JP2000133085A - Switching operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily recognize which mode is selected, regardless of the brightness of the surroundings. SOLUTION: Two-color light-emitting parts LED1-LED5 behind one-picture displays 13a-13e indicated by a dial-type switch 11 are turned on in an indicating color such as orange. The other two-color light-emitting parts LED1-LED5 behind the other non-indicated picture displays 13a-13e are turned off in the case of an off state of a light switch, but turned on in a non-indicating color such as green in the case of an on state of the light switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switching operation device for switching a predetermined function mode by rotating a dial switch rotatably mounted on a display panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an operation unit for switching an air volume mode and a wind direction mode in a vehicle-mounted heater control panel, for example, there is one as shown in FIG.

[0003] This uses a circular dial-type switch 1 to switch the wind direction mode of exhaust air from a defroster or a ventilator. The rotation angle position of the dial-type switch 1 is provided on a part of the front part of the dial-type switch 1. An indication mark 2 serving as a mark is formed, and the indication mark 2 is provided in a predetermined pictorial display 3a around the dial switch 1.
By rotating the dial type switch 1 so as to correspond to .about.3e, the wind direction mode of the exhaust is switched.

Here, in the nighttime operation, some lighting is required in order to enable the mode switching operation in consideration of darkening of the vehicle interior. Therefore, in general, the operation unit of the heater control panel is illuminated from behind to enable a mode switching operation in a dark cabin.

More specifically, the indication mark 2 of the dial type switch 1 is formed of a transparent resin material, glass, or the like, and a light emitting element 4 such as an orange LED is stored behind the indication mark 2. The light emitting element 4 always emits light behind the display element 2, and each of the picture displays 3 a to 3 e is made of, for example, a colored transparent resin material such as green, and an illumination element (not shown) such as an LED is installed behind the same. In addition, by always illuminating the picture displays 3a to 3e from the back, it is possible to sufficiently recognize which mode is selected even at night.

[0006]

In the conventional switching operation device, in the daytime operation, the shape of the circular dial-type switch 1 can be clearly recognized, so that the indication mark 2
Which direction is indicated with respect to the center position of the dial type switch 1 can be visually recognized.
~ 3e is easy to understand. In contrast,
When used at night, as shown in FIG. 5, the positional relationship between the center position of the dial switch 1 and the indication mark 2 becomes difficult to understand, and the indication mark 2 and each of the picture displays 3a to 3e are difficult to understand.
It was difficult to recognize which mode was selected because the location in the space was far away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a switching operation device which makes it easy to recognize which mode is selected regardless of the surrounding brightness.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems,
The invention according to claim 1 is a switching operation device that performs a switching operation of a predetermined function mode by rotating a dial-type switch rotatably installed on a display panel, wherein the dial-type switch on the display panel is provided. In the area around the switch,
A plurality of translucent pictorial displays representing each function mode related to the switching operation are formed, and each of the pictorial displays is installed behind each of the pictorial displays, and the pictorial display corresponding to the operation instruction with the dial switch is determined. A plurality of indicating color display light emitting elements for back-illuminating the indicated color, and one of the indicating color display light emitting elements behind the plurality of picture displays is selectively switched according to a rotation operation of the dial type switch. And a driving circuit for driving the lighting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, each of the picture displays is provided adjacent to the indicator color display light-emitting element behind each of the picture indications, so that the corresponding picture indication has a color different from the predetermined indication color. A plurality of non-indicating color display light emitting elements for back lighting to the non-indicating color, and light and dark recognition means for recognizing surrounding light and dark and outputting the recognition result to the driving circuit, the driving circuit includes: When the bright state is recognized based on the recognition result of the light / dark recognition means, all the non-indicating color display light emitting elements are kept off, while when the dark state is recognized, the dial type switch is turned off. Only one non-indicating color display light emitting element adjacent to the one indicating color display light emitting element selected according to the rotation operation is turned off, and all other non-indicating color display light emitting elements are turned on. It is characterized in that it has been in so that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the light / dark recognition means uses a light switch for switching between a headlight and a small light.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a switching operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a principle diagram thereof. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this switching operation device performs a switching operation of a wind direction mode of exhaust air from a defroster or a ventilator by rotating a dial switch 11.

The dial switch 11 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, in a resistor circuit R11 rotatably mounted on a predetermined display panel 12, a plurality of resistors R11a to R11d are connected in series between a power supply _VDD and a ground, as shown in FIG. Power supply V _DD (connection point a) and resistance R
A connection point b between the resistor R11b and the resistor R11b, a connection point c between the resistor R11b and the resistor R11c, a connection point b between the resistor R11c and the resistor R1.
The connection is switched to a connection point d with 1d and a ground (connection point e).

In this dial type switch 11, the power supply V _DD (connection point a) is connected to the picture display 13a by the connection point b.
Is the picture display 13b, the connection point c is the picture display 13c, the connection point d is the picture display 13d, and the ground (connection point e) is the picture display 1
3e.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the area around the dial switch 11 on the display panel 12, picture displays 13a to 13e representing each mode relating to the switching operation are shown. In the picture displays 13a to 13e, the peripheral portion in the display panel 12 is made opaque by application of the opaque pigment, whereas only the picture displays 13a to 13e remove the opaque pigment. As shown in FIG. 2, an orange color (indicated color) is formed behind the transparent region.
And two color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 that emit light by switching between two colors of green and green (non-indicated color).

In the two-color light-emitting units LED1 to LED5, a first light-emitting element 14a which is an orange light-emitting diode and a second light-emitting element 14b which is a green light-emitting diode are arranged adjacent to each other, and any one of these light-emitting elements is emitted. Element 14a, 1
4b selectively emits light to emit light in one of orange and green colors. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the light emitting elements 14a and 14b has an anode connected to the power supply _VDD via the resistors Ra to Re, and a cathode connected to a predetermined drive circuit 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive circuit 16 receives a signal from the dial switch 11 and transmits a control signal to a predetermined air conditioner (air conditioner). In response to a signal from the dial-type switch 11 for wind direction mode switching, the on / off switching of the driving of each of the two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 is performed. , 14b for individually switching the cathodes of the cathodes, and a switching control unit 18 for switching on and off the switching elements Tr1 to Tr10.

Each of the switching elements Tr1 to Tr10 is
Specifically, NPN transistors are used, respectively.
The collectors are connected to the cathodes of the light emitting elements 14a and 14b of the two color light emitting units LED1 to LED5, the emitters are grounded, and are turned on when a base input from the switching control unit 18 is performed. Light emitting unit LED1 to L
The drive current is conducted to the light emitting elements 14a and 14b of the ED5.

The switching control unit 18 includes a CPU,
A general microcomputer chip having a ROM, a RAM, and the like is used, and all of its arithmetic operations are functional components that are executed according to a software program stored in the ROM or the like in advance. Such a switching control unit 1
The function of 8 is to transmit a control signal to an air conditioner (not shown) in accordance with the switching of the dial switch 11, and to switch between the night mode and the day mode in accordance with the on / off switching of the light switch 17. In response to switching, each two-color light emitting LED
The driving of each of the light emitting elements 14a and 14b of 1 to 5 is selectively switched.

Specifically, in the switching control unit 18, when the dial switch 11 is connected to the power supply V _DD (connection point a), air is sent to the center ventilator and the side ventilator corresponding to the picture display 13a. When the dial switch 11 is connected to the connection point b between the resistor R11a and the resistor R11b, the dial switch 11 is connected to the center ventilator, the side ventilator corresponding to the pictorial display 13b, and the ventilation to the feet.
When the switch is connected to the connection point c between the resistor R11c and the resistor R11c, the dial-type switch 11 switches the connection point d between the resistor R11c and the resistor R11d to blow air to the feet corresponding to the picture display 13c.
When the dial switch 11 is connected to the ground resistor R11b (connection point e), air is blown only to the defroster corresponding to the pictorial display 13e. The control signal is transmitted to the air conditioner so that the air conditioner is switched.

At the same time as transmitting the control signal,
The switching elements Tr1 to Tr10 are switched on and off in accordance with the switching operation of the dial switch 11.
At this time, switching between the night mode / daytime mode, switching of the dial type switch 11, and each of the two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED
Table 1 shows the relationship with the five emission colors.

[0021]

[Table 1]

That is, in the night mode, two-color light emitting units (hereinafter referred to as "designated light emitting units") LEDs 1 to LE corresponding to the picture displays 13a to 13e designated by the dial type switch 11.
Only D5 emits orange light, and all other two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 emit green light. More specifically, as shown in FIG.
One of the switching elements Tr1, Tr3, Tr5, Tr7, Tr9 corresponding to the first light emitting element 14a is turned on, and a drive current is supplied to the one first light emitting element 14a to emit orange light. Let it. At this time, the second light emitting element 14 of the designated two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5
b, one switching element Tr2, Tr4,
Tr6, Tr8, and Tr10 are turned off so that green light is not emitted. Also, the designated light emitting unit L
All other two-color light emitting unit LEDs other than ED1 to LED5
1 to LED5, these first light emitting elements 14a
Switching elements Tr1, Tr3, Tr5 corresponding to
Tr7 and Tr9 are turned off, and switching elements Tr2, Tr4 and T4 corresponding to the second light emitting element 14b are turned off.
r6, Tr8 and Tr10 are kept on to emit green light.

On the other hand, in the daytime mode, two-color light-emitting units (hereinafter, referred to as "designated light-emitting units") LEDs 1 to LE corresponding to the picture displays 13a to 13e indicated by the dial type switch 11.
Only D5 emits orange light, and all other two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 stop emitting light. Specifically, the switching elements Tr connected to the second light emitting elements 14b of all the two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5
2, Tr4, Tr6, Tr8, and Tr10 are kept off so that none of the two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 emits green light. In this state, the picture display 13a indicated by the dial switch 11 is displayed.
To 13e (hereinafter referred to as “designated light-emitting portion”).
Only one switching element Tr corresponding to the first light emitting element 14a for only LED1 to LED5.
1, Tr3, Tr5, Tr7, and Tr9 are turned on, and a drive current is supplied to one of the first light emitting elements 14a to emit orange light. On the other hand, the designated light emitting unit LE
Two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED other than D1 to LED5
The switching elements Tr1, Tr3, Tr5, Tr7, Tr9 corresponding to the first light emitting element 14a of No. 5 are turned off.

[0024] Incidentally, the light switch 17, a brightness recognition means for recognizing the brightness of the surroundings to the switching control unit 18, which instructs the lighting of a motor vehicle headlamp has been used as it is, between the power supply V _DD and ground The both ends A and B of the step-up resistor R17 interposed therebetween are switched to each other. Then, the switching control unit 18 recognizes that the “night mode” has been instructed when the light switch 17 is switched to the A terminal (power supply V _DD ) side,
When the mode is switched to the B terminal (ground) side, it is recognized that the "daytime mode" is instructed.

In the switching operation device having the above configuration, in the daytime, as shown in FIG. 3, the operator normally switches the light switch 17 to the B terminal (ground) side to keep the headlamp of the automobile in the off state. At this time, light switch 1
7 is input to the switching control unit 18 as a low signal, and the switching control unit 18 recognizes that the day mode has been instructed. At the same time, the connection point a of the dial switch 11
To e are also input to the switching controller 18.
According to the connection state of the dial switch 11, the switching control unit 18 performs mode selection as shown in the lower part of Table 1 above. Then, according to the result, of the plurality of switching elements Tr1 to Tr10, the light-emitting units LED1 to L
One switching element Tr1, Tr3, Tr5, Tr7, Tr corresponding to only the first light emitting element 14a of the ED5
9 is switched on, and the first light emitting elements 14a of the instructed light emitting units LED1 to LED5 connected thereto are caused to emit light. At the same time, all other switching elements Tr1 to Tr10 are kept in the off state. Then,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the designated light emitting portions LED1 to LED5 behind one of the picture displays 13a to 13e corresponding to the instruction operation with the dial switch 11 emit orange light, while the other two colors are displayed. The light emitting units LED1 to LED5 are kept off. Thereby, the operator can display the illuminated picture display 13.
The wind direction mode being set can be visually recognized by looking at a to 13e.
Therefore, when the wind direction mode is switched by rotating the dial switch 11, the switching operation may be performed while visually recognizing that the picture displays 13a to 13e are switched from the unlit state to the orange color.

In the daytime, the back lighting (the two-color light emitting section L) is not necessarily provided from behind all the picture displays 13a to 13e.
Even if the ED1 to LED5) are not turned on, these pictorial indications 13a to 13e can be sufficiently visually recognized.
By maintaining the light emitting element 14b in the unlit state, wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

Next, in a dark place at night or in a tunnel, as shown in FIG.
Switching to the terminal (power supply V _DD ) side, the head lamp of the vehicle is maintained in a lighting state. At this time, the light switch 17
Is connected to the switching control unit 18,
The switching control unit 18 recognizes that the night mode has been instructed. At the same time, the connection points a to
The connection state to e is also input to the switching control unit 18, and the switching control unit 18 performs mode selection as shown in the upper part of Table 1 above according to the connection state of the dial switch 11.
Then, according to the result, the instructed light emitting units LED1 to LED1 to L
The switching elements Tr1, Tr3, Tr5, Tr7, and Tr9 connected to the first light emitting element 14a of the ED 5 are selected and turned on, and one of the first light emitting elements 14a connected thereto emits light. Further, another first light emitting element 14a
Switching elements Tr1, Tr3, T corresponding to
r5, Tr7 and Tr9 are all turned off, and these first
Are turned off. Further, the switching elements Tr2, Tr4, Tr6, Tr8, and the switching elements connected to the second light emitting elements 14b of the indicated light emitting units LED1 to LED5.
Only the Tr10 is turned off, and the switching elements Tr2, T2 corresponding to all the other second light emitting elements 14b are turned off.
r4, Tr6, Tr8 and Tr10 are kept on. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the picture displays 13 a to 13 corresponding to the instruction of the dial switch 11.
e, only the designated light-emitting units LED1 to LED5 behind emit light in orange, while the other two-color light-emitting units LED1 to LE
D5 lights green. Thereby, the operator can visually recognize the wind direction mode being set by looking at the illuminated picture displays 13a to 13e. Therefore, when switching the wind direction mode by rotating the dial switch 11, the picture display 13a
The switching operation may be performed while visually observing the state in which 緑色 13e switches from green to orange.

As described above, in the switching operation device of this embodiment, the direct emission color emerging from the pictorial displays 13a to 13e is visually recognized, instead of visually recognizing the instruction mark that is separated from the pictorial display as in the related art. It is only necessary to perform the rotation operation of the dial switch 11 while recognizing which mode is selected. For example, a picture display 13a- 13 It is possible to improve operability and visibility when operating while watching 13e. Particularly, at night, even when the interior of the vehicle is dark and the shape of the dial-type switch 11 cannot be clearly recognized, there is an advantage that the operation becomes extremely easy by distinguishing the colors emerging from the picture displays 13a to 13e.

In the above-described embodiment, the example of the dial type switch 11 relating to the operation of indicating the wind direction mode of the air conditioner has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to any switching operation using a dial switch in a vehicle, such as switching between a plurality of function modes such as car navigation and television reception.

The light emission color of each of the light emitting elements 14a and 14b is not limited to orange or green, but may be any color such as yellow or blue as long as the colors are different so that they can be distinguished from each other. You may.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, each picture display 1
Although 3a to 13e are formed as transparent areas, they may be formed in a semi-turbid state as long as they can transmit the emission colors of the two-color light emitting units LED1 to LED5 behind.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the light switch 17 is used as a light / dark recognition means for causing the switching control unit 18 to recognize the surrounding light / dark. In particular, the light switch 17 is used to switch on / off the head lamp of the automobile. Is used as it is. Alternatively, a small lamp such as a tail lamp or a clearance lamp of an automobile may be used as a switch for switching on and off.

Alternatively, in the above embodiment, as the light / dark recognition means for causing the switching control unit 18 to recognize the surrounding light / dark,
Instead of using the existing light switch 17 as it is, the light switch 17 may be configured by other means such as an optical sensor that automatically detects the surrounding light and darkness. However, by using the light switch 17 as it is as in the above-described embodiment, there is an advantage that existing components can be used effectively and an increase in the number of components can be prevented.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the light emitting elements for indicating color display behind a plurality of picture displays is selectively switched by the drive circuit in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial type switch. It is easy to recognize which mode is selected, compared to the conventional method of visually recognizing the indication mark that is separated from the picture display, as in the case of the driver driving. It is possible to improve the operability and visibility of the rotation operation of the dial switch in the inside. In particular, at night, even when the interior of the vehicle is dark and the shape of the dial switch cannot be clearly recognized, there is an advantage that the operation becomes extremely easy by distinguishing colors that emerge from the picture display.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, one of the light emitting elements for indicating color display behind a plurality of picture displays is selectively switched in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial type switch to drive the lighting. At the same time, when the light / dark recognizing means recognizes the dark state, one light emitting element for indicating color selected in accordance with the rotation operation of the dial-type switch.
Since only the non-indicated color display light emitting elements are turned off and all other non-indicated color display light emitting elements are turned on,
Even in the dark state, a non-instructed picture display can be displayed in a non-indicated color, and visibility during rotation operation of the dial switch can be sufficiently ensured.

On the other hand, when the light / dark recognizing means recognizes the bright state, these pictorial displays can be sufficiently visually recognized without turning on the back illumination (two-color light emitting portion) from behind all pictorial displays. By maintaining the non-indicated color display light emitting element in the unlit state, wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the light switch for switching between the headlight and the small light is used as it is as the light / dark recognition means, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a switching operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principle diagram showing a switching operation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing a switching operation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a conventional switching operation device in a bright state.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the switching operation device is visually recognized in a conventional dark state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Dial switch 12 Display panel 13a-13e Picture display 14a, 14b Light emitting element 16 Drive circuit 17 Light switch 18 Switching control part LED1-LED5 Two-color light emitting part Tr1-Tr10 Switching element

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kazuki Takimoto 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi F-term in Harness Research Institute, Inc. (reference) 5G019 CX01 JJ03 JJ08 JJ12 JJ14 SK02 SY01 SY10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A switching operation device for performing a switching operation of a predetermined function mode by rotating a dial-type switch rotatably installed on a display panel, wherein a surrounding area of the dial-type switch on the display panel is provided. A plurality of translucent pictorial displays representing each function mode related to the switching operation are formed, and each of the pictorial displays is installed behind each of the pictorial displays and corresponds to an operation instruction with the dial switch. A plurality of indicating color display light-emitting elements for illuminating the display with a predetermined indicating color; and selectively selecting one of the indicating color display light-emitting elements behind the plurality of picture displays according to a rotating operation of the dial switch. And a drive circuit for switching on and driving the lighting. 2. The switching operation device according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is disposed adjacent to the light-emitting element for indicating color display behind each of the picture displays, and the corresponding picture display is displayed in the predetermined form. The display device further includes a plurality of non-indicating color display light-emitting elements for back-illuminating a non-indicating color different from the indicating color, and light / dark recognizing means for recognizing surrounding light and dark and outputting the recognition result to the drive circuit. The drive circuit maintains the light-off state of all the non-indicating color display light emitting elements when the bright state is recognized based on the recognition result of the light / dark recognition means, while the dark state is recognized. Turning off only one non-indicating color display light emitting element adjacent to the one indicating color display light emitting element selected according to the rotation operation of the dial type switch, and all other non-indicating color displaying light emitting elements. A switching operation device, wherein a light emitting element is turned on. 3. The switching operation device according to claim 2, wherein the light / dark recognition means uses a light switch for switching between a headlight and a small light.