JP2001001747A - Air conditioner control unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display set conditions more clearly. SOLUTION: For a temperature setting switching device 3 and blower switching device 4 of this air conditioner control unit, light sources 9, 29 variable in color are used for illuminating the display portions 16a, 16b thereof respectively. In the temperature setting switching device 3, an illuminating color from the light source 9 changes according to a set temperature by an operation dial 22a; for example, it changes to blue when the set temperature is 20 deg.C, white when it is 25 deg.C and amber when it is 30 deg.C. The set temperature is displayed with an indicating portion of the operation dial 22a and the color used for illuminating the temperature display portion 16a. Also, in the blower switching device 4, an illuminating color from the light source 29 changes according to the positions of the operation dial 22b. The set blow amount is displayed with an indicating portion of the operation dial 22b and the color used for illuminating the blow amount display portion 16b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning control device for setting the temperature in a vehicle or the intensity of air flow.

[0002]

For example, in a control device for air conditioning of an automobile, for example, a mode changeover switch device for setting a wind outlet and the like, a temperature setting switch device for setting a temperature in the vehicle, and the like are generally provided. A blower changeover switch device and the like for setting the intensity of the air volume are provided.

[0003] Among these, in the temperature setting switch device, for example, an operation dial having an index portion is rotatably provided around a temperature display portion in which a set temperature is indicated by numerals, and the operation dial is rotated. A temperature setting switch composed of a variable resistor is provided as a switch element whose state is switched based on the operation, and the position of the index portion of the operation dial is adjusted to the temperature displayed on the temperature display portion, and the position is set. The temperature suitable for is set.

In the blower changeover switch device, for example, an operation dial having an index portion is rotatably provided around an air volume display portion in which the intensity of the air volume is displayed in characters, and the operation dial is rotated. A blower changeover switch is provided as a switch element that switches the state based on the operation, and by adjusting the position of the indicator portion of the operation dial to the position displayed on the airflow amount display portion, the airflow can be adjusted according to the position. The strength is set.

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the set temperature is displayed only at the position of the index portion of the operation dial with respect to the temperature display portion. Also, the setting state of the intensity of the air volume is displayed only by the position of the index portion of the operation dial with respect to the air volume display portion, so that it may be difficult to understand.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle air-conditioning control device capable of displaying a setting state in a more easily recognizable manner and improving the merchantability. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation device having a light-transmitting display portion and an index portion, operably provided near the display portion. Unit, a switch element whose state is switched based on the operation of the operation unit, a variable color light source that is provided to illuminate the display unit from the back side, and that can change its illumination color, Control means for changing the illumination color of the variable color light source based on a state.

According to the above-described means, the setting state is displayed by the position of the index unit of the operation unit with respect to the display unit and the illumination color of the variable color light source that illuminates the display unit. For this reason, compared with the case where the setting state is displayed only by the position of the index part of the operation unit, the setting state can be displayed in a more easily understandable manner, and the merchantability can be improved.

In this case, the display section for displaying the set state may display the set temperature (invention of claim 2) or may display the intensity of the air volume (invention of claim 3). Is preferred.

It is preferable that the operation section is constituted by a dial-type manual operation member which switches a switch element by turning, and the display section is arranged inside the dial-type manual operation member. 4 invention).

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the overall configuration of a vehicle air-conditioning control device, a switch body 1 is provided with a mode changeover switch device 2 for selecting an air blowing direction and a temperature inside the vehicle in order from the left. Setting device 3 and a blower changeover device 4 for setting the intensity of air flow are provided, and a switch device 5 for air conditioner and a switch for circulation are provided on the right side of the blower changeover device 4. A device 6 is provided vertically, and a printed wiring board 7 is provided on the back side. Among the switch devices 2 to 6, the mode changeover switch device 2 and the temperature setting switch device 3
, And the blower changeover switch device 4 has 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. 4, has 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. 1, 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. Therefore, the operation dial 22a constitutes a dial-type manual operation member for switching the temperature setting switch 21 by turning, and the temperature display section 16a is disposed inside the dial-type manual operation member.

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. 1), which is a switch element whose state is changed based on the turning operation of the operation dial 22b, is constituted 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. Also in this case, the operation dial 22b constitutes a dial type manual operation member for switching the blower changeover switch 21 by turning, and the air volume display section 16b is arranged inside the dial type manual operation member.

Next, the mode switching 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-color lamp 30 is provided on the printed wiring board 7 instead of the variable color light source, and a defogger push button 32 is provided at the center of the mode display section 16c via the holder 31. 1, 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. 1), 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. 1) and a monochromatic LED for illuminating the lens 40
(Not shown), and a circulating switch 45 (see FIG. 5) 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. 1) 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. 5 shows a block diagram of an electrical configuration of a portion related to the gist of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a 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, in the temperature setting switch device 3, the indicator 26 of the operation dial 22a points to "25" of the temperature display 17 as shown in FIG. 2, and the temperature setting switch 21 is set to "25 ° C." In the set state, the control circuit 50 controls the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 to be “white” as shown in FIG. Thereby, the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22a in the temperature setting switch device 3 are illuminated in white by the variable color light source 9.

Then, the index section 26 displays the temperature display 17 at "2".
When the operation dial 22a is rotated to point to the left side of “5”, the control circuit 50 changes the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 to “blue”. in this case,
The illumination color of the variable color light source 9 is changed so as to be light blue when the index portion 26 is close to “25”, and to be dark blue as the index portion 26 approaches “20”. When the operation dial 22a is rotated so that the indicator 26 points to the right side of “25” of the temperature display 17, the control circuit 50 determines that the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 is “amber”. (Amber). Also in this case, the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 is changed so as to be a light amber color when the index portion 26 is close to “25” and a dark amber color as the index portion 26 approaches “30”.

Therefore, the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 of the temperature display section 16a and the operation dial 22a of the temperature setting switch device 3 changes based on the set temperature.

In the blower changeover switch device 4, the indicator 26 of the operation dial 22b points to "AUTO" of the air volume display 27 as shown in FIG. 2, and the blower changeover switch 21 is set to "AUTO". 7, the control circuit 50 changes the illumination color of the variable color light source 29
Is controlled so as to be “white” as shown in FIG. Thereby, the air volume display unit 16 in the blower changeover switch device 3
b and the operation dial 22b are illuminated in white by the variable color light source 29.

Then, the index unit 26 displays "L" on the air volume display 27.
When the operation dial 22b is rotated to indicate “O”, the control circuit 50 changes the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 to “green”. Further, the index unit 26
Control dial 2 to point from “LO” to “HI”
When the rotating operation of 2b is performed, the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 is sequentially changed from green to amber. When the operation dial 22b is turned so that the indicator 26 points to "OFF", the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 is "blue".

Therefore, the illumination color of the variable color light source 29 of the air volume display section 16b and the operation dial 22b of the blower changeover switch device 4 changes based on the setting state of the air volume intensity.

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, the variable color light sources 9 and 29 are operated by the corresponding operation dials 22a and 22b.
Display portions 16a,
16b and the operation dials 22a and 22b are illuminated.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. First, in the temperature setting switch device 3, the set temperature is determined by the position of the indicator 26 of the operation dial 22a with respect to the temperature display 16a and the temperature display 16a.
In addition, since the setting temperature is indicated by the illumination color of the variable color light source 9 that illuminates the operation dial 22a, the set state can be displayed in a more easily understandable manner than when the set temperature is indicated only by the position of the index portion of the operation dial. In addition, the merchantability can be improved.

Also in the blower change-over switch device 4, the setting of the intensity of the air volume is controlled by the position of the index portion 26 of the operation dial 22b with respect to the air volume display portion 16b and the illumination of the air volume display portion 16b and the operation dial 22b. Since the setting state of the air volume is displayed by only the position of the indicator of the operation dial, the setting state can be displayed in a more easily understandable manner, and the merchantability is improved. Can be done.

Further, since the variable color light source 9 in the temperature setting switch device 3 and the variable color light source 29 in the blower changeover switch device 4 are respectively disposed at the center of the switch installation section 8, the variable color light sources 9, 29 are provided. Thereby, the temperature display section 16a and the air volume display section 16b can be illuminated almost uniformly.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The operation dials 22a and 22b have a configuration in which the indicator 26 has translucency and a configuration in which other than the indicator 26 does not have translucency.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which illumination is performed by the variable color light sources 9 and 29 simultaneously with 6a and 16b. In addition, by making the material or color of the translucent index portion 26 different from that of the display portions 16a and 16b, the index portion 26 and the display portions 16a and 16b are different.
The color and brightness of the illumination b can be changed.

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the setting state is:
Since the position of the indicator of the operation unit with respect to the display unit and the illumination color of the variable color light source that illuminates the display unit are displayed, the setting state is compared with the case where the setting state is displayed only at the position of the indicator of the operation unit. The setting state can be displayed in a more easily understood manner, and the merchantability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the set temperature can be displayed more easily. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the setting state of the intensity of the air volume can be displayed more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
Sectional view along line A

FIG. 2 is a front view

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a variable color light source.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a set temperature and an illumination color of a variable color light source in the temperature setting switch device.

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.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is a temperature setting switch device, 4 is a blower changeover switch device, 9 is a variable color light source, 16a is a temperature display unit (display unit),
16b is an air volume display unit (display unit), 17 is a temperature display, 21
Are temperature setting switches (switch elements), 22a and 22b
Is an operation dial (operation unit, dial-type manual operation member), 26 is an index unit, 27 is an air volume display, 28 is a blower changeover switch (switch element), 29 is a variable color light source, 50
Indicates a control circuit (control means).

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

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit having a translucent display unit, an index unit, and operably provided near the display unit, and a switch element whose state is switched based on operation of the operation unit. A variable color light source provided to illuminate the display unit from the back side and capable of changing its illumination color; and a control unit for changing the illumination color of the variable color light source based on the state of the switch element. A control device for air conditioning of a vehicle, comprising: 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a set temperature. 3. The control device for air conditioning of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the intensity of the air volume. 4. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a dial-type manual operation member that switches a switch element by rotation, and the display unit is disposed inside the dial-type manual operation member. The control device for air conditioning of a vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims.