WO2000032425A1 - Arrangement in control unit - Google Patents

Arrangement in control unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000032425A1
WO2000032425A1 PCT/SE1999/002055 SE9902055W WO0032425A1 WO 2000032425 A1 WO2000032425 A1 WO 2000032425A1 SE 9902055 W SE9902055 W SE 9902055W WO 0032425 A1 WO0032425 A1 WO 0032425A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sub
group
components
system components
control unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE1999/002055
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sören HÅKANSSON
Original Assignee
Uwe Verken Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uwe Verken Ab filed Critical Uwe Verken Ab
Priority to EP99972981A priority Critical patent/EP1135269A1/en
Priority to BR9915808-6A priority patent/BR9915808A/en
Priority to AU14367/00A priority patent/AU1436700A/en
Priority to CA002353410A priority patent/CA2353410A1/en
Publication of WO2000032425A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000032425A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00985—Control systems or circuits characterised by display or indicating devices, e.g. voice simulators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an arrangement in a control system for a plurality of sub-systems forming part of an air-conditioning system according to the pre- characterising clause of claim 1.
  • control unit is usually designed to control one or more sub-system components forming part of respective sub-systems.
  • control unit is equipped with an actuating element for each sub-system; one of the sub-systems is therefore selected by pressing one of the said actuating elements.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a control unit, which is easy and quick to operate even on the move, which will lead to increased traffic safety and greater convenience.
  • Preferred embodiments have any or some of the characteristics specified in the subordinate clauses 2-6.
  • the arrangement according to the invention has a number of advantages.
  • the risk of a traffic accident occurring is naturally reduced if the driver of a vehicle is able to give his full attention to the road, instead of directing his attention towards instruments and control panels by the driver's seat.
  • the driver needs to pay less attention to the air conditioning system control unit, thereby improving traffic safety.
  • this is further enhanced in that in the normal setting the specially selected group is displayed, so that the sub-system components in this group can be adjusted without the need to act on any selection device. Since the sub-system components in the specially selected group are interchangeable, components can be exchanged according to the climate, the time of year and the weather conditions or legal requirements, so that the most frequently used sub-system components are always included in the specially selected group.
  • figure 1 shows an example of a control unit according to the invention and figure 2 shows an example of a display on the control unit in figure 1, when the display is lit.
  • the reference number 1 denotes a control unit designed to control a plurality of sub-systems forming part of an air conditioning system intended for vehicles, especially buses.
  • the control unit 1 has a separate selection device for each sub-system, for example in the form of a pressure-sensitive button, which is actuated by touching.
  • buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 for selecting sub-systems, where the button 2 relates to an air-conditioning sub-system by the driver's seat, the button 3 to an air conditioning sub-system for the passenger compartment, the button 4 to heating when the vehicle is parked, the button 5 to blowers and the button 6 to a further air conditioning sub-system for the passenger compartment.
  • Each sub-system comprises one or more sub-system components.
  • each separate component in a first group of controllable components in the sub-system selected is connected to an associated set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10, so that the components in the first group can be controlled by way of the operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 can furthermore be selectively advanced in order, by means of the set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10, to connect a further group of controllable components in the selected sub-system.
  • associated sub-system components may include temperature, foot-level blowers, windscreen blowers etc.
  • the number of operating controls in the set naturally defines the size of the respective group. In the example in the figure therefore, the maximum size of the group is four components.
  • buttons 11 which when pressed connects at least some of the operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10 in the set to a group of sub-system components specially selected for quick access.
  • This specially selected group includes the sub-system components that need to be adjusted most often when on the move, regardless of the sub-system to which the components belong. If the driver of the vehicle needs to alter the settings of these commonly occurring sub-system components, he/she therefore only needs to press the button 11 in order to adjust the settings of the components by way of the operating controls 7,
  • the alternative would have been, for each sub-system, to advance the right component group, to find the right component and then to adjust the setting via one of the operating controls.
  • the sub-system components in the specially selected group are also interchangeable.
  • the user therefore has the facility for changing accessible sub-system components in the specially selected group so that the components in the selected group correspond to prevailing conditions.
  • Suitable sub-system components in the specially selected group may, of course, be dependent on the prevailing climate, time of year and the weather conditions or legal requirements.
  • the changing of components in the specially selected group is preferably undertaken when the vehicle is parked. There will be many possible ways known to the person skilled in the art of providing the facility for altering sub-system components in the specially selected group.
  • the set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10 is in the normal position connected to the specially selected group of sub-system components, so that the settings for these specially selected sub-system components can be adjusted without even needing to press the button 11.
  • the control unit 1 in this example is preferably designed to return to the normal position once a predetermined length of time has elapsed after any setting of any of the sub-systems has been adjusted by way of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and the operating controls 7, 8,
  • the control unit in figure 1 also has a number of further buttons in order to control the air conditioning system. There is an on/off button 12, a timer button 13, a recirculation button 14 and a button 15 for automatic setting of the air conditioning system.
  • the control unit also has a display 16.
  • the display 16 is divided up into four parts 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, one for each operating control.
  • the control unit 1 has four separate displays.
  • the display 16 is designed, when any of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 1 is pressed, to indicate, in respect of each operating control in the set, which sub-system components are in the activated group.
  • the display is furthermore designed, when any of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 is pressed, to indicate, in respect of each operating control in the set, the setting of each sub-system component in the activated group.
  • the sub-system components may have either an On or Off setting or may have numerical values corresponding, for example, to a power output of the blowers, the temperature etc.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a control unit (1) for a plurality of sub-systems, each comprising one or more sub-system components and forming part of an air conditioning system intended for vehicles, especially buses. The control unit (1) has, for each sub-system, a separate selection device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) intended, when it is pressed, to connect each separate component in a first group of controllable components of the selected sub-system to an associated set of operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10), so that the components in the first group can be controlled by way of the operating controls. The number of operating controls in the set defines the size of the group. The invention is characterised in that there is at least one separate selection device (11), which when pressed will connect at least some of the operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10) in the set to a group of sub-system components specially selected for rapid access. At least some of the sub-system components in this specially selected group derive from different sub-systems.

Description

Arrangement in control unit
The present invention relates to an arrangement in a control system for a plurality of sub-systems forming part of an air-conditioning system according to the pre- characterising clause of claim 1.
There are, at present, various forms of air-conditioning system intended for vehicles, especially for buses, and made up of a plurality of sub-systems, which are controlled by way of a control unit. This is generally located by the driver's seat in the vehicle. The control unit is usually designed to control one or more sub-system components forming part of respective sub-systems. In a known design the control unit is equipped with an actuating element for each sub-system; one of the sub-systems is therefore selected by pressing one of the said actuating elements. When each individual component in a first group of controllable components of the selected subsystem is connected to an associated set of operating controls, the components in the first group can be controlled by the operating controls. By way of the actuating elements new groups of sub-system components can be selectively advanced for connection to the set of operating controls. The number of operating controls in the set defines the size of each group.
An object of the present invention is to provide a control unit, which is easy and quick to operate even on the move, which will lead to increased traffic safety and greater convenience.
This has been achieved by an arrangement of the type initially described, which is characterised in that there is at least one special selection device, which when acted upon will connect at least some of the operating controls in the set to a group of subsystem components specially selected for rapid access, where at least some of the sub-system components in this group derive from different sub-systems.
Preferred embodiments have any or some of the characteristics specified in the subordinate clauses 2-6.
The arrangement according to the invention has a number of advantages. The risk of a traffic accident occurring is naturally reduced if the driver of a vehicle is able to give his full attention to the road, instead of directing his attention towards instruments and control panels by the driver's seat. Because the sub-system components that need to be adjusted most frequently whilst driving the vehicle are located in the specially selected group, the driver needs to pay less attention to the air conditioning system control unit, thereby improving traffic safety. In one embodiment this is further enhanced in that in the normal setting the specially selected group is displayed, so that the sub-system components in this group can be adjusted without the need to act on any selection device. Since the sub-system components in the specially selected group are interchangeable, components can be exchanged according to the climate, the time of year and the weather conditions or legal requirements, so that the most frequently used sub-system components are always included in the specially selected group.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of examples of embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention, with reference to attached drawings, in which:
figure 1 shows an example of a control unit according to the invention and figure 2 shows an example of a display on the control unit in figure 1, when the display is lit.
In figure 1 the reference number 1 denotes a control unit designed to control a plurality of sub-systems forming part of an air conditioning system intended for vehicles, especially buses. The control unit 1 has a separate selection device for each sub-system, for example in the form of a pressure-sensitive button, which is actuated by touching. In the example in figure 1 there are buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 for selecting sub-systems, where the button 2 relates to an air-conditioning sub-system by the driver's seat, the button 3 to an air conditioning sub-system for the passenger compartment, the button 4 to heating when the vehicle is parked, the button 5 to blowers and the button 6 to a further air conditioning sub-system for the passenger compartment. Each sub-system comprises one or more sub-system components. By selecting sub-systems by pressing any of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 each separate component in a first group of controllable components in the sub-system selected is connected to an associated set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10, so that the components in the first group can be controlled by way of the operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10. The buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 can furthermore be selectively advanced in order, by means of the set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10, to connect a further group of controllable components in the selected sub-system. For example, for button 2, air- conditioning sub-system for the driver, associated sub-system components may include temperature, foot-level blowers, windscreen blowers etc. The number of operating controls in the set naturally defines the size of the respective group. In the example in the figure therefore, the maximum size of the group is four components.
There is also a special selection device in the form of a button 11, which when pressed connects at least some of the operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10 in the set to a group of sub-system components specially selected for quick access. This specially selected group includes the sub-system components that need to be adjusted most often when on the move, regardless of the sub-system to which the components belong. If the driver of the vehicle needs to alter the settings of these commonly occurring sub-system components, he/she therefore only needs to press the button 11 in order to adjust the settings of the components by way of the operating controls 7,
8, 9, 10. The alternative, of course, would have been, for each sub-system, to advance the right component group, to find the right component and then to adjust the setting via one of the operating controls. The sub-system components in the specially selected group are also interchangeable. The user therefore has the facility for changing accessible sub-system components in the specially selected group so that the components in the selected group correspond to prevailing conditions. Suitable sub-system components in the specially selected group may, of course, be dependent on the prevailing climate, time of year and the weather conditions or legal requirements. The changing of components in the specially selected group is preferably undertaken when the vehicle is parked. There will be many possible ways known to the person skilled in the art of providing the facility for altering sub-system components in the specially selected group.
According to one preferred embodiment the set of operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10 is in the normal position connected to the specially selected group of sub-system components, so that the settings for these specially selected sub-system components can be adjusted without even needing to press the button 11. Furthermore the control unit 1 in this example is preferably designed to return to the normal position once a predetermined length of time has elapsed after any setting of any of the sub-systems has been adjusted by way of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and the operating controls 7, 8,
9, 10. It is therefore not necessary to use the button 11 at all, unless access to the specially selected group of sub-system components is desired during the above- mentioned period of time. In all other cases the sub-system components in the specially selected group are directly accessible so that the settings can be adjusted by way of the operating controls 7, 8, 9, 10. The control unit in figure 1 also has a number of further buttons in order to control the air conditioning system. There is an on/off button 12, a timer button 13, a recirculation button 14 and a button 15 for automatic setting of the air conditioning system. The control unit also has a display 16.
As will be seen from figure 2, the display 16 is divided up into four parts 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, one for each operating control. In a second embodiment (not shown) the control unit 1 has four separate displays. The display 16 is designed, when any of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 1 is pressed, to indicate, in respect of each operating control in the set, which sub-system components are in the activated group. The display is furthermore designed, when any of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11 is pressed, to indicate, in respect of each operating control in the set, the setting of each sub-system component in the activated group. As will be seen from figure 2, the sub-system components may have either an On or Off setting or may have numerical values corresponding, for example, to a power output of the blowers, the temperature etc.

Claims

1. Arrangement in a control unit (1) for a plurality of sub-systems, each comprising one or more sub-system components and forming part of an air conditioning system intended for vehicles, especially buses, the control unit (1) for each sub-system having a separate selection device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) intended, when it is pressed, to connect each separate component in a first group of controllable components of the selected sub-system to an associated set of operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10), so that the components in the first group can be controlled by way of the operating controls, it being furthermore possible to advance the said selection devices (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) selectively in order, by means of the set of operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10), to connect a further group of controllable components in the selected sub-system, where the number of operating controls in the set defines the size of each group, characterised in that there is at least one separate selection device 11 , which when acted upon will connect at least some of the operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10) in the set to a group of sub-system components specially selected for rapid access, where at least some of the sub-system components in this group derive from different sub-systems.
2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the sub-system components in the specially selected group are interchangeable.
3. Arrangement according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that in a normal position the set of operating controls (7, 8, 9, 10) is connected to the specially selected group of sub-system components.
4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the control unit (1) is designed to return to the normal position once a predetermined period of time has elapsed after any of the selection devices (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has been pressed.
5. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control unit has a display device (16) designed, when the separate selection device (11) is pressed, to indicate associated system components in the specially selected group in respect of each operating control (7, 8, 9, 10) in the set. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the display device (16) is furthermore designed, when the separate selection device (11) is pressed, to indicate, in respect of each operating control in the set, the setting of associated sub-system components in the specially selected group.
PCT/SE1999/002055 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in control unit WO2000032425A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99972981A EP1135269A1 (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in control unit
BR9915808-6A BR9915808A (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in a control unit for a plurality of subsystems
AU14367/00A AU1436700A (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in control unit
CA002353410A CA2353410A1 (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in control unit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE9804178-3 1998-12-03
SE9804178A SE511642C2 (en) 1998-12-03 1998-12-03 Device at a control unit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000032425A1 true WO2000032425A1 (en) 2000-06-08

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ID=20413529

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1999/002055 WO2000032425A1 (en) 1998-12-03 1999-11-12 Arrangement in control unit

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1135269A1 (en)
AU (1) AU1436700A (en)
BR (1) BR9915808A (en)
CA (1) CA2353410A1 (en)
SE (1) SE511642C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2000032425A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1512563A3 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-12-07 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Display device
DE102010013240A1 (en) * 2010-03-29 2011-11-17 Audi Ag Motor car operating device, has display device whose small portion is arranged between control laths, and control elements arranged at control laths, respectively, where display device displays information related to functions of motor car

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4731769A (en) * 1985-04-20 1988-03-15 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Akiengesellshaft Central servicing and information controller for vehicle auxiliary equipment
DE4338171C1 (en) * 1993-11-09 1995-04-20 Daimler Benz Ag Keyboard and display system
US5555502A (en) * 1994-05-11 1996-09-10 Geo Ventures Display and control apparatus for the electronic systems of a motor vehicle
US5732368A (en) * 1994-09-23 1998-03-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for displaying information on a screen

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4731769A (en) * 1985-04-20 1988-03-15 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Akiengesellshaft Central servicing and information controller for vehicle auxiliary equipment
DE4338171C1 (en) * 1993-11-09 1995-04-20 Daimler Benz Ag Keyboard and display system
US5555502A (en) * 1994-05-11 1996-09-10 Geo Ventures Display and control apparatus for the electronic systems of a motor vehicle
US5732368A (en) * 1994-09-23 1998-03-24 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for displaying information on a screen

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1512563A3 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-12-07 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Display device
DE102010013240A1 (en) * 2010-03-29 2011-11-17 Audi Ag Motor car operating device, has display device whose small portion is arranged between control laths, and control elements arranged at control laths, respectively, where display device displays information related to functions of motor car
DE102010013240B4 (en) * 2010-03-29 2012-03-08 Audi Ag Operating device for a motor vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1436700A (en) 2000-06-19
SE9804178D0 (en) 1998-12-03
BR9915808A (en) 2001-08-21
SE9804178L (en) 1999-11-01
EP1135269A1 (en) 2001-09-26
SE511642C2 (en) 1999-11-01
CA2353410A1 (en) 2000-06-08

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