by setting a dimension relationship;
wherein the shaft pin (<NUM>) extends through a plurality of key shifter levers (<NUM>), so that the key shifter levers (<NUM>) have a common pivotal axis.