JPH04243633A - Switch system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability and visibility of a vehicular switch system so as to improve safe driving performance. CONSTITUTION:A finger control element 14 and a display image plane 13 in a vehicular switch system are disposed in separate positions. The finger control element 14 is disposed in a position comparatively easy to operate even during driving, and the display image plane 13 is provided in a meter system disposing part 12 easily visible even during driving so as to obtain a vehicular switch system excellent in operability, visibility and safe driving performance.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular switch system that is operated in an automobile to obtain navigation information, traffic information, etc.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional vehicle switch systems of this type include those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Namely, reference numeral 1 is an instrument, and a meter system installation section 2 is provided in front of the driver's seat of this instrument, and a meter system installation section 2 is provided on the side of this meter system installation section, that is, at a location called cluster C. is equipped with a switch system 3. This switch system 3 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, there is a display screen 4 such as a liquid crystal display board or CRT, and a finger operation section using a photoelectric switch mechanism that irradiates a matrix of light with a large number of LED groups 5 arranged in front of and around the display screen. 6, and a decorative frame 7 attached to the front surface of the photoelectric switch mechanism 6. Note that 8 indicates a steering wheel.

In this conventional vehicle switch system, for example, an audio operation screen is displayed on the display screen 4, and then by touching a desired finger operation section displayed on this screen with a finger, a photoelectric switch is activated. A switch mechanism blocks the x and y points of the optical matrix beam, thereby detecting the finger position, and using this detection signal, the desired audio function is operated to perform the desired operation. It is.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a conventional vehicle switch system 3, the display screen 4 and the finger operation section 6 are integrated, and furthermore, this switch system 3 Since the steering wheel 8 is located slightly below the side of the steering wheel 8, when touching the finger operation section 6 with a finger, the driver inevitably looks at the display screen 4. There was concern that the eye point of the vehicle would shift from the front view to the display screen, impairing safe driving.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to separate the finger operating section and the display screen in a vehicle switch system so that the finger operating section can be used while driving. To provide a vehicle switch system that is particularly excellent in operability, visibility, and safe driving performance by arranging the switch system in a position where it is relatively easy to operate even when driving, and by providing a display screen in a meter system installation part that is easy to see while driving. It is in.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in detail below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an instrument, 12 a meter system installation part formed on the instrument 11, and a part of this meter system installation part 12 has a display board 13 for monitoring using a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display. is located. 14 is a center console part 20 in the vehicle interior
The structure of this photoelectric switch 14 is as shown in FIG. 3. In the figure, reference numeral 14-1 denotes a substrate, and a printed board 14-3 on which multiple comb-shaped electrodes 14-2 are formed is supported on the substrate 14-1. The electrode 14-2 is placed on the upper side of the printed board 14-3 by a spacer 14-4.
A conductive rubber sheet 14-5 is arranged to be spaced apart from the conductive rubber sheet 14-5. A cushion sheet 14-6 that controls the pressing force on the conductive rubber sheet 14-5 is laid on the upper side of the conductive rubber sheet 14-5. Reference numeral 14-7 denotes an outer skin made of a flexible and elastic material, and on the upper surface of this outer skin, a large number of light emitting diodes 14-8 are arranged on two sides of a rectangle, and the above-mentioned light emitting diodes 14-8 are arranged on the other two sides. A photoelectric switch 14-10 is provided in which a light-receiving diode 14-9 is disposed facing the light-receiving diode 14-9 to generate an optical matrix. 14
-11 is a finisher provided to protect the light emitting diode 14-8 and the light receiving diode 14-9.

The above is the configuration of the photoelectric switch 14,
This photoelectric switch 14 is a combination of a conventional touch-type surface switch and an optical matrix switch, and the optical matrix switch detects the position of the finger that is about to press the surface switch.
, and a surface switch is an operation surface for performing a desired operation.

That is, this photoelectric switch 14 is an example of improved switch operability. In other words, with a conventional optical matrix switch, by blocking the light with the finger, you can determine where the finger is currently located, or where the light was initially blocked (
This is very effective for determining where the finger entered) and where the last position was when the finger was removed after moving, but from the perspective of human operation feel, it is inevitable to press the "setting" button. The action of "pushing" is psychologically more suitable for humans. Therefore, the photoelectric switch 14 of this embodiment shows a switch mechanism that is a combination of a conventional optical matrix switch and a surface switch in which the entire operation area of the optical matrix switch is a press switch. As a result, the optical matrix switch detects only the finger position, and the surface switch recognizes the ON state when the button is pressed. This further improves the operational feel and makes the system easier to use. FIG. 4 is a basic operation flowchart using surface switches, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall system block diagram.

Next, based on FIGS. 4 and 5, the photoelectric switch 1
4, first, a menu is selected using the handle switch 15 shown in FIG. 1, and an air conditioner control display as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display board 13, for example. Next, while looking at the display board 13, press the photoelectric switch 1.
A finger is inserted into the optical matrix No. 4, and the position of the finger is detected by, for example, an arrow or a different color displayed on the display board 13. Next, the finger position is displayed on the display board 13.
After confirming that it is in each desired operation position 13-1,
When the conductive rubber sheet 14-5 is pressed at that finger position, the operation switch 16 corresponding to the desired operation position 13-1 is activated, and this operation signal is sent to the main control unit 17 to control the purpose, such as air volume, temperature, etc. Functional unit 18
is controlled. Note that 19 is a screen display control section that inputs the control target signal determined by the main control section 17 and outputs a screen display signal to the display monitor 13.

As described above, in the vehicle switch system of this embodiment, the photoelectric switch 14 and the display monitor 13 are separated, and the photoelectric switch 14 is placed at a location where it is easy to operate, such as the center console. The display monitor 13 is placed in an easy-to-see position that does not interfere with driving the car, and the photoelectric switch 1
4 has a structure that makes it easy to confirm the position of the finger that is about to operate the switch, so it becomes easy to operate the switch while looking at the display monitor 13 while the car is running, and moreover, safe driving is improved. . Further, according to this embodiment, since no display function is added to the photoelectric switch, the degree of freedom in the shape of the photoelectric switch is improved, and the shape matches the vehicle, and it also has excellent operability and tactility. This makes it possible to design photoelectric switches using materials with improved quality and functionality.

0012

As described above, the present invention provides a photoelectric switch 14 in which a plurality of pairs of photoelectric elements 14-8 and 14-9 facing each other are arranged around a flat plate to detect an optical path blocking position on the flat plate; A main control unit 17 that has a determination function that inputs the optical path interruption position signal of the photoelectric switch 14 to determine a switch control target, and a control function that performs switch control on the determined control target.
and a screen display control section 19 that inputs the control target signal determined by the main control section 17 and outputs a screen display signal.
A vehicular switch system comprising a display monitor 13 that inputs and displays the screen display signal, the display monitor 13 being disposed in the front visibility range of the driver's seat, and the photoelectric switch 14 being disposed near the driver's seat. Therefore, according to this, the photoelectric switch 4 and the display monitor 13 are separated, the photoelectric switch 14 is placed in a place where it is easy to operate, such as the center console, and the display monitor 13 is
The photoelectric switch 14 is placed in a position that is easy to see so as not to interfere with driving the car, and the photoelectric switch 14 has a structure that makes it easy to confirm the position of the finger that is trying to operate the switch. In this case, it is possible to easily operate the switch while looking at the display monitor 13, and moreover, it is possible to obtain the effect that safe driving performance is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle switch system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the photoelectric switch of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an electric circuit block diagram of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a structural explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11... Instrument 12... Meter system arrangement section 13... Display board 14...
Photoelectric switch 15...handle switch 16
...Operation switch 17...Main control section
18...Functional unit 19...Screen display control section
20...Center console

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A photoelectric switch (14) in which a plurality of pairs of photoelectric elements (14-8, 14-9) facing each other are arranged around a flat plate to detect an optical path blocking position on the flat plate; ); a main control unit (17) having a determination function for determining a switch control target by inputting the optical path interruption position signal of ) and a control function for switching the determined control target;
A screen display control section (19) that inputs the control target signal determined by the main control section (17) and outputs a screen display signal.
and a display monitor (1) that inputs and displays the screen display signal.
3), the display monitor (13) is placed in the front visibility range of the driver's seat, and the photoelectric switch (14)
A vehicle switch system that is located near the driver's seat.