JP2001001744A - Temperature setting unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To indicate a temperature inside a cabin to make easy recognition of a current temperature with respect to set value by varying illuminating light from variable-color light source based on the comparison between set value and detected value of a temperature inside the cabin. SOLUTION: Respective operating dials 22a to 22c of a temperature setting switch 3, a blower switch 4 and a mode switch 2 are switched in predetermined positions in a switch body 1. Under this condition, when a push button 38 of an air conditioner switch unit 5 is pressed and an air conditioner switch 4 is turned on, a control circuit lights a mono-color LED of the air conditioner switch unit 5 to illuminate a lens. A lamp 30, variable-color light sources 9 and 29 of the respective switches 2, 3, 4 are lit and respective display portions 16c, 16d, 16b and operating dials 22c, 22a, 22b are illuminated from back sides thereof. Further, by comparing a set temperature with a detected one, an illumination light from the variable-color light sources 9 is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a temperature setting device for a vehicle having a structure in which a temperature display section is illuminated from behind by a light source.

[0002]

For example, in an air-conditioning control device for an automobile having an automatic air-conditioning function, a setting mode for setting a wind blowing direction and the like, an intensity of air flow, and a set temperature are determined by an indicator or a liquid crystal display. It is displayed.

[0003] However, there is no indication as to what the current temperature condition in the vehicle is with respect to the set temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle temperature setting which can easily display the current temperature condition in a vehicle with respect to a set temperature. In providing the device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a temperature display unit having translucency, temperature setting means for setting the temperature in a vehicle, and the temperature display unit. A variable color light source provided to illuminate from the back side and capable of changing its illumination color, an internal air temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the vehicle, a set temperature set by the temperature setting means, and the internal air temperature sensor And control means for changing the illumination color of the variable color light source based on the comparison with the detected temperature.

According to the above-described means, for example, when the detected temperature (in-vehicle temperature) of the inside air temperature sensor is high, low and almost the same as the set temperature set by the temperature setting means, By changing the illumination color of the variable color light source that illuminates the temperature display section, it is possible to display what the current temperature condition in the vehicle is with respect to the set temperature.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 2 and 3 show an air conditioning control device for an automobile having an auto air conditioner function. In these FIGS. 2 and 3,
The switch body 1 includes, in order from the left, a mode changeover switch device 2 for selecting an air blowing direction, a temperature setting switch device 3 for setting the temperature inside the vehicle (corresponding to a temperature setting device of the present invention), and an air volume. And a switch device 5 for air conditioner and a switch device 6 for circulation are provided on the right side of the blower change switch device 4 in the vertical direction. , A printed wiring board 7 is provided on the back side. Among the switch devices 2 to 6, the mode changeover switch device 2, the temperature setting switch device 3, and the blower changeover switch device 4 each have a circular shape.

The temperature setting switch device 3 among the switch devices 2 to 6 will be described with reference to FIG. A circular switch installation portion 8 is formed in a portion of the switch body 1 where the temperature setting switch device 3 is provided. On the printed circuit board 7, a variable color light source 9 is attached to a portion corresponding to the center of the switch installation section 8, and a mortar-shaped reflector 10 having an inner surface serving as a reflection surface is fixed around the variable color light source 9. Attached to.

The variable color light source 9 is a full color LE in this case.
D (Light Emitting Diode), as shown in FIG. 5, includes a red LED 11a, a green LED 11b, and a blue LED 11c.
a to 11c are covered with a resin 12 having a light-transmitting property. This variable color light source 9 has three LEDs
By controlling the brightness of 11a to 11c, it is possible to change the color of light emission to various types.

A circular display member 13 is fixedly mounted on the opening side of the reflector 10 so as to cover the variable color light source 9. The display member 13 includes a first member 14 and a second member 14 each made of a resin having a light transmitting property.
The first and second members 14 and 15 are overlapped with each other to form a circular temperature display section 16a. The second member 15 on the back side has a cylindrical portion 1 at a portion outside the temperature display portion 16a.
5a is integrally formed, and this cylindrical portion 15a is engaged with the reflector 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a temperature display 17 such as "20", "25", or "30" is provided on the surface of the temperature display section 16a by printing.

A rotor 18 is provided on the outer peripheral portion on the back side of the reflector 10 so as to be rotatable with respect to the reflector 10. As shown in FIG. 3, a moderation mechanism 20 including a moderation recess, a ball and a spring is provided between the rotor 18 and the reflector 10, so that moderation is given when the rotor 18 rotates. ing. In this case, a temperature setting switch 21 composed of a variable resistor is provided between the rotor 18 and the printed wiring board 7 as a switch element whose state is switched according to the rotation of the rotor 18.

Around the display member 13, an operation dial 22a in the form of a circular frame constituting an operation section is arranged so as to surround the temperature display section 16a. And is connected to the rotor 18 so as to rotate integrally therewith. This operation dial 2
Similarly to the display member 13, the first member 23 and the second member 24 each made of a light-transmitting resin are also provided.
Made by color molding. An index portion 26 is provided at one position on the outer peripheral portion of the operation dial 22a. In this case, the index portion 26 is made of a non-translucent resin. The operation dial 22a is configured such that the indicator section 26 has a temperature display 1
7 can be rotated within a range corresponding to "20" to "30", and the state of the temperature setting switch 21 can be switched based on the rotation of the operation dial 22a. Here, the operation dial 22a and the temperature setting switch 21 constitute a temperature setting unit.

Next, the blower changeover switch device 4 will be described. The blower changeover switch device 4 has basically the same configuration as the temperature setting switch device 3, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be described. I will explain only.

That is, the blower changeover switch device 4
"OFF", "A"
An air volume display 27 for displaying the intensity of the air volume of the blower such as UTO, LO, "."".","HI" is provided by printing. The blower changeover switch 28 (see FIG. 3), which is a switch element whose state is changed based on the rotation operation of the operation dial 22b, is configured by a changeover switch. The operation dial 22b allows the index portion 26 to rotate within a range corresponding to “OFF” to “HI” of the air volume display 27. The variable color light source 29 for illuminating the air volume display unit 16b has the same configuration as the variable color light source 9.

Next, the mode changeover switch device 2 will be described. The mode changeover switch 2 also has basically the same configuration as the temperature setting switch device 3 described above.
The same portions as those of the temperature setting switch device 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different portions will be described.

That is, a single light lamp 30 is provided on the printed wiring board 7 in place of the variable color light source, and a defogger push button 32 is provided via a holder 31 at the center of the mode display section 16c. 3, it is provided so as to be able to move up and down. The push button 32 is provided with a lens 34 and a defogger display unit 35. In this case, as the push button 32, the lens 34 and the defogger display unit 35 have a light-transmitting property, but the other parts are non-light-transmitting.
On the surface of the mode display section 16c, a mode display 36 indicating the direction of the wind blowing is provided by printing.

The mode changeover switch 37 (see FIG. 3), which is a switch element whose state is changed based on the turning operation of the operation dial 22c, is constituted by a changeover switch. The operation dial 22c can rotate endlessly in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction. Although not shown, the printed wiring board 7 is provided with a defogger switch composed of a rubber contact operated by a pressing operation of the push button 32 and a monochromatic LED for illuminating the lens 34.

Although not shown in detail, the air conditioner switch device 5 and the circulation switch device 6 are of a push button type. The push button 38 of the air conditioner switch device 5 includes a translucent air conditioner display unit 3.
9 and a lens 40 are provided, and a push button 41 of the circulation switch device 6 is also provided with a light-transmitting circulation display section 42 and a lens 43.

On the printed circuit board 7 side, an air conditioner switch 4 made of rubber contacts operated by a push button 38
4 (see FIG. 3) and a monochromatic LED for illuminating the lens 40
(Not shown), and a circulating switch 45 (see FIG. 6) formed of a rubber contact operated by a push button 41, and a monochromatic LED for illuminating the lens 43
(Not shown) is provided. Further, the air conditioner switch device 5 and the circulation switch device 6
The lamp 46 (FIG. 3) common to the switch device 5 for air conditioner and the switch device 6 for circulation
Reference). When the lamp 46 is turned on, the light illuminates the air-conditioner display section 39 and the circulation display section 43 from below through the light guide 47.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an electrical configuration of a portion related to the gist of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the control circuit 50 constituting the control means includes:
It is configured to include a microcomputer. The control circuit 50 receives signals from switches such as a temperature setting switch 21, a blower changeover switch 28, a mode changeover switch 37, an air conditioner switch 44, a circulation switch 45, and a light switch 51. Signals from sensors such as an internal air temperature sensor 52 for detecting the temperature, an external air temperature sensor 53 for detecting the temperature outside the vehicle, and a solar radiation sensor 54 for detecting the amount of solar radiation are input. The control circuit 50 controls the air conditioner unit 55 including a compressor for cooling, a blower for blowing air, and the like based on the signals and a control program stored in advance.
It has a function of controlling the variable color light sources 9 and 29 via the lamps 6 and 57 and further controlling the lamps 30 and 46 and the like.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First,
Mode changeover switch device 2 and temperature setting switch device 3
And each operation dial 22a of the blower changeover switch device 4.
When the air conditioner switch 44 is turned on by pressing the push button 38 of the air conditioner switch device 5 in a state in which the control circuit 5 is located at the position shown in FIG.
0 indicates that the monochromatic LED of the air conditioner switch device 5 is turned on to illuminate the lens 40, and the lamp 30 of the mode changeover switch device 2, the variable color light source 9 of the temperature setting switch device 3, and the variable of the blower changeover switch device 4 are changed. Color light source 2
9 is turned on to illuminate the display units 16a to 16c and the operation dials 22a to 22c from behind, and the air conditioner unit 55 is controlled. Air conditioner unit 55
Is the mode changeover switch 3
7. Temperature setting switch 21 and blower changeover switch 28
Is controlled to be in the state set by.

Here, the control circuit 50 compares the set temperature T set by the temperature setting switch device 3 with the detected temperature t (in-vehicle temperature) of the inside air temperature sensor 52 as shown in FIG. Next, the operation state of the air conditioner unit 55 is controlled and the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 is controlled.

For example, if the detected temperature t is lower than the set temperature T (for example, 25 ° C.) set by the temperature setting switch device 3 (T> t), the control circuit 50 heats the air conditioner unit 55 While operating in the mode, the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 is set to “amber” (amber). At this time, the temperature difference Δt between the set temperature T and the detected temperature t
Is larger, the darker the “amber” color, and the temperature difference Δt
It becomes lighter as becomes smaller. When there is almost no temperature difference Δt between the set temperature T and the detected temperature t, the control circuit 50
Does not heat or cool, and sets the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 to "white".
Color. When the detected temperature t is higher than the set temperature T (T <t), the control circuit 50 operates the air conditioner unit 55 in the cooling mode and sets the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 to “blue”. And Also at this time, the larger the temperature difference Δt between the set temperature T and the detected temperature t is, the deeper the color becomes “blue”, and the smaller the temperature difference Δt is, the lighter the color becomes.

On the other hand, when “AUTO” is set in the blower changeover switch device 4, as shown in FIG. 7, the variable color light source 29 according to the air volume of the blower of the air conditioner unit 55 controlled by the control circuit 50. To change the illumination color. Specifically, the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 is “green” when the air volume is small, “amber” when the air volume is large, and changes between “green” and “amber” during that time. Let it. In the case where the air volume is manually set in the blower changeover switch device 4 ("LO", "."
I)), the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 is changed from “green” to “amber” in accordance with the setting state.
In the case of “OFF”, the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 is “blue”.

On the other hand, when the light switch 51 is turned on, regardless of the state of the air conditioner switch 44, the lamp 30 of the mode changeover switch device 2 and the variable color of the temperature setting switch device 3 are used for nighttime illumination. The light source 9 and the variable color light source 29 of the blower changeover switch device 4 are respectively turned on to illuminate the display units 16a to 16c and the operation dials 22a to 22c from behind, and the lamp 46 is turned on to display the air conditioner display unit 39. Further, the display unit 43 for the display unit for circulation is illuminated. At this time, when the air conditioner switch 44 is not turned on, the variable color light source 9 of the temperature setting switch device 3 is illuminated with, for example, “white”, and the variable color light source 29 of the blower changeover switch device 4 is illuminated.
Illuminates the air volume display section 16b and the operation dial 22b with an illumination color corresponding to the position of the operation dial 22b, and when the air conditioner switch 44 is turned on, the variable color light sources 9 and 29 operate as described above. Controlled.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained. That is, in the temperature setting switch device 3, when the detected temperature t of the inside air temperature sensor 52 is lower than the set temperature T set by the operation dial 22a and the air conditioner unit 55 is in the heating mode,
When the temperature display unit 16a and the operation dial 22a are illuminated in “amber” color, the detected temperature t is higher than the set temperature T, and the air conditioner unit 55 is in the cooling mode, the temperature display unit 16a and the operation dial 22a are set to “ When the temperature is substantially the same as the set temperature T and the temperature is appropriate, the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22 are used.
a is illuminated in “white” color, and by looking at the illumination colors of the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22a, what is the current temperature state in the vehicle with respect to the set temperature? Can be easily understood. in this case,
When the operation mode of the air conditioner unit 55 is
a and the illumination color of the operation dial 22a.

In this case, the set temperature T and the detected temperature t
When the temperature difference Δt is large, the illumination color is displayed dark, and when the temperature difference Δt is small, the illumination color is displayed light, so that the temperature difference between the vehicle interior temperature and the set temperature T can be determined.

Further, in the blower changeover switch device 4, the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 changes according to the state of the air volume, and the illumination color of the air volume display section 16b and the operation dial 22b changes. The state of the air volume can be easily understood by looking.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, in the temperature setting switch device 3, when the detected temperature t (in-vehicle temperature) of the inside air temperature sensor 52 is lower than the set temperature T set by the operation dial 22a (T> t), the temperature display section 16a When the detected temperature t is higher than the set temperature T (T <t), the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22a are illuminated with “amber”, and the operation dial 22a is illuminated with “blue”. If the detected temperature t is substantially the same as the set temperature T and the temperature is appropriate, the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22
Illuminate a in “white” color.

In this case, the temperature difference between the vehicle interior temperature and the set temperature T is displayed by the illumination colors of the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22a. It becomes easy to understand what the current temperature condition inside the vehicle is.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The present invention is not limited to a device having an automatic air conditioner function, but can also be applied to a temperature setting device in a device in which heating and cooling are manually set.

The operation dials 22a and 22b are connected to the indicator 2
6 is configured to have a light-transmitting property, and other than the indicator section 26 is configured to have no light-transmitting property, and the indicator section 26 is illuminated by the variable color light sources 9 and 29 simultaneously with the display sections 16a and 16b. It can also be. Further, the material or color of the indicator 26 having translucency is changed to the display units 16a, 16b.
And the indicator 26 and the display 16a,
It is also possible to change the color and brightness of the illumination of 16b.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the example in which the operation dial 22a and the temperature display section 16a are provided on the operation dial 22a as the temperature setting means has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a lever type. Further, the temperature display unit is not limited to the one on the temperature setting unit, and the temperature display unit may be located at a position distant from the temperature setting unit. The temperature display section is preferably arranged near the temperature setting means, but can be set at any position.

[0034]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, for example, when the detected temperature of the inside air temperature sensor is higher than the set temperature set by the temperature setting means,
By changing the illumination color of the variable color light source that illuminates the temperature display section when the temperature is low and when the temperature is almost the same, it is easy to see what the current temperature condition in the vehicle is in relative to the set temperature become able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention and showing a change in illumination color of a variable color light source in a temperature setting switch device.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an air conditioning control device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a variable color light source.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the state of the blower changeover switch and the illumination color of the variable color light source in the blower changeover switch device.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a temperature setting switch device (temperature setting device), 9 is a variable color light source, 16a is a temperature display section, 17 is a temperature display, 21 is a temperature setting switch (temperature setting means), 22a is an operation dial (temperature setting means), 26 is an index part, 50 is a control circuit (control means), and 52 is an inside air temperature sensor.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Nishimura 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Munefumi Okita 1st Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto F-term (reference) 3L011 CS01

Claims (1)

[Claims] A temperature display unit having a light-transmitting property; a temperature setting unit for setting a temperature in the vehicle; and a temperature display unit provided to illuminate the temperature display unit from behind, and changing an illumination color thereof. A variable color light source, an inside air temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the vehicle, and an illumination color by the variable color light source based on comparing the set temperature set by the temperature setting means with the detected temperature of the inside air temperature sensor. And a control means for changing the temperature of the vehicle.