JP3105404B2 - Neutral start switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automobile with an automatic transmission, which is directly connected to a transmission shaft of a transmission which rotates in response to operation of a shift lever, and which switches are switched according to the rotation of the transmission shaft. The present invention relates to a neutral start switch for detecting a shift position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a conventional neutral start switch, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the conventional neutral start switch.

As shown in these drawings, a conventional neutral start switch 50 mainly includes a first stator 52, a second stator 54, a rotor 56, and a connector housing 58. That is, the first stator 52 and the second stator 54 are joined to each other with the rotor 56 interposed therebetween. Also,
The rotor 56 is connected to the first stator 52 via the first lip seal 68 and to the second stator via the second lip seal 70.
, Each of which is rotatably supported. Further, the connector housing 58 is fitted over the first stator 52 and the second stator 54 which are joined to each other.

The first stator 52 has a first terminal 52a on an upper portion thereof, and a switch contact 52 on an inner surface thereof.
b, the first terminal 52a and the switch contact 52
b is electrically connected as shown by a dashed line. Similarly, the second stator 54 also has a second terminal 54a on its upper part, and a switch contact 54 on its inner surface.
b, the second terminal 54a and the switch contact 54
b is electrically connected as shown by a dashed line. Although the first terminal 52a and the second terminal 54a each appear to be one in FIG. 7, actually,
Each of them is arranged in a plurality in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

[0005] The rotor 56 has a transmission shaft insertion hole 72 at the center of rotation, and the transmission shaft (not shown) of the transmission is inserted into the transmission shaft insertion hole 72. It has become. The rotor 56 has a switch contact 56a at a portion facing the switch contact 52b of the first stator 52.
A switch contact 56b in a portion of the second stator 54 facing the switch contact 54b, respectively.
Depending on the rotation angle of the rotor 56, the switch contact 56a of the rotor 56 is switched to the switch contact 52b of the first stator 52.
And the switch contact 56b of the rotor 56 is connected to the switch contact 54b of the second stator 54,
It is cut off.

A socket connector (not shown) is inserted into the connector housing 58 from above, and the first terminal 52a and the second terminal 54a are connected to the terminals provided on the socket connector, respectively.

Further, since the neutral start switch 50 is provided on a side surface of a transmission (not shown), the first stator 52 and the second stator 54 are provided.
(That is, the portion where the rotor 56 is provided)
A packing 66 is provided at the joint between the first stator 52 and the second stator 54 at the joint between the connector housing 58 and the stators 52 and 54 so that water or the like does not enter the outside through the joint. Is connector packing 6
4 are provided respectively. The packing 66 and the connector packing 64 are each formed of rubber or the like.

[0008]

However, the conventional neutral start switch 50 mainly includes the first
, The second stator 54 and the rotor 56
Since the connector housing 58 is composed of a total of four parts, there is a problem that the number of parts is large and the number of assembling steps is increased accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a neutral start switch capable of reducing the number of parts and reducing the number of assembly steps.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an invention according to claim 1 is a neutral start switch used in an automobile with an automatic transmission, wherein the interior of the switch is hollow. A first stator having a connector housing having an open top and a first contact mounting surface provided below the connector housing, both of which are integrally formed; A second contact mounting surface facing the contact mounting surface, a space provided between the second contact mounting surface and the first contact mounting surface, and a second contact mounting surface joined to the first stator; 2 and a transmission shaft through which a transmission shaft of a transmission is inserted, and a contact mounting portion, wherein the contact mounting portion is formed between the first and second contact mounting surfaces. while A rotor disposed between the first stator and the second stator so as to be rotatable about the transmission shaft insertion hole and disposed in the space provided. The first stator has a connector through hole on a bottom surface in the connector housing and a first terminal projecting upward from the bottom surface, and the first contact mounting surface has A first switch contact electrically connected to the terminal of the second housing. The second stator has a second terminal on an upper surface thereof, and the second terminal is located above a bottom surface of the connector housing. The second terminal is inserted into the connector insertion hole from below the connector housing so as to protrude toward the connector housing, and is electrically connected to the second terminal on the second contact mounting surface. The second connected to A switch contact, the rotor having third and fourth switch contacts electrically connected to each other on the contact mounting portion, and by rotating in accordance with the rotation of the transmission shaft, The third switch contact may be connected to or disconnected from the first switch contact, and the fourth switch contact may be connected to or disconnected from the second switch contact.

Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The neutral start switch is mainly composed of a first stator, a second stator, and a rotor, that is, a total of three components. The connector housing is integrally formed on the upper portion of the first stator.

The invention described in claim 2 is the first invention.
5. The neutral start switch according to claim 2, wherein the connector insertion hole has a wedge-shaped cross section,
And a connector packing for preventing water or the like from entering from outside through the connector insertion hole.

As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention,
Since the connector packing has a through hole, when inserting the second terminal into the connector through hole, the second terminal is passed through the through hole of the connector packing, and the second terminal is inserted into the second terminal. The connector packing is attached, and the second terminal is inserted into the connector insertion hole together with the connector packing.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a neutral start switch as one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a neutral start switch as one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in these figures, the neutral start switch 10 according to the present embodiment is mainly composed of a first stator 12, a second stator 14, and a rotor 16, which are three components in total. , Connector housing 1
2c is formed integrally with the upper part of the first stator 12.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first stator 12 in FIG. 1 from above and a front view showing it from the inside. In FIG. 3, (a) shows the first stator 1
2 is a plan view, and FIG. 2B is a front view.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first stator 12 has a first terminal 12a on an upper portion thereof, and a connector housing is provided so as to surround the first terminal 12a. 12e. Further, a connector insertion hole 12c for inserting the second terminal 14a of the second stator 14 is provided adjacent to the first terminal 12a. Furthermore, the first stator 12 has a switch contact 1 on its inner surface.
2b, the first terminal 12a and the switch contact 1
2b is electrically connected as shown by a dashed line in FIG. A packing groove 12d for embedding the packing 26 is provided around the inner surface.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second stator 14 in FIG. 1 as viewed from above and a front view as viewed from the inner side. In FIG. 4, (a) shows the second stator 1
4 is a plan view, and FIG. 4B is a front view.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second stator 14 has a second terminal 14a on an upper part thereof.
It has a switch contact 14b on its inner surface, and is electrically connected between the second terminal 14a and the switch contact 14b as shown by a dashed line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 are joined to each other with the rotor 16 interposed therebetween. Here, when the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 are joined,
The second terminal 14a on the upper part of the stator 14
Connector through hole 12 provided in the upper part of stator 12 of FIG.
c into the connector housing 12 from below the hole.
e.

The rotor 16 is rotatably supported by the first stator 12 via a first lip seal 28 and by the second stator 14 via a second lip seal 30, respectively. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rotor 16
A transmission shaft insertion hole 32 is provided at the center of rotation, and a transmission shaft (not shown) of the transmission is inserted into the transmission shaft insertion hole 32. In addition, the rotor 16 has a switch contact 16a at a portion facing the switch contact 12b of the first stator 12, and a switch contact 16b at a portion facing the switch contact 14b of the second stator 14, respectively. Depending on the rotation angle of the rotor 16, the switch contact 16a of the rotor 16 is switched between the switch contact 12b of the first stator 12 and the switch contact 16b of the rotor 16.
Are connected to or disconnected from the switch contacts 14b of the second stator 14, respectively.

A socket connector (not shown) is inserted from above into a connector housing 12e above the first stator 12, and a first terminal 52a and a second terminal 54a are respectively connected to the socket connector. Connected to the terminal provided.

Further, since the neutral start switch 10 is provided on a side surface of a transmission (not shown), the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 are provided.
(That is, the portion where the rotor 16 is provided)
A packing 26 is provided at a joint between the first stator 52 and the second stator 54 so that water or the like does not enter the outside through a joint. FIG. 5 shows the shape of the packing 26 as viewed from the front. Further, even when water or the like enters the connection portion between the connector housing 12e and the socket connector from outside, the water penetrates into the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 through the connector insertion hole 12c. The connector packing 24 is provided in the connector insertion hole 12c so as not to be disturbed. The packing 26
The connector packing 24 is formed of rubber or the like.

FIG. 6 shows the connector packing 24 shown in FIG.
FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector packing 24 is provided with a through hole 24a through which the second terminal 14a on the upper part of the second stator 14 passes. The connector packing 24 has a wedge-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

Therefore, when inserting the second terminal 14a on the upper part of the second stator 14 into the connector insertion hole 12c provided on the upper part of the first stator 12, first,
The second terminal 14 is inserted into the through hole 24a of the connector packing 24.
a, and a connector packing 24 is attached to the second terminal 14a. Next, the connector packing 24
At the same time, the second terminal 14a is inserted into the connector insertion hole 12c from below the hole. At this time, the connector insertion hole 12c
As shown in FIG. 1, the lower part is wider and the upper part is narrower, and a connector packing 24 having a wedge-shaped cross section is just fitted. Therefore, the second terminal 1
When the connector 4a is inserted as it is, the connector packing 24 is fitted into the connector insertion hole 12c, and only the second terminal 14a is inserted through the connector insertion hole 12c and protrudes into the connector housing 12e.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the neutral start switch 10 is mainly composed of the first stator 12, the second stator 14, and the rotor 16, which are three components in total. Since the connector housing is formed integrally with the upper portion of the first stator 12, the number of components can be reduced as compared with the conventional case, and accordingly,
The number of assembly steps can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the connector insertion hole 12
c so that water and the like do not enter the inside of the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 through the connector packing 2.
4 is used. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector packing 24 is provided with a through hole 24a through which the second terminal 14a penetrates. As described above, the second hole is formed in the through hole 24a of the connector packing 24. Terminal 14a
, And the connector packing 24 is attached to the second terminal 14a.
Terminal 14a is inserted into the connector insertion hole 12c. Therefore, since the connector packing 24 serves as a protection member for the second terminal 14a, the deformation of the second terminal 14a due to the tip of the second terminal 14a abutting on the peripheral portion of the connector insertion hole 12c or the like can be prevented. Therefore, alignment (in-line alignment) between the terminals of the second terminal 14a can be easily ensured. In addition, by forming the cross section of the connector packing 24 into a wedge shape as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 6, the connector packing 24 can be smoothly inserted into the connector insertion hole 12c.

In the above embodiment, the inside of the first stator 12 and the second stator 14 (that is, the rotor 1
6 is airtight. For example, between the outside and the inside, there is provided a ventilation hole provided with a membrane through which water or the like from the outside can be blocked, but steam or the like can pass. You may do it.

[0030]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the neutral start switch mainly includes the first stator, the second stator, and the rotor, that is, a total of three parts. Since the connector housing is formed integrally with the upper portion of the first stator, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the related art, and the number of assembly steps can be reduced accordingly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the connector packing has a through hole, when the second terminal is inserted into the connector through hole, the connector packing has a through hole. Then, the connector packing is attached to the second terminal, and the second terminal is inserted into the connector insertion hole together with the connector packing. As a protective member, the second terminal can be prevented from being deformed, and alignment (in-line alignment) between the terminals of the second terminal can be easily ensured. Further, since the cross section of the connector packing has a wedge shape, the connector packing can be smoothly inserted into the connector insertion hole.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a neutral start switch as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a neutral start switch as one embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a plan view showing the first stator 12 in FIG. 1 as viewed from above and a front view as viewed from the inner surface side.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second stator 14 in FIG. 1 as viewed from above and a front view as viewed from the inner surface side.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the packing 26 in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the connector packing 24 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a longitudinal section of a conventional neutral start switch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional neutral start switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Neutral start switch 12 ... 1st stator 12a ... 1st terminal 12b ... Switch contact 12c ... Connector penetration hole 12d ... Packing groove 12e ... Connector housing 14 ... 2nd stator 14a ... 2nd terminal 14b ... Switch Contact 16: Rotor 16a, 16b: Switch contact 24: Connector packing 24a: Through hole 26: Packing 28: First lip seal 30: Second lip seal 32: Transmission shaft through hole 50: Neutral start switch 52: First 1st stator 52a ... first terminal 52b ... switch contact 54 ... second stator 54a ... second terminal 54b ... switch contact 56 ... rotor 56a ... switch contact 56b ... switch contact 58 ... connector housing 64 ... connector packing 66 ... Packing 68 first lip seal 70 second lip seal 72 transmission hole penetration hole

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A neutral start switch used in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, comprising: a connector housing having a hollow interior and an open upper portion; and a first contact mounting surface provided below the connector housing. A first stator having both of them integrally formed, and a second contact mounting surface facing the first contact mounting surface, wherein the second contact mounting surface and A second space joined to the first stator is provided with a space between the first stator and the first contact mounting surface.
And a transmission shaft through which a transmission shaft of the transmission is inserted, and a contact mounting portion, wherein the contact mounting portion is provided between the first contact mounting surface and the second contact mounting surface. Located in the space provided in the,
And a rotor supported between the first stator and the second stator so as to be rotatable about the transmission shaft insertion hole, wherein the first stator includes the connector A connector having a connector through-hole on a bottom surface in the housing and a first terminal protruding upward from the bottom surface, and a first contact mounting surface electrically connected to the first terminal. 1st switch contact, The said 2nd stator has a 2nd terminal on the upper surface,
The second terminal is inserted into the connector insertion hole from below the connector housing so that the second terminal projects upward from the bottom surface of the connector housing, and the second terminal is inserted through the second terminal. A second switch contact electrically connected to the second terminal on the contact mounting surface of the third, and the third and fourth electric contacts are electrically connected to the contact mounting portion. A switch contact, and the third switch contact is connected to the first switch contact, and the fourth switch contact is connected to the second switch contact by rotating in response to rotation of the transmission shaft. , A neutral start switch characterized by being connected or disconnected. 2. The neutral start switch according to claim 1, wherein the through hole of the connector has a wedge-shaped cross section and a through hole through which the second terminal penetrates. A neutral start switch comprising connector packing for preventing water from entering through the insertion hole.