JP2002199469A - Remote control transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control transmitter for an on-vehicle AV unit that can properly supply infrared rays to the AV unit, wherever the transmitter is mounted on the AV unit. SOLUTION: The remote control transmitter is provided with operation elements 11-18 and switches respectively operated by the operation elements, a transmission circuit that converts the outputs of the switches into remote control signals and outputs them, an infrared LED that converts the remote control signals into infrared rays and that provides an output, a member 22 that freely turnably turns the infrared LED, and a fixing section 30 that fixes the entire transmitter in the inside of a vehicle. The support member 22 is configures, such that a direction of an indication axis of the infrared LED is change by adjusting the member 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling (remotely controlling) electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art AV such as a CD player and a television receiver
In a remote control transmitter for remote control of equipment,
When the operation button is pressed, infrared light modulated corresponding to the pressed operation button is output. Then, the infrared ray is received by the AV device, and the AV device transitions to a target operation state.

In this case, the remote control transmitter is generally formed into a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 8 in consideration of ease of use and directivity of infrared rays. Are arranged, and infrared rays are output from the front (the surface facing the AV device).

[0004]

However, in the case of a remote control transmitter as shown in FIG. 8, when the remote control is performed, the user holds the transmitter and moves his arm so that the transmitter faces the light receiving section of the AV equipment. There must be. Therefore, if a remote control transmitter as shown in FIG. 8 is used for an AV device mounted on a vehicle, the driver pays considerable attention to the transmitter, such as picking up the transmitter each time the remote control is operated, and adversely affects driving. There is a danger of

[0005] Therefore, it is conceivable to attach the transmitter to a place in the vehicle that is easy to operate, for example, a steering column cover. That is, in this case, even when the driver operates the transmitter, it is not necessary to pick up the transmitter, so that it is difficult for the driver to hinder driving.

However, in this case, it is necessary to fix the direction of the transmitter so that the infrared light output from the transmitter is appropriately received by the light receiving section of the AV device. When the driver operates the operation buttons on the transmitter,
Sometimes it is difficult to operate. Conversely, if the orientation of the transmitter is determined so that it is easy to operate, the infrared light may not properly reach the light receiving unit of the AV device.

In addition, since the shape of the interior of the vehicle differs depending on the type of vehicle, even if there is no problem in the operability or the reach of infrared rays in one type of vehicle, a problem may occur in another type of vehicle.

[0008] The present invention aims to eliminate the above problems.

[0009]

According to the present invention, for example, in a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling an electronic device, a plurality of operators and a plurality of switches respectively controlled by the plurality of operators are provided. A transmission circuit that converts the output of these switches into a remote control signal and outputs the signal, an infrared light emitting diode that converts the remote control signal into infrared light and outputs the infrared light, and a direction of the directional axis of the infrared light emitting diode changes by external adjustment. As described above, the present invention provides a remote control transmitter having a supporting member for rotatably supporting the infrared light emitting diode and a fixing portion for fixing the whole in the vehicle. Therefore, no matter where the transmitter is mounted in the cabin, the infrared rays are supplied to the AV device accurately.

[0010]

1 to 3 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a remote control transmitter of an on-vehicle AV device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof. And in these figures,
Reference numeral 1 indicates a remote control transmitter according to the present invention, and reference numeral 5 indicates a pedestal for detachably mounting the transmitter 1 in a vehicle.

In this case, as will be apparent from the following description, the transmitter 1 is configured so that it can be fixed at an arbitrary position in the vehicle in an arbitrary direction. Depends on For this reason, in this specification, the vertical direction (y-axis direction), the horizontal direction (x-axis direction), and the front-rear direction (z-axis direction) are defined as shown in FIG.

The transmitter 1 has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape as a whole and includes three bodies 10, 20, and 30. In this case, the body 10 has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape, for example, made of ABS resin, and has a flat top. On the side, an annular operation knob 12 is provided. These operation knobs 1
Numerals 1 and 12 are adapted to be rotatable left and right around the vertical direction of the transmitter 1, and a knob 12.
Can also be pushed down.

On the top of the knob 11, an operation button 13 to be pressed and operated is arranged. On the peripheral surface of the body 10 below the knob 12, an operation button to be pressed and operated to a position that can be identified by groping. 14 to 18 are provided.

Although not shown, a normally open switch which is turned on when the operation knobs 11 and 12 are turned, and operation buttons 13 to 18 are provided inside the body 10.
And a normally-open switch that is turned on when is pressed, and a transmission circuit that outputs infrared rays for a remote controller in accordance with the output of the normally-open switch.

The body 20 is provided on the lower surface of the body 10. The body 20 is formed in an inverted cup shape with a resin that can transmit infrared rays, for example, polycarbonate, and a rear portion thereof is fixed to the body 10 by screws 29, and a front portion thereof penetrates a body 30 described later. It is fixed to the body 10 by screws 39.

Further, the body 20 has a columnar column 21 slightly downward from the inner center thereof, and a dial 22 is provided on the column 21. This dial 22 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Is a perspective view seen from above, FIG. 4B is a perspective view seen from below), and has a disc shape, has a through hole 23 at the center, and the support 21 penetrates the through hole 23.
It is rotatably supported by the support column 21. At this time, a part of the dial 22, ie, the body 20
The peripheral portions corresponding to the rear and left and right of
It is made to face outside.

The dial 22 has a concave portion 24 on its upper surface. A polygonal printed circuit board 25 is fitted into the concave portion 24, and the dial 22 is formed on the dial 22 by a claw 26 formed integrally with the dial 22. Fixed. In this example, the printed circuit board 25 has two LEDs (D2
1, D22), components such as a connector jack CJ and a capacitor C21 are mounted and wired. In addition, LED
(D21, D22) are arranged such that the directivity axes of the output infrared rays are parallel to each other and forward (leftward in FIG. 4A).

On the lower surface of the dial 22, a groove 27 for regulating the rotation range of the dial 22 is provided.
For example, it is formed in a semicircular shape over an angular range of 180 °. Further, a convex portion 28 indicating a reference position is formed at the center of the rear portion of the peripheral surface of the dial 22.

Further, the body 30 is provided on the lower surface of the body 20. The body 30 is formed in a cup shape by, for example, an ABS resin, and has an upwardly projecting portion 31 integrally formed on the bottom surface thereof.
The upper end of 1 is located in a groove 27 formed on the lower surface of the dial 22, and the rotation range of the dial 22 is restricted to an angular range of, for example, 180 °.

Also, at this time, the body 30 has an opening or notch 32 in the rear and left and right peripheral portions, and through this notch 32, the rear and left and right peripheral portions of the dial 22 are formed. It is configured to face outward from the body 30. Further, a convex portion 33 is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the body 30, and a leaf spring 34 is provided between the convex portion 30 and the dial 22 so as to surround the column 21.
Is arranged.

The body 30 is fixed to the body 20 by screws 38 penetrating near the center of the bottom surface, and is fixed to the body 10 through the body 20 by screws 39 penetrating the front of the bottom surface.

Further, a through hole 35 and a tongue piece 36 for fixing the transmitter 1 to a pedestal are integrally formed on the bottom surface of the body 30. The tongue piece 36 has a downwardly projecting portion in order to maintain the fixed state of the transmitter 1.

Further, for example, at the rear of the body 30,
A through hole 37 is formed, and a strap 40 having a predetermined length is attached to the through hole 37. This strap 40
A free end opposite to the mounting end is a loop 41, and a stopper 42 is provided on the loop 41.

On the other hand, the pedestal 5 is formed in the shape of a rectangular sheet or plate from a flexible plastic material, for example, and has a size such that the bottom of the transmitter 1 is in contact with the center of the upper surface thereof. It has a thick part 51. And
The thick portion 51 has a concave portion formed on the upper surface thereof, and a locking plate 52 for fixing the transmitter 1 is provided in the concave portion. The locking plate 52 is formed of a metal plate and has a claw 53 for fixing the transmitter 1 through the through hole 35 of the body 30.
And a through-hole 54 for receiving the convex portion of the tongue piece 36.

Further, a double-sided adhesive tape 55 is attached to the lower surface of the pedestal 5. And the pedestal 5
It is attached to a position where the driver can easily operate the transmitter 1, for example, a steering column cover with a double-sided tape 55, and is also fixed by a screw 56 penetrating the locking plate 52 and the thick portion 51.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a transmission circuit built in the transmitter 1. That is, a normally open switch 61 that is turned on by operating the operation knobs 11 and 12 and the operation buttons 13 to 18 is provided, and the switch output is supplied to the transmission circuit 62. The transmission circuit 62 is constituted by, for example, a one-chip microcomputer. The transmission circuit 62 decodes the output of the switch 61 and controls the remote control signal corresponding to the operated knob or one of the knobs 11 and 12 and the buttons 13 to 18. An SRM is formed and output.

Then, the remote control signal SRM is supplied to the connector plug CP. The connector plug CP is connected to the connector jack CJ. At this time, the output voltage of the battery 63 is supplied to the transmission circuit 62 as a power supply voltage and to the connector plug CP.

The remote control signal SRM obtained at the connector jack CJ is supplied to the gates of the source-grounded FETs (Q21, Q22) through the resistors R21, R22, and the drains of the FETs (Q21, Q22) Infrared L
ED (D21, D22) and current limiting resistors R23, R
24 is connected. The capacitor C21 is connected in parallel to the power supply line.

In such a configuration, when the transmitter 1 is used, the pedestal 5 is attached to the double-sided tape 55 and the screw 5.
6 and the transmitter 1 is mounted on the base 5 in advance. The transmitter 1 is attached by hooking the claw 53 of the pedestal 5 into the through-hole 35 of the body 30 and by attaching the projection of the tongue piece 36 to the pedestal 5.
This is performed by positioning the through hole 54 in the above.

When one of the operation knobs 11 and 12 or one of the operation buttons 13 to 18 is operated, a remote control signal SRM corresponding to the operated knob or button is operated.
Is formed, and this signal SRM is supplied to the FETs (Q21, Q22). Therefore, from the LEDs (D21, D22),
An infrared ray modulated corresponding to the operated knob or button is output.

Thus, according to the above-described remote control transmitter 1, it is possible to remotely control the AV equipment mounted on the vehicle by infrared rays. In this case, in particular, according to the above-described transmitter 1, the LEDs (D21, D22 ) Are provided on the dial 22, and the dial 22 is supported so as to be rotatable around the column 21.

Therefore, by rotating the dial 22, the direction of the directional axis of the LED (D21, D22) can be adjusted, and thereby the LED (D21, D22) can be adjusted.
The infrared light output from the camera can be supplied to an AV device (not shown) directly or after being reflected once by the driver, and the sensitivity of the remote controller can be improved.

At this time, since a leaf spring 34 is provided between the dial 22 and the convex portion 33 of the body 30, when the dial 22 is rotated, the dial is moved to a position resulting from the rotation. 22 can be held. Therefore, the direction of the directivity axis of the LED (D21, D22) can be fixed at the position of the adjustment result.

Further, since the direction of the directional axis of the infrared ray can be changed, good sensitivity of the remote controller can be obtained regardless of the mounting position of the transmitter 1, and therefore, for example, reference numerals 1A, 1B or FIG. As shown by 1C, the transmitter 1 can be mounted at a position that is easy for the driver to operate, such as a steering column cover, a dashboard, or a center console.

In the center of the rear part of the dial 22, there is provided a projection 28 indicating a reference position.
With reference to 8, the direction of the directional axis of the infrared ray can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, since the operation knobs 11 and 12 and the operation buttons 13 to 18 are arranged around the body 10, the operation can be performed without looking at them, and there is little hindrance to driving.

In addition, since a strap 40 can be attached to the transmitter 1, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the case where the transmitter 1 is mounted on the steering column cover, the loop 41 of the strap 40 is passed through a protrusion such as a clutch lever in the vicinity, and the loop 41 is reduced by the stopper 42. When the transmitter 1 falls, the transmitter 1 can be prevented from falling to the floor (therefore, the length of the strap 40 is
Even if the transmitter 1 falls, the length does not fall to the floor).

Therefore, when the transmitter 1 falls, it is possible to prevent an accident such as neglecting driving, or furthermore, the transmitter 1 rolling under the brake pedal and causing an obstacle to the brake.

[List of abbreviations used in this specification] CD: Compact Disc AV: Audio and Visual LED: Light Emitting Diode; Light-emitting diode ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

[0039]

According to the present invention, the direction of the directional axis of the infrared ray can be changed by rotating the dial.
As a result, the infrared rays can be accurately supplied to the AV device directly or after being reflected once to the driver, and therefore, the sensitivity of the remote controller can be improved.

Also, since the direction of the directional axis of the infrared ray can be changed, good sensitivity of the remote control can be obtained regardless of the mounting position of the transmitter, and therefore, a steering column cover, a dashboard or a center console can be obtained. The transmitter can be mounted at a position that is easy for the driver to operate.

Further, since a strap can be attached to the transmitter, when the transmitter falls for any reason, it is possible to prevent the transmitter from dropping to the floor, so that the driving is negligible. Accidents, such as the transmitter being rolled under the brake pedal and / or causing a brake obstruction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a part of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote control transmitter, 5 ... Pedestal, 10 ... Body, 11
And 12 ... operation knobs, 13 to 18 ... operation buttons, 2
0 ... body, 21 ... pillar, 22 ... dial, 25 ... printed circuit board, 27 ... groove, 30 ... body, 31 ... convex part,
34 ... leaf spring, 40 ... strap, 41 ... loop, 42
... Stopper, 53 ... Claw, 55 ... Double-sided adhesive tape, 61 ...
Normally open switch, 62 transmission circuit, 63 battery, C21 capacitor, CJ connector jack, CP connector plug, D21 and D22 infrared LEDs, Q21 and Q22
... FET, R21-R24 ... Resistor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B60R 11/02 B60R 11/02 C 16/02 630 16/02 630A F-term (Reference) 3D020 BA02 BA04 BB01 BC09 BD05 BE02 5K048 AA04 BA02 BA42 DB04 EB02 HA05 HA11

Claims (3)

[Claims] A remote control transmitter for remotely controlling an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of operators, a plurality of switches respectively controlled by the plurality of operators, and an output of the switches converted into a remote control signal. A transmitting circuit for outputting, an infrared light emitting diode for converting the remote control signal into infrared light and outputting the infrared light, and an infrared light emitting diode rotatable so that the direction of the directional axis of the infrared light emitting diode is changed by external adjustment A remote control transmitter, comprising: a support member for supporting the vehicle; and a fixing portion for fixing the whole in the vehicle. 2. The remote control transmitter according to claim 1, wherein said support member is a dial, and said dial is provided with said infrared light emitting diode. 3. The remote control transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a device mounted on a vehicle, and when the electronic device is fixed in the vehicle by the fixing portion, the electronic device is adapted to be hooked on a nearby protrusion. Remote control transmitter that allows you to attach a strap.